Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TGF‐beta inhibits proliferation of and promotes differentiation of human promonocytic leukemia cells

Transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐β1) has been implicated in a variety of responses associated with wound healing and inflammation. Thus, TGF‐β1 enhances production of several extracellular matrix proteins both in vitro and in vivo, is chemotactic for monocytes, and alters the functioning of lymphocytes. We have examined the ability of TGF‐β1 to affect the behavior of human THP‐1 promonocytic leukemia cells, a cell line with the capacity to differentiate into macrophage‐like cells. TGF‐β1 reduces the growth rate of these cells, induces morphologic changes, and promotes adherence to culture surfaces. In addition, the adherent cell population expresses high levels of esterase activity, acquires the ability to ingest latex beads, and releases elevated levels of interleukin 1. TGF‐β1‐treated cells also express elevated levels of the β2 family of integrins. Taken together, these results suggest that TGF‐β1 is capable of promoting the maturation of promonocytic cells into macrophages. This outcome has implications at wound sites where TGF‐β1 and a myriad of other factors interact with many cell types to facilitate healing. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Investigation of Air Pollution from Automobiles at Intersections on Some Selected Major Roads in Ogbomoso, South Western, Nigeria

This paper reports the results of the investigation of air pollution from automobiles at intersections on some selected major roads in Ogbomoso, South Western, Nigeria. Four sampling routes were considered with ten sampling points (SP1 - SP10) placed 2.0m away from the edge of the road. Priority parameters: SO2, NOx, CO were monitored. The results of SO2, NOx, CO were in the range of 0.02 - 0.09ppm, 0.009-0.039ppm, 1.79-51.38ppm respectively. The concentration of SO2 was highest at SP 6 with value 0.5103ppm. Emission concentration for NOx was found to be highest at SP 6 where traffic congestion and traffic intersection is observed. The highest level obtained for the air pollution indicator of CO was at: SP 9, 6, 3and 10 due to traffic congestion and traffic intersection, where long waiting time for vehicles was observed. All the three monitored air pollutants when compared with AQI level (Air quality index) were in the range of: SO2 - was from very poor to good, NOx- from good to very good, CO - very good to moderate and moderate to poor in different locations. The study concludes that, it has become quite important to understand the role of mobile source emissions on air quality through well-designed studies. This information can provide important input for the formulation of effective air quality management strategies.
The Effects of Obesity Myths on Perceptions of Sexual Assault Victims and Perpetrators’ Credibility

This study investigated the effects of obesity myths on blame attribution and the perceived credibility of both an alleged sexual assault victim and her perpetrator. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three sexual assault scenarios (in which either the victim or the perpetrator was described as obese and one in which both were described as obese) and responded to questions measuring the blame attribution and perceived the credibility of both individuals. A main effect of scenario was found on the perpetrator’s credibility, indicating that participants rated the obese perpetrator as more credible when the victim was obese in comparison with when the victim was nonobese. However, no main effect of scenario was found on the victim’s credibility and blame attribution, denoting that the victim’s or perpetrator’s weight did not influence participants’ perceptions of the victim’s credibility or blame attribution. The belief in obesity myths was the most significant predictor of victim blaming. However, differing patterns of the effects of obesity myths were found on the victim’s credibility and the perpetrator’s credibility. The belief in obesity myths was a significant predictor only when the victim was obese, whereas it was not a significant predictor in the scenarios where both the victim and the perpetrator were obese or the perpetrator was obese and the victim was nonobese. As for the perpetrator’s credibility, the belief of obesity myths was not a significant predictor. Instead, the scenario was a significant predictor. Implications of obesity-myth endorsement in relation to sexual assault are discussed.
Effect on biochemical parameters in naturally infected calves with giardiasis after treatment with albendazole in Van province, Turkey.

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the blood serum levels of some biochemical parameters, lipid-soluble vitamins and trace elements in the calves naturally infected with Giardia spp. in Van region, before and after treatment with orally 20 mg/kg-1 albendazole three successive days. Serum samples were analyzed for biochemical parameters and some vitamins. In the infected animals, concentrations of creatinine, amylase levels were lower (p effective against giardiasis in all of the calves in Van region.
Distributions and Source Apportionment of Ambient Volatile Organic Compounds in Beijing City, China

Abstract Ambient measurements of 108 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including alkanes, alkenes, aromatics, and halogenated hydrocarbons, were conducted from 2002 to 2003 at six sites in Beijing city. The mean mass concentration of total VOCs was 132.6 ± 52.2 μg/m3, with alkanes, aromatics, and alkenes accounting for 35%, 22%, and 17%, respectively. The concentrations of most VOC species showed a seasonal pattern, with higher values in November, mildly lower in March, and much lower in July. In winter and spring, apparent diurnal variations of reactive compounds such as 1,3-butadiene and isoprene were observed, whereas those were not distinct in summer. The propylene equivalent concentration was used to evaluate the contribution of individual VOCs in ozone formation. Reactive olefins from anthropogenic emissions dominated the reactions with OH at each season. In summer, isoprene became the largest contributor, followed by 1-butene and propene. The source profiles in Beijing, including vehicle exhaust, gasoline vapor, painting operations, and asphalt pavement, were investigated. Based on the measurement of source profiles and ambient concentrations of VOCs in Beijing, chemical mass balance receptor model was applied to estimate contributions of several potential VOCs sources in Beijing. The results indicated that vehicle exhaust contributed on average 57.7%, followed by painting operations, gasoline vapor, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at 12.4%, 11.3%, and 5.8%, respectively.
GluR3 subunit regulates sleep, breathing and seizure generation

The functional role of GluR3 AMPA (α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionic acid) receptor subunits has remained elusive. In vitro studies of genetic knockout mice have not yielded significant alterations in synaptic communication. However, behavioural approaches utilizing knockout mice have shown that the subunit may be involved in exploration and motor coordination, suggesting that in vivo methodologies may be more forthcoming. We tested the hypothesis that GluR3 subunits are involved in the modulation of neural network activity. We used a freely behaving mouse model to examine the effect of GluR3–/– on field potential recordings of electroencephalogram, vital functions (i.e. breathing and heart rate) and muscle tone across natural sleep and wakefulness states. We found that GluR3–/– mice virtually lack electroencephalographic signatures of NREM sleep (n = 9) as demonstrated by reduction in electroencephalogram power in the low‐frequency bands (δ1, δ2 and θ). In addition, three of nine GluR3–/– mice expressed seizure activity during wakefulness and sleep, suggesting that deletion of the GluR3 gene may predispose to seizure. GluR3 gene knockout also produced state‐dependent respiratory modulation, with a selective reduction in breathing rate during behavioural inactivity. These findings show that GluR3 subunits have diverse neurophysiological impact, modulating oscillatory networks for sleep, breathing and seizure generation. Finally, this is the first study to demonstrate the feasibility of direct diaphragm electromyogram recordings in freely behaving mice.
Question Generation based on Lexico-Syntactic Patterns Learned from the Web

T HE -M ENTOR automatically generates multiple-choice tests from a given text. This tool aims at supporting the dialogue system of the FalaComigo project, as one of FalaComigo’s goals is the interaction with tourists through questions/answers and quizzes about their visit. In a minimally supervised learning process and by leveraging the redundancy and linguistic variability of the Web, T HE -M ENTOR learns lexico-syntactic patterns using a set of question/answer seeds. Afterwards, these patterns are used to match the sentences from which new questions (and answers) can be generated. Finally, several ﬁlters are applied in order to discard low quality items. In this paper we detail the question generation task as performed by T HE -M ENTOR and evaluate its performance
Recovery of cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus from upper and lower genital tract specimens obtained from women with pelvic inflammatory disease.

Lower genital tract specimens and endometrial biopsies from 147 women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and surgical specimens (fallopian tubes, ovaries, or both) from 22 women with PID and 37 women without PID were cultured for cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV), as well as for organisms commonly associated with PID. CMV was isolated from 39 cervical or endometrial samples from 30 (20.4%) of 147 women with PID and from ovaries or fallopian tubes from 5 (22.7%) of 22 women with PID, but CMV was not recovered from surgical specimens obtained from 37 women undergoing surgery for tubal ligation, ectopic pregnancy, or other gynecologic conditions (P = .005). HSV was isolated from cervical samples obtained from 5 (3.4%) of 147 women with PID but not from any endometrial or surgical specimens. These data suggest that CMV, but not HSV, may contribute to the pathogenesis of PID in some patients.
Prevalence of undernutrition amongst children (6-9 years) in Delhi.

Limited data is available on the qualitative distribution of undernutrition amongst children 6-9 years of age in National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. We conducted a study to provide an answer. Keeping in view the anticipated underweight prevalence of 50% a confidence interval of 95% relative precision of 10% and a design effect of two a sample size of 768 children was calculated. Thirty schools/ clusters were selected using ‘population proportionate to size’ cluster sampling methodology. In the identified schools children were briefed about the objectives of the study and informed consent was taken. In each school (cluster) a minimum of 30 children were enrolled for the study. Anthropometric measurements of weight and height were recorded for each child using SECA electronic weighing scale and anthropometric height rod respectively. The three indices of nutritional status i.e. weight for age height for age and weight for height were expressed in standard deviation untis (z scores) from the National Council of Health Statistics (NCHS) median as specified by World Health Organization using the anthropac software. (excerpt)
Rises and Falls in Dutch and Mandarin Chinese

Despite of the different functions of pitch in tone and nontone languages, rises and falls are common pitch patterns across different languages. In the current study, we ask what is the language specific phonetic realization of rises and falls. Chinese and Dutch speakers participated in a production experiment. We used contexts composed for conveying specific communicative purposes to elicit rises and falls. We measured both tonal alignment and tonal scaling for both patterns. For the alignment measurements, we found language specific patterns for the rises, but for falls. For rises, both peak and valley were aligned later among Chinese speakers compared to Dutch speakers. For all the scaling measurements (maximum pitch, minimum pitch, and pitch range), no language specific patterns were found for either the rises or the falls.
ROC analysis of storage phosphor radiography and digital selenium radiography at various tube voltages in simulated chest lesions

Current digital radiographic systems are rapidly growing in clinical applications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of storage phosphor radiography and digital selenium radiography (DSR) at different tube voltages in the detection of simulated chest lesions. Patterns of simulated interstitial lung disease, incipient infiltration, and nodules were superimposed over an anthropomorphic chest phantom. A simulated chest phantom radiograph was obtained with storage phosphor radiography and DSR at different tube voltages (70 kV, 90 kV, and 120 kV). A total of 18,000 observations were analyzed using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The detection of all lesions showed higher Az values at 70 kV than 120 kV with storage phosphor radiography. For the DSR, mean Az values at 70 kV were higher than other tube voltages not all lesions but for micro-nodule interstitial lung disease, linear interstitial lung disease, and incipient infiltration. However, these results were not significantly different (P ≫ .05). Based on these results, a clinical study should be performed to judge the use of suitable kV according to the type of detector system and lesions.
An update on respiratory syncytial virus antiviral agents

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the most common cause of lower respiratory tract disease in infants and young children, is a ubiquitous respiratory pathogen, infecting or reinfecting much of the population every year and causing severe, sometimes fatal disease in high-risk populations of infants and adults, particularly in developing countries. Spurred by the medical and economic burdens of RSV disease and enticed by the economic potential of therapeutic drugs, particularly in the absence to date of a safe and effective RSV vaccine, scientists in many industrial, academic and government laboratories have developed a wide variety of candidate RSV antiviral agents. Most of these have been screened thus far only in cell culture, a few in animal models. Aside from ribavirin, however, none has proven effective in therapeutic clinical trials and even ribavirin usage has declined precipitously in recent years due to concerns over efficacy, safety, ease of use and cost. All of the antiviral compounds discussed in this review were evaluated primarily for their ability to reduce viral load, with little or no attention paid to the role of host inflammation in the pathogenesis of RSV disease. Recent research has highlighted the prominent role of inflammatory mediators and an increasing number of reports suggest that a therapeutic strategy that combines antiviral and anti-inflammatory components will be the most effective way of treating RSV disease.
Developing protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus on the outer surface of the brood capsule, detected by scanning electron microscopy

Abstract By means of scanning electron microscopy, stalked protrusions were observed arising from the outer surface of intact brood capsules of Echinococcus granulosus. Histological studies showed these protrusions to be developing protoscoleces. However, complete development is not attained and the protoscoleces eventually die. It is suggested that external development is a result of overcrowding within the brood capsule.
Correlation of antigen specific IgG and IgG(T) responses with Anoplocephala perfoliata infection intensity in the horse

There is increasing interest in the application of serological methods to macro‐parasite infections to indicate infection intensity, which in turn is related to pathogenicity. Colic is the single most important cause of mortality in horses and there is evidence that a proportion of colic cases are associated with infection with the intestinal cestode Anoplocephala perfoliata. In order to develop better tools to investigate this association, the correlation between antigen‐specific equine IgG and IgG(T) and infection intensity of A. perfoliata was investigated. Affinity purification of a 12/13 kDa protein doublet from crude excretory/secretory (E/S) products, and its use in enzume linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) is described. Its use in the immunodiagnosis of equine cestodosis and the correlation of anti‐12/13 kDa IgG and IgG(T) with parasite burden is investigated using sera from 94 horses of known tapeworm infection intensity. The anti‐12/13 kDa IgG and IgG(T) ELISAs gave correlation coefficients with infection intensity of 0.56 and 0.63 respectively. Linear regression analysis also indicated that anti‐12/13 kDa IgG(T) was the best predictor of infection intensity. The decay of anti‐12/13 kDa IgG(T) in horses following the elimination of A. perfoliata is demonstrated for four horses. Specificity of the anti‐12/13 kDa IgG(T) ELISA is investigated with sera from 33 A. perfoliata negative horses with other helminth infections. Immunoblotting studies demonstrate no cross‐reactivity between A. perfoliata 12/13 kDa antigen and the protein antigens of other helminths. It is concluded that assay of anti‐12/13 kDa IgG(T) provides a useful tool for the assessment of A perfoliata infection intensity for clinical diagnosis and for epidemiological studies.
Mapping of a Milk Production Quantitative Trait Locus to a 420-kb Region on Bovine Chromosome 6

A QTL affecting milk production traits was previously mapped to an interval of 7.5 cM on chromosome 6 in Norwegian dairy cattle. This article aimed to refine this position by increasing the map density in the region by a set of single-nucleotide polymorphisms and analyzing the data with a combined linkage and linkage disequilibrium approach. Through a series of single- and multitrait and single- and multipoint analyses, the QTL was positioned to an interval surrounded by the genes ABCG2 and LAP3. As no recombinations were detected in this interval, physical mapping was required for further refining. By using radiation hybrid mapping as well as BAC clones, the bovine and human comparative maps in the region are resolved, and the QTL is mapped within a distance of 420 kb.
Complexity reduction for time variant channel estimation in 3GPP LTE downlink

The Basis Expansion Model (BEM) is often employed to track the time variant multipath channels. Using an accurate estimation of the Doppler spread for the BEM gives better channel tracking performance for very high speed vehicles [1]. We propose a modification of the conventional BEM for 3GPP LTE systems which is independent from the Doppler spread for all realistic speeds. It shows no significant loss of estimation accuracy compared to conventional BEM, thus providing a robust channel tracking for mobile equipment under changing multipath environment with the additional advantage of very low computational complexity. Simulation results of Mean Squared Error (MSE) are provided to support our claim.
Energetic costs of foraging in breeding Cape gannets Morus capensis

Seabirds fly considerable distances during the breeding season in search for food for themselves and their young. Variation in the distance from the breeding colony to the offshore food resources is expected to impact the energy spent on foraging trips. In 2005-06 and 2006-07 we stud- ied foraging behaviour, derived time budgets during foraging trips (commuting, hunting or drifting on the sea surface) and measured the associated energy expenditure in 2 colonies of breeding Cape gannets Morus capensis. Around Ichaboe Island (Namibia) the winds were stronger and more vari- able than at Malgas Island (South Africa). Gannet foraging trip duration did not vary between the islands, but at Ichaboe gannets spent more time on hunting and less time drifting on the sea surface compared to Malgas birds. Gannets from Malgas made more dives during foraging trips than Ichaboe gannets (75 and 43 dives respectively). Energy expenditure during foraging trips (TEE) was esti- mated on average at 4203 kJ d -1 (±693, n = 27), which was 5.5 × basal metabolic rate (BMR), and did not differ between the islands. Energetic costs of foraging increased with wind speed and the fraction flying during foraging trips. The average flight costs were estimated at 85 W, after correction for wind speed. The increased energetic cost during foraging at Malgas was associated with the large number of dives and less profitable winds: taking off after each plunge-dive would be more costly in weaker winds. The fact that TEE did not differ between the islands might suggest that Cape gannets at both islands were foraging at the boundaries of their sustainable energetic expenditure.
Pathogenic Cellulase Assay of Pine Wilt Disease and Immunological Localization

The pine wilt disease caused by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (BX), also known as the pine wood nematode (PWN), is the most devastating disease of pine trees. In this work, a high molecular weight B. xylophilus cellulase antigen (BXCa) was purified from total homogenates of nematodes. BXCa was found to be able to hydrolyze carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) efficiently (155.65 U/mg) and to have an approximate molecular mass of 58.9 kDa. We harvested anti-BXCa antibodies and performed immunocytochemical assays, which revealed the localization of cellulase pools in the esophageal gland cells of the PWN. It was also discovered that cellulase was secreted from the stylet and was used to hydrolyze cellulose to facilitate the PWN entering host cells. These results are consistent with other plant parasitical nematodes. Interestingly, strong fluorescence signals from cellulase staining were observed in tracheid cells in naturally infected pine wood, in addition to ray cells and the resin canal zone. These results strongly suggest that the cellulase released by the PWN is one of the pathogenic substances of pine wilt disease and is responsible for the development of the early symptoms of the disease.
OPIOIDS, SUBSTANCE ABUSE & ADDICTIONS SECTION Original Research Articles The Economic Burden of Opioid-Related Poisoning in the United States

Objective. To estimate the yearly economic burden of opioid-related poisoning in the United States. Background. Rates of opioid poisoning and related mortality have increased substantially over the past decade. Although previous studies have measured the costs of misuse and abuse, costs related speciﬁcally to opioid poisoning have not been quantiﬁed. This study quantiﬁes the economic burden of opioid poisoning in the United States to help evaluate the economic case for efforts to reverse or prevent opioid poisoning and its associated morbidity and mortality. Methods. Mean costs and prevalence estimates were estimated using publically available datasets. A societal perspective was assumed and accord-ingly estimated direct medical and productivity costs. Direct medical costs included treatment for opioid poisoning in the emergency department (ED) and inpatient settings, along with emergency transport and drug costs. Productivity costs were estimated using the human capital method and included lost wages due to mortality and absenteeism costs from ED visits and hospitalizations. All costs were inﬂated to 2011 U.S. dollars. Results. In 2009, total costs were estimated at approximately $20.4 billion with indirect costs con-stituting 89% of the total. Direct medical costs were approximately $2.2 billion. ED costs and inpatient costs were estimated to be $800 million and $1.3 billion, respectively. Absenteeism costs were $335 million and lost future earnings due to mortality were $18.2 billion. Conclusion. Opioid-related poisoning causes a sub-stantial burden to the United States each year. Costs related to mortality account for the majority of costs. Interventions designed to prevent or reverse opioid-related poisoning can have signiﬁcant impacts on cost, especially where death is prevented.