Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multicentre evaluation of the adenosine agonist GR79236X in patients with dental pain after third molar extraction.

BACKGROUND Adenosine is analgesic in humans, and the selective adenosine A1 receptor agonist GR79236X has significant anti-nociceptive activity in an animal pain model of inflammatory pain. METHODS Seventy-nine patients with moderate pain after third molar extraction under general anaesthesia were randomized to receive a 15 min double-blind infusion containing either GR79236X 4 microg kg-1, GR79236X 10 microg kg-1, diclofenac 50 mg, or saline placebo. Rescue analgesia was promptly available to all patients. RESULTS Meaningful pain relief (mild or no pain) was attained by 9 (47%) patients in the placebo group, 12 (63%) patients in the GR79236 4 microg kg-1 group, 10 (48%) patients in the 10 microg kg-1 group, and 16 (80%) patients in the diclofenac 50 mg group. Neither dose of GR79236 produced a significant improvement over placebo, but diclofenac was superior to both placebo (P=0.036) and GR79236 10 microg kg-1 (P=0.034). Median times to rescue or additional analgesia were 62, 100, 60, and 363 min for patients receiving placebo, GR79236 4 microg kg-1, 10 microg kg-1, and diclofenac 50 mg, respectively (diclofenac significantly longer than placebo, P=0.002 log-rank test). Pain control was poor in the placebo group and in both GR79236 groups, with between 79 and 86% of patients having good pain control (i.e. mild or no pain) for <20% of the time compared with only 30% of patients who received diclofenac. CONCLUSION We found no evidence of efficacy of GR79236 compared with placebo, but the active control diclofenac was effective. It is possible that a higher dose of GR79236 might have been effective or that i.v. administration of this drug does not achieve appropriate concentrations in the brain or peripheral nerves.
Maternal grandmothers improve nutritional status and survival of children in rural Gambia

Hypotheses for the evolution of human female life–history characteristics have often focused on the social nature of human societies, which allows women to share the burden of childcare and provisioning amongst other members of their kin group. We test the hypothesis that child health and survival probabilities will be improved by the presence of kin using a longitudinal database from rural Gambia. We find that the only kin to improve the nutritional status of children significantly (apart from mothers) are maternal grandmothers, and that this is reflected in higher survival probabilities for children with living maternal grandmothers. There is also evidence that the reproductive status of the maternal grandmother influences child nutrition, with young children being taller in the presence of non–reproductive grandmothers than grandmothers who are still reproductively active. Paternal grandmothers and male kin, including fathers, have negligible impacts on the nutritional status and survival of children.
The dietary charred meat carcinogen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine acts as both a tumor initiator and promoter in the rat ventral prostate.

Exposure of Fisher344 rats to 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), a heterocyclic amine in cooked meat, causes cancer in the rat ventral prostate, while sparing the dorsolateral and anterior lobes. Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of the lobe specificity of PhIP-induced rat prostate cancer may provide clues to the pathogenesis of human prostate cancer, which is also lobe selective. We examined the prostate and other organs for mutation frequencies using transgenic Fisher344 rats (Big Blue rats) after PhIP treatment. After PhIP treatment for as early as 4 weeks, the colon, spleen, seminal vesicles, and all lobes of the prostate had significantly elevated mutation frequencies compared with the saline-treated control group, and the differences became even greater after 8 weeks. G:C --> T:A transversions were the predominant type of mutation. After 8 weeks of treatment with PhIP, the Ki-67 index was increased (P < 0.001) in the ventral prostate, but not in the dorsolateral or anterior prostate. An increase in the number of stromal mast cells and macrophages was seen in the ventral prostate, but not in the other prostatic lobes. The apoptotic index also increased in the ventral lobe only. The increased proliferation and cell death in response to PhIP indicates that in addition to PhIP acting as an "initiator" of cancer, PhIP is also acting like an organ- and lobe-specific tumor "promoter. " The prostate lobe-specific infiltration of mast cells and macrophages in response to PhIP suggests a potential new mechanism by which this dietary compound can increase cancer risk-by prompting inflammation.
Warped perspectives in time-frequency analysis

Unitary similarity transformations furnish a simple yet powerful vehicle for generating new classes of joint distributions based on concepts different from time, frequency, and scale. These new signal representations focus on the critical characteristics of large classes of signals and, hence, prove useful for representing and processing signals that are not well matched by current techniques. In particular, the authors construct distributions to match almost any one-to-one group delay or instantaneous frequency characteristic. Amazingly all distributions that have been used to illustrate more complicated generalized distribution design techniques can be generated using the unitary transformation method. <<ETX>>
Using MinMax-Memory Claims to Improve In-Memory Workflow Computations in the Cloud

In this paper, we consider to improve scientific workflows in cloud environments where data transfers between tasks are performed via provisioned in-memory caching as a service, instead of relying entirely on slower disk-based file systems. However, this improvement is not free since services in the cloud are usually charged in a “pay-as-you-go” model. As a consequence, the workflow tenants have to estimate the amount of memory that they would like to pay. Given the intrinsic complexity of the workflows, it would be very hard to make an accurate prediction, which would lead to either oversubscription or undersubscription, resulting in unproductive spending or performance degradation. To address this problem, we propose a concept of minmax memory claim (MMC) to achieve cost-effective workflow computations in in-memory cloud computing environments. The minmax-memory claim is defined as the minimum amount of memory required to finish the workflow without compromising its maximum concurrency. With the concept of MMC, the workflow tenants can achieve the best performance via in-memory computing while minimizing the cost. In this paper, we present the procedure of how to find the MMCs for those workflows with arbitrary graphs in general and develop optimal efficient algorithms for some well-structured workflows in particular. To further show the values of this concept, we also implement these algorithms and apply them, through a simulation study, to improve deadlock resolutions in workflow-based workloads when memory resources are constrained.
The optimal camera geometry and performance analysis of a trinocular vision system

In this paper, the projection location constraint is exploited to reduce ambiguous correspondences in trinocular systems. The inherent matching problems associated with the spurious features produced by overlapping among targets, the periodic structure of objects and the occlusion features were solved. The projection location constraint can be achieved by the deviation-to-distance transformation and the optimal epipolar constraint. The deviation-to-distance transformation transforms the location deviation of the extracted feature on an image plane to a maximum distance between the potential corresponding features and the epipolar line on another image for restricting the searching area of correspondences. The optimal epipolar constraint is obtained by adjusting the camera model before systems start to work. With the deviation-to-distance transformation and the optimal epipolar constraint, the arbitral area for searching the potential corresponding features can be made reasonably small. This not only saves computational time but also results in fewer ambiguous correspondences. In practice, the importance of the paper is that it proposes a very easy adjustment of camera geometry to simplify the most troublesome matching problem encountered in stereo systems. All the discussions and derivations are based on the geometry of the camera model and the mapping between the locations of the 3D features and their projection locations on the image planes. The non-ambiguity probability of the trinocular system is derived theoretically and verified by experimental results. >
HB-EGF Is a Potent Inducer of Tumor Growth and Angiogenesis

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) has been shown to stimulate the growth of a variety of cells in an autocrine or paracrine manner. Although HB-EGF is widely expressed in tumors compared with normal tissue, its contribution to tumorigenicity is unknown. HB-EGF can be produced as a membrane-anchored form (pro-HB-EGF) and later processed to a soluble form (s-HB-EGF), although a significant amount of pro-HB-EGF remains uncleaved on the cell surface. To understand the roles of two forms of HB-EGF in promoting tumor growth, we have studied the effects of HB-EGF expression in the process of tumorigenesis using in vitro and in vivo systems. We demonstrate here that in EJ human bladder cancer cells containing a tetracycline-regulatable s-HB-EGF or pro-HB-EGF expression system, s-HB-EGF expression increased their transformed phenotypes, including growth rate, colony-forming ability, and activation of cyclin D1 promoter, as well as induction of vascular endothelial growth factor in vitro. Moreover, s-HB-EGF or wild-type HB-EGF induced the expression and activities of the metalloproteases, MMP-9 and MMP-3, leading to enhanced cell migration. In vivo studies also demonstrated that tumor cells expressing s-HB-EGF or wild-type HB-EGF significantly enhanced tumorigenic potential in athymic nude mice and exerted an angiogenic effect, increasing the density and size of tumor blood vessels. However, cells expressing solely pro-HB-EGF did not exhibit any significant tumorigenic potential. These findings establish s-HB-EGF as a potent inducer of tumor growth and angiogenesis and suggest that therapeutic intervention aimed at the inhibition of s-HB-EGF functions may be useful in cancer treatment.
Localization of HB9 homeobox gene mRNA and protein during the early stages of chick feather development.

We performed in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis of HB9 homeobox gene mRNA and protein, respectively, during chick feather development. HB9 mRNA was highly expressed in epidermal basal cells and dermal cells of the placodes and feather buds, but not in those of the interplacodes and interbud regions. HB9 protein was predominantly expressed in dermal cells of the symmetric short buds and decreased after the asymmetric bud stage when the feather bud had become elongated along the anterior-posterior (A-P) and proximal-distal (P-D) axis. These results suggest that HB9 gene is regulated in a spatiotemporal manner during feather development, and may be involved in early feather bud morphogenesis.
Using Hybrid HMM-Based Speech Segmentation to Improve Synthetic Speech Quality

The automatic phonetic time-alignment of speech databases is essential for the development cycle of a Text-to-Speech (TTS) system. Furthermore, the quality of the synthesized speech signals is strongly related to the precision of the produced alignment. In the present work we study the performance of a new HMM-based speech segmentation method. The method is based on hybrid embedded and isolated-unit trained models, and has proved to improve the phonetic segmentation accuracy in the multiple speaker task. Here it is employed on the single speaker segmentation task, utilizing a Greek-speech database. The evaluation of the method showed significant improvement in terms of phonetic segmentation accuracy as well as in the perceptual quality of synthetic speech, when compared to the baseline system.
American Indian perspectives on addiction and recovery.

The circle of tribal society is "experienced from the inside. When forced from the center, one is "alienated, irritable, and lonely" (Deloria, 1970, p. 13). Social workers, as service providers and researchers in collaboration with the American Indian women they are privileged to serve, have a distinct opportunity for working toward health--the integration of the physical, the emotional, the spiritual--in the lives of women who seek help in treatment facilities for substance abuse. A genuine contribution to the health of the communities to which the women return and to the generations which follow is central to this opportunity and lies deep within the circle.
Do states respond differently to changes in monetary policy

Do the proportion of interest-sensitive industries, the number of small firms, and the concentration of small banks determine how monetary policy influences state economies? In this article, Jerry Carlino and Bob DeFina extend to the state level their earlier study that looked at these factors and their effects on a region's economies. Are the responses the same? Read the results of Carlino and DeFina's study
Rumination and Age: Some Things Get Better

Rumination has been defined as a mode of responding to distress that involves passively focusing one's attention on symptoms of distress without taking action. This dysfunctional response style intensifies depressed mood, impairs interpersonal problem solving, and leads to more pessimistic future perspectives and less social support. As most of these results were obtained from younger people, it remains unclear how age affects ruminative thinking. Three hundred members of the general public ranging in age from 15 to 87 years were asked about their ruminative styles using the Response Styles Questionnaire (RSQ), depression and satisfaction with life. A Mokken Scale analysis confirmed the two-factor structure of the RSQ with brooding and reflective pondering as subcomponents of rumination. Older participants (63 years and older) reported less ruminative thinking than other age groups. Life satisfaction was associated with brooding and highest for the earlier and latest life stages investigated in this study.
Receptor (SLAM [CD150]) Recognition and the V Protein Sustain Swift Lymphocyte-Based Invasion of Mucosal Tissue and Lymphatic Organs by a Morbillivirus

ABSTRACT Experimental infections of ferrets with canine distemper virus (CDV) recapitulate many hallmarks of measles: rash, high fever, viremia, depression of delayed-type hypersensitivity responses, lowered leukocyte counts, and reduced lymphocyte proliferation activity. To understand how a morbillivirus invades the host and causes immunosuppression, we generated CDV either unable to recognize one of the receptors or incapable of expressing either one or both of the candidate interferon antagonist proteins V and C. Variants of these viruses expressing green fluorescent protein were also generated. Striking similarities between CDV infection of ferrets and human immunodeficiency virus host invasion were documented: first, massive early replication in the gut-associated lymphatic tissue, including intestinal Peyer's patches, followed by extensive infection of lymphatic organs, including thymus and circulating lymphocytes. Moreover, T cells were selectively depleted. Thus, CDV takes advantage of mucosal surfaces for host invasion and lymphocytes for swift dissemination. A CDV unable to recognize the signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM [CD150]) that is expressed in lymphocytes and other immune cells did not spread. A V-defective CDV multiplied with reduced efficiency in lymphocytes and did not inhibit the interferon and cytokine responses. Protein C affected the severity of rash and digestive symptoms elicited by V-defective CDV, but it was dispensable for the invasion of the lymphatic organs. These findings prove formally that SLAM recognition is necessary for morbillivirus virulence. They also reveal how two viral proteins affect pathogenesis: V sustains the swift lymphocyte-based invasion of mucosal tissue and lymphatic organs, whereas C sustains subsequent infection phases.
Protection of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells against Oxidative Stress by MicroRNA-210

Oxidative stress induces endothelial cell apoptosis and promotes atherosclerosis development. MicroRNA-210 (miR-210) is linked with apoptosis in different cell types. This study aimed to investigate the role of miR-210 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under oxidative stress and to determine the underlying mechanism. HUVECs were treated with different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and cell viability was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and ATP assay. To evaluate the role of miR-210 in H2O2-mediated apoptosis, gain-and-loss-of-function approaches were used, and the effects on apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were assayed using flow cytometry. Moreover, miR-210 expression was detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and expression of the following apoptosis-related genes was assessed by qRT-PCR and Western blot at the RNA and protein level, respectively: caspase-8-associated protein 2 (CASP8AP2), caspase-8, and caspase-3. The results showed that H2O2 induced apoptosis in HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner and increased miR-210 expression. Overexpression of miR-210 inhibited apoptosis and reduced ROS level in HUVECs treated with H2O2. Furthermore, miR-210 downregulated CASP8AP2 and related downstream caspases at protein level. Thus, under oxidative stress, miR-210 has a prosurvival and antiapoptotic effect on HUVECs by reducing ROS generation and downregulating the CASP8AP2 pathway.
Allopurinol-induced DRESS syndrome mimicking biliary obstruction

An 84-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with fever, jaundice, and itching. He had been diagnosed previously with chronic renal failure and diabetes, and had been taking allopurinol medication for 2 months. A physical examination revealed that he had a fever (38.8℃), jaundice, and a generalized maculopapular rash. Azotemia, eosinophilia, atypical lymphocytosis, elevation of liver enzymes, and hyperbilirubinemia were detected by blood analysis. Magnetic resonance cholangiography revealed multiple cysts similar to choledochal cysts in the liver along the biliary tree. Obstructive jaundice was suspected clinically, and so an endoscopic ultrasound examination was performed, which ruled out a diagnosis of obstructive jaundice. The patient was diagnosed with DRESS (Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) syndrome due to allopurinol. Allopurinol treatment was stopped and steroid treatment was started. The patient died from cardiac arrest on day 15 following admission.
Effect of Lime, Humic Acid and Moisture Regime on the Availability of Zinc in Alfisol

Lime and humic acid application can play an important role in the availability of zinc in paddy soils. We conducted laboratory incubation experiments on a rice growing soil (Alfisol) to determine the effect of lime, humic acid and different moisture regimes on the availability of Zn. Addition of half doses of liming material (powdered lime stone) recorded highest values of DTPA-Zn followed by no lime and 100% of lime requirement throughout the incubation period. With the progress of incubation, DTPA-Zn increased slightly during the first week and then decreased thereafter. The highest DTPA-extractable Zn content of 2.85 mg/kg was found in the treatment Zn10 L1/2 at 7 days of incubation, showing 17.3 % increase in DTPA-Zn content over its corresponding treatment of Zn alone (Zn10L0). The DTPA-Zn concentration increased with the application of humic acid compared with no humic acid throughout 35 days of the incubation period and the peak value obtained was 3.12 mg/kg in the treatment Zn10 HA2 at 14 days after incubation, showing 50 % increase in Zn content over its corresponding treatment of Zn alone (Zn10HA0). The application of 0.2% humic acid compared with 0.1% resulted in greater increase in DTPA-Zn concentration in soil application. During the 35 days of incubation, highest values of DTPA-Zn were recorded in soil maintained at saturated compared to water logged conditions. However, under alternate wetting and drying condition the DTPA-Zn content gradually decreased up to 21 days and thereafter increased slowly.
Lesion of the centromedian thalamic nucleus in MPTP‐treated monkeys

The caudal intralaminar nuclei are a major source of glutamatergic afferents to the basal ganglia. Experiments in the 6‐hydroxydopamine rat model have shown that the parafascicular nucleus is overactive and its lesion alleviates basal ganglia neurochemical abnormalities associated with dopamine depletion. Accordingly, removal of this excitatory innervation of the basal ganglia could have a beneficial value in the parkinsonian state. To test this hypothesis, unilateral kainate‐induced chemical ablation of the centromedian thalamic nucleus (CM) has been performed in MPTP‐treated monkeys. Successful lesions restricted to the CM boundaries (n = 2) without spreading over other neighboring thalamic nuclei showed an initial, short‐lasting, and mild change in the parkinsonian motor scale but no effect against levodopa‐induced dyskinesias. The lack of significant and persistent motor improvement leads us to conclude that unilateral selective lesion of the CM alone cannot be considered as a suitable surgical approach for the treatment of PD or levodopa‐induced dyskinesias. The role of the caudal intralaminar nuclei in the pathophysiology of movement disorders of basal ganglia origin remains to be clarified. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
The Role of CD44 in the Pathophysiology of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

CD44 interactions with hyaluronan (HA) play a key role in various malignancies, supporting tumor cell migration, adhesion, and survival. In contrast to solid tumors, the expression of CD44 standard and variant forms and their functional interplay with HA is less understood in hematological malignancies. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a highly abundant B-cell malignancy with a well coordinated balance between cell cycle-arrest and proliferation of tumor subpopulations. The long-term survival and proliferation of CLL cells requires their dynamic interactions with stromal and immune cells in lymphoid organs. Interactions of HA with CD44 and HA-mediated motility receptor (RHAMM) contribute to CLL cell localization, and hence CLL pathophysiology, by shaping homing, interstitial migration, and adhesion of the tumor cells. CD44 can complex with key prognostic factors of CLL, particularly CD38 and CD49d, bridging the gap between prognosis and cellular function. Here, we review the current evidence for the individual and associated contributions of CD44 to CLL pathophysiology, the dynamic functional regulation of CD44 upon CLL cell activation, and possible therapeutic strategies targeting CD44 in CLL.