Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic Reduction in Invariant NKT Cells following In Utero Vitamin D Deficiency in Mice

Vitamin D status changes with season, but the effect of these changes on immune function is not clear. In this study, we show that in utero vitamin D deficiency in mice results in a significant reduction in invariant NKT (iNKT) cell numbers that could not be corrected by later intervention with vitamin D or 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 (active form of the vitamin). Furthermore, this was intrinsic to hematopoietic cells, as vitamin D-deficient bone marrow is specifically defective in generating iNKT cells in wild-type recipients. This vitamin D deficiency-induced reduction in iNKT cells is due to increased apoptosis of early iNKT cell precursors in the thymus. Whereas both the vitamin D receptor and vitamin D regulate iNKT cells, the vitamin D receptor is required for both iNKT cell function and number, and vitamin D (the ligand) only controls the number of iNKT cells. Given the importance of proper iNKT cell function in health and disease, this prenatal requirement for vitamin D suggests that in humans, the amount of vitamin D available in the environment during prenatal development may dictate the number of iNKT cells and potential risk of autoimmunity.
Extraction de fragments forestiers et caractérisation de leurs évolutions spatio-temporelles pour évaluer l'effet de l'histoire sur la biodiversité : une approche multi-sources

La biodiversite dans les paysages depend des caracteristiques de ce paysage mais peut aussi etre influencee par son histoire. En effet, certaines especes ne reagissent pas immediatement a une perturbation mais peuvent montrer un temps de reponse plus ou moins long. De ce fait, la prise en compte de l'evolution de l'habitat des especes est devenue un enjeu important en ecologie depuis quelques annees, pour mieux comprendre la presence ou la diversite biologique actuelle. L'objectif de cette these en geomatique s'inscrit dans ce contexte applicatif d'ecologie historique. Le sujet que nous traitons porte sur l'extraction automatique d'ilots boises et la caracterisation de leur evolution spatio-temporelle depuis le milieu du XIXe siecle pour modeliser l'effet de leur trajectoire historique sur la diversite actuelle en syrphes forestiers (Diptera : Syrphidae). Le site d'etude est un paysage agri-forestier des Coteaux de Gascogne. La demarche generale proposee se compose de trois etapes principales : (1) la constitution de la base de donnees spatiales des ilots boises integrant plusieurs sources de donnees heterogenes, (2) l'appariement des ilots boises aux differentes dates avec la caracterisation de leur evolution spatio-temporelle, (3) la modelisation statistique des relations especes-habitats integrant l'histoire comme un des facteurs explicatifs de la diversite en syrphes observee. Plusieurs contributions methodologiques ont ete apportees a cette demarche. Nous avons propose une nouvelle methode de correction geometrique fondee sur la regression ridge a noyau pour rendre compatible les donnees spatiales anciennes et actuelles mobilisees. Nous avons egalement developpe une approche et un outil de vectorisation automatique des forets dans les dessins-minutes de la carte d'Etat-Major du XIXe siecle. Enfin, une premiere evaluation de l'impact de l'incertitude spatiale sur la reponse des modeles especes-habitats a egalement ete initiee. D'un point de vue ecologique, les resultats ont revele un effet significatif de la continuite temporelle des habitats sur la diversite en syrphes forestiers. Nous avons montre que les forets les plus isolees presentaient une dette d'extinction ou un credit de colonisation selon le type d'evolutions apparues au cours de la derniere periode etudiee (1979-2010). Il s'est avere qu'une duree de 30 ans n'etait pas suffisante aux syrphes forestiers pour qu'ils retrouvent un ete d'equilibre a la suite d'une evolution spatiale de leur habitat isole.
Selective inhibition of CTL activation by a dipalmitoyl‐phospholipid that prevents the recruitment of signaling molecules to lipid rafts

Antigen‐specific T‐cell activation implicates a redistribution of plasma membrane‐bound molecules in lipid rafts, such as the coreceptors CD8 and CD4, the Src kinases Lck and Fyn, and the linker for activation of T cells (LAT), that results in the formation of signaling complexes. These molecules partition in lipid rafts because of palmitoylation of cytoplasmic, membrane proximal cysteines, which is essential for their functional integrity in T‐cell activation. Here, we show that exogenous dipalmitoyl‐phosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE), but not the related unsaturated dioleoyl‐phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE), partitions in lipid rafts. DPPE inhibits activation of CD8+ T lymphocytes by sensitized syngeneic antigen‐presenting cells or specific major histocompatibility complex (MHC) peptide tetramers, as indicated by esterase release and intracellular calcium mobilization. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)‐target cell conjugate formation is not affected by DPPE, indicating that engagement of the T‐cell receptor by its cognate ligand is intact in lipid‐treated cells. In contrast to other agents known to block raft‐dependent signaling, DPPE efficiently inhibits the MHC peptide‐induced recruitment of palmitoylated signaling molecules to lipid rafts and CTL activation without affecting cell viability or lipid raft integrity.
Interest in the Management Accounting Profession: Accounting Students' Perceptions in Jordanian Universities

This study is a first attempt seeking to explore perceptions of accounting students regarding their interest in the management accounting profession. Furthermore, this study aims to discuss and clarify the main factors that have already influenced and may influence in future students’ interest to pursue a professional qualification in management accounting. The study has considered and used the theory of planned behaviour in examining the factors that influence students’ interest to major or not to major in a particular discipline. The sample of this exploratory study was final year accounting students of two reputable Jordanian universities. Based on a questionnaire survey, data of 118 respondents were used for analysis. The study's findings show that accounting students prefer public accounting as their first choice of career, rather than management accounting. Job opportunities and income were the most important factors that discouraged students to be interested in the management accounting profession. On the other hand, it was suggested that support from companies to pursue the management accounting profession was the most important factor suggested to enhance students’ interest in this branch of the accounting profession.
Why Seemingly Trivial Events Sometimes Evoke Strong Emotional Reactions: The Role of Social Exchange Rule Violations

ABSTRACT People sometimes display strong emotional reactions to events that appear disproportionate to the tangible magnitude of the event. Although previous work has addressed the role that perceived disrespect and unfairness have on such reactions, this study examined the role of perceived social exchange rule violations more broadly. Participants (N = 179) rated the effects of another person’s behavior on important personal outcomes, the degree to which the other person had violated fundamental rules of social exchange, and their reactions to the event. Results showed that perceptions of social exchange rule violations accounted for more variance in participants’ reactions than the tangible consequences of the event. The findings support the hypothesis that responses that appear disproportionate to the seriousness of the eliciting event are often fueled by perceived rule violations that may not be obvious to others.
Quantitative patterns of stylistic influence in the evolution of literature

Literature is a form of expression whose temporal structure, both in content and style, provides a historical record of the evolution of culture. In this work we take on a quantitative analysis of literary style and conduct the first large-scale temporal stylometric study of literature by using the vast holdings in the Project Gutenberg Digital Library corpus. We find temporal stylistic localization among authors through the analysis of the similarity structure in feature vectors derived from content-free word usage, nonhomogeneous decay rates of stylistic influence, and an accelerating rate of decay of influence among modern authors. Within a given time period we also find evidence for stylistic coherence with a given literary topic, such that writers in different fields adopt different literary styles. This study gives quantitative support to the notion of a literary “style of a time” with a strong trend toward increasingly contemporaneous stylistic influence.
The Determinants of International Migration Accounting for Self-selection

Most empirical studies of international migration ows rely exclusively on macro data. However, the literature on internal migration suggests that not accounting for self-selection may be a serious concern. We bridge these two literatures by analyzing a very interesting episode in international migration for which we are able to gather individual-level data covering all relevant countries, namely the exodus of Ecuadorians to Spain and the US in the aftermath of the economic collapse in 1999. Specically, we produce selection-corrected predictions of counterfactual individual earnings and use them to estimate a discrete-choice migration model that allows for correlated errors across destinations and a rich structure of migration costs. We have three main ndings.
Exposure to plastic surgery during undergraduate medical training: A single-institution review

Background Applications to surgical residency programs have declined over the past decade. Even highly competitive programs, such as plastic surgery, have begun to witness these effects. Studies have shown that early surgical exposure has a positive influence on career selection. Objective To review plastic surgery application trends across Canada, and to further investigate medical student exposure to plastic surgery. Methods To examine plastic surgery application trends, national data from the Canadian Resident Matching Service database were analyzed, comparing 2002 to 2007 with 2008 to 2013. To evaluate plastic surgery exposure, a survey of all undergraduate medical students at the University of Toronto (Toronto, Ontario) during the 2012/2013 academic year was conducted. Results Comparing 2002 to 2007 and 2008 to 2013, the average number of national plastic surgery training positions nearly doubled, while first-choice applicants decreased by 15.3%. The majority of Canadian academic institutions experienced a decrease in first-choice applicants; 84.7% of survey respondents indicated they had no exposure to plastic surgery during their medical education. Furthermore, 89.7% believed their education had not provided a basic understanding of issues commonly managed by plastic surgeons. The majority of students indicated they receive significantly less plastic surgery teaching than all other surgical subspecialties. More than 44% of students not considering plastic surgery as a career indicated they may be more likely to with increased exposure. Conclusion If there is a desire to grow the specialty through future generations, recruiting tactics to foster greater interest in plastic surgery must be altered. The present study suggests increased and earlier exposure for medical students is a potential solution.
Transformation of human fibroblasts and keratinocytes with human papillomavirus type 16 DNA

Human keratinocytes and fibroblasts isolated from foreskin were transformed by transfection with recombinant human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) DNA. The transformed cells exhibited an extended (fibroblasts) or indefinite (keratinocytes) life-span compared with that of normal controls. In addition, HS27, a human fibroblast cell line previously transfected with origin-defective simian virus 40, was successfully transfected. HPV16 sequences were stably maintained in the cells, and extensive amplification and rearrangements occurred with continuous culturing. Moreover, both fibroblasts and keratinocytes expressed several specific HPV16 mRNAs. Because HPV16-transfected cells had viral transcripts and because transfection with the vector alone did not extend the life-span of the cells, it is likely that the virus was responsible for the indefinite life-span. Transfected fibroblast and keratinocyte lines will be useful for investigating the molecular biology of HPV16 and the interactions between the viral DNA and the human genome. Moreover, transfected keratinocytes provide a model for analyzing the effects of HPV16 on the differentiation properties of human epithelial cells.
Foxp3 is a novel repressor of microglia activation

Forkhead transcription factor3 (Foxp3) is critical for generating CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells. However, its role in microglia has not been identified. Here, we show that Foxp3 is expressed in microglia and is upregulated upon activation. In Foxp3 mutant mice (Foxp3sf), microglia release higher levels of inflammatory cytokines and mediators such as NO, MCP‐1, CXCL10, and ROS upon liposaccharide treatment than the wild type, while TNF‐α and IL‐1β were not significantly different between wild and mutant microglial cells. In addition, Foxp3 silencing enhances inflammatory responses, suggesting that the major role of Foxp3 in microglia is that of a repressor of activation. Similarly, Foxp3 overexpression reduces inflammatory responses in microglia. We also demonstrate that Foxp3 interacts directly with NF‐κB and modulates its transcriptional activities. These findings point to the importance of Foxp3 in NF‐κB mediated inflammatory responses in microglia. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Efficacy and tolerability of trimetazidine in stable angina: a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, controlled trials

ObjectiveThe objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of the metabolic agent trimetazidine (TMZ), both in monotherapy and in combination with other antianginal agents, in the treatment of stable angina pectoris. A search of literature published between 1985 and 2001 was performed on computerized databases (MEDLINE and EMBASE). MethodsOnly double-blind, randomized, controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis. Patients had to be treated for at least 2 weeks. Four parameters were selected, one clinical parameter (number of weekly angina attacks) and three ergometric parameters (time to 1 mm ST-segment depression, total work and exercise duration at peak exercise). They were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the treatment period.The quality of the trials was assessed on specific methodological criteria. Standard statistical methods, pooled odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals for subjective symptoms and pooled z and P for objective symptoms, were used. ResultsTwelve clinical studies meeting our criteria were analyzed. Results showed that TMZ significantly reduced the number of weekly angina attacks in coronary patients and improved time to 1 mm segment depression and total work at peak exercise, while exercise duration at peak exercise showed a trend toward improvement (P = 0.09). ConclusionThis meta-analysis confirms the efficacy of TMZ in the treatment of stable angina, compared with placebo or conventional antianginal agent, as well as in monotherapy or in combination with conventional antianginal agents. TMZ is well tolerated in monotherapy as well as in combination.
The intention to donate blood: an analysis of socio-demographic determinants

The current trends of blood supply shortage have raised the concern about the ability to meet the blood product demand in the future. At the time of high demand for blood products especially during festive seasons, Malaysia is unable to encounter the demand. As a result, the quality of human life is affected. This has created the prerequisite to understand the scenario and recognizing the factors that may influence people’s intention to donate blood. The purpose of this survey-based study is to investigate the implication of socio-demographic factors in measuring the intention of the public to involve in a blood donation program specifically in Perlis population, Malaysia. The findings indicated that, among the socio-demographic factors, gender is predicted to have the greatest association with intention to donate blood than others. Besides, individuals who have blood donation experience in life were more desired to do again their behavior in the future than those who are not. The new discoveries generated are believed to be valuable for future research as well as in designing future blood donation program in order to encourage the participation of the public.
Efficient RNA pseudouridylation by eukaryotic H/ACA ribonucleoproteins requires high affinity binding and correct positioning of guide RNA

Abstract H/ACA ribonucleoproteins (H/ACA RNPs) are responsible for introducing many pseudouridines into RNAs, but are also involved in other cellular functions. Utilizing a purified and reconstituted yeast H/ACA RNP system that is active in pseudouridine formation under physiological conditions, we describe here the quantitative characterization of H/ACA RNP formation and function. This analysis reveals a surprisingly tight interaction of H/ACA guide RNA with the Cbf5p–Nop10p–Gar1p trimeric protein complex whereas Nhp2p binds comparably weakly to H/ACA guide RNA. Substrate RNA is bound to H/ACA RNPs with nanomolar affinity which correlates with the GC content in the guide-substrate RNA base pairing. Both Nhp2p and the conserved Box ACA element in guide RNA are required for efficient pseudouridine formation, but not for guide RNA or substrate RNA binding. These results suggest that Nhp2p and the Box ACA motif indirectly facilitate loading of the substrate RNA in the catalytic site of Cbf5p by correctly positioning the upper and lower parts of the H/ACA guide RNA on the H/ACA proteins. In summary, this study provides detailed insight into the molecular mechanism of H/ACA RNPs.
Effects of lichen extracts on haematological parameters of rats with experimental insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the world is steadily increasing. Oxidative stress contributes to the development of diabetic complications, including diabetic haematological changes. Lichens are used as food supplements and are also used as possible natural antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer agents. We hypothesized that antioxidant activity of lichens may decrease hyperglycaemia-induced oxidative stress and prevent the development of diabetic complications, including abnormality in haematological condition. Therefore, the effects of Cetraria islandica water extract (CIWE) and Pseudevernia furfuracea water extract (PFWE) on the haematological parameters of rats with type 1 DM were investigated for the first time in the present study. Control Sprague-Dawley or streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were either untreated or treated with water lichen extracts (5–500 mg/kg body weight (bw)/day) for 2 weeks, starting at 72 h after STZ injection. On day 14, animals were anaesthetized and haematological and metabolic parameters were determined between control and experimental groups. In addition, the total oxidative stress (TOS), a specific indicator of oxidative stress, and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured by biochemical studies. In diabetic rats, CIWE of 250–500 mg/kg bw dose showed more prominent results when compared with doses of PFWE for TAC. The results obtained in the present study suggested that the antioxidant activities of lichens might be the possible reason behind the observed antihaematological status. However, the protective effect of lichen extracts were inadequate on diabetes-induced microcytic hypochromic anaemia. In addition, the extracts have no effect on metabolic complications. Our experimental data showed that high doses of CIWE and PFWE alone have no detrimental effect on blood cells and TOS status of plasma. Hence, they are safe and suitable for different administration routes.
Surgical wound assessment and documentation of nurses: an integrative review.

OBJECTIVE Surgical site infections (SSI) are serious complications that can lead to adverse patient outcomes such as prolonged hospital length of stay, increased health-care costs, and even death. There is an imperative worldwide to reduce the morbidity associated with SSIs. The importance of surgical wound assessment and documentation to reduce SSI complications is increasingly recognised. Evidence-based guidelines have been published internationally to highlight recommended practices. The aim of this integrated review is to evaluate current surgical wound assessment and documentation practices of nurses in order to inform future evidence-based research on acute wound care practices. METHOD Databases including CINAHL, Cochrane, Medline and Proquest Nursing were searched using key terms of 'wound assessment' AND 'surgical, wound assessment' AND 'documentation, wound assessment' AND 'practice, wound assessment' AND 'postoperative, wound assessment' AND 'nurse, and wound assessment' AND 'surgical site infection'. RESULTS A total of 188 articles were identified from the database searches; searching the reference lists provided an additional 8 articles. After careful exclusion processes, a total of six papers were included in the review. Despite the recommendations around wound assessment, there is little discussion on how the clinical characteristics of surgical wounds should be assessed, the frequency of the wound assessments and to what extent wound assessments are documented in the literature. CONCLUSION There is limited research evidence on acute wound assessment and documentation. Therefore, further research is needed to provide evidence for surgical nurses in relation to wound assessment and documentation practices. DECLARATION OF INTEREST The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.