Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Branched‐chain amino acids differently modulate catabolic and anabolic states in mammals: a pharmacological point of view

Substantial evidence has been accumulated suggesting that branched‐chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation or BCAA‐rich diets have a positive effect on the regulation of body weight, muscle protein synthesis, glucose homeostasis, the ageing process and extend healthspan. Despite these beneficial effects, epidemiological studies have shown that BCAA plasma concentrations and BCAA metabolism are altered in several metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. In this review article, we present an overview of the current literature on the different effects of BCAAs in health and disease. We also highlight the results showing the most promising therapeutic effects of dietary BCAA supplementation and discuss how BCAAs can trigger different and even opposite effects, depending on the catabolic and anabolic states of the organisms. Moreover, we consider the effects of BCAAs when metabolism is abnormal, in the presence of a mixture of different anabolic and catabolic signals. These unique pharmacodynamic properties may partially explain some of the markedly different effects found in BCAA supplementation studies. To predict accurately these effects, the overall catabolic/anabolic status of patients should be carefully considered. In wider terms, a correct modulation of metabolic disorders would make nutraceutical interventions with BCAAs more effective.
Multistate outbreak of Salmonella serotype Typhimurium infections associated with consumption of restaurant tomatoes, USA, 2006: hypothesis generation through case exposures in multiple restaurant clusters

SUMMARY Multiple salmonellosis outbreaks have been linked to contaminated tomatoes. We investigated a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections among 190 cases. For hypothesis generation, review of patients' food histories from four restaurant-associated clusters in four states revealed that large tomatoes were the only common food consumed by patients. Two case-control studies were conducted to identify food exposures associated with infections. In a study conducted in nine states illness was significantly associated with eating raw, large, round tomatoes in a restaurant [matched odds ratio (mOR) 3·1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·3–7·3]. In a Minnesota study, illness was associated with tomatoes eaten at a restaurant (OR 6·3, mid-P 95% CI 1·05–50·4, P=0·046). State, local and federal regulatory officials traced the source of tomatoes to Ohio tomato fields, a growing area not previously identified in past tomato-associated outbreaks. Because tomatoes are commonly eaten raw, prevention of tomato contamination should include interventions on the farm, during packing, and at restaurants.
A Novel Focal Seizure Pattern Generated in Superficial Layers of the Olfactory Cortex

Seizure patterns identified in focal epilepsies caused by diverse etiologies are likely due to different pathogenic mechanisms. We describe here a novel, region-specific focal seizure pattern that mimics seizure activity observed in a subpopulation of patients submitted to presurgical monitoring with intracerebral electrodes. Distinctive seizure-like events (SLEs) are induced in the olfactory regions by acute treatment of both tangential brain slices and the isolated guinea pig brain with the potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine. Analysis of field potentials, intracellular activities, and extracellular potassium changes demonstrates that SLEs in the piriform cortex initiate in the superficial layer 1 lacking principal neurons with an activity-dependent increase of extracellular potassium. SLE progression (but not onset) does not require the participation of synaptic transmission and is mediated by diffusion of potassium to deep cortical layers. The novel seizure pattern here described is not observed in other cortical regions; it is proposed to rely on the peculiar organization of the superficial piriform cortex layers, which are characterized by unmyelinated axons and perisynaptic astroglial envelopes. This study reveals a sequence of ictogenic events in the olfactory cortex that were never described before in other cortical structures and supports the notion that altered potassium homeostasis and unmyelinated fibers may represent a potential vehicle for focal ictogenesis. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We describe a novel seizure pattern peculiar of the olfactory cortex that resembles focal seizures with low-voltage fast activity at onset observed in humans. The findings suggest that network mechanisms responsible for seizure onset can be region specific.
Crystal structure of tetraaquabis(3,5-diamino-4H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ium)cobalt(II) bis[bis(pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato)cobaltate(II)] dihydrate

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Co(C2H6N5)2(H2O)4][Co(C7H3NO4)2]2·2H2O, features 1.5 CoII ions (one anionic complex and one half cationic complex) and one water molecule. In the cationic complex, the CoII atom is located on an inversion centre and is coordinated by two triazolium cations and four water molecules, adopting an octahedral geometry where the N atoms of the two triazolium cations occupy the axial positions and the O atoms of the four water molecules the equatorial positions. The two triazole ligands are parallel offset (with a distance of 1.38 Å between their planes). In the anionic complex, the CoII ion is six-coordinated by two N and four O atoms of the two pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate anions, exhibiting a slightly distorted octahedral coordination geometry in which the mean plane of the two pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate anions are almost perpendicular to each other, making a dihedral angle of 85.87 (2)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked into a three-dimensional network via C—H⋯O, C—H⋯N, O—H⋯O and N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.
Distributed Signal Processing in Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract : Sensor nodes forming a network and using wireless communications are highly useful in a variety of applications and scenarios. Such a wireless sensor network can be used to collect and process information from the field in military surveillance, building security, in harsh physical environments, and for scientific investigations on other planets. Sensor networks can perform distributed computations in the network for a number of interesting applications, including signal and image processing to detect object signatures, track detected objects in the field, statistical computations, etc. The objective of this research project is to develop time efficient distributed algorithms over wireless networks for some well known signal processing applications. Specific research problems include detection and tracking of objects using sensor data, application driven signal processing, and collective communications in wireless sensor networks.
Exploratory Search Through Visual Analysis of Topic Models

This paper addresses exploratory search in large collections of historical texts. By way of example, we apply our method to a collection of documents comprising dossiers of the former East-German Ministry for State Security, and classical texts. The bases of our approach are topic models, a class of algorithms that deﬁne and infer themes per-vading the corpus as probability distributions over the vocabulary. Our topic-centered visual metaphor supports to explore the corpus following an intuitive methodology: First, determine a topic of interest, second, suggest documents that contain the topic with ”suﬃcient” proportion, and third, browse iteratively through related topics and documents. Our main focus lies on providing a suitable bird’s eye view onto the data to facilitate an in-depth analysis in terms of the topics contained.
Markers of cellular senescence in zero hour biopsies predict outcome in renal transplantation

Although chronological donor age is the most potent predictor of long‐term outcome after renal transplantation, it does not incorporate individual differences of the aging‐process itself. We therefore hypothesized that an estimate of biological organ age as derived from markers of cellular senescence in zero hour biopsies would be of higher predictive value. Telomere length and mRNA expression levels of the cell cycle inhibitors CDKN2A (p16INK4a) and CDKN1A (p21WAF1) were assessed in pre‐implantation biopsies of 54 patients and the association of these and various other clinical parameters with serum creatinine after 1 year was determined. In a linear regression analysis, CDKN2A turned out to be the best single predictor followed by donor age and telomere length. A multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the combination of CDKN2A values and donor age yielded even higher predictive values for serum creatinine 1 year after transplantation. We conclude that the molecular aging marker CDKN2A in combination with chronological donor age predict renal allograft function after 1 year significantly better than chronological donor age alone.
Visceral adipose tissue in children and adolescents: a review

Research conducted among adults has mainly shown that visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is strongly linked to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia, leading to increased risk of CVD or the metabolic syndrome. However, little is known about the aetiology, determinants and consequences of VAT in children. The present article reviews the current literature relating to the factors influencing visceral fat accumulation in children and adolescents. The literature used in the present study was collected by searching a PubMed database, in which studies up to 2008 exploring the factors influencing accumulation of visceral fat among children and youth were found on the basis of appropriate keywords. Further studies concerning different factors influencing deposition of VAT among children and youth should first of all concentrate on: carrying out long-term analyses among children of different ethnical groups, which should begin in the period of prepuberty and which should cover the whole period of puberty till adulthood; drawing up norms specifying the amount of VAT among healthy children; identification of anthropometric indicators which will help to determine the VAT:subcutaneous adipose tissue ratio in the most precise way; broader studies of the influence of eating habits on developing VAT deposit among children and youth.
Comparative Evaluation of Three Different Obturating Techniques Lateral Compaction, Thermafil and Calamus for Filling Area and Voids Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography: An Invitro study.

INTRODUCTION The success of root canal treatment depends upon the proper sealing of root canal system. Improper apical seal leads to the microleakage which can be prevented by proper obturation technique. AIM To compare the quality of three different root canal obturation techniques: lateral compaction, Thermafil and Calamus by using cone beam computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 30 central incisors were selected. Biomechanical preparation was done by Reciproc file no 25. Teeth were divided into 3 groups of 10 teeth each according to the obturation technique i.e. Calamus, Thermafil and lateral compaction. Cone beam computed tomography was used to measure filling area and voids at coronal, middle and apical third of the root canal after obturation by different techniques. Data was statistically analysed by One-Way Anova and multiple comparison of Tukey HSD tests. RESULT The maximum amount of obturating material was observed in Calamus group followed by Thermafil and lateral compaction. Minimum voids were seen in obturation by Calamus technique. CONCLUSION Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that Calamus may be a good obturation technique.
Prognostic significance of MTOR pathway component expression in neuroendocrine tumors.

PURPOSE Clinical studies have implicated the mechanistic target of rapamycin (serine/threonine kinase; MTOR) pathway in the regulation of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) growth. We explored whether expression of MTOR pathway components has prognostic significance in NET patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS We evaluated immunohistochemical expression of MTOR and phospho (p) -MTOR; its downstream targets RPS6KB1, RPS6, and EIF4EBP1; and its upstream regulators, in a cohort of 195 archival neuroendocrine tumors. We correlated expression levels with clinical outcomes, after adjusting for other prognostic variables. RESULTS We observed anticipated correlations between expression of upstream components of the MTOR pathway and their downstream targets. Expression of PIK3CA, MTOR, or p-EIF4EBP1 was associated with high MKI67 (Ki-67) labeling index. We failed to identify clinical correlations associated with expression of the upstream regulators TSC1, TSC2, AKT, p-AKT, PDPK1, PTEN, PIK3R1, or PIK3CA. In contrast, high expression of MTOR or its activated downstream targets p-RPS6KB1, p-RPS6, or p-EIF4EBP1 was associated with adverse clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION Our observations suggest that expression of MTOR or its downstream targets may be adverse prognostic factors in neuroendocrine tumors.
βTrCP regulates BMI1 protein turnover via ubiquitination and degradation

The polycomb group protein BMI1 has been linked to proliferation, senescence, cancer progression and stem cell phenotype. At present, very little is known about its regulation. Here, we report that BMI1 contains a functional recognition motif for the F box protein βTrCP, which regulates ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation of various proteins. We show that overexpression of wild-type βTrCP but not the ΔF mutant of it promotes BMI1 ubiquitination and degradation, and knockdown of βTrCP results in increased expression of BMI1. Furthermore, a mutant of BMI1 with an altered βTrCP recognition motif is much more stable than wild-type BMI1. We also show that wild-type BMI1 but not the mutant BMI1 interacts with βTrCP. Accordingly, compared to wild-type BMI1, mutant protein exhibited increased pro-oncogenic activity. In summary, our findings suggest that βTrCP regulates turnover of BMI1 and its function relevant to oncogenesis, cellular senescence and aging.
ResearchGenome-wide linkage analyses of two repetitive behavior phenotypes in Utah pedigrees with autism spectrum disorders

Background: It has been suggested that efforts to identify genetic risk markers of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) would benefit from the analysis of more narrowly defined ASD phenotypes. Previous research indicates that 'insistence on sameness' (IS) and 'repetitive sensory-motor actions' (RSMA) are two factors within the ASD 'repetitive and stereotyped behavior' domain. The primary aim of this study was to identify genetic risk markers of both factors to allow comparison of those markers with one another and with markers found in the same set of pedigrees using ASD diagnosis as the phenotype. Thus, we empirically addresses the possibilities that more narrowly defined phenotypes improve linkage analysis signals and that different narrowly defined phenotypes are associated with different loci. Secondary aims were to examine the correlates of IS and RSMA and to assess the heritability of both scales. Methods: A genome-wide linkage analysis was conducted with a sample of 70 multiplex ASD pedigrees using IS and RSMA as phenotypes. Genotyping services were provided by the Center for Inherited Disease Research using the 6 K single nucleotide polymorphism linkage panel. Analysis was done using the multipoint linkage software program MCLINK, a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method that allows for multilocus linkage analysis on large extended
Mining fuzzy coherent rules from quantitative transactions without minimum support threshold

Many fuzzy data mining approaches have been proposed for finding fuzzy association rules with the predefined minimum support from the give quantitative transactions. However, some comment problems of those approaches are that (1) a minimum support should be predefined, and it is hard to set the appropriate one, and (2) the derived rules usually expose common-sense knowledge which may not be interested in business point of view. In this paper, we thus proposed an algorithm for mining fuzzy coherent rules to overcome those problems with the properties of propositional logic. It first transforms quantitative transactions into fuzzy sets. Then, those generated fuzzy sets are collected to generate candidate fuzzy coherent rules. Finally, contingency tables are calculated and used for checking those candidate fuzzy coherent rules satisfy four criteria or not. Experiments on the foodmart dataset are also made to show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
The efficacy and side effects of oral Centella asiatica extract for wound healing promotion in diabetic wound patients.

OBJECTIVE To study clinical efficacy and side effects of the oral Centella asiatica extract capsule in the diabetic wound healing. And to study the side effects of Centella asiatica extract capsule. MATERIAL AND METHOD This prospective randomized control study enrolled two hundred diabetic patients in the department of Surgery, Thammasat University Hospital. The exclusion criterion were low immune patients, oral steroid intake, age more than 80 year and less than 18 yeas, serum albumin less than 3.0 gm/dl, uncorrected peripheral arterial diseased patients, and uncontrolled infective wound. The termination criterion were patient refusal, wound infection, delayed primary sutured wound secondary healing wound. The patients were divided into two groups randomly, groupA was Centella asiatica extract capsule group and group B was placebo group. Centella asiatica extract capsule and placebo were prescribed in each group under the random sheet. The administration was 2 capsules after meal, three times a day (50 mg of extracted asiaticoside / capsule in group A). The general symptoms, wound characteristics, wound size and depth were examined at day 7, day 14 and day 21 by the same investigator. The demographic data of the sample were analyzed by student t test and comparative wound characteristics were analyzed by Pearson Chi-Square test. RESULTS Wound contraction in the study group is better than placebo group but granulation tissue forming is better in the placebo group. No serious adverse reaction in both groups. CONCLUSION Centella asiatica extract capsule is the Thai herb preparation capsule that effective in the wound healing promotion and also suppress the scar in diabetic wound patients. There was no demonstrable serious side effect of the Centella asiatica extract capsule group. Centella asiatica extract capsule can shorten the course of diabetic wound and can be prescribed to the diabetic patients safely.
Interstitial 3p25 deletion in a patient with features of 3p deletion syndrome: further evidence for the role of SRGAP3 in mental retardation.

Introduction 3p deletion (3p –) syndrome is a rare condition caused by deletion of chromosome 3p25–3p26; it was first described by Verjaal and De Nef (1978). Clinical features include low birth weight, growth retardation, microcephaly and hypotonia. Moderate-to-severe learning disability is typical, and several small interstitial deletions have been analysed in an attempt to identify a single-gene cause for this (Gunnarsson and Foyn Bruun, 2010; Peltekova et al., 2012; Riess et al., 2012). Here, we present the smallest reported deletion in a patient with features of 3p – , bringing new evidence to the debate.
Distributed multi-generation and application of the energy hub concept in future networks

The recent growth of energy consumptions concerns not only electrical demand. In this perspective, the synergy between different energy vectors seems to have a key role for the future. In this paper distributed multi-generation in multi-vector networks with energy hubs and the advantages of this system for improving the management of loads and generators in the electric network are analysed. In particular, an optimization procedure based on energy market interactions is discussed.
Introdução do Pensamento Computacional na Formação Docente para Ensino de Robótica Educacional

A robotica educativa visa aproximar o que se ensina a realidade do aluno utilizando atividades baseadas em problemas. Contudo, o ensino e demasiadamente dificultado diante da deficiencia na formacao docente e discente em competencias do Pensamento Computacional (PC). Nesse sentido, com o intuito de melhorar o ensino-aprendizagem da robotica, foi realizado um curso com enfase em PC aplicado a robotica para docentes do Ensino Medio atuantes no ensino de robotica das Escolas SESI Paraiba. Esse trabalho apresenta uma analise dos efeitos deste curso sob a formacao docente e os resultados obtidos apontam para um efeito positivo significativo na pratica docente, o que se refletiu no desempenho estudantil.
A Markov-Middleton Model for Bursty Impulsive Noise: Modeling and Receiver Design

Transmission over channels impaired by impulsive noise, such as in power substations, calls for peculiar mitigation techniques at the receiver side in order to cope with signal deterioration. For these techniques to be effective, a reliable noise model is usually required. One of the widely accepted models is the Middleton Class A, which presents the twofold advantage to be canonical (i.e., invariant of the particular physical source mechanisms) and to exhibit a simple probability density function (PDF) that only depends on three physical parameters, making this model very attractive. However, such a model fails in replicating bursty impulsive noise, where each impulse spans over several consecutive noise samples, as usually observed (e.g., in power substations). Indeed, the Middleton Class A model only deals with amplitude or envelope statistics. On the other hand, for models based on Markov chains, although they reproduce the bursty nature of impulses, the determination of the suitable number of states and the noise distribution associated with each state can be challenging. In this paper, 1) we introduce a new impulsive noise model which is, in fact, a Hidden Markov Model, whose realizations exactly follow a Middleton Class A distribution and 2) we evaluate optimum and suboptimum detections for a coded transmission impaired by the proposed noise model.
(1-Hydroxyethylidene)(methyl)azanium bromide–N-methylacetamide (1/1)

The asymmetric unit of the organic hybrid salt, C3H8NO+·Br−·C3H7NO, comprises an N-methylacetamide cation, a N-methylacetamide molecule and a bromide anion. The amide species are linked head-to-head through a short O⋯H⋯O hydrogen bond, giving a monocation, which is extended by N—H⋯Br hydrogen bonds into chains along the b-axis direction.