Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complement Protein C1q Directs Macrophage Polarization and Limits Inflammasome Activity during the Uptake of Apoptotic Cells

Deficiency in C1q, the recognition component of the classical complement cascade and a pattern recognition receptor involved in apoptotic cell clearance, leads to lupus-like autoimmune diseases characterized by auto-antibodies to self proteins and aberrant innate immune cell activation likely due to impaired clearance of apoptotic cells. In this study, we developed an autologous system using primary human lymphocytes and human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs) to characterize the effect of C1q on macrophage gene expression profiles during the uptake of apoptotic cells. C1q bound to autologous apoptotic lymphocytes modulated expression of genes associated with JAK/STAT signaling, chemotaxis, immunoregulation, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in LPS-stimulated HMDMs. Specifically, C1q sequentially induced type I IFNs, IL-27, and IL-10 in LPS-stimulated HMDMs and IL-27 in HMDMs when incubated with apoptotic lymphocyte conditioned media. Coincubation with C1q tails prevented the induction of type I IFNs and IL-27 in a dose-dependent manner, and neutralization of type I IFNs partially prevented IL-27 induction by C1q. Finally, C1q decreased procaspase-1 cleavage and caspase-1–dependent cleavage of IL-1β suggesting a potent inhibitory effect of C1q on inflammasome activation. These results identify specific molecular pathways induced by C1q to suppress macrophage inflammation and provide potential therapeutic targets to control macrophage polarization and thus inflammation and autoimmunity.
Sex work venue and condom use among female sex workers in Senggigi, Indonesia

This paper examines the structural influence of sex work venues on condom use among female sex workers in the Senggigi area of Lombok, Indonesia. A cross-sectional design employing ethnographic observation, structured interviews and hierarchical linear modelling was used to examine condom use among female sex workers who solicited clients at three types of sex work venues: (1) freelance locations, (2) brothels and (3) entertainment places (karaoke bars and massage parlours). The sample consisted of 115 women ‘nested’ within 16 sex work venues drawn from the three venue types. Rate (39%) of condom use varied across sex work venues. Perceived management style, HIV/AIDS-related policies and risk-reduction services differed by venue, but this variation did not explain differences in condom use. At the individual level, higher condom use was associated with female sex workers having ever been married. At the client level, condoms were more likely to be used with foreign rather than domestic/local Indonesian clients. Low rates of condom use among Indonesian female sex workers during commercial sex suggests the need for increased HIV-prevention efforts that acknowledge sex worker characteristics and relationships with clients that place them at risk. Future research into the effects of social context on HIV risk should also be considered.
Protective Effects of Estradiol on Ethanol-Induced Bone Loss Involve Inhibition of Reactive Oxygen Species Generation in Osteoblasts and Downstream Activation of the Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3/Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-κB Ligan

Bone loss occurs following chronic ethanol (EtOH) consumption in males and cycling females in part as a result of increased bone resorption. We have demonstrated in vivo that estradiol treatment can reverse this effect. Using osteoclast precursors from bone marrow and osteoblast/preosteoclast coculture, we found that EtOH-induced receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) expression in osteoblasts was able to promote osteoclastogenesis. These effects were blocked by pretreatment of cells with either 17β-estradiol (E2) or the anti-oxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). EtOH treatment of stromal osteoblasts increased the intracellular level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This was associated with induction of NADPH oxidase (NOX) and a downstream signaling cascade involving sustained activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, resulting in increased gene expression of RANKL. In the presence of EtOH, sustained nuclear ERK translocation >24 h was observed in calvarial osteoblasts and UMR-106 cells transfected with green fluorescent protein-ERK2 plasmid. This was abolished by pretreatment with either E2 or NAC. NOX subtypes 1, 2, and 4, but not 3, were expressed in stromal osteoblasts. Chemical inhibition of NOX by diphenylene iodonium also reversed the ability of EtOH to phosphorylate ERK and induce RANKL mRNA expression. Down-regulation of EtOH-induced ROS generation in osteoblasts was also observed after treatment with E2 or NAC. These data suggest that the molecular mechanisms whereby E2 prevents EtOH-induced bone loss involve interference with ROS generation and cytoplasmic kinase activation.
A numerical study on Neumann-Neumann methods for hp approximations on geometrically refined boundary layer meshes II

In this paper, we present extensive numerical tests showing the performance and robustness of a Balancing Neumann-Neumann method for the solution of algebraic linear systems arising from hp finite element approximations of scalar elliptic problems on geometrically refined boundary layer meshes in three dimensions. The numerical results are in good agreement with the theoretical bound for the condition number of the preconditioned operator derived in [Toselli and Vasseur, IMA J. Numer. Anal. 24 (2004) 123–156]. They confirm that the condition numbers are independent of the aspect ratio of the mesh and of potentially large jumps of the coefficients. Good results are also obtained for certain singularly perturbed problems. The condition numbers only grow polylogarithmically with the polynomial degree, as in the case of p approximations on shape-regular meshes [Pavarino, RAIRO: Model. Math. Anal. Numer. 31 (1997) 471–493]. This paper follows [Toselli and Vasseur, Comput. Methods Appl. Mech. Engrg. 192 (2003) 4551–4579] on two dimensional problems. Mathematics Subject Classification. 65N22, 65N35, 65N55. Received: December 23, 2004. Revised: July 3 and September 8, 2005.
Explaining Post-Implementation Employee System Use and Job Performance: Impacts of the Content and Source of Social Network Ties

This paper draws from communication research and negative asymmetry theory to examine how employee social network ties at work affect deep structure use and job performance in the context of an enterprise system (ES) implementation. Specifically, we examine how the content (i.e., advice and impeding) and source (i.e., friends and acquaintances) of social network ties interact with one another to influence both deep structure use of the new ES and employee job performance. A longitudinal field study was conducted, with data collected from 145 employees and their supervisors in a business unit of a large multinational telecommunications firm. Results show that both source and content of social network ties influenced deep structure use of the new ES as well as employee job performance. This work contributes to the ES implementation literature by examining the influence of both positive and negative social ties. This work also identifies an important boundary condition of negative asymmetry theory by showing that not all negative stimuli influences behavior equally.
Pituitary‐testicular function in patients with chronic alcoholism

Abstract. Testis and liver histology, and pituitary—testicular function were studied in thirty chronic alcoholics. Severe reduction of spermatogenesis was found in 30% and in these patients serum follicle stimulating hormone and prolactin concentrations were significantly higher. There was no correlation between abnormalities in the liver and testis. The serum testosterone was normal in most cases. Sexual dysfunction and testicular atrophy occurred in more than half of the patients and were not related to liver disease. Testicular disorder in chronic alcoholism may be independent of liver disease.
[Contribution of high risk human papillomavirus testing to the management of premalignant and malignant lesions of the uterine cervix].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE High risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPV) are consistently associated with premalignant and malignant lesions of the uterine cervix. Thus, the use of molecular techniques to detect HPV has been proposed to improve the results of conventional diagnostic strategies. In the present study, we evaluated the usefulness of the detection of HR-HPV in a cervical pathology unit. PATIENTS AND METHOD 1005 women (mean age [SD], 38.4 [12.3]; range, 16-83) were referred for a cytology of atypical cells of unknown origin (ASCUS), squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) or carcinoma in the six months previous to the admission. All patients underwent a colposcopy, Pap test and/or histological study as well as HR-HPV detection using the Hybrid Capture II test. RESULTS HR-HPV was detected in 96% high grade-SIL, 86% carcinomas of the uterine cervix and 86% low grade-SIL, but only in 25% women with no cervical lesions and 0% women with metastatic carcinomas to the cervix (p<0.001). The sensitivity of this test for high grade-SIL or higher was 90.2% and the negative predictive value was 96.5% (odds ratio=18.9; 95% confidence interval, 10.9-33.1). In patients with ASCUS, a negative result for HR-HPV nearly excluded the presence of a cervical lesion (negative predictive value, 98.52%). CONCLUSIONS HR-HPV detection using Hybrid Capture II is useful in the study of lesions of the uterine cervix. It displays a high sensitivity for the diagnosis of squamous intraepithelial lesions and invasive carcinomas and a high usefulness in the management of ASCUS cases.
Expression of sialyl Lewis(a) relates to poor prognosis in cholangiocarcinoma.

AIM High levels of serum sialyl Lewis(a) (sLea) are frequently found in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) patients and have been suggested to be a serum marker for CCA. However, the significance of this antigen in CCA is unknown. In this study, the clinical significance of sLea expression in CCA tissues and the possible role of sLea in vascular invasion in vitro were elucidated. METHODS Expression of sLea in tumor tissues of 77 patients with mass-forming CCA and 33 with periductal infiltrating CCA was determined using immunohistochemistry. The in vitro assays on adhesion and transmigration of CCA cells to human umbilical vein endothelial cells were compared between CCA cell lines with and without sLea expression. RESULTS sLea was aberrantly expressed in 60% of CCA tumor tissues. A significant relationship was found between the frequency of sLea expression and the mass-forming type CCA (P = 0.041), well differentiated histological grading (P = 0.029), and vascular invasion (P = 0.030). Patients with positive sLea expression had a significantly poorer prognosis (21.28 wk, 95% CI = 16.75-25.81 wk) than those negative for sLea (37.30 wk, 95% CI = 27.03-47.57 wk) (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis with adjustment for all covariates showed that patients positive for sLea possessed a 2.3-fold higher risk of death than patients negative for sLea (P<0.001). The role of sLea in vascular invasion was demonstrated using in vitro adhesion and transmigration assays. KKU-M213, a human CCA cell-line with a high expression of sLea, adhered and transmigrated to IL-1beta-activated endothelial cells of the human umbilical vein more than KKU-100, the line without sLea expression (P<0.001). These processes were significantly diminished when the antibodies specific to either sLea or E-selectin were added to the assays (P<0.001). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the clinical significance of sLea expression in vascular invasion, and an unfavorable outcome in CCA. The role of sLea in vascular invasion which may lead to poor prognosis is supported by the in vitro adhesion and transmigration studies.
The Effectiveness of a Balance Training Intervention in Reducing the Incidence of Noncontact Ankle Sprains in High School Football Players

Background A high body mass index and previous ankle sprains have been shown to increase the risk of sustaining noncontact inversion ankle sprains in high school football players. Hypothesis Stability pad balance training reduces the incidence of noncontact inversion ankle sprains in football players with increased risk. Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods Height, body mass, history of previous ankle sprains, and current ankle brace/tape use were documented at the beginning of preseason training in 2 high school varsity football teams for 3 consecutive years (175 player-seasons). Players were categorized as minimal risk, low risk, moderate risk, and high risk based on the history of previous ankle sprain and body mass index. Players in the low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups (ie, any player with a high body mass index and/or a previous ankle sprain) were placed on a balance training intervention on a foam stability pad. Players balanced for 5 minutes on each leg, 5 days per week, for 4 weeks in preseason and twice per week during the season. Postintervention injury incidence was compared with preintervention incidence (107 players-seasons) for players with increased risk. Results Injury incidence for players with increased risk was 2.2 injuries per 1000 exposures (95% confidence interval, 1.1-3.8) before the intervention and 0.5 (95% confidence interval, 0.2-1.3) after the intervention (P < .01). This represents a 77% reduction in injury incidence (95% confidence interval, 31%-92%). Conclusion The increased risk of a noncontact inversion ankle sprain associated with a high body mass index and a previous ankle sprain was eliminated by the balance training intervention.
Periodontal treatment decreases levels of antibodies to Porphyromonas gingivalis and citrulline in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis.

BACKGROUND Porphyromonas gingivalis has been implicated as an etiologic agent of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because of the expression of peptidylarginine deiminase. The present study evaluates whether periodontal treatment may affect serum antibodies to P. gingivalis and citrulline levels in relation to disease activity of RA. METHODS Fifty-five patients with RA were randomly assigned to receive oral hygiene instruction and supragingival scaling (treatment group, n = 26) or no periodontal treatment (control group, n = 29). Periodontal and rheumatologic parameters and serum levels of cytokine and inflammatory markers citrulline and immunoglobulin (Ig)G to P. gingivalis were examined at baseline and 8 weeks later. RESULTS Both groups did not differ statistically in any parameters except percentage of sites with probing depth and clinical attachment level ≥ 4 mm at baseline. The treatment group exhibited a significantly greater decrease in disease activity score including 28 joints using C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) (P = 0.02), serum levels of IgG to P. gingivalis hemin binding protein (HBP)35 (P = 0.04), and citrulline (P = 0.02) than the control group. Serum levels of IgG to P. gingivalis HBP35 were significantly correlated positively with those of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (P = 0.0002). The same correlation was obtained between serum levels of IgG to P. gingivalis-sonicated extracts and those of rheumatoid factor (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that supragingival scaling decreases DAS28-CRP and serum levels of IgG to P. gingivalis HBP35 and citrulline in patients with RA. These observations may reflect a role of P. gingivalis in the protein citrullination, which is related to the pathogenesis of RA.
Reduced corticomotor excitability and motor skills development in children born preterm

• Children born preterm commonly experience motor and cognitive difficulties, but the physiology underlying this dysfunction is unknown. • We used transcranial magnetic stimulation techniques and age‐appropriate assessments of motor skills development to investigate neurodevelopment in 151 children born between 25 and 41 weeks of gestation. • Reduced gestational age at birth was associated with a reduction in corticomotor excitability that persisted in late childhood, poorer development of manual dexterity skills and reduced hemispheric lateralization of hand preference. • We suggest this reduced corticomotor excitability at least partly reflects reduced white matter integrity and functional connectivity in the brain regions subserving movement control. • These findings show that preterm birth, which is increasingly common, impacts neuromotor development and related physiology into adolescence. Whether this altered neurophysiology and motor function persists in adulthood is unknown.
Structural argument for N‐terminal initiation of protein folding

3. Many proteins can be denatured and then refolded again. From this it was concluded that the direction of the biosynthesis is not important for protein structure formation, which is determined only by amino acid sequence. It was shown for several proteins that permutations in sequence do not affect the final structure. In these experiments, edges of a polypeptide chain were artificially linked and then cut in different sites. This permutation replaced the terminal regions without changing other parts of the sequence. In spite of the different order of synthesis, the fold is retained. Some proteins cannot be folded properly without the C-terminal portion.
Molecular Cloning and Characterization of CoclaurineN-Methyltransferase from Cultured Cells of Coptis japonica *

S-Adenosyl-l-methionine:coclaurineN-methyltransferase (CNMT) converts coclaurine toN-methylcoclaurine in isoquinoline alkaloid biosynthesis. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of Coptis CNMT was used to amplify the corresponding cDNA fragment and later to isolate full-length cDNA using 5′- and 3′-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The nucleotide sequence and predicted amino acid sequence showed that the cDNA encoded 358 amino acids, which contained a putative S-adenosyl-l-methionine binding domain and showed relatively high homology to tomato phosphoethanolamine-N-methyltransferase. A recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia coli, and its CNMT activity was confirmed. Recombinant CNMT was purified to homogeneity, and enzymological characterization confirmed that CoptisCNMT has quite broad substrate specificity, i.e. not only for 6-O-methylnorlaudanosoline and norreticuline but also for 6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline. The evolution ofN-methyltransferases in secondary metabolism is discussed based on sequence similarity.
ChaseLight: ambient LED stripes to control driving speed

In order to support drivers to maintain a predefined driving speed, we introduce ChaseLight, an in-car system that uses a programmable LED stripe mounted along the A-pillar of a car. The chase light (i.e., stripes of adjacent LEDs that are turned on and off frequently to give the illusion of lights moving along the stripe) provides ambient feedback to the driver about speed. We present a simulator based user study that uses three different types of feedback: (1) chase light with constant speed, (2) with proportional speed (i.e., chase light speed correlates with vehicle speed), and (3) with adaptive speed (i.e., chase light speed adapts to a target speed of the vehicle). Our results show that the adaptive condition is suited best to help a driver to control driving speed. The proportional speed condition resulted in a significantly slower mean speed than the baseline condition (no chase light).
Unilateral remission of psoriasis following traumatic nerve palsy

1 Jonas S, Rayes N, Neumann U et al. De novo malignancies after liver transplantation using tacrolimus-based protocols or cyclosporinebased quadruple immunosuppression with an interleukin-2 receptor antibody or antithymocyte globulin. Cancer 1997; 80:1141–50. 2 Niwa Y, Terashima T, Sumi H. Topical application of the immunosuppressant tacrolimus accelerates carcinogenesis in mouse skin. Br J Dermatol 2003; 149:960–7. 3 Kapp A, Allen BR, Reitamo S. Atopic dermatitis management with tacrolimus ointment (Protopic). J Dermatol Treat 2003; 14:5–16.
Re-mediating identities in the imagined homeland: Taiwanese migrants in China

Title of Document: RE-MEDIATING IDENTITIES IN THE IMAGINED HOMELAND: TAIWANESE MIGRANTS IN CHINA Shu-Ling Huang, Doctor of Philosophy, 2010 Directed By: Professor Linda Steiner Philip Merrill College of Journalism This dissertation analyzes the identity formation and transformation of Taiwanese migrants to China in light of globalization. Combining migrant studies and media studies, it explores how the identities of Taiwanese migrants are shaped and reshaped through the ongoing interactions of mediated communication and lived experience in the place of adoption. Against the linear model of assimilation, three discourses on transnationalism argue for the pluralization and deterritorialization of identities among contemporary migrants, including continuous home-country loyalty, diasporic hybrid identities, and cosmopolitan consciousness. However, this case study also encounters historical particularities, such as the opposition of Taiwanese and Chinese identities in Taiwan, Taiwanese migration to their imagined homeland, and China’ authoritarian media system. While attending to these issues, I analyze the migration patterns of Taiwanese migrants, their use of the media in China, and the relations between mediation and identity. Primarily based on in-depth interviews with 68 Taiwanese migrants conducted in 2008, I found that Taiwanese migrants’ spatial and upward mobility upon migration contributes to their class distinction and outsider mentality in China. Moreover, despite different settlement plans, migrants tend to see their migration as sojourning. Mental isolation from Chinese society, along with distrust of the Chinese news media, makes migrants heavily dependent on Taiwanese news media for information. They also utilize such communication tools as SMS and the Internet to forge and maintain Taiwanese-only social networks and interpersonal communications. As for entertainment media, migrants prefer foreign and Taiwanese media products to Chinese ones. Much of their transnational communication is sustained through the use of illegal means, such as satellite TV and pirated videos. Everyday experiences—lived or mediated, local or transnational—enable migrants to renegotiate their own similarities with and differences from the Chinese. A kind of Taiwanese consciousness based on pride develops among migrants. Nevertheless, as far as national identity is concerned, Taiwanese migrants remain divided, although they have also become less nationalistic and more realistic. RE-MEDIATING IDENTITIES IN THE IMAGINED HOMELAND: TAIWANESE MIGRANTS IN CHINA
Theory of Mind differences in older patients with early‐onset and late‐onset paranoid schizophrenia

Theory of Mind (ToM) is considered an essential element of social cognition. In younger schizophrenia patients, ToM impairments have extensively been demonstrated. It is not clear whether similar impairments can be found in older schizophrenia patients and if these impairments differ between older patients with early‐onset and late‐onset schizophrenia.