Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pharmacologic Characterization of AMG8379, a Potent and Selective Small Molecule Sulfonamide Antagonist of the Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel NaV1.7

Potent and selective antagonists of the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 represent a promising avenue for the development of new chronic pain therapies. We generated a small molecule atropisomer quinolone sulfonamide antagonist AMG8379 and a less active enantiomer AMG8380. Here we show that AMG8379 potently blocks human NaV1.7 channels with an IC50 of 8.5 nM and endogenous tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive sodium channels in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons with an IC50 of 3.1 nM in whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology assays using a voltage protocol that interrogates channels in a partially inactivated state. AMG8379 was 100- to 1000-fold selective over other NaV family members, including NaV1.4 expressed in muscle and NaV1.5 expressed in the heart, as well as TTX-resistant NaV channels in DRG neurons. Using an ex vivo mouse skin-nerve preparation, AMG8379 blocked mechanically induced action potential firing in C-fibers in both a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. AMG8379 similarly reduced the frequency of thermally induced C-fiber spiking, whereas AMG8380 affected neither mechanical nor thermal responses. In vivo target engagement of AMG8379 in mice was evaluated in multiple NaV1.7-dependent behavioral endpoints. AMG8379 dose-dependently inhibited intradermal histamine-induced scratching and intraplantar capsaicin-induced licking, and reversed UVB radiation skin burn–induced thermal hyperalgesia; notably, behavioral effects were not observed with AMG8380 at similar plasma exposure levels. AMG8379 is a potent and selective NaV1.7 inhibitor that blocks sodium current in heterologous cells as well as DRG neurons, inhibits action potential firing in peripheral nerve fibers, and exhibits pharmacodynamic effects in translatable models of both itch and pain.
Network analysis of Counter-strike and Starcraft

Network games are becoming increasingly popular, but their traffic patterns have received little attention from the academic research community. A better understanding of network game traffic can lead to more effective network architectures and more realistic network simulations. We gathered traffic traces from live Internet games of Counter-strike and Starcraft, representative games from two different gaming genres. We analyzed the network traffic patterns and bandwidth consumption to better understand how such games impact the network. Both games were found to have very low bandwidth usage and packets significantly smaller than typical Internet applications. Starcraft games showed consistent traffic behavior across games while the traffic patterns for Counter-strike varied widely, especially for the server. In particular, Counter-strike clients and servers often send bursts of very small packets. Since current Internet routers are typically designed for large transfers with large packets, there may be opportunities to improve network architectures to better manage and support game traffic.
Stomach cannulation of pregnant gilts for nutrition studies during lactation

The design, manufacture and insertion of a cannula into the stomach of first-litter gilts to facilitate superalimentation during lactation is described. Anaesthesia, surgery, and the presence of cannulas had no detrimental effects on birth parameters or on the gilts' ability to lactate and suckle their young. Stomach cannulation enabled us to infuse 37% more food into gilts during a 28-d lactation, and is an excellent research tool for manipulating nutrition during lactation. Key words: Gilts, lactation, surgery, stomach cannulation, superalimentation
Potential Drug Interactions Mediated by Renal Organic Anion Transporter OATP4C1

Organic anion-transporting polypeptide 4C1 (OATP4C1) is an organic anion transporter expressed in the basolateral membrane of the renal proximal tubules. It plays a major role in the urinary excretion of both exogenous drugs and endogenous compounds. Our previous studies have indicated the importance of OATP4C1 in pathologic and physiologic conditions; however, the majority of its pharmacologic characteristics remained unclear. Therefore, to provide essential information for clinical drug therapy decisions and drug development, we clarified drug interactions mediated by OATP4C1. To elucidate potential drug interactions via OATP4C1, we screened 53 representative drugs commonly used in clinical settings. Next, we evaluated the IC50 values of drugs that inhibited OATP4C1 by more than 50%. To apply our results to clinical settings, we calculated the drug-drug interaction (DDI) indices. The screening analysis using an OATP4C1-expressing cell system demonstrated that 22 out of 53 therapeutic drugs inhibited OATP4C1-mediated triiodothyronine transport. In particular, OATP4C1-mediated transport was strongly inhibited by 10 drugs. The IC50 values of 10 drugs—nicardipine, spironolactone, fluvastatin, crizotinib, levofloxacin, clarithromycin, ritonavir, saquinavir, quinidine, and verapamil—obtained in this study were 51, 53, 41, 24, 420, 200, 8.5, 4.3, 100, and 110 µM, respectively. The IC50 values of these drugs were higher than the plasma concentrations obtained in clinical practice. However, ritonavir showed the highest DDI index (1.9) for OATP4C1, suggesting that it may strongly influence this transporter and thus cause drug interactions seen in clinical settings. Our finding gives new insight into the role of OATP4C1 in clinical DDIs.
Estudo clínico-epidemiológico da esquistossomose mansoni em escolares da Ilha, município de Arcos, MG (Brasil), 1983

Foi realizado um estudo clinico-epidemiologico da esquistossomose em escolares (6 - 14 anos) da Ilha, em Minas Gerais (Brasil). Foram feitos exame parasitologico de fezes pelo metodo de KATO-KATZ e exame clinico em, respectivamente, 86,7 e 85,4% da populacao escolar. Foi realizado levantamento socio-economico e foram pesquisados os sinais e sintomas apresentados pelos pacientes e seus contatos com aguas naturais. O indice de infeccao pelo Schistosoma mansoni foi 32,7%, predominaram as baixas contagens de ovos nas fezes (89,0% dos pacientes eliminavam menos de 500 ovos/grama de fezes) e o indide de esplenomegalia foi 7,7%. Os pacientes positivos (com ovos de S. mansoni nas fezes) foram comparados aos negativos (sem ovos nas fezes e com intradermoreacao negativa), verificando-se que a infeccao pelo S. mansoni era significativamente mais frequente entre os trabalhadores rurais, entre os que residiam em casas de pior qualidade e entre aqueles cujos chefes de familia eram analfabetos. Constituiram os maiores fatores de risco para a infeccao pelo S. mansoni nesta area: a) ter contatos com aguas naturais para trabalhar na lavoura (Odds Ratio = 18,08); b) ter contatos diarios com aguas naturais (OR = 13,82) e c) ter contatos com aguas naturais para pescar, nadar e/ou brincar (OR = 7,75 e 5,51, respectivamente). Os autores levantam a hipotese de que a transmissao da esquistossomose nesta localidade nao ocorre no peridomicilio, mas sim nas lagoas proximas a Ilha e nas plantacoes agricolas, provavelmente nas culturas de arroz de varzea.
Infrared Thermographic Image Processing for Identification of Gradual Damage to the Outer Race of Bearings in Induction Motors

Induction motors play a fundamental role in most industrial processes due to their high efficiency and robust performance. For this reason the condition monitoring of these equipment is of great relevance. One of the most studied motor components is the bearing. Bearings reduce friction in the rotor allowing it to move freely, being a key factor in the correct operation of the induction motor. The most common bearing failures occur in the outer race. In this work we present the development of a system based on thermographic image processing to identify gradual failures in the outer bearing race of an induction motor. The bearing failure cases were induced by drilling holes in the outer race of metallic bearings with ascending diameters of 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm. The experiments were carried out in a kinematic chain integrated by an induction motor and load elements. Thermographic images were acquired with a low-cost infrared sensor, and then segmented into three zones: motor rotor, motor body, motor backside. Subsequently, fifteen statistical parameters were calculated and processed by principal component analysis. The system obtained two characteristic features capable of effectively differentiating the bearing failures.
High N-Acetyltransferase 1 Expression is Associated with Estrogen Receptor Expression in Breast Tumors, but is not Under Direct Regulation by Estradiol, 5α-androstane-3β, 17β-Diol, or Dihydrotestosterone in Breast Cancer Cells

N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) is an enzyme that metabolizes carcinogens, which suggests a potential role in breast carcinogenesis. High NAT1 expression in breast tumors is associated with estrogen receptor α (ERα+) and the luminal subtype. We report that NAT1 mRNA transcript, protein, and enzyme activity were higher in human breast tumors with high expression of ERα/ESR1 compared with normal breast tissue. There was a strong correlation between NATb promoter and NAT1 protein expression/enzyme activity. High NAT1 expression in tumors was not the result of adipocytes, as evidenced by low perilipin (PLIN) expression. ESR1, NAT1, and XBP1 expression were associated in tumor biopsies. Direct regulation of NAT1 transcription by estradiol (E2) was investigated in ERα (+) MCF-7 and T47D breast cancer cells. E2 did not increase NAT1 transcript expression but increased progesterone receptor expression in a dose-dependent manner. Likewise, NAT1 transcript levels were not increased by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or 5α-androstane-3β, (3β-adiol) 17β-diol. Dithiothreitol increased levels of the activated, spliced XBP1 in ERα (+) MCF-7 and T47D breast cancer cells but did not affect NAT1 or ESR1 expression. We conclude that NAT1 expression is not directly regulated by E2, DHT, 3β-adiol, or dithiothreitol despite high NAT1 and ESR1 expression in luminal A breast cancer cells, suggesting that ESR1, XBP1, and NAT1 expression may share a common transcriptional network arising from the luminal epithelium associated with better survival in breast cancer. Clusters of high-expression genes, including NAT1, in breast tumors might serve as potential targets for novel therapeutic drug development.
Percutaneous biliary covered stent insertion in patients with malignant duodenobiliary obstruction

Background Although the use of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered biliary stents has proven to be feasible for the treatment of benign and malignant biliary disease, less is known regarding the outcomes of percutaneous placement of a covered stent in patients with malignant duodenobiliary obstruction. Purpose To investigate the technical and clinical efficacy of the percutaneous placement of a PTFE-covered biliary stent in patients with malignant duodenobiliary obstruction. Material and Methods From April 2007 to September 2012, the medical records of 45 consecutive patients with malignant duodenobiliary obstruction were retrospectively reviewed. All percutaneous biliary stent deployment was performed using PTFE-covered stents, whereas duodenal stent insertion was performed either fluoroscopically or endoscopically using covered or uncovered stents. Results Biliary stent deployment was technically successful in all patients. None of the stents migrated after deployment. Procedure-related minor complications, including self-limiting hemobilia, occurred in three (7%) patients. Successful internal drainage was achieved in 39 (87%) of the 45 patients. The median survival time after biliary stent placement was 62 days (95% confidence interval, 8–116 days), and the cumulative stent patency rates at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months were 96%, 92%, 75%, and 38%, respectively. The causes of biliary stent dysfunction included stent occlusion caused by a subsequently inserted duodenal stent (n = 7), food impaction (n = 3), and sludge incrustation (n = 1). One patient developed acute cholecystitis 131 days after biliary stent placement and underwent percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage. Conclusion Percutaneous insertion of a PTFE-covered stent is a safe and effective method for palliative treatment of patients with malignant duodenobiliary obstruction. If possible, subsequent biliary stent insertion is preferable in order to prevent possible biliary stent dysfunction caused by subsequent insertion of a duodenal stent.
Mitochondrial Respiratory Enzyme Complexes in Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla as Cellular Targets of Nitric Oxide and Superoxide Interaction in the Antagonism of Antihypertensive Action of eNOS Transgene

Overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) by gene transduction of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) in rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), which is responsible for maintenance of vasomotor tone, reduces arterial pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). This NO-induced vasodepression, however, is not sustained and is followed by rebound hypertension. Because superoxide anion (\batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{O}_{2}^{\overline{.}}\) \end{document}) level is increased and synthesis or activity of mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2) is reduced in RVLM during hypertension, we hypothesized that an interaction between NO and \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{O}_{2}^{\overline{.}}\) \end{document} in RVLM, using mitochondrial respiratory enzyme complexes (MRC) as the cellular target, contributes to those cardiovascular outcomes after eNOS gene transduction in SHR. The present study assessed this hypothesis using adenoviral vectors to overexpress eNOS (AdeNOS) and/or SOD2 (AdSOD2) in RVLM of SHR or normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Microinjection of AdeNOS bilaterally into RVLM elicited 35% depression of MRC-I enzyme activity and evoked 60% and 50% increase in \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{O}_{2}^{\overline{.}}\) \end{document} and peroxynitrite level in RVLM of SHR, but not WKY rats, which was reversed by cotransduced AdSOD2 or treatment with peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst. Cotransduction of AdeNOS and AdSOD2 in RVLM of SHR elicited significantly greater decreases in arterial pressure and heart rate than those promoted by the individual transgene and prevented the AdeNOS-induced rebound hypertension. We conclude that an interactive action between NO and \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{O}_{2}^{\overline{.}}\) \end{document} on MRC-I in RVLM via formation of peroxynitrite contributes to the unsustained hypotensive effects of NO after overexpression of eNOS in SHR. The mitochondria-derived \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\mathrm{O}_{2}^{\overline{.}}\) \end{document} also mediates the rebound hypertension induced by eNOS transgene in RVLM of SHR.
Taxonomy for software teamwork measurement

Despite the fact that software is mostly a team endeavor, the software engineering (SE) literature has not tapped into organizational psychology's conceptual and empirical writings on teams. This paper presents a model of team dynamics adapted to the specificities of SE project teams. The taxonomy is composed of nine episodes that are likely to be found in any software team process. Each episode is described in terms of the input‐process‐output cycle and illustrated with examples. The measurability of the episodes is validated on a capstone student project carried out with an industrial partner. The team activities are recorded by each developer, throughout the project's duration, in the form of work tokens. These work tokens are then associated with episodes by two independent coders. The results show that all the episodes of the proposed taxonomy are measurable, and very few (less than 5% in this field study) remain ambiguous. Most of the ambiguities arise from short episodes that alternate during team process activities. This paper's contribution to software team process research is to synthesize the team literature and draw up a theoretically driven taxonomy of team dynamics specific to SE teams and to provide initial evidence of measurability of the taxonomy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The value of anti-1-amino-3-18F-fluorocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate carcinoma: a meta-analysis

Background Anti-1-amino-3-[18F]fluorocyclobutane-1-carboxylic acid (anti-3-18F-FACBC) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), 11 C-choline PET/CT, 111In–capromab pendetide, and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been used for detecting prostate carcinoma relapse. Purpose To systematically review and perform a meta-analysis of published data regarding the performance of 18F-FACBC PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate carcinoma. Material and Methods A comprehensive review of the literature regarding the role of 18F-FACBC PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate carcinoma was performed. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiver-operating characteristic of 18F-FACBC PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate carcinoma were calculated based on the included studies. Results Six studies comprising 251 patients, suspicious of prostate carcinoma recurrence, were included in this meta-analysis. 18F-FACBC PET/CT had an 87% pooled sensitivity, 66% pooled specificity, 0.93 the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve on a per patient-based analysis in detecting prostate carcinoma recurrence. Conclusion 18F-FACBC PET/CT was a non-invasive, metabolic imaging technique in the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma relapse.
Effects of gadolinium-based contrast agent concentrations (0.5 M or 1.0 M) on the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging examinations: systematic review of the literature

Background To date there is no agreement as to what is the optimal concentration for gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs). Purpose To assess whether diagnostic performance differences exist between 0.5 M and 1.0 M GBCAs used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Material and Methods A PubMed literature search identified 21 clinical studies published between 2005 and 2013 which evaluated the diagnostic efficacy of both types of GBCAs. Study design, type of procedure, GBCA administration mode, imaging performances, impact on patient management, study limitations, and biases were analyzed. No statistical test was performed on pooled data. Results Sixteen comparative and five non-comparative studies were analyzed, involving 2183 patients who underwent MRI procedures for various indications. In 67% of the studies, 0.5 M and 1.0 M GBCAs were injected at equimolar gadolinium amounts per kg body weight. Only 33% applied the same molar flow rate for delivery of the GBCAs. No significant differences between GBCAs were reported for 23 out of 27 qualitative endpoints (mainly image quality, lesion, and vessel visualization) and 29 out of 40 quantitative endpoints. Three out of four studies with non-equimolar delivery rates showed better contrast-to-noise and signal-to-noise ratios for 1.0 M gadobutrol, without showing an impact on diagnostic performance. Methodological biases were identified in several studies impairing the interpretation of comparisons. Conclusion Imaging differences between 0.5 M and 1.0 M GBCAs were essentially observed under non-equimolar delivery rates. However, they did not result into greater diagnostic efficacy when performed under equimolar conditions.
Future directions in Agile research: Alignment and divergence between research and practice

Editorial article Since the publication of Agile Manifesto in 2001, agile methods have transited from a grass- root initiative among enthusiastic advocates and developers to a mainstream software development approach adopted by both small and large companies worldwide. Meanwhile research on agile methods has grown rapidly and steadily into an established research area, evidenced by dedicated conferences (e.g., XP conference series, research track of previous Agile Conference series), special issues and sections in top Information Systems and Software Engineering journals. However, practitioners and consultants have largely driven the advancement in agile field, and agile research has lagged behind practice in the past. Has this situation changed as both agile methods and research community become increasingly mature? To be able to answer such questions, there is a constant need to check what interest agile practitioners and what agile researchers are investigating, to make sure that the states of the art and practice are aligned properly.
Image error concealment using sparse representations over a trained dictionary

This paper introduces a novel image error concealment technique, wherein the correlation among the correctly received pixels is implicitly exploited to recover the missing areas. This correlation is modeled as sparse representations of the correctly received surrounding areas of a lost regions, hence as a linear combination of very few atoms chosen from an over-complete dictionary. Under mild conditions, the sparse representation coefficients of a given zone, including both known and unknown pixels, can be correctly recovered from the sparse representation coefficients of its neighboring area. This linear process coupled with a simple smoothing process introduces a high quality concealed image. Compared with the state-of-the-art error concealment algorithms, experimental results show that the proposed method has better reconstruction performance in terms of objective and subjective evaluations.
Wide-common-mode-range and high-CMRR CMOS OTA operable in both weak and strong inversion regions

In this paper, an OTA can be operated in both weak and strong inversion regions is presented. The proposed OTA has advantages: wide-common-mode-input-range, high-CMRR and low-voltage-operation. The proposed OTA is evaluated through Star-HSPICE with 0.18 mum CMOS device parameters (LEVEL53). Simulations results demonstrate a CMRR of 93 dB, a common-mode-input-range of 65 mV to 720 mV and a current consumption of 1.2 muA when VDD=0.8 V.