Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strontium as a marker for intestinal calcium absorption: the stimulatory effect of calcitriol.

BACKGROUND Intestinal strontium absorption is becoming accepted as a clinical and diagnostic tool for assessing intestinal calcium absorption in humans. However, little is known about whether intestinal strontium absorption, like that of calcium, is stimulated by calcitriol in healthy humans. METHODS The effect of calcitriol on intestinal strontium absorption was measured in eight healthy men, ages 20-60 years. Before administration of calcitriol, two tests were performed with an interval of 10 days for calculating the within-subject variation (SE(R)). Before the third test, 0.5 microg of calcitriol was given twice daily for 3 days. In each test, the fractional strontium absorption (Fc(240)) and the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC(0-240)) 4 h after an oral strontium load of 2.5 mmol were calculated. RESULTS The within-subject SE(R) of Fc(240) and AUC(0-240) was 1.7 +/- 0.7 and 0.83 +/- 0.1, respectively. The stimulatory effect of calcitriol on Fc(240) and AUC(0-240) was 35% (21.8 +/- 2.0 to 28.8 +/- 2.4; P = 0.003) and 61% (8.97 +/- 0.97 to 14.4 +/- 1.3 mmol. L(-1). min; P = 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Although the reproducibility of AUC(0-240) and its sensitivity to calcitriol were better than those of Fc(240), the Fc(240) of strontium is preferred for a clinical test because of its simplicity, requiring only two instead of five blood samples.
Why would 5G need optical wireless communications?

In the National Broadband Plan released by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 2010, it was predicted that with the ever increasing demand for data, the spectrum in 2009 will no longer be sufficient in 2013. The spectrum need was obtained based on the predicted mobile data traffic, number of cell sites and achievable spectral efficiency for the US in the FCC's report. In this study, predictions made by the FCC are compared with the achieved values from 2009 to 2016 in order to validate the required spectrum prediction. Furthermore, trends seen from 2009 to 2016 are used to predict when the required spectrum that satisfies the mobile data demand will exceed the entire radio frequency (RF) spectrum. According to the predicted mobile data traffic, number of cell sites and achievable spectral efficiency for the US, the entire RF spectrum will be fully used around 2035. Therefore, unlocking the visible light spectrum and deploying indoor/outdoor optical wireless systems would be a necessity for the next generation communication technologies in order to alleviate the spectrum crunch.
Lyme borreliosis in Europe.

Despite improvements in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, Lyme borreliosis (LB) is still the most common arthropod-borne disease in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, with risk of infection associated with occupation (e.g. forestry work) and certain outdoor recreational activities (e.g. mushroom collecting). In Europe, LB is caused by infection with one or more pathogenic European genospecies of the spirochaete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, mainly transmitted by the tick Ixodes ricinus. Recent surveys show that the overall prevalence of LB may be stabilising, but its geographical distribution is increasing. In addition, much remains to be discovered about the factors affecting genospecific prevalence, transmission and virulence, although avoidance of tick bite still appears to be the most efficient preventive measure. Uniform, European-wide surveillance programmes (particularly on a local scale) and standardisation of diagnostic tests and treatments are still urgently needed, especially in the light of climate change scenarios and land-use and socio-economic changes. Improved epidemiological knowledge will also aid development of more accurate risk prediction models for LB. Studies on the effects of biodiversity loss and ecosystem changes on LB emergence may identify new paradigms for the prevention and control of LB and other tick-borne diseases.
Throughput and Energy Optimization in Wireless Networks: Joint MAC Scheduling and Network Coding

This paper studies joint scheduling and network coding in wireless multicast networks with independent sources. Designing a network coding solution for wireless networks involves scheduling interference-free transmissions and optimizing a performance measure for the predetermined scheduling sets, followed by constructing network codes for the specific solution. In such a design process, the results of prior steps need to provide enough information to the subsequent steps. In this paper, we formulate a linear optimization problem whose results can be used to design a coding solution. We build our work on previous works and present statistics that show the importance of incorporating unequal timeshares in designing network codes. In particular, our statistics show a throughput improvement of about 35% in maximum flow problems and energy savings between 13% and 30%, depending on the network size, in minimum energy problems. We also present the requirements of code construction algorithms for wireless networks that capture the broadcast property of these networks and can design proper codes when timeshares are unequal. In particular, the adaptation of a centralized network coding scheme for wireless networks is discussed. Overall, the work reported here provides a three-step solution to derive network codes that optimize a performance criterion of interest while also solving the scheduling problem in multihop wireless networks.
Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica Leukotoxin Binding Domain Lies within Amino Acids 1 to 291 of Bovine CD18

ABSTRACT Previously, we identified bovine CD18 as the receptor for leukotoxin secreted by Mannheimia (Pasteurella) haemolytica. In this study, we constructed bovine-murine CD18 chimeras to locate the leukotoxin binding domain on CD18. Leukotoxin specifically lysed transfectants expressing bovine CD18 fragment encompassing amino acids 1 to 291, indicating that leukotoxin binding domain lies within amino acids 1 to 291 of bovine CD18.
Treatment strategies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis for whom methotrexate monotherapy has failed: data from the NOR-DMARD register

Objectives To compare the effectiveness of adding synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (sDMARDs) versus tumour necrosis factor α inhibitors (TNFi) to methotrexate (MTX) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who were MTX inadequate responders (IR). Second, to examine outcomes in patients receiving MTX+TNFi for whom the MTX+sDMARD combination had also failed. Methods Patients with RA (disease duration ≤ 5 years, MTX IR and naïve to other DMARDs) starting treatment with MTX+TNFi or MTX+sDMARDs were included. From the latter group a subgroup of patients who went on to receive MTX+TNFi was identified. Results Patients receiving MTX+TNFi (n=98) and MTX+sDMARDs (n=129) had similar baseline disease activity when starting combination therapy (mean Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) = 4.90 and 4.96, respectively). Three- and 6-month effectiveness and 2-year drug survival were better for MTX+TNFi than for MTX+sDMARDs: mean ∆DAS28 was −1.61 versus −0.85 after 3 months (p<0.001) and −1.91 versus −1.03 after 6 months (p=0.01); DAS28<2.6 was reached by 29.0% versus 11.6% after 3 and 34.5% versus 12.9% after 6 months. Effectiveness was somewhat better with triple therapy than other MTX+sDMARD combinations but was generally inferior compared with MTX+TNFi. For the patients who received MTX+TNFi as a third step after MTX+sDMARDs had failed (n=38) there was a tendency towards lower remission rates, worse disease activity states and inferior drug survival compared with patients who received MTX+TNFi directly after the failure of MTX. Conclusions Effectiveness was better for MTX+TNFi than for MTX+sDMARDs. Patients who started MTX+TNFi after two synthetic DMARD regimens had failed had a tendency to less favourable disease states after 3 months than patients who switched directly from MTX to MTX+TNFi.
Scavenger receptor BI and ABCG5/G8 differentially impact biliary sterol secretion and reverse cholesterol transport in mice

Biliary lipid secretion plays an important role in gallstone disease and reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). Using Sr‐bI/Abcg5 double knockout mice (dko), the present study investigated the differential contribution of two of the most relevant transporters: adenosine triphosphate (ATP)‐binding cassette subfamily G member 5 and 8 (ABCG5/G8) and scavenger receptor class B type I (SR‐BI) to sterol metabolism and RCT. Plasma cholesterol levels increased in the following order, mainly due to differences in high density lipoprotein (HDL): Abcg5 ko < wild type < Sr‐bI/Abcg5 dko < Sr‐bI ko. Liver cholesterol content was elevated in Sr‐bI ko only (P < 0.05). In Sr‐bI/Abcg5 dko plasma plant sterols were highest, while hepatic plant sterols were lower compared with Abcg5 ko (P < 0.05). Under baseline conditions, biliary cholesterol secretion rates decreased in the following order: wild type > Sr‐bI ko (−16%) > Abcg5 ko (−75%) > Sr‐bI/Abcg5 dko (−94%), all at least P < 0.05, while biliary bile acid secretion did not differ between groups. However, under supraphysiological conditions, upon infusion with increasing amounts of the bile salt tauroursodeoxycholic acid, Abcg5 became fully rate‐limiting for biliary cholesterol secretion. Additional in vivo macrophage‐to‐feces RCT studies demonstrated an almost 50% decrease in overall RCT in Sr‐bI/Abcg5 dko compared with Abcg5 ko mice (P < 0.01). Conclusion: These data demonstrate that (1) SR‐BI contributes to ABCG5/G8‐independent biliary cholesterol secretion under basal conditions; (2) biliary cholesterol mass secretion under maximal bile salt‐stimulated conditions is fully dependent on ABCG5/G8; and (3) Sr‐bI contributes to macrophage‐to‐feces RCT independent of Abcg5/g8. (Hepatology 2013;)
Focal loss of actin bundles causes microtubule redistribution and growth cone turning

Ît is commonly believed that growth cone turning during pathfinding is initiated by reorganization of actin filaments in response to guidance cues, which then affects microtubule structure to complete the turning process. However, a major unanswered question is how changes in actin cytoskeleton are induced by guidance cues and how these changes are then translated into microtubule rearrangement. Here, we report that local and specific disruption of actin bundles from the growth cone peripheral domain induced repulsive growth cone turning. Meanwhile, dynamic microtubules within the peripheral domain were oriented into areas where actin bundles remained and were lost from areas where actin bundles disappeared. This resulted in directional microtubule extension leading to axon bending and growth cone turning. In addition, this local actin bundle loss coincided with localized growth cone collapse, as well as asymmetrical lamellipodial protrusion. Our results provide direct evidence, for the first time, that regional actin bundle reorganization can steer the growth cone by coordinating actin reorganization with microtubule dynamics. This suggests that actin bundles can be potential targets of signaling pathways downstream of guidance cues, providing a mechanism for coupling changes in leading edge actin with microtubules at the central domain during turning.
A candidate tidal disruption event in the Galaxy cluster Abell 3571

Context. Tidal disruption events are possible sources of temporary nuclear activity in galactic nuclei and can be considered as good indicators of the existence of supermassive black holes in the centers of galaxies. Aims. A new X-ray source has been detected serendipitously with ROSAT in a PSPC pointed observation of the galaxy cluster A3571. Given the strong flux decay of the object in subsequent detections, the tidal disruption scenario is investigated as a possible explanation of the event. Methods. We followed the evolution of the X-ray transient with ROSAT, XMM-Newton and Chandra for a total period of ~13 years. We also obtained 7-band optical/NIR photometry with GROND at the ESO/MPI 2.2 m telescope. Results. We report a very large decay of the X-ray flux of the ROSAT source identified with the galaxy LEDA 095953, a member of the cluster Abell 3571. We measured a maximum 0.3-2.4 keV luminosity Log ( L X ) = 42.8 erg s -1 . The high state of the source lasted at least 150 ks; afterwards L X declined as ~ t -2 . The spectrum of the brightest epoch is consistent with a black body with temperature $kT\sim$ 0.12 keV. Conclusions. The total energy released by this event in 10 yr was estimated to be $\Delta~E$ > 2 $\times$ 10 50 erg. We interpret this event as a tidal disruption of a solar type star by the central supermassive black hole (i.e. ~10$^{7}~M_{\odot}$) of the galaxy.
Nationwide Point Cloud - The Future Topographic Core Data

Topographic databases maintained by national mapping agencies are currently the most common nationwide data sets in geo-information. The application of laser scanning as source data for surveying is increasing. Along with this development, several analysis methods that utilize dense point clouds have been introduced. We present the concept of producing a dense nationwide point cloud, produced from multiple sensors and containing multispectral information, as the national core data for geo-information. Geo-information products, such as digital terrain and elevation models and 3D building models, are produced automatically from these data. We outline the data acquisition, processing, and application of the point cloud. As a national data set, a dense multispectral point cloud could produce significant cost savings via improved automation in mapping and a reduction of overlapping surveying efforts.
Cigarette smoking: A review of possible associations with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer

There are conflicting data on the effect of cigarette smoking on serum levels of the various sex hormones. Some studies suggest that cigarette smoke produces an antiestrogenic effect. Smoking may also affect the metabolism of other sex steroids such as testosterone and adrenal hormones, and thereby influence the incidence of benign and malignant growth of the prostate.
The Effect of Dietary Sodium and Potassium Upon Blood Pressure and Catecholamine Excretion in the Rat

Summary Male Sprague-Dawley derived rats fed a moderately high sodium diet became hypertensive by the 6th dietary month. After the 12th dietary month, the urinary excretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine was moderately increased in this group. The inclusion of a small dietary supplement of potassium in the diet had an ameliorating effect upon the development of hypertension and resulted in lower excretion rate for catecholamines.
Review of the Role of the Central Serotonergic Neuronal System in Blood Pressure Regulation

SUMMARY Alterations in the dynamics of brain serotonin biosynthesis can lead to changes in cardiovascular function. It appears that the activation of cerebral serotonin receptors produces a pressor effect in normotensive rats but produces a depressor effect in nonnotensive cats or dogs. On the other hand, reductions in the levels of serotonin can prevent the onset of hypertension in some experimental hypertensive models and lower the blood pressure of organisms with established hypertension. The ability of brain serotonin to modulate arterial blood pressure may be mediated by the influences of the serotonergic neuronal systems on efferent sympathetic activity. Finally, the reduction in sympathetic outflow produced by increasing brain serotonin levels in dogs protects the heart against ventricular fibrillation and may, therefore, constitute a reasonable adjunct in the management of high-risk, cardiac-arrest patients.
Anti‐Cholinergic Effects of Quinidine, Disopyramide, and Procainamide in Isolated Atrial Myocytes: Mediation by Different Molecular Mechanisms

Effects of quinidine, disopyramide, and procainamide on the acetylcholine (ACh)-induced K+channel current were examined in single atrial cells, using the tight-seal, whole-cell clamp technique. The pipette solution contained guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP) or guanosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP-yS, a nonhydrolysable GTP analogue). In GTP-loaded cells, not only ACh but also adenoslne induced a specific K+ channel current via GTP-binding proteins (G) by activating muscarinic ACh or adenosine receptors. Quinidine and disopyramide depressed the ACh-induced K+ current quite effectively. Procainamide had a weak inhibitory effect. Quinidine also depressed adenosine-induced K+ current, while the effect of disopyramide on adenosine-induced current was much smaller than that on ACh-induced current. In GTP-γS-loaded cells, the K+ channel was uncoupled from the receptors and was activated irreversibly, probably due to direct activation of G proteins by GTP-γS. Quinidine depressed the GTP-γS-induced K+ current just as in the cases of ACh- and adenosine-induced currents of GTP-loaded cells. Disopyramide had only a weak inhibitory effect and procainamide showed no effect. From these results, it is strongly suggested that the major mechanisms underlying the anti-cholinergic effects of quinidine, disopyramide, and procainamide are different; quinidine may inhibit the muscarinic K+ channel itself and/or G proteins, while disopyramide and high doses of procainamide may mainly block functions of muscarinic ACh receptors in atrial myocytes.
Preparation of MgO-Templated N-Doped Mesoporous Carbons from Polyvinylpyrrolidone: Effect of Heating Temperature on Pore Size Distribution

Magnesium oxide (MgO)-templated nitrogen (N)-doped mesoporous carbons were prepared by using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a raw material and magnesium lactate (Mglac) as a precursor for the MgO template to examine the influence of heating temperature and MgO precursor (magnesium acetate was used in similar previous studies) on the pore size and nitrogen content. The MgO-templated carbon was obtained by heating the PVP/Mglac mixture in an inert atmosphere followed by an acid treatment for MgO removal. The mesopore size of the carbons was approximately 4 nm regardless of heating temperature, corresponding to the crystallite size of the MgO template estimated via X-ray diffraction. This indicates that the mesopore of approximately 4 nm was generated using the MgO template. However, larger pores were also found to exist. This result indicates that the larger pores generated through processes other than the MgO templating, likely the thermal decomposition of PVP, are contained in the templated carbon. The volume of the larger pores and the specific surface area increased with increasing heating temperature. The nitrogen content of the carbon decreased as the heating temperature was increased, but it was found to be irrelevant to the MgO precursor.
Piecewise affine output feedback controller for vehicle lane keeping

This paper presents the design and simulation test of a piecewise affine output-feedback controller for vehicle lane keeping. The design of the proposed lane keeping system takes into account the entire domain of lateral tire forces through piecewise affine approximations of the tire forces nonlinear behavior. The computation of the control law is casted as Bilinear Matrix Inequalities optimization procedure which is solved using the V-K-method to find simultaneously a piecewise quadratic Lyapunov function and the piecewise affine regulator and estimator structures. Simulation tests show the controlled car is able to well achieve the standard ISO-3888-2 transient maneuver.
Continuous veno‐venous hemofiltration with dialysis removes cytokines from the circulation of septic patients

ObjectivesTo determine whether continuous veno-venous hemofiltration with dialysis leads to extraction of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) from the circulation of critically ill patients with sepsis and acute renal failure and to quantitate the clearance and removal rates of these cytokines and their effect on serum cytokine concentrations. DesignProspective, controlled study of TNF-α and IL-1β extraction by continuous veno-venous hemofiltration with dialysis in patients with septic acute renal failure. SettingIntensive care unit of a tertiary institution. PatientsEighteen critically ill patients with sepsis and acute renal failure. Control group of six patients experiencing an acute illness while undergoing chronic hemodialysis. InterventionsCollection of blood samples before continuous veno-venous hemofiltration with hemodialysis. Simultaneous collection of prefilter blood and ultradiafiltrate after 4 and 24 hrs of treatment. Measurements and Main ResultsTNF-α and IL-1β concentrations were measured in blood and ultradiafiltrate. Their clearances and daily extraction were calculated and compared with a control group. TNF-α was detected in 66.6% of serum samples of patients with septic acute renal failure; IL-1β was detected in 55% of patients' sera samples. Both TNF-α and IL-1β were cleared by the hemofilter during continuous veno-venous hemofiltration with dialysis. The mean clearance for TNF-α was 30.7 L/day (95% confidence interval 22.4 to 39) with a daily mean excretion of 14.1 μg (95% confidence interval 1.7 to 26.5). Mean IL-1β clearance was 36.1 L/day (95% confidence interval 25.4 to 46.8) equivalent to a mean daily IL-1β excretion of 1 μg (95% confidence interval 0.9 to 1.1). No measurable concentrations of TNF-α or IL-1β were found in the serum or ultrafiltrate specimens of control patients. ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate that continuous veno-venous hemofiltration with dialysis can remove both TNF-α and IL-1β from the circulation of septic, critically ill patients. This cytokine extraction may prove to be of benefit in attenuating the progression of multiple organ dysfunction in patients with sepsis-associated renal failure, who are receiving continuous veno-venous hemofiltration with dialysis. This potential benefit of existing hemofiltration therapies supports their preferential implementation in patients with renal failure associated with severe sepsis. These observations may stimulate the modification of filtration membrane design seeking to specifically augment the clearance from the circulation of a variety of such cytokines. (Crit Care Med 1993; 21:522–526)
Recent climate trends and future scenarios along the Egyptian Mediterranean coast

This paper analyses the present Egyptian Mediterranean coast (EMC) climate and the response of its climate variables to global changes. First, the accuracy of the ERA-Interim dataset (1979–2010) for the studied region is examined by comparing these data with available independent observations. Second, the qualities of six global climate models (gCMs), together with the ensemble mean of multiple model realisations of the A1B scenario, are examined by comparing these with the ERA-Interim dataset. Finally, gCM simulations are used to describe the uncertainties in future climate change along the EMC. The results indicate that the observations are in good agreement with the ERA-Interim data. The data for the EMC, 1979–2000, display a significant positive trend for 2-m air temperature together with significant negative trends for total precipitation and sea level pressure. The climate model that best describes the present EMC climate is the CgCM 3.1 model, which is used to describe the future climate of the study area. The CgCM 3.1 model indicates that the EMC area will experience significant warming, substantial droughts, and a weak decrease in sea level pressure in the end of the current century.