Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Collateral circulation pathway in patients with basilar artery occlusion/severe stenosis: a single-center case series].

Objective: To investigate the collateral circulation compensation model in patients with favorable prognosis of basilar artery occlusion/severe stenosis treated with drugs or endovascular therapy. Methods: Clinical data of patients with basilar artery occlusion/severe stenosis and good clinical outcome were retrospectively collected in the Department of Neurology, Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2019 to January 2020. They were divided into intensive drug therapy group and combined endovascular therapy group. The number and ways of collateral compensation pathway described by digital substraction angiography (DSA) were analyzed, and the characteristics of the collateral compensation model were summarized. SPSS22.0 software was used for statistical analysis, and the constituent ratio (%) was used for statistical description of the enumeration data. Results: A total of 32 eligible patients were included, including 27 males and 5 females, with an average age 45-76 (59±10) years. The compensation model included posterior communicating artery-posterior cerebral artery (13 cases, 40.6%), posterior communicating artery-posterior cerebral artery-basilar artery (10 cases, 31.2%), cerebellar artery-anastomotic branches of superior cerebellar artery (8 cases, 25.0%), anterior choroid artery-anastomotic branches of posterior choroid artery (2 cases, 6.2%), collateral circulation not established (11 cases, 34.4%). In drug treatment group, collateral compensation was found in the majority (14/15), with mainly posterior communicating artery (10/14). Most patients in combined treatment group did not develop collateral compensation (10/17), anastomotic branches of PICA-SCA were the main routes (6/7). Conclusion: In patients with basilar artery occlusion/severe stenosis, favorable clinical outcome can be achieved in both groups of patients treated with intensive drug therapy or endovascular therapy.
Cone photoreceptor reflectance variation in the northern tree shrew and thirteen-lined ground squirrel

In vivo images of human cone photoreceptors have been shown to vary in their reflectance both spatially and temporally. While it is generally accepted that the unique anatomy and physiology of the photoreceptors themselves drives this behavior, the exact mechanisms have not been fully elucidated as most studies on these phenomena have been limited to the human retina. Unlike humans, animal models offer the ability to experimentally manipulate the retina and perform direct in vivo and ex vivo comparisons. The thirteen-lined ground squirrel and northern tree shrew are two emerging animal models being used in vision research. Both models feature cone-dominant retinas, overcoming a key limitation of traditional rodent models. Additionally, each possesses unique but well-documented anatomical differences in cone structure compared to human cones, which can be leveraged to further constrain theoretical models of light propagation within photoreceptors. Here we sought to characterize the spatial and temporal reflectance behavior of cones in these species. Adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) was used to non-invasively image the photoreceptors of both species at 5 to 10 min intervals over the span of 18 to 25 min. The reflectance of individual cone photoreceptors was measured over time, and images at individual time points were used to assess the variability of cone reflectance across the cone mosaic. Variability in spatial and temporal photoreceptor reflectance was observed in both species, with similar behavior to that seen in human AOSLO images. Despite the unique cone structure in these animals, these data suggest a common origin of photoreceptor reflectance behavior across species. Such data may help constrain models of the cellular origins of photoreceptor reflectance signals. These animal models provide an experimental platform to further explore the morphological origins of light capture and propagation.
Observing reorientation dynamics with Time-Resolved fluorescence and molecular dynamics in varying periodic boundary conditions

Abstract This work presents a combined study of time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and all-atom molecular dynamics simulation to investigate periodic boundary conditions’ and water models’ influence on the orientation dynamics and translational and rotational diffusion of peptides in solution. We have characterized the effects of solvent box size and water model choice on the dynamics of two peptide systems, NATA and WK5. Computationally, translational, and rotational diffusion and internal fluctuations are investigated through all-atom molecular dynamics simulation with two water models and different box sizes. These results are compared with time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy decay (FAD) measurements. The associated time constant and orientation dynamics from FAD measurement along the 1Lb axis provided baseline data to validate molecular dynamics simulation. The modeling results show that diffusion rates vary roughly in inverse proportion to water model viscosity, as one would expect. Corrections for finite box size are significant for translational diffusion and insignificant for rotational diffusion. This study also finds that internal dynamics described by autocorrelation functions and kinetic network models are relatively insensitive to both box size and water model properties. Our observation suggests that different peptide properties respond differently to a change in simulation conditions. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma
Acute kidney injuries induced by thrombotic microangiopathy following severe hemorrhage in puerperants: a case series and literature review.

BACKGROUND Acute kidney injury in puerperants is generally caused by acute tubular necrosis and occasionally by thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) following post-partum hemorrhage. However, TMA leads to worse clinical outcomes and is rarely reported in the literature. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the pathological mechanism behind the development of TMA in puerperants to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. METHODS Three patients diagnosed with severe postpartum hemorrhage and TMA from 2014 to 2017 at a nephrology center were retrospectively investigated. RESULTS All patients had severe hemorrhage during delivery with a mean blood loss, 4.0 L (range, 2.7-5.0 L). AKI developed rapidly in these patients and was treated with hemodialysis. Following treatment, the mean volume of packed red blood cells was 2.3 L (range, 1.2-3.6 L), and the mean volume of resuscitation fluid was 3.7 L (range, 3.5-4.0 L). All patients had renal biopsy specimens with typical TMA and ATN changes on light microscopy. Two patients required a hysterectomy while another two patients received respiratory support. Only one patient received plasma exchange. None of the patients had recovered normal kidney function by the final follow-up (26-61 months), with two patients having stage 3 chronic kidney disease, and one patient having an end-stage renal disease requiring maintenance hemodialysis. CONCLUSION Severe postpartum hemorrhage could lead to TMA, in addition to the common finding of ATN. Renal histology revealed that poor renal outcomes could be attributed to TMA coexisting with ATN. The potential mechanism was ischemia-reperfusion, which was followed by endothelial cell injury and activation of the alternative complement pathway.
Maternal Childhood Adversity as a Risk for Perinatal Complications and NICU Hospitalization.

OBJECTIVE To examine maternal childhood adversity in relation to increased risk for maternal and infant perinatal complications and newborn Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admittance. METHODS A sample of 164 women recruited at their first prenatal appointment participated in a longitudinal study through 6 weeks postdelivery. Participants self-reported on their adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), negative health risks (overweight/obesity, smoking, and alcohol use), adverse infant outcomes, NICU admittance, and maternal perinatal complications across three pregnancy assessments and one post-birth assessment. Logistic binomial regression analyses were used to examine associations between maternal ACEs and adverse infant outcomes, NICU admittance, and maternal perinatal complications, controlling for pregnancy-related health risks. RESULTS Findings showed that women with severe ACEs exposure (6+ ACEs) had 4 times the odds of reporting at least one adverse infant outcome (odds ratio [OR] = 4.33, 95% CI: 1.02-18.39), almost 9 times the odds of reporting a NICU admission (OR = 8.70, 95% CI: 1.34-56.65), and 4 times the odds of reporting at least one maternal perinatal outcome (OR = 4.37, 95% CI: 1.43-13.39). CONCLUSIONS The findings demonstrate the extraordinary risk that mothers' ACEs pose for infant and maternal health outcomes over and above the associations with known maternal health risks during pregnancy, including overweight/obesity, smoking, and alcohol use. These results support a biological intergenerational transmission framework, which suggests that risk from maternal adversity is perpetuated in the next generation through biophysical and behavioral mechanisms during pregnancy that negatively affect infant health outcomes.
Which antiseizure medications are effective for absence seizure in children and adolescents? A Cochrane Review summary with commentary

BACKGROUND Absence seizures account for 10% to 17% of all seizures in children and adolescents. Absence seizures present as short sudden episodes of loss of awareness and can be divided into typical absence seizure, atypical absence seizure, and absence seizures with special features. Sodium valproate, ethosuximide, and lamotrigine are three antiseizure medications commonly used to treat absence seizures. Ethosuximide is indicated only for the treatment of generalized absence seizure, whilst valproate and lamotrigine are used in other types of seizures. Non-systematic reviews have suggested that ethosuximide and sodium valproate are equally effective, while lamotrigine is considered as a second-line drug, reserved for intractable absence seizure. Accidental injury is a common complication of absence seizure; around 20% of adolescents with absence seizure were reported to suffer an injury during an absence seizure. This could impact their rehabilitation process and thus prescribing antiseizure medication based on evidence is important.
Predicting stability of DNA bulge at mononucleotide microsatellite

Abstract Mononucleotide microsatellites are clinically and forensically crucial DNA sequences due to their high mutability and abundance in the human genome. As a mutagenic intermediate of an indel in a microsatellite and a consequence of probe hybridization after such mutagenesis, a bulge with structural degeneracy sliding within a microsatellite is formed. Stability of such dynamic bulges, however, is still poorly understood despite their critical role in cancer genomics and neurological disease studies. In this paper, we have built a model that predicts the thermodynamics of a sliding bulge at a microsatellite. We first identified 40 common bulge states that can be assembled into any sliding bulges, and then characterized them with toehold exchange energy measurement and the partition function. Our model, which is the first to predict the free energy of sliding bulges with more than three repeats, can infer the stability penalty of a sliding bulge of any sequence and length with a median prediction error of 0.22 kcal/mol. Patterns from the prediction clearly explain landscapes of microsatellites observed in the literature, such as higher mutation rates of longer microsatellites and C/G microsatellites.
Anatomy of parotid gland and it's secretory ducts in sheep.

BACKGROUND The parotid gland in sheep ends freely in front of the masseter muscle, and paracondylary section of occipital bone and extends deep until pterygoid extends of sphenoid bone and hyoid bone. The structure of salivary glands in mammals has been thoroughly studied histological and sialografic method. In this study, it was aimed to reveal the detailed anatomic features and race specific differences of the canal system of the parotid glands in Akkaraman sheep by using the corrosion cast technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS 13 sheep parotid glands from 7 Akkaraman sheep were used in this study. Parotid glands were removed from their places with ducts. Measurements were made with a caliper from back to front, top to bottom and inside to outside. After dissection of the parotid glands, their volumes were measured according to the 'Archimedes principle'. Also, 13 sheep parotid glands were examined using the polyester resin method. RESULTS In the present study, our average metric results were: length of parotid duct was 10.92±1.027 cm, length of parotid gland was 5.87±1.04 cm, volume of parotid gland was 12.50±2.48 cm³, thickness of parotid gland was 0.75±0.36 cm and width of parotid gland was 4.07±0.43 cm. The average weight of the parotid gland of Akkaraman sheep was identified as 25.3 g. Accesoria parotid gland was not encountered in the current study. CONCLUSIONS It was observed that polyester entered into the parotid duct and filled up until the acinus and made both acinus and secretion ducts well-examined ın this study. It was also observed that the parotid gland consisted of lobes and lobules. The average number of lobes was 12. The number of lobules in a lobe varied between 3-16, each lobe consists of an average of 9 lobules. It was found that each lobe has its own lobar duct.
An Integrative Analysis of The Micro-RNAs Contributing in Stemness, Metastasis and B-Raf Pathways in Malignant Melanoma and Melanoma Stem Cell

Objective Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the stemness potency in association with BRAF mutation are in dispensable to the progression of melanoma. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been introduced as the regulator of a multitude of oncogenic functions in most of tumors. Therefore identifying and interpreting the expression patterns of these miRNAs is essential. The present study sought to find common miRNAs regulating all three important pathways in melanoma development. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, 18 miRNAs that importantly contribute to EMT and have a role in regulating self-renewal and the BRAF pathway were selected based on current literature and cross-analysis with available databases. Subsequently, their expression patterns were evaluated in 20 melanoma patients, normal tissues, serum from patients and control subjects, and melanospheres. Pattern discovery and integrative regulatory network analysis were used to find the most important miRNAs in melanoma progression. Results Among 18 selected miRNAs, miR-205, -141, -203, -15b, and -9 were differentially expressed in tumor samples than normal tissues. Among them, miR-205, -15b, and -9 significantly expressed in serum samples and healthy donors. Attribute Weighting and decision trees (DT) analysis presented evidence that the combination of miR-205, -203, -9, and -15b can regulate self-renewal and EMT process, by affecting CDH1, CCND1, and VEGF expression. Conclusion We suggested here that miR-205, -15b, -203, -9 pattern as the key miRNAs linked to melanoma status, the pluripotency, proliferation, and motility of malignant cells. However, further investigations are required to find the mechanisms underlying the combinatory effects of the above mentioned miRNAs.
Payer budget impact of an artificial intelligence in vitro diagnostic to modify diabetic kidney disease progression

Abstract Aim To evaluate the U.S. payer budget-impact of KidneyIntelX, an artificial intelligence-enabled in vitro diagnostic to predict kidney function decline in Type 2 Diabetic Kidney Disease (T2DKD) patients, stages 1–3b. Materials and methods We developed an Excel-based model according to International Society of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) good practices to assess U.S. payer budget impact associated with the use of the KidneyIntelX test to optimize therapy T2DKD patients compared to standard of care (SOC) (without KidneyIntelX). A hypothetical cohort of 100,000 stages 1–3b T2DKD patients was followed for 5 years. Peer-reviewed publications were used to identify model parameter estimates. KidneyIntelX costs incremental to SOC (without KidneyIntelX) included test cost, additional prescription medication use, specialist referrals and PCP office visits. Patients managed with KidneyIntelX experienced a 20% slowed progression rate compared to SOC (without KidneyIntelX) attributed to slowed DKD progression, delayed or prevented dialysis and transplants, and reduced dialysis crashes. Associated costs were compared to SOC (without KidneyIntelX). Sensitivity analyses were conducted by varying the definition of progression and the DKD progression rate associated with KidneyIntelX testing and related interventions. Results Projected undiscounted base case 5-year savings for 100,000 patients tested with KidneyIntelX were $1.052 billion, attributed mostly to slowed progression through DKD stages. The breakeven point for the health plan adopting KidneyIntelX is expected to occur prior to year 2 after adoption. Sensitivity analysis based on the assessment of the most conservative definition of progression and a 5% reduction in progression rate attributed to KidneyIntelX, resulted in a projected 5-year savings of $145 million associated with KidneyIntelX. Limitations and conclusions Limitations included reliance on literature-based parameter estimates, including effect size of delayed progression supported by the literature. Incorporating KidneyIntelX in contemporary care of early-stage T2DKD patients is projected to result in substantial savings to payers.
A case study of emotion analysis for collective idea improvement

: Although it is common to recognize the importance of emotional regulation in computer-supported collaborative learning, few studies have examined the development of emotional regulation in Knowledge-Building (KB) discourse. This paper reports on the students’ emotions analyzed using automated detection while they engage in collective idea improvement. Data was taken from Students’ KB Design Studio (2019), a two-day workshop attended by 37 students to tackle the real-world problem of sustainable food source. Using a multimodal approach, we analyzed a group of five students’ face-to-face and online discourse; their emotions from video data; and their self-reported emotions at different points of the day. We found the group’s face-to-face discussion comprised mainly of idea-sharing and brief suggestions for their prototype features such as fact-seeking questions and unelaborated explanations. However, the automated software detection suggested that two students who engaged more in idea sharing expressed more occurrences of happy emotions. Of these two students, the one who reported moments of frustration seemed to contribute more complex ideas about the prototype on Knowledge Forum. Our findings warrant the need for more MMLA research to explore how different student emotions can play a positive role to support knowledge building.
Effect of Surface Defects on Auger Recombination in Colloidal CdS Quantum Dots

The effect of surface states originating from surface defects and capping reagents on Auger recombination in CdS quantum dots (QDs) are investigated by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. Because of the strong size-dependent nature of Auger recombination and surface defects, the size dependence of Auger recombination is also conducted to reveal the effect of surface states. The lifetime of Auger recombination is very similar irrespective of surface states in all size regions and was proportional to D6 (D: QD diameter). This result clearly shows that Auger recombination in CdS QDs does not depend on interfacial electronic structures originating from the surface defects and capping reagents of one monolayer level.
‘Neutrophil Adhesion Test’ as tool for Immunomodulatory Activity Of Different Extracts of Lepidium Sativum Linn. Seeds

Currently world wide there is an increase in diseases especially infectious diseases that requires efficient body defense mechanisms to control them through the process of immunomodulation. Herbal medicines as the major remedy in traditional system of medicine have been used in medical practices since ancient times. Lepidium sativum Linn. (Brassicaceae) is annual herb regionally referred to as halon in India, however, usually referred to as garden cress. Immunomodulatory activity of n-hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate and methanolic extracts of Lepidium sativum Linn. seeds were studied on albino wistar rats using neutrophil adhesion test. Incubation of blood with nylon fibres produced a decrease in the neutrophil counts due to adhesion of neutrophils to the fibres. Among all extracts methanolic extract showed significant increase in the neutrophil adhesion when compared to disease control and standard. Methanolic extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg produced significant increases in adhesion of neutrophils. Among the different doses of methanolic extract, high one (500mg/kg) was more effective in cellular immunity model than low one (250mg/kg). The results of the present study substantiate the belief that Lepidium sativum Linn. is an immune system booster.
The role of adsorbed enzymes in determining the hydrolysis kinetics of pretreated lignocellulosic biomass

ii Preface iv Table of contents v List of tables viii List of figures ix List of units and abbreviations xii Acknowledgements xv Dedication xvi 1. Background 1 1.1. Bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass 4 1.1.1. Pretreatment 5 1.1.2. Enzymatic hydrolysis 8 1.2. Factors affecting enzyme adsorption 10 1.2.1. Enzyme factors 11 1.2.1.1. Influence of enzyme structure on adsorption 11 1.2.1.2. Influence of synergistic enzyme interactions on enzyme adsorption 13 1.2.2. Substrate factors 15 1.2.2.1. Influence of lignin on enzyme adsorption 16 1.2.2. 2. Influence of hemicellulose on enzyme adsorption 18 1.2.2.3. Influence of cellulose on enzyme adsorption 21 1.2.3. Physical factors 24 1.2.3.1. Influence of temperature on enzyme adsorption 24 1.2.3.2. Influence of pH on enzyme adsorption 25 1.3. Relationship between enzyme adsorption and hydrolysis performance 25 1.4. Challenges of accurate quantification of enzyme adsorption and performance 29 1.5. Assays for quantifying protein adsorption 31 1.5. 1. Gel-based assays 31 1.5. 2. Immunoassays 33
Capturing Student-Robot Interactions for a Data-Driven Educational Dialogue RL Environment

Intelligent social agents provide means to improve student learning and motivation in an educational setting, and support students in a personalized manner. Current educational theory suggests that learning in an interactive setting is best when students are participating equally. We aim to use reinforcement learning (RL) to teach an intelligent social agent to use gaze, gesture
Influence of early recording and playing devices on voice sounds: Modification of singing voice formants

An investigation on the phonograph working principle has taken place within a student project at the Erich Thienhaus Institute in Detmold. A couple of cylinders were used to study the frequency response of a phonograph. A sweep signal and single tones reproduced with a loudspeaker were inserted into a conical recording horn and recorded with a wax cylinder. Then the recording was played back through an exponential playback horn and recorded with a measurement microphone. With this technique it was possible to determine the acoustic characteristics of the device. The concept is shown in Fig. 1. This set-up allows for direct comparison of the original