Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Postischemic treatment by trans‐resveratrol in rat liver ischemia‐reperfusion: A possible strategy in liver surgery

Liver ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury occurs in many clinical conditions, including liver surgery and transplantation. Oxygen free radicals generated during I/R reduce endogenous antioxidant systems and contribute to hepatic injury. trans‐Resveratrol (trans‐3,5,4′‐trihydroxystilbene) is reported to have antioxidant properties. We investigated the effect of trans‐resveratrol on liver injury induced by I/R. After 1 hour of ischemia, administered 5 minutes before 3 hours of reperfusion, trans‐resveratrol was hepatoprotective at a low dose (0.02 mg/kg). It significantly decreased aminotransferase levels by about 40% and improved sinusoidal dilatation. trans‐Resveratrol preserved antioxidant defense by preventing total and reduced glutathione depletion caused by I/R. At 0.2 mg/kg, trans‐resveratrol significantly increased glutathione reductase, Cu/Zn–superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities. However, at a high dose (20 mg/kg), trans‐resveratrol became prooxidant with an aggravation of liver injury evaluated by aminotransferase release and histological analysis and associated with a depletion of total and reduced glutathione levels and a decrease of antioxidant enzyme activities. In conclusion, a prereperfusion treatment by trans‐resveratrol only at low doses decreases liver injury induced by I/R by protecting against antioxidant defense failure. This administration protocol could reduce liver damage during surgery or transplantation. Liver Transpl 14:451–459, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.
Immunization of Rhesus Macaques with a DNA Prime/Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Boost Regimen Induces Broad Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV)-Specific T-Cell Responses and Reduces Initial Viral Replication but Does Not Prevent Disease Progression following Challenge with Pathogenic SIVmac239

ABSTRACT Producing a prophylactic vaccine for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has proven to be a challenge. Most biological isolates of HIV are difficult to neutralize, so that conventional subunit-based antibody-inducing vaccines are unlikely to be very effective. In the rhesus macaque model, some protection was afforded by DNA/recombinant viral vector vaccines. However, these studies used as the challenge virus SHIV-89.6P, which is neutralizable, making it difficult to determine whether the observed protection was due to cellular immunity, humoral immunity, or a combination of both. In this study, we used a DNA prime/modified vaccinia virus Ankara boost regimen to immunize rhesus macaques against nearly all simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) proteins. These animals were challenged intrarectally with pathogenic molecularly cloned SIVmac239, which is resistant to neutralization. The immunization regimen resulted in the induction of virus-specific CD8+ and CD4+ responses in all vaccinees. Although anamnestic neutralizing antibody responses against laboratory-adapted SIVmac251 developed after the challenge, no neutralizing antibodies against SIVmac239 were detectable. Vaccinated animals had significantly reduced peak viremia compared with controls (P < 0.01). However, despite the induction of virus-specific cellular immune responses and reduced peak viral loads, most animals still suffered from gradual CD4 depletion and progressed to disease.
Laser Surface Modification of Ti—6Al—4V: Wear and Corrosion Characterization in Simulated Biofluid

Laser surface melting (LSM) of Ti—6Al—4V is performed in argon to improve its properties, such as microstructure, corrosion, and wear for biomedical applications. Corrosion behavior is investigated by conducting electrochemical polarization experiments in simulated body fluid (Ringer's solution) at 37 C. Wear properties are evaluated in Ringer's solution using pin-on-disc apparatus at a slow speed. Untreated Ti—6Al—4V contains α+β phase. After laser surface melting, it transforms to acicular α embedded in the prior β matrix. Grain growth in the range of 65—89 µm with increase in laser power from 800 to 1500 W due to increase in associated temperature is observed. The hardness of as-laserprocessed Ti—6Al—4V alloy is more (275—297 HV) than that of the untreated alloy (254 HV). Passivation currents are significantly reduced to <4.3 µA/cm2 after laser treatment compared to untreated Ti—6Al—4V (≈12 µA/cm2). The wear resistance of laser-treated Ti—6Al—4V in simulated body fluid is enhanced compared to that of the untreated one. It is the highest for the one that is processed at a laser power of 800 W. Typical micro-cutting features of abrasive wear is the prominent mechanism of wear in both untreated and as-laser-treated Ti—6Al—4V. Fragmentation of wear debris assisted by microcracking was responsible for mass loss during the wear of untreated Ti—6Al—4V in Ringer's solution.
Synovectomy using Samarium-153 Hydroxyapatite in the Elbows and Ankles of Patients with Hemophilic Arthropathy

This study aimed to evaluate synovectomy with samarium-153 hydroxyapatite (153Sm-HA) in synovitis of the elbows and ankles of hemophilic patients. The synovectomy was performed using 185 MBq of 153Sm-HA in 166 joints of 82 hemophilic patients, with a mean age of 24.4 years and follow-up of 12 and 42 months, comprising 63 ankles and 84 elbows. Arthropathy was characterized by recurrent joint bleeding. Episodes of hemarthrosis, use of clotting factors, and pain intensity were evaluated before and after treatment. Scintigraphic controls and adverse effects were also considered. Statistical analyses used P ≤ 0,005 as significant. The results pointed that (a) reduction in hemarthrosis was 78% and 68% in elbows and 82% and 72% in ankles; (b) use of clotting factors was 80% and 70% in elbows and 85% and 75% in ankles; (c) pain was 37% and 34% in elbows and 61% and 57% in ankles, after 12 and 42 months, respectively. Three cases of mild reactive synovitis were observed in ankles and four in elbows. There was no joint effusion in any of the cases. In conclusion, the use of 153Sm-HA in elbows and ankles was effective, very safe, minimally invasive and showed consistency over time, is another material to utilize in median hemophilic joints.
Inhibition of mineralocorticoid receptors with eplerenone alleviates short-term cyclosporin A nephrotoxicity in conscious rats.

BACKGROUND Recent data indicate that aldosterone aggravates cyclosporin A (CsA)-induced nephrotoxicity. We examined whether the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) blocker eplerenone (EPL) antagonized early deterioration of renal function and blood pressure (BP) increase in CsA-treated rats. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats received CsA (15 mg/kg/day i.p.) and/or EPL (100 mg/kg/day p.o.) for 21 days. After 2 weeks, arterial, venous and urinary bladder catheters were implanted and the rats were trained to accept a restraining device allowing arterial blood sampling and direct measurement of BP and renal function. BP was measured on-line in conscious rats. RESULTS CsA significantly increased systolic BP: 139 +/- 4 versus 134 +/- 2 mmHg, reduced body weight gain: -5 +/- 6 versus 36 +/- 7 g, glomerular filtration rate (GFR): 1.02 +/- 0.16 versus 2.64 +/- 0.27 ml/min, renal blood flow (RBF): 5.3 +/- 2.4 versus 13.5 +/- 2.1 ml/min and lithium clearance (C(Li+)): 0.16 +/- 0.04 versus 0.26 +/- 0.07 ml/min compared to controls. These changes were prevented by simultaneous EPL treatment: systolic BP, 130 +/- 4 mmHg; weight gain, 53 +/- 7 g; GFR, 1.67 +/- 0.26 ml/min; RBF, 12.3 +/- 2.1 ml/min and C(Li+), 0.27 +/- 0.03 ml/min. Analysis of kidney morphology after the CsA treatment showed hyaline vacuolization in tubules and vascular depositions in arterioles; these changes were less pronounced after combination therapy. No significant changes were seen regarding haemoglobin, haematocrit, plasma renin and vasopressin, plasma and urinary sodium, potassium, or osmolality. CONCLUSIONS MR blockade by EPL prevented short-term alterations in GFR, RBF and hypertension associated with CsA nephrotoxicity. We conclude that the aldosterone-MR pathway contributes markedly to the renal toxicity induced by this calcineurin inhibitor.
An appraisal of peritoneal lavage in the diagnosis of the acute abdomen

Forty‐seven selected patients presenting with acute abdominal symptoms were investigated by examination of the fluid obtained by peritoneal lavage. In 34 patients this confirmed the clinical diagnosis, in 11 it was a more positive help in that it corrected an erroneous clinical diagnosis and in 2 the results of the investigation were misleading.
5‐HT evokes sensory long‐term facilitation of rodent carotid body via activation of NADPH oxidase

5‐Hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) evokes long‐term activation of neuronal activity in the nervous system. Carotid bodies, the sensory organs for detecting arterial oxygen, express 5‐HT. In the present study we examined whether 5‐HT evokes sensory long‐term facilitation (LTF) of the carotid body, and if so by what mechanism(s). Experiments were performed on anaesthetized adult rats and mice. Sensory activity was recorded from carotid bodies ex vivo. Spaced (3 × 15 s of 100 nm at 5 min intervals) but not mass (300 nm, 45 s) application of 5‐HT elicited LTF, whereas both modes of 5‐HT application evoked initial sensory excitation of the carotid bodies in rats. Ketanserin, a 5‐HT2 receptor antagonist prevented sensory LTF but not the initial sensory excitation. Spaced application of 5‐HT activated protein kinase C (PKC) as evidenced by increased phosphorylations of PKC at Thr514 and myristoylated alanine‐rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) and these effects were abolished by ketanserin as well as bisindolylmaleimide (Bis‐1), an inhibitor of PKC. Bis‐1 prevented 5‐HT‐evoked sensory LTF. 5‐HT increased NADPH oxidase activity and PKC‐dependent phosphorylation of p47phox subunit of the oxidase complex. NADPH oxidase inhibitors (apocynin and diphenyl iodinium), as well as an anti‐oxidant (N‐acetyl cysteine), prevented 5‐HT‐evoked sensory LTF. Mice deficient in gp91phox, the membrane subunit of the NADPH oxidase complex, showed no sensory LTF, although responding to 5‐HT with initial afferent nerve activation, whereas both LTF and initial excitation by 5‐HT were seen in wild‐type mice. These results demonstrate that spaced but not mass application of 5‐HT elicits sensory LTF of the carotid body via activation of 5‐HT2 receptors, which involves a novel signalling mechanism coupled to PKC‐dependent activation of NADPH oxidase.
OF MILLING PROCESS ON MACHINED SURFACE OF POROUS POLYURETHANE ( PU ) FOAM

Original scientific paper Nowadays polyurethane modelling foams are successfully replacing original materials in many applications due to certain comparative advantages also in copying artefacts. Milling is a fundamental machining operation frequently used in transforming products of PU foam. This experimental study focuses on surface roughness of milled PU foam. The influences of machining parameters on surface roughness in PU foam milling were assessed. Linear and area surface roughness evaluations after CNC milling are compared and estimated for the use in future research. Additionally the surface roughness values increase with a feed rate per tooth and decrease with an increase of spindle speed. The milling tests showed significant influence of modelling board density on the final surface roughness. Additional area surface roughness values have been evaluated.
Biological activities of lipid A complexed with bovine-serum albumin.

Lipid A preparations from the lipopolysaccharides of four Salmonella minnesota R mutants and one Escherichia coli 0100 R mutant were assayed as soluble complexes with bovine serum albumin for lethality in mice, pyrogenicity in rabbits and complement inactivation. Although generally less active than endotoxic lipopolysaccharides, these lipid · albumin complexes nevertheless exhibited strong biological activity. These results indicate that lipid A contains the endotoxic principle of bacterial lipopolysaccharides.
A Hybrid Genetic Algorithm for Multidepot and Periodic Vehicle Routing Problems

We propose an algorithmic framework that successfully addresses three vehicle routing problems: the multidepot VRP, the periodic VRP, and the multidepot periodic VRP with capacitated vehicles and constrained route duration. The metaheuristic combines the exploration breadth of population-based evolutionary search, the aggressive-improvement capabilities of neighborhood-based metaheuristics, and advanced population-diversity management schemes. Extensive computational experiments show that the method performs impressively in terms of computational efficiency and solution quality, identifying either the best known solutions, including the optimal ones, or new best solutions for all currently available benchmark instances for the three problem classes. The proposed method also proves extremely competitive for the capacitated VRP.
An efficient solution of the congruence x2+ky2=mpmod{n}

The equation of the title arose in the proposed signature scheme of Ong-Schnorr-Shamir. The large integers n, k and m are given and we are asked to find any solution x, y . It was believed that this task was of similar difficulty to that of factoring the modulus n; we show that, on the contrary, a solution can easily be found if k and m are relatively prime to n . Under the assumption of the generalized Riemann hypothesis, a solution can be found by a probabilistic algorithm in O(\log n)^{2}|\log\log|k||) arithmetical steps on O(\log n) -bit integers. The algorithm can be extended to solve the equation X^{2} + KY^{2} = M \pmod{n} for quadratic integers K, M \in {\bf Z}[\sqrt{d}] and to solve in integers the equation x^{3} + ky_{3} + k^{2}z^{3} - 3kxyz = m \pmod{n} .
ACE 2 overexpression in the paraventricular nucleus attenuates angiotensin II-induced hypertension

ACE2 overexpression in the paraventricular nucleus attenuates angiotensin II-induced hypertension
Proposal of new PAPR reduction method for OFDM signal by using permutation sequences

Many PAPR reduction techniques for OFDM signal have been proposed up to today, which can be classified into two major methods as the distortion and distortion-less methods. The most of distortion-less methods show better PAPR performance without degradation of BER performance. This paper proposes a novel distortion-less PAPR reduction method which employs the permutation sequence in the frequency domain with embedded side information. The feature of proposed method is to achieve the better PAPR performance with very few side information for the correct demodulation of data information at the receiver. This paper presents various computer simulation results to verify the effectiveness of proposed method as comparing with the conventional OFDM method in the non-linear channel.
Pathways of cross-frontal exchange in the North Atlantic Current

The North Atlantic Current (NAC) forms part of the boundary between the subtropical and subpolar gyres in the North Atlantic Ocean. The current has topographically controlled stationary meanders that appear to grow and decay. A region east of the current in the Newfoundland Basin contains water of mixed subpolar/subtropical properties, suggesting that there is exchange across the NAC. This study considers data from isopycnal RAFOS floats launched in the NAC region from 1993 to 1995. We use the RAFOS data to define the “frontal zone” as a pressure range where the jet is most likely to be found. This definition requires a latitudinal dependence as the NAC shoals to the north. Floats shallower and deeper than this range are defined to be on the subpolar and subtropical side, respectively. These definitions are used to estimate mixing that occurs between the current and its surroundings and to estimate the relative quantity of exchange of water parcels between the two gyres. Only small quantities of mass exchange from one gyre to the other are found, but there is a distinct asymmetry leading to a mean flux from the subpolar to subtropical sides. We also find that floats spend significant time in the frontal region and are frequently exchanged between fast and slow moving waters, particularly at the meander extrema. Diffusion, while in the jet, leads to eddy cross-frontal exchange which is important for the exchange of properties across the NAC.
Increased Oxidative Stress in the Mouse Adriamycin Model of Glomerulosclerosis Is Accompanied by Deposition of Ferric Iron and Altered GGT Activity in Renal Cortex

Chronic renal failure evolves inevitable towards glomerular and tubulo—interstitial sclerosis. This pathological process involves a disturbed redox status of the kidney tissue, leading to irreversible damage. In this study we investigate in an adriamycin model of chronic renal failure in mice the evolution of in vivo hydrogen peroxide production, and the possible role of γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase and ferric iron in the process. Histological changes and ferric iron deposits are evaluated by histochemical staining. To evaluate oxidative stress residual catalase activity, TBARS formation and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase activity are measured spectrophotometrically. While catalase activity remains the same, a decreased residual catalase activity indicates an increased formation of hydrogen peroxide. Both the activity of γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase and TBARS formation is increased at early stages of the disease. Ferric iron is clearly present in the proximal tubule. Twenty days after adriamycin injection all parameters decrease, probably due to the destruction of the tissue. Our data show the involvement of oxidative stress in the progression of adriamycin induced renal failure in mice. Both radical production and oxidative damage are measurable, while the altered activity of γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase and the deposition of ferric iron suggest the involvement of these factors in the development of a disturbed redox status in the kidney cortex.
The proepicardium keeps a potential for glomerular marker expression which supports its evolutionary origin from the pronephros

The proepicardium is the embryonic primordium of the epicardium. This transient structure is essential for cardiac development giving rise to the epicardium and supplying the heart with vascular and cardiac connective tissue progenitors. However, their nature and evolutionary origin are poorly‐known. We have suggested elsewhere (Pombal et al. Evol. Dev. 10: 210–216, ; Cano et al., J. Dev. Biol. 1: 3–19, ) that the proepicardium is an evolutionary derivative of the primordium of an ancient external pronephric glomerulus, devoid of its original excretory function. In this study, we describe for the first time expression of two podocyte markers in the chick proepicardium (glepp1 and synaptopodin) and we have shown how these podocyte markers as well as the intermediate mesoderm marker Pax2 are strongly upregulated when the proepicardium is cultured with nephrogenic inducers. Retinoic acid treatment also induced in the proepicardium expression of Hoxb4, a gene which confers to intermediate mesoderm competence to respond to nephrogenic signals. Thus, a latent nephrogenic potential persists in the proepicardium and also that its original glomerular fate can be partially rescued. The transcription factor Wt1, essential for kidney and epicardial development, plays opposite roles in both tissues, inducing epithelial‐mesenchymal transition in the proepicardium and promoting epithelialization in the kidneys (Essafi et al., Dev. Cell 21: 559–574, ). Consistently with this antithetical function of Wt1, we have observed an upregulation of podocalyxin in the epicardium of mouse embryos with conditional deletion of the Wt1 gene, while this protein is transcriptionally activated by Wt1 in podocytes.
Prospective Reconciliation of Transmission Loss Cost in Alberta

One of the challenges in Alberta's deregulated electricity market is to recover transmission loss costs in a fair and equitable manner. The independent system operator (ISO), the Alberta Electric System Operator or AESO in Alberta, Canada, has introduced a new prospective methodology to reconcile the transmission loss revenue to loss cost on an annual basis since January 1, 2006. In the reconciliation process, a quarterly calibration factor (CF) is calculated to true up the difference between loss revenue and loss cost. The CF is defined as the percentage of the combined actual and forecasted difference in loss revenue and loss cost divided by the loss factor customer volumes and pool price. The focus behind this chosen methodology is to have a small CF in each quarter, a stable reconciliation pattern, and a small year-end difference. The new methodology has met these three goals in Alberta's deregulated electricity market.
SLAM-Based Navigation Scheme for Pinpoint Landing on Small Celestial Body

Abstract Addressing the need for robust pinpoint landing capabilities, this paper proposes a monocular navigation scheme based on the Rao-Blackwellized particle filter simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) approach. The proposed online navigation scheme provides attitude and position (or pose) estimation during the approach, descent, and landing phase for small celestial body missions. This approach relies on one navigation camera and potentially sparse readings from one or more range sensors (e.g. LIDAR (Light Detection And Ranging)). The concept of the proposed navigation scheme is to maintain several hypotheses of the most likely spacecraft pose and landmarks position and to feed the most likely one to the spacecraft controller at any given time. The proposed system uses a double staged Monte-Carlo simulation that represents the population of all possible spacecraft motions between two camera images taken at successive time steps, and that samples this population over all possible scaling factors, converting each relative motion to world-scaled coordinates in the process. The purpose of this Monte-Carlo based visual pose estimation approach is to offer an alternative solution to the drift error and inaccuracy problems of SLAM kinematic models, odometry motion models, and other conventional dead reckoning techniques.
A Consecutive Series of 22 Cases of Hypnic Headache in France

A series of 22 patients was consecutively diagnosed with hypnic headache (HH) from June 2007 to June 2008 in two headache specialty centres participating in the French Observatory of Migraine and Headaches. Patients and headache characteristics were compared with the 2004 International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edn (ICHD-II) criteria for HH and published series of HH patients. One-third of HH patients reported migraine-like headaches (pulsating/unilateral/stabbing) and > 20% were aged < 50 years at symptom onset. Of note, HH patients displayed typical motor activities during the headache (getting up, eating/drinking especially a cup of coffee, reading/ watching television) that differentiate HH from migraine and suggest relationships between HH and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. The functional and emotional impact of HH appears low and similar to that of migraine in patients consulting in primary care practice. Improvements in ICHD-II criteria are suggested, especially to introduce the typical motor behaviour acted out by HH patients.