Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Treatment with glutamine is associated with down‐regulation of Toll‐like receptor‐4 and myeloid differentiation factor 88 expression and decrease in intestinal mucosal injury caused by lipopolysaccharide endotoxaemia in a rat

Recent evidence suggests that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxaemia in a rat causes significant mucosal injury. Our objective was to determine the effects of glutamine (Gln) on Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR‐4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (Myd88) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α receptor‐associated factor 6 (TRAF6) expression in intestinal mucosa following LPS endotoxaemia in a rat. For this purpose, male Sprague–Dawley rats were assigned randomly to one of three experimental groups of 10 rats each: (i) control rats underwent intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of sterile saline once a day; (ii) rats were treated with LPS given i.p. once a day at a dose of 10 mg/kg for 48 h (two doses); and (iii) rats were pretreated with oral Gln given in drinking water (2%) 48 h before and following injection of LPS. Intestinal mucosal parameters, enterocyte proliferation and apoptosis were determined at death. TLR‐4 and MyD88 mRNA expression was measured with reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR). TLR‐4 and MyD88 protein expression were analysed by Western immunoblotting. We observed a statistically significant (P < 0·05) decrease in mucosal weight, mucosal DNA and enterocyte proliferation and a significant increase in enterocyte apoptosis in rat intestine, following LPS administration. These changes were attenuated significantly by dietary Gln. Expression of TLR‐4, MyD88 and TRAF6 mRNA in the mucosal ileum was significantly higher in LPS rats versus control rats (P = 0·0006, P = 0·0015, P = 0·03, respectively) as well as TLR‐4 and MyD88 protein expression. The administration of Gln reduced significantly the expression of TLR‐4, MyD88 and TRAF6 (P = 0·023, P = 0·014, P = 0·035, respectively) mRNA as well as TLR‐4 and MyD88 protein expression in ileum compared to LPS animals. We did not find a significant change in the expression of TLR‐4, MyD88 or TRAF6 in the jejunum of different groups. We conclude that treatment with Gln was associated with down‐regulation of TLR‐4, MyD88 and TRAF6 expression and concomitant decrease in intestinal mucosal injury caused by LPS endotoxaemia in a rat.
A 101 dB DR 1.1 mW audio delta-sigma modulator with direct-charge-transfer adder and noise shaping enhancement

A low-power audio delta-sigma modulator (DSM) is presented. Two new techniques are proposed to reduce the overall power dissipation of the modulator: a power-efficient direct-charge-transfer adder is employed, and noise-shaping enhancement is implemented by feeding the differentiated quantization noise to the input of the second integrator. The measured power dissipation is 1.1 mW, the dynamic range is 101.3 dB, the spur-free dynamic range is 112 dB and the signal-to-noise-plus-distortion ratio is 99.3 dB. The power efficiency of this design is among the best in DSMs with high (over 15) ENOBs.
Consumo de glicoproteínas del pan: implicaciones en el metabolismo fosfocálcico y óseo

Los habitos alimentarios de la poblacion estan cambiando, y frente a nuestra dieta tradicional, cada dia adquieren mas preponderancia los alimentos precocinados, comidas rapidas, snacks, etc., que implican un intenso procesado. Los tratamientos termicos empleados a nivel industrial y domestico favorecen el desarrollo de la reaccion de Maillard y la formacion de compuestos pardos (PRMs). Estos productos mejoran la palatabilidad de los alimentos y se les atribuye caracteristicas biologicas positivas, tales como la actividad antioxidante y la antimutagenica, entre otras. Pero tambien se relacionan con efectos negativos en la biodisponibilidad de nutrientes, por ejemplo sobre los minerales, por su poder quelante de cationes. La capacidad de los PRMs de formar complejos con los minerales puede alterar la absorcion y biodisponibilidad de estos micronutrientes. Por otra parte, en los ultimos anos se esta prestando especial atencion al desarrollo de la reaccion de Maillard in vivo, proceso que cursa mediante la glicacion de proteinas de vida media larga y origina los productos de glicacion avanzada (AGEs). Existen estudios que apoyan la sinergia de los PRMs consumidos con la dieta y los AGEs formados endogenamente. Estos productos, presentes en la circulacion sistemica, pueden acumularse en tejidos, desempenando un papel fisiopatologico fundamental en el desarrollo y progreso de algunas enfermedades metabolicas y degenerativas. Sobre esta base de conocimiento, en la presente memoria de Tesis Doctoral se pretende estudiar si el consumo de productos de la reaccion de Maillard procedentes de la corteza del pan, elegida como fuente frecuente de PRMs en la dieta, podria afectar a la biodisponibilidad y distribucion tisular de calcio y fosforo, con especial atencion a su destino metabolico, el hueso, profundizando en los efectos sobre su composicion, estructura, funcionalidad y acumulacion de AGEs. Ademas, para conocer el transito metabolico de algunos de estos compuestos, se investiga la ingesta y excrecion del producto de glicacion avanzada carboximetil-lisina (CML) y sus posibles organos de deposito o formacion. Paralelamente, se trata de analizar si los posibles efectos producidos por los PRMs de la corteza de pan se relacionan con los compuestos solubles de menor o mayor peso molecular, con los insolubles o si se debe a una accion conjunta de los distintos PRMs presentes en el alimento.
Inverter Based Gain-Boosting Fully Differential CMOS Amplifier

 Abstract — This work presents a fully differential CMOS amplifier consisting of two self-biased gain boosted inverter stages, that provides an alternative to the power hungry operational amplifier. The self-biasing avoids the use of external biasing circuitry, thus reduces the die area, design efforts, and power consumption. In the present work, regulated cascode technique has been employed for gain boosting. The Miller compensation is also applied to enhance the phase margin. The circuit has been designed and simulated in 1.8 V 0.18 µm CMOS technology. The simulation results show a high DC gain of 100.7 dB, Unity-Gain Bandwidth of 107.8 MHz, and Phase Margin of 66.7 o with a power dissipation of 286 μW and makes it suitable candidate for the high resolution pipelined ADCs.
Improving geometry by using dialogic hypermedia tools: a case study

In this paper we present the results of using an interactive geometrical environment, regarding the acquisition of certain mathematical skills by deaf students (12-16 years old). Communication and variability skills are analyzed when the class is organized using computer distance support. We present the main trends of the experiences and formative regulation assessment perspective.
Sources of error in comparing functional magnetic resonance imaging and invasive electrophysiological recordings.

OBJECT Several authors have recently reported studies in which they aim to validate functional magnetic resonance (fMR) imaging against the accepted gold standard of invasive electrophysiological monitoring. The authors have conducted a similar study, and in this paper they identify and quantify two characteristics of these data that can make such a comparison problematic. METHODS Eight patients in whom surgery for epilepsy was performed and five healthy volunteers underwent fMR imaging to localize the part of the sensorimotor cortex responsible for hand movement. In the patient group subdural electrode mats were subsequently implanted to identify eloquent regions of the brain and the epileptogenic zone. The fMR imaging data were processed to correct for motion during the study and then registered with a postimplantation computerized tomography (CT) scan on which the electrodes were visible. The motion during imaging in the two groups studied, and the deformation of the brain between the preoperative images and postoperative scans were measured. The patients who underwent epilepsy surgery moved significantly more during fMR imaging experiments than healthy volunteers performing the same motor task. This motion had a particularly increased out-of-plane component and was significantly more correlated with the stimulus than in the volunteers. This motion was especially increased when the patients were performing a task on the side affected by the lesion. The additional motion is hard to correct and substantially degrades the quality of the resulting fMR images, making it a much less reliable technique for use in these patients than in others. Also, the authors found that after electrode implantation, the brain surface can shift more than 10 mm relative to the skull compared with its preoperative location, substantially degrading the accuracy of the comparison of electrophysiological measurements made in the deformed brain and fMR studies obtained preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS These two findings indicate that studies of this sort are currently of limited use for validating fMR imaging and should be interpreted with care. Additional image analysis research is necessary to solve the problems caused by patients' motion and brain deformation.
Evaluation of antiviral drugs and neutralizing antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus by a rapid and sensitive microtiter infection assay

A 96-well microtiter infection assay for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is described. The assay utilizes human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I-immortalized MT-2 cells as targets for infection and requires only 4 to 5 days for completion. Cytolysis was quantitated by vital dye uptake of poly-L-lysine-adhered cells as an endpoint for infection. The assay's efficacy was proven by the sensitive and accurate assessment of several known anti-HIV agents including two inhibitors of reverse transcription (3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine and 2',3'-dideoxycytidine), three biological response modifiers (recombinant interferons alpha and beta and mismatched double-stranded RNA), a direct inactivator of HIV virions (amphotericin B), and neutralizing antibodies from two HIV-positive human subjects. Evaluation of data was facilitated by computer-assisted analysis. This assay provides a means for rapid, sensitive, and inexpensive large-scale in vitro testing of potential anti-HIV therapeutic regimens and quantitation of HIV-neutralizing antibody titers.
Human T‐Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 and 2 Seroprevalence among first‐time blood donors in Chile, 2011–2013

Infection with human T‐lymphotropic virus type 1/2 (HTLV‐1/2) is a major health problem. HTLV‐1/2 infection is endemic in Chile but representative donor prevalence data are lacking. Data on all blood donors in a large network of Chilean blood centers were examined during 2011–2013. Screening of HTLV‐1/2 antibodies were measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) at all blood banks. Blood samples with anticoagulants from initially reactive blood donors were analyzed by serological confirmation tests (immunofluorescence or recombinant immunoblot) at the HTLV National Reference Laboratory of the Public Health Institute of Chile. Additionally, detection of HTLV‐1 and HTLV‐2 provirus in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was performed in all blood donors as confirmatory test. Prevalence rates were calculated. Among 694,016 donors, 706 were seropositive for HTLV‐1 (prevalence, 1.02 cases per 1,000; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94–1.09), and 97 were seropositive for HTLV‐2 (prevalence, 0.14 cases per 1,000; 95%CI, 0.11–0.17). Prevalence of HTLV‐1 differed considerably by region, from 0.51 to 1.69 per 1,000. Prevalence of HTLV‐2 was similar across the country (0.12–0.16). HTLV‐1 prevalence was associated with female sex, older age, and residence in the north of Chile. HTVL‐2 prevalence was associated with older age. The HTLV‐1 prevalence among Chilean blood donors was relatively high and could be reduced by improving donor recruitment and selection in high prevalence areas. Blood center data may contribute to surveillance for HTLV‐1 and HTLV‐2 infections. J. Med. Virol. 88:1067–1075, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PTH‐responsive osteoblast nuclear matrix architectural transcription factor binds to the rat type I collagen promoter

In connective tissue, cell structure contributes to type I collagen expression. Differences in osteoblast microarchitecture may account for the two distinct cis elements regulating basal expression, in vivo and in vitro, of the rat type I collagen α1(I) polypeptide chain (COL1A1). The COL1A1 promoter conformation may be the penultimate culmination of osteoblast structure. Architectural transcription factors bind to the minor groove of AT‐rich DNA and bend it, altering interactions between other trans‐acting proteins. Similarly, nuclear matrix (NM) proteins bind to the minor groove of AT‐rich matrix‐attachment regions, regulating transcription by altering DNA structure. We propose that osteoblast NM architectural transcription factors link cell structure to promoter geometry and COL1A1 transcription. Our objective was to identify potential osteoblast NM architectural transcription factors near the in vitro and in vivo regulatory regions of the rat COL1A1 promoter. Nuclear protein‐promoter interactions were analyzed by gel shift analysis and related techniques. NM extracts were derived from rat osteosarcoma cells and from rat bone. The NM protein, NMP4, and a soluble nuclear protein, NP, both bound to two homologous poly(dT) elements within the COL1A1 in vitro regulatory region and proximal to the in vivo regulatory element. These proteins bound within the minor groove and bent the DNA. Parathyroid hormone increased NP/NMP4 binding to both poly(dT) elements and decreased COL1A1 mRNA in the osteosarcoma cells. NP/NMP4‐COL1A1 promoter interactions may represent a molecular pathway by which osteoblast structure is coupled to COL1A1 expression. J. Cell. Biochem. 69:336–352. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Universal Core Model for Multiple-Gate Field-Effect Transistors. Part II: Drain Current Model

A universal drain current model for multiple-gate field-effect transistors (FETs) (Mug-FETs) is proposed. In Part I, a universal charge model was derived using the arbitrary potential method. Using this charge model, Pao-Sah's integral is analytically carried out by approximating its integrand. The model describes both the subthreshold inversion for undoped FETs and the effects of finite doping density in the channel. With an explicit and continuous expression, the proposed drain current model covers all regions of device operation: subthreshold, linear, and saturation. The accuracy from the proposed model is comparable with that from well-known previous models for double-gate (DG) and cylindrical gate-all-around (Cy-GAA) FETs with an undoped channel. In addition, the model shows good agreement with 2-D and 3-D numerical simulations for doped-channel multiple-gate structures such as single-gate, DG, triple-gate, rectangular gate-all-around, and Cy-GAA FETs. The proposed model is well suited to be a core model for Mug-FETs due to its good computational efficiency and high accuracy; hence, it is useful for compact modeling.
In-vivo Measurement of Glucose and Alanine Metabolism with Stable Isotopic Tracers

This report describes sensitive, precise microtechniques that allow quantification of glucose and alanine metabolism in vivo using stable isotope tracers. By combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and selected ion monitoring—deuterium and carbon-13 enrichment in blood glucose and alanine were measured with an error of less than 2 per cent. Estimation of glucose and alanine flux in dogs by stable isotope tracer techniques was compared with simultaneous measurements made in the same animal with conventional radiotracer dilution methods. Application of the described stable isotope methods to determination of glucose and alanine turnover as well as alanine-2,3-l3C incorporation into glucose In adult men confirmed the safety and validity of these techniques for human investigation.
Higher dietary choline intake is associated with lower risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver in normal-weight Chinese women.

BACKGROUND Choline deficiency has been shown to induce liver fat accumulation in both rodent and human studies. However, it is unclear whether dietary choline intake is related to fatty liver in the general population. OBJECTIVE We examined the association between choline intake and nonalcoholic fatty liver. METHODS Participants included 56,195 Chinese women and men, 40-75 y of age, with no or negligible alcohol consumption and with no history of hepatitis, cardiovascular disease, or cancer. All participants reported undergoing liver ultrasonography. Fatty liver was defined by self-report of a physician diagnosis. Habitual dietary intakes were assessed via validated food-frequency questionnaires. RESULTS The average total choline intakes were 289 ± 85 mg/d in women and 318 ± 92 mg/d in men. Major food sources were eggs, soy foods, red meat, fish, and vegetables. A higher choline intake was associated with lower risk of fatty liver; after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and other dietary intakes, the ORs (95% CIs) for the highest vs. the lowest quintiles of choline intake were 0.68 (0.59, 0.79) in women and 0.75 (0.60, 0.93) in men (both P-trend < 0.01). The inverse association was attenuated after further adjustment for history of metabolic disease and, in particular, BMI. The corresponding ORs (95% CIs) were 0.88 (0.75, 1.03) in women (P-trend = 0.05) and 0.85 (0.68, 1.06) in men (P-trend = 0.09). Stratified analyses suggested a potential effect modification by obesity status in women; the OR (95% CI) across extreme quintiles was 0.72 (0.57, 0.91) in normal-weight women vs. 1.05 (0.84, 1.31) in overweight or obese women (P-trend = 0.007 vs. 0.99, P-interaction < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Higher dietary choline intake may be associated with lower risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver only in normal-weight Chinese women.
Revision of the International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification

Ganglioneuroblastoma, nodular (GNBn) comprises one of the categories of peripheral neuroblastic tumors. All tumors in this category, according to the original International Neuroblastoma Pathology Classification, are classified into an unfavorable histology group. Subsequently, it has been reported that GNBn can be divided into two prognostic subsets, a favorable subset (FS) and an unfavorable subset (US).
Video-Assisted Two-Stage Basilic Vein Transposition for Creation of Brachio-Basilic Arteriovenous Fistulae

a decrease in complications related to surgical dissection of the vein with better control of hemostasis, lower risk of vein and median nerve iatrogenic injuries, and reduction in operative time (data not yet published). Small side branches are dissected using absorbable 2/0 ligatures. The mobilized vein is allocated to a subcutaneous layer pocket created through the fat tissue by means of harmonic scalpel, thus elevating the vein to a more superficial position and closing the aponeurotic fascia above its original bed with an absorbable running suture. Mean operation time was 120 min (range 90-190). Some complications such as seroma, subcutaneous hematoma, pain in the forearm the first few days after the operation were treated medically. Mean hospitalization time was two days. The primary, assisted-primary, and secondary patency rate at one-year follow-up was respectively: 70%, 90%, and 100%, over a period of follow-up of six months, similar to the patency rate reported previously by others authors (1). All AV fistulas were successfully used for hemodialysis treatment. In our little experience, the mixed open/video assisted method proposed to perform this type of operation enables obtaining the same results of the open method and decreasing hospital stay and the complications related to surgical wound healing. The disadvantage of this method is related to prolonged operative time that, although conducted exploiting the advantages of peripheral brachial plexus blockage (3), may cause some discomfort to patients. In conclusion, this technique appears feasible and reproducible with a reduction in costs in terms of hospital stay and outpatient medications after hospital discharge but taking into account a significant increase in operative time probably because of the low number of cases treated that did not enable developing an optimal learning curve. Video-assisted two-stage basilic vein transposition for creation of brachio-basilic arteriovenous fistulae
Assessing diagnostic skill in dermatology: A comparison between general practitioners and dermatologists

This retrospective study was conducted to assess and compare the diagnostic accuracy between referring general practitioners and dermatologists with regard to skin conditions. Six hundred and fifty‐six consecutive general practitioner referrals to a private dermatology practice and a dermatology outpatient department were assessed. The concordance rate in diagnoses from a wide spectrum of dermatological diseases was compared between general practitioners and dermatologists. Referring general practitioners agreed with dermatologists’ clinical diagnosis and histology (when available) in 42% of cases. The concordance between general practitioners and dermatologists in the setting of non‐biopsied cases is 45%. One hundred and fifty‐one of 656 (23%) conditions had histological confirmation. Overall, general practitioners agreed with the histological diagnosis in 24% of cases and dermatologists agreed with the histological diagnosis in 77% of cases.
Susceptibility and bactericidal activity studies of four beta-lactamase-producing enterococci

beta-Lactamase-producing (Bla+) enterococci are rare but have been reported from several areas. We report another Bla+ enterococcus with high-level gentamicin resistance. Susceptibility and bactericidal activity studies of four Bla+ enterococci against potential alternative antibiotics, including ampicillin-sulbactam, daptomycin, teicoplanin, and vancomycin, are presented.
Electrical conductivity, impedance, and percolation behavior of carbon nanofiber and carbon nanotube containing gellan gum hydrogels

The electrical impedance behavior of gellan gum (GG), GG–carbon nanotube, and GG–carbon nanofiber hydrogel composites is reported. It is demonstrated that the impedance behavior of these gels can be modeled using a Warburg element in series with a resistor. Sonolysis (required to disperse the carbon fillers) does not affect GG hydrogel electrical conductivity (1.2 ± 0.1 mS/cm), but has a detrimental effect on the gel's mechanical characteristics. It was found that the electrical conductivity (evaluated using impedance analysis) increases with increasing volume fraction of the carbon fillers and decreasing water content. For example, carbon nanotube containing hydrogels exhibited a six- to sevenfold increase in electrical conductivity (to 7 ± 2 mS/cm) at water content of 82%. It is demonstrated that at water content of 95 ± 2% the electrical behavior of multiwalled nanotube containing hydrogels transitions (percolates) from transport dominated by ions (owing to GG) to transport dominated by electrons (owing to the carbon nanotube network). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014, 52, 864–871