Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interfacial Dilatational Viscoelasticity of Human Meibomian Lipid Films

Abstract Purpose/Aim: The meibomian lipid layer is able to withstand the enormous stresses and deformations that occur during blinking due to the combination of its elastic and viscous properties. The purpose of this study was to measure the dilatational viscoelasticity of in vitro meibomian lipid films and compare how these properties differ between room temperature and physiological temperatures. Viscoelasticity was also compared with meibomian lipid films seeded with cholesterol or β-carotene (the levels of these lipid species change in disease states). Materials and methods: Dilatational viscoelasticity (E) was measured using an oscillating pendant drop method. Measurements were carried out on spread films at the air–water interface as a function of frequency (0.1256–12.56 rad/s) at various temperatures between 18–43 °C. Results: Generally, E gradually decreased as the overall temperature was increased. At both 37 and 20 °C, films demonstrated that the elastic modulus (E′) was more dominant than the viscous modulus (E″), indicating films were more solid-like than fluid-like, regardless of temperature. E′ and E″ were also dependant on frequency, indicating some molecular rearrangements of the lipid molecules as films were compressed and expanded. Films seeded with cholesterol or β-carotene showed a modest increase in the moduli. Conclusions: These results are consistent with previous findings which have predicted and indicated that the meibomian lipid layer is a viscoelastic film at the air–liquid interface. These properties are integral to how the tear film lipid layer is able to maintain its structure, and hence integrity of the ocular surface.
Highly differentiated human airway epithelial cells: a model to study host cell–parasite interactions in pertussis

Abstract Background: Bordetella pertussis colonizes the human respiratory mucosa. Most studies on B. pertussis adherence have relied on cultured mammalian cells that lack key features present in differentiated human airway cells or on animal models that are not natural hosts of B. pertussis. The objectives of this work were to evaluate B. pertussis infection in highly differentiated human airway cells in vitro and to show the role of B. pertussis fimbriae in cell adherence. Methods: Primary human airway epithelial (PHAE) cells from human bronchi and a human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cell line were grown in vitro under air–liquid interface conditions. Results: PHAE and HBE cells infected with B. pertussis wild-type strain revealed bacterial adherence to the apical surface of cells, bacteria-induced cytoskeleton changes, and cell detachment. Mutations in the major fimbrial subunits Fim2/3 or in the minor fimbrial adhesin subunit FimD affected B. pertussis adherence to predominantly HBE cells. This cell model recapitulates the morphologic features of the human airway infected by B. pertussis and confirms the role of fimbriae in B. pertussis adherence. Furthermore, HBE cells show that fimbrial subunits, and specifically FimD adhesin, are critical in B. pertussis adherence to airway cells. Conclusions: The relevance of this model to study host–parasite interaction in pertussis lies in the striking physiologic and morphologic similarity between the PHAE and HBE cells and the human airway ciliated and goblet cells in vivo. These cells can proliferate in vitro, differentiate, and express the same genetic profile as human respiratory cells in vivo.
Sociocultural and institutional contexts of social cash transfer programs: Lessons from stakeholders’ attitudes and experiences in Ghana

As conditional cash transfer (CCT) programs spread in African countries, there is a need for well-designed programs that reflect their economic, institutional, political, and sociocultural circumstances. Using both qualitative and quantitative data analysis, this article examines the perspectives of beneficiaries, program managers, and community leaders regarding Ghana’s CCT program. It addresses sociocultural attitudes toward poverty, perceptions of CCT as a poverty reduction strategy, and experiences with CCT implementation. Findings indicate favorable views of CCT but little support for giving money to the poor as a long-term poverty-alleviation strategy. Ghana’s CCT program is seen as fair and popular, but current payment levels are viewed as inadequate, impractical, and unreliable.
Restoring Tsunami Damaged Coastal Lands in Sri Lanka: Evidence of the Anticommons?

ABSTRACT After the 2004 Tsunami, non-governmental organisations and international groups sought permission from government agencies to implement ecosystem restoration projects. Following the logic of the anticommons problem, the likelihood of project implementation is hypothesised to be inversely related to the number of government agencies which have the right to permit use. Our findings are consistent with the anticommons problem: a marginal increase in the number of government agencies, each exercising the right to grant permission to the applicant, reduces the likelihood that a proposed project would ultimately receive permission.
Requirement of the Listeria monocytogenes Broad-Range Phospholipase PC-PLC during Infection of Human Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT In this study, we investigated the requirement of the Listeria monocytogenes broad-range phospholipase C (PC-PLC) during infection of human epithelial cells. L. monocytogenes is a facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen of humans and a variety of animal species. After entering a host cell, L. monocytogenes is initially surrounded by a membrane-bound vacuole. Bacteria promote their escape from this vacuole, grow within the host cell cytosol, and spread from cell to cell via actin-based motility. Most infection studies with L. monocytogenes have been performed with mouse cells or an in vivo mouse model of infection. In all mouse-derived cells tested, the pore-forming cytolysin listeriolysin O (LLO) is absolutely required for lysis of primary vacuoles formed during host cell entry. However, L. monocytogenes can escape from primary vacuoles in the absence of LLO during infection of human epithelial cell lines Henle 407, HEp-2, and HeLa. Previous studies have shown that the broad-range phospholipase C, PC-PLC, promotes lysis of Henle 407 cell primary vacuoles in the absence of LLO. Here, we have shown that PC-PLC is also required for lysis of HEp-2 and HeLa cell primary vacuoles in the absence of LLO expression. Furthermore, our results indicated that the amount of PC-PLC activity is critical for the efficiency of vacuolar lysis. In an LLO-negative derivative of L. monocytogenes strain 10403S, expression of PC-PLC has to increase before or upon entry into human epithelial cells, compared to expression in broth culture, to allow bacterial escape from primary vacuoles. Using a system for inducible PC-PLC expression in L. monocytogenes, we provide evidence that phospholipase activity can be increased by elevated expression of PC-PLC or Mpl, the enzyme required for proteolytic activation of PC-PLC. Lastly, by using the inducible PC-PLC expression system, we demonstrate that, in the absence of LLO, PC-PLC activity is not only required for lysis of primary vacuoles in human epithelial cells but is also necessary for efficient cell-to-cell spread. We speculate that the additional requirement for PC-PLC activity is for lysis of secondary double-membrane vacuoles formed during cell-to-cell spread.
Ultrasonographic Characteristics of Cortical Sulcus Development in the Human Fetus between 18 and 41 Weeks of Gestation

Background: Fetal brain development is a complicated process that continues throughout pregnancy. Fetal sulcus development has typical morphological features. Assessment of fetal sulcus development to understand the cortical maturation and development by prenatal ultrasound has become widespread. This study aimed to explore a reliable method to assess cortical sulcus and to describe the normal sonographic features of cortical sulcus development in the human fetus between 18 and 41 weeks of gestation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed to examine the fetal cortical sulcus development at 18–41 weeks of gestation. Ultrasound was used to examine the insula, sylvian fissure (SF), parieto-occipital fissure (POF), and calcarine fissure (CF). Bland-Altman plots were used for assessing the concordance, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was used for assessing the reliability. Results: SF images were successfully obtained in 100% of participants at 22 weeks of gestation, while the POF images and CF images could be obtained in 100% at 23 weeks of gestation and 24 weeks of gestation, respectively. The SF width, temporal lobe depth, POF depth, and the CF depth increased with the developed gestation. The width of uncovered insula and the POF angle decreased with the developed gestation. By 23 weeks of gestation, the insula was beginning to be covered. Moreover, it completed at 35 weeks of gestation. The intra- and inter-observer agreements showed consistent reproducibility. Conclusions: This study defined standard views of the fetal sulcus as well as the normal reference ranges of these sulcus measurements between 18 and 41 weeks of gestation. Such ultrasonographic measurements could be used to identify fetuses at risk of fetal neurological structural disorders.
Firm Structure and Environment as Contingencies to the Corporate Venture Capital-Parent Firm Value Relationship

Corporate venture capital (CVC) is a valuable strategic tool associated with numerous innovative outcomes. However, less is known about whether CVC investing creates value for the investing (or parent) firm. Drawing from the attention–based view and contingency theory, we suggest that an increase in firm value from CVC investing is contingent on attentional mechanisms that discipline the selection of new investment opportunities. We posit that increases in firm value associated with CVC investing accrues to firms adopting specific operational structures and operating in particular environmental contexts. We find support for our research model in a sample of 95 companies between 2000 and 2008.
Is there a real risk in patients with endometrial carcinoma undergoing diagnostic hysteroscopy (HSC)?

OBJECTIVE The penetration of distention medium into the peritoneal cavity as well as directly into the bloodstream via injured endometrial vessels occurs in a great proportion of patients at hysteroscopy (HSC). This may cause potential risk of dissemination of the malignant cells of endometrial cancer patients. To evaluate the real risk of a poorer prognosis of these patients a prospective multicentric study was started in 1998. MATERIAL AND METHODS Two groups of patients with endometrial carcinoma have been compared. The diagnosis was made in the study group by HSC and targeted biopsy, while in the control group by classical D&C. At the end of the HSC procedure puncture of the cul de sac was performed and the fluid obtained was cytologically examined. In both groups peritoneal lavage was performed at the beginning of the subsequent operation and the collected fluid was again cytologically examined. In the first phase of the study the cytology findings in both groups were compared. In the second phase which is planned for the next five years. the results of follow-up of both groups of patients will be evaluated. RESULTS The results were evaluated in 134 patients with HSC and in 61 patients with D&C. In the study group a positive finding of malignant cells from the cul de sac was found in four patients (5.3%), a suspect finding in eight patients (10.7%), and a negative finding in 63 patients (84%). In the remaining 59 patients with HSC no peritoneal fluid was obtained. In the fluid from lavage at the beginning of the operation in the same group of HSC patients, a positive finding of malignant cells was found in 12.1%, a suspect finding in 18.2%, and a negative finding in 69.7%. In the control group (after D&C) the fluid from lavage contained malignant cells in eight patients (13.6%), suspect cells in 12 patients (20.3%), and no malignant cells in 39 patients (66.1%). Both groups were comparable for clinical stages of disease. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that HSC does not increase the risk of penetration of tumour cells into the peritoneal cavity more than estimates in D&C.
Process Technology for Production and Recovery of Heterologous Proteins with Pichia pastoris

Developments in process techniques for production and recovery of heterologous proteins with Pichia pastoris are presented. Limitations for the standard techniques are described, and alternative techniques that solve the limitations problems are reviewed together with the methods that resulted in higher productivity of the P. pastoris processes. The main limitations are proteolysis of the secreted products and cell death in the high cell density bioreactor cultures. As a consequence, both low productivity and lower quality of the feedstock for downstream processing are achieved in processes hampered with these problems. Methods for exploring proteolysis and cell death are also presented. Solving the problems makes the conditions for downstream processing superior for the P. pastoris expression systems compared to other systems, which either need complex media or rely on intracellular production. These improved conditions allow for interfacing of cultivation with downstream processing in an integrated fashion.
How Does Physical Activity Intervention Improve Self-Esteem and Self-Concept in Children and Adolescents? Evidence from a Meta-Analysis

Objective To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis for the effects of physical activity intervention on self-esteem and self-concept in children and adolescents, and to identify moderator variables by meta-regression. Design A meta-analysis and meta-regression. Method Relevant studies were identified through a comprehensive search of electronic databases. Study inclusion criteria were: (1) intervention should be supervised physical activity, (2) reported sufficient data to estimate pooled effect sizes of physical activity intervention on self-esteem or self-concept, (3) participants’ ages ranged from 3 to 20 years, and (4) a control or comparison group was included. For each study, study design, intervention design and participant characteristics were extracted. R software (version 3.1.3) and Stata (version 12.0) were used to synthesize effect sizes and perform moderation analyses for determining moderators. Results Twenty-five randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies and 13 non-randomized controlled trial (non-RCT) studies including a total of 2991 cases were identified. Significant positive effects were found in RCTs for intervention of physical activity alone on general self outcomes (Hedges’ g = 0.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14 to 0.45; p = 0.001), self-concept (Hedges’ g = 0.49, 95%CI: 0.10 to 0.88, p = 0.014) and self-worth (Hedges’ g = 0.31, 95%CI: 0.13 to 0.49, p = 0.005). There was no significant effect of intervention of physical activity alone on any outcomes in non-RCTs, as well as in studies with intervention of physical activity combined with other strategies. Meta-regression analysis revealed that higher treatment effects were associated with setting of intervention in RCTs (β = 0.31, 95%CI: 0.07 to 0.55, p = 0.013). Conclusion Intervention of physical activity alone is associated with increased self-concept and self-worth in children and adolescents. And there is a stronger association with school-based and gymnasium-based intervention compared with other settings.
BOK and NOXA Are Essential Mediators of p53-dependent Apoptosis*

Cellular stress leads to DNA damage and activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in which translocation of mitochondrial cytochrome c to the cytosol plays a critical role. Previous studies have suggested alternative mechanisms responsible for this process. We examined initiation mechanisms of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway using human neuroblastoma and breast cancer cells. Results indicated that translocation of cytochrome c does not require prior activation of caspases but rather depends on activation of specific BCL-2 family members, depending upon the type of death signal. Thus, DNA damage-induced apoptosis requires new protein synthesis, accumulation of p53 tumor suppressor protein, and p53-dependent induction of BOK and NOXA genes, while a role for BAX in this pathway is not essential. In contrast, apoptosis induced by staurosporine does not require protein synthesis but is characterized by translocation of BAX. Based on these findings, we propose a model of the intrinsic apoptotic cascade induced by DNA damage where proapoptotic BOK substitutes for a function of BAX.
Long‐term Cardiac Outcomes in Renal Transplant Recipients Receiving Fluvastatin: The ALERT Extension Study

Renal transplant recipients (RTR) have an increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease. The ALERT study is the first trial to evaluate the effect of statin therapy on cardiac outcomes following renal transplantation. Patients initially randomized to fluvastatin or placebo in the 5–6 year ALERT study were offered open‐label fluvastatin XL 80 mg/day in a 2‐year extension to the original study. The primary endpoint was time to first major adverse cardiac event (MACE). Of 1787 patients who completed ALERT, 1652 (92%) were followed in the extension. Mean total follow‐up was 6.7 years. Mean LDL‐cholesterol was 98 mg/dL (2.5 mmol/L) at last follow‐up compared to a pre‐study level of 159 mg/dL (4.1 mmol/L). Patients randomized to fluvastatin had a reduced risk of MACE (hazards ratio [HR] 0.79, 95% CI 0.63–0.99, p = 0.036), and a 29% reduction in cardiac death or definite non‐fatal MI (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.55–0.93, p = 0.014). Total mortality and graft loss did not differ significantly between groups. Fluvastatin produces a safe and effective reduction in LDL‐cholesterol associated with reduced risk of MACE in RTR. The lipid‐lowering and cardiovascular benefits of fluvastatin are comparable to those of statins in other patient groups, and support use of fluvastatin in RTR.
Concentrating on Beauty: Sexual Selection and Sociospatial Memory

In three experiments, location memory for faces was examined using a computer version of the matching game Concentration. Findings suggested that physical attractiveness led to more efficient matching for female faces but not for male faces. Study 3 revealed this interaction despite allowing participants to initially see, attend to, and match the attractive male faces in the first few turns. Analysis of matching errors suggested that, compared to other targets, attractive women were less confusable with one another. Results are discussed in terms of the different functions that attractiveness serves for men and women.
Nitric Oxide and N-Acetylcysteine Inhibit the Activation of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases by Angiotensin II in Rat Cardiac Fibroblasts*

Angiotensin II acts on the cardiac fibroblast to produce a mitogenic response. Nitric oxide andN-acetylcysteine have been used to determine if oxidative stress influenced the effects of angiotensin II on the cardiac fibroblast. Angiotensin II activated the mitogen-activated protein kinases designated extracellular signal-regulated kinases within 5 min by interacting with the AT1 receptor. This activation was completely independent of protein kinase C and was inhibited when farnesylation was blocked, implicating Ras involvement. Pretreatment of cardiac fibroblasts with eitherN-acetylcysteine for 8 h or nitric oxide for 10 min suppressed this activation by angiotensin II in a dose-dependent manner. However, when both agents were added, inhibition was essentially complete. This combined effect ofN-acetylcysteine and nitric oxide to block ERKs activation also was found if the activity was stimulated by either another growth factor (platelet-derived growth factor) or by the addition of phorbol ester, suggesting the effect was not limited to the receptor site alone. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that hormonal activation of mitogenic steps such as ERKs is influenced by increased oxidative stress, which is reduced by the combined effects ofN-acetylcysteine and nitric oxide.
Spatial Pattern Separation Testing Differentiates Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarker-Positive and Biomarker-Negative Older Adults With Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background: The hippocampus, entorhinal cortex (EC), and basal forebrain (BF) are among the earliest regions affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. They play an essential role in spatial pattern separation, a process critical for accurate discrimination between similar locations. Objective: We examined differences in spatial pattern separation performance between older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) with AD versus those with non-Alzheimer’s pathologic change (non-AD) and interrelations between volumes of the hippocampal, EC subregions and BF nuclei projecting to these subregions (medial septal nuclei and vertical limb of the diagonal band of Broca – Ch1-2 nuclei) with respect to performance. Methods: Hundred and eighteen older adults were recruited from the Czech Brain Aging Study. Participants with AD aMCI (n = 37), non-AD aMCI (n = 26), mild AD dementia (n = 26), and cognitively normal older adults (CN; n = 29) underwent spatial pattern separation testing, cognitive assessment and brain magnetic resonance imaging. Results: The AD aMCI group had less accurate spatial pattern separation performance than the non-AD aMCI (p = 0.039) and CN (p < 0.001) groups. The AD aMCI and non-AD groups did not differ in other cognitive tests. Decreased BF Ch1-2 volume was indirectly associated with worse performance through reduced hippocampal tail volume and reduced posteromedial EC and hippocampal tail or body volumes operating in serial. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that spatial pattern separation testing differentiates AD biomarker positive and negative older adults with aMCI and provides evidence that BF Ch1-2 nuclei influence spatial pattern separation through the posteromedial EC and the posterior hippocampus.
Anti-PD-1 Immunotherapy Combined With Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy and GM-CSF as Salvage Therapy in a PD-L1-Positive Patient With Refractory Metastatic Thyroid Hürthle Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Thyroid Hürthle cell carcinoma, known as thyroid eosinophilic carcinoma, is a rare pathological type of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), representing 3-4% of all thyroid cancers. However, given the high risk of invasion and metastasis, thyroid Hürthle cell carcinoma has a relatively poor prognosis. Traditional treatment methods have limited effects on patients with metastatic thyroid cancers. Developing a valuable therapy for advanced thyroid carcinomas is an unfilled need, and immunotherapy could represent another choice for these tumors. We herein reported the case of a patient with recurrent advanced thyroid Hürthle cell cancer and positive programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, who suffered tumor progression after re-surgery, radiotherapy, and targeted therapy. It is encouraging that PD-1 inhibitors in combination with GM-CSF and stereotactic body irradiation (SBRT) on metastatic disease have a significant anti-tumor effect.