Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antiobesity effect of Bauhinia variegata bark extract on female rats fed on hypercaloric diet

The present study was carried out to investigate the antiobesity effect of methanolic extract of stem and root barks of Bauhinia variegata Linn in female rats fed with hypercaloric diet. Obesity was induced by administration of hypercaloric diet for 40 days. The plant extract (at the tested doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg) exhibited a significant hypolipidemic effect and thus reduced the obesity. The body weight and feed intake was reduced significantly. Treatment of obese animals with the methanolic extract of B. variegata exhibited an increased brain serotonin level and high density lipoprotein with a concomitant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipo protein. Thus the study indicates that the antiobesity activity of methanolic extract of B. variegata could be attributed to the presence of ? -sitosterol in the stems and the tendency of the extract to reduce lipid profile and elicit the brain serotonin level.
Sonographic and electrodiagnostic evaluations in patients with aromatase inhibitor-related arthralgia.

PURPOSE To investigate the prevalence of arthralgia in breast cancer patients taking aromatase inhibitors (AIs) and perform a detailed rheumatologic assessment including autoimmune serology, musculoskeletal sonography, and electromyography (EMG) in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Postmenopausal patients with stage I to III breast cancer who were taking adjuvant AIs were enrolled (n = 92). Patients who were not receiving hormone treatment were included as a control group (n = 28). Musculoskeletal sonography and EMG were applied to the patients and the controls along with markers of autoimmunity. RESULTS Thirty patients (32.6%) reported to have AI-related new-onset or worsening arthralgia. The most commonly affected joints were knee (70%), wrist (70%), and small joints of the hand (63%). Patients taking AIs had increased tendon thicknesses compared with those who never received AIs (P < .001). Patients with AI-related arthralgia had higher rates of effusion in hand joints/tendons than those without arthralgia (P = .033). More patients with AI-related arthralgia had EMG findings consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) than those without arthralgia (P = .024). No significant difference was observed in erythrocyte sedimentation rates, C-reactive protein, antinuclear antibody, antidouble stranded DNA antibody, rheumatoid factor, or anticyclic citrullinated peptide levels between patients and controls or between those with and without arthralgia. CONCLUSION Patients with AI-related arthralgia often show tenosynovial changes suggesting tenosynovitis, exerting local problems but lacking a systemic inflammatory component. Our finding of increased CTS frequency also supports this hypothesis.
Multimedia sensor networks design for smart home surveillance

Hardware and software design of multimedia sensor networks are proposed for smart home surveillance system, which employs multiple sensing and distributed processing and event-triggered surveillance. This network consists of the following two tiers: the wireless sensor network (WSN) tier is established on the IEEE 802.15. 4/ZigBee protocol, constituting of scalar sensor nodes capable of capturing and processing scalar data and transmitting it to a sink node; the video surveillance network tier constitutes of multimedia sensor nodes connected by Ethernet, which can transmit multimedia content, such as compressed video and audio streams and the monitor data from the WSN tier, to the monitor center or user. Base on the designed multimedia sensor networks, the surveillance system can provide the user with harmful events alarms, event-triggered or continuous remote surveillance of his/her home.
A high power UWB system with subnanosecond rise time using balanced TEM horn antenna

High power ultra wideband (UWB) systems can be used for various applications like buried target detection, electrical characterization of materials, space debris detection and as a source for vulnerability studies on electronic circuits. A high power UWB radiator system is developed at BARC, Mumbai. This is a 120 kV, 66 Ohm system which can generate intense electromagnetic fields. Any UWB system consists of pulse power system and antenna. Pulse power system for this radiator consists of a Marx Generator and a pulse forming line which can generate a 110 kV, 5 ns pulse with a rise time of ~ 400 picoseconds. A balanced TEM horn type antenna was used in this system. Impedance of this antenna is matched to feed i.e. 66 Ohms at feed end and then gradually varies to match with free space impedance. This antenna can effectively radiate this kind of sub-nanosecond rise time pulse. Designed antenna has an acceptable performance in terms of VSWR in desired frequency range of 150 MHz to 1 GHz depending on pulse parameters. This paper discusses the overall system performance with an emphasis on antenna design details and results.
Oleic Acid Prevents Detrimental Effects of Saturated Fatty Acids on Bovine Oocyte Developmental Competence1

Mobilization of fatty acids from adipose tissue during metabolic stress will increase the amount of free fatty acids in blood and follicular fluid and, thus, may affect oocyte quality. In this in vitro study, the three predominant fatty acids in follicular fluid (saturated palmitic and stearic acid and unsaturated oleic acid) were presented to maturing oocytes to test whether fatty acids can affect lipid storage of the oocyte and developmental competence postfertilization. Palmitic and stearic acid had a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the amount of fat stored in lipid droplets and a concomitant detrimental effect on oocyte developmental competence. Oleic acid, in contrast, had the opposite effect, causing an increase of lipid storage in lipid droplets and an improvement of oocyte developmental competence. Remarkably, the adverse effects of palmitic and stearic acid could be counteracted by oleic acid. These results suggest that the ratio and amount of saturated and unsaturated fatty acid is relevant for lipid storage in the maturing oocyte and that this relates to the developmental competence of maturing oocytes.
A tetrameric glycoprotein Ib-binding protein, agglucetin, from Formosan pit viper: structure and interaction with human platelets

Summary Agglucetin, a tetrameric agglutination inducer from the Formosan pit viper, has been identified as a platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib agonist and directly agglutinated fixed-platelets in the absence of von Willebrand factor (vWf). Here, we resolved the complete cDNA sequences of agglucetin subunits (α1, α2, β1 and β2) by molecular cloning. Each cloned cDNA encoding the leader peptide (23 residues) and the mature subunit (131/135/123/126 residues) shares a high degree of homology to each other and the C-type lectin-like GP Ib-binding proteins (BPs). Furthermore, agglucetin specifically caused platelet agglutination and surface exposure of integrin αIIbβ3 with a GPIb-dependent manner in washed platelets, based on the observation that the enhanced expression of functional αIIbβ3 was suppressed by a GPIb-cleaving metalloproteinase, crotalin. Pretreating platelets with staurosporine or BAPTA-AM also completely blocked the exposure of functional αIIbβ3, suggesting that the activation of protein kinase C and intracellular calcium mobilization are involved in the GPIb-dependent signaling. In human platelet-rich plasma (PRP), agglucetin elicited sequential biphasic responses of platelet agglutination and aggregation in a GPIb- and αIIbβ3-dependent manner, respectively, implying that other cofactors may amplify platelet activation to trigger aggregation. The nucleotide sequences reported in Figs. 1 and 2 have deposited in the GenBank, EMBL and DDBJ Nucleotide Sequence Databases under the accession numbers: AF540645 for agglucetin-α1 subunit, AF540646 for agglucetin-α2 subunit, AF540647 for agglucetin-β1 subunit and AF540648 for agglucetin-β2 subunit.
Nakamurella silvestris sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from alpine forest soil.

A Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, catalase-positive and cytochrome c oxidase-negative bacterium, designated strain S20-107T, was isolated from alpine forest soil. Growth occurred at 0-30 °C, at pH 6-9 and in the presence of 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain S20-107T was related to the genus Nakamurella and had the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Nakamurella flavida DS-52T (96.1 %). Strain S20-107T showed <96.1% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to all other recognized members of the genus Nakamurella. The cell-wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major whole-cell sugars were glucose, galactose, mannose, arabinose, ribose and rhamnose. The strain contained MK-8(H4) as the predominant menaquinone and diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminophospholipid as the major polar lipids. The major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH) and iso-C16 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 70.5 mol%. Combined data of phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic analyses demonstrated that strain S20-107T represents a novel species of the genus Nakamurella, for which the name Nakamurella silvestris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S20-107T (=DSM 102309T=LMG 29427T).
Central effects of oxytocin.

Article de synthese sur les effets centraux de l'ocytocine chez les mammiferes: effets physiologiques et comportementaux; site cerebral et mecanisme d'action de l'ocytocine; sites de liaisons de l'ocytocine dans le cerveau et relation avec son activite biologique
Nondigestible carbohydrates and mineral bioavailability.

Generally, fiber and compounds associated with fiber in cereal products (e.g., phytates) have been found to reduce the apparent absorption of minerals (such as calcium, magnesium, zinc and manganese) in humans, livestock and animal models. The effects of "soluble" forms of fiber (specifically pectins, gums, resistant starches, lactulose, oligofructose and inulin) on mineral absorption are more difficult to characterize. The addition of these soluble forms of fiber has been found in various studies to add viscosity to the gut contents, promote fermentation and the production of volatile fatty acids in the cecum, have a trophic effect on the ceca of animals and increase serum enteroglucagon concentrations. Thus it is not surprising that the addition of soluble forms of fiber to diets often has been found to improve absorption of minerals. This may reflect absorption of electrolytes from the large intestine. Future work should address the mechanisms by which ingestion of nondigestible carbohydrates improves mineral absorption in humans.
Dose-dependent Blockade to Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy by Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors*

Postnatal cardiac myocytes respond to stress signals by hypertrophic growth and activation of a fetal gene program. Recently, we showed that class II histone deacetylases (HDACs) suppress cardiac hypertrophy, and mice lacking the class II HDAC, HDAC9, are sensitized to hypertrophic signals. To further define the roles of HDACs in cardiac hypertrophy, we analyzed the effects of HDAC inhibitors on the responsiveness of primary cardiomyocytes to hypertrophic agonists. Paradoxically, HDAC inhibitors imposed a dose-dependent blockade to hypertrophy and fetal gene activation. We conclude that distinct HDACs play positive or negative roles in the control of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. HDAC inhibitors are currently being tested in clinical trials as anti-cancer agents. Our results suggest that these inhibitors may also hold promising clinical value as therapeutics for cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.
Retardation in the chemical-mechanical polish of the boron-doped polysilicon and silicon

This letter reports on the chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) of boron-doped polysilicon and silicon. Successive polishing was carried out to investigate how the removal rate correlates to the boron concentration as a function of depth in the polysilicon and crystalline silicon. It is found that the removal of boron-doped samples is significantly retarded and strongly correlated with the doping concentration. To the author's knowledge, this work is the first report discussing the retardation effect of boron in the Si-CMP process. This effect is attributed to the activated dopant atoms which are conjectured to inhibit the hydrolysis reaction of Si-Si bonding in the alkaline aqueous solution. In our study, the retardation effect is evident for boron concentration higher than 5/spl times/10/sup 18/ cm/sup -3/. As a consequence, it may become an issue in the CMP process for those layers of selected or complemented doping.
Relative proportions of hybrid fibres are unaffected by 6 weeks of running exercise in mouse skeletal muscles

Hybrid muscle fibres co‐expressing two or more myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms represent a significant proportion of fibres in many muscles, but the prevalence and precise composition of these fibres varies significantly among muscles and animal species. In the present study, we used a forced running protocol for 6 weeks to determine the effects of running exercise on the relative proportion of hybrid muscle fibre types in mouse muscles. In the course of this experiment, we also determined the relative proportions of these fibres in several different skeletal muscles, since data about hybrid fibres in the mouse are sparse. We found that the proportions of hybrid fibres in mouse muscles varied significantly among specific muscles (2–25%), but these proportions were unaffected by 6 weeks of forced running exercise. In contrast, weight‐bearing muscles significantly increased in mass in response to running. These data suggest that hybrid muscle fibres are relatively refractory to the effects of moderate exercise and represent a stable phenotype in normal mouse muscles. The precise nature and physiological function of these fibres remain incompletely understood, but it is clear that hybrid fibres represent a common phenotype in many muscles.
The Influence of the Sample Thickness on the Lateral and Axial Resolution of Aberration-Corrected Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy

Abstract The lateral and axial resolution of three-dimensional (3D) focal series aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy was studied for samples of different thicknesses. The samples consisted of gold nanoparticles placed on the top and at the bottom of silicon nitride membranes of thickness between 50 and 500 nm. Atomic resolution was obtained for nanoparticles on top of 50-, 100-, and 200-nm-thick membranes with respect to the electron beam traveling downward. Atomic resolution was also achieved for nanoparticles placed below 50-, 100-, and 200-nm-thick membranes but with a lower contrast at the larger thicknesses. Beam broadening led to a reduced resolution for a 500-nm-thick membrane. The influence of the beam broadening on the axial resolution was also studied using Monte Carlo simulations with a 3D sample geometry.
Association of the p75 Neurotrophin Receptor with TRAF6*

In addition to the Trk tyrosine kinase receptors, neurotrophins also bind to a second receptor, p75, a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily. Several signaling pathways have been implicated for p75 in the absence of Trk receptors, including induction of NF-κB and c-Jun kinase activities and increased production of ceramide. However, to date, the mechanisms by which the p75 receptor initiates intracellular signal transduction have not been defined. Here we report a specific interaction between p75 and TRAF6 (tumor necrosis factorreceptor-associated factor-6) after transient transfection in HEK293T cells. The interaction was ligand-dependent and maximal at 100 ng/ml of nerve growth factor (NGF). Other neurotrophins also promoted the association of TRAF6 with p75 but to a lesser extent. The binding of TRAF6 was localized to the juxtamembrane region of p75 by co-immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. To assess the functional significance of this interaction, we have tested responses in cultured Schwann cells that express p75 and TRAF6. An NGF-mediated increase in the nuclear localization of the p65 subunit of NF-κB could be blocked by the introduction of a dominant negative form of TRAF6 in Schwann cells. These results indicate that TRAF6 can potentially function as a signal transducer for NGF actions through the p75 receptor.
Christian unity and the imitation of Christ : a study in mankind's saving relationship with Christ's sacred humanity

British consumers, like those in most Western nations, have been advised to reduce their dietary fat intake in order to reduce their risk of degenerative diseases, such as coronary heart disease and cancer (the Health of the Nation report, Department of Health, 1992). However, there has been no change in average fat intake (as a percentage of energy) in Britain over the past decade (Buss, 1991), even though information on the need to reduce fat intake and on how to achieve such a reduction by means of specific dietary changes has been widely available. While several studies have demonstrated that favourable dietary changes aimed at reducing fat intake are possible and have also indicated which changes are easy or difficult to make, no British study to date has investigated the reasons why certain changes are difficult, obtained self-report ratings of difficulty or attempted to produce information to overcome these difficulties. The present Thesis thus aims to: • identify perceived barriers to change, in a sample representative of the British population • determine the extent to which these perceived barriers are faced in practice • determine whether specially formulated dietary advice based on the identified barriers could lead to a greater reduction in fat intake than conventional dietary advice. The main perceived and actual barrier to a reduction in fat intake was found to be a reported decrease in the taste of the diet due to dietary change. Mis-perception of fat intake and of need to reduce fat intake were also identified as potential barriers. Attitude and subjective norm were identified as significant predictors of intention to reduce fat intake using the model of planned behaviour (Ajzen 1985). 'Need to reduce' fat intake was also significant when added to the model.
Universal JPEG steganalysis based on special frequency regions from wavelet transform

This article has presented a new steganalysis method based on wavelet transform. First, wavelet transform is applied on the original image to separate different frequencies subbands. Then, for greater focus on frequency regions, the blocking technique is carried out on these subbands and they are divided into equal sized sectors. Afterwards, optimal wavelet packet transform method is applied in feature extraction stage. Entropy cost function of coefficients is modified with message embedding and tends to be zero. As a result, the ultimate optimal tree having the maximum number of necessary nodes can be built. Experimental results indicate that the ultimate obtained features are a good basis to detect a secret message in the image.
In vivo evaluation of novel ketal-based oligosaccharides of hyaluronan micelles as multifunctional CD44 receptor-targeting and tumor pH-responsive carriers

In this report, the oligosaccharides of hyaluronan (oHA)-histidine-menthone 1,2-glycerol ketal (MGK) (oHM) carried pH-sensitive MGK as hydrophobic moieties and oHA as the target of the CD44 receptor. The oHM could self-assemble, with a diameter of 65 nm. The cellular uptake, indicated by the fluorescent signals, was higher at 4 h. The ex vivo imaging indicated that micelles have a longer blood circulation, beyond 5 h. The fluorescence intensity of the micelles in the liver and spleen was much higher from 5 to 24 h. The CD44 receptor-targeting, indicated by the fluorescence signals of A549 and MDA-MB-231 group, were higher than those of the HepG2 and the control.
Image Fusion in Framework for Hyperspectral Image Segmentation

Hyperspectral imaging system contains stack of images collected from the sensor with different wavelengths representing the same scene on the earth. This paper presents a framework for hyperspectral image segmentation using a clustering algorithm. The framework consists of four stages in segmenting a hyperspectral data set. In the first stage, filtering is done to remove noise in image bands. Second stage consists of dimensionality reduction algorithms, in which the bands that convey less information or redundant data will be removed. In the third stage, the informative bands which are selected in the second stage are merged into a single image using hierarchical fusion technique. In the hierarchical image fusion, the images are grouped such that each group has equal number of images. This methodology leads to group of images having much varied information, thus decreasing the quality of fused image. This paper presents a new methodology of hierarchical image fusion in which similarity metrics are used to create image groups for merging the selected image bands. This single image is segmented using Fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm. The experimental results show that this framework will segment the data set more accurately by combining all the features in the image bands.
Microfluidics: a transformational tool for nanomedicine development and production

Abstract Microfluidic devices are mircoscale fluidic circuits used to manipulate liquids at the nanoliter scale. The ability to control the mixing of fluids and the continuous nature of the process make it apt for solvent/antisolvent precipitation of drug-delivery nanoparticles. This review describes the use of numerous microfluidic designs for the formulation and production of lipid nanoparticles, liposomes and polymer nanoparticles to encapsulate and deliver small molecule or genetic payloads. The advantages of microfluidics are illustrated through examples from literature comparing conventional processes such as beaker and T-tube mixing to microfluidic approaches. Particular emphasis is placed on examples of microfluidic nanoparticle formulations that have been tested in vitro and in vivo. Fine control of process parameters afforded by microfluidics, allows unprecedented optimization of nanoparticle quality and encapsulation efficiency. Automation improves the reproducibility and optimization of formulations. Furthermore, the continuous nature of the microfluidic process is inherently scalable, allowing optimization at low volumes, which is advantageous with scarce or costly materials, as well as scale-up through process parallelization. Given these advantages, microfluidics is poised to become the new paradigm for nanomedicine formulation and production.