Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
P2Y2 Receptor-mediated Lymphotoxin-α Secretion Regulates Intercellular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 Expression in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells*

Background: Lymphotoxin-α (LTA) is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Results: The P2Y2 nucleotide receptor (P2Y2R) recruits filamin A to activate Rho signaling upstream of LTA secretion leading to intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression. Conclusion: P2Y2R regulates LTA gene activation and secretion in vascular smooth muscle cells. Significance: This suggests that P2Y2R is an important regulator of vascular inflammation. The proinflammatory cytokine lymphotoxin-α (LTA) is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms that regulate its expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are poorly understood. The ability of exogenous nucleotides to stimulate LTA production was evaluated in VSMC by ELISA. The P2Y2 nucleotide receptor (P2Y2R) agonist UTP stimulates a strong and sustained release of LTA from WT but not P2Y2R−/− SMC. Assessment of LTA gene transcription by LTA promoter-luciferase construct indicated that LTA levels are controlled at the level of transcription. We show using RNAi techniques that knockdown of the actin-binding protein filamin-A (FLNa) severely impaired nucleotide-induced Rho activation and consequent Rho-mediated LTA secretion. Reintroduction of FLNa in FLNa RNAi SMC rescued UTP-induced LTA expression. In addition, we found that UTP-stimulated LTA secretion is not sensitive to brefeldin A, which blocks the formation of vesicles involved in protein transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus, suggesting that P2Y2R/filamin-mediated secretion of LTA is independent of the endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi secretory vesicle route. Furthermore, UTP selectively induces ICAM-1 expression in WT but not SMC expressing a truncated P2Y2R deficient in LTA secretion. These data suggest that P2Y2R recruits FLNa to provide a cytoskeletal scaffold necessary for Rho signaling pathway upstream of LTA release and subsequent stimulation of ICAM-1 expression on vascular smooth muscle cells.
Auto-generated strokes for motion segmentation

We propose a new approach to motion segmentation that is based on auto-generated strokes. The novelty of the approach is twofold. First, inspired by recent work of other researchers we formulate the problem as that of interactive segmentation. Instead of inputting the strokes by the user, the strokes in our approach are auto-generated. The second novelty of the paper is formulation in which, unlike in many other motion segmentation algorithms, we do not use complex algorithm which fuses the output of multiple cues to segment foreground objects, a simple and effective maximum hybrid similarity method is presented. The maximum hybrid similarity does not need to set the threshold in advance. Experimental results have shown the superiority of the proposed method in extracting moving objects.
Bis{(E)-3-[(diethylmethylammonio)methyl]-N-[3-(N,N-dimethylsulfamoyl)-1-methylpyridin-4-ylidene]-4-methoxyanilinium} tetraiodide pentahydrate

The title compound, 2C21H34N4O3S2+·4I−·5H2O, was prepared exclusively as the E isomer by methylation of the corresponding N-phenylpyridin-4-amine. There are two symmetry-independent molecules in the asymmetric unit with no significant differences in bond lengths and angles. The aromatic rings are not coplanar with the pyridin-4-imine groups, as indicated by the C—N—C—C torsion angles of 47.7 (7) and 132.6 (5)°.
Engineering Adaptive Fault-Tolerance Mechanisms for Resilient Computing on ROS

Systems are expected to evolve during their service life in order to cope with changes of various natures, ranging from fluctuations in available resources to additional features requested by users. For dependable embedded systems, the challenge is even greater, as evolution must not impair dependability attributes. Resilient computing implies maintaining dependability properties when facing changes. Resilience encompasses several aspects, among which evolvability, i.e., the capacity of a system to evolve during its service life. In this paper, we discuss the evolution of systems with respect to their dependability mechanisms, and show how such mechanisms can evolve accordingly. From a component-based approach that enables to clarify the concepts, the process and the techniques to be used to address resilient computing, in particular regarding the adaptation of fault tolerance (or safety) mechanisms, we show how Adaptive Fault Tolerance (AFT) can be implemented with ROS. Beyond implementation, we draw the lessons learned from this work and discuss the limits of this runtime support to implement such resilient computing features in embedded systems.
[The trend of eradication rates of second-line quadruple therapy containing metronidazole for Helicobacter pylori infection: an analysis of recent eight years].

BACKGROUND/AIMS Failure rates of Helicobacter pylori eradication treatment turned out to be exceeding 10%, causing recurrence of peptic ulcers. In the case of eradication failure, the Korean College of Helicobacter Research and Practice recommends quadruple therapy consisting of proton pump inhibitor, bismuth, tetracycline and metronidazole. Many reports regarding the eradication rates of quadruple therapy have been reported. However, most were limited by short follow-up periods. Hence, we evaluated the efficacy of the metronidazole containing quadruple therapy as a second line treatment from April, 1996 through July, 2004. METHODS Sixty-three patients were enrolled. Treatment consisted of aforementioned quadruple therapy for 1 week. Four to six weeks after completion of treatment, biopsies and CLO tests were performed to detect the presence of H. pylori. The patients were then followed-up with upper endoscopy once every year. RESULTS The efficacy of the quadruple therapy was 74.6% in intention-to-treat analysis and 83.9% in per protocol analysis. Eradication rates of the years 1996, 1999-2000, 2001, and 2002-2004 were 75.0%, 93.8%, 100%, and 72.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our data can not reveal the evidence of decreasing trend for eradication rate quadruple therapy of H. pylori in 8 years. However, eradication rate of 72.7% in recent 2 years necessitates the development of more efficient eradication regimen.
Artichoke polyphenols induce apoptosis and decrease the invasive potential of the human breast cancer cell line MDA‐MB231

The human breast cancer cell line, estrogen receptor negative, MDA‐MB231, was used to evaluate the antitumor effect of polyphenolic extracts from the edible part of artichokes (AEs). Treatment of cancer cells reduced cell viability and inhibited cell growth in a dose‐dependent manner. Importantly, AEs did not have any effect on normal breast epithelial cell line, MCF10A. Chlorogenic acid (ChA), the most representative component of the polyphenolic fraction of artichoke, had no prominent effects on the cell death rate of MDA‐MB231 cells. The addition of AEs to the cells, rather than ChA, triggered apoptosis via a mitochondrial and a death‐receptor pathway, as shown by the activation of caspase‐9 and caspase‐8, respectively. Furthermore, an increase of the Bax:Bcl2 ratio and up‐regulation of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor, p21WAF1, crucial apoptotic players, were documented. According to our data on activation of caspase‐9, a loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Ψm) was shown. Cell motility and invasion capabilities were remarkably inhibited by AEs‐treatment in highly invasive MDA‐MB231 cells. In addition, a significant decrease of proteolytic activity of metalloproteinase‐2 protein (MMP‐2), involved in degrading components of the extracellular matrix, was detected. Our findings indicate that AEs reduced cell viability, inhibited cell growth, triggered apoptotic mechanisms, and showed inhibitory properties against the invasive behavior of MDA‐MB231 cancer cell line. Altogether, these data indicate the potential chemopreventive activity of artichoke polyphenolic extracts. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3301–3309, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stability characterization of high-performance PureB Si-photodiodes under aggressive cleaning treatments in industrial applications

In industrial applications, particularly in vacuum ultraviolet applications and low-energy electron detection systems, a periodic surface cleaning of the used photon/electron detectors is required to prevent the buildup of carbon contaminating layers [1-3]. Such applications can be found in synchrotron measurements, space payload equipment, next-generation extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) lithography and high-resolution Scanning Electron Microscopes (SEMs). One effective way to remove the carbon contamination is to use aggressive gasses, such as hydrogen radicals (H*) and oxygen plasma [1-3]. In previous publications we have reported the excellent optical and electrical performance of silicon-based PureB photodiodes produced by high-temperature (HT, 700°C) pure boron chemical vapor deposition (CVD) [12-16]. Also the stability of these HT PureB photodiodes under hydrogen radicals cleaning and oxygen plasma cleaning is reported [4, 5]. Recently, a low-temperature (LT, 400°C) PureB CVD process has been introduced, which is fully CMOS compatible [17]. In this work, a review study is presented of the effect of detrimental environment, particularly related to H* and oxygen plasma cleaning, on the performance of the both HT and LT PureB-diodes.
AUTHENTICITY IN PORTRAYALS OF NAVAJO CULTURE AT TWO HERITAGE SITES

The degree of accuracy in portrayals of Navajo culture at Salmon Ruins Heritage Park and Rock Art Ranch was assessed by comparing the Navajo structures assembled at each site to archaeological, ethnographic and historical data for traditional Navajo construction practices. Comparison and analysis revealed different degrees of accuracy in the portrayal of features with cultural and functional importance. Authentic practices were presented in a historical framework to permit the temporal characterization of each site. The aggregate of the temporal data from features at both sites was consistent with Navajo sites of the early twentieth century. The results of this study suggest a bias in contemporary portrayals of Navajo culture favoring the most extensively documented, and the more recent, aspects of Navajo culture.
Bidirectional interlocus concerted evolution following allopolyploid speciation in cotton (Gossypium).

Polyploidy is a prominent process in plant evolution; yet few data address the question of whether homeologous sequences evolve independently subsequent to polyploidization. We report on ribosomal DNA (rDNA) evolution in five allopolyploid (AD genome) species of cotton (Gossypium) and species representing their diploid progenitors (A genome, D genome). Sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1 and ITS2) and the 5.8S gene indicate that rDNA arrays are homogeneous, or nearly so, in all diploids and allopolyploids examined. Because these arrays occur at four chromosomal loci in allopolyploid cotton, two in each subgenome, repeats from different arrays must have become homogenized by interlocus concerted evolution. Southern hybridization analysis combined with copy-number estimation demonstrate that this process has gone to completion in the diploids and to completion or near-completion in all allopolyploid species and that it most likely involves the entire rDNA repeat. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that interlocus concerted evolution has been bidirectional in allopolyploid species--i.e., rDNA from four polyploid lineages has been homogenized to a D genome repeat type, whereas sequences from Gossypium mustelinum have concerted to an A genome repeat type. Although little is known regarding the functional significance of interlocus concerted evolution of homeologous sequences, this study demonstrates that the process occurs for tandemly repeated sequences in diploid and polyploid plants. That interlocus concerted evolution can occur bidirectionally subsequent to hybidization and polyploidization has significant implications for phylogeny reconstruction, especially when based on rDNA sequences.
Adults with cerebral palsy: a survey describing problems, needs, and resources, with special emphasis on locomotion

The purpose of this study was to describe problems and resources of adults with cerebral palsy (CP) with special emphasis on locomotion. A questionnaire concerning demographic facts, locomotion, musculoskeletal problems, and present physical activity was mailed to 363 adults with CP. Two hundred and twenty‐one adults, (125 male and 96 female; mean age 36 years, range 20 to 58 years) answered the questionnaire. Seventy‐seven per cent reported problems with spasticity. Eighty‐four per cent lived in their own apartments, with or without home services. Twenty‐four per cent worked full‐time and 18% had full disability pension. Twenty‐seven per cent had never been able to walk, 64% could walk with or without walking aids, 35% reported decreased walking ability, and 9% had stopped walking. Eighty per cent reported contractures and 18% had pain every day. Approximately 60% were regularly physically active, and despite their disability, 54% considered that they were not limited in their ability to move about in the community.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-induced Apoptosis Stimulates p53 Accumulation and p21WAF1 Proteolysis in ME-180 Cells*

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-mediated apoptotic signaling has been characterized by activation of specific protease or protein kinase cascades that regulate the onset of apoptosis. TNF has also been shown to induce oxidative or genotoxic stress in some cell types, and apoptotic potential may be determined by the cellular response to this stress. To determine the role of genotoxic stress in TNF-mediated apoptosis, we examined cellular accumulation of p53 in TNF-treated ME-180 cells selected for apoptotic sensitivity (ME-180S) or resistance (ME-180R) to TNF. Although TNF was able to activate receptor-mediated signaling in either cell line, p53 accumulation was measurable only in apoptotically sensitive ME-180S cells. TNF-induced changes in p53 levels were detected 1 h after treatment, and peak levels were measurable 4–8 h after TNF exposure. TNF was unable to induce p21WAF1 in either cell line but affected the stability of this protein in apoptotically responsive ME-180S cells. Evidence of p21WAF1 proteolysis was detected by monitoring the appearance of a 16-kDa immunoblottable p21WAF1 fragment, which became detectable 4 h after TNF addition and increased in content before the onset of DNA fragmentation (16–24 h). The kinetics of p21WAF1 proteolysis closely paralleled those of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, suggesting cleavage of p21WAF1 by activation of an apoptotic protease. Pretreatment of ME-180S cells with the apoptotic protease inhibitor YVAD blocked TNF-induced apoptosis and prevented both poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and p21WAF1 degradation but did not affect p53 induction. These results provide evidence for the early onset of genotoxic stress in cells committed to TNF-mediated apoptosis and for divergence in propagation of this signal in non-responsive cells. In addition, TNF-induced p21WAF1 proteolysis may be mediated by an apoptotic protease and may contribute to the apoptotic process by disrupting p53 signaling, altering cell cycle inhibition, and limiting cellular recovery from genotoxic stress.
Effects of 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid on the prevention of alveolar osteitis following mandibular third molar extractions.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid combination as a prophylactic therapy for the prevention of alveolar osteitis after mandibular third molar extractions and to investigate adverse reactions to chlorhexidine. STUDY DESIGN This randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group study was conducted in a group of 177 subjects, from which 3 groups were formed. The first group (n = 62) received 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, the second group (n = 56) received a 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate and amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid combination, and the third group (n = 59) received 0.09% sterile saline solution. All patients were recalled for the diagnosis of alveolar osteitis on the third and seventh postoperative days. RESULTS When patients in the antibiotic group were compared with those in the other 2 groups, a significant reduction in alveolar osteitis was noted (P <.05). An alteration in taste, the bad taste of the solution, and staining of dentures and oral tissues were the major complaints about chlorhexidine. CONCLUSION It would be more beneficial to use chlorhexidine solution with a beta-lactamase inhibitor-containing antibiotic to enhance its effectiveness for the prevention of alveolar osteitis.
Removal of Dentin by Fuchsin Staining

When tested in vitro and in vivo, the removal of all dentin stainable by the 0.5% basic fuchsin-propylene glycol solution method assured complete removal of infected carious dentin. The image on the radiograph was always somewhat narrower than the extent of the fuchsin-stainable dentin to be removed.
Anti-ganglioside antibody induction by swine (A/NJ/1976/H1N1) and other influenza vaccines: insights into vaccine-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome.

BACKGROUND Receipt of an A/NJ/1976/H1N1 "swine flu" vaccine in 1976, unlike receipt of influenza vaccines used in subsequent years, was strongly associated with the development of the neurologic disorder Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Anti-ganglioside antibodies (e.g., anti-GM(1)) are associated with the development of GBS, and we hypothesized that the swine flu vaccine contained contaminating moieties (such as Campylobacter jejuni antigens that mimic human gangliosides or other vaccine components) that elicited an anti-GM(1) antibody response in susceptible recipients. METHODS Surviving samples of monovalent and bivalent 1976 vaccine, comprising those from 3 manufacturers and 11 lot numbers, along with several contemporary vaccines were tested for hemagglutinin (HA) activity, the presence of Campylobacter DNA, and the ability to induce anti-Campylobacter and anti-GM(1) antibodies after inoculation into C3H/HeN mice. RESULTS We found that, although C. jejuni was not detected in 1976 swine flu vaccines, these vaccines induced anti-GM(1) antibodies in mice, as did vaccines from 1991-1992 and 2004-2005. Preliminary studies suggest that the influenza HA induces anti-GM(1) antibodies. CONCLUSIONS Influenza vaccines contain structures that can induce anti-GM(1) antibodies after inoculation into mice. Further research into influenza vaccine components that elicit anti-ganglioside responses and the role played by these antibodies (if any) in vaccine-associated GBS is warranted.
Placental basement membrane proteins are required for effective cytotrophoblast invasion in a three-dimensional bioprinted placenta model.

Fetal cytotrophoblast invasion of maternal decidual vasculature is necessary to normal pregnancy. In preeclampsia, there is shallow invasion and abnormal remodeling of the uterine vasculature that lead to significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The placental basement membrane (BM) proteins (e.g., laminin and collagen) has been implicated in the development of placenta while the level of laminin is significantly lower in preeclampsia. However, there are very limited studies, if any, on the effect of extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment on the invasion of cytotrophoblast. In this study, we hypothesized that placental BM proteins are required for effective cytotrophoblast invasion. Using proteomics, we found that more than 80% of ECM proteins in placental basal plate (pECM) were BM proteins. In addition to upregulating expressions of MMP2 (1.5-fold) and MMP9 (6.3-fold), pECM significantly increased the motility rates of cytotrophoblasts by 13-fold (from 5.60 ± 0.95 to 75.5 ± 21.8 µm/day) to achieve an effective invasion rate that was comparable to in vivo results. Treatments with PI3K inhibitors completely removed the pECM-enhanced invasive phenotypes and genotypes of cytotrophoblasts, suggesting its dominant role in cytotrophoblast-ECM interactions. Our results described, for the first time, the substantial effects of the ECM microenvironment on regulating cytotrophoblast invasion, an area that is less investigated but appear to be critical in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Moreover, the approach presented in this work that fabricates organ models with organ-specific ECM can be an attractive option to screen and develop novel therapeutics and biomarkers not only in preeclampsia but also other diseases such as cancer metastasis. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1476-1487, 2018.
Improvement of Image Quality at Low–Radiation Dose and Low–Contrast Material Dose Abdominal CT in Patients With Cirrhosis: Intraindividual Comparison of Low Tube Voltage With Iterative Reconstruction Algorithm and Standard Tube Voltage

Objective To intraindividually compare a low–tube voltage, low–contrast material dose computed tomography (CT) reconstructed with iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithm at standard tube voltage reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP) and standard–contrast material dose during liver dynamic CT. Materials and Methods Twenty-five patients with liver cirrhosis underwent 64-section multidetector CT. One hundred twenty kilovolt (peak) (kV[p]) with standard contrast material dose of 600 mg of iodine per kilogram (protocol A) and 80 kV(p) with low–contrast material dose of 450 mg of iodine per kilogram (protocol B) CT image sets were reconstructed by using FBP algorithm and that of using IR algorithm with a 60%/40% blend of IR-FBP reconstruction at 80-kV(p) image set (protocol C). Scans obtained during 3 hepatic phases were subjected to quantitative and qualitative analysis. Results The mean radiation dose and the contrast medium dose were significantly lower under protocols B and C than under protocol A. In all hepatic phases, all signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios were greater under protocol C than under other protocols at all anatomic sites. Qualitative analysis showed that image noise and diagnostic acceptability were significantly higher under protocol C. Conclusion In all hepatic phases, a low–tube voltage, low–contrast material dose CT with IR algorithm yielded better contrast enhancement and image quality than a standard tube voltage, standard contrast material dose CT with FBP in thin adult patients.
High-Efficiency Filter-Integrated Class-F Power Amplifier Based on Dielectric Resonator

In this letter, a high-efficiency filter-integrated class-F power amplifier (PA) is presented. High-Q-factor dielectric resonator (DR) filter is employed as the output matching network of the class-F PA. Theoretical analysis is carried out to guide the impedance transformation from $50~\Omega $ to that desired by the transistor at the operating frequency and the harmonic ones. Two transmission zeros are generated by the DR filter for realizing good skirt selectivity. Besides, metal cavity of the DR filter acts as heat sink for the transistor. For demonstration, a filter-integrated PA operating at 1.88 GHz is implemented. Comparison is made to show the advantages of this letter.