Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perspectives in Diabetes The Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Channel of P-Cells Molecular Regulation and Physiological Significance

The list of Ca channels involved in stimulus-secretion coupling in -cells is increasing. In this respect the roles of the voltage-gated Ca channels and IP3 receptors are well accepted. There is a lack of consensus about the significance of a third group of Ca channels called ryanodine (RY) receptors. These are large conduits located on Ca storage organelle. Ca gates these channels in a concentrationand time-dependent manner. Activation of these channels by Ca leads to fast release of Ca from the stores, a process called Ca induced Ca release (CICR). A substantial body of evidence confirms that -cells have RY receptors. CICR by RY receptors amplifies Ca signals. Some properties of RY receptors ensure that this amplification process is engaged in a context-dependent manner. Several endogenous molecules and processes that modulate RY receptors determine the appropriate context. Among these are several glycolytic intermediates, long-chain acyl CoA, ATP, cAMP, cADPR, NO, and high luminal Ca concentration, and all of these have been shown to sensitize RY receptors to the trigger action of Ca . RY receptors, thus, detect co-incident signals and integrate them. These Ca channels are targets for the action of cAMP-linked incretin hormones that stimulate glucosedependent insulin secretion. In -cells some RY receptors are located on the secretory vesicles. Thus, despite their low abundance, RY receptors are emerging as distinct players in -cell function by virtue of their large conductance, strategic locations, and their ability to amplify Ca signals in a context-dependent manner. Diabetes 51:1299–1309, 2002
Towards Optimal Efficiencies in Software Defined Network SDN-Edge Cloud: Performance Evaluation of Load Balancing Algorithms

Software defined network (SDN) has brought advancements in the field of network management by isolating it from switch/routing operations. Hence, SDN has been integrated into other platforms such as edge and cloud computing. However, due to the limited computation-resources built into the controller, issues related to cognition and scalability may arise. This can lead to a degradation of Quality of Service (QoS), especially in data-sensitive applications. This paper explores a comparative analysis of four distinct load balancing algorithms which are greedy, round robin, weighted round robin, and resource based load balancing algorithm in Software-Defined Network (SDN)-Edge Cloud environment. The performance of each balancing algorithm is examined under different packet arrival rates. The objective of this study is to provide insights into the capabilities of an SDN controller to adapt to unpredictable data flows and efficiently perform load balancing in terms of QoS, specifically delay and packet overdue ratio in multi-tier controller system.
Recycling Between Cortisol and Cortisone in Human Splanchnic, Subcutaneous Adipose, and Skeletal Muscle Tissues In Vivo

11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1) is a therapeutic target in metabolic syndrome because it catalyses reductase regeneration of cortisol from cortisone in adipose and liver. 11βHSD1 can also catalyze the reverse dehydrogenase reaction in vitro (e.g., if cofactor is limited). We used stable isotope tracers to test the hypothesis that both 11βHSD1-reductase and -dehydrogenase activities occur in human metabolic tissues in vivo. 1,2-[2H]2-Cortisone (d2-cortisone) was validated as a tracer for 11β-dehydrogenase activity and its inhibition by licorice. d2-Cortisone and 9,11,12,12-[2H]4-cortisol (d4-cortisol) (to measure 11β-reductase activity) were coinfused and venous samples obtained from skeletal muscle, subcutaneous adipose (n = 6), and liver (n = 4). Steroids were measured by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and arteriovenous differences adjusted for blood flow. Data are means ± SEM. 11β-Reductase and -dehydrogenase activities were detected in muscle (cortisol release 19.7 ± 4.1 pmol/100 mL/min, d3-cortisol 5.9 ± 1.8 pmol/100 mL/min, and cortisone 15.2 ± 5.8 pmol/100 mL/min) and splanchnic (cortisol 64.0 ± 11.4 nmol/min, d3-cortisol 12.9 ± 2.1 nmol/min, and cortisone 19.5 ± 2.8 nmol/min) circulations. In adipose, dehydrogenase was more readily detected than reductase (cortisone release 38.7 ± 5.8 pmol/100 g/min). Active recycling between cortisol and cortisone in metabolic tissues in vivo may facilitate dynamic control of intracellular cortisol but makes consequences of dysregulation of 11βHSD1 transcription in obesity and diabetes unpredictable. Disappointing efficacy of 11βHSD1 inhibitors in phase II studies could be explained by lack of selectivity for 11β-reductase.
INFLUENCE OF BODY MASS INDEX ON IN VITRO FERTILIZATION OUTCOME IN WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME.

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the body mass index on the outcome of in vitro fertilization in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study sample consisted of 123 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome who completed their in vitro fertilization treatment at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center Nis. Republic of Serbia, and they were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided by body mass index into two groups for the comparison of the findings. One group (normal weight) consi- sted ofwomenwithbodymass index ≤25 kg/in² (mean22.O8±1.90), and the other group (overweight) included women with body mass index>25 kg/in² (mean 27.65±1.47). The patients underwent either the standard long gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist protocol or flexible multidose gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol. RESULTS The normal-weight patients had a higher number of mature oncytes, significantly higher fertilization rate (p<O.OOI) and significantly higher number of the obtained embryos class I (p<O.O1) than the overweight patients. However, the implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were the same in both groups. CONCLUSION In the group of overweight women the numbers ofmature oocytes and good quality embryos were lower. However, since this study dealt with the patients with polycystic ovary syndrome who generally had a higher number of the obtained oocytes and embryos, this shortfall did not affect clinical pregnancy rates, which were the same in both groups. Certainly, before starting the in vitro fertilization, each infertile patient should be informed about the possible negative effect of her high body mass index on the treatment outcome.
Gene feature selection

This chapter presents an overview on the classes of methods available for feature selection, paying special attention to the problems typical to microarray data processing, where the number of measured genes (factors) is extremely large, in the order of thousands, and the number of relevant factors is much smaller. The main ingredients needed in the selection of an optimal feature set consist in: the search procedures, the underlying optimality criteria, and the procedures for performance evaluation. We discuss here some of the major classes of procedures which are apparently very different in nature and goals: a typical Bayesian framework, several deterministic settings and finally information theoretic methods. Due to space constraints only the major issues are followed, with the intent to clarify the basic principles and the main options when choosing one of the many existing feature selection methods.
Key Features of the Intragraft Microenvironment that Determine Long-Term Survival Following Transplantation

In this review, we discuss how changes in the intragraft microenvironment serve to promote or sustain the development of chronic allograft rejection. We propose two key elements within the microenvironment that contribute to the rejection process. The first is endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis that serve to create abnormal microvascular blood flow patterns as well as local tissue hypoxia, and precedes endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. The second is the overexpression of local cytokines and growth factors that serve to sustain inflammation and, in turn, function to promote a leukocyte-induced angiogenesis reaction. Central to both events is overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is both pro-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic, and thus drives progression of the chronic rejection microenvironment. In our discussion, we focus on how inflammation results in angiogenesis and how leukocyte-induced angiogenesis is pathological. We also discuss how VEGF is a master control factor that fosters the development of the chronic rejection microenvironment. Overall, this review provides insight into the intragraft microenvironment as an important paradigm for future direction in the field.
XCOR : Synergistic Interflow Network Coding and Opportunistic Routing

In the past few years, a plethora of new routing protocols have been proposed that improve the throughput of wireless mesh networks (WMNs) [2, 11, 10, 7, 5, 3]. Two of the building blocks shown to achieve significant performance benefits are opportunistic routing (OR) and interflow network coding (NC), both exploiting the broadcast nature of the wireless medium. In contrast to traditional routing which forwards packets along a fixed path from a source to a destination, OR opportunistically exploits multiple paths between the source and the destination. OR broadcasts the packet first and then decides the next hop among all neighbors that hear the packet successfully, thus providing more chances for a packet to make some progress towards the destination. Interflow network coding exploits the broadcast nature of the wireless medium by reducing the number of transmissions needed for forwarding packets belonging to different flows, and hence increases the “effective” capacity of the network. While either technique in isolation has been shown to significantly increase the throughput of WMNs, they also pose two intriguing questions: (1) Which of the two techniques performs better and in which scenarios, or, are gains from interflow NC applicable in scenarios where gains from OR are applicable, and vice versa? 1 (2) Can we design a single protocol that exploits both techniques and always outperforms protocols based on either technique alone? While quantitative analysis of the first question appears quite challenging as conceivably the answer heavily depends on the specific topology and traffic scenarios, qualitative analysis suggests the two techniques can be synergistic if equipped in a single protocol. In general, interflow NC is expected to yield poor performance gain in highly lossy environments, since intermediate nodes will not likely have many coding opportunities. In contrast, OR is expected to be more effective in highly lossy environments, because it gives more than one chances for a packet to make some progress towards the destination, and hence can facilitate interflow NC by creating more coding opportunities. Conversely, the throughput gain of most OR protocols is reduced as the number of flows in the network increases; while more flows are likely to create more opportunities for interflow coding.
SIGNATURE VERIFICATION AND IDENTIFICATION USING DISTANCE

This paper describes a novel approach for signature verification and identification in an offline environment based on a quasi-multiresolution technique using GSC (Gradient, Structural and Concavity) features for feature extraction. These features when used at the word level, instead of the character level, yield promising results with accuracies as high as 78% and 93% for verification and identification, respectively. This method was successfully employed in our previous theory of individuality of handwriting developed at CEDAR — based on obtaining within and between writer statistical distance distributions. In this paper, exploring signature verification and identification as offline handwriting verification and identification tasks respectively, we depict a mapping from the handwriting domain to the signature domain.
Recommendations for HIV Screening of Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men — United States, 2017

CDC's 2006 recommendations for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing state that all persons aged 13-64 years should be screened for HIV at least once, and that persons at higher risk for HIV infection, including sexually active gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), should be rescreened at least annually (1). Authors of reports published since 2006, including CDC (2), suggested that MSM, a group that is at highest risk for HIV infection, might benefit from being screened more frequently than once each year. In 2013, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) found insufficient evidence to specify an HIV rescreening interval but recommended annual screening for MSM as a reasonable approach (3). However, some HIV providers have begun to offer more frequent screening, such as once every 3 or 6 months, to some MSM. A CDC work group conducted a systematic literature review and held four expert consultations to review programmatic experience to determine whether there was sufficient evidence to change the 2006 CDC recommendation (i.e., at least annual HIV screening of MSM in clinical settings). The CDC work group concluded that the evidence remains insufficient to recommend screening more frequently than at least once each year. CDC continues to recommend that clinicians screen asymptomatic sexually active MSM at least annually. Each clinician can consider the benefits of offering more frequent screening (e.g., once every 3 or 6 months) to individual MSM at increased risk for acquiring HIV infection, weighing their patients' individual risk factors, local HIV epidemiology, and local testing policies.
Human Brain Functional Network Changes Associated with Enhanced and Impaired Attentional Task Performance

How is the cognitive performance of the human brain related to its topological and spatial organization as a complex network embedded in anatomical space? To address this question, we used nicotine replacement and duration of attentionally demanding task performance (time-on-task), as experimental factors expected, respectively, to enhance and impair cognitive function. We measured resting-state fMRI data, performance and brain activation on a go/no-go task demanding sustained attention, and subjective fatigue in n = 18 healthy, briefly abstinent, cigarette smokers scanned repeatedly in a placebo-controlled, crossover design. We tested the main effects of drug (placebo vs Nicorette gum) and time-on-task on behavioral performance and brain functional network metrics measured in binary graphs of 477 regional nodes (efficiency, measure of integrative topology; clustering, a measure of segregated topology; and the Euclidean physical distance between connected nodes, a proxy marker of wiring cost). Nicotine enhanced attentional task performance behaviorally and increased efficiency, decreased clustering, and increased connection distance of brain networks. Greater behavioral benefits of nicotine were correlated with stronger drug effects on integrative and distributed network configuration and with greater frequency of cigarette smoking. Greater time-on-task had opposite effects: it impaired attentional accuracy, decreased efficiency, increased clustering, and decreased connection distance of networks. These results are consistent with hypothetical predictions that superior cognitive performance should be supported by more efficient, integrated (high capacity) brain network topology at greater connection distance (high cost). They also demonstrate that brain network analysis can provide novel and theoretically principled pharmacodynamic biomarkers of pro-cognitive drug effects in humans.
Acetylcholinesterases from the Disease Vectors Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae: Functional Characterization and Comparisons with Vertebrate Orthologues

Mosquitoes of the Anopheles (An.) and Aedes (Ae.) genus are principal vectors of human diseases including malaria, dengue and yellow fever. Insecticide-based vector control is an established and important way of preventing transmission of such infections. Currently used insecticides can efficiently control mosquito populations, but there are growing concerns about emerging resistance, off-target toxicity and their ability to alter ecosystems. A potential target for the development of insecticides with reduced off-target toxicity is the cholinergic enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Herein, we report cloning, baculoviral expression and functional characterization of the wild-type AChE genes (ace-1) from An. gambiae and Ae. aegypti, including a naturally occurring insecticide-resistant (G119S) mutant of An. gambiae. Using enzymatic digestion and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry we found that the secreted proteins were post-translationally modified. The Michaelis-Menten constants and turnover numbers of the mosquito enzymes were lower than those of the orthologous AChEs from Mus musculus and Homo sapiens. We also found that the G119S substitution reduced the turnover rate of substrates and the potency of selected covalent inhibitors. Furthermore, non-covalent inhibitors were less sensitive to the G119S substitution and differentiate the mosquito enzymes from corresponding vertebrate enzymes. Our findings indicate that it may be possible to develop selective non-covalent inhibitors that effectively target both the wild-type and insecticide resistant mutants of mosquito AChE.
Bipolar Hybrid DC Circuit Breaker with Surge Arresting Mechanisms on Source and Load Sides

With the deployment of DC power systems, DC circuit breakers are gaining attention in DC system protection as well as load and circuit operation. Different types of DC breakers are utilized and include static, mechanical, and hybrid DC breakers. Here, a hybrid DC breaker is proposed to harness the voltage rise due to the rapid current change during the current disruption in the line and load inductances at low and medium voltages. The bipolar hybrid circuit breaker is equipped with a surge arrestor and a freewheeling diode to harness the source and line/load inductances’ voltage rise, respectively. This will in turn restrict the switching voltage overshoots across the breaker contacts and help remove the arc quickly. The simulation and hardware test results verify that the method proposed can effectively interrupt fault currents with minimal arcing along with reducing erosion on the mechanical switch contactors.
IoT-Embedded Traffic Cones with CNN-based Object Detection to Roadwork Safety

Motorists and construction workers both need to use extreme caution while passing through roadwork zones. This research provides a novel strategy for increasing the security of roadwork by combining Internet of Things (IoT) devices with object recognition through Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). To improve communication and data sharing with a centralized control center, this technology equips conventional traffic cones with integrated IoT devices. Traffic cones with IoT sensors track things like their location, the brightness of the surrounding area, and the volume of vehicles on the road. Useful information about the roadwork environment is supplied wirelessly from the cones to the control center. Live video feeds from the IoT-enabled traffic cones are analyzed using a CNN-based object identification algorithm. The model can view and follow vehicles, pedestrians, and other possible threats in a road construction zone. Construction workers and traffic management officials are immediately notified of potential safety hazards through real-time object detection warnings. In terms of roadwork safety, this integrated system has several advantages, such as enhanced knowledge of the current situation, faster identification of potential dangers, and more effective traffic management. Roadwork zones may be made safer for employees and the public using IoT technology and cutting-edge computer vision methods.
Genetically associated CD16(+)56(-) natural killer cell interferon (IFN)-αR expression regulates signaling and is implicated in IFN-α-induced hepatitis C virus decline.

BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells likely contribute to outcome of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and interferon (IFN)-induced control of chronic HCV infection. We previously observed IFN-αR and NKp30 expression associated with IFN-α-dependent NK cell activity. METHODS Here, we examined CD16(+)56(-), CD16(+)56(+), and CD16(-)56(+) NK cell subset IFN-αR and NKp30 expression in relation to magnitude of HCV genotype 1 decrease during pegylated IFN-α plus ribavirin therapy. RESULTS We observed greater baseline IFN-αR and NKp30 expression on CD16(+)56(+) and CD16(-)56(+) NK subsets in HCV-infected patients than in healthy control subjects. Baseline CD16(+)56(-) NK IFN-αR expression was associated with IFN-α-induced pSTAT1, and both were associated with magnitude of HCV decrease during pegylated IFN-α plus ribavirin therapy. Baseline CD16(+)56(-) NK IFN-αR expression was associated with race and interleukin 28B genotype, negatively associated with aspartate aminotransferase-to platelet ratio index, and positively associated with increase in NKp30 expression after in vivo IFN-α exposure. Finally, in vitro IFN-α2a-activated NK cytolysis of HCV-infected target cells was in part dependent on NKp30, and CD16(+)56(-) NK cell IFN-αR expression correlated with cytolytic activity. CONCLUSIONS IFN-αR expression on CD16(+)56(-) NK cells during chronic HCV infection may in part be genetically determined, and level of expression regulates IFN-α signaling, which in turn may contribute to control of HCV infection.
A coastal upwelling seesaw in the Atlantic Ocean as a result of the closure of the Central American Seaway

Based on coupled climate model experiments, we suggest an antiphase relationship between the two major coastal upwelling zones in the Atlantic Ocean off northwestern and southwestern Africa. We describe this as an ‘upwelling seesaw’. The state of the coastal upwelling seesaw is controlled by variations in the oceanic meridional heat transfer between South and North Atlantic. In particular, we suggest that the Pliocene closure of the Central American Seaway induced a large‐scale redistribution of heat in the Atlantic Ocean, leading to an intensification (weakening) of upwelling off southwest (northwest) Africa.
The SKN‐1/Nrf2 transcription factor can protect against oxidative stress and increase lifespan in C. elegans by distinct mechanisms

In C. elegans, the skn‐1 gene encodes a transcription factor that resembles mammalian Nrf2 and activates a detoxification response. skn‐1 promotes resistance to oxidative stress (Oxr) and also increases lifespan, and it has been suggested that the former causes the latter, consistent with the theory that oxidative damage causes aging. Here, we report that effects of SKN‐1 on Oxr and longevity can be dissociated. We also establish that skn‐1 expression can be activated by the DAF‐16/FoxO transcription factor, another central regulator of growth, metabolism, and aging. Notably, skn‐1 is required for Oxr but not increased lifespan resulting from over‐expression of DAF‐16; concomitantly, DAF‐16 over‐expression rescues the short lifespan of skn‐1 mutants but not their hypersensitivity to oxidative stress. These results suggest that SKN‐1 promotes longevity by a mechanism other than protection against oxidative damage.