Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Transfection Time on the Survival of Epigastric Skin Flaps Pretreated With Adenovirus Encoding the VEGF Gene

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of time of adenovirus-mediated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene therapy on the viability of epigastric skin flaps. Eighty-four male Sprague–Dawley rats were used. Skin flaps measuring 8 × 8 cm were marked on the ventral abdominal wall. The upper border of the flap was 1 cm above the costal margin, and the lower border was at the pubis and the inguinal fold. The lateral borders of the flap corresponded to the location of the distinct conversion of the thin ventral skin to the thick dorsal skin. Seven sites in the predicted area of necrosis on the outlined skin flaps were chosen for subdermal injections. All injections were administered by an individual who was blinded to the different treatment groups. The rats received either saline (control group I, N = 28) or adenovirus encoding green fluorescent protein (Ad-GFP; group II, N = 28) or Ad-VEGF (group III, N = 28). The epigastric island skin flaps based solely on the right inferior epigastric vessels were elevated either on the same day of injection (day 0 = 12 hours after transfection, N = 7) or on day 3 (N = 7), day 7 (N = 7), or day 14 (N = 7) after subdermal gene therapy. Flaps were sutured back to their native configuration. Flap viability was evaluated on day 7 after surgery. Sections of the flaps were examined histologically after undergoing hematoxylin–eosin staining. There was a significant reduction in mean percentage of necrotic flap area by 56%, 67%, 70%, and 54% in flaps transfected with Ad-VEGF, 12 hours, 3 days, 7 days, and 14 days before flap elevation, respectively (p < 0.05). There was no evidence that the mean percentage of skin necrosis in the Ad-GFP group was different than in the control group (p = 0.26). There was evidence of mild inflammation in flaps pretreated with Ad-GFP and Ad-VEGF compared with the control group. The authors demonstrated that adenovirus-mediated gene therapy of the abdominal skin after subdermal injections was technically feasible. This was demonstrated by the visualization of GFP expression in control experiments using a fluorescence microscope. In this study, adenovirus-mediated VEGF gene therapy promoted epigastric flap survival, which was not related to the time of transfection. These findings raise the possibility that pretreatment with VEGF gene therapy using an adenovirus vector may be applicable in patients at risk for plastic surgery.
A Simple and Effective Technique for Face Clustering in TV Series

In this paper, we present a simple aggregation of frame-level CNN features in a face track to produce a track-level feature representation for face clustering in movies or videos. The approach is invariant of the image sequence and the number of frames the track has. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this strategy on three challenging benchmark video face clustering datasets: Big Bang Theory, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Notting Hill. Experiments using our straightforward strategy shows promising results on all the datasets. In addition, our strategy is useful in improving the baseline performance of generic face clustering methods without using any additional external constraints
A continuous intraday trading model in a CACM FG compliant world

The paper looks upon a possible way of designing a continuous trade intraday market in Europe, in accordance with the Capacity Allocation and Congestion Management (CACM) Framework Guideline (FG). The sequential approach of a purely continuous trading is shown to limit optimal trading in the intraday market. Automatic Matching (AM) of trades is proposed to solve this problem and to allow pricing of (cross-zonal) transmission capacity. The model presented in this paper proposes a combination of continuous trading and auctions: in case of congestions auctions are applied. The automatic matching process can be used to match multiple bids/asks located in different bidding zones, applying flow-based constraints as well as to match hourly products with several types of sophisticated products.
Porcine myocardial ischemia-reperfusion studies on cardioprotection, ventricular arrhythmia and electrophysiology

Background: Coronary artery disease is the primary cause of death in adults in the industrialised world and ventricular fibrillation associated with myocardial ischemia is the main cause of sudden cardiac death. Restoration of blood flow and preservation of myocardial integrity throughout ischemia and reperfusion is essential to improve clinical outcome. Alteration in calcium handling and its consequences are central features of these events. Sympathico-vagal imbalance and electrophysiological alterations are important predisposing factors for malign ventricular arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death. Aims: To investigate whether ultra-short acting calcium antagonism or spinal cord stimulation (SCS) could reduce myocardial ischemia and infarct size in a porcine closed-chest model. Furthermore, the feasibility of endocardial electromechanical mapping for defining myocardial viability during acute infarction was evaluated. Finally, non-invasive electrophysiological characteristics of ischemia-reperfusion and the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias were investigated as well as the effects of SCS on these measures and events. Methods: Myocardial infarction was induced by 45 minute coronary occlusion in closed-chest landrace pigs. An ultra-short acting calcium antagonist, clevidipine, was administered into the myocardium at risk. Myocardial viability was assessed by Evans Blue, tetrazolium and endocardial electromechanical mapping and the correlation between these methods was investigated. Three-dimensional vectorcardiography was continuously recorded, analysed offline with regard to depolarisation and repolarisation parameters, and later correlated to myocardial ischemia and ventricular arrhythmia. In a second series of experiments, the effects of SCS were investigated with regards to haemodynamics, infarct size, ventricular arrhythmia and electrophysiology. Results: Clevidipine did not reduce infarct size. Electrical and mechanical activities were both impaired within the infarct zone, but the precision of electromechanical mapping to identify an infarct was poor, and due to intersegmental variability and arrhythmia. All T vector loop parameters changed in response to ischemia. Ventricular arrhythmia was more prevalent during proximal left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion, which was associated with more pronounced electrophysiological alterations. In the SCS group, ventricular arrhythmia occurred less frequently in association with signs of less ischemia and electrical alterations. SCS did not reduce infarct size. Conclusions: Infarct size was neither reduced by ultra-short acting calcium antagonism nor by SCS, but the latter seemed to have cardioprotective properties as it reduced the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmia. Endocardial electromechanical mapping was not feasible for acute myocardial viability assessment.
Six1 promotes a placodal fate within the lateral neurogenic ectoderm by functioning as both a transcriptional activator and repressor

Cranial placodes, which give rise to sensory organs in the vertebrate head, are important embryonic structures whose development has not been well studied because of their transient nature and paucity of molecular markers. We have used markers of pre-placodal ectoderm (PPE) (six1, eya1) to determine that gradients of both neural inducers and anteroposterior signals are necessary to induce and appropriately position the PPE. Overexpression of six1 expands the PPE at the expense of neural crest and epidermis, whereas knock-down of Six1 results in reduction of the PPE domain and expansion of the neural plate, neural crest and epidermis. Using expression of activator and repressor constructs of six1 or co-expression of wild-type six1 with activating or repressing co-factors (eya1 and groucho, respectively), we demonstrate that Six1 inhibits neural crest and epidermal genes via transcriptional repression and enhances PPE genes via transcriptional activation. Ectopic expression of neural plate, neural crest and epidermal genes in the PPE demonstrates that these factors mutually influence each other to establish the appropriate boundaries between these ectodermal domains.
Phenomenology of two Higgs doublet models with flavor changing neutral currents

A comprehensive phenomenological analysis of a two Higgs doublet model, with flavor changing scalar currents at the tree level, called model III, is presented. Constraints from existing experimental information especially on {Delta}F=2 processes are systematically incorporated. Constraints emerging from rare B-decays, Z {r_arrow} b{anti b}, and the {rho}-parameter are also examined. Experimental implications for e{sup +}e ({mu}{sup +}{mu}) {r_arrow} t{anti c} + {anti t}c, t {r_arrow} c{gamma}(Z,g), D{sup 0}-{anti D}{sup 0}, and B{sub s}{sup 0}-{anti B}{sub s}{sup 0} oscillations, and for e{sup +}e (Z) {r_arrow} b{anti s} + {anti b}s are investigated and experimental effort towards these is stressed. They also emphasize the importance of clarifying the experimental issues pertaining to Z {r_arrow} b{anti b}.
Establishment of a Swiss Webster Mouse Model of Pneumonic Plague To Meet Essential Data Elements under the Animal Rule

ABSTRACT A recombinant vaccine (rF1V) is being developed for protection against pneumonic plague. This study was performed to address essential data elements to establish a well-characterized Swiss Webster mouse model for licensing the rF1V vaccine using the FDA's Animal Rule. These elements include the documentation of challenge material characteristics, aerosol exposure parameters, details of the onset and severity of clinical signs, pathophysiological response to disease, and relevance to human disease. Prior to animal exposures, an evaluation of the aerosol system was performed to determine and understand the variability of the aerosol exposure system. Standardized procedures for the preparation of Yersinia pestis challenge material also were developed. The 50% lethal dose (LD50) was estimated to be 1,966 CFU using Probit analysis. Following the LD50 determination, pathology was evaluated by exposing mice to a target LD99 (42,890 CFU). Mice were euthanized at 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h postexposure. At each time point, samples were collected for clinical pathology, detection of bacteria in blood and tissues, and pathology evaluations. A general increase in incidence and severity of microscopic findings was observed in the lung, lymph nodes, spleen, and liver from 36 to 72 h postchallenge. Similarly, the incidence and severity of pneumonia increased throughout the study; however, some mice died in the absence of pneumonia, suggesting that disease progression does not require the development of pneumonia. Disease pathology in the Swiss Webster mouse is similar to that observed in humans, demonstrating the utility of this pneumonic plague model that can be used by researchers investigating plague countermeasures.
Relationship Between Cup Position and Obturator Externus Muscle Impingement in THA

Japanese researchers, led by Ryohei Takeuchi, MD, of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Yokohama City University School of Medicine, report that while both open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) are appropriate for treating medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee, OWHTO may be more advantageous for active patients with a good range of knee motion. (See Takeuchi et al., 2010.) The information presented by Takeuchi et al. may help physicians determine if OWHTO may be an appropriate option for their patients. C O N T E N T S
The action of chloramphenicol on protein and nucleic acid synthesis by Escherichia coli strain B.

Growth-inhibitory concentrations of chloramphenicol caused a prompt inhibition of protein synthesis in Escherichia coli strain B. This inhibition was accompanied by alteration in nucleic acid synthesis from a logarithmic to a linear rate, and by the excretion into the medium of free purine and pyrimidine bases, three of which were identified as guanine, hypoxanthine and uracil. At slightly lower concentrations the antibiotic caused a slight stimulation of nucleic acid synthesis.
Preparation and Characterization of Polyaniline/ZnO Composite Sensor

Polyaniline/ZnO nanocomposite thin films were prepared via an electrochemical synthesis route on ITO coated glass substrates. ZnO nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed in to the polyaniline matrix. Interaction between ZnO nanoparticle and polyaniline has been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, PL spectroscopy, AFM and I-V characteristics. The ammonia gas sensing behaviors of the polyaniline/ZnO composites were examined at room temperature. It was observed that the composite films showed good sensitivity, improved doping state and enhanced photoluminescence behaviour.
Monitoring conformational heterogeneity of the lid of DnaK substrate‐binding domain during its chaperone cycle

DnaK or Hsp70 of Escherichia coli is a master regulator of the bacterial proteostasis network. Allosteric communication between the two functional domains of DnaK, the N‐terminal nucleotide‐binding domain (NBD) and the C‐terminal substrate‐ or peptide‐binding domain (SBD) regulate its activity. X‐ray crystallography and NMR studies have provided snapshots of distinct conformations of Hsp70 proteins in various physiological states; however, the conformational heterogeneity and dynamics of allostery‐driven Hsp70 activity remains underexplored. In this work, we employed single‐molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (sm‐FRET) measurements to capture distinct intradomain conformational states of a region within the DnaK‐SBD known as the lid. Our data conclusively demonstrate prominent conformational heterogeneity of the DnaK lid in ADP‐bound states; in contrast, the ATP‐bound open conformations are homogeneous. Interestingly, a nonhydrolysable ATP analogue, AMP‐PNP, imparts heterogeneity to the lid conformations mimicking the ADP‐bound state. The cochaperone DnaJ confers ADP‐like heterogeneous lid conformations to DnaK, although the presence of the cochaperone accelerates the substrate‐binding rate by a hitherto unknown mechanism. Irrespective of the presence of DnaJ, binding of a peptide substrate to the DnaK‐SBD leads to prominent lid closure. Lid closure is only partial upon binding to molten globule‐like authentic cellular substrates, probably to accommodate non‐native substrate proteins of varied structures.
Ethylene oxide dosimetry in the mouse.

Ethylene oxide (EO) is a direct-acting mutagen and animal carcinogen used as an industrial intermediate and sterilant with a high potential for human exposure. Understanding the exposure-dose relationship for EO in rodents is critical for developing human EO exposure-dose models. The study reported here examined the dosimetry of EO in male B6C3F1 mice by direct determination of blood EO concentrations. Steady-state blood EO concentrations were measured during a single 4-h nose-only inhalation exposure (0, 50, 100, 200, 300, or 400 ppm EO). In addition, glutathione (GSH) concentrations were measured in liver, lung, kidney, and testis to assess the role of the GSH depletion in the saturable metabolism previously observed in mice (Brown et al., Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 136, 8-19, 1996). Blood EO concentrations were found to increase linearly with exposure concentration up to 200 ppm. Markedly sublinear blood dosimetry was observed at exposure concentrations exceeding 200 ppm. An EO exposure concentration-dependent reduction in tissue GSH levels was observed, with both liver and lung GSH levels significantly depressed at EO exposure concentrations of 100 ppm or greater. Our results also indicate that depletion of GSH is likely responsible for nonlinear dosimetry of EO in mice and that GSH depletion corresponds with reports of dose-rate effects in mice exposed to EO.
New gene discoveries may boost DNA stool testing for colorectal cancer.

In 1991, Johns Hopkins molecular geneticist Bert Vogelstein, M.D., approached his postdoc David Sidransky, M.D., with a startling proposal: Would Sidransky be willing to look for cancerous DNA mutations—in human feces? “This project sounded almost insane to me at the time,” recalled Sidransky at the 2004 annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research. No one knew in 1991 whether colon cancer DNA could even survive in stool, much less be detected, so Vogelstein’s idea sounded futile as well as revolting. “There weren’t that many people in the lab who wanted to work with stool,” Sidransky said. “It made me wonder at the time about how much I wanted to do science. ” In the end, Sidransky took on this formidable scientific and aesthetic challenge and, to his surprise, succeeded. In work reported in Science in April 1992, he found K-ras mutations in the stool of eight of nine patients with colorectal cancer. These results suggested that a noninvasive screening test for colorectal cancer might be imminent. In reality, it took almost a dozen years of work before a commercial diagnostic test using the ras mutations finally reached market. The test, made by Exact Sciences of Marlborough, Mass. , was introduced in August 2003. But the Exact test does not look for every possible mutation in its four target colon cancer genes, including K-ras. Even with limited coverage, it is still so expensive—$795—that it cannot effectively compete with colonscopy for general use as a screening tool. Now, two new studies have found mutations unique to colon cancer that may lead to improvements in the ability to diagnose colorectal cancer at the molecular level. In the April 23 issue of Science, Victor Velculescu, M.D., Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, reported the discovery of mutations in a PI3 kinase gene, and in the April 17 issue of The Lancet, a group led by Martin Midschwendter, M.D., of the Medical University Innsbruck in Austria, showed that methylation of a single gene could, with high sensitivity and specificity, identify colorectal cancer patients. Together with new mutation detection techniques Vogelstein’s laboratory has developed, the twin gene findings give DNA cancer diagnostics a boost. No DNA diagnostic test has yet entered widespread use for cancer, but the new discoveries may move the field closer to that goal.
Onboard DC Grid The step forward in Power Generation and Propulsion

the already multiple DC-links already existing in all propulsion and thruster drives accomplishing for usually more than 80% of the electrical power consumption on electric propulsion vessels. This extension means that we keep all the good and well proven products already used in today’s electric ships like AC generators, inverter modules, AC motors, etc. All main AC SWBDS and transformers are however no longer needed and you have the most flexible power and propulsion system to date. The main innovations with this new Onboard DC Grid are the design and control of the protection system and optimized energy flow.
Pancreas divisum: evaluation with MR cholangiopancreatography.

PURPOSE To determine the usefulness of magnetic resonance (MR) cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis of pancreas divisum. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 310 patients, MR imaging was performed with heavily T2-weighted, two-dimensional, fast-spin-echo sequences. A body coil was used for 139 patients, and a torso multicoil and high-resolution imaging parameters were used for 171 patients. In 108 patients, correlation with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was available. RESULTS Two hundred sixty-eight examinations (86%) were diagnostic. Pancreas divisum was observed with MR imaging in 25 of 268 cases (9%)(interobserver agreement, 98% [kappa = .88]). Among the 171 examinations performed with a torso multicoil, 10% were nondiagnostic and the rate of detection of pancreas divisum was 12%. Pancreas divisum was depicted in six of the 108 patients who underwent ERCP, and there were no false-negative or false-positive MR imaging results in these patients. CONCLUSION MR cholangiopancreatography is an accurate tool in the diagnosis of pancreas divisum and could replace ERCP.
‘I beg your pardon?’: the preverbal negotiation of failed messages

ABSTRACT This longitudinal study of how preverbal infants communicate with their mothers utilized the situation in which the infant was seated in a highchair at lunchtime. This situation predisposed infants to use communication as a means, since they were often unable to achieve their goals without assistance. It was found that infants' communicative attempts were often unsuccessful; the present study focussed on how infants and mothers worked to establish the infants' intents after communication failures. In the preverbal negotiation of failed messages infants direct communicative behaviours to their mothers which their mothers fail to comprehend immediately, NEGOTIATIONS occur when mothers help infants make their intents clear. Negotiation episodes have four components: the infant's initial signal, the mother's comprehension failure, infant repairs and episode outcome. Changes in these components provide much information about how infants' communicative skills evolve during the transition to a linguistically based communication system. Negotiation episodes are contrasted with episodes called IMMEDIATE SUCCESSES in which the mother readily comprehends the intent behind the infant's signal, and MISSED ATTEMPTS in which the mother fails to pick up on the infant's signal. Taken together these three types of communicative episode reveal a degree of persistence and creativity on the part of the preverbal infant that is surprising in the light of prior research. Such episodes further reveal that the course of preverbal communication is NOT smooth.
Antidiabetic and Hypolipidemic Activity of Gymnema sylvestre in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract: The concerned study reveals the experimental investigation of the biological activity of Gymnema sylvestre r.br. Ex schult (Family: Asclepiadaceae) used as a traditional antidiabetic and hypolipidemic agent in past and present culture. To study the effect of Gymnema sylvestre in both normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. The aqueous leaf extract of Gymnema sylvestre at the dose of 400, 600 and 800 mg kg body weight was 1
- 1-A qualitative Study : How Danish cattle veterinary Advisers perceive their Work with dairy Herd Health Management Programs

Background: Over the last four decades the field of dairy cattle production has changed significantly. Classical veterinary skills have been recommended to be integrated with skills such as communication, marketing, and farm economics in herd health management. Within the last six years, the law regarding veterinary herd health has changed in Denmark. Herd health management programs have been introduced and revised in 2006 and 2010. This has resulted in reduced call-on demand work for the veterinarian and more work framed by the herd health management programs. Thus, it seems reasonable to explore the veterinarian’s present perceptions on herd health management programs. This study aims to find and describe points of views among dairy herd health management veterinarians towards their work with the mandatory herd health program in Denmark, 2012. Results: Three points of views of veterinarians’ work with herd health management programs were found and labeled: 1) Co-operational, 2) Increased value and 3) Profitable welfare. All three points of views found the role of adviser and collaborator important. They also found communication with the farmer crucial to obtain success. Production and financial considerations were never put aside by any of the veterinarians.