Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Contribution of Cytomegalovirus Infection to Immune Senescence Is Set by the Infectious Dose

The relationship between human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections and accelerated immune senescence is controversial. Whereas some studies reported a CMV-associated impaired capacity to control heterologous infections at old age, other studies could not confirm this. We hypothesized that these discrepancies might relate to the variability in the infectious dose of CMV occurring in real life. Here, we investigated the influence of persistent CMV infection on immune perturbations and specifically addressed the role of the infectious dose on the contribution of CMV to accelerated immune senescence. We show in experimental mouse models that the degree of mouse CMV (MCMV)-specific memory CD8+ T cell accumulation and the phenotypic T cell profile are directly influenced by the infectious dose, and data on HCMV-specific T cells indicate a similar connection. Detailed cluster analysis of the memory CD8+ T cell development showed that high-dose infection causes a differentiation pathway that progresses faster throughout the life span of the host, suggesting a virus–host balance that is influenced by aging and infectious dose. Importantly, short-term MCMV infection in adult mice is not disadvantageous for heterologous superinfection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). However, following long-term CMV infection the strength of the CD8+ T cell immunity to LCMV superinfection was affected by the initial CMV infectious dose, wherein a high infectious dose was found to be a prerequisite for impaired heterologous immunity. Altogether our results underscore the importance of stratification based on the size and differentiation of the CMV-specific memory T cell pools for the impact on immune senescence, and indicate that reduction of the latent/lytic viral load can be beneficial to diminish CMV-associated immune senescence.
Peripheral T‐cell lymphoma associated consecutively with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and hypereosinophilic syndrome

Abstract: Both hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and hypereosinophilic syndrome have been associated with hematologic neoplasms and are respectively related to an overproduction of the cytokines Thelper 1 (Th1) and Th2 by tumor cells or reactive cells. To our knowledge, this is the first time a case of a peripheral T‐cell lymphoma consecutively associated with both paraneoplastic conditions has been reported. Importantly, in this case when the lymphoma exclusively involved the bone marrow, severe paraneoplastic systemic damage, a CD8+ suppressor/cytotoxic phenotype and a hypereosinophilia not related to high levels of interleukin (IL)‐5 was found. Interestingly, progression of the lymphoma coincided with an increase in the serum levels of several Th2 cytokines and IL‐2, a decrease in tumor necrosis factor and granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor levels and the onset of a hypereosinophilic syndrome.
Polymorphisms in TNF and IFNG are associated with clinical characteristics of aplastic anemia in Argentinean population

Abstract The impaired hematopoiesis in acquired aplastic anemia (AA) results from immune-mediated mechanisms. We characterized polymorphisms implicated in controlling type-1 cytokine production in 69 patients with AA. Our data suggest that the studied polymorphisms are not associated with susceptibility in the overall AA population. However, the presence of the higher expressing TNF − 308A allele was associated with younger age (p = 0.0297) and more profound neutropenia (p = 0.0312), and over-represented in patients with very severe AA (p = 0.0168). The higher producing IFNG 12 CA-repeat allele showed strong linkage disequilibrium with the + 874T allele, and was associated with a lower hemoglobin level (p = 0.0351). Also, the presence of at least one higher expressing variant was more frequent among patients responding to immunosuppressive treatment (p = 0.0519). Our findings suggest that the presence of higher expressing variants of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in AA patient genotypes could be related to clinical parameters, disease severity and therapy outcomes.
A Multi-Resolution FPGA-Based Architecture for Real-Time Edge and Corner Detection

This work presents a new flexible parameterizable architecture for image and video processing with reduced latency and memory requirements, supporting a variable input resolution. The proposed architecture is optimized for feature detection, more specifically, the Canny edge detector and the Harris corner detector. The architecture contains neighborhood extractors and threshold operators that can be parameterized at runtime. Also, algorithm simplifications are employed to reduce mathematical complexity, memory requirements, and latency without losing reliability. Furthermore, we present the proposed architecture implementation on an FPGA-based platform and its analogous optimized implementation on a GPU-based architecture for comparison. A performance analysis of the FPGA and the GPU implementations, and an extra CPU reference implementation, shows the competitive throughput of the proposed architecture even at a much lower clock frequency than those of the GPU and the CPU. Also, the results show a clear advantage of the proposed architecture in terms of power consumption and maintain a reliable performance with noisy images, low latency and memory requirements.
Outcomes of pediatric cataract surgery at a tertiary care center in rural southern Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the etiologies, management, and outcomes of pediatric cataracts in a rural sub-Saharan African setting. METHODS A retrospective, consecutive case series of patients presenting to a tertiary referral center in southern Ethiopia during a 13-month period. All patients underwent clinical examination, were diagnosed as having cataract on the basis of standard clinical assessment, and immediately underwent surgical management. Visual acuity results were grossly divided into ambulatory and nonambulatory vision according to patient age and cooperation. RESULTS Ninety-one eyes of 73 consecutive patients (57 boys and 16 girls) were included in the study. The mean (SEM) age at diagnosis was 7.1 (0.5) years (range, 0.5-15 years). Fifty-five patients had unilateral cataract and 18 had bilateral cataract. Cataracts were categorized according to the etiologic cause: congenital (n = 50), traumatic (n = 33), congenital glaucoma-related (n = 3), partially absorbed cataracts (n = 3), and congenital rubella infections (n = 2). At presentation, visual acuity ranged from 6/60 to light perception, with 13 eyes (14%) having ambulatory vision (better than hand motion). The mean postoperative visual acuity was significantly improved, ranging from light perception to 6/9. Seventy-five eyes (82%) achieved ambulatory vision. Of the 61 eyes with an implanted intraocular lens, 56 (92%) reached ambulatory visual acuity following surgery. This was significantly greater than preoperative visual acuity results (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS The underlying cause and management of pediatric cataracts in the developing world can differ significantly from that commonly reported in the literature. The effects of appropriate intervention on both visual outcome and associated survival statistics may be profound.
The hepatic expression of vitamin D receptor is inversely associated with the severity of liver damage in genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D serum levels have been associated with the severity of liver fibrosis in genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C patients (G1CHC), and experimental evidence suggested a hepatoprotective role of vitamin D via interaction with hepatic vitamin D receptor (VDR). We assessed the hepatic expression of VDR protein and its association with liver disease severity. METHODS Ninety-one consecutive patients with biopsy-proven G1CHC and available frozen liver tissue were evaluated. Ten subjects without chronic liver diseases and nine patients with autoimmune hepatitis served as controls. The hepatic expression of VDR protein was assessed by Western blot for quantification and by immunohistochemistry for morphological distribution. RESULTS Liver VDR protein was mainly localized in hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, and its expression by a Western blot was similar in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and controls (1.83 ± 0.97 vs 2.18 ± 0.62, P = .14) but was lower in autoimmune hepatitis (0.84 ± 0.14, P < .001). The expression was lower in CHC with severe necroinflammatory activity (1.44 ± 0.87) vs both controls and CHC with grade 1-2 inflammation (1.94 ± 0.97, P = .01 and P = .03, respectively) but higher compared with autoimmune hepatitis (P = .007). A similar difference was observed in CHC patients with F3-F4 fibrosis whose VDR expression (1.51 ± 1.07) was also lower compared with controls and CHC with F0-F2 fibrosis (1.98 ± 0.89, P = .02 and P = .04, respectively) but higher vs autoimmune hepatitis (P = .003). At multivariate logistic regression analysis, low VDR protein expression remained associated with severe necroinflammatory activity and severe fibrosis (odds ratio 0.543,95% confidence interval 0.288-0.989, P = .04; and odds ratio 0.484,95% confidence interval 0.268-0.877, P = .01, respectively) in CHC after correction for clinical, biochemical, and histological features. CONCLUSION In a cohort of G1CHC patients, the hepatic expression of VDR protein is associated with the severity of both liver fibrosis and inflammation.
Jump for the Clouds: An Innovative Strategy Connecting Youth to Communities

Many communities are searching for ways to help youth identify successful career options and strengthen the local economy. Based in a rural community that reflects Maine's decline in jobs in manufacturing and natural resource-based industries, the project described here provided youth with an opportunity to increase their aspirations by interviewing local businesses. DVDs created from these interviews share the entrepreneurial information obtained with other youth. By seeing their peers in the leadership role of interviewers, youth may be encouraged to connect with businesses and services in their communities.
The Changing Context of News Work: Liquid Journalism and Monitorial Citizenship

In this paper, the relationships between theories of (new) citizenship and (new) journalism are explored. The meaning of citizenship has changed in the last few decades. People still tend to be seen by most politicians, scholars, and journalists alike as citizens that need to inform themselves widely about issues of general interest so that they can make an informed decision at election time. However, this model of the informed citizenry is a thing of the past — a prescriptive and rather elitist notion of both how people should make up their minds and what (political) representation means to them. Today’s citizen is not only critical, self-expressive, and distinctly anti-hierarchical (Beck, 2000), he is also what Schudson (1999) calls “monitorial”: scanning all kinds of news and information sources for the topics that matter to him personally. People are not necessarily disengaged from the political process, they just commit their time and energy to it on their own terms. This individualized act of citizenship can be compared to the act of the consumer, browsing stores of a shopping mall for that perfect pair of jeans — it is the act of the citizen-consumer. In journalism, a similar trend is emerging, where traditional role perceptions of journalism influenced by its occupational ideology — providing a general audience with information of general interest in a balanced, objective, and ethical way — do not seem to fit all that well with the lived realities of reporters and editors, nor with the communities they are supposed to serve. In the context of a precarious and, according to the International Federation of Journalists, increasingly “atypical” professional work life, ongoing efforts by corporations to merge and possibly converge news operations, and an emerging digital media culture where the consumer is also a producer of public information, the identity of the journalist must be seen as “liquid” (Bauman, 2000). Such a liquid journalism truly works in the service of the network society, deeply respects the rights and privileges of each and every consumer-citizen to be a maker and user of his own news, and enthusiastically embraces its role as, to paraphrase James Carey, an amplifier of the conversation society has with itself.
Novel sulfated polymers as highly potent and selective inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus replication and giant cell formation

Novel synthetic sulfated polymers, namely, sulfated polyvinyl alcohol (PVAS) and sulfated copolymers of acrylic acid with vinyl alcohol (PAVAS), proved to be potent and selective inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and HIV-2 in vitro. The compounds completely inhibited HIV-1-induced cytopathogenicity in MT-4 cells and HIV-1 antigen expression in CEM cells at a concentration of 0.8 micrograms/ml. They were equally effective against HIV-2 replication. In addition, and in contrast to azidothymidine, PAVAS and PVAS suppressed HIV-1-induced giant cell (syncytium) formation, a process that may account for the depletion of T4 lymphocytes in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. PAVAS and PVAS completely blocked giant cell formation at a concentration of 4 micrograms/ml, whereas for dextran sulfate a concentration of 100 micrograms/ml was required to achieve complete inhibition of giant cell formation. As has been demonstrated previously for the sulfated polysaccharides, the mechanism of action of PAVAS and PVAS resides in the inhibition of virus adsorption to the cells.
Histamine regulates murine primary dendritic cell functions

Abstract Objective and design: The modulation of antigen uptake and activation of dendritic cells (DCs) by histamine may function as a regulator of inflammation. Therefore, we sought to determine the impact of histamine on antigen uptake by and activation of murine DCs. Material and methods: DCs from spleen and lung were either identified by flow cytometry or were immunomagnetically enriched. Cells were stimulated with histamine, and the regulation of MHC-II and co-stimulatory molecule expression (CD80, CD86, and ICOS-L) and antigen uptake were quantified by flow cytometry. Individual contributions of the histamine receptor subtypes were determined by using the antagonists mepyramine (histamine H1-receptor: H1R), famotidine (H2R), and JNJ 7777120 (H4R). Results: Histamine accelerated the uptake of soluble antigen via the H1R, H2R, and H4R in splenic DCs. Co-stimulatory molecule expression was enhanced already by enrichment procedures, thus, the analyses were performed in unseparated cell populations. Histamine enhanced the expression of CD86 and ICOS-L while expression of CD80 was unaffected. Antagonism at H1R, H2R, and H4R and at H1R and H4R reduced the histamine-induced enhanced expression of CD86 and ICOS-L, respectively. Conclusions: Histamine contributes to the regulation of the immunological synapse by stimulation of antigen uptake and activation of DCs via H1R, H2R, and H4R.
The epidemiology of O'nyong-nyong in the Kano Plain, Kenya.

Age-specific prevalence rates of antibody to O'nyong-nyong virus were determined in samples of the population in the Kano Plain, near Kisumu, and Bunyala. Presented graphically, the rates show a clear picture indicating transmission leading to an average incidence of 10–20% per annum, commencing 10–15 years before the surveys (which were carried out in 1973). Incidence in the few years prior to the surveys is examined in more detail, together with results from other surveys of young children in the Kano Plain. There was apparently a decline in incidence during these years, and additional evidence from investigations of febrile cases and from mosquito studies strongly suggests that transmission had died away by the end of the period.
In-situ electric field in human body model in different postures for wireless power transfer system in an electrical vehicle

The in-situ electric field of an adult male model in different postures is evaluated for exposure to the magnetic field leaked from a wireless power transfer system in an electrical vehicle. The transfer system is located below the centre of the vehicle body and the transferred power and frequency are 7 kW and 85 kHz, respectively. The in-situ electric field is evaluated for a human model (i) crouching near the vehicle, (ii) lying on the ground with or without his arm stretched, (iii) sitting in the driver’s seat, and (iv) standing on a transmitting coil without a receiving coil. In each scenario, the maximum in-situ electric fields are lower than the allowable limit prescribed by international guidelines, although the local magnetic field strength in regions of the human body is higher than the allowable external magnetic field strength. The highest in-situ electric field is observed when the human body model is placed on the ground with his arm extended toward the coils, because of a higher magnetic field around the arm.
Influence of university prestige on graduate wage and job satisfaction: the case of South Korea

ABSTRACT Obtaining a tertiary degree no longer guarantees entry to the best occupational positions in today’s labour market. Success is no longer about ‘more’ education, but about ‘better’ education for university graduates. This study aims to understand whether university prestige in Korea accounts for occupational outcomes in both monetary and non-monetary aspects, such as salaries and job satisfaction. The study particularly focuses on the way different levels of university prestige are affected by gender. The fourth wave data from the Korean Education and Employment Panel were used, providing information from the results of a panel survey of university graduates in terms of their social and academic background and job employment status. Results show that university prestige continues to matters in occupational outcomes in particular, for wage, but it is not significant for job satisfaction. The effect is more significant among male graduates than among female graduates.
Intention to Quit Tobacco Use among Clients in Substance Use Disorder Treatment Settings

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of age, gender, tobacco-related knowledge, treatment modality, and changes in smoking patterns on intention to quit tobacco use among individuals participating in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in Ohio. Of the 791 SUD program attendees, 91.7% currently used tobacco, with cigarette smoking being the most prevalent form of use. Among tobacco users, 67% reported intention to quit tobacco use. Four of the five hypothesized predictor variables had a significant relationship with intention to quit tobacco: gender, age, treatment modality, and smoking pattern, with age and gender demonstrating the strongest relationships to intention to quit smoking.
Psychometric evaluation of a measure of Beck's negative cognitive triad for youth: applications for African–American and Caucasian adolescents

A measure of Beck's negative cognitive triad, the Cognitive Triad for Children (CTI‐C), was evaluated for its psychometric properties and utility with a community sample of 880 African–American and Caucasian adolescents. High‐school students ranging from 14 to 17 years of age completed the CTI‐C, the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and the Children's Attributional Style Questionnaire‐Revised (CASQ‐R) on two occasions 4 months apart. The CTI‐C was found to be internally consistent, Cronbach's α=. 90, to have acceptable test‐retest reliability, r=. 70, and concurrent validity as demonstrated by a significant correlation with the CASQ‐R, r=. 53. A principal factor analysis with promax rotation did not yield support for Beck's tripartite model of negative cognitions about the self, world, and future but rather yielded three factors with a combination of cognitions from all three domains. African American adolescents who reported more maladaptive cognitions on the CTI‐C reported fewer depressive symptoms on the CDI 4 months later compared to their Caucasian counterparts, suggesting some limitation to using the CTI‐C to predict depressive symptoms in African–American youth; however, Factor 1 derived from a factor analysis with the sample was more consistent in predicting future symptoms among both African–American and Caucasian adolescents. This factor consisted largely of positively worded items, offering some support for low positive affect as a predictor of depressive symptoms in adolescents. Depression and Anxiety 21:161–169, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Three-year Randomized Clinical Study of a One-step Universal Adhesive and a Two-step Self-etch Adhesive in Class II Composite Restorations.

PURPOSE To evaluate in a randomized clinical evaluation the 3-year clinical durability of a one-step universal adhesive and compare it intraindividually with a 2-step self-etch adhesive in Class II restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS Each of 57 participants (mean age 58.3 years) received at least two extended Class II restorations that were as similar as possible. The cavities in each of the 60 individual pairs of cavities were randomly distributed to the 1-step universal adhesive (All-Bond Universal: AU) and the control 2-step self-etch adhesive (Optibond XTR: OX). A low shrinkage composite (Aelite LS) was used for all restorations, which were evaluated using slightly modified USPHS criteria at baseline and 1, 2, and 3 years. RESULTS 114 Class II restorations were evaluated at three years. Eight restorations, 3 AU and 5 OX, failed during the follow-up, resulting in 94.7% (AU) and 91.2% (OX) success rates (p > 0.05). Annual failure rates were 1.8% and 2.9%, respectively.The main reason for failure was composite fracture. CONCLUSION Class II composite restorations placed with a 1-step universal adhesive showed good short-term efficacy.
Acquirer Internal Control Weaknesses in the Market for Corporate Control

This paper examines how disclosures about internal controls, required by Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX), affect the market for corporate control. We hypothesize that acquirers with internal control weaknesses (ICWs) make suboptimal acquisition decisions based on poor quality information generated by their ineffective controls over financial reporting. They likely overestimate the value of their targets or the potential synergies from mergers. Using a treatment sample of acquisitions made by acquirers that have disclosed ICWs and two-matched control samples without ICW disclosures, we document that ICW acquirers pay larger premiums and earn smaller cumulative abnormal returns around the announcement dates. We estimate that an ICW acquirer on average pays $46.6 million, or 6 percent more, in premium than a non-ICW acquirer. The future performance of ICW acquirers is also lower than that of non-ICW acquirers. Overall, our results suggest that ineffective internal controls hinder decision-making related to M&A and that investors appear to understand this effect.