Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anti-Tumor Effects of Atractylenolide I Isolated from Atractylodes macrocephala in Human Lung Carcinoma Cell Lines

Atractylenolide I (ATL-1) is the major sesquiterpenoid of Atractylodes macrocephala. This study was designed to investigate whether ATL-1 induced apoptosis in A549 and HCC827 cells in vitro and in vivo. In our results, ATL-1 significantly decreased the percentage of in vitro viability, in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, DAPI staining and flow cytometry tests demonstrated the induction of apoptosis by ATL-I. Western blot analysis indicated that the protein levels of caspase-3, caspase-9 and Bax were increased in A549 and HCC827 cells after ATL-I exposure; to the contrary, the expressions of Bcl-2, Bcl-XL were decreased after treatment with ATL-1. In the in vivo study, ATL-I effectively suppressed tumor growth (A549) in transplanted tumor nude mice with up-regulation of caspase-3, caspase-9, and Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that ATL-I has significant antitumor activity in lung carcinoma cells, and the possible mechanism of action may be related to apoptosis induced by ATL-I via a mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway.
Higher order messaging

We introduce Higher Order Messaging, a higher order programming mechanism for dynamic object-oriented languages. Higher Order Messages allow user-defined message dispatch mechanism to be expressed using an optimally compact syntax that is a natural extension of plain messaging and also have a simple conceptual model. They can be implemented without extending the base language and operate through language bridges.
Bottom-up synthesis of nanostructured materials by Pulsed Laser Deposition :from clusters to functional films

INTRODUCTION Metal and metal oxide films show interesting properties for a number of technological applications such as catalysis, gas sensing, medicine, energy production and storage. For such applications, materials with enhanced performances can be designed through a fine tuning of the morphology and structure down to the nanoscale. In the synthesis of nanostructured materials with tailored physical and chemical properties, the control of the deposition process and its role in determining the properties play a fundamental role. In particular when the synthesis is based on the production and the assembling of nanoparticles/clusters in a bottom-up approach the control and the characterization of the building blocks is of great importance.
The Saccharomyces cerevisiae 60 S Ribosome Biogenesis Factor Tif6p Is Regulated by Hrr25p-mediated Phosphorylation*

The biosynthesis of 60 S ribosomal subunits in Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires Tif6p, the yeast homologue of mammalian eIF6. This protein is necessary for the formation of 60 S ribosomal subunits because it is essential for the processing of 35 S pre-rRNA to the mature 25 S and 5.8 S rRNAs. In the present work, using molecular genetic and biochemical analyses, we show that Hrr25p, an isoform of yeast casein kinase I, phosphorylates Tif6p both in vitro and in vivo. Tryptic phosphopeptide mapping of in vitro phosphorylated Tif6p by Hrr25p and 32P-labeled Tif6p isolated from yeast cells followed by mass spectrometric analysis revealed that phosphorylation occurred on a single tryptic peptide at Ser-174. Sucrose gradient fractionation and coimmunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate that a small but significant fraction of Hrr25p is bound to 66 S preribosomal particles that also contain bound Tif6p. Depletion of Hrr25p from a conditional yeast mutant that fails to phosphorylate Tif6p was unable to process pre-rRNAs efficiently, resulting in significant reduction in the formation of 25 S rRNA. These results along with our previous observations that phosphorylatable Ser-174 is required for yeast cell growth and viability, suggest that Hrr25p-mediated phosphorylation of Tif6p plays a critical role in the biogenesis of 60 S ribosomal subunits in yeast cells.
Two-mirror device for laser scanning systems: multiparameter analysis

Most laser scanners applications require a linear scanning function, i.e., a constant scanning speed. One of the possible and simplest methods to achieve this – for both scanners with rotational (i.e., polygonal) or oscillatory (i.e., galvanometer) mirrors – is to increase the distance between the mirror and the scanned plane. In order to achieve this, we propose and study a simple and low-cost optical configuration with two plane mirrors set at a certain adjustable angle. The multiple reflections of a laser beam on the two mirrors are considered, the number of images produced is deduced, and the total optical path is obtained. The device is considered for a dimensional measurement application, usually called an optical micrometer - in a set-up which includes the two angular mirrors between a laser scanner with oscillatory or rotational mirrors and its objective lens. This simple device increases the path of the laser beam between the scanning mirror and the lens in a compact construct. The linearity of the scanning function is thus increased, while the total size of the system is reduced – with regard to other possible set-ups. A multi-parameter analysis is proposed and briefly pointed out with regard to the characteristics of the system.
A Genome Scan Conducted in a Multigenerational Pedigree with Convergent Strabismus Supports a Complex Genetic Determinism

A genome-wide linkage scan was conducted in a Northern-European multigenerational pedigree with nine of 40 related members affected with concomitant strabismus. Twenty-seven members of the pedigree including all affected individuals were genotyped using a SNP array interrogating > 300,000 common SNPs. We conducted parametric and non-parametric linkage analyses assuming segregation of an autosomal dominant mutation, yet allowing for incomplete penetrance and phenocopies. We detected two chromosome regions with near-suggestive evidence for linkage, respectively on chromosomes 8 and 18. The chromosome 8 linkage implied a penetrance of 0.80 and a rate of phenocopy of 0.11, while the chromosome 18 linkage implied a penetrance of 0.64 and a rate of phenocopy of 0. Our analysis excludes a simple genetic determinism of strabismus in this pedigree.
Proactive fault handling for system availability enhancement

Proactive fault handling combines prevention and repair actions with failure prediction techniques. We extend the standard availability formula by five key measures: (1) precision and (2) recall assess failure prediction while failure handling is gauged by (3) prevention probability, (4) repair time improvement, and (5) risk of introducing additional failures. We give a short survey of actions that are suited to be combined with failure prediction and provide a procedure to estimate the five key measures. Altogether, this allows to quantify the impact of proactive fault handling on system availability and may provide valuable input for system design.
Cloning of a Novel Pyrethroid-Hydrolyzing Carboxylesterase Gene from Sphingobium sp. Strain JZ-1 and Characterization of the Gene Product

ABSTRACT A novel esterase gene, pytH, encoding a pyrethroid-hydrolyzing carboxylesterase was cloned from Sphingobium sp. strain JZ-1. The gene contained an open reading frame of 840 bp. Sequence identity searches revealed that the deduced enzyme shared the highest similarity with many α/β-hydrolase fold proteins (20 to 24% identities). PytH was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 and purified using Ni-nitrilotriacetic acid affinity chromatography. It was a monomeric structure with a molecular mass of approximately 31 kDa and a pI of 4.85. PytH was able to transform p-nitrophenyl esters of short-chain fatty acids and a wide range of pyrethroid pesticides, and isomer selectivity was not observed. No cofactors were required for enzyme activity.
A systolic multiplier with LSB first algorithm over GF(2/sup m/) which is as efficient as the one with MSB first algorithm

By using a polynomial basis with LSB (Least Significant Bit) first scheme, we present new bit serial and bit parallel systolic multipliers over GF(2/sup m/). Our bit serial systolic multiplier has only one control signal with 10 latches in each basic cell. Also, our bit parallel multiplier has unidirectional data flow with 7 latches in each basic cell. Thus, whether it is bit serial or bit parallel, our multiplier has a better or comparable hardware complexity and critical path delay and has the same unidirectional data flow to the multipliers with MSB (Most Significant Bit) first scheme.
Petal abscission in rose is associated with the differential expression of two ethylene-responsive xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase genes, RbXTH1 and RbXTH2

Abscission is a process that involves shedding of plant organs from the main plant body. In this study it is shown that the process of petal separation in the fragrant rose, Rosa bourboniana, is accompanied by the expression of two xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase genes, RbXTH1 and RbXTH2. The sequences of the two genes show 52% amino acid identity but are conserved at the catalytic site. The genes are up-regulated soon after the initiation of the abscission process and their transcription is associated with the progression of abscission, being faster in ethylene-treated flowers but slower during field abscission. Transcription is ethylene responsive, with the ethylene response being tissue-specific for RbXTH1 but largely tissue-independent for RbXTH2. Expression is correlated with an increase in xyloglucan endotransglucosylase (XET) action in petal abscission zones of both ethylene-treated and field abscising flowers. Proximal promoters of both the genes drive β-glucuronidase expression in an ethylene-responsive and abscission-related manner in agrobacteria-infiltrated rose petals, indicating that cis-elements governing ethylene-responsive and abscission-related expression probably lie within the first 700 nucleotides upstream of the translational initiation codon. The results show that cell wall remodelling of the xyloglucan moieties through the XET action of XTHs may be important for cell separation during abscission.
Effects of alpha1-adrenergic stimulation on L-type Ca2+ current in rat ventricular myocytes.

The effect of alpha1-adrenergic stimulation on L-type Ca2+ current (ICa,L) in adult rat ventricular myocytes was investigated using three different methods of current recording. During conventional whole-cell recordings with 5 mm-BAPTA included in the pipette solution, phenylephrine (20 microM) did not increase ICa,L after 10 min of application. With nystatin perforated-patch whole-cell recordings, phenylephrine potentiated ICa,L, although there were variations among myocytes. The most frequent response was a transient suppression of peak ICa,L at approximately 2 min of exposure followed by a sustained increase of current amplitude evident after 5-10 min exposure. The relative current amplitude 10 min after phenylephrine application was 1.08+/-0.05 compared to control (n=14 cells,P<0.05). During cell-attached single channel recordings, phenylephrine (1 microM) increased the L-type Ca2+ channel open probability (NPo) by 2.25+/-0.31-fold (n=21,P<0.01). It potentiated NPo by increasing the number of openings per sweep and also by promoting longer openings. These effects developed slowly in approximately 10 min. Phenylephrine had no on unitary current amplitude. The potentiation was also elicited by methoxamine (5 microM) and was blocked by prazosin (1 microM), indicating that it was mediated by alpha1-adrenergic receptor stimulation. The increase in NP(o) was suppressed by chelerythrine, a protein kinase C inhibitor. Our results demonstrate that ICa,L can be enhanced by alpha1-adrenergic stimulation, and stress the importance of not disturbing the intracellular environment during studies of the modulation of cardiac ICa,L by alpha1-adrenergic stimulation.
On Derivations and Asymptotic and Solutions of Master Equations Representations

A linear semi-group for both: Markov processes and non-Markov processes as they occur in the description of macroscopic systems is introduced. The elegance of the semigroup approach is demonstrated by the derivation of the master equation for a Markov process which undergoes continuous and discontinuous jumps. By use of nonlinear transformations of stochastic processes a class of processes is found for which the whole stochastic kinetics reduces mainly to the kinetics of a general Gauss-Markov process. Further the convergence of sequences of Markov processes to a limiting Markov process is studied. In this context, a semi-group formulation for the validity of various expansion methods of master equations developed recently is given and the convergence of functionals of the original process to a limiting transformed process is investigated. Some results are illustrated for the behaviour of the stochastics in a bistable tunnel diode. A model for macroscopic irreversibility is introduced using a sequence of non-Markov processes which converges to a Fokker-Planck process. Finally a few accomplishments on some recent related works are given.
Development of loop-mediated isothermal amplification methods for detecting Taylorella equigenitalis and Taylorella asinigenitalis

ABSTRACT Taylorella equigenitalis is a causative bacterium of contagious equine metritis (CEM), and Taylorella asinigenitalis is species belonging to genus Taylorella. The authors developed two loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) methods, Te-LAMP and Ta-LAMP, for detecting T. equigenitalis and T. asinigenitalis, respectively. Using experimentally spiked samples, Te-LAMP was as sensitive as a published semi-nested PCR method, and Ta-LAMP was more sensitive than conventional PCR. Multiplex LAMP worked well without nonspecific reactions, and the analytical sensitivities of multiplex LAMP in the spiked samples were almost equivalent to those of Te-LAMP and Ta-LAMP. Therefore, the LAMP methods are considered useful tools to detect T. equigenitalis and/or T. asinigenitalis, and preventive measures will be rapidly implemented if the occurrence of CEM is confirmed by the LAMP methods.
A Reusable Architecture with Product Line Technique Applied to Context Sensitive Service

In ubiquitous environments, the content adaptable services can be dynamically provided to adapt the frequent changes of contexts. These services have common things that the kinds of context factors are limited to ubiquitous environment, though the contexts are flexible. To reuse service architecture can be reasonable for effective adaptable service. In this paper, we propose a reusable architecture with product line techniques for content adaptable applications in ubiquitous environment. It can describe reusable points for service and optimization policies. Description of reusable points is to define variation points and their variants and to find out the dependencies between them. Optimization policies are to build the variant selection strategies. These can accomplish to define the decision model based on content adaptable service, and to help the reuse more effective.
A Framework for Examining Social Stress and Susceptibility to Air Pollution in Respiratory Health

Objective There is growing interest in disentangling the health effects of spatially clustered social and physical environmental exposures and in exploring potential synergies among them, with particular attention directed to the combined effects of psychosocial stress and air pollution. Both exposures may be elevated in lower-income urban communities, and it has been hypothesized that stress, which can influence immune function and susceptibility, may potentiate the effects of air pollution in respiratory disease onset and exacerbation. In this paper, we attempt to synthesize the relevant research from social and environmental epidemiology, toxicology, immunology, and exposure assessment to provide a useful framework for environmental health researchers aiming to investigate the health effects of environmental pollution in combination with social or psychological factors. Data synthesis We review the existing epidemiologic and toxicologic evidence on synergistic effects of stress and pollution, and then describe the physiologic effects of stress and key issues related to measuring and evaluating stress as it relates to physical environmental exposures and susceptibility. Finally, we identify some of the major methodologic challenges ahead as we work toward disentangling the health effects of clustered social and physical exposures and accurately describing the interplay among these exposures. Conclusions There is still tremendous work to be done toward understanding the combined and potentially synergistic health effects of stress and pollution. As this research proceeds, we recommend careful attention to the relative temporalities of stress and pollution exposures, to nonlinearities in their independent and combined effects, to physiologic pathways not elucidated by epidemiologic methods, and to the relative spatial distributions of social and physical exposures at multiple geographic scales.
Sorptive Behavior and Kinetics of Carbendazim in Mineral Soils

studies on adsorption, desorption and reaction kinetics of carbendazim in grey-brown podzolic soil derived from loamy sand (Albic luvisls), grey-brown podzolic soil derived from silt (Haplic luvisols) and brown soil derived from sandy clay loam (Haplic Cambisols) were carried out. Five concentrations of carbendazim (5.0, 3.8, 2.6, 1.0 and 0.2 µg ⋅ cm -3 ) in 0.01 mol ⋅ dm -3 CaCl 2 were used for the 24 h batch ad sorption experiments; the desorption experiments were performed by replacing equilibrium solutions with 0.01 mol ⋅ dm -3 CaCl 2 and shaking again for the same period of time. The experimental data showed a good fit to the Freundlich equation ( r 2 in the range 0.988-0.997 for adsorption and 0.980-0.999 for desorption). ads varied from 5.45 in the sandy to 11.81 in the loess soil, the K F des from 7.82 in the sandy to 17.87 in the loamy soil; the 1/n values for adsorption and desorption were in the range 0.636-0.812. Ad sorption/desorption kinetics were investigated for 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 24 and 48 h reaction times. The adsorp tion process in all soils and the desorption process in sandy soil was time-dependent, initially proceeding quickly but within approximately one hour it slowed and ran slowly. useful models for the description of presented experimental kinetic data were the two-site model ( r 2 in the range 0.727-0.994) and the pseudo second-order model (r 2 in the range 0.636-0.988).
Inhibition of the Unfolded Protein Response by Ricin A-Chain Enhances Its Cytotoxicity in Mammalian Cells

Ricin is a highly toxic type II ribosome-inactivating protein that has potential as a biochemical weapon and as the toxic component of immunotoxins. The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a survival response that helps cells to recover from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Failure to recover from ER stress leads to apoptosis. In yeast, ricin-A-chain (RTA), the enzymatic component of ricin, inhibits UPR. Our goals were to determine if RTA inhibits UPR in two epithelial cell lines and if this affects RTA cytotoxicity. RTA alone did not induce UPR. However, RTA inhibited both phosphorylation of inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) and splicing of X-box binding protein1 mRNA by the UPR-inducing agent tunicamycin (Tm). The ability of dithiothreitol (DTT) to activate eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α), a component of the PERK pathway, was also inhibited by RTA. Treatment with RTA in combination with Tm or DTT inhibited protein synthesis more than either agent did alone in one cell line, while caspase cleavage was enhanced by the treatment combination in both cell lines. These data indicate that RTA is more cytotoxic when UPR is inhibited. This ability to inhibit UPR may enhance the potential of RTA as a therapeutic immunotoxin in solid tumors.
Impact of a computerized clinical decision support system on reducing inappropriate antimicrobial use: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE Many hospitals utilize antimicrobial management teams (AMTs) to improve patient care. However, most function with minimal computer support. We evaluated the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a computerized clinical decision support system for the management of antimicrobial utilization. DESIGN A randomized controlled trial in adult inpatients between May 10 and August 3, 2004. Antimicrobial utilization was managed by an existing AMT using the system in the intervention arm and without the system in the control arm. The system was developed to alert the AMT of potentially inadequate antimicrobial therapy. MEASUREMENTS Outcomes assessed were hospital antimicrobial expenditures, mortality, length of hospitalization, and time spent managing antimicrobial utilization. RESULTS The AMT intervened on 359 (16%) of 2,237 patients in the intervention arm and 180 (8%) of 2,270 in the control arm, while spending approximately one hour less each day on the intervention arm. Hospital antimicrobial expenditures were $285,812 in the intervention arm and $370,006 in the control arm, for a savings of $84,194 (23%), or $37.64 per patient. No significant difference was observed in mortality (3.26% vs. 2.95%, p = 0.55) or length of hospitalization (3.84 vs. 3.99 days, p = 0.38). CONCLUSION Use of the system facilitated the management of antimicrobial utilization by allowing the AMT to intervene on more patients receiving inadequate antimicrobial therapy and to achieve substantial time and cost savings for the hospital. This is the first study that demonstrates in a patient-randomized controlled trial that computerized clinical decision support systems can improve existing antimicrobial management programs.
Surface growth of MG(multilayer graphene)–SiC nanofillers/poly(vinylidene fluoride) composites for improving thermal conductivity and maintaining electrical insulation

In the present research, a high-frequency heating process with the advantages of simplicity and high yield was applied to synthesize multilayer graphene–SiC nanofillers (MG–SiCnf) and found to boost yields dramatically. The growth process of MG–SiCnf was also investigated. Nanofillers grown on an MG surface consisted of both SiC particles and SiC nanofibers. Interestingly, the growth process of SiC nanofibers included two main steps: firstly, SiC particles gathered on the edge of the MG, and then they grew into SiC nanofibers. SiC nanofibers enhanced the thermal conductivity of materials whereas SiC particles tended to hinder electronic transmission. The vertical and in-plane orientated thermal conductivities of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/MG–SiCnf composites were determined to be 0.28 and 30.491 W m−1 K−1, while the maximum value of the electrical conductivity of PVDF/MG–SiCnf composites was only 2.0 × 10−11 S cm−1. In addition, the storage modulus of PVDF/MG–SiCnf composites also improved remarkably in comparison with that of pure PVDF.
The Effect of Dietary Sodium Humate Supplementation on Nutrient Digestibility in Growing Pigs

A total of 16 crossbred (Large White × Landrace) castrated male pigs averaging 30.0 ± 2.5 kg were used in two trials (2 × 8 pigs) to determine apparent nutrient digestibility. The control group received feed mixture consisting of wheat and barley. In the experimental group, 3% proportion of wheat was replaced by sodium humate. The results of nutrient digestibility showed significantly lower (P < 0.01) digestibility of crude protein (82.2 ± 1.92 vs. 87.9 ± 2.05%) and crude fat (32.0 ± 2.81 vs. 49.3 ± 2.25%) in the control group compared to the experimental group. Nonsignificantly lower digestibility was found in dry matter (86.0 ± 3.20 vs. 89.2 ± 3.08%), crude fibre (34.3 ± 3.64 vs. 37.6 ± 2.86%) and ash (56.1 ± 2.49 vs. 58.1 ± 2.47%). The results confirmed sorption ability of humate fed to pigs. The decrease of coefficients of apparent digestibility in nitrogen substances can lead to decreased amounts of ammonia into the environment of the stables. Apparent digestibility, faeces, sorption