Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complement-mediated pulmonary xenograft injury: studies in swine-to-primate orthotopic single lung transplant models.

BACKGROUND The pathogenesis of acute pulmonary xenograft injury has not yet been determined. The present study evaluates the role of complement in mediating pulmonary xenograft dysfunction by using cobra venom factor (CVF) to deplete recipient complement and transgenic swine, which express human regulators of complement activation (human decay-accelerating factor [hDAF] and hCD59). METHODS Fifteen orthotopic lung transplants were performed as follows: group I, swine-to-swine (n=5); group II, unmodified swine-to-baboon (n=3); group III, unmodified swine-to-(CVF treated) baboon (n=3); and group IV, hCD59/hDAF swine-to-baboon (n=4). Left pulmonary artery flow and pulmonary vascular resistance were measured at 30-min intervals. Serial lung biopsies were examined by light microscopy and immunofluorescence. The activation of complement was quantified by measurement of baboon plasma CH50 and C4 functional activity. RESULTS Group II xenotransplants ceased functioning within 30 min of reperfusion. Histopathologic ab normalities included erythrocyte/platelet aggregates and hemorrhagic pulmonary edema. Groups I and IV showed excellent function throughout. hDAF/hCD59 lungs (group IV) showed trace venular fibrin plugs and moderate loss of alveolar architecture. Pretreatment with CVF (group III) was ineffective in preventing xenograft injury. CONCLUSIONS These results characterize the fundamental features of discordant pulmonary xenotransplantation. Correction of the known defects in the regulation of heterologous complement activation was partially effective in preventing pulmonary xenograft dysfunction, suggesting that complement mediates, in part, some of the features of acute lung injury after discordant lung xenotransplantation.
Changes in the Attitudes of GPs to the Health Screening of Patients with Learning Disabilities

GPs appear reluctant to undertake health screening for people with learning disabilities. This article describes a specialist health screening service delivered mainly by community learning disability nurses to nearly 600 children and adults. Prior to the service being established, 141 GPs within a defined area were surveyed and 51 percent responded. Although a majority thought the service would be helpful, three-quarters felt it was better provided within the context of special services. After screening, 54 percent of the sample (318 persons) were referred to their GP for further assessment and treatment, nearly all for physical health needs. A second study investigated the attitudes of 91 GPs who had patients referred. Those (45) who reported dealing with a referral were more favourably disposed to undertaking health screening within their practice, whereas those (23) who had been uninvolved continued to opt for specialist provision. Options for encouraging more GPs to offer preventive health care to this client groups are discussed, including medical training, extra consulting time and linking community learning disability nurses with GP practices.
Accelerating the development of emotion competence in Head Start children: Effects on adaptive and maladaptive behavior

Abstract Separate studies of rural and urban Head Start systems tested the hypothesis that an emotion-based prevention program (EBP) would accelerate the development of emotion and social competence and decrease agonistic behavior and potential precursors of psychopathology. In both studies, Head Start centers were randomly assigned to treatment and control/comparison group conditions. In Study 1 (rural community), results of hierarchical linear modeling analyses showed that compared to the control condition (Head Start as usual), EBP produced greater increases in emotion knowledge and emotion regulation and greater decreases in children's negative emotion expressions, aggression, anxious/depressed behavior, and negative peer and adult interactions. In Study 2 (inner city), compared to the established prevention program I Can Problem Solve, EBP led to greater increases in emotion knowledge, emotion regulation, positive emotion expression, and social competence. In Study 2, emotion knowledge mediated the effects of EBP on emotion regulation, and emotion competence (an aggregate of emotion knowledge and emotion regulation) mediated the effects of EBP on social competence.
The Mediating Role of Perceived Cooperative Communication in the Relationship between Interpersonal Exchange Relationships and Perceived Group Cohesion

This study develops a multilevel model to advance research on interpersonal exchange relationships among supervisors, subordinates, and coworkers by integrating leader–member exchange (LMX), team–member exchange (TMX), and perceived cooperative communication. The model was tested by using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) with data obtained from a sample of 375 manager–employee dyads working in 48 groups in Malaysia. At the individual level, LMX was found to be related to TMX; at the team-level, the relationship between the LMX-perceived cohesion link and the TMX-perceived cohesion link was mediated by perceived cooperative communication. These findings validated the proposed model and, in particular, empirically confirmed the central role of communication in LMX processes in workgroups. Practical implications are discussed.
Downregulation of miR-17~92 Expression Increase Paclitaxel Sensitivity in Human Ovarian Carcinoma SKOV3-TR30 Cells via BIM Instead of PTEN

To better understand the molecular mechanisms of paclitaxel resistance in ovarian carcinoma, we evaluated the expression of miRNAs using miRNA microarray between human ovarian carcinoma SKOV3 cells and paclitaxel resistant SKOV3-TR30 cells. Results showed that 69 miRNAs were upregulated while 102 miRNAs were downregulated in SKOV3-TR30 cells. Using real-time PCR, we further clarified that miR-17~92 was overexpressed in SKOV3-TR30 cells compared with that in SKOV3 cells. We then established stable virally transduced SKOV3-TR30-m-PTIP-Sponge all SKOV3-TR30 cells and its vector-only control SKOV3-TR30-m-PTIP-GFP cells. Real time-PCR revealed that SKOV3-TR30-m-PTIP-Sponge all cells expressed approximately 6.18-fold lower levels of miR-17~92 compared with the control group. Decreased expression of miR-17~92 resulted in cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and growth inhibition. After the transduction, the BIM protein level was increased in SKOV3-TR30 cells and luciferase reporter assays revealed that miR-17~92 binds directly to the 3′-UTR of BIM. Results of luciferase reporter assays accompanied with Western Blot showed that although miR-17~92 binds directly to the 3′-UTR of PTEN, the PTEN protein expression level was upregulated slightly while the result is of no statistical significance. Our results showed that miR-17~92 could be a causal factor of the downregulation of BIM in SKOV3-TR30 cells and thus induce the paclitaxel resistance in SKOV3-TR30 cells.
Parental Influence on Early Adolescent Substance Use

This study examined both the substance-specific and nonspecific, or generalized, effects of parent substance use, attitudes toward use, and behavior regarding use on adolescent initiation and maintenance of alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana use. Data from 645 target adolescents and their parent(s) regarding their own use and parents' attitude, cautionary statements, and negative consequences were used to predict both the onset of using each substance and the transition from use to nonuse during the following year. Results indicated that not only did parents' influence specific to a given substance affect adolescent use of that same substance, but parents `nonspecific or generalized influence predicted the onset and maintenance of other substance use. Furthermore, parent modeling, attitude, cautionary statements, and consequences were all significant predictors of adolescent initiation and maintenance of substance use. Interactions of the parental influence variables with gender, age, and parents' marital status were found. Implications of these findings for intervention efforts are discussed.
Scale Development: Heterosexist Attitudes in Women's Collegiate Athletics

Homophobia and heterosexism in women's athletics have been studied extensively using a qualitative approach. Limited research from a quantitative approach has been conducted in the area and none with a sport-specific instrument. The purpose of the current study was to develop a valid and reliable questionnaire to measure heterosexist attitudes in women's collegiate athletics based on the tripartite model of attitudes (Zanna & Rempel, 1988). A panel of experts analyzed a pool of 40 items for item-content related validity. Two samples of collegiate female athletes completed the second and third versions of the Heterosexist Attitudes in Sport–Lesbian questionnaire. Initial evidence of construct validity was found for a 14-item measure of heterosexist attitudes with four subscales: (1) Cognitive/Affective, (2) Language Behaviors, (3) Inclusion Behaviors, and (4) Avoidance of the Lesbian Label. Composite reliability of the four subscales ranged from . 64 to . 84.
The Purchase of Intimacy

pointed with the general lack of reflexivity and contextualization. Reading these “voices” as constructed by the researchers, I felt that the gerontologist had much to learn about methodology from the poststructural feminist. But despite these nits and picks, the book convinced me. Age matters. This is a good book. Not only does it show the gaps in feminist thinking, it offers ways of filling that gap. One of the ways is for us to leave our own fear or disgust or denial of growing old in a culture that does not value aging. Given that many of us “second-wave” feminists will soon be leaving the surety of “middle-age” and moving into old-age (if we are lucky), I can only hope (and expect, actually) that the “personal is political” mantra that has propelled many of us to write and research our own lives will carry us into our next age location. Toni M. Calasanti and Kathleen F. Slevin have given us a road-map. We should carry it with us. We should teach it.
Errors in Idea Evaluation: Preference for the Unoriginal?

Idea evaluation has, in recent years, received more attention as a critical component of creative thought. One key influence on how people evaluate new ideas may be found in the standards, or attributes, people look for in appraising ideas. The intent of the present study was to examine the influence of different attributes on people's willingness to support new ideas. Initially undergraduates were asked to generate ideas that might be funded by a foundation. Based on this material, ideas displaying different attributes were identified. Another smaller sample of undergraduates were asked to evaluate ideas for funding by the foundation. It was found that people preferred ideas that were easy to understand, provided short-term benefits to many, and were consistent with prevailing social norms, while disregarding risky, time consuming, and original ideas. Original and risky ideas, however, were more likely to be preferred when evaluation criteria were not especially stringent and time pressure was high. The implications of these findings for understanding how people go about evaluating new ideas are discussed.
Effects of Defaunation on Fermentation Characteristics and Methane Production by Rumen Microbes In vitro When Incubated with Starchy Feed Sources

An in vitro experiment was conducted to examine the effects of defaunation (removal of protozoa) on ruminal fermentation characteristics, CH4 production and degradation by rumen microbes when incubated with cereal grains (corn, wheat and rye). Sodium lauryl sulfate as a defaunation reagent was added into the culture solution at a concentration of 0.000375 g/ml, and incubated anaerobically for up to 12 h at 39°C. Following defaunation, live protozoa in the culture solution were rarely observed by microscopic examination. A difference in pH was found among grains regardless of defaunation at all incubation times (p<0.01 to 0.001). Defaunation significantly decreased pH at 12 h (p<0.05) when rumen fluid was incubated with grains. Ammonia-N concentration was increased by defaunation for all grains at 6 h (p<0.05) and 12 h (p<0.05) incubation times. Total VFA concentration was increased by defaunation at 6 h (p<0.05) and 12 h (p<0.01) for all grains. Meanwhile, defaunation decreased acetate and butyrate proportions at 6 h (p<0.05, p<0.01) and 12 h (p<0.01, p<0.001), but increased the propionate proportion at 3 h, 6 h and 12 h incubation (p<0.01 to 0.001) for all grains. Defaunation increased in vitro effective degradability of DM (p<0.05). Production of total gas and CO2 was decreased by defaunation for all grains at 1 h (p<0.05, p<0.05) and then increased at 6 h (p<0.05, p<0.05) and 12 h (p<0.05, p<0.05). CH4 production was higher from faunation than from defaunation at all incubation times (p<0.05).
Power quality improvement using a new structure of fault current limiter

In this paper, power quality improvement by using a new structure of non superconducting fault current limiter (NSFCL) is discussed. This structure prevents voltage sags on Point of Common Coupling (PCC) just after fault occurrence, because of its fast operation. On the other hand, previously used structures produce harmonics on load voltage and have ac losses in normal operation. New structure has solved this problem by using dc voltage source. The proposed structure is simulated using PSCAD/EMTDC software and simulation results are presented to validate the effectiveness of this structure.
Actuation sensor with adaptive routing and QOS aware checkpoint arrangement on Wireless Multimedia Sensor Network

Wireless Multimedia Sensor Network(WMSN) is a blooming field due to the development of CMOS cameras and Microphones which are wirelessly interconnected devices that are able to retrieve multimedia content such as video and audio streams, still images and scalar sensor data from the environment. As of today, almost all deployed wireless sensor data networks measure scalar physical parameters like temperature, pressure humidity etc. To capture the image, video Wireless Multimedia Sensor nodes (WMSn) are to be deployed. The node of WMSn is equipped with cameras, microphones, and sensors producing multimedia content. Routing in Wireless Sensor Network is an important issue since WMS nodes that senses the data need to be communicated to the base station. The key issues in design of routing protocol in the WMSN are energy efficiency, adaptive routing, multimedia packet scheduling, Quality of service (QOS) and high bandwidth demand. Many routing protocols have been proposed for the WMSN. The design of more efficient protocols in terms of energy awareness, video packet scheduling and QOS in terms of check point arrangement is still remains a challenge. This paper discuss the design of the routing protocol in wireless multimedia sensor network which is power aware, reliable and has low latency in delivering the sensing data from source or sink node to the destination node. The new proposed architecture called ASARC: ACTUATION SENSOR ADAPTIVE ROUTING WITH CHECK POINT. ASARC provides actuation of sensor on demand basis and selection of path for communication between any two nodes such as sensor or relay node without video distortion. This feature enhances the lifetime of the network and also it supports security and QOS.
Acute Physiological Stress Down-Regulates mRNA Expressions of Growth-Related Genes in Coho Salmon

Growth and development in fish are regulated to a major extent by growth-related factors, such as liver-derived insulin-like growth factor (IGF) -1 in response to pituitary-secreted growth hormone (GH) binding to the GH receptor (GHR). Here, we report on the changes in the expressions of gh, ghr, and igf1 genes and the circulating levels of GH and IGF-1 proteins in juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in response to handling as an acute physiological stressor. Plasma GH levels were not significantly different between stressed fish and prestressed control. Plasma IGF-1 concentrations in stressed fish 1.5 h post-stress were the same as in control fish, but levels in stressed fish decreased significantly 16 h post-stress. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis showed that ghr mRNA levels in pituitary, liver, and muscle decreased gradually in response to the stressor. After exposure to stress, hepatic igf1 expression transiently increased, whereas levels decreased 16 h post-stress. On the other hand, the pituitary gh mRNA level did not change in response to the stressor. These observations indicate that expression of gh, ghr, and igf1 responded differently to stress. Our results show that acute physiological stress can mainly down-regulate the expressions of growth-related genes in coho salmon in vivo. This study also suggests that a relationship between the neuroendocrine stress response and growth-related factors exists in fish.
Effects of cytokines on microglial phenotypes and astroglial coupling in an inflammatory coculture model

Cytokines play an important role in the onset, regulation, and propagation of immune and inflammatory responses within the central nervous system (CNS). The main source of cytokines in the CNS are microglial cells. Under inflammatory conditions, microglial cells are capable of producing pro‐ and antiinflammatory cytokines, which convey essential impact on the glial and neuronal environment. One paramount functional feature of astrocytes is their ability to form a functionally coupled syncytium. The structural link, which is responsible for the syncytial behavior of astrocytes, is provided by gap junctions. The present study was performed to evaluate the influence of inflammation related cytokines on an astroglial/microglial inflammatory model. Primary astrocytic cultures of newborn rats were cocultured with either 5% (M5) or 30% (M30) microglial cells and were incubated with the following proinflammatory cytokines: tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), and the antiinflammatory cytokines transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) and IFN‐β. Under these conditions, i.e., incubation with the inflammatory cytokines and the high fraction of microglia (M30), microglial cells revealed a significant increase of activated round phagocytotic cells accompanied by a reduction of astroglial connexin 43 (Cx43) expression, a reduced functional coupling together with depolarization of the membrane resting potential (MRP). When the antiinflammatory mediator TGF‐β1 was added to proinflammatory altered M30 cocultures, a reversion of microglial activation and reconstitution of functional coupling together with recovery of the astroglial MRP was achieved. Finally IFN‐β, added to M5 cocultures was able to prevent the effects of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IFN‐γ. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Markedly Enhanced Surface Hydroxyl Groups of TiO2 Nanoparticles with Superior Water-Dispersibility for Photocatalysis

The benefits of increasing the number of surface hydroxyls on TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) are known for environmental and energy applications; however, the roles of the hydroxyl groups have not been characterized and distinguished. Herein, TiO2 NPs with abundant surface hydroxyl groups were prepared using commercial titanium dioxide (ST-01) powder pretreated with alkaline hydrogen peroxide. Through this simple treatment, the pure anatase phase was retained with an average crystallite size of 5 nm and the surface hydroxyl group density was enhanced to 12.0 OH/nm2, estimated by thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Especially, this treatment increased the amounts of terminal hydroxyls five- to six-fold, which could raise the isoelectric point and the positive charges on the TiO2 surface in water. The photocatalytic efficiency of the obtained TiO2 NPs was investigated by the photodegradation of sulforhodamine B under visible light irradiation as a function of TiO2 content, pH of solution, and initial dye concentration. The high surface hydroxyl group density of TiO2 NPs can not only enhance water-dispersibility but also promote dye sensitization by generating more hydroxyl radicals.
Implications of Merging Phases on Scalability of Multi-core Architectures

Amdahl's Law dictates that in parallel applications serial sections establish an upper limit on the scalability. Asymmetric chip multiprocessors with a large core in addition to several small cores have been advocated for recently as a promising design paradigm because the large core can accelerate the execution of serial sections and hence mitigate the scalability bottlenecks due to large serial sections. This paper studies the scalability of a set of data mining workloads that have negligible serial sections. The formulation of Amdahl's Law, that optimistically assumes constant serial sections, estimates these workloads to scale to hundreds of cores in a chip multiprocessor (CMP). However the overhead in carrying out merging (or reduction) operations makes scalability to peak at lesser number. We establish this by extending theAmdahl's speedup model to factor in the impact of reduction operations on the speedup of applications on symmetric as well as asymmetric CMP designs. Our analytical model estimates that asymmetric CMPs with one large and many tiny cores are only optimal for applications with a low reduction overhead. However, as the overhead starts to increase, the balance is shifted towards using fewer but more capable cores. This eventually limits the performance advantage of asymmetric over symmetric CMPs.
Long-term effects of acupuncture treatment on airway smooth muscle in a rat model of smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common lung diseases. It is a chronic inflammatory process characterised by airway obstruction and progressive lung inflammation, associated with difficulty breathing and insensitivity to corticosteroid therapy. Although there is some preliminary evidence to suggest a beneficial effect of acupuncture on COPD, its mechanism of action has not been investigated. Our aim was to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of acupuncture in a rat model of COPD induced by exposure to cigarette smoke (CS). Methods Sixty Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to the smoke of 15 cigarettes for 1 h/day, 6 days/week for 3 months to induce COPD and treated with acupuncture at BL13 (Feishu), BL23 (Shenshu) and Dingchuan (COPD+Acupuncture, n=15), sham acupuncture (COPD+Sham, n=15) or left untreated (n=15). Exposed rats were compared with controls not exposed to CS (control, n=15). Pulmonary function was measured, and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) levels were determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid by ELISA. Histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) protein and mRNA expression were examined in lung tissue and in bronchus. Results Acupuncture treatment appeared to protect pulmonary function and reduce the COPD-induced inflammatory response by decreasing cell inflammation and the production of TNF-α and IL-8. Acupuncture also enhanced HDAC2 mRNA and protein expression, suggesting a possible direct effect on protein structure through post-translational modifications. Conclusions Our results suggest that acupuncture regulates inflammatory cytokines and contributes to lung protection in a rat model of smoke-induced COPD by modulating HDAC2.