Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low-Thermal-Conductivity (MS)1+x(TiS2)2 (M = Pb, Bi, Sn) Misfit Layer Compounds for Bulk Thermoelectric Materials

A series of (MS)1+x(TiS2)2 (M = Pb, Bi, Sn) misfit layer compounds are proposed as bulk thermoelectric materials. They are composed of alternating rock-salt-type MS layers and paired trigonal anti-prismatic TiS2 layers with a van der Waals gap. This naturally modulated structure shows low lattice thermal conductivity close to or even lower than the predicted minimum thermal conductivity. Measurement of sound velocities shows that the ultra-low thermal conductivity partially originates from the softening of the transverse modes of lattice wave due to weak interlayer bonding. Combined with a high power factor, the misfit layer compounds show a relatively high ZT value of 0.28~0.37 at 700 K.
Inhibition of the heterotetrameric K+ channel KCNQ1/KCNE1 by the AMP-activated protein kinase

Abstract The heterotetrameric K+-channel KCNQ1/KCNE1 is expressed in heart, skeletal muscle, liver and several epithelia including the renal proximal tubule. In the heart, it contributes to the repolarization of cardiomyocytes. The repolarization is impaired in ischemia. Ischemia stimulates the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a serine/threonine kinase, sensing energy depletion and stimulating several cellular mechanisms to enhance energy production and to limit energy utilization. AMPK has previously been shown to downregulate the epithelial Na+ channel ENaC, an effect mediated by the ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2. The present study explored whether AMPK regulates KCNQ1/KCNE1. To this end, cRNA encoding KCNQ1/KCNE1 was injected into Xenopus oocytes with and without additional injection of wild type AMPK (AMPKα1 + AMPKβ1 + AMPKγ1), of the constitutively active γR70QAMPK (α1β1γ1(R70Q)), of the kinase dead mutant αK45RAMPK (α1(K45R)β1γ1), or of the ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2. KCNQ1/KCNE1 activity was determined in two electrode voltage clamp experiments. Moreover, KCNQ1 abundance in the cell membrane was determined by immunostaining and subsequent confocal imaging. As a result, wild type and constitutively active AMPK significantly reduced KCNQ1/KCNE1-mediated currents and reduced KCNQ1 abundance in the cell membrane. Similarly, Nedd4-2 decreased KCNQ1/KCNE1-mediated currents and KCNQ1 protein abundance in the cell membrane. Activation of AMPK in isolated perfused proximal renal tubules by AICAR (10 mM) was followed by significant depolarization. In conclusion, AMPK is a potent regulator of KCNQ1/KCNE1.
Cerebral artery restenosis following transluminal balloon angioplasty for vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage

Background: Although percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is a widely used less invasive method to treat coronary artery stenosis, 10% of treated patients experience restenosis. Restenosis also occurs in approximately 5% of patients subjected to carotid artery stenting. Animal and human data suggested that restenosis is a response to injury incurred during PTA. As PTA has come into wide use to manage symptomatic cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) we studied the incidence of restenosis after PTA for cerebral vasospasm. Methods: Our study population consisted of 32 patients who had undergone PTA. They were followed by cerebral or 3DCT angiography or MRA for 6 126 months post-PTA (mean 48.65 months) to diagnose restenosis of the cerebral artery. We compared the size of the cerebral artery on the PTA and the contralateral side. Results: All 32 patients underwent successful PTA of 38 vascular territories and all manifested angiographic improvement of vasospasm. None suffered restenosis during the follow up period. Conclusion: PTA resulted in a significant improvement in the vessel diameter in patients with vasospasm after SAH and they did not suffer restenosis in the course of prolonged follow-up.
Functional Characterization of Genes/QTLs for Increasing Rice Yield Potential

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) as the monocot model plant and an important food crop is cultivated worldwide. Due to the rapid growth of the world’s population, rice yield is urgently required to increase to meet world food demand. In the last century, rice yield experienced rapid growth twice in China, which is mainly attributed to the exploitations of semi-dwarf 1(sd1) gene and heterosis of F1 hybrid. Before the green revolution, rice varieties were tall and had a low harvest index. Introgression of sd1 into the varieties significantly reduced the plant height and increased the harvest index, which resulted in a dramatic increase of rice productivity [1]. Heterosis breeding has been widely used to improve rice yield potential. Hybrid rice varieties usually have a yield advantage of 10-20% over the conventional inbred varieties, thus cover more than half of the total rice area in China at present [2, 3]. However, rice yield per unit area has not been much elevated and the arable land for rice cultivation has kept decreasing during the past two decades. New genetic improvement strategies are urgently required to break the bottleneck of yield potential of current varieties, which largely rely on the elucidation and exploitation of genetic and molecular basis for rice yield traits [4].
Binding of extracellular matrix proteins to Aspergillus fumigatus conidia

As detected by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, binding of fibronectin and laminin appeared to be associated with the protrusions present on the outer cell wall layer of resting Aspergillus fumigatus conidia. Flow cytometry confirmed that binding of laminin to conidia was dose dependent and saturable. Laminin binding was virtually eliminated in trypsin-treated organisms, thus suggesting the protein nature of the binding site. Conidia were also able to specifically adhere to laminin immobilized on microtiter plates. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting (immunoblotting) with laminin and antilaminin antibody of whole conidial homogenates allowed identification, among the complex array of protein and glycoprotein species, of one polypeptide with an apparent molecular mass of 37 kDa which specifically interacts with laminin. The fact that binding of conidia to soluble or immobilized laminin or fibronectin was inhibited by fibronectin or laminin, respectively, suggests the existence of common binding sites for both ligands on the surface of conidia. Intact conidia were also able to adhere to type I and IV collagen immobilized on microtiter plates; adhesion was found to be dose dependent and saturable. Adhesion to immobilized type I and IV collagen was markedly inhibited by laminin and weakly inhibited by fibronectin. Coincubation of conidia with Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides caused a dose-dependent decrease in binding of cells to immobilized or soluble fibronectin, yet interaction of cells with soluble or immobilized laminin and type I and IV collagen remained unaffected. Interactions described here could be important in mediating attachment of the fungus to host tissues, thus playing a role in the establishment of the disease.
Rôle du récepteur BAI3 dans le développement neuronal : études in vitro et in vivo

La dendritogenese et la spinogenese sont des etapes cles du developpement neuronal. Elles impliquent de nombreuses proteines jouant un role essentiel dans la reorganisation du cytosquelette d'actine via les RhoGTPases. Des defauts dans ces processus peuvent mener a des maladies neurodeveloppementales comme l'autisme ou la schizophrenie. Les recepteurs BAI appartiennent a la famille des RCPG d'Adhesion et ont ete identifies dans des preparations biochimiques de densites postsynaptiques. BAI1 module la RhoGTPase Rac1 via son interaction avec la proteine ELMO1. De plus, les proteines secretees C1q-like ont recemment ete identifiees comme ligands du recepteur BAI3 in vitro et cette interaction regulerait la synaptogenese. Nous avons emis l'hypothese que le recepteur BAI3 pourrait reguler le developpement neuronal, en particulier la dendritogenese et la spinogenese, en interagissant avec ELMO1. Nos travaux ont montre que BAI3 est localise dans les dendrites, et chez les neurones matures dans les epines dendritiques. Des etudes morphometriques nous ont permis de montrer son role dans la croissance et la complexification de l'arbre dendritique des neurones in vitro. Nos donnees in vivo sont en accord avec un role du recepteur BAI3 dans la morphogenese des cellules de Purkinje du cervelet et la mise en place de leur innervation excitatrice. Le role de BAI3 dans la morphogenese dendritique semble dependre en partie de son interaction avec ELMO1. Par ailleurs, BAI3 module l'etalement cellulaire, suggerant son implication dans la regulation des RhoGTPases. L'ensemble de nos resultats met en lumiere un nouveau role des recepteurs BAI comme regulateurs de la dendritogenese et de la formation des synapses, en partie via la voie de signalisation ELMO1/Rac1. Nos resultats identifient les recepteurs BAI comme de nouveaux acteurs de la morphogenese neuronale et, au vu du lien genetique existant entre BAI3 et certains symptomes de la schizophrenie, offrent de nouvelles perspectives dans l'etude des maladies neurodeveloppementales.
Acute Renal Failure During Lisinopril and Losartan Therapy for Proteinuria

The use of combined therapy with an angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) for treatment of proteinuria has been gaining support. Limited data are available regarding this treatment in the pediatric population. This report describes a case of acute compromise of renal function associated with hypotension in a 7‐year‐old boy treated with the ACE inhibitor lisinopril and the ARB losartan. It emphasizes the need for close surveillance of renal function and blood pressure during such therapy even in patients with relative preservation of renal function. Further investigation into the utility and safety of dual therapy with an ACE inhibitor plus an ARB in pediatric patients is warranted.
Randomized Trials of Breast-Conserving Therapy Versus Mastectomy for Primary Breast Cancer: A Pooled Analysis of Updated Results

We have undertaken a pooled analysis of the 6 major randomized trials comparing mastectomy (MT) and breast-conserving therapy (BCT) in the treatment of primary breast cancer. Specifically, these trials compared the 2 most widely used options in local treatment: mastectomy and axillary dissection (MT) versus breast-conserving surgery, axillary dissection, and breast radiotherapy (BCT). The early results of these 6 trials formed the basis for a 1990 National Institutes of Health Consensus statement. However, most of these trials have recently published long-term follow-up results, and this pooled analysis incorporates the updated results of these 6 trials. For each of these trials, the observed number of treatment events was compared with that expected under the null hypothesis, given the number of patients per arm and the total number of events. Approximate odds ratios were computed using the observed and expected number of events, and the variance of the observed number of events. These were then pooled across trials to give overall odds ratios for the risk of locoregional recurrence, total recurrence, and death. Four of the 6 trials show that MT significantly reduces the risk of locoregional recurrence when compared with BCT, and the pooled odds ratio also shows a significant benefit for MT (odds ratio [OR], 1.561; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.289–1.890; P <0.001). However, only 1 trial shows a statistically significant benefit for MT in reducing mortality, and the pooled odds ratio shows no significant difference between MT and BCT (OR, 1.070; 95% CI, 0.935–1.224; P = 0.33). This pooled analysis confirms that MT and BCT have comparable effects on mortality, even after long-term follow up. However, BCT is associated with a significantly greater risk of locoregional recurrence.
Heuristics of the Cocks-Pinch method

We heuristically analyze the Cocks-Pinch method by using the Bateman-Horn conjecture. Especially, we present the first known heuristic which suggests that any efficient construction of pairing-friendly elliptic curves can efficiently generate such curves over pairing-friendly fields, naturally including the Cocks-Pinch method. Finally, some numerical evidence is given.
© 2012 Landes Bioscience. Do not distribute. FIST, a sword and shield fusokine for cancer immunotherapy

To antagonize tumor-derived TGFb contemporaneously to anticancer immunotherapy, we genetically engineered a fusion protein coupling IL-2 and the ectodomain of TGFb receptor II (Fusion of Interleukin-2 and Soluble TGFb receptor ‐ a.k.a. FIST). FIST possesses intriguing gain-of-function properties and induces potent activation of IL2-receptor expressing cells and inhibits tumor-derived angiogenesis. Thus FIST constitutes a first-in-class biological that couples antiangiogenesis to an immune antitumor response. TGFb Role in Tumor Progression
Mechanisms for fl oor surfaces or environmental ground contamination to cause human infection : a systematic review

Shoe soles have been shown to transfer infectious microorganisms to floor and ground surfaces. However, the possible modes of transmission of infectious agents from floors or ground surfaces to human contact for infection have not been systematically reviewed. A systematic review was performed on articles indexed in medical databases (Medline, EMBASE, PubMed) using a pre-defined search strategy and MeSH terms (date of last search: 15 March 2016). Only primary research studies in English that investigated the transmission dynamics of infectious microorganisms from floor or ground surfaces to human infection were included. Extraction of articles was performed two independent reviewers using pre-defined data fields in an Excel sheet. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. Thirty studies met the inclusion criteria. Almost all hospital-associated microorganisms including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium difficile, and multidrug-resistant Gram-negative species were identified on floor or ground surfaces. Several modes of transmission dynamics, most commonly direct contact or aerosolization, were identified. In conclusion, interventions such as efficient cleaning of floor surfaces and vectors that transfer infectious organisms to floors such as shoe soles could be an effective infection control strategy to prevent human disease.
EFFECTS OF STACHYOSE ON PERFORMANCE, DIARRHOEA INCIDENCE AND INTESTINAL BACTERIA IN WEANLING PIGS

A three-week trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of the oligosaccharide stachyose on performance, diarrhoea incidence and intestinal bacterial populations in weaned pigs (7.96±0.2kg). A total of 144 crossbred (Landrace × Large White × Duroc) pigs weaned at 28 days were allotted to one of four treatments with six pens per treatment and six pigs per pen. The experimental diets were based on maize, dried whey and whole-fat milk and were supplemented with 0, 1 or 2% stachyose. A fourth diet contained no milk but instead contained 20% soybean meal to provide 0.78% stachyose and 0.21% raffinose. Inclusion of 1 or 2% stachyose in the diet depressed growth compared with pigs fed the control diet. Pigs fed the soybean meal diet gained weight at a rate similar to pigs fed the diet containing 1% added stachyose. Diarrhoea incidence was highest for pigs fed the soybean meal diet and lowest for pigs fed the control diet, with pigs fed the diets containing stachyose being intermediate. Pigs fed 1% stachyose had more lactobacilli in the ileum as well as more bifidobacteria in the caecum and colon than control pigs. They also had fewer enterobacteria in the colon. In contrast, pigs fed the diet containing 2% stachyose had fewer lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the jejunum, ileum and caecum than did control pigs. Volatile fatty acids in the ileum, caecum and colon were highest for pigs fed 1% stachyose and lowest for pigs fed 2% stachyose. Volatile fatty acid concentrations were not significantly different between pigs fed the soybean meal diet and those fed the control. The overall results of this experiment indicate that the oligosaccharide stachyose had a negative effect on pig performance and its presence may partially explain the poorer performance observed when soybean meal is used as the sole source of supplemental protein in cereal-based diets fed to weaned pigs.
Periodontal Status and Some Variables among Pregnant Women in a Nigeria Tertiary Institution

Background: Gingival changes during pregnancy have been well-documented. The prevalence of gingivitis in pregnant women has reportedly ranged from 30% to 100%. Increase in both the rate of estrogen metabolism and synthesis of prostaglandins by the gingiva contributed to the gingival changes observed during pregnancy. In effect increased prevalence of dental caries, gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth mobility may be encountered in pregnancy. Aim: The purpose of the study was to determine the association of some variables and the periodontal status in a sample of pregnant women attending the Ante Natal Clinic (ANC) of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos. Subjects and Methods: Women at various stages of pregnancy, attending the ANC of LASUTH, constituted the target population. The questionnaire was administered on each patient followed by dental examinations. Periodontal status was assessed using the community periodontal index (CPI) of treatment needs. Oral hygiene status was evaluated according to Green and Vermilion simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S). Results: The association between the CPI scores; OHI-S scores and variables such as trimester and dental visits were statistically significant. Conclusion: This study indicated that the gestational age of pregnancy and dental visits have a definite impact on the periodontal status. Oral health education should be included as an integral part of antenatal care to increase the women awareness. This would improve the mothers′ dental care-seeking behavior.
Apparent stereoselectivity in propafenone uptake by human and rat erythrocytes

The distribution of propafenone (PPF) enantiomers between the plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) was investigated using human and rat blood. In separate experiments, effects of incubation time (15–60 min), blood concentration (100–5000 ng ml−1), and plasma proteins on the RBC uptake of the enantiomers were studied. In both humans and rats, the distribution of propafenone enantiomers into RBCs was rapid, extensive, and stereoselective. However, the extent of RBC uptake and the direction of stereoselectivity were different in these two species. In humans, preferential distribution of (–)‐PPF into RBCs resulted in lower plasma concentrations for this enantiomer, whereas in rat plasma, (–)‐PPF was the dominant enantiomer. When the plasma was replaced with buffer, the stereoselectivity in the RBC uptake of the enantiomers was abolished. This suggested that stereoselective protein binding may be responsible for this phenomenon. A direct measurement of the extent of binding of PPF enantiomers to rat and human plasma proteins further confirmed this. Moreover, the distribution of the enantiomers in RBCs was not affected by low temperatures or addition of ouabain, suggesting passive diffusion as the underlying mechanism. These results suggest that stereoselective red blood cell uptake may be responsible, at least in part, for the differences in the plasma pharmacokinetics of PPF enantiomers observed after the drug administration to humans and rats.
Intestinal vascular permeability changes induced by radiation or nitrogen mustard.

BS>The appearance of an I/sup 131/-labeled plasma proteln substitute, polyvlnylpyrrolidone (PVP), ln the gastrolntestinal tract was lncreased followlng x irradiation or nitrogen mustard treatment of rats. Previous work suggests that leakage of PVP into the intestine may be used as an lndex of caplllary permeabillty to large molecules. On thls basls radiatlon and nitrogen mustard appear to act by a common mechanism and vascular permeabillty, as indlcated by the similarlty in the magnltude and duratlon of response to them. Partlal-body lrradiation showed that the upper small intestlne was probably the principle slte of leakage, and that the effect was caused by direct action on the intestinal eplthellum. It was not caused by an lncreased excretlon in the bile nor by an accumulatlon of secretlons which were not reabsorbed because of lmpaired mucosal functlon. Treatment of x lrradiated animals wlth hesperidln-ascorbic acid, dilsopropylfluorophosphate, or serotonin had no effect on PVP excretion but prophylactic administration of cysteine did decrease leakage. (auth)
Cancer following cardiac catheterization in childhood.

BACKGROUND Low-dose ionizing radiation is one of the definitive risk factors for cancer development. Nevertheless, only a few follow-up studies of children subjected to cardiac catheterization have been performed, yielding inconsistent results. METHODS Our study group included 674 children who underwent cardiac catheterization due to congenital anomalies, between the years 1950-1970 in three major medical centres in Israel. A registered nurse conducted a review of the children's medical files in each hospital. Demographic data and vital status were ascertained from the Israeli National Registry, using a unique identity number. Subsequently, the study cohort was linked with the Israeli National Cancer Registry, in order to identify cancer cases that had been diagnosed through December 1996, the last follow-up date of the study. RESULTS Over 75% of the study participants were native-born; 56.2% were males. Approximately 78% of the cohort subjects were alive at the end of follow-up; 28.6% of the participants underwent more than one procedure. All of the diagnosed cases occurred in males. Expected number of malignancies for all sites was 4.75, while the observed number was 11.0 (standardized incidence ratio [SIR] = 2. 3; 95% CI : 1.2-4.1). Of the 11 cancer cases, 4 lymphomas were observed (0.63 were expected, SIR = 6.3; 95% CI : 1.7-16.2). One of these was Hodgkin's Disease. There were also three cases of melanoma as opposed to 0.62 expected (SIR = 4.9; 95% CI : 1.0-14.2). CONCLUSIONS This finding is compatible with current knowledge about the carcinogenic effect of low-dose irradiation but differs in the occurrence of an excess of lymphoma in the absence of an excess of leukaemia, which has not been reported before. The dissonance between males and females is yet to be resolved. IMPLICATIONS Radiation doses that are used currently during cardiac catheterization are lower than in the past. Yet, the procedure is more common and frequently involves longer duration due to therapeutic interventions. The possible long-term results of such an exposure should be kept in mind.