Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple sclerosis: genetics, biomarkers, treatments.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW We discuss new paradigms for understanding the immunopathology of multiple sclerosis through the recent development of high throughput genetic analysis, emergence of numerous candidate biomarkers, and the broadening of the treatment arsenal. RECENT FINDINGS The recent use of genome wide association studies provide new tools for a better understanding of multiple sclerosis etiology. Genome-wide association studies have identified many genes implicated in immune regulation and the next step will be to elucidate how those genetic variations influence immune cell function to drive disease development and progression. Furthermore, patient care has seen the emergence of new biomarkers for monitoring disease progression and response to treatment. Finally, the introduction of numerous immunomodulatory treatments will likely improve clinical outcome of multiple sclerosis patients in the future. SUMMARY Breakthroughs in the field of multiple sclerosis have led to a better understanding of the physiopathology of the disease, follow up, and treatment of the patients that develop relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. The next challenge for multiple sclerosis will be to press forward to model and decipher multiple sclerosis progression, which will help both to develop therapeutics and generate knowledge about mechanisms of neurodegeneration.
Learning to reason about desires: An infant training study

A key aspect of theory of mind is the ability to reason about other people's desires. As adults, we know that desires and preferences are subjective and specific to the individual. However, research in cognitive development suggests that a significant conceptual shift occurs in desire-based reasoning between 14 and 18 months of age, allowing 18but not 14month-olds to understand that different people can have different preferences (Lucas et al., 2014; Ma & Xu 2011; Repacholi & Gopnik, 1997). The present research investigates the kind of evidence that is relevant for inducing this shift and whether younger infants can be trained to learn about the diversity of preferences. In Experiment 1, infants younger than 18 months of age were shown demonstrations in which two experimenters either liked the same objects as each other (in one training condition) or different objects (in another training condition). Following training, all infants were asked to share one of two foods with one of the experimenters – they could either share a food that the experimenter showed disgust towards (and the infants themselves liked) or a food that the experimenter showed happiness towards (and the infants themselves did not like). We found that infants who observed two different experimenters liking different objects during training later provided the experimenter with the food she liked, even if it was something they disliked themselves. However, when infants observed two experimenters liking the same objects, they later incorrectly shared the food that they themselves liked with the experimenter. Experiment 2 controlled for an alternative interpretation of these findings. Our results suggest that training allows infants to overturn an initial theory in the domain of Theory of Mind for a more advanced one.
THE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE INVESTMENT MODELS FROM EMPIRICAL POINT OF VIEW

The purpose of this article is to compare the main models of investment especially from empirical point of view. Generally, the higher is the number of independent variables that are included in these models the better are the empirical results obtained based on these models. However, we can not say with certainty which investment model is better than others. In principle, the comparative analysis of these models confirms the superiority of the multifactorial models against the unifactorial investment models.
Nature of contact between polymer and mold in injection molding. Part I: Influence of a non‐perfect thermal contact

In injection molding, the pressure in the cavity usually reaches the atmospheric pressure before the ejection, therefore the thermal contact between polymer and mold is modified. This paper aims to evaluate the nature of the thermal contact between the polymer and the mold during the holding and cooling phase. An experimental plate mold has been designed to study this phenomenon. Thermal sensors facing each other and pressure sensors have been set in the mold. An inverse method is used to determine the heat flux density crossing the polymer mold interface, and the mold surface temperature. Then, a second inverse algorithm allows to determine the temperature profile at the end of the filling and the time evolution of the thermal contact resistance (TCR). Finally, the polymer temperature distribution in the thickness is determined between the thermal sensors. The results of this study show that the TCR between the polymer and the mold is not negligible and not constant with time. The polymer temperature at the surface can be 20°C higher than the mold surface temperature. Moreover, asymmetric air gaps have been observed when cavity pressure becomes equal to atmospheric pressure, therefore asymmetric temperature profile in the thickness are generated.
Anatomic relationship between lamina cribrosa, intraocular space, and cerebrospinal fluid space.

PURPOSE The lamina cribrosa, as the main structural element of the optic nerve head, forms a pressure barrier between the intraocular space and the retrobulbar space. The function as a pressure barrier may have importance for the pathogenesis of ocular diseases related to intraocular pressure and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, such as the glaucomas. The purpose of the present study was to examine the anatomic relationship between the lamina cribrosa, the intraocular pressure space, and the retrobulbar cerebrospinal pressure space in eyes with glaucoma. METHODS The study included 53 globes enucleated because of malignant choroidal melanoma (n = 42) without involvement of the optic nerve (control group) or because of painful absolute secondary angle-closure glaucoma (n = 11; glaucoma group). Anterior-posterior histologic sections through the pupil and the optic disc were morphometrically evaluated. RESULTS In the glaucoma group compared with the control group, the lamina cribrosa was significantly (P < 0.001) thinner, the part of the outer lamina cribrosa surface directly exposed to the pia mater and indirectly exposed to the CSF space was significantly (P = 0.001) wider, and the shortest distance between the intraocular space and the CSF space was significantly (P < 0.001) shorter. The posterior lamina cribrosa surface in direct contact with the pia mater was located close to the optic disc border. CONCLUSIONS The thickness of the lamina cribrosa and the anatomic relationships between the intraocular space and the CSF space differ significantly between normal and glaucomatous eyes. The findings may be of importance for the pathogenesis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy.
Equine superficial digital flexor tendon force and axial speed of sound: a calibration method under clinical conditions

Axial speed of sound (SOS) measurements are currently being used to non-invasively evaluate equine tendon force during locomotion (Crevier-Denoix et al. 2009). The calibration that transforms SOS into force values, which is used in particular on equine superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFTs), is based on the nonlinear relationship between SOS and tendon force (Pourcelot et al. 2005), which can be approximated by a logarithmic curve. In practice, a logarithmic approximation is applied to the tendon force versus SOS curve obtained at a trot on a flat hard surface (i.e. asphalt). Based on previous in vitro studies (Jerbi et al. 2000), the tendon force can be evaluated by considering that it represents 76% of the limb force at mid-stance (metacarpus close to the verticality), where the limb force is measured as the vertical component of the ground reaction force (GRFz) with a dynamometric horseshoe. However, an instrumented shoe is a relatively complex and expensive device, generally not available. It was previously demonstrated that the GRFz pattern at normal trot is repeatable among different horses (Merkens et al. 1993). The objective of this study was to formulate and test a simple calibration procedure, not requiring the direct measurement of the GRFz. This calibration was compared with the one obtained using the dynamometric horseshoe, then applied to compare the SDFT force in two exercises that are commonly performed in clinical examinations: an uphill trot and a downhill trot.
Characterization and Plasma Measurement of the WE-14 Peptide in Patients with Pheochromocytoma

Granins and their derived peptides are valuable circulating biological markers of neuroendocrine tumors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the tumoral chromogranin A (CgA)-derived peptide WE-14 and the potential advantage to combine plasma WE-14 detection with the EM66 assay and the existing current CgA assay for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. Compared to healthy volunteers, plasma WE-14 levels were 5.4-fold higher in patients with pheochromocytoma, but returned to normal values after surgical resection of the tumor. Determination of plasma CgA and EM66 concentrations in the same group of patients revealed that the test assays for these markers had an overall 84% diagnostic sensitivity, which is identical to that determined for WE-14. However, we found that WE-14 measurement improved the diagnostic sensitivity when combined with the results of CgA or EM66 assays. By combining the results of the three assays, the sensitivity for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was increased to 95%. In fact, the combination of WE-14 with either CgA or EM66 test assays achieved 100% sensitivity for the diagnosis of paragangliomas and sporadic or malignant pheochromocytomas if taken separately to account for the heterogeneity of the tumor. These data indicate that WE-14 is produced in pheochromocytoma and secreted into the general circulation, and that elevated plasma WE-14 levels are correlated with the occurrence of this chromaffin cell tumor. In addition, in association with other biological markers, such as CgA and/or EM66, WE-14 measurement systematically improves the diagnostic sensitivity for pheochromocytoma. These findings support the notion that granin-processing products may represent complementary tools for the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors.
Biotechnological production of value-added carotenoids from microalgae

We recently evaluated the relationship between abiotic environmental stresses and lutein biosynthesis in the green microalga Dunaliella salina and suggested a rational design of stress-driven adaptive evolution experiments for carotenoids production in microalgae. Here, we summarize our recent findings regarding the biotechnological production of carotenoids from microalgae and outline emerging technology in this field. Carotenoid metabolic pathways are characterized in several representative algal species as they pave the way for biotechnology development. The adaptive evolution strategy is highlighted in connection with enhanced growth rate and carotenoid metabolism. In addition, available genetic modification tools are described, with emphasis on model species. A brief discussion on the role of lights as limiting factors in carotenoid production in microalgae is also included. Overall, our analysis suggests that light-driven metabolism and the photosynthetic efficiency of microalgae in photobioreactors are the main bottlenecks in enhancing biotechnological potential of carotenoid production from microalgae.
Is HIV Prevalence Declining in Southern India? Evidence From Two Rounds of General Population Surveys in Bagalkot District, Karnataka

Objectives To assess the levels and trends in the prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections in the general population in Bagalkot district using 2 cross-sectional surveys undertaken in 2003 and 2009. Methods In both surveys, a target sample of 6600 adult males and females was selected systematically from a sample of 10 rural villages and 20 urban blocks in 3 of the 6 talukas (subdistrict units) in the district. Urine and blood samples were collected from all consenting participants for HIV and sexually transmitted infection testing. Changes in HIV prevalence in age subgroups were determined by logistic regression, taking into account the survey design. Results HIV prevalence fell not significantly from 3.2% to 2.5% during the 6-year study period. It decreased significantly (P = 0.023) among persons aged 15 to 24 years, from 2.4% in 2003 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.2–3.7) to 1.3% in 2009 (95% CI: 0.6 –2.0). However, among males aged 35 and above, HIV prevalence increased significantly (P = 0.008), from 3.0% (95% CI: 1.1–4.8) to 4.2% (95% CI: 1.8–6.6), a level similar to that found in the younger age-group in 2003. Conclusions We observed a significant decline in HIV prevalence among people aged 15 to 24 years, where HIV prevalence more closely reflects incidence. The increase in HIV prevalence among older males may have been because of the aging of a cohort of men among whom HIV prevalence was highest in the 2003 survey. It may also have in part reflected increased survival, as a result of the scaling up of antiretroviral treatment programs throughout the district and state.
Genetic Predisposition to Latex Allergy: Role of Interleukin 13 and Interleukin 18

Background:Occupational exposure of healthcare workers to natural rubber latex has led to sensitization and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis. Although environmental exposure to natural rubber latex products is necessary for sensitization, it is not sufficient. A number of genetic factors also seem to contribute to the latex sensitization; however, the multigenic nature of the allergic phenotype has made the identification of susceptibility genes difficult. The current study tests the hypothesis that known functional polymorphisms in genes encoding interleukin 4, interleukin 13, and interleukin 18 occur in a higher frequency in healthcare workers with natural rubber latex allergy. Methods:Four hundred thirty-two healthcare workers with occupational exposure to natural rubber latex were screened using a clinical history questionnaire and latex-specific immunoglobulin E serology. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes and analyzed for single-nucleotide polymorphisms in candidate genes of interest. Data from cases and controls were analyzed by nominal logistic regression, with P < 0.05 considered significant. Results:The latex allergy phenotype was significantly associated with promoter polymorphisms in IL13 −1055 (P = 0.02), IL18 −607 (P = 0.02), and IL18 −656 (P = 0.02) compared with nonatopic controls. Conclusions:The significant association of IL13 and IL18 promoter polymorphisms with latex allergy suggests a potential location for genetic control in the induction of latex allergy in individuals and extends the understanding of the genetic basis for the induction of immediate-type hypersensitivity in healthcare workers occupationally exposed to natural rubber latex.
Keep in touch: channel, expectation and experience

This paper investigates whether and how digitally mediated social touch (remote touch) may influence the sense of connectedness toward a speaker and the emotional experience of what is being communicated. We employ an 'augmented' storytelling methodology where we manipulate the modality of an 'emotive' channel that accompanies the speech, and the contextual expectation of the listener. Comparing a remote upper-arm touch against a similarly timed flashing light, we explore the importance of the touch modality in affect conveyance. Our second manipulation involves two cover stories where the listener is told that the touch or flashing light is triggered either by the storyteller expressively squeezing a touch input device while speaking, or by measured 'high points' in the mental state of the storyteller. Our results show that the story accompanied by communicative touch resulted in a significant increase in the sense of connectedness with the storyteller over the speech-only condition, and a trend toward greater affective conveyance.
DelayCheck: Scheduling voice over multi-hop multi-channel wireless mesh networks

In this work, we consider the goal of scheduling the maximum number of voice calls in a TDMA-based multi-radio, multi-channel mesh network. One of the main challenges to achieve this goal is the difficulty in providing strict (packet-level) delay guarantees for voice traffic in capacity limited multi-hop wireless networks. In this context, we propose DelayCheck, an online centralized scheduling and call-admission-control (CAC) algorithm which effectively schedules constant-bit-rate voice traffic in TDMA-based mesh networks. DelayCheck solves the joint routing, channel assignment and link scheduling problem while satisfying the constraint. We formulate an offline version of this scheduling problem as an Integer Linear Program (ILP), the LP relaxation of which gives us an optimality upper bound. We compare the output of DelayCheck with the LP-based upper bound as well as with two state-of-the-art prior scheduling algorithms. DelayCheck performs remarkably well, accepting about 93% of voice calls as compared to LP-based upper bound. As compared to state-of-the-art algorithms, DelayCheck improves scheduler efficiency by more than 34% and reduces call rejections by 2 fold. We also demonstrate that DelayCheck efficiently exploits the number of channels available for scheduling. With implementation optimizations, we show that DelayCheck has low memory and CPU requirements, thus making it practical.
Changes in Ion Channel Gene Expression Underlying Heart Failure-Induced Sinoatrial Node Dysfunction

Background—Heart failure (HF) causes a decline in the function of the pacemaker of the heart—the sinoatrial node (SAN). The aim of the study was to investigate HF-induced changes in the expression of the ion channels and related proteins underlying the pacemaker activity of the SAN. Methods and Results—HF was induced in rats by the ligation of the proximal left coronary artery. HF animals showed an increase in the left ventricular (LV) diastolic pressure (317%) and a decrease in the LV systolic pressure (19%) compared with sham-operated animals. They also showed SAN dysfunction wherein the intrinsic heart rate was reduced (16%) and the corrected SAN recovery time was increased (56%). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to measure gene expression. Of the 91 genes studied during HF, 58% changed in the SAN, although only 1% changed in the atrial muscle. For example, there was an increase in the expression of ERG, KvLQT1, Kir2.4, TASK1, TWIK1, TWIK2, calsequestrin 2, and the A1 adenosine receptor in the SAN that could explain the slowing of the intrinsic heart rate. In addition, there was an increase in Na+-H+ exchanger, and this could be the stimulus for the remodeling of the SAN. Conclusions—SAN dysfunction is associated with HF and is the result of an extensive remodeling of ion channels; gap junction channels; Ca2+-, Na+-, and H+-handling proteins; and receptors in the SAN.
Congenital stationary night blindness associated with mutations in GRM6 encoding glutamate receptor MGluR6

Congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB) is a non-progressive retinal disorder characterised by defective night vision from birth1 that is clinically and genetically heterogeneous. It is most commonly inherited as an X linked disorder, but autosomal dominant (OMIM #163500) and recessive (OMIM#258100) forms have been described. A recent report describes mutations of the GRM6 gene in three patients with autosomal recessive CSNB.2 GRM6 encodes the glutamate receptor MGluR6, which is expressed by the rod and cone ON bipolar cells.3 Pharmacological block of this receptor in primates4,5 leads to a similar CSNB phenotype as that described in subjects with GRM6 mutations.2 We have previously identified mutations in CACNA1F and NYX genes in males with X linked CSNB,6,7 and have encountered several female patients with a similar phenotype. We screened these affected females for mutations in RHO which can cause autosomal dominant …
Is a community still a community? Reviewing definitions of key terms in community ecology

Abstract Community ecology is an inherently complicated field, confounded by the conflicting use of fundamental terms. Nearly two decades ago, Fauth et al. (1996) demonstrated that imprecise language led to the virtual synonymy of important terms and so attempted to clearly define four keywords in community ecology; “community,” “assemblage,” “guild,” and “ensemble”. We revisit Fauth et al.'s conclusion and discuss how the use of these terms has changed over time since their review. An updated analysis of term definition from a selection of popular ecological textbooks suggests that definitions have drifted away from those encountered pre‐1996, and slightly disagreed with results from a survey of 100 ecology professionals (comprising of academic professors, nonacademic PhDs, graduate and undergraduate biology students). Results suggest that confusion about these terms is still widespread in ecology. We conclude with clear suggestions for definitions of each term to be adopted hereafter to provide greater cohesion among research groups.
Generalizability of antidepressant efficacy trials: differences between depressed psychiatric outpatients who would or would not qualify for an efficacy trial.

OBJECTIVE In recent years the generalizability of antidepressant efficacy trials has been questioned. Central to the question of generalizability is whether there are differences in clinical, demographic, and psychosocial characteristics between patients who would qualify for an antidepressant efficacy trial and those who would not qualify. METHOD The authors compared three groups: 123 depressed patients who would qualify for an antidepressant efficacy trial, 289 whose symptom severity was too mild to qualify for an antidepressant efficacy trial, and 187 who would be excluded because they were suicidal or had a comorbid anxiety or substance use disorder. RESULTS Compared with patients who would qualify for an antidepressant efficacy trial, patients who would be excluded because of comorbidity or suicidality were a more chronically ill group with more previous episodes, greater psychosocial impairment, and more personality pathology. CONCLUSIONS These findings support further caution in generalizing the results from antidepressant efficacy trials to clinical populations.
The Escherichia coli fadK (ydiD) Gene Encodes an Anerobically Regulated Short Chain Acyl-CoA Synthetase*

We recently reported a new metabolic competency for Escherichia coli, the ability to degrade and utilize fatty acids of various chain lengths as sole carbon and energy sources (Campbell, J. W., Morgan-Kiss, R. M., and Cronan J. E. (2003) Mol. Microbiol. 47, 793–805). This β-oxidation pathway is distinct from the previously described aerobic fatty acid degradation pathway and requires enzymes encoded by two operons, yfcYX and ydiQRSTD. The yfcYX operon (renamed fadIJ) encodes enzymes required for hydration, oxidation, and thiolytic cleavage of the acyl chain. The ydiQRSTD operon encodes a putative acyl-CoA synthetase, ydiD (renamed fadK), as well as putative electron transport chain components. We report that FadK is as an acyl-CoA synthetase that has a preference for short chain length fatty acid substrates (<10 C atoms). The enzymatic mechanism of FadK is similar to other acyl-CoA synthetases in that it forms an acyl-AMP intermediate prior to the formation of the final acyl-CoA product. Expression of FadK is repressed during aerobic growth and is maximally expressed under anaerobic conditions in the presence of the terminal electron acceptor, fumarate.