Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The P-selectin glycoprotein ligand functions as a common human leukocyte ligand for P- and E-selectins

P- and E-selectins belong to a family of Ca(2+)-dependent lectins and function as receptors for myeloid leukocytes. We have described a panel of monoclonal antibodies which recognize a sialoglycoprotein from human neutrophils and HL-60 promyelocytic cells and inhibit adhesion of these cells to P-selectin. In this study, we show that the E-selectin receptor-globulin (E-selectin Rg) affinity chromatography can isolate specifically only one glycoprotein from [3H]glucosamine-labeled HL-60 cells in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner. This protein has a molecular mass of approximately 120 kDa under reducing conditions, which appears to be identical with the previously characterized glycoprotein ligand for P- selectin. The molecule can be cross-depleted by and cross-bound to the E- and P-selectin columns. The chromatographic profile of desialylated O-linked carbohydrates from molecules purified by P- and E-selectin affinity chromatography are identical. Both have five structures at 12.8, 9.8, 6.3, 3.5, and 2.5 glucose units. PL5 monoclonal antibody to the P-selectin sialoglycoprotein ligand, E-selectin Rg, and antiserum to P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) all recognize the purified P-selectin ligand on ligand blots and immunoblots. Furthermore, PL5 monoclonal antibody blocks adhesion of HL-60 cells and human neutrophils to E-selectin Rg. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the P- and E-selectin ligand defined in this study is PSGL-1 and suggest that this molecule is an important leukocyte ligand for both P- and E-selectins.
[Chromium: physiologic role and implications in human pathology].

Reported values for total body stores of chromium vary between 0.4 mg and 6 mg. Chromium stores may be higher in neonates than in adults, relative to body size, whereas tissular chromium may be depleted in the elderly. The recommended daily allowance for chromium is 50 to 200 micrograms/day but actual needs are poorly known. Digestive absorption is better for organic chromium, which is part of the "glucose tolerance factor" (GTF), than for inorganic chromium. Furthermore, chromium (VI) is better absorbed than chromium (III). In the body, chromium (VI) is rapidly reduced to chromium (III) by a number of metabolic pathways. Absorbed chromium binds to proteins, mainly to transferrin which exhibits a high affinity for chromium (III). Most absorbed chromium is eliminated through the kidneys. Renal excretion occurs according to a two or more-compartment model. Current methods used to assay chromium, i.e., atomic absorption spectrometry using a graphite furnace or neutron activation, are sufficiently sensitive and specific to evaluate chromium levels in blood, urine or hair. However, none of these levels accurately reflects chromium body stores. Chromium is part of the GTF molecule. This factor has no effect per se but may facilitate binding of insulin to insulin receptors and amplify the effects of insulin on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Chromium deficiency may play a role in a development of some forms of adult diabetes mellitus and of arteriosclerosis. Partial chromium deficiencies seem to be common, especially in individuals with high intakes of refined foods. Acute chromium poisoning is usually due to an excess of chromium (VI) and is sometimes seen in the chromium industry. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A DEVD‐Inhibited Caspase Other than CPP32 Is Involved in the Commitment of Cerebellar Granule Neurons to Apoptosis Induced by K+ Deprivation

Abstract: Cultured cerebellar granule neurons undergo apoptosis when switched from a medium containing depolarizing levels of K+ (25 mM KCI) to medium containing lower levels of K+ (5 mM KCI). We used this paradigm to investigate the role of caspases in the death process. Two broad‐spectrum caspase inhibitors, tert‐butoxycarbonyl‐Asp·(O‐methyl)·fluoromethyl ketone and benzyloxycarbonyl‐Val‐Ala‐Asp·fluoromethyl ketone, significantly reduced cell death (90 and 60%, respectively) at relatively low concentrations (10–25 µM), suggesting that caspase activation is involved in the apoptotic process. DNA fragmentation, a hallmark of apoptosis, was also reduced by these caspase inhibitors, suggesting that caspase activation occurred upstream of DNA cleavage in the sequence of events leading to cell death. As a step toward identifying the caspase(s) involved, the effects of N‐acetyl Tyr‐Val‐Ala‐Asp·chloromethyl ketone (YVAD·cmk), an interleukin‐1β converting enzyme‐preferring inhibitor, and N‐acetyl Asp‐Glu‐Val‐Asp·fluoromethyl ketone (DEVD·fmk), a CPP32‐preferring inhibitor, were also evaluated. YVAD·cmk provided only modest (<20%) protection and only at the highest concentration (100 µM) tested, suggesting that interleukin‐1β converting enzyme and/or closely related caspases were not involved. In comparison, DEVD·fmk inhibited cell death by up to 50%. Western blot analyses, however, failed to detect an increase in processing/activation of CPP32 or in the proteolysis of a CPP32 substrate, poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase, during the induction of apoptosis in granule neurons. Similarly, the levels of Nedd2, a caspase that is highly expressed in the brain and that is partially inhibited by DEVD·fmk, also remained unaffected in apoptotic neurons undergoing apoptosis. These results suggest that a DEVD‐sensitive caspase other than CPP32 or Nedd2 mediates the induction of apoptosis in K+‐deprived granule neurons.
New OFDM Channel Estimation with Dual-ICI Cancellation in Highly Mobile Channel

The number of coefficients for estimating time-varying channel is generally much larger than the maximum number of observable data. Linearly time-varying channel (LTV) models have been widely used as a way of reducing the number of these channel parameters. This approach allows estimation using the channel slope and channel frequency response between symbols. A fatal problem with this approach, however, is that before it is even initiated, the estimated channel in the frequency domain has already been degraded by inter-carrier interference (ICI). We demonstrate this by analyzing the channel estimation mean square error (MSE) and signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) after ICI cancellation with respect to the LTV model. We then propose a new channel estimation technique using dual-ICI cancellation which resolves this problem by pre-canceling ICI for the channel estimation using the channel of the previous symbol and post-canceling ICI for symbol detection with the more accurate channel information. The process is initialized using the first symbol as a preamble to estimate the channel in the time domain. Performance comparisons of MSE and SINR show that the proposed method is better suited to fast-fading channels than the conventional method, where ICI dominates the interference and noise power.
Comparison of the European and the U.S. Unregulated Stock Markets Designed for SMES

This paper examines the state of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in European and U.S. unregulated stock markets. The analysis compares the performance of both markets, using the weekly adjusted closing index prices of Euronext all share index, NYSE AMEX Composite Index, and the OTCM ADR Index for the 2013-2017 period. ADF, EGARCH, and ARCH tests were performed on the collected time series data, to measure and forecast index price volatility, risk and return. The results show a high level of price volatility in some periods; but a permanent effect of shocks was not observed in the long term for all the analyzed indexes. Negative shocks cause more volatility than positive shocks. However, an overall result shows that, the Euronext all share index, despite slight declines, displays an upward trend and relatively higher returns with less risk, than the NYSE AMEX Composite Index, and the OTCM ADR Index. This results reflects the better performance of the European unregulated market, compare to its U.S. counterparts
Correlation of plasma endothelin-1 levels with pulmonary hypertension after inhaled nitric oxide therapy.

BACKGROUND Variable response to inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) therapy in patients with mitral stenosis (MS) having pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been documented in early studies. The objectives of this study were to measure plasma Endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels in those patients and to correlate them with pulmonary vascular indices after iNO therapy. It was Quesi-experimental study. METHODS Thirty patients with mitral or mixed mitral and aortic valve disease with severe pulmonary hypertension and enrolled for valve replacement surgery were included. Before the replacement, baseline pulmonary vascular indices and cardiac output were recorded. After the surgery, 10-20 ppm iNO was administered for 1 hour and all the parameters were again recorded. Patients were grouped into responders and non responders on the basis of % reduction in Pulmonary Vascular Resistance (PVR) after iNO therapy. Plasma ET-1 levels were measured in both groups by ELISA before and after the iNO therapy. Paired sample t-test was used to compare mean values for significance. The correlations between variables were then calculated by using Pearson's coefficient. RESULTS The plasma ET-1 levels were very high in all patients. They reduced in responders after iNO therapy; non-responders paradoxically showed significant increase in the levels of ET-1 after iNO therapy. Moreover, a positive correlation was observed in plasma ET-1 levels and post operative levels of PVR. CONCLUSION The correlation of changes in PVR and plasma ET-1 levels in responders suggests that high plasma ET-1 is a key mediator of poor response in PH secondary to MS, after iNO therapy.
Rho-kinase activation in patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome, resulting from structural and/or functional cardiac disease. The aim of this study was to determine whether the activity of Rho-kinase, which has been identified as an important therapeutic target of cardiovascular disease, is enhanced in HF patients. METHODS AND RESULTS Total and phosphorylated forms of myosin binding subunit (t-MBS and p-MBS), a substrate of Rho-kinase, were measured on western blotting in circulating leukocytes, and the p-MBS/t-MBS ratio was defined as an index of systemic Rho-kinase activity. First, during the time-course of acute HF (n=12), Rho-kinase activity was significantly elevated in the acute phase compared to the chronic phase (1.19 ± 0.06 vs. 0.97 ± 0.04, P<0.05). Next, Rho-kinase activity was examined in 30 controls and 130 chronic HF patients (cardiomyopathy, n=57; valvular heart disease, n=35; ischemic heart disease [IHD], n=33; and others, n=5). As compared with the controls, Rho-kinase activity was significantly elevated in the total HF group (1.14 ± 0.02 vs. 0.77 ± 0.05, P<0.0001) and in each underlying heart disease (P<0.05 each). Importantly, in the high-risk non-IHD group, Rho-kinase activity was significantly associated with plasma brain nutriuretic peptide level. Finally, p-MBS was expressed in myocardial biopsy samples (immunohistochemistry) in chronic HF patients (n=36), independent of Rho-kinase activity in leukocytes. CONCLUSIONS Rho-kinase is activated in HF patients, suggesting that it could be a new therapeutic target of the disorder.
Hepatitis B vaccination: protection for how long and against what?

1 Price DE, O'Malley BP, James MA, Roshan M, Hearnshaw JR. Why are impotent diabetic men not being treated? Practical Diabetes 1991;8:10-1. 2 British Diabetic Association. What diabetic care to expect. Diabetic Med 1990;7:554. 3 Williams DRR, Home PD. A proposal for continuing audit of diabetes services. Diabetic Med 1991;9:759-64. 4 McCulloch DK, Young RJ, Prescott RJ, Campbell IW, Clarke BF. The natural history of impotence in diabetic men. Diabewlogia 1984;26:437-40. 5 Fairburn CG, McCulloch DK, Wu FC. The effects of diabetes on male sexual function. Clinics in Endocrinology and Metabolism 1982;11:749-67. 6 McCulloch DK, Hosking DJ, Tobert A. A pragmatic approach to sexual dysfunction in diabetic men: psychosexual counselling. Diabetic Med 1986;3:485-9. 7 Wilson SK, Wahman GE, Lange JL. Eleven years' experience with the inflatable penile prosthesis. J. Urol 1988;139:951-2. 8 Wiles PG. Erectile impotence in diabetic men: aetiology, investigation and management. Diabetic Med 1992:9:888-92. 9 Diagnostic and therapeutic technology assessment. Vasoactive intracavemous pharmacotherapy for impotence: intracavemous injection of prostaglandin E1.JAMA 1991;265:3321-3. 10 Alexander WD. The diabetes physician and an assessment and treatment programme for male erectile impotence. Diabetic Med 1990;7:540-3. 11 Hollander JB, Gonzalez J, Norman T. Patient satisfaction with pharmacologic erection program. Urology 1992;39:439-41. 12 Turner LA, Althof SE, Levine SB, Bodner DR, Kursh ED, Resnick MI. Twelve month comparison of two treatments for erectile dysfunction: self injection versus external vacuum devices. Urology 1992;39:139-44. 13 Price DE, Cooksey G, Jehu D, Bentley S, Hearnshaw JR, Osbom DE. The management of impotence in diabetic men by vacuum tumescence therapy. Diabetic Med 1991;8:964-7. 14 Wiles PG. Successful non-invasive management of erectile impotence in diabetic men. BMJ, 1988;296:161-2. 15 Ryder REJ, Robinson A, Anderson J, Pameil L, Ward JD. Intracorporeal papaverine therapy versus vacuum constriction therapy (Erecaid) in the treatment of diabetic impotence [abstract]. Diabetic Med 1992;9(suppl 1):33A.
Separating Perception Time from Response Time: The Slope Transition Paradigm

This paper describes the slope transition paradigm (STP), a variant of rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) that separates early (perceptual) processing time from total response time. The paradigm is based on a very simple idea: provide varying amounts of time for perceptual processing and find the moment when the subject begins to waste time waiting for more data. That moment is a measure of how much time was actually needed. The method was used in two experiments. Results are discussed in relation to set-size effects, perceptual capacity limits, attentional dwell times, and some related neurophysiological findings. The method appears to tap aspects of information processing that differ from those tapped in studies of the psychological refractory period, the attentional blink, and repetition blindness.
Folic acid supplementation prevents deficient blood folate levels and hyperhomocysteinemia during longterm, low dose methotrexate therapy for rheumatoid arthritis: implications for cardiovascular disease prevention.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of longterm methotrexate (MTX) therapy and folic acid supplementation on folate nutriture and homocysteine levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS A double blind, placebo controlled trial lasting one year was conducted at one academic medical center. A total of 79 patients taking low dose MTX were followed up to one year. The patients were randomized to receive placebo or 5 or 27.5 mg folic acid supplementation per week. RESULTS Plasma and erythrocyte folate levels and plasma homocysteine levels were determined. The folate nutriture of patients taking low dose MTX declined without folic acid supplementation. Plasma homocysteine levels increased significantly over a one year period in the placebo group. Low folate nutriture and hyperhomocysteinemia occurred with greater frequency in the placebo group than in the folic acid supplemented groups. CONCLUSION For longterm, low dose MTX therapy, there are now at least 3 reasons to consider supplementation with folic acid (a low cost prescription): (1) to prevent MTX toxicity, (2) to prevent or treat folate deficiency, and (3) to prevent hyperhomocysteinemia, considered by many investigators to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Electronic processes at grain boundaries in polycrystalline semiconductors under optical illumination

The dependence of minority carrier lifetime (τ) on the doping concentration N<inf>d</inf>, grain size<tex>d</tex>and interface state density N<inf>is</inf>at the grain boundaries in (n-type) polycrystalline semiconductors has been calculated analytically. The recombination velocity at grain boundaries is enhanced by the diffusion potential V<inf>d</inf>adjacent to the boundaries, and ranges from<tex>\simeq 10^{2}</tex>to 10<sup>6</sup>cm . s<sup>-1</sup>depending on N<inf>is</inf>and N<inf>d</inf>. Under illumination, the population of the interface states is altered considerably from its dark level and as a result, V<inf>d</inf>decreases to that value which maximizes recombination (equal concentrations of electrons and holes at the boundary). This causes τ to decrease with increasing N<inf>d</inf>. Sample calculations for polycrystalline silicon show that for low angle boundaries with interface state densities of<tex>\simeq 10^{11}</tex>cm<sup>-2</sup>eV<sup>-1</sup>, τ decreases from 10<sup>-6</sup>to 10<sup>-10</sup>s as the grain size is reduced from 1000 to 0.1 µm (for<tex>N_{d} = 10^{16}</tex>cm<sup>-3</sup>). For a constant grain size, τ decreases with increasing N<inf>d</inf>. The open-circuit voltage of p-n junction solar cells decreases for<tex>\tau \leq 10^{-7}</tex>s, whereas that for Schottky barrier cells remains at its maximum value until<tex>\tau \lsim 10^{-8}</tex>s.
Effect of peptide YY on pancreatico-biliary secretion in humans

Objective. The negative feedback on pancreatico-biliary secretion induced by ileal nutrients has been well documented but the role of the distal gut peptide YY (PYY) as mediator is less well defined. We determined the effect of PYY on basal, sham feeding and feeding-stimulated pancreatico-biliary secretion in humans. Material and methods. Eight healthy volunteers participated in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study with intravenous infusion of a physiological dose of PYY. Subjects were intubated with a naso-jejunal tube. Duodenal samples were aspirated continuously while a recovery marker perfused the duodenum. Outputs were measured in the basal state, in response to modified sham feeding (MSF) and during jejunal perfusion with a liquid meal. Blood samples were drawn for plasma cholecystokinin (CCK) and PYY measurements. Results. PYY infusion significantly (p<0.01) increased plasma PYY, from 16±2 to 55±6 pM. Basal outputs of amylase, lipase, trypsin and bilirubin were not affected by PYY. In the placebo experiment, MSF significantly increased amylase, lipase, trypsin and bilirubin outputs. However, during PYY infusion lipase, trypsin and bilirubin outputs did not significantly increase in response to MSF. Jejunal feeding, however, significantly (p<0.01) increased the outputs of bilirubin and enzymes equally during both the placebo and PYY infusions. Conclusions. Infusion of PYY to physiological plasma levels exerts an inhibitory effect on pancreatico-biliary secretion during the cephalic phase of digestion, but not in the basal state or during the intestinal phase. PYY suppresses pancreatico-biliary secretion during the cephalic phase but not during the intestinal phase of nutrient digestion.
Identification and Characterization of a Potent, Selective, and Orally Active Antagonist of the CC Chemokine Receptor-1*

The CC chemokine receptor-1 (CCR1) is a prime therapeutic target for treating autoimmune diseases. Through high capacity screening followed by chemical optimization, we identified a novel non-peptide CCR1 antagonist, R-N-[5-chloro-2-[2-[4-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-2-methyl-1-piperazinyl]-2-oxoethoxy]phenyl]urea hydrochloric acid salt (BX 471). Competition binding studies revealed that BX 471 was able to displace the CCR1 ligands macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), RANTES, and monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (MCP-3) with high affinity (K i ranged from 1 nm to 5.5 nm). BX 471 was a potent functional antagonist based on its ability to inhibit a number of CCR1-mediated effects including Ca2+ mobilization, increase in extracellular acidification rate, CD11b expression, and leukocyte migration. BX 471 demonstrated a greater than 10,000-fold selectivity for CCR1 compared with 28 G-protein-coupled receptors. Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that BX 471 was orally active with a bioavailability of 60% in dogs. Furthermore, BX 471 effectively reduces disease in a rat experimental allergic encephalomyelitis model of multiple sclerosis. This study is the first to demonstrate that a non-peptide chemokine receptor antagonist is efficacious in an animal model of an autoimmune disease. In summary, we have identified a potent, selective, and orally available CCR1 antagonist that may be useful in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.
Campylobacter jejuni-Stimulated Secretion of Interleukin-8 by INT407 Cells

ABSTRACT Incubation of INT407 cells with various clinical isolates ofCampylobacter jejuni resulted in secretion of interleukin-8 (IL-8) at levels ranging from 96 to 554 pg/ml at 24 h. The strains which produced the highest levels of IL-8 secretion were 81-176 and BT44. Induction of IL-8 secretion required live cells of 81-176 and was dependent on de novo protein synthesis. Site-specific mutants of 81-176, which were previously shown to be defective in adherence and invasion, resulted in reduced levels of secretion of IL-8, andcheY mutants of strains 81-176 and 749, which are hyperadherent and hyperinvasive, resulted in higher levels of IL-8 secretion. Another mutant of 81-176, which adheres at about 43% of the wild-type levels but is noninvasive, also showed marked reduction in IL-8 levels, suggesting that invasion is necessary for high levels of IL-8 secretion. When gentamicin was added to INT407 cells at 2 h after infection with 81-176, IL-8 secretion 22 h later was equivalent to that of controls without gentamicin, suggesting that the events which trigger induction and release of IL-8 occur early in the interactions of bacteria and eukaryotic cells.
Via-First Process to Enable Copper Metallization of Glass Interposers With High-Aspect-Ratio, Fine-Pitch Through-Package-Vias

A via-first process for metallizing copper on glass substrates is presented using a thin, patternable polymer film, electroless copper deposition, and semiadditive processing. A procedure for partially precuring the polymer was developed in order to achieve a tented via structure after dry-film lamination and curing. The flexibility of the process is demonstrated by the use of plasma etching, CO<sub>2</sub>, and UV laser ablation as patterning technologies. Metallization by electroless copper deposition and semiadditive processing is shown to be conformal, continuous, and without defects on the surface and in the vias as demonstrated by cross-sectional analysis. Glass of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$100~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> thickness with vias of 10–<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$20~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> diameter and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$40~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> pitch was metallized to demonstrate the dimensional capability of the process. Thermomechanical reliability was validated by copper peel testing after highly accelerated stress testing and daisy-chain resistance measurements taken throughout thermal cycle testing.