Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Salicylic Acid Is a Modulator of Tobacco and Mammalian Catalases*

Salicylic acid (SA) plays a key role in the establishment of resistance to microbial pathogens in many plants. The discovery that SA inhibits catalase from tobacco led us to suggest that H2O2 acts as second messenger to activate plant defenses. Detailed analyses of SA's interaction with tobacco and mammalian catalases indicate that SA acts as an electron donor for the peroxidative cycle of catalase. When H2O2 fluxes were relatively low (1 μM/min or less), SA inhibited catalase, consistent with its suggested signaling function via H2O2. However, significant inhibition was only observed at 100 μM SA or more, a level reached in infected, but not in uninfected, leaves. This inhibition was probably due to siphoning catalase into the slow peroxidative reaction. Surprisingly, SA was also able to protect catalase from inactivation by damaging levels of H2O2 (lower millimolar range), which is generally assumed to reflect accumulation of inactive ferro-oxy intermediates. SA did so by supporting or substituting for the protective function of catalase-bound NADPH. These results add new features to SA's interaction with heme enzymes and its in vivo redox properties. Thus, SA, in addition to its proposed signaling function, may also have an important antioxidant role in containing oxidative processes associated with plant defense responses.
Increase of phosphatidylethanolamine N‐methyltransferase activity in the small bowel brush‐border membrane after massive intestinal distal resection in rats

Phosphatidylcholine plays an important role for the structure and function of the cell membrane, and its synthesis from phosphatidylethanolamine is catalyzed by phosphatidylethanolamine N‐methyltransferase (PEMT). This study investigates changes in PEMT activity in the intestinal brush border membrane after extensive distal enterectomy (60%) in 40 Wistar rats. Four groups, each of 10 rats, were killed immediately after surgery (day 0) and on the 7th, 14th and 28th day postoperatively. Samples from jejunum were collected for histomorphometry and PEMT activity was determined by measuring the incorporation of [3H]‐methyl groups from S‐adenosyl‐L‐(methyl‐3H)‐methionine into phospholipids. Enterectomy induced 30%, 48% and 21% increases in the jejunum villus cell population, and 32%, 81%, and 32% in the crypt cell population at postoperative days 7, 14, and 28, respectively. PEMT activity increased 41% at day 14, suggesting functional differentiation, remaining at this level until day 28, when a reduction in the epithelial cell population was observed, thus indicating that adaptation was completed. The observed increase in PEMT‐specific activity in the residual intestine suggests that extensive enterectomy stimulates the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine by the PEMT‐controlled pathway.
Study of a Ferrite LTCC Multifunctional Circulator With Integrated Winding

This paper shows a study of a new ferrite low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) circulator with integrated winding. The external magnets used in traditional circulators must be strong to overcome the ferrite's demagnetization factor. The novel circulator presented herein uses an embedded winding within the ferrite to magnetize the material from the inside, thereby significantly reducing the demagnetization effects. Because of the controllability of the bias field, the resulting device is also multifunctional: when the windings are energized by a current, the device operates as a dynamic circulator in which the circulation direction can be changed by switching the direction of the current. If an external magnet is placed on the circulator, its operating frequency can be changed by adjusting the bias current. Unlike other LTCC circulators with external magnets, the proposed device can even operate as a power splitter by removing the bias current. A circulator prototype has been characterized in three states: unbiased, biased by windings, and biased by windings and external magnets. When no current is applied, the transmission of each port is about -5 dB with a return loss better than 20 dB at 14.8 GHz. When a current of 300 mA is injected into the windings, the measured insertion loss and isolation of the circulator are approximately 3 and 8 dB, respectively, whereas the return loss is better than 20 dB at 14.2 GHz. When external magnets are added in addition to a current of 200 mA, the insertion loss and isolation improve to 1.6 and 23 dB, respectively, at 14.2 GHz. The variation of the circulator's working frequency is 0.6 GHz. This is achieved first by the change of internal magnetization M when current is less than 120 mA, then the heat due to the winding increases the ferrite's μeff, leading to more frequency shifting. The total size(L×W×H)is8mm×8mm×1.1mm.
Echocardiographic evaluation of the effects of dexmedetomidine on cardiac function during total intravenous anaesthesia

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine on biventricular systolic and diastolic function using transoesophageal echocardiography. Cardiac function was assessed in 30 healthy patients who received total intravenous anaesthesia with propofol and remifentanil. The echocardiographic examinations were performed just before and 20, 40 and 60 min after dexmedetomidine or saline administration. Patients who received dexmedetomidine, compared with saline after 20 min, had a lower mean (SD) heart rate (56.7 (5.2) vs 67.1 (7.1) beats.min−1), higher systolic blood pressure (125.7 (18.9) vs 109 (7.9) mmHg), and lower cardiac output (2.9 (0.5) vs 3.7 (1.0) l.min−1), respectively (all p < 0.05). In contrast, no changes were observed in biventricular systolic and diastolic indices in either group, and there were no inter‐group differences at any time point. Dexmedetomidine, as an adjuvant to total intravenous anaesthesia, does not impair biventricular systolic and diastolic function in healthy patients, but decreases cardiac output by reducing heart rate.
Comparative Activities of Clinafloxacin against Gram-Positive and -Negative Bacteria

ABSTRACT Activities of clinafloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, sparfloxacin, trovafloxacin, piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ceftazidime, and imipenem against 354 ciprofloxacin-susceptible and -intermediate-resistant organisms were tested by agar dilution. Clinafloxacin yielded the lowest quinolone MICs (≤0.5 μg/ml against ciprofloxacin-susceptible organisms and ≤16.0 μg/ml against ciprofloxacin-intermediate-resistant organisms) compared to those of levofloxacin, trovafloxacin, and sparfloxacin. Ceftazidime, piperacillin alone or combined with tazobactam, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and imipenem usually yielded higher MICs against ciprofloxacin-resistant strains.
Molecular cartography of globular proteins with application to antigenic sites

A method, molecular cartography, is introduced as a way to quantitate the topographic structure of a protein surface. The method is applied to the problem of antigenic determinants, and it is used to examine local and global topography of reported antigenic regions on the surface of myoglobin and lysozyme. In nine antigenic sites taken from the literature and studied in detail, no local property was found in sites that was not also found in remaining regions of the surface. However, a strong correlation was found between antigenic sites and regions of the surface that are globally exposed. This finding suggests that global exposure of the protein surface may play a primary role in determining the antigenic structure of the protein. Molecular cartography may be useful in other instances of protein–protein interactions such as those between proteolytic enzymes and their substrates.
Trastuzumab in Primary Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC): High Pathological Response Rates and Improved Outcome

Abstract: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) represents a rare but aggressive and lethal form of locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) and frequently with HER‐2 neu overexpressed or amplified. We retrospectively identified 16 newly diagnosed HER‐2/neu‐positive IBC patients who were treated with preoperative trastuzumab. We determined the pathological complete response rate (pCR) when trastuzumab was added to preoperative chemotherapy in patients with HER2/neu‐positive IBC. Furthermore, we assessed the expression of CXCR4 in metastatic recurrence sites. Ten patients (62.5%) achieved a pCR. Six patients (37.5%) achieved a partial response. Median follow‐up of all patients was 24.2 months. Four (25%) patients have experienced a progression, of which three were in the brain. Two‐year progression‐free survival was 59.4% (95% CI 35–100). High expression of CXCR4 was detected in the brain metastases. We conclude that in spite of high pCR rates among women with HER‐2/neu‐positive IBC treated with neoadjuvant trastuzumab‐based regimens the outcome remains dismal and brain recurrences are frequent. CXCR4 may represent a novel therapeutic target.
Stimulation of Cardiac Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium Pump by Acylphosphatase

Ca2+ transport by cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum is tightly coupled with the enzymatic activity of Ca2+-dependent ATPase, which forms and decomposes an intermediate phosphoenzyme. Heart sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump is regulated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) phospholamban phosphorylation, which results in a stimulation of the initial rates of Ca2+ transport and Ca2+ ATPase activity. In the present studies we found that acylphosphatase from heart muscle, used at concentrations within the physiological range, actively hydrolyzes the phosphoenzyme of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump, with an apparent Km on the order of 10−7 M, suggesting an high affinity of the enzyme for this special substrate. In unphosphorylated vesicles acylphosphatase enhanced the rate of ATP hydrolysis and Ca2+ uptake with a concomitant significant decrease in apparent Km for Ca2+ and ATP. In vesicles whose phospholamban was PKA-phosphorylated, acylphosphatase also stimulated the rate of Ca2+ uptake and ATP hydrolysis but to a lesser extent, and the Km values for Ca2+ and ATP were not significantly different with respect to those found in the absence of acylphosphatase. These findings suggest that acylphosphatase, owing to its hydrolytic effect, accelerates the turnover of the phosphoenzyme intermediate with the consequence of an enhanced activity of Ca2+ pump. It is known that phosphorylation of phospholamban results in an increase of the rate at which the phosphoenzyme is decomposed. Thus, as discussed, a competition between phospholamban and acylphosphatase effect on the phosphoenzyme might be proposed to explain why the stimulation induced by this enzyme is less marked in PKA-phosphorylated than in unphosphorylated heart vesicles.
Decentralized Energy Management System for Networked Microgrids in Grid-Connected and Islanded Modes

This paper proposes a decentralized energy management system for the coordinated operation of networked microgirds (MGs) in a distribution system. In the grid-connected mode, the distribution network operator and each MG are considered as distinct entities with individual objectives to minimize their own operation costs. It is assumed that both dispatchable and renewable energy source-based distributed generators (DGs) exist in the distribution network and the networked MGs. In order to coordinate the operation of all entities, we apply a decentralized bi-level algorithm to solve the problem with the first level to conduct negotiations among all entities and the second level to update the non-converging penalties. In the islanded mode, the objective of each MG is to maintain a reliable power supply to its customers. In order to take into account the uncertainties of DG outputs and load consumption, we formulate the problems as two-stage stochastic programs. The first stage is to determine base generation setpoints based on the forecasts and the second stage is to adjust the generation outputs based on the realized scenarios. Case studies of a distribution system with networked MGs demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in both grid-connected and islanded modes.
Algorithms promoting the use of dual supply voltages for power-driven designs

One recent approach for power reduction is to employ different supply voltages for different parts of a design. This paper presents optimization methods that promote the use of dual supply voltages for power-driven designs. We first propose an iterative gate sizing and voltage settling paradigm that progressively scales down the supply voltage under fixed timing constraint. Then, we propose a new physical layout style that supports dual supply voltages for cell-based designs. The new layout style can be automatically generated via a simulated annealing based placement algorithm. Experimental results using the MCNC benchmark circuits show that the proposed techniques produce very encouraging results.
Population pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of rivaroxaban in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT • Population pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of rivaroxaban have been characterized in healthy subjects and in patients with total venous thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis or atrial fibrillation. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS • This article is the first description of the population pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of rivaroxaban in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). It is the largest population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study on rivaroxaban conducted to date (n= 2290). The PK and PK-PD relationship of rivaroxaban in patients with ACS were similar to those in other patient populations. In addition, model-based simulations showed that the influence of renal function and age on the exposure to rivaroxaban in the ACS population were similar to the findings from Phase 1 special population studies. These findings suggest that rivaroxaban has highly predictable PK-PD and may provide a consistent anticoagulant effect across the studied patient populations, which allows an accurate prediction of the dose to control anticoagulation optimally. AIMS The aim of this analysis was to use a population approach to facilitate the understanding of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of rivaroxaban in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to evaluate the influence of patient covariates on the exposure of rivaroxaban in patients with ACS. METHODS A population pharmacokinetic model was developed using pharmacokinetic samples from 2290 patients in Anti-Xa Therapy to Lower Cardiovascular Events in Addition to Standard Therapy in Subjects with Acute Coronary Syndrome Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 46. The relationship between pharmacokinetics and the primary pharmacodynamic end point, prothrombin time, was evaluated. RESULTS The pharmacokinetics of rivaroxaban in patients with ACS was adequately described by an oral one-compartment model. The estimated absorption rate, apparent clearance and volume of distribution were 1.24 h(-1) (interindividual variability, 139%), 6.48 l h(-1) (31%) and 57.9 l (10%), respectively. Simulations indicate that the influences of renal function, age and bodyweight on exposure in ACS patients are consistent with the findings in previous Phase 1 studies. Rivaroxaban plasma concentrations exhibit a close-to-linear relationship with prothrombin time in the ACS population, with little interindividual variability. The estimated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters for the ACS patients were comparable to those for venous thromboembolism prevention, deep vein thrombosis and atrial fibrillation patients. CONCLUSIONS The similarity in pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of rivaroxaban among different patient populations and the low interindividual variability in the exposure-prothrombin time relationship indicate that the anticoagulant effect of rivaroxaban is highly predictable and consistent across all the patient populations studied.
Blockade of tumor cell transforming growth factor-betas enhances cell cycle progression and sensitizes human breast carcinoma cells to cytotoxic chemotherapy.

We have examined the effect of neutralizing TGF-beta antibodies on cisplatin-mediated cytotoxicity against MDA-231 human breast tumor cell spheroids. These tridimensional in vitro systems have been shown to recapitulate the drug sensitivity pattern of tumor cells in vivo. MDA-231 tumor cell spheroids exhibit higher protein levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitors p21 and p27 and >10-fold lower Cdk2 activity compared to adherent cell monolayers, as well as pRb hypophosphorylation, a predominant G1 population, and a cisplatin 1-h IC50 of approximately 100 microM. Treatment of MDA-231 cells in monolayer with cisplatin for 1 h, subsequently grown as spheroids, increased steady-state TGF-beta1 mRNA levels, secretion of active TGF-beta, cellular Cdk2 activity, pRb phosphorylation, and p21 protein levels, while downregulating p27. Accumulation of cells in G2M and progression into S were noted 48 h after treatment with 100 microM cisplatin. We tested whether drug-induced upregulation of TGF-beta1 and p21, perhaps by preventing cell cycle progression, were protective mechanisms against drug-mediated toxicity by using neutralizing anti-TGF-beta antibodies. Anti-TGF-beta antibodies diminished the induction of p21, enhanced the activation of Cdk2, and facilitated progression into S and G2M following cisplatin treatment. This resulted in a >twofold enhancement of drug-induced DNA fragmentation and a shift in the cisplatin 1-h IC50 from 100 to <10 microM. These data suggest that tumor cell TGF-beta1 may protect from DNA damage and that postchemotherapy administration of TGF-beta inhibitors may facilitate progression beyond G1/S, potentially increasing the efficacy of cytotoxic chemotherapy.
Queue-Length Distribution for the Discriminatory Processor-Sharing Queue

In this paper, we study a multiple class discriminatory processor-sharing queue. The queue is assumed to have Poisson input and exponentially distributed service times. In this discipline there are K classes of customers. When there are ni customers present in the system of class ii = 1, ', K, each member of class j receives a fraction of the server's capacity given by αj/âi=1Kniαi. Thus, associated with class i customers is a weight αi which determines the level of service discrimination. For this problem, we find the moments of the queue-length distribution as a solution of linear simultaneous equations. We also prove a heavy traffic limit theorem for the joint queue-length distribution for this queue.
Enhanced Kernel-Based Tracking for Monochromatic and Thermographic Video

In this paper, we present an enhanced kernel-based tracker for monochromatic and thermographic video. The technique presented here employs the image intensity and the Local Binary Pattern (LBP) to construct a two dimensional histogram representative of the grayscale values and the texture of the target under study. With the histogram at hand, we proceed to compute its power density function. The new location of the object is then determined making use of a mean-shift optimisation approach. We illustrate the performance of our method in both, thermographic and monochromatic footages and compare our results to an alternative.
Time-domain RLS-based channel estimation for MIMO OFDM systems

In this paper, an adaptive channel estimation scheme for MIMO OFDM systems based on time-domain training and recursive least squared (RLS) algorithm is proposed. Time orthogonal as well as simultaneously transmitted training sequences are considered. The channel is assumed to be slowly varying time-dispersive, i.e., constant during one OFDM symbol but changing from symbol to symbol. Channel estimation is performed in time-domain followed by zero-forcing equalization in the frequency-domain. The computational complexity is significantly reduced by applying the matrix inversion lemma. Simulation results show that the proposed estimator with time orthogonal training sequences has better estimation performance over a range of Doppler spreads compared to the case when the training sequences are simultaneously transmitted from the different transmit antennas.
Imitation of coarticulatory vowel nasality across words and time

ABSTRACT We investigated phonetic imitation of coarticulatory vowel nasality using an adapted shadowing paradigm in which participants produced a printed word (target) after hearing a different word (prime). Two versions of primes with nasal codas were used: primes with a natural degree of vowel nasality and hypernasalised primes. The version of the prime participants heard varied, whether consistent with their past experience with nasality from the talker or inconsistent, as well as the duration of delay between prime and target. People spontaneously modify coarticulatory nasality to resemble that demonstrated in the prime they were exposed to. Furthermore, this imitation also reflects the degree of nasality demonstrated by overall experience with the speaker’s vowels. The influence of past experience on imitation increases with increased delay between prime and target. Imitation of another speaker appears to involve tracking general articulatory properties about the speaker, and not solely what was specific to the most recent experience.
Quantitative assessment of scleroderma using ultrasound surface wave elastography

Skin stiffening is an early biomarker of many systemic sclerosis or fibrosis diseases. The Modified Rodnan Skin Score (MRSS) is considered the gold standard measurement in the majority of clinical studies of scleroderma or systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, the MRSS is a subjective palpation method. We have developed a noninvasive ultrasound surface wave elastography (USWE) technique for measuring skin elastic properties. The purpose of this abstract is to demonstrate the clinical use of USWE for assessing patients with SSc.
A Growing Fire Hazard Concern in Communities: Home Oxygen Therapy and Continued Smoking Habits

The Safe Home Care Project investigated both qualitatively and quantitatively a range of occupational safety and health hazards, as well as injury and illness prevention practices, among home care aides in Massachusetts. This article reports on a hazard identified by aides during the study's initial focus groups: smoking by home care clients on long-term oxygen therapy. Following the qualitative phase we conducted a cross-sectional survey among 1,249 aides and found that medical oxygen was present in 9 percent of aide visits (314 of aides' 3,484 recent client visits) and that 25 percent of clients on oxygen therapy were described as smokers. Based on our findings, the Board of Health in a local town conducted a pilot study to address fire hazards related to medical oxygen. Medical oxygen combined with smoking or other sources of ignition is a serious fire and explosion hazard that threatens not only workers who visit homes but also communities.