Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Integrin Cytoplasmic Domain–Associated Protein-1 Attenuates Sprouting Angiogenesis

Rationale: The ICAP1 (integrin cytoplasmic domain–associated protein-1) is a specific intracellular binding protein of &bgr;1-integrins and the cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) protein CCM1. ICAP1 recruits CCM1 to the cell membrane and activates CCM1 by changing its conformation. Because CCM1 plays a critical role for cardiovascular development, we hypothesized that its activator ICAP1 is involved in vascular differentiation. Objective: The objective of this study was to define the role of ICAP1 in endothelial cells. Methods and Results: Loss of ICAP1 in primary human endothelial cells causes excessive angiogenic branching and network formation in vitro (3D sprouting angiogenesis) and in vivo (xenotransplantation of ICAP1-silenced human endothelial cells). ICAP1 increases cell motility and the initial formation of capillary sprouts but prevents vessel outgrowth. ICAP1 inhibits Rho kinase activity and ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) phosphorylation and induces expression of the cell cycle inhibitors p21 and p27, leading to less endothelial proliferation. However, ICAP1 promotes endothelial survival and AKT phosphorylation. Global gene expression analyses revealed that the ICAP1 effects are mediated by strong activation of DELTA-NOTCH signaling. Active NOTCH1 or silencing of the NOTCH ligand DLL4 phenocopy the ICAP1 effects and blockade of NOTCH cleavage rescues the ICAP1-mediated defects in endothelial cells. Both ICAP1 and NOTCH1 reduce the expression of ESM1 (endothelial cell–specific molecule-1), and silencing of ESM1 disturbs vascular endothelial growth factor– or fibroblast growth factor 2–induced sprouting angiogenesis. Conclusions: In this study, we identified ICAP1 as a novel regulator to prevent excessive sprouting angiogenesis.
Myopericarditis, as the first sign of rheumatoid arthritis relapse, evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance.

INTRODUCTION Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects many organs, including the heart. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) can assess heart pathophysiology in RA. AIM To evaluate, using CMR, RA patients under remission with recent onset of cardiac symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty RA under remission (15F/5M), aged 60±5 yrs, with recent onset of cardiac symptoms (RAH), were prospectively evaluated by CMR. The CMR included left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), T2-weighted (T2-W), early (EGE) and late gadolinium enhanced (LGE) images evaluation. Their results were compared with those of 20 RA under remission without cardiac symptoms (RAC) and 18 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with clinically overt myocarditis. RESULTS Cardiac enzymes were abnormal in 5/20 RAH. CMR revealed inferior wall myocardial infarction in 2/20 (1M, 1F) and myocarditis in 13/20 (8M/5F) RAH. The T2 ratio of myocardium to skeletal muscle was increased in RAH and SLE compared to RAC (2.5 ± 0.05 and 3.4±0.7 vs 1.8 ± 0.5, p<0.001). EGE was increased in RAH and SLE compared to RAC (15 ± 3 and 12±4.7 vs 2.7±0.8, p<0.001). Epicardial LGEs were identified in 10/13 and pericarditis in 6/13 RAH. Coronary angiography, performed in 5 RAH with increased cardiac enzymes, proved a right coronary artery obstruction in 2/5. In 3/5 with CMR positive for myocarditis, coronary arteries were normal, but endomyocardial biopsy revealed inflammation with normal PCR. An RA relapse was observed after 7-40 days in 10/13 RAH with myopericarditis. The one year follow up showed that a) RAH with myocarditis had more disease relapses and b) CHF was developed in 4 RAH with myocarditis. CONCLUSIONS Myopericarditis with atypical presentation, diagnosed by CMR in RA under remission, may precede the development of RA relapse. In 1 year follow up, RA patients with history of myocarditis have a higher frequency of disease relapse and may develop CHF.
NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE REPRODUCTION OF COLIPHAGE T2 IN A STRAIN OF ESCHERICHIA COLI

The discovery of nutritional requirements for the reproduction of bacteriophage is not novel. Adams (1949) has clearly demonstrated a calcium requirement for T5 reproduction in Escherichia coli, strain B. Furthermore, Fowler and Cohen (1948) for T2 in B and more recently Gots and Hunt (1953) for X in irradiated E. coli, strain K12, have demonstrated the growth stimulating effect of certain amino acids. However, in both cases the stimulation of the growth of T2 and X was measured as an increase in burst size over the small increase consistently obtained in unsupplemented synthetic medium. In a previous note (Gross, 1952) it was reported that T2rl will not reproduce in washed and starved E. coli, strain K12, unless rather complex nutrients are added to the basal synthetic medium. In this case the effect is all or none in the sense that infected bacteria will not support any phage synthesis without the addition of essential growth factors. This conclusion is based upon the experiments described below which also indicate that certain amino acids are required for phage synthesis.
Surgical treatment of early stage small cell lung cancer

Background: Chemotherapy with radiation has to be considered the standard therapy for limited-stage small cell lung cancer but surgical resection is possible in a small subgroup in which it may improve survival. Surgery is not recommended as the standard treatment, but a few small studies have demonstrated a benefit of surgery in highly selected cases of limited-stage small cell lung cancer. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 29 patients with limited-stage small cell lung cancer undergoing surgical resection in our department. There were 7 (24%) women and 22 (76%) men with a median age of 62 years (range, 46–82 years). Medical history, histology and survival status were extracted from the medical database of the University Medical Center Freiburg. Results: The median overall survival was 20.7 months. In 15 patients who received neoadjuvant treatment, the median survival was 89.4 months. Karnofsky performance status and neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a significant influence on median survival (p < 0.0004). Conclusions: We concluded that surgical resection can be beneficial in a highly selected group of patients as a part of a multidisciplinary approach. In addition, surgical resection is safe with acceptable mortality and morbidity.
Coverage optimization in continuous space facility siting

Facility placement and associated service coverage are major concerns in urban and regional planning. In this paper an approach is detailed for the problem of covering spatial demand for service, where potential facilities are located in the continuous plane. It is shown that weighted demand, represented as points, lines or polygons, can be optimally served by a finite number of potential facility locations, called the polygon intersection point set (PIPS). The developed approach is an extension of a point‐based abstraction of demand to more general representations (e.g. points, lines or polygons). An empirical analysis of warning siren siting in Ohio is carried out, highlighting the applicability of this approach.
Spatial Orientation of the Microscopic Elements of Cortical Repair Bone

This study was designed to assess whether the original orientation of the elements of cortical diaphyseal bone is reestablished during 18 months of repair. Full thickness 3-mm drill holes were created surgically through the tibial and femoral cortices of adult rabbits and studied by light and polarizing microscopic analysis at 1, 4, 8, and 16 weeks and 6, 12, and 18 months after the defects were created. From 16 weeks to 12 months the defects were repaired fully with lamellar bone, while the longitudinal spatial orientation of the repair lamellae was at a distinct angle to that of the original bone. At 18 months, the internal organization of the major individual microscopic elements (osteons) were reconstituted in a manner similar to that of the original bone; however, the three-dimensional spatial orientation of the osteons in the repair bone relative to the long axis of the osteons of the adjacent original bone and of the bone removed to create the defect was not reestablished completely. The imperfect spatial disposition of the microscopic elements of bone tissue may contribute significantly to refracture of a long bone after removal of screws from plated or unplated long bone fractures.
Prostatic alpha 1-adrenoceptors and uroselectivity.

BACKGROUND alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists (blockers) are now commonly used in the treatment of the symptoms of lower urinary tract obstruction. Originally phenoxybenzamine, a non-selective antagonist at both alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors, was used by Marco Caine. In an attempt to minimize side effects, selective alpha 1-antagonists, e.g. prazosin, were subsequently developed. More recently, agents such as alfuzosin, doxazosin, terazosin, and tamsulosin have been introduced and claims of "uroselectivity" and "prostate" selectivity have emerged. METHODS This review attempts to put these claims into perspective and represents a comprehensive analysis of all pre-clinical and clinical data including several papers from the Japanese literature. An attempt is made to define what is meant by selectivity at various levels including the test tube, in the laboratory animal and, most importantly, in the clinical context of the whole patient. CONCLUSIONS The conclusions are interpreted within the context of the subdivision of the alpha 1-adrenoceptor into alpha 1A, alpha 1B, and alpha 1D subtypes.
Clinical, metabolic, and psychological characteristics in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease overlap with irritable bowel syndrome

ObjectivesGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are highly prevalent in the general population, with significant symptom overlap, whereas the interaction between both remains poorly understood. We aim to identify the clinical and psychological factors that contribute toward the overlap of GERD and IBS. Patients and methodsWe carried out a case–control study among 806 GERD and 176 IBS patients from a health check-up cohort (n=2604). All participants were evaluated using the Reflux Disease Questionnaire score, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index score, the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire score, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score. Endoscopic findings were classified according to the Los Angeles classification. IBS was diagnosed on the basis of Rome III criteria, and metabolic syndrome was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition. ResultsAmong the study population, 727 individuals had GERD, 97 individuals had IBS, and 79 individuals had a diagnosis of both GERD and IBS (GERD-I). GERD-I patients had more severe GERD symptoms compared with patients with GERD or IBS alone (P<0.0001). Moreover, GERD-I patients had more frequent healthcare-seeking behavior, decreased quality of sleep, and higher depression scores than patients with GERD (P<0.0001) or IBS alone (P<0.05). In addition, GERD-I patients had lower blood pressure, waist-to-hip ratio, and higher serum high-density lipoprotein levels than those with GERD alone (P<0.05). ConclusionGERD patients overlapping with IBS have different clinical and psychological profiles than those with GERD or IBS alone. Our study suggests that awareness of these symptom presentations will help optimize the treatment of these conditions.
Primary hypertension and nephropathy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The relationship between primary hypertension (formerly called essential hypertension) and hypertension-associated chronic kidney disease is complex and poorly understood. The strong association between hypertension-associated chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease supports the existence of common mediators. We will review data indicating common mediating mechanisms for cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease in primary hypertension. RECENT FINDINGS Chronic kidney disease develops in primary hypertension due to local and systemic inflammatory mediators that cause endothelial injury. This injury is an important early step in the development of hypertension-associated vasculopathy that causes nephron ischemia with nephrosclerosis. Similar mechanisms mediate endothelial injury in cardiovascular disease and its progression. Subjects with primary hypertension at increased risk for chronic kidney disease are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease, the major cause of mortality in primary hypertension. SUMMARY Primary hypertension is a modifiable risk factor for both cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Better understanding of how primary hypertension leads to these outcomes might help in the development of pharmacologic strategies that retard and/or prevent chronic kidney disease in primary hypertension. Because of the strong association between cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease in primary hypertension, this improved understanding will likely lead to better therapies to hinder the development and/or progression of cardiovascular disease, in addition to its benefits in preventing hypertension-associated chronic kidney disease.
Molecular Cytogenetic Characterization of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Refinement of 3 q Amplification 1

We applied a combination of molecular cytogenetic methods, including comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), spectral karyotyping (SKY), and fluorescencein situ hybridization, to characterize the genetic aberrations in a panel of 11 cell lines derived from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and 1 cell line derived from premalignant oral epithelium. CGH identified recurrent chromosomal losses at 1p, 3p, 4, 8p, 10p, and 18q; gains at 3q, 5p, 8q, 9q, and 14q; and high-level amplification at 3q13, 3q25-q26, 5q22-q23, 7q21, 8q24, 11q13-q14, 12p13, 14q24, and 20q13.1. Several recurrent translocations including t(1;13)(q10;q10), t(13;13)(q10; q10), t(14;14)(q10;q10), i(8)(q10), and i(9)(q10) and breakpoint clusters at 1p11, 1q21, 3p11, 5q11, 5q13, 6q23, 8p11, 8q11, 9p13, 9q13, 10q11, 11q13, 13q10, 14q10, and 15q10 were identified by SKY. There was a good correlation between the number of aberrations identified by CGH and SKY (r 5 0.69), and the analyses were both confirmatory and complementary in their assessment of genetic aberrations. Amplification at 3q26q27 was identified in 42% of cases. Although SKY defined the derivation of 3q gain, the precise breakpoint remained unassigned. Positional cloning efforts directed at the amplified region at 3q26-q27 identified three highly overlapping nonchimeric yeast artificial chromosome clones containing the apex of amplification. The use of these yeast artificial chromosome clones as a probe for fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis allowed a detailed characterization and quantification of the 3q amplification and refinement of unassigned SKY breakpoints.
Power Conversion With SiC Devices at Extremely High Ambient Temperatures

This paper evaluates the capability of SiC power semiconductor devices, in particular JFET and Schottky barrier diodes (SBD) for application in high-temperature power electronics. SiC JFETs and SBDs were packaged in high temperature packages to measure the dc characteristics of these SiC devices at ambient temperatures ranging from 25degC (room temperature) up to 450degC. The results show that both devices can operate at 450degC, which is impossible for conventional Si devices, at the expense of significant derating. The current capability of the SiC SBD does not change with temperature, but as expected the JFET current decreases with rising temperatures. A 100 V, 25 W dc-dc converter is used as an example of a high-temperature power-electronics circuit because of circuit simplicity. The converter is designed and built in accordance with the static characteristics of the SiC devices measured under extremely high ambient temperatures, and then tested up to an ambient temperature of 400degC. The conduction loss of the SiC JFET increases slightly with increasing temperatures, as predicted from its dc characteristics, but its switching characteristics hardly change. Thus, SiC devices are well suited for operation in harsh temperature environments like aerospace and automotive applications.
Grid incremental capacity evaluation with an optimally deployed photovoltaic system in distribution network

The impact of the inevitable load growth on the power delivery elements (PDE) of the distribution system poses a major challenge to distribution planners with the loading of the PDE coming close to the system constraints. Also, as demand continues to outpace new feeder construction, utilizing distributed generation (DG) capacity to provide incremental capacity and peak load relief is becoming a viable alternative. This paper presents the released capacity analysis as a result of an optimally deployed photovoltaic (PV) system on the IEEE 34 distribution test network. Two critical energy metrics, energy at the risk of being unserved and unserved energy, have been used to determine the additional load serving capacity and duration of upgrade deferral made possible by the integration of the PV system. This particular PV-DG application is suitable for distribution networks with predominantly commercial loads because of the coincidence between the demand and irradiance peaks.
Modeling and simulation of a wind model using a spectral representation method

In this paper, we give a detailed way to model a horizontal wind profile applied to turbine blades. Wind speed consists of four components, namely the mean wind speed, the gust wind speed, the ramp wind speed and finally, the turbulence. In order to get an accurate wind speed profile, wind models need to be in the form of time series to carry out the simulation. All the first three wind components are given analytically, but not the turbulence; it is the most difficult to model. The objective is to explore a simulation method for stochastic processes and apply it to wind turbulence. This is accomplished by using the spectral representation method (SRM). This technique was developed by Shinozuka and Jan, and produces sample realizations of the process according to the prescribed power spectral density function (PSD). The SRM method is applied on two kinds of wind PSD functions (Kaimal and Von Karman spectrum). An evaluation of the method is carried out by superimposition of the autocorrelation function of each spectrum found analytically, and the one obtained directly by MATLAB processing of the generated signal. Afterwards, an experimental evaluation of the method is achieved using real wind speed data. Simulation results show that time series of the wind speed turbulence are well reflected by the SRM method and that the proposed model can be used to generate synthetic turbulent wind speed data from the power spectral density of a spectrum.
A parameter estimation algorithm for high-speed frequency-hopping signals based on RSPWVD

The key to jam frequency-hopping communication is to estimate its parameters efficiently and precisely. An algorithm for estimating the parameters of frequency hopping (FH) signals based on reassigned smoothed pseudo WVD (RSPWVD) is proposed. With the good time- frequency concentration and restraining cross-term ability of RSPWVD, this algorithm can efficiently estimate the parameters of FH signals such as hop duration, hop timing and hop frequencies. Simulation results demonstrate that the estimation algorithm is accurate and efficient.
Extrinsics Autocalibration for Dense Planar Visual Odometry

A single downward‐looking camera can be used as a high‐precision visual odometry sensor in a wide range of real‐world mobile robotics applications. In particular, a simple and computationally efficient dense alignment approach can take full advantage of the local planarity of floor surfaces to make use of the whole texture available rather than sparse feature points. In this paper, we present and analyze highly practical solutions for autocalibration of such a camera's extrinsic orientation and position relative to a mobile robot's coordinate frame. We show that two degrees of freedom, the out‐of‐plane camera angles, can be autocalibrated in any conditions, and that bringing in a small amount of information from wheel odometry or another independent motion source allows rapid, full, and accurate six degree‐of‐freedom calibration. Of particular practical interest is the result that this can be achieved to almost the same level even without wheel odometry and based only on widely applicable assumptions about nonholonomic robot motion and the forward/backward direction of its movement. We show the accurate, rapid, and robust performance of our autocalibration techniques for varied camera positions over a range of low‐textured real surfaces, both indoors and outdoors.
The chemotherapy of schistosomiasis.

Several major developments have occurred in the chemotherapy of schistoso­ miasis since Archer & Yarinsky reviewed the subject in 1972 (1). Perhaps the outstanding discovery has been the broad-spectrum, well-tolerated drug prazi­ quantel, which is rapidly becoming the drug of choice in the treatment of schistosomiasis. Two other new broad-spectrum, clinically effective drugs that have made their appearance in recent years are oltipraz and amoscanate. We have also made some progress in understanding the mode of action of some of the older antischistosomal drugs such as hycanthone, oxamniquine, niridazole, and metrifonate, but little is known about the mechanism of action of the newer drugs. In order to focus attention on this problem, the Steering Committee of the Scientific Working Group on Schistosomiasis sponsored a symposium in Geneva January 30-February 1, 1984 (2) that was devoted exclusively to the biochemistry and chemotherapy of this disease. Wherever possible, this chap­ ter devotes particular attention to the mode of action of clinically active agents and some of their relevant analogues.
Reservoir repositioning and successful thrombectomy for deep venous thrombosis secondary to compression of pelvic veins by an inflatable penile prosthesis reservoir.

INTRODUCTION We describe a 51-year-old man with a history of radiation therapy and large bowel diversion for rectal cancer who underwent an uneventful penile implant surgery for erectile dysfunction that was refractory to conservative therapy. The patient presented with acute left lower extremity swelling and pain a few days after surgery. Workup revealed compression of the pelvic veins by the prosthesis reservoir. AIM To highlight an avoidable, adverse event related to penile prosthesis reservoirs. METHODS Retrospective review of a clinical case. RESULTS The patient underwent repositioning of the reservoir followed by venous thrombectomy and Greenfield filter placement. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an early diagnosis and successful thrombectomy of the external iliac and common femoral vein thrombosis secondary to reservoir compression. Awareness of this possible adverse event and the management strategy are helpful to surgeons who perform penile prosthesis surgery.
El impacto de la última gran crisis financiera sobre el comportamiento procíclico de los bancos Europeos: un punto de inflexión

RESUMEN Este trabajo examina el impacto de la reciente crisis financiera sobre la relación entre los deterioros por pérdidas crediticias (LLP) y las fluctuaciones del crédito. Los datos macroeconómicos y el Índice de Riesgo Sistémico (CISS) indican que la crisis no ha sido homogénea, sino que podemos distinguir dos etapas: (i) la crisis subprime (2008–2009), y (ii) la crisis de la deuda soberana (2010–2013). Con un panel de 125 bancos comerciales cotizados europeos entre 2005 y 2013, encontramos que el uso discrecional de las LLP para alisar el resultado está directamente relacionado con la intensidad de la crisis. Asimismo, este componente discrecional de las LLP no actúa como herramienta anticíclica del ciclo de crédito durante la crisis financiera.