Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conjugated Bilirubin Differentially Regulates CD4+ T Effector Cells and T Regulatory Cell Function through Outside-In and Inside-Out Mechanisms: The Effects of HAV Cell Surface Receptor and Intracellular Signaling

We recently reported an immune-modulatory role of conjugated bilirubin (CB) in hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection. During this infection the immune response relies on CD4+ T lymphocytes (TLs) and it may be affected by the interaction of HAV with its cellular receptor (HAVCR1/TIM-1) on T cell surface. How CB might affect T cell function during HAV infection remains to be elucidated. Herein, in vitro stimulation of CD4+ TLs from healthy donors with CB resulted in a decrease in the degree of intracellular tyrosine phosphorylation and an increase in the activity of T regulatory cells (Tregs) expressing HAVCR1/TIM-1. A comparison between CD4+ TLs from healthy donors and HAV-infected patients revealed changes in the TCR signaling pathway relative to changes in CB levels. The proportion of CD4+CD25+ TLs increased in patients with low CB serum levels and an increase in the percentage of Tregs expressing HAVCR1/TIM-1 was found in HAV-infected patients relative to controls. A low frequency of 157insMTTTVP insertion in the viral receptor gene HAVCR1/TIM-1 was found in patients and controls. Our data revealed that, during HAV infection, CB differentially regulates CD4+ TLs and Tregs functions by modulating intracellular pathways and by inducing changes in the proportion of Tregs expressing HAVCR1/TIM-1.
Involvement of nitric oxide in the mediation of the hypotensive action of the essential oil of Mentha x villosa in normotensive conscious rats.

Recently, we showed that intravenous (i.v.) treatment with the essential oil of Mentha x villosa (EOMV) in pentobarbitone-anaesthetised rats decreased blood pressure; the effect occurred independently of the presence of an operational central autonomic drive to the cardiovascular system. This finding suggested that the hypotensive activity of EOMV may result from its vasodilatory effects directly upon vascular smooth muscle. The present study examines this possibility and whether EOMV-induced hypotension is mediated, at least in part, by an endothelial L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway. In conscious rats, i.v. injections of bolus doses (1 to 20 mg/kg) of EOMV elicited immediate and dose-dependent decreases in mean aortic pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR). Pretreatment with i.v. hexamethonium (30 mg/kg) reduced the EOMV-induced bradycardia without affecting the hypotension. However, i.v. pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl (L-NAME, 20 mg/kg), reduced partially, but significantly, the maximal percent decreases in MAP elicited by EOMV without affecting the bradycardia. In rat isolated thoracic aorta preparations, EOMV (1 - 130 microg/ml) induced a concentration-dependent reduction of potassium (60 mM)-induced contraction. This smooth muscle-relaxant activity of EOMV was significantly reduced by the incubation of endothelium-intact rings with L-NAME (20 microM), as evidenced by the significant enhancement in the IC50 for EOMV-induced reduction of potassium-induced contraction (133.8 +/- 26.5 vs. 65.2 +/- 8.2 microg/ml in the absence of L-NAME). Furthermore, the vasorelaxant effects of EOMV in endothelium-denuded aortic rings were also significantly reduced (IC50 = 109 +/- 10 microg/ml), compared to those observed in segments with intact endothelium (IC50 = 61 +/- 13 microg/ml). These results show that i.v. treatment with EOMV dose-dependently decreases blood pressure in conscious rats, and that this action is due to an active vascular relaxation rather than withdrawal of sympathetic tone. Released nitric oxide from vascular endothelial cells appears partially involved in the aortic relaxation induced by EOMV and in turn in the mediation of EOMV-induced hypotension. They further support the concept that EOMV-induced hypotension and bradycardia occurred independently.
The Emotional Homunculus: ERP Evidence for Independent Somatosensory Responses during Facial Emotional Processing

Current models of face perception propose that initial visual processing is followed by activation of nonvisual somatosensory areas that contributes to emotion recognition. To test whether there is a pure and independent involvement of somatosensory cortex (SCx) during face processing over and above visual responses, we directly measured participants' somatosensory-evoked activity by tactually probing (105 ms postvisual facial stimuli) the state of SCx during an emotion discrimination task while controlling for visual effects. Discrimination of emotional versus neutral expressions enhanced early somatosensory-evoked activity between 40 and 80 ms after stimulus onset, suggesting visual emotion processing in SCx. This effect was source localized within primary, secondary, and associative somatosensory cortex. Emotional face processing influenced somatosensory responses to both face (congruent body part) and finger (control site) tactile stimulation, suggesting a general process that includes nonfacial cortical representations. Gender discrimination of the same facial expressions did not modulate somatosensory-evoked activity. We provide novel evidence that SCx activation is not a byproduct of visual processing but is independently shaped by face emotion processing.
The Alaska Earthquake of 1964 : Radiation of Long-Period Surface Waves and Source Mechanism

The records of multiple Love and Rayleigh waves of the Alaska earthquake of 1964 were recovered from the 30-100 seismograph records at the WWSSN stations. The seismograms were equalized to a propagation distance of 9rr/2 (equivalent to G5 and R5 at • -r/2). These seismograms were compared with synthetic seismograms for radiation pattern and amplitude to estimate various source parameters. The synthetic seismograms were computed from the normal mode solutions. One simple, yet plausible, source model was found. The nature of the fault is essentially that of a low-angle thrust faulting. The direction of rupture propagation does not coincide with the strike of the fault. This enables one to distinguish between the fault plane and the auxiliary plane. The source parameters determined are as follows: force system. double couple, reverse dip slip; fault plane, dip angle 20 ø, dip direction N 24øW; rupture length. 600 km; rupture velocity, 3.5 km/sec towards S25øW; moment, 7.5 X 10 • dyne-em; average slip dislocation, 7 meters in N24øW direction; stress drop, 28 bars: strain drop, 0.4 X 10-•; released strain energy. 1.5 X 10 = eras. The moment and the width of the fault plane of this earthquake are mucL •larger than those of any other earthquakes reported.
SMALLHOLDER GOAT PRODUCTION AND INDIVIDUAL FOOD SECURITY : THE CASE OF WOMEN FOCUSED DAIRY GOAT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN EASTERN HARARGHE OF ETHIOPIA

A study was conducted between 1996 and 1999 to evaluate the contribution of the Dairy Goat Development Project of FARM Africa in improving the nutritional status, in particular vitamin A status, of project participants in selected woredas of southeastern Ethiopia. The study was based on surveys (baseline and formative), nutrition education based interventions and post intervention impact assessment. The baseline survey and the formative data collection were undertaken on 830 and 228 households, respectively, residing in 15 villages. In addition to dietary frequency and anthropometric measurements, other health and nutritional parameters, demographic, socioeconomic and agricultural aspects were included in the study. Findings of the baseline survey and results of the formative data collection show that the health and nutritional, particularly the micronutrient status of women and children, are extremely low, irrespective of the involvement in the Dairy Goat Development Project. This implies that if increased milk production and farm income from livestock development projects is to be translated into improved nutritional and health status of women and children, livestock extension messages need to be complemented with nutritional and health education elements.
Decreases in adolescent weekly alcohol use in Europe and North America: evidence from 28 countries from 2002 to 2010.

BACKGROUND This study examined trends in adolescent weekly alcohol use between 2002 and 2010 in 28 European and North American countries. METHODS Analyses were based on data from 11-, 13- and 15-year-old adolescents who participated in the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) study in 2002, 2006 and 2010. RESULTS Weekly alcohol use declined in 20 of 28 countries and in all geographic regions, from 12.1 to 6.1% in Anglo-Saxon countries, 11.4 to 7.8% in Western Europe, 9.3 to 4.1% in Northern Europe and 16.3 to 9.9% in Southern Europe. Even in Eastern Europe, where a stable trend was observed between 2002 and 2006, weekly alcohol use declined between 2006 and 2010 from 12.3 to 10.1%. The decline was evident in all gender and age subgroups. CONCLUSIONS These consistent trends may be attributable to increased awareness of the harmful effects of alcohol for adolescent development and the implementation of associated prevention efforts, or changes in social norms and conditions. Although the declining trend was remarkably similar across countries, prevalence rates still differed considerably across countries.
Multivariate Volatility and Spillover Effects in Financial Markets

The relationship between volatility and risk has been one of the main factors underlying the interest in volatility modelling. An important question for international diversification is whether shocks in one market influence, or have spillovers into, returns and volatility in other markets. This paper tests for the existence of volatility spillovers among the S&P 500, FTSE 100 and Nikkei 225 stock indexes using intra-daily data from 12/10/1992 to 7/7/2003. Existing work is extended through the application of the vector autoregressive moving average asymmetric generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (VARMA-AGARCH) model of Chan, Hoti and McAleer (2002). The results suggest the presence of volatility spillovers from FTSE 100 to both S&P 500 and Nikkei 225, and from S&P 500 to FTSE 100.
Near-Ultraviolet Observations of CS 29497-030: New Constraints on Neutron-Capture Nucleosynthesis Processes

Employing spectra obtained with the new Keck I HIRES near-UV-sensitive detector, we have performed a comprehensive chemical composition analysis of the binary blue metal-poor star CS 29497-030. Abundances for 29 elements and upper limits for an additional seven have been derived, concentrating on elements largely produced by means of neutron-capture nucleosynthesis. Included in our analysis are the two elements that define the termination point of the slow neutron-capture process, lead and bismuth. We determine an extremely high value of [Pb/Fe] = +3.65 ± 0.07 (σ = 0.13) from three features, supporting the single-feature result obtained in previous studies. We detect Bi for the first time in a metal-poor star. Our derived Bi/Pb ratio is in accord with those predicted from the most recent FRANEC calculations of the slow neutron-capture process in low-mass asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. We find that the neutron-capture elemental abundances of CS 29497-030 are best explained by an AGB model that also includes very significant amounts of pre-enrichment of rapid neutron-capture process material in the protostellar cloud out of which the CS 29497-030 binary system formed. Mass transfer is consistent with the observed [Nb/Zr] ~ 0. Thus, CS 29497-030 is both an r+s and "extrinsic AGB" star. Furthermore, we find that the mass of the AGB model can be further constrained by the abundance of the light odd-element Na.
Developing and Evaluating a Probabilistic LR Parser of Part-of-Speech and Punctuation Labels

We describe an approach to robust domain-independent syntactic parsing of unrestricted naturally-occurring (English) input. The technique involves parsing sequences of part-of-speech and punctuation labels using a unification-based grammar coupled with a probabilistic LR parser. We describe the coverage of several corpora using this grammar and report the results of a parsing experiment using probabilities derived from bracketed training data. We report the first substantial experiments to assess the contribution of punctuation to deriving an accurate syntactic analysis, by parsing identical texts both with and without naturally-occurring punctuation marks.
The Glycosylation Capacity of Insect Cells

It is generally accepted that insects primarily synthesise oligomannosidic and paucimannosidic N-glycan structures. Indeed, insects' capability to produce human-like complex type N-glycans has been a matter of controversy for a number of years. The relative or complete lack of these structures was primarily attributed to low (or undetectable) activities of the glycosyltransferases needed to drive the synthesis of hybrid and complex type N-glycans (i.e., β-1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferases I and II, β-1,4-galactosyltransferase, α-2,3- and α-2,6-sialyltransferases). Recent developments, fuelled by availability of genomic sequences and by advances in relevant methodologies, have shed some light on the subject, with a few unexpected twists. The identification of a transmembrane/Golgi hexosaminidase, an enzyme which removes a non-reducing N-acetylglucosamine residue during N-glycan biosynthesis, has demonstrated that the synthesis of complex-type N-glycans is actively and deliberately being prevented in insects. On the other hand, the characterisation of an active α-2,6-sialyltransferase in Drosophila, combined with the occurrence of sialylated N-glycan structures as detected in a detailed analysis of Drosophila embryos, has clearly shown that insects can, and need to, synthesise low levels of these structures. The current understanding of the insect N-glycan biosynthetic pathways taking place in Golgi apparatus and trans-Golgi network are elaborated and discussed.
MacSyFinder: A Program to Mine Genomes for Molecular Systems with an Application to CRISPR-Cas Systems

Motivation Biologists often wish to use their knowledge on a few experimental models of a given molecular system to identify homologs in genomic data. We developed a generic tool for this purpose. Results Macromolecular System Finder (MacSyFinder) provides a flexible framework to model the properties of molecular systems (cellular machinery or pathway) including their components, evolutionary associations with other systems and genetic architecture. Modelled features also include functional analogs, and the multiple uses of a same component by different systems. Models are used to search for molecular systems in complete genomes or in unstructured data like metagenomes. The components of the systems are searched by sequence similarity using Hidden Markov model (HMM) protein profiles. The assignment of hits to a given system is decided based on compliance with the content and organization of the system model. A graphical interface, MacSyView, facilitates the analysis of the results by showing overviews of component content and genomic context. To exemplify the use of MacSyFinder we built models to detect and class CRISPR-Cas systems following a previously established classification. We show that MacSyFinder allows to easily define an accurate “Cas-finder” using publicly available protein profiles. Availability and Implementation MacSyFinder is a standalone application implemented in Python. It requires Python 2.7, Hmmer and makeblastdb (version 2.2.28 or higher). It is freely available with its source code under a GPLv3 license at https://github.com/gem-pasteur/macsyfinder. It is compatible with all platforms supporting Python and Hmmer/makeblastdb. The “Cas-finder” (models and HMM profiles) is distributed as a compressed tarball archive as Supporting Information.
Human neuronal uncoupling proteins 4 and 5 (UCP4 and UCP5): structural properties, regulation, and physiological role in protection against oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction

Uncoupling proteins (UCPs) belong to a large family of mitochondrial solute carriers 25 (SLC25s) localized at the inner mitochondrial membrane. UCPs transport protons directly from the intermembrane space to the matrix. Of five structural homologues (UCP1 to 5), UCP4 and 5 are principally expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). Neurons derived their energy in the form of ATP that is generated through oxidative phosphorylation carried out by five multiprotein complexes (Complexes I–V) embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane. In oxidative phosphorylation, the flow of electrons generated by the oxidation of substrates through the electron transport chain to molecular oxygen at Complex IV leads to the transport of protons from the matrix to the intermembrane space by Complex I, III, and IV. This movement of protons to the intermembrane space generates a proton gradient (mitochondrial membrane potential; MMP) across the inner membrane. Complex V (ATP synthase) uses this MMP to drive the conversion of ADP to ATP. Some electrons escape to oxygen‐forming harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS). Proton leakage back to the matrix which bypasses Complex V resulting in a major reduction in ROS formation while having a minimal effect on MMP and hence, ATP synthesis; a process termed “mild uncoupling. ” UCPs act to promote this proton leakage as means to prevent excessive build up of MMP and ROS formation. In this review, we discuss the structure and function of mitochondrial UCPs 4 and 5 and factors influencing their expression. Hypotheses concerning the evolution of the two proteins are examined. The protective mechanisms of the two proteins against neurotoxins and their possible role in regulating intracellular calcium movement, particularly with regard to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease are discussed.
Predictive equalizer design for DVB-T system

We propose several new channel predictive equalizers designed for ETSI DVB-T systems. In conventional DVB-T equalizer designs, the storage of 3 symbols is needed in order to do interpolation of the CFR (channel frequency response) in the time axis. This huge amount of storage can be eliminated in our proposed predictive equalizers. We present 3 kinds of predictive equalizers to predict the trend of the CFR and the Doppler effect. After simulation and comparison among these 3 kinds of predictive equalizers and a conventional 2D linear interpolated equalizer, we can choose the 1/sup st/ order predictive equalizer with acceptable performance for a low cost solution for DVB-T system equalizer design.
Additional spirometry criteria predict postoperative complications after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) independently of concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: when is off-pump CABG more beneficial?

INTRODUCTION Concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with an increased rate of post-coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) complications. The ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) <70%, proposed by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease as a criterion for the diagnosis of COPD, is criticized for not considering physiological, age-related changes in lung function. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to evaluate which of the additional spirometric parameters, adjusted for age and the distribution of values in the population, represent the best predictors of post-CABG complications and to identify patients who are more likely to benefit from off-pump cardiac bypass (OPCAB) than from CABG. PATIENTS AND METHODS In the retrospective cohort study, data from a total of 3617 CABG or OPCAB patients were recorded. Patients with COPD, diagnosed prior to admission, were classified according to the spirometry results: group 1 with FEV1/FVC <70%, group 2 with FEV1/FVC below the mean normal value adjusted to age, group 3 with FEV1/FVC below the lower limit of normal (LLN), group 4 with FEV1 <LLN. The control group comprised subjects with no history of COPD. The occurrence of post-CABG complications was analyzed using the chi2 and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS FEV1 below LLN predicted a higher incidence of reoperation, readmission to intensive care unit (ICU), sternal wound infection, pulmonary complications, and pulmonary edema after surgery (p <0.05). CABG patients with FEV1 below LLN stayed in the ICU significantly longer than OPCAB patients, and tended to require prolonged mechanical ventilation and more time from operation to discharge. CONCLUSIONS FEV1 <LLN is the best prognostic marker for post-CABG complications independently of concomitant COPD. Patients with FEV1 <LLN have better outcomes after OPCAB compared with those post-CABG.
Like two peas in a pod? Explaining friendship selection processes related to victimization and offending

In this paper, we examine the similarity between friends with respect to experiences with crime among a sample of Dutch individuals. We investigate the extent to which offenders, victims and victim-offenders (de)select friends differently and, subsequently, who (de)selects whom and why. We use data from the annual Dutch panel survey CrimeNL, which includes ego-centered network measures at each wave for more than 500 participants, ranging from 16 to 45 years old. Results show that offenders terminate friendships more often than non-offenders, and they have a higher likelihood of selecting new friends, regardless of prior victimization experiences. Furthermore, homophily with respect to crime involvement exists; both offenders and victims are more likely to select new friends who are similarly involved in crime. Risky lifestyles to a large extent explain why people select offenders as friends, whereas third parties (that is, parents and the pre-existing network of individuals) influence people’s decision to engage in friendships with victims of crime. Nevertheless, after taking individual preferences, meeting opportunities and third parties into account, offenders and victims are still more likely to select friends with similar crime experiences.
Intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy using hemi-double-stapling technique after laparoscopic total gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients

Purpose To present the feasibility and safety of Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy using hemi-double-stapling technique after laparoscopic total gastrectomy. Methods We reviewed the outcomes from 58 consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy. The clinicopathological characteristics including postoperative complications were examined. Results The mean age and body mass index were 57.3 ± 9.7 years and 23.7 ± 2.6 kg/m2, respectively. The mean overall total operation was 199.8 ± 57.0 minutes. Intraoperative blood loss was 81.6 ± 56.3 mL and there was no open conversion. The patients' hospital stay was a mean 9.6 ± 2 days. The mean proximal margin of the specimens was 2.7 ± 1.8 cm. There were 3 cases (5.1%) of anastomosis leakage, but all were controlled successfully by endoscopic stent. Conclusion The circular HDST technique is simple and reliable without any significant demerits with respect to safety concerns or difficulty of operation.