Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional brain imaging with BOSS FMRI

The standard method for FMRI, using the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) effect, has significant limitations that result from the coupling of functional contrast to sources of image artifact. We have developed an alternative method for FMRI based on balanced-SSFP imaging. This method uses the balanced-SSFP phase profile to invert the signal in deoxygenated blood relative to oxygenated blood. The resulting blood oxygenation sensitive steady-state (BOSS) signal decouples functional contrast from imaging, enabling significantly better image quality than BOLD FMRI. BOSS FMRI is very SNR-efficient, achieves strong functional contrast and is relatively immune to susceptibility gradients. In this paper, we present results validating the ability to detect functional activity using BOSS FMRI. One of the potential advantages of BOSS FMRI is the ability to acquire high-resolution data due to the SNR efficiency of balanced-SSFP. Preliminary high resolution results (1/spl times/1/spl times/2 mm/sup 3/) at 1.5 T are presented.
Lead acetate mutagenicity and mutational spectrum in the hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase gene of Chinese hamster ovary K1 cells

The molecular nature of lead‐induced mutations was examined in this study to more thoroughly understand lead mutagenesis. Chinese hamster ovary K1 cells were exposed to 0.5–3 mM lead acetate for 24 h. The median lethal dose (LD,) value was 1.5 mM, and the hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) mutant frequency increased linearly as lead concentrations were raised from 0.5 to 1.5 mM. We also amplified the HPRTcDNAs of 56 independent lead‐induced mutants by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Forty‐two mutant cDNAs were successfully amplified: 36 mutants had transcripts of normal or slightly smaller than normal size, and six mutants had large deletions. The other 14 mutants whose HPRTcDNA could not be amplified were subjected to genomic‐DNA PCR analysis. All of those mutants had one or more exons missing from their genomic HPRT DNA. DNA sequencing of mutant cDNAs showed that 22 had single‐base substitutions, four had small alterations, 10 had single‐exon deletions, and six were missing two or three exons. Furthermore, DNA sequencing of the HPRT intron‐exon boundaries in eight splice mutants revealed that all of them had single‐base substitutions in their genomic DNA. G.C base substitutions occurred 3.3‐fold more frequently than A.T base substitutions. Similar frequencies were observed for G.C → A.T, G.C → T.A, and GC → C.G mutations. These results suggest that GC base pairs may be the primary target sites for lead mutagenesis. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The metabolic cost of egg production is repeatable

SUMMARY The metabolic cost of egg production in birds (passerines) has been measured as a 16–27% increase in basal or resting metabolic rate (BMR and RMR, respectively) when comparing non-breeding values with those in egg-producing individuals. However, available data to date have been obtained in free-living birds and may thus be confounded by the effect of variable ecological conditions on non-reproductive physiological machinery (organ mass or metabolic activity) which might contribute to measured variation in RMR. Here, we show that in captive, controlled conditions, the process of egg formation induces a 22% increase in RMR in female zebra finches Taeniopygia guttata. Among individuals, variation in laying RMR is independent of egg mass, clutch size or total clutch mass. Importantly, we show that individual variation in both non-breeding and laying RMR is repeatable over periods of at least 8-10 months, i.e. individual variation in RMR remained constant over time for any given physiological state. This suggests that the metabolic cost of egg formation should respond to selection. However, we also show that in males, but not females, repeatability of RMR declines over time even when birds are kept in constant controlled conditions.
Optimal Bribery in Voting

Studying complexity of various bribery problems has been one of the main research focus in computational social choice. In all the models of bribery studied so far, the briber has to pay every voter some amount of money depending on what the briber wants the voter to report and the briber has some budget at her disposal. Although these models successfully capture many real world applications, in many other scenarios, the voters may be unwilling to deviate too much from their true preferences. In this paper, we study the computational complexity of the problem of finding a preference profile which is as close to the true preference profile as possible and still achieves the briber’s goal subject to budget constraints. We call this problem OPTIMAL $BRIBERY. We consider three important measures of distances, namely, swap distance, footrule distance, and maximum displacement distance, and resolve the complexity of the optimal bribery problem for many common voting rules. We show that the problem is polynomial time solvable for the plurality and veto voting rules for all the three measures of distance. On the other hand, we prove that the problem is NP-complete for a class of scoring rules which includes the Borda voting rule, maximin, Copeland for any α ∈ [0, 1], and Bucklin voting rules for all the three measures of distance even when the distance allowed per voter is 1 for the swap and maximum displacement distances and 2 for the footrule distance even without the budget constraints (which corresponds to having an infinite budget). For the k-approval voting rule for any constant k > 1 and the simplified Bucklin voting rule, we show that the problem is NP-complete for the swap distance even when the distance allowed is 2 and for the footrule distance even when the distance allowed is 4 even without the budget constraints. We complement these hardness results by showing that the problem for the k-approval and simplified Bucklin voting rules is polynomial time solvable for the swap distance if the distance allowed is 1 and for the footrule distance if the distance allowed is at most 3. For the k-approval voting rule for the maximum displacement distance for any constant k > 1, and for the simplified Bucklin voting rule for the maximum displacement distance, we show that the problem is NP-complete (with the budget constraints) and, without the budget constraints, they are polynomial time solvable.
Advances in Brief Amplification and Overexpression of Androgen Receptor Gene in Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer 1

The expression level of the androgen receptor ( AR) gene in androgendependent and -independent prostate cancer was determined by using real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR assay. Eight benign prostate hyperplasias, 33 untreated and 13 hormone-refractory locally recurrent carcinomas, as well as 10 prostate cancer xenografts, were analyzed. All hormone-refractory tumors expressedAR and showed, on average, 6-fold higher expression than androgen-dependent tumors or benign prostate hyperplasias (P< 0.001). Four of 13 (31%) hormonerefractory tumors contained AR gene amplification detected by fluorescencein situ hybridization. Androgen-independent tumors with gene amplification expressed, on average, a 2-fold higher level of AR than the refractory tumors without the gene amplification. Two xenografts (LuCaP 35 and 69) showed amplification and high-level expression of the AR gene. These xenografts are the first prostate cancer model systems containing the gene amplification. The findings demonstrate that AR is highly expressed in androgen-independent prostate cancer, suggesting that the AR signaling pathway is important in the progression of prostate cancer during endocrine treatment. The two xenografts with theAR gene amplification will enable studies evaluating the functional significance of the amplification and development of new treatment strategies based on high-level expression of AR.
Kynurenic Acid Inhibits the Electrical Stimulation Induced Elevated Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide Expression in the TNC

Background Migraine is a primary headache of imprecisely known mechanism, but activation of the trigeminovascular system (TS) appears to be essential during the attack. Intensive research has recently focused on pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and the kynurenine systems as potential pathogenic factors. Aim We investigated the link between these important mediators and the effects of kynurenic acid (KYNA) and its synthetic analog (KYNA-a) on PACAP expression in the rat trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) in a TS stimulation model related to migraine mechanisms. Methods Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with KYNA, KYNA-a, the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801, or saline (vehicle). Next, the trigeminal ganglion (TRG) was electrically stimulated, the animals were transcardially perfused following 180 min, and the TNC was removed. In the TNC samples, 38 amino acid form of PACAP (PACAP1–38)-like radioimmunoactivity was measured by radioimmunoassay, the relative optical density of preproPACAP was assessed by Western blot analysis, and PACAP1–38 mRNA was detected by real-time PCR. Results and conclusion Electrical TRG stimulation resulted in significant increases of PACAP1–38-LI, preproPACAP, and PACAP1–38 mRNA in the TNC. These increases were prevented by the pretreatments with KYNA, KYNA-a, and MK-801. This is the first study to provide evidence for a direct link between PACAP and the kynurenine system during TS activation.
Endothelial cell chimerism by fluorescence in situ hybridization in gender mismatched renal allograft biopsies.

BACKGROUND The blood vessels of a transplanted organ are the interface between donor and recipient. The endothelium in the blood vessels is thought to be the major target for graft rejection. Endothelial cells of a transplanted organ can be of recipient origin after transplantation. In this study, we tested whether endothelial chimerism correlated with the graft rejection and cold ischemia. METHODS We studied the biopsy samples from 34 renal transplants of female recipients who received the kidney from a male donor for the presence of endothelial cells of recipient origin. We examined the tissue sections of renal biopsy samples by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for the presence of endothelial cells containing two X chromosomes using a biotinylated Y chromosome probe and digoxigenin labelled X chromosome probe, and then analyzed the relationship between the endothelial cell chimerism and the rejection and cold ischemia. RESULTS Endothelial chimerism was common and irrespective of rejections (P > 0.05). The cold ischemic time of chimerism group was longer than no chimerism group ((14.83 +/- 4.03) hours vs (11.27 +/- 3.87) hours, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is no correlation between the percentage of recipient endothelial cells in vascular endothelial cells and the type of graft rejection. The endothelium damaged by ischemic injury might be repaired by the endothelial cells from the recipient.
Pituitary-thyroid hormone economy in healthy aging men: basal indices of thyroid function and thyrotropin responses to constant infusions of thyrotropin releasing hormone.

In order to assess the effects of aging, as distinct from those of thyroid disease or extrathyroidal illness, on certain indices of thyroid function, we studied 74 healthy, ambulatory men recruited from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging. We determined basal serum values of T4, T3, rT3, thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), and T3 resin uptake (T3RU) and calculated the free T4 index (FT4I = T4 X T3RU/100), free T3 index (FT3I = T3 X T3RU/100), and T4/TBG ratio for each subject. We used an ultrasensitive RIA to measure variations in basal concentrations of TSH within the normal range. We then infused TRH at a constant rate (0.4 microgram/min iv) for 240 min into 63 of the same men; serum samples, collected at 15-min intervals during the infusion, were analyzed for TSH by routine RIA. Subjects were divided into 3 groups according to age; A (n = 26, mean age = 39.4), B (n = 23, mean age = 60.0), and C (n = 25, mean age = 79.6). Analysis of variance with Duncan's multiple range test and regression analysis were used to evaluate data. There was no significant (P greater than 0.05) variation with age of basal serum values of T4, TBG, or T3RU. Comparison of groups A and C showed significant decreases of mean values of serum T3 (-11%, P less than 0.05), FT3I (-13%, P = 0.02), FT4I (-11%, P less than 0.01), and T4/TBG ratio (-12%, P less than 0.01) and an increase in serum TSH (+38%, P less than 0.05). For these variables, the mean values for group B were intermediate between, but not significantly different from, those of A and C. Regression analysis showed significant correlations of age with T3, FT3I, FT4I, T4/TBG, and TSH at P levels similar to those obtained by Duncan's test. No elderly individual exhibited a baseline elevation of TSH (greater than 7 microU/ml) or depression of T4 (less than 5 micrograms/dl), suggesting that primary hypothyroidism was not present in our old group. The basal TSH concentration did not correlate significantly with any index of thyroid function except with FT3I in group C (r = -0.43, P less than 0.05). In all age groups the TSH responses to TRH exhibited a biphasic pattern with early and late peaks. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Hematopoietic differentiation activity of a recombinant human interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) isoform resulting from alternatively spliced deletion of the second exon

We have previously identified and cloned an alternatively spliced form of human interleukin‐6 mRNA lacking exon II, which encodes amino acid residues known to be important in gp130‐mediated signal transduction pathways. We expressed and purified the recombinant protein (rIL6‐alt) resulting from this alternatively spliced mRNA and now report the initial characterization of its biologic activities with comparison to full length IL6 (rIL6‐full). rIL6‐alt was found to have 104 to 105 fold less activity in proliferation assays with 7TD1 murine plasmacytoma cells and did not competitively inhibit the stimulatory activity of rIL6‐full. In addition, like rIL6‐full, rIL6‐alt had antiproliferative activity toward M1 murine myeloblast cells and was 10–200‐fold less active than rIL6‐full. In contrast, in assays with human HL60 promyelocytic leukemia cells, rIL6‐alt had greater antiproliferative activity than rIL6‐full and more strongly upregulated phagocytosis as well as surface expression of the differentiation antigen CD11b. rIL6‐full and rIL6‐alt upregulated the level of lysozyme mRNA in HL60 cells approximately equally. These findings suggest that IL6‐alt, which lacks amino acid residues encoded by the second exon of the gene, is not a natural inhibitor of IL6‐full but may be relatively tissue specific and may play a role in modulation of hematopoietic cell growth and differentiation. Am. J. Hematol. 61:169–177, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Injectable Fillers for Facial Soft Tissue Enhancement

Soft tissue augmentation materials have been advocated for correction of post-surgical or post-traumatic facial defects, as well as for age-related folds and wrinkles. While autogenous tissues may be the safest option, they require a second operative site. Animal-derived or synthetic materials have been advocated since the late 19th century, and have waxed and waned in popularity. In recent years, we have gained a better understanding of the physical events that occur when material is placed within or below the skin. With this knowledge, we stand at the threshold of a new era, where soft tissue fillers can be designed and customized to suit the individual patient. This article will review the major materials that have been or are now advocated for use as soft tissue fillers, and will detail their relative strengths and weaknesses in order to give the clinician a better perspective when considering a material for soft tissue augmentation.
Regulation of bovine adipose tissue metabolism during lactation. 4. Dose-responsiveness to epinephrine as altered by stage of lactation.

Adaptations in adipose tissue lipolysis responsiveness to doses of epinephrine were determined in first lactation Holstein cows. Subcutaneous adipose tissue was biopsied at -30, -15, 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 d about first calving. Glycerol and fatty acid release from tissue triglycerides were determined in vitro in the presence of 10(-8) to 10(-4) M epinephrine. Basal lipolysis increased postpartum and remained elevated through 240 d of lactation. Glycerol release in response to graded doses of epinephrine increased from 30 d prepartum to 30 d postpartum and remained elevated through 240 d. The highest net response was reached at 120 d and was maintained to 240 d. Increases during lactation were noted in actual glycerol release, net response (stimulated minus basal activity), and maximum net response (calculated from reciprocal plots). Maximal and submaximal response of fatty acid release to epinephrine increased post partum with maximal adaptation occurring by 30 d and remaining elevated through 240 d. Maximum net response of glycerol release at 30 d was related positively (r = .73) to milk energy secretion and negatively to energy intake (r = -.57) and energy balance (r = -.79). Net maximum free fatty acid response at 120 d related positively (r = .89) to milk energy secretion and negatively (r = -.81) to energy balance. The epinephrine responsiveness of adipose tissue increases during lactation in a manner consistent with whole body energy inputs and outputs.
Haemostatic Genetic Risk Factors in Arterial Thrombosis

Summary Haemostasis plays an integral role in arterial thrombotic disease. However, establishing which of the factors are risk factors has proven surprisingly difficult. Because of its technical simplicity and digital nature, the study of haemostatic polymorphisms as risk factors has grown in popularity. Once established as a risk factor, a genetic polymorphism has the potential to aid selective prophylaxis and therapy of disease. Numerous reports have now been published on polymorphisms of coagulation and fibrinolytic factors, of coagulation and fibrinolytic inhibitory proteins, and of platelet membrane glycoprotein receptors. This article describes the polymorphisms and evaluates the results of these studies using the premises of consistency of within-report genotype/phenotype/disease relationships and consistency of outcome between studies. Many studies have been only of association between polymorphisms and disease, a type of study that is prone to error. Furthermore, the collective outcome of these studies has primarily been inconsistent. It is concluded that despite the early promise of polymorphisms as risk factors, fresh approaches differing in scale and design are now required to clarify their possible importance.
Structural changes and economic growth in the world economy and Russia

The article considers the problem of the relationship of structural changes and economic growth in the global economy and Russia in the framework of different methodological approaches. At the same time, the paper provides the analysis of complementarity of economic policy types, which, on the one hand, are aimed at developing the fundamentals of GDP growth (institutions, human capital and macroeconomic stabilization), and on the other hand, at initiating growth (with stable fundamentals) with the help of structural policy measures. In the study of structural changes in the global economy, new forms of policies of this kind have been revealed, in particular aimed at identifying sectors — drivers of economic growth based on a portfolio approach. In a given paper a preliminary version of the model of the Russian economy is provided, using a multisector version of the Thirlwall’s Law. Besides, the authors highlight a number of target parameters of indicators of competitiveness of the sectors of the Russian economy that allow us to expect its growth rate to accelerate above the exogenously given growth rate of the world economy.
Determination and characterization of cross‐reacting allergens in latex, avocado, banana, and kiwi fruit

Sera of 11 patients were used to characterize allergens in kiwi fruit, latex, avocado, and banana by SDS‐PAGE/immunoblotting and to determine cross‐reactions between these allergen extracts in EAST inhibition and immunoblot inhibition. By SDS‐PAGE/immunoblotting. allergens with apparent molecular weights of 21, 38. 40. and 42 kDa were visualized in latex extract. In avocado extract. IgE‐binding components of 27, 43, 52, 58, 65, 75, and 88 kDa were to be seen, whereas, in banana extract, a 40‐kDa protein showed strong IgE binding. Furthermore, allergens of 52,58,88, and 94 kDa were detected in the extract of banana. Cross‐reactions between these allergen extracts were determined by EAST inhibition. Immunoblot inhibition demonstrated that almost all IgE‐reactive bands in nitrocellulose‐blotted latex, avocado, and banana extracts and two components of 43 and 67 kDa in kiwi fruit shared common IgE epitopes.
Detection of human c‐type “helper” viruses in human leukemic bone marrow with murine sarcoma virus‐transformed human and rat non‐producer cells

Bone‐marrow cells from two leukemic children were co‐cultivated with the canine thymus cell line A 7573. In early passages, C‐type oncornaviruses were released as detected by extracellular reverse transcriptase assay. Co‐cultivation of the infected canine cells with the non‐producing cell lines R‐970‐5 (human) or K‐NRK (rat) both transformed by Kirsten mouse sarcoma virus (MSV) yielded a new pseudotype of MSV that could transform rat embryo, rabbit SIRC and human kidney cells but not mouse embryo cells. The focus formation could be inhibited by an antiserum to the simian sarcoma virus but not by a serum directed against murine leukemia virus. A cell line derived from a focus of transformed cells became a high virus producer. By immunofluorescence it could be established that the virus is related to the simian sarcoma virus. It is concluded that the leukemic bone‐marrow cells produce a C‐type oncornavirus that can serve as a helper virus to the defective MSV.
Combined EEG-fNIRS Decoding of Motor Attempt and Imagery for Brain Switch Control: An Offline Study in Patients With Tetraplegia

Combining electrophysiological and hemodynamic features is a novel approach for improving current performance of brain switches based on sensorimotor rhythms (SMR). This study was conducted with a dual purpose: to test the feasibility of using a combined electroencephalogram/functional near-infrared spectroscopy (EEG-fNIRS) SMR-based brain switch in patients with tetraplegia, and to examine the performance difference between motor imagery and motor attempt for this user group. A general improvement was found when using both EEG and fNIRS features for classification as compared to using the single-modality EEG classifier, with average classification rates of 79% for attempted movement and 70% for imagined movement. For the control group, rates of 87% and 79% were obtained, respectively, where the “attempted movement” condition was replaced with “actual movement. ” A combined EEG-fNIRS system might be especially beneficial for users who lack sufficient control of current EEG-based brain switches. The average classification performance in the patient group for attempted movement was significantly higher than for imagined movement using the EEG-only as well as the combined classifier, arguing for the case of a paradigm shift in current brain switch research.