Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selenium‐dependent cellular glutathione peroxidase protects mice against a pro‐oxidant‐induced oxidation of NADPH, NADH, lipids, and protein

Since our prior work indicated that Se‐dependent cellular glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) was necessary for protection against paraquat lethality, the present studies were to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms related to that protection. Four groups of mice [Se‐deficient or ‐adequate GPX1 knockout and wild‐type (WT)] were injected (i.p.) with 50 mg paraquat/kg body weight and tissues were collected 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, or 4 h after the injection. Whereas the ratios of NADPH/NADP and NADH/NAD in lung were reduced by 50–70% only 0.5 h after the injection in all groups, these two ratios in liver of the Se‐adequate WT were significantly higher than those of the three GPX1 knockout or deficient groups 2–4 h after the injection. The paraquat‐induced pulmonary lipid peroxidation and hepatic protein oxidation, measured as F2‐isoprostanes and carbonyl contents, respectively, peaked at 1 h in these three groups. No such oxidative events were shown in any tissue of the Se‐adequate WT throughout the time course. Whereas the F2‐isoprostane formation was accelerated by both GPX1 knockout and Se deficiency in liver, it was not significantly elevated by the paraquat treatment in brain of any group. The paraquat injection also resulted in temporal changes in lung GPX activity and GPX1 protein in the Se‐adequate WT, and significant reductions in lung total SOD activity in the GPX1 knockout or deficient groups. In conclusion, GPX1 plays a critical role in maintaining the redox status of mice under acute oxidative stress, and protects against paraquat‐induced oxidative destruction of lipids and protein in vivo. These protections of GPX1 seem to be inducible and coordinated with those of other antioxidant enzymes. —Cheng, W. ‐H. , Fu, Y. X. , Porres, J. M. , Ross, D. A. , Lei, X. G. Selenium‐dependent cellular glutathione peroxidase protects mice against a pro‐oxidant‐induced oxidation of NADPH, NADH, lipids, and protein. FASEB J. 13, 1467–1475 (1999)
-Herpesvirus Infection γ Antibody-Mediated Control of Persistent

A. BlackmanIn-Jeong Kim, Emilio Flano, David L. Woodland and Marciahttp://www.jimmunol.org/content/168/8/3958doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.168. 8.3958J Immunol€2002; 168:3958-3964; ;Referenceshttp://www.jimmunol.org/content/168/8/3958.full#ref-list-1This article cites 51 articles, 36 of which you can access for free at: Subscriptionshttp://jimmunol.org/subscriptionsInformation about subscribing to The Journal of Immunology is online at: Permissionshttp://www.aai. org/ji/copyright.htmlSubmit copyright permission requests at: Email Alertshttp://jimmunol.org/cgi/alerts/etocReceive free email-alerts when new articles cite this article. Sign up at:
Design of a Si Photonic Wire "Lab on a Chip" Arrayed Biosensor

This paper presents a design for a label free Si photonic wire "lab on a chip" arrayed biosensor with 8 sensing and 8 reference channels. It provides an advanced means for the label free detection of target molecules, for affinity binding analysis and for the time domain real-time monitoring and parallel detection of solutions, gases, or reactions near the sensing channel surface. The sensitivity of detection of the device is at the highest level among all the other methods, which is at least 10-100 times more sensitive than that of currently commercial available biosensor devices and instruments. The fabrication of the device is compatible with well-established semiconductor fabrication technologies. The device is able to be monolithically integrated with CMOS electronics, and combined with microfluidics.
P39/Tsugane cells are a false cell line contaminated with HL-60 cells and are not suitable for mechanistic studies in myelodysplastic syndromes

The P39/Tsugane myelomonocytoid cell line was generated in 1983 by Nagai and colleagues from a 69-year old man with chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) that had progressed to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), French-American-British classification subtype M2. [1][1] This cell line was deposited in the
Leptin to adiponectin ratio as a useful predictor for cardiac syndrome X

Objective: The role of adipokines in the development of cardiac syndrome X (CSX) remains unknown. Methods: Fifty-nine CSX subjects were retrospectively enrolled from our catheterization databank. Another 54 subjects with valvular heart disease or arrhythmia served as controls. Adipokines were measured by ELISA tests. Results: The CSX had lower circulating adiponectin but higher leptin and higher leptin/adiponectin ratio (×1000) (3.78 ± 4.96 vs. 2.14 ± 5.67, p < 0.001) than those of the controls. In a multivariate analysis, a higher leptin/adiponectin ratio was a predictor of CSX, while insulin-resistance index was not. Conclusions: Adipokines may be implicated in the pathogenesis of CSX.
Therapeutic angiogenesis for patients with limb ischemia by utilization of fibrin meshwork. Pilot randomized controlled study.

AIM The aim of this paper is to assess the feasibility and efficacy of fibrin in inducing neovascularization as an angiogenic substance and/or carrier for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with limb ischemia. METHODS Twenty-three patients with limb ischemia and referred for below the knee amputations were randomized for treatment: group 1, 7 patients received only a saline injection; group 2, 9 received intramuscular injection of fibrin and group 3, 7 received the fibrin composition with deferoxamine and added VEGF(165). The fibrin meshwork was introduced into the popliteal area of the diseased limbs using a dual syringe system (1 contained thrombin solution [1 mg, 5000 U] and 1 contained fibrinogen [1 mg, Baxter Hyland Immuno] solution). In group 3, Deferoxamine (100 microg) and 500 microg of VEGF(165) were added to the fibrinogen solution. RESULTS In the control group 5 patients had undergone below the knee amputation at the 3-6 month follow-up. Only 1 patient from Group 2 had below the knee amputation 5 months following Fibrin only administration. Clinical improvement was noted in all 8 patients following fibrin administration and in all 7 patients injected with the fibrin meshwork, deferoxamine and VEGF combination. CONCLUSION IM injection of fibrin is safe and appears to be an efficient method to treat limb ischemia. These findings indicate that use of fibrin may be a novel and simple method for inducing therapeutic angiogenesis.
Down regulation of miR-18a, miR-21 and miR-221 genes in gastric cancer cell line by chrysin-loaded PLGA-PEG nanoparticles

Abstract Chrysin were well-documented as having significant biological roles particularly cancer chemo-preventive activity. However, the poor water solubility of chrysin limited their bioavailability and biomedical applications. In this study, we encapsulate the chrysin into PLGA-PEG nanoparticles for local treatment. In regard to the amount of the drug load, IC50 was significant decreased in nanocapsulated chrysin in comparison with free chrysin. This was confirmed through decrease of miR-18a, miR-21, and miR-221 genes expression by real-time PCR. The results demonstrated that PLGA-PEG-chrysin complexes can be more effective than free chrysin. Therefore, PLGA-PEG can be a better nanocarrier for this kind of hydrophobic flavonoid.
S PURRING I MPACTFUL R ESEARCH ON I NFORMATION S YSTEMS FOR E NVIRONMENTAL S USTAINABILITY

As the future of our ecosystem and society hangs in delicate balance, sustainability issues have come to the societal and governmental forefront. Organizations, governments, and cross-national bodies are turning their attention to the question of how we can make the world a better place. Sustainability is a complex term that can encompass environmental, economic, and societal issues. In essence, sustainability is conservation, deployment, and reuse of resources in responsible ways. From an organizational perspective, sustainability has been widely operationalized as endeavoring to achieve societal goals within commercial goals in such a way as to optimize social, environmental, and economic dimensions simultaneously—rather than these goals being treated as trade-offs (Porter and Kramer 2006).
Spermatozoon structure and motility in the anuran Lepidobatrachus laevis

Synthetic human gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) injections were used for induction of spermatozoon release followed by cloacal lavage or mechanical stimulation of sperm release in Lepidobatrachus laevis. Light microscopic observations of Lepidobatrachus laevis spermatozoa indicated an acrosomal segment with a length of 4.1 μm delineated by an indentation, a nuclear region of 12.6 μm in length and a midpiece of 0.87 μm in length. The tail was 54.9 μm long by 1.35 μm wide with two lateral axial fibers and a central undulating membrane. At the electron microscopic level, the unusual tail had two complete axonemes that emanated from the distal centriole. The tail also contained two axial fibers 77 nm in diameter medial to the axonemes and was connected by an undulating membrane. An unusual accessory cell adherent to the head of the spermatozoon was noted in freshly obtained suspensions of spermatozoa. Spermatozoa with the accessory cell were motile and a subsequent loss of motility was correlated with the shedding of the accessory cell.
Resistin in serum is associated with higher levels of IL-1Ra in post-menopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate associations between serum levels of resistin, an adipokine and markers of inflammation, bone metabolism, plasma lipids and kidney function in post-menopausal RA patients and to evaluate if HRT during 2 yrs affected resistin levels. METHODS Eighty-eight women were randomly allocated to receive HRT, vitamin D(3) and calcium or vitamin D(3) and calcium alone. Serum levels of resistin, IL-1beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), IL-6, IL-6 soluble receptor, TNF-alpha were measured by ELISA, markers of bone metabolism, carboxyterminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen by RIA, ESR, CRP, Hb, creatinine and lipids by standard laboratory techniques, BMD and total lean mass (TLM) by DXA and joint destruction by Larsen score. Resistin was also measured in 42 healthy control women. RESULTS There was no difference in resistin concentration between patients and healthy controls. Resistin was significantly correlated with IL-1Ra, CRP, TNF-alpha, ICTP, glucocorticosteroids and Larsen score and inversely with BMD, hip and with TLM. In multiple regression analysis, IL-1Ra, TLM and use of corticosteroids remained determinants of resistin. Patients treated with HRT displayed significant increase in resistin compared with controls in the first but not the second year. CONCLUSIONS Resistin was associated with increased inflammation, particularly by the acute-phase reactant IL-1Ra antagonizing IL-1beta, joint destruction, glucocorticosteroids and with reduced BMD and TLM. These findings suggest resistin being a significant mediator in the inflammatory process in RA. Further studies examining the mechanisms behind the relation between resistin and IL-1Ra are encouraged. HRT does not seem to have important long-term effect on resistin.
An Analytical Link-Loss Model for On-Body Propagation Around the Body Based on Elliptical Approximation of the Torso With Arms' Influence Included

An analytical model for estimating the link loss for the on-body wave propagation around the torso is presented. The model is based on the attenuation of the creeping waves over an elliptical approximation of the human torso and includes the influence of the arms. The importance of including the arms' effect for a proper estimation of the link loss is discussed. The model is validated by the full-wave electromagnetic simulations on a numerical phantom.
A Missense Mutation (GGC[435Gly]→AGC[Ser]) in Exon 8 of the CYP11B2 Gene Inherited in Japanese Patients with Congenital Hypoaldosteronism

Objectives: To clarify the underlying molecular mechanism of corticosterone methyl oxidase type II (CMO II) deficiency, Japanese patients newly diagnosed with CMO II deficiency were investigated. Methods: We analyzed the patients’ genomic DNA sequence on all 9 exons of the CYP11B2 gene. In addition, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and expression studies were performed. Results: The analysis showed that the patients homozygously retained a missense mutation, GGC[435Gly]→AGC[Ser], in the CYP11B2 gene. Expression studies indicated that the steroid 18-hydroxylase/oxidase activities of the mutant enzyme were substantially reduced. Conclusion: These results support the hypothesis that this mutation causes CMO II deficiency in the patients, and are in accordance with our theory that the partial loss of P-450C18 activities causes CMO II deficiency.
Microtubules and microfilaments in tip growth: evidence that microtubules impose polarity on protonemal growth in Physcomitrella patens

In this study we compare the contributions of Factin and microtubules to tip growth in filamentous cells of the moss Physcomitrella patens . In tip growth, expansion seems to be restricted to the hemispherical apical dome. Cytoskeletal elements have been suspected, from drug studies, to be involved in this but electron microscopy has generally not confirmed the presence of an apical cytoskeleton. However, in a previous immunofluorescence study we reported that microtubules could be seen to focus upon the apical dome in tip cells of the moss P. patens . In the present investigation F-actin has also been detected at the apices of these cells. Anti-cytoskeletal drugs were therefore used to differentiate between the roles of actin filaments and microtubules in tip growth. At high concentrations (30μM), the herbicide cremart de-polymerized microtubules and caused tip swelling. F-actin was still present under such conditions but its fragmentation by cytochalasin D suppressed this herbicide-induced swelling. On its own, cytochalasin D arrested tip growth without causing swollen tips. At lower concentrations, cremart disorganized microtubules rather than causing their complete depolymerization. Under these conditions, new but swollen growing points were initiated along the filament. The addition of taxol to cremart-treated filaments tended to reduce swelling and to re-polarize outgrowth. With particular combinations of these drugs, multiple lateral out-growths were initiated in the vicinity of the nucleus. It is concluded: (1) that F-actin is present at the tips of Physcomitrella caulonemal apical cells; (2) that unfragmented F-actin is necessary for outgrowth; (3) that even disorganized microtubules permit some degree of outgrowth but that an unperturbed distribution of axial microtubules, focussing upon an apex, is essential in order to impose tubular shape and directionality upon expansion.
Prepucial urethrostomy performed using the coating technique

Penile urethral obstruction in cats is a commonly seen clinical case in veterinary medicine practice. In cases where there is no response to catheterisation or medical intervention, surgery is needed to enable urination and correct uraemia and hyperkalaemia. Several surgical techniques of urethrostomy have been described for this aim. In performing standard prepucial urethrostomy great care must be taken to minimise leakage in the anastomosis site and promote healing when performing the pelvic urethra and prepucial mucosa anastomosis. To achieve this, the line of anastomosis has been reinforced by covering the anastomosis with the bilateral bulbourethral tissue, m. ischiourethralis and m. ischiocavernosus using simple mattress sutures. This modification, which varies from the technique performed by Yeh and Şaroglu, has been termed the coating technique. Advantages of this new technique over standard perineal urethrostomy are discussed. This technique was used in the treatment of 55 cats with penile urethra obstruction presented to our clinic. Among them 52 cats showed uncomplicated recovery. Following anastomosis, a male dog urethral catheter with an outer diameter of 2.6 mm was placed in each patient. In order to avoid infection, the catheter was removed after 2 days. Stenosis developed after 1 month in 3 cases in which normal urination was resumed by performing the standard perineal urethrostomy. All cats returned to good health.
Designing Mathematics Lessons In Mozambique: Starting From Authentic Resources

Abstract This article describes research on the design of student-centred instruction in Mozambique. The starting point was the use of real-life resources, such as traditional art craft objects and authentic newspaper clippings. The research was based on an instructional design model, which attempts to align theory with practice and which is geared towards improving practice. In two parallel studies, one on geometry and one on statistics, student-centred instruction was facilitated through the use of worksheets with open-ended questions tailored for group work. In a cyclic process, the prototype materials and the associated instructional method were formatively evaluated. The evaluations showed that the designs were useful even in classrooms packed with more than sixty students.
Brain Targeting Of Nerve Growth Factor Using Poly(Butylcyanoacrylate) Nanoparticles

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is essential for the survival of both peripheral ganglion cells and central cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain. The accelerated loss of central cholinergic neurons during Alzheimer's disease may be a determinant of dementia and this may suggest a possible therapeutic benefit for NGF. However, NGF as all other neurotrophic factors does not significantly penetrate the blood brain barrier, the fact that makes its clinical usefulness depends on the use of suitable carrier system enhances its transport through BBB. The present investigation examines brain delivery of nerve growth factor adsorbed on poly(butylcyanoacryate) nanoparticles coated with polysorbate-80 and testing its effectiveness in reversing of scopolamineinduced amnesia in model of acute amnesia in rats using the passive avoidance reflex (PAR) test. Systemic administration of NGF adsorbed on PBCA-nanoparticles coated with polysorbate-80 successfully reversed scopolamine-induced amnesia and improved recognition and memory in acute amnesia rat model. This appeared in form of significant increase in the mean latent period of (PAR) test in the group of animals treated with NGF adsorbed on PBCA-nanoparticles coated with polysorbate-80 compared with the group treated with free NGF. In summary, these results demonstrate that, using poly(butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles coated with polysorbate-80 as a carrier system is effective in targeting NGF to the central nervous system and may optimize the therapy of age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Cortical and subcortical localization of response to pain in man using positron emission tomography

A quantitative study of the regional cerebral responses to non-painful and painful thermal stimuli in six normal volunteers has been done by monitoring serial measurements of regional blood flow measured by positron emission tomography (PET). In comparison to a baseline of warm stimulation no statistically significant changes in blood flow were seen in relation to increasing non-painful heat. However, highly significant increases in blood flow were seen in response to painful heat in comparison to non-painful heat. These changes were in the contralateral cingulate cortex, thalamus and lenticular nucleus. These findings are discussed in relation to previous physiological observations of responses to nociceptive stimuli in man and primates.
Economic calculus or personal and social values? A micro-econometric analysis of the acceptance of climate and energy policy measures

Based on data from a representative survey among more than 2200 households, this paper empirically examines the agreement to the German energy transition in total and to six single energy policy measures, which are components of this challenging national policy approach. Our micro-econometric analysis with uni- and multivariate binary and ordered probit models reveals that both economic calculus and personal and social values are relevant for this agreement. An expected future electricity price increase due to the energy transition (which especially incorporates the price expectations in the hypothetical case that the measures of the energy transition are withdrawn) is significantly negatively correlated with the agreement to the two core measures of the energy transition, namely the nuclear phase-out and the financial support of the expansion of renewable energies. While other economic variables like income and energy expenditures also have some significant effects, our estimation results especially reveal that political identification and other personal values are at least equally relevant. For example, an overall left-green orientation is significantly positively correlated with the agreement to the energy transition in total and especially to the aforementioned core measures of the energy transition, which are also significantly positively affected by strong environmental values. Our econometric analysis suggests that studies that only include economic variables or only include personal and social values in order to explain the acceptance of policy measures can lead to biased estimation results and thus distorted conclusions. For policy makers our study additionally identifies important skeptical population groups which might be addressed in order to increase the acceptance of climate and energy policy measures like the German energy transition.
Analysis and control of HVDC transmission power system

This paper presents a design of converter controllers and filters of Line Commutated Converter High voltage direct current (LCC-HVDC) power transmission system to increase loadability and reliability of long power transmission. Also the proposed tuned PI controllers for HVDC Converters are verified in sense of HVDC transmission system performance and reliability. The studied system performances are compared with HVAC transmission systems in terms of power transfer quantity and reliability for a wide range of transmission distances and operating conditions. The Power Quality of HVDC transmission system is studied with Filters and proposed PI controllers. The two transmission systems (HVDC & HVAC) are simulated using MATLAB SIMULINK software package. With the control strategy, the HVDC system can provide a useful and economical way to transmit electric power over the long distance compared with HVAC system.
Mode Excitation in Finite Dust Clusters Using an Optical Trap

With the ability to trap a single particle in a dusty plasma, it becomes possible to alter the structural properties of the particle assembly or to manipulate its dynamical behavior. Here, we report on a first experiment to excite the eigenmodes of a finite dusty plasma crystal by means of a controlled oscillation of a single particle being trapped in a modified optical tweezer. The eigenmode structure and the excitation process are analyzed.