Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disturbed Peripheral B Lymphocyte Homeostasis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus1

In patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a marked B lymphocytopenia was identified that affected CD19+/CD27− naive B cells more than CD19+/CD27+ memory B cells, leading to a relative predominance of CD27-expressing peripheral B cells. CD27high/CD38+/CD19dim/surface Iglow/CD20−/CD138+ plasma cells were found at high frequencies in active but not inactive SLE patients. Upon immunosuppressive therapy, CD27high plasma cells and naive CD27− B cells were markedly decreased in the peripheral blood. Mutational analysis of V gene rearrangements of individual B cells confirmed that CD27+ B cells coexpressing IgD were memory B cells preferentially using VH3 family members with multiple somatic mutations. CD27high plasma cells showed a similar degree of somatic hypermutation, but preferentially employed VH4 family members. These results indicate that there are profound abnormalities in the various B cell compartments in SLE that respond differently to immunosuppressive therapy.
A Novel Dual Band Circularly Polarized GNSS Antenna for Handheld Devices

A novel chip antenna design, which is compatible with multiple satellite-based navigation systems, is proposed for handheld devices. Several techniques were employed to provide desirable performance characteristics such as dual band operation, circularly polarized reception, small form factor, and low fabrication cost. Antenna configuration features include a surface mount antenna chip, a strip line feed that is perpendicular to the chip, a clip-shaped slit cut on the chip, and the clearance region on the ground plane. Antenna design was conducted via numerical simulations. Extensive parametric studies were carried out to associate performance features with specific antenna structures. A prototype antenna was also fabricated to verify its superior performance and validate the design procedure.
Have more profitable banks a more or a less risky lending policy? Empirical evidence from CEE countries

This paper investigates the short and long-run relationship between credit risk and two bank profitability indicators ROA and ROE in Central and Eastern European countries during the period from 2000 to 2010. Results from previous research mostly confirm the negative relationship between profitability and credit risk by considering the current or one year lagged value of profitability. Certain crisis indicates that more profitable banks before the crisis became more risky during the time of crisis. These results motivate us to upgrade the model of credit risk by including earlier values of profitability. Results indicate that two or three years are necessary for growth of profitability to increase credit risk. However, the long-run relationship between foreign banks' profitability and credit risk is positive, for both indicators. For the domestic bank, the long-run effect of ROA on credit risk is positive, while for ROE this relationship is negative.
The 2 “Es” of Research: Efficacy and Effectiveness Trials

Studies that investigate the usefulness of various therapies fall along a continuum that ranges from those looking at whether an intervention can work under ideal circumstances (efficacy trials) to those that focus on whether a treatment works when applied in the real world (effectiveness trials). Whether a study is closer to one end of the spectrum or the other affects almost every aspect of the trial. These aspects include which patients are eligible for enrolment, the degree of control over the way the intervention is delivered, which patients are or are not included in the analyses, how missing data are handled, and even which statistical tests may be used. The 2 types of trials may yield different results, but both provide useful information. This paper explores these issues, shows the decisions researchers must take at each phase of a trial, and discusses how clinicians should interpret the results.
Rapid-Cycle PCR and Fluorimetry for Detection of Mycobacteria

ABSTRACT In this study we used LightCycler PCR amplification and product detection by fluorescence resonance energy transfer probes to identify mycobacteria and differentiate between Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, Mycobacterium avium, and other nontuberculous mycobacteria. Targeting the 16S rRNA gene, three different probes specific for mycobacteria, M. tuberculosis complex, and M. avium were constructed. As few as five genome copies of target nucleic acid were detected by the probes, illustrating the high sensitivity of the system. All 33 mycobacterial species tested but none of the closely related actinomycetes and other bacteria produced a specific fluorescence signal. A specificity of 100% was also demonstrated for the M. tuberculosis complex-specific probe and the M. avium-specific probe. Within 45 min, the LightCycler method correctly detected mycobacteria and specifically identified M. tuberculosis complex and M. avium without any post-PCR sample manipulation. In view of future clinical studies, we also constructed and tested an internal control which could be used to assure successful amplification and detection of mycobacteria. Monitoring of PCR inhibition will be essential for evaluation of this system for direct detection of mycobacteria in clinical specimens. Finally, we tested our system on sputum seeded with mycobacteria and were able to detect as few as 10 organisms. At present, this system is the fastest available method for identification and differentiation of mycobacteria from culture-positive specimens and offers an excellent alternative to previously established nucleic acid amplification-based techniques for the diagnostic mycobacterial laboratory.
A Joint Data Compression and Encryption Approach for Wireless Energy Auditing Networks

Fine-grained real-time metering is a fundamental service of wireless energy auditing networks, where metering data is transmitted from embedded wireless power meters to gateways for centralized processing, storage, and forwarding. Due to limited meter capability and wireless bandwidth, the increasing sampling rates and network scales needed to support new energy auditing applications pose significant challenges to metering data fidelity and secrecy. This article exploits the compression and encryption properties of compressive sensing (CS) to design a joint data compression and encryption (JICE) approach that addresses these two challenges simultaneously. Compared with a conventional signal processing pipeline that compresses and encrypts data sequentially, JICE reduces computation and space complexities due to its simple design. It thus leaves more processor time and available buffer space for handling lossy wireless transmissions. Moreover, JICE features an adaptive reconfiguration mechanism that selects the signal representation basis of CS at runtime among several candidate bases to achieve the best fidelity of the recovered data at the gateways. This mechanism enables JICE to adapt to changing power consumption patterns. On a smart plug platform, we implemented JICE and several baseline approaches including downsampling, lossless compression, and the pipeline approach. Extensive testbed experiments show that JICE achieves higher data delivery ratios and lower recovery distortions under a range of realistic settings. In particular, at a meter sampling rate of 8 Hz, JICE increases the number of meters supported by a gateway by 50%, compared with the commonly used pipeline approach, while keeping a signal distortion rate lower than 5%.
The effect of triazolam premedication on anxiety, sedation, and amnesia in general anesthesia

Background Benzodiazepines have been used preoperatively as part of an anesthesia regimen to attenuate the anxiety of patients. In this study, we aimed to examine the effect of oral triazolam, a short-acting benzodiazepine, on anxiety, sedation, and amnesia. Methods Ninety patients, aged 20–55 years, were randomly assigned to receive no premedication, or to receive triazolam 0.25 mg or 0.375 mg 1 h before anesthesia. Anxiety score, sedation score, blood pressure, heart rate and psychomotor performance were measured on the evening before surgery and on the day of surgery. Additional tests of psychomotor performance were performed in the postanesthesia care unit and on the next day of surgery. The occurrence of amnesia, bispectral index (BIS), recovery profiles and patient satisfaction with overall anesthesia care were also evaluated. Results Changes in the anxiety and sedation scores on the day of surgery were not significantly different among groups, whereas the increases in systolic blood pressure and heart rate were significantly less in both triazolam groups. The triazolam groups both showed a higher incidence of high satisfaction scores (≥ 2). The two triazolam groups also showed similar outcomes, except for a dose-dependent increase in the number of patients with amnesia and BIS values < 90. Delayed recovery from general anesthesia and psychomotor impairment were not observed in the triazolam groups. Conclusions Triazolam 0.25 mg or 0.375 mg reduced the hemodynamic changes associated with anxiety, produced potent amnesia, and improved patient satisfaction. We suggest that triazolam can be used effectively as anesthetic premedication in adults.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Dabigatran Etexilate, an Oral Direct Thrombin Inhibitor, Are Not Affected by Moderate Hepatic Impairment

The impact of moderate hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of dabigatran etexilate was evaluated in an open, parallel‐group study. Healthy volunteers (n = 12) and patients with hepatic impairment (Child‐Pugh classification B; n = 12) received a single oral dose of 150 mg dabigatran etexilate. The mean values for area under the concentration‐time curve, terminal half‐life, and renal clearance of dabigatran were comparable between patients with hepatic impairment and healthy volunteers. Conversion of the dabigatran intermediate BIBR1087 to active dabigatran was slower in patients with hepatic impairment, indicating that the liver is partly involved in bioconversion of dabigatran etexilate. However, total drug exposure was comparable between groups; therefore, this observation is of no clinical relevance with respect to the anticoagulant activity of dabigatran. The extent of dabigatran glucuronidation was unchanged by liver disease; glucuronidation capacity was maintained in moderate liver disease. The activated partial thromboplastin time, ecarin clotting time, and thrombin time relationships were essentially identical in both groups. This study shows that moderate hepatic impairment does not affect the PK/PD or safety profile of dabigatran. Therefore, patients with moderate hepatic impairment can be given dabigatran etexilate without the need for dose adjustment.
Study on credit sale risk assessing model based on credit sale risk degree

In view of the nature of credit sales risk, the credit sale risk degree is put forward as a new standard to measure the credit sale risk in the paper. It is calculated by customers' average loan recovery rate and it can not only tell whether the loss will happen but also can measure the specific extent of the loss. So this standard has three advantages of directness, continuity and operability. According to the proposed standard, the credit sale risk is divided into five grades and a credit sale risk assessing model based on support vector machine (SVM) is established in the paper. The empirical analysis shows that the proposed model is feasible and accurate for measuring the risk of sale on credit.
Effects of Economic and Population Factors on Health Expenditures: Special Case of Pakistan

This paper aims to explore the factors affecting the health care expenditures of Pakistan by employing the Multivariate techniques for the annual data series from 1960 to 2010 . The variables we considered are Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as an economic indicator, Population of age 65 and above (P≥65), Population of age 0 to 14 (P(0-14)), Life expectancy at Birth (LE), Crude Birth rate (CBR) and population growth rate (GR) as population indicator and Total Health Expenditure (THE) as an influencing factor. Multiple regression considering Total Health Expenditure (THE) is applied as dependent on the variables mentioned above. Since Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) for all independent variables are very high, the smallest VIF is around 11 goes up to 65. The results obtained by Principal components reveal the effect of population structure and the age factor effect oppositely on Total Health Expenditures (THE). Factor Analysis suggests that the behavior of Health Expenditures is common with Gross Domestic Product (GDP), population of age 65 and above (P≥65) and life expectancy at Birth (LE) in Pakistan while population of age 0 to 14 (P (0-14)), population growth rate (GR) and Crude Birth rate (CBR) are moving in opposite direction i.e. as GDP, P≥65 and LE of Pakistan increases P (0-14), GR and CBR will decreases.
Transcriptome‐Wide Identification of Pseudouridine Modifications Using Pseudo‐seq

A diverse array of post‐transcriptional modifications is found in RNA molecules from all domains of life. While the locations of RNA modifications are well characterized in abundant noncoding RNAs, modified sites in less abundant mRNAs are just beginning to be discovered. Recent work has revealed hundreds of previously unknown and dynamically regulated pseudouridines (Ψ) in mRNAs from diverse organisms. This unit describes Pseudo‐seq, an efficient, high‐resolution method for identification of Ψs genome‐wide. This unit includes methods for isolation of RNA from S. cerevisiae, preparation of Pseudo‐seq libraries from RNA samples, and identification of sites of pseudouridylation from the sequencing data. Pseudo‐seq is applicable to any organism or cell type, facilitating rapid identification of novel pseudouridylation events. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Reconstruction of Complicated Skull Base Defects Utilizing Free Tissue Transfer

We managed five patients with large skull base defects complicated by complex infections with microvascular free tissue transfer. The first patient developed an infection, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, and meningitis after undergoing a translabyrinthine resection of an acoustic neuroma. The second patient had a history of a gunshot wound to the temporal bone, with a large defect and an infected cholesteatoma that caused several episodes of meningitis. The third through the fifth patients had persistent CSF leakage and infection refractory to conventional therapy. In all cases prior attempts of closure with fat grafts or regional flaps had failed. Rectus abdominis myofascial free flap, radial forearm free flap or a gracilis muscle free flap was used after debridement of the infected cavities. The CSF leaks, local infections, and meningitis were controlled within a week. In our experience, microvascular free tissue provides the necessary bulk of viable, well-vascularized tissue, which not only assures a mechanical seal but also helps clear the local infection.
All-Optical Intensity Modulator by Polarization-Dependent Graphene-Microfiber Waveguide

We demonstrated all-optical intensity modulator based on polarization-dependent graphene-covered microfiber (GMF) waveguide. By controlling the polarization mode of incident light, a greatly adjustable enhanced interaction between the propagating light and the graphene can be obtained via the evanescent field of the microfiber. By employing 980-nm pump light and 1550-nm signal light in continuous wave, the strong light–graphene interaction enables a maximum modulation depth of ∼20.86 dB, and by pumping 980 nm wave pulses, we obtained the temporal response characteristics of signal light with modulation rate of 5.13 kHz. This all-optical intensity modulator is compatible with optical fiber systems, and features with ease of fabrication, and steerable high modulation depth, which show potential in graphene's applications such as all-optical switching and all-optical communications.
Smad5 and DPC4 Are Key Molecules in Mediating BMP-2-induced Osteoblastic Differentiation of the Pluripotent Mesenchymal Precursor Cell Line C2C12*

Since the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily that induce the differentiation of mesenchymal precursor cells into the osteogenic cells, we identified the relevant signaling molecules responsible for mediating BMP-2 effects on mesenchymal precursor cells. BMP-2 induces osteoblastic differentiation of the pluripotent mesenchymal cell line C2C12 by increasing alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin production. As recent studies have demonstrated that cytoplasmic Smad proteins are involved in TGF-β superfamily signaling, we plan to isolate the relevant Smad family members involved in osteoblastic differentiation. We identified human Smad5, which is highly homologous to Smad1. BMP-2 caused serine phosphorylation of Smad5 as well as Smad1. In contrast, TGF-β failed to cause serine phosphorylation of Smad1 and Smad5. We found Smad5 is directly activated by BMP type Ia or Ib receptors through physical association with these receptors. Following phosphorylation, Smad5 bound to DPC4, another Smad family member, and the complex was translocated to the nucleus. Overexpression of point-mutated Smad5 (G419S) or a C-terminal deletion mutant DPC4 (DPC4ΔC) blocked the induction of alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin production, and Smad5-DPC4 signaling cascades upon BMP-2 treatment in C2C12 cells. These data suggest that activation of Smad5 and subsequent Smad5-DPC4 complex formation are key steps in the BMP signaling pathway, which mediates BMP-2-induced osteoblastic differentiation of the C2C12 mesenchymal cells.
Preservation of peri-implant soft and hard tissues using platform switching of implants placed in immediate extraction sockets: a proof-of-concept study with 12- to 36-month follow-up.

PURPOSE The purpose of this article is to evaluate the soft- and hard-tissue response to immediately placed implants. In addition, assessment was conducted of the soft tissue response to a transmucosal abutment which was narrower than the implant platform. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was conducted to evaluate 10 consecutively placed immediately loaded implants placed in extraction sockets in maxillae without compromised bone tissue. The infection control phase of periodontal therapy was completed in the areas of hopeless teeth prior to extraction. Implants with a 6-mm-platform diameter were placed immediately into the fresh extraction sockets. A provisional 4-mm-diameter transmucosal abutment was subsequently connected, and a provisional crown was adapted and adjusted for nonfunctional immediate positioning. Three months following implant placement, definitive prosthetic rehabilitation was performed. At the time of prosthesis insertion (baseline) and every 6 months thereafter, radiographic assessments, pocket probing depth (PPD), recession, and papilla height were measured. An image analysis software application was used to compare the radiographic bone crestal bone heights at the mesial and distal aspects of the implants. RESULTS Nine patients with 10 sites were treated. Mean follow-up time was 22 months (range, 18 to 36 months). All 10 implants were found to be clinically osseointegrated. Software analysis of radiographic films showed a bone resorption of 0.78 +/- 0.36 mm. The mean values were significantly lower (P < or = .005) than a mean reference value of 1.7 mm. PPD did not exceed 3 mm in any site (average, 2.8 mm). Rather than recession, there was a mean gain in the buccal margin of 0.2 mm and a mean gain in papilla height of 0.25 mm. CONCLUSION This proof-of-concept study suggests that immediate loading with platform switching can provide peri-implant hard tissue stability with soft tissue and papilla preservation. (Case Series)
Effects of Glucocorticoids on Apoptosis and Clearance of Apoptotic Cells

The glucocorticoid (GC) drugs are one of the most commonly prescribed and effective anti-inflammatory agents used for the treatment of many inflammatory disorders through their ability to attenuate phlogistic responses. The glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) primarily mediates GC actions via activation or repression of gene expression. GCs directly induce the expression of proteins displaying anti-inflammatory activities. However, the likely predominant effect of GCs is the repression of multiple inflammatory genes that invariably are overexpressed during nonresolving chronic inflammation. Although most GC actions are mediated through regulation of transcription, rapid nongenomic actions have also been reported. In addition, GCs modulate inflammatory cell survival, inducing apoptosis in immature thymocytes and eosinophils, while delaying constitutive neutrophil apoptosis. Importantly, GCs promote noninflammatory phagocytosis of apoptotic cell targets, a process important for the successful resolution of inflammation. Here, the effects and mechanisms of action of GC on inflammatory cell apoptosis and phagocytosis will be discussed.
Credit Channel and Business Cycle: The Role of Tax Evasion

This paper examines the role of tax evasion in explaining the business cycle in a DSGE model with a financial accelerator. For this purpose, we assume that financially constrained agents are tax evaders, taking advantage of an additional margin of flexibility in coping with adverse shocks. In this setting, we simulate a risk shock that propagates its effects in the credit channel via the financial accelerator mechanism. The results show that tax evasion is pro cyclical and strengthens the effects of the financial accelerator. Unlike the standard literature, in which tax evasion cushions business cycle fluctuations, here we find that it amplifies macroeconomic fluctuations considerably.
Matriptase Protects Against Experimental Colitis and Promotes Intestinal Barrier Recovery

Background: Matriptase is a membrane‐anchored serine protease encoded by suppression of tumorigenicity‐14 (ST14) that is required for epithelial barrier homeostasis. However, its functional role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unexplored. Methods: Matriptase expression in control, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis tissue specimens was studied by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunostaining. Matriptase function was investigated by subjecting St14 hypomorphic and control littermates to dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)‐induced colitis and by siRNA silencing in cultured monolayers. Mice were analyzed for clinical, histological, molecular, and cellular effects. Results: Matriptase protein and ST14 mRNA levels are significantly downregulated in inflamed colonic tissues from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients. Matriptase‐deficient St14 hypomorphic mice administered DSS for 7 days followed by water without DSS for 3 days develop a severe colitis, with only 30% of the St14 hypomorphic mice surviving to day 14, compared with 100% of control littermates. Persistent colitis in surviving St14 hypomorphic mice was associated with sustained cytokine production, an inability to recover barrier integrity, and enhanced claudin‐2 expression. Cytokines implicated in barrier disruption during IBD suppress matriptase expression in T84 epithelial monolayers and restoration of matriptase improves barrier integrity in the cytokine‐perturbed monolayers. Conclusions: These data demonstrate a critical role for matriptase in restoring barrier function to injured intestinal mucosa during colitis, which is suppressed by excessive activation of the immune system. Strategies to enhance matriptase‐mediated barrier recovery could be important for intervening in the cycle of inflammation associated with IBD. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2011;)