Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Redox regulation of the immune response

Abstract Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS–RNS) and other redox active molecules fulfill key functions in immunity. Beside the initiation of cytocidal reactions within the pathogen defense strategy, redox reactions trigger and shape the immune response and are further involved in termination and initialization of cellular restorative processes. Regulatory mechanisms provided by redox-activated signaling events guarantee the correct spatial and temporal proceeding of immunological processes, and continued imbalances in redox homeostasis lead to crucial failures of control mechanisms, thus promoting the development of pathological conditions. Interferon-gamma is the most potent inducer of ROS–RNS formation in target cells like macrophages. Immune-regulatory pathways such as tryptophan breakdown via indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and neopterin production by GTP-cyclohydrolase-I are initiated during T helper cell type 1 (Th1-type) immune response concomitant to the production of ROS–RNS by immunocompetent cells. Therefore, increased neopterin production and tryptophan breakdown is representative of an activated cellular immune system and can be used for the in vivo and in vitro monitoring of oxidative stress. In parallel, the activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B is a central element in immunity leading to cell type and stimulus-specific expression of responsive genes. Furthermore, T cell activation and proliferation are strongly dependent on the redox potential of the extracellular microenvironment. T cell commitment to Th1, Th2, regulatory T cell, and other phenotypes appears to crucially depend on the activation of redox-sensitive signaling cascades, where oxidative conditions support Th1 development while ‘antioxidative’ stress leads to a shift to allergic Th2-type immune responses.
How banks and other financial institutions think

Abstract Conventional diagnoses of the 2007/8 Global Financial Crisis see it as “abnormal”, and then resort to explanations in terms of “irrational exuberance”, “animal spirits”, “herding behaviour” and so on. The prescription – “better regulation” – then follows automatically, as it has done after every such crisis, all the way back to tulipmania 400 years ago. But if there are different “seasons of risk”, and if financial sector actors are able to latch onto different risk-handling strategies, each appropriate to one of those seasons and inappropriate to the others, then we have a very different explanation: one in which, in contrast to both neoclassical and behavioural economics, rationality is no longer singular. This “anthropological” hypothesis has its roots in Mary Douglas’s book “How Institutions Think”, and the paper shows how it is well supported by historical evidence, agent-based modelling, and fieldwork among both financial sector firms and their regulators, as well as by parallels from ecology, organisation theory and evolutionary (i.e. Schumpeterian) economics.
Most of Africa's Nutritionally Deprived Women and Children Are Not Found in Poor Households

Abstract Policymakers often assume that targeting observably poor households suffices in reaching nutritionally deprived individuals. We question that assumption. Our comprehensive assessment for sub-Saharan Africa reveals that undernourished women and children are spread widely across the household wealth and consumption distributions. Roughly three-quarters of underweight women and undernourished children are not found in the poorest 20% of households, and around half are not found in the poorest 40%. Countries with higher undernutrition tend to have higher shares of undernourished individuals in nonpoor households. Intrahousehold inequality accounts in part for our results, but other factors appear to be important, including common health risks.
Depression and performance on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status

ABSTRACT There is strong evidence that depression is associated with neuropsychological deficits across multiple domains. However, research on this topic has spanned a variety of measures with different psychometric properties and normative samples, which prevents drawing definitive conclusions about the pattern of neuropsychological deficiencies. The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) is a brief neurocognitive battery that is routinely used in clinical settings and provides co-normed measures of attention, language, memory, and visuospatial/constructional skills. The present study examined the association between depression and RBANS performance in a sample of 66 18–65 year-old adults who completed a neuropsychological evaluation at an outpatient clinic. Results indicated that depressed participants, relative to controls, demonstrated poorer performance in immediate and delayed memory, attention, and visuospatial/constructional abilities, and the four domains were diminished to a similar degree. These results were replicated using a continuous measure of depression symptoms. In addition, the association between depression and delayed memory was at least partially due to current psychotropic medication. The present study suggests that the RBANS is sensitive to the neuropsychological deficits typically found in depression, such that mild to moderate depression in adult outpatients is associated with comparable deficits in attention, memory, and visuospatial/constructional abilities.
Temperature Dependence of Critical Current Density of Spin Transfer Torque Switching Amorphous GdFeCo for Thermally Assisted MRAM

Amorphous GdFeCo with various Gd compositions used as memory layers in giant magneto-resistance (GMR) devices were prepared by magnetron sputtering and subsequent micro-fabrication processes, and their magnetic properties and spin transfer torque (STT) switching of magnetization were investigated. The magneto-resistance (MR) of the GMR device with the Gd<sub>23</sub>(Fe<sub>90</sub>Co<sub>10</sub>)<sub>77</sub> memory layer decreased with elevating temperature. The effective anisotropy constant K<sub>eff</sub> also decreased with temperature. It is noted that the critical current density J<sub>c</sub> for the STT switching reduced about 10% in spite of a slight temperature increase of 10 °C which was confirmed from the temperature dependence of J<sub>c</sub> of the GMR device with Gd<sub>22</sub>(Fe<sub>90</sub>Co<sub>10</sub>)<sub>78</sub> memory layer. The K<sub>eff</sub> reductions were considered to contribute to the decrease of J<sub>c</sub>. From these data, it is expected that J<sub>c</sub> would be drastically reduced with increasing temperature for the devices with the GdFeCo memory layers exhibiting sufficiently large thermal stability at room temperature.
Responses of single cells in cat visual cortex to prolonged stimulus movement: neural correlates of visual aftereffects.

1. The activity of single cortical cells in area 17 of anesthetized and unanesthetized cats was recorded in response to prolonged stimulation with moving stimuli. 2. Under the appropriate conditions, all cells observed showed a progressive response decrement during the stimulation period, regardless of cell classification, i.e., simple, complex, or hypercomplex. 3. The observed response decrement was shown to be largely cortical in origin and could be adequately described with an exponential function of the form R = Rf +(R1-Rf)e-t/T. Time constants derived from such calculations yielded values ranging from 1.92 to 12.45 s under conditions of optimal-stimulation. 4. Most cells showed poststimulation effects, usually a brief period of reduced responsiveness that recovered exponentially. Recovery was essentially complete in about 5-35 s. 5. The degree to which stimuli were effective at inducing response was shown to have significant effects on the magnitude of the response decrement. 6. Several cells showed neural patterns of response and recovery that suggested the operation of intracortical inhibitory mechanisms. 7. A simple two-process model that adequately describes the behavior of all the studied cells is presented. 8. Because the properties of the cells studied correlate well with human psychophysical measures of contour and movement adaptation and recovery, a causal relationship to similar neural mechanisms in humans is suggested.
Effect of Host Genetics on Incidence of HIV Neuroretinal Disorder in Patients With AIDS

Approximately 10%-15% of patients with AIDS but without ocular opportunistic infections will have a presumed neuroretinal disorder (HIV-NRD), manifested by reduced contrast sensitivity and abnormal visual fields. The loss of contrast sensitivity often is sufficient to impair reading speed. To evaluate the effect of host genetics on HIV-NRD, we explored validated AIDS restriction gene variants CCR5Δ32, CCR2-64I, CCR5 P1, SDF-3'A, IL-10-5'A, RANTES -403A, RANTES -28G, RANTES-In1.1C, CX3CR1-249I, CX3CR1-280M, IFNG-179T, MDR1-3435T, and MCP-1364G, each of which has been implicated previously to influence HIV-1 infection, AIDS progression, therapy response, and antiviral drug metabolism, and an IL-10 receptor gene, IL-10R1, in the Longitudinal Study of the Ocular Complications of AIDS cohort. In European Americans (cases = 55, controls = 290), IL-10-5'A variant and its promoter haplotype (hazard ratio = 2.09, confidence interval. 1.19 to 3.67, P = 0.01), in African Americans (cases = 54, controls = 180), RANTES-In1.1C and the associated haplotype (hazard ratio = 2.72, confidence interval.: 1.48 to 5.00, P = 0.001), showed increased HIV-NRD susceptibility. Although sample sizes are small and P values do not pass a strict Bonferroni correction, our results suggest that, in European Americans, an IL-10-related pathway, and, in African Americans, chemokine receptor ligand polymorphisms in RANTES are risk factors for HIV-NRD development. Clearly, further studies are warrented.
A Theory of Input–Output Architecture

Individual producers exhibit enormous heterogeneity in many dimensions. This paper develops a theory in which the network structure of production—who buys inputs from whom—forms endogenously. Entrepreneurs produce using labor and exactly one intermediate input; the key decision is which other entrepreneur's good to use as an input. Their choices collectively determine the economy's equilibrium input–output structure, generating large differences in size and shaping both individual and aggregate productivity. When the elasticity of output to intermediate inputs in production is high, star suppliers emerge endogenously. This raises aggregate productivity as, in equilibrium, more supply chains are routed through higher‐productivity techniques.
Exploring the links between different performance information uses, NPM cultural orientation, and organizational performance in the public sector

ABSTRACT This paper looks at how the relationship between performance measurement system use(s) and organizational performance is affected by the type of performance information use and moderated by New Public Management (NPM) cultural orientation. Analysing data from a survey of Italian public managers, it shows that only monitoring and attention-focusing types of uses of performance measures are directly associated with organizational performance, whereas strategic-decision-making and legitimizing uses are not directly related with organizational performance. Moreover, an NPM orientation moderates positively the relationship between monitoring uses of performance information on organizational performance, and negatively the relationship between legitimizing uses and organizational performance.
Number of Named Partners and Number of Partners Newly Diagnosed With HIV Infection Identified by Persons With Acute Versus Established HIV Infection

Background:Acute infections with HIV account for a disproportionate share of forward transmission in certain populations. We hypothesized that persons with acute HIV infection (AHI) would identify more named partners than those with established HIV infection (EHI). Methods:We reviewed North Carolina surveillance databases to identify all persons aged ≥18 years in whom HIV was diagnosed during November 1, 2002 to October 31, 2007. We compared the number of named partners identified by persons with AHI versus EHI (based on nucleic acid amplification plus serologic testing) using a multivariable model and also compared information regarding HIV testing among partners identified by these groups. Results:EHI was diagnosed in 9044 persons and AHI in 120 persons during the study period. Persons with AHI named 2.5 times more partners per index patient [95% confidence interval: 2.1 to 3.0] and 1.9 times more partners newly diagnosed with HIV infection per index patient (95% confidence interval: 1.1 to 3.5) as did persons with EHI. Discussion:In North Carolina, persons with AHI identified proportionately more named partners and more partners newly diagnosed with HIV infections than persons with EHI. Improved detection of AHI offers critical opportunities to intervene and potentially reduce transmission of HIV.
Characterization and Development of Two Reporter Gene Systems for Clostridium acetobutylicum

ABSTRACT The use of lacZ from Thermoanaerobacterium thermosulfurigenes (encoding β-galactosidase) and lucB from Photinus pyralis (encoding luciferase) as reporter genes in Clostridium acetobutylicum was analyzed with promoters of genes required for solventogenesis and acidogenesis. Both systems proved to be well suited and allowed the detection of differences in promoter strength at least up to 100-fold. The luciferase assay could be performed much faster and comes close to online measurement. Resequencing of lacZ revealed a sequence error in the original database entry, which resulted in β-galactosidase with an additional 31 amino acids. Cutting off part of the gene encoding this C terminus resulted in decreased enzyme activity. The lacZ reporter data showed that bdhA (encoding butanol dehydrogenase A) is expressed during the early growth phase, followed by sol (encoding butyraldehyde/butanol dehydrogenase E and coenzyme A transferase) and bdhB (encoding butanol dehydrogenase B) expression. adc (encoding acetoacetate decarboxylase) was also induced early. There is about a 100-fold difference in expression between adc and bdhB (higher) and bdhA and the sol operon (lower). The lucB reporter activity could be increased 10-fold by the addition of ATP to the assay. Washing of the cells proved to be important in order to prevent a red shift of bioluminescence in an acidic environment (for reliable data). lucB reporter measurements confirmed the expression pattern of the sol and ptb-buk (encoding phosphotransbutyrylase and butyrate kinase) operons as determined by the lacZ reporter and showed that the expression level from the ptb promoter is 59-fold higher than that from the sol operon promoter.
The immunotoxicity of dibutyl phthalate on the macrophages in mice

Abstract Objective: Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), a widely used phthalate chemical, is commonly used as plasticizer. It is well known that DBP causes reproductive and developmental diseases, but the effect of DBP on the immune system remains to be determined. We assessed the effect of DBP on immune functions of murine macrophages, which constitute a key component in the immune response. Materials and methods: Murine peritoneal exudate macrophages (PEMs) were treated with 0, 1, 5, 10, 50 or 100 μM DBP in vitro for 24 h and then the viability of PEMs were measured by flow cytometry (FCM) and trypan blue count. To investigate the effect of DBP on the functions of PEMs, we treated the PEMs with moderate dose of DBP (0, 1, 5 or 10 μM) in vitro for 24 h. The phenotypes, phagocytosis and cytokine production of PEMs were measured by FCM or real-time PCR. The immunogenicity and antigen presenting capacity of PEMs treated with DBP in vitro were assessed both by the mixed lymphocytereaction (MLR) in vitro assay and through the injection of exposed cells in mice by the delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) assay. Results: High dose of DBP (50–100 μM) showed cytotoxicity on PEMs, whereas after the treatment with moderate dose of DBP (1–10 μM) in vitro, PEMs expressed low level of CD36, CD80 and MHC-II molecules, and showed significantly decreased phagocytosis on apoptotic cells and Escherichia coli. In addition, DBP treatment exhibited a decrease in the cytokine production, immunogenicity and antigen-presenting capacity of PEMs. Conclusions: The present study shows the effects of DBP on macrophages, demonstrating immunogenicity and decreased antigen presentation in vitro.
Frequency of infectious agents for vaginitis in patients with a cytological diagnosis of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance.

AIM To evaluate the presence of infectious agents for vaginitis in patients with ASCUS. METHODS 33,388 patients who underwent cervical-vaginal cytology from 08/1993 to 05/2002 were included in the study, and 1,104 (3.4%) presented positive ASCUS. The appraised infectious agents were Coccobacilli, Candida sp, Trichomonas vaginalis, and clue cells (Gardnerella vaginalis). RESULTS In the group with ASCUS a larger frequency of Coccobacilli (22.37%) and Trichomonas vaginalis (5.25%) was found when compared with the group with negative ASCUS (17.79% and 3.98%, respectively; p < 0.05). Cytolysis occurred more frequently in patients with ASCUS (3.8 vs 6.3%, first phase and 4.5 vs 10%, second phase). CONCLUSIONS We believe that some diagnoses of ASCUS can be induced by the presence of infectious agents for vaginitis, mainly cocci and coccoides. ASCUS occurs more frequently in the first phase of the menstrual cycle, therefore in less acid vaginal pH.
Reduced extracellular dopamine and increased responsiveness to novelty: neurochemical and behavioral sequelae of intermittent hypoxia.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Vesicular monoamine transporter and dopamine D1-receptor protein expression are upregulated within the striatum of adults rats exposed to intermittent hypoxic insults as neonates. These observations prompted us to test the hypothesis that intermittent hypoxic insults, occurring during this period of critical brain development, lead to persistent reductions in extracellular levels of dopamine within the striatum. We also tested the hypothesis that post-hypoxic rats exhibit increased novelty-induced behavioral activation and increased basal levels of locomotor activity, two indexes of impaired dopaminergic functioning. STUDY DESIGN Extracellular levels of dopamine were measured over a 50-hour interval via in-vivo microdialysis. Responsivity to novelty and basal levels of locomotor activity were measured via cubicles equipped with infrared transmitters and photosensors. INTERVENTIONS Between postnatal days 7 and 11, rat pups were exposed to intermittent hypoxia (20-second bursts of hypoxic gas consisting of 10% oxygen balance nitrogen; 60 events/hour) or compressed air for 6 hours during their major sleep period. On postnatal day 35, locomotor activity was continuously recorded over a 72-hour period. On postnatal day 42, extracellular levels of dopamine were determined in microdialysis samples collected at 30-minute intervals continuously for 50 hours. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Post-hypoxic rats exhibited heightened behavioral activation when placed into the novel environment of locomotor-recording cubicles. Following 24 hours of adaptation to the cubicles, post-hypoxic rats exhibited locomotor hyperactivity during each dark phase of the circadian cycle, their typical waking period. These same rats also demonstrated reduced levels of extracellular dopamine during both the dark and light phases of the circadian cycle. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate increased responsivity to novelty, locomotor hyperactivity, and reduced levels of extracellular dopamine within the striata of juvenile rats exposed to intermittent hypoxic insults between postnatal days 7 and 11. These data, in conjunction with our previous observations, support our hypothesis that intermittent hypoxic insults occurring during a period of critical brain development lead to sequestration of dopamine presynaptically within nigrostriatal axons. We postulate that neonatally occurring hypoxic insults are one potential pathogenic mechanism underlying disorders of minimal brain dysfunction, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, characterized by executive dysfunction and hyper responsiveness to novel stimuli, which is responsive to agents promoting enhanced extracellular levels of synaptic dopamine.
Brain Volume Changes on Longitudinal Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Normal Older People

Background and Purpose. The purpose of this study is to investigate the longitudinal age‐related changes in human brain volume using stereological methods. Methods. Sixty‐six older participants (34 men, 32 women, age [mean ± SD] 78.9 ± 3.3 years, range 74–87 years) with normal baseline and follow‐up examinations underwent 2 MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging) of the brain on average 4.4 years apart. The volumes of the cerebrum (defined as cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus, and white matter), lateral ventricles, and cerebellum were estimated on the 2 MRIs using an unbiased stereological method (Cavalieri principle). Results. The annual decrease (mean ± SD) of the cerebral volume was 2.1%± 1.6% (P < .001). The average volume of the lateral ventricles on the second MRI was increased by 5.6%± 3.6% per year (P < .001). The average volume of the cerebellum on the second MRI was decreased by 1.2%± 2.2% per year (P < .001). Even though the average cerebral volume was significantly different between men and women on initial MRI and second MRI, the percentage change of the age‐related cerebral volume decrease in male and female brains between initial MRI and second MRI were identical. Conclusions. The findings showed that there was age‐related atrophy of cerebrum and cerebellum and age‐related disproportional enlargement of lateral ventricles in normal older men and women.