Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytokine Receptors and Signaling in Hepatic Stellate Cells

Following acute or chronic liver tissue damage, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) undergo a process of activation toward a phenotype characterized by increased proliferation, motility, contractility, and synthesis of extracellular matrix components. Activation of HSCs is regulated by several soluble factors, including growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, and products of oxidative stress, as well as by extensive changes in the composition and organization of the ECM. Different groups of soluble factors may be classified according to their prevalent biological effect: (a) factors promoting HSC proliferation and/or migration (i.e., platelet-derived growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-1); (b) factors promoting fibrillar ECM accumulation, particularly transforming growth factor-beta1; (c) factors with a prevalent contractile effect on HSCs, such as endothelin-1, thrombin, angiotensin-II and vasopressin, although all these agents also may promote HSC proliferation; (d) proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines; and (e) cytokines with a prominent antiinflammatory/antifibrogenic activity, such as interleukin-10 and interferon-gamma. Additional important issues are represented by the relationship between cytokine and integrin signaling, and by the effects of oxidative stress-related molecules on cytokine signaling. In the past decade the major intracellular signaling pathways elicited by these factors in HSCs have been greatly elucidated.
Throughput Analysis of Aggregation with Fragment Retransmission plus Quality of Service Scheme

Aggregation with Fragment Retransmission (AFR) is a scheme designed for frame transmission to increase efficiency at the MAC layer throughput. AFR provides a higher throughput compare to Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) scheme. However AFR scheme did not has QoS service function when compared to DCF scheme. DCF scheme already has contention-based QoS service using Enhanced Distributed Coordination Function (EDCA) scheme. In this study, we enhanced the AFR scheme in order to provide the QoS function and called it as AFR plus QoS or abbreviated as AFR+Q. We developed the analytical model to investigate the saturation thro ughput of AFR+Q scheme. We designed the Markov chain model as state transition of the backoff counter fr om each Access Category (AC) and we derived the mathematical model of the transmission probability and the saturation throughput of each AC. The simulation result using Matlab shown that the AFR+Q scheme provide higher saturation throughput compared to EDCA scheme. The higher throughput in AFR+Q scheme is produced by the better transmission probability, employed packet fragmentation and aggregate frame schemes.
EFFECT OF GLYCINE IN DOG AND RAT LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

Glycine has been shown to protect renal tubule cells and hepatocytes from ischemia, ATP depletion, and cold storage injury. Glycine may be a useful additive to organ preservation solutions or suppress reperfusion injury by infusion into recipients of liver transplantation. In this study, the effects of glycine on survival and postoperative liver injury were studied in the rat and dog orthotopic transplant model. Rat livers preserved for 30 hr in the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution were 50% viable (3 of 6 survivors for 7 days). When glutathione was replaced by 10 mM glycine, survival increased to 100% (6 of 6). There was a significant reduction in hepatocellular injury at the end of preservation (lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] in the pretransplant flush-out of the liver was lower in the glycine group) and after transplantation (serum LDH concentration 6 hr after transplant was lower in the glycine group). In the dog, omission of glutathione from the UW solution resulted in 33% survival (48-hr preservation model) versus 100% survival with glutathione. Replacing glutathione in the UW solution by glycine did not improve survival (33% after 48 hr of preservation). However, when glycine was given to recipients of livers preserved in the UW solution for 24 or 48 hr, there was a decrease in the degree of hepatocellular injury. After 48 hr of preservation, peak aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and LDH were reduced by about 45–55% when glycine was given to the recipient. Although the differences, with and without glycine treatment of the recipients, did not reach statistical significance, there was a noticeable reduction in hepatocellular injury with glycine. There was 100% survival of dogs in the groups that received livers preserved with the UW solution plus or minus glycine infusion. Hepatamine, a parenteral nutrition solution containing glycine and other amino acids increased hepatocellular injury (higher concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transferase, and LDH versus control 48-hr preserved livers), although all dogs survived. This study shows that glycine is cytoprotective when administered to recipients of livers preserved for 24 or 48 hr and suppresses hepatocellular injury, as reflected in a reduction in the concentration of serum enzymes. However, the differences, with and without glycine, were, at best, marginal and further studies are needed to determine whether glycine would make a significant improvement in liver preservation and prevent primary nonfunction.
Peroxynitrite Increases the Degradation of Aconitase and Other Cellular Proteins by Proteasome*

We report that exposure of aconitase to moderate concentrations of peroxynitrite, 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1; a superoxide- and nitric oxide-liberating substance), or hydrogen peroxide, inhibits the enzyme and enhances susceptibility to proteolytic digestion by the isolated 20 S proteasome. Exposure to more severe levels of oxidative stress, from these same agents, causes further inhibition of the enzymatic activity of aconitase but actually decreases its proteolytic breakdown by proteasome. It should be noted that the superoxide and nitric oxide liberated by SIN-1 decomposition react to form a steady flux of peroxynitrite.S-Nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine, a compound that liberates nitric oxide alone, causes only a small loss of aconitase activity (25% or less) and has no effect on the proteolytic susceptibility of the enzyme. Proteasome also seems to be the main protease in cell lysates that can degrade aconitase after it has been oxidatively modified by exposure to peroxynitrite, SIN-1, or hydrogen peroxide. Using cell lysates isolated from K562 cells treated for several days with an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to the initiation codon region of the C2 subunit of proteasome (a treatment which diminishes proteasome activity by 50–60%), the enhanced degradation of moderately damaged aconitase was essentially abolished. Other model proteins as well as complex mixtures of proteins, such as cell lysates, also exhibit enhanced proteolytic susceptibility after moderate SIN-1 treatment. Therefore we conclude that peroxynitrite reacts readily with proteins and that mild modification by peroxynitrite results in selective recognition and degradation by proteasome.
Robust stability of Lure systems with time-varying uncertainties: a linear matrix inequality approach

This paper provides a sufficient condition for a Lure system to be globally exponentially stable with a damping factor. The Lure system consists of a time-varying uncertain linear system and a sector-bounded mem oryless time-varying nonlinearity. The sufficient condition is described by a simple linear matrix inequality. W e show that the robust stability of the L ur'e system can be discussed by positive realness of a certain linear time-invariant system. Furthermore, we give a condition for the existence of an output feedback controller that renders the Lure system stable.
Polish Adaptation of the Self-Care of Diabetes Inventory (SCODI)

Purpose As the guidelines indicate, education and self-care in diabetic patients are essential elements in the treatment process. The efficient evaluation of the level of self-care will enable the patient’s needs to be identified and education and care to be optimised. The Self-Care of Diabetes Inventory (SCODI) is a valid and reliable tool which can measure self-care behaviours among patients with diabetes. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of the Polish version of the SCODI. Methods The World Health Organization (WHO) translation protocol was used for the translation and cultural adaptation of the English version of the SCODI into Polish. The study included 276 Polish patients with type 2 diabetes (mean age 61.28±12.02 years). There were 145 men and 131 women in the study. The internal consistency of the SCODI was evaluated using Cronbach’s Alpha. Results The original four actor tool structure was confirmed. The mean overall levels of self-care in the four SCODI scales in the study group were self-care maintenance (67.66 pts; SD=18.55), self-care monitoring (61.81 pts; SD=24.94), self-care management (54.65 pts; SD=22.98) and self-care confidence (62.86 pts; SD=20.87). The item-total correlations were positive, so there is no need to change the scales of any of the questions. The overall consistencies for individual scales were assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha: self-care maintenance (0.759), self-care monitoring (0.741), self-care management (0.695) and self-care confidence (0.932). Exploratory factor analysis and item factor loadings of the individual items ranged from 0.137 to 0.886 and, with two exceptions (questions number 23 and 32), were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion The SCODI questionnaire has acceptable internal consistency and reliability in assessing self-care among diabetic patients in the Polish population. This reliable research tool can be managed in planned studies of Polish patients with diabetes.
Post-hepatectomy haemorrhage: a definition and grading by the International Study Group of Liver Surgery (ISGLS).

BACKGROUND A standardized definition of post-hepatectomy haemorrhage (PHH) has not yet been established. METHODS An international study group of hepatobiliary surgeons from high-volume centres was convened and a definition of PHH was developed together with a grading of severity considering the impact on patients' clinical management. RESULTS The definition of PHH varies strongly within the hepatic surgery literature. PHH is defined as a drop in haemoglobin level > 3 g/dl post-operatively compared with the post-operative baseline level and/or any post-operative transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBC) for a falling haemoglobin and/or the need for radiological intervention (such as embolization) and/or re-laparotomy to stop bleeding. Evidence of intra-abdominal bleeding should be obtained by imaging or blood loss via the abdominal drains if present. Transfusion of up to two units of PRBC is considered as being Grade A PHH. Grade B PHH requires transfusion of more than two units of PRBC, whereas the need for invasive re-intervention such as embolization and/ or re-laparotomy defines Grade C PHH. CONCLUSION The proposed definition and grading of severity of PHH enables valid comparisons of results from different studies. It is easily applicable in clinical routine and should be applied in future trials to standardize reporting of complications.
Proteomics in atherothrombosis: a future perspective

Atherothrombosis is the primary cause of death in Western countries. The cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis remain widely unknown. The complex nature of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases demands the development of novel technologies that enable discovery of new biomarkers for early disease detection and risk stratification, which may predict clinical outcome. In this review, we outline potential sources and recent proteomic approaches that could be applied in the search of novel biomarkers of cardiovascular risk. In addition, we describe some issues raised in relation to the application of proteomics to blood samples, as well as two novel emerging concepts, such as peptidomics and population proteomics. In the future, the use of high-throughput techniques (proteomic, genomics and metabolomics) will potentially identify novel patterns of biomarkers, which, along with traditional risk factors and imaging techniques, could help to target vulnerable patients and monitor the beneficial effects of pharmacological agents.
Variations and increase in use of statins across Europe: data from administrative databases

Coronary heart disease remains a major cause of death in most European countries.1 Statins lower blood cholesterol concentration and reduce the relative risk of coronary events by about 30% in both primary and secondary prevention.2 Statins are widely and increasingly used in most European countries, although data on the extent of this are not generally available. As part of a wider study on drug use,3 we collected data on statin use by total defined daily doses and then calculated doses per 1000 of the population covered (by the relevant data source) in 13 of the 15 European Union countries and in Norway for the year 2000. The data sources were the major publicly supported sources, mostly governmental or major insurance or sickness funds (see appendix 2 on bmj.com for details). These systems cover all or only part of a …
Oxidative stress activates protein tyrosine kinase and matrix metalloproteinases leading to blood–brain barrier dysfunction

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) formed by brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVEC) regulates the passage of molecules and leukocytes in and out of the brain. Oxidative stress is a major underlying cause of neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders and BBB injury associated with them. Using human BMVEC grown on porous membranes covered with basement membrane (BM) matrix (BBB models), we demonstrated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) augmented permeability and monocyte migration across BBB. ROS activated matrix metalloproteinases (MMP‐1, ‐2, and ‐9) and decreased tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMP‐1 and ‐2) in a protein tyrosine kinase (PTK)‐dependent manner. Increase in MMPs and PTK activities paralleled degradation of BM protein and enhanced tyrosine phosphorylation of tight junction (TJ) protein. These effects and enhanced permeability/monocyte migration were prevented by inhibitors of MMPs, PTKs, or antioxidant suggesting that oxidative stress caused BBB injury via degradation of BM protein by activated MMPs and by PTK‐mediated TJ protein phosphorylation. These findings point to new therapeutic interventions ameliorating BBB dysfunction in neurological disorders such as stroke or neuroinflammation.
Inhibited Breathing Decreases Renal Sodium Excretion

This study tested the hypothesis that breathing at the upper end of the normal range of end tidal CO2 decreases renal sodium excretion.Normotensive human subjects learned to self-regulate end tidal CO2 using a respiratory gas monitor and feedback procedure. Urine flow rates were increased by a standardized water drinking regimen. Urinary volume and sodium and potassium excretion were decreased during 30 minutes of inhibited (i.e. high normal end tidal CO2) breathing, compared with levels preceding and after task performance. Blood pressure, but not heart rate, increased during task performance. Plasma volume increase under these conditions is indicated by the observation that urinary excretion of an endogenous digoxin-like factor was increased. The physiological mechanism by which inhibited breathing elicits renal sodium retention remains to be determined. This breathing pattern could mediate the role of behavioral stress in some forms of hypertension.
Fuzzy droop control loops adjustment for stored energy balance in distributed energy storage system

The study of isolated AC microgrid has been under high interest due to the integration of renewable energy resources especially for remote areas, or to improve the local energy reliability. The current trend is oriented to distributed renewable energy sources and their corresponding energy storage system, in order to smooth the variations at the prime energy generator. In this paper, a decentralized strategy based on fuzzy logic is proposed in order to balance the state of charge of distributed energy storage systems in low-voltage three phase AC microgrid. The proposed method weights the action of conventional droop control loops for battery based distributed energy storage systems, in order to equalize their stored energy. The units are self-controlled by using local variables, hence, the microgrid can operate without communication systems. Frequency and voltage bus signaling are used in order to coordinate the operation of the microgrid under different stages for charging batteries. Simulation results show the feasibility of the proposed method.
A Novel-Class AB Transconductor suitable for High Speed CMOS Operational Amplifier

A novel class-AB transconductance amplifier, suitable for the input stage of high slew rate CMOS operational amplifier is proposed. The proposed class-AB transconductor is realized from a differential pair of mixed translinear common-drain push-pull circuit. A high speed operational amplifier employing the proposed input stage and a complementary common –source high gain stage is presented. HSPICE simulation results of such an operational amplifier are given. Keyword: CMOS op-amp, High speed amplifier
Comparison in the Development of Categories Dedre Gentner

Recent research on children’s word learning has led to a paradox. Although word learning appears to be a deep source of insight into conceptual knowledge for children, preschoolers often categorize objects on the basis of shallow perceptual features such as shape. The current studies seek to resolve this discrepancy. We suggest that comparing multiple instances of a category enables children to extract deeper relational commonalities among category members. We examine 4-year-olds’ categorization behaviors when asked to select a match for a target object (e.g., an apple) between a perceptually similar, out-of-kind object (e.g., a balloon) and a perceptually different category match (e.g., a banana). Children who learn a novel word as a label for multiple instances of the category are more likely to select the category match over the perceptual match. Children who learn a label for only one instance are equally likely to select either alternative. This effect is present even when individual target instances are more perceptually similar to the perceptual choice than to the category choice. We conclude that structural alignment processes may be important in the development of category understanding.
The emotional gap between the elderly and the non-elderly

Abstract E-business web sites were collected and evaluated by different aged subjects to detect the emotional gap between the elderly and non-elderly. Professional web designers, seniors, and young subjects participated in the experiment and seniors' emotional perceptions of e-business proved to be different from the perception of the non-elderly. Regression analysis indicated the higher importance of “classic” aesthetic dimensions such as Aesthetic, Clean, Clear, Pleasurable, Symmetrical compared to the “expressive” factors such as Original, Sophisticated, Fascinating, Creative, Using special effects , for the overall impression of elderly of e-business web sites.
Effects of barley variety and restricted versus ad libitum intake on rate, site, and extent of digestion by wethers fed a high-energy diet.

Twelve ruminally cannulated wethers (four with duodenal cannulas) were used in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square to investigate effects of barley variety and restricted vs ad libitum intake on site, rate, and extent of digestion. Diets were based on Ottus (52.7% starch; O) or Steptoe (56.7% starch; S) barley fed at either 90% of prestudy ad libitum feed intake (R) or ad libitum consumption (A). Diets were formulated to be equal in starch content (38%). Periods consisted of 10 d for adaptation followed by 10 d in which fecal, duodenal, ruminal, and in situ collections were made. With the exception of ruminal starch digestion, barley variety did not interact with level of feed intake (P > .26). Intake of OM was 1,009, 996, 1,124, and 881 g.wether-1.d-1 for O, S, A, and R, respectively. Intake by R wethers of OM and starch was 78% (P < .01) of intake by A wethers. Duodenal flow of OM and ruminal pH were not affected (P > .28) by either intake restriction or barley variety. Although restricted intake did not affect ruminal (P = .84) and duodenal (P = .39) ammonia nitrogen, the O barley had higher (P = .01) ruminal and duodenal ammonia nitrogen than did S barley. Restricted intake had no effect (P > .30) on rate of ruminal barley digestion, ruminal and total tract starch digestion, or total tract OM digestion. This may be due to the rapid digestion rate of barley. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Impact of Rivastigmine on Cognitive Dysfunction and Falling in Parkinson's Disease Patients

Background: The purpose of this study was to observe the incidence of falls in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with different cognitive levels and to investigate the effect of the cholinesterase inhibitor Rivastigmine on cognitive dysfunction and falling in PD patients. Subjects and Methods: Data from 176 PD patients participating in the collaborative PD study between June 2010 and June 2014 were collected; the Chinese edition of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score was used to evaluate the cognitive function of patients, and falls were recorded. PD patients with cognitive dysfunction were randomly administered either a placebo or Rivastigmine. The cognitive function changes and difference in fall incidence were compared between the 2 groups. Results: The average number of falls per person in PD patients without cognitive impairment dysfunction was significantly lower than that in patients in the PD mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) group and that in the PD dementia (PDD) group (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively), and the incidence of falls was significantly lower than that in patients in the PD-MCI and PDD groups (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, respectively). Compared to the PD-MCI group, the incidence of falls of patients in the PDD group (OR 2.45, 95% CI 0.97-6.20, p < 0.01) and the number of falls per person were significantly increased (p < 0.01). After taking the placebo or Rivastigmine for 12 months, the MoCA scores of patients in the Rivastigmine treatment group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p = 0.002). The number of falls per person and the incidence of falls of patients in Rivastigmine treatment group were significantly lower than those in the placebo group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: This study suggests that the degree of cognitive impairment is closely associated with the incidence of falls, and the cholinesterase inhibitor Rivastigmine can delay the deterioration of cognitive function and lower the incidence of falls in PD patients.