Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nasal and bronchial inflammation after nasal allergen challenge: assessment using noninvasive methods.

BACKGROUND Links between the upper and lower airways have been demonstrated in recent years. However, few studies have evaluated inflammation using noninvasive methods. METHODS A nasal allergen challenge was performed with pollen outside the pollen season in 30 patients with allergic rhinitis due to pollen but no asthma. Clinical and inflammatory nasal and bronchial responses to nasal allergen challenge were evaluated using the nasal symptoms score (NSS), visual analog scale (VAS), nasal geometry (volume between 2 and 5 cm [Vol2-5]) by acoustic rhinometry, lung function by spirometry, nasal nitric oxide (nNO), and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO). Values were recorded at baseline, 15 minutes, and 2 and 24 hours after challenge. Nasal lavage and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples were collected at 2 and 24 hours to assess 8-isoprostane, cys-leukotrienes, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), tryptase, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and interleukin (IL) 5. RESULTS NSS and VAS increased significantly at 15 minutes and 2 and 24 hours after challenge. Vol2-5 decreased significantly at 15 minutes and 2 hours, while nNO decreased at 15 minutes. All inflammatory mediators except ECP increased significantly at 2 hours in nasal lavage samples, while ECP, 8-isoprostane, and cys-leukotrienes increased at 24 hours (P < .01). In EBC, 8-isoprostane and cys-leukotrienes increased at 2 and 24 hours (P < .01). No significant changes were found at any time in lung function or eNO. CONCLUSION Nasal allergen challenge induces clinical and inflammatory responses in the nose and bronchi that can be assessed using noninvasive methods such as nasal lavage, EBC, and nNO.
Brain-Computer Interface Systems Used for Virtual Reality Control

A Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) is a non-muscular communication channel for connecting the brain to a computer or another device. Currently, non-invasive BCIs transform thoughtrelated changes in the electroencephalogram (EEG) online and in real time into control signals. In such an EEG-based BCI, specific features are extracted from brain-signals, transformed into a control signal, and used to restore communication to patients with locked-in-syndrome or to control neuroprosthesis in patients with spinal cord injuries (Birbaumer et al., 1999; Pfurtscheller et al., 2008b; Wolpaw et al., 2002). In addition to these applications, which focus on communication and control, the related field of neurofeedback supports feedback training in people suffering from epilepsy, autism, stroke, and emotional or attentional disorders (Birbaumer & Cohen, 2007). Today the world of BCI applications is expanding and new fields are opening. One new direction involves BCIs to control virtual reality (VR), including BCIs for games, or using VR as a powerful feedback medium to reduce the need for BCI training (Leeb et al., 2007b; Scherer et al., 2008). Virtual environments (VE) can provide an excellent testing ground for procedures that could be adapted to real world scenarios, especially for patients with disabilities. If people can learn to control their movements or perform specific tasks in a VE, this could justify the much greater expense of building physical devices such as a wheelchair or robot arm that is controlled by a BCI. BCIs are more and more moving out of the laboratory and becoming also useful for healthy users in certain situations (Nijholt et al., 2008). One of the first efforts to combine VR and BCI technologies was Bayliss and Ballard (2000) and Bayliss (2003). They introduced a VR smart home in which users could control different appliances using a P300-based BCI. Pineda et al. (2003) showed that immersive feedback based on a computer game can help people learn to control a BCI based on imagined movement more quickly than mundane feedback, a finding we later validated with other immersive feedback (Leeb et al., 2006; 2007b). Lalor et al. (2005) used a steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP)-based BCI to control a character in an immersive 3-D gaming environment. Recently, Leeb et al. (2007b) have reported on exploring a smart virtual
Molecular beacon reverse transcription-PCR of human chorionic gonadotropin-beta-3, -5, and -8 mRNAs has prognostic value in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND The beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is encoded by four genes, of which expression of the hCGbeta-3, -5, and -8 genes could have prognostic value in breast cancer. METHODS Applying a new, modified Molecular Beacon reverse transcription-PCR assay, we investigated the prognostic value of the hCGbeta-3, -5, and -8 gene transcripts in 129 sporadic unilateral breast cancer samples from patients with a median follow-up of 62.3 months. RESULTS Expression of hCGbeta-3, -5, -8 was significantly (P = 0.020) associated with relapse-free survival (RFS). In multivariate survival analysis, hCGbeta-3, -5, and -8 maintained prognostic value for RFS, with high expression predicting shorter RFS (P = 0.015; hazard ratio, 2.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-4.34). Only 1 of 24 (4%) node-negative patients with low hCGbeta-3, -5, -8 expression relapsed, in contrast to 7 of 26 (27%) patients with high expression (P = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS Expression of hCGbeta-3, -5, -8, which differ by only one nucleotide from other hCGbeta genes, can be assessed by our modified Molecular Beacon assay in breast cancer tissues. Expression of hCGbeta-3, -5, -8 has independent, prognostic value for RFS in breast cancer and may help identify node-negative patients with poor prognosis.
Comments on “a Replication is a Replication is not a Replication”

( 1 ) Agreed with Franks (1964) that a replication should indeed replicate (as nearly as possible). ( 2 ) Agreed that the Ludvigson (1964) srudy was not a "precise replication" of earlier studies on drugs and eyelid conditioning (e.g., Franks & Trouton, 1958) though it was similar. ( 3 ) The Ludvigson study was not intended to replicate the conditions of the earlier work. If there was any implication that it was so designed it was an unfortunate consequence of the limitations of brief reporting. The author's intention was to point out that his results did not agree with those of the earlier studies in spite of the fact that the several studies used procedures which, albeit different in certain respects, had all been considered operational definitions of "conditioning. " The empirical import of the srudy was evidence bearing not upon the reliability of drug effects under a given set of conditions (which a replication would provide), but rather upon the generality of drug effects across experimental conditions. Thus the study actually provides Franks with empirical support for his apparent concern wirh the narrowness of such generality. ( 4 ) The rationale, in brief, for the Ludvigson procedures follows: According to drive ( D ) , theory (e.g., Spence, 1958) D is assumed to be an increasing function of the strength of an emotional response ( r . ) that is aroused by aversive stimulation, such as that employed in eyelid conditioning. Any drugs which alter r, should affect conditioning performance, and in the same manner (e.g., divergent acquisition functions) as other drive variables. Work on the conditioned avoidance and emotional responses suggests that at leasr some of the tranquilizers lower emotional responsiveness while central stimulants, which tend to have behavioral effects opposite to those of the tranquilizers, enhance such responsiveness. The Ludvigson study employed procedures comparable to those of many studies from the same laboratory which have provided much of the empirical base of drive theory. The fact that in the Ludvigson study the drugs did not significantly influence conditioning, can only be taken as a failure to confirm the predictions from Spence's emotionally-based drive theory, assuming the dosages employed were sufficient to alter emotionality. Incidentally, this is a good example of an Iowa study which does not support Iowan theory (Franks, 1964) . ( 5 ) Although the author is in sympathy wirh the suggestion of a trip to England, he feels confident that he can fail to replicate his own findings in this country.
Long-term ERG analysis in the partially light-damaged mouse retina reveals regressive and compensatory changes

Most of the blinding retinopathies are due to progressive photoreceptor degeneration. Treatment paradigms that are currently being investigated include strategies to either halt or slow down photoreceptor cell loss, or to replace useful vision with retinal prosthesis. However, more information is required on the pathophysiological changes of the diseased retina, in particular the inner retina, that occur as a consequence of photoreceptor cell loss. Here we wished to use light damage as a stoppable insult to determine the structural and functional consequences on inner and outer retina, with the overall goal of determining whether survival of a functional inner retina is possible even if the outer retina is damaged. Mice were exposed to a 20-day light-damage period. Electroretinograms (ERG) and morphology were used to assess subsequent recovery. Outer retina was monitored analyzing a-waves, which represent photoreceptor cell responses, and histology. Integrity of the inner retina was monitored, analyzing b-waves and oscillatory potentials (OP1–OP4) and immunohistochemical markers for known proteins of the inner retina. All six ERG components were significantly suppressed with respect to amplitudes and kinetics, but stabilized in a wave-dependent manner within 40–70 days after the end of light exposure. As expected, damage of the outer retina was permanent. However, function of the inner retina was found to recover significantly. While b-wave amplitudes remained suppressed to 60% of their baseline values, OP amplitudes recovered completely, and implicit times of all components of the inner retina (b-wave and OP1–OP4) recovered to a level close to baseline values. Histological analyses confirmed the lack of permanent damage to the inner retina. In summary, these data suggests that the inner retina has the potential for significant recovery as well as plasticity if treatment is available to stop the deterioration of the outer retina.
The circular structure of values: The case of China

This study examined the circular structure of values in China. The circular structure is a central element of Schwartz value theory and visualises the idea that some values are similar while others conflict with one another. Whereas numerous studies addressed the question whether the circular structure of values can be generalised cross-culturally, results for China are inconclusive. In this paper, we argue that taking a closer look at China provides a challenge to the circular structure and allows for drawing conclusions regarding the limits versus generalizability of Schwartz' theory. For this purpose, we first conduct a re-analysis of Chinese data from a former meta-analysis (Study 1) and second, present results from a large study of 10,652 Chinese college students (Study 2). Results of Study 1 revealed that graphical representation of the circular structure matched theoretical expectations but five out of six samples showed relatively bad fit to the theorised structure. By contrast, data in Study 2 showed a good model fit. As an overall conclusion, the circular structure is well supported in the Chinese context, and small sample sizes in previous studies might have caused the imperfect match to the prototypical circular structure.
Factor retention in the intra-individual approach: Proposition of a triangulation strategy

The intra-individual approach has been proposed by researchers as an alternative to traditional techniques focused on the population level. The central argument is that the inter-individual procedures are appropriate to estimate the population variance but cannot be extrapolated to the individual level. Evidence shows that the factorial structure of intelligence and personality psychometric models usually verified in the population (e.g. Carrol’s three strata factor structure and the Big Five Personality model) are not necessarily found at the individual level. However, the factor analysis in the intra-individual approach has an additional challenge in comparison to the traditional factor analysis: until the present moment there are no fit indices available to the intra-individual factor techniques. The current paper proposes the use of a set of approaches to find the adequate factor retention as a triangulation of data. The proposition will be applied in the psychometric intelligence field
Measuring the inclination and mass-to-light ratio of axisymmetric galaxies via anisotropic Jeans models of stellar kinematics

We present a simple and efficient anisotropic generalization of the semi-isotropic (two-integral) axisymmetric Jeans formalism, which is used to model the stellar kinematics of galaxies. The following is assumed: (i) a constant mass-to-light ratio (MIL) and (ii) a velocity ellipsoid that is aligned with cylindrical coordinates (R, z) and characterized by the classic anisotropy parameter β z = 1 - υ 2 z /υ 2 R . Our simple models are fit to SAURON integral-field observations of the stellar kinematics for a set of fast-rotator early-type galaxies. With only two free parameters (β z and the inclination), the models generally provide remarkably good descriptions of the shape of the first (V) and second (V rms ≡ √V 2 + σ 2 ) velocity moments, once a detailed description of the surface brightness is given. This is consistent with previous findings on the dynamical structure of these objects. With the observationally motivated assumption that β z ≥0, the method is able to recover the inclination. The technique can be used to determine the dynamical MIL and angular momenta of early-type fast-rotators and spiral galaxies, especially when the quality of the data does not justify more sophisticated modelling approaches. This formalism allows for the inclusion of dark matter, supermassive black holes, spatially varying anisotropy and multiple kinematic components.
Enhancement in Gas Pumping in a Square Channel With Two-Stage Corona Wind Generator

In this paper, the flow field inside a square channel with a two-stage electrohydrodynamic (EHD) gas pump has been critically examined by experimental measurement and numerical simulation. The EHD gas pump with 28 emitting electrodes in each stage is tested for a wide range of operating voltages starting from the corona onset voltage up to 28 kV for further improvement in its performance over a single-stage one. It has been shown that the two-stage EHD gas pump can produce and sustain gas flows with a maximum velocity of 1.8 m/s. Its maximum performance of 36 L/s/W is better than that of conventional cooling fans used in personal computers. The implication for its application in thermal management and heat transfer enhancement has also been discussed.
Feasibility of DC transmission networks

This paper examines the current status of technology and discusses technical options for developing DC transmission grids. The fast advances in VSC HVDC, the recent offshore VSC projects, the experience with multiterminal HVDC and recent development of fast DC circuit breakers bring large meshed DC grids closer to reality. The most important and most difficult remaining technical challenge is the system level protection of DC grids. The article further discusses some of the ongoing research directions like the use of travelling wave detection for fast protection or deployment of DC/DC converters for isolation of DC faults. One of the main work packages in EU funded Twenties project studies the major prerequisites for operation of DC grids. This project has delivered some major studies of DC grids and two hardware demonstration systems are under development: a mock-up DC grid at University of Lille and fast DC Circuit Breaker at ALSTOM.
Going positive: The effects of negative and positive advertising on candidate success and voter turnout

Given the depth of research on negative advertising in campaigns, scholars have wondered why candidates continue to attack their opponents. We build on this research by considering real-world campaign contexts in which candidates are working in competition with each other and have to react to the decisions of the opposing campaign. Our results suggest that it is never efficacious for candidates to run attack ads, but running positive ads can increase a candidate’s margin of victory. These results are conditioned by two factors: candidates must both stay positive and out-advertise their opponent. Second, the effects of positive advertising are strongest in areas where the candidate is losing or winning by a large margin—areas where they might be tempted to not advertise at all.
Scientific Opinion on Quantification of the risk posed by broiler meat to human campylobacteriosis in the EU 1 EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards ( BIOHAZ )

This scientific opinion further elaborates a previous EFSA opinion and assesses the extent to which meat derived from broilers contributes to human campylobacteriosis at EU level. It gives an overview of the public health significance and burden of campylobacteriosis, concluding that there is considerable underascertainment and underreporting of clinical campylobacteriosis in the EU. The known and hypothesised factors having an impact of the epidemiology of human campylobacteriosis are summarised. Handling, preparation and consumption of broiler meat may account for 20% to 30% of human cases of campylobacteriosis, while 50% to 80% may be attributed to the chicken reservoir as a whole. Many factors may explain this difference in attribution. There are differences in the point of attribution (reservoir vs. point of consumption). Strains from the chicken reservoir may reach humans by pathways other than food (e.g. by the environment or by direct contact). Results may be biased by inaccurate exposure assessments, confounding by immunity and incomplete data on reservoirs. Data for source attribution in the EU are limited and unavailable for the majority of Member States and there are indications that the epidemiology of human campylobacteriosis differs between regions. Hence, the conclusions of this scientific opinion must be interpreted with care. Recommendations are made on EU surveillance and research activities aimed at improving quantification of the burden of campylobacteriosis, facilitating the evaluation of the human health effects of any interventions and giving a better basis for source attribution.
Cyclotides: a novel type of cytotoxic agents.

Cytotoxic activities of three naturally occurring macrocyclic peptides (cyclotides) isolated from the two violets, Viola arvensis Murr. and Viola odorata L. , were investigated. A nonclonogenic fluorometric microculture assay was used to examine cytotoxicity in a panel of 10 human tumor cell lines representing defined types of cytotoxic drug resistance. Additionally, primary cultures of tumor cells from patients, and for comparison normal lymphocytes, were used to quantify cytotoxic activity. All three cyclotides, varv A, varv F, and cycloviolacin 02, exhibited strong cytotoxic activities, which varied in a dose-dependent manner. Cycloviolacin 02 was the most potent in all cell lines (IC50 0.1-0.3 microM), followed by varv A (IC50 2.7-6.35 microM) and varv F (IC50 2.6-7.4 microM), respectively. Activity profiles of the cyclotides differed significantly from those of antitumor drugs in clinical use, which may indicate a new mode of action. This, together with the exceptional chemical and biological stability of cyclotides, makes them interesting in particular for their potential as pharmacological tools and possibly as leads to antitumor agents.
Redetermination of Ba2CdTe3 from single-crystal X-ray data

The previous structure determination of the title compound, dibarium tritelluridocadmate, was based on powder X-ray diffraction data [Wang & DiSalvo (1999 ▶). J. Solid State Chem. 148, 464–467]. In the current redetermination from single-crystal X-ray data, all atoms were refined with anisotropic displacement parameters. The previous structure report is generally confirmed, but with some differences in bond lengths. Ba2CdTe3 is isotypic with Ba2 MX 3 (M = Mn, Cd; X = S, Se) and features 1 ∞[CdTe2/2Te2/1]4− chains of corner-sharing CdTe4 tetrahedra running parallel [010]. The two Ba2+ cations are located between the chains, both within distorted monocapped trigonal–prismatic coordination polyhedra. All atoms in the structure are located on a mirror plane.
Abstract 4386: Effects of interferon-α-transduced tumor cell vaccines and blockade of programmed cell death 1 on the growth of established tumors

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Progress in treatments for cancer has improved the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer. However, there is a strong need for the development of a new intervention therapy that suppresses the occurrence or recurrence effectively with fewer side effects. Immunotherapy may be such a treatment and gene therapy using tumor cells that are genetically modified to produce cytokines has been studied in several therapeutic models. We have previously reported that the interferon (IFN)-α gene-transduced tumor-based vaccination therapy suppresses the outgrowth of established tumors. Although the suppressive effects on established tumors were observed, we did not see reductions in the size of all of the parental tumors. Therefore, further improvements in the treatment are needed before clinical application, we focused on programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), which has been identified as a marker of exhausted T cells. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of the combination of IFN-γ-transduced tumor cell vaccines and PD-1 blockade, and investigated the mechanisms of the antitumor effects of the combined therapy. A poorly immunogenic murine colorectal cancer cell line, MC38, was transduced to overexpress IFN-γ (MC38-IFNα). In a therapeutic model, parental tumor-bearing mice were inoculated with MC38-IFNα cells and an anti-PD-1 antagonistic antibody. Significant suppression of outgrowth of the established tumors was observed in the IFN-γ and anti-PD-1 combination treatment group (IFN+ anti-PD-1, 174.17 ± 35.54 mm2 vs control, 328.67 ± 26.36 mm2 on day 28, P = 0.0114 vs controls). Immunohistochemical analyses showed marked infiltration of CD4+ cells as well as CD8+ cells in the established tumors of mice treated with both IFN-γ and anti-PD-1. To investigate induction of tumor-specific immune responses, we stimulated splenocytes of IFN-γ or/and anti-PD-1 treated mice twice weekly by DCs in vitro. Significant tumor-specific cytolysis was detected when splenocytes of mice treated with both IFN-γ and anti-PD-1 were used as effector cells (58.1% ± 6.7% for MC38 and 14.1% ± 1.7% for YAC-1, effector:target = 20, P < 0.001). Our findings suggest that blockade of the PD-1 PD-ligand enhanced the Th1-type antitumor immune responses induced by IFN-γ. The combination of IFN-γ gene-transduced tumor cell vaccines and PD-1 blockade may be a possible candidate for a cancer vaccine for clinical trials. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4386. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4386