Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NADPH Oxidase Limits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Lung Inflammation and Injury in Mice through Reduction-Oxidation Regulation of NF-κB Activity

Although reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by NADPH oxidase are known to regulate inflammatory responses, the impact of ROS on intracellular signaling pathways is incompletely understood. In these studies, we treated wild-type (WT) and p47phox-deficient mice with LPS to investigate mechanisms by which NADPH oxidase regulates signaling through the NF-κB pathway. After intratracheal instillation of LPS, ROS generation was impaired in p47phox−/− mice, whereas these mice had increased neutrophilic alveolitis and greater lung injury compared with WT controls. In mice interbred with transgenic NF-κB reporters (HIV-long terminal repeat/luciferase [HLL]), we found exaggerated LPS-induced NF-κB activation and increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines in lungs of p47phox−/−/HLL mice compared with controls. Both lung macrophages and bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMDMs) isolated from p47phox−/−/HLL mice showed enhanced LPS-stimulated NF-κB activity compared with controls. Although nuclear translocation of NF-κB proteins was similar between genotypes, EMSAs under nonreducing conditions showed increased DNA binding in p47phox−/−/HLL BMDMs, suggesting that ROS production reduces NF-κB binding to DNA without affecting nuclear translocation. Increased intracellular reduced glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio and greater nuclear redox factor 1 (Ref-1) levels were present in p47phox−/−/HLL compared with WT BMDMs, pointing to NADPH oxidase modulating intracellular redox status in macrophages. Treatment with the Ref-1–specific inhibitor E3330 or hydrogen peroxide inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB activation in p47phox−/−/HLL BMDMs but not in WT/HLL cells. Consistent with these findings, small interfering RNA against Ref-1 selectively reduced NF-κB activity in LPS-treated p47phox−/−/HLL BMDMs. Together, these results indicate that NADPH oxidase limits LPS-induced NF-κB transcriptional activity through regulation of intracellular redox state.
Spectral and polarization sensitivity of photocurrents of amphibian rods in the visible and ultraviolet

Photocurrents from isolated rods of adults and sub-adults of three species of amphibians, Rana pipiens, Ambystoma tigrinum, and Xenopus laevis, were measured with suction pipette electrodes. The intensity for a half-maximal response was 0.91 ± 0.48 photons μm−2 flash−1 (mean ± s.d., 10-ms flashes) for Rana, 0.92 ± 0.44 for Ambystoma, and 6.14 ± 1.33 for Xenopus. The mean number of photoisomerizations at half-saturation was 22 ± 12 for Rana, 50 ± 24 for Ambystoma, and 221 ± 48 for Xenopus. The photocurrent per photoisomerization is several times smaller in Xenopus rods than in the other two species. Spectral sensitivity was measured from 277–737 nm with light polarized both parallel and perpendicular to the planes of the membrane disks. Dichroism fell in the near UV and was absent in the region of absorption by tryptophan and tyrosine. Maximum sensitivity of Rana was at 503.9 ± 2.6 nm (n = 86), and of Ambystoma, 505.8 ± 1.8 nm (n = 24). Animals from these same batches that were sampled by HPLC had no 3-dehydroretinal (retinal2). Xenopus containing about 94% retinal2 and 6% retinal1 had λmax at 519.3 ± 2.7 nm (n = 11). Spectral position of the β-band, estimated by the method of Stavenga et al. (1993), appears to be at longer wavelengths in amphibian photoreceptors than in other vertebrates. Fits of log sensitivity to a normalized-frequency template that tracks the long-wavelength tail of the α-band (Lamb, 1995) show that the rod pigments of Rana and Ambystoma are slightly narrower than those found in the photoreceptors of fish and mammals.
Wavelet packet denoising for online partial discharge detection in cables and its application to experimental field results

Partial discharge measurements taken online are severely corrupted by noise due to external disturbances. In this paper a powerful noise reduction technique, based on a wavelet packet denoising algorithm, is employed to isolate the signals from the noise. This methodology enables the denoising of partial discharges that are heavily corrupted by noise without assuming any a priori knowledge about the partial discharge features. A brief description of the wavelet packet theory as an extension of the multi-resolution analysis is given. Results of the application of this algorithm to simulated data of low signal-to-noise ratio are presented, demonstrating substantial improvement in signal recovery with minimum shape distortion. Finally, the capability of this technique is highlighted by applying it to experimental field data taken from three-phase 11 kV cables.
Patient-Specific Alterations in CO2 Cerebrovascular Responsiveness in Acute and Sub-Acute Sports-Related Concussion

Background Preliminary studies suggest that sports-related concussion (SRC) is associated with alterations in cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation. Here, we use advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to measure CBF and cerebrovascular responsiveness (CVR) in individual SRC patients and healthy control subjects. Methods 15 SRC patients (mean age = 16.3, range 14–20 years) and 27 healthy control subjects (mean age = 17.6, range 13–21 years) underwent anatomical MRI, pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) MRI and model-based prospective end-tidal targeting (MPET) of CO2 during blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) MRI. Group differences in global mean resting CBF were examined. Voxel-by-voxel group and individual differences in regional CVR were examined using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Leave-one-out receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to evaluate the utility of brain MRI CO2 stress testing biomarkers to correctly discriminate between SRC patients and healthy control subjects. Results All studies were tolerated with no complications. Traumatic structural findings were identified in one SRC patient. No significant group differences in global mean resting CBF were observed. There were no significant differences in the CO2 stimulus and O2 targeting during BOLD MRI. Significant group and patient-specific differences in CVR were observed with SRC patients demonstrating a predominant pattern of increased CVR. Leave-one-out ROC analysis for voxels demonstrating a significant increase in CVR was found to reliably discriminate between SRC patients and healthy control subjects (AUC of 0.879, p = 0.0001). The optimal cutoff for increased CVR declarative for SRC was 1,899 voxels resulting in a sensitivity of 0.867 and a specificity of 0.778 for this specific ROC analysis. There was no correlation between abnormal voxel counts and Postconcussion Symptom Scale scores among SRC patients. Conclusion Acute and subacute SRCs are associated with alterations in CVR that can be reliably detected by brain MRI CO2 stress testing in individual patients.
Unliganded estrogen receptor α inhibits breast cancer cell growth through interaction with a cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor (p21WAF1)

Estrogens are mitogenic in human breast cancer cells, but the presence of estrogen receptor α (ERα) is associated with a favorable prognosis in primary tumors and the molecular basis for this paradoxical relationship remains unknown. Here we show that ERα and ERα mutants devoid of ligand and DNA‐binding domains inhibit cell growth in three‐dimensional matrix as well as tumor formation in nude mice. Using in vitro and intracellular approaches, we have found that ERα, via its amino acids 184–283, interacts with cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1. Both proteins exhibit mutual interactions in the absence of estrogens or in the presence of pure antiestrogen ICI182,780, whereas estradiol treatment disrupts their interactions. Cross‐linking experiments reveal that these proteins are present in a larger complex of ~200 kDa that also contains cdk2 and cyclin E. We further demonstrate that the unliganded full‐length ERα or the variant having the p21WAF1 interaction region significantly increases p21WAF1 expression, whereas ERα silencing reduces p21WAF1 levels and silencing of p21WAF1 is sufficient to prevent ERα‐induced growth inhibition. Taken together, our results point to an antiproliferative function of the unliganded ERα through its physical interactions with p21WAF1 that may also explain the favorable prognosis of ERα‐positive breast cancers. —Maynadier M. , Ramirez, J.‐M. , Cath‐iard A. ‐M. , Platet, N. , Gras, D. , Gleizes, M. , Sheikh, M. S. , Nirde, P., Garcia M. Unliganded estrogen receptor alpha inhibits breast cancer cell growth through interaction with a cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor (p21WAF1). FASEB J. 22, 671–681 (2007)
A novel hybrid method of LSSVM-GA with multiple stage optimization for electricity price forecasting

Predicting price has now become an important task in the operation of electrical power system. Day-ahead prediction provides forecast prices for a day ahead that is useful for daily operation and decision-making. The main challenge for day ahead price forecasting is the accuracy and efficiency. Lower accuracy is produced due to the nature of electricity price that is highly volatile compared to load series. Hence, some researchers have developed complex procedures to produce accurate forecast while considering significant features and optimum parameters. Therefore, a multistage optimization for hybrid Least Square Support Vector Machine (LSSVM) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) model is developed in this study to provide an accurate price forecast with optimized parameters and input features. So far, no literature has been found on multistage feature and parameter selections using the methods of LSSVM-GA for day-ahead price prediction. All the models are examined on the Ontario power market; which is reported as among the most volatile market worldwide. A huge number of features are selected by two stages of optimization to avoid from missing any important features. The developed LSSVM-GA shows higher forecast accuracy with lower complexity than the existing models.
Transmembrane domain of CD44 is required for its detergent insolubility in fibroblasts.

The hyaluronan receptor CD44 is an abundant glycoprotein expressed on a variety of different cell types. In fibroblasts a significant portion of receptor molecules remain in the detergent-insoluble fraction after Triton X-100 extraction. Detergent insolubility of these CD44 molecules has been interpreted to reflect their association with the cytoskeleton. In this study we examined the structural features of CD44 required for its Triton X-100 insolubility in murine fibroblasts. We expressed in L cells the wild-type hematopoietic form of CD44, a mutant CD44 lacking the cytoplasmic domain, and two mutant CD44 molecules with substituted transmembrane domains. Immunofluorescence and cell surface iodination were performed and the detergent extraction profile of the transfected CD44 molecules was determined. No difference in detergent solubility was observed between wild-type and tailless mutant-transfected molecules. However, both CD44 mutants with a heterologous transmembrane domain, derived from either the CD3 zeta chain or CD45, were completely soluble in Triton X-100. These results demonstrate that the transmembrane region but not the cytoplasmic domain of CD44 is required for the detergent-insolubility in these cells. No obvious colocalization of CD44 and actin stress fibers was observed before or after treatment with cytochalasin D, and no change in the detergent extraction profile of wild-type and mutant CD44 molecules was effected by cytochalasin D. In equilibrium density sucrose gradients the Triton-insoluble CD44 component was found in the low density fractions, indicating an association with Triton X-100-insoluble lipids. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Performance of Screening Instruments for Alcohol Problems in the ER: A Comparison of Mexican- Americans and Mexicans in Mexico*

The performance of standard screening instruments and alternate measures against ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision) and DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th revision) criteria for alcohol dependence and separately for harmful drinking/abuse were compared between probability samples of 1511 emergency room (ER) patients from three hospitals in Pachuca, Mexico, and 586 Mexican-American ER patients in Santa Clara County, California. Sensitivity was highest for the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), TWEAK, and Rapid Alcohol Problems Screen (RAPS) for alcohol dependence; sensitivity was highest for holding five or more drinks for harmful drinking/abuse in both samples. All instruments performed better for alcohol dependence than for abuse/harmful drinking. Arrests for drinking and driving performed better in Santa Clara than in Pachuca, while a positive Breathalyzer reading and reporting drinking prior to the event performed better in Pachuca; both were significantly more sensitive among the injured compared to the noninjured in Pachuca. The data suggest that instrument performance may be similar between those in Pachuca and those in the low acculturation group in Santa Clara, relative to those scoring higher on acculturation. While standard screening instruments appear to work reasonably well in both samples for alcohol dependence, variation across gender, injury, and acculturation subgroups suggests attention should be given to choosing the “best” instrument.
Stocastic photonics: Tools and approaches for the analysis and optimization of integrated circuits

We demonstrate the application of several stochastic tools to the design of photonic integrated circuit. Monte Carlo analysis based on real measured statistics of the parameters is used to investigate of the impact of fabrication tolerances on the performance of a switch, including average power required for trimming. Polynomial-chaos-based models are used to optimize a filter design in order to minimize fluctuations of the bandwidth due to fabrication uncertainty. Sensitivity analysis performed through elementary effect test and variance based approach is used to identify the most critical parameters determining bandwidth fluctuations.
An Analysis of Data Dissemination on VANET by using Content Delivery Network (CDN) technique

Data dissemination on VANET (Vehicular Ad Hoc Network) has been receiving attention where useful information, such as traffic information and accident warning, can be shared among vehicles. In this paper, we propose to use CDN (Content Delivery Network) technique for disseminating information to destination nodes via a set of replica nodes, or CDN nodes, by repeatedly transmitting the content originating from the source node to the replica nodes. Our proposed CDN technique is deployed on VANET running OLSR (Optimized Link State Routing) Protocol. The CDN nodes are selected from MPR (Multi-Point Relay) nodes in OLSR, since these nodes can optimally cover all subscriber nodes. In order to avoid the interference problem in the broadcasting environment, the number of MPR nodes to be selected as CDN nodes is reduced. This results in decrement of CDN nodes in use are limited. The network under our consideration is divided into two parts. The first part covers from the source nodes to the CDN nodes while the second part covers from the all CDN nodes to the destination nodes. In the first part, the OLSR on VANET is employed while in the second part, the broadcasting technique is applied where packets are repeatedly broadcast. In this work, the performance of our proposed CDN technique is evaluated by simulation using NS3 (Network Simulator 3). According to the simulation results, our proposed CDN on VANET improves drastically the overall successful transmission rate as compared to the typical OLSR on VANET. Finally, we also propose a mathematical performance analysis for forwarding packets from the source to a set of destination nodes, by considering the successful transmission rate at the destination nodes as our evaluation metric. The result is provided in a closed-form expression.
Human-based Lower Limb Movement Assistance and Rehabilitation through an Actuated Orthosis

In this paper, an overview of the project EICOSI (Exoskeleton Intelligently COmmunicating and Sensitive to Intention) conducted at the LISSI/UPEC Lab will be presented. This work aims to control a knee joint actuated orthosis while tracking a desired trajectory or following the wearer’s intention. The proposed control strategies ensure satisfactory performances in terms of trajectory tracking, intention detection and torque generation during rehabilitation tasks and assistive movements of the wearer’s lower limbs.
Role of Mediterranean diet, tropical vegetables rich in antioxidants, and sunlight exposure in blindness, cataract and glaucoma among African type 2 diabetics

AIM: To assess whether regular Mediterranean diet and regular intake of vegetables may reduce the risk of blindness, cataract, and glaucoma in these type 2 diabetics. · METHODS: A cross-sectional design was carried out among known black diabetics admitted at the diabetic clinics of Kinshasa, between October 2008 and March 2009. The Mediterranean-style dietary score (MSDPS) was used to characterize a Mediterranean-style dietary pattern in the study population using the Harvard semi quantitative FFQ adapted for Africa. · RESULTS: Five hundred Type 2 diabetic patients were included in this study (48% of males; 40% aged ≥60 years). There was a significant association between blindness, cataract and aging; between blindness (P 0.05), cataract (P0.05), glaucoma (P 0.05), and physical inactivity; between blindness (P0.05), cataract (P 0.0001), glaucoma (P 0.01) and high SES, and a very significant association between blindness (P 0.0001), cataract (P 0.0001), glaucoma (P 0.0001) and exposure to sunlight. There was also a significant association between blindness, glaucoma, and male sex. Regular intake of Mediterranean diet, Brassica Rapa, beans, Abelmoschus, Musa acuminata reduced significantly the risk of blindness, cataract and glaucoma. · CONCLUSION: Regular intake of Mediterranean diet, Brassica Rapa, beans, Abelmoschus, and Musa acuminata may significantly reduce the risk of blindness or its major causes among type 2 diabetes mellitus in Africa.
Carotid and femoral arterial wall mechanics in scleroderma.

OBJECTIVE Large-vessel arterial disease is increasingly recognized as a major cause of morbidity in autoimmune rheumatic disorders. Recent evidence suggests that scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc) may be linked to altered fibrillin-1 metabolism associated with a defect in chromosome 15q. If this is the case, we may expect to see changes in the arterial wall mechanics of large vessels not clinically involved in the disease process. We undertook a study to determine whether the biomechanical properties and intima-media thickness (IMT) of the elastic carotid artery and the muscular femoral artery are altered in subjects with limited (lcSSc) and diffuse (dcSSc) cutaneous SSc. METHODS Measurements of carotid and femoral wall mechanics were made in 33 patients with lcSSc, 19 patients with dcSSc and 21 control subjects, using a duplex scanner coupled to a Wall Track system. Their age, gender, body mass index, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, presumed cardiovascular load, and plasma creatinine, fasting cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose concentrations were also measured. RESULTS There was a progressive and significant reduction (P < 0.001) in the elastic properties of the carotid artery from the control group (compliance, 16.24 +/- 4.39 %mmHg(-1) x 10(-2)) to the lcSSc group (10.89 +/- 2.43 %mmHg(-1) x 10(-2)) to the dcSSc group (7.65 +/- 2.08 %mmHg(-1) x 10(-2)), even after adjustment for the systemic physiological and biochemical variables studied, which are known to influence the mechanics of arterial walls. There was no apparent difference between the groups in the mean elastic indices of the femoral artery and the IMT of the carotid and femoral arteries. CONCLUSION The elastic properties of the carotid artery are significantly altered in SSc, and the two major subsets of SSc may be distinguished by their carotid artery biomechanics. This suggests that connective tissue abnormality occurs at sites not previously assessed.
Enabling Wide Autonomous DVFS in a 22 nm Graphics Execution Core Using a Digitally Controlled Fully Integrated Voltage Regulator

A digitally-controlled fully integrated voltage regulator (IVR) enables wide autonomous DVFS in a 22 nm graphics execution core. Part of the original power header is converted into a hybrid power stage to support digital low-dropout (DLDO), and switched-capacitor voltage regulator (SCVR) modes, in addition to the original bypass and sleep modes. Using voltage sensing, tunable replica circuit, or a core warning signal, the IVR detects and quickly responds to fast voltage droops to support fast dynamic workload changes without performance degradation. In a prototype, a 3D graphics execution core is powered up by the proposed hybrid IVR demonstrating measured 26% and 82% reduction in core energy in the turbo and the near-threshold voltage (NTV) modes, respectively. The total area overhead of the proposed hybrid IVR is 4% of the core compared to 2% from the original power header. Our digitally assisted control for the droop response shows ~ 75% core frequency improvement at 0.84 V.
Effects of cardiogenic shock on lactate and glucose metabolism after heart surgery

BackgroundHyperlactatemia is a prominent feature of cardiogenic shock. It can be attributed to increased tissue production of lactate related to dysoxia and to impaired utilization of lactate caused by liver and tissue underperfusion. The aim of this prospective observational study was to determine the relative importance of these mechanisms during cardiogenic shock. PatientsTwo groups of subjects were compared: seven cardiac surgery patients with postoperative cardiogenic shock and seven healthy volunteers. MethodsLactate metabolism was assessed by using two independent methods: a) a pharmacokinetic approach based on lactate plasma level decay after the infusion of 2.5 mmol·kg−1 of sodium lactate; and b) an isotope dilution technique for which the transformation of [13C]lactate into [13C]glucose and 13CO2 was measured. Glucose turnover was determined using 6,62H2-glucose. ResultsAll patients suffered from profound shock requiring high doses of inotropes and vasopressors. Mean arterial lactate amounted to 7.8 ± 3.4 mmol·L−1 and mean pH to 7.25 ± 0.07. Lactate clearance was not different in the patients and controls (7.8 ± 3.4 vs. 10.3 ± 2.1 mL·kg−1·min−1). By contrast, lactate production was markedly enhanced in the patients (33.6 ± 16.4 vs. 9.6 ± 2.2 &mgr;mol·kg−1·min−1;p < .01). Exogenous [13C]lactate oxidation was not different (107 ± 37 vs. 103 ± 4 mmol), and transformation of [13C]lactate into [13C]glucose was not different (20.0 ± 13.7 vs. 15.2% ± 6.0% of exogenous lactate). Endogenous glucose production was markedly increased in the patients (1.95 ± 0.26 vs. 5.3 ± 3.0 mg·kg−1·min−1;p < .05 [10.8 ± 1.4 vs. 29.4 ± 16.7 &mgr;mol·kg−1·min−1]), whereas net carbohydrate oxidation was not different (1.7 ± 0.5 vs. 1.3 ± 0.3 mg·kg−1·min−1 [9.4 ± 2.8 vs. 7.2 ± 1.7 &mgr;mol·kg−1·min−1]). ConclusionsHyperlactatemia in early postoperative cardiogenic shock was mainly related to increased tissue lactate production, whereas alterations of lactate utilization played only a minor role. Patients had hyperglycemia and increased nonoxidative glucose disposal, suggesting that glucose-induced stimulation of tissue glucose uptake and glycolysis may contribute significantly to hyperlactatemia.