Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proinflammatory/Profibrotic Effects of Interleukin-17A on Human Proximal Tubule Epithelium

Background/Aims: Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is a T cell-derived inflammatory cytokine that is upregulated during renal allograft rejection. The present study sought to further describe the IL-17A-mediated proinflammatory/profibrotic activity of proximal tubule epithelium that may contribute to allograft rejection. Methods: Immortalized (HK-2) and primary (HRPTEpiC) human proximal tubule epithelial cells were utilized for this study. Profibrotic gene alterations were examined by real-time quantitative PCR. Inflammatory mediator secretion was examined by multiplex bead-based detection of secreted proteins. Immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoblotting were utilized to examine alterations in junctional protein expression and cell morphology. Results: In HK-2 cells IL-17A significantly downregulated the expression of the proepithelial gene CDH1 (E-cadherin) while the proinflammatory/profibrotic genes CTGF, CD44 and TGFBR1 were significantly increased. IL-17A also increased the secretion of fractalkine, G-CSF, GM-CSF, VEGF, IL-6 and IL-8. In HRPTEpiC 100 ng/ml IL-17A upregulated the proinflammatory/profibrotic genes ACTA2, CCL2, CHMP1A, CTGF, FN1, IL6, FSP1, SMAD1, SMAD5, TGFB1 and TGFBR2 while treatment with a reduced concentration of IL-17A (0.1 ng/ml) decreased SMAD5, TGFB1 and PDGFRB expression. Changes in ZO-1 and E-cadherin protein expression and cell morphology were examined following IL-17A treatment as indicators of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. IL-17A decreased ZO-1 expression in HK-2 and HRPTEpiC; however, E-cadherin was only reduced in HK-2 cells. Neither HK-2 nor HRPTEpiC assumed an elongated, fibroblast-like morphology following IL-17A treatment. Conclusions: IL-17A directly mediates proximal tubule epithelial cell proinflammatory/profibrotic activity as demonstrated by the alteration in genes associated with extracellular matrix remodeling and cell-cell interaction, and stimulation of inflammatory mediator and immune cell chemoattractant secretion. Additionally, IL-17A may have a negative impact on barrier integrity as indicated by ZO-1 downregulation.
Marketing Social Class and Ideology in Post-World-War-Two American Print Advertising

American beliefs about social class are not always accurate. Up to half of Americans claim to belong to the middle class, and many believe in an egalitarian society where social mobility is possible. These misperceptions have been attributed, in part, to the mass media. This work sets out to explore whether images of and messages about social class in advertising may contribute to such misperceptions. The class structure pictured in advertising is examined using a large representative sample of American print advertising from 1950 to 2015. First, a content analysis is used to identify what images of social class are depicted in advertising and in what proportion. Then, a qualitative approach is taken to identify what messages those images convey. Findings are presented for each social class. Together the findings suggest that advertising blurs the lines between social classes and diffuses the potential for class conflict. Importantly, this work also notes that advertising representations of the lower and working class are markedly positive, differing from other forms of mass media in important ways. This work calls for increased attention to social class in the marketing literature and is a crucial step in considering the societal effects of marketing messages.
Quantitative EEG Analysis of Executive Dysfunction in Parkinson Disease

Quantitative EEG evaluation in Parkinson disease (PD) reveals diffuse slowing. This is the first quantitative EEG evaluation of the differences between PD with and without executive dysfunction (ExD). The subjects were 32 PD patients without remarkable dementia. The lack of ischemic lesions was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. ExD was defined as <70 points on the age-controlled standardized score of the Behavioral Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome. Absolute power was measured for four frequency bands from delta to beta. Electrodes were placed at frontal pole, frontal, central, parietal, occipital, and temporal locations. Spectral ratio was calculated as the sum of power values for alpha and beta waves divided by the sum of values for the slow waves. In multiple logistic regression analysis of each electrode location, the dependent variable was ExD or not, and the independent variables were spectral ratio, age, and Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale. The only significant predictor of ExD was spectral ratio at the frontal pole (P = 0.031) and frontal (P = 0.048) locations. PD with ExD exhibited an increase in slow wave activity and a decrease in alpha and fast wave activities in these locations. These findings indicated that the ExD in PD was caused by frontal dysfunction.
Comparative effects of bronchoalveolar lavage with saline, surfactant, or perfluorocarbon in experimental meconium aspiration syndrome*

Objective: Today, in meconium aspiration syndrome, treatment focuses on bronchoalveolar lavage, because it removes meconium and proinflammatory factors from airways. This technique might be more effective if different solutions were used such as saline solution, a protein-free surfactant, or a perfluorocarbon, because these would be less inhibited by meconium proteins. Setting: Pulmonary physiology research unit, Cruces Hospital. Design: Prospective, randomized study. Subjects: We studied 24 lambs (<6 days) on mechanical ventilation for 180 mins. Catheters were placed and femoral and pulmonary arteries pressures registered (systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures). Interventions: Lambs were instilled with 20% meconium (3–5 mL/Kg) and were randomly assigned to one of the following groups (n = 6): control: only continuous mechanical ventilation; saline bronchoalveolar lavage: bronchoalveolar lavage with 30 mL/kg of saline solution; dilute surfactant bronchoalveolar lavage: bronchoalveolar lavage with 32 mL/kg of diluted surfactant (lucinactant, 10 mg/mL); or perfluorocarbon bronchoalveolar lavage: bronchoalveolar lavage with 30 mL/kg of perfluorocarbon. Measurements and Main Results: Blood gases, cardiovascular parameters, and pulmonary mechanics were assessed. Meconium instillation produced severe hypoxia, hypercapnia, acidosis, and pulmonary hypertension with impairment of pulmonary mechanics (p < .05). Lung lavage with dilute surfactant resulted in the resolution of pulmonary hypertension as well as better gas exchange and pulmonary mechanics than the control group (p < .05). Bronchoalveolar lavage with perfluorocarbon produced a transient improvement in gas exchange and ventilatory indices in comparison with control and saline bronchoalveolar lavage groups. Conclusions: In lambs with meconium aspiration syndrome, bronchoalveolar lavage with diluted lucinactant is an effective therapy producing significant improvements in gas exchange, pulmonary hypertension, and pulmonary mechanics. In addition, bronchoalveolar lavage with perfluorocarbon appears to confer some advantages over lavage with equal volumes of saline or no lavage.
Risk Assessment of Free Hydroquinone Derived from Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi folium Herbal Preparations

Uva-ursi folium (bearberry leaf) has been traditionally used to treat symptoms of lower urinary tract infections. The most representative constituent of this herbal drug is arbutin that is rapidly absorbed in the small intestine and undergoes hepatic conjugation to form hydroquinone (HQ) conjugates. As free HQ is crucial for the safety of the herbal preparation, we reviewed published and unpublished experimental and human studies to clarify some outdated assumptions and to support the safety of therapeutic daily doses of Uva-ursi folium extract. Specifically, data on pharmacokinetics and the human exposure of arbutin and HQ were reviewed. A therapeutic recommended human daily dose of bearberry leaf extract (420 mg hydroquinone derivatives calculated as anhydrous arbutin) liberates free HQ in urine at a maximum exposure level of 11 µg/kg body weight (bw)/d. By means of an experimental no observed effect level value, a permitted daily exposure dose below which there is a negligible risk to human health was estimated for free HQ (100 µg/kg bw/d). Dietary sources of arbutin/HQ that are regularly consumed long term by humans generate comparable free HQ exposure levels. There is no direct evidence, regarding human data, supporting the fact that free HQ causes convulsion, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, or promotion of tumors in humans. Free HQ had no activity promoting pancreatic, bladder, stomach, or liver carcinogenesis. In conclusion, under the recommended use conditions Uva-ursi folium is a safe therapeutic option for treating lower urinary tract infections.
Correctional DP-Based Energy Management Strategy of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Bus for City-Bus Route

Typical plug-in hybrid electric buses (PHEBs) with a fast-charged lithium titanate battery, which might fulfill about 70% of the distance of a representative city-bus route, have been adopted in many Chinese cities. Considering that the detailed information of the driving cycle could be deduced with the historical driving data and online estimation methods, there might be an opportunity for applying the dynamic programming (DP)-based global optimal energy management strategy for these PHEBs. However, road slopes or variable loads might induce transient fluctuations of the driving resistance in a given driving cycle. Meanwhile, the single-shaft parallel configuration, with automatic mechanical transmission (AMT), might constrain the implementability of the optimal energy distribution from a DP-based strategy. Therefore, in this paper, a novel correctional DP algorithm is brought forward to balance the optimization of fuel economy and drivability. Simulation results demonstrate that, integrated with the correctional logic of AMT gear shifting, the proposed energy management strategy can guarantee that the engine and the electric machine work in the high-efficiency area with optimal energy distribution, while keeping drivability in the variation of road slope and loads. The proposed method might give a technical solution to these typical PHEBs with a lower cost system configuration of the powertrain in China.
Regional structural impairments outside lesions are associated with verbal short-term memory deficits in chronic subcortical stroke

Background and Purpose We aimed to explore the neural mechanisms of verbal short-term memory (VSTM) impairment in subcortical stroke by evaluating the contributions of lesion and remote grey matter volume (GMV) reduction. Results There was no significant correlation between lesions and VSTM. In stroke patients with left lesions, GMV reductions in the right middle frontal gyrus and in the left inferior frontal gyrus were positively correlated with VSTM impairment. In patients with right lesions, GMV reduction in the right dorsal posterior cingulate cortex was positively correlated with VSTM impairment. Materials and Methods Ninety-seven patients with chronic subcortical ischemic stroke and seventy-nine healthy controls underwent VSTM and structural MRI examinations. Voxel-based lesion symptom mapping was used to identify correlations between lesions and VSTM. Voxel-wise comparisons were used to identify brain regions with significant GMV reduction in patients with left and right lesions. These regions were used in correlation analyses between GMV and VSTM in each patient subgroup. Conclusions These findings suggest that VSTM impairment in subcortical stroke is associated with secondary regional structural damage in non-lesion regions, rather than with the lesion itself. Moreover, different neural substrates may underlie VSTM impairment in stroke patients with left and right lesions.
Outcomes of posterior wall fractures of the acetabulum treated nonoperatively after diagnostic screening with dynamic stress examination under anesthesia.

BACKGROUND Dynamic stress fluoroscopy with the patient under general anesthesia has been advocated as a clinical measure of hip stability and congruity in patients with a posterior wall acetabular fracture. The purpose of this study was to establish the predictive value of the dynamic stress fluoroscopic examination for these fractures by evaluating clinical and radiographic outcomes after nonoperative treatment of fractures found to be stable with this examination. METHODS Twenty-one consecutive patients with an acute posterior wall fracture of the acetabulum who were shown to have a stable hip joint by dynamic stress fluoroscopy while they were under general anesthesia were treated nonoperatively. At the time of follow-up, the patients underwent clinical and/or radiographic evaluation. RESULTS Clinical follow-up was performed for eighteen patients at a minimum of two years after injury, at which time the average modified Merle d'Aubigné score was very good, with no one having less than a good clinical outcome. Fifteen of these eighteen patients had radiographic evaluation at a minimum of two years, and all were found to have a congruent joint with a normal joint space and no evidence of posttraumatic arthritis. CONCLUSIONS Hip joint stability determined with dynamic stress fluoroscopy with the patient under general anesthesia after a posterior wall acetabular fracture is predictive of hip joint congruity, an excellent radiographic outcome, and a good-to-excellent early clinical outcome after nonoperative treatment.
Mediators of protection against lethal systemic vesicular stomatitis virus infection in hamsters: defective interfering particles, polyinosinate-polycytidylate, and interferon

Homologous defective interfering (DI) particles protected adult Syrian hamsters against lethal systemic infection with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) serotype Indiana. The DI particles had to be biologically active, but did not have to be administered at the same inoculation site as the infectious virus. Serum and tissue levels of VSV postinoculation were significantly lower in DI-protected animals than in unprotected controls, suggesting that true autointerference was occurring. However, some aspects of protection also must be mediated through nonspecific mechanisms, since susceptible hamsters could be protected against VSV Indiana by coinjection with heterologous DI particles prepared from VSV serotype New Jersey or by simultaneous administration of polyinosinic acid-polycytidylic acid. By measuring serum levels of putative hamster interferon (type 1), we found that animals coinjected with VSV and DI particles or polyinosinic acid-polycytidylic acid produced significant levels of interferon. Since similarly high serum levels of interferon were measured in recipients of VSV alone (animals that eventually died from infection), there appeared to be no correlation between protection against lethal disease and induced levels of serum interferon. Instead, serum interferon levels correlated positively with amounts of VSV PFU found in serum and tissues of infected animals, the lowest levels being found in serum of animals protected with homologous DI particles. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that autointerference by DI particles as well as various host defense mechanisms (possibly including induction of interferon) participates in protecting hamsters against lethal VSV infection.
Functional Redundancy of FMRFamide-Related Peptides at theDrosophila Larval Neuromuscular Junction

The Drosophila FMRFamide gene encodes multiple FMRFamide-related peptides. These peptides are expressed by neurosecretory cells and may be released into the blood to act as neurohormones. We analyzed the effects of eight of these peptides on nerve-stimulated contraction (twitch tension) ofDrosophila larval body-wall muscles. Seven of the peptides strongly enhanced twitch tension, and one of the peptides was inactive. Their targets were distributed widely throughout the somatic musculature. The effects of one peptide, DPKQDFMRFamide, were unchanged after the onset of metamorphosis. The seven active peptides showed similar dose–response curves. Each had a threshold concentration near 1 nm, and the EC50 for each peptide was ∼40 nm. At concentrations <0.1 μm, the responses to each of the seven excitatory peptides followed a time course that matched the fluctuations of the peptide concentration in the bath. At higher concentrations, twitch tension remained elevated for 5–10 min or more after wash-out of the peptide. When the peptides were presented as mixtures predicted by their stoichiometric ratios in the dFMRFamide propeptide, the effects were additive, and there were no detectable higher-order interactions among them. One peptide was tested and found to enhance synaptic transmission. At 0.1 μm, DPKQDFMRFamide increased the amplitude of the excitatory junctional current to 151% of baseline within 3 min. Together, these results indicate that the products of theDrosophila FMRFamide gene function as neurohormones to modulate the strength of contraction at the larval neuromuscular junction. In this role these seven peptides appear to be functionally redundant.
Computer-based animations and static graphics as medical student aids in learning home safety assessment: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Although animations may intuitively seem more effective than static graphics for teaching, there is no clear-cut evidence for the superiority of simple computer-based animations in medical education. Aims: We investigated whether simple animations are better than static graphics as an aid to medical students in learning home safety assessment, an important part of geriatric curriculum. Methods: We used two versions of an interactive online module, one that depicted common home safety issues in static graphics and the other in animations. We randomized first-year medical students who agreed to participate into two groups. After the module, students completed a cognitive burden scale and a standardized competency assessment test in which they had to identify the salient home safety issues and give recommendations based on the hazards. We also captured time spent on task. Results and conclusions: We found no significant differences between the groups in the cognitive burden level, competency assessment scores, and time spent on task. The much cheaper-to-produce static graphics were equally effective as simple animations in this medical education scenario.
THE VALUE RELEVANCE OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS’ BOTTOM LINES IN THE EMERGING EGYPTIAN CAPITAL MARKET

This study aims to examine the value relevance of the bottom lines of the financialstatements in the Egyptian context after the inception of the new version of EgyptianAccounting Standards of 2006. Considering the tradition accounting value ofconservatism and the firm size, the price and return models are operationalized usinga sample of the most actively traded companies on the Egyptian Stock Market inthe period from 2007-2009. Three important conclusions captured from the results;first, the bottom lines of the financial statements are value relevant and the accrualcomponents are upper handed over the cash flow in estimating the market value ofthose firms. Second, conservatism practices is still alive in the Egyptian context;however, it does not prevent the accounting information from being value relevant.Third, the promulgation of the new version of EASs shifts the value relevance towardsbook value over the other accounting information. These results should be interpretedin the light of the rapid shift towards capitalism and the deregulation program followedby the Egyptian government in the recent years. Also, these results might possibly beattributed to a significant improvement in the familiarity of the preparers of accountinginformation with the new accounting practices and the needs of financial reportingusers in Egypt. As such, this study contributes to the existing literature by investigatingand operationalizing the value relevance of accounting information in an emergingmarket such as Egypt after the introduction of the new version of EASs of 2006.
The Trolley Problem

Some years ago, Philippa Foot drew attention to an extraordinarily interesting problem. " Suppose you are the driver of a trolley. The trolley rounds a bend, and there come into view ahead five track workmen, who have been repairing the track. The track goes through a bit of a valley at that point, and the sides are steep, so you must stop the trolley if you are to avoid running the five men down. You step on the brakes, but alas they don't work. Now you suddenly see a spur of track leading off to the right. You can turn the trolley onto it, and thus save the five men on the straight track ahead. Unfortunately, Mrs. Foot has arranged that there is one track workman on that spur of track. He can no more get off the track in time than the five can, so you will kill him if you turn the trolley onto him. Is it morally permissible for you to turn the trolley? Everybody to whom I have put this hypothetical case says, Yes, it is.2 Some people say something stronger than that it is morally permissible for you to turn the trolley: They say that morally speaking, you must turn it-that morality requires you to do so. Others do not agree that morality
Heterodimerization with LBP‐1b is necessary for nuclear localization of LBP‐1a and LBP‐1c

The LBP‐1 family consists of four proteins, which act as transcription factors in the formation of dimers with a member of this family. LBP‐1a and LBP‐1b are splicing variants from one gene, and LBP‐1c and LBP‐1d also arise from the alternative splicing of another gene. Investigation of subcellular localization of LBP‐1 proteins fused to YFP revealed that the LBP‐1b was localized in the nucleus, whereas LBP‐1a and LBP‐1c were exclusively localized in the cytosol. The peptide of 36 amino acids encoded by exon 6, a specific exon used only for LBP‐1b, possessed the function of a nuclear localization signal (NLS). Nuclear localization of LBP‐1a and LBP‐1c occurred when LBP‐1b was co‐expressed, suggesting that heterodimerization of LBP‐1a and LBP‐1c with LBP‐1b is important for their nuclear transport. Transiently expressed LBP‐1 proteins in COS‐7 cells formed speckles in the nucleus. Most speckles overlapped with the PML body. The activity of LBP‐1a for accumulation in the PML body was mapped in the N‐terminal region.
Job satisfaction among a multigenerational nursing workforce.

AIM To explore generational differences in job satisfaction. BACKGROUND Effective retention strategies are required to mitigate the international nursing shortage. Job satisfaction, a strong and consistent predictor of retention, may differ across generations. Understanding job satisfaction generational differences may lead to increasing clarity about generation-specific retention approaches. METHOD The Ontario Nurse Survey collected data from 6541 Registered Nurses. Participants were categorized as Baby Boomer, Generation X or Generation Y based on birth year. Multivariate analysis of variance explored generational differences for overall and specific satisfaction components. RESULTS In overall job satisfaction and five specific satisfaction components, Baby Boomers were significantly more satisfied than Generations X and Y. CONCLUSION It is imperative to improve job satisfaction for younger generations of nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Strategies to improve job satisfaction for younger generations of nurses may include creating a shared governance framework where nurses are empowered to make decisions. Implementing shared governance, through nurse-led unit-based councils, may lead to greater job satisfaction, particularly for younger nurses. Opportunities to self schedule or job share may be other potential approaches to increase job satisfaction, especially for younger generations of nurses. Another potential strategy would be to aggressively provide and support education and career-development opportunities.