Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognosis in primary effusion lymphoma is associated with the number of body cavities involved

Abstract Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a rare lymphoma associated with Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), and characterized by a malignant body cavity effusion without solid organ or nodal involvement. Prognostic factors in patients with PEL have not been systematically studied. We conducted a literature search for patients with HHV8-positive PEL to identify potential prognostic factors for survival. Our search identified 147 patients, among which 104 patients were HHV8-positive. The median overall survival was 9 months. The median age was 57 years with a male predominance (6:1). Pathologically, 33% of the patients expressed CD20 and 69% expressed CD30. Patients with PEL with > 1 body cavity involved had a median overall survival (OS) of 4 months compared with 18 months in patients with only one cavity involved (p = 0.003). Additionally, in patients with one involved body cavity, pericardial involvement was associated with a longer median OS than pleural followed by peritoneal involvement (40, 27 and 5 months, respectively; p = 0.04). In conclusion, our study suggests that the number and location of body cavities involved are prognostic in patients with PEL.
Interleaved Resonant Boost Inverter Featuring SiC Module for High-Performance Induction Heating

Induction heating (IH) has become the technology of choice in many industrial, domestic, and medical applications due to its high efficiency and performance. This paper proposes an interleaved resonant boost inverter featuring SiC three-phase module to achieve high efficiency and performance IH power supply. The proposed converter achieves high efficiency by reducing the current through the devices, while the use of an interleaved full-bridge configuration reduces input current ripple and provides additional control degrees. The proposed converter has been designed, implemented, and tested experimentally, proving the feasibility of this proposal.
Dental Abstracts

OBJECTIVE To study dimensional alterations of the alveolar ridge that occurred following implant placement in fresh extraction sockets. MATERIAL AND METHODS Five beagle dogs were included in the study. In both quadrants of the mandible, incisions were made in the crevice region of the third and fourth pre-molars. Buccal and minute lingual full-thickness flaps were elevated. The mesial root of the four pre-molars root was filled and the teeth were hemi-sected. Following flap elevation in (3)P(3) and (4)P(4) regions, the distal roots were removed. In the right jaw quadrants, implants with a sand blasted and acid etched (SLA) surface were placed in the fresh extraction sockets, while in the left jaws the corresponding sockets were left for spontaneous healing. The mesial roots were retained as surgical control teeth. After 3 months, the animals were examined clinically, sacrificed and tissue blocks containing the implant sites, the adjacent tooth sites (mesial root) and the edentulous socket sites were dissected, prepared for ground sectioning and examined in the microscope. RESULTS At implant sites, the level of bone-to-implant contact (BC) was located 2.6+/-0.4 mm (buccal aspect) and 0.2+/-0.5 mm (lingual aspect) apical of the SLA level. At the edentulous sites, the mean vertical distance (V) between the marginal termination of the buccal and lingual bone walls was 2.2+/-0.9 mm. At the surgically treated tooth sites, the mean amount of attachment loss was 0.5+/-0.5 mm (buccal) and 0.2+/-0.3 mm (lingual). CONCLUSIONS Marked dimensional alterations had occurred in the edentulous ridge after 3 months of healing following the extraction of the distal root of mandibular pre-molars. The placement of an implant in the fresh extraction site obviously failed to prevent the re-modelling that occurred in the walls of the socket. The resulting height of the buccal and lingual walls at 3 months was similar at implants and edentulous sites and vertical bone loss was more pronounced at the buccal than at the lingual aspect of the ridge. It is suggested that the resorption of the socket walls that occurs following tooth removal must be considered in conjunction with implant placement in fresh extraction sockets.
Calcineurin phosphatase activity: activation by glucocorticoids and role of intracellular calcium1

Background. Glucocorticoids stimulate release of intracellular calcium in peripheral lymphocytes, but their effects on calcineurin phosphatase activity are unknown. Methods. Calcineurin phosphatase activity was measured in permeabilized Jurkat T cells using a specific orthophosphate substrate. Changes in intracellular calcium were measured by FURA-2 fluorescence. Inositol triphosphate levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Transfection with luciferase reporter plasmids linked to glucocorticoid response elements were used to evaluate glucocorticoid receptor function in Jurkat T cells. Results. Dexamethasone significantly (P <0.004) increased calcineurin activity within 15 sec, peaking at 10 min (P <0.001) and returning to basal levels by 180 min. Inhibition of DNA transcription with actinomycin D failed to block calcineurin activation, but co-incubation with RU-486 completely blocked enzyme stimulation. To determine whether Jurkat T cells express active glucocorticoid receptors, cells were transfected with a luciferase reporter plasmid linked to a glucocorticoid response element (GRE). Jurkat T cells incubated with dexamethasone (10 &mgr;M) for 24 hr failed to stimulate luciferase activity, whereas cells co-transfected with a transcriptionally active glucocorticoid receptor resulted in a doubling of luciferase activity. Dexamethasone rapidly increases intracellular inositol triphosphate (IP3) and intracellular calcium within 15 sec. Cells incubated with U-73122 (a nonspecific phospholipase C [PLC] antagonist) completely blocked dexamethasone-induced activation of calcineurin, whereas U-73343 failed to block enzyme activation. Dexamethasone-induced activation of calcineurin activity stimulates dephosphorylation of the proapoptotic protein BAD and augments apoptosis through a calcineurin-dependent pathway. Conclusion. Dexamethasone rapidly increases calcineurin activity through a transcription-independent mechanism involving activation of phospholipase C and the release of IP3-dependent calcium stores.
pH-induced Conversion of the Transport Lectin ERGIC-53 Triggers Glycoprotein Release*

The recycling mannose lectin ERGIC-53 operates as a transport receptor by mediating efficient endoplasmic reticulum (ER) export of some secretory glycoproteins. Binding of cargo to ERGIC-53 in the ER requires Ca2+. Cargo release occurs in the ERGIC, but the molecular mechanism is unknown. Here we report efficient binding of purified ERGIC-53 to immobilized mannose at pH 7.4, the pH of the ER, but not at slightly lower pH. pH sensitivity of the lectin was more prominent when Ca2+ concentrations were low. A conserved histidine in the center of the carbohydrate recognition domain was required for lectin activity suggesting it may serve as a molecular pH/Ca2+ sensor. Acidification of cells inhibited the association of ERGIC-53 with the known cargo cathepsin Z-related protein and dissociation of this glycoprotein in the ERGIC was impaired by organelle neutralization that did not impair the transport of a control protein. The results elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying reversible lectin/cargo interaction and establish the ERGIC as the earliest low pH site of the secretory pathway.
Survival and growth of Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni on meat and in cooked foods

Twelve strains of Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni isolated from humans and animals grew at temperatures ranging from 34 to 45 degrees C and pH minima between 5.7 and 5.9. Only one strain grew at pH 5.8 with lactic acid present at a concentration similar to that in meat. All strains had decimal reduction times of less than 1 min at 60 degrees C. Further examination of a typical strain showed that it grew at 37 degrees C on high-pH meat but not at 37 degrees C on normal-pH meat. Bacterial numbers on both high (6.4)-pH and normal (5.8)-pH inoculated meat declined at a similar rate when the meat was stored at 25 degrees C. At -1 degree C, the rate of die-off was somewhat slower on normal-pH meat but was very much slower on high-pH meat. The initial fall in bacterial numbers that occurred when meat was frozen was also greater for normal-pH meat than for high-pH meat. The organism exhibited a long lag phase (1 to 2 days) when grown in cooked-meat medium at 37 degrees C and died in meat pies stored at 37 or 43 degrees C. Evaluation of the risk of Campylobacter contamination of red-meat carcasses to human health must take into account the limited potential of the organism to grow or even survive on fresh meats and in warm prepared foods.
Selection to Improve Performance of Cattle in Subtropical Regions Using Heat Tolerance EPD

Subtropical regions such as the South-Eastern United States as well as places like Brazil are characterized by average year round temperatures of 27 ̊C (80°F). In the summer months temperatures can rise to 43°C (110°F). These temperatures are usually associated with high humidity and low forage quality and it is imperative that beef cattle in these regions be able to withstand these warm, harsh environments without sacrificing their productivity. Beef cattle populations in these areas are largely made up of Brahman and various Brahman composite breeds due to their adaptation to such harsh, warm environments (Hammond et al., 1994). Brahman, a Bos indicus breed of cattle, perform better in subtropical regions than Bos taurus cattle however, they lack some of the positive production attributes Bos taurus cattle possess such as high grading carcasses and high milk production.
On the geometry of switching manifolds for autonomous hybrid systems

Abstract This paper provides a geometrical analysis of autonomous hybrid systems optimal control (HSOC) by studying the properties of optimal hybrid system trajectories and the manifolds on which they switch between controlled vector fields. First, results previously obtained in Taringoo and Caines [2009a], Taringoo and Caines [2009c] on the parameter optimization of switching manifolds are reviewed. Second, we analyse (i) the geometric properties of switching manifolds and (ii) the sensitivities of optimal control trajectories and their connections with the Hessians of the value function of hybrid optimal control problems (HOCP).
An interference-robust receiver for ultra-wideband radio in SiGe BiCMOS technology

A 3.1-4.8 GHz ultra-wideband (UWB) receiver front-end for high data rate, short-range communication is presented. The receiver, based on the Multi Band OFDM Alliance (MBOA) standard proposal, consists of a zero-IF receive chain and an ultra-fast frequency-hopping synthesizer. The combination of high-linearity RF circuits, aggressive baseband filtering and low local oscillator spurs from the synthesizer results in an interference-robust receiver, having the ability to co-exist with systems operating in the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz ISM bands. The packaged device shows an overall noise figure of 4.5 dB and has a measured input IP3 of -6 dBm and input IP2 of +25 dBm. Spurious tones generated by the synthesizer are below -45 dBc and -50 dBc in the 2.4-GHz and 5-GHz ISM bands, respectively. The hopping speed is well below the required 9.5 ns. The complete receive chain has been realized in a 0.25 /spl mu/m BiCMOS technology and draws 78mA from a 2.5-V supply.
Diesel generator slow start-up compensation by supercapacitor for DC microgrid power balancing

By aggregating renewable sources as main generators, storage systems, diesel generator, and loads, microgrids can achieve high level renewable energy penetration and efficiency in electricity distribution systems. The difference between loads consumption and renewable generation causes fluctuations in the microgrid bus voltage. For off-grid operating mode or limited public grid availability, power balance is performed by adjusting storage and diesel generator power for voltage stabilization. However, due to the slow dynamic behavior of the diesel generator, especially the start-up stage, the power quality is lowered down during the sudden load power increase or sudden renewable power decrease. So, the microgrid power balancing needs to be compensated by a fast response storage. This paper focuses on diesel generator slow start-up dynamic compensation by supercapacitor for DC microgrid power balancing. Based on simulation results, this study shows that the designed control strategy improves the microgrid dynamic characteristics under such operating conditions.
Hyperextensionsverletzungen der thorakalen Wirbelsäule

: A group of 965 patients treated for thoracolumbal spine injury in the period 1998 till 2003 were analysed. 307 fractures were operated on. Out of this number, 4 fractures were type B3 according to Magerl's classification, i. e. 0.21 % of the admitted and 1.31 % of the operated patients. All 4 patients were operated by stabilization with internal fixator and posterior or combined fusion. Fractures were diagnosed in older patients, age average being 63.75 years, with the range of 57-72 years. All patients were obese, average body mass index being 32.75, with the range of 30.9 to 36.4. Fractures ensued two times in patients with heavy spondylarthrosis and spondylosis, once in ankylosing spondylitis and once in intact spine. Only one patient was injured by heavy trauma, the others sustained the injury during ordinary falls. One of the predisposing factors for occurrence of this injury is probably the increased body mass index resulting in increased moment of deceleration hyperextension force.
Role of curved DNA in binding of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase to promoters

The ability of curved DNA upstream of the -35 region to affect the interaction of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase and promoter DNA was examined through the use of hybrid promoters. These promoters were constructed by substituting the curved DNA from two Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage SP82 promoters for the comparable DNA of the bacteriophage lambda promoters lambda pR and lambda pL. The SP82 promoters possessed intrinsic DNA curvature upstream of their -35 regions, as characterized by runs of adenines in phase with the helical repeat. In vitro, the relative affinities of purified sigma 70-RNA polymerase for the promoters were determined in a competition binding assay. Hybrid promoters derived from lambda pR that contained curved DNA were bound by E. coli RNA polymerase more efficiently than was the original lambda pR. Binding of E. coli RNA polymerase to these hybrid promoters was favored on superhelical DNA templates according to gel retardation analysis. Both the supercoiled and relaxed forms of the hybrid lambda pL series were better competitors for E. coli RNA polymerase binding than was the original lambda pL. The results of DNase I footprinting analysis provided evidence for the wrapping of the upstream curved DNA of the hybrid lambda pR promoters around the E. coli RNA polymerase in a tight, nucleosomal-like fashion. The tight wrapping of the upstream DNA around the polymerase may facilitate the subsequent steps of DNA untwisting and strand separation.
Evaluation of Different Photosensitizers for Use in Photochemical Gene Transfection¶

Abstract Many potentially therapeutic macromolecules, e.g. transgenes used in gene therapy, are taken into the cells by endocytosis, and have to be liberated from endocytic vesicles in order to express a therapeutic function. To achieve this we have developed a new technology, named photochemical internalization (PCI), based on photochemical reactions inducing rupture of endocytic vesicles. The aim of this study was to clarify which properties of photosensitizers are important for obtaining the PCI effect improving gene transfection. The photochemical effect on transfection of human melanoma THX cells has been studied employing photosensitizers with different physicochemical properties and using two gene delivery vectors: the cationic polypeptide polylysine and the cationic lipid 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP). Photochemical treatment by photosensitizers that do not localize in endocytic vesicles (tetra[3-hydroxyphenyl]porphyrin and 5-aminolevulinic acid–induced protoporphyrin IX) do not stimulate transfection, irrespective of the gene delivery vector. In contrast, photosensitizers localized in endocytic vesicles stimulate polylysine-mediated transfection, and amphiphilic photosensitizers (disulfonated aluminium phthalocyanine [AlPcS2a] and meso-tetraphenylporphynes) show the strongest positive effect, inducing approximately 10-fold increase in transfection efficiency. In contrast, DOTAP-mediated transfection is inhibited by all photochemical treatments irrespective of the photosensitizer used. Neither AlPcS2a nor Photofrin affects the uptake of the transfecting DNA over the plasma membrane, therefore photochemical permeabilization of endocytic vesicles seems to be the most likely mechanism responsible for the positive PCI effect on gene transfection.
Earnings changes for depressed individuals treated by mental health specialists.

OBJECTIVE It is unclear whether the additional benefits of receiving depression treatment from mental health specialists in routine care pays for the additional costs, compared with treatment delivered by general medical providers. This study examines the difference in lost earnings and the difference in treatment costs experienced by depressed individuals treated in these two sectors. METHOD Representative community residents with depression were recruited and interviewed at baseline and at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. Lost earnings were measured by lost workdays multiplied by subjects' wage rates. Treatment costs were approximated by charges abstracted from provider and insurance records. RESULTS After controlling for sociodemographic variables, baseline severity, and baseline comorbidity, the authors found a net mean annual economic savings of $877 associated with depression treatment delivered in the mental health sector compared with the general medical sector. Sensitivity analyses in alternative scenarios indicated similar savings. CONCLUSIONS Although it is the trend for primary care providers to provide mental health services, these analyses indicate a net economic savings if depression treatment is provided by mental health specialists, probably as a result of patients' greater functional improvement. As gatekeepers, especially in managed care, primary care providers have a unique responsibility to identify and detect patients with mental health problems. In the current structure, however, they may lack the necessary time to provide effective mental health services. Therefore, mental health specialists play a crucial role, with primary care providers' cooperation (i.e., detection, consultation, and referral), in providing the most cost-effective mental health services.
Nebivolol: Pharmacologic Profile of an Ultraselective, Vasodilatory β1‐Blocker

Beta‐blockers are well‐established therapeutic agents in the treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. However, these agents are highly heterogeneous. Beta‐blockers differ in their ancillary pharmacologic properties, which are clinically important. Nebivolol is a highly selective β1‐adrenergic receptor blocker that induces vasodilation through stimulation of the endothelial nitric oxide/l‐arginine pathway. As a racemic mixture of d‐ and l‐enantiomers, nebivolol is highly lipophilic and rapidly absorbed. Nebivolol undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism through the cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) system. As a result of genetic polymorphisms, CYP2D6 has variable activity, manifested by extensive and poor metabolizers of nebivolol. Time to maximum concentration is 0.5 to 2 hours, and half‐life is 11 hours in extensive metabolizers; these values are about 3 times longer in poor metabolizers. Urinary and fecal excretion of unchanged nebivolol is less than 0.5% of the dose. Nebivolol has a unique hemodynamic profile of reduced systemic vascular resistance and increased left ventricular function. These properties are attributed to its vasodilating action and contrast with the hemodynamic effects of conventional β‐blockers. Nebivolol is thus a novel β‐blocker with several important pharmacologic properties that distinguish it from traditional β‐blockers. These unique properties may confer clinical benefits beyond simple blood pressure lowering.
On-Line Electrical Quality Improvement of a Single Phase Boost Rectifier with Fuzzy Controller and Experimental Designs

In this paper, experimental design methodology is used for the on-line tuning of a fuzzy controller dedicated to electrical engineering applications with multi-objective criteria. Our purpose is to improve the input and output system characteristics as well as the quality of electrical power. The desirability notion combines here time dynamic and harmonic criteria for a boost rectifier with unity power factor correction and illustrates the trade-off that has to be made between the different properties.
Tryptophan supplementation and serotonin function: genetic variations in behavioural effects

The neurotransmitter serotonin has a role in affective disorders such as depression and anxiety, as well as sleep, cognitive function and appetite. This review examines the evidence that serotonin-related genotypes may moderate the behavioural effects of supplementation with the serotonin precursor amino acid l-tryptophan (TRP), on which synthesis of serotonin (or 5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) depends. However, 95 % of serotonin is synthesised and used in the periphery, and TRP is also metabolised via non-5-HT routes such as the kynurenine pathway. Moreover, understanding of genotypes involved in regulation of serotonin raises questions over the generalisability of TRP effects on behaviour across individuals with varied serotonergic genotypes. To date, only differences between variants of the 5-HT transporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) have been investigated in relation to behavioural effects of TRP supplementation. Effects of 5-HTTLPR genotypes are usually compared between the alleles that are either high (L/L′) or low (S/S′) expressing of mRNA for the 5-HT transporter receptor. Yet, another key genetic variable is sex: in women, the S/S′ genotype predicts sensitivity to improved mood and reduced cortisol by TRP supplementation, during stressful challenges, whereas the L/L′ genotype protects against stress-induced mood deterioration. In men, the L/L′ genotype may confer risk of stress-induced increases in negative affect; there are insufficient data to assess effects on male S/S′ genotypes. However, better-powered studies to detect sex by genotype by stress by TRP interactions, as well as consideration of more genotypes, are needed before strong conclusions and recommendations for behavioural effects of TRP treatment can be reached.