Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cataract induction in lenses cultured with transforming growth factor-beta.

PURPOSE Anterior subcapsular cataracts are characterized by the appearance of opaque plaques of abnormal cells. Distinctive spindle-shaped cells containing alpha-smooth muscle actin are present and are associated with wrinkling of the overlying lens capsule. Accumulations of extracellular matrix, including type I collagen, also are found. The authors previously reported that transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) induces similar aberrant morphologic changes in lens epithelial explants. More recently, they identified alpha-smooth muscle actin in explants cultured with TGF-beta. The aim of this study was to determine whether TGF-beta induces comparable cataractous changes in whole lenses and to examine the effects of this treatment on the transparency of the lens. METHODS Whole lenses from 21-day-old rats were cultured in defined serum-free medium with TGF-beta 2 or without added growth factors for 5 days. Lenses were then photographed and prepared for histology and immunolocalization. RESULTS Lenses cultured with TGF-beta developed distinct anterior opacities just beneath the lens capsule. Histologically, clumps of abnormal cells corresponded with these opacities. Spindle-shaped cells, which contained alpha-smooth muscle actin, were present, and the overlying capsule was often wrinkled. The clumps contained accumulations of type I collagen, laminin, and heparan sulphate proteoglycan. In contrast, lenses cultured without growth factors remained transparent, retained normal lens morphology, and did not accumulate alpha-smooth muscle actin or type I collagen. CONCLUSIONS These results show that TGF-beta induces whole lenses to form opacities that contain morphologic and biochemical markers for subcapsular cataract.
Macular dystrophy with protan genotype and phenotype studied with cone type specific ERGs

Purpose. To determine the L- and M-cone driven ERG responses in a male patient with macular dystrophy and a protan phenotype. Methods. We measured large field ERG thresholds to stimuli which modulated exclusively the L- or the M-cones or the two in various combinations (both in-phase and in counterphase). In none of the stimuli, the S-cones were modulated. Additionally, standard and multifocal ERGs were measured. Analysis of the L- and M-cone pigment genes was performed by means of PCR, RFLP analysis and DNA sequencing techniques. Results. Macular dystrophy was revealed by the markedly abnormal multifocal ERGs in presence of near normal standard ERGs. The large field ERG responses were exclusively driven by the M-cones with enlarged thresholds when compared with otherwise normal protanopes. In addition, the M-cone driven ERG response phases were abnormal. Pigment gene analysis confirmed a protan genotype with the presence of a single 5'red/3'green hybrid pigment gene. Conclusions Our novel stimulus technique allows a reliable analysis of the separate cone pathways even in cases with macular dysfunction. The increased thresholds and the abnormal phase behavior of the M-cone driven ERGs reflect altered mechanisms of the retinal physiology in this patient. The data strongly suggest that the macular dystrophy and the protanopia have independent origins.
Embedding a Panoramic Representation of Infrared Light in the Adult Rat Somatosensory Cortex through a Sensory Neuroprosthesis

Can the adult brain assimilate a novel, topographically organized, sensory modality into its perceptual repertoire? To test this, we implemented a microstimulation-based neuroprosthesis that rats used to discriminate among infrared (IR) light sources. This system continuously relayed information from four IR sensors that were distributed to provide a panoramic view of IR sources, into primary somatosensory cortex (S1). Rats learned to discriminate the location of IR sources in <4 d. Animals in which IR information was delivered in spatial register with whisker topography learned the task more quickly. Further, in animals that had learned to use the prosthesis, altering the topographic mapping from IR sensor to stimulating electrode had immediate deleterious effects on discrimination performance. Multielectrode recordings revealed that S1 neurons had multimodal (tactile/IR) receptive fields, with clear preferences for those stimuli most likely to be delivered during the task. Neuronal populations predicted, with high accuracy, which stimulation pattern was present in small (75 ms) time windows. Surprisingly, when identical microstimulation patterns were delivered during an unrelated task, cortical activity in S1 was strongly suppressed. Overall, these results show that the adult mammalian neocortex can readily absorb completely new information sources into its representational repertoire, and use this information in the production of adaptive behaviors. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Understanding the potential for plasticity in the adult brain is a key goal for basic neuroscience and modern rehabilitative medicine. Our study examines one dimension of this challenge: how malleable is sensory processing in adult mammals? We implemented a panoramic infrared (IR) sensory prosthetic system in rats; it consisted of four IR sensors equally spaced around the circumference of the head of the rat. Each sensor was coupled to a microstimulating electrode placed in the somatosensory cortex of the rat. Within days, rats learned to use the prosthesis to track down items associated with IR light in their environment. This is quite promising clinically, as the largest demand for sensory prosthetic devices is in adults whose brains are already fully developed.
Factors associated with anxiety in patients attending a sexually transmitted infection clinic: qualitative survey

We used qualitative methods to explore factors, which might explain increased anxiety in patients attending a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic. Twenty patients, who scored significantly for anxiety on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) attended a 20-minute interview. This explored factors contributing to their current psychological symptoms. Transcripts revealed three main themes. First were factors related to possible STIs and the clinic visit. These included health anxieties about HIV or fertility and clinic factors, including staff attitudes and clinic location. Second were factors unrelated to the clinic, including previous emotional difficulties or substance misuse. Third were issues concerning stigma, embarrassment and shame. The origins of anxiety in STI patients are multifactorial and difficult to identify during brief appointments. Despite modern clinics and attitudes, stigma and embarrassment remain prominent. Interventions to address these factors could improve psychological health in this patient group.
capA, a cspA-like gene that encodes a cold acclimation protein in the psychrotrophic bacterium Arthrobacter globiformis SI55

By use of Arthrobacter globiformis SI55, a psychrotrophic bacterium capable of growth between -5 and +32 degrees C, we cloned and sequenced capA, a gene homologous to cspA encoding the major cold shock protein in Escherichia coli. The deduced protein sequence has a high level of identity with the sequences of other CspA-related proteins from various sources, and no particular residue or domain that could be specific to cold-adapted microorganisms emerged. We show that CapA was produced very rapidly following cold shock, but unlike its mesophilic counterparts, it was still expressed during prolonged growth at low temperature. Its synthesis is regulated at the translational level, and we showed that growth resumption following a temperature downshift correlated with CapA expression. Transient inhibitions in protein synthesis during the first stages of the cold shock response severely impaired the subsequent acclimation of A. globiformis SI55 to low temperature and delayed CapA expression. The cold shock response in A. globiformis SI55 is an adaptative process in which CapA may play a crucial role. We suggest that low-temperature acclimation is conditioned mainly by the ability of cells to restore an active translational machinery after cold shock in a process that may be different from that present in mesophiles.
Efferent projections of the paraventricular thalamic nucleus in the rat

The paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT) receives input from all major components of the circadian timing system, including the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the intergeniculate leaflet and the retina. For a better understanding of the role of this nucleus in circadian timing, we examined the distribution of its efferent projections using the anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgarl's leucoagglutinin (PHA‐L). The efferent projections of the PVT are loosely organized along its dorsal‐ventral and anterior‐posterior axes. The anterior PVT sends projections to the SCN; the dorsomedial and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei; the lateral septum; the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis; the central and basomedial amygdaloid. nuclei; the anterior olfactory nucleus; the olfactory tubercle; the nucleus accumbens; the infralimbic, piriform, and perirhinal cortices; the ventral subiculum; and the endopiriform nucleus. A small PHA‐L injection, restricted to the ventral portion of the anterior PVT, produces a similar pattern of labeling, except for a marked decrease in the number of labeled fibers in the hypothalamus, cortex, and lateral septum and an increase in labeling in the endopiriform nucleus and basolateral amygdaloid nucleus. The posterior PVT has a more limited efferent distribution than the anterior PVT, terminating in the anterior olfactory nucleus; the olfactory tubercle; the nucleus accumbens; and the central, basolateral, and basomedial nuclei of the amygdala. Our results show that the anterior PVT is ideally situated to relay circadian timing information from the SCN to brain areas involved in visceral and motivational aspects of behavior and to provide feedback regulation of the SCN. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thermotherapy for treatment of osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects mostly the weight-bearing joints in the knees and hips. As the affected joint degenerates pain and restriction of movement often occur. Inflammation can also occur sometimes resulting in edema of the joint with OA. Treatment focuses on decreasing pain and improving movement. OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness of thermotherapy in the treatment of OA of the knee. The outcomes of interest were relief of pain, reduction of edema, and improvement of flexion or range of motion (ROM) and function. SEARCH STRATEGY Two independent reviewers selected randomized and controlled clinical trials with participants with clinical and/or radiological confirmation of OA of the knee; and interventions using heat or cold therapy compared with standard treatment and/or placebo. Trials comparing head to head therapies, such as two different types of diathermy, were excluded. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized and controlled clinical trials including participants with clinical or radiographical confirmation of OA of the knee; and interventions using heat or cold compared to standard treatment or placebo were considered for inclusion. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Study results were extracted by two independent reviewers. Outcomes were continuous in nature (pain, strength, improvement) and were analyzed by weighted mean difference using a fixed effects model. Graphical data were used when table data were not available. MAIN RESULTS Three randomized controlled trials, involving 179 patients, were included in this review. The included trials varied in terms of design, outcomes measured, cryotherapy or thermotherapy treatments and overall methodological quality. In one trial, administration of 20 minutes of ice massage, 5 days per week, for 3 weeks, compared to control demonstrated a clinically important benefit for knee OA on increasing quadriceps strength (29% relative difference). There was also a statistically significant improvement, but no clinical benefit in improving knee flexion ROM (8% relative difference) and functional status (11% relative difference). Another trial showed that cold packs decreased knee edema. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Ice massage compared to control had a statistically beneficial effect on ROM, function and knee strength. Cold packs decreased swelling. Hot packs had no beneficial effect on edema compared with placebo or cold application. Ice packs did not effect pain significantly compared to control in patients with OA. More well designed studies with a standardized protocol and adequate number of subjects are needed to evaluate the effect of thermotherapy in the treatment of OA of the knee.
MELATONIN IS CRUCIAL FOR THE MIGRATORY ORIENTATION OF PIED FLYCATCHERS (FICEDULA HYPOLEUCA PALLAS)

After pinealectomy, young pied flycatchers tested in the geomagnetic field have been found to be disoriented. In order to examine the possible role of the pineal hormone melatonin, handraised flycatchers were pinealectomized (PX) at the age of 8 weeks. From the day of operation onward, the PXMEL group received 100 µg of melatonin every evening 1 h before darkness, the PXSOL group was injected with the solvent only, and the PX group was untreated. Unoperated birds served as controls. During the following autumn migration, the birds were tested for directional preference in the local geomagnetic field, in the absence of visual cues. The controls were oriented in the species-specific southwesterly direction; pinealectomized birds without additional melatonin (PXSOL, PX) did not show directional preferences. The PXMEL birds that had received daily injections of melatonin also showed significant southwesterly tendencies; their orientation did not differ from that of the controls. This indicates that melatonin is involved in migratory orientation, either in the processes of expressing the genetically encoded information on the migratory course as a direction with respect to the geomagnetic field or in the time programme controlling the specific migratory direction at a given time.
Lack of effect of anti-hypertensive treatment with felodipine on cardiovascular structure of young spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Felodipine (4(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1,4-dihydro-2, 6-dimethyl-3-ethoxycarbonyl-5-methoxycarbonyl pyridine)), a selective vasodilating anti-hypertensive drug, was used in the treatment of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKYs) from age 6 to 14 weeks, ie during the time of high blood pressure development in SHRs. The effect of treatment on heart weight and on mesenteric resistance vessels (i.d. ca 170 microns) characteristics was investigated. In a first study, two oral doses of felodipine were added to the diet of SHRs, in concentrations of either 0.5 or 1.5 mg X g-1 rat food. Both treatments lowered mean arterial pressure by about 19% (p less than 0.001). In a second study, the lower dose of felodipine (0.5 mg . g-1 rat food) was therefore used to treat both SHRs and WKYs. Treatment did not interfere with weight or food intake of either SHRs or WKYs but increased average weekly water intake significantly. In neither strain was the pulse rate or, surprisingly, heart/body weight ratio affected by treatment. Furthermore, mesenteric resistance vessel morphology and mechanics were not affected by the blood pressure reduction. The noradrenaline and calcium sensitivity of mesenteric resistance vessels from treated rats was greater (p less than 0.001) than those from control rats. These findings indicate that blood pressure reduction with felodipine does not affect cardiovascular structure in young SHRs.
A model for Arabidopsis class-1 KNOX gene function

The Arabidopsis class-1 KNOX genes STM, BP/KNAT1, KNAT2 and KNAT6 encode homeodomain transcriptional regulators important for shoot apical meristem (SAM) and carpel development. During vegetative growth, STM is required to establish and maintain the stem cell pool of the SAM, a function replaceable by ectopic expression of BP/KNAT1 but not of other class-1 KNOX genes. We recently demonstrated additional STM roles in the development of the central floral whorl and subsequent formation of carpels, a function replaceable by ectopic KNAT2 expression. However, STM is normally required for BP/KNAT1 and KNAT2 expression, explaining why it is essential for both SAM and carpel development. We propose therefore that STM provides the critical KNOX function in these processes and that the SAM- and carpel-promoting activities of STM are redundantly duplicated in BP/KNAT1 and KNAT2 respectively. Here we show that ectopic KNAT2 expression can restore carpel development to stm mutants, but fails to restore proper development of the central floral whorl, which requires a function analogous to the SAM-promoting activities of STM and BP/KNAT1. Similarly, we show that ectopic KNAT2 expression does not restore normal meristem organization to the SAM. We propose a model for discrete and overlapping class-1 KNOX gene function in Arabidopsis.
Overcoming drawback of feature instantaneous bandwidth using EMD for epileptic seizure classification by RMS frequency

The work addresses classification of EEG signals into seizure and non-seizure by applying EMD and SVM with proposal of new feature Root Mean Square (RMS) frequency and feature using Hilbert marginal spectrum which overcomes the drawback of feature instantaneous bandwidth. We have success in achieving the consistency with the new features which shows classification average accuracy of 97.72% and highest accuracy reached to 100% for seizure and non-seizure signals.
Adaptive changes in the effects of angiotensin II on the convulsive-seizure threshold in cases of altered sensitivity of dopamine receptors.

The adaptive changes in the effects of the neuropeptide angiotensin II (AT II) on the convulsive-seizure threshold were studied. AT II was injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) at a dose of 1 micrograms/mouse and convulsive seizures were induced by timed intravenous infusion of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) in male albino mice. The sensitivity of DA receptors was altered by: repeated (14 days) intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of the DA receptor antagonist pimozide (1 mg.kg-1) and subsequent withdrawal of the antagonist for 7 or 21 days; and repeated (14 days) subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of the DA receptor agonist apomorphine (0.5 mg.kg-1). The convulsive-seizure-increasing effect of AT II was enhanced after multiple administration of pimozide and particularly after its withdrawal for 21 days. This effect was also enhanced though to a lesser degree by repeated treatment with apomorphine. Apomorphine applied 21 days after withdrawal of pimozide decreased the pimozide-enhanced effect of AT II. All these adaptive changes in the effects of AT II on the PTZ convulsive-seizure threshold might be associated with the altered receptor-receptor (AT II-DA-GABA) interactions in the brain structures participating in the regulation of the convulsive-seizure threshold.
AN AGILE PROCESS FRAMEWORK FOR CLOUD APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT

By its very nature, cloud-based development offers an organization a high degree of agility; correspondingly, the developmental processes themselves should be agile in nature. This paper provides an overview of the challenges faced in developing cloud applications, and discusses an agile framework that offers a repeatable process for building cloud-based applications. With the growing maturity of cloud computing technologies, enterprises are now exploring their benefits beyond the known efficiencies gained in data center infrastructure. Cloud technologies are being applied and leveraged in different types of applications, a trend fueling the recent growth in the number of Platform as a Service (PaaS) vendors and technologies. PaaS provides the bedrock for cloud-based application development, deployment and management. Given the new architectural paradigms introduced by cloud, we expect to see more and more applications built merely by assembling and orchestrating services, rather than developed based on indigenously built software components. This necessitates a fresh look at existing software development lifecycle processes. Debbrata Das Kirti Vaidya CSC kvaidya2@csc.com
SUB-TENON TRIAMCINOLONE ACETONIDE INJECTION IN A PREGNANT PATIENT WITH VOGT–KOYANAGI–HARADA DISEASE

Purpose: To report a case of new-onset Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease treated with sub-Tenon injection of triamcinolone acetonide in a 16-week pregnant patient. Methods: Review of clinical records. Results: A 33-year-old woman in her 16th week of pregnancy presented with bilateral serous retinal detachments associated with anterior chamber inflammation. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence topography showed marked choroidal thickening. Headache and tinnitus developed 3 days later. The patient was diagnosed with incomplete Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease and treated with bilateral sub-Tenon triamcinolone acetonide injections. Within 2 weeks, the serous retinal detachments completely resolved with decreased choroidal thickness in both eyes. No recurrence of inflammation or choroidal thickening was noted over a follow-up of 13 months. The patient delivered a healthy baby at 41 weeks of pregnancy. Conclusion: Sub-Tenon triamcinolone acetonide injection may be an effective and safe treatment in pregnant women with new-onset Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease.
No effects of pulsed radio frequency electromagnetic fields on melatonin, cortisol, and selected markers of the immune system in man

There is growing public concern that radio frequency electromagnetic fields may have adverse biological effects. In the present study eight healthy male students were tested to see whether or not radio frequency electromagnetic fields as used in modern digital wireless telecommunication (GSM standard) have noticeable effects on salivary melatonin, cortisol, neopterin, and immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels during and several hours after exposure. In a specifically designed, shielded experimental chamber, the circularly polarized electromagnetic field applied was transmitted by an antenna positioned 10 cm behind the head of upright sitting test persons. The carrier frequency of 900 MHz was pulsed with 217 Hz (average power flux density 1 W/m2). In double blind trials, each test person underwent a total of 20 randomly allotted 4 hour periods of exposure and sham exposure, equally distributed at day and night. The results obtained show that the salivary concentrations of melatonin, cortisol, neopterin and sIgA did not differ significantly between exposure and sham exposure. Bioelectromagnetics 22:280–287, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dos décadas de escalamiento del conflicto armado en Colombia (1986-2006)

El primer ensayo presenta un analisis del crecimiento de la guerrilla en las decadas del ochenta y noventa del siglo XX. En el segundo, el autor examina el incremento registrado en los cultivos de amapola en Colombia, a comienzos de la decada del noventa del siglo pasado, en los escenarios del conflicto armado localizados en el suroccidente del pais (Narino, Cauca, Huila y Tolima). Los dos capitulos finales giran en torno a la dinamica reciente del conflicto armado y las perspectivas de paz. El libro finaliza con una completa bibliografia tematica sobre violencia y conflicto armado en Colombia. Basandose en una rigurosa evidencia cartografica, aspecto poco desarrollado en los estudios sobre la violencia en Colombia, ECHANDIA examina, en primera instancia, el proceso de expansion territorial de las organizaciones guerrilleras en las ultimas decadas del siglo XX. Durante este periodo, los grupos alzados en armas incrementaron su presencia en el territorio del pais, el numero de sus frentes y los integrantes en sus filas. Lograron, ademas, consolidar en torno a recursos naturales, tanto licitos –oro y petroleo– como ilicitos –coca y amapola–, economias de guerra que les permitieron contar con los medios para financiar sus estrategias y planes de guerra.