Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Vivo Changes of the Oxidation-Reduction State of NADP and of the ATP/ADP Cellular Ratio Linked to the Photosynthetic Activity in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii1

The ATP/ADP and NADP/NADPH ratios have been measured in whole-cell extract of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, to understand their availability for CO2 assimilation by the Calvin cycle in vivo. Measurements were performed during the dark-light transition of both aerobic and anaerobic cells, under illumination with saturating or low light intensity. Two different patterns of behavior were observed: (a) In anaerobic cells, during the lag preceding O2 evolution, ATP was synthesized without changes in the NADP/NADPH ratio, consistently with the operation of cyclic electron flow. (b) In aerobiosis, illumination increased the ATP/ADP ratio independently of the intensity used, whereas the amount of NADPH was decreased at limiting photon flux and regained the dark-adapted level under saturating photon flux. Moreover, under these conditions, the addition of low concentrations of uncouplers stimulated photosynthetic O2 evolution. These observations suggest that the photosynthetic generation of reducing equivalents rather than the rate of ATP formation limits the photosynthetic assimilation of CO2 in C. reinhardtii cells. This situation is peculiar to C. reinhardtii, because neither NADPH nor ATP limited this process in plant leaves, as shown by their increase upon illumination in barley (Hordeum vulgare) leaves, independent of light intensity. Experiments are presented and were designed to evaluate the contribution of different physiological processes that might increase the photosynthetic ATP/NADPH ratio—the Mehler reaction, respiratory ATP supply following the transfer of reducing equivalents via the malate/oxaloacetate shuttle, and cyclic electron flow around PSI—to this metabolic situation.
Islet Auto Transplantation Following Total Pancreatectomy: A Long-Term Assessment of Graft Function

Total pancreatectomy is considered the final resort in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis; however, here we show that simultaneous islet autotransplantation can abrogate the onset of diabetes. Methods: In Leicester, 46 patients have now undergone total pancreatectomy with immediate islet auto transplant, and they have received a median of 2246 islet equivalent (IEQ)/kg body weight (range, 405-20,385 IEQ/kg body weight). Results: Twelve patients have shown periods of insulin independence, for a median of 16.5 months (range, 2-63 months), and 5 remain insulin independent. Over the 10 years of follow-up, there has been a notable increase in insulin requirement per kilogram per day, and percentage of glycosylated hemoglobin levels have increased significantly (r = 0.66, P = 0.01). However, 100% of patients tested were C-peptide positive at their most recent assessment, and high fasting and stimulated C-peptide values recorded at 10 years after transplantation, 1.44 (range, 1.09-1.8 ng/mL) and 2.86 ng/mL (range, 1.19-4.53 ng/mL), respectively, suggest significant graft function in the long term. In addition, median serum creatinine has increased very little after the operation (71 nmol/L [range, 49-125 nmol/L] atpreoperation vs 76.5 nmol/L [range 72-81 nmol/L] at year 10), suggesting no diabetic nephropathy. Conclusions: Although there is a notable decline in islet function after islet auto transplant, there is still evidence of significant long-term insulin secretion and possible protection against diabetic complications.Abbreviations: CP - chronic pancreatitis, HbA1c - glycosylated hemoglobin, IEQ - islet equivalent, OGTT - oral glucose tolerance test, TP - total pancreatectomy
Efficacy and Safety of Barnidipine Compared with Felodipine in the Treatment of Hypertension in Chinese Patients

The efficacy and safety profiles of barnidipine in the treatment of hypertension were evaluated in an open parallel-group study. Fifty-nine Chinese patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension were randomized to receive either barnidipine or felodipine (5 mg once daily, titrated to 10 mg or 15 mg once daily, as indicated) for 12 weeks. Both drugs reduced blood pressures significantly with ≥ 68% of cases obtaining marked or moderate blood pressure reduction. Mean reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure for barnidipine treatment were 23.7 ± 13.5 mmHg and 12.7 ± 7.9 mmHg, and for felodipine, 24.3 ± 18.4 mmHg and 14.5 ± 10.0 mmHg, respectively. There was no significant difference between these two drugs in anti-hypertensive effect, heart rate, laboratory measurements or incidence of adverse events. The only difference was that more patients taking felodipine experienced palpitations. We conclude that barnidipine has similar efficacy and a similar safety profile to felodipine in the treatment of mild-to-moderate essential hypertension in Chinese patients.
CD40 Ligand-CD40 Interactions Unresponsiveness to Ovalbumin Requires Mucosally Induced Systemic T Cell

CD40 ligand (CD40L) gene-disrupted (CD40L 2 / 2 ) mice were employed to examine the role of costimulatory signals via CD40L-CD40 interactions in mucosally induced tolerance. CD40L 2 / 2 and control (CD40L 1 / 1 ) mice of the same C57BL/6 3 129/J background were immunized orally with 25 mg of OVA before systemic challenge with OVA in CFA. While CD40L 1 / 1 mice showed reductions in Ag-speciﬁc T cell responses including delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and proliferative responses, CD40L 2 / 2 mice underwent normal T cell responses. Further, cytokine analysis of splenic CD4 1 T cells showed that both Th1-type (e.g., IFN- g and IL-2) and Th2-type (e.g., IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-10) responses were maintained in CD40L 2 / 2 mice orally immunized with OVA, whereas these cytokine responses in CD40L 1 / 1 mice were signiﬁcantly reduced. In addition, splenic CD4 1 T cells from CD40L 2 / 2 mice orally immunized with OVA provided B cell help in Ag-speciﬁc Ab-forming cells when the cells were cultured with naive B cells in the presence of Ag and CD40L-transfected cell lines. In contrast, an identical culture condition containing splenic CD4 1 T cells from orally tolerized CD40L 1 / 1 mice did not exhibit helper activity. Taken together, these ﬁndings indicate that CD40L and CD40 interactions are essential for the induction of systemic T cell unresponsiveness to orally administered Ag. Journal of Immunology, 1999, 162: 1904–1909.
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Regulates Thymic Exit1

To understand the role of PI3K during T cell development, we generated transgenic mice expressing the N terminus of the PI3K catalytic subunit (p110ABD; ABD, adaptor binding domain) in thymocytes. Expression of p110ABD activates endogenous p110 and results in the accumulation of mature single-positive CD3highheat-stable Aglow thymocytes. This is mostly due to a defect in emigration of those cells, as shown by the delayed appearance of peripheral T cells in neonatal transgenic mice and by competitive adoptive transfer experiments. Although the mechanisms underlying these effects of PI3K are not yet clear, our results show an important role for PI3K activity in the regulation of mature thymocyte exit to the periphery.
Ectopic fat: a target for cardiometabolic risk management

The incidence of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases (e.g. type 2 diabetes (T2D) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)) has shown a significant increase, growing at the same rate as obesity. The World Health Organization reported that more than 400 million people have diabetes (that’s 1 person in 11), of which 1 in 3 is overweight and 1 in 10 is obese (see WHO-Global report on diabetes, http://www.who.int/dia betes/global-report/en/). Several data indicate that the distribution of fat is very important in the determination of disease risk [1–3]. Fat accumulates in specific locations, e.g. around the heart (epicardial fat) or inside visceral area, or inside specific organs, i.e. in the liver, muscle, pancreas, and heart, also named ‘ectopic fat’ [3]. Ectopic fat is one of the major factors of the development and progression of cardiometabolic diseases [1–3]. Thus, it is not the subcutaneous fat, but rather the visceral and ectopic fat accumulation that increase the risk of T2D, NAFLD, metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) [3]. Ectopic fat can directly contribute to the low-grade inflammatory state, mitochondrial dysfucntion, beta cell apoptosis and insulin resistance (IR) that increase the risk of cardiometabolic diseases [3,4]. This fat may be in the form of triglycerides (TG) or diacylglycerols (DAG), but other lipids, like ceramides (CER), sphyngomyelins (SPHY), lysophosphocholines, or phosphocholines, may accumulate and contribute to cellular dysfunction [5,6]. CER derive from sphingolipid metabolism, and their metabolites have a key role in cellular signaling, like apoptosis and insulin sensitivity [6]. CER act also as regulators of energy metabolism and signaling [6]. In the following discussion, we described how single organ metabolism is impaired by ectopic fat accumulation.
L-type Ca 2 + channel mechano-sensitivity in long-term denervated Soleus muscle of the rat

Evidences showed that physical forces, as passive stretching or active contraction, may counteract various kinds of skeletal muscle atrophy due, for instance, to muscle immobilization, pathophysiology or denervation. In accord, active muscle contraction induced by functional electrical stimulation resulted helpful to reduce the muscle atrophic state in denervated man. Moreover, there are evidences that also passive mechanical stimulation of the sarcolemnic membrane may reduce the atrophic muscle state. About the mechanisms by which mechanical stimulation modulates muscle physiology and pathophysiology there is a growing list of facts that signalling pathways to the nucleus concern the cytoskeleton. The anomalous cytoskeleton organization determines leaky plasma-membrane and loss of its mechanical properties causing fragility, less stiffness and disassembling the myofibrils. Actin cytoskeleton is activated by Ca -dependent and -independent pathways and its contraction or elongation represent not only a mechanical signal to the nucleus but also a stimulus for many molecular signals that improve the muscle performance. Thus, the abnormal cytoskeleton may also affect the mechanical tension of the T-tubule membrane and consequently the functionality of the L-type Ca channel. The aim of this work was to evaluate the mechano-sensitivity of L-type Ca channels in long-term denervated Soleus muscle of the rat. Electrophysiological experiments were made in long-term (44 weeks) denervated Soleus muscle of Wistar rats. Currents were recorded in voltage-clamp by intracellular microelectrodes inserted in a single fibre. Results showed that L-type Ca channel currents were enhanced by muscle stretching.
Advancing the Understanding of Reverse Breakdown in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells

Reverse breakdown is investigated in multiple Cu(In,Ga)Se<sub>2</sub> solar cells with varying buffer layer thicknesses. A method to extract transition voltage, which marks the change of conduction mechanism that leads to electrical breakdown, is described as an alternative to the often less-meaningful breakdown voltage. Transition voltages for samples with CdS and Zn<italic><sub>x</sub></italic>Sn<sub>1-</sub><italic><sub>x</sub></italic>O<italic> <sub>y</sub></italic> buffers are extracted from breakdown measurements performed in darkness and under illumination. The electric field is calculated for ZTO-based samples measured in darkness, and its implications for the energy band structure are examined. Fowler–Nordheim tunneling and Poole–Frenkel conduction are considered as candidates for the main breakdown mechanism in darkness. A model combining the two conduction mechanisms is proposed, and fits for experimental data are presented and discussed. Involvement of defects is debated, and defect-and-breakdown-related phenomena are showcased.
THE EFFECTS OF SOME FACTORS ON THE IMPACT BENDING STRENGTH OF LAMINATED VENEER LUMBER

In this study, the impact bending strengths and specific impact bending strengths were determined for solid wood and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) produced from eucalyptus (Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden), poplar (Populus x euramericana I-214), and beech (Fagus orientalis L.) woods using urea formaldehyde (UF), melamine urea formaldehyde (MUF), and phenol formaldehyde (PF) adhesives. The tests were conducted in the flatwise and edgewise directions. In addition, specific impact bending strengths were calculated. Three-way ANOVA test results indicated that the effects of the species of tree and the direction of the load on the impact bending and specific impact bending were statistically significant. The type of adhesive was found to be insignificant. In addition, the results showed that impact bending strengths of solid beech and eucalyptus woods were greater than those of LVLs made of beech and eucalyptus, and no statistical differences were determined between solid poplar wood and LVL made of poplar.
Sialic acid and hexosamine concentrations in cervical nucus in different breeds of cows and buffalo at estrus.

Gibbons & Mattner (1966) tentatively suggested that cross-linkage of long flexible glycoprotein molecules in cervical mucus occurs through sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid) residues because the extent of cross-linking appears to be related to the level of sialic acid in mucus. Hexosamines represent another important class of organic constituents of cervical mucus. According to Kurzrok (1958), the appearance of glucosamine in cervical mucus signifies the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle in women, and changes in sialic acid concentration in human cervical mucus have been associated with sperm receptivity (Carlborg & Gemzell, 1969). Sialic acid and hexosamine concentrations in cervical mucus are influenced by the circulatory level of oestrogen Oestrogen levels at oestrus in buffaloes and cows of different breeds vary considerably, and are reflected in conspicuous differences in the volume and consistency of the cervical mucus. We have therefore studied the concentrations at oestrus of sialic acid and hexosamine in the cervical mucus of cows and buffaloes of different breeds. The animals used were Murrah buffaloes, and cows of the indigenous Gir and Tharparkar breeds, Fi Tharparkar Holstein crosses, and the introduced Danish Red from the Agriculture University Livestock Farm, and 5/8 Shahiwal Holstein cows from the Dairy Farm, Jabalpur. The husbandry was similar at both farms and the animals received enough food to cover maintenance and milk production requirements. Vasectomized bulls were used to detect oestrus which was confirmed, by rectal palpation, by the presence of a mature Graafian follicle, the turgidity of the uterine musculature and relaxation of the external os cervix. Rectal palpation generally caused a copious, clear and stringy discharge of mucus
HIV-1 Nef induces dedifferentiation of podocytes in vivo: a characteristic feature of HIVAN

Objective:To determine the specific role of Nef in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated nephropathy. Design:Podocytes are highly differentiated non-dividing cells in the normal glomerulus, however, they undergo dedifferentiation and acquire a proliferative phenotype in HIVAN patients, in HIV-transgenic mice and if infected by HIV-1 in vitro. These changes are accompanied by loss of the maturation markers synaptopodin and WT1, and expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67. Previously, we mapped the gene responsible for these changes in vitro to HIV-1 Nef. To determine the role of Nef in vivo, we developed a transgenic mouse model in which Nef was exclusively expressed in podocytes. Methods:Transgenic mice were generated using a construct in which Nef expression was blocked by a floxed lacZ intervening gene. When crossed with another transgenic mice expressing Cre under the Podocin promoter (a podocyte specific gene), the intervening lacZ gene was removed activating the expression of Nef in podocytes. The in vivo expression profiles of the Nef, the proliferation marker Ki-67, the differentiation markers synaptopodin and WT1, and phospho-Stat3, were determined by immunohistochemistry. Results:Podocyte-specific expression of Nef induced loss of synaptopodin and WT1, and expression of Ki-67 in podocytes. Furthermore, Nef activated expression of phospho-Stat3, one of the downstream signaling pathways for cell proliferation. Conclusions:We conclude that Nef induces the early molecular changes in podocytes that are essential for the dedifferentiation and proliferation of podocytes in HIVAN pathogenesis. These data provide the first clear molecular evidence that Nef alters the podocyte phenotype in vivo.
Combining Fourier and iterative methods in computer tomography : Analysis of an iteration scheme. The 2D-case

Most contemporary CT-sytems employ non-exact methods. This treatise reports on how these methods could be transformed from non-exact to exact reconstruction methods by means of iterative post-processing. Compared to traditional algebraic reconstruction (ART) we expect much faster convergence (in theory quadratic), due to a much improved first guess and the fact that each iteration includes the same non-exact analytical reconstruction step as the first guess.
Effectiveness of a conditional cash transfer programme on TB cure rate: a retrospective cohort study in Brazil.

BACKGROUND Despite the efforts of the National Tuberculosis Programme, TB cure rates in Brazil are sub-optimal. The End TB Strategy for post-2015 identifies conditional cash transfer interventions as powerful tools to improve TB control indicators, including TB cure rate. This study aims to inform the new policy by evaluating the role of the Bolsa Familia Programme (BFP), one of the largest conditional cash transfer programmes in the world, on TB cure rates in Brazil. METHODS We undertook a retrospective cohort study, based on an unprecedented record linkage of socioeconomic and health data, to compare cases of patients newly diagnosed with TB in 2010 receiving BFP cash benefits (n=5788) with those who did not (n=1467) during TB treatment. We used Poisson regression with robust variance to estimate the relative risks for TB cure adjusted for known confounders. RESULTS The cure rate among patients exposed to BFP during TB treatment was 82.1% (4752/5788), 5.2% higher than among those not exposed. This was confirmed after controlling for TB type, diabetes mellitus, HIV status and other relevant clinical and socioeconomic covariates (RR=1.07, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.11 for cure rates among BFP beneficiaries). This association seemed higher for patients not under directly observed treatment (RR=1.11; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.16). CONCLUSIONS Although further research is needed, this study suggests that conditional cash transfer programmes can contribute to improve TB cure rate in Brazil.
Calibration of MEMS-based test structures for predicting thermomechanical stress in integrated circuit interconnect structures

This paper uses a rotating-beam-sensor structure to show that the extrinsic stress from the mismatch in expansion coefficient between the aluminum and the silicon substrate dominates over the compressive stress from the sputter growth. Sintering the layers at temperatures above 150/spl deg/C reduces this compressive stress due to the action of creep. Calibration of the rotation of the device has been undertaken by direct comparison to high resolution X-ray-diffraction measurements and these show that the sensor has a resolution better than 2.8 MPa. Furthermore, we have used the sensor to investigate the variation of in-plane stress with the compliance of the intermetal dielectric, by directly comparing sensors fabricated on SiO/sub 2/ and polyimide layers.
Assessing expressed emotion in mothers of children with autism

Background: Expressed emotion (EE) is a measure of family emotional climate found to be predictive of symptom levels in a range of psychiatric, medical, and developmental disorders, including autism. Method: Employing data from 104 mothers of children with autism, this study examines the Autism-Specific Five Minute Speech Sample (AFMSS), a modified EE coding system based on the widely used Five Minute Speech Sample (Magana et al., 1986). Findings: With the exception of one EE component, emotional over-involvement, the revised coding system demonstrated adequate internal consistency and good to excellent inter-rater and code-recode reliability. It also demonstrated acceptable validity, based on its significant correlations with factors linked to EE in previous research. Regression analyses also indicated AFMSS-EE to be a significant predictor of child social competence, but not child problem behaviors. Discussion: While further testing is required, the AFMSS appears to be a useful method of assessing EE within the context of parenting children with autism and related disorders.
[Protective effects of progesterone against high intraocular pressure-induced retinal ischemia-reperfusion in rats].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective effect of progesterone against high intraocular pressure-induced ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. METHODS Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into normal control, IR model, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent treatment group, and progesterone treatment group. In the latter 3 groups, retinal IR injury was induced by intraocular injection of saline. In the progesterone group, intraperitoneal injections of 4 mg/kg progesterone were administered 30 min before and 2 h after ischemia, and an equivalent volume of DMSO was used in the DMSO group. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured by spectrophotometer after the treatment, and the pathological changes of the retina were observed by transmission electron microscope and light microscope. RESULTS Six hours after reperfusion, the content of MDA in the model group was significantly higher than that in the normal control group (P<0.01), but lower than that in progesterone treatment group (P<0.01); reverse changes in SOD activity was observed. In the model group, the inner nuclear layer and nerve fiber layer became thinner with obvious cellular pathologies including nuclear condensation, mitochondria vacuolization and endocytoplasmic reticulum swelling. Progesterone treatment markedly alleviated these pathologies in the inner nuclear layer and nerve fiber layer of the retina. CONCLUSION Progesterone offers protection of the retina against IR injury in SD rats by increasing SOD activity and decreasing MDA content in the retina.