Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Structural Performance in Bending of CLT Panels Made from Small-Diameter Logs of Loblolly/Slash Pine

The main objective of this work was to study the structural viability of using small-diameter logs of Uruguayan Loblolly/Slash pine, mainly from thinning operations, to design cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels. A visual grade named “CTH” (coniferous thinning) was proposed, and 45 specimens of sawn timber boards were tested, resulting in 51% lower bending strength than that of the minimum strength class C14. Subsequently, 20 CLT panels were manufactured and experimentally tested, the results showed that the bending strength of the CLT panels was 43% above that of the individual layers. Additionally, the structural performance of the CLT panels for use in floors was calculated, and the thickness-span relationship depending on strength class and imposed load are presented. Results showed than the use of CTH timber to design CLT floors implies a volume (m3/m2) 17% higher than that using C24 timber.
Differentiation of programmed Arabidopsis cells

Plants express genes that encode enzymes that catalyse reactions to form plant secondary metabolites in specific cell types. However, the mechanisms of how plants decide their cellular metabolic fate and how cells diversify and specialise their specific secondary metabolites remains largely unknown. Additionally, whether and how an established metabolic program impacts genome-wide reprogramming of plant gene expression is unclear. We recently isolated PAP1-programmed anthocyanin-producing (red) and -free (white) cells from Arabidopsis thaliana; our previous studies have indicated that the PAP1 expression level is similar between these two different cell types. Transcriptional analysis showed that the red cells contain the TTG1-GL3/TT8-PAP1 regulatory complex, which controls anthocyanin biosynthesis; in contrast, the white cells and the wild-type cells lack this entire complex. These data indicate that different regulatory programming underlies the different metabolic states of these cells. In addition, our previous transcriptomic comparison indicated that there is a clear difference in the gene expression profiles of the red and wild-type cells, which is probably a consequence of cell-specific reprogramming. Based on these observations, in this report we discuss the potential mechanisms that underlie the programming and reprogramming of gene expression involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis.
Specific Armadillo repeat sequences facilitate β-catenin nuclear transport in live cells via direct binding to nucleoporins Nup62, Nup153, and RanBP2/Nup358.

Abstract β-Catenin transduces the Wnt signal from the membrane to nucleus, and certain gene mutations trigger its nuclear accumulation leading to cell transformation and cancer. β-Catenin shuttles between the nucleus and cytoplasm independent of classical Ran/transport receptor pathways, and this movement was previously hypothesized to involve the central Armadillo (Arm) domain. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) assays were used to delineate functional transport regions of the Arm domain in living cells. The strongest nuclear import/export activity was mapped to Arm repeats R10–12 using both in vivo FRAP and in vitro export assays. By comparison, Arm repeats R3–8 of β-catenin were highly active for nuclear import but displayed a comparatively weak export activity. We show for the first time using purified components that specific Arm sequences of β-catenin interact directly in vitro with the FG repeats of the nuclear pore complex (NPC) components Nup62, Nup98, and Nup153, indicating an independent ability of β-catenin to traverse the NPC. Moreover, a proteomics screen identified RanBP2/Nup358 as a binding partner of Arm R10–12, and β-catenin was confirmed to interact with endogenous and ectopic forms of Nup358. We further demonstrate that knock-down of endogenous Nup358 and Nup62 impeded the rate of nuclear import/export of β-catenin to a greater extent than that of importin-β. The Arm R10–12 sequence facilitated transport even when β-catenin was bound to the Arm-binding partner LEF-1, and its activity was stimulated by phosphorylation at Tyr-654. These findings provide functional evidence that the Arm domain contributes to regulated β-catenin transport through direct interaction with the NPC.
GI Bleeding During CF-LVAD Support: State of the Field.

Continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVADs) are increasingly used for the management of advanced heart failure refractory to optimal medical therapy. Despite the encouraging outcomes with CF-LVADs, gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) continues to be a rather concerning complication resulting in increased rates of readmission and increased morbidity. The exact pathophysiology of CF-LVAD associated GIB remains poorly understood and this lack of knowledge limits our ability to control this morbid complication. What is clear, however, is that the majority of GIB episodes in LVAD patients are due to fragile GI arteriovenous malformations or angiodysplasias, in the setting of CF-LVAD associated acquired von Willebrand syndrome. We will, herein, appraise the proposed interactions between different pathophysiological processes thought to be causing angiodysplasias and GIB in patients on CF-LVAD support.
BIOMETRY OF CALCIUM, INORGANIC PHOSPHORUS, CHOLESTEROL, AND LIPOID PHOSPHORUS IN THE BLOOD OF RABBITS

Determinations of calcium, inorganic phosphorus, cholesterol and lipoid phosphorus were made on a series of animals recently received from the dealer for the purpose of determining the trends of these 4 blood constituents throughout the year with the degree of their respective variations and mathematical correlation. It was found that for the 80 animals examined, calcium varied from 14.5 ±0.10 to 18.5 ±0.39 mg. and inorganic phosphorus 4.960 ±0.20 to 6.820 ±0.20 mg. per 100 cc. of blood serum. Cholesterol varied from 51.1 ±1.18 to 73.3 ±1.34 mg. and lecithin from 94.8 ±1.397 to 168.3 ±10.18 mg. per 100 cc. of whole blood. Of the 6 possible combinations in calculating the coefficient of correlation for the trend throughout the experiment, 3 stand out as of mathematical significance, namely the following. Between inorganic phosphorus and lecithin the coefficient of correlation was found to be –0.794 ±0.088; between calcium and cholesterol –0.887 ±0.051 and between cholesterol and lecithin +0.560 ±0.164.
Chancen und Grenzen der neuen Informations- und Kommunikationstechniken. Zur Übertragung verkehrsevolutorischer Erfahrungen auf die Telekommunikation

Copyright applies. A non-exclusive, non-transferable and limited right to use is granted. This document is intended solely for personal, non-commercial use. Terms of Use Heinze, G. Wolfgang; Kill, Heinrich H. (1987): Chancen und Grenzen der neuen Informationsund Kommunikationstechniken. Zur Übertragung verkehrsevolutorischer Erfahrungen auf die Telekommunikation. In: Räumliche Wirkungen der Telematik. Akademie für Raumforschung und Landesplanung: Forschungsund Sitzungsberichte der ARL ; Bd. 169. (pp. 21–72) Hannover : Vincentz Heinze, G. Wolfgang; Kill, Heinrich H.
A single nucleotide polymorphism in the interferon-γ gene (IFNG +874 T/A) is associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis

Interferon-γ (Interferon gamma, IFNG) is an important cytokine involved in providing resistance to mycobacterial diseases. Common variants of IFNG, such as IFNG +874 T/A(rs2430561), may be related to tuberculosis susceptibility, but this association has not been consistently observed. We performed an updated meta-analysis to evaluate the association between the IFNG +874 T/A (rs2430561) polymorphism and tuberculosis susceptibility. PubMed and SinoMed databases were searched up to October 2016, and odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess the association strength. Based on search criteria for manuscripts reporting tuberculosis susceptibility and its relationship with the IFNG +874 T/A(rs2430561)polymorphism, 42 case-control studies from 39 different articles were retrieved. Significantly positive, decreased, and protective associations were found between the IFNG +874 T/A(rs2430561)polymorphism and tuberculosis risk in five genetic models. Moreover, in the stratified subgroup analysis, a protective relationship was detected in four different ethnicities and sources of the control groups. Furthermore, the IFNG +874 T/A(rs2430561)polymorphism played an important role in protecting individuals from both pulmonary tuberculosis and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. Our meta-analysis suggests that the IFNG +874 T/A(rs2430561)polymorphism is potentially associated with tuberculosis susceptibility and may be used as a predictive biomarker. Further studies with larger sample sizes and consideration of gene-environment interactions should be conducted to elucidate the role of IFNG +874 T/A(rs2430561) polymorphism in tuberculosis susceptibility.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Persistence and T-Cell Activation in Blood, Rectal, and Lymph Node Tissue in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected Individuals Receiving Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy

Background Immune activation and inflammation remain elevated in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and may contribute to HIV persistence. Methods Using flow cytometry expression of CD38, HLA-DR and PD-1 were measured in blood (n = 48), lymph node (LN; n = 9), and rectal tissue (n = 17) from virally suppressed individuals. Total and integrated HIV DNA, 2-LTR circles, and cell-associated unspliced HIV RNA were quantified. Results CD4+ T cells from rectal tissue had a higher frequency of integrated HIV DNA compared with blood (4.26 fold-change in DNA; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.61-7.00; P < .001) and LN (2.32 fold-change in DNA; 95% CI = 1.22-4.41; P = .01). In rectal tissue, there were positive associations between integrated HIV DNA with PD-1+ CD4+ T-cells (1.44 fold-change in integrated HIV DNA per 10-unit increase in PD-1+ CD4+ T cells; 95% CI = 1.01-2.05; P = .045) and CD38+HLA-DR+ CD8+ T cells (1.40 fold-change in integrated HIV DNA per 1-unit increase in CD38+HLA-DR+ CD8+ T cells; 95% CI = 1.05-1.86; P = .02). Both associations were independent of current and nadir CD4+ T-cell counts. Conclusions During ART, rectal tissue is an important reservoir for HIV persistence with a high frequency of activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. PD-1 may represent a marker of HIV persistence in rectal tissue.
Prediction of finger kinematics from discharge timings of motor units: implications for intuitive control of myoelectric prostheses

Objective. The aim of the study was to characterize the accuracy in the identification of motor unit discharges during natural movements using high-density electromyography (EMG) signals and to investigate their correlation with finger kinematics. Approach. High-density EMG signals of forearm muscles and finger joint angles were recorded concurrently during hand movements of ten able-bodied subjects. EMG signals were decomposed into motor unit spike trains (MUSTs) with a blind-source separation method. The first principle component (FPC) of the low-pass filtered MUST was correlated with finger joint angles. Main results. On average, motor units were identified during each individual finger task with an estimated decomposition accuracy 85%. The FPC extracted from discharge rates was strongly associated to the joint angles (), and preceded the joint angles on average by ms. Moreover, the FPC outperformed two time-domain features (the EMG envelop and the root mean square of EMG) in estimating joint angles. Significance. These results indicated the possibility of identifying individual motor unit behavior in dynamic natural contractions. Moreover, the strong association between motor unit discharge behaviors and kinematics proves the potential of the approach for the simultaneous and proportional control of prostheses.
Autocrine regulation of mesenchymal progenitor cell fates orchestrates tooth eruption

Significance Mesenchymal progenitor cells play important roles in the formation of skeletal tissues; however, how cell fates of mesenchymal progenitor cells are regulated remains largely unclear. We made use of the dental follicle surrounding the developing tooth bud, which critically regulates tooth eruption and tooth root formation. Dental follicle mesenchymal progenitor cells express parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP), a locally acting autocrine/paracrine ligand, and become essential skeletal cell types establishing the root–bone interface. These PTHrP+ mesenchymal progenitors maintained their physiological cell fates through the PTH/PTHrP receptor, a deficiency of which resulted in failure of tooth eruption phenotypes closely resembling human genetic conditions. We conclude that proper cell fates of mesenchymal progenitor cells are maintained by autocrine signaling to achieve functional formation of skeletal tissues. Formation of functional skeletal tissues requires highly organized steps of mesenchymal progenitor cell differentiation. The dental follicle (DF) surrounding the developing tooth harbors mesenchymal progenitor cells for various differentiated cells constituting the tooth root–bone interface and coordinates tooth eruption in a manner dependent on signaling by parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP) and the PTH/PTHrP receptor (PPR). However, the identity of mesenchymal progenitor cells in the DF and how they are regulated by PTHrP-PPR signaling remain unknown. Here, we show that the PTHrP-PPR autocrine signal maintains physiological cell fates of DF mesenchymal progenitor cells to establish the functional periodontal attachment apparatus and orchestrates tooth eruption. A single-cell RNA-seq analysis revealed cellular heterogeneity of PTHrP+ cells, wherein PTHrP+ DF subpopulations abundantly express PPR. Cell lineage analysis using tamoxifen-inducible PTHrP-creER mice revealed that PTHrP+ DF cells differentiate into cementoblasts on the acellular cementum, periodontal ligament cells, and alveolar cryptal bone osteoblasts during tooth root formation. PPR deficiency induced a cell fate shift of PTHrP+ DF mesenchymal progenitor cells to nonphysiological cementoblast-like cells precociously forming the cellular cementum on the root surface associated with up-regulation of Mef2c and matrix proteins, resulting in loss of the proper periodontal attachment apparatus and primary failure of tooth eruption, closely resembling human genetic conditions caused by PPR mutations. These findings reveal a unique mechanism whereby proper cell fates of mesenchymal progenitor cells are tightly maintained by an autocrine system mediated by PTHrP-PPR signaling to achieve functional formation of skeletal tissues.
Examining the utilisation and usefulness of social support for mothers with young children with autism spectrum disorder

ABSTRACT Background Social support has been described as a vital resource for families with children with disability. Although the benefits of social support have been described, little is known about the utilisation patterns in families of young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Method In a community sample of 78 American families with children (2–6 years) with ASD, this study examined the utilisation and usefulness of social support. Child, family, and service variables related to social support were explored. Results Mothers of children with ASD reported using a combination of formal and informal supports, and these were perceived to be helpful. Sociodemographic variables, child behaviour problems, satisfaction with the autism diagnostic process, and access to information about ASD predicted social support utilisation. Conclusion Social support utilisation varies as a function of different child, family, and service variables. Understanding these variables may help professionals guide families in access to and use of social support.
Patient preferences for chemotherapies used in breast cancer

Background Therapies for invasive breast cancer may be associated with an incremental survival advantage that should be weighed against the risk of toxicities when making treatment decisions. The objective of this study was to elicit patient preferences for a comprehensive profile of attributes associated with chemotherapies for breast cancer. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 121 patients with stage I-IV breast cancer who completed an internet-based conjoint survey that assessed the following attributes: ten grade III/IV toxicities, survival advantage, and administration regimen. Literature and expert input were used to identify descriptions for each attribute and respective levels (eg, different risks of toxicities). Subjects rated the attribute levels on a series of scales and indicated preferences in pair-wise comparisons of two hypothetical treatments differing in attribute levels. Ordinary least-squares regression was used to calculate utilities (preference weights) for each attribute level. Results Of the twelve attributes, survival was the most important; specifically, a survival advantage of 3 months versus no survival advantage was most influential in the perceived value of chemotherapy. Among toxicities, the differences in the risks of neutropenia with hospitalization, diarrhea, nausea, and fatigue had the most impact on preferences; the risk differences of myalgia, stomatitis, and hand-foot syndrome had the least. In general, a more convenient administration regimen was less important than a 13% chance or more of severe toxicities, but more important than a 10%–12% chance of severe toxicities. Conclusion Breast cancer patients place high value on small incremental survival advantages associated with treatment despite the risk of serious toxicities.
PD-L1 expression with immune-infiltrate evaluation and outcome prediction in melanoma patients treated with ipilimumab

ABSTRACT Background: Tumor microenvironment may have a key role in providing immunological markers that can help predict clinical response to treatment with checkpoint inhibitors. We investigated whether the baseline expression of PD-L1 in advanced melanoma patients treated with ipilimumab may correlate with clinical outcome. Methods: PD-L1 expression was assessed in 114 patients with advanced melanoma treated with ipilimumab and, in a cohort of 77 patients, a comprehensive assessment using multispectral imaging to assess the presence and distribution of CD3+, CD8+, CD163+, FOXP3+ and PD-L1+ cells inside and at periphery of the tumor was performed. Results: PD-L1 status alone was not a predictive biomarker for response or survival. There was an association between clinical benefit from ipilimumab therapy with the coexistence of low densities of CD8+ and high densities of CD163+ PD-L1+ cells at the periphery of the tumor. Conclusions: To explain the association of this peculiar microenvironment with clinical benefit from ipilimumab, we proposed a model where baseline CD8 cells levels are low due to inhibitory effect of Tregs and to pro-tumor activity of TAM M2 (CD163+ PD-L1+ cells). Ipilimumab treatment causes a decrease of Treg cells, mediated by ADCC from macrophages, with a concomitant change in TAM polarization that switches from M2 to M1 with a subsequent attraction of CD8 cells and the increase of antitumor response.
Not just correlative: a new pathway defines how an ALDH2 SNP contributes to atherosclerosis

Individuals with the rs671 SNP in the gene encoding aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, it has been unclear if this mutation contributes to CVD development. In this issue of the JCI, Zhong et al. perform an elegant set of experiments that reveal a pathway wherein the ALDH2 rs671 mutant is phosphorylated by AMPK and translocates to the nucleus where it represses the transcription of a lysosomal H+ pump subunit that is critical for lipid degradation and foam cell formation, as occurs in atherosclerosis. The discovery of this pathway may explain how subjects harboring ALDH2 rs671 are at a greater risk for numerous other disease states and thereby provide new targets for therapeutic intervention.
Quality-of-life predictors for men undergoing infertility treatment in Japan.

AIM To dentify the predictors of the quality of life (QOL) of infertile men who are undergoing infertility treatments in Japan and to create a QOL prediction model, with the main variables aimed at providing more adequate support to male patients. METHODS This cross-sectional study used the quantitative data that were collected from 321 returned self-report questionnaires that had been distributed to the men of 411 couples who were undergoing fertility treatment. The following four scales were used to measure the main outcomes: FertiQoL, psychological distress, spousal support, and workplace support. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, multiple regression analyses, and structural equation modeling. RESULTS The number of returned questionnaires was 321 (78.1%). The QOL that was measured by FertiQoL was significantly lower in those men who were diagnosed with male factor infertility than in the other male patients. The two significant predictors of QOL were: spousal support and the infertility period. The structural equation modeling revealed that the same factors were related to QOL. CONCLUSIONS Male factor infertility, less spousal support, and a longer period of infertility were associated with a poorer QOL of those men who were undergoing infertility treatment. These results suggest that focusing on infertility causes, the length of the infertility period, and the couples' partnership during treatment is needed to provide full support to men who have been diagnosed with infertility.
Semen May Harbor HIV Despite Effective HAART: Another Piece in the Puzzle

Background The risk of male-to-female intravaginal HIV-1 transmission is estimated at about 1 event per 200–2000 coital acts. The aim of this study was to assess the residual risk of HIV presence in semen in patients under HAART therapy. Methods and Findings The study took place in France from October 2001 to March 2009. 394 paired blood and semen samples were provided from 332 HIV-1 infected men. The Roche Cobas AMPLICOR Monitor HIV assay was used to quantify HIV-1 RNA in blood and in seminal plasma. Three percent of 394 HIV-1 infected men enrolled in an assisted reproductive technology program harbored detectable HIV-1 RNA in semen, although they had no other sexually transmitted disease and their blood viral load was undetectable for at least 6 months under antiretroviral treatment. Conclusion These data suggest that undetectable plasma HIV RNA means a lower risk of viral transmission through seminal fluid on a population level, but not necessarily at the level of the individual.