Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Four Mohs Tissue Preparation Methods Using Porcine Skin

OBJECTIVE Mohs surgery relies on high‐quality, rapid tissue preparation and processing. This study evaluated four currently performed tissue preparation and processing methods for speed of processing and depth of cut into the tissue block to achieve a complete high‐quality section. METHODS The following four methods were tested: cryoEMBEDDER, float, heat sink, and slide. Standardized specimens of porcine skin were used to ensure uniformity. We measured the time required for a technician to flatten, embed, and cut to the first complete section of each specimen. Additionally, we measured the depth in microns required to cut into an embedded specimen to achieve a complete section. RESULTS There were advantages and disadvantages of each method, and our findings suggest that the heat sink and float methods are more time efficient but that the slide and cryoEMBEDDER methods require less cutting into the specimen to obtain a complete section. The cryoEMBEDDER device used in this study was loaned by cryoEMBEDDER (Salt Lake City, Utah).
Higher Thresholds for Elder Abuse with Age and Rural Residence*

ABSTRACT Attitudes toward elder abuse differ with age, ethnicity, profession, and training. This article introduces a threshold model in order to reconcile findings on attitudinal differences within a unifying theoretical framework. The model assumes that individuals rate the abusiveness using consistent standards but different thresholds. Predictions from the model include consistency among individuals in their ratings of different behaviours (i.e., high relative consistency), but variation in the levels of rating (i.e., systematic departures from absolute consistency). Samples of 339 seniors and 233 professionals rated 112 items representing a wide range of abuse severity. The findings suggested high relative consistency but systematic deviations from absolute consistency, with higher ratings (i.e., lower thresholds) by professionals than seniors, and by residents of smaller (rural) rather than larger (urban) communities. The implications of the threshold model include prevention through elder-abuse education and reporting practices. RÉSUMÉ Les attitudes vis-à-vis la violence envers les personnes âgées varient avec l'âge, l'ethnie, la profession et la formation. Cet article introduit un modèle de seuil qui tente de réconcilier les résultats découverts dans les différences en matière d'attitudes à l'intérieur d'un cadre théorique uniforme. Le modèle présume que les individus considèrent la violence à l'aide de normes convergentes mais de seuils variés. Les prédictions du modèle comprennent la cohérence parmi les individus lors de leurs considérations de comportements variés (c.-à.-d. cohérence relative élevée) ; il y a, toutefois, une variation aux niveaux du barème de notation (c.-à.-d. un écart systématique par rapport à la cohérence absolue). Un échantillonnage de 339 personnes âgées et de 233 professionnels révèle 112 items qui représentent une variété de gravité de violence. Les résultats suggèrent une cohérence relative élevée en plus de départs systématiques de la cohérence absolue et des résultats plus élevés (c.-à.-d. des seuils inférieurs) offerts plutôt par les professionnels que les personnes âgées et par les résidents de communautés rurales plutôt que ceux de communautés urbaines. La portée du modèle de seuil comprend la prévention par la sensibilisation de la violence envers les personnes âgées et les méthodes de rapport.
An experimental investigation on the effect of turning parameters on surface roughness

This research applies the fractional factorial experimentation approach to study the effect of turning parameters such as cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut and tool nose radius on the surface roughness of turned surfaces. A mathematical model was developed relating surface roughness and the turning factors by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and the model was checked for adequacy by regression analysis and analysis of variance. The effect of turning factors and factor interactions on surface roughness is presented in graphical form, which helps in selecting quickly the process parameters to achieve the desired quality of machining surface.
Membrane Estrogen Receptor Regulates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis through Up-regulation of Programmed Death 11

Although estrogens exert a pronounced protective effect on multiple sclerosis and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), their therapeutic application has been limited by undesirable side effects thought to be mediated primarily through estradiol binding to intracellular estrogen receptor α. In this study, we found that signaling through the putative membrane estrogen receptor, G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30), was sufficient to mediate protection against EAE, which was significantly impaired in GPR30 gene-deficient mice. Treatment with G-1, an agonist that selectively activates GPR30 without engagement of the intracellular estrogen receptors, retained the ability of estradiol to protect against clinical and histological EAE without estradiol-associated side effects, deviated cytokine profiles, and enhanced suppressive activity of CD4+Foxp3+ T regulatory cells through a GPR30- and programmed death 1-dependent mechanism. This study is the first to evaluate the protective effect of GPR30 activation on EAE, and provides a strong foundation for the clinical application of GPR30 agonists such as G-1 in multiple sclerosis.
Atmospheric Pollution and Its Countermeasure in East Asia from the Viewpoint of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

The East Asia countries including Japan, China, Korea and Russia have been undergoing a rapid increase of economic and industrial development. However, large amounts of pollutants are released into the air and water. The main energy source, economic stage and lifestale are different in the above four countries and these differences cause the current diverse situation of atmospheric and water pollution in East Asia. This view describes the present stage of atmospheric pollution and countermeasures in East Asia including the author’s recent research results concerning polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitropolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Absence of IFN-β Impairs Antigen Presentation Capacity of Splenic Dendritic Cells via Down-Regulation of Heat Shock Protein 701

Type I IFNs play a key role in linking the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Although produced rapidly in response to pathogens, IFNs are also produced at low levels in the absence of infection. In the present study, we demonstrate that constitutively produced IFNs are necessary in vivo to maintain dendritic cells in an “Ag presentation-competent” state. Conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) isolated from spleens of IFN-β or IFNAR-deficient mice exhibit a highly impaired ability to present Ag and activate naive T cells. Microarray analysis of mRNA isolated from IFN-β−/− and IFNAR−/− cDCs revealed diminished expression of two genes that encoded members of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) family. Consistent with this observation, pharmacological inhibition of Hsp70 in cDCs from wild-type mice impaired their T cell stimulatory capacity. Similarly, the Ag presentation ability of splenic cDCs isolated from Hsp70.1/3−/− mice was also severely impaired in comparison to wild-type cDCs. Thus, constitutive IFN-β expression regulates Hsp70 levels to help maintain dendritic cells in a competent state for efficient priming of effector T cells in vivo.
IL-4 AND INTERFERON GAMMA IN RECENTLY DIAGNOSED TYPE I DIABETES, A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to measure serum levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4), the two major cytokines secreted by Th-1 and Th-2 cells, in islet cell autoantibody (ICA)-positive, newly-diagnosed type I diabetic patients. methods: The study was conducted on 30 newly diagnosed, ICA-positive type I diabetics and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Cytokine levels in serum were quantified by indirect sandwich ELISA in pg/ml. results: We observed no significant difference in concentration of IL-4 in ICA-positive diabetics (median=126.535) compared with healthy controls (median=136.440) (P>0.05). IFN-γ levels were significantly higher in patients (median=11.305) compared with healthy controls (median=8.200) (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of IFN-γ in patients may be suggestive of its destructive role in the pathophysiology of type I autoimmune diabetes. Keywords: Type I diabetes mellitus, interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), islet cell autoantibody (ICA), T-helper 1 (Th-1) response, T-helper 2 (Th-2
Elevated visfatin levels in overweight and obese children and adolescents with metabolic syndrome

Abstract Objective: Adipokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance. We investigated the association between these conditions and serum levels of visfatin, adiponectin and leptin. Material and methods: 175 overweight and obese boys and girls aged 3–17 years. MetS was defined as presence of at least three of the following: triglycerides ≥ 1.24 mmol/L, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≤ 1.03 mmol/L, fasting glucose ≥ 6.1 mmol/L, elevated waist circumference and systolic or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90th percentile. Results: After adjustment for age and gender visfatin levels were significantly higher (median 19.0 [25th, 75th percentiles 11.9 , 37.1] vs. 15.2 [11.6 , 21.1] ng/ml; padjusted = 0.02) in subjects with MetS (n = 41) compared to subjects without (n = 134). There were no significant differences in adiponectin or leptin levels between the two groups after adjustment for age and gender. Visfatin levels increased proportionally with number of MetS components (β = 0.16, 95%CI 0.04, 0.28; padjusted = 0.01), and adiponectin levels decreased proportionally with number of components (β = −0.11, 95%CI −0.18, −0.04; padjusted = 0.002). Leptin levels were not related to number of components of MetS. Unlike visfatin, both adiponectin (β = −0.24, 95%CI −0.33, −0.15; padjusted < 0.001) and leptin (β = 0.14, 95%CI 0.01, 0.28; padjusted = 0.03) were associated with insulin resistance. Conclusion: The elevation of visfatin observed in children and adolescents with MetS was proportionate to number of components of MetS but was not associated with insulin resistance. The increase in visfatin may contribute to low-grade systemic inflammation associated with MetS.
Vav1 Is Essential for Mechanotactic Crawling and Migration of Neutrophils out of the Inflamed Microvasculature1

Mac-1-dependent crawling is a new step in the leukocyte recruitment cascade that follows LFA-1-dependent adhesion and precedes emigration. Neutrophil adhesion via LFA-1 has been shown to induce cytoskeletal reorganization through Vav1-dependent signaling, and the current study investigates the role of Vav1 in the leukocyte recruitment process in vivo with particular attention to the events immediately downstream of LFA-1-dependent adhesion. Intravital and spinning-disk-confocal microscopy was used to investigate intravascular crawling in relation to endothelial junctions in vivo in wild-type and Vav1−/− mice. Adherent wild-type neutrophils almost immediately began crawling perpendicular to blood flow via Mac-1 until they reached an endothelial junction where they often changed direction. This pattern of perpendicular, mechanotactic crawling was recapitulated in vitro when shear was applied. In sharp contrast, the movement of Vav1−/− neutrophils was always in the direction of flow and appeared more passive as if the cells were dragged in the direction of flow in vivo and in vitro. More than 80% of Vav1−/− neutrophils moved independent of Mac-1 and could be detached with LFA-1 Abs. An inability to release the uropod was frequently noted for Vav1−/− neutrophils, leading to greatly elongated tails. The Vav1−/− neutrophils failed to stop or follow junctions and ultimately detached, leading to fewer emigrated neutrophils. The Vav1−/− phenotype resulted in fewer neutrophils recruited in a relevant model of infectious peritonitis. Clearly, Vav1 is critical for the complex interplay between LFA-1 and Mac-1 that underlies the programmed intravascular crawling of neutrophils.
Recombinant Soluble Human FcγR1A (CD64A) Reduces Inflammation in Murine Collagen-Induced Arthritis1

Binding of immune complexes to cellular FcγRs can promote cell activation and inflammation. In previous studies, a recombinant human (rh) soluble FcγR, rh-FcγRIA (CD64A), was shown to block inflammation in passive transfer models of immune complex-mediated disease. To assess whether rh-FcγRIA could block inflammation in a T cell- and B cell-dependent model of immune complex-mediated disease, the efficacy of rh-FcγRIA in collagen-induced arthritis was evaluated. Mice with established arthritis were treated with a single s.c. injection of rh-FcγRIA (0.2–2.0 mg/dose) given every other day for 11 days. Relative to mice injected with vehicle alone, mice treated with rh-FcγRIA exhibited lower serum concentrations of IL-6, anti-type II collagen Abs, and total IgG2a. These changes were correlated with lower levels of paw swelling and joint damage in the rh-FcγRIA-treated mice and occurred in the presence of a significant murine Ab response to rh-FcγRIA. Comparison of the serum rh-FcγRIA concentration vs time profiles for rh-FcγRIA administered at two dose levels by i.v. and s.c. injection revealed that the bioavailabilty of s.c. administered rh-FcγRIA was 27–37%. Taken together, these data show that rh-FcγRIA is an effective inhibitor of inflammation in a model of established arthritis in mice.
Altered Thymic Selection and Increased Autoimmunity Caused by Ectopic Expression of DRAK2 during T Cell Development1

Negative regulation of TCR signaling is an important mechanism enforcing immunological self-tolerance to prevent inappropriate activation of T cells and thus the development of autoimmune diseases. The lymphoid-restricted serine/threonine kinase death-associated protein-related apoptotic kinase-2 (DRAK2) raises the TCR activation threshold by targeting TCR-induced calcium mobilization in thymocytes and peripheral T cells and regulates positive thymic selection and peripheral T cell activation. Despite a hypersensitivity of peripheral drak2-deficient T cells, drak2-deficient mice are enigmatically resistant to induced autoimmunity in the model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. To further evaluate the differential role of DRAK2 in central vs peripheral tolerance and to assess its impact on the development of autoimmune diseases, we have generated a transgenic (Tg) mouse strain ectopically expressing DRAK2 via the lck proximal promoter (1017-DRAK2 Tg mice). This transgene led to highest expression levels in double-positive thymocytes that are normally devoid of DRAK2. 1017-DRAK2 Tg mice displayed a reduction of single-positive CD4+ and CD8+ thymocytes in context with diminished negative selection in male HY TCR × 1017-DRAK2 Tg mice as well as peripheral T cell hypersensitivity, enhanced susceptibility to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, and spontaneous autoimmunity. These findings suggest that alteration in thymocyte signaling thresholds impacts the sensitivity of peripheral T cell pools.
Cataract surgery in cases with previous corneal surgery

Cataract surgery in cases with previous corneal surgery can be a major challenge for the ophthalmologist as the visual and refractive outcome can be seriously affected. The surgeon has to preoperatively evaluate whether it is the cataract or the previous corneal surgery that most affects the visual acuity. The surgical procedure should be then carefully planned, to evaluate if a corneal graft surgery should be performed coincidentally to the cataract procedure or whether cataract surgery alone may sufficiently restore the best corrected vision of the patient. If phacoemulsification is possible, it is better to perform cataract surgery first to avoid risks which may occur with simultaneous surgery. Keratoplasty should be postponed to a later date. The refractive outcome of the case deserves special attention in the preoperative planning process and the reduction or elimination of the already existing astigmatism will be a desirable result. The authors will try to provide the practical cataract surgeon a review on this topic aiming to give guidelines for good clinical practice in the decision making process of these challenging and difficult cases.
Identification of 14-3-3θ as an antigen that induces a humoral response in lung cancer

We have implemented a strategy to identify tumor antigens that induce a humoral immune response in lung cancer based on the analysis of tumor cell proteins. Chromatographically fractionated protein extracts from three lung cancer cell lines were subjected to Western blotting and hybridization with individual sera to determine serum antibody binding. Two sets of sera were initially investigated. One set consisted of sera from 19 newly diagnosed subjects with lung adenocarcinoma and 19 matched controls. A second independent set consisted of sera from 26 newly diagnosed subjects with lung adenocarcinoma and 24 controls matched for age, gender, and smoking history. One protein that exhibited significant reactivity with both sets of cancer sera ( P = 0.0008) was confidently identified by mass spectrometry as 14-3-3𝛉. Remarkably, significant autoantibody reactivity against 14-3-3𝛉 was also observed in an analysis of a third set consisting of 18 prediagnostic lung cancer sera collected as part of the Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial cohort study, relative to 19 matched controls ( P = 0.0042). A receiver operating characteristic curve constructed with a panel of three proteins consisting of 14-3-3𝛉 identified in this study, plus annexin 1 and protein gene product 9.5 proteins previously identified as associated with autoantibodies in lung cancer, gave a sensitivity of 55% at 95% specificity (area under the curve, 0.838) in discriminating lung cancer at the preclinical stage from matched controls. [Cancer Res 2007;67(24):12000–6]
Conceptual modelling tool for novice designers

Using UML class diagrams or OWL specifications, the designer is always confronted with the same problem: which concept should be modelled as a class and which concept can be pruned to an attribute (DatatypeProperty)? In this paper, a very simple and easy methodology to derive classes and attributes from a network of concepts will be introduced. Using this methodology, the designer will be even able to start modelling with controlled English language patterns. At the end, a prototype implementation will show how they all fit together.
Creating standardised data lists for traceability: a study of honey processing

In food supply chains, there are numerous measurements, properties and parameters that must be recorded. This documentation is already necessary for legal reasons, labelling, traceability, profiling desirable characteristics, showing compliance and for meeting customer requirements. Standards for name and content of each of these data elements would aid information exchange between buyers, sellers, authorities, consumers and other interested parties. To establish what could form such a list of standard data elements for honey processors, a multi-stage survey was carried out. This and other research resulted in a standardised list of data elements capable of application by all honey processors.
Role of Tim-3/Galectin-9 Inhibitory Interaction in Viral-Induced Immunopathology: Shifting the Balance toward Regulators1

Controlling chronic immunoinflammatory diseases such as lesions in the eye caused by infection with HSV represents a therapeutic challenge. Since CD4+ T cells are the primary orchestrators of lesions, targeting activated CD4+ T cell subsets and increasing the representation of cells that express regulatory function would be a logical therapeutic approach. We show that this outcome can be achieved by therapy, systemic or local, with the lectin family member galectin-9. This molecule, which is a natural product of many cell types, acts as a ligand to the inhibitory molecule TIM-3 (T cell Ig and mucin-3) that is expressed by activated but not naive T cells. We show that 50% or more of T cells in ocular lesions caused by HSV in mice express TIM-3 and that blocking signals from its natural ligand with a mAb results in more severe lesions. More importantly, the provision of additional galectin-9, either systemically or more effectively by local subconjuctival administration, diminished the severity of stromal keratitis lesions as well as the extent of corneal neovascularization. Multiple mechanisms were involved in inhibitory effects. These included apoptosis of the orchestrating effector T cells with consequent reduction of proinflammatory cytokines and an increase in the representation of two separate subtypes of regulatory cells as well as inhibitory effects on the production of molecules involved in neovascularization, an essential component of stromal keratitis pathogenesis. Our results indicate that galectin-9 therapy may represent a useful approach to control HSV-induced lesions, the most common cause of infectious blindness in the Western world.
Mental but no bio-physiological long-term habituation to repeated social stress: A study on soldiers and the influence of mission abroad

Soldiers regularly participate in missions abroad and subjectively adapt to this situation. However, they have an increased lifetime cardiovascular risk compared to other occupational groups. To test the hypothesis that foreign deployment results in different stress habituation patterns, we investigated long-term psychological and bio-physiological stress responses to a repeated social stress task in healthy soldiers with and without foreign deployment. Ninety-one female and male soldiers from the BEST study (German armed forces deployment and stress) participated three times in the Trier Social Stress Test for groups (TSST-G) prior to, 6–8 weeks after and 1 year after the mission abroad and were compared to a control group without foreign deployment during the study period. They completed the State-Trait-Anxiety Inventory scale (STAI), the Primary Appraisal Secondary Appraisal questionnaire (PASA) and the Multidimensional Mood State Questionnaire (MDBF). Salivary cortisol and α-amylase, blood pressure, heart rate and heart rate variability were determined. Soldiers showed mental habituation over the three times with a significant decrease after the TSST-G in anxiousness (STAI) and cognitive stress appraisal (PASA), they were calmer and reported better mood (MDBF). Prior to the social stress part, the mood (MDBF) declined significantly. None of the biological and physiological markers showed any adaptation to the TSST-G. Mission abroad did not significantly influence any measured psychobiological marker when compared to soldiers without foreign deployment. Foreign deployment does not result in alterations in psychobiological social stress response patterns over 1 year after mission abroad which indicates that adaptation to acute social stress is highly maintained in healthy soldiers. The discrepancy between subjective perception and objective stress response has numerous clinical implications and should receive more attention.