Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Responses via MAPK and Rho GTPase CD74 Regulate Macrophage Chemotactic Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor and

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) promotes leukocyte recruitment to sites of inﬂammation. However, whether this stems from a direct effect on leukocyte migration is unknown. Furthermore, the role of the MIF-binding protein CD74 in this response has not been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the contributions of MIF and CD74 to chemokine-induced macrophage recruitment. Intravital microscopy studies demonstrated that CCL2-induced leukocyte adhesion and transmigration were reduced in MIF 2 / 2 and CD74 2 / 2 mice. MIF 2 / 2 and CD74 2 / 2 macrophages also exhibited reduced chemotaxis in vitro, although CD74 2 / 2 macrophages showed increased chemokinesis. Reduced CCL2-induced migration was associated with attenuated MAPK phosphorylation, RhoA GTPase activity, and actin polymerization in MIF 2 / 2 and CD74 2 / 2 macrophages. Furthermore, in MIF 2 / 2 macrophages, MAPK phosphatase-1 was expressed at elevated levels, providing a potential mechanism for the reduction in MAPK phosphorylation in MIF-deﬁcient cells. No increase in MAPK phosphatase-1 expression was observed in CD74 2 / 2 macrophages. In in vivo experiments assessing the link between MIF and CD74, combined administration of MIF and CCL2 increased leukocyte adhesion in both MIF 2 / 2 and CD74 2 / 2 mice, showing that CD74 was not required for this MIF-induced response. Additionally, although leukocyte recruitment induced by administration of MIF alone was reduced in CD74 2 / 2 mice, consistent with a role for CD74 in leukocyte recruitment induced by MIF, MIF-treated CD74 2 / 2 mice displayed residual leukocyte recruitment. These data demonstrate that MIF and CD74 play previously unappreciated roles in CCL2-induced macrophage adhesion and migration, and they indicate that MIF and CD74 mediate this effect via both common and independent mechanisms. The Journal of Immunology , 2011, 186: 000–000.
A 90nm CMOS 13.56MHz NFC transceiver

This paper presents the design of a 90nm 13.56MHz NFC Transceiver. The concept of Near Field Communication is introduced while discussing how a combination of both Initiator and Target functions are required. The Initiator circuitry used to generate the required magnetic field and demodulate the received back-scatter is explained and the passive and active Target circuitry used to receive a magnetic field whilst demodulating and load-modulating is presented. Finally there is a short description of the Evaluation Module (EVM) containing the 90nm NFC, an antenna and interface to a host processor or PC.
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Concerning the Prevention of STIs among High School Students in Northern, Thailand

The objectives of this study were to examine the current state of knowledge and sexual behavior concerning the prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections(STIs), and to evaluate attitudes toward safe sex and coping with STIs. We performed a self-administered questionnaire and focus group interview among 197 high school students in Northern, Thailand. We also determined the presence or absence of chlamydia and gonorrhea infections in urine samples taken from 70 students. The participants were actively concerned with emotional relationships and homosexuality, but held negative attitudes toward sexual behavior including premarital sex and kiss, and had less chance for sex education along with their developmental stages. Consciousness of sexuality, knowledge level of STI prevention, self-efficacy toward safe sex, and coping ability with STIs were significantly higher in females than in males. In the urine test, all of the participants as a sub-set of those surveyed had negative results for STIs. In conclusion, the knowledge level of the participants on STI prevention correlated with self-efficacy toward safe sex and coping ability with STIs. Thus, the authors of this study conclude that sex education is effective for students to get comprehensive knowledge about STI prevention, and educators need to consider students' individual sexual issues.
heading Effect of ethanolic extract of Ecballium elaterium against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans

Infectious disease still represent an important cause of morbidity and mortality among humans, especially in developing countries. In recent years one of the more alarming trends in clinical microbiology has been the increasing incidence of resistance to antimicrobial agents among pathogens causing nosocomial as well as community-acquired infections. Among the more important emerging resistance problem is methicillin resistance in Staphylococci, which has gained much attention in the last decades, because it has become a major hospital-acquired pathogen[1]. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (MRSA) infections are very difficult to cure because these strains are resistant against almost all clinically available antibiotics. For most MRSA strains, glycopeptidtype drugs are the only effective antimicrobial agents. This reason and other factors such as high cost of production and toxicity of synthetic compounds have prompted scientists to look for new effective antimicrobials which are of great importance in the clinical health. Medicinal plants have been important sources of products in treating common infections and overcoming the problems of resistance and side effects of the currently available antimicrobial agents in the developing countries. One therapeutic strategy employed to overcome these resistance is the use of combination of drugs, such as 毬-lactamase inhibitors together with 毬-lactams[2]. Concurrent administration of two or more drugs is often essential and sometimes mandatory in order to achieve the desired therapeutic goal or to treat co-existing diseases. Plants are known to produce variety of phytochemicals and generally good for combination therapy which act as multidrug resistance modifiers[2]. These phytochemicals are not effective antimicrobial agents by themselves, but they can reverse the resistance by blocking the efflux pumps or other mechanisms. The efflux pump inhibitors from natural sources can be co-administered with the antibiotic to decrease the degree of resistance of the bacteria to the drugs, reverse the acquired resistance or reduce the emergence of resistant pathogen[3]. ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT
Active Management of Incipient Caries and Choice of Materials

Evidence of the effects of various sealant and fluoride materials in stabilizing or reversing incipient caries lesions has been reported. However, a knowledge gap still exists as to what material yields the best results. Thus, the objective of this study was to find the most effective material by comparing the effects of a resin-based sealant (sealant), a fluoride-containing sealant (F-sealant), a fluoride varnish (F-varnish), and a glass-ionomer cement (GIC) on deremineralization of incipient artificial caries and adjacent intact enamel on proximal surfaces of posterior teeth. The 4 materials were applied to lesions created on proximal surfaces. Areas of intact enamel 0.5 mm adjacent to the materials were also studied. The specimens were thermo- and pH-cycled. Cross-sections of the two areas were analyzed under polarized light microscope and quantified with Image-Pro plus®. The most effective material in reducing the carious areas was GIC, followed by F-varnish, F-sealant, and sealants. GIC followed by F-varnish was most efficient in inhibiting new caries lesions 0.5 mm adjacent to the materials.
Numerical Solutions of Fifth and Sixth Order Nonlinear Boundary Value Problems by Daftardar Jafari Method

Fifth and sixth order boundary value problems are solved using Daftardar Jafari method (DJM). DJM is introduced by Daftardar-Gejji and Jafari (2006). The approach provides the solution in the form of a rapidly convergent series. The comparison among Daftardar Jafari method (DJM), Adomian decomposition method (ADM), homotopy perturbation method (HPM), variation iteration method (VIM), and the iterative method (ITM) are displayed in table form which shows the efficiency of DJM for the solution of fifth and sixth order BVPs.
Heterogeneous Multi-Agent Systems: Reduced-Order Synchronization and Geometry

This technical note studies the geometry of multiple interacting heterogeneous multi-agent systems (MAS), where the agent dynamics may not be the same. A detailed geometric theory is given here based on the Kalman observable form decomposition and a further characterization of that portion of the leader's dynamics that is hidden within the dynamics of each agent. The output regulator equations are expressed in the new coordinates and are seen to be composed of an observable part and an unobservable part. These new geometric ideas are used to design efficient reduced-order synchronizers that guarantee synchronization of the outputs of all agents to a leader. It is shown that synchronization of heterogeneous MAS can be achieved if each agent has a mix of a dynamic synchronizer for the part of the leader's dynamics that is not contained in the agent's dynamics, and a static feedback synchronizer for the part that is.
Value of nailfold videocapillaroscopy and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein test in diagnosis of microangiopathy in adolescents with Raynaud's phenomenon Wartość diagnostyczna wideokapilaroskopii łożyska okołopaznokciowego i testu hsCRP w ocenie subklinicznego zapalenia naczyń u młodocianych pacje

Introduction: Nailfold videocapillaroscopy allows assessment of structural abnormalities in the peripheral microcirculation in patients with Raynaud’s syndrome (RS), whereas an increased level of highsensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is an acknowledged marker of even low-intensity inflammation of vascular endothelium in many autoimmune diseases, and also in atherosclerosis. Objective: Assessment of capillaroscopic structural abnormalities in microcirculation with regard to the duration of Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP), the level of hsCRP and the presence of ANA in the serum of children and adolescents with RS. Material and methods: The study involved 144 patients (104 girls and 40 boys) at the mean age of 16.07 ±3.66 years, who had undergone at least two capillaroscopies. The study patients were divided into 3 groups depending on RP duration (≤ 2 years, 2–5 years and over 5 years). A STEMI 2000 capillaroscope (ZEISS) was used. Capillaries were measured using the computer program NIS-Elements D2.30 Nikon Corp. Japan. Capillary loops wider than 50 μm were considered dilated. In 59 patients with abnormal patterns of microvessels and low classical inflammatory markers, hsCRP was determined using the immunoturbidimetric method by means of a HITACHI 912 analyser. Results: Secondary RS was diagnosed in 43 (39.8%) and primary RP in 101 (70.2%) patients. Disorders in capillaroscopic pictures were more S t r e s z c z e n i e
RIP140 is Associated with Subclinical Inflammation in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Abstract Aims: To evaluate the expression level of RIP140 (receptor interaction protein 140) and its correlation with inflammatory cytokine production and free fatty acids (FFAs) in type 2 diabetes. Methods: Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from 24 diabetic and 30 healthy individuals. The levels of FFAs, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, FIN, and FBG were measured. The insulin resistance index was calculated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Additionally, PBMCs from control group were cultured alone or with 500 μmol/L palmitic acid (PA). Levels of RIP140 TNF-α, and IL-6 in PBMCs were analyzed using real-time RT-PCR, Western blots and ELISA. The relationship between RIP140 and other variables was performed using SPSS 11.5 software. Results: TG, LDL-C, FIN, FBG, HOMA, and HDL-C were significantly different between diabetic patients and the control group. Levels of RIP140, TNF-α, and IL-6 were higher in the diabetic group compared to control. RIP140 expression was positively correlated with FFAs, HDL-c, TNF-α, IL-6, FIN, FBG, and HOMA. Finally, 500 μmol/L PA treatment increased RIP140 expression and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in cultured control PBMCs. Conclusions: Increased RIP140 level may be closely associated with inflammation and disorder of lipid and glucose metabolism in diabetic patients.
Remarx

The author explores two metaphysical errors in the Marxist understanding of wage labor and plantation slavery. The source of the first problem is the Hegelian repertoire of concepts for a dialectical schema of history. The second problem is Orientalism, as it implies a contrast at the extremes between the wage laborer and the Asian communal slave, between freedom and unfreedom—thereby building freedom into the very definition of wage labor.
Age and Medication Acceptance

Patients' willingness to take a newly prescribed medication is an important, but little studied, part of the medication process. The authors studied the impact of patient age on the perceived importance and interaction of three factors known to influence young people: severity of their medical condition, extent of possible medication side effects, and level of trust in their physician. A convenience sample of 170 French adults aged 18 to 93 rated their likelihood of taking a medication intended to alleviate physical suffering in 27 scenarios in which three levels (low, moderate, and high) of each of the above three factors were combined in an orthogonal factorial design. Among younger participants, high trust in the physician was not considered a sufficient reason for high acceptance of a new medication; it had to be accompanied by low side effects. Among very elderly participants, high trust led to high acceptance almost irrespective of the severity of possible side effects. Among the middle aged, trust and side effects had largely independent effects. To promote patients’ acceptance of newly prescribed medications, physicians need to establish trust, but not abuse its power in elderly patients.
Habitats urbanisés : des trappes écologiques potentielles pour les oiseaux sauvages ?

L’urbanisation des milieux est un phenomene croissant induisant des changements importants des habitats naturels auxquels doit faire face la biodiversite. Ces modifications rapides et profondes de l’environnement vont creer de nouvelles conditions potentiellement contraignantes pour les individus. En effet, le cocktail de parametres artificiels (par exemple : lumiere, bruit, pollution chimique) couple a une presence humaine ainsi qu’une ressource alimentaire souvent modifiee et/ou peu disponible peuvent contraindre la survie et la reproduction des especes ayant colonisees les milieux urbains. Par ailleurs, les modifications profondes des habitats urbains sont susceptibles d’amener les individus a mal decrypter les indices communement utilises dans les milieux non perturbes conduisant ces derniers a des reponses maladaptatives, et les populations associees jusqu’a des situations de trappe ecologique. C’est dans ce contexte que s’inscrivent ces travaux de these chez la Mesange charbonniere, Parus major. Ces oiseaux ont ete suivis en reproduction dans des nichoirs places sur des sites presentant des niveaux d’artificialisation variables, que nous avons quantifies, au sein de la ville de Montpellier. La taille de la cavite de reproduction a ete egalement manipulee experimentalement (manipulation de l’indice). Nous avons pu observer une preference pour les cavites les plus grandes ainsi qu’un investissement dans la ponte plus important mais un nombre de jeunes envoles plus faible relativement aux cavites de taille plus petite. Cette reponse maladaptative associee a la taille de la cavite nous a amene a nous questionner plus precisement sur le role des ressources alimentaires associees au milieu urbain et sur le potentiel adaptatif de nos oiseaux urbains. Les experiences menees, en lien avec les ressources alimentaires, ont mis en evidence qu’effectivement la ressource est un facteur cle contraignant la reproduction des mesanges urbaines. Par ailleurs, grâce a un dispositif forestier historique situe a une vingtaine de kilometres de notre site d’etude urbain, nous avons teste la presence de deux ecotypes urbains et ruraux. Nous avons pu mettre en evidence des differences de morphologies entre habitats, sans detecter pour autant de difference de condition physique. Pourtant, a l’echelle plus fine du gradient d’urbanisation, ces differences apparaissent. De plus, l’etude des personnalites des oiseaux a mis egalement en evidence un differentiel de personnalites inter-habitat mais aussi intra-habitat, qui souleve encore a l’heure actuelle des questions d’adaptation autour de ces phenotypes particuliers. Ces travaux soulignent la complexite des questions ecologiques et evolutives dans les environnements fortement perturbes que sont les milieux urbains et necessitent de continuer a approfondir nos connaissances afin d’apporter au mieux des solutions pour la gestion de la biodiversite urbaine.
Alopex-B: A New, Simpler, But Yet Faster Version Of The Alopex Training Algorithm

Experimenting with some changes and simplifications to the Alopex algorithm, we obtained a new faster version (Alopex-B), that also shows lower failure rates on training attempts. Like Alopex, our version is network-architecture independent, does not require error or transfer functions to be differentiable, has a high potential for parallelism, and is stochastic (which helps avoid local minima), but unlike Alopex it follows no annealing scheme, and uses less parameters which makes it simpler to implement and to use.
Spectral Analysis of a Model for Quantum Friction

An otherwise free classical particle moving through an extended spatially homogeneous medium with which it may exchange energy and momentum will undergo a frictional drag force in the direction opposite to its velocity with a magnitude which is typically proportional to a power of its speed. We study here the quantum equivalent of a classical Hamiltonian model for this friction phenomenon that was proposed in [11]. More precisely, we study the spectral properties of the quantum Hamiltonian and compare the quantum and classical situations. Under suitable conditions on the infrared behaviour of the model, we prove that the Hamiltonian at fixed total momentum has no ground state except when the total momentum vanishes, and that its spectrum is otherwise absolutely continuous.
A Multicenter, Open-Label, Randomized Phase II Controlled Study of rh-Endostatin (Endostar) in Combination with Chemotherapy in Previously Untreated Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Background: Based on promising efficacy in a single-arm study, a randomized phase II trial was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of adding rh-endostatin (Endostar) to first-line standard etoposide and carboplatin (EC) chemotherapy for treatment of extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer. Methods: One hundred forty Chinese patients with pathologically confirmed, extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer were randomly assigned to EC alone or rh-endostatin + EC for 4–6 cycles, followed by single-agent rh-endostatin until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints included overall survival, Objective response rate (ORR), and quality of life. Results: Median PFS was 6.4 months with rh-endostatin + EC (n = 69) and 5.9 months with EC (n = 69) (hazard ratio 0.8 [95% confidence interval 0.6–1.1]). PFS was significantly higher with rh-endostatin + EC than with EC (hazard ratio 0.4 [0.2–0.9; p = 0.020]) in female. Median overall survival was similar in both groups (12.1 versus 12.4 months, respectively [p = 0.82]). ORR was higher in the rh-endostatin + EC group (75.4%) than in the EC group (66.7%) (p = 0.348). The efficacy of rh-endostatin + EC relative to that of EC was reflected by greater improvements in patient-assessed quality of life scores after 4 and 6 weeks of treatment. There was no difference between each regimen in the incidence of nonhematological or Grade III–IV hematological toxicities. Conclusions: Addition of rh-endostatin to EC for the treatment of extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer had an acceptable toxicity profile, but did not improve overall survival, PFS, and ORR.
Risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis is associated with nonsmoking behavior.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Seventy percent of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) have concomitant ulcerative colitis. Smoking and previous appendectomy may protect against ulcerative colitis. The aim of this study was to examine these factors in patients with PSC. METHODS Fifty-nine patients with PSC, 130 patients with ulcerative colitis and normal liver biochemistry, and 197 control subjects were interviewed about smoking behavior and history of appendectomy. RESULTS There were less current smokers in the PSC and ulcerative colitis groups than in the control group (19%, 12%, and 38%, respectively). The resulting odds ratio for current smoking was 0.37 (95% confidence interval, (0.18-0.76) in the PSC group and 0.23 (95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.41) in the ulcerative colitis group. Percentage of persons who ever smoked was also significantly less in the PSC group (41% vs. 56% in the control group). Frequency of previous appendectomy in the PSC and ulcerative colitis groups was not significantly different from that of controls (19%, 9%, and 14%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Smoking but not previous appendectomy is associated with decreased risk of PSC.
Book Reviews

Motivated by the European Union’s (EU’s) resolution in 2000 to accelerate the rate of participation of women in the labor force, this two-part study explores the feasibility and the social implications of increasing female participation in EU nations. With wide ranging review of previous studies and the use of new survey data from the European Community Household Panel (ECHP), the two studies in this book provide a useful and comprehensive survey of the current gender trends in European labor markets. The primary recommendation conforms to a neo-classical point of view, stressing the importance of increasing labor market flexibility to encourage economic growth. The resolution agreed to at the European Council meeting in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2000 set a target female employment rate of 60 percent of the working age population by the year 2010. The first study focuses on comparing the trends between the groups of countries that are at different stages in relation to the Lisbon target. Examining OECD employment data for 2000, the authors find that the Lisbon target has been achieved by the Nordic countries, the UK and the Netherlands. However, substantial gaps still exist for the Mediterranean countries (Greece, Italy, and Spain) and Belgium, France, and Ireland. The two important trends highlighted are the increasing feminization of the labor force and the concentration of women in part-time work. Decomposing the employment data into age and gender categories, the study finds that for all the EU countries, women between the ages 25 – 49 have accounted for a larger share of employment growth than men during the years 1983 – 2000. Moreover, across all countries women have a higher presence in part-time jobs then men. On an average, about 15 percent of REVIEW OF SOCIAL ECONOMY, VOL. LXV, NO. 3, SEPTEMBER 2007