Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proof of Concept Study: Relating Infarct Location to Stroke Disability in the NINDS rt-PA Trial

Background: The summed Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) for noncontrast head CT scan represents the extent of early brain ischemia and has been shown to be useful for predicting stroke outcome. The ASPECTS template contains information on anatomical location which so far has not been used in analysis. This may not have been done because adjacent brain regions have related functions and share vascular territory. The task of relating neurological deficit to infarct localization requires brain imaging analysis tools which deal with this issue of relatedness or collinearity. We have previously used partial least squares with penalized logistic regression (PLR) to handle this problem of collinearity. A disadvantage of this method is that it cannot be performed at the bedside and requires processing and analysis in the imaging laboratory. PLR is a simpler analytic tool compared to partial least squares with PLR for dealing with this issue of relatedness (collinearity). It provides results in terms of β coefficients related to specific infarct locations in a manner that is intuitively understood by clinicians. In this exploratory analysis, we hypothesized that infarct location as represented by the individual ASPECTS region may be independently related to disability. Methods: ASPECTS from CT scans of patients in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) Study were obtained. Due to the collinearity between the ASPECTS regions, we used PLR to determine the independent associations of exposures (rt-PA), demographic variables (age and sex), and imaging (ASPECTS location) with poor outcome as defined by a modified Rankin Scale score of >2. Results: In 607/624 subjects with ASPECTS readings, variables significantly associated with poor outcome included: interactions between ASPECTS M6 region (primary motor cortex/parietal lobe) and age (p = 0.004), lentiform nucleus and age (p = 0.007), and blood sugar level and age (p = 0.01). The model suggested that older age or involvement of either M6 or lentiform nucleus slightly increased the odds of disability. However, the predominant effect was driven by rt-PA which reduced the odds of poor disability (OR 0.597, 95% CI 0.425-0.838, p = 0.003). This may potentially explain why certain patients have smaller gains from rt-PA treatments. Conclusion: At an older age, specific infarct locations may be associated with a poorer outcome in this exploratory re-analysis of the NINDS rt-PA Study.
A Role for the Human Amygdala in Higher Cognition

Considerable evidence suggests that the human amygdala plays an important role in higher cognitive functions in addition to its well-known role in emotional processing. In this article we review representative evidence showing the involvement of the human amygdala in long-term memory, working memory and attention. Results are discussed in terms of their relevance to current theories of amygdala function that can integrate its cognitive and emotional functions in a comprehensive framework.
Distribution of microRNA biomarker candidates in solid tissues and body fluids

ABSTRACT Small non-coding RNAs, especially microRNAs, are discussed as promising biomarkers for a substantial number of human pathologies. A broad understanding in which solid tissues, cell types or body fluids a microRNA is expressed helps also to understand and to improve the suitability of miRNAs as non- or minimally-invasive disease markers. We recently reported the Human miRNA Tissue Atlas (http://www.ccb.uni-saarland.de/tissueatlas) containing 105 miRNA profiles of 31 organs from 2 corpses. We subsequently added miRNA profiles measured by others and us using the same array technology as for the first version of the Human miRNA Tissue Atlas. The latter profiles stem from 163 solid organs including lung, prostate and gastric tissue, from 253 whole blood samples and 66 fractioned blood cell isolates, from body fluids including 72 serum samples, 278 plasma samples, 29 urine samples, and 16 saliva samples and from different collection and storage conditions. While most miRNAs are ubiquitous abundant in solid tissues and whole blood, we also identified miRNAs that are rather specific for tissues. Our web-based repository now hosting 982 full miRNomes all of which are measured by the same microarray technology. The knowledge of these variant abundances of miRNAs in solid tissues, in whole blood and in other body fluids is essential to judge the value of miRNAs as biomarker.
Gradual Pluggable Typing in Java

Gradual typing provides the ability to safely mix untyped or dynamically typed code with statically typed code while maintaining, within the statically typed portion, the guarantees claimed by the static typing. It is motivated by the idea that different amounts of typing are valuable at different times during a software projects development. Less typing is useful at the prototyping stage, where requirements change frequently, and rapid development is important. More typing is useful in more mature projects where maintenance, documentation, and correctness become critically important. Gradual aims to enable a project to gradually move from one side of this spectrum to the other. Pluggable typing and pluggable typing frameworks aim to allow a language to support many different type systems, that can be developed by type system designers and plugged into the existing compiler infrastructure. The Checker Framework is built on the OpenJDKTM Java compiler, and provides a framework to develop additional type systems that can be applied to Java code. It has been tested and proven using many other type systems. However, not all code will adopt all type systems, so a developer who wishes to check their project with a given type system may still link against other components that are not checked with that type system. Additionally, a developer may wish to adopt a new type system, but be unwilling to spend the effort necessary to annotate all the existing code for the new type system. The gradual extension to the Checker Framework aims to improve type safety of partially applied Checker Framework type systems, using gradual typing techniques. A prototype was built, and the gradual nullness type system was designed to demonstrate it. Defining the checked-unchecked boundary is crucial. Even though the use case is limited to individual files being either entirely annotated or entirely unannotated, because Java is an object-oriented language with inheritance, many different boundary conditions present themselves. This work analyses each boundary condition in detail, and presents options for runtime tests to ensure that values crossing the boundary meet the static type requirements on the other side. The nature of the tests, and the method of passing the static type to the runtime environment is discussed. This work presents the design of the prototype, implemented in the Checker Framework and OpenJDKTM. It discusses the design of the OpenJDKTM compiler, the Checker Framework, and how they work together. It demonstrates how the abstract syntax tree can be modified in order to effect insertion of the runtime tests. It discusses the specific implementation details needed to implement each boundary condition runtime test in Java.
Immunohistochemical Localization of Distinct Angiotensin II AT1 Receptor Isoforms in the Kidneys of the Sprague‐Dawley Rat and the Desert Rodent Meriones Crassus

Employing a purified lgG fraction of a polyclonal anti‐AT1 receptor anti‐body, raised against a synthetic octapeptide encompassing residues 14–21 of the first extracellular domain of the AT1 polypeptide, selective AT1 receptor expression was immunohistochemically demonstrable within renal structures in Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats and the desert rodent Meriones crassus. In both animal models, prominent AT1 receptor labelling was evident in renal vascular elements, particularly cortical inter‐lobular arteries (IA) as well as vasa recta bundles in the inner stripe of the outer medulla. Less intense labelling was observed among peritubular capillary endothelia within the deep cortex, and at both the outer stripe and the inter‐bundle regions of the inner stripe of the outer medulla. The binding of the anti‐peptide anti‐body was, however, lacking among glomeruli and, except for the intense labelling confined to basement membranes of Bowman's capsule of deep nephrons, was virtually absent in all renal tubular structures of both animal models. Structural assessment of the expressed AT1 receptors by two‐dimensional Western blotting revealed that a spectrum of structurally distinct AT1 receptor isoforms is expressed in the renal tissues of both animal models. This spectrum was constituted by isoforms of equal size (70 kDa) but distinct pls in SD rats, and of both different sizes (67–73 kDa) and isoelectric points in M. crassus. In either species, the charge and/or size heterogeneity of AT1 receptor isoforms may be attributed in part to differential post‐translational glycosylation mechanisms of the AT1 receptor polypeptide backbone. The potential for the differential glycosylation state of AT1 receptors to alter recognition properties may add another level of complexity to tissue‐specific and/or species‐specific mechanisms underlying angiotensin II interactions in the kidney.
Long-term predictors of cognitive outcome in a cohort of older people with hypertension.

BACKGROUND Deteriorating cognitive function in late life substantially increases the risk for dementia, for other non-cognitive morbidity, for dependency, and early death. AIMS To identify early predictors of late-life cognitive outcome. METHOD Cognitive function, premorbid IQ, and cardiovascular risk exposure were recorded on 1083 subjects on entry to a hypertension treatment trial in 1983-1984. We followed up this cohort 9-12 years later to assess cognitive function with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), to update exposure status, and to obtain genomic material. Multivariate analysis was used to identify independent baseline predictors of cognitive outcome 9-12 years later. RESULTS We followed up 387 subjects (58.6% of survivors). After adjusting for baseline cognition, poorer cognitive outcome was found to be independently associated with a family history of dementia, increasing age, less decline in systolic blood-pressure, lower premorbid IQ (rather than limited education), and abstinence from alcohol. CONCLUSIONS Reduction in systolic blood pressure (among hypertensives) and moderate alcohol intake could protect against cognitive deterioration in late life.
THz-driven electron streak camera based on a multilayer structure

With the development of modem THz technology [1], which can provide electric fields with GV/m gradients, THz-based control and manipulation of the electron bunches has become possible. THz-driven electron acceleration, compression and streaking have attracted much attention recently [2, 3]. Here, we present a novel THz driven electron streak camera that provides sub-fs temporal resolution using a multilayer structure.
Cdc42 and sec10 Are Required for Normal Retinal Development in Zebrafish.

PURPOSE To characterize the function and mechanisms of cdc42 and sec10 in eye development in zebrafish. METHODS Knockdown of zebrafish cdc42 and sec10 was carried out using antisense morpholino injection. The phenotype of morphants was characterized by histology, immunohistology, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). To investigate a synergistic genetic interaction between cdc42 and sec10, we titrated suboptimal doses of cdc42 and sec10 morpholinos, and coinjected both morpholinos. To study trafficking, a melanosome transport assay was performed using epinephrine. RESULTS Cdc42 and sec10 knockdown in zebrafish resulted in both abnormal eye development and increased retinal cell death. Cdc42 morphants had a relatively normal retinal structure, aside from the absence of most connecting cilia and outer segments, whereas in sec10 morphants, much of the outer nuclear layer, which is composed of the photoreceptor nuclei, was missing and RPE cell thickness was markedly irregular. Knockdown of cdc42 and sec10 also resulted in an intracellular transport defect affecting retrograde melanosome transport. Furthermore, there was a synergistic genetic interaction between zebrafish cdc42 and sec10, suggesting that cdc42 and sec10 act in the same pathway in retinal development. CONCLUSIONS We propose a model whereby sec10 and cdc42 play a central role in development of the outer segment of the retinal photoreceptor cell by trafficking proteins necessary for ciliogenesis.
The role of multiple internal timekeepers and sources of feedback on interval timing

The aim of this experiment was to document the role of multiple internal clock mechanisms and external sources of temporal feedback on reducing timing variability when two fingers tap instead of one (a phenomenon known as the bimanual advantage). Previous research documents a reduction in timed interval variability when two effectors time instead of one. In addition, interval variability decreases with multiple sources of feedback. To date, however, no research has explored the separate roles of feedback and internal timing on the bimanual advantage. We evaluated the bimanual advantage in a task that does not utilise an internal clock (circle drawing). Participants performed both unimanual and bimanual timing while tapping or drawing circles. Both tasks were performed with and without tactile feedback at the timing goal. We document reduced bimanual timing variability only for tasks that utilise internal clock-like timing (tapping). We also document reduced timing variability for timing with greater sensory feedback (tactile vs no-tactile feedback tapping). We conclude that internal clock mechanisms are necessary for bimanual advantage to occur, but that multiple sources of feedback can also serve to improve internal timing, which ties together current theories of bimanual advantage.
Are phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors effective for the management of lower urinary symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia?

AIM To review the efficacy of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is) in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostate hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH). METHODS A comprehensive research was conducted to identify all publications relating to benign prostate hyperplasia and treatment with sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil. To assess the efficacy, the changes in total international prostate symptom score (IPSS), IPSS subscore including voiding, storage and quality of life (QoL), Benign prostatic hyperplasia Impact Index (BII), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) were extracted. A meta-analytical technique was used for the analysis of integrated data from the included studies to evaluate the mean difference in the results. RESULTS Total IPSS score, IIEF and BII showed a significant improvement in trials in which LUTS/BPH with or without erectile dysfunction (ED) were compared with the placebo. For LUTS/BPH, the mean differences of total IPSS score, IIEF and BII are -2.17, 4.88 and -0.43, P < 0.00001, respectively. For LUTS/BPH with comorbid ED, the mean difference are -1.97, 4.54 and -0.52, P < 0.00001, respectively. PDE5-Is appear to improve IPSS storage, voiding and QoL subscore (mean difference = -0.71, -1.23 and -0.33, P < 0.00001, respectively). Although four doses of tadalafil (2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg) failed to reach significance in Qmax (mean difference = 0.22, P = 0.10), the 5 mg dose of tadalafil significantly improved the Qmax (mean difference = 0.33, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION PED5-Is demonstrated efficacy for improving LUTS in BPH patients with or without ED and could be considered to be the first line treatment for LUTS/BPH.
Fear of Progression in Outpatients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia on Oral Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To assess fear of progression (FoP) in outpatients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) on oral tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). DESIGN Prospective and descriptive. SETTING A university-based outpatient cancer clinic in Wuerzburg, Germany. SAMPLE 37 outpatients with CML on oral TKIs. METHODS FoP was assessed with a questionnaire. Clinical data were extracted from the medical charts. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Frequency and contents of FoP. FINDINGS Sum scores and levels of FoP in the sample population (N = 37) were as high as in cancer populations with more unfavorable life expectancies. Regarding single items, fear that medication may harm the body was most prevalent, regardless of group affiliation. The actual fear of disease progression was only ranked sixth out of 12 items for the total sample and was ranked second by the second-generation TKI group. CONCLUSIONS In a sample of outpatients with CML, FoP was frequent and most often generated by fears of treatment side effects. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Nurses should be vigilant about FoP in this population. Established questionnaires may help to identify and evaluate this frequent source of distress. Specific communication could reveal unmet informational needs and may help to initiate interventions. Additional studies are needed to confirm the numbers in a larger cohort of patients, to examine the prevalence during the course of disease, to search for potential influences on the outcome (i.e., via adherence), and to extract the best interventions.
Synaptosomal dopamine uptake in rat striatum following controlled cortical impact

Functional deficits following traumatic brain injury (TBI) are associated with alterations in markers of dopaminergic neurotransmission. To assess the effects of TBI on the expression and functional integrity of dopamine transporters, we measured transporter protein levels and investigated synaptosomal dopamine uptake in the rat striatum. Two or four weeks after lateral controlled cortical impact or sham injury, Western blotting revealed a decrease in transporter protein in the ipsilateral striatum of injured rats relative to shams (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference in synaptosomal uptake (Km, Vmax) was found between injured and sham‐injured animals. Our data suggest that striatal dopamine transporters are capable of normal function at 2 weeks and 4 weeks after injury. However, it is unclear whether neurons in the injured striatum can properly regulate the activity of dopamine transporters in vivo. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lack of association of schizophrenia with the neurotrophin‐3 gene locus

A case‐control association study was conducted among patients with schizophrenia (DSM‐III‐R, n= 141) and unaffected controls (n= 177) of Caucasain and African‐American ethnicity. No significant differences in the distribution of a dinucleotide repeat polymorphism in the neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) gene were noted between the two groups. This study does not support an association between schizophrenia and the NT‐3 gene locus in a United States cohort.
Efficient Inclusion of Total Variation Type Priors in Quantitative Photoacoustic Tomography

Quantitative photoacoustic tomography is an emerging imaging technique aimed at estimating the distribution of optical parameters inside tissues from photoacoustic images, which are formed by combining optical information and ultrasonic propagation. This optical parameter estimation problem is ill-posed and needs to be approached within the framework of inverse problems. Photoacoustic images are three-dimensional and high-resolution. Furthermore, high-resolution reconstructions of the optical parameters are targeted. Therefore, in order to provide a practical method for quantitative photoacoustic tomography, the inversion algorithm needs to be able to perform successfully with problems of prominent size. In this work, an efficient approach for the inverse problem of quantitative photoacoustic tomography is proposed, assuming an edge-preferring prior for the optical parameters. The method is based on iteratively combining priorconditioned LSQR with a lagged diffusivity step and a linearization of the measu.
Factors Associated With Self-Efficacy for Condom Use and Sexual Negotiation Among South African Youth

Objectives:To use logistic regression modeling to identify factors associated with high self-efficacy for sexual negotiation and condom use in a sample of South African youth. Methods:The Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit (RHRU) National Youth Survey examined a nationally representative sample of 7409 sexually active South African youth aged 15 to 24 years. We used logistic regression modeling in this sample to identify factors associated with the main outcome of high self-efficacy. Results:Among female respondents (n = 3890), factors associated with high self-efficacy in the adjusted model were knowing how to avoid HIV (odds ratio [OR] = 2.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.05 to 5.00), having spoken with someone other than a parent or guardian about HIV/AIDS (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.01 to 2.10), and having life goals (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.48). Not using condoms during their first sexual encounter (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.50 to 0.76), a history of unwanted sex (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.51 to 0.86), and believing that condom use implies distrust in one's partner (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.51 to 0.86) were factors associated with low self-efficacy among female respondents. Male respondents (n = 3519) with high self-efficacy were more likely to take HIV seriously (OR = 4.03, 95% CI: 1.55 to 10.52), to believe they are not at risk for HIV (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.70), to report that getting condoms is easy (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.23 to 2.77), and to have life goals (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.54). Not using condoms during their first sexual experience (OR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.39 to 0.67), a history of having unwanted sex (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.34 to 0.64), believing condom use is a sign of not trusting one's partner (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.46 to 0.87), and refusing to be friends with HIV-infected persons (OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.32 to 0.85) were factors associated with low self-efficacy among male respondents in the fully adjusted model. Conclusions:We used the social cognitive model (SCM) to identify factors associated with self-efficacy for condom use and sexual negotiation. Many of these factors are modifiable and suggest potential ways to improve self-efficacy and reduce HIV sexual risk behavior in South African youth.