Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brain Stem Responses Evoked by Stimulation With an Auditory Brain Stem Implant in Children With Cochlear Nerve Aplasia or Hypoplasia

Objectives: The inclusion criteria for an auditory brain stem implant (ABI) have been extended beyond the traditional, postlingually deafened adult with Neurofibromatosis type 2, to include children who are born deaf due to cochlear nerve aplasia or hypoplasia and for whom a cochlear implant is not an option. Fitting the ABI for these new candidates presents a challenge, and intraoperative electrically evoked auditory brain stem responses (EABRs) may assist in the surgical placement of the electrode array over the dorsal and ventral cochlear nucleus in the brain stem and in the postoperative programming of the device. This study had four objectives: (1) to characterize the EABR by stimulation of the cochlear nucleus in children, (2) to establish whether there are any changes between the EABR recorded intraoperatively and again just before initial behavioral testing with the device, (3) to establish whether there is evidence of morphology changes in the EABR depending on the site of stimulation with the ABI, and (4) to investigate how the EABR relates to behavioral measurements and the presence of auditory and nonauditory sensations perceived with the ABI at initial device activation. Design: Intra- and postoperative EABRs were recorded from six congenitally deaf children with ABIs, four boys and two girls, mean age 4.2 yrs (range 3.2 to 5.0 yrs). The ABI was stimulated at nine different bipolar sites on the array, and the EABRs recorded were analyzed with respect to the morphology and peak latency with site of stimulation for each recording session. The relationship between the EABR waveforms and the presence or absence of auditory electrodes at initial device activation was investigated. The EABR threshold levels were compared with the behavioral threshold (T) and comfortably loud (C) levels of stimulation required at initial device activation. Results: EABRs were elicited from all children on both test occasions. Responses contained a possible combination of one to three peaks from a total of four identifiable peaks with mean latencies of 1.04, 1.81, 2.61, and 3.58 msecs, respectively. The presence of an EABR was a good predictor of an auditory response; however, the absence of the EABR was poor at predicting a site with no auditory response. The morphology of EABRs often varied with site of stimulation and between EABR test occasions. Postoperatively, there was a trend for P1, P3, and P4 to be present at the lateral end of the array and P2 at the medial end of the array. Behavioral T and C levels showed a good correlation with postoperative EABR thresholds but a poor correlation with intraoperative EABR thresholds. Conclusions: The presence of an intraoperative EABR was a good indicator for the location of electrodes on the ABI array that provided auditory sensations. The morphology of the EABR was often variable within and between test sessions. The postoperative EABR thresholds did correlate with the behavioral T and C levels and could be used to assist with initial device fitting.
High Throughput Studies of Gene Expression Using Green Fluorescent Protein-Oxidative Stress Promoter Probe Constructs The Potential for Living Chips

Green fluorescent protein fusions were constructed with several oxidative stress promoters from Escherichia coli. These promoters were chosen for their induction by reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals. When exposed to various free radical insults, the cells fluoresced with great specificity based on the corresponding ROS. In this work, we propose a way in which these constructs could be used to study the mode of action of a variety of antitumor drugs. This approach offers the possibility of complementing gene chip technology by the creation of living chips for high throughput screening as well as studying differential gene expression.
Screening for germline mutations of the p53 gene in familial breast cancer patients

Abstract. The constitutive DNA from members of four families showing predisposition to breast cancer was amplified by PCR in the region of exons 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the p53 proto‐oncogene. Single‐strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) gels were used to compare patient DNA with mutant and wild‐type control samples. No cases of anomalous mobility were observed in samples from the susceptible families. The lack of inherited mutations was confirmed for exons 5 and 7 by solid‐phase DNA sequencing. The results lend further support to the view that inherited mutations in p53 alleles are not a significant contributor to breast cancer predisposition and it is not, therefore, clinically worthwhile to screen predisposed or potentially predisposed families for germline mutations in the p53 gene.
Design of highly sensitive CMOS RF energy harvester using ultra-low power charge pump

This work aims to enhance the sensitivity of the RF energy harvesting system by increasing the input RF voltage and supporting the rectifier by a DC/DC up-converter. The rectifier design concept is based on keeping high input reactance to maximize the resonance. On the other hand, an ultra low power charge pump is connected to the rectifier in order to boost the DC voltage. The system design and layout has been done using 0.13um technology. The simulations show that the sensitivity of system to produce more than 1V for unloaded output capacitor is -29 dBm with frequency band of (0.8-0.9)GHz and it is -24 dBm with (2.4-2.5)GHz.
Relationship Between Noninvasively Measured Endothelial Function and Peripheral Arterial Disease

Objectives: To determine the relationship between endothelial function by means of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (BAFMD) and the clinical severity of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Methods and Results: We examined the brachial artery diameter by ultrasound, before and after ischemia of the arm in 3 groups of participants— group A: healthy individuals under 30 years, without cardiovascular risk factors (n = 30); group B: patients with PAD and ischemic claudication (n = 30); and group C: patients with critical leg ischemia (n = 20). There were no differences between groups B and C, in regard to age, sex, and main cardiovascular risk factor. The BAFMD was 9.9% in group A compared with 5.5% in the pooled patients group (B + C; P < .001). Significant differences were absent between groups B and C (P > .05). Correlation coefficient of ankle-brachial index/BAFMD was r = . 1; P = . 49. Conclusions: Patients with PAD present endothelial dysfunction, but this does not seem to determine the severity of the disease.
Earth System Model Needs for Including the Interactive Representation of Nitrogen Deposition and Drought Effects on Forested Ecosystems

One of the biggest uncertainties of climate change is determining the response of vegetation to many co-occurring stressors. In particular, many forests are experiencing increased nitrogen deposition and are expected to suffer in the future from increased drought frequency and intensity. Interactions between drought and nitrogen deposition are antagonistic and non-additive, which makes predictions of vegetation response dependent on multiple factors. The tools we use (Earth system models) to evaluate the impact of climate change on the carbon cycle are ill equipped to capture the physiological feedbacks and dynamic responses of ecosystems to these types of stressors. In this manuscript, we review the observed effects of nitrogen deposition and drought on vegetation as they relate to productivity, particularly focusing on carbon uptake and partitioning. We conclude there are several areas of model development that can improve the predicted carbon uptake under increasing nitrogen deposition and drought. This includes a more flexible framework for carbon and nitrogen partitioning, dynamic carbon allocation, better representation of root form and function, age and succession dynamics, competition, and plant modeling using trait-based approaches. These areas of model development have the potential to improve the forecasting ability and reduce the uncertainty of climate models.
Downregulation of Human Farnesoid X Receptor by miR-421 Promotes Proliferation and Migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that is highly expressed in liver, kidney, adrenal gland, and intestine. It plays an important role in regulating the progression of several cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). So it is necessary to study the regulation of FXR. In this study, we found that the expression of miR-421 was inversely correlated with FXR protein level in HCC cell lines. Treatment with miR-421 mimic repressed FXR translation. The reporter assay revealed that miR-421 targeted 3′ untranslated region of human FXR mRNA. Furthermore, downregulation of FXR by miR-421 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. These results suggest that miR-421 may serve as a novel molecular target for manipulating FXR expression in hepatocyte and for the treatment of HCC. Mol Cancer Res; 10(4); 516–22. ©2012 AACR.
Blood pressure and end-stage renal disease in men.

BACKGROUND End-stage renal disease in the United States creates a large burden for both individuals and society as a whole. Efforts to prevent the condition require an understanding of modifiable risk factors. METHODS We assessed the development of end-stage renal disease through 1990 in 332,544 men, 35 to 57 years of age, who were screened between 1973 and 1975 for entry into the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT). We used data from the national registry for treated end-stage renal disease of the Health Care Financing Administration and from records on death from renal disease from the National Death Index and the Social Security Administration. RESULTS During an average of 16 years of follow-up, 814 subjects either died of end-stage renal disease or were treated for that condition (15.6 cases per 100,000 person-years of observation). A strong, graded relation between both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and end-stage renal disease was identified, independent of associations between the disease and age, race, income, use of medication for diabetes mellitus, history of myocardial infarction, serum cholesterol concentration, and cigarette smoking. As compared with men with an optimal level of blood pressure (systolic pressure < 120 mm Hg and diastolic pressure < 80 mm Hg), the relative risk of end-stage renal disease for those with stage 4 hypertension (systolic pressure > or = 210 mm Hg or diastolic pressure > or = 120 mm Hg) was 22.1 (P < 0.001). These relations were not due to end-stage renal disease that occurred soon after screening and, in the 12,866 screened men who entered the MRFIT study, were not changed by taking into account the base-line serum creatinine concentration and urinary protein excretion. The estimated risk of end-stage renal disease associated with elevations of systolic pressure was greater than that linked with elevations of diastolic pressure when both variables were considered together. CONCLUSIONS Elevations of blood pressure are a strong independent risk factor for end-stage renal disease; interventions to prevent the disease need to emphasize the prevention and control of both high-normal and high blood pressure.
Optimized fingertip mapping for teleoperation of dextrous robot hands

An optimized fingertip mapping (OFM) has been developed to teleoperate the Utah/MIT Dextrous Hand (UMDH) by a new hand master: the Utah Dextrous Hand Master (UDHM). This mapping matches both the master's fingertip positions and orientations by the robot fingers, and accounts for partially overlapping workspaces caused by kinematic dissimilarities between master and robot hands. The OFM generates robot hand poses by prioritizing the human fingertip position and orientation goals, and by minimizing the errors. <<ETX>>
Juxtaglomerular Cell Tumor of the Kidney: Case Report and Differential Diagnosis With Emphasis on Pathologic and Cytopathologic Features

This study presents a case of juxtaglomerular cell tumor (JCT) in a 12-year-old girl with hypertension. Fine needle aspirate (FNA) cytology demonstrated a neoplasm with features of a papillary carcinoma, prompting a right radical nephrectomy. Histological examination revealed solid sheets of round epithelioid cells with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm, and distinct cell borders in a background of widespread hemorrhage. Electron microscopy revealed cytoplasmic renin granules. The differential diagnosis of a renal mass in a young patient with hypertension includes JCT, Wilm’s tumor, and renal cell carcinoma, which may produce renin. The renin granules detected by electron microscopy are characteristic of JCT, and the diagnosis is confirmed by ultrastructural study. FNA cytology is not sensitive enough for the diagnosis of JCT and its results must be carefully interpreted.
Unlocking Rural Competitiveness

The nationwide analysis focused on the counties of the continental United States and employed the U.S. county database compiled for this project.5 The database includes a broad series of economic, social, and demographic data that are geo-referenced at the county level. The data analysis was exploratory in nature, as data suppression problems were not conducive to rigorous hypothesis testing. The analysis proceeded in four steps.
Design and properties of biopolymer–silica hybrid materials: The example of pectin-based biodegradable hydrogels

The association of natural polymers with silica is a fruitful strategy to design novel hybrid structures with potential applications in the fields of biotechnology, medicine, and environmental sciences. Here we illustrate the principles of formation, the structure, and the properties of such biohybrid systems by the specific example of silica–pectin porous materials. The influence of the silica source, i.e., aqueous silicates and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), was more specifically addressed. The alkoxide precursor may be associated with the polysaccharide in a wide range of concentrations. In contrast, the high initial viscosity and fast condensation rate of silicates limits the range of accessible compositions. Owing to weak interactions between the mineral and organic components, silicification does not improve the thermal stability of the polymer but has a strong impact on the water stability of the materials, which depends on the silica source. It is shown that the stability of the silica–pectin hybrid materials during enzymatic degradation is optimum for low carbohydrate content and high silica content, independently of the inorganic precursor.
Serum response factor has functional roles both in indirect binding to the CArG box and in the transcriptional activation function of human T-cell leukemia virus type I Tax

We previously reported that Tax1 of human T-cell leukemia virus type I interacts directly with serum response factor (SRF) and that Tax1 activates the transcription of several cellular immediate-early genes through the SRF binding site (CArG box). This activation required the transcriptional activation function of Tax1, identified as an activity of GALTax (a chimeric Tax1 with the yeast transcription factor GAL4) at the GAL4-binding site. In this study, we examined whether SRF plays a role in the transcriptional activation function of Tax1. Expression of Tax1 suppressed the GALTax activity at the GAL4 site as a result of squelching, and the suppressed activity was recovered by the overexpression of SRF, suggesting that SRF is a factor that is required for GALTax activity and that is inhibited by competition with Tax1. The expression of antisense SRF RNA specifically inhibited GALTax activity to less than 20%. Deletion of the Tax1 interaction domain of SRF at its C terminus converted SRF from an activator of GALTax to an inhibitor. These results suggest that SRF is an essential component of the transcriptional activation of Tax1 in addition to a mediator of CArG box binding.
Cannabis Consumption as a Prognostic Factor in Schizophrenia

Data were analysed from 62 schizophrenic patients between 18 and 30 years of age, treated at the community mental health centres in Navarra, who had relapsed and then completed a one-year follow-up study. Factors influencing the course of illness during follow-up were: continuing cannabis consumption; previous cannabis intake; non-compliance with treatment; and stress.
Congenital myasthenic syndromes in two kinships with end-plate acetylcholine receptor and utrophin deficiency

We studied two families with five affected members suffering from ptosis and slowly progressive limb-girdle muscle weakness. All patients had abnormal decremental response on low-frequency nerve stimulation, but there were no repetitive responses to single stimuli. The patients improved on anti-acetylcholinesterase drugs. Intercostal muscle was obtained for special studies from one patient of each family. In vitro microelectrode studies were done in Patient 1. Miniature end-plate potentials were of low amplitude, and the quantal content of the evoked end-plate potentials was normal. Light microscopy revealed a marked type 1 fiber predominance. Acetylcholinesterase reactivity was dispersed over increased length of individual fibers in Patient 2. On morphometry of the end-plate ultrastructure, the number of secondary synaptic clefts per neuromuscular junction and the expansion of the postsynaptic area were markedly reduced. In Patient 1, but not in Patient 2, the envelopment of the nerve terminal by Schwann cell was increased. Acetylcholine-receptor (AChR) density was reduced as judged by the reduced immunoreactivity to antibodies against different receptor subunits. Immunohistochemical analysis of proteins known to be involved in orchestrating the end-plate structure showed deficiency of the AChR-associated protein utrophin. These patients appear to have a defect in the development or maintenance of the postsynaptic clefts; whether this defect results from or causes a reduced expression of utrophin or AChR is unclear.
Energetics of side-chain snorkeling in transmembrane helices probed by nonproteinogenic amino acids

Significance Membrane proteins are central players in all cells, and their structure and function are under intense study. However, we still lack a detailed understanding of the process whereby they are integrated into biological membranes. Most membrane proteins are integrated cotranslationally into the membrane bilayer. Although the energetics that drive membrane protein integration are known in outline, detailed studies are difficult because the naturally occurring amino acids represent only a limited set of side-chain chemistries. Here we use synthetic, nonproteinogenic amino acids engineered into a transmembrane segment to systematically probe the energetics of membrane insertion in a way not possible with the set of natural amino acids. Cotranslational translocon-mediated insertion of membrane proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum is a key process in membrane protein biogenesis. Although the mechanism is understood in outline, quantitative data on the energetics of the process is scarce. Here, we have measured the effect on membrane integration efficiency of nonproteinogenic analogs of the positively charged amino acids arginine and lysine incorporated into model transmembrane segments. We provide estimates of the influence on the apparent free energy of membrane integration (ΔGapp) of “snorkeling” of charged amino acids toward the lipid–water interface, and of charge neutralization. We further determine the effect of fluorine atoms and backbone hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) on ΔGapp. These results help establish a quantitative basis for our understanding of membrane protein assembly in eukaryotic cells.
The anterior falx artery: normal and pathologic anatomy.

THE ANTERIOR portion of the falx cerebri is supplied by a small meningeal branch of the anterior ethmoidal artery. The meningeal branches of the ophthalmic artery were recently described by Kuru (4), and the vessel that extends superiorly to the falx was referred to as the anterior falx artery. This designation is appropriate and should serve to eliminate confusion in respect to this vessel and other anterior meningeal branches from both the ophthalmic and external carotid arteries (1, 8–10). When visualized angiographically, the anterior falx artery occupies a constant anatomic site and should not be confused with other meningeal vessels. In this report, we shall demonstrate the normal angiographic anatomy of the anterior falx artery as well as its enlargement from various pathologic conditions. Anatomy The anterior falx artery arises from the anterior ethmoidal branch of the ophthalmic artery and perforates the cribriform plate. It ascends in the falx cerebri, parallel to the inner table of the skull to.
Complex dynamics of photon entanglement in the two-mode Jaynes–Cummings model

We study the dynamics of the N-photon entanglement, EN(t), for the two-mode Jaynes–Cummings model in the case of a small number N of photons coupled to a single quantum dot inside a cavity, such as a microdisk cavity or a photonic crystal cavity. The quantum dot transitions associated with the photons with different polarizations are assumed to be independent of each other and, hence, the time evolutions of the ‘ + ’- and ‘ − ’-polarized photons are formally separable. However, due to the indistinguishability of the photons, such an interaction still leads to the entanglement of initially disentangled photon states, owing to the nonlinear dependence of the characteristic frequencies on the photon population numbers. The time dependence of the entanglement is the result of superimposing oscillations with incommensurate frequencies. Therefore, EN(t) is a quasi-periodic function of time with a complex profile strongly dependent on the number of photons.
The quantile process under random censoring D iscussion P aper

In this paper we discuss the asymptotical properties of quantile processes under random censoring. In contrast to most work in this area we prove weak convergence of an appropriately standardized quantile process under the assumption that the quantile regression model is only linear in the region, where the process is investigated. Additionally, we also discuss properties of the quantile process in sparse regression models including quantile processes obtained from the Lasso and adaptive Lasso. The results are derived by a combination of modern empirical process theory, classical martingale methods and a recent result of Kato (2009).
Inflamatory bowel diseases as an intermediate stage between normal and cancer: A FTIR‐microspectroscopy approach

Elucidation of the evolution of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to cancer by clinical symptoms and histopathology of biopsies is important. Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIR‐MSP) has shown promise as a diagnostic tool for distinction of normal and cancer cells and tissues. In the present work, FTIR‐MSP is used to evaluate IBD cases and to study the IR spectral characteristic with respect to cancer and normal tissues from formalin‐fixed colonic biopsies from patients. Specific regions of the spectra were analyzed by statistical tools to study variations in metabolites that signified changes between the two pathological conditions: IBD and cancer. IBD tissues can be grouped with cancer or normal tissue using certain parameters such as phosphate content and RNA/DNA ratio as calculated from the spectra and show intermediate levels with regard to these metabolites. Further classification of the spectra by cluster analysis indicated which cases of Crohn's disease (3 of 10 cases) or ulcerative colitis (7 of 10 cases) were more likely to progress to cancer. The study exhibits that FTIR‐MSP can detect gross biochemical changes in morphologically identical IBD and cancer tissues and suggest which cases of IBD may require further evaluation for carcinogenesis. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers, 2004