Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CD8+ T Cells Specific to Apoptosis-Associated Antigens Predict the Response to Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis

CD8+ T cells specific to caspase-cleaved antigens derived from apoptotic T cells (apoptotic epitopes) represent a principal player in chronic immune activation, which is known to amplify immunopathology in various inflammatory diseases. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship involving these autoreactive T cells, the rheumatoid arthritis immunopathology, and the response to tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor therapy. The frequency of autoreactive CD8+ T cells specific to various apoptotic epitopes, as detected by both enzyme-linked immunospot assay and dextramers of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules complexed with relevant apoptotic epitopes, was longitudinally analyzed in the peripheral blood of rheumatoid arthritis patients who were submitted to etanercept treatment (or other tumor necrosis factor inhibitors as a control). The percentage of apoptotic epitope-specific CD8+ T cells was significantly higher in rheumatoid arthritis patients than in healthy donors, and correlated with the disease activity. More important, it was significantly more elevated in responders to tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor therapy than in non-responders before the start of therapy; it significantly dropped only in the former following therapy. These data indicate that apoptotic epitope-specific CD8+ T cells may be involved in rheumatoid arthritis immunopathology through the production of inflammatory cytokines and that they may potentially represent a predictive biomarker of response to tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor therapy to validate in a larger cohort of patients.
Stress measurements at depth in the vicinity of the San Andreas Fault: Implications for the magnitude of shear stress at depth

Using the hydraulic fracturing technique, we have made a systematic series of in situ stress measurements in wells drilled near the San Andreas fault. In an attempt to provide constraints for the magnitude of shear stress on the San Andreas fault at depth we have measured both the variation of stress with distance from the fault in relatively shallow (∼230 m) wells and the variation of stress with depth in a ∼1-km-deep well located 4 km from the fault. The shallow wells are located along profiles roughly perpendicular to the fault in the western Mojave desert near Palmdale and in central California where the fault is creeping. In both areas the direction of maximum compression was found to be approximately 45° from the local trend of the San Andreas. The two stress profiles show very similar results: (1) shear stress (on planes parallel to the San Andreas) increases with distance from the fault, more markedly in the western Mojave, (2) the far-field shear stress at ∼200 m depth is ∼50 bars, and (3) the horizontal principal stresses as well as shear stress increase with depth more rapidly in the wells farthest from the fault. The ∼1-km-deep well, also located in the western Mojave desert, shows increases of both horizontal principal stresses and shear stress with depth. Shear stress increases from about 25 bars at 150–300 m to about 80 bars at 750–850 m. Although this rapid increase of shear stress with depth suggests that the mean shear stress on the fault at seismogenic depths exceeds several hundred bars, the principal stresses increase with depth in a steplike manner. As this may be a near-surface effect, extrapolation of the measurements to much greater depths may not be warranted.
Proton Pump Inhibitors Therapy for Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the pharmacological cornerstone for acid-related peptic disorders, especially gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), on account of their powerful suppression of gastric acid secretion. GERD is the most common esophageal disease, with approximately 10-20% of adult Western population affected, mainly males between 20 and 50 yrs-old. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an emerging immuno/antigen-mediated disorder, characterized by esophageal symptoms and eosinophil-predominant inflammation. It is an allergic condition of growing recognition and prevalence, so much so that it is currently recognized as the second cause of chronic esophagitis after GERD. EoE usually presents in allergic males under 40 yrs-old, so GERD and EoE coexist frequently in adult patients. Initially, both disorders were distinguished since EoE was, by definition, unresponsive to PPIs. However, case reports and small series since 2006 have progressively shown patients with clinical, endoscopic and histological data consistent with EoE having complete remission on PPIs. Notwithstanding the fact that these patients have been historically classified as having mislabelled GERD, recent evidence has made way for a new potential phenotype of EoE (PPI-responsive esophageal eosinophilia), even in patients with normal acid exposure. Furthermore, more confusion has been added to the debate since GERD has been recently redefined as a cytokinemediated disorder rather than acid-injury mediated. As such, PPIs might also affect GERD-related or EoE-related esophageal eosinophilia through immunomodulatory mechanisms beyond acid suppression. This report intends to update the available evidence on PPI-responsive esophageal eosinophilia and briefly review the mechanisms whereby PPIs might exert potential anti-inflammatory effects on allergic diseases such as EoE.
Estradiol Activates PI3K/Akt/GSK3 Pathway Under Chronic Neurodegenerative Conditions Triggered by Perinatal Asphyxia

Perinatal asphyxia (PA) remains as one of the most important causes of short-term mortality, psychiatric and neurological disorders in children, without an effective treatment. In previous studies we have observed that the expression of different neurodegenerative markers increases in CA1 hippocampal area of 4-months-old male rats born by cesarean section and exposed for 19 min to PA. We have also shown that a late treatment with 17β estradiol (daily dose of 250 μg/kg for 3 days) was able to revert the brain alterations observed in those animals. Based on these previous results, the main aim of the present study was to explore the mechanism by which the estrogenic treatment is involved in the reversion of the chronic neurodegenerative conditions induced by PA. We demonstrated that estradiol treatment of adult PA exposed animals induced an increase in estrogen receptor (ER) α and insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) protein levels, an activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta/β-catenin signaling pathway and an increase in Bcl-2/Bax ratio in the hippocampus in comparison to PA exposed animals treated with vehicle. Taking together, our data suggest that the interaction between ERα and IGF-IR, with the subsequent downstream activation, underlies the beneficial effects of estradiol observed in late treatment of PA.
A Systematic Review of Mechanisms of Change in Body-Oriented Yoga in Major Depressive Disorders

Abstract Introduction Despite empirical evidence for the efficacy of body-oriented yoga as add-on treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), the specific mechanisms by which yoga leads to therapeutic changes remain unclear. By means of a systematic review, we evaluate how the field is progressing in its empirical investigation of mechanisms of change in yoga for MDD. Methods To identify relevant studies, a systematic search was conducted. Results The search produced 441 articles, of which 5 were included, that empirically examined 2 psychological mechanisms (mindfulness, rumination) and 3 biological mechanisms (vagal control, heart rate variability [HRV], brain-derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF], cortisol). 2 studies found that decreased rumination and 1 study that increased mindfulness was associated with the effect of yoga on treatment outcome. In addition, preliminary studies suggest that alterations in cortisol, BDNF, and HRV may play a role in how yoga exerts its clinical effect. Discussion The results suggest that body-oriented yoga could work through some of the theoretically predicted mechanisms. However, there is a need for more rigorous designs that can assess greater levels of causal specificity.
Mushroom crops in relation to weather in the southwestern Yukon

Epigeous mushroom production in the boreal forest ecosystem varies dramatically from year to year. We tested the hypothesis that the aboveground production of epigeous mushrooms in the Kluane region, Yukon, could be predicted by summer rainfall. There is a single crop in this part of the boreal zone with maximum production during the first 2 weeks of August. We measured standing crops from 1993 to 2007 at 13 areas along 210 km of the Alaska Highway and Haines Road in the southwestern Yukon. Aboveground mushroom crops averaged 24 kg/ha wet weight but varied from 0.0 to 117 kg/ha over the 15 years of study, with a coefficient of variation among years of 143%. Epigeous mushroom produc- tion could be predicted from June rainfall of the current year and May rainfall of the year previous with R 2 = 0.85. Part of the lack of a perfect fit to rainfall was due to the constraint that years of high mushroom crops could not be followed by another high year, no matter what the rainfall pattern. We were not able to identify the species of mushrooms in this study but we confirm from natural history observations that mushrooms are a critical food for several of the small mammal spe- cies in the Yukon boreal forest.
Supercritical Water-induced Lignin Decomposition Reactions: A Structural and Quantitative Study

The use of supercritical water for the decomposition of lignin and evaluation of its influence on lignin decomposition and conversion to various products was the thrust of the current study. Poplar alkali lignin (AL), corncob-to-xylitol residue lignin (XRL), and cornstalk-to-ethanol residue lignin (ERL) were the lignin species studied because they constitute the main residual lignins available in the biomass refinery industry. The lignins were characterized by elementary analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR), phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance (31P-NMR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and their hydrothermal depolymerization products were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC–MS). The results showed that the residual lignin is a potential source for valuable aromatics. The XRL had the best total phenolics yield, 140 mg/g, while AL had the lowest, 90 mg/g. The maximum yields of phenol (28.94 mg/g) and 4-ethylphenol (36.21 mg/g) were obtained from XRL depolymerization at 375 °C for 30 min, and the optimal yields of guaiacol (14.34 mg/g) and 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (15.67 mg/g) were achieved by AL at 375 °C for 30 min. The information here provides some insights toward developing selective biorefinery methods for lignin-to-organic products conversion processes.
The boundary condition for vertical velocity and its interdependence with surface gas exchange

Abstract. The law of conservation of linear momentum is applied to surface gas exchanges, employing scale analysis to diagnose the vertical velocity (w) in the boundary layer. Net upward momentum in the surface layer is forced by evaporation (E) and defines non-zero vertical motion, with a magnitude defined by the ratio of E to the air density, as w = E/ρ . This is true even right down at the surface where the boundary condition is w|0 = E/ρ|0 (where w|0 and ρ|0 represent the vertical velocity and density of air at the surface). This Stefan flow velocity implies upward transport of a non-diffusive nature that is a general feature of the troposphere but is of particular importance at the surface, where it assists molecular diffusion with upward gas migration (of H2O, for example) but opposes that of downward-diffusing species like CO2 during daytime. The definition of flux–gradient relationships (eddy diffusivities) requires rectification to exclude non-diffusive transport, which does not depend on scalar gradients. At the microscopic scale, the role of non-diffusive transport in the process of evaporation from inside a narrow tube – with vapour transport into an overlying, horizontal airstream – was described long ago in classical mechanics and is routinely accounted for by chemical engineers, but has been neglected by scientists studying stomatal conductance. Correctly accounting for non-diffusive transport through stomata, which can appreciably reduce net CO2 transport and marginally boost that of water vapour, should improve characterisations of ecosystem and plant functioning.
Heavy Metal and Bacterial Pollution of the Sava River in Serbia

Heavy Metal and Bacterial Pollution of the Sava River in Serbia The aim of this study was to establish microbial and heavy metal pollution of the Sava River at three locations close to industry and urban areas (Šabac, Obrenovac, Beograd) in Serbia. Heavy metal analysis included Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in the river water and sediment samples. Using the microbiological analysis we tried to establish the effectiveness of total coliforms, faecal coliforms and Escherichia coli in detecting pollution of surface waters. We found that E. coli levels steadily increased downstream from Šabac (location 1; 2100 MPN per 100 mL) to Belgrade (location 3; 10000 MPN per 100 mL). To prevent bacterial contamination, it is necessary to reduce the discharge of wastewater with faecal matters near highly populated towns. Heavy metal levels in sediments correlated with those in the river water. Fluctuations attributed mainly to anthropogenic sources were not high. These results point to acceptable anthropogenic contribution to heavy metal content in the Sava River and to low environmental risk. Onečišćenje rijeke save u srbiji teškim metalima i bakterijama Ispitivani su mikrobiološki parametri i teški metali u rijeci Savi na tri lokacije u blizini industrijskih i urbanih centara (Šabac, Obrenovac, Beograd). Analiza je obuhvatila parametre kvalitete: teške metale - Cu, Zn, Pb i Cd u riječnoj vodi i sedimentu te bakterije i patogene bakterije u riječnoj vodi. Radi utvrđivanja bakterijske kontaminacije površinskih voda testirani su koliform Escherichia coli i fekalni koliformi. Brojnost E. coli povećava se od lokacije 1 prema ušću Save od 2100 do 10000 u 100 mL NVB (najvjerojatniji broj). Nađen je velik broj biološki aktivnih mikroorganizama i bakterija. Koncentracija teških metala u sedimentu u korelaciji je s njihovom koncentracijom u riječnoj vodi ako se izrazi s pomoću koeficijenta distribucije Kd (dm3 kg-1) između čvrste i tekuće faze. Predložen je postupak za procjenu toksičnosti teških metala.
Rates of Cognitive Development among Bilingual

If, as research suggests, exposing children to two languages and two cultures provides a cognitive advantage, it could be assumed that a child exposed to two languages may be accelerated in a more advanced cognitive stage (as defined by Piaget) than a child exposed to only one language. This study sought to determine when Hispanic children from low socioeconomic backgrounds who received education in a maintenance bilingual program reached the concrete stage of development. Four groups of children (ages 6, 8, 9, and 10 years) completed three Piagetian tasks related to classification, conservation of mass, and conservation of area. Within the four groups there were 15 girls and 15 boys. The study found that the four groups possessed no cognitive advantage over monolingual students as indicated by their mean scores on the three tasks. (Contains 61 references.) (MDM) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. *********************************************************************** U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Utica of Educalionai Research and improvornont EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This documont has boon reproduced as recowod from the person or organization originating it. 0 Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy RATES OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT AMONG BILINGUAL LATINO CHILDREN Noriko Saito-Horgan, Ph.D. California State University, Los Angeles "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY N Oct) Saki()
Bioactive compounds and antifungal activity of three different seaweed species Ulva lactuca, Sargassum tenerrimum and Laurencia obtusa collected from Okha coast, Western India

*Corresponding author: Nirmal Kumar JI, P.G. Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Institute of Science and Technology for Advanced Studies and Research, Vallabh Vidyanagar-388 120, Gujarat, India. Tel/Fax: +91 02692 234955 E-mail: nirmalkumar@istar.edu. in Foundation Project: Supported by University Grant Commission (UGC-F No. 42415), New Delhi, India. The journal implements double-blind peer review practiced by specially invited international editorial board members.
Bioavailability of b-carotene (bC) from purple carrots is the same as typical orange carrots while high-bC carrots increase bC stores in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

Vitamin A (VA) deficiency is a worldwide public health problem. Biofortifying existing sources of b-carotene (bC) and increasing dietary bC could help combat the issue. Two studies were performed to investigate the relative bC bioavailability of a bC supplement to purple, high-bC orange, and typical orange carrots using Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). In study 1, which used a traditional bioavailability design, gerbils (n 32) received a diet containing orange, purple, or white carrot powder, or white carrot powder þa bC supplement. In study 2, which included bC-biofortified carrots, gerbils (n 39) received orange, high-bC orange, purple, or white carrot powder in their diet. Both studies lasted 21 d and the gerbils were killed to determine the effect of carrot type or supplement on serum and liver bC, a-carotene, and VA concentrations. Liver stores of bC or VA in the gerbils did not differ between orange and purple carrot diets when equal amounts of bC from each of the diets were consumed (P.0·05). Both the orange and purple carrot diet resulted in higher liver VA compared with the supplement (P,0·05). HighbC carrots resulted in more than 2-fold higher bC and 1·1 times greater VA liver stores compared with typical orange carrots (P,0·05). These results suggest that high-bC carrots may be an alternative source of VA to typical carrots in areas of VA deficiency. Second, phenolics including anthocyanins and phenolic acids in purple carrot do not interfere with the bioavailability of bC from purple carrots.
Treating Comorbid Substance Use and Traumatic Stress among Male Prisoners: A Pilot Study of the Acceptability, Feasibility, and Preliminary Efficacy of Seeking Safety

Co-occurring substance use disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder is prevalent among prisoners, however there are few evidence-based treatment options available for this population. This pilot study investigated the acceptability, feasibility and preliminary efficacy of implementing partial-dose (eight-session) Seeking Safety among 30 Australian male prisoners. Findings demonstrate that Seeking Safety is desirable, acceptable, and feasible among male prisoners with a history of substance use and trauma. In addition, the study indicated promising results for substance use and mental health outcomes, which is particularly notable given the overall severity of the sample. The study also had significant Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander representation. A full scale trial of this intervention is required to further evaluate efficacy and inform practice to improve the mental health of this vulnerable population.
Inhibition of Soluble Tumor Necrosis Factor Ameliorates Synaptic Alterations and Ca2+ Dysregulation in Aged Rats

The role of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF) in neural function has been investigated extensively in several neurodegenerative conditions, but rarely in brain aging, where cognitive and physiologic changes are milder and more variable. Here, we show that protein levels for TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1) are significantly elevated in the hippocampus relative to TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2) in aged (22 months) but not young adult (6 months) Fischer 344 rats. To determine if altered TNF/TNFR1 interactions contribute to key brain aging biomarkers, aged rats received chronic (4–6 week) intracranial infusions of XPro1595: a soluble dominant negative TNF that preferentially inhibits TNFR1 signaling. Aged rats treated with XPro1595 showed improved Morris Water Maze performance, reduced microglial activation, reduced susceptibility to hippocampal long-term depression, increased protein levels for the GluR1 type glutamate receptor, and lower L-type voltage sensitive Ca2+ channel (VSCC) activity in hippocampal CA1 neurons. The results suggest that diverse functional changes associated with brain aging may arise, in part, from selective alterations in TNF signaling.
Deriving Modified Rankin Scores From Medical Case-Records

Background and Purpose— Modified Rankin score (mRS) is traditionally graded using a face-to-face or telephone interview. Certain stroke assessment scales can be derived from a review of a patient’s case-record alone. We hypothesized that mRS could be successfully derived from the narrative within patient case-records. Methods— Sequential patients attending our cerebrovascular outpatient clinic were included. Two independent, blinded clinicians, trained in mRS, assessed case-records to derive mRS. They scored “certainty” of their grading on a 5-point Likert scale. Agreement between derived and traditional face-to-face mRS was calculated using attribute agreement analysis. Results— Fifty patients with a range of disabilities were included. Case-record appraisers were poor at deriving mRS (k=0.34 against standard). Derived mRS grades showed poor agreement between observers (k=0.33). There was no relationship between certainty of derived mRS and proportion of correct grades (P=0.727). Conclusion— Accurate mRS cannot be derived from standard hospital records. Direct mRS interview is still required for clinical trials.
Photodissociation of CS from Excited Rovibrational Levels

Accurate photodissociation cross sections have been computed for transitions from the X 1Σ+ ground electronic state of CS to six low-lying excited electronic states. New ab initio potential curves and transition dipole moment functions have been obtained for these computations using the multi-reference configuration interaction approach with the Davidson correction (MRCI+Q) and aug-cc-pV6Z basis sets. State-resolved cross sections have been computed for transitions from nearly the full range of rovibrational levels of the X 1Σ+ state and for photon wavelengths ranging from 500 Å to threshold. Destruction of CS via predissociation in highly excited electronic states originating from the rovibrational ground state is found to be unimportant. Photodissociation cross sections are presented for temperatures in the range between 1000 and 10,000 K, where a Boltzmann distribution of initial rovibrational levels is assumed. Applications of the current computations to various astrophysical environments are briefly discussed focusing on photodissociation rates due to the standard interstellar and blackbody radiation fields.