Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemokines Determine Local Lymphoneogenesis and a Reduction of Circulating CXCR4+ T and CCR7 B and T Lymphocytes in Thyroid Autoimmune Diseases1

Chemokines and their corresponding receptors are crucial for the recruitment of lymphocytes into the lymphoid organs and for its organization acting in a multistep process. Tissues affected by autoimmune disease often contain ectopic lymphoid follicles which, in the case of autoimmune thyroid disorders, are highly active and specific for thyroid Ags although its pathogenic role remains unclear. To understand the genesis of these lymphoid follicles, the expression of relevant cytokines and chemokines was assessed by real time PCR, immunohistochemistry and by in vitro assays in autoimmune and nonautoimmune thyroid glands. Lymphotoxin α, lymphotoxin β, C-C chemokine ligand (CCL) 21, CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL) 12, CXCL13, and CCL22 were increased in thyroids from autoimmune patients, whereas CXCL12, CXCL13, and CCL22 levels were significantly higher in autoimmune glands with ectopic secondary lymphoid follicles than in those without follicles. Interestingly, thyroid epithelium produced CXCL12 in response to proinflammatory cytokines providing a possible clue for the understanding of how tissue stress may lead to ectopic follicle formation. The finding of a correlation between chemokines and thyroid autoantibodies further suggests that intrathyroidal germinal centers play a significant role in the autoimmune response. Unexpectedly, the percentage of circulating CXCR4+ T cells and CCR7+ B and T cells (but not of CXCR5) was significantly reduced in PBMCs of patients with autoimmune thyroid disease when they were compared with their intrathyroidal lymphocytes. This systemic effect of active intrathyroidal lymphoid tissue emerges as a possible new marker of thyroid autoimmune disease activity.
Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis Is More Efficient than Ribotyping and Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Analysis in Discrimination of Pasteurella haemolytica Strains

ABSTRACT One hundred thirty-three strains of Pasteurella haemolytica of both biotypes (90 and 43 strains of biotypes A and T, respectively) and almost all the serotypes were subjected to ribotyping, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis for epidemiological purposes. A total of 15 patterns recorded as ribotypes HA to HO were found for the P. haemolytica biotype A strains, with ribotypes HA, HC, and HD being encountered most often (66 strains [74%]); and 20 ribotypes, designated HA′ to HT′, that were clearly distinct from those observed for biotype A strains were observed for strains of biotype T. RAPD analysis generated a total of 44 (designated Rp1 to Rp44) and 15 (designated Rp1′ to Rp 15′) unique RAPD patterns for biogroup A and biogroup T, respectively. Analysis of the data indicated that a given combined ribotype-RAPD pattern could be observed for biotype A strains of different serotypes, whatever the zoological or geographic origin, whereas this was not the case for biotype T strains. PFGE appeared to be more efficient in strain discrimination since selected strains from various zoological or geographical origins harboring the same ribotype-RAPD group were further separated into unique entities.
Arterial–Venous Specification During Development

The major arteries and veins of the vertebrate circulatory system are formed early in embryonic development, before the onset of circulation, following de novo aggregation of “angioblast” progenitors in a process called vasculogenesis. Initial embryonic determination of artery or vein identity is regulated by variety of genetic factors that work in concert to specify endothelial cell fate, giving rise to 2 distinct components of the circulatory loop possessing unique structural characteristics. Work in multiple in vivo animal model systems has led to a detailed examination of the interacting partners that determine arterial and venous specification. We discuss the hierarchical arrangement of many signaling molecules, including Hedgehog (Hh), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Notch, and chicken ovalbumin upstream-transcription factor II (COUP-TFII) that promote or inhibit divergent pathways of endothelial cell fate. Elucidation of the functional role of these genetic determinants of blood vessel specification together with the epigenetic factors involved in subsequent modification of arterial–venous identity will allow for potential new therapeutic targets for vascular disorders.
Tooth wear and feeding ecology in mountain gorillas from Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda.

OBJECTIVES Ecological factors have a dramatic effect on tooth wear in primates, although it remains unclear how individual age contributes to functional crown morphology. The aim of this study is to determine how age and individual diet are related to tooth wear in wild mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) from Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. MATERIAL AND METHODS We calculated the percent of dentine exposure (PDE) for all permanent molars (M1-M3) of known-age mountain gorillas (N = 23), to test whether PDE varied with age using regression analysis. For each molar position, we also performed stepwise multiple linear regression to test the effects of age and percentage of time spent feeding on different food categories on PDE, for individuals subject to long-term observational studies by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International's Karisoke Research Center. RESULTS PDE increased significantly with age for both sexes in all molars. Moreover, a significant effect of gritty plant root consumption on PDE was found among individuals. Our results support prior reports indicating reduced tooth wear in mountain gorillas compared to western gorillas, and compared to other known-aged samples of primate taxa from forest and savanna habitats. DISCUSSION Our findings corroborate that mountain gorillas present very low molar wear, and support the hypothesis that age and the consumption of particular food types, namely roots, are significant determinants of tooth wear variation in mountain gorillas. Future research should characterize the mineral composition of the soil in the Virunga habitat, to test the hypothesis that the physical and abrasive properties of gritty foods such as roots influence intra- and interspecific patterns of tooth wear.
Training errors and running related injuries: a systematic review.

PURPOSE The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the link between training characteristics (volume, duration, frequency, and intensity) and running related injuries. METHODS A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and SportDiscus. Studies were included if they examined novice, recreational, or elite runners between the ages of 18 and 65. Exposure variables were training characteristics defined as volume, distance or mileage, time or duration, frequency, intensity, speed or pace, or similar terms. The outcome of interest was Running Related Injuries (RRI) in general or specific RRI in the lower extremity or lower back. Methodological quality was evaluated using quality assessment tools of 11 to 16 items. RESULTS After examining 4561 titles and abstracts, 63 articles were identified as potentially relevant. Finally, nine retrospective cohort studies, 13 prospective cohort studies, six case-control studies, and three randomized controlled trials were included. The mean quality score was 44.1%. Conflicting results were reported on the relationships between volume, duration, intensity, and frequency and RRI. CONCLUSION It was not possible to identify which training errors were related to running related injuries. Still, well supported data on which training errors relate to or cause running related injuries is highly important for determining proper prevention strategies. If methodological limitations in measuring training variables can be resolved, more work can be conducted to define training and the interactions between different training variables, create several hypotheses, test the hypotheses in a large scale prospective study, and explore cause and effect relationships in randomized controlled trials. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2a.
Lack of a Benign Interpretation Bias in Social Anxiety Disorder

Cognitive models of social anxiety posit that recurrent interpretation of ambiguous information as threatening maintains symptoms (e.g. Clark & Wells, 1995, pp. 69–93, Social phobia: Diagnosis, assessment, and treatment. New York: Guilford Press; Rapee & Heimberg, 1997, pp. 741–756, Behavior Research and Therapy, 35). However, biased interpretation may also be represented as a failure to make a benign interpretation of the ambiguous event. Furthermore, interpretation bias can be characterized by both an online (automatic) component and an offline (effortful) component (Hirsch & Clark, 2004, pp. 799–825, Clinical Psychology Review, 24). To measure both benign and threat biases, as well as examine the effect of social anxiety on offline versus online interpretations, Beard and Amir (2009, pp. 1135–1141, Behaviour Research and Therapy, 46) developed the Word Sentence Association Paradigm (WSAP). In the current study, we administered the WSAP to a group of participants diagnosed with social anxiety disorder (SAD) as well as to a group of non-anxious control (NAC) participants. We found that participants with SAD demonstrated a lack of benign online bias, but not an online threat bias when compared to NACs. However, when examining offline biases, SAD patients endorsed social threat interpretations and rejected benign social interpretations to a greater degree than non-anxious individuals. Our results, when taken together, clearly implicate the role of reduced bias toward benign information in SAD.
Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy for Recurrent Disc Herniation: Surgical Technique, Outcome, and Prognostic Factors of 43 Consecutive Cases

Study Design. A retrospective study of 43 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy for recurrent disc herniation. Objectives. To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic discectomy for recurrent disc herniations and to determine the prognostic factors affecting surgical outcome. Summary of Background Data. Repeated open discectomy with or without fusion has been the most common procedure for a recurrent lumbar disc herniation. There have been no reports published on the feasibility and prognostic factors of the endoscopic discectomy for recurrent disc herniation. Methods. The inclusion criteria were recurrent disc herniations at the same level, regardless of side, with a pain-free interval longer than 6 months after the conventional open discectomy. Posterolateral endoscopic laser-assisted disc excisions were performed under local anesthesia. Results. The mean follow-up period was 31 months (24–39 months). Based on the MacNab criteria, 81.4% showed excellent or good outcomes. The mean visual analog scale decreased from 8.72 ± 1.20 to 2.58 ± 1.55 (P <0.0001). In our series, better outcomes were obtained in patients younger than 40 years (P = 0.035), patients with duration of symptoms of less than 3 months (P = 0.028), and patients without concurrent lateral recess stenosis (P = 0.007). Conclusions. Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy is effective for recurrent disc herniation in selected cases. The posterolateral approach through unscarred virgin tissue can prevent nerve injury and could preserve the spinal stability. Both foraminal and intracanalicular portions can be decompressed simultaneously.
Icon arrays help younger children's proportional reasoning

We investigated the effects of two context variables, presentation format (icon arrays or numerical frequencies) and time limitation (limited or unlimited time), on the proportional reasoning abilities of children aged 7 and 10 years, as well as adults. Participants had to select, between two sets of tokens, the one that offered the highest likelihood of drawing a gold token, that is, the set of elements with the greater proportion of gold tokens. Results show that participants performed better in the unlimited time condition. Moreover, besides a general developmental improvement in accuracy, our results show that younger children performed better when proportions were presented as icon arrays, whereas older children and adults were similarly accurate in the two presentation format conditions. Statement of contribution What is already known on this subject? There is a developmental improvement in proportional reasoning accuracy. Icon arrays facilitate reasoning in adults with low numeracy. What does this study add? Participants were more accurate when they were given more time to make the proportional judgement. Younger children's proportional reasoning was more accurate when they were presented with icon arrays. Proportional reasoning abilities correlate with working memory, approximate number system, and subitizing skills.
Online Selection of Tracking Features Using AdaBoost

This paper presents an online feature selection algorithm for video object tracking. Using the object and background pixels from the previous frame as training samples, we model the feature selection problem as finding a good subset of features to better classify object from background in current frame. This paper aims to improve existing methods by taking correlation between features into consideration. We propose to use AdaBoost algorithm to iteratively select one feature which best compensates the previously selected features. Using the selected features, we then construct a compound likelihood image, which shows the ability to discriminate better than the original frame, as the input for the tracking process. We also propose to use ellipse fitting to eliminate mislabeled pixels from our training process. In addition, we propose an online feature validity test to monitor the selected features and only re-select features when the previously selected features become out-of-date. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm combined with mean-shift based tracking algorithm achieves very promising results.
Teenagers' experiences of domestic violence refuges

Refuges have been central to UK domestic violence service provision since the 1970s. Early studies focused on the needs of adult women but increasingly, children and teenagers have also become the business of refuges. Much of the existing research regarding users’ experiences of refuges has, however, failed to distinguish the needs of teenagers (aged 13 to 18 years) from those of adult women and younger children. This study aims to redress this balance by examining the current service response provided by refuges for teenagers. Teenagers aged 16 and 17 are now incorporated within the Government definition of domestic violence and abuse in England and Wales (Home Office, 2013). This policy shift requires refuges to ensure appropriate provision for under-18s. The research investigates how teenagers experience refuges and whether refuge provision responds effectively to the needs and rights of teenagers. The findings can be used to inform policy and service development. This study is influenced by elements of feminist theory and the sociology of childhood which prioritise subjective understandings of experience and children’s agency. Data collection took place in refuges across the North West, East and West Midlands of England. It involved telephone interviews with 25 members of staff and face to face repeat interviews using participatory methods with 20 teenagers, resulting in 89 interviews. Originality resides in the detailed exploration of teenagers’ experiences across the length of their refuge stay and, in some cases, into their new homes. Interviews revealed an absence of educational, emotional and social support throughout the period of a teenager’s stay, and the picture was similar upon resettlement from the refuge. Difficulties experienced by teenagers during their refuge residence related to specific features of adolescence; refuges’ focus on safety and protectionism was particularly problematic for adolescent development. Refuge life was found to have severe negative effects on teenagers’ education. This study found that refuges are currently missing opportunities to reduce harm and promote prevention of future domestic violence and abuse by building teenagers’ resilience. This thesis argues for attitudinal change as well as relevant resources. The research highlights the shortcomings of refuges and links them to conceptions of victimhood in refuge policy and the changing nature and reduction of services. These conditions are restricting refuges’ ability to respect, protect and meet the rights of teenagers. This thesis advocates for teenagers to have greater visibility and recognition as service users in their own right.
Multiple Sclerosis Patient-Specific Primary Neurons Differentiated from Urinary Renal Epithelial Cells via Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

As multiple sclerosis research progresses, it is pertinent to continue to develop suitable paradigms to allow for ever more sophisticated investigations. Animal models of multiple sclerosis, despite their continuing contributions to the field, may not be the most prudent for every experiment. Indeed, such may be either insufficient to reflect the functional impact of human genetic variations or unsuitable for drug screenings. Thus, we have established a cell- and patient-specific paradigm to provide an in vitro model within which to perform future genetic investigations. Renal proximal tubule epithelial cells were isolated from multiple sclerosis patients’ urine and transfected with pluripotency-inducing episomal factors. Subsequent induced pluripotent stem cells were formed into embryoid bodies selective for ectodermal lineage, resulting in neural tube-like rosettes and eventually neural progenitor cells. Differentiation of these precursors into primary neurons was achieved through a regimen of neurotrophic and other factors. These patient-specific primary neurons displayed typical morphology and functionality, also staining positive for mature neuronal markers. The development of such a non-invasive procedure devoid of permanent genetic manipulation during the course of differentiation, in the context of multiple sclerosis, provides an avenue for studies with a greater cell- and human-specific focus, specifically in the context of genetic contributions to neurodegeneration and drug discovery.
Childhood overweight and obesity trends in Canada.

INTRODUCTION Excess weight is a key risk factor for chronic disease, and the systematic collection, analysis and reporting of key trends are important to surveillance of overweight and obesity. METHODS We used univariate analyses to calculate current prevalence estimates of excess weight among Canadian children and youth. RESULTS Almost 1 in 7 children and youth is obese. Rates vary based on sociodemographic factors such as age, sex, socioeconomic status and place of residence. Overall, the rates of excess weight have been relatively stable over the past decade. CONCLUSION Ongoing monitoring of childhood obesity will provide useful information to assist with sustained actions to promote healthy weights.
Impacts on Global Trade and Income of Current Trade Disputes

Global trade tensions have worsened and developing countries stand to see depressing investments as global uncertainty grows. On July 6, the United States implemented a first round of tariffs on 34 billion dollars of imports from China, as part of 50 billion dollars in announced tariffs; China retaliated with tariffs on an equivalent amount of imports from the United States. Both countries have announced the potential for additional tariffs. The new tariffs will depress bilateral trade, disrupt global supply chains, and increase demand for substitutes from other countries. Because both countries are large, there will also be terms of trade effects. The biggest effects of tariff escalation on developing countries are likely to come from depressed investment, as firms delay investments because of uncertainty over market access. This note assesses the implications of tariffs between China and the United States on developing countries, using a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) Model, under three scenarios. The analysis shows that a US-China tariff escalation could reduce global exports by up to 3 percent (674 billion dollars) and global income by up to 1.7 percent (1.4 trillion dollars) with losses across regions.
Inhibitors of calcium buffering depress evoked transmitter release at the squid giant synapse.

Evoked release of transmitter at the squid giant synapse was examined under conditions where the calcium ion concentration in the presynaptic terminal was manipulated by inhibitors of calcium sequestration. Simultaneous intracellular recordings of presynaptic and post‐synaptic resting and action potentials were made during bath application of one of the following metabolic inhibitors: sodium cyanide (NaCN), carbonyl cyanide‐p‐trifluoromethoxyphenyl hydrazone (FCCP); ruthenium red (RuR) and sodium‐free (lithium) sea water. Cyanide and lithium sea water reversibly depressed the post‐synaptic potential (p.s.p.) whilst RuR and FCCP blocked the evoked post‐synaptic response irreversibly. The progressive reduction of p.s. p. amplitude was accompanied by a reversible increase in synaptic delay. The time course of block of the p.s. p. was similar for different agents and dependent on the rate of presynaptic activity (30‐40 min at 0.01 Hz). Recovery of the post‐synaptic action potential following block by cyanide and lithium sea water was obtained within 40 min and 5 min respectively. Synaptic depression by the metabolic inhibitors does not result from changes in presynaptic resting or action potentials, nor from a change in post‐synaptic receptor sensitivity. The post‐synaptic response to the local ionophoresis of L‐glutamate was unchanged following inhibition of evoked release of transmitter by cyanide. Injections of EGTA into presynaptic terminals poisoned by cyanide produced transient increases in p.s. p. amplitude, suggesting that cyanide is having its effect through raising intracellular calcium rather than lowering ATP. Control experiments injecting EGTA into unpoisoned nerve terminals showed no apparent effect on evoked transmitter release.
Unusual Presentation of Presumed Posterior Polymorphous Dystrophy Associated With Iris Heterochromia, Band Keratopathy, and Keratoconus

Purpose: To report an unusual presentation of posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD) associated with band keratopathy, iridocorneal adhesions, heterochromia, keratoconus, and confocal microscopic findings suggestive of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome. Methods: Confocal microscopy, corneal topography, electroretinography, and genetic analysis were performed in the proband and his siblings. Results: A 23-year-old man presented with decreased vision in both eyes over 9 months. Examination revealed bilateral alterations in corneal endothelial mosaic with corneal edema and beaten metal appearance in the right eye and cystoid endothelial opacities in the left eye. Marked heterochromia, band keratopathy, and broad peripheral anterior synechiae were present in both eyes. Topographic features of keratoconus were noted. Electroretinography did not detect abnormal retinal function, as has been described with PPCD associated with VSX1 mutations. Diagnosis of PPCD was postulated on the basis of the examination of 3 of proband's brothers by confocal microscopy. Genetic analysis of 3 known PPCD genes, VSX1, COL8A2, and TCF8, did not detect any mutations. Conclusions: In severe cases, PPCD can resemble iridocorneal endothelial syndromes in both clinical appearance and imaging studies (confocal microscopy). There was a strong genetic phenotypic penetrance in the family, which was essential in the diagnostic decision making. A yet undetermined genotype is contributing to this unusual PPCD phenotype.