Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nature of T-cell macrophage interaction in helper-cell induction in vitro. II. Two stages of T-helper-cell differentiation analyzed in irradiation and allophenic chimeras

The genetic restriction in the T-cell-macrophage-like cell interaction in helper cell induction was investigated with allophenic and irradiation chimeras of various types. Using T cells from P leads to F1 chimeras, there was a restriction of cooperation with the parental haplotype accessory cells, unless the chimeric mice were repopulated with macrophages of the opposite haplotype before priming. T cells from primed or unprimed F1 leads to P chimeras only cooperated with recipient type accessory cells. These observations led to the hypothesis that there are two stages in the genesis of immunocompetence of T helper cells, one dependent on the thymus, and the other on peripheral macrophage-like cells. Purified T cells from P1 + P2 leads to F1 irradiation chimeras behaved in an unexpected manner in the unprimed state, preferring to cooperate with their own haplotype macrophages. This self preference was lost after antigen priming in vivo and was not noted in allophenic chimeras. This loss of self preference was restricted to the haplotypes represented in the chimeras, and did not extend to third party haplotypes. While these in vitro induced helper cells from chimeric mice show clear genetic restrictions at the T-cell macrophage-like cell interaction, there was no evidence for a matching T-B genetic restriction.
LDB1-mediated enhancer looping can be established independent of mediator and cohesin

Abstract Mechanistic studies in erythroid cells indicate that LDB1, as part of a GATA1/TAL1/LMO2 complex, brings erythroid-expressed genes into proximity with enhancers for transcription activation. The role of co-activators in establishing this long-range interaction is poorly understood. Here we tested the contributions of the RNA Pol II pre-initiation complex (PIC), mediator and cohesin to establishment of locus control region (LCR)/β-globin proximity. CRISPR/Cas9 editing of the β-globin promoter to eliminate the RNA Pol II PIC by deleting the TATA-box resulted in loss of transcription, but enhancer–promoter interaction was unaffected. Additional deletion of the promoter GATA1 site eliminated LDB1 complex and mediator occupancy and resulted in loss of LCR/β-globin proximity. To separate the roles of LDB1 and mediator in LCR looping, we expressed a looping-competent but transcription-activation deficient form of LDB1 in LDB1 knock down cells: LCR/β-globin proximity was restored without mediator core occupancy. Further, Cas9-directed tethering of mutant LDB1 to the β-globin promoter forced LCR loop formation in the absence of mediator or cohesin occupancy. Moreover, ENCODE data and our chromatin immunoprecipitation results indicate that cohesin is almost completely absent from validated and predicted LDB1-regulated erythroid enhancer-gene pairs. Thus, lineage specific factors largely mediate enhancer–promoter looping in erythroid cells independent of mediator and cohesin.
Synchronization of a Class of Fractional-Order Chaotic Neural Networks

The synchronization problem is studied in this paper for a class of fractional-order chaotic neural networks. By using the Mittag-Leffler function, M-matrix and linear feedback control, a sufficient condition is developed ensuring the synchronization of such neural models with the Caputo fractional derivatives. The synchronization condition is easy to verify, implement and only relies on system structure. Furthermore, the theoretical results are applied to a typical fractional-order chaotic Hopfield neural network, and numerical simulation demonstrates the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method.
Neurophysiology of gait: From the spinal cord to the frontal lobe

Locomotion is a purposeful, goal‐directed behavior initiated by signals arising from either volitional processing in the cerebral cortex or emotional processing in the limbic system. Regardless of whether the locomotion initiation is volitional or emotional, locomotion is accompanied by automatic controlled movement processes, such as the adjustment of postural muscle tone and rhythmic limb movements. Sensori‐motor integration in the brainstem and the spinal cord plays crucial roles in this process. The basic locomotor motor pattern is generated by spinal interneuronal networks, termed central pattern generators (CPGs). Responding to signals in proprioceptive and skin afferents, the spinal interneuronal networks modify the locomotor pattern in cooperation with descending signals from the brainstem structures and the cerebral cortex. Information processing between the basal ganglia, the cerebellum, and the brainstem may enable automatic regulation of muscle tone and rhythmic limb movements in the absence of conscious awareness. However, when a locomoting subject encounters obstacles, the subject has to intentionally adjust bodily alignment to guide limb movements. Such an intentional gait modification requires motor programming in the premotor cortices. The motor programs utilize one's bodily information, such as the body schema, which is preserved and updated in the temporoparietal cortex. The motor programs are transmitted to the brainstem by the corticoreticulospinal system, so that one's posture is anticipatorily controlled. These processes enable the corticospinal system to generate limb trajectory and achieve accurate foot placement. Loops from the motor cortical areas to the basal ganglia and the cerebellum can serve this purpose. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Effect of Ag content on the microstructure of Sn‐Ag‐Cu based solder alloys

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the microstructure and evaluate the intermetallic compounds in the following lead‐free solder alloys: Sn98.5Ag1. 0Cu0.5 (SAC105) Sn97.5Ag2. 0Cu0.5 (SAC205) Sn96.5Ag3. 0Cu0.5 (SAC305) and Sn95.5Ag4. 0Cu0.5 (SAC405). Design/methodology/approach – X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed to identify the main intermetallics formed during solidification. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to investigate the undercooling properties of each of the alloys.Findings – By using XRD analysis in addition to energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) it was found that the main intermetallics were Cu6Sn5 and Ag3Sn in a Sn matrix. Plate‐like e‐Ag3Sn intermetallics were observed for all four alloys. Solder alloys SAC105, SAC205 and SAC305 showed a similar microstructure, while SAC405 displayed a fine microstructure with intermetallic phases dense within the Sn matrix.Originality/value – Currently, low‐silver content SAC alloys are bei.
Exploring Injury Panorama, Consequences, and Recovery among Bus Crash Survivors: A Mixed-Methods Research Study

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to explore physical and mental consequences and injury mechanisms among bus crash survivors to identify aspects that influence recovery. Methods The study participants were the total population of survivors (N=56) from a bus crash in Sweden. The study had a mixed-methods design that provided quantitative and qualitative data on injuries, mental well-being, and experiences. Results from descriptive statistics and qualitative thematic analysis were interpreted and integrated in a mixed-methods analysis. Results Among the survivors, 11 passengers (20%) sustained moderate to severe injuries, and the remaining 45 (80%) had minor or no physical injuries. Two-thirds of the survivors screened for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk were assessed, during the period of one to three months after the bus crash, as not being at-risk, and the remaining one-third were at-risk. The thematic analysis resulted in themes covering the consequences and varying aspects that affected the survivors’ recoveries. The integrated findings are in the form of four “core cases” of survivors who represent a combination of characteristics: injury severity, mental well-being, social context, and other aspects hindering and facilitating recovery. Core case Avery represents a survivor who had minor or no injuries and who demonstrated a successful mental recovery. Core case Blair represents a survivor with moderate to severe injuries who experienced a successful mental recovery. Core case Casey represents a survivor who sustained minor injuries or no injuries in the crash but who was at-risk of developing PTSD. Core case Daryl represents a survivor who was at-risk of developing PTSD and who also sustained moderate to severe injuries in the crash. Conclusion The present study provides a multi-faceted understanding of mass-casualty incident (MCI) survivors (ie, having minor injuries does not always correspond to minimal risk for PTSD and moderate to severe injuries do not always correspond to increased risk for PTSD). Injury mitigation measures (eg, safer roadside material and anti-lacerative windows) would reduce the consequences of bus crashes. A well-educated rescue team and a compassionate and competent social environment will facilitate recovery. DoohanI, BjörnstigU, ÖstlundU, SavemanBI. Exploring injury panorama, consequences, and recovery among bus crash survivors: a mixed-methods research study. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(2):165–174.
Do Vascular Lesions and Related Risk Factors Influence Responsiveness to Donepezil Chloride in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease?

The purpose was to identify vascular influences on the responsiveness to donepezil chloride. The study included 50 untreated probable Alzheimer’s disease patients with the Modified Hachinski Ischemic Score <4. We assessed baseline cognitive status using the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) and the clock drawing test (CDT). The response to 5 mg of donepezil was monitored by the CDT for 12 months. Patients were classified as true responders (TR), unchanged (UC) and non-responders according to changes on the CDT in response to treatment. High HDS-R scores, low CDT scores, low CDR and presence of hypertension (HBP) and periventricular hyperintensities (PVH) predicted a TR- or UC-type outcome. Aggravation of executive function by HBP and/or PVH and its improvement by donepezil may have been detected by the CDT.
[Trends in maternal-infant transmission of AIDS after antiretroviral therapy in Brazil].

OBJECTIVE The increase in the number of AIDS cases among women has led to an increase in the maternal-infant transmission of human acquired immunodeficiency virus. Measures for the control of this type of transmission were implemented in Brazil in 1996. The aim of the present study was to analyze time trends in maternal-infant transmission of AIDS among Brazilian children. METHODS The present study included children born in Brazil between 1990 and 2001. We used the database of notified AIDS cases in children 13 years of age or younger between 1990 and 2004. Exponential regression models adjusted to the time series provided the annual variation rates and observed and expected values for the period. RESULTS We found a significant increasing trend for cases born prior to the year in which anti retroviral therapy was introduced, with an increase rate of about 12% (t<0.003) per year. Rates from different states ranged from 5.9% to 31%. The analysis of expected and observed cases for each of the country's five Regions showed a reduction in the number of cases among children born from 1997 onwards, with a progressive year-to-year reduction. The number of notified cases among children born in 2001 was less than 10% the number of expected cases. CONCLUSIONS The results obtained suggest a favorable response to the implementation of policies for the prevention of maternal-infant HIV transmission in Brazil, as observed in other parts of the world.
The role of the coverage analysis during IR-based traceability recovery: A controlled experiment

This paper presents a two-steps process aiming at improving the tracing performances of the software engineer when using an IR-based traceability recovery tool. In the first step the software engineer performs an incremental coarse-grained traceability recovery between a set of source artefacts and a set of target artefacts. During this step he/she traces as many links as possible keeping low the effort to discard false positives. In the second step he/she uses a coverage link analysis aiming at identifying source artefacts poorly traced and guiding focused fine-grained traceability recovery sessions to recover links missed in the first step. The results achieved in a reported controlled experiment demonstrate that the proposed approach significantly increases the amount of correct links traced by the software engineer with respect to a tradition process.
Maximin location of convex objects in a polygon and related dynamic Voronoi diagrams

This paper considers the maximin placement of a convex polygon <italic>P</italic> inside a polygon <italic>Q</italic>, and introduce several new static and dynamic Voronoi diagrams to solve the problem. It is shown that <italic>P</italic> can be placed inside <italic>Q</italic>, using translation and rotation, so that the minimum Euclidean distance between any point on <italic>P</italic> and any point on <italic>Q</italic> is maximized in <italic>&Ogr;</italic>(<italic>m</italic><supscrpt>4</supscrpt><italic>n λ</italic><subscrpt>16</subscrpt>(<italic>mn</italic>) log <italic>mn</italic>) time, where <italic>m</italic> and <italic>n</italic> are the numbers of edges of <italic>P</italic> and <italic>Q</italic>, respectively, and <italic>λ</italic><subscrpt>16</subscrpt>(<italic>N</italic>) is the maximum length of Davenport-Schinzel sequences on <italic>N</italic> alphabets of order 16. If only translation is allowed, the problem can be solved in <italic>&Ogr;</italic>(<italic>mn</italic> log <italic>mn</italic>) time. The problem of placing multiple translates of <italic>P</italic> inside <italic>Q</italic> in a maximum manner is also considered, and in connection with this problem the dynamic Voronoi diagram of <italic>&kgr;</italic> rigidly moving sets of <italic>n</italic> points is investigated. The combinatorial complexity of this canonical dynamic diagram for <italic>&kgr;n</italic> points is shown to be <italic>&Ogr;</italic>(<italic>n</italic><supscrpt>2</supscrpt>) and <italic>&Ogr;</italic>(<italic>n</italic><supscrpt>3</supscrpt><italic>&kgr;</italic><supscrpt>4</supscrpt> log<supscrpt>*</supscrpt> <italic>&kgr;</italic>) for <italic>&kgr;</italic> = 2, 3 and <italic>&kgr;</italic> ≥ 4, respectively. Several related problems are also treated in a unified way.
Density Functions for Navigation Function Based Systems

In this paper, we present a scheme for constructing density functions for systems that are almost globally asymptotically stable (i.e., systems for which all trajectories converge to an equilibrium except for a set of measure zero) based on navigation functions. Although recently-proven converse theorems guarantee the existence of density functions for such systems, results are only existential and the construction of a density function for almost globally asymptotically stable systems remains a challenging task. We show that for a specific class of dynamical systems that are defined based on a navigation function, a density function can be easily derived from the system's underlying navigation function
Translational Mini‐Review Series on Th17 Cells: Function and regulation of human T helper 17 cells in health and disease

OTHER ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN THIS MINI‐REVIEW SERIES ON Th17 CELLS Induction of interleukin‐17 production by regulatory T cells. Clin Exp Immunol 2009; doi:10.1111/j.1365‐2249.2009. 04038.x Are T helper 17 cells really pathogenic in autoimmunity? Clin Exp Immunol 2009; doi:10.1111/j.1365‐2249.2009. 04039.x CD4+ T helper cells: functional plasticity and differential sensitivity to regulatory T cell‐mediated regulation. Clin Exp Immunol 2009; doi:10.1111/j.1365‐2249.2009. 04040.x Development of mouse and human T helper 17 cells. Clin Exp Immunol 2009; doi:10.1111/j.1365‐2249.2009. 04041.x
Incidence of Operative Endoscopy Findings in Recurrent Croup

Objective. Develop an evidence-based model for predicting operative endoscopy findings in patients with recurrent croup. Study Design. Case series with chart review. Setting. Tertiary care children’s hospital. Subjects and Methods. Retrospective chart review was performed on 124 patients who received consultation for recurrent croup between 2000 and 2009. Direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy findings were categorized as normal, mildly abnormal (incidental findings or grade I subglottic stenosis), moderately abnormal (grade II subglottic stenosis), or severely abnormal (grade III-IV subglottic stenosis). Results. Of 124 consultations for recurrent croup, 81 patients (average age 3.5 years) underwent operative endoscopy. Normal examinations occurred in 33 of 81 (41%). Abnormal findings were encountered with the following frequency: mildly abnormal, 40 of 81 (49%); moderately abnormal, 6 of 81 (7.5%); and severely abnormal, 2 of 81 (2.5%). Relative risk (RR) of either moderately abnormal or severely abnormal findings was increased for patients who had a history of previous intubation (RR = 9.8; P = .002), prematurity (RR = 6.4; P = .01), or inpatient consultation (RR = 5.3; P = .028). The rate of moderately or severely abnormal findings in patients without the risk factors of intubation and age younger than 1 year was 0 of 48 (0%; confidence interval, 0%-7.4%). Mild abnormalities in this group were encountered in 27 of 48 (56%). Conclusion. Mild airway abnormalities are common in children with recurrent croup and cannot be ruled out based on history. In the absence the risk factors of previous intubation, age younger than 1 year, or inpatient consultation, the incidence of a significantly abnormal finding is quite low. A predictive model based on this evidence is discussed.
Regional differences within the dentition for plaque, gingivitis, and anaerobic bacteria.

OBJECTIVE This investigation assessed regional differences in dental plaque and gingivitis within the human dentition in conjunction with microbiological analyses of dental plaque. METHODS Forty-one adults (23 males and 18 females; age range 19-44 years) were enrolled, and a calibrated dental examiner completed whole mouth examinations for dental plaque (PI) and gingivitis (GI) using the Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein Index (TMQH) and the L6e-Silness (LS) Index, respectively. Dental plaque samples were collected from the anterior surfaces and posterior teeth to determine viable anaerobic bacteria. During this visit, subjects underwent a whole mouth dental prophylaxis and were provided a marketed fluoride dentifrice for twice-daily oral hygiene. Subjects were recalled on day 15 and day 30 for whole mouth assessments of PI and GI, followed by the collection of dental plaque from the anterior and posterior teeth for microbiological analyses during these visits. RESULTS Low plaque and gingival scores were common on anterior surfaces, in contrast to greater frequencies of higher PI and GI scores on the posterior regions or the entire dentition. Correspondingly, mean scores for PI and GI were significantly lower among the anterior surfaces in comparison to all other regions of the mouth (posterior, Ramfjord surfaces, or the entire dentition) over each phase of the study (p < 0.0001). While prophylaxis resulted in lower clinical scores from baseline to the day-15 recall visit (p < 0.05), anterior surfaces demonstrated lower scores than posterior regions during this recall visit (p < 0.05). Although dental plaque scores increased from the day-15 to the day-30 evaluations, gingival scores maintained broad reductions, with anterior scores consistently lower than the corresponding posterior regions (p <0.05). Microbiological analyses indicated significantly lower numbers of viable bacteria from the anterior surfaces in comparison to posterior regions at both recall visits (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Anterior surfaces routinely demonstrated lower levels of dental plaque scores than the other regions of the dentition. Higher gingival inflammation levels were also correlated with increased plaque deposits associated with posterior teeth. Microbiological analyses confirm clinical observations with significantly higher numbers of viable bacteria in the dental plaque collected from the posterior regions. The human dentition demonstrates significant regional differences in the prevalence of dental plaque, gingivitis, and corresponding anaerobic bacteria, with posterior surfaces consistently reporting higher scores than the anterior regions. These consistent differences should be taken into account in performing plaque and gingivitis studies when assessing the efficacy of oral health products for controlling dental health.
Angiotensin type 2 receptor is expressed in the adult rat kidney and promotes cellular proliferation and apoptosis.

BACKGROUND Angiotensin II (Ang II) is associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis. The role of the angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R) in these processes remains controversial. Conventional radioligand binding of 125I-Sar1, Ile8 Ang II in adult kidney has failed to demonstrate the binding for the AT2R. METHODS The presence of the AT2R was explored in adult rat kidney by in vitro and in vivo autoradiography using the selective AT2R radioligand 125I-CGP 42112B. The roles of the angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) and the AT2R in mediating cellular proliferation and apoptosis were assessed using selective AT1R or AT2R antagonists in Ang II-infused Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. RESULTS 125I-CGP 42112B binding was demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo autoradiography techniques in the glomeruli and proximal tubules of SD rats. This binding could be displaced by Ang II and the AT2R antagonist PD123319 but not by the AT1R antagonist valsartan. Subcutaneous infusion of Ang II for 14 days in eight-week-old SD rats induced proliferation of proximal tubular epithelial cells, as assessed by a twofold increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells and apoptosis, as assessed by a threefold increase in terminal dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells. The administration of the AT2R antagonist PD123319 or the AT1R antagonist valsartan was associated with attenuation of the increases in both PCNA- and TUNEL-positive cells following Ang II infusion. Ang II infusion was associated with increased osteopontin gene and protein expression, which could be reduced by treatment with either valsartan or PD123319. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that there is significant expression of the AT2R in the adult kidney, and that the AT2R has a role in mediating Ang II-induced proliferation and apoptosis in proximal tubular epithelial cells and expression of osteopontin.
N-Terminal Deletion of Peptide:N-Glycanase Results in Enhanced Deglycosylation Activity

Peptide:N-glycanase catalyzes the detachment of N-linked glycan chains from glycopeptides or glycoproteins by hydrolyzing the β-aspartylglucosaminyl bond. Peptide:N-glycanase in yeast binds to Rad23p through its N-terminus. In this study, the complex formed between Peptide:N-glycanase and Rad23p was found to exhibit enhanced deglycosylation activity, which suggests an important role for this enzyme in the misfolded glycoprotein degradation pathway in vivo. To investigate the role of this enzyme in this pathway, we made stepwise deletions of the N-terminal helices of peptide:N-glycanase. Enzymatic analysis of the deletion mutants showed that deletion of the N-terminal H1 helix (Png1p-ΔH1) enhanced the deglycosylation activity of N-glycanase towards denatured glycoproteins. In addition, this mutant exhibited high deglycosylation activity towards native glycoproteins. Dynamic simulations of the wild type and N-terminal H1 deletion mutant implied that Png1p-ΔH1 is more flexible than wild type Png1p. The efficient deglycosylation of Png1p-ΔH1 towards native and non-native glycoproteins offers a potential biotechnological application.