Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Slow Oscillation in Non-Lemniscal Auditory Thalamus

In the present study, we investigated the oscillatory behavior of the auditory thalamic neurons through in vivo intracellular and extracellular recordings in anesthetized guinea pigs. Repeated acoustic stimulus and cortical electrical stimulation were applied to examine their modulatory effects on the thalamic oscillation. The time course of the spike frequency over each trial was obtained by summing all spikes in the onset period and/or the last time period of 100 or 200 msec in the raster display. Spectral analysis was made on the time course of the spike frequency. A slow-frequency oscillation ranging from 0.03 to 0.25 Hz (mean ± SD, 0.11 ± 0.05 Hz) was found in the medial geniculate body (MGB) together with a second rhythm of 5-10 Hz. The oscillation neurons had a mean auditory response latency of 17.3 ± 0.3 msec, which was significantly longer than that of the non-oscillation neurons in lemniscal MGB (9.0 ± 1.5 msec, p < 0.001, ANOVA) and similar to the non-oscillation neurons in the non-lemniscal MGB (17.6 ± 5.4 msec, p = 0.811). They were located in the non-lemniscal nuclei of the auditory thalamus. Cortical stimulation altered the thalamic oscillation, leading to termination of the oscillation or to acceleration of the rhythm of the oscillation (the average rhythm changed from 0.07 ± 0.03 to 0.11 ± 0.04 Hz, n = 8, p = 0.066, t test). Acoustic stimulation triggered a more regular rhythm in the oscillation neurons. The present results suggest that only the non-lemniscal auditory thalamus is involved in the slow thalamocortical oscillation. The auditory cortex may control the oscillation of the auditory thalamic neurons.
Ocular melanoma: what's new?

Purpose of review The purpose of this review was to summarize available data on uveal melanoma biology and treatment in order to provide the medical community with a basic reference that would help to make further progress in this rare disease, which remains difficult to treat. Recent findings The most relevant recent findings driving current clinical developments are in the elucidation of uveal melanoma genetics and genomics. The key driving mutations – that differ completely from cutaneous melanoma – have been identified. Based on the novel insights into key signaling pathways, the first clinical trials with targeted treatments have been implemented. However, systemic and regional chemotherapy approaches as well as other regional treatment modalities for liver metastases are also a major part of the current treatment armamentarium and are prospectively being evaluated. Summary In summary, the recent biological findings and the creation of a series of clinical trials underscore how the international community is able to perform relevant advances in an extremely rare disease.
[Nodal versus extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: comparison of clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype and prognosis].

OBJECTIVE To study the clinicopathologic features and outcome of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and to compare the differences between DLBCL of nodal and extranodal origins. METHODS One hundred and forty-two cases of de novo DLBCL collected during a 10-year period were reviewed. The clinicopathologic features and follow-up (2 - 108 months) data were analyzed. Tissue microarray blocks were performed and immunohistochemical studies using antibodies against CD10, bcl-6 and MUM1 were carried out. The cases were then further categorized into germinal center B cell-like (GCB) and non-GCB subtypes. RESULTS Primary gastrointestinal DLBCL often presented as early-stage disease (stage I or II) and was associated with low international prognostic index. They showed better prognosis than DLBCL of nodal and other extranodal origins. The positivity rates of CD10, bcl-6 and MUM1 were 19%, 51% and 58%, respectively. 36% of the cases belonged to GCB, while the remaining 64% were non-GCB. In general, DLBCL of extranodal origin showed more frequent bcl-6 expression than nodal DLBCL. As for extranodal DLBCL, GCB immunophenotype was often seen in thyroid and breast tumors, while testicular DLBCL usually carried a non-GCB immunophenotype. CONCLUSIONS DLBCL of various origins show a diversified GCB and non-GCB differentiation. Nodal and extranodal DLBCL, as well as extranodal DLBCL from different primary sites, carry different biologic characteristics and prognostic implications.
Flavonoids: Promising anticancer agents

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds that are ubiquitously in plants. They have been shown to possess a variety of biological activities at nontoxic concentrations in organisms. The role of dietary flavonoids in cancer prevention is widely discussed. Compelling data from laboratory studies, epidemiological investigations, and human clinical trials indicate that flavonoids have important effects on cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy. Many mechanisms of action have been identified, including carcinogen inactivation, antiproliferation, cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis and differentiation, inhibition of angiogenesis, antioxidation and reversal of multidrug resistance or a combination of these mechanisms. Based on these results, flavonoids may be promising anticancer agents. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 23, No. 4, 519–534, 2003
Clinical characteristics, respiratory functional parameters, and outcome of a two-hour T-piece trial in patients weaning from mechanical ventilation.

The discrepancy in results from different studies regarding outcome of weaning from mechanical ventilation may be due to several factors such as the differences in patient populations and weaning indexes used. In order to analyze the clinical characteristics and weaning indexes in patients undergoing a 2-h T-piece weaning trial and the relationship between the etiology of acute respiratory failure (ARF) and the outcome of this weaning trial, we prospectively studied 217 patients receiving mechanical ventilation who met standard weaning criteria. Successful weaning occurred in 57.6% (125 of 217) of patients: 13 of 33 (39.4%) patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 27 of 46 (58.7%) neurologic patients, and 85 of 138 (61.6%) patients with ARF. Ventilatory support was reinstituted in 31.8% (69 of 217) patients: 20 of 33 (60.6%) of patients with COPD, four of 46 (8.7%) neurologic patients, and 45 of 138 (32.6%) patients with ARF (p < 0.001). Reintubation was required in 23 of 148 (15.5%) patients: 15 of 42 (35.7%) neurologic patients, and eight of 93 (8.6%) patients with ARF, whereas no patient with COPD was reintubated (p < 0.001). Using a discriminant analysis, the following variables were selected as the best predictors of outcome: (1) in the whole population, days of mechanical ventilation before weaning trial (DMV), frequency-to-tidal volume ratio (f/VT), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), airway occlusion pressure (P0.1), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), and vital capacity (VC); (2) in patients with ARF, DMV, P0.1/MIP, MIP, f/VT, and age; (3) in patients with COPD, f/VT, P0.1, P0.1/MIP, MIP, age, and DMV; (4) in neurologic patients, MIP, MEP, and f/VT.P0.1. Using these predictors, 74.6% of the whole population, 76.1% of patients with ARF, 93.9% of patients with COPD, and 73.9% of neurologic patients were accurately classified as weaning successes or failures. The highest rate of reintubation occurred in neurologic patients. In this group, the ability to cough and clear respiratory secretions, objectively reflected by MEP, may help in clinical decision-making.
Allotype suppression with anti-b5 antiserum in b5b5 homozygous rabbits fostered in uteri of b4b4 homozygous mothers: compensation by allotypes at other loci.

Sera of b5c7 and b5c7c21 rabbits injected at birth with anti-b5 antiserum after being fostered in uteri of b4b4 homozygous mothers were analyzed for b4γG, b5γG, c7γG, c21γG and total γG immunoglobulin concentrations by radial diffusion analysis and by precipitation of 125I-labeled γG immunoglobulins with anti-allotype antisera. A single injection of 4.5 mg of anti-b5 antibody resulted in a marked suppression of the appearance of the b5 allotype in b5b5 homozygotes for periods up to 14 weeks. The b5c7c21 offspring suppressed with a single injection of anti-b5 had no detectable b5 allotype until 12 weeks of age, but instead had relatively high compensatory levels of the c7 and c21 allotypes. Thereafter the relative level of b5γG increased until by 60 weeks of age the b5γG constituted over 90% of the total γG. Essentially 100% of the 125IγG immunoglobulins of the b5c7c21 rabbits could be precipitated with anti-b5, anti-c7 and anti-c21. The b5 suppressed b5c7 offspring had no detectable b5γG until 12 weeks of age, and increased levels of c7γG again were evident. Up to 60% of the 125IγG immunoglobulins could be shown to lack both the b5 and c7 allotypes in the b5c7 rabbits. A subsequent injection of 4.5 mg of anti-b5 antibody given at 12 weeks of age resulted in a marked suppression of the appearance of the b5 allotype. No b5γG has been detected in the sera of these rabbits for at least 7 months.
Internal lobbying at the IASB

This study adds to prior work on the production of accounting rules (Francis, 1987; Nobes, 1992; Brown and Feroz, 1992; Saemann, 1995; Pong and Whittington, 1996; Kwok and Sharp, 2005; Bhimani, 2008; Ramanna, 2008; Stenka and Taylor, 2010; Giner and Arce, 2012; Jorissen et al., 2012, 2013) by analysing the social psychology of standard setters. It complements work analysing the impact of psychological factors on standard setting (Hirschleifer and Teoh, 2009; Allen and Ramanna, 2013), finding that group effects (Bartel and Wiesenfeld, 2013; Haslam et al., 2006; Hogg and Abrams, 1988; Hogg et al., 1986) combined with existing project management structures at the IASB to undermine the IASB Liabilities Project. The paper uses interviews and analyses of IASB documents and board meetings to open up the black box of the standard setting organisation to reveal the existence of ‘internal lobbying’ within the standard setting organisation that rendered the project vulnerable to external lobbying activities. Such findings contribute to the existing literature on lobbying and standard setting by demonstrating the importance of understanding the connection between lobbying activities and the social processes taking place within the standard setting organisation when trying to explain regulatory outcomes. Furthermore, the study addresses the role of technical staff at the IASB in the process of standard setting through interviews with almost all the staff who worked on the project as well as several board members.
Soybean isoflavones attenuate the expression of genes related to endometrial cancer risk

Abstract Objective We evaluated whether genistein or estrogen treatment has the same effect when administered immediately or late to rats induced with menopause using ovariectomy. Methods Sixty adult female rats were divided into six treatment groups: GI = vehicle immediately after ovariectomy; GII = vehicle 30 days after ovariectomy; GIII = genistein immediately after ovariectomy; GIV = genistein 30 days after ovariectomy; GV = estrogen immediately after ovariectomy; and GVI = estrogen 30 days after ovariectomy. All animals were treated for 30 consecutive days. At the end of the treatment, part of the uteri was removed for subsequent histological studies and another part was used to evaluate estrogen receptors 1 and 2, cell proliferation (cyclin A1 and A2, cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors 1, 1B and 2, antigen identified by the monoclonal antibody Ki67) and angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF-A) gene expression. Results Late treatment after castration in rats resulted in more developed endometrium, enhanced cell proliferation and estrogen-signalling pathways, particularly the cyclin-related genes Ki67 and VEGF-A, compared to early treatment. Interestingly, these same effects were less intense with genistein compared to those induced by estrogen, especially when genistein was administered late. Conclusion Our data show that isoflavone renders a lower risk of cancer when compared to estrogen in treatments.
Energy-efficient power allocation scheme for multi-relay cooperative communications

For the increasing cost of energy and infrastructures of wireless communication systems, energy-efficient communication technologies become an important concern for the standardization authorities and cellular operators. In this paper, we propose an energy-efficient relay selection and power allocation strategy subject to a total power constraint. The proposed scheme first selects the transmission mode according to the energy efficiency of the different transmission link. Then, we analyze the energy efficiency of the proposed system and present the optimal number of the relay nodes and the best power distribution factors in broadcasting phase and the cooperative transmission phase. Closed-form expressions of the energy efficiency of the proposed scheme are derived. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme achieves good energy efficiency in both low and high signal-to-noise ratio region.
Performance of APD-based monolithic-crystal detectors for small animal PET

Recent years have seen an increased interest in high resolution, high sensitivity detectors for small animal positron emission tomography (PET). Detectors based on large (e.g. several cm/sup 3/ of LSO) monolithic scintillators optically coupled to one or more avalanche photodiode (APD) array(s) minimize loss of sensitivity due to dead space. In such detectors, the primary event position and depth of interaction (DOI) correction are derived from the measured distribution of scintillation light over the APD array(s). The performance of detectors consisting of a monolithic LYSO scintillator read out by two Hamamatsu S8550 APD arrays is investigated. Monte Carlo simulations indicate that the scanner sensitivity and uniformity are improved when trapezoidal crystals are used instead of rectangular ones. The performance of both types of detectors was studied. Experiments show that the influence of the angle of incidence on the spatial resolution of both detector types is small, ranging from /spl sim/2.0 mm FWHM at 0/spl deg/ to /spl sim/2.4 mm FWHM at 30/spl deg/. An energy resolution of 11.5% at 511 keV and a time resolution of 2.4 ns was measured. Monte Carlo simulations predict a sensitivity of /spl sim/21% for a point source at the center of the field of view for a four-ring scanner based on trapezoidal monolithic detectors.
Association between parity and autoimmune thyroiditis in a general female population

Background: Autoimmune thyroid disease (AIT) is more common in females than in males. Furthermore, it is well documented that the risk of thyroid autoimmunity increases during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. The objective of the present study was to analyse the association between parity and AIT by using ultrasound and serological data. Methods: The study population included 2156 women, aged 20–79 years. Serum thyroperoxidase antibodies (anti-TPO) and thyrotropin levels were measured and thyroid ultrasonography was performed. AIT was defined according to the combined presence of a hypoechogenic thyroid pattern and positive anti-TPO levels (>200 IU/ml). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results: The analyses revealed an association between parity and AIT. Women with at least one pregnancy had increased odds for AIT (OR 4.6 [95%-CI 1.4–15.1], p < 0.05) compared to women who have never been pregnant. Similar results were observed using hypoechogenic thyroid pattern (OR 1.7 [95%-CI 1.0–2.9], p < 0.05) and positive anti-TPO levels (OR 1.8 [95%-CI 1.0–3.3], p = 0.05) as separate dependent variables or using number of births as alternate independent variable. Conclusion: In this female population we found an association between parity and AIT and conclude that parity appears to be a potential risk factor for AIT.
Functional constraint underlies 60 million year stasis of Dipteran testis‐specific β‐tubulin

How do proteins evolve while maintaining their function? Previous studies find a highly stringent structure/function relationship between the Drosophila melanogaster testis‐specific tubulin β2 and the spermtail axoneme, such that small changes in the β2 protein render it unable to generate a motile axoneme. This raises the question, how does β2 evolve while maintaining its function? To address this question we cloned full‐ and partial‐length β2 sequences from 17 species of Drosophila and Hirtodrosophila flies spanning 60 Myr of evolution. Not a single amino acid difference is coded among them—β2 maintains its function by not evolving. We also performed gene genealogical analyses to determine ortholog/paralog relationships among insect tubulins. We find that the Lepidopteran and Dipteran testis‐specific β‐tubulins are likely orthologs, and surprisingly, despite functioning in the same structure, the Lepidopteran orthologs are evolving rapidly. We argue that differences in tubulin isoform use in the testes cause the Dipteran axoneme to be less evolvable than the Lepidopteran axoneme, which has facilitated the evolution of a unique amino acid synergism in Drosophila and Hirtodrosophilaβ2 that is resistant to change, contributing to its evolutionary stasis.
The Effect of Bimanual Training with or Without Constraint on Hand Functions in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Non-Randomized Clinical Trial

ABSTRACT Aim: To compare the effect of bimanual training with or without constraint on manual functions in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP). Methods: Seventeen children aged 6–11 years with UCP participated in one of two intensive therapeutic camps: bimanual (n = 9) incorporating one hour of constraint (“Hybrid”) or Bimanual (n = 8). Each camp met for 2 weeks, 5 days per week for 6 hours each day. The Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) and the Jebsen Taylor Test of Hand Function (JTTHF) examined bimanual and unimanual functions pre, post- and 3-months post-intervention. Results: A significant improvement was noted in AHA scores for both groups between the pre-, post- and three months post-intervention [Hybrid (F2; 16 = 85.5, p < 0.01); Bimanual (F2; 16 = 15.4, p < 0.01)] with no significant differences between groups over time (F2; 30 = 0.74, p = 0.48). For the JTTHF, a significant improvement was noted in the affected hand following the Hybrid program (F2; 30 = 7.45, p = 0.01), while following the Bimanual program a significant difference was noted only in the less-affected hand (F2; 16 = 6.02, p < 0.01]. Conclusion: Both interventions Hybrid and Bimanual were similarly effective for improving use of the affected hand in bimanual tasks. The unique contribution of each intervention, the Hybrid program on the affected and the Bimanual on the less-affected side, warrants further examination.
The effect of changes in primary attending doctor coverage frequency on orthodontic treatment time and results.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether changes in primary attending (PA) doctor coverage frequency caused an increase in orthodontic treatment time or a decrease in the quality of treatment results in a postgraduate orthodontic clinic. The effect of T1 Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) scores on PA doctor coverage frequency, treatment times, and results was also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS A sample of 191 postorthodontic subjects was divided into three groups based on PA doctor coverage (high, medium, or low). Treatment times, treatment results, and other variables were compared between the three PA coverage groups. Additionally, the sample was divided into three groups based on T1 PAR scores. Attending coverage frequency, treatment times, and results were compared between the T1 PAR groups. RESULTS No statistically significant differences were found in treatment time (P = .128) or results (P = .052). There were no statistically significant differences in the mean scores for T1 PAR (P = .056), T2 PAR (P = .602), patient age at T1 (P = .747), total appointments (P = .128), missed appointments (P = .177), or cancelled appointments (P = .183). Statistically significant differences were found between the low T1 PAR group and the medium and high T1 PAR groups (attending coverage, P = .008; results, P < .001; treatment time, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS Under the conditions of this study, variations in PA doctor coverage frequency did not lengthen orthodontic treatment or reduce the quality of treatment results. Low T1 PAR scores were associated with less PA coverage, less change in PAR, and shorter treatment times.
High subculture frequency, maltose-based and hormone-free medium sustained early development of somatic embryos in maritime pine

SummaryEmbryonal-suspensor mass (ESM) lines characterized by a spiky, morphotype (i.e., developed, early embryos escaping from the ESM periphery) were recently shown to produce the best maturation yields in Maritime pine. How to select or preserve such a valuable morphotype during ESM maintenance (prior to maturation treatment) is still unknown. Several maintenance procedures were tested; 2400 ESM from 10 lines were subcultured each, 7 or 14 d on maltose- or sucrosecontaining medium without plant growth regulator (PGR) or supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 6-benzylaminopurine or a low concentration of, abscisic acid. Multiple components analyses based on growth rate, macromorphology data, and micromorphology data, collected for 6 mo. , allowed for the association, of the spiky morphotype with additional traits (defining the phenotype I) such as whitish aspect, high vigor, high growth rate, and complex cellular organization (resulting from high early embryogenic ability). Since a gradual increase in growth rate as well as a decrease in cellular organization were concomitantly, observed during the 6 mo, experiment, we concluded that ESM growth and early somatic embryo development were disconnected. In some lines, the progressive loss of early embryogenic, ability (aging process) could be decreased using maltose-based and PGR-free medium. For most lines, the aging effect was minimized using a weekly subculture. An improved procedure for ESM maintenance prior to the maturation step is thus proposed.
Clostridium Difficile Colitis: Review of the Therapeutic Approach

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated and nosocomial infectious diarrhea. Presenting as clostridium difficile colitis, it is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Metronidazole is regarded as the agent of choice for CDl therapy and also for the first recurrence in most patients with mild to moderate CDI. Vancomycin is recommended as an initial therapy for patients with severe CDI. With recent Food and Drug Administration–approval fidaxomicin is available for clinical use and is as effective as vancomycin with lower relapse rates. Rifaximin and fecal bacteriotherapy are alternative approaches in patients with severe or refractory CDI, before surgical intervention. Antibiotic research is ongoing to add potential new drugs such as teicoplanin, ramoplanin, fusidic acid, nitazoxanide, rifampin, bacitracin to our armamentarium. Role of toxin-binding agents is still questionable. Monoclonal antibody and intravenous immunoglobulin are still investigational therapies that could be promising options. The ongoing challenges in the treatment of CDI include management of recurrence and presence of resistance strains such as NAP1/BI/027, but early recognition of surgical candidates can potentially decrease mortality in CDI.