Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Experimental acute pancreatitis in PAP/HIP knock-out mice

Background and aims: PAP/HIP was first reported as an additional pancreatic secretory protein expressed during the acute phase of pancreatitis. It was shown in vitro to be anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory. This study aims to look at whether PAP/HIP plays the same role in vivo. Methods: A model of caerulein-induced pancreatitis was used to compare the outcome of pancreatitis in PAP/HIP−/− and wild-type mice. Results: PAP/HIP−/− mice showed the normal phenotype at birth and normal postnatal development. Caerulein-induced pancreatic necrosis was, however, less severe in PAP/HIP−/− mice than in wild-type mice, as judged by lower amylasemia and lipasemia levels and smaller areas of necrosis. On the contrary, pancreas from PAP/HIP−/− mice was more sensitive to apoptosis, in agreement with the anti-apoptotic effect of PAP/HIP in vitro. Surprisingly, pancreatic inflammation was more extensive in PAP/HIP−/− mice, as judged from histological parameters, increased myeloperoxidase activity and increased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. This result, in apparent contradiction with the limited necrosis observed in these mice, is, however, in agreement with the anti-inflammatory function previously reported in vitro for PAP/HIP. This is supported by the observation that activation of the STAT3/SOCS3 pathway was strongly decreased in the pancreas of PAP/HIP−/− mice and by the reversion of the apoptotic and inflammatory phenotypes upon administration of recombinant PAP/HIP to PAP/HIP−/− mice. Conclusion: The anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory functions described in vitro for PAP/HIP have physiological relevance in the pancreas in vivo during caerulein-induced pancreatitis.
Tracking the Fate of Stem Cell Implants with Fluorine-19 MRI

Background In this study we used cellular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) labeled with a Fluorine-19 (19F) agent. 19F-MRI offers unambiguous detection and in vivo quantification of labeled cells. Methods We investigated two common stem cell transplant mouse models: an immune competent, syngeneic transplant model and an immune compromised, xenograft transplant model. 19F labelled stem cells were implanted intramuscularly into the hindlimb of healthy mice. The transplant was then monitored for up to 17 days using 19F-MRI, after which the tissue was excised for fluorescence microscopy and immunohistochemisty. Results Immediately following transplantation, 19F-MRI quantification correlated very well with the expected cell number in both models. The 19F signal decreased over time in both models, with a more rapid decrease in the syngeneic model. By endpoint, only 2/7 syngeneic mice had any detectable 19F signal. In the xenograft model, all mice had detectable signal at endpoint. Fluorescence microscopy and immunohistochemistry were used to show that the 19F signal was related to the presence of bystander labeled macrophages, and not original MSC. Conclusions Our results show that 19F-MRI is an excellent tool for verifying the delivery of therapeutic cells early after transplantation. However, in certain circumstances the transfer of cellular label to other bystander cells may confuse interpretation of the long-term fate of the transplanted cells.
On their own and in their own words: Bolivian adolescent girls' empowerment through non-governmental human rights education

In recognition of the profound benefits of children's engagement with their rights, this article presents an experiential account of how Bolivian adolescent indigenous girls discover, articulate, experience, and advocate human rights. This study explores adolescent girls' demonstrations of empowerment, agency, resistance, and solidarity as part of their initiatives within non-governmentally based human rights workshops. By featuring their voices, this study demonstrates how young Bolivian females are able to shape their own expectations and experiences of human rights. This study further emphasizes how a supportive and interactive educational introduction to the conventions, declarations, and constitutions intended to safeguard human rights can open up possibilities for comfort, self-realization, and liberation among adolescent girls amidst endemic patriarchal constraints and ongoing political and economic instability.
Cardiorespiratory, endocrine and metabolic changes in ponies undergoing intravenous or inhalation anaesthesia.

Six Welsh gelding ponies (weight 246 +/- 6 kg) were premedicated with 0.03 mg/kg of acepromazine intravenously (i.v.) followed by 0.02 mg/kg of detomidine i.v. Anaesthesia was induced with 2 mg/kg of ketamine i.v. Ponies were intubated and lay in left lateral recumbency. On one occasion anaesthesia was maintained for 2 h using 1.2% halothane in oxygen. The same group of ponies were anaesthetized 1 month later using the same induction regime and anaesthesia was maintained with a combination of detomidine, ketamine and guaiphenesin, while the ponies breathed oxygen-enriched air. Electrocardiogram, heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, respiratory rate, blood gases, temperature, haematocrit, glucose, lactate and cortisol were measured and cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance were calculated in both groups. Beta-endorphin, met-enkephalin, dynorphin, arginine vasopressin (AVP), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and catecholamines were measured in the halothane anaesthesia group only and 11-deoxycortisol during total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) only. Cardiorespiratory depression was more marked during halothane anaesthesia. Hyperglycaemia developed in both groups. Lactate and AVP increased during halothane anaesthesia. Cortisol increased during halothane and decreased during TIVA. There were no changes in the other hormones during anaesthesia. Recovery was smooth in both groups. TIVA produced better cardiorespiratory performance and suppressed the endocrine stress response observed during halothane anaesthesia.
Diagnostic evaluation of mediastinal lesions: Analysis of 144 cases

Background: Mediastinum is a “Pandora's box” with many neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions. The purpose of this study was to analyze our institutional experience of mediastinal lesions on fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and/or biopsy. Materials and Methods: This study was an analysis of 144 patients who had undergone ultrasound-guided FNAC and/or core biopsy for mediastinal lesions. Results: A total of 144 cases of suspected mediastinal masses were seen, and in 139 cases, tissue diagnosis was attempted. Out of 139 cases, 93 cases were neoplastic in nature (67%), 32 were nonneoplastic (23%), and 14 remained inconclusive (10%). Among neoplastic mediastinal lesions, metastatic carcinoma (37.4%) was the most common neoplastic lesion, followed by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (12.2%), Hodgkin's lymphoma (7.1%), thymic lesions (3.5%), etc. Among nonneoplastic conditions, tuberculosis was the most common lesion (20.1%). An accurate tissue diagnosis was made in 89.9% cases by FNAC or core biopsy of mediastinal lesions in this study. Procedure-related mortality was nil. Complications were mostly minor and included chest pain in 24.5%, small pneumothorax in 13.6% requiring closed tube thoracostomy in 1.4%, and scanty hemoptysis in 9.3% cases. Conclusion: Neoplastic mediastinal lesions are more common than nonneoplastic lesions, with metastatic carcinoma being the most common cause followed by tuberculosis. A wide variety of lesions observed in this study stress on the importance of cytohistological diagnosis in all cases of mediastinal lesions for the final diagnosis and management planning. A guided FNAC or core biopsy is still accurate, well tolerated, and devoid of major complications.
How Drug Enforcement Affects Drug Prices

Enforcement against drug selling remains the principal tool of drug control in the United States and many other countries. Though the risk of incarceration for a drug dealer has risen fivefold or more over the last 25 years in the United States, the prices of cocaine and heroin have fallen substantially. Different models of how enforcement affects drug supply may help explain the paradox. There are substantial periods in which drug markets are not in the stable equilibrium that has informed much of the empirical research. Enforcement is likely to be more effective in preventing the formation of a mass market than in suppressing such a market once it has formed. Once a mass market is established, there may be little return to intense enforcement. A modest level of enforcement may generate most of the benefits from prohibition.
Specific Residues within the α2 Integrin Subunit Cytoplasmic Domain Regulate Migration and Cell Cycle Progression via Distinct MAPK Pathways*

The α2 integrin subunit cytoplasmic domain is necessary for epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated chemotactic migration and insulin-dependent entry into S-phase of mammary epithelial cells adherent to type I collagen. Truncation mutants revealed that the seven amino acids, KYEKMTK, in addition to the GFFKR motif were sufficient for these functions. Mutation of tyrosine 1134 to alanine inhibited the ability of the cells to phosphorylate p38 MAPK and to migrate in response to EGF but had only a modest effect on the ability of the cells to induce sustained phosphorylation of the ERK MAPK, to up-regulate cyclin E and cdk2 expression, and to enter S-phase when adherent to type I collagen. Conversely, mutation of the lysine 1136 inhibited the ability of the cells to increase cyclin E and cdk2 expression, to maintain long term phosphorylation of the ERK MAPK, and to enter S-phase but had no effect on the ability of the cells to phosphorylate the p38 MAPK or to migrate on type I collagen in response to EGF. Methionine 1137 was essential for both migration and entry into S-phase. Thus, distinctly different structural elements of the α2 integrin cytoplasmic domain are required to engage the signaling pathways leading to cell migration or cell cycle progression.
Children's Productive Phonological Recoding.

Cette etude a examine comment de jeunes enfants apprennent a recoder phonologiquement un ecrit graphophonologique. Des experiences portant sur 75 eleves de premiere annee ont trouve que (a) l'explication attaque/rime rend mieux compte du recodage phonologique correct des pseudo-mots que l'explication par la fusion phonemique, (b) le nombre de pseudo-mots que les enfants recodent est en correlation avec le nombre de mots conventionnels qu'ils recodent, et (c) les enfants qui parviennent mieux a conserver les parties et le tout recodent plus de pseudo-mots que ceux qui conservent moins bien les parties et le tout. L'A. suggere l'existence d'un lien ontogenetique entre le recodage phonologique productif et le recodage semantique/syntaxique
Comparison of staphylococcal coagglutination, latex agglutination, and counterimmunoelectrophoresis for bacterial antigen detection

Soluble antigens of Haemophilus influenzae type b, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, and group B streptococcus were looked for in cerebrospinal fluid, serum, and urine by using the staphylococcal coagglutination test, latex agglutination test, and counterimmunoelectrophoresis. The staphylococcal coaggultination and latex agglutination tests were more sensitive than counterimmunoelectrophoresis in identifying antigens of H. influenzae type b, S. pneumoniae, and N. meningitidis. None of the three tests successfully detected group B streptococcal antigens in body fluids. Nonspecific reactions noted with the staphylococcal coagglutination test could be usually eliminated after premixing test specimens with soluble protein A.
Streptomyces antibioticus contains at least three oleandomycin‐resistance determinants, one of which shows similarity with proteins of the ABC‐transporter superfamily

Three different DNA fragments of an oleandomycin producer, Streptomyces antibioticus, conferring oleandomycin resistance were cloned in plasmid pIJ702 and expressed in Streptomyces lividans and in Streptomyces albus. These oleandomycin resistance determinants were designated as oleA (pOR400), oleB (pOR501) and oleC (pOR800). oleA and oleC are closely linked in the chromosome as they were both obtained together in two cosmid clones that were isolated from a genomic library. Sequencing of the oleC resistance determinant revealed four complete open reading frames (ORFs) and the C‐terminal end of a fifth. The functions of orf1 and orf2 are unknown since they did not show significant similarity with other sequences in the data bases. The orf3 gene product has similarity with some proteins involved in iron and vitamin B12 uptake in bacteria. The orf4 gene product had a hydrophilic profile and showed important similarity with proteins containing typical ATP‐binding domains characteristic of the ABC‐transporter superfamily and involved in membrane transport and, particularly, with several genes conferring resistance to various macrolide antibiotics and anticancer drugs. The last gene, orf5, is translationally coupled to orf4 and codes for a hydrophobic polypeptide containing several trans‐membrane domains characteristic of integral membrane proteins. Subcloning and deletion experiments limited the resistance determinant to a 0.9kb Pst1‐Sph1 fragment and only orf4 is included in this fragment. These results suggest that resistance to oleandomycin conferred by oleC (orf4) is probably due to an efflux transport system of the ABC‐transporter superfamily.
Spastic ataxia associated with human T‐cell lymphotrophic virus type II infection

Human T‐cell lymphotropic virus type one (HTLV‐1) is associated with tropical spastic paraparesis or HTLV‐I‐associated myelopathy. We report 2 women with a spastic ataxic illness similar to HTLV‐I‐associated myelopathy infected solely with HTLV‐II. Identification of HTLV‐II infection was made serologically, by polymerase chain reaction, and by viral culture (in 1 woman). One woman, treated with 200 mg of danazol orally, three times daily, had pronounced improvement in ambulation, nocturnal spasticity, and nighttime urinary frequency. It appears that infection with HTLV‐II may cause an illness similar to HTLV‐I‐associated myelopathy, but distinguished by the presence of ataxia.
Informatics MTQuant : “ Seeing ” Beyond the Diffraction Limit in Fluorescence Images to Quantify Neuronal Microtubule Organization

Motivation: Microtubules (MTs) are polarized polymers that are critical for cell structure and axonal transport. They form a bundle in neurons, but beyond that, their organization is relatively unstudied. Results: We present MTQuant, a method for quantifying MT organization using light microscopy, which distills three parameters from MT images: the spacing of MT minus-ends, their average length, and the average number of MTs in a cross-section of the bundle. This method allows for robust and rapid in vivo analysis of MTs, rendering it more practical and more widely applicable than commonly-used electron microscopy reconstructions. MTQuant was successfully validated with three ground truth data sets and applied to over 3000 images of MTs in a C. elegans motor neuron. Availability: MATLAB code is available at http://roscoope.github. io/MTQuant Contact: horowitz@stanford.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
D2-Thr92Ala, thyroid hormone levels and biochemical hypothyroidism in preeclampsia

Abstract Aim: To identify if there is a relationship between the deiodinase D2-Thr92Ala genetic variant, thyroid hormone levels and biochemical hypothyroidism in preeclampsia. Materials and methods: We genotyped 125 women with preeclampsia and 131 normal pregnant women using PCR-RFLP. Serum thyroid hormone levels were determined using ELISA. Results: Our study showed higher TSH and FT4 levels and lower FT3 levels in women with preeclampsia compared to normal pregnant women, with statistical significance for women with mild and severe preeclampsia. The risk to develop pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), mild or severe preeclampsia was increased in carriers of at least one D2-Ala92 allele. TSH and FT4 levels were significantly higher and FT3 levels were significantly lower in preeclamptic women with severe preeclampsia if they carried the D2-Ala92 allele compared to non-carriers. Pregnant women with PIH and mild preeclampsia, carriers of at least one D2-Ala92 allele, delivered at lower gestational age neonates with a lower birth weight compared to non-carriers, but the results were statistically significant only in severe preeclampsia. Conclusion: The D2-Thr92Ala genetic variant is associated with the severity and the obstetric outcome of preeclampsia, and it also influences thyroid hormone levels. The study demonstrates non-thyroidal biochemical hypothyroidism – as a result of deiodination effects due to D2 genotypes.
PET Neuroimaging: Insights on Dystonia and Tourette Syndrome and Potential Applications

Primary dystonia (pD) is a movement disorder characterized by sustained or intermittent muscle contractions causing abnormal, often repetitive, movements, postures, or both. Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is a childhood-onset neuropsychiatric developmental disorder characterized by motor and phonic tics, which could progress to behavioral changes. GTS and obsessive–compulsive disorders are often seen in comorbidity, also suggesting that a possible overlap in the pathophysiological bases of these two conditions. PET techniques are of considerable value in detecting functional and molecular abnormalities in vivo, according to the adopted radioligands. For example, PET is the unique technique that allows in vivo investigation of neurotransmitter systems, providing evidence of changes in GTS or pD. For example, presynaptic and post-synaptic dopaminergic studies with PET have shown alterations compatible with dysfunction or loss of D2-receptors bearing neurons, increased synaptic dopamine levels, or both. Measures of cerebral glucose metabolism with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET (18F-FDG PET) are very sensitive in showing brain functional alterations as well. 18F-FDG PET data have shown metabolic changes within the cortico-striato-pallido-thalamo-cortical and cerebello-thalamo-cortical networks, revealing possible involvement of brain circuits not limited to basal ganglia in pD and GTS. The aim of this work is to overview PET consistent neuroimaging literature on pD and GTS that has provided functional and molecular knowledge of the underlying neural dysfunction. Furthermore, we suggest potential applications of these techniques in monitoring treatments.
Retinal remodelling

Retinal degenerative diseases that progress through loss of photoreceptors initiate a sequence of events that culminates in negative remodelling of the retina. Initially, photoreceptor loss ablates glutamatergic signalling to the neural retina and eliminates coordinate Ca++‐coupled homeostatic signalling. Retinal neurons react to this loss of glutamatergic input through retinal rewiring and migration of neurons throughout the axis of the retina. All diseases that kill photoreceptors trigger retinal remodelling as the final common pathway and cell death is a common feature. Retinal remodelling resembles CNS pathologic remodelling and constitutes a major challenge to all rescue strategies.
Recognizing Silhouettes and Shaded Images across Depth Rotation

Outline-shape information may be particularly important in the recognition of depth-rotated objects because it provides a coarse shape description which gives first-pass information about the structure of an object. In four experiments, we compared recognition of silhouettes (showing only outline shape) with recognition of fully shaded images of objects, by means of a sequential-matching task. In experiments 1 and 2, the first stimulus was always a shaded image, and the second stimulus was either a shaded image or a silhouette. Recognition costs associated with a change in viewpoint were no greater for silhouettes than they were for shaded images. Experiments 3 and 4 replicated the design of the earlier experiments, but showed a silhouette as the initial stimulus, rather than a shaded image. In these cases, recognition costs associated with a change in viewpoint were greater for silhouettes than for shaded images. Combined, these results indicate that, while visual representations clearly include additional information, outline shape plays an important role in object recognition across depth rotation.
Stereotyping and social influence : The mediation of stereotype applicability and sharedness by the views of in-group and out-group members

Since the advent of the 'cognitive revolution' in stereotyping research, interest in the consensual nature of stereotypes and its social psychological basis has declined dramatically. Reversing this trend, this paper examines the manner in which the strength of shared stereotypes and the links between particular content and particular groups are mediated by processes of social influence. Two experiments (Ns = 300, 230) are reported in which participants' pre-existing stereotypes about Australians and Americans were confirmed or contradicted by either an in-group or an out-group source. As predicted, this social validation had powerful effects on the perceived applicability of content to groups (Expt 1) as well as stereotype consensus and favourableness (Expt 2). Stereotypes were typically bolstered when they were confirmed by an in-group or contradicted by an out-group, relative to conditions in which they were contradicted by an in-group or confirmed by an out-group. It is argued that the theoretical integration of principles from stereotyping and social influence research offers the potential for a fuller understanding of the inter-subjective, group based properties of stereotypes and stereotype change.
A new mechanism for bistability in chemical reaction networks

Systems with counter-clockwise Input-Output dynamics were recently introduced in order to study convergence of positive feedback loops (possibly to many different equilibrium states). The paper shows how this notion can be used in order to perform bifurcation analysis and globally predict multistability of a closed-loop feedback interconnection just by using the knowledge of steady-state Input-Output responses of the systems. To illustrate the theory our method is then applied to a recently published model of MAPK cascade. Furthermore, a library of examples (mainly motivated by molecular biology) of systems which are guaranteed to enjoy the property is presented and discussed.
Data Analysis at Scale: Systems, Algorithms and Information

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Data Analysis at Scale: Systems, Algorithms and Information Vincent Leroy