Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Formation and growth of the cerebral convolutions. I. Postnatal development of the median-suprasylvian gyrus and adjoining sulci in the cat.

The postnatal development of these median-suprasylvian gyrus and adjoining sulci was studied in cats 1, 5, 15, 25 days and six months old. The median-suprasylvian gyrus (G.S.-Syl.) grows according to a lateral to medial intracortical gradient in which the adjoining sulci, sulcus lateralis (S.L.) and median-suprasylvian sulcus (S.S-Syl.), are considered to be fixed zones because of their relatively constant distance from the ventricular wall throughout the development. Thus the formation of the S.L. is a consequence of the increase in volume of the gyral region adjacent to this developing sulcus, whereas there is a smaller increase in volume of the gyral region adjacent to the almost fully formed, at birth, S.S-Syl. This increase in volume is associated with a regional increase in the number of nerve cells and with an increase in the density of neurons in the region adjacent to the S.L. as it fades in the region adjacent to the S.S-Syl. This process takes place from Day 1 until about Day 25 of postnatal life. An intralaminar displacement of nerve cells also occurs during the process of cortical folding:nerve cell columns converge towards the hilum in the gyral region, but the columns progressively curve following the concavity of the infolding in the sulcal zones; as a result, although the length of nerve cell columns tends to be preserved to some extent along the gyrus, the cerebral cortex is progressively thinner in the sulci than in the gyri and the molecular layer is progressively thicker in the former than in the latter. This process also occurs following a lateral to medial gradient in the G.S. -Syl. The present observations may suggest that cortical folding is largely dependent on intracortical mechanical forces but the regular distribution of the sulci, together with the orderly spatio-temporal pattern of gyral growth, points to the conclusion that this process may be controlled by extracortical signals.
Effects of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture on ruminal bacteria that utilize lactate and digest cellulose.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) culture on lactate utilization and cellulose digestion by ruminal bacteria. Growth of Selenomonas ruminantium HD4 in medium that contained 5 g/L of DL-lactate, Trypticase, and yeast extract was stimulated 7 and 15% by 1 and 5% (vol/vol) yeast culture filtrate respectively. The 1 and 5% yeast culture filtrate stimulated growth of Selenomonas ruminantium H18 and Megasphaera elsdenii B159 and T81 on 5 g/L of DL-lactate in medium without Trypticase or yeast extract. Growth of Fibrobacter succinogenes S85 and Ruminococcus albus B199 on 6 g/L of cellobiose was stimulated by the addition of yeast culture filtrate to medium without Trypticase or yeast extract. The yeast culture filtrate increased the concentrations of acetate and total volatile fatty acids that were produced by Sel. ruminantium HD4 and increased the concentrations of propionate and total volatile fatty acids that were produced by Sel. ruminantium H18 but did not alter end-product formation of M. elsdenii or cellulolytic bacteria. Treatment with yeast culture increased the initial rate but not the extent of cellulose digestion by F. succinogenes S85 and Ruminococcus flavefaciens FD1. Collectively, these results suggest that yeast culture provides soluble growth factors (i.e., organic acids, B vitamins, and amino acids) that stimulate growth of ruminal bacteria that utilize lactate and digest cellulose.
Gonad-pituitary feedback involves qualitative change: adrogens alter the type of FSH secreted by the rat pituitary.

In orchidectomized rats, the effects of 2 to 3 days of androgen or estrogen pretreatment on the metabolic clearance pattern (MCP) of endogenous FSH in serum were examined, using the hypophysectomy-stop entry (HxSE) technique. Both types of steroid treatment reduced serum LH and FSH levels. However, androgens also altered the character of the FSH disappearance curve: the overall slope was flattened and the inflection between early and late components was blunted. This effect does not appear attributable to changes in peripheral mechanisms of FSH metabolism or excretion, since comparable androgen treatment of similar rats (castrated-hypophysectomized males) had no detectable influence on the disappearance from serum of exogenous rat FSH (NIAMD rat FSH-B1). Since the effect was seen with relatively low doses of dihydrotestosterone (as well as with relatively high doses of testosterone propionate) it did not seem to require supraphysiological levels of androgen. These findings suggest that, under the influenc.
Generalised proportional fairness scheduler for broadband orthogonal frequency-division multiple access systems with heterogeneous traffics

The popular proportional fairness (PF) scheduler is very suitable for achieving a trade-off between system throughput and fairness, but the authors observed two issues while applying it to broadband networks with heterogeneous traffics. As the PF scheduler only considers average throughput and channel quality, it favours users with low-data rates. In addition, the credits of idle users accumulate because their average throughputs decrease with time during their idle periods. This study proposes a generalised PF scheduler that considers profit instead of average throughput, and it integrates a new mechanism for updating the utility functions to mitigate the issue of credit accumulation. Simulation results show that the proposed PF scheduler outperforms the traditional algorithms in terms of fairness and transient behaviour.
Mannose-binding lectin deficiency and miscarriages in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Objective: To investigate the association between mannose-binding lectin (MBL) serum level and MBL2 polymorphisms, and the frequency of spontaneous miscarriages in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods: One hundred seventy seven women (mean age 50 years) with RA from Southern Brazil were studied and 4.5% had a history of abortion (8/177). The MBL levels were determined by ELISA. MBL2 polymorphisms in the promoter (−550H/L, −221X/Y), 5′ untranslated region (4 P/Q) and exon 1 (p.Gly54Asp: B allele, p.Arg52Cys: D allele and p.Gly57Glu: C allele; collectively labelled O) were genotyped by sequencing. Results: Mannose-binding lectin levels of RA patients ranged from ≤100 ng/mL to 6640 ng/mL (median 541.5 ng/mL). There was a significant difference in MBL median levels (100 ng/mL vs. 625 ng/mL, respectively, p = .001) and frequency of MBL deficiency (75.0% vs. 24.1%, p = .007, OR = 10.3, 95%CI = 1.9–55.4), in patients with a history of miscarriage vs those without it. Patients with RA and miscarriage had more frequently haplotypes related with low MBL levels (p = .007, OR = 10.5, 95%CI = 1.3–84) than high producers. Moreover, LYPB haplotype and O allele were significantly associated with the occurrence of miscarriage (p = .001, OR = 9.7, 95%CI = 2.4–39.1 and p = .009, OR = 5.9, 95%CI = 1.4–23.4, respectively). Conclusions: The results suggest that MBL deficiency and the presence of MBL2 gene polymorphisms that lead to MBL deficiency are risk factors for the occurrence of miscarriage in patients with RA.
Building a Global System of Systems for the Coastal Ocean: A Strategic Action Plan for Implementing the Coastal Module of GOOS

The call for adaptive, ecosystem-based approaches to managing and adapting to the impacts of human activities and global climate change on society has intensified in recent years. Implementing such approaches requires timely and frequent assessments of ecosystem states and reliable predictions of future states based on realistic scenarios of changes in climate and human uses of marine ecosystem goods and services. Provision of the required data is a major motivation for establishing the coastal module of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). Here we review the road map for implementing coastal GOOS, the status of implementation, and the challenges of global implementation. Major challenges include integrated development of the climate and coastal modules of GOOS, sustained capacity building, and the development of ―operational marine ecology‖, the ecological equivalent of ocean forecasting systems for upper ocean physics and maritime weather.
A Twist on Lyme: the Challenge of Diagnosing European Lyme Neuroborreliosis

ABSTRACT Lyme neuroborreliosis is a tick-borne illness with central and peripheral nervous system manifestations. Clinical features and methods for accurate diagnosis differ across world regions owing to different causative Borrelia species. The importance of these distinctions is highlighted by a 12-year-old Canadian girl who acquired Lyme neuroborreliosis in Europe.
Toxicological Evaluation of Honey as an Ingredient Added to Cigarette Tobacco

A tiered testing strategy has been developed to evaluate the potential for new ingredients, tobacco processes, and technological developments to increase or reduce the biological activity that results from burning tobacco. In the manufacture of cigarettes, honey is used as a casing ingredient to impart both aroma and taste. The primary objective of this document is to summarize and interpret chemical and toxicological studies that have been conducted to evaluate the potential impact of honey on the biological activity of either mainstream cigarette smoke or cigarette smoke condensate. As part of ongoing stewardship efforts, cigarettes produced with honey (5% wet weight) as an alternative to invert sugar in tobacco casing material were subjected to extensive evaluation. Principal components of this evaluation were a determination of selected mainstream smoke constituent yields, Ames assay, sister chromatid exchange assay in Chinese hamster ovary cells, a 30-wk dermal tumor promotion evaluation of cigarette smoke condensate in SENCAR mice, and a 13-wk inhalation study of cigarette smoke in Sprague-Dawley rats. Comparative analytical evaluations demonstrated that the substitution of honey for invert sugar as a casing material in cigarettes had no significant impact on mainstream smoke chemistry. In addition, in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that cigarettes containing tobacco cased with honey had comparable biological activity to cigarettes containing invert sugar. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the use of honey as an alternative casing material in the manufacture of cigarettes does not alter the potential toxicity of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) or cigarette smoke; therefore the use of honey as an ingredient added to cigarette tobacco is acceptable from a toxicological perspective.
Labial coordination in children: preliminary considerations.

The development of the coordination of the upper lip and lower lip was investigated in children ages four, seven, and ten. Strain gauge transduction techniques were employed to monitor lip movement during the production of selected disyllables. Significant changes in lip coordination were observed between the ages of seven and ten. Results are discussed in light of current understanding of neuromuscular maturation.
Text analytics and data access as services - a case study in transforming a legacy client-server text analytics workbench and framework to SOA

As business information is made available via the intranet and Internet, there is a growing need to quickly analyze the resulting mountain of information to infer business insights. For instance, analyzing a company's patent database against another's to find the patents that are cross-licensable. IBM Research's Business Insight Workbench (BIW) is a text mining and analytics tool that allows end-users to explore, understand, and analyze business information in order to come up with such insight. However, the first incarnation of BIWused a thick- client architecture with a database back-end. While very successful, the architecture caused limitations in the tool's flexibility, scalability, and deployment. In this paper we discuss our initial experiences in converting BIW into a modern Service-Oriented Architecture. We also provide some insights into our design choices and also outline some lessons learned.
Challenging Inferior Vena Cava Leiomyosarcoma: A Case Report and Literature Review of Management

disease so an Ultrasound (US) was done which demonstrated no abnormality. It however revealed an incidental finding of 10 * 5 cm mass in the right pararenal area. Subsequently, a CT scan was done which revealed a 10.8 * 7.5 * 6.1 cm right “Para-renal” mass with compression of inferior vena cava and moderate right hydronephrosis, (Figure 1, 2). Abdomen MRI shows 11 * 6 * 8 cm with high signal intensity and adherent to the IVC. The initial impression of her treating physician was that of an adrenal tumor.
Effects of BSO and L‐Cysteine on Drug‐Induced Cytotoxicity in Primary Cell Cultures: Drug‐, Cell Type‐, and Species‐Specific Difference

The effects of DL‐buthionine‐(S,R)‐sulfoximine(BSO) and L‐cysteine(CYS) on cytotoxicity induced by cisplatin(CP) and diclofenac(DIC) in primary cell cultures of hepatocytes and renal tubular epithelial cells(RTEC) isolated from rats or monkeys were studied. Hepatocytes and RTEC were inoculated into collagen coated 96‐well culture plates. After preincubation, a series of concentrations of CP or DIC were added, and 16 h and 4 h prior to CP and DIC, 40 µM BSO and 5 mM CYS were added, respectively. MTT assays were performed to evaluate cytotoxicity(concentrations of drug that inhibited 50% cell growth, IC50). CYS made IC50s of CP in rat and monkey RTEC increase up to more than 5 mM, but BSO made IC50s of CP in rat RTEC lower down with bigger magnitude than that in monkey RTEC; similarly, CYS made IC50s of CP in rat hepatocytes increase up to more than 5 mM, but BSO made IC50s lower down with bigger magnitude than that in rat RTEC. However, neither CYS nor BSO had significant effects on all IC50s of DIC in all examined cells. These results suggested that during CP‐induced stress state, rat hepatocytes were more susceptible to changes of GSH level than rat RTEC, and rat RTEC were more dependent on intracellular GSH status than monkey RTEC. DIC‐induced cytotoxicity in RTEC and hepatocytes are independent of GSH level.
Cell-Specific Proteins Synthesized bySalmonella typhimurium

ABSTRACT Studies of the proteins synthesized by Salmonella typhimurium during growth within tissue culture cells have previously focused on a single cell type. In the present study we examine the different protein patterns exhibited by S. typhimurium during growth within three different cell types relevant to those it would encounter throughout the course of a natural infection, including intestinal epithelial cells (Intestine-407), macrophages (J774.A, rat bone marrow-derived macrophages, and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages), and liver cells (NMuLi). Side-by-side comparisons reveal that S. typhimuriumresponds to these different cellular environments with specific patterns of protein synthesis unique to each cell type. The numbers of proteins detected in each cell line are as follows: 142 proteins in Intestine-407, of which 58 appear to be unique to growth within this cell line; 413 proteins in J774.A, of which 157 appear to be unique; 260 proteins in rat bone marrow-derived macrophages, of which 40 appear to be unique; 336 proteins in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages, of which 113 appear to be unique; and 183 proteins in NMuLi, of which 91 appear to be unique.
The viability of soft tissues in elderly subjects undergoing hip surgery.

AIMS To assess the viability of soft tissues in elderly patients subjected to prolonged support pressures. DESIGN measurements were performed on the soft tissues of patients undergoing surgery for fracture of the proximal femur. METHODS 10 subjects, mean age 84 years, participated. Transcutaneous gas tensions were continuously monitored in an area adjacent to the contralateral greater trochanter, which was loaded with an external applicator. Subcutaneous interstitial pressures using a slit catheter were also measured. RESULTS Transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure fell in some patients to critically low levels, defined as below 2.7 kPa (20 mmHg), whilst they were subjected to normal interface pressures on the operating table. Transcutaneous partial carbon dioxide pressures rarely rose above 8.0 kPa (60 mmHg). The measured interstitial pressures could lead to local occlusion of skin microvessels. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms that tissue viability could be compromised in elderly patients undergoing surgical procedures. The methods employed may be of value in assessing support surfaces in the operating theatre to reduce the incidence of pressure sores in this high-risk patient group.
Dwell time based stabilisability criteria for discrete-time switched systems

ABSTRACT In this paper, we deal with the stabilisability problem of discrete-time switched systems constituted by all stable subsystems. We start with discrete-time switched nonlinear systems () and propose dwell time based criteria, in which the required Lyapunov-like functions are adapted to decrease after finite steps instead of at each step, for stabilisability, asymptotic stabilisability and exponential stabilisability, respectively. Meanwhile, the corresponding stabilising, asymptotically stabilising, exponentially stabilising switching rules can be explicitly constructed from these criteria. Afterwards, we derive two less conservative linear matrix inequality based asymptotic stabilisability criteria for discrete-time switched linear systems. In the end, two examples are given to illustrate the applicability and advantage of our extended results.
Melatonin but not vitamins C and E maintains glutathione homeostasis in t‐butyl hydroperoxide‐induced mitochondrial oxidative stress

Mitochondria do not contain catalase and are therefore largely dependent on reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidases for its antioxidant protection. When GSH levels are greatly decreased, hydrogen peroxide accumulates leading to extensive mitochondrial damage. Melatonin has antioxidant properties and prevents toxic effects of reactive oxygen species by maintaining cellular GSH homeostasis. Thus, we examined the influence of melatonin and other classical antioxidants such as vitamins C and E on GSH content and the activity of the GSH‐related enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and reductase) in isolated rat liver and brain mitochondria treated with t‐butyl hydroperoxide (i‐BHP). In control mitochondria melatonin (100 nM) significantly increases GSH content and glutathione peroxidase and reductase activities. After incubation with 100 μM i‐BHP, the mitochondrial hydroperoxides level increased, 90% of mitochondrial GSH was oxidized to GSSH, and the activities of GSH‐related enzymes were almost totally inhibited. Melatonin (100 nM) counteracted the changes in GSH, GSH‐related enzymes and hydroperoxides induced by i‐BHP in cultured mitochondria. In the presence of 100 nM melatonin, the activity of the respiratory chain complexes I and IV, measured in submitochondrial particles prepared from rat liver and brain mitochondria, increased significantly. Vitamin C was virtually without effect, and only 1 mM vitamin E increased GSH and reduced hydroperoxide mitochondrial contents. Our results suggest that melatonin, but not vitamins C and E, prevents the toxic effects of hydroperoxides on mitochondria by regenerating their GSH content.
Allergic manifestations in autoimmune pancreatitis

Objective Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a peculiar type of pancreatitis of presumed autoimmune etiology. However, target antigens for AIP have not been detected. Furthermore, its preponderant occurrence in elderly men and the very dramatic response with no major residual deformity to oral steroid therapy within 2 weeks suggest that the pathogenesis of AIP might not involve autoimmune mechanism. Recently, it was reported that the immune reaction closely involved in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders was upregulated in the affected tissues of AIP. This study aimed to examine the allergic manifestations in AIP patients. Methods This case series consisted of 45 AIP patients. Present and/or past histories of allergic diseases, clinical findings, and laboratory data were reviewed. Results Twenty patients (allergic-type AIP) had histories of allergic diseases, such as acute allergic rhinitis (n=11), including rose and hay fever, atopic dermatitis (n=5), bronchial asthma (n=3), drug allergy (n=2), and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (n=1). Serum IgE levels were elevated in only 12 allergic-type AIP patients, and they were significantly higher in allergic-type AIP patients than in AIP patients without allergic manifestations (P=0.0001). The peripheral eosinophil count was significantly elevated in allergic-type AIP patients (P=0.048). With respect to initial symptoms, obstructive jaundice was less frequent in allergic-type AIP patients (P=0.012), and abdominal pain was detected in only five patients with allergic-type AIP (P=0.013). Allergic-type AIP occurred predominantly from September to February in 19 of 20 patients (P=0.001). Conclusion Allergic manifestations were detected in about half of the AIP patients, and allergic mechanisms may be related to the occurrence of AIP in these patients.
Newborn Resuscitation : Meconium Aspiration Syndrome

At present time, delivery room management of babies born through Meconium stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) often includes suctioning of the mouth and nose before the delivery of the shoulders. This addresses the concern that babies will inhale meconium present in the upper airway with their first breath putting them at risk of MAS. The rationale of routine perineal suctioning of all babies born through MSAF has recently been questioned. Likewise, tracheal suctioning of meconium in babies born through MSAF is an established intervention in many delivery rooms. However, disagreements exist concerning the value of perineal and routine endotracheal suction of the airway in the delivery room management of vigorous meconium-stained infants. Methods
Assessment of welfare of the child in HIV positive couples.

BACKGROUND Demand for assisted conception amongst HIV-infected couples is rising in parallel with increased efficacy of antiretroviral medication which has improved life expectancy and reduced vertical transmission risk. There are no published data on welfare of the child assessment in HIV positive couples undergoing assisted conception. METHODS We assessed welfare of the child in 131 (i.e. total number seen, not treated) couples, where one or both partners were infected with HIV and referred to the infertility clinic at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital since 1999. In total, 59 couples received sperm washing treatment (male partner infected) resulting in 17 healthy babies, and 14 couples were treated in the female positive programme (5 concordant and 9 discordant for HIV) resulting in three healthy babies. RESULTS Issues surrounding welfare of the child were commonly encountered in this series and were significant enough to withhold treatment in five cases. Many were relationship issues surrounding acquisition of infection, fear of infection in the negative partner or child (n = 1), poor prognosis (multiple drug resistance) (n=3) or disability related to infection (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS Welfare of the child in HIV infected couples must be carefully considered in specialist centres with experienced counsellors. Issues surrounding treatment are complex and require close liaison with HIV specialists and involvement of the couple.