Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Depolarization‐evoked Ca2+ release in a non‐excitable cell, the rat megakaryocyte

1 The effect of membrane potential on [Ca2+]i in rat megakaryocytes was studied using simultaneous whole‐cell patch clamp and fura‐2 fluorescence recordings. 2 Depolarization from −75 to 0 mV had no effect on [Ca2+]i in unstimulated cells, but evoked one or more spikes of Ca2+ increase (peak increase: 714 ± 95 nM) during activation of metabotropic purinoceptors by 1 μM ADP. 3 The depolarization‐evoked Ca2+ increase was present in Ca2+‐free medium and also following removal of Na+. Thus depolarization mobilizes Ca2+ from an intracellular store without a requirement for altered Na+‐Ca2+ exchange activity. 4 Intracellular dialysis with heparin blocked the depolarization‐evoked Ca2+ increase, indicating a role for functional IP3 receptors. 5 Under current clamp, ADP caused the membrane potential to fluctuate between −43 ± 1 and −76 ± 1 mV. Under voltage clamp, depolarization from −75 to −45 mV evoked a transient [Ca2+]i increase (398 ± 91 nM) during exposure to ADP. 6 We conclude that during stimulation of metabotropic purinoceptors, membrane depolarization over the physiological range can stimulate Ca2+ release from intracellular stores in the rat megakaryocyte, a non‐excitable cell type. This may represent an important mechanism by which electrogenic influences can control patterns of [Ca2+]i increase.
Transcultural adaptation and validation of the Korean version of Caregiver Priorities & Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILD)

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to translate and transculturally adapt the Caregiver Priorities & Child Health Index of Life with Disabilities (CPCHILD) questionnaire into Korean language, and to test the reliability and validity, including the internal consistency, known-group validity and factor analysis of the Korean version of the CPCHILD. Methods: A Korean version of CPCHILD was produced according to internationally accepted guidelines. For validity testing, 194 consecutive parents or caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) were recruited and completed the questionnaire. Internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and known-groups validity were evaluated and factor analysis was performed to validate the Korean version of the CPCHILD. Results: In terms of internal consistency, a Cronbach's alpha was above 0.90 in all domains of the CPCHILD (range 0.921 to 0.966), except the 5th domain (0.628). In terms of known-groups validity, the total score of the CPCHILD was significantly different according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level (p < 0.001). Intra-class correlation coefficient spanned from 0.517 to 0.801. Factor analysis showed that the five-factor solution of the CPCHILD explained 76.7% of the variance with 59.0, 6.5, 5.1, 4.2 and 3.2% of variance by each components number. Conclusions: The Korean version of CPCHILD was found to be a reliable and valid questionnaire of caregivers’ perspectives on the health-related quality of life in severely affected children with CP. However, the Korean version of CPCHILD contains some redundant items, and factor analysis suggested a five-domain questionnaire. Implication for Rehabilitation The Korean version of CPCHILD is a reliable, internally consistent, valid instrument for assessing the health-related quality of life in severely affected children with CP from the perspective of caregivers. After the transcultural adaptation and validation of the Korean CPCHILD, it can be reliably used in clinical and research settings to evaluate the health-related quality of life in Korean patients with CP.
Acid-Base Balance in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Stewart-Fencl Analysis

Background. Evaluation of acid-base disorders using the Stewart-Fencl principle is based on assessment of independent factors: strong ion difference (SID) and the total concentration of non-volatile weak acids (Atot). This approach allows for a more detailed evaluation of the cause of acid-base imbalance than the conventional bicarbonate-centered approach based on the Henderson-Hasselbalch principle, which is a necessary yet insufficient condition to describe the state of the system. The aim of our study was to assess acid-base disorders in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients using both of these principles. Methods. A total of 17 patients with chronic renal failure (10 men), aged 60.7 (22–84) years, treated by PD for 25.7 (1–147) months were examined. A control group included 17 healthy volunteers (HV) (8 males), with a mean age of 42.7 (22–77) years and normal renal function. Patients were treated with a solution containing bicarbonate (25 mmol/L) and lactate (15 mmol/L) as buffers; eleven of them used, during the nighttime dwell, a solution with icodextrin buffered by lactate at a concentration of 40 mmol/L. The following equations were employed for calculations of acid-base parameters according to the Stewart-Fencl principle. The first is SID = [Na+] + [K+] + 2[Ca2+] + 2[Mg2+] − [Cl−] − [UA−], where SID is the strong ion difference and [UA−] is the concentration of undetermined anions. For practical calculation of SID, the second equation, SID = [HCO3−] + [Alb−] + [Pi−], was used, where [Alb−] and [Pi−] are the charges carried by albumin and phosphates. The third is Atot, the total concentration of weak non-volatile acids, albumin [Alb] and phosphates [Pi]. Results. The capillary blood pH in PD group was 7.41 (7.27–7.48), [HCO3−] levels 23.7 (17.6–29.5) mmol/L, SID 36.3 (29.5–41.3) mmol/L, sodium-chloride difference 39.0 (31.0–44.0) mmol/L, [Pi] 1.60 (0.83–2.54) mmol/L, and [Alb] 39.7 (28.8–43.4) g/L (median, min-max). Bicarbonate in blood correlated positively with SID (Rho = 0.823; p < 0.001), with the sodium-chloride difference (Rho = 0.649; p < 0.01) and pH (Rho = 0.754; p < 0.001), and negatively with residual renal function (Rho = −0.517; p < 0.05). Moreover, the sodium-chloride difference was also found to correlate with SID (Rho = 0.653; p < 0.01). While the groups of PD and HV patients did not differ in median bicarbonate levels, significantly lower median value of SID were observed in PD patients, 36.3 vs. 39.3 mmol/L (p < 0.01); additionally, PD patients were shown to have significantly lower mean value of serum sodium levels, 138 vs. 141 mmol/L (p < 0.01), and serum chlorides levels, 100 vs. 104 mmol/L (p < 0.001). Despite the higher [UA−] levels in PD patients, 9.1 vs. 5.4 mmol/L (p < 0.001), this parameter was not found to correlate with bicarbonate levels. Conclusions. The results suggest that the decreased bicarbonate in PD patients results from a combination of decreased sodium-chloride difference and mildly increased unmeasured anions.
ANN Modelling of Nonlinear Subsystem of a PEMFC Stack for Dynamic and Steady State Operation

A simple and accurate fuel cell model is required for fuel cell based power electronic applications. An artificial neural network (ANN) model is developed in this paper to model some nonlinear structures within the hybrid model of a PEM fuel cell. It improves accuracy and allows the model to work even under varying operating conditions. What is more, temperature effect on the fuel cell stack are finally represented as current effect by using ANN to represent the relationship between current and temperature. Real-time implementation of the proposed ANN model is realized via a dSPACE processor. Experimental results are provided to verify the validity of the proposed model
Criterion-Related Validity of Sit-and-Reach Tests in University Men in Hong Kong

To examine the criterion-related validity of traditional, modified, and YMCA sit-and-reach tests and the relationships of these with abdominal muscular strength and endurance measured by the sit-up test, 52 university men of mean age 20.7 yr. were administered two trials of six measurements in counterbalanced order, including traditional, modified, and YMCA sit-and-reach tests, passive straight-leg raise, low-back flexibility evaluation, and 1-min. sit-up test. Pearson product-moment correlations were significant (p<.05) for traditional and modified sit-and-reach tests with hamstrings' flexibility (rs = .71 and .77, respectively). Also, the YMCA sit-and-reach test was significantly associated with hamstrings' flexibility (r = .64) and low-back flexibility (r = .47). Stepwise multiple regression indicated hamstrings' flexibility was the only significant predictor of traditional and modified sit-and-reach tests, explaining the variances of 59.1% and 49.8%, respectively. However, both hamstring and low-back flexibility were significant predictors for the YMCA sit-and-reach test, which in total accounted for 52.2% of explained variance. Traditional and modified sit-and-reach tests are valid in assessing hamstrings' flexibility only, whereas the YMCA sit-and-reach test is valid for measuring both the hamstring and low-back flexibility.
Serum 25(OH)D3 vitamin status of elderly Finnish women is suboptimal even after summer sunshine but is not associated with bone density or turnover.

OBJECTIVE Concentrations of 50 and 75 nmol/l are proposed as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) target for older people from the view of bone health. We evaluated vitamin D status of elderly Finnish women in light of these definitions, its relationship to bone mineral density (BMD) and turnover, and improvement by summer sunshine. DESIGN Population-based study. METHODS A total of 1604 ambulatory women aged 62-79 years were studied; 66% used vitamin D supplements. Serum 25(OH)D(3) was measured with HPLC before and after summer, and heel BMD in spring. In subgroups, serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and type I procollagen aminoterminal propeptide (PINP) were analyzed. RESULTS In spring, 60.3% of the women had 25(OH)D(3) <or=50 nmol/l, and the target of 75 nmol/l was reached by 9.1%. For supplement users, the respective numbers were 52.1 and 11.9%. Serum 25(OH)D(3) did not determine BMD or bone turnover measured by serum PINP. Summer sunshine increased serum 25(OH)D(3) by 17.4% (P<0.0001), but in autumn 84% of the subjects remained under the target of 75 nmol/l. In supplement users, PTH remained stable but decreased in others during summer (P=0.025). CONCLUSIONS Vitamin D status of elderly Finnish women is suboptimal if 25(OH)D(3) levels of 50 or 75 nmol/l are used as a threshold. It is moderately increased by supplement intake and summer sunshine. However, 25(OH)D(3) concentrations did not influence bone density in terms of serum PINP and bone turnover rate.
Paraconsistency and the ℂ-Systems of da Costa

Two extensions of the C-systems of da Costa are considered, and both are shown to collapse all but the base system C ω into classical logic. The general result is established that there is no extension of the stronger C-systems which both enjoys the intersubstitutivity property and is weaker than classical logic. Methods of constructing alternative but related hierarchies for which this property might more successfully be secured are suggested
Ionic basis of hypertension, insulin resistance, vascular disease, and related disorders. The mechanism of "syndrome X".

Great pathophysiological significance has recently been placed on the association of metabolic abnormalities, such as hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, obesity, and frank diabetes mellitus, with essential hypertension and coronary artery disease, and the clinical coincidence of these features has been termed "syndrome X. " Despite the suggestion that insulin itself mediates this clinical linkage, the specific mechanisms underlying this syndrome remain poorly understood. We have attempted to understand these phenomena at the cellular level, and have investigated the role of cellular mineral ion species such as cytosolic free calcium (Cai), free magnesium (Mgi), and intracellular pH (pHi) in various insulin resistant states, including essential hypertension, obesity, and type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Utilizing nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic techniques to noninvasively assess intracellular concentrations of these ions, we observed that each of these disease states is characterized, in whole or in part, by common abnormalities of cellular ion metabolism, including elevated Cai levels and suppressed levels of Mgi and pHi. Furthermore, despite the predominant use of red cells as a tissue source, the measured levels of Cai, Mgi, and pHi were closely related to the ambient blood pressure, the degree of cardiac hypertrophy, and to the hyperinsulinemic response to oral glucose challenge. Altogether, these data suggest an integrated "ionic hypothesis" in which the frequent clinical coexistence of hypertension and altered insulin metabolism derives from common abnormalities of cellular ion handling, resulting in excess steady-state levels of Cai, reciprocal depletion of Mgi, and lowered pHi. These cellular ion alterations would be expected to have tissue-specific consequences, appearing in vascular tissue as vasoconstriction and elevated blood pressure, in skeletal muscle and fat as insulin resistance, in pancreatic beta-cells as hyperinsulinemia, and in neural tissue as potentiated neurotransmitter release and increased sympathetic nerve activity. Thus, according to this hypothesis, essential hypertension, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, and NIDDM are in reality different clinical components of what should be better designated as "generalized cardiovascular-metabolic disease" (GCMD).
Delay-dependent robust stability of uncertain discrete singular time-delay systems

This paper deals with the problem of delay-dependent robust stability of a class of uncertain discrete singular time-delay systems. The considered systems are subject to norm-bounded parameter uncertainties and constant time delay. A new approach is introduced to take the relationship between the fast and slow subsystems of a discrete singular time-delay system, based on which, a strict linear matrix inequality (LMI) criterion is obtained for a discrete singular time-delay system to be regular, causal and stable. The result on robust stability of uncertain discrete singular time-delay systems is also obtained and expressed in terms of LMIs. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method
Possible association between –G308A tumour necrosis factor-&agr; gene polymorphism and major depressive disorder in the Korean population

Objective The present study was aimed at examining the association between the –G308A tumour necrosis factor-&agr; gene polymorphism and major depressive disorder (MDD) in the Korean population. Methods One hundred and eight in-patients with MDD and 125 healthy controls participated in this study. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results Genotype and allele distributions in patients with MDD (P=0.024 and P=0.0125, respectively), were significantly different from those of the controls. In particular, subjects with MDD had an increased frequency of the TNF2 (A) allele. Conclusion The present study suggests that the –G308A tumour necrosis factor-&agr; gene polymorphism may have a potential role for susceptibility to MDD in the Korean population.
Development of a Location-Based Approaching Notification System Using Android Platform

Mobile application uses and development is a rapidly growing sector. Nowadays mobile devices are more powerful and portable with plenty of useful tools for assisting people handle daily life. The main objective of this paper is to develop a mobile application that solves the problems facing bus drivers and parents when parents do not show up, and when kids wait for a long time. The application also produces the current drivers map to be used for bus fleet management purposes. The application makes use of the location service on Android to specify the current location of the driver, and the Google’s cloud to device messaging to push approaching notifications to parents. The application is developed using an Extreme Programming (XP) based methodology that performs the analysis, design, implementation, and testing iteratively.
Psychological symptoms and physical health and health behaviours in adolescents: a prospective 2-year study in East London.

AIMS To examine whether physical health and health-risk behaviours in young people are risk factors for psychological distress and depressive symptoms over a 2-year period. DESIGN/SETTING A 2-year, prospective epidemiological cohort study in East London. PARTICIPANTS A total of 1615 adolescents from the Research with East London Adolescents: Community Health Survey (RELACHS)-a representative cohort of young people aged 11-12 and 13-14 years at baseline, followed-up after 2 years. MEASUREMENTS Psychological distress and depressive symptoms identified by the self-report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Short Moods and Feelings Questionnaire at baseline and follow-up. Data on overweight/obesity, general health, long-standing illness, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use and drug use were collected from questionnaires completed by the adolescents at baseline and follow-up. FINDINGS At follow-up, 10.1% of males and 12.9% of females reported psychological distress; 20% of males and 33.7% of females reported depressive symptoms. Having tried drugs or engaged in two or more health-risk behaviours (smoking, alcohol use or drug use) at baseline predicted psychological distress and depressive symptoms at follow-up. Smoking on its own, long-standing illness, obesity/overweight and activity levels were not associated with later psychological health. Risk of poor psychological health at follow-up was associated strongly with psychological health at baseline. CONCLUSIONS Psychological health at baseline was the strongest predictor of psychological health at follow-up. Engaging in two or more health-risk behaviours moderately increased the risk of poor psychological health, suggesting that prevention strategies targeting co-occuring substance use may reduce burden of disease.
Adolescent pregnancies and deliveries: problems encountered

Teenage pregnancies are increasing and need special attention. The aim of this retrospective study, conducted from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2004 at the maternity department of the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital, Cameroon, was to analyze the evolution of pregnancy and delivery in primiparous teenagers. The medical files of 190 teenagers and 403 patients aged between 20 and 25 years were analyzed and compared. Mean gestational age, the rate of pregnancy-induced hypertensive disease and the caesarean section rate were similar in both groups. However, there were a greater number of low Apgar scores, vaginal tears and instrumental deliveries in teenagers. Those aged 15 years or less had the additional risk of an increased rate of preterm labour, low birth weight and early neonatal death. Therefore, pregnancies and deliveries among teenagers, especially those aged 15 years or less, should be monitored regularly.
Tandem SH2 Domains Confer High Specificity in Tyrosine Kinase Signaling*

SH2 domain proteins transmit intracellular signals initiated by activated tyrosine kinase-linked receptors. Recent three-dimensional structures suggest mechanisms by which tandem SH2 domains might confer higher specificity than individual SH2 domains. To test this, binding studies were conducted with tandem domains from the five signaling enzymes: phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p85, ZAP-70, Syk, SHP-2, and phospholipase C-γ1. Bisphosphorylated TAMs (tyrosine-based activation motifs) were derived from biologically relevant sites in platelet-derived growth factor, T cell, B cell, and high affinity IgE receptors and the receptor substrates IRS-1 (insulin receptor substrate-1) and SHPS-1/SIRP. Each tandem SH2 domain binds a distinct TAM corresponding to its appropriate biological partner with highest affinity (0.5–3.0 nm). Alternative TAMs bind the tandem SH2 domains with 1,000- to >10,000-fold lower affinity than biologically relevant TAMs. This level of specificity is significantly greater than the ∼20–50-fold typically seen for individual SH2 domains. We conclude that high biological specificity is conferred by the simultaneous interaction of two SH2 domains in a signaling enzyme with bisphosphorylated TAMs in activated receptors and substrates.
Oral health of Indigenous adult public dental patients in Australia.

BACKGROUND Indigenous Australians have been reported in a range of studies to have worse health than non-Indigenous Australians. Among health care card holders, a financially disadvantaged group eligible for public-funded dental care, oral health may also be worse among Indigenous persons. The aims of this study were to examine the oral health of Indigenous compared to non-Indigenous adult public dental patients in terms of caries experience and periodontal status, controlling for age and gender of patient, type of care and geographic location. METHODS Patients were sampled randomly by state/territory dental services in 2001-2002. Dentists recorded oral health status at the initial visit of a course of care using written instructions. The samples were weighted in proportion to the numbers of public-funded dental patients for each state/territory. RESULTS Multivariate logistic regression showed that the presence of periodontal pockets of 6+ mm was higher (P < 0.05) among Indigenous compared to non-Indigenous patients (OR = 2.24, 1.34-3.76), after controlling for age and gender of patients, type of care and geographic location. Multivariate negative binomial regression analysis (RR: rate ratio) controlling for age and gender of patients, type of care and geographic location indicated that Indigenous patients had higher numbers of decayed teeth (RR = 1.42) and missing teeth (RR = 1.44) but lower numbers of filled teeth (RR = 0.51) compared to non-Indigenous patients (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the DMFT index, indicating similar cumulative past and present experience of dental caries for Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients. CONCLUSIONS Indigenous adult public dental patients had worse oral health status than non-Indigenous patients, with a higher percentage of Indigenous patients having periodontal pockets 6+ mm, and Indigenous patients having more decayed and missing teeth. Indigenous patients lack both timely and appropriate preventive and treatment services.
Investigation of power rectifier under non-sinusoidal input based on hybrid multilevel converter

This paper discusses a power rectifier based on a cascaded topology composed of a three-leg cell and three H-bridge cells. Each leg of the three-leg cell is cascaded connected to an H-bridge cell. Since different types of converter are series-connected, the topology is assumed to be hybrid. The capacitors of the H-bridge cells operate as floating capacitors. It is shown that the discussed topology permits the operation even if the grid voltages present harmonic components without the need to increase the capacitor voltages. Control and Pulse Width Modulation strategies are explained in order to adjust the capacitor voltages and grid currents. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate the validity of the discussed strategies and the feasibility of the system. The hybrid topology has its harmonic distortion and semiconductor losses values compared to the ones obtained with the conventional three-leg converter.