Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of exercise intensity on the on‐ and off‐transient kinetics of pulmonary oxygen uptake in humans

1 The maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2,peak) during dynamic muscular exercise is commonly taken as a crucial determinant of the ability to sustain high‐intensity exercise. Considerably less attention, however, has been given to the rate at which V̇O2 increases to attain this maximum (or to its submaximal requirement), and even less to the kinetic features of the response following exercise. 2 Six, healthy, male volunteers (aged 22 to 58 years), each performed 13 exercise tests: initial ramp‐incremental cycle ergometry to the limit of tolerance and subsequently, on different days, three bouts of square‐wave exercise each at moderate, heavy, very heavy and severe intensities. Pulmonary gas exchange variables were determined breath by breath throughout exercise and recovery from the continuous monitoring of respired volumes (turbine) and gas concentrations (mass spectrometer). 3 For moderate exercise, the V̇O2 kinetics were well described by a simple mono‐exponential function, following a short cardiodynamic phase, with the on‐ and off‐transients having similar time constants (τ1); i.e. τ1,on averaged 33 ± 16 s (± S.D.) and τ1,off 29 ± 6 s. 4 The on‐transient V̇O2 kinetics were more complex for heavy exercise. The inclusion of a second slow and delayed exponential component provided an adequate description of the response; i.e. τ1,on= 32 ± 17 s and τ2,on= 170 ± 49 s. The off‐transient V̇O2 kinetics, however, remained mono‐exponential (τ1,off= 42 ± 11 s). 5 For very heavy exercise, the on‐transient V̇O2 kinetics were also well described by a double exponential function (τ1,on= 34 ± 11 s and τ2,on= 163 ± 46 s). However, a double exponential, with no delay, was required to characterise the off‐transient kinetics (i.e. τ1,off= 33 ± 5 s and τ2,off= 460 ± 123 s). 6 At the highest intensity (severe), the on‐transient V̇O2 kinetics reverted to a mono‐exponential profile (τ1,on= 34 ± 7 s), while the off‐transient kinetics retained a two‐component form (τ1,off= 35 ± 11 s and τ2,off= 539 ± 379 s). 7 We therefore conclude that the kinetics of V̇O2 during dynamic muscular exercise are strikingly influenced by the exercise intensity, both with respect to model order and to dynamic asymmetries between the on‐ and off‐transient responses.
Combination of a monoclonal anti‐phosphatidylserine antibody with gemcitabine strongly inhibits the growth and metastasis of orthotopic pancreatic tumors in mice

Pancreatic cancer continues to have a dismal prognosis and novel therapy is needed. In this study, we evaluate a promising new target for therapy, phosphatidylserine (PS). PS is an anionic phospholipid located normally on the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane in mammalian cells. In the tumor microenvironment, PS becomes externalized on vascular endothelium. The monoclonal antibody 3G4 binds PS and promotes an inflammatory response against tumor blood vessels, resulting in reduction of tumor growth. Mice with orthotopic pancreatic tumors were treated with 3G4, gemcitabine or a combination of both drugs. Tumor burden including pancreas weight and metastatic lesions (liver, lymph node and peritoneal) were reduced 3‐ to 5‐fold by the combination therapy as compared with 1.5‐ to 2‐fold with 3G4 and gemcitabine alone, respectively. Treatment of tumor‐bearing animals with the combination therapy increased macrophage infiltration into the tumor mass 10‐fold and reduced microvessel density in the tumor by 2.5‐fold compared with tumors from untreated animals. Gemcitabine alone and 3G4 alone were less effective than the combination of the 2 agents together. The additive therapeutic effect of both agents appears to be because chemotherapy increases PS exposure on tumor vascular endothelium and amplifies the target for attack by 3G4. In conclusion, 3G4 enhanced the anti‐tumor and anti‐metastatic activity of gemcitabine without contributing to toxicity. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The health and developmental status of very low-birth-weight children at school age.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of improved survival of increasingly premature infants by examining the outcomes at school age of a large group of children born at different birth weights. DESIGN Inception cohort. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Participants were selected from two previously studied multisite cohorts: very low-birth-weight (less than or equal to 1500 g) children referred to participating intensive care units and heavier birth-weight children drawn from a stratified random sample of births in geographically defined regions. Follow-up at 8 to 10 years of age was by a combination of telephone interview and home/clinic visits for 65.1% (1868) of those eligible. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The presence or absence of 17 specific conditions, limitations in activities of daily living due to health, mental health (affective health, behavior problems), and, for a subset, IQ scores. RESULTS Decreasing birth weight was associated with an increased morbidity for all measures except affective health; those with birth weights of 1500 g or less were more likely to experience multiple health problems. Maternal educational attainment did not influence the association of birth weight with morbidity except for IQ among children whose birth weight was above 1000 g, for which socioeconomic disadvantage worsened the status of all children irrespective of birth weight. CONCLUSIONS Children born at lower birth weights experience increased morbidity at early school age. These results reinforce the importance of postdischarge, early intervention programs to reduce the risk of these later health problems.
Mesenchymal stem cells and conditioned media in the treatment of multiple sclerosis patients: Clinical, ophthalmological and radiological assessments of safety and efficacy

This open‐label prospective phase I/IIa clinical study used autologous bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM‐MSCs) followed by mesenchymal stromal cells conditioned media (MSC‐CM) for the first time to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The primary goal was to assess the safety and feasibility and the secondary was efficacy. The correlation between the MSC‐CM content and treatment outcome was investigated.
A System Dynamics Approach to the Political Economy of Resource-dependent Nations

Development on the basis of extraction and export of natural resources is a dynamically complex problem. Empirical evidence shows that while some nations have been successful to translate natural resource wealth into long-term development but many have failed too. In this dissertation a system dynamics approach is taken to understand why this is happening and what strategies could facilitate a resource-based development process. In this regard, Mashayekhi’s model of oil-dependency of Iranian economy as one of the few relevant system dynamics examples is updated and revalidated. The results show that despite its capability in showing the dynamics of the problem from an economic perspective it lacks socio-political features that are necessary to address the most fundamental issues of resource-based development. It is shown that Katouzian’s theory of “arbitrary state and society” could fill this gap. The theory is, thus, translated into a system dynamics model so that it could be tested for internal consistency and used for policy analysis. The model is able to explain longterm socio-political-economic instability of a resource-dependent society. On the basis of Mashayekhi’s model, Katouzian’s theory, and other fundamental explanations of natural resource dependency that are available from the literature, a generic eclectic model is developed. The model has gone through a comprehensive list of confidence-building tests. Controlled experimentation through Monte Carlo simulations show that, on the contrary to the current belief, it is unlikely that natural resource wealth be harmful for social welfare. Results also revealed that rule of law is a crucial factor that affects trajectory of the socio-political-economic development. Other findings are as follow. Civil resistance (disobedience) can be harmful for the system in the long-run. While sanctions could affect the economy it has barely an impact on socio-political settings of a society. Finally, wage stabilization, facilitation of social mobility, and privatization of natural resource revenues (within certain limits) could help the resource-based development to achieve better outcomes.
Analysts’ earnings forecasting behavior surrounding uncertain regulatory events: evidence from the Tax Reform Act of 1986

This study examines analysts’ forecasting behaviour in the presence of significant tax policy uncertainty. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 (TRA86) was preceded by a lengthy debate, allowing us to investigate how tax policy uncertainty evolves over time. Our results are generally consistent with the intuition that uncertainty precedes the enactment of a proposed tax law while complexity manifests afterwards. Using the repeal of the investment tax credit to identify highly impacted firms, we find that the onset of disagreement among analysts during the debate occurred sooner for highly impacted firms than other firms. We also find that disagreement among analysts was concentrated among highly impacted firms before and after enactment. Given that our sample period precedes Regulation Fair Disclosure, our evidence suggests that analysts relied on private information from management to resolve the uncertainty associated with TRA86 but only for highly impacted firms.
Human B Lymphocytes Synthesize the 92-kDa Gelatinase, Matrix Metalloproteinase-9*

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in the remodeling of connective tissue as well as in disease states associated with acute and chronic inflammation or tumoral metastatic processes. Despite detailed and extensive studies of the mechanisms of lymphocyte extravasation, remarkably little is known about the expression and regulation of metalloproteinases involved in the migratory process. By using zymography and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction experiments, we have demonstrated that Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized B lymphocytes are able to secrete a 92-kDa metalloproteinase with gelatinolytic activity which has been purified and identified as being MMP-9. Moreover, the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase was shown to be constitutively expressed by the B cells. The expression of 92-kDa gelatinase is mediated by cytokines, growth factors, lipopolysaccharide, concanavalin A, and the tumor promotor phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Time dependence activity increased rapidly up to 24 h of incubation with lipopolysaccharide or concanavalin A stimulation while it requires a delay and more time to have an optimum effect when cytokines were the stimulating agents; transforming growth factor-β abolished 92-kDa gelatinase production. Both staurosporine and wortmannin are inductive stimuli, and the level of MMP-9 secreted into the media is greater than that observed with other agents except concanavalin A. Elicitation of the chemotactic migration of B cells through a model basement membrane by lipopolysaccharide was shown to be correlated with gelatinase expression and inhibited by 7 mm captopril. Our study indicates that Epstein-Barr virus-B lymphocytes express 92-kDa gelatinase, the production of which can be modified by a variety of physiological and pharmacological signals which have been shown to differ according to the cell type.
Magnetic Resonance Image Findings and Surgical Considerations in T1-2 Disc Herniation

ABSTRACT: Objective: To report a case of disc herniation at Tl-2. Clinical presentation: A 57-year-old man presented with hand weakness, Horner's syndrome, and pain radiating along the medial aspect of one upper extremity. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated extruded Tl-2 disc herniation with upward herniation of a sequestrated fragment. Intervention: An anterior approach was used to excise the disc, that was compressing the spinal cord and the Tl nerve root. All the patient's symptoms resolved completely, including Horner's syndrome. Conclusion: Anterior discectomy may be the simplest and most effective method for disc excision and relief of spinal cord and Tl nerve root compression.
Parental Joblessness and the Moderating Role of a University Degree on the School-to-Work Transition in Australia and the United States

Does parental joblessness delay young adults' school-to-work transitions? If so, can a university degree moderate this relationship? We examine these questions using a representative sample of young adults who lived with their parents prior to entering the labor market in Australia (N = 2152) and the U.S. (N = 811) during the period 2001-2015. Results from Cox proportional hazards models demonstrate that parental joblessness (the proportion of time spent living in a household where no parent was employed) is associated with slower school-to-work transitions in both the U.S. and Australia. University degree attainment mitigates much of this negative relationship in Australia, suggesting that parental joblessness is most harmful for Australians who leave school before earning a university degree. There is no evidence for a similar interaction in the U.S., suggesting that the relationship between education, parental joblessness, and the school-to-work transition may depend on contextual factors such as the welfare regime.
Surface Ig on rabbit lymphocytes Rabbit B and T cells are distinct populations

Rabbit peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were analyzed by immunofluorescence using anti‐T cell conjugates and anti‐Fab, anti‐al allotype, anti‐IgM and anti‐IgA conjugates. In addition, T cells were demonstrated by rosetting with papain‐treated homologous erythrocytes. Control experiments, using acid treatment and incubation at 37 °C for 18 h after or without pronase treatment, revealed the endogenous origin of all surface determinants tested.
Structural basis of adhesive binding by desmocollins and desmogleins

Significance Desmosomes are crucial for the integrity of tissues that undergo mechanical stress. Their intercellular attachments are assembled from desmogleins (Dsgs) and desmocollins (Dscs), two families of specialized cadherins whose structures and interactions have remained uncharacterized. Our study demonstrates family-wise heterophilic interactions between these proteins, with all Dsgs forming adhesive dimers with all Dscs. Crystal structures of ectodomains from Dsg2 and Dsg3 and from Dsc1 and Dsc2 show binding through a strand-swap mechanism similar to that of classical cadherins, which we show underlie heterophilic interactions. Conserved compatibly charged amino acids in the interfaces promote heterophilic Dsg:Dsc interactions. We show that Dsg:Dsc heterodimers represent the fundamental adhesive unit of desmosomes and provide a structural framework for understanding the extracellular assembly of desmosomes. Desmosomes are intercellular adhesive junctions that impart strength to vertebrate tissues. Their dense, ordered intercellular attachments are formed by desmogleins (Dsgs) and desmocollins (Dscs), but the nature of trans-cellular interactions between these specialized cadherins is unclear. Here, using solution biophysics and coated-bead aggregation experiments, we demonstrate family-wise heterophilic specificity: All Dsgs form adhesive dimers with all Dscs, with affinities characteristic of each Dsg:Dsc pair. Crystal structures of ectodomains from Dsg2 and Dsg3 and from Dsc1 and Dsc2 show binding through a strand-swap mechanism similar to that of homophilic classical cadherins. However, conserved charged amino acids inhibit Dsg:Dsg and Dsc:Dsc interactions by same-charge repulsion and promote heterophilic Dsg:Dsc interactions through opposite-charge attraction. These findings show that Dsg:Dsc heterodimers represent the fundamental adhesive unit of desmosomes and provide a structural framework for understanding desmosome assembly.
Stalled Racial Progress and Japanese Trade in the 1970s and 1980s

We assess the impact of a rapid rise in Japanese import competition on the growth in racial earnings and employment gaps during the 1970s and 80s. Using commuting zone level variation in exposure, we find Japanese competition led to a decrease in manufacturing employment and labor force participation for blacks. This was driven by a shift in demand for skill in manufacturing. The difference in effects between the 10th percentile most and least exposed commuting zone was equivalent to 36-46% of the relative rise in black non-labor force participation, and 78-96% of the relative decline in black median male earnings.
Foreign Direct Investment, Female Education, Capital Formation, and Economic Growth in Japan and South Korea

ABSTRACT The influence of foreign direct investment (FDI) on host country‘s economic growth is a widely explored issues in the existing economic literature. This study attempts to examine the role of foreign direct investment, capital formation, and expansion of female education on economic growth of Japan during the period 1971–2014, using time series observations. The study further makes a comparison regarding the association with FDI and economic growth with South Korea, another major OECD economy of Asia The study utilises the auto-regressive distributed lag (ARDL) bounds approach to cointegration to examine the long run causality association among the variables. Today, for sustainable economic development the social and institutional policy issues are important. The paper explores one such social issue, namely gender and economic prosperity. This paper has novel contributions in the current research on time series, econometric analysis for the following reasons: (1) it has investigated the relationship between economic growth, foreign direct investment and capital formation in a gendered differential framework (utilising the role of human capital formation among men versus women; (2) the study covers a long period and more recent time period (till 2014), which concurs with the upsurge of world FDI movements and (3) the study also explores the major structural breaks of the two economies and how economic growth is impacted thereof.
HLA class I antigen expression is associated with a favorable prognosis in early stage non‐small cell lung cancer

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I displays a repertoire of endogenously processed peptides to CD8+ T lymphocytes. The present study assessed correlations between HLA class I expression, clinicopathologic factors, and tumor‐infiltrating immune cells in human non‐small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Expression of HLA class I was assessed in 161 resected primary NSCLC by immunohistochemistry using EMR8–5, a novel monoclonal anti‐pan HLA class I heavy chain antibody. Expression of HLA class I was classified into three categories: strongly positive, weakly positive, or negative. Tumor‐infiltrating CD8+ lymphocytes and CD56+ natural killer cells within cancer nests and stroma were also counted. Expression of HLA class I was strongly positive in 50 tumors, weakly positive in 57 tumors, and negative in 54 tumors. Down‐regulation of HLA class I was significantly correlated with male sex, history of smoking, non‐adenocarcinoma histology, and moderate‐/low‐grade differentiation. The density of cancer nest‐infiltrating CD8+ cells in HLA class I‐negative tumors was significantly decreased compared to that in HLA class I strongly positive tumors (P < 0.01). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed a significant favorable influence on overall survival for patients displaying tumors with strongly positive expression of HLA class I (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed down‐regulation of HLA class I as an independent factor of poor prognosis in pathological stage I patients, but not in late‐stage patients. These results suggest that down‐regulation of HLA class I expression in NSCLC is a marker of poor prognosis, and this may play a critical role in immune surveillance of patients with NSCLC. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 1424–1430)
Differences in scaling and morphology between lumbricid earthworm ecotypes

ABSTRACT Many soft-bodied invertebrates use a flexible, fluid-filled hydrostatic skeleton for burrowing. The aim of our study was to compare the scaling and morphology between surface-dwelling and burrowing earthworm ecotypes to explore the specializations of non-rigid musculoskeletal systems for burrowing locomotion. We compared the scaling of adult lumbricid earthworms across species and ecotypes to determine whether linear dimensions were significantly associated with ecotype. We also compared the ontogenetic scaling of a burrowing species, Lumbricus terrestris, and a surface-dwelling species, Eisenia fetida, using glycol methacrylate histology. We show that burrowing species are longer, thinner and have higher length-to-diameter ratios than non-burrowers, and that L. terrestris is thinner for any given body mass compared with E. fetida. We also found differences in the size of the musculature between the two species that may correlate with surface crawling or burrowing. Our results suggest that adaptations to burrowing for soft-bodied animals include a disproportionately thin body and strong longitudinal muscles. Summary: Comparison of the scaling and morphology between surface-dwelling and burrowing earthworm ecotypes suggests that adaptations for burrowing include a disproportionately thin body and strong longitudinal muscles.
Reactivity of Human Natural Antibodies to Endothelial Cells From Gal&agr;(1,3)Gal-Deficient Pigs

Background. Xenoreactive human natural antibodies (NAb) are predominantly directed against galactose-&agr;(1,3)galactose (Gal). Binding of immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM NAb activates porcine endothelial cells (pEC) and triggers complement lysis responsible for hyperacute xenograft rejection. In vitro, IgG NAb induce human natural killer (NK) cell-mediated lysis of pEC by antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). The present study examined the levels of anti-porcine NAb in a large number of individuals and addressed the functional role of non-Gal anti-porcine NAb. Methods. Sera from 120 healthy human blood donors were analyzed for the presence of anti-porcine NAb by flow cytometry using porcine red blood cells (pRBC), lymphoblastoid cells (pLCL), and pEC derived from control or Gal-deficient pigs. Xenogeneic complement lysis was measured by flow cytometry using human serum and rabbit complement. ADCC was analyzed by 51chromium-release assays using human serum and freshly isolated NK cells. Results. Human IgM binding to pRBC was found in 93% and IgG binding in 86% of all samples. Non-Gal NAb comprised 13% of total IgM and 36% of total IgG binding to pEC. NAb/complement-induced lysis and ADCC of Gal-deficient compared to Gal-positive pEC were 21% and 29%, respectively. The majority of anti-Gal and non-Gal IgG NAb were of the IgG2 subclass. Conclusions. The generation of Gal-deficient pigs has overcome hyperacute anti-Gal-mediated xenograft rejection in nonhuman primates. Non-Gal anti-porcine NAb represent a potentially relevant immunological hurdle in a subgroup of individuals by inducing endothelial damage in xenografts.