Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevention of the angiographic progression of coronary and vein-graft atherosclerosis by gemfibrozil after coronary bypass surgery in men with low levels of HDL cholesterol. Lopid Coronary Angiography Trial (LOCAT) Study Group.

BACKGROUND Studies have shown that treatment of hyperlipidemia, especially lowering of plasma LDL levels, retards the progression of coronary atherosclerosis and prevents clinical cardiovascular events. No such studies have focused on subjects with low levels of HDL cholesterol. METHODS AND RESULTS We randomly assigned 395 post-coronary bypass men, who had an HDL cholesterol concentration < or = 1.1 mmol/L and LDL cholesterol < or = 4.5 mmol/L, to receive gemfibrozil 1200 mg/d or placebo. Coronary angiography was performed at baseline and after, on average, 32 months of therapy. Changes in coronary dimensions were assessed by computer-assisted analysis. Average on-trial serum triglyceride concentrations were 1.69+/-0.68 and 1.02+/-0.37, total cholesterol 5.48+/-0.68 and 4.83+/-0.63, LDL cholesterol 3.84+/-0.59 and 3.39+/-0.56, and HDL cholesterol 0.88+/-0.15 and 0.98+/-0.17 mmol/L in the placebo and gemfibrozil groups, respectively (mean+/-SD, each P<.001). The change in per-patient means of average diameters of native coronary segments was -0.04+/-0.11 mm in the placebo group and -0.01+/-0.10 mm in the gemfibrozil group (P=.009). The equivalent changes in minimum luminal diameters of stenoses were -0.09+/-0.18 and -0.04+/-0.15 mm, respectively (P=.002). A similar, albeit nonsignificant, trend toward treatment benefit was found in the predefined primary study end point, segments unaffected by grafts and those distal to graft insertions. In aortocoronary bypass grafts, 23 subjects (14%) assigned to placebo had new lesions in the follow-up angiogram, compared with 4 subjects (2%) assigned to gemfibrozil (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Gemfibrozil therapy retarded the progression of coronary atherosclerosis and the formation of bypass-graft lesions after coronary bypass surgery in men with low HDL cholesterol as their main lipid abnormality.
The Mechanism of Sodium and Chloride Uptake by the Gills of a Fresh-Water Fish, Carassius auratus

The addition of ammonium ions to the external medium results in an inhibition of the sodium influx and net uptake in Carassius auratus, while intraperitoneal injection of ammonium produces the opposite effect. The simultaneous chloride balance is not significantly affected by these treatments. The addition of bicarbonate ions to the external medium results in a reduction of the influx and net flux of chloride, while injection of bicarbonate produces the opposite effect. The simultaneous sodium balance is not significantly altered. The effects of the external additions are reversible after elimination of the excess ammonium or bicarbonate ions by rinsing. Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase in the gill by injection of acetazoleamide produces a simultaneous inhibition of both sodium and chloride exchanges. These results confirm the hypothesis of an exchange of sodium for ammonium, and of bicarbonate for chloride across the gill. A tentative schematic representation of the ionic absorption mechanisms in the branchial cell of the fresh-water teleosts is given. Similarities with other biological membranes and especially with the renal tubule are pointed out.
Transmission control protocol (TCP) in wireless networks: issues, approaches, and challenges

The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) is the most popular transport layer protocol for the Internet. Due to the characteristics specific to wireless networks, such as signal fading and mobility, packets may be lost due to con- gestive and noncongestive losses. Substantial noncongestive losses violate the design principles of some traffic control mechanisms in TCP and thus pose performance problems. In this article we provide a comprehensive and in-depth survey on recent research in TCP for wireless communications. The taxonomy and characteristics of wireless networks, and problems for TCP in wireless communications are introduced. Various representative algorithms which preserve the end-to-end semantics are examined. Some open ques- tions are discussed in order to stimulate further research in this area.
Chloride Secretion Induced by Rotavirus Is Oxidative Stress-Dependent and Inhibited by Saccharomyces boulardii in Human Enterocytes

Rotavirus (RV) infection causes watery diarrhea via multiple mechanisms, primarily chloride secretion in intestinal epithelial cell. The chloride secretion largely depends on non-structural protein 4 (NSP4) enterotoxic activity in human enterocytes through mechanisms that have not been defined. Redox imbalance is a common event in cells infected by viruses, but the role of oxidative stress in RV infection is unknown. RV SA11 induced chloride secretion in association with an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Caco-2 cells. The ratio between reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione was decreased by RV. The same effects were observed when purified NSP4 was added to Caco-2 cells. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant, strongly inhibited the increase in ROS and GSH imbalance. These results suggest a link between oxidative stress and RV-induced diarrhea. Because Saccharomyces boulardii (Sb) has been effectively used to treat RV diarrhea, we tested its effects on RV-infected cells. Sb supernatant prevented RV-induced oxidative stress and strongly inhibited chloride secretion in Caco-2 cells. These results were confirmed in an organ culture model using human intestinal biopsies, demonstrating that chloride secretion induced by RV-NSP4 is oxidative stress-dependent and is inhibited by Sb, which produces soluble metabolites that prevent oxidative stress. The results of this study provide novel insights into RV-induced diarrhea and the efficacy of probiotics.
Type I IFN enhances follicular B cell contribution to the T cell–independent antibody response

Humoral immunity to viruses and encapsulated bacteria is comprised of T cell–independent type 2 (TI-2) antibody responses that are characterized by rapid antibody production by marginal zone and B1 B cells. We demonstrate that toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands influence the TI-2 antibody response not only by enhancing the overall magnitude but also by skewing this response to one that is dominated by IgG isotypes. Importantly, TLR ligands facilitate this response by inducing type I interferon (IFN), which in turn elicits rapid and significant amounts of antigen-specific IgG2c predominantly from FO (follicular) B cells. Furthermore, we show that although the IgG2c antibody response requires B cell–autonomous IFN-α receptor signaling, it is independent of B cell–intrinsic TLR signaling. Thus, innate signals have the capacity to enhance TI-2 antibody responses by promoting participation of FO B cells, which then elaborate effective IgG anti-pathogen antibodies.
Effects of 2D geometric transformations on visual memory

In order to provide well-grounded guidelines for interface design, we systematically examined the effects of 2D geometric transformations and background grids on visual memory. We studied scaling, rotation, rectangular fisheye, and polar fisheye transformations. Based on response time and accuracy results, we found a no-cost zone for each transformation type within which performance is unaffected. Results indicated that scaling had no effect down to at least 20% reduction. Rotation had a no-cost zone of up to 45 degrees, after which the response time increased to 5.4 s from the 3.4 s baseline without significant drop in accuracy. Interestingly, polar fisheye transformations had less effect on accuracy than their rectangular counterparts. The presence of grids extended these zones and significantly improved accuracy in all but the fisheye polar transformations. Our results therefore provided guidance on the types and levels of nonlinear transformations that could be used without affecting performance, and provided insights into the roles of transformations and grids on visual memory.
Comparison of Health-Related Quality of Life Between American and Taiwanese Heart Failure Patients

Few investigators have compared health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in heart failure (HF) patients from different countries. The purposes of this study were to compare HRQOL between American (n = 87) and Taiwanese (n = 88) HF patients and to determine factors associated with HRQOL in both groups. In this cross-sectional survey, HRQOL was measured using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. American patients rated their HRQOL worse than Taiwanese patients did. Sociodemographics, disease severity, and symptom severity were associated with HRQOL, accounting for 42.4% of the variance in HRQOL in Americans and 57.3% in Taiwanese. Symptom severity was the most important predictor of HRQOL in both groups. Interventions targeting symptom severity could improve HF patients’ HRQOL.
Fabrication and antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus of silver nanoparticle decorated reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites

ABSTRACT In this study, silver/reduced graphene oxide (Ag/rGO) nanocomposites were synthesized by in situ method with five mass ratios of AgNO3:GO ratio. The characterizations of GO, rGO, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), and Ag/rGO were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller specific surface area. The characterization results showed that AgNPs (15–25 nm) were uniformly distributed on the rGO sheets. The antibacterial activity of Ag/rGO was tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus by optical density and plate colony-counting methods. The tests revealed that the antibacterial activity of Ag/rGO with AgNO3:GO ratio of 2:1 was the highest. The minimal inhibitory concentration values of Ag/rGO were 12.5 and 50 µg/mL; and the minimum bactericidal concentration values were 50 and 400 µg/mL for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Accordingly, the obtained Ag/rGO nanocomposite could be considered as a potential antibacterial agent.
[Chlamydia trachomatis: a prevalence study among pregnant and infertile female patients and among men suffering from chronic urethritis].

In recent years, Chlamydia trachomatis infections have been found to be among the major causes of salpingitis throughout the world. In order to determine in the 1st trimester of pregnancy the prevalence of this infection in a previously unscreened population by direct immunofluorescence (Microtrak), we examined 3 groups: women (n=58), infertile women (n=87) and males with subacute urethritis (n=24). Infertility was defined as incapacity to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected coitus; subacute urethritis patients had been treated previously for an acute disease and later presented with persistent urethral complaints. The overall prevalence of Chlamydia in all 3 population groups was 13.0% among 169 patients. This rate was divided as follows: pregnant women--8.6%; infertile women--11.5%; men with subacute urethritis--29.2%. Compared to the pregnant group, the infertile and subacute urethritis groups had a significantly high risk of harboring a chlamydial infection. In all female patients, the risk of chlamydial infection decreased with increasing parity, suggesting an association between chlamydial infection and infertility. (author's)
A Study of Diffusion Phenomenon in Friction Stir Lap Welding Joints for Low Carbon Steel C10 to Aluminum Alloy AA1100-H112

In this study the friction stir lap welding was carried out by a new technique (diffusion bonding phenomenon) between (AA1100 and low carbon steel C10 sheets of 3mm and 1mm thickness respectively. These alloys have difference ranges in melting temperature and other physical properties. Different parameters were used: tool rotation speeds (630, 1250) rpm, travel speeds (80, 32) mm/min. and pin length (2.8,3) mm using cylindrical threaded pin. Many tests and inspections were performed such as tensile shear test and X-Ray diffraction tests. Microhardness and microstructure observations were conducted by using optical and SEM. The above tests were used to evaluate the weld quality and joint efficiency under different welding parameters. Best result for FSLW by diffusion phenomenon appear in (low carbon steelC10 / AA1100-H112) joint at 1250rpm in 32 mm/min. with 2.8mm pin length and the maximum tensile shear strength was (3.9)KN.It was found that the highest micro hardness was (138HV) at the interface between the low carbon steel and AA1100.
Energy and Timing Resolution Studies With Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) and 4-Pixel SiPM Matrices for PET

A high performance detector head with matrices of silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) as photodetectors is under development at the University of Pisa and INFN Pisa. The silicon photomultipliers fabricated at FBK-irst (Trento, Italy) are being evaluated for this purpose. Single SiPM detectors of 1 mm x 1 mm size and the first SiPM test matrices composed of four (2 x 2) pixel elements in a common substrate have been tested with LYSO crystals. The energy and timing resolution of single SiPMs have been evaluated, obtaining an energy resolution of 20% FWHM at 511 keV, and a coincidence timing resolution of 1.4 ns FWHM. In addition, the first tests performed with the SiPM matrices prove the feasibility of such devices.
Elementary models for turbulent diffusion with complex physical features: eddy diffusivity, spectrum and intermittency

This paper motivates, develops and reviews elementary models for turbulent tracers with a background mean gradient which, despite their simplicity, have complex statistical features mimicking crucial aspects of laboratory experiments and atmospheric observations. These statistical features include exact formulas for tracer eddy diffusivity which is non-local in space and time, exact formulas and simple numerics for the tracer variance spectrum in a statistical steady state, and the transition to intermittent scalar probability density functions with fat exponential tails as certain variances of the advecting mean velocity are increased while satisfying important physical constraints. The recent use of such simple models with complex statistics as unambiguous test models for central contemporary issues in both climate change science and the real-time filtering of turbulent tracers from sparse noisy observations is highlighted throughout the paper.
Evolving concepts and use of immunohistochemical biomarkers in flat non-neoplastic urothelial lesions: WHO 2016 classification update with diagnostic algorithm

Abstract Context: The classification of flat non-neoplastic urothelial lesions has been evolved through the years in the attempt to better define a spectrum of morphologic entities with somewhat overlapping features. Differentiating these lesions is important because of differences in patient management and clinical outcome. Materials and methods and objective: A systematic review of the literature has been carried out in order to (1) assess the most striking clinical features of each lesion and (2) identify those morphological traits and immunophenotypical markers which may aid in the differential diagnosis. Results and conclusion: Our results point out the importance of a proper definition of flat non-neoplastic urothelial lesions in order to predict clinical behaviour and allow tailored patient management; therefore, we attempted to construct a novel and “easy to use” algorithm for a clear, standardized and evidence-based pathological diagnosis.
Heavy-Ion-Induced Charge Sharing Measurement With a Novel Uniform Vertical Inverter Chains (UniVIC) SEMT Test Structure

In this paper, a novel uniform vertical inverter chains (UniVIC) single event multiple transient (SEMT) test structure is proposed for the first time. Charge sharing between standard inverters is measured for the first time experimentally. The heavy-ion experiment results in 65 nm bulk CMOS process indicate that charge sharing can impact three transistors at most. At the same time, the occurring probability of charge sharing is attained for the first time experimentally. 3D TCAD simulations have also verified them. In total, the conclusions are helpful for researchers to have a direct knowledge of charge sharing in concrete circuits, and then to improve the precise of soft error evaluation.
Neural Effects of Cannabinoid CB1 Neutral Antagonist Tetrahydrocannabivarin on Food Reward and Aversion in Healthy Volunteers

Background: Disturbances in the regulation of reward and aversion in the brain may underlie disorders such as obesity and eating disorders. We previously showed that the cannabis receptor subtype (CB1) inverse agonist rimonabant, an antiobesity drug withdrawn due to depressogenic side effects, diminished neural reward responses yet increased aversive responses (Horder et al., 2010). Unlike rimonabant, tetrahydrocannabivarin is a neutral CB1 receptor antagonist (Pertwee, 2005) and may therefore produce different modulations of the neural reward system. We hypothesized that tetrahydrocannabivarin would, unlike rimonabant, leave intact neural reward responses but augment aversive responses. Methods: We used a within-subject, double-blind design. Twenty healthy volunteers received a single dose of tetrahydrocannabivarin (10mg) and placebo in randomized order on 2 separate occasions. We measured the neural response to rewarding (sight and/or flavor of chocolate) and aversive stimuli (picture of moldy strawberries and/or a less pleasant strawberry taste) using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Volunteers rated pleasantness, intensity, and wanting for each stimulus. Results: There were no significant differences between groups in subjective ratings. However, tetrahydrocannabivarin increased responses to chocolate stimuli in the midbrain, anterior cingulate cortex, caudate, and putamen. Tetrahydrocannabivarin also increased responses to aversive stimuli in the amygdala, insula, mid orbitofrontal cortex, caudate, and putamen. Conclusions: Our findings are the first to show that treatment with the CB1 neutral antagonist tetrahydrocannabivarin increases neural responding to rewarding and aversive stimuli. This effect profile suggests therapeutic activity in obesity, perhaps with a lowered risk of depressive side effects.
Effect of BM-573, a dual thromboxane synthase inhibitor and TP receptor antagonist, in a porcine model of acute pulmonary embolism

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of BM-573, a dual thromboxane A2 synthase inhibitor and receptor antagonist, on the hemodynamic response to acute pulmonary embolism. Six anaesthetised pigs were infused with placebo (Placebo group) and compared with 6 other pigs receiving a continuous infusion of BM-573 (BM group). Pulmonary embolization with 0,3 g/kg autologous blood clots was carried out 30 minutes after the start of the infusion. Right ventricular pressure-volume loops were recorded using a conductance catheter and end-systolic ventricular elastance was periodically assessed by varying right ventricular preload. Pulmonary vascular properties were studied by use of a four-element windkessel model. Hemodynamic data including assessment of right ventricular-arterial coupling were collected at baseline, and every 30 minutes for 4 hours. Blood samples were collected to assess gas exchange, thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin plasma levels, and to evaluate platelet aggregation. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure in the Placebo group increased significantly more than in the BM group, mainly because of an additional increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. Arterial and end-systolic ventricular elastances increased also more in the Placebo group, while right ventricular efficiency decreased. BM-573 prevented both platelet aggregation induced by U46619 or by arachidonic acid, and thromboxane A2 overproduction, while prostacyclin liberation was preserved. Oxygenation was however not significantly improved. We conclude that in this animal model of acute pulmonary embolism, infusion of BM573 reduced pulmonary vasoconstriction. As a result, right ventricular-vascular coupling values were maintained at a maximal efficiency level. This article has not been copyedited and formatted. The final version may differ from this version. JPET Fast Forward. Published on April 30, 2004 as DOI: 10.1124/jpet.104. 066852 at A PE T Jornals on O cber 2, 2017 jpet.asjournals. org D ow nladed from
Immunological profile in persons under antiretroviral therapy in a rural Nigerian hospital

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria having the third highest burden of HIV infection globally; efforts are made to increases access to HIV/AIDS care and treatment. This has currently reached rural areas with limited manpower and laboratory evaluation capacity. This review is necessitated by the paucity of interim report on treatment profile in Nigerian rural areas. We report on the immunological profile of patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Otukpo General Hospital, a rural Nigerian hospital. This is a retrospective cohort study of patients receiving ART treatment and care, on April 2009, when 2347 patients were under ART therapy. Out of these, 96 patients were selected by simple random sampling from hospital register, with their data abstracted from standardized Ministry of Health registers and facility documents kept at the hospital, and analyzed for descriptive and biometric measures. Ninty-six patients (29% males) with a median age of 35 years, median baseline CD4 lymphocyte count 221 cells/mL, median one year CD4 lymphocyte count of 356 cells/mL and median one year CD4 lymphocyte increment of 124 cells/mL were studied. There is no statistically significant difference in baseline CD4 lymphocyte count when data is disaggregated by type of drug regimen (AZT, D4T and TDF). Fourty-four percent, 23% and 33% of patients were on TDF, D4T & AZT based regimen, respectively (P=0.66). Increment of >100 cells/mL was seen in 64.58% of the reviewed patients. There was a higher CD4 lymphocyte count increment in patients on TDF & D4T compared with those in AZT based regimens (ANOVA; P<0.0003). Multivariate linear regression model showed one year CD4 lymphocyte count, one year increment in CD4 lymphocyte count, WBC count, and absolute neutrophil count to be significant correlates of baseline CD4 lymphocyte count (P<0.0001). Equally, multivariate logistic regression found age, platelet count and CD4 lymphocyte count at 12 months showed to be significant predictors of CD4 lymphocyte increment above 100 cells/µL (P<0.0001). Despite advanced disease presentation and a very large-scale program, high quality HIV/AIDS care was achieved as indicated by good short-term, immunologic outcomes, while TDF & D4T induce higher immunological recovery compared with AZT. This report suggests that quality HIV care and treatment can be effective despite the challenges of a resource-limited setting.