Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of neutrophil activation by NAF, a novel monocyte‐derived peptide agonist

The rise in cytosolic free Ca2+, shape change, superoxide formation, and granule exocytosis induced in human neutrophils by N‐formyl‐Met‐Leu‐Phe (fMLP) and by a newly discovered activating peptide, neutrophil‐activating factor, termed NAF, were compared. NAF was effective in the concentration range of 0.1‐10 nM and was 10‐to 100‐fold more potent than fMLP. In qualitative terms, the single responses to either stimulus were remarkably similar: they showed virtually identical onset and initial kinetics, and were all inhibited by pretreatment of the neutrophils with Bordetella pertussis toxin. In addition, the respiratory burst elicited by either stimulus was inhibited by 17‐hydroxywortmannin and staurosporine. Two conclusions are drawn from these results: 1) neutrophil activation by NAF (as by fMLP) is dependent on a GTP‐binding protein and on protein kinase C; 2) a similar, or even identical, mechanism of signal transduction must be assumed on stimulation of human neutrophils with NAF, fMLP, and other chemotactic agonists. Human monocytes, lymphocytes, and platelets did not show cytosolic free Ca2+ changes when exposed to NAF, which suggests that NAF is selective for the neutrophils. — Thelen, M. ; Peveri, P.; Kernen, P.; von Tscharner, V; Walz, A. ; Baggiolini, M. Mechanisms of neutrophil activation by NAF, a novel monocyte‐derived peptide agonist. FASEB J. 2: 2702‐2706; 1988.
On the Brutsaert temperature roughness length model for sensible heat flux estimation

The scalar roughness length for temperature, z0h, is necessary to estimate the sensible flux from atmospheric surface layer similarity theory in conjunction with skin temperature measurements. A theoretical relationship for z0h as a function of the roughness Reynolds number z0+ which was developed by Brutsaert [1975] for rough‐bluff surfaces is often used to link infrared skin temperature measurements to atmospheric temperature measurements. Measurements of sensible heat flux and temperature at two semiarid sites are used to evaluate and test the temperature roughness length model coefficients. Consideration of the measurement error is important to derive an accurate set of coefficients. These new field‐based coefficients correct for some of the underprediction of sensible heat flux at high flux rates that occurred with past formulations.
Live vs. Digital Video Disk Exercise in College-Aged Females

Abstract Killen, LG, Barry, VW, Cooper, C, and Coons, JM. Live vs. digital video disk exercise in college-aged females. J Strength Cond Res 28(12): 3393–3398, 2014—Although exercise digital video disk (DVD) sales have substantially increased over the past decade, little is known on the effectiveness of personal training vs. DVD exercises. The purpose of this study was to compare energy expenditures and heart rates of live and DVD vigorously intense exercise sessions. Twenty active and low-to-moderate fit, college-aged females completed 2 identical exercise sessions. Each exercise session consisted of 6 exercises; 1 session was completed with a personal trainer and the other with a DVD. A portable metabolic analyzer was used to measure oxygen consumption and record heart rate. Both energy expenditure (p < 0.001) and heart rate (p = 0.001) were significantly higher during the live exercise session as compared with the DVD exercise session. Rate of perceived exertion was significantly higher for the live exercise session compared with the DVD exercise session (p = 0.045). Finally, the majority (89%) of the participants reported that they preferred the live exercise session over the DVD exercise session. The results suggest that low-to-moderately fit college-aged females not only prefer exercise sessions with a personal trainer but will also demonstrate higher energy expenditures and heart rates.
Cancer New Drugs Group APC / DTC Briefing Rituximab for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease ( PTLD ) July 2010

Rituximab is a monocloncal antibody that binds specifically to CD20, an antigen expressed on the surface of mature and immature B lymphocytes. The binding of rituximab to CD20 results in cell lysis via the recruitment of immune effector functions; it has also been demonstrated to induce cell death via apoptosis. Rituximab (Mabthera®) is licensed in the UK for the treatment of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and rheumatoid arthritis.
Ion energy distributions in rf sheaths; review, analysis and simulation

We present a review and analysis of ion energy distributions (IED) arriving at the target of a radio frequency (rf) discharge. We mainly discuss the collisionless regime, which is of great interest to experimentalists and modellers studying high-density discharges in which the sheath is much thinner than in conventional reactive ion etching systems. We assess what has been done so far and determine what factors influence the shape of the IEDs. We also briefly discuss collisional effects on the IEDs. Having determined the important parameters, we perform some particle-in-cell simulations of a collisionless current-driven rf sheath which show that ion modulations in an rf sheath significantly affect the IEDs when ion/rf<1, where ion is the ion transit time and rf is the rf period.
Transition in a 1 D shear flow model 3 tions with streamwise vortices and streaks

We present a reduced model for the transition to turbulence in shear flow that is simple enough to admit a thorough numerical investigation while allowing spatiotemporal dynamics that are substantially more complex than those allowed in previous modal truncations. Our model allows a comparison of the dynamics resulting from initial perturbations that are localised in the spanwise direction with those resulting from sinusoidal perturbations. For spanwise-localised initial conditions the subcritical transition to a ‘turbulent’ state (i) takes place more abruptly, with a boundary between laminar and ‘turbulent’ flow that is appears to be much less ‘structured’ and (ii) results in a spatiotemporally chaotic regime within which the lifetimes of spatiotemporally complicated transients are longer, and are even more sensitive to initial conditions. The minimum initial energy E0 required for a spanwise-localised initial perturbation to excite a chaotic transient has a power-law scaling with Reynolds number E0 ∼ Re with p ≈ −4.3. The exponent p depends only weakly on the width of the localised perturbation and is lower than that commonly observed in previous low-dimensional models where typically p ≈ −2. The distributions of lifetimes of chaotic transients at fixed Reynolds number are found to be consistent with exponential distributions.
Lateralization in autononic dysfunction in ischemic stroke involving the insular cortex

Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is a common complication of ischemic stroke. Clinical and experimental data indicate hemispheric lateralization in the control of autonomic activity. The insular cortex has also been shown to play a crucial role in the central autonomic network. The aim of this study was to assess cardio-autonomic dysfunction in patients with ischemic insular versus non-insular cortex infarction, and to demonstrate a possible lateralization in autonomic activity mediated by the insular cortex. Sympathetic function was prospectively assessed by determining plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine in 15 patients with left-hemisphere (LH; four insular infarction), and 14 with right-hemisphere (RH) middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke (five insular infarction). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were recorded during the first 5 days after stroke. Sympathetic activity was significantly higher in insular than in non-insular infarction (p < 0.05) with concomitantly elevated cardiovascular parameters in insular stroke patients. The pathological activation of the sympathetic nervous system was most excessive in RH-stroke involving the insular cortex (p < 0.05). Our data indicate a hemispheric lateralization in autonomic activity which is mediated by the right-sided insular cortex. Patients with RH stroke involving the insular cortex are most susceptible to develop cardio-autonomic dysfunction.
Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effect of polyphenols from apple pomace extract via apoptosis inhibition and Nrf2 activation in mice

Industrial apple pomace, a biowaste generated during apple processing, is rich in cell wall polysaccharides and phenolics. These biologically active compounds are reported to be highly beneficial from the nutritional and health point of view. In the present study, the total phenolic content in the apple pomace aqueous extract (APE) was estimated and evaluated for its possible antioxidant and hepatoprotective efficacy in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury mice model. The aqueous extract exhibited 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity in vitro. Under in vivo study, mice were treated with APE (200 mg and 400 mg/kg body weight) for 2 weeks prior to the administration of CCl4 (30% v/v). The serum liver injury markers alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase were significantly lowered by APE in a dose-dependent manner. The levels of antioxidant parameters superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (redGSH), and lipid peroxidation were also improved by APE in liver homogenate. Histopathological studies revealed that APE treatment significantly lowered the CCl4-induced necrotic changes in the liver. Furthermore, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling assay showed that CCl4-induced apoptosis in the liver was significantly inhibited by APE in a dose-dependent manner. Immunohistochemistry results showed higher expression of nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in the liver of the APE-treated mice, a key regulator of antioxidative response. In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed the hepatoprotective efficacy of APE by inhibiting CCl4-induced apoptosis, which is due to its antioxidant activity and the ability to induce Nrf2 protein expression.
Keeping Up With the Clock: Circadian Disruption and Obesity Risk

Estimates of obesity prevalence based on the 2013 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey average almost 40%, corresponding to a 7% increase from the 1999 to 2000 cycle.1 Similar alarming trajectories are reported worldwide,2 along with increasing concerns for related health risks. The traditional concept that obesity results from a mere imbalance between energy intake and energy consumption has evolved to incorporate novel modulating factors that may be targeted to develop preventative strategies. One such example is the potential role of disruption of circadian rhythms. In this brief review, the physiology of circadian control of body weight and metabolism and the implications of altered circadian rhythms for obesity risk in humans will be discussed, together with potential countermeasures that may mitigate such consequences. The focus is on evidence accumulated from human studies. For a comprehensive review on the molecular mechanisms underlying the clock in metabolism and obesity, we direct the interested readers to Eckel-Mahan and Sassone-Corsi.3 Circadian systems have evolved as biological mechanisms to facilitate adaptation to the daily change from day to night, with related changes in activity and other behaviors. The intrinsic oscillatory system enables organisms to optimally synchronize their physiological and behavioral rhythms to the 24-hour solar day. Although humankind has been aware of the existence of periodicity in natural phenomena, the origins of chronobiology as a science are relatively recent and can be traced back to the seventeenth century, with the landmark studies of Jean-Jacques de Mairan, a French astronomer. De Mairan noted that the daily leaf movements of the Mimosa plant, synchronous with the day–night cycle, persisted even in the absence of light exposure. Based on these observations, he hypothesized an endogenous botanical rhythm driving the plant movements. Confirmation of this was provided by the Swiss botanist Augustus Pyramus de …
Three Essays on Estimation and Testing of Nonparametric Models

Three Essays on Estimation and Testing of Nonparametric Models. (August 2012 ) Guangyi Ma, B.A., Harbin Institute of Technology; M.A., Seoul National University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Ke-Li Xu In this dissertation, I focus on the development and application of nonparametric methods in econometrics. First, a constrained nonparametric regression method is developed to estimate a function and its derivatives subject to shape restrictions implied by economic theory. The constrained estimators can be viewed as a set of empirical likelihood-based reweighted local polynomial estimators. They are shown to be weakly consistent and have the same first order asymptotic distribution as the unconstrained estimators. When the shape restrictions are correctly specified, the constrained estimators can achieve a large degree of finite sample bias reduction and thus outperform the unconstrained estimators. The constrained nonparametric regression method is applied on the estimation of daily option pricing function and state-price density function. Second, a modified Cumulative Sum of Squares (CUSQ) test is proposed to test structural changes in the unconditional volatility in a time-varying coefficient model. The proposed test is based on nonparametric residuals from local linear estimation of the time-varying coefficients. Asymptotic theory is provided to show that the new CUSQ test has standard null distribution and diverges at standard rate under the alternatives. Compared with a test based on least squares residuals, the new test enjoys correct size and good power properties. This is because, by estimating the model nonparametrically, one can circumvent the size distortion from potential structural changes in the mean. Empirical results from both simulation experiments
Angiotensin 11 and Vasopressin Stimulate Calcium-activated Chloride Conductance in Rat Mesangial Cells

In an attempt to clarify the mechanisms by which angiotensin II (All) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) regulate mesangial cell function, we examined the membrane potential change of mesangial cells and found that cells contracted and membrane potential depolarized in response to All and AVP. The depolarization was associated with decreased input resistance. Ca ionophore A23187 caused similar mesangial cell contraction and depolarization. The reversal potential (Vr) of the depolarization response to All and AVP was -29±3 and -25±7 mV (mean±SD), respectively. Not only the Vr of the All-induced depolarization but also Vr of the Ca ionophore-induced response was dependent upon the extracellular Cl- concentration. Further, All and AVP caused cell contraction and membrane depolarization in Ca"+-free medium containing 0.5 mM EGTA. These data suggest the presence of Ca"+-activated Cl- channels in the mesangial cells and that All and AVP increase Cl- permeability via an elevation of ICa"Ji; released from the intracellular organellae.
B‐cell lymphomas morphologically resembling T‐cell lymphomas

Seven cases of B‐cell lymphoma that morphologically resembled T‐cell lymphoma are described. These cases are of four morphologic types: atypical poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma (PDLL) with convoluted nuclei, “Lennert's” lymphoma, mixed lymphocytic‐“histiocytic” lymphoma with large variation in size of abnormal cells, and “histiocytic” lymphoma with large multilobed nuclei. These cases add further support to the belief that morphologic criteria alone are not sufficient for accurate immunologic classification of the malignant lymphomas since they may represent a distinct clinicopathologic entity. Cancer 56: 1578‐1583, 1985.
Pharmacokinetic study of S-1.

Since the first synthesis of 5-FU in 1957 fluoropyrimidines have been widely used clinically in the treatment of solid tumors. Because of good anti-tumor efficacy of 5-FU as a single agent on gastrointestinal tract tumors, many attempts have been made to develop new and superior 5-FU derivatives. Recently, S-1, a new antitumor medication based on the biochemical modulation of 5-FU, (1 M Tegafur (ftorafur, FT), 0.4 M 5-chloro-2, 4-dihydroxypyridine (gimeracil, CDHP), and 1 M potassium oxonate (oteracil, Oxo)) was developed. FT, which is a prodrug of 5-FU, plays a role as an effector. Both CDHP and Oxo, which do not have antitumor activity themselves act as modulators. CDHPcompetitively inhibits dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD, EC 1.3.1.2), which in vitro degrades 5-FU about 180 times more effectively than uracil, leading to prolonged concentrations of 5-FU in blood. Oxo competitively inhibits pyrimidine phosphoribosyl transferase (EC 2.4.2.10), which converts 5-FU to 5fluorouridine 5’-monophosphate. Oxo is distributed primarily to the gastrointestinal tract after p.o. administration. This component of S-1 decreases the incorporation of 5-fluorouridine triphosphate into RNA in the gastrointestinal mucosa and reduces the incidence of diarrhea.
Is trichotillomania a stereotypic movement disorder? An analysis of body-focused repetitive behaviors in people with hair-pulling.

BACKGROUND Stereotypic movement disorder (SMD) is characterized by nonfunctional repetitive movements, is typically diagnosed in people with intellectual disability, and by definition excludes people with trichotillomania (TTM). Nevertheless, hair-pulling may be one of a number of body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) that are seen in the general population. Comorbidity of symptoms might support the idea that they are indicative of an underlying stereotypic disorder, and we therefore explored their frequency in people with hair-pulling. METHODS Participants were recruited with the help of the Trichotillomania Learning Center, the largest advocacy group for people with hair-pulling. Participants completed a self-report survey on the Internet, which included questions about the presence of both hair-pulling and other BFRBs. Measures included the Massachusetts General Hospital Hairpulling Scale (MGH-HS), the Milwaukee Inventory for Subtypes of Trichotillomania-Adult Version (MIST-A), the Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS), and the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). RESULTS The majority of participants with hair-pulling (70%) report the presence of other BFRBs, most commonly skin-picking and nail-biting. There were particularly strong associations between the total number of BFRBs and increased scores on ratings of focused hair-pulling, depression, anxiety, stress, and functional impairment. Similar results were found in participants who met more rigorous criteria for trichotillomania. CONCLUSIONS This study is limited by its self-report nature, and by the lack of detailed information on the phenomenology of comorbid BFRBs. While further nosological research is needed, the high rates of these behaviors in people with hair-pulling, and their association with increased disability, is consistent with previous clinical observations, and supports the argument that trichotillomania can usefully be conceptualized as a stereotypic disorder. Speculatively, this argument may be especially valid in trichotillomania patients with more focused hair-pulling symptoms.
Lipid diffusion in the plasma membrane of ram and boar spermatozoa during maturation in the epididymis measured by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching

Maturation of spermatozoa in the epididymis involves remodelling of many protein and lipid components of the plasma membrane. In this investigation we have examined whether (a) diffusion of lipid molecules in the surface membrane changes during epididymal maturation; (b) diffusion is spatially restricted; and (c) differences in lipid diffusion can be related to known changes in membrane composition. For this purpose we have used the technique of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) to measure diffusion of the lipid reporter probe ODAF (5‐(octa‐decanoyl)aminofluorescein) in spermatozoa from two species: ram, where substantial changes in membrane lipids occur during passage through the epididymis, and boar, where there are relatively few changes. Results on ram spermatozoa show that between the testis and cauda epididymidis, diffusion coefficients values (D) for ODAF increase significantly in all the surface domains. Percentage recovery values (%R) remain constant irrespective of maturational status. In boar spermatozoa, however, D and %R values do not change significantly between epididymal regions. Cholesterol, which has widespread effects on the behaviour of lipid molecules in cell membranes, was visualized by binding of filipin. In both species filipin was concentrated over the acrosomal domain and cytoplasmic droplet of testicular spermatozoa, but in the epididymis it had a heterogenous distribution over the whole head and tail. These results are discussed in relation to the establishment and maintenance of lipid domains in spermatozoa and their influence on development of fertilizing capacity. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 52:207–215, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Standard reference strains of Escherichia coli from natural populations

A set of 72 reference strains of Escherichia coli isolated from a variety of hosts and geographical locations has been established for use in studies of variation and genetic structure in natural populations. The strains, which have been characterized by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis, are representative of the range of genotypic variation in the species as a whole.
Growth and degeneration of motor end-plates in normal cat hind limb muscles.

It has long been known that end-plates undergo growth and degeneration in a wide variety of experimental and pathological conditions (Coers & Woolf, 1959; Zacks, 1964), but Barker & Ip (1965, 1966) were the first to demonstrate that such processes occur in the normal muscles of healthy young adult mammals. They suggested that there is a causal relationship between the growth and degeneration of end-plates such that the terminals have a limited life-span, at the end of which they degenerate and are replaced in one of three possible ways. Two of these, rejuvenation and substitution, are illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 1. The third proposed mode was by collateral sprouting, a process similar to the re-innervation of muscle fibres in partially denervated muscles (Edds, 1950, 1953). In the present study, a detailed quantitative examination was made of the growth and degeneration of motor end-plates in normal muscles of the cat hind limb. The results suggest that the two processes are not causally related as proposed in the 'replacement hypothesis' of Barker & Ip (1965, 1966), but are separate phenomena associated with ageing growth leading to an increase in complexity of the end-plates (elaboration Fig. 3), and degeneration being related to loss of muscle fibres.
A Dual Group Processes Model of Individual Differences in Prejudice

The study of right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) and Social Dominance Orientation (SDO) as predictors of prejudice has represented an attempt to explain group dynamics in terms of individual traits. In contrast, I argue that the individual tendencies that predict prejudice are actually a product of group dynamics. This article critiques personality approaches, focusing primarily on authoritarianism and secondarily on social dominance, and defends a model that explains the 2 variables in terms of discrete group processes. According to the Dual Group Processes model, SDO reflects category differentiation, which involves the evaluation of individuals on the basis of their category membership. RWA reflects normative differentiation, which involves the evaluation of ingroup members on the basis of their prototypicality. Authoritarian aggression—whether against ethnic minorities or other targets—is conceptualized as an intragroup phenomenon, involving the rejection of perceived antinorm deviants who threaten the longevity or legitimacy of social norms.