Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Exposure to Selected Cigarette Smoke Constituents in Adult Smokers and Nonsmokers in a European, Multicenter, Observational Study

Background: This multicenter, observational study was conducted in three European countries (Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom) to determine the exposure of adult cigarette smokers and nonsmokers to selected cigarette smoke constituents: 1,3-butadiene, 2-naphthylamine, 4-aminobiphenyl, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), acrolein, benzene, carbon monoxide, nicotine, pyrene, and o-toluidine. Methods: Smokers were grouped by tar category (TC) according to the tar yield of their regular cigarette brand: TC1: ≤4 mg tar, TC2: 5–7 mg tar, and TC3: ≥8 mg tar [to the legal tar yield ceiling in the respective countries (10 or 12 mg tar)]. Levels of biomarkers of exposure to the aforementioned cigarette smoke constituents were compared between smokers and nonsmokers, and within smokers across tar categories. Results: The full population consisted of 1,631 subjects (1,223 smokers and 408 nonsmokers). Biomarkers of exposure were analyzed for 1,558 subjects (valid case population) as follows: 1,159 smokers (TC1: n = 402, TC2: n = 379, TC3: n = 378), and 399 nonsmokers. Exposure levels were higher in smokers than nonsmokers and increased with increasing tar yield and cigarette consumption. An association of tar category and exposure level was observed for all smoke constituents, except pyrene, 4-aminobiphenyl, and o-toluidine, whereas only NNK exposure was different in all three tar categories. Conclusions: Smoking status and, among smokers, daily cigarette consumption and tar yield were observed to affect biomarker of exposure levels. Impact: This research provides a comprehensive evaluation of smoke constituent exposure of adult cigarette smokers and nonsmokers in three European countries. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(7); 1524–36. ©2011 AACR.
Long-Term Alcohol-Induced Activation of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin is a Key Risk Factor of Epilepsy

Background The aim of this study was to determine whether activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key epileptogenic mechanism in the development of alcohol-related seizure. Material/Methods C57BL/6 mice were administered 10% ethanol in drinking water for 9 weeks. Video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring was then used to assess seizure frequency after alcohol and rapamycin treatment. In addition, mouse neuroblastoma NG108-15 cells were treated ethanol for 3 days and subsequently treated with AKT inhibitor LY294002 for 2–12 h. The in vitro kinase assay was performed for determining mTOR activity. Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression of P-AKT, P-S6K, and P-S6. Result Long-term ethanol treatment markedly increased the seizure frequency of C57/BL6 mice over time. Moreover, ethanol treatment increased the expression level of P-S6 over time. Ethanol-induced seizure can be reversed by rapamycin. In addition, the in vitro kinase assay showed mTOR activity was activated by ethanol. Compared with NG108-15 cells treated without both ethanol and LY294002, ethanol increased the expression level of P-AKT, P-S6K, and P-S6, whereas LY294002 had opposite effects on expression levels of these proteins. Conclusions Our findings indicate that long-term alcohol intake increases the risk of epilepsy via activation of mTOR signaling. Moreover, ethanol-induced mTOR activation may be dependent on the AKT-mTOR signaling pathway. The key molecules involved in AKT-mTOR signaling pathway may serve as potential targets in the treatment of epilepsy.
FSP-1 Silencing in Bone Marrow Cells Suppresses Neointima Formation in Vein Graft

Rationale: Fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP-1) plays multiple roles in promoting cell proliferation and motility. Increased FSP-1 expression in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) has been associated with their enhanced proliferation. Objective: To study how FSP-1 contributes to neointima formation of vein grafts. Methods: Arteriovenous grafts were created in wild-type or FSP-1–GFP mice (green fluorescent protein expression regulated by FSP-1 promoter). The effects of FSP-1 on bone marrow (BM) cell migration and on SMC proliferation were studied in vivo and in vitro. Results: On creation of a vein graft, there was rapid deposition of platelets on the denuded surface leading to secretion of the chemokine stromal cell–derived factor-1&agr; (SDF-1&agr;). This was followed by recruitment of BM-derived cells expressing the SDF-1&agr; receptor CXCR4; homing of FSP-1–positive cells was found to be dependent on platelet-derived SDF-1&agr;. FSP-1 was expressed in 8% of the BM cells, and 20% of these express CD45; 85% of FSP-1–positive cells express CD11b. We found that the FSP-1–positive cells migrated into the vein graft in a Rac-1–dependent fashion. FSP-1 expression was also found to stimulate proliferation of SMCs through a MEK5-ERK5 signaling pathway that can be suppressed by a dominant-negative Rac1. Consequently, knocking down FSP-1 expression in BM cells prevented neointimal formation. Conclusions: BM-derived FSP-1+ cells enhance neointima formation through an increase in transendothelial invasion with stimulation of SMC proliferation. The Rac1 and ERK5 signaling cascade mediate FSP-1–induced responses in SMCs and BM cells. This novel pathophysiology suggests a new therapeutic target, FSP-1, for preventing the development of neointima in vein grafts.
Stimulus rate determines regional brain blood flow in striate cortex

Intravenous bolus administration of oxygen 15‐labeled water and positron emission tomography were used to measure changes in brain blood flow induced by two modes of photic stimuli over a wide range of repetition rates. These stimuli (patterned‐flash and reversingd checkerboard) were chosen in order to determine whether stimulus luminacne or stimulus frequency was reponsible for previously observed increased in blood flow in the striate cortex during photic stimulation. The response curves of blood flow change as a function of stimuls rate were nearlyl suggest that elementary stimulus variables, such as repetition rate, can have a major effect on local cerebral responses, as measured with positron emission tomography and other radiotracer methods.
Perinatal asphyxia in the term newborn

Despite the important advances in perinatal care in the past decades, asphyxia remains a severe condition leading to significant mortality and morbidity. Perinatal asphyxia has an incidence of 1 to 6 per 1,000 live full-term births, and represents the third most common cause of neonatal death (23%) after preterm birth (28%) and severe infections (26%). Many preconceptional, antepartum and intrapartum risk factors have been shown to be associated with perinatal asphyxia. The standard for defining an intrapartum hypoxic-ischemic event as sufficient to produce moderate to severe neonatal encephalopathy which subsequently leads to cerebral palsy has been established in 3 Consensus statements. The cornerstone of all three statements is the presence of severe metabolic acidosis (pH < 7 and base deficit ≥ 12 mmol/L) at birth in a newborn exhibiting early signs of moderate or severe encephalopathy. Perinatal asphyxia may affect virtually any organ, but hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the most studied clinical condition and that is burdened with the most severe sequelae. The feasibility of providing neuroprotection after HIE has been proven by hypothermia therapy, which is able to reduce the risk of death or major neurodevelopmental disability. Many promising neuroprotective agents might contribute to reduce hypoxic-ischemic brain injury through different mechanisms of action, but further studies are required to confirm their efficacy. The prognosis is dependent on the severity of the perinatal asphyxia. Only a minority of infants with severe HIE survive without handicap. Proceedings of the International Course on Perinatal Pathology (part of the 10 th International Workshop on Neonatology · October 22 nd -25 th , 2014) · Cagliari (Italy) · October 25 th , 2014 · The role of the clinical pathological dialogue in problem solving Guest Editors: Gavino Faa, Vassilios Fanos, Peter Van Eyken
Electrochemical noise for evaluating susceptibility of lead–acid battery electrodes to intergranular corrosion

Abstract Operating and cycle life performance of lead–acid batteries is governed in part by intergranular corrosion (IGC) of the positive electrode, which results in significant weight loss by grain dropping. The present paper demonstrates the use of frequency and time domain noise measurements to evaluate the effect of grain boundary structure on the resistance of lead electrodes to IGC. Microstructures processed to contain high frequencies of special crystallographically ordered boundaries were compared with conventional cast alloys. Significant reductions in localisation function and in the time constant for repassivation occur as the proportion of special boundaries in the microstructure increases. This reflects a tendency for these ordered interfaces to repassivate more readily and to promote the formation of a more compact, stable, and dense PbO2-PbSO4 layer. Electrochemical noise measurements demonstrate the potential for minimising localised intergranular attack and extending battery life by incre.
Optimizing MR Scan Design for Model-Based ${T}_{1}$ , ${T}_{2}$ Estimation From Steady-State Sequences

Rapid, reliable quantification of MR relaxation parameters <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\textit{T}_{1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\textit{T}_{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is desirable for many clinical applications. Steady-state sequences such as Spoiled Gradient-Recalled Echo (SPGR) and Dual-Echo Steady-State (DESS) are fast and well-suited for relaxometry because the signals they produce are quite sensitive to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\textit{T}_{1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\textit{T}_{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> variation. However, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$T_{1}, T_{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> estimation with these sequences typically requires multiple scans with varied sets of acquisition parameters. This paper describes a systematic framework for selecting scan types (<italic>e.g.</italic>, combinations of SPGR and DESS scans) and optimizing their respective parameters (<italic>e.g.</italic>, flip angles and repetition times). The method is based on a Cramér-Rao Bound (CRB)-inspired min-max optimization that finds scan parameter combinations that robustly enable precise object parameter estimation. We apply this technique to optimize combinations of SPGR and DESS scans for <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$T_{1}, T_{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> relaxometry in white matter (WM) and grey matter (GM) regions of the human brain at 3T field strength. Phantom accuracy experiments show that SPGR/DESS scan combinations are in excellent agreement with reference measurements. Phantom precision experiments show that trends in <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$T_{1}, T_{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> pooled sample standard deviations reflect CRB-based predictions. <italic>In vivo</italic> experiments show that in WM and GM, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\textit{T}_{1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\textit{T}_{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> estimates from a pair of optimized DESS scans exhibit precision (but not necessarily accuracy) comparable to that of optimized combinations of SPGR and DESS scans. To our knowledge, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\textit{T}_{1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> maps from DESS acquisitions alone are new. This example application illustrates that scan optimization may help reveal new parameter mapping techniques from combinations of established pulse sequences.
Lack of effect of methotrexate in budesonide-refractory collagenous colitis

Background In most cases, collagenous colitis can be treated effectively with budesonide. However, some patients develop side effects or have chronic symptoms refractory to budesonide. This paper reports an open case series of patients intolerant or refractory to budesonide who were treated with methotrexate (MTX). Methods and patients Nine patients (seven women) with a median (range) age of 62 (44–77) years were studied. Bowel movements were registered during 1 week prior to baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks’ treatment, enabling calculation of the mean bowel movements/day. All patients underwent colonoscopy with biopsies before inclusion to confirm diagnosis. Open treatment with MTX was given 15 mg subcutaneously weekly for 6 weeks and was increased to 25 mg for a further 6 weeks if symptoms were unresponsive to the first 6 weeks’ treatment. The endpoint was clinical remission, which was defined as a mean <3 stools/day and mean <1 watery stool/day/week at Week 12. The Short Health Scale was used at baseline and Week 12 to assess health-related quality of life. Results Five patients fulfilled the treatment according to the protocol and four patients discontinued the study after 3–6 weeks because of adverse events. No patient achieved clinical remission at Week 12. The mean stool frequency/day at baseline was 6.0 stools/day, thereof 5.4 watery stools/day and after 12 weeks treatment 6.4 stools/day, thereof 5.7 watery/day. No patient appreciated an improvement of health-related quality of life. Conclusion Short-term treatment with MTX had no clinical effect in collagenous colitis patients intolerant or refractory to budesonide. Alternative therapies should be investigated in these patients.
A Bibliographic Analysis of the IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems Literature

This paper presents a bibliographic analysis of the papers published in the IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems (T-ITS). We identify the most productive and high-impact authors, institutions, and countries/regions. We find that research on intelligent transportation systems is dominated by U.S. researchers and institutions and that China and Japan are the second most productive countries. According to this analysis, M. M. Trivedi, N. P. Papanikolopoulos, and P. A. Ioannou are the three most productive and influential authors in the IEEE T-ITS, whereas the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, are three of the most productive and influential institutions in the IEEE T-ITS.
Effect of rosuvastatin on ROCK activity, endothelial function, and inflammation in Asian patients with atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis, and also decrease the formation of isoprenoid intermediates required for the activation of Rho kinase (ROCK) pathway. ROCK pathway plays pivotal roles in cardiovascular diseases including arteriosclerosis. It has been implicated that inhibition of ROCK can reverse vascular dysfunction in humans with atherosclerosis. However, it is not clear whether statins, at doses used to lower cholesterol levels, inhibit ROCK activity in humans with atherosclerosis. METHODS We treated 40 subjects with stable atherosclerosis with rosuvastatin 10 mg/day, or rosuvastatin 40 mg/day for 28 days in a randomized, double-blinded study. We assessed the change in the lipid levels, C-reactive protein (CRP), ROCK activity, and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery before and after statins therapy. RESULTS Treatment with rosuvastatin 10 mg and 40 mg significantly reduced LDL cholesterol by 43.2% to 55.9% and increased FMD by 29.3% to 42.5% (p<0.05 for both compared with baselines). Both doses inhibited ROCK activity (p<0.05), and the extent of inhibition was greater with rosuvastatin 40 mg compared with 10 mg (p<0.05). Only rosuvastatin 40 mg significantly reduced hsCRP (p<0.05). There was no correlation between changes in ROCK activity and changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=0.37, p>0.05 vs. r=0.41, p>0.05) among patients randomized to rosuvastatin 10 mg group or 40 mg group. There was a correlation between ROCK inhibition and change in FMD among patients with rosuvastatin 10 mg therapy (r=0.43, p<0.05), and 40 mg therapy (r=0.54, p<0.05). Correlation was found between changes in ROCK inhibition and changes in CRP in rosuvastatin 40 mg/day group (r=0.47, p<0.05). CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that high dose rosuvastatin exerts greater effects on LDL-C, ROCK activity, and CRP than low dose rosuvastatin. These findings provide clinical evidence that statins are effective in improving endothelium dysfunction by a cholesterol-independent mechanism in patients with atherosclerosis.
Additions to the Limoniidae and Pediciidae fauna of Morocco, with an updated checklist (Diptera, Tipuloidea)

Abstract Eighteen species of Limoniidae and two species of Pediciidae are recorded for the first time in Morocco, of which 15 species are new to North Africa. An updated checklist of Moroccan short-palped craneflies (Limoniidae and Pediciidae) is appended, containing 73 species in 25 genera.
Factors affecting appropriateness of hospital use in Massachusetts

To determine the extent of inappropriate hospital use, and to investigate factors related to variations in appropriateness, 8,031 hospital records of patients discharged from 41 hospitals in 3 Massachusetts professional standards review organization (PSRO) areas were reviewed in 1973 and 1978. The Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP) was used for the reviews and logistic regression analysis was used to analyze factors associated with inappropriate use. Based on the results, the authors conclude that utilization review should focus on: longer stays among surgical patients and shorter stays among medical patients; (projected) last third of the stay; and on diagnoses or diagnosis-related groups in which there is less clinical concensus on treatment method. For maximum effectiveness, utilization review must include incentives beyond simple monitoring (e.g., financial incentives).
Effects of Processing Variables on the Properties of Cotton Knitting Yarns

The effects of carding rate. total spinning draft, spindle speed, and other production variables on the strength, uni formity, and lint-shedding tendencies of ring-spun cotton knitting yarns were determined. The results showed that higher carding rates improved fiber orientation and produced stronger, more uniform yarns; however, neps in the yarn were increased. Increasing total spinning draft also produced stronger, more uniform yarns. Lower spindle speeds resulted in slightly stronger, more uniform yarns with fewer neps and other imperfections. Optimum conditions for minimum lint shedding during knitting were obtained with lower carding rates and higher total spinning drafts and spindley speeds. Other processing variables that favored reduced lint shedding were combing using double-creded roving, and increasing yarn twist.
Detection and quantification of dysfunctional myocardium by magnetic resonance imaging. A new three-dimensional method for quantitative wall-thickening analysis.

BACKGROUND Regional left ventricular dysfunction is a major consequence of myocardial ischemia, and its extent determines long-term prognosis. Accurate and reproducible analysis of left ventricular dysfunction is therefore useful for risk stratification and patient management. METHODS AND RESULTS Short-axis cardiac cine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed in 25 patients after anterior myocardial infarction at 21 +/- 2.1 days after the acute onset. The MR images were analyzed with the use of a dedicated analytical software package (MASS version 1.0), which includes a modified centerline method and a new three-dimensional analysis approach. A database of 48 healthy volunteers was constructed to objectively depict myocardial dysfunction in the patients; this database was compared with enzymatically determined infarct size. The mean (+/-SEM) quantity of dysfunctional myocardium and enzymatically calculated infarct size equaled 24.0 +/- 3.0 and 22.3 +/- 2.9 g, respectively (P = .69). Enzymatically determined infarct size correlated strongly with left ventricular dysfunction determined by cine MR imaging (y = 0.90x + .92. P < .0001). Segments related to the distribution of the left anterior descending coronary artery showed a significantly lower percentage wall thickening in patients than did corresponding segments of 48 normal subjects (46.0 +/- 8.22% versus 87.1 +/- mean SEM, respectively; P < .001). The mean (+/-SEM) end diastolic wall thickness of the infarcted segment did not differ from that of corresponding normal segments (7.4 +/- 0.33 versus 7.5 +/- 0.15 mm; P = .75). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the use of three-dimensional quantitative analysis of cine MR images accurately quantities the extent of regional left ventricular dysfunction in the infarcted heart. This method of analysis may be useful in assessing the effect of interventional therapies.
SOME EFFECTS OF DECAPITATION ON ELECTRICAL AND ELONGATION PHENOMENA IN THE AVENA COLEOPTILE.

Growth of the Avena coleoptile, including elongation and curvature responses, is dependent on the auxin which is produced only by the cells in the extreme apex (4, 12, 13). A polar force is required to direct and control the distribution of this auxin. It frequently has been suggested that the inherent electrical field could function as this force and there is evidence that is consistent with this thesis (9). However, if the inherent electrical field is dependent on the auxin-regulated elongation process, then this hypothesis would be untenable. For this reason, it is important to test this possibility by experimentation. Preliminary evidence, from experiments which were not specifically designed to evaluate this point, indicates that the longitudinal electrical polarity of the Avena coleoptile is not directly dependent on the presence of auxin that is required for elongation (4, 14). It also has been demonstrated that a transverse electrical polarity, in response to mechanical and electrical stimulation, can be established in the etiolated oat seedling in which the auxin has been decreased by removal of the apex before stimulation (7, 10). However, no previous attempt has been made to measure simultaneously the elongation rate, as a manifestation of the functional auxin content, and the longitudinal electrical polarity of the Avena coleoptile. It is generally accepted that decapitation of the coleoptile removes the source of auxin and results in its gradual decrease in the remaining tissue, because auxin disappears in the process of growth (2). Since growth of the coleoptile is proportional to the amount of auxin added (2, 11, 13), it is permissible to use the rate of elongation as an index of the quantity of auxin used in this process. The present experiments were performed to determine the effects of decreased auxin supply resulting from decapitation, as measured by the elongation rate, on the longitudinal component of the electrical pattern of the coleoptile.