Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CD1d-Dependent NKT Cells Play a Protective Role in Acute and Chronic Arthritis Models by Ameliorating Antigen-Specific Th1 Responses

A protective and anti-inflammatory role for CD1d-dependent NKT cells (NKTs) has been reported in experimental and human autoimmune diseases. However, their role in arthritis has been unclear, with conflicting reports of CD1d-dependent NKTs acting both as regulatory and disease-promoting cells in arthritis. These differing modes of action might be due to genetic differences of inbred mice and incomplete backcrossing of gene-modified mice. We therefore put special emphasis on controlling the genetic backgrounds of the mice used. Additionally, we used two different murine arthritis models, Ag-induced arthritis (AIA) and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), to evaluate acute and chronic arthritis in CD1d knockout mice and mice depleted of NK1.1+ cells. CD1d-deficient mice developed more severe AIA compared with wild-type littermates, with a higher degree of inflammation and proteoglycan depletion. Chronic arthritis in CIA was also worse in the absence of CD1d-dependent NKTs. Elevated levels of Ag-specific IFN-γ production accompanied these findings rather than changes in IL-17α. Depletion of NK1.1+ cells supported these findings in AIA and CIA. This report provides support for CD1d-dependent NKTs being suppressor cells in acute and chronic arthritis, likely via inhibition of arthritogenic Th1 cells. These results make CD1d-dependent NKTs an attractive target for therapeutic intervention.
Advanced steady-state models of UPFC for power system studies

In this paper, focus is on the UPFC steady-state modeling for the implementation of the device in the Newton-Raphson load flow algorithm. Two models, deriving from the known voltage source model (VSM), are presented and analyzed in detail. One is a power injection model (PIM) and the other one is the new shunt admittance model (SAM). Each one of these models represents a more robust and feasible alternative to the VSM because it bypasses the difficulties arising from the VSM, maintaining its advantages, though. Different simulations are presented in the paper to test and compare the models: Newton's quadratic convergence of the load flow algorithm is guaranteed by implementing the PIM and the SAM, with high convergence speeds.
A comparative study of the influence of malignant tumor on host metabolism in mice and man. Evaluation of an experimental model

Metabolic alterations in skeletal muscles and liver tissue from cancer patients were compared with corresponding alterations in mice (C‐57) with sarcoma (MCG‐101). In tumor‐bearing man and mice similar changes in enzyme activities and in protein turnover were found. Glycolytic and oxidative enzyme activities were decreased in skeletal muscle tissue. Tumor‐associated increase in lysosomal enzyme activities was found in both species. Leucine was incorporated into skeletal muscle proteins at a lower rate and into hepatic proteins at a higher rate in both species with malignant tumor. In tumor‐bearing mice ribosome profiles from skeletal muscle, heart muscle and liver showed a preponderance of slowly sedimenting units of polyribosomes suggesting that initiation of protein synthesis may be a rate limiting step. The metabolic host reactions in tumor‐bearing mice were similar to those in cancer patients implying that experimental tumors are relevant to use for analysis of mechanisms behind the development of cancer cachexia in man.
Newborn measles antibody profile in a teaching hospital: Can sex of babies determine measles IgG acquisition from their respective mothers?

Abstract Known sex specific differences in fetal, neonatal morbidity and mortality have been documented. Sex differences also exist in birth-weight centile with males being larger than females at birth. However, these sex differences are not fully explored when studying passive measles immunity acquired by babies from their mothers. Moreover, the mechanisms that confer these sex differences are to a large extent unknown. Therefore, this study assessed sex of babies as a determinant of measles immunoglobulin G acquisition from their respective mothers. One hundred and seventy four newborn babies were enrolled in this study. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure maternal measles antibodies (MMA) from sera collected from these babies at birth. Gestational age of the newborn babies was determined using the Nagele rule, ultrasound scan reports and the Dubowitz criteria. Sex and mean MMA of these babies was compared using the Student’s t test. Significant comparison existed between mean MMA and sex of post term babies (P = 0.000), such that post term males had higher levels of MMA than females. However, overall sex and mean MMA comparison of these babies was not significant (P = 0.977). There were more MMA in male post term babies relative to their female peers; however, overall sex comparison of MMA was not significant. Therefore, there is the need for further study.
Identifying pulmonary tuberculosis in patients with negative sputum smear results.

BACKGROUND Clinicians need to decide whether to begin empiric therapy for patients who are suspected of having tuberculosis (TB) but have negative sputum smear results. Culture results may take weeks, and delaying treatment may allow further transmission of disease. STUDY OBJECTIVE To identify the clinical, demographic, and radiographic characteristics that identify smear-negative patients who have TB, and to create a TB prediction rule. DESIGN Retrospective chart review. SETTING University-affiliated public hospital in San Francisco, CA, between 1993 and 1998. PATIENTS Forty-seven patients with TB and 141 control patients who were hospitalized with a suspicion of pulmonary TB; all had negative sputum smear results. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Demographic, clinical, and radiographic variables were determined by chart review. In multivariate analysis, a positive tuberculin skin test result (odds ratio [OR], 4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0 to 11.9) was independently associated with an increased risk of a positive TB culture finding. A radiographic pattern not typical of pulmonary tuberculosis (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1 to 0.7) and expectoration with cough (OR, 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1 to 0.6) were predictive of a decreased risk. An interaction between HIV seropositivity and mediastinal lymphadenopathy on the chest radiograph was also associated with a positive TB culture result (OR, 7.2; 95% CI, 1.4 to 36.0). The TB prediction score (TPS) was created with widely ranging likelihood ratios that could affect the posterior probability of TB by 30-fold. CONCLUSION The TPS put into context with the overall prevalence of TB in a given area may help clinicians decide if a patient with negative sputum smear results should start empiric antituberculous therapy or wait for culture results. These results need prospective validation.
Factors influencing the success of radioiodine therapy in patients with Graves’ disease

ObjectiveThe first dose of radioiodine (131I) does not always cure hyperthyroidism in patients with Graves’ disease (GD). Our aim was to evaluate the factors influencing the success of 131I therapy. Patients and methodsWe reviewed the medical records of 724 patients who were first diagnosed with GD between 2005 and 2009 and were subsequently treated with 131I in a fixed-dose manner considering the thyroid volume (TV). TSH, fT4, and fT3 were measured. TV was measured by means of ultrasonography. Successful therapy was followed by euthyroidism or hypothyroidism. ResultsOut of 724 patients, 656 (90.5%) were successfully (Group 1) and 69 (9.5%) were unsuccessfully (Group 2) treated with the first dose of 131I. In Group 1, the applied dose of 131I was lower than that in Group 2 [626±107, 95% confidence interval (CI) 618–634, and 709±140, 95% CI 675–742 MBq, respectively; P<0.001]. At presentation, patients in Group 1 were younger than those in Group 2 (45.5±14.9, 95% CI 44.4–46.6, and 50.1±15.8, 95% CI 46.3–53.9 years, respectively; P=0.031). They had a lower fT4 (54.9±26.1, 95% CI 52.9–56.9, and 72.1±34.1, 95% CI 63.9–80.3 pmol/l, respectively; P<0.001), a lower fT3 (20.9±8.2, 95% CI 20.3–21.5, and 23.9±8.2, 95% CI 21.9–25.9 pmol/l, respectively; P<0.001), and a smaller TV (21.5±13.2, 95% CI 20.2–22.8, and 35.6±22.3, 95% CI 28.2–42.9 ml, respectively; P<0.001). Before 131I therapy, patients in Group 1 had a lower fT3 (9.6±6.0, 95% CI 9.2–10.1, and 11.3±7.6, 95% CI 9.5–13.2 pmol/l, respectively; P=0.038). ConclusionSuccessfully treated GD patients were younger, less severely hyperthyroid, and had a smaller TV at presentation. They were also less severely hyperthyroid before 131I therapy.
Does diabetes mellitus increase immediate surgical risk in octogenarian patients submitted to coronary artery bypass graft surgery?

INTRODUCTION Diabetes is a well known risk factor for early and late adverse outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG); however, few studies have investigated the impact of this risk factor in the group of older patients, especially octogenarians. OBJECTIVES To compare in-hospital mortality and morbidity of diabetic and nondiabetic patients aged > 80 years submitted to CABG. METHODS A total of 140 consecutive cases were studied, of whom 37 (26.4%) were diabetics, in a retrospective cross-sectional study, that included all patients aged > 80 years submitted to isolated/associated CABG. The patients' mean age was 82.5 ± 2.2 years and 55.7% were males. RESULTS The hospital mortality rate did not significantly differ in multivariate analysis: 16.2% diabetic x 13.6% nondiabetic (P = 0.554), as well as morbidity: 43.2% x 37.9%, respectively (P = 0.533). Regarding to operative morbidity, the occurrence of stroke was significantly higher in diabetic patients in the univariate analysis (10.8% x 1.9%, P = 0.042). In multivariate analysis, however, the incidence of stroke was not associated with the presence of diabetes (P = 0.085), but it was associated with atrial fibrillation (P = 0.044). There was no significant difference related to other complications. CONCLUSION In this small consecutive retrospectively analyzed series, there was no significant increase in hospital mortality and morbidity related to diabetes for CABG in octogenarian patients. The impact of the results of this study is limited by the sample size and might be confirmed by future randomized clinical trials.
Classification Accuracy as a Substantive Quantity of Interest: Measuring Polarization in Westminster Systems

Measuring the polarization of legislators and parties is a key step in understanding how politics develops over time. But in parliamentary systems—where ideological positions estimated from roll calls may not be informative—producing valid estimates is extremely challenging. We suggest a new measurement strategy that makes innovative use of the “accuracy” of machine classifiers, i.e., the number of correct predictions made as a proportion of all predictions. In our case, the “labels” are the party identifications of the members of parliament, predicted from their speeches along with some information on debate subjects. Intuitively, when the learner is able to discriminate members in the two main Westminster parties well, we claim we are in a period of “high” polarization. By contrast, when the classifier has low accuracy—and makes a relatively large number of mistakes in terms of allocating members to parties based on the data—we argue parliament is in an era of “low” polarization. This approach is fast and substantively valid, and we demonstrate its merits with simulations, and by comparing the estimates from 78 years of House of Commons speeches with qualitative and quantitative historical accounts of the same. As a headline finding, we note that contemporary British politics is approximately as polarized as it was in the mid-1960s—that is, in the middle of the “postwar consensus”. More broadly, we show that the technical performance of supervised learning algorithms can be directly informative about substantive matters in social science.
Mitochondrial DNA Alterations in Cancer

A number of studies have demonstrated the presence of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations in cancer cells. In this article, we review mitochondrial genomic aberrations reported in solid tumors of the breast, colon, stomach, liver, kidney, bladder, head/neck, and lung. The tantalizing association of tumors with mtDNA mutations implicates these mutations in the process of carcinogenesis. Alterations in expression of mtDNA transcripts in a variety of cancer types are also reviewed. In solid tumors, elevated expression of mtDNA-genes coding for subunits of the mitochondrial electron respiratory chain may reflect mitochondrial adaptation to perturbations in cellular energy requirements. The role of mtDNA mutations and altered expression of mitochondrial genes in carcinogenesis is discussed. Mitochondrial DNA mutations can initiate a cascade of events leading to a continuous increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (persistent oxidative stress), a condition that probably favors tumor development.
Molecular and cellular influences of butylated hydroxyanisole on Chinese hamster V79 cells treated with N‐methyl‐N′‐nitro‐N‐nitrosoguanidine: Antimutagenicity of butylated hydroxyanisole

The antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a rodent carcinogen that also reduces the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of other agents. In this study, we have evaluated possible mechanisms for the antimutagenicity of BHA by investigating its effects on N‐methyl‐N′‐nitro‐N‐nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)‐treated Chinese hamster V79 cells. Mutant frequency was determined using the hprt/V79 assay, while plating efficiency was used to measure cytotoxicity, and apoptosis was measured by flow immunofluorocytometry. In addition, DNA strand breaks and the kinetics of strand‐break rejoining were investigated by the alkaline elution of DNA and by single‐cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE). Although the higher concentration of BHA (0.5 mM) increased the cytotoxicity of MNNG and the lower concentration of BHA (0.25 mM) did not change it, both concentrations were antimutagenic in MNNG‐treated cells, with the greater effect occurring at the lower BHA concentration. Neither BHA nor MNNG nor BHA + MNNG increased the level of apoptotic nuclei, and BHA did not change the level of MNNG‐induced DNA strand breaks, though it did inhibit their rejoining. Determination of O6‐methylguanine‐DNA‐methyltransferase (MGMT) activity confirmed that V79 cells do not synthesize active MGMT protein; MGMT activity was also undetectable after MNNG and BHA + MNNG treatment. The ability of BHA to reduce the level of MNNG‐induced mutations did not correlate with cytotoxicity, induction of apoptosis, the level of DNA strand break induction, or MGMT activity. A modified SCGE assay showed that BHA significantly reduced the level of formamidopyrimidine‐DNA‐glycosylase + endonucleaseIII‐sensitive sites, which at least partially are caused by oxidative DNA lesions. The results suggest that the protective effect of BHA on MNNG‐induced mutagenicity is best explained by the antioxidative activity of BHA, which may scavenge free radicals that participate in MNNG‐induced mutagenicity. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 41:28–36, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain & Ireland (ACPGBI): Guidelines for the Management of Cancer of the Colon, Rectum and Anus (2017) – Anal Cancer

*Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK, †North Wales Cancer Treatment Centre, Glan Clwyd, UK, ‡University of Manchester and Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK, §University of Nottingham and Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK, ¶King’s College and Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK, **Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK, ††Basingstoke & North Hampshire Hospital, Basingstoke, UK, ‡‡Imperial College and Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, UK, ¶¶Royal London Hospital, London, UK, and ***Cardiff University and Velindre Cancer Centre, Cardiff, UK
Impact of Market‐Based Policies and External Fiscal Discipline on Ghana's Inflation

This study investigates the impact of liberalization of the forex exchange and financial sectors and external prudent fiscal management in Cote d'Ivoire on Ghana's inflation. We find that, in the financial sector, there is a case for liberalization, in terms of lowering inflation. However, a quasi‐liberalized system in the sector proves to have a greater potential to reduce inflation in Ghana. In the exchange market, non‐liberalization has the edge over liberalization in reducing inflation in Ghana. However, a quasi‐liberalized system in the sector has a greater potential to lower inflation. There is evidence of a strong intra‐continental transfer of inflation from Cote d'Ivoire to Ghana, but this transmission has been significantly moderated downwards by the implementation of prudent fiscal management in Cote d'Ivoire. We also find that monetary targeting and inflation targeting have deflationary effects, but we cannot claim that this has significantly reduced inflation. The implication of the result is that; a system that achieves the correct balance between the market mechanism and command system in the exchange and financial sectors has a greater potential to lower inflation in Ghana. Also, domestic monetary policies should not only be anchored on internal factors.
Reformas políticas y partidos en Colombia: cuando el cambio es la regla

This article analyzes the different electoral reforms that have taken place since 1990 and the changes that have characterized the party system in Colombia, mainly in terms of fragmentation and volatility of preferences, with an emphasis on the competition that takes place at the national level and on the origin and dynamics of the new coalition government established by President Juan Manuel Santos in 2010. In addition, we observe the configuration created by the regional and local elections of October 2011 and we discuss on the relationship between electoral regulations and the post conflict scenary. In particular, we deal with questions about the future of Colombian representative institutions, especially rules that determine access to elected office and a possible political participation of demobilized guerrillas. In that sense, it is argued that while the objectives of previous reforms were to achieve higher levels of governance, this new context may put the discussion on the need to sacrifice governance for achieving greater representation back in the center of the debate.
Influence of sound-conditioning on noise-induced susceptibility of distortion-product otoacoustic emissions.

Cochlear damage caused by loud sounds can be attenuated by "sound-conditioning" methods. The amount of adaptation for distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) measured in alert rabbits previously predicted an ear's susceptibility to a subsequent noise exposure. The present study investigated if sound-conditioning influenced the robustness of such DPOAE adaptation, and if such conditioning elicited more protection by increasing the amount of DPOAE adaptation. Toward this end, rabbits were divided into two study groups: (1) experimental animals exposed to a sound-conditioning protocol, and (2) unconditioned control animals. After base-line measures, all rabbits were exposed to an overstimulation paradigm consisting of an octave band noise, and then re-assessed 3 weeks post-exposure to determine permanent changes in DPOAEs. A major result was that prior sound-conditioning protected reductions in DPOAE levels by an average of 10-15 dB. However, DPOAE adaptation decreased with sound-conditioning, so that such conditioning was no longer related to noise-induced reductions in DPOAEs. Together, these findings suggest that sound-conditioning affected neural pathways other than those that likely mediate DPOAE adaptation (e.g., medial olivocochlear efferent and/or middle-ear muscle reflexes).
Gill Remodeling in Crucian Carp during Sustained Exercise and the Effect on Subsequent Swimming Performance

Gill remodeling can be extensive in crucian carp, where up to a 7.5-fold increase in gill surface area has been observed during exposure to hypoxia through a reduction in the interlamellar cell mass (ILCM) and increased lamellar protrusion that has been hypothesized to be signaled by the need to maximize oxygen uptake under a given condition. Sustained aerobic exercise may have the greatest influence on oxygen demand in fish; however, its effect on gill remodeling in crucian carp has not been investigated. The specific objectives of this study were to determine (i) whether sustained aerobic exercise induces gill remodeling in the crucian carp, (ii) whether gill remodeling following sustained exercise affects the maximum critical swimming speed (Ucrit) and maximal oxygen consumption rate (), and (iii) whether gill remodeling following sustained exercise is associated with trade-offs related to ionoregulation. We measured in crucian carp at each step during an initial Ucrit test (Ucrit1), forced them to swim at 70% of Ucrit for 40 h, and then conducted a second Ucrit test (Ucrit2). From rest to Ucrit1 (7–8 h), we observed a significant increase in protruding lamella height and area of the gills and a reduction in ILCM height and volume, likely associated with partial shedding of the ILCM, indicating that gill remodeling during exercise is rapid. Further changes were observed between Ucrit1 and Ucrit2, with statistically significant increases in protruding lamellar height, basal length and area, and a statistically significant reduction in protruding lamellar thickness and ILCM height and volume. Interestingly, there was no significant difference between Ucrit1 and Ucrit2 values, nor in maximal measured at Ucrit1 and Ucrit2. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in plasma osmolarity, [Na+], or [Cl−] in fish at rest, following Ucrit1 or Ucrit2. Thus, while these data support the hypothesis that the need to maximize oxygen uptake is an important signal for gill remodeling, which can occur quite rapidly (within 7 h at 15°C), the physiological implications of remodeling during exercise are less clear.
Indigenous Food Insecurity in Canada: An Analysis Using the 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Survey

Background: Food insecurity in Canada’s Indigenous population continues to be an urgent public health issue, as prevalence is much higher for Indigenous Canadians than nonIndigenous Canadians. Objective: To examine the associations between social determinants of health, Indigenousspecific factors and food insecurity among off-reserve Indigenous adults aged 20 and older in Canada. Methods: Data from the 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Survey were used in this analysis. A hierarchical logistic regression model was run to examine relationships between social determinants of health, Indigenous-specific factors and food insecurity. Results: Younger age, Inuit identity, low income, educational attainment less than high school, lack of employment, household crowding, lone-parent households and having family members who attended residential schools were major risk factors for household food insecurity. Conclusion: Food insecurity policies and initiatives should focus on the most vulnerable groups within the Indigenous population. Future research should address limitations of the current household food security measure.