Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improvement in Myocardial Function by Terminalia arjuna in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Vascular complications are a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in diabetic patients. Herbal drugs are increasingly being used in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. The present study was designed to examine the therapeutic potential of Terminalia arjuna bark extract in improving myocardial function in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. After 8 weeks of STZ administration, rats showed a decline in left ventricular pressure (LVP), maximal rate of rise and fall in LVP (LV [dP/dt] max and LV [dP/dt] min), cardiac contractility index (LV [dP/dt] max/LVP), and rise in LV end-diastolic pressure. Altered lipid profile, oxidative stress, and increased levels of endothelin 1 (ET-1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) along with histological changes in heart and pancreas were observed in diabetic rats. T arjuna significantly attenuated cardiac dysfunction and myocardial injury in diabetic rats. It also reduced oxidative stress, ET-1, and inflammatory cytokine levels. The decreased body weight, heart rate blood pressure, and raised blood sugar in diabetic rats did not improve after T arjuna therapy. Results suggest that T arjuna bark extract improves the altered myocardial function in diabetic rats possibly through maintaining endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities, decreasing ET-1 and cytokine levels.
A Framework for Simplification of PDE-Based Lithium-Ion Battery Models

Simplified models are commonly used in battery management and control, despite their (often implicit) limitations in capturing the dynamic behavior of the battery across a wide range of operating conditions. This paper seeks to develop a framework for battery model simplification starting from an initial high-order physics-based model that will explicitly detail the assumptions underpinning the development of simplified battery models. Starting from the basis of a model capturing the electrochemical, thermal, electrical, and aging dynamics in a set of partial differential equations, a systematic approach based on singular perturbations and averaging is used to simplify the dynamics through identification of disparate timescales inherent in the problem. As a result, libraries of simplified models with interconnections based on the specified assumptions are obtained. A quantitative comparison of the simplified models relative to the original model is used to justify the model reductions. To demonstrate the utility of the framework, a set of battery charging strategies is evaluated at reduced computational effort on simplified models.
PAF1 regulation of promoter-proximal pause release via enhancer activation

Multitalented enhancers Productive transcription from DNA demands initiation, elongation, and termination. Enhancers are DNA sequences that loop with promoters to initiate transcription. Chen et al. show that enhancers also regulate gene expression by modulating transcription elongation. PAF1, a RNA polymerase II–associated factor, sits on enhancers. This prevents the full activation of the enhancer required for the release of paused polymerase at promoters to achieve successful transcription elongation. Science, this issue p. 1294 Full activation of a subset of enhancers modulates the release of RNA polymerase II at promoters in a PAF1-dependent manner. Gene expression in metazoans is regulated by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) promoter-proximal pausing and its release. Previously, we showed that Pol II–associated factor 1 (PAF1) modulates the release of paused Pol II into productive elongation. Here, we found that PAF1 occupies transcriptional enhancers and restrains hyperactivation of a subset of these enhancers. Enhancer activation as the result of PAF1 loss releases Pol II from paused promoters of nearby PAF1 target genes. Knockout of PAF1-regulated enhancers attenuates the release of paused Pol II on PAF1 target genes without major interference in the establishment of pausing at their cognate promoters. Thus, a subset of enhancers can primarily modulate gene expression by controlling the release of paused Pol II in a PAF1-dependent manner.
Public awareness of Lassa fever in three rural communities of Nigeria

Lassa fever is endemic in west Africa. Persons at greatest risk are those living in rural areas with poor sanitary conditions and overcrowding. Against this background, this study aimed at assessing public awareness of Lassa fever among residents of three rural communities in Edo State, Nigeria. A total of 380 persons resident in rural Okada, Ogbese and Utese communities of Edo State, Nigeria were enrolled for this study. Age range of participants was between 15 and 69 years. A structured questionnaire was administered to all volunteer subjects to obtain relevant information. Irrespective of community studied, a total of 28 (7.4%) participants reported to have heard of Lassa fever. Male gender was associated with awareness of Lassa fever in all communities surveyed. The television was the most popular source of Lassa fever awareness in all communities studied. Among participants who reported to have heard of Lassa fever, vehicles of transmission of disease mentioned included mosquito bites 9 (32.1%), dog bites 7 (25%) and eating of rat-contaminated food 2 (7.1%). Sleeping under mosquito bed nets and intake of herbal concoction were the principal mode of prevention of Lassa fever reported by respondents. A total of 15 (53.4%) and 16 (57.1%) of persons aware of Lassa fever had no idea of any vehicle of transmission and mode of prevention of the disease, respectively. Grave misconceptions on mode of transmission and prevention of Lassa fever were observed in all communities surveyed. Renewed effort at enlightening residents of rural communities on causes, modes of transmission and prevention of Lassa fever is advocated.
STUDIES ON VARIATION IN PLASMIN (BLOOD FIBRINOLYSIN) ACTIVITY IN CASES WITH CEREBRAL APOPLECTIC DISEASES

1) In cases with cerebral hemorrhage, blood plasmin activity was elevated within 24 hours after the attack, but it tended to fall after 2 weeks.2) In cases with cerebral infarction, plasmin activity was infrequently elevated even within 24 hours after the attack.3) In cases who died from massive cerevral hemorrhage in a short time, plasmin activation was especially remarkable.4) In cases surviving relatively long after the attack of cerebral hemo-rrhage, plasmin activity showed fluctuation.5) In cases of cerebral hemorrhage taking a favorable turn, plasmin; value was frequently elevated within 24 hours after the attack, but restored to the normal level in about 2 weeks.6) In cases of angiospastic encephalopathy, plasmin value was not elevated at all within 24 hours after the attack.The mechanism of plasmin activation in cerebral apoplexy remains in obscurity in many respects on account of rapid reaction of the plasmin system, complexity of factors concerned, as well as difficulty in their assay, and must be further investigated for the elucidation. However, the results of our present study revealed that there was evident relation between cerebral hemorrhage and plasmin system, and it is considered that they will give important suggestions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cerebral apoplexy.
Inactivation of porcine endogenous retrovirus in pigs using CRISPR-Cas9

Taking the PERVs out of pigs With the severe shortage of organs needed for transplants, xenotransplantation (transplantation of nonhuman organs to humans) offers an alternative source. Some pig organs have similar size and function to those of humans. The challenge is that the pig genome harbors porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) that can potentially pass to humans with possibly damaging consequences. Niu et al. generated pigs in which all copies of PERVs were inactivated by CRISPR-Cas9 genome engineering (see the Perspective by Denner). Not only does this work provide insights into PERV activity, but it also opens the door to a safer source of organs and tissues for pig-to-human xenotransplantation. Science, this issue p. 1303; see also p. 1238 Cloned pigs can be reared that lack all porcine endogenous retroviruses. Xenotransplantation is a promising strategy to alleviate the shortage of organs for human transplantation. In addition to the concerns about pig-to-human immunological compatibility, the risk of cross-species transmission of porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) has impeded the clinical application of this approach. We previously demonstrated the feasibility of inactivating PERV activity in an immortalized pig cell line. We now confirm that PERVs infect human cells, and we observe the horizontal transfer of PERVs among human cells. Using CRISPR-Cas9, we inactivated all of the PERVs in a porcine primary cell line and generated PERV-inactivated pigs via somatic cell nuclear transfer. Our study highlights the value of PERV inactivation to prevent cross-species viral transmission and demonstrates the successful production of PERV-inactivated animals to address the safety concern in clinical xenotransplantation.
Impact of Digoxin on Mortality in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Stratified by Heart Failure

Objective: The use of digoxin in patients having atrial fibrillation (AF) with or without heart failure (HF) is not without controversy. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of digoxin therapy on mortality stratified by HF. Methods: Gulf Survey of Atrial Fibrillation Events was a prospective, multinational, observational registry of consecutive patients with AF recruited from the emergency department of 23 hospitals in 6 countries in the Middle East. Patients were recruited between October 2009 and June 2010 and followed up for 1 year after enrollment. Analyses were performed using univariate and multivariate statistical techniques. Results: The study included a total of 1962 patients with AF, with an overall mean age of 56 ± 16 years, and 52% (n = 1026) were males. At hospital discharge, digoxin was prescribed in 36% (n = 709) of the patients, whereas HF was present in 27% (n = 528) of the cohort. A total of 225 (12.1%) patients died during the 12-month follow-up period after discharge (5.3% [n = 104] were lost to follow-up). Patients with HF were consistently associated with higher mortality at 1 month (5.1% vs 2.1%; P < .001), 6 months (17.2% vs 5.0%; P < 0.001), and 12 months (24.3% vs 7.6%; P < .001) when compared to those without HF. When stratified by HF, digoxin therapy was associated with significantly higher mortality in those without HF at 6 months (8.7% vs 3.7%; adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 5.07; P < . 001) and 12 months (12.3% vs 6.0%; aOR, 4.22; P < .001) but not in those with HF (6 months: 18.6% vs 14.7%; aOR, 1.62; P = .177 and 12 months: 25.4% vs 22.4%; aOR, 1.37; P = .317). Conclusions: In patients with AF and HF, digoxin did not offer any survival advantages. However, in those without HF, digoxin therapy was, in fact, associated with significantly higher long-term mortality.
The Highly Selective Caspase-1 Inhibitor VX-765 Provides Additive Protection Against Myocardial Infarction in Rat Hearts When Combined With a Platelet Inhibitor

Use of ischemic postconditioning and other related cardioprotective interventions to treat patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has failed to improve outcomes in clinical trials. Because P2Y12 inhibitors are themselves postconditioning mimetics, it has been postulated that the loading dose of platelet inhibitors routinely given to patients treated for AMI masks the anti-infarct effect of other intended cardioprotective interventions. To further improve outcomes of patients with AMI, an intervention must be able to provide additive protection in the presence of a P2Y12 platelet inhibitor. Previous studies reported an anti-infarct effect using a peptide inhibitor of the pro-inflammatory caspase-1 in animal models of AMI. Herein we tested whether a pharmacologic caspase-1 inhibitor can further limit infarct size in open-chest, anesthetized rats treated with a P2Y12 inhibitor. One hour occlusion of a coronary branch followed by 2 hours of reperfusion was used to simulate clinical AMI and reflow. One group of rats received an intravenous bolus of 16 mg/kg of the highly selective caspase-1 inhibitor VX-765 30 minutes prior to onset of ischemia. A second group received a 60 µg/kg intravenous bolus of the P2Y12 inhibitor cangrelor 10 minutes prior to reperfusion followed by 6 µg/kg/min continuous infusion. A third group received treatment with both inhibitors as above. Control animals received no treatment. Infarct size was measured by tetrazolium stain and volume of muscle at risk by fluorescent microspheres. In untreated hearts, 73.7% ± 4.1% of the ischemic zone infarcted. Treatment with either cangrelor or VX-765 alone reduced infarct size to 43.8% ± 2.4% and 39.6% ± 3.6% of the ischemic zone, respectively. Combining cangrelor and VX-765 was highly protective, resulting in only 14.0% ± 2.9% infarction. The ability of VX-765 to provide protection beyond that of a platelet inhibitor alone positions it as an attractive candidate therapy to further improve outcomes in today’s patients with AMI.
Impact of Test Conditions on ADP-Induced Platelet Function Results With the Multiplate Assay: Is Further Standardization Required?

Background: Platelet function testing was suggested to help tailor P2Y12-inhibitor therapy; however, the lack of proper standardization is still a limitation. Methods: In a prospective study, we enrolled clopidogrel-treated and P2Y12-inhibitor naive patients to investigate the influence of (1) time from blood collection, (2) stability of the stored Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) reagent, and (3) the use of enoxaparin on results of the Multiplate assay. Measurements were performed from samples kept for 0, 30, 60, 120, and 240 minutes at room temperature before processing. To determine the impact of the reagent stability, freshly thawed ADP was compared with ADP kept for 3 to 5 or 8 to 13 days at 2°C to 8°C. Finally, samples containing enoxaparin at therapeutic or prophylactic doses were compared with enoxaparin-free blood. Results: A total of 180 measurements were performed. ADP-stimulated platelet reactivity values decreased significantly over time (67 ± 40 U to 68 ± 37 U to 58 ± 37 U to 45 ± 33 U to 35 ± 33 U; P < .0001). Consequently, a dramatic reduction was observed in the proportion of patients with high platelet reactivity (P < .0001). A significant drop in platelet reactivity was observed with ADP stored for 8 to 13 days as compared to freshly thawed ADP (P = .011). Enoxaparin triggered a slight, concentration-dependent increase in platelet reactivity (P < .05). Conclusion: Test conditions may have profound impacts on the obtained results with the Multiplate assay. Our findings highlight the large influence of the time from sample collection until testing, suggesting that measurements should be performed within an hour of blood collection.
Development of the Family Nurse Caring Belief Scale (FNCBS)

Measurement of family nursing practice phenomena needs particular attention. This study develops a new instrument, Family Nursing Caring Belief Scale (FNCBS), that measures nurse attitudes regarding provision of family-sensitive care to families in crisis and establishes initial psychometric properties. Classical test theory was used to construct a discriminative, summative instrument for measuring nurse attitudes. Internal consistency reliability in a randomly selected sample (N = 163) of pediatric intensive care unit and neonatal intensive care unit nurses was estimated at . 81 (Cronbach's α) and . 78 (Guttman split half). A four-factor structure was revealed: ethical caring practices, systems orientation to family, child advocacy, and normalizing milieu. The FNCBS demonstrated concurrent (r = .57) and criterion-related validities. The FNCBS demonstrated sound psychometric properties with a child-rearing population of families and has the potential for future use in family nursing research, education, and practice. It requires further assessment before testing with an adult population.
VLSI Implementation of High-Performance Error Concealment Processor for TV Broadcasting

This paper presents an error concealment processor to increase the performance of the TV receiver while the decoding bit stream over error-prone channel suffers from damage. An efficient error-concealment algorithm is advised with the adaptation of the spatial interpolation and the temporal prediction to reduce the nonmatched error for high motion regions and achieve fine resolution for still or low motion regions. Based on the adaptive algorithm, we proposed a parallel VLSI architecture with pipeline scheduling for real time implementation. The error concealment processor consists of the computational core, RAM block and interface, and then is integrated to the video decoder by using a complex processing schedule. The computational sources are commonly used for various frame types processing to reduce the hardware cost. The chip occupies about 27 k gates and includes one on-chip line-buffer. The silicon area is about 9 mm2 and the throughput rate can achieve 50 Mpixels/s, when implemented by 0.35-mum CMOS technology.
Voices From the Street

Homelessness threatens the health and well-being of thousands of families in the United States, yet little is known about their specific needs and how current services address them. To fill this knowledge gap, we explored the experiences of homelessness families in Detroit, Michigan. We targeted homeless mothers and their caseworkers for study to see if the perceptions of needs and services were in alignment. Using focus groups and content analysis, we identified four overarching themes that illustrate homeless mothers’ experience with homelessness. We then analyzed data from caseworkers to look specifically for similarities and differences in their perceptions. Key findings included reports of family histories of violence, poverty, social isolation, and a lack of informal support as contributing to homelessness. The differing perspectives of mothers and their caseworkers regarding how best to move forward highlight how current programs and services may not be meeting the needs of this growing and vulnerable cohort.
Genomic correlates of response to immune checkpoint therapies in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

SNF'ing out antitumor immunity Immune checkpoint inhibitors induce durable tumor regressions in some, but not all, cancer patients. Understanding the mechanisms that determine tumor sensitivity to these drugs could potentially expand the number of patients who benefit (see the Perspective by Ghorani and Quezada). Pan et al. discovered that tumor cells in which a specific SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex had been experimentally inactivated were more sensitive to T cell–mediated killing. The cells were more responsive to interferon-γ, leading to increased secretion of cytokines that promote antitumor immunity. Miao et al. examined the genomic features of tumors from patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who had been treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Tumors harboring inactivating mutations in PBRM1, which encodes a subunit of the same SWI/SNF complex, were more likely to respond to the drugs. Science, this issue p. 770, p. 801; see also p. 745 Renal cell cancers with mutations in a specific chromatin regulator have a better clinical response to immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting the programmed cell death 1 receptor (PD-1) improve survival in a subset of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). To identify genomic alterations in ccRCC that correlate with response to anti–PD-1 monotherapy, we performed whole-exome sequencing of metastatic ccRCC from 35 patients. We found that clinical benefit was associated with loss-of-function mutations in the PBRM1 gene (P = 0.012), which encodes a subunit of the PBAF switch-sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex. We confirmed this finding in an independent validation cohort of 63 ccRCC patients treated with PD-1 or PD-L1 (PD-1 ligand) blockade therapy alone or in combination with anti–CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4) therapies (P = 0.0071). Gene-expression analysis of PBAF-deficient ccRCC cell lines and PBRM1-deficient tumors revealed altered transcriptional output in JAK-STAT (Janus kinase–signal transducers and activators of transcription), hypoxia, and immune signaling pathways. PBRM1 loss in ccRCC may alter global tumor-cell expression profiles to influence responsiveness to immune checkpoint therapy.
Waiting to Return to Normal

The illness suffering of families in childhood cancer is characterized in part by a loss of family normalcy. Hermeneutic phenomenology and family process research methods were used to analyze videotaped family intervention sessions and post-intervention family/clinician interviews. Within this article, some of the findings from the larger doctoral study that focused on the illness suffering of family members and relational, family systems intervention based on the Illness Beliefs Model are described. Although the larger study included findings of family interventions that addressed several aspects of the illness suffering experienced, this article details specific findings related to the theme of the loss of family normalcy and a longing to return home. Family systems intervention practices which facilitated a lessening of illness suffering included the following: offering new interpretations of suffering within a reflecting team, articulating family strength, sensitively acknowledging the illness suffering, and eliciting the experiences of family members in a shared therapeutic conversation.
A Prospective Study of Injury Pattern in Victim of Assault Attended in South Mumbai Government Hospital

Assault was the main crime since long back from history. The present study was conducted in accident and emergency Department of Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Hospital located in south Mumbai over the period of two years from October 2011 to September 2013. Total 1288 cases of assault observed out of which 1100 were male (85.4%) and 188 were female (14.6%). The age group which was maximally affected in case of male and female was same i.e. 21–30 year. In males majority of injuries were simple in nature 803 (73%). While in females no grievous injury noted.