Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypoxia: a window into Mycobacterium tuberculosis latency

Tuberculosis is a massive public health problem on a global scale and the success of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is linked to its ability to persist within humans for long periods without causing any overt disease symptoms. Hypoxia is predicted to be a key host‐induced stress limiting growth of the pathogen in vivo. However, multiple studies in vitro and in vivo indicate that M. tuberculosis adapts to oxygen limitation by entering into a metabolically altered state, while awaiting the opportunity to reactivate. Molecular signatures of bacteria adapted to hypoxia in vitro are accumulating, although correlations to human disease are only now being established. Similarly, defining the mechanisms that control this adaptation is an active area of research. In this review we discuss the historical precedents linking hypoxia and latency, and the gathering knowledge of M. tuberculosis hypoxic responses. We also examine the role of these responses in tuberculosis latency, and identify promising avenues for future studies.
Novel genomic biomarkers for acute gentamicin nephrotoxicity in dog

Objectives: Novel biomarkers indicative of drug-induced kidney injury (DIKI) in dogs would have significant application in preclinical drug development. We conducted a feasibility study to identify genomic expression profiles for monitoring progressive, acute DIKI in dogs. Materials and Methods: Animals were intramuscularly administered either 0.9% physiological saline or gentamicin (40 mg/kg/day) for 10 consecutive days and euthanized on day 11. Serum and urine samples were collected at various time points and kidney samples were collected at necropsy for biomarker measurements. Results: Acute gentamicin-induced renal histopathology changes were localized to the proximal convoluted tubules and characterized as slight-to-marked, diffuse cortical-medullary tubular epithelial degeneration/necrosis. Serum creatinine (sCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) elevations suggestive of mild renal dysfunction were first observed on days 7 to 8. Gentamicin-induced increased urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) mRNA was observed on day 6 preceding detectable elevations of sCr and/or BUN. Increased urinary KIM-1 mRNA correlated with multifocal KIM-1 immunostaining in the corticomedullary tubular epithelial cells. Microarray analysis revealed changes in additional mRNA expression products detected in urine and/or kidney that should be further investigated for use as potential biomarkers for acute gentamicin related nephrotoxicity in dogs. Conclusion: These findings suggested the utility of non-invasive urinary genomic parameters for monitoring acute DIKI in dogs.
The ImaginePA Project: The First Large-Scale, Public Sector ERP Implementation

Abstract While large-scale ERP deployments have been prevalent in the private-sector, there have been few attempts to deploy them in the public sector. This paper describes the first large-scale, public-sector ERP implementation, which integrates systems for over 50 different agencies in the state of Pennsylvania government. Over 20 individuals were interviewed during three years to identify and describe issues, success factors, implementation strategies, and lessons learned as compared to private-sector ERP implementations.
Performance-based measure of executive function: comparison of community and at-risk youth.

OBJECTIVE We compared abilities and strategy use of at-risk youth aged 16-21 yr with those of a community sample of high school students using a performance measure of executive function, the Weekly Calendar Planning Activity (WCPA). METHOD We recruited students from an alternative school for at-risk youth (n = 113) and from community high schools in the same region (n = 49). We collected demographic information from and administered the WCPA to both groups. RESULTS The at-risk group made more errors, used fewer strategies, and broke more rules than the community group; however, the groups were similar in average time for planning and task completion. Moderate relationships were found between WCPA and academic performance in the at-risk group. CONCLUSION Comparison of at-risk and community youth provides support for discriminant validity of the WCPA and indicates that the WCPA is useful in identifying adolescents who are at risk for occupational performance deficits.
Making a hash of data: what risks to privacy does the NHS’s care.data scheme pose?

Care.data proposes to link individual level hospital episode statistics (HES) and general practice data at the Health and Social Care Information Centre. As is currently the case for HES, linked data will be pseudoanonymised before being released to researchers.1 A proposed alternative is for identifiers (such as NHS number, date of birth) to be pseudoanonymised at source,2 using an encrypted hash, before linkage is performed.3 4 Pseudoanonymisation …
An Overview of Flux Pumps for HTS Coils

High-Tc superconducting (HTS) flux pumps are capable of injecting flux into closed HTS magnets without electrical contact. It is becoming a promising alternative of current source in powering HTS coils. This paper reviews the recent progress in flux pumps for HTS coil magnets. Different types of HTS flux pumps are introduced. The physics of these flux pumps are explained and comparisons are made.
Mitogenic action of tumor necrosis factor in human fibroblasts: Interaction with epidermal growth factor and platelet‐derived growth factor

We have previously shown that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) can increase the number of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors on human FS‐4 fibroblasts and that this increase may be related to the mitogenic action of TNF in these cells. Here we show that TNF stimulated the growth of FS‐4 fibroblasts in a chemically defined, serum‐free medium in the absence of EGF. Anti‐EGF receptor antibody, which blocked the mitogenic effects of EGF in FS‐4 cells, did not inhibit the mitogenic action of TNF in serum‐free or serum‐containing medium, indicating that EGF or an EGF‐like molecule was not responsible for the mitogenic effects of TNF. However, the simultaneous addition of TNF and EGF to cells grown in serum‐free medium resulted in a synergistic stimulation of DNA synthesis and cell growth. The actions of TNF and EGF were also examined in growth‐arrested FS‐4 cells and were compared with the action of platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF). In the absence of other growth factors, TNF was a relatively weak mitogen in growth‐arrested cells, compared with EGF or PDGF. Nevertheless, TNF synergized with EGF or high doses of PDGF in stimulating DNA synthesis. Furthermore, antibodies specific for TNF or the EGF receptor were used to selectively inhibit the actions of these two factors, after specific incubation periods, in growth‐arrested cells treated concurrently with EGF and TNF. To produce an optimal stimulation of DNA synthesis, EGF had to be present for a longer period of time than TNF. We conclude that in their synergistic action on growth‐arrested FS‐4 cells, EGF was responsible for driving the majority of the cells into S phase, while TNF appeared to make the cells more responsive to the mitogenic action of EGF. The findings indicate that TNF can cooperate with, and enhance the actions of, EGF in promoting DNA synthesis and cell division.
CHANGES OF PLASMA RENIN ACTIVITY AFTER SELECTIVE NNOS SYNTHASE INHIBITION IN SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS

PURPOSE: The present study investigates the role of nNOS in the regulation of plasma renin activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). METHODS: Experiments were carried out on conscious normotensive Wistar rats and on SHR. One day before experiment femoral artery for a direct arterial blood pressure (ABP) measurement, femoral vein for drug application and bladder for urine collection were catheterized. The ABP registration and urine collection were performed during two 40 min. periods: control period and after selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibition with 7-Nitroindazole (7-NI) in dose 2 mg.kg. h. Plasma renin activity (PRA) was determined by radioimmunoassay kit (DiaSorin). The urine flow rate was measured gravimetrically; sodium concentration was determined by flame photometry. RESULTS: In SHR 7-NI decreased urine flow rate (p<0.01). The nNOS inhibition did not alter ABP and sodium excretion in both experimental groups. The PRA decreased after nNOS inhibition in Wistar rats as well as in SHR but in SHR decrease of PRA was attenuated (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The role of NO, produced by nNOS in the regulation of PRA in SHR is attenuated in comparison to its role in normotensive rats. This may by a result of involving of different mechanisms responsible for hypertension.
On the rigorous foundations of the Fokas method for linear elliptic partial differential equations

In this paper, we address some of the rigorous foundations of the Fokas method, confining attention to boundary value problems for linear elliptic partial differential equations on bounded convex domains. The central object in the method is the global relation, which is an integral equation in the spectral Fourier space that couples the given boundary data with the unknown boundary values. Using techniques from complex analysis of several variables, we prove that a solution to the global relation provides a solution to the corresponding boundary value problem, and that the solution to the global relation is unique. The result holds for any number of spatial dimensions and for a variety of boundary value problems.
Supporting university students with autism spectrum disorder

Increasing numbers of students with autism spectrum disorder are entering higher education. Their success can be jeopardized by organizational, social/emotional, and academic challenges if appropriate supports are not in place. Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a support group model for university students with autism spectrum disorder in improving psychological and functional outcomes. A curriculum guided the weekly discussions and consisted of topics such as time and stress management, managing group work, and social communication. Efficacy was assessed through pre- and post self-report measures focused on self-esteem, loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Functional changes in academic and social skills were examined through qualitative analysis of focus groups. Findings from the self-report measures indicated significant reductions in feelings of loneliness and general anxiety, and a significant increase in self-esteem at the end of the program compared to the beginning. Five prominent themes were identified in the focus-group analysis and reflected how the program had positively impacted participants’ skills and coping: executive functioning; goal setting; academics and resources; stress and anxiety; and social. Given the cost effectiveness of “in-house” interventions and the potential for improving academic outcomes and retention of students with autism spectrum disorder, further research examining similar program models is warranted.
Effects of protamine on vascular smooth muscle of rabbit mesenteric artery.

Systemic hypotension is commonly observed in association with protamine administration after cardiopulmonary bypass. However, little information is available concerning the action of protamine on vascular smooth muscle. Thus, we investigated the action of protamine on vascular tissues using tension recording and microelectrode methods. Protamine (5-500 micrograms/ml) inhibited contractions induced by norepinephrine (NE)- or elevated K+ in a concentration-dependent manner in both endothelium-intact and -denuded strips. Protamine inhibition of NE contractions was less profound after endothelial denudation, whereas protamine inhibition of K(+)-induced contractions was less affected by prior denudation. In endothelium-intact strips, the protamine-induced inhibition was significantly reduced by inhibitors of the endothelium-derived relaxing factor pathway, including oxyhemoglobin, methylene blue, or NG-nitro-L-arginine, whereas the contractile inhibition was enhanced by superoxide dismutase. In endothelium-denuded strips, protamine inhibited Ca(2+)-induced contraction evoked in Ca(2+)-free solution containing 100 mM K+ and inhibited the NE-induced contraction under the following conditions: 1) in Ca(2+)-free solution; 2) after nifedipine treatment; and 3) after depletion of stored Ca2+ by A23187 or ryanodine. In membrane-permeabilized strips, protamine did not modify Ca(2+)-induced contraction. Protamine (50-500 micrograms/ml) did not modify the membrane potential of either endothelium-intact or -denuded strips. Furthermore, protamine irreversibly impaired acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxant response, implying a toxic effect of protamine on the endothelium. We conclude that protamine exerts its inhibition on vascular smooth muscles in both an endothelium-dependent and -independent manner; i.e., the endothelium-dependent component is mediated probably by endothelium-derived relaxing factor, and direct smooth muscle effects are due to the inhibition of both Ca(2+)-influx and the NE-induced Ca2+ release from intracellular stores.
Explorer The melanocyte lineage in development and disease

Melanocyte development provides an excellent model for studying more complex developmental processes. Melanocytes have an apparently simple aetiology, differentiating from the neural crest and migrating through the developing embryo to specific locations within the skin and hair follicles, and to other sites in the body. The study of pigmentation mutations in the mouse provided the initial key to identifying the genes and proteins involved in melanocyte development. In addition, work on chicken has provided important embryological and molecular insights, whereas studies in zebrafish have allowed live imaging as well as genetic and transgenic approaches. This cross-species approach is powerful and, as we review here, has resulted in a detailed understanding of melanocyte development and differentiation, melanocyte stem cells and the role of the melanocyte lineage in diseases such as melanoma.
BRIGHT BROADBAND AFTERGLOWS OF GRAVITATIONAL WAVE BURSTS FROM MERGERS OF BINARY NEUTRON STARS

If double neutron star mergers leave behind a massive magnetar rather than a black hole, then a bright early afterglow can follow the gravitational wave burst (GWB) even if there is no short gamma-ray burst (SGRB)–GWB association or if there is an association but the SGRB does not beam toward Earth. Besides directly dissipating the proto-magnetar wind, as suggested by Zhang, here we suggest that the magnetar wind could push the ejecta launched during the merger process and, under certain conditions, would reach a relativistic speed. Such a magnetar-powered ejecta, when interacting with the ambient medium, would develop a bright broadband afterglow due to synchrotron radiation. We study this physical scenario in detail and present the predicted X-ray, optical, and radio light curves for a range of magnetar and ejecta parameters. We show that the X-ray and optical light curves usually peak around the magnetar spin-down timescale (∼103–105 s), reaching brightnesses readily detectable by wide-field X-ray and optical telescopes, and remain detectable for an extended period. The radio afterglow peaks later, but is much brighter than the case without a magnetar energy injection. Therefore, such bright broadband afterglows, if detected and combined with GWBs in the future, would be a probe of massive millisecond magnetars and stiff equations of state for nuclear matter.
The Framework for robotic navigation algorithms evaluation

Algorithms for navigation, localization and mapping are core software for almost all mobile robotic systems. There are variety of such algorithms that use different approaches and utilize different robotic equipment. To select a suitable algorithm that fulfill the constraints on equipment, computational complexity, and performance quality we need a framework that allows to perform a large number of tests and simulations in different conditions. In this paper, we evaluate approaches to the creation of such framework, describe initial release of the framework and provide some results on navigation algorithms evaluation with it.
Telomerase activity and telomerase catalytic subunit in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Telomerase activation has been found in most malignant tumors. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase is a catalytic subunit of human telomerase and a rate-limiting factor of the enzymatic activity of telomerase. The present study was designed to examine the usefulness of detecting human telomerase catalytic subunit mRNA and telomerase activity as a molecular diagnostic marker for human liver cancers. METHODOLOGY Thirty-one specimens of hepatocellular carcinoma and corresponding adjacent tissues were analyzed for human telomerase reverse transcriptase expression by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and for telomerase activity by polymerase chain reaction-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol. RESULTS Human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA expression was observed in 97% of hepatocellular carcinoma tissues, in contrast none of the non-tumorous liver tissues did. Telomerase activity was detected in 94% of hepatocellular carcinoma and in only 16% of adjacent liver tissues. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA expression and telomerase activity were observed in all 3 grade I (well-differentiated) hepatocellular carcinoma. Significant correlations between human telomerase reverse transcriptase mRNA expression and hepatocellular carcinoma and also between telomerase activity and HCC were found (both p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that human telomerase catalytic subunit mRNA expression and telomerase activity might be associated with hepatocellular carcinogenesis and could be as markers for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Hyaluronidase and other Extracellular Matrix Degrading Enzymes for Cancer Therapy: New Uses and Nano-Formulations

Overexpression of extracellular matrix components in tumor stroma like Hyaluronan and collagen pose a hurdle for cancer therapies. Many tumors overexpress Hyaluronic acid (HA), and Collagen. The overexpression of these components results in the elevation of a parameter called interstitial fluid pressure, which represents the resistance to the flow of a liquid. High molecular weight HA and Collagen bind water very tightly, and thus "wetting" these tumors with the drug-containing solution is impeded because it demands the displacement of those tightly bound water molecules solvating these polymers. When using conventional chemotherapy to treat a tumor, the penetration of the drug to the tissue is impoverished due to this phenomenon. This review will collect new experimental approaches for degrading the extracellular matrix with enzymes, and the use of this as an adjuvant for conventional cancer drugs. Adjuvant systems composed of free enzyme in solution or immobilized enzyme on the surface of nanoparticles or expressed by a viral vector will be dealt with.
Mycoplasma genitalium is associated with symptomatic urethritis

In order to further investigate the epidemiology of Mycoplasma genitalium, 680 men attending departments of genitourinary medicine in Bristol, Bath and Truro were studied. M. genitalium was detected in 36 men (5.3%) and was present at all three clinics. Clinically, both urethritis and the presence of a urethral discharge and/or dysuria, but not penile irritation were independently associated with the detection of M. genitalium, the former being with the strongest association (odds ratio [OR] 10.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] [3.10–37.29], P < 0.0001; OR 3.01, 95% CI [1.28–7.05], P = 0.011 and OR 1.28, 95% CI [0.61–2.69], P = 0.51, respectively). In men with urethritis, those with a discharge and/or dysuria were more likely to have M. genitalium detected (OR 2.61, 95% CI [1.09–6.25], P = 0.032). We found no association with younger age or a recent change of sexual partner. In conclusion, M. genitalium is associated with symptomatic urethritis.
[Reduced expression of Diceri is associated with poor prognosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE Dicerl plays an important role in generation of microRNA, the purpose of this study was to evaluate Dicerl expression and its prognostic value in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHOD The protein expression of Dicerl was examined by immunohistochemistry in 276 NPC specimens, and the mRNA levels of Dicerl were analyzed by qRT-PCR in 56 NPC and 11 nasopharyngitis tissues. Cox regression analysis was used to identify independent prognostic factors, and a prognostic score model was constructed for survival prediction. RESULT Expression of Dicerl was downregulated in NPC tissues at both the mRNA and the protein levels, and there was a notable positive correlation between the expression levels of Dicerl mRNA and protein. Low Dicerl expression was positively correlated with distant metastasis (P<0. 01) and death (P<0. 05). In addition, low expression of Dicerl was significantly associated with poorer overall survival (HR = 2. 32, 95% CI: 1. 30 ~ 4. 14, P<0. 01) and poorer distant metastasis-free survival (HR = 2. 56, 95% CI: 1. 39 ~ 4. 74, P<0. 01). Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that low expression of Dicerl and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage were independent prognostic indicators for NPC patients. A prognostic score model combining the Dicerl expression and TNM stage had a better prognostic value than the TNM stage alone model or Dicer) expression alone model (P< 0. 05). CONCLUSION Dicerl was downregulated in NPC tissues at both the mRNA and the protein levels, and low expression of Dicerl could be served as novel prognostic biomarker for NPC patients.
Modeling and characterization of self-biased circulators in the mm-wave range

The development of future telecommunication systems requires the miniaturization of circulators. Apart from using planar technologies, removing magnets appears as one of the main solutions to improve the integration of circulators. This technological step requires the use of oriented hexaferrites in their remanent state. Thus, the unusual properties of these materials were used to design and realize a millimeter-wave self-biased circulator in rectangular waveguide. Without magnets, insertion losses of 1.79 dB and an isolation level of 28.1 dB were measured at 41.4 GHz. These results demonstrate the strong potential of these materials for the design of self-biased circulators.