Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Skin tissue water assessed via tissue dielectric constant measurements in persons with and without diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND Skin changes in diabetes mellitus (DM) include possible increases in foot skin water content as interpreted from altered echogenicity in high-frequency ultrasound images. The present goal was to investigate the possibility of undetected increased local skin water in persons with DM using a handheld portable rapid measuring device that measures the tissue dielectric constant (TDC) as an indicator of skin tissue water. SUBJECTS AND METHODS TDC measurements were done bilaterally on 18 persons with DM and 18 persons without DM (NODM) at foot dorsum and anterior forearm to tissue depths of 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 mm. DM duration was 11.1 ± 10.9 years. Age, body mass index, and blood pressures were not significantly different between groups. RESULTS NODM and DM TDC values decreased with increasing depth at forearm but were depth independent at foot dorsum. All DM foot TDC values were significantly (P<0.05) greater than for NODM, with foot TDC values at 2.5 mm depth being 14.8% greater than in NODM. DM forearm TDC values were not significantly greater than NODM. CONCLUSIONS A technology that characterizes local skin water in a rapid and noninvasive way has been used for the first time in persons with DM. The greater TDC value at the foot dorsum of the DM group is consistent with the presence of previously unrecognized increased fluid content. This suggests that there may be benefit utilizing this measurement method as a way to screen for early changes in foot skin features that may tend to cause DM-related edema.
Antioxidant and antigenotoxic activities of Angelica keiskei, Oenanthe javanica and Brassica oleracea in the Salmonella mutagenicity assay and in HCT116 human colon cancer cells

Epidemiological studies indicate that consumption of green‐yellow vegetables rich in chlorophyll, vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids reduce the risk of cancer. We sought to examine the antigenotoxic and antioxidant properties of chlorophyll‐rich methanol extracts of Angelica keiskei, Oenanthe javanica, and Brassica oleracea (kale). In the Salmonella mutagenicity assay, A. keiskei caused dose‐dependent inhibition against three heterocyclic amine mutagens in the presence of S9, O. javanica was antimutagenic only at the highest concentration in the assay (2 mg/plate), and B. oleracea showed no consistent inhibitory activity at non‐toxic levels. None of the extracts were effective against three direct‐acting mutagens in the absence of S9. Extracts of A. keiskei and, to a lesser extent O. javanica, inhibited two of the major enzymes that play a role in the metabolic activation of heterocyclic amines, based on ethoxyresorufin‐O‐deethylase and methoxyresorufin‐O‐demethylase assays in vitro. All three plant extracts were highly effective in assays which measured ferric reducing/antioxidant power, oxygen radical absorbance capacity, and Fe2+/H2O2‐mediated DNA nicking. Finally, using the ‘comet’ assay, all three plant extracts protected against H2O2‐induced genotoxic damage in human HCT116 colon cancer cells. These findings provide support for the antigenotoxic and antioxidant properties of chlorophyll‐rich extracts of A. keiskei, O. javanica, and B. oleracea, through mechanisms that include inhibition of carcinogen activation and scavenging of reactive oxygen species.
Identification of lutein and zeaxanthin oxidation products in human and monkey retinas.

PURPOSE To characterize fully all the major and minor carotenoids and their metabolites in human retina and probe for the presence of the oxidative metabolites of lutein and zeaxanthin. METHODS Carotenoids of a composite of 58 pairs of human retinas and a monkey retina were elucidated by comparing their high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-ultraviolet/visible absorption spectrophotometry (UV/Vis)-mass spectrometry (MS) profile with those of authentic standards prepared by organic synthesis. RESULTS In addition to lutein and zeaxanthin, several oxidation products of these compounds were present in the extracts from human retina. A major carotenoid resulting from direct oxidation of lutein was identified as 3-hydroxy-beta, epsilon-caroten-3'-one. Minor carotenoids were identified as: 3'-epilutein, epsilon,epsilon-carotene-3,3'-diol, epsilon,epsilon-carotene-3,3'-dione, 3'-hydroxy-epsilon,epsilon-caroten-3-one, and 2,6-cyclolycopene-1,5-diol. Several of the geometric isomers of lutein and zeaxanthin were also detected at low concentrations. These were as follows: 9-cis-lutein, 9'-cislutein, 13-cis-lutein, 13'-cis-lutein, 9-cis-zeaxanthin, and 13-cis-zeaxanthin. Similar results were also obtained from HPLC analysis of a freshly dissected monkey retina. CONCLUSIONS Lutein, zeaxanthin, 3'-epilutein, and 3-hydroxy-beta,epsilon-caroten-3'-one in human retina may be interconverted through a series of oxidation-reduction reactions similar to our earlier proposed metabolic transformation of these compounds in humans. The presence of the direct oxidation product of lutein and 3'-epilutein (metabolite of lutein and zeaxanthin) in human retina suggests that lutein and zeaxanthin may act as antioxidants to protect the macula against short-wavelength visible light. The proposed oxidative-reductive pathways for lutein and zeaxanthin in human retina, may therefore play an important role in prevention of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
Whatˈs your age again? Determination of human neutrophil half‐lives revisited

Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cells and are indispensable for host defense. Recently, they have also been implicated in immune regulation and suppression. The latter functions seem hard to reconcile with the widely held view that neutrophils are very short‐lived, with a circulatory half‐life of <7 h. To reopen the discussion on the average neutrophil half‐life, we review and discuss experiments performed in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, as well as recent in vivo labeling experiments. We reappraise the current knowledge on neutrophil half‐lives, including their production in the bone marrow, their residency in the circulation and marginated pool, and their exit from the circulation.
Maximum leaf conductance driven by CO2 effects on stomatal size and density over geologic time

Stomatal pores are microscopic structures on the epidermis of leaves formed by 2 specialized guard cells that control the exchange of water vapor and CO2 between plants and the atmosphere. Stomatal size (S) and density (D) determine maximum leaf diffusive (stomatal) conductance of CO2 (gcmax) to sites of assimilation. Although large variations in D observed in the fossil record have been correlated with atmospheric CO2, the crucial significance of similarly large variations in S has been overlooked. Here, we use physical diffusion theory to explain why large changes in S necessarily accompanied the changes in D and atmospheric CO2 over the last 400 million years. In particular, we show that high densities of small stomata are the only way to attain the highest gcmax values required to counter CO2“starvation” at low atmospheric CO2 concentrations. This explains cycles of increasing D and decreasing S evident in the fossil history of stomata under the CO2 impoverished atmospheres of the Permo-Carboniferous and Cenozoic glaciations. The pattern was reversed under rising atmospheric CO2 regimes. Selection for small S was crucial for attaining high gcmax under falling atmospheric CO2 and, therefore, may represent a mechanism linking CO2 and the increasing gas-exchange capacity of land plants over geologic time.
The presence of two UvrB subunits in the UvrAB complex ensures damage detection in both DNA strands

It is generally accepted that the damage recognition complex of nucleotide excision repair in Escherichia coli consists of two UvrA and one UvrB molecule, and that in the preincision complex UvrB binds to the damage as a monomer. Using scanning force microscopy, we show here that the damage recognition complex consists of two UvrA and two UvrB subunits, with the DNA wrapped around one of the UvrB monomers. Upon binding the damage and release of the UvrA subunits, UvrB remains a dimer in the preincision complex. After association with the UvrC protein, one of the UvrB monomers is released. We propose a model in which the presence of two UvrB subunits ensures damage recognition in both DNA strands. Upon binding of the UvrA2B2 complex to a putative damaged site, the DNA wraps around one of the UvrB monomers, which will subsequently probe one of the DNA strands for the presence of a lesion. When no damage is found, the DNA will wrap around the second UvrB subunit, which will check the other strand for aberrations.
Aqueous 2% Geraniol as a Mosquito Repellent Failed against Aedes aegypti on Ponies

Abstract Organic insect repellents are of interest to many agricultural producers and animal owners. Geraniol, a plant-derived alcohol, is naturally produced by a wide range of plants and is a US Environmental Protection Agency minimum risk pesticide. Previous studies have shown various concentrations of geraniol repel or kill mosquitoes; however, geraniol might cause allergic contact dermatitis in humans or animals. We tested a commercially available 2% aqueous solution of geraniol on ponies as a mosquito repellent. Five trials were conducted on ponies treated with a 60-ml aerosol mist (30 ml per side) of 2% geraniol or as untreated controls. Animals were observed 3 h postapplication to check for skin irritation. Aedes aegypti, in feeding tubes, were held on the ponies for 7 min. The average percent of biting on control animals was 56%, with a range of 16–90%, and the average for the treatments was 13%, with a range of 0–86%. Based on statistical models, there was no significant difference (P = 0.081) in the percent bites between treated and untreated animals after 3 h. Based on our data, 2% geraniol was not an adequate mosquito repellent for horses. We did not observe any skin irritation on the animals treated with 2% geraniol.
A frequency domain philosophy for nonlinear systems, with applications to stabilization and to adaptive control

In this paper we develop, in the nonlinear setting, certain of the basic elements of the frequency domain approach to linear system theory. Thus, we develop analogues of the notion of left and right half plane zeros for systems of relative degree one. It is shown that high gain output feedback stabilizes minimum phase systems of (strong) relative degree one and that lag-lead compensators can also be used to "shape the response" of nonlinear systems. We conclude with a discussion of the performance of high gain adaptive stabilizers for such nonlinear systems.
Sipuleucel-T (APC8015) for prostate cancer

Sipuleucel-T (Provenge®; APC8015; Dendreon Corp, WA, USA) is a novel immunotherapeutic cellular product, which includes autologous dendritic cells pulsed ex vivo with a recombinant fusion protein (PA2024) consisting of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and prostatic acid phosphatase. Two Phase II trials in men with androgen-dependent biochemically relapsed prostate cancer have demonstrated a decrease in prostate-specific antigen and prolongation in prostate-specific antigen doubling time. In men with hormone-refractory prostate cancer, clinical trials have demonstrated both biological activity and clinical response to sipuleucel-T. Data from two Phase III trials in men with asymptomatic, metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer demonstrated an improved median overall survival in men who received sipuleucel-T compared with placebo. Clinical trials are ongoing or are being developed to evaluate sipuleucel-T in various prostate cancer disease states and in combination with other treatment modalities.
Control of Line-Interactive UPS Connected in Parallel Forming a Microgrid

In this paper, the control strategy for an overall microgrid is presented. The control has two main levels: (i) the droop control of the inverters, and (ii) the control of the static bypass switch, and the droop settings for the management of the power flow. Thus, a flexible microgrid is obtained to operate in either grid-connected or islanded mode. Results from line- interactive UPS inverters connected in parallel forming a microgrid are presented, showing the feasibility of the presented solution.
Screening of subclinical hypothyroidism during gestational diabetes in Pakistani population

Abstract Objective: The increased prevalence of adverse effects of altered thyroid functions in pregnancy inspired us to study the frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and the relationship with glycaemic control and foetal weight in pregnant females with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Pakistani population. Patients and methods: Five hundred and eight pregnant females were enrolled and grouped as per the International Diabetes Association criteria into GDM (n = 208) and healthy control (n = 300). Random blood glucose (RBG), thyroid function tests, anthropometric analysis and foetal ultra sound scans were performed on all study subjects. Data were analysed using Mann–Whitney U test and Chi-square test wherever applicable. Spearman correlation and multiple regression analysis were performed. p values of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 61.5% GDM subjects depicted SCH with normal circulating T4 and T3 versus 6.0% healthy controls (p-value < 0.001). Moreover, TSH remained independently associated with RBG (r = 0.109; p < 0.05), poor glycaemic control (r = 0.227; p < 0.001) and negatively associated with foetal growth (r = −0.206; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The detection of high TSH with normal T3 and T4 in females with GDM strongly emphasises the need of thyroid screening as a routine in all antenatal clinics.
cRGD-installed docetaxel-loaded mertansine prodrug micelles: redox-triggered ratiometric dual drug release and targeted synergistic treatment of B16F10 melanoma

Combinatorial chemotherapy, which has emerged as a promising treatment modality for intractable cancers, is challenged by a lack of tumor-targeting, robust and ratiometric dual drug release systems. Here, docetaxel-loaded cRGD peptide-decorated redox-activable micellar mertansine prodrug (DTX-cRGD-MMP) was developed for targeted and synergistic treatment of B16F10 melanoma-bearing C57BL/6 mice. DTX-cRGD-MMP exhibited a small size of ca. 49 nm, high DTX and DM1 loading, low drug leakage under physiological conditions, with rapid release of both DTX and DM1 under a cytoplasmic reductive environment. Notably, MTT and flow cytometry assays showed that DTX-cRGD-MMP brought about a synergistic antitumor effect to B16F10 cancer cells, with a combination index of 0.37 and an IC50 over 3- and 13-fold lower than cRGD-MMP (w/o DTX) and DTX-cRGD-Ms (w/o DM1) controls, respectively. In vivo studies revealed that DTX-cRGD-MMP had a long circulation time and a markedly improved accumulation in the B16F10 tumor compared with the non-targeting DTX-MMP control (9.15 versus 3.13% ID/g at 12 h post-injection). Interestingly, mice treated with DTX-cRGD-MMP showed almost complete growth inhibition of B16F10 melanoma, with tumor inhibition efficacy following an order of DTX-cRGD-MMP > DTX-MMP (w/o cRGD) > cRGD-MMP (w/o DTX) > DTX-cRGD-Ms (w/o DM1) > free DTX. Consequently, DTX-cRGD-MMP significantly improved the survival rates of B16F10 melanoma-bearing mice. Importantly, DTX-cRGD-MMP caused little adverse effects as revealed by mice body weights and histological analyses. The combination of two mitotic inhibitors, DTX and DM1, appears to be an interesting approach for effective cancer therapy.
Broad-Band E-plane Filters With Improved Stop-Band Performance

In this letter, a novel broad-band E-plane filter with improved stop-band performance is proposed. The spurious pass bands commonly encountered with standard E-plane filters are suppressed by integrating band-stop structures into the coupling elements of the filter and are realized by fin-line post structures. By optimizing the geometry of fin-line post structure, the proposed filter achieves improved stop-band performance and wide bandwidth simultaneously without any associated increase in the manufacturing complexity. The simulated and experimental results are presented to validate the proposed filter.
Tissue distribution of Epstein-Barr virus genotypes

The genome of naturally occurring Epstein-Barr virus contains either two or three copies of a 29-bp tandem repeat sequence in the first intron of the BZLF gene. These genotypes differ markedly in their distribution between blood and epithelial tissues, presumably because they have adapted to separate life cycles in these sites. The genotype prevalent in the blood also appears to be better able to transform B lymphocytes.
Cooperative CDD Scheme Based on Hierarchical Modulation in OFDM System

— In order to achieve high data rate and increase the spectral efficiency, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system has been proposed. However, multiple antennas are limited by size and cost. Therefore, recently developed cooperative diversity scheme, which profits the transmit diversity only with the existing hardware by constituting a virtual antenna array, can be a solution. However, most of the introduced cooperative techniques have a common fault of decreased transmission rate because the destination should receive the decodable compositions of symbols from the source and the relay. In this paper, we propose a cooperative cyclic delay diversity (CDD) scheme that use hierarchical modulation. This scheme is free from the rate loss and allows seamless cooperative communication.
10 Trehalose and Abiotic Stress in Biological Systems

Any non-living factors that affect negatively living organisms are reunited under the general term “abiotic stress” and its effects can be and are mitigated by a variety of defense mechanisms developed by the different biological systems in existence. Examples of abiotic stress are desiccation, salinity, high and low temperature. There are two general mechanisms used to counteract abiotic stress: avoidance and adaptation. In the case of avoidance, organisms migrate to deeper soil layers where temperatures are within tolerable range (Roelofs et al., 2008). Adaptation to stress is based on activation of stress defense gene pathways, which results in the production of heat shock proteins, LEA proteins, redox regulating proteins, different compatible solutes, cytochrome P450s (Roelofs et al., 2008). Trehalose, also known as tremalose or mycose, a non-reducing disaccharide, is widely spread in biological systems: bacteria, yeast, fungi, lower and higher plants, as well as insects and invertebrates (Elbein, 2003), and its function is associated with tolerance against multiple abiotic stresses. It was discovered in 1832 by H.A. Wiggers in the ergot of rye and later isolated from mooshrooms by Mitscherlich in 1858, who called it mycose (Richards et al., 2002). In the same year Berthelot isolated a novel sugar from trehala-manna, a secretion left by different insects on leaves on Middle East. He named this new sugar ‘‘trehalique glucose’’ or trehalose (Richards et al., 2002). Initially trehalose was considered to be a rare sugar because it could only be extracted from trehala manna or the resurrection plant. Later Koch and Koch in 1925 discovered it in yeast and established basic protocols for trehalose isolation from yeast (Richards et al., 2002). Still, the cost of trehalose production was high enough so that it limited its use for commercial exploitation. In 1990’s Hayashibara company in Japan discovered a method to mass-produce trehalose inexpensively from starch. The enzymes used in the process, maltooligosyl–trehalose synthase (MTSase) and maltooligosyl–trehalose trehalohydrolase (MTHase), are derived from a non-pathogenic soil bacteria, Arthrobacter sp. (Maruta et al., 1995). Trehalose has multiple functions, and some of them are species specific. In microorganisms trehalose appears to act as an energy source, during certain stages of development such as spore germination (Elbein, 2003). In anhydrobiotic organisms, trehalose is known to accumulate to high concentrations to survive complete dehydration (Drennan et al., 1993), by preserving the membranes during drought period (Crowe et al., 1984). Trehalose acts as a structural component in mycobacteria, being incorporated into glycolipids (Elbein, 1974). In Escherichia coli, trehalose protects against cold stress, presumably by stabilizing cell
ESD protection devices placed inside keep-out zone (KOZ) of through Silicon Via (TSV) in 3D stacked integrated circuits

Through Silicon Via (TSV) has been utilized in vertically stacking IC dice to implement real system-in-chip applications. However, threshold voltage and mobility of MOSFETs can be influenced by induced mechanical strain of the TSV, causing degradation or non-stability of functional circuits. Therefore, a Keep-out Zone (KOZ) is defined, meaning that active devices are forbidden in this area. This paper investigates the impact on ESD protection devices placed inside this KOZ in bulk FinFET process.
Modeling and Solving the Open-End Bin Packing Problem

In the Open-End Bin Packing Problem a set of items with varying weights must be packed into bins of uniform weight limit such that the capacity of the bin can be exceeded only by the last packed item, known as the overflow item. The objective is to minimize the number of used bins. In this paper, we present our Integer Linear Program model based on a modification of Cesili and Righini model [1]. Also, we propose two greedy heuristics to solve a problem. The first one is an adaptation of the Minimum Bin Slack heuristic where we have reduced to one unit capacity, the weight of the largest item in the current bin. While, the second heuristic is based on the well-known First Fit Decreasing heuristic. Computational results based on benchmark instances taken from the literature as well as generated instances show the effectiveness of the proposed heuristics in both solution quality and time requirement.
Fine‐scale genetic structure of a long‐lived reptile reflects recent habitat modification

Anthropogenic habitat fragmentation — ubiquitous in modern ecosystems — has strong impacts on gene flow and genetic population structure. Reptiles may be particularly susceptible to the effects of fragmentation because of their extreme sensitivity to environmental conditions and limited dispersal. We investigate fine‐scale spatial genetic structure, individual relatedness, and sex‐biased dispersal in a large population of a long‐lived reptile (tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus) on a recently fragmented island. We genotyped individuals from remnant forest, regenerating forest, and grassland pasture sites at seven microsatellite loci and found significant genetic structuring (RST = 0.012) across small distances (< 500 m). Isolation by distance was not evident, but rather, genetic distance was weakly correlated with habitat similarity. Only individuals in forest fragments were correctly assignable to their site of origin, and individual pairwise relatedness in one fragment was significantly higher than expected. We did not detect sex‐biased dispersal, but natural dispersal patterns may be confounded by fragmentation. Assignment tests showed that reforestation appears to have provided refuges for tuatara from disturbed areas. Our results suggest that fine‐scale genetic structuring is driven by recent habitat modification and compounded by the sedentary lifestyle of these long‐lived reptiles. Extreme longevity, large population size, simple social structure and random dispersal are not strong enough to counteract the genetic structure caused by a sedentary lifestyle. We suspect that fine‐scale spatial genetic structuring could occur in any sedentary species with limited dispersal, making them more susceptible to the effects of fragmentation.