Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IgE‐receptor activation induces survival and Bfl‐1 expression in human mast cells but not basophils

Background: The contribution of mast cells to the pathology of allergic diseases are facilitated by their long life span in tissue and ability to regranulate. Bcl‐2 genes are one of the main regulators of cell death and survival. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for mast cell survival in allergy.
Diaphragmatic sulci and portal fissures

Diaphragmatic sulci in the superior surface of the liver were found in 40% of cases at autopsy. All sulci were located in the right lobe and in 47% they were multiple. In order to evaluate possible predisposing factors for these accessory sulci, their topography and characteristics were observed in unfixed livers; moreover, intravenous injections of radio‐opaque resins were performed in the portal and hepatic veins (HVs). After formalin fixation, the livers underwent CT and MR scans and a three‐dimensional (3D) elaboration of the images was performed. Radiological examination revealed a correspondence between the topography of the sulci and the course of the right and middle HVs and their main tributaries in 67%. The corrosion casts showed the location of the sulci at the level of the boundaries between the ramifications of the terminal branches of the portal triad, where the HVs are located, in 73%. These findings suggest that, rather than the action of ‘special’ or hypertrophied muscle bundles, the pressure exerted by the diaphragm as a whole may be responsible for the production of sulci at the level of weak zones, represented by the portal fissures, where the watershed superficial hepatic parenchyma, owing to the absence of all but the smallest vascular branches, exhibits a lower resistance to external pressure.
Essential Roles of Receptor-Interacting Protein and TRAF2 in Oxidative Stress-Induced Cell Death

ABSTRACT Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) can elicit and modulate various physiological and pathological processes, including cell death. However, the mechanisms controlling ROS-induced cell death are largely unknown. Data from this study suggest that receptor-interacting protein (RIP) and tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor 2 (TRAF2), two key effector molecules of TNF signaling, are essential for ROS-induced cell death. We found that RIP−/− or TRAF2−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) are resistant to ROS-induced cell death when compared to wild-type cells, and reconstitution of RIP and TRAF2 gene expression in their respective deficient MEF cells restored their sensitivity to H2O2-induced cell death. We also found that RIP and TRAF2 form a complex upon H2O2 exposure, but without the participation of TNFR1. The colocalization of RIP with a membrane lipid raft marker revealed a possible role of lipid rafts in the transduction of cell death signal initiated by H2O2. Finally, our results demonstrate that activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase 1 is a critical event downstream of RIP and TRAF2 in mediating ROS-induced cell death. Therefore, our study uncovers a novel signaling pathway regulating oxidative stress-induced cell death.
Health behaviour among non-Western immigrants with Danish citizenship

Aims: To compare belief in own effort to stay healthy, health behaviour and body mass index (BMI) among non-Western immigrants with Danish citizenship and citizens with Danish background. Methods: Based on the National Health Interview Survey 2005, logistic regression analyses were used to examine differences in belief in own effort to stay healthy, in health behaviour and in BMI between 136 non-Western immigrants with Danish citizenship and 9,901 citizens with Danish background in the age group 25—64 years. Results: Non-Western immigrants had lower odds for reporting that own effort is very important to maintain good health (odds ratio (OR) 0.45; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.32—0.62) and for reporting consuming more alcohol on a weekly basis than recommended by the Danish National Board of Health (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.09—0.51). The odds were higher for non-Western immigrants for than citizens with Danish background for reporting sedentary spare-time activities (OR 2.96, 95% CI 1.96—4.17), daily consumption of boiled vegetables (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.77—3.53), and daily consumption of salad/raw vegetables (OR 2.84, 95% CI 2.02—3.99). We found no differences in daily smoking, daily fruit consumption, BMI≥25 or BMI≥30. Conclusions: The non-Western immigrants are healthier in terms of alcohol and vegetable consumption and unhealthier with regard to leisure-time physical activity. The non-Western immigrants are less likely to report that their own effort is important in maintaining good health.
Political economy of public financial management reforms : experiences and implications for dialogue and operational engagement

Using fiscal resources to achieve results is critical for equitable development. Accordingly, many countries have sought to strengthen their PFM systems, following a fairly standardized set of reform recommendations and approaches. Yet, the results achieved, as well as the pace of reforms and the areas of progress vary considerably across countries. From an impact perspective, it is critical to understand what accounts for such different rates of progress. While non-technical drivers such as ‘political commitment’ are widely considered important, to date there has been little systematic analysis of how such drivers matter for reform progress, or how to utilize such insights when developing and pursuing PFM reforms. This report maps out what PFM progress looks like across countries, regions, and income groups, and then drills down into specific experiences. Based on a detailed tracing of PFM reform progress in a small N sample of countries, it explores the underlying nontechnical drivers and constraints reformers faced, and how these influenced the feasibility and robustness of efforts to strengthen PFM. While not presuming to offer a complete set of answers on how to better approach PFM reforms, the authors aim to provide a stronger empirical basis for some key questions, and to offer some concrete guidance on how reform stakeholders and external supporters can take non-technical drivers into account and better calibrate their approaches to PFM reforms.
Vitamin D, Calcium Homeostasis, and Skeleton Accretion in Children

Overt vitamin D deficiency early in life has classically been associated with the etiology of rickets. Recent interest has focused on vitamin D insufficiency and calcium homeostasis and bone health. A review of the literature suggests that the relationship between vitamin D status and calcium utilization has some important differences with life stage and race. In contrast to adults, serum 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D, but not serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, predicts calcium absorption in growing children. PTH suppression with increasing serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D varies with race in adolescents. A limitation of our understanding of vitamin D status on calcium homeostasis in children relates to the cross‐sectional nature of the evidence and interventions that typically use too little vitamin D supplementation to affect status. Vitamin D status has predicted changes in BMD during growth, and higher doses have been associated with increased bone area and BMC of the hip in pubertal girls with low baseline vitamin D status. Bone accretion is related to calcium status, sexual maturity, race, and genetics. Current cross‐sectional studies in children suggest that vitamin D status is less important for bone accrual than for bone health in adults. Intervention studies are needed to identify responsive groups.
An Endoplasmic Reticulum-Derived Structure That Is Induced under Stress Conditions in Arabidopsis1

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) body is a characteristic structure derived from ER and is referred to as a proteinase-sorting system that assists the plant cell under various stress conditions. Fluorescent ER bodies were observed in transgenic plants of Arabidopsis expressing green fluorescent protein fused with an ER retention signal. ER bodies were widely distributed in the epidermal cells of whole seedlings. In contrast, rosette leaves had no ER bodies. We found that wound stress induced the formation of many ER bodies in rosette leaves. ER bodies were also induced by treatment with methyl jasmonate (MeJA), a plant hormone involved in the defense against wounding and chewing by insects. The induction of ER bodies was suppressed by ethylene. An electron microscopic analysis showed that typical ER bodies were induced in the non-transgenic rosette leaves treated with MeJA. An experiment using coi1 and etr1-4 mutant plants showed that the induction of ER bodies was strictly coupled with the signal transduction of MeJA and ethylene. These results suggested that the formation of ER bodies is a novel and unique type of endomembrane system in the response of plant cells to environmental stresses. It is possible that the biological function of ER bodies is related to defense systems in higher plants.
Stages, turning points, and crises: negotiating military base rights, Spain and the United States

A framework for the analysis of processes of international negotiations is described. It construes the process as an unfolding set of stages in which turning points and crises mark passage from one stage to another. This sequence is driv-en by certain factors that influence negotiator activities and rhetoric. The framework is applied to the bilateral negotiations between Spain and the United States over military base rights (1975-1976). A pattern of influences and events is shown to resemble a balancing process, alternating between an intensifying influence (lack of coordination within a delegation) and a moderating influence (high-level meetings to produce a framework agreement) on the conflict. Content analysis of the discussions suggests an indicator of forthcoming impasses: A large difference between the delegations in hard or soft behavior preceded an impasse in the next round. This pattern of responsiveness has been observed in other negotiating contexts and is referred to as “threshold-adjustment. ” Implications of these findings for a general model of negotiating behavior are discussed.
Impact of Nevirapine on Lipid Metabolism

&NA; Abnormal blood lipid profiles may be observed both in HIV‐infected individuals who are untreated and in those receiving highly active anti‐retroviral therapy (HAART). Besides maintaining optimal control of HIV replication and the preservation of immunity, treatment regimens ideally should have minimal or no metabolic side‐effects. Nevirapine (NVP)‐based HAART has beneficial effects on the lipid profile, in both treatment‐naive and treatment‐experienced patients, unlike protease inhibitor (PI)based HAART. In anti‐retroviral (ARV)‐naïve patients enrolled in the Fat Redistribution and Metabolic Substudy (FRAMS) of the Atlantic Study, the NVP‐containing regimen increased total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration and particle size and apolipoprotein A1 (apo A1) levels at 24 weeks. The changes in HDL cholesterol plasma levels were demonstrated to be sustained in a subset of 98 FRAMS patients at 96 weeks. Switching from a PI‐containing regimen to a PI‐sparing regimen containing NVP has likewise been shown to favorably alter lipid profiles in two open label studies. In one study, one or more lipid profile parameters (total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, LDL particle size, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol [VLDL1] HDL cholesterol, HDL particle size) had reverted to normal after 24 weeks in significantly more NVP‐treated patients than PI‐treated patients (69% versus 23%, p < .05). The 12‐month results from the Barcelona PI Switch Study indicated that NVP improved lipid profiles over 12 months after PI‐treated patients were switched to NVP. In conclusion, first‐line NVP treatment is associated with a favorable lipoprotein profile, i.e., an increase in HDL‐cholesterol and apo Al plasma levels. The lipid profile observed in patients who are switched from a PI‐based regimen to a NVP‐based regimen improves in a very similar fashion. These favorable lipid profiles may be of clinical benefit in reducing the risk for coronary artery disease in HIV‐1 infected patients who are receiving long‐term anti‐retroviral therapy.
Addison’s Disease Presenting with Cerebral Edema

ABSTRACT: Background: Increased intracranial pressure with encephalopathy has rarely been reported in Addison’s disease. Method: Case Study. Results: A 16-year-old female who presented with cerebral edema of unknown etiology was eventually diagnosed as having Addison’s disease. She had early morning headaches, fatiguability, diarrhea and deterioration in school performance. She was hyponatremic with a serum sodium of 128 mmol/L and hyperkalemic with a serum potassium of 5.9 mmol/L. She had a low serum osmolality (264 mosm), high urine osmolality (533 mosm) and high urine sodium (87 mosm). She had a postural drop in blood pressure and diffuse hyperpigmentation. An ACTH stimulation test revealed a low baseline Cortisol and no response to ACTH. Plasma renin activity was increased. Serum ACTH was elevated. She responded well to intravenous fluids and solu-cortef and was discharged on hydrocortisone and florinef. She remains well 18 months after the acute episode with no neurologic complaints or findings. Conclusion: Addison’s Disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of symptomatic cerebral edema and idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
Changing locus of innovation: a micro-process approach on the dynamics of proximity

ABSTRACT The literature on the geography of innovation suffers from a lack of attention to temporal aspects of proximity in innovation processes. Consequently, an emerging literature on knowledge-creation processes has appeared to address this shortcoming. This paper adopts this perspective and develops an integrated framework for understanding knowledge creation and proximity dynamics across phases of the innovation process (idea generation, problem-solving and implementation). Geographical proximity plays a role in all stages of the innovation process, but its form varies. Three innovation biographies from the Danish wind power industry serve as principal examples of this integrated framework. It is demonstrated that innovation processes can be multilocational, meaning innovative activities are stretched in space and may take place at multiple sites.
Technical and physical analysis of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: winners vs. losers.

BACKGROUND The purpose of the present study was to investigate the technical and physical performance parameters that distinguish between teams winning and losing matches in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil. METHODS Data were derived from the FIFA website and from live-statistics provided during each game of the world cup. Twelve physical (such as total distance covered in meters (TD), TD in distinct locomotor categories: low-intensity running (LIR; <11 km/h), moderate-intensity running (MIR; 11 to 14 km/h) and high-intensity-running (HIR; >14 km/h)) and 21 technical parameters (total passes, short-, medium- and long-distance passes, total pass completion rate, dangerous attacks, attacking attempts, delivery in penalty area, ball possession, goals, goals from set-pieces, goals per shot on goal, defending saves, shots, shots on goal, shot accuracy, set-pieces, crosses, corners, clearances, yellow cards) were analyzed. Forty-two games in which a winner and consequently a loser were presented after 90 minutes of game time were investigated with independent t-tests. A binary-logistic regression was utilized to investigate whether the significant variables predicted success of the winning teams. RESULTS The winning teams scored significantly (P<0.05) greater amount of goals, goals per set-pieces, goals per shots on goals, shots on goal and shot accuracy and received significantly lower yellow cards. The binary-logistic regression utilized showed that shot accuracy was the best predictor for success. The physical parameters did not differ between teams winning and losing a match. CONCLUSIONS Technical performance related to goal scoring parameters play a decisive role in World Cup games. Furthermore, scoring efficacy from open-play as well as from set-pieces are crucial to win matches in a World Cup tournament. At this level, physical performance was not the factor to discriminate between winners and losers.
Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms and Correlating Variables Among German Elite Athletes

Depression among elite athletes is a topic of increasing interest, but empirical data are rare. The present study aimed to provide insight into the prevalence of depressive symptoms among German elite athletes and possible associated factors. In an online survey of 162 athletes, we explored depressive symptoms, chronic stress, coping strategies and stress-recovery states. Results indicated an overall prevalence of 15% for depression among elite athletes (n = 99), and revealed higher levels of depressive symptoms among the individual athletes than the team athletes. Furthermore, correlation analyses showed a significant connection between high levels of depressive symptoms and high levels of chronic stress, negative coping strategies and negative stress-recovery states. Results indicate that the prevalence for depressive symptoms in elite athletes is comparable to that in the general German population. Moreover, exploratory analyses provide first indications of factors associated with depressive symptoms.
Human neutrophils and oral microbiota: a constant tug‐of‐war between a harmonious and a discordant coexistence

Neutrophils are a major component of the innate host response, and the outcome of the interaction between the oral microbiota and neutrophils is a key determinant of oral health status. The composition of the oral microbiome is very complex and different in health and disease. Neutrophils are constantly recruited to the oral cavity, and their protective role is highlighted in cases where their number or functional responses are impeded, resulting in different forms of periodontal disease. Periodontitis, one of the more severe and irreversible forms of periodontal disease, is a microbial‐induced chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gingival tissues supporting the tooth. This chronic inflammatory disease is the result of a shift of the oral bacterial symbiotic community to a dysbiotic more complex community. Chronic inflammatory infectious diseases such as periodontitis can occur because the pathogens are able to evade or disable the innate immune system. In this review, we discuss how human neutrophils interact with both the symbiotic and the dysbiotic oral community; an understanding of which is essential to increase our knowledge of the periodontal disease process.
[The possibility of selecting optimal antiplatelet therapy in patients with coronary heart disease in terms of CYP2C19 polymorphism].

AIM To estimate whether optimal antiplatelet therapy can be selected in terms of CYP2C19 polymorphism. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The prospective randomized trial included 124 patients (93 men and 31 women) who were to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention. They initially received dual antiplatelet therapy: clopidogrel 75 mg + acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) 300 mg. Genetic testing was performed in all the patients to reveal the carriage of allelic variants of the genes of cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes and the efficiency of antiplatelet therapy was evaluated. The carriers of one allele (CYP2C19*2/*1) were randomized into 3 subgroups according to further antiplatelet therapy. The therapy was not changed in Subgroup 1. The dose of clopidogrel was increased up to 150 mg/day and that of ASA remained unchanged in Subgroup 2. In Subgroup 3, the therapy was completely changed to the regimen: ASA 300 mg + ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily. Three days later, platelet aggregation was reinvestigated in all the three subgroups. RESULTS In our investigation, the prevalence of carriage of at least one of the CYP2C19*2 alleles was about 35%. Comparison of the baseline platelet aggregation levels during the same platelet therapy showed statistically significant differences between the carriers and non-carriers: 32.7±11.6 and 44.8±12.9 (p=0.0024). Compared with the baseline values, there was a drug therapy switching-induced reduction in platelet aggregation in Subgroups 2 and 3 (p=0.0001 and p=0.0056, respectively). No statistically significant differences were found in Subgroup 1. CONCLUSION The determination of CYP2C19 gene polymorphism allows a personalized approach to be applied in antiplatelet therapy for all patients with coronary artery disease.
Velocity Criteria for “Foveation Periods” Determined from Image Motions Simulating Congenital Nystagmus

Foveation periods are brief intervals in the congenital nystagmus (CN) waveform when the image is on or near the fovea and eye velocity is relatively slow. The purpose of this study was to determine how visual acuity depends on image velocity for foveation periods of different durations. Visual acuity was measured using high-contrast, single Landolt Cs in four normal observers during image motion simulating that in jerk nystagmus. The “simulated foveation periods” ranged from 20 to 100 ms in duration and 0 to 167s in velocity. The “critical velocity” was defined as the velocity during simulated foveation periods that produced a just-noticeable worsening of acuity (0.05 and 0.1 logMAR) from that in the zero-velocity condition. Critical velocity increased from approximately 3°/s for simulated foveation durations between 100 and 40 ms to approximately 5°/s for a simulated foveation duration of 20 ms. Critical velocities increased further when the targets were presented peripherally or with optical blur, to introduce an additional acuity loss. A consequence of these findings is that less recovery of acuity should be expected when retinal image motion is reduced in individuals with CN if a sensory acuity deficit coexists.
The development and validation of a radiographic grading system for the hip in ankylosing spondylitis: the bath ankylosing spondylitis radiology hip index.

OBJECTIVE To develop a simple but reproducible radiological scoring system for the hip in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS A consensus approach was used to develop a grading system whereby hip radiographs of 470 patients with AS were scored from 0 to 4 (normal, suspicious, mild, moderate, and severe), producing the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Radiology Hip Index ( BASRI-hip or BASRI-h). The system was designed to be specific for AS radiographic change at the hip and includes circumferential joint space narrowing, osteophytes, erosions, and protrusio acetabulae. This score can then be added to the BASRI-spine, forming the grading system BASRI-total, scored 2-16. Radiographs of 134 patients were used to test reproducibility. Blinded radiographs of 100 non-AS patients were included randomly to assess disease specificity. Sensitivity to change was determined using 438 radiographs from 122 patients, over 219 time intervals. RESULTS Inter and intraobserver variation for the right and left hip showed 83-84% and 94-96% complete agreement, respectively. Disease specificity was 0.76. If non-AS patients with a total hip replacement were excluded, disease specificity was 0.83. Sensitivity to change became apparent at one year (p < 0.001). Grading the hips using a single radiograph takes seconds. CONCLUSION BASRI-h is a reliable method for grading hip radiographic change in AS. It is disease-specific, sensitive to change, simple to use, and rapid to perform.