Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chitosan‐heparin polyelectrolyte multilayers on cortical bone: Periosteum‐mimetic, cytophilic, antibacterial coatings

Cortical bone allografts suffer from high rates of failure due to poor integration with host tissue, leading to non‐union, fracture, and infection following secondary procedures. Here, we report a method for modifying the surfaces of cortical bone with coatings that have biological functions that may help overcome these challenges. These chitosan‐heparin coatings promote mesenchymal stem cell attachment and have significant antibacterial activity against both S. aureus and E. coli. Furthermore, their chemistry is similar to coatings we have reported on previously, which effectively stabilize and deliver heparin‐binding growth factors. These coatings have potential as synthetic periosteum for improving bone allograft outcomes. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 609–618. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Specific Allergens Enhance Elastase Release in Stimulated Neutrophils from Asthmatic Patients

Background: The presence of the three forms of IgE receptor – the heterotrimeric high-affinity receptor for IgE (FcΕRI), the low-affinity receptor for IgE (FcΕRII/CD23) and the Mac-2/IgE-binding protein (ΕBP) – has been demonstrated on human neutrophils. We have previously shown that specific allergens are able to activate functional responses by neutrophils from allergic patients sensitized to those allergens. Neutrophils are present at the sites of allergic inflammation. The primary (azurophilic) granules of neutrophils contain a variety of enzymes, such as elastase, that might potentiate inflammation. It is not known whether specific allergens are able to elicit elastase release by neutrophils from allergic patients. In addition, we attempted to evaluate the relationship between neutrophil degranulation and lung function of the patients, measured as FEV1. Methods: Neutrophils were challenged in vitro with the specific allergens that produced clinical symptoms in asthmatic patients. The cells were also challenged with allergen to which the patients were not sensitive. Neutrophils from normal subjects were challenged with allergens as control. Results: The in vitro challenge of neutrophils with allergens to which the patients were sensitive elicited a release of elastase by these cells. The in vitro activation of neutrophils was highly allergen specific; allergens other than those accounting for clinical symptoms did not evoke elastase release, and allergens were ineffective on neutrophils from healthy donors. A significant inverse correlation was observed between elastase release and patients’ lung function, measured as FEV1. Conclusion: An IgE-dependent mechanism might promote elastase release by neutrophils at allergic sites. There is a significant inverse relationship between levels of elastase released by neutrophils from allergic patients and lung function, as assessed by FEV1.
Spontaneous Oscillations in Simple Fluid Networks

Nonlinear phenomena including multiple equilibria and spontaneous oscillations are common in fluid networks containing either multiple phases or constituent flows. In many systems, such behavior might be attributed to the complicated geometry of the network, the complex rheology of the constituent fluids, or, in the case of microvascular blood flow, biological control. In this paper we investigate two examples of a simple three-node fluid network containing two miscible Newtonian fluids of differing viscosities, the first modeling microvascular blood flow and the second modeling stratified laminar flow. We use a combination of analytic and numerical techniques to identify and track saddle-node and Hopf bifurcations through the large parameter space. In both models, we document sustained spontaneous oscillations and, for an experimentally relevant example of parameter analysis, investigate the sensitivity of these oscillations to changes in the viscosity contrast between the constituent fluids and the inlet flow rates. For the case of stratified laminar flow, we detail a physically realizable set of network parameters that exhibit rich dynamics. The tools and results developed here are general and could be applied to other physical systems.
Recall and Subjective Reactions to Speaking Styles: Does Age Matter?

Eighty-four younger adults (M = 20.9 years), and 70 older adults (M = 71.1 years) watched a videotaped presentation of medication instructions presented in either neutral speech or elderspeak. Older adults, particularly those with higher working memory performance, tended to recall more information from the elderspeak version. Younger and older adults agreed in rating the elderspeak as having both positive and negative characteristics. Findings supported our hypothesis that the relationship between recall performance and positive subjective reactions to speaking styles would be stronger for older adults than for younger adults.
Activation of Akt Kinase Inhibits Apoptosis and Changes in Bcl‐2 and Bax Expression Induced by Nitric Oxide in Primary Hippocampal Neurons

Emerging data indicate that growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) prevent neuronal death due to nitric oxide (NO) toxicity. On the other hand, growth factors can promote cell survival by acting on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) and its downstream target, serine-threonine kinase Akt, in various types of cells. Here, we examined the mechanism by which IGF-1 inhibits neuronal apoptosis induced by NO in primary hippocampal neurons. IGF-1 was capable of preventing apoptosis and caspase-3-like activation induced by a NO donor, sodium nitroprusside or 3-morpholin-osydnonimine. Incubation of neurons with a P13-kinase inhibitor, wortmannin or LY294002, blocked the effects of IGF-1 on NO-induced neurotoxicity and caspase-3-like activation. In addition, the P13-kinase inhibitors blocked the effect of IGF-1 on down-regulation in Bcl-2 and upregulation in Bax expression induced by NO. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of the activated form of Akt significantly inhibited NO-induced cell death, caspase-3-like activation, and changes in Bcl-2 and Bax expression. Moreover, expression of the kinase-defective form of Akt almost completely blocked the effects of IGF-1. These findings suggest that activation of Akt is necessary and sufficient for the effect of IGF-1 and is capable of preventing NO-induced apoptosis by modulating the NO-induced changes in Bcl-2 and Bax expression.
Wireless propagation in tunnels

In this article, we give a presentation of wireless electromagnetic propagation in tunnels. We discuss in depth the characteristics of multimodal propagation. We show analytical models whereby we are able to study electromagnetic fields in tunnels. To complement the analysis, we give an account of experiments performed in the Channel Tunnel between France and England, and the Massif Central in south-central France. We conclude with a discussion of the results, followed by some comments about bandwidth and the possibility of using multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems to improve communication-channel capacity.
Application of Vilenkin's additional theorem in the analysis of spherical antennas and periodic structures

This article demonstrates a novel approach to the mutual coupling calculation within the Moment Method (MoM) analysis of spherical arrays. By expressing the patch/dipole current in terms of two suitable potential-like auxiliary functions, it is possible to avoid the use of Euler's formulas for coordinate system rotation and the related lengthy integrations. Instead, the rotation in θ-direction can be done in closed form with the help of Vilenkin's additional theorem for associated Legendre functions. It is shown that the new approach results in significant acceleration of the analysis of both spherical antenna arrays and frequency selective surfaces. The algorithm is validated by comparing the results to the measurements performed on the developed laboratory model.
The Cognitive Reflection Test as a predictor of performance on heuristicsandbiases heuristicsandbiases heuristicsandbiases andbiases andbiases tasks

The Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT; Frederick, 2005) is designed to measure the tendency to override a prepotent response alternative that is incorrect and to engage in further reflection that leads to the correct response. In this study, we showed that the CRT is a more potent predictor of performance on a wide sample of tasks from the heuristics-and-biases literature than measures of cognitive ability, thinking dispositions, and executive functioning. Although the CRT has a substantial correlation with cognitive ability, a series of regression analyses indicated that the CRT was a unique predictor of performance on heuristics-and-biases tasks. It accounted for substantial additional variance after the other measures of individual differences had been statistically controlled. We conjecture that this is because neither intelligence tests nor measures of executive functioning assess the tendency toward miserly processing in the way that the CRT does. We argue that the CRT is a particularly potent measure of the tendency toward miserly processing because it is a performance measure rather than a self-report measure.
Erythropoietin Pretreatment of Transplanted Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells Enhances Recovery in a Cerebral Ischemia Model by Increasing Their Homing Ability: A SPECT/CT Study

Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) are promising candidates for cell therapy of ischemic diseases, as less than 10% of patients with an ischemic stroke are eligible for thrombolysis. We previously reported that erythropoietin priming of ECFCs increased their in vitro and in vivo angiogenic properties in mice with hindlimb ischemia. The present study used SPECT/CT to evaluate whether priming of ECFCs with erythropoietin could enhance their homing to the ischemic site after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion in rats and potentiate their protective or regenerative effect on blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption, cerebral apoptosis, and cerebral blood flow (CBF). Methods: Rats underwent a 1-h MCAO followed by reperfusion and then 1 d after MCAO received an intravenous injection of either PBS (control, n = 10), PBS-primed ECFCs (ECFCPBS, n = 13), or erythropoietin-primed ECFCs (ECFCEPO, n = 10). ECFC homing and the effect on BBB disruption, cerebral apoptosis, and CBF were evaluated by SPECT/CT up to 14 d after MCAO. The results were expressed as median ± interquartile range for ipsilateral-to-contralateral ratio of the activity in middle cerebral artery–vascularized territories in each hemisphere. Histologic evaluation of neuronal survival and astrocytic proliferation was performed on day 14. Results: Erythropoietin priming increased homing of ECFCs to the ischemic hemisphere (ECFCPBS, 111.0% ± 16.0%; ECFCEPO, 146.5% ± 13.3%). BBB disruption was significantly reduced (control, 387% ± 153%; ECFCPBS, 151% ± 46% [P < 0.05]; ECFCEPO, 112% ± 9% [P < 0.001]) and correlated negatively with ECFC homing (Pearson r = −0.6930, P = 0.0002). Cerebral apoptosis was significantly reduced (control, 161% ± 10%; ECFCPBS, 141% ± 9% [P < 0.05]; ECFCEPO,118% ± 5% [P < 0.001]) and correlated negatively with ECFC homing (r = −0.7251, P < 0.0001). CBF was significantly restored with ECFCs and almost totally so with erythropoietin priming (control, 72% ± 2%; ECFCPBS, 90% ± 4% [P < 0.01]; ECFCEPO, 99% ± 4% [P < 0.001]) and correlated positively with ECFC homing (r = 0.7348, P < 0.0001). Immunoblocking against the CD146 receptor on ECFCs highlighted its notable role in ECFC homing with erythropoietin priming (ECFCEPO, 147% ± 14%, n = 4; ECFCEPO with antibody against CD146, 101% ± 12%, n = 4 [P < 0.05]). Conclusion: Priming with erythropoietin before cell transplantation is an efficient strategy to amplify the migratory and engraftment capacities of ECFCs and their beneficial impact on BBB disruption, apoptosis, and CBF.
A numerical analysis of ribosomal RNA gene patterns for typing clinical isolates of Corynebacterium group D2

SUMMARY Restriction digest fragments of DNA from 46 clinical isolates identified as Corynebacterium group D2, were separated by electrophoresis, Southern blotted onto nylon membranes and hybridized to a ribosomal RNA gene probe. The resulting band patterns were subjected to unweighed pair-group cluster analysis. Representative strains from the main clusters were compared with similarly prepared band patterns from type strains of human Corynebacterium species. The results indicate that strains identified as Corynebacterium group D2 represent a unique taxon and that computer-assisted analysis of rRNA gene restriction fragment polymorphism (ribotyping) could be a useful technique in epidemiological studies of these bacteria.
Haem arginate as effective maintenance therapy for hereditary coproporphyria

A 35‐year‐old woman presented with skin fragility and photosensitivity with blisters affecting her face and hands. Other symptoms included intermittent headache, fatigue, abdominal pain and nausea. Porphyrin studies were markedly raised, with features consistent with hereditary coproporphyria (HCP). Despite strict precautions, symptoms remained significantly problematic. Regular haem arginate infusions of 3 mg/kg per day over 4 days on a monthly basis were commenced and resulted in significant improvement of the patient's symptoms and a reduction in urinary porphobilinogen. Although haem arginate infusion is known as a treatment for severe acute attacks of HCP, the effectiveness of regular infusions as maintenance therapy has not been established. This is the first report of effective symptom control correlating with normalization of biochemical markers in a patient receiving regular haem arginate infusions for the treatment of HCP.
No : ND 1401 SODIC SOIL SWELLING AND DISPERSION AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR WATER MOVEMENT AND MANAGEMENT

Subsurface-tile drainage is designed to remove gravitational water and soluble salts from the soil-root zone. However, soil swelling, as influenced by soil Na and electrical conductivity (EC), will reduce saturated hydraulic conductivity. The objective of this research was to determine the influence of Na and EC on the amount of water retained at field capacity (33 kPa), in northern Great Plains tile-drained Na-affected soils. The impact of six EC levels on the amount of water retained in the soil at field capacity was determined in subsurface soil collected from four sodium-affected soils. Field capacity water (gravimetric water content) for all soils increased with increasing and decreasing sodium absorption ratio (SAR) and EC, respectively. For example, at an EC of 4 dS m, the amount of water retained at field capacity increased from 0.23 to 0.31 g g as SAR increased from 7 to 28, respectively. For the same soil, field capacity water decreased from 0.31 to 0.18 g g when EC increased from 0.5 to 15 dS m at SAR 24. In general, across all SAR values, an EC greater than 4 dS m was required to prevent swelling. However, for soils with high natural salinity, no significant difference was observed for field capacity water using the above methods; the presence of calcite in these soils may have reduced the potential for water retention and may have reduced field capacity values. Therefore, to maintain drainage performance in sodium-affected soils one should regularly monitor Na and EC within the soil profile so that EC values do not fall below critical threshold values. Introduction Many sodium-affected soils have low to moderate plant production potentials, depending on the location of the sodium-rich horizon within the profile. In the Northern Great Plains of the
Therapeutic Potential of Staphylococcal Bacteriophages for Nasal Decolonization of Staphylococcus aureus in Mice

Bacteriophages represent a rich and unique resource of anti-infectives to counter the global problem of antibiotic resis- tance. In this work, we assessed the bactericidal activity of two virulent staphylococcal phages, K and 44AHJD, against S. aureus isolates of clinical significance, and tested their efficacy in vivo. The phage cocktail lysed >85% of the clinical isolates tested. Both the phages were purified by ion-exchange column chromatography following propagation in bioreactors. The purity profiles of the ion-exchange purified phages were compared with those of phages purified using cesium chloride density gradient ultracentrifugation, and infectiousness of the purified phages was confirmed by plaque forming assay. The in vivo efficacy of a phage cocktail was evaluated in an experimental murine nasal colonization model, which showed that the phage cocktail was efficacious. To our knowledge, this is the first report of phage use in an in vivo model of nasal carriage.
First evidence of transmission of an HIV-1 M/O intergroup recombinant virus

Objective:Despite the genetic divergence between HIV-1 groups M and O, HIV-1 M/O intergroup recombinants were reported. Actually, there is no data on the transmissibility of such recombinant forms. During a surveillance of HIV genetic diversity in Cameroon, we investigated the possible direct transmission of an HIV-1 M/O recombinant virus in an HIV-infected couple. Methods:Consecutive samples obtained from the couple were analysed for detection of dual HIV-1 groups M and O infections, and HIV-1 M/O recombinant forms. Analyses were performed using a serological and molecular algorithm based on HIV serotyping and group-specific PCRs targeting the polymerase and envelope genes. Pattern characterization of the strains found in both patients was based on complete genome sequencing. Phylogenetic and similarity profile analyses were performed to investigate the genetic relationship between viruses from both spouses and the previously described recombinant forms. Results:The sero-molecular algorithm data showed a group O serotype confirmed by molecular analysis in the envelope regions, whereas molecular tests identified HIV-1 group M in the polymerase. Phylogenetic analyses and similarity profiles of the full-length genome sequences showed that both spouses were infected with a unique recombinant virus having two recombination breakpoints in the vpr gene and LTR region. No phylogenetic link was found with the previous M/O recombinants. Conclusion:We provide, for the first time, molecular evidence of direct transmission of an HIV-1 M/O recombinant, highlighting the potential spread of these divergent viruses. The importance of HIV-1 recombination on genetic evolution and public health when implying divergent strains as group O has to be carefully considered.
Magnetic Field Enhancement in Wireless Power With Metamaterials and Magnetic Resonant Couplers

We report on the magnetic field and coupling enhancement for increased wireless power transfer (WPT) efficiency using intermediate materials. We examine the physical mechanisms for enhancement using a metamaterial (MM) and magnetic resonant field enhancement (MR-FE) and present an analytical and simulation analysis as well as an experimental study of these enhancement mechanisms. While both increase the mutual coupling, the loss of the contrasting enhancement mechanisms significantly impacts WPT efficiency enhancement. Our analysis shows that the MR-FE approach can have up to a 4-times-higher efficiency over the MM approach due to the lower loss of its field enhancement mechanism.
The role of the blood–brain barrier in hypertension

What is the topic of this review? This review highlights the importance of the blood–brain barrier in the context of diseases involving autonomic dysfunction, such as hypertension and heart failure. What advances does it highlight? It highlights the potential role of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, leucocytes and angiotensin II in disrupting the blood–brain barrier in cardiovascular diseases. Advances are highlighted in our understanding of neurovascular unit cells, astrocytes and microglia, with a specific emphasis on their pathogenic roles within the brain.
Treatment for isolated loco-regional recurrence of gastric adenocarcinoma: does surgery play a role?

AIM To evaluate the role of surgical treatment for isolated loco-regional recurrences of operated gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS Among the 837 patients operated for gastric adenocarcinoma between December 1979 and April 2004, 713 (85%) underwent resection with curative intent. A retrospective review of a prospectively collected gastric cancer database was carried out. Overall recurrence rate was 44% (315 cases), with 75% occurring within the first 2 years from the operation. Isolated L-R recurrences were observed in 38 (12%) patients. Symptomatic lesions were observed in 27 (71%). RESULTS Six (16%) patients were macroscopically resected with curative intent. The recurrence was located in the gastric stump after a STG in three patients, in the esophagojejunal anastomosis after a TG in two patients and in the gastric bed after a TG in one patient. Surgical procedures consisted of three secondary TG, two esophagojejunal resection and one excision of an extraluminal recurrence. Postoperative complications occurred in two patients (33%), including one anastomotic leakage and one hemorrhage. The latter patient died of sepsis 35 d after the surgery (mortality rate 17%). All patients died of recurrent gastric cancer: 2 within 1 year from surgery (8 and 11 mo, respectively), 2 after 16 and 17 mo respectively and 1 after 28 mo from the second operation. CONCLUSION Surgery plays a very limited role in the treatment for isolated loco-regional recurrence of gastric adenocarcinoma.
A Trace Semantics for Petri Nets

A generalization of the notion of trace is proposed. This enables us to associate with each Petri net a single behavioural object, namely a poset of (generalized) traces. A characterization is given of the trace languages defined by Petri nets. We show that the general event structures of Winskel and the stable event structures can also be characterized in terms of our trace languages. One consequence is that in this framework, stable event structures, general event structures, and Petri nets constitute a strictly ascending chain in terms of expressive power.