Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Obestatin promotes survival of pancreatic beta-cells and human islets and induces expression of genes involved in the regulation of beta-cell mass and function.

OBJECTIVE Obestatin is a newly discovered peptide encoded by the ghrelin gene whose biological functions are poorly understood. We investigated obestatin effect on survival of beta-cells and human pancreatic islets and the underlying signaling pathways. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS beta-Cells and human islets were used to assess obestatin effect on cell proliferation, survival, apoptosis, intracellular signaling, and gene expression. RESULTS Obestatin showed specific binding on HIT-T15 and INS-1E beta-cells, bound to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), and recognized ghrelin binding sites. Obestatin exerted proliferative, survival, and antiapoptotic effects under serum-deprived conditions and interferon-gamma/tumor necrosis factor-alpha/interleukin-1 beta treatment, particularly at pharmacological concentrations. Ghrelin receptor antagonist [D-Lys(3)]-growth hormone releasing peptide-6 and anti-ghrelin antibody prevented obestatin-induced survival in beta-cells and human islets. beta-Cells and islet cells released obestatin, and addition of anti-obestatin antibody reduced their viability. Obestatin increased beta-cell cAMP and activated extracellular signal-related kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase)/Akt; its antiapoptotic effect was blocked by inhibition of adenylyl cyclase/cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA), PI 3-kinase/Akt, and ERK1/2 signaling. Moreover, obestatin upregulated GLP-1R mRNA and insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2) expression and phosphorylation. The GLP-1R antagonist exendin-(9-39) reduced obestatin effect on beta-cell survival. In human islets, obestatin, whose immunoreactivity colocalized with that of ghrelin, promoted cell survival and blocked cytokine-induced apoptosis through cAMP increase and involvement of adenylyl cyclase/cAMP/PKA signaling. Moreover, obestatin 1) induced PI 3-kinase/Akt, ERK1/2, and also cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation; 2) stimulated insulin secretion and gene expression; and 3) upregulated GLP-1R, IRS-2, pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1, and glucokinase mRNA. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that obestatin promotes beta-cell and human islet cell survival and stimulates the expression of main regulatory beta-cell genes, identifying a new role for this peptide within the endocrine pancreas.
Evaluation of Autograft Characteristics After Pterygium Excision Surgery: Autologous Blood Coagulum Versus Fibrin Glue

Purpose: To compare graft outcomes following pterygium excision and conjunctival autograft fixation using patient's in situ autologous blood or standard fibrin glue-assisted conjunctival autograft adhesion. Methods: Outcomes of 23 consecutive eyes which underwent pterygium excision and conjunctival autograft with autologous in situ blood coagulum (group I) were compared with historical case controls (20 eyes) that had undergone fibrin glue-assisted conjunctival autograft (group II). Primary outcome measure was graft stability. Secondary outcome measure was severity of graft inflammation at day 1, day 7, 3 months, and 6 months. Results: The two groups were similar regarding age, gender, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refractive error, tear function tests, and pterygium size. Mean surgical time was similar for the two groups (14.2±2.74 min, group I; 12.25±1.88 min, group II; P=0.1); with the mean difference in operative time being 1.95 min (95% CI, 0.48–3.42 min). Postoperatively, there was a statistically significant reduction in astigmatism and improvement in UCVA, BCVA, and spherical equivalent in all eyes. No difference was found in mean epithelial defect healing time, UCVA, BCVA, astigmatism, tear film break-up time, and Schirmer I and II at 6 months between the two groups. Initial graft stability was better for group II at 1 month (P=0.001) but was similar for both groups at 6 months. Median score of graft inflammation was significantly more for group II during the first week (P<0.05; Wilcoxon rank-sum test). Conclusion: Autologous blood may be used as an effective alternative with lesser postoperative inflammation in comparison to glue-assisted autograft fixation.
About the National Center for Sustainable Transportation

16. ABSTRACT This report evaluates the market status and potential freight market penetration of zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) and near-ZEVs in the medium and heavy duty class within the California market. It evaluates alternative technologies, primarily battery electric, fuel cell, and hybrid technologies, and compares them to existing gasoline, diesel, and natural gas vehicles used in comparable applications. Refueling infrastructure requirements and logistics planning are considered along with vehicle technology. The report's primary focus is on intra-urban, as opposed to long haul, deployment scenarios. Intra-urban scenarios produce the greatest potential for reduction of pollutant exposure while minimizing problems associated with the reduced range of some developing vehicle technologies. In California, there are currently 2080 hybrid, 300 medium duty and 40 heavy duty electric vehicles in demonstration or revenue service. There are currently plans to deploy several dozen heavy duty fuel cell vehicles in the near future. The literature review finds that while there are substantial existing studies providing direct comparisons between light-duty electric and fossil­ fueled vehicles during actual operation, heavy-duty electric vehicles (e.g., class 8) have been less well studied. Fuel cell vehicle studies are also very sparse, and are primarily available in the public transit sector for buses. ZEV vehicles are still comparatively more expensive to purchase, though they have much higher fuel efficiency when compared with traditional diesel technology. Due to range restrictions, these vehicles would also require additional attention to routing and refueling, which at present is considered on a case-by-case basis by each company conducting demonstration projects thus has limited comparability.
A Personal Introduction to Theoretical Dictionary Learning

I started to get interested in dictionary learning in 2007 at the end of my 2nd PhD year. My PhD topic was roughly sparsity and dictionaries, as this was what Pierre (Vandergheynst), my advisor, made almost all the group do to some degree. Since the group was a happy mix of computer scientists, electric engineers and mathematicians led by a theoretical physicist, a dictionary Φ was defined as a collection of K unit norm vectors φk ∈ Rd called atoms. The atoms were stacked as columns in a matrix, which by abuse of notation was also referred to as the dictionary, that is Φ = (φ1, . . . ,φK) ∈ Rd×K . A signal y ∈ Rd was called sparse in a dictionary Φ if up to a small approximation error or noise it could be represented as linear combination of a small (sparse) number of dictionary atoms,
Maturation of Rhodococcus equi‐Containing Vacuoles is Arrested After Completion of the Early Endosome Stage

Rhodococcus equi is a facultative intracellular bacterium that can cause bronchopneumonia in foals and AIDS patients. Here, we have analyzed R. equi‐containing vacuoles (RCVs) in murine macrophages by confocal laser scanning microscopy, by transmission electron microscopy and by immunochemistry upon purification. We show that RCVs progress normally through the early stages of phagosome maturation acquiring PI(3)P, early endosome antigen‐1, and Rab5, and loosing all or much of them within minutes. Although mature RCVs possess the normally late endocytic markers, lysosome‐associated membrane proteins, lysobisphosphatidic acid and Rab7, they lack other hallmark features of late endocytic organelles such as possession of cathepsin D, acid β‐glucuronidase, proton‐pumping ATPase and the ability to fuse with prelabeled lysosomes. Bacterial strains possessing a virulence‐associated plasmid maintain a nonacidified compartment for 48 h, whereas isogenic strains lacking such plasmids acidify progressively. In summary, RCVs represent a novel phagosome maturation stage positioned after completion of the early endosome stage and before reaching a fully mature late endosome compartment. In addition, vacuole biogenesis can be influenced by bacterial plasmids.
Alterations in cholesterol homeostasis are associated with coronary heart disease in patients with aortic stenosis

ObjectiveHypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for aortic stenosis (AS) and for coronary artery disease (CAD). Serum cholesterol concentrations are determined by intestinal cholesterol absorption and endogenous cholesterol synthesis. Vascular effects of differences in cholesterol metabolism in patients with AS are so far unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate differences in cholesterol metabolism in relation to vascular diseases in this subset of patients. MethodsIn addition to identifying conventional coronary risk factors, we determined plant sterols (indicators of cholesterol absorption) and lathosterol (indicator of cholesterol synthesis) levels in 40 consecutive men and women with AS. Coronary angiograms before the aortic valve replacement determined the extent of CAD. ResultsPatients with a positive history of cardiovascular disease exhibited an increased campesterol-to-lathosterol ratio in plasma (P<0.005) and in aortic valve cusps (P<0.05). The plasma campesterol-to-lathosterol ratio increased with CAD severity (zero, single, two, three-vessel disease; P<0.05). Coronary vessel score strongly correlated with the campesterol-to-lathosterol ratio in plasma (r = 0.52; P<0.001) and in aortic valve cusps (r = 0.33; P<0.03). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the ratio of campesterol-to-lathosterol was the sole predictor of CAD among coronary risk factors tested (P<0.01). ConclusionEnhanced absorption and reduced synthesis of cholesterol is related to a positive family history of cardiovascular diseases and the development of concomitant CAD in patients with AS.
Spontaneous Rhythmic Synchronous Activity in Epileptic Human and Normal Monkey Temporal Lobe

Summary: Intracellular recordings were obtained from neurons in tissue taken from human epileptic temporal lobe and normal monkey hippocampus. Using the in vitro slice preparation, we confirmed that spontaneous rhythmic synchronous events (SRSEs) were predominantly found in cells of mesial temporal lobe. These synaptic‐like events appeared to be mediated by a GABAergic mechanism, since they were blocked by bicuculline. An interneuron‐like cell type was found which discharged in a burst pattern in parallel with SRSE occurrence in pyramidal neurons. Burst discharges were graded and excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP)‐triggered; all‐or‐none paroxysmal depolarizations were extremely rare. These features of SRSE activity suggest that population synchrony in this tissue is largely dependent on local inhibitory interneuronal circuitry. SRSEs were found in normal monkey hippocampus as well as in mesial tissue from human epileptic temporal lobe. This result indicates that SRSEs are not a direct reflection of tissue epileptogenicity. However, the circuitry underlying SRSEs may be important in the determination of tissue seizure susceptibility, since it provides a substrate for cell synchronization.
Pediatric Bone and Joint Infections Caused by Panton-Valentine Leukocidin-Positive Staphylococcus aureus

Background: Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is a necrotizing toxin secreted by Staphylococcus aureus. PVL-positive S. aureus osteomyelitis and arthritis have been described. Methods: We analyzed demographic, clinical, laboratory, microbiologic, and imaging data in a study group of 14 pediatric cases with PVL-positive S. aureus osteomyelitis and arthritis diagnosed between 2001 and 2005 and compared results with a control group of 17 pediatric cases of PVL-negative S. aureus osteomyelitis and arthritis treated in our institution during the same period. Treatments and outcome were studied. Results: The severity of PVL-positive S. aureus bone and joint infections was indicated by the presence of severe sepsis in all cases and of septic shock in 6 of the 14 patients. By comparison, severe sepsis was not noted in the control group (P = 0.004). On admission, the median C-reactive protein value was significantly higher in the study group (202.6 mg/L versus 83 mg/L in the control group; P = 0.001). Eleven patients with PVL-positive infection had local extension of the infection by magnetic resonance imaging and 7 patients had severe deep-seated infectious complications by computed tomography. By contrast only 1 patient in the control group presented with bone abscess without extension and none had deep-seated infection (P < 0.001). The median length of hospitalization was 45.5 days in the study group versus 13 days in the control group (P < 0.001). The median duration of intravenous antibacterial chemotherapy was 48 days versus 11.3 days in the control group (P < 0.001). Ten patients (71%) of the study group required surgical procedures with a mean of 3 procedures (range, 1–5) whereas 3 patients (17%) of the control group required 1 surgical drainage each (P = 0.002). All the patients survived, but only 2 patients of the study group were free of long-term complications, whereas there were no long-term complications noted in the control group. Conclusion: PVL-positive S. aureus bone and joint infection is severe and requires prolonged treatment. Local complications are more frequent and often need repeated surgical drainage.
LED Backlight Driving System for Large-Scale LCD Panels

This paper presents an LED backlight driving system for large-scale liquid crystal display panels. High efficiency, high power factor, circuit simplicity, and low cost can be achieved by using a single-stage charge-pump asymmetrical half-bridge converter. To regulate the LED current and brightness for the LED backlight system, some current sharing methods are presented and compared. The requirements for the current sharing and luminance balance among paralleled LED arrays can be satisfied while current ripple is eliminated significantly. Because of the addition of bypass diodes, an alternative current path can be offered when a single LED fails. The LED array will not be extinguished. Reliability of the LED backlight system can thus be improved effectively. A laboratory prototype has been built and tested. The simulation and experimental results are shown to verify the feasibility of the proposed method.
Geometric detection of hierarchical backbones in real networks

Hierarchies permeate the structure of real networks, whose nodes can be ranked according to different features. However, networks are far from tree-like structures and the detection of hierarchical ordering remains a challenge, hindered by the small-world property and the presence of a large number of cycles, in particular clustering. Here, we use geometric representations of undirected networks to achieve an enriched interpretation of hierarchy that integrates features defining popularity of nodes and similarity between them, such that the more similar a node is to a less popular neighbor the higher the hierarchical load of the relationship. The geometric approach allows us to measure the local contribution of nodes and links to the hierarchy within a unified framework. Additionally, we propose a link filtering method, the similarity filter, able to extract hierarchical backbones containing the links that represent statistically significant deviations with respect to the maximum entropy null model for geometric heterogeneous networks. We applied our geometric approach to the detection of similarity backbones of real networks in different domains and found that the backbones preserve local topological features at all scales. Interestingly, we also found that similarity backbones favor cooperation in evolutionary dynamics modelling social dilemmas.
The role of coping with social stressors in the development of depressive symptoms: gender differences

Abstract This study examined the role of coping with social stressors in the development of depressive symptoms, as well as gender differences in this process. Participants included 978 adolescents (aged 14–18 years), who completed measures of social stressors, coping responses, and depressive symptoms at the beginning of the study and measures of depressive symptoms at a six-month follow-up. High levels of disengagement and low levels of secondary control coping predicted a residual increase in depressive symptoms at follow-up. Interactive effects were weak and moderated by gender: among female adolescents, the use of disengagement coping exacerbated the impact of social stressors on depressive symptoms, whereas the use of secondary control reduced these effects. Female adolescents scored higher than male adolescents on perceived social stress, disengagement, and primary control coping. Moreover, differences in perceived social stress and disengagement coping contributed to explain the female adolescents' higher scores on depressive symptoms. These findings have important implications for interventions.
Investigation of Low-Frequency Noise in p-type Nanowire FETs: Effect of Switched Biasing Condition and Embedded SiGe Layer

The low-frequency noise (LFN) of a p-type nanowire FET (p-NWFET) was characterized and compared with that of an n-type NWFET (n-NWFET) in terms of dominant noise source and its location in the channel region. An inverse proportional dependence of the noise level on channel diameter was observed in the p-NWFET but not in the n-NWFET. The LFN was observed to be mainly generated by Hooge mobility fluctuation in the p-NWFET. Under a switched biasing condition, p-NWFET showed no substantial LFN reduction (in contrast to the n-NWFET), indicating that the carrier number fluctuation was insignificant. This was due to the compressive stress induced by embedded SiGe with heavier transverse effective hole mobility.
Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

Copyright 2016 The Foundation of the American Society of Retina Specialists. All rights reserved.savingvision. org I 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2030, Chicago, IL 60606 | (312) 578-8760 Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Central serous chorioretinopathy, commonly referred to as CSC, is a condition in which fluid accumulates under the retina, causing a serous (fluid-filled) detachment and vision loss.
Analysis of Na+, Cl-, K+, H+ and NH4+ concentration gradients adjacent to the surface of anal papillae of the mosquito Aedes aegypti: application of self-referencing ion-selective microelectrodes

SUMMARY Ion concentration gradients adjacent to the surface of the anal papillae of larvae of the mosquito Aedes aegypti were measured using self-referencing ion-selective microelectrodes. The gradients were used to calculate estimates of ion fluxes into and out of the papillae. There was a net influx of Na+, Cl- and K+ from the bathing medium and a net efflux of acid and NH4+. No Ca2+ gradients were detectable. Na+ and Cl- influx occurred against a concentration gradient suggesting active transport. Although Na+, Cl- and NH4+ gradients were uniform along the length of the papillae, the proximal regions of the papillae in vivo revealed significantly higher H+ and K+ gradients compared with distal regions. The calculated ion fluxes at the papillae are sufficient for complete Na+, K+ and Cl- haemolymph replacement in ∼4 h with external ion concentrations of 5 mmol l-1. Ion gradients were also detected adjacent to the surface of isolated papillae; however, Na+ and H+ gradients were higher, and Cl- gradients were lower relative to papillae in vivo. The results support previous findings that the anal papillae of mosquito larvae are important structures for ion regulation, and suggest that these structures may be used for the excretion of nitrogenous waste.
Barrett associated MHC and FOXF1 variants also increase esophageal carcinoma risk

Barrett's esophagus, with gastroesophageal reflux disease and obesity as risk factors, predisposes to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Recently a British genome wide association study identified two Barrett's esophagus susceptibility loci mapping within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC; rs9257809) and closely to the Forkhead‐F1 (FOXF1; rs9936833) coding gene. An interesting issue is whether polymorphisms associated with Barrett's esophagus, are also implicated in esophageal carcinoma (EC), and more specifically EAC genesis. Assessing the individual genetic susceptibility can help identify high risk patients more prone to benefit from surveillance programs. Our hypothesis: Barrett associated MHC and FOXF1 variants modify EC risk in Caucasians. In a Dutch case‐control study, 431 patients with EC and 605 healthy controls were included. Polymorphisms at chromosomes 6p21 (MHC) and 16q24 (FOXF1) were determined by means of real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. The FOXF1 rs9936833 variant C allele was associated with an increased EAC susceptibility; OR, [95% CI]; 1.21, [0.99–1.47]. A sex‐stratified analysis revealed a similar association in males; 1.24 [1.00–1.55]. The variant MHC rs9257809 G allele as well as the MHC heterozygous AG genotype significantly increased ESCC risk; 1.76 [1.16–2.66] and 1.74 [1.08–2.80], respectively. Sex‐stratification showed that the variant G allele was especially present in female patients; 2.32 [1.04–5.20]. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that MHC rs9257809 and FOXF1 rs9936833 variants, associated with Barrett's esophagus, also increase ESCC and EAC susceptibility in Caucasians. FOX proteins are transcription factors involved in organogenesis of the GI tract, while MHC haplotypes are strongly associated with smoking behavior, a crucial risk factor for ESCC. Assessing the individual genetic susceptibility can help identify high risk patients more prone to benefit from (Barrett) surveillance programs.
[Methods of body composition and four compartiments model in obese school children].

INTRODUCTION In Chile, the prevalence of obesity in schoolchildren is 21.3%. The study and individual intervention of this malnutrition, it is necessary to have not only global indicators of nutritional status, but also indicators that give information on body composition. OBJECTIVE To compare estimates of body fat isotopic dilution, plethysmography and radiographic absorptiometry 4C model in overweight schoolchildren. METHODS We worked with 61 obese (BMI ≥ p 95) of both sexes, between 8 and 13 years, enrolled in a school in a district of the city of Santiago. The multicompartmental body composition determination, considered isotopic dilution, plethysmography and radiographic absorptiometry. Using as a reference standard four compartment model of Fuller. RESULTS In both sexes, the method showed better agreement with the reference of 4 compartments was isotope dilution (r = 0.98, p < 0.01). In children, the isotopic dilution underestimates body fat in -0.40 kg. By contrast, DEXA and plethysmography overestimate body fat by 0.81 kg and 1.89 kg respectively. In women, all methods overestimate body fat, with less emphasis isotopic dilution value 0.46 kg, 0.52 kg after DEXA and plethysmography 1.31 kg. CONCLUSIONS The deuterium isotopic dilution would be the most sensitive method for estimating body fat in research studies because it shows the best agreement with the gold standard multicompartmental model.