Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The glutamate‐glutamine cycle as an inducible, protective face of macrophage activation

Neuronal damage in HIV infection results mainly from chronic activation of brain tissue and involves inflammation, oxidative stress, and glutamate‐related neurotoxicity. Glutamate toxicity acts via two distinct pathways: an excitotoxic one, in which glutamate receptors are hyperactivated, and an oxidative one, in which cystine uptake is inhibited, resulting in glutathione depletion, oxidative stress, and cell degeneration. A number of studies have shown that astrocytes normally take up glutamate, keeping extracellular glutamate concentration low in the brain and preventing excitotoxicity. They, in turn, provide the trophic amino acid glutamine via their expression of glutamine synthetase. These protective and trophic actions are inhibited in HIV infection, probably as a result of the effects of inflammatory mediators and viral proteins. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that activated microglia and brain macrophages (AMM) express the transporters and enzymes of the glutamate cycle. This suggests that in addition to their recognized neurotoxic properties in HIV infection, these cells exhibit some neuroprotective properties, which may partly compensate for the inhibited astrocytic function. This hypothesis might explain the discrepancy between microglial activation, which occurs early in the disease, and neuronal apoptosis and neuronal loss, which are late events. In this review, we discuss the possible neuroprotective and neurotrophic roles of AMM and their relationships with inflammation and oxidative stress.
The isolated orbital floor fracture from a transconjunctival or subciliary perspective-A standardized anthropometric evaluation

Background The influence of orbital fractures and their repair on the rate of deformities of the lower eyelid is an ongoing source of discussion in the literature. Most of the present studies include isolated blowout as well as combined orbital fractures. Material and Methods We present a retrospective evaluation of a series of 100 patients after isolated blowout fracture repair using reference anthropometric data on standardized photographs. Analysis included eye fissure width and height, lid sulcus height, upper lid height, upper and lower iris coverage, position of cornea to palpebra inferior, canthal tilt, scleral show, ectropion and entropion. It was clearly distinguished between operated and contralateral eyelid, whether a transconjunctival or a subciliary approach was performed and amount of fracture. Our main interests were changes of the aforementioned parameters with regards to eyelid deformities. Results Surgery per se did not significantly influence eyelid deformities. However, the surgical approach selected significantly affected eye fissure index, lower iris coverage and rate of scleral show, indicating retraction of the lower eyelid. Conclusions The standardized measurements described here are accurate and objective to evaluate postoperative results. The subciliary approach included the highest risk of lower lid retraction as compared to transconjunctival approaches. Key words:Transconjunctical approach, subciliary approach, orbital floor fracture.
Targeted gene knockout in chickens mediated by TALENs

Significance Targeted gene knockout by editing specific loci in genome has revolutionized the field of functional genomics. Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) are representative next-generation platforms for customized genomic editing in transgenic animals, as well as cultured cells in vitro. In this study, in combination with chicken primordial germ cell line with germ-line transmission capacity, we generated the ovalbumin gene knockout chickens by TALEN-mediated gene targeting. Our results extended the application of state-of-the-art TALEN technology from experimental animals to farm animals. As TALEN-mediated knockout chickens are genetically modified but nontransgenic, without genomic integration of any exogenous transgenes, specific genomic editing with TALENs could expedite the generation of genetically engineered chickens for agriculturally practical applications as well as for model animals. Genetically modified animals are used for industrial applications as well as scientific research, and studies on these animals contribute to a better understanding of biological mechanisms. Gene targeting techniques have been developed to edit specific gene loci in the genome, but the conventional strategy of homologous recombination with a gene-targeted vector has low efficiency and many technical complications. Here, we generated specific gene knockout chickens through the use of transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN)-mediated gene targeting. In this study, we accomplished targeted knockout of the ovalbumin (OV) gene in the chicken primordial germ cells, and OV gene mutant offspring were generated through test-cross analysis. TALENs successfully induced nucleotide deletion mutations of ORF shifts, resulting in loss of chicken OV gene function. Our results demonstrate that the TALEN technique used in the chicken primordial germ cell line is a powerful strategy to create specific genome-edited chickens safely for practical applications.
Author's Personal Copy Behavioural Processes Dog and Owner Demographic Characteristics and Dog Personality Trait Associations

In most cases authors are permitted to post their version of the article (e.g. in Word or Tex form) to their personal website or institutional repository. Authors requiring further information regarding Elsevier's archiving and manuscript policies are encouraged to visit: a b s t r a c t The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between four personality traits (calmness, train-ability, dog sociability and boldness) of dogs (Canis familiaris) and dog and owner demographics on a large sample size with 14,004 individuals. German speaking dog owners could characterize their dog by filling out a form on the Internet. There were five demographic variables for dogs and nine for owners. Two statistical methods were used for investigating the associations between personality and demographic traits: the more traditional general linear methods and regression trees that are ideal for analyzing non-linear relationships in the structure of the data. The results showed that calmness is influenced primarily by the dog's age, the neutered status, the number of different types of professional training courses (e.g. obedience, agility) the dog had experienced and the age of acquisition. The least calm dogs were less than 2.5 years old, neutered and acquired after the first 12 weeks of age, while the calmest dogs were older than 6.9 years. Trainability was affected primarily by the training experiences, the dog's age, and the purpose of keeping the dog. The least trainable dogs had not received professional training at all and were older than 3 years. The most trainable dogs were those who participated in three or more types of professional training. Sociability toward conspecifics was mainly determined by the age, sex, training experience and time spent together. The least sociable dogs were older than 4.8 years and the owners spent less than 3 h with the dog daily. The most sociable dogs were less than 1.5 years old. Males were less sociable toward their conspecifics than females. Boldness was affected by the sex and age of the dog and the age of acquisition. The least bold were females acquired after the age of 1 year or bred by the owner. The boldest dogs were males, acquired before the age of 12 weeks, and were younger than 2 years old. Other variables, including the owner's gender, age, education, previous experience with dogs, the number of people and dogs in the household, and purpose of keeping the dogs had …
Does Skin‐in‐the‐Game Affect Security Performance?

We document that the amount of first-loss security retention in the conduit CMBS market has a significant impact on the probability that more senior tranches ultimately default. In particular, we demonstrate that an increase in the amount of first loss security retention is correlated with better security performance, after controlling for information available at issue. We then identify plausibly exogenous variation in the amount of first-loss security retention, relying on the greater ability of larger first loss investors to sell these positions into CRE CDOs given the need for large pools of collateral. Using this variation as an instrument, we measure a causal link between retention and performance. Further, we demonstrate that the risk associated with this agency problem was not priced at origination, as the interest rate on senior securities is not correlated with the amount of retention. Together, the evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that first-loss security retention is not supported by competitive market equilibrium and suggests that regulation of retention could improve outcomes.
Characterization and Failure Analysis of Incoloy 800 Used as Thermowell Subjected to High Temperature Erosion-Corrosion

In the present study, a thermowell made of Incoloy 800 (33Ni-21Cr-46Fe) was used as a part to cover and therefore to protect a thermocouple inserted in a tube used in petrochemical process. It was then subjected to the atmosphere in the tube containing moving carbon particles at 900°C. One of the critical failure types observed was the combination of both solid particle erosion and oxidation. Thermowell degradation, which accounted for the corrosion-affected-erosion of materials, was significantly observed in the area where impingement at the head surface area of thermowell. The physicochemical characterization revealed that the thermowell consisted of two layers. The inner one is the incoloy 800 base metal, whereas the outer layer was clad with a cobalt base superalloy. Kinetic of oxidation of both materials in each layer, which was performed in air at 1173K presented the different parabolic rate. Metal oxide and surface morphology of thermowell, which was investigated in the simulated condition, were then examined by XRD, OM and SEM. A finite element software was furthermore applied to simulate the flow direction and the velocity of the particles. It was found that the maximum speed of particles (180 m s-1) was at the surface where the impingement angle of particle is 90°. Comparing to the failure of themowell in service, it was concluded that the failure of thermowell depends primarily on the impingement angle of particle. Design of the shape of thermowell, as well as the cladding with the higher erosion-corrosion resistance materials, were recommended to be carried out to improve the erosion-corrosion resistance of this part.
Structural defects in amorphous solids A computer simulation study

Abstract A definition of structural defects in amorphous solids in terms of the distribution of the internal stresses on the atomic level and of the symmetry of the environment of individual atoms is introduced. This definition does not require an ideal reference structure. The concept of the internal stresses on the atomic scale has been previously applied to describe the core structure of crystalline dislocations. In this paper it has been applied to the model amorphous structure generated by a computer simulation. It was found that there is a significant variation in the magnitude and direction of internal stresses, and that there are regions of 10 to 20 atoms over which the stresses remain either high or low. A method of calculating the symmetry coefficients at atomic sites has been proposed, and applied to the same system. It has been shown that there are significant correlations between the internal stresses and the local symmetry. The low-stress, high-symmetry regions resemble microcrystalline clus.
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding etiology score for predicting variceal and non-variceal bleeding.

AIM To identify clinical parameters, and develop an Upper Gastrointesinal Bleeding (UGIB) Etiology Score for predicting the types of UGIB and validate the score. METHODS Patients with UGIB who underwent endoscopy within 72 h were enrolled. Clinical and basic laboratory parameters were prospectively collected. Predictive factors for the types of UGIB were identified by univariate and multivariate analyses and were used to generate the UGIB Etiology Score. The best cutoff of the score was defined from the receiver operating curve and prospectively validated in another set of patients with UGIB. RESULTS Among 261 patients with UGIB, 47 (18%) had variceal and 214 (82%) had non-variceal bleeding. Univariate analysis identified 27 distinct parameters significantly associated with the types of UGIB. Logistic regression analysis identified only 3 independent factors for predicting variceal bleeding; previous diagnosis of cirrhosis or signs of chronic liver disease (OR 22.4, 95% CI 8.3-60.4, P < 0.001), red vomitus (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.8-11.9, P = 0.02), and red nasogastric (NG) aspirate (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.3-8.3, P = 0.011). The UGIB Etiology Score was calculated from (3.1 x previous diagnosis of cirrhosis or signs of chronic liver disease) + (1.5 x red vomitus) + (1.2 x red NG aspirate), when 1 and 0 are used for the presence and absence of each factor, respectively. Using a cutoff > or = 3.1, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) in predicting variceal bleeding were 85%, 81%, 82%, 50%, and 96%, respectively. The score was prospectively validated in another set of 195 UGIB cases (46 variceal and 149 non-variceal bleeding). The PPV and NPV of a score > or = 3.1 for variceal bleeding were 79% and 97%, respectively. CONCLUSION The UGIB Etiology Score, composed of 3 parameters, using a cutoff > or = 3.1 accurately predicted variceal bleeding and may help to guide the choice of initial therapy for UGIB before endoscopy.
Factors affecting the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) for upper gastrointestinal submucosal or extraluminal solid mass lesions

Aim: A number of potential variables are associated with the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA). The aim of this study was to evaluate factors affecting the diagnostic accuracy of EUS‐FNA for upper gastrointestinal submucosal or extraluminal solid lesions.
Bowel Symptoms in Nonerosive Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Nature, Prevalence, and Relation to Acid Reflux

Background Nonerosive gastroesophageal reflux disease (NERD) patients frequently show features of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Aims To investigate the prevalence and intensity of bowel symptoms and their relationship to esophageal acid exposure in NERD patients. Methods Bowel and reflux symptoms and IBS status were assessed in NERD patients (normal upper endoscopy; esophageal pH <4 for ≥5% of the time on 24-h pH monitoring; n=326), in relation to nonpatient controls. Bowel symptoms were scored on the 3 scales: diarrhea, constipation, and pain/gas symptoms. Results NERD and age were independently associated with bowel symptoms. NERD patients scored significantly higher than controls on all bowel scales. In a multivariate analysis, the scores on the pain/gas scale were independently associated with NERD. In NERD patients, reflux symptoms independently predicted the bowel symptoms while acid exposure did not. Forty-nine percent of the NERD patients and 18% of the controls met the criteria for IBS [IBS(+)NERD]. IBS(+)NERD patients scored significantly higher than those not meeting IBS criteria [IBS(−)] on all bowel scales. Yet IBS(−) patients scored significantly higher than controls on the scales of constipation and pain/gas. IBS(+)NERD patients scored higher than IBS(−) also on the GERD symptoms scale. Conclusions (1) NERD patients scored significantly higher than controls on all the bowel scales; (2) Bowel symptoms were associated with reflux symptom scores, but not with acid exposure. (3) The presence of IBS features in a large proportion of NERD patients reflects a high prevalence of visceral hypersensitivity that may aggravate acid reflux symptoms.
Spectrum and clinical implications of syntaxin 11 gene mutations in familial haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: association with disease-free remissions and haematopoietic malignancies

Objective: To determine the frequency and spectrum of mutations in the gene encoding syntaxin 11 (STX11) in familial haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL), a rare autosomal recessive disorder of immune dysregulation characterised by a defect in natural killer cell function. Methods: Mutational analysis of STX11 by direct sequencing was done in 28 FHL families that did not harbour perforin mutations, previously identified in some FHL patients. A detailed investigation of clinical features of these patients was also undertaken. Results: Two different STX11 mutations were identified, one nonsense mutation and one deletion, affecting six of 34 children in four of 28 unrelated PRF1 negative families. Both mutations have been reported before. Three patients experienced long periods (⩾1 year) in remission without specific treatment, which is very uncommon in this disease. Despite the milder phenotype, some children with STX11 mutations developed severe psychomotor retardation. Two of the six patients harbouring STX11 gene defects developed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML). Conclusions:STX11 gene mutations were found in 14% of the PRF1 negative FHL families included in the present cohort. These results suggest that STX11 gene mutations may be associated with secondary malignancies (MDS/AML), and that there is segregation of specific clinical features in FHL patients with an underlying genotype.
Thermodynamics of water sorption in high performance glassy thermoplastic polymers

Sorption thermodynamics of water in two glassy polymers, polyetherimide (PEI) and polyetheretherketone (PEEK), is investigated by coupling gravimetry and on line FTIR spectroscopy in order to gather information on the total amount of sorbed water as well as on the different species of water molecules absorbed within the polymers, addressing the issue of cross- and self-interactions occurring in the polymer/water systems. Water sorption isotherms have been determined at temperatures ranging from 30 to 70°C while FTIR spectroscopy has been performed only at 30°C. The experimental analysis provided information on the groups present on the polymer backbones involved in hydrogen bonding interactions with absorbed water molecules. Moreover, it also supplied qualitative indications about the different “populations” of water molecules present within the PEEK and a quantitative assessment of these “populations” in the case of PEI. The results of the experimental analysis have been interpreted using an equation of state theory based on a compressible lattice fluid model for the Gibbs energy of the polymer-water mixture, developed by extending to the case of out of equilibrium glassy polymers a previous model intended for equilibrium rubbery polymers. The model accounts for the non-equilibrium nature of glassy polymers as well as for mean field and for hydrogen bonding interactions, providing a satisfactory quantitative interpretation of the experimental data.
The Influence of Pelvic Tilt on Acetabular Orientation and Cover: A Three-Dimensional Computerised Tomography Analysis

The orientation of the pelvis influences that of the acetabulum. In particular, pelvic tilt in the sagittal plane may lead to inaccurate interpretation of plain pelvic radiographs. We therefore quantified the relationship between this pelvic tilt and acetabular orientation in native hips, and determined whether pelvic tilt affects femoral head cover. We analysed computed tomography scans of 93 hips (36 normal, 31 dysplastic, 26 with acetabular retroversion) and measured acetabular anteversion, inclination, and femoral head cover at pelvic tilt angles ranging from −20° to 20° in relation to the anterior pelvic plane using 5° increments. Pelvic tilt changed acetabular version with a decrease in anteversion ranging from 2.5° to 5° for every 5° of forward tilt. The effect on inclination was less marked and varied. In normal and dysplastic hips pelvic tilt increased apparent femoral head cover. A greater understanding of the influence of pelvic tilt may allow improvements in the radiological diagnosis and surgical treatment of acetabular abnormalities, particularly in relation to acetabular reorientation procedures and femoroacetabular impingement.
Analysis of the Waggle Dance Motion of Honeybees for the Design of a Biomimetic Honeybee Robot

The honeybee dance “language” is one of the most popular examples of information transfer in the animal world. Today, more than 60 years after its discovery it still remains unknown how follower bees decode the information contained in the dance. In order to build a robotic honeybee that allows a deeper investigation of the communication process we have recorded hundreds of videos of waggle dances. In this paper we analyze the statistics of visually captured high-precision dance trajectories of European honeybees (Apis mellifera carnica). The trajectories were produced using a novel automatic tracking system and represent the most detailed honeybee dance motion information available. Although honeybee dances seem very variable, some properties turned out to be invariant. We use these properties as a minimal set of parameters that enables us to model the honeybee dance motion. We provide a detailed statistical description of various dance properties that have not been characterized before and discuss the role of particular dance components in the commmunication process.
Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-Chain in z Decreased Expression of TCR Form of Elf-1 Is Responsible for the Defective Production of Functional 98-kDa

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the prototypic autoimmune disease, is characterized by defective expression of TCR (cid:1) -chain. Elf-1 (E-74-like factor) is a member of the Ets (E-26-speciﬁc) family and is crucial for the basal transcription of TCR (cid:1) -chain in Jurkat cells. We previously demonstrated that Elf-1 exists in the cytoplasm mainly as 80-kDa form and after phosphorylation and O -glycosylation it moves to the nucleus as a 98-kDa which binds DNA. We now demonstrate that Elf-1 is crucial for the trans-activation of TCR (cid:1) -chain promoter in normal and SLE T cells. Defective expression of TCR (cid:1) -chain in SLE T cells is associated with two distinct molecular defects in the generation of the 98-kDa DNA binding Elf-1 form. In the ﬁrst, the levels of the 98-kDa form were either decreased or absent. In the second, the apparent levels of the nuclear Elf-1 form were normal but included only two of the three bands into which the nuclear Elf-1 form separated in isoelectric focusing gels. Because both the transcription and the translation processes of Elf-1 gene are normal in SLE T cells, our data demonstrate that abnormal posttranslational mechanisms of the Elf-1 protein result in defective expression of functional Elf-1, and consequently, the transcriptional defect of TCR (cid:1) -chain in patients of SLE. The Journal of Immunology, 2002, 169: 6048–6055. (IEF) gel electrophoresis and Western blotting Nuclear proteins were resolved in the IEF (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) gel at 100 V for 1 h, 200 V for 1 h, and ﬁnally at 500 V for 30 min. The electrophoresed proteins on the gel were ﬁrst equilibrated in the 0.7% acetic acid buffer at room temperature for 10 min and transferred to poly-vinylidene ﬂuoride membranes in the same buffer by applying 10 V for 1 h. The membrane was then air dried before blotting with Ab against Elf-1 as described above.