Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endothelial Bmx tyrosine kinase activity is essential for myocardial hypertrophy and remodeling

Significance During the last decades, heart failure has developed into a major burden in the western world, increasingly affecting millions. Cardiac hypertrophy is an adaptive response to myocardial infarction or increased blood pressure, and it often leads to heart failure. Understanding the underlying regulatory processes in the development of pathological hypertrophy is needed for the development of effective therapies. Our results show that the kinase activity of the endothelial bone marrow kinase in chromosome X (Bmx) protein is necessary for the development of pathological cardiac hypertrophy. This finding could provide significant therapeutic applications when specific Bmx kinase inhibitors become available in the clinics. Cardiac hypertrophy accompanies many forms of heart disease, including ischemic disease, hypertension, heart failure, and valvular disease, and it is a strong predictor of increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Deletion of bone marrow kinase in chromosome X (Bmx), an arterial nonreceptor tyrosine kinase, has been shown to inhibit cardiac hypertrophy in mice. This finding raised the possibility of therapeutic use of Bmx tyrosine kinase inhibitors, which we have addressed here by analyzing cardiac hypertrophy in gene-targeted mice deficient in Bmx tyrosine kinase activity. We found that angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced cardiac hypertrophy is significantly reduced in mice deficient in Bmx and in mice with inactivated Bmx tyrosine kinase compared with WT mice. Genome-wide transcriptomic profiling showed that Bmx inactivation suppresses myocardial expression of genes related to Ang II-induced inflammatory and extracellular matrix responses whereas expression of RNAs encoding mitochondrial proteins after Ang II administration was maintained in Bmx-inactivated hearts. Very little or no Bmx mRNA was expressed in human cardiomyocytes whereas human cardiac endothelial cells expressed abundant amounts. Ang II stimulation of endothelial cells increased Bmx phosphorylation, and Bmx gene silencing inhibited downstream STAT3 signaling, which has been implicated in cardiac hypertrophy. Furthermore, activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 pathway by Ang II treatment was decreased in the Bmx-deficient hearts. Our results demonstrate that inhibition of the cross-talk between endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes by Bmx inactivation suppresses Ang II-induced signals for cardiac hypertrophy. These results suggest that the endothelial Bmx tyrosine kinase could provide a target to attenuate the development of cardiac hypertrophy.
Cultural Humility: A Therapeutic Framework for Engaging Diverse Clients

Therapists and mental health professionals strive to provide competent treatment to increasingly diverse populations, but can struggle to effectively engage with clients from different cultural backgrounds. Cultural humility is an approach and process that can help facilitate strong working alliances between therapists and diverse clients, leading to better therapy outcomes. In this article, we first consolidate definitions of cultural humility and work to better operationalize the construct. Next, we provide a brief review of empirical studies examining the role of cultural humility in therapy. Then, we offer a 4-part framework for applying cultural humility in therapy by (a) engaging in critical self-examination and self-awareness, (b) building the therapeutic alliance, (c) repairing cultural ruptures, and (d) navigating value differences. Finally, we illustrate what cultural humility looks like in the therapy room with two case studies.
Renal flares in 91 SLE patients with diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND Even when treated with current protocols, 25 to 30% of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis (DPGN) evolve to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The occurrence of renal flares is considered to be an important risk factor for the evolution to ESRD. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the incidence and prognostic significance of renal flares in SLE patients with DPGN and to identify predictors for the occurrence of flares. METHODS Ninety-one SLE patients were selected for study based on the following criteria: (a) evidence of renal involvement, (b) a follow-up of at least 6 months after the renal biopsy, and (c) a steady improvement in renal manifestations after the biopsy lasting for at least three months. RESULTS Renal flares occurred in 54% of the patients after renal biopsy and appropriate treatment. A younger age at the time of renal biopsy correlated with the occurrence of renal flares. A high activity index (> or =10) and karyorrhexis on histology correlated with the occurrence of nephritic flares. Twenty-seven percent of the patients developed ESRD. The number of renal flares, nephritic flares, and "early" proteinuric flares (that is, those occurring in the first 18 months after renal biopsy) as well as serum creatinine levels, karyorrhexis, and chronicity index on renal histology were correlated with doubling serum creatinine. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that (a) a distinct subgroup of SLE patients exists, made up of younger patients with extensive, active lesions on renal biopsy, who are at higher risk for renal flares, (b) renal flares represent important predictors of doubling serum creatinine.
Leading creative research and development efforts: A literature review and proposed framework for the engineering domain

We commonly assume that leadership is not critical to the success of creative efforts. Prior research, however, indicates that effective leadership is, in fact, critical to the success of research and development efforts that allow creative ideas to be developed into innovative new technologies. In the present effort, we examine the key functions that must be executed by those asked to lead research and development efforts. We argue that leaders, to ensure project success, must execute three key functions: (1) lead the work, (2) lead the people doing the work, and (3) lead the firm. The specific activities that must be executed by leaders, for example, evaluating the work, establishing a creative climate, and championing projects, are described. The implications of these observations for the assessment and development of project leaders responsible for creative efforts are discussed.
Postprandial bloating after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence and possible contributing factors to postprandial bloating in patients having chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) before and after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. DESIGN A prospective cohort study. SETTING A tertiary care teaching hospital. PATIENTS Five hundred and seventy-eight patients with proven GERD. INTERVENTION Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. OUTCOME MEASURES Symptom severity scores for postprandial bloating and dysphagia, esophageal motility and 24-hour pH measurement before and at 6 months, 2 years and 5 years after laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. RESULTS Of the 598 patients, 436 (73%) reported some postprandial bloating before the procedure. The symptom score for bloating significantly improved after surgery (p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in the lower esophageal sphincter basal pressures or 24-hour pH scores between those who reported improvement or worsening of their postprandial bloating. At 6 months after surgery, 54% of patients experienced postprandial bloating; of these, 49% reported improvement, 21% reported worsening and 30% reported no change in bloating symptoms compared with the preoperative state. Of the patients who reported worsening of postprandial bloating 6 months after surgery, 86 were reassessed 2 years after surgery and 71% reported improvement of this symptom over this time interval. CONCLUSIONS Bloating is a common symptom in patients who suffer from chronic GERD. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication lessens the severity of this symptom in most patients. In a small subgroup of patients, antireflux surgery may exacerbate the bloating, but this improves over time.
Presidential activism and government termination in dual-executive Ukraine

ABSTRACT The limits on presidential authority in premier-presidential regimes permit legislatures to wield preeminent influence over government formation and termination. This article shows that even without formal powers to dismiss the prime minister, the president may play a decisive role in government replacement. The article compares three successful and one failed attempt by the president to unseat the prime minister in Ukraine under a premier-presidential system. Based on a review of the significance of 10 variables accounting for presidential activism, it finds that the president’s informal control over institutional veto players as well as the unity of his party faction and cooperation of opposition groups were necessary for the success of attempted cabinet turnover.
Validation by serial standardized testing of a new rate-responsive pacemaker sensor based on variations in myocardial contractility.

AIMS Preliminary studies have shown that peak endocardial acceleration (PEA), measured by a micro-accelerometer at the right ventricular apex, is highly correlated with left ventricular contractility (dp/dt max). Furthermore, changes in PEA are closely correlated with sinus node rate changes during exercise and during pharmacological interventions. Peak endocardial acceleration has, therefore, been used to drive a rate-responsive DDD pacemaker. This study compared the chronotropic performance of such devices implanted in 14 patients suffering from chronotropic incompetence with that observed in 18 control subjects in normal sinus rhythm. METHODS AND RESULTS Five standardized daily life activities (hall walk, climbing up and down stairs, squatting and hyperventilation) and two types of exercise (Bruce treadmill protocol and bicycle ergometry) were performed in a random order after individual programming of each pacemaker. For each test, a correlation coefficient was calculated between changes in PEA and variations in paced rate, between instantaneous variations in heart rate monitored by telemetry and continuous measurement of heart rate by the pacemaker, and between sensor-driven rate in patients and normal sinus rhythm in controls. The variations in paced heart rate were closely correlated with those observed in subjects with normal sinus rhythm, and proved to be sensitive, specific, rapid and independent of the type of exercise. After optimal programming of the sensor, PEA modulates the heart rate as expected during normal sinus rhythm. CONCLUSIONS In this study, a single PEA sensor successfully restored chronotropic response in a population of paced patients with severe chronotropic incompetence. Peak endocardial acceleration can be monitored on a beat-to-beat basis, in parallel with heart rate, and the pacemaker can be accurately programmed with a single exercise test.
A System Analysis on Steppe Sustainability and Its Driving Forces—A Case Study in China

Steppe is an indispensable component for terrestrial ecosystems and it is of great significance to systematically analyze steppe sustainability and its driving forces. In this study, we propose a steppe dynamics ranking method based on Pauta criterion and a steppe sustainability assessment method with an effect matrix. The natural driving forces on steppe sustainability were systematically analyzed using the copula model, and the anthropogenic driving factors, including land use, were analyzed by using spatial overlay and statistical analysis methods. The results showed the following: (1) in general, steppe sustainability showed a trend of improvement from 2001 to 2010 in China. However, there were still some degraded areas scattered within the study area; (2) the consistent effect of steppe dynamics on steppe sustainability was significant on the whole, although there was a diverse effect on it; (3) among the natural factors, precipitation was the strongest positive driving force, followed by temperature average, while sunshine duration had strong negative driving force. The impact caused by land use factors was controlled during that decade, and the steppe land that evolved from urban and built-up land, cropland, and forest was vulnerable and resulted in steppe sustainability degradation.
Plant DNA barcodes and a community phylogeny of a tropical forest dynamics plot in Panama

The assembly of DNA barcode libraries is particularly relevant within species-rich natural communities for which accurate species identifications will enable detailed ecological forensic studies. In addition, well-resolved molecular phylogenies derived from these DNA barcode sequences have the potential to improve investigations of the mechanisms underlying community assembly and functional trait evolution. To date, no studies have effectively applied DNA barcodes sensu strictu in this manner. In this report, we demonstrate that a three-locus DNA barcode when applied to 296 species of woody trees, shrubs, and palms found within the 50-ha Forest Dynamics Plot on Barro Colorado Island (BCI), Panama, resulted in >98% correct identifications. These DNA barcode sequences are also used to reconstruct a robust community phylogeny employing a supermatrix method for 281 of the 296 plant species in the plot. The three-locus barcode data were sufficient to reliably reconstruct evolutionary relationships among the plant taxa in the plot that are congruent with the broadly accepted phylogeny of flowering plants (APG II). Earlier work on the phylogenetic structure of the BCI forest dynamics plot employing less resolved phylogenies reveals significant differences in evolutionary and ecological inferences compared with our data and suggests that unresolved community phylogenies may have increased type I and type II errors. These results illustrate how highly resolved phylogenies based on DNA barcode sequence data will enhance research focused on the interface between community ecology and evolution.
The influence of collagen fiber orientation and other histocompositional characteristics on the mechanical properties of equine cortical bone

SUMMARY This study examined relative influences of predominant collagen fiber orientation (CFO), mineralization (% ash), and other microstructural characteristics on the mechanical properties of equine cortical bone. Using strain-mode-specific (S-M-S) testing (compression testing of bone habitually loaded in compression; tension testing of bone habitually loaded in tension), the relative mechanical importance of CFO and other material characteristics were examined in equine third metacarpals (MC3s). This model was chosen since it had a consistent non-uniform strain distribution estimated by finite element analysis (FEA) near mid-diaphysis of a thoroughbred horse, net tension in the dorsal/lateral cortices and net compression in the palmar/medial cortices. Bone specimens from regions habitually loaded in tension or compression were: (1) tested to failure in both axial compression and tension in order to contrast S-M-S vs non-S-M-S behavior, and (2) analyzed for CFO, % ash, porosity, fractional area of secondary osteonal bone, osteon cross-sectional area, and population densities of secondary osteons and osteocyte lacunae. Multivariate multiple regression analyses revealed that in S-M-S compression testing, CFO most strongly influenced total energy (pre-yield elastic energy plus post-yield plastic energy); in S-M-S tension testing CFO most strongly influenced post-yield energy and total energy. CFO was less important in explaining S-M-S elastic modulus, and yield and ultimate stress. Therefore, in S-M-S loading CFO appears to be important in influencing energy absorption, whereas the other characteristics have a more dominant influence in elastic modulus, pre-yield behavior and strength. These data generally support the hypothesis that differentially affecting S-M-S energy absorption may be an important consequence of regional histocompositional heterogeneity in the equine MC3. Data inconsistent with the hypothesis, including the lack of highly longitudinal collagen in the dorsal-lateral `tension' region, paradoxical histologic organization in some locations, and lack of significantly improved S-M-S properties in some locations, might reflect the absence of a similar habitual strain distribution in all bones. An alternative strain distribution based on in vivo strain measurements, without FEA, on non-Thoroughbreds showing net compression along the dorsal-palmar axis might be more characteristic of the habitual loading of some of the bones that we examined. In turn, some inconsistencies might also reflect the complex torsion/bending loading regime that the MC3 sustains when the animal undergoes a variety of gaits and activities, which may be representative of only a portion of our animals, again reflecting the possibility that not all of the bones examined had similar habitual loading histories.
Fracking, Wars and Stock Market Crashes: The Price of Oil During the Great Recession

This study analyses how oil prices have been affected by three types of events that took place during the Great Recession: the development of fracking, wars in Libya, Syria and Ukraine and the stock market crash of 2008. To do this, we employ co-integration analysis, using a vector error correction model (VECM) for a period spanning August 2007 to August 2016. The principal results obtained are: firstly, that including a variable to represent the increase in production associated to fracking in the US improves the model’s long term estimation, as it embraces a new variable co-integrated in the long term; secondly, that the wars in Libya and Ukraine only influenced prices indirectly, insofar as the former sparked a reduction in OPEC production and the latter an increase in OECD oil reserves, both short term; and thirdly, that the stock market crash of 2008 led to a short- term reduction in oil prices.
Oncogenic role of clusterin overexpression in multistage colorectal tumorigenesis and progression.

AIM To investigate the expression pattern of clusterin in colorectal adenoma-carcinoma-metastasis series, and to explore the potential role of clusterin in multistage colorectal tumorigenesis and progression. METHODS A colorectal carcinoma (CRC)-tissue microarray (TMA), which contained 85 advanced CRCs including 43 cases of Dukes B, 21 of Dukes C and 21 of Dukes D tumors, were used for assessing the expression of clusterin (clone 41D) and tumor cell apoptotic index (AI) by immunohistochemistry and TUNEL assay, respectively. Moreover the potential correlation of clusterin expression with the patient's clinical-pathological features were also examined. RESULTS The positive staining of clusterin in different colorectal tissues was primarily a cytoplasmic pattern. Cytoplasmic overexpression of clusterin was detected in none of the normal colorectal mucosa, 17% of the adenomas, 46% of the primary CRCs, and 57% of the CRC metastatic lesions. In addition, a significant positive correlation between overexpression of clusterin and advanced clinical (Dukes) stage was observed (P<0.01). Overexpression of cytoplasmic clusterin in CRCs was inversely correlated with tumor apoptotic index (P<0.01), indicating the anti-apoptotic function of cytoplasmic clusterin in CRCs. CONCLUSION These data suggests that overexpression of cytoplasmic clusterin might be involved in the tumorigenesis and/or progression of CRCs. The anti-apoptotic function of cytoplasmic clusterin may be responsible, at least in part, for the development and biologically aggressive behavior of CRC.
CPW-Fed antenna based on Metamaterial for Broadband application

A Broadband antenna realized by CPW-Fed antenna (coplanar waveguide), this is loaded with split ring resonator (SRR) as metamaterial unit cell. The aim of this work is to exhibit the improvement of the gain and the band width by metamaterial inclusion. The obtained results from HFSS simulation concerning the constitutive parameters of the (SRR), show that there is a DNG (Double Negative) permeability and permittivity in the frequency of interest. In this work the operating bandwidth of the proposed antenna (notched band) is in the range of 0.43GHz to 0.95 GHz as DVB-T band, and 1.5 GHz to 2.5 GHz as Wi-Fi application. Here in this paper the inserted SRR has a remarkable effect in the second band.
Starch-Entrapped Biopolymer Microspheres as a Novel Approach to Vary Blood Glucose Profiles

Background: With emerging knowledge of the impact of the metabolic quality of glycemic carbohydrates on human health, there is a need for novel carbohydrate ingredients that can be custom-made to deliver controlled amounts of glucose to the body and to test hypotheses on the postprandial metabolic consequences of carbohydrates. Objective: The goal of the present study was to demonstrate the applicability and action of starch-entrapped biopolymer microspheres as customized, novel, slowly digestible carbohydrates to obtain desired glycemic responses. Methods: Starch-entrapped microspheres were developed; and starch digestion and glucose release, subsequent to their cooking (100°C, 20 min) in water, were initially monitored by measuring the rapidly digestible, slowly digestible, and resistant starch fractions using the in vitro Englyst assay. Glycemic and insulinemic responses after consumption of glucose and two different slowly digestible starch microsphere diets were compared using a crossover study in 10 healthy individuals. The mechanism of starch digestion in the microspheres was elucidated from scanning electron microscopic images of the in vitro digested microspheres. Results: Factors such as biopolymer type and concentration, microsphere size, and starch type were manipulated to obtain starch materials with defined amounts of slowly digestible starch based on in vitro studies. Scanning electron microscopy showed that cooked starch entrapped in the dense biopolymer matrix is digested layer by layer from the outside to the inside of the microsphere. Glycemic and insulinemic responses to microsphere test diets were moderate as compared to a glucose diet, but more important, they showed extended glucose release. Conclusions: Starch-entrapped microspheres provide a useful tool to study the postprandial metabolic consequences of slowly digestible carbohydrates.
Gene Variant of the Bradykinin B2 Receptor Influences Pulmonary Arterial Pressures in Heart Failure Patients

Background Pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) varies considerably in heart failure (HF) despite similar degrees of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Bradykinin alters vascular tone and common variations in the kinin B2 receptor (BDKRB2) gene exists. We hypothesized that genetic variation in this receptor would influence PAP in HF. Methods 131 HF patients (>1yr history systolic HF), without COPD, not currently smoking, BMI < 40, without atrial fibrillation completed the study which included a blood draw for genotyping and neurohormones (ACE, A-II, Bradykinin, ANP, BNP, and catecholamines), an echocardiogram for cardiac function and systolic PAP (PAPsys). Results Mean LVEF was 29% ∓ 12%, NYHA class 2 ∓ 1, age 56 ∓ 12 yr, BMI 28 ∓ 5 kg/m2. Forty-six patients (35%) were homozygous for the +9 allele, 58 (44%) were heterozygous (+9/-9) and 27 (21%) were homozygous for the -9 allele of the BDKRB2. PAPsys averaged 42 ∓ 13, 38 ∓ 12, and 35 ∓ 11 mmHg for +9/+9, +9/-9 and -9/-9, respectively (p = 0.03). There was a trend towards gene effect for plasma ACE with the highest values in +9/+9 and lowest in -9/-9 patients (9.5 ∓ 10.7, 7.1 ∓ 8.7, and 5.4 ∓ 6.4 U/L, respectively, p = 0.06). There were no differences in plasma bradykinin or A-II, LVEF, or NYHA across genotypes. Conclusion These data suggest the +9/+9 polymorphism of the BDKRB2 receptor influences pulmonary vascular tone in stable HF.