Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fab fragment glycosylated IgG may play a central role in placental immune evasion.

STUDY QUESTION How does the placenta protect the fetus from immune rejection by the mother? SUMMARY ANSWER The placenta can produce IgG that is glycosylated at one of its Fab arms (asymmetric IgG; aIgG) which can interact with other antibodies and certain leukocytes to affect local immune reactions at the junction between the two genetically distinct entities. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The placenta can protect the semi-allogenic fetus from immune rejection by the immune potent mother. aIgG in serum is increased during pregnancy and returns to the normal range after giving birth. aIgG can react to antigens to form immune complexes which do not cause a subsequent immune effector reaction, including fixing complements, inducing cytotoxicity and phagocytosis, and therefore has been called 'blocking antibody'. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Eighty-eight human placentas, four trophoblast cell lines (TEV-1, JAR, JEG and BeWo), primary culture of human placental trophoblasts and a gene knock-out mouse model were investigated in this study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The general approach included the techniques of cell culture, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, immuno-electron microscopy, western blot, quantitative PCR, protein isolation, glycosylation analysis, enzyme digestion, gene sequencing, mass spectrophotometry, laser-guided microdissection, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, pulse chase assay, double and multiple staining to analyze protein and DNA and RNA analysis at the cellular and molecular levels. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Three major discoveries were made: (i) placental trophoblasts and endothelial cells are capable of producing IgG, a significant portion of which is aberrantly glycosylated at one of its Fab arms to form aIgG; (ii) the asymmetrically glycosylated IgG produced by trophoblasts and endothelial cells can react to immunoglobulin molecules of human, rat, mouse, goat and rabbit at the Fc portion; (iii) asymmetrically glycosylated IgG can react to certain leukocytes in the membrane and cytoplasm, while symmetric IgG from the placenta does not have this property. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Most of the experiments were performed in vitro. The proposed mechanism calls for verification in normal and abnormal pregnancy. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study identified a number of new phenomena suggesting that aIgG produced by the placenta would be able to react to detrimental antibodies and leukocytes and interfere with their immune reactions against the placenta and the fetus. This opens a new dimension for further studies on pregnancy physiology and immunology. Should the mechanism proposed here be confirmed, it will have a direct impact on our understanding of the physiology and pathology of human reproduction and offer new possibilities for the treatment of many diseases including spontaneous abortion, infertility and pre-eclampsia. It also sheds light on the mechanism of immune evasion in general including that of cancer.
Interleukin-17A antagonist attenuates radiation-induced lung injuries in mice

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the effect of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) antibodies on radiation-induced lung injuries in mice. Methods: The thorax of 135 mice were divided into Sham (n = 30), radiation control (RC, n = 35), treatment (n = 35, IL-17A-neutralizing antibody, 4 μg/mouse, IV, 4 days per month for 4 months) and placebo group (n = 35) before a single dose irradiation (15 Gy) to the thorax. Inflammation and collagen contents in the lung tissues were examined, and the concentration of IL-17A, TGF-β1, and IL-6 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured. In another 50 animals, 180-day survival rate following the irradiation and treatment was calculated by Kaplan–Meier method. Results: Sixteen weeks after the irradiation and treatment, there was significant inflammatory cell infiltration and interstitial collagen depositions in the radiation control and placebo groups, whereas these changes were relatively mild in the treatment group. The percentage of grade II and III alveolitis in the treatment group (16%, P < .05) was lower than in the RC (72%) or placebo group (64%). The mean Aschcroft fibrosis scores were 2.8 (treatment group), 5.2 (RC), and 4.8 (placebo group), respectively. The scores of treatment group was lower than that of RC (P < .001) or placebo group (P < .001). The IL-17A, TGF-β, and IL-6 concentrations in the treatment group were lower than in the RC and placebo group (P < .01) following the irradiation. The 180-day mortality rate in the treatment group was lower than in the RC group 16.7% versus 75.0%, P < . 05). Conclusion: IL-17A antibody treatment alleviates radiation-induced pneumonitis and subsequent fibrosis, and improvise postirradiation survival.
Consumer lifestyles: alternative adoption patterns for advanced mobile services

An analysis of the relationship between lifestyle traits, social influence, people's attitudes towards mobile innovations and the adoption of different types of advanced mobile services contributes to the extension of the TAM model. Based on a random sample of 542 Dutch consumers, it is shown that the adoption of specific advanced mobile services is highly dependent on the relationship between someone's lifestyle and the type of service involved. Also social influence and attitudes towards mobile innovations are relevant additions to the TAM model. The results are relevant to mobile service and apps providers and mobile telecommunication operators alike.
Influence of the supersaturated silicon solid solution concentration on the effectiveness of severe plastic deformation processing in Al-7 wt % Si casting alloy

A comparative study of room temperature severe plastic deformation (SPD) of a hypoeutectic Al–7wt% Si casting alloy by high pressure torsion (HPT) and equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) has been performed. Microstructural parameters and microhardness were evaluated in the present work. Three different initial Si solid solution contents have been considered: as cast (C sample, 1.6 wt% Si), annealed and quenched (Q sample, 1.2 wt% Si) and annealed and furnace cooled (S sample, 0.7 wt% Si). The samples processed by ECAP have smaller average Si particle sizes (0.9-1.7 μm), than those for samples processed by HPT (2.4-4.4 μm). The initial supersaturated Si solid solution is the major factor affecting the microstructure and the mechanical properties of the material. Fine deformation-induced Si precipitates from the supersaturated solid solution were responsible of the large grain refinement obtained by both SPD processing methods, which was considerably higher than that reported for pure aluminium. Q samples, processed by both SPD methods, containing an intermediate concentration of Si in solid solution, show the highest hardness due to the finest and most homogeneous microstructure. The finest and homogeneous grain size was ∼0.2 μm for the HPTed and ∼0.4 μm for the ECAPed, Q samples.
Dispositional Optimism and Self-Assessed Situation Awareness in a Norwegian Military Training Exercise

The current study examined the relationship between dispositional optimism and situation awareness. A sample of 77 Royal Norwegian Naval Academy and 57 Royal Norwegian Army Academy cadets were administered the Life Orientation Test prior to participating in a field-training exercise involving a series of challenging missions. Following an infantry mission component of the exercise, situation awareness was measured using the Mission Awareness Rating Scale (MARS), a self-assessment tool. The analysis indicated that dispositional optimism correlated negatively with situation awareness under these conditions. The role of intrapersonal variables in mediating situation awareness and decision-making in stressful situations is discussed.
Familial Auditory Neuropathy

Objectives/Hypothesis Auditory neuropathy is a sensorineural hearing disorder characterized by absent or abnormal auditory brainstem responses and normal cochlear outer hair cell function as measured by otoacoustic emission recordings. Many risk factors are thought to be involved in its etiology and pathophysiology. Four Chinese pedigrees with familial auditory neuropathy were presented to demonstrate involvement of genetic factors in the etiology of auditory neuropathy.
Magnetic resonance imaging in the preoperative staging of endometrial carcinoma.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as an important imaging modality in the evaluation of the extension of endometrial carcinoma which is essential in planning treatment and predicting prognosis. This study aimed to assess the value of MRI in the preoperative staging of endometrial carcinoma. METHODS We included in this study 162 patients with a histological diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma who underwent MRI pelvic imaging and surgical staging. MRI images were compared with pathological findings to measure MRI's sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy in what concerns myometrial, cervical and lymph node invasion. RESULTS MRI differentiation of deep myometrial invasion from superficial disease agreed with pathological findings in 77% of cases, with a sensitivity of 83%, a specificity of 72% and a diagnostic accuracy of 77%. Concerning cervical invasion, MRI had a sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of 42%, 92%, 81% respectively. In assessing lymph node invasion, MRI presented a sensitivity of just 17%, a specificity of 99% and a diagnostic accuracy of 89%. CONCLUSION Our study confirmed the high accuracy of MRI imaging in assessing myometrial and cervical invasion in endometrial carcinoma. When evaluating lymph node invasion, micrometastases are responsible for the low sensitivy of MRI.
A Biologically‐Oriented Mathematical Model (ICP) for Human Growth

ABSTRACT. A new approach to modelling the individual human linear growth curve from birth to maturity is presented in detail. The model, which is also suitable for other measurements, breaks down growth mathematically into three additive and partly superimposed components —Infancy, Childhood and Puberty (the ICP‐model). A key feature of this approach is that these components of the human growth curve from birth to adulthood strongly reflect the different hormonal phases of the growth process. As a result, the model provides an improved instrument for detecting and understanding growth failure. The model also sheds light on some central facets of human growth. For instance, the dramatic change in body proportions during the first years of life is found to be related to an enhanced influence of the Childhood component on the legs as compared with the trunk. The size of the Puberty component is shown to be time‐invariant and to be superimposed on the decelerating Childhood component during adolescence. Early pubertal maturation is known to give a higher peak velocity than late maturation, so this variation in pubertal gain must be explained by the shape of the Childhood component alone.
A model for integrating instructional technology into higher education

This paper describes a model for integrating instructional technology into colleges and universities. The model is known as the RIPPLES Model because the main elements of the model are R esources, I nfrastructure, P eople, P olicies, L earning, E valuation, and S upport. The paper includes three main sections: a review of literature related to adoption and diffusion of innovations; results of a questionnaire sent to college Deans; and a brief discussion of the RIPPLES Model itself. The paper concludes with a discussion of the applicability of the model to other settings
Multiversion concurrency control for multilevel secure database systems

Consideration is given to the application of multiversion schedulers in multilevel secure database management systems (MLS/DBMSs). Transactions are vital for MLS/DBMSs because they provide transparency to concurrency and failure. Concurrent execution of transactions may lead to contention among subjects for access to data, which in MLS/DBMSs may lead to security problems. Multiversion schedulers reduce the contention for access to data by maintaining multiple versions. A description is given of the relation between schedules produced in MLS/DBMSs and those which are multiversion serializable. The authors also propose a secure multiversion scheduler. They show that the scheduling protocol gives correct schedules and is free of covert channels due to contention for access to data, i.e. the scheduler is data-conflict-secure. <<ETX>>
Angiocentric lymphoma of the head and neck: patterns of systemic failure after radiation treatment.

PURPOSE To investigate the patterns of systemic failure and the clinical outcome in patients with angiocentric lymphoma of the head and neck who were treated with radiation alone, and to discuss the optimal mode of treatment for these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS We reviewed the records of 92 patients with stage I or II angiocentric lymphoma who were treated at Yonsei Cancer Center between 1976 and 1994. All patients were treated with involved-field irradiation. Radiation doses ranged from 40 to 60 Gy (median dose, 50.4 Gy). Treatment response, patterns of treatment failure including systemic failure, and clinical outcome after radiation treatment were analyzed. RESULTS The most frequently involved site was the nasal cavity, either alone or in conjunction with other sites. In 16 patients (17.4%), angiocentric lymphoma was accompanied by cervical lymphadenopathy. Disease was classified as stage I in 62 patients (67.4%) and stage II in 30 patients (32.6%). After completion of radiation treatment, 61 patients (66.3%) achieved a complete response and 16 (17.4%) a partial response. Half of the patients (50.0%) ultimately experienced local recurrence with or without other components of failure, whereas regional failure was relatively uncommon (10.9%). Systemic failure occurred in 25.0% of patients during follow-up. Six patients had histologic findings identical to those at the time of the original disease (group I), whereas four patients exhibited morphologic features of frank lymphomas (group II). The majority of patients with systemic relapse had the predilection sites for widespread extranodal involvement, such as the skin, brain, lung, gastrointestinal tract, or testes. In addition, seven patients died from various medical illnesses or immunologic disorders, including hemophagocytic syndrome and second primary cancers (group III). After a median follow-up of 56 months, the overall survival and disease-free survival rates for all patients were 40.1% and 37.8%, respectively. All patients except one with systemic failure died within 1 year. CONCLUSION Treatment with radiation alone had suboptimal results, partly because of the occurrence of a variety of systemic failure with diverse clinicopathologic features. Given the frequent occurrence of systemic failure after radiation treatment, we believe that the multimodality treatment approach containing more effective chemotherapeutic agents should be incorporated in the treatment of angiocentric lymphoma confined to the head and neck.
Learning assessment of a videoconference-based training: lessons from medical training between USA and Ethiopia

This study looks at videoconference-based training for medical professionals. Four videoconference locations in the USA were connected to a videoconference center in Ethiopia to provide HIV/AIDS training for medical professionals. The training was conducted for 6 weeks. The overall research question guiding this study was: Can videoconferencing serve as an effective medium to facilitate training between high- and low-income countries? The study addresses participants' perception of videoconferencing as a potential training medium. Furthermore, the study explores implications of the training using communities of practice theory. Constraining and promoting factors for videoconferencing were identified from communication media choice and systems analysis and design theories. Survey questionnaires and open-ended questions were used to collect data. The findings show promise for videoconference-based training that can bridge the knowledge gap in low-income countries by linking them with high-income countries. We also found support for communities of practice attributes including access to experts, knowledge transfer, sharing experience, and sense of community. The paper concludes with three lessons learned with implications for research and practice including cultural context, IT infrastructure, and sustainable community of practice.
Personality: What It Takes To Be An Accountant

It is widely accepted that individuals may possess inherent abilities such as musical talent or artistic ability. Thes e innate qualities, although not a guarantee of success, provide individuals who possess such natural abilities with a unique advantage. This advantage may allow them to succeed within the related discipline. Why should such natural skills be limited to “right brain” types of activities? This study examines the issues surrounding the possible existence of an “accounting ability”. It then presents the results of an on-going research program being conducted at one medium sized, state university in Pennsylvania.
α2δ2 Controls the Function and Trans-Synaptic Coupling of Cav1.3 Channels in Mouse Inner Hair Cells and Is Essential for Normal Hearing

The auxiliary subunit α2δ2 modulates the abundance and function of voltage-gated calcium channels. Here we show that α2δ2 mRNA is expressed in neonatal and mature hair cells. A functional α2δ2-null mouse, the ducky mouse (du), showed elevated auditory brainstem response click and frequency-dependent hearing thresholds. Otoacoustic emissions were not impaired pointing to normal outer hair cell function. Peak Ca2+ and Ba2+ currents of mature du/du inner hair cells (IHCs) were reduced by 30–40%, respectively, and gating properties, such as the voltage of half-maximum activation and voltage sensitivity, were altered, indicating that Cav1.3 channels normally coassemble with α2δ2 at IHC presynapses. The reduction of depolarization-evoked exocytosis in du/du IHCs reflected their reduced Ca2+ currents. Ca2+- and voltage-dependent K+ (BK) currents and the expression of the pore-forming BKα protein were normal. Cav1.3 and Cavβ2 protein expression was unchanged in du/du IHCs, forming clusters at presynaptic ribbons. However, the close apposition of presynaptic Cav1.3 clusters with postsynaptic glutamate receptor GluA4 and PSD-95 clusters was significantly impaired in du/du mice. This implies that, in addition to controlling the expression and gating properties of Cav1.3 channels, the largely extracellularly localized α2δ2 subunit moreover plays a so far unknown role in mediating trans-synaptic alignment of presynaptic Ca2+ channels and postsynaptic AMPA receptors. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Inner hair cells possess calcium channels that are essential for transmitting sound information into synaptic transmitter release. Voltage-gated calcium channels can coassemble with auxiliary subunit α2δ isoforms 1–4. We found that hair cells of the mouse express the auxiliary subunit α2δ2, which is needed for normal hearing thresholds. Using a mouse model with a mutant, nonfunctional α2δ2 protein, we showed that the α2δ2 protein is necessary for normal calcium currents and exocytosis in inner hair cells. Unexpectedly, the α2δ2 protein is moreover required for the optimal spatial alignment of presynaptic calcium channels and postsynaptic glutamate receptor proteins across the synaptic cleft. This suggests that α2δ2 plays a novel role in organizing the synapse.
Polarized entry of canine parvovirus in an epithelial cell line

The binding and uptake of canine parvovirus (CPV) in polarized epithelial cells were investigated by growing the cells on a permeable support and inoculating with the virus either from the apical or basolateral surface. Binding of radiolabeled CPV occurred preferentially on the basolateral surface. In contrast, when a similar experiment was carried out on nonpolarized A72 cells, virus binding occurred regardless of the direction of virus input. Binding appeared to be specific for CPV and could not be competitively inhibited by either bovine or porcine parvovirus. Analysis of the binding data revealed a high-affinity receptor (10(5) per cell) for CPV on the basolateral surfaces of MDCK cells (Kd, 29 pM). In indirect immunofluorescence studies, virus entered only from the basolateral surfaces of MDCK cells. These results provide evidence for a functional CPV-specific receptor that is expressed only on the basolateral surfaces of polarized epithelial cells, a result that has interesting consequences for viral pathogenesis.
Wrapping in Polyvinyl Chloride Film Slows Quality Loss of Yellow Passion Fruit

Vine-ripened yellow passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa Deg.) were placed in styrofoam trays and wrapped with VF-60 plastic film and stored for 15 and 30 days. Wrapping prevented fruit weight loss while maintaining external appearance. Storage time contributed to quality loss of external appearance. Wrapping maintained fruit glucose and fructose content at 43 and 40 mg·ml -1 up to 15 days, respectively, and did not influence juice pH. Initial sucrose content of wrapped fruit declined 62% after 15 days in storage. Plastic film did not effectively modify O 2 or CO2.
VALVULAR AND STRUCTURAL HEART DISEASES Original Studies Predictors of Moderate-to-Severe Paravalvular Aortic Regurgitation Immediately After CoreValve Implantation and the Impact of Postdilatation

Objective: To investigate the predictors of moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation (AR 21) after CoreValve implantation and evaluate the feasibility and safety of postdilatation in reducing the degree of AR. Background: Although transcatheter aortic valve implantation is an alternative treatment for high surgical risk patients with severe aortic stenosis, post-implantation paravalvular AR remains a complication. Methods: From July 2008 to July 2010, we enrolled 79 consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis who underwent CoreValve implantation. Results: On univariable analysis, the predictors of AR 21 immediately after CoreValve implantation were: larger annulus size, low implantation, prosthesis mismatch, chronic renal insufficiency, a history of heart failure, and peripheral vascular disease. Onmultivariable analysis, the independent predictors of AR 21 were: larger annulus diameter (OR 1.78, 95%CI 1.25–2.55; P 5 0.002), low implantation (OR 3.67, 95%CI 1.01–13.35, P 5 0.05), and peripheral vascular disease (OR 3.54, 95%CI 1.19–10.56, P 5 0.02). Post-CoreValve implantation, AR 2 was seen in 40.5% (32/79). Twenty-one patients underwent postdilatation with improvement in AR grade in the majority (17/21). Of the four patients who did not respond to postdilatation, two underwent valve-in-valve implantation. In one patient, the valve was pulled more proximally by the snare technique. The remaining 10 patients were treated conservatively. Conclusion: The appropriate strategy for treating patients with AR 21 depends on the causes and severity of AR post-TAVI. This study suggests that we should carefully select the size of CoreValve prosthesis to prevent prosthesis mismatch, especially when implanted in larger annulus sizes. For valves implanted in the appropriate position, postdilatation appears effective in reducing the degree of AR. VC 2011Wiley-Liss, Inc.