Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulin-releasing polypeptide plasma levels in response to nutrients.

The nutrient-dependent glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36) amide (GLP-1) release was studied in comparison to the glucose-dependent insulin-releasing polypeptide (GIP) response in 10 healthy volunteers each undergoing various protocols. Plasma samples were saved up to 120 min after challenges by oral, intravenous or intraduodenal administration of nutrients. Basal plasma-GLP-1 concentrations ranged between 0.4 and 1.4 pM, maximal postprandial GLP-1 levels peaked between 10 and 12 pM. Intravenous glucose (25 g i.v.) did not change basal GLP-1 levels. Oral administration of glucose (50 g) induced a biphasic GLP-1 release peaking at 30-60 min and a biphasic GIP release peaking at 5 and 45 min. This increase paralleled the secretion of insulin. Oral galactose (100 g) and amino acids (25 g) also induced a rapid plasma GLP-1 response. After fat (67 g corn oil) a strong and long-lasting (> 120 min) increase of GLP-1 plasma levels occurred. When a mixed liquid meal was given (6 g soybean oil, 5 g casein, 13 g glucose) immunoreactive (IR)-GLP-1 rapidly increased and peaked after 5 min with declining levels after 30 min. In response to an intraduodenal infusion of a small glucose load (5.34 g within 120 min) a rapid, short-lasting GLP-1 response occurred whereas plasma GIP and insulin levels remained unaltered. Luminal perfusion of an isolated vascularly perfused rat ileum with a polydiet induced a rapid rise of portally released IR-GLP-1 which was followed by a sustained release. Glucose evoked sodium-dependently a sharp increase of IR-GLP-1 levels followed by a plateau release. The intraluminal infusion of a mixture of amino acids or fat was without any effect on IR-GLP-1. We hypothesize that in contrast to GIP the GLP-1 release from L cells is triggered by nervous reflexes, by putative humoral factor(s) being released from the upper small intestine in addition to nutrient stimuli acting at the luminal surface of the gut.
Friction and nonlinear dynamics

The nonlinear dynamics associated with sliding friction forms a broad interdisciplinary research field that involves complex dynamical processes and patterns covering a broad range of time and length scales. Progress in experimental techniques and computational resources has stimulated the development of more refined and accurate mathematical and numerical models, capable of capturing many of the essentially nonlinear phenomena involved in friction.
Sedentary Habits, Health, and Function in Older Women and Men

Purpose. To evaluate the relation of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness to morbidity, mortality, and functional limitations in older persons. Data Sources. We reviewed published reports related to the review's purpose. Sources were identified from recent major reports and position statements from scientific and public health organizations, our files, and reference lists of published papers. Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria. We included prospective epidemiological studies and clinical trials published in the peer-reviewed literature that included data from age groups of people 60 years and older. We evaluated study methods and included studies that used valid measures of exposures, clearly specified outcomes, and controlled for confounders. Data Extraction Methods. We extracted by detailed review data on sample characteristics, outcomes, and rates and relative risks. Data Synthesis. Extracted data were included in tables, figures, or the text and were synthesized by nonquantitative methods. Major Conclusions. Active and fit individuals were at much lower risk for morbidity, mortality, and loss of function when compared with sedentary and unfit persons. Data from the studies generally conformed to a steep inverse dose-response gradient across activity or fitness categories. Results were consistent, temporally appropriate, strong, and graded, and therefore support a causal hypothesis that a fit and active way of life improves health and function in older individuals.
Definition of Complicated Urinary Tract Infection.

To the Editor—In their timely and thoughtful review of the management of outpatient urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to multidrug-resistant uropathogens, Walker et al risk reinforcing inadvertently a widespread misconception regarding the meaning of “complicated UTI” when they state that nitrofurantoin “is not used in complicated UTIs due to lack of systemic or tissue accumulation” [1]. This implies that complicated UTI means UTI accompanied by systemic or invasive tissue involvement, for example, pyelonephritis or urosepsis. This is a common misconception among noninfectious diseases physicians regarding the meaning of complicated as pertains to UTI. Certainly, nitrofurantoin should not be used to treat invasive UTI syndromes for the reasons given by Walker at al. However, such syndromes do not necessarily represent complicated UTI. In the UTI field, complicated refers to the presence of underlying, predisposing conditions, not clinical severity, invasiveness, or complications caused by the infection, for example, renal abscess [2], as Walker et al explain clearly elsewhere in their review. Since even UTI experts sometimes conflate complicated with severe or invasive when referring to UTI [1, 3], there is little reason to expect that nonexperts will be able to consistently make this critical distinction, which has huge implications for patient management. To the extent that different physicians interpret complicated UTI inconsistently, guidelines and treatment recommendations for complicated vs uncomplicated UTI risk being misapplied, even by conscientious providers. It may be time to find a different term than complicated UTI for UTIs that occur in patients with underlying predisposing factors, since this term seems hopelessly mired in ambiguity.
Reappraisal of metallothionein: Clinical implications for patients with diabetes mellitus

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS, respectively) are byproducts of cellular physiological processes of the metabolism of intermediary nutrients. Although physiological defense mechanisms readily convert these species into water or urea, an improper balance between their production and removal leads to oxidative stress (OS), which is harmful to cellular components. This OS may result in uncontrolled growth or, ultimately, cell death. In addition, ROS and RNS are closely related to the development of diabetes and its complications. Therefore, numerous researchers have proposed the development of strategies for the removal of ROS/RNS to prevent or treat diabetes and its complications. Some molecules that are synthesized in the body or obtained from food participate in the removal and neutralization of ROS and RNS. Metallothionein, a cysteine‐rich protein, is a metal‐binding protein that has a wide range of functions in cellular homeostasis and immunity. Metallothionein can be induced by a variety of conditions, including zinc supplementation, and plays a crucial role in mediating anti‐OS, anti‐apoptotic, detoxification, and anti‐inflammatory effects. Metallothionein can modulate various stress‐induced signaling pathways (mitogen‐activated protein kinase, Wnt, nuclear factor‐κB, phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase, sirtuin 1/AMP‐activated protein kinase and fibroblast growth factor 21) to alleviate diabetes and diabetic complications. However, a deeper understanding of the functional, biochemical, and molecular characteristics of metallothionein is needed to bring about new opportunities for OS therapy. This review focuses on newly proposed functions of a metallothionein and their implications relevant to diabetes and its complications.
Why perform uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery?-multiple considerations.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) via a single incision for major procedures is taking the specialty by a storm over the past 5 years since its description by Gonzalez et al . (1). The development of this approach originated as a progression of the anterior multiport VATS approach, as expansion of the uniportal VATS experience for intermediate procedures (2), but also as a direct evolution from anterior limited thoracotomies. While posterior VATS approaches never really became widely performed even after more than 20 years of being described, the anterior approach alternative has finally been adopted in recent years as a valid widely offered alternative to thoracotomy (3). However, its expansion has taken the best part of 15 years. One has to wonder what are the reasons to explain the rapid adoption of the uniportal VATS approach in contrast to the slow spread of multiport VATS lobectomies.
An IoT-based Real Time Low Cost Low Power Monitoring and Notification System for Aged Care

The challenge of taking care of aged patients who lost control of their bladders and bowel movements is to respond to the patients' needs in a timely manner, which often requires a caretaker (e.g., a family member or a hired assistant) to stay on watch 24/7. In light of advance in cloud computing, we present a real-time low-cost low-power monitoring and notification system that can continuously monitor the patient bedding conditions, detect the conditions that help is needed and notify the care-takers. The system consists of TI SensorTags, Raspberry Pis, and IBM Bluemix. The TI SensorTag is a sensing device, while Raspberry Pi acts as a messenger receiving data collected by TI SensorTags via Bluetooth technology and transmitting the data to Bluemix, a cloud based platform developed by IBM, via WiFi. The low power Bluetooth communication enables a longer sensor battery life. The system design and operation of a working prototype will be described in this paper.
Smooth Pursuit Eye Movement Dysfunction in Substance-Dependent Patients: Mediating Effects of Antisocial Personality Disorder

Smooth pursuit eye movements were evaluated in 21 healthy volunteers and 126 patients meeting criteria for one of the following DSM-III-R dependence diagnoses: alcohol (n = 10), cocaine (n = 44), heroin (n = 34), or dual alcohol and cocaine (n = 38). A significant reduction in tracking accuracy was found in the heroin and the dually dependent groups relative to controls. Interestingly, the eye movement dysfunction in the drug-dependent groups was no longer detectable when the effects of antisocial personality disorder were statistically removed. The magnitude of the dysfunction also correlated with several antisocial personality-related features, including an increased number of criminal charges and months of incarceration, increased problems associated with drug abuse, and lower intellectual functioning. The relationship demonstrated presently between antisocial personality disorder and eye movement dysfunction may have implications beyond studies of substance dependence.
Structure and immunological function of oxidised albumin in lung cancer: its potential role as a biomarker of elevated oxidative stress

Correspondence to: Dr Zafar Rasheed Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC–29209, USA Email: zafar.rasheed@uscmed.sc. edu Fig. 2. a) CD spectra of purified HSA from smoking LC patients (Z), non-smoking LC patients (t), healthy smoking subjects (•) and healthy non-smoking subjects (p). Spectra are the average of eight determinations. b) Fluorescence spectra of purified HSA-bound bis-ANS. Purified HSA from smoking LC patients (Z), non-smoking LC patients (t), healthy smoking subjects (•) and healthy non-smoking subjects (p). Spectra are the average of eight determinations. 200 205 210 215 220 225 230 235 240 245 250 Wavelength, nm El lip ti ci ty , m de g 20
Identification of a European interserotypic reassortant strain of infectious bursal disease virus

ABSTRACT Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV, family Birnaviridae) is a bi-segmented double-stranded RNA virus for which two serotypes are described. Serotype 1 replicates in the bursa of Fabricius and causes an immunosuppressive and potentially fatal disease in young chickens. Serotype 2 is apathogenic in poultry species. Up to now, only one natural event of interserotypic reassortment has been described after the introduction of very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) in the USA in 2009, resulting in an IBDV strain with its segment A related to vvIBDV and its segment B related to US serotype 2 strain OH. Here, we present the first European isolate illustrative of interserotypic reassortment. The reassorting isolate, named 100056, exhibits a genomic segment A typical of current European vvIBDV but a segment B close to European serotype 2 viruses, supporting an origin distinct from US strains. When inoculated into SPF chickens, isolate 100056 induced mild clinical signs in the absence of mortality but caused a severe bursal atrophy, which strongly suggests an immunosuppressive potential. These results illustrate that interserotypic reassortment is another mechanism that can create IBDV strains with a modified acute pathogenicity. As a consequence, and for a more precise inference of the possible phenotype, care should be taken that the molecular identification of IBDV strains is targeted to both genome segments.
Interference in Dutch–French Bilinguals: Stimulus and Response Conflict in Intra- and Interlingual Stroop

In the present manuscript, we investigate the source of congruency effects in a group of Dutch–French bilinguals. In particular, participants performed a color-identification Stroop task, in which both (first language) Dutch and (second language) French distracting color words were presented in colors. The typical finding is impaired responding when the word and color are incongruent (e.g., “red” in blue) relative to congruent (e.g., “red” in red). This congruency effect is observed for both first and second language distracting color words. The current experiment used a 2-to-1 keypress mapping manipulation, which allows one to separate stimulus conflict (i.e., conflict between word and color meanings) and response conflict (i.e., conflict between potential responses). For both the first and second language, both stimulus and response conflict were observed. These results suggest that second language words influence semantic and response processing similarly to first language words, rather than having diminished semantic and/or response influences.
Global challenges in human immunodeficiency virus and syphilis coinfection among men who have sex with men

ABSTRACT Introduction: Syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection disproportionately affects men who have sex with men (MSM), and the rate of coinfection has been increasing over the last decade. HIV and syphilis coinfection is particularly challenging because the infections interact synergistically thereby increasing the risk of acquisition and transmission as well as accelerating disease progression. Areas covered: This paper reviews and summarizes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical management and prevention of HIV and syphilis coinfection among MSM. Expert commentary: Research does not support a different syphilis treatment for coinfected individuals; however, coinfection may warrant a recommendation for antiretroviral therapy. In order to reverse the epidemic of syphilis and HIV coinfection, there needs to be greater awareness, improved cultural sensitivity among health care providers, improved access to preventative services and increased screening for syphilis and HIV.
Egr1 Transcription Factor: Multiple Roles in Prostate Tumor Cell Growth and Survival

The transcription factor, Egr1, so-called because it is encoded by the immediate early growth response gene, Egr1, is rapidly induced by growth factors to transduce the proliferative signal. The induction of Egr1 by external stimuli is generally transient but appears to be sustained in some prostate tumor cell lines and tumors, suggesting that Egr1 stimulates tumor cell growth. In contradiction, in breast, lung and brain tumors, Egr1 expression is often absent or reduced and when re-expressed, results in growth suppression. Re-expression of Egr1 in tumor cells also leads to antiapoptotic activity, which would encourage tumor cell survival. Egr1 is also required for, or stimulates, the differentiation of several cell types. Another contradiction is that after stress stimuli to some cell types, Egr1 is required for programmed cell death or apoptosis in both normal and tumor cells. Egr1 also plays a role in tumor progression, through the hypoxic signal generated in growing tumors. Egr1 is highly induced under these conditions and its activities stimulate angiogenesis and improved survival of tumor cells. How this large agenda can be achieved lies in the choice of Egr1 target genes, and varying patterns of coordinated expression have been described, but the mechanisms for this choice are not clear. This review points to areas where research should be focussed.
Human-like object tracking and gaze estimation with PKD android

As the use of robots increases for tasks that require human-robot interactions, it is vital that robots exhibit and understand human-like cues for effective communication. In this paper, we describe the implementation of object tracking capability on Philip K. Dick (PKD) android and a gaze tracking algorithm, both of which further robot capabilities with regard to human communication. PKD’s ability to track objects with human-like head postures is achieved with visual feedback from a Kinect system and an eye camera. The goal of object tracking with human-like gestures is twofold: to facilitate better human-robot interactions and to enable PKD as a human gaze emulator for future studies. The gaze tracking system employs a mobile eye tracking system (ETG; SensoMotoric Instruments) and a motion capture system (Cortex; Motion Analysis Corp.) for tracking the head orientations. Objects to be tracked are displayed by a virtual reality system, the Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN; MotekForce Link). The gaze tracking algorithm converts eye tracking data and head orientations to gaze information facilitating two objectives: to evaluate the performance of the object tracking system for PKD and to use the gaze information to predict the intentions of the user, enabling the robot to understand physical cues by humans.
An Improved Modulation Scheme of Current-Fed Bidirectional DC–DC Converters For Loss Reduction

Current-fed bidirectional dc–dc converters have attracted much attention in battery energy storage system applications due to their zero-voltage-switching performances and greater degree of control freedom. However, high efficiency cannot be achieved for both light and heavy load ranges with the present modulation schemes for a current-fed bidirectional dc–dc converter, especially with low battery voltages. A new modulation scheme is proposed to improve the conversion efficiency over a wide load range and with variations in the battery voltage. The relationship between the duty cycle of the secondary full bridge and the phase-shift angle was investigated to lower the power losses with the wide load variations. Based on the operation mode analysis, the control loop with the proposed pulse wide modulation plus phase-shift modulation scheme was developed. Comparisons of the switch conduction loss and the core loss in the series inductor for the previous modulation schemes and the proposed modulation scheme were carried out. The results show that lower power losses occur with the proposed scheme. The experimental results verify the theoretical analysis and effectiveness of the proposed modulation scheme on loss reduction.
GABAergic innervation of the ciliary ganglion in macaque monkeys – A light and electron microscopic study

The vertebrate ciliary ganglion (CG) is a relay station in the parasympathetic pathway activating the iris sphincter and ciliary muscle to mediate pupillary constriction and lens accommodation, respectively. While the postganglionic motoneurons in the CG are cholinergic, as are their inputs, there is evidence from avian studies that GABA may also be involved. Here, we used light and electron microscopic methods to examine the GABAergic innervation of the CG in Macaca fascicularis monkeys. Immunohistochemistry for the gamma aminobutyric acid synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) revealed that all CG neurons are contacted by ChAT‐positive terminals. A subpopulation of 17.5% of CG neurons was associated with terminal boutons expressing GAD‐immunoreactivity in addition. Double‐labeling for GAD and synaptophysin confirmed that these were synaptic terminals. Electron microscopic analysis in conjunction with GABA‐immunogold staining showed that (1) GAD‐positive terminals mainly target dendrites and spines in the perisomatic neuropil of CG neurons; (2) GABA is restricted to a specific terminal type, which displays intermediate features lying between classically excitatory and inhibitory endings; and (3) if a CG neuron is contacted by GABA‐positive terminals, virtually all perisomatic terminals supplying it show GABA immunoreactivity. The source of this GABAergic input and whether GABA contributes to a specific CG function remains to be investigated. Nevertheless, our data indicate that the innervation of the ciliary ganglion is more complex than previously thought, and that GABA may play a neuromodulatory role in the control of lens or pupil function. J. Comp. Neurol. 525:1517–1531, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
DETERMINATION OF DENSITY DISTRIBUTION OF RED CELL POPULATION.

Abstract Density distribution of cells (DDC) can be determined by the described method, in which blood cells are separated according to their density using phthalate esters as separating liquids. Methyl phthalate and di-n-butyl phthalate are mixed in different proportions to yield a battery of fluids with increments of specific gravity of 0.004. The blood is introduced over the different separating liquids in twenty microhematocrit capillaries. After centrifugation, denser cells are separated from less dense cells by a transparent layer of the non-water miscible phthalate esters. The DDC curve thus obtained represents age population distribution as determined by tagging young red cells in vivo with Fe 59 and following their maturation. The similarity of the DDC curve to the osmotic fragility curve is shown for normal blood. Various deviations between these two curves occur in certain pathological conditions. The potential diagnostic value of this method is suggested.
ANTECEDENTES DE LA INTENCIÓN DE USO DE LOS SITIOS WEB DE COMPRAS COLECTIVAS

Los sitios web de compras colectivas han adquirido importancia para la comercializacion online de productos y servicios, pero los estudios sobre la aceptacion de esta tecnologia son escasos en el mundo e inexistentes en Colombia. El presente trabajo propone un modelo de hipotesis para el estudio de la aceptacion tecnologica de los sitios web de com- pras colectivas, basado en el Modelo de Aceptacion de Tecnologias (TAM, por su sigla en ingles) y complementado con otros constructos como el Valor Percibido, el Shopping Enjoyment y la Confianza Percibida. Dicho modelo se contrasto con una muestra de 470 individuos con lo que se obtuvo un buen ajuste, que permitio el no rechazo de todas las hipotesis propuestas y que evidencio la utilidad percibida como el principal antecedente directo de la intencion de uso.