Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bidirectional RNA helicase activity of eucaryotic translation initiation factors 4A and 4F

The mechanism of ribosome binding to eucaryotic mRNAs is not well understood, but it requires the participation of eucaryotic initiation factors eIF-4A, eIF-4B, and eIF-4F and the hydrolysis of ATP. Evidence has accumulated in support of a model in which these initiation factors function to unwind the 5'-proximal secondary structure in mRNA to facilitate ribosome binding. To obtain direct evidence for initiation factor-mediated RNA unwinding, we developed a simple assay to determine RNA helicase activity, and we show that eIF-4A or eIF-4F, in combination with eIF-4B, exhibits helicase activity. A striking and unprecedented feature of this activity is that it functions in a bidirectional manner. Thus, unwinding can occur either in the 5'-to-3' or 3'-to-5' direction. Unwinding in the 5'-to-3' direction by eIF-4F (the cap-binding protein complex), in conjunction with eIF-4B, was stimulated by the presence of the RNA 5' cap structure, whereas unwinding in the 3'-to-5' direction was completely cap independent. These results are discussed with respect to cap-dependent versus cap-independent mechanisms of ribosome binding to eucaryotic mRNAs.
An Innovative Approach of Bangla Text Summarization by Introducing Pronoun Replacement and Improved Sentence Ranking

This paper proposes an automatic method to summarize Bangla news document. In the proposed approach, pronoun replacement is accomplished for the first time to minimize the dangling pronoun from summary. After replacing pronoun, sentences are ranked using term frequency, sentence frequency, numerical figures and title words. If two sentences have at least 60% cosine similarity, the frequency of the larger sentence is increased, and the smaller sentence is removed to eliminate redundancy. Moreover, the first sentence is included in summary always if it contains any title word. In Bangla text, numerical figures can be presented both in words and digits with a variety of forms. All these forms are identified to assess the importance of sentences. We have used the rule-based system in this approach with hidden Markov model and Markov chain model. To explore the rules, we have analyzed 3,000 Bangla news documents and studied some Bangla grammar books. A series of experiments are performed on 200 Bangla news documents and 600 summaries (3 summaries are for each document). The evaluation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique over the four latest methods.
Visuotopic organization of corticocortical connections in the visual system of the cat

It has recently been demonstrated that, in contrast with the retinogeniculocortical projection, the corticocortical connections in the cat present a high degree of convergence and divergence. This suggests that some corticocortical connections link nonvisuotopically corresponding regions. Using fine‐grain electrophysiological mapping and anatomical tracing, we have set out to test this possibility by placing a small injection of retrograde tracer in area 17 and by comparing the extent of visual field encoded in the region of area 18 containing labeled cells and that represented in the uptake zone.
Striatopallidal and thalamic dystonia. A magnetic resonance imaging anatomoclinical study.

OBJECTIVE To determine which brain structures are involved in symptomatic unilateral dystonia caused by localized cerebral infarction. DESIGN Three-dimensional T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging sequence and stereotactic analysis were used to analyze the topography of the lesions. Stereotactic localization of thalamic lesions was conducted according to the atlas of Hassler with a Voxtool software (Advantage Windows Workstation, General Electric, Milwaukee, Wis) workstation system. PATIENTS Eight patients with hemidystonia, segmental dystonia, or focal dystonia were selected from among 51 consecutive patients (between January 1988 and May 1993) with symptomatic unilateral dystonia. RESULTS Patients had dystonic spasms (n=4) or myoclonic dystonia (n=4). Lesions associated with dystonic spasms were located in the striatopallidal complex, and those with myoclonic dystonia were in the thalamus contralateral to the dystonia. Lesions of the striatopallidal complex involved the putamen posterior to the anterior commissure in all patients and extended variably into the dorsolateral part of the caudate nucleus, the posterior limb of the internal capsule, or the lateral segment of the globus pallidus. These lesions were centered in the "sensorimotor" part of the striatopallidal complex, with a trend toward a somatotopical distribution. Lesions of the thalamus were located in the ventral intermediate and ventral caudal nuclei, while the ventral oral anterior and posterior nuclei (which receive pallidal efferents) were largely spared. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that striatopallidal and thalamic dystonia may have different pathophysiologic bases.
Through recessed and regrowth gate technology for realizing process stability of GaN-GITs

A new gate recess process technology has been implemented in normally off GaN based gate injection transistors (GITs) on Si substrate, in order to realize the process stability. In this process, compared to conventional recessed gate structure, the AlGaN barrier is fully removed in the gate region and then AlGaN is reproduced by epitaxial regrowth for the first time. By using this technology, standard deviation of Vth improves drastically from 229 mV to 63 mV on 6-inch substrate. And Vth is easily controlled from 1.0 to 2.3 V by changing the regrowth AlGaN thickness, without changing other DC characteristics and their distributions.
Lung cyst: An unusual manifestation of Niemann–Pick disease

Abstract: Niemann–Pick disease is a rare inherited autosomal recessive disorder, currently classified into six subtypes and characterized by the intracellular accumulation of sphingomyelin in the liver, spleen, lungs, bone marrow or brain. The main pulmonary abnormalities described in high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest consist of thickening of the interlobular septa and ground‐glass opacities. This case report describes a patient with subtype B Niemann–Pick disease characterized by cysts and ground‐glass opacities that were detected on HRCT of the chest.
A randomized, controlled trial of medical therapy versus endoscopic ligation for the prevention of variceal rebleeding in patients with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Patients who have had one variceal bleed are at high risk of rebleeding. Since its introduction, endoscopic variceal banding has been shown to be superior to needle sclerotherapy. Banding has not been compared with hepatic venous pressure-guided medical therapy (beta-blockers and nitrates). METHODS One hundred two patients with cirrhosis and a recent esophageal variceal bleed were randomized to either endoscopic banding (51 patients) or medical therapy (51 patients). The hepatic venous pressure gradient was measured in all patients at baseline, at 3 months (drug therapy arm), and at yearly intervals (all patients). Primary end points were death or rebleeding. RESULTS The 2 groups were well matched. Fifty-one percent were Pughs C, with a median Pughs score of 9.5. Nineteen patients rebled in the drug arm (median time, 24 days) and 27 patients in the banding arm (median time, 24 days). At 1 year, 43.7% of patients had bled in the drug arm compared with 53.8% in the banding arm (P = 0.25). Thirty-two percent of patients on medical therapy had died at 1 year, 22.5% on banding (P = 0.97). CONCLUSIONS In the prevention of variceal rebleeding, beta-blockers +/- nitrates are as effective as endoscopic banding.
Tumor Detection and Visualization Using Cyanine Fluorochrome‐Labeled Antibodies

Tumor localization using fluorescence has been made practical by current improvements in tumor targeting molecules, especially monoclonal antibodies and their derivatives, by the development of convenient near‐infrared emitting fluorochromes and by the availability of digital cameras having high sensitivity in this spectral region. Recent studies in animals have demonstrated that fluorochrome labeling of monoclonal antibodies confers adequate sensitivity and improved resolution. Distribution and catabolism of fluorochrome‐labeled and radiolabeled antibodies are similar. Simultaneous localization of multiple reagents is made possible by labeling with several different near‐infrared emitting fluorochromes; thus background subtraction and differential labeling of multiple tumor‐associated components can be performed. Difficulties in using the fluorochrome labels are mainly related to light scattering and absorption in tissues, but detection of small tumors at depths of several millimeters is feasible. The major medical use of this new technology is likely to be endoscopic location of tumors. Scientific uses include studies of tumor metastasis, uptake and distribution of drugs and tumor‐targeting molecules by tumors, and migration patterns of near‐infrared labeled cells in vivo.
Cognitive Subdomain Responses to Galantamine in Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract We investigated the effects of galantamine on cognitive subdomains in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Sixty-six patients with mild-to-moderate AD received open-label galantamine for 52 weeks. Cognitive function was measured using the Korean version of the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale–cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog-K). Response to galantamine was defined as “improvement or no deterioration” on the total scores of the ADAS-cog-K at 26 weeks. In the overall intent-to-treat sample, we found less cognitive decline during 26 and 52 weeks than the expected untreated course as predicted by Stern’s equation. The operationally defined response rate at 26 weeks was 66.7%. The responders differed significantly from the nonresponders only in the memory and language domains but not in the domains of praxis or frontal/executive function or in secondary outcome measures of neuropsychiatric symptoms and activities of daily living. The subdomain analysis revealed an effect of galantamine on preservation of memory that was not apparent in the overall analysis. Failure to achieve responder status by 26 weeks was associated with no further possibility of response.
Effectiveness of Pharmacological Therapies for Intracranial Hypertension in Children With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury—Results From an Automated Data Collection System Time-Synched to Drug Administration

Objectives: To describe acute cerebral hemodynamic effects of medications commonly used to treat intracranial hypertension in children with traumatic brain injury. Currently, data supporting the efficacy of these medications are insufficient. Design: In this prospective observational study, intracranial hypertension (intracranial pressure ≥ 20 mm Hg for > 5 min) was treated by clinical protocol. Administration times of medications for intracranial hypertension (fentanyl, 3% hypertonic saline, mannitol, and pentobarbital) were prospectively recorded and synchronized with an automated database that collected intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure every 5 seconds. Intracranial pressure crises confounded by external stimulation or mechanical ventilator adjustments were excluded. Mean intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure from epochs following drug administration were compared with baseline values using Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance and Dunn test. Frailty modeling was used to analyze the time to intracranial pressure crisis resolution. Mixed-effect models compared intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure 5 minutes after the medication versus baseline and rates of treatment failure. Setting: A tertiary care children’s hospital. Patients: Children with severe traumatic brain injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score ⩽ 8). Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: We analyzed 196 doses of fentanyl, hypertonic saline, mannitol, and pentobarbital administered to 16 children (median: 12 doses per patient). Overall, intracranial pressure significantly decreased following the administration of fentanyl, hypertonic saline, and pentobarbital. After controlling for administration of multiple medications, intracranial pressure was decreased following hypertonic saline and pentobarbital administration; cerebral perfusion pressure was decreased following fentanyl and was increased following hypertonic saline administration. After adjusting for significant covariates (including age, Glasgow Coma Scale score, and intracranial pressure), hypertonic saline was associated with a two-fold faster resolution of intracranial hypertension than either fentanyl or pentobarbital. Fentanyl was significantly associated with the most frequent treatment failure. Conclusions: Intracranial pressure decreased after multiple drug administrations, but hypertonic saline may warrant consideration as the first-line drug for treating intracranial hypertension, as it was associated with the most favorable cerebral hemodynamics and fastest resolution of intracranial hypertension.
RECENT ADVANCES IN THE GENETICS OF PHAEOCHROMOCYTOMA AND FUNCTIONAL PARAGANGLIOMA

1 Recent clinical and fundamental research studies have revolutionized our understanding of the genetics of phaeochromocytoma (PH) and functional paraganglioma (FPGL). It was widely thought that only 10% of PH patients had familial disease and that the malignant phenotype of PH could not be diagnosed before occurrence of the first metastasis. 2 Human genetic studies have now shown that 25–30% of patients have hereditary PH due to a germline mutation in the SDHB, SDHD, VHL, RET or NF1 gene and that the identification of a germline SDHB mutation is associated with a high risk of malignancy and a poor prognosis in PH/PGL patients. 3 Fundamental research studies have shown that SDH genes are tumour suppressor genes and that succinate dehydrogenase inactivation induces abnormal stimulation of the hypoxia‐angiogenesis pathway. 4 Finally various fundamental research studies, conducted through the Cortico and Medullo‐surrenale: les Tumeurs Endocrines (COMETE) network in France and by other groups worldwide, have produced new recommendations for genetic counselling and testing and for the management of PH patients. They have also improved our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in PH tumorigenesis.
Seminal Plug Expulsion Induced by Electrical Stimulation of the Intermesenteric Nerve in Anesthetized Rats

Abstract Synchronized activation of autonomic and somatic divisions of the nervous system respectively destined to the seminal tract, including the bladder neck and the pelvi-perineal striated musculature, is necessary for anterograde ejaculation. We aimed at investigating the role of intermesenteric nerves (IMNs) in ejaculation in anesthetized rats. Electrical stimulation of intact IMNs and distal and proximal stumps of the sectioned IMN were tested in isoflurane-anesthetized male rats. Electrical stimulation of the intact IMN was also applied to rats with acute spinal transection at the T8 level. The effects of IMN electrical stimulation on emission and expulsion phases of ejaculation were evaluated by measuring seminal vesicle pressure (SVP) and bulbospongiosus (BS) muscle contractions, respectively. IMN electrical stimulation could induce SVP increase and rhythmic contractions of BS muscle concomitantly with expulsion of the seminal plug. When compared with intact IMN electrical stimulation, the occurrence of ejaculation and rhythmic BS muscle contractions, but not SVP increase, was reduced in response to electrical stimulation of the distal stump of the sectioned IMN. In comparison to intact IMN electrical stimulation, the occurrence of ejaculation and rhythmic BS muscle contractions was not significantly modified, whereas the increase in SVP was diminished when the proximal stump of the sectioned IMN was stimulated. Spinalization abolished ejaculation and rhythmic BS muscle contraction but did not impair SVP increase. It is concluded that both afferents conveyed by IMN and relaying supraspinally and efferents of IMN are involved in IMN electrical stimulation-induced ejaculation. We propose that the IMN electrical stimulation paradigm can be used to investigate physiological and pharmacologic aspects of ejaculation.
Damage based fatigue criterion for solders in electronic packaging

A fatigue failure criterion based on physical damage mechanism is proposed for solders. A solder structure is defined as fatigued when the portion of its failed grains reaches a critical percolation threshold, since under such state the failed grains may form large cluster of cracks, leading to the structure's mechanical instability as well as electrical degradation. Mechanically the inception of such state corresponds to a turning point of load carry capability in a simple fixed-strain tension-tension test of a solder structure. Experimental data for both lead-rich solders such as 96.5Pb-3.5Sn solders and lead-free solders such as 96.5Sn-3.5Ag showed consistency with the proposed criterion. Experimental data also show that by adoption of this failure criterion a better prediction of mechanical fatigue for a lead rich solder can be achieved. The criterion is derived from a science based fatigue theory, therefore the criterion should be applicable to anisotropic as well as isotropic structures regardless of solder structure sizes, which is useful to the development and design of small-scale (micron scale or smaller) solder joints for current electronic packaging.
Amelotin—a Novel Secreted, Ameloblast-specific Protein

We aimed to analyze the differential gene expression in various murine dental tissues, expecting to find novel factors that are involved in tooth formation. We here describe the identification of a novel ameloblast-specific gene, amelotin (AMTN), by differential display polymerase chain-reaction (DD-PCR) analysis of microdissected ameloblasts, odontoblasts, dental pulp, and alveolar bone cells of 10-day-old mouse incisors. The conceptually translated protein sequence was unique and showed significant homology only with its human orthologue. The amelotin genes from mouse and human displayed a similar exon-intron structure and were expressed from loci on chromosomes 5 and 4, respectively, which have been associated with various forms of amelogenesis imperfecta. Expression of amelotin mRNA was restricted to maturation-stage ameloblasts in developing murine molars and incisors. Amelotin protein was efficiently secreted from transfected cells in culture. Taken together, our findings suggest that amelotin is a novel factor produced by ameloblasts that plays a critical role in the formation of dental enamel.
Numerical analysis of a nonlinearly stable and positive control volume finite element scheme for Richards equation with anisotropy

We extend the nonlinear Control Volume Finite Element scheme of [C. Cancès and C. Guichard, Math. Comput. 85 (2016) 549–580]. to the discretization of Richards equation. This scheme ensures the preservation of the physical bounds without any restriction on the mesh and on the anisotropy tensor. Moreover, it does not require the introduction of the so-called Kirchhoff transform in its definition. It also provides a control on the capillary energy. Based on this nonlinear stability property, we show that the scheme converges towards the unique solution to Richards equation when the discretization parameters tend to 0. Finally we present some numerical experiments to illustrate the behavior of the method.
A preemption-aware path selection algorithm for DiffServ/MPLS networks

In a multi-service network in which multiple classes with different priorities and different QoS requirements exist, preemption is an efficient mechanism for bandwidth allocation and management. By considering preemption-related information in the path selection procedure, we can minimize rerouting and improve network stability. In this paper, we propose a preemption-aware bandwidth-constrained path selection algorithm for DiffServ-enabled MPLS networks. The basic idea is that the available resource reservation information of lower priority LSPs, i.e. the bandwidth to be preempted and the affected highest priority level, is introduced in the path selection. Simulations show that our proposed algorithm can achieve preemption minimization as well as load balancing, and efficiently improve overall network performance.
Twelve-month endoscopic and histological analysis following proton-pump inhibitor-based triple therapy in Helicobacter pylori-positive patients with gastric ulcers

Abstract Objective. To evaluate endoscopic and histological findings after Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy in gastric ulcer (GU) patients after 12 months' follow-up. Material and methods. A total of 401 GU patients were randomized to receive either twice-daily (b.i.d.) esomeprazole 20 mg+amoxicillin 1000 mg+clarithromycin 500 mg (EAC) for 1 week followed by placebo for 3 weeks, EAC followed by once-daily (o.d.) esomeprazole 20 mg for 3 weeks or esomeprazole 20 mg b.i. d. plus placebo antibiotics for 1 week followed by esomeprazole 20 mg o.d. for 3 weeks. Endoscopy with biopsy was performed at baseline, after treatment and at 6 and 12 months' follow-up (healed patients). Results. Endoscopic abnormalities, particularly in the stomach, were common at baseline and remained similar during follow-up, regardless of ulcer status and treatment. Helicobacter gastritis was present (antrum or corpus) in ≈ 20% of patients following eradication therapy (versus ≈ 80% with esomeprazole alone); these effects were sustained during follow-up. Similar trends were observed for other histological variables (granulocyte and lymphoplasmocytic cell infiltration, replacement of gastric surface cells by regenerative epithelium, and mucous depletion). No changes in atrophy or intestinal metaplasia were observed. Eighteen gastric cancer cases were detected: 11 at baseline endoscopy, and seven during treatment and follow-up. Conclusions. Endoscopic abnormalities are common in GU patients and persist after proton-pump inhibitor-based triple therapy for H. pylori eradication, which is associated with large, sustained improvements in histological variables. Follow-up endoscopy and histology may be necessary, even in patients with apparently non-malignant GU, to improve the detection rate of gastric malignancy in populations with a high prevalence of gastric cancer.