Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CD 69 expression during selection and maturation of CD4+8+ thymocytes

We have analyzed the inducibility of protein kinase C (PKC)‐dependent expression of CD 69 molecules in T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic thymocytes developing in the presence or absence of selecting, class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Small CD4+8+ thymocytes developing in the absence of selecting MHC molecules could not be induced to express CD 69 by TCR cross‐linking even after spontaneous in vitro up‐regulation of their TCR level which resulted in enhanced Ca++ flux. In contrast, a small proportion of CD4+8+TCRlow and most TCRhigh (CD4+8+ and CD4+8+) thymocytes developing in the presence of selecting MHC ligands could be induced to express CD 69 upon TCR cross‐linking. Unlike the anti‐TCR antibody, phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate ‐ a direct activator of PKC ‐ induced the expression of CD 69 on all thymocytes. These results suggest that positive selection of CD4+8+ thymocytes results in coupling of TCR‐mediated signals to the CD 69 expression pathway. In vitro analysis of thymocytes before and after positive selection suggests that (1) positive selection does not immediately result in resistance to deletion and (2) that sustained TCR ligation is needed to promote maturation of positively selected CD4+8+ thymocytes resulting in gradual loss of the sensitivity to deletion and acquisition of the ability to proliferate in response to TCR‐mediated signals.
What Drives Customer Equity

Business executives can answer such questions by focusing on customer equity—the total of the discounted lifetime values of all the firm’s customers. A strategy based on customer equity allows firms to trade off between customer value, brand equity, and customer relationship management. We have developed a new strategic framework, the Customer Equity Diagnostic, that reveals the key drivers increasing the firm’s customer equity. This new framework will enable managers to determine what is most important to the customer and to begin to identify the firm’s critical strengths and hidden vulnerabilities. Customer equity is a new approach to marketing and corporate strategy that finally puts the customer and, more important, strategies that grow the value of the customer, at the heart of the organization.
Negative association of diabetes with rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Purpose: To summarize the association of diabetes with abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture, we reviewed currently available studies with a systematic literature search and meta-analytic evaluation. Methods: To identify all studies reporting the association of diabetes with abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture, MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched through July 2015. For each study, data regarding diabetes prevalence in both the ruptured and non-ruptured groups were used to generate an unadjusted odds ratio for abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture and 95% confidence intervals. Alternatively, an unadjusted or adjusted odds ratio, or hazard ratio for abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture with 95% confidence interval was directly abstracted (as available) from each individual study. Results: Our search identified 11 eligible studies. A primary meta-analysis of nine studies reporting data on ruptured (not including non-ruptured symptomatic) abdominal aortic aneurysm demonstrated that diabetes was associated with significantly lower prevalence/incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture (odds ratio/hazard ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.56 to 0.89; p = 0.003). A secondary meta-analysis of all 11 studies (adding two studies in which non-ruptured symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm was included in the rupture group) also demonstrated that diabetes was associated with significantly lower prevalence/incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture (odds ratio/hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% confidence interval, 0.63 to 0.95; p = 0.01). Conclusion: Diabetes is negatively associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture.
Barriers to an early switch from intravenous to oral antibiotic therapy in hospitalised patients with CAP

Do physicians apply an early-switch strategy (from intravenous to oral antibiotics) in clinically stable patients hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)? If not, why not? In a multicentre prospective cohort study, adult patients admitted for i.v. CAP treatment were included. On day 3 of antibiotic treatment, clinical stability was assessed and treating resident physicians were interviewed on their switch strategies. Additionally, treating physicians were interviewed to evaluate their knowledge of and adherence to guideline advice. 149 (92%) out of 162 patients were included and 97 (91%) out of 107 physicians were interviewed. A switch to oral antibiotics was possible in 68 (46%) out of 149 patients on day 3 of treatment but not performed in 27 (40%) out of 68. Patient factors delaying the switch were high CURB-65 (confusion of new onset, urea >7 mmol·L−1, respiratory rate of ≥30 breaths·min−1, blood pressure <90 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≤60 mmHg, and age ≥65 yrs) score (on admission) (p=0.04) and oxygen treatment (p=0.04), high temperature (p=0.00) and high respiration rate (p=0.04) (day 3). Physicians' barriers to an early switch in clinically stable patients included misconceptions (26 (55%) out of 47), practical considerations (13 (28%) out of 47) and organisational factors (eight (17%) out of 47). Strikingly, 91 (94%) out of 97 interviewed physicians were not aware of guideline advice. The switch from i.v. to oral antibiotics is often unnecessarily delayed in patients hospitalised with CAP due to different types of barriers.
Basal forebrain cholinergic and noncholinergic projections to the thalamus and brainstem in cats and monkeys

The projections of basal forebrain neurons to the thalamus and the brainstem were investigated in cats and primates by using retrograde transport techniques and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunohistochemistry. In a first series of experiments, the lectin wheat germ‐agglutinin conjugated with horseradish peroxidase (WGA‐HRP) was injected into all major sensory, motor, intralaminar, and reticular (RE) thalamic nuclei of cats and into the mediodorsal (MD) and pulvinar‐lateroposterior thalamic nuclei of macaque monkeys. In cats numerous neurons of the vertical and horizontal limbs of the diagonal band nucleus and the substantia innominata (SI), including its rostromedial portion termed the ventral pallidum (VP), were retrogradely labeled after WGA‐HRP injections in the rostral pole of the RE complex, the MD, and anteroventral/anteromedial (AV/AM) thalamic nuclei. Fewer retrogradely labeled cells were observed in the same areas after injections in the ventromedial (VM) thalamic nucleus, and none or very few after other thalamic injections. After RE, MD, and AV/AM injections, 7–20% of all retrogradely labeled cells in the basal forebrain were also ChAT positive, while none of the retrogradely labeled neurons following VM injections displayed ChAT immunoreactivity. The basal forebrain projection to the MD nucleus was shown to arise principally from VP in both cats and macaque monkeys. In a second series of experiments performed in cats, injections of WGA‐HRP in the brainstem peribrachial (PB) area comprising the pedunculopontine nucleus led to retrograde labeling of a moderate number of neurons in the lateral part of the VP, SI, and preoptic area (POA), only a few of which displayed ChAT immunoreactivity. In addition, a large number of retrogradely labeled cells were observed in the bed nuclei of the anterior commissure and stria terminalis after PB injections. In a third series of experiments, the use of the retrograde double‐labeling method with fluorescent tracers in squirrel monkeys allowed us to identify a significant number of basal forebrain neurons sending axon collaterals to both the RE thalamic nucleus and PB brainstem area, while no double‐labeled neurons were disclosed after injections confined to the ventral anterior/ventral lateral (VA/VL) thalamic nuclei and PB area or following injections in the cerebral cortex and PB area. Our findings reveal the existence of cholinergic and noncholinergic basal forebrain projections to the thalamus and the brainstem in both cats and macaque monkeys. We suggest that these projections may play a crucial role in the control of thalamic functions in mammals.
Solar Magnetic Tracking. II. The Apparent Unipolar Origin of Quiet-Sun Flux

We investigate the origin of small-scale flux concentrations in the quiet Sun. In apparent violation of the physical requirement for flux balance, 94% of the features containing newly detected flux are unipolar at a resolution of 1.2″. We analyze 2619 of these apparent unipolar emergences in an image sequence from the SOHO MDI magnetograph and compare the ensemble average to a model of asymmetric bipolar emergence that could in principle hide opposing flux under the noise floor of MDI. We examine the statistical consequences of this mechanism and find that it cannot be responsible for more than a small fraction of the unipolar emergences. We conclude that the majority of the newly detected flux in the quiet Sun is instead due to the coalescence of previously existing but unresolved flux into concentrations that are large and strong enough to be detected. We estimate the rate of coalescence into arcsecond-scale magnetic features averaged over the solar surface to be 7 × 1021 Mx hr−1, comparable to the reported flux injection rate due to ephemeral regions. This implies that most flux in the solar network has been processed by very small scale shredding, emergence, cancellation, and/or coalescence that is not resolved at 1.2″, and it suggests that currently unresolved emergences may be at least as important as ephemeral region emergences to the overall flux budget.
Reliability and Validity of the Korean-Parental Self-Efficacy with Eczema Care Index.

BACKGROUND Atopic dermatitis is a global problem affecting children, and its prevalence in Korea is steadily increasing. Since it is a chronically relapsing inflammatory skin disease, caregiver management of young children's atopic dermatitis is crucial for positive treatment outcomes. A factor that contributes to adherence to recommended prescriptions is parents' self-efficacy. However, accurate measurements of parental self-efficacy in relation to disease-specific task management are scarce. OBJECTIVES This study examined the psychometric properties of the Korean language version of the Parental Self-Efficacy with Eczema Care Index (K-PASECI). METHODS One hundred twenty five mothers of children younger than 13 years old who had atopic dermatitis were recruited from three tertiary hospitals across Korea. The K-PASECI was developed in accordance with the published guidelines. Psychometric testing included factor analysis, internal consistency testing, and concurrent validity analysis by comparing K-PASECI domains with parenting self-efficacy subscales. RESULTS Factor analysis revealed a four-factor structure that explained 69.4% of the variance. The four factors were as follows; managing a child's symptoms and behaviour, communicating with medical staff, managing medication, and using moisturizer as part of routine management. The findings showed acceptable internal consistency (α=.94) and a moderate positive correlation with parenting self-efficacy (r=.48, p<.001). CONCLUSION The K-PASECI, a reliable and valid scale for measuring self-efficacy in parents caring for children with atopic dermatitis, may be used in clinical and research settings to measure parents' self-efficacy in Korea, as well as in other English-speaking countries.
Su e of the Yeast F1Fo-ATP Synthase Forms Homodimers*

The yeast F1Fo-ATP synthase forms a dimeric complex in the mitochondrial inner membrane. Dimerization of two F1Fo monomeric complexes involves the physical association of two membrane-embedded Fo sectors and in a manner, which is dependent on the Fo subunit, Su e. Sequence analysis of Su e protein family members indicated the presence of a conserved coiled-coil motif. As this motif is often the basis for protein homodimerization events, it was hypothesized that Su e forms homodimers in the inner membrane and that formation of Su e dimers between two neighboring Focomplexes would facilitate dimerization of the F1Fo-ATP synthase complex (Arnold, I., Pfeiffer, K., Neupert, W., Stuart, R. A., and Schägger, H. (1998) EMBO J. 17, 7170–7178). Using a histidine-tagged derivative of yeast Su e, Su e-His12, combined with cross-linking and affinity purification approaches, we have directly demonstrated the ability of the yeast Su e protein to form homodimers. Functionality of the Su e-His12 derivative was confirmed by its ability to assemble into the ATP synthase complex and to support its dimerization in the Δsu e null mutant yeast cells. The close association of two neighboring Su e proteins was also demonstrated using cross-linking with Cu2+, which binds and cross-links a unique Cys residue in neighboring Su e proteins. Finally, we propose a model for the molecular basis of the homodimerization of the Su e proteins.
Personality traits of Russians from the observer's perspective

Data were collected by the members of the Russian character and personality survey from 39 samples in 33 administrative areas of the Russian Federation. Respondents (N = 7065) identified an ethnically Russian adult or college‐aged man or woman whom they knew well and rated the target using the Russian observer rating version of the Revised NEO Personality Inventory, which measures neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness and conscientiousness. Factor analyses within samples showed that the factor structure of an international sample combining data from 50 different cultures was well replicated in all 39 Russian samples. Sex differences replicated the known pattern in all samples, demonstrating that women scored higher than men on most of the neuroticism, openness, agreeableness and conscientiousness facet scales. Cross‐sectional analyses demonstrated consistent age differences for four factors: Older individuals compared to younger ones were less extraverted and open but more agreeable and conscientious. The mean levels of traits were similar in all 39 samples. Although in general personality traits in Russians closely followed the universal pattern, some reliable culture‐specific effects were also found that future studies can help interpret. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of short‐chain fatty acids and acidification on the phasic and tonic motor activity of the human colon

The effects of bacterial fermentation on human colonic motor activity could be explained by colonic acidification or short‐chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. We compared in healthy volunteers the colonic motor effects of intracolonic infusion of neutral or acidic saline solutions and then of neutral or acidic solutions containing an SCFA mixture.
Abstract 2962: FOXM1 mediates Dox resistance in breast cancer by enhancing DNA repair

Transcription factors (TFs) are direct effectors of altered signaling pathways in cancer. To uncover new TFs that would determine clinical outcomes in breast cancer patients, we systematically analyzed gene expression data from breast cancer patients. Our results revealed that forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1) is the top-ranked survival-associated TF with triple-negative breast cancer. Surprisingly, silencing FOXM1 expression led breast cancer cells to become more sensitive to doxorubicin (Dox). We found that FOXM1-dependent resistance to Dox is mediated by regulating DNA repair genes. We further demonstrated that NF-κB1 interacts with FOXM1 in the presence of Dox to protect breast cancer cells from DNA damage. Finally, silencing FOXM1 expression in a mouse xenograft model significantly sensitized the cells to Dox. Our systematic approaches identified an unexpected role of FOXM1 in Dox resistance by regulating DNA repair genes and FOXM1 may be a promising therapeutic target for sensitizing breast cancer cells to Dox. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2962. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2962
Water Permeation Across Biological Membranes: Mechanism and Dynamics of Aquaporin-1 and GlpF

“Real time” molecular dynamics simulations of water permeation through human aquaporin-1 (AQP1) and the bacterial glycerol facilitator GlpF are presented. We obtained time-resolved, atomic-resolution models of the permeation mechanism across these highly selective membrane channels. Both proteins act as two-stage filters: Conserved fingerprint [asparagine-proline-alanine (NPA)] motifs form a selectivity-determining region; a second (aromatic/arginine) region is proposed to function as a proton filter. Hydrophobic regions near the NPA motifs are rate-limiting water barriers. In AQP1, a fine-tuned water dipole rotation during passage is essential for water selectivity. In GlpF, a glycerol-mediated “induced fit” gating motion is proposed to generate selectivity for glycerol over water.
Family ownership and its impact on diversified Indian Business Group ownership

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Aortic arch surgery after previous type A dissection repair: results up to 5 years.

OBJECTIVES Open aortic arch surgery after type A dissection repair is challenging. We sought to review our surgical experience to analyse the causes and timing, establish the risk profile for this patient population, and better define outcomes. METHODS From 2000 to 2014, we identified 55 patients who required aortic arch surgery after a previous type A dissection repair. Medical records were available for review including computerized tomographic angiograms, cerebral protection strategies and follow-up. RESULTS The mean interval from previous type A dissection repair to aortic arch surgery was 5.7 ± 5.4 years. At reoperation 36 patients (65%) had total arch replacement and 19 (35%) had hemiarch replacement. Indications for reoperations were: enlarging aneurysm in 27 (49%), impending rupture in 12 (22%), chronic dissection in 10 (18%) and aneurysms in 6 (11%). Arterial peripheral cannulation was used in 80% of patients. Selective antegrade cerebral perfusion was used in 35 patients (64%) and retrograde perfusion in 2 (4%). There were 3 perioperative deaths (5%) and 4 cases of permanent stroke (7%). Survival rates were 90, 85 and 77% at the 1-, 3- and 5-year follow-up, respectively. The 5-year survival rate was 10% lower than that of an age- and sex-matched population (P < 0.001). The only predictor of the follow-up mortality was older age (odds ratio: 1.07, 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.13, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS Aortic arch surgery after previous type A dissection repair can be performed with satisfactory early and mid-term results and acceptable risk of stroke. Cerebral perfusion strategies likely contribute to positive outcomes. Favourable mid-term survival justifies performing such difficult reoperations.
Gross and microscopic anatomy of thyroid gland of the wild African grasscutter ( Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck) in Southeast Nigeria

The thyroid gland of the wild African grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) was studied morphometrically and histologically by gross dissection. The organ was a symmetrical bilobed organ located on the lateral aspect of the trachea, between the first and the third tracheal rings, without an isthmus connecting the lobes. The mean weight of the two lobes was 0.23 ± 0.02 g and the relative thyroidbody weight was 0.03 ± 0.01 g/kg. The mean length (long axis), width (short axis) and thickness (height) were 1.50 ± 0.06 cm, 0.61 ± 0.05 cm and 0.42 ± 0.02 cm, respectively. The mean diameter of the small round follicles was 96.001 ± 0.03 µm, and that of the medium round follicles measured 180.18 ± 0.07 µm, while that of the large round follicles was 240.01 ± 0.08 µm. The epithelial cell heights of the small, medium and large-sized follicles were 7.52 ± 0.05 µm, 7.31 ± 0.01 µm and 7.12 ± 0.06 µm respectively. The general histologically appearance did not vary greatly from that described for most mammals. The small follicles were remarkably located centrally and the large ones were located peripherally. Peripheral vacuoles were present in the follicular lumen. The features and sizes of the follicular epithelial cells and the presence of parafollicular cells suggest activity in the thyroid gland of the wild African grasscutter.
Flexible Bayesian methods for cancer phase I clinical trials. Dose escalation with overdose control

We examine a large class of prior distributions to model the dose–response relationship in cancer phase I clinical trials. We parameterize the dose–toxicity model in terms of the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) γ and the probability of dose limiting toxicity (DLT) at the initial dose ρ0. The MTD is estimated using the EWOC (escalation with overdose control) method of Babb et al. We show through simulations that a candidate joint prior for (ρ0,γ) with negative a priori correlation structure results in a safer trial than the one that assumes independent priors for these two parameters while keeping the efficiency of the estimate of the MTD essentially unchanged. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel approach to compare a Sliding Mode Controller with a CRONE Controller in frequency domain: Application to a linear DC motor

This paper presents a novel approach to compare a smoothed first-order Integral Sliding Mode Controller with a second generation CRONE Controller in the frequency domain. Sliding mode control is a nonlinear control technique based on variable structure control offering insensitivity to modeling parameters variations and disturbance rejection. The chattering problem caused by high frequency switching in the sliding mode can be reduced by using a smoothed function for the switching. The novelty in the approach lies in the representation of the SMC Controller as an equivalent PI controller in order to be able to do the comparison with the CRONE controller in the frequency domain. This new approach is applied on a linear model of a DC motor with speed control. The robustness is then explored for the case of harmonic load disturbances in the motor.
What is remembered? Role of attention on the encoding and retrieval of hippocampal representations

The hippocampus is critically involved in storing explicit memory such as memory for space. A defining feature of explicit memory storage is that it requires attention both for encoding and retrieval. Whereas, a great deal is now known about the mechanisms of storage, the mechanisms whereby attention modulates the encoding and retrieval of space and other hippocampus‐dependent memory representations are not known. In this review we discuss recent studies, including our own, which show on the cellular level that attention is critical for the stabilization of spatial and reward‐associated odour representations. Our findings support the view that in the hippocampus attention selects the reference frame for task‐relevant information. This mechanism is in part mediated by dopamine acting through D1/D5 receptors and involves an increase in neuronal synchronization in the gamma band frequency. We propose that synchronous activity leads to enhancements in synaptic strength that mediate the stabilization of hippocampal representations.