Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long γ-Ray Bursts and Type Ic Core-Collapse Supernovae Have Similar Locations in Hosts

When the afterglow fades at the site of a long-duration γ-ray burst (LGRB), Type Ic supernovae (SNe Ic) are the only type of core-collapse supernova observed. Recent work found that a sample of LGRB in high-redshift galaxies had different environments from a collection of core-collapse environments, which were identified from their colors and light curves. LGRBs were in the brightest regions of their hosts, but the core-collapse sample followed the overall distribution of the galaxy light. Here we examine 504 supernovae with types assigned based on their spectra that are located in nearby (z < 0.06) galaxies for which we have constructed surface photometry from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). The distributions of the thermonuclear supernovae (SNe Ia) and some varieties of core-collapse supernovae (SNe II and SNe Ib) follow the galaxy light, but the SNe Ic (like LGRBs) are much more likely to erupt in the brightest regions of their hosts. The high-redshift hosts of LGRB are overwhelmingly irregulars, without bulges, while many low-redshift SNe Ic hosts are spirals with small bulges. When we remove the bulge light from our low-redshift sample, the SN Ic and LGRB distributions agree extremely well. If both LGRBs and SNe Ic stem from very massive stars, then it seems plausible that the conditions necessary for forming SNe Ic are also required for LGRBs. Additional factors, including metallicity, may determine whether the stellar evolution of a massive star leads to a LGRB with an underlying broad-lined SN Ic, or simply a SN Ic without a γ-ray burst.
Adrenocortical Tumorigenesis

Abstract: Through the widespread use of imaging techniques with great sensitivity adrenal tumors are often diagnosed as an incidental finding. Although the majority of these adrenal lesions are benign and without evidence of endocrine activity or malignancy, hormone hypersecretion needs to be ruled out by specific tests. In addition to the classical forms of overt adrenocortical hypersecretion, it has become evident over the recent years that modest adrenocortical steroid autonomy as present in normokalemic primary aldosteronism and subclinical Cushing's syndrome is also associated with a significant morbidity. However, detection and differential diagnosis of these subtle changes in adrenal steroidogenesis can pose a diagnostic challenge to the clinician and is dependent on tests with reliable sensitivity and specificity. Regulation of adrenocortical development and growth, which results in clinical symptoms if disrupted, is dependent upon the distinct spatiotemporal expression of a variety of transcription factors as well as stimulation by extra‐adrenal peptide hormones. Contributions to the elucidation of growth regulation of the adrenal cortex come from rare familiar syndromes associated with adrenocortical tumors, expression studies of adrenal tumor samples, in vitro studies on adrenocortical tumor cell lines, and mouse models displaying adrenal growth defects. In this review, we will summarize the important molecular aspects of adrenal tumorigenesis and highlight some prospects for clinical applications.
Education and Rehabilitation of Deaf Children with Cochlear Implants: A Multidisciplinary Task

Abstract In the last decade the population of deaf children has changed dramatically in a lot of countries, especially in those where universal neonatal hearing screening, early multi-disciplinary support, digital hearing aids and cochlear implants are available. Most of these children can acquire intelligible spoken language and choose spoken language as their main means of communication and for access to education, because they go to mainstream schools in larger proportions, and fewer to schools for the deaf. Mainstream placement does not eliminate the need for services, which will vary depending upon the child's age, language modality, and other child specific factors. But there is also evidence that the outcomes after paediatric implantation are very heterogeneous. All this is a big change for the educational services. We must ensure that their staff have the skills to meet these challenges: to be flexible, continually updated with the technology and changing expectations (ongoing professional training), to provide an environment which will utilise the hearing while meeting the linguistic and curricular needs of the children, to meet the psycho-social needs of this group as they grow through adolescence, and to work with other professionals. Now, and looking ahead, the challenge for deaf education is also to embrace the diversity of this population and to appropriately address the specific needs of each child.
Occurrence of cGMP/nitric oxide-sensitive store-operated calcium entry in fibroblasts and its effect on matrix metalloproteinase secretion.

AIM To examine the existence of Nitric oxide/cGMP sensitive store-operated Ca(2+) entry in mouse fibroblast NIH/3T3 cells and its influence on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production and adhesion ability of fibroblasts. METHODS NIH/3T3 cells were cultured. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to examine the existence of thapsigargin-induced store-operated Ca(2+) entry in fibroblasts. Gelatin zymography and semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were employed to detect the involvement of [Ca(2+)]i and NO/cGMP in MMP secretion. The involvement of NO/cGMP-sensitive Ca(2+) entry in adhesion was determined using matrigel-coated culture plates. RESULTS 8-bromo-cGMP inhibited the thapsigargin-induced Ca(2+) entry in 3T3 cells. The cGMP-induced inhibition was abolished by an inhibitor of protein kinase G, KT5823 (1 micromol/L). A similar effect on the Ca(2+) entry was observed in 3T3 cells in response to a NO donor, (+/-)-S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP). The inhibitory effect of SNAP on the thapsigargin-induced Ca(2+) entry was also observed, indicating NO/cGMP-regulated Ca(2+) entry in 3T3 cells. Results of gelatin zymography assay showed that addition of extracellular Ca(2+) concentration induced MMP release and activation in a dose-dependent manner. RT-PCR also showed that cGMP and SNAP reduced the production of MMP mRNA in 3T3 cells. Experiments investigating adhesion potentials demonstrated that cGMP and SNAP could upgrade 3T3 cell attachment rate to the matrigel-coated culture plates. CONCLUSION NO/cGMP sensitive store-operated Ca(2+) entry occurs in fibroblasts, and attenuates their adhesion potentials through its influence on MMP secretion.
MRP‐8 and MRP‐14, two abundant Ca2+‐binding proteins of neutrophils and monocytes

Two calrium‐binding proteins, named migration inhibitory factor‐related proteins‐8 (MRP‐8) and MRP‐14, are primarily expressed by circulating human neutrophils and monocytes. Evidence accumulating from the investigations of several independent groups is now leading to an improved understanding of the biology of these proteins. Both MRP‐8 and MRP‐14 display features characteristic of members of the S100 family of calciumbinding proteins. Some of these features predict functions for MRP‐8 and MRP‐14 but to date an exact and well‐defined function remains elusive. Here we review the available information and highlight evidence that suggests the function of MRP‐8 and MRP‐14 may be associated with both monocyte and neutrophil activation and the accumulation of these cells in inflammatory sites.
Natural cytotoxic reactivity of mouse lymphoid cells against syngeneic and allogeneic tumors. I. Distribution of reactivity and specificity

Lymphoid cells from many normal mice of a variety of inbred strains were found to have reactivity, in a 51Cr release cytotoxicity assay, against several syngeneic and allogeneic tumors. Very high reactivity was seen with effector cells from athymic nude mice, which was consistent with other evidence that the reactivity was not T‐cell dependent. Target cells susceptible to lysis included tumors induced by oncogenic type‐C viruses but also tumors induced by other means and expressing endogenous type‐C viruses. The levels of natural reactivity were influenced by age, with highest cytotoxicity produced by cells from 5‐ to 8‐week‐old mice. Lymph‐node cells, spleen cells, peritoneal exudate cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes all had cytotoxic reactivity. The specificity of the reactions was analyzed in detail by an inhibition assay. Evidence was obtained for natural reactivity against several different antigens, each apparently associated with expression of murine endogenous type‐C viruses.
A unified SVM algorithm for lifetime prolongation of thermally-overheated power devices in multi-level inverters

This paper presents a unified space vector modulation (SVM) algorithm for lifetime prolongation of thermally-overheated power semiconductor devices in multilevel inverters. Thermal overheating is the main cause of shortened-lifetime and open-circuit faults of the devices. Power semiconductor devices are subjected to thermal overheating due to their ageing that results from continuous overloading and power cycling. Moreover, thermal overheating in high power devices may result from its degradation and faults in the cooling system. When a thermal overheating is detected in one of the power devices, the proposed algorithm is applied to relieve the overheated device and dangerous circumstances are avoided as a result. The proposed algorithm relies on using the redundancy property between switching states in multilevel inverters to continuously evaluate a cost function of the junction temperature of thermally-overheated device for all possible switching sequences set, then it identifies the optimal relieving switching sequence. The proposed unified SVM is general that can be applied to any multilevel inverter, and also is valid for switching devices, as well as DC-link capacitors. The proposed algorithm has been designed and validated by simulation and experimental prototypes of three-level T-type inverter.
Decrease of Endogenous Vasopressin Release Necessary for Expression of the Circadian Rise in Plasma Corticosterone: a Reverse Microdialysis Study

The mammalian suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) contain an endogenous pacemaker that generates daily rhythms in behavior and secretion of hormones. Previously we hypothesized that the SCN imposes its circadian rhythm on the rest of the brain through a rhythmic release of its transmitters in its target areas. In the present study we employed microdialysis‐mediated intracerebral administration of vasopressin (VP) and its V1 ‐antagonist to study the mechanisms underlying the circadian control of the release of the adrenal hormone corticosterone. Stress‐free application of the VP V1 ‐antagonist in the dorsomedial hypothalamus of freely moving, undisturbed animals during the middle of the light period (i.e. the trough of the corticosterone rhythm) caused an immediate increase of circulating plasma corticosterone levels. A similar administration of VP at the end of the light period completely prevented the diurnal rise in plasma corticosterone. These results indicate a pronounced inhibitory role for SCN‐derived VP at the level of the dorsomedial hypothalamus with respect to the activity of the hypothalamo‐pituitary‐adrenal axis during the day period. Thus, the daily decline in VP release sets a specific time window for the occurrence of the daily corticosterone peak. On the other hand, during the dark period corticosterone levels are decreasing together with basal VP levels. Therefore, in addition to the inhibitory VP signal from the SCN, there is also the need for an excitatory SCN signal in order to accomplish the complete circadian profile of plasma corticosterone.
Inhibition of focal contact formation in cells transformed by p185neu

Signaling pathways mediated by adhesive molecules are tightly associated with cytoskeletal organization and cell growth regulation. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) plays a prominent role in the adhesion signaling pathway through its tyrosine kinase activity and protein‐protein interaction with other signaling molecules, including src, paxillin, and p130CAS, and other proteins. We explored the roles of these signaling molecules in the transformation of B104‐1‐1 cells, an NIH/3T3‐derived cell line transformed by activated rat p185neu. The cytoskeletal organization of the p185neu‐transformed cells was disrupted, and their morphology was dramatically altered. FAK, paxillin, and p130CAS appeared to be tyrosine phosphorylated in both NIH/3T3 and B104‐1‐1. However, the phosphorylation levels of paxillin and p130CAS were lower in B104‐1‐1 cells than in NIH/3T3 cells. Surprisingly, the association between FAK and paxillin was enhanced in B104‐1‐1 cells, suggesting reorganization of protein‐protein interaction modulated by protein phosphorylation. Our results showed that even though cellular transformation by src and neu has similar consequences, such as focal adhesion disassembly and increased metastasis potential, the molecular events underlying the signaling pathways can be dramatically different. Mol. Carcinog. 25:150–154, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Initial Experience With Intraoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Spine Surgery

Study Design A case series of 12 patients who underwent spine surgery in an intraoperative magnetic resonance imager (IMRI). Objectives To determine the advantages, limitations, and potential applications to spine surgery of the IMRI. Summary of Background Data Existing stereotactic navigational systems are limited because images are obtained before surgery and are not updated to reflect intraoperative changes. In addition, they necessitate manual registration of fiducial landmarks on the patient’s anatomy by the surgeon to the previously obtained image data set, which is a potential source of error. The IMRI eliminates these difficulties by using intraoperative acquisition of MRI images for surgical navigation with the capacity for both image update and image-guided frameless stereotaxy. The IMRI is a novel cryogenless superconducting magnet with an open configuration that allows the surgeon full access to the patient during surgery and intraoperative imaging. Methods T1- and T2-weighted fast spin echo images were obtained for localization, after surgical exposure and after decompression during the course of 12 spine surgeries performed in the IMRI. Results The authors performed a series of 12 procedures in the IMRI that included three lumbar discectomies, three anterior cervical discectomies with allograft fusion, three cervical vertebrectomies with allograft fusion, two cervical foraminotomies, and one decompressive cervical laminectomy. The system provided rapid and accurate localization in all cases. The adequacy of decompression by MRI during surgery was confirmed in 10 of 12 cases. Conclusions The IMRI provided accurate and rapid localization in all cases and confirmed the adequacy of decompression in the majority of cases. Future applications of the IMRI to spine surgery may include intraoperative guidance for resection of spine and spinal cord tumors and trajectory planning for spinal endoscopy or screw fixation.
Feeding and decoration preferences of the epialtidae crab Acanthonyx scutiforms

Studies on the feeding preferences of marine herbivores are very important for our better understanding of the biology and the ecological role of these organisms. Members of the family Epialtidae are usually herbivores that mask themselves with pieces of seaweed and other materials to avoid predation. In order to better understand the mechanisms of food and decorating choices of the decorator crab Acanthonyx scutiformis, two multiple-choice feeding assays were performed using fresh seaweeds and artificial food containing crude extracts of the four seaweeds Osmundaria obtusiloba, Plocamium brasiliense, Sargassum sp. , and Dictyota menstrualis, offered simultaneously to this crab species. In both assays the seaweed most consumed was O. obtusiloba, followed by P. brasiliense and Sargassum sp. , while D. menstrualis was the least consumed. It is suggested that A. scutiformis is a generalist feeder, but with some preference for the perennial red seaweed O. obtusiloba and the chemically-defended seaweed P. brasiliense. Decorating behavior observations revealed the preferences of A. scutiformis by P. brasiliense. This decorating behavior can be interpreted as a mechanism to avoid generalist predators, since feeding and decorating preference were not associated and the crab used only small pieces of chemically defended algae.
Loss of heterozygosity at D14S62 and metastatic potential of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND In breast cancer progression, the prevalence of damage at specific genetic loci often increases with the stage of the lesion (i.e., from noninvasive to invasive to metastatic). By use of genetic markers and analysis of allelic imbalances (loss of heterozygosity [LOH]) to compare DNA samples from paired normal and breast tumor tissues, we examined whether specific genetic changes in primary breast cancers can serve as biomarkers of metastatic potential. METHODS DNA samples from 76 patients with primary breast cancer (42 with axillary lymph node-negative disease and 34 with axillary lymph node-positive disease) were genotyped with four genetic markers spanning chromosome 14q31-q32. The intensity ratios of the two genetic alleles in normal-tumor DNA pairs were examined in genetically informative individuals. LOH was scored when the tumor allele intensity ratio (tumor allele 1/tumor allele 2) divided by the normal allele intensity ratio (normal allele 1/normal allele 2) was either less than 0.71 (tumor allele 1 LOH) or greater than 1. 4 (tumor allele 2 LOH). RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS Contrary to our expectations, we found statistically significantly more LOH events at markers D14S62 (two-sided P =.001) and D14S51 (two-sided P =.02) in primary breast cancers from patients with lymph node-negative disease versus lymph node-positive disease, suggesting the presence of a gene in this region that affects metastatic potential. Analysis of small interstitial or terminal deletions in the tumors of six especially informative patients with lymph node-negative disease places the putative metastasis-related gene in a 1490-kilobase region near D14S62. IMPLICATIONS LOH in the D14S62 region may impede the process of metastasis. Therefore, the D14S62 region LOH profile may have prognostic implications, and the isolation of the metastasis-related gene(s) in this region may lead to better diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Decentralizing network inference problems with Multiple-Description Fusion Estimation (MDFE)

Two forms of network inference (or tomography) problems have been studied rigorously: (a) traffic matrix estimation or completion based on link-level traffic measurements, and (b) link-level loss or delay inference based on end-to-end measurements. These problems are often posed as underdetermined linear inverse (UDLI) problems and solved in a centralized manner, where all the measurements are collected at a central node, which then applies a variety of inference techniques to estimate the attributes of interest. This paper proposes a novel framework for decentralizing these large-scale UDLI network inference problems by intelligently partitioning it into smaller sub-problems and solving them independently and in parallel. The resulting estimates, referred to as multiple descriptions, can then be fused together to compute the global estimate. We apply this Multiple Description and Fusion Estimation (MDFE) framework to three classical problems: traffic matrix estimation, traffic matrix completion, and loss inference. Using real topologies and traces, we demonstrate how MDFE can speed up computation time while maintaining (even improving) the estimation accuracy and how it enhances robustness against noise and failures. We also show that our MDFE framework is compatible with a variety of existing inference techniques used to solve the UDLI problems.
Primary cilia regulate Gli/Hedgehog activation in pancreas

Previous studies have suggested that defects in pancreatic epithelium caused by activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway are secondary to changes in the differentiation state of the surrounding mesenchyme. However, recent results describe a role of the pathway in pancreatic epithelium, both during development and in adult tissue during neoplastic transformation. To determine the consequences of epithelial Hh activation during pancreas development, we employed a transgenic mouse model in which an activated version of GLI2, a transcriptional mediator of the pathway, is overexpressed specifically in the pancreatic epithelium. Surprisingly, efficient Hh activation was not observed in these transgenic mice, indicating the presence of physiological mechanisms within pancreas epithelium that prevent full Hh activation. Additional studies revealed that primary cilia regulate the level of Hh activation, and that ablation of these cellular organelles is sufficient to cause significant up-regulation of the Hh pathway in pancreata of mice overexpressing GLI2. As a consequence of overt Hh activation, we observe profound morphological changes in both the exocrine and endocrine pancreas. Increased Hh activity also induced the expansion of an undifferentiated cell population expressing progenitor markers. Thus, our findings suggest that Hh signaling plays a critical role in regulating pancreatic epithelial plasticity.
Bifunctional Anti-Non-Amyloid Component α-Synuclein Nanobodies Are Protective In Situ

Misfolding, abnormal accumulation, and secretion of α-Synuclein (α-Syn) are closely associated with synucleinopathies, including Parkinson’s disease (PD). VH14 is a human single domain intrabody selected against the non-amyloid component (NAC) hydrophobic interaction region of α-Syn, which is critical for initial aggregation. Using neuronal cell lines, we show that as a bifunctional nanobody fused to a proteasome targeting signal, VH14PEST can counteract heterologous proteostatic effects of mutant α-Syn on mutant huntingtin Exon1 and protect against α-Syn toxicity using propidium iodide or Annexin V readouts. We compared this anti-NAC candidate to NbSyn87, which binds to the C-terminus of α-Syn. NbSyn87PEST degrades α-Syn as well or better than VH14PEST. However, while both candidates reduced toxicity, VH14PEST appears more effective in both proteostatic stress and toxicity assays. These results show that the approach of reducing intracellular monomeric targets with novel antibody engineering technology should allow in vivo modulation of proteostatic pathologies.
Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Isolated from Fetal Calf Serum Enhances Pathogenicity of Attenuated Transmissible Gastroenteritis Virus in Neonatal Pigs

A bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV-C) was isolated from swine tissue culture cells used to attenuate the transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) after 68 passes. Piglets given a pure culture of BVDV-C developed clinical signs similar to those of a mild TGEV infection and recovered by 10 days postexposure. Villous blunting and fusion was observed in the small intestine, and a lymphocyte depletion was observed in Peyer's patches in the ileum. Piglets given a combination of BVDV-C and attenuated TGEV developed clinical signs similar to those of a virulent TGEV infection and were euthanized. The combined infection induced a generalized lymphocyte depletion throughout the lymphatic system and villous atrophy in the intestinal tract. Piglets exposed to a another type I strain of BVDV (NY-1) either alone or in combination with the attenuated TGEV had mild clinical signs similar to those of a TGEV infection. Moderate villous atrophy in the ileum and a lymphocyte depletion in the mesenteric lymph node were observed in these piglets postmortem. The data indicate a potential problem for diagnostic laboratories in relation to a diagnosis of virulent TGEV infections and in the field for young piglets exposed to a BVDV-contaminated TGEV vaccine.