Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Abciximab (ReoPro, chimeric 7E3 Fab) demonstrates equivalent affinity and functional blockade of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and alpha(v)beta3 integrins.

BACKGROUND Large, randomized, and blinded clinical trials (EPIC, EPILOG, and CAPTURE) have demonstrated that abciximab (ReoPro, chimeric 7E3 Fab) markedly reduces thrombotic events associated with percutaneous transluminal coronary interventions. The marked early benefits at 30 days were sustained at 6 months and 3 years. Initially developed because of its efficacy in blocking GP IIb/IIIa (alphaIIb/beta3) receptors on platelets, abciximab also binds with equivalent affinity to alpha(v)beta3. METHODS AND RESULTS This study presents a detailed characterization of the alphavss3 interaction, including the ability of abciximab to (1) bind with comparable affinity to alpha(v)beta3 and GP IIb/IIIa, (2) inhibit alpha(v)beta3 and GP IIb/IIIa-mediated cell adhesion in vitro with IC50 values approximating binding KD values, and (3) redistribute between GP IIb/IIIa and alpha(v)beta3 integrins in vitro. CONCLUSIONS As an antagonist of not only GP IIb/IIIa but also alpha(v)beta3, abciximab may provide additional clinical benefit in preventing alpha(v)beta3-mediated effects such as thrombin generation, clot retraction, or smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation. Abciximab binds with equivalent affinity to both GP IIb/IIIa and alphavss3 and redistributes between the 2 integrin receptors in vitro. Abciximab has been previously shown to circulate on platelets for up to 2 weeks. Taken together, these findings suggest that abciximab may have the ability to inhibit both GP IIb/IIIa and alpha(v)beta3 for extended periods.
The effects of single and combined application of ramipril and losartan on renal structure and function in hypertensive rats

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of single and combined administration of ramipril and losartan on renal structure and function in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Thirty-two 9-week-old SHRs and eight Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were randomly divided into five groups: the WKY control group, the SHR control group, the SHR-ramipril group, the SHR-losartan group, and the SHR-combined mediation group. The rat body weight, SBP, heart rate, and urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) were measured. (1) The SBP was reduced to the normal level in all groups of rats except for the SHR control group. Combined administration of ramipril and losartan can be reduced to the normal level earlier than single (P < 0.01). (2) The SHR-ramipril group and the SHR-losartan group still experienced a higher UAER than that in the WKY control group (P < 0.01). (3) The renal mass/BW ratio was decreased in the SHR-ramipril group, SHR-losartan group, and SHR-combined medication group compared to that in the SHR control group (P < 0.01). (4) Compared with the SHR control group, the SHR-ramipril group, the SHR-losartan group, and the SHR-combined medication group had a lower percentage of the IOD of glomerular collagen relative to the glomerular area (P < 0.01). (5) The reduction in tubulointerstitial injury score was more significant in the SHR-combined medication group than in the SHR-ramipril group and the SHR-losartan group (P < 0.01). The combination of ramipril and losartan is superior to either single drug in reducing the UAER, resisting glomerular collagen deposition, and protecting renal tubular structure.
P&O or IC for PV pumping system: What MPPT algorithm to improve performances?

This paper discusses the performance improvement of photovoltaic water pumping system using both P&O and IC MPPT controllers. The efficiency of both proposed MPPT controller has been studied successfully using a DC motor-pump powered by thirty six PV modules fed by DC-DC boost converter controlled using both P&O as well as IC MPPT algorithms. Comparative study results obtained using Matlab/Simulink environment show that the IC outperforms the P&O method in term of convergence speed; while the P&O method presents better performance for the steady state oscillation in case of high level insolation. In case of low level insolation (point C), the steady state oscillations around the MPP point are less in IC compared to those in P&O algorithm.
A comparison of a spiritually based and non-spiritually based educational intervention for informed decision making for prostate cancer screening among church-attending African-American men.

INTRODUCTION Health communication interventions have been modestly effective for increasing informed decision making for prostate cancer screening among African-American men; however, knowledge and informed decision making is still questionable even with screening. Church-based programs may be more effective if they are spiritually based in nature. OBJECTIVE The aims of the present study were to implement and provide an initial evaluation of a spiritually based prostate cancer screening informed decision making intervention for African-American men who attend church, and determine its efficacy for increasing informed decision making. DESIGN AND METHOD Churches were randomized to receive either the spiritually based or the non-spiritual intervention. Trained community health advisors, who were African-American male church members, led an educational session and distributed educational print materials. Participants completed baseline and immediate follow-up surveys to assess the intervention impact on study outcomes. RESULTS The spiritually based intervention appeared to be more effective in areas such as knowledge, and men read more of their materials in the spiritually based group than in the non-spiritual group. CONCLUSIONS Further examination of the efficacy of the spiritually based approach to health communication is warranted.
Metaanalysis of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR) Polymorphisms Affecting Methotrexate Toxicity

Objective. Methotrexate (MTX) is an effective therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but it is also associated with toxicity. Pharmacogenetics is the systematic evaluation of the role of genetic differences in the efficacy and toxicity of therapeutic interventions. Because the results of small pharmacogenetic studies are often misleading, we undertook a metaanalysis of published studies to determine the role of polymorphisms in the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of MTX. Methods. A search of PubMed produced 55 publications, which were then reviewed for relevance to MTX toxicity and efficacy in patients with RA. To ensure that no study was missed, each polymorphism found was then entered as an independent search string and all results were reviewed again. Results. Only 2 polymorphisms [C677T and A1298C in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR); total 8 studies] relevant to MTX metabolism and efficacy had sufficient data to allow a metaanalysis of their association with toxicity; there was no polymorphism with sufficient data to perform a metaanalysis of efficacy. In a fixed-effects model, the C677T polymorphism was associated with increased toxicity (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.32–2.21, p < 0.001). The A1298C polymorphism was not associated with increased toxicity (OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.79–1.6, p = 0.626). Conclusion. As pharmacogenetics evolves, more data are needed to assess the role of various polymorphisms for drug efficacy and toxicity. These results illustrate the paucity of reliable pharmacogenetic data on a commonly used antirheumatic drug and the potential role of pharmacogenetics in tailoring drug therapy for an individual patient.
Neurotensin in the ventromedial mesencephalon of the rat: Anatomical and functional considerations

Neurotensin is an endogenous neuropeptide that fulfills some of the criteria for a neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. It exists in high concentrations in the ventral tegmental area and adjacent midline nuclei of the ventromedial mesencephalon, and recent microinjection studies have demonstrated that neurotensin can act in this brain region to produce both a decrease in colonic temperature, and an increase in spontaneous motor activity. In this study it was found that hypothermia was most successfully evoked following neurotensin injection along the midline of the ventral mesencephalon, corresponding to the nucleus linearis centralis. In contrast, behavioral hyperactivity was produced with greatest consistency in the ventral tegmental area, corresponding to the nucleus paranigralis and nucleus parabrachialis pigmentosus. However, in its caudal aspect, the nucleus paranigralis was found unresponsive to neurotensin. Behavioral hyperactivity was also observed after neurotensin injection along the midline into the nucleus interfascicularis. Only injections made into the nucleus linearis rostralis produced hypothermia and hyperactivity in the same rat. This distribution of neurotensin‐responsive nuclei corresponded to the distribution of neurotensin containing perikarya and fibers. With the exception of the nucleus interfascicularis, neurotensin‐containing neurons were distributed throughout the rostral portion of the ventromedial mesencephalon, the nucleus parabraehialis pigmentosus containing the greatest density. However, in the caudal portion, neurotensin neurons were found almost exclusively in the nucleus linearis centralis. Neurotensin‐containing fibers were of greatest density in the nucleus interfascicularis and the nucleus linearis centralis. Considering the known capacity of neurotensin to activate dopamine neurons in the ventromedial mesencephalon, and the partial mediolateral topographical distribution of dopaminergic projections from this region to the limbic forebrain, it is possible that neurotensin may be activating two distinct populations of dopamine neurons to produce hypothermia and behavioral hyperactivity.
Formation and repair of clustered damaged DNA sites in high LET irradiated cells

Purpose: Radiation with high linear energy transfer (LET) produces clustering of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) as well as non-DSB lesions. Heat-labile sites (HLS) are non-DSB lesions in irradiated cells that may convert into DSB at elevated temperature during preparation of naked DNA for electrophoretic assays and here we studied the initial formation and repair of these clustered damaged sites after irradiation with high LET ions. Materials and methods: Induction and repair of DSB were studied in normal human skin fibroblast (GM5758) after irradiation with accelerated carbon and nitrogen ions at an LET of 125 eV/nm. DNA fragmentation was analyzed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and by varying the lysis condition we could differentiate between prompt DSB and heat-released DSB. Results: Before repair (t = 0 h), the 125 eV/nm ions produced a significant fraction of heat-released DSB, which appeared clustered on DNA fragments with sizes of 1 Mbp or less. These heat-released DSB increased the total number of DSB by 30–40%. This increase is similar to what has been found in low-LET irradiated cells, suggesting that the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) for DSB induction will not be largely affected by the lysis temperature. After 1–2 hours repair, a large fraction of DSB was still unrejoined but there was essentially no heat-released DSB present. Conclusions: These results suggest that high LET radiation, as low LET gamma radiation, induces a significant fraction of heat-labile sites which can be converted into DSB, and these heat-released DSB may affect both induction yields and estimates of repair.
Folate-related gene polymorphisms as risk factors for cleft lip and cleft palate.

BACKGROUND Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP) and cleft palate only (CPO) have an inherited component and, many studies suggest, a relationship with folate. Attempts to find folate-related genes associated with clefts have, however, often been inconclusive. This study examined four SNPs related to folate metabolism (MTHFR 677 C-->T, MTHFR 1298 A-->C, MTHFD1 1958 G-->A, and TC II 776 C-->G) in a large Irish population to clarify their relationship with clefts. METHODS Cases and their parents were recruited from major surgical centers performing cleft repairs in Ireland and a support organization. Data on risk factors, medical history, and DNA were collected. Controls were pregnant women from the greater Dublin area (n = 1,599). RESULTS CLP cases numbered 536 and CPO cases 426 after exclusions. CPO mothers were significantly more likely than controls to be MTHFR 677 TT, OR 1.50 (95% CI: 1.05-2.16; p = .03). Log-linear analysis showed a borderline association (p = .07). Isolated CPO case mothers were significantly more likely than controls to be homozygous for the MTHFD1 1958 G-->A variant, OR 1.50 (95%CI: 1.08-2.09; p = .02). When multiple cases were added, both CPO cases and case mothers were significantly more likely to be AA (p = .02 and p = .007, respectively). The CLP case-control and mother-control analyses also showed significant effects, ORs 1.38 (95% CI: 1.05-1.82; p = .03) and 1.39 (95% CI: 1.04-1.85; p = .03), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Associations were found for both CPO and CLP and MTHFD1 1958 G-->A in cases and case mothers. MTHFR 677 C-->T could be a maternal risk factor for clefts but the association was not strong. Because multiple comparisons were made, these findings require additional investigation. Given the known association between MTHFD1 1958 G-->A and NTDs, these findings should be explored in more detail.
Visual Requirements for Reading

We have applied research on the visual psychophysics of reading to low vision assessment. Research on different aspects of the reading process found that reading rate rather than reading comprehension is more sensitive to variations in a subject's visual functioning or the stimulus properties of print. The research identified four different visual factors that significantly affect reading rate: (1) acuity reserve [print size relative to acuity threshold], (2) contrast reserve [print contrast relative to contrast threshold], (3) field of view [number of letters visible], and (4) in cases of maculopathy, central scotoma size. Our research indicates that fluent reading rates can be attained with a restricted field of view, as little as four characters. However, attainment of fluent reading levels requires that print size and contrast should be several times threshold and the diameter of a central scotoma should be less than 22°. Although important clinical studies are lacking, we derived specific visual requirements for different reading rates from published experimental research to provide a starting point and to illustrate how visual requirements could be derived, even with poor correlations. Research has made significant progress toward the development of a comprehensive low vision assessment that will allow the practitioner to identify visual impediments to reading, other than reduced visual acuity. Having more fully characterized a visual impairment, the practitioner may tailor devices or interventions to the individual's needs and capabilities.
Flagellin Is an Effective Adjuvant for Immunization against Lethal Respiratory Challenge with Yersinia pestis

ABSTRACT Gram-negative flagellin, a Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) agonist, is a potent inducer of innate immune effectors such as cytokines and nitric oxide. In the lung, flagellin induces a localized and transient innate immune response characterized by neutrophil infiltration and the production of cytokines and chemokines. In view of the extraordinary potency of flagellin as an inducer of innate immunity and the contribution of innate responses to the development of adaptive immunity, we evaluated the efficacy of recombinant Salmonella flagellin as an adjuvant in an acellular plague vaccine. Mice immunized intranasally or intratracheally with the F1 antigen of Yersinia pestis and flagellin exhibited dramatic increases in anti-F1 plasma immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers that remained stable over time. In contrast, control mice had low or undetectable antibody responses. The IgG1/IgG2a ratio of antibody titers against F1 in immunized mice is consistent with a Th2 bias. However, no significant antigen-specific IgE production was detected. Interferons, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-6 were not essential for the adjuvant effects of flagellin. Preexisting antiflagellin antibodies had no significant effect on the adjuvant activity of flagellin. Importantly, intranasal immunization with flagellin and the F1 antigen was protective against intranasal challenge with virulent Y. pestis CO92, with 93 to 100% survival of immunized mice. Lastly, vaccination of cynomolgus monkeys with flagellin and a fusion of the F1 and V antigens of Y. pestis induced a robust antigen-specific IgG antibody response.
Sleep Deprivation Impairs Ca2+ Expression in the Hippocampus: Ionic Imaging Analysis for Cognitive Deficiency with TOF-SIMS

Abstract Sleep deprivation causes cognitive dysfunction in which impaired neuronal plasticity in hippocampus may underlie the molecular mechanisms of this deficiency. Considering calcium-mediated NMDA receptor subunit 1 (NMDAR1) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activation plays an important role in the regulation of neuronal plasticity, the present study is aimed to determine whether total sleep deprivation (TSD) would impair calcium expression, together with injury of the neuronal plasticity in hippocampus. Adult rats subjected to TSD were processed for time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, NMDAR1 immunohistochemistry, nNOS biochemical assay, cytochrome oxidase histochemistry, and the Morris water maze learning test to detect ionic, neurochemical, bioenergetic as well as behavioral changes of neuronal plasticity, respectively. Results indicated that in normal rats, strong calcium signaling along with intense NMDAR1/nNOS expression were observed in hippocampal regions. Enhanced calcium imaging and neurochemical expressions corresponded well with strong bioenergetic activity and good performance of behavioral testing. However, following TSD, both calcium intensity and NMDAR1/nNOS expressions were significantly decreased. Behavioral testing also showed poor responses after TSD. As proper calcium expression is essential for maintaining hippocampal neuronal plasticity, impaired calcium expression would depress downstream NMDAR1-mediated nNOS activation, which might contribute to the initiation or development of TSD-related cognitive deficiency.
Estudio de la influencia de las variables de molienda en las propiedades del polvo de aluminio nanocristalino

En la ultima decada ha habido un creciente interes y esfuerzo de investigacion centrado en el desarrollo de materiales nanocristalinos debido a la notable mejora de sus propiedades quimicas, electricas, magneticas, opticas y mecanicas. Estos materiales pueden ser producidos mediante varios procedimientos. Aunque algunas de estas tecnicas, como la molienda mecanica (BM), producen materiales en polvo que requieren una consolidacion posterior para tener una aplicacion estructural, permiten obtener los menores tamanos de grano. Por esta razon, se han realizado amplios estudios sobre la dinamica de los procesos de molienda y de su influencia en los cambios microestructurales producidos en esos materiales. No obstante, el principal esfuerzo se han centrado en materiales ferricos, y son pocos los trabajos en aluminio puro. En la presente comunicacion se presenta la evolucion de la dureza y tamano de particula de aluminio nanocristalino obtenido por molienda mecanica y el rendimiento del proceso de produccion en funcion de los parametros de molienda.
Watermark Embedding and Detection

The embedder and the detector (or decoder) are the two most important components of the digital watermarking systems. Thus in this work, we discuss how to design a better embedder and detector (or decoder). I first give a summary of the prospective applications of watermarking technology and major watermarking schemes in the literature. My review on the literature closely centers upon how the side information is exploited at both embedders and detectors. In Chapter 3, I explore the optimum detector or decoder according to a particular probability distribution of the host signals. We found that the performance of both multiplicative and additive spread spectrum schemes depends on the shape parameter of the host signals. For spread spectrum schemes, the performance of the detector or the decoder is reduced by the host interference. Thus I present a new host-interference rejection technique for the multiplicative spread spectrum schemes. Its embedding rule is tailored to the optimum detection or decoding rule. Though the host interference rejection schemes enjoy a big performance gain over the traditional spread spectrum schemes, their drawbacks that it is difficult for them to be implemented with the perceptual analysis to achieve the maximum allowable embedding level discourage their use in real scenarios. Thus, in the last chapters of this work, I introduce a double-sided technique to tackle this drawback. It differs from the host interference rejection schemes in that it utilizes but does not reject the host interference at its embedder. The perceptual analysis can be easily implemented in our scheme to achieve the maximum allowable level of embedding strength.
Zerumbone, a tropical ginger sesquiterpene, inhibits colon and lung carcinogenesis in mice

Zerumbone (ZER), present in subtropical ginger Zingiber zerumbet Smith, possesses anti‐growth and anti‐inflammatory properties in several human cancer cell lines. ZER also down‐regulates the cyclooxygenase‐2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression via modulation of nuclear factor (NF)‐κB activation in cell culture systems. These findings led us to investigate whether ZER is able to inhibit carcinogenesis in the colon and lung, using 2 different preclinical mouse models. In Exp. 1, a total of 85 male ICR mice were initiated using a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection with azoxymethane (AOM, 10 mg/kg bw) and promoted by 1.5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for 7 days for rapid induction of colonic neoplasms. Animals were then fed the diet containing 100, 250 or 500 ppm ZER for 17 weeks. In Exp. 2, a total of 50 female A/J mice were given a single i.p. injection of 4‐(methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanone (10 μmol/mouse) to induce lung proliferative lesions. They were then fed the diet mixed with 100, 250 or 500 ppm ZER for 21 weeks. At the termination of the experiments (wk 20 of Exp. 1 and wk 22 of Exp. 2), all animals were subjected to complete necropsy examination to determine the pathological lesions in both tissues. Oral administration of ZER at 100, 250 and 500 ppm significantly inhibited the multiplicity of colonic adenocarcinomas. The treatment also suppressed colonic inflammation. In the lung carcinogenesis, ZER feeding at 250 and 500 ppm significantly inhibited the multiplicity of lung adenomas in a dose‐dependent manner. Feeding with ZER resulted in inhibition of proliferation, induction of apoptosis, and suppression of NFκB and heme oxygenase (HO)‐1 expression in tumors developed in both tissues. Our findings suggest that dietary administration of ZER effectively suppresses mouse colon and lung carcinogenesis through multiple modulatory mechanisms of growth, apoptosis, inflammation and expression of NFκB and HO‐1 that are involved in carcinogenesis in the colon and lung. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.