Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in periventricular leukomalacia.

OBJECTIVE Periventricular leukomalacia, a common neonatal brain white matter lesion, is a major risk factor for cerebral palsy. Subclinical chorioamnionitis is a risk factor for the development of periventricular leukomalacia, and inflammatory cytokines have been implicated as central mediators of brain injury in this disorder. To elucidate the relationship between the local expression of cytokines and periventricular leukomalacia, we studied neonatal brains to determine whether high expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6 was observed in these lesions. STUDY DESIGN Immunohistochemical staining for cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6) was performed in 10% formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded brain sections of 17 cases with periventricular leukomalacia. Specimens were obtained from autopsies performed between 1987 and 1994. Brain sections from 17 cases of neonatal deaths without periventricular leukomalacia lesions matched for gestational age at birth, duration of postnatal survival, and presence or absence of infection-related morbidity were used as controls. RESULTS The expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, or interleukin-6 was demonstrated in 88% (15/17) of cases with and in 18% (3/17) of cases without periventricular leukomalacia (p < 0.001). Cytokines were expressed mainly in hypertrophic astrocytes and microglial cells. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and interleukin-6 was identified in 82% (14/17), 29% (5/17), and 71% (12/17) of cases of periventricular leukomalacia, respectively. However, a significantly lower proportion of cases without periventricular leukomalacia expressed tumor necrosis factor-alpha (18%, 3/17) and interleukin-6 (6%, 1/17) than those with the disorder (p < 0.005 for each). CONCLUSIONS Expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 was observed more frequently in brain lesions with periventricular leukomalacia than in those without periventricular leukomalacia. These findings provide strong support for the hypothesis that proinflammatory cytokines play a role in the genesis of periventricular leukomalacia.
Fluidized Bed Adsorbent Systems for Extracorporeal Liver Support

Abstract: Acute liver failure based on acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (AoCLF) or on acute severe damage of the liver caused by different etiologies includes complex mechanisms resulting in severe disturbances of principle liver functions. In order to compensate the liver’s function of detoxification as efficiently as possible, fluidized bed absorbent systems have been designed. In these systems, small particles with specific adsorption properties for toxins related to acute liver failure are applied. A special technology based on adsorbents in suspension has been developed under the guidance of our group and is prepared for clinical application during the coming year. This technology is called microspheres‐based detoxification system (MDS) and is based on microadsorbents with a diameter of 1–10 µm which are recirculated in suspension. The safety of the MDS is guaranteed by the use of fluorescently labeled magnetic microparticles, which in case of a membrane‐leakage are detected in the blood circuit by an optical system equipped with a magnetic trap. In vitro tests with two kinds of microadsorbents (a combination of a hydrophobic neutral resin and an anion exchange resin) showed excellent efficiency of the system with respect to adsorption capacity as well as to the kinetics of elimination of albumin‐bound substances (e.g. unconjugated bilirubin or cholic acid) and of non‐protein‐bound substances (e.g. phenol). Moreover, using a plasma filter or the Albuflow filter as membrane filters in the blood circuit, the MDS technology offers the possibility to remove inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF) by additional use of specific adsorbents.
Fibulin‐1 and fibulin‐2 expression during organogenesis in the developing mouse embryo

Fibulin‐1 and fibulin‐2 are extracellular matrix proteins with unique structural features. We used in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence staining to examine the expression of fibulin‐1 and fibulin‐2 during mouse embryogenesis. Both fibulins have previously been shown to be deposited at sites where polarized cells convert into mesenchyme, during early stages of development of endocardial cushion tissue and in neural crest cells. By Northern blots we confirm that expression of fibulin‐2 is particularly high in the developing and newborn heart. We also show that fibulin‐2 mRNA and protein remained highly expressed during organogenesis in tissues derived from neural crest mesenchyme. In addition, a locally restricted expression pattern of fibulin‐1 and fibulin‐2 mRNA and protein at sites of epithelial‐mesenchymal interactions was detected in two tissues, the developing tooth and hair follicles. In other tissues where epithelial‐mesenchymal interactions occur, fibulin‐1 mRNA and its corresponding protein were detected rather uniformly around mesenchymal cells, and no expression of fibulin‐2 was noted. Fibulin‐1 protein was located in some embryonic epithelial basement membranes. Fibulin‐1 mRNA was also expressed in the epidermal layer of brain and in the mesenchyme of choroid plexus and the meninges which surround the spinal cord. Overall, fibulin‐2 expression was much more limited than fibulin‐1 expression. A very prominent expression of fibulin‐2 was seen during early stages of chondrogenesis in all cartilages analyzed. These studies show that the differential expression of the fibulin family contributes to the formation of molecularly distinct extracellular matrices already during early developmental stages of a large number of tissues. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using propensity score methods to analyse individual patient-level cost-effectiveness data from observational studies

The methodology relating to the statistical analysis of individual patient-level cost-effectiveness data collected alongside randomised controlled trials (RCTs) has evolved dramatically in the last ten years. This body of techniques has been developed and applied mainly in the context of the randomised clinical trial design. There are, however, many situations in which a trial is neither the most suitable nor the most efficient vehicle for the evaluation. This paper provides a tutorial-like discussion of the ways in which propensity score methods could be used to assist in the analysis of observational individual patient-level cost-effectiveness data. As a motivating example, we assessed the cost-effectiveness of CABG versus PTCA – one year post procedure - in a cohort of individuals who received the intervention within 365 days of their index admission for AMI. The data used for this paper were obtained from the Ontario Myocardial Infarction Database (OMID), linking these with data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program, and Ontario Registered Persons Database (RPDB). We discuss three ways in which propensity score can be used to control for confounding in the estimation of average cost-effectiveness, and provide syntax codes for both propensity score matching and cost-effectiveness modelling.
Chapter 6 Tuberculosis Pharmacogenetics : State of The Art

To produce their therapeutic effects, the drug must be present in appropriate concentrations at its site of action. Although the therapeutic concentrations are dependent on the given dose, they will also depend on the magnitude and rate of absorption, distribution, biotransforma‐ tion, and excretion. Pharmacokinetics studies the course and distribution of drug and its metabolites in different tissues, covering the mechanisms of absorption, transport, metabolism and excretion. In addition, pharmacodynamics concentrates on the biochemical and physio‐ logical effects of drugs and their mechanism of action. Proteins involved in drug effects are defined as target molecules and include not only (direct) receptors, but also proteins associated with mechanism of action such as e.g. signal transducer proteins [1].
Laser-induced Epitaxial Growth (LEG) Technology for High Density 3-D Stacked Memory with High Productivity

LEG (laser-induced epitaxial growth) process has been proposed to obtain the single c-Si layer over oxide and successfully demonstrated with cell-stacked high density SRAM. With LEG process, the energy density of laser beam and the seed formation are the key factors to determine the crystal quality of Si layer on oxide. CMOSFETs on Si film prepared by LEG process have excellent behaviors in terms of both performance and its variations. It is found that high density LEG SRAMs with stacked cell transistor have fully worked with the lowest stand-by current of less than 0.3 uA/Mb to date. LEG process is believed to be a promising technology for providing the high quality Si channel layer to the stacked memory devices.
An In vivo Comparison of The Bacteriostatic Efficacy of Two CommerciallyAvailable Mouthwashes Viz. Triclosan And Fluoride Based MouthwashesUsing A Simple Chair Side Caries Activity Test - Oratest In Children

Aim: To compare the bacteriostatic efficacy of two commercially available mouthwashes viz. triclosan and fluoride based mouthwashes using a simple chair side caries activity test - Oratest in children. Materials and methods: Sixty children of the age groups 6-12 years were selected for the study ( 30 children – caries free, 30 children - DMFT score ≥ 3) and were equally divided into two groups that is Group I (Kidodent group ) and Group II (Amflor group). These groups were further subdivided into Group I A (15) caries free children and Group I B (15) children with DMFT score ≥ 3 Group II A (15) caries free children and Group II B (15) children with DMFT score ≥ 3. After obtaining a written consent from the parent of guardian the salivary samples were collected pre and post mouth rinsing with Amflor or Kidodent and evaluated using Oratest for caries activity. Results: The data obtained was tabulated and compared using students paired t test. In the Kidodent group, the time taken for the oratest in both the subgroups I A and I B was found to be significant pre and post rinse. (p<0.001). Similar results were also found in the Amflor group for both subgroups II A and II B, following pre and post rinse. (p<0.001). On comparing the efficacy of Kidodent and Amflor pre and post rinse there was no statistical significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: Although we found no significant difference between both the mouth rinses, with regard to their efficacy in reducing S. mutans, the use of a low fluoride–xylitol based mouth rinse can be recommended for regular use in children.
ankA: an Ehrlichia phagocytophila Group Gene Encoding a Cytoplasmic Protein Antigen with Ankyrin Repeats

ABSTRACT Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) is a potentially fatal, tick-borne disease caused by a bacterium related or identical toEhrlichia phagocytophila. To identify and characterizeE. phagocytophila group-specific protein antigen genes, we prepared and screened HGE agent and Ehrlichia equi genomic DNA expression libraries using polyclonal equine E. equiantibodies. Two clones, one each from HGE agent and E. equi, that were recognized specifically by antibodies to theE. phagocytophila group ehrlichiae had complete open reading frames of 3,693 and 3,615 nucleotides, respectively. The two clones were 96.6% identical and predicted a protein with at least 11 tandemly repeated ankyrin motifs. Thus, the gene was namedank (for ankyrin). When the encoded protein, named AnkA, was expressed in Escherichia coli, it was recognized by antibodies from rabbits and mice immunized with the HGE agent, sera from humans convalescent from HGE, and sera from horses convalescent from HGE and E. equi infection. Monospecific AnkA antibodies reacted with proteins in HGE agent immunoblots, and AnkA monoclonal antibodies detected cytoplasmic antigen in E. phagocytophila group bacteria and also detected antigen associated with chromatin in infected but not uninfected HL-60 cell cultures. These results suggest that this Ehrlichia protein may influence host cell gene expression.
An improved quadrature or phased‐array coil for MR cardiac imaging

A tailored receive‐only coil for cardiac imaging has been designed. The coil consists of two overlapping coil elements and can be used either as a quadrature surface coil or as a phased‐array coil. Through phantom experiments and images of the heart, the authors have shown that the improved cardiac coil provided a signal‐to‐noise ratio 1.6 times higher than a conventional quadrature spine coil, 1.4 times higher than that of a single coil (having the same shape and total dimension), and three times higher than the body coil at the depth of the posterior wall of the heart. The authors have also shown that the cardiac coil improved image quality everywhere in the heart. This coil will enhance routine clinical cardiac studies as well as other examinations such as myocardial perfusion, wall motion, and coronary artery imaging.
Generated Un-detectability Covert Channel Algorithm for Dynamic Secure Communication Using Encryption and Authentication

The keys generated by (symmetric or asymmetric) have been still compromised by attackers. Cryptography algorithms need extra efforts to enhance the security of keys that are transferring between parities. Also, using cryptography algorithms increase time consumption and overhead cost through communication. Encryption is very important issue for protecting information from stealing. Unfortunately encryption can achieve confidentiality not integrity. Covert channel allows two parties to indirectly send information, where the main drawbacks of covert channel are detectability and the security of pre-agreement knowledge. In this paper, i merge between encryption, authentication and convert channel to achieve un-detectability covert channel. This channel guarantee integrity and confidentiality of covert data and sending data dynamically. I propose and implement un-detectability a covert channel using AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) algorithm and HMAC (Hashed Message Authentication Code). Where this channel is un-detectability with integrity and confidentiality agreement process between the sender and the receiver. Instead of sending fake key directly through channel, encryption and HMAC function used to hide fake key. After that investigations techniques for improving un-detectability of channel is proposed.
Low-power and high-performance 5:2 compressors

Compressors play a significant role in overall performance of multipliers and hence in efficiency of arithmetic circuits. To further improvement of multipliers higher order compressors have been considered. In this paper, two novel 5:2 compressors are presented. The proposed architectures lay emphasis on the idea of making the carry-out signal Cout2 independent of Cin1. Therefore, we have developed our designs to limit the carry propagation to one compressor, thereby reducing the overall propagation delay. In addition, in some compressor designs, one or more full-adder (FA)-equivalent building block(s) can be found. Using a particular CMOS FA in our design, we have introduced a more optimized architecture. The proposed architectures are compared with the best architectures presented in the literature in terms of power, delay and area. Simulations have been conducted by HSPICE software at 90nm technology. Simulation results of the proposed architectures show up to 30% improvement in Power-Delay Product (PDP) for the supply voltage of 1V and ambient temperature of 25°C.
Supply Chain and Transportation : A Smorgasbord of Issues by Konstadinos

In this paper a variety of issues on the relationship between supply chains and transportation is provided. Although some of these issues are complementary to the presentations made by other analysts at the 2nd Conference on Agro-Industrial Logistics in Mediterranean Area, a few different directions for research are also highlighted. The first section provides an overview of supply chains and supply chain management objectives to guide the subsequent discussion. In the second section a brief review of the global market is followed by an outline of the issues encountered when attempting to manage supply chains worldwide with an example of global supply chain management. The newly emerging area of carbon accounting, offsets, and the carbon neutral supply chains is also mentioned. In the last section an overview of modeling propositions is presented in terms of network considerations and hierarchical considerations.
FINDING THE SHORTEST HAMILTONIAN PATH FOR IRANIAN CITIES USING HYBRID SIMULATED ANNEALING AND ANT COLONY OPTIMIZATION ALGORITHMS

T he traveling salesman problem is a well-known and important combinatorial optimization problem. The goal of this problem is to find the shortest Hamiltonian path that visits each city in a given list exactly once and then returns to the starting city. In this paper, for the first time, the shortest Hamiltonian path is achieved for 1071 Iranian cities. For solving this large-scale problem, two hybrid efficient and effective metaheuristic algorithms are developed. The simulated annealing and ant colony optimization algorithms are combined with the local search methods. To evaluate the proposed algorithms, the standard problems with different sizes are used. The algorithms parameters are tuned by design of experiments approach and the most appropriate values for the parameters are adjusted. The performance of the proposed algorithms is analyzed by quality of solution and CPU time measures. The results show high efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
Hepatic ALECT-2 amyloidosis causing portal hypertension and recurrent variceal bleeding: a case report and review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES To examine laser microdissection and mass spectrometry (LMD-MS), which has emerged as a new tool to aid in typing amyloid proteins. RESULTS ALECT-2 is a potential cause of hepatic amyloidosis best detected by LMD-MS. METHODS One of the more recently reported proteins is ALECT-2 (leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2) amyloid, found in renal specimens of Hispanic patients. Here we report the first case of hepatic ALECT-2 amyloidosis diagnosed by LMD-MS from a liver biopsy specimen of a 52-year-old Hispanic man and causing portal hypertension with recurrent esophageal variceal bleeding. CONCLUSIONS ALECT-2 can cause amyloidosis in organs other than the kidneys. It should be strongly considered in Hispanic patients and in those with a globular pattern of amyloid deposition. The incidence of ALECT-2 amyloidosis is likely underreported.
Association of slime with pathogenicity of coagulase-negative staphylococci causing nosocomial septicemia

To assess the role of slime in the pathogenesis of nosocomial bloodstream infections caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci, we compared the characteristics of 27 nosocomial bloodstream isolates with those of 27 skin isolates from non-hospital personnel. Of 27 bloodstream isolates, 14 were judged to be significant by a clinical index, and 13 were contaminants. Slime production was observed in 13 of 14 significant isolates but in only 3 of 13 contaminants (P = 0.0003) and 4 of 27 skin isolates (P = 0.0001). The 14 pathogens were identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis. Only 7 of 13 contaminants and 9 of 27 skin isolates belonged to the same species (P less than 0.006). Slime-producing strains of S. epidermidis represented 13 of 14 pathogens but only 2 of 13 contaminants (P less than 0.0003). Neither adherence to Teflon catheters nor phagocytosis and killing of coagulase-negative staphylococci by polymorphonuclear leukocytes was significantly influenced by slime production. Nevertheless, the identity of the organism and the slime production test predicted the clinical significance of blood isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci with an overall accuracy of 89%.
Age-related change in the axonal diameter of the olfactory nerve in mouse lamina propria

Conclusion. The present study demonstrated the age-related decrease in the axonal diameter of the olfactory nerve. This finding may represent the maturational change of the olfactory receptor neurons. Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate age-related changes in the axonal diameter of the olfactory nerve in the lamina propria. Materials and methods. Female ICR mice, postnatal age 10 days, 3 months, 7 months, and 16 months, were studied. The electron micrographs of septal olfactory mucosa were used to measure the axonal diameters of olfactory nerves. Results. The distribution of the diameter shifted toward the thinner side between 10-day-old and 3-month-old mice. The axonal diameter showed significant decreases (p < 0.001) from the age of 10 days to that of 3 months.
Human Mitochondrial mRNAs Are Stabilized with Polyadenylation Regulated by Mitochondria-specific Poly(A) Polymerase and Polynucleotide Phosphorylase*

Mammalian mitochondrial (mt) mRNAs have short poly(A) tails at their 3′ termini that are post-transcriptionally synthesized by mt poly(A) polymerase (PAP). The polyadenylation of mt mRNAs is known to be a key process needed to create UAA stop codons that are not encoded in mtDNA. In some cases, polyadenylation is required for the tRNA maturation by editing of its 3′ terminus. However, little is known about the functional roles the poly(A) tail of mt mRNAs plays in mt translation and RNA turnover. Here we show human mt PAP (hmtPAP) and human polynucleotide phosphorylase (hPNPase) control poly(A) synthesis in human mitochondria. Partial inactivation of hmtPAP by RNA interference using small interfering RNA in HeLa cells resulted in shortened poly(A) tails and decreased steady state levels of some mt mRNAs as well as their translational products. Moreover, knocking down hmtPAP generated markedly defective mt membrane potentials and reduced oxygen consumption. In contrast, knocking down hPNPase showed significantly extended poly(A) tails of mt mRNAs. These results demonstrate that the poly(A) length of human mt mRNAs is controlled by polyadenylation by hmtPAP and deadenylation by hPNPase, and polyadenylation is required for the stability of mt mRNAs.
Barrier-Engineered Arsenide–Antimonide Heterojunction Tunnel FETs With Enhanced Drive Current

In this letter, we experimentally demonstrate enhancement in drive current <i>I</i><sub>ON</sub> and reduction in drain-induced barrier thinning (DIBT) in arsenide-antimonide staggered-gap heterojunction (hetj) tunnel field-effect transistors (TFETs) by engineering the effective tunneling barrier height Eb<sub>eff</sub> from 0.58 to 0.25 eV. Moderate-stagger GaAs<sub>0.4</sub>Sb<sub>0.6</sub>/In<sub>0.65</sub> Ga<sub>0.35</sub>As (Eb<sub>eff</sub> = 0.31 eV) and high-stagger GaAs<sub>0.35</sub>Sb<sub>0.65</sub>/In<sub>0.7</sub>Ga<sub>0.3</sub>As (Eb<sub>eff</sub> = 0.25 eV) hetj TFETs are fabricated, and their electrical results are compared with the In<sub>0.7</sub>Ga<sub>0.3</sub>As homojunction (homj) TFET (Eb<sub>eff</sub> = 0.58 eV). Due to the 57% reduction in Eb<sub>eff</sub>, the GaAs<sub>0.35</sub>Sb<sub>0.65</sub>/In<sub>0.7</sub>Ga<sub>0.3</sub>As hetj TFET achieves 253% enhancement in <i>I</i><sub>ON</sub> over the In<sub>0.7</sub>Ga<sub>0.3</sub>As homj TFET at <i>V</i><sub>DS</sub> = 0.5 V and <i>V</i><sub>GS</sub> - <i>V</i><sub>OFF</sub> = 1.5 V. With electrical oxide thickness (Toxe) scaling from 2.3 to 2 nm, the enhancement further increases to 350 %, resulting in a record high <i>I</i><sub>ON</sub> of 135 μA/μm and 65% reduction in DIBT at <i>V</i><sub>DS</sub> = 0.5 V.