Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA‐101 suppresses liver fibrosis by targeting the TGFβ signalling pathway

Transforming growth factor‐β (TGFβ) is crucial for liver fibrogenesis and the blunting of TGFβ signalling in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) or hepatocytes can effectively inhibit liver fibrosis. microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key regulators in modulating TGFβ signalling and liver fibrogenesis. However, the regulation of TGFβ receptor I (TβRI) production by miRNA remains poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that the miR‐101 family members act as suppressors of TGFβ signalling by targeting TβRI and its transcriptional activator Kruppel‐like factor 6 (KLF6) during liver fibrogenesis. Using a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced liver fibrosis, we conducted a time‐course experiment and observed significant down‐regulation of miR‐101 in the fibrotic liver as well as in the activated HSCs and injured hepatocytes in the process of liver fibrosis. Meanwhile, up‐regulation of TβRI/KLF6 was observed in the fibrotic liver. Subsequent investigations validated that TβRI and KLF6 were direct targets of miR‐101. Lentivirus‐mediated ectopic expression of miR‐101 in liver greatly reduced CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis, whereas intravenous administration of antisense miR‐101 oligonucleotides aggravated hepatic fibrogenesis. Mechanistic studies revealed that miR‐101 inhibited profibrogenic TGFβ signalling by suppressing TβRI expression in both HSCs and hepatocytes. Additionally, miR‐101 promoted the reversal of activated HSCs to a quiescent state, as indicated by suppression of proliferation and migration, loss of activation markers and gain of quiescent HSC‐specific markers. In hepatocytes, miR‐101 attenuated profibrogenic TGFβ signalling and suppressed the consequent up‐regulation of profibrogenic cytokines, as well as TGFβ‐induced hepatocyte apoptosis and the inhibition of cell proliferation. The pleiotropic roles of miR‐101 in hepatic fibrogenesis suggest that it could be a potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Australian Institute of Criminology 3 American Psychiatric Association Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

This Trends and Issues is the first in a series that will focus specifically on women's issues in crime and criminal justice. The topic of premenstrual tension is a fitting, if controversial one with which to begin the series. It lacks credibility as a syndrome in certain sections of the community, and feminists fear that its use in the courts will revive biological deterministic theories of male superiority. It continues to be a cause of controversy and dissension in both the medical and legal professions. This Trends and Issues examines the research that links PMS and deviant criminal behaviour. It also discusses possible ways that PMS could be used in the courts, and reviews its application to date as a defence strategy both in Australia and overseas. The reality of this disorder and its consequences for a small minority of women should not be ignored. Women and Crime: Premenstrual Issues is an important contribution to the Australian literature on criminology. Duncan Chappell Director
Using Equilibria and Virtual Holonomic Constraints to Generate Families of Walking Gaits

We present a principled approach to generating walking gaits for pointand curved-feet, underactuated, multi-degreeof-freedom, 2D and 3D biped walkers subject to a biped’s hybrid dynamics and user-defined virtual holonomic constraints (constraints that are enforced through feedback control). Specifically, we combine numerical continuation methods (NCM) and the hybrid zero dynamics (HZD) framework to generate families of gaits starting from equilibria of the biped model that satisfy the hybrid dynamics and virtual holonomic constraints (VHC) [1], [2]. The main contribution of the NCM-HZD framework is a topological approach to gait generation. Under this formulation, gaits form connected components in a finite parameter space. As we are interested in generating gaits from equilibria, we give a sufficient condition for when the connected component of an equilibrium point contains a branch of walking gaits. We cannot prove that these conditions hold for all bipeds, but we give a fast and simple computational test that reports whether the condition holds for a given robot. We have had success generating gaits for a representative set of bipeds, including a point-foot model of Boston Dynamics’ Atlas robot.
The Association Between Lower Extremity Continuous Peripheral Nerve Blocks and Patient Falls After Knee and Hip Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND: Continuous peripheral nerve blocks (CPNB) may induce muscle weakness, and multiple recently published series emphasize patient falls after postarthroplasty CPNB. However, none have included an adequate control group, and therefore the relationship between CPNB and falls remains speculative. METHODS: We pooled data from 3 previously published, randomized, triple-masked, placebo-controlled studies of CPNB involving the femoral nerve after knee and hip arthroplasty. RESULTS: No patients receiving perineural saline (n = 86) fell (0%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0%–5%), but there were 7 falls in 6 patients receiving perineural ropivacaine (n = 85; 7%; 95% CI = 3%–15%; Fisher's exact test P = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis suggests that there is a causal relationship between CPNB and the risk of falling after knee and hip arthroplasty.
Optimal scheduling for high speed uplink packet access - a cross-layer approach

With the increasing proliferation of new services requiring low-delay and/or high-rate uplinks, such as image/video-upload high-rate streaming, there is an associated need for flexible and fair uplink scheduling. Especially, the design of a high speed uplink packet access (HSUPA) radio link scheme for future use mirrors this need. Recently, a number of uplink and downlink scheduling schemes based on combined optimization of the physical layer and the data link layer (so called cross-layer design), were presented (Boche, H. et al., 2003; Neely, M.J. et al., 2003). We extend recent works to the case of arbitrary fading channels. We concentrate on the stability of the queue system as an objective for scheduling and utilize the drift technique for the design of scheduling policies under fading. We propose a simple spatial scheduling policy achieving the largest possible stability region equal to the ergodic capacity region of the multiple access channel (MAC). We show its efficiency and ease of its implementation. Finally, we state several bounds and asymptotics describing the behaviour of the queue system under the optimal policy.
Xenopus laevis 28 S ribosomal RNA : a secondary structure model and Its evolutionary and functional implications

Based upon the three experimentally derived models of E. coli 23S rRNA (1-3) and the partial model for yeast 26S rRNA (4), which was deduced by homology to JJ. coli. we derived a secondary structure model for Xenopus laevis 28S rRNA. This is the first complete model presented for eukaryotic 28S rRNA. Compensatory base changes support the general validity of our model and offer help to resolve which of the three E. coli models is correct in regions where they are different from one another. Eukaryotic rDNA is longer than prokaryotic rDHA by virtue of introns, expansion segments and transcribed spacers, all of which are discussed relative to our secondary structure model. Comments are made on the evolutionary origins of these three categories and the processing fates of their transcripts. Functionally important sites on our 28S rRNA secondary structure model are suggested by analogy for ribosomal protein binding, the GTPase center, the peptidyl transferase center, and for rRNA interaction with tRNA and 5S RNA. We discuss how RNA-RNA interactions may play a vital role in translocation.
Dendritic End Inhibition in Large-Field Visual Neurons of the Fly

The extraction of optic flow fields by visual systems is crucial for course stabilization during locomotion, and relies on feedforward and lateral integration of visual inputs. Here we report a novel form of systemic, motion-sensitive lateral suppression in the dendrites of large, flow-field-selective neurons in the fly's visual lobes. Using in vivo Calcium-imaging and intracellular recordings, we demonstrate that responses in dendrites, but not axon terminals, are end inhibited by flanking gratings both in the vertical and horizontal systems. We show evidence for a mechanism involving wide-field dendritic inhibition that exceeds the retinotopic spatial extent of the dendrites. Using compartmental modeling, we point out a possible function in enhancing selectivity for optic flow fields. Our results suggest that lateral suppression is a common element serving similar functional requirements in different visual systems.
Children at Risk for Learning Disorders: Multiple Perspectives

This study examined the contribution of a multidimensional model of risk factors in explaining adaptive functioning among 5- to 6.5-year-old kindergartners with mild developmental delays who were considered at risk for developing learning disorders. Risk factors included (a) child characteristics, (b) maternal and familial ecological variables, and (c) the child's attachment style as perceived by the mother. The sample included 145 Israeli mother—child dyads: 70 mothers and their children at risk for developing learning disorders (51 boys, 19 girls) and 75 mothers and their typically developing children (46 boys, 29 girls) from the same general education kindergartens. Data were collected from children's self-reports, mothers' narratives, and teachers' ratings. Path analysis examined the multidimensional risk model for the two groups. The study indicated a high fit between the theoretical model and the empirical findings and showed a different pattern of relations between the model's components for the two populations studied.
Measurement of impaired self-awareness after traumatic brain injury: a comparison of the patient competency rating scale and the awareness questionnaire

Primary objective: To compare the Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS) and the Awareness Questionnaire (AQ) in the measurement of impaired self-awareness (ISA) in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Research design: Prospective cohort of patients seen for inpatient rehabilitation following TBI. Procedures: Measures of self-awareness were collected at resolution of post-traumatic amnesia and outcomes (rated employability) were collected at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Outcomes and results: Subjects were 129 persons with TBI. Measures from the PCRS and AQ showed moderate correlations. Models using as predictors patient/clinician discrepancies for the PCRS and the AQ performed comparably in predicting employability (Nagelkerke R2 = 0.22 and 0.20, respectively). Conclusions: The PCRS and AQ showed only moderate correlations, but performed comparably as measures of ISA after TBI. Patient/clinician discrepancies appeared to be more valid measures of ISA early after TBI than patient/family discrepancies. Preliminary cutting points for severity of ISA were presented for the two scales.
A role for the non‐receptor tyrosine kinase ACK1 in TNF‐alpha‐mediated apoptosis and proliferation in human intestinal epithelial caco‐2 cells

The roles of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐alpha) and its mediators in cellular processes related to intestinal diseases remain elusive. In this study, we aimed to determine the biological role of activated Cdc42‐associated kinase 1 (ACK1) in TNF‐alpha‐mediated apoptosis and proliferation in Caco‐2 cells. ACK1 expression was knocked down using ACK1‐specific siRNAs, and ACK1 activity was disrupted using a small molecule ACK1 inhibitor. The Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin‐dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL) and the BrdU incorporation assays were used to measure apoptosis and cell proliferation, respectively. ACK1‐specific siRNA and the pharmacological ACK1 inhibitor significantly abrogated the TNF‐alpha‐mediated anti‐apoptotic effects and proliferation of Caco‐2 cells. Interestingly, TNF‐alpha activated ACK1 at tyrosine 284 (Tyr284), and the ErbB family of proteins was implicated in ACK1 activation in Caco‐2 cells. ACK1‐Tyr284 was required for protein kinase B (AKT) activation, and ACK1 signaling was mediated through recruiting and phosphorylating the down‐stream adaptor protein AKT, which likely promoted cell proliferation in response to TNF‐alpha. Moreover, ACK1 activated AKT and Src enhanced nuclear factor‐кB (NF‐кB) activity, suggesting a correlation between NF‐кB signaling and TNF‐alpha‐mediated apoptosis in Caco‐2 cells. Our results demonstrate that ACK1 plays an important role in modulating TNF‐alpha‐induced aberrant cell proliferation and apoptosis, mediated in part by ACK1 activation. ACK1 and its down‐stream effectors may hold promise as therapeutic targets in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, in particular, those induced by chronic intestinal inflammation.
Deterioration of spermatozoal plasma membrane is associated with an increase of sperm lyso‐phosphatidylcholines

Summary. Spermatozoa with plasma membranes that lost their asymmetry or permeability for larger molecules can be identified by binding of annexin V to membrane phosphatidylserine (PS). Paramagnetic annexin‐V‐conjugated microbeads (AN‐MB) can be used to eliminate these spermatozoa by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS). Semen samples of six healthy volunteers with normal spermiogram parameters were divided into two sperm fractions by MACS as a function of bound AN‐MB, and their individual lipid compositions were examined by matrix‐assisted laser desorption and ionisation time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS). As a model system, liposomes composed of phosphatidylcholines (PC) from egg yolk were digested by phospholipase A2 (PLA2). The MALDI‐TOF mass spectra of organic extracts of both sperm subpopulations differed significantly. The ratio between lyso‐phosphatidylcholine LPC 16 : 0 and PC 16 : 0/22 : 6 was approximately 2.5–4.7‐fold higher (median 2.9) in the sperm group binding AN‐MB than in spermatozoa with intact membrane unable to bind AN‐MB. The ratio between LPC 22 : 6 and PC 16 : 0/22 : 6 was also enhanced in the spermatozoa with impaired membrane structure (factor in the range: 1.9–3.9; median 2.6). These alterations corresponded to the effects of PLA2 on artificial phospholipids. It is concluded that spermatozoa with deteriorated membrane and exposed PS are characterized by an increased lyso‐phosphatidylcholine content that is likely generated by phospholipases.
Investigation of Wet-Etching- and Multiinterconnection-Based TSV and Application in 3-D Hetero-Integration

Through-silicon-via (TSV) fabrication using deep reactive-ion etching has many constraints, such as complicated process and high cost. This paper presents a novel fabrication method of TSVs based on double-sided anisotropic wet etching of (100)-oriented silicon wafer. To increase the I/O interconnection density, a metallization process of TSVs with multiinterconnection is first proposed and realized by spray coating and semiadditive plating process. Both TSVs with one wire and four wires are designed and fabricated. The open/short test validates the feasibility of the process, and the electrical resistances are about 1.2 and 0.2 Ω, respectively. The proposed TSV with multiinterconnection is applied to the interposer fabrication, which is designed for the 3-D hetero-integration of GaAs photodetector and readout circuit, and demonstrates its application. This fabrication method is featured by both low cost and relatively high interconnection density. In addition, it has the advantages of simple process and reliable electrical interconnection, with potential applications to low or middle interconnection density cases.
A Balanced Scorecard Approach to Measure the Value of Enterprise Architecture

The value returned by Enterprise Architecture (EA) is being viewed with increasing consideration by researchers and practitioners. They struggle to justify the EA investments made. Quantifying the Enterprise Architecture benefits has always been a challenge because measurements and real value delivered can not often be expressed in simple technical oriented metrics only.In this paper we suggest a multi-perspective framework, based on the concept of Balanced Scorecard (BSC), for providing guidance about where to identify and quantify the value of EA from the perspective of management. A derived methodology is used to localize a few selected Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) for measuring the benefits of Enterprise Architecture that help practitioners to design and implement the suggested framework.
Automatic pitch accent contour transcription for Indian languages

In this paper, an automatic method to transcribe the pitch accent contour from the speech signal is presented. Pitch contour transcription refers to the labeling of temporal variations of the pitch contour of the speech signal with finite number of discrete labels. Pitch contour is derived from the zero frequency filtered (ZFF) speech signal. A non-linear smoothing technique is used to remove the spurious pitch values in the pitch contour. An intonation like contour is obtained by removing trend in the pitch contour. The location of the tonal variations in the intonation phrases is identified and assigned with appropriate tone label. Pitch contour transcription is derived using tonal labels and the corresponding timing information from the pitch contour. The Automatic pitch contour transcription system is evaluated using read, extempore and conversation modes of speech from 11 Indian languages. For each mode of speech, the speaker-wise subjective evaluation is carried out for 11 Indian languages to validate the correctness of the proposed automatic pitch contour transcription method.
Effect of thyroid activity modulation on some histological and biochemical aspects in broiler chicks.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of thyroid gland activity modulation (Hyper or hypothyroidism) on energy utilization in broiler chickens. Two hundred and forty one-day-old Cobb broiler chicks were distributed into three dietary metabolizable energy (ME) treatment groups (80 chicks each). The control group (E0) was fed basal diet (3150 kcal/kg diet), the second group (E1) was fed low ME diet (3000, kcal/kg diet) with different thyroidal treatments and the third group (E2) was fed very low ME diet (2850 kcal/kg diet) with thyroidal treatments. Thyroidal treatments were applied at the beginning of the 2 nd week, where (T0) was a control treatment; two hyperthyroidism groups induced by administration of Eltroxin (T1) or calcium iodide (T2), and hypothyroidism group induced by carbimazole administration (T3). Results showed that plasma thyroidal hormones (T 3, T4) concentrations and their ratio T3 / T4 showed considerable changes related to thyroidal treatments. Plasma glucagon (G) level was significantly increased while insulin (I) level and I / G ratio were significantly decreased as affected by lowenergy diets. Carbimazole administration group had the lowest plasma insulin level and I / G ratio compared to other treatments. Moreover, calcium iodide significantly increased adenosine triphosphate (ATP), Total adenylate (TA) and phosphate potential (PP) while carbimazole significantly decreased adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP). Histological examination of thyroid gland sections reflect the beneficial use of calcium iodide (CaI) as a safe additive without hazards effect on thyroid gland histology. Results suggested that calcium iodide could be used to maximize the utilization of lowenergy diets, via its modulating action of thyroid gland activity.
A New Instrument for Measuring Tibial Torsion in Pediatric Patients

Objective To develop and test the validity and reliability of a new instrument for measuring the thigh-foot angle (TFA) for the patients with in-toeing and out-toeing gait. Methods The new instrument (Thigh-Foot Supporter [TFS]) was developed by measuring the TFA during regular examination of the tibial torsional status. The study included 40 children who presented with in-toeing and out-toeing gaits. We took a picture of each case to measure photographic-TFA (P-TFA) in the proper position and to establish a criterion. Study participants were examined by three independent physicians (A, B, and C) who had one, three and ten years of experience in the field, respectively. Each examiner conducted a separate classical physical examination (CPE) of every participant using a gait goniometer followed by a TFA assessment of each pediatric patient with or without the TFS. Thirty minutes later, repeated in the same way was measured. Results Less experienced examiner A showed significant differences between the TFA values depending on whether TFS used (left p=0.003 and right p=0.008). However, experienced examiners B and C did not show significant differences. Using TFS, less experienced examiner A showed a high validity and all examiner's inter-test and the inter-personal reliabilities increased. Conclusion TFS may increase validity and reliability in measuring tibial torsion in patients who has a rotational problem in lower extremities. It would be more useful in less experienced examiners.
Adaptive regulation of bile salt transporters in kidney and liver in obstructive cholestasis in the rat.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Cholestasis results in adaptive regulation of bile salt transport proteins in hepatocytes that may limit liver injury. However, it is not known if changes also occur in the expression of bile salt transporters that reside in extrahepatic tissues, particularly the kidney, which might facilitate bile salt excretion during obstructive cholestasis. METHODS RNA and protein were isolated from liver and kidney 14 days after common bile duct ligation in rats and assessed by RNA protection assays, Western analysis, and tissue immunofluorescence. Sodium-dependent bile salt transport was also measured in brush border membrane vesicles from the kidney. RESULTS After common bile duct ligation, serum bile salts initially rose and then declined to lower levels after 3 days. In contrast, urinary bile salt excretion rose progressively over the 2-week period. By that time, the ileal sodium-dependent bile salt transporter messenger RNA and protein expression in total liver had increased to 300% and 200% of controls, respectively, while falling to 46% and 37% of controls, respectively, in the kidney. Sodium-dependent uptake of (3)H-taurocholate in renal brush border membrane vesicles was decreased. In contrast, the multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 expression in the kidney was increased 2-fold, even 1 day after ligation. Immunofluorescent studies confirmed the changes in the expression of these transporters in liver and kidney. CONCLUSIONS These studies show that the molecular expression of bile salt transporters in the kidney and cholangiocytes undergo adaptive regulation after common bile duct obstruction in the rat. These responses may facilitate extrahepatic pathways for bile salt excretion during cholestasis.