Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Chronic Treatment with Iopanoic Acid on Thyroxine Metabolism in the Newborn Rat

Parameters of the peripheral metabolism of thyroxine (T4) were studied in the early postnatal period. Iopanoic acid (IOP) was administered to newborn rats that were either euthyroid or rendered hypothyroid in utero by propylthiouracil (PTU) or methimazole (MMI) administration to the mothers during gestation and injected with thyroxine on postnatal days 6 and 7. In euthyroid newborn rats given IOP from postnatal day 6, the plasma T4 level increased (+50%) while the plasma 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (T3) level slightly decreased (-18%). Peripheral deiodination of T4 was also reduced (about -50%) as estimated by thyroid 125I uptake after injection of 125I (3'-5')L-T4. In the newborn rats rendered hypothyroid in utero and given T4 on postnatal days 6 and 7, IOP treatment started on day 4 decreased the constant rate of elimination (-50%), the distribution volume (-43%) and the metabolic clearance (-74%) of plasma T4. The results were the same in PTU- and MMI-treated newborn rats. The differences between newborn and adult animals under IOP treatment are discussed.
Temperature-Dependent Modeling and Characterization of Through-Silicon Via Capacitance

A semianalytical model of the through-silicon via (TSV) capacitance for elevated operating temperatures is derived and verified with electrical measurements. The effect of temperature on the increase in TSV capacitance over different technology parameters is explored, and it is shown that higher oxide thickness reduces the impact of temperature rise on TSV capacitance, while with low doped substrates, which are instrumental for reducing the TSV capacitance, the sensitivity of TSV capacitance to temperature is large and cannot be ignored.
Margaret McCartney: What use is mass flu vaccination?

It’s flu vaccination season again. People over 65 and those aged six months to 65 years who have a clinical risk factor (such as heart disease, asthma with regular inhaled steroid use, or chronic kidney disease) are eligible for the vaccine, along with people who live in residential care homes, pregnant women, and carers. Health and social care workers in direct contact with patients are also being encouraged to have the vaccine. But does it work? 1 2 3 4 For each healthy adult, a Cochrane review found that vaccination saved an average of just 0.04 days off work and concluded that no evidence supported it as a routine public health measure.5 And among over 65s, Cochrane reviews found only poor quality data and were unable to draw conclusions of …
CYP2D6 and UGT2B7 genotype and risk of recurrence in tamoxifen-treated breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND Adjuvant tamoxifen therapy substantially decreases the risk of recurrence and mortality in women with hormone (estrogen and/or progesterone) receptor-positive breast cancer. Previous studies have suggested that metabolic conversion of tamoxifen to endoxifen by cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is required for patient benefit from tamoxifen therapy. METHODS Tumor specimens from a subset of postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive early-stage (stages I, II, and IIIA) breast cancer, who were enrolled in the randomized double-blind Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) clinical trial, were genotyped for variants in CYP2D6 (N = 1203 patients: anastrozole [trade name: Arimidex] group, n = 615 patients; tamoxifen group, n = 588 patients) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase-2B7 (UGT2B7), whose gene product inactivates endoxifen (N = 1209 patients; anastrozole group, n = 606 patients; tamoxifen group, n = 603 patients). Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction-based TaqMan assays. Based on the genotypes for CYP2D6, patients were classified as poor metabolizer (PM), intermediate metabolizer (IM), or extensive metabolizer (EM) phenotypes. We evaluated the association of CYP2D6 and UGT2B7 genotype with distant recurrence (primary endpoint) and any recurrence (secondary endpoint) by estimating the hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using Cox proportional hazards models. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS After a median follow-up of 10 years, no statistically significant associations were observed between CYP2D6 genotype and recurrence in tamoxifen-treated patients (PM vs EM: HR for distant recurrence = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.55 to 3.15, P = .64; HR for any recurrence = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.48 to 2.08, P = .99). A near-null association was observed between UGT2B7 genotype and recurrence in tamoxifen-treated patients. No associations were observed between CYP2D6 and UGT2B7 genotypes and recurrence in anastrozole-treated patients. CONCLUSION The results do not support the hypothesis that CYP2D6 genotype predicts clinical benefit of adjuvant tamoxifen treatment among postmenopausal breast cancer patients.
An obligatory requirement for the heterotrimeric G protein Gi3 in the antiautophagic action of insulin in the liver

Heterotrimeric G proteins of the Gi class have been implicated in signaling pathways regulating growth and metabolism under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Knockout mice carrying inactivating mutations in both of the widely expressed Gαi class genes, Gαi2 and Gαi3, demonstrate shared as well as gene-specific functions. The presence of a single active allele of Gαi3 is sufficient for embryonic development, whereas at least one allele of Gαi2 is required for extrauterine life. Mice lacking both Gαi2 and Gαi3 are massively growth-retarded and die in utero. We have used biochemical and cell biological methods together with in situ liver perfusion experiments to study Gαi isoform-specific functions in Gαi2- and Gαi3-deficient mice. The subcellular localization of Gαi3 in isolated mouse hepatocytes depends on the cellular metabolic status. Gαi3 localizes to autophagosomes upon starvation-induced autophagy and distributes to the plasma membrane upon insulin stimulation. Analysis of autophagic proteolysis in perfused mouse livers showed that mice lacking Gαi3 are deficient in the inhibitory action of insulin. These data indicate that Gαi3 is crucial for the antiautophagic action of insulin and suggest an as-yet-unrecognized function for Gαi3 on autophagosomal membranes.
Multiple symbol differential detection with diversity reception

We first consider the maximum-likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE) for multiple symbol differential detection (MSDD) over the slow fading diversity channel. Since this optimum decision metric results in a complex receiver implementation whose average bit error probability (BEP) performance is difficult (if not impossible) to obtain analytically, we then focus our attention on evaluating the average BEP for MSDD with diversity reception in the form of postdetection equal-gain combining (EGC) giving emphasis to its ability to bridge the gap between EGC of conventional differentially detected M-PSK and maximal-ratio combining (MRC) of coherently detected M-PSK with differential encoding.
Wild African great apes as natural hosts of malaria parasites: current knowledge and research perspectives

Humans and African great apes (AGAs) are naturally infected with several species of closely related malaria parasites. The need to understand the origins of human malaria as well as the risk of zoonotic transmissions and emergence of new malaria strains in human populations has markedly encouraged research on great ape Plasmodium parasites. Progress in the use of non-invasive methods has rendered investigations into wild ape populations possible. Present knowledge is mainly focused on parasite diversity and phylogeny, with still large gaps to fill on malaria parasite ecology. Understanding what malaria infection means in terms of great ape health is also an important, but challenging avenue of research and has been subject to relatively few research efforts so far. This paper reviews current knowledge on African great ape malaria and identifies gaps and future research perspectives.
A comparison of adult outcomes for males compared to females following pediatric traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE To identify the association between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors and determine if these apply equally to males and females. METHOD The association between adult psychosocial functioning and childhood TBI for males and females was examined using groups with a history of childhood TBI (mild or moderate/severe) or orthopedic injury (injury age, 1-17, assessed 18-31 at >5 years postinjury), including rates of depression and anxiety disorders, substance abuse/dependence and offending behavior. Repeated-measures logistic regression was used to determine if the rates of internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors varied by group and sex. RESULTS Overall rates of problem behaviors were significantly greater for both moderate/severe TBI (OR = 4.00) and mild TBI (OR = 3.60) groups compared with orthopedic controls. Females were significantly more likely than males to report a history of internalizing problems (OR = 2.22), whereas males were more likely than females to report externalizing problems (OR = 2.10). The sex difference in internalizing/externalizing problems was found consistently across TBI groups and controls. CONCLUSIONS Childhood TBI is associated with psychosocial problems in adulthood, regardless of injury severity. How deficits are expressed differs between the sexes, with important implications for interventions strategies.
Exo-atmospheric telescopes for deep space optical communications

For deep space optical communications, optical telescopes located above the Earth's atmosphere would have significant performance advantages over telescopes mounted on the Earth's surface. Link outages due to cloud cover would be eliminated, atmospheric attenuation would be eliminated, and signal degradation due to stray light would be reduced. A study has been conducted to compare various exo-atmospheric platforms for the Earth end of the optical link. The three most promising platforms among many initially considered were selected for detailed study: satellites, free-flying airships and tethered airships. System configurations were compared that would have data rate capability comparable to a 6-m to 10-m diameter ground-mounted telescope, 100 percent line-of-sight coverage to a deep space spacecraft in the ecliptic, and at least 80 percent coverage in the event of failure of one Earth terminal. Based upon technical feasibility and readiness, life-cycle cost, performance and risk, a satellite platform is recommended. However, it is noted that airship technology may be advanced in the next decade or so to a level where airships should be reconsidered. Finally, this study provides a basis for a future study to compare systems using Earth-mounted and exo-atmospheric telescopes
Frequency of clonal intraepithelial T lymphocyte proliferations in enteropathy-type intestinal T cell lymphoma, coeliac disease, and refractory sprue

BACKGROUND Clonal T cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements and loss of T cell antigens such as CD8 and TCR-β in intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) may indicate the development of an enteropathy-type intestinal T cell lymphoma (EITCL) in patients with refractory sprue. AIMS To define the diagnostic value of these markers in duodenal biopsies from patients with villous atrophy as a result of various underlying disorders. PATIENTS AND METHODS Duodenal biopsies from eight patients with coeliac disease and five patients with villous atrophy caused by defined disorders were compared with three patients with refractory sprue evolving into overt EITCL, two patients with ulcerative jejunitis, and with eight patients with overt EITCL, for expression of CD3, CD4, CD8, and TCR-β in IELs using immunohistochemistry and for clonal TCR-γ gene rearrangements using polymerase chain reaction. In addition, biopsies from six consecutive patients with refractory sprue of uncertain cause were examined. RESULTS Clonal TCR-γ gene rearrangements were found in all resected tumours of patients with EITCL, in 3/8 duodenal biopsies of patients with EITCL, in 2/2 patients with ulcerative jejunitis, in 2/3 patients with refractory sprue evolving into overt EITCL, and in 1/6 patients with refractory sprue. No rearrangements were found in biopsies from patients with refractory sprue caused by defined disorders or those with coeliac disease. Clonality in duodenal biopsies was associated with an abnormal phenotype of IELs in all cases and in all but one case in patients with evidence of underlying coeliac disease. Specificity for detection of an EITCL using immunohistology was 77% for CD8 and for TCR-β staining, and 100% for detection of a clonal TCR-γ gene rearrangement. Sensitivity was 62% for staining with CD8 and clonality investigation, while sensitivity reached 100% for TCR-β staining in all investigated patients with EITCL. CONCLUSIONS Clonal proliferations of phenotypically abnormal IELs in refractory sprue represent an early manifestation of EITCL, for which the term “sprue-like intestinal T cell lymphoma” is proposed. This constellation is also found in duodenal biopsies from patients with an overt EITCL and is not related to other sprue syndromes, resulting in a high specificity for detection of an EITCL or refractory sprue evolving into EITCL. Overt EITCL may develop directly from coeliac disease without a precursor lesion (refractory sprue with clonal IELs) being demonstrable in duodenal biopsies or via a “sprue-like intestinal T cell lymphoma”. This latter entity is a complication of coeliac disease.
An integrated scale‐down plant for optimal recombinant enzyme production by Pichia pastoris

An integrated bioprocess was created in a scale‐down production plant by developing a two‐stage enzyme production process with Pichia pastoris, containing a cell‐breeding reactor and a production reactor in combination with a three‐stage downstream process. To harvest the secreted enzymes, a disc separator and a cross‐flow microfiltration clear the broth from the cells. Purification with hydrophobic interaction chromatography removes other proteins, concentrates the product, and prepares the enzyme solution for lyophilization. Fully automated and broad observable multi‐stage parallel process courses have been developed using industrial process control systems and at‐line measurements for enzyme concentration and enzyme activity. Optimal process conditions were found by application of Design of Experiments (DoE) for the production process.
Functional Coupling of a Human Retinal Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor (hmGluR6) to Bovine Rod Transducin and Rat Go in an in Vitro Reconstitution System*

The cDNA encoding hmGluR6, appended with a 15-amino acid antibody epitope (1D4), was transiently transfected in COS-7 cells. The receptor was purified from COS cell membranes using an antibody affinity column. The purified receptor was then reconstituted into lipid vesicles, and its ability to activate either transducin, the rod photoreceptor-specific GTP-binding protein, or the α subunit of Go was assayed in vitro using a guanosine 5′-3-O-(thio)triphosphate binding assay. Activation of both transducin and Go was observed. The rate of Goactivation was 18-fold greater than the rate of transducin activation. This indicates that the coupling of mGluR6 to Go is more efficient and suggests that Go may be involved in coupling to mGluR6 in ON-bipolar cells.
Medico-legal use of otoacoustic emissions in the audiological selection process for employment

A 6-year experience of the Italian Air Force Medical Selection Centre in the audiological evaluation of candidates for employment is summarized. Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) were introduced progressively from 1993 to analyse more effectively subjects affected with sensorineural hearing loss and reduce possible bias connected to standard audiometric tests. OAEs provided a useful tool to support pure-tone audiometry, providing more accurate audiological data. Finally, a reduction of medico-legal claims was observed in candidates undergoing OAE testing.
Fast Reactive Power Sharing, Circulating Current and Resonance Suppression for Parallel Inverters Using Resistive-Capacitive Output Impedance

In this paper, an inverter using resistive-capacitive output impedance (RC-type inverter) is proposed not only to provide fast reactive power sharing to support microgrid voltage, and but also to reduce circulating currents and damp high-frequency resonances among inverters. Introducing the RC virtual impedance loop, the inverter provides fast transient response. Based on the RC-type inverter modeling, the comparative frequency-domain analysis of equivalent output impedances is discussed, and the impact of the virtual complex impedance over the circulating currents and high-frequency resonances among parallel inverters is quantitatively analyzed. The control parameters are systematically selected, and effect of virtual complex impedance on the inverter output voltage is depicted. The RC-type inverter can reduce circulating currents and damp resonances due to different equivalent output impedances of inverter, and line impedances. Simulation and experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Optimizing the Processing of UAV-Based Thermal Imagery

The current standard procedure for aligning thermal imagery with structure-from-motion (SfM) software uses GPS logger data for the initial image location. As input data, all thermal images of the flight are rescaled to cover the same dynamic scale range, but they are not corrected for changes in meteorological conditions during the flight. This standard procedure can give poor results, particularly in datasets with very low contrast between and within images or when mapping very complex 3D structures. To overcome this, three alignment procedures were introduced and tested: camera pre-calibration, correction of thermal imagery for small changes in air temperature, and improved estimation of the initial image position by making use of the alignment of RGB (visual) images. These improvements were tested and evaluated in an agricultural (low temperature contrast data) and an afforestation (complex 3D structure) dataset. In both datasets, the standard alignment procedure failed to align the images properly, either by resulting in point clouds with several gaps (images that were not aligned) or with unrealistic 3D structure. Using initial thermal camera positions derived from RGB image alignment significantly improved thermal image alignment in all datasets. Air temperature correction had a small yet positive impact on image alignment in the low-contrast agricultural dataset, but a minor effect in the afforestation area. The effect of camera calibration on the alignment was limited in both datasets. Still, in both datasets, the combination of all three procedures significantly improved the alignment, in terms of number of aligned images and of alignment quality.
Matrix vesicles originate from apical membrane microvilli of mineralizing osteoblast‐like Saos‐2 cells

In bone, mineralization is tightly regulated by osteoblasts and hypertrophic chondrocytes which release matrix vesicles (MVs) and control extracellular ionic conditions and matrix composition. MVs are the initial sites of hydroxyapatite (HA) mineral formation. Despite growing knowledge about their morphology and function, their biogenesis is not well understood. The purpose of this work was to determine the source of MVs in osteoblast lineage, Saos‐2 cells, and to check whether MVs originated from microvilli. Microvilli were isolated from the apical plasma membrane of Saos‐2 cells. Their morphology, structure, and function were compared with those of MVs. The role of actin network in MV release was investigated by using microfilament perturbing drugs. When examined by electron microscopy MVs and microvillar vesicles were found to exhibit similar morphology with trilaminar membranes and diameters in the same range. Both types of vesicles were able to induce HA formation. Their electrophoretic profiles displayed analogous enrichment in alkaline phosphatase, Na+/K+ ATPase, and annexins A2 and A6. MVs and microvillar vesicles exhibited almost the same lipid composition with a higher content of cholesterol, sphingomyelin, and phosphatidylserine as compared to plasma membrane. Finally, cytochalasin D, which inhibits actin polymerization, was found to stimulate release of MVs. Our findings were consistent with the hypothesis that MVs originated from cell microvilli and that actin filament disassembly was involved in their biogenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 127–138, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of the degree of insulin resistance in post menopausal women by using skin temperature measurements and fasting insulin and fasting glucose levels: a case control study.

INTRODUCTION In addition to being associated with the termination of the reproductive life in women, menopause coincides with an increase in several co-morbidities which include insulin resistance. An increase in the insulin resistance is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. AIM To analyze the degree of insulin resistance in post menopausal women by using skin temperature measurements and to confirm the insulin resistance from the fasting insulin and the fasting glucose levels. METHODS The insulin insensitivity was assessed by using skin temperature measurements and this was further proved by assessing the fasting insulin and the fasting glucose levels, and by incorporating the values for the Homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) and the Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS This was a case control study and the association was found by applying Fischer's exact test and the P value was estimated. The statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Student's t test was applied to determine the significant difference in the skin temperature measurements. RESULTS By using the HOMA index, only 15 subjects out of the 25 post menopausal women were identified to be insulin resistant. 11 of them were also identified by QUICKI. No premenopausal woman from the recruited population showed insulin resistance with the HOMA and the QUICKI indices. The skin temperature measurements showed significant correlations with the HOMA and the QUICKI indices. There was a significant decrease (p value < 0.0001) in the skin temperature in the postmenopausal women as compared to that in the premenopausal women. The mean ± SD was found to be 0.3834 ± 0.1666 in the premenopausal women, and it was 2.192 ± 3.943 in the postmenopausal women. CONCLUSION This study suggests a linear correlation between the skin temperature measurements and the insulin resistance. An increased prevalence of insulin resistance was seen in the postmenopausal women as compared to the premenopausal women.
Accounting Information, Stock Prices and Capital Market Efficiency - From the Automobile Industry of Chinese Listed Companies Empirical Data

Stock prices are affected by many factors. Analyzing the correlation of accounting information and stock price is not only beneficial to enterprises and investors making related decisions, but also play an significant role to verify the effectiveness of capital market and to explore its operation rules. In this thesis, based on the relevant theory we selected 2009 annual reports of 40 listed companies in the automotive industry as a research sample and constructed an empirical model and used statistical software Eviews to do an empirical analysis. It shows that stock price is significantly associated with earnings per share and liquidity ratio, and has a weak correlation with asset-liability ratio, growth rate of total assets and net profit growth rate. That is to say the investors think a lot of the enterprise profitability, pay close attention to corporate solvency and enterprise growth ability, but take no count of investment. However, accounting information can reflect 70.6% of stock prices. China's capital market is basically in a semi-strong status.