Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resolvin E1 Regulates Adenosine Diphosphate Activation of Human Platelets

Objective—To investigate the ability of resolvin E1 (RvE1) to regulate adenosine diphosphate (ADP) activation of platelets via specific receptors because RvE1 reduces platelet aggregation with certain agonists, including ADP. Methods and Results—RvE1 is an eicosapentaenoic acid-derived specialized proresolving mediator generated during the resolution of acute inflammation. RvE1 exhibits potent organ-protective actions in vivo and acts on specific cell types, including platelets. RvE1, 0.1 to 100 nmol/L, incubated with platelets gave reduced ADP-stimulated P-selectin mobilization (IC50, approximately 1.6×10−12 mol/L) and polymerized actin content compared with control platelets. RvE1, 1 to 100 nmol/L, did not stimulate or block intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. By using a new P2Y12-&bgr;-arrestin-coupled cell system, ADP-activated P2Y12 with an EC50 of 5×10−6 mol/L and RvE1 did not directly stimulate P2Y12 or block the ADP-P2Y12 signals. In this system, another eicosanoid, leukotriene E4 (LTE4) (EC50, 1.3×10−11 mol/L), dose dependently activated P2Y12. When recombinant P2Y12-expressing cells were transiently transfected with an RvE1 receptor, human ChemR23 (present on human platelets), with the addition of RvE1 (0.1-10.0 nmol/L), blocked ADP signals (IC50, approximately 1.6×10−11 mol/L) in P2Y12-ChemR23-expressing cells compared with mock transfections. Conclusion—RvE1's regulatory actions (ie, reducing ADP-stimulated P-selectin mobilization and actin polymerization) are human (h)ChemR23-dependent. Moreover, specific platelet actions of RvE1 selectively engaged with ADP-activated platelets that illuminate a new cellular mechanism and affect &ohgr;-3 eicosapentaenoic acid, which may contribute to both resolution of vascular inflammation and ADP-dependent platelet activation relevant in pathological cardiovascular events.
Preliminary studies of sexual networks in a male homosexual community in Iceland.

In this article, we present the preliminary results of a study on sexual networks in a homosexual community in Iceland. The network data are transformed into a mixing matrix, which suggests that the pattern of sexual contact within the community is disassortative (i.e., sexual contacts occur largely between individuals of disparate sexual activity levels). The implications for the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the community are assessed by comparison with epidemics generated by proportionate and assortative (like with like) mixing, using a mathematical model of HIV transmission. The potential magnitude of the epidemic associated with the data is shown to be larger than both proportionate and assortative alternatives, although the early rate of growth is lower for the mixing matrix implied by the data. The assumptions made concerning behavioural changes triggered by alterations in population structure as a consequence of AIDS-induced mortality do not significantly alter the shape of the predicted epidemic. The problems in data acquisition and interpretation are discussed.
ESX‐1 exploits type I IFN‐signalling to promote a regulatory macrophage phenotype refractory to IFNγ‐mediated autophagy and growth restriction of intracellular mycobacteria

The ability of macrophages to eradicate intracellular pathogens is normally greatly enhanced by IFNγ, a cytokine produced mainly after onset of adaptive immunity. However, adaptive immunity is unable to provide sterilizing immunity against mycobacteria, suggesting that mycobacteria have evolved virulence strategies to inhibit the bactericidal effect of IFNγ‐signalling in macrophages. Still, the host–pathogen interactions and cellular mechanisms responsible for this feature have remained elusive. We demonstrate that the ESX‐1 type VII secretion systems of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium marinum exploit type I IFN‐signalling to promote an IL‐12low/IL‐10high regulatory macrophage phenotype characterized by secretion of IL‐10, IL‐27 and IL‐6. This mechanism had no impact on intracellular growth in the absence of IFNγ but suppressed IFNγ‐mediated autophagy and growth restriction, indicating that the regulatory phenotype extends to function. The IFNγ‐refractory phenotype was partly mediated by IL‐27‐signalling, establishing functional relevance for this downstream cytokine. These findings identify a novel macrophage‐modulating function for the ESX‐1 secretion system that may contribute to suppress the efficacy of adaptive immunity and provide mechanistic insight into the antagonistic cross talk between type I IFNs and IFNγ in mycobacterial infection.
Comparison of blood pressure measurements in children with and without habitual snoring

Higher or similar systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure has been recorded in children with sleep apnea compared to subjects with primary snoring or in those with primary snoring compared to controls. To investigate the association between blood pressure and habitual snoring, we studied children in four randomly selected schools in central Greece. A symptom questionnaire was answered by parents, and children's weight, height, and blood pressure were measured. Seven hundred and sixty children (4–14 years old; 352 female) were recruited. Fifty of 760 (6.6%) participants were snoring more than 3 nights/week (habitual snorers). Mean ( ± SD) systolic blood pressure was 106.9 ( ±10.6) mmHg in habitual snorers vs. 107 ( ± 12) in nonhabitual snorers (P > 0.05). Mean diastolic blood pressure was 61.9 ( ± 7.6) in the former vs. 61.8 ( ± 6.8) in the latter (P > 0.05). While age, gender, and body mass index were significant predictors of systolic blood pressure in a general linear model, snoring was not. Similarly, that gender and body mass index but not snoring were significant predictors of diastolic blood pressure. In a community sample of children, habitual snorers do not have higher morning systolic or diastolic blood pressure than nonhabitual snorers. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regio‐ and Stereoselective Intermolecular Oxidative Phenol Coupling in Kotanin Biosynthesis by Aspergillus Niger

The intermolecular, regio‐ and stereoselective phenol coupling for the biosynthesis of the bicoumarin kotanin in Aspergillus niger has been investigated. Feeding experiments with singly and doubly 13C‐labeled monomeric precursors clearly proved that it is not the coumarin siderin but its hydroxy derivative, demethylsiderin, that undergoes phenol coupling. However, siderin is demethylated regioselectively to demethylsiderin and it is the latter that is coupled to the corresponding dehydrodimer, orlandin. The product is subsequently O‐methylated in a stepwise fashion to demethylkotanin and kotanin. Crude extracts were analysed by HPLC with chemically synthesized bicoumarins as reference compounds. This and a stereochemical analysis of the isolated bicoumarins revealed that A. niger produces exclusively the (P)‐atropisomers of the three 8,8′‐bicoumarins, kotanin, demethylkotanin, and orlandin. The absence of other monomeric or dimeric coumarins strongly suggests an intermolecular, regio‐ and stereoselective mode for the phenol‐coupling step.
Inexpensive Cost-Optimized Measurement Proposal for Sequential Model-Based Diagnosis

In this work we present strategies for (optimal) measurement selection in model-based sequential diagnosis. In particular, assuming a set of leading diagnoses being given, we show how queries (sets of measurements) can be computed and optimized along two dimensions: expected number of queries and cost per query. By means of a suitable decoupling of two optimizations and a clever search space reduction the computations are done without any inference engine calls. For the full search space, we give a method requiring only a polynomial number of inferences and guaranteeing query properties existing methods cannot provide. Evaluation results using real-world problems indicate that the new method computes (virtually) optimal queries instantly independently of the size and complexity of the considered diagnosis problems.
Attempts to induce immunity against mammary adenocarcinoma in inbred mice.

Summary Experiments are described in which attempts were made to induce immunity in C3H/He and in ZBC mice by strangulation of implanted strain-specific mammary carcinoma. C3H/He mice in which tumors were thus destroyed were not immune upon reimplantation with adenocarcinoma C3H-BA, nor with two other spontaneous mammary tumors which arose in this strain. Similarly, ZBC mice were not immune upon reimplantation with a mammary tumor which arose in the Z strain, nor were C57Bl/6 mice immune to reimplantation of adenocarcinoma E 0771. Induced autolysis and destruction of these strain-specific mammary adenocarcinomas growing in mice of the strain in which they arose spontaneously does not lead to immunity against the same strain-specific tumor.
The Influence of Ethnicity on Warfarin Dosage Requirement

BACKGROUND: The optimal dose of warfarin varies among individuals, and the prediction of a maintenance dose is difficult. Ethnicity has been reported to influence warfarin dosing. OBJECTIVE: To quantitate the influence of ethnicity on warfarin dose requirement. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a university anticoagulation clinic to evaluate the influence of ethnicity on warfarin dose. Inclusion criteria included age ⩾18 years, target international normalized ratio (INR) 2–3, and warfarin management within the clinic for ⩾3 months with a minimum of 5 clinic visits. We collected clinical and demographic data including age, gender, weight, ethnicity, disease states, concomitant medications, indication, weekly warfarin dosage, and INR. To assess potential confounders, multivariate, repeated-measures regression analysis was used to identify and adjust for variables that may influence the maintenance dose of warfarin. RESULTS: Of the 345 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 27% were Asian American, 6% Hispanic, 54% white, and 14% African American. The adjusted mean (95% CI) weekly warfarin doses for patients with an INR goal of 2 to 3 were Asian Americans 24 mg (21 to 27), Hispanics 31 mg (25 to 37), whites 36 mg (34 to 39), and African Americans 43 mg (39 to 47) (p < 0.001). Additional factors found to influence warfarin dose requirement included age, weight, concomitant use of amiodarone, and diagnosis of venous thromboembolism. CONCLUSIONS: Warfarin dose requirements vary across ethnic groups even when adjusted for confounding factors, suggesting that genetic variation contributes to interpatient variability.
An Analysis of Orthopaedic Liability in the Acute Care Setting

The risk of litigation in the emergency room is not directly proportional to the severity of injury. In fact, the risk of initiation of legal action is greater in cases of relatively modest permanent and partial disability. In these cases, failure to obtain and document informed consent, failure to effectively communicate with the patient and family, and failure to assure followup and prompt assessment of complications are the factors that have most frequently led to litigation. Orthopaedic surgery ranks fifth among medical specialties in the total number of claims filed and also fifth in the cumulative amount of financial payments. Approximately 30% of filed cases ultimately result in some form of financial payment. The driving force behind litigation is financial gain for plaintiff’s attorneys and compensation for plaintiffs. The motive is not the improvement of medical delivery systems or individual behavior. Access to useful data of a legal nature is extremely difficult. Only a small number of cases go on to a jury-based decision of public record. It is difficult to get accurate and complete information on the total number of cases filed, cases withdrawn, terms of settlements, and arbitrations because of the confidential nature of the settlement process.
New methods for quantifying macroevolutionary patterns and processes

Abstract This paper documents a series of methodological innovations that are relevant to macroevolutionary studies. The new methods are applied to updated faunal and body mass data sets for North American fossil mammals, documenting several key trends across the late Cretaceous and Cenozoic. The methods are (1) A maximum likelihood formulation of appearance event ordination. The reformulated criterion involves generating a maximally likely hypothesized relative ordering of first and last appearances (i.e., an age range chart). The criterion takes faunal occurrences, stratigraphic relationships, and the sampling probability of individual genera and species into account. (2) A nonparametric temporal interpolation method called “shrink-wrapping” that makes it possible to employ the greatest possible number of tie points without violating monotonicity or allowing abrupt changes in slopes. The new calibration method is used in computing provisional definitions of boundaries among North American land mammal ages. (3) Additional methods for randomized subsampling of faunal lists, one weighting the number of lists that have been drawn by the sum of the square of the number of occurrences in each list, and one further modifying this approach to account for long-term changes in average local species richness. (4) Foote's new equations for instantaneous speciation and extinction rates. The equations are rederived and used to generate time series, confirm that logistic dynamics result from the diversity dependence of speciation but not extinction, and define the median duration of species (i.e., 2.6 m.y. for Eocene–Pleistocene mammals). (5) A method employing the G likelihood ratio statistic that is used to quantify the volatility of changes in the relative proportion of species falling in each of several major taxonomic groups. (6) Univariate measures of body mass distributions based on ordinary moment statistics (mean, standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis). These measures are favored over the method of cenogram analysis. Data are presented showing that even diverse individual fossil collections merely yield a noisy version of the same pattern seen in the overall continental data set. Peaks in speciation rates, extinction rates, proportional volatility, and shifts in body mass distributions occur at different times, suggesting that environmental perturbations do not have simple effects on the biota.
Acupuncture and subtypes of chronic pain: assessment of long-term results.

OBJECTIVE To determine patients' opinions of pain relief for a longer time after one treatment period of acupuncture for chronic pain. PATIENTS AND SETTING Two hundred and eleven patients had acupuncture treatment for chronic pain at the Pain Clinic of Malmö University Hospital during 1983-5. Their mean duration of pain was 10.4 years prior to treatment. INTERVENTION The patients were treated with needle acupuncture with a combination of local and distal points every 1-2 weeks. Both manual and electrical stimulation was utilized. The mean number of treatments was 7.8. DESIGN In 1988, all patient documents were screened, and the pain conditions were classified as nociceptive, neurogenic, or psychogenic. Of the 211 treated patients, initial results could be evaluated from the clinic records in 202 cases. Eighty-five of these patients (42.1%) experienced pain relief immediately after the treatment period. These patients were sent a 1-page questionnaire by mail in 1988. OUTCOME MEASURES Pain relief over defined time periods (yes/no); do more work at home or at workplace (yes/no); analgesic consumption. RESULTS Only 35 patients (17.3% of all patients) still experienced pain relief 6 months after treatment. Among those with nociceptive pain, 70 of 142 (49%) had experienced initial pain relief, while those with neurogenic or psychogenic pain experienced relief in only 11 of 34 and four of 26 of the cases, respectively. Pain relief for > 6 months was experienced by 33 of 142 of the cases with nociceptive pain, but by only two of 34 of those with neurogenic pain, and by none of those with psychogenic pain. CONCLUSION Only patients with nociceptive pain can be expected to get pain relief for > 6 months after one treatment period of acupuncture, and of these only a small proportion will be helped.
Soil attributes functionality and water eutrophication in the surrounding area of Itaparica Reservoir, Brazil

In semi-arid areas of Brazil, climate and geological conditions are important factors that restrict the availability of soils and water for sustainable irrigated agriculture. The main objective of this study was to evaluate functionalities of physical and chemical attributes of soils and to provide information about irrigation water quality in the margins of the Itaparica Reservoir aiming the sustainable land use. Available data of 44 representative soil profiles comprising 21 profiles of Arenosols, six of Ferralsols, five of Luvisols, six of Planosols and six of Cambisols were used. Water samples along the margins of the reservoir were analysed to obtain information on water quality. The results indicated a narrow relationship between the functionalities of physical and chemical attributes and the parent material of the soils. The low nutrient availability and high water permeability are the typical characteristics of the soils developed on the sandy covers. On the other hand, higher nutrient availability and permeability restrictions are the most important features of the soils with larger influence of fine sediments. The results also suggested the process of water eutrophication in the Itaparica Reservoir.
Polymorphism of the rDNA and tDNA loci in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: a perspective for molecular epidemiology surveillance

The Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa has a wide environmental and ecological distribution. It is an opportunistic pathogen that acquires resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents and can infect plants, animals and humans. We used rDNA and tDNA PCR markers to characterize the bacterial diversity of P. aeruginosa strains isolated at a Brazilian teaching hospital (Oswaldo Cruz University Hospital, Recife, Brazil) between March 2003 and February 2004. Clonal groups of P. aeruginosa clinical isolates were identified from different patients in different hospital units using either rDNA or tDNA markers, or a combination of both in a duplex PCR. These PCR-typing methods together with drug-resistance profiles were used to trace the distribution of antibiotic resistant P. aeruginosa clones and to identify cross-infection of the same patient with a different bacterial clone after being moved to a different hospital unit. The data presented here demonstrates a rapid, reliable and useful method for epidemiological surveillance that can contribute to the control of P aeruginosa infections in hospital environments.
Permeability of priming of pop out to expectations.

It is well established that repetition of the same target color across consecutive trials enhances search efficiency for pop-out targets; this phenomenon is known as Priming of Pop out (PoP). In three experiments, we addressed whether PoP interacts with top-down expectations in altering target visibility, which was manipulated via metacontrast masking. The target color either remained the same for n consecutive trials (blocked condition) or changed unpredictably (random condition). The results showed that PoP reduced the efficacy of masking and that its beneficial effect can be either potentiated or attenuated by participants' expectations about the upcoming target color. These findings undermine the view that PoP should be impermeable to top-down factors. In addition, we found evidence that both explicit and implicit expectations interact with PoP. The former can be induced via instructions on the rate of alternation of the target color, and the latter can be induced by random sequences in which repetitions of the same target color exceed those predicted by an internal model of randomness for binary events. In the latter case, more than three repetitions of the same target color led to a decline in target visibility. We speculate that, in the random condition, after few repetitions of the same target, participants developed an expectation for a change; this phenomenon is similar to the "gambler's fallacy. " Finally, our analyses revealed no effect of expectation on switch trials (i.e., when the target color changed), which casts doubt on the efficacy of top-down control in feature search.
DISCOVERY OF A POPULATION OF BULGELESS GALAXIES WITH EXTREMELY RED MID-IR COLORS: OBSCURED AGN ACTIVITY IN THE LOW-MASS REGIME?

In contrast to massive, bulge hosting galaxies, very few supermassive black holes (SMBHs) are known in either low-mass or bulgeless galaxies. Such a population could provide clues to the origins of SMBHs and to secular pathways for their growth. Using the all-sky Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE ) survey, and bulge-to-disk decompositions from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 7, we report the discovery of a population of local (z < 0.3) bulgeless disk galaxies with extremely red mid-infrared colors which are highly suggestive of a dominant active galactic nucleus (AGN), despite having no optical AGN signatures in their SDSS spectra. Using various mid-infrared selection criteria from the literature, there are between 30 and over 300 bulgeless galaxies with possible AGNs. Other known scenarios that can heat the dust to high temperatures do not appear to explain the observed colors of this sample. If these galaxies are confirmed to host AGNs, this study will provide a breakthrough in characterizing the properties of SMBHs in the low bulge mass regime and in understanding their relation with their host galaxies. Mid-infrared selection identifies AGNs that dominate their host galaxy's emission and therefore reveal a different AGN population than that uncovered by optical studies. We find that the fraction of all galaxies identified as candidate AGNs by WISE is highest at lower stellar masses and drops dramatically in higher mass galaxies, in striking contrast to the findings from optical studies.
Promoting reflective interactions in a CSCL environment

Engaging in reflective activities in interaction, such as explaining, justifying and evaluating problem solutions, has been shown to be potentially productive for learning. This paper addresses the problem of how these activities may be promoted in the context of computer-mediated communication during a modelling task in physics. The design principles of two different communication interfaces are presented. The first allows free text to be exchanged, and the second structures the interaction by providing a restricted set of communicative possibilities. Comparative analyses of interaction corpora produced with the two communication interfaces are then described. The analyses show that use of the second structured interface in performing the problem-solving task is feasible for students, and that it promotes a task-focussed and reflective interaction. In conclusion the different resources provided by different media and the relative degrees of effort that their use requires are discussed.