Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) amplicon-mediated codelivery of secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine and CD40L results in augmented antitumor activity.

Development of effective antitumor immune responses depends on timely interactions of effector cells. A bimodal approach that involves coexpression of chemokines and costimulatory molecules within the tumor bed may elaborate a more optimal antitumor response. One candidate includes secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC), which promotes the colocalization of naïve, nonpolarized memory T cells and dendritic cells (DCs) within lymph nodes and Peyer's patches. CD40L-mediated DC activation could induce maturation, enhance antigen presentation, and facilitate priming of the recruited naïve T cells. To this end, the antitumor activity of SLC and CD40L expressed singly or in combination using the herpes simplex virus (HSV)-derived amplicon was examined in two murine models: A20, a B-cell lymphoma, and CT-26, an adenocarcinoma. Administration of amplicons encoding SLC (HSV-SLC) into s.c. tumors established previously resulted in heavy infiltration of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and DCs, and the generation of cytolytic T-cell activity. Combined transduction of either tumor with HSV-SLC and HSV-CD40L resulted in a more enhanced antitumor activity that was CD8+ T cell-dependent than observed with either vector alone. mRNA expression of the Th1 markers IFN-gamma, perforin, and interleukin 12 was detectable only in transduced regressing tumors. In addition to identifying a potent antitumor immune strategy, we show that amplicon-mediated SLC and CD40L delivery may mimic lymph node conditions necessary for priming naïve T cells within the tumor bed, and demonstrate the importance of DC activation status on antigen presentation and cytokine expression for priming of newly recruited T cells.
A Computer Model of Cardiac Electrical Activity for the Simulation of Arrhythmias

Modern computer power allows development of models of the heart that may be helpful for the understanding of arrhythmia mechanisms if, based on realistic physiological parameters, such models can display phenomena difficult to study in nature. Therefore, a two‐dimensional model of the cardiac tissue has been implemented, where the modeling of each cell is based on membrane ionic channels (Beeler‐Reuter and Luo‐Rudy models). In addition, an ECG was computed based on the ionic currents simulated. This model allows us to observe the propagation of the action potentials Vm across the cardiac tissue, the evolution of Vm for any of the cardiac cells, and the underlying ionic currents. The computation of the ECG makes it possible to relate this information with an often‐used diagnostic tool. Simulations of normal and pathological phenomena such as functional and anatomic reentry have been performed. Our simulation results show that the applied computer model based on ionic currents seems accurate and realistic when compared with biological models and offers a new approach to study the origin, prevention, and termination of arrhythmias.
Effectiveness of a Neuromuscular and Proprioceptive Training Program in Preventing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Female Athletes

Background Among female athletes it has not been established whether a neuromuscular and proprioceptive sports-specific training program will consistently reduce the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Purpose To determine whether a neuromuscular and proprioceptive performance program was effective in decreasing the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injury within a select population of competitive female youth soccer players. Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods In 2000, 1041 female subjects from 52 teams received a sports-specific training intervention in a prospective non-randomized trial. The control group consisted of the remaining 1905 female soccer players from 95 teams participating in the same league who were age and skill matched. In the 2001 season, 844 female athletes from 45 teams were enrolled in the study, with 1913 female athletes (from 112 teams) serving as the age- and skill-matched controls. All subjects were female soccer players between the ages of 14 and 18 and participated in either their traditional warm-up or a sports-specific training intervention before athletic activity over a 2-year period. The intervention consisted of education, stretching, strengthening, plyometrics, and sports-specific agility drills designed to replace the traditional warm-up. Results During the 2000 season, there was an 88% decrease in anterior cruciate ligament injury in the enrolled subjects compared to the control group. In year 2, during the 2001 season, there was a 74% reduction in anterior cruciate ligament tears in the intervention group compared to the age- and skill-matched controls. Conclusion Using a neuromuscular training program may have a direct benefit in decreasing the number of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female soccer players.
Isolated pulmonary infection acts as a source of systemic tumor necrosis factor

Objective: To investigate the local secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the lung as a source for systemic TNF. Design: Prospective, randomized experimental trials. Setting: Laboratory. Subjects: Hartley guinea pigs. Interventions: Female guinea pigs were challenged intratracheally with 103 to 109 Escherichia coli. Two and eight hrs after the bacterial challenge, colony‐forming units of bacteria in the lung and blood, TNF and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and serum TNF concentrations were determined. At the same time, alveolar macrophages were harvested and cultured in vitro, and TNF and PGE2 secretions were measured. Measurements and Main Results: TNF and PGE2 concentrations were either not detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or were found in very low levels in control animals. High concentrations of TNF and PGE2, however, were found in bacteria‐challenged animals. Two hours after inoculation of bacteria, TNF in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid had a significant correlation with TNF values in the serum. The TNF concentration in aortic blood was significantly higher than TNF concentration in right atrial blood. For comparable inocula, TNF in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after 8 hrs was significantly lower than at 2 hrs, but PGE2 levels remained high. Lipopolysacchari de‐stimulated alveolar macrophage secretion of TNF in vitro was depressed in animals with high PGE2 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and high numbers of viable bacteria in the lungs. Conclusions: During pulmonary Gram‐negative infection, the lungs may be a major source of TNF in the blood. The magnitude of TNF secretion by the lungs is highly dependent on the intensity of infection during its early stages. By 8 hrs after onset of infection, TNF secretion appears to downregulate, possibly by endogenous PGE2. (Crit Care Med 1994; 22:114‐120)
A food chain model to predict the levels of lipophilic organic contaminants in humans

A fugacity‐based, nonsteady state, mechanistic model called ACC‐HUMAN was developed to describe bioaccumulation of lipophilic organic pollutants from air, water, and soil to humans. The physical environment was linked via a marine and an agricultural food chain model to a human bioaccumulation model. Contaminant uptake via the primary dietary sources of persistent lipophilic contaminants in industrialized countries was addressed, namely fish, dairy products, and beef. In addition, uptake from air and water was considered, allowing the model also to treat less lipophilic compounds. To evaluate the model, the food chain characteristics were parameterized for southern Sweden and historical scenarios of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations in air, water, and soil in this region were constructed from published data. The resulting model predictions of PCB concentrations in fish, milk, beef, and human tissue agreed well with measured concentrations from Swedish monitoring programs. This suggests that ACC‐HUMAN is a useful tool for predicting human exposure to bioaccumulative organic compounds. It can be linked easily to existing multimedia fate and transport models.
Studies of cellular proliferation in human leukemia. III. Behavior of leukemic cells in three adults with acute leukemia given continuous infusions of 3H‐thymidine for 8 or 10 days

Three adults with acute leukemia were given continuous infusions of 3H‐thymidine for 8 or 10 days. At the end of the infusions 88 to 93% of the leukemic cells were labeled. The leukemic cells varied in size and the flash 3H‐thymidine labeling indexes were generally progressively higher in direct relation to increasing nuclear size. Almost none of the smallest leukemic cells were labeled initially, but, at the end of the infusions, most were labeled regardless of size. The few remaining unlabeled were usually small, and it is concluded that these had remained dormant for die duration of the infusions. The mean generation time of the labeled fraction of leukemic cells in one patient was about 90 hours prior to treatment and about 200 hours during prednisone therapy. In the other 2 patients, antimetabolite therapy was started immediately after the infusions and the generation times were about 100 and 200 hours. There was considerable variability in generation time among the proliferating cells in each leukemic population. The minimum could not be determined because of continual interchange between cells of different sizes as a result of cell growth prior to division and halving of volume thereafter. The data is consistent with the hypothesis that the leukemic cells behave as a self‐maintaining population; we found no evidence for influx of leukemic “stem cells” from an unrecognized precursor compartment. In one patient, destruction of many of the leukemic cells by chemotherapy resulted in an increase in the 3H‐thymidine labeling index and the average size of the remaining cells. Similar findings have been described for several experimental tumors in vivo and for various cell types in vitro; i.e., their‐rate of proliferation varies according to their population density. Acute leukemic cells apparently grow less rapidly when their population density exceeds a critical level, but the finer alterations in kinetics which occur and the mechanism of growth inhibition are as yet unknown.
Comparison of Conventional Profiling by a Trained Tasting Panel and Free Profiling by Wine Professionals

In the wine industry, wine is often characterized by professional tasters. Methods commonly used in sensory analysis, or “conventional profiling,” require intensive, experiment-specific training and thus cannot be applied by a panel of untrained tasters, even if they are wine professionals. More spontaneous methods such as free profiling do not require time-intensive training sessions. This study compares wine characterizations obtained through free profiling by wine professionals with conventional profiling by a panel of trained judges. Data were analyzed by multiple factor analysis. Representations provided by the two methods are broadly similar, but reveal some disparities. Free profiling may be a good compromise to obtain meaningful results from untrained but knowledgeable wine professionals.
Color Doppler Imaging in Uveitis

Purpose. To evaluate the vascular hemodynamic changes that can be detected with color Doppler imaging (CDI) in diagnosis, differential diagnosis and prognosis of uveitis with different etiologies including Behçet's disease. Methods. Four groups consisting of healthy volunteers, uveitis patients with different etiologies and Behçet's disease patients with and without ocular involvement were examined by CDI. Central retinal artery (CRA), posterior ciliary artery (PCA), ophthalmic artery (OA) and central retinal vein (CRV) flow velocities and vascular resistances were measured prospectively by a radiologist blinded to the presence and etiology of uveitis. Results. The peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities in CRA and PCA in Behçet's disease with ocular involvement were significantly lower than all other groups (p<0.001). Peak systolic and end-diastolic velocities in CRA were lower than the control group in Behçet's disease patients without ocular involvement (p<0.001) but there were no differences in PCA and OA flow velocity (p>0.05). In the uveitis group, CRA and CRV flow velocities were significantly lower than in the control group (p<0.001). Conclusions. According to our results, uveitis in Behçet's disease is associated with significant reductions of CRA and PCA flow velocities when compared with other types of uveitis and. healthy subjects. In cases without ocular involvement, CRA flow velocities were lower than the control group, but there were no real differences in the PCA and OA values. This suggests that vasculitic involvement of PCA is more specific to Behçet's disease and occurs later in the course of the disease. The results also suggest that it may be possible to detect and follow hemodynamic changes in Behçet's disease with CDI before clinical findings of ocular involvement become evident.
Cost-system choice in a multidimensional knowledge space: traditional versus activity-based costing

The coopetition members in a virtual enterprise still have many after-effects to be studied. Several questions mentioned by Mishira and Vaysman are resolved in this paper. Considering R&D and Marketing members in a virtual enterprise, the cost system choice for the R&D members is explored. The main results are (i) the expected profits of R&D members are likely to be higher when all members adopt the ABC system for whatever knowledge interval, (ii) the ABC system is likely to induce less benefits when the intra and intermember knowledge rents exceeds the gross benefits of R&D members with better knowledge provided by ABC if the marketing members are adopting the traditional cost system and (iii) given the cost system choice of marketing members and the knowledge space, adoption of the ABC system will moderate Knowledge Asymmetry (KA) and further generate higher expected profits for R&D members. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate our results.
A mycoplasma isolated from cattle with infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis.

A mycoplasma has been recovered from the eyes of calves in two naturally-occurring outbreaks of infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis; also from a third group of calves accidentally exposed to an animal which had ocular exudates from one of the outbreaks instilled into its eyes.The severity of the ocular lesions in infectious bovine keratoconjunctivis outbreaks may be related to a mixed infection with the mycoplasma and Moraxella bovis. Preliminary typing studies indicate the mycoplasma is not serologically related to any known bovine mycoplasma.
Concentration of cross-reacting idiotypic specificities in unrelated mouse immunoglobulins.

Myeloma proteins and populations of antibody molecules from individual donors possess unique antigenic (idiotypic) determinants (1–3). Gell and Kelus (4) first proposed that a given idiotypic specificity is characteristic of a clone of cells, i.e., of cells descended from a common precursor. It has been suggested, however, that certain idiotypic specificities might actually reflect the presence of unique antigenic determinants in certain subgroups of polypeptide chains, selected by the antigen (5). If this were the case nonspecific immunoglobulin populations would be expected to exhibit various idiotypic specificities in low concentrations. The present experiments define upper limits for the concentrations of idiotypic specificities of mouse antihapten antibodies in normal IgG and in mouse antibodies of unrelated specificity. The antibodies used to elicit antiidiotypic (anti-D)2 antibodies were prepared in strain A/J mice by immunization with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)-p-azophenylarsonate or KLH-p-azobenzoate (6). Anti-D antibodies directed to the antihapten antibodies were prepared and were quantified by an indirect precipitation method, as described elsewhere (6).
Injury outcomes in children following automobile, motorcycle, and all-terrain vehicle accidents: an institutional review.

OBJECT The authors performed an analysis of retrospectively obtained data to compare the outcomes of pediatric patients admitted to their institution for traumatic injuries resulting from car, motorcycle, and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective review of Columbus Children's Hospital's Trauma Registry data collected between January 1993 and December 2003. Data obtained in patients admitted with motor vehicle-related injuries were compiled for a total of 1608 patient records. Data regarding sex, age, hospital length of stay (LOS), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, revised trauma score, injury severity score (ISS), and use of a protective device were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS Of 1608 patients, 1257 (78%) were injured in automobile accidents, 123 (7.6%) in motorcycle accidents, and 228 (14.2%) in ATV accidents. Injuries sustained in all vehicle types peaked during the summer months. Patients involved in automobile crashes presented with significantly lower GCS scores than those injured in motorcycle and ATV accidents; however, there was no statistically significant difference in LOS among all three injury modalities. Protective devices were underutilized in all three motor vehicle categories but, when used, were associated with significantly higher GCS scores, ISSs, and shorter LOSs among patients admitted after automobile accidents. The correlation of seat belt use with better outcomes underscores the necessity to improve motor vehicle safety education for children, who are less likely to be restrained as they age.
Sound transmission through lightweight double-leaf partitions : theoretical modelling

This paper presents theoretical modelling of the sound transmission loss through double-leaf lightweight partitions stiffened with periodically placed studs. First, by assuming that the effect of the studs can be replaced with elastic springs uniformly distributed between the sheathing panels, a simple smeared model is established. Second, periodic structure theory is used to develop a more accurate model taking account of the discrete placing of the studs. Both models treat incident sound waves in the horizontal plane only, for simplicity. The predictions of the two models are compared, to reveal the physical mechanisms determining sound transmission. The smeared model predicts relatively simple behaviour, in which the only conspicuous features are associated with coincidence effects with the two types of structural wave allowed by the partition model, and internal resonances of the air between the panels. In the periodic model, many more features are evident, associated with the structure of passand stop-bands for structural waves in the partition. The models are used to explain the effects of incidence angle and of the various system parameters. The predictions are compared with existing test data for steel plates with wooden stiffeners, and good agreement is obtained. r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. see front matter r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. jsv.2004. 10.020 ding author. Tel. : +44 1223 766316; fax: +44 1223 332662. ress: tjl21@cam.ac. uk (T.J. Lu).
Unraveling the Secrets of Single Donor Success in Islet Transplantation

Islet transplantation is emerging as an attractive alternative to solitary pancreas transplantation for a highly select group of patients with severe, labile forms of Type 1 diabetes that had previously tried and failed on intensive insulin therapy. The year 2000 marked a dramatic shift in clinical success with the introduction of the so-called ‘Edmonton Protocol’, which built upon many years of intensive research and extensive collaborations between islet groups worldwide (1,2).
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder: Management of Baltic cod stock requires an ecosystem approach

In a recent 'As We See It' article, Cardinale & Svedang (2011; Mar Ecol Prog Ser 425:297-301) used the example of the Eastern Baltic (EB) cod stock to argue that the concept of ecosystem regime shifts, especially the potential existence of alternative stable states (or dynamic regimes), blurs the fact that human exploitation (i.e. fishing) is the strongest impact on marine ecosys- tems. They further concluded that single-species approaches to resource management are function- ing and that ecosystem-based approaches are not necessary. We (1) argue that the recent increase in the EB cod stock is inherently uncertain, (2) discuss the critique of the regime shift concept, and (3) describe why the EB cod stock dynamics demonstrates the need for an ecosystem approach to fisheries management.
Outcomes of Patient- and Family-Centered Care Interventions in the ICU: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: To determine whether patient- and family-centered care interventions in the ICU improve outcomes. Data Sources: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library databases from inception until December 1, 2016. Study Selection: We included articles involving patient- and family-centered care interventions and quantitative, patient- and family-important outcomes in adult ICUs. Data Extraction: We extracted the author, year of publication, study design, population, setting, primary domain investigated, intervention, and outcomes. Data Synthesis: There were 46 studies (35 observational pre/post, 11 randomized) included in the analysis. Seventy-eight percent of studies (n = 36) reported one or more positive outcome measures, whereas 22% of studies (n = 10) reported no significant changes in outcome measures. Random-effects meta-analysis of the highest quality randomized studies showed no significant difference in mortality (n = 5 studies; odds ratio = 1.07; 95% CI, 0.95–1.21; p = 0.27; I 2 = 0%), but there was a mean decrease in ICU length of stay by 1.21 days (n = 3 studies; 95% CI, –2.25 to –0.16; p = 0.02; I 2 = 26%). Improvements in ICU costs, family satisfaction, patient experience, medical goal achievement, and patient and family mental health outcomes were also observed with intervention; however, reported outcomes were heterogeneous precluding formal meta-analysis. Conclusions: Patient- and family-centered care–focused interventions resulted in decreased ICU length of stay but not mortality. A wide range of interventions were also associated with improvements in many patient- and family-important outcomes. Additional high-quality interventional studies are needed to further evaluate the effectiveness of patient- and family-centered care in the intensive care setting.
Effects of Testing Conditions and Multiple Reflows on Cold Bump Pull Test of Pb-free Solder Balls

Ball pull test has emerged to be an attractive alternative to the traditional ball shear testing method for characterizing the attachment strength of solder interconnection. Since this is a relatively new development, so far there is no industrial standard to regulate this testing method. In this study, the pull and shear tests are performed on plastic ball grid array (PBGA) solder balls with Sn-4.0Ag-0.5Cu and Sn-37Pb solders, subject to a wide variety of testing conditions. To investigate the material sensitivity of Sn-Ag-Cu and Sn-Pb solder balls, different pull speeds are used on both kinds of solder balls for comparison. The pull speed ranges from 25 mum/s to 5000 mum/s, while the shear speed ranges from 25 mum/s to 500 mum/s. The pull and shear tests are also conducted on samples with Sn-Ag-Cu and Sn-Pb solder balls after multiple reflows. Various failure modes of ball shear and ball pull tests are discussed for comparison. The sensitivity of both methods on brittle interface fracture is addressed. Furthermore, different pull speeds are applied to Pb-free solder samples after multi-reflows. Favorable testing conditions will be recommended