Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Induction of Mucin and MUC5AC Expression by the Protease Activity of Aspergillus fumigatus in Airway Epithelial Cells

Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis, characterized by excessive mucus secretion, airflow limitation, bronchiectasis, and peripheral blood eosinophilia, is predominantly caused by a fungal pathogen, Aspergillus fumigatus. Using DNA microarray analysis of NCI-H292 cells, a human bronchial epithelial cell line, stimulated with fungal extracts from A. fumigatus, Alternaria alternata, or Penicillium notatum, we identified a mucin-related MUC5AC as one of the genes, the expression of which was selectively induced by A. fumigatus. Quantitative RT-PCR, ELISA, and histochemical analyses confirmed an induction of mucin and MUC5AC expression by A. fumigatus extracts or the culture supernatant of live microorganisms in NCI-H292 cells and primary cultures of airway epithelial cells. The expression of MUC5AC induced by A. fumigatus extracts diminished in the presence of neutralizing Abs or of inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor or its ligand, TGF-α. We also found that A. fumigatus extracts activated the TNF-α–converting enzyme (TACE), critical for the cleavage of membrane-bound pro–TGF-α, and its inhibition with low-molecular weight inhibitors or small interfering RNA suppressed the expression of MUC5AC. The protease activity of A. fumigatus extracts was greater than that of other fungal extracts, and treatment with a serine protease inhibitor, but not with a cysteine protease inhibitor, eliminated its ability to activate TACE or induce the expression of MUC5AC mRNA in NCI-H292. In conclusion, the prominent serine protease activity of A. fumigatus, which caused the overproduction of mucus by the bronchial epithelium via the activation of the TACE/TGF-α/epidermal growth factor receptor pathway, may be a pathogenetic mechanism of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis.
Trait Anxiety and Defensive Functioning in Relation to Antidepressant Treatment Outcome

Background: Depression can occur in patients with or without trait anxiety. Although it is assumed that assessment of defenses can be useful in planning biological treatment, no studies have confirmed this hypothesis. In this study we focus on the relation between trait anxiety and defensive functioning, and on the combined influence of these personality characteristics on response to antidepressants among inpatients with a major depressive episode. Methods: Major depressive episode was diagnosed using the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS) and the severity of the depression was measured with the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D). The level of trait anxiety was assessed using a questionnaire with 34 questions pertaining to trait anxiety. The Defense Style Questionnaire (DSQ 88) was used to assess defensive functioning followed by a weighted overall defensive functioning score (ODF). Partial correlations and multiple regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Results: The final sample included 85 patients. A significant negative effect of trait anxiety by ODF (p: 0.000) was found on the outcome score, i.e. the combination of a high score on trait anxiety and a low score on the ODF resulted in a significantly higher final score on the HAM-D. Conclusions: The most important finding in this study is that the combination of a high level of trait anxiety and immature defensive functioning evidently had a negative effect on antidepressant treatment outcome.
SURFACE SINGULARITY AND CRACK PROPAGATION

The three-dimensional singular stress field near the terminal point 0 of the crack front edge at the surface of an elastic body is investigated, using spherical coordinates r, 0, ~5 and assuming all three displacements to be of the form SpPF(B, 4) where p = distance from the singularity line (crack front edge or notch edge) and p = given constant. The variational principle governing the displacement distribution on a unit sphere about point 0, which has previously been obtained from the difIerential equations of equilibrium, is now derived more directly from potential energy. The previously developed finite element method on the unit sphere is used to reduce the problem to the form k(A)X = 0 where X = column matrix of the nodal values of displacements on the unit sphere and k(A) = square matrix, all coefficients of which are quadratic polynomials in A. It is proven that the variational principle as well as matrix k must be nonsymmetric, which means that complex eigenvalues A are possible. The dependence of A upon Poisson’s ratio Y for Mode I cracks whose front edge is normal to the surface is solved numerically and it closely agrees with the analytical solution of Benthem. Previously unavailable solutions for Modes II and III and for cracks (of all modes) with inclined front edge and inclined crack plane are also obtained. By energy flux argument, it is found that the front edge of a propagating crack fnust terminate at the surface obliquely, at a certain angle whose dependence upon the inclination of the crack plane is also solved. The angle is the same for Modes II and III, but different for Mode I. For this mode, the surface point trails behind the interior of the propagating crack, while for Modes II and III it moves ahead. Consequently, a combination of Mode I with Modes II and III is impossible at the surface terminal point of a propagating crack whose plane is orthogonal. When the plane is inclined, the three stress intensity factors can combine only in certain fixed ratios. The angle of crack edge is a function of the angle of crack plane. Rome results with complex A for two-material interfaces are also given.
Benefits of Climate-Change Mitigation for Reducing the Impacts of Sea-Level Rise in G-20 Countries

This paper assesses the potential benefits of climate-change mitigation in reducing the impacts of sea-level rise over the 21st century in G-20 countries (excluding the European Union as a whole), using the Dynamic Interactive Vulnerability Assessment model. Impacts of the expected number of people flooded annually and wetland losses were assessed. To assess the benefits of mitigation, it was assumed that defences were not upgraded during the study. Globally, with a sea-level rise of 0.68 m by the 2080s (with respect to 1980–99), representing a potential future with limited climate-change mitigation, and with the Special Report on Emissions Scenarios A1 socio-economic scenario, 123 million additional people could be flooded annually and 39% of present global wetland stock could be lost. For a 0.19-m rise in sea level, associated with a substantial reduction in emissions, the number of people flooded could be reduced to 13 million/y, with 21% of global wetland stock loss, unless new wetlands emerge. Collectively, non-Annex 1 G-20 countries experience a disproportionately higher number of people flooded in their nations compared with the proportion of population flooded globally. The greatest wetland losses for G-20 countries are projected for Australia, Indonesia, and the United States. Thus, G-20 nations with the highest emissions or gross domestic product frequently do not experience the greatest impacts, despite some of these nations being potentially more able to pay for adaptation.
Estimating a Class of Triangular Simultaneous Equations Models Without Exclusion Restrictions

This paper provides a control function estimator to adjust for endogeneity in the triangular simultaneous equations model where there are no available exclusion restrictions to generate suitable instruments. Our approach is to exploit the dependence of the errors on exogenous variables (e.g. heteroscedasticity) to adjust the conventional control function estimator. The form of the error dependence on the exogenous variables is subject to restrictions, but is not parametrically specified. In addition to providing the estimator and deriving its large-sample properties, we present simulation evidence which indicates the estimator works well.
Prediction of Therapeutic Response of Hepatocellular Carcinoma to Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization Based on Pretherapeutic Dynamic CT and Textural Findings.

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to assess the value of CT texture analysis for prediction of therapeutic response of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with pretherapeutic dynamic CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 132 HCCs in 96 patients treated with TACE who underwent dynamic CT before initial TACE. Imaging findings and arterial enhancement ratios were analyzed. All HCCs were manually segmented, and their texture features were quantitatively extracted using in-house software. CT texture was quantified with 2D and 3D analysis. HCCs were classified as with and without complete response (CR) according to modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Predictive factors for CR were assessed with multivariate analysis. Radiologic responses were correlated with time to progression (TTP). RESULTS Of the 132 HCCs, CR was achieved in 75 (56.8%). Tumor size, subjective arterial tumor attenuation, and arterial enhancement ratios were significantly associated with CR. On 2D and 3D analysis, tumors with CR showed significantly lower homogeneity and higher mean attenuation, gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) moments, and CT number percentiles (p < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, higher subjective tumor attenuation (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 23.35), arterial enhancement ratio (OR = 14.07), GLCM moments (OR = 6.57), smaller tumor size (OR = 17.26), and lower homogeneity (OR = 0.69) were significant predictors of CR compared with incomplete response (p < 0.05). Median survival value for TTP was significantly longer in tumors with CR (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Pretherapeutic dynamic CT texture analysis can be valuable to predict CR of HCC to TACE. Higher arterial enhancement and GLCM moments, lower homogeneity, and smaller tumor size are significant predictors of CR after TACE.
An mRNA structure that controls gene expression by binding FMN

The RFN element is a highly conserved domain that is found frequently in the 5′-untranslated regions of prokaryotic mRNAs that encode for flavin mononucleotide (FMN) biosynthesis and transport proteins. We report that this domain serves as the receptor for a metabolite-dependent riboswitch that directly binds FMN in the absence of proteins. Our results also indicate that in Bacillus subtilis, the riboswitch most likely controls gene expression by causing premature transcription termination of the ribDEAHT operon and precluding access to the ribosome-binding site of ypaA mRNA. Sequence and structural analyses indicate that the RFN element is a natural FMN-binding aptamer, the allosteric character of which is harnessed to control gene expression.
On hierarchical routing in doubling metrics

We study the problem of routing in doubling metrics, and show how to perform hierarchical routing in such metrics with small stretch and compact routing tables (i.e., with small amount of routing information stored at each vertex). We say that a metric (<i>X, d</i>) has <i>doubling dimension</i> dim(<i>X</i>) at most α if every set of diameter <i>D</i> can be covered by 2<sup>α</sup> sets of diameter <i>D</i>/2. (A <i>doubling metric</i> is one whose doubling dimension dim(<i>X</i>) is a constant. ) We show how to perform (1 + τ)-stretch routing on metrics for any 0 < <i>T</i> ≤ 1 with routing tables of size at most (α/τ)<sup><i>O</i>(α)</sup> log<sup>2</sup> Δ bits with only (α/τ)<sup><i>O</i>(α)</sup> log Δ <i>entries</i>, where Δ is the diameter of the graph; hence the number of routing table entries is just τ<sup>-<i>O</i>(1)</sup> log Δ for doubling metrics. These results extend and improve on those of Talwar (2004). We also give better constructions of sparse <i>spanners</i> for doubling metrics than those obtained from the routing tables above; for τ > 0, we give algorithms to construct (1 + τ)-stretch spanners for a metric (<i>X, d</i>) with maximum degree at most (2 + 1/τ)<sup><i>O</i>(dim(<i>X</i>))</sup>, matching the results of Das et al. for Euclidean metrics.
Global Characteristics of Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves Deduced From Swarm Satellites

It is well known that electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves play an important role in controlling particle dynamics inside the Earth's magnetosphere, especially in the outer radiation belt. In order to understand the results of wave‐particle interactions due to EMIC waves, it is important to know how the waves are distributed and what features they have. In this paper, we present some statistical analyses on the spatial distribution of EMIC waves in the low Earth orbit by using Swarm satellites from December 2013 to June 2017 (~3.5 years) as a function of magnetic local time, magnetic latitude, and magnetic longitude. We also study the wave characteristics such as ellipticity, wave normal angle, peak frequency, and wave power using our automatic wave detection algorithm based on the method of Bortnik et al. (2007, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JA011900). We also investigate the geomagnetic control of the EMIC waves by comparing with geomagnetic activity represented by Kp and Dst indices. We find that EMIC waves are detected with a peak occurrence rate at midlatitude including subauroral region, dawn sector (3–7 magnetic local time), and linear polarization dominated with an oblique propagating direction to the background magnetic field. In addition, our result shows that the waves have some relation with geomagnetic activity; that is, they occur preferably during the geomagnetic storm's late recovery phase at low Earth orbit.
BK Channels Mediate Cholinergic Inhibition of High Frequency Cochlear Hair Cells

Background Outer hair cells are the specialized sensory cells that empower the mammalian hearing organ, the cochlea, with its remarkable sensitivity and frequency selectivity. Sound-evoked receptor potentials in outer hair cells are shaped by both voltage-gated K+ channels that control the membrane potential and also ligand-gated K+ channels involved in the cholinergic efferent modulation of the membrane potential. The objectives of this study were to investigate the tonotopic contribution of BK channels to voltage- and ligand-gated currents in mature outer hair cells from the rat cochlea. Methodology/Principal Findings In this work we used patch clamp electrophysiology and immunofluorescence in tonotopically defined segments of the rat cochlea to determine the contribution of BK channels to voltage- and ligand-gated currents in outer hair cells. Although voltage and ligand-gated currents have been investigated previously in hair cells from the rat cochlea, little is known about their tonotopic distribution or potential contribution to efferent inhibition. We found that apical (low frequency) outer hair cells had no BK channel immunoreactivity and little or no BK current. In marked contrast, basal (high frequency) outer hair cells had abundant BK channel immunoreactivity and BK currents contributed significantly to both voltage-gated and ACh-evoked K+ currents. Conclusions/Significance Our findings suggest that basal (high frequency) outer hair cells may employ an alternative mechanism of efferent inhibition mediated by BK channels instead of SK2 channels. Thus, efferent synapses may use different mechanisms of action both developmentally and tonotopically to support high frequency audition. High frequency audition has required various functional specializations of the mammalian cochlea, and as shown in our work, may include the utilization of BK channels at efferent synapses. This mechanism of efferent inhibition may be related to the unique acetylcholine receptors that have evolved in mammalian hair cells compared to those of other vertebrates.
Modification of palm kernel oil esters nanoemulsions with hydrocolloid gum for enhanced topical delivery of ibuprofen

Introduction During recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of nanoemulsion as a drug-carrier system for topical delivery. A nanoemulsion is a transparent mixture of oil, surfactant and water with a very low viscosity, usually the product of its high water content. The present study investigated the modification of nanoemulsions with different hydrocolloid gums, to enhanced drug delivery of ibuprofen. The in vitro characterization of the initial and modified nanoemulsions was also studied. Methods A palm kernel oil esters nanoemulsion was modified with different hydrocolloid gums for the topical delivery of ibuprofen. Three different hydrocolloids (gellan gum, xanthan gum, and carrageenan) were selected for use. Ternary phase diagrams were constructed using palm kernel oil esters as the oil, Tween 80 as the surfactant, and water. Nanoemulsions were prepared by phase inversion composition, and were gradually mixed with the freshly prepared hydrocolloids. The initial nanoemulsion and modified nanoemulsions were characterized. The abilities of the nanoemulsions to deliver ibuprofen were assessed in vitro, using a Franz diffusion cell fitted with rat skin. Results No significant changes were observed in droplet size (~16–20 nm) but a significant difference in polydispersity indexes were observed before and after the modification of nanoemulsions using gellan gum, carrageenan, and xanthan gum. The zeta potentials of the initial nanoemulsions (−11.0 mV) increased to −19.6 mV, −13.9 mV, and −41.9 mV, respectively. The abilities of both the initial nanoemulsion (T802) and the modified nanoemulsion to deliver ibuprofen through the skin were evaluated in vitro, using Franz diffusion cells fitted with rat skin. The in vitro permeation data showed that the modified nanoemulsion (Kp value of 55.4 × 10−3 cm · h−1) increased the permeability of ibuprofen 4.40 times over T802 (Kp value of 12.6 × 10−3 cm · h−1) (P < 0.05). Conclusion The modified nanoemulsion may be a promising vehicle to enhance the permeation of ibuprofen for topical delivery.
Role of Different Subpopulations of CD8+ T Cells during HIV Exposure and Infection

During HIV infection, specific responses exhibited by CD8+ T cells are crucial to establish an early, effective, and sustained viral control, preventing severe immune alterations and organ dysfunction. Several CD8+ T cells subsets have been identified, exhibiting differences in terms of activation, functional profile, and ability to limit HIV replication. Some of the most important CD8+ T cells subsets associated with viral control, production of potent antiviral molecules, and strong polyfunctional responses include Th1-like cytokine pattern and Tc17 cells. In addition, the expression of specific activation markers has been also associated with a more effective response of CD8+ T cells, as evidenced in HLA-DR+ CD38− cells. CD8+ T cells in both, peripheral blood and gut mucosa, are particularly important in individuals with a resistant phenotype, including HIV-exposed seronegative individuals (HESNs), long-term non-progressors (LTNPs) and HIV-controllers. Although the role of CD8+ T cells has been extensively explored in the context of an established HIV-1 infection, the presence of HIV-specific cells with effector abilities and a defined functional profile in HESNs, remain poorly understood. Here, we reviewed studies carried out on different subpopulations of CD8+ T cells in relation with natural resistance to HIV infection and progression.
Stillbirths in the United States, 1981-2000: an age, period, and cohort analysis.

OBJECTIVES We examined age, period, and cohort (APC) effects on temporal trends in stillbirths among Black and White women in the United States. METHODS We conducted a cohort study of Black and White women who delivered a singleton live-born or stillborn infant during 1981 through 2000. We analyzed stillbirth rates at 20 or more weeks of gestation within 7 age groups, 4 periods, and 10 "central" birth cohorts after adjusting for confounders. RESULTS In both racial groups, women younger than 20 years or 35 years or older were at increased risk of stillbirth; risks decreased over successive periods in all age groups. Birth cohort had no impact on stillbirth trends among Blacks and only a small, nonsignificant effect among Whites. Analyses of various APC combinations showed that Blacks were at a 1.2- to 2.9-fold increased risk for stillbirth relative to Whites. Attributable fractions for stillbirth because of age, period, and cohort effects were 16.5%, 24.9%, and 0.1%, respectively, among Black women and 14.5%, 36.2%, and 2.1%, respectively, among White women. CONCLUSIONS Strong effects of age and period were observed in stillbirth trends, but these factors do not explain the persistent stillbirth disparity between Black and White women.
Osteochondral Defects of the Talus Treated with Fresh Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation

Between 1980 and 1996, 9 patients with osteocartilagenous lesions of the talus were treated surgically using fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation. In 8 cases the reason for surgery was osteochondritis dissecans (4 of these cases had a previous traumatic injury). In 1 case a fresh osteochondral allograft of the talus was required following a traumatic open fracture of the talus sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Of these 9 grafts, 6 grafts remain in situ with a mean survival of 11 years (range 4 to 19). In the three cases requiring fusion the reason for surgery was not related to arthritic deterioration but due to resorption and fragmentation of the graft.
Coherent functors in stable homotopy theory

Coherent functorsS! Ab from a compactly generated triangulated cat- egory into the category of abelian groups are studied. This is inspired by Auslander's classical analysis of coherent functors from a xed abelian category into abelian groups. We characterize coherent functors and their ltered colimits in various ways. In addition, we investigate certain subcategories ofS which arise from families of coherent functors. LetS be a compactly generated triangulated category, for example the stable homotopy category of CW-spectra. We call a functor F : S ! Ab into the category of abelian groups coherent if there exists an exact sequence
Citrullination of proteins: a common post-translational modification pathway induced by different nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo.

AIM Rapidly expanding manufacture and use of nanomaterials emphasize the requirements for thorough assessment of health outcomes associated with novel applications. Post-translational protein modifications catalyzed by Ca(2+)-dependent peptidylargininedeiminases have been shown to trigger immune responses including autoantibody generation, a hallmark of immune complexes deposition in rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess if nanoparticles are able to promote protein citrullination. MATERIALS & METHODS Human A549 and THP-1 cells were exposed to silicon dioxide, carbon black or single-walled carbon nanotubes. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to respirable single-walled carbon nanotubes. Protein citrullination, peptidylargininedeiminases activity and target proteins were evaluated. RESULTS The studied nanoparticles induced protein citrullination both in cultured human cells and mouse lung tissues. Citrullination occurred via the peptidylargininedeiminase-dependent mechanism. Cytokeratines 7, 8, 18 and plectins were identified as intracellular citrullination targets. CONCLUSION Nanoparticle exposure facilitated post-translational citrullination of proteins.