Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Larval Digenean Community Parasitizing the Freshwater Snail, Chilina dombeyana (Pulmonata: Chilinidae) in Patagonia, Argentina, with Special Reference to the Notocotylid Catatropis chilinae

The objective of this research was to describe the structure of larval digenean communities in the freshwater snail Chilina dombeyana in Lake Mascardi, an oligotrophic Andean Patagonian lake. In total, 1,923 snails were collected during 2 sampling periods. Specimens were examined, and 8 digenean species were identified, all with allogenic life cycles. The snail infracommunities nearly always occurred as single-species infections, distributed mainly in the hepatopancreas. The double infections (0.2%) were always prepatent, and involved a schistosome and the notocotylid Catatropis chilinae. The overall prevalence, the prevalence of C. chilinae, and total species prevalence (without C. chilinae) significantly increased with snail size. Catatropis chilinae was the dominant species in all months and across all snail size classes. Maximum richness (6) was reached in the size class between 16 and 18 mm. Diversity indices, i.e., the Shannon-Wiener Index and the reciprocal of the Simpson Index, increased with snail size only during the second sampling period. No robust evidence of antagonistic interactions was found in the digenean community of C. dombeyana from Lake Mascardi.
Big data: techniques and technologies in geoinformatics

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Iron uptake and physiological response of phytoplankton during a mesoscale Southern Ocean iron enrichment

Iron supply is thought to regulate primary production in high nitrate, low chlorophyll (HNLC) regions of the sea in both the past and the present. A critical aspect of this relationship is acquisition of iron (Fe) by phytoplankton, which occurs through a complex series of extracellular reactions that are influenced by Fe chemistry and speciation. During the first in situ mesoscale Fe‐enrichment experiment in the Southern Ocean (Southern Ocean iron release experiment [SOIREE]), we monitored the uptake of Fe by three size classes of plankton and their ensuing physiological response to the Fe enrichment. Rates of Fe uptake from both inorganic Fe (Fe′) and organic Fe complexes (FeL) were initially fast, indicative of Fe‐limitation. After Fe enrichment phytoplankton down‐regulated Fe uptake and optimized physiological performance, but by day 12 they had greatly increased their capacity to acquire Fe from FeL. The increase in Fe uptake from FeL coincided with a sixfold decrease in Fe′ that followed the production of Fe‐binding organic ligands. Phytoplankton were able to use organically bound Fe at rates sufficient to maintain net growth for more than 42 d. Adaptation to such shifts in Fe chemistry may contribute to bloom longevity in these polar HNLC waters.
Contribution of insulin resistance to vascular dysfunction

Insulin is a vascular hormone, able to influence vascular cell responses. In this review, we consider the insulin actions on vascular endothelium and on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) both in physiological conditions and in the presence of insulin resistance. In particular, we focus the relationships between activation of insulin signalling pathways of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3-K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the different vascular actions of insulin, with a particular attention to the insulin ability to activate the pathway nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic GMP/PKG via PI3-K, owing to the peculiar relevance of NO in vascular biology. We also discuss the insulin actions mediated by the MAPK pathway (such as endothelin-1 synthesis and secretion and VSMC proliferation and migration) and by the interactions between the two pathways, both in insulin-sensitive and in insulin-resistant states. Finally, we consider the influence of free fatty acids, cytokines and endothelin on vascular insulin resistance.
Introduction to Random Boolean Networks

The goal of this tutorial is to promote interest in the study of random Boolean networks (RBNs). These can be very interesting models, since one does not have to assume any functionality or particular connectivity of the networks to study their generic properties. Like this, RBNs have been used for exploring the configurations where life could emerge. The fact that RBNs are a generalization of cellular automata makes their research a very important topic. The tutorial, intended for a broad audience, presents the state of the art in RBNs, spanning over several lines of research carried out by different groups. We focus on research done within artificial life, as we cannot exhaust the abundant research done over the decades related to RBNs.
Spatio‐temporal dynamics, differentiation and viability of human neural stem cells after implantation into neonatal rat brain

Neural stem cells (NSCs) have attracted major research interest due to their potential use in cell replacement therapy. In patients, human cells are the preferred choice, one source of human NSCs being the brain of fetuses. The aims of the present study were to explore the long‐term differentiation, mobility and viability of NSCs derived from the human fetal striatum in response to intracerebral implantation. To investigate long‐term spatio‐temporal and functional dynamics of grafts in vivo by magnetic resonance imaging, these cells were labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles prior to implantation. SPIO‐labeling of human NSCs left the quantitative profile of the proliferation, cell composition and differentiation capacity of the cells in vitro unaltered. Also after transplantation, the phenotypes after long‐term cell differentiation were not significantly different from naïve cells. Upon transplantation, we detected a hypointensity corresponding to the striatal graft location in all animals and persisting for at least 4 months. The hypointense signal appeared visually similar both in location and in volume over time. However, quantitative volumetric analysis showed that the detectable, apparent graft volume decreased significantly from 3 to 16 weeks. Finally, the human NSCs were not proliferating after implantation, indicating lack of tumor formation. These cells are thus a promising candidate for translationally relevant investigations for stem cell‐based regenerative therapies.
In vivo multispectral, multiparameter, photoacoustic lymph flow cytometry with natural cell focusing, label‐free detection and multicolor nanoparticle probes

Compared with blood tests, cell assessment in lymphatics is not well‐established. The goal of this work was to develop in vivo lymph tests using the principles of flow cytometry. Cells in living animals were counted by laser (420–2,300 nm) generation of photoacoustic (PA) signals in individual cells hydrodynamically focused by lymph valves into a single file flow, and using endogenous absorption as intrinsic cell‐specific markers, or gold nanorods, nanoshells, and carbon nanotubes as multicolor probes. PA data were verified by high‐speed transmission, photothermal, and fluorescent imaging. Counting of melanoma and immune‐related cells in normal, apoptotic, and necrotic states in lymphatics in vivo was demonstrated to have the unprecedented sensitivity as one metastatic cell among millions of white blood cells. The time‐resolved PA spectral identification of flowing cells was achieved using multicolor labels and laser pulses of different wavelengths and time delays. Multiparameter, noninvasive, portable flow cytometer can be used for preclinical studies on animals with the potential of translation to humans for in vivo PA mapping of colorless lymph vessels and sentinel nodes with simultaneous single cell detection and metastasis assessment without labeling or use of contrast dyes and/or novel low‐toxic multicolor probes with different absorption spectra. © 2008 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
The Review of Economics and Statistics

Health expenditures as a share of GDP in the United States have more than tripled over the past half-century. A common conjecture is that this is a consequence of rising income. We investigate this hypothesis by instrumenting for local area income with time series variation in oil prices interacted with local oil reserves. This strategy enables us to capture both partial equilibrium and local general equilibrium effects of income on health expenditures. Our central income elasticity estimate is 0.7, with 1.1 as the upper end of the 95% confidence interval, which suggests that rising income is unlikely to be a major driver of the rising health expenditure share of GDP.
Experimental study on corrosion induced cracking time of steel in concrete cover with initial middle defect

In this paper, based on the initial defects of different sizes in the middle of concrete cover, the corrosion cracking time of the steel with the initial defect in the middle part of the steel was studied by means of the method of electrified accelerated corrosion from an experimental point of view. The results show that the size of the actual initial defect in the concrete cover is the key factor to control the cracking time in chloride environment. Reducing the crack size is helpful to improve the durability of the whole structure. The severity of corrosion expansion and cracking time of concrete cover can be ranked as follows: thickness of concrete cover > diameter of steel > size of initial defect.
R-charged AdS(5) black holes and large N unitary matrix models

Using the anti-de Sitter (AdS)/conformal field theories correspondence, we establish a correspondence between the intricate thermal phases of $R$-charged ${\mathrm{AdS}}_{5}$ black holes and the $R$-charge sector of the $N=4$ gauge theory, in the large $N$ limit. Integrating out all fields in the gauge theory, except the thermal Polyakov line, leads to an effective unitary matrix model. In the canonical ensemble, a logarithmic term is generated in the nonzero charge sector of the matrix model. This term is important for discussing various supergravity properties like (i) the nonexistence of a thermal AdS phase as a solution, (ii) the existence of a point of cusp catastrophe in the phase diagram, and (iii) the matching of saddle points and the critical exponents of supergravity and those of the effective matrix model. Our study is restricted to a unitary matrix model where the action depends only on $\mathrm{Tr}U\text{ }\mathrm{Tr}{U}^{\ifmmode\dagger\else\textdagger\fi{}}$.
Methods to Predict and Lower the Risk of Prostate Cancer

Chemoprevention for prostate cancer (PCa) continues to generate interest from both physicians and the patient population. The goal of chemoprevention is to stop the malignant transformation of prostate cells into cancer. Multiple studies on different substances ranging from supplements to medical therapy have been undertaken. Thus far, only the studies on 5α-reductase inhibitors (the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial [PCPT] and Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events [REDUCE] trial) have demonstrated a reduction in the risk of PCa, while results from the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) concluded no decreased risk for PCa with selenium or vitamin E.
A Cardiovascular Mathematical Model of Graded Head-Up Tilt

A lumped parameter model of the cardiovascular system has been developed and optimized using experimental data obtained from 13 healthy subjects during graded head-up tilt (HUT) from the supine position to . The model includes descriptions of the left and right heart, direct ventricular interaction through the septum and pericardium, the systemic and pulmonary circulations, nonlinear pressure volume relationship of the lower body compartment, arterial and cardiopulmonary baroreceptors, as well as autoregulatory mechanisms. A number of important features, including the separate effects of arterial and cardiopulmonary baroreflexes, and autoregulation in the lower body, as well as diastolic ventricular interaction through the pericardium have been included and tested for their significance. Furthermore, the individual effect of parameter associated with heart failure, including LV and RV contractility, baseline systemic vascular resistance, pulmonary vascular resistance, total blood volume, LV diastolic stiffness and reflex gain on HUT response have also been investigated. Our fitted model compares favorably with our experimental measurements and published literature at a range of tilt angles, in terms of both global and regional hemodynamic variables. Compared to the normal condition, a simulated congestive heart failure condition produced a blunted response to HUT with regards to the percentage changes in cardiac output, stroke volume, end diastolic volume and effector response (i.e., heart contractility, venous unstressed volume, systemic vascular resistance and heart rate) with progressive tilting.
Bell's Palsy: Symptoms Preceding and Accompanying the Facial Paresis

This individual prospective cohort study aims to report and analyze the symptoms preceding and accompanying the facial paresis in Bell's palsy (BP). Two hundred sixty-nine patients affected by BP with a maximum delay of 48 hours from the onset were enrolled in the study. The evolution of the facial paresis expressed as House-Brackmann grade in the first 10 days and its correlation with symptoms were analyzed. At the onset, 136 patients presented postauricular pain, 114 were affected by dry eye, and 94 reported dysgeusia. Dry mouth was present in 54 patients (19.7%), facial pain, hyperlacrimation, aural fullness, and hyperacusis represented a smaller percentage of the reported symptoms. After 10 days, 39.9% of the group had a severe paresis while 10.2% reached a complete recovery. Dry mouth at the onset was correlated with severe grade of palsy and was prognostic for poor recovery in the early period. These outcomes lead to the deduction that the nervus intermedius plays an important role in the presentation of the BP and it might be responsible for most of the accompanying symptomatology of the paresis. Our findings could be of important interest to early address a BP patient to further examinations and subsequent therapy.
Effect of low-level laser therapy as an adjuvant in the treatment of periodontitis induced in rats subjected to 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the effect of multiple sessions of a low-level laser therapy (LLLT) adjuvant to scaling and root planing (SRP) on the treatment of experimental periodontitis (EP) in rats treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 120 rats were divided into five groups: no treatment (NT); treatment with 5-FU (60 and 40 mg/kg) and no local periodontal treatment (5FU); treatment with 5-FU and SRP (5FU-SRP); treatment with 5-FU, SRP and one LLLT session (660 nm; 0.035 W; 4.2 J; 120 s) (5FU-SRP-1LLLT); and treatment with 5-FU, SRP and four LLLT sessions (0, 24, 48 and 72 h) (5FU-SRP-4LLLT). EP was induced in the mandibular molars through ligature placement. The alveolar bone loss (ABL) area in the furcation region was analysed histometrically. TRAP, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, RANKL, osteoprotegerin and activated caspase-3 patterns were analysed by immunolabeling. Prostaglandin E2 was quantified using an ELISA, and tumour necrosis factor α and interleukin-6 were assessed using the multiplex method. The prevalence rates of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella nigrescens, Prevotella intermedia and Fusobacterium nucleatum were assessed using the PCR method. The data were subjected to statistical analysis (α = 5%). RESULTS 5FU, 5FU-SRP and 5FU-SRP-1LLLT treatment groups showed higher ABL compared with the NT group (p < 0.05), whereas the 5FU-SRP-4LLLT group showed lower ABL compared with the 5FU group on day 7 and decreased RANKL immunolabeling (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Treatment with 5-FU worsened EP, and multiple LLLT sessions adjuvant to SRP seemed to improve periodontitis in rats subjected to 5-FU chemotherapy.
MicroRNAs Regulate p21Waf1/Cip1 Protein Expression and the DNA Damage Response in Human Embryonic Stem Cells

Studies of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) commonly describe the nonfunctional p53‐p21 axis of the G1/S checkpoint pathway with subsequent relevance for cell cycle regulation and the DNA damage response (DDR). Importantly, p21 mRNA is clearly present and upregulated after the DDR in hESCs, but p21 protein is not detectable. In this article, we provide evidence that expression of p21 protein is directly regulated by the microRNA (miRNA) pathway under standard culture conditions and after DNA damage. The DDR in hESCs leads to upregulation of tens of miRNAs, including hESC‐specific miRNAs such as those of the miR‐302 family, miR‐371‐372 family, or C19MC miRNA cluster. Most importantly, we show that the hESC‐enriched miRNA family miR‐302 (miR‐302a, miR‐302b, miR‐302c, and miR‐302d) directly contributes to regulation of p21 expression in hESCs and, thus, demonstrate a novel function for miR‐302s in hESCS. The described mechanism elucidates the role of miRNAs in regulation of important molecular pathway governing the G1/S transition checkpoint before as well as after DNA damage. STEM CELLS2012;30:1362–1372
Anemia and erythropoietin in cardiovascular disease

Anemie is een belangrijke co-morbiditeit bij patienten met cardiovasculaire ziekte. In het eerste deel van het huidige proefschrift onderzoeken we oorzakelijke factoren bij het onstaan van anemie met hart en vaatziekten. We laten zien dat een verhoogde centraal veneuze druk geassocieerd is met het optreden van anemie en dat dit gepaard gaat met een verhoogde mortaliteit. We laten zien dat ontstekings cytokines een oorzaak kunnen zijn van anemie bij patienten met hartfalen en na cardiothoracale chirurgie. Ook laten we zien dat ACE remmers post operatief zorgen voor vertraagd herstel van anemie. Erythropoetine is een hormoon dat zorgt voor bloedaanmaak, maar het heeft ook andere gunstige effecten zoals vaatnieuwvorming en verminderd celverval, waardoor het bescherming kan bieden aan het hart. Verder laten we zien dat behandeling met erythropoietine na een myocardinfarct veilig is. Verder geven we commentaar op een belangrijke grote studie die de behandeling van patienten met hartfalen met EPO onderzocht.
Pollution sources and mortality rates across rural-urban areas in the United States.

PURPOSE To conduct an assessment of rural environmental pollution sources and associated population mortality rates. METHODS The design is a secondary analysis of county-level data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Agriculture, National Land Cover Dataset, Energy Information Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US Census, and others. We described the types of pollution sources present in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan counties and examined the associations between these sources and rates of all-cause, cardiovascular, respiratory, and cancer mortality while controlling for age, race, and other covariates. FINDINGS Rural counties had 65,055 EPA-monitored pollution discharge sites. As expected, rural counties had significantly greater exposure to potential agriculture-related pollution. Regression models specific to rural counties indicated that greater density of water pollution sources was significantly associated with greater total and cancer mortality. Rural air pollution sources were associated with greater cancer mortality rates. Rural coal mining areas had higher total, cancer, and respiratory disease mortality rates. Agricultural production was generally associated with lower mortality rates. Greater levels of human development were significantly related to higher adjusted total and cancer mortality. CONCLUSIONS The association between pollution sources and mortality risk is not a phenomenon limited to metropolitan areas. Results carry policy implications regarding the need for effective environmental standards and monitoring. Further research is needed to better understand the types and distributions of pollution in rural areas, and the health consequences that result.
On the Generic Finiteness of Equilibrium Outcomes in Plurality Games

In this paper we prove that for generic (noncooperative) voting games under plurality rule the set of equilibria that induce a mixed distribution over the outcomes (i.e., with two or more candidates elected with positive probability) is finite and, furthermore, each of these equilibria is regular. From that we deduce the finiteness of the set of equilibrium distributions over outcomes. Furthermore we offer an example (S. Govindan and A. McLennan, 1997, "On the Generic Finiteness of Equilibrium Outcome Distributions in Game Forms," mimeo) that shows the impossibility of extending such results to a general framework, even just to voting games. Classification Numbers: C72, D72. (C) 2001 Academic Press.
Fatal Bacillary Angiomatosis Mimicking An Infiltrative Vascular Tumour in the Immune Restoration Phase of An HIV-Infected Patient

Bacillary angiomatosis mainly affects the HIV-infected population. Information is limited on the evolution of bacillary angiomatosis during immune restoration following initiation of HAART. We report an unusual case of fatal Bartonella quintana bacillary angiomatosis occurring in an HIV-infected man during the immune restoration phase.
Impact of branching on the elasticity of actin networks

Actin filaments play a fundamental role in cell mechanics: assembled into networks by a large number of partners, they ensure cell integrity, deformability, and migration. Here we focus on the mechanics of the dense branched network found at the leading edge of a crawling cell. We develop a new technique based on the dipolar attraction between magnetic colloids to measure mechanical properties of branched actin gels assembled around the colloids. This technique allows us to probe a large number of gels and, through the study of different networks, to access fundamental relationships between their microscopic structure and their mechanical properties. We show that the architecture does regulate the elasticity of the network: increasing both capping and branching concentrations strongly stiffens the networks. These effects occur at protein concentrations that can be regulated by the cell. In addition, the dependence of the elastic modulus on the filaments’ flexibility and on increasing internal stress has been studied. Our overall results point toward an elastic regime dominated by enthalpic rather than entropic deformations. This result strongly differs from the elasticity of diluted cross-linked actin networks and can be explained by the dense dendritic structure of lamellipodium-like networks.