Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cell Therapy for Parkinson's Disease: A Translational Approach to Assess the Role of Local and Systemic Immunosuppression

Neural transplantation is a promising therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases; however, many patients receiving intracerebral fetal allografts exhibit signs of immunization to donor antigens that could compromise the graft. In this context, we intracerebrally transplanted mesencephalic pig xenografts into primates to identify a suitable strategy to enable long‐term cell survival, maturation, and differentiation. Parkinsonian primates received WT or CTLA4‐Ig transgenic porcine xenografts and different durations of peripheral immunosuppression to test whether systemic plus graft‐mediated local immunosuppression might avoid rejection. A striking recovery of spontaneous locomotion was observed in primates receiving systemic plus local immunosuppression for 6 mo. Recovery was associated with restoration of dopaminergic activity detected both by positron emission tomography imaging and histological examination. Local infiltration by T cells and CD80/86+ microglial cells expressing indoleamine 2,3‐dioxigenase were observed only in CTLA4‐Ig recipients. Results suggest that in this primate neurotransplantation model, peripheral immunosuppression is indispensable to achieve the long‐term survival of porcine neuronal xenografts that is required to study the beneficial immunomodulatory effect of local blockade of T cell costimulation.
Frictional resistance in self-ligating orthodontic brackets and conventionally ligated brackets. A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE To compare the amount of expressed frictional resistance between orthodontic self-ligating brackets and conventionally ligated brackets in vitro as reported in the literature. METHODS Several electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) were searched without limits. In vitro studies that addressed friction of self-ligating brackets compared with conventionally ligated brackets were selected and reviewed. In addition, a search was performed by going through the reference lists of the selected articles to identify any paper that could have been missed by the electronic searches. RESULTS A total of 70 papers from the electronic database searches and 3 papers from the secondary search were initially obtained. After applying the selection criteria, only 19 papers were included in this review. A wide range of methods were applied. CONCLUSIONS Compared with conventional brackets, self-ligating brackets produce lower friction when coupled with small round archwires in the absence of tipping and/or torque in an ideally aligned arch. Sufficient evidence was not found to claim that with large rectangular wires, in the presence of tipping and/or torque and in arches with considerable malocclusion, self-ligating brackets produce lower friction compared with conventional brackets.
Vanishing Point-based Line Sampling for Real-time People Localization

In this paper, we propose a real-time multicamera people localization method based on line sampling of image foregrounds. For each view, these line samples are originated from the vanishing point of lines perpendicular to the ground plane. With these line samples, vertical line samples in the 3-D scene can be reconstructed for potential human locations. After some efficient geometric refinement and filtering procedures, the remaining qualified 3-D line samples are clustered and integrated for the identification of locations and heights of people in the scene. Both indoor and outdoor scenarios are examined to demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in handling serious occlusion in crowed scenes. The average localization error of less than 15 cm for average viewing distance of 15m suggests that our method can be applied to a broad range of surveillance applications that require the real-time computation of localization without using special hardware for acceleration.
Germinal center‐specific protein human germinal center associated lymphoma directly interacts with both myosin and actin and increases the binding of myosin to actin

Human germinal center associated lymphoma (HGAL) is a germinal center‐specific gene whose expression correlates with a favorable prognosis in patients with diffuse large B‐cell and classic Hodgkin lymphomas. HGAL is involved in negative regulation of lymphocyte motility. The movement of lymphocytes is directly driven by actin polymerization and actin–myosin interactions. We demonstrate that HGAL interacts directly and independently with both actin and myosin and delineate the HGAL and myosin domains responsible for the interaction. Furthermore, we show that HGAL increases the binding of myosin to F‐actin and inhibits the ability of myosin to translocate actin by reducing the maximal velocity of myosin head/actin movement. No effects of HGAL on actomyosin ATPase activity and the rate of actin polymerization from G‐actin to F‐actin were observed. These findings reveal a new mechanism underlying the inhibitory effects of germinal center‐specific HGAL protein on lymphocyte and lymphoma cell motility.
A Practical Algorithm for Computing Multi-State Two-Terminal Reliability

A practical, important system performance index for analyzing real world systems is NP-hard multi-state two-terminal reliability. Contributions of this paper are 1) it presents a direct, correct decomposition method for solving NP-hard multi-state two-terminal reliability, and 2) it does not require a priori the multi-state minimal paths/cuts of the system. Because all the exact methods solve the multi-state two-terminal reliability problem in terms of two/three NP-hard problems, excluding the impractical complete enumeration method, and Doulliez & Jamoulle's popular but incorrect decomposition method, development of such an exact, direct, and practical algorithm is thus worthwhile. Computational experiments verify that the proposed method is practical, fast, and efficient in comparison with the complete enumeration method.
The Role of Th17 Cells and IL-17 in Th2 Immune Responses of Allergic Conjunctivitis

Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) is a common allergic disease that is often associated with the onset of rhinitis or asthma. The incidence of AC has increased significantly in recent years possibly due to air pollution and climate warming. AC seriously affects patients' quality of life and work efficiency. Th (T-helper) 2 immune responses and type I hypersensitivity reactions are generally considered the basis of occurrence of AC. It has been found that new subpopulations of T-helper cells, Th17 cells that produce interleukin-17 (IL-17), play an important role in the Th2-mediated pathogenesis of conjunctivitis. Studies have shown that Th17 cells are involved in a variety of immune inflammation, including psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, and asthma. However, the role of Th17 and IL-17 in AC is unclear. This paper will focus on how T-helper 17 cells and interleukin-17 are activated in the Th2 immune response of allergic conjunctivitis and how they promote the Th2 immune response of AC.
Field Heterogeneity of Soil Organic Carbon and Relationships to Soil Properties and Terrain Attributes

Our objectives were to: (1) characterize SOC (0 to 1.53-m) within a 37-ha field typical of the Palouse region in eastern Washington; and (2) assess correlations and how much SOC variance could be accounted for by terrain and soil variables. A systematic, non-aligned grid of 177 georeferenced sample locations was established at the Washington State University Cook Agronomy Farm (CAF) near Pullman, WA. Intact soil cores (0-153 cm) were collected, soils were described, classified, the surface divided into 0-30-cm increments and then by soil horizon to a depth of 153 cm and analyzed for soil bulk density and SOC. A digital elevation model (DEM) was developed and terrain attributes (slope, TRASP, curvature, global irradiation, flow accumulation and direction, specific catchment area, and wetness index) derived (10-m grid). Profile (0-153 cm) SOC ranged from 54 to 272 Mg C/ha over the 37-ha field and landscape SOC redistribution via soil erosion was evident. Terrain attributes and soil variables accounted for up to 86% of profile SOC variation; however, results were unique for each soil series. Redistribution of SOC via erosion increases field SOC heterogeneity and must be quantified if SOC sequestration and management impacts are to be adequately assessed.
Comparison of the immune response to recombinant gp120 in humans and chimpanzees

ObjectiveTo assess similarities and differences in antibody responses to recombinant (r) HIV-1IIIMB gp120 in chimpanzees, previously protected from HIV-1 infection, and human volunteers immunized in connection with a Phase I clinical trial. MethodsFrozen sera from humans immunized with rgp120 from HIV-IIIB and chimpanzees immunized with the same antigen or recombinant soluble gp160 were compared in a variety of serologic assays. ResultsThe magnitude of the antibody response to gp120 was similar in both species; however, the half-life of the antibody response to rgp120 was approximately 4.5 times longer in humans (9 weeks) than in chimpanzees (2 weeks). Antibodies to gp120 in both species were broadly cross-reactive with gp120 from diverse isolates of HIV-1 and were effective in blocking the binding of gp120 to CD4. Antibody binding to native gp120 was greater than to denatured gp120 in both species. Antibody responses to the principal neutralizing determinant (V3 domain) and virus neutralization titers were approximately 10-fold lower in humans than chimpanzees. The relative avidity of antibody binding to gp120 was higher in the sera from the immunized chimpanzees than in the immunized humans. ConclusionsWhile the antibody responses to rgp120 elicited in man and chimpanzees were in many ways similar, significant differences did occur. Predictions made on the basis of chimpanzee immunogenicity studies overestimated the potency of the virus neutralizing titers and under-estimated the duration of the antibody response achieved in humans.
Effect of a media-led education campaign on breast and cervical cancer screening among Vietnamese-American women.

BACKGROUND Previous research has shown that breast and cervical cancer screening rates are low among Vietnamese women. METHODS Over a 24-month period, we implemented a media-led community education campaign to promote recognition, intention, receipt, and currency of routine checkups, clinical breast examinations, mammograms, and Pap tests among Vietnamese-American women in Alameda and Santa Clara Counties in northern California. Women in Los Angeles and Orange Counties in southern California served as controls. To evaluate its impact, pretest telephone interviews were conducted of 451 randomly selected women in the intervention area and 482 women in the control area and posttest interviews with 454 and 422 women, respectively. RESULTS At posttest, after controlling for demographic differences in the surveyed populations, the odds ratios for the intervention effect were statistically significant for having heard of a general checkup, Paptest, and clinical breast examination (CBE); planning to have a checkup, Pap test, CBE, and mammogram; and having had a checkup and Pap test. The intervention had no effect on being up to date for any of the tests. CONCLUSIONS A media-led education intervention succeeded in increasing recognition of and intention to undertake screening tests more than receipt of or currency with the tests.
The Type of Factor VIII Deficient Plasma Used Influences the Performance of the Nijmegen Modification of the Bethesda Assay for Factor VIII Inhibitors

Summary We have investigated the influence of the type of factor VIII deficient plasma used on the assay results of the Nijmegen modification of the Bethesda method for factor VIII inhibitors. Immuno depleted factor VIII deficient plasmas, lacking besides factor VIII also von Willebrand factor, gave decreased inhibitor titres compared to assay results with factor VIII deficient plasmas containing von Willebrand factor suggesting the need of the latter in the test system for the stability of factor VIII:C. Moreover the performance of the assay with immuno depleted plasma was contaminated in a certain type of this plasma by the presence of a factor VIII:C inhibitor. Chemically depleted factor VIII deficient plasma appeared to give falsely elevated titres when used in combination with other types of deficient plasmas as substrate plasma in the factor VIII:C assay due to the presence of activated factor Va in the preparation. Suggestions are described with respect to the observed limitations in order to obtain reliable results.
Error rate performance of noncoherent detection of duobinary coded MSK and TFM in mobile radio communication systems

Two continuous phase constant envelope modulation schemes are considered for use in digital mobile radio communication systems. These two schemes, duobinary coded minimum shift keying (MSK) and tamed frequency modulation (TFM), use partial response signaling to achieve efficient power spectrum. Therefore, they are suitable candidates for the application of digital data transmission via mobile radio where spectrum efficiency is an important consideration. The mobile communication channel is characterized by fast Rayleigh fading and cochannel interference resulting from the reuse of the channels. The error rate performance of duobinary coded MSK and TFM has been studied under these environments with noncoherent detection. A closed form expression for the probability of error of duobinary coded MSK with discriminator detection has been derived and evaluated for different cases of fast and slow fading and cochannel interference. The probability of error of duobinary coded MSK and TFM with differential detection has been calculated by numerical integrations for different cases of slow and fast fading and cochannel interference.
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

Summary: A detailed account is given of the occurrence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), current research into the aetiology of this new disease of cattle, and the relationship between BSE, scrapie and other similar diseases. Epidemiology, clinical signs, pathology, diagnosis, prevention and control are described.
When Do Internal Shocks End and External Shocks Begin? Early-Time Broadband Modeling of GRB 051111

Even with the renaissance in gamma-ray burst (GRB) research fostered by the Swift satellite, few bursts have both contemporaneous observations at long wavelengths and exquisite observations at later times across the electromagnetic spectrum. We present here contemporaneous imaging with the KAIT robotic optical telescope, dense optical sampling with Lulin, supplemented with infrared data from PAIRITEL and radio to gamma-ray data from the literature. For the first time, we can test the constancy of microphysical parameters in the internal-external shock paradigm and carefully trace the flow of energy from the GRB to the surrounding medium. KAIT data taken ≲1 minute after the start of GRB 051111 and coinciding with the fading gamma-ray tail of the prompt emission indicate a smooth reinjection of energy into the shock. No color change is apparent in observations beginning ~1.5 minutes after the GRB and lasting for the first hour after the burst. There are achromatic flux modulations about the best-fit model at late (t ≈ 104 s) times, possibly due to variations in the external density. We find that the host galaxy extinction is well fit by a curve similar to that of the Small Magellanic Cloud. Low visual extinction, AV ≈ 0.2 mag, combined with high column densities determined from the X-ray and optical spectroscopy (NH > 1021 cm-2), indicate a low dust-to-metals ratio and a possible overabundance of the light metals. An apparent small ratio of total to selective extinction (RV ≈ 2) argues against dust destruction by the GRB. Time constancy of both the IR/optical/UV spectral energy distribution and the soft X-ray absorption suggests that the absorbing material is not local to the GRB.
Corrigendum. CD4+ T cell-independent DNA vaccination against opportunistic infections.

Original citation: J Clin Invest. 2005;115(12):3536–3544. doi:10.1172/JCI26306. Citation for this corrigendum: J Clin Invest. 2015;125(3):1364. doi:10.1172/JCI81228. Karen A. Norris has requested to be removed from the author list, and the corresponding author has agreed. The revised author list is shown above.
Cognitive Mechanisms Underlying the Engineering Students’ Desire to Cheat During Online and Onsite Statistics Exams

A sample of 327 engineering bachelor students from a public university in Mexico took part in an information integration study to explore systematic thinking underlying propensity for cheating during a course exam. All study participants were provided with written descriptions of 12 scenarios pertaining to the academic evaluation criteria and were asked to rate the likelihood that they would cheat under such circumstances. The 12 scenarios reflected the experimental manipulation of three orthogonal factors: teacher’s teaching style, type of exam, and modality of assessment. Analysis results revealed four distinct attitudes toward cheating among students, two of which were independent of context (low and high desire to cheat) while the remaining two were contextdependent (low and moderate desire to cheat). All groups showed systematic thinking underlying their possible desire to cheat that was typified by the use of a summative cognitive rule for integrating information related to academic cheating. However, evaluation of factor relevance varied across the groups.
Quality control of apheresis platelets: a multicentre study to evaluate factors that can influence pH measurement

Blood operators routinely monitor the pH of apheresis platelets as a marker of the so‐called storage lesion, which can result from manufacturing problems. It is also suspected that some donor characteristics can increase the risk of poor platelet storage. To explore this hypothesis, we analysed a large, multinational data set of quality control (QC) pH test results on apheresis platelets.
Creativity in Relation to Academic and Clinical Performance of Dentistry Students

Aims: This study sought to identify the level of creativity of dentistry students, to determine if there is a relationship between creativity and academic performance of dentistry students, and to determine if there is a relationship between creativity and clinical performance of dentistry students. Study Design: Descriptive-Correlation Cross-sectional Study. Place and Duration of Study: Adventist University of the Philippines College of Dentistry, between May 2015 and April 2016. Methodology: Questionnaires were used to measure the level of creativity of Dentistry students from the Adventist University of the Philippines then correlations were done with academic and clinical performance. Participation was voluntary and we included 50 of the 63 students enrolled int the clinical phase of the dentistry program. Results: There was no significant relationship found at the 0.05 level (2-tailed) between both Big C and small C creativity and academic performance of all clinicians with pearson correlation coefficients of -0.053 and -0.003 respectively. There was no significant relationship found at the 0.05 level (2-tailed) between the Big C and the small C creativity and clinical performance of all clinicians, with Pearson correlation coefficients of -0.192 and -0.042 respectively. Original Research Article Chifamba and Wijaya; AJESS, 8(1): 1-7, 2020; Article no.AJESS. 57344 2 Conclusion: The findings reveal that the creativity of dentistry students is below average. They also suggest that both Big C and small C creativity are not significantly relatedto academic or clinical success in dental school. The researchers recommend further study with modified methodology.
Immunohistochemical Analysis of the Effects of Estrogen on Intraarticular Neurogenic Inflammation in a Rat Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection Model of Osteoarthritis

Synovitis is considered as one of the factors associated with the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). There is currently a significant amount of research linking estrogen deficiencies with the development of OA in estrogen-deficient women, including postmenopausal women; however, the exact etiology remains unclear. Various neuropeptides, such as substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), have been shown to contribute to synovitis in OA joints, and the influence of estrogen on the expressions of SP and CGRP in the synovium of OA joints has been noted. After ovariectomy (OVX) followed by estradiol (E2) replacement, 24 female rats were divided into three groups: OVX group, OVX + E2 replacement group (E2 group), and a sham group. All rats underwent transection of the anterior cruciate ligament at the same time. After 30 days, the histological findings of knee joints by hematoxylin–eosin staining and immunofluorescence staining of protein gene product 9.5 (pan-neuronal marker), SP, and CGRP were compared among experimental groups. The degree of synovitis in the OVX group was higher than in the E2 and sham groups. No significant differences in the density of protein gene product 9.5-immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed among the three experimental groups, but the density of SP- or CGRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the OVX group was significantly higher than in the E2 and sham groups. These findings suggest that estrogen partly regulates intraarticular neurogenic inflammation in OA joints by modulating the expressions of neuropeptides in the synovium.
Key Molecular Contacts Promote Recognition of the BAFF Receptor by TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 3: Implications for Intracellular Signaling Regulation1

B cell-activating factor belonging to the TNF family receptor (BAFF-R), a member of the TNFR superfamily, plays a role in autoimmunity after ligation with BAFF ligand (also called TALL-1, BLyS, THANK, or zTNF4). BAFF/BAFF-R interactions are critical for B cell regulation, and signaling from this ligand-receptor complex results in NF-κB activation. Most TNFRs transmit signals intracellularly by recruitment of adaptor proteins called TNFR-associated factors (TRAFs). However, BAFF-R binds only one TRAF adaptor, TRAF3, and this interaction negatively regulates activation of NF-κB. In this study, we report the crystal structure of a 24-residue fragment of the cytoplasmic portion of BAFF-R bound in complex with TRAF3. The recognition motif 162PVPAT166 in BAFF-R is accommodated in the same binding crevice on TRAF3 that binds two related TNFRs, CD40 and LTβR, but is presented in a completely different structural framework. This region of BAFF-R assumes an open conformation with two extended strands opposed at right angles that each make contacts with TRAF3. The recognition motif is located in the N-terminal arm and intermolecular contacts mediate TRAF recognition. In the C-terminal arm, key stabilizing contacts are made, including critical hydrogen bonds with Gln379 in TRAF3 that define the molecular basis for selective binding of BAFF-R solely to this member of the TRAF family. A dynamic conformational adjustment of Tyr377 in TRAF3 occurs forming a new intermolecular contact with BAFF-R that stabilizes the complex. The structure of the complex provides a molecular explanation for binding affinities and selective protein interactions in TNFR-TRAF interactions.