Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
No Association of Kidney Graft Loss With Human Leukocyte Antigen Antibodies Detected Exclusively by Sensitive Luminex Single-Antigen Testing: A Collaborative Transplant Study Report

Background. It is unclear whether kidney transplant recipients with preformed donor-specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies (DSA) detectable only in the highly sensitive Luminex single-antigen (LSA) assay are at an increased risk of graft failure. Methods. We studied 3148 patients who received a deceased donor kidney graft between 1996 and 2008 and were enrolled in the prospective serum project of the Collaborative Transplant Study. There were 118 patients with graft loss during the first 3 years after transplantation on whom recipient and donor DNA was available for complete HLA typing. We compared the incidence of LSA-detected DSA in these patients with graft failure and matched controls with functioning grafts. All patients were found negative in the less-sensitive complement-dependent lymphocytotoxicity and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results. When mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of greater than or equal to 1000 was used as a cutoff for Luminex positivity, 118 patients with graft loss did not show a higher incidence of DSA against HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1/3/4/5, -DQA1, -DQB1, -DPA1, or -DPB1 antigens than 118 matched controls without graft loss (for all loci P not significant). The incidence of strong DSA (MFI ≥2000 or MFI ≥3000) detected only by LSA was low (for all loci between 0% and 5%) and did not identify unacceptable antigens that were relevant for graft loss within the first 3 years after transplantation. Conclusion. We conclude that, given currently practiced crossmatch procedures and immunosuppressive regimens, exclusion of donor organs carrying “unacceptable” HLA based exclusively on sensitive LSA antibody testing is not justified.
Inflammation in Equine Articular Cartilage The Effect of Cytokines in Chondrocyte Pellets and Explants: Two in vitro Models

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the main reason for lameness in racehorses. OA is currently clinically diagnosed late in the disease process, when irreversible damages to the articular cartilage have become evident. Diagnostic biomarkers that can detect the disease before irreversible tissue damage and prior to the onset of clinical signs would be very desirable. These biomarkers could be used to monitor the progression of articular cartilage destruction, repair, and inflammatory status. In order to develop biomarkers, it is necessary to further elucidate the pathogenesis of OA. The initiation and development of OA involves inflammatory processes mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines. The objective of this thesis was to investigate the influence of cytokines, known to be involved in OA development, on equine articular chondrocytes in vitro. The aim was to increase the knowledge of the complex molecular mechanisms of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which may be responsible for the development, and progression of OA. Healthy equine articular cartilage was stimulated with cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β, HMGB-1, and IL-6) in two in vitro models (explants and three-dimensional pellet cultures). Analyses were performed by: immunohistochemistry, immunoassays (ELISAs, Western blot), biochemical assays (glycosaminoglycan content), quantification of gene expression, and quantitative proteomics. Additionally, synovial fluid collected from horses with healthy or OA joints was analysed with regard to content and glycosylation profile of lubricin. Our studies showed that IL-1β induced a catabolic response in ECM-related genes and proteins. A time-dependent release of ECM proteins from equine explants was also detected. HMGB-1 stimulation of chondrocyte pellets indicated a promotion of chondrocyte differentiation or increased metabolic activity of chondrocytes. IL-6 stimulation of chondrocyte pellets inhibited the canonical Wnt-signalling pathway and upregulated the gene expression of growth differentiation factor (GDF)-5. The O-glycosylation profile of lubricin in synovial fluid was different for equine joints with OA compared to the normal joints/controls. Additionally, an endogenous cleavage site of lubricin was found both in vitro and in vivo. The results from this thesis confirm IL-1β as a master cytokine in equine articular cartilage destruction. Furthermore the results indicate that IL-6 has a regulatory or protective role on articular cartilage metabolism. The results from the in vitro studies of equine articular cartilage render novel findings regarding the detailed and time-dependent ECM protein release caused by cytokines involved in OA. This knowledge can be used for the development of diagnostic biomarkers of early OA in vivo.
Serial electron and light microscopic studies on the dog lung in chronic experimental pulmonary edema.

chronic experimental heart characterized by a large increase in lymph flow with enlargement of the lymph and congestive of alveolar The exact mechanism and pathway of fluid transport across the capillary membrane and interstitium into the lymphatics is not completely Electron microscopy useful in studying the morphology of the lung in acute pulmonary edema The of this to the morphologic in the lung in chronic experimental pulmonary edema and, some insight into fluid in an experimental model simulating chronic heart fixed for 2 hr. The tissue was then dehydrated in graded alcohols and stored for 2-7 days in 100% ethyl alcohol. From storage, the tissue was infiltrated with propylene oxide and finally embedded in Luft's Epon 812 (8). One-micron sections were stained with toluidine blue for light microscopy, while thin sections from selected blocks were placed on copper grids for electron microscopy. Prior to examination these sections were stained with 10% uranyl nitrate (in 90% methanol) and Reynold's lead citrate solution (9). The grids were carbon coated and a Hitachi Model 10 instrument was used at 50 kV.
A model for the formation of ocular dominance stripes

The paper describes a model of competition that explains the formation of the ocular dominance stripes found in layer IVc of cat and monkey visual cortex. The main proposal is that synapses exert effects on the growth of other synapses, and that these effects extend over distances of at least 600 μm and vary in magnitude and sign within this distance. Interactions between like type synapses are assumed to be stimulating for distances up to about 200 μm, and inhibitory for distances of 200-600 μm. The reverse is true of interactions between synapses of opposite eye type, where the effects are inhibitory for distances up to about 200 μm and stimulating for longer ones. The interactions are assumed to be circularly symmetric. Growth of, for example, right eye synapses at one point will therefore (a) encourage local growth of right eye synapses and inhibit local growth of left eye synapses and (b) encourage growth of left eye synapses and inhibit growth of right eye synapses in an annular ring surrounding the point of initial increase. At the start of development, right and left eye synapses are assumed to be intermixed randomly within layer IVc. Computer simulations show that a wide variety of conditions incorporating these assumptions will lead to the formation of stripe patterns. These reproduce many of the morphological features of monkey ocular dominance stripes, including Y- and Н-type branches and terminations, the tendency for stripes to run at right angles into the boundaries of the pattern, and to narrow at branch points. The model can explain the effects of monocular deprivation on stripe morphology if it is assumed that the effectiveness of deprived eye synapses in determining rates of growth locally is reduced. The existence of a critical period for these effects can be explained if it is assumed that lateral growth of terminals does not occur, and that some factor such as a limited availability of postsynaptic sites decreases the rate of growth of synapses as their density approaches a maximum. The model can be generalized to account for pattern formation in other systems, such as zebra or mackerel skin, where similar striped patterns occur. In this context, the simplest model based on diffusion that will produce a pattern of stripes requires that one cell type should secrete two substances, one of which stimulates growth or differentiation of its parent cell type and has a low rate of diffusion or is rapidly inactivated, and another that inhibits growth or differentiation and either has a higher rate of diffusion or is less rapidly inactivated. A preliminary account of some of these results has appeared elsewhere (Swindale 1979).
Genetic Analysis of Noroviruses in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, between 1999 and 2004

ABSTRACT Noroviruses (NVs) are common pathogens that consist of genetically divergent viruses that induce gastroenteritis in humans and animals. Between September 1999 and June 2004, 1,898 samples obtained from patients showing sporadic or outbreak gastroenteritis in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, were tested for NVs by reverse transcription-PCR. NVs were detected in 603 samples. Approximately 80% were positive for genogroup GII, 13% were positive for genogroup GI, and the remaining 7% were positive for both genogroups. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the GI and GII genogroups could be further divided into 13 and 16 genotypes (including new genotypes), respectively. The GII-4 genotype, which included five small genetic clusters (subtypes), was the most common in this study and was detected in approximately 40% of positive samples. The P2 regions of 10 strains belonging to each of the five GII-4 subtypes showed 5 to 18% amino acid diversity. The amino acid substitutions accumulated in the protruding (P) region during the 5-year study period. Our data suggest that highly variable NV strains are circulating in Chiba Prefecture, with a high rate of genetic change observed during the 5-year study period.
The effect of photoperiod on the development of Amblyomma triguttatum triguttatum (Acari: Ixodidae).

Different light regimens had no effect on preoviposition periods, egg prehatch periods, or larval molting success of Amblyomma triguttatum triguttatum at 25 °C and 2–3 mm saturation deficit. More than 85% of nymphs molted when exposed to 14 h of light daily; with shorter light regimens the percentage molting declined markedly. The mean premolt periods of nymphs were shortest with ticks exposed daily to 14 h of light and longest with 10 h; results with 12 h of light were intermediate. Diapause (lack of molting after 50 days postdetachment) did not occur in nymphs held under 14-h light regimens, but most underwent diapause when held at 10-h or 0-h light regimens. The intensity of diapause in nymphs was strongly affected by the light conditions they experienced both before and after engorgement.
Differential predictors of strain and gain among husbands caring for wives with dementia.

Given that women predominate in the caregiving role, researchers have largely focused on the experience of female caregivers. This cross-sectional study takes a beginning step toward understanding the differential predictors of negative (i.e., strain) and positive (i.e., gain) appraisals among 74 husbands caring for wives with dementia. Using a multivariate model of caregiver adaptation, results indicated that social resources and health were important for understanding the variation in both positive and negative appraisals. Unique predictors of strain included memory and behavior problems, and emotion-focused coping. Alternatively, education and problem-focused coping helped to explain variation found in appraisal of caregiver role gain. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Effect of temperature on relaxation rate and Ca2+, Mg2+ dissociation rates from parvalbumin of frog muscle fibres.

1. Influence of temperature on relaxation rate as a function of isometric tetanus duration and on Ca2+ and Mg2+ dissociation rates from purified parvalbumin (PA) was examined to test the hypothesis that PA promotes relaxation in frog skeletal muscle. Single fibres and PA IVB from Rana temporaria skeletal muscle were utilized. 2. The magnitude of slowing of relaxation rate with increasing tetanus duration, relative to the final, steady value of relaxation rate, is 3‐fold greater at O than at 10 degrees C. 3. In the 0‐10 degrees C range, the Q10 for relaxation rate increases from 2.3 to 3.7 with increasing tetanus duration. 4. Dissociation of Ca2+ and Mg2+ from PA exhibited: (i) rate constants of 1.03 +/‐ 0.03 s‐1 (mean +/‐ S.D., n = 5) and 3.42 +/‐ 0.14 s‐1 (n = 5) at 20 degrees C and (ii) Q10 values of 2.3 and 1.9 in the 0‐20 degrees C range, respectively. 5. Time courses of slowing of relaxation rate with increasing tetanus duration and recovery of relaxation rate with rest after a prolonged tetanus at 10 degrees C are similar to rates of dissociation of Mg2+ and Ca2+ from PA, respectively, as previously reported at 0 degree C. 6. Both the temperature dependence of the relative magnitude of slowing of relaxation rate and the increased Q10 of relaxation rate with increased tetanus duration can be explained if the Q10 for Ca2+ uptake by the sarcoplasmic reticulum is greater than the Q10 for Ca2+ sequestration by PA during relaxation. When Ca2+ and Mg2+ dissociation rates from PA at various temperatures are compared to other proposed indicators of PA function, it is concluded that PA facilitates relaxation of frog skeletal muscle in the 0‐20 degrees C range.
The Relation Between Well-Being, Impostor Feelings, and Gender Role Orientation Among Canadian University Students

Abstract A theoretical model of well-being identifies 6 key components that have been examined primarily in older adults (e.g., C. D. Ryff, 1989c, 1991): self-acceptance, positive relations with others, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and personal growth (C. D. Ryff, 1995; C. D. Ryff & C. L. M. Keyes, 1995; C. D. Ryff & B. Singer, 1996). The authors examined them in a sample of 379 Canadian university students to determine how well-being was correlated with endorsement of stereotypic gender roles and with the impostor phenomenon. The participants completed Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being (Ryff, personal communication, March 1996), the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (P. R. Clance & M. A. O'Toole, 1988), and the Extended Personal Attributes Questionnaire (J. T. Spence, R. L. Helmreich, & C. K. Holahan, 1979). The results supported the hypotheses that (a) people with higher scores for expressive traits score higher for well-being stemming from positive relations with others, (b) people with higher scores for instrumental traits score higher for well-being related to feelings of autonomy, (c) people with higher scores for impostor feelings (and lower scores for ability confidence) score lower for self-acceptance and (d) for environmental mastery.
Patterns of plant functional variation and specialization along secondary succession and topography in a tropical dry forest

Long-term human disturbance of tropical forests may favor generalist plant species leading to biotic homogenization. We aimed to a) assess if generalist species dominate across different successional ages and topographical positions in a tropical dry forest with a long history of human disturbance, b) to characterize functional traits associated with generalist and specialist species, and c) to assess if a predominance of generalists leads to a homogeneous functional structure across the landscape. We used a multinomial model of relative abundances to classify 118 woody species according to their successional/topographic habitat. Three species were classified as secondary-forest specialists, five as mature-forest specialists, 35 as generalists, and 75 as too rare to classify. According to topography, six species were hill specialists, eight flat-site specialists, 35 generalists, and 70 too rare. Generalists dominated across the landscape. Analysis of 14 functional traits from 65 dominant species indicated that generalists varied from acquisitive strategies of light and water early in succession to conservative strategies in older forests and on hills. Long-term human disturbance may have favored generalist species, but this did not result in functional homogenization. Further analyses considering other functional traits, and temporal and fine-scale microenvironmental variation are needed to better understand community assembly.
An Efficient Sensitivity Analysis Approach for Computationally Expensive Microscopic Traffic Simulation Models

Microscopic traffic simulators are useful tools for designing, evaluating and optimizing transportation systems. In order for a simulator to accurately describe reality, the corresponding traffic model must be properly calibrated. However, the calibration can be rather difficult when the model is computationally expensive and has many parameters. To overcome these difficulties, Sensitivity Analysis (SA) can be applied as an essential instrument for supporting model calibration. Through SA the practitioners can obtain valuable information about the relationship between model inputs and outputs, and hence focus on the proper set of most influential parameters for the calibration. Notice, however, that many quantitative SA techniques may also fail with computationally expensive models. To address the above issues, in this paper we developed the quasi-OTEE method, an efficient and qualitative SA approach based on the Elementary Effects (EE) method. The quasi-OTEE approach is able to screen the most influential parameters of a complex model through computing and comparing their Sensitivity Indexes. With the improved sampling strategy, this approach is much more efficient than the original EE method. The approach is validated through a numerical analysis, and a case study of a small synthetic network in Aimsun. A more detailed case study of the Zurich network in VISSIM is then provided to illustrate its application. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach is an effective SA tool for the computationally expensive microscopic traffic models, as well as other complex models in the general scientific community.
Application of the theory of dispersion forces to the surface melting of ice.

We apply the theory of Dzyaloshinskii, Lifshitz, and Pitaevskii to ice, water, and vapor at the triple point and find that electromagnetic interactions do not permit a liquid film of macroscopic thickness at the ice-vapor interface. Hence the surface melting of ice is at most incomplete. However, the thickness of the film which is permitted is surprisingly large, with retardation effects setting the scale. Our estimate is about 30 A. Further liquid appears as droplets with a contact angle of about 0.2°. The film thickness decreases rapidly with temperature
Apraxia in Alzheimer's disease

We studied apraxia in 28 patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT). Although SDAT patients were impaired compared with age-matched controls on tests of ideomotor and ideational apraxia, not all types of movements were affected to the same degree. Limb transitive movements were especially vulnerable, while limb intransitive, buccofacial, and axial movements were relatively spared. When pantomiming limb transitive movements, SDAT patients made frequent body part as object and spatial errors. There was no significant difference between performance on verbal command and imitation, but there was considerable improvement with the use of actual objects. Disorders of skilled movement in SDAT were qualitatively similar to the apraxic syndromes following left parietal damage. Apraxia in SDAT suggests posterior left hemisphere cortical involvement and may be apparent even in patients with good language functions.
Genetic counselling: do we recognise and meet the consultands’ agenda?

Editor—Agreeing the issues that are to be addressed is central to the process of genetic counselling. We undertook a study to document the consultand’s agenda at the genetic clinic and whether the geneticist recognises that agenda. We also addressed whether failure to recognise the agenda is the prime factor when consultands think that issues important to them have been dealt with badly. Ethical approval was given by the Newcastle and North Tyneside Health Authority Joint Ethics Committee to invite new consultands, over 18 years of age, attending a general genetic clinic to take part in this study. Consultands attending follow up appointments or those who had had a home visit before the hospital appointment were not included. Consultands were given an information sheet with details of the study and a verbal explanation on arrival at the clinic. Those wishing to take part were given a questionnaire to complete in the waiting room before seeing the geneticist. The first question was whether they had asked for the appointment or it had been suggested to them, and the second question asked if they knew the name of the medical condition they had come about. These two questions were followed by a list of issues (table 1) that they might want to address in the consultation. The consultands were asked to mark boxes indicating whether a topic was important, not important, or not applicable to them. There was a space at the end of the questionnaire to add further issues. The study design was based on self completion questionnaires because there are no spare rooms available at the clinics and therefore no privacy for interviews. The benefits of the method are that it is simple and does not intrude unduly on the consultation or the consultand’s time. The major disadvantage is …
Nadir CD4+ T-cell count and numbers of CD28+ CD4+ T-cells predict functional responses to immunizations in chronic HIV-1 infection

Objective: To ascertain whether delaying the initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) compromises functional immune reconstitution in HIV-1 infection in persons who regain ‘normal’ CD4 T-cell counts after suppressive antiretroviral therapies. Design: Prospective open-label study carried out at two University-affiliated HIV-outpatient clinics in the USA. Subjects and methods: Response to immunization was used as a model for in vivo functional immune competence in 29 HIV-1 infected patients with CD4 T-cell counts > 450 × 106cells/l and HIV-RNA < 400 copies/ml for > 12 months after HAART and nine HIV-1 seronegative controls. After immunization with tetanus toxoid, diphtheria-toxoid, and keyhole limpet hemocyanin, immune response scores (IRS) were calculated using postimmunization antibody concentrations, lymphocyte proliferation, and delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to vaccine antigens. Results: Despite normal numbers of circulating CD4 T-cells, the CD4 T-cell nadir before HAART initiation predicted the immune response to immunization (ρ = 0.5; P < 0.005) while current CD4 T-cell count did not. Likewise, CD4 T-lymphocyte expression of the co-stimulatory molecule CD28 was also an independent predictor of response to immunization (ρ = 0.5; P < 0.005). Conclusions: Even among persons who controlled HIV replication and normalized CD4 T-cell counts with HAART, pretreatment CD4 T-cell count and numbers of circulating CD4+CD28+ T-cells at immunization, but not current CD4 T-cell count, predict the ability to respond to vaccination. Delaying the initiation of HAART in chronic HIV-1 infection results in impaired functional immune restoration despite normalization of circulating CD4 T-cell numbers.