Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of racial and socioeconomic factors on asthma mortality in Chicago.

sthma is a chronic disease affecting nearly 10 million persons’ and leading to 500,000 hospitalizations annually. � During the 1980s, mortality from asthma in the United States increased by 6% per year.3 Weiss et aP� previously noted that Cook County Illinois has one of the highest mortality rates from asthma in the country, with most of the deaths occurring within the city of Chicago. Several studies have found that asthma mortality and hospitalization rates in general are greater among nonwhitess,6 and persons with low income,78 with possible explanations for the racial and socioeconomic differences in asthma rates including differential access to care, exposure to environmental pollutants, and crowded conditions leading to increased exposure to allergens and infecions. �’� Although Chicago has one of the highest asthma mortality rates in the United States, there has not been a thorough analysis of demographic variables and circumstances surrounding asthma deaths in the city. The current study was undertaken in an effort to define in more detail the magnitude and parameters of asthma mortality in Chicago and to suggest factors which might be amenable to further research and prevention.
Differential modulation of BMP signaling promotes the elaboration of cerebral cortical GABAergic neurons or oligodendrocytes from a common sonic hedgehog-responsive ventral forebrain progenitor species

During cerebral cortical development, excitatory glutamatergic projection neurons are generated from neural stem cells intrinsic to the early embryonic cortical ventricular zone by a process of radial migration, whereas most inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons and oligodendrocytes (OLs) appear to be elaborated from ventral forebrain stem cells that initially undergo tangential cortical migration before terminal lineage maturation. In contrast to the more compartmentalized developmental organization of the spinal cord, the generation of neurons and OLs from a common ventral forebrain stem cell would expose these cells to the sequential actions of ventral and dorsal gradient morphogens [sonic hedgehog (Shh) and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs)] that normally mediate opposing developmental programs. Here we report that Shh promotes GABAergic neuronal/OL lineage restriction of forebrain stem cells, in part, by activation of the basic helix–loop–helix transcription factors, Olig2 and Mash1. In mutant mice with a generalized defect in tangential cortical migration (Dlx1/2−/−), there is a profound and selective reduction in the elaboration of both cortical GABAergic neurons and OLs. Our studies further demonstrate that the sequential elaboration of cortical GABAergic neurons and OLs from common Shh-responsive ventral forebrain progenitors requires the spatial and temporal modulation of cortical BMP signaling by BMP ligands and the BMP antagonist, noggin, respectively. These findings suggest an integrative model for cerebral cortical GABAergic neuronal and OL lineage maturation that would incorporate the sequential contributions of the ventral and dorsal forebrain, and the potential role of regional developmental cues in modulating transcriptional codes within evolving neural lineage species.
Local, stochastic release of Ca2+ in voltage‐clamped rat heart cells: visualization with confocal microscopy.

1. Confocal microscopy and the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fluo‐3 (K+ salt) were used to measure cytosolic free calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]) during excitation‐contraction (E‐C) coupling in single, voltage‐clamped, rat cardiac ventricular cells. 2. Local [Ca2+]i transients were measured nearly simultaneously in different, separate, subcellular volumes of approximately 2.0 microns 3. During depolarization, local [Ca2+]i transients were distinctly different from each other and from whole‐cell [Ca2+]i transients. These differences were particularly apparent during small depolarizations, and were substantially reduced by ryanodine. 3. Components of the local [Ca2+]i transients, particularly those evoked by small depolarizations, were closely similar, in time course and amplitude, to spontaneous local [Ca2+]i transients, or ‘sparks’ (which have been shown previously to be Ca2+ released from sarcoplasmic reticulum). 4. Analysis of local [Ca2+]i transients in the spatial frequency domain (power spectrum) revealed that high power at spatial frequencies of 0.05‐0.2 microns‐1 was always associated with spontaneous calcium ‘sparks’ and with local [Ca2+]i transients evoked by small depolarizing pulses (e.g. to ‐31 mV). Evoked local [Ca2+]o transients in the presence of ryanodine, and those evoked by depolarization to very positive clamp‐pulse potentials (+45 mV), were associated with considerably lower power at this frequency. 5. The results suggest that whole‐cell [Ca2+]i transients evoked by voltage‐clamp depolarization, and thus by L‐type Ca2+ current, are comprised of local [Ca2+]i transients that are similar to the spontaneous calcium ‘sparks’. At very positive clamp‐pulse potentials, however, the electrically evoked local [Ca2+]i transients may be smaller, perhaps as a result of smaller unitary L‐type Ca2+ current.
The Proteasome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Is Required for Resistance to Nitric Oxide

The production of nitric oxide and other reactive nitrogen intermediates (RNI) by macrophages helps to control infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). However, the protection is imperfect and infection persists. To identify genes that Mtb requires to resist RNI, we screened 10,100 Mtb transposon mutants for hypersusceptibility to acidified nitrite. We found 12 mutants with insertions in seven genes representing six pathways, including the repair of DNA (uvrB) and the synthesis of a flavin cofactor (fbiC). Five mutants had insertions in proteasome-associated genes. An Mtb mutant deficient in a presumptive proteasomal adenosine triphosphatase was attenuated in mice, and exposure to proteasomal protease inhibitors markedly sensitized wild-type Mtb to RNI. Thus, the mycobacterial proteasome serves as a defense against oxidative or nitrosative stress.
FBMC-OQAM in doubly-selective channels: A new perspective on MMSE equalization

In many practical cases, one-tap equalizers achieve a close to optimum performance in filter bank multi-carrier modulation systems. However, if the channel is highly doubly-selective, that is, time-selective and frequency-selective, enhanced equalization methods might be necessary. In this paper, we generalize the n-tap Minimum Mean Squared Error (MMSE) equalization, proposed in literature, by also including neighboring subcarriers into the equalization process. As a reference, we also derive a full block MMSE equalizer and compare to a low-complexity interference cancellation scheme. Our investigation starts with a single-antenna system and is later extended to multiple antennas.
Loss of heterozygosity, microsatellite instability and TP53 gene status in ovarian carcinomas.

BACKGROUND Microsatellite instability (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) are frequent events in ovarian carcinogenesis; however, little is known as to their clinical significance and association with other molecular lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twelve microsatellite markers for MSI and LOH analysis were used in 64 ovarian carcinomas with known TP53 mutational status. The clinical importance of molecular alterations was evaluated in a uniform subgroup of patients treated with platinum-based regimens. RESULTS LOH was detected in order of frequency at 17p13.3 (D17S926, 79%), 17p13.1 (TP53 locus, 69%), 13q14 (RB, 60%), 3p21 (D3S1611, 32.5%), 8q21 (D8S1811, 22%), 11p14/13 (D11S904, 19%), 10qter (D10S197, 13%) and 2p16-21 (D2S123, 11%). LOH at the RB1 locus showed association with LOH at the TP53 locus (p = 0.01). Platinum sensitivity was associated with heterozygosity at the TP53 locus (p = 0.006). Only one tumor displayed microsatellite instability in one marker (RB) only. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that LOH at the 17p D17S926 locus in ovarian cancer is an earlier molecular event than LOH at the TP53 locus. Inactivation of TP53 and RB1 genes may have a synergistic effect in ovarian tumorigenesis.
A perinuclear actin cap regulates nuclear shape

Defects in nuclear morphology often correlate with the onset of disease, including cancer, progeria, cardiomyopathy, and muscular dystrophy. However, the mechanism by which a cell controls its nuclear shape is unknown. Here, we use adhesive micropatterned surfaces to control the overall shape of fibroblasts and find that the shape of the nucleus is tightly regulated by the underlying cell adhesion geometry. We found that this regulation occurs through a dome-like actin cap that covers the top of the nucleus. This cap is composed of contractile actin filament bundles containing phosphorylated myosin, which form a highly organized, dynamic, and oriented structure in a wide variety of cells. The perinuclear actin cap is specifically disorganized or eliminated by inhibition of actomyosin contractility and rupture of the LINC complexes, which connect the nucleus to the actin cap. The organization of this actin cap and its nuclear shape-determining function are disrupted in cells from mouse models of accelerated aging (progeria) and muscular dystrophy with distorted nuclei caused by alterations of A-type lamins. These results highlight the interplay between cell shape, nuclear shape, and cell adhesion mediated by the perinuclear actin cap.
Digital circuit design based on the resonant-tunneling-hetero-junction-bipolar-transistor

This paper describes a novel design method for digital logic circuits based on the resonant-tunneling-heterojunction-bipolar-transistor (RTBT). Besides drift and diffusion, the RTBT uses tunneling as transport mechanism leading to an enhanced I-V characteristics. The particular properties of the RTBT are exploited in a monostable-bistable transition logic element (MOBILE) configuration. As a promising candidate for future nano-scale integration, the pseudo dynamic operation of the MOBILE is analyzed. In this connection the increased computational functionality of MOBILE based circuits keeps the complexity of the circuit low.
Recent advances in Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease is a progressive and fatal neurological disorder caused by the expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat in exon 1 of the gene coding for a protein of unknown function that has been named huntingtin. The exact cause of neuronal death in Huntington's disease is unknown; however, the leading hypothesis is that of excitotoxicity and apoptosis induced by a defect in energy metabolism that may be caused by oxidative stress. How mutant huntingtin might cause these processes is unknown. New animal and cell models provide insights into the mechanism of pathogenesis and the search for the development of effective therapies.
The interaction of amylin with other hormones in the control of eating

Twenty years of research established amylin as an important control of energy homeostasis. Amylin controls nutrient and energy fluxes by reducing energy intake, by modulating nutrient utilization via an inhibition of postprandial glucagon secretion and by increasing energy disposal via a prevention of compensatory decreases of energy expenditure in weight reduced individuals. Like many other gastrointestinal hormones, amylin is secreted in response to meals and it reduces eating by promoting meal‐ending satiation. Not surprisingly, amylin interacts with many of these hormones to control eating. These interactions seem to occur at different levels because amylin seems to mediate the eating inhibitory effect of some of these gastrointestinal hormones, and the combination of some of these hormones seems to lead to a stronger reduction in eating than single hormones alone. Amylin's effect on eating is thought to be mediated by a stimulation of specific amylin receptors in the area postrema. Secondary brain sites that were defined to mediate amylin action – and hence potential additional sites of interaction with other hormones – include the nucleus of the solitary tract, the lateral parabrachial nucleus, the lateral hypothalamic area and other hypothalamic nuclei. The focus of this review is to summarize the current knowledge of amylin interactions in the control of eating. In most cases, these interactions have only been studied at a descriptive rather than a mechanistic level and despite the clear knowledge on primary sites of amylin action, the interaction sites between amylin and other hormones are often unknown.
HerMES: CANDIDATE GRAVITATIONALLY LENSED GALAXIES AND LENSING STATISTICS AT SUBMILLIMETER WAVELENGTHS

We present a list of 13 candidate gravitationally lensed submillimeter galaxies (SMGs) from 95 deg2 of the Herschel Multi-tiered Extragalactic Survey, a surface density of 0.14 ± 0.04 deg−2. The selected sources have 500 μm flux densities (S500) greater than 100 mJy. Gravitational lensing is confirmed by follow-up observations in 9 of the 13 systems (70%), and the lensing status of the four remaining sources is undetermined. We also present a supplementary sample of 29 (0.31 ± 0.06 deg−2) gravitationally lensed SMG candidates with S500 = 80–100 mJy, which are expected to contain a higher fraction of interlopers than the primary candidates. The number counts of the candidate lensed galaxies are consistent with a simple statistical model of the lensing rate, which uses a foreground matter distribution, the intrinsic SMG number counts, and an assumed SMG redshift distribution. The model predicts that 32%–74% of our S500 ⩾ 100 mJy candidates are strongly gravitationally lensed (μ ⩾ 2), with the brightest sources being the most robust; this is consistent with the observational data. Our statistical model also predicts that, on average, lensed galaxies with S500 = 100 mJy are magnified by factors of ∼9, with apparently brighter galaxies having progressively higher average magnification, due to the shape of the intrinsic number counts. 65% of the sources are expected to have intrinsic 500 μm flux densities less than 30 mJy. Thus, samples of strongly gravitationally lensed SMGs, such as those presented here, probe below the nominal Herschel detection limit at 500 μm. They are good targets for the detailed study of the physical conditions in distant dusty, star-forming galaxies, due to the lensing magnification, which can lead to spatial resolutions of ∼0. ″01 in the source plane.
The intensive care experience: development of the ICE questionnaire.

BACKGROUND Previous research has shown that patients' reported memories of intensive care are often of unpleasant events which are described as frightening and persecutory in nature. Currently, there is no standardized way of assessing perceptions of such an experience or relating it to long-term outcome. AIMS This paper describes the development of an intensive care experience questionnaire which aims to (a) identify the domains of such an experience, (b) assess and quantify that experience, and (c) explore its impact on short- and long-term emotional outcome. METHODS Data from two studies are reported. Participants were non-elective patients and > or =18 years of age with an ICU stay > or =24 hours. Study 1 (n = 34) generated and developed items. Study 2 (n = 109) allowed evaluation of the factor analytic structure and psychometrics of the questionnaire. RESULTS From a set of 31 items, exploratory factor analysis identified four components of the intensive care experience: 'awareness of surroundings' (nine items), 'frightening experiences' (six items), 'recall of experience' (five items), and 'satisfaction with care' (four items). Cronbach's alpha statistics were acceptable for each component (0.71-0.93). Correlational analysis with the subscales of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Impact of Event Scale demonstrated concurrent and univariate predictive validity. The intensive care experience was associated with adverse emotional outcome in both the short- and long-term. DISCUSSION The intensive care experience questionnaire identified four dimensions of experience and performed satisfactorily in these developmental analyses. Further study of an independent intensive care unit data set is necessary to confirm these findings, including the four-component structure. Development of a standardized measure provides the opportunity to increase our understanding of the intensive care experience. The questionnaire may be useful to inform the development of effective interventions to improve subsequent outcomes for these patients.
Positioning biologic agents in the treatment of Crohn's disease

&NA; One decade after the emergence of biologic therapy for Crohn's disease (CD), our treatment algorithms are beginning to change. Once reserved for patients with refractory disease, disease unresponsive to conventional therapies, or those requiring multiple courses of corticosteroids, there is increasing evidence that early, aggressive interventions with immunosuppressants or biologic therapies targeting tumor necrosis factor‐&agr; or &agr;‐4 integrins can alter the natural history of CD by reducing the transmural complications of structuring and fistulization and the nearly inevitable requisite for surgical resections. More recent trials are beginning to suggest that intervention with combination therapy for selected patients with a poor prognosis may modify the long‐term course of CD. Selection of patients with features predicting a complex or progressive course and early, combined intervention is now possible. Future studies are still needed to best identify predictors of response to individual agents with differing mechanisms of action, as well as to optimize the risk‐benefit of long‐term maintenance therapy. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2009)
Evaluation of Ketoconazole and Its Alternative Clinical CYP3A4/5 Inhibitors as Inhibitors of Drug Transporters: The In Vitro Effects of Ketoconazole, Ritonavir, Clarithromycin, and Itraconazole on 13 Clinically-Relevant Drug Transporters

Ketoconazole is a potent CYP3A4/5 inhibitor and, until recently, recommended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency as a strong CYP3A4/5 inhibitor in clinical drug-drug interaction (DDI) studies. Ketoconazole sporadically causes liver injury or adrenal insufficiency. Because of this, the FDA and European Medicines Agency recommended suspension of ketoconazole use in DDI studies in 2013. The FDA specifically recommended use of clarithromycin or itraconazole as alternative strong CYP3A4/5 inhibitors in clinical DDI studies, but many investigators have also used ritonavir as an alternative. Although the effects of these clinical CYP3A4/5 inhibitors on other CYPs are largely established, reports on the effects on the broad range of drug transporter activities are sparse. In this study, the inhibitory effects of ketoconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir, and itraconazole (and its CYP3A4-inhibitory metabolites, hydroxy-, keto-, and N-desalkyl itraconazole) toward 13 drug transporters (OATP1B1, OATP1B3, OAT1, OAT3, OCT1, OCT2, MATE1, MATE2-K, P-gp, BCRP, MRP2, MRP3, and BSEP) were systematically assessed in transporter-expressing HEK-293 cell lines or membrane vesicles. In vitro findings were translated into clinical context with the basic static model approaches outlined by the FDA in its 2012 draft guidance on DDIs. The results indicate that, like ketoconazole, the alternative clinical CYP3A4/5 inhibitors ritonavir, clarithromycin, and itraconazole each have unique transporter inhibition profiles. None of the alternatives to ketoconazole provided a clean inhibition profile toward the 13 drug transporters evaluated. The results provide guidance for the selection of clinical CYP3A4/5 inhibitors when transporters are potentially involved in a victim drug’s pharmacokinetics.
Interlanguage dynamics and lexical networks in nonnative L2 signers of ASL: cross-modal rhyme priming

This study investigated the structure of the bimodal bilingual lexicon. In the cross-modal priming task nonnative sign language learners heard an English word (e.g., keys) and responded to the lexicality of a signed target: an underlying rhyme (e.g., cheese) or a sign neighbor of that word (e.g., paper). The results indicated that rhyme words were retrieved more quickly and the L2 neighbors were faster for beginner learners. An item analysis also indicated that semantics did not facilitate neighbor retrieval and high frequency signs were retrieved more quickly. The AX discrimination task showed that learners focus on handshape and movement parameters and discriminate equally. The interlanguage dynamics play an important role in which phonological parameters are used and the spread of activation over time. A nonselective, integrated model of the bimodal bilingual lexicon is proposed such that lateral connections are weakened over time and handshape parameter feeds most of the activation to neighboring signs as a function of system dynamics.
Selective homonuclear Hartmann–Hahn transfer method for in vivo spectral editing in the human brain

A novel selective homonuclear Hartmann–Hahn transfer method for in vivo spectral editing is proposed and applied to measurements of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the human brain at 3 T. The proposed method utilizes a new concept for in vivo spectral editing, the spectral selectivity of which is not based on a conventional editing pulse but based on the stringent requirement of the doubly selective Hartmann–Hahn match. The sensitivity and spectral selectivity of GABA detection achieved by this doubly selective Hartmann–Hahn match scheme was superior to that achievable by conventional in vivo spectral editing techniques providing both sensitivity enhancement and excellent suppression of overlapping resonances in a single shot. Since double‐quantum filtering gradients were not employed, singlets such as the NAA methyl group at 2.02 ppm and the creatine methylene group at 3.92 ppm were detected simultaneously. These singlets may serve as navigators for the spectral phase of GABA and for frequency shifts during measurements. The estimated concentration of GABA in the frontoparietal region of the human brain in vivo was 0.7 ± 0.2 μmol/g (mean ± SD, n = 12). Magn Reson Med 53:503–510, 2005. Published 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fusariotoxins in Russian Federation 2005–2010 grain harvests

Monitoring results of food grain contamination with fusariotoxins–deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEN), fumonisins (FB1&FB2), T-2 and HT-2 toxins–are presented. Harvests of 2005–2010 in different regions of Russia were investigated. The occurrence of DON in wheat was 8%, barley 9%, oats 4%, rye 2% and maize 2%. The highest frequency of ZEN contamination was found in oats, the lowest in wheat. Calculated average daily intake of DON varied from 0.066 to 0.096 µg/kg body weight, the highest being found in the Southern region, but substantially lower than the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake. The results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis demonstrated the presence of T-2 toxin in 14% and HT-2 toxin in 17% of all samples. The maximum level of T-2 toxin was exceeded only in one sample of barley. Relatively high frequency and levels of FB1&FB2 contamination were found in maize.