Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transplantation immunology and the central nervous system

Abstract Controlled clinical trials of cell transplantation for Parkinson's disease yielded disappointing results. Significant long-term functional improvement was not observed and cell survival was low.Although the brain was traditionally considered as "immunologically privileged" recent findings demonstrated late increase in the number of microglia around the grafts, therefore implying an involvement of immune mechanisms. The immunology of organ and cell transplantation to other body locations is scrupulously investigated and significant stepping-stones have been achieved. Ample evidence regarding the role of antigen-presenting cells in graft rejection has been documented. However, this knowledge did not benefit the discipline of cell transplantation to the central nervous system, and the minimal consideration of potential immune responses remain empirical in nature. In this review we summarize current knowledge of the major histo-compatibility complex and its role in transplant immunology. Resident cells of the brain that take part in immune responses are also discussed. Based on this information we hypothesize that the immune mechanisms involved with the long-term graft failure of cell transplantation to the central nervous system are likely to be chronic, and not acute, rejection. This, in turn, should have significant importance in the choice of anti-rejection drugs to be used.
Endogenous opioid receptor‐like receptor in human neuroblastoma SK‐N‐SH cells: activation of inhibitory G protein and homologous desensitization

ENDOGENOUS expression of opioid receptor-like receptor (ORL1) in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells was demonstrated by binding with nociceptin/ orphanin FQ (N/OFQ). Scatchard analysis of [3H]N/ OFQ saturation binding data gave Kd = 1.3 ± 0.1 nM and Bmax = 158 ± 2.5 fmol/mg protein. N/OFQ stimulation increased [35S]GTPγS binding to cell membranes and attenuated forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner. The effects of N/OFQ were eliminated by the pretreatment of pertussis toxin (PTX) but not by the antagonists of opioid receptors, revealing mediation of N/OFQ signal transduction by ORL1 receptor and PTX sensitive G protein(s). The ability of N/OFQ to inhibit cAMP production was greatly reduced after prechallenging with N/OFQ, indicating that ORL1 undergoes homologous desensitization in neuronal cells.
The role of currency swaps in the domestic banking system and the functioning the swap market during the crisis

The basic purpose of this study is to didactically demonstrate the factors shaping the currency swap stock of domestic banks prior to the crisis and to provide a descriptive analysis of how the structure and the functioning of the market changed during the crisis. The main conclusions of the study are as follows. In addition to the wide ranging applicability of the transaction, the rise in the currency swap stock of domestic credit institutions is also attributable to macroeconomic factors. The bulk of the exchange rate risk resulting from the high external borrowing requirement and rising external debt was carried by the domestic private sector, while the foreign sector shared a decreasing portion of the risk. The rapid increase in the swap stock was also due to the fact that the synthetic production of foreign currency funds with currency swaps was often more successful than the direct inflow of foreign currency funds. On the basis of the decomposition of the domestic banking system’s on-balance sheet foreign currency position, we can state that it increased mainly as a result of items that also increased the balance sheet total. Following the outbreak of the global financial crisis in the autumn of 2008, the conditions for ensuring foreign currency liquidity deteriorated significantly, which had a substantial effect on implied forint yields, and the turnover and structure of the swap market. While the total average turnover of the domestic FX swap market did not drop radically when the crisis was spreading, market liquidity did decline significantly for a few days and access to foreign currency liquidity became limited. The active role assumed by parent banks and shortening maturities contributed to moderating the decline in turnover. Anecdotal information relating to the tightening of counterparty limits vis-a-vis domestic banks is supported by the decline in the number of non-resident counterparties. The crisis also contributed to changes in the structure of the swap stock. The average remaining maturity of the gross stock began to decline directly after the Lehman bankruptcy, at the time of global dollar liquidity problems, followed by a rise starting from early 2009, principally owing to transactions concluded with parent banks. Domestic subsidiary banks managed to increase maturity primarily through cross-currency swap transactions concluded with intra-group counterparties, but non-group counterparties also concluded transactions with longer maturity with domestic banks.
A Search for Optimal Criteria in Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy in Chronic Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Focusing on CD4 Count and HIV RNA

The study objective was to identify optimal starting criteria regarding levels of CD4 cells and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA at initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in chronically HIV-infected people. All 162 treatment-näıve patients in the centre who were treated for at least 180 d with 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors plus at least 1 protease inhibitor or 1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor were included. The patients were stratified according to their levels of CD4 cells and HIV RNA at initiation of therapy. Baseline CD4 groups were: group 1: CD4 < 0.1 × 109/l; group 2: CD4 ≥ 0.1 and < 0.2 × 109/l; group 3: CD4 ≥ 0.2 and < 0.35 × 109/l; and group 4: CD4 ≥ 0.35 × 109/l. Two patients died and 38 developed an HIV-related disease (Centers for Disease Control category B or C) during the study. The prevalence of HIV-related disease before HAART was significantly increased in groups 1 and 2 compared with groups 3 and 4. The level of HIV RNA was not associated with HIV-related disease either before or after treatment initiation. Subjects in group 1 had an increased risk of HIV-related disease after treatment initiation both in univariate Cox analysis and after adjustment for HIV RNA, gender, mode of transmission and age, compared with group 2 [adjusted risk ratio with 95% confidence interval: 3.76 (1.48-9.61)], group 3 [5.90 (2.07-16.95)] and group 4 [5.05 (1.96-12.90)]. The association between CD4 count and morbidity appeared to be particularly strong for older subjects. In conclusion, this study suggests that in chronically HIV-infected individuals, in most cases HAART can be withheld until the CD4 cell count falls towards 0.2 × 109/l.
Mental State Attributions and Diffusion Tensor Imaging After Traumatic Brain Injury in Children

We studied social cognition in 49 children 3 months after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and in 39 children with orthopedic injury (OI). Children underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and a mental attribution task showing two triangles. Mental state attributions increased when one triangle reacted to intentions of the other, but less so in the TBI than the OI group. DTI identified injury to white matter microstructure in the TBI group, but the relation of DTI to mental attributions did not differ between groups. Moderate to severe TBI produces white matter disconnections that may affect social cognitive networks.
Market perception of defense mergers in the United States: 1990-2006

Abstract : The purpose of this paper is to analyze whether or not there was a statistically significant reaction in financial markets to the announcements of U.S. defense contractor consolidations (mergers and acquisitions) from January 1990 to December 2006. This analysis is accomplished through the use of two series of event studies involving the top five defense contractors: Boeing, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman. The first study employs arithmetic and the second study employs logarithmic returns against the S&P 500 index. Many studies have been conducted using the event study methodology, and the results have shown that in some cases stock prices do respond to new information. The assumption has been maintained that the market responds rationally to such announcements. In contrast, the announcements of the acquisition of publicly traded firms by other publicly traded firms have not always had a consistently significant beneficial effect on the shareholder wealth of the acquiring firms (Schipper & Thompson, 1983). The results of this case study further support the latter assertion and add to the body of research involving event studies.
Evidence that the seasonal antler cycle of adult Reeves' muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) is not associated with reproductive quiescence.

Data were obtained from post-mortem investigations of 190 culled and road-killed muntjac bucks between 1967 and 1989. Although adult bucks (i.e. those having undergone at least one antler cycle) have a synchronous annual antler cycle, unlike temperate-zone cervids there was little seasonal variation in testis size or activity, or in the size and activity of the epididymidis or accessory reproductive glands. Spermatogenesis was not abated when the antlers were in velvet and year-round fertility was achieved without additional sperm storage. There was little seasonal change in plasma testosterone concentrations in samples obtained from captive and free-living bucks although castration caused antler casting and prevented mineralization. Hence the data are equivocal as to the role of steroids in driving the antler cycle; experimental work on this species would be valuable in examining the mechanisms which regulate the antler cycle.
Identification of an Essential Molecular Contact Point on the Duck Hepatitis B Virus Reverse Transcriptase

ABSTRACT The hepadnaviral polymerase (P) functions in a complex with viral nucleic acids and cellular chaperones. To begin to identify contacts between P and its partners, we assessed the exposure of the epitopes of six monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the terminal protein domain of the duck hepatitis B virus P protein in a partially denaturing buffer (RIPA) and a physiological buffer (IPP150). All MAbs immunoprecipitated in vitro translated P well in RIPA, but three immunoprecipitated P poorly in IPP150. Therefore, the epitopes for these MAbs were obscured in the native conformation of P but were exposed when P was in RIPA. Epitopes for MAbs that immunoprecipitated P poorly in IPP150 were between amino acids (aa) 138 and 202. Mutation of a highly conserved motif within this region (T3; aa 176 to 183) improved the immunoprecipitation of P by these MAbs and simultaneously inhibited DNA priming by P. Peptides containing the T3 motif inhibited DNA priming in a dose-dependent manner, whereas eight irrelevant peptides did not. T3 function appears to be conserved among the hepadnaviruses because mutating T3 ablated DNA synthesis in both duck hepatitis B virus and hepatitis B virus. These results indicate that (i) the conserved T3 motif is a molecular contact point whose ligand can be competed by soluble T3 peptides, (ii) the occupancy of T3 obscures the epitopes for three MAbs, and (iii) proper occupancy of T3 by its ligand is essential for DNA priming. Therefore, small-molecule ligands that compete for binding to T3 with its natural ligand could form a novel class of antiviral drugs.
Pharmacokinetics of halofantrine in the rat: stereoselectivity and interspecies comparisons

The antimalarial drug, halofantrine, is chiral and is administered clinically as the racemate. In order to define the pharmacokinetic properties of halofantrine enantiomers in the rat, male Sprague–Dawley rats (264–311 g) were given halofantrine HCl orally (n=5; 14 mg/kg) or intravenously (iv) (n=5; 2 mg/kg). Plasma samples were collected over a 72 h period, and these were assayed for halofantrine enantiomer concentrations using a stereospecific reverse phase HPLC assay. After dosing by both routes of administration the (+) enantiomer was found to have significantly higher AUC, and higher Cmax after oral dosing. Pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that in the rat, the (+) enantiomer is cleared slower, and is less extensively distributed than its antipode. The bioavailability of the enantiomers after oral administration was less than 27%. Urinary excretion was a negligible route of elimination of unchanged drug. Using allometry, the pharmacokinetics of (±)‐halofantrine in rats scaled nicely with literature data from dogs and humans. The pharmacokinetic properties of halofantrine enantiomers in the rat resembled those seen in humans, indicating that the rat is a good model for the study of halofantrine pharmacokinetics. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neuronavigation-assisted Cranial Reconstruction

OBJECTIVE:Cranial defects resulting from congenital deformities, ablative resection of osseous tumors, traumatic injury, and destructive infectious lesions are often severe enough to warrant surgical reconstruction. In particular cases, satisfactory cosmetic results may be difficult to achieve because of the extent and location of the lesion. METHODS:We evaluated the role of neuronavigation for reconstruction of large cranial defects with prefabricated titanium and intraoperatively constructed neuronavigation-assisted polymethylmethacrylate implants. RESULTS:Neuronavigation-assisted cranial reconstruction was performed in 14 patients. Surgical procedure, illustrative cases, postoperative results, and apparent benefits of the technique are presented and discussed. In all patients, excellent cosmetic results were achieved. CONCLUSION:In cranial reconstruction, neuronavigation is of value not only for intraoperative determination of resection margins but also for preoperative assessment and planning. The combination of navigation techniques with prefabricated or intra-operatively constructed implants enables achievement of excellent cosmetic results.
Mean State and the MJO in a High Resolution Nested Regional Climate Model

The Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO, Madden and Julian, 1971, 1972) is a dominant feature of intraseasonal (20-90 day) variability in the tropics. According to the classic view, the MJO begins as a positive convective anomaly in the equatorial western Indian Ocean. It then propagates eastward toward the maritime continent where convection weakens until the MJO reaches the west Pacific where the convection strengthens again. Convective coupling diminishes in the eastern Pacific in the presence of cooler sea surface temperature (SST), but the wind component in the upper troposphere may propagate eastward as free waves at about 12-15 m s-1, much faster than the MJO propagation speed of 5 m s-1 (Knutson et al., 1986). Global circumnavigation associated with the MJO can also be noticed in the uppertropospheric divergent wind (e.g., Krishnamurti et al., 1985; Knutson and Weickman, 1987) and moisture fields (Kikuchi and Takayabu, 2003), but is difficult to detect in parameters closer to the surface.
Performance evaluation of continuous authentication systems

In this study, the authors will describe how performance results for continuous authentication (CA) should be reported. Most research on alleged CA is in fact periodic authentication, and performance is then reported in false match and false non-match rates. Here the authors will describe average number of impostor or genuine actions as the performance indicators, and will describe a more detailed performance reporting method. The authors’ current results have been reported in continuous authentication, based on analysis performed on two different datasets, and compared those results to the best results in comparable research, where they show that their results outperform most other known results.
Epidemiology of Cataract: Accomplishments over 25 years and Future Directions

The purpose of this review is to highlight the advances made by epidemiologic research into cataract. Considerable progress has been made in characterizing phenotypes, determining the prevalence and incidence in various population groups, and understanding risk factors for cataract. Cataract surgery research has documented functional improvements following surgery and has identified aspects of surgery delivery that could be made. Cataract is an independent marker of early mortality, providing a possible system for studying the aging process. Promising future work in cataract epidemiology is highlighted. Despite the availability of cataract surgery, cataract is still the leading cause of blindness worldwide. From a public health standpoint, research that can identify ways to delay onset or progression, or achieve the holy grail of prevention of cataract, should remain a leading priority.
The Acquisition Performance of S&P 500 Firms

We compare the acquisition performance of S&P 500 and non-S&P 500 firms after controlling for differences in firm characteristics. During 1980-2004, S&P 500 firms make a greater number and dollar value of acquisitions. They more often use cash payment and tender offers, the market reacts better to the announcement of their acquisitions, and they are more likely to complete their deals. The target shareholders seem to attach incremental value to joining with an S&P 500 firm and accept a lower premium in stock deals. The S&P 500 acquirers also have stronger pre-acquisition operating performance, choose targets with stronger pre-acquisition performance, and realize significant gains in post-acquisition performance. We interpret the combined evidence as consistent with the efficiency hypothesis, which suggests that S&P 500 firms are more efficiently managed firms and make better acquirers.
Formal co-operations for product and process innovation: go international or stay national?

The objective of the current paper is to investigate what factors influence significantly the likelihood of an enterprise to incline towards formal national or interracial co-operations for innovation. For this purpose, we develop a generalized multinomial model and test it empirically employing a representative data set consisting of 1,070 innovative Bulgarian companies surveyed by the sociological and marketing agency Vitosha Research in April 2006. Our main finding suggests that operating on international and EU Markets and developing new products increase the propensity to incline towards formal international co-operations. Human capital operationalised by technical, business and R&D staff play a miner role in the cooperation behaviour. Finally, public subsidiaries raise the likelihood for international and national co-operations by 11.07 and 6.33, respectively. INTRODUCTION The increased economic complexity caused by the knowledge-based processes, which are the backbone of new technologies and of innovation, force enterprises to search for valuable knowledge and skills externally and to reconsider their innovation strategies in order to complement their own capabilities. The competitive pressure and desire for success drive enterprises in general to introduce product and process innovations faster and at lower costs than their competitors, a challenge that is becoming increasingly significant in the rapidchanging and globalising economic world. Consequently, entrepreneurs, researchers and policy makers have taken a special interest in the different mechanisms and strategies for innovation achievement, which are not only determined by factors internal to the firms, but also by external interactive processes involving diverse relationships between market agents. In the last twenty years, the innovation process has no longer been seen as a linear development following the sequence invention, innovation and diffusion, but rather as a complex and evolutionary process. Accordingly, innovation networks, co-operation and research joint ventures have become important in expanding enterprise resources, in intensifying innovative activities and thus in increasing the propensity of being successful (Cassiman and Veugelers, 2002). However, there exist numerous studies showing that cooperative enterprises have higher performance levels compared to non-cooperative ones (Tether, 2002), but only few of them have attempted to address the firm’s propensity to incline towards national and international co-operations for innovation, and when comes to economies in transition, the empirical evidence is non-existent. In this context, the objective of the current paper is to investigate the likelihood of an enterprise established in Bulgaria to engage into co-operations for innovation conditional on numerous internal and external factors. More precisely, we aim at answering the following specific research questions in the following paper: AGSE 2008
Effects of Replacing Pork Back Fat with Canola and Flaxseed Oils on Physicochemical Properties of Emulsion Sausages from Spent Layer Meat

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of canola and flaxseed oils on the physicochemical properties and sensory quality of emulsion-type sausage made from spent layer meat. Three types of sausage were manufactured with different fat sources: 20% pork back fat (CON), 20% canola oil (CA) and 20% flaxseed oil (FL). The pH value of the CA was significantly higher than the others (p<0.05). The highest water holding capacity was also presented for CA; in other words, CA demonstrated a significantly lower water loss value among the treatments (p<0.05). CA had the highest lightness value (p<0.05). However, FL showed the highest yellowness value (p<0.05) because of its own high-density yellow color. The texture profile of the treatments manufactured with vegetable oils showed higher values than for the CON (p<0.05); furthermore, CA had the highest texture profile values (p<0.05) among the treatments. The replacement of pork back fat with canola and flaxseed oils in sausages significantly increased the omega-3 fatty acid content (p<0.05) over 15 to 86 times, respectively. All emulsion sausages containing vegetable oil exhibited significantly lower values for saturated fatty acid content and the omega-6 to omega-3 ratios compared to CON (p<0.05). The results show that using canola or flaxseed oils as a pork fat replacer has a high potential to produce healthier products, and notably, the use of canola oil produced characteristics of great emulsion stability and sensory quality.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon in the urban area of Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Regular (non-alkylated) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their alkylated homologues were determined in sediments from Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon using gas chromatography with mass selective detector (GC-MSD). Concentrations varying from 405 to 11734 ng·g−1 were found for total PAHs (regular and alkylated homologues). The study showed a pyrogenic and petrogenic contribution, probably due to the incomplete burning of fossil fuels as a result of the intense traffic of boats and motor vehicles added to the anthropogenic activity of several gas stations present in the region of Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Sediment Quality Guide, PAHs concentration should not exceed 4000 ng·g−1 (Long et al., 1995) The obtained data present values above the NOAA limit for some sampling points indicating chronic contamination of those sites probably due to anthropogenic activities related to petroleum and its derivatives.