Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The transferrin receptor and the tetraspanin web molecules CD9, CD81, and CD9P‐1 are differentially sorted into exosomes after TPA treatment of K562 cells

Here we show that treatment of K562 cells with the phorbol ester TPA induces the down‐modulation of various surface antigens. Among them, the transferrin receptor (TfR), the tetraspanin CD81, and a CD81‐associated protein, CD9P‐1, were unique in that their expression levels were lower after 24 h incubation than after 3 h. We demonstrated that like the TfR, CD81 was internalized at early times, and was less synthesized at latter times. Despite the association of a fraction of the TfR with CD81, these two molecules were subjected to different fates. TPA increased targeting of CD81 and CD9P‐1 into exosomes but strongly reduced the localization of the TfR in these vesicles. Using this model we have shown that a fraction of CD81 and CD9P‐1 in exosomes comes from a surface pool and that these molecules remain associated in exosomes. However, CD9P‐1 could be targeted to exosomes in the absence of CD81 and of another tetraspanin, CD9. The targeting of CD9 into exosomes did not require palmitoylation of the protein. J. Cell. Biochem. 102: 650–664, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An ARDL bounds test approach to CO2 emissions, energy consumption and economic growth in China

This study attempts to examine empirically the long and short-run relationships between CO2 emissions, energy consumption and economic growth in China using ARDL bounds test Approach for the period 1985–2008. The results indicate that there exist long and short-run relationships between the variables. Energy consumption has a positive impact on CO2 emissions and economic growth affects CO2 emissions negatively. Energy consumption is the most significant variable in explaining the carbon emissions, which suggests energy consumption can help to mitigate CO2 emissions greatly.
Differential responses of marine communities to natural and anthropogenic changes

Responses of ecosystems to environmental changes vary greatly across habitats, organisms and observational scales. The Quaternary fossil record of the Po Basin demonstrates that marine communities of the northern Adriatic re-emerged unchanged following the most recent glaciation, which lasted approximately 100 000 years. The Late Pleistocene and Holocene interglacial ecosystems were both dominated by the same species, species turnover rates approximated predictions of resampling models of a homogeneous system, and comparable bathymetric gradients in species composition, sample-level diversity, dominance and specimen abundance were observed in both time intervals. The interglacial Adriatic ecosystems appear to have been impervious to natural climate change either owing to their persistence during those long-term perturbations or their resilient recovery during interglacial phases of climate oscillations. By contrast, present-day communities of the northern Adriatic differ notably from their Holocene counterparts. The recent ecosystem shift stands in contrast to the long-term endurance of interglacial communities in face of climate-driven environmental changes.
A simple method for analysing the deformation of nanoelectromechanical switches based on carbon nanotubes

This paper developed an effective multiscale method for analysing the deformation of NanoElectroMechanical (NEM) switches based on carbon nanotubes. The switches were simplified to beam systems with loads calculated from three-coupled energy domains: the electrostatic energy domain, the elastostatic energy domain, and the van der Waals energy domain. A meshless formulation was then used to discretise the switches to establish the non-linear system of equations for solution. The pull-in voltage characteristics of the fixed-fixed and cantilever nanoswitches based on the single-walled nanotube and the double-walled nanotube are analysed. A parametric comparison with the results in the literature showed that the method developed in this paper is very effective.
Serum levels of activin A and inhibin A are not related to the increased susceptibility to pre‐eclampsia in type I diabetic pregnancies

Background. Activin A and inhibin A have been found to be elevated in women without diabetes subsequently developing pre‐eclampsia. The aim was to investigate whether activin A and inhibin A in serum were elevated in type I diabetic women after developing pre‐eclampsia and, if so, were they clinically useful as predictors of pre‐eclampsia. Methods. In a prospective study, maternal serum was analyzed for activin A and inhibin A in 115 women with type 1 diabetes at 10, 14, 22, 28, and 33 weeks of gestation. Results. Fourteen women (12%) developed pre‐eclampsia (26–37 weeks of gestation) and 101 did not. The two groups were comparable regarding age, body mass index, and diabetes duration. There was no difference between serum concentrations of activin A and inhibin A in women developing pre‐eclampsia and women who did not at any gestational period. Conclusions. Serum concentrations of activin A and inhibin A could not predict pre‐eclampsia in type I diabetes.
Inhibitors of Histone Deacetylase Suppress the Growth of MCF‐7 Breast Cancer Cells

Inhibitors of histone deacetylase are attracting increasing interest due to their influence on transcription, differentiation, and apoptosis. We have investigated two synthetic inhibitors 3 and 4 of histone deacetylase and the natural product inhibitor trichostatin A for their ability to suppress the growth of MCF‐7 breast cancer cells and here present complete and improved synthetic procedures. The compounds show a dose dependent inhibition of growth with activities in the low micromolar and nanomolar range. Trichostatin shows cytocidal effects at 100 nM and still has activity comparable to cisplatin (0.5 μM) at 10 nM. Whereas the synthetic inhibitor 3 has cytocidal activity at 10 μM compound 4 shows a maximum of 40% growth suppression at that concentration.
Paradoxical actions of the NO donor SIN‐I on single laryngeal motoneurons in the nucleus ambiguus

In order to study the pharmacological action of the NO donor SIN-1 upon laryngeal motoneurons, we focally iontophoresed SIN-1 onto single motoneurons identified by antidromic stimulation of the recurrent nerve. SIN-1 produced opposing effects on motoneuron activities. Of 34 identified motoneurons, 38.2% showed a statistically significant decrease (decreasing group), while 29.4% showed an increase in their antidromic response to SIN-1 application (increasing group), respectively. The remaining neurons did not show any change (no change group). When the antidromic spike amplitude during the precontrol period was compared between the three groups, both the increasing and decreasing groups exhibited larger antidromic spikes than those measured in the no change group. The results are discussed in terms of dual pharmacological actions of NO.
Diagnostic and prognostic role of urinary collagens in primary human bladder cancer

Collagen type 4 alpha 1 (COL4A1) and collagen type 13 alpha 1 (COL13A1) produced by urothelial cancer cells support the vital oncogenic property of tumor invasion. We investigated the diagnostic and prognostic capability of COL4A1 and COL13A1 in voided urine and compared the observed values with those of fragments of cytokeratin‐19 (CYFRA21‐1), nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP‐22), and voided urine cytology in bladder cancer (BCa). We collected voided urine samples from 154 patients newly diagnosed with BCa, before surgery and from 61 control subjects. Protein levels of COL4A1, COL13A1, CYFRA21‐1, and NMP‐22 in urine supernatants were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Diagnostic performance and optimal cut‐off values were determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Urine levels of COL4A1, COL13A1, the combined values of COL4A1 and COL13A1 (COL4A1 + COL13A1), and CYFRA21‐1 were significantly elevated in urine from patients with BCa compared to the controls. Among these biomarkers, the optimal cut‐off value of COL4A1 + COL13A1 at 1.33 ng/mL resulted in 57.4%, 83.7%, 56.1%, 80.7%, and 91.7% sensitivity for low‐grade tumors, high‐grade tumors, Ta, T1, and muscle invasive disease, respectively. We evaluated the prognostic value of preoperative urine levels in 130 non‐muscle invasive BCa samples after the initial transurethral surgery. A high urinary COL4A1 + COL13A1 was found to be an independent risk factor for intravesical recurrence. Although these data need to be externally validated, urinary COL4A1 and COL13A1 could be a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for BCa. This easy‐to‐use urinary signature identifies a subgroup of patients with a high probability of recurrence and progression in non‐muscle invasive and muscle invasive BCa.
Effects of Intensive Physical Rehabilitation on Neuromuscular Adaptations in Adults with Poststroke Hemiparesis

Andersen, LL, Zeeman, P, Jørgensen, JR, Bech-Pedersen, DT, Sørensen, J, Kjær, M, and Andersen, JL. Effects of intensive physical rehabilitation on neuromuscular adaptations in adults with poststroke hemiparesis. J Strength Cond Res 25(10): 2808–2817, 2011—Hemiparesis—disability and muscle weakness of 1 side of the body—is a common consequence of stroke. High-intensity strength training may be beneficial to regain function, but strength coaches in the field of rehabilitation need evidence-based guidelines. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intensive physical rehabilitation on neuromuscular and functional adaptations in outpatients suffering from hemiparesis after stroke. A within-subject repeated-measures design with the paretic leg as the experimental leg and the nonparetic leg as the control leg was used. Eleven outpatients with hemiparesis after stroke participated in 12 weeks of intensive physical rehabilitation comprising unilateral high-intensity strength training with near-maximal loads (4–12 repetition maximum) and body weight supported treadmill training. At baseline and 12-week follow-up, the patients went through testing consisting of isokinetic muscle strength, neuromuscular activation measured with electromyography (EMG), electrically evoked muscle twitch contractile properties, and gait performance (10-m Walk Test and 6-min Walk Test). After the 12-week conditioning program, knee extensor and flexor strength increased during all contraction modes and velocities in the paretic leg. Significant increases were observed for agonist EMG amplitude at slow concentric and slow eccentric contraction. Twitch torque increased, whereas twitch time-to-peak tension remained unchanged. By contrast, no significant changes were observed in the nonparetic control leg. Gait performance increased 52–68%. In conclusion, intensive physical rehabilitation after stroke leads to clinically relevant neuromuscular improvements, leading to increased voluntary strength during a wide range of contraction modes and velocities, and improved gait velocity. Strength training coaches working in the field of rehabilitation can use this knowledge to safely and efficiently add high-intensity strength training to existing rehabilitation paradigms.
Haematological parameters, serum lipid profile, liver function and fatty acid profile of broiler chickens fed on diets supplemented with pomegranate seed oil and linseed oil

Abstract The objective of the present study was to determine effect of pomegranate seed oil (PSO) and linseed oil (LO) on haematological parameters, serum lipid profile and liver enzymes as well as fatty acids profile of adipose tissue in broilers. Broilers (n = 400) were fed on diets containing graded PSO levels (0.0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%) with or without 2% LO. After 6 weeks of feeding, 6 male broilers from each group were slaughtered and abdominal fat, liver and blood samples were collected. Mixtures of pomegranate seed oil (0.5%, 1%) with linseed oil increased white blood cell level in broilers. Total cholesterol was elevated after LO supplementation whereas administration of PSO (1.5%) significantly decreased this parameter. PSO administration caused c9,t11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) concentration-dependent deposition in adipose tissue. By LO addition α-linolenic acid (ALA) content was enhanced, decreasing the n-6/n-3 ratio. PSO and ALA also affected oleic acid proportion in adipose tissue. Neither pomegranate seed oil nor linseed oil had any effect on liver parameters. Pomegranate seed oil had no negative effects on broiler health status and can be considered as a functional poultry meat component.
CMOS low noise amplifier design optimization technique

In this paper, a set up noise parameter expression and the third order intermodulation product expression (IM3) for a power-constrained simultaneous noise and input matching low noise amplifier design optimization technique are introduced. Based on these expressions, the methodology to design LNA to archive the power-constrained simultaneous noise and input matching as well as satisfy the linearization condition is explained. In additional, the power gain is enhanced by using a very simple positive feedback. The proposed LNA for 5 GHz WLAN applications is fabricated based on 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS technology. Measured results show 20 dB power gain, 1.5 dB NF and -5 dBm IIP3. The proposed LNA dissipates DC current of 3 mA at supply voltage of 2.5 V.
Measurement of macular pigment optical density and distribution using the steady-state visual evoked potential

Abstract The purpose of this study was to specify isoluminance at different retinal eccentricities and to characterize macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and distribution using the steady-state visual evoked potential (VEP). Red–green (R/G) and blue–green (B/G) gratings were generated within two circular stimulus fields (radius = 0.55 or 1.1 deg) and within four annular fields (maximum mean radius = 6.0 deg) on a color monitor. Temporal frequency was 15 Hz. Isoluminance was determined for each stimulus using minimum flicker photometry. Steady-state onset–offset VEPs were recorded to the same annular stimuli as the luminance ratio between adjacent chromatic components was changed from 0.25 to 0.85 in 11 automated steps (0.5 representing photometric isoluminance). Fourier analysis showed that the power of the first harmonic was minimized at the isoluminant ratio specific to each subject. Relative OD was computed by comparing the isoluminant ratio at any location with that for the most eccentric annulus. To compensate for the broadband characteristics of the monitor, OD values were corrected according to minimum flicker measurements made through known concentrations of carotenoid solution. MPOD was additionally measured using minimum motion photometry. There was high correlation between the isoluminant ratios determined by minimum flicker and VEPs for both R/G and B/G stimulation (r = 0.91, P < 0.005, slope = 1). Calibrated OD values computed from VEP estimates of B/G isoluminance correlated with those derived from minimum flicker (r = 0.96, P < 0.0005, slope = 0.85) and motion photometry (r = 0.94, P < 0.0005, slope = 0.88). OD values derived from B/G VEPs increased toward the fovea and corresponded closely with minimum flicker and minimum motion assessment of MP distribution profiles. The steady-state VEP can be used to determine isoluminance at different retinal eccentricities. MPOD and distribution can be measured by steady-state VEPs to B/G stimuli.
Transdermal Delivery of Physostigmine: Effects of Enhancers and Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of various pressure- sensitive adhesives (PSA) on the percutaneous absorption of physostigmine across hairless mouse skin. In addition, the influences of various vehicles and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on the percutaneous absorption of physostigmine from PSA matrix across hairless mouse skin were evaluated using a flow-through diffusion cell system at 37°C. Physostigmine showed the highest permeability from silicone adhesive matrix, followed by polyisobutylene (PIB), styrene– isoprene–styrene (SIS), acrylic, and styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) matrix. Among acrylic adhesives, the permeability of physostigmine was the highest from grafted acrylic adhesive. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone inhibited the crystallization of physostigmine in the PIB adhesive matrix and enhanced the permeability of physostigmine from the PIB adhesive matrix. When esters of sorbitol and fatty acid, polyethylene glycol (PEG) alkyl esters, and caprylic/capric triglycerides were tested, the more lipophilic was a surfactant, the higher the permeation rate within the same group of surfactants. The enhancement effect of PEG derivatives was lower than that of non-PEG derivatives. Among non-linear fatty acid derivatives, linoleate derivatives showed higher permeability of physostigmine than oleate derivatives. This study showed that several non-ionic surfactants, including PEG-20 evening primrose glyceride, enhanced the permeation of physostigmine across hairless mouse skin better than oleic acid.
Temperature increase abolishes ability of turtle olfactory receptors to discriminate similar odorant.

We examined the effects of temperature changes on odor-discriminating ability of turtle olfactory receptors in vivo by applying the cross-adaptation method to the olfactory bulbar responses. The olfactory system discriminated well all eight pairs of odorants examined at 5 and 18 degrees C. The ability of the olfactory receptors to discriminate pairs of odorants having similar structures (e.g., trans-3-hexenol and cis-3-hexenol; d-carvone and l-carvone) was reversibly abolished by increasing the temperature up to 40 degrees C, whereas discrimination of odorants having quite different structures was much less affected. The membrane fluidity of cells isolated from turtle olfactory epithelia and liposomes made of lipids extracted from the epithelia changed in a similar temperature range as for the decrease of the odor-discriminating ability, suggesting that an increase in membrane fluidity is correlated with the abolishment of the odor-discriminating ability. The present results also suggest that in vivo desensitization (adaptation) occurs not at the cellular level but at the receptor level. This mechanism was supported by the data recorded from a single olfactory cilium, showing that a single cell has both receptors for l-carvone and d-carvone and that the response to d-carvone appeared after the response to l-carvone was adapted.
Indirect protection obtained by Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccination: analysis in a structured population model

We used a structured population model to study factors determining the magnitude of indirect protection in Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination. On a simulation platform mimicking the population of Finland, a Hib transmission and immunity model, including cross-reactive bacterial encounters, was formulated. Utilizing different vaccination coverages and vaccine types we could study how fast the incidence of Hib disease declined due to direct and indirect vaccination effects. With the Finnish vaccination schedule we could reproduce the observed disappearance of Hib cases. Our results show that an indirect effect was already significant with a relatively low vaccine coverage, even with a vaccine only partly reducing carriage acquisition. This suggests that the vaccination schedule and vaccine to be used should be chosen to result, in addition to immunological memory, in high antibody concentrations, sufficient to reduce carriage, the latter being the main factor behind successful elimination of transmission and disease.
Optimisation of Networked Control Systems Using Model-based Safety Analysis Techniques

We propose a novel approach to the optimization of networked embedded safety critical systems in which genetic algorithms are used to find optimal tradeoffs among safety, reliability and cost in the design of such systems. The aim is to automatically evolve initial designs that do not necessarily meet dependability requirements to designs that fulfil such requirements with minimal costs. The approach departs from earlier work in that the safety and reliability model (i.e. a set of system fault trees) is automatically synthesised from an engineering model of the system. It also moves beyond the classical "success-failure" model by introducing a failure scheme in which components can exhibit more that one failure modes which include the loss but also the commission of functions as well as value and timing failures. We discuss the approach, and compare the performance of two implementations, based on two different genetic algorithms, which have been applied on a set of well known benchmark examples.
Angiotensin I–Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Improves Reactive Hyperemia in Elderly Hypertensives with Arteriosclerosis Obliterans

Endothelial function in elderly hypertensive patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans has not been evaluated. We examined whether antihypertensive drugs improve vasodilatory response to reactive hyperemia of the limbs in elderly hypertensive patients (83±8 [SD] years) without (n=46, 0.9 ≤ ankle-brachial pressure index ≤1.4) and with (n=24) arteriosclerosis obliterans (ankle-brachial pressure index <0.2). Patients were randomized for treatment with monotherapy of either temocapril (14 with and 26 without arteriosclerosis obliterans) or amlodipine (10 with and 20 without arteriosclerosis obliterans) for 6 months. Blood flows of the forearms and legs were measured by strain-gauge plethysmography. The vasodilatory response to the release of compression of the forearms and thighs at 200 mmHg or 20 mmHg more than systolic blood pressure for 5 min and to sublingual administration of nitroglycerin (0.3 mg) was assessed. The maximum reactive hyperemic flow in 35 legs with arteriosclerosis obliterans was significantly (p<0.001) decreased compared to the value in legs in the control hypertensive subjects. Moreover, maximum reactive hyperemic flow in the forearms of patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans was significantly (p=0.002) decreased compared to that in the control subjects. Blood pressure was similarly decreased by treatment with temocapril or amlodipine. Response to nitroglycerin (0.3 mg) was not changed by either drug. Treatment with temocapril significantly improved maximum reactive hyperemic flow of not only the legs and forearms in control hypertensives but also the legs and forearms in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans, and attenuated the worsening of activity of daily living in these patients, although treatment with amlodipine did not. These results suggest that the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor temocapril has a beneficial effect on endothelial function in elderly patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans.
Lens Development: Fiber Elongation and Lens Orientation

When the lens of the 5-day chick embryo is surgically reversed so that its epithelium faces the neural retina the elongation of those lens cells which have already differentiated is arrested and the epithelial cells differentiate into a new set of lens fibers. This internal reorganization, together with a reversal in polarity at the lens equator, results in a complete reversal of the polarity of the-entire lens.