Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vivo assessment of renal tissue viscoelasticity during acute and gradual renal ischemia

Elasticity imaging methods have been used to study kidney mechanical properties and have demonstrated that kidney elasticity changes with disease state. Moreover, recent studies have demonstrated that kidney elasticity is affected by renal blood flow. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of Shearwave Dispersion Ultrasound Vibrometry (SDUV) for in vivo measurements of viscoelasticity in healthy swine kidney and to demonstrate that kidney viscoelasticity is affected by renal blood flow. A total of five female pigs were used in these acute in vivo experiments. Shear wave speed dispersion was studied by exciting shear waves in the renal cortex with a mechanical actuator and with acoustic radiation force. Kidney viscoelasticity was studied at baseline renal blood flow (RBF) and 25, 50, 75 and 100% of baseline RBF. In this study we show that shear wave speed is affected by RBF. As a consequence, shear elastic moduli is affected by RBF. The data from this study did not show a clear relation between viscosity and renal blood flow. Moreover, the data from this study indicates that other variables such as local blood flow, pressure, and volume as well as method accuracy need to be measured to illustrate the relationship between shear elasticity and viscosity with acute and chronic kidney processes.
Relational Attribute Integrated Matching Analysis (RAIMA): A Framework for the Design of Self-Adaptive Egocentric Social Networks

An emerging research in pervasive computing is the inference of social context to facilitate and mediate communications among proximate people. Understanding users' needs through information reasoning and leveraging principles of social networks play an important role in the emergence of innovative computer-mediated social networks. This paper introduces a generic social networking framework for the analysis and visualization of mobile and spontaneous social networks. The proposed framework is capable of analyzing social scores in order to provide decision support to users in the form of egocentric social graphs. As part of the framework, we introduce a matching algorithm that its efficiency is compared to commonly used “Stable Marriage Matching” algorithms in opportunistic social networks. We show the performance of the algorithm as social profile attributes increase in a network.
Predictive control of an indirect matrix converter operating at fixed switching frequency

In this paper a predictive control technique for an indirect matrix converter is proposed. The control strategy allows the output current control and the instantaneous reactive input power minimization of the converter without any weighting factor in the controller and, at the same time, the operation at fixed switching frequency. Simulation results validate the proposal under both steady and transient states.
A prospective randomized study of the systemic immune response after laparoscopic and conventional Nissen fundoplication.

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic techniques are thought to reduce the postoperative immunologic and metabolic changes of conventional operations. Until now, the only clinical data available were obtained from patients operated on for symptomatic gallstones; moreover, few studies were randomized. This randomized prospective study compares the systemic immune response after laparoscopic and conventional Nissen fundoplication. METHODS Seventeen patients scheduled for Nissen fundoplication were randomly assigned to undergo either a laparoscopic or a conventional procedure. Postoperative inflammatory response was assessed by measuring the white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors p55 and p75. Postoperative immune function was assessed by measuring monocyte HLA-DR expression and the stress response was assessed by measuring plasma cortisol concentrations. RESULTS Laparoscopic surgery resulted in significantly lower plasma CRP levels 1 day after surgery. Both approaches resulted in a significant decrease in HLA-DR expression within 2 hours after surgery. After the laparoscopic approach, postoperative expression was restored to preoperative values within 1 day after surgery. However, after conventional surgery HLA-DR expression remained suppressed and did not return to preoperative values until the fourth postoperative day. No significant differences between the 2 procedures were observed in white cell blood count, sTNFr-p55 and p75, nor in postoperative cortisol levels. CONCLUSIONS Although both laparoscopic and conventional Nissen fundoplication result in an activation of the systemic immune response, this study suggests that this response could be less after the laparoscopic approach. The differences found may reflect a lower risk for postoperative infective complications.
Orthostatic Systolic Hypotension and the Reflection Pressure Wave

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a potent predictor of cardiovascular frailty. Although OH is determined by changes in brachial blood pressure (BP), it has been reported that there are significant differences between central BP and peripheral BP. The prevalence of OH has been reported to be higher in subjects with isolated systolic hypertension. Since an early returning of the reflection pressure wave due to advanced arterial stiffness is one of the underlying mechanisms of systolic hypertension, a significant association between alterations of the reflection pressure wave and OH has been hypothesized. To explore this hypothesis, the orthostatic changes in carotid BP and arterial waveform were evaluated. The study subjects were 155 community residents (69±7 years old). Carotid and brachial BP were measured simultaneously in the supine position and 1 min after standing using a cuff-oscillometric and tonometric method. The carotid augmentation index (AIx) was obtained from the pressure waveform. The orthostatic decline of BP was more prominent in the carotid artery than the brachial artery. Nine subjects were diagnosed with orthostatic systolic hypotension (OSH) from brachial BP, while 21 subjects were diagnosed from carotid BP (p<0.001). The orthostatic change in carotid systolic BP was significantly associated with that in carotid AIx (r=0.361, p<0.001). The decline of the reflection component of carotid pulse pressure (-4.0±8.4 mmHg) was more prominent than that of the incident component (-1.2±9.9 mmHg, p=0.002). These results indicate that evaluation of brachial BP may not represent the orthostatic changes in central BP. Alteration of the reflection pressure wave could be one of the underlying mechanisms of OSH in the central artery.
Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 inhibits IFN‐γ inflammatory signaling in human keratinocytes by sustaining ERK1/2 activation

IFN‐γ is a pleiotropic cytokine importantly involved in the development of skin inflammatory responses. Epidermal keratinocytes are extremely susceptible to IFN‐γ action, but, once transduced with the suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS)1 molecule, they can no longer express a number of IFN‐γ‐inducible signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1‐dependent genes. Extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 pathway is also involved in the protection of keratinocytes from the proinflammatory effect of IFN‐γ. Here we show that, after IFN‐γ stimulation, SOCS1 inhibited IFN‐γ receptor and STAT1 phosphorylation but maintained ERK1/2 activation. SOCS1 was also necessary for the IFN‐γ‐induced RAS and Raf‐1 activities in keratinocytes. The enhanced ERK1/2 pathway in SOCS1‐overexpressing keratinocytes was in part responsible for their inability to respond to IFN‐γ, in terms of CXCL10 and CCL2 production, and for the high production of CXCL8. Moreover, SOCS1 interacted with the RAS inhibitor p120 RasGAP and promoted its degradation after IFN‐γ stimulation. We hypothesize that SOCS1 functions as suppressor of IFN‐γ signaling, not only by inhibiting STAT1 activation but also by sustaining ERK1/2‐dependent antiinflammatory pathways. —Madonna, S. , Scarponi, C. , De Pità, O. , Albanesi, C. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 inhibits IFN‐γ inflammatory signaling in human keratinocytes by sustaining ERK1/2 activation. FASEB J. 22, 3287–3297 (2008)
Does the financial sector occupy too much human capital

This thesis studies if and when the size of the financial sectors starts to have a negative effect on economic growth. The size of the financial sector is modelled using employment in the sector. The study uses a panel data model with the EU15 countries covering the years from 1970 to 2007 (1985 to 2005 for some regressions). The results show that the positive contribution to growth of labour and skill allocated in the financial sector is diminishing, and that the diminishing aspect primarily acts through productivity. The effect does, however, not become negative.
Absence of zidovudine resistance in antiretroviral-naive patients following zidovudine/lamivudine/protease inhibitor combination therapy: virological evaluation of the AVANTI 2 and AVANTI 3 studies

ObjectivesTo assess the role of resistance mutations in subjects experiencing virological failure on zidovudine (ZDV) and lamivudine (3TC) combined with a protease inhibitor (PI) to those failing on ZDV/3TC alone. Design and methodsSamples were obtained from previously antiretroviral therapy-naive subjects enrolled into two studies, AVANTI 2 and AVANTI 3. Subjects were randomized to receive either: ZDV/3TC or ZDV/3TC plus indinavir (IDV) for 52 weeks (AVANTI 2), and ZDV/3TC or ZDV/3TC and nelfinavir (NFV) for 28 weeks (AVANTI 3). Emergence of viral resistance mutations was monitored by population sequencing and phenotypic resistance was determined by the recombinant virus assay. ResultsGenotypic data were obtained for subjects with plasma HIV-1 RNA > 400 copies/ml. In AVANTI 2, ZDV mutations were detected in 27% of ZDV/3TC-treated patients at week 52, but were absent in subjects treated with ZDV/3TC/IDV. No subjects from either arm of AVANTI 3 developed ZDV resistance mutations at week 28. The M184V mutation developed in most ZDV/3TC-treated subjects from both studies. The presence of M184V was, however, associated with significantly lower plasma viral RNA levels when compared with values obtained before initiation of treatment. There was a high frequency (4 of 11) of the protease L10F substitution in ZDV/3TC/IDV-treated patients that was associated with virological failure but did not result in phenotypic resistance to any of the PIs tested. ConclusionsZDV mutations were not detected in ZDV/3TC/PI-treated patients and they developed slowly in those treated with ZDV/3TC. Few protease mutations known to confer phenotypic PI resistance developed in the ZDV/3TC/PI arms of either study. The low prevalence of ZDV and PI mutations is encouraging regarding the future treatment options of these patients.
Directed delivery of heat‐labile enterotoxin by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), leading causes of diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality in developing countries, are heterogenous pathogens that elaborate heat‐labile (LT) and/or heat‐stable (ST) enterotoxins which elicit watery, cholera‐like diarrhoea. The molecular events permitting efficient delivery of LT remain undefined. Here, we characterize the role of host–pathogen interaction as it relates to the delivery of LT by ETEC. Separation of bacteria from target intestinal epithelial monolayers by semipermeable filters prevented activation of adenylate cyclase suggesting that pathogen–host cell contact is required for efficient toxin delivery. Likewise, a non‐motile strain bearing a mutation in the flagellar fliD gene was deficient in delivery of LT relative to the ETEC (H10407) prototype. Although LT secretion via the type II secretion system (T2SS) was responsive to a variety of environmental factors, neither toxin release nor delivery depended on transcriptional activation of genes encoding LT or the T2SS. Fusions of green fluorescent protein to GspM (a component of the T2SS system for LT) and to LT demonstrated that both T2SS and toxin are distributed at one pole of the ETEC bacterium. Optimal LT delivery may occur in a polarized fashion with transfer of preformed toxin upon close interaction with host cells, preventing neutralization of LT.
A Study of the Pharmacokinetic Interaction of Istradefylline, a Novel Therapeutic for Parkinson's Disease, and Atorvastatin

The effect of steady‐state istradefylline, an agent for Parkinson's disease with P‐glycoprotein and CYP3A inhibitory activity, on the pharmacokinetics of atorvastatin and its metabolites was evaluated in healthy volunteers. A single 40‐mg dose of atorvastatin was administered to 20 subjects. After a 4‐day washout, subjects received a single 40‐mg atorvastatin dose following 40 mg istradefylline (n =16) or placebo (n =4) daily for 14 days. Plasma samples collected for 96 hours after atorvastatin administration, alone and in combination, were analyzed for atorvastatin, orthohydroxy atorvastatin, and parahydroxy atorvastatin. Istradefylline increased atorvastatin Cmax (53%), AUC0‐∞ (54%), and t½ (27%); and increased AUC0‐∞ for orthohydroxy atorvastatin (18%), but had no significant effect on its Cmax or t½; and had minimal effect on parahydroxy atorvastatin AUC0‐∞. The lack of inhibition by istradefylline on metabolite systemic exposure, combined with increased atorvastatin systemic exposure, suggests a predominant P‐glycoprotein inhibitory effect of istradefylline.
Increased expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in DMBA-induced hamster cheek pouch carcinogenesis and chemopreventive effect of a selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib.

BACKGROUND In recent years, overexpression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein and mRNA has been reported in various cancer tissues. Therefore, it has been suggested that COX-2 is related to carcinogenesis. METHODS Hamsters were treated by painting a buccal pouch with a 0.5% DMBA solution dissolved in acetone. Basal diet or diets containing 150, 500 and 1500 ppm of celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, were given ad libitum to hamsters, and tumor development was observed. RESULTS Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses revealed that COX-2 expression was increased toward the carcinogenesis. Although all hamsters developed squamous cell carcinoma, the onset of tumor formation was delayed in a dose-dependent manner. Also, tumor growth was retarded and survived animals were increased in the group of celecoxib treatment. Histologically, administration of celecoxib increased the apoptotic cells in the tumor parenchyma and significantly inhibited the angiogenesis in the stroma. CONCLUSIONS The COX-2 expression was increased during hamster cheek pouch chemical carcinogenesis. Administration of celecoxib demonstrated the chemopreventive potential against the carcinogenesis.
An Obligatory Role for Lung Infiltrating B Cells in the Immunopathogenesis of Obliterative Airway Disease Induced by Antibodies to MHC Class I Molecules

Using a murine model, we demonstrated that endobronchial administration of antibodies (Abs) to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I results in cellular infiltration, epithelial metaplasia, fibrosis and obstruction of the small airways (obliterative airway disease [OAD]) mediated predominantly by Th17 responses to self‐antigens. This resembles bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome developed following human lung transplantation. Since B cells play a crucial role in induction of autoimmune responses, we defined the role of B cells and its antigen presenting properties in induction of OAD in this study. Anti‐MHC class I was administered endobronchially in B−/− and wild‐type mice. In contrast to wild type, B−/− animals did not demonstrate cellular infiltration, epithelial metaplasia and obstruction of airways following anti‐MHC. Frequency of K‐α1 tubulin and CollagenV‐specific IL‐17 cells was significantly decreased in B−/− mice. As expected, Abs against self‐antigens and germinal center formation were not developed in B−/− mice. Thus, we conclude that B cells and its antigen presenting capacity play an important role in induction of immune responses to self‐antigens and immunopathogenesis of OAD following the administration of anti‐MHC. Therefore, strategies to block B‐cell and its antigen presenting functions should be considered for preventing the development of chronic rejection.
A first study on the incidence and prevalence of IBD in Malaysia--results from the Kinta Valley IBD Epidemiology Study.

BACKGROUND Inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] is known to be rare in the Asia Pacific region but epidemiological studies are scarce. METHODS Kinta Valley [Ipoh] was chosen as the sample population. Malaysia has a multiethnic population consisting of Malays, Chinese, and Indians. New cases over 2 years were prospectively captured as well as all known existing cases. Total numbers of the population as a whole and of each ethnic group were obtained. Incidence, prevalence, and mean incidence over two decades were then calculated. RESULTS There were 10 new cases of IBD diagnosed from April 2011 to April 2013. The crude incidence rates of IBD, ulcerative colitis [UC], and Crohn's disease[CD], respectively, were 0.68, 0.46, and 0.20 per 100,000 persons. The highest incidence was among the Indians, 1.91 compared with 0.35 and 0.63 per 100,000 persons among the Malays and the Chinese, respectively. The mean incidence of IBD has increased steadily from 0.07 to 0.69 per 100,000 person-years over the past two decades. The UC:CD ratio was 8:1 from 1990 to 2000 and 3.6:1 from 2000 to 2010. The prevalence rates of IBD, UC, and CD, respectively, were 9.24, 6.67, and 2.17 per 100,000 persons. The highest prevalence also was among the Indians: 24.91 compared with 7.00 and 6.90 per 100,000 persons among the Malay and Chinese races, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The incidence and prevalence rates of IBD are low in Malaysia but the incidence appears to be increasing and marked racial differences exist. As in other Asian countries, the incidence of CD is increasing at a more rapid rate relative to UC.
2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) reverses hyperglycemia in a type II diabetes mellitus rat model by a mechanism unrelated to PPARγ

It has been asserted that exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) increases the risk for diabetes mellitus in humans, observable as hyperglycemia resulting from insulin resistance. There is no animal model for the induction of diabetes by TCDD. On the contrary, TCDD has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity in rats. Therefore, a diabetic rat model was used to study the effects of TCDD on preexisting diabetes. Type II diabetes was induced in male rats by a high-fat diet and streptozotocin. After manifestation of the disease, these rats received loading dose rates (LDRs) of 3.2, 6.4, and 12.8 µg/kg of TCDD p.o. , followed by weekly maintenance dose rates. Rats fed a high-fat diet and not dosed with streptozotocin nor with TCDD served as nondiabetic controls. By day 2, serum-glucose levels in diabetic rats treated with the high LDR of 12.8 μg/kg TCDD were already significantly reduced. By day 8, serum-glucose levels had decreased to control levels and were maintained for the duration of the study (32 days). Thus, TCDD effectively counteracted hyperglycemia in this diabetic rat model. In healthy animals, TCDD induced PPARγ transcription and activity in a different dose range than that observed for the hypoglycemic effect.
Who Would Have Thought It? An Operation Proves to Be the Most Effective Therapy for Adult‐Onset Diabetes Mellitus

ObjectiveThis report documents that the gastric bypass operation provides long-term control for obesity and diabetes. Summary Background DataObesity and diabetes, both notoriously resistant to medical therapy, continue to be two of our most common and serious diseases. MethodsOver the last 14 years, 608 morbidly obese patients underwent gastric bypass, an operation that restricts caloric intake by (1) reducing the functional stomach to approximately 30 mL, (2) delaying gastric emptying with a c. 0.8 to 1.0 cm gastric outlet, and (3) excluding foregut with a 40 to 60 cm Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy. Even though many of the patients were seriously ill, the operation was performed with a perioperative mortality and complication rate of 1.5% and 8.5%, respectively. Seventeen of the 608 patients (<3%) were lost to follow-up. ResultsGastric bypass provides durable weight control. Weights fell from a preoperative mean of 304.4 lb (range, 198 to 615 lb) to 192.2 lb (range, 104 to 466) by 1 year and were maintained at 205.4 lb (range, 107 to 512 lb) at 5 years, 206.5 lb (130 to 388 lb) at 10 years, and 204.7 lb (158 to 270 lb) at 14 years.The operation provides long-term control of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). In those patients with adequate follow-up, 121 of 146 patients (82.9%) with NIDDM and 150 of 152 patients (98.7%) with glucose impairment maintained normal levels of plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and insulin. These antidiabetic effects appear to be due primarily to a reduction in caloric intake, suggesting that insulin resistance is a secondary protective effect rather than the initial lesion. In addition to the control of weight and NIDDM, gastric bypass also corrected or alleviated a number of other comorbidities of obesity, including hypertension, sleep apnea, cardiopulmonary failure, arthritis, and infertility.
Gene polymorphism but not catalytic activity of angiotensin I-converting enzyme is associated with coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction in low-risk patients.

BACKGROUND An insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been postulated to be associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS AND RESULTS In the present study, the effects of I/D gene polymorphism and of ACE activity on CAD and MI were investigated in 920 individuals who underwent coronary angiography for diagnostic purposes. In the total population and in all CAD and MI groups, a strong association was observed between the gene polymorphism and ACE activities; DD genotypes had approximately twofold higher ACE activities than II genotypes. Although classic risk and protective factors of CAD and MI were identified, associations of ACE genotype and of ACE activity to CAD and MI were not detected in the total population. Among subjects defined to be at lower risk of MI by low body mass index and low cigarette consumption, however, an association of the DD genotype with MI was found. Exclusion of individuals with triglyceride levels > 140 mg/dL and cholesterol levels > 180 mg/dL revealed an association of the DD genotype with CAD. An association of the ACE activity with CAD or MI could not be demonstrated in any of the low-risk populations. CONCLUSIONS Increased ACE activity obviously is not a risk factor of CAD or MI. The importance of the deletion polymorphism for the development of CAD and MI may be restricted to individuals without classic risk factors.