Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tissue‐engineered cartilage of porcine and human origin as in vitro test system in arthritis research

The increasing prevalence of cartilage destruction during arthritis has entailed an intensified amount for in vitro cartilage models to analyze pathophysiological processes and to screen for antirheumatic drugs. Tissue engineering offers the opportunity to establish highly organized 3D cell cultures facilitating the formation of in vitro models that reflect the human situation. We report the comparison of porcine chondrocyte pellet and alginate bead cultures as model systems for human cartilage and the further development into a human system that was applied in an arthritis model. In porcine pellet and alginate cultures, formation of cartilage matrix similar to human matrix was verified by histology and PCR. As alginate beads could be cultivated batch‐wise in one well of a multiwell plate, we further developed this setting into a human system. In contrast, each pellet had to be cultivated individually in one well of a multiwell plate, which is time consuming. Following stimulation of human chondrocyte alginate cultures with conditioned media from human synovial fibroblasts derived from arthritis patients, microarray analysis verified the induction of genes related to cartilage destruction (like MMP10, −12) and inflammation (like IL6, −8 and chemokines). Several genes are coding for proteins that are members of inflammatory and catabolic pathways. Belonging to the most affected pathways, we identified the focal adhesion, cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, ECM‐receptor signalling, Jak‐STAT signalling, and toll‐like receptor signalling pathways, all relevant in arthritis. Therefore, we demonstrate that engineered cartilage of porcine and human origin represents a powerful in vitro model for cartilage in vivo. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 2010
Topical iontophoretic administration of acyclovir for the episodic treatment of herpes labialis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinic-initiated trial.

BACKGROUND Multiple studies of the use of acyclovir for the treatment of herpes labialis have suggested that the nominal efficacy of the topical formulation is the result of inadequate penetration of the drug into the target site of infection, the basal epidermis. METHODS We developed a low-voltage, wireless, hand-held, computer-controlled, iontophoretic applicator to enhance the skin penetration of topical acyclovir in the treatment of herpes labialis. We performed a multicenter, placebo-controlled, clinic-initiated, pilot trial of a single, topical, iontophoretic application of 5% acyclovir cream for the episodic treatment of herpes labialis among 200 patients with an incipient cold sore outbreak at the erythema or papular/edema lesion stage. RESULTS The median classic lesion healing time (aborted lesions were assigned a value of 0 h) was 1.5 days shorter for the active treatment group than for the vehicle group (113 h vs. 148 h; P = .02). In the subgroup of patients who presented with lesions in the erythema stage, the median classic lesion healing time was 3 days shorter for the acyclovir group, compared with the control group (49 h vs. 120 h; P < .03), and the acyclovir group tended to have more aborted lesions than did the control group (46% vs. 24%; P = .10). CONCLUSIONS Single-dose topical iontophoresis of acyclovir appears to be a convenient and effective treatment for cold sores and merits further clinical investigation.
Intermediate representation for stiff virtual objects

A method of intermediate space for controlling haptic interfaces is characterized by updating a virtual plane at a low frequency while maintaining a high update rate at force control loop of the interface. By using the virtual plane, the detection of collisions between the tip of finger and virtual objects became independent from the control of the haptic interface. This will enable the haptic interface to display more and more complex surfaces in keeping the same sampling frequency of impedance control. It was revealed by the experiments with a haptic interface SPICE that an operator could touch and trace smoothly on a curved surface of stiff virtual object, even if the update rate of the virtual plane is relatively low.
Immunoglobulin G subclass deficiency and predisposition to infection in Down's syndrome

Serum immunoglobulins and IgG subclasses were measured in 26 children with Down's syndrome using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and monoclonal antibodies. Eighteen (69%) of the children had increased susceptibility to infection. None of the children had deficiencies of total IgG and IgM, and only one had an IgA deficiency. IgG4 deficiency was diagnosed in 14 (54%) children. One child had a deficiency of IgG2. There were no children with deficiencies of either IgG1 or IgG3. There was a significant correlation between IgG subclass deficiency and predisposition to infection (P < 0.05). Ninety percent of the patients with severe
An automatic region based methodology for facial expression recognition

This work investigates the use of a point distribution model to detect prominent features in a face (eyes, brows, mouth, etc) and the subsequent facial feature extraction and facial expression classification into seven categories (anger, fear, surprise, happiness, disgust, neutral and sadness). A multi-scale and multi-orientation Gabor filter bank, designed in such a way so as to avoid redundant information, is used to extract facial features at selected locations of the prominent features of a face (fiducial points). A region based approach is employed at the location of the fiducial points using different region sizes to allow some degree of flexibility and avoid artefacts due to incorrect automatic discovery of these points. A feed forward back propagation Artificial Neural Network is employed to classify the extracted feature vectors. The methodology is evaluated by forming 7 different regions and the feature vector is extracted at the location of 20 fiducial points.
Functional and structural changes in mammalian sympathetic neurones following interruption of their axons.

The effects of interrupting the axons of principal neurones in the superior cervical ganglion of adult guinea‐pigs were studied by means of intracellular recording, and light and electron microscopy. 1. Within 72 hr of axon interruption, the amplitude of exitatory postsynaptic potentials potentials (e.p.s.p.s) recorded in principal neurons in response to maximal preganglionic stimulation declined. E.p.s.p.s were maximally reduced (by more than 70% on average) 4‐7 days following interruption, and failed to bring many cells to threshold. E.p.s.p.s. recorded in nearby neurones whose axons remained intact were unaffected. 2. In ganglia in which axon interruption was achieved by means of nerve crush (thus allowing prompt regeneration), mean e.p.s.p. amplitudes began to increase again after about 1‐2 weeks. One month after the initial injury many neurones had e.p.s.p.s of normal amplitude, and by 2 months affected neurones were indistinguishable from control cells. Functional peripheral connexions were re‐established during the period of synaptic recovery. 3. The mean number of synapses identified electron microscopically in ganglia in which all the major efferent branches had been crushed decreased by 65‐70% in parallel with synaptic depression measured by intracellular recording. However synapse counts did not return to normal levels even after 3 months. 4. During the period of maximum synaptic depression, numerous abnormal profiles which contained accumulations of vesicular and tubular organelles, vesicles, and mitochondria were observed in electron microscopic sections. Injection of horseradish peroxidase into affected neurones demonstrated dendritic swelling which probably correspond to these profiles. 5. Little or no difference was found in the electrical properties of normal neurones and neurones whose axons had been interrupted 4‐7 days previously. However, the mean amplitude of spontaneously occurring synaptic potentials was reduced, and the amplitude distribution was shifted. This abnormality of the synapses which remain on affected neurones also contributes to synaptic depression. 6. Counts of neurones in normal and experimental ganglia showed that approximately half the principal cells died 1‐5 weeks after crushing the major efferent brances. This finding presumably explains the failure of synapse counts to return to control levels after recovery. 7. If axons were prevented from growing back to their target organ by chronic ligation, surviving neurones whose axons were enclosed by the ligature did not generally recover normal synaptic function. Following ligation, most affected cells died within a month. 8. Thus the integrity of a principal cell's axon is necessary for the maintenance of preganglionic synaptic contacts, and ultimately for neuronal survival. The basis of neuronal recovery from the effects of axon interruption appears to be some aspect of regeneration to the peripheral target.
Is It Better to Be Feared Than Loved? Investigating the Efficacy of Different Teaching Methods on the Learning of Specific Content

ABSTRACT The use and efficacy of problem-based learning (PBL) exercises during single class periods, especially in political science courses, have largely been unstudied. This article explores the ability of a PBL exercise to provide better learning outcomes than a standard lecture-discussion presentation on a particular topic in an introductory political science course. The author finds that the PBL approach, as a one-time pedagogical exercise, is not more effective at producing learning. In exploring the data, however, the author finds that differences in course structure and methods of learning assessment can have a larger impact on learning outcomes than specific teaching techniques.
Granuloma formation around schistosome eggs as a manifestation of delayed hypersensitivity.

Schistosomiasis mansoni is a chronic granulomatous disease caused by those schistosome eggs which do not pass out of the body but are trapped in the host tissues. ' While these eggs do not multiply in the mammalian host, the next stage in their life cycle being in snails, they incite reactions often called, "pseudotubercles. " 1 In experimental models the schistosome eggs have been shown to be the parasite factor primarily responsible for the development of hepatosplenic and pulmonary disease.2'3 The host granulomatous response to the eggs, which increases the volume of the lesions as much as 35-fold, also appears to play a vital role in the occurrence of overt disease.4'5 A literature survey made prior to attempts to inhibit the host reaction with immunosuppressive drugs" revealed that the cause of the so-called infectious granuloma is essentially unknown.7 It has been suggested that this type of granulomatous response may be either of immune origin or a form of foreign-body reaction resulting from cellular removal and sequestration of large antigen-antibody aggregates.7 Granulomas, which consist largely of lymphocytes, macrophages, epithelioid cells, and giant cells, if considered to be immunologic responses, share much in common with delayed hypersensitivity tuberculin and homograft reactions.8 Nevertheless, Uhr has recently stated that "the relationship between delayed hypersensitivity and the formation of granulomas is not known. "8 Delayed hypersensitivity has been defined as an immunologically specific inflammatory reaction which takes 12 hr. or more to reach a maximum and which cannot be transferred passively by serum from sensitive animals but can be easily transferred by cells obtained from peritoneal exudates, lymph nodes, spleen, or circulating lymphocytes of hypersensitized animals.9 In order to establish a relationship between granuloma formation and delayed hypersensitivity, it would therefore
The Serum Apo B and Apo E in Rats Following Cholesterol Diet and Thymus Treatment

The serum levels of apo B and apo E in rats fed on a diet rich in cholesterol before and after thymus treatment were determined by the authors. The diet enriched with cholesterol increases the serum levels of apo E and of the large and small species of apo B. After treatment the large apo B and the small one strongly decrease, while apo E increases further. These data support the hypothesis that the dropping of total cholesterol, after thymus treatment, cannot be ascribed to apo E decrease but possibly to B-apoproteins.
Oral delivery of PND-1186 FAK inhibitor decreases tumor growth and spontaneous breast to lung metastasis in pre-clinical models

Tumor metastasis is a leading cause of cancer-related death. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase recruited to integrin-mediated matrix attachment sites where FAK activity is implicated in the control of cell survival, migration, and invasion. Although genetic studies support the importance of FAK activity in promoting tumor progression, it remains unclear whether pharmacological FAK inhibition prevents tumor metastasis. Here, we show that the FAK inhibitor PND-1186 blocks FAK Tyr-397 phosphorylation in vivo and exhibits anti-tumor efficacy in orthotopic breast carcinoma mouse tumor models. PND-1186 (100 mg/kg intraperitoneal, i.p.) showed promising pharmacokinetics (PK) and inhibited tumor FAK Tyr-397 phosphorylation for 12 hours. Oral administration of 150 mg/kg PND-1186 gave a more sustained PK profile verses i.p., and when given twice daily, PND-1186 significantly inhibited sygeneic murine 4T1 orthotopic breast carcinoma tumor growth and spontaneous metastasis to lungs. Moreover, low-level 0.5 mg/ml PND-1186 ad libitum administration in drinking water prevented oncogenic KRAS- and BRAF-stimulated MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma tumor growth and metastasis with inhibition of tumoral FAK and p130Cas phosphorylation. Although PND-1186 was not cytotoxic to cells in adherent culture, tumors from animals receiving PND-1186 exhibited increased TUNEL staining, decreased leukocyte infiltrate and reduced tumor-associated splenomegaly. In vitro, PND-1186 reduced tumor necrosis factor-a triggered interleukin-6 cytokine expression, indicating that FAK inhibition may impact tumor progression via effects on both tumor and stromal cells. As oral administration of PND-1186 also decreased experimental tumor metastasis, PND-1186 may therefore be useful clinically to curb breast tumor progression.
Viral Agents Oncolytic for Human Tumors in Heterologous Host. Oncolytic Effect of Coxsackie B Viruses.∗

Summary 1. The Toolan technic for growing cancer tissue in a heterologous host was applied to growth of tissue culture propagated HeLa and KB cells in the peritoneal cavity of rat. This method resulted in rapid development of large healthy explants of carcinoma on peritoneal surfaces, particularly of omentum. Ninety-three% of rats inoculated developed comparatively uniform tumor masses, thus allowing for adequately controlled studies of virus growth and oncolytic effects. 2. A preliminary survey of adenovirus, ECHO, and Coxsackie agents in rat-HeLa tumor system produced 3 types of reaction: 1. failure of some agents to grow. 2. growth of virus without oncolytic activity, and, 3. growth of virus with evidence of slight or incomplete oncolytic effects. Four Coxsackie agents, types B1, B2, B3, and B5, showed initial evidence of growth, and on serial passage through rat-HeLa tumors, increased capacity for destroying solid carcinoimata in vivo, producing characteristic histological changes. The oncolytic Coxsackie B3 virus produced by rat-HeLa tumor passage in vivo, compared to the same strain passed in HeLa cells grown in tissue culture, revealed marked differences in oncolytic capacity. Use of this method illustrates the possibility of virus adaptation by tumor to tumor passage; that this principle has been successfully employed to destroy solid tumor transplants of human origin, suggests its possible application for future clinical studies.
A Frequency Offset Estimation Scheme for OFDM Based UWB Systems

Frequency offset estimation is one of the crucial stages for frequency synchronization in OFDM based systems such as MB-OFDM UWB systems. A frequency offset estimation scheme is proposed for coarse frequency offset estimate. Variance of the proposed frequency offset estimated scheme is compared with the Cramer Rao lower bound (CRLB). BER performance of the proposed scheme is also reported
Elusive "stuck" disk in the temporomandibular joint: diagnosis with MR imaging.

PURPOSE To determine the incidence of a "stuck" disk and its importance in the overall scheme of internal derangement. MATERIALS AND METHODS Magnetic resonance (MR) images of 212 temporomandibular joints (TMJs) in 106 symptomatic patients were obtained and reviewed. Image analysis included assessment of disk position; disk mobility; and degree of condylar translation, with or without disk recapture in joints with displaced disks. RESULTS Of the 127 joints with disks in a normal position, 94 had mobile disks and 23 had stuck disks. Ten joints revealed no condylar translation, which precluded assessment of disk mobility. Of 85 joints with displaced disks, 67 joints showed mobility, with recapture in 25 and no recapture in 42. Significant correlation existed between disk mobility and degree of condylar translation (P < .001). CONCLUSION The TMJ disk may be stuck in a normal or displaced position and limits the normal degree of condylar translation, leading to restricted jaw opening. Recognition of a stuck TMJ disk could alter patient care.
Exhaled nitric oxide in systemic sclerosis: relationships with lung involvement and pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVE To measure nitric oxide (NO) concentration in exhaled air of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to investigate its relationships with lung involvement, complicated or not by pulmonary hypertension (PH). METHODS Exhaled NO was measured by chemiluminescence in 47 patients with SSc (16 with PH) and in 30 controls. All the patients underwent Doppler echocardiography to assess pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), lung function tests, and thin section computed tomographic scans of the lung to quantify the extent of fibrosing alveolitis. RESULTS Exhaled NO levels were higher in patients with SSc (16.6 +/- 9.1 ppb), particularly those with interstitial lung disease (ILD) (18.3 +/- 10.4 ppb), compared to controls (9.9 +/- 2.9 ppb; p < 0.0001). In patients with PH, exhaled NO was less than in patients without PH (10.7 +/- 5.9 vs 19.6 +/- 9 ppb, respectively; p < 0.001), and patients with PH without ILD had even lower exhaled NO than patients with PH and ILD (6.6 +/- 1.1 vs 12.6 +/- 6.3 ppb; p = 0.004). There was an inverse correlation between PAP and exhaled NO (r = 04). 53, p = 0.004). Exhaled NO was not correlated to age, disease duration, current therapy, or form of disease (limited or diffuse). CONCLUSION The increased concentration of exhaled NO in patients with SSc may reflect respiratory tract inflammation. The relatively low value of exhaled NO in patients with PH and the negative correlation between PAP and exhaled NO suggest the important role of NO in regulating pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with SSc.
Changing attitudes towards euthanasia among medical students in Austria

Background In most European countries the attitudes regarding the acceptability of active euthanasia have clearly changed in the population since World War II. Therefore, it is interesting to know which trends in attitudes prevail among the physicians of the future. Methods The present study analyses trends in the attitudes towards active euthanasia in medical students at the Medical University of Graz, Austria. The survey was conducted over a period of 9 years, enabling us to investigate trends regarding both attitudes and underlying motives. Results Acceptance of active euthanasia increased from 16.3% to 29.1% to 49.5% in the periods from 2001 to 2003/04 to 2008/09. Conclusions The survey period from 2001 to 2009 reveals a massive change in medical students' attitudes towards active euthanasia under medical supervision. Ethical convictions of medical doctors seem to fall back behind a higher valuation of the autonomy of the patient.
A randomized trial of vas occlusion versus vasectomy for male contraception.

Vas occlusion and vasectomy for contraception were compared in a trial with 79 patients, median age 36. Operation time, consumption of analgesics in the 1st postoperative week, and postoperative complications including wound infection, hematoma, and epididymitis were recorded. Sperm counts were performed monthly and in all patients a final sperm count was requested after 6 months. 77 patients became sterile, 1 failure occurring within 3 months in each group. In 1 vasectomized patient recanalization occurred after development of a sperm granuloma and in 1 vas-occluded patient clips had been placed on nonductal structures. There was no intergroup difference in consumption of analgesics or with regard to postoperative complications. Median operation times for vas occlusion and vasectomy were 11 and 14 minutes, respectively. The material is too small to evaluate rates of operative failures for the 2 methods, but the performance of val occlusion was a little speedier than vasectomy, the need for disection and tissue handling being minimized. It is concluded that vas occlusion by clips without transection deserves further evaluation as an alternative to vasectomy for male contraception.
EVOLUTIONARY ADAPTATION TO TEMPERATURE. V. ADAPTIVE MECHANISMS AND CORRELATED RESPONSES IN EXPERIMENTAL LINES OF ESCHERICHIA COLI

We previously demonstrated temperature‐specific genetic adaptation in experimental lines of Escherichia coli. Six initially identical populations were propagated for 2000 generations under each of five regimes: constant 20°C, 32°C, 37°C, and 42°C, and a daily switch between 32°C and 42°C. Glucose was the sole carbon source in all cases. Here, we examine the physiological bases of adaptation to determine whether the same mechanisms evolved among the replicate lines within each thermal regime and across different regimes. Specifically, we investigate whether changes in glucose transport may account for the temperature‐specific adaptation. We compared each line's direct response of fitness to glucose with its correlated response to maltose; glucose and maltose enter the cell by different pathways, but their catabolism is identical. Except for lines maintained at the ancestral temperature (37°C), almost all derived lines had significantly different fitnesses (relative to their common ancestor) in glucose and maltose, supporting the hypothesis that adaptation involved changes in glucose transport. An alternative explanation, that maltose transport decayed by genetic drift, appears unlikely for reasons that are discussed. Although most lines showed evidence of temperature‐specific adaptation in glucose transport, several different mechanisms may underlie these improvements, as indicated by heterogeneity in correlated responses (across temperatures and substrates) among replicate lines adapted to the same regime. This heterogeneity provides a latent pool of genetic variation for responding to environmental change.