Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adiponectin association with T‐cadherin protects against neointima proliferation and atherosclerosis

Adiponectin, an adipocyte‐derived protein abundant in the circulation, is thought to be protective against atherosclerosis. However, it is not fully understood how the association of adiponectin with vascular cells and its antiatherogenic effect are connected. In this study, T‐cadherin was essential for accumulation of adiponectin in the neointima and atherosclerotic plaque lesions, and the adiponectin–T‐cadherin association protected against vascular injury. In the apolipoprotein E‐knockout (ApoE‐KO) mice, adiponectin and T‐cadherin colocalized on en‐dothelial cells and synthetic smooth muscle cells in the aortic intima. Notably, aortic adiponectin protein disappeared in T‐cadherin/ApoE double‐knockout (Tcad/ApoE‐DKO) mice with significant elevation of blood adiponectin concentration. Furthermore, in Tcad/ApoE‐DKO mice, carotid artery ligation resulted in a significant increase of neointimal thickness compared with ApoE‐KO mice. Finally, on a high‐cholesterol diet, Tcad/ApoE‐DKO mice increased atherosclerotic plaque formation, despite a 5‐fold increase in plasma adiponectin level compared with that in ApoE‐KO mice. In vitro, knockdown of T‐cadherin from human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) with synthetic phenotype significantly reduced adiponectin accumulation on HASMCs and negated the inhibitory effect of adiponectin on proinflammatory change. Collective evidence showed that adiponectin accumulates in the vasculature via T‐cadherin, and the adiponectin–T‐cadherin association plays a protective role against neointimal and atheroscle‐rotic plaque formations. —Fujishima, Y. , Maeda, N. , Matsuda, K. , Masuda, S. , Mori, T. , Fukuda, S. , Sekimoto, R. , Yamaoka, M. , Obata, Y. , Kita, S. , Nishizawa, H. , Funahashi, T. , Ranscht, B. , Shimomura, I. Adiponectin association with T‐cadherin protects against neointima proliferation and atherosclerosis. FASEB J. 31, 1571–1583 (2017) www.fasebj. org
Research development in training programs.

If research is curiosity systematized, then all that can be taught is the system; curiosity is innate. It is also universal and may be inhibited or fostered by one's environment. For those who not only enjoy but thrive on discovery, a questioning, investigative way of life is not a luxury, it is a necessity. And an intellectually challenging atmosphere of inquiry, enlightened discussion, and insightful conceptualization is a vital part of that life. It stands without question that the future directions of our speciality will be shaped by the research activities ongoing or in embryonic form today. Or, they will fall behind if our research effort continues to dwindle, as it has for the past ten years. Therefore, it is incumbent on the leaders in our field both to promote and to provide direction for the investigative activities in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Three interrelated aspects of this charge are
Subquadratic simulations of circuits by branching programs

Boolean circuits and their simulations by bounded-width branching programs are considered. It is shown that every NC/sup 1/ circuit of size s can be simulated by a constant-width branching program of length s/sup 1.811. /. Some related group-theoretic results are presented. <<ETX>>
A cross-layer perspective on energy harvesting aided green communications over fading channels

In this paper, we consider the power allocation of the physical layer and the buffer delay of the upper application layer in energy harvesting green networks. We analyze the delay-optimal power allocation problem over fading channels. The total power required for reliable transmission includes the transmission power as well as the circuit power. The harvested power (which is stored in a battery) and the grid power constitute the power resource. The objective is to find a policy to minimize the buffer delay under the constraint on the average grid power. The policy is a two-dimensional vector with the transmission rate and the power allocation of the battery as its elements. In each transmission, the transmitter decides the transmission rate and the allocated power from the battery (the rest of the required power will be supplied by the power grid). A constrained Markov decision process (MDP) problem is formulated when the data arrival process, the harvested energy arrival process, and the channel process are Markov processes. We prove that the optimal policy can be obtained as follows. First, we solve the optimal rate through a reduced MDP problem that is only related to the average harvested energy but not the harvested energy arrival process. Second, the battery's power allocation can be given based on the optimal rate. By analyzing the reduced MDP problem through the transformations to the average cost MDP and discount optimal MDP, we derive some structural properties of the optimal policy. Moreover, the closed-form expression is obtained for the independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) cases.
Target Cell Availability, Rather than Breast Milk Factors, Dictates Mother-to-Infant Transmission of SIV in Sooty Mangabeys and Rhesus Macaques

Mother-to-infant transmission (MTIT) of HIV is a serious global health concern, with over 300,000 children newly infected in 2011. SIV infection of rhesus macaques (RMs) results in similar rates of MTIT to that of HIV in humans. In contrast, SIV infection of sooty mangabeys (SMs) rarely results in MTIT. The mechanisms underlying protection from MTIT in SMs are unknown. In this study we tested the hypotheses that breast milk factors and/or target cell availability dictate the rate of MTIT in RMs (transmitters) and SMs (non-transmitters). We measured viral loads (cell-free and cell-associated), levels of immune mediators, and the ability to inhibit SIV infection in vitro in milk obtained from lactating RMs and SMs. In addition, we assessed the levels of target cells (CD4+CCR5+ T cells) in gastrointestinal and lymphoid tissues, including those relevant to breastfeeding transmission, as well as peripheral blood from uninfected RM and SM infants. We found that frequently-transmitting RMs did not have higher levels of cell-free or cell-associated viral loads in milk compared to rarely-transmitting SMs. Milk from both RMs and SMs moderately inhibited in vitro SIV infection, and presence of the examined immune mediators in these two species did not readily explain the differential rates of transmission. Importantly, we found that the percentage of CD4+CCR5+ T cells was significantly lower in all tissues in infant SMs as compared to infant RMs despite robust levels of CD4+ T cell proliferation in both species. The difference between the frequently-transmitting RMs and rarely-transmitting SMs was most pronounced in CD4+ memory T cells in the spleen, jejunum, and colon as well as in central and effector memory CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood. We propose that limited availability of SIV target cells in infant SMs represents a key evolutionary adaptation to reduce the risk of MTIT in SIV-infected SMs.
Typing of Chlamydia trachomatis strains from urine samples by amplification and sequencing the major outer membrane protein gene (omp1)

Objectives: To develop a novel protocol for the extraction, amplification, and sequencing of Chlamydia trachomatis MOMP gene (omp1) from urine, a non-invasive source, and apply it to an epidemiological study on the distribution of C trachomatis strains in a population of pregnant women in Thailand. Methods: The C trachomatis DNA was extracted from culture stocks and urine using a slightly modified commercially available kit, the High Pure PCR Template Preparation Kit (Roche Molecular Biochemicals, IN, USA). The PCR and sequencing primers used for the amplification and sequencing of the omp1 were designed based on the nucleotide sequence of multiple C trachomatis strains found in GenBank. The protocol for the extraction, amplification, and sequencing was tested on laboratory culture stocks of reference strains of all C trachomatis serovars and on urine samples collected in a cross sectional study designed to assess the prevalence of C trachomatis infections in the cities of Bangkok and Chiang Rai, Thailand. Results: The omp1 gene was successfully amplified and sequenced from 18 laboratory C trachomatis reference strains and from 45 C trachomatis positive urine clinical samples collected from asymptomatic pregnant women. Among clinical samples, we found nine different C trachomatis genotypes: F (11, 25%), D (10, 22.6%), H (5, 11.7%), K (5, 11.7%), E (4, 9.3%), Ia (3, 7%), B (3, 7%), Ja (2, 4.5%), and G (1, 2.3%). One specimen generated an omp1 DNA sequence pattern indicating the presence of a mixed infection with at least two different serovars. Conclusions: Urine is a convenient and reliable source for genotyping C trachomatis strains. A clear advantage of urine over traditional samples, such as cervical swabs, is that urine is a non-invasive source which makes collection easier and thus facilitates the enrolment of patients in clinical and epidemiological studies. In addition to typing, urine is increasingly used for diagnosis of C trachomatis infection by several commercially available nucleic acid amplification assays which represents a distinct advantage for collecting, transport, storage, and laboratory handling of samples.
Evaluating a rule evaluation support method with learning models based on objective rule evaluation indices - a case study with a meningitis data mining result

In this paper, we present a novel rule evaluation support method for post-processing of mined results with rule evaluation models based on objective indices. Post-processing of mined results is one of the key issues to make a data mining process successfully. However, it is difficult for human experts to evaluate many thousands of rules from a large dataset with noises completely. To reduce the costs of rule evaluation procedures, we have developed the rule evaluation support method with rule evaluation models, which are obtained with objective indices of mined classification rules and evaluations of a human expert for each rule. To evaluate performances of learning algorithms for constructing rule evaluation models, we have done a case study on the meningitis data mining as an actual problem. Then we discuss the availability of our rule evaluation support method.
Fatigue management

Fatigue has been described as the most common, most debilitating side effect of cancer treatment and is frequently reported as a long‐term complication of treatment as well. Despite the prevalence of fatigue and its profoundly negative effect on patients' quality of life, little is known about the specific mechanisms that underlie fatigue in cancer patients or how to prevent it and treat it effectively. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Fatigue Practice Guidelines Panel has reviewed the available evidence and the consensus of practitioners regarding the management of fatigue and has developed clinical practice guidelines. These guidelines are presented in this article, with a discussion of levels of evidence for interventions recommended by the guidelines. Gaps exist in our knowledge of fatigue and further research is needed to support the NCCN Practice Guidelines for fatigue; however, there is a developing body of knowledge and consensus of clinicians regarding the management of fatigue in cancer patients. Additional research directed toward the knowledge gaps would strengthen the Practice Guidelines. Cancer 2001;92:1699–1707. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Differences in the fetal interleukin-6 response to microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity between term and preterm gestation

Background/objective: Fetal inflammatory response has been implicated as a mechanism of multi-system organ injury in preterm and term neonates. Microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) is frequently associated with a fetal inflammatory response. However, there are no studies comparing the fetal response to MIAC in term and preterm gestations. The purpose of this study was to compare the umbilical cord plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations in term and preterm neonates in the presence or absence of MIAC. Study design: Umbilical cord blood was obtained at birth from 252 neonates whose mothers had an amniocentesis within 48 h of delivery (preterm delivery, n = 62; term delivery, n = 190). MIAC was defined as a positive amniotic fluid culture for bacteria or genital mycoplasmas. IL-6 was measured by a sensitive and specific immunoassay. Results: The median IL-6 concentration in umbilical cord plasma was significantly higher in preterm neonates than in term neonates (median 13.4 pg/ml, range 0.1-676 pg/ml vs. median 3.2 pg/ml, range 0.1-408 pg/ml; p < 0.0001). In the context of MIAC, the median umbilical cord plasma IL-6 concentration was significantly higher in preterm than in term neonates (median 31.6 pg/ml, range 1.4-676 pg/ml vs. median 11.7 pg/ml, range 1.3-82 pg/ml, respectively; p < 0.05). Neonates born to mothers with a positive amniotic fluid culture had a significantly higher median IL-6 concentration than neonates born to mothers with a negative amniotic fluid culture (preterm: median 31.6, range 1.4-676 pg/ml vs. median 8.0, range 0.1-656 pg/ml; p < 0.05 and term: median 11.7, range 1.3-82 pg/ml vs. median 3.1, range 0.1-408 pg/ml; p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: The preterm fetus is capable of mounting a systemic cytokine response as measured by IL-6 in its peripheral blood. In the setting of MIAC, a fetal IL-6 response is higher in preterm than in term gestation.
Surviving in a Marine Desert: The Sponge Loop Retains Resources Within Coral Reefs

Sponge Pump “Darwin's Paradox” asks how productive and diverse ecosystems like coral reefs thrive in the marine equivalent of a desert. De Goeij et al. (p. 108) now show that coral reef sponges are part of a highly efficient recycling pathway for dissolved organic matter (DOM), converting it, via rapid sponge-cell turnover, into cellular detritus that becomes food for reef consumers. DOM transfer through the sponge loop approaches the gross primary production rates required for the entire coral reef ecosystem. Sponges take up dissolved organic matter and convert it into consumable cellular material. Ever since Darwin’s early descriptions of coral reefs, scientists have debated how one of the world’s most productive and diverse ecosystems can thrive in the marine equivalent of a desert. It is an enigma how the flux of dissolved organic matter (DOM), the largest resource produced on reefs, is transferred to higher trophic levels. Here we show that sponges make DOM available to fauna by rapidly expelling filter cells as detritus that is subsequently consumed by reef fauna. This “sponge loop” was confirmed in aquarium and in situ food web experiments, using 13C- and 15N-enriched DOM. The DOM-sponge-fauna pathway explains why biological hot spots such as coral reefs persist in oligotrophic seas—the reef’s paradox—and has implications for reef ecosystem functioning and conservation strategies.
Current feedback compensation (CFC) technique for adaptively adjusting the phase margin in capacitor-free LDO regulators

Current feedback compensation technique (CFC) can adaptively adjust the phase margin for achieving better transient response than that with variant phase margin at different load current conditions. Not only fast transient response is attained due to suitable phase margin but also the minimum load current limitation can be greatly reduced to about 50 muA without sacrificing bandwidth at light load current condition. Besides, CFC technique can have high PSRR bandwidth with compatible compensation capacitors compared to the Q-reduction technique (Lau, 2007). The capacitor-free LDO regulator with CFC technique is fabricated by TSMC 0.35 mum 2P4M CMOS process with small compensation capacitors 5pF and 1.5 pF. Experimental results demonstrate that the minimum load can be reduced to 50 muA and transient response time with adaptively phase margin control is smaller than 1 mus.
Multi-target tracking applied to evolutionary clustering

We extend an established and robust method from multi-target tracking showing how it can be used for evolutionary clustering. Our framework models the real-life dynamics of consumer web data: the number of objects grows with time, and not all objects update their state synchronously. Our proposed algorithm tackles this problem by estimating the clusters sequentially using methods of multi-target tracking. We compare this novel technique to clustering algorithms commonly used in the literature and show how our method outperforms the other methods in terms of accuracy, stability and speed of adaptation to group dynamics. Our algorithm successfully detects changepoints in the number of clusters.
Nevirapine extended-release for the treatment of HIV-1 infection

Non-nucleoside antiretroviral combination therapy is the standard of care with a robust virologic efficacy and a good safety profile. One of the most frequently used non-nucleosides, nevirapine (NVP), has been available as a every 12 h, immediate-release (IR) tablet since 1996. In order to enhance convenience and adherence, a new pharmaceutical formulation was devised for once-daily use. This is the NVP extended-release (XR) tablet containing 400 mg of NVP. Preclinical and clinical studies were performed to establish the optimal pharmaceutical release form and to establish data on comparability with the conventional NVP-IR. The VERXVE study has shown noninferiority of the new NVP-XR formulation in treatment-naive patients. Safety and tolerability was found to be at least as good as with NVP-IR. NVP-XR is likely to become a convenient treatment option in first-line therapy and will also be a welcome alternative to patients already on NVP.
Enhancing astronaut performance using sensorimotor adaptability training

Astronauts experience disturbances in balance and gait function when they return to Earth. The highly plastic human brain enables individuals to modify their behavior to match the prevailing environment. Subjects participating in specially designed variable sensory challenge training programs can enhance their ability to rapidly adapt to novel sensory situations. This is useful in our application because we aim to train astronauts to rapidly formulate effective strategies to cope with the balance and locomotor challenges associated with new gravitational environments—enhancing their ability to “learn to learn. ” We do this by coupling various combinations of sensorimotor challenges with treadmill walking. A unique training system has been developed that is comprised of a treadmill mounted on a motion base to produce movement of the support surface during walking. This system provides challenges to gait stability. Additional sensory variation and challenge are imposed with a virtual visual scene that presents subjects with various combinations of discordant visual information during treadmill walking. This experience allows them to practice resolving challenging and conflicting novel sensory information to improve their ability to adapt rapidly. Information obtained from this work will inform the design of the next generation of sensorimotor countermeasures for astronauts.
Predictors of inadequate bowel preparation for colonoscopy

OBJECTIVE:Inadequate preparation of the bowel for colonoscopy can result in both missed pathological lesions and cancelled procedures. We looked prospectively at the quality of colonic preparation and evaluated potential associations between specific patient characteristics and inadequate colonic preparation.METHODS:Data were gathered on consecutive patients presenting for colonoscopy who received either a polyethylene glycol lavage or oral sodium phosphate bowel preparation. Patient demographic and medical history information was gathered before scheduled colonoscopy. The endoscopist evaluated the preparation quality during the procedure. Complete data were gathered on 649 of 714 eligible patients (90.8%). Possible predictors of inadequate colonic preparation were analyzed using univariate statistics and multivariate logistic regression models.RESULTS:An inadequate colonic preparation was reported in 21.7% of observed colonoscopies. Only 18% of patients with an inadequate colonic preparation reported a failure to adequately follow preparation instructions. A later colonoscopy starting time, a reported failure to follow preparation instructions, inpatient status, a procedural indication of constipation, taking tricyclic antidepressants, male gender, and a history of cirrhosis, stroke or dementia were all independent predictors of an inadequate colon preparation (all p < 0.05). A procedural indication of previous polypectomy was a negative predictor of inadequate colonic preparation (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION:Several patient characteristics were significantly associated with colonic preparation quality independent of preparation type, compliance with preparation instructions, and procedure starting time. This information may help to identify patients at an increased risk for inadequate colonic preparation for whom alternative preparation protocols would be appropriate.
Evaluation of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Young People Using a Web-Based Survey Technique

Objective. Many adolescents and young adults consciously expose themselves to loud music for entertainment. We hypothesized that these individuals might not be aware that exposure to loud music could result in hearing loss. Furthermore, we wished to assess the feasibility of a web-based survey to collect health information from this group. Methods. A 28-question survey was designed to target adolescents and young adults. The survey contained questions about views toward general health issues, including hearing loss, and was presented to random visitors at the MTV web site. Results. In 3 days, 9693 web surveys were completed. Hearing loss was defined on a Likert scale as “a very big problem” by 8% of respondents compared with other health issues: sexually transmitted diseases, 50%; alcohol/drug use, 47%; depression, 44%; smoking, 45%; nutrition and weight issues, 31%; and acne, 18%. Notably, most respondents had experienced tinnitus or hearing impairment attending concerts (61%) and clubs (43%). Only 14% of respondents had used earplugs; however, many could be motivated to try ear protection if they were aware of the potential for permanent hearing loss (66%) or were advised by a medical professional (59%). Conclusions. A majority of young adults have experienced tinnitus and hearing impairment after exposure to loud music. Fortunately, many of these individuals could be motivated to wear ear protection. This novel web-based survey technique rapidly generated a large database and is a feasible method to obtain health data from this group.
The contribution of monocyte infection and trafficking to viral persistence, and maintenance of the viral reservoir in HIV infection

Cellular viral reservoirs and anatomic sanctuary sites allow continuing HIV‐1 replication in patients with suppressed plasma viremia who are receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy and prevent eradication of HIV‐1 by these regimens. Cells of macrophage lineage, including monocytes subsets within the blood, play a role in HIV‐1 persistence. Evidence of sequence evolution in blood monocytes, in comparison to resting CD4+ T cells, demonstrates their distinct contribution to plasma viremia. There is evidence to suggest that a specific monocyte subset, of CD14loCD16hi phenotype, is more susceptible to HIV‐1 infection than the majority of blood monocytes. Trafficking of monocytes through various tissues following their emigration from the bloodstream allows these cells to differentiate into tissue macrophages, or potentially to egress from the tissues as migratory dendritic cells. This review provides an evaluation of the contribution of monocytes to HIV‐1 persistence and the HIV‐1 reservoir, essential for the effective design of therapeutic eradication strategies.