Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Statins Modulate Cyclooxygenase‐2 and Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase‐1 in Human Hepatic Myofibroblasts

Statins have been shown to exert anti‐inflammatory and anti‐fibrogenic properties in the liver. In the present study, we explored the mechanisms underlying anti‐fibrogenic effects of statins in isolated hepatic myofibroblasts and focused on cyclooxyegnase‐2, a major anti‐proliferative pathway in these cells. We show that simvastatin and fluvastatin inhibit thymidine incorporation in hMF in a dose‐dependent manner. Pretreatment of cells with NS398, a COX‐2 inhibitor, partially blunted this effect. cAMP levels, essential to the inhibition of hMF proliferation, were increased by statins and inhibited by non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs. Since statins modify prenylation of some important proteins in gene expression, we investigated the targets involved using selective inhibitors of prenyltransferases. Inhibition of geranylgeranylation resulted in the induction of COX‐2 and mPGES‐1. Using gel retardation assays, we further demonstrated that statins potentially activated the NFκB and CRE/E‐box binding for COX‐2 promoter and the binding of GC‐rich regions and GATA for mPGES‐1. Together these data demonstrate that statin limit hepatic myofibroblasts proliferation via a COX‐2 and mPGES‐1 dependent pathway. These data suggest that statin‐dependent increase of prostaglandin in hMF contributes to its anti‐fibrogenic effect. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1176–1186, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Membrane deformation of living glial cells using atomic force microscopy

Using atomic force microscopy (AFM) it has been possible to detect actin filaments that are beneath the cell membrane of living cells despite the fact that the AFM tip is applied to the surface of the cell. To determine whether the AFM tip actually penetrates or deforms the cell membrane we determined whether an intracellularly trapped fluorescent indicator was lost from cells during AFM. Using epi‐fluorescence illumination to monitor the presence of fluo‐3 in the cell, we found that AFM did not cause dye leakage from the cell. Further, force–distance curves indicated that standard tips did not penetrate the membrane while sharper SupertipsTM did. In addition, the physiology of cells was found to be unaffected by AFM with standard tips since volume regulatory signal transduction mechanisms were intact in such studies. Thus, traditional AFM tips deform the cell membrane in order to reveal the presence of subcellular structures.
Further Evidence on the Statistical Properties of Real Gnp

The well-known lack of power of unit root tests has often been attributed to the short length of macroeconomic variables and also to DGP’s that depart from the I(1)-I(0) alternatives. This paper shows that by using long spans of annual real GNP and GNP per capita (133 years) high power can be achieved, leading to the rejection of both the unit root and the trend-stationary hypothesis. This suggests that possibly neither model provides a good characterization of these data. Next, more flexible representations are considered, namely, processes containing structural breaks (SB) and fractional orders of integration (FI). Economic justification for the presence of these features in GNP is provided. It is shown that the latter models (FI and SB) are in general preferred to the ARIMA (I(1) or I(0)) ones. As a novelty in this literature, new techniques are applied to discriminate between FI and SB models. It turns out that the FI specification is preferred, implying that GNP and GNP per capita are non-stationary, highly persistent but mean-reverting series. Finally, it is shown that the results are robust when breaks in the deterministic component are allowed for in the FI model. Some macroeconomic implications of these findings are also discussed.
Expression pattern of neuronal and skeletal muscle voltage‐gated Na+ channels in the developing mouse heart

In the mammalian heart, a variety of voltage‐gated Na+ channel transcripts and proteins have been detected. However, little quantitative information is available on the abundance of each transcript during development, or the contribution of TTX‐sensitive Na+ channels to the cardiac sodium current (INa). Using competitive and real‐time RT‐PCR we investigated the transcription of six Na+ channels (Nav1.1–Nav1.6) and the β1 subunit during mouse heart development. Nav1.5 was predominantly expressed in the adult heart, whereas the splice variant Nav1.5a was the major Na+ channel isoform in embryonic hearts. The TTX‐resistant Na+ channel transcripts (Nav1.5 and Nav1.5a) increased 1.7‐fold during postnatal development. Transcripts encoding TTX‐sensitive Na+ channels (Nav1.1–Nav1.4) and the β1 subunit gradually increased up to fourfold from postnatal day (P)1 to P126, while the Nav1.6 transcript level remained low and constant over the same period. In adults, TTX‐sensitive channel mRNA accounted for 30–40% of the channel pool in whole‐heart preparations (Nav1.3 > Nav1.4 > Nav1.2 ≫ Nav1.1 ∼ Nav1.6), and 16% in mRNA from isolated cardiomyocytes (Nav1.4 > Nav1.3 > Nav1.2 > Nav1.1 > Nav1.6). Confocal immunofluorescence on ventricular myocytes suggested that Nav1.1 and Nav1.2 were localized at the intercalated disks and in the t tubules. Nav1.3 labelling predominantly produced a diffuse but strong intracellular signal. Nav1.6 fluorescence was detected only along the Z lines. Electrophysiological recordings showed that TTX‐sensitive and TTX‐resistant Na+ channels, respectively, accounted for 8% and 92% of the INa in adult ventricular cardiomyocytes. Our data suggest that neuronal and skeletal muscle Na+ channels contribute to the action potential of cardiomyocytes in the adult mammalian heart.
The Incidence of the Host Galaxy in Microvariability Observations of Quasars

The incidence of a host galaxy in aperture photometry of active galactic nuclei is studied by means of actual and simulated CCD observations. Our goal is to evaluate the importance of spurious variations, introduced by seeing fluctuations during the observations, in the differential light curves used to study optical microvariability. Repeated CCD observations during two consecutive nights were used to obtain time-resolved aperture photometry for the BL Lac object PKS 2316-423, which is located at the center of a conspicuous elliptical galaxy, and for several field stars. The blazar seems to be variable according to standard variability criteria; however we show that the observed differential magnitude variations are strongly correlated with seeing fluctuations during the nights. Moreover, another galaxy within the same CCD field shows nearly identical variations, clearly indicating that such variations are artifacts of the aperture photometry. Simulated observations of quasars within host galaxies of different morphologies and spanning a wide range of luminosities were also used to evaluate the effects of changing seeing conditions. The results show that spurious differential magnitude variations due to seeing fluctuations are larger for active nuclei within brighter hosts, particularly when small photometric apertures (about the seeing FWHM in radius) are used. According to our results, several recommendations are given to future observers.
Antibacterial effect of doxycycline-coated dental abutment surfaces

Biofilm formation on dental abutment may lead to peri-implant mucositis and subsequent peri-implantitis. These cases are clinically treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline (Doxy). Here we used an electrochemical method of cathodic polarization to coat Doxy onto the outer surface of a dental abutment material. The Doxy-coated surface showed a burst release in phosphate-buffered saline during the first 24 h. However, a significant amount of Doxy remained on the surface for at least 2 weeks especially on a 5 mA–3 h sample with a higher Doxy amount, suggesting both an initial and a long-term bacteriostatic potential of the coated surface. Surface chemistry was analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry. Surface topography was evaluated by field emission scanning electron microscopy and blue-light profilometry. Longer polarization time from 1 h to 5 h and higher current density from 1 to 15 mA cm−2 resulted in a higher amount of Doxy on the surface. The surface was covered by a layer of Doxy less than 100 nm without significant changes in surface topography. The antibacterial property of the Doxy-coated surface was analyzed by biofilm and planktonic growth assays using Staphylococcus epidermidis. Doxy-coated samples reduced both biofilm accumulation and planktonic growth in broth culture, and also inhibited bacterial growth on agar plates. The antibacterial effect was stronger for samples of 5 mA–3 h coated with a higher amount of Doxy compared to that of 1 mA–1 h. Accordingly, an abutment surface coated with Doxy has potential for preventing bacterial colonization when exposed to the oral cavity. Doxy-coating could be a viable way to control peri-implant mucositis and prevent its progression into peri-implantitis.
Natural and Modified Zeolite—Alginate Composites. Application for Removal of Heavy Metal Cations from Contaminated Water Solutions

In present paper, the influence of the initial pH and concentration of Pb2+ on its adsorption by the natural (NZA) and Fe(III)-modified zeolite-alginate beads (FeA) was studied. Results showed that modification of the starting materials have a positive effect on their adsorption capacities (102 and 136 mg/g for the NZA and FeA, respectively). After encapsulation, the mechanism of lead adsorption by both adsorbents was changed and ion exchange dominates. The best adsorption was achieved for initial pH > 3.8. Cation exchange capacity, structural properties, and hydrophobicity of samples were also determined, and the presence of the alginate has no significant influence on investigated properties of samples. Experiments on wastewater from tailings of lead and zinc mine Grot, Serbia, showed that after treatment with both adsorbents, the content of the most abundant heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Hg, and Mn) significantly decreased.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibit the Expression of CD25 (Interleukin‐2 Receptor) and CD38 on Phytohaemagglutinin‐Activated Lymphocytes

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are immunomodulatory and inhibit lymphocyte proliferation. We studied surface expression of lymphocyte activation markers and secreted cytokines, when lymphocytes were activated in the presence of MSC. MSC suppressed the proliferation of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)‐stimulated CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes. MSC significantly reduced the expression of activation markers CD25, CD38 and CD69 on PHA‐stimulated lymphocytes. Mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) supernatants containing MSC suppressed proliferation of MLC and PHA‐stimulated lymphocytes dose‐dependently. MSC secrete osteoprotegerin (OPG), but not hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) or transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β). Stromal‐cell‐derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1) is not expressed on the cell surface. A recent report suggested that T‐cell suppression by MSC is mediated by HGF and TGF‐β. MSC suppression was not restored by the addition of neutralizing antibodies against SDF‐1, OPG, HGF or TGF‐β, alone or in combination. Addition of guanosine to PHA‐stimulated lymphocyte cultures containing MSC did not affect lymphocyte proliferation. The immunosuppressive effects of cyclosporine and MSC did not interfere, when present in the cultures of PHA‐activated lymphocytes. In summary, human MSC suppress proliferation of both CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte and decrease the expression of activation markers.
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis modulates baroreflex in rats

In the present study, we report the effect of bed nucleus of stria terminalis (bed nucleus) ablation caused by bilateral microinjections of the nonselective synapse blocker CoCl2 on the baroreflex response in rats. Reversible ablation of the bed nucleus by bilateral microinjection of CoCl2 did not affect baseline blood pressure or heart rate, suggesting no tonic influence of bed nucleus on the cardiovascular system. Pretreatment with CoCl2 did not affect the tachycardic response to blood pressure decreases caused by intravenous infusion of sodium nitroprusside, but enhanced bradycardic responses evoked by blood pressure increases caused by intravenous infusion of phenylephrine. Present data suggest that synapses within the bed nucleus have a tonic inhibitory influence on the baroreflex parasympathetic component.
Acute and chronic effects of hypercalcaemia on cortical excitability as studied by 5 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

Non‐technical summary Calcium ions play crucial roles in many forms of synaptic plasticity at central nervous system level. We studied the effects of chronic and acute hypercalcaemia on synaptic plasticity in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and healthy controls by applying over the primary motor cortex a non‐invasive neurophysiological technique named repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Our results showed that conditions of hypercalcaemia decreased synaptic plasticity as tested by rTMS. Our results may help to understand the mechanisms underlying neuronal dysfunctions during hypercalcaemia and to evaluate asymptomatic patients.
2 PVA / Montmorillonite Nanocomposites : Development and Properties

Polymers are hardly used in their pure form in applications; they are often filled with additives. The modification of polymers, through the incorporation of additives in the micrometer range, e.g. calcium carbonate, glass beads and talc, yields, with few exceptions, multiphase systems containing the additive embedded in a continuous polymeric matrix. The additives can either improve their process ability (lubricants, antioxidants and stabilizers), or modify the modulus and the strength (carbon black, silica beads and fibers, clay, mica), the appearance (pigments and surfactants), the conductivity (carbon black and carbon nanotubes), the transport properties, the moisture content, the flammability or simply reduce their cost (Alexandre & Dubois, 2000), (Fischer, 2003), (Lagaly, 1999), (Giannelis, 1996). On the other hand, polymer nanocomposites represent a class of material alternative to conventional filled polymers. In this type of materials, nanofillers (having at least one dimension in nanoscale range) are finely dispersed in polymer matrix offering remarkable improvement in performance properties of the polymer, including high moduli (LeBaron et al., 1999), (Giannelis et al., 1999), (Vaia et al., 1999) increased strength (Giannelis, 1998) and heat resistance (Gilman, 1999), improved gas barriers properties (Xu et al., 2001), (Sinha-Ray et al., 2002) and fire redundancy (Gilman et al., 2000), (Morgan, 2006) etc. There are four major parameters affecting the final properties of the nanocomposites, namely: i. the filler aspect ratio, ii. the filler dispersion, iii. the filler alignment and orientation and iv. the polymer-polymer and polymer-filler interfacial interactions. The control and the optimization of the above-mentioned structural factors are expected to enable the development of nanocomposites with predefined and superior properties. Interfaces can greatly affect the properties of a composite. The large surface area of the filler can be either advantageous or disadvantageous, depending on the type of property. For example, it may result in a composite of low strength (in spite of the possibly high strength within a single unit of the nanofiller, e.g., within a single nanofiber) due to the mechanical weakness of the interface. It may also result in a composite of high electrical resistivity due to the electrical resistance associated with the interface.
Optimization of Rubber Seed Oil Transesterification to Biodiesel Using Experimental Designs and Artificial Neural Networks

The development of biofuels is driven both by concern about the greenhouse effect and by interest in the opportunities for exploitation of biomass of agricultural origin. In order to improve the yield and quality of biodiesel through modeling and optimization, several studies are in progress. In this paper, biodiesel produced from rubber seed oil in the homogeneous transesterification is studied using a Plackett-Burman experimental design, a full factorial design, a central composite design and an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) coupled with a Genetic Algorithm (GA). Variables such as temperature, stirring speed, reaction time, type of alcohol, and type of catalyst are studied to obtain the best specific gravity and kinematic viscosity. Type of alcohol and type of catalyst have the greatest effect on the two responses, with ethanol (alcohol) and sulphuric acid (catalyst) producing the best results. The specific gravity and kinematic viscosity changes recorded during the transesterification process followed the first and second order polynomial models, respectively. The ANN coupled with GA was used to optimize the two responses simultaneously. Global optimal values of specific gravity (0.883) and kinematic viscosity (6.76 cSt) were recorded when a temperature of 90°C, a stirring speed of 305 rpm, and a treatment time of 141 min were imposed.
A randomized trial comparing platinum-based chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy vs. radiotherapy alone in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer

Seventy-one patients with stage IIb-IVa cervical cancer were entered on a randomized trial comparing standard pelvic radiotherapy vs. 3 cycles of combination chemotherapy with cisplatin, vinblastine and bleomycin followed by pelvic radiotherapy. Four out of 34 patients randomized to PVB followed by radiotherapy received no PVB and a further 3 patients had only one or 2 cycles of chemotherapy prior to radiotherapy due to drug-related toxicity or progressive disease. After a median follow-up of 3.1 years, no significant difference in survival has emerged between the two randomized groups. However, a difference in the pattern of relapse is emerging with a relatively reduced frequency of systemic relapse in patients receiving chemotherapy prior to local radiotherapy compared to radiotherapy alone. Tumor response was seen following PVB treatment and prior to radiotherapy in 47% of patients. Overall the tumor response rate following completion of radiotherapy was 89% in those treated by radiotherapy and 94% after PVB+radiotherapy. Thirty-three percent of patients randomized to radiotherapy alone relapsed first at a distant (extra pelvic site), and only 18% of patients randomized to initial PVB followed by radiotherapy relapsed systemically initially. When results are presented according to treatment actually given, these trends in patterns of treatment failure are magnified. No treatment-related deaths were reported, and there was no excess of complications with pelvic radiotherapy in the group who had received prior PVB chemotherapy.
An electrophysiological study of the visual projection to the superior colliculus of the rat

The topographical relations of the visual field with the superior colliculus of the rat was investigated using constant small visual stimuli and recording the electrical response of aggregate unit activity with fine tip metal microelectrodes. A precise essentially linear projection onto the contralateral colliculus was demonstrated after appropriate corrections for brain curvature were performed. The general pattern and arrangement of the retinotopic projection is similar to that found in infra‐mammalian vertebrates. An ipsilateral projection appears to be absent. The phasic properties and rhythmic discharge patterns of single units in the coliculus were studied with stationary and moving luminous stimuli.
Does calf‐muscle fatigue affect standing balance?

The purpose of this study was to find out whether fatiguing calf‐muscle exercise affects postural sway during standing. Thirteen healthy subjects with a mean age of 25 years participated. Body sway in one leg stance was measured on a force plate before and after fatiguing exercises of the calf muscles of the subject's right leg. Repeated measurements for up to 10 min after exercises showed no increase of body sway. The results indicate that postural control in quiet standing can be maintained by compensatory mechanisms activated during muscle fatigue. A significant decrease of body sway over time on the non‐fatigued leg indicated a learning effect. A similar decrease was not observed on the fatigued leg, indicating interference of compensatory mechanisms on learning.
An element of the BK virus enhancer required for DNA replication

The human papovavirus BK virus contains three 68-base-pair (bp) repeats that act as transcriptional enhancers. An analysis of plasmids containing the BK virus origin revealed that sequences within the 68-bp enhancer are required for DNA replication as well as transcription of the early promoter in COS-1 cells. Origins with a single 68-bp repeat replicated as efficiently as did those with three repeats when transfected into COS-1 cells. Replication did not occur in the absence of enhancer sequences and could not be restored by distal placement of enhancers to enhancerless origins. However, as with simian virus 40, replication in vitro was not dependent on the presence of any enhancer sequences. Deletion analysis showed that replication of BK virus origins was dependent on the presence of the first 21 bp of the enhancer contiguous with the A-T-rich stretch of the origin. This 21-bp element is referred to as the rep element. Although in combination with rep the remaining 47 bp of the enhancer appear to increase replication by two- to fivefold, they alone are not sufficient to support replication. Deletions or insertions in the enhancer which did not alter the rep element had no major effect on replication. Site-directed mutagenesis of the Sp1-like site within the rep element, the NF1 site present in the enhancer, or the NF1 site in adjacent late-side sequences each reduced transcription by two- to fivefold, but had no effect on replication, suggesting that replication and transcription can be uncoupled.
Incidences and risk factors of first-line HAART discontinuation: a limitation to the success of the “seek, test, treat, and retain” strategy?

To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of first-highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) modifications/interruptions and their causes in a cohort of newly-treated patients by using a competing risk model. In nine centers of the French cohort Dat'AIDS, in 1 year and 2 years of censorship, a competing risk analysis was implemented in HIV1 patients aged 18 years or older first-treated between September 2002 and March 2012. In 4669 patients, 3628 modifications (77.7%) were observed (median: 13.5 months). Cumulative incidence in 1 year: 46.8% [45.4–48.3]; in 2 years: 65.3% [63.8–66.8]. Intolerance (n = 1167; 32.3%): in 1 year, except first-treated from 2002 to 2005, modifications were not different: 2002–2003 (24.6%) 2004–2005 (26.1%), 2006–2007 (19.4%), 2008–2009 (18.8%) and 2010-2011 (15.7%). Women, AIDS patients, and those aged 50 years and older had an excess risk. Therapeutic simplification (n = 1037; 28.6%): in 1 year, except first-treated from 2002 to 2003, modifications were not different: 2002–2003 (9.0%), 2004–2005 (16.0%), 2006–2007 (11.0%), 2008–2009 (15.7%) and 2010–2011 (10.0%). Conversely to injecting-drug-users and AIDS patients, women and first-treated with non-nucleosides had an excess risk. Therapeutic failure (n = 189; 5.2%): contrary to first-treated between 2002 and 2003 or 2008 and 2009, in 1 year as in 2 years, modifications were not different. In 1 year, 1.9% for 2004–2005, 1.6% for 2006–2007 and 1.2% for 2010–2011. Maximum viral load ≥5.0 log10 copies/ml and CD4 <200 cells/mm3 had a high probability. The study of first-HAART modifications suggests that in 1-year follow-up, intolerance incidence in the recent calendar year is still as frequent as the previous period which may constitute a limitation to the success of the seek, test, treat, and retain.