Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Segregation of co‐stimulatory components into specific T cell surface lipid rafts

The glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored protein CD59 and the ganglioside GM1 are present on lipid rafts that can be isolated in a detergent‐insoluble membrane (DIM) fraction. TCR engagement promotes integration of components of the TCR / CD3 signaling machinery into DIM. As DIM are isolated as a heterogeneous mixture of coalescent membranes, it is uncertain whether the cofractionation of GPI‐anchored proteins and GM1 reflects the existence of an association between these molecules within the same lipid rafts in the cell. We have studied the surface distribution of the co‐stimulatory CD59 and GM1 molecules and their role in the recruitment of components of the TCR signaling machinery in DIM. Although both CD59 and GM1 are present in rafts, these molecules occur in a steady state, mainly clustered in different membrane subdomains. Multimerization of either molecule did not induce cocapping or co‐internalization of the other. Aggregation of GM1, CD59 or TCR / CD3 increased tyrosine phosphorylation but only in the latter case was a significant increase observed in both tyrosine phosphorylation and recruitment of elements of the signaling machinery in DIM. Our results show the existence of specific co‐stimulatory membrane microdomains that require a direct TCR / CD3 engagement for efficient recruitment of signaling machinery into rafts.
Craft-art in the Danish countryside: reconciling a lifestyle, livelihood and artistic career through rural tourism

ABSTRACT To contribute new insight related to the entrepreneurial strategies adopted by local actors involved in rural tourism, this article explores the array of dynamics and complexities faced by the members of the Arts and Crafts Association Bornholm, Denmark. Besides juggling a livelihood with a desired lifestyle, artists pursue the ambition of professional success, which adds a new and interesting dimension to the conceptualization of individual and collective strategies related to lifestyle entrepreneurship, rural identities, the commercialization of rural symbols and products, and new modes of production in the countryside. In their search for customers and spectators, these craft-artists have created a professional brand and work individually on various entrepreneurial strategies, allowing them to benefit from the short but intensive tourist season on their rural island. These strategies blur the line not only between their lifestyle aspirations, career ambitions and livelihood necessities, but also between the commercial, professional and rural nature of the space they present to tourists. This qualitative study was primarily conducted through open-ended interviews with members of the association. It is discussed lastly that these artists consequently create for themselves a hybrid space, strategized and redefined in relation to the complexities of residing in a countryside integrated within a global system.
Long-term outcomes after percutaneous revascularization of complex coronary bifurcation lesions using a dedicated self-expanding biolimus-eluting stent system.

BACKGROUND To evaluate long-term clinical outcomes after treatment of complex bifurcation lesions with the AXXESS dedicated self-expanding biolimus A9-eluting bifurcation stent. METHODS Between 2004 and 2013, 123 patients with complex bifurcation lesions were treated in a single-center with the AXXESS stent in the proximal main vessel (MV) and additional drug-eluting stents in branches when required. Median follow-up was 5 years. Primary endpoint was the rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Secondary endpoints included MACE components (cardiac death, non-periprocedural clinical myocardial infarction [MI], target lesion revascularization [TLR] and definite/probable stent thrombosis [ST]) as well as all-cause death, target vessel revascularization (TVR) and non-TVR. RESULTS During follow-up, 11 (8.9%) patients experienced a MACE, of whom 2 (1.6%) suffered cardiac death, 2 (1.6%) had a non-periprocedural clinical MI requiring TLR, and 7 (5.7%) underwent elective TLR. No definite/probable ST was observed. All-cause death occurred in 9 (7.3%) patients, TVR in 11 (8.9%) and non-TVR in 11 (8.9%). Patients treated for left main (LM) bifurcation lesions were more likely to experience MACE than non-LM bifurcation lesions (25% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Percutaneous revascularization of complex bifurcation lesions with the AXXESS stent is safe and provides excellent long-term results, especially in non-LM lesions.
A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED COMPARISON OF QUADRUPLE VERSUS TRIPLE THERAPY FOR FIRST CADAVER TRANSPLANTS WITH IMMEDIATE FUNCTION

In January 1988, we initiated a prospective, randomized comparison of prophylactic antilymphoblast globulin (ALG; quadruple therapy) versus no prophylactic ALG (triple therapy) in the setting of immediate graft function (defined by a brisk diuresis and a 20% decline in serum creatinine within 24 hr). Recipients were stratified according to presence of diabetes and age greater or less than 50 years. Recipients on quadruple therapy (n=61) received 7 days of prophylactic Minnesota ALG (5 mg/kg on day 1,10 mg/kg on day 2, 20 mg/kg on days 3–7). CsA, 10 mg/kg/day, began on day 6. AZA began at 2.5 mg/kg/day and was adjusted according to white blood cell count. Recipients on triple therapy (n=60) began immediate CsA, 10 mg/kg/day orally and AZA, 5 mg/kg/day, tapering to 2.5 mg/kg/day by day 8. Both groups received identical prednisone tapers beginning at 1 mg/kg/day, decreasing to 0.5 mg/kg/day by 2 weeks and to 0.15 mg/kg/day by 6 months. Demographic characteristics between groups were not different with respect to diabetes, age, sex, race, per cent panel-reactive antibodies (PRA), or HLA matching. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 4.5 years. Patient survival was 93% for the quadruple therapy group and 90% for triple therapy. Actuarial graft survival was 79% in the quadruple group and 72% in the triple group (P =0.18). Graft loss due to rejection occurred in 6/61 receiving ALG versus 7/60 in the immediate CsA group. Three of 4 high PRA recipients in the immediate CsA group lost their grafts within 30 days compared with none in the ALG group. The mean time to graft loss was significantly longer for the quadruple therapy group (17 ± 8 months) compared with the triple therapy group (4 ± 5 months), P =0.006. The total number of rejection episodes was similar for both groups (29/61 vs. 31/60), as was the number who were rejection free (51% vs. 47%). The use of OKT3 was also similar between groups (28% vs. 30%). The quadruple therapy group had a higher incidence of CMV infection: 20% vs. 7% (P <0.05), but no grafts or patients were lost as a result. Serum Cr was not different at 1 and 12 months (1.5 and 1.6 vs. 1.6 and 1.7, respectively), nor were Cr clearances (63 and 68 vs. 60 and 63). Conclusion. Early initiation of oral CsA in the setting of immediate graft function is not associated with significant nephrotoxicity. In first cadaver transplants, prophylactic ALG (for 7 days) does not reduce the incidence of rejection or lessen the use of OKT3. It does lengthen the time to graft loss and may protect high PRA recipients from early graft loss. Ultimately, patient survival, graft survival, and graft function are not significantly different as a result of these two induction protocols.
Ondansetron in acute food protein‐induced enterocolitis syndrome, a retrospective case–control study

Therapy for moderate to severe acute food protein‐induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) typically consists of intravenous fluids and corticosteroids (traditional therapy). Ondansetron has been suggested as an adjunctive treatment. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the parenteral (intravenous or intramuscular) ondansetron vs traditional therapy to resolve the symptoms of acute FPIES.
The new normal? Climate variability and ecoviolence in sub-Saharan Africa

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Aberrant Distribution of CD4 and CD8 Lymphocyte Subsets in Recent-Onset IDDM Patients: Effect of Cyclosporin

The monoclonal antibodies 2H4 and 4B4 are specifically directed against CD45RA and CD29 antigens, respectively, which are expressed on both CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes. We used them to monitor the distribution of these T-cell subsets in 19 recent-onset IDDM patients (26 ± 7 yr of age [mean ± SD throughout]) receiving cyclosporin, and who had been treated with insulin for < 1 mo. Blood samples were examined before starting cyclosporin and after 3 and 9 – 12 mo of therapy. CD45RA and CD29 are expressed on distinct subsets of CD4+ T-cells, whereas in both healthy subjects and IDDM patients, 2H4 and 4B4 labeling does not always differentiate two distinct CD8+ populations. Various proportions of double-labeled CD8+ CD45RA+ CD29+ cells were detected in 59% of IDDM patients and 70% of healthy control subjects. Before cyclosporin treatment, recent-onset IDDM patients had a significantly lower proportion of CD4+CD29+ cells than the healthy control subjects (42 ± 11 vs. 52 ± 9%, P < 0.004). This imbalance corresponded to a significant increase in the CD4+ CD45RA+/CD4+ CD29+ ratio in the IDDM patients (1.37 ± 0.93 vs. 0.78 ± 0.36, P < 0.014). Independent of the presence of double-labeled cells, the proportion of CD8+ lymphocytes expressing CD45RA was significantly higher in the patients than in control subjects (72 ± 15 vs. 57 ± 15%, P < 0.004). The mean density of the CD45RA antigen (but not that of CD29) on both CD4+ and CD8+ cells was significantly higher in the IDDM patients before treatment than in the healthy control subjects. Cyclosporin induced complete or partial remission of the disease in 12 of 19 patients at 4–6 mo of treatment, but did not correct the imbalance between the regulatory T-cell subsets, regardless of clinical effectiveness. Cyclosporin use was associated with a significant decrease in CD45RA antigen density on both CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells.
Expectations regarding cognitive enhancement create substantial challenges

A recent discussion on cognitive enhancers has caused some controversy in the ethics and neuroscience fields by coming out in favour of making neuropharmaceuticals with enhancing properties available for general consumption. We highlight in this brief commentary why concerns regarding efficacy and safety, demands on resources, and public health are substantive enough to warrant serious reconsideration before pharmaceutical performance enhancement can be widely supported.
Determinants of exercise blood pressure response in normotensive and hypertensive women: role of cardiorespiratory fitness.

PURPOSE Exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response during physical exertion is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular events. Furthermore, it may be the predisposing factor for myocardial infarction triggered by physical exertion. The authors have shown that systolic BP achieved after 6 minutes of exercise is the strongest predictor of left ventricular hypertrophy. Furthermore, a 37 mm Hg increase in systolic BP above resting BP at 6 minutes of exercise was the threshold for left ventricular hypertrophy. The purpose of this study was to determine predictors of exercise BP response in normotensive and hypertensive women. METHODS An exercise tolerance test (Bruce) was performed by 1411 normotensive (resting BP < 140/90 mm Hg) and hypertensive (resting BP > or = 140/90 mm Hg) women. These women were faculty, students, and staff at the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, and the George Washington University Medical Center, as well as patients undergoing a routine exercise tolerance test at West Coast Cardiology, Pinellas Park, Florida. Two fitness categories (low-fit and high-fit) were established on the basis of treadmill time to exhaustion adjusted for age. RESULTS Significant associations were observed among the 6-minute exercise BP and age, body mass index, resting systolic and diastolic BP, heart rate, and exercise time to exhaustion. In a stepwise multiple-regression analysis, the determinants of BP after 6 minutes of exercise were resting systolic BP and treadmill time to exhaustion (R2 = 0.36) for normotensive women and treadmill time to exhaustion and resting systolic BP (R2 = 0.30) for hypertensive women. When fitness categories were contrasted, low-fit women in both the normotensive and hypertensive categories had higher BP and rate-pressure product after 6 minutes of exercise than the high-fit women (P <.05). CONCLUSIONS Resting systolic BP and cardiorespiratory fitness are determinants of a submaximal exercise BP response for both hypertensive and normotensive women. Low cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with a higher BP response during submaximal exercise, suggesting that increased fitness may attenuate this abnormal rise in BP. Thus, low- to moderate-intensity physical activities for most days of the week should be encouraged for all women to increase cardiorespiratory fitness. This is likely to attenuate an abnormal rise in systolic BP that may occur during routine daily activities and protect against the associated health consequences.
Healthy-Eater Self-Schema and Dietary Intake

The types and amounts of foods consumed have been shown to influence the health risks of individuals. Empirical evidence has documented a link between high dietary fat and low fiber intake and the risks for cardiovascular disease, some types of cancer, and obesity. Dietary surveys of Americans show higher fat and lower fiber intake than stipulated in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, despite the noted increase in public awareness regarding the importance of adopting healthy eating habits. The lack of congruence between the availability of dietary knowledge and behavioral adherence to dietary recommendations suggests a need to further understand the predictors of dietary intake. In this study, the authors used the schema model of the self-concept to explore the role of self-beliefs in predicting dietary intake in community-dwelling, working-class, middle-aged adults.
Optimizing cuff width for noninvasive measurement of blood pressure

Background It is well established that indirect measurements of blood pressure made with a standard 13 cm‐wide cuff are erroneously high for large arms and low for small arms. To correct for this error, the American Heart Association recommends adjusting cuff width to 40% of the arm's circumference. Objective To test the validity of this method of correction. Design This study was a prospective, nonblinded, paired Student's t‐test analysis. Methods Blood pressures in 50 subjects were measured directly by using a radial artery line and indirectly by the Korotkov method. For each subject multiple indirect measurements of blood pressure were made with the cuff width:arm circumference ratio varied from 30‐55% in 5% increments. Error was defined as indirect blood pressure minus direct blood pressure. Results A ratio of 40% resulted in overestimation of blood pressure for most arms and with particularly high errors for small arms. The ratio producing zero mean error for the pooled study group was 46.4 ± 0.7% (mean ± SEM). Using this ratio of 46.4%, the error varied inversely with arm circumference (P < 0.02), resulting in overestimation of systolic blood pressure for small arms and underestimation of systolic blood pressure for large arms. This error is comparable in magnitude, but opposite in sign, to that which occurs with a standard 13 cm‐wide cuff for all arms. The optimum ratio was found to be closely approximated by the relationship, cuff width= 9.34 log10 arm circumference. Using this relationship, error in systolic blood pressure was insensitive to arm circumference (r=0.04, P>0.05) and near zero. Conclusion The optimum cuff width for the indirect measurement of blood pressure is not directly proportional to arm circumference, but is proportional to the logarithm of the arm's circumference.
Audit of operating theatre time utilization in neurosurgery

Utilization of operating theatre time is an important issue in neurosurgery, in a National Health Service Hospital. NHS Trusts are under ever increasing pressure to meet specified 'targets' in relation to admissions and operations. We performed a retrospective audit on the utilization of neurosurgical operating theatres at Royal Preston Hospital, analysed the times required for various common neurosurgical operations, and broke them down into clinical (operating and anaesthetic) and non-clinical times. We have also looked at the adequacy of available theatre sessions, and the under or over-running of available theatre sessions. A detailed time-based evaluation of 810 procedures over a 16-month period is presented. The mean and 80th centile of the time taken for anaesthesia, surgery and other non-clinical activities are described along with the total time spent in theatre for common neurosurgical procedures. The mean times for transit, preparation for anaesthesia, preparation for surgery, recovery in theatre and time between cases were 16, 13, 14, 15 and 8 minutes, respectively. The mean time duration between the end of one surgical procedure and the beginning of the next was 101 minutes. It was found that actual operating time was surprisingly only 56% of the time available. These data could be used to schedule operating theatre sessions for neurosurgery in the UK, as we believe our practice to be representative of a majority of units in the country.
Insulin-exacerbated hypertension in captopril-treated spontaneously hypertensive rats: role of sympathoexcitation.

Insulin excess exacerbates hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). This study examined the relative contribution of the renin-angiotensin system and the sympathetic nervous system in this phenomenon. In SHR, daily subcutaneous injections of insulin were initiated either before short-term angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition with captopril or after lifetime captopril treatment. Insulin treatment resulted in significant increases in mean arterial pressure and heart rate and captopril treatment lowered arterial pressure, but captopril did not lower arterial pressure more in the insulin-treated compared with control rats. To test the contribution of the sympathetic nervous system to this form of hypertension, each rat was intravenously infused with either a ganglionic blocker (i.e., hexamethonium) or a centrally acting alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist (i.e., clonidine). Administration of either agent largely eliminated the differences in mean arterial pressure and heart rate between the insulin-treated and saline-treated SHR, irrespective of captopril treatment. These data indicate that in SHR, the ability of insulin to increase blood pressure is closely related to sympathoexcitation, which is unresponsive to blockade of angiotensin-converting enzyme.
The role of work placement in engineering students' academic performance

Engineering graduates without industrial experience may find that employment is difficult to obtain immediately after completing their studies. This study investigates the impact of two arrangements of work experiences; short term (over 12 weeks, [short term placement] STP) and long-term (over 52 weeks, [industry based learning] IBL) on academic grades. This study involved 240 undergraduate mechanical engineering students. Results from the study indicated that students who spent time on work integrated learning or IBL in their penultimate year of their engineering course obtained better grades than those who did not undertake such a placement. The findings of this work have highlighted the relevance of work experience to improved academic grades for engineering students. An additional outcome was that some students were offered ongoing employment at the conclusion of their placement. Limitations of the study include factors external to the industry based work experience which may influence student grades. It is proposed that tertiary institutes embed a lengthy work experience program within the engineering academic syllabus.
WHEN BUREAUCRACY MATTERS FOR ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE: EXPLORING THE BENEFITS OF ADMINISTRATIVE INTENSITY IN BIG AND COMPLEX ORGANIZATIONS

Administrative intensity is arguably a major determinant of public service performance. Although a large administrative function might constitute a bureaucratic burden, it could also enable organizations to better coordinate key activities. In particular, administrative intensity may strengthen or weaken the performance effects of other key organizational characteristics, such as size and task complexity. To explore these ideas, we analyse the separate and combined effects of administrative intensity, organization size and task complexity on the research and educational performance of UK universities between 2005 and 2011. The statistical results suggest administrative intensity has a performance pay-off for big and complex organizations
Engendering Bilateralism: An Exploration of Possible Sources of Non-Centrism in Government Formation

This paper seeks to identify factors that may lie behind the tendency for parliamentary governments to form primarily from one side of the left-right spectrum and to adopt non-centrist policy positions. Because of measurement limitations as well as the inherent complexity of the processes involved, this exploration is undertaken through simulation experiments. The new software created for these experiments allows the potential impact of a wide variety of factors, including voter and party motivations and distributions, policy space dimensionality, and constraints on government formation, to be assessed. Although the results cannot tell us what fosters non-centrism in the real world, they do reveal some factors that appear to be conducive to that end and thus serve as a guide to further research on this neglected topic.
Aii810, a Novel Cold-Adapted N-Acylhomoserine Lactonase Discovered in a Metagenome, Can Strongly Attenuate Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence Factors and Biofilm Formation

The pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses quorum sensing (QS) to control virulence and biofilm formation. Enzymatic disruption of quorum sensing is a promising anti-infection therapeutic strategy that does not rely on antibiotics. Here, a novel gene (aii810) encoding an N-acylhomoserine lactonase was isolated from the Mao-tofu metagenome for the first time. Aii810 encoded a protein of 269 amino acids and was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) in soluble form. It showed the highest activity at 20°C, and it maintained 76.5% of activity at 0°C and more than 50% activity at 0–40°C. The optimal pH was 8.0. It was stable in both neutral and slightly alkaline conditions and at temperatures below 40°C. The enzyme hydrolyzed several ρ-nitrophenyl esters, but its best substrate was ρ-nitrophenyl acetate. Its kcat and Km values were 347.7 S-1 and 205.1 μM, respectively. It efficiently degraded N-butyryl-L-homoserine lactone and N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone, exceeding hydrolysis rates of 72.3 and 100%, respectively. Moreover, Aii810 strongly attenuated P. aeruginosa virulence and biofilm formation. This enzyme with high anti-QS activity was the most cold-adapted N-acylhomoserine lactonase reported, which makes it an attractive enzyme for use as a therapeutic agent against P. aeruginosa infection.