Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The level of ATP production in mitogen-stimulated CD4+ lymphocytes is independent of the time of ingestion of immunosuppressive agents.

To the Editor: Use of biomarkers to predict an allograft rejection or an infection episode provides a highly attractive prospect in organ transplantation. These markers can be of biochemical, histologic, or immunological origin. The Cylex Immune Cell Function Assay (ImmuKnow, Cylex Incorporated, Columbia, MD) is the first of such biomarkers approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to measure global immune response in solid organ transplant recipients on immunosuppressive therapy. This method measures the production of adenosine-5#-triphosphate (ATP) in peripheral blood T-helper cells (CD4) after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin for 15–18 hours. The clinical utility of the ImmuKnow has been tested in single-center studies in adult or pediatric organ transplant recipients. Moreover, metaanalysis of ImmuKnow levels in ~500 adult heart, kidney, kidney–pancreas, liver, and small bowel transplant recipients demonstrated strong correlation between low ATP levels and development of an infection episode, whereas ATP levels greater than 700 ng/mL were associated with an allograft rejection. Most centers measure the ImmuKnow in the morning coinciding with trough concentration of immunosuppressive agents. However, the impact of higher concentration of immunosuppressive agents on the level of this biomarker is not known. Our aim was to establish the agreement between ImmuKnow levels in blood samples obtained before immunosuppressive agents dose and at 2 hours after the dose, when the drug concentration is close to the peak concentration. Between June 2006 and March 2009, a total of 46 stable kidney transplant recipients (34 men and 12 women) were recruited. The average time since transplant operation was 41.7 ± 32.7 months (mean ± SD) ranging from 6 to 128 months. Most patients were on a triple immunosuppressive regimen that included cyclosporine (17 patients), tacrolimus (26 patients), or sirolimus (2 patients), and mycophenolic acid and prednisone. Mean age was 52.3 ± 13.2 years (range 19–73) and body mass index was 30.0 ± 7.2 kg/m (range 17.5– 49.5). Patients reported to the transplant clinic between 7 and 8 AM having abstained from taking the morning dose of immunosuppressants. A baseline blood sample was drawn in sodium heparin vacutainer followed by the ingestion of immunosuppressants and other medications with water in the presence of study coordinator. At exactly 2-hour postdose, another blood sample was obtained. ImmuKnow levels were measured in-house, by the same technician throughout the study, using ImmuKnow kit. Suggested ImmuKnow classification of #225 ng/mL indicating low, 226–524 ng/mL indicating moderate and $525 ng/mL indicating strong immune cell response was utilized to
Simultaneous Feature and Sample Reduction for Image-Set Classification

Image-set classification is the assignment of a label to a given image set. In real-life scenarios such as surveillance videos, each image set often contains much redundancy in terms of features and samples. This paper introduces a joint learning method for image-set classification that simultaneously learns compact binary codes and removes redundant samples. The joint objective function of our model mainly includes two parts. The first part seeks a hashing function to generate binary codes that have larger inter-class and smaller intra-class distances. The second one reduces redundant samples with discrete constraints in a low-rank way. A kernel method based on anchor points is further used to reduce sample variations. The proposed discrete objective function is simplified to a series of sub-problems that admit an analytical solution, resulting in a high-quality discrete solution with a low computational cost. Experiments on three commonly used image-set datasets show that the proposed method for the tasks of face recognition from image sets is efficient and effective.
Evaluation of Indirect Fluorescence Antibody Assay for Detection of Bartonella clarridgeiae and Seroprevalence of B. clarridgeiae among Patients with Suspected Cat Scratch Disease

ABSTRACT The possibility of Bartonella clarridgeiae being a causative agent of cat scratch disease (CSD) was investigated by using indirect fluorescence antibody assays with 288 suspected CSD patients. Immunoglobulin G antibody to noncocultivated B. clarridgeiae was suitable only for detection of B. clarridgeiae antibody. Significant cross-reactivity between Bartonella henselae and B. clarridgeiae was noted, and no CSD case caused by B. clarridgeiae was detected.
Inferring Latent User Properties from Texts Published in Social Media

We demonstrate an approach to predict latent personal attributes including user demographics, online personality, emotions and sentiments from texts published on Twitter. We rely on machine learning and natural language processing techniques to learn models from user communications. We first examine individual tweets to detect emotions and opinions emanating from them, and then analyze all the tweets published by a user to infer latent traits of that individual. We consider various user properties including age, gender, income, education, relationship status, optimism and life satisfaction. We focus on Ekman’s six emotions: anger, joy, surprise, fear, disgust and sadness. Our work can help social network users to understand how others may perceive them based on how they communicate in social media, in addition to its evident applications in online sales and marketing, targeted advertising, large scale polling and healthcare analytics.
Rab 40 b Regulates MMP 2 and MMP 9 Trafficking during Invadopodia Formation and Breast Cancer Cell Invasion

Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080. Division of Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Welcome Trust/MRC Building, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK.
Hypnosis to Manage Anxiety and Pain Associated with Colonoscopy for Colorectal Cancer Screening: Case Studies and Possible Benefits

Abstract This study explored using hypnosis for pain and anxiety management in 6 colonoscopy patients (5 men, 1 woman), who received a hypnotic induction and instruction in self-hypnosis on the day of their colonoscopy. Patients’ levels of anxiety were obtained before and after the hypnotic induction using Visual Analogue Scales (VAS). Following colonoscopy, VASs were used to assess anxiety and pain during colonoscopy, perceived effectiveness of hypnosis, and patient satisfaction with medical care. Hypnotizability was assessed at a separate appointment. The authors also obtained data (time for procedure, number of vasovagal events, and recovery time) for 10 consecutive patients who received standard care. Results suggest that hypnosis appears to be a feasible method to manage anxiety and pain associated with colonoscopy, reduces the need for sedation, and may have other benefits such as reduced vasovagal events and recovery time.
ANTHROPOMETRIC AND PERFORMANCE VARIABLES DISCRIMINATING ELITE AMERICAN JUNIOR MEN WEIGHTLIFTERS

The purpose of this study is to identify physical and performance variables that discriminate elite American junior-aged men weightlifters from nonelite performers. Using a cross-sectional design, multiple discriminant analysis was used to determine field tests identifying elite male junior weightlifters. Young men who were participants (n = 115) at the Junior National and Junior Olympics Weightlifting Championships volunteered as subjects (mean ± SD age = 14.8 ± 2.3 years). Elite weightlifters (n = 20) were identified as the top 17.5% of national-level competitors when weightlifting performances were adjusted for body mass using the Sinclair equation. All other weightlifters were classified as nonelite (n = 95). Test batteries were performed immediately upon completion of a national-level weightlifting competition. Variables measured included easily-administered field tests of physical dimensions and body composition, muscular strength and power, flexibility, and gross motor control. The resulting regression equations correctly classified 84.35% of the weightlifters as elite or nonelite. Five variables significantly contributed to the discriminant analysis (Wilks Λ= 0.6637392, χ2= 44.880, df = 5, p < 0.0001, adjusted R2 = 0.67). Body mass index accounted for 23.13% of the total variance, followed by vertical jump (22.78%), relative fat (18.09%), grip strength (14.43%), and torso angle during an overhead squat (0.92%). The use of these 5 easily administered field tests is potentially useful as a screening tool for elite American junior men weightlifters.
Middle ear structure and bone conduction in Spalax, Eospalax, and Tachyoryctes mole‐rats (Rodentia: Spalacidae)

There is evidence that spalacine, tachyoryctine, and myospalacine mole‐rats all communicate with conspecifics through a form of seismic signaling, but the route for the detection of these signals is disputed. It has been proposed that two unusual anatomical adaptations in Spalax allow jaw vibrations to pass to the inner ear via the incus and stapes: a pseudoglenoid (=postglenoid) fossa which accomodates the condylar process of the mandible, and a bony cup, supported by a periotic lamina, through which the incus articulates with the skull. In this study, a combination of dissection and computed tomography was used to examine the ear region in more detail in both Spalax and its subterranean relatives Tachyoryctes and Eospalax, about which much less is known. Tachyoryctes was found to lack a pseudoglenoid fossa, while Eospalax lacks a periotic lamina and bony cup. This shows that these structures need not simultaneously be present for the detection of ground vibrations in mole‐rats. Based on the observed anatomy, three hypothetical modes of bone conduction are argued to represent more likely mechanisms through which mole‐rats can detect ground vibrations: ossicular inertial bone conduction, a pathway involving sound radiation into the external auditory meatus, and a newly‐described fluid pathway between pseudoglenoid fossa and cranial cavity. The caudolateral extension of the tympanic cavity and the presence of a bony cup might represent synapomorphies uniting Spalax and Tachyoryctes, while the loss of the tensor tympani muscle in Spalax and Eospalax may be convergently derived. J. Morphol. , 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PECAM‐1 modulates thrombin‐induced tissue factor expression on endothelial cells

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule‐1 (PECAM‐1) (CD31) is known to inhibit platelet function and thrombus formation. The mechanisms involved in PECAM‐1's roles as a modulator of hemostasis are still not completely understood. We examined the role of PECAM‐1 as a regulator of tissue factor (TF) expression, a known important inducer of thrombosis. Wildtype and CD31KO mice underwent transient (30 min) renal ischemia followed by 24 h re‐perfusion and their kidneys assessed for apoptosis, fibrin formation, and tissue factor expression. CD31KO mice exhibited increased tubular epithelial and endothelial apoptosis, increased fibrin deposition, and tissue factor expression. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) transfected with antisense (AS) PECAM‐1 oligonucleotides to downregulate PECAM‐1 expression, exhibited greater induction of TF mRNA and protein expression as well as increased expression and nuclear localization of the transcription factor Egr‐1 compared to scrambled AS PECAM‐1 (Scr)‐treated HUVEC following thrombin stimulation. TF induction was found to be mediated through thrombin receptor PAR‐1 and the Gαi/o subunit of G‐protein, confirmed by PAR‐1 antagonist and pertussis toxin inhibition respectively. Thrombin‐mediated TF induction was dependent on Rho Kinase activity, phosphorylation of p38MAPK and p85 & Akt dephosphorylation. The inverse correlation of PI3K–Akt phosphorylation with p38 MAPK phosphorylation was confirmed by pharmacological inhibition. These studies suggest that PECAM‐1 is involved in regulating a signaling pathway, affecting PI3K and Akt activation, p38 MAPK phosphorylation, which in turn, affects Egr‐1 expression and nuclear translocation, ultimately affecting TF expression. These findings provide new insights into the action of PECAM‐1 as a modulator of thrombosis. J. Cell. Physiol. 210: 527–537, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Properties, biosynthesis and processing of a sulfur-rich protein in Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K.).

An abundant seed protein, which is exceptionally rich in the sulfur-containing amino acids, methionine (18%) and cysteine (8%), is synthesized in Brazil nut embryos about 9 months after flowering. This sulfur-rich protein consists of two low-molecular-mass polypeptide components, a 9-kDa polypeptide and a 3-kDa polypeptide. The two-subunit polypeptides associate through disulfide linkage(s) to form a 12-kDa protein molecule. We have demonstrated through in vitro translation studies, using RNA from 9-month-old embryos, that the sulfur-rich protein is synthesized as a larger precursor polypeptide of 18 kDa. In addition, data from in vivo labelling studies of 9-month-old Brazil nuts suggest that there are two intermediate precursors of the sulfur-rich protein, one of 15 kDa and another of 12 kDa. One of these precursors, the 12-kDa polypeptide, accumulates for a 2-month period in the developing embryos. From these data we infer that at least three stepwise cleavages are involved in the maturation of the sulfur-rich protein from its 18-kDa precursor.
CX3CL1/fractalkine is a novel regulator of normal and malignant human B cell function

CX3CL1, or fractalkine, the unique member of the CX3C chemokine family, exists as a transmembrane glycoprotein, as well as in soluble form, each mediating different biological activities, and is constitutively expressed in many hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic tissues. CX3CR1, the CX3CL1 exclusive receptor, is a classical GPCR, expressed on NK cells, CD14+ monocytes, and some subpopulation of T cells, B cells, and mast cells. A recent paper by our group has demonstrated for the first time that highly purified human B cells from tonsil and peripheral blood expressed CX3CR1 at mRNA and protein levels. In particular, tonsil naïve, GC, and memory B cells expressed CX3CR1, but only GC centrocytes were attracted by soluble CX3CL1, which with its receptor, are also involved in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory disorders, as well as of cancer. Previous studies have shown that CX3CR1 is up‐regulated in different types of B cell lymphoma, as well as in B‐CLL. Recently, we have demonstrated that the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis is involved in the interaction of B‐CLL cells with their microenvironment. Taken together, our data delineate a novel role for the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 complex in the biology of normal B cells and B‐CLL cells. These topics are the subject of this review article.
Men of diverse cultures: knowledge and attitudes about breastfeeding.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was three-fold: (a) to describe the knowledge of and attitudes on breastfeeding of men from diverse racial backgrounds, (b) to determine the relationship between knowledge and attitude toward breastfeeding, and (c) to determine the relationship between specified demographic variables and men's knowledge or attitudes on breastfeeding. DESIGN Descriptive SETTING An inner-city teaching hospital and its associated prenatal clinic located in the southern United States. PARTICIPANTS One hundred men from diverse cultures who spoke either English or Spanish, were 18 years of age or older, and were present at either the hospital maternity units or associated prenatal clinic. RESULTS Eighty-one percent (81%) of the men in this study indicated that they would prefer their infants to be breastfed. Ethnicity and age were found to be linked to attitudes and knowledge of breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that men had a strong desire that their infants be breastfed and wanted to be included in decisions concerning breastfeeding.
Expression of Fas (CD95/APO-1) Ligand by Human Breast Cancers: Significance for Tumor Immune Privilege

ABSTRACT Breast cancers have been shown to elicit tumor-specific immune responses. As in other types of cancer, the antitumor immune response fails to contain breast tumor growth, and a reduction in both the quantity and cytotoxic effectiveness of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) is associated with a poorer prognosis. Fas ligand (FasL) induces apoptotic death of activated lymphocytes that express its cell surface receptor, FasR (CD95/APO-1). FasL-mediated apoptosis of activated lymphocytes contributes to normal immune downregulation through its roles in tolerance acquisition, immune response termination, and maintenance of immune privilege in the eye, testis, and fetus. In this report, we demonstrate that breast carcinomas express FasL. Using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we show that breast tumors constitutively express FasL at both the mRNA and protein levels, respectively. FasL expression is prevalent in breast cancer: 100% of breast tumors (17 of 17) were found to express FasL, and expression occurred over more than 50% of the tumor area in all cases. By immunohistochemistry, FasR was found to be coexpressed with FasL throughout large areas of all the breast tumors. This suggests that the tumor cells had acquired intracellular defects in FasL-mediated apoptotic signaling. FasL and FasR expression were independent of tumor type or infiltrative capacity. FasL expressed by tumor cells has previously been shown to kill Fas-sensitive lymphoid cells in vitro and has been associated with apoptosis of TILs in vivo. We conclude that mammary carcinomas express FasL in vivo as a potential inhibitor of the antitumor immune response.
Cellular mechanisms and signalling pathways activated by high glucose and AGE-albumin in the aortic endothelium

Abstract This review summarizes evidence on the effect of excess circulating glucose concentration and AGE-albumin on the aortic endothelial cells (ECs) phenotype, transport function, and expression of signalling molecules. The recent reports on the ECs dysfunction in diabetes are briefly reviewed, to provide a broader view on the link between ECs structural changes, functional alterations, and the underlying biochemical mechanisms. The original results emerging from streptozotocin-injected mice and human aortic endothelial cells grown in high (25 mM) glucose concentration are presented. Compared to physiological condition, in diabetes aortic ECs switch to a biosynthetic phenotype, present an increased number of caveolae, and enhance (by ∼20%) transcytosis of AGE-albumin (AGE-Alb). In cultured ECs, 25 mM glucose induces ∼2.6 fold increase in pSTAT-3 and pERK1 and ∼1.8 fold increase in pERK2; further exposure to 5 μM AGE-Alb causes ∼4.3 fold increase in pERK1/2 (vs. 5 mM glucose). Together, these data may explain the phenotypic change, enhanced permeability, and proliferation of aortic ECs in diabetic conditions.
Impact of Age Older Than 60 Years in Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Background. Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) was extended to adults in recent years and more recently to older patients. The impact of donor age, analysis of preoperative risk factors for older LDLT recipients, and comparison of the complication rate between older and younger recipients were analyzed. Methods. Subjects included patients who underwent LDLT at Kyoto University Hospital from October 1996 to December 2005. Twenty-three donors were 60 years of age or older, and 411 were younger than 60 years of age. Fifty-two recipients were 60 years of age or older and 410 were younger than 60 years of age. Results. Postoperative recovery of liver function for donors and recipient/graft survival were not influenced by donor age. Hospital stay was longer in the donors 60 years of age or older than those younger than 60 years of age (P=0.02). The 5-year survival rates were 78.7% in recipients 60 years of age or older and 69.3% in younger recipients (P=0.26). Among preoperative risk factors for recipient survival rate, fulminant hepatic failure and preoperative status in the intensive care unit were significant (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative complications for recipients. Conclusions. Selected right lobe donors from individuals who were 60 years of age or older showed a similar postoperative course compared with younger donors. Moreover, LDLT is feasible for patients 60 years of age or older who do not require care in the intensive care unit or do not have fulminant hepatic failure.
Minimally invasive treatment for Neer IIb distal clavicle fractures with titanium cable.

BACKGROUND Neer IIB distal clavicle fracture is associated with disruption of the coracoclavicular ligament and a variable degree of displacement. Surgical treatment using various implants such as intramedullary wires, screws, and plates has been described in the literature with satisfactory results. METHODS We report our experience of minimally invasive treatment using titanium cable for type IIB clavicular fractures. A retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate the outcomes of patients with Neer IIB distal clavicle fractures that were treated with titanium cable between 2003 and 2008. Functional outcome was evaluated using the Karlsson's criteria. The mean follow-up was 32 months (range, 12-48 months). Twenty-nine patients met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS All patients progressed to osseous union at a mean time of 12 weeks (range, 10-15 weeks). There was one metal work failure that did not affect functional recovery. According to Karlsson's criteria, radiographic representations (3 months after surgery) and postoperative shoulder functional recovery revealed an excellent and good rate in all cases. CONCLUSION Minimally invasive surgery using titanium cable seems to be a good option for the treatment of Neer IIB distal clavicle fractures, with early functional recovery and no requirement for revision surgery.