Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of sequestration on signal transduction cascades

The building blocks of most signal transduction pathways are pairs of enzymes, such as kinases and phosphatases, that control the activity of protein targets by covalent modification. It has previously been shown [Goldbeter A & Koshland DE (1981) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA78, 6840–6844] that these systems can be highly sensitive to changes in stimuli if their catalysing enzymes are saturated with their target protein substrates. This mechanism, termed zero‐order ultrasensitivity, may set thresholds that filter out subthreshold stimuli. Experimental data on protein abundance suggest that the enzymes and their target proteins are present in comparable concentrations. Under these conditions a large fraction of the target protein may be sequestrated by the enzymes. This causes a reduction in ultrasensitivity so that the proposed mechanism is unlikely to account for ultrasensitivity under the conditions present in most in vivo signalling cascades. Furthermore, we show that sequestration changes the dynamics of a covalent modification cycle and may account for signal termination and a sign‐sensitive delay. Finally, we analyse the effect of sequestration on the dynamics of a complex signal transduction cascade: the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade with negative feedback. We show that sequestration limits ultrasensitivity in this cascade and may thereby abolish the potential for oscillations induced by negative feedback.
Retinal ganglion cells in diabetes

Diabetic retinopathy has long been recognized as a vascular disease that develops in most patients, and it was believed that the visual dysfunction that develops in some diabetics was due to the vascular lesions used to characterize the disease. It is becoming increasingly clear that neuronal cells of the retina also are affected by diabetes, resulting in dysfunction and even degeneration of some neuronal cells. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the best studied of the retinal neurons with respect to the effect of diabetes. Although investigations are providing new information about RGCs in diabetes, including therapies to inhibit the neurodegeneration, critical information about the function, anatomy and response properties of these cells is yet needed to understand the relationship between RGC changes and visual dysfunction in diabetes.
UPTAKE AND RELEASE OF [14C]ADENINE DERIVATIVES AT BEDS OF MAMMALIAN CORTICAL SYNAPTOSOMES IN A SUPERFUSION SYSTEM

(1) Synaptosomal fractions from guinea pig neocortical dispersions prepared in sucrose solutions were deposited from saline media as ‘beds’ on nylon bolting cloth. When incubated with 0.5–10 μm‐[14C]adenine or adenosine in glucose bicarbonate salines, uptake of 14C from adenosine proceeded at about four times the rate of uptake of [14C]adenine. This contrasted with the relative uptake of the two compounds to neocortical tissue slices or to beds made from mitochondrial fractions, where uptake was similar with the two precursors. Uptake of both precursors to synaptosome beds was much greater than uptake of inosine.
Conductivity, Electrodeposition and Magnetic Property of Cobalt(II) and Dysprosium Chloride in Zinc Chloride-1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Chloride Room Temperature Molten Salt

Abstract Electric conductivity of the molten zinc chloride-1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride phases has been measured by a computerized system using the d.c. four-probes method. The sequence of the conductivities for the different component melts is ZnCl2-EMIC > ZnCl2-EMIC-CoCl2 > ZnCl2- EMIC-DyCl3 > ZnCl2-EMIC-CoCl2-DyCl3. The results may be explained in terms of the viscosity increase due to the complex formation. The electrochemistry and the nucleation mechanism of cobalt(II) or/and dysprosium chloride in acidic ZnCl2-EMIC melts have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry at different temperatures, respectively. The results of the SEM and VSM analyses reveal that reduction of Dy3+ to Dy2+ may have occurred, while reduction of Dy3+ to Dy(0) is conjectured to play no role. Moreover, the results of chronoamperometry experiments show that nucleation in the alloy electrodeposition is instantaneous, and that, as the applied deposition potential becomes more negative, the nucleation density increases, which rapidly shortens the time required for the diffusion zones to overlap. Electrodeposition of a Dy-Co-Zn alloy on a Ni or Cu sheet from the 50-50 mol% ZnCl2-EMIC melt containing 1.687 mol% CoCl2 and 1.114 mol% DyCl3 has been accomplished, and the morphology and the composition have been analyzed by SEM and EDS, respectively. The magnetism of the deposited layer is discussed based on the results of the VSM analysis.
GAPS : THE STRATEGY BEHIND A SPEEDY COUPLING OF CARD SHUFFLING

Using methods of coupling we analyze two models of card shuffling, the random transposition and the random-to-random process, to find minimal coupling times. Disregarding the rank and suit on the standard playing cards we are familiar with, we focus only on the color; specifically, we consider decks where half the cards are white and half are black. We define the total gaps on a pair of decks, which proves to be a valuable distance and technique to a quick coupling. Using the total gaps and taking advantage of the color scheme of the decks, we bound the mixing time of the random-to-random shuffle to O(n logn). Along the way, we prove useful properties unique to a deck with only two colors.
0.8-µW CMOS bulk-driven linear operational transconductance amplifier in 0.35-µm technology

This paper proposes a low-voltage linear operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) in a 0.35-µm CMOS process. The proposed OTA employs a bulk-driven differential input stage with resistive source degeneration and the flipped-voltage follower topology to achieve high linearity under low power supply voltage. The proposed OTA dissipates 0.8 µW from a single 0.8-V power supply voltage. Simulation results with showed that a linear differential input voltage range of 470 mV was achieved with less than 1% total harmonic distortion.
Sequential changes in luminal microflora and mucosal cytokine expression during developing of colitis in HLA-B27/beta2-microglobulin transgenic rats.

BACKGROUND Transgenic rats expressing HLA-B27 and human beta2-microglobulin (HLA-B27 rats) spontaneously develop chronic colitis resembling human inflammatory bowel disease. We investigated the sequential changes in the luminal bacterial flora and mucosal cytokine mRNA expression in this model. METHODS HLA-B27 rats were maintained in a specific pathogen-free environment, and luminal microflora was evaluated by standard bacterial culture technique. The expression of mucosal cytokine mRNA was analysed by RT-PCR methods. RESULTS Clinical symptoms of colitis appeared at 8 weeks of age. The total number of obligate anaerobes was higher than those of facultative anaerobes during the experimental period. At 6 weeks of age, the colonization of Bacteroides spp. , Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. was already detectable at high concentrations, whereas Clostridium spp. and Eubacterium spp. were not detected. The expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-Ibeta, IL-8 and TNF-alpha) appeared at 8 weeks of age, and these were detectable until 17 weeks. A similar pattern was observed in the expression of Th1 cytokines (IL-2, IL-12 and IFN-gamma). On the other hand, the expression of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-beta) was weak. IL-4 mRNA expression was weakly detectable only at 6 and 8 weeks of age. The expression of IL-10 and TGF-beta mRNA was scarcely detectable throughout the experimental period. CONCLUSION The development of colitis may be mediated by both the predominant expression of Th1 cytokines and the weakness of Th2 cytokine expression in the mucosa. The colonization of anaerobic bacteria, especially Bacteroides spp. , may be initiating and promoting these cytokine responses.
On Rough Set Logics Based on Similarity Relations

In this paper, dedicated to Professor Solomon Marcus on the occasion of His 80th birthday, we discuss the idea of intensional many-valued logic reflecting the logical content of rough set approach to analysis and treatment of uncertainty. In constructing the variety of logics presented in the paper, we make use of a certain kind of tolerance (similarity) relations called rough mereological tolerances. A study of tolerance relations that arise in rough set environments was initiated in 1994, with the paper [23], in which basic ideas pertaining to tolerance relations in the rough set framework were pointed to. The analysis of the role tolerance relations may play in machine learning based on rough set-theoretic ideas was carried out by Professor Solomon Marcus in His seminal paper, written during His stay in Warsaw in December of the year 1994. At the same time the first author had first ideas related to the applicability of ideas of mereology in the rough set analysis of uncertainty. In a later analysis it has turned out that mereological approach has led to a development of a new paradigm in reasoning under uncertainty, called rough mereology, proposed by Lech Polkowski and Andrzej Skowron. Within this paradigm, one is able to construct a variety of tolerance relations. Those tolerance relations, induced by rough mereological constructs called rough inclusions, serve as a basis for constructing a variety of logics, called rough mereological logics, that are related to the inherent structure of any rough set universe. In this paper, we introduce gradually all essential and necessary notions from the area of rough set theory, mereology and rough mereology, and then we discuss tolerance relations induced by rough inclusions along with some methods for inducing rough inclusions with desired properties. The paper culminates with a discussion of intensional logics based on rough mereological tolerance relations. In this way, we explore one of so many paths in scientific research, that have been either pointed to or threaded by Professor Solomon Marcus.
Elastic behavior of crystalline/amorphous core/shell silicon nanowires

Using atomistic simulations, we study the elastic properties of silicon nanowires with amorphous shells. These structures were simulated by heating the perfect crystalline nanowires followed by rapid quenching. Virtual straining experiments exhibited a linear stress-strain behavior, which was further used to extract the Young's moduli of the nanowires. Simulations were carried out for nanowires of different diameters and shell thicknesses. We found that increase in the core-diameter resulted in enhanced stiffness constant. This trend could be explained by a simple composite model. Furthermore, the computations suggested that the core-shell interface did not have any pronounced effect on the Young's modulus of the nanowires.
The rural context of health care provision

By first laying out some of the major threads involved in the fabric of rurality and rural care, we consider the major interrelated issues in rural care provision before reviewing the larger universal contextual issues of rurality and care. By reflecting on the many definitions of 'rural', we infer that defining 'rural' is a difficult research and practice challenge. We conclude by suggesting that a holistic, place-specific definition of 'rural' may provide the basis to best understand the attributes and challenges of rural places in addressing the complex and problematic professional context of rural interprofessional care provision.
Refractive errors characteristic of the patients at the Children’s Ophthalmology Outpatient Department of Kauno klinikos Hospital (Lithuanian University of Health Sciences) from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012

Background. The purpose of our study was to assess the distribution and patterns of refractive errors in children for the proper planning of paediatric eye care at the centre. Material and methods. The study was conducted in the hospital of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences in Kaunas, from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012. During this period, a total of 11,406 children, aged 0–18 years, were evaluated at the outpatient department of paediatric ophthalmology, Kauno klinikos, the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences. All the children underwent a complete ophthalmic examination with cycloplegic refraction. Results. Myopia increased from 1.5% (95% CI:1.2, 1.8) in the age group of 0–1 to 44.7% (95% CI:43.46, 45.94) in the age group of 14–18 (p < 0.001). Myopia was associated with older age, female gender (20.3%; 95% CI:19.3, 21.3; p < 0.001). Hypermetropia decreased from 84.6% (95% CI:83.7, 85.5) in the cohort of 0–1 to 11.4% (95% CI: 10.61, 12.19) in the 14–18 age group (p < 0.001). Hypermetropia was associated with younger age, male gender (43.4%; 95% CI:42.16, 44.64; p < 0.001), preterm birth (56.1%; 95% CI:54.86, 57.34; 43.4%; p < 0.001), low birth weight (61.8%; 95% CI:60.59, 63.01; p < 0.001), and birth by Caesarean section (57.1%; 95% CI: 55.87; 58.33) (p < 0.001). The prevalence of astigmatism was 25.5% (95% CI: 24.41; 26.59) (p < 0.001). Astigmatism was associated with female gender (20.1%; 95%. CI: 19.1; 21.1) and too big pregnancy weight (22.1%.; 95%. CI: 21.06; 23.14) (p < 0.001). Conclusions. Of the 14–18 age group, 44.7% of the patients were myopic. Of the 0–1 age group, 84.6% were hypermetropic. Astigmatism was detected in about 25.5% of children. The prevalence of refractive errors was associated with age, gender, gestation age, gestation weight, and parental refractive error.
Common-mode voltage analysis and suppression in five-level modular composited converter

The common-mode current casued by the parasitic parameters in the transformerless multilevel converters degrades the performance of converters and brings security issues. This paper presents a new zero common-mode voltage space vector modulation for common-mode voltage suppression in the five-level modular composited converter. Firstly, the common-mode equivalent circuit model of five-level modular composited converter is initially derived to further explore its mechanism. Then, a zero common-mode voltage space vector modulation which redistributes the zero common-mode voltage vectors through the flexible coordinate transformation is proposed, and a simpified vector synthesis method is employed to reduce the common-mode current in the five-level modular composited converter. Finally, the effectiveness of the prposed zero common-mode space vector modulation strategy is verfiied by the simulation and experimental results.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus with Anticardiolipin Antibodies and Lupus Anticoagulant Syndrome

Case report A 25-year-old female Caucasian was seen in the rheumatology clinic in October 1983 because of pain and stiffness in her hands, feet and knees. Since January 1978 she had been treated by her general practitioner for arthralgia in her hands, feet and knees accompanied by morning stiffness lasting 2-3 hours. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were prescribed and proved effective in relieving her symptoms. In September 1981 she developed deep vein thrombosis in the left leg which was confirmed by
Quantitative morphometric and immunohistochemical analysis and their correlates in cirrhosis – A study on explant livers

Abstract Background. Reproducible structural analysis was made on cirrhotic human liver samples in order to reveal potential connections between morphological and laboratory parameters. Material and methods. Large histological samples were taken from segment VII of 56 cirrhotic livers removed in connection with liver transplantation. Picro Sirius red and immunohistochemically (smooth muscle actin [SMA], cytokeratin 7 [CK7], Ki-67) stained sections were digitalized and morphometric evaluation was performed. Results. The Picro Sirius-stained fibrotic area correlated with the average thickness of the three broadest septa, extent of SMA positivity, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) values and it was lower in the viral hepatitis related cirrhoses than in samples with non-viral etiology. The extent of SMA staining increased with the CK7-positive ductular reaction. The proliferative activity of the hepatocytes correlated positively with the Ki-67 labeling of the ductular cells and inversely with the septum thickness. These data support the potential functional connection among different structural components, for example, myofibroblasts, ductular reaction and fibrogenesis but challenges the widely proposed role of ductular cells in regeneration. Conclusion.Unbiased morphological characterization of cirrhotic livers can provide valuable, clinically relevant information. Similar evaluation of routine core biopsies may increase the significance of this ‘Gold Standard’ examination.
Enhanced proliferation and directed migration of oligodendroglial progenitors co‐grafted with growth factor‐secreting cells

Transplantation repair of demyelinating lesions is restricted because relatively few cells can be introduced at only a limited number of sites. Repair could be enhanced by stimulating division of transplanted cells and by directing migration to multiple or distant lesions. This article demonstrates that transplanted oligodendroglial progenitors proliferate more when co‐grafted with growth factor‐secreting cells, yet retain the capacity to form myelin. Transplanted glial cells also migrate preferentially toward the growth factor‐secreting cells when the two are implanted at separate sites. This opens avenues to examine growth factor actions on glia in vivo and improves the prospects for human remyelination therapies. GLIA 32:264–270, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide health problem. CKD is a progressive condition and ultimately end up with kidney failure. A normocytic, normochromic anemia is observed in CKD. The primary cause in patients with CKD is insufficient production of erythropoietin (EPO) by the diseased kidneys. Anemia is both a complication of CKD as a part of uremic syndrome and a risk factor which influences the adverse outcomes of CKD, So evaluation and management of anemia is important to prevent the progress of CKD and for the general well being of the patient. As the renal function worsens, there is a progressive increase in the percentage of CKD patients with anemia. Aims and Objectives: To determine the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in patient with chronic kidney disease and study the effect of iron deficiency anemia on survival of CKD patients. Results: In present study the overall prevalence of iron deficiency anemia in chronic kidney disease was 42.63% whereas in males, the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was 44.4% which was less than female patients (55.6%). The observed values of iron deficiency anemia in CKD in relation to age group, hypertension and type of iron therapy have been found satistically nonsignificant, however iron deficiency anemia outcome with sex group, stage of CKD, diabetes and dialysis therapy were found to be satistically significant. Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia is common in CKD patients ( 42.63% ). Functional Iron deficiency is seen in 39.03%. Iron deficiency is related to stage of CKD, Sex, Diabetes mellitus, erythropoietin therapy and dialysis therapy. There was no relation of Iron deficiency anemia with age, hypertension, and type of iron therapy. However mortality was not related to iron deficiency in CKD patients.
Outcome of Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) represents the most common cytogenetic abnormality in adult ALL. It is found in 15% to 30% of patients, and its incidence increases with age. As in children, prognosis in Ph-positive adult ALL is poor. No therapeutic approach has had substantial impact on its unfavorable course. We analyzed the characteristics and outcome of newly diagnosed adults with Ph-positive ALL treated at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1980 and 1997. The diagnosis of patients was based on typical morphological and immunophenotypic criteria of marrow aspirate and biopsy specimens. Cytogenetic and molecular studies were also performed. A total of 67 patients were included in this study. From 1980 until 1991, 38 patients with Ph-positive ALL were treated with vincristine, Adriamycin, and dexamethasone (VAD), or with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-like induction protocols. Since 1992 a total of 29 patients received induction therapy with an intensified treatment protocol, called “hyper-CVAD”. The outcome of patients treated with standard and intensified treatment regimens was compared and results of our institution contrasted with data obtained from other centers. Ph-positive ALL was present in 67 of 498 patients with newly diagnosed ALL (13%). Patients with Ph-positive ALL had a higher median age (44 versus 34, P=0.007), higher median white blood cell (WBC) counts at presentation (25 versus 8, P=0.0002), and higher peripheral median percentage of blast counts (63 versus 40, P=0.023). FAB subtype L2 (70% versus 49%, P=0.001) and CALLA-positive pre-B immunophenotype (75% versus 37%, P<0.001) predominated among Ph-positive ALL. Myeloid marker coexpression was more frequent in Ph-positive ALL when compared with Ph-negative ALL (52% vs. 27% for CD13, P<0.001, and 44% vs. 27% for CD33, P=0.005). Among patients treated with hyper-CVAD, the complete remission (CR) rate was 90% versus 55% (P=0.002) with pre-hyper-CVAD regimens (VAD and AML-like induction protocols), the median CR duration was 43 weeks versus 32 weeks (P >0.5), median disease-free survival (DFS) was 42 weeks versus 29 weeks (P=0.008), and median survival was 66 weeks versus 45 weeks (P >0.5). Patients with hyper-diploid Ph-positive ALL on hyper-CVAD therapy achieved significantly longer CR duration and DFS than hypo- and pseudodiploid cases (59 weeks versus 42 and 31 weeks, P=0.02 and 0.04, respectively). In contrast, patients treated with regimens prior to hyper-CVAD had significantly shorter CR duration (21 weeks versus 33 and 29 weeks, P=0.03) and DFS with hyperdiploid karyotypes when compared to pseudodiploid and hypodiploid cases (16 weeks versus 30 and 13 weeks, P=0.008). In conclusion, our results demonstrate improved response rate and DFS with current intensive regimens (hyper-CVAD) in patients with Ph-positive ALL, but no advantage in overall survival.