Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proteinase-activated receptor-2-mediated matrix metalloproteinase-9 release from airway epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) digest extracellular matrix components and might be important mediators of tissue remodeling. Proteinase activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) is expressed in a variety of cell types including epithelial cells. PAR-2 receptors are activated by serine proteases such as trypsin and mast cell tryptase and have been implicated in inflammation. OBJECTIVE To study the effects of PAR-2-mediated airway epithelial cell activation on the production of MMP-9. METHODS A specific PAR-2-activating peptide and trypsin were used to activate the human airway epithelial cell line A549 as well as primary cultures of small airway epithelial cells (SAEC). MMP-2 and MMP-9 messenger RNA and enzymatic activity were evaluated by RT-PCR and gelatin zymography, respectively. RESULTS PAR-2-activating peptides upregulated MMP-9 mRNA expression and release of MMP-9 enzymatic activity from airway epithelial cells but had no effect on MMP-2 production. Dexamethasone and budesonide (10(-6) to 10(-10) mmol) inhibited PAR-2-mediated MMP-9 release. Pretreatment with indomethacin indicated that MMP-9 release was not prostaglandin dependent. Inhibitors of the MAP kinase MEK- 1, and NFkappaB showed that both pathways are important for PAR-2-mediated MMP-9 release. Trypsin, a physiologic PAR-2 activator, upregulated MMP-9 but also MMP-2 release from airway epithelial cells. CONCLUSION PAR-2 receptors appear to play an important role in the regulation of MMP-9 release from airway epithelial cells. As such, these receptors may be critical elements in tissue remodeling in asthma and other inflammatory conditions in the airways.
Innate Multigene Family Memories Are Implicated in the Viral-Survivor Zebrafish Phenotype

Since adaptive features such as memory were discovered in mammalian innate immunity, interest in the immunological status of primitive vertebrates after infections has grown. In this context, we used zebrafish (Danio rerio), a primitive vertebrate species suited to molecular and genetic studies to explore transcriptional memories of the immune system in long-term survivors of viral haemorrhagic septicemia virus infections. Immune-gene targeted microarrays designed in-house, multipath genes, gene set enrichment, and leading-edge analysis, reveal unexpected consistent correlations between the viral-survivor phenotype and several innate multigene families. Thus, here we describe in survivors of infections the upregulation of the multigene family of proteasome subunit macropains, zebrafish-specific novel gene sets, mitogen activated protein kinases, and epidermal growth factor. We also describe the downregulation of the multigene families of c-reactive proteins, myxovirus-induced proteins and novel immunoglobulin-type receptors. The strength of those immunological memories was reflected by the exceptional similarity of the transcriptional profiles of survivors before and after re-infection compared with primary infected fish. On the other hand, the high levels of neutralizing antibodies in the blood plasma of survivors contrasted with the depletion of transcripts specific for most cell types present in lymphoid organs. Therefore, long-term survivors maintained unexpected molecular/cellular memories of previous viral encounters by modulating the expression levels of innate multigene families as well as having specific adaptive antibodies. The implications of the so-called "trained immunity" for future research in this field are also discussed.
Variations in Regional Sweat Composition in Normal Human Males

This project aimed to quantify the regional distribution of sweat composition over the skin surface and to determine whether sweat constituent concentrations collected from regional sites can estimate whole‐body concentrations. Ten males cycled for 90 min in a 20°C (50% relative humidity) environment at 45% peak aerobic power. Sweat was collected from eleven skin regions and the whole body, using a wash‐down technique. Strong relationships were evident between the regional and whole‐body sweat [Na+] and [Cl‐], such that the thigh and calf exhibited greater correlation coefficients than area‐weighted means derived from four and eight skin regions. Therefore, in this particular protocol the whole‐body sweat [Na+] and [Cl‐] could be predicted from regional sweat collections. Relationships between sweat constituents were evident for sweat [Na+] and pH, and sweat [K+] and [lactate] when data were pooled between skin regions and subjects. To our knowledge this is the first investigation to report a positive relationship between sweat [K+] and [lactate]. The exact mechanism responsible for the positive relationship between sweat [K+] and [lactate] is uncertain although it is speculated to occur at the secretory coil.
Vegetation change in herbaceous Carolina bays of the Upper Coastal Plain

JOHN M. MULHOUSE (Under the Direction of REBECCA R. SHARITZ) ABSTRACT While hydrologic condition is not the only driver of plant species composition in herbaceous wetlands, it is considered to exert the strongest influence on species composition. The vegetation of thirteen herbaceous Carolina bay wetlands of the South Carolina Upper Coastal Plain was sampled during inundation; the seed bank of four of these bays was also sampled. In 2002, toward the end of a multi-year drought, vegetation was re-sampled and compared to the previous data sets. Bays generally had higher species richness by 2002, but the increase was not significant. All bays lost aquatic species while grasses increased dramatically in occurrence. Woody plants also established. Results were consistent with cyclic models of Carolina bay vegetation dynamics. There was little relationship between species that were in the vegetation and their occurrence in the seed bank. The vegetation of herbaceous Carolina bays appears to be resilient, cycling as climate-driven wetland conditions oscillate.
Prevalence of the Congenital Long-QT Syndrome

Background— The prevalence of genetic arrhythmogenic diseases is unknown. For the long-QT syndrome (LQTS), figures ranging from 1:20 000 to 1:5000 were published, but none was based on actual data. Our objective was to define the prevalence of LQTS. Methods and Results— In 18 maternity hospitals, an ECG was performed in 44 596 infants 15 to 25 days old (43 080 whites). In infants with a corrected QT interval (QTc) >450 ms, the ECG was repeated within 1 to 2 weeks. Genetic analysis, by screening 7 LQTS genes, was performed in 28 of 31 (90%) and in 14 of 28 infants (50%) with, respectively, a QTc >470 ms or between 461 and 470 ms. A QTc of 451 to 460, 461 to 470, and >470 ms was observed in 177 (0.41%), 28 (0.06%), and 31 infants (0.07%). Among genotyped infants, disease-causing mutations were found in 12 of 28 (43%) with a QTc >470 ms and in 4 of 14 (29%) with a QTc of 461 to 470 ms. One genotype-negative infant (QTc 482 ms) was diagnosed as affected by LQTS on clinical grounds. Among family members of genotype-positive infants, 51% were found to carry disease-causing mutations. In total, 17 of 43 080 white infants were affected by LQTS, demonstrating a prevalence of at least 1:2534 apparently healthy live births (95% confidence interval, 1:1583 to 1:4350). Conclusions— This study provides the first data-based estimate of the prevalence of LQTS among whites. On the basis of the nongenotyped infants with QTc between 451 and 470 ms, we advance the hypothesis that this prevalence might be close to 1:2000. ECG-guided molecular screening can identify most infants affected by LQTS and unmask affected relatives, thus allowing effective preventive measures.
Comparative analyses of farm resource efficiencies in rice production under smallscale farmer-managed irrigation schemes and rainfed systems in Kogi State, Nigeria.

This study compared technical efficiencies of rice production in farmer-managed irrigation(FMIS) and rainfed systems(RFS) on rice farms in Kogi State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected from 60 farmers in each system (total =120 farmers). The stochastic frontier model was used to determine the technical efficiency of the rice farmers in both systems. The estimated elasticities of rice output with respect to land, fertilizer, family labour, seeds, and water were statistically significant in the FMIS. Their respective elasticities were 0.33, 0.010, 0.075, 0.151 and 0.165. Land size and fertilizer were statistically significant in the RFS. Elasticities of rice output with respect to land and chemical fertilizer utilized were 0.276 and 0.024 respectively. The mean technical efficiency of the FMIS was 73% while RFS had 90%. Significant difference existed in the technical efficiencies of the two groups. The returns to scales estimated (0.813, and 0.476) were decreasing. Farming experience, education and extension contacts exerted significant effects on the technical linefficiencies of the FMIS. Under the RFS education, extension contact and age were significant. Inefficiency variables were statistically significant in the model. Supply of inputs and organic farming practice, farm credit, mechanization and dams were recommended for the governments’ intervention.
Vacation from work as prototypical recovery opportunity

Chronic incomplete recovery from work may have serious consequences in terms of ill-health. Although vacation is one of the most powerful manipulations of recovery in a field context, up to now only few researchers have addressed the impact of vacation on recovery from work. The aim of the current contribution is to present an overview of previous and current findings in this area and to give some recommendations for future research. We will first provide insight in the mechanisms through which vacation is expected to contribute to recovery from work. Secondly, we will present an overview of the most important findings, strengths and weaknesses of past vacation research. Thirdly, we will describe the results from our recent diary vacation studies on short vacations (long weekend and midweek vacations) and moderately long (nine days) winter sports vacations. Finally, we will discuss implications and avenues for further research on vacation.
Characterizing user mobility in second life

In this work we present a measurement study of user mobility in Second Life. We first discuss different techniques to collect user traces and then focus on results obtained using a crawler that we built. Tempted by the question whether our methodology could provide similar results to those obtained in real-world experiments, we study the statistical distribution of user contacts and show that user mobility in Second Life presents similar traits to those of real humans. We further push our analysis to radio networks that emerge from user interaction and show that they are highly clustered. Lastly, we focus on the spatial properties of user movements and observe that users in Second Life revolve around several points of interest traveling in general short distances. Using maximum likelihood estimation, we show that our empirical data best fit to power-law with cutoff distributions, indicating that contact time distributions in a virtual environment has very similar characteristics to those observed in real-world experiments.
Metabolic effects of oral versus transdermal 17β-estradiol (E₂): a randomized clinical trial in girls with Turner syndrome.

CONTEXT The long-term effects of pure 17β-estradiol (E₂) depending on route of administration have not been well characterized. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to assess metabolic effects of oral vs transdermal (TD) 17β-E₂ replacement using estrogen concentration-based dosing in girls with Turner syndrome (TS). PATIENTS Forty girls with TS, mean age 16.7 ± 1.7 years, were recruited. DESIGN Subjects were randomized to 17β-E₂ orally or TD. Doses were titrated using mean E₂ concentrations of normally menstruating girls as therapeutic target. E₂, estrone (E₁), and E₁ sulfate (E₁S) were measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and a recombinant cell bioassay; metabolites were measured, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan and indirect calorimetry were performed. MAIN OUTCOME Changes in body composition and lipid oxidation were evaluated. RESULTS E₂ concentrations were titrated to normal range in both groups; mean oral dose was 2 mg, and TD dose was 0.1 mg. After 6 and 12 months, fat-free mass and percent fat mass, bone mineral density accrual, lipid oxidation, and resting energy expenditure rates were similar between groups. IGF-1 concentrations were lower on oral 17β-E₂, but suppression of gonadotropins was comparable with no significant changes in lipids, glucose, osteocalcin, or highly sensitive C-reactive protein between groups. However, E₁, E₁S, SHBG, and bioestrogen concentrations were significantly higher in the oral group. CONCLUSIONS When E₂ concentrations are titrated to the normal range, the route of delivery of 17β-E₂ does not affect differentially body composition, lipid oxidation, and lipid concentrations in hypogonadal girls with TS. However, total estrogen exposure (E₁, E₁S, and total bioestrogen) is significantly higher after oral 17β-E₂. TD 17β-E₂ results in a more physiological estrogen milieu than oral 17β-E₂ administration in girls with TS.
A systematic review of single-bundle versus double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

INTRODUCTION Double-bundle (DB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is becoming increasingly common. However, no definitive data on the superiority of DB reconstruction have been shown when compared with single-bundle (SB) ACL reconstruction. SOURCES OF DATA We performed a comprehensive search of PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL and Embase databases using various combinations of keywords such as 'ACL', 'reconstruction', 'DB' and 'SB'. Only articles published in peer-reviewed journals were included in this systematic review. AREAS OF AGREEMENT Several new techniques are available for ACL reconstruction. DB ACL reconstruction could provide better outcome for patients in terms of closer restoration of normal knee biomechanics and improving the rotatory laxity of the knee. AREAS OF CONTROVERSY Data are lacking to allow definitive conclusions on the use of DB reconstruction techniques for routine management of patients with ACL tear. GROWING POINTS Given the limitations of the current studies, it is not possible to recommend systematic use of DB ACL reconstruction. Even though biomechanical results are encouraging, subjective patient evaluation is similar for SB and DB reconstruction. AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH Studies of higher levels of evidence, for instances large adequately powered randomized trials, should be conducted to bring new insight in this field. With the current evidence available, a simple SB ACL reconstruction is a suitable technique, and it should be not abandoned until stronger scientific evidence in favour of DB ACL reconstruction will be produced.
Solitary waves for Maxwell Schrodinger equations

In this paper we study the solitary waves for the coupled system of SchrodingerMaxwell equations in three-dimensional space. We prove the existence of a sequence of radial solitary waves for these equations with a fixed L2 norm. We study the asymptotic behavior and the smoothness of these solutions. We show also the fact that the eigenvalues are negative and the first one is isolated.
Analysis of continuous feedback Markov fluid queues and its applications to modeling Optical Burst Switching

Optical Burst Switching (OBS) has been proposed as a candidate technology for the next-generation Internet. In OBS, packets are assembled into a burst, and a burst control packet is sent in advance to inform and reserve resources at the optical nodes in the path of the burst. In this study, we analyze the horizon-based reservation scheme in OBS using Markov fluid queues. First, we provide a solution to continuous feedback Markov fluid queues, then we model the horizon-based reservation scheme as a continuous feedback Markov fluid queue and numerically study it. We provide numerical examples to validate our model and its solution technique as well as to obtain some insight on the horizon-based reservation mechanism.
An Action Research Report from a Multi-Year Approach to Teaching Artificial Intelligence at the K-6 Level

In Australia, the Scientists-in-Schools program partners professional scientists with teachers from K-12 schools to improve early engagement and educational outcomes in the sciences and mathematics. An overview of the developing syllabus of a K-6 course resulting from the pairing of a senior AI researcher with teachers from a K-6 (primary) school is presented. Now entering its third year, the course introduces the basic concepts, vocabulary and history of science generally and AI specifically in a manner that emphasises student engagement and provides a challenging but age appropriate syllabus. Reflecting on the course at this time provides an action research basis for ongoing maturation of the syllabus, and the paper is presented in that light.
Immunohistochemical analysis of anaplastic lymphoma kinase expression in deep soft tissue calcifying fibrous pseudotumor: evidence of a late sclerosing stage of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor?

Calcifying fibrous pseudotumor (CFT) is a rare benign soft tissue lesion composed of dense hyalinized fibrous tissue containing bland spindle-shaped cells admixed with a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate and foci of dystrophic and often psammomatous calcifications. It has been suggested that CFT represents a late sclerosing stage of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT). Recently, clonal cytogenetic abnormalities involving the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene on chromosome 2p have been identified in IMT, particularly those arising in deep soft tissue sites. We evaluated seven cases of deep soft tissue CFT diagnosed at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and the University of Florida with available paraffin-embedded blocks using a monoclonal antibody to ALK (Dako, Carpenteria, CA) and a modified avidin-biotin complex method. The cohort included six women and one man with a median age at diagnosis of 43 years (range, 26 to 67 years). Sites of CFT included mesentery (3), peritoneum (1), omentum (1), serosa of small bowel (1), and anterior mediastinum (1). Immunohistochemically, only one case showed focal staining for ALK. The remaining six cases were negative, with appropriate positive and negative control staining. In conclusion, unlike IMT, CFT in deep soft tissue locations rarely expresses ALK by immunohistochemistry, suggesting that CFT is a different clinicopathologic entity than IMT, as opposed to representing a "burned out" IMT. Ann Diagn Pathol 5:10-14, 2001.
Whole Genome Sequencing and Evolutionary Analysis of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus A and B from Milwaukee, WI 1998-2010

Background Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory-tract infections in infants and young children worldwide. Despite this, only six complete genome sequences of original strains have been previously published, the most recent of which dates back 35 and 26 years for RSV group A and group B respectively. Methodology/Principal Findings We present a semi-automated sequencing method allowing for the sequencing of four RSV whole genomes simultaneously. We were able to sequence the complete coding sequences of 13 RSV A and 4 RSV B strains from Milwaukee collected from 1998–2010. Another 12 RSV A and 5 RSV B strains sequenced in this study cover the majority of the genome. All RSV A and RSV B sequences were analyzed by neighbor-joining, maximum parsimony and Bayesian phylogeny methods. Genetic diversity was high among RSV A viruses in Milwaukee including the circulation of multiple genotypes (GA1, GA2, GA5, GA7) with GA2 persisting throughout the 13 years of the study. However, RSV B genomes showed little variation with all belonging to the BA genotype. For RSV A, the same evolutionary patterns and clades were seen consistently across the whole genome including all intergenic, coding, and non-coding regions sequences. Conclusions/Significance The sequencing strategy presented in this work allows for RSV A and B genomes to be sequenced simultaneously in two working days and with a low cost. We have significantly increased the amount of genomic data that is available for both RSV A and B, providing the basic molecular characteristics of RSV strains circulating in Milwaukee over the last 13 years. This information can be used for comparative analysis with strains circulating in other communities around the world which should also help with the development of new strategies for control of RSV, specifically vaccine development and improvement of RSV diagnostics.
G-proteins in experimental hypertension: a study of spontaneously hypertensive rat myocardial and renal cortical plasma membranes

Objective: Spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) myocardium is known to exhibit reduced β-adrenergic agonist-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity. As G-proteins play a pivotal role in transducing information from the receptor to adenylyl cyclase, a study was undertaken to assess whether changes in G-protein expression and functioning could explain this Design: Studies were performed in plasma membrane homogenates from vascular tissue (myocardium) from 11-week-old SHR (weighing 255 g) and control rats from both Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Wistar strains. Similar studies were performed in non-vascular tissue (renal cortical plasma membranes) to assess whether any observed changes are part of a more widely distributed membrane defect Methods: G-protein function was inferred from studies of adenylyl cyclase activity and levels of G-protein subunits (Gsα, Giα1, Giα2, Giα3, Goα and β) were assessed by immunoblotting Results: Differences in adenylyl cyclase activity were seen in SHR compared with WKY rat myocardium: in WKY rats adenylyl cyclase activity was greater than in SHR under forskolin-stimulated conditions and in the presence of fluoride and several ligands which couple to the catalytic unit of adenylyl cyclase via Gs, including the receptor-linked species prostaglandin E1 glucagon and isoproterenol. However, with the exception of forskolin-stimulated activity, which in SHR was greater than in Wistar rats, SHR myocardial adenylyl cyclase activities were similar to those in Wistar rat membranes. Immunoblotting studies showed similar levels of G-protein subunits in all three strains. Studies of renal cortical plasma membranes failed to identify any differences in adenylyl cyclase activity or in G-protein subunit levels Conclusions: SHR, WKY rats and Wistar rats exhibit differences in myocardial adenylyl cyclase activity which are not seen in renal cortical plasma membranes. These are not related to hypertension or to differences in G-protein levels, and probably reflect strain differences in Gs function
The Benefits of Personalized Smartphone-Based Activity Recognition Models

Activity recognition allows ubiquitous mobile devices like smartphones to be context-aware and also enables new applications, such as mobile health applications that track a user’s activities over time. However, it is difficult for smartphonebased activity recognition models to perform well, since only a single body location is instrumented. Most research focuses on universal/impersonal activity recognition models, where the model is trained using data from a panel of representative users. In this paper we compare the performance of these impersonal models with those of personal models, which are trained using labeled data from the intended user, and hybrid models, which combine aspects of both types of models. Our analysis indicates that personal training data is required for high accuracybut that only a very small amount of training data is necessary. This conclusion led us to implement a self-training capability into our Actitracker smartphone-based activity recognition system[1], and we believe personal models can also benefit other activity recognition systems as well.