Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parkinson disease, dementia, and alzheimer disease: Clinicopathological correlations

Clinical records and neuropathological specimens from 36 patients with autopsy‐demonstrated idiopathic Parkinson disease (PD) were reviewed independently and the results compared. Nine (31%) of the 29 patients with adequate clinical data had severe dementia and 7 (24%) had mild dementia. The cerebral cortex showed senile plaques and fibrillary tangles in 15 of the 36 patients (42%). These changes were found in all 9 patients with severe dementia, in 3 of the 7 with mild dementia, and in 3 of the 13 patients with normal mental status.
A relaxed fixed point method for a mean curvature-based denoising model

Mean curvature-based energy minimization denoising model by Zhu and Chan offers one approach for restoring both smooth (no edges) and non-smooth (with edges) images. The resulting fourth-order partial differential equations arising from minimization of this model is non-trivial to solve due to appearance of a high nonlinearity and stiffness term, because simple alternative methods such as the fixed point method and the primal dual method do not work. In this paper, we first present a relaxed fixed point method for solving such equations and further to combine with a homotopy algorithm to achieve fast convergence. Numerical experiments show that our method is able to maintain all important information in the image, and at the same time to filter out noise.
Immunization of suckling pigs against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli-induced diarrheal disease by vaccinating dams with purified 987 or K99 pili: protection correlates with pilus homology of vaccine and challenge

Pregnant gilts were vaccinated with purified strain 987 pili (987P), strain K99 pili, or a saline-formaldehyde control. Suckling pigs born to vaccinated gilts were allowed to consume colostrum and were then challenged intragastrically with one of three enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains: 987 (O9:K103, 987P:NM), 74-5208 (02O:K101, 987P:NM) or 431 (O101:K30, 99:NM). In litters where the dam was vaccinated with the same pilus as that possessed by the challenge organism, the incidence and duration of diarrhea and the degree of intestinal colonization (either duration or extent) were less than those of the other vaccine groups. Surviving pigs in the homologous vaccine groups also had better weight gains than pigs in the other vaccine groups. The experiments extend and confirm previous reports that vaccination of the dam with purified pili confers protection to neonatal suckling pigs against diarrheal disease caused by enterotoxigenic E. coli strains that possess the same pili. Protection did not extend to enterotoxigenic strains possessing different pili.
TRIM/RBCC, a novel class of ‘single protein RING finger’ E3 ubiquitin ligases

The TRIM/RBCC proteins are defined by the presence of the tripartite motif composed of a RING domain, one or two B‐box motifs and a coiled‐coil region. These proteins are involved in a plethora of cellular processes such as apoptosis, cell cycle regulation and viral response. Consistently, their alteration results in many diverse pathological conditions. The highly conserved modular structure of these proteins suggests that a common biochemical function may underlie their assorted cellular roles. Here, we review recent data indicating that some TRIM/RBCC proteins are implicated in ubiquitination and propose that this large protein family represents a novel class of ‘single protein RING finger’ ubiquitin E3 ligases. BioEssays 27:1147–1157, 2005. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Temporal–Spatial Pattern of Acute Neuronal and Glial Loss after Spinal Cord Contusion

The secondary loss of neurons and glia over the first 24 h after spinal cord injury (SCI) contributes to the permanent functional deficits that are the unfortunate consequence of SCI. The progression of this acute secondary cell death in specific neuronal and glial populations has not previously been investigated in a quantitative manner. We used a well-characterized model of SCI to analyze the loss of ventral motoneurons (VMN) and ventral funicular astrocytes and oligodendrocytes at 15 min and 4, 8, and 24 h after an incomplete midthoracic contusion injury in the rat. We found that both the length of lesion and the length of spinal cord devoid of VMN increased in a time-dependent manner. The extent of VMN loss at specified distances rostral and caudal to the injury epicenter progressed symmetrically with time. Neuronal loss was accompanied by a loss of glial cells in ventral white matter that was significant at the epicenter by 4 h after injury. Oligodendrocyte loss followed the same temporal pattern as that of VMN while astrocyte loss was delayed. This information on the temporal-spatial pattern of cell loss can be used to investigate mechanisms involved in secondary injury of neurons and glia after SCI.
Editorial for issue 3 of 2013, Journal of Evidence Based Medicine

As we write this editorial and think about the evidence base in medicine, we are pleased to note that the total number of protocols and full Cochrane Reviews published in The Cochrane Library has just passed through 8000. This is more than one protocol or review for every day since The Cochrane Collaboration was established in 1993. Later in this issue, you can read the words of authors of four of these reviews, who have recently examined existing research in asthma (1), cystic fibrosis (2), osteoarthritis (3) and rheumatoid arthritis (4). The Journal itself continues to contribute to the evidence base across a wide range of areas. For example, we build on the BRICS Medicines Alliance which we introduced in the first issue of this year and is seeking to improve medicines access and wise use in Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (5) with an article from Jing Sun presenting a systematic review of studies of the use of antibiotic prophylaxis for surgery in Chinese hospitals during 2000–2012. We also present you with an investigation of the governance model and the effect of merging medical schools with comprehensive universities in China. An article from a research team in Belgium explores the use of a web-based decision aid by men aged 65 and 75 making treatment choices in localized prostate cancer. And, from different ends of the research journey, a systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 studies investigates adoptive infusion of tolerance dendritic cells to prolong the survival of small intestine allografts in rats; while another systematic review considers the impact of pay-forperformance on management of diabetes. We also continue to reflect on the consequences of natural disasters, featuring a study of the epidemiology of pulmonary tuberculosis in the area affected by the Wenchuan Earthquake. Finally, recognising the importance of doing methodology research that will improve the quality of health research, you can read an analysis of investigator performance in the Myocardial Infarction Secondary Prevention Study in Traditional Chinese Medicine (MISPS-TCM) (6), a Chinese national research project, which involved more than 500 researchers in 84 hospitals. This is accompanied by the publication of SWAT 1, the first example of a Study Within A Trial (7).
Simulation and Implementation of Real-Time Vision-Based Control System for 2-DoF Robotic Arm Using PID with Hardware-inthe-Loop

Microsoft Kinect sensor has shown the research community that it's more than just an interactive gaming device, due to its multi-functional abilities and high reliability. In this work, online HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) experimental data are used to apply human motion imitation to a 2-degree of freedom Lego Mind storm NXT robotic arm. A model simulation of the dc motor used in this experiment is also present in this paper. The acquired input data from the Kinect sensor are processed in a closed loop PID controller with feedback from motors encoders. The applied algorithms solve the overlapping input problem, conducting a simultaneous control of both shoulder and elbow joints, and solving the overlapping input problem as well. The work in this paper is presented as a prototype to assure the applicability of the algorithms, for further development.
TNF‐α regulates mouse fetal hepatic maturation induced by oncostatin M and extracellular matrices

Fetal hepatic maturation consists of multisteps and is regulated by several cytokines and cell–cell or cell–matrices interactions. In the mid‐to‐late fetal stage, hepatocytes have few metabolic functions associated with adult liver homeostasis. Cultured fetal hepatocytes acquire the expression of several mature liver‐specific genes through stimulation with hepatic maturation factor oncostatin M (OSM) and matrigel. Tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNFα) regulates fetal hepatic maturation stimulated by OSM and matrigel. TNFα suppressed expression of mature liver‐specific genes such as tyrosine aminotransferase and apolipoproteins. In addition, the expression of hematopoietic cytokines and cyclin A2, repressed by OSM and matrigel, is induced by TNFα in the fetal hepatic cultures coincident with cell division. TNFα inhibited the induction of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α induced by OSM and matrigel, suggesting that down‐regulation of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α expression is involved in the mechanism of suppression of hepatic maturation by TNFα. Interestingly, TNFα is expressed in the prenatal and postnatal liver but not in adult liver, whereas TNFR1, a TNFα receptor, is expressed in both fetal and adult livers. In conclusion, TNFα is a suppressive factor of hepatic maturation. The balance between hepatic maturation factor (OSM and extracellular matrices) and TNFα is important for liver development. (HEPATOLOGY 2004;40:527–536.)
Genome Sequence of “Candidatus Aquiluna” sp. Strain IMCC13023, a Marine Member of the Actinobacteria Isolated from an Arctic Fjord

ABSTRACT We report the genome sequence of actinobacterial strain IMCC13023, isolated from arctic fjord seawater. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene showed that the strain is related to “Candidatus Aquiluna rubra. ” The genome information suggests that strain IMCC13023 is a photoheterotroph carrying actinorhodopsin, with the smallest genome ever reported for a free-living member of the Actinobacteria.
MOOCs – Massive Open Online Courses

eleed, Iss. 10 - Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) bezeichnen Kurse, die online stattfinden und auf Grund fehlender Zugangsbeschrankungen und kostenfreien Zugangs sehr hohe Teilnehmerzahlen erreichen. Der erste MOOC wurde 2011 durch Sebastian Thrun, Professor fur Informatik an der Stanford University, zum Thema der Kunstlichen Intelligenz angeboten und hatte 160.000 Teilnehmende. In der Folge wurden MOOCs als die revolutionare Lehr-/Lerninnovation gepriesen, immer mehr Unternehmen grundeten MOOCs-Plattformen. Seit Ende 2012 bieten auch in Deutschland erste Institutionen eigene Plattformen mit MOOCs an. Man unterscheidet im Wesentlichen zwei Varianten – xMoocs und cMOOCs: xMoocs bieten auf Video aufgezeichnete Vorlesungen, die durch Tests und Fragen unterbrochen und zu denen Aufgaben ausgeteilt werden. Sie werden erganzt durch Foren. cMOOCs orientieren sich eher an der Form eines Seminars oder Workshops, in ihnen konnen die Teilnehmenden die Inhalte selbst miterarbeiten und -gestalten. Um die Potenziale, aber auch die Schwachen der MOOCs bewerten zu konnen, bedarf es aber einer differenzierten Betrachtung, als sie bisher stattgefunden hat. Dieser Band stellt Erfahrungsberichte und Beispiele aus deutschen Hochschulen oder mit deutscher Beteiligung vor und reflektiert das Phanomen der MOOCs unter didaktischen, historischen und bildungspolitischen Aspekten.
On the Heritability of Geographic Range Sizes

Within taxonomic groups, most species are restricted in their geographic range sizes, with only a few being widespread. The possibility that species‐level selection on range sizes contributes to the characteristic form of such species–range size distributions has previously been raised. This would require that closely related species have similar range sizes, an indication of “heritability” of range sizes at the species level. Support for this view came from a positive correlation between the range sizes of closely related pairs of fossil mollusc species. We extend this analysis by considering the relationship between the geographic range sizes of 103 pairs of contemporary avian sister species. Range sizes in these sister species show no evidence of being more similar to each other than expected by chance. A reassessment of the mollusc data also suggests that the high correlation was probably overestimated because of the skewed nature of range size data. The fact that sister species tend to have similar life histories and ecologies suggests that any relationship between range sizes and biology is likely to be complicated and will be influenced by historical factors, such as mode of speciation and postspeciation range size transformations.
Applications of cell-free circulating tumor DNA detection in EGFR mutant lung cancer

Analyses of cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) have provided a non-invasive strategy for cancer diagnosis, the identification of molecular aberrations for treatment identification, and evaluation of tumor response. Sensitive and specific ctDNA sequencing strategies have allowed for implementation into clinical practice for the initial genotyping of patients and resistance monitoring. The specific need for EGFR mutation detection for the management of lung cancer patients has been an early imperative and has set the stage for non-invasive molecular profiling across other oncogenic drivers. Ongoing efforts are demonstrating the utility of ctDNA analyses in the initial genotyping of patients, the monitoring resistance clones, and the initial evaluation of response.
A New Ultradense Group of Obscured Emission-Line Galaxies

We present the discovery of an isolated compact group of galaxies that is extremely dense (median projected galaxy separation: 6.9 kpc), that has a very low velocity dispersion (σ2D = 67 km s-1), and in which all observed members show emission lines and are morphologically disturbed. These properties, together with the lack of spiral galaxies and the presence of a prominent tidal tail, make this group one of the most evolved compact groups.
80-Gb/s wavelength conversion based on cross-phase modulation in high-nonlinearity dispersion-shifted fiber and optical filtering

Using cross-phase modulation in a 1-km high-nonlinearity dispersion-shifted fiber with subsequent filtering by a tunable optical filter, 80-Gb/s pulsewidth maintained wavelength conversion is realized. Penalty-free transmission over 80-km conventional single-mode fiber and 12-km dispersion-compensating fiber for 80-Gb/s converted signal is realized.
Mechanisms influencing the vasoactive effects of lidocaine in human skin *

The vasodilator properties of lidocaine are believed to be due mainly to the inhibition of action potentials via sodium channel blocking in vasoconstrictor sympathetic nerves. However, mechanisms involving the vascular endothelium may also play a role, and in this study we investigated the potential influences of nitric oxide release, the cyclo‐oxygenase pathway and the β‐adrenoceptors of vascular smooth muscle. Laser Doppler imaging was used to measure microvascular blood flow responses to intradermal injection of lidocaine 2%, with or without the addition of preservatives, in eight healthy, male volunteers. Co‐injection of the nitric‐oxide–synthase inhibitor Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester caused a 60% reduction in the response after about 20 min, and this reduction was enhanced with the lidocaine solution containing the preservatives methylhydroxybenzoate and propylhydroxybenzoate. No reduction in response was seen after blocking the cyclo‐oxygenase or β‐adrenoceptor pathways. Nitric oxide release contributes to the vasoactivity of lidocaine in human skin.
Health Literacy Measurement: An Inventory and Descriptive Summary of 51 Instruments

This article aimed to provide a descriptive review of the psychometric properties and conceptual dimensions of published health literacy measurement tools. PsycINFO and PubMed search from 1999 through 2013, review of the grey literature, and an environmental scan was conducted to identify health literacy measurement tools. For each tool, we evaluated the conceptual dimensions assessed, test parameters, and psychometric properties. Of the 51 tools identified, 26 measured general health literacy, and 15 were disease or content specific, and 10 aimed at specific populations. Most tools are performance based, require in-person administration, and are exclusively available in a pencil and paper testing mode. The tools assess 0 (proxy measure) to 9 of the 11 defined dimensions of health literacy. Reported administration times vary, from less than 1 to 60 minutes. Validation procedures for most of the tools are limited by inadequate power to ensure reliability across subgroups (i.e., race, age, ethnicity, and gender). The health literacy measurement tools currently available generally represent a narrow set of conceptual dimensions with limited modes of administration. Most of the tools lack information on key psychometric properties. Significant work is needed to establish important aspects of the construct, convergent, and predictive validity for many tools. As researchers develop new measures, inclusion of a full range of conceptual dimensions of health literacy, more representative sampling for testing, and additional modes of administration will allow a more refined and flexible approach to research in this field.
Factores de riesgo de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles en estudiantes mayores de 18 años. Universidad de El Salvador (Sede Central). Ciclo académico II - 2010.

Generalmente, un estudiante cambia de estilo de vida cuando ingresa a la Universidad, esta modificacion puede conducir a habitos alimentarios diferentes que podrian convertirse en factores de riesgo de enfermedades cronicas no transmisibles (ECNT). Objetivo: Interpretar los principales factores de riesgo de Enfermedades cronicas no transmisibles en estudiantes activos mayores de 18 anos de edad en la sede central de la Universidad de El Salvador en el segundo ciclo academico del ano 2010. Metodologia: Se estudiaron a 70 estudiantes universitarios, cursantes del primer ano de su carrera en la Universidad de El Salvador, (sede central) se estudiaron la Situacion demografica, Peso, talla, diagnostico nutricional antropometrico, circunferencia abdominal y presion arterial. Antecedentes familiares, habitos alimentarios, nivel de actividad fisica, consumo de tabaco y alcohol. Instrumento modificado: STEPS Panamericano, Metodo paso a paso de la OPS/OMS para la vigilancia de factores de riesgo para las enfermedades cronicas no trasmisibles. Resultados: De los estudiantes evaluados 40 pertenecian al sexo femenino y 30 al masculino, con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 26 anos. El factor de riesgo mas frecuente fue la inactividad fisica fue mayor en mujeres (74%) que en hombres (26%), el sedentarismo (74%), mayormente en mujeres, seguido de habitos alcoholicos (37,14%), tabaquicos (11.40%). Y la Hipertension arterial 4.30% en hombres universitarios. Conclusion: En esta poblacion estudiantil existen factores de riesgo para ECNT, lo cual alerta sobre la necesidad de instaurar planes de educacion y medidas de prevencion primaria a fin de disminuir a futuro la presencia de ECNT en los estudiantes de la Universidad de El Salvador.
Insect allergy in children

Purpose of review Some aspects of insect sting allergy are unique in children. This review will identify and update the published data that exist pertaining specifically to insect allergy in children. Recent findings Children have a different pattern of insect sting allergy than adults. Honeybee allergy is more common in children. Severe systemic reactions are less common than in adults but the risk of recurrence can persist for decades. Systemic reactions are limited to mild ‘cutaneous’ reactions in over 60% of children (but only 15% of adults). Children with mild systemic reactions rarely get worse. Children with moderate or severe systemic reactions still had a 30% chance of a similar reaction even 20 years later. The long-term immune tolerance induced by venom immunotherapy is greater in children than adults. Children who had received venom immunotherapy for 3–5 years were still immune 10–20 years later. Summary Children with insect sting allergy are tested and treated in much the same way as adults. Children with mild systemic reactions do not require testing or immunotherapy. Children with moderate to severe systemic reactions are at risk for decades and should receive venom immunotherapy, which gives very long-lasting protection.
Tetrahydrobiopterin May Be Transported into the Central Nervous System by the Folate Receptor α

The aim of this study was to determine if tetrahydrobiopterin (BH 4 ), a cofactor that is essential for several critical neurometabolic pathways, is transported across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) using the same transport mechanism as folate. In this study we examined 30 children with ASD (mean age 7.5 years, standard deviation 3.2 years; 23% female). We studied autoantibodies that interfere with the binding of folate to the folate receptor α (FRα) – a receptor that is critically involved in the transport of folate across the BBB. The relationships between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) BH 4 concentrations with FRα autoantibody titers as well as with the interaction between CSF 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5MTHF) concentration and FRα autoantibody titers were studied. CSF BH 4 concentration was found to be lower in individuals with higher FRα blocking, but not binding, autoantibody serum titers, suggesting that interference with FRα dependent BBB transport interferes with BH 4 transport across the BBB. This effect was not explained by lower CSF 5MTHF concentrations, thereby reducing the possibility that low CSF BH 4 concentrations were secondary to low central folate. In addition, CSF BH 4 concentration was inversely correlated with the interaction between CSF 5MTHF and FRα blocking autoantibody titers suggesting that BH 4 competes with folate for FRα dependent transport across the BBB. These data suggest that FRα dependent transport mechanisms may be involved in the transportation of BH 4 across the BBB. [N A J Med Sci. 2013;6(3):117-120. DOI: 10.7156/najms.2013. 0603117]
Laboratory in the Diagnosis of Bacterial and Fungal Keratitis

Bacterial and fungal corneal infections are characterized by the presence of a replicating mi‐ croorganism as the cause of inflammation, and loss of corneal epithelial cells and ulcers, as the last expression of inflammatory phenomenon [1]. Clinically, it is difficult to establish a diagnosis of bacterial keratitis specifically the causal agent. For this reason, the use of labora‐ tory techniques is extremely important to establish a diagnosis. Clinical data created a sus‐ pected diagnosis, but results from the laboratory, particularly crops, studies represent the fundamental basis for a definitive diagnosis. Microbiological culture is the only way to de‐ termine the sensitivity to antibiotics and guide therapy to achieve optimal management of these conditions [2].