Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fatigue in systemic lupus erythematosus: a randomized controlled trial of exercise.

OBJECTIVE To test the efficacy of a graded aerobic exercise programme in treating fatigue in systemic lupus erythematosus. METHODS Ninety-three patients with systemic lupus erythematosus without active disease in any major organ were randomized, using a minimization protocol, to 12 weeks of graded exercise therapy, relaxation therapy or no intervention. RESULTS Analysis by intention to treat showed that 16 of the 33 (49%) patients in the exercise group rated themselves as 'much' or 'very much' better compared with eight out of 29 (28%) in the relaxation group and five out of 32 (16%) in the control group (chi2=8.3, df=2, P=0.02). Fatigue improved significantly on one out of three measures after exercise therapy and there was a trend for fatigue to improve on all measures after exercise. CONCLUSION These findings support the use of appropriately prescribed graded aerobic exercise in the management of patients with fatigue and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Differential Regulation of the Apical Plasma Membrane Ca2+-ATPase by Protein Kinase A in Parotid Acinar Cells*

Cross-talk between intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) signaling and cAMP defines the specificity of stimulus-response coupling in a variety of cells. Previous studies showed that protein kinase A (PKA) potentiates and phosphorylates the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) in a Ca2+-dependent manner in parotid acinar cells (Bruce, J. I. E., Yule, D. I., and Shuttleworth, T. J. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 48172–48181). The aim of this study was to further investigate the spatial regulation of [Ca2+]i clearance in parotid acinar cells. Par-C10 cells were used to functionally isolate the apical and basolateral PMCA activity by applying La3+ to the opposite side to inhibit the PMCA. Activation of PKA (using forskolin) differentially potentiated apical [Ca2+]i clearance in mouse parotid acinar cells and apical PMCA activity in Par-C10 cells. Immunofluorescence of parotid tissue slices revealed that PMCA1 was distributed throughout the plasma membrane, PMCA2 was localized to the basolateral membrane, and PMCA4 was localized to the apical membrane of parotid acinar cells. However, in situ phosphorylation assays demonstrated that PMCA1 was the only isoform phosphorylated by PKA following stimulation. Similarly, immunofluorescence of acutely isolated parotid acinar cells showed that the regulatory subunit of PKA (RIIβ) translocated to the apical region following stimulation. These data suggest that PKA-mediated phosphorylation of PMCA1 differentially regulates [Ca2+]i clearance in the apical region of parotid acinar cells because of a dynamic translocation of PKA. Such tight spatial regulation of Ca2+ efflux is likely important for the fine-tuning of Ca2+-dependent effectors close to the apical membrane important for the regulation of fluid secretion and exocytosis.
Crystal Structure of Human Cytosolic 5′-Nucleotidase II

Cytosolic 5′-nucleotidase II catalyzes the dephosphorylation of 6-hydroxypurine nucleoside 5′-monophosphates and regulates the IMP and GMP pools within the cell. It possesses phosphotransferase activity and thereby also catalyzes the reverse reaction. Both reactions are allosterically activated by adenine-based nucleotides and 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate. We have solved structures of cytosolic 5′-nucleotidase II as native protein (2.2 Å) and in complex with adenosine (1.5Å) and beryllium trifluoride (2.15Å). The tetrameric enzyme is structurally similar to enzymes of the haloacid dehalogenase (HAD) superfamily, including mitochondrial 5′(3′)-deoxyribonucleotidase and cytosolic 5′-nucleotidase III but possesses additional regulatory regions that contain two allosteric effector sites. At effector site 1 located near a subunit interface we modeled diadenosine tetraphosphate with one adenosine moiety in each subunit. This efficiently glues the tetramer subunits together in pairs. The model shows why diadenosine tetraphosphate but not diadenosine triphosphate activates the enzyme and supports a role for cN-II during apoptosis when the level of diadenosine tetraphosphate increases. We have also modeled 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate in effector site 1 using one phosphate site from each subunit. By comparing the structure of cytosolic 5′-nucleotidase II with that of mitochondrial 5′(3′)-deoxyribonucleotidase in complex with dGMP, we identified residues involved in substrate recognition.
Diode-less nano-scale ZrOx/HfOx RRAM device with excellent switching uniformity and reliability for high-density cross-point memory applications

We report excellent switching uniformity and reliability of RRAM device with ZrOx/HfOx bi-layer films. Precise control of the oxygen vacancy concentration in HfO2 layer was achieved by depositing thin Zr metal (2–15nm) layer. Scaling down active device area (ϕ=50 nm) and film thickness (&#60;2–5 nm) can significantly minimize the extrinsic defects-related non-uniform switching which was normally observed in large area (ϕ >um) device, with higher active layer thickness (>10 nm). Using back-to-back connection of two RRAM devices, we confirmed feasibility of a diode-free cross-point array with a wide readout margin and stable data reading. Considering excellent electrical and reliability characteristics of diode-free RRAM device, shows a great promise for future high density cross-point memory devices
Insights on Error-Resilient Image Transmission Schemes on Wireless Network

Usage of image as data (or signal) is quite frequent in majority of the user-centric application. However, transmission of image over non-concrete communication medium like air is still vulnerable due to inherent weakness of wireless communication e.g. interference, noise, scattering, fading, security etc. Wireless image transmission has yet unsolved problems when it comes to error resiliency. In this paper, we have reviewed the significant research contribution published in last 5 years associated with wireless image transmission, channel coding mechanism, and investigated the scale of effectiveness in the techniques based on advantages and limitations. We also extracted a significant research gap, which requires immediate attention. Hence, we propose our future direction of work with an indicative architectural design in order to address the problems identified in research gap from existing literatures. This paper is meant to brief about the existing system and practical approaches to solve such problems.
Assessing linkage disequilibrium in a complex genetic system. I. Overall deviation from random association

Linkage disequilibrium is an important tool both at the end stages of positional cloning studies to map genes of particular interest and in reconstruction of population histories. With advances in molecular biology, complex genetic systems involving multiple highly polymorphic markers are becoming more commonly used to study linkage disequilibrium. These systems contain much more genetic information than simple two marker systems. In this article, we introduce a measure to summarize the overall deviation from random association and propose a permutation‐based estimate for this measure. The performance of the proposed estimation procedure is studied through simulations. The methods proposed in this paper are then applied to population data at the dopamine D2 receptor locus (DRD2) and at the homeobox B (HOXB) gene cluster.
INADEQUATE-CR experiments in the solid state.

Through-bond connectivity can be probed by J couplings. For effective two-spin systems, the INADEQUATE experiment is highly valuable in liquid-state spectroscopy. It is the purpose of this Communication to show that in-phase INADEQUATE-CR spectra, where the intensity is concentrated in only one line of the J splitted doublet, can be obtained from solid-state samples. The problem of the cancellation of nonresolved multiplet lines, as experienced typically in INADEQUATE spectra in the solid, is resolved and the (13)C spectra become simpler because the number of resonance lines is reduced. Furthermore, a gain in signal intensity by 2 can, theoretically, be achieved. We limit the discussion to two-spin systems. In the present context, a two-spin system is defined considering the J coupling only. When the dipolar coupling is also taken into account, the two-spin system will usually become a many-spin system, but in the present context this is not relevant.
Modulation of renal Ca2+ transport protein genes by dietary Ca2+ and 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 in 25hydroxyvitamin D3‐1α‐hydroxylase knockout mice

Pseudovitamin D‐deficiency rickets (PDDR) is an autosomal disease characterized by hyperparathyroidism, rickets, and undetectable levels of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitaminD3 (1,25(OH)2D3). Mice in which the 25hydroxyvitamin D3‐1α‐hydroxylase (1α‐OHase) gene was inactivated presented the same clinical phenotype as patients with PDDR and were used to study renal expression of the epithelial Ca2+ channel (ECaC1), the calbindins, Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX1), and Ca2+‐ATPase (PMCA1b). Serum Ca2+ (1.20±0.05 mM) and mRNA/ protein expression of ECaC1 (41±3%), calbindin‐D28K (31±2%), calbindin‐D9K (58±7%), NCX1 (10±2%), PMCA1b (96±4%) were decreased in 1α‐OHase−/−mice compared with 1α‐OHase+/‐littermates. Feeding these miceaCa2+‐enriched diet normalized serum Ca2+ levels and expression of Ca2+ proteins except for calbindin‐D9K expression. 1,25(OH)2D3 repletion resulted in increased expression of Ca2+ transport proteins and normalization of serum Ca2+ levels. Localization of Ca2+ transport proteins was clearly polarized in which ECaC1 was localized along the apical membrane, calbindin‐D28K in the cytoplasm, and calbindin‐D9K along the apical and basolateral membranes, resulting in a comprehensive mechanism facilitating renal transcellular Ca2+ transport. This study demonstrated that high dietary Ca2+ intake is an important regulator of the renal Ca2+ transport proteins in 1,25(OH)2D3‐deficient status and thus contributes to the normalization of blood Ca2+ levels. —Hoenderop, J. G. J., Dardenne, O. , van Abel, M. , van der Kemp, A. W. C. M. , van Os, C. H. , St.—Arnaud, R. , Bindels, R. J. M. Modulation of renal Ca2+ transport protein genes by dietary Ca2+ and 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 in 25 hydroxyvitamin D3‐1α‐hydroxylase knockout mice. FASEB J. 16, 1398–1406 (2002)
Preferential Tumor Targeting and Selective Tumor Cell Cytotoxicity of 5-[131/125I]Iodo-4′-Thio-2′-Deoxyuridine

Purpose: Auger electron emitting radiopharmaceuticals are attractive for targeted nanoirradiation therapy, provided that DNA of malignant cells is selectively addressed. Here, we examine 5-[123/125/131I]iodo-4′-thio-2′-deoxyuridine (ITdU) for targeting DNA in tumor cells in a HL60 xenograft severe combined immunodeficient mouse model. Experimental Design: Thymidine kinase and phosphorylase assays were done to determine phosphorylation and glycosidic bond cleavage of ITdU, respectively. The biodistribution and DNA incorporation of ITdU were determined in severe combined immunodeficient mice bearing HL60 xenografts receiving pretreatment with 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine (FdUrd). Organ tissues were dissected 0.5, 4, and 24 h after radioinjection and uptake of [131I]ITdU (%ID/g tissue) was determined. Cellular distribution of [125I]ITdU was imaged by microautoradiography. Apoptosis and expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67 were determined by immunohistologic staining using corresponding paraffin tissue sections. Results: ITdU is phosphorylated by thymidine kinase 1 and stable toward thymidylate phosphatase-mediated glycosidic bond cleavage. Thymidylate synthase-mediated deiodination of [123/125/131I]ITdU was inhibited with FdUrd. Pretreatment with FdUrd increased preferentially tumor uptake of ITdU resulting in favorable tumor-to-normal tissue ratios and tumor selectivity. ITdU was exclusively localized within the nucleus and incorporated into DNA. In FdUrd-pretreated animals, we found in more than 90% of tumor cells apoptosis induction 24 h postinjection of ITdU, indicating a highly radiotoxic effect in tumor cells but not in cells of major proliferating tissues. Conclusion: ITdU preferentially targets DNA in proliferating tumor cells and leads to apoptosis provided that the thymidylate synthase is inhibited.
PII Signal Transduction Proteins, Pivotal Players in Microbial Nitrogen Control

SUMMARY The PII family of signal transduction proteins are among the most widely distributed signal proteins in the bacterial world. First identified in 1969 as a component of the glutamine synthetase regulatory apparatus, PII proteins have since been recognized as playing a pivotal role in control of prokaryotic nitrogen metabolism. More recently, members of the family have been found in higher plants, where they also potentially play a role in nitrogen control. The PII proteins can function in the regulation of both gene transcription, by modulating the activity of regulatory proteins, and the catalytic activity of enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism. There is also emerging evidence that they may regulate the activity of proteins required for transport of nitrogen compounds into the cell. In this review we discuss the history of the PII proteins, their structures and biochemistry, and their distribution and functions in prokaryotes. We survey data emerging from bacterial genome sequences and consider other likely or potential targets for control by PII proteins.
New plate medium for facilitated differentiation of Salmonella spp. from Proteus spp. and other enteric bacteria

A new agar medium for the differentiation of Salmonella spp. from other members of the family Enterobacteriaceae is described. This medium exploits a novel phenotypic characteristic of Salmonella spp. : the formation of acid from propylene glycol. This characteristic may be used in combination with a chromogenic indicator of beta-galactosidase to differentiate Salmonella spp. from Proteus spp. and the other members of the Enterobacteriaceae. Desoxycholate may be included in the plate medium as an inhibitor of gram-positive organisms. Non-typhi Salmonella spp. yield distinct, bright red colonies on this medium, allowing facilitated identification and unambiguous differentiation from Proteus spp.
Validity and Reproducibility of Self-report Measures of Walking Capacity in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Study Design. Measurement (validity) study. Objective. Examine validity and reproducibility of self-report measures of walking capacity for use in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Summary of Background Data. Treatment outcomes in patients with LSS are often determined using data from self-report questionnaires. Despite some validity evidence available to support the use of self-report instruments in the evaluation of walking capacity in LSS, it is not certain that the construct being tapped using any of the self-report measures is, in fact, walking capacity. Methods. Validity of the Physical Function Scale of the Swiss Spinal Stenosis Questionnaire, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), self-predicted walking capacity (distance in meters) and a number of single item walking capacity questions was evaluated through comparison with a criterion measure of walking capacity, the Self-Paced Walking Test, in patients with LSS. Test-retest reproducibility was also examined for each of the self-report measures. Results. Subjects included 49 patients (65.8 ± 10.0 years of age) with LSS confirmed on imaging and by a spine specialist surgeon. The measures found to be most highly associated with the criterion Self-Paced Walking Test were the walking distance item from the ODI (r = 0.83) and self-reported walking capacity in meters (with the aid of a distance reference) (r = 0.80). Reported walking capacity in meters had the lowest test-retest reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.65) of the measures studied. Conclusion. This study provides new information to help guide health professionals and researchers in the selection of appropriate outcome tools when examining walking in an LSS population. Study results support the use of the Physical Function Scale, self-reported walking distance, and the walking specific items from the ODI and the Physical Function Scale.
Fine-Grained Urban Event Detection and Characterization Based on Tensor Cofactorization

Understanding the irregular crowd movement and social activities caused by urban events such as city festivals and concerts can benefit event management and city planning. Although various urban data can be exploited to detect such irregularities, the crowd mobility data (e.g., bike trip records) are usually in a mixed state with several basic patterns (e.g., eating, working, and recreation), making it difficult to separate concurrent events happening in the same region. The social activity data (e.g., social network check-ins) are usually oversparse, hindering the fine-grained characterization of urban events. In this paper, we propose a tensor cofactorization-based data fusion framework for fine-grained urban event detection and characterization leveraging crowd mobility data and social activity data. First, we adopt a nonnegative tensor cofactorization approach to decompose the crowd mobility tensor into several basic patterns, with the help of the auxiliary social activity tensor. We then use a multivariate-outlier-detection-based method to identify irregularities from the decomposed basic patterns and aggregate them to detect and characterize the associated urban events. We evaluate the performance of our framework using real-world bike trip data and check-in data from New York City and Washington, DC, respectively. Results show that by fusing the two types of urban data, our method achieves fine-grained urban event detection and characterization in both cities and consistently outperforms the baselines.
Nanoindentation and contact stiffness measurement using force modulation with a capacitive load-displacement transducer.

We have implemented a force modulation technique for nanoindentation using a three-plate capacitive load-displacement transducer. The stiffness sensitivity of the instrument is ∼0.1 N/m. We show that the sensitivity of this instrument is sufficient to detect long-range surface forces and to locate the surface of a specimen. The low spring mass (236 mg), spring constant (116 N/m), and damping coefficient (0.008 Ns/m) of the transducer allows measurement of the damping losses for nanoscale contacts. We present the experimental technique, important specimen mounting information, and system calibration for nanomechanical property measurement.
Immunopathologic processes in sympathetic ophthalmia as signified by microRNA profiling.

PURPOSE Recent discovery of microRNAs and their negative gene regulation have provided new understanding in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. This study demonstrated microRNA expression profiling and their likely role in sympathetic ophthalmia, using formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded samples. METHODS Two groups of four enucleated globes (total eight globes) from patients with clinical and histopathological diagnosis of SO (experimental samples) and one group of four age-matched, noninflamed enucleated globes (control samples) were used. Human genome-wide microRNA PCR array was performed and results were subjected to bioinformatics calculation and P values stringency tests. The targets were searched using the recently published and periodically updated miRWalk software. Quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemical staining were performed to confirm the validated targets in the mRNA and in the protein levels, respectively. RESULTS No microRNA was significantly upregulated in SO, but 27 microRNAs were significantly downregulated. Among these, four microRNAs (hsa-miR-1, hsa-let-7e, hsa-miR-9, and hsa-miR-182) were known to be associated with the inflammatory signaling pathway. Only hsa-miR-9 has the validated targets, tumor necrosis factor-α, and nuclear factor kappa B1, which have been previously shown to be associated with mitochondrial oxidative stress-mediated photoreceptor apoptosis in eyes with SO. CONCLUSIONS Identification of altered levels of microRNAs by microRNA expression profiling may yield new insights into the pathogenesis of SO by disclosing specific microRNA signatures. In the future these may be targeted by synthetic microRNA mimic-based therapeutic strategies.
A comparative study of information input devices for aging computer users

The fast aging of many western and eastern societies and their increasing reliance on information technology create a compelling need to reconsider older users' interactions with computers. Changes in perceptual and motor skill abilities that often accompany the aging process have important implications for the design of information input devices. This paper summarises the results of two comparative studies on information input with 90 subjects aged between 20 and 75 years. In the first study, three input devices – mouse, touch screen and eye-gaze control – were analysed concerning efficiency, effectiveness and subjective task difficulty with respect to the age group of the computer user. In the second study, an age-differentiated analysis of hybrid user interfaces for input confirmation was conducted combining eye-gaze control with additional input devices. Input confirmation was done with the space bar of a PC keyboard, speech input or a foot pedal. The results of the first study show that regardless of participants' age group, the best performance in terms of short execution time results from touch screen information input. This effect is even more pronounced for the elderly. Regarding the hybrid interfaces, the lowest mean execution time, error rate and task difficulty were found for the combination of eye-gaze control with the space bar. In conclusion, we recommend using direct input devices, particularly a touch screen, for the elderly. For user groups with severe motor impairments, we suggest eye-gaze information input.
Ondansetron and Opiate Craving

Background Pharmacological approaches to opiate addiction have for the most part been limited to a role in detoxification. A high percentage of patients who complete detoxification programmes relapse. Method In the present study, we used a simple laboratory method to investigate suggestions from preclinical studies that 5-(hydroxytryptamine) HT3 receptor antagonists have a role in the treatment of addiction. Results We showed that addicts stably maintained on methadone experienced significant craving, dysphoria, and withdrawal-like symptoms when exposed to a video containing drug-related cues. The craving was not lessened by treatment with the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, ondansetron (4 mg orally). Conclusion Our current findings do not support a role for 5-HT3 receptor agonists in the reduction of craving in opiate addicts.
Worldwide distribution of continental rock lithology: Implications for the atmospheric/soil CO2 uptake by continental weathering and alkalinity river transport to the oceans

The silicate rock weathering followed by the formation of carbonate rocks in the ocean, transfers CO2 from the atmosphere to the lithosphere. This CO2 uptake plays a major role in the regulation of atmospheric CO2 concentrations at the geologic timescale and is mainly controlled by the chemical properties of rocks. This leads us to develop the first world lithological map with a grid resolution of 1° × 1°. This paper analyzes the spatial distribution of the six main rock types by latitude, continents, and ocean drainage basins and for 49 large river basins. Coupling our digital map with the GEM‐CO2 model, we have also calculated the amount of atmospheric/soil CO2 consumed by rock weathering and alkalinity river transport to the ocean. Among all silicate rocks, shales and basalts appear to have a significant influence on the amount of CO2 uptake by chemical weathering.