Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Host systemic and local nitric oxide levels do not correlate with rejection of pig proislet xenografts in mice

The rejection of pig proislet xenografts in mice is a CD4 T cell‐dependent process in which macrophages play an important role. To assess the potential for activated macrophages to act as effector cells in xenograft destruction, we have examined the relationship between proislet xenograft rejection, two principal markers of macrophage activation, transcription of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and production of nitric oxide (NO), and their temporal relationship to intragraft cytokine gene expression. Xenograft rejection in CBA/H mice correlated with early induction of intragraft host iNOS mRNA and marked intragraft production of NO (reactive nitrogen intermediates, RNI). Intragraft mRNA expression for IFN‐γ, IL‐1β and TNF, cytokines associated with macrophage activation, was also found. These findings suggested that activated macrophages could be contributing to xenograft destruction via local NO‐mediated toxicity at the graft site.To test the role of NO in this model: (1) Q‐fever antigen (QFA) was administered to recipient mice in order to induce high systemic RNI levels and (2) in another experiment, pig proislets were transplanted into iNOS−/− mice. Treatment with QFA correlated with prolonged xenograft survival at 7 days post‐transplant. Splenocytes from QFA‐treated, but not control mice at 7 and 22 days post‐transplant, exhibited inhibition of secondary xenogeneic mouse antiporcine mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) that was reversed by culture with the NOS inhibitor N‐methylarginine (NMA). Despite continued elevated NO production, xenograft protection was temporary with complete rejection by day 22. Evidence that locally produced NO was not contributing to rejection was seen when pig proislets transplanted into iNOS−/− mice were rejected with normal kinetics; in these animals intragraft NO production was not detected (despite porcine iNOS gene expression). Failure of activated macrophages to achieve indefinite xenograft survival suggests that other factors are also required. Macrophage potential to effect either destructive or protective roles after pig proislet xenotransplantation suggests that such functions may depend on the site and magnitude of macrophage activation. Together these findings clearly demonstrate that high NO levels in the periphery are not damaging to xenogeneic islet tissue, neither host nor donor NO production is essential for islet xenograft rejection and consequently elevated plasma RNI levels do not represent a direct marker for rejection.
Does human primary motor cortex represent sequences of finger movements?

Human primary motor cortex (M1) is an essential structure for the production of dexterous hand movements. While distinct sub-populations of neurons are activated during single finger movements, it remains unknown whether M1 also represents sequences of multiple finger movements. Using novel multivariate fMRI analysis techniques, we show here that even after 5 days of intense practice there was little or no evidence for a true sequence representation in M1. Rather, the activity patterns for sequences in M1 could be explained by linear combination of patterns associated with the constituent individual finger movements, with the strongest weight on the finger making the first response of the sequence. These results suggest that M1 only represents single finger movements, but receives increased input at the start of a sequence. In contrast, the reliable differences between different sequences in premotor and parietal areas could not be explained by a strong weighting of the first finger, supporting the view that these regions exhibit a true representation of sequences.
On the Modeling of a Non-Cooperative Multicell OFDMA Resource Allocation Game with Integer Bit-Loading

We address the adaptive allocation of subcarrier, bit and power resources among the base stations (BSs) of a downlink multi-cell OFDMA system using the non-cooperative game theoretic approach. Unlike the information theoretic approach where continuous bit-loading is used, our algorithm allocates integer number of bits to each subcarrier. Using a utility function with linear pricing on both the transmit bit rate and power, we first show that for a simple two-cell system with single user and fixed modulation, a Nash equilibrium (NE) solution always exists. However, for games formulated on more complicated systems such as with more than two cells, with more than one user in a cell, or when adaptive modulation is used, we observed that the existence of NE cannot be guaranteed. If NE points exist, the game can be played repeatedly with each BS (the player) selects its best strategy until the solution converges, or known as the myopic game. Based on the framework of potential games with coupled constraints, we propose an algorithm which can achieve a stable solution among the players despite that NE solution to the originally problem does not necessarily exist. The convergence of the proposed algorithm is verified by simulation.
Highly regionalized distribution of stromal cell‐derived factor‐1/CXCL12 in adult rat brain: constitutive expression in cholinergic, dopaminergic and vasopressinergic neurons

The stromal cell‐derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1)/CXCL12 and its receptor CXCR4 are key modulators of immune functions. In the nervous system, SDF‐1/CXCL12 is crucial for neuronal guidance in developing brain, intercellular communication and the neuropathogenesis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. However, cerebral functions of SDF‐1/CXCL12 in adult brain are poorly understood. The understanding of its role in the adult brain needs a detailed neuroanatomical mapping of SDF‐1/CXCL12. By dual immunohistochemistry we demonstrate that this chemokine is constitutively expressed not only in astrocytes and microglia but also in neurons, in discrete neuroanatomical regions. Indeed, neuronal expression of SDF‐1/CXCL12 is mainly found in cerebral cortex, substantia innominata, globus pallidus, hippocampus, paraventricular and supraoptic hypothalamic nuclei, lateral hypothalamus, substantia nigra and oculomotor nuclei. Moreover, we provide the first evidence that SDF‐1/CXCL12 is constitutively expressed in cholinergic neurons in the medial septum and substantia innominata and in dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta and the ventral tegmental area. Interestingly we also show, for the first time, a selective co‐localization of SDF‐1/CXCL12 with vasopressin‐expressing neurons in the supraoptic and paraventricular hypothalamic nuclei. In addition, in the lateral hypothalamic area, SDF‐1/CXCL12 was found to be located on melanin concentrating hormone‐expressing neurons. Altogether, these original data suggest that SDF‐1/CXCL12 could be a modulatory neuropeptide regulating both central cholinergic and dopaminergic systems. In addition, a key role for SDF‐1/CXCL12 in neuroendocrine regulation of vasopressin‐expressing neurons represents an exciting new field of research.
Network coded power adaptation scheme in non-orthogonal multiple-access relay channels

In this paper we propose a new power adaptive network coding (PANC) strategy for a non-orthogonal multiple-access relay channel (MARC), where two sources transmit their information simultaneously to the destination with the help of a relay. In contrast to the conventional XOR-based network coding (CXNC), the relay in PANC generates network coded symbols by considering the coefficients of the source-to-relay channels, and forwards each symbol with a pre-optimized power level. Next, we obtain the optimal power level by decomposing it as a multiplication of a power scaling factor and a power adaptation factor. We prove that with the power scaling factor at the relay, our PANC scheme can achieve a full diversity gain, i.e., an order of two diversity gain, while the CXNC can achieve only an order of one diversity gain. In addition, we optimize the power adaptation factor at the relay to minimize the SPER at the destination by considering of the relationship between SPER and minimum Euclidean distance of the received constellation, resulting in an improved coding gain. Simulation results show that the PANC scheme with power adaptation optimizations and power scaling factor design can achieve a full diversity, and obtain a much higher coding gain than other network coding schemes.
Natural Resources , Decentralization , and Risk Sharing : Can Resource Booms Unify Nations ? ∗

Previous studies imply that a positive regional fiscal shock, such as a resource boom, strengthens the desire for separation. In this paper we present a new and opposite perspective. We construct a model of endogenous fiscal decentralization that builds on two key notions: a trade-off between risk sharing and heterogeneity, and a positive association between resource booms and risk. The model shows that a resource windfall causes the nation to centralize as a mechanism to either share risk and/or prevent local capture, depending on the relative bargaining power of the central and regional governments. We provide cross country empirical evidence for the main hypotheses, finding that resource booms: (i) decrease the level of fiscal decentralization with no U-shaped patterns, (ii) cause the former due to risk sharing incentives primarily when regional governments are relatively strong, and (iii) have no effect on political decentralization.
Differential inhibition of N and P/Q Ca2+ currents by 5‐HT1A and 5‐HT1D receptors in spinal neurons of Xenopus larvae

1 In whole‐cell patch clamp recordings made from non‐sensory neurons acutely isolated from the spinal cord of Xenopus (stage 40–42) larvae, two forms of inhibition of the high voltage‐activated (HVA) Ca2+ currents were produced by 5‐HT. One was voltage dependent and associated with both slowing of the activation kinetics and shifting of the voltage dependence of the HVA currents. This inhibition was relieved by strong depolarizing prepulses. A second form of inhibition was neither associated with slowing of the activation kinetics nor relieved by depolarizing prepulses and was thus voltage independent. 2 In all neurons examined, 5‐HT (1 μM) reversibly reduced 34 ± 1.6 % (n= 102) of the HVA Ca2+ currents. In about 40 % of neurons, the inhibition was totally voltage independent. In another 5 %, the inhibition was totally voltage dependent. In the remaining neurons, inhibition was only partially (by around 40 %) relieved by a large depolarizing prepulse, suggesting that in these, the inhibition consisted of both voltage‐dependent and ‐independent components. 3 By using selective channel blockers, we found that 5‐HT acted on both N‐ and P/Q‐type channels. However, whereas the inhibition of P/Q‐type currents was only voltage independent, the inhibition of N‐type currents had both voltage‐dependent and ‐independent components. 4 The effects of 5‐HT on HVA Ca2+ currents were mediated by 5‐HT1A and 5‐HT1D receptors. The 5‐HT1A receptors not only preferentially caused voltage‐independent inhibition, but did so by acting mainly on the ω‐agatoxin‐IVA‐sensitive Ca2+ channels. In contrast, the 5‐HT1D receptor produced both voltage‐dependent and ‐independent inhibition and was preferentially coupled to ω‐conotoxin‐GVIA sensitive channels. This complexity of modulation may allow fine tuning of transmitter release and calcium signalling in the spinal circuitry of Xenopus larvae.
A large subpopulation of avian T cells express a homologue of the mammalian T gamma/delta receptor

This report describes an avian TCR molecule, TCR1, whose molecular characteristics, signal-transducing property, and tissue distribution suggest that it is a homologue of the mammalian TCR-gamma/delta. TCR1+ cells are the first to be generated in the thymus during ontogeny, preceding other T3+ cells by approximately 3 d. Unlike their mammalian counterpart, TCR1+ cells constitute a relatively large subpopulation of peripheral T cells in mature chickens. These results suggest a phylogenetically important role for this receptor in T cell development and function.
Morphogenesis of Tanzania guinea grass under nitrogen doses and plant densities

The objective of this work was to evaluate effects of nitrogen fertilization and plant density on morphogenesis of Tanzania guinea grass. It was used a random block design with 12 treatments and two replications in a 4 × 3 factorial arrangement, with four doses of nitrogen (N) (without N application, 80, 160 or 320 kg/ha.year) and three plant densities (9, 25 or 49 plants/m2). Harvest was performed at 25 cm from the ground when the canopy intercepted 95% of the incident light. Rates of leaf appearance and pseudostem elongation were positively and linearly influenced by nitrogen, whereas phillochron and leaf life span were influenced linearly and negatively. Leaf elongation responded positively to two factors, whereas leaf senescence rate and number of live leaves were not influenced by the factors evaluated. Number of total, basal and aerial tillers were greater at the density of 9 plants/m2 and at the nitrogen dose of 320 kg/ha.year. Nitrogen increases production of leaves and tillers in Tanzania guinea grass defoliated at 95% of light interception, but high density of plants reduces the number of tiller per bunch.
PGE2-induced Apoptotic Cell Death in K562 Human Leukaemia Cells

Prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) is known to trigger suicidal death of nucleated cells (apoptosis) and enucleated erythrocytes (eryptosis). In erythrocytes PGE2 induced suicidal cell death involves activation of nonselective cation channels leading to Ca2+ entry followed by cell shrinkage and triggering of Ca2+ sensitive cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure at the cell surface. The present study was performed to explore whether PGE2 induces apoptosis of nucleated cells similarly through cation channel activation and to possibly disclose the molecular identity of the cation channels involved. To this end, Ca2+ activity was estimated from Fluo3 fluorescence, mitochondrial potential from DePsipher fluorescence, phosphatidylserine exposure from annexin binding, caspase activation from caspAce fluorescence, cell volume from FACS forward scatter, and DNA fragmentation utilizing a photometric enzyme immunoassay. Stimulation of K562 human leukaemia cells with PGE2 (50 µM) increased cytosolic Ca2+ activity, decreased forward scatter, depolarized the mitochondrial potential, increased annexin binding, led to caspase activation and resulted in DNA fragmentation. Gene silencing of the Ca2+-permeable transient receptor potential cation channel TRPC7 significantly blunted PGE2-induced triggering of PS exposure and DNA fragmentation. In conclusion, K562 cells express Ca2+-permeable TRPC7 channels, which are activated by PGE2 and participate in the triggering of apoptosis.
Sperm Antibodies, Immunoglobulins, and Complement in Human Follicular Fluid

ABSTRACT: The levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM), complement (C3, C4, C1EI) and sperm antibodies were determined in plasma and follicular fluid samples from 26 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. The results show that IgG, IgA, C3, C4, and C1EI concentrations in follicular fluid are similar to plasma concentrations (63.1–96.1% of plasma levels). The follicular fluid concentration of IgM was severely reduced, however, being only approximately 10% of plasma concentrations. Sperm antibody titres were compared in three patients using sperm agglutination, immobilization, and immunobead binding. The titres in plasma and follicular fluid were similar, apart from antibodies of IgM class, which were undetectable in follicular fluid.
Negative pressure wound therapy via vacuum‐assisted closure following partial foot amputation: what is the role of wound chronicity?

Randomised clinical trials (RCTs) to evaluate diabetic foot wound therapies have systematically eliminated large acute wounds from evaluation, focusing only on smaller chronic wounds. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the proportion and rate of wound healing in acute and chronic wounds after partial foot amputation in individuals with diabetes treated with negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) delivered by the vacuum‐assisted closure (VAC®) device or with standard wound therapy (SWT). This study constitutes a secondary analysis of patients enrolled in a 16‐week RCT of NPWT: 162 open foot amputation wounds (mean wound size = 20·7 cm2) were included. Acute wounds were defined as the wounds less than 30 days after amputation, whereas chronic wounds as the wounds greater than 30 days. Inclusion criteria consisted of individuals older than 18 years, presence of a diabetic foot amputation wound up to the transmetatarsal level and adequate perfusion. Wound size and healing were confirmed by independent, blinded wound evaluators. Analyses were done on an intent‐to‐treat basis. There was a significantly higher proportion of acute wounds (SWT = 59; NPWT = 63) than chronic wounds (SWT = 26; NPWT = 14), evaluated in this clinical trial (P = 0·001). There was no significant difference in the proportion of acute and chronic wounds achieving complete wound closure in either treatment group. Despite this finding, the Kaplan–Meier curves demonstrated statistically significantly faster healing in the NPWT group in both acute (P = 0·030) and chronic wounds (P = 0·033). Among the patients treated with NPWT via the VAC, there was not a significant difference in healing as a function of chronicity. In both the acute and the chronic wound groups, results for patients treated with NPWT were superior to those for the patients treated with SWT. These results appear to indicate that wound duration should not deter the clinician from using this modality to treat complex wounds.
The Kraepelinian dichotomy: evidence from developmental and neuroimaging studies.

Received October 19, 1999; revised February 16, 2000; accepted April 18, 2000. From the Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry (King’s College), De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, United Kingdom. Send correspondence to Dr. Curtis at the above address; e-mail: v.curtis@iop.kcl. ac.uk Copyright 2000 American Psychiatric Press, Inc. The Kraepelinian Dichotomy: Evidence From Developmental and Neuroimaging Studies
Screening of antinuclear antibodies: comparison between enzyme immunoassay based on nuclear homogenates, purified or recombinant antigens and immunofluorescence assay

Abstract Current clinical practice considers antinuclear antibody (ANA) testing as a screening test; this has a major impact on laboratory work with a growing volume of analyses that need to be performed rapidly, to maintain good specificity and sensitivity. Ongoing discussions have been raised in order to identify the best technology to use in ANA screening, taking into account both clinical and economical implications. The aim of our study was to compare three different enzyme immunoassays (EIA) with immunofluorescence (IF) assay in order to identify which test is better for use as a screening test. The study was performed on 473 sera and the three different EIA tests were based on nuclear homogenates from HeLa cells, purified antigens from HEp-2 cells and recombinant antigens, respectively. The concordance between EIA-ANA and IF-ANA techniques, determined by the κ statistic, was acceptable, but not complete, and discrepancies between both EIA-positive/IF-negative samples and IF-positive/EIA-negative were found. Both methods show interesting diagnostic abilities, however, the IF-ANA assay seems to be the first choice test in a well-standardized immunofluorescence laboratory with experienced microscopists, whereas the EIA test might be useful especially in large-scale ANA screening.
The treatment effects of Invisalign orthodontic aligners: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature to determine the treatment effects of the Invisalign orthodontic system (Align Technology), Santa Clara, Calif. ). TYPES OF STUDIES REVIEWED The authors reviewed clinical trials that assessed Invisalign's treatment effects in nongrowing patients. They did not consider trials involving surgical or other simultaneous fixed or removable orthodontic treatment interventions. RESULTS The authors searched electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Evidence Based Medicine Reviews, EMBASE Excerpta Medica, Thomsen's ISI Web of Science and LILACS) with the help of a senior health sciences librarian. They used "Invisalign" as the sole search term, and 22 documents appeared in the combined search. Thereafter, they used "clinical trials," "humans" and "Invisalign treatment effects" as abstract selection criteria. Only two published articles met these inclusion criteria, though after reading the actual articles, the authors determined that they did not adequately evaluate Invisalign treatment effects. Both articles identified methodological issues. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS The inadequately designed studies the authors found represented only a lower level of evidence (level II). Therefore, the authors found that no strong conclusions could be made regarding the treatment effects of Invisalign appliances. Future prospective randomized clinical trials are required to support, with sound scientific evidence, the claims about Invisalign's treatment effects. Clinicians will have to rely on their Invisalign clinical experience, the opinions of experts and the limited published evidence when using Invisalign appliances.
Whole virus influenza vaccine activates dendritic cells (DC) and stimulates cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) while subunit vaccines support T cell proliferation

Three types of trivalent influenza vaccines were analysed for their in vitro stimulatory properties on immune cells from young healthy volunteers. A whole inactivated virus (WV) vaccine, a conventional subunit (c‐SU) preparation and a new virosomal subunit (v‐SU) vaccine were used. Blood‐derived DC up‐regulated MHC class II, CD54, CD80 and CD86 after exposure to WV vaccine, indicating their functional maturation, but were only moderately affected by subunit (SU) vaccines. In addition, IL‐12 and tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α) secretion by DC were markedly enhanced by WV, but not by SU vaccines. The production of IL‐2 and interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) by PBMC was also strongly stimulated by WV, but much less by SU vaccines, among which the v‐SU vaccine was a better stimulator of IL‐2 secretion. In contrast to WV vaccine both SU vaccines were powerful stimulators of PBMC proliferation. Our results suggest that the presence of influenza core components leads to the activation of DC and triggers the production of cytokines by PBMC. SU vaccines are in contrast excellent stimulators of T cell growth. A combination of WV and SU vaccines in immunization regimes might allow optimal T cell priming as well as the efficient generation and maintenance of memory cells.