Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A first-principle analysis on the phase stabilities, chemical bonds and band gaps of wurtzite structure AxZn1−xO alloys (A = Ca, Cd, Mg)

The phase stabilities and structural and electronic properties of three zinc-based oxide alloy systems (CaxZn1−xO, CdxZn1−xO and MgxZn1−xO) are studied by first-principle methods. We examine all alloy configurations in three 16-atom supercells (1 × 1 × 2 B1 phase structure, 2 × 2 × 1 and 2 × 1 × 2 B4 phase structures) and utilize symmetry of the bulk materials to reduce the amount of calculation. Taking into account the contribution of the alloy statistics, we have drawn the regions of phase stability for CaxZn1−xO (0.25<x<0.375), MgxZn1−xO (0.375<x<0.5) and CdxZn1−xO (0.75<x<0.875). We have also analyzed lattice constants (a and c), structural parameter u and the bond lengths in the wurtzite phases. We found that the averaged lattice constants of MgxZn1−xO and CaxZn1−xO do not follow the Vegard rule and this is related to the degree of instability of the wurtzite MgO and CaO. Wurtzite CaO is not stable and turns into hexagonal CaO upon geometry optimization. The calculated band gaps are found to be consistent with the experimental values for alloys CdxZn1−xO and MgxZn1−xO. The bowing parameters for alloys MgxZn1−xO and CdxZn1−xO are estimated to be 0.87 and 1.30 eV, respectively.
Omega 3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Supplementation and Blood Pressure Levels in Hypertriglyceridemic Patients with Untreated Normal-High Blood Pressure and With or Without Metabolic Syndrome: A Retrospective Study

Recent evidence suggests that at least a part of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) heart protective effect is mediated by a relatively small but significant decrease in blood pressure level. We retrospectively evaluated the long-term effect of a PUFA supplementation on the blood pressure level of 111 hypertriglyceridemic subjects with untreated normal-high blood pressure that were prescribed a 2 grams PUFA supplementation in order to improve their plasma lipid pattern. After 12 months of treatment, systolic blood pressure (SBP) meanly decreased by 2.7 ± 2.5 mmHg (p = 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 1.3 ± 3.3 mmHg (p < 0.001), while basal heart rate decreased by 4.0 ± 4.4 bpm (p < 0.001). Both SBP and DBP reduction were significantly related to the baseline SBP (p < 0.001) and DBP (p < 0.001), respectively. Diastolic blood pressure change was also inversely related to the patient's age (p = 0.004). No significant difference was perceived in the metabolic syndrome subgroup. In our retrospective study, highly purified omega-3 PUFA long-term supplementation is associated with a significant reduction in SBP, DBP, Pulse pressure (PP), and basal heart rate in hypertriglyceridemic patients with normal-high blood pressure. No significant difference was perceived in the metabolic syndrome subgroup. The main determinants of the PUFA anti-hypertensive effect appear to be the basal blood pressure level and age.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma lipids of diabetic children during and after diabetic ketoacidosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM Previously we reported significantly higher plasma values of the essential fatty acids but significantly lower values of their longer-chain metabolites in diabetic children than in healthy controls. Here, we report data on the acute effect of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) on the fatty acid composition of plasma lipids. METHODS Diabetic children (n=9; age: 16.1 [3.3] y; duration of diabetes: 5.0 [5.3.] y; daily insulin dose: 0.87 [0.66] unit/kg body weight/d; glycated haemoglobin: 13.4 [2.8] %; median [IQR]) were investigated at admission for DKA (during DKA) and at the end of the treatment of DKA (after DKA). Fatty acid composition of plasma lipid classes was determined by high-resolution capillary gas-liquid chromatography. RESULTS Blood glucose (27.0 [8.5] vs 6.5 [1.6] mmol/l), pH (7.28 [0.35] vs 7.36 [0.06]) and base excess (-8.9 [15.1] vs -2.2 [6.3] mmol/l) were grossly abnormal during but not after DKA. Values of linoleic acid were significantly lower after than during DKA (non-esterifed fatty acids (NEFA): 15.55 [1.47] vs 12.27 [5.74] % wt/wt; triacylglycerols (TG): 20.84 [9.23] vs 17.40 [5.78]; p<0.05). In contrast, values of gamma-linolenic acid (NEFA: 0.87 [0.54] vs 2.34 [1.85]; p<0.05) and arachidonic acid (TG: 1.37 [0.71] vs 1.74 [0.57]; p<0.05) were significantly lower during than after DKA. The product/substrate ratios for delta-6 desaturation were significantly lower during than after DKA. CONCLUSION Successful treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis is associated with a significant increase of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid values in blood plasma in diabetic children. This observation suggests that disturbances of essential fatty acid metabolism in diabetic children are related not only to diet but to hypoinsulinaemia as well.
Polymorphisms in the mannose binding lectin‐2 gene and acute respiratory distress syndrome*

Objective: The variant alleles in the mannose binding lectin‐2 (MBL‐2) gene have been associated with MBL deficiency and increased susceptibility to sepsis. We postulate that the variant MBL‐2 genotypes are associated with increased susceptibility to and mortality in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Design: Nested case‐control study. Setting: Tertiary academic medical center. Patients: Two hundred and twelve Caucasians with ARDS and 442 controls genotyped for the variant X, D, B, and C alleles of codon −221, 52, 54, and 57, respectively. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Patients homozygous for the variant codon 54B allele (54BB) had worse severity of illness on admission (p = .007), greater likelihood of septic shock (p = .04), and increased odds of ARDS (adjusted odds ratio, 6.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.5–31) when compared with heterozygotes and homozygotes for the wild‐type allele. This association with ARDS was especially strong among the 311 patients with septic shock (adjusted odds ratio, 12.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.9–74). Among the patients with ARDS, the 54BB genotype was associated with more daily organ dysfunction (p = .01) and higher mortality (adjusted hazard rate, 4.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.6–10). Development of ARDS and outcomes in ARDS did not vary significantly with variant alleles of codon −221, 52, and 57, but the power to detect an effect was limited secondary to the low allele frequencies. Conclusions: The MBL‐2 codon 54BB genotype may be important in ARDS susceptibility and outcome. Additional studies are needed to confirm these findings in other populations.
Humanin, a Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide Released by Astrocytes, Prevents Synapse Loss in Hippocampal Neurons

Astroglial cells are crucial for central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis. They undergo complex morpho-functional changes during aging and in response to hormonal milieu. Ovarian hormones positively affect different astroglia parameters, including regulation of cell morphology and release of neurotrophic and neuroprotective factors. Thus, ovarian hormone loss during menopause has profound impact in astroglial pathophysilogy and has been widely associated to the process of brain aging. Humanin (HN) is a secreted mitochondrial-encoded peptide with neuroprotective effects. It is localized in several tissues with high metabolic rate and its expression decreases with age. In the brain, humanin has been found in glial cells in physiological conditions. We previously reported that surgical menopause induces hippocampal mitochondrial dysfunction that mimics an aging phenotype. However, the effect of ovarian hormone deprivation on humanin expression in this area has not been studied. Also, whether astrocytes express and release humanin and the regulation of such processes by ovarian hormones remain elusive. Although humanin has also proven to be beneficial in ameliorating cognitive impairment induced by different insults, its putative actions on structural synaptic plasticity have not been fully addressed. In a model of surgical menopause in rats, we studied hippocampal humanin expression and localization by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and double immunohistochemistry, respectively. Humanin production and release and ovarian hormone regulation of such processes were studied in cultured astrocytes by flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. Humanin effects on glutamate-induced structural synaptic alterations were determined in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons by immunocytochemistry. Humanin expression was lower in the hippocampus of ovariectomized rats and its immunoreactivity colocalized with astroglial markers. Chronic ovariectomy also promoted the presence of less complex astrocytes in this area. Ovarian hormones increased humanin intracellular content and release by cultured astrocytes. Humanin prevented glutamate-induced dendritic atrophy and reduction in puncta number and total puncta area for pre-synaptic marker synaptophysin in cultured hippocampal neurons. In conclusion, astroglial functional and morphological alterations induced by chronic ovariectomy resemble an aging phenotype and could affect astroglial support to neuronal function by altering synaptic connectivity and functionality. Reduced astroglial-derived humanin may represent an underlying mechanism for synaptic dysfunction and cognitive decline after menopause.
Lymphocyte subsets and natural killer cell responses during cytomegalovirus mononucleosis

Cell-mediated immunity in seven patients with cytomegalovirus mononucleosis was assessed by monoclonal antibody to lymphocyte subsets, lymphocyte blastogenesis, and natural killer cell activity. The patients had decreased ratios of helper (Leu 3a) to suppressor-cytotoxic (Leu 2a) T cells as compared with normal donors. Leu 2a+ T cells from the patients were uniquely sensitive to overnight culturing, which resulted in a 2.6-fold increase in the helper/suppressor cell ratio and the appearance of an unusual third Leu 1+ 2a- 3a- T cell subset. This correlated directly with enhanced blastogenesis to concanavalin A after preculture. Base-line and interferon-boosted natural killer cell responses versus K562 cell targets during cytomegalovirus mononucleosis did not differ from those of normal donors. This suggests that certain cellular immune functions are depressed during cytomegalovirus mononucleosis in correlation with the emergence of a culture-sensitive subset of suppressor T cells. In contrast, cytotoxic lymphocytes appear to function normally and may aid in the resolution of the illness.
A Mouse Model for the Study of Vascular Permeability Changes Induced by Arsenic

The primary objective of our present research was to develop an animal model for the investigation of arsenic-induced vasculopathy. Epidemiological evidence indicated that, aside from cancer, cardiovascular-related diseases were probably the most prominent health concerns in arseniasis areas. Although there were many investigations on the effect of arsenic on endothelial cells, most of these studies were conducted under in vitro conditions. A good animal model for studying the effects of arsenic on vascular integrity in vivo is very much needed. We have previously developed a rat model that could be used to demonstrate vascular changes induced by arsenic in vivo. In the present report, we are introducing a new model that is even more sensitive, economical, and effective than our original rat model. Taking advantage of the characteristics of mouse ears (thin, delicate, and with easily visible blood vessels), we demonstrated the pattern and extent of vascular leakage induced by arsenic clearly, quantitatively and convincingly. With this model, we demonstrated a time-dependent increase in vascular permeability induced by arsenic (a fourfold increase in vascular leakage was observed between 10–60 minutes). With this model, we were also able to demonstrate that small caliber vessels were more vulnerable than vessels of larger caliber. Thus, this animal model can provide dynamic information (from toxic effects, pathology, and functional alterations to cellular/molecular mechanisms) that cell culture techniques are unable to provide. The introduction of this model hopefully will stimulate and inspire many other new in vivo investigations on vasculopathy induced by arsenic or other chemicals in the future.
1 Virtual Environments in Physical Therapy

This chapter examines virtual environments which usually represent computer simulated environments, otherwise called virtual worlds or virtual reality and its application in physical therapy. Virtual environments present computer-generated three-dimensional (3D) representation of a physical presence of places in the real world as well as in the imaginary world. Users mainly interact with virtual environments using virtual reality headsets. Many of the current virtual reality environments are primarily visual experiences display either on a computer screens or through other stereoscopic displays. Applications of virtual environments are mainly focused on artificial reality that projects users into a 3D space generated by the computer with some sort of tracking devices which may be the virtual reality headsets worn or another 3D tracking device attached to the body of the user such as the electromagnetic tracker system. Research in virtual environments has made significant impact in the entertainment industry and in the training field such as the flight simulator (Stern, 1995).
STS‐1 promotes IFN‐α induced autophagy by activating the JAK1‐STAT1 signaling pathway in B cells

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the overexpression of IFN‐α. IFN‐α induces autophagy via the JAK1‐STAT1 signaling pathway, contributing to the pathogenesis of SLE. Recent studies reported that B cells from patients with SLE and NZB/W F1 mice had enhanced autophagy activity; however, the mechanism still remains unknown. Here, we show that the protein tyrosine phosphatase STS‐1 (suppressor of T‐cell receptor signaling 1) was significantly overexpressed in B cells from patients with SLE and MRL/lpr mice. Notably, STS‐1 promoted IFN‐α‐induced autophagy in B cells by enhancing the JAK1‐STAT1 signaling activation. STS‐1 inhibited the phosphorylation of the E3 ubiquitin protein ligase c‐cbl, and subsequently promoted IFN‐α‐induced phosphorylation of tyrosine kinase 2, leading to JAK1‐STAT1 signaling activation. Furthermore, STAT1 and JAK1 inhibitors blocked the IFN‐α‐induced autophagy promoted by STS‐1, indicating that STS‐1 promotes IFN‐α‐induced autophagy via the JAK1‐STAT1 signaling. Our results demonstrate the importance of STS‐1 in regulating IFN‐α‐induced autophagy in B cells, and this could be used as a therapeutic approach to treat SLE.
Magnetic Alignment of Nanowires

Spatial manipulation and ability to assemble and position nanostructures in a controlled manner so they are registered to lithographically defined contacts is a critical step toward scalable integration in high-density nanodevices. By integrating ferromagnetic ends on nanostructures and using the magnetic interaction between ferromagnetic ends and electrodes, we demonstrated assembling, positioning, and spatial manipulating of nanostructures on ferromagnetic contacts. Segmented nickel/gold/nickel (Ni/Au/Ni) and nickel/bismuth/nickel (Ni/Bi/Ni) nanowires with controlled dimensions were fabricated by template-directed electrodeposition. One hundred percent magnetic alignment of nanostructures to the imposed magnetic fields was achieved by applying a low external magnetic field of 200 Oe. In addition, directional controllability of the magnetic assembling technique was demonstrated by assembling nanostructures with angles from 45° to 135° with respect to the electrodes. This magnetic assembly technique was s.
Status of birth preparedness and complication readiness in a rural community: a study from West Bengal, India

Problems: Birth-preparedness and complication-readiness (BP/CR) is a tool to promote maternal and neonatal survival. This study was conducted to assess the perception and practices of recently delivered women on BP/CR with its correlates. Methods: In a cross-sectional, community-based study, 240 women who delivered in last 12 months, selected through two-stage 30-cluster sampling from a rural community in Bankura district, West Bengal, India were interviewed. Result: Overall BP/CR index of the study population was 49.4. Proportion of women who received first antenatal check-up within first trimester, four or more antenatal check- ups, saved money for childbirth and had institutional delivery were 83.8%, 87.9%, 84.6% and 90.0% respectively. Around one-sixth women had knowledge of key danger signs of obstetric complications and 12.9% identified blood donor. Working women and women of high-risk age group, Muslim religion, and lower educational status had lower BPCR index. Women with multiparity were less likely to have first check-up within 12 weeks, four antenatal check-ups and institutional delivery. Conclusion: Contacts with health system during service utilization can be used to promote BP/CR practices.
Peripheral T-cell Lymphoma Presenting with Rapidly Progressing Myelofibrosis

Myelofibrosis following peripheral T-cell lymphoma has rarely been reported. Described here is a case of peripheral T-cell lymphoma with myelofibrosis and elevated transforming growth factor beta (TGF- β ). A 69 years old male was admitted due to anemia and thrombocytopenia. His bone marrow showed fibrosis and was infiltrated with small lymphoid cells and a few residual normal hematopoietic cells. He had presented with hepatosplenomegaly and left inguinal lymph node swelling. Biopsy of the left inguinal lymph node revealed diffuse mature small lymphoid cells with atypical nuclei. Immunophenotyping of the small lymphoid cells were positive for CD3, CD8, TCR α β and HLA-DR and were negative for CD4, CD19, CD20 and CD56. T-cell receptor β -chain gene was rearranged in bone marrow cells. He was diagnosed as having peripheral T-cell lymphoma complicated with myelofibrosis. Chemotherapy was administrated which improved his pancytopenia and symptoms. Two years later, anemia and thrombocytopenia developed rather quickly, he died because of progression of myelofibrosis with severe pancytopenia.
The antioxidant action of taurine, hypotaurine and their metabolic precursors.

It has been suggested that taurine, hypotaurine and their metabolic precursors (cysteic acid, cysteamine and cysteinesulphinic acid) might act as antioxidants in vivo. The rates of their reactions with the biologically important oxidants hydroxyl radical (.OH), superoxide radical (O2.-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) were studied. Their ability to inhibit iron-ion-dependent formation of . OH from H2O2 by chelating iron ions was also tested. Taurine does not react rapidly with O2. -, H2O2 or . OH, and the product of its reaction with HOCl is still sufficiently oxidizing to inactivate alpha 1-antiproteinase. Thus it seems unlikely that taurine functions as an antioxidant in vivo. Cysteic acid is also poorly reactive to the above oxidizing species. By contrast, hypotaurine is an excellent scavenger of . OH and HOCl and can interfere with iron-ion-dependent formation of . OH, although no reaction with O2. - or H2O2 could be detected within the limits of our assay techniques. Cysteamine is an excellent scavenger of . OH and HOCl; it also reacts with H2O2, but no reaction with O2. - could be measured within the limits of our assay techniques. It is concluded that cysteamine and hypotaurine are far more likely to act as antioxidants in vivo than is taurine, provided that they are present in sufficient concentration at sites of oxidant generation.
Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of macrolide resistance among Staphylococcus aureus isolates in Isfahan, Iran

Background and Objectives: Macrolide, lincosamide and streptogramin B (MLS B) are noteworthy antibiotics for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections. The purpose of this study, was to determine the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of macrolide resistance, among S. aureus, isolated from clinical samples and nasal swabs. Materials and Methods: Totally, 162 non-duplicate S. aureus isolates were collected from clinical samples and nasal swabs, from patients and healthcare workers (HCWs), between March 2016 and September 2016, at four teaching hospitals in Isfahan. The antibiotic resistance profile was determined using disk diffusion test and the presence of resistance genes was detected, using PCR. Results: Of 162 S. aureus isolates, 43.8% (71/162) and 34% (55/162) isolates were erythromycin-resistant and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), respectively. The prevalence of constitutive MLS B (cMLS B), inducible MLS B (iMLS B), macrolide-streptogramin B-resistant (MS B) and lincosamide-streptogramin-A resistance (LS A) phenotype was 32%, 6%, 6% and 2%, respectively. The most common erythromycin resistance genes, in S. aureus isolates were ermC (35.2%), followed by ermA (20.4%) and msrA (17.3%). Meanwhile, msrA was detected in 43.6% of MRSA isolates. The frequency of coexistence of ermA+ermC+msrA, in S. aureus isolates was 7% and it was only detected in MRSA isolates. Conclusion: In the current study, cMLS B phenotype was the most common erythromycin resistance pattern and ermC was the most prevalent gene in erythromycin-resistant isolates. The results revealed that the various mechanisms of erythromycin resistance are expanding in Isfahan.
/spl pi//2 alternate-phase on-off keyed 42.7 Gb/s long-haul transmission over 1980 km of standard single-mode fiber

The authors present 42.7-Gb/s return-to-zero on-off keying pulse-overlapped 1980-km transmission experiments on standard single-mode fiber, which compare the performances of the 33% duty-cycle /spl pi//2 alternate-phase format to the 33% duty-cycle return-to-zero and the 67% duty-cycle carrier-suppressed return-to-zero on-off keying formats. The results show that an effective reduction in nonlinear transmission penalty from intrachannel four-wave mixing can be achieved in systems where strong pulse overlap occurs. Experiments show an increased optimum launch power of 2 dB can be realized with the /spl pi//2 alternate-phase format resulting in a >3 dB improvement in Q as compared to the return-to-zero and carrier-suppressed return-to-zero formats due to a reduction in intrachannel four-wave mixing.
Chronic Nerve Compression—an Experimental Model in the Rat

This study reports a rat model of chronic nerve compression. The sciatic nerves of adult male Sprague Dawley rats were banded with 1-cm lengths of tubing with varying internal diameters. Histological and electrical studies as well as studies to assess the blood-nerve barrier function were carried out at one through six months. With marked compression of the sciatic nerve, profound electrical changes were noted as early as one month, and histological findings were those of degeneration and regeneration. In the rats with minimal compression, nerve conduction studies remained normal. The earliest findings were alterations in the bloodnerve barrier, followed by histological changes in the large myelinated fibers at the periphery of the fascicles and changes about the nodes of Ranvier. This model appears to be a valid one with which to study other aspects of both the pathophysiology and treatment of chronic nerve compression.