Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Cerebral Cortex and Parafascicular Thalamic Nucleus Facilitate In vivo Acetylcholine Release in the Rat Striatum through Distinct Glutamate Receptor Subtypes

Electrical stimulation (ten pulses of 0.5 ms, 10 V applied over 10 s at 10 Hz, 140 pA) delivered bilaterally to the prefrontal cortex or the parafascicular thalamic nucleus of freely moving rats facilitated acetylcholine release in dorsal striata, assessed by trans‐striatal microdialysis. The facilitatory effects were blocked by coperfusion with 5 μM tetrodotoxin, suggesting that the release was of neuronal origin. The response of the striatal cholinergic neurons to prefrontal cortical stimulation was short‐lived and required a longer period of stimulation (20 min) than the response to thalamic stimulation (4 min) to reach maximal effect. The α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionic acid (AMPA)/kainate glutamatergic receptor antagonist 6,7‐dinitroquinoxaline‐2,3‐dione [DNQX; 12 nmol per side, intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.)] and the AMPA antagonist 6‐nitro‐7‐sulphamoylbenzo(f)quinoxaline‐2,3‐dione (NBQX; 12 nmol per side, i.c.v. or 12.8 μM infused into the striatum), but not the NMDA‐type receptor antagonist MK‐801 (0.2 mg/kg, i.p.), abolished the facilitatory effect on striatal acetylcholine release evoked by stimulation of the prefrontal cortex. By contrast, DNQX or NBQX did not prevent the increase in striatal acetylcholine release evoked by parafascicular nucleus stimulation, but MK‐801, in accordance with previous results, did so. MK‐801 by itself lowered striatal acetylcholine output while DNQX and NBQX did not. The results provide in vivo evidence that the cerebral cortex facilitates cholinergic activity in the dorsal striatum apparently through the non‐tonic activation of AMPA‐type glutamatergic receptors while the parafascicular nucleus does this through tonic activation of NMDA receptors. Both glutamate receptor types are probably located in the striatum. The overall results suggest that the two pathways operate independently to regulate striatal cholinergic activity through distinct mechanisms.
Total Red Blood Cell Transfusions for Chronic Hemodialysis Patients in a Single Center, 2009-2013

Background: Anemia management in chronic hemodialysis (HD) has been affected by the implementation of the prospective payment system (PPS) and changes in clinical guidelines. These factors could impact red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in HD patients. Our distinctive care system contains complete records for all RBC transfusions among our HD patients. Aims: To determine RBC transfusions in patients with prevalent chronic HD, site of administration (inpatient or outpatient), and ordering physician specialty for inpatients; compare pre- and post-PPS RBC transfusions; and compare RBC transfusions during changes in desired outpatient hemoglobin (Hb) range for patients with chronic HD. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical and blood bank records for patients with prevalent chronic HD July 2009 through June 2013. Results: In total, 310-356 patients were studied. Mean (SD) units of RBCs per 100 patients per month for the study's 48 months were outpatient, 2.6 (1.5), and inpatient, 9.4 (4.6). Outpatient pre-PPS RBC units transfused were 2.1 (0.6) vs. post-PPS of 2.6 (1.5; p = 0.22, t test); for inpatients pre-PPS, 7.9 (4.5) RBC units per month vs. post-PPS, 11.5 (5.1; p = 0.11, t test). Inpatient RBC transfusions accounted for 75.2% (14.2%) of all RBC transfusions; 67.3% (16.3%) of inpatient transfusions were ordered by nonnephrologists. Changes in desired Hb range for outpatient HD patients did not lead to changes in RBC transfusions. Conclusions: No changes in RBC transfusions occurred among our patients with chronic HD with PPS implementation and in desired Hb range during the study period. Most transfusions were given in inpatient settings by nonnephrologists.
Risk Factors for Adverse Life Outcomes in Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effects

ABSTRACT. Clinical descriptions of patients with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) suggest major problems with adaptive behavior. Five operationally defined adverse outcomes and 18 associated risk/protective factors were examined using a Life History Interview with knowledgeable informants of 415 patients with FAS or FAE (median age 14 years, range 6-51; median IQ 86, range 29-126). Eighty percent of these patients were not raised by their biological mothers. For adolescents and adults, the life span prevalence was 61% for Disrupted School Experiences, 60% for Trouble with the Law, 50% for Confinement (in detention, jail, prison, or a psychiatric or alcohol/drug inpatient setting), 49% for Inappropriate Sexual Behaviors on repeated occasions, and 35% for Alcohol/Drug Problems. The odds of escaping these adverse life outcomes are increased 2- to 4-fold by receiving the diagnosis of FAS or FAE at an earlier age and by being reared in good stable environments.
Stent-Assisted Angioplasty at the Level of the Common Femoral Artery Bifurcation: Midterm Outcomes

Purpose: To report the midterm outcome after stent-assisted angioplasty of occlusive disease at the common femoral artery bifurcation. Methods: Between 1995 and 2002, 27 consecutive patients (18 men; mean age 70 years, range 47–90) underwent angioplasty with stent implantation in 33 limbs; target sites included 19 common femoral arteries, the origins of 2 superficial or 4 profunda femoris arteries, and 8 bypass anastomoses. Results: Technical success was 100%. Patients were followed for a mean 30 months (95% CI 21 to 39), at which time the cumulative primary patency was 86% (95% CI 85% to 88%). At 3 years, 83% of the arteries were patent. Five restenoses were due to neointimal hyperplasia in 4 cases (3 bypass grafts) and strut failure of the only balloon-expandable stent used in this series. Restenoses due to neointimal hyperplasia at bypass anastomoses (3/8) were more common than in native arteries (2/25) (p=0.078); cumulative primary patency for the bypass subgroup was 71% (95% CI 59% to 82%) at a mean 23-month follow-up; 75% and 60% of the anastomoses were patent after 1 and 2 years, respectively. Conclusions: Angioplasty of obstructions in the common femoral artery and its bifurcation with implantation of self-expanding stents shows good midterm primary patency. Native artery lesions have a better outcome than stenoses at bypass anastomoses. The procedure does not preclude further endovascular interventions at the puncture site.
An improved blind spectrum sensing technique for cognitive radio systems

Cognitive radio has been proposed as a key solution for the problem of inefficient usage of spectrum bands. Spectrum sensing is one of the most important issues in each cognitive radio system. Classically-used spectrum sensing techniques require that the cognitive transmitter is not in operation while detecting the presence/absence of the primary signal during the sensing period. In this paper, we propose to use the Kurtosis metric, for blind source separation algorithms with the aim of improving the accuracy of conventional spectrum sensing techniques based on blind source separation. We also introduce a new spectrum sensing framework that combines blind source separation with conventional spectrum sensing techniques. In this way, spectrum sensing can continue to work even when the cognitive transmitter is in operation. Simulation results provided in terms of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves indicate that the proposed method improves the sensing performance achieved with conventional spectrum sensing techniques.
An EBV‐based plasmid can replicate and maintain in stem cells

Viral vectors have a wide range of applications in biology, particularly in gene therapy. Based on their integration capacity, viral vectors are classified as either integrating or non‐integrating vectors. Although integrating vectors, such as lentivectors, have the ability to direct prolonged expression of exogenous genes, manipulation of the host genome is an inappropriate feature of these gene delivery tools. Non‐integrating vectors, such as episomal replicating plasmids, can replicate and persist in host cells for long periods without any chromosomal interruption. These advantages made them good tools for gene induction purposes in gene therapy and basic studies. Due to the necessity of gene induction in stem cells for study of mammalian development and targeted differentiation, the use of integrating vectors for prolonged expression of genes of interest has been developed. Application of replicating plasmids can overcome some drawbacks associated with integrating vectors, although replication and maintenance of these plasmids can differ between cell types. Previously, it has been shown that such plasmids can be maintained in human embryonic stem cells for more than one month, but the rate of the plasmid replication during the host cell cycle has not been elucidated. In the present study, we showed that an EBV‐based plasmid can replicate simultaneously with host in pluripotent and multipotent human and mouse stem cells and can be sustained for long time periods in dividing cells. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 31:1579–1585, 2015
Teledermatology and clinical photography: safeguarding patient privacy and mitigating medico‐legal risk

Capturing clinical images is becoming more prevalent in everyday clinical practice, and dermatology lends itself to the use of clinical photographs and teledermatology. “Store‐and‐forward”, whereby clinical images are forwarded to a specialist who later responds with an opinion on diagnosis and management is a popular form of teledermatology. Store‐and‐forward teledermatology has proven accurate and reliable, accelerating the process of diagnosis and treatment and improving patient outcomes. Practitioners' personal smartphones and other devices are often used to capture and communicate clinical images. Patient privacy can be placed at risk with the use of this technology. Practitioners should obtain consent for taking images, explain how they will be used, apply appropriate security in their digital communications, and delete images and other data on patients from personal devices after saving these to patient health records. Failing to use appropriate security precautions poses an emerging medico‐legal risk for practitioners.
La “scatola nera” dell’economia italiana:mercato del lavoro, istituzioni, formazione dei salari e disoccupazione

Il secondo dopoguerra e stato per l’Italia un periodo di rilevanti trasformazioni e di profondi mutamenti sia nel mercato dei beni, sia in quello del lavoro. Benche decenni di crescita sostenuta abbiano permesso all’Italia di entrare nel novero dei paesi piu industrializzati, tale processo non e stato privo di contraddizioni. L’Italia, che nel 1979 (ovvero ai margini della seconda “Crisi Petrolifera”) era tra le economie con il piu alto tasso d’inflazione, e passata ad avere nel 1999 un tasso d’inflazione assimilabile a quello degli altri paesi della comunita europea. Dopo anni di rigida politica fiscale, anche l’elevato debito del settore pubblico, ereditato dalle politiche di deficit spending degli anni ’80, mo-
A communication architecture for wireless power transfer services based on DSRC technology

Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) services require a communication network to ensure that the power transfer from grid to vehicle is carried out in a precisely controlled manner such that it is fast, safe and most efficient. A comprehensive scalable WPT ecosystem will comprise of not only vehicles and charging controllers but will also include multiple value chain providers such as charge station operators, power generation and grid management companies and vehicle manufacturers etc. So a communication system should not only address the immediate first-hop communication between the vehicle and charging controller but also provide a robust end-to-end communication solution that addresses scalability, real-time response characteristics, in a cyber-secure manner. This paper summarizes the combined efforts of Clemson University and Cisco Systems related to the development of a communication system for stationary, quasi-dynamic and dynamic WPT under DOE FOA 0000667 that addresses these aspects. The implementation used Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) technology as the wireless technology and applied the Fog computing framework as the base for the overall architecture. This approach provided 1) ultralow latency communication between the vehicle and the infrastructure required by WPT real-time control loop, and 2) edge analytics for vehicles and grid components and interaction with WPT cloud. The design of the communication system includes: 1) Identification of data characteristics for the charging session, 2) Implementation of wireless link based on DSRC, 3) Design of network/transfer protocol over WSMP used by DSRC radios and 4) Design of infrastructure and back end architecture based on Fog computing. In addition, this paper presents a discussion of the characteristics of this network architecture and the lessons learned during this project.
You Have an Important Message! Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Text Message HIV/AIDS Campaign in Northwest Uganda

There is a growing interest in the effect of mobile phones in health care (mHealth) service delivery, but more research is needed to determine whether short message service (SMS)–based campaigns are appropriate for developing countries. This pilot study explored the efficacy of an mHealth campaign using SMS as a platform to disseminate and measure HIV/AIDS knowledge, and to promote HIV/AIDS testing at clinics in rural Uganda. Over a 1-month period, 13 HIV/AIDS quiz questions were sent to 10,000 mobile subscribers. Despite participation incentives, only one-fifth of the mobile subscribers responded to any of the questions. The campaign had proportionately limited success in increasing knowledge levels on a mass scale. Furthermore, the program design may be reinforcing entrenched knowledge gaps. The results suggest that it is important to be conservative when considering the potential overall effect of SMS-based programs. However, the authors recognize the potential of mHealth tools when extended to millions of mobile phone users as part of an integrated health campaign approach. The authors propose several steps to improve the program design to reach a larger portion of the intended audience and increase campaign effectiveness.
Activation and association of Stat3 with Src in v-Src-transformed cell lines

STAT proteins are a group of latent cytoplasmic transcription factors which function as signal transducers and activators of transcription. Stat1 and -2 were originally identified to function in interferon signaling, and Stat1 was also found to be activated by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and other cytokines. New members of the STAT gene family are identified. Among them, Stat3 has 52.5% amino acid sequence homology with Stat1 and is activated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1), EGF, interleukin-6, and other cytokines. Treatment of cells with EGF activates Stat1 and Stat3, which become phosphorylated on tyrosine residues to form homo - or heterodimers and translocate into the nucleus, binding to the sis-inducible element (SIE) in the c-fos promoter. Somatic cell genetic analyses demonstrated that Jaks, a family of nontransmembrane protein tyrosine kinases, are required for the activation of Stat1 and Stat2 in interferon-treated cells. However, little is known about the activation of Stat3 by growth factors. Here we report that in all v-Src-transformed cell lines examined, Stat3 is constitutively activated to bind to DNA and the phosphorylation of tyrosine on Stat3 is enhanced by the induction of v-Src expression. We also report that Src is shown to be associated with Stat3 in vivo, as well as in vitro, and phosphorylates Stat3 in vitro. Stat3 is also activated by CSF-1, possibly through CSF-1 receptor-c Src association in NIH 3T3 cells overexpressing CSF-1 receptors. Together, the data suggest that Src is involved in activation of Stat3 in growth factor signal transduction.
Heme Oxygenase‐1 Genotype of the Donor Is Associated With Graft Survival After Liver Transplantation

Heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) has been suggested as a cytoprotective gene during liver transplantation. Inducibility of HO‐1 is modulated by a (GT)n polymorphism and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) A(‐413)T in the promoter. Both a short (GT)n allele and the A‐allele have been associated with increased HO‐1 promoter activity. In 308 liver transplantations, we assessed donor HO‐1 genotype and correlated this with outcome variables. For (GT)n genotype, livers were divided into two classes: short alleles (<25 repeats; class S) and long alleles (≥25 repeats; class L). In a subset, hepatic messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression was correlated with genotypes. Graft survival at 1 year was significantly better for A‐allele genotype compared to TT‐genotype (84% vs. 63%, p = 0.004). Graft loss due to primary dysfunction (PDF) occurred more frequently in TT‐genotype compared to A‐receivers (p = 0.03). Recipients of a liver with TT‐genotype had significantly higher serum transaminases after transplantation and hepatic HO‐1 mRNA levels were significantly lower compared to the A‐allele livers (p = 0.03). No differences were found for any outcome variable between class S and LL‐variant of the (GT)n polymorphism. Haplotype analysis confirmed dominance of the A(‐413)T SNP over the (GT)n polymorphism. In conclusion, HO‐1 genotype is associated with outcome after liver transplantation. These findings suggest that HO‐1 mediates graft survival after liver transplantation.
Anterior cruciate ligament arthroplasty

A unique augmentation arthroplasty has evolved from a retrospective review of 150 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repairs, extracapsular substitutions, and pes an serine transfers. This coincided with a proposed patho logic relationship seen in surgical exposures of the femoral intercondylar notch. From 1976 to 1983, 544 cases with known ACL insufficiency were selected for study. In 397 subsequent anterior cruciate stabiliza tions arthroplasties were performed. Patients with less than a 2 year followup were not included in this retro spective study. One hundred nine arthroplasties are reported: 80 isolated ACL tears and 29 multiple liga ment injuries. Statistically significant relationships between elapsed time from ACL tear to surgery and meniscal tears, and elapsed time and degenerative changes in the articular surfaces were seen. Surgical techinque was arthroplasty, graft harvest, graft placement, graft set, and postoperative care. Functional score followup has occurred for an average of 3 years (range 2 to 5 years). No patient has failed to return to his or her original sport or occupational de mands. Pivot shift, disengagement, or spontaneous rupture of the arthroplasty has not occurred postoper atively. Full participation has occurred with bilateral ACL arthroplasties and arthroplasty performed for previous intraarticular augmentation failure. The operative success in the preliminary follow-up period was based on: ligamentous substitution, ana tomical placement, femoral intercondylar notch compli ance in full range of motion, revascularization of the ligament substitute, and histologic support of the pro cedure.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Outbreak in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Linked to a Humanitarian Organization Residential Center

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa commonly colonizes the hospital environment. Between April 2006 and September 2008, we investigated an outbreak of P. aeruginosa infection occurring in a pediatric intensive care unit. We conducted epidemiologic and molecular investigations to identify the source of the outbreak. Methods: Retrospective case finding; surveillance cultures of patients and environmental sites; admission screening; case-control study; and molecular typing. Patient and Setting: Infants and children in a pediatric intensive care unit of a tertiary-care institution. Results: Thirty-seven cases of P. aeruginosa infection or colonization were detected between April 2006 and September 2008, including 3 fatal bloodstream infections. A closely-related strain was detected in 4 residents of a humanitarian nongovernmental organization (NGO) center who developed an infection, from 4 additional residents upon their hospital admission, and from a sink drain at the NGO residential center. NGO recipients represented 65% (24/37) of the total number of cases of P. aeruginosa colonization or infection during the outbreak period. Investigation at the residential center showed widespread contamination of the sewage system (10/14 sinks and shower drains, 70%) and a high prevalence (38%) of P. aeruginosa carriage among children. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the probable cause of the outbreak was the contamination of the NGO residential center with further nosocomial transmission after admission, and highlight the importance of considering external sources when investigating hospital outbreaks.
Negative Feedback Regulation of the Yeast Cth1 and Cth2 mRNA Binding Proteins Is Required for Adaptation to Iron Deficiency and Iron Supplementation

ABSTRACT Iron (Fe) is an essential element for all eukaryotic organisms because it functions as a cofactor in a wide range of biochemical processes. Cells have developed sophisticated mechanisms to tightly control Fe utilization in response to alterations in cellular demands and bioavailability. In response to Fe deficiency, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae activates transcription of the CTH1 and CTH2 genes, which encode proteins that bind to AU-rich elements (AREs) within the 3′ untranslated regions (3′UTRs) of many mRNAs, leading to metabolic reprogramming of Fe-dependent pathways and decreased Fe storage. The precise mechanisms underlying Cth1 and Cth2 function and regulation are incompletely understood. We report here that the Cth1 and Cth2 proteins specifically bind in vivo to AREs located at the 3′UTRs of their own transcripts in an auto- and cross-regulated mechanism that limits their expression. By mutagenesis of the AREs within the CTH2 transcript, we demonstrate that a Cth2 negative-feedback loop is required for the efficient decline in Cth2 protein levels observed upon a rapid rise in Fe availability. Importantly, Cth2 autoregulation is critical for the appropriate recovery of Fe-dependent processes and resumption of growth in response to a change from Fe deficiency to Fe supplementation.