Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gallium Nanoparticle-Mediated Reduction of Brain Specific Serine Protease-4 in an Experimental Metastatic Cancer Model

Purpose: Tumor growth and metastasis depend on angiogenesis; therefore, efforts are being made to develop specific angiogenic inhibitors. Gallium (Ga) is the second most common metal ion, after platinum, used in cancer treatment. Its activities are numerous and various. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Ga on brain metastasis arising from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and methods: Forty experimental rats (divided into 4 groups) received diethylnitrosamine (DEN) at a dose (20 mg/kg.b.wt.; for 6 weeks) to induce HCC and were treated with Ga nanoparticles (GaNPs) with the bacterium Bacillus licheniformis (1mg/kg.b.wt.). Liver functions (alanine aminotransferase; (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase; (AST) and gamma glutamyl transferase; (GGT) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)) were assessed with histopathological examination of liver sections to confirm the induction of HCC. In addtion, brain-specific serine protease 4 (BSSP4), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), a microtubule-associated protein (Tau), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular cells adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), cytochrome P450 (CYP450), lipid peroxidation (MDA) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) were measured in brain tissue. Results: GaNPs ranged from 5 to 7 nm. HCC was confirmed by elevation in liver enzymes and AFP. Additionally, histopathological examination of liver showed focal area of anaplastic hepatocytes with other cells forming acini associated with fibroblastic cell proliferation. In brain, compared to the DEN alone group, we found that GaNPs modulated brain metastasis by reducing CYP450 and BSSP4 mRNA, and protein expression of p-ERK and p-Tau, and angiogenesis mediators (VEGF and VCAM-1). Also, GaNPs elevated lipid peroxidation and GST activity. Conclusion: It is concluded that GaNPs may prevent metastasis via inhibition of BSSP4 mRNA expression leading to suppression of a variety of growth factors and cell adhesion molecules involved in tumor growth and angiogenesis.
Thermal stress–strain of self‐compacting concrete in compression

Self‐compacting concrete or self‐consolidation concrete (SCC) is being used in underground and other industrial structures that may be subjected to high temperatures during operation or in case of an accidental fire. The proper understanding of the effects of elevated temperatures on the stress–strain relationship of SCC is necessary in the assessment of structural safety. This paper presents the high temperature behavior from an experimental study carried out on SCC subjected to high temperatures. The effects of temperature, strength grade, and polypropylene (PP) fibers on the initial elastic modulus, strain at peak stress, and stress–strain curves of SCC are studied, which offered a test basis for estimating the deformation of SCC under high temperature. An empirical constitutive formula for the thermal stress–strain of SCC is developed on the basis of the deformation characteristics of PP fiber‐modified SCC. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gene and protein expression changes in human trabecular meshwork cells treated with transforming growth factor-beta.

PURPOSE To determine the genomic and proteomic expression changes in human trabecular meshwork cells when they are treated with transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. METHODS Human trabecular meshwork cells from five donors were cultured for 3 days with 1 ng/mL of either TGF-beta1 or -beta2. Changes in gene expression determined with gene microarrays and alterations in protein expression detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) were studied in these cells after the incubation. RESULTS With both TGF-betas, there was a substantial upregulation of genes that were related to secreted proteins or extracellular matrix. This result was consistent with pathologic changes observed in disease and with experiments on perfused trabecular meshwork. Several of the gene changes suggest that other signaling pathways, such as ErbB and Wnt, were altered. Changes in enzyme expression in the prostaglandin pathway indicated that the prostaglandins may have a different cellular profile in the presence of glaucoma. Two genes, osteoblast-specific factor 2 and corneal-derived transcript 6, which are highly expressed in the cells under normal conditions, were substantially upregulated with the TGF-betas. Proteomic analysis indicated that there was increased proteolysis of vimentin with both treatments. Tropomyosin 1alpha was increased in both gene and protein expression, suggesting alterations of the cytoskeleton by the disease. The TGF-beta1 treatment caused more robust changes than those induced by TGF-beta2. Three genes-aldose reductase, thioredoxin reductase 1, and glucose-6-phosphate 1-dehydrogenase-were identified that were downregulated in expression. These genes had decreases in protein expression with TGF-beta1 treatment but had little change in either gene or protein expression with TGF-beta2. CONCLUSIONS Human trabecular meshwork cells can be subjected to increased levels of TGF-beta for several years as a result of glaucoma. The results indicate that changes in extracellular matrix as well as alterations in cytoskeletal proteins occur in these cells as a result of increased TGF-beta. These results are consistent with changes observed in the trabecular meshwork in glaucoma and suggest that at least some of the histologic alterations observed in the meshwork in glaucoma may be the result of increased TGF-betas.
An optimal control model of 1/f fluctuations in heart rate variability

We investigate the generation mechanisms underlying the 1/f fluctuations in HRV in the context of an optimal control of the cardiovascular system. First, the phenomenon is experimentally quantified for human and cat HRV. Second, the relationship between the resulting dynamics of HRV and the regulatory criteria of optimal control is investigated by using a newly proposed cardiovascular system model. Finally, an operational point of the model is hierarchically controlled to simulate changes in physiological states, including the state of consciousness. This hierarchical control mechanism is suggested to be essential for generating the 1/f HRV fluctuations, and their physiological significance is discussed. Through these analyses, a possible control strategy of the cardiovascular system is suggested.
A framework for wireless ad hoc networks with a quasi-guaranteed minimum system lifetime

In previous work, we thoroughly studied the intricate problem of energy conservation in wireless ad hoc networks. Consequently, we proposed a novel framework, namely quasi-guaranteed system lifetime (Q-GSL), which allows the admission of flows without jeopardized the limited energy of the wireless stations. A noteworthy feature of Q-GSL is that it provides a means for contention mitigation and load balancing. The upper bound on the packet rate is computed in the absence of the energy overheads associated with routing, contention resolution, channel sensing, etc. The results reported herein augment our previous conclusions about the usefulness of the proposed framework. We show that load balancing is achieved amongst the routes and the nodes in the wireless ad hoc network without violating any of the energy constraints, and while adhering to a pre-computed deterministic minimum system lifetime.
Performance of anal cytology in a clinical setting when measured against histology and high-resolution anoscopy findings

Objectives:The success of cervical cytology in screening for cervical neoplasia has led to the concept of anal cytology screening for anal neoplasia. Our objective is to study the performance of anal cytology as a screening tool. Design:We assessed anal cytology against histology and high-resolution anoscopy in a clinical setting. Methods:Anal pap test was obtained prior to high-resolution anoscopy examinations and biopsies. The results were analysed against a number of patient variables. Results:From 395 individuals (93% men), 584 anal pap tests were obtained. HIV status was positive in 212 (54%) and negative in 156 (39%) individuals. On the basis of 288 histology results, the sensitivity of anal cytology to detect disease was 70% [95% confidence interval (CI) 64–75], whereas the specificity was 67% (95% CI 38–88). For high-grade disease (anal intraepithelial neoplasia 2/3), sensitivity of anal cytology was 81% (95% CI 70–90), and the negative predictive value was 85% (95% CI 76–92). Sensitivity was dependent on the area of disease (86% for two or more quadrants vs. 69% for one or more quadrants, P = 0.002) and HIV positivity (76% in HIV positive vs. 59% in HIV negative, P = 0.009). Amongst HIV-positive patients, the sensitivity was 90% when CD4 cell count was 400 cells/μl or less compared with 67% when CD4 cell count was above 400 cells/μl (P = 0.005). Conclusion:Anal cytology performs similar to cervical cytology in a clinical setting. Sensitivity of anal smear is dependent on the area (quadrants) of disease present. Sensitivity of anal cytology is enhanced when CD4 cell count is less than 400 cells/μl in HIV-positive men. Our results may explain the variable sensitivity reported in the literature.
Balanced Dense Polynomial Multiplication on Multi-Cores

In symbolic computation, polynomial multiplication is a fundamental operation akin to matrix multiplication in numerical computation. We present efficient implementation strategies for FFT-based dense polynomial multiplication targeting multi-cores. We show that {\it balanced input data} can maximize parallel speedup and minimize cache complexity for bivariate multiplication. However, unbalanced input data, which are common in symbolic computation, are challenging. We provide efficient techniques, what we call {\it contraction} and {\it extension}, to reduce multivariate (and univariate) multiplication to {\it balanced bivariate multiplication}. Our implementation in {\tt Cilk++} demonstrates good speed upon multi-cores.
Effective Plasmid DNA and Small Interfering RNA Delivery to Diseased Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Expression of exogenous DNA or small interfering RNA (siRNA) in vitro is significantly affected by the particular delivery system utilized. In this study, we evaluated the transfection efficiency of plasmid DNA and siRNA into human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) and meningioma cells, which constitute the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, a target of meningitis-causing pathogens. Chemical transfection methods and various lipofection reagents including Lipofectamin™, FuGene™, or jetPRIME®, as well as physical transfection methods and electroporation techniques were applied. To monitor the transfection efficiencies, HBMEC and meningioma cells were transfected with the reporter plasmid pTagGFP2-actin vector, and efficiency of transfection was estimated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. We established protocols based on electroporation using Cell Line Nucleofector® Kit V with the Amaxa® Nucleofector® II system from Lonza and the Neon® Transfection system from Invitrogen resulting in up to 41 and 82% green fluorescent protein-positive HBMEC, respectively. Optimal transfection solutions, pulse programs and length were evaluated. We furthermore demonstrated that lipofection is an efficient method to transfect meningioma cells with a transfection efficiency of about 81%. Finally, we applied the successful electroporation protocols to deliver synthetic siRNA to HBMEC and analyzed the role of the actin-binding protein cortactin in Neisseria meningitidis pathogenesis.
Hierarchical clustering model for pixel-based classification of document images

We propose a method to learn and classify pixels in document images, e.g., to separate text from illustrations or other predefined classes. We extract texture information using a bank of Gabor filters, and learn a hierarchical clustering model that can be used as a K-Nearest Neighbours (KNN) classifier. The model has advantages over other local document image classification methods, making it efficient for real industrial applications: we do not rely on the accuracy of preprocessing steps such as binarisation or segmentation, the model can be efficiently trained using zone level annotations and it seamlessly supports multi-class classification. We demonstrate the performance of the method on a public dataset containing complex documents from magazines and technical journals.
Angiotensin II AT1 Receptor Blockade Changes Expression of Renal Sodium Transporters in Rats with Chronic Renal Failure

We aimed to examine the effects of angiotensin II AT1 receptor blocker on the expression of major renal sodium transporters and aquaporin-2 (AQP2) in rats with chronic renal failure (CRF). During 2 wks after 5/6 nephrectomy or sham operation, both CRF rats (n=10) and sham-operated control rats (n=7) received a fixed amount of low sodium diet and had free access to water. CRF rats (n=10) were divided into two groups which were either candesartan-treated (CRF-C, n=4) or vehicletreated (CRF-V, n=6). Both CRF-C and CRF-V demonstrated azotemia, decreased GFR, polyuria, and decreased urine osmolality compared with sham-operated rats. When compared with CRF-V, CRF-C was associated with significantly higher BUN levels and lower remnant kidney weight. Semiquantitative immunoblotting demonstrated decreased AQP2 expression in both CRF-C (54% of control levels) and CRF-V (57%), whereas BSC-1 expression was increased in both CRF groups. Particularly, CRF-C was associated with higher BSC-1 expression (611%) compared with CRF-V (289%). In contrast, the expression of NHE3 (25%) and TSC (27%) was decreased in CRF-C, whereas no changes were observed in CRF-V. In conclusion, 1) candesartan treatment in an early phase of CRF is associated with decreased renal hypertrophy and increased BUN level; 2) decreased AQP2 level in CRF is likely to play a role in the decreased urine concentration, and the downregulation is not altered in response to candesartan treatment; 3) candesartan treatment decreases NHE3 and TSC expression; and 4) an increase of BSC-1 is prominent in candesartan-treated CRF rats, which could be associated with the increased delivery of sodium and water to the thick ascending limb.
Pricing perpetual American puts under multi-scale stochastic volatility

In this paper, we consider the problem of pricing perpetual American put options with volatility driven by two other processes. By using a perturbation approach, we obtain approximate but explicit closed-form pricing formulae for the option and optimal exercise prices, respectively, under a general multi-scale SV (stochastic volatility) model. A key feature of the expansion methodology employed here is to balance the two SV processes, while dealing with the free boundary conditions properly. It turns out that in the current formulae, the fast volatility factor does not play an explicit role, while the slow factor is quite crucial, a phenomenon that is shown to be quite reasonable through our discussions.
Modulation of immune response and tumor development in tumor-bearing mice treated by the thymic factor thymostimulin.

Thymostimulin (TS), a partially purified thymic factor, has a significant impact on tumor development in C57B1/6 mice inoculated with Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL) cells, as judged by its effect on time of tumor appearance after tumor cell transplantation. In a previous study, we determined the conditions under which survival rate of the tumor-bearing mice can be significantly increased by TS treatment. In the study communicated here we analyzed host defense mechanisms that are modified by TS treatment in the tumor-bearing mice. In general, immune parameters that were increased or stimulated by the presence of the tumor were further increased in the TS-treated animals (number of lymphoid spleen cells, their response in mixed lymphocyte tumor cultures, their natural killer cell activity, and their ability to produce colony-stimulating factor), or reached earlier maximum levels (spontaneous [3H]thymidine incorporation, a reflection of in vivo spleen cell activation). Responses which reflect tumor-induced immunosuppression (proliferative response induced by phytohemagglutinin or concanavalin A stimulation) were restored to normal level by TS. Specific tumor-related reactions (specific cell-mediated cytotoxicity) were preserved in the TS-treated animals. The wide spectrum of TS effects had, nevertheless, certain elements of selectivity; e.g. colony-stimulating factor, but no interferon production is enhanced by TS in the tumor-bearing mice in diametric contrast to TS effect in Mengo virus-infected mice. The spectrum of TS effects was also dependent on the type of tumor cell used. The results indicate that the significant effect of TS on 3LL tumor development in mice is associated with a strong, multifaceted effect of TS on the immune system.
Kinematic Viscosities of High‐Temperature Materials Used in Plasma Spraying

A simple analytical model based on the law of conservation of energy was developed to estimate the kinematic viscosity of high-temperature materials. An energy balance between the kinetic, viscous dissipation, and surface energies of high-speed molten droplets and the splats formed after impact and spreading was conducted to produce a nondimensional relationship between kinematic viscosity and the maximum spread factor of the splat. The dimensional kinematic viscosities of a wide variety of high-temperature materials were determined and comparisons with experimentally measured viscosities were conducted. It was found that the predictions of the model agreed to within one order-of-magnitude of experimentally measured values. Experimental data for high-temperature ceramics such as yttria-stabilized zirconia were unavailable for comparison. However, the agreement between the model and experimental values of kinematic viscosity observed for alumina, coupled with the monoclinic fluorite structure and high density of zirconia, suggested that its kinematic viscosity was probably much lower than that of alumina, as predicted by the analytical model.
Ocular Distribution of Intravenously Administered Lipid Formulations of Amphotericin B in a Rabbit Model

ABSTRACT Little is known about the ocular penetration of amphotericin B (AMB) and its lipid formulations, the current drug of choice in fungal endophthalmitis. The ocular distribution of AMB lipid complex (ABLC), liposomal AMB (L-AMB), and AMB deoxycholate (D-AMB) was studied in a rabbit model. D-AMB (1 mg/kg of body weight/day), ABLC (5 mg/kg/day), or L-AMB (5 mg/kg/day) was given intravenously to rabbits as a single dose or as repeated daily doses on 7 consecutive days after induction of unilateral uveitis by intravitreal injection of endotoxin. AMB concentrations in aqueous humor, vitreous humor, and plasma were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography 16 h after administration of a single dose or 24 h after the last of seven doses. After single-dose administration, L-AMB achieved at least eightfold-higher AMB concentrations in the aqueous of inflamed eyes than ABLC or D-AMB (1.21 ± 0.58 μg/ml versus 0.14 ± 0.04 and 0.11 ± 0.09 μg/ml, respectively). At that time point no drug was detectable in the vitreous. After 7 days of treatment, the concentration of AMB in the vitreous was higher after treatment with L-AMB (0.47 ± 0.21 μg/ml) than after treatment with ABLC (0.27 ± 0.18 μg/ml) and D-AMB (0.16 ± 0.04 μg/ml). Similarly, AMB concentration in the aqueous was higher after repeated doses of L-AMB (0.73 ± 0.43 μg/ml) than after repeated doses of ABLC (0.03 ± 0.02 μg/ml) or D-AMB (0.13 ± 0.06 μg/ml). No AMB was detected in noninflamed eyes. Following systemic administration, AMB distribution to the eye is inflammation dependent and occurs sequentially, first to the aqueous and then to the vitreous. Compared to D-AMB and ABLC, L-AMB reaches higher drug concentrations in both ocular compartments.
B-ROC Curves for the Assessment of Classifiers over Imbalanced Data Sets

The class imbalance problem appears to be ubiquitous to a large portion of the machine learning and data mining communities. One of the key questions in this setting is how to evaluate the learning algorithms in the case of class imbalances. In this paper we introduce the Bayesian Receiver Operating Characteristic (B-ROC) curves, as a set of tradeoff curves that combine in an intuitive way, the variables that are more relevant to the evaluation of classifiers over imbalanced data sets. This presentation is based on section 4 of (Cardenas, Baras, & Seamon 2006).
Measurement of iodine-123 thyroid uptake using a gamma camera with LEAP collimator.

OBJECTIVE This study compared the 123I thyroid uptake measurements obtained from a gamma camera fitted with a low-energy all-purpose (LEAP) collimator to those obtained from a thyroid uptake probe and gamma camera fitted with a pinhole (PH) collimator. METHODS Thirty-one patients (27 female and 4 male patients) were studied for comparison between a probe and a gamma camera fitted with LEAP collimators. A different group of 25 patients (20 female and 5 male patients) were studied for comparison between LEAP and PH collimators. The patients were given 7.4-11 MBq (200-300 pCi) 123I capsules orally. Uptake with both the probe and the gamma camera was measured at 5 h and 24 h. The uptake measurements by these 3 methods were compared. RESULTS Comparison of all the camera uptake values with the probe system correlated well with correlation coefficient values ranging from 0.912-0.988. The probe system yielded uptake ratios slightly higher than those measured by the gamma camera with LEAP collimator. Comparison between LEAP and PH uptake values resulted in a correlation coefficient of 0.979 for 5 h and 0.931 for 24 h uptake. CONCLUSION Iodine-123 uptake with a gamma camera fitted with a LEAP collimator can accurately and consistantly be used to determine the thyroid uptake of 123I if proper ROIs are applied.
Utility of peripheral blood B cell subsets analysis in common variable immunodeficiency

Abnormalities in peripheral blood B cell subsets have been identified in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) patients and classification systems based upon their numbers have been proposed to predict the clinical features. We analysed B lymphocyte subsets by multi‐colour flow cytometry (MFC) in a cohort of well‐characterized CVID patients to look at their clinical relevance and validate the published association of different classification criteria (Freiburg, Paris and Euroclass) with clinical manifestations. CVID patients had a reduced proportion of total and switched memory B cells (MBC, swMBC) compared to normal controls (P < 0·0006). Patients classified in Freiburg Ia had a higher prevalence of granulomatous diseases (P = 0·0034). The previously published associations with autoimmune diseases could not be confirmed. The Euroclass classification was not predictive of clinical phenotypes. The absolute numbers of all B cell subsets were reduced in CVID patients compared to controls. There was a significant linear correlation between low absolute total B cells and MBC with granulomatous disease (P < 0·05) and a trend towards lower B cells in patients with autoimmune diseases (P = 0·07). Absolute number of different B cell subsets may be more meaningful than their relative percentages in assessing the risk of granulomatous diseases and possibly autoimmunity.