Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. XCI. Structure, Function, and Pharmacology of Acid-Sensing Ion Channels and the Epithelial Na+ Channel

The epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) and the acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) form subfamilies within the ENaC/degenerin family of Na+ channels. ENaC mediates transepithelial Na+ transport, thereby contributing to Na+ homeostasis and the maintenance of blood pressure and the airway surface liquid level. ASICs are H+-activated channels found in central and peripheral neurons, where their activation induces neuronal depolarization. ASICs are involved in pain sensation, the expression of fear, and neurodegeneration after ischemia, making them potentially interesting drug targets. This review summarizes the biophysical properties, cellular functions, and physiologic and pathologic roles of the ASIC and ENaC subfamilies. The analysis of the homologies between ENaC and ASICs and the relation between functional and structural information shows many parallels between these channels, suggesting that some mechanisms that control channel activity are shared between ASICs and ENaC. The available crystal structures and the discovery of animal toxins acting on ASICs provide a unique opportunity to address the molecular mechanisms of ENaC and ASIC function to identify novel strategies for the modulation of these channels by pharmacologic ligands.
Psicologia del lutto e del morire: dal lavoro clinico alla death education

Viene trattato il tema del lutto unificando i contributi piu rilevanti di psichiatria e psicologia dinamica, tanatologia psicosociale e antropologica, medicina palliativa e psiconcologia, discutendo gli aspetti clinici che intercorrono tra diagnosi e prognosi, utili a definire come prevenire le derive patologiche. Viene adottata l’accezione "lutto irrisolto" al posto delle definizioni apparse in vari studi e nei manuali diagnostici dei DSM ("disturbo da lutto persistente", "lutto patologico", "lutto complicato", etc.), evidenziando la normalita della sofferenza causata dalla morte. Nel discutere l’intreccio tra fattori di rischio e di protezione in funzione delle diverse possibilita di intervento come prevenzione, counseling e psicoterapia, a livello individuale, di gruppo, familiare e di comunita, si accenna anche alla possibilita di introdurre percorsi mirati di death education in ambito sanitario e territoriale.
The Action of instantons with nut charge

We examine the effect of a non-trivial nut charge on the action of non-compact four-dimensional instantons with a U(1) isometry. If the instanton action is calculated by dimensionally reducing along the isometry, then the nut charge is found to make an explicit non-zero contribution. For metrics satisfying AF, ALF or ALE boundary conditions, the action can be expressed entirely in terms of quantities (including the nut charge) defined on the fixed point set of the isometry. A source (or sink) of nut charge also implies the presence of a Misner string coordinate singularity, which will have an important effect on the Hamiltonian of the instanton.
Feature Selection Using a Hybrid Associative Classifier with Masking Techniques

Performance in most pattern classifiers is improved when redundant or irrelevant features are removed, however, this is mainly achieved by successive classifiers construction. In this paper hybrid classification and masking techniques are presented as a new feature selection approach. The algorithm uses a hybrid classifier to provide a mask that identifies the optimal subset of features without having to compute a new classifier at each step. This method allows us to identify irrelevant or redundant features for classification purposes. Our results suggest that this method is shown to be a feasible way to identify optimal subset of features.
Long-term outcome of autologous stem cell transplantation in light chain deposition disease.

BACKGROUND Light chain deposition disease (LCDD) is a systemic disorder characterized by deposition of non-amyloid monoclonal light chains. Renal dysfunction is a ubiquitous manifestation of the LCDD disease. Reports suggest that high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) may be beneficial in the treatment of LCDD. However, the impact of ASCT on renal function is unclear. This study retrospectively reviewed the effect of ASCT on renal function in patients with LCDD. METHODS Six patients with LCDD have been transplanted at our institution since 2001. Patients received dexamethasone alone, dexamethasone plus thalidomide or no chemotherapy prior to conditioning. All the patients underwent high-dose melphalan conditioning after stem cell mobilization. RESULTS Three of the six patients had concurrent multiple myeloma (MM), and one patient was on haemodialysis prior to transplantation. Four patients were male and two were female. The median age was 43.5 years with a median serum creatinine of 2.4 mg/dl and a median estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 26.5 ml/min/1.73 m(2). Five patients survived ASCT and one died on Day 26 of transplantation. Median follow-up was 31.7 months (range 31.3-60.7 months) after ASCT. Of the surviving patients, all the five achieved a haematological response post-transplantation although two ultimately relapsed and required further chemotherapy. The eGFR of one patient declined with relapse and improved with treatment, while the eGFR of the second patient remained stable throughout relapse and treatment. The patient on haemodialysis prior to transplantation continued to require it afterward, but ultimately received a renal transplant. Median reduction in proteinuria was 92% and median improvement in eGFR was 95%. Of the four evaluable patients all achieved criteria for a renal response after ASCT. CONCLUSIONS ASCT may be an effective therapy for renal dysfunction associated with LCDD. In cases where kidney dysfunction persists after ASCT, a haematological response may permit successful kidney transplantation with improved graft viability and decreased risk of recurrence.
Information theoretic capacity of Gaussian cellular multiple-access MIMO fading channel

Higher spectral efficiency can be achieved by exploiting the space dimension inherent to any wireless communication system using multiple receiver and multiple transmitter antennas (MIMO). There are several results that provide closed form solutions for acellular system with a single antenna at each base station and each user terminal. Results are also available for the single cell case with MIMO. A cellular system with multiple antennas at the transmitter and the receiver nodes has not been investigated to obtain a closed form solution for the capacity limit. The main information theoretic theorems are not directly applicable to this system because of the form of the channel matrix of such a system. In this paper we extend the well known Wyner's model to a MIMO cellular system. It is observed that the achievable rate is bound by an upper limit and lower limit corresponding to two extreme fading conditions: channel with Rayleigh fading and with no fading. The analytical results are verified using Monte Carlo simulations. The analysis provides the insight that for a cellular system, increasing the number of transmitting antennas is not beneficial to increase the achievable rate, and this is reflected in the results obtained.
Task scheduling in the Cloud Environments based on an Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm

Nowadays, Cloud computing has gained vast attention due to its technological advancement, cost reduction and availability. In the Cloud environments, the suitable scheduling of the received tasks over service provides has become an important and vital problem. The scheduling problem in Cloud environments is an NP- hard problem. Therefore, many heuristics have been proposed to solve this problem up to now. In this paper, we propose a new bee colony algorithm to schedule the tasks on service providers in the Cloud environments. The results demonstrated that the proposed algorithm has a better operation in terms of task execution time, waiting time and missed tasks.
What can we learn from offspring studies in bipolar disorder?

Summary We offer a contemporary review of studies of the offspring of parents with bipolar disorder and explore the clinical characteristics of these populations. We discuss how different methodological approaches may influence study findings and may explain some of the heterogeneity in the results reported. We also highlight some of the environmental risk factors that may increase the likelihood of transition from an ‘at-risk’ or high-risk state to bipolar disorder. Last, we briefly discuss the implications of study findings for early intervention strategies and comment on such issues as genetic counselling and primary and early secondary prevention programmes.
Inflammatory markers in men with angiographically documented coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND Recent evidence suggests that atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process. In this study, we examined several markers of inflammation in men with coronary heart disease (CHD) and appropriate controls. METHODS The concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and soluble intracellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1) were examined in 100 men with angiographically documented CHD and 100 age-, gender-, and smoking-matched controls with no history of CHD. We assessed the association of these markers with severity of disease as indicated by >50% obstruction in one vessel (n = 30), two vessels (n = 39), or three vessels (n = 31). RESULTS Significant increases were noted in serum CRP (median for cases vs controls, 3.4 vs 1.5 mg/L; P <0.0001), SAA (5.9 vs 3.7 mg/L; P <0.005), and IL-6 (2.3 vs 1.7 ng/L; P <0. 013) in patients with CHD compared with controls. These differences remained significant after correction for age, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and lipid and homocysteine concentrations. Plasma sICAM-1 was not significantly different between the two groups (335 vs 339 microg/L). No significant correlation was seen between these markers and the severity of coronary disease. CONCLUSIONS Concentrations of CRP, SAA, and IL-6 were increased in patients with CHD but failed to correlate with severity of coronary disease. These markers might reflect the diffuse atherosclerotic process in the vascular system rather than the degree of localized obstruction from coronary lesions.
Fermions on spontaneously generated spherical extra dimensions

We include fermions to the model proposed in hep-th/0606021, and obtain a renormalizable 4-dimensional SU(N) gauge theory which spontaneously generates fuzzy extra dimensions and behaves like Yang-Mills theory on M4 × S2. We find a truncated tower of fermionic Kaluza-Klein states transforming under the low-energy gauge group, which is found to be either SU(n), or SU(n1) × SU(n2) × U(1). The latter case implies a nontrivial U(1) flux on S2, leading to would-be zero modes for the bifundamental fermions. In the non-chiral case they may pair up to acquire a mass, and the emerging picture is that of mirror fermions. We discuss the possible implementation of a chirality constraint in 6 dimensions, which is nontrivial at the quantum level due to the fuzzy nature of the extra dimensions.
Francisella tularensis Elicits IL-10 via a PGE2-Inducible Factor, to Drive Macrophage MARCH1 Expression and Class II Down-Regulation

Francisella tularensis is a bacterial pathogen that uses host-derived PGE2 to subvert the host's adaptive immune responses in multiple ways. Francisella-induced PGE2 acts directly on CD4 T cells to blunt production of IFN-γ. Francisella-induced PGE2 can also elicit production of a >10 kDa soluble host factor termed FTMØSN (F. tularensis macrophage supernatant), which acts on IFN-γ pre-activated MØ to down-regulate MHC class II expression via a ubiquitin-dependent mechanism, blocking antigen presentation to CD4 T cells. Here, we report that FTMØSN-induced down-regulation of MØ class II is the result of the induction of MARCH1, and that MØ expressing MARCH1 “resistant” class II molecules are resistant to FTMØSN-induced class II down-regulation. Since PGE2 can induce IL-10 production and IL-10 is the only reported cytokine able to induce MARCH1 expression in monocytes and dendritic cells, these findings suggested that IL-10 is the active factor in FTMØSN. However, use of IL-10 knockout MØ established that IL-10 is not the active factor in FTMØSN, but rather that Francisella-elicited PGE2 drives production of a >10 kDa host factor distinct from IL-10. This factor then drives MØ IL-10 production to induce MARCH1 expression and the resultant class II down-regulation. Since many human pathogens such as Salmonella typhi, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Legionella pneumophila also induce production of host PGE2, these results suggest that a yet-to-be-identified PGE2-inducible host factor capable of inducing IL-10 is central to the immune evasion mechanisms of multiple important human pathogens.
Genetic and Environmental Transmission of Political Orientations

This article reports results from the first twin study of adults in the United States that focuses exclusively and comprehensively on political traits. These data allow us to test whether a common set of genetic and environmental influences act upon a broad variety of values, personality traits, and political attitudes. In short, it allows us to empirically investigate whether there are a core set of predispositions that form the basis of our political orientations and, if so, whether these predispositions are shaped by the same environmental and innate forces. The key finding from our analysis is that there are core political predispositions that are rooted in common genetic and environmental influences and that these predispositions are empirically distinct from broader personality traits.
IT Outsourcing Relationship Quality Dimensions and Drivers: Empirical Evidence from the Financial Industry

This work contributes to outsourcing research by shedding some light on IT outsourcing relationships. A theoretical model is developed that shows the influence of determinants on relationship quality. Relationship quality is captured by a set of five dimensions from previous literature and enhanced by two new dimensions (communication quality, forbearance). Determinants from the literature are extended by two new elements (interaction structure, service quality). By using a case study approach from the German financial industry, we show the applicability of interaction structures and service quality as relationship quality determinants. Interaction structures like employee trainings or transfer of staff have a strong positive impact on communication quality and mutual business understanding, whereas service quality mainly influences the level of conflict in a relationship. The results regarding the two proposed relationship quality dimensions are mixed. Communication quality is a good measure for capturing relationship quality and shows strong connections to interaction intensity and interactions structures. The applicability of forbearance as a relationship quality dimension is ambiguous. Some banks see forbearance as dimension of relationship quality, while others use forbearance as a strategic element to force the provider into delivering additional or better services.
Neurocognitive processes in instrumental learning, response reversal, decision-making and psychopathy.

This thesis investigates the neurocognitive systems involved in emotional processing, learning, and decision-making and considers the implications of dysfunction in these systems for psychopathy. The introductory chapter reviews the anatomy and function of the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala and discusses why impairment in these regions may contribute to psychopathy. Chapter 2 introduces an investigation of the impact of emotional material on operant behaviour that showed that individuals with psychopathy do not display appropriate emotional modulation of attention. The subsequent three chapters investigate the performance of individuals with psychopathy on forms of instrumental learning that are dissociable at both the cognitive and neural levels. Chapter 3 investigates stimulus-reinforcement learning, a form of learning thought to rely on intact amygdala functioning, and found impaired performance in individuals with psychopathy. Chapter 4 presents findings of impaired reversal learning and decision making, which are indicative of orbitofrontal cortex dysfunction. Chapter 5 presents an investigation of conditional learning, which is a form of instrumental learning that is not dependent on the amygdala. As predicted by theories that emphasize amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex dysfunction in psychopathy, both groups performed similarly on the acquisition component of the conditional learning task, but individuals with psychopathy showed impairment on the second phase of the task when correct performance depended on reversing some of the acquired responses. Chapter 6 presents a case study that tests the analogy drawn between patients with lesions involving the orbitofrontal cortex and those with developmental psychopathy. The results show that the two disorders are characterized by sharply contrasting neurocognitive deficits. Chapter 7 reveals a functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) study addressing the basic question of whether discrete regions within the ventrolateral and orbitofrontal cortices are involved in signalling the need for response change and encoding the value of a reinforcer. The concluding chapter summarizes the results of the thesis and outlines future avenues of research that may arise from the work presented.
Parental Reflective Functioning: Theory, Research, and Clinical Applications

ABSTRACT This paper reviews recent theoretical, empirical, and clinical work related to parental reflective functioning (PRF) or parental mentalizing. PRF refers to the capacity of the parent to envision his or her child as being motivated by internal mental states such as feelings, wishes, and desires, and to be able to reflect on his or her own internal mental experiences and how they are shaped and changed by interactions with the child. This paper first briefly discusses the historical and theoretical background of this concept and its purported role in child development, with a focus on the development of child attachment, affect regulation, and mentalizing. It then reviews recent thinking and research in four areas: (1) the neurobiology underlying PRF, (2) the multidimensionality of PRF, (3) the relationship between PRF and trauma, and (4) the broader relevance of attention to internal mental states for the development of epistemic trust as the basis of an evolutionary inbuilt capacity for learning from and within social communication. It closes with a brief review of the background of, and empirical evidence supporting, interventions rooted in theoretical considerations concerning the importance of PRF, as well as suggested directions for future research and clinical practice.
Chymase-dependent production of angiotensin II: an old enzyme in old hearts.

Age-dependent alteration of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and generation of angiotensin II (Ang II) are well documented. By contrast, RAS-independent generation of Ang II in aging and its responses to exercise have not been explored. To this end, we examined the effects of chymase, a secretory serine protease, on the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-independent conversion of Ang I to Ang II. We hypothesized that age-dependent alteration of cardiac Ang II formation is chymase dependent in nature and is prevented by exercise training. Experiments were conducted on hearts isolated from young (3 mo), aged sedentary (24 mo), and aged rats chronically exercised on a treadmill. In the presence of low Ang I levels and downregulation of ACE expression/activity, cardiac Ang II levels were significantly higher in aged than young rats, suggesting an ACE-independent response. Aged hearts also displayed significantly increased chymase expression and activity, as well as upregulation of tryptase, a biological marker of mast cells, confirming a mast cell-sourced increase in chymase. Coincidently, cardiac superoxide produced from NADPH oxidase (Nox) was significantly enhanced in aged rats and was normalized by exercise. Conversely, a significant reduction in cardiac expression of ACE2 followed by lower Ang 1-7 levels and downregulation of the Mas receptor (binding protein of Ang 1-7) in aged rats were completely reversed by exercise. In conclusion, local formation of Ang II is increased in aged hearts, and chymase is primarily responsible for this increase. Chronic exercise is able to normalize the age-dependent alterations via compromising chymase/Ang II/angiotensin type 1 receptor/Nox actions while promoting ACE2/Ang 1-7/MasR signaling. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Aging increases angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-independent production of cardiac angiotensin II (Ang II), a response that is driven by chymase in an exercise-reversible manner. These findings highlight chymase, in addition to ACE, as an important therapeutic target in the treatment and prevention of Ang II-induced deterioration of cardiac function in the elderly.
Antihyperglycemic Effect of Ginkgo biloba Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Rats

The Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) has been reported to have a wide range of health benefits in traditional Chinese medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antihyperglycemic effects of GBE on streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced diabetes in rats. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by the administration of STZ (60 mg/kg b.w.) intraperitoneally. GBE (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg b.w.) was administered orally once a day for a period of 30 days. Body weight and blood glucose levels were determined in different experimental days. Serum lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes in hepatic and pancreatic tissue were measured at the end of the experimental period. Significant decreases in body weight and antioxidant ability and increases in blood glucose, lipid profile, and lipid peroxidation were observed in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The administration of GBE and glibenclamide daily for 30 days in STZ-induced diabetic rats reversed the above parameters significantly. GBE possesses antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, and antihyperlipidemia activities in STZ-induced chronic diabetic rats, which promisingly support the use of GBE as a food supplement or an adjunct treatment for diabetics.
A 30-GHz Integrated Subharmonic Mixer Based on a Multichannel Graphene FET

A 30-GHz integrated subharmonic mixer based on a single graphene field-effect transistor (G-FET) has been designed, fabricated, and characterized. The mixer is realized in microstrip technology on a 250- μm-high-resistivity silicon substrate. In order to enhance the current on-off ratio, the G-FET utilizes a channel consisting of an array of bow-tie structured graphene, yielding a current on-off ratio of 7. A conversion loss (CL) of 19 ± 1 dB over the frequency range of 24-31 GHz is obtained with a local oscillator (LO) to RF isolation better than 20 dB at an LO power of 10 dBm. The overall minimum CL is 18 dB at 27 GHz. The mixer has a 3 GHz ± 1-dB IF bandwidth, which is achieved with a fixed LO signal of 15 GHz. The mixer linearity is characterized and the highest third-order intercept point is measured to be 12.8 dBm.