Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in west of Scotland: case ascertainment study

Abstract Objectives: To determine the incidence and case fatality of acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in the west of Scotland and to identify associated factors. Design: Case ascertainment study. Setting: All hospitals treating adults with acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in the west of Scotland. Subjects: 1882 patients aged 15 years and over treated in hospitals for acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage during a six month period. Main outcome measures: Incidence of acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage per 100 000 population per year, and case fatality. Results: The annual incidence was 172 per 100 000 people aged 15 and over. The annual population mortality was 14.0 per 100 000. Both were higher among elderly people, men, and patients resident in areas of greater social deprivation. Overall case fatality was 8.2%. This was higher among those who bled as inpatients after admission for other reasons (42%) and those admitted as tertiary referrals (16%). Factors associated with increased case fatality were age, uraemia, pre-existing malignancy, hepatic failure, hypotension, cardiac failure, and frank haematemesis or a history of syncope at presentation. Social deprivation, sex, and anaemia were not associated with increased case fatality after adjustment for other factors. Conclusions: The incidence of acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage was 67% greater than the highest previously reported incidence in the United Kingdom, which may be partially attributable to the greater social deprivation in the west of Scotland and may be related to the increased prevalence of Helicobacter pylori. Fatality after acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage was associated with age, comorbidity, hypotension, and raised blood urea concentrations on admission. Although deprivation was associated with increased incidence, it was not related to the risk of fatality. Key messages The incidence of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage in the west of Scotland was 67% higher than the highest incidence previously reported in the United Kingdom A substantial part of this excess incidence may be attributable to socioeconomic deprivation The overall population mortality from upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage may increase as the elderly population increases because both incidence and case fatality rise steeply with age A reduction in the overall case fatality from acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage will be best achieved by reducing case fatality among elderly patients
Title PF 2 fit : Polar Fast Fourier Matched Alignment of Atomistic Structures with 3 D Electron Microscopy Maps

There continue to be increasing occurrences of both atomistic structure models in the PDB (possibly reconstructed from X-ray diffraction or NMR data), and 3D reconstructed cryo-electron microscopy (3D EM) maps (albeit at coarser resolution) of the same or homologous molecule or molecular assembly, deposited in the EMDB. To obtain the best possible structural model of the molecule at the best achievable resolution, and without any missing gaps, one typically aligns (match and fits) the atomistic structure model with the 3D EM map. We discuss a new algorithm and generalized framework, named PFfit (Polar Fast Fourier Fitting) for the best possible structural alignment of atomistic structures with 3D EM . While PFfit enables only a rigid, six dimensional (6D) alignment method, it augments prior work on 6D X-ray structure and 3D EM alignment in multiple ways: Scoring. PFfit includes a new scoring scheme that, in addition to rewarding overlaps between the volumes occupied by the atomistic structure and 3D EM map, penalizes overlaps between the volumes complementary to them. We quantitatively demonstrate how this new complementary scoring scheme improves upon existing approaches. PFfit also includes two scoring functions, the non-uniform exterior penalty and the skeleton-secondary structure score, and implements the scattering potential score as an alternative to traditional Gaussian blurring. Search. PFfit utilizes a fast search scheme of PFcorr [1], whose main advantage is the ability to search over uniformly and adaptively sampled subsets of the space of rigid-body motions. PFfit also implements a new reranking search and scoring methodology that considerably improves alignment metrics in results obtained from the initial search. The PFfit software package along with a tutorial is free for academic users and available through our website: http://www.ices. utexas.edu/CVC/software/.
Msx1 is required for dorsal diencephalon patterning

The dorsal midline of the neural tube has recently emerged as a major signaling center for dorsoventral patterning. Msx genes are expressed at the dorsal midline, although their function at this site remains unknown. Using Msx1nlacZ mutant mice, we show that the normal expression domain of Msx1 is interrupted in the pretectum of mutant embryos. Morphological and gene expression data further indicate that a functional midline is not maintained along the whole prosomere 1 in Msx1 mutant mice. This results in the downregulation of genes expressed laterally to the midline in prosomere 1, confirming the importance of the midline as a signaling center. Wnt1 is essential for dorsoventral patterning of the neural tube. In the Msx1 mutant, Wnt1 is downregulated before the midline disappears, suggesting that its expression depends on Msx1. Furthermore, electroporation in the chick embryo demonstrates that Msx1 can induce Wnt1 expression in the diencephalon neuroepithelium and in the lateral ectoderm. In double Msx1/Msx2 mutants, Wnt1 expression is completely abolished at the dorsal midline of the diencephalon and rostral mesencephalon. This indicates that Msx genes may regulate Wnt1 expression at the dorsal midline of the neural tube. Based on these results, we propose a model in which Msx genes are intermediary between Bmp and Wnt at this site.
The Arabidopsis NFYA5 Transcription Factor Is Regulated Transcriptionally and Posttranscriptionally to Promote Drought Resistance[W]

Nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) is a ubiquitous transcription factor composed of three distinct subunits (NF-YA, NF-YB, and NF-YC). We found that the Arabidopsis thaliana NFYA5 transcript is strongly induced by drought stress in an abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent manner. Promoter:β-glucuronidase analyses showed that NFYA5 was highly expressed in vascular tissues and guard cells and that part of the induction by drought was transcriptional. NFYA5 contains a target site for miR169, which targets mRNAs for cleavage or translational repression. We found that miR169 was downregulated by drought stress through an ABA-dependent pathway. Analysis of the expression of miR169 precursors showed that miR169a and miR169c were substantially downregulated by drought stress. Coexpression of miR169 and NFYA5 suggested that miR169a was more efficient than miR169c at repressing the NFYA5 mRNA level. nfya5 knockout plants and plants overexpressing miR169a showed enhanced leaf water loss and were more sensitive to drought stress than wild-type plants. By contrast, transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing NFYA5 displayed reduced leaf water loss and were more resistant to drought stress than the wild type. Microarray analysis indicated that NFYA5 is crucial for the expression of a number of drought stress–responsive genes. Thus, NFYA5 is important for drought resistance, and its induction by drought stress occurs at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels.
A review of lasers and light sources in the treatment of acne vulgaris

There are various treatment modalities for acne vulgaris including topical and oral therapy as well as microdermabrasion and chemical peels. Recently, there has been an emergence of novel laser and light sources as a means for treating acne vulgaris. This article will review the advances of laser and light sources in the treatment of acne vulgaris.
Zidovudine/lamivudine but not nevirapine in combination with lopinavir/ritonavir decreases subcutaneous adipose tissue mitochondrial DNA

Objective:No randomized study has prospectively followed subcutaneous adipose tissue mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) changes when starting thymidine nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (tNRTIs). Design:The Metabolic Effects of DIfferent CLasses of AntiretroviralS study randomized HIV-positive, treatment-naive male participants to start lopinavir/ritonavir (LPVr) with either zidovudine/lamivudine (ZDV/3TC) or nevirapine (NVP). Methods:Regional body fat was assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and abdominal computed tomography at months 0, 3, 12, 24 and 36. In a molecular substudy, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) biopsies were taken, with mtDNA quantified by quantitative PCR. Data were analyzed using repeated measures linear regression analyses. Results:Of 50 participants recruited (23 to LPVr/ZDV/3TC), 48 started therapy, and 37 participants (19 on LPVr/ZDV/3TC) enrolled in the substudy. At 36 months, the LPVr/ZDV/3TC group had significantly lower limb fat [6.4 kg (0.26) versus 7.3 kg (0.31), P = 0.017] and a trend toward lower abdominal SAT compared to the LPVr/NVP group [131 cm2 (6.86) versus 146 cm2 (6.33), P = 0.097]. Over 36 months, mtDNA declined in the LPVr/ZDV/3TC group [mtDNA region 1: −190 (95) copies/cell, P = 0.053, region 2: −269 (106) copies/cell, P = 0.016] but not within the LPVr/NVP group [region 1: +28 (99) copies/cell, P = 0.78, region 2: +51 (111) copies/cell, P = 0.65, between-group difference P < 0.01 for both measurements]. mtDNA was significantly lower in the LPVr/ZDV/3TC group at 36 months. Conclusion:This is the first randomized study to prospectively demonstrate reductions in SAT mtDNA in patients initiating ZDV/3TC-containing antiretroviral therapy (ART) but not in those initiating nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor-sparing ART containing NVP and protease inhibitor. That reductions in SAT mtDNA were also accompanied by lower limb fat suggests that use of ART not containing ZDV/3TC may help prevent development of peripheral lipoatrophy.
SRC-1 localisation in lumbosacral spinal cord of male and female Wistar rats

Nuclear receptor co-activators play an important role in enhancing transcriptional activity of steroid hormone receptors, however there is currently little information concerning their distribution within the spinal cord. In this study, the distribution of steroid receptor co-activator-1 (SRC-1) was examined with immunocytochemistry, in the lumbosacral cord of Wistar rats of both sexes. In all rats, regardless of sex, SRC-1 was predominant in neurons of the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn and within motorneurons of lamina IX. Sexually dimorphic nuclei exhibited robust SRC-1 immunoreactivity in young rats, including orchidectomised animals, but this appeared to decline in aged rats. Dorsal horn labelling appeared similarly reduced suggesting a possible age-related down-regulation of the transcription mediated by steroid receptors in some spinal neurons.
MDR1 Gene Transfer Using a Lentiviral SIN Vector Confers Radioprotection to Human CD34+ Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells

Abstract Maier, P., Herskind, C. , Fleckenstein, K. , Spier, I. , Laufs, S. , Jens Zeller, W. , Fruehauf, S. and Wenz, F. MDR1 Gene Transfer Using a Lentiviral SIN Vector Confers Radioprotection to Human CD34+ Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells. Radiat. Res. 169, 301–310 (2008). Tumor radiotherapy with large-field irradiation results in an increase in apoptosis of the radiosensitive hematopoietic stem cells (CD34+). The aim of this study was to demonstrate the radioprotective potential of MDR1 overexpression in human CD34+ cells using a lentiviral self-inactivating vector. Transduced human undifferentiated CD34+ cells were irradiated with 0–8 Gy and held in liquid culture under myeloid-specific maturation conditions. After 12 days, MDR1 expression was determined by the rhodamine efflux assay. The proportion of MDR1-positive cells in cells from four human donors increased with increasing radiation dose (up to a 14-fold increase at 8 Gy). Determination of expression of myeloid-specific surface marker proteins revealed that myeloid differentiation was not affected by transduction and MDR1 overexpression. Irradiation after myeloid differentiation also led to an increase of MDR1-positive cells with escalating radiation doses (e.g. 12.5–16% from 0–8 Gy). Most importantly, fractionated irradiation (3 × 2 Gy; 24-h intervals) of MDR1-transduced CD34+ cells resulted in an increase in MDR1-positive cells (e.g. 3–8% from 0–3 × 2 Gy). Our results clearly support a radioprotective effect of lentiviral MDR1 overexpression in human CD34+ cells. Thus enhancing repopulation by surviving stem cells may increase the radiation tolerance of the hematopoietic system, which will contribute to widening the therapeutic index in radiotherapy.
Definitional, Parametric, and Procedural Considerations in Timeout Interventions and Research

This article reviews definitional, parametric, and procedural issues which must be considered to optimize the effectiveness of timeout, an intervention frequently used with exceptional students. The conceptual basis of timeout is explained as a meaningful discrepancy between the timein and timeout environments, and five general types of timeout are delineated: (a) isolation timeout, (b) exclusion timeout, (c) contingent observation, (d) removal of reinforcing stimulus conditions, and (e) ignoring the student. The results of parametric and comparative investigations involving these five types of timeout are reviewed. However, a comprehensive knowledge base concerning timeout has yet to be established. Thus, directions for future research and the need for systematic studies are noted. Procedural considerations, including preconditions, contextual variables, concurrent interventions, and evaluation of timeout, are then discussed.
Multiphase Active Way Linear Motor: Proof-of-Concept Prototype

In this paper, an active way linear synchronous motor with multiphase independent supply is presented. A proof-of-concept prototype of the proposed linear motor has been built, including power electronics and control. The control is based on a multi digital signal processor (multi DSP) master-slave structure. The controller design and the power and control boards have been described. The analytical model of the motor is presented. The analytical results are compared with a finite-element simulation, showing a good agreement. The analytical model has been also used to implement a dynamic model of the whole system in the Matlab/Simulink/Plecs simulation environment. The proof-of-concept prototype has been fully tested with one and two independent gliders. The obtained experimental results show that the chosen multi DSP master-slave structure allows the control of the proposed linear motor with good performances and reasonable costs.
Elementos traza detectados por plasma inductivamente acoplado (ICP) en pepitonas, Arca zebra (Mollusca, Arcidae) de dos localidades costeras del estado Sucre, Venezuela

Los metales pesados juegan un papel importante en la dinamica de los procesos quimicos y ambientales en las zonas costeras. Estos provienen de aportes naturales y antropogenicos y pueden ser bioacumulados en organismos acuaticos, en los que se encuentran como elementos traza, y tienen potenciales efectos toxicos a quienes los consuman, principalmente al hombre como ultimo eslabon de la cadena alimenticia. La gravedad del dano depende del grado y el tiempo de exposicion a dichos elementos. Se determino la concentracion de metales pesados (Mg, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni y Fe) por Plasma Inductivamente Acoplado (ICP) en la pepitona, Arca zebra (Mollusca, Bivalvia, Arcidae), provenientes de las inmediaciones de Caimancito y Chacopata (municipio Cruz Salmeron Acosta, estado Sucre, Venezuela). En Caimancito, las mayores concentraciones de casi todos los metales se detectaron en septiembre, a excepcion del Mg que fue observada en febrero. En Chacopata, las concentraciones mas elevadas se observaron en el mes de octubre (Mg, Mn y Ni), septiembre (Cu), diciembre (Fe) y en enero (Mo). No se encontraron diferencias signifi cativas entre las localidades, mientras que existen diferencias signifi cativas entre meses. Al momento no existen normas o regulaciones venezolanas que establezcan limites maximos de concentracion de los metales analizados en moluscos bivalvos procesados o frescos, que permitan establecer comparaciones con los resultados obtenidos. Sin embargo, en base a normas internacionales, las concentraciones medidas de metales pesados en pepitonas no rebasaron los limites permitidos para consumo humano. Palabras clave: Chacopata, Caimancito, metales pesados, Bivalvia.
ANALYSIS OF SUB-GRID MODELING EFFECTS IN THE SIMULATION OF THE SINGLE-PHASE TURBULENT FLOW IN AN INDUSTRIAL CYCLONE SEPARATOR

In the present work two turbulence modeling approaches, namely Large Eddy Simulation and Detached Eddy Simulation, are employed to predict turbulent, swirling flow within an industrial cyclone separator running at Reynolds number 267,000. The results from three LES models, Smagorinsky, dynamic and Yakhot, and the SST-DES model of Strelets have been compared to experimental results for the average axial and tangential velocities. The Navier-Stokes solver is based on an unstructured, finite volume, cell-centered algorithm such that the details of the geometry can be accurately represented. Based on the comparison with the experimental results, it has been found that the Yakhot model provides the most accurate predictions for the tangential velocities, whereas the dynamic LES and the Smagorinsky models overpredict it and the SST-DES model underpredicts it. However, the conclusions are different regarding the axial velocity. Implications of the turbulence modeling for the particle separation are discussed.
The Two Faces of Size : An Analysis of Price Bargaining and Platform Competition in the US Daily Deal Market Lingling

The platform—a business model that creates value by connecting groups of users—is increasingly popular in many industries. Extant papers largely assume that platforms dominate the pricing decision, whereas in practice, prices in business-to-business transactions are often determined by a bargaining process. We study how the relative bargaining power of business partners affects pricing and competition in a two-sided market. We compile a unique and comprehensive dataset using sales data from the US daily deal market and specify a structural model based on Nash bargaining solutions. We find that Groupon, the larger deal platform, has more price-bargaining power than LivingSocial and that larger and chain merchants have more bargaining power than smaller and independent merchants. The difference in bargaining power between different types of merchant, interestingly, is more substantial on LivingSocial than on Groupon. Therefore, the size of a platform has two faces: while a larger customer base helps attract merchants, the platform’s bargaining power may motivate some merchants to work with its smaller competitors, over which they have more influence on price setting. Our counterfactual results show that the allocation of price-bargaining power plays an important role in the daily deal markets and that merchants are significantly worse off if platforms have higher price-bargaining power during the negotiation. Furthermore, as it increases the bargaining power, LivingSocial would be able to boost its profits but lose its attraction in acquiring merchants.
Antiviral activity of NMSO 3 against respiratory syncytial virus infection in vitro and in vivo

NMSO3, a sulfated sialyl lipid was evaluated for its efficacy against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other myxovirus infections in cell culture. The median effective concentration (50% effective concentration, EC50) of NMSO3 against replication of the Long strain of RSV in HEp-2 cells was 0.2 and 0.32 mM by optical ELISA and the plaque reduction method, respectively. On the other hand, the corresponding values for ribavirin were 10.5 and 11.2 mM, respectively. NMSO3 showed potent activity against other laboratory strains as well as fresh clinical isolates of RSV, and the average EC50 was similar to that for Long strain. NMSO3 exhibited minimal cytotoxicity against HEp-2, MDCK, HMV-2 and Vero cells for which the median cytotoxic concentration (CC50) was more than 685 mM. The selectivity index [SI= (CC50 for HEp-2/EC50)] of NMSO3 for RSV exceeded 2978 and that of ribavirin was 6. The EC50 of NMSO3 against influenza virus (FluV) A (H3N2) was 23.8 by the MTT method using HMV-2 cells, and 17.8 mM by the TCID50 method using MDCK cells. NMSO3 did not inhibit replication of influenza B virus, parainfluenza virus type 2 and canine distemper virus at 103 mM. NMSO3 inhibited RSV infection of HEp-2 cells when it was added between 0 and 1.5 h after virus infection. By a temperature shift experiment during the period of contact between the virus and cells, NMSO3 inhibited both the binding of RSV to the cells and its penetration into the cells. Prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of NMSO3 against RSV infection in cotton rats was examined. Intraperitoneal administration of 100 mg/kg per day of NMSO3 to cotton rats from 1 day before or 1 h after to 3 days after the RSV infection, once a day every day, decreased the RSV titer in lungs to 10 to 10 compared to the control rats which were infected with RSV and left untreated. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Induction and enhancement of platelet aggregation in vitro and in vivo by model polystyrene nanoparticles

Abstract Nanoparticles (NPs) may come into contact with circulating blood elements including platelets following inhalation and translocation from the airways to the bloodstream or during proposed medical applications. Studies with model polystyrene latex nanoparticles (PLNPs) have shown that NPs are able to induce platelet aggregation in vitro suggesting a poorly defined potential mechanism of increased cardiovascular risk upon NP exposure. We aimed to provide insight into the mechanisms by which NPs may increase cardiovascular risk by determining the impact of a range of concentrations of PLNPs on platelet activation in vitro and in vivo and identifying the signaling events driving NP-induced aggregation. Model PLNPs of varying nano-size (50 and 100 nm) and surface chemistry [unmodified (uPLNP), amine-modified (aPLNP) and carboxyl-modified (cPLNP)] were therefore examined using in vitro platelet aggregometry and an established mouse model of platelet thromboembolism. Most PLNPs tested induced GPIIb/IIIa-mediated platelet aggregation with potencies that varied with both surface chemistry and nano-size. Aggregation was associated with signaling events, such as granule secretion and release of secondary agonists, indicative of conventional agonist-mediated aggregation. Platelet aggregation was associated with the physical interaction of PLNPs with the platelet membrane or internalization. 50 nm aPLNPs acted through a distinct mechanism involving the physical bridging of adjacent non-activated platelets leading to enhanced agonist-induced aggregation in vitro and in vivo. Our study suggests that should they translocate the pulmonary epithelium, or be introduced into the blood, NPs may increase the risk of platelet-driven events by inducing or enhancing platelet aggregation via mechanisms that are determined by their distinct combination of nano-size and surface chemistry.