Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bcl‐xL/Bcl‐2 coordinately regulates apoptosis, cell cycle arrest and cell cycle entry

Bcl‐xL and Bcl‐2 inhibit both apoptosis and proliferation. In investigating the relationship between these two functions of Bcl‐xL and Bcl‐2, an analysis of 24 Bcl‐xL and Bcl‐2 mutant alleles, including substitutions at residue Y28 previously reported to selectively abolish the cell cycle activity, showed that cell cycle delay and anti‐apoptosis co‐segregated in all cases. In determining whether Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL act in G0 or G1, forward scatter and pyronin Y fluorescence measurements indicated that Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL cells arrested more effectively in G0 than controls, and were delayed in G0–G1 transition. The cell cycle effects of Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL were reversed by Bad, a molecule that counters the survival function of Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL. When control and Bcl‐xL cells of equivalent size and pyronin Y fluorescence were compared, the kinetics of cell cycle entry were similar, demonstrating that the ability of Bcl‐xL and Bcl‐2 cells to enhance G0 arrest contributes significantly to cell cycle delay. Our data suggest that cell cycle effects and increased survival both result from intrinsic functions of Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL.
Evaluation of oropharyngeal dysphagia: which diagnostic tool is superior?

Purpose of reviewAs flexible endoscopic examinations of swallowing become more widely used to evaluate patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia, it is important to be aware of research regarding the efficacy of this procedure as compared with the videofluoroscopy procedure. A recent evidence-based review of the field threw some long-held findings into question and has stimulated a surge of new research studying the sensitivity of the two instrumental examinations, health outcomes of patients who receive each procedure, and a look at different patient outcomes. Recent findingsSince 1999, one quasi-randomized clinical trial has directly compared outcomes of patients given a fluoroscopy versus a fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) examination. This study showed no significant difference in pneumonia rates between the two groups of patients. A multitude of studies have shown a high level of agreement between the two instrumental examinations, and the use of the term gold standard as applied to fluoroscopy is no longer appropriate. The attempt to standardize each examination has been slow, and inter-judge reliability of results has come under fire. Several new scales for quality of life and functional status are now ready to be applied to research that can measure outcomes other than pneumonia. SummaryResearch to date has suggested that both instrumental examinations are valuable. It is likely that both will continue to be used and will be seen as complementary rather than competitors.
Evaluation of carboprost tromethamine in the treatment of cyclophosphamide‐induced hemorrhagic cystitis

The treatment of cyclophosphamide‐induced hemorrhagic cystitis has been difficult, with overall poor results using intensive and costly therapy. The authors evaluated the treatment of this problem in four patients with prostaglandin intravesical therapy. Each patient had failed to respond to conservative management. Carboprost tromethamine (Hemabate) was instilled into the bladder, with dwell times ranging from 45 to 60 minutes, three to four times a day for 4 to 5 days. Two of the patients required a second course with carboprost tromethamine at an increased concentration. A third patient's treatment was stopped after the first 5‐day course because of intractable bladder spasms and persistent hematuria. in the three patients who completed the full course of therapy the hematuria resolved completely. The only side effect noted was bladder spasms, which were controlled in three of the four patients with oxybutynin chloride. This preliminary evaluation suggests that carboprost tromethamine may be a safe and effective bedside treatment of cyclophosphamide‐induced hemorrhagic cystitis.
Chapter 2: Birth‐Cohort‐Specific Estimates of Smoking Behaviors for the U.S. Population

We present methods for estimating five‐year birth‐cohort‐specific trends in smoking behavior for individuals born between 1910 and 1984. We combine cross‐sectional survey data on smoking behavior from the National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS) conducted between 1965 and 2001 into a single data set. The cumulative incidence of smoking by year of age and calendar year is constructed for each birth cohort from this data set and the effect of differential mortality on ever smoking prevalence is adjusted by modeling the ever smoking prevalence of each cohort for each survey year and back extrapolating that effect to age 30. Cumulative incidence is then scaled to match the ever smoking prevalence at age 30. Survival analyses generate the cumulative cessation among ever smokers across year of age and calendar year and are used to estimate current smoking prevalence. Data from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health is used to divide those initiating smoking into quintiles of number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) and the mean CPD for each quintile in each calendar year is estimated from the NHIS data. For five‐year birth cohorts of white, african‐american, Hispanic and all race/ethnicity groupings of males and females born between 1910 and 1984, estimates are provided for prevalence of current and ever smoking, incidence of cessation, incidence of initiation, and the distribution of smoking duration and CPD for each calendar year and each single year of age through the year 1999. We believe that we are the first to provide birth‐cohort‐specific estimates of smoking behaviors for the U.S. population that include distributions of duration of smoking and number of cigarettes per day. These additional elements substantively enhance the utility of these estimates for estimating lung cancer risks.
Einfluss unterschiedlicher Trainingsqualitäten auf den neurotrophen Faktor BDNF und den insulinähnlichen Wachstumsfaktors IGF-1

Korperliche Aktivitat geht sowohl bei lokaler dynamischer Beanspruchung in Form von Fingerbewegungen (Roland et al., 1980) als auch bei allgemeiner dynamischer Beanspruchung mit differenzierten Veranderungen der Gehirndurchblutung einher (Herzholz et al., 1987). Bewegungstypische Beanspruchungen des neuromuskularen Systems losen eine Expansion der zugehorigen Reprasentation in der Hirnrinde aus (Elbert et al., 1995). Korperliche Bewegung vergrosert die Fahigkeit zur Gehirnplastizitat und Langzeitpotenzierung. Neuronale Verbindungen konnen gestarkt werden, desgleichen ihre Wirksamkeit durch die vergroserte synaptische Kapazitat und die Hinzufugung von neuen Neuronen verbessert werden (Carro et al., 2000; Cotman & Berchtold, 2002). In Tierversuchen konnte gezeigt werden, dass das Vorliegen des gehirnbezogenen neurotrophen Faktors (BDNF) masgeblich an den Regulationsprozessen der Langzeitpotenzierung beteiligt ist (Tokuyama et al., 2000; Widenfalk et al., 1999). Rhodes et al. (2003) konnten nachweisen, dass es zu einem Anstieg der BDNF-Konzentration und einer Zunahme der Neurogenese im Hippocampus sowie zu einer Verbesserung der raumlichen Lernfahigkeit kommt, wenn die Versuchsmause Zugang zu einem Laufband haben. Schon wenige Tage nach Laufbeanspruchungen nimmt bei Ratten BDNF und seine mRNA speziell im Hippocampus hoch signifikant zu (Cotman & Berchtold, 2002; Widenfalk et al., 1999). Umgekehrt fallen bei Ratten bei abrupter Beendigung eines mehrwochigen korperlichen Trainings die BDNF-Spiegel unter die Ruheausgangswerte (Widenfalk et al., 1999).
Design and MATLAB Simulation of a Fuel Cell Based Interleaved Buck Converter with Low Switching Losses and Improved Conversion Ratio

The Interleaved Buck Converter (IBC) having low switching losses and improved step-down conversion ratio is suitable for the applications where the input voltage is high and the operating duty is below 50%. It is similar to the conventional IBC, but two active switches are connected in series and a coupling capacitor is employed in the power path. This IBC shows that since the voltage stress across all the active switches is half of the input voltage before turn-on or after turn-off when the operating duty is below 50%, the capacitive discharging and switching losses can be reduced considerably. This allows the IBC to have higher efficiency and operate with higher switching frequency. In addition, it has a higher step-down conversion ratio and a smaller output current ripple compared with a conventional IBC. Closed loop control using PI controller has been done to improve the system performances. By replacing the conventional voltage source by a renewable one will enhance its reliability and is more economical. So here the dynamics of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEM Fuel cell) is modelled, simulated and presented. MATLAB -SIMULINK is used for the modelling and simulation of the fuel cell stack. Design and analysis of the converter is done for a DC input of 200V and duty ratio D<0.5. The expected output DC voltage is 24V/10A. Simulation of both conventional and new IBC is done using MATLAB/SIMULINK and their outputs are compared.
Application-Independent Testing of 3-D Field Programmable Gate Array Interconnect Faults

3-D integration has been touted as an approach to reducing the lengths of critical paths in field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). A 3-D chip stacks a number of 2-D FPGA bare dies, interconnected by through-silicon vias (TSVs) and micro bumps, to attain a high packing density. However, the technology also introduces new types of defects, such as TSV void and microbump misalignment. Testing the interconnection faults becomes inevitable. In this paper, we present an automatic test pattern generator for open, short, and delay faults on 3-D FPGA interconnects by exploiting the regularity of switch matrix topology and forming repetitive paths with finite steps and with loop-back. The experimental results show that 12 test patterns (TPs) suffice to achieve 100% open fault coverage (FC). To detect all possible neighboring short faults, we need more than 40 TPs, whose number increases only slightly with the height of the 3-D FPGA. The TPs have high delay FC (96%) for 3-D FPGAs with the number of configurable logic blocks ranging from 50 × 50 × 2 to 50 × 50 × 6, demonstrating the scalability of our method.
Evolution of Offshore Software Development: From Outsourcing to Cosourcing

123 In the last several years, offshore outsourcing of software development has grown considerably. As just 1 Jeanne Ross was the accepting Senior Editor for this article. 2 The authors would like to thank the staff of the companies who participated in the research for their generous time and insight into the uncharted territory of offshore software development. We would especially like to thank the Vice President of Information Systems who facilitated entrée, spent countless hours, read many drafts, and offered expertise as a coauthor would. The comments of Jack Rockart, Jeanne Ross, and anonymous reviewers helped develop this article and are greatly appreciated. 3 The data for this article is based mainly on structured interviews with 13 IT executives in both firms, enhanced by a document and literature review. The interviews included Offsource staff who have spent years onsite at FISC and FISC IT staff who spent months in India. Some participants were interviewed multiple times over a 15-month period. one example, Accenture has tripled its staff in India in the last two years. 4 The current 20% annual growth rate in offshore IT work is expected to continue, if not increase, 5 propelled by managerial needs to cut costs, stories in the popular press, and the upcoming presidential election in the U.S. All executives need to explore offshore outsourcing. Competitors' use, or perceived use, makes evaluation inevitable. Even IT organizations that choose not to use offshore companies must be able to convince their senior management that they have carefully considered the option. Those who do choose to outsource need to decide how they want to work with an off-(FISC) (a pseudonym) is a major U.S. financial services company with thousands of representatives across the country. " Offsource " (a pseudonym) is a leading India-based company providing consulting and IT services to clients globally. This paper tells how their eight-year alliance has evolved. The relationship began as a simple pilot of offshore application development outsourcing, aimed at reducing development costs and supplementing in-house IT staff knowledge. It has evolved into a vastly more complex " cosourcing " model, where work is shared. To achieve cosourcing, the two firms had to resolve two major issues. The first was how to keep IT skills and knowledge from draining from FISC. This issue has been resolved by formally linking career development to project assignments and to outsourcer-to-client mentoring. The second issue is …
Anti-ribosomal-phosphoprotein autoantibodies penetrate to neuronal cells via neuronal growth associated protein, affecting neuronal cells in vitro.

OBJECTIVE Anti-ribosomal-phosphoprotein antibodies (anti-Ribos.P Abs) are detected in 10-45% of NPSLE patients. Intracerebroventricular administration of anti-ribosomal-P Abs induces depression-like behaviour in mice. We aimed to discern the mechanism by which anti-Ribos.P Abs induce behavioural changes in mice. METHODS Anti-Ribos.P Abs were exposed to human and rat neuronal cell cultures, as well as to human umbilical vein endothelial cell cultures for a control. The cellular localization of anti-Ribo.P Abs was found by an immunofluorescent technique using a confocal microscope. Identification of the target molecules was undertaken using a cDNA library. Immunohistochemistry and an inhibition assay were carried out to confirm the identity of the target molecules. Neuronal cell proliferation was measured by bromodeoxyuridine, and Akt and Erk expression by immunoblot. RESULTS Human anti-Ribos.P Abs penetrated into human neuronal cells and rat hippocampal cell cultures in vitro, but not to endothelial cells as examined. Screening a high-content human cDNA-library with anti-Ribos.P Abs identified neuronal growth-associated protein (GAP43) as a target for anti-Ribos.P Abs. Ex vivo anti-Ribos.P Abs bind to mouse brain sections of hippocampus, dentate and amygdala. Anti-Ribos.P Abs brain-binding was prevented by GAP43 protein. Interestingly, GAP43 inhibited in a dose-dependent manner the anti-Ribos.P Abs binding to recombinant-ribosomal-P0, indicating mimicry between the ribosomal-P0 protein and GAP43. Furthermore, anti-Ribos.P Abs reduced neuronal cell proliferation activity in vitro (P < 0.001), whereas GAP43 decreased this inhibitory activity by a factor of 7.6. The last was related to Akt and Erk dephosphorylation. CONCLUSION Anti-Ribos.P Abs penetrate neuronal cells in vitro by targeting GAP43. Anti -Ribos.P Abs inhibit neuronal-cell proliferation via inhibition of Akt and Erk. Our data contribute to deciphering the mechanism for anti-Ribos.P Abs' pathogenic activity in NPSLE.
Isolation and Characterization of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae EKI1 Gene Encoding Ethanolamine Kinase*

Ethanolamine kinase (ATP:ethanolamineO-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.82) catalyzes the committed step of phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis via the CDP-ethanolamine pathway. The gene encoding ethanolamine kinase (EKI1) was identified from the SaccharomycesGenome Data Base (locus YDR147W) based on its homology to theSaccharomyces cerevisiae CKI1-encoded choline kinase, which also exhibits ethanolamine kinase activity. The EKI1 gene was isolated and used to construct eki1Δ andeki1Δ cki1Δ mutants. A multicopy plasmid containing the EKI1 gene directed the overexpression of ethanolamine kinase activity in wild-type, eki1Δ mutant,cki1Δ mutant, and eki1Δ cki1Δ double mutant cells. The heterologous expression of the S. cerevisiae EKI1 gene in Sf-9 insect cells resulted in a 165,500-fold overexpression of ethanolamine kinase activity relative to control insect cells. The EKI1 gene product also exhibited choline kinase activity. Biochemical analyses of the enzyme expressed in insect cells, in eki1Δ mutants, and incki1Δ mutants indicated that ethanolamine was the preferred substrate. The eki1Δ mutant did not exhibit a growth phenotype. Biochemical analyses of eki1Δ,cki1Δ, and eki1Δ cki1Δ mutants showed that the EKI1 and CKI1 gene products encoded all of the ethanolamine kinase and choline kinase activities in S. cerevisiae. In vivo labeling experiments showed that the EKI1 and CKI1 gene products had overlapping functions with respect to phospholipid synthesis. Whereas theEKI1 gene product was primarily responsible for phosphatidylethanolamine synthesis via the CDP-ethanolamine pathway, the CKI1 gene product was primarily responsible for phosphatidylcholine synthesis via the CDP-choline pathway. Unlikecki1Δ mutants, eki1Δ mutants did not suppress the essential function of Sec14p.
Carcass quality of feedlot finished steers fed yeast , monensin , and the association of both additives

To evaluate the effects of the supplementation of feed additives on carcass quality in beef cattle, 72 Nellore steers (339.5kg, 20-month old) were feedlot finished and fed for 91 days one of the following diets: 1) control with no additives; or added of 2) live yeast culture; 3) monensin; or 4) the association of both additives. After slaughter, renal, pelvic, and inguinal fat and hot carcass weights were recorded and carcass was split into muscle, bone, and trimmable fat. Carcass Longissimus muscle area and subcutaneous fat thickness at the 12 rib were measured and steaks of Longisimus muscle were taken to determine meat color, shear force, drip, and cooking losses. Yeast increased carcass dressing percentage but there were no effects on hot carcass weight, Longissimus area, subcutaneous fat thickness, percentage and weight of retail cut yield and trimmings. Feed additives had no effect on carcass pH, meat color, fat content, shear force, and drip losses. Supplementation of yeast, monensin or the association of both additives had no important effects on carcass traits and on meat quality of feedlot finished steers.
Exploring the Pleiotropic Effects of Levosimendan

Introduction: Although levosimendan is commonly used, recent clinical trials remain ambiguous. Extra-corporeal circulation induces Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury (IRI) and inflammation. Methods: In our study, male rats (400-500 g) were cannulated, intravenously treated with 12 μg/kg body weight levosimendan (n = 4) or vehicle solution (n = 5) and connected to a heart-lung machine. To induce IRI, 45 min circulatory arrest was performed. After reperfusion, rats were euthanized. Cytokines were analyzed by ELISA and salvage pathways and apoptosis by western blot. Results: After circulatory arrest, heart rate and blood pressure recovered faster in the levosimendan group. The need for buffering solution and catecholamines was 40% lower in the levosimendan group. Cytokines increased in both groups during the procedure but levosimendan diminished the increase of IL-6(44 %). Whereas activation of AKT did not differ between groups, p44-42 MAPK (+ 29%) and p38 MAPK (+ 17%) increased and STAT3 (55%) decreased in levosimendan heart samples. PARP-cleavage was 35% decreased in the levosimendan group indicating lower apoptosis. Conclusions: Application of levosimendan seems to affect salvage pathways, cytokines and apoptosis. Levosimendan treated rats recovered faster and showed beneficial changes. These findings may serve our understanding of levosimendan in the context of IRI, allowing better patient tailored drug application. Received Date: April 05, 2017 Accepted Date: April 29, 2017 Published Date: May 08, 2017 Citation: Udo Boeken, et al. CARDIA Exploring the Pleiotropic Effects of Levosimendan – Impact on Systemic Inflammatory Parameters and Molecular Salvage Path-ways by Modulation of Cytokine Levels and Tissue Apoptosis Rate. (2017) J Heart Cardiol 3(1): 19.
Reply to the Letter to the Editor: Intratympanic Steroid Injection for Bell's Palsy: Some Issues Highlighted.

To the Editor: We read with great interest the recently published article by Chung et al. (1) which describes a preliminary randomized study on the use of intratympanic (IT) steroid injections to treat Bell’s Palsy. This seems to be yet another novel use of IT steroids as there apparently has not been any literature in this area since it was first described in 1973 (2). This then begs the question: Why not? Perhaps my next paragraph may help to explain the glaring lack of studies in this area. Chung’s study acknowledges that there is a welldocumented significant spontaneous recovery rate for patients with Bell’s palsy, which is recognized to be approximately 80% at 3 months postonset of palsy (3). The high recovery rate in any control group with Bell’s palsy makes it extremely challenging, perhaps even impossible, to calculate the power of the study, as it requires the definition of what constitutes a clinically significant difference between the control and treatment groups. Do we take merely a 10% difference in recovery rates between the two groups to be significant? Or 20%, which would imply requiring a nearly 100% recovery rate in the treatment group? It is hardly surprising then that Chung’s study did not at any point in his article mention a power calculation. One certainly cannot discount the underlying placebo effect of any intervention undertaken. If no power calculation can be undertaken, then statistical calculations cannot be performed to determine whether any recovery rate in the IT steroid group is indeed at all significant. Moreover, the study did not state when exactly the first dose of IT steroid was administered. It stated that three IT injections were administered over 2 weeks at an interval of 3 to 4 days. But this could mean that some patients had their first injection on day 1 postonset of palsy, then days 4 and 7 whereas others may have only had their first injection as late as day 7, then days 10 and 14, which introduces yet another undesired variable into the study. In addition, the authors stated that the numbers needed to treat (NNT) was calculated as 10 patients but this statement needs further clarification. Do the authors mean that 10 patients have to be treated with IT steroids before a difference in recovery rate is observed between the control and IT steroid groups? Again, the same question crops up: What are they assuming to be a clinically significant difference in recovery rate between the two groups? Or are they saying that 10 patients have
MIRAS Calibration and Performance: Results From the SMOS In-Orbit Commissioning Phase

After the successful launching of the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity satellite in November 2009, continuous streams of data started to be regularly downloaded and made available to be processed. The first six months of operation were fully dedicated to the In-Orbit Commissioning Phase, with an intense activity aimed at bringing the satellite and instrument into a fully operational condition. Concerning the payload Microwave Imaging Radiometer with Aperture Synthesis, it was fully characterized using specific orbits dedicated to check all instrument modes. The procedures, already defined during the on-ground characterization, were repeated so as to obtain realistic temperature characterization and updated internal calibration parameters. External calibration maneuvers were tested for the first time and provided absolute instrument calibration, as well as corrections to internal calibration data. Overall, performance parameters, such as stability, radiometric sensitivity and radiometric accuracy were evaluated. The main results of this activity are presented in this paper, showing that the instrument delivers stable and well-calibrated data thanks to the combination of external and internal calibration and to an accurate thermal characterization. Finally, the quality of the visibility calibration is demonstrated by producing brightness temperature images in the alias-free field of view using standard inversion techniques. Images of ocean, ice, and land are given as examples.