Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inflammation Is Present in De Quervain Disease—Correlation Study Between Biochemical and Histopathological Evaluation

BackgroundDe Quervain disease is a stenosing condition of the sheath of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons at the radial styloid process. Previous studies consistently reported that the pathological change of this condition is thought to be primarily an extensor retinaculum thickened by fibrosis and angiogenesis instead of inflammation. Contradictorily, the conservative treatment for de Quervain disease is anti-inflammatory medication. The inflammatory response may be involved in this disease; however, there is no present study directly evidencing whether the inflammatory responses exist in de Quervain disease or not. The histopathology of de Quervain disease is yet to be elucidated clearly. PurposeTo grade all specimens in the different stages and characterize specific inflammatory cell and factors to examine whether inflammatory response is involved in de Quervain disease. MethodsRetinaculum samples were collected from 13 patients with de Quervain disease after surgery. The specimens were evaluated histologically by collagen structure grading and immunohistochemically by quantifying the presence of neutrophil elastase, macrophages, cyclooxygenase, and vascular endothelium. ResultsNeutrophil elastase and cyclooxygenase occur in the de Quervain disease retinaculum and increased with the grade of collagen structure. After angiogenesis, macrophage infiltration occurs in the grade II matrix worse than grade III matrix. ConclusionsInflammation is present in de Quervain disease. This study provides direct evidence for inflammatory cell and infiltration factors and offer valuable clues for specific pharmacological therapies for de Quervain disease.
Advancing CMOS beyond the Si roadmap with Ge and III/V devices

Over the last years there has been lots of interest in the use of germanium and III-V compounds as potential replacements for silicon channels. Germanium with its high hole mobility has attracted lots of attention for its application in advanced pMOS devices. Indium gallium arsenide compounds, with their intrinsically superior electron mobility and high saturation velocity, are considered as a candidate for nMOS devices beyond 14 nm node technology.
A unified Car-IT Communication-Architecture: Network switch design guidelines

Rising communication needs in transportation systems due to meshed control circuits and complex sensor technology like lidar, radar and cameras lead to increasing wiring harness and system complexity. To solve this, we made an approach for a unified car-IT communication-architecture based on IEEE 802.3 switched Ethernet for use in the vehicular environment. In this paper, we present the requirements for and realization of the core-network components to enable deterministic communication and the corresponding real-time calculus for system verification.
Downregulated serum miR‐223 servers as biomarker in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age‐related neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by progressive memory loss and deteriorated higher cognitive functions. An economical, rapid and noninvasive biomarker for AD has not been identified. We aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of serum miR‐223 and miR‐519 in AD. The expressions of miR‐223 and miR‐519, with previously reported AD‐associated miR‐29 and miR‐125b, were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in the serum of 84 probable sporadic AD patients (age onset > 65 years) and 62 healthy control populations in China. Analyses were undertaken to assess the specificity and sensitivity of miRNAs to predict AD. In addition, the relationship between miRNAs and mini mental state examination (MMSE) scores in AD patients was also assessed. Serum miR‐29, miR‐125b and miR‐223 were significantly decreased, but serum miR‐519 was significantly increased in AD patients compared with healthy blood donors. In addition, serum miR‐223 was strongly positively correlated with MMSE score in AD patients but serum miR‐519 was not. Importantly, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) result of serum miR‐223 for prediction of AD was 0.786, higher than those of serum miR‐29 (0.734) or miR‐125b (0.726). The combination of serum miR‐223 and miR‐125b gave improved sensitivity/specificity for AD prediction (area under the ROC curve, 0.879) than either miRNA alone. Our preliminary findings indicate that serum miR‐223 might be a potential biomarker for AD evaluation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Muscle expression of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in different variants

Muscle expression of G6PD deficiency has been investigated in Mediterranean, Seattle‐like and A‐variants. G6PD activity was detected in samples obtained from biopsies on the quadriceps muscle of seven males and one female. The type of genetic variant was determined by molecular analysis of DNA, extracted from blood samples. All variants showed the enzyme defect in muscle. A statistically significant relationship was found in the activity of G6PD between erythrocytes and muscle of the male subjects (r=0.968; p=0.00008). The equation for the best fit line was: Y=0.390X + 0.198. The results suggest that, for a given variant, the extent of the enzyme defect in muscle may be determined, using this equation, from the G6PD activity of erythrocytes.
PLPMDB: Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate dependent enzymes mutants database

SUMMARY The searchable mutant database PLPMDB has been developed to provide rapid and simple access to relevant mutant information on pyridoxal-5'-phosphate dependent enzymes. All data have been extracted from publications and publicly available databases, then organized in a relational database to enable searching via a web-based search form. The current version of PLPMDB contains 688 mutants described in 220 research papers. The database is a useful tool for planning mutant experiments and for interpretation of information from such experiments. AVAILABILITY PLPMDB is freely accessible from http://www.studiofmp. com/plpmdb/index.htm.
Skillful hiding: evaluating hedge fund managers’ performance based on what they hide

ABSTRACT Mandatory disclosure of hedge fund portfolios has been a hotly debated topic. This article studies asset returns of ‘confidential holdings’ (confidentiality treatment [CT]) or those assets that were not voluntarily disclosed by US-based hedge funds in their original 13F filings to the Securities and Exchange Commission. After analysing returns from 1999 to 2013, we find that in aggregate, the CT position size, ownership share and returns are statistically different to non-CT positions. We provide a mechanism for regulators and investors to rank fund managers based on what they hide in positions.
Sequence diversity of the MHC DRB gene in the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber)

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, coding molecules which play an important role in immune response, are the most polymorphic genes known in vertebrates. However, MHC polymorphism in some species is limited. MHC monomorphism at several MHC class I and II loci was previously reported for two neighbouring northern European populations of the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) and reduced selection for polymorphism has been hypothesized. Here, we analysed a partial sequence of the second exon of the MHC II DRB locus from seven relict European and Asian beaver populations. We detected 10 unique alleles among 76 beavers analysed. Only a western Siberian population was polymorphic, with four alleles detected in 10 individuals. Each of the remaining populations was fixed for a different allele. Sequences showed considerable divergence, suggesting the long persistence of allelic lineages. A significant excess of nonsynonymous substitutions was detected at the antigen binding sites, indicating that sequence evolution of beaver DRB was driven by positive selection. Current MHC monomorphism in the majority of populations may be the result of the superimposition of the recent bottleneck on pre‐existing genetic structure resulting from population subdivision and differential pathogen pressure.
Directional Dynamic Time Warping for Gesture Recognition

In this study, we propose a modified dynamic time warping (DTW) algorithm that compares the sequences based on the direction of the gesture's movement. When comparing the gesture sequences, the proposed algorithm compares the movement direction and calculates the difference by the Euclidean Distance, and therefore reflects the characteristics of the gesture direction. The proposed method enhances the recognition performance compared to the original method as shown in the experiment.
Mitotic neuroblasts in the 9-day-old and 11-month-old rodent hippocampus

Ultrastructural identification of mitotic neuronal precursors beneath the basal hippocampal granule cell layer was made using electron micrographs of [3H]thymidine-labeled cells. Ultrathin sections were obtained by a method that allows serial thin sectioning of reembedded sections previously prepared for light microscopic radioautography. The electron microscopic observations reported in this study reveal: (1) that a steady rate of granule cell neurogenesis occurs during the first year of a rodent's life; (2) that newly formed granule neurons in the dentate gyrus of the newborn mouse and adult rat are a result of neuroblast division; and (3) two distinct classes of mitotic cells can be identified during the peak period of postnatal neurogenesis--those with synapses on their cell bodies and processes and those with no synapses or processes.
Reactive oxygen in skeletal muscle. II. Extracellular release of free radicals.

We have tested the hypothesis that diaphragm muscle fibers release superoxide anion radicals (O2-.) into the extracellular space. Fiber bundles were isolated from rat diaphragm and incubated in Krebs-Ringer solution containing cytochrome c (10(-5) M), a standard assay for O2-. Bundles were either passive or active, i.e., directly stimulated to contract rhythmically. After 1 h, absorbance of reduced cytochrome c in the incubation medium was measured at 550 nm. Absorbance was greater in medium exposed to passive muscle than in medium without muscle (P < 0.01), indicating O2-. release by passive muscle. Absorbance was greater in medium exposed to active muscle than in that exposed to passive muscle (P < 0.01), an increase inhibited by superoxide dismutase (10(3) U/ml). Active bundles fatigued; bundles developing the lowest final stresses produced the greatest absorbance increases (P < 0.001), suggesting that the magnitude of fatigue was inversely related to O2-. release. We conclude that O2-. is released by diaphragm myocytes into the interstitium and surrounding medium, a process accelerated by fatiguing muscular contractions.
An open reconfigurable research platform as stepping stone to exascale high-performance computing

To handle the stringent performance and power requirements of future exascale-class applications, High Performance Computing (HPC) systems need ultra-efficient heterogeneous compute nodes and hardware accelerators with a high degree of specialization. Ideally, dynamic reconfiguration will be an intrinsic feature, so that specific HPC application features can be optimally accelerated, even if they regularly change over time. We create a new and flexible exploration platform for developing reconfigurable architectures, design tools and HPC applications with run-time reconfiguration built-in as a core fundamental feature instead of an add-on. Our project proposes an open research platform that covers the entire stack from architecture up to the application, focusing on the fundamental building blocks for run-time reconfigurable exascale HPC systems: new chip architectures with very low reconfiguration overhead, new tools that truly take reconfiguration as a central design concept, and applications that are tuned to maximally benefit from the proposed run-time reconfiguration techniques. Ultimately, this open platform will enable groundbreaking research towards new exascale computing platforms.
Association of the Presence of Helicobacter in Gallbladder Tissue with Cholelithiasis and Cholecystitis

ABSTRACT The presence of Helicobacter DNA species has been investigated in the biliary epithelium of patients with biliary diseases. However, conflicting results have been observed that may have been due to the small number of subjects studied, difficulty in obtaining a healthy control group, absence of controlling for confounding factors, or differences among populations. Therefore, we investigated the presence of Helicobacter species by culture and nested PCR of 16S rRNA genes in gallbladder tissue and bile from 46 Brazilian subjects with and 18 without cholelithiasis. The control group was mainly composed of liver donors and of patients who had submitted to cholecystectomy as part of the surgical treatment for morbid obesity. No Helicobacter species were grown from the bile or gallbladder tissues. Helicobacter DNA was detected in the gallbladder tissue and bile from 31.3 and 42.9% of the patients, respectively. In a logistic regression model, cholelithiasis was positively and independently associated with the female gender (P = 0.02), increasing age (P = 0.002), and the presence of Helicobacter DNA in the gallbladder tissue (P = 0.009). The presence of Helicobacter DNA in the bile was not associated with cholelithiasis (P = 0.8). A significant association between the presence of Helicobacter DNA in the gallbladder epithelium and histological cholecystitis, even after adjusting for gender and age (P = 0.002), was also observed. The sequences of the 16S rRNA genes were >99% similar to that of Helicobacter pylori. In conclusion, our results support the hypothesis that Helicobacter is associated with the pathogenesis of human cholelithiasis and cholecystitis.
Short term cloud coverage prediction using ground based all sky imager

We have designed a system to predict the sun occlusion due to clouds. Prediction of solar irradiance is an important function in order to reduce the cost of power management when integrating solar energy. The study is towards solar irradiance prediction. We further assume that the solar irradiance is highly dependent on the cloud coverage. Using our system, we are able to predict the cloud coverage as far as 20 minutes and up to 15 minutes with the accuracy better than the baseline algorithms. Our system includes all sky images for database acquisition, optical flow based cloud tracking, sun location back propagation methods and cloud segmentation modules. We perform systematic evaluation of our system on wide range of sky images collected by using ground based all sky imager (fisheye lens). The performance analysis shows that the prediction using the proposed method reduces the prediction error compared to random prediction and prediction using persistent model. With the proposed sun occlusion prediction using back propagation model, we are able to predict the occlusion percentage with the error of around 6% for 1 minute interval and around 30% for 20 minutes interval.
The N-terminal region of serum amyloid A3 protein activates NF-κB and up-regulates MUC2 mucin mRNA expression in mouse colonic epithelial cells

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is the major acute-phase protein and a precursor of amyloid A (AA) in AA amyloidosis in humans and animals. SAA isoforms have been identified in a wide variety of animals, such as SAA1, SAA2, SAA3, and SAA4 in mouse. Although the biological functions of SAA isoforms are not completely understood, recent studies have suggested that SAA3 plays a role in host defense. Expression of SAA3 is increased on the mouse colon surface in the presence of microbiota in vivo, and it increases mRNA expression of mucin 2 (MUC2) in murine colonic epithelial cells in vitro, which constitutes a protective mucus barrier in the intestinal tract. In this study, to identify responsible regions in SAA3 for MUC2 expression, recombinant murine SAA1 (rSAA1), rSAA3, and rSAA1/3, a chimera protein constructed with mature SAA1 (amino acids 1–36) and SAA3 (amino acids 37–103), and vice versa for rSAA3/1, were added to murine colonic epithelial CMT-93 cells, and the mRNA expressions of MUC2 and cytokines were measured. Inhibition assays with NF-κB inhibitor or TLR4/MD2 inhibitor were also performed. Up-regulation of MUC2 mRNA expression was strongly stimulated by rSAA3 and rSAA3/1, but not by rSAA1 or rSAA1/3. Moreover, NF-κB and TLR4/MD2 inhibitors suppressed the increase of MUC2 mRNA expression. These results suggest that the major responsible region for MUC2 expression exists in amino acids 1–36 of SAA3, and that up-regulations of MUC2 expression by SAA3 and SAA3/1 are involved with activation of NF-κB via the TLR4/MD2 complex.
Failure of the interaction between presenilin 1 and the substrate of γ‐secretase to produce Aβ in insect cells

Aggregates of β‐amyloid peptide (Aβ) are the major component of the amyloid core of the senile plaques observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ results from the amyloidogenic processing of its precursor, the amyloid precursor protein (APP), by β‐ and γ‐secretase activities. If β‐secretase has recently been identified and termed BACE, the identity of γ‐secretase is still obscure. Studies with knock‐out mice showed that presenilin 1 (PS1), of which mutations are known to be the first cause of inherited AD, is mandatory for the γ‐secretase activity. However, the proteolytic activity of PS1 remains a matter of debate. Here we used transfected Sf9 insect cells, a cellular model lacking endogenous β‐ and/or γ‐secretase activities, to characterize the role of BACE and PS1 in the amyloidogenic processing of human APP. We show that, in Sf9 cells, BACE performs the expected β‐secretase cleavage of APP, generating C99. We also show that C99, which is a substrate of γ‐secretase, tightly binds to the human PS1. Despite this interaction, Sf9 cells still do not produce Aβ. This strongly argues against a direct proteolytic activity of PS1 in APP processing, and points toward an implication of PS1 in trafficking/presenting its substrate to the γ‐secretase.
Impact of different shapes and types of mixers on sludge dewaterability

The most significant operational cost in a treatment plant is related to the dewatering and disposal of sludge. In this research, different shapes of mixers (radial, axial, wheel, three-blade and magnetic) have been tested to assess their influence on sludge dewaterability testing. As well as the shape of mixers, different rapid mixing velocities, rapid mixing times and coagulants also have been used as test parameters. The capillary suction time (CST) test apparatus was used as a rapid measure to assess sludge dewaterability. Findings indicate that the use of magnetic stirrers leads to the lowest sludge dewaterability properties tested using the CST. The magnetic stirrer produced greater vortex and turbulence compared with other types of mixers, so rapid contact between the coagulant and the water occurred. The use of the other mixers produced similar results. However, the application of different coagulants results differently regarding the sludge dewaterability, when using different rapid mixing velocities. Different rapid mixing times did not lead to differences in the CST. During rapid mixing, Moringa oleifera produced the highest CST values followed by alum and ferric. This is likely due to the difference in sludge volume that is produced by each coagulant. Only M. oleifera produced contaminant agglomerates. In comparison, alum and ferric produced contaminant agglomerates and coagulant hydrolysis products.
Modeling approach of a generator with non-linear load in embedded electrical network

This paper deals with a modeling approach of an embarked electrical network. This network is composed of a synchronous generator feeding linear and non linear load. In order to simplify the identification of inaccessible part of the generator, a specific modeling approach of the machine is established. Thus, the rotor is modeled by generalized transfer functions. Its order is chosen to have the desired accuracy and short computation time. Transfer function parameters can be easily identified by SSFR (StandStill Frequency Response) identification method. The generated model takes into account the strong interaction between all network components and variable topology of the non linear load. Some time domain simulation results are given in the end of the paper and illustrate the efficiency of this modeling approach.
Evaluation of chromosomal damage by flow cytometry in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) exposed to fuel oil

Flatfishes, turbots (Scophthalmus maximus), were injected intraperitoneally with two doses of fuel oil number 2. Biliary metabolites were evaluated by fixed fluorescence to verify the efficiency of intoxication. Ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity was compared with chromosomal damage measured by flow cytometry. The analysis of biliary metabolites showed a good dose–response relation and constitutes a clear reference for the subsequent measurements. Comparing flow cytometry and EROD results, a shorter delay of response for EROD activity was obtained, but chromosomal damage was significant only after 1 week. The persistence of the EROD response was shorter, while the genotoxic signal still persisted after 1 month. The measurement of chromosomal damage allowed a good differentiation between the two tested doses. In the case of EROD activity, the results were less clear. The results suggest that within a few weeks after exposure to fuel oil number 2, the measurements of chromosomal damage by flow cytometry can be used to detect a dose-dependant genotoxic response in fish.
Hox11 is required to maintain normal Wt1 mRNA levels in the developing spleen

Mice deficient in Hox11 are asplenic. As Hox11 can function as a transcription factor, we examined the spatial and temporal mRNA expression patterns of Hox11 and a candidate target gene, the Wilm's tumor gene Wt1, in the developing spleen. Hox11 mRNA first appears at approximately dE10.5 in the dorsal mesogastrium while Wt1 mRNA is expressed from dE11.5, approximately 24 hours after Hox11 mRNA first appears. Wt1 mRNA was significantly reduced in the spleen anlage of Hox11‐null mice suggesting that Wt1 acts downstream of Hox11 in a transcriptional cascade. Additionally, Hox11 protein is able to transactivate the WT1 promoter in a Hox11‐null fibroblast cell line. As Wt1‐null embryos have recently been reported to be asplenic, these findings suggest that Wt1 and Hox11 may be components common to a genetic hierarchy that is required for spleen development. Dev Dyn;218:201–206. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Regional Differences of the Influence of National Cultural Distance on Chinese Import-Export Trade

According to cultural clustering theory, this paper first classifies 31 countries/regions, China's close trade partners, into 6 cultural clusters, and then empirically studies the influence of the cultural distance gap between China and each country within each cluster on Chinese import- export trade with them. The results show that:(1)there exist differences in the influence of the gap of national cultural distance between China and each country within each cluster on Chinese import-export trade with them—in general, China's export to each country in different cultural clusters is more susceptible to national cultural distance than its import from it;(2)there are also differences in the influence of the distance of each cultural dimension between China and each country within each cluster on Chinese import-export trade with them, and the influence directions are also different. Inspired by these conclusions, we further classify Chinese trade partners into 4 types: Insensitive Type, Export-sensitive Type, Import-sensitive Type and Two-way Sensitive Type. These findings provide a new policy frame and constructive enlightenment for China to develop its international trade in the new era.