Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Improvement of p-Channel Tin Monoxide Transistors With a Solution-Processed Zirconium Oxide Gate Dielectric

This letter reports the fabrication of p-channel tin monoxide (SnO) thin-film transistors (TFTs) with a high-permittivity zirconium oxide (ZrO<sub>2</sub>) gate insulator film, which were prepared by a low-cost spin-cast method. The spin-cast ZrO<sub>2</sub> dielectrics exhibit a low leakage current density of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$4.5 \times 10^{{\textsf {-8}}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> A/cm<sup>2</sup> at 1 MV/cm. Introducing the ZrO<sub>2</sub> dielectric in top-type SnO TFTs allows for a reduction in the driving gate voltage range from 80 to 10 V, as compared with devices with a thermal SiO<sub>2</sub> gate insulator. Additionally, a high field-effect mobility of 2.5 cm<sup>2</sup>/Vs and an <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$I_{{ \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle ON} / \mathrm{\scriptscriptstyle OFF}}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$3 \times 10^{{\textsf {3}}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> were preserved.
Paracrine Hedgehog signaling in stomach and intestine: new roles for hedgehog in gastrointestinal patterning.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Hedgehog signaling is critical in gastrointestinal patterning. Mice deficient in Hedgehog signaling exhibit abnormalities that mirror deformities seen in the human VACTERL (vertebral, anal, cardiac, tracheal, esophageal, renal, limb) association. However, the direction of Hedgehog signal flow is controversial and the cellular targets of Hedgehog signaling change with time during development. We profiled cellular Hedgehog response patterns from embryonic day 10.5 (E10.5) to adult in murine antrum, pyloric region, small intestine, and colon. METHODS Hedgehog signaling was profiled using Hedgehog pathway reporter mice and in situ hybridization. Cellular targets were identified by immunostaining. Ihh-overexpressing transgenic animals were generated and analyzed. RESULTS Hedgehog signaling is strictly paracrine from antrum to colon throughout embryonic and adult life. Novel findings include the following: mesothelial cells of the serosa transduce Hedgehog signals in fetal life; the hindgut epithelium expresses Ptch but not Gli1 at E10.5; the 2 layers of the muscularis externa respond differently to Hedgehog signals; organogenesis of the pyloric sphincter is associated with robust Hedgehog signaling; dramatically different Hedgehog responses characterize stomach and intestine at E16; and after birth, the muscularis mucosa and villus smooth muscle consist primarily of Hedgehog-responsive cells and Hh levels actively modulate villus core smooth muscle. CONCLUSIONS These studies reveal a previously unrecognized association of paracrine Hedgehog signaling with several gastrointestinal patterning events involving the serosa, pylorus, and villus smooth muscle. The results may have implications for several human anomalies and could potentially expand the spectrum of the human VACTERL association.
Successful Simultaneous Islet‐Kidney Transplantation using a Steroid‐free Immunosuppression: Two‐Year Follow‐up

We report on the feasibility of a glucocorticoid‐free immunosuppression (sirolimus, low‐dose tacrolimus, and daclizumab) in simultaneous islet‐kidney transplantation in nine patients with type 1 diabetes. There was one renal primary nonfunction. Renal function (n = 8) as assessed by creatinine and creatinine clearance over time was 103 ± 6 μmol/L and 64 ± 6 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Five out of six patients with ≥ 2 islet transplantations became insulin independent. The mean HbA1c during the follow‐up period for all patients after transplantation is 6.2 ± 0.9% as compared with 8.7 ± 1.9% prior to transplant. These results in patients with a median follow‐up of 2.3 years suggest that kidney transplantation under a glucocorticoid‐free immunosuppression is feasible, and that the rate of insulin independence of 80% can be achieved not only in patients with no or minimal diabetes complications, but also in patients with more advanced late complications and in conjunction with kidney transplantation.
Transactive memory system in new product development teams

With the increasing popularity of collective memory in the group behavior literature, the transactive memory system (TMS) attracts many researchers and practitioners from different fields, in particular, small group research. Nevertheless, the application of the theory of TMS on new product development teams is surprisingly scant. We argue that the TMS leverages the notion of project-team memory, which is mostly equated with mechanistic memory or electronic documents and databases, by facilitating an interpersonal awareness of who knows what and who has appropriate and adequate skills and expertise, and then receiving information from that person. We then empirically test the effects of TMS on new product development outcomes including mediating and moderating factors, i.e., the collective mind and environmental turbulence, respectively. By investigating 79 Turkish new product development project teams, we found that: 1) the TMS has a positive impact on team learning and speed-to-market; 2) the collective mind (i.e., team members' attention to interrelating actions) mediates relations between the TMS, team learning, and speed-to-market; and 3) team learning and speed-to-market mediates relations between the TMS and new product success. Further, the moderating effect of environmental turbulence is investigated between the TMS, and team learning and speed-to-market. We found that the impact of the TMS on: 1) speed-to-market is negative when market and technology turbulence associated with the environment is high and 2) team learning changes quadratically with respect to the market and technology turbulence. Theoretical and managerial implications of the study findings are discussed.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of tocilizumab, a humanized anti-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibody, following single-dose administration by subcutaneous and intravenous routes to healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVES Tocilizumab, a humanized anti-interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) monoclonal antibody, given by intravenous (i.v.) infusion every 4 weeks has been approved for treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The objective of the study was to determine pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of tocilizumab including absolute PK and PD bioavailabilities following subcutaneous (s.c.) administration. METHODS The PK and PD of tocilizumab 162 mg or 81 mg after single s.c. and i.v. administration were evaluated in an open-label, 4-parallel group study involving 48 healthy subjects (n = 12/group). RESULTS Following single-dose s.c. administration of tocilizumab, area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC∞) increased by 6.4-fold, and maximum serum concentration (Cmax) increased by 4-fold, as the dose was doubled from 81 mg to 162 mg. Tocilizumab absolute PK bioavailability (AUC∞ ratio (s.c./i.v.)) was higher at 162 mg (48.8%) than at 81 mg (22.7%). Tocilizumab PD bioavailability for soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R) (AUClast ratio (s.c./i.v.)) was 109% at 162 mg and 80.9% at 81 mg. Tocilizumab PD bioavailability for C-reactive protein (CRP) effect was 98.2% (CRP AUC480h ratio) at 162 mg and 80.4% (AUC240h ratio (s.c./i.v.)) at 81 mg. Tocilizumab was well tolerated at both doses after s.c. and i.v. administration. CONCLUSIONS Tocilizumab absolute PK bioavailability for s.c. vs. i.v. administration was low; however, the PD effects for sIL-6R and CRP levels were comparable after 162-mg s.c. and i.v. administration. Therefore, 162 mg s.c. dose is a comparable dose for 162 mg i.v. dose based on PD bioavailability.
Interleukin‐10 production by human carcinoma cell lines and its relationship to interleukin‐6 expression

Recent data indicate a major role for IL‐10 in suppressing immune and inflammatory reactions. To date, expression of human IL‐10 has been attributed primarily to helper T lymphocytes, activated monocytes, and neoplastic B cells, and was often found to be associated with IL‐6 expression. In this study we sought to determine whether non‐hematopoietic human tumor cell lines produce IL‐10 and, if so, what is the relationship between IL‐10 and IL‐6. Using ELISA, we determined IL‐10 and IL‐6 levels in culture supernatants of 48 cell lines established from carcinomas of the kidney, colon, breast and pancreas, malignant melanomas and neuroblastomas. IL‐6 protein was secreted by 28 of the tumor ceil lines; IL‐10 was measurable in 15 cell lines. IL‐6 secretion was maximal and most frequent in renal‐cancer cell lines, while IL‐10 production was found to be highest and most common among cell lines derived from colon carcinomas. IL‐10 in conditioned medium of one of the colon carcinoma cell lines (CCL222) was bio‐active, as demonstrated in the mouse MC/9 mast‐cell‐line assay and in human mixed‐lymphocyte reactions. In both assays, IL‐10 bio‐activity was neutralized by an anti‐IL‐10 monoclonal antibody. Expression of IL‐6 and IL‐10 was confirmed by RNA analysis using message amplification by PCR and sequencing of amplified cDNA. LPS, IL‐1 alpha, and TNF‐alpha strongly enhanced the release of IL‐6 by RCC cells, but only marginally affected IL‐10 production in colon‐carcinoma cells. IL‐10 secretion by colon‐carcinoma cells was moderately stimulated by IFN‐gamma and IL‐4. Dexamethasone suppressed the release of IL‐6, but had no inhibitory effect on IL‐10 secretion. Our results demonstrate that tumor cell lines established from certain types of human carcinomas are capable of expressing and releasing IL‐6 and/or IL‐10, suggesting a role of these cytokines in solid‐tumor development and anti‐tumor immunity. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of Meteorological Variables and Coronary Blood Flow

We aimed to assess the impact of meteorological variables on coronary blood flow (CBF). Coronary blood flow was evaluated using the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction frame count (TFC). The association of CBF with meteorological parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, total solar radiation, atmospheric pressure, wind velocity, and total sunshine duration were investigated as well as demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics. Assessment of 1206 patients (median age = 53 years, 723 females) revealed the presence of slow coronary flow (SCF) in 196 patients. Daily maximum temperature [odds ratio = 0.951, 95% confidence interval = 0.916-0.986, P = . 007] was the only independent predictor of the presence of SCF, whereas systolic blood pressure (β = −0.139, P = .026), hematocrit level (β = 0.128, P = .044), and daily maximum temperature (β = −1.479, P = .049) were independent predictors of log10 (mean TFC). Findings of the present study suggest a role of meteorological parameters in CBF regulation.
[Application of fluorescence in-situ hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in molecular diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumor].

OBJECTIVE To detect tumor specific chromosome translocations and associated fusion transcripts in paraffin-embedded tissue by interphase fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively, and to evaluate their diagnostic values for Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (ES/PNET). METHODS Nuclei of the tumor cells and total RNA were extracted from 10 cases of ES/PNET. Interphase FISH was utilized to analyze the EWS gene translocation with a dual color, break apart probe (Vysis company). RT-PCR was used to detect t (11; 22) (q24; q12) and t (21; 22) (q22; q12) fusion transcripts. RESULTS Among 10 cases of ES/PNET, the EWS-FLI1 fusion transcript was detected in 8 by RT-PCR. EWS-ERG fusion transcript was not detected in any of the cases. EWS gene translocation was found in 9 of 10 cases by FISH. CONCLUSIONS Interphase FISH and RT-PCR can be reliably applied to paraffin-embedded tissues for molecular diagnosis of ES/PNET. Between the two approaches, interphase FISH provides a more sensitive and stable result.
Release probability modulates short‐term plasticity at a rat giant terminal

1 Modulation of release probability is a major factor underlying short‐term synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system. We have investigated the relationship between release probability ((Pr) and paired‐pulse modulation at a large auditory calyceal synapse containing many transmitter release sites. Whole‐cell patch electrode recordings were made of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs), evoked by stimulation of auditory nerve fibres giving rise to the endbulbs of Held. 2 Quantitative estimates of Pr and quantal amplitude were obtained using the recently developed variance‐mean analysis technique. Release probability conditions were modulated by bath application of cadmium, elevated calcium and protein kinase C activation by phorbol esters. 3 Our results show that, under physiological conditions, most sites released neurotransmitter following a single presynaptic nerve impulse, with a mean Pr of 0·6. The mean quantal amplitude was 44 pA, which was consistent with the mean amplitude of miniature EPSCs (47 pA). 4 Under high release probability conditions with elevated calcium or phorbol esters, Pr at all sites approached 1·0. At these high Pr values, variance‐mean analysis indicated a significant postsynaptic contribution to paired‐pulse depression. The miniature EPSC amplitudes were decreased following stimulation in elevated calcium, confirming a postsynaptic component of paired‐pulse depression at this glutamatergic connection. 5 A notable feature was the large variability between neurons in the relationship between paired‐pulse ratio and Pr. Based on current models of vesicle release and ultrastructural evidence, we suggest that this variability may be partly due to morphological differences between endbulb specializations, particularly in the ratio of fusion‐ready to reserve populations of vesicles at endbulb release sites.
Is there any correlation between stages of endometriosis and severity of chronic pelvic pain? Possibilities of treatment

We report herein findings on 181 patients, suffering from pelvic endometriosis confirmed by histology, whose main symptom was chronic pelvic pain (CPP). They attended the outpatient clinic at the 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Semmelweis University in Budapest, between 1 January 1995 and 1 January 2000. The extent of pelvic endometriosis was determined on the basis of the 1985 revised scoring system of the American Fertility Society (R-AFS). The short form of the McGill pain questionnaire was used for the evaluation of CPP. After the first operative intervention, therapy with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog was given for 6 months. Second-look laparoscopy was performed 8–10 weeks after the end of GnRH-analog treatment, which was followed by a non-conventionally administered, monophasic oral contraceptive (OC) treatment. In the long term, 118 patients received the non-conventionally administered, monophasic OC treatment, which contained a third-generation progestogen, to be taken continuously for at least 6 months. The other 63 patients who did not receive OC treatment for one reason or another were evaluated as a control group. We analyzed data on CPP before the first surgical intervention, then following therapy with the GnRH analog at the second-look operation, and then after 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. We also reviewed potential causes of CPP, especially focused on endometriosis. No correlation was found between the stage of endometriosis according to R-AFS score and the severity of CPP. At the 24-month follow-up after second-look laparoscopy, the non-conventionally administered monophasic OC treatment was found not only to significantly reduce pain scores, but also the required radical operative solution (hysterectomy plus bilateral adnexectomy) for CPP by OC users.
Safety, tolerability, and outcomes of regular automated red cell exchange transfusion in the management of sickle cell disease

We report here our experience with regular automated red cell exchange transfusion for the management of chronic complications of sickle cell disease in 50 patients in our institution from June 2011 to December 2014. The mean sickle hemoglobin level was 44% and 8.5% pre‐ and post‐transfusion, respectively. Platelets were reduced by a mean 70% during the procedure with a count of less than 50 × 109/l in 6% of cases. The alloimmunization rate was 0.065/100 units of red cells with no hemolytic reactions. Patients with no iron overload at baseline showed no evidence of iron accumulation with a mean liver iron concentration of 1.6 mg/g dry tissue and 1.9 mg/g dry tissue at baseline and 36 months, respectively. All six patients with pre‐existing iron overload and on chelation therapy, showed a gradual reduction of their liver iron concentration and two patients could discontinue chelation during the follow‐up period. Seventy percentage of patients who were on the programme for recurrent painful crises showed a sustained reduction in the number of emergency hospital attendances; the mean number of days in hospital for emergency treatment was 103 in the year prior to commencing ARCET and reduced to 62 (40%) after the first 12 months, 51 (50%) after 24 months, and 35 days (66%) after 36 months. J. Clin. Apheresis 31:545–550, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detection of pepsin and glucose in tracheal secretions as indicators of aspiration in mechanically ventilated children

Objectives The detection of glucose in tracheal secretions has been used as an indicator of aspiration in mechanically ventilated, tube-fed children. Pepsin detection may be a more specific indicator. We determined the frequency of pepsin and glucose detection in tracheal secretions of mechanically ventilated children and studied the relationships between tracheal secretion pepsin and glucose and clinical evidence of gastroesophageal reflux. Design Prospective observational study. Setting University teaching hospital. Patients A convenience sample of mechanically ventilated children. Interventions Tracheal secretions were collected at the time of routine endotracheal tube suctioning. Tracheal aspirate glucose concentrations were assessed by using glucose oxidase reagent strips. Tracheal aspirate pepsin was detected by laboratory immunoassay. Measurements and Main Results One hundred tracheal aspirates were collected from 37 children. Pepsin (≥1 &mgr;g/mL) was detected in nine aspirates, and glucose (≥20 mg/dL) was detected in 59 aspirates. Overall, five (13.5%) patients had at least one pepsin-positive aspirate, and 33 (89%) had at least one glucose-positive aspirate. Patients with at least one pepsin-positive aspirate were more likely to have clinical evidence of gastroesophageal reflux than patients with pepsin-negative aspirates (5 of 5 vs. 9 of 32, p < .01, Fisher’s exact test). Tracheal aspirate glucose positivity was unrelated to the administration of tube feedings and gastroesophageal reflux. No relationship between pepsin and glucose positivity was observed. Conclusions Pepsin is detectable in tracheal secretions of mechanically ventilated children at risk for aspiration. Elevated glucose concentrations in tracheal secretions can occur by mechanisms other than aspiration of glucose-rich formula. Pepsin may be a more specific marker for aspiration than glucose.
Chemical and nutritional characterization of Chenopodium pallidicaule (cañ ihua) and Chenopodium quinoa (quinoa) seeds

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) and can ihua (Chenopodium pallidicaule Allen) are native Andean food plants of high nutritional value used as food by the Incas and previous cultures. An extensive analytical study was done on three samples for each species for all amino acids, sterols, fatty acids and mineral determination. The aim was to evaluate the chemical and nutritional characterization of can ihua and quinoa in relationship with wheat, corn, rice, rye, as sources of dietary fiber and other bioactive compounds in human and animal. C. quinoa and pallidicaule present an excellent nutritional value with high (14-18%) protein content, balanced amino acid composition, trace elements and vitamins and contain no gluten. This food species presented rich flavonol and triterpene glycosides fractions that include different compounds. C. quinoa and pallidicaule are an excellent example of functional foods that aims to prevent the risk of various diseases
The Conceptual Representation of Number

The experiments reported here investigated the format of plural conceptual representations using a picture-matching paradigm. In Experiment 1, participants read sentences that ended with a singular noun phrase (NP), a two-quantified plural NP, or a plural definite description [The parents handed the child the (two) crayon/s] and then saw a picture of one or multiple referents for the NP. Judgement times to confirm that there was overlap between the pictured object(s) and a noun in the sentence showed an interaction between the NP's number and NP–picture match. For singular NPs and two-quantified NPs, participants were reliably faster to respond “yes” to a picture that had the exact number of objects specified by the NP, but for plural definite descriptions, the effect of the number of pictured items was not reliable. Experiment 2 extended this finding to conceptual plurals. Participants read sentences biased toward either a collective (Together the men carried a box—box is interpreted as singular) or distributed (Each of the men carried a box—box is likely interpreted as plural) reading. Experiment 2 showed the same interaction between NP conceptual plurality and NP–picture match as that in Experiment 1. These results suggest that: (a) our default conceptual representations for plural definite descriptions are no more similar to images of small sets of multiple items than to images of singular items; and (b) the difference between singular and plural conceptual representations is unlikely to be simply the presence or absence of a plural feature. The results are consistent with theories in which plurality is unmarked, such that some plural NPs can refer to singular referents [e.g., Sauerland, U. , Anderssen, J., & Yatsushiro, J. (2005). The plural is semantically unmarked. In S. Kepser & M. Reis (Eds.), Linguistic evidence (pp. 413–434). Berlin: de Gruyter].
Combination of very low energy diets and pharmacotherapy in the treatment of obesity: meta‐analysis of published data

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, with more than 1 billion adults overweight – at least 300 million of them clinically obese – and is a major contributor to the global burden of chronic disease (heart disease and diabetes) and disability. The aim of the study was to perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis of published data on the combination of very low energy diets also known as very low calorie diets and pharmacotherapy for its effectiveness in the treatment of obesity. A MEDLINE (Pubmed) search from 1970 to 2009 using multiple combinations of the relevant terms was carried out; the matching articles were also searched for additional references. Meta‐analysis tools were used to summarize results. Only randomized controlled trials that compared pharmacotherapy with placebo after a very low energy diet period were selected, and six articles were finally considered to be appropriate for evaluation. The combination of very low energy diet and pharmacotherapy was found to be effective for people with obesity in clinical trials. The net effect of 6.1 kg placebo subtracted weight loss after 1 year represents a clinically meaningful result that is comparable with the effect of drugs given at the start of a weight loss programme. The present meta‐analysis contributes to the understanding that combination therapies are expected to achieve greater weight loss than monotherapy; grasping this understanding, researcher has introduced newer anti‐obesity pharmacological approaches have embraced combination therapies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.