Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology Open Access Innate Immune Defences in the Human Endometrium

The human endometrium is an important site of innate immune defence, giving protection against uterine infection. Such protection is critical to successful implantation and pregnancy. Infection is a major cause of preterm birth and can also cause infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Natural anti-microbial peptides are key mediators of the innate immune system. These peptides, between them, have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral activity and are expressed at epithelial surfaces throughout the female genital tract. Two families of natural anti-microbials, the defensins and the whey acidic protein (WAP) motif proteins, appear to be prominent in endometrium. The human endometrial epithelium expresses beta-defensins 1–4 and the WAP motif protein, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor. Each beta-defensin has a different expression profile in relation to the stage of the menstrual cycle, providing potential protection throughout the cycle. Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor is expressed during the secretory phase of the cycle and has a range of possible roles including anti-protease and anti-microbial activity as well as having effects on epithelial cell growth. The leukocyte populations in the endometrium are also a source of anti-microbial production. Neutrophils are a particularly rich source of alpha-defensins, lactoferrin, lysozyme and the WAP motif protein, elafin. The presence of neutrophils during menstruation will enhance anti-microbial protection at a time when the epithelial barrier is disrupted. Several other anti-microbials including the natural killer cell product, granulysin, are likely to have a role in endometrium. The sequential production of natural anti-microbial peptides by the endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle and at other sites in the female genital tract will offer protection from many pathogens, including those that are sexually transmitted.
Jung's views on causes and treatments of schizophrenia in light of current trends in cognitive neuroscience and psychotherapy research II: psychological research and treatment.

Jung was the first to emphasize the importance of psychological factors in the aetiology and treatment of schizophrenia. Despite this, and other seminal contributions, his work on schizophrenia is almost completely ignored or forgotten today. This paper, a follow-up to one on Jung's theories of aetiology and symptom formation in schizophrenia (Journal of Analytical Psychology, 59, 1) reviews Jung's views on psychological approaches to research on, and treatment of, the disorder. Five themes are covered: 1) experimental psychopathology; 2) attentional disturbance; 3) psychological treatment; 4) the relationship between the environment (including the psychiatric hospital) and symptom expression; and 5) heterogeneity and the schizophrenia spectrum. Review of these areas reveal that Jung's ideas about the kind of research that can elucidate psychological mechanisms in schizophrenia, and the importance of psychotherapy for people with this condition, are very much in line with contemporary paradigms. Moreover, further exploration of several points of convergence could lead to advances in both of these fields, as well as within analytical psychology.
The effects of laser irradiation on osteoblast and osteosarcoma cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 670-nm, 780-nm, and 830-nm laser irradiation on cell proliferation of normal primary osteoblast (MC3T3) and malignant osteosarcoma (MG63) cell lines in vitro. BACKGROUND Some studies have shown that laser phototherapy is able to stimulate the osteogenesis of bone tissue, increasing osteoblast proliferation and accelerating fracture consolidation. It has been suggested that laser light may have a biostimulatory effect on tumor cells. However, the mechanism by which the laser acts on cells is not fully understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS Neonatal, murine, calvarial, osteoblastic, and human osteosarcoma cell lines were studied. A single laser irradiation was performed at three different wavelengths, at the energies of 0.5, 1, 5, and 10 J/cm(2). Twenty-four hours after laser irradiation, cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase assays were assessed. RESULTS Osteoblast proliferation increased significantly after 830-nm laser irradiation (at 10 J/cm(2)) but decreased after 780-nm laser irradiation (at 1, 5, and 10 J/cm(2)). Osteosarcoma cell proliferation increased significantly after 670-nm (at 5 J/cm(2)) and 780-nm laser irradiation (at 1, 5, and 10 J/cm(2)), but not after 830-nm laser irradiation. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the osteoblast line was increased after 830-nm laser irradiation at 10 J/cm(2), whereas ALP activity in the osteosarcoma line was not altered, regardless of laser wavelength or intensity. CONCLUSION Based on the conditions of this study, we conclude that each cell line responds differently to specific wavelength and dose combinations. Further investigations are required to investigate the physiological mechanisms responsible for the contrasting outcomes obtained when using laser irradiation on cultured normal and malignant bone cells.
The LS method for the classical groups in positive characteristic and the Riemann Hypothesis

We provide a definition for an extended system of $\gamma$-factors for products of generic representations $\tau$ and $\pi$ of split classical groups or general linear groups over a non-archimedean local field of characteristic $p$. We prove that our $\gamma$-factors satisfy a list of axioms (under the assumption $p\neq 2$ when both groups are classical groups) and show their uniqueness (in general). This allows us to define extended local $L$-functions and root numbers. We then obtain automorphic $L$-functions $L(s,\tau \times \pi)$, where $\tau$ and $\pi$ are globally generic cuspidal automorphic representations of split classical groups or general linear groups over a global function field. In addition to rationality and the functional equation, we prove that our automorphic $L$-functions satisfy the Riemann Hypothesis.
Arts Teachers’ Perceptions and Attitudes on Arts Integration While Participating in a Statewide Arts Integration Initiative

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions and attitudes of the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Program (BTSALP) arts specialists on arts integration. BTSALP arts specialists (N = 50) throughout the state of Utah responded to a 20-item survey. Results indicated that a majority of BTSALP arts specialists believe that arts integration serves as a support for both arts and nonarts subjects. BTSALP art specialists also indicated that teacher collaboration is essential for effective integration models; however, collaboration continues to be one of the greatest challenges. Also, results indicated a need for arts integration training for undergraduate preservice arts specialists. Open-ended response questions revealed the perceived benefits of arts integration as a positive impact on students both academically and socially. The limitations of arts integration identified were time constraints, the inability to “teach art for the sake of art,” and a lack support from both teachers and administrators.
Influence of socioeconomic and cultural factors on racial differences in late-stage presentation of breast cancer.

CONTEXT Breast cancer mortality is higher among African American women than among white women in the United States, but the reasons for the racial difference are not known. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the influence of socioeconomic and cultural factors on the racial difference in breast cancer stage at diagnosis. DESIGN Case-control study of patients diagnosed as having breast cancer at the University Medical Center of Eastern Carolina from 1985 through 1992. SETTING The major health care facility for 2 rural counties in eastern North Carolina. SUBJECTS Five hundred forty of 743 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer and 414 control women from the community matched by age, race, and area of residence. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Breast cancer stage at diagnosis. RESULTS Of the 540 patients, 94 (17.4%) presented with TNM stage III or IV disease. The following demographic and socioeconomic factors were significant predictors of advanced stage: being African American (odds ratio [OR], 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9-4.7); having low income (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 2.1-6.5); never having been married (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.4-5.9); having no private health insurance (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.6-4.0); delaying seeing a physician because of money (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.5); or lacking transportation (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2-3.6). Univariate analysis also revealed a large number of cultural beliefs to be significant predictors. Examples include the following beliefs: air causes a cancer to spread (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.8-4.3); the devil can cause a person to get cancer (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.5); women who have breast surgery are no longer attractive to men (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.1-3.5); and chiropractic is an effective treatment for breast cancer (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.4-4.4). When the demographic and socioeconomic variables were included in a multivariate logistic regression model, the OR for late stage among African Americans decreased to 1.8 (95% CI, 1.1 -3.2) compared with 3.0 (95% CI, 1.9-4.7) for race alone. However, when the belief measures were included with the demographic and socioeconomic variables, the OR for late stage among African Americans decreased further to 1.2 (95% CI, 0.6-2.5). CONCLUSIONS Socioeconomic factors alone were not sufficient to explain the dramatic effect of race on breast cancer stage; however, socioeconomic variables in conjunction with cultural beliefs and attitudes could largely account for the observed effect.
Forecasting SPEI and SPI Drought Indices Using the Integrated Artificial Neural Networks

The presented paper compares forecast of drought indices based on two different models of artificial neural networks. The first model is based on feedforward multilayer perceptron, sANN, and the second one is the integrated neural network model, hANN. The analyzed drought indices are the standardized precipitation index (SPI) and the standardized precipitation evaporation index (SPEI) and were derived for the period of 1948–2002 on two US catchments. The meteorological and hydrological data were obtained from MOPEX experiment. The training of both neural network models was made by the adaptive version of differential evolution, JADE. The comparison of models was based on six model performance measures. The results of drought indices forecast, explained by the values of four model performance indices, show that the integrated neural network model was superior to the feedforward multilayer perceptron with one hidden layer of neurons.
Correlated Evolution of Migration and Sexual Dichromatism in the New World Orioles (Icterus)

The evolution of sexual dimorphism has long been attributed to sexual selection, specifically as it would drive repeated gains of elaborate male traits. In contrast to this pattern, New World oriole species all exhibit elaborate male plumage, and the repeated gains of sexual dichromatism observed in the genus are due to losses of female elaboration. Interestingly, most sexually dichromatic orioles belong to migratory or temperate-breeding clades. Using character scoring and ancestral state reconstructions from two recent studies in Icterus, we tested a hypothesis of correlated evolution between migration and sexual dichromatism. We employed two discrete phylogenetic comparative approaches: the concentrated changes test and Pagel's discrete likelihood test. Our results show that the evolution of these traits is significantly correlated (CCT: uncorrected P < 0.05; ML: LRT = 12.470, P < 0.005). Indeed, our best model of character evolution suggests that gains of sexual dichromatism are 23 times more likely to occur in migratory taxa. This study demonstrates that a life-history trait with no direct relationship with sexual selection has a strong influence on the evolution of sexual dichromatism. We recommend that researchers further investigate the role of selection on elaborate female traits in the evolution of sexual dimorphism.
Hardware Implementation of Polyphase-Decomposition-Based Wavelet Filters for Power System Harmonics Estimation

Computational time and hardware resource are key issues in hardware implementation of any signal-processing algorithm. This paper presents the design and implementation of a polyphase-decomposition-based new architecture of wavelet filter for power system harmonics estimation using discrete wavelet packet transform (DWPT). Usually, DWPT provides coefficients as the output; however, the proposed architecture also includes provision for providing root mean square values directly. The proposed method reduces computational requirements and save memory resources. Xilinx system generator, a higher abstraction level tool, has been used to simulate and implement the proposed scheme on the Xilinx Artix-7 field-programming gate array AC701 board. Performance of the proposed architecture has been validated and compared through hardware cosimulation with variety of synthetic and experimental signals.
Retinoic acid stimulates annexin-mediated growth plate chondrocyte mineralization

Biomineralization is a highly regulated process that plays a major role during the development of skeletal tissues. Despite its obvious importance, little is known about its regulation. Previously, it has been demonstrated that retinoic acid (RA) stimulates terminal differentiation and mineralization of growth plate chondrocytes (Iwamoto, M., I.M. Shapiro, K. Yagumi, A.L. Boskey, P.S. Leboy, S.L. Adams, and M. Pacifici. 1993. Exp. Cell Res. 207:413–420). In this study, we provide evidence that RA treatment of growth plate chondrocytes caused a series of events eventually leading to mineralization of these cultures: increase in cytosolic calcium concentration, followed by up-regulation of annexin II, V, and VI gene expression, and release of annexin II–, V–, VI– and alkaline phosphatase–containing matrix vesicles. Cotreatment of growth plate chondrocytes with RA and BAPTA-AM, a cell permeable Ca2+ chelator, inhibited the up-regulation of annexin gene expression and mineralization of these cultures. Interestingly, only matrix vesicles isolated from RA-treated cells that contained annexins, were able to take up Ca2+ and mineralize, whereas vesicles isolated from untreated or RA/BAPTA-treated cells, that contained no or only little annexins were not able to take up Ca2+ and mineralize. Cotreatment of chondrocytes with RA and EDTA revealed that increases in the cytosolic calcium concentration were due to influx of extracellular calcium. Interestingly, the novel 1,4-benzothiazepine derivative K-201, a specific annexin Ca2+ channel blocker, or antibodies specific for annexin II, V, or VI inhibited the increases in cytosolic calcium concentration in RA-treated chondrocytes. These findings indicate that annexins II, V, and VI form Ca2+ channels in the plasma membrane of terminally differentiated growth plate chondrocytes and mediate Ca2+ influx into these cells. The resulting increased cytosolic calcium concentration leads to a further up-regulation of annexin II, V, and VI gene expression, the release of annexin II–, V–, VI– and alkaline phosphatase–containing matrix vesicles, and the initiation of mineralization by these vesicles.
Narrative Hermeneutic Circle: Improving Character Role Identification from Natural Language Text via Feedback Loops

While most natural language understanding systems rely on a pipeline-based architecture, certain human text interpretation methods are based on a cyclic process between the whole text and its parts: the hermeneutic circle. In the task of automatically identifying characters and their narrative roles, we propose a feedback-loop-based approach where the output of later modules of the pipeline is fed back to earlier ones. We analyze this approach using a corpus of 21 Russian folktales. Initial results show that feeding back high-level narrative information improves the performance of some NLP tasks.
Can We Reduce Our Implicit Prejudice Toward Persons with Disability? The Challenge of Meditation

Abstract The present research further extends recent data revealing implicit attitude towards persons with disability, with the aim to explore if meditation practice can reduce automatic mental processes initiating prejudice. Forty adult experienced meditators and 34 meditation-naïve individuals performed an evaluative priming task. None of them presented any disability. Results show important discrepancies between control and meditation practicing participants: subliminal disability-priming inhibited evaluation of positive words and facilitated evaluation of negative words in the control group, thus revealing the presence of an implicit prejudice toward people with disability. In the meditator group, a quite different pattern of results emerged: disability-priming did not affect the evaluation of words, whether positive or negative. These findings suggest that meditation practice could deter automatised categorisation. They provide a hopeful message in the limited current armamentarium for decreasing negative attitudes towards persons with disability.
Central losartan blocks natriuretic , vasopressin , and pressor responses to central hypertonic NaCl in sheep

Mathai, Michael L. , Mark D. Evered, and Michael J. McKinley. Central losartan blocks natriuretic, vasopressin, and pressor responses to central hypertonic NaCl in sheep. Am. J. Physiol. 275 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 44): R548–R554, 1998. —This study investigated the effect of intracerebroventricular administration of the angiotensin AT1 receptor antagonist losartan on the natriuresis, pressor effect, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion caused by intracerebroventricular infusion of either ANG II, hypertonic saline, or carbachol. Losartan (1 mg/h) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was infused into the lateral ventricle before, during, and after infusions of either ANG II at 10 μg/h for 1 h, 0.75 mol/l NaCl at 50 μl/min for 20 min, or carbachol at 1.66 μg/min for 15 min. Intracerebroventricular infusions of ANG II, 0.75 mol/l NaCl, or carbachol caused increases in renal Na1 and K1 excretion, arterial pressure, and plasma AVP levels. Increases in arterial pressure, Na1 excretion, and plasmaAVP concentration ([AVP]) in response to intracerebroventricular ANG II or intracerebroventricular 0.75 mol/l NaCl were either abolished or attenuated by intracerebroventricular infusion of losartan but not by intracerebroventricular infusion of artificial CSF or intravenous losartan. Intracerebroventricular losartan did not reduce the increase in plasma [AVP] or arterial pressure in response to intracerebroventricular carbachol, but it did attenuate the natriuretic response to intracerebroventricular carbachol. We conclude that an intracerebroventricular dose of losartan (1 mg/h) that inhibits responses to intracerebroventricular ANG II also inhibits vasopressin secretion, natriuresis, and the pressor response to intracerebroventricular hypertonic saline. These results suggest that common neural pathways are involved in the responses induced by intracerebroventricular administration of ANG II and intracerebroventricular hypertonic NaCl. We propose that intracerebroventricular infusion of hypertonic saline activates angiotensinergic pathways in the central nervous system subserving the regulation of fluid and electrolyte balance and arterial pressure in sheep.
A Population-based Study of Hospital Admission Incidence Rate and Bacterial Aetiology of Acute Lower Respiratory Infections in Children Aged Less Than Five Years in Bangladesh

The research was carried out to study the rate of population-based hospital admissions due to acute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs) and bacterial aetiology of ALRIs in children aged less than five years in Bangladesh. A cohort of children aged less than five years in a rural surveillance population in Matlab, Bangladesh, was studied for two years. Cases were children admitted to the Matlab Hospital of ICDDR,B with a diagnosis of severe ALRIs. Bacterial aetiology was determined by blood culture. Antimicrobial resistance patterns of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) isolates were determined using the disc-diffusion method. In total, 18,983 children aged less than five years contributed to 24,902 child-years of observation (CYO). The incidence of ALRI-related hospital admissions was 50.2 per 1,000 CYO. The incidences of ALRI were 67% higher in males than in females and were higher in children aged less than two years than in older children. About 34% of the cases received antibiotics prior to hospitalization. Of 840 blood samples cultured, 39.4% grew a bacterial isolate; 11.3% were potential respiratory pathogens, and the rest were considered contaminants. The predominant isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (4.5%). Hib (0.4%) and Spn (0.8%) were rarely isolated; however, resistance of both these pathogens to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole was common. The rate of ALRI-related hospitalizations was high. The high rate of contamination, coupled with high background antibiotic use, might have contributed to an underestimation of the burden of Hib and Spn. Future studies should use more sensitive methods and more systematically look for resistance patterns of other pathogens in addition to Hib and Spn.
Macrophages During the Fibrotic Process: M2 as Friend and Foe

Macrophages play essential activities in homeostasis maintenance during different organism’s conditions. They may be polarized according to various stimuli, which subsequently subdivide them into distinct populations. Macrophages with inflammatory activity function mainly during pathological context, while those with regulatory activity control inflammation and also remodel the repairing process. Here, we propose to review and to present a concise discuss on the role of different components during tissue repair, including those related to innate immune receptors and metabolic modifications. The scar formation is directly related to the degree of inflammation, but also with the appearance of M2 macrophages. In spite of greater numbers of macrophages in the fibrotic phase, regulatory macrophages present some characteristics related to promotion of fibrosis but also with the control of scar formation. These regulatory macrophages present an oxidative metabolism, and differ from the initial inflammatory macrophages, which in turn, present a glycolytic characteristic, which allow regulatory ones to optimize the oxygen consumption and minimizing their ROS production. We will emphasize the difference in macrophage subpopulations and the origin and plasticity of these cells during fibrotic processes.