Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wnt/β‐catenin signaling controls intrahepatic biliary network formation in zebrafish by regulating notch activity

Malformations of the intrahepatic biliary structure cause cholestasis, a liver pathology that corresponds to poor bile flow, which leads to inflammation, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Although the specification of biliary epithelial cells (BECs) that line the bile ducts is fairly well understood, the molecular mechanisms underlying intrahepatic biliary morphogenesis remain largely unknown. Wnt/β‐catenin signaling plays multiple roles in liver biology; however, its role in intrahepatic biliary morphogenesis remains unclear. Using pharmacological and genetic tools that allow one to manipulate Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, we show that in zebrafish both suppression and overactivation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling impaired intrahepatic biliary morphogenesis. Hepatocytes, but not BECs, exhibited Wnt/β‐catenin activity; and the global suppression of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling reduced Notch activity in BECs. Hepatocyte‐specific suppression of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling also reduced Notch activity in BECs, indicating a cell nonautonomous role for Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in regulating hepatic Notch activity. Reducing Notch activity to the same level as that observed in Wnt‐suppressed livers also impaired biliary morphogenesis. Intriguingly, expression of the Notch ligand genes jag1b and jag2b in hepatocytes was reduced in Wnt‐suppressed livers and enhanced in Wnt‐overactivated livers, revealing their regulation by Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. Importantly, restoring Notch activity rescued the biliary defects observed in Wnt‐suppressed livers. Conclusion: Wnt/β‐catenin signaling cell nonautonomously controls Notch activity in BECs by regulating the expression of Notch ligand genes in hepatocytes, thereby regulating biliary morphogenesis. (Hepatology 2018;67:2352‐2366).
A clinically based classification system for alcoholic chronic pancreatitis: summary of an international workshop on chronic pancreatitis.

Symposium participants: Guido Adler* Ulm, Germany; Rudolf W. Ammann** Zurich, Switzerland; Simmy Bank, New York, NY, U.S.A. ; Peter Banks, Boston, MA, U.S.A. ; Hans Beger, Ulm, Germany; Christoph Beglinger** Basel, Switzerland; Daniel Bimmler, Zurich, Switzerland; Dale E. Bockman, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A. ;
Feature Selection of Non-intrusive Load Monitoring System Using STFT and Wavelet Transform

This paper proposes a concept of non-intrusive load monitoring system for smart meter to monitor the situation of loads. In this study, the user can clearly know the power consumption of loads by observing the operation and time of use of loads, and then improve the habit of consumption to complete the goals of saving energy and reducing carbon. This paper employs a scheme of non-intrusive load monitoring system by extracting the significant and representative power signatures of voltage and current at utility service entry in identifying loads and analyzing the characteristics of loads, and then finds out the physical behavior of operation of loads to establish the model of loads. This paper uses short-time Fourier transform (STFT) and wavelet transform (WT) of time-frequency domain to analyze and compare different loads in the experiments. In the experiments, the results reveal wavelet transform is better than STFT on transient analysis of loads. Choice of power signatures affects the results of load recognition and computation time.
Extracellular Glutamate: Functional Compartments Operate in Different Concentration Ranges

Extracellular glutamate of glial origin modulates glial and neuronal glutamate release and synaptic plasticity. Estimates of the tonic basal concentration of extracellular glutamate range over three orders of magnitude (0.02–20 μM) depending on the technology employed to make the measurement. Based upon binding constants for glutamate receptors and transporters, this range of concentrations translates into distinct physiological and pathophysiological roles for extracellular glutamate. Here we speculate that the difference in glutamate measurements can be explained if there is patterned membrane surface expression of glutamate release and transporter sites creating extracellular subcompartments that vary in glutamate concentration and are preferentially sampled by different technologies.
Comparing Extant Story Classifiers: Results & New Directions

Having access to a large set of stories is a necessary first step for robust and wide-ranging computational narrative modeling; happily, language data - including stories - are increasingly available in electronic form. Unhappily, the process of automatically separating stories from other forms of written discourse is not straightforward, and has resulted in a data collection bottleneck. Therefore researchers have sought to develop reliable, robust automatic algorithms for identifying story text mixed with other non-story text. In this paper we report on the reimplementation and experimental comparison of the two approaches to this task: Gordon's unigram classifier, and Corman's semantic triplet classifier. We cross-analyze their performance on both Gordon's and Corman's corpora, and discuss similarities, differences, and gaps in the performance of these classifiers, and point the way forward to improving their approaches.
Characterization of AgInSe2 Films Deposited by Hot-Wall Vacuum Evaporation Method

Hot-wall technique was used to prepare AgInSe2 films that work close to thermodynamic equilibrium and, therefore, are considered most suitable for growth at low temperatures. The samples were grown on the glass substrate kept at 135°C. The technique can be described as semiclosed growth reactor consisting of a vertically mounted quartz cylinder heated by three separately temperature-controlled ovens and is closed on the top by the substrate. The first oven heats the source material and controls the growth rate, while the second oven heats the wall between source and substrate, and the substrate temperature is controlled by the third one. The structural and optical properties of AgInSe2 films grown by hot-wall technique were studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern indicates that the prepared films are highly oriented in the (112) direction. The band gap was found to be 1.19 and 2.09 eV, which is due to the fundamental absorption edge and transition originating from crystal field splitting, respectively. The crystallite size of 47 nm and 94% transparency at 890 nm wavelength was observed for the films.
Prevalence of multidrug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Multi-drug resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates may be transmitted within communities due to dense population and poor hygienic conditions. For proper management and control of MDR-TB, understanding drug susceptibility pattern of M. tuberculosis isolates and their transmission pattern in every health care setting are essential. In the present study, we attempted to describe the current prevalence of MDR-TB in Lucknow district, Uttar Pradesh, and our observations on transmission of MDR isolates among populations in and around this area. METHODS Patients diagnosed as that of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) were enrolled from primary level (PLH), secondary level (SLH) and tertiary level (TLH) healthcare centres from Lucknow district. Detailed history of intake of antitubercular drug in the past was taken to decipher initial/ acquired drug resistance. Sputum samples were cultured on Lowenstein-Jensen media to isolate mycobacteria. Drug susceptibility patterns of isolated M. tuberculosis isolates were recorded using 1 per cent proportion method. Transmission of MDR isolates in community was accessed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Isolates showing same band pattern on RAPD were retyped using different primers targeted to the inverted repeat sequence of IS6110 copies in M. tuberculosis genome. RESULTS A total of 686 M. tuberculosis isolates were obtained from 1162 patients, of which 318 were from untreated subjects and 368 were from patients who were treated for tuberculosis in the past. Prevalence of MDR was 19.8 per cent, initial and acquired being 13.2 and 25.5 per cent respectively. Prevalence of resistance to any drug, MDR and individual drug resistance to isoniazid, streptomycin, ethambutol and rifampicin was significantly higher in patients who were treated in the past. Drug resistance was significantly higher at tertiary level health care compared to primary level health care. Genotypically similar clusters were seen at all levels of health care. It was not always possible to establish geographic connections within clusters. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION High prevalence of both initial and acquired MDR was noted in M. tuberculosis isolates collected from pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Presence of small clusters of MDR isolates at all health care levels suggests transmission within the studied community.
Processing speed, executive function, and academic achievement in children with dextro-transposition of the great arteries: Testing a longitudinal developmental cascade model.

OBJECTIVE To establish executive function (EF) structure/organization and test a longitudinal developmental cascade model linking processing speed (PS) and EF skills at 8-years of age to academic achievement outcomes, both at 8- and 16-years, in a large sample of children/adolescents with surgically repaired dextro-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA). METHOD Data for this study come from the 8- (n = 155) and 16-year (n = 139) time points of the Boston Circulatory Arrest Study and included WISC-III, Trail Making Test, Test of Variables of Attention, and WIAT/WIAT-II tasks. RESULTS A 2-factor model (Working Memory/Inhibition and Shifting) provided the best fit for the EF data, χ²(3) = 1.581, p = . 66, RMSEA = 0, CFI = 1, NNFI = 1.044). Working Memory/Inhibition and Shifting factors were not correlated. In the structural equation model, PS was directly related to both EF factors and Reading at 8 years, and was indirectly related to Math and Reading achievement, both concurrently and longitudinally, via its effects on Working Memory/Inhibition. Shifting at 8 years was significantly associated with Math (but not Reading) at 16 years. CONCLUSIONS The academic difficulties experienced by children and adolescents with d-TGA may be driven, at least in part, by underlying deficits in processing speed and aspects of executive function. Intervention efforts aimed at bolstering these abilities, particularly if implemented early in development, may prove beneficial in improving academic outcomes and, perhaps by extension, in reducing the stress and diminished self-confidence often associated with academic underachievement. (PsycINFO Database Record
Development and application of an oil toxicity and exposure model, OilToxEx

An oil toxicity and exposure model (OilToxEx) was developed and validated for estimation of impacts to aquatic organisms resulting from acute exposure to spilled oil. Because oil exposure is shorter than the time required for equilibrium between the organism and the water to be reached, the time and temperature dependence of toxicity is addressed. Oil toxicity is a function of aromatic composition and the toxicity of individual aromatics in the mixture. Lethal concentration to 50% of exposed organisms (LC50), as a function of octanol‐water partition coefficient (Kow), and an additive model are used to estimate the toxicity of monoaromatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures in water‐soluble fractions (WSF) and oil‐in‐water dispersions (OWD) of oil. The toxicity model was verified by comparison with oil bioassay data where the exposure concentrations of aromatics were measured. The observed toxicity in the bioassays could be accounted for by the additive narcotic effects of the dissolved aromatics in the exposure media. Predicted LC50s were compared to those calculated from measured concentrations after spills to verify the exposure model for field conditions. These results indicate that the additive toxicity and exposure model may be used to estimate toxicity of untested oils and spill conditions.
Detection of the number of signals: a predicted eigen-threshold approach

A novel method for detecting the number of signals incident upon an array of sensors is described. The method is based on finding upper thresholds for the observed eigenvalues of the correlation matrix of the array output. The asymptotic normality of the multifold eigenvalue estimate is used to derive a prediction formula for the thresholds. Due to the fact that the detection error of the method can be controlled by a parameter t, the performance of the method is superior to the MDL (minimum description length) under low SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) and superior to an AIC (Akaike information criterion) under high SNR. The distribution functions of both missing and false alarm errors are evaluated so that the performance of the method can be analyzed and so that t can be chosen. Simulation results are presented to confirm the analysis. >
Effects of Deregulation of Methionine Biosynthesis on Methionine Excretion in Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Several regulators of methionine biosynthesis have been reported in Escherichia coli, which might represent barriers to the production of excess l-methionine (Met). In order to examine the effects of these factors on Met biosynthesis and metabolism, deletion mutations of the methionine repressor (metJ) and threonine biosynthetic (thrBC) genes were introduced into the W3110 wild-type strain of E. coli. Mutations of the metK gene encoding S-adenosylmethionine synthetase, which is involved in Met metabolism, were detected in 12 norleucine-resistant mutants. Three of the mutations in the metK structural gene were then introduced into metJ and thrBC double-mutant strains; one of the resultant strains was found to accumulate 0.13 g/liter Met. Mutations of the metA gene encoding homoserine succinyltransferase were detected in α-methylmethionine-resistant mutants, and these mutations were found to encode feedback-resistant enzymes in a 14C-labeled homoserine assay. Three metA mutations were introduced, using expression plasmids, into an E. coli strain that was shown to accumulate 0.24 g/liter Met. Combining mutations that affect the deregulation of Met biosynthesis and metabolism is therefore an effective approach for the production of Met-excreting strains.
Individual differences in urinary cotinine levels in Japanese smokers: relation to genetic polymorphism of drug-metabolizing enzymes.

Urinary cotinine, one of the main metabolites of nicotine, has been widely used as a biomarker for assessment of direct or passive exposure to cigarette smoke. However, there is wide variation of the cotinine level among smokers who smoke the same number of cigarettes. To use urinary cotinine as a proper exposure-biomarker for cigarette smoke, interindividual variations of cotinine formation must be considered. Therefore, we studied the effects of genetic polymorphisms in drug metabolic enzymes on urinary cotinine levels among 190 male Japanese smokers (ages 19-66 years; mean, 40.6 years). Genetic polymorphisms in cytochrome P-450s (CYP1A1, CYP2A6, CYP2E1), and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) were determined by analyzing DNA isolated from peripheral blood. Cotinine in morning spot urine was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Lifestyle, i.e., smoking, alcohol consumption, and intake of coffee or tea, was examined using a questionnaire. The number of cigarettes smoked and CYP2A6 polymorphism were significantly associated with the urinary cotinine level. Especially, the urinary cotinine levels was drastically lower in CYP2A6-deleted homozygous (CYP2A6*4/*4) subjects than in CYP2A6*1 allele-positive subjects. The polymorphism in the CYP2E1 5'-flanking region was related to the urinary cotinine level in intermediate smokers (who smoke 11-20 cigarettes/day; P < 0.01). Polymorphisms in CYP1A1 or ALDH2, and consumption of alcohol, coffee, or tea were not associated with the urinary cotinine level.
Small-for-gestational-age newborns of female refinery workers exposed to nickel.

OBJECTIVES It has not yet been established whether exposure to nickel (Ni) compounds may cause reproductive toxicity. The objective of this study was to investigate whether women employed under conditions of nickel exposure in early pregnancy were at elevated risk of delivering a newborn small-for-gestational-age (SGA). MATERIALS AND METHODS A register-based study of a well defined population. Data on pregnancy outcome and maternal occupation were obtained from the Kola Birth Registry. Each birth record was assigned a Ni exposure rating category according to maternal occupation at the time of becoming pregnant. Nickel exposure assessment was based on determining the water-soluble Ni subfraction of respirable aerosol fraction obtained by personal monitoring, and/or on measurements of urine Ni concentration. The reference population were the delivering women with background exposure level. The study population consisted of 22 836 births (>27 weeks of gestation) and the SGA infants were defined as below the 10th percentile birth weight for gestational age in the source population. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the association of the outcome with the assigned exposure rating category. RESULTS The adjusted odds ratio for Ni-exposed women for giving birth to an SGA newborn was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.75-0.93). CONCLUSIONS We found no adverse effect of maternal occupational exposure to water-soluble Ni in the first part of pregnancy on the risk of delivering an SGA newborn without trisomy. The finding does not exclude a possibility that exposure throughout pregnancy might produce such an effect.
A new highly specialized cave harvestman from Brazil and the first blind species of the genus: Iandumoema smeagol sp. n. (Arachnida, Opiliones, Gonyleptidae)

Abstract A new species of troglobitic harvestman, Iandumoema smeagol sp. n. , is described from Toca do Geraldo, Monjolos municipality, Minas Gerais state, Brazil. Iandumoema smeagol sp. n. is distinguished from the other two species of the genus by four exclusive characteristics – dorsal scutum areas with conspicuous tubercles, enlarged retrolateral spiniform tubercle on the distal third of femur IV, eyes absent and the penial ventral process slender and of approximately the same length of the stylus. The species is the most highly modified in the genus and its distribution is restricted only to caves in that particular area of Minas Gerais state. The type locality is not inside a legally protected area, and there are anthropogenic impacts in its surroundings. Therefore, Iandumoema smeagol sp. n. is vulnerable and it must be considered in future conservation projects.
A Log-Type Moment Result for Perpetuities and Its Application to Martingales in Supercritical Branching Random Walks

Infinite sums of i.i. d. random variables discounted by a multiplicative random walk are called perpetuities and have been studied by many authors. The present paper provides a log-type moment result for such random variables under minimal conditions which is then utilized for the study of related moments of a.s. limits of certain martingales associated with the supercritical branching random walk. The connection arises upon consideration of a size-biased version of the branching random walk originally introduced by Lyons. As a by-product, necessary and sufficient conditions for uniform integrability of these martingales are provided in the most general situation which particularly means that the classical (LlogL)-condition is not always needed.
An HIV-1 gp120 Envelope Human Monoclonal Antibody That Recognizes a C1 Conformational Epitope Mediates Potent Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity (ADCC) Activity and Defines a Common ADCC Epitope in Human HIV-1 Serum

ABSTRACT Among nonneutralizing HIV-1 envelope antibodies (Abs), those capable of mediating antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity have been postulated to be important for control of HIV-1 infection. ADCC-mediating Ab must recognize HIV-1 antigens expressed on the membrane of infected cells and bind the Fcγ receptor (FcR) of the effector cell population. However, the precise targets of serum ADCC antibody are poorly characterized. The human monoclonal antibody (MAb) A32 is a nonneutralizing antibody isolated from an HIV-1 chronically infected person. We investigated the ability of MAb A32 to recognize HIV-1 envelope expressed on the surface of CD4+ T cells infected with primary and laboratory-adapted strains of HIV-1, as well as its ability to mediate ADCC activity. The MAb A32 epitope was expressed on the surface of HIV-1-infected CD4+ T cells earlier than the CD4-inducible (CD4i) epitope bound by MAb 17b and the gp120 carbohydrate epitope bound by MAb 2G12. Importantly, MAb A32 was a potent mediator of ADCC activity. Finally, an A32 Fab fragment blocked the majority of ADCC-mediating Ab activity in plasma of subjects chronically infected with HIV-1. These data demonstrate that the epitope defined by MAb A32 is a major target on gp120 for plasma ADCC activity.
Small Bowell Malignant Melanoma-Report of Three Cases and Review of Literature

Abstract Malignant melanomas have a predilection to metastasize to the small bowel. Three patients with malignant melanoma involving the small bowel are reported. Two patients were operated on for small bowel obstruction and the third for gastrointestinal bleeding with anemia. Two patients remained well 6 month and 2 years, respectively, after surgery. One patient died of metastatic cerebral melanoma 6 months postoperatively. One should suspect small bowel metastasis in every patient with malignant melanoma in his past medical history, who presents with recent changes in bowel habits, intestinal obstruction or gastrointestinal bleeding. Preoperative assessment can only raise the suspicion, even with advanced imaging methods: capsule endoscopy, enteroscopy, CT or PET-CT. The only therapeutic procedure is surgical resection, offering both short term survival as well as an improvement in the quality of life. Although prognosis is dismal there are factors associated with prolonged survival: complete surgical resection with no residual primary or metastatic tumor, so-called primary small bowel tumors in patients aged more then 60 years, LDH < 200 U/L, lack of tumor spread in mesenteric lymph nodes.