Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Role for Histamine and Substance P in Immediate Allergic Responses in Guinea Pig Airways: Characterization of MDL 108,207DA, a Dual H1 / NK-1 Receptor Antagonist

Background: Histamine is a critical mediator of immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Sensory neuropeptides, such as substance P (SP), may also contribute to acute inflammatory responses. A compound which antagonizes both H1 and NK-1 receptors, such as MDL 108,207DA, may present a significant therapeutic advantage over pure antihistamines. Methods: The binding affinity of MDL 108,207DA for H1 and NK-1 receptors was evaluated and its potency of antagonism evaluated in vitro. The in vivo antagonism of SP- or histamine-induced microvascular leakage in guinea pig airways was examined. A role for these mediators in antigen-induced microvascular leakage in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pig airways was examined using MDL 108,207DA as well as the NK-1-selective antagonist FK888 and the H1-selective antagonist pyrilamine alone or in combination. Results: The affinity of MDL 108,207DA for H1 and NK-1 receptors is similar to that of receptor-selective antagonists. The compound inhibits both receptors in vitro and in vivo with comparable potencies for each. The efficacy of FK888 in combination with pyrilamine and MDL 108,207DA on antigen-induced microvascular leakage in sensitized guinea pig airways supports a role for both SP and histamine in early allergic responses. Conclusion: The contribution of both SP and histamine to immediate hypersensitivity reactions supports the utility of NK-1 and H1 receptor antagonist therapy. MDL 108,207DA incorporates both activities into the same compound and, as a result, may be useful in the treatment of allergic diseases.
Analysis of filtering and novel technique for noise removal in MRI and CT images

Magnetic resonance imaging is a technique to get a clear picture of group of cells (tissue) and group of tissue (organ) by using magnetic and radio waves, and which is without x-ray and other harmful radiation. which leads to cancer, and it placed a major role in treating brain, ankle, foot and prostate cancer. To get accurate MRI and CT images for further diagnosis process is difficult as they tend to suffer from various noises, like speckle noise, Poisson noise, salt and pepper noise, Gaussian noise. To avoid these noises many noise removal filters such as median filter, ksl filtering, wiener filter are used. In this paper, Median and Wiener filtering algorithms and result image quality is measured by PSNR, RMSE and MSE are discussed and compared
Relationships between adiponectin levels, the metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes: a literature review

ABSTRACT Elevated hepatic glucose production, impaired insulin secretion, and insulin resistance - abnormalities of glucose metabolism typically found in subjects with obesity - are major factors underlying the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (DM2) and the metabolic syndrome (MS). Adiponectin is a major regulator of glucose and lipid homeostasis via its insulin-sensitizing properties, and lower levels seems to be associated with the development of DM2 and MS. The purpose of this review is to clarify the mechanisms whereby adiponectin relates to the development of DM2 and MS and the association between polymorphisms of the adiponectin gene, circulating levels of the hormone, and its relationships with DM2. In addition, the impact of dietary lipids in the circulating levels of adiponectin will be addressed. According to the literature, circulating adiponectin levels seem to decrease as the number of MS components increases. Lower adiponectin concentrations are associated with higher intra-abdominal fat content. Therefore, adiponectin could link intra-abdominal fat with insulin resistance and development of MS. Therapeutic strategies that target the MS and its components, such as lifestyle modification through physical activity and weight loss, have been shown to increase adiponectin concentrations. Possible roles of diets containing either low or high amounts of fat, or different types of fat, have been analyzed in several studies, with heterogeneous results. Supplementation with n-3 PUFA modestly increases adiponectin levels, whereas conjugated linoleic acid supplementation appears to reduce concentrations when compared with unsaturated fatty acid supplementation used as an active placebo.
Sensitivity of chemistry-transport model simulations to the duration of chemical and transport operators: a case study with GEOS-Chem v10-01

Abstract. Chemistry-transport models involve considerable computational expense. Fine temporal resolution offers accuracy at the expense of computation time. Assessment is needed of the sensitivity of simulation accuracy to the duration of chemical and transport operators. We conduct a series of simulations with the GEOS-Chem chemistry-transport model at different temporal and spatial resolutions to examine the sensitivity of simulated atmospheric composition to operator duration. Subsequently, we compare the species simulated with operator durations from 10 to 60 min as typically used by global chemistry-transport models, and identify the operator durations that optimize both computational expense and simulation accuracy. We find that longer continuous transport operator duration increases concentrations of emitted species such as nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide since a more homogeneous distribution reduces loss through chemical reactions and dry deposition. The increased concentrations of ozone precursors increase ozone production with longer transport operator duration. Longer chemical operator duration decreases sulfate and ammonium but increases nitrate due to feedbacks with in-cloud sulfur dioxide oxidation and aerosol thermodynamics. The simulation duration decreases by up to a factor of 5 from fine (5 min) to coarse (60 min) operator duration. We assess the change in simulation accuracy with resolution by comparing the root mean square difference in ground-level concentrations of nitrogen oxides, secondary inorganic aerosols, ozone and carbon monoxide with a finer temporal or spatial resolution taken as “truth”. Relative simulation error for these species increases by more than a factor of 5 from the shortest (5 min) to longest (60 min) operator duration. Chemical operator duration twice that of the transport operator duration offers more simulation accuracy per unit computation. However, the relative simulation error from coarser spatial resolution generally exceeds that from longer operator duration; e.g., degrading from 2° × 2.5° to 4° × 5° increases error by an order of magnitude. We recommend prioritizing fine spatial resolution before considering different operator durations in offline chemistry-transport models. We encourage chemistry-transport model users to specify in publications the durations of operators due to their effects on simulation accuracy.
Genetic-Algorithm-Optimized Wideband On-Chip Polarization Rotator with an Ultrasmall Footprint

With a genetic algorithm, we designed an on-chip TEo- TMo polarization rotator with a footprint of 0.96 μm × 4.2 μm and experimentally demonstrated its conversion loss of ~2.5 dB and extinction ratio of ~10 dB in the wavelength range of 1440–1580nm.
Melting of large Pt@MgO(1 0 0) icosahedra

On the basis of ab initio calculations, we present a new parametrisation of the Vervisch–Mottet–Goniakowski (VMG) potential (Vervisch et al 2002 Phys. Rev. B 24 245411) for modelling the oxide–metal interaction. Applying this model to mimic the finite temperature behaviour of large platinum icosahedra deposited on the pristine MgO(1 0 0), we find the nanoparticle undergoes two solid–solid transitions. At 650 K the ‘squarisation’ of the interface layer, while a full reshaping towards a fcc architecture takes place above 950 K. In between, a quite long-lived intermediate state with a (1 0 0) interface but with an icosahedral cap is observed. Our approach reproduces experimental observations, including wetting behaviour and the lack of surface diffusion.
Digital Cancellation of the Remodulation Effect in IQ RFDAC Based LTE Direct Conversion Transmitters

Modern wireless transmitters supporting Long Term Evolution (LTE) face several issues when employing a radio-frequency-digital-to-analog-converter (RFDAC). One of these issues is the pulling effect between the RFDAC and the digitally controlled oscillator (DCO). This so-called remodulation occurs due to the unavoidable electromagnetic coupling between them. This results in spurious spectral emissions at the transmitter output and causes a severe degradation of the error vector magnitude (EVM). This paper introduces and studies the remodulation problem with a detailed modeling of the LTE transmitter, including an RFDAC and a phase locked loop. Also, the impact of the remodulation effect is analyzed with simulations for various LTE uplink scenarios. To mitigate the unwanted pulling effect, we propose a low-complex digital cancellation architecture that utilizes the inphase and quadrature samples of the transmit signal. Simulations show that the proposed architecture cancels the remodulation and improves the EVM of the transmitter significantly.
Buprenorphine Maintenance in Pregnant Opiate Addicts

Opioid maintenance agents such as methadone and slow-release morphine have provided beneficial effects in pregnant opioid-dependent women in both themselves and their child. However, one of the major drawbacks involved with these agents is that they cause an increase in the severity of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) when compared to mothers using heroin. Consequently, a trial was performed to investigate the effects of buprenorphine use during pregnancy. A total of nine pregnant opioid-dependent women were transferred from either a mean daily dose of 39.7 mg methadone or 400 mg slow-release morphine to a mean daily dose of 8.1 mg buprenorphine. The buprenorphine-maintained patients were integrated into an already established outpatient maintenance treatment programme covering all aspects of prenatal and perinatal care. Results demonstrated that buprenorphine administration in opioid-dependent pregnant patients is efficacious and well tolerated. Babies born to buprenorphine-maintained patients had birthweight and Apgar scores within the normal range (2,500–4,500 g and 9–10, respectively) and no evidence of opioid-related NAS was observed. The results from this preliminary study indicate the potential for buprenorphine maintenance therapy in pregnant addicts, although further research is required to confirm this hypothesis.
Is Plant Fitness Proportional to Seed Set? An Experiment and a Spatial Model

Individual differences in fecundity often serve as proxies for differences in overall fitness, especially when it is difficult to track the fate of an individual’s offspring to reproductive maturity. Using fecundity may be biased, however, if density-dependent interactions between siblings affect survival and reproduction of offspring from high- and low-fecundity parents differently. To test for such density-dependent effects in plants, we sowed seeds of the wildflower Ipomopsis aggregata (scarlet gilia) to mimic partially overlapping seed shadows of pairs of plants, one of which produced twice as many seeds. We tested for differences in offspring success using a genetic marker to track offspring to flowering multiple years later. Without density dependence, the high-fecundity parent should produce twice as many surviving offspring. We also developed a model that considered the geometry of seed shadows and assumed limited survivors so that the number of juvenile recruits is proportional to the area. Rather than a ratio of 2∶1 offspring success from high- versus low-fecundity parents, our model predicted a ratio of 1.42∶1, which would translate into weaker selection. Empirical ratios of juvenile offspring and of flowers produced conformed well to the model’s prediction. Extending the model shows how spatial relationships of parents and seed dispersal patterns modify inferences about relative fitness based solely on fecundity.
Vertigo and Electronystagmography in Uni- and Bilateral Ménière’s Disease

In this study we performed standardized measurements of spontaneous nystagmus (SN), caloric tests and velocity step tests on a well-defined group of 92 Ménière patients as part of a diagnostic protocol. The aim of the study was to look for results that could contribute to the diagnosis, but more specifically to a possible classification, of Ménière’s disease. Relations with average hearing loss, shape of the audiogram, average hearing loss, duration and severity of perceived symptoms of disease and differences between uni-and bilateral Ménière’s disease were studied. Directional preponderance (DP) in unilaterally affected patients and labyrinthine preponderance (LP) in both uni- and bilaterally affected patients were significantly more often directed towards the unaffected (uni) or least affected (bi) side (p = 0.007, p = 0.001, p = 0.002, respectively). DP was correlated with LP (uni: R = 0.615, p < 0.001; bi: R = 0.438, p < 0.01), which means that the DP can be seen as a latent SN, directed to the unaffected side. With the caloric test parameters LP and DP it was possible to find unilateral weakness. In unilateral disease a duration of disease <2 years resulted in small asymmetry in time constant (Tasym), large LPs and LPs not only directed to the unaffected, but also to the affected side, whereas a longer duration of disease gave large Tasym and small LPs that were only directed to the unaffected side. Patients suffered more severe vertigo in the first two years of the disease. Studying the shape of the audiogram, it was found that patients having an LP to the affected side, suggesting that this was a hyperactive labyrinth belonging to a beginning of the disease, never had a flat audiogram. In this study the LP was the best diagnostic parameter to find unilateral weakness in patients with Ménière’s disease. Together with the duration of the disease, the severity of symptoms, the asymmetry in T and the shape of the audiogram, it was possible to find two subgroups in the group of patients with unilateral Ménière’s disease. Vestibular data in association with other test results of the diagnostic protocol may contribute to a more sophisticated classification of Ménière’s disease.
Relationship between Dye Coupling and Spontaneous Activity in Developing Ferret Visual Cortex

Neuronal coupling by gap junctions is common during early development of the brain. Coupling is thought to create functional cell assemblies which may be involved in the functional specification of brain areas and the formation of synaptic circuits. In the present study we used slices from the visual cortex of postnatal ferrets to investigate the temporal relationship of gap junction coupling and formation of functional synapses. Individual neurons were filled with the gap-junction-permeable dye biotin ethylenediamine while spontaneous synaptic currents were recorded using whole-cell patch clamp recording techniques. We found that dye coupling increased during the first 2 postnatal weeks resulting at a peak around P14, after which coupling steadily decreased until adult levels were reached in animals older than P30. Spontaneous synaptic activity increased 30-fold between birth and maturity (from 10.8 ± 2.4 to 318 ± 54 events/min). The sharpest rise in synaptic activity, an over 5-fold increase, occurred between P15 and P19, shortly after the invasion of thalamocortical fibers.
Effects of Aging and Dementia on the Levels of Thiobarbituric-Acid- Reactive Products Stimulated by L-Glutamic Acid in Human Autopsy and Biopsy Brain Tissue

Basal and stimulated (by L-glutamic acid, GA) levels of thiobarbituric-acid-reactive products were estimated in the brain tissue (hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum) from autopsy samples of people with Alzheimer disease (AD), multi-infarct dementia (MID) and from nondemented control patients. The experiment was also performed on biopsy brain tissue (cortex) of nondemented controls. The biopsy brain tissue influenced by normal aging in vivo showed a limited susceptibility to undergo lipid peroxidation stimulated by GA in vitro in comparison with the younger tissue. A significant decrease in the ratio of stimulated to basal levels was found in the cerebellum of MID patients in comparison with nondemented controls and AD patients.
Recent insights into the cellular and molecular determinants of aging

ABSTRACT Aging is the gradual decline of physiological functions and organismal fitness, which leads to age-dependent fitness loss, diseases and eventually mortality. Understanding the cause of aging constitutes one of most intriguing areas of research in biology. On both the cellular and molecular levels, it has been hypothesized that there are aging determinants to control the onset and progression of aging, including the loss of beneficial components and accumulation of detrimental factors. This Review highlights the recent advance in identifying various factors that affect the aging process, focusing on how these determinants affect the lifespan and fitness of a cell or organism. With more and more aging determinants revealed, further understanding about their functions and interconnections could enable the development of specific intervention to extend healthy lifespan and reduce the risk of age-related diseases. Summary: This Review highlights the recent advance in identifying various factors that affect the aging process, focusing on how these determinants affect cell lifespan and the fitness of an organism.
Renal function in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

A total of 75 jaundiced infants with gestational ages ranging from 37 to 42 weeks were studied during the first 10 days of age to evaluate renal function by measuring endogenous creatinine clearance (Ccr), fractional excretion of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) to creatinine, fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) and urine osmolality. All jaundiced infants were divided into two groups. Group 1 infants (n = 35) had total serum bilirubin levels ranging between 21 and 39.6 mg/dl (mean 27.2). Exchange transfusions were performed in all group 1 infants at the time of the initial study. Group 2 infants (n = 40), whose total serum bilirubin levels ranged between 12.3 and 20 mg/dl (mean 16.4), received phototherapy, except for 2. Conjugated bilirubin levels were less than 1.0 mg/dl in all these infants. Results were compared with 25 untreated control infants with corresponding gestational and postnatal ages. Follow-up studies were done in 27 of the 35 group 1 infants and in 32 of the 40 group 2 infants prior to hospital discharge, when total serum bilirubin levels had decreased to less than 10 mg/dl. Ccr, fractional excretion of NAG to creatinine, FENa and urine osmolality of group 1 infants were statistically significantly different when compared to those of group 2 and the control infants. The measured parameters in the post-treatment follow-up study of group 1 infants returned to near-normal levels when total serum bilirubin levels became normal. However, no significant differences were seen between group 2 and the control infants in any of the measured parameters. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Back-drivability of powered knee orthosis for knee free swing and knee extension

Nowadays, Powered Knee Orthosis (PKO) becomes an important assisting device in helping rehabilitation activities such as hemiplegic gait, neuropathic gait and stroke gait. A few existing PKO are mainly designed to assist the rehabilitation activities. However, most of the developed PKO restricted to external power to drive them to perform knee flexion or extension. This leads to discouragement of natural volunteer able-body in assisting movement with PKO and avoid the use of functional electrical stimulation, FES simultaneously with the developed PKO. This paper presents the design and development of a novel powered knee orthosis with high back-driveability that allows knee free swing activities and knee extension with PKO for rehabilitation purposes. The PKO designed uses the Outrunner type of brushless DC motor (BLDCM) as an actuator that used to give an external power to drive knee flexion or extension and also able to allows natural volunteer able body movement. A knee free swing and knee extension experiments were carried out and tested on three healthy subjects by measuring the knee angle movement both with and without the PKO. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed PKO. Thus the developed PKO is able to assist knee free swing and knee extension activities with highly back drivability with no external power.
Efficacy of a Home-Based Exercise Program After Thyroidectomy for Thyroid Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a home-based exercise program on fatigue, anxiety, quality of life (QoL), and immune function of thyroid cancer patients taking thyroid hormone replacement after thyroidectomy. METHOD This quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group included 43 outpatients taking thyroid hormone replacement after thyroidectomy (22 in the experimental group and 21 in the control group). After education about the home-based exercise program, subjects in the experimental group underwent 12 weeks of aerobic, resistance, and flexibility exercise. A comparative analysis was conducted between the two groups. RESULTS Patients in the experimental group were significantly less fatigued or anxious (p < 0.01). They reported significantly improved QoL (p < 0.05) compared to those in the control group. Natural killer cell activity was significantly higher in the exercise group compared to that in the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION A home-based exercise program is effective in reducing fatigue and anxiety, improving QoL, and increasing immune function in patients taking thyroid hormone replacement after thyroidectomy. Therefore, such a home-based exercise program can be used as an intervention for patients who are taking thyroid hormone replacement after thyroidectomy.
Calpain‐2 inhibitor treatment preferentially reduces tumor progression for human colon cancer cells expressing highest levels of this enzyme

Calpain‐2 levels are higher in colorectal tumors resistant to chemotherapy and previous work showed calpain‐2 inhibitor therapy reduced inflammation‐driven colorectal cancer, but direct effects of the inhibitor on colon cancer cells themselves were not demonstrated. In the present study, five human colon cancer cell lines were directly treated with a calpain‐2 inhibitor and results showed increased cell death in 4 of 5 cell lines and decreased anchorage‐independent growth for all cell five lines. When tested for levels of calpain‐2, three cell lines exhibited increasing levels of this enzyme: HCT15 (low), HCC2998 (medium), and HCT116 (significantly higher). This was consistent with gel shift assays showing that calpain‐2 inhibitor reduced of NF‐κB nuclear translocation most effectively in HCT116 cells. Ability of calpain‐2 inhibitor to impede tumor progression in vivo was evaluated using intrarectal transplant of luciferase‐expressing cells for these three cell lines. Results showed that calpain‐2 inhibitor therapy reduced tumor growth and increased survival only in mice injected with HCT116 cells. These data suggest calpain‐2 inhibitor treatment may be most effective on colorectal tumors expressing highest levels of calpain‐2.