Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Liver X Receptor in Correlation with Other Nuclear Receptors in Spontaneous and Recurrent Abortions

The liver X receptors (LXRs) have been shown to be crucially involved in maternal-fetal cholesterol transport and placentation. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern and frequency of LXR under normal physiological circumstances and in spontaneous abortion and/or recurrent miscarriage. A total of 29 (12 physiologic pregnancies/10 spontaneous abortions/7 recurrent miscarriages) human pregnancies in first trimester were analysed for LXR expression. Expression changes were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for receptor and quantitative RT-PCR (TaqMan) was performed to determine the level of LXR mRNA expression. We also stained for RXRα and PPARγ as possible heterodimers of LXR. LXR expression was downregulated in the syncytiotrophoblast of spontaneous abortion placentas compared to normal pregnancy. In recurrent miscarriage there was a trend for a downregulation. Decidua showed an even stronger downregulation in both groups. In the syncytiotrophoblast we found a positive correlation for the combination of LXR/PPARγ in abortions and a negative correlation for LXR/RXRα. In addition, double-immunofluorescence staining showed that LXR as well as RXRα and PPARγ are expressed by the extravillous trophoblast. Finally, RXRα and LXR showed coexpression in the same extravillous trophoblast cells. To conclude, our data show that LXR expression is decreased in miscarriage.
Neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis involves multiple pathogenic mechanisms

Abstract Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex autoimmune disease that impairs the central nervous system (CNS). The neurological disability and clinical course of the disease is highly variable and unpredictable from one patient to another. The cause of MS is still unknown, but it is thought to occur in genetically susceptible individuals who develop disease due to a nongenetic trigger, such as altered metabolism, a virus, or other environmental factors. MS patients develop progressive, irreversible, neurological disability associated with neuronal and axonal damage, collectively known as neurodegeneration. Neurodegeneration was traditionally considered as a secondary phenomenon to inflammation and demyelination. However, recent data indicate that neurodegeneration develops along with inflammation and demyelination. Thus, MS is increasingly recognized as a neurodegenerative disease triggered by an inflammatory attack of the CNS. While both inflammation and demyelination are well described and understood cellular processes, neurodegeneration might be defined by a diverse pool of any of the following: neuronal cell death, apoptosis, necrosis, and virtual hypoxia. In this review, we present multiple theories and supporting evidence that identify common biological processes that contribute to neurodegeneration in MS.
An Electronic Publication Dedicated to Early Stellar Evolution and Molecular Clouds the First X-shooter Observations of Jets from Young Stars

s of recently accepted papers Sub-arcsecond [FeII] spectro-imaging of the DG Tau jet: Periodic bubbles and a dusty disk wind? Context: The origin of protostellar jets as well as their impact on the regulation of angular momentum and the inner disk physics are still crucial open questions in star formation. Aims: We aim to test the different proposed ejection processes in T Tauri stars through high-angular resolution observations of forbidden-line emission from the inner DG Tauri microjet. Methods: We present spectro-imaging observations of the DG Tauri jet obtained with SINFONI/VLT in the lines of [Fe ii]λ1.64 µm, 1.53µm with 0. ′′ 15 angular resolution and R=3000 spectral resolution. We analyze the morphology and kinematics, derive electronic densities and mass-flux rates and discuss the implications for proposed jet launching models. Results: (1) We observe an onion-like velocity structure in [Fe ii] in the blueshifted jet, similar to that observed in optical lines. High-velocity (HV) gas at ≃-200 km s −1 is collimated inside a half-opening angle of 4 • and medium-velocity (MV) gas at ≃-100 km s −1 in a cone with an half-opening angle 14 •. (2) Two new axial jet knots are detected in the blue jet, as well as a more distant bubble with corresponding counter-bubble. The periodic knot ejection timescale is revised downward to 2.5 yrs. (3) The redshifted jet is detected only beyond 0. ′′ 7 from the star, yielding revised constraints on the disk surface density. (4) From comparison to [O i] data we infer iron depletion of a factor 3 at high velocities and a factor 10 at speeds below-100 km s −1. (5) The mass-fluxes in each of the medium and high-velocity components of the blueshifted lobe are ≃ 1.6 ± 0.8 × 10 −8 M ⊙ yr −1 , representing 0.02–0.2 of the disk accretion rate. Conclusions: The medium-velocity conical [Fe ii] flow in the DG Tau jet is too fast and too narrow to trace photo-evaporated matter from the disk atmosphere. Both its kinematics and collimation cannot be reproduced by the X-wind, nor can the " conical magnetospheric wind ". The level of Fe gas phase depletion in the DG Tau medium-velocity component also rules out a stellar wind and a cocoon ejected sideways from the high-velocity beam. A quasi-steady centrifugal MHD disk wind ejected over 0.25–1.5 AU and/or episodic magnetic tower cavities launched from the disk appear as the most …
Mechanical in-plane behaviour of masonry walls reinforced by composite materials: Experimental and analytical approaches

Masonry is a traditional building system in most countries of the world, including France. However, in recent decades, earthquakes have caused significant damage to masonry structures. The possibility of using textile-reinforced concrete or fibre-reinforced polymers to strengthen masonry structures has been recently assessed. This article addresses the effectiveness of externally bonded composite materials, particularly those based on newly developed cementitious matrices, to strengthen masonry structures. Experimental tests were performed in a previous study on six masonry walls, five of which were strengthened on both sides with either textile-reinforced concrete or fibre-reinforced polymers. This experimental campaign has been supplemented to determine the mechanical properties of the materials involved in design models, and it is used to check the potential of analytical models to predict lateral strength. This study identifies the interests and the restrictions governing the use of traditional empirical design approaches (employed for fibre-reinforced polymer-strengthened walls) when next-generation textile-reinforced concrete composites are used as strengthening materials. Adjustments taking into account the specificities of textile-reinforced concrete behaviour have been introduced, and their impact on the relevance of the models has been quantified.
Bio-inspired Stimuli-responsive Mechanically Dynamic Nanocomposites

By KADHIRAVAN SHANMUGANATHAN Polymer nanocomposites that exhibit stimuli responsive changes in morphology and mechanical behavior are interesting materials for ‘smart’ protective devices or adaptive biomaterials. This dissertation deals with the development of bio-inspired stimuliresponsive mechanically dynamic materials based on the dermis of sea cucumbers. The new materials were based on a low-modulus matrix polymers that were reinforced with a percolating cellulose nanofiber network. Owing to the abundance of surface hydroxyl groups, the cellulose nanofibers display strong interactions between themselves, causing the evenly dispersed percolating nanocomposites to display a high stiffness. The nanofiber-nanofiber interactions were largely switched off by the introduction of a chemical regulator that allows for competitive hydrogen bonding, resulting in a significant decrease in the stiffness of the material. Using a host polymer with a thermal transition in a regime of interest, nanocomposites that demonstrate more than three orders of magnitude modulus changes have been developed. Tensile storage modulus of PVAc, which has a glass transition of about 42-56 °C (above physiological temperature) increased to about 5 GPa with incorporation of 16.5% v/v tunicate cellulose nanofibers. Exposure to water or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) at 37 °C (to simulate physiological conditions) resulted in an uptake of 70-80 %w/w fluid, shift in Tg of the PVAc to about 20 °C and a drop in tensile storage modulus of the materials at 37 °C to about 12 MPa. The enhanced mechanical contrast achieved in these materials (5 GPa to 12 MPa) was a significant advancement over the proof of concept material (800 MPa to 20MPa) developed earlier by Capadona et al. and the dry state
Glomerular filtration rate and kidney volume in normoalbuminuric non-insulin-dependent diabetics--lack of glomerular hyperfiltration and renal hypertrophy in uncomplicated NIDDM.

UNLABELLED Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and kidney volume were evaluated in 18 healthy normoalbuminuric non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients and compared to 12 healthy controls matched for sex, age and body mass index (BMI). The patients (12 males, six females) were 61.6 +/- 3.4 (mean +/- SD) years old, the known diabetes duration was 5 +/- 4.8 years, fasting plasma glucose 8.6 +/- 2.3 mmol/l, urinary albumin excretion rate 7.9 x/divided by 2.0 micrograms/min, BMI 26.8 +/- 2.8 kg/m2 and blood pressure systolic/diastolic 145 +/- 19/82 +/- 7 mmHg. The GFR was measured by the plasma clearance of [51Cr]EDTA, using a single shot procedure. The kidney volume was measured by ultrasonic scanning. The GFR was not increased in diabetics: 100.4 +/- 16.7 ml/min/1.73 m2 as compared to controls: 93.8 +/- 11.4 ml/min/1.73 m2. The kidney volume was similar in the two groups. Diabetics: 231.1 +/- 33.4 ml/1.73 m2. CONTROLS 236.3 +/- 45.7 ml/1.73 m2. There was a borderline significant correlation between kidney volume and GFR (r = 0.40, p = 0.10) in diabetics. No correlation between glycosylated haemoglobin and GFR was found in diabetics. In contrast to the findings in insulin-dependent diabetes renal hypertrophy and hyperfunction were not characteristic features in this series of non-insulin-dependent diabetics. It is suggested that diabetic glomerulopathy is not always a consequence of long-standing hyperfiltration.
Effects of Acute Stress-Induced Immunomodulation on Th1/Th2 Cytokine and Catecholamine Receptor Expression in Human Peripheral Blood Cells

Aims: There is evidence that psychological stress can modulate immune functions. It has been hypothesized that acute stressors can affect both immune balance (including Th1 and Th2 cytokines) and expression of stress hormone receptors. This study investigated the impact of an acute stressor on gene expressions of glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) in leukocytes. The effect on T regulatory cells (Treg), regulatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β, Th1 and Th2 cytokines and their receptors IFN-γR and IL-4R was also studied. Method: Fourteen normal volunteers completed an acute laboratory stressor, and blood samples were collected before, immediately after, and 1, 2, 6 and 24 h after completion of the tasks. Cytokine production and Treg were determined by flow cytometry. Gene expressions of receptors were analyzed by real-time PCR. Results: IFN-γ was increased immediately and 1 h after stressor (p < 0.05, respectively) and upregulation of IFN-γR mRNA was noted at 2, 6 and 24 h (p < 0.01, respectively). IL-10 was decreased at 2 h (p < 0.01). There were no significant changes in post-task IL-4R, Treg, or TGF-β. β2AR mRNA was increased at 2, 6 and 24 h (p < 0.01, respectively). On the other hand, no significant alterations were observed in GR expression. Conclusion: An acute stressor increased Th1 cytokine production and its receptor expression. β2AR but not GR was significantly increased after an acute stressor, which supports the hypothesis that catecholamine-mediated signal pathways in communication with the central nervous and immune systems play a fundamental role in acute stress-mediated immune alterations.
Comparison of Detailed Modeling Techniques for MMC Employed on VSC-HVDC Schemes

Modular multilevel converters (MMC) are presently the converter topology of choice for voltage-source converter high-voltage direct-current (VSC-HVDC) transmission schemes due to their very high efficiency. These converters are complex, yet fast and detailed electromagnetic transients simulation models are necessary for the research and development of these transmission schemes. Excellent work has been done in this area, though little objective comparison of the models proposed has yet been undertaken. This paper compares for the first time, the three leading techniques for producing detailed MMC VSC-HVDC models in terms of their accuracy and simulation speed for several typical simulation cases. In addition, an improved model is proposed which further improves the computational efficiency of one method. This paper concludes by presenting evidence-based recommendations for which detailed models are most suitable for which particular studies.
Effect of Rhodophyta extracts on in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics, methanogenesis and microbial populations

Objective Due to the threat of global warming, the livestock industry is increasingly interested in exploring how feed additives may reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, especially from ruminants. This study investigated the effect of Rhodophyta supplemented bovine diets on in vitro rumen fermentation and rumen microbial diversity. Methods Cannulated Holstein cows were used as rumen fluid donors. Rumen fluid:buffer (1:2; 15 mL) solution was incubated for up to 72 h in six treatments: a control (timothy hay only), along with substrates containing 5% extracts from five Rhodophyta species (Grateloupia lanceolata [Okamura] Kawaguchi, Hypnea japonica Tanaka, Pterocladia capillacea [Gmelin] Bornet, Chondria crassicaulis Harvey, or Gelidium amansii [Lam.] Lamouroux). Results Compared with control, Rhodophyta extracts increased cumulative gas production after 24 and 72 h (p = 0.0297 and p = 0.0047). The extracts reduced methane emission at 12 and 24 h (p<0.05). In particular, real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that at 24 h, ciliate-associated methanogens, Ruminococcus albus and Ruminococcus flavefaciens decreased at 24 h (p = 0.0002, p<0.0001, and p<0.0001), while Fibrobacter succinogenes (F. succinogenes) increased (p = 0.0004). Additionally, Rhodophyta extracts improved acetate concentration at 12 and 24 h (p = 0.0766 and p = 0.0132), as well as acetate/propionate (A/P) ratio at 6 and 12 h (p = 0.0106 and p = 0.0278). Conclusion Rhodophyta extracts are a viable additive that can improve ruminant growth performance (higher total gas production, lower A/P ratio) and methane abatement (less ciliate-associated methanogens, Ruminococcus albus and Ruminococcus flavefaciens and more F. succinogenes.
The Correlation of Workplace Simulation-Based Assessments With Interns’ Infant Lumbar Puncture Success: A Prospective, Multicenter, Observational Study

Introduction Little data are available to guide supervisors’ decisions regarding when trainees are prepared to safely perform their first procedure on a patient. We aimed to describe the correlation of simulation-based assessments, in the workplace, with interns’ first clinical infant lumbar puncture (ILP) success. Methods This is a prospective, observational subcomponent of a larger study of incoming interns at 33 academic medical centers (July 2010 to June 2012) assessing the impact of just-in-time training. When an intern’s patient required an ILP, a just-in-time simulation-based skills refresher was conducted with his or her supervisor. At the end of the refresher, supervisors assessed interns’ ILP skills on a simulator in the workplace before clinical performance using a four point anchored scale. The primary outcome was the correlation of supervisors’ assessment and interns’ procedural success. The number needed to assess for this instrument (1 / absolute risk reduction) was calculated. Results A total of 1600 interns were eligible to participate, and 1215 were enrolled. A total of 297 completed an assessment and a subsequent clinical ILP. Success rates for each scale rating were 29% (18/63) for novice, 39% (51/130) for beginner, 55% (46/83) for competent, and 43% (9/21) for proficient. The correlation coefficient was 0.161 (95% confidence interval, 0.057–0.265), indicating a weak correlation between supervisor rating and success. Success rate was 53% for the ratings of competent or proficient compared with 35% for the ratings of novice or beginner. Using the global rating scale for the summative assessment to determine procedural readiness could lead to 1 fewer patient experiencing a failed ILP for every 6 interns tested (6.2; 95% confidence interval, 4.0–8.5). Conclusions A simulation-based assessment of interns conducted in the workplace before their first ILP has some value in predicting clinical ILP success.
Shotgun proteomics data from multiple organisms reveals remarkable quantitative conservation of the eukaryotic core proteome

Genome‐wide, absolute quantification of expressed proteins is not yet within reach for most eukaryotes. However, large numbers of MS‐based protein identifications have been deposited in databases, together with information on the observation frequencies of each peptide spectrum (“spectral counts”). We have conducted a meta‐analysis using several million peptide observations from five model eukaryotes, establishing a consistent, semi‐quantitative analysis pipeline. By inferring and comparing protein abundances across orthologs, we observe: (i) the accuracy of spectral counting predictions increases with sampling depth and can rival that of direct biochemical measurements, (ii) the quantitative makeup of the consistently observed core proteome in eukaryotes is remarkably stable, with abundance correlations exceeding RS=0.7 at an evolutionary distance greater than 1000 million years, and (iii) some groups of proteins are more constrained than others. We argue that our observations reveal stabilizing selection: central parts of the eukaryotic proteome appear to be expressed at well‐balanced, near‐optimal abundance levels. This is consistent with our further observations that essential proteins show lower abundance variations than non‐essential proteins, and that gene families that tend to undergo gene duplications are less well constrained than families that keep a single‐copy status.
Detection Assays for HIV Proteins

This updated unit describes four assays for detection of HIV proteins including: (1) a quantitative ELISA, (2) a quantitative immunoblotting assay, (3) a qualitative immunofluorescence assay, and (4) a functional assay to measure virus‐associated reverse transcriptase activity as an indicator of viral production.
Hydrodynamics of Suspensions of Passive and Active Rigid Particles: A Rigid Multiblob Approach

We develop a rigid multiblob method for numerically solving the mobility problem for suspensions of passive and active rigid particles of complex shape in Stokes flow in unconfined, partially confined, and fully confined geometries. As in a number of existing methods, we discretize rigid bodies using a collection of minimally-resolved spherical blobs constrained to move as a rigid body, to arrive at a potentially large linear system of equations for the unknown Lagrange multipliers and rigid-body motions. Here we develop a block-diagonal preconditioner for this linear system and show that a standard Krylov solver converges in a modest number of iterations that is essentially independent of the number of particles. For unbounded suspensions and suspensions sedimented against a single no-slip boundary, we rely on existing analytical expressions for the Rotne-Prager tensor combined with a fast multipole method or a direct summation on a Graphical Processing Unit to obtain an simple yet efficient and scalable implementation. For fully confined domains, such as periodic suspensions or suspensions confined in slit and square channels, we extend a recently-developed rigid-body immersed boundary method to suspensions of freely-moving passive or active rigid particles at zero Reynolds number. We demonstrate that the iterative solver for the coupled fluid and rigid body equations converges in a bounded number of iterations regardless of the system size. We optimize a number of parameters in the iterative solvers and apply our method to a variety of benchmark problems to carefully assess the accuracy of the rigid multiblob approach as a function of the resolution. We also model the dynamics of colloidal particles studied in recent experiments, such as passive boomerangs in a slit channel, as well as a pair of non-Brownian active nanorods sedimented against a wall.
Subchronic/chronic toxicity of 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (HpCDD) in rats. Part II. Biochemical effects.

Groups of 20 male and 20 female rats were given five different oral doses of 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (HpCDD) or one dose of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) divided into four daily loading doses and six biweekly maintenance doses. The dosing period was 13 weeks, after which half of the rats were necropsied and the rest assigned to an off-dose period of another 13 weeks. At the end of the dosing period, liver ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity was dose-dependently increased starting at the lowest dose (7- to 10-fold) with maximum induction (50- to 100-fold) at the middle or second highest dose. There was a slight reversibility of this effect in HpCDD-treated rats, particularly at lower doses, and a pronounced reversibility in TCDD-dosed rats, both in accordance with respective toxicokinetics. The activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in liver was dose-dependently decreased (up to 60%) at the two or three highest doses of HpCDD and also in the TCDD dosage group. Liver tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase activity was decreased at the two highest doses of HpCDD (up to 41%), particularly in females. Serum tryptophan concentrations were elevated in rats found moribund due to wasting. There was a dose-dependent decrease in serum glucose concentrations (up to 30%) at the end of the dosing period. Serum thyroxin (T4) concentrations showed a dose-dependent decrease (78% at the highest dose) beginning in the middle dose for HpCDD and in the TCDD dosage group. Serum triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations were only slightly affected, except that they were somewhat decreased in moribund animals. The results demonstrate that similar biochemical changes occur in rats after single as after multiple dosing with HpCDD and TCDD. Based on these endpoints, the relative potency of HpCDD after subchronic exposure is in agreement with the international toxic equivalency factor (I-TEF) of 0.01 and, more specifically, with a TEF of 0.007 based on LD50 values in the same strain of rats.