Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interleukin‐6‐Type Cytokines and Their Receptors for Gene Therapy of Melanoma a

B-78-H1 melanoma cells were stably transfected with cDNAs encoding human IL-6, human LIF, murine sIL-6R and murine sLIFR. The mock transfected and transfected cells demonstrated no detectable H-2Kb molecules. B-78 transfected cells were subcutaneously (s.c.) and intravenously (i.v.) injected to B57BL/6 x C3H mice. Control B-78 cells formed tumors and lung metastases in injected animals. Cells transfected with IL-6, LIF and sIL-6R showed greatly reduced tumor and metastases formation. Transfection of IL-6, sIL-6R or LIF had similar protective effects while the combination of IL-6 and sIL-6R was most effective. In contrast, cells transfected with sLIFR showed reduced metastasis formation but increased tumor growth compared to mock transfected cells. Kinetic analysis demonstrated a 3 weeks lag period between the formation of tumors by B-78 cells and the combination of B-78 cells transfected with IL-6 and sIL-6R. No such lag phase was seen when B-78-IL-6 or B-78-sIL-6R cells were injected alone. Mice primarily injected s.c. with a mixture of IL-6 and sIL-6R transfected cells and rechallenged after 2 weeks with parental B-78 cells demonstrated long-lasting antitumor immunity. IL-6 and sIL-6 transfected cells used alone for immunization had only limited effect. Injection of transfected cells into SCID mice which are characterized by greatly reduced number of T and B cells, showed a protective effect of sIL-6R on metastasis formation by B-78 cells. beta 2m knockout mice lacking CD8+ T cells, injected with B-78 cells developed tumors and died after 2 weeks. However, B-78 cells transfected with IL-6 developed tumors in only 50% of animals. Mice without tumors rechallenged with B-78 cells demonstrated required immunity against parental melanoma cells. The results obtained indicate that studied IL-6-type cytokines and their respective soluble receptors affect murine melanoma growth and metastasis formation. The major finding of these studies is that IL-6 complexed with sIL-6R demonstrated qualitatively different biological activity than IL-6 alone especially in stimulating long lasting anti-melanoma immunity. The proposed mechanism of action of such complexes beside activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes is activation of NK cells.
Adaptive regularised l 2-boosting on clustered sparse coefficients for single image super-resolution

In this study, the authors propose a novel approach for single image super-resolution. Their method is based on the idea of learning a mapping function, which can reveal the intrinsic relationship between sparse coefficients of low-resolution (LR) and high-resolution (HR) image patch pairs with respect to their individual dictionaries. Adaptive regularised l 2-boosting algorithm is proposed to learn this type of mapping function. Specifically, to reduce time consumption, the authors cluster training patches into several clusters. Within each cluster, a pair of dictionaries for LR and HR image patches is jointly trained. Adaptive regularised l 2-boosting algorithm is then employed to obtain the function. Thus, in a reconstruction stage, for each given input LR image patch, the authors can effectively estimate its corresponding HR image patch. Their extensive experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method achieves a performance of similar quality performance to that of the top methods.
Clinical Symptoms and Myocardial Infarction in Left Bundle Branch Block Patients

In patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and acute chest pain, the association between the clinical presentation and the diagnosis of myocardial infarction has not been investigated. We sought to identify features in the clinical history of patients with LBBB and acute cardiopulmonary symptoms that predict myocardial infarction among candidates for reperfusion therapy. We retrospectively studied a consecutive cohort of 75 patients (94 presentations) who presented to a university emergency department from 1994 to 1997 with LBBB on initial electrocardiogram (ECG) and acute chest pain of ≥20 min duration or acute pulmonary edema. Among the 94 presentations meeting criteria for the cohort, 26 (28%) had confirmed myocardial infarction. Coronary heart disease risk factors, past cardiac history, prior LBBB on the ECG, and presenting symptoms did not predict whether patients were having myocardial infarction. The clinical history was not effective at distinguishing LBBB patients with myocardial infarction among patients who appeared to be candidates for acute reperfusion therapy.
Enablers and Inhibitors of Business-IT Alignment

This paper provides insight into identifying areas that help or hinder business-IT alignment. Alignment focuses on the activities that management performs to achieve cohesive goals across the organization. The aim of this paper is to determine the most important enablers and inhibitors to alignment. The paper presents and analyzes the results of a multi-year study of strategic alignment. Data were obtained from business and information technology executives from over 500 firms representing 15 industries who attended classes addressing alignment at IBM’s Advanced Business Institute. The executives were asked to describe those activities that assist in achieving alignment and those which seem to hinder it. These enablers and inhibitors to alignment were then analyzed with respect to industry, to time, and executive position. The results indicate that certain activities can assist in the achievement of this state of alignment while others are clearly barriers. Achieving alignment is evolutionary and dynamic. It requires strong support from senior management, good working relationships, strong leadership, appropriate prioritization, trust, and effective communication, as well as a thorough understanding of the
miR-181a-5p Promotes Proliferation and Invasion and Inhibits Apoptosis of Cervical Cancer Cells via Regulating Inositol Polyphosphate-5-Phosphatase A (INPP5A)

Expression of miR-181a-5p associates with the proliferation and progression of cancer cells via its targets. This study was designed to investigate the effect of miR-181a-5p and its target inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatase A (INPP5A) on the progression of cervical cancers. Upregulation of miR-181a-5p was revealed in the cervical cancer cell lines HeLa and SiHa in comparison with a normal cervical epithelium cell line End1/E6E7 (p < 0.001). The inhibition and upregulation of miR-181a-5p in cervical cancer cell lines significantly reduced or increased cell proliferation and invasion capacity, accompanied with enhanced or reduced apoptosis (p < 0.05). Moreover, INPP5A overexpression significantly inhibited cell proliferation and invasion capacity and enhanced cell apoptosis. The target relationship of miR-181a-5p to INPP5A was demonstrated by both the results of the Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay and the fact that the miR-181a-5p mimic attenuated INPP5A’s effect on cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis. To sum up, the overexpression of miR-181a-5p enhanced cell proliferation and invasion and inhibited apoptosis of cervical cancer cells by negatively targeting INPP5A. Therefore, inhibition of miR-181a-5p might benefit the inhibition of cervical cancer cell invasion.
Characterization of multi-drug resistant Salmonella typhi isolated from Pakistan

Thirty-nine strains of Salmonella typhi, isolated in 1995 from four Districts in Pakistan, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Kharian and Jehlem, were catalogued and examined. Chromosomal DNA from each isolate was digested with XbaI restriction endonuclease and subjected to pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Three clonal variants comprising of 17–19 DNA fragments were identified. Antibiotic susceptibility testing identified that 37 of the S. typhi were resistant to chloramphenicol, trimethoprim and ampicillin. These antibiotic resistance genes were found to be located on one of four plasmids belonging to incompatibility group IncHI1 and ranging in size from 150–175 Kb. The genes responsible for this resistance in each case were the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) type I, the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) type VII and the β-lactamase TEM-1 respectively.
Psychological distress in patients with a left ventricular assist device and their partners: An exploratory study

Background: Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) therapy is increasingly used in patients with advanced heart failure, and may have a significant psychological impact on both patients and their partners. Hence, we examined the distress levels of LVAD patients and their partners. Methods: Anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were assessed at 3–4 weeks after implantation, and at 3 and 6 months follow-up in 33 LVAD patients (73% men; mean age=54±10 years) and 33 partners (27% men; mean age=54±11 years). Results: The prevalence of anxiety in LVAD partners was significantly higher compared to LVAD patients at baseline (48% vs. 23%, p=0.03) and 3 months follow-up (44% vs. 15%, p=0.02), but not at 6 months follow-up (p=0.43). No differences were found for depression and PTSD (ps>0.05). Scores between the LVAD patients and partners showed only a significant correlation at baseline between the anxiety, depression and PTSD score of the patient and the depression score of the partner (ranx=0.40, p=0.04; rdep=.40, p=0.04; rPSTD=0.46, p=0.05). Multivariable analyses showed no significant association between the role (patient vs. partner) and anxiety, depression and PTSD over time after correction for age, gender and clinical covariates. However, after correction for Type D personality and the use of psychotropic medication the LVAD partners showed significantly higher anxiety (F=6.95, p=0.01) and depression (F=3.94, p=0.04) scores over time compared to LVAD patients. Conclusion: LVAD partners had significantly higher levels of anxiety than LVAD patients. Emotional distress of LVAD partners should gain more attention, as partners are an essential source of support for LVAD patients.
Biological control of dengue mosquito (Aedes aegypti L.) with the copepod (Mesocyclops aspericornis D.) and fish (Tilapia nilotica L.)

Efficacy of copepods (Mesocyclopes aspericornis) and fish (Tilapia nilotica) alone and in combination for controlling different immature stages of dengue mosquito (Aedes aegypti) under lab conditions was evaluated. The mosquitoes and copepods were collected from ditches and reared under lab conditions by adding various local products as supplementary food for copepods. The fish was collected from local hatchery and acclimatized before this study. This study was performed in four replications by using four treatments with a control. Treatment one contained five fish and larvae, treatment two contained five fish, ten copepods and larvae while treatment three contained ten copepods and larvae and treatment four had only larvae. Fifty larvae of each larval instar were used in each treatment and counted after 1 h, 2 h, 8 h, 16 h and 24 hrs interval with the help of net. The maximum population of copepods was found in the treatment with paramecium as feed that was about six times greater than control. Mosocyclops showed the high rate of predatory efficiency where they were used alone. They preferred 1 st and 2 nd instar larvae to feed than other instar larvae due to their size. The percentage of predation was 35.06%, 27.4%, 7.9%, 1.0% in 1st to 4th instar larvae, respectively. Fish ate all larval instars with the copepods. The predatory efficiency of copepod was very much affected in the combined treatment with fish because fish itself prey copepods also. It should not use copepods with fish together for the control of mosquito in ponds.
Nanoacoustoelectronic converters based on graphene nanotubes and its amplitude-frequency response

In this paper, the model of nanoacoustoelectronic converter based on graphene nanotubes and calculated frequency response. The proposed model takes into account the size dependence of the elastic constants and the sound velocity in graphene. It is established that an increase in electron density and decreasing radius nanotubes increases the sensitivity of the transducer.
Volume mesh generation by rotational sweep

Sweeping is a powerful tool for generating good quality meshes in volumes that can be characterized as 2.5D. There exist robust algorithms for mesh generation by extrusion of a source surface mesh along a curvilinear path, with varying cross section, to the target surface. A characteristic of the sweeping algorithm is that the guide surfaces connecting the source and target are fitted with a structured quad mesh. This paper presents a generalization of sweeping algorithm to include cases where the swept volume is generated by rotation of the source surface(s) to the target surface(s), where source/target surfaces share edges or vertices. Setting up the sweep parameters on the guide surfaces and meshing the guide surfaces with a quad dominant mesh containing a strip of triangular faces at the axis of rotation is the crux of the new algorithm. We have used the rotational sweep algorithm described in this paper for meshing cut sections of components having rotational symmetry such as nozzles, injectors, and pipes. c © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 26th International Meshing Roundtable.
Comparative analysis on the application of neuro‐fuzzy models for complex engineered systems: Case study from a landfill and a boiler

This work aims at developing an explicit neuro‐fuzzy (NF) model to characterize complex engineered systems associated with high nonlinearity, uncertainties, and multivariable couplings. The NF model synergistically exploits the advantages of fuzzy belongingness of each input variable to all output variables and learning ability of neural networks. Owing to the inherent complexities associated with 2 complex engineered systems, a landfill and a boiler were selected to develop models that provide intelligent decisions for optimizing the operational parameters. Data compiled from field‐scale investigation/real plant operation involving various operating scenarios were used to develop the models. Predicting capability of the developed models was evaluated through the correlation coefficient and mean absolute percentage error values. Superiority of the proposed NF model to other similar models has been justified and demonstrated.
Structural consequences of the familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis SOD1 mutant His46Arg

The His46Arg (H46R) mutant of human copper‐zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is associated with an unusual, slowly progressing form of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). Here we describe in detail the crystal structures of pathogenic H46R SOD1 in the Zn‐loaded (Zn‐H46R) and metal‐free (apo‐H46R) forms. The Zn‐H46R structure demonstrates a novel zinc coordination that involves only three of the usual four liganding residues, His 63, His 80, and Asp 83 together with a water molecule. In addition, the Asp 124 “secondary bridge” between the copper‐ and zinc‐binding sites is disrupted, and the “electrostatic loop” and “zinc loop” elements are largely disordered. The apo‐H46R structure exhibits partial disorder in the electrostatic and zinc loop elements in three of the four dimers in the asymmetric unit, while the fourth has ordered loops due to crystal packing interactions. In both structures, nonnative SOD1–SOD1 interactions lead to the formation of higher‐order filamentous arrays. The disordered loop elements may increase the likelihood of protein aggregation in vivo, either with other H46R molecules or with other critical cellular components. Importantly, the binding of zinc is not sufficient to prevent the formation of nonnative interactions between pathogenic H46R molecules. The increased tendency to aggregate, even in the presence of Zn, arising from the loss of the secondary bridge is consistent with the observation of an increased abundance of hyaline inclusions in spinal motor neurons and supporting cells in H46R SOD1 transgenic rats.
Blockade of some cardiac actions of adrenaline by dichloroisoproterenol.

Dichloroisoproterenol (DCI) has been found to produce a competitive blockade of the positive inotropic action of adrenaline on cat papillary muscles. The effect of adrenaline on electrical excitability of this preparation also is blocked. DCI itself has been shown to have considerable adrenaline-like activity, increasing the strength of contraction and decreasing the threshold of electrical excitability. The positive chronotropic and arrhythmia-inducing effects of adrenaline have been shown to be blocked in the whole animal.
Aging and bone loss: new insights for the clinician

It is well known that the underlying mechanisms of osteoporosis in older adults are different than those associated with estrogen deprivation. Age-related bone loss involves a gradual and progressive decline, which is also seen in men. Markedly increased bone resorption leads to the initial fall in bone mineral density. With increasing age, there is also a significant reduction in bone formation. This is mostly due to a shift from osteoblastogenesis to predominant adipogenesis in the bone marrow, which also has a lipotoxic effect that affects matrix formation and mineralization. We review new evidence on the pathophysiology of age-related bone loss with emphasis upon the mechanism of action of current osteoporosis treatments. New potential treatments are also considered, including therapeutic approaches to osteoporosis in the elderly that focus on the pathophysiology and potential reversal of adipogenic shift in bone.
Hormonal profile of men with premature balding.

OBJECTIVE Premature androgenic alopecia has been suggested as a feature of the male equivalent of the syndrome of polycystic ovary. However, the hormonal pattern of men with premature balding has been investigated in only a few studies with inconsistent results. MATERIAL AND METHODS We examined 37 men with premature balding (defined as frontoparietal and vertex hair loss before the age of 30 years with alopecia defined as grade 3 vertex or more on the alopecia classification scale of Hamilton with Norwood modification). The plasma concentrations of total testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, epitestosterone, androstenedione, cortisol, 17-OH-progesterone (17OHP), estradiol, LH, FSH, prolactin, SHBG and TSH and free thyroxine were measured. RESULTS The frequency of subnormal values in SHBG, FSH, testosterone and epitestosterone (but not in free androgen index) was significant in the balding men. A borderline significant trend was recorded with respect to increased levels in 17OH-P and prolactin. CONCLUSIONS The hormonal pattern of a substantial number of men with premature balding resembles in some respects the hormonal pattern of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Enhanced Position Control for Pneumatic System by Applying Constraints in MPC Algorithm

This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of applying constraints in a controller algorithm as a strategy to enhance the pneumatic actuator system’s positioning performance. The aim of the present study is to reduce the overshoot in the pneumatic actuator positioning system’s response. An autoregressive with exogenous input (ARX) model structure has been used to model the pneumatic system, while a model predictive control (MPC) has been employed as a control strategy. The input constraint has been applied to the control signals (on/off valves signals) to ensure accurate position tracking. Results show that the strategy with constraint effectively reduced overshoot by more than 99.0837 % and 97.0596 % in simulation and real-time experiments, respectively. Moreover, the performance of the proposed strategy in controlling the pneumatic positioning system is considered good enough under various loads. The proposed strategy can be applied in any industry that used pneumatic actuator in their applications, especially in industries that involved with position control such as in manufacturing, automation and robotics. The strategy proved to be capable of controlling the pneumatic system better, especially in the real-time environment.
Title Valproic acid , a histone deacetylase inhibitor , enhances radiosensitivity inesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have been shown to enhance radiation response in various cancer cell lines. Valproic acid (VPA) has been used in clinical practice for the treatment of epilepsy and other seizure disorders and is also one of the most represented HDAC inhibitors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiosensitizing ability of VPA and its mechanisms in four esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines (TE9, TE10, TE11 and TE14). VPA inhibited the viability of all ESCC cells in a dose-dependent manner. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of VPA in each cell line was between 1.02-2.15 mM, which is higher than clinically used safe concentrations. VPA induced the hyperacetylation of histones H3 and H4, as well as apoptosis and had a radiosensitizing effect on all four ESCC cell lines at a concentration of 0.5 mM which is equivalent to the therapeutic plasma concentration of anti-epilepsy therapy in humans. The radiosensitization was accompanied by an increase in γH2AX levels, indicating the presence of double-strand breaks (DSBs), and decrease in Rad51 expression, a DSB repair protein. These results suggest that a clinically safe dose of VPA can enhance radiation-induced cytotoxicity in human ESCC cells by chromatin decondensation with histone hyperacetylation and downregulation of Rad51. In conclusion, VPA appears to be a safe and promising radiosensitizer for esophageal cancer radiotherapy.
Adaptations in the structure and innervation of follicle‐sinus complexes to an aquatic environment as seen in the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris)

Florida manatees are large‐bodied aquatic herbivores that use large tactile vibrissae for several purposes. Facial vibrissae are used to forage in a turbid water environment, and the largest perioral vibrissae can also grasp and manipulate objects. Other vibrissae distributed over the entire postfacial body appear to function as a lateral line system. All manatee vibrissae emanate from densely innervated follicle‐sinus complexes (FSCs) like those in other mammals, although proportionately larger commensurate with the caliber of the vibrissae. As revealed by immunofluorescence, all manatee FSCs have many types of C, Aδ and Aβ innervation including Merkel, club, and longitudinal lanceolate endings at the level of the ring sinus, but they lack other types such as reticular and spiny endings at the level of the cavernous sinus. As in non‐whisking terrestrial species, the inner conical bodies of facial FSCs are well innervated but lack Aβ‐fiber terminals. Importantly, manatee FSCs have two unique types of Aβ‐fiber endings. First, all of the FSCs have exceptionally large‐caliber axons that branch to terminate as novel, gigantic spindle‐like endings located at the upper ring sinus. Second, facial FSCs have smaller caliber Aβ fibers that terminate in the trabeculae of the cavernous sinus as an ending that resembles a Golgi tendon organ. In addition, the largest perioral vibrissae, which are used for grasping, have exceptionally well‐developed medullary cores that have a structure and dense small‐fiber innervation resembling that of tooth pulp. Other features of the epidermis and upper dermis structure and innervation differ from that seen in terrestrial mammals. J. Comp. Neurol. 504:217–237, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
LISA - A Mechatronic Wall for Assistance with ADLs

The research project LISA (Living Independently in Sudtirol Alto-Adige) investigated the possibilities of embedding assistive functions, systems, and services into wall “terminal” components that enable and support autonomy and independence with respect to Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), and which generate structured environments called Robotic micro-Rooms (RmRs).