Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Core Binding Factor β of Osteoblasts Maintains Cortical Bone Mass via Stabilization of Runx2 in Mice

Core binding factor beta (Cbfβ), the partner protein of Runx family transcription factors, enhances Runx function by increasing the binding of Runx to DNA. Null mutations of Cbfb result in embryonic death, which can be rescued by restoring fetal hematopoiesis but only until birth, where bone formation is still nearly absent. Here, we address a direct role of Cbfβ in skeletal homeostasis by generating osteoblast-specific Cbfβ-deficient mice (Cbfb(Δob/Δob) ) from Cbfb-floxed mice crossed with mice expressing Cre from the Col1a1 promoter. Cbfb(Δob/Δob) mice showed normal growth and development but exhibited reduced bone mass, particularly of cortical bone. The reduction of bone mass in Cbfb(Δob/Δob) mice is similar to the phenotype of mice with haploinsufficiency of Runx2. Although the number of osteoblasts remained unchanged, the number of active osteoblasts decreased in Cbfb(Δob/Δob) mice and resulted in lower mineral apposition rate. Immunohistochemical and quantitative real-time PCR analyses showed that the expression of osteogenic markers, including Runx2, osterix, osteocalcin, and osteopontin, was significantly repressed in Cbfb(Δob/Δob) mice compared with wild-type mice. Cbfβ deficiency also reduced Runx2 protein levels in osteoblasts. The mechanism was revealed by forced expression of Cbfβ, which increased Runx2 protein levels in vitro by inhibiting polyubiquitination-mediated proteosomal degradation. Collectively, these findings indicate that Cbfβ stabilizes Runx2 in osteoblasts by forming a complex and thus facilitates the proper maintenance of bone mass, particularly cortical bone.
Correction: Prevention of Neural-Tube Defects with Folic Acid in China.

Background Periconceptional use of multivitamins containing folic acid can reduce a woman's risk of having a baby with a neural-tube defect. Methods As part of a public health campaign conducted from 1993 to 1995 in an area of China with high rates of neural-tube defects (the northern region) and one with low rates (the southern region), we evaluated the outcomes of pregnancy in women who were asked to take a pill containing 400 μg of folic acid alone daily from the time of their premarital examination until the end of their first trimester of pregnancy. Results Among the fetuses or infants of 130,142 women who took folic acid at any time before or during pregnancy and 117,689 women who had not taken folic acid, we identified 102 and 173, respectively, with neural-tube defects. Among the fetuses or infants of women who registered before their last menstrual period and who did not take any folic acid, the rates of neural-tube defects were 4.8 per 1000 pregnancies of at least 20 weeks' gestation in the nort.
Filtering Continuous-Time Linear Systems With Time-Varying Measurement Delay

We consider the filtering problem of LTI continuous-time systems with known and bounded measurement delays. The aim of the technical note is the design of a finite-dimensional sub-optimal filter whose performance in terms of the estimation error is comparable to optimal infinite-dimensional approaches. We show that the proposed approach allows for a precise characterization of the relationship between measurement delay and the covariance of the estimation error. In the time-varying case no restrictive hypotheses on the delay function are needed. The proposed filter can therefore be applied to delay functions for which traditional infinite-dimensional approaches cannot be straightforwardly applied.
In Vitro Cultivation of the Vascular Phase of Sarcocystis singaporensis

To establish an in vitro culture system for the precystic phase of Sarcocystis singaporensis, we initially tested various excysting fluids for sporocysts. An excysting fluid containing 2.5% bovine taurocholate and 10% bile of the specific intermediate host, Rattus norvegicus, in RPMI medium was the most suitable resulting in excystation of 80% of the sporozoites. Subsequently, we identified brain endothelial cells and pneumonocytes of the rat to promote growth of sporozoites to schizonts. Hepatoma, fibroblastic, or myoblastic cells were not suitable for the parasite's development. First‐generation schizonts were seen at days 3‐10 postinoculation (PI); a distinct second peak of schizogonic development only occurred in endothelial cells at days 14‐18 PI. First‐generation schizonts were 26.0 (± 3.8) μm in diameter and contained 32‐50 merozoites, second‐generation schizonts measured 34.4 (± 10.6) μm and contained 54‐72 merozoites. Merozoite yield at large‐scale culture conditions (75 cm2 flasks) using pneumonocytes as host cells was relatively low. Ultrastructurally, sporozoites and merozoites were quite similar to corresponding stages of other Sarcocystis species. With regard to host cell specificity and developmental kinetics, in vitro cultivation showed close similarities to the situation in vivo.
A Class of Indefinite Dogleg Path Methods for Unconstrained Minimization

In this paper we propose a convenient curvilinear search method to solve trust region problems arising from unconstrained optimization problems. The curvilinear paths we set forth are dogleg paths, generated mainly by employing Bunch--Parlett factorization for general symmetric matrices that may be indefinite. This method is easy to implement and globally convergent. It is proved that the method satisfies the first- and second-order stationary point convergence properties and that the convergence rate is quadratic under commonly used conditions on functions. Numerical experiments are conducted to compare this method with some existing methods.
Angiogenesis in malignancies of the female genital tract.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this work was to review current knowledge pertaining to angiogenesis in malignancies of the female genital tract. METHODS We identified studies published in the English language regarding angiogenesis in gynecologic malignancies. The studies were obtained from a MEDLINE search from 1966 through June 1998; additional sources were identified through cross-referencing. RESULTS A growing body of evidence confirms the ability of vulvar and cervical squamous cell carcinomas and endometrial and ovarian adenocarcinoma to induce angiogenesis. In vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia a correlation between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, microvessel density (MVD), and progression of dysplasia has been demonstrated. In invasive vulvar carcinoma, high VEGF expression and MVD portend poor prognosis. Currently a debate exists regarding the ability of cervical squamous intraepithelial neoplasia to induce angiogenesis. Most studies, however, indicate angiogenesis to be of prognostic value in patients with invasive squamous cell carcinoma. The ability of complex endometrial hyperplasia to induce angiogenesis has been demonstrated. A direct correlation between angiogenesis, higher grade and depth of invasion in Stage I adenocarcinoma, and prognostic value in Stage I and II and recurrent disease has been noted. In ovarian epithelial adenocarcinoma, higher microvessel counts in the primary ovarian tumor or omental metastases may serve as a prognostic indicator for survival. CONCLUSIONS Similar to other malignant diseases, angiogenesis appears to play an important role in disease progression and survival in patients with gynecologic malignancies. Preliminary data indicate angiogenesis may serve as a prognostic indicator in vulvar and cervical squamous cell carcinomas and endometrial and ovarian adenocarcinomas. These findings may lead to future application of therapeutic trials with antiangiogenic factors.
Design of 200 W wideband Doherty amplifier with 34 % bandwidth

This paper presents the design and implementation of a 200 W wideband harmonically-tuned Doherty amplifier. The power amplifier (PA) is targeted for wide range base stations operating within the frequency range 1.7-2.3 GHz. Proper and explicit design approach of the main output matching network was followed taking into consideration the frequency and power dependency of the load impedances introduced at the input and output ports of the matching network. The PA had an output power in the range of 153-205W, measured over 1.6-2.25 GHz (34% bandwidth). At 6 dB output power back-off, the PA had a minimum power-added efficiency (PAE) of 40%. Using digital pre-distortion (DPD) linearization for an LTE signal at 1.85 GHz, the PA had adjacent-channel leakage ratio (ACLR) of -40 dBc, measured at 28 W of average output power with average drain efficiency of 50%.
Complex Formation between Two Biosynthetic Enzymes Modifies the Allosteric Regulatory Properties of Both

Background: Two enzymes from Mycobacterium tuberculosis involved in aromatic amino acid biosynthesis form a hetero-octameric complex. Results: Complex formation boosts the catalytic activity of both enzymes and greatly extends the allosteric effector sensitivity. Conclusion: Enzyme interactions allow complex allosteric machinery of one of the complex partners to be shared. Significance: Sophisticated allosteric responses are delivered through protein-protein interactions, allowing enhanced metabolic control. Allostery, where remote ligand binding alters protein function, is essential for the control of metabolism. Here, we have identified a highly sophisticated allosteric response that allows complex control of the pathway for aromatic amino acid biosynthesis in the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This response is mediated by an enzyme complex formed by two pathway enzymes: chorismate mutase (CM) and 3-deoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonate 7-phosphate synthase (DAH7PS). Whereas both enzymes are active in isolation, the catalytic activity of both enzymes is enhanced, and in particular that of the much smaller CM is greatly enhanced (by 120-fold), by formation of a hetero-octameric complex between CM and DAH7PS. Moreover, on complex formation M. tuberculosis CM, which has no allosteric response on its own, acquires allosteric behavior to facilitate its own regulatory needs by directly appropriating and partly reconfiguring the allosteric machinery that provides a synergistic allosteric response in DAH7PS. Kinetic and analytical ultracentrifugation experiments demonstrate that allosteric binding of phenylalanine specifically promotes hetero-octameric complex dissociation, with concomitant reduction of CM activity. Together, DAH7PS and CM from M. tuberculosis provide exquisite control of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis, not only controlling flux into the start of the pathway, but also directing the pathway intermediate chorismate into either Phe/Tyr or Trp biosynthesis.
End-of-Life Care: A Philosophical or Management Problem?

End-of-life care became an important issue in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was in great part driven by complaints about the care of the dying: lack of patient autonomy, indifferent or insensitive physicians, and inadequate pain control. The main task of those who worked to improve the situation centered on changing each of those variables, assuming that would do the job. But it has worked to a moderate extent only and the problem is not fully solved. The main omission has been a failure to confront the medical enterprise itself, which believes in endless progress and conducts a war against death. Only a change in those underlying values can bring about further significant change.
The Role of the Extracellular Matrix in Tissue Distribution of Macromolecules in Normal and Pathological Tissues: Potential Therapeutic Consequences

The interstitial space is a dynamic microenvironment that consists of interstitial fluid and structural molecules of the extracellular matrix, such as glycosaminoglycans (hyaluronan and proteoglycans) and collagen. Macromolecules can distribute in the interstitium only in those spaces unoccupied by structural components, a phenomenon called interstitial exclusion. The exclusion phenomenon has direct consequences for plasma volume regulation. Early studies have assigned a major role to collagen as an excluding agent that accounts for the sterical (geometrical) exclusion. More recently, it has been shown that the contribution of negatively charged glycosaminoglycans might also be significant, resulting in an additional electrostatical exclusion effect. This charge effect may be of importance for drug uptake and suggests that either the glycosaminoglycans or the net charge of macromolecular substances to be delivered may be targeted to increase the available volume and uptake of macromolecular therapeutic agents in tumor tissue. Here, we provide an overview of the structural components of the interstitium and discuss the importance the sterical and electrostatical components have on the dynamics of transcapillary fluid exchange.
Dynamic Contention Window Control Scheme in IEEE 802.11e Wireless LANs

In the IEEE 802.11 MAC protocol, access points (APs) are given the same authority as wireless terminals (WTs) in terms of acquiring the wireless link, even though they aggregate several downlink flows. This feature leads to a serious throughput degradation of downlink flows, compared with uplink flows. In this paper, we propose a dynamic contention window control scheme for the IEEE 802.11e EDCA-based WLANs, in order to achieve fairness between uplink and downlink TCP flows while guaranteeing QoS requirements for real-time traffic. The proposed scheme first determines the minimum contention window size in the best-effort access category at APs, based on the number of TCP flows. It then determines the minimum and maximum contention window sizes in higher priority access categories, such as voice and video, so as to guarantee QoS requirements for these real-time traffic.
Real Time Mean Shift Tracking using Optical Flow Distribution

This paper describes about real-time object tracking method based on mean shift tracking algorithm. The mean shift tracking algorithm is an efficient technique for tracking object through an image. The original mean shift tracking is proposed to apply the color image based on the color distribution. A near-infrared camera is used with surveillance system to take in the dark. It is difficult to track the target object in the low contrast image such as the infrared image. To overcome this problem, our idea is to consider optical flow distribution. The proposed method is integrated three distributions (color, flow magnitude and flow direction). Experiments were conducted for the color image and the infrared image compared with the original method. It is shown that our method is able to track a target object in the low contrast image
Support Vector Regression Model of Currency Options Pricing with Stochastic Volatility Models and Forward Exchange Rate

Support Vector Regression (SVR) is a new general learning method, proposed in the statistical Learning Theory. In this paper, we construct a new nonparametric currency options pricing model with SVR approach. We integrate stochastic volatility models (SV) into SVR to upgrade the forecasting ability of the price of currency options. And we use the forward exchange rate as the input variable of SVR, as the forward exchange rate takes the interest rates of the pair of currencies into account. The inputs of SVR will include the moneyness (Spot rate/strike price), forward exchange rate, the volatility of the spot rate, domestic risk free simple interest rate, and the time to maturity. Analytical results reveals that new model provides greater predictability than traditional approaches such as GK model and artificial neural network option pricing model on the same data sets.
Ein adaptives Information-Retrieval-Modell für Digitale Bibliotheken

This paper presents an adaptive information retrieval system for digital libraries which learns to model the relationship between representation mechanisms and information objects during an information process. The evaluation results which form the foundation of the model Show that relevance feedback and polyrepresentation provide value added services and lead to better retrieval quality. Features of users, documents, and queries are included to enhance the model and to guarantee a higher level of adaptation. In the context of digital libraries, transformations are an important strategy in order to resolve semantic heterogeneity. The adaptive information retrieval model can be applied to these transformations.
Lipid Peroxidation In Vivo Induced by Reversible Global Ischemia in Rat Brain

Abstract: It has been hypothesized that ischemia, followed by reperfusion, facilitates peroxidative free‐radical chain processes in brain. To resolve this question, rats were subjected to reversible global ischemia. From coronal sections of brains frozen in situ, small (ca. 2 mg) amounts of tissue were sampled from neocortex, hippocampus, and thalamus of both cerebral hemispheres of four groups of rats exposed to 30 min cerebral ischemia followed by 0, 30, 60, and 240 min of reperfusion, and from a control group subjected to the same operative procedures, except for the induction of ischemia. Heptane‐solubilized total lipid extracts from these samples were analyzed spectroscopically in the 190–330 nm range for content of isolated (nonconjugated) double bonds and of conjugated diene structures; the latter are formed from isolated double bonds during peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids. Spectra derived from tissue regions of rats subjected to ischemia, or ischemia followed by reperfusion, were compared to averaged, region‐specific control spectra and were normalized to the original content of isolated double bonds in the peroxidized samples. The resultant difference spectra were analyzed in terms of ratios of conjugated diene concentration to the concentration of isolated double bonds originally at risk in the specific tissue zones considered. The peak representing conjugated diene formation was centered at 238 ± 1 nm and was usually well resolved when the molar ratio [conjugated diene]/[isolated double bonds], expressed as a percentage ([CD]/[IDB]), was greater than 0.25%. The incidence of resolvable conjugated diene peaks was much greater in the reperfused groups (18 of 124 samples total; 0.25% [CD]/[IDB] 1.34%), compared to the nonreperfused group (1 of 38 samples; [CD]/[IDB] = 0.62%). No specific regional susceptibility to conjugated diene formation was observed. It also was shown by computer averaging over all the tissue zones sampled that, if one had used large samples consisting of pooled brain tissue for analysis of lipid peroxides and/or their reaction products, the conjugated diene peak would have been attenuated below distinctly resolvable levels. These results constitute the first demonstration of lipid peroxidation induced by reversible global ischemia. The observation that the effect is highly focal and not generalized throughout the brain suggests that special conditions of reperfusibility and reoxygenation must be satisfied for lipid peroxidation to be detectable in an ischemic milieu.
In vitro Simulation of Therapeutic Thrombolysis With Microtiter Plate Clot-Lysis Assay

Only limited comparable data are available on the clot lysis power of the clinically used plasminogen activators (PA). Here the PA were used at different clinically relevant concentrations, and the lysis of the microclots was determined. A microclot lysis assay was used to study thrombolysis by urokinase, tissue-PA (t-PA), streptokinase, plasminogen-streptokinase activator complex (PSAC), reteplase, or tenecteplase. The clot turbidity served as a tool to determine clot mass: 100 μL fresh microclots were incubated with 25 μL PA in 6% bovine serum albumin (BSA)-phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and 100 μL BSA-PBS or pooled normal human plasma; that is, the PA were in the liquid supernatant of a plasma clot and were not entrapped in the clot, an assay system comparable to normal physiology. The turbidity was determined after 0 to 5 hours (37°C) by a microtiter plate reader. The lysable clot turbidity (clot mass) was expressed in percent of 100% lysable clot control. The clot lysis activity is 100% minus the clot mass in percent. The effective doses at 50% (ED50) of lysis of fresh clots after 4 hours (37°C) with 6% BSA or pooled normal human plasma in the clot-supernatant were urokinase 128 or 180 IU/mL; t-PA 0.3 or 0.2 μg/mL; streptokinase 215 or 1371 IU/mL; PSAC 60 or 91 U/mL; reteplase 664 or 996 U/mL; tenecteplase 0.2 or 0.2 μg/mL. The presence of a plasma thrombus with plasma supernatant increases the activity of t-PA approximately 20-fold and that of tenecteplase approximately 400-fold after 4 hours (37°C), when compared to urokinase; in contrast, the lytic activity induced by reteplase decreases; i.e., the plasmin generated by reteplase is hampered on its lytic action against a thrombus. When comparing the clot lysability of microclots of 29 different donors, the only correlation (r > 0.6) was that between u-PA and t-PA. The lysability of individual clots by PA can be measured with the present routine-suited technique. It is suggested that different thrombolytic agents or concentrations thereof would have a different clinical outcome in different individuals.
Single nucleotide polymorphism at rs1982073:T869C of the TGFbeta 1 gene is associated with the risk of radiation pneumonitis in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy.

PURPOSE In search of reliable biologic markers to predict the risk of normal tissue damage by radio(chemo)therapy before treatment, we investigated the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the transforming growth factor 1 (TGFbeta1) gene and risk of radiation pneumonitis (RP) in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Using 164 available genomic DNA samples from patients with NSCLC treated with definitive radio(chemo)therapy, we genotyped three SNPs of the TGFbeta1 gene (rs1800469:C-509T, rs1800471:G915C, and rs1982073:T869C) by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method. We used Kaplan-Meier cumulative probability to assess the risk of grade > or = 3 RP and Cox proportional hazards analyses to evaluate the effect of TGFbeta1 genotypes on such risk. RESULTS There were 90 men and 74 women in the study, with median age of 63 years. Radiation doses ranging from 60 to 70 Gy (median = 63 Gy) in 30 to 58 fractions were given to 158 patients (96.3%) and platinum-based chemotherapy to 147 (89.6%). Grade > or = 2 and grade > or = 3 RP were observed in 74 (45.1%) and 36 patients (22.0%), respectively. Multivariate analysis found CT/CC genotypes of TGFbeta1 rs1982073:T869C to be associated with a statistically significantly lower risk of RP grades > or = 2 (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.489; 95% CI, 0.227 to 0.861; P = .013) and grades > or = 3 (HR = 0.390; 95% CI, 0.197 to .774; P = 0.007), respectively, compared with the TT genotype, after adjustment for Karnofsky performance status, smoking status, pulmonary function, and dosimetric parameters. CONCLUSION Our results showed that CT/CC genotypes of TGFbeta1 rs1982073:T869C gene were associated with lower risk of RP in patients with NSCLC treated with definitive radio(chemo)therapy and thus may serve as a reliable predictor of RP.
The auxin transporter , OsAUX 1 , is involved in primary root and root hair elongation and in Cd stress responses in rice ( Oryza sativa L . )

ChenLiang Yu, ChenDong Sun, Chenjia Shen, Suikang Wang, Fang Liu, Yan Liu, YunLong Chen, Chuanyou Li, Qian Qian, Bibek Aryal, Markus Geisler, De An Jiang* and YanHua Qi* State Key Laboratory of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036, China, State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, National Center for Plant Gene Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China, State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, China National Rice Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China, and Department of Biology – Plant Biology, University of Fribourg, Rue Albert Gockel 3, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland