Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endogenous dipeptidyl peptidase IV modulates skeletal muscle arteriolar diameter in rats

The purpose of this study is to investigate that dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP‐IV) released from skeletal and vascular smooth muscle can increase arteriolar diameter in a skeletal muscle vascular bed by reducing neuropeptide Y (NPY)‐mediated vasoconstriction. We hypothesized that the effect of myokine DPP‐IV would be greatest in the smallest and least in the largest arterioles. Eight male Sprague Dawley rats (age 7–9 weeks; mass, mean ± SD: 258 ± 41 g) were anesthetized and the gluteus maximus dissected in situ for intravital microscopy analysis of arteriolar diameter of the vascular network. Computational modeling was performed on the diameter measurements to evaluate the overall impact of diameter changes on network resistance and flow distribution. In the first set of experiments, whey protein isolate powder was added to physiological saline solution, put in a heated reservoir, and applied to the preparation to induce release of DPP‐IV from the muscle. This resulted in an order‐dependent increase in arteriolar diameter, with the largest change in the 6A arterioles (63% more reactive than 1A arterioles; P < 0.05). This effect was abolished by adding the DPP‐IV inhibitor, Diprotin A. To test if the DPP‐IV released was affecting NPY‐mediated vasoconstriction, we applied NPY and whey protein, which resulted in attenuated vasoconstriction. These findings suggest that DPP‐IV is released from muscle and has a unique effect on blood flow, which appears to act on NPY to attenuate vasoconstriction. The findings suggest that DPP‐IV released from the skeletal or smooth muscle can alter muscle blood flow.
Charging 2G HTS Double Pancake Coils With a Wireless Superconducting DC P ower Supply for Persistent Current Operation

We have designed and built a novel high-temperature superconducting (HTS) flux pump device to charge a second-generation (2G) HTS double pancake coil (DPC). This device generates dc-biased ac travelling wave on sections of 2G HTS coated conductor (superconducting stator), which pumps flux into the superconducting closed loop formed by the DPC and superconducting stator. In this paper, we discuss the importance of the dc-biased field, ac travelling wave, and the travelling direction in the flux pump process, and how to control the magnetization of an HTS coil with the above factors. We have found that a pure ac travelling wave can only transport net flux into the superconducting closed loop in the presence of dc-bias field. The magnetization direction of the DPC can be reversed by reversing the dc-bias direction of the dc background field or travelling direction of the ac travelling wave. This paper shows the versatility and flexibility of this novel flux pump device in controlling the magnetization of the HTS coils, which will work as a wireless dc power source to help persistent current mode operation of a small-scale MRI magnet built by HTS DPCs later in this project.
Impact of extramedullary disease in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation: a study from the Chronic Malignancies Working Party of the EBMT

We investigated extramedullary disease in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients and its impact on outcome following first-line autologous stem cell transplantation. We identified 3744 adult myeloma patients who received up-front single (n=3391) or tandem transplantation (n=353) between 2005 and 2014 with available data on extramedullary involvement at diagnosis. The overall incidence of extramedullary disease was 18.2% (n=682) and increased per year from 6.5% (2005) to 23.7% (2014). Paraskeletal involvement was found in 543 (14.5%) and extramedullary organ involvement in 139 (3.7%). More patients with extramedullary organ involvement had multiple involved sites (≥2; P<0.001). In a comparison of patients with single sites with patients without the disease, up-front transplantation resulted in at least similar 3-year progression-free survival (paraskeletal: P=0.86, and extramedullary organ: P=0.88). In single paraskeletal involvement, this translated less clearly into worse 3-year overall survival (P=0.07) while single organ involvement was significantly worse (P=0.001). Multiple organ sites were associated with worse outcome (P<0.001 and P=0.01). First-line treatment with tandem compared with single transplantation resulted in similar survival in patients with extramedullary disease at diagnosis (P=0.13 for both).
Better safe than sorry? Frequent attendance in a hospital emergency department: an exploratory study

Introduction: Pain accounts for the majority of attendances to the Emergency Department (ED), with insufficient alleviation of symptoms resulting in repeated attendance. People who frequently attend the ED are typically considered to be psychologically and socially vulnerable in addition to experiencing health difficulties. This service development study was commissioned to identify the defining characteristics and unmet needs of frequent attenders (FAs) in a UK acute district general hospital ED, with a view to developing strategies to meet the needs of this group. Methods: A mixed-methods multi-pronged exploratory approach was used, involving staff interviews, focus groups, business data and case note analysis. Results: Findings reflect an absence of a coherent approach to meeting the needs of FAs in the ED, especially those experiencing pain. FAs to this ED tend to be vulnerable, complex and report significant worry and anxiety. Elevated anxiety on the part of the patient may be contributing to a ‘better safe than sorry’ culture within the ED and is reported to bear some influence on the clinical decision-making process. Discussion: It is recommended that a systemic approach is taken to improve the quality and accessibility of individualised care plans, provision of patient education, psychological care and implementation of policies and procedures. Change on an organisational level is likely to improve working culture, staff satisfaction and staff relationships with this vulnerable group of patients. A structured care pathway and supportive changes are likely to lead to economic benefits. Further research should build on findings to implement and test the efficacy of these interventions.
Topical phenytoin accelerates healing in epidermolysis bullosa simplex.

Dr. E. Masgrau-Peya, Clinique universitaire de dermatologie, HCUG, 24, rue Micheli-du-Crest, CH-1211 Geneva 14 (Switzerland) For a few decades phenytoin (PHT) has been used as an anticonvulsant or antiarrhy th-mic agent. In dermatology, it has been used as a wound-healing agent in the treatment of leg ulcers and in the dystrophic form of epidermolysis bullosa. Preliminary observations suggest the efficacy of topical PHT in the management of leg ulcers. We therefore thought to assess the effect of topical PHT in the management of epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS). Eight patients (2 males, 6 females) aged between 1 and 40 years suffering from localized EBS were evaluated. The diagnosis of EBS was made by the family history, the clinical presentation and the histology (1 case). The patients were treated with a PHT cream (2 or 5% in a hydrophilic base). The cream was applied twice daily at the sites of bulla formation (hand and feet) during 636 months. The results were evaluated clinically by regular controls and by a questionary filled in by the patient. The parameters assessed were: (1) the rate of wound healing of bullae and (2) the decrease in the disease activity as expressed by a decrease in the number and size of newly formed bullae. The plasma levels of PHT were determined in 2 cases. The follow-up period ranged from 6 months to 3 years. Topical application of PHT induced, in all cases, an increase in the rate of wound healing. It was markedly faster in 3 of 8 patients. Of particular interest is the case of a 2-year-old girl who had such a severe form of EBS that she was unable to walk. The application of PHT overnight, in a thick coat under occlusion led to marked improvement and allowed a normal physical activity. We determined the plasma levels of PHT after 3 months of treatment in the 2 children. In both cases, we did not find detectable PHT levels in plasma. In 50% of our patients, the application of PHT induced a feeling of burn during several minutes. This side effect, probably due to the NaCl content of the cream, was further avoided by a salinefree preparation of the cream. One year after the end of the study, the 3 patients whose daily activities were largely limited by their EBS, still continue the treatment. The results of this prospective open trial indicate that topical PHT is beneficial to patients suffering from EBS. Most of our patients reported a quicker rate of healing of their lesions and felt improved over a long period of time. Nevertheless, lacking a control group, it is not possible to conclude that the therapeutic effect we observed was due only to PHT. Therefore our observations should be confirmed by a double-blind study. Meanwhile we think that since our patients stick to the treatment even after 3 years, this therapy is beneficial to them. Also, several
Which is most sensitive? Assessing responses of mice and rats in toxicity bioassays

ABSTRACT Rodent species are commonly used in traditional toxicology testing guidelines to predict human health toxicity outcomes. The use of a consistent species in test guidelines is important for maintaining consistency and comparability between tests and testing guidelines. This recommendation was operationalized for this study as the implicit assumption of uniform species and species-sex sensitivities. This investigation analyzed the uniformity assumption using data from National Toxicology Program Technical Reports (and where applicable Toxicity Reports), which provide data from both short-term and chronic rodent toxicity tests. These data were extracted and modeled using the Environmental Protection Agency’s Benchmark Dose Software. Minimum best-fit benchmark doses (BMD) and benchmark dose lower limits (BMDL) were determined and a minimum best-fit BMD10 and BMDL10 estimated for every chemical and study duration. Endpoints of interest included non-neoplastic lesions, final mean body weights, and mean organ weights. The distribution of findings was then assessed to determine the most sensitive species and species-sex combinations associated with the minimum best-fit BMDL10. Data indicated that species and species-sex sensitivity for this group of chemicals is not uniform and that rats are significantly more sensitive than mice for non-cancerous outcomes observed, depending upon study duration. There are also indications that male rats may be more sensitive than other species-sex groups in certain situations.
Robust reconstruction model for compressive data gathering in wireless sensor networks

In practical applications of compressive data gathering (CDG) in wireless sensor networks (WSNs), the reconstruction accuracy is low when observation and measurement process are corrupted by outlier and noise. To eliminate the influence of outlier and noise, robust reconstruction model (RRM) based on sparse characteristic of outlier is presented in this paper. BPDN algorithm is applied to solve the proposed model, and outlier detection algorithm is designed to find the position of outlying sensor readings. In addition, simulation results show that BPDN outperforms OMP in solving the proposed model. And the reconstruction error of BPDN based on RRM is below 0.1, and the outlier detection accuracy is nearly 90% while the number of measurements is only half of the total number of sensor nodes.
Functional Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1/Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Receptor-Mediated Circuit in Human and Murine Thymic Epithelial Cells

Interactions between thymocytes and thymic epithelial cell (TEC) can be modulated by growth hormone via insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). In this study, we showed IGF-1 and IGF-1 receptor mRNA expression by human and murine TEC and thymocytes. Functionally, IGF-1 stimulates extracellular matrix production by human TEC. Moreover, pretreatment of murine TEC with IGF-1 increases their adhesion to thymocytes. Interestingly, we observed an increase in the frequency of CD4–CD8–CD90+ T cells which adhered to pretreated TEC, supporting the concept that IGF-1 may also act indirectly on intrathymic T cell differentiation and migration through the thymic epithelium.
Labor in the Grand Multipara

Objective: To assess delivery time and the frequency of dystocia in grand multiparous (GMP) and grand grand multiparous (GGMP) women. Method: Labor records from 272 women with parity 4–8 (GMP) and 56 women with parity 9 or higher (GGMP) were retrospectively reviewed regarding duration of labor and the occurrence of dystocia. As a comparison, data from 263 women with parity 1–3 (LMP) and 87 nulliparas (NP) was used. Results: Duration of labor, defined as time from admission of the laboring woman to delivery of the infant, lasted in median 2.0, 2.3 and 3.1 h in LMP, GMP and GGMP, respectively. There was no difference in mean cervical dilatation on admission in multiparous women. In GGMP, the presenting part was more frequently positioned above the pelvic inlet at time of admission. In multiparous women admitted during the latent phase, the active phase of labor lasted in median 3.7 h in GMP and 4.7 h in GGMP, significantly longer than 2.9 h in LMP. During the active phase of labor, GGMP experienced arrest of cervical dilatation more frequently than the LMP. In parous women, there was a positive relationship between parity and duration of the active phase of labor as well as the duration of labor. Infant’s birth weight increased by parity. Conclusion: Duration of the active phase of labor increased after the fourth child. Failure of descent of the presenting part during the first stage of labor in addition to arrest of cervical dilatation was associated with a high cesarean section rate in the GMP woman.
Do current and former cigarette smokers have an attentional bias for e-cigarette cues?

The similarity of e-cigarettes to tobacco cigarettes with regard to shape and usage raises the question of whether e-cigarette cues have the same incentive motivational properties as tobacco cigarette cues. The objective of the present study was to examine whether e-cigarette cues capture and hold smokers’ and former smokers’ attention and whether the attentional focus is associated with subsequent craving for tobacco cigarettes. It was also examined whether device type (cigalike or mod) moderated this relationship. Participants (46 current daily smokers, 38 former smokers, 48 non-smokers) were randomly assigned to a device type condition in which their eye-movements were assessed while completing a visual probe task. Craving was assessed before and after the task. Smokers, but not former or non-smokers, maintained their gaze longer on e-cigarette than on neutral pictures (p = 0.004). No difference in dwell time was found between device type. None of the smoking status groups showed faster initial fixations or faster reaction times to e-cigarette compared with neutral cues. Baseline craving was associated with dwell time on e-cigarette cues (p = 0.004). Longer dwell time on e-cigarette cues was associated with more favorable attitudes towards e-cigarettes. These findings indicate that e-cigarette cues may contribute to craving for tobacco cigarettes and suggest the potential regulation of e-cigarette marketing.
4-QAM and 16-QAM modulation employing single dual drive Mach-Zehnder modulator and FBG for OFDM-radio-over-fiber system

In this work, we have simulated a 4QAM and 16QAM based OFDM-RoF system employing FBG centered dispersion compensator and using single DD-MZM capable of directly generating a SSB signal over a transmission distance of 70km and 50km respectively. Simulation results are presented for the above schemes for data rate of 10Gbps without using any optical amplifier in the transmission path.
PRN473, an inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase, inhibits neutrophil recruitment via inhibition of macrophage antigen‐1 signalling

Following inflammatory stimuli, neutrophils are recruited to sites of inflammation and exert effector functions that often have deleterious effects on tissue integrity, which can lead to organ failure. Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is expressed in neutrophils and constitutes a promising pharmacological target for neutrophil‐mediated tissue damage. Here, we evaluate a selective reversible inhibitor of Btk, PRN473, for its ability to dampen neutrophil influx via inhibition of adhesion receptor signalling pathways.
Mortality among people living with HIV/AIDS with non-small-cell lung cancer in the modern HAART Era

ABSTRACT People living with HIV (PLWHA) with adequate access to modern combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) are living longer and experiencing reduced AIDS-related morbidity and mortality. However, increases in non-AIDS related conditions, such as certain cancers, have accompanied these therapeutic advances over time. As such, our study objective was to determine the impact of HIV on all-cause and lung cancer-specific mortality amongst PLWHA with diagnoses of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and HIV-negative individuals with NSCLC. This analysis was inclusive of PLWHA on and off cART over the age of 19 years and a 10% comparison sample from the BC population ≥19 years, over a 13-year period (2000–2013). Kaplan-Meier estimates, Cox PH models, and competing risk analysis for all-cause and cause-specific mortality (respectively) compared PLWHA to HIV-negative individuals, controlling for age, gender, cancer stage, co-morbidities; and nadir CD4 count, viral load, and injection drug use for a HIV-positive specific analysis. We identified 71 PLWHA and 2463 HIV-negative individuals diagnosed with NSCLC between 2000 and 2013. PLWHA with NSCLC were diagnosed at a significantly younger age than HIV-negative individuals (median age 57 vs 71 years, p < 0.01). We found no significant difference in lung cancer-specific mortality. However, in multivariate analysis, HIV was associated with greater all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]:1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–1.90), with median survival of 4 months for PLWHA, and 10 months for HIV-negative. Higher nadir CD4 count was protective against mortality (aHR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.17–0.64) amongst PLWHA in multivariate analysis. Our analysis suggests that PLWHA in the modern cART era experience similar lung cancer survival outcomes compared to the general BC population with NSCLC. However, we also observed significantly higher all-cause mortality among PLWHA with NSCLC, which may warrant further inquiry into the role of HIV in exacerbating mortality among PLWHA with comorbidities and cancer.
New drugs, therapeutic strategies, and future direction for the treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Despite recent advances in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) treatment, this condition is still characterized by an extremely poor prognosis. In this review, we discuss the use of newly-approved drugs for PAH treatment with already known mechanisms of action (macitentan), innovative targets (riociguat and selexipag), and novel therapeutic approaches with initial up-front combination therapy. Secondly, we describe new potential signalling pathways and investigational drugs with promising role in the treatment of PAH.
Improved disturbance rejection for predictor-based control of MIMO linear systems with input delay

ABSTRACT In this paper, we are concerned with the predictor-based control of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) linear systems with input delay and disturbances. By taking the future values of disturbances into consideration, a new improved predictive scheme is proposed. Compared with the existing predictive schemes, our proposed predictive scheme can achieve a finite-time exact state prediction for some smooth disturbances including the constant disturbances, and a better disturbance attenuation can also be achieved for a large class of other time-varying disturbances. The attenuation of mismatched disturbances for second-order linear systems with input delay is also investigated by using our proposed predictor-based controller.
Beyond the Walls: The Social Reintegration of Prisoners Through the Dialogic Reading of Classic Universal Literature in Prison

This study analyzed whether it was possible to successfully transfer an experience of dialogic literary gatherings (DLGs) developed in a prison in the Basque Country (Spain), which was found to enhance the participants’ readiness to return to their communities. A case study was conducted in a different prison in Catalonia that comprised interviews and focus groups with a group of female prisoners and volunteers involved in the DLG. The communicative analysis conducted showed that the replication of the DLG allowed the participants to discuss and reflect on their biographies and their expected pathways upon release, thus opening possibilities for personal and social change. The results show that participants perceived the DLG as a helpful resource for social reintegration and suggest that DLGs can be transferred to different correctional institutions.
Clock genes associate with white matter integrity in depressed bipolar patients

ABSTRACT Human genetic studies have implicated specific genes that constitute the molecular clock in the manifestation of bipolar disorder (BD). Among the clock genes involved in the control system of circadian rhythms, CLOCK 3111 T/C and Period3 (PER3) influence core psychopathological features of mood disorders, such as patterns of sleep, rest, and activity, diurnal preference, cognitive performances after sleep loss, age at the onset of the illness, and response to antidepressant treatment. Furthermore, several studies pointed out that bipolar symptomatology is associated with dysfunctions in white matter (WM) integrity, suggesting these structural alterations as a possible biomarker of the disorder. We hypothesise that CLOCK and PER3 polymorphisms could be potential factors affecting WM microstructure integrity in bipolar patients. The relationship between these clock genes and DTI measures of WM integrity in a sample of 140 (53 M; 87 F) patients affected by BD type I was studied. Tract-based spatial statistics analyses on DTI measures of WM integrity were performed for each clock gene polymorphism, between the genetic groups. We accounted for the effect of nuisance covariates known to influence WM microstructure: age, sex, lithium treatment, age at the onset of the illness, and the number of illness episodes. We found that compared to T homozygotes, CLOCK C carriers showed a widespread increase of the mean diffusivity in several WM tracts. Compared with PER35/5 homozygotes, PER34/4 homozygotes showed significantly increased radial diffusivity and reduced fractional anisotropy in several brain WM tracts. No significant difference was observed between heterozygotes and the other subgroups. Altogether, this pattern of results suggests WM disruption in CLOCK C carrier and in PER34 homozygotes. Sleep promotes myelination and oligodendrocyte precursor cell proliferation and associates with higher expression of genes coding for phospholipid synthesis and myelination in oligodendrocytes. These clock genes play a pivotal role in maintaining circadian rhythms and the sleep-wake cycle. Thus, it may be suggested that CLOCK rs1801260*C and PER34/4 influence myelination processes by regulating sleep quality and quantity.