Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design and Application of In-Vehicle Terminal for Car Network System Based on ARM9

A kind of in-vehicle terminal for car network system based on ARM9 has been researched and designed in this paper. The main hardware module of the in-vehicle terminal is introduced in detail and the hardware architecture has been presented as well. The software module and its implementation of the terminal have been explained in detail, including CAN (controller area network) bus module, GPRS (general packet radio service) module, GPS (global positioning system) module. The software system of the in-vehicle terminal is implemented, and a kind of practical package format and flow chart between the in-vehicle and the server is put forward. The implementation of the system indicates that cars are directed and controlled well through the terminal.
Role of central dopamine in pain and analgesia

Recent insights have demonstrated a central role for dopaminergic neurotransmission in modulating pain perception and natural analgesia within supraspinal regions, including the basal ganglia, insula, anterior cingulate cortex, thalamus and periaqueductal gray. In addition, while the participation of serotonin and norepinephrine in spinal descending inhibition of pain is well known, a critical role for dopamine in descending inhibition has also been demonstrated. Decreased levels of dopamine likely contribute to the painful symptoms that frequently occur in Parkinson’s disease. Moreover, abnormalities in dopaminergic neurotransmission have been objectively demonstrated in painful clinical conditions, including burning mouth syndrome, fibromyalgia and restless legs syndrome. Evidence from animal models and indirect evidence from pharmaceutical trials also suggest a role for dopamine in chronic regional pain syndrome and painful diabetic neuropathy. Several novel classes of medication with analgesic properties have bearing on dopaminergic activity as evident in the capacity of dopamine antagonists to attenuate their analgesic capacity. An expanded appreciation for the role of dopamine in natural analgesia provides the impetus for further study involving preclinical models and advanced neuroimaging techniques in humans, which may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Long-term weight maintenance after an intensive weight-loss program.

OBJECTIVE This prospective study assessed long-term weight maintenance of patients completing an intensive very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) weight-loss program. SUBJECTS Individuals who had completed the 12-week core education program and lost > or = 10 kg were recruited. RESULTS Of 154 eligible subjects, follow-up weights were obtained at > or = 2 years in 112 subjects (72.7%, 72 women, 40 men). Subjects had an average initial body mass index of 37.3 kg/m2 and an average weight loss of 29.7 kg in five months. Six hundred and forty-five follow-up weights (median, five per subject) were obtained over two to seven years of follow-up from clinic visits (70%) and self-report by telephone or mail (30%). Subjects regained an average of 2.5% per month of their lost weight during the first two to three years of follow-up; however, their weight stabilized over the next four years. Subjects regained an average of 73.4% of their weight loss during the first three years. The average weight loss maintained for 112 subjects was 22.8% of initial weight loss after an average of 5.3 years of follow-up. When successful weight maintenance was defined as maintaining a weight loss of 5% or 10% of initial (pre-treatment) body weight, 40% were maintaining a 5% weight loss at five years and 25% were maintaining a weight loss of 10% at 7 years. Multiple regression analyses suggested that age had a significant (p=0.004) and positive effect on weight maintenance. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that weight maintenance after an intensive VLCD program is improving but still needs intensive efforts to enable most individuals to maintain a substantial percentage of their weight loss long-term.
Isocapnic Cold Air Challenge in Patients with COPD: Are There any Predisposing Factors?

Cold air hyperventilation is an indirect challenge (cold air challenge, CACh) with high specificity and low sensitivity in defining asthmatic subjects. A small proportion of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients present with positive CACh. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the presence of factors related to cold air challenge (CACh) in COPD patients. Factors examined were FEV1, FEV1/FVC, reversibility after bronchodilation, eosinophils in induced sputum, bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine and the spirometric response to tiotropium compared to placebo. We studied 92 consecutive COPD patients in order to retrieve 15 CACh positive (+) patients. Fifteen COPD patients with negative CACh [CACh(−)], randomly selected from the initial group, were added in order to retrieve a group of 30 patients. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used in order to evaluate possible significant correlations between CACh values and study parameters. Sixteen percent of our subjects presented CACh(+). CACh values were repeatable with an intraclass correlation coefficient between the two measurements 0.980 (95% CI 0.940–0.993). The only significant correlation observed was between Δ FEV1 after CACh [ΔCFEV1] and trough FEV1 values post tiotropium inhalation (r2 = 0.62, p < 0.0001). When we analyzed the response to tiotropium in the 2 separate groups we found that patients with CACh(+) presented significantly lower values of trough FEV1 compared to those with CACh(−). In conclusion, a small proportion of COPD patients present with bronchial hyperresponsiveness to CACh. The only parameter related to CACh (+) in our study was a smaller bronchodilating effect of tiotropium.
Trigeminal, Visceral and Vestibular Inputs May Improve Cognitive Functions by Acting through the Locus Coeruleus and the Ascending Reticular Activating System: A New Hypothesis

It is known that sensory signals sustain the background discharge of the ascending reticular activating system (ARAS) which includes the noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC) neurons and controls the level of attention and alertness. Moreover, LC neurons influence brain metabolic activity, gene expression and brain inflammatory processes. As a consequence of the sensory control of ARAS/LC, stimulation of a sensory channel may potential influence neuronal activity and trophic state all over the brain, supporting cognitive functions and exerting a neuroprotective action. On the other hand, an imbalance of the same input on the two sides may lead to an asymmetric hemispheric excitability, leading to an impairment in cognitive functions. Among the inputs that may drive LC neurons and ARAS, those arising from the trigeminal region, from visceral organs and, possibly, from the vestibular system seem to be particularly relevant in regulating their activity. The trigeminal, visceral and vestibular control of ARAS/LC activity may explain why these input signals: (1) affect sensorimotor and cognitive functions which are not directly related to their specific informational content; and (2) are effective in relieving the symptoms of some brain pathologies, thus prompting peripheral activation of these input systems as a complementary approach for the treatment of cognitive impairments and neurodegenerative disorders.
HMGA1 overexpression is associated with a particular subset of human breast carcinomas

Objectives Breast cancer represents the second leading cause of cancer mortality among American women and accounts for more than 40 000 deaths annually. High-mobility group A1 (HMGA1) expression has been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of human malignant tumours, including breast carcinomas. The aim of this study was to evaluate HMGA1 detection as an indicator for the diagnosis and prognosis of human breast carcinoma. Methods HMGA1 expression has been analysed by immunohistochemistry in a large series of breast carcinoma resections (1338) combined on a tissue microarray mainly including the ductal carcinoma variant. The results were then correlated with clinicopathological parameters of patients. Results HMGA1 overexpression was found in the large majority of breast carcinoma samples and its overexpression positively correlated with HER-2/neu amplification and progesterone receptor, while a negative correlation was found with oestrogen receptor. Conversely, no HMGA1 expression was found in normal breast tissues. Conclusions The data reported here indicate that HMGA1 is overexpressed in human breast carcinomas and its levels are associated with a particular endocrine status.
The effect of vascularization on avian flexor tendon repair. A biochemical study.

Although it has been demonstrated in experimental animals that vascular perfusion functions less effectively than diffusion as a nutrient pathway to the uninjured flexor tendon, it is recognized that the nutritional requirements of an injured flexor tendon may be different. The present study examines several biochemical parameters of avian flexor tendon repair, during a six-week period, in the presence of an intact vinculum longum and with the vinculum longum ligated. Formation of collagen/noncollagen protein, glycosaminoglycan synthesis, and tissue levels of both DNA and hexosamine were quantified. The absence of the vincular blood supply did not affect the levels of total DNA and hexosamine, did not alter the pattern of either protein or glycosaminoglycan formation in the early healing phase, and did not impair the overall synthesis of collagen and noncollagen protein throughout the six-week study period. However, the pattern of collagen and noncollagen protein synthesis differed in lacerated tendons during the period of repair; noncollagen protein synthesis peaked at ten days, while collagen synthesis increased uniformly throughout the 42-day period of study. There was a notable decrease in total matrix hydroxyproline (collagen) during repair, which continued throughout the entire first three weeks after laceration. Thus, the actual percentage of collagen synthesis decreased during the first three weeks of repair and began to return to its normal uninjured level by the sixth week. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Analytical Modeling of Inertial and Droop Responses From a Wind Farm for Short-Term Frequency Regulation in Power Systems

Available inertia and variable droop responses from a wind farm to support the short-term frequency control in power systems are analytically evaluated. The novelty lies in the approach to formulating the inertia constant and primary power reserve for a variable speed wind turbine (VSWT) that operates at derated conditions. The formulations are extended to evaluate the capability of providing inertia and primary frequency support from a wind farm using an aggregated wind speed. As a consequence, the capability as a function of VSWT operating characteristics and conditions is quantified to rationally adjust the frequency controller gains, thereby ensuring stable performance of the wind farms during frequency transients. A modified system frequency response (SFR) model considering available inertial and droop responses from wind farms is developed to well simulate the SFR following wind power fluctuations. The effectiveness of the analytical method is verified through comparisons of the results with those obtained from the empirical method.
A Review of the Application of Ultrasound in Bioleaching and Insights from Sonication in (Bio)Chemical Processes

Chemical and biological leaching is practiced on a commercial scale for the mining of metals from ores. Although bioleaching is an environmentally-friendly alternative to chemical leaching, one of the principal shortcomings is the slow rate of leaching which needs to be addressed. The application of ultrasound in bioleaching, termed sonobioleaching, is a technique which has been reported to increase the rate and extent of metal extraction. This article reviews efforts made in the field of sonobioleaching. Since bioleaching is effectively a biological and chemical process, the effects of sonication on chemical leaching/reactions and biological processes are also reviewed. Although sonication increases metal extraction by increasing the metabolite production and enhanced mixing at a micro scale, research is limited in terms of the microorganisms explored. This paper highlights some shortcomings and limitations of existing techniques, and proposes directions for future research.
Targeting signaling pathways in ovarian cancer

Background: Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer in western countries. Prognosis is poor for patients who relapse after platinum- and taxane-based therapy and additional treatment options besides second-line chemotherapy are necessary. Signaling pathways form promising novel candidates for pinpoint cancer treatment and thus much effort has been made to establish signal transduction as target for therapy. Objective: Tyrosine kinases, as crucial parts of the transduction pathways, have become important objects in successful treatment of various cancers. This review aims to examine the role of tyrosine kinase inhibition in treatment of ovarian cancer. Methods: Based on results of various clinical Phase I – III trials and preclinical basic research this review focuses on inhibition of growth factor receptors like human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFR), including presentations from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting 2007. Conclusions: Although various agents show activity in ovarian cancer results are variable and mostly disappointing. Clinical value may be relevant only for an immunohistologically defined subgroup of patients. These questions have to be examined in larger Phase III trials.
Impact of Generalized Joint Laxity on Plantar Loading Patterns in Young Females

Background: Generalized joint laxity is often associated with gait deviations. The aim of this study was to investigate the static and dynamic loading pattern of the foot with increasing joint mobility and to discuss the potential impact of this condition on the plantar loading patterns. Methods: Seventy female participants between ages of 18 and 30 were included in this cross-sectional survey. The Beighton-Horan Joint Mobility Index scores were assessed and participants divided into 3 categories: no hypermobility (NH) group, scores 0 to 2; moderate hypermobility (MH) group, scores 3 to 4; distinct hypermobility (DH) group, scores 5 to 9. Pedobarographic analysis was performed both in static and walking conditions. Dynamic foot loading examined in 10 anatomic zones. Contact areas of forefoot, midfoot, and rearfoot were recorded. Results: In the dynamic pedobarographic analysis, individuals with distinct joint hypermobility displayed higher peak pressure and maximum force values under the hallux, compared with other groups (P < .05). The maximum force value of the second metatarsal was higher in the DH group than in the MH group (P < .05). Conclusion: Our study results suggest that plantar loading pattern differs with increasing degrees of the hypermobility score. Clinical Relevance: Differences in plantar loading parameters in people with severe joint mobility scores may be useful in interpreting the foot pathologies of these individuals.
Are the New Basel III Capital Buffers Countercyclical? Exploring the Option of a Rule-Based Countercyclical Buffer

Countercyclical capital regulation can reduce the procyclicality of the banking system and dampen aggregate economic fluctuations. I describe two new capital buffers introduced in Basel III and discuss why their countercyclical effects may be small. If over time regulators want to increase the degree of countercyclicality of capital regulation, they might consider adopting a rule-based countercyclical buffer, that is, a buffer that is automatically lowered during recessions according to a rule. I present a conservative example of such a rule and its effects on capital requirements over the business cycle.
Findings on Preoperative Brain MRI Predict Histopathology in Children with Cerebellar Neoplasms

Background/Aims: The majority of pediatric patients with cerebellar neoplasms harbor pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs), medulloblastomas, or ependymomas. Knowledge of a preoperative likelihood of histopathology in this group of patients has the potential to influence many aspects of care. Previous studies have demonstrated hyperintensity on diffusion-weighted imaging to correlate with medulloblastomas. Recently, measurement of T2-weighted signal intensity (T2SI) was shown to be useful in identification of low-grade cerebellar neoplasms. The goal of this study was to assess whether objective findings on these MRI sequences reliably correlated with the underlying histopathology. Methods: We reviewed the radiologic findings of 50 pediatric patients who underwent resection of a cerebellar neoplasm since 2003 at our institution. Region of interest placement was used to calculate the relative diffusion-weighted signal intensity (rDWSI) and relative T2SI (rT2SI) of each neoplasm. Results: Tukey’s multiple comparison test demonstrated medulloblastomas to have significantly higher rDWSIs than PAs/ependymomas, and PAs to have significantly higher rT2SIs than medulloblastomas/ependymomas. A simple method consisting of sequential measurement of rDWSI and rT2SI to predict histopathology was then constructed. Using this method, 39 of 50 (78%) tumors were accurately predicted. Conclusion: Measurement of rDWSI and rT2SI using standard MRI of the brain can be used to predict histopathology with favorable accuracy in pediatric patients with cerebellar tumors.
Polyethylenimine but Not Cationic Lipids Promotes Transgene Delivery to the Nucleus in Mammalian Cells*

The β-galactosidase reporter gene, either free or complexed with various cationic vectors, was microinjected into mammalian cells. Cationic lipids but not polyethylenimine or polylysine prevent transgene expression when complexes are injected in the nucleus. Polyethylenimine and to a lesser extent polylysine, but not cationic lipids, enhance transgene expression when complexes are injected into the cytoplasm. This latter effect was independent of the polymer vector/cDNA ionic charge ratio, suggesting that nucleic acid compaction rather than surface charge was critical for efficient nuclear trafficking. Cell division was not required for nuclear entry. Finally, comparative transfection and microinjection experiments with various cell lines confirm that barriers to gene transfer vary with cell type. We conclude that polymers but not cationic lipids promote gene delivery from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and that transgene expression in the nucleus is prevented by complexation with cationic lipids but not with cationic polymers.
Increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase for human buccal squamous‐cell carcinomas: Immunohistochemical, reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and in situ RT‐PCR studies

The inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is involved primarily in inflammatory and carcinogenesis processes. An enhanced expression of iNOS at the protein level has been reported previously for human oral squamous cell carcinoma; however, the expression of iNOS at the mRNA level has not yet been demonstrated. Furthermore, no studies have addressed whether iNOS expression at mRNA level correlates with cervical lymph node metastasis.
Diffusely Adhering Escherichia coliStrains Induce Attaching and Effacing Phenotypes and Secrete Homologs of Esp Proteins

ABSTRACT Recent epidemiological studies indicate that Escherichia coli strains which exhibit the diffuse-adherence phenotype (DAEC strains) represent a potential cause of diarrhea in infants. We investigated the interaction of DAEC strains isolated from diarrhea patients in Brazil and in Germany with epithelial cells in tissue culture. The investigated strains were identified as DAEC strains by (i) their attachment pattern, (ii) presence of genes associated with the Dr family of adhesins, and (iii) lack of genetic markers for other diarrhea-associated E. coli categories. Several clinical DAEC isolates were shown to secrete similar patterns of proteins into tissue culture medium. Protein secretion was found to be regulated by environmental parameters, namely, medium, temperature, pH, and iron concentration. DAEC strains secreting these proteins induced accumulation of actin and tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins at sites of bacterial attachment, leading to the formation of pedestals and/or extended surface structures. These changes were phenotypically similar to the attaching and effacing (A/E) lesions observed with enteropathogenic and some enterohemorrhagic E. coli strains carrying the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) pathogenicity island. Proteins homologous to the EspA, EspB, and EspD proteins, necessary for signal transduction events inducing A/E lesions, were identified by sequence analysis and cross-reaction of specific antibodies. However, initially nonadhering strains secreting these proteins induced signal transduction events only after prolonged infection. These results indicate that secretion of the Esp proteins alone is not sufficient for efficient signal transduction. This study further shows that some DAEC strains are likely to contain a homolog(s) of the LEE locus which may contribute to the pathogenic potential of DAEC.
Platelet and endothelial cell P‐selectin are required for host defense against Klebsiella pneumoniae‐induced pneumosepsis

Sepsis is associated with activation of platelets and endothelial cells accompanied by enhanced P‐selectin surface expression. Both platelet‐ and endothelial P‐selectin have been associated with leukocyte recruitment and induction of inflammatory alterations. Klebsiella (K.) pneumoniae is a common human sepsis pathogen, particularly in the context of pneumonia.
Nested PCR for Detection and Genotyping of Ehrlichia ruminantium: Use in Genetic Diversity Analysis

Abstract: Ehrlichia ruminantium, the agent of cowdriosis transmitted by Amblyomma ticks, presents an extensive genetic and antigenic diversity of key importance for vaccine formulation. Two means of nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting were developed to conduct molecular epidemiology studies in the Caribbean and Africa. The first used a conserved DNA fragment for detection of the pathogen in animals and vectors, and the second relied on the polymorphic map1 gene for genotyping. As compared to a PCR, the nested PCR showed a 2‐Log10 improvement of sensitivity and allowed amplification from ticks, blood, brain, and lungs from infected animals, providing a more accurate picture of the tick infection rate. In Guadeloupe, this rate reached 36% (N= 212) instead of 1.7% (N= 224), as previously estimated. Genetic typing was done by restriction fragment length polymorphism or sequencing of map1 amplification products. Molecular epidemiology studies conducted in field sites selected for vaccination trials with inactivated vaccine, revealed the circulation of genetically divergent strains in limited geographical areas. It is known, then, that genetic clustering based on map1 has no predictive value regarding the protective value of a given strain against a new strain. However, tracing the strains by this technique revealed the extent of E. ruminantium diversity that one can expect in a given region, and the method allows differentiation between an inadequate immune response and the challenge by a breakthrough strain on animals dying despite vaccination. Up to now, genetic typing does not avoid cross‐protection studies, which were conducted in parallel, although on a more limited scale. The importance of pathogen diversity studies for optimization of vaccine design is discussed as well as the research for new polymorphic genes. These genes may allow better predictions on cross‐protection, given the recent completion of the sequence of the full genome of two E. ruminantium strains.