Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fatigue Properties of Reinforcing Steel Produced by TEMPCORE Process

TEMPCORE is a patented mill process that produces high-strength reinforcing steel bars via in-line quenching and self-tempering. This paper reports on the fatigue performance of 400 MPa-grade reinforcing steel produced by TEMPCORE process, called TEMPCORE steel in this paper. Seven bar diameters were axially fatigue-tested in air, and the results in terms of S-N curves and failure features are presented, and compared with test data for other types of reinforcing steels from the literature. Comparisons indicate that this type of reinforcing steel has higher fatigue resistance. Although the general geometrical features are similar to those of other types of reinforcing steels, existing models fail to predict its fatigue properties. It is suggested that the metallurgical microstructure and residual stresses developed during the TEMPCORE process contribute to the superior fatigue properties and must therefore be considered in the models.
Synthetic Plant Promoters Containing Defined Regulatory Elements Provide Novel Insights into Pathogen- and Wound-Induced Signaling Article, publication date, and citation information can be found at www.plantcell.org/cgi/doi/10.1105/tpc.010412.

Pathogen-inducible plant promoters contain multiple cis-acting elements, only some of which may contribute to pathogen inducibility. Therefore, we made defined synthetic promoters containing tetramers of only a single type of element and present evidence that a range of cis-acting elements (boxes W1, W2, GCC, JERE, S, Gst1, and D) can mediate local gene expression in planta after pathogen attack. The expression patterns of the promoters were monitored during interactions with a number of pathogens, including compatible, incompatible, and nonhost interactions. Interestingly, there were major differences in the inducibilities of the various promoters with the pathogens tested as well as differences in the speed of induction and in the basal expression levels. We also show that defense signaling is largely conserved across species boundaries at the cis-acting element level. Many of these promoters also direct local wound-induced expression, and this provides evidence for the convergence of resistance gene, nonhost, and wound responses at the level of the promoter elements. We have used these cis-acting elements to construct improved synthetic promoters and show the effects of varying the number, order, and spacing of such elements. These promoters are valuable additions to the study of signaling and transcriptional activation during plant–pathogen interactions.
Delivery-Corrected Imaging of Fluorescently-Labeled Glucose Reveals Distinct Metabolic Phenotypes in Murine Breast Cancer

When monitoring response to cancer therapy, it is important to differentiate changes in glucose tracer uptake caused by altered delivery versus a true metabolic shift. Here, we propose an optical imaging method to quantify glucose uptake and correct for in vivo delivery effects. Glucose uptake was measured using a fluorescent D-glucose derivative 2-(N-(7-Nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)Amino)-2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-NBDG) in mice implanted with dorsal skin flap window chambers. Additionally, vascular oxygenation (SO2) was calculated using only endogenous hemoglobin contrast. Results showed that the delivery factor proposed for correction, “RD”, reported on red blood cell velocity and injected 2-NBDG dose. Delivery-corrected 2-NBDG uptake (2-NBDG60/RD) inversely correlated with blood glucose in normal tissue, indicating sensitivity to glucose demand. We further applied our method in metastatic 4T1 and nonmetastatic 4T07 murine mammary adenocarcinomas. The ratio 2-NBDG60/RD was increased in 4T1 tumors relative to 4T07 tumors yet average SO2 was comparable, suggesting a shift toward a “Warburgian” (aerobic glycolysis) metabolism in the metastatic 4T1 line. In heterogeneous regions of both 4T1 and 4T07, 2-NBDG60/RD increased slightly but significantly as vascular oxygenation decreased, indicative of the Pasteur effect in both tumors. These data demonstrate the utility of delivery-corrected 2-NBDG and vascular oxygenation imaging for differentiating metabolic phenotypes in vivo.
Lysophosphatidic Acid Enhances Pulmonary Epithelial Barrier Integrity and Protects Endotoxin-induced Epithelial Barrier Disruption and Lung Injury*

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a bioactive phospholipid, induces a wide range of cellular effects, including gene expression, cytoskeletal rearrangement, and cell survival. We have previously shown that LPA stimulates secretion of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in bronchial epithelial cells. This study provides evidence that LPA enhances pulmonary epithelial barrier integrity through protein kinase C (PKC) δ- and ζ-mediated E-cadherin accumulation at cell-cell junctions. Treatment of human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEpCs) with LPA increased transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) by ∼2.0-fold and enhanced accumulation of E-cadherin to the cell-cell junctions through Gαi-coupled LPA receptors. Knockdown of E-cadherin with E-cadherin small interfering RNA or pretreatment with EGTA (0.1 mm) prior to LPA (1 μm) treatment attenuated LPA-induced increases in TER in HBEpCs. Furthermore, LPA induced tyrosine phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and overexpression of the FAK inhibitor, and FAK-related non-kinase-attenuated LPA induced increases in TER and E-cadherin accumulation at cell-cell junctions. Overexpression of dominant negative protein kinase δ and ζ attenuated LPA-induced phosphorylation of FAK, accumulation of E-cadherin at cell-cell junctions, and an increase in TER. Additionally, lipopolysaccharide decreased TER and induced E-cadherin relocalization from cell-cell junctions to cytoplasm in a dose-dependent fashion, which was restored by LPA post-treatment in HBEpCs. Intratracheal post-treatment with LPA (5 μm) reduced LPS-induced neutrophil influx, protein leak, and E-cadherin shedding in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids in a murine model of acute lung injury. These data suggest a protective role of LPA in airway inflammation and remodeling.
Emergency department at the cutting edge

Objective This paper reviews the experience of penetrating chest trauma over a 3-year period in one UK emergency department. Methods A retrospective review was performed of patients assessed in the emergency department resuscitation room between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2005. Patients with penetrating chest trauma, either isolated or in combination with other injuries, were included. A Medline search was performed using the terms ‘chest’, ‘trauma’ and ‘penetrating’. Results A total of 120 patients presented with penetrating chest trauma. Ninety-two percent were male. Ninety-six percent (115) of the patients survived to hospital discharge. Seventy-eight percent of the patients presented at night (20.00 and 8.00 h). A single wound accounted for 52% (63) of patients, multiple wounds 43% (52) with 2% (two) gun-shot wounds and 3% (three) impalings. The mean prehospital time of patients in cardiac arrest was 42 min with a mean on-scene time of 24 min. The mean prehospital time for patients undergoing formal emergency surgery was 39 min with a mean on-scene time of 16 min. Twenty-three patients required one or more tube thoracostomies to be performed in the emergency department and six underwent emergency department thoracotomy. Sixteen patients required immediate formal emergency surgery for haemorrhage control. Conclusion Penetrating chest trauma contributes significantly to our trauma workload with a high proportion of patients sustaining life-threatening injuries requiring immediate intervention. Significant prehospital delays occur. Overall mortality of 4.2% is comparable with that of a major American case series. Further education and protocol development is required to ensure that prehospital and emergency department management of these patients reflects the latest evidence-based guidelines.
Analysis of coccal cell formation by Campylobacter jejuni using continuous culture techniques, and the importance of oxidative stress

Campylobacter jejuni is an important human gastro‐intestinal pathogen. In hostile environments it may adapt its physiology to prolong survival, potentially including the adoption of a viable, non‐culturable form and a change to coccal cell morphology. By independently controlling the individual parameters of continuous cultures of Camp. jejuni (e.g. pH, nutrient limitation, growth rate, etc.), coccal cell formation was shown to be elicited only by high oxygen tension in conjunction with reduced carbon concentration. Electron microscopy revealed degradative changes in these cells. This occurred as a transient response over 48 h coincident with a large reduction in maximum growth rate and viable count. Kinetic analysis of the biomass reduction of the cultures demonstrated that significant underlying growth was maintained, with the subsequent selection of a more oxygen‐resistant population of cells and reversion to spiral morphology. Coccal cells appear to be predominantly a degenerate form of Camp. jejuni resulting from oxidative damage. While some of these coccal cells may recover, the more interesting population of cells is probably that which retains, or regains, spiral morphology during adaptation to oxidative stress.
A comprehensive natural history model of HPV infection and cervical cancer to estimate the clinical impact of a prophylactic HPV‐16/18 vaccine

The object of our study is to project the impact of a prophylactic vaccine against persistent human papillomavirus (HPV)‐16/18 infection on age‐specific incidence of invasive cervical cancer. We developed a computer‐based mathematical model of the natural history of cervical carcinogenesis to incorporate the underlying type‐specific HPV distribution within precancerous lesions and invasive cancer. After defining plausible ranges for each parameter based on a comprehensive literature review, the model was calibrated to the best available population‐based data. We projected the age‐specific reduction in cervical cancer that would occur with a vaccine that reduced the probability of acquiring persistent infection with HPV 16/18, and explored the impact of alternative assumptions about vaccine efficacy and coverage, waning immunity and competing risks associated with non‐16/18 HPV types in vaccinated women. The model predicted a peak age‐specific cancer incidence of 90 per 100,000 in the 6th decade, a lifetime cancer risk of 3.7% and a reproducible representation of type‐specific HPV within low and high‐grade cervical precancerous lesions and cervical cancer. A vaccine that prevented 98% of persistent HPV 16/18 was associated with an approximate equivalent reduction in 16/18‐associated cancer and a 51% reduction in total cervical cancer; the effect on total cancer was attenuated due to the competing risks associated with other oncogenic non‐16/18 types. A vaccine that prevented 75% of persistent HPV 16/18 was associated with a 70% to 83% reduction in HPV‐16/18 cancer cases. Similar effects were observed with high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) although the impact of vaccination on the overall prevalence of HPV and low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) was minimal. In conclusion, a prophylactic vaccine that prevents persistent HPV‐16/18 infection can be expected to significantly reduce HPV‐16/18‐associated LSIL, HSIL and cervical cancer. The impact on overall prevalence of HPV or LSIL, however, may be minimal. Based on the relative importance of different parameters in the model, several priorities for future research were identified. These include a better understanding of the heterogeneity of vaccine response, the effect of type‐specific vaccination on other HPV types and the degree to which vaccination effect persists over time. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A pilot study of lymph node mapping with indocyanine green in robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer

Objectives: Robotic gastrectomy has become increasingly popular in the treatment of gastric cancer, especially in Asian countries. The use of indocyanine green fluorescence has been reported in lymphatic mapping for gastric cancer in laparoscopic gastrectomy; however, there have been few reports regarding the use of indocyanine green in robotic gastrectomy. Methods: From January 2011 to March 2016, a total of 79 patients underwent robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Among them, intraoperative subserosal injection (n = 9) or preoperative submucosal injection (n = 5) of indocyanine green with near-infrared imaging was performed in 14 patients, and the other 65 patients underwent robotic gastrectomy without the use of indocyanine green. Results: There was no significant difference in the operative time, total number of retrieved lymph nodes, operative blood loss, and postoperative hospital stay between the patients who underwent robotic gastrectomy with or without indocyanine green fluorescence. For each lymph node station, there was significantly more number of retrieved lymph nodes in the indocyanine green group than in the no-indocyanine green group at the greater curvature side of the low body (#4d) to the infrapyloric region (#6) of the stomach. Five of the 14 patients who received an indocyanine green injection for lymphatic mapping had lymph node metastasis, and metastatic lymph nodes were located in the lymph node stations as detected by indocyanine green fluorescence during surgery. Conclusion: Indocyanine green fluorescence with near-infrared imaging is feasible and is a promising method of lymphatic mapping in robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. In future studies, larger patient numbers and long-term follow-up are required.
Prevalence of iron deficiency in the United States.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in the US population. DESIGN Nationally representative cross-sectional health examination survey that included venous blood measurements of iron status. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Iron deficiency, defined as having an abnormal value for at least 2 of 3 laboratory tests of iron status (erythrocyte protoporphyrin, transferrin saturation, or serum ferritin); and iron deficiency anemia, defined as iron deficiency plus low hemoglobin. PARTICIPANTS A total of 24,894 persons aged 1 year and older examined in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994). RESULTS Nine percent of toddlers aged 1 to 2 years and 9% to 11% of adolescent girls and women of childbearing age were iron deficient; of these, iron deficiency anemia was found in 3% and 2% to 5%, respectively. These prevalences correspond to approximately 700,000 toddlers and 7.8 million women with iron deficiency; of these, approximately 240,000 toddlers and 3.3 million women have iron deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency occurred in no more than 7% of older children or those older than 50 years, and in no more than 1% of teenage boys and young men. Among women of childbearing age, iron deficiency was more likely in those who are minority, low income, and multiparous. CONCLUSION Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia are still relatively common in toddlers, adolescent girls, and women of childbearing age.
Algorithmic cooling and scalable NMR quantum computers

We present here algorithmic cooling (via polarization heat bath)—a powerful method for obtaining a large number of highly polarized spins in liquid nuclear-spin systems at finite temperature. Given that spin-half states represent (quantum) bits, algorithmic cooling cleans dirty bits beyond the Shannon's bound on data compression, by using a set of rapidly thermal-relaxing bits. Such auxiliary bits could be implemented by using spins that rapidly get into thermal equilibrium with the environment, e.g., electron spins. Interestingly, the interaction with the environment, usually a most undesired interaction, is used here to our benefit, allowing a cooling mechanism. Cooling spins to a very low temperature without cooling the environment could lead to a breakthrough in NMR experiments, and our “spin-refrigerating” method suggests that this is possible. The scaling of NMR ensemble computers is currently one of the main obstacles to building larger-scale quantum computing devices, and our spin-refrigerating method suggests that this problem can be resolved.
Accuracy of Cerebral Monitoring in Detecting Cerebral Ischemia during Carotid Endarterectomy: A Comparison of Transcranial Doppler Sonography, Near-infrared Spectroscopy, Stump Pressure, and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials

Background:This study compares the accuracy of cerebral monitoring systems in detecting cerebral ischemia during carotid endarterectomy. Methods:The authors compared transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), stump pressure (SP) measurement, and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) in 48 patients undergoing carotid surgery during regional anesthesia. Cerebral ischemia was assumed when neurologic deterioration occurred. During clamping, the minimum mean middle cerebral artery velocity (TCDmin), its percentage change (TCD%), the minimum regional saturation of oxygen (NIRSmin), its percentage change (NIRS%), the mean SP, and the changes of SEP amplitude were recorded. To analyze the corresponding sensitivity and specificity of each parameter, the authors performed receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results:Neurologic deterioration occurred in 12 patients. SP and NIRS were successfully performed in all patients. TCD monitoring was not possible in 10 (21%); SEP was not possible in 2 patients (4%). All parameters provided the ability to distinguish between ischemic and nonischemic patients. TCD% and NIRS% showed significantly better discrimination than TCDmin and NIRSmin (P < 0.05). The highest area under the curve (AUC) was found for TCD% (AUC = 0.973), but there was no significant difference compared with NIRS% (AUC = 0.905) and SP (AUC = 0.925). The lowest AUC was found for SEP (AUC = 0.749), which was significantly lower than that for TCD%, NIRS%, and SP. Conclusions:TCD%, NIRS%, and SP measurement provide similar accuracy for the detection of cerebral ischemia during carotid surgery. Lower accuracy was found for SEP monitoring. Because of the high rate of technical difficulties (21%), TCD monitoring was the least practical of the investigated monitoring devices.
Knockout of Angiotensin AT2 receptors accelerates healing but impairs quality

Wounds are among the most common, painful, debilitating and costly conditions in older adults. Disruption of the angiotensin type 1 receptors (AT1R), has been associated with impaired wound healing, suggesting a critical role for AT1R in this repair process. Biological functions of angiotensin type 2 receptors (AT2R) are less studied. We investigated effects of genetically disrupting AT2R on rate and quality of wound healing. Our results suggest that AT2R effects on rate of wound closure depends on the phase of wound healing. We observed delayed healing during early phase of wound healing (inflammation). An accelerated healing rate was seen during later stages (proliferation and remodeling). By day 12, fifty percent of AT2R−/− mice had complete wound closure as compared to none in either C57/BL6 or AT1R−/− mice. There was a significant increase in AT1R, TGFβ1 and TGFβ2 expression during the proliferative and remodeling phases in AT2R−/− mice. Despite the accelerated closure rate, AT2R−/− mice had more fragile healed skin. Our results suggest that in the absence of AT2R, wound healing rate is accelerated, but yielded worse skin quality. Elucidating the contribution of both of the angiotensin receptors may help fine tune future intervention aimed at wound repair in older individuals.
I-J-restricted interactions in the generation of azobenzenearsonate- specific suppressor T cells

The genetic restrictions of the activation of third-order suppressor cells (Ts3) were studied in mice, using two different types of anti- azobenzenearsonate (ABA)-immune responses, namely delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) generation. Ts2 cells were induced in several different strains of mice by injecting monoclonal T hybridoma molecules or first-order suppressor factors (TsF1) originating in A/J (H-2a, Igh-1e) mice and then testing the TsF2 molecules derived from these Ts2 in A/J and A.By (H-2b, Igh-1e) or (A/J X A.By)F1 (H-2a/b, Igh-1e) and (C57Bl/6 X A/J)F1 (H-2b/a, Igh-1e) mice. It was shown that the activity of TsF2 was restricted to the I-J of the strain in which Ts2 was induced. By genetic analysis, restriction was shown to be due to the requirement of H-2 identity between ABA-coupled cells used for Ts3 activation and the strain of the TsF2 origin. Moreover, by using H-2-congenic ABA-coupled cells, we were also able to precisely map and demonstrate that ABA-coupled cells I-J identical to TsF2 induced in various strains were necessary for effective suppression to occur. This selective activation of Ts3 suggested the existence of I-J-related antigen presentation for suppression as the counterpart of I-A or I-A-I-E-restricted antigen presentation for positive immune responses.
Relationship Between Postoperative Cardiac Troponin I Levels and Outcome of Cardiac Surgery

Background— Cardiac surgery may be associated with significant perioperative and postoperative morbidity and mortality. Underlying pathology, surgical technique, and postoperative complications may all influence outcome. These factors may be reflected as a rise in postoperative troponin levels. Interpretation of troponin levels in this setting may therefore be complex. This study assessed the prognostic significance of such measurements, taking into account potential confounding variables. Methods and Results— One-thousand three hundred sixty-five patients undergoing cardiac surgery underwent measurement of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) at 2 and 24 hours after surgery. The relationship of these measurements to subsequent mortality was established. After taking into account all other variables, cTnI levels measured at 24 hours were independently predictive of mortality at 30 days (odds ratio [OR] 1.14 per 10 &mgr;g/L, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05 to 1.24, P=0.002), 1 year (OR 1.10 per 10 &mgr;g/L, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.18, P=0.006), and 3 years (OR 1.07 per 10 &mgr;g/L, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.15, P=0.04). Cardiac TnI levels in the highest quartile at 24 hours were associated with a particularly poor outcome. Conclusions— cTnI levels measured 24 hours after cardiac surgery predict short-, medium-, and long-term mortality and remain independently predictive when adjusted for all other potentially confounding variables, including operation complexity.