Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
β2-glycoprotein I Binding to Platelet Microparticle Membrane Specifically Reduces Immunoreactivity of Glycoproteins IIb/IIIa

Summary We have investigated β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) binding to platelet-derived microparticles (PMP) and its effect on GPIIb/IIIa. PMP were isolated from washed human platelets after stimulation with A23187, and analyzed by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. β2GPI as well as activated protein C (APC) or annexin V bound to PMP-coated sensorchips, demonstrating exposure of anionic phospholipids on immobilized PMP. β2GPI binding was impaired by calcium and occurred in a concentration-dependent manner with apparent kon = 2.6104 M-1.s-1 and koff = 4.410-3 s-1, corresponding to a KD value of 1.710-7 M. When analyzed by flow cytometry, the binding of certain mAbs specific for GPIIb and/or GPIIIa was reduced in the presence of β2GPI but not of APC or annexin V, whereas the binding of anti-GPIb or anti-P-selectin mAbs, or of soluble fibrinogen remained unchanged. These results suggest a broad but specific influence of β2GPI on GPIIb/IIIa immunoreactivity, and indicate that β2GPI may act as a modulator of GPIIb/IIIa-dependent functions of PMP.
Effect of ketoconazole on the fungicidal action of amphotericin B in Candida albicans

Amphotericin B-susceptible Candida albicans became resistant to the drug after growth in the presence of ketoconazole. Chromatographic analysis of cellular sterols showed that the organisms became depleted of ergosterol in parallel with the development of amphotericin B resistance. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to combination chemotherapy with these two important antifungal agents.
Apparent Relative Motion from a Checkerboard Surround

To better understand the Ouchi illusion in which a stationary picture generates illusory relative motion, the spatial properties of the constituent elements of the rectangular checkerboard background were examined. Results of experiment 1 revealed that the largest illusion was obtained with elements of approximately 20–30 min in width and 4–6 min in height, an orientation of the constituents that was orthogonal to that of the test grating, and a phase shift of the alternate stripes that was close to 180°. In experiment 2 it was found that the illusion increased in magnitude with increasing achromatic contrast but was minimal with a pattern of high chromatic contrast near isoluminance. In experiment 3, two test patches were presented simultaneously in the checkerboard background and were varied independently in their orientation to explore whether or not their motions were perceived as coherent (common fate). Patches having identical orientations, and nearly orthogonal to the surround, were synchronized more strongly than those having reflected orientations. Hysteresis related to the gain control of spatially overlapping visual units differing in their polarity (ON/OFF) was discussed as a possible cause of this phenomenon.
SEROLOGIC SURVEY OF ANTIBODIES TO TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI IN COYOTES AND RED FOXES FROM PENNSYLVANIA AND TENNESSEE

Abstract: Trypanosoma cruzi is a zoonotic parasite of humans and other mammalian hosts with distribution throughout the Americas. Domestic and wild canine species are reservoirs for human T. cruzi infections. The present study examined the prevalence of antibodies to T. cruzi in wild canids from the United States. Sera from 13 red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and 263 coyotes (Canis latrans), originating in Pennsylvania and Tennessee, were assayed for antibodies to T. cruzi with immunochromatographic tests. Antibodies to T. cruzi were found in 2 of 276 (0.72%) of all wild canids tested. Both T. cruzi-positive wild canids were coyotes and represented 2 of 21 (9.52%) wild canids assayed from Tennessee. Antibodies to T. cruzi were not detected in red fox. Anti-T. cruzi antibodies were not found in any wild canids from Pennsylvania. These results suggest that coyotes are exposed to T. cruzi in Tennessee but not in Pennsylvania.
Alterations in the mechanical behavior of the human lumbar nucleus pulposus with degeneration and aging

This study tested the hypothesis that changes in the morphology and composition of the nucleus pulposus with age and degeneration have associated changes in its mechanical properties. A torsional shear experiment was used to determine viscoelastic shear properties of cylindrical samples of human nucleus pulposus with large ranges of grades of morphological degeneration (normal to severely degenerated) and ages (range: 16–88 years; average: 57 ± 21.5 years). Viscoclastic shear properties were determined from stress‐relaxation and dynamic sinusoidal tests. A linear viscoelastic law with a variable‐amplitude relaxation spectrum was used to model experimental behaviors of nucleus pulposus specimens. A statistically significant increase in the instantaneous and dynamic shear moduli was found with increasing age and grade of degeneration; the values for moduli ranged from 5.0 to 60 kPa. A significant decrease in tanδ was also detected; the values ranged from 0.43 to 0.33, indicating a decreased capacity for the nucleus pulposus to dissipate energy. The dynamic modulus and tanδ were also significantly affected by frequency. It was generally concluded that the nucleus pulposus undergoes a transition from “fluid‐like” behavior to more “solid‐like” behavior with aging and degeneration.
The threshold and neuropathology of cerebral "anoxic-ischemic" cell change.

It is essential to emphasize at the outset that "anoxic-ischemic" cell change is not, as the term suggests, a neuronal alteration due to anoxiaischemia alone. The term anoxia-is-chemia was introduced by Levine 1 to characterize the stress to which one cerebral hemisphere of his preparation in the rat was exposed. The whole brain endured hypoxemia because the animal was exposed intermittently to nitrogen or nitrous oxide. One cerebral hemisphere endured an additional ischemia because the common carotid artery had been ligated on that side. Within that hemisphere (and sometimes in the other) the neuronal alteration was ischemic cell change as described by Spielmeyer. 2 It is equally important to emphasize that ischemic cell change is the neuropathologic common denominator in all types of "hypoxia. " Thus, it is seen after (1) circulatory arrest; (2) profound hypotension without hypoxemia (oligemia); (3) hypotension with hypoxemia; (4) primary hypoxemia with secondary myocardial
Safety behavior of in-line skaters

Objectives and setting—Injuries from in-line skating have risen sharply in many cities around the world. To understand risk taking behavior and safety practices associated with urban in-line skating, 2210 outdoor skaters were observed in Boston, Massachusetts. Methods—Estimated age, gender, use of helmets, wrist guards, elbow and kneepads were recorded. Skaters were coded as beginner, average, or advanced, and skating locations were classified as street, sidewalk, or bicycle path. Results—About 60% of skaters wore wrist guards, but only 5.7% wore helmets. Males wore less protective equipment than females, and were more likely to skate on streets. Beginners and advanced skaters wore more protective gear than average skaters. Surprisingly, street skaters wore less protective gear than skaters on sidewalks or paths. Conclusions—Renewed focus on the importance of wearing helmets is needed. Given the higher injury risks for males, clinicians and public health experts need to target male skaters in prevention efforts. In addition, average and advanced skaters need to be convinced that even though they have improved, it is still important to wear protective gear.
Romantic Relationships: Do Socially Anxious Individuals Benefit?

Psychological health and interpersonal functioning mutually influence each other. Social anxiety has a pervasive effect on interpersonal functioning, resulting in smaller social networks, increased likelihood of being single or divorced, and less intimacy in relationships. However, little is known about how relationships affect socially anxious individuals in return. We utilized a structured interview to assess how romantic relationships were perceived as influencing three aspects of psychological health (well-being, social anxiety and comfort in social situations) and whether these patterns differed as a function of social anxiety in an undergraduate sample. The perceived importance of several reasons for these effects, including those that could be characterized as both protective and harmful, was also assessed. Relationships were perceived as having contributed positively in each domain. However, when positive and negative reasons were examined separately, socially anxious individuals reported benefiting more from the positive reasons and being harmed more by negative reasons. Further, social anxiety was associated with endorsing certain reasons as important.
[Plasma estrogen level and estrogen receptors expression in palatine tonsils in male patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome].

OBJECTIVE To detect the plasma estrogen level and estrogen receptors expression in palatine tonsils of male patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrom (OSAHS). METHODS Seventy-six patients with OSAHS were selected as experimental group, 45 patients with chronic tonsillitis as the control group. The tonsils and adipose tissues in space veli palatin were surgically resected in the experimental group, the tonsils were resected in the control group. The plasma level of estrogen was evaluated in patients of the two groups with chemiluminescence immunoassay respectively. The expression of estrogen receptors (ER alpha, ER beta) in palatine tonsils was detected with immunohistochemical methods in the two groups. The relationships between the expression of estrogen receptors and the patient's age, history of snoring, history of apnea, apnea hypopnea index (AHI), body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, abdominal circumference, blood pressure, smoking, alcohol drinking, the degree of velopharyngeal stenosis, the Epworth sleepiness scale score (ESS), and accompanied systemic diseases were analyzed. RESULTS The estradiol levels did not show significant statistical difference between the two groups [(94.94 ± 25.54)pmol/L, (104.23 ± 34.75)pmol/L, respectively]. The estrogen levels in OSAHS patients were positively correlated with the patients' AHI (r = 0.76, P < 0.01), showed positively correlated trends with BMI (r = 0.43, P < 0.01), ESS (r = 0.34, P < 0.01), neck circumference (r = 0.31, P = 0.01), abdominal circumference (r = 0.32, P < 0.01); the expressions of ER alpha and ER beta in the experimental group (36.8%, 48.7%) were lower than that in the control group (60.0%, 68.9%) respectively, the difference was statistically significant (χ(2) were 5.17 and 4.69, P < 0.05); the expressions of ER alpha and beta in OSAHS patients showed negatively correlated trends with the patients' AHI (r = -0.48, P < 0.01; r = -0.26, P < 0.05). The expressions of ER alpha in OSAHS patients showed positively correlated trends with the patients' lowest oxygen saturation. CONCLUSIONS Estrogen may promote the occurrence of male OSAHS. The ER expression in palatine tonsils of male OSAHS patients accorded to the severity of illness, may be associated with hypoxia.
Phosphorylation of Smad7 at Ser-249 Does Not Interfere with Its Inhibitory Role in Transforming Growth Factor-β-dependent Signaling but Affects Smad7-dependent Transcriptional Activation*

Smad proteins are major components in the intracellular signaling pathway of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and phosphorylation is an important mechanism in regulation of their functions. Smad7 was identified as a potent inhibitor of TGF-β-dependent signaling. We have identified serine 249 in Smad7 as a major phosphorylation site, the phosphorylation of which was not affected by TGF-β1. Abrogation of the phosphorylation by substitution of Ser-249 with alanine or aspartic acid residues did not affect the ability of Smad7 to inhibit TGF-β1 and BMP7 signaling. No differences were found in the stability or in the intracellular distribution of Smad7 mutants compared with the wild-type molecule. However, Smad7 fused to the DNA-binding domain of GAL4 induced transcription from a reporter with mutated TATA minimal promoter in a Ser-249-dependent manner. Moreover, a reporter with the SV40 minimal promoter was inhibited by GAL4-Smad7, and this effect was also dependent on Ser-249 phosphorylation. The amplitude of effects on transcriptional regulation was dependent on cell type. Our results suggest that phosphorylation of Smad7, unlike phosphorylation of the receptor-regulated Smads, does not regulate TGF-β signaling but rather affects TGF-β-independent effects of Smad7 on transcriptional regulation.
DNA ploidy abnormalities in rabbit preimplantation embryos are not increased by conditions associated with in vitro culture

Possible adverse effects of in vitro culture‐associated physical factors were studied in 3‐ and 4‐day‐old rabbit embryos. Laboratory conditions were mimicked by exposure to visible light (320–740 nm, 1600 lx) or decreased temperature (22 ± 1°C). Embryos were exposed for a 24‐hr period followed by either immediate evaluation or an additional 24 hr of standard in vitro culture (darkness, 37°C) and evaluation thereafter. Effects were assayed by cytophotometric measurement of the DNA content in Feulgen‐stained cell nuclei and by cell number. The incidence of DNA aneuploid embryos and DNA aneuploid cell nuclei per embryo, as well as the average nuclear DNA content, was not significantly different between exposed embryos and controls. Both in vitro culture and reduced temperature caused a decrease in cell number. The temperature‐induced cell number decrease was reversible within 24 hr after return to 37°C. These results demonstrate that physical factors associated with in vitro culture do not increase DNA ploidy abnormalities in cultured preimplantation embryos. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 50:30–34, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CFO: A new compact swarm intelligent algorithm for global optimization and optimal bipedal robots walking

This paper introduces compact swarm intelligence. It presents a new estimation of distribution algorithm based on the swarm behavior of fireflies. The proposed algorithm is called the compact firefly optimizer (cFO). It uses a compact representation to store the population of the fireflies. Thus, the whole population is represented by a probabilistic distribution function. The compact swarm intelligence proposed allows the reduction of the computational capacity required to evolve the population toward the optimal solution. An important numerical test is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm. The results obtained show that the proposed compact firefly optimizer (cFO) is very competitive. Furthermore, the new concepts of compact swarm robotics are also introduced. The algorithm is applied to describe the first compact swarm robotics system. The objective is to realize an optimal stable walking by bipedal robot. Discussions, propositions and analysis let to think to a new important starting point for an emerging field of compact swarm intelligence, robotics, search and optimization.
The effect of long-acting paliperidone palmitate once-monthly on negative and depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia switched from previous unsuccessful treatment with oral aripiprazole

Background: The negative symptoms of schizophrenia are generally harder to recognize, more difficult to treat than positive symptoms, and have a significant impact on patient functioning and overall outcomes. Treatment with aripiprazole may be associated with benefits on negative symptoms and functioning given its partial agonism to the dopamine D2 receptor. The aim of this subanalysis was to explore the impact of flexibly dosed, long-acting paliperidone palmitate once monthly (PP1M) on negative and depressive symptoms, disorganized thoughts, anxiety, extrapyramidal symptoms, and patient functioning in nonacute adult patients with schizophrenia previously unsuccessfully treated with oral aripiprazole monotherapy. Methods: Post-hoc subanalysis of 46 nonacute but symptomatic patients enrolled in a prospective, interventional, single-arm, multicenter, open-label 6-month study. Results: At endpoint, improvements of ⩾ 20% and ⩾ 50% in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score were observed in 52.2% and 21.7% of patients, respectively. Significant and clinically relevant improvements were observed at endpoint in mean (standard deviation [SD]) PANSS negative subscale score (−3.0 (5.0); p < 0.0001) and in the PANSS Marder factor scores for negative symptoms (−2.9 (5.4); p = 0.0006), disorganized thoughts (−2.8 (4.3); p < 0.0001) and anxiety/depression (−1.8 (3.9); p = 0.0031). Patient functioning assessed by mean (SD) Personal and Social Performance scale score (3.9 (13.2); p = 0.0409), Mini International Classification of Functioning rating for Activity and Participation Disorders in Psychological Illnesses total scores (−2.9 (7.1); p = 0.0079), and Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale scores (−0.6 (3.4); p = 0.0456) improved significantly at endpoint. PP1M was well tolerated with no new safety signals. Conclusions: Six-month treatment with flexibly dosed PP1M was associated with significant and clinically relevant improvements in negative and depressive symptoms, disorganized thoughts, functioning, and extrapyramidal symptoms in nonacute but symptomatic patients with schizophrenia previously unsuccessfully treated with oral aripiprazole.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER AMONG SCHOOLCHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY

Two groups of epileptic children, one newly diagnosed and one with chronic epilepsy, were compared with two comparable groups of diabetic children and with children in the general population in order to investigate the development of psychiatric disorder. The results confirm previous findings that children with chronic epilepsy are significantly more disturbed than children with chronic physical illness not involving the central nervous system, and than children in the general population. Children with newly diagnosed epilepsy were also significantly more disturbed than those with newly diagnosed diabetes, and than children in the general population. The rate of psychiatric disturbance was similar in the two groups of epileptic children. In both groups of epileptic children, those with focal EEG abnormalities and/or complex partial seizures were particularly vulnerable to psychiatric disturbance.
Module defect prediction under the Eclipse platform: the quadratic effect of software size and the influence of prerelease defects

Finding the factors leading to defects in software engineering can provide a competitive advantage for companies, project managers, programmers, and others, enabling them to better manage a project. Relying on findings from prior research in software defects prediction models, this study aims to examine the effects of the size, the complexity, and the number of the prerelease defects of a software module on the postrelease defects. Regression analysis of 327 responses from the PROMISE database reveals that such effects do exist under the Eclipse platform, a Java language development environment. This study confirms the presence of the quadratic effect of module size and the significant influence of the complexity and the number of prerelease defects in predicting postrelease defects.
CONSORT-EHEALTH: Implementation of a Checklist for Authors and Editors to Improve Reporting of Web-Based and Mobile Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND Randomized trials of web-based and mobile interventions pose very specific issues and challenges. A set of best practices on how to conduct and report such trials was recently summarized in the CONSORT-EHEALTH statement (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials of Electronic and Mobile HEalth Applications and onLine TeleHealth), published in August 2011 as draft and in December 2011 as journal article (V1.6.1). The purpose of this presentation is to review the results of the pilot implementation at the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR), a leading eHealth journal, where reporting of trials in accordance with CONSORT-EHEALTH became mandatory in late 2011. METHODS Authors of all randomized trials submitted to JMIR were asked to complete an electronic questionnaire, which involved copying pertinent manuscript sections into a CONSORT EHEALTH database form, were asked to score the importance of CONSORT EHEALTH items, and were asked to provide narrative feedback on the value of the process. RESULTS Between August 2011 and November 2012, 67 randomized trials were submitted, of which 61 were intended for publication in JMIR. Authors reported that it took between 1 and 16 hours to complete the checklist including making required changes to their manuscripts. 72% (48/67) of authors reported they made minor changes to the manuscript, 6% (4/67) made major changes. Most authors felt it was a useful process that improved their manuscripts: 63% (42/67) said it improved their manuscript, 13% (9/67) said it did not, 12% (8/67) indicated that it had improved a little. CONCLUSIONS The CONSORT EHEALTH statement and checklist appeared successful in improving the quality of reporting. The checklist should be endorsed and used by authors and editors of other journals.
A latent class analysis of brand prestige

Core constructs are necessary as a basis for scale development in brand prestige research. This study examines the theoretical rationale for two such concepts – brand excellence and status conferral – and uses latent class scaling in an empirical test as to whether they are both important independent dimensions of prestige brands. Based on the analysis, these concepts are shown to be consistently present for two brands in two diverse product categories. The research calls into question earlier work on the measurement of brand prestige that was premised on a one-dimensional concept of prestige. Further studies are needed to explore the dimensionality and substantive structure of the brand prestige concept, to confirm or disconfirm findings from this research.
Identification of nonsense mutations in hepatitis B virus S gene in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma developed after lamivudine therapy

Background Lamivudine is widely used in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In cirrhotic patients, long-term lamivudine therapy significantly reduced the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, in a small but substantial portion of patients, HCC still developed despite lamivudine therapy. Prolonged usage of lamivudine led to mutations in the polymerase gene, where concurrent nonsense mutations in the HBV S gene occasionally occurred. The significance of such mutations in hepatocarcinogenesis remains elusive. Here, we aimed to understand the oncogenicity of HBV pre-S/S nonsense mutations identified in patients with HCC that developed after lamivudine therapy. Methods Of 141 consecutive hepatitis B surface antigen-positive HCC patients, 8 developed HCC after receiving lamivudine therapy. The HBV pre-S/S sequences in their serum and tissue samples were analysed. A sex-and age-matched group of HCC patients who never received lamivudine therapy were included as controls. Site- directed mutagenesis experiments were performed to generate identified pre-S/S nonsense mutations in expression vectors for tumourigenicity analysis. Results Seven of eight patients in the lamivudine-treated group harboured nonsense mutations in the S gene compared with none in the control group (P<0.001). Site- directed mutagenesis and transient transfection experiments revealed that these mutants could transactivate oncogene promoters. NIH3T3 cells stably expressing sL21*, sW156* and sW172* pre-S/S mutants had increased tumourigenicity in nude mice. Conclusions HCCs developed in lamivudine-treated patients who frequently carried nonsense mutations in the S gene. Such pre-S/S mutants are potentially oncogenic and might counteract the effect of lamivudine in preventing hepatocarcinogenesis.