Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Programmed Six-Channel Electrical Stimulator for Complex Stimulation of Leg Muscles During Walking

Recent trends in the field of functional electrical stimulation (FES) of stroke patients are presented together with a short history of the development of the field. The methodical steps which led towards the construction of a six-channel electrical stimulator are given. The criteria for detennining the number of stimulation channels are highlighted and FES problems of stance phase active stimulation are discussed. The stimulator described is intended for FES assistance of a patient's gait. Stimulation is synchronized with the gait by means of a shoe-insole heel switch. A review of design principles and functions employed is presented in detail, together with a discussion emphasizing problems of multi-site FES in swing and stance phases during locomotion. A discussion of preliminary experience obtained by using the stimulator clinicaly is also presented and ideas for future work are given.
Multiclass classification of 18F-DMFP-PET data to assist the diagnosis of parkinsonism

Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) have similar symptomatology and therefore it is difficult to distinguish among them, especially at early stage. Clinicians normally use different neuroimaging modalities to assist the diagnosis of these disorders, however obtaining an accurate diagnosis is still a challenge. In this work we analyzed a recently emerged neuroimaging modality, 18F-DMFP PET, that allows assessing the deficiency of striatal dopamine that characterizes the parkinsonian syndromes. Three statistical classifiers and several feature extraction approaches were evaluated to automatically differentiate among PD, MSA and PSP. According to the results, PD can be accurately (90% of accuracy) identified using 18F-DMFP PET data, however the identification of MSA and PSP still has room for improvement. Up to our knowledge this is first time that 18F-DMFP PET data is used along with a multiclass classification system for this purpose. In addition, most of the computer systems to assist the diagnosis of parkinsonism only consider the separation of healthy and pathological subjects (binary classification).
Clustering of private mutations in the congenital chloride diarrhea/down‐regulated in adenoma gene

An inherited defect in intestinal anion exchange, congenital chloride diarrhea (CLD), was recently shown to be caused by mutations in the down‐regulated in adenoma (DRA) gene. A three base pair deletion resulting in the loss of an amino acid valine (V317del) in the predicted CLD/DRA protein was shown to be responsible for all CLD cases in a Finnish founder population. Two additional mutations, H124L and 344delT, were found in Polish CLD patients. Here, we screened for additional mutations in a set of 14 CLD families of Polish, Swedish, North American, and Finnish origin using primers that allowed mutation searches directly from genomic DNA samples. We found eight novel mutations in the CLD/DRA gene. The mutations included two transversions, one transition, one insertion, and four small deletions. Of 11 sequence alterations detected so far, nine lie clustered in three short segments that are 49 bp, 39 bp, and 65 bp in size, respectively. These short segments span only 6.7 % of the total cDNA length, suggesting functional importance or mutation‐prone DNA regions of the corresponding CLD/DRA protein domains. Hum Mutat 11:321–327, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of intrinsic factor autoantibody and intrinsic factor in man by radioimmunodiffusion and radioimmunoelectrophoresis.

A micro-method for the detection of both intrinsic factor autoantibody and intrinsic factor which combines the techniques of immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis with radioautography has been described. A radioactive precipitin are demonstrable by radioautography formed when a mixture containing a complex of human intrinsic factor (IF) and Co60B12 (IF-Co60B12) and rabbit anti-human IgG (RAHgG) was reacted against the sera from 8 of 32 patients with pernicious anemia. Radioimmunodiffusion and radioimmunoelectrophoresis experiments revealed that antibody was present in IgG of both type K and type L; antibody was not found in IgA or IgM. All antibody-containing sera blocked Co60B12 uptake by intrinsic factor. A nonradioactive precipitin are also developed when the Co60B12-binding capacity of intrinsic factor was blocked by unlabeled vitamin B12 and when nonintrinsic factor vitamin B12 binders were substituted for intrinsic factor. In the absence of anti-human IgG in the test system, a precipitin did not form and radioactivity was not demonstrable in the diffusion zone. With antibody-containing serum, intrinsic factor was found in the gastric juice of 12 patients without pernicious anemia and in none of three patients with pernicious anemia.
The evolution of gregariousness in parasitoid wasps

Data are assembled on the clutch–size strategies adopted by extant species of parasitoid wasp. These data are used to reconstruct the history of clutch–size evolution in the group using a series of plausible evolutionary assumptions. Extant families are either entirely solitary, both solitary and gregarious, or else clutch size is unknown. Parsimony analysis suggests that the ancestors of most families were solitary, a result which is robust to different phylogenetic relationships and likely data inadequacies. This implies that solitariness was ubiquitous throughout the initial radiation of the group, and that transitions to gregariousness have subsequently occurred a minimum of 43 times in several, but not all lineages. Current data suggest that species–rich and small–bodied lineages are more likely to have evolved gregariousness, and contain more species with small gregarious brood sizes. I discuss the implications of these data for clutch–size theory.
Factors Affecting the Body Mass Index in Adolescents in Portuguese Schools

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children is increasing; hence, it was aimed to assess the Body Mass Index (BMI) in school children aged from 10 to 18 years for girls and to 17 for boys, as well as to identify the factors influencing BMI. This study included 742 students who answered a questionnaire previously approved for application in schools. The results showed some sociodemographic factors associated with BMI classes: age, school year, practicing high competition sport, being federate in a sport or having a vegetarian diet. The educational factors associated with BMI classes included only seminars given at school by a nutritionist. Behavioural factors significantly associated with BMI included: learning in classes, playing in the open air, reading books or use of internet. As conclusion, the results demonstrated that several factors affect BMI, and hence some actions could be taken in order to change them so as to reduce the prevalence of overweight, namely reinforcing the role of school and a more active participation of nutritionists in the education of the adolescents.
Evolution of class-I MHC genes and proteins: from natural selection to thymic selection.

Article de synthese sur les genes de classe I du systeme majeur d'histocompatibilite (CMH) et les produits de ces genes: analyse de l'evolution du polymorphisme genetique des molecules de classe I en rapport avec leurs fonctions, a la fois dans la presentation de l'antigene aux cellules T matures et dans la selection positive ou negative du repertoire des cellules T dans le thymus. Comparaison des genes de classe I du CMH de l'homme avec ceux d'une espece tres proche, le chimpanze, et ceux d'une espece plus eloignee, la souris
Human breast‐cancer metastasis formation in a nude‐mouse model: Studies of hyaluronidase, hyaluronan and hyaluronan‐binding sites in metastatic cells

Few animal models are available to study metastasis formation. The purpose of the present study was to obtain a useful model of metastasis formation in nude mice in an attempt to analyze the stroma reaction and in particular the production and the expression of hyaluronan (HA), hyaluronidase, and HA‐binding sites by cultivated cells, and HA and hyaluronectin (HN) in the invasive areas of tumors. Nude mice were subjected to i.p. injections of several human cancer cell lines (PLC/PRF/5, HepG2, CB 191, CB 193, PC3, CAL 51, SA 87 and SA 98), and formation of metastases was analyzed in different organs (lung, liver, kidney, spleen and axillary nodes) by immunohistochemical techniques. CAL 51, a breast‐cancer‐metastasis‐derived cell line with a normal karyotype, produced i.p. tumors in 75% animals and metastases in 90% animals (detected in the liver and axillary nodes). Two modes of invasion by CAL 51 cells were observed in the liver: one, direct, from the surface of the liver and the other, indirect, via the bloodstream. HA and HN were strongly expressed at the invasion areas. A cell line derived from hepatic metastasis of CAL 51 (HMD CAL 51) presented an abnormal karyotype. HMD CAL 51 produced more hyaluronidase (12‐fold) and HA (10‐fold) and expressed more CD44 (1.6‐fold) and other HA‐binding sites (9.5‐fold) than the established cell line CAL 51. Our results show that i.p. injection of the CAL 51 cell line into nude mice provides a useful model of metastasis formation. The passage of the CAL 51 cells from the primary state to the metastatic state was characterized by a dramatic increase of HA and hyaluronidase production, and expression of HA, HN and HA‐binding sites. Int. J. Cancer 82:77–83, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
MWL Picture Of The Blazar S5 0716+714 During Its Brightest Outburst

S5 0716+714 is a well known BL-Lac object, one of the brightest and most active blazars. The discovery in the Very High Energy band (VHE, E > 100 GeV) by MAGIC happened in 2008. In January 2015 the source went through the brightest optical state ever observed, triggering MAGIC follow-up and a VHE detection with ∼ 13σ significance (ATel ]6999). Rich multi-wavelength coverage of the flare allowed us to construct the broad-band spectral energy distribution of S5 0716+714 during its brightest outburst. In this work we will present the preliminary analysis of MAGIC and Fermi-LAT data of the flaring activity in January and February 2015 for the HE and VHE band, together with radio (Metsähovi, OVRO, VLBA, Effelsberg), sub-millimeter (SMA), optical (Tuorla, Perkins, Steward, AZT-8+ST7, LX-200, Kanata), X-ray and UV (Swift-XRT and UVOT), in the same time-window and discuss the time variability of the MWL light curves during this impressive outburst.
Nitric oxide synthase containing neurons in the carotid body and sinus of the guinea pig

The morphology and function of the carotid sinus and carotid body have been extensively studied, but our knowledge of their transmitter(s) is still incomplete. Nitric oxide (NO) recently has been identified as a novel messenger molecule in a number of neuronal and non‐neuronal tissues. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) has been demonstrated in many neurons of the autonomic nervous system. The present study examines the distribution of NOS in the carotid sinus and body. The carotid sinus and body of newborn guinea pigs were removed for histochemical examination of NOS using the NADPH‐diaphorase method. In the carotid body, many nerve fibers enveloping the glomus cells were positive for NOS. In addition, some glomus cells were positive for NOS. In the carotid sinus, NADPH‐d positive fibers were distributed unevenly in the adventitia and media. These results indicate the possibility that nitric oxide plays a role in both arterial chemoreception and baroreception. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multi antenna STBC transmission technique evaluation under IEEE 802.11n conditions

In this paper, the STBC (Space-Time Block Codes) transmission technique is used in order to evaluate the link availability and transmission quality of multi antenna systems that operate under various channel conditions. The propagation channel follows the IEEE 802.11n specifications. The influence of the diversity order and the spatial correlation is investigated in terms of error performance and throughput. The efficient use of the space and the power resources leads to significant improvement in the link reliability, if channel state is available at the transmission. The throughput enhancement of a 2×2 MIMO system relatively to the basic SISO (Single Input Single Output) mode is evaluated considering a fix antennas separation and different channel models.
Effect of Tri-sa-maw recipe on gastrointestinal regulation and motility. .

BACKGROUND Tri-sa-maw recipe is comprised ofequal proportions of three herbal fruits, including Terminalia chebula Retz. , Terminalia sp. and Terminalia bellirica Roxb. The traditional use of this recipe has been reported as a medication for fever; expectorant, relief of tightness in the stomach, laxative and antidiarrheal agent. OBJECTIVE To study the effects of Tri-sa-maw recipe extract on gastrointestinal tract in both in vitro and in vivo. MATERIAL AND METHOD Gastrointestinal effect of Tri-sa-maw recipe was studied by using two in vivo models (gastric emptying, gastrointestinal transit) and in vitro isolated guinea pig ileum experiment. RESULTS Tri-sa-maw recipe showed both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on the stomach function. Not only did the extract at the dose of 1,000 mg/kg inhibit the gastric emptying time, but also stimulate the movement of the digestive tract by increasing the mobility of charcoal. In the isolated guinea pig ileum experiment, the extract at low concentration (0.1 ng/mL) induced the contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum. However the stimulation effect on contractions of isolated guineapig ileum was very much decreased at the high concentration (0.2-1 ng/mL) of the extract. CONCLUSION The findings of this study support to traditional uses of Tri-sa-maw recipe as a laxative and antidiarrheal agent.
Effect of urotensin II on apoptosis of H 9 c 2 cardiomyocytes and the underlying mechanisms

Objective: To observe the effect of urotensin II (UII) on the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: H9c2 cells from rat embryonic heart cell line were cultured as an in vitro experimental model of heart cells, and were divided into four groups: the control group (C), the 10-8 mol/L UII-treatment group (UII), the 10-8 mol/L UII + 1 mmol/L SB-611812-treatment group (UII-SB), and 10-8 mol/L UII + 1 mmol/L KT5720-treatment group (UII-KT). The expression of caspase-3 in the four groups was detected by ELISA, cell proliferation was assessed using CKK-8 staining followed by visualization under a microscope, and the rate of apoptosis was determined by Annexin V/PI double staining and flow cytometry. Results: The expression of caspase-3 in group UII increased (P<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner as compared to that in group C. Further, UII inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. A UII receptor antagonist, SB-611812, and a PKA-specific blocker, KT5720, protected against the effects of UII. Conclusions: UII may upregulate the expression of caspase-3 and the adenosine monophosphate-protein kinase A (AMP-PKA) signaling pathway, thus promoting the apoptosis of H9c2 cardiomyocytes.
European-led project strives to simulate the human brain.

servedas a foundation for thedesignof this trial. Older peoplewho carry 2 copies of the APOE4allele—2%to3%of thepopulation— are at high risk of developingAD later in life. Researchers will enroll cognitively healthy participants between the ages of 60 and 75 years who have 2 copies of the APOE4 allele. The study will enroll a greater number of people than the Colombian study, and the researchers are still in the process of identifying which drug will be tested. The trial will also investigate the effect of revealing the status of the APOE genotype to participants. A previous study (Green RC et al. N Engl J Med. 2009; 361[3]:245-254) found that disclosing APOE4 status was better tolerated than anticipated, but the participants were younger and were not followed up longitudinally, said Reiman. Also under way this year is the TOMMORROW trial, a large phase 3 clinical AD prevention trial enrollingclose to6000cognitively healthy participants aged 65 to 80 years in 50 centers around the world. The TOMMORROW trial investigators will assess the status of both APOE and another gene, TOMM40 (translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 40 homologue), to predict the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment due to AD within a 5-year period and to evaluate the effectiveness of using a low dose of the currently approved diabetes drug pioglitazone (designated as AD-4833 for this study) to delay onset of mild cognitive impairment. In addition to being an insulin-sensitizing agent, pioglitazonehas a remarkable effect on mitochondrial function, another mechanism implicated in ADpathogenesis, noted Jeffrey Cummings,MD, of the ClevelandClinicLouRuvoCenter forBrainHealth, Las Vegas, Nevada, who is involved in this trial. “This is one of the first trials to look at the possible benefit of mitochondrial activation in the treatment of AD,” he said. Given the looming health crisis AD presents, these prevention studies are a vital step toward making an impression on the disease, commented Ronald Petersen, MD, of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, who is not directly involved in any of the studies. He emphasized, however, that “this doesn’t mean that we’re abandoning people with symptomatic disease, as there is still a good deal of effort going on in drug development for people with AD. ” Correction: This article was corrected online April 9, 2014.
Dinámica de la renta y la riqueza de las familias españolas: resultados del panel de la Encuesta Financiera de las Familias (EFF) 2002-2005

La EFF recoge informacion detallada sobre las rentas, los activos, las deudas, el consumo y algunas variables demograficas de los hogares. Una caracteristica importante de esta encuesta es que incorpora un sobremuestreo de los hogares con mayor nivel de riqueza. Otro aspecto importante de la EFF es que la segunda ola tiene un componente de panel completo que proporciona informacion estadistica sobre transiciones entre estados y cambios individuales en las variables. El objetivo de este trabajo es utilizar los datos del panel de la EFF2002-2005 para describir los cambios en la renta, la tenencia de activos y la riqueza de los hogares entre finales de 2002 y 2005.
Trends in Timing of Sleep in the General Population of Norway: 1980 to 2000

The aim of the current study was to examine whether the timing of sleep have changed over the last two decades. As part of a general survey of activities throughout the 24-hr. cycle, collected in 1980, 1990, and 2000 by Statistics Norway, information on sleep timing was obtained for every 15-min. interval for 1 wk. All three samples were representative of Norwegians. The age span was from 16 to 74 years. Timing of sleep was significantly delayed in 2000 compared to 1990 and especially so in 1980, but with no change in total amount of sleep. From 1980 to 2000, there was an increasing discrepancy in sleep or wake timing between weekdays and weekends. The current analyses show that people sleep as much as before but do so at different times. The increased discrepancy between weekdays and weekends indicates that overall sleep habits are poorer now than previously.
OXIDATIVE STRESS AND ROLE OF ANTIOXIDANTS IN MALE INFERTILITY

With regular cohabitation without any protection if women do not conceive for at least a period of one year is labelled as infertility. It is based on the observation that most of the normal couples achieve conception within a year of initiation of regular sex. Infertility affects approximately 15% of all couples trying to conceive. Itâ€™s a major clinical problem, affecting people medically and psychologically. Male factor infertility is the major cause in roughly half of the cases, and no identifiable cause can be found in over 25% of infertile males. Out of many causes of male infertility Oxidative stress (OS) has been attributed to affect the fertility status and thus, it has been studied extensively in recent years. Excessive production of free radicals or reactive oxygen species (ROS) can damage sperm and ROS has been extensively studied as one of the major mechanism of infertility
Individuals with coronary artery disease at a young age and features of the metabolic syndrome have an increased prothrombotic potential

Summary The relation between coagulation and atherosclerosis has been extensively described, pointing towards a hypercoagulable state in patients with atherosclerosis, especially in young individuals. However, not all studies were conclusive. It is known that the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD), is related to a higher incidence of thrombo-embolic events. We hypothesised that individuals with CAD at a young age and MetS have an increased prothrombotic potential. It was the study objective to analyse the endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and related thrombin generation parameters in patients with CAD before the age of 51 in men and 56 in women with and without MetS features and their healthy first-degree relatives. In this case-control study we included 118 CAD patients and 50 first-degree relatives (controls). Parameters of thrombin generation were obtained with calibrated automated thrombinography. An adjusted general linear model (GLM) showed a positive association between the peak thrombin levels and the presence of CAD at a young age. Based on the NCEP criteria we divided our patient group in CAD patients with and without MetS, and compared them to the controls without MetS. We showed that CAD patients with MetS have increased ETP levels, both in comparison with healthy first-degree relatives and with CAD patients without MetS. There were no differences in ETP between patients without MetS and healthy controls. In conclusion, this study shows that individuals with CAD at a young age and MetS features have an increased prothrombotic potential, compared to CAD patients without MetS.
The prevalence of elder abuse and neglect: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE to perform a systematic review of studies measuring the prevalence of elder abuse or neglect, either reported by older people themselves, or family and professional caregivers or investigated using objective measures. METHODS we conducted a comprehensive literature search of multiple databases up to October 2006, supplemented by a search of the references of all relevant articles. Validity of studies was graded by two authors independently using a standardised checklist. RESULTS forty-nine studies met our inclusion criteria, of which only seven used measures for which reliability and validity had been assessed. In the general population studies, 6% of older people reported significant abuse in the last month and 5.6% of couples reported physical violence in their relationship in the last year. In studies using valid instruments involving vulnerable elders, nearly a quarter reported significant levels of psychological abuse. Five per cent of family caregivers reported physical abuse towards care recipients with dementia in a year, and a third reported any significant abuse. Sixteen per cent of care home staff admitted significant psychological abuse. Rates of abuse recorded using objective measures (5%) or reported to home management or adult protective services (APS) (1-2%) were low. CONCLUSION one in four vulnerable elders are at risk of abuse and only a small proportion of this is currently detected. Elders and family and professional caregivers are willing to report abuse and should be asked about it routinely. Valid, reliable measures and consensus on what constitutes an adequate standard for validity of abuse measures are needed.