Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Salusin-alpha and -beta expression in heart and aorta with and without metabolic syndrome

Abstract Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major health problem throughout the world. The role of salusins has not been investigated in heart and aortic tissues under MetS conditions. We examined the distribution of salusin alpha (sal-α) and salusin beta (sal-β) immunoreactivity in heart and aortic tissues and measured circulating salusin concentrations, glucose, insulin, triglycerides, free fatty acids, uric acid, and total cholesterol in Sprague-Dawley rats with and without MetS. Lipid, glucose, insulin and uric acid levels were determined using an autoanalyzer. Serum and tissue salusin levels were measured using ELISA. The expressions of salusins in the heart and aorta tissues were determined using immunohistochemical methods. Serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), sal-α and sal-β concentrations were significantly lower in the MetS group than in the control group. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), total cholesterol, glucose, uric acid and insulin concentrations were higher in the MetS group than in the control group. Sal-α and sal-β were synthesized locally in the fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells of the media of the aorta and in the muscle cells of the heart. Local synthesis of sal-α and sal-β was decreased with MetS. Our findings indicate that decreased serum concentrations of salusins and HDL-C and increased uric acid, glucose and triglyceride concentrations may be indicators of MetS and could play a role in the development of cardiovascular disease.
Comprehensive nonlinear modeling and attitude control of a novel tandem ducted fan vehicle

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a complex nonlinear model to a novel tandem ducted fan vehicle which adopted a structure of coaxial rotor and cyclic pitch system, considering aerodynamic coupling, disturbing between the upper and the lower rotor, and special aerodynamic characteristics of duct. On this basis, a robust hover control system has been designed to attitude control using H-infinite static output feedback theory. The results illustrate that the system has good decoupling performance and reveals great ability of attitude tracking as well as disturbance restraint.
Antioxidative activities of the polysaccharides extracted from the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum

Dried carpophores of Ganoderma lucidum were exposed to the hot water extraction and alcohol precipitation to obtain polysaccharides, which were than refined by the dialyses. Dry polysaccharide extract (GL-I) was partially purified and used for the investigation of antioxidant properties. The antioxidant activity was determined by the conjugated diene method, ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol were used as the positive control. DPPH free radical scavenging activity assay was performed with ascorbic acid, BHT and α-tocopherol as the positive control. For determining reducing power ascorbic acid was used as the positive control. Chelating ability on ferrous ions was performed by addition of ferrozine to initialize reaction, while citric acid and EDTA were used for comparison. GL-I showed high antioxidant activity of 85.7 ± 0.7%, at 10 mg/ml. Reducing power reached a plateau of 3.4 ± 0.1 at 20 mg/ml, while GL-I chelated 81.6 ± 3.6 % of ferrous ions at 20 mg/ml. At 10 mg/ml, scavenging ability on DPPH radicals of GL-I increased to 96.8 ± 2.5%. The antioxidative activities of GL-I were concentration dependent and increased with increasing concentration. Regarding the fact that some of synthetic antioxidants, additives may possess mutagenic activity, using wild mushrooms in diet as sources of naturally-derived antioxidants might be beneficial for human health in reducing oxidative demage.
A comparison of corneal and conjunctival sensitivity to a thermally cooling stimulus.

Corneal and conjunctival sensitivity are important components of the eye’s defence mechanism. However, it is also suggested that they play a role in detecting thinning or breaks in the preocular tear film as part of the normal blink process.1,2 The mechanism for detecting these changes in the tear film structure is unclear, but the following model can be proposed. The open eye experiences a slight reduction in surface temperature, as a result of evaporation, over both the cornea and conjunctiva.3 This temperature reduction is not even and where the tear film thins, a greater temperature change occurs. Sensory nerves in the cornea and conjunctiva detect these temperature changes, and a blink is initiated. This reforms the tear film and re-stabilises the preocular tear film temperature.
Classifying Security Threats in Cloud Networking

A central component of managing risks in cloud computing is to understand the nature of security threats. The relevance of security concerns are evidenced by the efforts from both the academic community and technological organizations such as NIST, ENISA and CSA, to investigate security threats and vulnerabilities related to cloud systems. Provisioning secure virtual networks (SVNs) in a multi-tenant environment is a fundamental aspect to ensure trust in public cloud systems and to encourage their adoption. However, comparing existing SVN-oriented solutions is a difficult task due to the lack of studies summarizing the main concerns of network virtualization and providing a comprehensive list of threats those solutions should cover. To address this issue, this paper presents a threat classification for cloud networking, describing threat categories and attack scenarios that should be taken into account when designing, comparing, or categorizing solutions. The classification is based o n the CSA threat report, building upon studies and surveys from the specialized literature to extend the CSA list of threats and to allow a more detailed analysis of cloud network virtualization issues.
Nonspecific recruitment of lymphocytes in purified protein derivative-induced lymphocyte proliferative response of patients with tuberculosis

Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from tuberculosis patients were studied for their in vitro proliferative response stimulated with purified protein derivative (PPD)-tuberculin. Studies were designed to characterize the lymphocytes involved in the PPD-induced proliferation. PPD-responsive lymphocytes were eliminated in PBL by the procedure of cultivation of PBL with PPD in the presence of 5-bromodeoxyuridine and light illumination of the cultured cells. These PBL which lost PPD reactivity were no longer able to proliferate to PPD stimulation but were still capable of proliferation in the presence of both PPD and X-irradiated, autologous fresh PBL or upon addition of culture fluids from PPD-stimulated PBL. In addition, these nonspecifically activated lymphocytes released a soluble factor into the culture fluids which inhibited the migration of leukocytes. It was likely that large numbers of nonspecific T cells were induced to proliferate as a result of the presentation of specific T cells with the antigen PPD. It is suggested that a similar recruitment of lymphocytes by PPD-stimulated T cells takes place in vivo during the establishment of tuberculosis or antituberculous immunity or both.
PVT-invariant single-to-differential data converter with minimum skew and duty-ratio distortion

This paper proposes PVT-invariant single-to-differential signal converter (SDQ applicable to the output circuitry of high-speed DDR SDRAM. The proposed SDC generates PVT-invariant differential-output sampling clock using a phase interpolation technique and a symmetric structure, and improves the aperture window of output data in source synchronous DDR SDRAM. The proposed SDC was simulated using 1.8-V 80-nm DRAM technology. The comparison result indicates that the differential clocks generated by the proposed SDC achieve 80.6% reduction of skew, 76.6% reduction of duty-cycle distortion, 61.7% of reduction of delay variation, and 8.5% reduction of maximum current for a given process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations, as compared to conventional SDCs. The I/O interface of a source-synchronous DDR SDRAM designed using the proposed SDC, which is operating at 1.0-Gbps/pin data rate has aperture window increased by 15.3% and ISI improved by 67.7% in comparison to conventional I/O interface.
Mechanism for Proton Conduction of the M2 Ion Channel of Influenza A Virus*

The M2 integral membrane protein of influenza A virus forms a proton-selective ion channel. We investigated the mechanism for proton transport of the M2protein in Xenopus oocytes using a two-electrode voltage clamp and in CV-1 cells using the whole cell patch clamp technique. Membrane currents were recorded while manipulating the external solution to alter either the total or free proton concentration or the solvent itself. Membrane conductance decreased by ∼50% when D2O replaced H2O as the solvent. From this, we conclude that hydrogen ions do not pass through M2 as hydronium ions, but instead must interact with titratable groups that line the pore of the channel. M2 currents measured in solutions of low buffer concentration (<15 mm in oocytes and <0.15 mm in CV-1 cells) were smaller than those studied in solutions of high buffer concentration. Furthermore, the reversal voltage measured in low buffer was shifted to a more negative voltage than in high buffer. Also, at a given pH, M2current amplitude in 15 mm buffer decreased when pH-pK a was increased by changing the buffer pK a . Collectively, these results demonstrate that M2 currents can be limited by external buffer capacity. The data presented in this study were also used to estimate the maximum single channel current of the M2 ion channel, which was calculated to be on the order of 1–10 fA.
Induction of mucosal immunity by intranasal application of a streptococcal surface protein antigen with the cholera toxin B subunit

The level and distribution of isotype-specific antibodies in various secretions and of antibody-secreting cells in corresponding lymphoid organs and tissues were compared in mice immunized with Streptococcus mutans surface protein antigen I/II (AgI/II) conjugated to the cholera toxin B subunit (CTB), given intranasally (i.n.) or intragastrically (i.g.), with or without free cholera toxin (CT) as an adjuvant. Immunization i.n. induced stronger initial antibody responses to AgI/II in both serum and saliva than immunization i.g. , but salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA)-specific antibody responses to immunization about 3 months later were not increased relative to total salivary IgA concentrations. Specific antibodies induced by i.n. immunization were as widely distributed in serum, saliva, tracheal wash, gut wash, and vaginal wash as those induced by i.g. immunization. Likewise, specific antibody-secreting cells were generated in the spleen, salivary glands, intestinal lamina propria, and mesenteric and cervical lymph nodes by either route of immunization. The strongest salivary IgA antibody response was induced by AgI/II-CTB conjugate given i.n. , but the addition of CT did not further enhance it. However, free CTB could effectively replace CT as an adjuvant in i.n. immunization with unconjugated AgI/II. Booster i.n. immunization with AgI/II plus either free CT or CTB induced stronger recall serum antibody responses than conjugated AgI/II-CTB with or without CT as an adjuvant. Therefore, i.n. immunization with a protein antigen and free or coupled CTB is an effective means of generating IgA antibody responses expressed at several mucosal sites where protective immunity may be beneficial.
Psychosocial job characteristics, social support, and sense of coherence as determinants of mental health among nurses.

OBJECTIVE Employment in human service occupations as nursing is reported to display high risk for mental health, and occupational stress has been found to be one of the major work-related health problems. The objective of the study was to explore the associations between psychosocial job characteristics, social support, and internal resources as determinants of mental health status in a sample of Kaunas district nurses. MATERIAL AND METHODS A survey was conducted among the nurses of Kaunas district community in 2008-2009. A total of 638 nurses were randomly selected, and 372 filled in the questionnaire (response rate, 58.3%). Mental distress was measured using the Goldberg 12-item General Health Questionnaire and psychosocial job characteristics using the Swedish version of the Karasek Demand-Control questionnaire. Sense of coherence was measured by the three-item version questionnaire. The logistic regression was performed. RESULTS Less than one-third (23.0%) of nurses had symptoms of mental distress; 31.9% of nurses had weak sense of coherence. High job demands were associated with mental distress after adjustment for age, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, job control, social support, sense of coherence, family crisis, self-rated health as compared to one year ago (OR=2.15; 95% CI, 1.07-4.30), low job control (OR=1.22; 95% CI, 0.64-2.31), job strain-low social support at work (OR=3.78; 95% CI, 2.08-6.87). CONCLUSIONS Mental distress among the nurses of Kaunas district was associated with adverse psychosocial job characteristics. Job strain-low social support at work was the strongest risk factor for mental distress among nurses. Strong sense of coherence as personal characteristic served as a buffer, protecting nurses against the development of mental health problems.
Regional and seasonal variation in the length of hospital stay for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Finland

Notable regional and seasonal variation has been reported in the rate of hospital admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPE). The aim of this study was to assess the variation in the length of hospital stay for COPD in Finland on the north south axis and by season. For this purpose, the patient records of subjects aged over 45 hospitalised altogether 153,401 times with COPD as their primary diagnosis during 1987 - 1998 were retrieved from the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register maintained by the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health. During this period, the average length of hospital episodes was 9.8 (SD) 47.8) days in northern Finland and 11.9 (SD 54.5) days in southern Finland (p = 0.001). Throughout Finland, the mean duration of hospital stay was longest in the winter, 12.3 (SD) 62.3) days, and shortest in the summer, 11.0 (SD) 42.3) days (p = 0.001). The mean duration of hospital stay in northern Finland was also longest in the winter, 10.6 (SD 56.7) days, and shortest in the summer, 8.8. (SD) 26.7) days (p = 0.015). Hospital episodes for COPD vary in duration in Finland, probably mainly due to regional differences in health care resources and treatment routines. The light and warm northern summer may also speculatively serve to shorten hospital episodes.
In vivo immunosuppressive activity of gliotoxin, a metabolite produced by human pathogenic fungi

Aspergillosis is a disease caused by the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus and other related fungi. It occurs mainly in immunosuppressed people and causes very high mortality rates. A fumigatus and other pathogenic fungi have been shown to produce a metabolite, gliotoxin, which has immunosuppressive properties in vitro, but little is known about its in vivo activity. Here we report that gliotoxin has increased toxicity in mice after irradiation. A single injection of gliotoxin delayed the recovery of immune cells after immunosuppression by sublethal irradiation by 2 weeks. Study of the morphology of cells of the thymus, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes by light microscopy and electron microscopy and agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA from these organs showed that the injection of gliotoxin induced apoptosis in cells of the immune system in vivo. Thus, gliotoxin does have immunosuppressive activity in vivo and could potentially play a significant role in the pathogenesis of aspergillosis and other fungal diseases.
Absence of Escherichia coli O157 in a Survey of Wildlife from Trinidad and Tobago

Fecal, cloacal, or rectal swabs of free–ranging and captive mamalian and avian wildlife in Trinidad and Tobago were cultured for non-sorbitol fermenting Escherichia coli and tested for O157:H7 strains. Ability of E. coli strains to produce hemolysin and mucoid colonies also was investigated. Of 271 free-ranging mammals tested, 158 (58%) yielded E. coli; only one (<1%) bacterial isolate was a non-sorbitol fermenter which was not agglutinated by O157 antiserum. All isolates were negative for hemolysin production and mucoid colonial growth. Two hundred and sixty-three (90%) of 293 free-flying birds were positive for E. coli and all isolates were sorbitol fermenters and negative for production of hemolysin and mucoid growth. Of 175 captive wild animals from individual backyard farms and a government demonstration farm, 145 (83%) yielded E. coli with four (2%) non-sorbitol fermenters; all were negative for O157 strains, hemolysin production, and mucoid colonial growth. Of 373 animals in a zoo, 250 (67%) were positive for E. coli with only two (0.5%) non-sorbitol fermenters. All strains were non-hemolytic and non-mucoid farms. It appears that free-ranging and captive avian and mammalian wildlife are not important reservoirs of O157:H7 strains of E. coli in Trinidad and Tobago.
Double auction-based optimal relay assignment for many-to-many cooperative wireless networks

Recently, as it can increase the capacity of wireless networks greatly through spatial diversity by taking advantage of antennas on other nodes, cooperative communication (CC) has been obtaining more and more attention. However, as the selfish nature, the wireless node may be unwilling to serve as relay node if they can't get the corresponding reward. In this paper, we constructs a real double-auction scenario between source nodes and relay nodes instead of idealized truthful market which may obtain relatively lower system performance. We consider the system performance involving (1) successful source-relay pairs, (2) system capacity and (3) social welfare (SW). We transform the double auction-based optimal relay assignment problem into Maximum Matching (MM) and Maximum Weighted Matching (MWM) problem respectively and solve them using corresponding algorithms. Extensive experiments show that this mechanism can achieve higher system efficiency than truthful auction.
Local mesh morphing technique for parametrized macromodels in the finite element method

This paper presents a novel approach for enhancing the efficiency of the design process of microwave devices by means of the finite element method. It combines mesh morphing with local model order reduction (MOR) and yields parametrized macromodels that can be used to significantly reduce the number of variables in the FEM system of equations and acceleration of computer simulation. A projection basis for local reduction is generated only once, for the original geometry and the associated mesh. The projection basis generated for the nominal design is subsequently used for updated geometries and morphed meshes thereby allowing for reducing the numerical cost and the computational time of parametric studies or the optimization process. The performance of the proposed approach is demonstrated on a two dimensional example.
On how the periosteal bone of the delphinid humerus becomes cancellous: Ontogeny of a histological specialization

In cetaceans, the bones of the flippers lack a free medullary cavity and have a cancellous texture, with compact cortices reduced or absent. The present work discusses the ontogenetic basis of these characters in terms of the ontogeny of the structure and textural bone compactness (TBC) of the humeral diaphysis in a growth series of common dolphins (Delphinus delphis). The texture of the primary periosteal deposits is compact; soon after their accretion, the deposits undergo an extensive erosion that turns them into a cancellous tissue. A diffuse endosteal front of resorption expands in parallel with the growth of the cortex and acts as small units scattered within the cortices. Starting soon after birth and continuing throughout the life of the animals, the compactness of the periosteal cortex decreases at both general and local levels. This trend correlates strongly with the increase in size of the diaphyseal section and reflects the fact that relatively more bone is eroded than deposited during growth in the cancellous parts of the cortex. In the broad sense, this is basically an osteoporotic process, which is not identical, however, to senile or disuse osteoporoses.
Maternal weight gain: giving proper counsel to your patients.

is a special time for women but also an anxious one. Pregnant women, especially those who are pregnant for the first time, are understandably concerned about their babies’ health. Prenatal providers spend a great deal of time counseling patients about behaviors that can affect the health of their babies—such as taking folic acid supplements, identifying acceptable levels of fish or caffeine consumption and whether certain activities are “safe for the baby. ” Many pregnant women also worry about their own weight. Some of this concern, unfortunately, is cultural—the fear of appearing fat. But health concerns also drive a good deal of this worry, as they should. Pregnant women are greatly concerned whether they’re gaining too much or not enough weight to ensure a healthy gestation and birth. Health Effects of Maternal Weight Gain
Flow-induced dilation of the dog gracilis muscle artery.

The external diameter of the artery (1.08 +/- 0.04 mm) predominantly supplying the gracilis muscle was monitored in situ in 12 dogs under thiopental anaesthesia using a contact inductive transformer. The blood flow in the artery could be controlled by an arteriovenous shunt. After a latency of 10.6 +/- 0.7 s, an increase of blood flow through the artery from 4.0 +/- 0.3 to 45.0 +/- 3.4 ml.min-1 induced an increase in its diameter by 44.9 +/- 3.6% of the resting value (p less than 0.001). When the blood flow-rate was reduced to the initial level, the artery constricted with a half-recovery time of 307.2 +/- 30.7 s. The amplitude and the time course of the arterial dilation were identical when the blood pressure at the site of diameter measurement decreased or remained unchanged. The dilation became maximal at blood flows corresponding to the peak of reactive hyperaemia in the gracilis muscle after 2 min arterial occlusion. It is being suggested that the blood flow-induced dilation ensures autostabilization of conduit artery function.
Lessons from east Arnhem land. Improving adherence to chronic disease treatments.

BACKGROUND It is generally accepted that adherence or compliance to medical therapy can be poor in indigenous Australian communities. OBJECTIVE This paper describes approaches and techniques to improve adherence that have been gleaned from four and a half years of clinical experience in the remote district of East Arnhem Land. DISCUSSION First, the importance of gaining trust and credibility with a community is discussed. Approaches to gain that trust are then described. It is critical to overcome the considerable language and world view barriers that exist to good communication. The use of anatomical models and high quality illustrations combined with the development of 'key language concept' in the indigenous language have achieved some success in this area.