Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Presence of both beta1- and beta2-adrenergic receptors in a single cell type.

Many tissues, including lung, heart, and brain, have been shown to contain beta1 and beta2-adrenergic receptor subtypes. This raises the question of whether receptor subtype heterogeneity corresponds to cell type heterogeneity within the tissue, or whether beta1- and beta2-receptors can coexist in the same cell. We have shown, by both radioligand binding studies and adenylate cyclase experiments, that these two receptor subtypes coexist in C6 cloned glioma cells and in three derived subclones. Competition experiments in binding and adenylate cyclase assays were conducted using membranes of C6 glioma cells and of three derived subclones. When [3H]dihydroalprenolol was used as the radioactive ligand, graphic and computer analysis of the competition binding curves obtained with beta1- or beta2-specific drugs always indicated a heterogeneity of beta-adrenergic receptors. For C6 glioma cell membranes, computer analysis indicated the presence of 80-90% beta1-receptors and 10-20% beta2-receptors. The same results were obtained with the three subclones. Analysis of the curves for the inhibition of isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase by practolol, a beta1-selective antagonist, showed the presence of two components. The heterogeneity of these practolol inhibition curves indicated that both types of beta-adrenergic receptors are coupled to the cyclase. Analysis of the dose-response curves of adenylate cyclase activation obtained with specific beta2-agonists also showed a heterogeneity of the response. This finding suggested that occupation of the beta2-receptors by a beta2-agonist was responsible for most of the cyclase activation and also that occupation of beta1-receptors by such an agonist can lead to stimulation of the enzyme but with a less efficient coupling. In conclusion, both beta1- and beta2-adrenergic receptors coupled to adenylate cyclase can coexist on a single cell.
Physical layer authentication over an OFDM fading wiretap channel

Precise channel estimation at the physical layer allows to authenticate the source of a message in a wireless environment without the need of a pre-shared secret key based on the rapid spatial decorrelation of the channel. We consider the authentication scheme proposed by Xiao et al. and modify to suit a wiretap environment with orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation and fading channels. By formulating a nearly optimal attack strategy, and allowing some correlation among the channels, we evaluate the robustness of the scheme against challenging conditions and discuss the choice of system parameters.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Colistin Methanesulfonate and Formed Colistin in Critically Ill Patients from a Multicenter Study Provide Dosing Suggestions for Various Categories of Patients

ABSTRACT With increasing clinical emergence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens and the paucity of new agents to combat these infections, colistin (administered as its inactive prodrug colistin methanesulfonate [CMS]) has reemerged as a treatment option, especially for critically ill patients. There has been a dearth of pharmacokinetic (PK) data available to guide dosing in critically ill patients, including those on renal replacement therapy. In an ongoing study to develop a population PK model for CMS and colistin, 105 patients have been studied to date; these included 12 patients on hemodialysis and 4 on continuous renal replacement therapy. For patients not on renal replacement, there was a wide variance in creatinine clearance, ranging from 3 to 169 ml/min/1.73 m2. Each patient was treated with a physician-selected CMS dosage regimen, and 8 blood samples for PK analysis were collected across a dosage interval on day 3 or 4 of therapy. A linear PK model with two compartments for CMS and one compartment for formed colistin best described the data. Covariates included creatinine clearance on the total clearance of CMS and colistin, as well as body weight on the central volume of CMS. Model-fitted parameter estimates were used to derive suggested loading and maintenance dosing regimens for various categories of patients, including those on hemodialysis and continuous renal replacement. Based on our current understanding of colistin PK and pharmacodynamic relationships, colistin may best be used as part of a highly active combination, especially for patients with moderate to good renal function and/or for organisms with MICs of ≥1.0 mg/liter.
Prototyping-based Usability-oriented Knowledge Systems Engineering

Despite increasing industrial as well as research-based interest, knowledge (-based) systems (KS) still challenge developers by their complexity. However, existing KS development methodologies in most cases lack an appropriate integration of UI design and usability evaluation activities, due to their focus on knowledge base development. Regarding UI and interaction design, KS consequently still often are built in a rather ad-hoc manner, lacking both reusability of proven solutions and potentially valuable experimentation with alternative UI and interaction designs. In this paper, we present the tailored KS development tool ProKEt, that enables efficient, agile KS development while specifically focusing on UI/interaction design, and that moreover seamlessly integrates usability evaluation functionality.
Offline measurements of photonic devices

Performances of microwave photonics devices are evaluated using offline techniques following the appropriate experiments. First, the harmonic distortion and the half-wave voltage of an electro-optical modulator are obtained for the entire bandwidth using opposite phase sinusoidal signals. Then, phase noise, electromagnetic emission behavior, and linewidth of several semiconductor lasers are characterized using heterodyne reception. Both offline analyses employ fast digital signal acquisition and processing.
The Dwarfs of Sindh: severe growth hormone (GH) deficiency caused by a mutation in the GH‐releasing hormone receptor gene

We report the discovery of a cluster of severe familial dwarfism in two villages in the Province of Sindh in Pakistan. Dwarfism is proportionate and occurs in members of a kindred with a high degree of consanguinity. Only the last generation is affected, with the oldest dwarf being 28 years old. The mode of inheritance is autosomal recessive. Phenotype analysis and endocrine testing revealed isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD) as the reason for growth failure. Linkage analysis for the loci of several candidate genes yielded a high lod score for the growth hormone‐releasing hormone receptor (GHRH‐R) locus on chromosome 7. Amplification and sequencing of the GHRH‐R gene in affected subjects demonstrated an amber nonsense mutation (GAG → TAG; Glu50 → Stop) in exon 3. The mutation, in its homozygous form, segregated 100% with the dwarf phenotype. It predicts a truncation of the GHRH‐R in its extracellular domain, which is likely to result in a severely disabled or non‐existent receptor protein. Subjects who are heterozygous for the mutation show mild biochemical abnormalities in the growth hormone‐releasing hormone (GHRH)–growth hormone—insulin‐like growth factor axis, but have only minimal or no growth retardation. The occurrence of an offspring of two dwarfed parents indicates that the GHRH‐R is not necessary for fertility in either sex. We conclude that Sindh dwarfism is caused by an inactivating mutation in the GHRH‐R gene, resulting in the inability to transmit a GHRH signal and consequent severe isolated GHD. □ Growth hormone deficiency, growth hormone‐releasing hormone receptor, nonsense mutation, dwarfism
Flux–Charge Memristor Model for Phase Change Memory

Phase-change memory (PCM) is one of the most promising non-volatile memory technologies and is finding applications in areas such as storage-class memory and emerging non-von Neumann computing systems. Even though powerful physics-based models have been developed for these devices, there is a lack of simple and accurate circuit models to describe these elements. In this brief, we exploit memristor theory to obtain a simple and reliable circuit model based on electrical variables such as charge and flux. This model is based on experimental measurements of PCM devices fabricated in the 90 nm technology node.
The Common Pattern Specification Language

This paper describes the Common Pattern Specification Language (CPSL) that was developed during the TIPSTER program by a committee of researchers from the TIPSTER research sites. Many information extraction systems work by matching regular expressions over the lexical features of input symbols. CPSL was designed as a language for specifying such finite-state grammars for the purpose of specifying information extraction rules in a relatively system-independent way. The adoption of such a common language would enable the creation of shareable resources for the development of rule-based information extraction systems.
Role of glomerular ultrafiltration of growth factors in progressive interstitial fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND The present in vivo and in vivo experiments were performed to test the hypothesis that in rats with glomerular proteinuria, the bioactive growth factors transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are ultrafiltered into tubular fluid, can interact with respective receptors in apical tubular cell membranes, increase the expression and basolateral secretion of C-C-chemokines, which interact with cells in the renal interstitium and indirectly cause myofibroblasts to increase the expression of extracellular matrix proteins. METHODS HGF and TGF-beta were measured by Western blot and bioassay in glomerular ultrafiltrate that was collected by nephron micropuncture from rats with diabetic nephropathy and control rats. Proximal tubular and collecting duct cells were incubated with diluted proximal tubular fluid or recombinant human HGF (rhHGF) or rhTGF-beta and expression of C-C-chemokines was measured by RT-PCR and ELISA. Interactions of tubular cell chemokines with macrophages and indirectly with myofibroblasts were also examined using cell culture models. RESULTS In rats with glomerular proteinuria due to diabetic nephropathy mature, bioactive HGF as well as active and latent TGF-beta were detected in early proximal tubular fluid. Specific HGF- and TGF-beta type II receptors were expressed in apical tubular membranes more in diabetic compared to control rats. Incubation of cultured mouse proximal tubular cells (mPTC) or medullary collecting duct cells (mIMCD-3) with diabetic rat proximal tubular fluid increased MCP-1 and RANTES mRNA levels as well as secreted peptide up to threefold. In contrast, high glucose (450 mg/dL), bovine serum albumin (BSA) or rat albumin (each at 100 micrograms/mL) or 10 nmol/L insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I; which was also present in glomerular ultrafiltrate in rats with diabetic nephropathy) did not affect expression of these chemokines. Recombinant human TGF-beta as well as rhHGF each increased MCP-1 and RANTES mRNA as well as peptide levels several-fold. In cultured macrophages MCP-1 raised the secretion of TGF-beta, which in turn increased the expression of collagen type I and III as well as fibronectin in renal interstitial myofibroblasts about 2.5 to 4-fold. CONCLUSIONS Proteinuria-induced progressive renal interstitial fibrosis may be caused by glomerular ultrafiltration of high molecular weight bioactive growth factors, HGF and TGF-beta, which "activate" tubular cells through apical membranes. These apical signals are translated into basolateral events that are recognized by cells in the interstitium, such as the basolateral secretion of the C-C-chemokines MCP-1 and RANTES, which may (via macrophages) stimulate interstitial myofibroblasts, and thus lead to accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins and progressive interstitial fibrosis.
Childhood experiences and complicated grief: a study of adult children of alcoholics.

For the most part, grief research concentrates on type of loss (e.g., loss of spouse, parent, or child) and/or type of death (e.g., expected or sudden). In contrast, the present paper focuses on a category of persons generally assumed to have had troubled childhoods, adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs). Because of assumed problematic histories, the grief process of ACOAs should be expected to differ from the grief process of non-ACOAs. Using both quantitative and qualitative techniques, 27 ACOAs and 20 non-ACOAs, recruited by newspaper, radio, and word-of-mouth, are compared across characteristics generally associated with ACOAs and/or unresolved grief. Implications for counseling are presented.
Safety and efficacy of two different doses of capecitabine in the treatment of advanced breast cancer in older women.

PURPOSE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of capecitabine in older women with advanced breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Seventy-three eligible patients (median age, 73 years; range, 65 to 89 years) were enrolled. The first 30 patients received oral capecitabine 1,250 mg/m(2) twice daily on days 1 to 14 every 21 days. Due to the occurrence of two toxic deaths, capecitabine 1,000 mg/m(2) twice daily was given to the subsequent 43 patients. RESULTS All patients were assessable for safety and efficacy. A total of 351 treatment cycles were administered (median, six per patient; range, one to eight cycles). Dose reductions due to toxicities were required in 30% of patients in the standard-dose group, but capecitabine was given without a dose reduction to 95% of patients in the low-dose group. Capecitabine demonstrated a favorable safety profile. The overall incidence of grade 3/4 toxicities was low: the most common events reported in </= 10% of the patients were fatigue, diarrhea, dyspnea, and nausea. In the standard-dose group, the response rate was 36.7% (95% CI, 19.9% to 56.1%). An additional seven patients had disease stabilization at >/= 24 weeks. In the low-dose group, the response rate was 34.9% (95% CI, 21% to 50.9%). An additional 15 patients had prolonged stabilization. The median time to disease progression was 4 months in either group. CONCLUSION This study shows that capecitabine is safe and effective in the elderly breast cancer patient. Based on the overall results, the capecitabine dose of 1,000 mg/m(2) twice daily merits consideration as "standard" for older patients who do not have severely impaired renal function.
Design of a high gain quasi-yagi antenna and array for rectenna

This paper presents the design of a high gain quasi-Yagi antenna and array for rectenna. First, for the quasi-Yagi antenna, the improvement of bowtie driven element with round corner is proposed to reduce the antenna's size, to decrease the reflection coefficient as well as to achieve the high gain of 8dBi. Moreover, 1×4 quasi-Yagi antenna array is designed which is fed by a 4-way equal Wilkinson power divider and the array can finally reach a high gain of 12dBi. This antenna and array are appropriate for being the receiving antenna of a rectenna to transmit energy or harvest surrounding power.
Granulomatous tissue formation of shikon and shikonin by air pouch method.

"The extract of shikon" (SK) and shikonin play important roles in the development of granulomatous tissue formation. To reveal the augmenting effect of SK or shikonin on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production and neovascularization, we investigated murine granulomatous tissue induced by SK and shikonin, comparing them to pouches in which trehalose 6,6'-dimycolate (TDM) was injected. The development of granulomatous tissue formation was evaluated by the wet weight of pouch walls. At day 5 and 7 after SK and shikonin injection, prominent granulomatous tissue formation was detected. Histological observations on the development of granulomatous tissue showed that the pouch was formed in the submuscular connective tissue and necrotic tissue directly facing the cavity and granulomatous tissue developed in the connective tissue. At day 1, VEGF-positive neutrophils accumulated in the pouch wall. Granulomatous tissue formation and neovascularization by injection of SK or shikonin was not more prominent than TDM. However, the present results indicate that SK and shikonin induce neovascularization in granulomatous tissue.
Medial Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Patients With Medial Knee Instability: A Systematic Review

Background: The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is the most frequently injured ligament of the knee, but it infrequently requires surgical treatment. Current literature on MCL reconstructions is sparse and offers mixed outcome measures. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of isolated MCL reconstruction and multiligamentous MCL reconstruction. Our hypothesis was that in selective patients, MCL reconstruction would significantly improve objective and subjective patient knee performance measures, those being baseline valgus laxity, range of motion, objective and subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, Tegner score, and Lysholm knee activity scores. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and utilizing 3 computer-based databases. Studies reporting clinical outcomes of patients undergoing MCL reconstruction due to chronic instability or injury with mean follow-up of at least 2 years and levels of evidence 1 to 4 were eligible for inclusion. All relevant subject demographics and study data were statistically analyzed using 2-sample and 2-proportion z tests. Results: Ten studies involving 275 patients met our inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 46 underwent isolated MCL reconstruction while another 229 underwent reconstruction of the MCL in addition to a variety of concomitant reconstructions. Overall outcomes for all patients were significant for (1) reducing the medial opening of the knee (8.1 ± 1.3 vs 1.4 ± 1.0 mm; P < .001), (2) improving the patient’s objective IKDC score (1.2% vs 88.4%; P < .001), (3) improving the patient’s subjective IKDC score (49.8 ± 6.9 vs 82.4 ± 9.6; P < .001), and (4) improving the Lysholm knee activity score (69.3 ± 5.9 vs 90.5 ± 6.6; P < .001). No differences existed between concomitant reconstruction groupings except that postoperative Lysholm scores were better for MCL/anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction than MCL/posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (94.3 ± 4.5 vs 84.0 ± 11.7; P < .001). Normal or nearly normal range of motion was obtained by 88% of all patients. Conclusion: The systematic review of 10 studies and 275 knees found that the reported patient outcomes after MCL reconstruction were significantly improved across all measures studied, with no significant difference in outcomes between concomitant reconstructions.
A short-term comparison of two methods of sputum expectoration in cystic fibrosis

The aim of this study was to determine whether repeated maximum inspiratory vital capacity manoeuvres against a fixed resistance increased effective short-term sputum clearance in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). Twenty adults with CF were randomised to receive, on alternate days, either standardised physiotherapy (SP) for 30 min, comprising postural drainage and the active cycle of breathing technique, or a series of resistive inspiratory manoeuvres (RIM) at 80% of their maximum sustained inspiratory pressure developed between residual volume and total lung capacity during the first 4 days of the treatment of an exacerbation of respiratory symptoms. Expectorated sputum was collected during and for 30 min after each treatment and weighed. Total protein, immunoreactive interleukin (IL)‐8 and human neutrophil elastase (HNE) concentrations, and the amount of each component expectorated, were determined. Compared with SP, RIM increased sputum weight two-fold, independent of treatment order or day. The concentrations of protein, IL-8 and HNE in sputum were similar for both treatments, while the quantity expectorated was greater with RIM treatment. In conclusion, short-term resistive inspiratory manoeuvres treatment was more effective at clearing sputum and inflammatory mediators than standardised physiotherapy.
Ontology understanding in enhancing car styling ideation

In the search for helpful styling cognition for car in the conceptual phase of design, the approach was taken experimentally study car ontology understanding in relation to quality of idea in sketching. The links between these subsets will be able to map the aesthetic intent through shape characteristics and idea. Understanding of ontology is important before a semantic approach could be applied as study shows that students who have knowledge of car ontology can produce better idea-sketching of car styling compared to students who have no knowledge of car ontology.
Effects of losartan versus hydrochlorothiazide on indices of endothelial damage/dysfunction, angiogenesis and tissue factor in essential hypertension

Background: Abnormalities in endothelial function, angiogenesis and thrombogenesis are found in essential hypertension. Angiotensin II has been postulated as an agent involved in these processes. We hypothesized that the treatment of essential hypertension with the angiotensin II receptor antagonist, losartan, would affect endothelial damage/dysfunction, angiogenesis and coagulation, when compared to treatment with a diuretic. Methods: Forty hypertensive patients (28 male, mean age 56 ± 11.8 years) were randomized to treatment with losartan 50–100 mg o.d. or hydrochlorothiazide 12.5–25 mg o.d. over a 12‐week period. Patients were assessed at week 0, 4 and 12. Endothelial damage/dysfunction was assessed using plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWf) and changes in flow‐mediated dilation of the brachial artery (FMD). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its soluble receptor Flt‐1 (sFlt‐1) were measured as indices of angiogenesis, and plasma tissue factor (TF) as an index of coagulation. Baseline results in hypertensives were compared to 20 healthy controls (13 male, mean age 61.1 ± 10.1 years). Results: Mean patient BP was 161/95 ± 21/18 mmHg compared to 134/81 ± 11/7 mmHg in controls (p < 0.002). Plasma levels of TF (p = 0.023) were significantly higher in patients compared to controls, and FMD was significantly lower (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in baseline blood pressures, plasma indices or FMD between patients randomized to losartan and hydrochlorothiazide. There were no significant changes in levels of plasma indices or FMD over 12 weeks of treatment in either patient group. Significant correlations between levels of VEGF with sFlt‐1 (Spearman p < 0.001) and TF (p = 0.009) and sFlt‐1 and TF (p = 0.035) were seen in the untreated state, amongst the patient group only. Conclusion: We have confirmed previous observations of increased levels of TF and decreased FMD in hypertensive patients compared to healthy controls. Contrary to previous observations in higher‐risk hypertensive patient groups, the treatment of essential hypertension with either losartan or hydrochlorothiazide did not affect indices of endothelial damage/dysfunction, angiogenesis or coagulation.