Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sirolimus Induced Phosphaturia is Not Caused by Inhibition of Renal Apical Sodium Phosphate Cotransporters

The vast majority of glomerular filtrated phosphate is reabsorbed in the proximal tubule. Posttransplant phosphaturia is common and aggravated by sirolimus immunosuppression. The cause of sirolimus induced phosphaturia however remains elusive. Male Wistar rats received sirolimus or vehicle for 2 or 7 days (1.5mg/kg). The urine phosphate/creatinine ratio was higher and serum phosphate was lower in sirolimus treated rats, fractional excretion of phosphate was elevated and renal tubular phosphate reabsorption was reduced suggesting a renal cause for hypophosphatemia. PTH was lower in sirolimus treated rats. FGF 23 levels were unchanged at day 2 but lower in sirolimus treated rats after 7 days. Brush border membrane vesicle phosphate uptake was not altered in sirolimus treated groups or by direct incubation with sirolimus. mRNA, protein abundance, and subcellular transporter distribution of NaPi-IIa, Pit-2 and NHE3 were not different between groups but NaPi-IIc mRNA expression was lower at day 7. Transcriptome analyses revealed candidate genes that could be involved in the phosphaturic response. Sirolimus caused a selective renal phosphate leakage, which was not mediated by NaPi-IIa or NaPi-IIc regulation or localization. We hypothesize that another mechanism such as a basolateral phosphate transporter may be responsible for the sirolimus induced phosphaturia.
Learning to Make Computer Games: An Academic Approach

Anything that combines aspects of play, challenge and conflict can be seen as a game. Therefore, games provide a versatile but demarcated setting for education. From the students’ perspective the concept of ‘game’ is familiar, approachable and diverse, which makes it motivating for them. From the teachers’ point of view, a game can serve as a mixing pot for various study subjects. For example, making a game can concretise study topics as well as work practices and on-the-fly collaboration across many different disciplines. Therefore, games as an educational form seem to suit to situations where the study material cannot be partitioned into strict independent fragments. Because our areas of teaching are digital arts and software development, it is natural to instruct students using computer games projects. However, the selection of a game as an educational form does not solve problems in learning such as misconceptions due to simplification. To deepen the students’ understanding we have to cope with at least the following issues: how to verify and validate acquired knowledge, how to distinguish and intermix the essentials, and how conflicting interests in the domain of computer games are resolved. From our experience, in digital arts and software development a teacher cannot—and should not—expect pre-made plans to hold when teaching more advanced knowledge: To understand the ‘whys’ we have to consider holistically the contexts, contents, and organizations of the study topics. To meet these prerequisites with tested practices we (i.e., the teachers and the students) create computer games in actual software development projects. There is a myriad of ways for arranging a software development project. We present three project configurations that depend on how closely the teachers participate to the actual project work. We describe and analyse our experiences from several course instances and student projects on computer game development, and discuss their implications for the teacher.
Tumor immunogenicity determines the effect of B7 costimulation on T cell-mediated tumor immunity

A costimulatory signal through B7 to its counter-receptor CD28 on T cells enhances T cell activation. We have generated recombinant retroviruses containing cDNA for murine B7 and transduced a panel of murine tumor lines with varying immunogenicity to study the effect of B7 costimulation on antitumor immunity. In contrast to the progressive outgrowth of all wild-type (B7-) tumors in unimmunized syngeneic mice, four immunogenic tumors, lymphoma RMA, EL4, mastocytoma P815, and melanoma E6B2, regressed completely when transduced with the B7 gene. In contrast, four nonimmunogenic tumors, sarcomas MCA101, MCA102, and Ag104, and melanoma B16, remained tumorigenic after transduction of the B7 gene. Immunization with B7-transduced immunogenic tumors enhanced protective immunity and increased specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity against the respective wild-type tumors as compared to immunization with nontransduced or mock-transduced tumors. Moreover, cocultivation of CTL with B7-transduced EL4 cells augmented the specificity of tumor-reactive CTL in long-term cultures. Treatment by injection of B7-transduced tumor cells cured 60% of mice with established wild-type EL4 lymphoma. In contrast, immunization with nonimmunogenic tumors transduced with B7 did not provide protective immunity and did not increase specific CTL activity. Our results show that tumor immunogenicity is critical to the outcome of costimulation of T cell-mediated tumor immunity by B7.
Three differentiation stages of a single magma at Piton de la Fournaise volcano (Reunion hot spot)

We present major element and volatile concentration analyses in melt and gas inclusions from two recent picrite eruptions (February 2005 and December 2005) at Piton de la Fournaise volcano (La Reunion Island, Indian Ocean). Combined with literature data, our new data show that the large variability of major element compositions in Piton de la Fournaise lavas may be explained by three depth‐dependent differentiation stages of a single transitional parental magma (9–11 wt% MgO; 0.5–0.8 wt% K2O, and 10–12 wt% CaO). The deepest differentiation (>7.5 km) is controlled by the fractional crystallization of clinopyroxene + plagioclase and yields gabbros and basalts enriched in K and depleted in Ca relative to the parental magma. In a shallower storage zone (<2.5 km), differentiation of the transitional parental magma is dominated by the fractionation/accumulation of Fo83–85 olivine phenocrysts, yielding Mg‐poor basalts at the top of the reservoir and picrites at the base. In cooling dykes and subsurface pockets (<0.6 km), Mg‐poor basalts may themselves evolve into more differentiated melts by clinopyroxene + plagioclase fractionation. The incorporation of dunitic xenocrysts or other xenoliths is not necessary to explain the major element chemical diversity of the volcano. The same superposition of differentiation mechanisms may occur at similar depths in other shield volcanoes.
Processing of Unattended Emotional Facial Expressions: Correlates of Visual Field Bias in Women

Lateralization in emotional processing is a matter of ongoing debate. Various factors can influence lateralized emotional processing, including stimulus location, emotional valence, and gender. In the present study, we aim to elucidate how unattended emotional facial expressions shown at different locations in the visual field influence behavioral responses, eye movement, and neural responses in a sample of healthy women. Our female participants viewed fearful, happy and neutral faces presented at central and peripheral (left or right) locations while keeping their gaze locked on a central fixation crosshairs and indicating stimulus location via button presses. Throughout the experiment, we monitored fixation and gaze shifts by means of eye tracking. We analyzed eye movements, neural and behavioral responses from n = 18 participants with excellent tracking and task performance. Face stimuli presented in the left hemifield entailed the fastest reactions irrespective of face valence. Unwarranted gaze shifts away from central fixation were rare and mainly directed at peripherally presented stimuli. A distributed neural network comprising the right amygdala, left temporal pole, left middle temporal gyrus, right superior frontal gyrus, and right posterior putamen differentially responded to centrally presented fearful faces, and to peripherally presented neutral and happy faces, especially when they appeared in the left hemifield. Our findings point to a visual field bias on the behavioral and neural level in our female sample. Reaction times, eye movements and neural activations varied according to stimulus location. An interactive effect of face location with face valence was present at the neural level but did not translate to behavioral or eye movement responses.
What Guidance Are Researchers Given on How to Present Network Meta-Analyses to End-Users such as Policymakers and Clinicians? A Systematic Review

Introduction Network meta-analyses (NMAs) are complex methodological approaches that may be challenging for non-technical end-users, such as policymakers and clinicians, to understand. Consideration should be given to identifying optimal approaches to presenting NMAs that help clarify analyses. It is unclear what guidance researchers currently have on how to present and tailor NMAs to different end-users. Methods A systematic review of NMA guidelines was conducted to identify guidance on how to present NMAs. Electronic databases and supplementary sources were searched for NMA guidelines. Presentation format details related to sample formats, target audiences, data sources, analysis methods and results were extracted and frequencies tabulated. Guideline quality was assessed following criteria developed for clinical practice guidelines. Results Seven guidelines were included. Current guidelines focus on how to conduct NMAs but provide limited guidance to researchers on how to best present analyses to different end-users. None of the guidelines provided reporting templates. Few guidelines provided advice on tailoring presentations to different end-users, such as policymakers. Available guidance on presentation formats focused on evidence networks, characteristics of individual trials, comparisons between direct and indirect estimates and assumptions of heterogeneity and/or inconsistency. Some guidelines also provided examples of figures and tables that could be used to present information. Conclusions Limited guidance exists for researchers on how best to present NMAs in an accessible format, especially for non-technical end-users such as policymakers and clinicians. NMA guidelines may require further integration with end-users' needs, when NMAs are used to support healthcare policy and practice decisions. Developing presentation formats that enhance understanding and accessibility of NMAs could also enhance the transparency and legitimacy of decisions informed by NMAs.
Antioxidant effect of Morus nigra on Chagas disease progression

ABSTRACT Considering the widespread popular use of Morus nigra and the amount of scientific information on its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, the effectiveness of this phytotherapeutic compound in the parasitemia progression during the acute phase of Chagas disease and its role in the development of the inflammatory process as well as its effects on the oxidative damage in the chronic phase of infection were evaluated. Thus, 96 male Swiss mice were randomly divided into eight groups, four groups were uninfected controls, and four groups were intraperitoneally infected with 5.0 x 104 blood trypomastigotes forms of T. cruzi QM2 strain. Four batches composed of one uninfected and one infected group were respectively treated with 70% alcohol solution and 25 μL, 50 μL and 75 μL of the phytotherapeutic compound. Levels of antioxidant elements (TBARS, FRAP, GSH and Sulfhydryl groups) were measured in plasma samples. The phytotherapeutic compound’s antioxidant activity was measured by polyphenol and total flavonoid quantification, DPPH, NO, and FRAP method. Our results showed that the vehicle influenced some of the results that may have physiological relevance in Chagas disease. However, an important action of M. nigra tincture was observed in the progression of Chagas disease, since our results demonstrated a reduction in parasitemia of treated groups when compared to controls, especially in the group receiving 25 µL. However, in the chronic phase, the 50-µL dosage presented a better activity on some antioxidant defenses and minimized the tissue inflammatory process. Results indicated an important action of M. nigra tincture on the Chagas disease progression.
Integrated Tunable Quantum-Dot Laser for Optical Coherence Tomography in the 1.7 $\mu{\rm m}$ Wavelength Region

In this paper, we present the design and characterization of a monolithically integrated tunable laser for optical coherence tomography in medicine. This laser is the first monolithic photonic integrated circuit containing quantum-dot amplifiers, phase modulators, and passive components. We demonstrate electro-optical tuning capabilities over 60 nm between 1685 and 1745 nm, which is the largest tuning range demonstrated for an arrayed waveguide grating controlled tunable laser. Furthermore, it demonstrates that the active-passive integration technology designed for the 1550 nm telecom wavelength region can also be used in the 1600-1800 nm region. The tunable laser has a 0.11 nm effective linewidth and an approximately 0.1 mW output power. Scanning capabilities of the laser are demonstrated in a free space Michelson interferometer setup where the laser is scanned over the 60 nm in 4000 steps with a 500 Hz scan frequency. Switching between two wavelengths within this 60 nm range is demonstrated to be possible within 500 ns.
17β-Estradiol Mediates the Sex Difference in Capsaicin-Induced Nociception in Rats

We have previously shown that the male sex steroid testosterone inhibits slightly, but the female sex steroid 17β-estradiol (E2) potentiates dramatically, the capsaicin receptor-mediated current in rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Here, we used pharmacological methods and the nociceptive behavioral test to determine whether there is a sex difference in capsaicin-induced acute pain in rats in vivo and what mechanism underlies this sex difference. Results revealed that intradermal injection of capsaicin induced a dose-dependent nocifensive response in males and females, with the dose required to produce a comparable level of nociception being approximately 3- to 4-fold higher in males than in females. In addition, females during the proestrus stage exhibited significantly greater capsaicin-induced nocifensive responses compared with the estrus stage. Moreover, the female's enhanced sensitivity to the capsaicin-induced nocifensive response was completely reversed by ovariectomy 6 weeks before capsaicin injection. It is noteworthy that intradermal coinjection of E2 but not progesterone with capsaicin potentiated the capsaicin-induced nocifensive response in ovariectomized rats. Likewise, intradermal E2 injection dose-dependently potentiated the capsaicin-induced nocifensive response in male rats. Furthermore, potentiation by E2 of the capsaicin-induced nocifensive response in male rats was not significantly reduced by a selective protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor or by a selective protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, indicating that neither PKC nor PKA was involved in the effect of E2. These data demonstrate that E2 mediates the female's enhanced sensitivity to capsaicin-induced acute pain, consistent with potentiation by E2 of the capsaicin receptor-mediated current in rat DRG neurons.
Computing Immobilizing Grasps of Polygonal Parts

We present the first algorithms for computing all placements of (frictionless) point fingers that put a polygonal part in form closure and all placements of point fingers that achieve second-order immobility of a polygonal part. Our algorithms run in O(n2+∈ +K) and O(n2 log2 n + K) time in the case of form closure and second-order immobility, respectively, where n is the number of vertices of the polygon, K is the description size of the resulting set of finger placements, and ∈ is an arbitrarily small constant. The basis of our algorithm is a translation of the problem into geometric searching problems, which are solved using efficient data structures. Our results can be extended to the problem of computing all placements of a line and two points that put a polygonal part in form closure. The resulting algorithm runs in O(n2 log2 n + K) time, where K is again the description size of the output.
Introduction to neurolinguistics

This introduction to neurolinguistics is intended for anybody who wants to acquire a grounding in the field. It was written for students of linguistics and communication disorders, but students of psychology, neuroscience and other disciplines will also find it valuable. The introductory section presents the theories, models and frameworks underlying modern neurolinguistics. Then the neurolinguistic aspects of different components of language – phonology, morphology, lexical semantics, and semantics-pragmatics in communication – are discussed. The third section examines reading and writing, bilingualism, the evolution of language, and multimodality. The book also contains three resource chapters, one on techniques for investigating the brain, another on modeling brain functions, and a third that introduces the basic concepts of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. This text provides an up-to-date linguistic perspective, with a special focus on semantics and pragmatics, evolutionary perspectives, neural network modeling and multimodality, areas that have been less central in earlier introductory works.
TP53 gene mutations in Hodgkin lymphoma are infrequent and not associated with absence of Epstein‐Barr virus

Reed‐Sternberg (RS) cells, the neoplastic cells of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) have clonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangements. The presence of somatic mutations suggests a germinal center origin, whereas the presence of crippling mutations suggests rescue of RS precursors from apoptosis by a transforming event. Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV), which can be detected in 30–50% of HL cases, probably plays a role in this transforming event. The frequent presence of p53 protein expression in RS cells also suggests a role of the TP53 gene in this escape from apoptosis. Although mutations of the TP53 gene occur infrequently in RS cells, it has been suggested that in EBV‐negative cases this gene mutation may be fundamental for the inhibition of apoptosis. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that there is an inverse correlation between the presence of TP53 gene mutations and the presence of EBV. In 21 of 67 cases EBV encoded small RNA (EBER)1‐2 mRNAs were detected. Immunostaining for p53 protein revealed positivity in all 67 cases with variable percentages of positive cells and staining intensity. Screening for mutations in exons 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the TP53 gene in single RS cells obtained by laser microdissection from 26 HL specimens and 4 HL‐derived cell lines revealed mutations in 2 of 15 EBV‐positive cases and in 1 of 11 EBV‐negative cases. Our results confirm the presence of infrequent (11.5%) TP53 gene mutations in HL and suggest that mutations of the TP53 gene are not correlated to the absence of EBV. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new astrometric reduction of photographic plates using the DAMIAN digitizer: improving the dynamics of the Jovian system

Abstract : The astrometric monitoring of the natural planetary satellites is an important step to assess the formation and the evolution of these systems. However, in order to quantify relevant gravitational effects such as tidal forces, it is necessary to have very accurate observations over a long time interval. Unfortunately, the accuracy is decreasing as one considers older observations. To solve this issue, digitizing of old photographic plates is an attractive method, but a high accuracy in the measurement and the reduction of those plates is absolutely necessary. We have developed methods and algorithms adapted to specific plates provided by USNO, using the DAMIAN digitizer of ROB. From a set of 35 plates taken in 1974, we have been able to produce measurements with an accuracy better than 0.08 micrometers and after reduction using the UCAC2 catalogue, rms residuals of 35 mas (1.7 micrometers) for intersatellite positions (when the original reduction provided 100 mas) and of 65 mas for equatorial RA and Dec. positions (which were not possible to get with the original reduction). First results on the dynamics of the satellites and of the planet Jupiter are provided.
Long term effect of reduced pack sizes of paracetamol on poisoning deaths and liver transplant activity in England and Wales: interrupted time series analyses

Objective To assess the long term effect of United Kingdom legislation introduced in September 1998 to restrict pack sizes of paracetamol on deaths from paracetamol poisoning and liver unit activity. Design Interrupted time series analyses to assess mean quarterly changes from October 1998 to the end of 2009 relative to projected deaths without the legislation based on pre-legislation trends. Setting Mortality (1993-2009) and liver unit activity (1995-2009) in England and Wales, using information from the Office for National Statistics and NHS Blood and Transplant, respectively. Participants Residents of England and Wales. Main outcome measures Suicide, deaths of undetermined intent, and accidental poisoning deaths involving single drug ingestion of paracetamol and paracetamol compounds in people aged 10 years and over, and liver unit registrations and transplantations for paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity. Results Compared with the pre-legislation level, following the legislation there was an estimated average reduction of 17 (95% confidence interval −25 to −9) deaths per quarter in England and Wales involving paracetamol alone (with or without alcohol) that received suicide or undetermined verdicts. This decrease represented a 43% reduction or an estimated 765 fewer deaths over the 11¼ years after the legislation. A similar effect was found when accidental poisoning deaths were included, and when a conservative method of analysis was used. This decrease was largely unaltered after controlling for a non-significant reduction in deaths involving other methods of poisoning and also suicides by all methods. There was a 61% reduction in registrations for liver transplantation for paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity (−11 (−20 to −1) registrations per quarter). But no reduction was seen in actual transplantations (−3 (−12 to 6)), nor in registrations after a conservative method of analysis was used. Conclusions UK legislation to reduce pack sizes of paracetamol was followed by significant reductions in deaths due to paracetamol overdose, with some indication of fewer registrations for transplantation at liver units during the 11 years after the legislation. The continuing toll of deaths suggests, however, that further preventive measures should be sought.
An exploratory analysis of partner action and camera control in a video-mediated collaborative task

This paper reports on an exploratory experimental study of the relationships between physical movement and desired visual information in the performance of video-mediated collaborative tasks in the real world by geographically distributed groups. Twenty-three pairs of participants (one "helper" and one "worker") linked only by video and audio participated in a Lego construction task in one of three experimental conditions: a fixed scene camera, a helper-controlled pan-tilt-zoom camera, and a dedicated operator-controlled camera. "Worker" motion was tracked in 3-D space for all three conditions, as were all camera movements. Results suggest performance benefits for the operator-controlled condition, and the relationships between camera position/movement and worker action are explored to generate preliminary theoretical and design implications.