Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activins and Activin Receptors in Cell Growth 1

Abstract Activin and inhibin, members of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) superfamily, have diverse and widespread effects within living organisms at many stages during growth and development. From the initial isolation of these growth factors based on their effects of FSH secretion, the study of these factors, as well as of the activin-binding protein follistatin, has progressed from the localization of the expression of the inhibin α subunit, activin βA and βB subunits, and activin receptors in the tissues of various organisms to the examination of activin and inhibin as autocrine and paracrine agents in cell proliferation and differentiation. The inhibitory effects on cell growth and differentiation that have been observed upon treatment of cells with activin suggest that further understanding of the bioactivity of this molecule and its characterization on a molecular level may aid in a more complete understanding of cell growth and differentiation. This minireview discusses the roles of activin, inhibin, and follistatin in the arenas of cell proliferation, differentiation, and embryogenesis, as well as the roles of these molecules in cancerous cells.
AnyFI: An anytime frequent itemset mining algorithm for data streams

Mining frequent itemsets from transactional data streams has been vastly studied in literature. The existing algorithms mine frequent itemsets within the stream's constrained environment of limited time and memory. However, none of them are capable of handling varying inter-arrival rates of streams. Moreover, these algorithms are not capable of giving mining results instantaneously, even with compromised accuracy if required, and improve the accuracy with increase in time allowance. These two properties characterize an anytime algorithm. In this paper, we propose AnyFI, which is the first anytime frequent itemset mining algorithm for data streams. We also propose a novel data structure, BFI-forest, which is capable of handling transactions with varying inter-arrival rate. AnyFI maintains itemsets in BFI-forest in such a way that it can give a mining result almost immediately when time allowance to mine is very less and can refine the results for better accuracy with increase in time allowance. Our experimental results show that AnyFI can handle high stream speeds upto 60,000 transactions per second (tps) with recall close to 100%.
High-Throughput LDPC-Decoder Architecture Using Efficient Comparison Techniques & Dynamic Multi-Frame Processing Schedule

This paper presents architecture of block-level-parallel layered decoder for irregular LDPC code. It can be reconfigured to support various block lengths and code rates of IEEE 802.11n (WiFi) wireless-communication standard. We have proposed efficient comparison techniques for both column and row layered schedule and rejection-based high-speed circuits to compute the two minimum values from multiple inputs required for row layered processing of hardware-friendly min-sum decoding algorithm. The results show good speed with lower area as compared to state-of-the-art circuits. Additionally, this work proposes dynamic multi-frame processing schedule which efficiently utilizes the layered-LDPC decoding with minimum pipeline stages. The suggested LDPC-decoder architecture has been synthesized and post-layout simulated in 90 nm-CMOS process. This decoder occupies 5.19 mm2 area and supports multiple code rates like 1/2, 2/3, 3/4 & 5/6 as well as block-lengths of 648, 1296 & 1944. At a clock frequency of 336 MHz, the proposed LDPC-decoder has achieved better throughput of 5.13 Gbps and energy efficiency of 0.01 nJ/bits/iterations, as compared to the similar state-of-the-art works.
The epidemiology of venous thromboembolism in the community.

Venous thromboembolism is a major health problem. The average annual incidence of venous thromboembolism among Whites is 108 per 100 000 person-years,1,2 with about 250 000 incident cases occurring annually among US whites. The incidence appears to be similar or higher among Blacks and lower among Asian- and Native-Americans.3,4 Adjusting for the different age and sex distribution of African-Americans, the venous thromboembolism incidence is about 78 per 100 000, suggesting that about 27 000 incident venous thromboembolism cases occur annually among US Blacks. Recent modeling suggests that more than 900 000 incident or recurrent, fatal and nonfatal VTE events occur in the US annually.5 The incidence of venous thromboembolism has not changed significantly over the last 25 years.2 Venous thromboembolism is predominantly a disease of older age.1,2,6 Incidence rates increase exponentially with age for both men and women and for both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.1,2,6 The overall age-adjusted incidence rate is higher for men (114 per 100 000) then women (105 per 100 000; male:female sex ratio is 1.2:1). 1,2 Incidence rates are somewhat higher in women during the childbearing years, whereas incidence rates after age 45 years are generally higher in men. Pulmonary embolism accounts for an increasing proportion of venous thromboembolism with increasing age for both genders.1 Observed survival after venous thromboembolism is significantly worse than expected survival for age and gender, and survival after pulmonary embolism is much worse than after deep vein thrombosis alone.7,8 The risk of early death among patients with symptomatic pulmonary embolism is 18-fold higher compared to patients with deep vein thrombosis alone.7 Pulmonary embolism is an independent predictor of reduced survival for up to 3 months after onset. For almost one-quarter of pulmonary …
Sex Differences of Tooth Loss and Obesity on Systemic Markers of Inflammation

Sex-specific differences in the incidence of periodontitis and tooth loss may be related to different phenotypes of obesity and their associations with low-grade inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate associations of adiposity and low-grade inflammation with tooth loss in men and women. Follow-up data of 2,714 participants from the cohort of Study of Health in Pomerania were analyzed for anthropometric measures, periodontitis, tooth loss, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin 6. Regression analyses were used to estimate the effect of obesity on tooth loss within sex strata. During the follow-up period, men lost more teeth in relation to their obesity status than did women. In contrast, there was a steeper increase in CRP levels across obesity levels in women as compared to men. Incidence rate ratio (IRR) of tooth loss associated with elevated CRP, however, was higher in men (IRR = 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27, 1.77) than women (IRR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.37). Negative binomial regression with number of lost teeth as outcome revealed dose-response dependencies on body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio. Adjusted for covariates, the IRR of tooth loss associated with the third tertile of waist-to-hip ratio was 1.37 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.80) and 1.53 (95% CI: 1.14, 2.05) in men and women, respectively. Tooth loss related to CRP cutoff of 2 mg/L was significant in men (IRR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.66; p = .006) but not in women (IRR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.73, 1.17; p = .689). This study suggests that both adiposity and subclinical inflammation affect tooth loss, with distinct differences between men and women. Obesity as a risk factor of tooth loss is particularly related to CRP in men but not in women.
Cyclosporine Interacts with Mycophenolic Acid by Inhibiting the Multidrug Resistance‐Associated Protein 2

In mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)‐treated organ transplant recipients, lower mycophenolic acid (MPA) plasma concentrations have been found in cyclosporine (CsA) compared with tacrolimus (Tac)‐based immunosuppressive regimens. We previously demonstrated that CsA decreases exposure to MPA and increases exposure to its metabolite MPA‐glucuronide (MPAG), possibly by interfering with the biliary excretion of MPAG. To elucidate the role of the multidrug resistance‐associated protein (Mrp)‐2 in the interaction between MMF and CsA, we treated three groups of 10 Mrp2‐deficient rats (TR− rat) for 6 days with either vehicle, CsA (8 mg/kg) or Tac (4 mg/kg) by oral gavage. Hereafter, co‐administration with MMF (20 mg/kg) was started in all groups and continued through day 14. The 24‐h MPA/MPAG area under the concentration‐time curve (AUC) was determined after single (day 7) and multiple MMF doses (day 14). On both study days, there were no significant differences in the mean MPA and MPAG AUC between CsA and Tac‐treated animals. We conclude that the pharmacokinetics of MMF are comparable in Mrp2‐deficient rats receiving either CsA or Tac as co‐medication. This finding suggests that CsA‐mediated inhibition of the biliary excretion of MPAG by the Mrp2 transporter is the mechanism responsible for the interaction between CsA and MMF.
Motherhood after breast cancer: searching for la dolce vita

Advances in the field of adjuvant therapy in breast cancer have led to significant improvements in breast cancer survival. This has resulted in a progressive decline in breast cancer-related mortality, such that in 2010 there were estimated to be 400,000 breast cancer survivors under the age of 40 in the USA. Hence, enquiry into the feasibility of fertility preservation, subsequent pregnancy and breastfeeding is increasingly encountered. Fertility counseling remains suboptimal in breast cancer clinics, and there is a wide perception that pregnancy could worsen the prognosis of young breast cancer survivors, despite the lack of evidence supporting this notion. In addition, fertility preservation by means of embryo or oocyte cryopreservation requires ovarian stimulation, which is associated with a significant rise in estradiol levels and might delay initiation of therapy. All these factors, and others, have influenced the quality of fertility counseling offered to young breast cancer patients. In this article, we will critically analyze the available clinical and biological evidence on the safety and feasibility of pregnancy and breastfeeding following breast cancer. In addition, we will discuss the different fertility-preservation techniques available for these patients.
Motor Neuron Disease With Selective Degeneration of Anterior Horn Cells Associated With Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Introduction: We describe an autopsy-confirmed case of motor neuron disease with selective degeneration of the anterior horn cells associated with a non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Methods: Case report, including extensive autopsy studies. Results: The patient developed severe fasciculations and then progressive atrophy and weakness several months after the diagnosis and initial treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. As the disease progressed, needle electromyography showed diffuse severe denervation changes including thoracic paraspinal muscles. Autopsy showed severe loss of anterior horn cells with associated gliosis and preservation of cortical spinal tracts and Betz cells. Conclusions: This case provides an autopsy evidence of severe anterior horn cell degeneration in the course of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, raising the possibility that the neurologic syndrome, characterized by lower motor neuron disease, may represent a paraneoplastic process. Similar cases have been reported previously.
Sequential deiodination of thyroxine to 3,3'-diiodothyronine via 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine and 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine in rat liver homogenate. The effects of fasting versus glucose feeding.

The characteristics of thyroxine (T4) deiodination to 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) and 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3) and of each of the latter to 3,3'-diiodothyronine (3,3'T2) were examined in rat liver homogenate. Each of the four reactions was enzymatic in nature, demonstrating pH and temperature optima, and tissue and time dependence. All reactions were considerably augmented (greater than 10-fold) by the presence of a thiol agent. At pH 7.2 with 2 muM T4 as substrate, rT3 generation was 3.3 +/- 0.44 (S.E.) and T3 formation was 4.8 +/- 0.57 pmol/min/100 mg of homogenate protein. Fasting for 72 h resulted in a significant inhibition of T4 deiodination, compared to that in the glucose-fed animals, in a 2% homogenate preparation. Enzyme activity for T4 to T3 was reduced by 54% (p less than 0.05) in the homogenate from the fasted rats. Fasting lowered the enzyme activity of T4 to rT3 by 56% (p less than 0.05). Although the monodeiodination of T3 to 3,3'-T2 was also significantly depressed (p less than 0.01) by fasting, rT3 deiodination to 3,3'-T2 was not. The in vitro additon of 5 mM dithioerythritol did not reverse the effect of fasting on any reaction. These results demonstrate that a 72-h fast significantly impairs the sequential deiodination of T4 in liver homogenate. The effect of fasting appears to be mediated mainly through a reduction in enzyme concentration rather than co-factor availability.
Postdramatic methods of adaptation in the age of digital collaborative writing

The aim of our contribution is to shed light on the artistic process of theatrical adaption from a novel to a theatre script and, eventually, to the stage. Our example comes from contemporary European theatre: the production of Die Bruder Karamasow ( The Brothers Karamasow ) by Luk Perceval at the Thalia Theater in Hamburg, based on Dostoevsky’s eponymous novel (2013). We use digital text analysis and visualization to analyze the genesis of an adaptation. Our analysis is mainly based on a large set of different versions of the playtext. We visualize the working process during the nine-month process of adaptation and rehearsal. By automatically calculating and comparing the textual differences between each two subsequent versions, both stages of thorough revision and superficial text changes can be identified. We supplement this analysis with information on the working process given by Perceval himself during a recent interview in Hamburg, and with research on his previous methods of adaptation, using the archives of his original Flemish company Blauwe Maandag Compagnie.
UV‐sensitive input to horizontal cells in the turtle retina

Microspectrophotometry, electroretinography and behavioural studies have indicated that ultraviolet (UV) light contributes to functional vision in various vertebrate species. Based on behavioural evidence, this was also suggested for turtle vision. In order to reveal the interactions underlying detection of UV light in the distal retina, we recorded intracellularly the photoresponses of cones and horizontal cells in retinas of Pseudemys scripta elegans and Mauremys caspica and calculated the action spectra of these cells under different conditions of adaptation. In the dark‐adapted retina, all three types of horizontal cells; luminosity‐type, red/green chromaticity‐type and yellow/blue chromaticity‐type exhibited increased sensitivity in the UV region of the spectrum. However, chromatic adaptation indicated that only the yellow/blue chromaticity‐type horizontal cells received excitatory input from UV‐sensitive cones with peak sensitivity ≈ 360 nm. The enhanced UV sensitivity of luminosity‐type horizontal cells probably reflected the β‐band of the long‐wavelength sensitive visual pigment as indicated by the action spectra of dark‐adapted L‐cones. It is suggested that the enhanced UV sensitivity of red/green chromaticity‐type horizontal cells reflects the β‐band of the medium‐wavelength sensitive visual pigment. Transmission measurements of the optical media (cornea, lens and vitreous) indicated that UV vision can be functional under normal circumstances.
Preclinical evaluation of injectable bone substitute materials

Injectable bone substitutes (IBSs) represent an attractive class of ready‐to‐use biomaterials, both ceramic‐ and polymer‐based, as they offer the potential benefit of minimally invasive surgery and optimal defect filling. Although in vitro assessments are the first step in the process of development, the safety and efficacy of an IBS strongly depend on validated preclinical research prior to clinical trials. However, the selection of a suitable preclinical model for performance evaluation of an IBS remains a challenge, as no gold standard exists to define the best animal model. In order to succeed in this attempt, we identified three stages of development, including (a) proof‐of‐principle, (b) predictive validity and (c) general scientific legitimacy, and the respective criteria that should be applied for such selection. The second part of this review provides an overview of commonly used animals for IBSs. Specifically, scientific papers published between January 1996 and March 2012 were retrieved that report the use of preclinical models for the evaluation of IBSs in situations requiring bone healing and bone augmentation. This review is meant not only to describe the currently available preclinical models for IBS application, but also to address critical considerations of such multi‐factorial evaluation models (including animal species, strain, age, anatomical site, defect size and type of bone), which can be indicative but in most cases edge away from the human reality. Consequently, the ultimate goal is to guide researchers toward a more careful and meaningful interpretation of the results of experiments using animal models and their clinical applications. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glutamate Transport: A New Bench to Bedside Mechanism for Treating Drug Abuse

Abstract Drug addiction has often been described as a “hijacking” of the brain circuits involved in learning and memory. Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and its contribution to synaptic plasticity and learning processes is well established in animal models. Likewise, over the past 20 years the addiction field has ascribed a critical role for glutamatergic transmission in the development of addiction. Chronic drug use produces enduring neuroadaptations in corticostriatal projections that are believed to contribute to a maladaptive deficit in inhibitory control over behavior. Much of this research focuses on the role played by ionotropic glutamate receptors directly involved in long-term potentiation and depression or metabotropic receptors indirectly modulating synaptic plasticity. Importantly, the balance between glutamate release and clearance tightly regulates the patterned activation of these glutamate receptors, emphasizing an important role for glutamate transporters in maintaining extracellular glutamate levels. Five excitatory amino acid transporters participate in active glutamate reuptake. Recent evidence suggests that these glutamate transporters can be modulated by chronic drug use at a variety of levels. In this review, we synopsize the evidence and mechanisms associated with drug-induced dysregulation of glutamate transport. We then summarize the preclinical and clinical data suggesting that glutamate transporters offer an effective target for the treatment of drug addiction. In particular, we focus on the role that altered glutamate transporters have in causing drug cues and contexts to develop an intrusive quality that guides maladaptive drug seeking behaviors.
Application of fractional slot concentrated windings to synchronous reluctance machines

Due to the advancement of electric vehicles, the desire for high torque density electric motors for traction applications is steadily increasing. It is advantageous to design such a motor with little or no rare earth permanent magnet (PM) material due to the associated environmental, political and economic challenges with its extraction and processing. This paper explores a novel synchronous reluctance machine (RSM), with fractional slot concentrated windings (cRSM) as an alternative to PM, induction machine (IM) and switched reluctance (SRM) traction motors. The impact of applying fractional slot concentrated windings to RSMs is presented and the outline of the design options for such a machine is detailed. Scaling of the fractional slot wound synchronous reluctance motor is also briefly discussed, in order to realise a torque dense synchronous reluctance machine for future traction applications. A finite element analysis comparison between IM and conventional synchronous reluctance with the proposed cRSM is also presented.
Effects of dietary polyphenols on metabolic syndrome features in humans: a systematic review

Dietary polyphenols constitute a large family of bioactive substances potential beneficial effect on metabolic syndrome (MetS). This review summarizes the results of clinical studies on patients with MetS involving the chronic supplementation of a polyphenol‐rich diet, foods, extracts or with single phenolics on the features of MetS (obesity, dyslipidemia, blood pressure and glycaemia) and associated complications (oxidative stress and inflammation). Polyphenols were shown to be efficient, especially at higher doses, and there were no specific foods or extracts able to alleviate all the features of MetS. Green tea, however, significantly reduced body mass index and waist circumference and improved lipid metabolism. Cocoa supplementation reduced blood pressure and blood glucose. Soy isoflavones, citrus products, hesperidin and quercetin improved lipid metabolism, whereas cinnamon reduced blood glucose. In numerous clinical studies, antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects were not significant after polyphenol supplementation in patients with MetS. However, some trials pointed towards an improvement of endothelial function in patients supplemented with cocoa, anthocyanin‐rich berries, hesperidin or resveratrol. Therefore, diets rich in polyphenols, such as the Mediterranean diet, which promote the consumption of diverse polyphenol‐rich products could be an effective nutritional strategy to improve the health of patients with MetS. © 2016 The Authors. Obesity Reviews published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of World Obesity
Study of a Bisquaternary Ammonium Salt by Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization Mass Spectrometry

A comprehensive atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) mass spectrometry investigation of hexamethonium bromide is reported. This bisquaternary ammonium salt is a model system for the investigation of multiply charged species and elucidation of ion formation processes. It has been used to elucidate the physico–chemical phenomenon occurring when photoionization is carried out at atmospheric pressure. First, the in-source fragmentations were studied for aqueous solutions of the salt with the photoionization lamp switched off, i.e. under thermospray conditions. It is shown that, in this mode of operation, fragmentations are minor and may be classified into two classes, namely dequaternization and charge separation, arising from the two precursors, M2+ and [M + Br]+. Second, the fragmentation patterns have been monitored in dopant-assisted APPI for different dopants (toluene, toluene-d8, anisole and Hexafluorobenzene) at various amounts. At low dopant flow rates, the [M + Br]+ and M2+ ions are still observed. As the flow rate is increased, these precursor ions lose intensity and are finally suppressed for all three dopants. Comparison of toluene and toluene-d8 reveals that H atoms may be transferred from the dopant to the molecular ions, very likely mediated by the solvent. The role of the solvent (water) was also investigated by using heavy water. Apart from the thermospray fragmentations, which are also observed in APPI, several fragmentation pathways appear to be specific to the photoionization process. Photoionization efficiencies are measured by determination of the relative photoionization cross sections with respect to toluene. It is found that, when the ionization efficiencies are taken into account, the depletion of the precursors as a function of the dopant flow rates is the same for all three dopant molecules. This result shows that the precursor ions are depleted by reactions with the photoelectrons released from the dopant. Three additional mechanisms are proposed to account for this effect: electron transfer or H atom transfer from negatively charged water nanodroplets and H atom transfer from the dopant.