Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Myocardial protection with pinacidil induced hyperpolarized arrest during cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the myocardial protective effects of pinacidil-induced hyperpolarized arrest and compare with those afforded by conventional depolarized hyperkalemic arrest. METHODS Eighteen dogs were equally divided into three groups: normothermic hyperpolarized group (Group A), hypothermic hyperpolarized group (Group B), and hyperkalemic group (Group C). Pinacidil (50 mumol/L) containing 37 degrees C St. Thomas solution (K+ 5 mmol/L, 10 ml/kg), pinacidil (50 mumol/L, Sigma, USA) containing 4 degrees C St. Thomas solution (K+ 5 mmol/L, 10 ml/kg) and 4 degrees C standard St. Thomas solution (K+ 16 mmol/L, 10 ml/kg) were infused respectively through the aortic root after aortic-clamping. Heart arrest and its recovery, ultrastructure of the myocardium, the level of serum myocardial enzymes, and lipid peroxide and adenine nucleotide of the myocardium were measured. Hemodynamics during ischemia and after reperfusion were observed. RESULTS The percentages of normal mitochondria and glycogen did not change much during ischemia (except at 60 min) and after reperfusion in B Group, but declined markedly in Group C 30 min and 60 min after ischemia and 20 min after reperfusion (P < 0.01). In Group A, they were lower than those of Group B before ischemia, but higher than those of Group C. The recoveries of CO, SV, CI, LVSW, RVSW and MAP in Group B were significantly better than those in other two groups 15 min and 30 min after reperfusion (P < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). However, they were still better in Group A than those in Group C (P < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). The onset of heart arrest was faster in Groups C and B than that in Group A. Highly elevated serum myocardial enzymes were observed 60 min after ischemia and 20 min after reperfusion in Group C, while they were only mild in the hyperpolarized groups, especially in Group B, and their recoveries were rapid. Adenine nucleotides of the myocardium were better preserved in Group B than in other two groups 30 min, 60 min after ischemia, and 20 min after reperfusion (P < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). They were also much better in Group A than in Group C (P < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). Lipid peroxide of the myocardium were significantly lower in Group B than in other groups 20 min after reperfusion (P < 0.01), and they were lower in Group A than in Group C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Myocardial protection for global ischemia during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) could be achieved with hyperpolarized heart arrest induced by pinacidil, an ATP-sensitive potassium channel opener, especially in the hypothermic state. The protection is weaker in normothermia but is still superior to that with traditional depolarized hyperkalemic arrest.
A fully-digital spectrum shaping signaling for serial-data transceiver with crosstalk and ISI reduction property in multi-drop memory interfaces

An efficient signaling scheme for serial-data transceivers (TRXs) has been proposed, which can properly reduce inter-symbol interference (ISI) and crosstalk (Xtalk) in memory interfaces. The proposed architecture relies on fully-digital implementation rather than analog/multi-tone approach, which can offer a very power-efficient and versatile silicon implementation. Moreover, the Xtalk induced noise can be fairly reduced by applying the proposed signaling, and the whole TRX can customize to the communication link trough digital calibration, while the aggregate data rate is kept fixed.
Determinants of the Abilities to Jump Higher and Shorten the Contact Time in a Running 1-Legged Vertical Jump in Basketball

Miura, K, Yamamoto, M, Tamaki, H, and Zushi, K. Determinants of the abilities to jump higher and shorten the contact time in a running 1-legged vertical jump in basketball. J Strength Cond Res 24(1): 201-206, 2010-This study was conducted to obtain useful information for developing training techniques for the running 1-legged vertical jump in basketball (lay-up shot jump). The ability to perform the lay-up shot jump and various basic jumps was measured by testing 19 male basketball players. The basic jumps consisted of the 1-legged repeated rebound jump, the 2-legged repeated rebound jump, and the countermovement jump. Jumping height, contact time, and jumping index (jumping height/contact time) were measured and calculated using a contact mat/computer system that recorded the contact and air times. The jumping index indicates power. No significant correlation existed between the jumping height and contact time of the lay-up shot jump, the 2 components of the lay-up shot jump index. As a result, jumping height and contact time were found to be mutually independent abilities. The relationships in contact time between the lay-up shot jump to the 1-legged repeated rebound jump and the 2-legged repeated rebound jump were correlated on the same significance levels (p < 0.05). A significant correlation for jumping height existed between the 1-legged repeated rebound jump and the lay-up shot jump (p < 0.05), although none existed for jumping height between the lay-up shot jump and both the 2-legged repeated rebound jump and countermovement jump. The lay-up shot index correlated more strongly to the 1-legged repeated rebound jump index (p < 0.01) when compared to the 2-legged repeated rebound jump index (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the 1-legged repeated rebound jump is effective in improving both contact time and jumping height in the lay-up shot jump.
RIG‐I‐like receptors: cytoplasmic sensors for non‐self RNA

Summary: Viral infection results in the generation of non‐self RNA species in the cells, which is recognized by retinoic acid inducible gene‐I‐like receptors (RLRs), and initiates innate antiviral responses, including the production of proinflammatory cytokines and type I interferon. In this review, we summarize reports on virus‐specificity of RLRs, structures of non‐self RNA patterns, structural biology of RLRs, and the signaling adapter molecules involved in antiviral innate immunity.
Activation-independent Parathyroid Hormone Receptor Internalization Is Regulated by NHERF1 (EBP50)*

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulates extracellular calcium homeostasis through the type 1 PTH receptor (PTH1R) expressed in kidney and bone. The PTH1R undergoes β-arrestin/dynamin-mediated endocytosis in response to the biologically active forms of PTH, PTH-(1–34), and PTH-(1–84). We now show that amino-truncated forms of PTH that do not activate the PTH1R nonetheless induce PTH1R internalization in a cell-specific pattern. Activation-independent PTH1R endocytosis proceeds through a distinct arrestin-independent mechanism that is operative in cells lacking the adaptor protein Na/H exchange regulatory factor 1 (NHERF1) (ezrin-binding protein 50). Using a combination of radioligand binding experiments and quantitative, live cell confocal microscopy of fluorescently tagged PTH1Rs, we show that in kidney distal tubule cells and rat osteosarcoma cells, which lack NHERF1, the synthetic antagonist PTH-(7–34) and naturally circulating PTH-(7–84) induce internalization of PTH1R in a β-arrestin-independent but dynamin-dependent manner. Expression of NHERF1 in these cells inhibited antagonist-induced endocytosis. Conversely, expression of dominant-negative forms of NHERF1 conferred internalization sensitivity to PTH-(7–34) in cells expressing NHERF1. Mutation of the PTH1R PDZ-binding motif abrogated interaction of the receptor with NHERF1. These mutated receptors were fully functional but were now internalized in response to PTH-(7–34) even in NHERF1-expressing cells. Removing the NHERF1 ERM domain or inhibiting actin polymerization allowed otherwise inactive ligands to internalize the PTH1R. These results demonstrate that NHERF1 acts as a molecular switch that legislates the conditional efficacy of PTH fragments. Distinct endocytic pathways are determined by NHERF1 that are operative for the PTH1R in kidney and bone cells.
Combination Gene Delivery of the Cell Cycle Inhibitor p27 with Thymidine Kinase Enhances Prodrug Cytotoxicity

ABSTRACT Cytoxicity induced by the herpesvirus thymidine kinase (TK) gene in combination with prodrugs is dependent on cell growth and leads to the elimination of genetically modified cells, thus limiting the duration of expression and efficacy of this treatment in vivo. Here, an effort was made to enhance TK/prodrug efficacy by coexpression of a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI), p27, to render cells resistant to TK/prodrug by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Expression of p27 by transfection substantially reduced cell cycle progression, and its activity was enhanced by mutations designed to stabilize the protein. Coexpression of p27 and TK or a p27/TK fusion protein led to greater prodrug cytotoxicity than that produced by TK alone in the Renca cell line, which is sensitive to bystander killing. Combination gene transfer of this CKI with TK therefore sustained the synthesis of TK by genetically modified cells to enhance the susceptibility of bystander cells to prodrug cytotoxicity and increased the efficacy of this gene transfer approach.
Combined Interval Training and Post-exercise Nutrition in Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Control Trial

Background: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can improve several aspects of cardiometabolic health. Previous studies have suggested that adaptations to exercise training can be augmented with post-exercise milk or protein consumption, but whether this nutritional strategy can impact the cardiometabolic adaptations to HIIT in type 2 diabetes is unknown. Objective: To determine if the addition of a post-exercise milk or protein beverage to a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention improves cardiometabolic health in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Design: In a proof-of-concept, double-blind clinical trial 53 adults with uncomplicated type 2 diabetes were randomized to one of three nutritional beverages (500 mL skim-milk, macronutrient control, or flavored water placebo) consumed after exercise (3 days/week) during a 12 week low-volume HIIT intervention. HIIT involved 10 X 1-min high-intensity intervals separated by 1-min low-intensity recovery periods. Two sessions per week were cardio-based (at ~90% of heart rate max) and one session involved resistance-based exercises (at RPE of 5–6; CR-10 scale) in the same interval pattern. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), cardiorespiratory fitness (V˙O2peak), blood pressure, and endothelial function (%FMD) were measured before and after the intervention. Results: There were significant main effects of time (all p < 0.05) but no difference between groups (Interaction: all p > 0.71) for CGM 24-h mean glucose (−0.5 ± 1.1 mmol/L), HbA1c (−0.2 ± 0.4%), percent body fat (−0.8 ± 1.6%), and lean mass (+1.1 ± 2.8 kg). Similarly, V˙O2peak (+2.5 ± 1.6 mL/kg/min) and %FMD (+1.4 ± 1.9%) were increased, and mean arterial blood pressure reduced (−6 ± 7 mmHg), after 12 weeks of HIIT (all p < 0.01) with no difference between beverage groups (Interaction: all p > 0.11). Conclusion: High-intensity interval training is a potent stimulus for improving several important metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes. The benefits of HIIT are not augmented by the addition of post-exercise protein.
Overattribution of Liking in Computer-Mediated Communication

Previous research found that computer-mediated communication (CMC) users affectively compensate for partners when they believe their partners’ negative demeanor to be malleable, but unlike in other media, they discount their own influence on their partner. This research examined attributions that chat users make when they influence their partners but do not recognize their own causal influence. Dyads conducted either online text-based conversations or audio interactions. Each male dyad member was told that his female partner (who was actually naïve) was in a bad mood or had an unpleasant personality. Although they had rated their ability to influence others’ demeanors as lesser when using CMC compared with those who anticipated telephone (audio), males acted more pleasantly when expecting a bad mood, and rated the partner as behaving more pleasantly, in CMC. In CMC, males filled the attributional gap by inferring that partners’ behavior reflected partners’ liking toward them. These findings extend the hyperpersonal model of CMC to explain how illusions about partners’ affection may come to influence the sociability of online interaction and vice versa.
Adaptive servoventilation versus noninvasive positive pressure ventilation for central, mixed, and complex sleep apnea syndromes.

RATIONALE Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is most often effective in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, optimal treatment of patients with predominantly mixed apneas, central sleep apnea syndrome/Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSA/CSR), or complex sleep apnea (CompSAS) is less straightforward, and may require alternative ventilatory assist modalities. OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) with adaptive servoventilation (ASV) in treating patients with centrally mediated breathing abnormalities. We hypothesized that NPPV and ASV would be equivalently efficacious in improving the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) and respiratory arousal index (RAI). METHODS Prospective randomized crossover clinical trial comparing NPPV with ASV in patients with CSA/CSR, predominantly mixed apneas, and CompSAS in an acute setting. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS 21 patients (6 with CSA/CSR, 6 with predominantly mixed apneas, and 9 with CompSAS) with initial diagnostic AHI +/- standard deviation 51.9 +/- 22.8/hr and RAI 45.5 < or = 26.5/hr completed the study. Following optimal titration with CPAP (N = 15), disturbed breathing and disturbed sleep remained high with mean AHI = 34.3 +/- 25.7 and RAI = 32.1 +/- 29.7. AHI and RAI were markedly reduced with both NPPV (6.2 +/- 7.6 and 6.4 +/- 8.2) and ASV (0.8 +/- 2.4 and 2.4 +/- 4.5). Treatment AHI and RAI were both significantly lower using ASV (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION These data confirm that in patients with CSA/CSR, mixed apneas, and CompSAS, both NPPV and ASV are effective in normalizing breathing and sleep parameters, and that ASV does so more effectively than NPPV in these types of patients.
Effect of Sex and Impaired Glucose Tolerance on Organ-Specific Dietary Fatty Acid Metabolism in Humans

Oral 14(R,S)-[18F]-fluoro-6-thia-heptadecanoic acid was used to determine whether an increase in cardiac dietary fatty acid (DFA) metabolism in impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is different in men and women. Myocardial DFA partitioning after 6 h was higher in IGT versus control subjects (P = 0.006) in both men (2.14 [95% CI 1.70–2.18] vs. 1.28 standard uptake value [SUV] units [0.80–1.76]) and women (1.95 [1.57–2.33] vs. 1.64 SUV units [1.32–1.96]) without difference between sexes. Myocardial DFA fractional uptake (Ki) between time 90 and 120 min postprandially was also higher in IGT versus control subjects (P < 0.001) in men (0.063 [0.032–0.095] vs. 0.016 min−1 [0.007–0.025]) and women (0.050 [0.024–0.077] vs. 0.030 min−1 [0.013–0.047]) without significant sex difference. Men had higher net myocardial DFA uptake between time 90 and 120 min driven by higher chylomicron-triglyceride (TG) levels. IGT-associated increased cardiac DFA partitioning was directly related to obesity in women, whereas it was associated with IGT per se in men. We conclude that early cardiac DFA uptake is higher in men driven by change in postprandial chylomicron-TG level but that increase in 6-h postprandial cardiac DFA partitioning nevertheless occurs with IGT both in men and women.
State-of-Charge Estimation with Open-Circuit-Voltage for Lead-Acid Batteries

A state-of-charge (SOC) estimation method is proposed based on the relationship between the state-of-discharge (SOD) and the dynamically changed open-circuit-voltage. The variation of the open-circuit-voltage is observed experimentally on the lead-acid batteries and, by considering the open-circuit time and the previous discharging current, an estimation equation based on the equivalent circuit of the battery is derived. With an accurate SOD estimation, a precise prediction of the SOC is achievable. The estimation accuracy is verified by coulomb counting on experiments with intermittent discharging test.
Use of inflatable penile prostheses AMS CX with momentary squeeze in a patient with Peyronie's disease after removal of two previously implanted penile prostheses.

OBJECTIVE Peyronie's disease (PD) is a fibrotic wound-healing condition of the tunica albuginea that results in penile deformity, curvature, hinging, narrowing and shortening, penile pain, and in some cases, erectile dysfunction (ED). Surgery remains the gold standard treatment option, ensuring the faster and trustworthy treatment. For those patients who have erectile dysfunction and PD, penile prosthesis placement with straightening procedure is the best method to solve both diseases. The aim of this article is to present the use of hydraulic penile prostheses AMS CX with Momentary Squeeze associated with a complete isolation of the neurovascular bundle in a complex case after removal of two previously implanted prostheses in a man suffering from Peyronie's disease and erectile dysfunction. MATERIAL AND METHOD A 50 year-old patient underwent two previous prosthetic implants in another hospital. The first implantation was performed using an infrapubic approach followed by placement of a three-component hydraulic penile prosthesis. After six months the prosthesis was removed using an infra-pubic approach and two soft prosthesis Virilis II were implanted during the same surgery. One year after the second operation we implanted a hydraulic penile prosthesis AMS CX with Momentary Squeeze after complete isolation of the neurovascular bundle, fixing the two crural tips at the same level of albuginea of the two corpora cavernosa. RESULT Twelve months after surgery the penis was completely straight without penile shortening and the patient was fully satisfied with his sexual life. CONCLUSION The procedure enabled a perfect alignment of the cylinders along the longitudinal axis and penile prosthetic symmetry to obtain a good penile rigidity and a perfect penile straightening.
Partial protection induced by phage library-selected peptides mimicking epitopes of Schistosoma japonicum.

OBJECTIVE To obtain peptide mimicking epitopes of Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) through screening of a phage peptide library and to test their potential for induction of protection. METHODS S. japonicum infected sera from Microtus fortis (IMFS) and normal sera from Microtus fortis (NMFS) were used respectively to screen a 12-mers random peptide library by testing the reactivity of anti-S. japonicum serum with the phagotopes. After three rounds of biopanning, the pooled phages were used to immunize mice, after which challenge infection was performed. RESULTS Of 12 randomly picked clones, 10 clones selected using IMFS and 7 clones selected using NMFS were shown to be antigenic. Significant reduction in adult worms (22.6%) and a high reduction (68.9%) in liver eggs were achieved following immunization with phages screened with IMFS. However, no protection was elicited by those selected with NMFS. CONCLUSION The results show that the phagotopes are both antigenic and immunogenic, suggesting a potential use of phage displayed peptide as novel vaccines against S. japonicum.
Deimination of Human Filaggrin-2 Promotes Its Proteolysis by Calpain 1*

Filaggrin-2 (FLG2), a member of the S100-fused type protein family, shares numerous features with filaggrin (FLG), a key protein implicated in the epidermal barrier functions. Both display a related structural organization, an identical pattern of expression and localization in human epidermis, and proteolytic processing of a large precursor. Here, we tested whether FLG2 was a substrate of calpain 1, a calcium-dependent protease directly involved in FLG catabolism. In addition, deimination being critical for FLG degradation, we analyzed whether FLG2 deimination interfered with its proteolytic processing. With this aim, we first produced a recombinant form of FLG2 corresponding to subunits B7 to B10 fused to a COOH-terminal His tag. Incubation with calpain 1 in the presence of calcium induced a rapid degradation of the recombinant protein and the production of several peptides, as shown by Coomassie Blue-stained gels and Western blotting with anti-FLG2 or anti-His antibodies. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry confirmed this result and further evidenced the production of non-immunoreactive smaller peptides. The degradation was not observed when a calpain 1-specific inhibitor was added. The calpain cleavage sites identified by Edman degradation were regularly present in the B-type repeats of FLG2. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis of normal human skin revealed colocalization of FLG2 and calpain 1 in the upper epidermis. Finally, the FLG2 deiminated by human peptidylarginine deiminases was shown to be more susceptible to calpain 1 than the unmodified protein. Altogether, these data demonstrate that calpain 1 is essential for the proteolytic processing of FLG2 and that deimination accelerates this process.
Evaluation of Knee Ligament Mechanics Using Computational Models

Abstract The steady maturation of computational biomechanics is providing the musculoskeletal health community with exciting avenues for enhancing orthopedic practice and rehabilitation. Computational knee models deliver tools that may improve the efficiency and outcomes of orthopedic research and methods through analysis of virtual surgeries and devices. They also provide insight into the interaction of knee structures and can predict what cannot be directly measured such as loading on our cartilage and ligaments during movement. This project created subject-specific computational knee models of two young adult females using magnetic resonance imaging-derived knee geometries and passive leg motion measured by a motion capture system. The knee models produced passive ligament lengthening patterns similar to experimental measurements available in the literature. The models also predicted cruciate ligament forces during passive flexion with and without applying anterior–posterior tibia forces that were similar to experimental measurements available in the literature. The biomechanics of the posterior oblique ligament (POL) and the anterior cruciate ligament bundles during combined tibia internal–external rotation torque and anterior–posterior forces through deep flexion were then examined. The study showed that the central arm of the POL: (1) produces a maximum constraining force when the knee is at full extension, (2) constrains internal tibial rotation at extension, and (3) constrains posterior tibial translation at extension. The POL reinforces the constraint of the anterior cruciate ligament to internal rotation at extension and provides constraint for posterior tibial translation at extension, a position where the posterior cruciate ligament provides minimal posterior translation constraint.
Binary Compressive Sensing via Sum of l1-Norm and l(infinity)-Norm Regularization

We consider the problem of reconstructing a sparse binary signal vector from a limited number of noisy measurements employing compressive sensing technique. Motivated by recent development in compressive sensing and democratic signal representation, this problem is formulated as a least-squares problem regularized by weighted sum of ℓ1-norm and ℓ∞-norm. With the benefits of the two norms, this novel formulation is able to promote both sparsity and binary property effectively. Simulations show that our proposed method outperforms many sophisticated techniques especially under small noise. Besides, compared to the state-of-the-art technique based on nonparametric belief propagation, our technique turns out to be more robust under model mismatch.