Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-18a Improves Human Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation Endothelial Cell Function

Background and Purpose— Cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a vascular disease that disrupts normal blood flow and leads to serious neurological impairment or death. Aberrant functions of AVM-derived brain endothelial cells (AVM-BECs) are a disease hallmark. Our aim was to use microRNA-18a (miR-18a) as a therapeutic agent to improve AVM-BEC function. Methods— Human AVM-BECs were tested for growth factor production and proliferation under different shear flow conditions and evaluated for tubule formation. Thrombospondin-1, inhibitor of DNA-binding protein 1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) isotype mRNA levels were quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Thrombospondin-1, VEGF-A, and VEGF-D protein expression was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Proliferation and tubule formation were evaluated using bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and growth factor–reduced Matrigel assays, respectively. Results— miR-18a increased thrombospondin-1 production but decreased inhibitor of DNA-binding protein 1, a transcriptional repressor of thrombospondin-1. miR-18a reduced VEGF-A and VEGF-D levels, both overexpressed in untreated AVM-BECs. This is the first study reporting VEGF-D overexpression in AVM. These effects were most prominent under arterial shear flow conditions. miR-18a also reduced AVM-BEC proliferation, improved tubule formation, and was effectively internalized by AVM-BECs in the absence of extraneous transfection reagents. Conclusions— We report VEGF-D overexpression in AVM and the capacity of miR-18a to induce AVM-BECs to function more normally. This highlights the clinical potential of microRNA as a treatment for AVM and other vascular diseases.
Human tissue distribution of paraoxonases 1 and 2 mRNA

We have studied the distribution of mRNA for paraoxonases (PON) 1 and 2 in 24 human tissues using Gene Expression Panels. PON1 mRNA was restricted to adult kidney, liver, and colon as well as fetal liver, whereas PON2 mRNA was more widely distributed in adult human brain, heart, kidney, spleen, liver, colon, lung, small intestine, muscle, stomach, testis, placenta, salivary, thyroid and adrenal glands, pancreas, skin, and bone marrow, as well as fetal brain and liver. PON2 mRNA was not found in ovary, uterus, or plasma leukocytes using the panels. However, using real time PCR, we found PON2 mRNA expression in human plasma leukocytes. There were differences between the tissue distribution of mRNAs found in this study and the immunohistochemical localization of the PON1 and PON2 proteins reported previously. In particular, PON1 protein is much more widely distributed than its mRNA, possibly indicating the delivery of PON1 to various tissues by HDL. In addition, differences between PON2 mRNA and protein distributions could be due to missence mutations in the PON2 gene, causing nontranslation of mRNA to protein in some tissues. © 2010 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(6): 484–486, 2010
Design differentiated service multicast with selfish agents

Differentiated service (DiffServ) is a mechanism to provide the quality-of-service (QoS) with a certain performance guarantee. In this paper, we study how to design DiffServ multicast when every relay link is an independent selfish agent. We assume that each link e/sub i/ is associated with a (privately known) cost coefficient c/sub i/ such that the cost of e/sub i/ to provide a transmission service with bandwidth demand x is c/sub i//spl middot/x. Further, we assume that there is a fixed source node s and a set R of receivers, each of which requires from s data with a minimum bandwidth demand. The DiffServ multicast problem is to compute a link-weighted tree rooted at s and spanning R such that the receivers' demands are met. This generalizes the traditional link-weighted Steiner tree problem. We first show that a previous approximation algorithm does not directly induce a strategyproof mechanism. We then give a new polynomial time algorithm to construct a DiffServ multicast tree whose total cost is no more than eight times the optimal total cost when the cost coefficient of each link is known. Based on this tree, we design a truthful mechanism for DiffServ multicast, i.e., we give a polynomial-time computable payment scheme to compensate all chosen relay links such that each link maximizes its profit when it declares its cost coefficient truthfully.
Anti-CD3 antibody induces long-term remission of overt autoimmunity in nonobese diabetic mice.

Anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies suppress immune responses by transient T-cell depletion and antigenic modulation of the CD3/T-cell receptor complex. Anti-CD3 treatment of adult nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, a spontaneous model of T-cell-mediated autoimmune insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, significantly inhibits the autoimmune process. Short-term low-dose anti-CD3 treatment (5 micrograms/day i.v. for 5 consecutive days) prevented the occurrence of an accelerated form of the disease induced by cyclophosphamide. More unexpectedly, when applied to adult NOD females within 7 days of the onset of full-blown diabetes, the same anti-CD3 regimen induced a complete remission of overt disease (i.e., a return to permanent normoglycemia) in 64-80% of mice. This remission was durable (> 4 months) and was not associated with the disappearance of insulitis (mononuclear cell infiltration of the islets). The immunosuppression was apparently specific for beta-cell-associated antigens, since mice showing anti-CD3-induced remission rejected histoincompatible skin grafts normally, whereas they did not destroy syngeneic islet grafts, unlike control untreated overtly diabetic NOD females. These results open major therapeutic perspectives. They strongly suggest that self-tolerance can be restored in adult mice once autoimmunity is fully established and confirm that this effect can be obtained by transient targeting of the CD3/T-cell receptor without massive T-cell debulking.
Pneumatic dilatation and surgical myotomy for achalasia.

CONTEXT Pneumatic dilatation and surgical (Heller) myotomy are the 2 principal methods for treatment of achalasia. There are no population-based studies comparing outcomes of these 2 treatments in typical practice settings. OBJECTIVE To compare the outcomes of pneumatic dilatation and surgical myotomy for achalasia. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective longitudinal study using linked administrative health data in Ontario. A total of 1461 persons aged 18 years or older received treatment for achalasia between July 1991 and December 2002, 1181 (80.8%) of whom had pneumatic dilatation and 280 (19.2%) of whom had surgical myotomy as the first procedure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Use of subsequent interventions for achalasia (pneumatic dilatation, surgical myotomy, or esophagectomy) following the first treatment during the study period, subsequent physician visits, and use of gastrointestinal medications among persons aged 65 years or older. We adjusted for confounding variables using regression models. RESULTS The cumulative risk of any subsequent intervention for achalasia after 1, 5, and 10 years, respectively, was 36.8%, 56.2%, and 63.5% for persons treated initially with pneumatic dilatation and was 16.4%, 30.3%, and 37.5% for persons treated initially with surgical myotomy (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.86-3.02; P<.001). Differences in risk were observed only when subsequent pneumatic dilatation was included as an adverse outcome; there was no statistical difference between the 2 groups with respect to the risk of subsequent surgical myotomy or esophagectomy. Compared with persons treated initially with surgical myotomy, those treated with pneumatic dilatation were not statistically different with respect to subsequent physician visits (adjusted rate ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03), or time to use of histamine-2 receptor blockers (adjusted HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.79-1.80), proton pump inhibitors (HR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.70-1.49), and prokinetic medications (HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.60-1.41). CONCLUSIONS Subsequent intervention after the initial treatment of achalasia is common. Although the risk of subsequent interventions among persons treated with surgical myotomy in typical practice settings is higher than previously thought, the risk of subsequent intervention is greater among persons treated with pneumatic dilatation than with surgical myotomy. This difference is attributable to the use of subsequent pneumatic dilatation rather than surgical procedures.
A ubiquitous ~62-Myr periodic fluctuation superimposed on general trends in fossil biodiversity. I. Documentation

Abstract We use Fourier analysis and related techniques to investigate the question of periodicities in fossil biodiversity. These techniques are able to identify cycles superimposed on the long-term trends of the Phanerozoic. We review prior results and analyze data previously reduced and published. Joint time-series analysis of various reductions of the Sepkoski Data, Paleobiology Database, and Fossil Record 2 indicate the same periodicity in biodiversity of marine animals at 62 Myr. We have not found this periodicity in the terrestrial fossil record. We have found that the signal strength decreases with time because of the accumulation of apparently “resistant” long-lived genera. The existence of a 62-Myr periodicity despite very different treatment of systematic error, particularly sampling-strength biases, in all three major databases strongly argues for its reality in the fossil record.
Syzygies and Diagonal Resolutions for Dihedral Groups

Let G be a finite group with integral group ring Λ =Z[G]. The syzygies Ωr(Z) are the stable classes of the intermediate modules in a free Λ-resolution of the trivial module. They are of significance in the cohomology theory of G via the “co-represention theorem” Hr(G, N) = Hom𝒟er(Ωr(Z), N). We describe the Ωr(Z) explicitly for the dihedral groups D4n+2, so allowing the construction of free resolutions whose differentials are diagonal matrices over Λ.
Measures of emotion: A review

A consensual, componential model of emotions conceptualises them as experiential, physiological, and behavioural responses to personally meaningful stimuli. The present review examines this model in terms of whether different types of emotion-evocative stimuli are associated with discrete and invariant patterns of responding in each response system, how such responses are structured, and if such responses converge across different response systems. Across response systems, the bulk of the available evidence favours the idea that measures of emotional responding reflect dimensions rather than discrete states. In addition, experiential, physiological, and behavioural response systems are associated with unique sources of variance, which in turn limits the magnitude of convergence across measures. Accordingly, the authors suggest that there is no “gold standard” measure of emotional responding. Rather, experiential, physiological, and behavioural measures are all relevant to understanding emotion and cannot be assumed to be interchangeable.
The effects of gum arabic oral treatment on the metabolic profile of chronic renal failure patients under regular haemodialysis in Central Sudan

This study aimed at assessing the effect of gum arabic (Acacia senegal) oral treatment on the metabolic profile of chronic renal failure (CRF) patients. A total of 36 CRF patients (under regular haemodialysis) and 10 normal subjects participated in this study. The patients were randomly allocated into three groups–group A: 12 CRF patients under low-protein diet (LPD) (<40 g day−1) and gum arabic (50 g day−1) treatment; group B: 14 CRF patients under LPD and gum arabic, iron (ferrous sulphate, 200 mg day−1) and folic acid (5 mg day−1) treatment; group C (control group): 10 CRF patients under LPD and iron and folic acid treatment and group D: 10 normal volunteers (on normal diet) under daily dose of 50 g gum arabic. Each of the above treatments was continued for three consecutive months. Blood samples were collected from each subject before treatment and twice per month “pre-dialysis” for 3 months. Biochemical parameters measured were: serum urea, serum creatinine, serum uric acid, serum calcium and serum phosphorus. By the end of the 3 months of treatment, serum urea levels significantly decreased by 31.2 and 44.18% for group A and B, respectively, compared with the baseline (0.01 < p < 0.001) and control group (p < 0.05). Serum creatinine levels significantly decreased in the groups of gum users (A, B and D) by 9.94, 12.65 and 11.7%, respectively, compared with the control group (p < 0.001). There was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in serum uric acid levels by 14 and 19.9% for group A and B, respectively, compared with the baseline. Serum calcium levels increased by 12.64, 15.75 and 8.75% for group A, B and D, respectively, and these increases were significantly different (0.05 < p < 0.001) from baseline and control group for groups A and B. Serum phosphorus levels significantly decreased by 22.54% for group A, 17.69% for group B and 7.71% for group D, compared with the baseline (0.05 < p < 0.001). From this study, we conclude that oral administration of gum arabic could conceivably alleviate adverse effects of CRF.
Detection of nanoparticle changes in nanocomposite active sample using random laser emission

In this work, a simple method is introduced for estimating the number of the nanoparticles in an active sample based on random laser theory. The sample includes nanoparticles which are distributed randomly. Because of multiple scattering random laser action can occurs when the sample is pumped optically. Here, one-dimensional random laser system is considered and the sample changes are added to the system by changing the number or size of layer. The spectral emission of the sample is calculated by transfer matrix method. The statistical behavior of output emission spectrum is achieved by calculating the averaged spectrum from many random realizations. The results of simulation shows that changes in the number of nanoparticles (or in the averaged size) can be estimated from the statistical random laser output emission and averaged lasing wavelength. This proposed method is fast, non-contact, and needs to a simple setup. Also, it can be used for biological and chemical medium for analysis of different parameters which effect on the spectral random emission.
Asymptotic optimality of beamforming in multi-user MIMO-MAC with no or partial CSI at the transmitters

We consider a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) multiple access channel (MAC) where the receiver has the perfect channel state information (CSI), while the transmitters have either no or partial CSI. When the transmitters have the partial CSI, it is in the form of either the covariance matrix of the channel or the mean matrix of the channel. First, we show that the optimum transmit directions of each user are the eigenvectors of its own channel covariance and mean feedback matrices, in the covariance and mean feedback models, respectively. Then, we show that in both no and partial CSI cases, beamforming is asymptotically optimal. In particular, in the case of no CSI, we show that a simple form of beamforming, which may be characterized as an arbitrary antenna selection scheme, achieves the optimum sum capacity. In the case of partial CSI, we show that beamforming in the direction of the strongest eigenvector of the channel feedback matrix achieves the optimum sum capacity.
Polydendrocytes Display Large Lineage Plasticity following Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Polydendrocytes (also known as NG2 glial cells) constitute a fourth major glial cell type in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) that is distinct from other cell types. Although much evidence suggests that these cells are multipotent in vitro, their differentiation potential in vivo under physiological or pathophysiological conditions is still controversial. To follow the fate of polydendrocytes after CNS pathology, permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo), a commonly used model of focal cerebral ischemia, was carried out on adult NG2creBAC:ZEG double transgenic mice, in which enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) is expressed in polydendrocytes and their progeny. The phenotype of the EGFP+ cells was analyzed using immunohistochemistry and the patch-clamp technique 3, 7 and 14 days after MCAo. In sham-operated mice (control), EGFP+ cells in the cortex expressed protein markers and displayed electrophysiological properties of polydendrocytes and oligodendrocytes. We did not detect any co-labeling of EGFP with neuronal, microglial or astroglial markers in this region, thus proving polydendrocyte unipotent differentiation potential under physiological conditions. Three days after MCAo the number of EGFP+ cells in the gliotic tissue dramatically increased when compared to control animals, and these cells displayed properties of proliferating cells. However, in later phases after MCAo a large subpopulation of EGFP+ cells expressed protein markers and electrophysiological properties of astrocytes that contribute to the formation of glial scar. Importantly, some EGFP+ cells displayed membrane properties typical for neural precursor cells, and moreover these cells expressed doublecortin (DCX) – a marker of newly-derived neuronal cells. Taken together, our data indicate that polydendrocytes in the dorsal cortex display multipotent differentiation potential after focal ischemia.
Limited-Sampling Strategy for Mycophenolic Acid in Renal Transplant Recipients Reciving Enteric-Coated Mycophenolate Sodium and Tacrolimus

Background: Substantial research has been conducted to develop limited-sampling strategies (LSS) to estimate the area under the curve (AUC0-12h) in patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil. However, no LSS has been validated for enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS). Our aim was to develop an LSS to measure the AUC0–12h of mycophenolic acid in kidney recipients treated with tacrolimus and EC-MPS. Study Design: Thirteen serial blood samples were collected over 12 hours from 71 patients treated with tacrolimus and EC-MPS. Mycophenolic acid was measured in plasma using the enzyme-multiplied immunoassay. LSSs were developed and validated by multiple regression analysis using a 2-group method (test, n = 47; validation, n = 24). Results: The best LSS obtained in the test group were for 3 and 4 time points AUC0–12h (mg·h−1·L−1) = 15.99 + 0.87C1 h + 0.68C2 h + 7.85C4 h and AUC0–12h (mg·h−1·L−1) =11.15 + 0.68C1 h + 0.45C1. 5 h + 0.57C2 h + 8.16C4 h, respectively. When these LSS were tested in the validation group, the results were acceptable (adjusted r2 = 0.71, bias =−0.214 [95% confidence interval (CI): −7.91 to 7.48], precision = 7.48 (95% CI: 3.69–19.39) for 3 time points and adjusted r2 = 0.76, bias = −1.48 (95% CI: −8.23 to 5.27), precision = 7.68 (95% CI: 4.23–13.50) for 4 time points). Conclusions: An LSS using time points at C1h-C2h-C4h or C1h-C1.5h-C2h-C4h provides the most reliable and accurate estimation of the AUC0–12h of mycophenolic acid in stable renal transplant recipients treated with EC-MPS and tacrolimus.
Jumping Ability and Swimming Grab-Start Performance in Elite and Recreational Swimmers

This study examined the relationships between the performances of a swimming grab start and each of countermovement jump for distance, countermovement jump for height, squat jump for distance, and squat jump for height. Nine elite and 7 recreational female swimmers performed 6 trials in each of the 4 jumping techniques and six 25-m freestyle sprints after a grab start. Elite participants performed significantly better in the start performances, and this was attributed to the greater horizontal impulse. Correlations in the elite group revealed that grab-start performance was not related to performance of any jumps. This suggests that the grab start is independent of the jumping techniques for this group, and performance of one skill might not translate to performance in the other. Significant correla tions were found between performance of the grab start and the 4 jumps in the recreational group, possibly because of adoption of an “incorrect” motor pattern that might be similar to those of the jumps. This study highlighted the importance of practicing the start as a whole skill during training.
Are There Changes in the Fatty Acid Profile of Breast Milk with Supplementation of Omega-3 Sources? A Systematic Review

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the effect of supplementation with omega-3 sources on the fatty acid composition of human milk. Methods The review consisted of the search for articles published in PubMed, Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (Virtual Health Library[VHL]) and Web of Science databases using the following keywords: fatty acids, omega-3, human milk and supplementation; for this purpose, we have used the program of research to integrate the services for the maintenance of autonomy (PRISMA) checklist. The following selection criteria were used: articles in English, Portuguese, Spanish or Italian, published between 2000 and 2015, and about studies performed in humans. We found 710 articles that met the established criteria; however, only 22 of them were selected to be part of this study. Results All studies found a positive relationship between the consumption of omega-3 sources and their concentration in human milk. The differences in the findings are due to the distinct methods used, such as the specific time of the omega-3 supplementation, the type of omega-3 source offered, as well as the sample size. Conclusion Although the studies were different in several methodological aspects, it was possible to observe the importance of omega-3 supplementation during gestation and/or the puerperium.
Cerebral vasomotor reactivity: steady-state versus transient changes in carbon dioxide tension

What is the central question of this study? The relationship between changes in cerebral blood flow and arterial carbon dioxide tension is used to assess cerebrovascular function. Hypercapnia is generally evoked by two methods, i.e. steady‐state and transient increases in carbon dioxide tension. In some cases, the hypercapnia is immediately preceded by a period of hypocapnia. It is unknown whether the cerebrovascular response differs between these methods and whether a period of hypocapnia blunts the subsequent response to hypercapnia. What is the main finding and its importance? The cerebrovascular response is similar between steady‐state and transient hypercapnia. However, hyperventilation‐induced hypocapnia attenuates the cerebral vasodilatory responses during a subsequent period of rebreathing‐induced hypercapnia.
Clinical effects and drug concentrations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in psychotic patients treated with fixed doses of chlorpromazine

The clinical effects of chlorpromazine (CPZ) administered in accordance with a double‐blind design in one of three doses (200, 400 or 600 mg) were examined in 44 psychotic patients. The relationships between the effects and the CPZ concentrations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were analyzed. The antipsychotic and side effects were rated according to the CPRS and the Simpson and Angus scale. CPZ concentrations were measured by a mass fragmentographic method. Treatment with CPZ resulted in a significant reduction of morbidity scores, without any clear dose relation. The final outcome was more favourable in women than in men. Extrapyramidal side effects but not somnolence were positively dose related.