Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Myometrial microvascular endothelial cells express oxytocin receptor

Objective 1. To establish whether microvascular endothelial cells from the human myometrium (MMECs) express oxytocin receptor, and to compare its expression levels relative to HUVECs. 2. To verify an up‐regulation of oxytocin receptor expression in MMECs as a result of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which had been found in a previous study.
The biodegradation mechanism of calcium phosphate biomaterials in bone.

This study was undertaken to understand the biodegradation mechanisms of calcium phosphate (Ca-P) biomaterials with different crystallization. Two types of sintered Ca-P porous ceramic (HA and beta-TCP) and a Ca-P bone cement (CPC) were implanted into cavities drilled in rabbit femoral and tibiae condyles. The results have shown that a material biodegradation was rapid in the beta-TCP and the CPC, but very weak in the HA. This biodegradation presented a decrease of material volume from the periphery to the center as well as a particle formation causing phagocytosis by numerous macrophages and multinucleated giant cells in the CPC. In the beta-TCP, there was a peripheral and central decrease of material volume as well as an absence of particle formation or visible phagocytosis. The process of biodegradation is considered to be directly influenced by the type of material crystallization. The sintered bioceramics processed at a high temperature exhibit good crystallization and are primarily degraded by a process dependent on interstitial liquids. However, the bone cement is formed by physicochemical crystallization and is degraded through a dissolution process associated with a cellular process.
Considerations for the use of transcriptomics in identifying the ‘genes that matter’ for environmental adaptation

ABSTRACT Transcriptomics has emerged as a powerful approach for exploring physiological responses to the environment. However, like any other experimental approach, transcriptomics has its limitations. Transcriptomics has been criticized as an inappropriate method to identify genes with large impacts on adaptive responses to the environment because: (1) genes with large impacts on fitness are rare; (2) a large change in gene expression does not necessarily equate to a large effect on fitness; and (3) protein activity is most relevant to fitness, and mRNA abundance is an unreliable indicator of protein activity. In this review, these criticisms are re-evaluated in the context of recent systems-level experiments that provide new insight into the relationship between gene expression and fitness during environmental stress. In general, these criticisms remain valid today, and indicate that exclusively using transcriptomics to screen for genes that underlie environmental adaptation will overlook constitutively expressed regulatory genes that play major roles in setting tolerance limits. Standard practices in transcriptomic data analysis pipelines may also be limiting insight by prioritizing highly differentially expressed and conserved genes over those genes that undergo moderate fold-changes and cannot be annotated. While these data certainly do not undermine the continued and widespread use of transcriptomics within environmental physiology, they do highlight the types of research questions for which transcriptomics is best suited and the need for more gene functional analyses. Such information is pertinent at a time when transcriptomics has become increasingly tractable and many researchers may be contemplating integrating transcriptomics into their research programs. Summary: The ability of transcriptomics to identify genes that underlie environmental adaptation is explored in the context of recent systems-level experiments that provide new insights into the relationship between gene expression and fitness.
GeoChange: an experiment in wide-area database services for geographic information exchange

The GeoChange project is investigating a distributed database management architecture and services to facilitate the perusal, selection, and retrieval of multiple, third-party geographic information sources (GIS) across wide area networks, such as the Internet. The system uses a quasi-dynamic approach to information exchange which combines loose coupling of the source systems with distributed database management support services to improve the speed and reliability of retrieval. Application developers can use the system for ad-hoc merging of information from diverse GIS sources. Filters and integrity constraints managed as metadata bring further efficiency to the information exchange process. This paper is an introduction to the GeoChange system architecture and its operation. A protoype implementation using real geographic databases provided by the Hong Kong GIS community is near completion.
Tumour necrosis factor-alpha and nitric oxide mediate apoptosis by D-galactosamine in a primary culture of rat hepatocytes: exacerbation of cell death by cocultured Kupffer cells.

BACKGROUND Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) reduces cell death in experimental and clinical liver dysfunction. OBJECTIVES Whether PGE1 protects against D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-associated hepatocyte cell death by the regulation of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and/or nitric oxide (NO) in hepatocytes or cocultured Kupffer cells was examined. METHODS Anti-TNF-alpha antibodies were used to evaluate the role of TNF-alpha during D-GalN cytotoxicity and its protection by PGE1 in cocultured hepatocytes and Kupffer cells. Cell apoptosis and necrosis were assessed by DNA fragmentation and lactate dehydrogenase release, respectively. Nitrite+nitrate (NOx), as NO end products, and TNF-alpha concentrations were measured in the culture medium. The role of NO was determined by measuring inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression and the effect of its inhibition during d-GalN cytotoxicity and its protection by PGE1. RESULTS D-GalN enhanced hepatocyte cell death associated with high TNF-alpha and NOx levels in a culture medium. Anti-TNF-alpha and iNOS inhibition suggested that TNF-alpha was mediating apoptosis, but not necrosis, through the stimulation of NO production. The antiapoptotic activity of PGE1 was associated with a reduction of NO production, but was blocked by iNOS inhibition. This apparent contradiction was explained by the ability of PGE1 to enhance iNOS expression shortly after its administration and inhibit it later during d-GalN treatment. Anti-TNF-alpha antibodies did not reduce the exacerbation of d-GalN-associated cell death in hepatocytes by cocultured Kupffer cells. CONCLUSION TNF-alpha mediates D-GalN-induced apoptosis via NO production in cultured hepatocytes. The protective effect of PGE1 against D-GalN-induced apoptosis is probably through the induction of low iNOS expression that was followed by a reduction of iNOS expression and NO production induced by the hepatotoxin. The exacerbation of hepatocyte cell death by Kupffer cells was not related to TNF-alpha and NO.
A Novel Technique to Enhance the Negative Resistance for Colpitts Oscillators by Parasitic Cancellation

The oscillation frequency of conventional common collector Colpitts oscillators is limited due to the parasitic base collector capacitance Cbc and base emitter capacitance Cbe. The Miller effect from the parasitic capacitance Cbc significantly reduces the negative resistance. Therefore, it is difficult to achieve sufficient negative resistance at higher frequencies to overcome resonator losses. In this paper, a novel technique is presented to enhance the negative resistance for common collector Colpitts oscillators. First, we analyze the effect of the collector inductor on the negative resistance. Then, we present a novel technique using an inductor to increase the negative resistance further. Then we discuss the effect of the Q-factor of these inductors on the negative resistance. To prove the technique, two Colpitts oscillators were designed at 400 MHz using discrete components. The measured phase noise is -110.19 dBc/Hz and -122.81 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset from 400 MHz and 410 MHz respectively and a RF output power of +0.62 dBm and +4.0 dBm respectively directly into single-ended 50 Omega load.
Neighborhood Racial Composition and Mortgage Redlining: A Nationwide Analysis

Executive Summary. Concerns about fairness in the mortgage markets have motivated a large and growing literature and continues to be a regulatory issue impacting a wide range of financial institutions. However, disparate conclusions from recent studies on redlining and discrimination leave the question of equitable lending unanswered. General inference from the existing evidence is hampered by the uncertainties surrounding regional variability and methodological discontinuity. For example, differences in data, variable definitions and statistical techniques inhibit comparisons across studies. Moreover, differing economic circumstances, employment conditions, industry representation, and, perhaps, biases, will also induce dissimilar conclusions. This article analyzes the geographic flow of mortgage credit on a national basis with a single methodology. Thus, we avoid many of the pitfalls from earlier studies that impeded general inference concerning racially induced redlining. Our tests provide statistical .
A 2 x 2 crosspoint switch fabricated on the passive active resonant coupler (PARC) platform

We demonstrate the fabrication of a 2/spl times/2 crosspoint switch monolithically fabricated on the passive active resonant coupler (PARC) platform by utilizing vertical resonant coupling over a taper between an active and a passive waveguide. The coupling taper was 100 /spl mu/m long with less than 0.15 dB coupling loss. By pushing the mode up and down as and when required, we are able to integrate passive waveguides and electroabsorption modulators on one chip. The static performance of the switch has been tested, and a modulation depth of 30 dB has been achieved at the wavelength of 1.57 /spl mu/m for an applied bias of 2.5 V.
Quantification of Left Ventricular Volumes and Ejection Fraction in Mice Using PET, Compared with MRI

PET has become an important noninvasive imaging technique in cardiovascular research for the characterization of mouse models in vivo. This modality offers unique insight into biochemical changes on a molecular level, with excellent sensitivity. However, morphologic and functional changes may be of equal importance for a thorough assessment of left ventricular (LV) pathophysiology. Although echocardiography and MRI are widely considered the imaging techniques of choice for the assessment of these parameters, their use with PET considerably increases study complexity and decreases cost- and time-efficiency. In this study, a novel method for the additional quantification of LV volumes and ejection fraction (EF) from PET was evaluated using cardiac MRI as the reference method. Methods: The radiolabeled glucose derivative 18F-FDG was injected into 33 mice (6 mice with previous permanent occlusion of the left anterior descending artery [LAD], 15 mice with a temporary 30-min occlusion of the LAD, and 12 mice without previous surgery). 18F-FDG uptake within the LV myocardium was measured using a dedicated small-animal PET scanner. After we reconstructed the images into 16 electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated frames, we determined the LV cavity volumes in end-diastole (EDV) and end-systole (ESV) and the EF using a semiautomatic segmentation algorithm based on elastic surfaces. A 6.3-T cardiac MRI examination was performed in the same animals using an ECG-triggered and respiratory-gated multislice cine sequence. The MR images were segmented with a semiautomatic algorithm using commercially available software. Results: Overall, measurements from PET agreed well with those obtained by MRI. Mean EDV and ESV were slightly overestimated by PET (86 ± 43 μL and 44 ± 42 μL), compared with MRI (73 ± 44 μL and 41 ± 46 μL); mean (±SD) EF was similar (PET, 55 ± 19 μL; MRI, 54 ± 18 μL). Correlation between PET and MRI was excellent for EDV (0.97) and ESV (0.96) and good for EF (0.86). The slope of the regression line was nearly perfect for EDV (0.98) and EF (1.01) and slightly below 1 for ESV (0.90), indicating a good separation of abnormal and normal values with PET. The y-intercept was above zero for EDV (15 μL) and ESV (7 μL) and near to zero for EF (0.2%). Conclusion: The quantification of LV volumes and EF in mice with PET is both efficient and accurate. This method allows for combined molecular and functional imaging of the left ventricle within a single scan, obviating additional sophisticated MRI in many cases.
Escherichia coli pleiotropic mutant that reduces amounts of several periplasmic and outer membrane proteins

We have isolated a mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 that is reduced from 6- to 10-fold in the amount of alkaline phosphatase found in the periplasmic space. The reduced synthesis is not due to effects at the level of transcription regulation of the phoA gene, the structural gene for the enzyme. In addition, the mutation (termed perA) responsible for this phenotype results in reduced amounts of possibly six or more other periplasmic proteins and at least three outer membrane proteins. One of the outer membrane proteins affected is protein IA (D. L. Diedrich, A. O. Summers, and C. A. Schnaitman, J. Bacteriol. 131:598-607, 1977). Although other possibilities exist, one explanation for the phenotype of the perA mutation is that it affects the cell's secretory apparatus.
Perceptual Market Orientation Gap and Its Impact on Relationship Quality and Patient Loyalty

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptual market orientation gaps between physician and patients and its impact on relationship quality and patient loyalty, and to verify the critical role of internal marketing on developing market orientation. Self-administered questionnaires were then employed to collect the data. We used a convenience sample of physicians and patients at a medical center in central Taiwan, and 90 usable questionnaires from physicians and 450 usable questionnaires from patients were returned. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to validate the research hypotheses. Physicians’ perceptual market orientation had a positive influence on physician–patient relationship quality, hospital–patient relationship quality, and patient loyalty, but the perceptual market orientation gap between physicians and their patients had a direct negative impact on these constructs. Finally, internal marketing was found to have an influence on relationship quality and patient loyalty through the mediation of market orientation. In order to enhance relationship quality and patient loyalty, hospital managers should focus their efforts on improving employees’ market orientation and reducing patients’ perceptual market orientation gap. In addition, internal marketing was found to be a useful pathway in developing market orientation.
Identification of Small PDZK1-associated Protein, DD96/MAP17, as a Regulator of PDZK1 and Plasma High Density Lipoprotein Levels*

Scavenger receptor class B, type I (SR-BI) is the high density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor essential for hepatic uptake of HDL cholesterol. SR-BI was shown to impact plasma HDL levels and be anti-atherogenic. Thus, the ability to regulate hepatic SR-BI may allow for the modulation of plasma HDL cholesterol and progression of atherosclerosis. However, regulation of SR-BI in liver is not well understood. Recently, the PDZ domain containing protein PDZK1 was shown to interact with SR-BI and may serve an essential role in SR-BI cell surface expression. Here we identify an in vivo PDZK1-interacting protein that we named small PDZK1-associated protein (SPAP; also known as DD96/MAP17). Unexpectedly, we found that hepatic overexpression of SPAP in mice resulted in liver deficiency of PDZK1. The absence of PDZK1 in SPAP transgenic mice resulted in a deficiency of SR-BI in liver and markedly increased plasma HDL. Metabolic labeling experiments showed that the proteasome plays a role in the turnover of newly synthesized PDZK1, but that SPAP overexpression in liver increased PDZK1 turnover in an alternate, proteasome-independent pathway. Thus, SPAP may be an endogenous regulator of cellular PDZK1 levels by regulating PDZK1 turnover.
Mind/Body Dualism in Medicine: The Case of Chronic Pelvic Pain without Organic Pathology

Chronic pelvic pain in the absence of organic pathology identifiable in medical terms is considered one of the most perplexing conditions that gynecologists confront. A critical analysis of the medical, psychiatric, and psychological literature on chronic pelvic pain without organic pathology reveals that the dichotomous construct of mind and body underpinning medical research and understanding is a barrier to the successful diagnosis and treatment of this condition, and indeed to the productive engagement of the health professional with the patient. The strict duality of the condition's etiology being understood in either physiological or psychogenic terms has been questioned at times over the last 40 years, but only recently has an “integrative model” been proposed. However, it is argued here that although the development of a multidisciplinary approach is important, only a radical deconstruction of the medical paradigm will truly address the problem and enable a real change in practice.
Metrifonate: update on a new antidementia agent.

OBJECTIVE To review preclinical and clinical studies of metrifonate, a cholinesterase inhibitor relevant to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. DATA SOURCES English-language literature identified by MEDLINE using the term metrifonate was reviewed, and bibliography-sorted searches were conducted. STUDY FINDINGS Metrifonate is an organophosphate cholinesterase inhibitor effective in the treatment of the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and currently under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The active metabolite of metrifonate, 2,2-dimethyldichlorovinyl phosphate (DDVP), irreversibly inhibits the acetylcholinesterase enzyme. Although the elimination half-life of DDVP is 2-3 hours, the half-life of cholinesterase inhibition by DDVP is stable (26 days). Metrifonate can be administered once daily. Animal studies demonstrate its efficacy in enhancing memory in animals that have cholinergic deficits. Double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have shown the benefit of metrifonate compared with placebo in improving scores on the Clinical Global Impression of Change scale, the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale, and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. CONCLUSION Metrifonate is a useful addition to our limited armamentarium of agents helpful against the cognitive deficits of Alzheimer's disease.
Active surveillance program for prostate cancer: an update of the Johns Hopkins experience.

PURPOSE We assessed outcomes of men with prostate cancer enrolled in active surveillance. PATIENTS AND METHODS Since 1995, a total of 769 men diagnosed with prostate cancer have been followed prospectively (median follow-up, 2.7 years; range, 0.01 to 15.0 years) on active surveillance. Enrollment criteria were for very-low-risk cancers, defined by clinical stage (T1c), prostate-specific antigen density < 0.15 ng/mL, and prostate biopsy findings (Gleason score ≤ 6, two or fewer cores with cancer, and ≤ 50% cancer involvement of any core). Curative intervention was recommended on disease reclassification on the basis of biopsy criteria. The primary outcome was survival free of intervention, and secondary outcomes were rates of disease reclassification and exit from the program. Outcomes were compared between men who did and did not meet very-low-risk criteria. RESULTS The median survival free of intervention was 6.5 years (range, 0.0 to 15.0 years) after diagnosis, and the proportions of men remaining free of intervention after 2, 5, and 10 years of follow-up were 81%, 59%, and 41%, respectively. Overall, 255 men (33.2%) underwent intervention at a median of 2.2 years (range, 0.6 to 10.2 years) after diagnosis; 188 men (73.7%) underwent intervention on the basis of disease reclassification on biopsy. The proportions of men who underwent curative intervention (P = .026) or had biopsy reclassification (P < .001) were significantly lower in men who met enrollment criteria than in those who did not. There were no prostate cancer deaths. CONCLUSION For carefully selected men, active surveillance with curative intent appears to be a safe alternative to immediate intervention. Limiting surveillance to very-low-risk patients may reduce the frequency of adverse outcomes.
Platelet Activity Indices in Patients With Deep Vein Thrombosis

Background: Extensive research has been performed regarding the association between platelet activity indices and various cardiovascular disorders. Less clear data, however, are present between these indices and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between platelet activity indices and DVT in a relatively large population. Methods: Mean platelet volume (MPV), mean platelet mass (MPM), and mean platelet component (MPC) were measured by an autoanalyzer in a total of 203 patients with DVT and the results were compared with 210 age- and sex-matched controls without DVT. Results: There were significant differences between the study and control groups in MPV (8.6 ± 1.3 fL vs 7.9 ± 0.5 fL [95% CI −0.82 to −0.44], P < .001, respectively), MPM (2.2 ± 0.3 pg vs 2.0 ± 0.1 pg [95% CI −0.20 to −0.11], P < .001, respectively), and MPC (24.9 ± 3.2 g/dL vs 26.3 ± 1.6 g/dL [95% CI 0.91 to 1.89], P < .001, respectively). These 3 platelet activity indices were also found to be significant predictors of the presence of DVT (all Ps < .001). Conclusion: In patients with DVT, the presence of DVT was closely associated with increased platelet activation. The MPV, MPM, and MPC may identify patients requiring aggressive antiplatelet treatment.
Inference aggregation detection in database management systems

The author identifies inference aggregation and cardinality aggregation as two distinct aspects of the aggregation problem. He develops the concept of a semantic relationship graph to describe the relationships between data and then presents inference aggregation as the problem of finding alternative paths between vertices on the graph. He presents an algorithm for processing the semantic relationship graph to discover whether potential inference aggregation problems exist. A method of detecting some aggregation conditions within the database management system (DBMS) is presented that uses the normal DBMS query language and adds additional catalytic data to the DBMS to permit a query to make the inference. The author also suggests the use of set theory to describe aggregation conditions and the addition of set operations to the DBMS to permit the description of aggregation detection queries. <<ETX>>