Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Structure, lymphatic vascularization and lymphocyte migration in mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue

Summary: In this review, we consider the morphological aspects and topographical arrangement of gut‐associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) (solitary and aggregate lymph nodules or Peyer's patches) and of vermiform appendix in the human child and in some mammals. The spatial arrangement of the vessels belonging to apparatus lymphaticus periphericus absorbens (ALPA) and of blood vessels within each lymphoid follicle as well as the ultrastructural characteristics of the lymphatic endothelium with high absorption capacity are considered. Particular attention is also paid to the morphological and biomolecular mechanisms inducing lymphocyte transendothelial migration to the bloodstream by means of lymphatic vessels as well as their passage from blood into lymphoid tissue through the high endothelial venules (HEVs). The preferential transendothelial passage of lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear neutrophils within ALPA vessels of the interfollicular area does not occur following the opening of intercellular contacts, but rather it occurs by means of ‘intraendothelial channels’. In HEVs, on the contrary, the hypothesis is plausible that lymphocyte transendothelial migration into lymphoid tissue occurs through a channel‐shaped endothelial invagination entirely independent of interendothelial contacts. The lymph of ALPA vessels of the single Peyer's patch is conveyed into precollector lymphatic vessels and into prelymph nodal collectors, totally independent of the ALPA vessels of the gut segments devoid of lymphoid tissue. The quantitative distribution of T lymphocytes in the lymph of mucosal ALPA vessels suggests a prevalent function of fluid uptake, whereas a reservoir and supply function is implicated for the vessels of interfollicular area. The precollector lymphatic vessels and prelymph nodal collectors are considered to be vessels with low absorption capacity, whose main function is lymph conduction and flow.
Chemical Modification of Ginsenoside on Cell Viability and Cytokine Secretion.

BACKGROUND Rb1 is a ginsenoside steroid glycoside found exclusively in the plant Panax ginseng. In an earlier report, we showed that Rb1 increased cell proliferation and reduced VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) secretion by human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE19) cells. OBJECTIVE In the present study, we hypothesized that chemical modification of Rb1 changes the level of VEGF secretion by ARPE19 cells. METHOD Three derivatives of Rb1 were chemically synthesized by hydrogenation (Rb1-H2), acetylation (Rb1-Acyl), and epoxidation (Rb1-Epoxy). Structural modifications were confirmed by 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra and Mass Spectrometry (MS). To test the biological activity, chemically modified compounds were added to cell culture media and incubated for 72 hours at a concentration of 250 nM at 37°C. Conditioned media were collected and cells were harvested/ counted after treatment. Viable cell numbers were determined by the trypan blue dye exclusion method and VEGF levels by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA). RESULTS Consistent with the prior report, results of the present study show Rb1 increased cell proliferation and decreased VEGF secretion. Similar to Rb1's effect on cell proliferation, treatment with Rb1-H2, Rb1-Acyl and Rb1-Epoxy resulted in an increase in cell numbers. In contrast to Rb1- induced decrease in VEGF secretion, treatment with Rb1-H2, Rb-Acyl and Rb1-Epoxy resulted in increased VEGF levels. CONCLUSION Chemical modifications of the ginsenoside Rb1 significantly affect the biological activity of VEGF secretion by ARPE19 cells. Additional SAR (Structure Activity Relationship) experiments will be conducted to study the detailed mechanisms by which how specific modifications of Rb1 functional groups alter biological activities.
Agrobacterium rhizogenes GALLS Protein Contains Domains for ATP Binding, Nuclear Localization, and Type IV Secretion

ABSTRACT Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Agrobacterium rhizogenes are closely related plant pathogens that cause different diseases, crown gall and hairy root. Both diseases result from transfer, integration, and expression of plasmid-encoded bacterial genes located on the transferred DNA (T-DNA) in the plant genome. Bacterial virulence (Vir) proteins necessary for infection are also translocated into plant cells. Transfer of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and Vir proteins requires a type IV secretion system, a protein complex spanning the bacterial envelope. A. tumefaciens translocates the ssDNA-binding protein VirE2 into plant cells, where it binds single-stranded T-DNA and helps target it to the nucleus. Although some strains of A. rhizogenes lack VirE2, they are pathogenic and transfer T-DNA efficiently. Instead, these bacteria express the GALLS protein, which is essential for their virulence. The GALLS protein can complement an A. tumefaciens virE2 mutant for tumor formation, indicating that GALLS can substitute for VirE2. Unlike VirE2, GALLS contains ATP-binding and helicase motifs similar to those in TraA, a strand transferase involved in conjugation. Both GALLS and VirE2 contain nuclear localization sequences and a C-terminal type IV secretion signal. Here we show that mutations in any of these domains abolished the ability of GALLS to substitute for VirE2.
Adversarial Feature Selection Against Evasion Attacks

Pattern recognition and machine learning techniques have been increasingly adopted in adversarial settings such as spam, intrusion, and malware detection, although their security against well-crafted attacks that aim to evade detection by manipulating data at test time has not yet been thoroughly assessed. While previous work has been mainly focused on devising adversary-aware classification algorithms to counter evasion attempts, only few authors have considered the impact of using reduced feature sets on classifier security against the same attacks. An interesting, preliminary result is that classifier security to evasion may be even worsened by the application of feature selection. In this paper, we provide a more detailed investigation of this aspect, shedding some light on the security properties of feature selection against evasion attacks. Inspired by previous work on adversary-aware classifiers, we propose a novel adversary-aware feature selection model that can improve classifier security against evasion attacks, by incorporating specific assumptions on the adversary's data manipulation strategy. We focus on an efficient, wrapper-based implementation of our approach, and experimentally validate its soundness on different application examples, including spam and malware detection.
Ten years of evidence to guide physiotherapy interventions: Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro)

Clinicians are increasingly using evidence from high-quality clinical research to guide clinical decision making. Recent articles in this journal have examined research evidence to assist in clinical decisions as diverse as the prescription of running shoes,1 exercise therapy in the treatment of chronic disease2 and the use of protective equipment to prevent concussion.3 The most valid information about the effectiveness of healthcare interventions is provided by randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews of randomised controlled trials.4 The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro; http://www.pedro.org.au) provides easy access to randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews of physiotherapy interventions. PEDro also includes links to evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. October 2009 marked the 10th anniversary of the launch of PEDro. PEDro is freely available on the internet. The database indexes citation details, author abstracts and, where available, links to full text for randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews and practice guidelines in physiotherapy. Although the PEDro database is designed primarily for health professionals, a subsite, called Physiotherapy Choices (http://www.physiotherapychoices.org.au), provides information in lay terms directly to consumers of physiotherapy services. As of August 2009, more than 15 000 records (12 408 trials, 2060 reviews and 603 guidelines) have been indexed on PEDro. Each record is coded according to the subdiscipline(s) of physiotherapy it addresses. PEDro now includes 615 randomised controlled trials and 102 …
Financial Liberalization and Contagion with Unobservable Savings

How does the presence of decentralized market-based channels for borrowing and lending affect financial integration and financial contagion? To answer this question, I develop a two-country model of financial intermediation, where banks have access to country-specific investment technologies, and agents can borrow and lend in an international hidden market. In this environment, the possibility of hidden borrowing and lending has three main effects. First, it improves welfare with respect to the autarkic equilibrium, by allowing gains from “hidden” financial integration. Second, it halts the process of “official” financial integration. Third, it lowers the resilience of the economy to unexpected shocks to fundamentals.
Adult bone marrow-derived cells for cardiac repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND The results from small clinical studies suggest that therapy with adult bone marrow (BM)-derived cells (BMCs) reduces infarct size and improves left ventricular function and perfusion. However, the effects of BMC transplantation in patients with ischemic heart disease remains unclear. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Citation Index, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (through July 2006) for randomized controlled trials and cohort studies of BMC transplantation to treat ischemic heart disease. We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis across eligible studies measuring the same outcomes. RESULTS Eighteen studies (N = 999 patients) were eligible. The adult BMCs included BM mononuclear cells, BM mesenchymal stem cells, and BM-derived circulating progenitor cells. Compared with controls, BMC transplantation improved left ventricular ejection fraction (pooled difference, 3.66%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.93% to 5.40%; P<.001); reduced infarct scar size (-5.49%; 95% CI, -9.10% to -1.88%; P = .003); and reduced left ventricular end-systolic volume (-4.80 mL; 95% CI, -8.20 to -1.41 mL; P = .006). CONCLUSIONS The available evidence suggests that BMC transplantation is associated with modest improvements in physiologic and anatomic parameters in patients with both acute myocardial infarction and chronic ischemic heart disease, above and beyond conventional therapy. Therapy with BMCs seems safe. These results support conducting large randomized trials to evaluate the impact of BMC therapy vs the standard of care on patient-important outcomes.
Early Eyelid Rehabilitation in Facial Nerve Paralysis

Upper‐lid gold‐weight insertions and lowerlid‐shortening procedures are standard surgical techniques used to restore eyelid function and protect the cornea in patients with facial nerve paralysis. Different opinions exist in the literature regarding the correct timing and the morbidity of these interventions. The retrospective analysis of 45 patients over a 5‐year period revealed extrusion of the gold weight in one (2.2%) patient and delayed infections in three (6.6%). Sixty percent of all gold‐weight insertions were performed within 4 weeks after the onset of facial nerve paralysis. We strongly favor gold‐weight insertion, often combined with lower‐lid‐shortening procedures, as a simple, reliable, reversible, and successful technique for early rehabilitation of the paralyzed eyelid. Using these guidelines, we have markedly reduced the need for tarsorrhaphies.
Reaction of two summer vegetables (Okra and Chillies) germplasm against root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita)

The present study was done to determine the response of okra and chillies germplasm against root knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in the green house at 34 ± 4 C. Five seeds of ten okra Varieties/lines (Subzpari, Super star, OH-152, Iqra 24, Iqra 1, China red, Diksha, M.S. 04, Sanam and Iqra 2) were sown in earthen pot and four week old chillies seedling of thirteen Varieties/lines (Tatapuri, C19, C33, C68, C73, C92, C103, C302, C2010-3, C2010-4, C2010-5, C2010-6 and C2010-7) were transplanted in pots. Okra and chillies plants were inoculated with 2000 second stage juveniles J 2 by making holes in root zone with a sharp wooden stick and covered the hole with sterilized soil to avoid the vaporization. The experiment was arranged in completely randomized design with ten replications. After 8 weeks of inoculation, the plants were harvested to determine the M. incognita reproduction on okra and chillies host plants. Twenty-three lines/verities of okra and chillies exhibited some variability in their response against RKN infection. Five lines/verities (C73, C 103, Sabz pari, lqra 24 & China red) were found susceptible whereas the seven varieties i.e. Super star, OH-152, Iqra 1, Iqra 2, Diksha, M.S 04 and Sanam were found highly susceptible. Five lines (C33, C68, C92, C302 and C2010-4) were observed moderate susceptible and five V/L (C2010-3, C2010-5, 02010­6, C2010-7 and Tatapuri) were found moderate resistant and while C19 was immune against M. incognita .
Understanding Complex Role of the Assistant Principal in Secondary Schools.

The assistant principal is often overlooked in school leadership literature, yet in recent years has grown to be a vital part of secondary schools (Marshall & Hooley, 2006). This descriptive study seeks to expand on the work of Marshall and Hooley (2006), which serves as a primer in the study of assistant principals. In an era of increased accountability, this study explores how assistant principals balance the needs of students, teachers, parents, and constituents? This descriptive study seeks to understand the work that secondary school assistant principals do, how assistant principals are trained, the challenges they face, and their job satisfaction in a midsized Midwestern city. This study explores assistant principals from grades six through twelve with various levels of education, experience, and career aspirations to build a deeper understanding of their roles as assistant principals. UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEX ROLE OF THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS 1
CALCULATION OF STEPPED PORTICOES FREE OSCILLATIONS FREQUENCIES IN 2D BY STIFFNESS MATRIX METHOD.

Omar Farouk Djibril, Gerard L. Gbaguidi Aïsse, Gbaguidi S. Victor and Antoine Cokou Vianou. Laboratory of Energetics and Mechanics Applied (LEMA), University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin. Manuscript Info Abstract . Manuscript History Received: 10 February 2019 Final Accepted: 12 March 2019 Published: April 2019
Influences of sulfur passivation on temperature-dependent characteristics of an AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs PHEMT

The influences of (NH/sub 4/)/sub 2/S/sub x/ treatment on an AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor (PHEMT) are studied and demonstrated. Upon the sulfur passivation, the studied device exhibits better temperature-dependent dc and microwave characteristics. Experimentally, for a 1/spl times/100 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ gate/dimension PHEMT with sulfur passivation, the higher gate/drain breakdown voltage of 36.4 (21.5) V, higher turn-on voltage of 0.994 (0.69) V, lower gate leakage current of 0.6 (571) /spl mu/A/mm at V/sub GD/=-22 V, improved threshold voltage of -1.62 (-1.71) V, higher maximum transconductance of 240 (211) mS/mm with 348 (242) mA/mm broad operating regime (>0.9g/sub m,max/), and lower output conductance of 0.51 (0.53) mS/mm are obtained, respectively, at 300 (510) K. The corresponding unity current gain cutoff frequency f/sub T/ (maximum oscillation frequency f/sub max/) are 22.2 (87.9) and 19.5 (59.3) GHz at 250 and 400 K, respectively, with considerably broad operating regimes (>0.8f/sub T/,f/sub max/) larger than 455 mA/mm. Moreover, the relatively lower variations of device performances over wide temperature range (300/spl sim/510 K) are observed.
Immunocytochemical localization of neurokinin B in the rat spinal dorsal horn and its association with substance P and GABA: An electron microscopic study

Substance P and neurokinin B are tachykinins that derive from different precursors. Both tachykinins are known to be involved in the processing of pain‐related information. Initial studies suggested an antinociceptive effect for neurokinin B, but more recent data indicate that neurokinin B facilitates nociception. Unfortunately, morphologic correlates are lacking, as little is known about the distribution of neurokinin B, especially at the ultrastructural level. Because of its potentially important role in the processing of pain‐related information, we decided to investigate the synaptic interactions of neurokinin B‐immunoreactive profiles in laminae I–III of the rat cervical spinal dorsal horn and their relation to substance P‐immunoreactive structures. An antibody raised against a portion of the neurokinin B precursor peptide was used for the detection of neurokinin B. Neurokinin B‐like immunoreactivity occurred in all superficial laminae, with the highest density in inner lamina II and the lowest in lamina III. Neurokinin B‐like immunoreactive axonal boutons were mainly dome‐shaped and established symmetric synaptic contacts with dendrites or cell bodies. Neurokinin B‐like immunoreactivity was also detected in dendritic profiles in all superficial laminae. Some of these dendritic profiles were part of synaptic glomeruli in inner lamina II and lamina III. Double‐labeling for neurokinin B and substance P showed a lack of appositions and synapses between neurokinin B and substance P‐positive profiles. Furthermore, very few profiles double‐labeled for the two peptides were observed. Double‐labeling for γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and neurokinin B showed a complete absence of neurokinin B/GABA co‐localization. Furthermore, neurokinin B‐positive profiles were never presynaptic to GABA‐immunoreactive profiles, but frequently neurokinin B‐positive dendrites were postsynaptic to GABA‐immunoreactive boutons. These results suggest that neurokinin B participates in circuits separate from those involving substance P, as virtually no anatomic correlation was found between the two neuropeptides. J. Comp. Neurol. 420:349–362, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cardiac Muscle AMP-Deaminase from a 10-Year-Old Male Heterozygous for the AMPD1 C34T Mutation

A C34T mutation in the AMPD1 gene is proposed to cause local or systemic augmentations in blood adenosine level and improvement of prognoses in heart diseases like congestive heart failure or heart ischemic disease. This study examines some physico-chemical properties of AMP-deaminase isolated from cardiac muscle of a 10-year-old boy heterozygote for this mutation.
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) are derived from Schwann cells or pluripotent cells of the neural crest. Delay of diagnosis is common, especially in lesions affecting proximal parts of the peripheral nervous system. Presented is a series of 54 patients with MPNST seen at a single institution over a 10-year period. In this series, tumor diameter of <5 cm, gross total resection of the tumor, and younger age were favorable prognostic variables.
Advances in Brief Differential Transplantability of Tumor-Associated Stromal Cells

At the time of transplantation, tumor fragments contain “passenger” cells: endothelial cells and other stromal cells from the original host. Here, we investigated the fate of genetically labeled endothelial and nonendothelial stromal cells after transplantation in syngeneic mice. We report that angiogenic stroma associated with tumor or adipose tissue persists when transplanted, remains functional, and governs the initial neovascularization of grafted tissue fragments for more than 4 weeks after implantation. Surprisingly, the passenger endothelial cells survive longer than other stromal cells, which are replaced by host-activated fibroblasts after 3 weeks. The transplantability of tumor stroma suggests that the angiogenic potential of a tumor xenograft, which determines its viability, depends on the presence of passenger endothelial cells and other stromal cells within the xenograft. These studies of tumor tissue transplantation provide a platform for exploring the role of epithelial–stromal interactions in studies of tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance.
Predictive Models of Alcohol Use Based on Attitudes and Individual Values

Two predictive models are developed in this article: the first is designed to predict people' attitudes to alcoholic drinks, while the second sets out to predict the use of alcohol in relation to selected individual values. University students (N = 1,500) were recruited through stratified sampling based on sex and academic discipline. The questionnaire used obtained information on participants' alcohol use, attitudes and personal values. The results show that the attitudes model correctly classifies 76.3% of cases. Likewise, the model for level of alcohol use correctly classifies 82% of cases. According to our results, we can conclude that there are a series of individual values that influence drinking and attitudes to alcohol use, which therefore provides us with a potentially powerful instrument for developing preventive intervention programs.
A novel MED12 mutation: Evidence for a fourth phenotype

Mutations of the MED12 gene have been reported mainly in males with FG (Opitz–Kaveggia), Lujan–Fryns, or X‐linked Ohdo syndromes. Recently, a different phenotype characterized by minor anomalies, severe intellectual disability (ID), and absent language was reported in female and male patients belonging to the same family and carrying a frameshift MED12 mutation (c.5898dupC). Here, we report on two brothers and their niece affected by severe and mild ID, respectively, where whole exome sequencing combined with variant analysis within a panel of ID‐related genes, disclosed a novel c.2312T>C (p.Ile771Thr) MED12 mutation. This variant, which has not been reported as a polymorphism, was not present in a third unaffected brother, and was predicted to be deleterious by five bioinformatic databases. This finding together with the phenotypic analogies shared with the carriers of c.5898dupC mutation suggests the existence of a fourth MED12‐related disorder, characterized by severe ID, absent or deficient language and, milder, clinical manifestation in heterozygotes. We have reviewed the literature on MED12 heterozygotes, their clinical manifestations, and discuss the possible biological causes of this condition. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.