Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complement-Dependent Neutrophil Recruitment Is Critical for the Development of Elastase-Induced Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Background— We previously established that neutrophils play a critical role in the development of experimental abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). The signal that initiates the influx of neutrophils to the aortic wall, however, remains unknown. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that complement participates in the development of AAA by providing the necessary chemotactic signal that recruits neutrophils to the aortic wall. Methods and Results— Using an elastase-induced model of AAA, we showed that pretreatment of C57BL/6 mice with cobra venom factor, which depleted serum of complement activity, protected mice from AAA development. Whereas control mice exhibited a mean aortic diameter of 156±2% on day 14 after elastase perfusion, mice treated with cobra venom factor exhibited a mean aortic diameter of 90±4% (P<0.001). Examination of mice deficient in factor B further indicated that the alternative pathway of complement played a major role in this process (mean aortic diameter of 105±4% in factor B–deficient mice, P<0.001 compared with controls). Activation of the alternative pathway led to generation of the anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a, which recruited neutrophils to the aortic wall. Moreover, antagonism of both C3a and C5a activity was required to block AAA, which suggests that each can independently promote the aneurysmal phenotype. In addition, we demonstrated that complement alternative-pathway involvement was not restricted to this experimental model but was also evident in human AAAs. Conclusions— The identification of involvement of the complement system in the pathophysiology of AAA provides a new target for therapeutic intervention in this common disease.
Students ’ Perceptions of Classroom Activities : Are There Grade-Level and Gender Differences ?

The authors investigated whether differences existed in perceptions of class activities for students in Grades 3–8 and between genders. Specifically, the frequency that students perceived opportunities for interest, challenge, choice, and enjoyment in their classrooms was assessed using the affective instrument, My Class Activities (M. Gentry & R. K. Gable, 2001). Significant main effects existed for grade level and gender, with no interaction of the 2 variables. In general, middle school students found their classroom activities less frequently interesting and enjoyable, with fewer opportunities for choice, than did elementary students. These variables declined steadily from lower to upper grades. Girls indicated that their class activities were more frequently interesting and enjoyable than did boys, which contributed to the significant gender differences.
Inferior parietal lobule projections to the presubiculum and neighboring ventromedial temporal cortical areas

The entorhinal and perirhinal cortices have long been accorded a special role in the communications between neocortical areas and the hippocampal formation. Less attention has been paid to the presubiculum, which, however, is also a component of the parahippocampal gyrus, receives dense inputs from several cortical areas, and itself is a major source of connections to the entorhinal cortex (EC). In part of a closer investigation of corticohippocampal systems, the authors applied single‐axon analysis to the connections from the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) to the presubiculum. One major result from this approach was the finding that many of these axons (at least 10 of 14) branch beyond the presubiculum. For 4 axons, branches were followed to area TF and to the border between the perirhinal and entorhinal cortices, raising the suggestion that these areas, which sometimes are viewed as serial stages, are tightly interconnected. In addition, the current data identify several features of presubicular organization that may be relevant to its functional role in visuospatial or memory processes: 1) Terminations from the IPL, as previously reported for prefrontal connections (Goldman‐Rakic et al. [1984] Neuroscience 12:719–743), form two to four patches in the superficial layers. These align in stripes, but only for short distances (≈1.5 mm). This pattern suggests a strong compartmentalization in layers I and II that is also indicated by cytochrome oxidase and other markers. 2) Connections tend to be bistratified, terminating in layers I–II and deeper in layer III. 3) Single axons terminate in layer I alone or in different combinations of layers. This may imply some heterogeneity of subtypes. 4) Individual axons, both ipsilateral projecting (n = 14 axons) and contralateral projecting (n = 6 axons), tend to have large arbors (0.3–0.8 mm across). Finally, the authors observe that projections from the IPL, except for its anteriormost portion, converge at the perirhinal‐entorhinal border around the posterior tip of the rhinal sulcus. These projections partially overlap with projections from ventromedial areas TE and TF, and this convergence may contribute to the severe deficits in visual recognition memory resulting from ablations of rhinal cortex. J. Comp. Neurol. 425:510–530, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ecriture par Laser de fonctionnalités optiques : éléments diffractifs et ONL

Since the first demonstration of femtosecond laser written waveguides in 1996, femtosecond laser direct writing (FLDW) has been providing a versatile means to fabricate embedded 3-D microstructures in transparent materials. The key mechanisms are nonlinear absorption processes that occur when a laser beam is tightly focused into a material and the intensity of the focused beam reaches the range creating enough free electrons to induce structural modification. This dissertation was an attempt to make an improvement on the existing FLDW technique to achieve a reliable fabrication protocol for integrated optical devices involving micro diffractive optical elements and laser-structures exhibiting second order nonlinear optical properties. Relaxation processes of directly-written structures in chalcogenide glasses have been also investigated.
Murine Model of Interstitial Cytomegalovirus Pneumonia in Syngeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation: Persistence of Protective Pulmonary CD8-T-Cell Infiltrates after Clearance of Acute Infection

ABSTRACT Interstitial pneumonia (IP) is a severe organ manifestation of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in the immunocompromised host, in particular in recipients of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Diagnostic criteria for the definition of CMV-IP include clinical evidence of pneumonia together with CMV detected in bronchoalveolar lavage or lung biopsy. We have used the model of syngeneic BMT and simultaneous infection of BALB/c mice with murine CMV for studying the pathogenesis of CMV-IP by controlled longitudinal analysis. A disseminated cytopathic infection of the lungs with fatal outcome was observed only when reconstituting CD8 T cells were depleted. Neither CD8 nor CD4 T cells mediated an immunopathogenesis of acute CMV-IP. By contrast, after efficient hematolymphopoietic reconstitution, viral replication in the lungs was moderate and focal. The histopathological picture was dominated by preferential infiltration of CD8 T cells confining viral replication to inflammatory foci. Notably, after clearance of acute infection, CD62Llo and CD62Lhi subsets of CD44+ memory CD8 T cells were found to persist in lung tissue. One can thus operationally distinguish an early CMV-positive IP (phase 1) and a late CMV-negative IP (phase 2). According to the definition, phase 2 histopathology would not be diagnosed as a CMV-IP and could instead be misinterpreted as a CMV-induced immunopathology. We document here that phase 1 as well as phase 2 pulmonary CD8 T cells are capable of exerting effector functions and are effectual in protecting against productive infection. We propose that antiviral “stand-by” memory-effector T cells persist in the lungs to prevent virus recurrence from latency.
Overlapping Community Detection by Local Decentralised Vertex-Centred Process

This paper focuses on the identification of overlapping communities, allowing nodes to simultaneously belong to several communities, in a decentralised way. To that aim it proposes LOCNeSs, an algorithm specially designed to run in a decentralised environment and to limit propagation, two essential characteristics to be applied in mobile networks. It is based on the exploitation of the preferential attachment mechanism in networks. Experimental results show that LOCNeSs is stable and achieves good overlapping vertex identification.
HD molecules at high redshift : A low astration factor of deuterium in a solar-metallicity DLA system at z = 2.418

We present the detection of deuterated molecular hydrogen (HD) in the remote Universe in a damped Lyman-α cloud at zabs = 2.418 toward the quasar SDSS J143912.04+111740.5. This is a unique system in which H2 and CO molecules are also detected. The chemical enrichment of this gas derived from Zn ii and S ii is as high as in the Sun. We measure N(HD)/2N(H2) = 1.5 +0.6 −0.4 × 10 −5 , which is significantly higher than the same ratio measured in the Galaxy and close to the primordial D/H ratio estimated from the WMAP constraint on the baryonic matter density (Ωb). This indicates a low astration factor of deuterium that contrasts with the unusually high chemical enrichment of the gas. This can be interpreted as the consequence of an intense infall of primordial gas onto the associated galaxy. Detection of HD molecules at high-z also opens the possibility of obtaining an independent constraint on the cosmological-time variability of μ, the proton-to-electron mass ratio.
A biethnic community survey of cognition in participants with type 2 diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, and normal glucose tolerance: the New Mexico Elder Health Survey.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance are at increased risk for cognitive impairment compared with individuals with normal glucose tolerance. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Elderly Hispanic individuals (n = 414) and non-Hispanic white individuals (n = 469) aged > or =65 years, randomly selected from the Medicare rolls of Bernalillo County (Albuquerque), NM, were recruited for an interview/examination that included an evaluation of glucose tolerance. Information on nine tests of cognitive function and two measures of depression allowed comparisons between diabetic status and these functions. Comparisons also were made between glycosolated hemoglobin concentrations and these cognitive tests in the 188 participants with diabetes. RESULTS None of the mean scores on the tests of cognitive function was significantly lower in the participants with diabetes compared with those participants with normal glucose tolerance after adjustments for ethnicity, sex, age, level of education, and presence of depression, with or without elimination of those with dementia (Mini-Mental State Exam <18). Interestingly, participants with impaired glucose tolerance tended to score higher than those with normal glucose tolerance. No significant associations were found between glycosolated hemoglobin concentrations and cognitive test scores in participants with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS We could not show any increased risk for cognitive impairment in participants with diabetes compared with those with normal glucose tolerance after adjustments for ethnicity, sex, age, education, and presence of depression, before or after elimination of dementia in this random sample from a biethnic population of predominantly community-dwelling elders.
Homoclinic Orbits for Asymptotically Linear Hamiltonian Systems

We study the existence of homoclinic orbits for first order time-dependent Hamiltonian systems z=JHz(z, t), where H(z, t) depends periodically on t and Hz(z, t) is asymptotically linear in z as |z|→∞. We also consider an asymptotically linear Schrodinger equation in RN.
Maximum Entropy Models and Stochastic Optimality Theory

In a series of recent publications (most notably Boersma (1998); see also Boersma and Hayes (2001)), Paul Boersma has developed a stochastic generalization of standard Optimality Theory in the sense of Prince and Smolensky (1993). While a classical OT grammar maps a set of candidates to its optimal element (or elements), in Boersma’s Stochastic Optimality Theory (StOT for short) a grammar defines a probability distribution over such a set. Boersma also developed a natural learning algorithm, the Gradual Learning Algorithm (GLA) that induces a StOT grammar from a corpus. StOT is able to cope with natural language phenomena like ambiguity, optionality, and gradient grammaticality, that are notoriously problematic for standard OT. Keller and Asudeh (2002) raise several criticisms against StOT in general and the GLA in particular. Partially as a reaction to that, Goldwater and Johnson (2003) point out that maximum entropy (ME) models, that are widely used in computational linguistics, might be an alternative to StOT. ME models are similar enough to StOT to make it possible that empirical results reached in the former model can be transferred to the latter, and these models have arguably better formal properties than StOT. On the other hand, the GLA has a higher cognitive plausibility (as can be seen from Boersma and Levelt (2000)) than the standard learning algorithms for ME models. In this paper I will argue that it is possible to combine the advantages of StOT with the ME model. It can be shown that the GLA can be adapted to ME models almost without modifications. Put differently, it turns out that the GLA is the single most natural on-line learning algorithm for ME models. Keller and Asudeh’s criticism, to the degree that it is justified, does not apply to the combination of ME evaluation with GLA learning, and the cognitive advantages of the GLA are maintained.
Immunological studies of T-cell receptors. II. Limited polymorphism of idiotypic determinants on T-cell receptors specific for major histocompatibility complex alloantigens

These studies explore the extent of genetic polymorphism in the expression of anti-MHC receptors by T cells in different strains of rats. This question was approached with the use of the model of specifically induced GVH resistance in F1 rats which has been shown to reflect a specific T-cell mediated immune response against parental strain T cell anti-MHC receptors specific for host alloantigens. When A/B F1 rats derived from MHC incompatibile matings are immunized with lymphocytes from one parental strain (A they display a specific resistance to anti-B GVH reactivity caused by T cells from that parental strain, but not anti-AGVH reactions from the other. In addition, they resist anti-B GHV reactivity by T cells from third-party donors (C, D, E,.), a finding taken to indicate that the idiotypes of anti-MHC receptors on T cells, recognized by other T cells, show little or no polymorphism. This conclusion suggests that anti-MHC receptors are shared in the species and may be encoded, at least partially, by germ-line genes.
Canine idiopathic epilepsy: prevalence, risk factors and outcome associated with cluster seizures and status epilepticus.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the prevalence of cluster seizures and status epilepticus in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy and determine risk factors for cluster seizure frequency, severity and patient outcome. METHODS Retrospective review of medical records of 407 dogs with idiopathic epilepsy was made. Follow-up questionnaires were evaluated in cases with cluster seizures. RESULTS Mean age at diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy was 4 years. Cluster seizures were documented in 169 (41%) dogs. German shepherds and boxers were significantly (P=0·04 and 0·01, respectively) more likely to suffer from cluster seizures compared to Labrador retrievers. There was no association between the occurrence of status epilepticus and cluster seizures and frequency and severity of cluster seizures and status epilepticus episodes with age or breed. Intact males were twice as likely (P=0·003) than neutered dogs to suffer from cluster seizures. Intact females had significantly (P=0·007) more frequent cluster seizures than neutered dogs. The median survival time for all dogs with cluster seizures was 95 months. Significantly (P=0·03) more dogs with frequent cluster seizures were euthanased because of the cluster seizures. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE There was a high prevalence of cluster seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy. Neutering status appears to influence cluster seizure occurrence with intact females more likely to experience more frequent episodes. Euthanasia is associated with frequency of cluster seizure episodes.
BREAKTHROUGHS AND VIEWS The Shape of Cell Death

Cell death, a scheduled event during development and tissue turnover, or the ultimate consequence of toxic or pathologic insults seems to involve a relatively limited number of execution pathways. This reflects the evolution of an organized sequence of events perhaps converging onto final common pathways that are used to dispose of unwanted or injured cells. In many cases, the ordered execution of this internal death program leads to typical morphological and biochemical changes that have been termed apoptosis. Apoptosis, often equated with developmental or programmed cell death, has been opposed to unscheduled or accidental celllysis/necrosis. However, increasing evidence suggests that the two forms of cell demise share similar characteristics, at least in the signaling and early progression phase. Recent studies have shown that, when the intensity of the insult is very high and/or when ATP generation is deficient, cells fail to execute the ordered changes ensuing in apoptosis. Then celllysisl necrosis supervenes before the processes leading to nuclear condensation and exposure of surface molecules can be completed. Thus, apoptosis and necrosis seem to represent only different shapes of cell demise, resulting from a more or less complete execution of the internal death program.
The ESCRT Machinery Is Recruited by the Viral BFRF1 Protein to the Nucleus-Associated Membrane for the Maturation of Epstein-Barr Virus

The cellular endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery participates in membrane scission and cytoplasmic budding of many RNA viruses. Here, we found that expression of dominant negative ESCRT proteins caused a blockade of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) release and retention of viral BFRF1 at the nuclear envelope. The ESCRT adaptor protein Alix was redistributed and partially colocalized with BFRF1 at the nuclear rim of virus replicating cells. Following transient transfection, BFRF1 associated with ESCRT proteins, reorganized the nuclear membrane and induced perinuclear vesicle formation. Multiple domains within BFRF1 mediated vesicle formation and Alix recruitment, whereas both Bro and PRR domains of Alix interacted with BFRF1. Inhibition of ESCRT machinery abolished BFRF1-induced vesicle formation, leading to the accumulation of viral DNA and capsid proteins in the nucleus of EBV-replicating cells. Overall, data here suggest that BFRF1 recruits the ESCRT components to modulate nuclear envelope for the nuclear egress of EBV.
Results of ASERTAA, a Randomized Prospective Crossover Pharmacogenetic Study of Immediate-Release Versus Extended-Release Tacrolimus in African American Kidney Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND Differences in tacrolimus dosing across ancestries is partly attributable to polymorphisms in CYP3A5 genes that encode tacrolimus-metabolizing cytochrome P450 3A5 enzymes. The CYP3A5*1 allele, preponderant in African Americans, is associated with rapid metabolism, subtherapeutic concentrations, and higher dose requirements for tacrolimus, all contributing to worse outcomes. Little is known about the relationship between CYP3A5 genotype and the tacrolimus pharmacokinetic area under the curve (AUC) profile in African Americans or whether pharmacogenetic differences exist between conventional twice-daily, rapidly absorbed, immediate-release tacrolimus (IR-Tac) and once-daily extended-release tacrolimus (LifeCycle Pharma Tac [LCPT]) with a delayed absorption profile. STUDY DESIGN Randomized prospective crossover study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS 50 African American maintenance kidney recipients on stable IR-Tac dosing. INTERVENTION Recipients were randomly assigned to continue IR-Tac on days 1 to 7 and then switch to LCPT on day 8 or receive LCPT on days 1 to 7 and then switch to IR-Tac on day 8. The LCPT dose was 85% of the IR-Tac total daily dose. OUTCOMES Tacrolimus 24-hour AUC (AUC0-24), peak and trough concentrations (Cmax and Cmin), time to peak concentration, and bioavailability of LCPT versus IR-Tac, according to CYP3A5 genotype. MEASUREMENTS CYP3A5 genotype, 24-hour tacrolimus pharmacokinetic profiles. RESULTS ∼80% of participants carried the CYP3A5*1 allele (CYP3A5 expressers). There were no significant differences in AUC0-24 or Cmin between CYP3A5 expressers and nonexpressers during administration of either IR-Tac or LCPT. With IR-Tac, tacrolimus Cmax was 33% higher in CYP3A5 expressers compared with nonexpressers (P=0.04): With LCPT, this difference was 11% (P=0.4). LIMITATIONS This was primarily a pharmacogenetic study rather than an efficacy study; the follow-up period was too short to capture clinical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Achieving therapeutic tacrolimus trough concentrations with IR-Tac in most African Americans results in significantly higher peak concentrations, potentially magnifying the risk for toxicity and adverse outcomes. This pharmacogenetic effect is attenuated by delayed tacrolimus absorption with LCPT. TRIAL REGISTRATION Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, with study number NCT01962922.
Mapping candidate regions and genes for congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT) by array-based comparative genomic hybridization.

BACKGROUND Congenital anomalies of the kidneys and urinary tract (CAKUT) are frequently associated with malformations of other organs. METHODS In order to explore the role of DNA microimbalances in syndromal CAKUT, we applied genome-wide array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) in 30 children with various CAKUT phenotypes and at least one additional extrarenal symptom. RESULTS In three patients, causal imbalances were detected: In one patient with duplex kidney and vesico-ureteral reflux associated with extrarenal stigmata, a terminal 9.52 Mb gain in chromosomal band 2q37.1-q37.3 and a terminal 5.65 Mb loss in 7q36.2-q36.3 were detected, which were due to an unbalanced 2;7-translocation according to FISH analysis. A balanced 2;7-translocation was present in the unaffected mother. In another patient presenting with renal hypoplasia and proximal ureteric stenosis combined with mental retardation, macrocephaly and ear anomalies, a duplication of 2.73 Mb was detected in 1q21.1. The unaffected father had a 1.3 Mb gain in 1q21.1-q21.2 involving the distal part of the patient's gain, for which benign copy number variation was described. A third patient affected by dysplastic kidney with a strongly dilated ureter and extrarenal abnormalities exhibited a de novo loss of 13.38 Mb in 3q23-q25.1 including the AGTR1 gene. However, no AGTR1 mutations were identified in the remaining allele of this case or in 108 patients with isolated renal dysplasia/hypoplasia. CONCLUSIONS In this study, 10% of patients with syndromic CAKUT were shown to carry DNA microimbalances, and four chromosomal regions presumably associated with the CAKUT phenotype were identified: 1q21.1, 2q37.1-q37.3, 3q23-q25.1 and 7q36.2-q36.3.