Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mobilization of Endogenous Bone Marrow Derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Therapeutic Potential of Parathyroid Hormone after Ischemic Stroke in Mice

Stroke is a major neurovascular disorder threatening human life and health. Very limited clinical treatments are currently available for stroke patients. Stem cell transplantation has shown promising potential as a regenerative treatment after ischemic stroke. The present investigation explores a new concept of mobilizing endogenous stem cells/progenitor cells from the bone marrow using a parathyroid hormone (PTH) therapy after ischemic stroke in adult mice. PTH 1-34 (80 µg/kg, i.p.) was administered 1 hour after focal ischemia and then daily for 6 consecutive days. After 6 days of PTH treatment, there was a significant increase in bone marrow derived CD-34/Fetal liver kinase-1 (Flk-1) positive endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in the peripheral blood. PTH treatment significantly increased the expression of trophic/regenerative factors including VEGF, SDF-1, BDNF and Tie-1 in the brain peri-infarct region. Angiogenesis, assessed by co-labeled Glut-1 and BrdU vessels, was significantly increased in PTH-treated ischemic brain compared to vehicle controls. PTH treatment also promoted neuroblast migration from the subventricular zone (SVZ) and increased the number of newly formed neurons in the peri-infarct cortex. PTH-treated mice showed significantly better sensorimotor functional recovery compared to stroke controls. Our data suggests that PTH therapy improves endogenous repair mechanisms after ischemic stroke with functional benefits. Mobilizing endogenous bone marrow-derived stem cells/progenitor cells using PTH and other mobilizers appears an effective and feasible regenerative treatment after ischemic stroke.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE NUMBER DENSITY OF COMPACT GALAXIES

We compare the number density of compact (small size) massive galaxies at low and high redshift using our Padova Millennium Galaxy and Group Catalogue (PM2GC) at z = 0.03–0.11 and the CANDELS results from Barro et al. at z = 1–2. The number density of local compact galaxies with luminosity weighted (LW) ages compatible with being already passive at high redshift is compared with the density of compact passive galaxies observed at high-z. Our results place an upper limit of a factor ∼2 on the evolution of the number density and are inconsistent with a significant size evolution for most of the compact galaxies observed at high-z. Instead, the evolution may be significant (up to a factor five) for the most extreme, ultracompact galaxies. Considering all compact galaxies, regardless of LW age and star formation activity, a minority of local compact galaxies (⩽1/3) might have formed at z < 1. Finally, we show that the secular decrease of the galaxy stellar mass due to simple stellar evolution may in some cases be a non-negligible factor in the context of the evolution of the mass–size relation, and we caution that passive evolution in mass should be taken into account when comparing samples at different redshifts.
Statistical models of music-listening sessions in social media

User experience in social media involves rich interactions with the media content and other participants in the community. In order to support such communities, it is important to understand the factors that drive the users' engagement. In this paper we show how to define statistical models of different complexity to describe patterns of song listening in an online music community. First, we adapt the LDA model to capture music taste from listening activities across users and identify both the groups of songs associated with the specific taste and the groups of listeners who share the same taste. Second, we define a graphical model that takes into account listening sessions and captures the listening moods of users in the community. Our session model leads to groups of songs and groups of listeners with similar behavior across listening sessions and enables faster inference when compared to the LDA model. Our experiments with the data from an online media site demonstrate that the session model is better in terms of the perplexity compared to two other models: the LDA-based taste model that does not incorporate cross-session information and a baseline model that does not use latent groupings of songs.
Maternal control over conversations with hearing and deaf infants and young children

Mothers talking with their hearing or deaf children aged one to five years were compared on measures of maternal control over conversations and child response to different levels of such control. Groups were matched separately on age and expressive language ability. Maternal input depended upon children's linguistic receptive capacity rather than age or cognitive level, confirming a multi-factor theory of control of maternal input to language learners. Negative correlations were found between maternal repair of deviant child utterances and child initiative and length of turn and positive ones between these maternal behaviours and child misunderstanding. Correlations between mater nal control and child measures were positive when children were beginning to speak, but negative once children were able to contribute more to the exchange.
Blockade of Opioid‐Induced Changes in Auditory Function at the Level of the Cochlea

Objective: We have previously investigated the auditory neural effects of theκ‐opioid receptor agonist, (‐)pentazocine. When administered intravenously (iv), this drug temporarily alters auditory nerve compound action potential (CAP) amplitudes. To test the hypothesis that the observed neural effects of iv (‐)pentazocine occur via κ‐receptor interactions within the cochlea, we attempted to block these effects by employing a specific κ‐opioid receptor antagonist applied directly to the cochlear round window (RW) membrane. Design: In 31 normal‐hearing, male pigmented chinchillas, amplitude changes in the click‐evoked auditory CAP (N1) were tracked at six stimulus intensities during a baseline and a postbaseline period in which iv(‐)pentazocine (8 mg/kg) was administered. (‐)Pentazocine administration was preceded by the delivery to the cochlear RW membrane of an artificial perilymph solution given alone or containing the κ‐opioid receptor selective antagonist, norbinaltorphimine (Nor‐BNI), which was administered at two concentrations in separate groups of animals. Results: The amplitude increase in the CAP after (‐)pentazocine was significantly reduced when iv (‐)pentazocine was preceded by RW‐administered Nor‐BNI (4 mM). Conclusions: The reversibility of agonist effects by Nor‐BNI indicates direct or indirect opioid κ‐receptor‐mediated auditory neural effects at the level of the cochlea and suggests a connection between κ‐receptors and auditory neural function.
Creating and (re)negotiating boundaries: representations as mediation in visually oriented multilingual Swedish school settings

This article brings together salient findings regarding communication and identity through studies of everyday social practices, studies of discourses about these practices and policy documents pertaining to special schools from previous and ongoing ethnographic projects based at the KKOM-DS (Communication, Culture and Diversity – Deaf Studies) research group in Sweden. Central findings regarding the complex nature of language usage in these ‘bilingual’ Swedish–Swedish Sign Language settings are highlighted and the key concept of different types of chaining is empirically explicated. The work presented here also takes its point of departure in how Self and Other are represented in everyday talk, in how the organisation of time and space and how the sociohistorical discourse about language, ‘bilingualism’ and identity in policy documents mediate a particular world view in terms of an ‘imagined and pure homogeneity’. Together, these two empirically grounded analyses highlight a tension between human beings' ways of being or their actions and orientations in social practices and human beings' ways of understanding and conceptualising bilingualism in educational settings. The empirical analyses suggest that understanding linguistic competencies and the organisation of the primary languages in the special schools, on the one hand, and human beings' use of both the languages, on the other hand, are very different phenomena.
Molecular Simulation-Based Structural Prediction of Protein Complexes in Mass Spectrometry: The Human Insulin Dimer

Protein electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry (MS)-based techniques are widely used to provide insight into structural proteomics under the assumption that non-covalent protein complexes being transferred into the gas phase preserve basically the same intermolecular interactions as in solution. Here we investigate the applicability of this assumption by extending our previous structural prediction protocol for single proteins in ESI-MS to protein complexes. We apply our protocol to the human insulin dimer (hIns2) as a test case. Our calculations reproduce the main charge and the collision cross section (CCS) measured in ESI-MS experiments. Molecular dynamics simulations for 0.075 ms show that the complex maximizes intermolecular non-bonded interactions relative to the structure in water, without affecting the cross section. The overall gas-phase structure of hIns2 does exhibit differences with the one in aqueous solution, not inferable from a comparison with calculated CCS. Hence, care should be exerted when interpreting ESI-MS proteomics data based solely on NMR and/or X-ray structural information.
Facilitated Variation: How Evolution Learns from Past Environments To Generalize to New Environments

One of the striking features of evolution is the appearance of novel structures in organisms. Recently, Kirschner and Gerhart have integrated discoveries in evolution, genetics, and developmental biology to form a theory of facilitated variation (FV). The key observation is that organisms are designed such that random genetic changes are channeled in phenotypic directions that are potentially useful. An open question is how FV spontaneously emerges during evolution. Here, we address this by means of computer simulations of two well-studied model systems, logic circuits and RNA secondary structure. We find that evolution of FV is enhanced in environments that change from time to time in a systematic way: the varying environments are made of the same set of subgoals but in different combinations. We find that organisms that evolve under such varying goals not only remember their history but also generalize to future environments, exhibiting high adaptability to novel goals. Rapid adaptation is seen to goals composed of the same subgoals in novel combinations, and to goals where one of the subgoals was never seen in the history of the organism. The mechanisms for such enhanced generation of novelty (generalization) are analyzed, as is the way that organisms store information in their genomes about their past environments. Elements of facilitated variation theory, such as weak regulatory linkage, modularity, and reduced pleiotropy of mutations, evolve spontaneously under these conditions. Thus, environments that change in a systematic, modular fashion seem to promote facilitated variation and allow evolution to generalize to novel conditions.
Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis by HIV-infected persons in Uganda reduces morbidity and mortality among HIV-uninfected family members

Background:The effect of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis taken by persons with HIV on community health and antimicrobial resistance is unknown. Objective:To assess the effect of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis taken by persons with HIV on morbidity, mortality, and antimicrobial resistance of diarrheal pathogens infecting their HIV-negative family members. Design:Prospective cohort in rural Uganda. Methods:A total of 879 persons with HIV and 2771 HIV-negative family members received weekly home-visits. After 5 months, persons with HIV received daily cotrimoxazole prophylaxis and households were followed for an average of 17 additional months. Findings:During the study, 224 participants with HIV (25%) and 29 household members (1%) died. Mortality among HIV-negative family members < 10 years old was 63% less during the cotrimoxazole period than before [hazard ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.14–0.95; P = 0.04]. Malaria among family members was less common during cotrimoxazole treatment [incidence rate ratio (IRR), 0.62; CI, 0.53–0.74; P < 0.0001], as were diarrhea (IRR, 0.59; CI, 0.45–0.76; P = 0.0001), and hospitalizations (IRR, 0.57; CI, 0.36–0.92; P = 0.02). Death of a parent with HIV was associated with a threefold increase in mortality among HIV-negative children < 10 years old (hazard ratio, 2.9; CI, 1.1–8.1; P = 0.04). Of 134 bacterial isolates from family members before cotrimoxazole treatment, 89 (66%) were resistant to cotrimoxazole; of 75 recovered during cotrimoxazole treatment, 54 (72%) were resistant (P = 0.41). Interpretation:Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis taken by persons with HIV was associated with decreased morbidity and mortality among family members. Antimicrobial resistance among diarrheal pathogens infecting family members did not increase. Concerns regarding the spread of bacterial resistance should not impede implementation of cotrimoxazole programs.
The pharmacokinetic effect of discontinuation of mesalazine on mercaptopurine metabolite levels in inflammatory bowel disease patients

Background : In vitro studies suggest interactions between mesalazine (mesalamine) and thiopurines by thiopurine S‐methyltransferase (TPMT) inhibition, influencing the balance of hepatotoxic 6‐methylmercaptopurine ribonucleotide and immunosuppressive tioguanine (thioguanine) metabolites.
Older adults’ acceptance of a robot for partner dance-based exercise

Partner dance has been shown to be beneficial for the health of older adults. Robots could potentially facilitate healthy aging by engaging older adults in partner dance-based exercise. However, partner dance involves physical contact between the dancers, and older adults would need to be accepting of partner dancing with a robot. Using methods from the technology acceptance literature, we conducted a study with 16 healthy older adults to investigate their acceptance of robots for partner dance-based exercise. Participants successfully led a human-scale wheeled robot with arms (i.e., a mobile manipulator) in a simple, which we refer to as the Partnered Stepping Task (PST). Participants led the robot by maintaining physical contact and applying forces to the robot’s end effectors. According to questionnaires, participants were generally accepting of the robot for partner dance-based exercise, tending to perceive it as useful, easy to use, and enjoyable. Participants tended to perceive the robot as easier to use after performing the PST with it. Through a qualitative data analysis of structured interview data, we also identified facilitators and barriers to acceptance of robots for partner dance-based exercise. Throughout the study, our robot used admittance control to successfully dance with older adults, demonstrating the feasibility of this method. Overall, our results suggest that robots could successfully engage older adults in partner dance-based exercise.
Transient Receptor Potential Ion Channels: Powerful Regulators of Cell Function

Objective:This article reviews the current understanding of transient receptor potential ion channels (TRP channels) in health and disease. Background:Transient receptor potential ion channels are a group of 27 channels that are expressed in all tissues. These channels play important roles in surgically important problems, such as chronic pain, susceptibility to infection, hypothermia, and some cancers. Methods:A literature search was performed. This review focuses on the role of TRP channels in a few surgically important disease processes, such as pain, inflammation, airway diseases, and malignant melanomas. In addition, we discuss some of the structural properties that are important for the activation of TRP channels. Results:TRPA1 and TRPV1 are expressed on pain fibers and play an important role in the development of chronic pain, such as chemotherapy-related neuropathic pain. Deletion of TRPA1 and TRPV1 suppresses the development of chronic pain, and blockers of TRPA1 and TRPV1 show promise as a new class of painkillers. Furthermore, several TRP channels are expressed on immune cells. Macrophages express at least 3 different TRP channels, and the properly balanced activation of all these channels together allows normal macrophage function. Deletion of any of these channels results in impaired macrophage function and increased susceptibility to infection. Because several of these TRP channels on macrophages are temperature sensitive, they may comprise the link for hypothermia-related infectious complications in trauma, and to a lesser degree, in elective surgical patients. Conclusions:Transient receptor potential ion channels are involved in several surgically important disease processes. Activation or blockade of these channels offers new therapeutic opportunities. Pharmacologic activation or blockade of TRP channels may offer new treatment options in surgical patients for the management of pain and infections.
Partnership to Evaluate an Early Head Start Program

The process of forging a community-university partnership to implement an evaluation of an Early Head Start program using process data in addition to outcome data that fulfilled program needs and was acceptable to researchers is described. The authors share their experiences with (a} processes involved in coming to consensus regarding the scope of the evaluation; (b) the strengths, constraints, and challenges of implementing a program evaluation; and (e) utilization of the process-evaluation data in program development. Qualitative data from home visitors' interviews were used to provide feedback for continuous program improvement. Implications for practice and policy for community- based program evaluations are discussed in light of challenges and constraints.
SYSTEMIC PRACTICE WITH KINSHIP CARE FAMILIES

This paper highlights the complex conflicts that can exist in the systems that surround children placed in ‘kinship care’ with grandparents, other relatives or family friends. Systemic ideas are useful in addressing these conflicts by exploring participants' differing perspectives and positions as they are constructed through language. A brief description of a research project with kinship carers and their families leads to a focus on the dilemmas faced by families in the ways that relationships, family ties, and positions of authority are constructed. After exploring a case example the article concludes that welfare services, in particular social services, need to provide a more active and holistic role in these families because of their particular needs.
Disease activity is longitudinally related to sacroiliac inflammation on MRI in male patients with axial spondyloarthritis: 2-years of the DESIR cohort

Objectives To investigate the longitudinal relationship between inflammatory lesions in sacroiliac joints on MRI (MRI-SI) and clinical disease activity measures (DA) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Methods Two-year follow-up data from 167 patients (50% males, mean (SD) age 33 (9) years) fulfilling the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society axSpA criteria in the DEvenir des Spondylarthopathies Indifférenciées Récentes cohort with MRI-SI at baseline, 1 year and 2 years were analysed. The relationship between MRI-SI (as dependent variable) and DA (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), patient's global DA, night pain, C reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, as independent variables) was investigated using two types of generalised estimating equations (GEE) models: model of absolute scores and model of change scores. Results In the model of absolute scores, the relationship between DA and MRI-SI was different for males and females: in males, but not in females, a statistically significant relationship with MRI-SI was found for all DA except BASDAI. In the model of changes, only ASDAS (beta (95% CI): 2.79 (0.85 to 4.73) and pain at night (0.97 (0.04 to 1.90)) were significantly associated in males while again in females no significant relationship was found. ASDAS fitted the data best. Conclusions In male patients, but not in female patients, with axSpA, clinical DA, especially if measured by ASDAS, is longitudinally associated with MRI-SI inflammatory lesions.
Halomonas aestuarii sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from a tidal flat.

Strain Hb3T was isolated from a tidal flat in Jeollabuk-do Gunsan, Republic of Korea. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, rod-shaped and motile. The strain grew optimally at 25-35 °C, at pH 6.0-6.5 and with 3.0-10.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain Hb3T belonged to the genus Halomonas. Strain Hb3T was related most closely to Halomonas ventosae Al12T (98.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Halomonas denitrificans M29T (98.6 %) and Halomonas saccharevitans AJ275T (98.4 %). Moreover, multilocus sequence analysis using the gyrB, rpoD and secA genes supported the phylogenetic position of strain Hb3T. The genomic G+C content of strain Hb3T was 67.9 mol%. DNA-DNA hybridization values for strain Hb3T versus H. ventosae Al12T, H. denitrificans M29T and H. saccharevitans AJ275T were 38.0, 54.5 and 47.4 %, respectively. The major quinone was ubiquinone Q-9 and the major fatty acids were C18 : 1ω7c, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c), C16 : 0 and C19 : 0 cyclo ω8c. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, amino lipid, six unidentified phospholipids and an unidentified lipid comprised the polar lipid profile. On the basis of the data presented in this report, strain Hb3T represents a novel species of the genus Halomonas. The name Halomonas aestuarii sp. nov. is proposed for this novel species. The type strain is Hb3T (=KCTC 52253T=JCM 31415T).
Escitalopram prolonged fear induced by simulated public speaking and released hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activation

Simulated public speaking (SPS) test is sensitive to drugs that interfere with serotonin-mediated neurotransmission and is supposed to recruit neural systems involved in panic disorder. The study was aimed at evaluating the effects of escitalopram, the most selective serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor available, in SPS. Healthy males received, in a double-blind, randomized design, placebo (n = 12), 10 (n = 17) or 20 (n = 14) mg of escitalopram 2 hours before the test. Behavioural, autonomic and neuroendocrine measures were assessed. Both doses of escitalopram did not produce any effect before or during the speech but prolonged the fear induced by SPS. The test itself did not significantly change cortisol and prolactin levels but under the higher dose of escitalopram, cortisol and prolactin increased immediately after SPS. This fear-enhancing effect of escitalopram agrees with previously reported results with less selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and the receptor antagonist ritanserin, indicating that serotonin inhibits the fear of speaking in public.