Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Secretagogues Increase the Expression of Surfactant Protein A Receptors on Lung Type II Cells*

Since secretagogues have been shown to increase the internalization of surfactant phospholipid and protein by lung cells, we postulated that their action occurred through a mechanism involving increased surfactant protein A (SP-A) receptor density. Therefore, we evaluated the influence of secretagogues on the binding of iodinated SP-A to alveolar type II cells. Type II cells were isolated from rat lung and maintained in primary culture for 18 h on Transwell membranes. Upon exposure to 8-bromo-cyclic AMP (cAMP, 0.1 mM), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 10 nM), terbutaline (0.1 mM), or ATP (1 mM), the binding of SP-A increased 1.5-2-fold. This stimulation was cell substrate-dependent since type II cells plated on plastic dishes did not show this effect. A time course of the stimulation of SP-A binding due to secretagogues showed that both cAMP and PMA increased SP-A binding by 2-fold after 20 min. With cAMP, binding remained elevated for 2 h, while binding in the presence of PMA had returned to control values. The effects of submaximal concentrations of cAMP and PMA on binding were additive. Inhibition of cellular protein synthesis with cycloheximide did not alter the increase of SP-A binding stimulated by the secretagogues. Type II cells pretreated with PMA responded to subsequent treatment with cAMP by increasing SP-A binding, while these cells were refractory to subsequent treatment with PMA. Both constitutive and regulated binding of SP-A to type II cells were sensitive to trypsin. The binding of SP-A to type II cells showed saturation at a concentration of 1 μg/ml SP-A under control and secretagogue-stimulated conditions, with both total and calcium-dependent binding showing a 2-fold increase upon secretagogue exposure. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that secretagogues stimulate surfactant uptake, at least in part, through recruitment of SP-A receptors to the type II cell surface, resulting in an increase in the number of SP-A binding sites.
Compact Directive Ultra-Wideband Rectangular Waveguide Based Antenna for Radar and Communication Applications

A new directive ultra-wideband antenna based on rectangular waveguide aperture antennas is presented. Conventional rectangular aperture antennas are limited by the single mode operation of the waveguide as well as relatively long and narrowband resonant feeds. To overcome these limitations, we developed a new rectangular waveguide antenna feeding structure that can establish an aperture field distribution very similar to that of the fundamental waveguide mode with a relatively short waveguide section and over two octaves of bandwidth. The overall antenna size is 0.55 λm × 0. 27λm × 0.18 λm where λm is wavelength at the minimum operating frequency. Due to the planar aperture of the antenna, a polarizer could be added to the antenna to ensure good cross-polarization performance with fabrication tolerances. The proposed feed requires a balun structure, and thus an integrated balun design is presented. It is found that a standard balun would interact with the antenna structure and thus a modified design was implemented. The antenna was fabricated and measured. The antenna had VSWR <; 2.5 from 1.08 to 4.9 GHz and the measured gain showed almost constant aperture gain which increases from 5.3 dBi at the low frequency end to 11 dBi at the high frequency edge.
RPS19 mutations in patients with Diamond‐Blackfan anemia

Diamond‐Blackfan anemia (DBA) is an inherited disease characterized by pure erythroid aplasia. Thirty percent (30%) of patients display malformations, especially of the hands, face, heart, and urogenital tract. DBA has an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance. De novo mutations are common and familial cases display wide clinical heterogeneity. Twenty‐five percent (25%) of patients carry a mutation in the ribosomal protein (RP) S19 gene, whereas mutations in RPS24, RPS17, RPL35A, RPL11, and RPL5 are rare. These genes encode for structural proteins of the ribosome. A link between ribosomal functions and erythroid aplasia is apparent in DBA, but its etiology is not clear. Most authors agree that a defect in protein synthesis in a rapidly proliferating tissue, such as the erythroid bone marrow, may explain the defective erythropoiesis. A total of 77 RPS19 mutations have been described. Most are whole gene deletions, translocations, or truncating mutations (nonsense or frameshift), suggesting that haploinsufficiency is the basis of DBA pathology. A total of 22 missense mutations have also been described and several works have provided in vitro functional data for the mutant proteins. This review looks at the data on all these mutations, proposes a functional classification, and describes six new mutations. It is shown that patients with RPS19 mutations display a poorer response to steroids and a worse long‐term prognosis compared to other DBA patients. Hum Mutat 29(7), 911–920, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Estimation of the northern limits of distribution of Aedes albopictus in North America.

, An Oriental mosquito, Aedes (Stegomyia\ al_ bopictus (Skuse), first became estabtistred in Houston, Texas in 198b (Sprenger and Wuithir_ anyag^ool 1986); by September of 19g6, it had been found in 1l other states including localities as far north as Indianapolis, Indian-a and St. Louis, Missouri (Centeri for Disease Controt 1986). Unlike its cosmotropical relative, Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus) Ae. ahooictus is not confined to tropical areas, but is also found in temperate areas of China, Japan and South Korea. Asian populations of Ae. ilbopictus show geographic variation in their overwintering adaptatr,ons. Only strains from temper ate lone Asia have a photoperiodically-conirolled dormancy in the egg stage. In addition, eggs of north Asian strains survive sub-freezing temperatures better than those of tropical Jtrains. North American strains of Ae. albopictus exhibit over_ wintering characteristics similar to temperate Asian strains, not to tropical strains o] this species (Hawley et al., 1987). One might there. fore speculate that a large but undefinid part of North America may eventually be colonized by this mosquito. We here make an attempt to estimate more precisely the potential northern range of Ae. albopictus in North America, based on published reports of its north Asian distribution and climatological data for Asia and North America. The northern range of Ae. albopi.cttn may be categorized into two types: overwintering and late summer expansion ranges. The overwintering range includes the area where Ae. albopictus survives winter conditions. The range oi l"t" summer expansion extends from the overwintering range to the northernmost sites where this species occurs, usually on an irregular basis. In China, Ae. ahopicttts has been reported as far north as Beijing (Fig. 1). However, overwintering probably does not occur there; Feng (1939) states that "This species is only rarely found in Peking in August, and in some years is not found at all. " But 350 km to the south. in Tsinan, Ae. albopictus is abundant in Julv and August each year, suggesting successful overwintering there (Lu and Sun 19b9). South Korea is the location of one of the few direct observations on overwintering in Ae. albopictus. Hong et al. (1971) collected eggs of overwintering mosquitoes at two separate sites in March 1971 by taking samples fiom the interior oftree holes and artificial containers. Eggs were hatched and the larvae reared for identifr_ cation. At Kumsan, about 100 km south of Seouf many viable Ae. albopictus eggs were collected, indicating that overwintering had occurred. Near Seoul, viable eggs of {out Aedes species were collected but none were Ae. albopicfirs. However, by late August 1921, larval -and
Arabidopsis serotonin N‐acetyltransferase knockout mutant plants exhibit decreased melatonin and salicylic acid levels resulting in susceptibility to an avirulent pathogen

Serotonin N‐acetyltransferase (SNAT) is the penultimate enzyme in the melatonin biosynthesis pathway in plants. We examined the effects of SNAT gene inactivation in two Arabidopsis T‐DNA insertion mutant lines. After inoculation with the avirulent pathogen Pseudomonas syringe pv. tomato DC3000 harboring the elicitor avrRpt2 (Pst‐avrRpt2), melatonin levels in the snat knockout mutant lines were 50% less than in wild‐type Arabidopsis Col‐0 plants. The snat knockout mutant lines exhibited susceptibility to pathogen infection that coincided with decreased induction of defense genes including PR1, ICS1, and PDF1.2. Because melatonin acts upstream of salicylic acid (SA) synthesis, the reduced melatonin levels in the snat mutant lines led to decreased SA levels compared to wild‐type, suggesting that the increased pathogen susceptibility of the snat mutant lines could be attributed to decreased SA levels and subsequent attenuation of defense gene induction. Exogenous melatonin treatment failed to induce defense gene expression in nahG Arabidopsis plants, but restored the induction of defense gene expression in the snat mutant lines. In addition, melatonin caused translocation of NPR1 (nonexpressor of PR1) protein from the cytoplasm into the nucleus indicating that melatonin‐elicited pathogen resistance in response to avirulent pathogen attack is SA‐dependent in Arabidopsis.
Effectiveness of Distraction Techniques in The Management of Anxious Children in the Dental Operatory

Aims and objectives: To investigate the effect of distraction with a mobile phone video game in comparison with video viewing on the behavior of children undergoing local anesthesia injection during dental extraction and the treatment satisfaction as reported by children and pediatric dentists. Materials and methods: 30 children in the age group of 4-8 years with Frankel's behavior rating score of 2 who required local anesthesia for dental extraction were selected. There were two study groups; group 1 playing video game on the mobile phone and group 2 viewing videos of patient's favorite cartoon character on mobile phone as means of distraction during the preoperative period and during the course of the dental procedure. The level of anxiety of the patient and the pediatric dentist's satisfaction with the patient's behavior during the treatment were noted. Results: Mobile phone video games were found to be more effective for distracting kids in the dental operatory than viewing videos. Preoperative anxiety was found to be highly reduced with this method of distraction. Conclusion: A cartoon video or video game on a mobile phone can be offered to most children as they are easy to implement, portable, and effective method to reduce anxiety in the preoperative area and during injection of local anesthesia for dental extraction. These techniques of distraction also reduce operatory stress on the pediatric dentist.
The impact of suicidal ideation in preadolescence, adolescence, and young adulthood on psychosocial functioning and psychopathology in young adulthood

Objective: The long‐term psychopathological outcome of suicidal ideation during adolescence in community samples is largely unknown. Data from the epidemiological and longitudinal Zurich Adolescent Psychology and Psychopathology Study (ZAPPS) allowed the testing of whether transient suicidal ideation in preadolescence or adolescence has the same impact on young adult psychopathology as enduring and concomitant suicidality in young adulthood.
Risk Factors Exacerbating Hand-Foot Skin Reaction Induced by Capecitabine plus Oxaliplatin with or without Bevacizumab Therapy

Background: Capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CapeOx) ± bevacizumab therapy is associated with a high incidence of hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR), hindering treatment. However, timing of onset and risk factors remain unclear. Objective: This study examined the development of HFSR and risk factors for its exacerbation to a serious condition in CapeOx ± bevacizumab therapy. Methods: We retrospectively examined patients with colorectal cancer receiving CapeOx ± bevacizumab therapy between October 1, 2009, and March 31, 2012. The observation period was defined as lasting until completion of 8 cycles. The relationship between cumulative dose of capecitabine and cumulative proportion of patients developing HFSR was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier methods. Risk factors for exacerbation of HFSR to a serious condition were assessed by multiple logistic regression. Results: Data for 203 patients were analyzed. For patients treated at cumulative capecitabine doses of 100 000 mg/m2 and 200 000 mg/m2, Grade 1 HFSR occurred in ≥80% and ≥90%, respectively, and moderate-to-severe HFSR (Grade 2+) occurred in ≥10% and ≥20%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed significant associations with diabetes (odds ratio [OR] = 4.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.86-12.34; P = 0.001), concomitant use of bevacizumab (OR = 6.01; 95% CI = 2.20-16.41; P = 0.001), history of fluorinated pyrimidine administration (OR = 2.42; 95% CI = 1.10-5.33; P = 0.027), and early onset (within 21 days) of Grade 1 HFSR (OR = 3.78; 95% CI = 1.64-8.70; P = 0.001). Conclusions: HFSR in CapeOx therapy is a cumulative toxicity and risk of exacerbation to a serious condition increases with diabetes, concomitant use of bevacizumab, history of fluorinated pyrimidine administration, and onset of Grade 1 HFSR within 21 days.
Susceptibility of Brugia malayi and Onchocerca lienalis microfilariae to nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide in cell-free culture and from IFNγ-activated macrophages

SUMMARY The susceptibility of Brugia malayi and Onchocerca lienalis microfilariae to H2O2 and NO either in cell-free culture or from IFNγ-activated macrophages was examined. In cell-free culture, O. lienalis microfilariae were highly susceptible to H2O2 induced toxicity, exhibiting rapid reductions in motility and viability. The addition of exogenous catalase abrogated H2O2-induced killing. In contrast, B. malayi microfilariae were relatively resistant to H2O2, with concentrations as high as 50 μM having no effect on motility or viability. On exposure to NO, both species showed reductions in motility within 5–30 min, but longer was required to see effects on the viability of microfilariae. Parasites incubated with IFNγ-activated macrophages also exhibited marked reductions in motility and viability. In cultures with B. malayi and activated macrophages, inhibition of these effects was achieved by the addition of either L-NMMA, to abolish NO production, or neutralizing anti-TNFα antibodies. Attempts to inhibit parasite killing by the addition of catalase to macrophage cultures were ineffective. The results of this study show that B. malayi and O. lienalis microfilariae have different susceptibility to H2O2, but are equally affected by exposure to NO. Moreover both species are killed by IFNγ-activated macrophages and in the case of B. malayi, killing is dependent on the generation of NO via TNFα.
Establishment and Evaluation of Isoproterenol Induced Chronic Heart Failure and Cardiac Remodeling Model in Rats: An Experimental Study

Objective: To assess the efficacy of isoproterenol (ISO) in the establishment of chronic heart failure (CHF) and cardiac remodeling model in rats. Methods: Twelve Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: control group (n=3) and model group (n=9). Rats in model group were hypodermic injected with ISO 5mg/kg/d for 10 days. Ultrasonic cardiogram, HE staining, immunohistochemistry of collagen Ⅰ and Masson staining were performed to evaluate the cardiac function and myocardial fibrosis. Besides, ventricular mass/body mass ratio, collagen volume fraction (CVF), perivascular collagen area (PVCA), hydroxyproline (HYP) concentration and relative expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) mRNA were also detected. Results: Compared to the controls, rats in model group had a marked enlargement of cardiac dilatation and reduction of ejection fraction (57.00±3.61% vs. 44.67±3.06%, P=0.011). Ventricular mass/body mass ratio (3.60±0.31 vs. 4.88±0.34, P=0.020), CVF (5.65±0.68% vs. 27.62±4.89%, P=0.020), PVCA (11.22±3.40% vs. 28.50±4.52%, p=0.001) and HYP level (0.24±0.08μg/mg wet weight vs. 0.62±0.11μg/mg wet weight, P=0.001) were significantly increased in model group. Remarkably cardiac fibrosis were also observed in the Masson staining and immunohistochemistry. The expression of TGF-β1 mRNA was increased significantly in the model group (P=0.003). The mortality rate in the model group was 33.3% during the whole procedure. Conclusion: ISO can successfully induce a CHF and cardiac remodeling rat model with a low mortality rate.
Exhumation of serpentinized peridotite in the northern Manila subduction zone inferred from forward gravity modeling

The Taiwan Integrated Geodynamic Research program (TAIGER) collected two wide‐angle and reflection seismic transects across the northern Manila subduction zone that provide constraints on the seismic velocity structure of the crust. Two‐dimensional gravity modeling along these two transects shows a significant, relatively high density (3.12 and 3.02 g/cm3) in the fore‐arc region, at the interface between the subducting Eurasian Plate and the accretionary prism in front of the Luzon arc on the overriding Philippine Sea Plate. The anomalous density in this zone is higher than that in the fore‐arc crust and the accretionary prism but lower than that in mantle. Numerous geophysical and geological data, together with numerical models, have indicated that serpentinization of the fore‐arc mantle is both expected and observed. Serpentinization of mantle rocks can dramatically reduce their seismic velocity and therefore their seismic velocity in a density to velocity conversion. Therefore, the source of the high‐density material could be serpentinized fore‐arc mantle, with serpentinization caused by the dehydration of the subducting Eurasian Plate. We interpret that positive buoyancy combined with weak plate coupling forces in the northern Manila subduction zone is resulting in this serpentinized fore‐arc mantle peridotite being exhumed.
Association of haplotypes of inflammation‐related genes with gastric preneoplastic lesions in African Americans and Caucasians

Identification of biomarkers is needed for development of screening programs to prevent gastric cancer. Because racial differences exist in cancer rates, we aimed to evaluate the association between polymorphisms in inflammation‐related genes and gastric preneoplastic lesions in African Americans and Caucasians from Louisiana, USA. Gastric biopsies from 569 adults (361 African Americans and 208 Caucasians) undergoing diagnostic endoscopy were used for histological diagnosis and genomic DNA extraction. Polymorphisms within eight genes (IL1B, IL8, IL6, TNF, PTGS2, ARG1, IL10 and TGFB1) were investigated by TaqMan. The cagA status of Helicobacter pylori infection was assessed by PCR. Haplotype logistic regression models were used to identify variables associated with intestinal metaplasia or dysplasia. African Americans carrying the haplotype IL1B‐511T/−31C/+3954T, which includes the three risk‐associated alleles at the IL1B locus, were more likely to being diagnosed with intestinal metaplasia or dysplasia than those carrying the most common haplotype T‐C‐C (adjusted OR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.1–5.5). None of the polymorphisms were associated with intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia in Caucasians. Age and cagA‐positive status were independent factors associated with these lesions. Haplotypes at the IL1B locus may participate in mediating the susceptibility to gastric carcinogenesis and might be useful as markers of advanced premalignant lesions in African Americans. Interestingly, carriage of IL1B+3954T allele seems to be the key factor, even though the role played by other polymorphisms cannot be excluded.
Evaluation of dead beat current controllers for grid connected converters

The voltage source converters (VSCs) are widely preferred topologies for grid connection of renewable energy systems. This paper aims to evaluate the various types of deadbeat (DB) current controllers for the VSCs, which offer fast and finite settling time. The type of DB current controllers discussed in this paper aims to achieve the current command in one and two sampling time delay. Two compensation methods for one sampling time delay of DB control are the reducing the proportional gain method and Smith Predictor method. In the two sampling time delay of DB current controllers, two different implementation schemes are designed, which are based on the development of an internal model control through the feedback transfer function. In this paper four types of controllers are investigated in detail in terms of control algorithm design, system stability analysis and sensitivity analysis of plant parameter variations. In addition, PSCAD based computer simulation studies are presented in the paper to evaluate the performance of each controllers.
CYP2C9 Polymorphism and Unstable Anticoagulation with Warfarin in Patients Within the First 3 Months Following Heart Valve Replacement.

BACKGROUND Warfarin dose requirements are partly determined by common single nucleotide polymorphisms in VKORC1 and CYP2C9 genes. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate how the presence of allelic variants in CYP2C9 affects the stability of anticoagulation in patients within the first 3 months following elective heart valve replacement. MATERIAL AND METHODS In a case-control study we compared 18 consecutive carriers of CYP2C9*2 and/or *3 and 25 well-matched patients with the wild type CYP2C9*1/*1 genotype. The former group was randomly assigned to use coagulometers or monitor international normalized ratio (INR) in local outpatient clinics. Subjects receiving drugs potently interfering with warfarin were ineligible. Anticoagulation with the baseline warfarin regimens based on pharmacogenetic algorithm was assessed by time in the therapeutic INR range (TTR) within the first 3 months following implantation. RESULTS Carriers of the CYP2C9*2 and/or *3 genotypes were characterized by lower estimated warfarin dose (median, 21 [interquartile range, 21-35] vs. 35 [28-42] mg/week, p=0.02) and actual (27.8±13.2 vs. 46.3±13.9 mg/week, p<0.001), together with lower TTR values (56 [38.6-74.9] vs. 75.4 [58.1-83.6] %, p=0.03) and longer time above the therapeutic range (13.8 [4.9-34.5] vs. 4.5 [0-15.3]%, p=0.047) than patients with the CYP2C9*1/*1 genotype. There were no differences in the estimated and actual warfarin doses, TTR values and adverse events between the self-testing and standard-care subgroups. CONCLUSIONS The presence of CYP2C9*2 and/or *3 genotypes is associated with unstable warfarin treatment in patients after heart valve replacement, regardless of the type of INR testing.