Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Comparative Results of C0 and C2 Monitoring of CyA in Renal Transplanted Patients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of CyA monitoring using Co monitoring (fasting level after 12 h from last dose), and C2 monitoring (2 h after morning dose) on renal functions, lipid levels, CyA levels, and daily dosages of CyA in renal transplanted patients in the posttransplant period from the first month to the 36th month. In our center between 1992–2003, 37 of the 54 renal transplanted patients were treated with CyA, prednisolone, and mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine. The mean age was 32.36 ± 10.32 and 35.00 ± 10.23 (p = 0.39) in Co (M/F: 18/7) and in C2 (9/3), respectively. Cadaveric donor (d), living related d, and living unrelated d were in four patients (p), 17 p and four p in Co, and two p, seven p, and three p in C2, respectively (p = 0.79). Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) developed in 13 p (52%) and one p (8.3%) in Co and in C2, respectively (p = 0.013). Creatinine clearance values were 72.31 ± 23.10 mL/min and 78.73 ± 22.42 mL/min (p:0.621) at first month, 64.97 ± 22.58 mL/min and 78.00 ± 19.90 mL/min (p:0.065) at sixth month, 56.50 ± 19.62 mL/min and 76.62 ± 21.06 mL/min (p:0.006) at 12th month, 50.28 ± 24.79 mL/min and 80.87 ± 18.24 mL/min (p< 0.001) at 24th month, and 55.15 ± 19.21 mL/min and 86.65 ± 14.97 mL/min (p:0.004) at 36th month in C0 and C2, respectively. The mean daily dosages of CyA were 354.35 ± 122.63 and 266.67 ± 64.95 mg/d (p:0.031) at first month, 277.17 ± 77.94 and 250.00 ± 73.31 mg/d (p:0.228) at sixth month, 247.92 ± 58.48 and 211.36 ± 62.61 mg/d (p:0.09) at 12th month, 232.95 ± 56.90 and 170.45 ± 41.56 mg/d (p:0.003) at 24th month, and 240.63 ± 52.34 and 153.57 ± 46.61 mg/d (p:0.002) at 36th month in C0 and C2, respectively. In C2, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, uric acid, total cholesterol (C), LDL-C, and triglyceride levels were lower than those monitored with C0. In C2, HDL-C levels were also higher than those monitored with C0. None of these patients returned to dialysis or died in this period. In conclusion, during the first 36 months with monitoring C2, preservation of renal function, control of blood pressure serum lipids and uric acid were better than those with monitoring C0. In addition, daily dose of CyA was lower in C2 method and, at the same time, this effect of C2 can be accepted as cost effective.
High External Potassium Induces an Increase in the Phosphorylation of the Cytoskeletal Protein MAP2 in Rat Hippocampal Slices

Depolarization induced in rat hippocampal slices by a high concentration of extracellular K+ leads to an increase in the phosphorylation of microtubule‐associated protein MAP2. The comparison of the major phosphopeptides derived from in situ and in vitro phosphorylated MAP2 suggests the implication of calcium‐dependent protein kinases, including calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase type II and protein kinase C, in the up‐phosphorylation of MAP2. In particular, a peptide containing the tubulin‐binding domain of the MAP2 molecule may be phosphorylated by protein kinase C. As the association of MAP2 with the cytoskeleton may be regulated by phosphorylation, we suggest that changes in the phosphorylation level bf MAP2 might be involved in synaptic remodelling in hippocampal neurons.
Online Learning of Optimally Diverse Rankings

Search engines answer users' queries by listing relevant items (e.g. documents, songs, products, web pages, .). These engines rely on algorithms that learn to rank items so as to present an ordered list maximizing the probability that it contains relevant item. The main challenge in the design of learning-to-rank algorithms stems from the fact that queries often have different meanings for different users. In absence of any contextual information about the query, one often has to adhere to the {\it diversity} principle, i.e., to return a list covering the various possible topics or meanings of the query. To formalize this learning-to-rank problem, we propose a natural model where (i) items are categorized into topics, (ii) users find items relevant only if they match the topic of their query, and (iii) the engine is not aware of the topic of an arriving query, nor of the frequency at which queries related to various topics arrive, nor of the topic-dependent click-through-rates of the items. For this problem, we devise LDR (Learning Diverse Rankings), an algorithm that efficiently learns the optimal list based on users' feedback only. We show that after $T$ queries, the regret of LDR scales as $O((N-L)\log(T))$ where $N$ is the number of all items. We further establish that this scaling cannot be improved, i.e., LDR is order optimal. Finally, using numerical experiments on both artificial and real-world data, we illustrate the superiority of LDR compared to existing learning-to-rank algorithms.
Ion channel and exchange currents in single myocytes isolated from the rabbit atrioventricular node.

OBJECTIVE To review findings from the authors' laboratory in studies of electrophysiological properties of single rod- and spindle-shaped myocytes from rabbit atrioventricular node (AVN). DESIGN Single cells were isolated from the AVN of the rabbit heart with the use of enzymatic and mechanical dispersion. For recording, cells were superfused with a Tyrode's solution at 33 to 37 degrees C, and recordings were made with microelectrodes or patch pipettes under 'current' or voltage' clamp conditions. Results are expressed as mean +/- SEM. RESULTS AVN cells had a mean membrane capacitance of 40 +/- 3.9 pF and membrane resistance of 565 +/- 167 M omega (n = 9). Spontaneously active cells exhibited pacemaker activity showing a clear diastolic depolarization and overshooting action potential (AP) with a relatively slow upstroke velocity (7.4 +/- 0.9 V/s, n = 6) and a maximum diastolic potential of -70.5 +/- 2.9 mV. Under voltage clamp conditions, depolarizing pulses from 40 mV elicited L-type calcium currents sensitive to inhibition by nifedipine and managanese or cadmium ions, which could also block spontaneous APs. Depolarizing pulses also activated delayed rectifier potassium current (IK). IK showed rapid activation, and IK 'tails' in AVN cells were blocked by 5 microM E4031, consistent with the rapidly activating subtype of IK (IKr). IK was similar in AVN and ventricular myocytes, except for the time-course of deactivation, which was faster in AVN cells. In 80% to 90% of cells, hyperpolarizing voltage steps activated a small time-independent current. Ten per cent to 20% of cells showed the hyperpolarization-activated current (I(f)), but I(f) amplitude was only significant at potentials more negative than the pacemaker potential. AVN cells showed an apparent absence of inwardly rectifying potassium current. CONCLUSIONS The high membrane resistance of AVN cells suggests that only small changes in ionic currents could significantly affect membrane potential. L-type calcium current is important in generating the AP upstroke, and IKr may play a role in both AP repolarization and diastolic depolarization. The ionic basis underlying spontaneous activity is not yet clear, but in some cells I(f) is not required because cells without I(f) can generate spontaneous APs.
Use of natural antioxidants to scavenge free radicals: a major cause of diseases.

Damage to cells caused by free radicals is believed to play a central role in the aging process and in disease progression. Antioxidants are our first line of defense against free radical damage, and are critical for maintaining optimum health and wellbeing. The need for antioxidants becomes even more critical with increased exposure to free radicals. Pollution, cigarette smoke, drugs, illness, stress, and even exercise can increase free radical exposure. Because so many factors can contribute to oxidative stress, individual assessment of susceptibility becomes important. Free radical scavenger may prevent the oxidative stress by peroxidation, inhibiting free radicals and also by other mechanism can prevent disease. Antioxidants are intimately involved in the prevention of cellular damage the common pathway for cancer, aging, and a variety of diseases. The present review article is an attempt to generate interest and awareness that, free radical is a major cause of many diseases.
Treatment with TNF-α and IFN-γ alters the activation of SER/THR protein kinases and the metabolic response to IGF-I in mouse c2c12 myogenic cells

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of TNF-α, IL-1β and IFN-γ on the activation of protein kinase B (PKB), p70S6k, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p90rsk, and on IGF-I-stimulated glucose uptake and protein synthesis in mouse C2C12 myotubes. 100 nmol/l IGF-I stimulated glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes by 198.1% and 10 ng/ml TNF-α abolished this effect. Glucose uptake in cells differentiated in the presence of 10 ng/ml IFN-γ increased by 167.2% but did not undergo significant further modification upon the addition of IGF-I. IGF-I increased the rate of protein synthesis by 249.8%. Neither TNF-α nor IFN-γ influenced basal protein synthesis, but both cytokines prevented the IGF-I effect. 10 ng/ml IL-1β did not modify either the basal or IGF-I-dependent glucose uptake and protein synthesis. With the exception of TNF-α causing an 18% decrease in the level of PKB protein, the cellular levels of PKB, p70S6k, p42MAPK, p44MAPK and p90rsk were not affected by the cytokines. IGF-I caused the phosphorylation of PKB (an approximate 8-fold increase above the basal value after 40 min of IGF-I treatment), p42MAPK (a 2.81-fold increase after 50 min), and the activation of p70S6k and p90rsk, manifesting as gel mobility retardation. In cells differentiated in the presence of TNF-α or IFN-γ, this IGF-I-mediated PKB and p70S6k phosphorylation was significantly diminished, and the increase in p42MAPK and p90rsk phosphorylation was prevented. The basal p42MAPK phosphorylation in C2C12 cells treated with IFN-γ was high and comparable with the activation of this kinase by IGF-I. Pretreatment of myogenic cells with IL-1β did not modify the IGF-I-stimulated phosphorylation of PKB, p70S6k, p42MAPK and p90rsk. In conclusion: i) TNF-α and IFN-γ, but not IL-1β, if present in the extracellular environment during C2C12 myoblast differentiation, prevent the stimulatory action of IGF-I on protein synthesis. ii) TNF-α- and IFN-γ-induced IGF-I resistance of protein synthesis could be associated with the decreased phosphorylation of PKB and p70S6k. iii) The activation of glucose uptake in C2C12 myogenic cells treated with IFN-γ is PKB independent. iv) The similar effects of TNF-α and IFN-γ on the signalling and action of IGF-I on protein synthesis in myogenic cells could suggest the involvement of both of these cytokines in protein loss in skeletal muscle.
Material-minimizing forms and structures

Three-dimensional structures in building construction and architecture are realized with conflicting goals in mind: engineering considerations and financial constraints easily are at odds with creative aims. It would therefore be very beneficial if optimization and side conditions involving statics and geometry could play a role already in early stages of design, and could be incorporated in design tools in an unobtrusive and interactive way. This paper, which is concerned with a prominent class of structures, is a substantial step towards this goal. We combine the classical work of Maxwell, Michell, and Airy with differential-geometric considerations and obtain a geometric understanding of "optimality" of surface-like lightweight structures. It turns out that total absolute curvature plays an important role. We enable the modeling of structures of minimal weight which in addition have properties relevant for building construction and design, like planar panels, dominance of axial forces over bending, and geometric alignment constraints.
Napping on the night shift: slacker or savior?

Numerous studies have confirmed the relationship between health care staff fatigue and impaired cognitive, psychomotor, and clinical performance. “Sleeping on the job” has been anathema to expected job performance and a sure-fire way to lose your job for generations of workers in the United States. Soldiers on watch in the military could be courtmartialed or—in time of war—shot for sleeping on duty. Even long before the 24/7 pace at which today’s workers grind, sleeping at work has been viewed as irresponsible, immature, indolent, and/or indisputable evidence of disinterest in maintaining employment. Unlike some Mediterranean and Latin American cultures where a portion of workers’ waking hours are dedicated to taking an afternoon siesta, the United States has perpetuated a cultural disdain for daytime napping for anyone other than preschool children, the sick, or the elderly. When your work involves the security, safety, or health of others, the penalty for being caught sleeping on the job can be immediate termination. The rationale for the pink slip is clear enough, that is, a watchman in an office building under construction is paid to protect the security and integrity of that building and its contents during his shift. If the guard is taking naps, the building and contents are at risk for many potential types of harm. When this transgression is discovered, no one would be surprised to hear that the guard was fired; many would even consider that action to be both justified and appropriate. Likewise, in the case of a security officer found asleep on the job at a hospital in Pennsylvania, the Commonwealth Court indicated that sleeping on the job is a “prima facie . act of willful misconduct. ” So what do you think about the scenario of a night shift critical care nurse napping on the job? In your unit, would that situation be considered as a significant dereliction of professional responsibility? If the nurse was a staff nurse, would it be perceived as compromising the safety and integrity of care for that nurse’s assigned patients? If the napster was a charge nurse, would it be considered as compromising the safety and integrity of patient care on the entire unit? In either case, would it be viewed as a no-no of major glaring proportions that would surely precipitate a stern written warning with the first incident and immediate dismissal with the second? Wouldn’t it? Now I have another question for you to ponder:
Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) as carriers for the topical delivery of econazole nitrate: in‐vitro characterization, ex‐vivo and in‐vivo studies

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) designed for topical administration of econazole nitrate (ECN), were prepared by o/w high‐shear homogenization method using different ratios of lipid and drug (5:1 and 10:1). SLN were characterized in terms of particle size, morphology, encapsulation efficiency and crystalline structure. After incorporation of SLN into hydrogels, rheological measurements were performed, and ex‐vivo drug permeation tests were carried out using porcine stratum corneum (SC). In‐vivo study of percutaneous absorption of ECN as a function of application time and composition of gels was carried out by tape‐stripping technique. Penetration tests of the drug from a conventional gel were performed as comparison. High‐shear homogenization method resulted in a good technique for preparation of ECN‐loaded SLN. Particles had a mean diameter of about 150 nm and a regular shape and smooth surface. The encapsulation efficiency values were about 100%. Ex‐vivo tests showed that SLN were able to control the drug release through the SC; the release rate depended upon the lipid content on the nanoparticles. In‐vivo studies demonstrated that SLN promoted a rapid penetration of ECN through the SC after 1 h and improved the diffusion of the drug in the deeper skin layers after 3 h of application compared with the reference gel.
Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome/X‐linked thrombocytopenia in China: Clinical characteristic and genotype–phenotype correlation

Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) and X‐linked thrombocytopenia (XLT) are caused by mutations of the WAS gene. The genotype–phenotype association of WAS and XLT have not been fully elucidated. Here, we established the largest database of WAS in China to further determine the potential correlation between genotype and phenotype and long‐term outcome.
Pressure-induced superconductivity in topological parent compound Bi2Te3

We report a successful observation of pressure-induced superconductivity in a topological compound Bi2Te3 with Tc of ∼3 K between 3 to 6 GPa. The combined high-pressure structure investigations with synchrotron radiation indicated that the superconductivity occurred at the ambient phase without crystal structure phase transition. The Hall effects measurements indicated the hole-type carrier in the pressure-induced superconducting Bi2Te3 single crystal. Consequently, the first-principles calculations based on the structural data obtained by the Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction patterns at high pressure showed that the electronic structure under pressure remained topologically nontrivial. The results suggested that topological superconductivity can be realized in Bi2Te3 due to the proximity effect between superconducting bulk states and Dirac-type surface states. We also discuss the possibility that the bulk state could be a topological superconductor.
Liver function test abnormalities in early Lyme disease.

OBJECTIVE Lyme disease is a widespread, tick-borne, spirochetal infection with multiple organ system involvement Hepatic dysfunction has not been emphasized in the literature. We report clinical findings and laboratory abnormalities in 73 patients with the pathognomonic erythema migrans rash early in the course of the illness. DESIGN Case series. SETTING Offices of family physicians in private practice and the model offices of a family practice residency program in the lower Connecticut River valley, an area to which Lyme disease is endemic. PATIENTS Thirty-seven female and 36 male patients with erythema migrans who had not yet been treated with antimicrobial agents. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Liver function tests. RESULTS Twenty patients (27%) had liver function abnormalities. Elevation of gamma-glutamyltransferase was the most common finding. Only seven patients (9%) had a positive titer in response to the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Lyme disease. Other laboratory and clinical findings are described. CONCLUSION Subclinical hepatitis is a common finding in early Lyme disease.
THE ROLE OF PHOTOCOAGULATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RETINOSCHISIS.

Introduction Retinoschisis is the term used to describe a split in the sensory retina. In this condition a new cleavage plane develops within that part of the retina derived from the inner layer of the optic cup; whereas in the retinal detachment, fluid accumulates between those parts of the retina derived from the inner and outer layers of the optic cup, between the retinal receptors (rods and cones) and the pigment epithelium. Retinoschisis can occur at any level of the sensory retina, but most commonly the cleavage takes place at the outer plexiform layer, with the accumulation of a mucopolysaccharide-rich viscous fluid within the schisis cavity. As the schisis progresses, the neural elements of the retina are at first stretched and finally lysed producing absolute visual loss in the affected areas. Clinically an absolute visual field defect corresponds to the area of retinoschisis. The diagnosis of retinoschisis is best made
Some Unsolved Problems in Atmospheric Radiative Transfer: Implication for Climate Research in the Asia–Pacific Region

A number of unsolved problems in atmospheric radiative transfer are presented, including the light scattering and absorption by aerosols, the effect of mountains on radiation fields, and radiative transfer in the atmosphere–ocean system, with a specific application to the Asia–Pacific region. We discuss the issues of two nonspherical and inhomogeneous aerosol types, dust and black carbon, regarding climate radiative forcings. Reduction in uncertainties of their radiative forcings must begin with improvement of the knowledge and understanding of the fundamental scattering and absorption properties associated with their composition and size/shape. The effects of intensive topography, such as that in the Tibetan Plateau, on surface radiation and the radiation field above, are significant and the solution requires a three-dimensional radiative transfer program. We show that in a clear atmosphere, surface net solar flux averaged over a mesoscale domain can differ by 5–20 W/m between a slope and a flat surface. Accurate calculations and parametrizations of both solar and thermal infrared radiative transfer in mountains must be developed for effective incorporation in regional and global models. The wind-driven air–sea interface is complex and affects the transfer of solar flux from the atmosphere into the ocean and the heating in the ocean mixed layer. We point out the requirement of reliable and efficient parametrizations of the ocean surface roughness associated with surface winds. The scattering and absorption properties of irregular phytoplankton and other species in the ocean must also be determined on the basis of the rigorous theoretical and experimental approaches for application to remote sensing and climate research.
Beta‐carotene reduces the ductular (oval) cell reaction in the liver of Wistar rats submitted to the resistant hepatocyte model of carcinogenesis

Summary The morphology of livers of Wistar rats treated with beta‐carotene (BC), vitamin A (VA, retinol acetate) or corn oil (CO, controls) and submitted to the resistant hepatocyte model of carcinogenesis was studied. Preneoplastic lesions (PNL) were smaller and less numerous in the BC group. The latter group also presented fewer placental glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST‐P) positive and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) distinguishable PNL, with smaller mean areas and smaller mean areas of the liver occupied by PNL. Clear cell foci predominated in BC livers. In picrosirius‐stained liver sections, fibrosis, whether or not accompanying the bile ductular cells, surrounded only 16.67% of PNL in the BC group, as compared to 35.71% in the VA group and 87.72% in the CO group. Moreover, the ductular cell reaction was smaller in the BC group. Smooth muscle actin‐positive cells surrounded some PNL, mostly in CO rats, and less frequently in the VA and BC groups. Examination by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that cells with nuclei similar to those of perisinusoidal cells, devoid of cytoplasmic fat globules, probably represented myofibroblasts derived from Ito cells and accompanied the ductular cell reaction. On the basis of these results, we suggest that BC reduced not only the PNL but also the ductular (oval) cell reaction in this experimental model.Abbreviations: ASMA, anti‐smooth muscle actin antibody; BC, beta‐carotene; CO, corn oil; GST‐P, placental glutathione‐S‐transferase; PNL, preneoplastic lesion(s); TEM, transmission electron microscopy; VA, vitamin A.