Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
VARICELLA OF THE CORNEA TREATED WITH 5-IODO-2′-DEOXYURIDINE*

VARICELLA of the cornea appears to be a rare complication of the disease (DukeElder, 1938; Banks, 1949). Since the varicella virus is of the DNA-containing group, modification of the course of superficial lesions by means of 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IDU) is a possibility, this agent having been used with some success against another DNA-containing virus, that of herpes simplex (Corrigan, Gilkes, and Roberts, 1962; Davidson, 1962; Kaufman, Martola, and Dohlman, 1962; Luntz and MacCallum, 1963).
Requirements for NADPH oxidase and myeloperoxidase in neutrophil extracellular trap formation differ depending on the stimulus

Release of NETs by neutrophils is linked with immune protection and host damage. A variety of stimuli promotes NET formation. However, findings from different laboratories often vary, and it is possible that more than one mechanism of NET formation exists. NET formation induced by PMA has been shown to require NADPH oxidase activity, and there is evidence that the granule enzyme MPO is also involved. However, requirements for NADPH oxidase or MPO with other stimuli are less well established. We investigated the role of oxidants in NET formation by human neutrophils induced with PMA, several bacterial genera, and the calcium ionophore ionomycin. With the use of inhibitors of the NADPH oxidase and MPO, oxidant scavengers, and cells from a MPO‐deficient individual, we observed that requirements for oxidant generation depend on the stimulus. NADPH oxidase activity was required with PMA and bacterial stimulation but not with ionomycin. Whereas MPO was required for efficient NET formation with PMA, incubation with bacteria induced NETs independently of MPO activity. Although the specific mechanisms whereby oxidants participate in NET formation remain to be clarified, it is possible that other stimuli that mobilize calcium act like ionomycin via an oxidant‐independent mechanism, and it cannot be inferred from results with PMA that MPO is required with more physiological stimuli.
Aggravation of Atherosclerosis by Hypertension in a Subhuman Primate Model with Coarctation of the Aorta

The interrelationships between hypertension and atherosclerosis were investigated in a subhuman primate model (cynomolgus monkey) with hypertension produced by surgically coarcting the miathoracic aorta. The hypertensive coarcted monkey fed a low cholesterol diet for 6 months did not develop complicating atherosclerosis but did develop focal intimal lesions as well as marked thickening of the musculoelastic media of both the large and small arteries. Fibrocellular thickening of the intima and media occurred in the vessels proximal to the coarctation but not distal to the coarctation suggesting that a high level of blood pressure with resulting increase in arterial wall tension is responsible for these changes. The hypertensive coarcted monkey fed a hypercholesterolemic diet (2% cholesterol and 10% butter) for 6 months developed severe coronary atherosclerotic disease with fibrous plaque formation. The disease produced over 65% luminal narrowing of the major coronary arteries and their extramural and intramural branches. In contrast the noncoarcted normotensive animal fed the same diet developed mild atherosclerosis of only the major coronary arteries which caused an average luminal narrowing of 12%. Aggravation of atherosclerosis by hypertension also appeared to occur in the other arteries above the coarctation particularly the cerebral arteries. When the hypertensive coarcted monkey with preestablished coronary atherosclerosis was treated with a low cholesterol diet and a combination of antihypertensive drugs (hydrochlorothiazide, hydralazine, and reserpine), the progression of the disease was arrested. There also was evidence that treatment caused some regression of the coronary lesions which appeared to "heal" by fibrosis. The treatment of both hyperlipidemia and hypertension appeared to be more effective than the treatment of hyperlipidemia, alone.
Key-escrow free multi-signature scheme using bilinear pairings

Abstract We present a multi-signature scheme based on bilinear pairings. The scheme is key escrow-free and does not require any secure channel for private key issuance to users. We use a binding-blinding technique to avoid the key escrow problem and to eliminate a secure channel requirement for the key issuance stage. The basic scheme is extended to sequential and parallel multi-signature schemes. We show that the basic scheme and multi-signature schemes are secure against adaptive chosen message attacks under standard assumptions.
Effect of a pre-screening survey on attendance in colorectal cancer screening: A double-randomized study in Finland

Objectives To explore effects of a pre-screening life style survey on the subsequent attendance proportion in colorectal cancer screening. Setting Finnish colorectal cancer screening programme in 2011. Design Double randomized and controlled follow-up design. Methods The study population comprised of 31,951 individuals born in 1951. In 2010 to a random sample of every sixth (n = 5,312) person we sent a 7-paged life style questionnaire, and to another random sample of every sixth person (n = 5,336) a 10-paged life style and quality of life questionnaire. One year later, in 2011, 31,484 individuals of the original cohort were independently randomized (1:1) for colorectal cancer screening (n = 15,748) or control group (n = 15,736). Of those who were invited for screening, 5185 had received a questionnaire during the previous year. Results 5870 individuals (55.1 %) responded to the questionnaire in 2010. The overall attendance at screening in 2011 was 59.0 % in those born in 1951 (i.e. the 60-year-olds). In those who had been sent the survey the attendance in screening was 56.6% (57.3% for the short and 56.0% for the long questionnaire) and in those who had not received the questionnaire it was 60.2% (P < 0.001). Conclusions We believe that the observed reduction in attendance in those who had been sent a questionnaire earlier is generally true. Thus, if any survey is enclosed in the screening invitation, this finding should be taken into account when planning the programme. Any extra effort requested may reduce the attendance proportion for screening, reducing the population level impact of screening.
Title Expression and Identification of HERV-W Family in JapaneseMonkeys ( Macaca fuscata )

We investigated structural genes ( gag , pol, env ) of HERV-W family in the Macaca fuscata (Japanese monkey). Those genes are expressed in various tissues (testis, prostate, kidney, cerebellum, thymus, pancreas, intestine, stomach, ovary) of the Japanese monkey in RT-PCR and sequencing analyses. Nine clones for gag , thirty-one clones for pol and thirty-four clones for env fragments of the HERVW family in monkey tissues were identified and analyzed. These clones showed a high degree of sequence similarity, 82.2–84.7% for gag , 88.4–91.7% for pol , and 90.8–95.4% for env , to those of HERV-W family. Translation to amino acids in all clones derived from the monkey indicated that they showed multiple interruptions of frameshifts and termination codons by deletion/insertion or point mutation. Identical sequences from different tissues of the monkey were found in env and pol clones of the HERV-W family.
External-cavity designs for phase-coupled laser diode arrays

Both configurations have been extensively studied theoretically as well as experimentally. We have obtained a stable coherent operation of the laser arrays, on a single transverse array mode. The main advantage of the angular filtering cavity is here that it is perfectly adapted to the high filling-factor laser bar, and then provides directly a nearly diffraction-limited output beam; nevertheless these bars have limited output powers because of the strong heating of the array. On the other hand, Talbot external cavities may be used with very different kind of bars, in simple extended-cavity designs. Finally, the use of the filtering properties of VBG has been demonstrated to efficiently control the laser emission.
Determination of Shelf Heat Transfer Coefficients Along the Shelf Flow Path of a Freeze Dryer Using the Shelf Fluid Temperature Perturbation Approach

The spatial distribution of local shelf heat transfer coefficients, Ks, was determined by mapping the transient temperature response of the shelf surface along the serpentine internal channels of the shelf while the temperature of the heat transfer fluid was ramped from −40° to 40°C. The solution of a first-order non-steady-state differential equation resulted in a predicted shelf surface temperature as a function of the shelf fluid temperature at any point along the flow path. During the study, the shelf surfaces were maintained under a thermally insulated condition so that the heat transfers by gas conduction and radiation were negligible. To minimize heat conduction by gas, the chamber was evacuated to a low pressure, such as 100 mTorr. To minimize heat transfers between shelves, shelves were moved close together, with a gap of approximately 3 mm between any two shelves, because the shelf surface temperatures at corresponding vertical locations of two shelves are virtually equal. In addition, this also provides a shielding from radiation heat transfer from shelf to walls. Local heat transfer coefficients at the probed locations hx (≈Ks) were calculated by fitting the experimental shelf temperature response to the theoretical value. While the resulting values of Ks are in general agreement with previously reported values, the values of Ks close to the inlet are significantly higher than those of other locations of the shelf channel. This observation is most likely attributed to the variation of the flow pattern of heat transfer fluid within the channels.
Role of c‐Fos/JunD in protecting stress‐induced cell death

Abstract. Objective: The exposure of mammalian cells to extracellular stress induces the expression of immediate early genes such as c‐fos and c‐jun and activates transcription factor activator protein‐1 (AP‐1). The purpose of the current study was to investigate the role of c‐Fos and JunD in stress‐induced cell death. Materials and methods: We exposed cultured primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) to ultraviolet light (UV‐C) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Induction of c‐Fos and JunD and activation of MAPK/ERK1/2 signalling in the presence or absence of a MAPK inhibitor were analyzed by western blotting. Activation of AP‐1 transcription factors was detected by the electrophoretic mobility shift assay and immunoprecipitation. Cell death was measured by changes in caspase 3 activities and nuclear morphology. Effects of c‐Fos and JunD expression on cell death were investigated by transfection. Results: We found that the exposure of cultured primary MEF cells to UV or H2O2 caused a significant increase in c‐Fos and JunD protein levels. In addition, these two proteins formed complexes with each other and contributed to activation of AP‐1 transcription complexes. More importantly, under both stress conditions, overexpression of JunD alone or overexpression of both c‐Fos and JunD reduced caspase 3 activity and cell death. At the same time, UV irradiation activated the MAPK/ERK1/2 signalling pathway. The suppression of MEK1/ERK1/2 activation inhibited UV‐induced expression of c‐Fos and JunD and increased caspase 3 activity and cell death. Conclusion: Our results suggest that both UV and H2O2 induce the activation of c‐Fos/JunD AP‐1 complexes resulting in the prevention of cell death. Moreover, UV irradiation‐induced increases in c‐Fos/JunD expression in primary MEF cells are mediated through the activation of the MAPK/ERK1/2 signalling pathway.
Low Latency and Energy Efficient Optical Network-on-Chip Using Wavelength Assignment

Optical network-on-chip (ONoC) is a promising technology for high-performance and energy-efficient intra-chip interconnection. Many existing proposals resort to high-density wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) to increase bandwidth and to mitigate contention. Unfortunately, high-density WDM increases the cost of optical devices and the difficulties of integration. We propose WANoC, a novel ONoC design with careful wavelength assignment aimed at more effective reuse. A novel WDM optical router is also designed with simple layout, which needs fewer waveguides and has fewer crossings. The simulation results show that the saturation load is improved more than 2.7 times, while the energy consumption is decreased by 33% compared with prior circuit-switched ONoC.
[Clinical comparative study of neoadjuvant chemotherapy outcome in locally advanced breast cancer: docetaxel versus paclitaxel plus pirarubicin hydrochloride and cyclophosphamide].

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy and toxicity of neoadjuvant chemotherapy of docetaxel with paclitaxel plus pirarubicin hydrochloride (THP) and cyclophosphamide (CTX) in locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). METHODS A total of 97 LABC cases were randomly divided into 2 groups: docetaxel group (n = 49, taxotere plus THP & CTX) and paclitaxel group (n = 48, paclitaxel plus THP & CTX). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy had four cycles of 21 days each. RESULTS The clinical and pathological complete remission rates of docetaxel group was 28.6% and 26.5% respectively. They were significantly higher than those of paclitaxel group (10.4% and 8.3%). Furthermore the pathological negative rate of regional lymph node in docetaxel group was also significantly higher than that of paclitaxel group (40.6% vs. 12.9%). However, grade III-IV blood system toxic reaction was found in 71.4% cases, grade II-IV liver dysfunction in 53.1% cases and edema in 24.5% cases among docetaxel group. They were higher than those among paclitaxel group (46.9%, 27.1% & 4.2%). CONCLUSION Compared with paclitaxel, the combined regimen of docetaxel plus THP and CTX offers better outcomes for locally advanced breast cancer.
Autoradiographic tracing of developing subcortical projections of the occipital region in fetal rabbits

Thirty rabbit embryos and two neonates (E18‐P1) received micropipette injections of 3H‐Leucine into the occipital region of one hemisphere and were killed after 0.5–5 hours. Incorporated tracer was demonstrated by autoradiography of serial sections of the brains. The first axons were seen in the intermediate zone of the developing cerebral cortex, on day E20, and by day E22 they reached the internal capsule. The entire cortico‐peduncular bundle and a short branch of the superficial (thalamic) bundle were labeled on day E24. On day E25, additional branches directed to claustrum, thalamus (deep bundle), and cerebellum were distinguished. By day E28 the first indications of terminal field development were observed. One day before birth (E30), the neonate pattern of subcortical pathways was fully established and silver grain condensations were present over most of the subcortical target areas.
Reliability analysis and enhancement of the AC/DC stage of a 3.3 kW onboard vehicle battery charger

A modern 3.3 kW onboard battery charger typically includes a grid-connected AC/DC rectifier stage with a unity power factor operation and a transformer isolated DC/DC converter. The failure modes and effect analysis (FMEA) is one of the main tools to evaluate the charger reliability. The main specifications, circuit configurations, control structures and analysis of the AC/DC stage of the charger for a normal operation is presented and discussed. Some important electrical faults are selected for further investigations, analysis and reliability enhancement. For each case, the circuit is analyzed and an appropriate detection algorithm is proposed. Moreover, some post-fault actions are suggested for each case. Some design recommendations are provided to improve the reliability.
Childhood Adversities as Risk Factors for Alexithymia and Other Aspects of Affect Dysregulation in Adulthood

Background: Affect regulation is assumed to be a biologically based function that can become disrupted by inadequate parenting and by traumatic experiences. We studied the relation between the perceived parental parenting style, and sexual and physical abuse, with alexithymia, dissociation, anxiety and depression. Methods: In a cross-sectional study psychiatric outpatients were administered a structured interview on childhood physical and sexual abuse and they completed a number of questionnaires about the parenting styles of their parents, and about alexithymia, dissociation and mood pathology. Results: Maternal and paternal parenting styles were moderately correlated with alexithymia and depression. The paternal parenting style was also correlated with dissociation. Optimal parenting of one of the parents had a buffering effect on the degree of alexithymia, but not on the severity of other forms of affect dysregulation. The effect of sexual or physical abuse did not add to that of parental parenting style in terms of predicting affect dysregulation. However, a positively perceived maternal parenting style was found to have a buffering effect in terms of the degree of alexithymia, if sexual abuse had also taken place. Conclusions: Perceived parenting does appear to be of some significance in the development of alexithymia. Optimal parenting of one of the parents may protect against the development of alexithymia when the parenting of the other parent is perceived as non-optimal. However, it is likely that other factors besides parental care and sexual or physical abuse play an important role in the development of an adequate affect regulation.
An Anatomic Study of the Lumbar Plexus with Respect to Retroperitoneal Endoscopic Surgery

Study Design. The distribution of the lumbar plexus was analyzed using cadavers. Objective. To clarify the safety zone to prevent nerve injuries with respect to retroperitoneal endoscopic surgery. Summary of Background Data. Surgical approaches to the retroperitoneal space vary among surgeons. Recently, retroperitoneal endoscopic surgery has been applied to various spinal disorders. When the psoas major muscle is separated during retroperitoneal endoscopic surgery, there is a potential risk of injury to the lumbar plexus or nerve roots. However, there is sparse knowledge regarding the relationship between the greater psoas muscle and the lumbar plexus. Methods. A total of 30 cadavers were analyzed. Six lumbar spines of the cadavers were cut in parallel with the lumbar disc space. Each axial section was photographed and captured into a computer. The distribution of the lumbar plexus was analyzed using computer images. The positions where the genitofemoral nerve emerged on the abdominal surface of the psoas major muscle were analyzed using 24 cadavers. Results. L2/3 and above, all parts of the lumbar plexus, and nerve roots were located from the dorsal fourth of the vertebral body and dorsally. The genitofemoral nerve descends obliquely forward through the psoas major muscle, emerging on the abdominal surface between the cranial third of the L3 vertebra and the caudal third of the L4 vertebra. The safety zone of the psoas major muscle to prevent nerve injuries, excluding the genitofemoral nerve, is at L4/L5 and above. Conclusions. The safety zone, excluding the genitofemoral nerve, is at L4-L5 and above.
Screening of multiple hormonal activities in surface water and sediment from the Pearl River system, South China, using effect‐directed in vitro bioassays

This paper reports screening of multiple hormonal activities (estrogenic and androgenic activities, antiestrogenic and antiandrogenic activities) for surface water and sediment from the Pearl River system (Liuxi, Zhujiang, and Shijing rivers) in South China, using in vitro recombinant yeast bioassays. The detection frequencies for estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities were both 100% in surface water and 81 and 93% in sediment, respectively. The levels of estrogenic activity were 0.23 to 324 ng 17β‐estradiol equivalent concentration (EEQ)/L in surface water and 0 to 101 ng EEQ/g in sediment. Antiandrogenic activities were in the range of 20.4 to 935 × 103 ng flutamide equivalent concentration (FEQ)/L in surface water and 0 to 154 × 103 ng FEQ/g in sediment. Moreover, estrogenic activity and antiandrogenic activity in sediment showed good correlation (R2 = 0.7187), suggesting that the agonists of estrogen receptor and the antagonists of androgen receptor co‐occurred in sediment. The detection frequencies for androgenic and antiestrogenic activities were 41 and 29% in surface water and 61 and 4% in sediment, respectively. The levels of androgenic activities were 0 to 45.4 ng dihydrotestosterone equivalent concentration (DEQ)/L in surface water, and the potency was very weak in the only detected sediment site. The levels of antiestrogenic activity were 0 to 1,296 × 103 ng tamoxifen equivalent concentration (TEQ)/L in surface water and 0 to 89.5 × 103 ng TEQ/g in sediment. The Shijing River displayed higher levels of hormonal activities than the Zhujiang and Liuxi rivers, indicating that the Shijing River had been suffering from heavy contamination with endocrine‐disrupting chemicals. The equivalent concentrations of hormonal activities in some sites were greater than the lowest‐observed‐effect concentrations reported in the literature, suggesting potential adverse effects on aquatic organisms. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2208–2215. © 2011 SETAC
Processo de obtenção de inulina de chicoria (Cichorium intybus) em po

Chicoria (Cichorium intybus) e uma planta que tem uma raiz tuberosa cujo carboidrato de reserva e a inulina, que e um carboidrato do grupo de polissacarideos chamados frutanas. E composto por uma cadeia principal de unidades de frutose com uma unidade de glicose terminal, cuja formulapode ser descrita como GFn, onde G representa a molecula de glicose, F a molecula de frutose e no numero de unidades de frutose. A inulina em C. intybus, por apresentar um teor de frutose muito elevado (cerca de 94%), sugere excelentes perspectivas para xarope puro de frutose, mas a principal vantagem e a possibilidade da producao de oligomeros de frutose ou oligofrutanas obtidos atraves da hidrolise enzimatica, pois esses produtos tem importante propriedade nao somente de baixo poder calorico como tambem fator “bifido”, que implica na regulacao da flora intestinal. Recentemente a inulina foi identificada como um ingrediente que substitui a gordura ou o acucar, e no Brasil ainda nao existe producao comercial. Neste trabalho foram estudados alguns aspectos tecnologicos deste produto. Foi observado um comportamento de fluido nao-newtoniano com caracteristicas pseudoplasticas, para os extratos puro concentrado e o extrato formulado com amido modificado e maltodextrina como componentes de material de parede. A analise simultânea das variaveis de processo e de mistura indicou a maior influencia da porcentagem de material de parede e a pouca dependencia da temperatura na viscosidade aparente para os extratos puro e formulado de inulina de chicoria, nas temperaturas de 25°C, 40°C e 55°C, e de 5% a 30% de material de parede. Atraves do uso da metodologia de superficie de resposta, para a obtencao de inulina de chicoria em po, encontrou-se a faixa otimizada de 11,77% a 38,94% de material de parede e 174°C a 214°C de temperatura para processo de secagem por atomizacao. O modelo de GAB apresentou melhor ajuste das isotermas para o extrato puro, enquanto que os modelos de BET, Halsey, Oswin e Peleg para as isotermas de extrato formulado de inulina, nas temperaturas de 25°C, 35°C e 45°C. A microestrutura do extrato de inulina de chicoria em po atraves da tecnica de analise de imagens por microscopio eletronico de varredura, mostrou a influencia da porcentagem do material de parede e da temperatura na formacao das superficies das microcapsulas. Abstract