Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Manual displacement of the uterus during Caesarean section

Ninety ASA 1 and 2 pregnant women with term singleton pregnancies and no maternal and fetal complications, scheduled for elective or emergency Caesarean section, were randomly allocated to group LT (15° left lateral table tilt, n = 45) and group MD (leftward manual displacement, n = 45). Subarachnoid block was established with a 25‐gauge spinal needle at the L3‐L4 interspace using 1.5 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. A median sensory level of T6 was observed in both groups but the incidence of hypotension was markedly lower in group MD when compared to group LT (4.4% vs 40%; p < 0.001) with a significant reduction in mean (SD) ephedrine requirement (6 (0) vs 11.3 (4.9) mg; p < 0.001). The mean (SD) fall in systolic blood pressure was 28.8 (7.3) mmHg in group LT and 20 (12.7) mmHg in group MD. The time to maximum fall in systolic blood pressure was similar in both groups (4.5 min). We conclude that manual displacement of the uterus effectively reduces the incidence of hypotension and ephedrine requirements when compared to 15° left lateral table tilt in parturients undergoing Caesarean section.
Effect of antigen turnover rate and expression level on antibody penetration into tumor spheroids

Poor tissue penetration is a significant obstacle to the development of successful antibody drugs for immunotherapy of solid tumors, and diverse alterations to the properties of antibody drugs have been made to improve penetration and homogeneity of exposure. However, in addition to properties of the antibody drug, mathematical models of antibody transport predict that the antigen expression level and turnover rate significantly influence penetration. As intrinsic antigen properties are likely to be difficult to modify, they may set inherent limits to penetration. Accordingly, in this study, we assess their contribution by evaluating the distance to which antibodies penetrate spheroids when these antigen properties are systematically varied. Additionally, the penetration profiles of antibodies against carcinoembryonic antigen and A33, two targets of clinical interest, are compared. The results agree well with the quantitative predictions of the model and show that localizing antibody to distal regions of tumors is best achieved by selecting slowly internalized targets that are not expressed above the level necessary for recruiting a toxic dose of therapeutic. Each antibody-bound antigen molecule that is turned over or present in excess incurs a real cost in terms of penetration depth—a limiting factor in the development of effective therapies for treating solid tumors. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(7):2233–40]
Tardive dyskinesia in psychiatric outpatients: a study of prevalence and association with demographic, clinical, and drug history variables

We examined 153 psychiatric outpatients, on a maintenance regimen of neuroleptics, for tardive dyskinesia (TD) and parkinsonism. Demographic, clinical, and drug history data were collected to assess whether any of these factors were significantly associated with TD. After initial univariate screening, significant variables were analyzed by multivariate statistical methods. Tardive dyskinesia was significantly associated with the use of high-potency or high-dosage neuroleptics and depot fluphenazine, whereas low-potency neuroleptics were negatively correlated with moderate TD. Age, but not sex, correlated significantly with TD, as did histories of incoherence, grandiose delusions, and teeth or denture problems. Parkinsonism and TD were strongly associated. Although the prevalence of TD was quite high, there were no severe involvements of any of the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale body areas.
On Separating Points by Lines

Given a set $$P$$ P of n points in the plane, its separability is the minimum number of lines needed to separate all its pairs of points from each other, denoted by $$\mathrm {sep}\left( {P}\right) $$ sep P . We show that the minimum number of lines needed to separate n points, picked randomly (and uniformly) in the unit square, is $$\Bigl . {\widetilde{\Theta }}( n^{2/3})$$ Θ ~ ( n 2 / 3 ) , where $${\widetilde{\Theta }}$$ Θ ~ hides polylogarithmic factors. In addition, we provide a fast $$O(\log (\mathrm {sep}\left( {P}\right) ))$$ O ( log ( sep P ) ) -approximation algorithm for computing the separability of a given point set in the plane. Finally, we point out the connection between separability and partitions.
Vibrio parahaemolyticus Inhibition of Rho Family GTPase Activation Requires a Functional Chromosome I Type III Secretion System

ABSTRACT Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a leading cause of seafood-borne gastroenteritis; however, its virulence mechanisms are not well understood. The identification of type III secreted proteins has provided candidate virulence factors whose functions are still being elucidated. Genotypic strain variability contributes a level of complexity to understanding the role of different virulence factors. The ability of V. parahaemolyticus to inhibit Rho family GTPases and cause cytoskeletal disruption was examined with HeLa cells. After HeLa cells were infected, intracellular Rho activation was inhibited in response to external stimuli. In vitro activation of Rho, Rac, and Cdc42 isolated from infected HeLa cell lysates was also inhibited, indicating that the bacteria were specifically targeting GTPase activation. The inhibition of Rho family GTPase activation was retained for clinical and environmental isolates of V. parahaemolyticus and was dependent on a functional chromosome I type III secretion system (CI-T3SS). GTPase inhibition was independent of hemolytic toxin genotype and the chromasome II (CII)-T3SS. Rho inhibition was accompanied by a shift in the total actin pool to its monomeric form. These phenotypes were abrogated in a mutant strain lacking the CI-T3S effector Vp1686, suggesting that the inhibiting actin polymerization may be a downstream effect of Vp1686-dependent GTPase inhibition. Although Vp1686 has been previously characterized as a potential virulence factor in macrophages, our findings reveal an effect on cultured HeLa cells. The ability to inhibit Rho family GTPases independently of the CII-T3SS and the hemolytic toxins may provide insight into the mechanisms of virulence used by strains lacking these virulence factors.
In-situ Reflectance Monitoring of GaSb Substrate Oxide Desorption

The use of specular reflectance to monitor GaSb substrate oxide desorption in-situ is reported. Substrates were loaded into the organometallic vapor phase epitaxy reactor either as-received (epi-ready) or after receiving a solvent degrease, acid etch and rinse. A variety of surface preparations and anneal conditions were investigated. HCL was used as the etchant, and in certain cases was followed by an additional etch in Br{sub 2}-HCl-HNO{sub 3}-CH{sub 3}COOH for comparison. Rinse comparisons included 2-propanol, methanol, and deionized water. Substrates were heated to either 525, 550, or 575 C. Features observed in the in-situ reflectance associated with the oxide desorption process were interpreted based on the starting oxide chemistry and thickness. Based on in-situ reflectance and ex-situ atomic force microscopy data, a recommendation on a reproducible GaSb substrate preparation technique suitable for high-quality epitaxial growth is suggested.
Towards Explanatory Feedback for User Training in Brain-Computer Interfaces

Despite their potential for many applications, Brain -- Computer Interfaces (BCI) are still rarely used due to their low reliability and long training. These limitations are partly due to inappropriate training protocols, which includes the feedback provided to the user. While feedback should theoretically be explanatory, motivating and meaningful, current BCI feedback is usually boring, corrective only and difficult to understand. In this study, different features of the electroencephalogram signals were explored to be used as a richer, explanatory BCI feedback. First, based on offline mental imagery BCI data, muscular relaxation was notably found to be negatively correlated to BCI performance. Second, this study reports on an online BCI evaluation using muscular relaxation as additional feedback. While this additional feedback did not lead to significant change in BCI performance, this study showed that multiple feedbacks can be used without deteriorating performance and provided interesting insights for explanatory BCI feedback design.
Prediction of mortality in patients with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND The majority of patients with cystic fibrosis die in early adulthood of lung disease. Lung transplantation is a treatment option for patients with advanced pulmonary disease, although the waiting period for organs may be as long as two years. Our purpose was to determine whether the risk of death due to respiratory failure could be predicted one or two years in advance on the basis of pulmonary function, blood gas levels, and nutritional status. METHODS The study cohort consisted of 673 patients followed between 1977 and 1989. In each patient, pulmonary function, blood gas levels, nutritional status, and vital status were assessed between 1977 and 1987. Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis was used to compute the relative risk of death within one or two years after particular measurements. The effects of age and sex on mortality were also included in the analysis. RESULTS One hundred ninety patients (28 percent) died during the study period. Overall, patients with a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) less than 30 percent of the predicted value, a partial pressure of arterial oxygen below 55 mm Hg, or a partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide above 50 mm Hg had two-year mortality rates above 50 percent. Among the laboratory measurements, the FEV1 was the most significant predictor of mortality, but age and sex were also significant in predicting risk. After adjustment for age and sex, the relative risk of death within two years was 2.0 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.9 to 2.2) for each decrement in the FEV1 of 10 percent below the predicted value. Among patients with the same FEV1, the relative risk of death was 2.0 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.5 to 2.6) in patients 10 years younger than other patients, and 2.2 (1.6 to 3.1) in female patients as compared with male patients. CONCLUSIONS Patients with cystic fibrosis should be considered candidates for lung transplantation when the FEV1 falls below 30 percent of the predicted value. Female patients and younger patients may need to be considered for transplantation at an earlier stage.
Private efforts pick up stem cell slack.

THIRTY MONTHS AFTER PRESIDENT Bush banned federal funding for research on embryonic stem cells created after August 9, 2001, scientists and advocates are sidestepping the restrictions with millions of private and state dollars. At the same time, new research on adult stem cells—touted by embryonic cell opponents as a viable alternative for development of advanced tissue-replacement technologies—suggests they are less flexible than once imagined. For the first time since Bush announced the policy, embryonic stem cell proponents sound upbeat, propelled by a movement in Congress to open the floodgates of federal funding. In March, 70 members of Congress wrote the White House, telling Bush that unless he eases restrictions, they intend to push legislation that will accomplish the same. Led by Rep Michael Castle (R, Del), the coalition argues that the current policy has been “unintentionally restrictive” and that rapid advances in the field require flexible policies.
Glucose Withdrawal Induces Oxidative Stress followed by Apoptosis in Glioblastoma Cells but not in Normal Human Astrocytes

Tumor cells rely preferentially on anaerobic glycolysis rather than on respiration for ATP generation, a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect. We explored the effects of glucose withdrawal on glioblastoma multiforme–derived cell lines and their nontransformed counterparts, normal human astrocytes. We found that glucose withdrawal induces extensive apoptosis in glioblastoma multiforme cells but not in normal astrocytes. In all cells examined, ATP levels are sustained on glucose withdrawal due to elevation of fatty acid oxidation and ensuing respiration; however, we show that oxidative stress generated in the mitochondrial respiratory chain is the direct cause of cell death in glioblastoma multiforme cells. Oxidative stress that only occurs in glioblastoma multiforme cells underlies the selective susceptibility to glucose withdrawal–induced apoptosis documented in the malignant cells. This study implicates glycolysis as a potentially efficient and selective target for glioblastoma multiforme treatment. (Mol Cancer Res 2006;4(5):319–30)
Nutritional value of sugars and related compounds undigested in the small gut

The nutritional consequences of the ingestion of NAS depend on the quantity ingested. At lower levels there is little effect on the absorption of other nutrients and the colonic microbiological-salvage mechanism operates and a substantial proportion of the energy is made available to the body through fermentation. The exact amounts that can be tolerated in this way vary for individuals and are different for different compounds. At higher levels of intake the capacity of the colonic digester is exceeded and the decreased transit time affects N, energy, electrolyte and water metabolism. The responses to NAS are an example of how the animal body is dependent on the bacterial content of the colon to enable that organ to perform its function of water and electrolyte conservation.
Isolation of the ace1 Gene Encoding a Cys2-His2 Transcription Factor Involved in Regulation of Activity of the Cellulase Promoter cbh1of Trichoderma reesei *

A genetic selection method was developed for the cloning of positive-acting transcriptional regulatory genes inSaccharomyces cerevisiae. The method was applied for the isolation of activators of Trichoderma reesei(Hypocrea jecorina) cellulase genes. Activator genes were isolated from a T. reesei expression cDNA library on the basis of the ability of their translation products to activate transcription from the full-length T. reesei cbh1 promoter coupled to the S. cerevisiae HIS3 gene and to support the growth of the yeast colonies in the absence of histidine. Among the clones obtained was the ace1 gene encoding a novel polypeptide, ACEI, that contains three zinc finger motifs of Cys2-His2 type. Possible ACEI homologues were found among expressed sequence tags of Aspergillus andNeurospora. The ability of ACEI to bind to thecbh1 promoter was further confirmed in the yeast one-hybrid system. In vitro binding and gel mobility shift assays revealed several binding sites for the ACEI protein in thecbh1 promoter. Disruption of the ace1 gene inT. reesei resulted in retarded growth of the fungus on a cellulose-containing medium, on which cellulases are normally highly expressed.
A Matriptase-Prostasin Reciprocal Zymogen Activation Complex with Unique Features

Background: Matriptase and prostasin form a proteolytic pathway in which the hierarchical placement of the two proteases is unclear. Results: Prostasin stimulates matriptase activation non-enzymatically. Matriptase zymogen can activate prostasin. Conclusion: Matriptase and prostasin form a reciprocal zymogen activation complex with unique features. Significance: A general model for activation of the two membrane-anchored serine proteases is proposed. Matriptase and prostasin are part of a cell surface proteolytic pathway critical for epithelial development and homeostasis. Here we have used a reconstituted cell-based system and transgenic mice to investigate the mechanistic interrelationship between the two proteases. We show that matriptase and prostasin form a reciprocal zymogen activation complex with unique features. Prostasin serves as a critical co-factor for matriptase activation. Unexpectedly, however, prostasin-induced matriptase activation requires neither prostasin zymogen conversion nor prostasin catalytic activity. Prostasin zymogen conversion to active prostasin is dependent on matriptase but does not require matriptase zymogen conversion. Consistent with these findings, wild type prostasin, activation cleavage site-mutated prostasin, and catalytically inactive prostasin all were biologically active in vivo when overexpressed in the epidermis of transgenic mice, giving rise to a severe skin phenotype. Our finding of non-enzymatic stimulation of matriptase activation by prostasin and activation of prostasin by the matriptase zymogen provides a tentative mechanistic explanation for several hitherto unaccounted for genetic and biochemical observations regarding these two membrane-anchored serine proteases and their downstream targets.
The immunoregulation of T cell function by CNS endothelium

The presence of inflammatory cells within the central nervous system (CNS) including the retina is characteristic of disease states such as human uveitis and multiple sclerosis, both CD4+ T cell mediated immune inflammatory diseases. Normal CNS is devoid of inflammatory cells and is maintained by the specialized nature of the isolated microenvironments. The blood brain and blood retinal barriers (BBB, BRB) composed of highly specialized endothelial cells physically protect the CNS by regulating immune cell entry. The CNS is actively protected by immune privilege in which the local environment is able to suppress potentially devastating immune reactions, through the local expression of FasL and production of cytokines such as TGF-p. Additionally a role for a group of compounds called Statins has been described in the prevention of leukocyte migration from blood vessels to the sites of atherosclerotic lesions. This study aims to determine potential mechanisms by which microvascular endothelial cells (EC) of the CNS are able to regulate T lymphocyte function, and whether these mechanisms are implicated in disease. The effects of statins on an inflammatory disease of the CNS were also investigated. An in vitro model of the BBB was used to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of EC upon T cells. A transwell insert system was employed to investigate the effects on T cells of co-culture with EC whilst preventing cell-to-cell contact and also, the effect of transmigration through EC monolayers. Studies were also undertaken to investigate potential mechanisms by which this regulation may occur. The effect of statins was investigated using two models of Experimental Autoimmune Uveoretinitis (EAU) as a model of human posterior Uveitis. EAU was induced using SAg peptide or IRBP peptide and the effects of daily administration of statin were assessed using Fluorescein Angiography. Retinal sections were also examined by classical histology. The effects of statins were also investigated using an in vitro model of the BRB, time lapse microscopy and flow cytometry. The effects of statins on T cell function were assessed ex vivo by splenocyte proliferation assays.
Platelet-Derived Stromal Cell–Derived Factor-1 Regulates Adhesion and Promotes Differentiation of Human CD34+ Cells to Endothelial Progenitor Cells

Background— Peripheral homing of progenitor cells in areas of diseased organs is critical for tissue regeneration. The chemokine stromal cell–derived factor-1 (SDF-1) regulates homing of CD34+ stem cells. We evaluated the role of platelet-derived SDF-1 in adhesion and differentiation of human CD34+ cells into endothelial progenitor cells. Methods and Results— Adherent platelets express substantial amounts of SDF-1 and recruit CD34+ cells in vitro and in vivo. A monoclonal antibody to SDF-1 or to its counterreceptor, CXCR4, inhibits stem cell adhesion on adherent platelets under high arterial shear in vitro and after carotid ligation in mice, as determined by intravital fluorescence microscopy. Platelets that adhere to human arterial endothelial cells enhance the adhesion of CD34+ cells on endothelium under flow conditions, a process that is inhibited by anti-SDF-1. During intestinal ischemia/reperfusion in mice, anti-SDF-1 and anti-CXCR4, but not isotype control antibodies, abolish the recruitment of CD34+ cells in microcirculation. Moreover, platelet-derived SDF-1 binding to CXCR4 receptor promotes platelet-induced differentiation of CD34+ cells into endothelial progenitor cells, as verified by colony-forming assays in vitro. Conclusions— These findings imply that platelet-derived SDF-1 regulates adhesion of stem cells in vitro and in vivo and promotes differentiation of CD34+ cells to endothelial progenitor cells. Because tissue regeneration depends on recruitment of progenitor cells to peripheral vasculature and their subsequent differentiation, platelet-derived SDF-1 may contribute to vascular and myocardial regeneration.
Using a brief household food inventory as an environmental indicator of individual dietary practices.

OBJECTIVES This study examined whether foods in household pantries are an indicator of house-hold members' diet. METHODS In a random-digit-dial survey, the presence in the house of 15 high-fat foods was assessed with whoever answered the phone. A randomly selected household member was surveyed about diet-related behaviors (n = 1002). RESULTS Individuals in the precontemplation stage of dietary change had more high-fat foods in their pantry than those in maintenance (means of 7.4 and 5.8, respectively). Individuals with low-fat pantries had an intake of 32% energy from fat vs 37% for those with high-fat pantries. CONCLUSIONS Household food inventories are a practical and valid approach to monitoring dietary behaviors in community-based studies.
Recovering Test-to-Code Traceability Via Slicing and Conceptual Coupling

Maintaining trace ability links between application code and unit test cases plays an important role for effectively managing the development and evolution of software systems. Unfortunately, the support in the contemporary development environment to identify such links is still inadequate. This research presents an automated solution to recover trace ability links between test cases and classes under test. The approach is based on dynamic slicing and conceptual coupling. A preliminary evaluation indicates that the proposed approach identifies trace ability links between unit test cases and tested classes with a high accuracy and greater stability than existing techniques.
Difference Between Intermittent Chaotic Bursting and Spiking of Neural Firing Patterns

The chaotic spiking and intermittent chaotic bursting were observed from biological experiment on a neural pacemaker. The intermittent chaotic bursting manifested alternation between a phase of nearly period-3 bursting and another phase of irregular bursting, and exhibited a nonsmooth-like structure in the first return map of interspike interval (ISI) series. The chaotic spiking manifested a smooth structure. The intermittent chaotic bursting and spiking simulated in the Chay model were identified by the dissection of the fast-slow variables. The intermittent chaotic bursting manifested nonsmooth-like structures in the first return map of both ISI and slow variable, while spiking exhibited smooth structures. The intermittent chaotic bursting and spiking manifested different scale laws of the averaged length of periodic phase with respect to the changes of parameter value. The scale law of bursting was similar to those of both type V intermittent chaos generated in a nonsmooth map and type I in a smooth system, while that of spiking resembled type I more than type V. The results revealed the dynamics of intermittent chaotic firing patterns, the differences between the intermittent chaotic bursting and spiking patterns and the relationships to the smooth and nonsmooth-like characteristics, provided a deep understanding of intermittent chaotic firing patterns, and indicated different mechanisms of the adjustment of variables from slow to fast between bursting and spiking patterns.