Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic strategies for psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory, hyperproliferative skin disease that affects approximately 1–2% of the general population in the U.K. and U.S.A. It is rarely life‐threatening, but causes considerable patient morbidity. The disease waxes and wanes, with substantial variability both between and within individual patients. There is no cure for psoriasis; therefore, the aim of treatment is to minimize the extent and severity of the disease to the point at which it no longer disrupts substantially the patient's quality of life. We review the current treatment options, which include topical therapies, phototherapy and systemic agents. Lack of efficacy, adverse effects and aesthetic problems limit the use of many topical therapies. Likewise, the risk of toxicity is a major problem with currently available phototherapies and systemic treatments. Advances in understanding the aetiology and pathogenesis of psoriasis allude to the possibility of innovative, targeted therapies in the future.
A multifunction low-power preamplifier for MEMS capacitive microphones

A multi-function two-stage chopper-stabilized preamplifier (PAMP) for MEMS capacitive microphones (MCM) is presented. The PAMP integrates digitally controllable gain, high-pass filtering and offset control, adding flexibility to the front-end readout of MCMs. The first stage of the PAMP consists of a source-follower (SF) while the second-stage is a capacitive gain stage. The second-stage employs chopper-stabilization (CHS), while SF buffer shields the MCM sensor from the switching spurs. The PAMP uses MW poly bias resistors for the second-stage, exploiting Miller effect to achieve flat audio-band response. The gain and high-pass filtering corner can be adjusted by digitally controlling the capacitor banks in the PAMP. The offset-control feature of the PAMP is implemented using a narrow-band low-pass gm-C filter. The PAMP occupies 950µm × 950µm in 0. 35µm CMOS technology and draws a 50µA total current from a 1.8V single supply. The PAMP achieves SNDR of 44dBA/Pa (elec. meas.) and 27dBA/Pa (acoustic meas.) and a conversion range from 50dBSPL to 120dBSPL.
Functional Anatomy of the Autonomic Nervous System

Summary: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) via its sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions influences the function of nearly all organ systems. Via autonomic reflexes, the ANS is responsible for maintaining homeostasis of the internal environment. This is achieved by a rather complex integration of autonomic sensory information, somatic sensory information, and descending influences from higher central nervous system centers.
Costimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86) on Reed‐Sternberg cells are associated with the proliferation of background T cells in Hodgkin's disease

To elucidate the relationship between Reed‐Sternberg (R‐S) cells and background T cells, the expression of CD80 and CD86 of R‐S cells in Hodgkin's disease (HD), and the ligand CD28 expression and the MIB‐1 index of background T cells were immunohistochemically investigated. CD80 and CD86 were found to be expressed on R‐S cells in almost all cases of HD. CD28 was expressed with strong intensity on many background T cells around R‐S cells. The MIB‐1 index of background T cells was 30.3% (range, 15.5–38.9%) and was much higher than 10.9% (range, 9.8–11.7%) in B cell lymphomas. These results suggest that the interaction between CD80 and CD86 on R‐S cells, and CD28 on background T cells may induce T cell proliferation and be associated with tumor mass of HD.
Clinical comparison of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery and traditional laparotomy in radical resection of colorectal cancer

Background: Colorectal cancer is a common malignant tumor of the digestive system. Minimally invasive surgeries, with Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery (HALS) as a representative technology, have challenged Traditional Laparotomy (TL). Some studies indicated that HALS has an apparent advantage in terms of intestinal function recovery, complications, and other parameters. Objective: In this study, we aimed to compare the clinical effects of HALS and TL in radical resection of colorectal cancer, in order to investigate the feasibility of HALS in colorectal cancer resection. Methods: We retrospectively analysed the clinical data on HALS and TL at our hospital from 2009 to 2011 (28 rectal carcinoma patients underwent laparoscopic surgery and 32 rectal cancer patients underwent traditional open surgery), and compared the differences in operative time, blood loss, number of dissected mesenteric lymph nodes, intestinal function recovery time, postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative complication incidence. Results: The HALS group exhibited less blood loss, shorter intestinal function recovery time, and shorter postoperative hospital stay than the TL group (intraoperative blood loss: 80.5 ± 13.3 ml vs. 170.5 ± 35.5 ml, t=12.650, p-value 0.05). Conclusions: HALS showed the advantages of less bleeding, quicker recovery, and minimal invasiveness over TL. Moreover, it did not increase the operative time or postoperative complications. HALS could achieve the same results as those obtained with TL in radical resection.
Global-local finite element optimization study to minimize BGA damage under thermal cycling

One of the most critical failure modes in a BGA package is the solder interconnect failure (2nd level). Conventionally, the solder damage is due to the mismatch of coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the various package components and the PCB. It is absolutely critical to identify and minimize the BGA damage under thermal cycling to improve the package reliability. In the past, the critical design parameters have been investigated and ANSYS APDL code has been leveraged with a built in optimization tool for design optimization, thereby improving the solder joint fatigue life [1]. In this work, a multi-level FE model (sub-modeling approach) is implemented in ANSYS Workbench. Multi-variable-design-optimization (MVDO) is performed to minimize BGA fatigue damage. Damage in the BGA is quantified through strain energy density (SED) in the solder joints. The critical material/design parameters that significantly affect the solder joint strain energy density are identified and subsequently optimized to minimize the damage. For enhanced accuracy of the results and to have efficient computational time, sub-modeling technique is leveraged. The analysis is conducted in two steps- 1) “Global model” (coarse) is solved with the full BGA array and the critical joint is identified, 2) the critical joint (detailed far corner joint with fine mesh) is analyzed using sub-modeling.
Diversity in the Bordetella virulence regulon: transcriptional control of a Bvg‐intermediate phase gene

The BvgAS signal transduction system controls the expression of at least three distinct phenotypic phases that lie along a continuum of gene expression states. The Bvg+ phase is characterized by the expression of adhesins and toxins, whereas the Bvg− phase is characterized by motility in Bordetella bronchiseptica and the expression of vrg loci in Bordetella pertussis. The Bvg‐intermediate (Bvgi) phase is characterized by the absence of Bvg‐repressed phenotypes, the expression of some, but not all, Bvg‐activated virulence factors and the presence of a recently discovered set of antigens and phenotypes that are unique to this phase. We report here the transcriptional regulation of bipA, the first‐identified Bvgi phase gene. We have mapped the bipA promoter and identified numerous BvgA binding sites in the transcriptional control region. Based on these data, we present a model in which phase‐dependent expression of bipA results from the spatial distribution and relative affinities of multiple BvgA binding sites relative to the start site of transcription.
Subseasonal Variations of Rainfall in South America in the Vicinity of the Low-Level Jet East of the Andes and Comparison to Those in the South Atlantic Convergence Zone

Abstract Regional and large-scale circulation anomalies associated with variations in rainfall downstream of the South American low-level jet are identified and compared to those in the South Atlantic convergence zone (SACZ). Composites of precipitation associated with strong jets reveal an approximate doubling of the quantities one would expect from climatology, with an evolution of the rainfall pattern from south to north. The occurrence of extreme precipitation events follows a similar pattern. Meridional cross sections of composite wind reveal a distinct low-level jet near 20°S and a baroclinic development farther south that appears to force the jet. Geopotential height, temperature, and large-scale wind composites suggest that this developing disturbance is tied to a wave train that originates in the midlatitude Pacific and turns equatorward as it crosses the Andes Mountains. Similar composites based on SACZ rainfall reveal similar features, but of opposite sign, suggesting that the phase of the wave.
Health and Writing

There is literary evidence stating that expressive writing affects health outcomes. Nevertheless, the processes underlying its benefits remain unclear. In our previous article, we described the benefits of writing; in this article, we investigate the meaning-making processes underlying the traumatic experiences of parents of children with leukemia in off-therapy. We collected the writings of 23 parents and grouped them according to the parents’ psychological outcome (low/good/high) with respect to anxiety, as assessed during a follow-up. We qualitatively analyzed the texts written by parents with good psychological outcomes to highlight their main meaning-making processes, that is, how they put into words the shattering experience, reordered the events, connected their emotions and the events, reevaluated the event, and reconstructed the time process. We found that parents with low/high outcomes articulated these processes differently. Furthermore, we discussed the uses and functions of written narration for each group.
The use of scalp hypothermia in the prevention of doxorubicin‐induced hair loss

A randomized clinical trial was performed to determine the effectiveness of scalp hypothermia in the prevention of hair loss associated with doxorubicin. Twenty‐six patients were randomized to receive scalp hypothermia or chemotherapy alone. Data were analyzed on 25 patients: 12 in the treatment group and 13 in the control group. There was acceptable hair preservation in 75% of the patients who received the scalp hypothermia; only 8% of the patients in the control group had acceptable hair preservation (P = 0.0009). The data were further broken down into patients receiving low‐dose doxorubicin and high‐dose doxorubicin. Side effects were minimal. The results support the use of scalp hypothermia in reducing doxorubicin‐induced alopecia.
THE SYNTHESIS OF PHENCYCLIDINE AND OTHER 1-ARYLCYCLOHEXYLAMINES.

Various 1-arylcyclohexylamines were synthesized for evaluation as central nervous system depressants. The compounds were prepared by several procedures. 1-(1-Phenylcyclohexyl)piperidine, the first compound of this type synthesized, was prepared from 1-piperidinocyclohexanecarbonitrile by replacement of the cyano group by phenyl using phenylmagnesium bromide. These compounds were tested for cataleptoid activity and antitonic extensor properties.
The design of multi-task simulation manipulator based on motor imagery EEG

In this paper, a mind controlled multi-task manipulator based on motor imagery electroencephalogram (EEG) is proposed. Describe the system function first: In the case of only two types of control signal, the implementation of multi-task Manipulator relies on a toggle-confirmation mode of operation: the task is switched when imagining the left-hand movement, and the task is confirmed when the right-hand movement is imagined. In the BCI system, common spatial pattern (CSP) is used for feature extraction, mutual information for feature selection, and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) for pattern classification. The EEG signal is processed and classified into two categories, imagery of left-hand and right-hand movement. In this way, we can achieve the multi-task control of the manipulator under the premise of ensuring the accuracy of EEG recognition.
Prevalence of human papillomavirus in cervical cancer: a worldwide perspective. International biological study on cervical cancer (IBSCC) Study Group.

BACKGROUND Epidemiologic studies have shown that the association of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) with cervical cancer is strong, independent of other risk factors, and consistent in several countries. There are more than 20 different cancer-associated HPV types, but little is known about their geographic variation. PURPOSE Our aim was to determine whether the association between HPV infection and cervical cancer is consistent worldwide and to investigate geographic variation in the distribution of HPV types. METHODS More than 1000 specimens from sequential patients with invasive cervical cancer were collected and stored frozen at 32 hospitals in 22 countries. Slides from all patients were submitted for central histologic review to confirm the diagnosis and to assess histologic characteristics. We used polymerase chain reaction-based assays capable of detecting more than 25 different HPV types. A generalized linear Poisson model was fitted to the data on viral type and geographic region to assess geographic heterogeneity. RESULTS HPV DNA was detected in 93% of the tumors, with no significant variation in HPV positivity among countries. HPV 16 was present in 50% of the specimens, HPV 18 in 14%, HPV 45 in 8%, and HPV 31 in 5%. HPV 16 was the predominant type in all countries except Indonesia, where HPV 18 was more common. There was significant geographic variation in the prevalence of some less common virus types. A clustering of HPV 45 was apparent in western Africa, while HPV 39 and HPV 59 were almost entirely confined to Central and South America. In squamous cell tumors, HPV 16 predominated (51% of such specimens), but HPV 18 predominated in adenocarcinomas (56% of such tumors) and adenosquamous tumors (39% of such tumors). CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm the role of genital HPVs, which are transmitted sexually, as the central etiologic factor in cervical cancer worldwide. They also suggest that most genital HPVs are associated with cancer, at least occasionally. IMPLICATION The demonstration that more than 20 different genital HPV types are associated with cervical cancer has important implications for cervical cancer-prevention strategies that include the development of vaccines targeted to genital HPVs.
Ghrelin Modulates the Downstream Molecules of Insulin Signaling in Hepatoma Cells*

Ghrelin was identified in the stomach as an endogenous ligand specific for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R). GHS-R is found in various tissues, but its function is unknown. Here we show that GHS-R is found in hepatoma cells. Exposure of these cells to ghrelin caused up-regulation of several insulin-induced activities including tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), association of the adapter molecule growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 with IRS-1, mitogen-activated protein kinase activity, and cell proliferation. Unlike insulin, ghrelin inhibited Akt kinase activity as well as up-regulated gluconeogenesis. These findings raise the possibility that ghrelin modulates insulin activities in humans.
Pathogenesis of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus

Human coronaviruses (CoVs) mostly cause a common cold that is mild and self‐limiting. Zoonotic transmission of CoVs such as the recently identified Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)‐CoV and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)‐CoV, on the other hand, may be associated with severe lower respiratory tract infection. This article reviews the clinical and pathological data available on MERS and compares it to SARS. Most importantly, chest radiographs and imaging results of patients with MERS show features that resemble the findings of organizing pneumonia, different from the lesions in SARS patients, which show fibrocellular intra‐alveolar organization with a bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia‐like pattern. These findings are in line with differences in the induction of cytopathological changes, induction of host gene responses and sensitivity to the antiviral effect of interferons in vitro when comparing both MERS‐CoV and SARS‐CoV. The challenge will be to translate these findings into an integrated picture of MERS pathogenesis in humans and to develop intervention strategies that will eventually allow the effective control of this newly emerging infectious disease. Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus Reduces Organophosphate Pesticide Absorption and Toxicity to Drosophila melanogaster

ABSTRACT Organophosphate pesticides used in agriculture can pose health risks to humans and wildlife. We hypothesized that dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus, a genus of commensal bacteria, would reduce absorption and toxicity of consumed organophosphate pesticides (parathion and chlorpyrifos [CP]). Several Lactobacillus species were screened for toleration of 100 ppm of CP or parathion in MRS broth based on 24-h growth curves. Certain Lactobacillus strains were unable to reach stationary-phase culture maxima and displayed an abnormal culture morphology in response to pesticide. Further characterization of commonly used, pesticide-tolerant and pesticide-susceptible, probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG (LGG) and L. rhamnosus strain GR-1 (LGR-1), respectively, revealed that both strains could significantly sequester organophosphate pesticides from solution after 24-h coincubations. This effect was independent of metabolic activity, as L. rhamnosus GG did not hydrolyze CP and no difference in organophosphate sequestration was observed between live and heat-killed strains. Furthermore, LGR-1 and LGG reduced the absorption of 100 μM parathion or CP in a Caco-2 Transwell model of the small intestine epithelium. To determine the effect of sequestration on acute toxicity, newly eclosed Drosophila melanogaster flies were exposed to food containing 10 μM CP with or without supplementation with live LGG. Supplementation with LGG simultaneously, but not with administration of CP 3 days prior (prophylactically), mitigated CP-induced mortality. In summary, the results suggest that L. rhamnosus may be useful for reducing toxic organophosphate pesticide exposure via passive binding. These findings could be transferable to clinical and livestock applications due to affordability and practical ability to supplement products with food-grade bacteria. IMPORTANCE The consequences of environmental pesticide pollution due to widespread usage in agriculture and soil leaching are becoming a major societal concern. Although the long-term effects of low-dose pesticide exposure for humans and wildlife remain largely unknown, logic suggests that these chemicals are not aligned with ecosystem health. This observation is most strongly supported by the agricultural losses associated with honeybee population declines, known as colony collapse disorder, in which pesticide usage is a likely trigger. Lactobacilli are bacteria used as beneficial microorganisms in fermented foods and have shown potentials to sequester and degrade environmental toxins. This study demonstrated that commonly used probiotic strains of lactobacilli could sequester, but not metabolize, organophosphate pesticides (parathion and chlorpyrifos). This Lactobacillus-mediated sequestration was associated with decreased intestinal absorption and insect toxicity in appropriate models. These findings hold promise for supplementing human, livestock, or apiary foods with probiotic microorganisms to reduce organophosphate pesticide exposure.
The use of micro-Raman spectroscopy to differentiate between sound and eroded primary enamel.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate differences in phosphate group concentration between areas of sound and eroded enamel in primary teeth using micro-Raman spectroscopy (MRS). METHODS The Raman spectroscopic technique enables researchers to obtain information about molecules by analysing scattered light caused by monochromatic laser excitation. Ten extracted anterior primary teeth with areas of sound and eroded enamel were used. Three, 10-s scans were carried out at three points along a 3-microm linear area in both sound and eroded primary enamel, and Raman spectra were obtained with the LabRam 300 fitted with an Olympus BX40 microscope. Scanning electron microscopy was used to confirm the presence of sound and eroded enamel on each tooth. RESULTS The phosphate nu(1) band was located between 958.5 and 967.0 cm(-1). There was no statistically significant difference between the area under the phosphate nu(1) band values for the eroded and sound areas (P = 0.7302). Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of sound and eroded areas on all specimens. CONCLUSION In this study, there was no statistically significant difference found between phosphate group concentration in eroded and sound primary enamel when analysed by MRS.
A new fuzzy Lyapunov controller for nonholonomic mobile vehicles

This paper presents a new fuzzy Lyapunov controller for nonholonomic mobile vehicles. A symbiosis between classical backstepping techniques and fuzzy logic was realized. The control system ensures a good robustness with respect to outside perturbations. These perturbations can interact with the vehicle. They are sources of uncertainty for the system model and can perturb the validity of the nonholonomic constraints. Therefore the trajectory tracking problem with noise is considered. The asymptotic stability of the fuzzy kinematical control system is guaranteed by Lyapunov's method. The algorithm efficiency, error minimization and noises reject are confirmed through simulation examples in Matlab environment.