Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New careers for antioxidants

It is a remarkable fact that antioxidants are nontoxic compounds that reduce the incidence of cancer. Antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin E, β-carotene, lycopene, and selenium are regularly found to reduce the risk of lung, prostate, stomach, or total cancers, as well as oral precancers, in epidemiologic studies (1). Foods containing these nutrients are similarly effective, as are nondietary antioxidants such as green tea phenols and various Oriental herbal medicines (2). In general, the level of risk reduction is on the order of 0.6, which might encouragingly be extrapolated to (0.6) n for those of us with n organs at risk. The risk reduction from an antioxidant can be 3-fold in the elderly, in smokers, and in subpopulations deficient in a second antioxidant (1). This result suggests that functional redundancy of antioxidant systems is hiding the importance of their biological roles until two actors have been removed, as often happens with gene knockouts. These nutrients, as well as nonnutrient antioxidants such as N -acetyl cysteine, also slow the appearance of tumors in mice (2–4). Why do antioxidants have these effects? Biochemically, attention has traditionally centered on the obvious suspect, the ability of these compounds to scavenge free radicals, especially reactive oxygen species. Lipid-soluble antioxidants such as vitamin E act as chain-breakers to stop the propagation of sequential free radical reactions, as can water-soluble antioxidants such as vitamin C. Eradicating radicals will reduce damage to DNA and membranes (Fig. 1). But antioxidants have other molecular consequences, including inhibiting generation of reactive oxygen species, inhibiting metabolic activation of carcinogens, and altering the intracellular redox potential (5). The latter occurs with those water-soluble antioxidants having a high reducing potential, such as vitamin C and N -acetyl cysteine, which change the cell's redox state. Redox state, in turn, regulates the activity of many transcription …
The Response of Primary Keratinocytes and Fibroblasts from Cancer Patients to Multiple Low-Dose Irradiations

Abstract Słonina, D. , Biesaga, B. , Urbański, K. and Kojs, Z. The Response of Primary Keratinocytes and Fibroblasts from Cancer Patients to Multiple Low-Dose Irradiations. Radiat. Res. 168, 631–636 (2007). In our previous study, using the micronucleus (MN) assay, a hyper-radiosensitivity (HRS)-like phenomenon was observed after single low doses for fibroblasts from two and keratinocytes from four of the 40 patients studied. In this paper, we report the response of primary keratinocytes from 23 and fibroblasts from 21 of these cancer patients to multiple low-dose irradiations and answer the question regarding whether the patients with an HRS-like response after single low doses also demonstrate chromosomal hypersensitivity after multiple low doses. The cells were irradiated with three doses of 0.25 Gy separated by 4-h intervals, and MN induction was compared with that after the same total dose given as a single fraction of 0.75 Gy. Similarly, the effect of three doses of 0.5 Gy was compared with that of a single dose of 1.5 Gy. For fibroblasts from two and keratinocytes from four patients who demonstrated a single-dose HRS-like response, a significant inverse effect of fractionation (greater MN induction after three doses of 0.25 Gy than after a single dose of 0.75 Gy) was observed, which suggests a repeated hypersensitive response after each dose of 0.25 Gy. Such an effect was not seen for the cells from 19 patients who were single-dose HRS-like negative. In conclusion, an inverse fractionation effect for MN induction that was observed in fibroblasts from two and keratinocytes from four patients after three doses of 0.25 Gy (but not 3 × 0.5 Gy) reflects the chromosomal hyper-radiosensitivity seen in the same patients in response to single low doses.
Mechanically resolved imaging of bacteria using expansion microscopy

Imaging dense and diverse microbial communities has broad applications in basic microbiology and medicine, but remains a grand challenge due to the fact that many species adopt similar morphologies. While prior studies have relied on techniques involving spectral labeling, we have developed an expansion microscopy method (μExM) in which cells are physically expanded prior imaging and their expansion patterns depend on the structural and mechanical properties of their cell walls, which vary across species and conditions. We use this phenomenon as a quantitative and sensitive phenotypic imaging contrast orthogonal to spectral separation in order to resolve bacterial cells of different species or in distinct physiological states. Focusing on host-microbe interactions that are difficult to quantify through fluorescence alone, we demonstrate the ability of μExM to distinguish species within a dense community through in vivo imaging of a model gut microbiota, and to sensitively detect cell-envelope damage caused by antibiotics or previously unrecognized cell-to-cell phenotypic heterogeneity among pathogenic bacteria as they infect macrophages.
Adaptive exponential time-varying sliding mode control for hypersonic cruise vehicles

This paper describes the design of an adaptive exponential time-varying sliding mode control (AETVSMC) with strong robustness for hypersonic cruise vehicles subject to parametric uncertainties on the inertial and aerodynamic coefficients. An adaptation scheme is adopted to deal with unknown but bounded system uncertainties. Thus, the selection of switching gains can be obtained on-line and the upper bounds of the model uncertainties are not required to be known in advance. Stability analysis of the closed-loop system is derived based on the Lyapunov theory. Finally, simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed approach.
Giant Multilocular Prostatic Cystadenoma: A Distinctive Lesion of the Retroperitoneum in Men A Report of Two Cases

Two examples of large, multiloculated, cystic tumors that arose within the pelvis in men of 28 and 37 years of age are described. The tumors were composed of glands and cysts lined by prostatic-type epithelium lying in a hypocellular fibrous stroma. The prostatic nature of the lesions was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining of the epithelium for prostate-specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase. Two apparently similar lesions were found in the literature; one tumor was attached to the prostate by a pedicle, and the other arose in the retrovesical space. These tumors, for which we propose the designation “giant multilocular prostatic cystadenoma,” appear to be benign, although they may recur if incompletely excised. They may pose considerable diagnostic difficulty if the prostatic nature of the epithelium is not appreciated, an error that is likely if a relationship to the prostate is not recognized. This lesion should be included in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal cystic tumors in men.
A Weight-of-Evidence Approach for Assessing Interactions in Chemical Mixtures

The risk assessment process must encompass all available toxicological data and scientific evidence on the plausible toxicities of a chemical or chemical mixture. As an extension to the approaches used to conduct risk assessments on chemical mixtures, a preliminary scheme, analogous to the IARC classification of carcinogens, is proposed to express the weight of evidence for the interactions in binary mixtures. This scheme is based on composite representation of all the toxicological evidence from animal bioassays and human data, pharmacokinetics studies, metabolism studies, and structure activity relationships. In addition, factors such as the relevance of route, duration and sequence of exposure, toxicological significance of interactions and the quality of in vivo and in vitro data are taken into consideration. The scheme yields an alphanumeric classification that can be used for qualitative risk assessment, and has the potential, as demonstrated in this paper, for quantitative application to site-specific risk assessments. Furthermore, the scheme can be used to estimate interactions or form hypotheses concerning binary interactions. It is flexible and allows all pertinent information to be incorporated in a methodical and consistent manner. Research is needed to identify interaction patterns for simultaneous and sequential exposure scenarios of chemical pollutants in order that this scheme may be developed further and its usefulness and limitations may be tested.
Seasonal Variation in the Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis: There and Back Again.

T o the Editor: Although literature has shown conflicting results for aeroallergens as eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) triggers, a recent systematic review combining data from 16,846 EoE patients (1) did not find significant variations in the seasonal distribution of either the initial diagnosis or clinical recrudescence of EoE throughout the year. As such, we read with interest the retrospective study by Fahey et al (2), which reports a positive correlation between peak levels of grass pollen with the onset of symptoms and diagnosis of new cases of EoE. The authors suggest that the potential role that environmental factors could play in EoE should be investigated as rigorously as that for food triggers. This association was not, however, shown for 10 additional pollen taxa. Beyond the risk of bias inherent to retrospective studies, we would like to make the case for the potential inaccuracy of a seasonal variation in EoE:
Cointegration Analysis of Singaporeís Residential Market

Several important events such as the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997 and 11th Sep Attack in New York, has further heightened our concern for the conditions in the real estate markets, in particular for the housing market. This paper utilizes cointegration and errorcorrection models and Granger causality tests to investigate the dynamics of the Singapore private housing market. Consequently, private housing prices are found to be cointegrated with GDP, prime lending rates and private housing commencements and private housing rents, indicating that they share a common stochastic trend. In the short run, it is shown that the error correction mechanism plays an important adjustment role in the fluctuation of prices in order to bring the deviations in prices to return to the long-run equilibrium path. However, the adjustment is very slow due to the inefficiency of the real estate market. Furthermore, our results also show that, in the short run, the conditions in the financial market and macroeconomic economy can produce more significant influence on the number of housing commencements, while the price and supply factors of the real estate market can explain more about the short-run dynamics of rents.
Compact Frequency Reconfigurable Antenna for LTE/WWAN Mobile Handset Applications

In this communication, a compact frequency reconfigurable antenna for LTE/WWAN mobile handset applications is proposed. The proposed antenna mainly consists of radiating elements and two PIN diodes. In addition, the antenna has a simple structure with a compact size of 36.5 × 10 mm2. This antenna operates in six modes, and each mode is given a different resonant pathway by adjusting the bias states of two PIN diodes. When PIN diodes #1 and #2 are in the ON and OFF states, respectively, the proposed antenna can cover the LTE700 (698-787 MHz) band by operating in mode 1. Moreover, the wide bandwidth in a higher band formed by combining modes 2 and 3 can cover the LTE2300 (2305- 2400 MHz) and LTE2500 (2500-2690 MHz) bands. When PIN diodes #1 and #2 are in the OFF and ON states, respectively, a resonant frequency in the lower band is formed by integrating modes 4 and 5. This can cover the GSM850 (824-894 MHz) and GSM900 (880-960 MHz) bands. When the two PIN diodes are in the ON state, the proposed antenna can cover the GSM1800 (1710-1880 MHz), GSM1900 (1850-1990 MHz), and UMTS (1920-2170 MHz) bands in operating mode 6.
The Design of 3.6GHz 4.2GHz Low Noise Amplifier

A two-stage broadband low noise amplifier (LNA) was designed. The LNa was implemented on a Teflon substrate using GaAs FET ATF-10136 and PHEMT ATF-34143 with micro-strip circuit technology. This LNA resulted in a noise figure of 1.1dB, and 21 dB gain over 3.6 to 4.2 GHz range. The input and output VSWR are all less than 2.8. The computer simulated results were coincident with that of the test.
Bidirectional operation of resonant voltage divider

In this paper, bidirectional operation of the resonant voltage divider (RVD) is presented. As generally recognized, the RVD is used to transfer energy from the high voltage to the low voltage to feed the point of load (POL) or the voltage-regulated module (VRM). As for the bidirectional operation of the RVD, it can reversely transfer the energy to the DC bus, so as to effectively to suppress the voltage overshoot as the download transient response occurs. In the paper, the basic principles of bidirectional operation of the RVD are discussed, along with some experimental results to verify the feasibility of the control topology.
Liquid-State NMR and Scalar Couplings in Microtesla Magnetic Fields

We obtained nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of liquids in fields of a few microtesla, using prepolarization in fields of a few millitesla and detection with a dc superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). Because the sensitivity of the SQUID is frequency independent, we enhanced both signal-to-noise ratio and spectral resolution by detecting the NMR signal in extremely low magnetic fields, where the NMR lines become very narrow even for grossly inhomogeneous measurement fields. In the absence of chemical shifts, proton-phosphorous scalar (J) couplings have been detected, indicating the presence of specific covalent bonds. This observation opens the possibility for “pure J spectroscopy” as a diagnostic tool for the detection of molecules in low magnetic fields.
Subtracted 3D CT angiography for evaluation of internal carotid artery aneurysms: comparison with conventional digital subtraction angiography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 3D computed tomographic angiography (3DCTA) has been used recently for the evaluation of intracerebral aneurysms, but it is difficult to use this technique to visualize aneurysms near the base of the skull because of the presence of bone. Subtracted 3DCTA could replace digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for evaluation of aneurysms near the base of the skull if the 2 methods were to give similar results. The aim of this study was to compare the evaluation of aneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA) near the base of the skull by subtracted 3DCTA and DSA. METHODS CTA and DSA were obtained in 25 patients with unruptured aneurysms of the ICA. To create subtracted 3DCTA images, we used a volume subtraction (VS) method, wherein nonenhanced volume data are subtracted from enhanced volume data. CTA and DSA were reviewed by 2 neuroradiologists who performed the detection and characterization of aneurysms of the ICA by using 2D multiplanar reformatted (MPR) and VS- and nonsubtracted (NS)-3DCTA images with volume rendering techniques. RESULTS DSA detected 29 aneurysms in the 25 patients. VS-3DCTA detected all 29 aneurysms in the 25 patients and was equivalent to DSA for evaluating their characteristics (location, size, and direction). NS-3DCTA detected 19 (1 cavernous, 4 ophthalmic, 1 superior hypophyseal, 7 posterior communicating, and 6 anterior choroidal artery) of these 29 aneurysms, but it could not characterize ophthalmic and superior hypophyseal artery aneurysms because they were only partly visible on NS-3DCTA because of bony structures. 2D-MPR images detected all but the small aneurysms (24 of 29 detected). VS-3DCTA and 2D-MPR could visualize all branching arteries (ophthalmic, posterior communicating, and anterior choroidal) detected by DSA, but NS-3DCTA could not visualize ophthalmic arteries because of the presence of bony structures. CONCLUSION VS-3DCTA can be used as an alternative to DSA for preoperative examination of aneurysms near the skull base, where it provides equivalent identification and characterization.
Mutations in the N-terminal domain of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 nucleocapsid protein affect virion core structure and proviral DNA synthesis

Nucleocapsid protein NCp7 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is a small basic nucleic acid binding protein containing two zinc fingers of the form (CX2CX4HX4C) and is present at about 2,000 copies inside the viral core. NCp7 molecules are tightly associated with the genomic RNA dimer to form the nucleocapsid, which also includes reverse transcriptase and integrase proteins. In vitro, NCp7 has been shown to bind specifically to HIV-1 RNA, inducing NCp7-NCp7 interactions. In the viral context, mutagenesis of amino acid residues in the zinc finger domains showed that NCp7 is responsible for the specific incorporation of genomic RNA into virions and is necessary for correct virion assembly and maturation. In this work, we investigated the consequences of mutating conserved basic residues in the N-terminal region that precedes the first zinc finger. Two of the mutants were poorly infectious and showed only limited, though significant, defects in RNA encapsidation and viral protein maturation. Electron microscopy, together with sucrose gradient analysis, revealed defects in particle core structure and heterogeneity among mutant virions. These defects were associated with strong reduction of proviral DNA synthesis and stability in newly infected cells. Taken together, these data show multiple and probably interdependent implications for the NCp7 protein in both early and late phases of the HIV-1 replicative cycle and emphasize it as a target for antiviral drug development.
Cost effective PAM inverter for 42V hybrid electric vehicles (HEV)

In the conventional motor drive system, as sixswitch inverter topology with DC battery for the 42V HEV, the current and torque ripples become high during start-up and low speed region. In this paper, to overcome these shortcomings, a novel PAM inverter is proposed, which consists of a two-switch buck-boost converter and a four-switch inverter. In addition, as the current and torque ripples are generated by a voltage difference between back EMF and battery voltage, these ripples could be reduced according to the controlled DC-link voltage according to the motor speed.
Trade Creation and Diversion Effects of the East African Community Regional Trade Agreement: A Gravity Model Analysis

The paper investigates the potential impact of the EAC (a South-South Regional grouping) on trade creation and diversion. The paper seeks to establish whether the EAC Regional Trade Agreement has diverted or created trade using an expanded (augmented) gravity model. The paper departs from the conventional estimation approach that uses average combined trade flows as the dependent variable which is prone to errors and uses exports. We estimate static and dynamic random effects models using a panel data set from 2001 to 2011 on seventy countries that trade mainly with the EAC partner states. Results suggest that indeed the implementation of the EAC treaty has created trade contrary to widely held views that South- South RTAs largely divert trade. There is thus evidence that the EAC, a south-south RTA has been a more trade creating than trade diverting as espoused in the literature. The paper explains the possible measures that have helped generate the trade underscored; formulation and implementation of EAC medium term development strategies, removal of internal tariffs and adoption of a CET structure. The paper further highlights that although progress has been made in other areas, there are challenges that need to be addressed to deepen the EAC integration: persistence of NTB; lack of a common policy with regard to partner states’ trade policies to non-partner states; the lack of standardized customs formalities; the lack of harmonized procedures; and different approaches to investment and export promotion. It is recommended that; the region adopts a legally binding approach to NTBs, harmonizes trade policies and standardizes documentation and procedures.
Processing large-diameter poly(L-lactic acid) microfiber mesh/mesenchymal stromal cell constructs via resin embedding: an efficient histologic method

In this study, we performed a complete histologic analysis of constructs based on large diameter ( > 100 μm) poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) microfibers obtained via dry-wet spinning and rat Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (rMSCs) differentiated towards the osteogenic lineage, using acrylic resin embedding. In many synthetic polymer-based microfiber meshes, ex post processability of fiber/cell constructs for histologic analysis may face deterring difficulties, leading to an incomplete investigation of the potential of these scaffolds. Indeed, while polymeric nanofiber (fiber diameter = tens of nanometers)/cell constructs can usually be embedded in common histologic media and easily sectioned, preserving the material structure and the antigenic reactivity, histologic analysis of large polymeric microfiber/cell constructs in the literature is really scant. This affects microfiber scaffolds based on FDA-approved and widely used polymers such as PLLA and its copolymers. Indeed, for such constructs, especially those with fiber diameter and fiber interspace much larger than cell size, standard histologic processing is usually inefficient due to inhomogeneous hardness and lack of cohesion between the synthetic and the biological phases under sectioning. In this study, the microfiber/MSC constructs were embedded in acrylic resin and the staining/reaction procedures were calibrated to demonstrate the possibility of successfully employing histologic methods in tissue engineering studies even in such difficult cases. We histologically investigated the main osteogenic markers and extracellular matrix molecules, such as alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin, osteocalcin, TGF-β1, Runx2, Collagen type I and the presence of amorphous, fibrillar and mineralized matrix. Biochemical tests were employed to confirm our findings. This protocol permitted efficient sectioning of the treated constructs and good penetration of the histologic reagents, thus allowing distribution and expression of almost all the tested molecules to be revealed. Our results demonstrated that it is possible to perform histologic analyses of large-diameter PLLA-based microfiber scaffold/MSC constructs that face the failure of standard histologic procedures.
GIS and Geographically Weighted Regression in Stated Preferences Analysis of the Externalities Produced by Linear Infrastructures

The paper uses Contingent Valuation to investigate the externalities from linear infrastructures, with a particular concern for their dependence on characteristics of the local context within which they are perceived. We employ Geographical Information Systems and a spatial econometric technique, the Geographic Weighted Regression, integrated in a dichotomous choice CV in order to improve both the sampling design and the econometric analysis of a CV survey. These tools are helpful when local factors with an important spatial variability may have a crucial explanatory role in the structure of individual preferences. The Geographic Weighted Regression is introduced, beside GIS, as a way to enhance the flexibility of a stated preference analysis, by fitting local changes and highlighting spatial non-stationarity in the relationships between estimated WTP and explanatory variables. This local approach is compared with a standard double bounded contingent valuation through an empirical study about high voltage transmission lines. The GWR methodology has not been applied before in environmental economics. The paper shows its significance in testing the consistency of the standard approach by monitoring the spatial patterns in the distribution of the WTP and the spatial stability of the parameters estimated in order to compute the conditional WTPs