Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial/Antibiofilm Activity and Cytotoxic Studies of β‐Thujaplicin Derivatives

Natural β‐thujaplicin displays a remarkable array of biological activities for the prevention or treatment of various disorders while its tropolone scaffold inspired the synthesis of new analogs. The main goal of the current study was to evaluate the influence of 4‐substituted piperazine moieties at position 7 of the β‐thujaplicin scaffold, on the antimicrobial activity. In order to determine the biological activity of the β‐thujaplicin derivatives, a microdilution method was used against a wide variety of bacteria and fungi. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO 1 was used for testing antiquorum and antibiofilm effects. Four human tumor cell lines (MCF‐7, NCI‐H460, HeLa, and HepG2) and a porcine liver derived cell line (PLP2) were used for testing antitumor and cytotoxic activity. The compounds present better antibacterial and antifungal activity in comparison with approved antimicrobials used as control agents. β‐Thujaplicin showed strong antibacterial and antifungal activities against all tested species. Further studies of their antibacterial activity revealed that all compounds presented good antibiofilm and antiquorum effects. Fungi were more susceptible than bacteria to the tested compounds, with the exception of MK150, which possessed the best antibacterial effect. None of the tested compounds, at the GI50 values obtained for the tumor cell lines, have shown toxicity for non‐tumor liver cells (PLP2). The prediction of physicochemical properties of the compounds was performed to further explain the structure–activity relationship. Finally, in order to explore a possible mechanism of action of the synthesized compounds, molecular docking studies were performed on CYP51 (14‐a lanosterol demethylase), an important component of the fungal cell membrane.
Design of structured dynamic output-feedback controllers for interconnected systems

We address the design of structured controllers for networks of interconnected multivariable discrete-time subsystems. Different from existing approaches, where the structure of the controller is fixed a priori, we aim to design decentralised controllers such that each subsystem has a controller, which may not only use the output of its own associated subsystem, but also selected outputs of other subsystems. The total number of all those additional outputs used is to be minimised, while satisfying a guaranteed level of ℋ∞-performance. For the resulting non-convex optimisation problem, we first present a novel characterisation of the ℋ∞-performance of the closed-loop system by means of a system augmentation approach. Then, stimulated from compressive sensing theory, we propose a weighted ℓ1-minimisation to relax the ℓ0 objective function for structure optimisation. We develop an algorithm to deal with the relaxed decentralisation control problem, where the controller is obtained by iteratively solving convex optimisation problems. In addition, an iterative algorithm is developed to optimise the initial values such that the solvability of the decentralised control problem is further improved. Finally, an example is given to show the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Distributed H ∞ consensus of multi-agent systems: a performance region-based approach

This article addresses the distributed H ∞ consensus problem of multi-agent systems with general linear node dynamics using relative output measurements. The notion of H ∞ consensus performance region is first introduced and then analysed as a basis for the protocol design. A new kind of distributed observer-type H ∞ protocols is further proposed. Theoretical analysis indicates that the distributed H ∞ consensus problem can be solved if and only if the coupling strength of the protocol belongs to the H ∞ performance region of the closed-loop network. Finally, some numerical simulations are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Guaranteed performance in semi global trajectory tracking for matched disturbance nonlinear systems

In this article, we present a semi global trajectory tracking approach that guarantees a priori computable L 2 and L ∞ performance bounds for matched disturbance control affine systems. The proposed controller is derived by combining a standard inverse control technique with an extended nonlinear robust state feedback. The latter is based on a control Lyapunov function used for stabilising one operating point inside the considered state space. A difference gradient formulation of this Lyapunov function is then applied to prove stabilisation along any trajectory in the considered state space. Results for L 2 and L ∞ bounded disturbances will be presented and further extended to the case of actuator uncertainties and disturbance offsets. The theoretical contributions are verified applying them to a numerical example.
Pediatric health‐related quality of life after intestinal transplantation

Ngo KD, Farmer DG, McDiarmid SV, Artavia K, Ament ME, Vargas J, Busuttil RW, Colangelo J, Esmailian Y, Gordon‐Burroughs S, Duffy J, Venick RS. Pediatric health‐related quality of life after intestinal transplantation. Pediatr Transplantation 2011: 15: 849–854. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Bounds and invariant sets for a class of discrete-time switching systems with perturbations

We present a novel method to compute componentwise ultimate bounds and invariant regions for a class of switching discrete-time linear systems with perturbation bounds that may depend nonlinearly on a delayed state. The method has the important advantage that it allows each component of the perturbation vector to have an independent bound and that the bounds and sets obtained are also given componentwise. This componentwise method does not employ a standard norm for bounding either the perturbation or state vectors, and thus may avoid conservativeness due to different perturbation or state vector components having substantially different bounds. We also establish the relationship between the class of switching linear systems to which the proposed method can be applied and those that admit a common quadratic Lyapunov function. We illustrate the application of our method via numerical examples, including the fault tolerance analysis of the feedback control of a winding machine.
Reinforcement learning for adaptive optimal control of unknown continuous-time nonlinear systems with input constraints

In this paper, an adaptive reinforcement learning-based solution is developed for the infinite-horizon optimal control problem of constrained-input continuous-time nonlinear systems in the presence of nonlinearities with unknown structures. Two different types of neural networks (NNs) are employed to approximate the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation. That is, an recurrent NN is constructed to identify the unknown dynamical system, and two feedforward NNs are used as the actor and the critic to approximate the optimal control and the optimal cost, respectively. Based on this framework, the action NN and the critic NN are tuned simultaneously, without the requirement for the knowledge of system drift dynamics. Moreover, by using Lyapunov’s direct method, the weights of the action NN and the critic NN are guaranteed to be uniformly ultimately bounded, while keeping the closed-loop system stable. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the present approach, simulation results are illustrated.
Elucidating bone marrow edema and myelopoiesis in murine arthritis using contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE While bone marrow edema (BME) detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a biomarker of arthritis, its nature remains poorly understood due to the limitations of clinical studies. In this study, MRI of murine arthritis was used to elucidate its cellular composition and vascular involvement. METHODS BME was quantified using normalized bone marrow intensity (NBMI) from precontrast MRI and normalized marrow contrast enhancement (NMCE) following intravenous administration of gadopentate dimeglumine. Wild-type (WT) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-transgenic mice were scanned from 2 to 5 months of age, followed by histologic or fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis of marrow. In efficacy studies, TNF-transgenic mice were treated with anti-TNF or placebo for 8 weeks, and then were studied using bimonthly MRI and histologic analysis. RESULTS NBMI values were similar in WT and TNF-transgenic mice at 2 months. The values in WT mice steadily decreased thereafter, with mean values becoming significantly different from those of TNF-transgenic mice at 3.5 months (mean +/- SD 0.29 +/- 0.08 versus 0.46 +/- 0.13; P < 0.05). Red to yellow marrow transformation occurred in WT but not TNF-transgenic mice, as observed histologically at 5 months. The marrow of TNF-transgenic mice that received anti-TNF therapy converted to yellow marrow, with lower NBMI values versus placebo at 6 weeks (mean +/- SD 0.26 +/- 0.07 versus 0.61 +/- 0.22; P < 0.05). FACS analysis of bone marrow revealed a significant correlation between NBMI values and CD11b+ monocytes (R2 = 0.91, P = 0.0028). Thresholds for "normal" red marrow versus pathologic BME were established, and it was also found that inflammatory marrow is highly permeable to contrast agent. CONCLUSION BME signals in TNF-transgenic mice are caused by yellow to red marrow conversion, with increased myelopoiesis and increased marrow permeability. The factors that mediate these changes warrant further investigation.
Functional observer for linear parameter-varying systems with application to diagnosis of PEM fuel cell

This paper is a contribution to the problem of functional observers for linear parameter-varying () systems. The goal is twofold. First, we propose an extension of some results of literature on functional observers, established originally for linear systems, to systems. The design of these observers are based on linear interpolation principle according to each parameter. Besides, sufficient conditions for asymptotic convergence are expressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities, easily tractable by convex optimisation techniques. Second, we show how this new result can be used to investigate the problem of diagnosis for proton electrolyte membrane fuel cell. More precisely, we deal with the problem of flooding considered as an important issue for water management inside the fuel cell. Finally, simulation results are given in order to highlight the performances of the proposed approach.
Inhibition of Oxygen-induced Retinal Neovascularization in the Neonatal Rat by Green Tea Extract

To investigate the effect of green tea extract (GTE) on oxygen-induced neovascularization (NV) in neonatal rat model, NV was induced by maintaining neonatal rats in 80% oxygen on a cycle of 23.5h oxygen/0.5h room air until postnatal day 12 (P12), when the rats were placed in room air. The control rats were maintained in room air. From P6 to P17, rats were treated once daily by oral administration of saline (50μl/10g body weight) that contained 25% GTE, 12.5% GTE, or nothing. On P18, the rats were sacrificed and the retinal samples were collected. Retinal NV was scored and avascular areas (AVAs) were measured in ADPase stained retinas. The retinal vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) contents were measured with immunoassay kit, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity was determined by gelatin zymography. GTE (25%) treatment suppressed NV and slightly increased AVAs in oxygen-induced NV model compared with the control. VEGF contents in retina significantly increased on P13 and P15, but GTE treatment did not prevent the increase of VEGF contents. Oxygen-induced increases in MMP-2 activity on P13 and P15 were suppressed by GTE treatment. These results suggest that GTE suppressed oxygen-induced NV in the neonatal rat, possibly through inhibition of MMP-2 activity. It also suggests that orally administered green tea has the potential to inhibit neovascular disease.
Outcome of the radical hypofractioned radiotherapy treatment in patients with stage I and II of non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract Introduction: Surgery is the treatment of choice in stage I and II non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the management of patients who are medically unfit to tolerate surgical intervention or who refuse surgery, radiotherapy is an acceptable alternative. We have performed a retrospective analysis of the effectiveness of radical radiotherapy in patients with early stage NSCLC treated over a period of 4 years. Methods: Thirty nine patients treated with radiotherapy of radical intent were identified. All patients received hypofractionated radiotherapy with a total dose of 55Gy in 20 fractions. Results: The median survival of all cases was 29 months. The one and two-year survival was respectively 61 % and 41%. The median survival of patients ≥75 years was 28 months, and age was the only prognostic factor identified in this analysis that affected survival. Conclusions: The presented survival results are consistent with those from other series published in the literature. At present, radical radiotherapy is often offered to patients with medically inoperable stage I and II NSCLC or those who decline surgery. But there is emerging evidence that some new techniques like stereotactic radiotherapy could be also used in the operable, early stage NSCLC.
Association of body fat with C-reactive protein in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE The serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration is commonly used in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as a surrogate marker of systemic inflammation, presumably induced by synovitis. However, other tissues, such as adipose tissue, can induce CRP production. This study was undertaken to explore the associations between measures of adiposity and CRP levels in RA. METHODS One hundred ninety-six men and women with RA underwent anthropometric assessment and total body dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for measurement of total and regional body fat and lean mass. The associations between measures of fat and lean mass and serum levels of CRP and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined in analyses stratified by sex, with adjustment for pertinent demographic, lifestyle, and RA disease and treatment covariates as well as for the potential modifying effects of articular activity and biologic pharmacotherapeutic agents. RESULTS All measures of adiposity were significantly associated with the level of CRP in women, but not in men. In women, the measure of adiposity that showed the strongest association with the CRP level was truncal fat, in which, in adjusted analyses, each kilogram increase was associated with a 0.101-unit increase in the logarithmically transformed CRP level (P < 0.001). Neither the level of articular activity nor the use of biologic agents significantly modified this association in women. However, in men, elevated articular involvement was associated with a decreasing CRP level as truncal fat increased. For all analyses, substitution of IL-6 for CRP produced similar findings. CONCLUSION Adiposity is independently associated with CRP levels in women with RA, and thus may confound the estimation of RA disease activity when serum CRP concentration is used as a surrogate for systemic inflammation.
Predictors of treatment resistance and relapse in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated small-vessel vasculitis: comparison of two independent cohorts.

OBJECTIVE Predictors of treatment resistance and relapse have been identified in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis in the Glomerular Disease Collaborative Network (GDCN) in the southeastern US. This study was undertaken to evaluate the applicability of those predictors in an independent cohort followed up by the French Vasculitis Study Group. METHODS Predictors of treatment resistance were evaluated using logistic regression models and reported as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Predictors of relapse were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models and reported as hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs. Models were controlled for age, sex, race, baseline serum creatinine level, and cyclophosphamide therapy. RESULTS The French cohort (n = 434) and the GDCN cohort (n = 350) had similar median followup periods (44 months versus 45 months) and initial percentages of patients taking cyclophosphamide (82% versus 78%). The French cohort included more patients with proteinase 3 (PR3) ANCA (58% versus 40%), lung involvement (58% versus 49%), and upper respiratory tract involvement (62% versus 31%). Of the predictors of treatment resistance in the GDCN cohort (female sex, African American race, presence of myeloperoxidase ANCA, elevated creatinine level, and age), only age predicted treatment resistance in the French cohort (OR 1.32 per 10 years [95% CI 1.05-1.66]). Predictors of relapse in the GDCN cohort were PR3 ANCA (HR 1.77 [95% CI 1.11-2.82]), lung involvement (HR 1.68 [95% CI 1.10-2.57), and upper respiratory tract involvement (HR 1.58 [95% CI 1.00-2.48]), while predictors in the French cohort were PR3 ANCA (HR 1.66 [95% CI 1.15-2.39]) and lung involvement (HR 1.56 [95% CI 1.11-2.20]), but not upper respiratory tract involvement (HR 0.96 [95% CI 0.67-1.38]). CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that older age is a predictor of treatment resistance, and that PR3 ANCA and lung involvement are predictors of relapse in both cohorts. Discrepancies in predictors of treatment tract resistance may reflect differences in access to care, and differences in predictors of relapse may reflect variations in disease expression.
Estimation of asymptotic stability regions via composite homogeneous polynomial Lyapunov functions

In this article, we present a new method to estimate the asymptotic stability regions for a class of nonlinear systems via composite homogeneous polynomial Lyapunov functions, where these nonlinear systems are approximated as a convex hull of some linear systems. Since level set of the composite homogeneous polynomial Lyapunov functions is a union set of several homogeneous polynomial functions, the composite homogeneous polynomial Lyapunov functions are nonconservative compared with quadratic or homogeneous polynomial Lyapunov functions. Numerical examples are used to illustrate the effectiveness of our method.
Adaptive suboptimal second-order sliding mode control for microgrids

ABSTRACT This paper deals with the design of adaptive suboptimal second-order sliding mode (ASSOSM) control laws for grid-connected microgrids. Due to the presence of the inverter, of unpredicted load changes, of switching among different renewable energy sources, and of electrical parameters variations, the microgrid model is usually affected by uncertain terms which are bounded, but with unknown upper bounds. To theoretically frame the control problem, the class of second-order systems in Brunovsky canonical form, characterised by the presence of matched uncertain terms with unknown bounds, is first considered. Four adaptive strategies are designed, analysed and compared to select the most effective ones to be applied to the microgrid case study. In the first two strategies, the control amplitude is continuously adjusted, so as to arrive at dominating the effect of the uncertainty on the controlled system. When a suitable control amplitude is attained, the origin of the state space of the auxiliary system becomes attractive. In the other two strategies, a suitable blend between two components, one mainly working during the reaching phase, the other being the predominant one in a vicinity of the sliding manifold, is generated, so as to reduce the control amplitude in steady state. The microgrid system in a grid-connected operation mode, controlled via the selected ASSOSM control strategies, exhibits appreciable stability properties, as proved theoretically and shown in simulation.
B cell depletion with rituximab in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the safety of rituximab, to provide preliminary data regarding the potential efficacy of rituximab, and to investigate the effects of rituximab on autoimmunity and fibrosis in patients with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc). METHODS Fifteen patients with dcSSc, all of whom experienced their first non-Raynaud's disease-associated disease manifestation within 18 months of trial entry, were recruited to receive 2 intravenous doses of rituximab (1,000 mg), administered 2 weeks apart. Safety, clinical, and exploratory outcomes were evaluated at baseline and at 6 months. The primary outcome was the change in the modified Rodnan skin thickness score (MRSS) at 6 months compared with baseline. RESULTS Adverse events included frequent infusion reactions and rare infections (urinary tract infection and dental abscess occurred in 1 patient each). The mean change in the MRSS between baseline and 6 months was not significant. Results of pulmonary function tests and other measures of major organ involvement were stable. The modest B cell infiltrates that were present in most skin biopsy specimens at baseline were completely depleted at 6 months in most patients. Autoantibody titers showed only modest and variable changes after treatment. CONCLUSION In this pilot study, treatment with rituximab appeared to be safe and well tolerated among patients with dcSSc. Rituximab treatment resulted in both depletion of circulating B cells and depletion of dermal B cells but had little effect on the levels of SSc-associated autoantibodies. Rituximab treatment did not appear to result in a significant beneficial effect on skin disease. The potential efficacy of rituximab in other organs such as the lung could not be clearly evaluated in this small open-label trial.
Influence of preoperative patient education on the risk of dislocation after primary total hip arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE Dislocation is a well-known complication after total hip arthroplasty (THA), and is the second-highest cause of revision surgery. Our objective was to assess the effect of preoperative patient education on the occurrence of hip dislocation within 6 months after primary THA. METHODS Between 1998 and 2007, we conducted a prospective cohort study at the Geneva University Hospital Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, including all primary THAs performed via an anterolateral transgluteal approach with the use of a 28-mm diameter head. The preoperative education session was introduced in June 2002 and included advice on muscle strengthening exercises and postoperative restrictions of range of motion as a means of preventing dislocation. The main outcome was the incidence of dislocation within 6 months of surgery. RESULTS A total of 597 patients who underwent 656 THAs between June 2002 and June 2007 participated in the education session, whereas 1,641 patients who underwent 1,945 procedures did not. Forty-six dislocations occurred over the study period, 5 (0.8%) in participants and 41 (2.1%) in nonparticipants (absolute risk reduction 1.3%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.4, 2.3), with the time interval between surgery and dislocation being significantly shorter among participants (0.2 versus 1.2 months). Nonparticipants had a 2.8 times higher risk of dislocation than participants (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.80; 95% CI 1.10, 7.13). Adjustment for age, sex, comorbidities, and prior surgery did not change the results (adjusted OR 2.79; 95% CI 1.09, 7.15). CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that participation in a preoperative patient education session may reduce the risk of dislocation within 6 months after THA.