Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Atypical tumors of the facial nerve: case series and review of the literature.

OBJECT The authors present a series of 4 patients with rare facial nerve tumors. The relevant literature is reviewed and is discussed regarding diagnostic features, the role of operative management, and surgical approach. METHODS A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients with tumors of the facial nerve that were treated between 2008 and 2011. Patients undergoing observation with serial MRI and those who were treated with up-front radiosurgery and for whom tissue diagnosis was not available were excluded. In addition, patients with suspected vestibular schwannoma, facial nerve schwannoma, neurofibromatosis Type 2, and metastatic disease were also excluded. The charts of 4 patients (2 men and 2 women) with "atypical" tumors were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS A total of 12 patients with tumors of the facial nerve were identified during the study period. Patient characteristics, preoperative imaging, operative approach, tumor histology, and outcomes are described. CONCLUSIONS Atypical facial nerve tumors must be distinguished from the more common facial nerve schwannoma. How the authors of this study treat rare facial nerve tumors is based on their experience with the more common facial nerve schwannomas, characterized by a slow progression of symptoms and growth. Less is known about the rare lesions, and thus a conservative approach may be warranted. Open questions include the role of radiosurgery, facial nerve decompression, and indications for resection of tumor and cable grafting for these rare lesions.
Sensitivity of Trade Balance to Exchange Rate Depreciation: Evidence from Indo-U.S. Bilateral Trade

The fundamental economic theories presume a relationship between exchange rate and trade balance that depreciation in the exchange rate would affect trade balance. Magee (1973) formulated a hypothesis that for a given currency devaluation or depreciation, the trade balance reacts differently in short run and long run. It has been argued that with the depreciation of domestic currency the trade balance deteriorates in the short run and improves in the long run leading to J-shaped pattern of response. Since then some studies have empirically investigated the J-curve hypothesis with mixed results. The theory is hardly tested to Indian scenario. The present study, hence, examines the nature of response of India? s trade balance to exchange rate shocks. The study specially focuses on the response of India? s bilateral trade with U.S for continuous depreciation of Indian rupee against U.S dollar. The study uses monthly data for the period from 2009 to 2017. Using the VAR methodology, the Impulse Response Function has been fitted and the results do not have evidence for J-curve pattern of trade balance rather it appears to be ? inverted J-curve?
The many ailments of Herman Melville (1819–91)

Summary Herman Melville developed debilitating physical and psychiatric disorders in middle age after writing, perhaps, the greatest of American novels, Moby Dick. This article critically examines claims that Melville had bipolar affective disorder and alcoholism, and suggests he may also have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Melville was active and vigorous in youth but in middle age he developed recurrent attacks of eye pain, photophobia and disabling low back pain. Melville's contemporaries usually attributed his physical problems to ‘neurasthenia’ and his biographers have often dismissed them as psychosomatic. However, Melville's clinical course, abnormally rigid posture, loss of 1⅜ inches in height between the ages of 30 and 37, and a family history of rheumatological disease, suggest a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis.
Crucial Role of N Terminus in Function of Cardiac L-type Ca2+ Channel and Its Modulation by Protein Kinase C*

The role of the cytosolic N terminus of the main subunit (α1C) of cardiac L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel was studied inXenopus oocyte expression system. Deletion of the initial 46 or 139 amino acids (a.a.) of rabbit heart α1C caused a 5–10-fold increase in the whole cell Ca2+ channel current carried by Ba2+ (IBa), as reported previously (Wei, X., Neely, A., Olcese, R., Lang, W., Stefani, E., and Birnbaumer, L. (1996) Recept. Channels 4, 205–215). The plasma membrane content of α1C protein, measured immunochemically, was not altered by the 46-a.a. deletion. Patch clamp recordings in the presence of a dihydropyridine agonist showed that this deletion causes a ∼10-fold increase in single channel open probability without changing channel density. Thus, the initial segment of the N terminus affects channel gating rather than expression. The increase in IBa caused by coexpression of the auxiliary β2A subunit was substantially stronger in channels with full-length α1C than in 46- or 139-a.a. truncated mutants, suggesting an interaction between β2A and N terminus. However, only the I–II domain linker of α1C, but not to N or C termini, bound β2A in vitro. The well documented increase of IBa caused by activation of protein kinase C (PKC) was fully eliminated by the 46-a.a. deletion. Thus, the N terminus of α1C plays a crucial role in channel gating and PKC modulation. We propose that PKC and β subunit enhance the activity of the channel in part by relieving an inhibitory control exerted by the N terminus. Since PKC up-regulation of L-type Ca2+ channels has been reported in many species, we predict that isoforms of α1C subunits containing the initial N-terminal 46 a.a. similar to those of the rabbit heart α1C are widespread in cardiac and smooth muscle cells.
Rigid And Nonrigid Objects In Canonical And Noncanonical Views: Hemisphere-Specific Effects On Object Identification

We compared the performance in a picture-name matching task of 10 patients suffering from left cerebral hemisphere (LH) damage and 10 from right hemisphere (RH) damage. The tasks showed detailed figures of nonrigid objects (animals) and rigid objects (artefacts), and each object was shown in two separate views: a noncanonical view (an unusual perspective for rigid objects or a contorted pose for the nonrigid ones) and a canonical view (a typical perspective and pose). Patients with LH damage were specifically impaired in identifying noncanonical (contorted) poses of nonrigid objects (animals). In a second picture-name matching experiment, using the divided visual field technique, normal subjects matched names to images of nonrigid shapes (animals) shown in canonical and noncanonical perspectives of noncontorted, typical poses of the animals. It was found that the normal subjects' RH identified these perspectives better than their LH. We conclude that computationally different problems are solved by different cerebral mechanisms when identifying flexible objects and when identifying rigid objects. We propose the idea that identifying flexible objects when their shapes contort relies on accessing stored descriptions of objects' parts and their “categorical” spatial relations and that both types of information are encoded better by the LH. In contrast, we propose that the RH is more adept at identifying different perspectives of rigid objects (and flexible objects when their shapes do not contort) because of this hemisphere's superiority in encoding specific global shapes and their views, and in coordinate spatial transformation.
MCMC for sequential flight object attitude estimation based on perfect coupling sampling

Aiming at large initial attitude errors of flight object, this paper presents perfect coupling sampling based on coupling from the past (CFTP) algorithm on MCMC (Markov chain Monte Carlo) to tackle the problem of sequential flight object attitude estimation. Based Bayesian theory, posterior distribution can be approximated by Monte Carlo likelihood function and conjunction prior distribution based via constructing MCMC of flight object monotonous state-space and difference encoding. It is so-called perfect-sampling of MCMC method, which can guarantee that samples are drawn exactly from distribution of flight object attitude estimation. Simulation results show that this method can reduce computing complexity and effectively explore the time of convergence of sequential flight object attitude estimation.
A Five-Year Longitudinal Analysis of Sooty Mangabeys Naturally Infected with Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Reveals a Slow but Progressive Decline in CD4+ T-Cell Count Whose Magnitude Is Not Predicted by Viral Load or Immune Activation

ABSTRACT Natural simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in sooty mangabeys (SMs) typically does not result in AIDS, despite high-level viremia and significant depletion of mucosal CD4+ T cells. Here, we report the results of the first longitudinal study of a large cohort of SMs naturally infected with SIV (n = 78) housed at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center from which samples were obtained three times over a 5-year period. In this study, we observed (i) no signs of simian AIDS, (ii) stable SIV loads, (iii) a slow but progressive decline in CD4+ T-cell counts (from a mean of 1,067.0 cells/mm3 at time point 1 to 764.8 cells/mm3 at time point 3) and increases in the numbers of animals with CD4+ T-cell levels below 500 and 200 cells/mm3 (from 8 to 28 of 78 and from 1 to 4 of 78, respectively), (iv) progressive declines in percentages of naïve CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (from 37.7 to 24.8% and from 21.0 to 13.0%, respectively), and (v) stably low levels of activated/proliferating T cells as well as CD4+ CCR5+ T cells. Since the level of total CD4+ T cells and the fraction of naïve T cells in SIV-uninfected SMs also declined, it is possible that some of these observations are related to aging, as the SIV-infected animals were significantly older than the uninfected animals. In contrast to the decline in CD4+ T cell counts in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the decline in CD4+ T cell counts in SMs naturally infected with SIV over a 5-year period was not predicted by either plasma viremia or levels of T-cell activation. Taken together, these results confirm that natural SIV infection is nonprogressive from a clinical, virological, and immunological point of view and that stable levels of viremia associated with persistently low-level immune activation represent key differences from the natural course of HIV infection in humans.
Nonlinear adaptive observer for side slip angle and road friction estimation

The side slip angle of a vehicle as well as the tire-road friction coefficient are important inputs for vehicle dynamics control system and automated driving modules. However measurement of these parameters are difficult and costly in mass production vehicles and need to be reliably and accurately estimated. We address the observer design problem for simultaneously estimating side slip angle and tire-road friction utilizing information from vehicle Electric Power Steering System (EPS). A key observation is that the vehicle dynamics can be transformed into a lower-triangular form. For non-affine parametrized systems in such a form we propose a nonlinear adaptive observer and prove the uniform exponential stability of the estimation error by constructing a strict Lyapunov function. The design procedure is subsequently applied to the vehicle observer design problem. Simulations demonstrate the robustness of the proposed observer against modeling error and measurement noise.
Maturation and Dispersal of B‐Cell Clones during T Cell‐Dependent Antibody Responses

Germinal centers develop in follicles during TD antibody responses in the first 3 wk following each immunization. In primary responses to protein-based antigens, T-cell help is limiting, follicles develop towards the end of the 1st wk from immunization and the size of the follicular response in relatively small. When T-cell help is provided the primary B-cell response in follicles is much larger, B cells start to proliferate in follicles within a few hours of immunization and reach peak size 3-4 d later. Available evidence suggests that virgin B cells that colonize follicles to form germinal centers must first be activated by antigen outside follicles, probably in T zones. Memory B cells also proliferate in follicles and they can do so without first being activated outside follicles. Germinal center formation consists of an initial phase of exponential proliferation of B cells within the follicular dendritic cell network. After a single immunization the follicular response is oligoclonal and on average only 3 cells colonize each follicle. In responses to hapten-protein in rats primed previously with the carrier protein these 3 cells increase to around 10(4) cells in 3 d with a cell cycle time of about 6 h. At the end of the period of exponential growth of B blasts, the classical structure of germinal centers emerges. The B blasts become centroblasts in the dark zone of the germinal center which develops at that pole of the FDC network nearer the T zones. The centroblasts are still in rapid cell cycle but do not more than sustain their numbers. The rest of their progeny move to the heart of the FDC network where they come out of cell cycle as centrocytes. Evidence is cited which indicates that somatic mutation occurs in the Ig V-region genes of centroblasts and that centrocytes are selected on the basis of their ability to respond to antigen held on FDC. Centrocytes not receiving this antigen-dependent signal kill themselves by apoptosis. Centrocytes positively selected by interaction with antigen on FDC receive further signals which induce the cells to differentiate to become either plasma cells or memory B cells. The nature of some of these differentiation signals is described. It is shown that proliferation, selection and differentiation occur within germinal centers in distinct micro-environments. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The effect of spinach supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress.

AIM Nutritional supplements have been very popular among athletes and individuals. Spinach is an important dietary vegetable rich in antioxidants which is commonly consumed. This study was conducted to assess the effects of chronic daily spinach supplementation on known markers of oxidative stress and muscle damage following half-marathon in well-trained healthy young men. METHODS Twenty well-trained men volunteered for this study. Participants were randomized in an open study placebo-controlled fashion into two groups: Spinach (S) (N.=10) and placebo (P) (N.=10). The participants took spinach supplementation or placebo daily for 14 days before running. Participants ran 21.1 km. The spinach supplementation was prepared at 1 g/kg body weight. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was determined as marker of plasma antioxidant capacity. Creatine kinase (CK) was measured as marker of muscle damage and malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC) and uric acid were measured as markers of oxidative stress. RESULTS TAC significantly elevated after supplementation in S group (P<0.05). Acute exercise led to elevated levels of serum MDA, PC and CK (P<0.05). Spinach supplementation maintained PC, MDA, uric acid and CK at lower levels after exercise than the placebo (P<0.05). CONCLUSION These results suggest that chronic daily oral supplementation of spinach has alleviating effects on known markers of oxidative stress and muscle damage following a half-marathon in well trained healthy young men.
Firing rate of the lower motoneuron and contractile properties of its muscle fibers after upper motoneuron lesion in man

We studied motor unit (MU) firing rate and contractile properties and myosin isoform composition of single muscle fibers after upper motoneuron lesion. Single MUs and surface electromyogram (EMG) were recorded during voluntary contractions and locomotion in the paretic (P) and nonparetic (NP) tibialis anterior (TA) of 15 hemiparetics. P TA low‐threshold MUs fired within the lower end of their normal range. High‐threshold MUs fired below their normal range or were not recruited. Surface EMG was abnormally low and high in the P TA and NP TA, respectively. On muscle cross sections stained with histochemical methods, type I fibers represented 99.4%, 74.3%, and 66.6% of NP, P, and control TA, respectively. P TA fibers expressing type I myosin heavy chain (MyHC) were smaller, weaker, and slower. In conclusion, low MU firing rate and activity in the P TA was associated with slower type I MyHC fibers, while increased activity in NP TA resulted in homogeneous expression of type I MyHC. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 20: 938–947, 1997
Functional interactions between the ciliopathy-associated Meckel syndrome 1 (MKS1) protein and two novel MKS1-related (MKSR) proteins

Meckel syndrome (MKS) is a ciliopathy characterized by encephalocele, cystic renal disease, liver fibrosis and polydactyly. An identifying feature of MKS1, one of six MKS-associated proteins, is the presence of a B9 domain of unknown function. Using phylogenetic analyses, we show that this domain occurs exclusively within a family of three proteins distributed widely in ciliated organisms. Consistent with a ciliary role, all Caenorhabditis elegans B9-domain-containing proteins, MKS-1 and MKS-1-related proteins 1 and 2 (MKSR-1, MKSR-2), localize to transition zones/basal bodies of sensory cilia. Their subcellular localization is largely co-dependent, pointing to a functional relationship between the proteins. This localization is evolutionarily conserved, because the human orthologues also localize to basal bodies, as well as cilia. As reported for MKS1, disrupting human MKSR1 or MKSR2 causes ciliogenesis defects. By contrast, single, double and triple C. elegans mks/mksr mutants do not display overt defects in ciliary structure, intraflagellar transport or chemosensation. However, we find genetic interactions between all double mks/mksr mutant combinations, manifesting as an increased lifespan phenotype, which is due to abnormal insulin–IGF-I signaling. Our findings therefore demonstrate functional interactions between a novel family of proteins associated with basal bodies or cilia, providing new insights into the molecular etiology of a pleiotropic human disorder.
A randomized comparison of bypassing agents in hemophilia complicated by an inhibitor: the FEIBA NovoSeven Comparative (FENOC) Study.

The development of inhibitory antibodies to factor VIII is a serious complication of hemophilia. FEIBA (factor VIII inhibitor-bypassing activity), an activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC), and NovoSeven, recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa), are used as hemostatic bypassing agents in treating patients with inhibitors. The FENOC study was designed to test equivalence of the products in the treatment of ankle, knee, and elbow joint bleeding. A prospective, open-label, randomized, crossover, equivalency design was used. The parameters of interest were the percentage of patients who reported efficacy in response to FEIBA and the percentage that reported efficacy in response to NovoSeven. A difference in these percentages of no more than 15% was determined to be a clinically acceptable magnitude for equivalence of the 2 products. The primary outcome was evaluation 6 hours after treatment. Data for 96 bleeding episodes contributed by 48 participants were analyzed. The criterion for declaring the 2 products equivalent at 6 hours was not met; however, the confidence interval of the difference in percentages of efficacy reported for each product only slightly exceeded the 15% boundary (-11.4%-15.7%), P=. 059. FEIBA and NovoSeven appear to exhibit a similar effect on joint bleeds, although the efficacy between products is rated differently by a substantial proportion of patients. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials. gov as #NCT00166309.
Finite time stabilization of a perturbed double integrator - Part II: applications to bipedal locomotion

Orbital stabilization of a bipedal robot. The robot walk is composed of single support phases separated by impacts. The underactuation degree of the robot is one during the single support phase. The generalized positions are assumed to be the only available measurements of the robot state. The proposed synthesis procedure is constituted by several successive designs which are developed step by step. At the first step, the generalized position θ of the virtual leg that would correspond to a three-link biped with no knees is viewed as a time substitution θ(t) and the desired path is obtained as a function of θ rather than that of time. Second, the underactuated orbital stabilization problem is reduced to stabilization of the geometric configuration evolution of the robot with a supplementary control input, being the second order time derivative Ӫ of the virtual leg position. The original orbital stabilization problem is thus decoupled to a path stabilization of five double integrators, controlled independently. At the third and fourth steps, the so-called twisting and supertwisting algorithms, which are well-recognized for their finite time stability and robustness properties, are modified to present, respectively, the state feedback controller and velocity observer, developed for the finite time stabilization of a double integrator. Finally, the resulting position feedback synthesis is composed to orbitally stabilize the five-link bipedal robot. Performance and robustness issues of the enforced biped cyclic gate are illustrated in a numerical study. 1
Increased collagen deposition in an uncomplicated surgical wound compared to a minimal subcutaneous test wound

Little information is currently available concerning the relationship between results obtained in humans from surgical test wounds and results from wound models. Therefore, to evaluate human wound healing parameters, tubings of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene were implanted in a subcutaneous test wound in the arm of 47 volunteers and 20 patients undergoing hernia repair. The surgical patients also had implants left in the surgical wound cavity. After 10 days the deposition of collagen in the tubings as expressed by hydroxyproline content was 30% higher in the surgical wound than in the test wound, p < 0.05. The amount of collagen deposited in the tubing within the surgical wound did not correlate with measurements in the test wound, whereas a significant correlation of proline levels was found between the two sites, p < 0.05. Deposition of proline and total protein in the model was equivalent. In both wound types age negatively correlated with levels of protein, but not collagen. The variability of the results was 40% lower in the subcutaneous test wound than in the surgical wound. There was no significant difference in hydroxyproline deposition between the volunteers and the patients undergoing hernia repair. In patients undergoing minor surgery without signs of compromised healing the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene test wound in the arm reflects the deposition of non‐collagenous protein, but not collagen, within the surgical wound.