Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patterns and mechanisms of in-stent restenosis. A serial intravascular ultrasound study.

BACKGROUND Studies have suggested that restenosis within Palmaz-Schatz stents results from neointimal hyperplasia or chronic stent recoil and occurs more frequently at the articulation. METHODS AND RESULTS Serial intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was performed after intervention and at follow-up in 142 stents in 115 lesions. IVUS measurements (external elastic membrane [EEM], stent, and lumen cross-sectional areas [CSAs] and diameters) were performed, and plaque CSA (EEM lumen in reference segments and stent lumen in stented segments), late lumen loss (delta lumen), remodeling (delta EEM in reference segments and delta stent in stented segments), and tissue growth (delta plaque) were calculated. After intervention, the lumen tended to be smallest at the articulation because of tissue prolapse. At follow-up, tissue growth was uniformly distributed throughout the stent; the tendency for greater neointimal tissue accumulation at the central articulation reached statistical significance only when normalized for the smaller postintervention lumen CSA. In stented segments, late lumen area loss correlated strongly with tissue growth but only weakly with remodeling. Stents affected adjacent vessel segments; remodeling progressively increased and tissue growth progressively decreased at distances from the edge of the stent. These findings were similar in native arteries and saphenous vein grafts and in lesions treated with one or two stents. There was no difference in the postintervention or follow-up lumen (at the junction of the two stents) when overlapped were compared with nonoverlapped stents. CONCLUSIONS Late lumen loss and in-stent restenosis were the result of neointimal tissue proliferation, which tended to be uniformly distributed over the length of the stent.
Integrating Indigenous values with capitalism through tourism: Alaskan experiences and outstanding issues

ABSTRACT Radical theories from political economy assert that capitalism is founded on the creation and appropriation of surplus value through exploiting human labor and nature. Such exploitative social and social–ecological relations are generally understood as contradictory to Indigenous worldviews, which tend to emphasize community well-being and environmental reciprocity over maximizing private accumulation. Enter tourism, tantalizing in its promise as a “silver bullet” for Indigenous sustainable development. When done “right”, tourism can generate capitalist economic activity without drastically damaging cultural and ecological systems. This study examines spaces of confluence and divergence in Barrow, Alaska, between current tourism and the values of its Indigenous people, the Iñupiat. It considers the scenario of increased tourism in the future and identifies local visions for expanding tourism in a culturally appropriate manner. Key ideas for future development include increasing regulation of cruise ship tourists and enhancing capacity to host high-end tourists. The study reveals conflicting views about using subsistence hunting, fishing and whaling activities as tourism attractions, and concludes that the ability of leaders in Barrow to support Indigenous values through tourism highlights an opportunity and need for a research agenda focused on exploring the relationship between capitalism and its alternatives within tourism destinations.
Neonatal Low-Protein Diet Changes Deiodinase Activities and Pituitary TSH Response to TRH in Adult Rats

Protein malnutrition during neonatal programs for a lower body weight and hyperthyroidism in the adult offspring were analyzed. Liver deiodinase is increased in such animals, contributing to the high serum triiodothyronine (T3) levels. The level of deiodinase activities in other tissues is unknown. We analyzed the effect of maternal protein restriction during lactation on thyroid, skeletal muscle, and pituitary deiodinase activities in the adult offspring. For pituitary evaluation, we studied the in vitro, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)–stimulated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion. Lactating Wistar rats and their pups were divided into a control (C) group, fed a normal diet (23% protein), and a protein-restricted (PR) group, fed a diet containing 8% protein. At weaning, pups in both groups were fed a normal diet until 180 days old. The pituitary gland was incubated before and after TRH stimulation, and released TSH was measured by radioimmunoassay. Deiodinase activities (D1 and D2) were determined by release of 125I from [125I]reverse triiodothyronine (rT3). Maternal protein malnutrition during lactation programs the adult offspring for lower muscle D2 (− 43%, P <0.05) and higher muscle D1 (+83%, P <0.05) activities without changes in thyroidal deiodinase activities, higher pituitary D2 activity (1.5 times, P <0.05), and lower TSH response to in vitro TRH (− 56%, P <0.05). The evaluations showed that the lower in vivo TSH detected in adult PR hyperthyroid offspring, programmed by neonatal undernutrition, may be caused by an increment of pituitary deiodination. As described for liver, higher skeletal muscle D1 activity suggests a hyperthyroid status. Our data broaden the knowledge about the adaptive changes to malnutrition during lactation and reinforce the concept of neonatal programming of the thyroid function.
Common genetic variation in IGF1 and prostate cancer risk in the Multiethnic Cohort.

BACKGROUND Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) appears to play a role in prostate development and carcinogenesis. We investigated whether genetic variation at the IGF1 locus is associated with prostate cancer risk. METHODS We sequenced IGF1 exons in germline DNA from 95 men with advanced prostate cancer to identify missense variants. IGF1 linkage disequilibrium patterns and common haplotypes were characterized by genotyping 64 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning 156 kilobases in 349 control subjects. Associations between IGF1 haplotypes and genotypes were investigated among 2320 patients with prostate cancer and 2290 control subjects from the Multiethnic Cohort. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by unconditional logistic regression to determine the association between prostate cancer and IGF1 haplotypes and genotypes. We used permutation testing to correct for multiple hypothesis testing. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS No IGF1 missense variants were observed. We identified four blocks of strong linkage disequilibrium and selected a subset of 29 tagging SNPs that could accurately predict both the common IGF1 haplotypes and the remaining SNPs. Haplotype analysis revealed nominally statistically significant associations with prostate cancer risk in each of the four haplotype blocks: haplotype 1B (OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.04 to 1.40), haplotype 2C (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.44), haplotype 3C (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.50), and haplotype 4D (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.39). Two SNPs--rs7978742 (Ptrend = .002) and rs7965399 (Ptrend = .002)--were perfectly correlated (correlation coefficient = 1.0) with one another and also associated with prostate cancer risk. These two SNPs were strong proxies for haplotypes 1B, 2C, 3C, and 4D and could account for the haplotype findings. Permutation testing revealed that a similarly strong result would be observed by chance only 5.6% of the time. CONCLUSION Inherited variation in IGF1 may play a role in the risk of prostate cancer.
Multicriteria Design Optimization of a Parallel Ankle Rehabilitation Robot: Fuzzy Dominated Sorting Evolutionary Algorithm Approach

Parallel robots, owing to their increased stiffness, accuracy, and compactness, are preferred over their serial counterparts in applications involving higher torques and precision such as robot-assisted physical therapy. However, their design is complex and calls for obtaining a tradeoff between several conflicting objectives such as the minimization of actuator forces versus the maximization of workspace while maintaining a close to unity condition number, etc. While evolutionary algorithms have been proposed in the literature for simultaneous optimization of many objectives, they have been found to be inefficient in dealing with a large number of objectives. We propose a fuzzy logic-based sorting approach in this paper which effectively replaces the concept of nondominated sorting and provides a better discrimination between solutions and clear termination logic. The proposed sorting algorithm has been evaluated against the existing nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II in the pretext of design optimization of a parallel ankle rehabilitation robot. The proposed fuzzy-based approach is able to provide a better discrimination among solutions and, thereby an improved parallel ankle robot design.
Modulation of the heteromeric Kir4.1–Kir5.1 channels by P  CO 2 at physiological levels

Several inward rectifier K+ (Kir) channels are pH‐sensitive, making them potential candidates for CO2 chemoreception in cells. However, there is no evidence showing that Kir channels change their activity at near physiological level of P CO 2 , as most previous studies were done using high concentrations of CO2. It is known that the heteromeric Kir4.1–Kir5.1 channels are highly sensitive to intracellular protons with pKa value right at the physiological pH level. Such a pKa value may allow these channels to regulate membrane potentials with modest changes in P CO 2 . To test this hypothesis, we studied the Kir4.1–Kir5.1 currents expressed in Xenopus oocytes and membrane potentials in the presence and absence of bicarbonate. Evident inhibition of these currents (by ∼5%) was seen with P CO 2 as low as 8 torr. Higher P CO 2 levels (23–60 torr) produced stronger inhibitions (by 30–40%). The inhibitions led to graded depolarizations (5–45 mV with P CO 2 8–60 torr). Similar effects were observed in the presence of 24 mM bicarbonate and 5% CO2. Indeed, the Kir4.1–Kir5.1 currents were enhanced with 3% CO2 and suppressed with 8% CO2 in voltage clamp, resulting in hyper‐ (−9 mV) and depolarization (16 mV) in current clamp, respectively. With physiological concentration of extracellular K+, the Kir4.1–Kir5.1 channels conduct substantial outward currents that were similarly inhibited by CO2 as their inward rectifying currents. These results therefore indicate that the heteromeric Kir4.1–Kir5.1 channels are modulated by a modest change in P CO 2 levels. Such a modulation alters cellular excitability, and enables the cell to detect hypercapnia and hypocapnia in the presence of bicarbonate. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Seeing Double: Exploring the Phenomenology of Self-Reported Absence of Rivalry in Bistable Pictures

Ambiguous images such as Rubin’s vase-face can be interpreted in at least two different ways. These interpretations are typically taken to be mutually exclusive, and ambiguous images have thus served as models of perceptual competition. Here, we present data that challenges this view. In an online survey, we found that a large proportion of people within the general population reported that the two percepts were not competing but could be perceived simultaneously. Of those who reported that they could see both percepts simultaneously, we invited 17 participants to take part in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment. In the scanner, participants saw images that could be interpreted as either a landscape or a face and reported at every point in time whether they perceived predominantly the face, the landscape, or both simultaneously. We explored behavioral and neurophysiological (with fMRI) correlates of the reported subjective experience of entertaining two percepts simultaneously by comparing them to those of the simple percepts (i.e., face or landscape). First, by comparing percept durations, we found that the simultaneous state was as stable as the two other percepts. Second, by measuring blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal levels within the fusiform face area (FFA), occipital face area (OFA) and parahippocampal place area (PPA), we found evidence from objective data that confirmed the subjective reports. While the results in FFA and OFA were not conclusive, in PPA, BOLD signal levels during subjective reports of perceiving both a landscape and a face were lower than the BOLD signal levels associated with reports of perceiving a landscape (and, in turn, reports of seeing a landscape were associated with greater BOLD signal levels than reports of seeing a face, thus suggesting that BOLD signal levels in PPA are a valid correlate of subjective experience in this task). In sum, the objective measures suggest that entertaining two percepts simultaneously in mind can be regarded as a distinct (mixed) perceptual state. We argue with these results that a more central role of subjective report in cognitive neuroscience is sometimes warranted.
Surface‐Modified LPD Nanoparticles for Tumor Targeting

Abstract: We have developed a tumor‐targeted LPD formulation (liposome‐polycation‐DNA complex) for siRNA. With surface modification, the targeted, PEGylated LPD increased the delivery efficiency by four‐fold and the gene‐silencing effect by two‐ to three‐fold. Downregulation of survivin in human lung cancer cells by targeted LPD induced 90% of apoptosis and sensitized the cells to cisplatin by four‐fold. PEGylated LPD formulation also significantly improved the tumor localization of siRNA in the NCI‐H460 human lung cancer xenograft model. The tumor appeared to be the major uptake organ for siRNA formulated in surface‐modified LPD. Our encouraging results indicate that surface‐modified LPD may be a potent carrier for RNAi‐based tumor therapy.
Rate of Kidney Function Decline and Risk of Hospitalizations in Stage 3A CKD.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Risk of hospitalizations is increased in patients with CKD. We sought to examine the association between rate of kidney function decline and risk of hospitalization in a cohort of patients with early CKD. DESIGN, SETTINGS, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS We built a cohort of 247,888 United States veterans who had at least one eGFR measurement between October 1999 and September 2003 and an additional eGFR between October 2003 and September 2004. We selected patients whose initial eGFR was between 45 and 59 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Rate of eGFR change (in milliliters per minute per 1.73 m2 per year) was categorized as no decline (>0), mild (0 to -1, and served as the referent group), moderate (-1 to -5), or severe (>-5) eGFR decline. We built survival models to examine the association between the rate of kidney function decline and the risk of hospitalization and readmission and linear regression to estimate length of hospital stay. RESULTS Over a median observation of 9 years (interquartile range, 5.28-9.00), patients with moderate and severe eGFR decline exhibited a higher risk of hospitalizations (hazard ratio [HR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.19 to 1.26; and HR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.28 to 1.39, respectively). Among patients with moderate and severe eGFR decline, the association between the rate of decline and the risk of hospitalizations was more pronounced with an increased number of hospitalizations (P<0.01). Patients with moderate and severe eGFR decline had a higher risk of readmission (HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.26; and HR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.43 to 1.63, respectively). Among patients with severe eGFR decline, the association between the rate of kidney function decline and the risk of readmission was stronger with an increased number of readmissions (P<0.01). Patients with moderate and severe eGFR decline experienced an additional length of stay of 1.40 (95% CI, 0.88 to 1.92) and 5.00 days per year (95% CI, 4.34 to 5.66), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The rate of kidney function decline is associated with a higher risk of hospitalizations, readmissions, and prolonged length of hospital stay.
Three protein factors (SF1, SF3 and U2AF) function in pre‐splicing complex formation in addition to snRNPs.

The splicing of nuclear messenger RNA precursors can be reproduced in vitro with fractions obtained after chromatography of HeLa cell nuclear extracts. Here we report the chromatographic separation of three protein factors: SF1, SF3 and U2AF. All factors function early in the splicing reaction, in the assembly of a pre‐splicing complex. Likewise, all factors are essential for the production of spliced RNA. In addition to their distinct chromatographic properties, the splicing factors can be distinguished by their sensitivities to heat and N‐ethylmaleimide. All activities can be detected in a cytoplasmic A‐100 fraction from HeLa cells. The fact that SF1, SF3 and U2AF are essential factors in pre‐splicing complex formation raises the possibility that SF1 and/or SF3 participate in the interaction of U2 snRNP with the branch point in addition to U2AF.
Day-ahead primary power reserve planning and day-D primary frequency control of a Li-ion battery

Currently the increased grid penetration levels of renewable sources are at the expense of the conventional power plants. Future large scale development renewable generators can only be imagined if grid support functions, traditionally achieved by conventional power plants, will be provided by new technologies. Since grid support with energy storage devices is becoming more attractive, the aim of this paper is to analyze the viability of providing primary frequency regulation with a lithium-ion based energy storage system. A control strategy of the Energy Storage System is analyzed and simulated in terms of primary frequency regulation. Primary upward and primary downward frequency regulation are simulated for several time windows in a day and a SoC strategy regulation algorithm is applied. The control algorithm masters the SoC in a 20-80% bandwith.
High-temperature reversed starter-generator. Design and multi-criteria optimization

This paper proposes a new design of high-temperature starter-generator with external rotor to be installed on high pressure shaft of aircraft engine to implement More Electrical Engine concept. The basic materials to make this starter-generator were selected and justified. Multi-criteria optimization of the developed design was performed using a genetic algorithm and Pareto method. The optimum (in Pareto terms) active length and thickness of permanent magnets of starter-generator were selected as a result of the optimization. Using the obtained dimensions allowed reducing the weight of the designed starter-generator by 10 kg relative to a base option at constant thermal loads. Multidisciplinary computer simulation was performed on the basis of the optimum geometric dimensions, which proved performance efficiency of the design.
Relapses after treatment with rituximab in a patient with multiple sclerosis and anti myelin-associated glycoprotein polyneuropathy.

OBJECTIVE To describe the unique case of a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) and anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) polyneuropathy who developed MS relapses after treatment with rituximab. DESIGN Case report. SETTING Department of Neurosciences, Ophthalmology, and Genetics, University of Genova, Genova, Italy. Patient A 59-year-old man with an 18-year history of MS presented with an unusually rapid progression of paraparesis with hypopallesthesia and areflexia in 4 limbs. Neurophysiological and serological studies led to the diagnosis of anti-MAG polyneuropathy. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis disclosed the loss of oligoclonal IgG bands that were previously detected at MS onset. Intervention Rituximab was administered at a dosage of 375 mg/m(2)/wk for 4 weeks. Result The patient developed 2 corticosteroid-responsive MS relapses with improvement of the polyneuropathy. CONCLUSION Rituximab can be effective in anti-MAG polyneuropathy but can possibly lead to unexpected consequences in individuals with MS.
GIPC Participates in G Protein Signaling Downstream of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Receptor*

Several recent studies have demonstrated that insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) activation is abolished by pertussis toxin, suggesting that trimeric G proteins of the Gi class are novel cellular targets of the IGF-1 signaling pathway. We report here that the intracellular domain of the Xenopus IGF-1 receptor is capable of binding to the Xenopus homolog of mammalian GIPC, a PDZ domain-containing protein previously identified as a binding partner of Gi-specific GAP (RGS-GAIP). Binding of xGIPC to xIGF-1 receptor is independent of the kinase activity of the receptor and appears to require the PDZ domain of xGIPC. Injection of two C-terminal truncation mutants that retained the PDZ domain blocked IGF-1-induced Xenopus MAP kinase activation and oocyte maturation. While full-length xGIPC injection did not significantly alter insulin response, it greatly enhanced human RGS-GAIP in stimulating the insulin response in frog oocytes. This represents the first demonstration that GIPC·RGS-GAIP complex acts positively in IGF-1 receptor signal transduction.
Exploring how new registered nurses construct professional identity in hospital settings.

PURPOSE To describe and explore the experiences that contribute to the construction of professional identity in hospital nurses 1 to 3 years postgraduation from nursing school. METHODOLOGY This qualitative study used in-depth interviewing and open-ended questions with a semistructured format. All interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. Twenty-one interviews were conducted with 16 participants. The researcher analyzed the data through the lens of symbolic interactionism. RESULTS The study identified various passage points as nurses progressed in establishing their professional identity in the first 3 years after graduation. These points required adaptation to stress to accomplish successful negotiation and included finding a niche, orientation, the conflict of caring, taking the licensure examination, becoming a charge nurse, and moving on. A sense of responsibility and the need for continual learning and perfection were inherent in all passage points. CONCLUSION The significance of this study rests in situational influences on the construction of identity, the need for balance and support in the practice environment, passage points in the first 3 years of practice, and the organizational need to support nursing empowerment and voice.
Potent In Vitro Bactericidal Activity of Polymyxin B against Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Eradication of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carried by inpatients or healthy hospital personnel by topical use of antibiotics is an important step for preventing outbreak of MRSA nosocomial infection. In the screening of the antibiotic best suited for this purpose, we have found that polymyxin B, a commonly used antibiotic for gram‐negative infection, had an unexpected strong cytokilling activity towards MRSA clinical strains, which was more potent than that of vancomycin or gentamicin. The data suggested that polymyxin B could be an antibiotic of choice in the treatment of topical carriage of or infection caused by MRSA.