Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Small Optic Cup Sizes Among Women Using Tamoxifen: Assessment with Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy

Purpose: There is a substantial literature showing that the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen can block swelling-activated chloride channels, such as those in astrocytes. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that anatomic characteristics consistent with swelling may be measured within the optic nerve head (ONH) of tamoxifen users whose ONH appearance is considered within normal limits. Methods: Indices of ONH topography were measured using the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II (HRT) for two populations of women ages 40–69 years: (1) subjects using tamoxifen (20 mg/day) as adjuvant therapy after successful primary treatment for breast cancer and (2) control subjects not using any hormonal medication. All subjects had excellent visual acuity (with 20/20 or better in the test eye), and all appeared to be free of eye disease, as based on conventional photographic assessment. The study design was cross-sectional. The various ONH indices were assessed as functions of the duration of tamoxifen use. Results: The optic cups of short-term tamoxifen users (≤2 years) were significantly smaller in both the lateral and axial directions than the optic cups of the control subjects. Of the 27 short-term users, 23 had cup volumes smaller than the median value for the control subjects. The cup sizes of long-term users (> 2 years, ≤5 years) were not distinguishable from those of the control subjects. The presence of small cups among short-term users did not depend on subjects' medical histories prior to tamoxifen use. Disk margin indices were not related significantly to the duration of tamoxifen use. Conclusions: Small cup sizes consistent with localized subclinical swelling are not rare among short-term tamoxifen users. Thus, small cups are not likely to be a manifestation of a cumulative-dose toxicity. Instead, they probably result from other causes, possibly involving the action of tamoxifen on estrogen receptors. Further investigation with longitudinal and interventional methodologies is needed to definitively interpret the results.
Radiation Dose-Rate Effects on Gene Expression in a Mouse Biodosimetry Model

In the event of a nuclear accident or radiological terrorist attack, there will be a pressing need for biodosimetry to triage a large, potentially exposed population and to assign individuals to appropriate treatment. Exposures from fallout are likely, resulting in protracted dose delivery that would, in turn, impact the extent of injury. Biodosimetry approaches that can distinguish such low-dose-rate (LDR) exposures from acute exposures have not yet been developed. In this study, we used the C57BL/6 mouse model in an initial investigation of the impact of low-dose-rate delivery on the transcriptomic response in blood. While a large number of the same genes responded to LDR and acute radiation exposures, for many genes the magnitude of response was lower after LDR exposures. Some genes, however, were differentially expressed (P < 0.001, false discovery rate <5%) in mice exposed to LDR compared with mice exposed to acute radiation. We identified a set of 164 genes that correctly classified 97% of the samples in this experiment as exposed to acute or LDR radiation using a support vector machine algorithm. Gene expression is a promising approach to radiation biodosimetry, enhanced greatly by this first demonstration of its potential for distinguishing between acute and LDR exposures. Further development of this aspect of radiation biodosimetry, either as part of a complete gene expression biodosimetry test or as an adjunct to other methods, could provide vital triage information in a mass radiological casualty event.
FIR filters for hardware-based real-time multi-band image blending

Creating panoramic images has become a popular feature in modern smart phones, tablets, and digital cameras. A user can create a 360 degree field-of-view photograph from only several images. Quality of the resulting image is related to the number of source images, their brightness, and the used algorithm for their stitching and blending. One of the algorithms that provides excellent results in terms of background color uniformity and reduction of ghosting artifacts is the multi-band blending. The algorithm relies on decomposition of image into multiple frequency bands using dyadic filter bank. Hence, the results are also highly dependant on the used filter bank. In this paper we analyze performance of the FIR filters used for multi-band blending. We present a set of five filters that showed the best results in both literature and our experiments. The set includes Gaussian filter, biorthogonal wavelets, and custom-designed maximally flat and equiripple FIR filters. The presented results of filter comparison are based on several no-reference metrics for image quality. We conclude that 5/3 biorthogonal wavelet produces the best result in average, especially when its short length is considered. Furthermore, we propose a real-time FPGA implementation of the blending algorithm, using 2D non-separable systolic filtering scheme. Its pipeline architecture does not require hardware multipliers and it is able to achieve very high operating frequencies. The implemented system is able to process 91 fps for 1080p (1920×1080) image resolution.
Comparison of epidemiological marker methods for identification of Salmonella typhimurium isolates from an outbreak caused by contaminated chocolate

Plasmid profile analysis, restriction endonuclease analysis, and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis were used in conjunction with serotyping, bacteriophage typing, and biochemical fingerprinting to trace epidemiologically related isolates of Salmonella typhimurium from an outbreak caused by contaminated chocolate products in Norway and Finland. To evaluate the efficiency of the epidemiological marker methods, isolates from the outbreak were compared with five groups of control isolates not known to be associated with the outbreak. Both plasmid profile analysis and phage typing provided further discrimination over that produced by serotyping and biochemical fingerprinting. Plasmid profile analysis and phage typing were equally reliable in differentiating the outbreak isolates from the epidemiologically unrelated controls and were significantly more effective than multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and restriction enzyme analysis of total DNA. The greatest differentiation was achieved when plasmid profile analysis and phage typing were combined to complement serotyping and biochemical fingerprinting. However, none of the methods employed, including restriction enzyme analysis of plasmid DNA, were able to distinguish the outbreak isolates from five isolates recovered in Norway and Finland over a period of years from dead passerine birds and a calf.
Mechanisms of otoconia and otolith development

Background: Otoconia are bio‐crystals that couple mechanic forces to the sensory hair cells in the utricle and saccule, a process essential for us to sense linear acceleration and gravity for the purpose of maintaining bodily balance. In fish, structurally similar bio‐crystals called otoliths mediate both balance and hearing. Otoconia abnormalities are common and can cause vertigo and imbalance in humans. However, the molecular etiology of these illnesses is unknown, as investigators have only begun to identify genes important for otoconia formation in recent years. Results: To date, in‐depth studies of selected mouse otoconial proteins have been performed, and about 75 zebrafish genes have been identified to be important for otolith development. Conclusions: This review will summarize recent findings as well as compare otoconia and otolith development. It will provide an updated brief review of otoconial proteins along with an overview of the cells and cellular processes involved. While continued efforts are needed to thoroughly understand the molecular mechanisms underlying otoconia and otolith development, it is clear that the process involves a series of temporally and spatially specific events that are tightly coordinated by numerous proteins. Such knowledge will serve as the foundation to uncover the molecular causes of human otoconia‐related disorders. Developmental Dynamics 244:239–253, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
LECTINAS CON DOMINIO DE LEGUMINOSA: CARACTERÍSTICAS ESTRUCTURALES Y UTILIDAD COMO AGENTES INSECTISTÁTICOS E INSECTICIDAS

Esta revision busca identificar las caracteristicas de las lectinas vegetales con dominio de leguminosa que determinan su actividad insectistatica e insecticida. Se realizo una busqueda sistematica de literatura en las bases de datos Medline, Science Direct (Elsevier), Pubmed, Lilacs, SCOPUS, Web of Science (ISI) con el uso de palabras claves relevantes. La informacion recolectada fue clasificada y seleccionada en terminos de su calidad y relevancia. La revision tomo como base la informacion de las lectinas de Phaseolus vulgaris (PHA), Glechoma hederacea (Gleheda), Canavalia ensiformis (Concanavalina A), Griffonia simplicifolia (GSII) y Pisum sativum (PSA) y lectinas de leguminosas estudiadas en Colombia por el Grupo de Investigacion en Proteinas. Se evidencio que las lectinas vegetales con dominio de leguminosa poseen rasgos estructurales caracterizados por un alto porcentaje de laminas beta asociados en estructuras dimericas o tetramericas y que presentan varios sitios de reconocimiento a azucares especificos, entre los cuales se destaca la manosa. Adicional a estas caracteristicas, estas lectinas pueden interactuar con el sistema digestivo de insectos plaga y generar una disminucion en su capacidad de absorcion intestinal. Como conclusion, se puede senalar que es insuficiente la informacion sobre las senales que se activan y los efectos deletereos de las lectinas con dominio de leguminosa sobre los insectos.
Rho-kinase as a Novel Therapeutic Target in Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases

Rho-kinase has been identified as one of the effectors of the small GTP-binding protein Rho. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the Rho/Rho-kinase-mediated pathway plays an important role in various cellular functions, not only in vascular smooth muscle contraction but also in actin cytoskeleton organization, cell adhesion and motility, cytokinesis, and gene expressions, all of which may be involved in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis. Indeed, animal experiments have demonstrated that Rho-kinase inhibitors effectively suppress coronary artery spasm and that long-term inhibition of Rho-kinase inhibits the development of coronary arteriosclerotic lesions and even causes regression of coronary vascular lesions in vivo. Recent clinical studies also have demonstrated the inhibitory effect of a Rho-kinase inhibitor on coronary artery spasm in patients with vasospastic angina and on exercise-induced myocardial ischemia in patients with stable effort angina with adequate safety. It is possible that Rho-kinase is also involved in the pathogenesis of other forms of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, Rho-kinase could be regarded as a novel therapeutic target in treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
The crossing number of K11 is 100

The crossing number of Kn is known for n ⩽ 10. We develop several simple counting properties that we shall exploit in showing by computer that cr(K11 = 100, which implies that cr(K12) = 150. We also determine the numbers of non‐isomorphic optimal drawings of K9 and K10. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 56: 128–134, 2007
Effects of Sodium Selenite in Cadmium Chloride induced Hepatoxicity in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats

The present study aimed to assess the protective role of selenium against cadmium induced hepatotoxicity. The rats were given subcutaneous doses of 1mg/Kg body weight of either normal saline or cadmium chloride or sodium selenite or cadmium chloride plus sodium selenite on alternate days for four weeks. The results showed that cadmium treatment increased hepatic levels of lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and metals. Conversely, the levels of antioxidant system and hemoglobin were decreased as compared to the control and selenium groups of rats. Ameliorating effects of selenium were observed in rats treated with the co-administration of cadmium and selenium. The hepatoprotective effects of selenium against cadmium induced toxicity, oxidative stress and tissue damage in this study could be attributed to its antioxidant and possible chelating effects on cadmium. This study provides a possible elucidation of hepatotoxicity in rats that may have resulted from their exposure to cadmium in the environment.
Protein W, a spore‐specific protein in Myxococcus xanthus, formation of a large electron‐dense particle in a spore

The gene for the major spore‐specific protein, termed protein W, was cloned, and it was found that protein W is composed of 426 amino acid residues including 31% charged (133 residues) and 39% hydrophobic (166 residues) amino acids. In the protein, a motif consisting of five amino acid residues [(V/L/I)–R–E–R–(V/L/I)] is repeated 28 times, and another motif [M–M–(P/G)–Q–G] five times. Protein W is synthesized during a very late stage of development, forming a single, large electron‐dense particle (200–400 nm in diameter) inside a spore. X‐ray microanalysis of the particle revealed that it contains a high amount of phosphate in addition to calcium and magnesium. It is proposed that protein W consisting of highly charged repetitive sequences is a polyphosphate storage protein to store energy in spores. The disruption of the gene for protein W resulted in delayed fruiting body formation and a lower spore yield.
Long-Term Outcomes of Total Knee Arthroplasty following Soft-Tissue Defect Reconstruction with Muscle and Fasciocutaneous Flaps

Background: Insufficient soft-tissue coverage following total knee arthroplasty jeopardizes prosthesis retention and may lead to significant complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the natural history of total knee arthroplasty following flap reconstruction of soft-tissue defects. Methods: A retrospective review of patients treated with flaps after failed total knee arthroplasty between 1998 and 2013 was conducted. Patients with preexisting soft-tissue defects who required reactive flap reconstruction were included in group 1. Patients with no preexisting soft-tissue defects, but with extensive débridement during revision total knee arthroplasty requiring immediate proactive flap coverage, were included in group 2. Results: Fifty-eight patients in group 1 were treated with 86 flaps, and 15 patients in group 2 were treated with 17 flaps. Mean length of follow-up was 67.0 and 54.7 months, respectively (p = 0.21). Flap-related complications and number of subsequent flap revisions were comparable in both groups. Patients in group 1 had a higher rate of implant reinfection (58 percent versus 27 percent; p < 0.05), amputations (25 percent versus 0 percent; p < 0.05), and subsequent prosthesis revisions (2.2 versus 0.9; p < 0.05). Functional joint was preserved in 54 percent and 80 percent of cases, respectively. Mean gain in range of motion and quality of life were significantly better in group 2 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Early proactive soft-tissue coverage of total-knee arthroplasty is critical to long-term success. In cases where reactive treatment is required, significantly worse outcomes and a high rate of complications should be expected. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.
A History of the Isolation and Identification of Vitamin B6

In the 1930s, Rudolf Peters showed that young rats kept on a semi-synthetic diet with added thiamin and riboflavin but no other supplement developed ‘rat acrodynia’, a condition characterized by severe cutaneous lesions. In 1934, Paul György showed that the factor which cured ‘rat acrodynia’ was vitamin B6. Other studies soon showed that vitamin B6 deficiency produced convulsions in rats, pigs, and dogs, and a microcytic anemia in certain animals. Samuel Lepkovsky isolated and crystallized vitamin B6 in 1938. The following year, Leslie Harris and Karl Folkers, and Richard Kuhn and his associates independently showed that vitamin B6 was a pyridine derivative, 3-hydroxy-4,5-dihydroxy-methyl-2-methyl-pyridine. György proposed the term pyridoxine for this derivative. Esmond Snell developed a microbiological growth assay in 1942 that led to the characterization of pyridoxamine, the animated product of pyridoxine, and pyridoxal, the formyl derivative of pyridoxine. Further studies showed that pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, and pyridoxine have largely equal activity in animals and owe their vitamin activity to the ability of the organism to convert them into the enzymatically active form pyridoxal-5-phosphate. Pyridoxal-5-phosphate plays a role in a wide variety of enzyme systems, especially in the metabolic utilization and transformation of amino acids.
GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL VARIATION IN FLORAL TRAITS AFFECTING OUTCROSSING RATE IN CLARKIA TEMBLORIENSIS (ONAGRACEAE)

Clarkia tembloriensis exhibits a wide range of variation among its natural populations in outcrossing rate and in separation of male and female function in space (anther‐stigma separation or herkogamy) and in time (protandry). Here we show that outcrossing rate is highly correlated with protandry and anther‐stigma separation. Both genetic and environmental variation contribute to inter‐ and intrapopulation variation in protandry and anther‐stigma separation. Interpopulation differentiation for protandry and anther‐stigma separation was found to be polygenic. Genetic variation for protandry and anther‐stigma separation within populations was demonstrated by a significant among‐family variance in two populations with contrasting breeding systems. Environmental effects on the expression of mating system traits were manifested in two ways. First, significant variation among lathhouse benches suggests that small‐scale environmental heterogeneity may affect the development of floral traits. Second, protandry was shortened under hot summer conditions. Hence, hotter and drier habitats, typical of the more self‐pollinating populations of C. tembloriensis, can promote self‐pollination purely through environmental effects.
A Short-Circuit Safe Operation Area Identification Criterion for SiC MOSFET Power Modules

This paper proposes a new method for the investigation of the short-circuit safe operation area (SCSOA) of state-of-the-art SiC MOSFET power modules rated at 1.2 kV based on the variations in SiC MOSFET electrical parameters (e.g., short-circuit current and gate–source voltage). According to the experimental results, two different failure mechanisms have been identified, both reducing the short-circuit capability of SiC power modules with respect to discrete SiC devices. Based on such failure mechanisms, two short-circuit safety criteria have been formulated: 1) the short-circuit-current-based criterion; and 2) the gate-voltage-based criterion. The applicability of these two criteria makes possible the SCSOA evaluation of SiC MOSFETs with some safety margins in order to avoid unnecessary failures during their SCSOA characterization. SiC MOSFET power modules from two different manufacturers are experimentally tested in order to demonstrate the procedure of the method. The obtained results can be used to have a better insight of the SCSOA of SiC MOSFETs and their physical limits.
Unchanged striatal dopamine transporter availability in narcolepsy: a PET studywith [11C]‐CFT

Objective – To investigate dopamine reuptake sites (dopamine transporter) in the caudate nucleus and putamen in narcolepsy. Patients and methods– Ten patients with narcolepsy and 15 controls were studied with positron emission tomography. A cocaine analogue [11C]‐CFT was used as a radioligand. Results– The uptake of[11C]‐CFT was within normal limits (89% of age‐adjusted control mean in the caudate nucleus and 91% in the putamen) in patientswith narcolepsy. Conclusion– No evidence of altered striataldopamine transporter availability was found in narcolepsy.
Thin film a-Si/c-Si1−xGex/c-Si heterojunction solar cells with Ge content up to 56%

Thin film a-Si(n<sup>+</sup>)/c-Si<sub>1-x</sub>Ge<sub>x</sub>(p)/c-Si(p<sup>+</sup>) heterojunction solar cells are fabricated with Ge content up to 56 atomic percent. Solar cells with junction layers consisting of Si, Si<sub>0.75</sub>Ge<sub>0.25</sub>, Si<sub>0.59</sub>Ge<sub>0.41</sub>, and Si<sub>0.44</sub>Ge<sub>0.56</sub> are compared to study the effect of increasing Ge concentration. The measured short-circuit current (J<sub>sc</sub>) increases from ~14 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> for Si cells to 21 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> for the Si<sub>0.44</sub>Ge<sub>0.56</sub> cells, for one light pass and a 2 μm-thick SiGe layer. The results show an open-circuit voltage (V<sub>oc</sub>) of 0.61 V for Si cells, dropping to 0.32 V for Si<sub>0.44</sub>Ge<sub>0.56</sub>, consistent with the reduction in band-gap. Quantum efficiency measurements highlight the improved spectral response for higher Ge percentages. Physics based TCAD simulations combined with the experimental results are used to extract lifetime and interface velocity.
Evaluation of surface alterations in different retreatment nickel‐titanium files: AFM and SEM study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface changes of nickel titanium (Ni‐Ti) rotary retreatment files after three and five uses. Furthermore, the effects of 2% sodium hypochlorite and chloroform solutions and sterilization procedures on the NiTi rotary retreatment surfaces were investigated. ProTaper Retreatment files, R‐endo files, and Mtwo retreatment files were used for this study. The palatinal roots of maxillary molar teeth were obturated with gutta percha and Ah26. Retreatment procedures were performed with these retreatment file systems. The surface changes of untreated NiTi rotary files that were used three and five times, immersed in NaOCl and chloroform and subjected to sterilization procedures were investigated with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The RMS values, three dimensional images and SEM images at various magnifications were obtained. RMS values showed that all three NiTi rotary retreatment file systems showed significant deteriorations after three and five uses. Cracks, damages and spiral construction deteriorations were detected in the SEM images after three and five uses. Furthermore, the Mtwo 15 file was broken off after five uses. AFM data indicated that 2% NaOCl caused significant surface deteriorations on NiTi rotary files and both AFM and SEM evaluation showed that chloroform solution and sterilization procedures did not cause significant surface deteriorations. In conclusion, ProTaper retreatment, R‐endo, and Mtwo retreatment files showed surface damages depending on retreatment procedures. Clinicians have to consider that retreatment files always have a tendency to break off after the third time they have been used. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:356–362, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.