Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activity-dependent regulation decreases metabolic cost in the auditory brainstem

Neuronal computation of information is metabolically expensive. In parallel to computation, activity-dependent modulation of neuronal excitability occurs to adapt neural responses and possibly optimize metabolic cost. In this study, we focus on the metabolic cost of electrophysiological activity during the modulatory effect of nitric oxide in the auditory brainstem. The model describes the glycolysis and mitochondrial activity, the main means of adenosine triphosphate synthesis, in response to electrophysiological stimulation of a neuron in the control case or in the presence of nitric oxide. The model permits the evaluation of adenosine triphosphate variation at different stages of the metabolic pathway, and shows that nitric oxide not only avoids transmission failures at high frequency stimulation but also decreases the metabolic cost of neuronal firing.
A prospective clinical study comparing MI-TLIF with unilateral versus bilateral transpedicular fixation in low grade lumbar spondylolisthesis.

BACKGROUND Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) has become one of the standard techniques for approaching ipsilateral decompression, anterior column fusion, and posterior stabilization. This procedure is usually accompanied by the placement of bilateral transpedicular screws in the corresponding segment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of unilateral screw fixation compared with bilateral fixation in patients diagnosed with low-grade symptomatic lumbar spondylolisthesis who underwent an MI-TLIF technique. METHODS A prospective and comparative study was performed in 67 patients with grade 1 symptomatic lumbar spondylolisthesis. The sample was allocated on both unilateral fixation group (n=33) and bilateral fixation group (n=34). Clinical outcomes were evaluated using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), visual analogue scale (VAS) for leg and back pain, and Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), preoperatively, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Changes over time and differences between the groups were analyzed. Statistical analyses included: Friedman test, Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney's U. A two-tailed P value of <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS During 1-year of evaluation there were no significant clinical differences between both groups. CONCLUSIONS Patients with grade 1 symptomatic lumbar spondylolisthesis treated with MI-TLIF with unilateral screw fixation had similar clinical results than those treated with bilateral fixation at 12 months postoperatively.
The Macrophage Cholesterol Exporter ABCA1 Functions as an Anti-inflammatory Receptor*

ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) is a cell membrane protein that exports excess cholesterol from cells to apolipoprotein (apo) A-I, the major protein in high density lipoproteins. Genetic studies have shown that ABCA1 protects against cardiovascular disease. The interaction of apoA-I with ABCA1 promotes cholesterol removal and activates signaling molecules, such as Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), that optimize the lipid export activity of ABCA1. Here we show that the ABCA1-mediated activation of JAK2 also activates STAT3, which is independent of the lipid transport function of ABCA1. ABCA1 contains two candidate STAT3 docking sites that are required for the apoA-I/ABCA1/JAK2 activation of STAT3. The interaction of apoA-I with ABCA1-expressing macrophages suppressed the ability of lysopolysaccaride to induce the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, which was reversed by silencing STAT3 or ABCA1. Thus, the apoA-I/ABCA1 pathway in macrophages functions as an anti-inflammatory receptor through activation of JAK2/STAT3. These findings implicate ABCA1 as a direct molecular link between the cardioprotective effects of cholesterol export from arterial macrophages and suppressed inflammation.
Characterizing Patient Dysfunction in Alzheimer's-Type Dementia

Although Alzheimer's-type dementia (ATD) is characterized by global intellectual deterioration, few systematic efforts have been made to characterize overall dysfunction of ATD patients. The Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) was administered to ATD patients and family members to determine the concurrent validity of family member assessments of functional status. Using the Mini-Mental State score and modified Dementia Rating Scale as validation criteria, family member SIP scores showed consistently higher correlations with the Mini-Mental State and modified Dementia Rating Scale than did patient scores. Comparing family member SIP scores for ATD and nondemented patients revealed that ATD patients maintained high levels of psychosocial dysfunction at both initial evaluation and 1-year follow-up. By contrast, ATD patients showed high levels of physical dysfunction relative to nondemented patients only at follow-up. Physical deterioration over time is also suggested by comparison of ATD patient initial and follow-up scores. This study documents the well-known psychosocial dysfunction in ATD and emphasizes the importance of physical dysfunction as the disease progresses.
Distribution of immunoreactivity for gamma-aminobutyric acid in the salamander olfactory bulb.

Intrinsic neurons provide inhibitory synaptic input to mitral (and tufted) output cells within several laminae of the olfactory bulb. In rodents, the two main types of intrinsic neurons are granule and periglomerular cells, both of which contain gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). In the present study, immunocytochemical techniques were used to determine whether intrinsic neurons in the salamander olfactory bulb might also contain GABA. With the aid of two antisera to different GABA-conjugates, immunoreactivity for GABA was localized within the olfactory bulb laminae. In the glomerular layer, periglomerular cells, which were strongly immunoreactive, were concentrated in clusters along the border with the olfactory nerve layer. Dendrites of the cells encircled nearby glomeruli and were presumably a primary source of intraglomerular processes that were also stained. In the subglomerular region and external plexiform layer, relatively few immunoreactive cells were observed, most of which appeared to be periglomerular and tufted cell types with glomerular dendrites. Throughout the external plexiform and mitral cell layers, however, a dense matrix of spiny processes and puncta was stained, outlining large, unstained dendrites derived from the large, unstained cell bodies of mitral cells. The spiny processes and puncta appeared to be derived from granule cells, which were the most abundant immunoreactive cells in the bulb. Granule cell bodies filled the granule cell layer. In tissue fixed with 0.1-0.2% glutaraldehyde, staining in the olfactory bulb laminae was blocked by preadsorption of the two antisera with glutaraldehyde-conjugated GABA-bovine serum albumin. The staining therefore appeared to be specific for fixed GABA. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Wheelchair Skills Test: a pilot study of a new outcome measure.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the practicality, safety, reliability, validity, and usefulness of a new Wheelchair Skills Test (WST). DESIGN A pilot study with within-subject comparisons. SETTING Rehabilitation center. PATIENTS Twenty-four wheelchair users (11 with amputations, 4 with stroke, 3 with musculoskeletal disorders, 3 with spinal cord injury, 3 with neuromuscular disorders). INTERVENTION The WST. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Subjects were videotaped while performing 33 skills twice (>10d apart). Their ability to perform each skill was rated on a 3-point ordinal scale. The test-retest, intra-, and interrater reliabilities were determined. Each subject's occupational therapist completed a visual analog scale (VAS), reflecting a global rating of the subject's manual wheelchair skills. We assessed validity by evaluating whether the WST detected expected changes (construct validity) and how well the total WST scores correlated with the occupational therapists' global ratings (concurrent validity). Each occupational therapist also used a VAS to quantify the usefulness of the WST. RESULTS The mean time required to administer the WST was 29 minutes. There were no adverse incidents. For the test-retest, intra-, and interrater reliabilities, the correlations for the total scores were . 65 (P =.001), . 96 (P <.001), and . 95 (P <.001), respectively. The 9 therapists unanimously endorsed 30 (91%) of the 33 WST skills. The correlation between the mean changes in the WST and global rating scores was . 45 (P <.05). There was a slight negative relationship between total WST score and age (P <.05). There were no significant differences related to the diagnoses accounting for wheelchair use. Wheelchair users with more than 3 weeks of experience with their wheelchairs scored higher than those with less experience (P =.0085). The correlations between the WST and global rating scores ranged from . 40 to . 54 (P <.05). Through Rasch analysis, we eliminated 6 skills, with the remaining skills comprising a unidimensional screening test of wheelchair ability. The mean VAS score for perceived usefulness was 59%. CONCLUSIONS The WST is practical, safe, well tolerated, exhibits good to excellent reliability, excellent content validity, fair construct and concurrent validity, and moderate usefulness. This pilot study makes an important contribution toward meeting the need for a well-validated outcome measure of manual wheelchair ability.
Enzymes Catalyzing Ubiquitination and Proteolytic Processing of the p105 Precursor of Nuclear Factor κB1*

Nuclear factor κB1 (NF-κB) is a heterodimeric complex that regulates transcription of many genes involved in immune and inflammatory responses. Its 50-kDa subunit (p50) is generated by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway from a 105-kDa precursor (p105). We have reconstituted this proteolytic process in HeLa cell extracts and purified the responsible enzymes. Ubiquitination of p105 requires E1, and either of two types of E2s, E2–25K (for which p105 is the first proven substrate) or a member of the UBCH5 (UBC4) family. It also requires a new E3 of 50 kDa, which we call E3κB. This set of enzymes differs from the E2s and E3 reported by others to catalyze p105 ubiquitination in reticulocytes. The ubiquitinating enzymes purified here, together with 26S proteasomes, allowed formation of p50. Thus, the 26S proteasome provides all the proteolytic activities necessary for p105 processing. Interestingly, in the reconstituted system, as observed in cells, the C-terminally truncated form of p105, p97, was processed into p50 more efficiently than normal p105, even when both species were ubiquitinated to a similar extent. Therefore, some additional mechanism involving the C-terminal region of p105 influences the proteolytic processing of the ubiquitinated precursor.
Global myocardial strain assessment by different imaging modalities to predict outcomes after ST-elevation myocardial infarction: A systematic review.

AIM To conduct a systematic review relating myocardial strain assessed by different imaging modalities for prognostication following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). METHODS An online literature search was performed in PubMed and OVID(®) electronic databases to identify any studies that assessed global myocardial strain parameters using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) and/or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) techniques [either myocardial tagging or feature tracking (FT) software] in an acute STEMI cohort (days 0-14 post-event) to predict prognosis [either development of major adverse cardiac events (MACE)] or adverse left ventricular (LV) remodelling at follow-up (≥ 6 mo for MACE, ≥ 3 mo for remodelling). Search was restricted to studies within the last 20 years. All studies that matched the pre-defined search criteria were reviewed and their results interpreted. Due to considerable heterogeneity between studies, meta-analysis was not performed. RESULTS A total of seven studies (n = 7) were identified that matched the search criteria. All studies used STE to evaluate strain parameters - five (n = 5) assessed global longitudinal strain (GLS) (n = 5), one assessed GLS rate (GLS-R) (n = 1) and one assessed both (n = 1). Three studies showed that GLS independently predicted the development of adverse LV remodelling by multivariate analysis - odds ratio between 1.19 (CI: 1.04-1.37, P < 0.05) and 10 (CI: 6.7-14, P < 0.001) depending on the study. Four studies showed that GLS predicted the development of MACE - hazard ratio (HR) between 1.1 (CI: 1-1.1, P = 0.006) and 2.34 (1.10-4.97, P < 0.05). One paper found that GLS-R could significantly predict MACE - HR 18 (10-35, P < 0.001) - whilst another showed it did not. GLS < -10.85% had sensitivity/specificity of 89.7%/91% respectively for predicting the development of remodelling whilst GLS < -13% could predict the development of MACE with sensitivity/specificity of 100%/89% respectively. No suitable studies were identified that assessed global strain by CMR tagging or FT techniques. CONCLUSION GLS measured acutely post-STEMI by STE is a predictor of poor prognosis. Further research is needed to show that this is true for CMR-based techniques.
Acceptability of Oral versus Rectal HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis among Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Peru

Objective: Oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with antiretrovirals (ARVs) is at the forefront of biomedical HIV prevention research, and ARVs are also being tested for rectal administration to target people practicing unprotected receptive anal intercourse (URAI) and at risk of HIV infection. This study assessed the acceptability of daily oral PrEP and rectal PrEP during URAI among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) in Peru. Methods: During the 2008 HIV sentinel surveillance survey conducted in 3 Peruvian cities (Lima, Iquitos, and Pucallpa), MSM and TGW reported being “versatile,” “most of the time receptive,” and “exclusively receptive” during anal sex behavior where surveyed on their acceptability of oral and rectal PrEP. Results: Among 532 individuals, high acceptance of either oral (96.2%) or rectal (91.7%) PrEP products was reported. If both products were efficacious/available, 28.6% would prefer a pill, 57.3% a rectal lubricant, and 14.1% either. A trend toward higher acceptance was observed as receptive anal sex behavior exclusivity rose (P = .013). Being receptive most of the time (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 9.1, P = .01) and exclusively receptive (aOR: 7.5, P = .01), compared to being versatile, were independently associated with oral PrEP acceptability. A similar association was found with the acceptability of rectal formulations (aOR: 2.3, P = .07; and aOR: 2.5, P = .02; respectively). Conclusions: Oral and rectal PrEP were highly acceptable among Peruvian MSM and TGW, particularly among those at the highest HIV infection risk. These data can guide the implementation of PrEP programs in Peru and similar settings and populations.
Risk genotypes in folate-dependent enzymes and their association with methotrexate-related side effects in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE Methotrexate (MTX) is an antifolate agent that is often associated with toxicity. This study investigated whether risk genotypes for folate-dependent enzymes are associated with the toxicity of MTX in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Blood was collected for analysis in a muticenter, cross-sectional study of RA patients who had been receiving MTX for at least 1 month prior to enrollment, and side effects occurring at the time of a single study visit were recorded. Low-penetrance risk genotypes in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677TT, thymidylate synthase (TSER) *2/*2 (variable number of tandem repeats), amino imidazole ribonucleotide transformylase (ATIC) 347GG, and serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT1) 1420CC were measured and summed to constitute the toxicogenetic index specific to each patient. Statistical analyses consisted of logistic regression models with clustered-center effects, and associations with risk genotypes were expressed as adjusted odds ratios (ORs). RESULTS Among 214 patients enrolled at 4 study sites, a total of 67 patients (31%) presented with a side effect (gastrointestinal event, headache, lethargy, alopecia, cough, or dyspnea). Risk genotypes associated with side effects in the central nervous system were MTHFR 677TT (OR 3.3, P < 0.01) and SHMT1 1420CC (OR 2.4, P < 0.05). ATIC 347GG was associated with gastrointestinal side effects (OR 3.0, P < 0.01), while TSER*2/*2 (OR 5.4, P < 0.01) and SHMT1 1420CC (OR 3.2, P < 0.01) were associated with alopecia. The toxicogenetic index ranged from 0 to 3 (median 1). An index of 3 was associated with an approximately 7-fold higher likelihood of having a side effect compared with an index of 0 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION These data suggest that a composite index of the cumulative risk genotypes in folate-dependent enzymes may be an effective means of profiling RA patients who develop side effects to MTX.
The Formation of Galactic Bulges: Frontmatter

Part I. Introduction: What are galactic bulges? Part II. The Epoch of Bulge Formation: Origin of bulges Deep sub-mm surveys: High-z ULIRGs and the formation of spheroids Ages and metallicities for stars in the galactic bulge Integrated stellar populations of bulges: First results HST-NICMOS observations of galactic bulges: Ages and dust Inside-out bulge formation and the origin of the Hubble sequence Part III. The Timescales of Bulge Formation: Constraints on the bulge formation timescale from stellar populations Bulge building with mergers and winds Role of winds, starbursts, and activity in bulge formation Dynamical timescales of bulge formation Part IV. Physical Processes in Bulge Formation: the role of bars for secular bulge formation Bars and boxy/peanut-shaped bulges: an observational point of view Boxy- and peanut-shaped bulges A new class of bulges The role of secondary bars in bulge formation Radial transport of molecular gas to the nuclei of spiral galaxies Dynamical evolution of bulge shapes Two-component stellar systems: Phase-space constraints Central NGC 2146 - a firehose-type bending instability? Bulge formation: the role of the multi-phase ISM Global evolution of a self-gravitating multi-phase ISM in the central kpc region of galaxies Part V. Bulge Phenomenology: Bulge-disk decomposition of spiral galaxies in the near-infrared The triaxial bulge of NGC 1371 The bulge-disk orthogonal decoupling in galaxies: NGC 4698 and NGC 4672 The kinematics and the origin of the ionized gas in NGC 4036 Optically thin thermal plasma in the galactic bulge X-ray properties of bulges The host galaxies of radio-loud AGN The centers of radio-loud early-type galaxies with HST Central UV spikes in two galactic spheroids Conference summary: where do we stand?
Morphostructural Characteristics of Three Varieties of Greybreasted Helmeted Guinea Fowl in Nigeria

Trescientos huevos fueron obtenidos de los asentamientos alrededor de Nueva Bussa, estado de Niger durante el mes de agosto de 2006 y transportados por carretera al estado de Ekiti. El 93,33% de los 300 huevos recolectados fueron seleccionados para su incubacion. Los huevos fueron incubados en la unidad de pajarera de estado de Ekiti Proyecto de Desarrollo Agricola, Ikole Ekiti, Nigeria. En la eclosion, los polluelos fueron separados sobre la base del color de su plumaje, como lo demuestra la clara diferencia en el color de las plumas suaves del polluelo en tres genotipos, perla, ceniza y negro. El polluelo de cada genotipo fue asignado aleatoriamente a habitaciones de crianza donde se calentaba el piso utilizandose una estufa de querosen. Los polluelos fueron alimentados con una dieta que contuvo 24% PC, 3000 kcal / kg ME y agua ad libitum, durante las primeras 8 semanas, en la unidad criadora y alimentados con dietas que contenian 18% PC, 2850 kcal / kg ME y agua ad libitum para la ultima fase del experimento. Las medidas fueron tomadas cada 14 dias, estas fueron: peso corporal y medidas lineales del cuerpo, longitud de la pierna, longitud de la quilla, circunferencia del cuerpo, longitud del cuerpo y longitud del ala. Los resultados evidenciaron que las aves presentaban bajo peso corporal y pequeno tamano corporal en todos los parametros examinados.
Ultra-low-loss polymer waveguides

Single-mode perfluoropolymer waveguide structures exhibiting a polarization-independent ultra low loss of <0.05 dB/cm at 1310 nm and <0.07 dB/cm at 1550 nm with a /spl Delta/n of 1.6% have been fabricated for the first time. These new low-loss structures indicate relatively high-power-handling reliability at 1310 and 1550 nm. Based on this, a highly efficient arrayed-waveguide grating multi-demultiplexer with a crosstalk of 30/spl plusmn/2 dB and an insertion loss of 2.8/spl plusmn/0.3 dB is realized.
Pore‐scale imaging of geological carbon dioxide storage under in situ conditions

While geological carbon dioxide (CO2) storage could contribute to reducing global emissions, it must be designed such that the CO2 cannot escape from the porous rock into which it is injected. An important mechanism to immobilize the CO2, preventing escape, is capillary trapping, where CO2 is stranded as disconnected pore‐scale droplets (ganglia) in the rock, surrounded by water. We used X‐Ray microtomography to image, at a resolution of 6.4 µm, the pore‐scale arrangement and distribution of trapped CO2 clusters in a limestone. We applied high pressures and temperatures typical of a storage formation, while maintaining chemical equilibrium between the CO2, brine, and rock. Substantial amounts of CO2 were trapped, with an average saturation of 0.18. The cluster sizes obeyed a power law distribution, with an exponent of approximately −2.1, consistent with predictions from percolation theory. This work confirms that residual trapping could aid storage security in carbonate aquifers.
Human and Murine ApoE Markedly Alters Aβ Metabolism before and after Plaque Formation in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease

The epsilon4 allele of apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), perhaps through effects on amyloid-beta (Abeta) metabolism. Detailed analyses of various Abeta parameters in aging APP(V717F+/-) transgenic mice expressing mouse apoE, no apoE, or human apoE2, apoE3, or apoE4 demonstrate that apoE facilitates, but is not required for, Abeta fibril formation in vivo. Human apoE isoforms markedly delayed Abeta deposition relative to mouse apoE, with apoE2 (and apoE3 to a lesser extent) having a prolonged ability to prevent Abeta from converting into fibrillar forms. Isoform-specific effects of human apoE on Abeta levels and neuritic plaque formation mimicked that observed in AD (E4 > E3 > E2). Importantly, observation of an apoE-dependent decrease in percent soluble Abeta and enrichment of Abeta in membrane microdomains prior to Abeta deposition indicates that apoE influences Abeta metabolism early in the amyloidogenic process and provides a possible novel mechanism by which apoE affects AD pathogenesis.