Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activation of murine macrophages and a bovine monocyte cell line by bovine lymphokines to kill the intracellular pathogens Eimeria bovis and Toxoplasma gondii

Macrophage (M phi)-activating lymphokines present in concanavalin A-stimulated bovine T-lymphocyte cultures (ConAS) were studied by assessing their effects on Eimeria bovis and Toxoplasma gondii growth in cultured bovine monocytes (BM) and mouse M phi. The in vitro development of both parasites was assessed by incorporation of [3H]uracil and by microscopic examination of parallel cultures. Incorporation of [3H]uracil into infected cultures was an accurate indicator of growth of both E. bovis and T. gondii in BM and mouse M phi. Sporozoites of E. bovis underwent merogony in untreated BM but not in mouse M phi, whereas T. gondii developed in both cell types. Inhibition of T. gondii growth was greatest in ConAS-treated BM, whereas preincubation of mouse M phi with ConAS resulted in about 80% growth inhibition. There was no significant difference between the inhibition of either T. gondii sporozoite- or tachyzoite-induced growth in ConAS-treated cells, showing that activation pathways are equally effective against both stages. Treatment of ConAS with glycine-hydrochloride buffer (pH 2) resulted in a total loss of antiviral activity mediated by gamma interferon (IFN-gamma). When pH 2 dialyzed ConAS was used to activate BM, inhibition of T. gondii growth was only partially affected. Because bovine IFN-gamma does not activate mouse M phi and due to the partial effects of pH 2 on ConAS-induced growth inhibition, the major component(s) of ConAS responsible for T. gondii growth inhibition is distinct from IFN-gamma. Furthermore, IFN-gamma may act synergistically rather than being part of a priming sequence for M phi responsiveness to other lymphokines. Murine recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rGM-CSF) was tested for any microbistatic activity against T. gondii sporozoites and tachyzoites. There was no significant difference in either colony formation or [3H]uracil incorporation between rGM-CSF-treated and control cultures, regardless of host cell type. Thus, rGM-CSF does not induce adequate M phi activation to kill T. gondii and is not a major microbistatic component of ConAS. rGM-CSF also had no effect on T. gondii infection in vivo.
Risk of Maternal Postpartum Readmission Associated With Mode of Delivery

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether cesarean and operative vaginal deliveries are associated with an increased risk of maternal rehospitalization compared with spontaneous vaginal delivery. METHODS: A population-based cohort study was conducted by using the Canadian Institute for Health Information's Discharge Abstract Database between 1997/1998 and 2000/2001, which included 900,108 women aged 15–44 years with singleton live births (after excluding several selected obstetric conditions). RESULTS: A total of 16,404 women (1.8%) were rehospitalized within 60 days after initial discharge. Compared with spontaneous vaginal delivery (rate 1.5%), cesarean delivery was associated with a significantly increased risk of postpartum readmission (rate 2.7%, odds ratio [OR] 1.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8–1.9); ie, there was 1 excess postpartum readmission per 75 cesarean deliveries. Diagnoses associated with significantly increased risks of readmission after cesarean delivery (compared with spontaneous vaginal delivery) included pelvic injury/wounds (rate 0.86% versus 0.06%, OR 13.4, 95% CI 12.0–15.0), obstetric complications (rate 0.23% versus 0.08%, OR 3.0, 95% CI 2.6–3.5), venous disorders and thromboembolism (rate 0.07% versus 0.03%, OR 2.7, 95% CI 2.1–3.4), and major puerperal infection (rate 0.45% versus 0.27%, OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.6–1.9). Women delivered by forceps or vacuum were also at an increased risk of readmission (rates 2.2% and 1.8% versus 1.5%; OR forceps: 1.4, 95% CI 1.3–1.5; OR vacuum: 1.2, 95% CI 1.2–1.3, respectively). Higher readmission rates after operative vaginal delivery were due to pelvic injury/wounds, genitourinary conditions, obstetric complications, postpartum hemorrhage, and major puerperal infection. CONCLUSION: Compared with spontaneous vaginal delivery, cesarean delivery, and operative vaginal delivery increase the risk of maternal postpartum readmission. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2
Effects of Lycopene Supplementation in Patients with Localized Prostate Cancer

Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse association between dietary intake of lycopene and prostate cancer risk. We conducted a clinical trial to investigate the biological and clinical effects of lycopene supplementation in patients with localized prostate cancer. Twenty-six men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer were randomly assigned to receive a tomato oleoresin extract containing 30 mg of lycopene (n = 15) or no supplementation (n = 11) for 3 weeks before radical prostatectomy. Biomarkers of cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed by Western blot analysis in benign and cancerous prostate tissues. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring the Peripheral blood lymphocyte ONA oxidation product 5-hydroxymethyl-deoxyuridine (5-OH-mdU). Usual dietary Intake of nutrients was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Prostatectomy specimens were evaluated for pathologic stage, Gleason score, volume of cancer, and extent of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Plasma levels of lycopene, insulin-like growth factor-1, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3, and prostate-specific antigen were measured at baseline and after 3 weeks of supplementation or observation. After intervention, subjects in the intervention group had smaller tumors (80% vs 45%, less than 4 ml), less involvement of surgical margins and/or extra-prostatic tissues with cancer (73% vs 18%, organ-confined disease), and less diffuse involvement of the prostate by high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (33% vs 0%, focal involvement) compared with subjects in the control group. Mean plasma prostate-specific antigen levels were lower in the intervention group compared with the control group. This pilot study suggests that lycopene may have beneficial effects in prostate cancer. Larger clinical trials are Warranted to investigate the potential preventive and/or therapeutic role of lycopene in prostate cancer.
Experimental Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Induces Blunted Vasoconstriction and Functional Changes in the Rat Aorta

Diabetic conditions increase vascular reactivity to angiotensin II in several studies but there are scarce reports on cardiovascular effects of hypercaloric diet (HD) induced gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), so the objective of this work was to determine the effects of HD induced GDM on vascular responses. Angiotensin II as well as phenylephrine induced vascular contraction was tested in isolated aorta rings with and without endothelium from rats fed for 7 weeks (4 before and 3 weeks during pregnancy) with standard (SD) or hypercaloric (HD) diet. Also, protein expression of AT1R, AT2R, COX-1, COX-2, NOS-1, and NOS-3 and plasma glucose, insulin, and angiotensin II levels were measured. GDM impaired vasoconstrictor response (P < 0.05 versus SD) in intact (e+) but not in endothelium-free (e−) vessels. Losartan reduced GDM but not SD e− vasoconstriction (P < 0.01 versus SD). AT1R, AT2R, and COX-1 and COX-2 protein expression were significantly increased in GDM vessels (P < 0.05 versus SD). Results suggest an increased participation of endothelium vasodilator mediators, probably prostaglandins, as well as of AT2 vasodilator receptors as a compensatory mechanism for vasoconstrictor changes generated by experimental GDM. Considering the short term of rat pregnancy findings can reflect early stage GDM adaptations.
Terminally Differentiated CD8+ T Cells Negatively Affect Bone Regeneration in Humans

A subset of T cells inhibits bone regeneration in humans. No Bones About It Sticks and stones may break your bones, but immune cells will not hurt you, at least if Reinke et al. have anything to say about it. The immune system seems to have a hand in everything these days, and bone repair is no exception. T cells have been implicated in modulating bone fracture repair, even in the absence of infection. Reinke et al. take these studies into patients and find that delayed fracture healing correlated with a subset of T cells—terminally differentiated effector memory CD8+ T (TEMRA) cells. The authors examined the number of CD8+ TEMRA cells over time and found that the difference in CD8+ TEMRA cell number in patients with delayed healing reflected the individual’s immune profile, or lifelong response to infection, rather than a more acute, fracture-related event. They specifically found these cells in fracture hematoma, one of the earliest stages of fracture healing. They then took these studies into mice and found that the absence of CD8+ T cells improved bone regeneration, whereas adding CD8+ T cells impaired fracture healing. This mechanistic link supported their association in patients and suggests that these CD8+ TEMRA cells may be targeted or serve as markers for intervention in patients with delayed bone fracture healing. There is growing evidence that adaptive immunity contributes to endogenous regeneration processes: For example, endogenous bone fracture repair is modulated by T cells even in the absence of infection. Because delayed or incomplete fracture healing is associated with poor long-term outcomes and high socioeconomic costs, we investigated the relationship between an individual’s immune reactivity and healing outcome. Our study revealed that delayed fracture healing significantly correlated with enhanced levels of terminally differentiated CD8+ effector memory T (TEMRA) cells (CD3+CD8+CD11a++CD28−CD57+ T cells) in peripheral blood. This difference was long lasting, reflecting rather the individual’s immune profile in response to lifelong antigen exposure than a post-fracture reaction. Moreover, CD8+ TEMRA cells were enriched in fracture hematoma; these cells were the major producers of interferon-γ/tumor necrosis factor–α, which inhibit osteogenic differentiation and survival of human mesenchymal stromal cells. Accordingly, depletion of CD8+ T cells in a mouse osteotomy model resulted in enhanced endogenous fracture regeneration, whereas a transfer of CD8+ T cells impaired the healing process. Our data demonstrate the high impact of the individual adaptive immune profile on endogenous bone regeneration. Quantification of CD8+ TEMRA cells represents a potential marker for the prognosis of the healing outcome and opens new opportunities for early and targeted intervention strategies.
A Framework for Mapping Periodic Real-Time Applications on Multicomputers

This short paper presents a framework for periodic execution of task-flow graphs that enables schedulability analysis of the communication requirements. The analysis performs the steps of segmenting messages, assigning the segments to specific links and time intervals, and ordering them within the intervals to generate node switching schedules that provide contention-free message routing at run-time. The analysis is also used to integrate task allocation with message routing using a contention-based objective function. Usefulness of the proposed scheme in ensuring guaranteed communication performance is demonstrated by an appropriate example. >
Belief network based disambiguation of object reference in spoken dialogue system for robot

We are studying joint activity in which a remote robot finds an object by communicating with the user over a voice-only channel. We focus on how the robot disambiguates the reference of the uttered word or phrase to the target object. For example, by “cup”, one may refer to a “teacup”, a “coffee cup”, or even a “glass” under some situations. This reference (hereafter, “object reference”) is user-dependent. We confirm that a user model of object references is significant by conducting a survey of 12 subjects. In addition to ambiguity of object reference, actual systems should cope with two other sources of uncertainty in speech and image recognition. We present a Belief Network based probabilistic reasoning system to determine the object reference. The resulting system demonstrates that the number of interactions needed to find a common reference is reduced as the user model is refined.
HPMA copolymer–anticancer drug–OV‐TL16 antibody conjugates. II. Processing in epithelial ovarian carcinoma cells in vitro

The binding, internalization, subcellular trafficking and in vitro cytotoxicity of N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer–anti‐cancer drug–OV‐TL16 antibody (Ab) conjugates in the ovarian carcinoma OVCAR‐3 cell line have been investigated. Adriamycin (ADR) and meso chlorin e6 mono(N‐2‐aminoethylamide) (Mce6) photosensitizer were used as anti‐cancer drugs. Targeted (Ab‐containing) conjugates were compared with non‐targeted HPMA copolymer–drug conjugates and with free drugs. Targeted conjugates were taken up rapidly by cells and detected within lysosomes by confocal fluorescence microscopy. The ADR attached to polymer chains via a degradable GFLG spacer was released from the conjugate, diffused via the lysosomal membrane into the cytoplasm and ultimately accumulated in the cell nuclei. In contrast, conjugates containing ADR bound via the GG spacer accumulated in the lysosomes, but no fluorescence could be detected in the cell nuclei. Binding the drugs to a non‐targeted HPMA copolymer decreased their cytotoxicity in vitro. The IC50 dose increased from 2 μM for free ADR to 150 μM for P(GFLG)–ADR (P is the HPMA copolymer backbone) and from 0.34 μM for free Mce6 (with light) to 290 μM for P–(GG)–Mce6. However, attachment of OV‐TL16 Abs rendered HPMA copolymer–drug conjugates biorecognizable by OVCAR‐3 cells and markedly increased their cytotoxicity. The IC50 doses were 4.4 and 0.38 μM for the targeted conjugates P(GFLG)–ADR–Ab and P(GG)–Mce6–Ab (with light), respectively. Biorecognition was shown to be specific by inhibition experiments with free Ab. The findings indicate the potential of these conjugates as effective agents in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Int. J. Cancer 75:600–608, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Distributed Newton Methods for Deep Neural Networks

Deep learning involves a difficult nonconvex optimization problem with a large number of weights between any two adjacent layers of a deep structure. To handle large data sets or complicated networks, distributed training is needed, but the calculation of function, gradient, and Hessian is expensive. In particular, the communication and the synchronization cost may become a bottleneck. In this letter, we focus on situations where the model is distributedly stored and propose a novel distributed Newton method for training deep neural networks. By variable and feature-wise data partitions and some careful designs, we are able to explicitly use the Jacobian matrix for matrix-vector products in the Newton method. Some techniques are incorporated to reduce the running time as well as memory consumption. First, to reduce the communication cost, we propose a diagonalization method such that an approximate Newton direction can be obtained without communication between machines. Second, we consider subsampled Gauss-Newton matrices for reducing the running time as well as the communication cost. Third, to reduce the synchronization cost, we terminate the process of finding an approximate Newton direction even though some nodes have not finished their tasks. Details of some implementation issues in distributed environments are thoroughly investigated. Experiments demonstrate that the proposed method is effective for the distributed training of deep neural networks. Compared with stochastic gradient methods, it is more robust and may give better test accuracy.
HIV Protease Inhibitors: Suppression of Insulin Secretion by Inhibition of Voltage-Dependent K+ Currents and Anion Currents

We have shown before that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors ritonavir and nelfinavir, but not indinavir, suppress insulin secretion from mouse pancreatic B-cells via reduction of the cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]c). This was not because of an effect on ATP-dependent K+ channels (KATP channels) or L-type Ca2+ channels. The study was intended to elucidate the mechanisms by which distinct HIV protease inhibitors decrease [Ca2+]c and thus evoke their adverse side effect on insulin release. Membrane potential and whole-cell currents were measured with the patch-clamp technique, and [Ca2+]c was determined with a fluorescence dye. Ritonavir and nelfinavir both inhibited the same component(s) of voltage-dependent K+ currents with a concomitant change in action potential wave form, whereas indinavir was ineffective. Comparison with other blockers of voltage-dependent K+ currents revealed that suppression of distinct noninactivating current component(s) altered action potential wave form and decreased [Ca2+]c similar to ritonavir and nelfinavir, whereas blockage of inactivating component(s) was without effect. Complete inhibition of voltage-dependent K+ currents by 80 mM TEA+ drastically increased [Ca2+]c, demonstrating that voltage-dependent K+ channels are not the sole target of ritonavir and nelfinavir. Accordingly, the Ca2+-lowering effect of ritonavir was preserved in the presence of 80 mM TEA+. This effect was mimicked by the anion channel blocker 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS). Consequentially, ritonavir and nelfinavir inhibited a DIDS-sensitive anion current in B-cells. We suggest that ritonavir and nelfinavir decrease insulin secretion by inhibition of voltage-dependent K+ channels and anion channels, which are essential to provide counterion currents for Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane.
Tailoring the Optical Transmission Spectra of Double-Layered Compound Metallic Gratings

The transmission resonance characteristics of a gold double-layered compound grating (DCG) are investigated numerically using the rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) method. The DCG is assumed to comprise two identical single-layered gratings separated by an air gap with a thickness of 0 ~ 250 mm. Furthermore, each grating is assumed to comprise two slits with different widths (w) within each period. The physical origins of the transmission features of the DCG structures are examined using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The RCWA results show that the optical transmission spectra of the considered DCG structures can be tailored over a wide range of wavelengths via a suitable adjustment of the air gap thickness. Moreover, it is shown that, for values of the air gap thickness greater than 100 nm, the transmission spectrum of the DCG structure converges toward that of a single-layered compound grating (SCG). Overall, the results presented in this paper show that the optical transmission properties of a metallic DCG are highly sensitive to the thickness of the air gap between the two grating structures. As such, DCG structures are ideally suited to the realization of proximity sensors and other photonic-based optical devices.
Evaluation of QoS Metrics in Ad Hoc Networks with the use of Secure Routing Protocols

An ad hoc network is formed by mobile computers (nodes) with wireless interfaces that communicate amongst themselves without the help of any infrastructure. Due to their characteristics, the ad hoc networks are prone to the presence of malicious nodes that can degrade the performance. This fact motivated the appearance of security protocols that implement mechanisms to avoid attacks like DoS. This article accomplished a verification of the impact caused in the performance of the ad hoc networks with the use of security protocols (SEAD and Ariadne) in relation to the use of protocols that don't have security mechanisms (DSDV and DSR). First an ad hoc network is simulated using these routing protocols and soon afterwards a comparative study is accomplished through graphs of the values obtained for each basic QoS metrics
Effectiveness of a mental health court in reducing criminal recidivism and violence.

OBJECTIVE In response to the large-scale involvement of people with mental disorders in the criminal justice system, many communities have created specialized mental health courts in recent years. However, little research has been done to evaluate the criminal justice outcomes of such courts. This study evaluated whether a mental health court can reduce the risk of recidivism and violence by people with mental disorders who have been arrested. METHOD A retrospective observational design was used to compare the occurrence of new criminal charges for 170 people who entered a mental health court after arrest and 8,067 other adults with mental disorders who were booked into an urban county jail after arrest during the same interval. A matching strategy based on propensity scores was used to adjust analyses for nonrandom selection into mental health court. RESULTS Propensity-weighted Cox regression analysis, controlling for other potential confounding variables (demographic characteristics, clinical variables, and criminal history), showed that participation in the mental health court program was associated with longer time without any new criminal charges or new charges for violent crimes. Successful completion of the mental health court program was associated with maintenance of reductions in recidivism and violence after graduates were no longer under supervision of the mental health court. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that a mental health court can reduce recidivism and violence by people with mental disorders who are involved in the criminal justice system.
Common Polymorphisms in the CACNA1H Gene Associated with Childhood Absence Epilepsy in Chinese Han Population

Variants with a relatively high frequency in the CACNA1H gene have previously been identified in cases of childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) in the Chinese Han population most of which are located in exons 6 to 12. In present study we attempted to further investigate whether the CACNA1H gene is associated with CAE. Exons 6 to 12 of CACNA1H gene were sequenced in samples of 100 CAE trios recruited consecutively, and 191 normal human controls. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were studied in both single locus and haplotype analyses in 218 CAE trios, of which 118 trios were selected from our previous research. Case‐control comparisons and the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) both supported a coding SNP (cSNP) rs9934839 (R603R) in exon 9 as being close related to CAE. The carriers of the G allele of rs9934839 had a 3‐fold higher risk of CAE than non‐carriers. Moreover, another cSNP rs8044363 was predicted to be connected directly with CAE in a Bayesian network. In addition, two haplotypes consisting of five cSNPs in the region of CACNA1H were statistically associated with CAE. Our research provides new evidence to further support the hypothesis that CACNA1H may be an important susceptibility gene for CAE in the Chinese Han population.