Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EncephalomyelitisPlexus in Murine Experimental Autoimmune Recruitment to the Brain across the Choroid Negatively Regulates Initial Leukocyte Syndecan-1, a Cell Surface Proteoglycan,

The cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycan, syndecan-1, has been reported to be a negative regulator of various inﬂammatory processes, but its precise mode of action is poorly deﬁned. In this study, we use the murine model of the 35–55 peptide of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein–induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a T lymphocyte–mediated inﬂammation where the steps in disease development and recovery are well characterized, to decipher how syndecan-1 impacts on the inﬂammatory reaction. Syndecan-1 knockout ( Sdc-1 2 / 2 ) mice show enhanced disease severity and impaired recovery. The use of bone marrow chimeric mice reveals that both an immune cell and a CNS-resident source of syndecan-1 contribute to this phenotype. Epithelial cells of the choroid plexus, where initial CCL20-induced leukocyte recruitment to the brain occurs, are identiﬁed as the predominant site of syndecan-1 expression. Syndecan-1 is lost from this site during the course of EAE by shedding into the cerebrospinal ﬂuid, which correlates with loss of epithelial cell surface–bound CCL20 and is associated with the upregulation of IL-6 expression. In Sdc-1 2 / 2 mice, early leukocyte recruitment via the choroid plexus is enhanced, and IL-6 is elevated, which collectively results in higher numbers of the disease inducing Th17 cells in the CNS, thereby contributing to enhanced disease severity. Furthermore, Sdc-1 2 / 2 mice have intrinsically elevated plasma cell numbers and higher myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein–speciﬁc Ab levels of in negatively correlates with syndecan-1 at this site. of Immunology 191: 2 / 2 /Blimp-1-GFP + mice and heterozygous littermate controls. (CD45.1) were used in passive transfer and bone marrow chimera experiments. All experiments were conducted according
Physicians' Attitudes Toward Litigation and Defensive Practice: Development of a Scale

Abstract The authors' threefold purpose in this article was to (a) propose a model of the relationship between the emotional aspects of physicians' attitudes to medical errors (eg, fear of litigation) and their functional consequences (eg, tendency to defensive practice); (b) develop a measure of some of these attitudes; and (c) provide empirical support for some of the relationships in the model. Medical students and physicians responded to a questionnaire concerning their attitudes toward uncertainty and medical error. The dependent variables were two dimensions of attitudes to uncertainty (“reluctance to disclose uncertainty” and “stress from uncertainty”) and four dimensions of attitudes to medical error (“fear of litigation,” “support for self-regulation,” “tendency to defensive practice,” and “self-disclosure of errors”). Stress from uncertainty correlated with fear of malpractice litigation and defensive practice. They concluded that interventions that aim to increase physicians' tolerance of uncertainty may also reduce their fear of malpractice litigation and their tendency to defensive practice.
Inducible reprogramming of human T cells into Treg cells by a conditionally active form of FOXP3

FOXP3 is required for the development of Treg and its expression is often used as a surrogate marker of functional suppression. However, it is now known that activated human T effector cells can also express FOXP3 without acquiring regulatory activity. To more closely examine the requirements for FOXP3 to reprogram human T cells into Treg, we developed a conditionally active form of FOXP3 and show here that full acquisition of Treg phenotype and function is strictly dependent on the amount of active FOXP3 a T cell expresses. In addition, the phenotypic and functional alterations induced by FOXP3 are only fully manifested following prolonged induction of protein activity. Induction of FOXP3 activity does not upregulate EBI3 or p35 mRNA, providing evidence that secretion of IL‐35 does not substantially contribute to the suppressive mechanism of human Treg. These data represent the first formal evidence that FOXP3 acts as a quantitative regulator rather than a simple molecular switch for Treg.
Qualitative study of young people's and parents' beliefs about childhood asthma.

BACKGROUND Asthma continues to be a common childhood chronic illness managed principally in primary care. Self-management requires co-ordinated efforts of young people, carers and health professionals. Non-compliance occurs even when parents are supervising care, suggesting that decisions are made on the basis of beliefs that contrast with professional advice. Health professionals therefore need to understand the views of parents (or other carers) and patients to promote good self-management. Little attention has been given to carers' and young people's perspectives on asthma. AIM To gain insights into the beliefs of a group of 25 young people aged nine to 16 years old and their carers about asthma and its management. DESIGN OF STUDY Qualitative study using conversational-style interviews. SETTING Generally deprived urban areas of Greater Manchester. METHOD Interviews were conducted with 25 young people with asthma and separately with their carers. The interviews were analysed using the principles and procedures of grounded theory. RESULTS Carers reported assessing asthma symptoms through observed effects on the child and other family members, including emotions and behaviours that disrupted family life. Young people emphasised the effect of asthma on their everyday lives and in particular the extent to which they appeared different to their peers. Some young people reported continuing symptoms and restrictions of activity that differed widely from the reports of their carers. CONCLUSION Differences between young people's and carers' criteria for assessment suggest explanations for some 'non-compliant' behaviour. Carers' assessment of asthma severity through the absence of acute attacks is consistent with managing asthma as intermittent acute episodes. Professionals should take account of differences between young people's, carers' and professionals' perceptions of asthma.
CMB anisotropies seen by an off-center observer in a spherically symmetric inhomogeneous universe

The current authors have previously shown that inhomogeneous, but spherically symmetric universe models containing only matter can yield a very good fit to the SNIa data and the position of the first cosmic microwave background (CMB) peak. In this work we examine how far away from the center of inhomogeneity the observer can be located in these models and still fit the data well. Furthermore, we investigate whether such an off-center location can explain the observed alignment of the lowest multipoles of the CMB map. We find that the observer has to be located within a radius of $\ensuremath{\sim}15\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{Mpc}$ from the center for the induced dipole to be less than that observed by the COBE satellite. But for such small displacements from the center, the induced quadru- and octopoles turn out to be insufficiently large to explain the alignment.
Takacs–Fiksel Method for Stationary Marked Gibbs Point Processes

Abstract. This article studies a method to estimate the parameters governing the distribution of a stationary marked Gibbs point process. This procedure, known as the Takacs–Fiksel method, is based on the estimation of the left and right hand sides of the Georgii–Nguyen–Zessin formula and leads to a family of estimators due to the possible choices of test functions. We propose several examples illustrating the interest and flexibility of this procedure. We also provide sufficient conditions based on the model and the test functions to derive asymptotic properties (consistency and asymptotic normality) of the resulting estimator. The different assumptions are discussed for exponential family models and for a large class of test functions. A short simulation study is proposed to assess the correctness of the methodology and the asymptotic results.
Drug-eluting versus bare-metal stents in large coronary arteries.

BACKGROUND Recent data have suggested that patients with coronary disease in large arteries are at increased risk for late cardiac events after percutaneous intervention with first-generation drug-eluting stents, as compared with bare-metal stents. We sought to confirm this observation and to assess whether this increase in risk was also seen with second-generation drug-eluting stents. METHODS We randomly assigned 2314 patients needing stents that were 3.0 mm or more in diameter to receive sirolimus-eluting, everolimus-eluting, or bare-metal stents. The primary end point was the composite of death from cardiac causes or nonfatal myocardial infarction at 2 years. Late events (occurring during months 7 to 24) and target-vessel revascularization were the main secondary end points. RESULTS The rates of the primary end point were 2.6% among patients receiving sirolimus-eluting stents, 3.2% among those receiving everolimus-eluting stents, and 4.8% among those receiving bare-metal stents, with no significant differences between patients receiving either drug-eluting stent and those receiving bare-metal stents. There were also no significant between-group differences in the rate of late events or in the rate of death, myocardial infarction, or stent thrombosis. Rates of target-vessel revascularization for reasons unrelated to myocardial infarction were 3.7% among patients receiving sirolimus-eluting stents, 3.1% among those receiving everolimus-eluting stents, and 8.9% among those receiving bare-metal stents. The rate of target-vessel revascularization was significantly reduced among patients receiving either drug-eluting stent, as compared with a bare-metal stent, with no significant difference between the two types of drug-eluting stents. CONCLUSIONS In patients requiring stenting of large coronary arteries, no significant differences were found among sirolimus-eluting, everolimus-eluting, and bare-metal stents with respect to the rate of death or myocardial infarction. With the two drug-eluting stents, similar reductions in rates of target-vessel revascularization were seen. (Funded by the Basel Cardiovascular Research Foundation and the Swiss National Foundation for Research; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN72444640.).
Use of Historical Control Data in Carcinogenicity Studies in Rodents

This paper considers the use of historical control data in the evaluation of tumor incidences from carcinogenicity studies in rodents. Although the most appropriate control group for interpretative purposes is always the concurrent control, there are instances in which the use of historical control information can aid an investigator in the overall evaluation of tumor incidence data. One example is rare tumors; another is a tumor that shows a marginally significant result relative to concurrent controls. However, before historical control data can be used in a formal testing framework, a number of important issues must first be considered. The nomenclature conventions and diagnostic criteria for each study should be identical to insure unambiguous identification of all relevant tumors in the historical control database. Criteria should be established that will aid in determining whether a particular study should be included in the database. This will assure a homogeneous set of studies upon which to base statistical comparisons. Since study-to-study variability in tumor rates may exceed what would be expected by chance alone, these sources of variability should be identified and controlled. Finally, statistical procedures should be employed that adjust for extra-binomial variability. This paper also summarizes tumor incidence data from untreated Fischer 344 rats and B6C3F1 mice in the National Toxicology Program (NTP) historical control database. All studies in the database are of two years duration, and all neoplasms occurring with a frequency of 0.5% or more are reported.
Optimization of novel tocopheryl acetate nanoemulsions for parenteral delivery of curcumin for therapeutic intervention of sepsis

Objective: The objective of this study is to develop a nanostructured parenteral delivery system, laden with curcumin (CUR), for the therapeutic intervention of sepsis and associated pathologies. Methods: Nanoemulsions were fabricated using sonication and speed homogenization. Size and zeta potential were evaluated by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy analysis. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies were performed on a rat model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis. Results: The drug content of optimized nanoemulsion (F5) formulation (particle size 246 ± 08 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.120, zeta potential of −41.1 ± 1.2 mV) was found to be 1.25 mg/ml. In vitro release studies demonstrated that F5 was able to sustain the release of CUR for up to 24 h. Minimal hemolysis and cellular toxicity demonstrated its suitability for intravenous administration. Significant reduction of inflammatory mediator levels was mediated through enhanced uptake by in RAW 264.7 and THP-1 in absence/presence of LPS. Nanoemulsion resulted in an improvement of plasma concentration (AUCF5/AUC CUR = 8.80) and tissue distribution of CUR in rats leading to a reduction in LPS-induced lung and liver injury due to less neutrophil migration, reduced TNF-α levels and oxidative stress (demonstrated by levels of lipid peroxides as well as carbonylated proteins) as confirmed by histopathological studies. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the therapeutic performance (i.e., reduction in oxidative damage in tissues) of CUR can be enhanced by employing tocol acetate nanoemulsions (via improving pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution) as a platform for drug delivery in sepsis-induced organ injury.
Architectural Design Quality Assessment Based On Analytic Hierarchy Process: A Case Study

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN QUALITY ASSESSMENT BASED ON ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS: A CASE STUDY OZET VE ANAHTAR SOZCUKLER Abstract Architectural design quality is hard to evaluate due to its complexity. Defining criteria, setting forth a methodology and deciding on who is going to assess the quality for whom are also on-going discussions to date. To this end, tools have been developed, yet they are mostly used for post-occupancy evaluation, thereby not contributing to the design stages in progress. This article aims to reveal a new, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) based approach for the assessment of architectural design quality which can be used for design stages starting from pre-design to final design. Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) is a powerful and comprehensible system that allows groups or individuals to combine qualitative as well as quantitative factors in decision-making processes. AHP, a MCDM method, structures a decision problem into levels forming a hierarchy. As quality is in the eye of the beholder, an AHP-based approach aims to improve architectural design quality in the design process through the contribution of stakeholders’ preferences through the design processes. The proposed approach is implemented in a case study in cooperation with one of the biggest private health care providers of Turkey. Keywords: Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), Architectural Design Quality, Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) Ozet Karmasikligindan dolayi, Mimari Tasarim kalitesinin degerlendirilmesi zordur. Olcutlerin belirlenmesi, yontemin ortaya konmasi ve kaliteyi kimin, kim icin degerlendirecegi de devam eden tartismalardandir. Bu amacla, devam eden tasarim sureclerine girdi veremeyen, cogunlugu kullanim sureci degerlendirmesinde kullanilan pek cok degerlendirme araci gelistirilmistir. Bu makale, tasarimin ilk asamalarindan son asamalarina kadar kullanilabilecek Analitik Hiyerarsi Prosesi (AHP) tabanli yeni bir yontem onermeyi amaclamaktadir. Cok Olcutlu Karar Verme (COKV) karar verme surecinde bireysel ve grup karlarlarinda soyut ve somut etkenlerin birlikte degerlendirilebildigi guclu ve anlasilabilir bir sistemdir. Bir COKV yontemi olan AHP karar sorunlarini olusturdugu hiyerarsik yapi ile tanimlar. Kalite goreceli olarak degerlendirilebileceginden, AHP tabanli yaklasim yapi elde etme surecinin paydaslari gozunden surec icerisindeki tercihlerini anlamayi amaclamaktadir. Onerilen yaklasim Turkiye’nin onde gelen saglik kuruluslarinin birinde ornek olay calismasi ile sinanmistir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Analitik Hiyerarsi Prosesi (AHP), Mimari Tasarim Kalitesi, Cok Olcutlu Karar Verme (COKV)
Activation of Three Distinct RXR/RAR Heterodimers Induces Growth Arrest and Differentiation of Neuroblastoma Cells*

Naturally occurring retinoids, like all-trans retinoic acid and 9-cis retinoic acid, are known to affect proliferation and differentiation of sensitive neuroblastoma cell lines. Cellular responsiveness to retinoic acid depends on its interaction with two distinct classes of receptors, the retinoic acid receptors (RARs) and the retinoic X receptors (RXRs). Both receptor classes have three different subtypes (RARα, RARβ, and RARγ and RXRα, RARβ, and RARγ) that act as ligand-dependent transcription factors. To examine the involvement of the different receptor classes and subtypes in the biological responses of neuroblastoma cells to retinoids, we analyzed the effects of a panel of receptor-selective retinoids on cell growth, differentiation, and gene expression on in vitro cultured KCNR cells. Any association of per se inactive RXR-selective with RAR-selective ligands efficiently regulates growth inhibition, differentiation (neurite extension), and expression of RARβ, TrkB, and N-myc. SR11383 alone, a very potent retinoid, entirely reproduces the pattern of biological responses induced by naturally occurring retinoids. In contrast to other tumor cell lines, the growth of neuroblastoma cell lines is not altered using AP1-antagonistic retinoids. These studies raise the possibility that three distinct RXR/RAR heterodimers mediate the effects of retinoids on neuroblastoma cells through an AP-1 antagonism-independent mechanism.
A compact model for double-gate tunneling field-effect-transistors and its implications on circuit behaviors

A compact model for tunneling field-effect-transistors (TFETs) is presented. The model includes a band-to-band tunneling (BTBT) current module and a terminal charge module. TCAD simulations show that the model describes TFETs currents and capacitances accurately. The model is implemented into a circuit simulator and used to simulate TFETs logic circuits and SRAMs. Unique features in TEFTs including large overshoot during switching, long delay and uni-directional conduction are demonstrated.
Reducing the Morbidity Involved in Harvesting Autogenous Rib Cartilage

Although the use of autogenous cartilage is the gold standard in auricular reconstruction, its main disadvantage is the morbidity due to harvesting the cartilage. This includes postoperative pain, visible scar, and possibly asymmetry and reduced stability of the thorax. To reduce all of these drawbacks, we describe some modifications that reduce pain to a low tolerable level, hide the scar invisibly in the submammary fold in females, and induce regeneration as well reestablish stability of the rib defect.
Quantitative uterine histology during the menstrual cycle in relation to measured menstrual blood loss

Endometrium and myometrium were collected at hysterectomy from 42 women with measured menstrual blood loss (range 4–840 ml). The specimens, obtained throughout the menstrual cycle, showed no evidence of organic disease on histological examination. The volume fraction occupied by arteries at the myometrial ‐ endometrial junction, and by glandular tissue throughout the endometrium was estimated with a point counting technique. The index of volume‐to‐surface ratio of endometrial glandular tissue was examined by a combination of point counting and linear intercept methods. No correlation was found between menstrual blood loss and endometrial and myometrial arterial density, endometrial glandular density and volume‐to‐surface ratio. Consequently, meno‐rrhagia, occurring in the absence of obvious pathology, does not appear to result from an excessive number of arteries of from abnormal glandular distribution.
Interrelationships Between Pain, Disability, General Health, and Quality of Life and Associations With Work-Related and Individual Factors: A Study Among Workers on Sickness Absence for 2 to 6 Weeks for Musculoskeletal Complaints

Study Design. A cross-sectional study. Objectives. To measure interrelationships among pain, functional disability, general health, and overall quality of life for workers on sickness absence for 2 to 6 weeks due to musculoskeletal complaints, and to assess the impact of work-related and individual characteristics on these different health dimensions. The results of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between health and functional disability. Summary of Background Data. When choosing a patient-based outcome measure, different health dimensions must be considered. For musculoskeletal complaints, four health dimensions are important: pain, disability, general health, and overall quality of life. Improvement at one dimension does not necessarily correlate with better health on another dimension. Moreover, correlations between different dimensions may be influenced by individual and environmental factors. However, it is not known whether these factors influence different health dimensions differently. Methods. A total of 218 workers on sickness absence for 2 to 6 weeks due to musculoskeletal complaints completed a questionnaire on four different health dimensions and work-related and environmental factors. Results. Moderate correlations (r < 0.50) among measures of pain, disability, general health, and quality of life were found. These health dimensions were not influenced by work-related physical and psychosocial workload, suggesting no impact of recall bias in studies for work-related musculoskeletal complaints. Self-perceived ability to return to work within 6 weeks explained 21% to 26% of the outcomes on pain and disability and contributed less to the generic measures of health. Conclusion. Within a population of workers on sickness absence for 2 to 6 weeks, specific dimensions of pain and disability seem to be more appropriate measures of health than generic instruments of general health and quality of life.
Investor Confidence as a Determinant of China's Urban Housing Market Dynamics

China's urban housing market dynamics suggest that evolving investor confidence may be a relevant demand shifter. Such investors are continually updating their beliefs about the state of the macroeconomy and the policy uncertainty related to national and local housing policies. We build a 35 Chinese city real estate confidence index that varies over time and across cities. This index predicts subsequent house price appreciation and new housing sales. We document evidence of heterogeneous effects of investor confidence depending on a city's demographics and the city's elasticity of housing supply. Our results based on a new household‐level expectations survey bolster the case that investor expectations are an important determinant of real estate price dynamics.
Arenavirus Diversity and Phylogeography of Mastomys natalensis Rodents, Nigeria

Mastomys natalensis rodents are natural hosts for Lassa virus (LASV). Detection of LASV in 2 mitochondrial phylogroups of the rodent near the Niger and Benue Rivers in Nigeria underlines the potential for LASV emergence in fresh phylogroups of this rodent. A Mobala-like sequence was also detected in eastern Nigeria.