Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MicroRNAs Play an Essential Role in the Development of Cardiac Hypertrophy

MicroRNAs are naturally existing, small, noncoding RNA molecules that downregulate posttranscriptional gene expression. Their expression pattern and function in the heart remain unknown. Here we report an array of microRNAs that are differentially and temporally regulated during cardiac hypertrophy. Significantly, the muscle-specific microRNA-1 (miR-1) was singularly downregulated as early as day 1 (0.56±0.036), persisting through day 7 (0.29±0.14), after aortic constriction–induced hypertrophy in a mouse model. Overexpression experiments showed that miR-1 inhibited its in silico–predicted, growth-related targets, including Ras GTPase–activating protein (RasGAP), cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (Cdk9), fibronectin, and Ras homolog enriched in brain (Rheb), in addition to protein synthesis and cell size. Thus, we propose that microRNAs play an essential regulatory role in the development of cardiac hypertrophy, wherein downregulation of miR-1 is necessary for the relief of growth-related target genes from its repressive influence and induction of hypertrophy.
Effects of Health Food Containing Cistanche Deserticola Extract on QOL and Safety in Elderly: An Open Pilot Study of 12-week Oral Treatment

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the effects and safety of Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma extract (CDX), which was given to elderly persons as a 12-week oral administration via CDX containing health food.Methods: A non-controlled open study was conducted with 25 elderly persons, without severe illness. Participants were given test product containing 100 mg of CDX as well as vitamin E, vitamin B6, ubiquinone, zinc and fukoidan, by oral administration for 12 weeks, with examination conducted before and after the study.Results: Subjective symptoms of “tired eyes” and “feeling tired all the time” were significantly improved after 12 weeks. With regard to anthropometric measurements, pulse rate was significantly reduced (−8.0%, p = 0.002). Biochemical examinations showed significant changes in white blood cell count (−14.1%, p ‹ 0.001), platelet count (−4.3%, p = 0.040), albumin (−3.7%, p ‹ 0.001), albumin/globulin ratio (−3.7%, p = 0.016), and fasting blood sugar (−10.2%, p = .039). Immune function was significantly improved with elevation of percentage of CD4 positive cells (6.1%, p = 0.003), CD4/CD8 ratio (20.2%, p = 0.002) and natural killer (NK) cell activity (11.7%, p = 0.024) accompanied by a decrease in percentage of CD8 positive cells (−7.7%, p = 0.022). Arteriosclerosis examinations by fingertip acceleration pulse wave analysis showed significant improvement in vascular age (−4.2%, p = 0.016) and significant decrease in cardio ankle vascular index (CAVI) (right: −10.9%, p ‹ 0.001, left: −12.6%, p ‹0.001). Conclusion: The test product appears to promote quality of life by decreasing fatigue, activating immune function and favorably affecting the vascular system in the elderly. No severe adverse effects were observed during the study.
Chemical Gastropathy: A Distinct Histopathologic Entity in Children

Background Chemical gastropathy, also known as chemical or reactive gastritis, is a well-described histopathologic entity in adults. It is characterized by presence of foveolar hyperplasia, vascular congestion, lamina propria edema, and prominent smooth muscle fibers in the absence of inflammatory cells in the gastric antral mucosa. There are no data in children on this condition. Methods All children showing features of chemical gastropathy in antral biopsy specimens were identified from pathology database from 1997 to 2000. Antral biopsy specimens were reviewed to assess the diagnosis of chemical gastropathy using standard diagnostic criteria. Charts of the children diagnosed with chemical gastropathy were reviewed for clinical course, endoscopic findings, and risk factors. Results Twenty-one children (12 male, 9 female) with chemical gastropathy were identified. Common presenting symptoms were epigastric pain and vomiting. Eleven children were taking multiple medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Endoscopy revealed esophagitis in 12, antral erythema in 7, and thick bile in the stomach in 7 children. Antral histology revealed foveolar hyperplasia in 19, congestion in 20, lamina propria edema and smooth muscle fibers in 16, and absence of inflammation in 19 patients. Acid suppression was the treatment in all patients. Mean follow-up duration was 11 months in 17 children. Symptoms resolved completely in 11 and partially in 6 patients. Conclusions As in adults, chemical gastropathy occurs in children. The factors associated with chemical gastropathy in this survey were gastroesophageal reflux disease and intake of multiple medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Second-line chemotherapy in relapsing or refractory non-small-cell lung cancer: a review.

PURPOSE Since the increased use of first-line chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), second-line chemotherapy may nowadays be considered for a growing group of patients. Guidelines for second-line treatment have to be developed yet. METHODS We reviewed the published literature on second-line chemotherapy for NSCLC with emphasis on the role of factors such as pretreatment, response to first-line treatment, and length of disease-free-interval. RESULTS Thirty-four single-agent-studies and 24 multidrug-studies on second-line treatment were identified. Docetaxel has been studied most extensively and is the only agent that has been studied in randomized phase III trials. Different definitions of sensitivity applied by different authors and conflicting results have been reported about the influence of response to prior chemotherapy. CONCLUSION Since most patients are treated with a platinum-based regimen in the first line, platinum resistance usually is a major consideration for the use of second-line agents. We argue, however, that a more general definition of drug resistance is more appropriate than resistance to platinum only. Criteria to select NSCLC patients for second-line treatment have not been defined yet. This is also important in light of the upcoming necessity to test new drugs in pretreated instead of treated patients. Guidelines for second-line treatment of NSCLC based on clinical information on drug sensitivity to first-line therapy need to be developed.
Weight Loss Treatment and Psychological Well-being

Research suggests that weight loss treatment generally benefits psychological well-being but these effects have never been quantitatively reviewed. A meta-analysis of 117 weight loss treatment tests showed that weight loss treatment was associated with lowered depression and increased self-esteem. Treatment type moderated treatment effects on depression and self-esteem. Actual weight loss moderated treatment effects on self-esteem but not depression; only treatments that produced actual weight loss predicted increased self-esteem whereas improvements in depression were independent of weight loss. The clinical implications of the findings and the possible causal relationships among weight, depression and self-esteem are discussed.
Mechanisms for the formation of benzene in the atmosphere of Titan

[1] Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are important interstellar species, and their precursor benzene (C6H6) has been detected in our solar system. In this study the possibility of benzene formation in the atmosphere of Titan is investigated. Benzene abundance in Titan's atmosphere is found to be rather highly dependent on the assumed mechanism for benzene production. Assuming reactions involved in this mechanism to proceed at the rate corresponding to 300 K, a value of 5.4 × 10−7 at 2 × 10−5 mbar is found for the mole fraction of benzene. The primary mechanism responsible for this benzene abundance involves the recombination of propargyl (C3H3) radicals. A source of benzene molecules through ion chemistry in the upper atmosphere is also investigated. The inclusion of heavy cyclic ions results in little change in the C6H6 abundance at the peak in mole fraction, where [C6H6] = 3.6 × 105 cm−3, but does produce about a factor of 2 increase in the benzene mole fraction at the 10−6 mbar level [C6H6] = 1 × 104 cm−3. This produces a negligible change in C6H6 column abundance below this microbar level. In the stratosphere, Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) measurements of the benzene abundance have been fit by our nominal profile multiplied by a factor of 3.0 ± 0.5. Taking the lower value of this factor, the ISO fit corresponds to an altitude-dependent benzene profile with a value of 9.8 × 10−11 at 1 mbar. Benzene profiles determined in this study suggest an important path for the formation of higher-order hydrocarbons, which may play a significant role in the formation of hazes in Titan's atmosphere.
On the analysis of noise in gene regulatory networks

Life processes in single cells and at the molecular level are inherently stochastic. Quantifying the noise is, however, far from trivial, as a major contribution comes from intrinsic fluctuations, arising from the randomness in the times between discrete jumps. It is discussed in the paper how an operator theoretic interpretation can be relevant for analyzing the intrinsic stochasticity in jump processes described by master equations. Such interpretation naturally exists in linear noise approximations, but it also provides an exact description of the jump process when the transition rates are linear. As an important example, it is shown in the paper how by addressing the proximity of the underlying dynamics in an appropriate topology, a sequence of coupled birth death processes, which can be relevant in gene expression, tends to a pure delay, thus implying important limitations in noise suppression capabilities. We finally consider the effects of noise in the case of nonlinear macroscopic models leading to bistabilities. It is discussed that bistability in the deterministic mass action kinetics and bimodality in the steady state solution of the master equation, neither always imply one another, nor do they necessarily lead to efficient switching behaviours: the underlying dynamics need to be taken into account in a correct context.
A millimeter-wave half-waveplate based on field transformation

In this paper, we proposed a half-wave plate, which works at millimeter-wave band, based on a field transformation(FT) method with wide incident angle and broad working bandwidth. The proposed waveplate is composed of periodically arranged two dielectric layers with sub-wavelength heights. The effective electromagnetic(EM) parameters of the proposed waveplate can be tuned by manipulating the heights of the two dielectric layers. As a result, a broadband EM half-waveplate is achieved in millimeter-wave region, which obtains 90% conversion efficiency across the frequency band from 24 to 37 GHz. The performance of the waveplate is verified through full-wave simulation. Such half-waveplate can be easily realized through 3D printing technology.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ORF6 Antagonizes STAT1 Function by Sequestering Nuclear Import Factors on the Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum/Golgi Membrane

ABSTRACT The host innate immune response is an important deterrent of severe viral infection in humans and animals. Nuclear import factors function as key gatekeepers that regulate the transport of innate immune regulatory cargo to the nucleus of cells to activate the antiviral response. Using severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) as a model, we demonstrate that SARS-COV ORF6 protein is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/Golgi membrane in infected cells, where it binds to and disrupts nuclear import complex formation by tethering karyopherin alpha 2 and karyopherin beta 1 to the membrane. Retention of import factors at the ER/Golgi membrane leads to a loss of STAT1 transport into the nucleus in response to interferon signaling, thus blocking the expression of STAT1-activated genes that establish an antiviral state. We mapped the region of ORF6, which binds karyopherin alpha 2, to the C terminus of ORF6 and show that mutations in the C terminus no longer bind karyopherin alpha 2 or block the nuclear import of STAT1. We also show that N-terminal deletions of karyopherin alpha 2 that no longer bind to karyopherin beta 1 still retain ORF6 binding activity but no longer block STAT1 nuclear import. Recombinant SARS-CoV lacking ORF6 did not tether karyopherin alpha 2 to the ER/Golgi membrane and allowed the import of the STAT1 complex into the nucleus. We discuss the likely implications of these data on SARS-CoV replication and pathogenesis.
Risk Factors of Stroke in Pathumthani Province, Thailand.

OBJECTIVE To study risk factors of stroke in Pathumthani. MATERIAL AND METHOD Pathumthani comprises of seven districts. One sub-district was selected from each district. The subject group was those aged 30 years or older Staffs of Sub-District Health Promotion Hospitals were trained to assist in the data gathering based on questionnaires on blood sugar and lipid levels. The staffs conduct cross-sectional analyses of the information. RESULTS Of 714 subjects, most were female (66.9%). The average age was 56 years (SD 10.7). Forty-six point two percent had their body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or more. Fifty-six point four percent had larger waist circumference than average. Sixty point eight percent had their cholesterol levels over 200 mg/dl while 14.9% had their blood sugar levels of 126 mg/dl or higher Seven subjects (1.0%) had stroke. As for the risk factors, 32.4% had hypertension; 16.9% had hyperlipidemia; 13.1% had diabetes mellitus; 8.9% smoked and 2.0% had heart diseases. Forty-eight point seven percent had at least one risk factor, among these, 55.2%, 29.9%, 12.0%, 2.9% and 0.0% had one, two, three, four andfive factors, respectively. CONCLUSION The prevalence rate of stroke in Pathumthani was one in 100 people aged 30 years or older. The observed important risk factor of stroke was hypertension. Nearly half of the subjects had at least one risk factor Suggested ways in changing the behaviors are the control of the disease, the diets and the increasing physical exercise.
A 2.4-GHz DSSS superregenerative receiver with a simple delay-locked loop

This letter describes a direct-sequence spread-spectrum superregenerative receiver operating at 2.4 GHz and using a simple PN code synchronization loop. The receiver minimizes overall complexity by using a single signal processing path for data detection and PN code synchronization. An analytical description of the loop dynamics is presented, and the conditions for optimum performance are examined. Experimental results confirm the receiver's ability to perform acquisition and tracking, achieving a sensitivity of -97 dBm and an input dynamic range of 45 dB. The RF part consumes 0.9 mA at a supply voltage of 3 V.
Raiding for Women in the Pre‐Hispanic Northern Pueblo Southwest?

Spatial data on sex ratios through time from archaeological sites in the late preHispanic northern U.S. Southwest reveal significant regional and subregional departures from the expected values. In the eleventh century AD, Chaco Canyon and its subregion contain more women (or, possibly, fewer men) than expected, as does Aztec and its subregion in the thirteenth century AD. At Aztec the female bias is coupled with a contemporaneous male bias in the Mesa Verde subregion to the northwest. Consideration of possible explanations for these discrepancies suggests that there is strong evidence for raiding for women in the thirteenthcentury northern Southwest. This is also a possible explanation for the eleventhcentury Chacoan discrepancies, though in this case other explanations cannot be ruled out.
Cycloheximide resistance of Physarum polycephalum

In the presence of cycloheximide, wild-type plasmodia of Physarum polycephalum exhibit an immediate decrease in deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis, a reduction in the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into thymidine triphosphate, and an increase in the level of thymidine triphosphate, as well as a decrease in protein synthesis. In this study, we have utilized a cycloheximide-resistant (Cycr) amoebic strain selected from a population of cells mutagenized with nitrosoguanidine. Segregation data indicate that the resistance is due to a single mutation. We have used this Cycr mutant to construct Cycr plasmodial strains. Ribosomes isolated from such Cycr plasmodia showed resistance to cycloheximide in vitro, in contrast to ribosomes isolated from wild-type plasmodia. The Cycr plasmodia showed none of the cycloheximide-induced biochemical effects. Plasmodia heterozygous for the resistance marker were sensitive to cycloheximide with regard to growth but showed an intermediate response in the biochemical parameters. Heterokaryons formed by fusion of various proportions of the sensitive and resistant plasmodia showed a resistance with regard to both growth and biochemical parameters which was directly related to the fraction of Cycr plasmodia present in the heterokaryons. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that the effects of cycloheximide on deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and nucleoside metabolism are secondary to the effect of the drug on protein synthesis in this organism.
Detection of ozone-induced DNA single strand breaks in murine bronchoalveolar lavage cells acutely exposed in vivo.

Single-strand breaks (SSBs) in DNA have been used a biomarker of oxidative damage. The comet assay, also known as single-cell gel electrophoresis, was used to investigate the ability of ozone (O(3)) to induce DNA SSBs in murine bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells. The comet assay is more sensitive than other techniques currently utilized for detecting SSBs and requires fewer cells. In the present study, 3 mice were exposed for 3 h to 0.25 ppm of O(3), and 3 to 0.5 ppm of O(3) for 3 h. Two air-exposed mice served as negative controls. All mice were euthanized 3 h after exposure, at which time BAL cells were recovered from the lungs and stained with ethidium bromide. BAL cells recovered from an air-exposed mouse were exposed to various concentrations of H(2)O(2) in vitro for 1 h at 4 degrees C. Excluding cells from the H(2)O(2) group (n = 25), 50 randomly selected BAL cells were graded by comet tail length into 1 of 4 categories: no damage (0 mm), low damage (1-10 mm), medium damage (11-30 mm), and high damage (31 + mm). The nonparametric Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for statistical analysis, and p values lower than . 05 were considered significant. The H(2)O(2) and the 0.25 and 0.5 ppm O3 groups showed statistically significant increases in DNA SSBs as compared to air-exposed controls. The results of this study indicate that (1) O(3) induces DNA strand breaks in murine BAL cells at 0.25 and 0.5 ppm, as evidenced by statistically significant increases in the length of comet tails for O(3)-exposed groups, and (2) the comet assay can be used to assess O(3)-induced SSBs for in vivo exposures. Therefore, it has the potential as a biomarker for in vivo oxidant exposures.
Prey preferences of the spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) and degree of dietary overlap with the lion (Panthera leo)

Spotted hyaenas Crocuta crocuta were once considered mere scavengers; however, detailed research revealed that they are very efficient predators. Information on what spotted hyaenas actually prefer to prey on and what they avoid is lacking, as well as the factors that influence prey selection. Data from 14 published and one unpublished study from six countries throughout the distribution of the spotted hyaena were used to determine which prey species were preferred and which were avoided using Jacobs' index. The mean of these values for each species was used as the dependent variable in multiple regression, with prey abundance and prey body mass as predictive variables. In stark contrast to the rest of Africa's large predator guild, spotted hyaenas do not preferentially prey on any species. Also surprisingly, only buffalo, giraffe and plains zebra are significantly avoided. Spotted hyaena most prefer prey within a body mass range of 56–182 kg, with a mode of 102 kg. The dietary niche breadth of the spotted hyaena is similar to that of the lion Panthera leo, and the two species have a 58.6% actual prey species overlap and a 68.8% preferred prey species overlap. These results highlight the flexible and unselective nature of spotted hyaena predation and are probably a reason for the species' success throughout its range, despite a large degree of dietary overlap with lions.
Inverse Power Factor Droop Control for Decentralized Power Sharing in Series-Connected-Microconverters-Based Islanding Microgrids

Series-connected microconverters have been used to integrate distributed energy resources into grid mains through a single-stage power conversion. When this string converter is switched to islanding operation mode, it is preferred to share the local load demand by series microconverter modules in a decentralized manner. Due to the characteristics of series connection, the well-understood P–f droop and Q–E droop control for parallel distributed generation units in a conventional islanding microgrid is not applicable in this case. To solve this problem, the feasibility of using a simple power factor-frequency inverse droop control for series-connected islanding microconverters is discussed in this paper. The proposed method can achieve simultaneous real and reactive power sharing without the assistance of any communications between series microconverters. Furthermore, the accuracy of power sharing is not affected by the variations of microgrid feeder parameters or the disturbance of the point of common coupling (PCC) nonlinear loads. Simulated and experimental results are provided to verify the correctness of the proposed method.
Unplanned attempts to quit smoking: missed opportunities for health promotion?

OBJECTIVES To investigate the occurrence, determinants and reported success of unplanned and planned attempts to quit smoking, and sources of support used in these attempts. DESIGN Cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 3512 current and ex-smokers. SETTING Twenty-four general practices in Nottinghamshire, UK. PARTICIPANTS Individuals who reported making a quit attempt within the last 6 months. MEASUREMENTS Occurrence, triggers for, support used and success of planned and unplanned quit attempts. RESULTS A total of 1805 (51.4%) participants returned completed questionnaires, reporting 394 quit attempts made within the previous 6 months of which 37% were unplanned. Males were significantly more likely to make an unplanned quit attempt [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-2.46], but the occurrence of unplanned quit attempts did not differ significantly by socio-economic group or amount smoked. The most common triggers for unplanned quit attempts were advice from a general practitioner or health professional (27.9%) and health problems (24.5%). 5.4% and 4.1% of unplanned quit attempts used National Health Service cessation services on a one to one and group basis, respectively, and more than half (51.7%) were made without any support. Nevertheless, unplanned attempts were more likely to be reported to be successful (adjusted OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.23-3.27, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Unplanned quit attempts are common among smokers in all socio-demographic groups, are triggered commonly by advice from a health professional and are more likely to succeed; however, the majority of these unplanned attempts are unsupported. It is important to develop methods of providing behavioural and/or pharmacological support for these attempts, and determine whether these increase cessation rates still further.