Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy versus fluoroscopic gastrostomy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) sufferers with nutritional impairment: A meta-analysis of current studies

Gastrostomy is recommended for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients with malnutrition. There are two main methods of gastrostomy insertion: Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) and Fluoroscopic Gastrostomy (FG). The latter included Radiologically Inserted Gastrostomy (RIG) and Per-oral Image-Guided Gastrostomy (PRG). A meta-analysis was conducted to compare these approaches in terms of survival outcomes, pain occurrence and success rate, through the literature search in PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. A total of 7 studies with 701 cases (322 in PEG, 264 in RIG and 115 in PRG) were enrolled in the final analysis. The lack of differences between the comparisons (PEG vs. PRG, PEG vs. RIG and PEG vs. PRG+RIG) on 30-day mortality and survival length was confirmed. For the pooling analysis of peri- and post-procedural complications, patients with PEG had a lower incidence of pain than cases with PRG and RIG together (P < 0.001). The same trends could be found when compared with PRG and RIG, separately (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). And PEG showed a lower rate of successful attempts than PEG and RIG (P < 0.05). For other complications, we didn't find any differences. This meta-analysis demonstrates that PEG, PRG and RIG had their intrinsic advantages. The current evidences could not determine the preference of them. Further investigations should be done to reveal the most appropriate method for ALS patients.
Polarization-Independent Integrated Demultiplexer for DWDM 60-GHz Millimeter-Wave-Band Radio-Over-Fiber Systems

We investigate the polarization dependence of an integrated demultiplexer for a dense wavelength-division-multiplexed system that uses an optical-frequency-interleaving technique. In the integrated demultiplexer, a suppression ratio of more than 22 dB against adjacent channels is measured. The integrated demultiplexer presents a polarization dependence of less than 0.1 dB, enabling access points for radio-over-fiber networks truly polarization-independent.
DNA barcodes show cryptic diversity and a potential physiological basis for host specificity among Diplostomoidea (Platyhelminthes: Digenea) parasitizing freshwater fishes in the St. Lawrence River, Canada

Diplostomoid metacercariae parasitize freshwater fishes worldwide and cannot be identified to species based on morphology. In this study, sequences of the barcode region of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) were used to discriminate species in 1088 diplostomoids, most of which were metacercariae from fish collected in the St. Lawrence River, Canada. Forty‐seven diplostomoid species were detected, representing a large increase in known diversity. Most species suggested by CO1 sequences were supported by sequences of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of rDNA and host and tissue specificity. Three lines of evidence indicate that physiological incompatibility between host and parasite is a more important determinant of host specificity than ecological separation of hosts and parasites in this important group of freshwater fish pathogens. First, nearly all diplostomoid species residing outside the lens of the eyes of fish are highly host specific, while all species that occur inside the lens are generalists. This can be plausibly explained by a physiological mechanism, namely the lack of an effective immune response in the lens. Second, the distribution of diplostomoid species among fish taxa reflected the phylogenetic relationships of host species rather than their ecological similarities. Third, the same patterns of host specificity were observed in separate, ecologically distinctive fish communities.
Weak subtyping and genericity

In the past, object-oriented design focused on encapsulation and inheritance as primary concepts. As a consequence, there has been a lot of work in the domain of inheritance and the associated problems, i.e. covariant type systems. Recently, parameterized (generic) classes have become more popular in object-oriented design. While the use of genericity in functional languages is well known and delivers no major problems, the situation in object-oriented languages differs: the combination of inheritance with genericity raises problems. This paper describes the theoretical foundations of designing and using generic classes in object-oriented systems. It discusses the possible relationships between generic subclasses as well as those between specialized instances of one generic class. The ideas presented use the concept of context dependent subtypes, so-called weak subtypes, to define criteria for correctness, well-formedness and substitutability.
Oncogenic inhibition by a deleted in liver cancer gene requires cooperation between tensin binding and Rho-specific GTPase-activating protein activities

The three deleted in liver cancer genes (DLC1–3) encode Rho-GTPase-activating proteins (RhoGAPs) whose expression is frequently down-regulated or silenced in a variety of human malignancies. The RhoGAP activity is required for full DLC-dependent tumor suppressor activity. Here we report that DLC1 and DLC3 bind to human tensin1 and its chicken homolog. The binding has been mapped to the tensin Src homology 2 (SH2) and phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domains at the C terminus of tensin proteins. Distinct DLC1 sequences are required for SH2 and PTB binding. DCL binding to both domains is constitutive under basal conditions. The SH2 binding depends on a tyrosine in DCL1 (Y442) but is phosphotyrosine-independent, a highly unusual feature for SH2 binding. DLC1 competed with the binding of other proteins to the tensin C terminus, including β3-integrin binding to the PTB domain. Point mutation of a critical tyrosine residue (Y442F) in DLC1 rendered the protein deficient for binding the tensin SH2 domain and binding full-length tensin. The Y442F protein was diffusely cytoplasmic, in contrast to the localization of wild-type DLC1 to focal adhesions, but it retained the ability to reduce the intracellular levels of Rho-GTP. The Y442F mutant displayed markedly reduced biological activity, as did a mutant that was RhoGAP-deficient. The results suggest that DLC1 is a multifunctional protein whose biological activity depends on cooperation between its tensin binding and RhoGAP activities, although neither activity depends on the other.
High-efficiency rectifier circuit at 2.45 GHz for low-input-power RF energy harvesting

This paper presents a new approach for a high-efficiency rectifier circuit design at 2.45 GHz. Due to nonlinear behavior it is not trivial to predict a correct model of a Schottky diode. When modeling, one should take into account the presence of the harmonics. To increase the conversion efficiency an electromagnetic resonant phenomenon is necessary. To validate this method, we developed a rectifier circuit capable of recovering signals at 2.45 GHz with a high RF-DC efficiency conversion. The prototype shows a maximum conversion efficiency of 70.4% for a RF input power of 0 dBm at 2.45 GHz.
Multi-vehicle cooperative localization using indirect vehicle-to-vehicle relative pose estimation

Vehicle localization (ground vehicles) is a fundamental task for intelligent vehicle systems; this paper deals with the issue of multi-vehicle cooperative localization which can bring performance improvement over traditional single vehicle localization. To tackle the problem of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) relative pose estimation that is essential for realizing cooperative localization, an indirect V2V relative pose estimation (InDV2VRPE) method is proposed, which overcomes the disadvantages of direct V2V relative pose estimation methods. As part of this InDV2VRPE method, a new map merging method is described. Cooperative localization is realized using this InDV2VRPE method. Real-data experiments demonstrate that the proposed cooperative localization method can work effectively and improve localization accuracy, especially for heterogeneous vehicle systems.
Glucocorticoid modulation of mitochondrial function in hepatoma cells requires the mitochondrial fission protein Drp1.

AIMS Glucocorticoids, such as dexamethasone, enhance hepatic energy metabolism and gluconeogenesis partly through changes in mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial function is influenced by the balance between mitochondrial fusion and fission events. However, whether glucocorticoids modulate mitochondrial function through the regulation of mitochondrial dynamics is currently unknown. RESULTS Here, we report that the effects of dexamethasone on mitochondrial function and gluconeogenesis in hepatoma cells are dependent on the mitochondrial fission protein dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1). Dexamethasone increased routine oxygen consumption, maximal respiratory capacity, superoxide anion, proton leak, and gluconeogenesis in hepatoma cells. Under these conditions, dexamethasone altered mitochondrial morphology, which was paralleled by a large increase in Drp1 expression, and reduced mitofusin 1 (Mfn1) and Mfn2. In vivo dexamethasone treatment also enhanced Drp1 expression in mouse liver. On the basis of these observations, we analyzed the dependence on the Drp1 function of dexamethasone effects on mitochondrial respiration and gluconeogenesis. We show that the increase in mitochondrial respiration and gluconeogenesis induced by dexamethasone are hampered by the inhibition of Drp1 function. INNOVATION Our findings provide the first evidence that the effects of glucocorticoids on hepatic metabolism require the mitochondrial fission protein Drp1. CONCLUSION In summary, we demonstrate that the mitochondrial effects of dexamethasone both on mitochondrial respiration and on the gluconeogenic pathway depend on Drp1.
EEG oscillations at 600 Hz are macroscopic markers for cortical spike bursts

The human electroencephalogram (EEG) is generated predominantly by synchronised cortical excitatory postsynaptic potentials oscillating at frequencies <100 Hz. Unusually, EEG responses to electrical nerve stimulation contain brief bursts of high‐frequency (600 Hz) wavelets. Here we show, in awake monkeys, that a subset of primary somatosensory cortex single units consistently fires both bursts and single spikes phase‐locked to EEG wavelets. Spike bursts were also evoked by tactile stimuli, proving that this is a natural response mode. EEG wavelets at 600 Hz may therefore permit non‐invasive assessment of population spike timing in human cortex.
Activation of Single Lateral eniculate Cells by Stimulation of Either Optic Nerve

The lateral geniculate nucleus is organized in such a way that, initially at least, information from the one eye is almost exclusively segregated from that from the other eye. Single-unit recording, however, confirms the histological evidence that bilateral integration does take place. A small number of cells (< 8.5 percent) receive afferents directly from both optic nerves and are discharged by stimulating either nerve (direct interaction). More common is delayed interaction, where the cells are discharged independently by either optic nerve but only after a relatively long latency. Indirect interaction effects also occur.
Mechanisms of GABA and glycine depolarization‐induced calcium transients in rat dorsal horn neurons.

1. The mechanisms and effects of GABA‐ and glycine‐evoked depolarization were studied in cultured rat dorsal horn neurons using indo‐1 recordings of [Ca2+]i and patch clamp recordings in conventional whole‐cell or perforated‐patch mode. 2. Application of GABA to unclamped neurons caused [Ca2+]i increases that were dose dependent and exhibited GABAA receptor pharmacology. Calcium entered the neurons via high‐threshold voltage‐gated calcium channels (conotoxin and nimodipine sensitive). 3. In perforated‐patch recordings employing cation‐selective ionophores, GABAA receptor activation depolarized 123 of 132 cells to membrane potentials as depolarized as ‐33 mV (mean ‐50 mV in all 132 cells, +12 mV above resting potential). The ionic basis of the depolarization was determined by extracellular ion substitution; increased anionic conductance could account fully for the results. 4. Glycine, acting at a strychnine‐sensitive receptor, also caused Ca2+ entry into these neurons through voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels. Glycine and GABA both evoked [Ca2+]i responses in the same cells and the responses were highly correlated in amplitude. Glycine also depolarized all five cells tested with perforated recording. Each of the five cells was also depolarized by muscimol to a value similar to that obtained for glycine. 5. Both the depolarization and the increases in [Ca2+]i caused by GABA and glycine could potentially play a role in processes of development and differentiation and sensory transmission in the spinal cord dorsal horn.
Relationship between disk position and degenerative bone changes in temporomandibular joints of young subjects with TMD. An MRI study.

UNLABELLED This study determines the frequency and relationship between disk position and degenerative bone changes in temporomandibular joints in children and adolescent patients with internal derangement. Study design: TMJ, MRI of 88 patients were analyzed (average age: 14.7 years-old, range age: 10-18 years-old), female n = 65 (73.9%) and male n = 23 (26.1%). Images obtained were used to determine the frequency of disk position, joint effusion (JE) and degenerative bone changes (OA). Images were assessed by a calibrated radiologist (Kappa = 0.82). RESULTS No significant association was found between disk displacement with reduction and degenerative bone changes (Chi2 = 9.894; OR = 0.375; p = 0.0017), nor disk without displacement (Chi2 = 9.448; OR = 0.223; p = 0.0021). A significant association was found between disk displacement without reduction and degenerative bone changes (Chi2 = 30.951; OR = 6.304; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS There is a significant association between disk displacement without reduction and degenerative bone changes (p = 0.0001) in children and adolescent patients with TMD.
Oral controlled release formulation of diclofenac sodium by microencapsulation with ethyl cellulose

The aim of this study was to formulate and evaluate microencapsulated controlled release preparations of diclofenac sodium (DFS) using different proportions of ethyl cellulose (EC) as the retardant material to extend the release. The formulated microcapsules were then compressed into tablets to obtain controlled release oral formulations. Phase separation-coacervation technique was employed to prepare microcapsules of DFS using different proportions of EC in cyclohexane. Physical characteristics of microcapsules and their tablets, in vitro release pattern of the designed microcapsules and their tablets prepared from them were studied using USP dissolution apparatus (USP 2000) type 2 (paddle method) in triple distilled water. The prepared microcapsules were white, free flowing and spherical in shape, with the particle size varying from 49.94-52.72 #119 m. The duration of DFS release from microcapsules was found to be directly proportional to the proportion of EC and, thus, coat thickness. All tablets were of good quality with respect to appearance, drug content uniformity, hardness, weight variation, friability and thickness uniformity. In vitro release study of the tabletted microcapsules in triple distilled water showed a zero order release kinetics and extended release beyond 24 h. A good correlation was obtained between drug release (t 60) and proportion of EC in the microcapsules. In the case of tabletted microcapsules, very good correlation could be established between t 60, proportion of EC, weight of the tablets and between release rate constant (K) and proportion of EC. All the formulations were highly stable and possessed reproducible release kinetics across the batches.
Génération d'exemples pour l'évaluation de l'apprenant en électronique numérique à l'aide d'un algorithme de classification

L'utilisation d'algorithmes de classification par apprentissage supervise a ete proposee pour evaluer le « savoir » des apprenants. Notre hypothese est que ces memes algorithmes vont aussi nous permettre d'evaluer leur « savoir-faire ». Notre domaine d'application etant l'electronique numerique, nous proposons une mesure de similarite entre schemas electroniques et une base d'apprentissage generee automatiquement. Cette base d'apprentissage est composee de schemas electroniques pedagogiquement etiquetes (« bons » ou « mauvais » avec des informations concernant le degres de simplification). Finalement, l'utilisation d'un algorithme de classification simple (le k-ppv) nous permet de faire une evaluation formative dans la majorite des cas.
Prevalence of intestinal nematodes in a civilian, adult, South Vietnamese population.

Summary In this study, over one-half of the specimens of stool submitted by South Vietnamese labor applicants were positive for intestinal nematodes. Nearly all positive specimens contained eggs of either Ascaris lumbricoides or hookworm. The comparatively low prevalence of Trichuris may be due to the relatively low numbers and resistance of its eggs or to the little moisture in the soil during part of the study. Multiple infections with nematodes were not rare. It is suggested that a significant portion of the adult South Vietnamese population harbors, in a relatively asymptomatic manner, enteric nematodes in a balanced hostparasite relation.
In vitro antibacterial activity of roselle calyx and protocatechuic acid

The in vitro inhibitory effect of roselle calyx and protocatechuic acid, a compound derived from roselle calyx, on the growth of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii was studied. The data from inhibition zone and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values showed that both roselle calyx extract and protocatechuic acid inhibited effectively the growth of all test bacterial pathogens, the antibacterial activity of protocatechuic acid being significantly greater than roselle calyx (p < 0.05). Furthermore, heat treatment did not affect the antibacterial activity of roselle calyx and protocatechuic acid against all test pathogens. The time‐kill data from protocatechuic acid showed this agent provided concentration dependent antibacterial activities in broth and human plasma (p < 0.05); however, protocatechuic acid showed less inhibitory activity in human plasma than in broth (p < 0.05). These agents based on their lower MIC values, heat tolerance and concentration dependent antibacterial activity may be useful in clinical infection prevention or therapy. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Problem Prioritization in Usability Evaluation: From Severity Assessments Toward Impact on Design

Severity assessments enable prioritization of problems encountered during usability evaluations, and thereby provide a device for guiding the utilization of design resources. However, designers' response to usability evaluations is also influenced by other factors, which may overshadow severity. With the purpose of enhancing the impact of severity assessments, this study combines a field study of factors that influence the impact of evaluations with an experimental study of severity assessments made during usability inspections. The results show that even in a project receptive to input from evaluations, their impact was highly dependent on conducting evaluations early. This accorded with an informal method that blended elements of usability evaluation and participatory design and could be extended with user-made severity assessments. The major cost associated with the evaluations was not finding but fixing problems, emphasizing that, to be effective, severity assessments must be reliable, valid, and sufficiently persuasive to justify the cost of fixing problems. For the usability inspections, evaluators' ratings of problem impact and persistence were weakly correlated with the number of evaluators reporting a problem, indicating that different evaluators represent different subgroups of users or alternatively that evaluator-made severity assessments are of questionable reliability. To call designers' attention to the severe problems, the halving of the severity sum is proposed as a means of visualizing the large payoff of fixing a high-severity problem and, conversely, the modest potential of spending resources on low-severity problems.
The importance of the smooth muscle cytoskeleton to preterm labour

What is the topic of this review? This report discusses current work on the cytoskeletal dynamics in myometrial smooth muscle and its possible connection to the function of the myometrium in the setting of normal and preterm labour. What advances does it highlight? The report highlights findings from my research group on changes in focal adhesion dynamics and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase signalling in both rodent and human pregnancy that appear to be a contributing cause of the onset of labour.
Effects of Parkour Training on Health-Related Physical Fitness in Male Adolescents

Background : Many children become less active as they age which increases their risk of developing of chronic conditions. Traditional forms of physical activity may not be optimal for them. There is a need for more attractive form of training to try and increase physical activity levels and improve the fitness of children. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of performing parkour training on measures of cardiorespiratory fitness, strength and body composition in adolescents. Methods : Using a single-group design, 12 males (age 16 ± 2 yr, weight = 69 ± 12 kg, height = 177 ± 7 cm) took part in a controlled indoor parkour intervention 2 days/week for 10 weeks. Participants underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), strength testing and body composition assessment before and after the exercise intervention. Results : Peak oxygen uptake (O2 peak) significantly increased from 50.0 ± 4.9 ml·min-1·kg-1 to 52.5 ± 4.3 ml·min-1·kg-1. Oxygen uptake at a standardized submaximal (10 km·h-1) running speed (O210km/h ) significantly decreased from 37.7 ± 1.6 ml·min-1·kg-1 to 36.7 ± 1.9 ml·min-1·kg-1. Oxygen uptake at anaerobic treshold (O2@AT) significantly increased from 38.4 ± 4.3 ml·min-1·kg-1 to 40.5 ± 3.9 ml·min-1·kg-1, heart rate at anaerobic treshold (HR@AT) and running speed at anaerobic threshold. We also found a significant increase in standing broad jump from 234 ± 29 cm to 251 ± 23 cm and bent arm hang from 34 ± 24 s to 37 ± 24 s. Conclusion : Parkour training is an effective intervention to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and strength in adolescent males. Parkour is a viable form of physical activity to improve the health and fitness of children and adolescents.