Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Construction of Indoor Location Search System Using Bluetooth Low Energy

In recent years, services that use position estimation by Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) are extensively being used. However, the technology itself is not used optimally owing to the high cost of installation at a base station. To solve this problem, we constructed and operated a system capable of visualizing the location information of a hotel key, and conducted an experiment to verify its functionality. Consequently, we confirmed that it is possible to reduce the base station in the floor plan and behavior model.
Control of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate synthase mediated by acetyl phosphate in cyanobacteria

Poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) synthesis in a cyanobacterium, Synechococcus sp. strain MA19, is controlled at the enzyme level and is dependent on the C/N balance in the culture medium. The control involves at least two enzymes. The first enzyme is PHB synthase. Little PHB synthase activity was detected in crude extracts from cells grown under nitrogen-sufficient conditions (MA19(+N)). The activity was detected exclusively in membrane fractions from nitrogen-deprived cells (MA19(-N)) under light but not dark conditions. The shift in the enzyme activity was insensitive to chloramphenicol, which suggests posttranslational activation. Acetyl phosphate activated PHB synthase in membrane fractions from MA19(+N). In vitro, the activation level of PHB synthase changed, depending on the concentration of acetyl phosphate. The second enzyme was phosphotransacetylase (EC 2.3.1.8), which catalyzes the conversion of acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) to acetyl phosphate. The activity was detected in crude extracts from MA19(-N) but not in those from MA19(+N). The results suggested that intracellular acetyl phosphate concentration could be controlled, depending on C/N balance and intracellular acetyl-CoA concentration. Acetyl phosphate probably acts as a signal of C/N balance affecting PHB metabolism in MA19.
Small Interfering RNAs That Deplete the Cellular Translation Factor eIF4H Impede mRNA Degradation by the Virion Host Shutoff Protein of Herpes Simplex Virus

ABSTRACT The herpes simplex virus (HSV) virion host shutoff (Vhs) protein is an endoribonuclease that accelerates decay of many host and viral mRNAs. Purified Vhs does not distinguish mRNAs from nonmessenger RNAs and cuts target RNAs at many sites, yet within infected cells it is targeted to mRNAs and cleaves those mRNAs at preferred sites including, for some, regions of translation initiation. This targeting may result in part from Vhs binding to the translation initiation factor eIF4H; in particular, several mutations in Vhs that abrogate its binding to eIF4H also abolish its mRNA-degradative activity, even though the mutant proteins retain endonuclease activity. To further investigate the role of eIF4H in Vhs activity, HeLa cells were depleted of eIF4H or other proteins by transfection with small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) 48 h prior to infection or mock infection in the presence of actinomycin D. Cellular mRNA levels were then assayed 5 h after infection. In cells transfected with an siRNA for the housekeeping enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, wild-type HSV infection reduced β-actin mRNA levels to between 20 and 30% of those in mock-infected cells, indicative of a normal Vhs activity. In contrast, in cells transfected with any of three eIF4H siRNAs, β-actin mRNA levels were indistinguishable in infected and mock-infected cells, suggesting that eIF4H depletion impeded Vhs-mediated degradation. Depletion of the related factor eIF4B did not affect Vhs activity. The data suggest that eIF4H binding is required for Vhs-induced degradation of many mRNAs, perhaps by targeting Vhs to mRNAs and to preferred sites within mRNAs.
Reverse Engineering Galactose Regulation in Yeast through Model Selection

We examine the application of statistical model selection methods to reverse-engineering the control of galactose utilization in yeast from DNA microarray experiment data. In these experiments, relationships among gene expression values are revealed through modifications of galactose sugar level and genetic perturbations through knockouts. For each gene variable, we select predictors using a variety of methods, taking into account the variance in each measurement. These methods include maximization of log-likelihood with Cp, AIC, and BIC penalties, bootstrap and cross-validation error estimation, and coefficient shrinkage via the Lasso.
Topical application of complement C3 in collagen formulation increases early wound healing

Abstract Background: The complement system is composed of bactericidal and hemolytic proteins that increase capillary leakage and inflammatory cell migration. The role of complement C3 to augment wound healing has not yet been studied. Methods: We examined the effects of topical complement C3 formulation at two concentrations (10 and 100 nM) on the rat surgical skin incision model. Skin was examined for maximal breaking strength and sectioned for histological examination. Fibronectin and collagen I content were measured using western blot analysis. Results: There was a statistically significant 74% increase in maximum wound strength with the topical application of 100 nM of C3 at day 3 (850 ± 138 g) when compared to the control rats (490 ± 57 g). Histological correlation was seen with an increased inflammatory cell and fibroblast infiltration in treated wounds as compared to control rats as early as 3 days post-wounding. Western blots revealed increased fibronectin and collagen I levels in C3 treated wounds. Conclusions: Topical application of complement C3 in collagen formulation to skin wounds significantly increases wound healing as early as 3 days after wounding. This is correlated with increased inflammatory cell recruitment and the subsequent early fibroblast migration and increased collagen deposition and organization in wounds.
Platelet size in stroke patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Large platelets are more reactive, produce more prothrombotic factors, and aggregate more easily. Platelet size can be readily estimated using automated analyzers, although accurate estimation depends on precise methodology. The disparate results from previous studies of mean platelet volume in cerebral ischemia may be explained by varying methodology. We have studied these variables using a precise methodology in an unselected group of stroke patients and compared them with data from age- and sex-matched control subjects. METHODS We studied 58 stroke patients consecutively admitted to a geriatric medical unit. Platelet variables were measured in the acute (< 48 hours after stroke) and chronic (> 6 months) phases of cerebral ischemia and compared with control variables. Control patients, admitted to the same unit, were of similar age and sex and without evidence of acute vascular events. RESULTS Mean platelet volume was higher in acute stroke (11.3 compared with 10.1 fL in control subjects; P < .001, Student's t test). In addition, platelet count was reduced in stroke patients (255 x 10(9)/L) compared with control subjects (299 x 10(9)/L; P < . 01). Repeated measurements of mean platelet volume and platelet count in available survivors showed no significant change from the acute phase. Platelet changes did not relate to outcome measured at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS With the use of more precise methodology, these findings show that an increase in mean platelet volume and a reduction in platelet count are features of both the acute and nonacute phases of cerebral ischemia. It is possible that these changes precede the vascular event, and further studies are warranted.
3H‐nicotine‐ and 125I‐alpha‐bungarotoxin‐labeled nicotinic receptors in the interpeduncular nucleus of rats. II. Effects of habenular deafferentation

The cholinergic innervation of the interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) is wholly extrinsic and is greatly attenuated by bilateral habenular destruction. We describe changes in the labeling of putative nicotinic receptors within this nucleus at 3, 5, or 11 days after bilateral habenular lesions. Adjacent tissue sections of the rat IPN were utilized for 3H‐nicotine and 125I‐α‐bungarotoxin (125I‐BTX) receptor autoradiography.
Master–Slave-Splitting Based Distributed Global Power Flow Method for Integrated Transmission and Distribution Analysis

With the recent rapid development of smart grid technology, the distribution grids become more active, and the interaction between transmission and distribution grids becomes more significant. However, in traditional power flow calculations, transmission and distribution grids are separated, which is not suitable for such future smart grids. To achieve a global unified power flow solution to support an integrated analysis for both transmission and distribution grids, we propose a global power flow (GPF) method that considers transmission and distribution grids as a whole in this paper. We construct GPF equations, and develop a master-slave-splitting (MSS) iterative method with convergence guarantee to alleviate boundary mismatches between the transmission and distribution grids. In our method, the GPF problem is split into a transmission power flow and a number of distribution power flow sub-problems, which supports on-line geographically distributed computation. Each sub-problem can be solved using a different power flow algorithm to capture the different features of transmission and distribution grids. An equivalent method is proposed to improve the convergence of the MSS-based GPF calculation for distribution grids that include loops. Numerical simulations validate the effectiveness of the proposed method, in particular when the distribution grid has loops or distributed generators.
A novel oncogene, ost, encodes a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that potentially links Rho and Rac signaling pathways.

Transfection of NIH3T3 cells with an osteosarcoma expression cDNA library led to the appearance of foci of morphologically transformed cells which were found to harbor a novel oncogene, ost. The ost product was activated by truncation of the N‐terminal domain of the ost proto‐oncogene and was highly tumorigenic in nude mouse assays. The proto‐ost cDNA, isolated subsequently, encodes a predicted protein of 100 kDa containing DH (Db1 homology) and PH (pleckstrin homology) domains. Ost is mainly phosphorylated on serine and localized in the cytoplasm. Purified Ost protein catalyzed guanine nucleotide exchange on RhoA and Cdc42 among the Rho and Ras family members tested, indicating that Ost can activate these small GTP‐binding proteins. Ost did not detectably associate with RhoA or Cdc42, but interacted specifically with the GTP‐bound form of Rac1, suggesting that Ost can function as an effector of Rac1. These results suggest that Ost is a critical regulatory component which links pathways that signal through Rac1, RhoA and Cdc42. Of the tissues examined, expression of ost was the highest in brain and could be localized to neurons and alpha‐tanycytes, suggesting that Ost may participate in axonal transport in these specialized cells.
Promoter methylation and expression of MGMT and the DNA mismatch repair genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 in paired primary and recurrent glioblastomas

Epigenetic silencing of the O6‐methylguanine‐DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene promoter is associated with prolonged survival in glioblastoma patients treated with temozolomide (TMZ). We investigated whether glioblastoma recurrence is associated with changes in the promoter methylation status and the expression of MGMT and the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 in pairs of primary and recurrent glioblastomas of 80 patients, including 64 patients treated with radiotherapy and TMZ after the first operation. Among the primary tumors, the MGMT promoter was methylated in 31 patients and unmethylated in 49 patients. In 71 patients (89%), the MGMT promoter methylation status of the primary tumor was retained at recurrence. MGMT promoter methylation, but not MGMT protein expression, was associated with longer progression‐free survival, overall survival and postrecurrence survival (PRS). Moreover, PRS was increased under salvage chemotherapy. Investigation of primary and recurrent glioblastomas of 43 patients did not identify promoter methylation in any of the four MMR genes. However, recurrent glioblastomas demonstrated significantly lower MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 protein expression as detected by immunohistochemistry. In conclusion, reduced expression of MMR proteins, but not changes in MGMT promoter methylation, is characteristic of glioblastomas recurring after the current standards of care.
Quantification of conserved antigens in Helicobacter pylori during different culture conditions

In this study, we raised monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against three conserved Helicobacter pylori antigens, i.e., the N-acetylneuraminyllactose-binding fibrillar hemagglutinin, HpaA; the flagellin subunits, FlaA and FlaB; and a species-specific 26-kDa protein. The MAbs were used for the development of sensitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for quantification of these antigens in H. pylori during various culture conditions. The quantities of these antigens varied considerably (up to 8-fold) during different culture procedures and between strains (up to 10-fold).
Percutaneous Fetoscopic Patch Coverage of Spina Bifida Aperta in the Human – Early Clinical Experience and Potential

Objective: The current operative approach for fetal repair of spina bifida aperta requires maternal laparotomy and hysterotomy. Following technical feasibility studies in sheep, we performed percutaneous fetoscopic patch coverage of this lesion in 3 human fetuses between 23 + 4 and 25 + 3 weeks of gestation. Methods and Results: Whereas the patch detached in the first case 3 weeks after the procedure, it covered the exposed neural tissue in the 2 other fetuses beyond their delivery. Two of the three children survived, but 1 unexpectedly died from a ventilation problem in its 3rd week of life. In 1 of the 2 survivors, ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion was delayed. Conclusions: Percutaneous fetoscopic patch coverage of spina bifida aperta is feasible in human fetuses and offers a substantial reduction of maternal trauma compared to open fetal repair. Further clinical experience is now required before the efficacy of the new approach to protect the exposed neural tissue from mechanical and chemical damage and to improve hindbrain herniation can be evaluated.
Premature pubarche in an infant: nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia or mini-puberty variant?

A previously healthy, 7-mo-old male infant presented with a 3-mo history of pubic hair. He was a healthy, term newborn who was born to nonconsanguineous parents, and had appropriate weight and length. Physical examination revealed thick and long pubic hair on the scrotum, without hyperpigmentation or enlargement of the penis (Fig. 1a). No other signs of virilization or secondary sexual development were noted. His height (–0.08 SDS) and weight (–0.11 SDS) were normal for his age and appropriate for midparental height, with no apparent acceleration in growth rate. Laboratory data obtained the same day showed normal dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and androstenedione levels, as well as negative results for β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG), alphafetoprotein (AFP), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Basal plasma LH concentration was 1.5 mIU/ml (Reference value [RV]: 0.02–0.3 mIU/ml), testosterone was 25.2 ng/dl (RV: < 2.5 ng/dl), and 17-OH-progesterone was 2.48 ng/ml (RV: < 1.1 ng/ml) (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry). Bone age was equal to his chronological age. Abdominal ultrasound did not show any masses, and demonstrated normal adrenal glands. Due to his elevated 17-OH-progesterone concentration, analysis of the CYP21A2 gene was performed and showed a homozygous variant of p.Val281Leu. Genetic studies of the parents were not done. After an observation period of 6 months, pubarche spontaneously resolved (Fig. 1b), with no other signs of virilization, and growth velocity remained normal.
ABCG2/BCRP interaction with the sea grass Thalassia testudinum

Abstract Background: The aqueous ethanolic extract from leaves of the marine plant Thalassia testudinum has shown antioxidant, cytoprotective, and neuroprotective properties. The chemical composition of this extract, rich in polyphenols, could interfere with active transport of drugs out of the cell and circumvent the phenomenon of multidrug resistance (MDR). The extract can act as an MDR modulator through its interaction with efflux transporters. The ABCG2/BCRP has been shown to confer MDR acting in tumor cells. Methods: To evaluate the interaction of ABCG2/BCRP with the extract, studies in cells overexpressing human BCRP transporter and its murine ortholog Bcrp1 were performed. Results and conclusions: T. testudinum extract could be included as MDR modulator, as interaction with ABCG2/BCRP has been shown through flow cytometry and MTT assays. The cells overexpressing ABCG2/BCRP in the presence of the extract (25–150 μg/mL) decreased the survival rates of the anti-tumoral mitoxantrone. Our results support its inclusion as a possible MDR modulator against tumor cells that overexpress ABCG2/BCRP.
A pragmatic dose‐finding approach using short‐term surrogate efficacy outcomes to evaluate binary efficacy and toxicity outcomes in phase I cancer clinical trials

There is a growing need for study designs that can evaluate efficacy and toxicity outcomes simultaneously in phase I or phase I/II cancer clinical trials. Many dose‐finding approaches have been proposed; however, most of these approaches assume binary efficacy and toxicity outcomes, such as dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT), and objective responses. DLTs are often defined for short time periods. In contrast, objective responses are often defined for longer periods because of practical limitations on confirmation and the criteria used to define ‘confirmation’. This means that studies have to be carried out for unacceptably long periods of time. Previous studies have not proposed a satisfactory solution to this specific problem. Furthermore, this problem may be a barrier for practitioners who want to implement notable previous dose‐finding approaches. To cope with this problem, we propose an approach using unconfirmed early responses as the surrogate efficacy outcome for the confirmed outcome. Because it is reasonable to expect moderate positive correlation between the two outcomes and the method replaces the surrogate outcome with the confirmed outcome once it becomes available, the proposed approach can reduce irrelevant dose selection and accumulation of bias. Moreover, it is also expected that it can significantly shorten study duration. Using simulation studies, we demonstrate the positive utility of the proposed approach and provide three variations of it, all of which can be easily implemented with modified likelihood functions and outcome variable definitions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biochemistry and physiology of anabolic hormones used for improvement of meat production

A number of hormones are involved in endocrine regulation of growth. In general, these hormones enhance body protein accretion and metabolise fat stores resulting in increased lean growth rates. Most practical importance was obtained by sex hormones (oestrogens and androgens), β‐agonists and growth hormone — whether legally or illegally. Efficiency of growth promotion ranges between 0% and +20% depending on the prerequisites such as species, breed, gender, age, reproductive status, body score or feeding of the animals. Oestrogens and androgens mediate their activity via intracellular receptors — directly in muscular tissue as well as indirectly via stimulation of growth hormone from the hypophysis and other growth factors from liver plus several further organs. In addition, mineral absorption in the gut is improved. The outstanding efficiency of trenbolone is based on its androgenic plus antiglucocorticoid activity. Melengestrolacetate is thought to act indirectly via stimulation of endogenous ovarian oestradiol in non‐pregnant heifers. The necessary dosages and residue formations depend on the pharmacokinetic parameters of each substance and extrapolations between compounds are hardly possible. Growth hormone and β2‐agonists use independent pathways for growth promotion not related to steroid biochemistry.
Healthcare facilities maintenance management: a literature review

Purpose The complexity and criticality of healthcare services highlight the importance of maintenance management function in healthcare facilities. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on maintenance management of healthcare facilities and hospital buildings to provide an organized literature review and identify gaps from the perspective of research and practice. Design/methodology/approach The paper categorizes the literature and adopts a review hierarchy according to maintenance management functions in hospital buildings. It explores the impact of those functions on the performance of maintenance activities in hospitals. Furthermore, it examines the role of Information Technology (IT) and automated Decision Support Systems (DSS) in facilitating hospitals maintenance management functions and performance. Findings Literature on maintenance management in healthcare facilities and hospital buildings has so far been very limited. Recently published literature focusing on health care faciliti.
Effect of Exogenous Estrogen on Serum Pregnenolone, Cortisol, and Androgens in Postmenopausal Women

Previous studies from this laboratory have included reports on the serum concentrations of the following steroids in premenopausal and postmenopausal women: pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, cortisol, corticosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, androstenedione, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, estrone, and estradiol 17-ß. In general the steroid levels were lower in postmenopausal subjects, and this difference was significant at P<0.05 for 8 of the steroids. The significantly decreased peripheral level of steroids in the postmenopausal state can he explained by decreases either in ovarian secretion of steroids or in ovarian stimulation of the adrenal cortex. Since the contribution of the adrenal cortex to the peripheral levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) is greater than 95% in premenopausal women, a plausible explanation for the marked drop observed in peripheral DHEA-S levels after menopause is that the ovary influences the steroidogenic activity of the adrenal cortex. In such cases a decrease in the stimulation of the adrenal cortex by some ovarian steroids would he expected. Estrogen therapy in 10 postmenopausal women resulted in significant increases in the serum levels of 3 of the steroids compared to those in untreated subjects, confirming the postulate that ovarian estrogens stimulate the secretion of adrenal androgens.
Peak occurrences of ciguatera fish poisoning precede cholera outbreaks in Hong Kong

Occurrences of ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) and Vibrio cholerae infected patients in Hong Kong were reviewed for the 13-year period 1989–2001. Peak activity of CFP preceded peak activity of cholera in nine of the years except in 4 years (1990, 1991, 1992, 1996) where it was observed that the total number of cholera cases were all less than or equal to five per year (P<0·05). Average time interval was 2·4 months between peaks of CFP and Vibrio cholerae outbreaks. Findings suggested that the factors that affect cholera and ciguatera occurrences may not be operating in some years but when they are operating, they will affect both cholera and CFP. CFP peaks have consistently occurred before Vibrio cholerae peaks in our locality so much so that the occurrence of the latter can now be almost accurately predicted since 1998. CFP peaks served as an early warning for public measures to be in place before occurrence of cholera outbreaks.