Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Small heat shock proteins and protection against ischemic injury in cardiac myocytes.

BACKGROUND Overexpression of the inducible hsp70 protects against ischemic cardiac damage. However, it is unclear whether the small heat shock proteins hsp27 and alphaB-crystallin protect against ischemic injury. METHODS AND RESULTS Our aim was to examine whether the overexpression of hsp27 and alphaB-crystallin in neonatal and adult rat cardiomyocytes would protect against ischemic injury. Recombinant adenovirus expressing hsp27 or alphaB-crystallin under the control of the cytomegalovirus promoter was used to infect cardiac myocytes at high efficiency as assessed by immunostaining. Overexpression was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Cardiomyocytes were subjected to simulated ischemic stress, and survival was estimated through assessment of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase release. The hsp27 overexpression decreased lactate dehydrogenase release by 45+/-7.5% in adult cardiomyocytes but had no effect in the neonatal cells. In contrast, alphaB-crystallin overexpression was associated with a decrease in cytosolic enzyme release in both adult (29+/-6.6%) and neonatal (32+/-5.4%) cardiomyocytes. Decreased endogenous hsp25 with an antisense adenovirus produced a 29+/-9.9% increase in damage with simulated ischemia. Overexpression of the inducible hsp70 in adult cardiomyocytes was associated with a 34+/-4.6% decrease in lactate dehydrogenase release and is in line with our previous results in neonatal cardiomyocytes. CONCLUSIONS The increased expression of hsp27 and alphaB-crystallin through an adenovirus vector system protects against ischemic injury in adult cardiomyocytes. Likewise, the overexpression of alphaB-crystallin protects against ischemic damage in neonatal cardiomyocytes. Decreasing the high levels of endogenous hsp25 present in neonatal cardiomyocytes renders them more susceptible to damage caused by simulated ischemia.
P‐28: The Effect of Thermal Shrinkage on Indium Tin Oxide Coated Polyethylene Terephthalate for Flexible Display Applications

The shrinkage of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) coated Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) for flexible display applications is investigated using a Thermal Mechanical Analyzer (TMA). The effect of temperature on the resistance of the ITO coated PET was measured using a custom built 4‐wire resistance probe in a temperature enclosure. Thermal shrinkage of the substrate effects the resistance of the ITO and is temperature and substrate dependent. The shrinkage is also anisotropic with the greatest shrinkage in the machine direction. Shrinkage of up to 4% was obtained for samples maintained at 180° C. This shrinkage can greatly influence the reliability of the ITO layer and must be considered during fabrication of flexible displays.
Role of hyperglycemia in nitrotyrosine postprandial generation.

OBJECTIVE Recently, much attention has been paid to the possibility that postprandial hyperglycemia may be a cardiovascular risk factor in diabetes. Oxidative stress has been involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, and increased plasma levels of nitrotyrosine, a product of peroxynitrite action, have been found in the plasma of diabetic subjects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether postprandial hyperglycemia is accompanied by nitrotyrosine generation and, if so, to explore a possible direct role of hyperglycemia in such a phenomenon. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 23 type 2 diabetic patients and 15 matched normal healthy subjects were recruited for this study. Two different tests were performed in diabetic patients: a standard meal preceded by regular insulin (0.15 units/kg body wt) or insulin aspart (0.15 units/kg body wt) to achieve different levels of postprandial hyperglycemia. The meal test was also performed in healthy control subjects. At 0 min and 1, 2, 4, and 6 h after each meal, blood glucose, triglyceride, and nitrotyrosine levels were measured. RESULTS Fasting nitrotyrosine was significantly increased in diabetic patients and was further increased during both meal tests in diabetic subjects but not normal subjects. As compared with regular insulin, aspart administration significantly reduced the area under the curve of both glycemia (P < 0.04) and nitrotyrosine (P < 0.03), whereas that of triglycerides was not significantly affected by the treatment. CONCLUSIONS This study shows a direct correlation between postprandial hyperglycemia and the production of nitrotyrosine, a marker of oxidative stress, in patients with type 2 diabetes.
The Superfast Human Extraocular Myosin Is Kinetically Distinct from the Fast Skeletal IIa, IIb, and IId Isoforms*

Background: Characterization of individual muscle myosin isoforms has been limited by the availability of pure samples of isoforms. Results: Human myosin isoforms expressed in mouse cell line all have different ADP affinities. Conclusion: The superfast extraocular myosin is kinetically distinct from the fast skeletal IIa, IId, and IIb isoforms. Significance: This is the first time adult human sarcomeric myosins have been isolated and characterized by transient kinetics. Humans express five distinct myosin isoforms in the sarcomeres of adult striated muscle (fast IIa, IId, the slow/cardiac isoform I/β, the cardiac specific isoform α, and the specialized extraocular muscle isoform). An additional isoform, IIb, is present in the genome but is not normally expressed in healthy human muscles. Muscle fibers expressing each isoform have distinct characteristics including shortening velocity. Defining the properties of the isoforms in detail has been limited by the availability of pure samples of the individual proteins. Here we study purified recombinant human myosin motor domains expressed in mouse C2C12 muscle cells. The results of kinetic analysis show that among the closely related adult skeletal isoforms, the affinity of ADP for actin·myosin (KAD) is the characteristic that most readily distinguishes the isoforms. The three fast muscle myosins have KAD values of 118, 80, and 55 μm for IId, IIa, and IIb, respectively, which follows the speed in motility assays from fastest to slowest. Extraocular muscle is unusually fast with a far weaker KAD = 352 μm. Sequence comparisons and homology modeling of the structures identify a few key areas of sequence that may define the differences between the isoforms, including a region of the upper 50-kDa domain important in signaling between the nucleotide pocket and the actin-binding site.
Effects of different polishing techniques on the surface roughness of dental porcelains

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different polishing techniques on the surface roughness of dental porcelains. Material and Methods Fifty-five cylindirical specimens (15x2 mm) were prepared for each feldspathic (Vita VMK 95, Ceramco III) and low-fusing dental porcelain (Matchmaker). Fifty-five specimens of machinable feldspathic porcelain blocks (Vitablocs Mark II), (12x14x18 mm) were cut into 2-mm-thick slices (12x14 mm) with low speed saw. The prepared specimens were divided into 11 groups (n=5) representing different polishing techniques including control ((C) no surface treatment), glaze (G) and other 9 groups that were finished and polished with polishing discs (Sof-Lex) (Sl), two porcelain polishing kits (NTI (Pk), Dialite II (Di)), a diamond polishing paste (Sparkle) (Sp), a zirconium silicate based cleaning and polishing prophy paste (Zircate) (Zr), an aluminum oxide polishing paste (Prisma Gloss) (Pg), and combinations of them. The surface roughness of all groups was measured with a profilometer. The data were analyzed with a 2-way analysis of variance, and the mean values were compared by the Tukey Honestly Significant Difference test (α=0.05). Results For all porcelain material groups, the lowest Ra values were observed in Group Gl, Group Sl, Group Pk, and Group Di, which were not significantly different from each other (p>0.05). When comparing the 4 different porcelain materials, the machinable feldspathic porcelain block group (Mark II) demonstrated statistically significantly less Ra values than the other porcelain materials tested (p<0.05). No significant difference was observed between the VMK 95 and Ceramco III porcelain groups (p=0.919), also these groups demonstrated the highest Ra values. Conclusion Subjected to surface roughness, the surfaces obtained with polishing and/or cleaning-prophy paste materials used alone were rougher compared to the surfaces finished using Sof-lex, Dialite, and NTI polishing kit. Polishing kits and discs were found more effective than the polishing pastes used alone or combined use with Sof-lex discs, thus improving surface smoothness.
Optimization of discrete event system parameters using SFM-based infinitesimal perturbation analysis estimates

This paper deals with the problem of optimizing the performance of a discrete event system (DES) using infinitesimal perturbation analysis (IPA) estimates obtained from a stochastic fluid model (SFM). In order to better approximate the behavior of the DES, we propose a special case of SFM where the arrival and service processes are modeled by piecewise constant ON/OFF sources. The proposed SFM however violates some of the assumptions made in Cassandras, C. G. , et al (2002) and as a result the sample derivatives no longer exist. However, using the proposed SFM, we obtain the left and right sided sample derivative estimates. This paper investigates the implementation of various IPA estimates that have been derived based on a stochastic fluid model (SFM) for the optimization of parameters of a discrete event system (DES). In this paper we investigate gradient based and subgradient optimization methods. As shown in this paper, for many scenarios all algorithms have comparable results however, in some cases subgradient optimization produces better results.
Clinical and genetic factors are associated with pain and hospitalisation rates in sickle cell anaemia in Cameroon

We aimed to investigate the clinical and genetic predictors of painful vaso‐occlusive crises (VOC) in sickle cell disease (SCD) in Cameroon. Socio‐demographics, clinical variables/events and haematological indices were acquired. Genotyping was performed for 40 variants in 17 pain‐related genes, three fetal haemoglobin (HbF)‐promoting loci, two kidney dysfunctions‐related genes, and HBA1/HBA2 genes. Statistical models using regression frameworks were performed in R®. A total of 436 hydoxycarbamide‐ and opioid‐naïve patients were studied; median age was 16 years. Female sex, body mass index, Hb/HbF, blood transfusions, leucocytosis and consultation or hospitalisation rates significantly correlated with VOC. Three pain‐related genes variants correlated with VOC (CACNA2D3‐rs6777055, P = 0·025; DRD2‐rs4274224, P = 0·037; KCNS1‐rs734784, P = 0·01). Five pain‐related genes variants correlated with hospitalisation/consultation rates. (COMT‐rs6269, P = 0·027; FAAH‐rs4141964, P = 0·003; OPRM1‐rs1799971, P = 0·031; ADRB2‐rs1042713; P < 0·001; UGT2B7‐rs7438135, P = 0·037). The 3·7 kb HBA1/HBA2 deletion correlated with increased VOC (P = 0·002). HbF‐promoting loci variants correlated with decreased hospitalisation (BCL11A‐rs4671393, P = 0·026; HBS1L‐MYB‐rs28384513, P = 0·01). APOL1 G1/G2 correlated with increased hospitalisation (P = 0·048). This first study from Africa has provided evidence supporting possible development of genetic risk model for pain in SCD.
Effects of supplementation with antifreeze proteins on the follicular integrity of vitrified-warmed mouse ovaries: Comparison of two types of antifreeze proteins alone and in combination

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of supplementing vitrification and warming solutions with two types of antifreeze proteins (AFPs) and the combination thereof on the follicular integrity of vitrified-warmed mouse ovaries. Methods Ovaries (n=154) were obtained from 5-week-old BDF1 female mice (n=77) and vitrified using ethylene glycol and dimethyl sulfoxide with the supplementation of 10 mg/mL of Flavobacterium frigoris ice-binding protein (FfIBP), 10 mg/mL of type III AFP, or the combination thereof. Ovarian sections were examined by light microscopy after hematoxylin and eosin staining, and follicular intactness was assessed as a whole and according to the type of follicle. Apoptosis within the follicles as a whole was detected by a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling assay. Results The proportion of overall intact follicles was significantly higher in the type III AFP-supplemented group (60.5%) and the combination group (62.9%) than in the non-supplemented controls (43.8%, p<0.05 for each). The proportion of intact primordial follicles was significantly higher in the FfIBP-supplemented (90.0%), type III AFP-supplemented (92.3%), and combination (89.7%) groups than in the non-supplemented control group (46.2%, p<0.05 for each). The proportions of non-apoptotic follicles were similar across the four groups. Conclusion Supplementation of the vitrification and warming solutions with FfIBP, type III AFP, or the combination thereof was equally beneficial for the preservation of primordial follicles in vitrified mouse ovaries.
First Application of the Fe XVII I(17.10 Å)/I(17.05 Å) Line Ratio to Constrain the Plasma Density of a Cosmic X-Ray Source

We show that the Fe XVII I(17.10 Å)/I(17.05 Å) line ratio observed in the Chandra High-Energy Transmission Grating (HETG) spectrum of the intermediate polar EX Hya is significantly smaller than that observed in the Sun or other late-type stars. Using the Livermore X-Ray Spectral Synthesizer, which calculates spectral models of highly charged ions based on HULLAC atomic data, we find that the observed I(17.10 Å)/I(17.05 Å) line ratio can be explained if the plasma density ne ≳ 3 × 1014 cm-3. However, if photoexcitation is included in the level-population kinetics, the line ratio can be explained for any density if the photoexcitation temperature Tbb ≳ 55 kK. For photoexcitation to dominate the Fe XVII level-population kinetics, the relative size of the hot spot on the white dwarf surface must be f ≲ 2%. This constraint, and the observed X-ray flux, requires a density n ≳ 2 × 1014 cm-3 for the postshock flow. Either way, then, the Chandra HETG spectrum of EX Hya requires a plasma density that is orders of magnitude greater than that observed in the Sun or other late-type stars.
On covering expander graphs by hamilton cycles

The problem of packing Hamilton cycles in random and pseudorandom graphs has been studied extensively. In this paper, we look at the dual question of covering all edges of a graph by Hamilton cycles and prove that if a graph with maximum degree Δ satisfies some basic expansion properties and contains a family of (1−o(1))Δ/2 edge disjoint Hamilton cycles, then there also exists a covering of its edges by (1+o(1))Δ/2 Hamilton cycles. This implies that for every α > 0 and every p≥nα−1 there exists a covering of all edges of G(n,p) by (1+o(1))np/2 Hamilton cycles asymptotically almost surely, which is nearly optimal.Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg. , 44, 183‐200, 2014
Chronic Post-Traumatic Headache – A Clinical Analysis in Relation to the International Headache Classification 2nd Edition

The clinical presentation of chronic post-traumatic headache in 53 patients from a highly specialized headache clinic was analysed and classified according to the diagnostic criteria of the primary headaches in The International Headache Classification 2nd Edition, and compared with the 1st Edition. All patients fulfilled the criteria for both editions indicating that the restrictions in the 2nd Edition have no major influence on the prevalence in specialized clinics. We found the phenomenology to be very heterogeneous, but the vast majority (77%) of patients presented with headache resembling chronic tension-type headache, either as the only manifestation or in combination with migraine symptoms. For the first time episodic tension-type headache is described as occurring after head trauma. The prevalence of coexisting analgesic overuse was 42% and the treatment outcome for these patients was just as favourable as in primary headaches, whereas the time-consuming multidisciplinary treatment demonstrated only very modest results.
Distributed incremental wLPSVM learning

Weighted linear proximal support vector machine (wLPSVM) is known as an efficient binary classification algorithm with good accuracy and class-imbalance robustness. In this work, original batch wLPSVM is facilitated with distributed incremental learning capability, which allows simultaneously learning from multiple streaming data sources that are geographically distributed. In our approach, incremental and distributed learning are solved as a merging problem at the same time. A new wLPSVM expression is derived. In the new expression, knowledge from samples are presented as a set of class-wised core matrices, and merging knowledge from two subsets of data can be simply accomplished by matrix addition. With the new expression, we are able to conduct incremental and distributed learning at the same time via merging knowledge from multiple incremental stages and multiple data sources.
Efficacy of Epidural Steroid Injection in Management of Lumbar Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc: A Comparison of Caudal, Transforaminal and Interlaminar Routes.

INTRODUCTION Epidural steroid is an important modality in the conservative management of prolapsed lumbar disc and is being used for over 50 years. However, controversy still persists regarding their effectiveness in reducing the pain and improving the function with literature both supporting and opposing them are available. AIM To study the efficacy of epidural steroid injection in the management of pain due to prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc and to compare the effectiveness between caudal, transforaminal and interlaminar routes of injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 152 patients with back pain with or without radiculopathy with a lumbar disc prolapse confirmed on MRI, were included in the study and their pre injection Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) Score was calculated. By simple randomization method (picking a card), patients were enrolled into one of the three groups and then injected methyl prednisone in the epidural space by one of the techniques of injection i.e. caudal, transforaminal and interlaminar. Twelve patients didn't turn up for the treatment and hence were excluded from the study. Remaining 140 patients were treated and were included for the analysis of the results. Eighty two patients received injection by caudal route, 40 by transforaminal route and 18 by interlaminar route. Post injection JOA Score was calculated at six month and one year and effectiveness of the medication was calculated for each route. The data was compared by LSD and ANOVA method to prove the significance. Average follow-up was one year. RESULTS At one year after injecting the steroid, all three routes were found to be effective in improving the JOA Score (Caudal route in 74.3%, transforaminal in 90% and interlaminar in 77.7%). Transforaminal route was significantly more effective than caudal (p=0.00) and interlaminar route (p=0.03) at both 6 months and one year after injection. No significant difference was seen between the caudal and interlaminar route (p=0.36). CONCLUSION The management of low back pain and radicular pain due to a prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc by injecting methyl prednisone in epidural space is satisfactory in the current study. All three injection techniques are effective with the best result obtained by transforaminal route.
Design and Evaluation of an Algorithm Animation of State Space Search Methods

We describe the design and evaluation of an algorithm animation of artificial intelligence search algorithms. As well as the usual single step mode for assistance in learning the individual steps of an algorithm, the system supports an innovative burst mode for visualizing qualitative characteristics. A formal empirical study was conducted with the aim of determining if this algorithm animation of search methods would make a suitable alternative laboratory activity to the more traditional activity of programming implementations of search methods. Results provide good evidence that the animation laboratory activity is a viable alter native for reinforcing students understanding about state space search methods.
EFFECTS OF BISMALEIMIDE RESIN ON DIELECTRIC AND DYNAMIC MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF EPOXY-BASED LAMINATES

Thermosetting polyimides have several key properties, which lead them successfully in specialized applications. Typically, thermosetting polyimides circuit boards are used because of their inherent chemical resistance, heat stability and overall reliability. The PCB-industry however, is still searching for some new resins with high glass transition temperature. The Tg ideally should be well above the soldering temperature, thus providing a low coefficient of Archive of SID
Inhibition Determines Membrane Potential Dynamics and Controls Action Potential Generation in Awake and Sleeping Cat Cortex

Intracellular recordings of cortical neurons in awake cat and monkey show a depolarized state, sustained firing, and intense subthreshold synaptic activity. It is not known what conductance dynamics underlie such activity and how neurons process information in such highly stochastic states. Here, we combine intracellular recordings in awake and naturally sleeping cats with computational models to investigate subthreshold dynamics of conductances and how conductance dynamics determine spiking activity. We show that during both wakefulness and the “up-states” of natural slow-wave sleep, membrane-potential activity stems from a diversity of combinations of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic conductances, with dominant inhibition in most of the cases. Inhibition also provides the largest contribution to membrane potential fluctuations. Computational models predict that in such inhibition-dominant states, spikes are preferentially evoked by a drop of inhibitory conductance, and that its signature is a transient drop of membrane conductance before the spike. This pattern of conductance change is indeed observed in estimates of spike-triggered averages of synaptic conductances during wakefulness and slow-wave sleep up states. These results show that activated states are defined by diverse combinations of excitatory and inhibitory conductances with pronounced inhibition, and that the dynamics of inhibition is particularly effective on spiking, suggesting an important role for inhibitory processes in both conscious and unconscious cortical states.