Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of diurnal hyperosmotic loading on the metabolism and matrix gene expression of a whole‐organ intervertebral disc model

It is generally agreed that the mechanical environment of intervertebral disc cells plays an important role in maintaining a balanced matrix metabolism. The precise mechanism by which the signals are transduced into the cells is poorly understood. Osmotic changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) are thought to be involved. Current in‐vitro studies on this topic are mostly short‐term and show conflicting data on the reaction of disc cells subjected to osmotic changes which is partially due to the heterogenous and often substantially‐reduced culture systems. The aim of the study was therefore to investigate the effects of cyclic osmotic loading for 4 weeks on metabolism and matrix gene expression in a full‐organ intervertebral disc culture system. Intervertebral disc/endplate units were isolated from New Zealand White Rabbits and cultured either in iso‐osmotic media (335 mosmol/kg) or were diurnally exposed for 8 hours to hyper‐osmotic conditions (485 mosmol/kg). Cell viability, metabolic activity, matrix composition and matrix gene expression profile (collagen types I/II and aggrecan) were monitored using Live/Dead cell viability assay, tetrazolium reduction test (WST 8), proteoglycan and DNA quantification assays and quantitative PCR. The results show that diurnal osmotic stimulation did not have significant effects on proteoglycan content, cellularity and disc cell viability after 28 days in culture. However, hyperosmolarity caused increased cell death in the early culture phase and counteracted up‐regulation of type I collagen gene expression in nucleus and annulus cells. Moreover, the initially decreased cellular dehydrogenase activity recovered with osmotic stimulation after 4 weeks and aggrecan gene down‐regulation was delayed, although the latter was not significant according to our statistical criteria. In contrast, collagen type II did not respond to the osmotic changes and was down‐regulated in both groups. In conclusion, diurnal hyper‐osmotic stimulation of a whole‐organ disc/endplate culture partially inhibits a matrix gene expression profile as encountered in degenerative disc disease and counteracts cellular metabolic hypo‐activity. © 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 24:1957–1966, 2006
Retinoid-induced chromatin structure alterations in the retinoic acid receptor beta2 promoter

Transcription of the retinoic acid receptor beta2 (RARbeta2) gene is induced by retinoic acid (RA) in mouse P19 embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells. Here we studied RA-induced chromatin structure alterations in the endogenous RARbeta2 promoter and in an integrated, multicopy RARbeta2 promoter in EC cells. RA markedly increased restriction site accessibility within the promoter, including a site near the RA responsive element (RARE) to which the nuclear receptor retinoid X receptor (RXR)-RAR heterodimer binds. These changes coincided with RA-induced alterations in the DNase I hypersensitivity pattern in and around the promoter. These changes became undetectable upon removal of RA, which coincided with the extinction of transcription. Analyses with receptor-selective ligands and an antagonist showed that increase in restriction site accessibility correlates with transcriptional activation, which parallels the RA-induced in vivo footprint of the promoter. Despite these changes, the micrococcal nuclease digestion profile of this promoter was not altered by RA. These results indicate that concurrent with the binding of the RXR-RAR heterodimer to the RARE, the local chromatin structure undergoes dynamic, reversible changes in and around the promoter without globally affecting the nucleosomal organization.
PI3K, ERK, p38 MAPK and integrins regulate CCR3‐mediated secretion of mouse and human eosinophil‐associated RNases

Eosinophils have the capacity to secrete varied cytotoxic proteins. Among the proteins are the eosinophil‐associated RNases (EARs): the human eosinophil‐derived neurotoxin and eosinophilic cationic protein, and their murine ortholog EARs, which have been shown to be involved in host defense, tissue remodeling, and immunity regulation. However, the signal transduction that regulates EARs secretion in response to physiological stimuli, such as chemokines, has been little studied in human and scarcely in mouse eosinophils, the foremost animal model for eosinophil‐associated human diseases.
Partial Purification and Characterization of Two Hydrogenases from the Extreme Thermophile Methanococcus jannaschii

F420-nonreactive and F420-reactive hydrogenases have been partially purified from Methanococcus jannaschii, an extremely thermophilic methanogen isolated from a submarine hydrothermal vent. The molecular weights of both hydrogenases were determined by native gradient electrophoresis in 5 to 27% polyacrylamide gels. The F420-nonreactive hydrogenase produced one major band (475 kilodaltons), whereas the F420-reactive hydrogenase produced two major bands (990 and 115 kilodaltons). The F420-nonreactive hydrogenase consisted of two subunits (43 and 31 kilodaltons), and the F420-reactive hydrogenase contained three subunits (48, 32, and 25 kilodaltons). Each hydrogenase was active at very high temperatures. Methyl viologen-reducing activity of the F420-nonreactive hydrogenase was maximal at 80°C but was still detectable at 103°C. The maximum activities of F420-reactive hydrogenase for F420 and methyl viologen were measured at 80 and 90°C, respectively. Low but measureable activity toward methyl viologen was repeatedly observed at 103°C. Moreover, the half-life of the F420-nonreactive hydrogenase at 70°C was over 9 h, and that of the F420-reactive enzyme was over 3 h.
Finding hyperintensities in the brain using unsupervised feature learning

In this thesis we try to find out if unsupervised feature learning can be used to find white matter lesions in brain-MRI scans. Results show that unsupervised feature learning algorithm performs similar to classification using regular features. In some cases it performs even better. Downside is that unsupervised feature learning is computationally more expensive.
Covariance Estimation for dInSAR Surface Deformation Measurements in the Presence of Anisotropic Atmospheric Noise

We study anisotropic spatial autocorrelation in differential synthetic aperture radar interferometric (dInSAR) measurements and its impact on geophysical parameter estimations. The dInSAR phase acquired by the satellite sensor is a superposition of different contributions, and when studying geophysical processes, we are usually only interested in the surface deformation part of the signal. Therefore, to obtain high-quality results, we would like to characterize and/or remove other phase components. A stochastic model has been found to be appropriate to describe atmospheric phase delay in dInSAR images. However, these phase delays are usually modeled as being isotropic, which is a simplification, because InSAR images often show directional atmospheric anomalies. Here, we analyze anisotropic structures and show validation results using both real and simulated data. We calculate experimental semivariograms of the dInSAR phase in several European Remote Sensing satellite-1/2 tandem interferograms. Based on the theory of random functions (RFs), we then fit anisotropic variogram models in the spatial domain, employing Mate¿rn- and Bessel-family correlation functions in nested models to represent complex dInSAR covariance structures. The presented covariance function types, in the statistical framework of stationary RFs, are consistent with tropospheric delay models. We find that by using anisotropic data covariance information to weight dInSAR measurements, we can significantly improve both the precision and accuracy of geophysical parameter estimations. Furthermore, the improvement is dependent on how similar the deformation pattern is to the dominant structure of the anisotropic atmospheric signals.
Disturbed motilin and cholecystokinin release in the irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with motor abnormalities in the small intestine and colon. Neuropeptides may have an important role in initiating and regulating the intestinal motility. Motilin has been proposed to initiate the peristaltic reflex in the small intestine and cholecystokinin the gastrocolic reflex. METHODS In 18 patients with IBS and 11 healthy control subjects plasma motilin and cholecystokinin (CCK) concentrations were measured after intraluminal stimulation of water and a fat-rich meal. RESULTS The IBS patients had reduced motilin secretion after both water intake and the fat meal. In contrast, the fat meal elicited an exaggerated and prolonged CCK release in the IBS patients. CONCLUSIONS Disturbed motilin and CCK release may partly be responsible for the intestinal dysmotility in the IBS patients.
Peritumoral brain edema associated with meningioma

The extent of peritumoral brain edema (PTBE) associated with meningiomas is very variable. Many causative factors have been investigated, but the mechanism of PTBE associated with meningioma has been unclear until now. Recently, the cerebral‐pial blood supply and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have been implicated as causative factors of PTBE.
Listeria monocytogenes Infection in Caspase-11-Deficient Mice

ABSTRACT Caspase-11 (Cas11) is a cysteine protease involved in programmed cell death and cytokine maturation. Through activation of Cas1 (interleukin-1β [IL-1β]-converting enzyme), Cas11 is directly involved in the maturation of IL-1β and IL-18. Apoptosis is mediated through Cas3. Given the role of apoptosis and cytokine signaling during the innate immune response in intracellular infection, we examined Cas11-deficient (Cas11−/−) mice during infection with Listeria monocytogenes. Cas11−/− and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were equally susceptible to intravenous infection with L. monocytogenes, resulting in similar bacterial burdens in tissue and similar survival rates. By contrast, enhanced susceptibility was observed in control mice on a mixed genetic 129/C57BL/DBA2 background. Cas11−/− and wild-type mice infected with Listeria had similar hepatic microabscess formation in terms of histologic appearance, size, and number. Apoptosis of L. monocytogenes-infected hepatocytes in vivo and in vitro in primary culture was not altered by the absence of Cas11. Serum IL-18 and IL-1β levels were similar in Cas11−/− mice and controls. Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS])-challenged Cas11−/− mice were deficient in the production of gamma interferon. IL-1β responses in Cas11−/− were normal with intravenous administration of LPS but decreased with intraperitoneal administration. Our findings suggest that Cas11 deficiency does not impair the immune response to infection with L. monocytogenes. Apoptosis and maturation of IL-18 and IL-1β were normal despite Cas11 deficiency. LPS-induced proinflammatory pathways are altered by the absence of Cas11. While Cas11-mediated Cas1 and Cas3 activation is crucial for cytokine maturation and apoptosis during inflammation, alternative pathways allow normal inflammatory and apoptotic responses during infection with L. monocytogenes.
Three-dimensional analysis of the accuracy of optic and electromagnetic navigation systems using surface registration in live endoscopic sinus surgery.

BACKGROUND This study presents the first report in the same patients on the time efficiency of surface registration as well as the navigational accuracy using optic and electromagnetic tracking systems. METHODS Thirty patients with bilateral chronic paranasal pansinusitis underwent endoscopic sinus surgery. After surface registration, the surgeries were performed on one side using optic navigation guidance and on the other side using electromagnetic navigation guidance. The intraoperative measurements performed included the time taken for the surface registration and surgical procedure on each side, as well as the navigation errors at the different locations. RESULTS The time for surface registration was significantly longer in the optic navigation group than the electromagnetic group. A comparison of the navigation errors along the 3 axes showed that the deviation in the medial-lateral direction was significantly less than that in the anterior-posterior and cranial-caudal directions in the optic navigation group as well as the electromagnetic group. CONCLUSIONS The procedure for surface registration in both optic and electromagnetic guidance is efficient and convenient. The accuracy of both navigation systems is comparable and within acceptable ranges for clinical use. In addition, the best accuracy was measured in the medial-lateral direction compared with the other two axes.
The clinical significance of negative flow cytometry immunophenotypic results in a morphologically scored positive bone marrow in patients following treatment for acute myeloid leukemia

In a patient with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) following therapy, finding ≥5% bone marrow (BM) blasts is highly concerning for residual/relapsed disease. Over an 18‐month period, we performed multicolor flow cytometry immunophenotyping (MFC) for AML minimal residual disease on >4,000 BM samples, and identified 41 patients who had ≥5% myeloblasts by morphology but negative by MFC. At the time of a negative MFC study, an abnormal cytogenetic study converted to negative in 14 patients and remained positive at a low level (2.5–9.5%) by fluorescence in situ hybridization in 3 (14%), of the latter, abnormalities subsequently disappeared in the repeated BM in 2 patients. Positive pretreatment mutations, including FLT3, NPM1, IDH1, CEBPA, became negative in all 10 patients tested. Of the seven patients with favorable cytogenetics, PML/RARA, CBFB‐MYH11 or RUNX1‐RUNX1T1 fusion transcripts were detected at various levels in six patients but all patients remained in complete remission. With no additional chemotherapy given, 39 patients had BM repeated (median 2 weeks, range <1–21), and all cases showed <5% BM blasts and a continuously negative MFC. In the end of follow‐up (median 10 months, range 1–22), 13 patients experienced relapse, 12/13 showing clonal cytogenetic evolution/switch and 11 demonstrating major immunophenotypic shifts. We conclude that MFC is useful in identifying a regenerating BM sample with ≥5% BM blasts that would otherwise be scored as positive using standard morphologic examination. We believe this conclusion is supported by the changes in molecular cytogenetic status and the patient clinical follow‐up data. Am. J. Hematol. 90:504–510, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Short-term regulation of renal Na-K-ATPase activity: physiological relevance and cellular mechanisms.

Sodium-potassium-activated adenosinetriphosphatase (Na-K-ATPase; the Na:K pump), located at the basolateral domain of epithelial cells, provides the driving force for active sodium and potassium translocation and for the secondary active transport of other solutes across the renal tubules. Short-term regulation of renal Na-K-ATPase activity (i.e., not reflecting changes in its biosynthesis rate) provides an important mechanism of modulating tubule transport and thus the final Na and K urinary excretion. Recent studies have provided abundant evidence that such regulation is effected by complex functional networks that are specific for different nephron segments and involve distinct and often mutually interacting intracellular signal transduction pathways. The effects of hormones and autacoids linked to alterations in cell adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate and consequently of protein kinase A, in the levels and distribution of protein kinase C, or in the generation of various eicosanoids provide examples of rapid Na:K pump activity modulation by the mechanisms mentioned above. In this review we assess the roles of specific intracellular messengers and the manner in which they, and especially protein kinases, might interact with the pump in the short-term regulation of its activity; also, we examine the emerging evidence supporting the participation of the cytoskeleton in this process.
Consumers’ impulsive buying behavior of restaurant products in social commerce

Purpose First, this paper aims to investigate the impact of impulsiveness on two types of shopping value (e.g. utilitarian and hedonic value) and the urge to buy restaurant products and services impulsively in social commerce environments. Second, the study assesses the impact of situational factors (e.g. scarcity and serendipity) on individuals’ shopping values. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 332 participants. By using PLS-graph 3.0, structural equation modeling was conducted. Furthermore, a hierarchical regression model was conducted for testing the mediating and moderating effects. Findings The results indicate that impulsiveness is a strong predictor for two types of shopping value (hedonic and utilitarian) and the urge to buy impulsively. While the hedonic shopping value was found to have a significant influence on the urge to buy impulsively, utilitarian value was not. Scarcity was moderator in the relationships between impulsiveness and both types of shopping value, whereas serendipity was found to moderate only the relationship between impulsiveness and the utilitarian shopping value. Practical implications The findings show that the marketing managers and application developers of social commerce should place their focus on scarcity and serendipity to stimulate consumers in having a hedonic shopping value so to have an urge to buy impulsively. Originality/value First, although most previous studies focused on only rational or planned consumption, this study focused on irrational and unplanned consumption as well. Second, the authors assessed the role of situational factors (scarcity and serendipity) occurring in social commerce and asserted that these factors moderate the relationship between consumers’ shopping values and their urge to buy impulsively.
Nestled secondary power loops in multilevel modular converters

A limitation of the conventional modular multilevel converter is that it relies on positive and negative half cycles of the ac output voltage waveform in order to achieve a charge balance on the sub-module capacitors. This constraint can be overcome by introducing secondary power loops that exchange power with the primary power loops by employing the principle of orthogonality of power flow at different frequencies. Converter topologies that use nestled secondary loops are proposed that give more possibilities to couple power between primary loops. Nestled loops facilitate the conversion of dc in multiple stages with transformerless modular multilevel converters and make it possible to add of sources and batteries to individual cells. Analytical simulations based on the power and energy balance of a multi-port modular converter system for interconnecting LVDC, MVDC and MVAC illustrate the power flow control capability offered by nestled secondary loops.
Trade Costs and Borders in the World of Global Value Chains

There is a growing body of statistical evidence of the importance of value chains for the global economy. The perception of longer value chains with more border crossings raised concerns about multiple trade barriers and associated costs. In the existing literature, however, the investigations of the accumulation of trade costs through the multi-stage production rarely extended beyond illustrative examples. The likely reasons are poor data and technical difficulties inherent in the newly developed accounting methods that focus on value added flows irrespective of border crossings. This paper proposes two new approaches to quantify the accumulation of trade costs along global value chains and a measure of the average number of border crossings in value chains. These approaches build on the inter-country input-output accounting frameworks that trace gross trade flows backward to their initial origin or forward to their ultimate destination. Data from the World Input-Output Database are supplemented with estimates derived from the UN Comtrade and UN TRAINS, allowing for an experimental computation of the accumulated import tariffs faced by exporters in 2001, 2005 and 2010. At the aggregate country and sector levels, the accumulation of import tariffs is found to be pervasive but moderate. The average number of border crossings exhibits a slow upward trend, but the accumulated tariffs decline quickly. Trade liberalization therefore neutralizes the risk of higher cumulative protection associated with the international fragmentation of production. The findings suggest that the input-output accounting frameworks may significantly extend the frontier of trade policy analysis in the world of global value chains.
High step-up converter with coupled-inductor

In this study, a high step-up converter with a coupled-inductor is investigated. In the proposed strategy, a coupled inductor with a lower-voltage-rated switch is used for raising the voltage gain (whether the switch is turned on or turned off). Moreover, a passive regenerative snubber is utilized for absorbing the energy of stray inductance so that the switch duty cycle can be operated under a wide range, and the related voltage gain is higher than other coupled-inductor-based converters. In addition, all devices in this scheme also have voltage-clamped properties and their voltage stresses are relatively smaller than the output voltage. Thus, it can select low-voltage low-conduction-loss devices, and there are no reverse-recovery currents within the diodes in this circuit. Furthermore, the closed-loop control methodology is utilized in the proposed scheme to overcome the voltage drift problem of the power source under the load variations. As a result, the proposed converter topology can promote the voltage gain of a conventional boost converter with a single inductor, and deal with the problem of the leakage inductor and demagnetization of transformer for a coupled-inductor-based converter. Some experimental results via examples of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) power source and a traditional battery are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed power conversion strategy.
Assessment of dietary intake using the healthy eating index during military training.

OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to use the healthy eating index (HEI) as a tool to characterize diet quality in Soldiers (n=135) during basic combat training (BCT), and to assess the effects of BCT on diet quality by comparing HEI scores before and after the training period. METHODS HEI scores were calculated from a 110-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Soldiers were then divided into tertiles (high, medium, and low) of diet quality based upon HEI scores at the start of BCT. RESULTS No relationships between pre-BCT total HEI score and age, sex, racial background, or physical activity were observed. The odds of being a smoker were 4.75 times higher for those in the low HEI tertile and 3.03 times higher for those in the medium HEI tertile when compared to those in the high HEI tertile (95% CI, 1.67, 13.48 and 1.04, 8.82 respectively). Diet quality improved in the medium and low HEI tertiles over the course of BCT, as total HEI scores increased by 22% and 46% respectively (P<.05) with time in these groups. Although different at the start of BCT, HEI scores were similar between the medium and high HEI tertiles at the end of BCT. CONCLUSION Study findings suggest that the BCT dining environment elicits positive changes in diet quality for Soldiers who enter military training with lower diet quality, and the HEI appears to be a useful tool to identify military personnel with lower diet quality at the start of training. This may provide the opportunity to target interventions such as diet counseling and education in an effort to improve Soldier health and performance.