Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carboxy‐terminal peptides (C1–24 and C13–24 but not C1–13) of platelet factor 4 inhibit murine megakaryocytopoiesis, an activity which is neutralized by heparin

Negative regulation of megakaryocytopoiesis is a complex process involving various cytokines. One of these cytokines is platelet factor 4 (PF4), a megakaryocyte/platelet specific protein. PF4 and a carboxy‐terminal peptide related to PF4 have been reported to inhibit human and murine megakaryocytopoiesis. The growth of several megakaryoblastic cell lines: human erythroleukaemia cell line (HEL), Meg‐01 and Dami, was also inhibited by PF4 and a 13–24 carboxy‐terminal peptide related to PF4. We report that peptides corresponding to the 1–24 and 13–24 but not 1–13 carboxy‐terminal region of PF4 inhibit murine megakaryocytopoiesis both in vivo (5 μg/inj) and in vitro (2.5 and 5 μg/ml). Moreover, such an inhibitory activity of PF4‐related peptides is abrogated by heparin (5 IU/dish). These overall data indicate that carboxy‐terminal PF4‐related peptides retain the inhibitory effect of PF4 on both murine single MK and CFU‐MK in vivo and in vitro by acting on an early stage of megakaryocytopoiesis and strongly suggest that the inhibitory activity of the multi‐functional PF4 might be localized in a short carboxy‐terminal region which might include, in part, the PF4 heparin binding domain.
Overproduction of MUC5AC Core Protein in Patients with Diffuse Panbronchiolitis

Background: The genetic identities of mucins secreted in the airways of patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) have not been previously investigated, although hypersecretion is a common feature of this disease. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the production of MUC5AC, a major core protein of mucin in airway secretion, and the effect of macrolide treatment on such production in patients with DPB. Method: We performed Western blot analysis for MUC5AC of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid patients. Cases consisted of four groups including patients with DPB, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and sarcoidosis, and healthy volunteers. Results:MUC5AC was detected in DPB patients but not in other groups. Macrolide treatment tended to inhibit such production in DPB patients. Conclusions: Our results suggest that overproduction of MUC5AC plays an important role in the pathogenesis of DPB.
Economic Analysis and Species at Risk: Lessons Learned and Future Challenges

type="main"> The Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA) has been in existence for 13 years. It was, and in many ways continues to be, controversial. The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) originated in 1973 and has also been controversial. In the 1990s, concerns were raised by economists in Canada and the United States on the design of endangered species (ES) policy. Their concerns surrounded the reconsideration of the ESA and the establishment of SARA. What have we learned since the implementation of SARA over this time? How has the U.S. experience with the ESA informed SARA and its approach? How has the role of economic analysis in ES policy evolved? What continue to be the challenges and what are the opportunities? This paper reviews the concerns raised in the past, and evaluates the lessons learned regarding economics and ES. The unique aspects of the economic analysis of ES problems relative to other environmental concerns are outlined. The paper concludes with a discussion of ways to lessen the tension in debate about the role of economics in ES policy, and embrace the potential for more effective policy analysis and design through integration of economic analysis into conservation policy. Au Canada, la Loi sur les especes en peril (LEP) est entree en vigueur il y a 13 ans. Elle avait souleve la controverse et, a certains egards, c'est encore le cas. Aux Etats-Unis, l'Endangered Species Act (ESA – loi sur les especes en voie de disparition) a vu le jour en 1973 et a aussi fait l'objet de controverse. Au cours des annees 1990, des economistes canadiens et americains ont exprime des preoccupations au sujet de la conception des politiques visant a proteger les especes en voie de disparition. Leurs preoccupations ont mene a un reexamen de l'ESA et a la mise en œuvre de la LEP. Quelles lecons avons-nous apprises depuis la mise en œuvre de la LEP? De quelle facon l'experience des Etats-Unis avec l'ESA a-t-elle influence l’elaboration de la LEP et sa strategie? De quelle facon le role de l'analyse economique des politiques visant a proteger les especes en voie de disparition a-t-il evolue? Quels sont, encore aujourd'hui, les defis a relever et les occasions a saisir? Le present article passe en revue les preoccupations passees et examine les lecons apprises concernant l’economie et les especes en voie de disparition. Il met en lumiere les caracteristiques uniques de l'analyse economique des problemes lies aux especes en voie de disparition comparativement a d'autres preoccupations environnementales. Il inclut une discussion sur les facons d'attenuer les tensions dans le debat sur le role de l’economie dans l’elaboration des politiques visant a proteger les especes en voie de disparition et accueille la possibilite de proceder a l'analyse et a la conception efficaces de politiques grâce a l'integration de l'analyse economique dans l’elaboration des politiques de la conservation. —
Methane-Augmented Microwave Plasma Burner

In this paper, a microwave plasma burner for generating an enlarged high-temperature and large-volume plasma flame by injecting methane gas into the microwave plasma torch was presented. The air microwave plasma torch explosively burned out the hydrocarbon fuel by high atomic oxygen density. It was observed that the volume of the plasma-burner flame was more about ten times than that of the plasma-torch flame, showing an expanded burner flame. In the comparison of flames, while a conventional CH4 burner reveals the flame of blue color, the CH4 microwave plasma burner shows milky white flame. Also, preliminary experiments were carried out by measuring the temperature profiles of flames along axial and radial directions. Also, we measured the combustion efficiency and reduction rate of NO2 for CH4 plasma burner by employing gas chromatography and Fourier transform infrared
Development of the histaminergic neurons and expression of histidine decarboxylase mRNA in the zebrafish brain in the absence of all peripheral histaminergic systems

The histamine‐storing neural system in adult and developing zebrafish (Danio rerio) was studied with immunocytochemical and chromatographical methods. Furthermore, the gene for histidine decarboxylase was partially cloned and its expression mapped with in situ hybridization. The histamine‐storing neurons were only seen in the caudal hypothalamus, around the posterior recess of the diencephalic ventricle. Almost all parts of the brain, except the cerebellum, contained at least some histamine‐immunoreactive fibres. The ascending projections had the rostral part of the dorsal telencephalon as a major target. Descending projections terminated in the torus semicircularis, central grey and inferior olive. A prominent innervation of the optic tectum, which has not been reported in other fish, was seen. The in situ hybridization gave a strong signal in cells with the same anatomical position as the histamine‐immunoreactive neurons. The first histamine‐immunoreactive neurons appeared in the ventral hypothalamus at about 85 h post‐fertilization, and at 90 h, immunoreactive fibres terminated in the dorsal telencephalon. The embryonic histamine production described in mammals was lacking in this species. Both immunocytochemical and chromatographical studies indicated that histamine is absent in all other parts of the zebrafish body, and no specific hybridization was seen in any other part of the fish than the hypothalamus. The zebrafish could therefore be a very useful model for pharmacological in vivo studies of the histaminergic system of the brain, since the powerful peripheral actions of histamine should be lacking in this species.
Predictive value of initial computerized tomography scan, intracranial pressure, and state of autoregulation in patients with traumatic brain injury.

OBJECT The authors explored the relationship between computerized tomography (CT) scan findings and intracranial pressure (ICP) measurements obtained in the first 24 hours of monitoring to identify parameters predicting outcome in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS Intracranial pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), and pressure reactivity index were measured continuously in 126 patients with severe TBI who were admitted to a neuroscience critical care unit. Mean values in the initial 24 hours of monitoring and in the total period of monitoring were compared with types of injury categorized on the basis of the initial CT scan according to the classification of Marshall, et al., and with Glasgow Outcome Scale scores. The initial CT scan classification correlated significantly but weakly with ICP measured during the first 24 hours of monitoring (p = 0.036) but not with mean ICP over the total time of intensive care. Both midline shift and the ratio of frontal horn diameter to internal diameter correlated with ICP in the first 24 hours (p < 0.007) and with ICP over the total monitoring period (p < 0.03). Outcome score correlated with initial CT scan findings (p = 0.018), ICP over the total monitoring period (p < 0.0023), pressure reactivity over the total monitoring period (p < 0.0002), and pressure reactivity in the first 24 hours (p < 0.0001) but not with ICP in the first 24 hours. Patients with disturbed pressure reactivity in the first 24 hours after injury had a significantly higher mortality rate than patients with intact pressure reactivity (28.6% compared with 9.5%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Patients with severe TBI who have early loss of autoregulation have a worse prognosis. Mean ICP values in patients with diffuse TBI cannot be predicted by using the Marshall CT scan classification.
Involvement of genotoxic effects in the initiation of estrogen‐induced cellular transformation: Studies using Syrian hamster embryo cells treated with 17β‐estradiol and eight of its metabolites

To examine a direct involvement of genotoxic effects of estrogens in the initiation of hormonal carcinogenesis, the abilities of 17β‐estradiol (E2) and 8 of its metabolites to induce cellular transformation and genetic effects were studied using the Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cell model. Treatment with E2, estrone (E1), 2‐hydroxyestrone (2‐OHE1), 4‐hydroxyestrone (4‐OHE1), 2‐methoxyestrone (2‐MeOE1), 16α‐hydroxyestrone (16α‐OHE1), 2‐hydroxyestradiol (2‐OHE2), 4‐hydroxyestradiol (4‐OHE2) or estriol (E3) for 1 to 3 days inhibited SHE cell growth in a concentration‐dependent manner. Concentration‐dependent increases in the frequency of morphological transformation in SHE cells were exhibited by treatment for 48 hr with each of all estrogens examined, except for E3. The transforming activities of the estrogens, determined by the induced transformation frequencies, were ranked as follows: 4‐OHE1 > 2‐OHE1 > 4‐OHE2 > 2‐OHE2 ≥ E2 or E1 > 2‐MeOE1 or 16α‐OHE1 > E3. Somatic mutations in SHE cells at the Na+/K+ATPase and /or hprt loci were induced only when the cells were treated with 4‐OHE1, 2‐MeOE1 or 4‐OHE2 for 48 hr. Some estrogen metabolites induced chromosome aberrations in SHE cells following treatment for 24 hr. The rank order of the clastogenic activities of the estrogens that induced chromosome aberrations was 4‐OHE1 > 2‐OHE1 or 4‐OHE2 > 2‐OHE2 > E1. Significant increases in the percentage of aneuploid cells in the near diploid range were exhibited in SHE cells treated for 48 hr or 72 hr with each of the estrogens, except for 4‐OHE1 and E3. Our results indicate that the transforming activities of all estrogens tested correspond to at least one of the genotoxic effects by each estrogen, i.e., chromosome aberrations, aneuploidy or gene mutations, suggesting the possible involvement of genotoxicity in the initiation of estrogen‐induced carcinogenesis. Int. J. Cancer 86:8–14, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Creation of a multidisciplinary and multicenter study group for the use of 3D printing in general thoracic surgery: lessons learned in our first year experience

Introduction: In recent years, the use of 3D printing in medicine has grown exponentially, but the use of 3D technology has not been equally adopted by the different medical specialties. Published 3D printing activity in general thoracic surgery is scarce and has been mostly limited to case reports. The aim of this report was to reflect on the results and lessons learned from a newly created multidisciplinary and multicenter 3D unit of the Spanish Society of Thoracic Surgery (SECT). Methods: This is a pilot study to determine the feasibility and usefulness of printing 3D models for patients with thoracic malignancy or airway complications, based on real data. We designed a point-of-care 3D printing workflow involving thoracic surgeons, radiologists with experience in intrathoracic pathology, and engineers with experience in additive manufacturing. Results: In the first year of operation we generated 26 three-dimensional models out of 27 cases received (96.3%). In 9 cases a virtual model was sufficient for optimal patient handling, while in 17 cases a 3D model was printed. Per pathology, cases were classified as airway stenosis after lung transplantation (7 cases, 25.9%), tracheal pathology (7 cases, 25.9%), chest tumors (6 cases, 22.2%) carcinoid tumors (4 cases, 14.8%), mediastinal tumors (2 cases, 7.4%) and Pancoast tumors (one case, 3.7%). Conclusion: A multidisciplinary 3D laboratory is feasible in a hospital setting, and working as a multicenter group increases the number of cases and diversity of pathologies thus providing further opportunity to study the benefits of the 3D printing technology in general thoracic surgery.
A novel technique for measuring solute diffusivities in entrapment matrices used in immobilization

A novel technique has been developed for measuring effective solute diffusivities in entrapment matrices used for cell immobilization. In this technique radiotracers were used to measure effective diffusivities and equilibrium partition coefficients of the solute between the liquid and solid matrix. Ca‐alginate was used in this study, because it is one of the most commonly employed matrices for the immobilization of microbial, plant and mammalian cells. The experimental apparatus consisted of a single spherical Ca‐alginate bead which was attached to a rotating rod and immersed in water containing C14‐glucose. The rotational speed of the spherical bead was controlled and resulted in excellent mixing, and negligible external film mass transfer resistance, which allowed the measurement of true effective solute diffusivity within the solid matrix. The rates of C14‐glucose diffusion within the Ca‐alginate sphere were measured using a scintillation spectrometer. A mathematical model of unsteady‐state diffusion in a sphere was used with appropriate boundary conditions, and the effective diffusivity of glucose was found from the best fit of the experimental data using a computer regression analysis method. Using 2% (w/v) Ca‐alginate beads in this new radiotracer technique the effective diffusivity and partition coefficient of glucose were found to be 6.62 × 10−10 m2/s and 0.98, respectively. The accuracy, advantages, and simplicity of this new method for diffusivity measurements are also compared to other existing methods.
The Roles of Book‐Tax Conformity and Tax Enforcement in Regulating Tax Reporting Behaviour Following International Financial Reporting Standards Adoption

This study investigates whether increasing the level of tax enforcement can potentially offset the primary cost of a reduction in the level of book-tax conformity (BTC) following International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption – increased tax avoidance. We find that after the decrease in BTC and the concomitant increase in tax enforcement that followed IFRS adoption in Israel, tax avoidance declined significantly. Our results imply that one of the primary costs of reducing BTC can be avoided. Moreover, the results suggest that rather than one strict regulatory approach to deal with reporting manipulations, a combination of trust and control is more effective and less radical.
Risk factors for musculoskeletal injury in preprofessional dancers: a systematic review

Background Preprofessional dancers partake in rigorous training and have high injury prevalence. Attempts to identify risk factors for dance injuries have focused on a diversity of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Objective To identify and evaluate the evidence examining risk factors for musculoskeletal injury in preprofessional ballet and modern dancers. Methods Fifteen electronic databases were systematically searched to October 2015. Studies selected met a priori inclusion criteria and investigated musculoskeletal injury risk factors in preprofessional (elite adolescent, student, young adult) ballet and modern dancers. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality and level of evidence using the Downs and Black (DB) criteria and a modified Oxford Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine 2009 model, respectively. Results Of 1364 potentially relevant studies, 47 were included and scored. Inconsistent injury definition and methodology precluded meta-analysis. The most common modifiable risk factors investigated were anthropometrics (ie, body mass index, adiposity), joint range of motion (ie, lower extremity), dance exposure (ie, years training, exposure hours) and age. The median DB score across studies was 8/33 (range 2–16). The majority of studies were classified as level 3 evidence and few considered risk factor inter-relationships. There is some level 2 evidence that previous injury and poor psychological coping skills are associated with increased injury risk. Conclusions Because of the lack of high-quality studies, consensus regarding risk factors for musculoskeletal injury in preprofessional dancers remains difficult. There is a need for injury definition consensus and high-quality prospective studies examining the multifactorial relationship between risk factors and injury in preprofessional dance.
Maximizing Side Channel Attack-Resistance and Energy-Efficiency of the STTL Combining Multi-Vt Transistors with Current and Capacitance Balancing

Secure triple track logic (STTL) is a circuit-level countermeasure to differential power analysis (DPA) attacks based on dual-rail precharge logic (DPL). STTL is robust to attacks due to the delay insensitive topology characteristic that avoids the glitches generated by the different path delays, before the logic gate inputs stabilize. However, the main STTL drawbacks are the validation of timing-robustness and the unbalanced and asymmetric transistors arrangement that result in variable internal capacitances and different internal paths to the current flow behaviors. The main contribution of this work is a new STTL-based topology called MT-BSTTL that combines multi-threshold with a set of circuit balancing improvements on capacitance, current paths, and fan-in, aiming to maximize the energy-efficiency while still preserving the side-channel attack-resistance. Three basic logic gates were implemented using the proposed strategy and other secure transistor topologies, all using the TSMC 40 nm technology. Results show that MT-BSTTL outperforms all state-of-the-art logic styles in terms of robustness against DPA attacks. Comparing to the baseline STTL, the proposed MT-BSTTL is, at least, 50% faster, has 53.5% higher energy-efficient, and it is 44% more robust, incurring in a 40% circuit area penalty.
Adherence of Legionella pneumophila to guinea pig peritoneal macrophages, J774 mouse macrophages, and undifferentiated U937 human monocytes: role of Fc and complement receptors

Legionella pneumophila, the causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, is a facultative intracellular pathogen of alveolar macrophages. Although previous studies have demonstrated that specific antibody facilitates uptake of L. pneumophila by phagocytic cells, the role of complement has been unclear. Thus, we have examined the relative contributions of Fc gamma- and complement receptor-mediated adherence to guinea pig peritoneal macrophages, U937 human monocytic cells, and J774 mouse macrophage cells. Opsonization of L. pneumophila (Philadelphia 2) with polyclonal immunoglobulin G promoted maximum adherence to guinea pig macrophages. In contrast, incubation in the presence of 20% fresh nonimmune human serum from a single donor did not promote adherence. The results obtained with U937 and J774 cells paralleled those obtained with guinea pig macrophages. In the absence of specific antibody, opsonization with guinea pig complement did not enhance adherence of the Philadelphia 1, Philadelphia 2, or Knoxville strain. However, when complement was added to heat-inactivated, specific antiserum, a fourfold increase in the number of adherent organisms was observed. Blocking studies utilizing membrane receptor-specific monoclonal antibodies demonstrated that both Fc and complement receptors mediated adherence of organisms treated with complement in the presence of specific antibody. These results suggest that complement augments adherence of L. pneumophila only when acting in concert with specific antibody.
A spirometry-based algorithm to direct lung function testing in the pulmonary function laboratory.

OBJECTIVE To design a spirometry-based algorithm to predict pulmonary restrictive impairment and reduce the number of patients undergoing unnecessary lung volume testing. DESIGN Two prospective studies of 259 consecutive patients and 265 consecutive patients used to derive and validate the algorithm, respectively. SETTING A pulmonary function laboratory of a tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS Consecutive adults referred to the laboratory for lung volume measurements and spirometry. MEASUREMENTS The sensitivity of the algorithm for predicting pulmonary restriction and the cost savings associated with its use. RESULTS Total lung capacity correlated strongly with FVC (r = 0.66) and showed an inverse correlation with the FEV(1)/FVC ratio (r = - 0.41). According to the algorithm, only patients with an FVC < 85% of predicted and an FEV(1)/FVC ratio >or= 55% required lung volume measurements following spirometry. The algorithm had a high sensitivity for predicting restriction and a high negative predictive value (NPV) for excluding restriction (sensitivity, 96%; NPV, 98%). The diagnostic properties of the algorithm were reproducible in the validation study. Application of the algorithm would eliminate the need for lung volume testing in 48 to 49% of patients referred to the pulmonary function test (PFT) laboratory, reducing costs by 33%. CONCLUSIONS A spirometry-based algorithm accurately excludes pulmonary restriction and reduces unnecessary lung volume testing in the PFT laboratory almost in half.