Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A rapid and sensitive method for EphB4 identification as a diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker in invasive breast cancer.

BACKGROUND In the roadmap to design diagnostic and therapeutic markers for breast cancer, EphB4 is of special interest due to its multiple roles in tumor initiation, progression and invasion. The aim of present study was to characterize a rapid and sensitive ELISA-based method to measure EphB4 level and its phosphorylation status following stimulation with its ligand, ephrinB2, in an invasive breast cancer cell line. MATERIALS AND METHODS MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were lysed and EphB4 level was measured using ELISA. EphB4 level was measured in sub- and post-confluent states in culture dishes. Receptor phosphorylation was also detected by ELISA assay, using various concentrations of pre-clustered ephrinB2 for 20 minutes. RESULTS Expression of EphB4 receptor was detected by ELISA in all samples. EphB4 level was significantly higher in post.confluent than sub.confluent cells. Phosphorylated receptor was also detectable with this method when cells were exogenously stimulated. CONCLUSIONS Quantitative data from ELISA manifested a difference between levels of EphB4 in two states of different invasive properties. Moreover, ELISA method may be considered rapid and sensitive enough to detect even low levels of total and phosphorylated EphB4 Cost-effectiveness of this method for the detection of differential expression of EphB4 proteins in clinics is also noticeable.
Comparison of the Pathogenicity of Two US Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Isolates with that of the Lelystad Virus

The Lelystad virus or one of two US isolates (VR2385, VR2431) of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus were given intranasally to 25 4-week-old cesarian-derived colostrum-deprived pigs. Pigs from these groups were necropsied at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 21, or 28 days postinoculation. The Lelystad virus and VR2431 induced mild transient pyrexia, dyspnea, and tachypnea. VR2385 induced labored and rapid abdominal respiration, pyrexia, lethargy, anorexia, and patchy dermal cyanosis. All three isolates induced multifocal tan-mottled consolidation involving 6.8% (n = 9, SEM = 3.4) of the lung for Lelystad, 9.7% (n = 9, SEM = 2.7) of the lung for VR2431, and 54.2% (n = 9, SEM = 4.4) of the lung for VR2385 at 10 days postinoculation. Characteristic microscopic lung lesions consisted of type 2 pneumocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia, necrotic debris and increased mixed inflammatory cells in alveolar spaces, and alveolar septal infiltration with mononuclear cells. Lymphadenopathy with follicular hypertrophy, hyperplasia, and necrosis was consistently seen. Similar follicular lesions were also seen in Peyer's patches and tonsils. Lymphohistiocytic myocarditis and encephalitis were reproduced with all three isolates. Clinical respiratory disease and gross and microscopic lung lesion scores were considerably and significantly more severe in the VR2385-inoculated pigs. All three viruses were readily isolated from sera, lungs, and tonsils throughout the 28 days of the study. The lymphoid and respiratory systems have the most remarkable lesions and appear to be the major site of replication of these viruses. This work demonstrated a marked difference in pathogenicity of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome isolates.
Atomic View of a Toxic Amyloid Small Oligomer

A Toxic Barrel Many studies have suggested that oligomers are an important toxic species in amyloid diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. In an effort to better define these oligomers, Laganowsky et al. (p. 1228) identified a segment of the fibril-forming protein αB crystalline (ABC) that forms both amyloid fibrils and a relatively stable oligomer. ABC oligomers were toxic in a cell viability assay and were recognized by an amyloid-oligomer–specific antibody. A crystal structure of the oligomers showed that six peptides formed an antiparallel barrel termed a cylindrin. Amyloid oligomers are likely to be structurally polymorphic, but cylindrin-like assemblies offer a model for these elusive structures. Cylindrin from the amyloid-forming protein αB crystallin represents an amyloid oligomer. Amyloid diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and the prion conditions, are each associated with a particular protein in fibrillar form. These amyloid fibrils were long suspected to be the disease agents, but evidence suggests that smaller, often transient and polymorphic oligomers are the toxic entities. Here, we identify a segment of the amyloid-forming protein αB crystallin, which forms an oligomeric complex exhibiting properties of other amyloid oligomers: β-sheet–rich structure, cytotoxicity, and recognition by an oligomer-specific antibody. The x-ray–derived atomic structure of the oligomer reveals a cylindrical barrel, formed from six antiparallel protein strands, that we term a cylindrin. The cylindrin structure is compatible with a sequence segment from the β-amyloid protein of Alzheimer’s disease. Cylindrins offer models for the hitherto elusive structures of amyloid oligomers.
Prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy with volume expansion.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Contrast-induced nephropathy is one of the few preventable forms of acute kidney injury. Several pharmacologic agents have been evaluated for the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy, yet disappointingly, few have been shown conclusively to reduce the risk for this condition. A series of studies have demonstrated that volume expansion, particularly with intravenous fluids, is an effective intervention to reduce the risk for contrast-induced nephropathy. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS This article reviews the clinical trials that have assessed the role of volume expansion for the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy. RESULTS The administration of isotonic sodium chloride before and after radiocontrast injection seems to be more protective than equivalent volumes of hypotonic saline and, when feasible, should be administered over a sustained period of time. Recent clinical trials suggested that an abbreviated regimen of intravenous sodium bicarbonate may be superior to a comparable protocol of sodium chloride. Although a small number of studies have found that volume supplementation by mouth may be effective in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy, the routine use of enteral fluids or solute in lieu of intravenous fluids in high-risk patients cannot be recommended at this time. Rather, liberal oral fluid and solute intake should complement intravenous fluid administration to minimize risk. CONCLUSIONS Future studies will be required to define clearly the optimal prophylactic intravenous fluid regimen for contrast-induced nephropathy and further delineate the independent role of oral volume expansion for the prevention of this condition.
S-road assist: Road surface conditions and driving behavior analysis using smartphones

In developing countries road quality is not very good and deteriorates quickly, this makes a system which can detect road irregularities and notify user regarding risky driving in real-time, valuable. Moreover, fleet operators would like to ensure safe trips to their customers. This can be accomplished by tracking and maintaining a history of the driving patterns of the drivers employed by them. Further, individuals would also like to assess their driving style and become safe drivers. In this regard, a cost effective solution for detecting road artifacts as well as tracking the driving behavior of drivers using smartphones has been developed. The solution relies on the sensors installed on the smartphone only thereby making it cost effective. Although the system does not use commercial grade sensors, yet our accuracy numbers indicate that the solution is good enough for commercial deployment.
Expanded traditional melanoma FISH testing versus CAP‐QPCR to identify high‐risk melanocytic lesions

References 1 Fang X, Yang B, Zhou G, et al. Localized lichen myxedematosus in childhood: what is the accurate diagnosis? Int J Dermatol 2017; 56: 333–336. 2 Rongioletti F, Rebora A. Updated classification of papular mucinosis, lichen myxedematosus, and scleromyxedema. J Am Acad Dermatol 2001; 44: 273–281. 3 Nofal A, Amer H, Alakad R, et al. Lichen myxedematosus: diagnostic criteria, classification, and severity grading. Int J Dermatol 2017; 56: 284–290.
STUDIES ON GLUCOSE OXIDATION DURING THE INTERACTION OF ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES AND BACTERIA *

Alveolar macrophages appear to evolve from immature blast-like cells which develop into cells with an extensive array of intracellular organelles.1 Apparently these organelles are specially tooled to provide the fully “immunocompetent” macrophage with the biochemical armamentarium to ingest and digest a wide variety of particulates. Accordingly, a given population of alveolar macrophages harvested from the lungs of normal rabbits will probably have a wide spectrum of physiological activity depending on their current phagocytic commitment. Since cellular differentiation requires extensive net synthesis, it logically follows that an increase in the rate of glucose metabolism would be one of the first indicators of enhanced physiological activity including mitosis and differentiation. The present study is an attempt to monitor the response of alveolar macrophages to intratracheal injection of microorganisms as it might affect the rate of glucose oxidation of the macrophages. The results obtained indicate that stimulation patterns of hexose monophosphate shunt activity of macrophages appear to be related to the pattern of digestibility of the phagocytized microorganisms. Inert particles like colloidal carbon failed to induce a significant increase in the rate of glucose oxidation. METHODS AND MATERIALS
Local Graph Embedding Discriminant Analysis for Face Recognition with Single Training Sample Per Person

In this paper, an efficient feature extraction technique called Local Graph Embedding Discriminant Analysis(LGEDA) is developed for solving One Sample per Person Problem. In our algorithm, a mean filter is used to generate imitated images and a double size new training set can be obtained. Taking the local neighborhood geometry structure and class labels into account, the proposed algorithm can maximize the local interclass separability as far as possible and preserve the local neighborhood relationships of the data set. After the local scatters and interclass scatter are characterized, the proposed method seeks to find a projection maximizing the local margin between of different classes under the constraint of local neighborhood preserving. Experiments show that our proposed method
Comment on Houston's arguments.

These arguments will be addressed in what I consider to be an increasing order of importance. Houston suggests that the above relationship between behavior and reinforcement ratios (which is the least restrictive of any possible relationship) is in some way more restrictive than a similar relationship he proposes between behavior and reinforcement proportions. Although I agree that his is a different relationship, I see no cause for its being called less restrictive. It may be a productive relationship to study further, but I see no intrinsic superiority of one starting point over the other (except as the one equation leads to an interesting insight into the generalized matching law). The argument Houston raises that the proof is "incompatible with any value of b [the bias term] other than one" errs only by being myopic. By any number of reasonable assumptions the notion of value (see Rachlin, 1971) can be substituted for reinforcement rate in each equation. Hence
Crecimiento económico y brechas de desarrollo en Uruguay

Este documento discute las restricciones al crecimiento y brechas de desarrollo en Uruguay. Históricamente, la variabilidad de la productividad total de los factores y el bajo nivel de acumulación de capital físico han sido dos restricciones importantes al crecimiento de largo plazo del país. En cuanto al nivel de desarrollo respecto a países de ingreso per cápita similar, los principales déficits se encuentran en las áreas de desarrollo financiero, transporte y energía, y desarrollo comercial. Una comparación con países de la OCDE muestra rezagos en todos los sectores menos medio ambiente. Finalmente, a pesar de los importantes avances en materia de estabilidad macroeconómica, aun parece haber espacio para generar ganancias en el crecimiento de largo plazo, particularmente a través de disminuciones en el nivel de inflación.
Bayesian Eigenobjects: A Unified Framework for 3D Robot Perception

We introduce Bayesian Eigenobjects (BEOs), a novel object representation that is the first technique able to perform joint classification, pose estimation, and 3D geometric completion on previously unencountered and partially observed query objects. BEOs employ Variational Bayesian Principal Component Analysis (VBPCA) directly on 3D object representations to create generative and compact probabilistic models for classes of 3D objects. Using only depth information, we significantly outperform the current state-of-the-art method for joint classification and 3D completion in both accuracy and query time. Additionally, we show that BEOs are well suited for the extremely challenging task of joint classification, completion, and pose estimation on a large dataset of household objects.
D2 dopamine receptors recruit a GABA component for their attenuation of excitatory synaptic transmission in the adult rat prefrontal cortex

The dopamine modulation of neuronal excitability in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) changes during critical late periods of postnatal development. In particular, D2 receptors activate fast‐spiking interneurons after, and not before, adolescence. To test the functional impact of this change, we investigated the effects of dopamine agonists on PFC excitatory synaptic transmission with whole‐cell recordings from deep‐layer pyramidal neurons in brain slices obtained from prepubertal [postnatal day (PD) 28–35] and postpubertal (PD > 51) rats. Electrical stimulation of superficial layers elicited a fast AMPA/kainate excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP). In the adult PFC, the D2 agonist quinpirole decreased EPSP amplitude, an effect that lasted for at least 25 min after drug washout and was blocked by the D2 antagonist eticlopride. The late component of this effect was blocked by the GABA‐A antagonist picrotoxin without affecting the early inhibition. Quinpirole also decreased EPSP amplitude in deep‐layer pyramidal neurons from prepubertal rats, but this response was not affected by picrotoxin. A D1 agonist, on the other hand, did not affect the pyramidal neuron EPSP. These results indicate that D2, not D1, receptors attenuate local excitatory synaptic transmission in the adult PFC, and this effect of D2 involves a recruitment of local GABAergic activity. Synapse 61:843–850, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A small meandered loop antenna for T-DMB applications

A novel dual band antenna for DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld) and T-DMB (Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) services are presented. By adjusting the gap distance between the long and short bar-shape metal plates, wide and dual band properties are achieved. The proposed antenna shows good impedance and radiation characteristics for DVB-H band (470 MHz to 870 MHz) and T-DMB band (1.45 GHz to 1.48 GHz). The measured return losses over the frequency band of interest are better than -10 dB. In addition, good radiation patterns are also obtained. The measured results are compared with calculated results using Ansoft HFSS (High Frequency Structure Simulator).
Chromatographic separation of the polyoma virus proteins and renaturation of the isolated VP1 major capsid protein

Treatment of purified polyoma virions with 6 M guanidine-hydrochloride and 0.01 M beta-mercaptoethanol resulted in the immediate loss of both hemagglutinating and plaque-forming ability. Gel filtration through Sepharose CL-6B beads allowed separation of the dimer, VP1, VP2, VP3, and histone proteins VP4-7 in highly purified form. Renaturation of the purified VP1 protein resulted in the formation of subunits that were morphologically, biophysically, and immunologically similar to native virion capsomeres.
Malignant ventricular dysrhythmia in broiler chickens dying of sudden death syndrome

A flock of broiler chickens was monitored intensively for overt signs indicative of sudden death. Electrocardiographic tracing of terminal cardiac activity was obtained from six broilers succumbing to sudden death syndrome and from six control chickens which were killed by cervical dislocation. Normal sinus rhythm, heart rate and electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern with P, QRS, and T deflections were observed for two to three minutes in the control chickens. The ECG tracing from birds dying of sudden death syndrome showed no identifiable P, QRS, or T waveforms. Initial more regular oscillatory waves resembling ventricular flutter, changed to irregular, undulating waves characteristic of ventricular fibrillation. A straight line, indicating cessation of heart activity, appeared within four to six minutes of the onset of clinical signs. It was concluded that the sudden death syndrome is associated with an acute cardiovascular failure caused by a lethal cardiac dysrhythmia, ventricular fibrillation.
Rivastigmine Associated Hyponatremia in an Older Patient with Alzheimer's Disease

To the Editor: Electrolyte disturbances in subjects receiving rivastigmine are rare. We report a case of hyponatremia caused by rivastigmine in an older adults with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Ms. Z was an 86-year-old, frail woman treated with daily rivastigmine patch with a dosage titration regimen up to 10 cm/d for AD. Her serum sodium level was 144.8 mEq/L (reference range 135–145 mEq/L). She was taking no medications other than rivastigmine. Two months later, she was hospitalized for confusion and lethargy. Her sodium level was 117 mEq/L. After treatment for hyponatremia, her serum sodium level improved to 135 mEq/L, and her symptoms abated. Urinary tract infection and nausea were assumed as reasons for hyponatremia. Rivastigmine patch 10 cm daily was continued after she was discharged from the hospital. After 4 months, she again presented with complaints of a 5-day history of worsening confusion and lethargy and increasing fatigue and loss of appetite. Her serum sodium level had fallen to 121 mEq/L. Her other laboratory findings were as follows: serum glucose, 80 mg/dL; serum creatinine concentration, 0.88 mg/dL; blood urea nitrogen concentration, 10.5 mg/dL; serum potassium, 3.5 mEq/L; erythrocyte sedimentation rate, 10 mm/h; serum osmolality, 250.8 mOsm/kg; urine osmolality, 405.6 mOsm/kg; and urine sodium 27 mmol/d. Complete blood count, liver enzymes, and thyroid function tests were within reference range. Other laboratory data did not show abnormalities. Her relatives denied she took medications other than the rivastigmine patch. On examination, she was afebrile, with a temperature of 36.61C. Her body mass index was 18.4 kg/ m. Her blood pressure was 110/60 mmHg, and heart rate was 72 beats/min. She was disoriented and not alert. Her physical examination was unremarkable otherwise. A brain computed tomography scan did not show any pathological condition. After this extensive examination, hyponatremia was attributed to the rivastigmine patch, so it was stopped, and hypertonic saline (3%) was administered (1 mL/kg per hour) for 3 hours, followed by fluid restriction. Her sodium level improved to 136 mEq/L by the day of discharge, and her symptoms disappeared. Dementia was managed with donepezil 5 mg/d, later increased to 10 mg/d. One month after rivastigmine patch discontinuation, her serum sodium level was 142 mEq/L. No further episodes of hyponatremia occurred over 6 months of follow-up.
Women's decision making and experience of subsequent pregnancy following stillbirth.

INTRODUCTION This study sought to increase understanding of women's thoughts and feelings about decision making and the experience of subsequent pregnancy following stillbirth (intrauterine death after 24 weeks' gestation). METHODS Eleven women were interviewed, 8 of whom were pregnant at the time of the interview. Modified grounded theory was used to guide the research methodology and to analyze the data. RESULTS A model was developed to illustrate women's experiences of decision making in relation to subsequent pregnancy and of subsequent pregnancy itself. DISCUSSION The results of the current study have significant implications for women who have experienced stillbirth and the health professionals who work with them. Based on the model, women may find it helpful to discuss their beliefs in relation to healing and health professionals to provide support with this in mind. Women and their partners may also benefit from explanations and support about the potentially conflicting emotions they may experience during this time.
Muscular dystrophy in adult and aged anti‐NGF transgenic mice resembles an inclusion body myopathy

The role of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its receptors in the physiology of skeletal muscles has not been extensively studied in animal models. We describe the production of transgenic lines of mice expressing a neutralizing antibody against NGF (αD11) and the morphological and histochemical analysis of skeletal muscles from adult and aged anti‐NGF mice. This study reveals that the chronic deprivation of NGF results in a decreased size of myofibers of dorsal and hindlimb muscles in adult but not in postnatal day (P)2 mice. In myofibers from adult anti‐NGF mice, the presence of central nuclei, vacuolization of the cytoplasm, and inflammatory cell infiltration was observed. The immunohistochemical analysis of these muscular fibers revealed an upregulation of p75 expression, a decrease in adenosine triphosphatase (ATP)ase activity, and a subsarcolemmal Congo Red‐positive staining. Immunostaining with an antibody against amyloid precursor protein showed an increased labeling of the cytoplasm of myofibers from adult and aged anti‐NGF mice. These features are reminiscent of human myopathies, such as inclusion body myositis. We conclude that NGF deficits might be relevant for a class of human myopathies. J. Neurosci. Res. 59:553–560, 2000 © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neurohormonal functioning and sexual orientation: a theory of homosexuality-heterosexuality.

Following a historical sketch of attempts to explain homosexuality, we review evidence indicating that the process of determining human sexual orientation is fundamentally the same in all mammals. In this process, four phenotypic dimensions of sexuality develop from two more or less distinct sex genotypes. Studies are reviewed that indicate how phenotypic deviations from these two genotypes (called sexual inversions) can occur. The causes of sexual inversions are categorized as genetic-hormonal, pharmacological, maternal stress, immunological, and social experiential. From this evidence, we propose a theory of how the entire spectrum of human sexual orientation (vs. simply homosexuality) is determined. A consistent preference for sexual relations with one's own sex (homosexuality), the opposite sex (heterosexuality), or varying degrees of ambivalence about the partner's sex (bisexuality) may be called sexual orientation. Homosexuality should not be confused with occasional homosexual experiences. Homosexual experiences are fairly common, especially early in adolescence (Chilman, 1983, p. 18; Kinsey, 1941) or in the absence of alternative sexual outlets (Aldridge, 1983; Groth & Burgess, 1980) and are no more indicative of homosexuality than occasional heterosexual experiences are indicative of heterosexuality. An individual's sexual orientation refers to distinct preferences consistently made after puberty in the presence of clear alternatives, whereas isolated instances of sexual behavior may or may not reflect one's sexual orientation (Gadpaille, 1972, p. 193).