Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
House Dust Mite Allergens and the Induction of Monocyte Interleukin 1 b Production That Triggers an I k B z -Dependent Granulocyte Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Release from Human Lung Epithelial Cells

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by in ﬂ ammation centered upon bronchial epithelium. House dust mite is one of the most common respiratory allergens that trigger exacerbations of asthma. I k B z (gene NFKBIZ ) is a recently recognized member of the NF- k B family that can be induced in mononuclear phagocytes and lung epithelial cells and has been shown to play a prominent role in epithelial cell function. We therefore analyzed the role of I k B z in regulating lung epithelial cell cytokine responses to house dust mite mix (HDM). We found that human bronchial epithelial cells express I k B z and release IL-6 and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF) when cocultured with human monocytes and HDM. This response is blocked in the presence of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), indicating that it is IL-1 mediated. Neither HDM-stimulated macrophages nor dendritic cells release IL-1 b and subsequently induce cytokine release from the bronchial epithelial cells. Rhodobacter sphaeroides LPS (RS-LPS), a TLR4 antagonist, blocks the ability of HDM to induce I k B z and release GMCSF from epithelial cells cocultured with monocytes. Additionally, human bronchial epithelial cells show no induction of I k B z or cytokine responses to direct stimulation. Finally, NFKBIZ small interfering RNA – mediated knockdown in the bronchial epithelial cells suppresses the release of IL-1 – induced IL-6 and GMCSF. Our ﬁ ndings indicate a possible role for monocyte recruitment and lung epithelial cell I k B z in mediating asthma associated in ﬂ ammation. Thus, I k B z , IL-1Ra, and RS - LPS deserve future study as potential modulators of house dust mite – induced asthma.
A Wideband Bandpass Filter Integrated Single-Pole Double-Throw Switch with Wide Stopband

Abstract This paper proposes a wideband bandpass filter (BPF) integrated single-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch by using the capacitively coupled LC resonators with loaded p-i-n diodes. The BPF-integrated on-state channel can be synthesized by using the coupled resonator filter theory, and the off-state channel with high suppression is built due to the misaligned resonant frequencies of LC resonators. As an example, a BPF-integrated SPDT switch is designed and fabricated with the central frequency of 1 GHz and the 3 dB fractional bandwidth of 29.7 %. The on-state channel has a measured insertion loss of 1.23 dB, and a 20 dB rejection wide stopband from 1.47 GHz to 8.6 GHz. The off state channel has a 43 dB suppression around 1 GHz. The isolation between two ports is better than 52.4 dB. The fabricated BPF-integrated SPDT switch size including bias circuits but excluding feeding lines has a compact size of 0.086 λg×0.096 λg.
Sensory Activity Differentially Modulates NR2A and NR2B subunits in Cortical Layers

Activity-dependent modulation of NMDA receptors containing selective NR2 subunits has been implicated in plastic processes in developing and adult sensory cortex. Aiming to reveal differential sensitivity of NR2 subunits to sustained changes in sensory activity, we utilized four paradigms that blocked, reinstated, or initiated sensory visual activity. Laminar prevalence of NR2A- and NR2B-containing synapses in visual cortex of postnatal and adult ferrets was assessed using quantitative electron microscopy. Light-deprivation at all ages resulted in a downregulation of NR2A, while recovery from deprivation resulted in an upregulation. Furthermore, premature eyelid opening caused a precocious increase of NR2A. Thus, transitions between periods of dark and light rapidly and bidirectionally regulate NR2A, regardless of cortical layer or age. In contrast, NR2B regulation is layer- and age-dependent. Only in layer IV, NR2B prevalence displays a one-time decline about three weeks after the initiation of sensory activity upon normal or premature eyelid opening, or upon termination of dark-rearing. Incongruity in patterns of NR2A and NR2B modulation by activity is consistent with involvement of these subunits in two distinct, yet partially co-occurring processes: developmental plasticity with a critical period, and life-long plasticity that is established in early developmental ages.
STEREOLOGICAL ESTIMATES OF THE BASAL FOREBRAIN CELL POPULATION IN THE RAT, INCLUDING NEURONS CONTAINING CHOLINE ACETYLTRANSFERASE (ChAT), GLUTAMIC ACID DECARBOXYLASE (GAD) OR PHOSPHATE-ACTIVATED GLUTAMINASE (PAG) AND COLOCALIZING VESICULAR GLUTAMATE TRANSPORTERS (VGluTs)

The basal forebrain (BF) plays an important role in modulating cortical activity and influencing attention, learning and memory. These activities are fulfilled importantly yet not entirely by cholinergic neurons. Noncholinergic neurons also contribute and are comprised by GABAergic neurons and other possibly glutamatergic neurons. The aim of the present study was to estimate the total number of cells in the BF of the rat and the proportions of that total represented by cholinergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons. For this purpose, cells were counted using unbiased stereological methods within the medial septum, diagonal band, magnocellular preoptic nucleus, substantia innominata and globus pallidus in sections stained for Nissl substance and/or the neurotransmitter enzymes, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) or phosphate-activated glutaminase (PAG). In Nissl-stained sections, the total number of neurons in the BF was estimated as ~355,000 and the numbers of ChAT-immuno-positive (+) as ~22,000, GAD + ~119,000 and PAG+ ~316,000, corresponding to ~5%, ~35% and ~90% of the total. Thus, of the large population of BF neurons, only a small proportion has the capacity to synthesize acetylcholine (ACh), one third to synthesize GABA and the vast majority to synthesize glutamate (Glu). Moreover, through the presence of PAG, a proportion of ACh- and GABA-synthesizing neurons also have the capacity to synthesize Glu. In sections dual fluorescent immunostained for vesicular transporters, VGluT3 and not VGluT2 was present in the cell bodies of most PAG+ and ChAT+ and half the GAD + cells. Given previous results showing that VGluT2 and not VGluT3 was present in BF axon terminals and not colocalized with VAChT or VGAT, we conclude that the BF cell population influences cortical and subcortical regions through neurons which release ACh, GABA or Glu from their terminals but which in part can also synthesize and release Glu from their soma or dendrites.
Biological Perspectives Immunological Consequences of Apoptotic Cell Phagocytosis

Cells undergo apoptosis in development, tissue ho-meostasis, and disease and are subsequently cleared by professional and nonprofessional phagocytes. There is now overwhelming evidence that phagocyte function is profoundly altered following apoptotic cell uptake, with consequences for the ensuing innate and adaptive immune response. Pathogens and tumors exploit the changes in macrophage function following apoptotic cell uptake. Here, we will outline the consequences of apoptotic cell phagocytosis and illustrate how apoptotic cells could be used to manipulate the immune response for therapeutic gain. (Am J Pathol 2007, 10.2353/ajpath.2007.070135)
Pulmonary Perspective Folate and Asthma

Findings from experimental studies and animal models led to the hypothesis that folic acid supplementation during pregnancy confers an increased risk of asthma. This review provides a critical examina- tion of current experimental and epidemiologic evidence of a causal association between folate status and asthma. In industrialized na- tions, the prevalence of asthma was rising before widespread fortiﬁcation of foodstuffs with folic acid or folate supplementation before orduringpregnancy,thussuggestingthatchangesinfolatestatusare an unlikely explanation for “the asthma epidemic. ” Consistent with this ecologic observation, evidence from human studies does notsup-port moderate or strong effects of folate status on asthma. Given knownprotectiveeffectsagainstneuraltubeandcardiacdefects,there is no reason to alter current recommendations for folic acid supple- mentation during conception or pregnancy based on ﬁndings for folate and asthma. Although we believe that there are inadequate data toexcludeaweakeffectofmaternalfolatestatusonasthmaorasthma symptoms, such effects could be examined within the context of very large (and ongoing) birth cohort studies. At this time, there is no justiﬁcation for funding new studies of folate and asthma.
DISTRIBUTION AND DEGRADATION STUDIES WITH INSULIN-118 t BY

Pc of radioactivity. It was injected intravenously within one minute, and glucose solution was infused constantly thereafter. Aliquots of tissue were obtained at autopsy, weighed, and their total radioactivity determined in the well-type gamma counter. The results were expressed as per cent dose per gram X 10', without correction for body weight.
Significant effect of APOE Epsilon 4 genotype on the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and mortality In persons with Down syndrome

Objective— Virtually all adults with Down syndrome (DS) have neuropathological manifestations of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) but not all develop the condition. The effect of allelic variants of Apolipoprotein (APOE) gene in the development and progression of AD and mortality in people with DS is examined. Methods— Participants with DS recruited through local clinical services and voluntary organizations underwent 2 to 14 sequential assessments over a follow up period of 5 years on average. Blood samples were collected for determination of the APOE genotype. Dementia status of each participant was confirmed as recommended by the Working Group for the Establishment of Criteria for the Diagnosis of Dementia in Individuals with Intellectual Disability. Results— At the end of the study APOE genotype results were available for 252 individuals and thus included in the analysis. Participants with APOE ε 4 allele had a significantly higher risk of developing AD (Hazard ratio = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.12–2.79), had an earlier onset of AD (55.0 vs. 57.0 years; p = .0027) and a more rapid progression to death compared with participants with ε 3 allele. In those who did not have AD, presence of ε 4 allele was associated with early mortality (Hazard ratio = 5.9, 95% CI: 1.7–21.3). Conclusions— This study highlights the relationship of APOE genotype to morbidity and mortality in people with DS which may have important clinical implications in terms of early identification of individuals at risk. We recommend screening for APOE genotype for individuals with DS early in
The Effect of Structured Exercise on Sleep during the Corresponding Night among Trained Older Women

This study investigated the acute effect of exercise on sleep outcomes among healthy older women by comparing days with structured exercise versus days without structured exercise during four months of exercise training. Participants (n = 51) in this study had wrist-worn actigraphic sleep data available following at least three days with structured exercise and three days without structured exercise at mid- and end-intervention. The exercise intervention was treadmill walking. Multilevel models were used to examine whether structured exercise impacted sleep outcomes during the corresponding night. Overall, 1362 nights of data were included in analyses. In unadjusted and adjusted models, bedtimes were significantly earlier on evenings following an acute bout of structured exercise than evenings without structured exercise. No other sleep parameters differed between exercise and non-exercise days. Understanding the effects of exercise on sleep in this understudied population may help to improve their overall sleep quality.
Prospective Study of [ 18 F]Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography for Staging of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Carcinoma

Purpose Novel imaging modalities are needed to detect occult metastatic disease in bladder carcinoma. Patients with regional lymphatic spread could be targeted for neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and patients with distant metastatic disease could be spared the unnecessary morbidity of radical cystectomy. Herein, we report a prospective study of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with [ 18 F]ﬂuorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for cT2-3N0M0 urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Methods Forty-three chemotherapy-naïve patients underwent FDG-PET/CT before planned cystectomy. All had negative conventional CT and bone scintigraphy before enrollment. Positive FDG-PET/CT was conﬁrmed by percutaneous biopsy or open surgical exploration, whereas negative FDG-PET/CT was conﬁrmed by complete lymphadenectomy. Recurrence-free survival (RFS), disease-speciﬁc survival (DSS), and overall survival (OS) were described using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using log-rank test.
Carotenoid-oxygenases: Key Players for Carotenoid Function and Homeostasis in Mammalian Biology

Humans depend on a dietary intake of lipids to maintain optimal health. Among various classes of dietary lipids, the physiological importance of carotenoids is still controversially discussed. On one hand, it is well established that carotenoids such as β , β -carotene are a major source for vitamin A that plays critical roles for vision and many aspects of cell physiology. On the other hand, large clinical trials have failed to show clear health benefits of carotenoids supplementation and even suggest adverse health effects in individuals at risk of disease. In recent years, key molecular players for carotenoid metabolism have been identified, including an evolutionarily well conserved family of carotenoid-oxygenases. Studies in knockout mouse models for these enzymes revealed that carotenoid metabolism is a highly regulated process and that this regulation already takes place at the level of intestinal absorption. These studies also provided evidence that of β , β carotene conversion can influence retinoid-dependent processes in the mouse embryo and in adult tissues. Moreover, these analyses provide an explanation for adverse health effects of carotenoids by showing that a pathological accumulation of these compounds can induce oxidative stress in mitochondria and cell signaling pathways related to disease. Advancing knowledge about carotenoid metabolism will contribute to a better understanding of the biochemical and physiological roles of these important micronutrients in health and disease.
Stochastic channel modeling for high-speed railway viaduct scenario at 93.2 GHz

Nowadays, with the rapid development of the highspeed railway, more and more people prefer to using rail traffic for travel or for commuting due to its convenience and flexibility. Railway scenario becomes an important communication scenario in the 5G era. In order to satisfy the increasing demand for higher transmission capabilities, the railway communication system should be designed to support high data rate demands with seamless connectivity. The channel characteristics of viaduct tunnel scenario are studied and modeled in this paper. More channel characteristics are explored by ray-tracing simulations at 93.2 GHz with 2 GHz bandwidth. The critical channel parameters are extracted, supplied, and incorporated into a 3GPP-like random channel generator. The necessary channel information can be practically implemented so that the link level and system level design of the communication system can be supported in similar scenarios.
Long-term exposure to genistein improves insulin secretory function of pancreatic β -cells

We recently found that genistein, a plant-derived natural compound, is a novel cAMP signaling agonist in pancreatic β -cells. In the present study, we further show that exposure of clonal insulin secreting (INS-1E) cells to genistein for 48 h enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), whereas insulin content was not altered, suggesting that genistein-enhanced GSIS is not due to a modulation of insulin synthesis. This genistein’s effect is protein tyrosine kinase- and K ATP channel-independent. In addition, genistein had no effect on glucose transporter-2 expression or cellular ATP production, but similarly augmented pyruvate-stimulated insulin secretion in INS-1E cells, indicating that the improvement of insulin secretory function by long-term genistein exposure is not related to an alternation in glucose uptake or the glycolytic pathway. The enhanced insulin secretion by genistein was associated with elevated intracellular Ca 2+ concentration and dependent on protein kinase A and new protein synthesis as this effect was completely blocked by N-[2-(p-Bromocinnamylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide or cycloheximide. Similarly, 48 h of genistein exposure also enhanced GSIS in freshly isolated mouse and human pancreatic islets, suggesting a non-species-specific and biologically relevant effect. These findings provide evidence that genistein may be a novel bioactive compound that has an anti-diabetic effect by improving insulin secretion from pancreatic β -cells. change in glucose metabolism or K ATP channel activity, but dependent on the cAMP/ protein kinase A (PKA) pathway and new protein synthesis.
Two-Component AFM Recognition Imaging of Complex Samples

Biological complexes are typically multisubunit in nature and the processes in which they participate often involve protein compositional changes, in themselves and/or their target substrates. Being able to identify more than one type of protein in complex samples and to track compositional changes during processes would thus be very useful. Toward this goal, we describe here a single molecule technique that can simultaneously identify two types of proteins in compositionally complex samples. It is an adaptation of the recently developed AFM Recognition Imaging technique but involves the tethering of two different types of antibodies to the AFM tip and sequential blocking with appropriate antigenic peptides to distinguish the recognition from each antibody. The approach is shown to be capable of simultaneously identifying in a single AFM image two specific components, BRG1 and β -actin, of the human Swi-Snf ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling complex and two types of histones, H2A and H3 in chromatin samples.
Classification of Human Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaques Ex-Vivo with T1, T2 and Ultra-short TE MRI

Objectives— To determine whether the classification of human coronary atherosclerotic plaques with T1, T2 and ultrashort TE (UTE) MRI would correlate well with atherosclerotic plaque classification by histology. Background— MRI has been extensively used to classify carotid plaque but its ability to characterize coronary plaque remains unknown. In addition, the detection of plaque calcification by MRI remains challenging. Here we used T1, T2 and UTE MRI to evaluate atherosclerotic plaques in fixed post-mortem human coronary arteries. We hypothesized that the combination of T1, T2 and UTE MRI would allow both calcified and lipid-rich coronary plaques to be accurately detected. Methods— 28 plaques from human donor hearts with proven coronary artery disease were imaged at 9.4 Tesla with a T1 weighted 3D FLASH sequence (250 um resolution), a T2 weighted Rare sequence (in plane resolution 0.156mm), and an UTE sequence (300um resolution). Plaques showing selective hypointensity on T2 weighted MRI were classified as lipid-rich. Areas of hypointensity on the T1 weighted images but not the UTE Results— MRI showed high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of calcification (100% and 90%) and lipid-rich necrotic cores (90% and 75%). Only two lipid-rich foci were missed by MRI, both of which were extremely small. Overall, MRI based classification of plaque was in complete agreement with the histological classification in 22/28 cases (weighted κ =0.6945, p<0.0001). Conclusions— The utilization of UTE MRI allows plaque calcification in the coronary arteries to be robustly detected. High-resolution MRI with T1, T2 and UTE contrast enables accurate classification of human coronary atherosclerotic plaque. T2 and UTE) to image atherosclerotic plaque in human coronary arteries. We show that plaque classification with this approach compares extremely favorably with histology. The addition of UTE MRI adds significant value by allowing plaque calcification to be accurately detected. Our study further underscores the potential of coronary plaque classification by MRI, and its potential use to define the clinical stage of coronary atherosclerosis and guide patient management.
Cytokines and LPS induce iNOS but not Enzyme Activity in Adult Rat Cardiomyocytes

There is evidence that nitric oxide (NO) formation in adult cardiomyocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) does not commensurate with iNOS levels. Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH 4 ) is a key factor in the stabilization and NO production by iNOS homodimer. Thus we hypothesized that BH 4 is a limiting factor for NO production in adult cardiomyocytes in response to LPS and cytokines (TNF- α , IL-1, IFN- γ alone or mixed). It was verified that LPS and cytokines induced iNOS expression which did not translate into increased nitrite or 14 C-citrulline production. This response coincided with defective BH 4 synthesis and low GTP cyclohydrolase activity. Furthermore, supplementation with BH 4 and ascorbate failed to increase iNOS activity. This effect was related to preferential accumulation of BH 2 rather than BH 4 in these cells. Uncoupled iNOS activity in stimulated cells was examined using mitochondrial aconitase activity as an endogenous marker of superoxide anion radical (O 2• − ) formation, and found not to be significantly inhibited. 2-Hydroxyethidium also showed not to be significantly increased. We conclude that adult cardiomyocytes are an unlikely source of NO and O 2• − in inflammatory conditions. This finding adds a new and unexpected layer of complexity to our understanding of the responses of the adult heart to inflammation. isocitrate for 2 min at 240 nm and the concentration calculated using an extinction coefficient of 3.6 mM − 1 cm − 1. The assay was performed at room temperature in Tris-HCl buffer (100 mM, pH 8.0) containing DL-isocitrate (20 mM). Blanks were performed in the presence of the aconitase inhibitor isofluorocitrate (5 mM).
Dependence of MCP-1 hyperalgesia on the IB4-binding protein versican

The type 1 chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) has been implicated in the generation of inflammatory and neuropathic pain, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here we show that mechanical hyperalgesia induced by intradermal injection of MCP-1 in the rat is blocked by the intrathecal administration of IB4-saporin, a selective neurotoxin for IB4 + /Ret + -nociceptors. MCP-1 induced hyperalgesia is also attenuated by intrathecal antisense oligodeoxynucleotides targeting mRNA for versican, a molecule that binds MCP-1 and that also renders the Ret-expressing nociceptors IB4-positive (+). Finally, peripheral administration of ADAMTS-4 or chondroitinase ABC, two enzymes that disrupt versican integrity by the degradation of the versican core-protein or its chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan side chains, respectively, also attenuated MCP-1 hyperalgesia at the site of nociceptive testing. We suggest that versican’s glycosaminoglycan side chains present MCP-1 to a CCR2 expressing cell type in the skin that, in turn, selectively activates IB4 + /Ret + -nociceptors, thereby contributing to enhanced mechanical sensitivity under inflammatory conditions.