Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemokines in vascular remodeling

Summary The arterial vessel wall response to a variety of injuries consists in structural changes, which can result in luminal narrowing and aggravation of the underlying disease.This arterial remodeling is characterized by neointima formation and medial thickening, inflammatory cell recruitment and endothelial dysfunction. Chemokines and the corresponding receptors have been shown to participate at every step of the remodeling process.The monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1/CC motif receptor 2 (CCR2) axis induces monocyte infiltration of the injured vessel wall and can stimulate proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in models of restenosis, cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV), pulmonary hypertension, and systemic hypertension. In contrast, stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α and its receptor CXC motif receptor 4 (CXCR4) are centrally involved in the neointimal recruitment of SMC progenitor cells (SPCs), presumably in response to SMC apoptosis, in restenosis and CAV.The RANTES (Regulated upon activation, normally T-cell expressed,and presumably secreted) receptors CC motif receptor 1 (CCR1) and CC motif receptor 5 (CCR5) affect intimal monocyte infiltration and neointimal growth, which could be due to the deposition of platelet-derived RANTES on activated endothelial cells. Fractalkine is expressed on neointimal SMCs and thus mediates the arrest of monocytes. Interestingly, reendothelialization of injured vessels appears to primarily depend on CXC motif ligand 1 (CXCL1). These chemokine effects form a complex network, which operates in all mechanisms of vascular remodeling.The detailed understanding of the function of the chemokine network in the remodeling process may allow specific disease intervention.
Superclusters with thermal Sunyaev–Zel'dovich effect surveys

We use a simple analytic model to compute the angular correlation function of clusters identified in upcoming thermal Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect surveys. We then compute the expected fraction of close pairs of clusters on the sky that are also close along the line of sight. We show how the expected number of cluster pairs as a function of redshift is sensitive to the assumed biasing relation between the cluster and the mass distribution. We find that, in a A-cold dark matter model, the fraction of physically associated pairs is 70 per cent for angular separations smaller than 20 arcmin and clusters with a specific flux difference larger than 200 mJy at 143 GHz. The agreement of our analytic results with the Hubble volume N-body simulations is satisfactory. These results quantify the feasibility of using SZ surveys to compile catalogues of superclusters at any redshift.
Investigation into the Potential Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Endothelin Antagonists in a Murine Model of Experimental Monosodium Urate Peritonitis

Endothelin (ET)-1 has been detected in many inflammatory pathologies, including rheumatoid arthritic patients, asthma, and ischemic-reperfusion injury. In this study, we have investigated the effect of a panel of different ET-1 antagonists displaying different selectivities for the receptors in a murine model of experimental inflammatory peritonitis. Systemic treatment of mice with the ETA antagonist C33H44N6O5, N-[N-[-N(hexahydro-1H-azepin-1-yl)carbonyl]-l-leucyl]-1-methyl-d-tryptophyl]-3-(2-pyridinyl)-d-alanine (FR139317) inhibited neutrophil accumulation. However, a greater degree of inhibition was observed with the ETB antagonist C34H51N5O7, N-cis-2,6-dimethylpiperidinocarbonyl-b-tBu-Ala-d-Trp(1-methoxycarbonyl)-d-Nle-OH (BQ-788) and the ET(A and B) antagonist C52H65N7O10, N-acetyl-α-[10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo-[a,d]cycloheptadien-5-yl]-d-Gly-Leu-Asp-lle-lle-Trp (PD145065); all these effects occurred without altering peripheral blood cell counts. Release of the CXC chemokine KC was significantly reduced by the FR139317 and PD145065 but not by BQ-788. Evaluation of the therapeutic potential of these antagonists showed that PD145065 inhibited neutrophil migration and KC release, whereas the others caused a nonsignificant reduction in these parameters. Parameters of endothelial cell activation showed that urate-stimulated interleukin-1β release was inhibited by BQ-788 and PD145065 but not by FR139317, whereas ET-1 was only inhibited by the mixed antagonist. A different scenario was observed with respect to release of the CXC chemokine KC with FR139317 and PD145065 being effective, whereas with a marker of polymorphonuclear activation the ETA and mixed antagonist inhibited adhesion molecule expression. These data show that ET-1 antagonists elicit different mechanisms of actions in the way they display their antimigratory effects in a murine model of monosodium urate crystal peritonitis.
Using a Bootstrap Method to Choose the Sample Fraction in Tail Index Estimation

Tail index estimation depends for its accuracy on a precise choice of the sample fraction, i.e., the number of extreme order statistics on which the estimation is based. A complete solution to the sample fraction selection is given by means of a two-step subsample bootstrap method. This method adaptively determines the sample fraction that minimizes the asymptotic mean-squared error. Unlike previous methods, prior knowledge of the second-order parameter is not required. In addition, we are able to dispense with the need for a prior estimate of the tail index which already converges roughly at the optimal rate. The only arbitrary choice of parameters is the number of Monte Carlo replications.
Variation-Aware Structural Synthesis of Analog Circuits via Hierarchical Building Blocks and Structural Homotopy

This paper presents MOJITO-R, a tool that performs variation-aware structural synthesis of analog circuits. It returns trustworthy topologies by searching across a space of thousands of possible topologies defined by hierarchically organized analog structural building blocks. ldquoStructural homotopyrdquo conducts search at several objective-function tightening levels (numbers of process corners) simultaneously. Multiobjective evolutionary search returns sized topologies which trade off power, area, performances, and yield. An experimental validation run returned 78 643 Pareto-optimal designs, having 982 sized topologies with various specification/yield combinations. A decision tree is extracted to visualize the performance-topology relationship.
Smooth Muscle Cell–Specific Runx2 Deficiency Inhibits Vascular Calcification

Rationale: Vascular calcification is a hallmark of atherosclerosis, a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. We have previously reported that the osteogenic transcription factor Runx2 is an essential and sufficient regulator of calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in vitro. Objective: To determine the contribution of osteogenic differentiation of VSMC to the pathogenesis of vascular calcification and the function of VSMC-derived Runx2 in regulating calcification in vivo. Methods and Results: SMC-specific Runx2-deficient mice, generated by breeding SM22&agr;-Cre mice with the Runx2 exon 8 floxed mice, exhibited normal aortic gross anatomy and expression levels of SMC-specific marker genes. Runx2 deficiency did not affect basal SMC markers, but inhibited oxidative stress-reduced expression of SMC markers. High-fat-diet-induced vascular calcification in vivo was markedly inhibited in the Runx2-deficient mice in comparison with their control littermates. Runx2 deficiency inhibited the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor &kgr;B ligand, which was accompanied by decreased macrophage infiltration and formation of osteoclast-like cells in the calcified lesions. Coculture of VSMC with bone marrow–derived macrophages demonstrated that the Runx2-deficient VSMC failed to promote differentiation of macrophages into osteoclast-like cells. Conclusions: These data have determined the importance of osteogenic differentiation of VSMC in the pathogenesis of vascular calcification in mice and defined the functional role of SMC-derived Runx2 in regulating vascular calcification and promoting infiltration of macrophages into the calcified lesion to form osteoclast-like cells. Our studies suggest that the development of vascular calcification is coupled with the formation of osteoclast-like cells, paralleling the bone remodeling process.
The sticky platelet syndrome

Abstract The sticky platelets syndrome (SPS) is a procoagulant condition based on either arterial, venous, or capillary thrombi caused by hyperesponsive and hyperaggregable platelets. This is a frequent disease, which often remains clinically inapparent, until stressful events or combination with other factors increase the risk of developing SPS. The condition is due to a congenital platelet defect with autosomal dominant characteristics, leading to the increased platelet aggregability when they are challenged with epinephrine and adenosine diphosphate. Nowadays classification of this disorder is based on platelet reactivity to both ADP and epinephrine (SPS type 1), epinephrine alone (SPS type 2), and ADP alone (SPS type 3). The diagnoses of the syndrome depend on the functional aggregometer assay. This condition should be taken into account whenever a patient with thrombophilia is considered.
Effects of an acute bout of exercise on serum soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) levels

Abstract We investigated the effects of an acute bout of exercise on serum soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) concentrations. Eighteen male participants completed two different exercise sessions with intensities of 25% and 65% maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max). In addition to the energy expenditure during exercise sessions being measured, blood samples were collected before exercise, and immediately, at 24 h, and at 48 h post-exercise to analyse sOB-R, leptin and insulin levels. At 24 h post-exercise, sOB-R and leptin concentrations at the 65% VO2max were significantly different from those at the 25% VO2max. Leptin levels at 48 h post-exercise were also significantly lower for the 65% VO2max than for the 25% VO2max (P < 0.01). In the 65% VO2max session, the energy expenditure during exercise was significantly associated with leptin concentrations at 24 h and 48 h and sOB-R concentrations at 24 h post-exercise. However, no correlations were found between sOB-R and leptin at the three post-exercise time points. In conclusion, an acute bout of exercise with 920 kcal of output resulted in an increase in sOB-R levels at 24 h post-exercise. However, the changes in sOB-R levels due to an acute bout of exercise might not contribute to the delayed decrease observed for leptin.
Improving Protocol Design Feasibility to Drive Drug Development Economics and Performance

Protocol design complexity has increased substantially during the past decade and this in turn has adversely impacted drug development economics and performance. This article reviews the results of two major Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development studies quantifying the direct cost of conducting less essential and unnecessary protocol procedures and of implementing amendments to protocol designs. Indirect costs including personnel time, work load and cycle time delays associated with complex protocol designs are also discussed. The author concludes with an overview of steps that research sponsors are taking to improve protocol design feasibility.
Inequity in maternal health-care services: evidence from home-based skilled-birth-attendant programmes in Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVE To explore use-inequity in maternal health-care services in home-based skilled-birth-attendant (SBA) programme areas in Bangladesh. METHODS Data from a community survey, conducted from February to May 2006, were analysed to examine inequities in use of SBAs, caesarean sections for deliveries and postnatal care services according to key socioeconomic factors. FINDINGS Of 2164 deliveries, 35% had an SBA, 22.8% were in health facilities and 10.8% were by caesarean section. Rates of uptake of antenatal and postnatal care were 93% and 28%, respectively. There were substantial use-inequities in maternal health by asset quintiles, distance, and area of residence, and education of both the woman and her husband. However, not all inequities were the same. After adjusting for other determinants, the differences in the use of maternal health-care services for poor and rich people remained substantial [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.51 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.68-3.76) for skilled attendance; OR 2.58 (95% CI: 1.28-5.19) for use of caesarean sections and OR 1.53 (95% CI: 1.05-2.25) for use of postnatal care services]. Complications during pregnancy influenced use of SBAs, caesarean-section delivery and postnatal care services. The number of antenatal care visits was a significant predictor for use of SBAs and postnatal care, but not for caesarean sections. CONCLUSION Use of maternity care services was higher in the study areas than national averages, but a tremendous use-inequity persists. Interventions to overcome financial barriers are recommended to address inequity in maternal health. A greater focus is needed on the implementation and evaluation of maternal-health interventions for poor people.
Meaning in life and well-being of older stroke survivors in Chinese communities: Mediating effects of mastery and self-esteem

The study aims to examine the role of mastery and self-esteem as a potential mediator of the relationship of meaning in life and well-being among older Chinese stroke survivors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 214 community-dwelling older stroke survivors (128 men and 86 women), ranging from 60 years to 88 years old. The meaning in life, mastery, self-esteem and subjective well-being were measured. The results indicated that: 1) The meaning in life and subjective well-being of stroke survivors were significantly positive correlated; 2) Mastery and self-esteem played partial mediating roles between existential vacuum and subjective well-being; Self-esteem played full a mediating role between suffer acceptance and subjective well-being; Mastery played a full mediating role between life control and subjective well-being; Mastery played a partial mediating role between death acceptance and subjective well-being; Self-esteem also played a partial mediating role between mastery and subjective well-being.
Anti-Alternaria solani Activity of Onion (Allium cepa ), Ginger ( Zingiber officinale ) and Garlic (Allium sativum ) In vitro

Plant pathogens cause serious losses in quantity and quality of agricultural products. Use of fungicides is gradually becoming unpopular due to their negative effects on ecosystems, human and animal health, and due to resistance by pathogens to the fungicides. In vitro studies were carried out in order to determine the effects of three plant extracts; onion ( Allium cepa ), ginger (Zingiber officinale ) and garlic ( Allium sativum ) on the control of Alternaria solani. The experiment was laid in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with a 3x3 factorial arrangement plus one control. The first factor was plant extract, with three levels (garlic, onion and ginger) the second was plant extract concentration, with three levels (50%, 75% and 100%). The experiment was carried out in the laboratory at Midlands State University, Zimbabwe, in October 2014. Data on mycelia growth diameter, mycelia inhibition percent and spore germination percent was collected. Results showed that the plant extracts had strong anti-A. solani activity and their effect increased with increase in their concentration. Ginger and garlic had significantly stronger effect on reducing mycelia growth, reducing spore germination and causing high inhibition percentage of A. solani. Ginger was the most effective in controlling A. solani across all concentrations. It can be concluded
The impact of ocean acidification and warming on the skeletal mechanical properties of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus from laboratory and field observations

Increased atmospheric CO2 concentration is leading to changes in the carbonate chemistry and the temperature of the ocean. The impact of these processes on marine organisms will depend on their ability to cope with those changes, particularly the maintenance of calcium carbonate structures. Both a laboratory experiment (long-term exposure to decreased pH and increased temperature) and collections of individuals from natural environments characterized by low pH levels (individuals from intertidal pools and around a CO2 seep) were here coupled to comprehensively study the impact of near-future conditions of pH and temperature on the mechanical properties of the skeleton of the euechinoid sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. To assess skeletal mechanical properties, we characterized the fracture force, Young’s modulus, second moment of area, material nanohardness, and specific Young’s modulus of sea urchin test plates. None of these parameters were significantly affected by low pH and/or increased temperature in the laboratory experiment and by low pH only in the individuals chronically exposed to lowered pH from the CO2 seeps. In tidal pools, the fracture force was higher and the Young’s modulus lower in ambital plates of individuals from the rock pool characterized by the largest pH variations but also a dominance of calcifying algae, which might explain some of the variation. Thus, decreases of pH to levels expected for 2100 did not directly alter the mechanical properties of the test of P. lividus. Since the maintenance of test integrity is a question of survival for sea urchins and since weakened tests would increase the sea urchins’ risk of predation, our findings indicate that the decreasing seawater pH and increasing seawater temperature expected for the end of the century should not represent an immediate threat to sea urchins vulnerability.
Cell Death in Escherichia coli dnaE(Ts) Mutants Incubated at a Nonpermissive Temperature Is Prevented by Mutation in the cydA Gene

ABSTRACT Cells of the Escherichia coli dnaE(Ts) dnaE74 and dnaE486 mutants die after 4 h of incubation at 40°C in Luria-Bertani medium. Cell death is preceded by elongation, is inhibited by chloramphenicol, tetracycline, or rifampin, and is dependent on cell density. Cells survive at 40°C when they are incubated at a high population density or at a low density in conditioned medium, but they die when the medium is supplemented with glucose and amino acids. Deletion of recA or sulA has no effect. We isolated suppressors which survived for long periods at 40°C but did not form colonies. The suppressors protected against hydroxyurea-induced killing. Sequence and complementation analysis indicated that suppression was due to mutation in the cydA gene. The DNA content of dnaE mutants increased about eightfold in 4 h at 40°C, as did the DNA content of the suppressed strains. The amount of plasmid pBR322 in a dnaE74 strain increased about fourfold, as measured on gels, and the electrophoretic pattern appeared to be normal even though the viability of the parent cells decreased 2 logs. Transformation activity also increased. 4′,6′-Diamidino-2-phenylindole staining demonstrated that there were nucleoids distributed throughout the dnaE filaments formed at 40°C, indicating that there was segregation of the newly formed DNA. We concluded that the DNA synthesized was physiologically competent, particularly since the number of viable cells of the suppressed strain increased during the first few hours of incubation. These observations support the view that E. coli senses the rate of DNA synthesis and inhibits septation when the rate of DNA synthesis falls below a critical level relative to the level of RNA and protein synthesis.
ABSORPTION AND UTILIZATION OF RADIOACTIVE CARBON DIOXIDE BY SUNFLOWER LEAVES.

The absorption of carbon dioxide by leaves is one of the important steps in the over-all process of photosynthesis. Leaves, although unilluminated, absorb carbon dioxide reversibly from the surrounding atmosphere. Some leaves also contain considerable quantities of carbon dioxide combined as carbonates and bicarbonates. Both of these properties are especially marked in sunflower leaves. Analysis of carbon dioxide absorption by suniflower leaves has indicated that absorption takes place in at least three different ways: by physical solution in the water of the sap; by chemical reaction with buffer substances dissolved in the sap; and by insoluble alkaline earth carbonates (7). To what extent each of these reactions participates in the total absorption by the living leaf and to what extent the absorption of carbon dioxide in the absence of light concerns the photosynthetic process were not ascertainable. When radioactive carbon became accessible a means was provided for investigating these relations, and it is the purpose of this paper to report some of the results of such an investigation.
The Activation Energy and Some Structural Parameters of Thermally Treated Polypropylene Suture Fibers

Multiple-beam Fizeau fringes in transmission were used to study the changes in optical parameters of thermally treated polypropylene PP suture fibers. Changes in the refractive indices and birefringence have been measured interferometrically on thermally treated PP suture fibers at temperatures of 19 to 40 ± 0.5°C. From the optical parameters; the mean polarizability of monomer units, the density, stress optical coefficient, the thermal stress and the activation energy of PP sutures were calculated. The results of density and optical measurements were used to calculate the crystallinity and the specific refractivity of the isotropic dielectric. Additionally, we calculated the mean square density fluctuation, the segment anisotropy, the molar refractivity and form birefringence. Relations between evaluated and measured parameters are given for illustration. The present study throws light on the changes due to slight thermal treatments as an example of thermal human end uses. Curves are given for illustration.
Two-stage Multi-class AdaBoost for Facial Expression Recognition

Although AdaBoost has achieved great success, it still suffers from following problems: (1) the training process could be unmanageable when the number of features is extremely large; (2) the same weak classifier may be learned multiple times from a weak classifier pool, which does not provide additional information for updating the model; (3) there is an imbalance between the amount of the positive samples and that of the negative samples for multi-class classification problems. In this paper, we propose a two-stage AdaBoost learning framework to select and fuse the discriminative feature effectively. Moreover, an improved AdaBoost algorithm is developed to select weak classifiers. Instead of boosting in the original feature space, whose dimensionality is usually very high, multiple feature subspaces with lower dimensionality are generated. In the first stage, boosting is carried out in each subspace. Then the trained classifiers are further combined with simple fusion method in the second stage. Experimental results on facial expression recognition data demonstrate that our proposed algorithms not only reduce the computational cost for training, but also achieve comparable classification performance.