Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 and Cardiovascular Disease in the General Population: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Background—Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) is a phosphate regulatory hormone that directly stimulates left ventricular hypertrophy in experimental models. The role of FGF-23 in cardiovascular disease development in the general population is unclear. We tested associations of FGF-23 with major subclinical and clinical cardiovascular disease outcomes in a large prospective cohort. Methods and Results—We evaluated 6547 participants from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) who were initially free of cardiovascular disease. We measured serum FGF-23 using the Kainos immunoassay. The MESA measured left ventricular mass by MRI, coronary calcium by computed tomography, and carotid intima-media thickness by ultrasound. The MESA adjudicated incident heart failure, coronary heart disease, and stroke by medical record review. After adjustment, the highest FGF-23 quartile was associated with an estimated 2.4-g greater left ventricular mass (95% confidence interval, 0.4–4.5 greater) and a 26% greater odds of higher coronary calcium scores (95% confidence interval, 9%–46% greater) compared with the lowest quartile. During 7.5-year follow-up, each 20-pg/mL higher FGF-23 concentration was associated with a 19% greater risk of heart failure (95% confidence interval, 3%–37% greater) and a 14% greater risk of coronary heart disease (95% confidence interval, 1%–28% greater). FGF-23 was not associated with carotid intima-media thickness or stroke. Conclusions—Higher serum FGF-23 concentrations are associated with subclinical cardiac disease and with new heart failure and coronary disease events, but not with carotid intima-media thickness or stroke. FGF-23 may be a novel cardiovascular risk factor in the general population.
Thermal properties of optical thin-film materials

A survey of experimental methods and data for thin-film thermal conductivity and heat capacity is given. Simple microscopic theory is provided as a basis for understanding the very small values of thin-film thermal conductivity observed. Interfacial resistance effects, including some conjecture on origins, as well as applications of thermal property data are discussed. The needs for future development of this important area of investigation are summarized, and some suggestions for emphasis are provIded.
3699 - DERIVATION OF FILM CHRACTERISTIC CONSTANTS BY USING GOVERNING PARAMETER FOR ELECTROMIGRATION DAMAGE IN PASSIVATED BAMBOO LINE

The governing parameter for electromigration damage in the passivated bamboo lines, called AFDli, was recently formulated by considering the divergence of atomic flux due to electromigration. The formulation was based on the parameter AFDli previously introduced in our studies. The parameter AFDli has been identified as the governing parameter for electromigration damage in unpassivated bamboo lines through experimental verification process. On the other hand, metal lines used in integrated-circuit (IC) products are covered with passivation or dielectric layer. A mechanical stress (atomic density) distribution induced by electromigration appears in such lines and plays an important role in the electromigration mechanism. The parameter, AFDli , was formulated by adding the effect of the atomic density gradient to AFDli. By the way, it is known that the displacement of line edge appears at the cathode end of via-connected line as a result of electromigration. So far, the velocity of the edge displacement, the so-called drift velocity, was expressed by using AFDli to construct an AFDli-based method for determination of film characteristics. In this study, the film characteristic constants in AFDli are experimentally determined from the measurement of the drift velocity, where two kinds of metal lines with different line-lengths are treated. Some of the unknown film characteristics do not depend on the line-length and others depend on the length. The film characteristic constants included in AFDli are obtained for two metal lines so that the drift velocity calculated by AFDli agrees with measured one. Through the discussion on the validity of the obtained constants, it is shown that the AFDli-based method can determine both the film characteristics independent of the line-length and another constant depending on the line-length appropriately.
Effect of the Medium Composition on the Zn2+ Lixiviation and the Antifouling Properties of a Glass with a High ZnO Content

The dissolution of an antimicrobial ZnO-glass in the form of powder and in the form of sintered pellets were studied in water, artificial seawater, biological complex media such as common bacterial/yeast growth media (Luria Bertani (LB), yeast extract, tryptone), and human serum. It has been established that the media containing amino acids and proteins produce a high lixiviation of Zn2+ from the glass due to the ability of zinc and zinc oxide to react with amino acids and proteins to form complex organic compounds. The process of Zn2+ lixiviation from the glass network has been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). From these results we can state that the process of lixiviation of Zn2+ from the glass network is similar to the one observed in sodalime glasses, where Na+ is lixiviated to the media first and the fraction of Zn that acts as modifiers (~2/3) is lixiviated in second place. After the subsequent collapse of the outer surface glass layer (about 200–300 nm thick layer) the dissolution process starts again. Antifouling properties against different bacteria (S. epidermidis, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and M. lutea) have also been established for the glass pellets.
Identification of a Cis‐acting element in the rat α‐fetoprotein gene and its specific binding proteins in F9 cells during retinoic acid‐induced differentiation

Mouse F9 embryonic teratocarcinoma stem cells can be induced to differentiate into visceral endoderm. Following retinoic acid (RA) treatment, alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP), a differentiation marker, is expressed and secreted. The mechanism by which RA regulates AFP expression during differentiation is not clear. The relatively late induction of AFP indicates that the AFP gene may not be a primary target of RA activity during F9 cell differentiation. In this study, a CAT reporter plasmid containing the rat AFP 5′‐regulatory region (−7040 to +7) adjacent to the CAT gene (pAFPCAT) was stably transfected into F9 cells and used to delineate a cis‐acting element which associates with AFP gene activation. Similar spatial and temporal expression patterns between the transcriptional activity of the recombinant AFP gene and the endogenous AFP gene demonstrate that this stably transfected F9 system can be used to dissect both cis‐elements and trans‐acting factors responsible for RA‐induced AFP expression. Using a series of deletion mutants of the pAFPCAT, the region between −2611 to −1855 was found to be important in AFP‐induction. Subsequent analysis identified a functional sequence (−1905 to −1891, 5′‐ACTAAAATGGAGACT‐3′) that differentially binds nuclear proteins from undifferentiated and differentiated F9 cells. This sequence, designed as differentiation‐associated sequence (DAS) for its unique binding of a nuclear protein (DAP‐II) that appears during RA‐induced F9 differentiation, acts as a regulatory protein factor in AFP gene activation. J. Cell. Biochem. 72:25–34, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trend in Hip Fracture Incidence and Mortality in Korea: A Prospective Cohort Study from 2002 to 2011

This prospective longitudinal cohort study was to assess the 10-yr hip fracture incidence and mortality trend of person ≥50 yr of age between 2002 and 2011 of eight hospitals in Jeju Island. Sex-specific incidence rate (per 100,000 person-years) were calculated based on that estimated for the population in the United States in 2008. Poisson and logistic regressions were used to examine trends in incidence and mortality. There was a 101% increase in the number of hip fractures from 151 in 2002 to 304 in 2011. The crude incidence of hip fractures in the Jeju population ≥50 yr of age increased from 126.6/100,000 to 183.7/100,000. The fracture incidence in the population standardized to the 2008 population in the United States increased from 100.6/100,000 for men and 194.4/100,000 for women in 2002 to 114.2/100,000 for men and 278.4/100,000 for women in 2011. The annual increasing incidence rate of hip fracture was 4.3% (5.3% in women and 2.2% in men). Poisson regression did not show significant trends in the mortality rates for all age groups or for both genders. The total number of hip fractures increased two-fold and the incidence rate of hip fractures increased markedly during the 10-yr study period. Graphical Abstract
Up‐regulation of small intestinal interleukin‐17 immunity in untreated coeliac disease but not in potential coeliac disease or in type 1 diabetes

Up‐regulation of interleukin (IL)‐17 in small intestinal mucosa has been reported in coeliac disease (CD) and in peripheral blood in type 1 diabetes (T1D). We explored mucosal IL‐17 immunity in different stages of CD, including transglutaminase antibody (TGA)‐positive children with potential CD, children with untreated and gluten‐free diet‐treated CD and in children with T1D. Immunohistochemistry was used for identification of IL‐17 and forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3)‐positive cells and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for IL‐17, FoxP3, retinoic acid‐related orphan receptor (ROR)c and interferon (IFN)‐γ transcripts. IL‐1β, IL‐6 and IL‐17 were studied in supernatants from biopsy cultures. Expression of the apoptotic markers BAX and bcl‐2 was evaluated in IL‐17‐stimulated CaCo‐2 cells. The mucosal expression of IL‐17 and FoxP3 transcripts were elevated in individuals with untreated CD when compared with the TGA‐negative reference children, children with potential CD or gluten‐free diet‐treated children with CD (P < 0·005 for all IL‐17 comparisons and P < 0·01 for all FoxP3 comparisons). The numbers of IL‐17‐positive cells were higher in lamina propria in children with CD than in children with T1D (P < 0·05). In biopsy specimens from patients with untreated CD, enhanced spontaneous secretion of IL‐1β, IL‐6 and IL‐17 was seen. Activation of anti‐apoptotic bcl‐2 in IL‐17‐treated CaCo‐2 epithelial cells suggests that IL‐17 might be involved in mucosal protection. Up‐regulation of IL‐17 could, however, serve as a biomarker for the development of villous atrophy and active CD.
Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Heart Rate Variability in Depressed Patients With Coronary Heart Disease

Objective: To determine whether omega-3 fatty acid (FA) increases the natural log of very low frequency (lnVLF) power, an index of heart rate variability (HRV), and reduces 24-hour heart rate (HR) in depressed patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Low intake of omega-3 FAs is associated with depression and with low HRV, and all three are associated with an increased risk of death in patients with CHD. Methods: Thirty-six depressed patients with CHD randomized to receive 50 mg of sertraline and 2 g of omega-3/day, and 36 randomized to sertraline and a placebo, had 24-hour HRV measured at baseline and after 10 weeks of treatment. Results: There was a significant treatment × time interaction for covariate adjusted lnVLF (p = .009), for mean 24-hour HR (p = .03), and for 1-minute resting HR (p = .02). The interaction was not significant for three other measures of HRV. LnVLF did not change over time in the omega-3 arm but decreased in the placebo arm (p = .002), suggesting that omega-3 may have prevented or slowed deterioration in cardiac autonomic function. Conclusions: The effects of omega-3 FAs on lnVLF and HR, although modest, were detected after only 10 weeks of treatment with 2 g per day of omega-3. Whether a longer course of treatment or a higher dose of omega-3 would further decrease HR, improve other indices of HRV, or reduce mortality in depressed CHD patients should be investigated. CHD = coronary heart disease; FAs = fatty acids; EPA = eicosapentaenoic acid; DHA = docosahexaenoic acid; HRV = heart rate variability; VLF = very low frequency; BDI-II = Beck Depression Inventory; RBC = red blood cell; HR = heart rate; ULF = ultra low frequency; ECG = electrocardiogram; bpm = beats per minute; MI = myocardial infarction.
CONSUMER TEXTURE PREFERENCES: EFFECT OF AGE, GENDER AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Four different strawberry candies with varying thickening agents (pectin, gelatin, starch, and gelatin + starch) were rated by three consumer age groups: teenagers (13–14 years), young adults (19–23 years) and the middle-aged (40–63 years) (n = 60 in each group). Age, gender, use frequencies and hedonic ratings often commercial candy types were collected as background information. Four preference groups were found by using preference mapping. The most important factor predicting preference of a sample were hedonic evaluations of commercial candies whose texture was similar to that of the test sample. If the consumers gave high hedonic ratings to one sample they also tended to report liking for the commercial candy with a similar texture. Age and gender also affected hedonic evaluations in most cases. For example, the middle-aged consumers were more clearly segmented into different preference groups than were the two younger groups. Use frequencies of commercial candies had no statistically significant effect on sample preference. We conclude that, in the case of candy, consumers’ preferences can be explained by the liking of commercial candies with similar texture. Also, age and gender may have significant effects.
The Arabidopsis Aleurone Layer Responds to Nitric Oxide, Gibberellin, and Abscisic Acid and Is Sufficient and Necessary for Seed Dormancy1[C][W][OA]

Seed dormancy is a common phase of the plant life cycle, and several parts of the seed can contribute to dormancy. Whole seeds, seeds lacking the testa, embryos, and isolated aleurone layers of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) were used in experiments designed to identify components of the Arabidopsis seed that contribute to seed dormancy and to learn more about how dormancy and germination are regulated in this species. The aleurone layer was found to be the primary determinant of seed dormancy. Embryos from dormant seeds, however, had a lesser growth potential than those from nondormant seeds. Arabidopsis aleurone cells were examined by light and electron microscopy, and cell ultrastructure was similar to that of cereal aleurone cells. Arabidopsis aleurone cells responded to nitric oxide (NO), gibberellin (GA), and abscisic acid, with NO being upstream of GA in a signaling pathway that leads to vacuolation of protein storage vacuoles and abscisic acid inhibiting vacuolation. Molecular changes that occurred in embryos and aleurone layers prior to germination were measured, and these data show that both the aleurone layer and the embryo expressed the NO-associated gene AtNOS1, but only the embryo expressed genes for the GA biosynthetic enzyme GA3 oxidase.
Electrochemical behavior of hydroquinone and catechol at a silsesquioxane-modified carbon paste electrode

A carbon paste electrode modified with 3-n-propyl-4-picolinium chloride silsesquioxane polymer was tested as a sensor for dihydroxybenzene isomers. The sensor showed excellent performance for simultaneous electroanalytical determination of hydroquinone and catechol. The calibration curves obtained were linear in the concentration range of 10.0 to 450.0 µmol L1 for hydroquinone (r = 0.998) and 10.0 to 300.0 µmol L-1 for catechol (r = 0.997). The visual limit of detection was 10.0 µmol L-1 for both isomers.
Characteristics of concentrations and chemical compositions for PM 2.5 in the region of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, China

Abstract. In order to study the temporal and spatial variations of PM2.5 and its chemical compositions in the region of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei (BTH), PM2.5 samples were collected at four urban sites in Beijing (BJ), Tianjin (TJ), Shijiazhuang (SJZ), and Chengde (CD), and also one site at Shangdianzi (SDZ) regional background station over four seasons from 2009 to 2010. The samples were weighted for mass concentrations and analyzed in the laboratory for chemical profiles of 19 elements (Al, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, Ti, V, and Zn), eight water-soluble inorganic ions (Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl−, NO3−, and SO42−, and carbon fractions (OC and EC). The concentrations of PM2.5 and its major chemical species were season dependent and showed spatially similar characteristics in the plain area of BTH. The average annual concentrations of PM2.5 were 71.8–191.2 μg m−3 at the five sites, with more than 90% of sampling days exceeding 50 μg m−3 at BJ, TJ, and SJZ. PM2.5 pollution was most serious at SJZ, and the annual concentrations of PM2.5, secondary inorganic ions, OC, EC, and most crustal elements were all highest. Due to stronger photochemical oxidation, the sum of concentrations of secondary inorganic ions (NH4+, NO3−, and SO42− was highest in the summer at SDZ, BJ, TJ, and CD. Analysis of electric charges of water-soluble inorganic ions indicated the existence of nitric acid or hydrochloric acid in PM2.5. For all five sites, the concentrations of OC, EC and also secondary organic carbon (SOC) in the spring and summer were lower than those in the autumn and winter. SOC had more percentages of increase than primary organic carbon (POC) during the winter. The sums of crustal elements (Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Ti, Ba, and Sr) were higher in the spring and autumn owing to more days with blowing or floating dust. The concentrations of heavy metals were at higher levels in the BTH area by comparison with other studies. In Shijiazhuang and Chengde, the PM2.5 pollution was dominated by coal combustion. Motor vehicle exhausts and coal combustion emissions both played important roles in Tianjin PM2.5 pollution. However, motor vehicle exhausts had played a more important role in Beijing owing to the reduction of coal consumption and sharp increase of cars in recent years. At SDZ, regional transportation of air pollutants from southern urban areas was significant.
Impact of DNA ligase IV on nonhomologous end joining pathways during class switch recombination in human cells

Class switch recombination (CSR) is a region-specific, transcriptionally regulated, nonhomologous recombinational process that is initiated by activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID). The initial lesions in the switch (S) regions are subsequently processed and resolved, leading to recombination of the two targeted S regions. The mechanisms by which repair and ligation of the broken DNA ends occurs is still elusive. Recently, a small number of patients lacking DNA ligase IV, a critical component of the nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) machinery, have been identified. We show that these patients display a considerably increased donor/acceptor homology at Sμ–Sα junctions compared with healthy controls. In contrast, Sμ–Sγ junctions show an increased frequency of insertions but no increase in junctional homology. These altered patterns of junctional resolution may be related to differences in the homology between the Sμ and the downstream isotype S regions, and could reflect different modes of switch junction resolution when NHEJ is impaired. These findings link DNA ligase IV, and thus NHEJ, to CSR.
Spider-Venom Peptides as Bioinsecticides

Over 10,000 arthropod species are currently considered to be pest organisms. They are estimated to contribute to the destruction of ~14% of the world’s annual crop production and transmit many pathogens. Presently, arthropod pests of agricultural and health significance are controlled predominantly through the use of chemical insecticides. Unfortunately, the widespread use of these agrochemicals has resulted in genetic selection pressure that has led to the development of insecticide-resistant arthropods, as well as concerns over human health and the environment. Bioinsecticides represent a new generation of insecticides that utilise organisms or their derivatives (e.g., transgenic plants, recombinant baculoviruses, toxin-fusion proteins and peptidomimetics) and show promise as environmentally-friendly alternatives to conventional agrochemicals. Spider-venom peptides are now being investigated as potential sources of bioinsecticides. With an estimated 100,000 species, spiders are one of the most successful arthropod predators. Their venom has proven to be a rich source of hyperstable insecticidal mini-proteins that cause insect paralysis or lethality through the modulation of ion channels, receptors and enzymes. Many newly characterized insecticidal spider toxins target novel sites in insects. Here we review the structure and pharmacology of these toxins and discuss the potential of this vast peptide library for the discovery of novel bioinsecticides.
Kidney disease as a risk factor for development of cardiovascular disease: a statement from the American Heart Association Councils on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease, High Blood Pressure Research, Clinical Cardiology, and Epidemiology and Prevention.

Chronic kidney disease1 (CKD) is a worldwide public health problem. In the United States, there is a rising incidence and prevalence of kidney failure, with poor outcomes and high cost. The number of individuals with kidney failure treated by dialysis and transplantation exceeded 320 000 in 1998 and is expected to surpass 650 000 by 2010.1,2 There is an even higher prevalence of earlier stages of CKD (Table 1). 1,3 Kidney failure requiring treatment with dialysis or transplantation is the most visible outcome of CKD. However, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is also frequently associated with CKD, which is important because individuals with CKD are more likely to die of CVD than to develop kidney failure,4 CVD in CKD is treatable and potentially preventable, and CKD appears to be a risk factor for CVD. In 1998, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Task Force on Cardiovascular Disease in Chronic Renal Disease issued a report emphasizing the high risk of CVD in CKD.5 This report showed that there was a high prevalence of CVD in CKD and that mortality due to CVD was 10 to 30 times higher in dialysis patients than in the general population (Figure 1 and Table 2). 6–18 The task force recommended that patients with CKD be considered in the “highest risk group” for subsequent CVD events and that treatment recommendations based on CVD risk stratification should take into account the highest-risk status of patients with CKD. View this table: TABLE 1. Stages of CKD Figure 1. Cardiovascular mortality defined by death due to arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, atherosclerotic heart disease, and pulmonary edema in general population (GP; National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS] multiple cause of mortality data files International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision [ICD 9] codes 402, 404, 410 to 414, and …
Performance comparison of turbo-coded DS-CDMA, MC-CDMA and OFDM with frequency-domain equalization and higher-level modulation

For high-speed data communications, channel coding and high-level modulation will be inevitable. In this paper, we compare the turbo coded performance of DS-CDMA and MC-CDMA which are the major contenders for the next generation wireless signaling technique. Minimum mean square frequency-domain equalization (MMSE-FDE) is assumed for both DS-CDMA and MC-CDMA. The log-likelihood ratio (LLR) computation is used to generate the soft decision value needed for turbo decoding. It is found that the DS-CDMA performance is the same for all spreading factors (SF) and equivalent to a fully spread MC-CDMA for all modulation levels and coding rates. For an uncoded system, DS-CDMA is better than MC-CDMA for smaller SF due to a larger frequency diversity gain. However, with turbo coding, MC-CDMA with smaller SF provides better performance due to larger coding gain owing to better frequency interleaving and severe orthogonality destruction for larger SF and DS-CDMA wherein a symbol is spread over the entire bandwidth.