Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oroxylin a prevents inflammation‐related tumor through down‐regulation of inflammatory gene expression by inhibiting NF‐κB signaling

Increasing evidence suggests that inflammatory microenvironment plays a critical role at different stages of tumor development. However, the molecular mechanisms of the interaction between inflammation and proliferation of cancer cells remain poorly defined. Here we reported the inhibitory effects of oroxylin A on the inflammation‐stimulated proliferation of tumor cells and delineated the mechanism of its action. The results indicated that treatment with oroxylin A inhibited NF‐κB p65 nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of IκBα and IKKα/β in both human colon tumor HCT116 cells and human monocytes THP‐1 cells. In addition, in THP‐1 cells, oroxylin A significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced secretion of prototypical proinflammatory cytokine IL‐6 but not IL‐1β, and it was confirmed at the transcription level. Moreover, oroxylin A inhibited the proliferation of HCT116 cells stimulated by LPS‐induced THP‐1 cells in co‐culture microenvironment. In summary, oroxylin A modulated NF‐κB signaling pathway involved in inflammation‐induced cancer initiation and progression and therefore could be a potential cancer chemoprevention agent for inflammation‐related cancer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hepcidin is localised in gastric parietal cells, regulates acid secretion and is induced by Helicobacter pylori infection

Backgrounds and aims Hepcidin is an antimicrobial peptide and the central regulator of iron metabolism. Given that hepcidin was shown to be expressed in a variety of extrahepatic tissues and that stomach plays a role in iron absorption and in defence against infections, this study analysed the importance of hepcidin in the stomach. Methods Expression and localisation of gastric hepcidin was studied by quantitative RT-PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence and in situ hybridisation. Regulation of gastric hepcidin expression was analysed both in vitro and in vivo. Hepcidin wild-type (WT) and knockout (KO) animals were used to determine the impact of hepcidin on gastric bacterial overgrowth as well as gastric acid secretion. Results Hepcidin was abundantly expressed in the gastric fundus and corpus of all tested species. Treatment of AGS cells with ferric nitrilotriacetate solution downregulated hepcidin expression levels, while desferroxamine, interleukin 6 and Helicobacter pylori infection upregulated it. In humans, gastric hepcidin expression was elevated during H pylori infection and normalised after successful eradication. Gastric hepcidin is localised in parietal cells that are indispensable for gastric acid secretion. Comparisons of WT and hepcidin KO mice revealed that acid secretion in hepcidin-deficient mice is markedly reduced and is associated with gastric bacterial overgrowth, expression changes in multiple factors involved in acid secretion (Atp4a, Cck2r,Gas, Sst and Sst2r) and with reduced circulating gastrin levels. In WT mice, pantoprazole activated and histamine downregulated hepcidin expression levels. Conclusions Hepcidin is a product of parietal cells regulating gastric acid production and may contribute to development of gastric ulcers under stress conditions.
Procurement via Continuous-Time Multi-Attribute Double Auctions

Many trades in public and corporate procurement require an agreement on multiple attributes—besides the price, there are additional attributes describing product characteristics and the nature of the contract. The question is, how a market mechanism can provide support for the utilization of integrative gains and, simultaneously, keep search costs as low as possible. To this end, the paper outlines the working of a centralized multi-attribute continuous-time double auction mechanism.
Year : 2002 Ex vivo gene transfer in the years to come Pap

Synovial fibroblasts (SFs) have become a major target for ex vivo gene transfer in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but efficient transduction of RA-SFs still is a major problem. The low proliferation rate and heterogeneity of RA-SFs, together with their lack of highly specific surface receptors, have hampered a more extensive application of this technique. Improving transduction protocols with conventional viral vectors, therefore, as well as developing novel strategies, such as alternative target cells, and novel delivery systems constitute a major challenge. Recent progress in this field will lead to the achievement of high transgene expression, and will facilitate the use of gene transfer in human trials.
A new relaxed state in horse methemoglobin characterized by crystallographic studies

A new relaxed state has been characterized in the crystals of horse methemoglobin grown at neutral pH at low ionic concentration and their low humidity variants. The crystals provide an example for improvement in X‐ray diffraction quality with reduced solvent content. Only the classical R state has been so far observed in liganded horse hemoglobin. The state characterized in the present study lies in between the R state and the R2 state characterized earlier in liganded human hemoglobin. The results presented here, along with those of earlier studies, suggest that relaxed and tense hemoglobin can access ensembles of states. Proteins 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HI-VISUAL for hierarchical development of large programs

At Hiroshima University, the authors have been developing an iconic programming environment called, HI-VISUAL, where program construction is carried out by arranging icons on the screen. An extension of HI-VISUAL programming facilities for enabling users to develop large programs is investigated. They first present a model for supporting hierarchical development of large programs. Implementational issues of a system prototype are also discussed. In the system, an office metaphor is applied for realization of the hierarchical program development model, where an agent and a frame correspond to an employee and an office room, respectively. <<ETX>>
Theoretical insight into the structural mechanism for the binding of vinblastine with tubulin

Vinblastine (VLB) is one of vinca alkaloids with high cytotoxicity toward cancer cells approved for clinical use. However, because of drug resistance, toxicity, and other side effects caused from the use of VLB, new vinca alkaloids with higher cytotoxicity toward cancer cells and other good qualities need to develop. One strategy is to further study and better understand the essence why VLB possesses the high cytotoxicity toward cancer cells. In present work, by using molecular simulation, molecular docking, density functional calculation, and the crystal structure of α,β-tubulin complex, we find two modes labeled in catharanthine moiety (CM) and vindoline moiety (VM) modes of VLB bound with the interface of α,β-tubulin to probe the essence why VLB has the high cytotoxicity toward cancer cells. In the CM mode, nine key residues B-Ser178, B-Asp179, B-Glu183, B-Tyr210, B-Asp226, C-Lys326, C-Asp327, C-Lys336, and C-Lys352 from the α,β-tubulin complex are determined as the active sites for the interaction of VLB with α,β-tubulin. Some of them such as B-Ser178, B-Glu183, B-Tyr210, B-Asp226, C-Lys326, C-Asp327, and C-Lys336 are newly identified as the active sites in present work. The affinity between VLB and the active pocket within the interface of α,β-tubulin is −60.8 kJ mol−1 in the CM mode. In the VM mode, that is a new mode established in present paper, nine similar key residues B-Lys176, B-Ser178, B-Asp179, B-Glu183, B-Tyr210, B-Asp226, C-Lys326, C-Asp327, and C-Lys336 from the α,β-tubulin complex are found as the active sites for the interaction with VLB. The difference is from one key residue C-Lys352 in the CM mode changed to the key residue B-Lys176 in the VM mode. The affinity between VLB and the active pocket within the interface of α,β-tubulin is −96.3 kJ mol−1 in the VM mode. Based on the results obtained in present work, and because VLB looks like two faces, composed of CM and VM both to have similar polar active groups, to interact with the active sites, we suggest double-faces sticking mechanism for the binding of VLB to the interface of α,β-tubulin. The double-faces sticking mechanism can be used to qualitatively explain high cytotoxicity toward cancer cells of vinca alkaloids including vinblastine, vincristine, vindestine, and vinorelbine approved for clinical use and vinflunine still in a phase III clinical trial. Furthermore, this mechanism will be applied to develop novel vinca alkaloids with much higher cytotoxicity toward cancer cells.
Generic speech summarization of transcribed lecture videos: Using tags and their semantic relations

We propose a tag‐based framework that simulates human abstractors' ability to select significant sentences based on key concepts in a sentence as well as the semantic relations between key concepts to create generic summaries of transcribed lecture videos. The proposed extractive summarization method uses tags (viewer‐ and author‐assigned terms) as key concepts. Our method employs Flickr tag clusters and WordNet synonyms to expand tags and detect the semantic relations between tags. This method helps select sentences that have a greater number of semantically related key concepts. To investigate the effectiveness and uniqueness of the proposed method, we compare it with an existing technique, latent semantic analysis (LSA), using intrinsic and extrinsic evaluations. The results of intrinsic evaluation show that the tag‐based method is as or more effective than the LSA method. We also observe that in the extrinsic evaluation, the grand mean accuracy score of the tag‐based method is higher than that of the LSA method, with a statistically significant difference. Elaborating on our results, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our findings for speech video summarization and retrieval.
An Integrated High-Power-Factor Converter With ZVS Transition

This paper proposes a single-phase high-power-factor ac/dc converter with soft-switching characteristic. The circuit topology is derived by integrating a boost converter and a buck converter. The boost converter performs the function of power-factor correction to obtain high power factor and low current harmonics at the input line. The buck converter further regulates the dc-link voltage to provide a stable dc output voltage. Without using any active-clamp circuit or snubber circuit, the active switches of the proposed converter can achieve zero-voltage switching-on transition together with high power factor that satisfies the IEC 61000-3-2 standards over a wide load range from 30% to 100% rated power. The steady-state analysis is developed and a design example is provided. A prototype circuit of 60 W was built and tested. Experimental results verify the feasibility of the proposed circuit with satisfactory performance.
Vitamin B-12 Deficiency in Children Is Associated with Grade Repetition and School Absenteeism, Independent of Folate, Iron, Zinc, or Vitamin A Status Biomarkers.

BACKGROUND Micronutrients are essential to neurocognitive development; yet their role in educational outcomes is unclear. OBJECTIVE We examined the associations of micronutrient status biomarkers with the risk of grade repetition and rates of school absenteeism in a cohort of school children. METHODS We recruited 3156 children aged 5-12 y from public schools in Bogota, Colombia. Circulating ferritin, hemoglobin, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin B-12; erythrocyte folate; and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were measured in blood samples obtained at the beginning of the year. Absenteeism was recorded weekly during the school year, and grade repetition was determined the next year. Risk ratios for grade repetition and rate ratios for absenteeism were estimated by categories of micronutrient status indicators with use of Poisson regression, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS The risk of grade repetition was 4.9%, and the absenteeism rate was 3.8 d per child-year of observation. Vitamin B-12 deficiency (<148 pmol/L) was associated with an adjusted 2.36-fold greater risk of grade repetition (95% CI: 1.03, 5.41; P = 0.04) compared with plasma concentrations ≥148 pmol/L. Other micronutrients were not related to grade repetition. Vitamin B-12 deficiency was also associated with school absenteeism rates. Compared with children with plasma vitamin B-12 concentrations ≥148 pmol/L, vitamin B-12-deficient children had a 1.89-times higher adjusted rate (95% CI: 1.53, 2.34; P < 0.0001). Anemia was related to a 72% higher rate (95% CI: 48%, 99%; P < 0.0001), whereas every 5-fL difference in MCV was associated with a 7% lower adjusted rate (95% CI: 4%, 10%; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Vitamin B-12 deficiency was associated with risk of grade repetition and school absenteeism rates in school children from Bogota, Colombia. The effects of correcting vitamin B-12 deficiency on educational outcomes and neurocognitive development of school children need to be determined in intervention studies.
Quantifying the long-term effect of social media

The retail industry is ripe with uncertainties despite making significant strides in the past few years, particularly, since the recent economic downturn. The social media landscape has further complicated the customer connections with retail brands, creating serious challenges for retailers. Marketers are baffled by the constant urgent call by practitioners regarding the social media trend among customers, and they are finding it difficult to determine whether the social media effects can have a long term impact on both the customer perception of a brand and on the long-term trends in brand value. Quantifying the influence of social media in the long-run is essential for the development of branding and marketing strategies that lead to sustained competitive advantage. Empirical assessment includes vector autoregressive econometric modelling to determine whether a brand's value is stable or trending over time and quantify the persistent effect of social media factors using the real-world data available on social media. Further, implications for both marketing theory and practice are outlined.
Adopting Bitcoin as a Digital Currency Through Digital Transformation

Currency is naturally defined as having three major functions: a unit of account, a store of wealth, and a standard of exchange. Among the various forms of currency, cryptocurrencies are (a) clearly distinguished from standard currencies like coins and paper formats, (b) labeled as legal tender, (c) regulated by central banks, and (d) used and recognized as a means of exchange in the issuing country. Moreover, cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, and others are a relatively modern concept in contrast to the previously stated, but there is an important difference between digital currency and government-issued currencies. Due to technology, digital currency can now be a digital object that entails a unique number that can be directly exchanged anonymously and without accounting. The most common forms of cryptocurrencies are Litecoin, Ethereum, Zcash, Dach, Ripple, and Bitcoin. Except for the Bitcoin, the five previously mentioned forms were introduced between 2011 and 2016.
Selective Amplification of tyv (rfbE), prt (rfbS), viaB, and fliC Genes by Multiplex PCR for Identification of Salmonella enterica Serovars Typhi and Paratyphi A

ABSTRACT The PCR primers for O, H, and Vi antigen genes, tyv (rfbE), prt (rfbS), fliC-d, fliC-a, and viaB, were designed and used for the rapid identification of Salmonella enterica serovars Typhi and Paratyphi A with multiplex PCR. The results showed that all the clinical isolates examined of Salmonella serovars Typhi and Paratyphi A were accurately identified by this assay.
High frequency grid impedance analysis by current injection

The impedance of the electrical grid is frequency and time depending. Therefore it is very useful to know its value in the frequency range between grid fundamental frequency and frequencies in the kHz-range. The proposed grid impedance analysis contributes to optimize energy feed especially from decentralized converter equipped renewable sources. This paper presents an advanced impedance measurement system with a high frequency range for the energized electrical low voltage grid. A sinusoidal current of predetermined frequency is injected into the grid. The grid impedance at that frequency is calculated from the measured magnitude and phase of the injected current and resulting voltage. The measurements are executed at nearby frequencies to produce nearly continuous impedance versus frequency characteristic. The basic concept and a prototype of test equipment are presented.
One Condition Contributing to MNCs' Global Business Success: Reverse Transfer of LMI from IJVs to MNCs

Knowledge is a source of competitive advantage which strengthens multinational corporations’ (MNCs) market position, and thus, they set up overseas subsidiaries partly to access other firms’ knowledge which resides in local markets. From the MNC viewpoint, due to the innate characteristics of international joint ventures (IJVs) partially owned by local firms, they have a chance to access local market information (LMI), develop new competencies themselves and share this information with their headquarters, thereby contributing to the formation of MNCs’ competitive advantages. This study posits that the extent to which overseas subsidiaries reverse transfer of local information is influenced by their knowledge transfer capacity (KTC). Through OLS regressions, this study finds that first, subsidiaries’ KTC plays a pivotal role in transmitting LMI to MNCs, and second, knowledge development capability, subsidiary willingness and subsidiary autonomy function as a vehicle to transfer new information. This study contributes a theoretical concept, KTC, and provides practical implications to MNC managers.
Growing share of wind power in the power system and its impacts on frequency regulation

The share of wind energy in the power grid is growing at a very fast rate. As a result, there is a proportional drop in the share of traditional generators. Synchronous machines, which constitute the backbone of the AC grid, possess many important capabilities such as inertia, speed droop and short term overloading capability. These features are essential for balancing the frequency after every system event. Since grid connection of wind turbines (WTs) is done through power electronic converters, the natural linking between these machines and the system will be missing. Thus, the growing share of wind power in the grid will reduce the system inertia and increase the droop. In an interconnected system, the impact will be a drop in the area control error (ACE) leading to a reduced tieline flow from the renewable energy (RE) dominated area. The result of all these eventually leads to increased frequency deviations and larger rate of change of frequency (ROCOF) coupled with longer recovery periods for frequency after system events. In this work, these aspects are analysed and their impacts on frequency regulation capability is demonstrated through simulations.
A MINIATURIZED SELF-MATCHED NEGATIVE GROUP DELAY MICROWAVE CIRCUIT

A miniaturized self-matched negative group delay (NGD) microwave circuit without the need for external matching networks is proposed. The NGD circuit is based on a modified parallel-type RLC resonator, in which lumped elements (capacitors and inductors) are implemented by microstrip gaps and high-impedance and short-circuited microstrip lines. To verify the design concept, an NGD circuit with the size of 0. 21λg × 0. 29λg is designed and fabricated. From the measurement results, the NGD time of −5.9 ns at the center frequency of 1.532 GHz is obtained with insertion loss of less than 12.5 dB, return losses of more than 25 dB and NGD bandwidth of 45 MHz.
Clinicopathologic Profiles and Prognosis of Gastric Carcinomas from the Cardia, Fundus/Body and Antrum

Background/Aims: The putative influence of tumor location on the biologic behavior of gastric carcinomas remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate if carcinomas arising in the three types of gastric mucosa (cardia, fundus/body and antrum) have different clinical and pathologic profiles and carry a different prognosis. Methods: Three hundred and two patients with cardia or gastric carcinoma resected between 1984 and 1996 were retrospectively studied. Cases were divided in three groups according to tumor location: cardia (n = 80); fundus/body (n = 60); antrum (n = 162). The three groups were crosstabulated with clinic and pathologic parameters, such as age, sex, macroscopy, histology, desmoplasia, tumor size, depth of tumor wall penetration, nodal status, venous invasion and stage. Survival rates were calculated for the three locations according to the aforementioned parameters. Univariate survival analysis and Cox regression were performed for each location. Results: Cases from the cardia and fundus/body were similar and distinct from antrum cases according to macroscopy, tumor size, depth of wall penetration, venous invasion, nodal status and stage. Cases from fundus/body were similar to antrum cases and distinct from cardia cases according to gender and Laurén’s classification. An overall difference in survival between the three locations was observed (p = 0.006). Cumulative survival was better for patients with carcinomas in the antrum than in the cardia (p = 0.04) and in the fundus/body (p = 0.003); no significant differences were observed in survival between cardia and fundus/body carcinoma cases. Cox regression identified stage and venous invasion as prognostic factors for patients with carcinomas in the three locations. In the group of cardia tumors, older patients had a worse outcome and in the group of fundus/body carcinomas, large tumors were associated with a poorer survival. Conclusions: Our results show that cardia carcinoma and antrum carcinoma are distinct gastric carcinoma entities whereas fundus/body carcinoma shares some characteristics from both entities.