Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Targeting neurotrophin-3 and its dependence receptor tyrosine kinase receptor C: a new antitumoral strategy

Introduction: Tropomyosin-related kinase receptor C (TrkC) is a neurotrophin receptor that belongs to the tyrosine kinase receptor family. This family primarily consists of proto-oncogenes, and TrkC has been involved in oncogenic translocations. However, its expression in tumors is often associated with good prognosis, suggesting it actually acts as a tumor suppressor. TrkC has recently been demonstrated to be a dependence receptor, which regulates neuronal survival. Dependence receptors share the ability to trigger apoptosis in the absence of their ligand, a feature that has been suggested to confer a tumor suppressor function to these receptors. A selective advantage for a tumor cell to survive in an environment with limited ligand availability would hence be either to lose the expression of the dependence receptor, or to gain expression of its ligand. Areas covered: The role of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and its dependence receptor TrkC in neuroblastoma, and its suitability as a therapeutic target. Expert opinion: Autocrine production of NT-3 represents a selective advantage for tumor growth and dissemination, in a large fraction of aggressive neuroblastoma. Disruption of the NT-3 autocrine loop in malignant neuroblasts, triggers neuroblastoma cell death, and inhibits neuroblastoma metastasis in animal models. Thus, a novel way of targeting the tyrosine kinase receptor, is via the reactivation of its intrinsic ability to trigger cell death.
Versatile High-Frequency Inverter Module for Large-Signal Inductive Loads Characterization Up to 1.5 MHz and 7 kW

This paper presents the challenges encountered and the solutions adopted during the construction of a versatile voltage-fed high-frequency series-resonant half-bridge inverter module. It is used in the large-signal power generator of an inductive load characterization test-bench operating from 1 kHz up to 1.5 MHz and up to 7-kW output power for a variety of loads. Square wave operation of the module is established slightly above resonance under zero voltage switching conditions. Output power is controlled by means of a variable dc bus while resonant conditions are fixed by means of two adjustable capacitor banks. The control of every test-bench block and the triggering waveform generation is performed digitally with a field programmable gate array. Two prototype modules have been designed, constructed and evaluated for operation in half-bridge and full-bridge configurations showing rugged and stable operation under hazardous conditions such as voltage transients as high as dv/dt = 50 kV/mus at 1 MHz during the characterization of domestic induction heating loads.
AC 2011-1868: TRANSFORMING THE PRACTICES AND RATIONALE FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO AID ACADEMIC RESEARCHERS IN TRANSLATING RESEARCH INTO INNOVATIONS AND VENTURES

The translation of basic scientific research to practical and deployable innovations that benefit people and the planet is as old as human history itself. From the discovery of the uses of fire to the transformative basic research that is the basis for space exploration, humans have translated scientific research into technological innovations that have advanced society. The National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA), a 501c3 founded by The Lemelson Foundation in 1996, develops and funds experiential learning and conducts research in STEM innovation, invention and entrepreneurship to create viable and socially beneficial businesses. This paper provides background information and describes NCIIA’s approach to help address the innovation challenge in the U.S., which is to provide training, education and financial support that fits with both the venture's needs and the innovator's personal and professional aspirations.
Topical concentrated epinephrine (1:1000) does not cause acute cardiovascular changes during endoscopic sinus surgery

Topical epinephrine is used in endoscopic sinonasal surgery for local vasoconstriction. Potential for cardiovascular complications remains a concern for some due to the possibility of systemic absorption. Topical vs injected epinephrine was examined in a prospective analysis of perioperative cardiovascular effects, and in an audit of cardiovascular complications during endoscopic sinonasal surgery.
Maternal depressive symptoms and adherence to therapy in inner-city children with asthma.

CONTEXT Little is known about how depressive symptoms in mothers affects illness management in inner-city children with asthma. OBJECTIVE Our goal was to determine how maternal depressive symptoms influence child medication adherence, impact of the child's asthma on the mother, and maternal attitudes and beliefs. METHODS Baseline and 6-month surveys were administered to 177 mothers of young minority children with asthma in inner-city Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC. Medication adherence, disruptiveness of asthma, and select attitudes toward illness and asthma therapy were measured. Six-month data (N = 158) were used to prospectively evaluate long-term symptom control and emergency department use. Independent variables included asthma morbidity, age, depressive symptoms, and other psychosocial data. RESULTS No difference in child asthma morbidity was observed between mothers high and low in depressive symptoms. However, mothers with high depressive symptoms reported significantly more problems with their child using inhalers properly (odds ratio [OR]: 5.0; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3-18.9) and forgetting doses (OR: 4.2; 95% CI: 1.4-12.4). Depressive symptoms were also associated with greater emotional distress and interference with daily activities caused by the child's asthma, along with less confidence in asthma medications, ability to control asthma symptoms, and self-efficacy to cope with acute asthma episodes. In addition, depressed mothers reported less understanding about their child's medications and use (OR: 7.7; 95% CI: 1.7-35.9). Baseline asthma morbidity, maternal depression scores, and family income were independently associated with asthma symptoms 6 months later, whereas medication adherence was not predictive of subsequent asthma morbidity or emergency department use. CONCLUSIONS Maternal depressive symptoms were not associated with child asthma morbidity but were associated with a constellation of beliefs and attitudes that may significantly influence adherence to asthma medications and illness management. Identifying and addressing poor psychological adjustment in mothers is important when developing a child's asthma treatment and may facilitate parent-provider communication, medication adherence, and asthma management among inner-city children.
Long-term bio-degradation of cross-linked and non-cross-linked collagen barriers in human guided bone regeneration.

OBJECTIVE This double-blind study clinically and histologically evaluated long-term barrier bio-durability of cross-linked and non-cross-linked collagen membranes (CLM and NCLM) in sites treated by guided bone regeneration procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 52 patients, 52 bony defects were randomly assigned to treatment with either a CLM or a NCLM. Post-surgical spontaneous membrane exposures were recorded. Before implant placement, full-thickness standard soft tissue discs were retrieved wherever suitable for histologic examination. RESULTS Spontaneous membrane exposure was observed in 13 (50%) CLM sites and in six (23.1%) NCLM sites (P<0.05). Clinical healing at exposed sites lasted 2-4 weeks. CLM were histologically intact in all non-perforated sites, were interrupted in five perforated sites, and undetected in four. NCLMs were undetected in all 18 specimens examined. In three non-perforated CLM sites, bone apposition and ossification at or within the membrane was observed. CONCLUSIONS CLMs were more resistant to tissue degradation than NCLMs, and maintained integrity during the study. Neither membrane was resistant to degradation when exposed to the oral environment. CLMs were associated with a higher incidence of tissue perforations. In non-perforated sites, CLM ossification at or within the membrane was occasionally observed.
Optimisation of sprinting performance in running, cycling and speed skating.

Sprinting performances rely strongly on a fast acceleration at the start of a sprint and on the capacity to maintain a high velocity in the phase following the start. Simulations based on a model developed in which the generation of metabolic power is related to the mechanical destinations of power showed that for short-lasting sprinting events, the best pacing strategy is an all out effort, even if this strategy causes a strong reduction of the velocity at the end of the race. Even pacing strategies should only be used in exercises lasting longer than 80 to 100 seconds. Sprint runners, speed skaters and cyclists need a large rate of breakdown of energy rich phosphates in the first 4 to 5 seconds of the race (mechanical equivalent > 20 W/kg) in order to accelerate their body, and a power output of more than 10 W/kg in the phase following the start to maintain a high velocity. Maximal speed in running is mainly limited by the necessity to rotate the legs forwards and backwards relative to the hip joint. The acceleration phase, however, relies on powerful extensions of all leg joints. Through a comparison of the hindlimb design of highly specialised animal sprinters (as can be found among predators) and of long distance animal runners (as found among hoofed animals), it is illustrated that these 2 phases of a sprint rely on conflicting requirements: improvement of maximal speed would require lower moments of inertia of the legs whereas a faster acceleration would require the involvement of more muscle mass (not only of the hip and knee extensors but also of the plantar flexors). Maximal speed in cycling and speed skating is not limited by the necessity to move leg segments but rather on air friction and rolling or ice friction. Since the drag coefficients found for speed skaters and cyclists (about 0.8) are considerably higher than those of more streamlined bodies, much progress can still be expected from the reduction of air friction. Speed skaters and especially cyclists show much smaller accelerations during the start than do sprint runners. Skaters might try to improve their very first push off by developing a start technique that allows a much more horizontally directed propulsive force. The small propulsive force at the onset of a cycling sprint is due to the gearing system. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Ability of hemostatic assessment to detect bleeding disorders and to predict abnormal surgical blood loss in children: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Systematic preoperative coagulation testing is still widely used in children scheduled for surgery, although current guidelines recommend that a bleeding history should be the first choice for hemostatic assessment. We performed a systematic review with meta‐analysis to evaluate the pertinence of bleeding questionnaire and screening laboratory testing to detect bleeding disorders (BDs) in children and to predict abnormal surgical blood loss.
Parkin-positive autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism with α-synuclein-positive inclusions

Objective: To report an autopsy case of an autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism patient with a homozygous exon 3 deletion in the parkin gene and α-synuclein-positive inclusions. Methods: The representative areas of the brain were embedded in paraffin, stained with hematoxylin-eosin, Klüver-Barrera, and Gallyas-Braak stainings. Immunohistochemically, some of the specimens were used for immunostaining with the antibodies to α-synuclein, ubiquitin, and phosphorylated tau (AT8). Immunoreaction was visualized by the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. Results: Histologically, the lesions of the brain were limited to the dopaminergic neuron system such as the substantia nigra (SN) and locus ceruleus. Melanin-containing neurons in the pars compacta of the SN were moderately to severely depleted, accompanied by gliosis. In the locus ceruleus, neurons were mildly decreased and extraneuronal melanin pigments were seen. Lewy bodies were not observed in the neuropils of the pars compacta of the SN or locus ceruleus. However, basophilic inclusion bodies were only occasionally observed in the neuropils of the pedunculopontine nucleus in the mesencephalic reticular formation. Immunohistochemistry with antibodies to α-synuclein and ubiquitin showed α-synuclein- and ubiquitin-positive inclusions in the neuropils of the pedunculopontine nucleus, which had a doughnut or round shape. Conclusions: A variety of parkin gene abnormalities may produce pathologic differences in the degree and distribution of neuronal degeneration, including the absence or presence of Lewy bodies. A relationship between parkin-induced parkinsonism and idiopathic Parkinson disease (PD) may exist.
A Cryopreservation Method of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells for Efficient Production of Dendritic Cells

The establishment of a cryopreservation method for unstimulated fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) with nearly 100% viability would greatly contribute to the conduct of various immunological experiments. The cells most sensitive to freezing and thawing procedure seem to be dendritic cells (DC) and their precursors, which are of the most potent antigen‐presenting cells. The authors investigated and established a method of cryopreserving fresh PBMC from which DC were recovered and differentiated efficiently by using recombinant (r) GM‐CSF and rIL‐4. PBMC frozen in the presence of 12% dimethylsulfoxide and 25–30% fetal calf serum recovered DC as efficiently as freshly obtained PBMC. Established DC could also be cryopreserved in the presence of 12% DMSO with their viability maintained at more than 90%. The 12% DMSO freezing solutions were superior to both the 10% DMSO solution and the previously reported DC freezing medium (2 m or 15.4% DMSO). The DC obtained from the cryopreserved PBMC expressed HLA‐DR, HLA‐DQ, CD80 and CD86 antigens, and stimulated allogenic PBMC to an extent almost identical to that obtained from fresh PBMC. These findings indicate that the conditioned medium utilized here enables safe cryopreservation of DC and DC precursors in PBMC.
Norepinephrine exhibits two distinct profiles of action on sensory cortical neuron responses to excitatory synaptic stimuli

Located within the central gray of the caudal pons, the locus coeruleus (LC) is the sole source of norepinephrine (NE) projections to the forebrain. NE is released both tonically and phasically from axonal varicosities in LC efferent target circuits. NE has been shown to produce a diverse set of actions, including suppression of spontaneous and stimulus evoked discharge, augmentation of synaptically evoked excitation, and inhibition and gating of otherwise subthreshold synaptic inputs. Utilizing an extracellular in vitro tissue slice preparation and microiontophoretic techniques, the dose‐dependent actions of NE on glutamate‐evoked discharges of layer II/III and layer V sensory cortical neurons were investigated. Noradrenergic effects were further examined in terms of cell and adrenoceptor specificity. The results indicate two exclusive modulatory actions of NE: 1) ejection current‐dependent suppression of glutamate evoked discharge, and 2) ejection current‐dependent facilitation of glutamate‐evoked discharge followed by suppression of the maximal facilitated response. These effects were observed in both normal and low Ca2+ / high Mg2+ bathing media, suggesting a postsynaptic site for NE's actions. The facilitation of glutamate evoked discharge was selectively mimicked by the alpha‐1 agonist, phenylephrine, whereas the dose‐dependent suppression was mimicked by the beta‐agonist isoproterenol. These results suggest that the suppressant and facilitating actions of NE are mediated by beta and alpha‐1 receptors, respectively. In general, these results are consistent with previous demonstrations of NE modulatory actions on central neurons, but indicate that in the cerebral cortex these effects are both cell‐ and receptor‐specific. Synapse 37:273–282, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rate of psychiatric illness 1 year after traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE Neurobehavioral symptoms are not uncommon after a traumatic brain injury. However, psychiatric syndromes per se have rarely been studied in patients with such an injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the type and extent of psychiatric syndromes in patients with traumatic brain injury. METHOD One hundred ninety-six hospitalized adults were studied 1 year after a traumatic brain injury with the use of a two-stage psychiatric diagnostic procedure. Psychiatric diagnoses were made according to ICD-10 criteria on the basis of data from the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry interview. RESULTS Of 164 patients interviewed, 30 (18.3%) had an ICD-10 diagnosis of a psychiatric illness. Among the 120 patients who were 18-64 years old, 21.7% had a psychiatric illness, compared with 16.4% in a study of the general population. A depressive illness was present in 13.9% of the traumatic brain injury patients, compared with 2.1% of the general population, and panic disorder was present in 9.0%, compared with 0.8% of the general population. CONCLUSIONS In comparison with the general population, a higher proportion of adult patients had developed psychiatric illnesses 1 year after a traumatic brain injury; the rates of depressive episode and panic disorder were significantly higher in the study group. A history of psychiatric illness, an unfavorable global outcome according to the Glasgow Outcome Scale, a lower score on the Mini-Mental State examination, and fewer years of formal education seemed to be important risk factors in the development of a psychiatric illness. Compensation claims, however, were not associated with the rate of psychiatric illness.
Levodopa raises objective pain threshold in Parkinson’s disease: a RIII reflex study

Background: Patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease (PD) describe painful sensations that could be related to neuropathic pain. Experimental data have indicated the involvement of basal ganglia and dopaminergic pathways in central nociceptive processing. Aim: The objective of this study was to assess and compare the effect of levodopa on the objective pain threshold in patients with PD and healthy subjects. Methods: The objective pain threshold was assessed by the nociceptive flexion reflex (RIII) in 13 PD patients and 10 healthy subjects. Patients and healthy subjects were evaluated under two randomised conditions: with levodopa (ON) and without (OFF). Results: Levodopa significantly increased the RIII threshold of PD patients (6.9 (1.2) mA in the OFF condition vs 8 (1.1) mA in the ON position; p = 0.02). RIII threshold was significantly lower in PD patients than in healthy subjects in the OFF condition (6.9 (1.2) mA vs 9.7 (3.4) mA; p = 0.02). RIII threshold did not change after levodopa administration in healthy subjects. Conclusion: These results provide evidence of a dopaminergic modulation of objective pain threshold in PD patients. In addition, the decrease in RIII threshold in PD patients, in the OFF condition, compared with controls, confirms the existence of an objective pain perception disturbance in PD.
Inequality and Innovativeness

In this note, we construct two theoretical models that analyze the relationship between inequality of access and rates of innovation as well as correlative data that show a negative correlation between income inequality and levels of innovativeness. Our two models suggest that unequal access to problems slows innovation by reducing the level and variety of human capital applied to problems. More interestingly, both models show that the rate of innovation decline becomes much more pronounced as problems become more difficult. Thus, the costs of inequality may be increasing as the problems that societies face become more challenging.
Hepatitis C virus therapy in the direct acting antiviral era

Purpose of review The evolution of treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is evolving at a rapid pace. Two new oral antiviral agents, simeprevir and sofosbuvir, have already been approved and are now available for treatment of patients with chronic HCV. Other antiviral agents will be available during 2014. Recent findings The protease inhibitor simeprevir was recently approved for use with peginterferon (PEGINF) and ribavirin (RBV) in patients with chronic genotype 1. About 80% of patients achieve a rapid virologic response and can be treated for 24 weeks. The sustained virologic response (SVR) in treatment-naive patients is about 80%. Sofosbuvir, the first polymerase inhibitor, is effective in all HCV genotypes. When utilized with peginterferon and RBV for 12 weeks in treatment-naive patients with genotypes 1, 4, 5 and 6, an SVR of 90% is observed. Sofosbuvir and RBV have also been studied without interferon and represent the first interferon-free therapy for chronic HCV. Summary It is now possible to cure chronic HCV in the vast majority of patients with chronic HCV and in many patients without interferon.
Value Change and Non-Violent Protest in South Korea: An Empirical Analysis

Abstract Using the first, second, and sixth waves of the World Values Surveys, this article examines the extent to which the mass public's values have changed and/or persisted and their impact on political orientations, measured by protest potential and leftist ideology, in Korea. We find that the emergence of an authoritarian-libertarian value cleavage has played an important, if not vital, role in shifting mass political attitudes and in enhancing the propensity to engage in political action from the authoritarian rule, to the democratic transition, and to the period of democratic consolidation. We also empirically uncover our authoritarian-libertarian value scale is related to increasing levels of leftist reform-oriented attitudes, whereas age has become less important to Koreans in defining their orientations to political protest, especially during the period of democratic consolidation.
A Maximum Efficiency Point Tracking Control Scheme for Wireless Power Transfer Systems Using Magnetic Resonant Coupling

With a good balance between power transfer distance and efficiency, wireless power transfer (WPT) using magnetic resonant coupling is preferred in many applications. Generally, WPT systems are desired to provide constant output voltage with the highest possible efficiency as power supplies. However, the highest efficiency is not achieved by the reported closed-loop WPT systems that maintain constant output voltage against coupling and load variations. In this paper, an efficiency evaluation method is put forward to evaluate the closed-loop control schemes. Furthermore, a maximum efficiency point tracking control scheme is proposed to maximize the system efficiency while regulating the output voltage. This control scheme is unique and prominent in that it fixes the operating frequency at the receiving-side resonant frequency and converts both the input voltage and the load resistance at the same time. Thus, the maximum efficiency point on the constant output voltage trajectory can be tracked dynamically. Therefore the system's output voltage can be maintained constant and its efficiency is always the highest. The experimental results show that the maximum efficiency point is tracked and a very high overall efficiency is achieved over wide ranges of coupling coefficient and load resistance.