Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Traumatically injured astrocytes release a proteomic signature modulated by STAT3‐dependent cell survival

Molecular markers associated with CNS injury are of diagnostic interest. Mechanical trauma generates cellular deformation associated with membrane permeability with unknown molecular consequences. We used an in vitro model of stretch‐injury and proteomic analyses to determine protein changes in murine astrocytes and their surrounding fluids. Abrupt pressure‐pulse stretching resulted in the rapid release of 59 astrocytic proteins with profiles reflecting cell injury and cell death, i.e., mechanoporation and cell lysis. This acute trauma‐release proteome was overrepresented with metabolic proteins compared with the uninjured cellular proteome, bearing relevance for post‐traumatic metabolic depression. Astrocyte‐specific deletion of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3‐CKO) resulted in reduced stretch‐injury tolerance, elevated necrosis and increased protein release. Consistent with more lysed cells, more protein complexes, nuclear and transport proteins were released from STAT3‐CKO versus nontransgenic astrocytes. STAT3‐CKO astrocytes had reduced basal expression of GFAP, lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB), aldolase C (ALDOC), and astrocytic phosphoprotein 15 (PEA15), and elevated levels of tropomyosin (TPM4) and α actinin 4 (ACTN4). Stretching caused STAT3‐dependent cellular depletion of PEA15 and GFAP, and its filament disassembly in subpopulations of injured astrocytes. PEA15 and ALDOC signals were low in injured astrocytes acutely after mouse spinal cord crush injury and were robustly expressed in reactive astrocytes 1 day postinjury. In contrast, α crystallin (CRYAB) was present in acutely injured astrocytes, and absent from uninjured and reactive astrocytes, demonstrating novel marker differences among postinjury astrocytes. These findings reveal a proteomic signature of traumatically‐injured astrocytes reflecting STAT3‐dependent cellular survival with potential diagnostic value. GLIA 2016;64:668–694
What Remains to Be Done to Allow Quantitative X-Ray Microanalysis Performed with EDS to Become a True Characterization Technique?

Abstract This article reviews different methods used to perform quantitative X-ray microanalysis in the electron microscope and also demonstrates the urgency of measuring the fundamental parameters of X-ray generation for the development of accurate standardless quantitative methods. Using ratios of characteristic lines acquired on the same X-ray spectrum, it is shown that the Cliff and Lorimer K A-B factor can be used in a general correction method that is appropriate for all types of specimens and electron microscopes, providing that appropriate corrections are made for X-ray absorption, fluorescence, and indirect generation. Since the fundamental parameters appear in the K A-B factor, only the ratio of the ionization cross sections needs to be known, not their absolute values. In this regard, the measurement of ratios of the K A-B factor (or intensities at different beam energies of the same material with no change of beam spreading in the material) permits the validation for the best models to compute the ratio of ionization cross sections. It is shown, using this method, that the nonrelativistic Bethe equation, to compute ionization cross section, is very close to the equation of E. Casnati et al. (J Phys B 15, 155–167, 1982) and also to the equations proposed by D. Bote and F. Salvat (Phys Rev A 77, 042701, 2008) for the computation of the ratio of ionization cross sections. The method is extended to show that it could be used to determine the values of the Coster-Kronig transitions factors, an important fundamental parameter for the generation of L and M lines that is mostly known with poor accuracy. The detector efficiency can be measured with specimens where their intensities were measured with an energy dispersive spectrometer detector, the efficiency of which has been measured in an X-ray synchrotron (M. Alvisi et al., Microsc Microanal 12, 406–415, 2006). The spatial resolution should always be computed when performing quantitative X-ray microanalysis and the equations of R. Gauvin (Microsc Microanal 13(5), 354–357, 2007) for bulk materials and the one presented in this article for thin films should be used. The effects of X-rays generated by fast secondary electrons and by Auger electrons are reviewed, and their effect can be detrimental for the spatial resolution of materials involving low-energy X-ray lines, in certain specific conditions. Finally, quantitative X-ray microanalysis of heterogeneous materials is briefly reviewed.
Methods for Recognition and Classification of Human Motion Patterns – A Prerequisite for Intelligent Devices Assisting in Sports Activities

Abstract Sensor and computing technologies provide people with information on their performance and load when doing sports. In order to automatically give advices on how to continue exercising and/or to adjust the sports equipment during the physical activity, intelligent devices are required. These devices rely on models for recognition and classification of patterns in the motion currently performed. Different methods and models, such as Neural Networks, Hidden Markov models or Support Vector Machines have proven to be applicable for this purpose. Pros and cons of the different approaches are discussed. Practical applications are presented and experiences reported.
From Curdlan Powder to the Triple Helix Gel Structure: An Attenuated Total Reflection—Infrared Study of the Gelation Process

Infrared spectroscopy was used to probe the hydration and gelation of curdlan, a linear polysaccharide built from repeating units of (1→3)-β-D-glucose. The spectra have been recorded using a temperature-controlled attenuated total reflection (ATR) device. Thermal gelation of curdlan could therefore be followed in situ and in real time. The transformation of the low-set gel, mainly formed with single helices, into a high-set gel, associated with a triple helix structure, could be directly observed. The relative intensities and positions of characteristic absorption bands in the C–O region (1200–850 cm−1) were found to be representative of the gel structure, as they are believed to be sensitive to the helical conformation of the polymer chains. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is shown to be a useful tool for rapid and efficient characterization of curdlan gels.
Electron trapping effect on the switching behavior of contact RRAM devices through random telegraph noise analysis

Single electron trapping/de-trapping behavior is firstly observed and investigated in the contact resistive random access memory cell. By analyzing the random telegraph noise, the temperature-dependency of resistance levels and the high-temperature data retention behavior of the contact RRAM film are successfully explained. Detail analyses on the capture and emission of electrons in this contact RRAM cell provide further verifications for the proposed trap-induced resistive switching model.
Inducible nitric oxide synthase in human diseases

Since its discovery as a biologically active molecule in the late 1980s, nitric oxide (NO) has been found to play an important role as signal molecule in many parts of the organism as well as cytotoxic or regulatory effector molecule of the innate immune response. The signal molecule NO is synthesized on demand for short periods of time (seconds to minutes) following enzyme activation of constitutively expressed endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) or neuronal NO synthase (nNOS). In contrast, the inducible NO synthase (iNOS) is expressed after cell activation only and then produces NO for comparatively long periods of time (hours to days). Thus, regulated short pulsative synthesis versus constant NO production differentiates between physiological and pathophysiological actions of NO (for review see [1]). As human monocytes in contrast to rodent ones do not produce large amounts of NO when activated in vitro, iNOS expression in human diseases has long been questionable. However, in the last 3 years data have accumulated on iNOS expression in a variety of human diseases or disorders. We here try to review our current understanding of the role of iNOS in human diseases.
Structuring of carbon nanotubes for field emission based movement sensors

This paper addresses the exploitation of the field emitting properties of carbon nanotubes for movement sensor applications. To utilize this transducer principle a well defined gap between the field emitting carbon nanotubes and the counter electrode must be formed. Three different methods to dissect the dielectrophoretically deposited carbon nanotubes in a reproducible way are presented.
Animal-guided evolutionary computation in honeybees and robots

In this paper we report our ongoing work with evolving biohybrid societies. We develop robots that will be integrated in an animal society and will be accepted as a conspecific. Moreover, we want our robots to affect the behaviour of animals. We are using evolutionary algorithms to optimise robot controllers, where fitness is evaluated via measuring the effect a robot controller has on the animals. Several issues have to be considered: if the animals do not have a homogeneous behaviour several evaluations are needed to rule out outliers, and yet evaluating animal behaviour is a time consuming task. Besides the time it takes to record their behaviour, we have to take into account animal resting time, stimulus habituation, and feeding periods. Another factor that increases the task difficulty is robot heterogeneity, which is similar to the so called reality gap problem that occurs in evolving robot controllers in simulation. In our case, if we want a robust robot controller, we have to evaluate it in differ.
The Treatment of Paget's Bone Disease with Sodium Ethidronate

Of 58 patients with Paget's disease treated with disodium ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate (EHDP) in doses of 20 and 10 mg/kg/day, a group of 20 patients with the oligostotic form of the disease showed a significantly greater incidence of complications, such as worsening of bone pains, when compared with a group of 38 patients with the polyostotic disease (P < 0.05). The group of 32 patients that received 20 mg/kg/day showed a greater although not significant incidence of clinical complications than the group of 26 patients treated with 10 mg/kg/day. Bone biopsies performed in one polyostotic and three oligostotic cases who suffered episodes of bone pain worsening during treatment with 20 mg/kg/day disclosed a severe osteomalacia. Both groups treated with 20 and 10 mg/kg showed a highly significant decrease of urinary hydroxyproline (THP) excretion and of serum alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.01) after two and six months of treatment although the trend comparison between doses was not significant. It is suggested that the dose of EHDP should be related to the extent of the disease.
High-level cerebellar expression of cytokines and adhesion molecules in fatal, paediatric, cerebral malaria

Abstract Although the roles played by systemic tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and their upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin, in the pathogenesis of human cerebral malaria (CM) are well established, the role of local cytokine release, in the brain, remains unclear. Immunohistochemistry was therefore used to compare the expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, IL-1β, TNF and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) at light-microscope level, in cryostat sections of cerebral, cerebellar and brainstem tissues collected, post-mortem, from Ghanaian children. Among the 21 children investigated were 10 cases of CM, five of severe malarial anemia (SMA), one of purulent bacterial meningitis (PBM), two of non-central-nervous-system infection (NCNSI) and three children who had no infection (NI) when they died. Parasitised erythrocytes were detected in all of the sections from the cases of fatal malaria (CM and SMA), and sequestered leucocytes were present in most of the sections from the CM cases (but none of the sections from the SMA cases). Significantly elevated vascular expression of all three adhesion molecules investigated was detected in the brains of the 15 cases of fatal malaria and one of the cases of NCNSI (a child with Salmonella septicaemia), and in the malaria cases this showed highly significant co-localization with the areas of erythrocyte sequestration. In terms of the levels of expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin, there were, however, negligible differences between the CM and SMA cases. Although TGF-β showed intravascular and perivascular distribution in all the subjects, its expression was most intense in the PBM case and the CM group. Only in the sections from the PBM and CM cases did TNF and IL-1β show prominent brain parenchymal staining, in addition to the intravascular and perivascular staining seen in all subjects. The highest observed expression of each of the six antigens studied was in the cerebellar sections of the malaria cases. Endothelial activation in the brain therefore appears to be a feature of fatal malaria and Salmonella sepsis, and in cases of fatal malaria is closely associated with leucocyte sequestration. In the present study, IL-1β and TNF were only up-regulated in the brains of children with neurodegenerative lesions, whereas TGF-β was present in all cases.
Spreading sequence selection scheme for NBI suppression IN DS-UWB systems

Interference suppression is important for the ultra-wideband (UWB) systems to operate over spectrum occupied by pre-existing narrowband systems. In this paper, a spreading sequence selection scheme is proposed for code-aided interference suppression in direct-sequence UWB (DS-UWB) systems. Compared with a randomly selected spreading sequence, the presented scheme can ensure the system achieves suboptimal performance. Compared with our recently proposed eigenvector sign (EVS) spreading sequence, an equalizer can be avoided for high speed application by using the selected spreading sequence, which reduces the complexity of system implementation.
Prospective, Randomized Trial on Late Steroid Withdrawal in Pediatric Renal Transplant Recipients Under Cyclosporine Microemulsion and Mycophenolate Mofetil

Background. Many transplant centers practice late steroid withdrawal after pediatric renal transplantation, but evidence-based data on the overall risk-to-benefit ratio in this patient population are lacking. Methods. We therefore conducted the first prospective, randomized, open-label multicenter study to validate this strategy: 42 low-immunologic risk pediatric kidney allograft recipients, aged 10.3±4.3 years, on cyclosporine microemulsion, mycophenolate mofetil, and corticosteroids were randomly assigned, more than or equal to 1-year posttransplant, to continue steroids or to withdraw over 3 months. This report contains the 1-year results. Results. In response to steroid withdrawal, patients experienced a significant catch-up growth with a mean standardized height gain of 0.3±0.1 standard deviation score (SDS) per year (P<0.05 vs. control), whereas mean height SDS in the control group did not change (0.0±0.1 SDS). Standardized body mass index declined significantly by 0.68±0.23 SDS after steroid withdrawal, but rose significantly by 0.26±0.34 SDS in the control group. Patients off steroids had less frequent arterial hypertension (50% vs. 87.5% (P<0.05) and significantly lower serum cholesterol (by 21%) and triglyceride values (by 36%) than control patients. Patient and graft survival were 100%. The incidence of acute rejection episodes in the steroid-withdrawal group was 1 of 23 (4%) compared with 1 of 19 (5%) in controls. Transplant function remained stable in both groups. Conclusion. Late steroid withdrawal in low-immunologic risk European pediatric kidney transplant recipients on cyclosporine microemulsion and mycophenolate mofetil is not associated with an increased rate of acute rejection episodes, enables catch-up growth and ameliorates cardiovascular risk factors.
Inhibitory effect of the cree traditional medicine wiishichimanaanh (Vaccinium vitis‐idaea) on advanced glycation endproduct formation: identification of active principles

Like many aboriginal populations, First Nations communities such as the Cree of Eeyou Istchee are facing continuously increasing rates of diabetes and related complications. Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), which readily form and accumulate with sustained hyperglycemia, contribute to the development of diabetic complications and, as such, are considered a potential therapeutic target. In the present study, the inhibition of AGE formation by ethanolic extracts of the Cree medicinal plant Vaccinium vitis‐idaea L. was assessed by fluorometric detection of fluorescent AGEs and immunodetection of Nϵ‐(carboxymethyl)lysine adducts of albumin. Extracts from V. vitis‐idaea berries demonstrated a concentration‐dependent inhibition of AGE formation in both measures. High performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) identified nine main phenolic constituents. Four were selected for further testing, of which catechin, quercetin‐3‐O‐galactoside and cyanidin‐3‐O‐glucoside but not para‐coumaric acid displayed antiglycation activities. These results demonstrate that the flavonoid components of the berry extract are potent antiglycation agents and provide pharmacological validation for the traditional use of V. vitis‐idaea as an antidiabetic remedy. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Single-carrier 400G interface and 10-channel WDM transmission over 4,800 km using all-ETDM 107-Gbaud PDM-QPSK

We transmit all-electronically multiplexed 107-Gbaud polarization-multiplexed quadrature-phase-shift-keying over 4,800-km using coherent detection based on a real-time oscilloscope with 63-GHz electronic bandwidth. Ten WDM channels on a 120-GHz grid yield a spectral efficiency of 3.3 b/s/Hz.
Comparative study of laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy.

UNLABELLED Comparative Study of Laparoscopic (LA) versus Open Appendicectomy (OA) as a Cross sectional hospital based study for evaluation of: Postoperative quality of life Postoperative painAmount of Narcotics/Analgesics usedHospital stayTime to full recovery BACKGROUND This underdeveloped residuum of the caecum has no known function and is commonly termed as a 'vestigial' organ, yet diseases of the appendix loom large in surgical practice; and appendicitis continues to be the most common acute abdominal condition that requires immediate surgical treatment. STUDY DESIGN Study to be carried out over a period of two months included patient diagnosed with appendicitis and admitted to surgery ward at Sir J.J. Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, India and St. George Hospital, Mumbai, India and willing to be enrolled in the study.Demographic data, clinical features, investigations, Technique, reintroduction of diet, postoperative pain, use of analgesia, hospital stay were documented and outcome recorded in a predesigned case record form. Return to normal activity and work was determined by questioning during postoperative clinic. RESULTS Proved that laparoscopic procedures cause less post-operative pain than their conventional counterpartsAnalgesic requirement for post operative analgesia was significantly less in LA (mean 4 inj. doses) compared to the OA (mean 5.9 inj. doses) Hospital stay was less for LA (2.23 days) than OA (3.4 days) Full recovery on the basis of return to normal activity was earlier in LA (6.53 days) as compared to OA (8.7 days). CONCLUSION LA holds a promising prospect and may replace OA in the near future as the method of choice for effective and qualitative clinical management of appendicitis in emergency and in elective set up.
Electromyographic activity during awake tooth grinding tasks at different jaw posture in the sagittal plane

Abstract Objective. The goal of this study was to evaluate the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the anterior temporalis, suprahyoid, infrahyoid and trapezius muscles during tooth grinding at different jaw posture tasks. Materials and methods. Participants were 30 healthy subjects with natural dentition, bilateral molar support and incisive protrusive guidance. Bipolar surface electrodes were located on the right side of the subject. EMG recordings were performed in the following tasks: (A) Eccentric grinding from intercuspal position to protrusive edge-to-edge contact position; (B) concentric grinding from protrusive edge-to-edge contact position to intercuspal position; (C) eccentric grinding from intercuspal position to the maximum voluntary retrusive position; and (D) concentric grinding from the maximum voluntary retrusive position to intercuspal position. The results were analyzed statistically by Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed rank-sum test. Results. EMG activity in the anterior temporalis and infrahyoid muscles was significantly higher during task C than the other tasks. EMG activity in the suprahyoid muscles was significantly higher during task C than task D. EMG activity in the trapezius muscle was significantly higher during task C than tasks A and B. Conclusions. The higher EMG activity recorded in task C could become important when its frequency, duration and magnitude are enough to exceed the adaptation capability of the individual.
Social skills training with mentally handicapped people: a review.

Four questions are asked about the use of social skills training procedures with mentally handicapped people. The first is, 'What are social skills in the context of mental handicap? ', and it is suggested that they involve a complex array of perceptual, cognitive, motor and motivational processes, all of which can be disrupted due to various problems common among mentally handicapped people. The second question, 'What changes do social skills training programmes aim to achieve? ', leads to the conclusion that most programmes have concentrated on motor, and to some extent on motivational processes, at the expense of perceptuo-cognitive ones. In asking, 'Have the programmes been successful in achieving these changes? ', the answer is a guarded 'yes', given the limited aims of most investigators. Generalization to the natural environment has only occasionally been established, though it is often not measured. The fourth question is, 'What is the clinical significance of the changes obtained by such programmes and how can future ones be made more clinically relevant? '. The answer to the first part of the question is that, in general, their clinical utility has not been established. Future programmes could be made more clinically relevant if they were integrated with strategies for producing more benign and stimulating environments for mentally handicapped people.
Investigating cell mechanics with atomic force microscopy

Transmission of mechanical force is crucial for normal cell development and functioning. However, the process of mechanotransduction cannot be studied in isolation from cell mechanics. Thus, in order to understand how cells ‘feel’, we must first understand how they deform and recover from physical perturbations. Owing to its versatility, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has become a popular tool to study intrinsic cellular mechanical properties. Used to directly manipulate and examine whole and subcellular reactions, AFM allows for top-down and reconstitutive approaches to mechanical characterization. These studies show that the responses of cells and their components are complex, and largely depend on the magnitude and time scale of loading. In this review, we generally describe the mechanotransductive process through discussion of well-known mechanosensors. We then focus on discussion of recent examples where AFM is used to specifically probe the elastic and inelastic responses of single cells undergoing deformation. We present a brief overview of classical and current models often used to characterize observed cellular phenomena in response to force. Both simple mechanistic models and complex nonlinear models have been used to describe the observed cellular behaviours, however a unifying description of cell mechanics has not yet been resolved.