Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gram‐negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide impairs hyaluronan clearance in vivo and its uptake by the isolated, perfused rat liver

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of gram‐negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide on hyaluronan concentration in blood plasma, hyaluronan removal from the blood and hyaluronan uptake by isolated, perfused rat liver. Intravenous administration of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide to rats markedly increased plasma hyaluronan concentration in a dose‐dependent manner. One day after lipopolysaccharide challenge (0.1 or 1.0 mg per 100 gm body wt), plasma hyaluronan levels were 570.7 ± 66.8 ng. ml−1 and 1,951.0 ± 120.3 ng ml−1, respectively, as compared with 94.2 ± 12.2 ng. ml−1 in time‐matched control animals. Removal of intravenously injected hyaluronan (30 μg per 100 gm body wt) was suppressed 32% by lipopolysaccharide administration (100 μg per 100 gm body wt). At the same dose, lipopolysaccharide induced a severe inhibition (60% to 80%) of hyaluronan uptake by perfused livers isolated 3 or 24 hr after lipopolysaccharide administration. The inhibitory effect of lipopolysaccharide on hyaluronan uptake by the isolated, perfused liver was not abolished by pretreatment with either antibodies to tumor necrosis factor–α IgG or indomethacin, an inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase pathway. Continuous intravenous infusion of recombinant murine tumor necrosis factor–α for 18 to 20 hr did not affect plasma hyaluronan concentration. These data suggest that neither tumor necrosis factor–α, an early cytokine induced by lipopolysaccharide, nor prostaglandins are involved in the mechanism of lipopolysaccharide‐induced inhibition of hyaluronan uptake by the perfused rat liver. Although the mechanism of such inhibition remains to be elucidated, we conclude that gram‐negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide produces lesions at the level of hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells, impairing their capacity to remove circulating hyaluronan. (HEPATOLOGY 1993;18:173–178).
Research of camera module sensor dead pixel detection

Sensor is an important part of the camera module, dead pixels of which affect the image quality to a very great extent, so the production process requires an effective method to detect the dead pixels of sensor. This paper analyzed the characteristics of sensor imaging and researched dead point detection methods, from manual interpretation method and then given an algorithm program interpretation. Integrated to propose a scientific program, which has a positive meaning for improving the detection efficiency and optimize product quality, to detect the dead points of sensor.
Increasing the Affinity of a Human IgG1 for the Neonatal Fc Receptor: Biological Consequences1

Many biological functions, including control of the homeostasis and maternofetal transfer of serum γ-globulins, are mediated by the MHC class I-related neonatal FcR (FcRn). A correlation exists in mice between the binding affinity of IgG1/Fc fragments to FcRn at pH 6.0 and their serum t1/2. To expand this observation, phage display of mutagenized Fc fragments derived from a human IgG1 was used to increase their affinity to both murine and human FcRn. Ten variants were identified that have a higher affinity toward murine and human FcRn at pH 6.0, with ΔΔG (ΔGwild type − ΔGmutant) from 1.0 to 2.0 kcal/mol and from 0.6 to 2.4 kcal/mol, respectively. Those variants exhibit a parallel increase in binding at pH 7.4 to murine, but not human, FcRn. Although not degraded in blood in vitro, accumulated in tissues, nor excreted in urine, their serum concentration in mice is decreased. We propose that higher affinity to FcRn at pH 7.4 adversely affects release into the serum and offsets the benefit of the enhanced binding at pH 6.0.
Three-Dimensional Dynamics for Cable-Driven Soft Manipulator

A soft manipulator usually has infinite joints. The infinite DOFs of a soft manipulator make it impossible to build the mechanical model like traditional rigid manipulator. The dynamic model based on circular arcs assumption, proposed by previous literature, does not take torsion into consideration. The introduction of torsion to piecewise constant curvature assumption could improve accuracy for 3-D motion, but it still cannot deal with problems with normal strain and viscidity of soft material, especially when the Young's Modulus is small. In this paper, by combining the geometrically exact Cosserat rod theory and Kelvin model, a new mechanical model for a silicone rubber soft manipulator is proposed. Two vectors, curvature vector and strain vector, are used to depict the bending and torsion effect, and normal strain. Both 2-D and 3-D experiments are performed to verify the mechanical model.
Pet allergen control measures for allergic asthma in children and adults.

BACKGROUND Although pet removal has been recommended in guidelines on the management of allergic asthma, pet ownership remains high in families where one or more members have an allergy to pet dander. Allergen control measures such as air filtration units placed in the homes of pet-allergic asthmatics have been used as a means of reducing allergen exposure. OBJECTIVES To determine the clinical efficacy of pet allergen control measures in the homes of people with pet-allergic asthma. SEARCH STRATEGY An electronic search of the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register was carried out. No restriction was placed on language of publication. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials comparing an active allergen reduction measure with control were considered for analysis. Participants had stable pet-allergic asthma. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS 34 references were identified by electronic searching, but only three appeared suitable for potential inclusion in the review. Two met the inclusion criteria for the analysis. Both examined the effectiveness of air filtration units. Two reviewers extracted data independently. A limited amount of data were usable for a meta-analysis. MAIN RESULTS Both trials were small (n=22 and n=35). No significant differences were detected between active intervention and control on the primary and secondary outcome measures reported in the studies. Data on absence from school or work were not reported in either study. No meta-analysis could be performed due to lack of common outcomes. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS The available trials are too small to provide evidence for or against the use of airfiltration units to reduce allergen levels in the management of pet-allergic asthma. Adequately powered trials are needed. There are no trials of other allergen reduction measures, such as pet washing or possibly pet removal.
A Survey on Three-Dimensional Wireless Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks

In parallel with steady research and development in ad hoc and wireless sensor networks, many testbeds have been implemented and deployed in real world. Furthermore, some research works have addressed design issues for deployment in three-dimensional space such as sky or ocean. Since many research challenges in three-dimensional spaces have not been explored yet as much as two dimensional spaces, it is required to define the challenging tasks to provide reliable communication in three-dimensional space. In this survey, we aim to identify the unique properties of communication environments in three-dimensional space and address the overview of the state of the art in this research area. To achieve this, the survey is organized according to two good example networks, airborne ad hoc networks (AANETs) and underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs). For each network, we introduce and review the related research works to focus on infrastructure, localization, topology design, and position-based routing. Finally, open research issues are also discussed and presented.
Novel Surface-Smoothing Based Local Gyrification Index

The quantication of cortical surface folding is important in identifying and classifying many neurodegenerative diseases. Much work has been done to identify regional and global brain folding, and in this paper we review some of these methods, as well as propose a new method that has advantages over the existing state of art. Using our novel proposed method, we mapped the local gyrification index on the cortical surface for subjects with mild Alzheimer's dementia (n=20) , very mild dementia (n=23) and age-matched healthy subjects (n=52). In our experiments we find a consistent pattern of gyrification changes in the dementia subjects, with regions generally affected early on in the progression of Alzheimer pathology, including medial temporal lobe, and cingulate gyrus, having decreased gyrification. At the same time we observe increased gyrification in dementia subjects, in frontal, anterior temporal and posteriorly located regions. We speculate that in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer Disease, the folding of the entire cortical mantle undergoes dynamic changes as regional atrophy begins and expands, with both decreases and increases in gyrification.
Comparisons of phase noise models of CMOS ring oscillators

Comparisons of phase noise models based on time domain models and frequency domain models are presented. It is shown that time domain approach by this author, based on conventional time scaling and that incorporates multiple threshold crossing phenomenon, reflects the physical mechanism better. Moreover its phase noise expression does not blow up as offset frequency goes to zero. Finally compared to frequency domain methods the transient simulations needed to obtain the necessary parameters are simpler.
A versatile method for simultaneous stable carbon isotope analysis of DNA and RNA nucleotides by liquid chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE Liquid chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (LC/IRMS) is currently the most accurate and precise technique for the measurement of compound-specific stable carbon isotope ratios ((13)C/(12)C) in biological metabolites, at their natural abundance. However, until now this technique could not be applied for the analysis of nucleic acids, the building blocks of the carriers of genetic information in living cells and viruses, DNA and RNA. METHODS Mixed-mode chromatography (MMC) was applied to obtain the complete separation of nine nucleotides (eight originating from DNA/RNA and one nucleotide (inosine monophosphate) that may serve as an internal standard) in a single run using LC/IRMS. We also developed and validated a method for DNA and RNA extraction and an enzymatic hydrolysis protocol for natural samples, which is compatible with LC/IRMS analysis as it minimizes the carbon blank. The method was used to measure the concentration and stable carbon isotope ratio of DNA and RNA nucleotides in marine sediment and in the common marine macro alga (Ulva sp.) at natural abundance levels as well as for (13)C-enriched samples. RESULTS The detection limit of the LC/IRMS method varied between 1.0 nmol for most nucleotides and 2.0 nmol for late-eluting compounds. The intraday and interday reproducibility of nucleotide concentration measurements was better than, respectively, 4.1% and 8.9% and for δ(13)C measurements better than, respectively, 0.3‰ and 0.5‰. The obtained nucleic acid concentrations and nucleic acid synthesis rates were in good agreement with values reported in the literature. CONCLUSIONS This new method gives reproducible results for the concentration and δ(13)C values of nine nucleotides. This solvent-free chromatographic method may also be used for other purposes, such as for instance to determine nucleotide concentrations using spectrophotometric detection. This sensitive method offers a new avenue for the study of DNA and RNA biosynthesis that can be applied in various fields of research.
An exploration of needs and preferences for dietary support in colorectal cancer survivors: A mixed-methods study

Purpose To describe the proportion of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors who perceive a need for dietary support; to examine which socio-demographic, cancer-related, and health-related characteristics are associated with this need; to explore reasons for (not) needing support; and to explore CRC survivors’ specific needs and preferences with regard to lifestyle (i.e., dietary, exercise, and/or weight management) support. Methods This mixed-methods study comprised a cross-sectional survey among 1774 Dutch CRC survivors and three focus groups (n = 16). To examine associations, logistic regression analyses were conducted. Focus groups were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a thematic approach. Results Of 1458 respondents (82%), 1198 (67.5%) were included for analyses. 17.5% reported a need for dietary support. Characteristics associated with this need were: being younger, living without a partner, having a stoma, having diabetes, and being overweight or obese. The main reason for needing support was being unable to initiate and maintain lifestyle changes without support. CRC survivors preferred receiving information soon after diagnosis to make an autonomous, informed decision on improving their lifestyle. They preferred to receive individually-tailored lifestyle support in an autonomy-supportive environment, preferably with involvement of their family and fellow-sufferers. Conclusions This study has provided knowledge on appropriate support for CRC survivors in need for dietary support to improve health outcomes by promoting adherence to lifestyle and body weight recommendations. Findings can be used to better identify CRC survivors in need for dietary support, and to tailor lifestyle support to their needs and preferences in order to promote uptake, adherence, and effectiveness.
Pharmacological Treatment Patterns at Study Entry for the First 500 STEP-BD Participants.

OBJECTIVE This study assessed patterns of psychopharmacological treatment for bipolar disorder. METHOD Intake treatment data were examined for the first 500 patients in the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD) study (1998 to 1999). Diagnoses were assessed by using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV mood modules. Data on treatments were obtained by interviewing patients during the initial psychiatric examination. RESULTS Of the 500 participants, 73.6 percent had bipolar I disorder, 23.0 percent had bipolar II disorder, and 3.4 percent had bipolar disorder not otherwise specified. Upon examination, 63.4 percent were euthymic, 24.6 percent were depressed, and 12.0 percent were experiencing manic, hypomanic, or mixed states. Standard mood stabilizers (lithium, valproate, or carbamazepine) were the most commonly prescribed class of drugs that participants were taking at intake (71.9 percent). The next most common class of agents was antidepressants (40.6 percent), followed by novel anticonvulsants (31.8 percent), second-generation neuroleptics (27.2 percent), and benzodiazepines (25.0 percent). Eleven percent of patients were treated with standard mood stabilizer monotherapy. These prescribing patterns were further analyzed by subtype of illness and compared with patterns in other clinical and community settings. CONCLUSION In a large, well-characterized cross-sectional analysis of prescription patterns in the U.S. psychiatric academic setting, patients with bipolar disorder were primarily treated with standard mood stabilizers, followed by moderate use of antidepressants, novel anticonvulsants, and second-generation neuroleptics. Results can be useful in understanding the current clinical standard of care, as well as in guiding research studies toward areas in which there is a relative absence of evidence to inform clinical practice. Studies of longitudinal prescribing patterns in bipolar disorder are also needed.
Prokinetic effects of a ghrelin receptor agonist GHRP-6 in diabetic mice.

AIM To investigate the effects of a ghrelin receptor agonist GHRP-6 on delayed gastrointestinal transit in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. METHODS A diabetic mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection with alloxan. Mice were randomized into two main groups: normal mice and diabetic mice treated with GHRP-6 at doses of 0, 20, 50, 100 and 200 microg/kg ip. Gastric emptying (GE), intestinal transit (IT), and colonic transit (CT) were studied in mice after they had a phenol red meal following injection of GHRP-6. Based on the most effective GHRP-6 dosage, atropine was given at 1 mg/kg for 15 min before the GHRP-6 injection for each measurement. The mice in each group were sacrificed 20 min later and the percentages of GE, IT, and CT were calculated. RESULTS Percentages of GE, IT, and CT were significantly decreased in diabetic mice as compared to control mice. In the diabetic mice, GHRP-6 improved both GE and IT, but not CT. The most effective dose of GHRP-6 was 200 microg/kg and atropine blocked the prokinetic effects of GHRP-6 on GE and IT. CONCLUSION GHRP-6 accelerates delayed GE and IT, but has no effect on CT in diabetic mice. GHRP-6 may exert its prokinetic effects via the cholinergic pathway in the enteric nervous system, and therefore, has therapeutic potential for diabetic patients with delayed upper gastrointestinal transit.
A study of N-trinitroethyl-substituted aminofurazans: high detonation performance energetic compounds with good oxygen balance

Two energetic N-trinitroethyl-substituted aminofurazans 11 and 12, as well as nitramine 13 (the N-nitration product of 12) were synthesized. All the compounds were well characterized by NMR spectra, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). Their structures were further confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies, which show favorable densities (1.82–1.87 g cm−3). Interestingly, they exhibit good thermal stability (Tdec = 159–230 °C), acceptable oxygen balance (−15.31%–0) and high positive heats of formation (268–1259.5 kJ mol−1). In addition, the performance calculations gave detonation pressures and velocities for the furazan derivatives in the range of 35.4–40.8 GPa and 8900–9486 m s−1, respectively. Furthermore, nitramine 13 (nitrate product of 12), having an oxygen balance of zero, exhibits outstanding detonation properties (ΔfHm, 1259.5 kJ mol−1; D, 9486 m s−1; P, 40.8 GPa), which could be used as a high detonation performance energetic material.
Postclotting Fates of Thrombin

During the clotting of blood, prothrombin is virtually all converted to thrombin. By contrast, Factor X is not. Large quantities of thrombin are inhibited by plasma and platelet AT III (heparin cofactor I), by heparin cofactor II, and by fibrin. Lesser quantities function in various reactions in which thrombin specificity is modified for greater effectiveness. Some thrombin binds to platelets as well as blood vessel endothelial cells, but the latter facts were not included herein.
Numerical study on effects of random dopant fluctuation in double gate tunneling FET

Impacts of random dopant fluctuations (RDFs) on the performance of an optimized double-gate (DG) tunneling FET (TFET) are studied using 3-D device simulations. The sensitivity of the TFET performance with a high-k gate dielectric to RDF is explored in this paper. Sano's approach is used to generate random doping profiles for statistical device simulation. It is found that TFET suffers from dramatic shift and fluctuations in electrical parameters (Vth, gm and SS for instance) due to RDF, thus emerging a further impact on circuit performance.
Potent inhibition of CYP2D6 by haloperidol metabolites: stereoselective inhibition by reduced haloperidol.

AIMS We evaluated the inhibitory effect of haloperidol and its metabolites on CYP2D6 activity in order to better understand the potential role of these metabolites in drug interactions involving haloperidol. METHODS The inhibitory effects of haloperidol and five of its metabolites on dextrorphan formation from dextromethorphan, a marker probe of CYP2D6 activity, were measured in human liver microsomal preparations. Apparent kinetic parameters for enzyme inhibition were determined by nonlinear regression analysis of the data. RESULTS Racemic reduced haloperidol and its metabolite, RHPTP competitively inhibited dextromethorphan O-demethylation with estimated Ki values (0.24 microM and 0.09 microM, respectively) that were substantially lower than that of haloperidol (0.89 microM). The inhibitory effect of S(-)-reduced haloperidol was more potent than the R(+)-enantiomer, with estimated Ki values of 0.11 microM and 1.1 microM, respectively. The pyridinium metabolite of haloperidol, HPP+ inhibited the enzyme activity noncompetitively with a Ki value of 0.79 microM. The N-dealkylated metabolites of haloperidol (FBPA and CPHP) had a diminished inhibitory potency. While FBPA showed no notable inhibitory effect on dextrorphan formation, CPHP showed moderate competitive inhibition with a Ki value of 20.9 microM. CONCLUSIONS The principal metabolites of haloperidol inhibit CYP2D6, suggesting that they might contribute to the inhibitory effects of the drug. Reduced haloperidol seems to inhibit CYP2D6 activity in an enantioselective manner with the physiologically occurring S(-) enantiomer being more potent.
Using game theory to investigate stochastic channel selection for multi-channel MAC protocol

It is obvious that using multi-channel MAC protocol can improve the capacity of ad-hoc networks. At the same time, it also is clear that the strategy for selecting channel can affect to increase the capacity. Therefore, the channel-selection strategy is one of the important issues for the multi-channel MAC protocol in ad-hoc networks. Selecting the channel stochastically is a basic strategy in multi-channel MAC protocol using single interface, because wireless nodes cannot hear communication taking place on a different channel. In this paper, we propose a multi-channel MAC protocol using single interface. Then, we consider two kinds of categories of stochastic channel-selection strategies for the multi-channel MAC protocol using single interface. One category consists of strategies that select a new channel from all available channels. The other category is the set of strategies that select a new channel from all available channels except the active channel. By using game theory, we investigate and show that wireless node using these two categories can operate the stable point if a new channel is selected with equal probability. Furthermore, we argue that the higher expected payoff can be obtained if a new channel is selected other than the active channel. By computer simulation, we show that our assertion is effective.
Modelling of an AlGaN/GaN Schottky diode and extraction of main parameters

This paper describes a method to extract the ideality factor, barrier height and series resistance of a lateral AlGaN/GaN heterostructure power Schottky diode using a simple I-V measurement in on-state and sub-threshold domains. An analytical model previously developed for Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) and Silicon vertical diodes [1] is applied to lateral AlGaN/GaN Schottky diodes and calibrated using extensive experimental results. The validity of the model at increased temperatures (up to 428K) is also investigated and the dependence of the ideality factor and barrier height with temperature are obtained and assessed against those previously reported in the literature [2].