Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bile acids and Barrett's oesophagus: A sine qua non or coincidence?

Background. Barrett's oesophagus (BO), a premalignant condition associated with the development of oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC), is thought to be a consequence of chronic duodeno-gastro-oesophageal reflux. Of the refluxates, bile acids, either alone or in combination with acid, are probably the most important. Methods. Analysis of the literature on the role played by bile acids in inducing BO and/or progression to OAC. Results. Combined pH and Bilitec™ 2000 (as a measure of bile reflux) monitoring and oesophageal aspiration studies in humans suggest a combined role for bile acids, particularly taurine conjugated bile acids, in causing oesophageal mucosal injury. Evidence from animal models has demonstrated that duodenal juice alone is also able to induce BO and/or OAC. Likewise, ex vivo studies with biopsies from BO patients show that increased proliferation and cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression are present after a pulsed exposure to acid or conjugated bile acids, but not if acid and bile acids are combined. Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been shown to decrease the biliary component of the refluxate. There is some evidence that PPIs are able to reduce neoplastic progression in BO. On the other hand, chronic PPIs can also stimulate bacterial overgrowth, which can result in increased production of secondary bile acids, particularly deoxycholic acid, in the stomach. Deoxycholic acid has been demonstrated to have a tumour-promoting capacity. Conclusions. It is unknown what factors of the refluxate (acid and/or bile) induce BO and/or promote carcinogenesis, but there is evidence that secondary bile acids play a role. A better understanding of the molecular steps involved in the induction of BO, and the role of bile acids herein, may identify targets at which preventive therapies can be directed.
REGULATION AND STABILITY OF HOST-PARASITE POPULATION INTERACTIONS

SUMMARY (1) Three categories of biological processes are shown to have a destabilizing influence on the dynamical behaviour of model host-parasite associations: parasite induced reduction in host reproductive potential, parasite reproduction within a host which directly increases parasite population size and time delays in parasite reproduction and transmission. (2) The importance of parasitic species as regulators of host population growth is examined in light of empirical evidence. Data from two particular laboratory studies used to indicate the magnitude of this regulatory influence. Suggestions are made concerning the type of information required from field studies to facilitate critical assessment of theoretical predictions.
Selective H2S Gas Sensing With a Graphene/n-Si Schottky Diode

In this investigation, a novel selective gas sensor for detection of H2S gas is proposed based on graphene/n-Si Schottky junction. The sensor's structure is based on a Schottky junction fabricated by mechanical deposition of highly oriented natural graphite on top of an n-type <;100> silicon substrate. The variation in the forward bias current-voltage characteristics of the diode for different gas concentrations and different temperatures are indications of the gas sensing capability of the proposed sensor. The fabricated graphene-based gas sensor shows good selectivity, reproducibility, and fast response. Considering electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the sensitivity variation of the sensor in a specific range of frequencies is different for each gas ambient. The response time of about 20 s under the applied voltage of 1 V and 100 ppm of H2S gas ambient is obtained and becomes shorter as the temperature increases. Because of the special structure of the graphene, adsorption, and desorption of the gas occurs fast. Therefore, graphene-based Schottky diodes seem suitable for gas sensing applications.
Could enhanced reflex function contribute to improving locomotion after spinal cord repair?

Although numerous treatments have been found to improve locomotion in spinal cord injured mammals, the underlying mechanisms are very poorly understood. Some of the main possibilities are: (1) regeneration of axons across the injury site and the re‐establishment of descending pathways needed to voluntarily initiate and maintain stepping in the hind legs, (2) enhanced effectiveness of undamaged neurons in preparations with incomplete transections of the cord, (3) non‐specific facilitation of reflexes and intrinsic spinal networks by transmitters released from regenerated axons and/or by substances introduced by the treatment, and (4) enhanced trunk movements close to the injury site strengthening the mechanical coupling of the trunk to the hind legs via spinal reflexes. In addition, any procedure that even slightly improves stepping may be further enhanced by use‐dependent modification of reflex pathways and interneuronal networks in the lumbar cord. The emphasis of this review is on the contribution of spinal reflexes to the patterning of motor activity for walking, and how enhancing reflex function may contribute to the improvement of locomotion by treatments aimed at restoring locomotion after complete transection of the spinal cord.
Alamouti-coded decode-and-forward protocol with optimum relay selection for cooperative communications

In this paper, we propose an Alamouti-coded decode-and-forward protocol with optimum relay selection for three-user one destination cooperative communications. The proposed scheme achieves the maximum diversity gain and lower probability of error in comparison with the existing decode and forward protocol with the optimum relay selection. The proposed scheme can also achieve more bandwidth efficiency from the optimum relay selection technique, and the cooperation criterion is based on the confidence of channel links. Moreover, in the performance analysis, an outage probability is studied and compared with the simulation results. Simulation results indicate that the proposed scheme significantly outperforms the existing protocols, and the theoretical outage probability curve is closed to the simulated SER curve.
Transient Viremia, Plasma Viral Load, and Reservoir Replenishment in HIV-Infected Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy

When antiretroviral therapy (ART) is administered for long periods to HIV-1-infected patients, most achieve viral loads that are “undetectable” by standard assay methods (ie, HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL). Despite sustaining viral loads lower than the level of detection, a number of patients experience unexplained episodes of transient viremia or viral “blips. ” We propose that transient activation of the immune system by infectious agents may explain these episodes of viremia. Using 2 different mathematical models, one in which blips arise because of target cell activation and subsequent infection and another in which latent cell activation generates blips, we establish a nonlinear (power law) relationship between blip amplitude and viral load (under ART) that suggest blips should be of lower amplitude, and thus harder to detect, as increasingly potent therapy is used. This effect can be more profound than is predicted by simply lowering the baseline viral load from which blips originate. Finally, we suggest that sporadic immune activation may elevate the level of chronically infected cells and replenish viral reservoirs, including the latent cell reservoir, providing a mechanism for recurrent viral blips and low levels of viremia under ART.
Allosteric Small Molecules Unveil a Role of an Extracellular E2/Transmembrane Helix 7 Junction for G Protein-coupled Receptor Activation*

G protein-coupled receptors represent the largest superfamily of cell membrane-spanning receptors. We used allosteric small molecules as a novel approach to better understand conformational changes underlying the inactive-to-active switch in native receptors. Allosteric molecules bind outside the orthosteric area for the endogenous receptor activator. The human muscarinic M2 acetylcholine receptor is prototypal for the study of allosteric interactions. We measured receptor-mediated G protein activation, applied a series of structurally diverse muscarinic allosteric agents, and analyzed their cooperative effects with orthosteric receptor agonists. A strong negative cooperativity of receptor binding was observed with acetylcholine and other full agonists, whereas a pronounced negative cooperativity of receptor activation was observed with the partial agonist pilocarpine. Applying a newly synthesized allosteric tool, point mutated receptors, radioligand binding, and a three-dimensional receptor model, we found that the deviating allosteric/orthosteric interactions are mediated through the core region of the allosteric site. A key epitope is M2Trp422 in position 7.35 that is located at the extracellular top of transmembrane helix 7 and that contacts, in the inactive receptor, the extracellular loop E2. Trp 7.35 is critically involved in the divergent allosteric/orthosteric cooperativities with acetylcholine and pilocarpine, respectively. In the absence of allosteric agents, Trp 7.35 is essential for receptor binding of the full agonist and for receptor activation by the partial agonist. This study provides first evidence for a role of an allosteric E2/transmembrane helix 7 contact region for muscarinic receptor activation by orthosteric agonists.
Anterior tibial translation in collegiate athletes with normal anterior cruciate ligament integrity.

OBJECTIVE To examine differences in anterior tibial translation (ATT) among sports, sex, and leg dominance in collegiate athletes with normal anterior cruciate ligament integrity. DESIGN AND SETTING Subjects from various athletic teams were measured for ATT in right and left knees. SUBJECTS Sixty subjects were measured for ATT with a KT-1000 knee arthrometer. MEASUREMENTS Statistical analyses were computed for each sex and included a 2 x 3 x 4 mixed-factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) for anterior cruciate ligament displacement, right and left sides, and force and sport. A 2 x 2 x 3 mixed-factorial ANOVA was computed to compare means for sex and force. A 2 x 3 mixed-factorial ANOVA was computed to compare sex differences across 3 forces. RESULTS For males and females, no significant interactions were found among leg, force, and sport for mean ATT, for leg and sport or leg and force, or for translation values between dominant and nondominant legs. Males had a significant interaction for force and sport, and a significant difference was found for side of body, since the right side had less translation than the left side. Females had greater ATT than males at all forces. CONCLUSIONS Sex differences exist for ATT, and differences in ATT exist among sports for both sexes. Differences between the right and left sides of the body should be expected when making comparisons of ligamentous laxity.
New insights into mRNA trafficking in axons

In recent years, it has been demonstrated that mRNAs localize to axons of young and mature central and peripheral nervous system neurons in culture and in vivo. Increasing evidence is supporting a fundamental role for the local translation of these mRNAs in neuronal function by regulating axon growth, maintenance and regeneration after injury. Although most mRNAs found in axons are abundant transcripts and not restricted to the axonal compartment, they are sequestered into transport ribonucleoprotein particles and their axonal localization is likely the result of specific targeting rather than passive diffusion. It has been reported that long‐distance mRNA transport requires microtubule‐dependent motors, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the sorting and trafficking of mRNAs into axons have remained elusive. This review places particular emphasis on motor‐dependent transport of mRNAs and presents a mathematical model that describes how microtubule‐dependent motors can achieve targeted trafficking in axons. A future challenge will be to systematically explore how the numerous axonal mRNAs and RNA‐binding proteins regulate different aspects of specific axonal mRNA trafficking during development and after regeneration. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 74: 233–244, 2014
Exploring the read-write genome: mobile DNA and mammalian adaptation

Abstract The read–write genome idea predicts that mobile DNA elements will act in evolution to generate adaptive changes in organismal DNA. This prediction was examined in the context of mammalian adaptations involving regulatory non-coding RNAs, viviparous reproduction, early embryonic and stem cell development, the nervous system, and innate immunity. The evidence shows that mobile elements have played specific and sometimes major roles in mammalian adaptive evolution by generating regulatory sites in the DNA and providing interaction motifs in non-coding RNA. Endogenous retroviruses and retrotransposons have been the predominant mobile elements in mammalian adaptive evolution, with the notable exception of bats, where DNA transposons are the major agents of RW genome inscriptions. A few examples of independent but convergent exaptation of mobile DNA elements for similar regulatory rewiring functions are noted.
Pilot‐controlled trial of the extracorporeal liver assist device in acute liver failure

The objective of this pilot controlled study was to evaluate the extracorporeal liver assist device (ELAD) in patients with acute liver failure who were judged to still have a significant chance of survival (approximately 50%) and in those who had already fulfilled criteria for transplantation. Twenty‐four patients were divided into two groups, 17 with a potentially recoverable lesion (group I) and 7 listed for transplantation (group II), and then randomly allocated to ELAD haemoperfusion or control. The median period of ELAD haemoperfusion was 72 hours (range 3‐168 h). Biocompatibility of the device was good, with no acceleration in platelet consumption, and haemodynamic stability was maintained. Two patients were withdrawn from the study because of worsening of preexisting disseminated intravascular coagulation in one case and a hypersensitivity reaction in the other. Deterioration with respect to encephalopathy grade was more frequent in the control patients, 7 of 12 (58%), than in the ELAD‐treated patients, 3 of 12 (25%). In group I where survival for the ELAD cases was 7 of 9 (78%), there was a higher than expected survival in the controls, 6 of 8 (75%). For group II cases, survival was 1 of 3 (33%) for the ELAD‐ treated patients, and 1 of 4 (25%) for the controls. Both of the survivors underwent transplantation. Assessment of additive function for the device revealed an improvement in galactose elimination capacity after 6 hours of haemoperfusion. Based on the results of this pilot‐controlled trial, better indices of prognosis will be required, in addition to those used to select for transplantation, if patients at an earlier stage of clinical deterioration are to be included in future studies.
An Analysis of the Tradeoff Between the Energy and Spectrum Efficiencies in an Uplink Massive MIMO-OFDM System

This brief mainly investigates energy efficiency (EE) and spectrum efficiency (SE) for the uplink massive multiple-input-multiple-output orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing system in a single-cell environment. An approximate SE expression is first derived by employing the maximum ratio combination or zero-forcing detection at the base station. Then, the theoretical tradeoff between EE and SE is established after introducing a realistic power consumption model in consideration of both the radiated power and the circuit power. Based on the tradeoff, the optimal EE with respect to SE is derived using the convex optimization theory. Results show that the optimal EE increases by deploying a suitable number of antennas, multiplexing a reasonable number of users, expanding the system bandwidth, or shrinking the cell radius. Partly different from the EE, the SE corresponding to the optimal EE can be improved by increasing the number of antennas, multiplexing a rational number of users, narrowing the system bandwidth, or shrinking the cell radius.
Micromachined Vibratory Diffraction Grating Scanner for Multiwavelength Collinear Laser Scanning

This paper presents an effective method to achieve multiwavelength collinear laser scanning using micromachined vibratory grating scanners, which have the potential to scan at high frequencies without the optical performance degradation resulting from dynamic nonrigid-body deformation. An optical simulation model has been developed to predict the scanning patterns of the vibratory grating scanners. The proposed multiwavelength collinear scanning method was studied both analytically with the optical simulation model and experimentally with a prototype device fabricated by the MUMPS polysilicon surface micromachining process. The experimental results agree very well with the simulation data. The prototype scanner demonstrated collinear scanning of 532 nm (green) and 632.8 nm (red) wavelengths laser beams and achieved an optical scan angle of 12.7 degrees with virtually bow-free scan-line at a resonant frequency of 9.9 kHz when driven by electrostatic comb-drive resonators with 60 V dc bias and 32 Vpp ac voltages
Yi-Qi-Ping-Chuan-Fang Reduces TSLP Elevation Caused by LPS + Poly(I:C) via Inhibiting TLR4/MYD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

Objective To explore the correlation between Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP) and the Nuclear Factor- (NF-) κB signaling pathways in bronchial epithelial cells and to clarify whether the traditional Chinese medicine formula Yi-Qi-Ping-Chuan-Fang (YQPC) reduces inflammation by inhibiting TSLP/NF-κB signaling pathways. Methods Cells were stimulated with LPS + Poly(I:C) and treated with YQPC. The expressions of TSLP and NF-κB signaling pathways related proteins P65, IκK, IκBa, P-P65, P-IκK, P-IκBa were detected. The effects of NF-κB upstream molecules, Toll-like receptors 3 and 4, myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (Myd88), TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF), and downstream inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8, were assessed. Results The mRNA and protein expressions of TSLP were significantly increased after LPS + Poly(I:C) stimulation, the total protein IκBa and IκK decreased (P < 0.05), and the phosphorylated protein P-P65, P-IκK, and P-IκBα increased. After YQPC treatment, the expression of TSLP, P-P65, P-IκBa, and P-IκK was significantly inhibited (P < 0.05). The activation of TLR4 and MyD88 decreased, and release of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α reduced (P < 0.05). Conclusion In summary, the expression of TSLP is activated by the NF-κB signaling pathway. YQPC alleviated inflammation by inhibiting TSLP through regulating the NF-κB activation and translocation.
Religious coping and use of intensive life-prolonging care near death in patients with advanced cancer.

CONTEXT Patients frequently rely on religious faith to cope with cancer, but little is known about the associations between religious coping and the use of intensive life-prolonging care at the end of life. OBJECTIVE To determine the way religious coping relates to the use of intensive life-prolonging end-of-life care among patients with advanced cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A US multisite, prospective, longitudinal cohort of 345 patients with advanced cancer, who were enrolled between January 1, 2003, and August 31, 2007. The Brief RCOPE assessed positive religious coping. Baseline interviews assessed psychosocial and religious/spiritual measures, advance care planning, and end-of-life treatment preferences. Patients were followed up until death, a median of 122 days after baseline assessment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Intensive life-prolonging care, defined as receipt of mechanical ventilation or resuscitation in the last week of life. Analyses were adjusted for demographic factors significantly associated with positive religious coping and any end-of-life outcome at P < . 05 (ie, age and race/ethnicity). The main outcome was further adjusted for potential psychosocial confounders (eg, other coping styles, terminal illness acknowledgment, spiritual support, preference for heroics, and advance care planning). RESULTS A high level of positive religious coping at baseline was significantly associated with receipt of mechanical ventilation compared with patients with a low level (11.3% vs 3.6%; adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.81 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.03-7.69]; P = .04) and intensive life-prolonging care during the last week of life (13.6% vs 4.2%; AOR, 2.90 [95% CI, 1.14-7.35]; P = .03) after adjusting for age and race. In the model that further adjusted for other coping styles, terminal illness acknowledgment, support of spiritual needs, preference for heroics, and advance care planning (do-not-resuscitate order, living will, and health care proxy/durable power of attorney), positive religious coping remained a significant predictor of receiving intensive life-prolonging care near death (AOR, 2.90 [95% CI, 1.07-7.89]; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS Positive religious coping in patients with advanced cancer is associated with receipt of intensive life-prolonging medical care near death. Further research is needed to determine the mechanisms for this association.
A new energy control strategy for a through the road parallel hybrid electric motorcycle

Design and simulation of a Through The Road (TTR) Parallel Hybrid Electric Motorcycle (HEM) with continuous variable transmission (CVT) is described in this paper. The model of a Parallel Hybrid Electric powertrain in ADVISOR is modified for simulation of it. To achieve a better fuel economy and less emission, the internal combustion engine (ICE) should operate at high efficiency regions. In order to increase the efficiency, the ICE should not operate low torque values. Therefore, a new energy control strategy is proposed to improve it while the ICE is ON. In this new strategy, the extra torque of the ICE is absorbed by the electrical machine.
The Effect of Flattening Filter Free on Three-dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT), Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) Plans for Metastatic Brain Tumors from Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

AbstractFlattening filter free (FFF) may affect outcome measures of radiotherapy. The objective of this study is to compare the dosimetric parameters in three types of radiotherapy plans, three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), with or without the flattening filter (FF), developed for the treatment of metastatic brain tumors from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). From July 2013 to October 2013, 3D-CRT, IMRT, and VMAT treatment plans were designed using 6 MV and 10 MV, with and without FF, for 10 patients with brain metastasis from NSCLC. The evaluation of the treatment plans included homogeneity index (HI), conformity index (CI), monitor units (MU), mean dose (Dmean), treatment time, and the influence of FFF on volumes. There was no difference in CI or HI between FFF and FF models with 3D-CRT, IMRT, and VMAT plans. At 6 MV, a lower Dmean was seen in the FFF model of 3D-CRT and in the VMAT plan at 10 MV. In the IMRT 6 MV, IMRT 10 MV, and VMAT 10 MV plans, higher MUs were seen in the FFF models. FFF treatments are similar in quality to FF plans, generally lead to more monitor units, and are associated with shorter treatment times. FFF plans ranked by the order of superiority in terms of a time advantage are VMAT, 3D-CRT, and IMRT.