Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of contact pressure on wear and friction of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene in multidirectional sliding

Abstract Computational wear models need input data from valid tribological tests. For the wear model of a total hip prosthesis, the contact pressure dependence of wear and friction of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) against polished CoCr in diluted calf serum lubricant was studied, and useful input data produced. Two test devices were designed and built: a heavy load circularly translating pin-on-disc (HL-CTPOD) wear test device and an HL-CTPOD friction measurement device. Both can be used with a wide range of loads. The wear surface diameter of the test pin was kept constant at 9 mm, whereas the load was varied so that the nominal contact pressure ranged from 0.1 to 20 MPa. The wear factor decreased with increasing contact pressure, whereas the coefficient of friction first increased with increasing contact pressure with low pressure values and then decreased. Up to the pressure of 2.0 MPa, the wear mechanisms and wear factors were in good agreement with clinical findings. In the critical range of 2.0-3.5 MPa, the wear mechanisms and wear factors started to differ from clinical ones, and the decrease of the wear factor steepened. The discrepancy became more and more evident as the pressure was gradually increased beyond 3.5 MPa. It appears that the pressure value of 2.0 MPa should not be exceeded in pin-on-disc wear tests that are to reproduce the clinical wear of UHMWPE acetabular cups.
Frequencies and role of regulatory T cells in patients with (pre)malignant cervical neoplasia

Oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV)‐infection is crucial for developing cervical cancer and its precursor lesions [cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)]. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) might be involved in the failure of the immune system to control the development of HPV‐induced cancer. We investigated frequencies, phenotype and activity of Tregs in patients with cervical neoplasia. CIN and cervical cancer patients showed increased CD4+/CD25high T cell frequencies in peripheral blood and CD4+ T cell fraction. These CD4+/CD25high T cells represent Tregs as demonstrated by their low proliferation rate, low interferon (IFN)‐γ/interleukin (IL)‐10 ratio, high expression of CD45RO, GITR, CTLA‐4, forkhead box P3 (FoxP3) and low CD45RA expression. Moreover, in HPV16+ cervical cancer patients, in‐vitro depletion of CD25+ T cells resulted in increased IFN‐γ T cell responses against HPV16 E6‐ and E7 peptides. Thus, increased frequencies of Tregs in cervical cancer patients may indeed suppress HPV‐specific immunity. Longitudinal analysis of CD4+/CD25high T cell frequencies in patients showed a modest decline 1 year after curative surgery or chemoradiation. This study demonstrates increased frequencies and suppressive activity of Tregs in cervical cancer. These results imply that Tregs may suppress the immune control of cervical neoplasia and furthermore that suppression of immunity by Tregs will be another hurdle to overcome in therapeutic immunization strategies against cervical neoplasia.
Triggering CD101 molecule on human cutaneous dendritic cells inhibits T cell proliferation via IL‐10 production

Since the CD101 molecule is expressed on a major subpopulation of HLA‐DR+, CD1a+, CD1c+ cutaneous dendritic cells (DC), we studied the functional role of CD101 on cutaneous DC. Anti‐CD101 monoclonal antibody (mAb) inhibited the proliferation of T cells induced by cutaneous DC. There was a synergistic inhibition between anti‐CD101 mAb and anti‐CD86/anti‐CD80 mAb. Anti‐CD101 mAb exerted its inhibitory effect when binding to the CD101 expressed on cutaneous DC. No positive role of CD101 putative ligand expressed by T cells in T cell proliferation was demonstrated, as T cells proliferated in response to soluble anti‐CD3 mAb in the presence of CD86‐transfected cells but not in the presence of CD101‐transfected cells. Of major significance is the fact that IL‐10 was produced by cutaneous DC after CD101 triggering with anti‐CD101 mAb, while IL‐10 secretion was up‐regulated in mixed cutaneous DC‐T cell cultures after CD101 triggering. Furthermore, IL‐10‐neutralizing mAb could reverse the inhibition induced by anti‐CD101 mAb. Our results demonstrate that the CD101 triggering on cutaneous DC inhibits T cell proliferation via IL‐10 production, suggesting an important regulatory role played by the CD101 molecule on DC during T cell activation.
E-commerce between a large firm and a SME supplier: a screening model

This paper derives a model of screening contracts in the presence of positive network effects when building an electronic commerce network (e-commerce) between a large firm and a small and medium sized enterprise (SME) supplier based on Compte (2008). Compte (2008) main insight is that when several potential candidates compete for the task, the principal will in general improve the performance of his firm by inducing the member candidates to assess their competence before signing the contract (through an appropriate choice of contracts). The large firm (principal) must choose between different SME suppliers (agents) to build a business to business e-commerce network. In the presence of positive network externalities, we show that social surplus increases. Index Terms—Economics, Electronic Commerce, Model theory, Software acquisition. —————————— a ——————————
The research on intelligent management system of li-ion power battery string of electric vehicle

Entering the 21st century, the energy shortage seriously restricts the development of human society. Lithium battery with high monomer voltage and high energy density has become the first choice of future power battery. In order to provide electric cars with safe and reliable power sources, this paper put forward an overall design scheme of the battery energy management system. Firstly, according to the requirement of battery management system, the hardware and software of the PC and the monitoring module ware designed. Secondly, in order to meet the needs of battery equilibrium, the charge balance control strategy was proposed. Finally, the battery group was introduced, and a viable battery grouping scheme in engineering was presented. Through practical test, the battery energy management system could effectively manage the power of lithium-ion battery.
Importance of van der Waals contact between Glu 35 and Trp 109 to the catalytic action of human lysozyme

The importance of van der Waals contact between Glu 35 and Tip 109 to the active‐site structure and the catalytic properties of human lysozyme (HL) has been investigated by site‐directed mutagenesis. The X‐ray analysis of mutant HLs revealed that both the replacement of Glu 35 by Asp or Ala, and the replacement of Trp 109 by Phe or Ala resulted in a significant but localized change in the active‐site cleft geometry. A prominent movement of the backbone structure was detected in the region of residues 110 to 120 and in the region of residues 100 to 115 for the mutations concerning Glu 35 and Trp 109, respectively. Accompanied by the displacement of the main‐chain atoms with a maximal deviation of Ca atom position ranging from 0.7 Å to 1.0 Å, the mutant HLs showed a remarkable change in the catalytic properties against Micrococcus luteus cell substrate as compared with native HL. Although the replacement of Glu 35 by Ala completely abolished the lytic activity, HL‐Asp 35 mutant retained a weak but a certain lytic activity, showing the possible involvement of the side‐chain carboxylate group of Asp 35 in the catalytic action. The kinetic consequence derived from the replacement of Trp 109 by Phe or Ala together with the result of the structural change suggested that the structural detail of the cleft lobe composed of the residues 100 to 115 centered at Ala 108 was responsible for the turnover in the reaction of HL against the bacterial cell wall substrate. The results revealed that the van der Waals contact between Glu 35 and Trp 109 was an essential determinant in the catalytic action of HL.
A modified multiplex PCR assay for detection of large deletions in MSH2 and MLH1

A method for detection of large genomic deletions in the MSH2 and MLH1 genes based on multiplex PCR and quantitative evaluation of PCR products is presented. All 35 exons of MSH2 and MLH1 were screened simultaneously in seven PCR reactions, each of them including primers for both genes. The method is reliable for uncovering large genomic deletions in patients suspected of HNPCC. With this method, six novel deletions were identified, two in MSH2: EX1_10del and EX1_16del (representing deletion of the entire MSH2 gene); and four in MLH1: EX1_10del in two unrelated patients, EX3_5del, and EX4del. The deletions were detected in 18 unrelated patients in whom no germline mutation had been identified by SSCP and DHPLC. These results indicate that our modified multiplex PCR assay is suited for the detection of large deletions both in the MSH2 and MLH1 gene and therefore represents an additional valuable tool for mutation screening in HNPCC families. Hum Mutat 19:279–286, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
TGFβ2 acts as an “Activator” molecule in reaction‐diffusion model and is involved in cell sorting phenomenon in mouse limb micromass culture

It was previously speculated that TGFβ acts as an “activator”‐molecule in chondrogenic pattern formation in the limb micromass culture system, but its precise role and relationship with the cell sorting phenomenon have not been properly studied. In the present study, we examined whether the TGFβ2 molecule satisfies the necessary conditions for an “activator”‐molecule in the reaction‐diffusion model. Firstly, we showed that TGFβ2 became localized at chondrogenic sites during the establishment of a chondrogenic pattern, and exogenous TGFβ2 promoted chondrogenesis when added in the culture medium. Secondly, TGFβ2 protein was shown to promote the production of its own mRNA after 3 hr, indicating that a positive feedback mechanism exists which may be responsible for the emergence of the chondrogenic pattern. We then found that when locally applied with beads, TGFβ2 suppressed chondrogenesis around the beads, indicating it induces the lateral inhibitory mechanism, which is a key element for the formation of the periodic pattern. We also examined the possible effects of TGFβ2 on the cell sorting phenomenon and found that TGFβ2 exerts differential chemotactic activity on proximal and distal mesenchyme cells of the limb bud, and at very early phases of differentiation TGFβ2 promotes the expression of N‐cadherin protein which is known to be involved in pattern formation in this culture system. These findings suggest that TGFβ2 acts as an “activator”‐like molecule in chondrogenic pattern formation in vitro, and is possibly responsible for the cell sorting phenomenon. Dev Den;217:241–249. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Experience With Duplex Sonographic Evaluation of Meso‐Rex Bypass in Extrahepatic Portal Vein Obstruction

Meso‐Rex bypass is a surgical procedure for managing extrahepatic portal vein obstruction in children. Although duplex sonography has been used for assessing the patency of the bypass graft and the changes in the intrahepatic portal venous system after the surgery, there was little sonographic description of functioning and dysfunctioning bypass grafts found in the literature. In this case series, we retrospectively evaluated duplex sonography of functioning and dysfunctioning bypass grafts in 5 pediatric patients who received meso‐Rex bypass grafts. Sonography was performed preoperatively and postoperatively within 48 hours, 1 to 2 weeks later, and at follow‐up 1 month and up to 3 years later. Changes in the direction and velocity of the flow in the intrahepatic portal veins and bypass grafts and diameters of the grafts and the left portal veins were analyzed. Preoperative sonography revealed varied extension of extrahepatic portal vein occlusion with cavernous transformation and diminished intrahepatic portal venous flow, whereas postoperative studies showed a rapid increase of the intrahepatic portal flow via the meso‐Rex bypass graft in all cases. A patent graft with reversed flow in the left portal vein was a predominant feature of a functioning graft. In contrast, absent flow in the graft with diminished flow or an altered flow direction in the left portal vein indicated graft failure. It is believed that duplex sonography provides a valuable tool for monitoring the hemodynamic changes in the portal venous system and detecting graft malfunction.
Regulation of tubulin levels and microtubule assembly in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: consequences of altered tubulin gene copy number

Microtubule organization in the cytoplasm is in part a function of the number and length of the assembled polymers. The intracellular concentration of tubulin could specify those parameters. Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains constructed with moderately decreased or increased copy numbers of tubulin genes provide an opportunity to study the cellular response to a steady-state change in tubulin concentration. We found no evidence of a mechanism for adjusting tubulin concentrations upward from a deficit, nor did we find a need for such a mechanism: cells with no more than 50% of the wild-type tubulin level were normal with respect to a series of microtubule-dependent properties. Strains with increased copies of both alpha- and beta-tubulin genes, or of alpha-tubulin genes alone, apparently did down regulate their tubulin levels. As a result, they contained greater than normal concentrations of tubulin but much less than predicted from the increase in gene number. Some of this down regulation occurred at the level of protein. These strains were also phenotypically normal. Cells could contain excess alpha-tubulin protein without detectable consequences, but perturbations resulting in excess beta-tubulin genes may have affected microtubule-dependent functions. All of the observed regulation of levels of tubulin can be explained as a response to toxicity associated with excess tubulin proteins, especially if beta-tubulin is much more toxic than alpha-tubulin.
Phenolic Concentrations and Antioxidant Properties of Wines Made from North American Grapes Grown in China

The characteristics of wine phenolics found in several North American and (for comparison) European grape cultivars grown in China were analyzed. This was done to find non-Vitis vinifera wines with prominent features in order to diversify the kinds of wines. The phenolic richness and antioxidant activity decreased in the order: red > rose > white wines. In the red wines, the American grape ‘Cynthiana’ had the highest total concentrations of phenols, anthocyanins, flavonols and phenolic acids, as well as antioxidant capacity, followed by the French hybrid ‘Chambourcin’, the lowest were detected in two European grape varieties, ‘Merlot’ and ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’, while the total flavon-3-ols levels were reversed among these red grape cultivars. The highest concentration of stilbenes out of all the wines analyzed was found in the ‘Merlot’ variety. There were significant differences among wine phenolic compositions between North American and European grape cultivars. The antioxidant activities were significantly related to the concentrations of total phenols (r2 = 0.996), anthocyanins (r2 = 0.984), flavonols (r2 = 0.850) and gallic acid (r2 = 0.797). The prominent features of wine aroma and nutrition could make the American grape wines attractive to consumers. It is therefore necessary to perform further research on cultural practices and wine making involving these grapes.
The Importance of Prognostic Factors in Advanced Prostate Cancer

Three factors were identified in a multivariate analysis of prognostic factors in men with metastatic prostate cancer as significantly associated with their progressionfree survival: 1) extent of disease on the bone scan, 2) pretreatment serum testosterone, and 3) performance status. Men with less than six bone metastases, a pretreatment testosterone < 300 ng/100 ml, and an excellent performance status will have a progression‐free survival much longer than a man with more extensive bone metastases, a low testosterone prior to androgen deprivation, and a poor performance status. This information should be used to ensure proper stratification in randomized trials. It may also be helpful in identifying the patient unlikely to be helped by our current treatment. Such patients should be considered for alternative approaches with the aim of improving survival.
Insulin and glucagon responses in subjects with pheochromocytoma: effect of alpha adrenergic blockade.

ABSTRACT Impaired immunoreactive insulin (TRI) release was demonstrated in 3 of 5 subjects with pheochromocytoma. Chronic alpha adrenergic blockade with phenoxybenzamine or phentolamine corrected the insulin-releasing defect in 2 subjects but had no effect in the third. Surgical removal of the tumor resulted in complete amelioration of the impaired insulin release and improved glucose tolerance in all 3 subjects who were abnormal preoperatively. Fasting immunoreactive glucagon levels were normal in the 2 subjects in whom they were measured and neither alpha adrenergic blockage nor removal of the pheochromocytoma altered these levels. Thus, when chronic hypercatecholamine secretion in subjects with pheochromocytoma results in glucose intolerance, it is associated with inhibition of insulin release. Alpha adrenergic blockade or removal of the tumor reverses both abnormalities.
Proteoglycans in health and disease: structures and functions.

General composition and structure Proteoglycans are macromolecules which consist of a protein backbone to which GAG chain(s) and Nand/or 0-linked oligosaccharides are covalently attached (Fig. 1). The composition of GAG chains of PGs and their linkages to core proteins are described in Table 1. In the corneal stroma, KS is attached to protein by a linkage of the kind used to attach the complex-type and highmannose oligosaccharides of glycoproteins and PGs to protein [118]. To the core proteins of all PGs are also bound 0-linked oligosaccharides and/or complex-type N-linked oligosaccharides [81]. The core proteins of PGs have been the least well studied components of these molecules: this is discussed below. The complete core protein sequence has so far been established for only one PG [20]. In view of the considerable complexity ofPG structure and composition, for us to organize a logical classification scheme for PGs we need to know not only the identities of the constituent GAGs but also, and primarily, the core-protein sequences. We will now discuss the different types of PGs and their known or suspected functions.
Development of a Dissolution Method to Compare Tablet Formulations Containing Valsartan/Amlodipine

Dissolution profiles were developed in three different pH media for the evaluation of valsartan/amlodipine (VS/AM) release from tablets. The selection of the most appropriate dissolution method was based on the calculated similarity (f2) and dissimilarity (f1) values. A new HPLC method was developed to quantify VS/AM in tablets. The method was validated in accordance with international guidelines and showed acceptable linearity, accuracy, precision, and selectivity. The system suitability results are within the acceptance criteria. The dissolution method (pH 6.8 phosphate buffer) was selected because it showed the highest f2 and the lowest f1 values for VS and AM among the other tested dissolution media. This method could be used for in vitro quality control and for performing in vitro–in vivo correlation (IVIVC) during the development of new generic tablets.
The hitch-hiking effect of a favourable gene.

When a selectively favourable gene substitution occurs in a population, changes in gene frequencies will occur at closely linked loci. In the case of a neutral polymorphism, average heterozygosity will be reduced to an extent which varies with distance from the substituted locus. The aggregate effect of substitution on neutral polymorphism is estimated; in populations of total size 10 6 or more (and perhaps of 10 4 or more), this effect will be more important than that of random fixation. This may explain why the extent of polymorphism in natural populations does not vary as much as one would expect from a consideration of the equilibrium between mutation and random fixation in populations of different sizes. For a selectively maintained polymorphism at a linked locus, this process will only be important in the long run if it leads to complete fixation. If the selective coefficients at the linked locus are small compared to those at the substituted locus, it is shown that the probability of complete fixation at the linked locus is approximately exp (− Nc ), where c is the recombinant fraction and N the population size. It follows that in a large population a selective substitution can occur in a cistron without eliminating a selectively maintained polymorphism in the same cistron.
Effects of dietary exposure of mink (Mustela vison) to 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin, 2,3,4,7,8‐pentachlorodibenzofuran, and 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzofuran on reproduction and offspring viability and growth

This study assessed the effects of 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD), 2,3,4,7,8‐pentachlorodibenzofuran (PeCDF), and 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF) on the reproductive performance of female mink (Mustela vison) and the viability and growth of their offspring. Nine adult female mink were randomly assigned to one of 13 dietary treatments (one control and four doses each of TCDD, PeCDF, and TCDF [2.1–8.4, 4.0–15 and 5.2–25 ng TCDD toxic equivalents (TEQ)/kg body wt/d]). Diets were fed from two months prior to breeding through weaning of offspring at six weeks of age. At least nine kits per treatment group were maintained on their diets through 27 weeks of age. There were no effects on litter size or viability of offspring. No consistent effects were observed on body mass or relative organ masses of animals at any age. 2,3,7,8‐Tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin and PeCDF accumulated in the liver and adipose tissue, but TCDF cleared rapidly. The lack of significant effects on reproduction and offspring viability contrasts with effects reported for mink exposed to environmentally derived PCB mixtures with equivalent TCDD potencies. This suggests that it may be inappropriate to apply toxicity reference values associated with PCB mixtures to animals also exposed to TCDD, PeCDF, or TCDF, and the World Health Organization TCDD toxic equivalency factors for some congeners may not be appropriate for mink. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:360–369. © 2011 SETAC