Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Arrhythmogenic ion-channel remodeling in the heart: heart failure, myocardial infarction, and atrial fibrillation.

Rhythmic and effective cardiac contraction depends on appropriately timed generation and spread of cardiac electrical activity. The basic cellular unit of such activity is the action potential, which is shaped by specialized proteins (channels and transporters) that control the movement of ions across cardiac cell membranes in a highly regulated fashion. Cardiac disease modifies the operation of ion channels and transporters in a way that promotes the occurrence of cardiac rhythm disturbances, a process called "arrhythmogenic remodeling. " Arrhythmogenic remodeling involves alterations in ion channel and transporter expression, regulation and association with important protein partners, and has important pathophysiological implications that contribute in major ways to cardiac morbidity and mortality. We review the changes in ion channel and transporter properties associated with three important clinical and experimental paradigms: congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and atrial fibrillation. We pay particular attention to K+, Na+, and Ca2+ channels; Ca2+ transporters; connexins; and hyperpolarization-activated nonselective cation channels and discuss the mechanisms through which changes in ion handling processes lead to cardiac arrhythmias. We highlight areas of future investigation, as well as important opportunities for improved therapeutic approaches that are being opened by an improved understanding of the mechanisms of arrhythmogenic remodeling.
Fas- or Ceramide-induced Apoptosis Is Mediated by a Rac1-regulated Activation of Jun N-terminal Kinase/p38 Kinases and GADD153*

In the present study, we show that Fas receptor ligation or cellular treatment with synthetic C6-ceramide results in activation or phosphorylation, respectively, of the small G-protein Rac1, Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/p38 kinases (p38-K), and the transcription factor GADD153. A signaling cascade from the Fas receptor via ceramide, Ras, Rac1, and JNK/p38-K to GADD153 is demonstrated employing transfection of transdominant inhibitory N17Ras, N17Rac1, c-Jun, or treatment with a specific p38-K inhibitor. The critical function of this signaling cascade is indicated by prevention of Fas- or C6-ceramide-induced apoptosis after inhibition of Ras, Rac1, or JNK/p38-K.
Modulation of Huh7.5 Spheroid Formation and Functionality Using Modified PEG-Based Hydrogels of Different Stiffness

Physical cues, such as cell microenvironment stiffness, are known to be important factors in modulating cellular behaviors such as differentiation, viability, and proliferation. Apart from being able to trigger these effects, mechanical stiffness tuning is a very convenient approach that could be implemented readily into smart scaffold designs. In this study, fibrinogen-modified poly(ethylene glycol)-diacrylate (PEG-DA) based hydrogels with tunable mechanical properties were synthesized and applied to control the spheroid formation and liver-like function of encapsulated Huh7.5 cells in an engineered, three-dimensional liver tissue model. By controlling hydrogel stiffness (0.1–6 kPa) as a cue for mechanotransduction representing different stiffness of a normal liver and a diseased cirrhotic liver, spheroids ranging from 50 to 200 μm were formed over a three week time-span. Hydrogels with better compliance (i.e. lower stiffness) promoted formation of larger spheroids. The highest rates of cell proliferation, albumin secretion, and CYP450 expression were all observed for spheroids in less stiff hydrogels like a normal liver in a healthy state. We also identified that the hydrogel modification by incorporation of PEGylated-fibrinogen within the hydrogel matrix enhanced cell survival and functionality possibly owing to more binding of autocrine fibronectin. Taken together, our findings establish guidelines to control the formation of Huh7.5 cell spheroids in modified PEGDA based hydrogels. These spheroids may serve as models for applications such as screening of pharmacological drug candidates.
Neuroprotective effect of rotigotine against complex I inhibitors, MPP⁺ and rotenone, in primary mesencephalic cell culture.

INTRODUCTION Dopamine agonists are suggested to be more efficacious in treating Parkinson's disease (PD) as they have neuroprotective properties in addition to their receptor-related actions. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of rotigotine, a D3/D2/D1 dopamine receptor agonist, against the two powerful complex I inhibitors, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) and rotenone, in primary mesencephalic cell culture relevant to PD. MATERIAL AND METHODS Primary mesencephalic cell cultures were prepared from embryonic mouse mesencephala at gestation day 14. Three sets of cultures were treated with rotigotine alone, rotigotine and MPP⁺, and rotigotine and rotenone to investigate the effect of rotigotine on the survival of dopaminergic neurons against age-, MPP⁺- and rotenone-induced cell death. At the end of each treatment, cultures were fixed and stained immunohistochemically against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). The effect of rotigotine against rotenone-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured using CH-H2DCFDA fluorescence dye. RESULTS Rotigotine alone did not influence the survival of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (THir) neurons except at 10 µM, it significantly decreased the number of THir neurons by 40% compared to untreated controls. Treatment of cultures with 0.01 µM rotigotine rescued 10% of THir neurons against MPP⁺-induced cell death. Rotigotine was also found to significantly rescue 20% of THir neurons at 0.01 µM of rotenone-treated cultures. Using of CH-H2DCFDA fluorescence dye, it was found that rotigotine significantly attenuated ROS production compared to rotenone-treated cultures. CONCLUSIONS Rotigotine provides minor protection against MPP⁺ and rescues a significant number of THir neurons against rotenone in primary mesencephalic cell cultures relevant to PD.
Induction of Autologous Tumor‐Specific Cytotoxic T‐Lymphocyte Activity Against a Human Renal Carcinoma Cell Line by B7–1 (CD80) Costimulation

Recently mouse models have shown that expression of costimulatory molecules such as B7–1 on tumor cells can induce tumor-specific immunity, suggesting that tumor cells modified to express costimulatory molecules can be a potential tumor vaccine. To investigate the importance of B7–1 co-stimulation in induction of autologous tumor immunity in humans, we established a renal carcinoma cell line, RCC-1, from a tumor resection and studied the patient's antitumor immune responses in vitro. The RCC-1 cell line con-stitutively expressed major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, and leukocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-3 molecules, and MHC class II molecules were induced by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) treatment in vitro. However, neither RCC-1− nor IFN-γ-treated RCC-1 cells expressed B7–1, and both failed to induce T-cell proliferative responses in mixed lymphocyte and tumor cell reaction (MLTR) assays, suggesting that the costimulatory signals provided by cell adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1 and LFA-3 were not sufficient to elicit an antitumor immune response. However, on transfection of the human B7–1 into RCC-1, these cells were able to induce a significant T-cell proliferation in MLTR assays. This T-cell response could be blocked by anti-B7 mAb treatment of the tumor cells. RCC-1B7 cells also induced the generation of tumor-specific cytolytic T lymphocytes to the parent RCC-1 cells in vitro, with little nonspecific cytolysis of an unrelated RCC line, A498, or autologous phytohemagglutinin (PHA) blasts. This specific cytotoxicity could be abrogated by anti-CD8 mAb and complement treatment. In summary, our study indicates that B7–1-CD28 interaction plays a critical role in induction of autologous tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in humans, suggesting that the costimulatory molecule-transfected tumor cells could be useful in expanding tumor-specific autologous CTL in vitro for adoptive tumor immunotherapy.
Review : Analysing childhood: a nursing perspective

■ Childhood is largely socially constructed and is subject to social and cultural change ■ Childhood is often characterised by immaturity and dependency, which may hamper the full recognition of children's rights ■ Children's nurses, as children's advocates, should develop a critical awareness of the concept of childhood ■ Children's nurses should also consider undertaking phenomenological research with children, as a means of identifying the needs of children
Accessorizing and anchoring the LINC complex for multifunctionality

The linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton (LINC) complex, composed of outer and inner nuclear membrane Klarsicht, ANC-1, and Syne homology (KASH) and Sad1 and UNC-84 (SUN) proteins, respectively, connects the nucleus to cytoskeletal filaments and performs diverse functions including nuclear positioning, mechanotransduction, and meiotic chromosome movements. Recent studies have shed light on the source of this diversity by identifying factors associated with the complex that endow specific functions as well as those that differentially anchor the complex within the nucleus. Additional diversity may be provided by accessory factors that reorganize the complex into higher-ordered arrays. As core components of the LINC complex are associated with several diseases, understanding the role of accessory and anchoring proteins could provide insights into pathogenic mechanisms.
A Novel Approach on Certificateless Encryption Schemes

Security remains as a big challenge as there are many advancements as well as applications being proposed in the areas wireless adhoc networks and cloud computing. The modern field of cryptography is divided into two main areas based on the basic encryption mechanism as symmetric key cryptography and Public-key cryptography. Symmetric-key cryptosystems use the same key for encryption and decryption of a message, though a message or group of messages may have a different key than others. But in Public-Key method, two different but mathematically related keys are used— a public key and a private key. So comparatively the second method is more popular. Among various techniques in this method Identity-Based encryption scheme, certificateless encryption as well as certificateless signcryption scheme are gaining popular now-a-days. One of the major advantages of any identity-based encryption scheme is that if there are only a finite number of users, after all users have been issued with keys the third party's secret can be destroyed. Certificateless encryption is a form of public-key encryption that is designed to eliminate the disadvantages of both traditional PKI-based public-key encryption scheme and identity-based encryption. The securitygoals associated with signcryption are stronger than those provided by authenticated encryption, where data authenticity suffices and non-repudiation is not required. In this article we present a review on various certificateless encryption schemes proposed for wireless adhoc networks as well as cloud computing. Finally we propose an idea of how to extend identity-based encryption scheme for multirecipient via randomness-reuse and a hybrid mechanism for providing certificateless encryption. We are also trying to achieve secured certificateless signcryption scheme.
[Trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of arterial hypertension between 1986 and 1996: the MONICA-Catalonia study].

BACKGROUND To describe temporal trends in blood pressure (BP) and in the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of arterial hypertension(AH) between 1986-1996 in the MONICA-Catalonia study. SUBJECTS AND METHOD Three cross-sectional health surveys in independent random samples of the general population aged 25-64, carried out in 1986-88,1990-92 and 1994-96 according to the WHO-MONICA study protocol.BP was measured twice with a random zero mercury sphygmomanometer. RESULTS 2,571, 2,934 and 3,485 subjects were examined in each survey with response rates of 74, 67 and 72%, respectively. Age-adjusted mean of systolic BP (SBP) decreased 2 and 4 mmHg (p < 0.001)reaching 120 and 114 mmHg in 1994-96 in men and women, respectively. Diastolic BP (DBP) did not change in men (73-74 mmHg) nor in women(70-71 mmHg). Age-adjusted prevalence of AH (>= 160/95 and/or under pharmacological treatment) was 8% (men) and 10% (women)in 1994-96 and of AH (>= 140/90 and/or under pharmacological treatment) was 15% in both sexes. Awareness of hypertension (AH >= 140/90) increased from 67 to 76%. Treated hypertensives increased from 22 to 40% (men) and from 44 to 54% (women). The use of diuretics and betablockers decreased and ACE inhibitors increased. At the end of the period, 52% of hypertensives were controlled. SBP also decreased in normotensives but not DBP. CONCLUSIONS Between 1986 and 1996, the prevalence of AH in Catalonia remained stable although awareness, treatment and control had substantially improved.SBP decreased but DBP remained stable.
From Multiculturalism to Nationalism

S'inscrivant dans le debat sur le droit de la difference et le multiculturalisme ouvert par A. de Benoist, l'A. etudie la conception de l'identite culturelle developpee par C. Taylor dans le sens d'une appartenance a un espace public commun, menant a la construction de nouvelles nations et de nouveaux nationalismes
Flop and roll: Learning robust goal-directed locomotion for a Tensegrity Robot

Tensegrity robots are composed of compression elements (rods) that are connected via a network of tension elements (cables). Tensegrity robots provide many advantages over standard robots, such as compliance, robustness, and flexibility. Moreover, sphere-shaped tensegrity robots can provide non-traditional modes of locomotion, such as rolling. While they have advantageous physical properties, tensegrity robots are hard to control because of their nonlinear dynamics and oscillatory nature. In this paper, we present a robust, distributed, and directional rolling algorithm, “flop and roll”. The algorithm uses coevolution and exploits the distributed nature and symmetry of the tensegrity structure. We validate this algorithm using the NASA Tensegrity Robotics Toolkit (NTRT) simulator, as well as the highly accurate model of the physical SUPERBall being developped under the NASA Innovative and Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program. Flop and roll improves upon previous approaches in that it provides rolling to a desired location. It is also robust to both unexpected external forces and partial hardware failures. Additionally, it handles variable terrain (hills up to 33% grade). Finally, results are compatible with the hardware since the algorithm relies on realistic sensing and actuation capabilities of the SUPERBall.
A study on the preparation and characterization of plasmid DNA and drug-containing magnetic nanoliposomes for the treatment of tumors

Purpose: To explore the preparation and characterization of a novel nanosized magnetic liposome containing the PEI-As2O3/Mn0.5Zn0. 5Fe2O4 complex. Methods: Mn0.5Zn0. 5Fe2O4 and As2O3/Mn0.5Zn0. 5Fe2O4 nanoparticles were prepared by chemical coprecipitation and loaded with PEI. The PEI- As2O3/Mn0.5Zn0. 5Fe2O4 complex was characterized using transmission electron and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectrometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Cell transfection experiments were performed to evaluate the transfect efficiency. Magnetic nanoliposomes were prepared by rotatory evaporation and their shape, diameter, and thermodynamic characteristics were observed. Results: Mn0.5Zn0. 5Fe2O4 and PEI-As2O3/Mn0.5Zn0. 5Fe2O4 nanoparticles were spherical, with an average diameter of 20–40 nm. PEI-As2O3/Mn0.5Zn0. 5Fe2O4 was an appropriate carrier for the delivery of a foreign gene to HepG2 cells. Energy dispersive spectrometry results confirmed the presence of the elements nitrogen and arsenic. Nanoliposomes of approximately 100 nm were observed under a transmission electron microscope. Upon exposure to an alternating magnetic field, they also had good magnetic responsiveness, even though Mn0.5Zn0. 5Fe2O4was modified by PEI and encased in liposomes. Temperatures increased to 37°C–54°C depending on different concentrations of PEI-As2O3/Mn0.5Zn0. 5Fe2O4and remained stable thereafter. Conclusion: Our results suggest that PEI-As2O3/Mn0.5Zn0. 5Fe2O4 magnetic nanoliposomes are an excellent biomaterial, which has multiple benefits in tumor thermotherapy, gene therapy, and chemotherapy.
Deno: A Decentralized, Peer-to-Peer Object-Replication System for Weakly Connected Environments

This paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of the replication framework of Deno, a decentralized, peer-to-peer object-replication system targeted for weakly connected environments. Deno uses weighted voting for availability and pair-wise, epidemic information flow for flexibility. This combination allows the protocols to operate with less than full connectivity, to easily adapt to changes in group membership, and to make few assumptions about the underlying network topology. We present two versions of Deno's protocol that differ in the consistency levels they support. We also propose security extensions to handle a class of malicious actions that involve misrepresentation of protocol information. Deno has been implemented and runs on top of Linux and Win32 platforms. We use the Deno prototype to characterize the performance of the Deno protocols and extensions. Our study reveals several interesting results that provide fundamental insight into the benefits of decentralization and the mechanics of epidemic protocols.
Crowding, Perceived Control, and Behavioral Aftereffects1

A laboratory experiment was conducted in which groups of Ss performed simple and complex tasks for one hour in three conditions of crowding: (1) noncrowded, (2) crowded, (3) crowded-with-perceived-control. Immediately afterward, all groups worked in a noncrowded situation on two additional tasks, one involving frustration tolerance and the other involving quality of proofreading performance. Conditions of crowding had no effect on simple or complex task performance. In the postcrowding situation, however, significant negative behavioral aftereffects were observed for the crowded groups on the frustration tolerance measure, though perceived control ameliorated these aftereffects. There were no significant aftereffects on the prooofreading measure.
Do termo à estruturação semântica: representação ontológica do domínio da Nanociência e Nanotecnologia utilizando a Estrutura Quali

O presente artigo apresenta as etapas de elaboracao de uma ontologia do dominio da Nanociencia e Nanotecnologia com vistas a sistematizacao do lexico dessa area de especialidade, por meio de formalismos descritos na Teoria do Lexico Gerativo, com enfase na Estrutura Qualia e seus quatro papeis semânticos, a saber: Formal, Constitutivo, Agentivo e Telico. A partir de um corpus da area, e valendo-nos de metodos semiautomaticos para a extracao de candidatos a termos e identificacao de relacoes semânticas, delineamos um mapeamento semântico partindo de relacoes de heranca conceitual, cuja representacao foi feita em linguagem OWL, com o auxilio da ferramenta Protege.
Exploring the Relationship between Noise Sensitivity, Annoyance and Health-Related Quality of Life in a Sample of Adults Exposed to Environmental Noise

The relationship between environmental noise and health is poorly understood but of fundamental importance to public health. This study estimated the relationship between noise sensitivity, noise annoyance and health-related quality of life in a sample of adults residing close to the Auckland International Airport, New Zealand. A small sample (n = 105) completed surveys measuring noise sensitivity, noise annoyance, and quality of life. Noise sensitivity was associated with health-related quality of life; annoyance and sleep disturbance mediated the effects of noise sensitivity on health.
Cancer Patients' Decision Making and Trial-entry Preferences

The study purpose was to determine whether the framing of treatment information influenced patients' reported preferences for participating in treatment decision making and for trial entry. Ninety cancer patients read either neutrally-, positively-, or negatively-framed infor mation about a chemotherapeutic treatment, then indicated their preferences for participating in the treatment decision, and whether they would participate in a clinical trial incorporating this protocol. There was no difference across information groups in preferences for partici pating in treatment decision making or willingness to enter such a clinical trial. Preference for participation in treatment decision making was significantly related to age (t = 2.54; p = 0.022), sex (x2 = 3.89; p = 0.05), and education (t = 2.54; p = 0.018); trial entry preferences were unrelated to these demographic variables. These results imply that, in this clinical context, attitudes towards participation in treatment decision making may be asso ciated with characteristics of the patient, and attitudes towards trial entry may be dependent upon the clinical characteristics of a particular trial, but neither set of attitudes is influenced by the framing of protocol information. Key words: framing effect; patients' preferences; quality of life; decision making; clinical trials. (Med Decis Making 1995;15:4-12)
Survivin as a Preferential Target for Cancer Therapy

Cancer is typically a consequence of imbalance between cell death and proliferation in a way favorable to cell proliferation and survival. Most conventional cancer therapies are based on targeting rapidly growing cancerous cells to block growth or enhance cell death, thereby, restoring the balance between these processes. In many instances, malignancies that develop resistance to current treatment modalities, such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiotherapy often present the greatest challenge in subsequent management of the patient. Studies have shown that under normal circumstances, cells utilize different death mechanisms, such as apoptosis (programmed cell death), autophagy, mitotic catastrophe, and necrosis to maintain homeostasis and physiological integrity of the organism, but these processes often appear to be altered in cancer. Thus, in recent years developing various strategies for administration of cytotoxic chemotherapeutics in combination with apoptosis-sensitizing reagents is receiving more emphasis. Here, we review the properties of the anti-apoptotic protein, survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family and the clinical feasibility and anti-cancer potential of drugs targeting this protein. We also discuss some key points and concerns that should be taken into consideration while developing drugs that target apoptotic proteins, such as survivin.