Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Cigarette Smoke Extract on Trophoblast Cell Viability and Migration: The Role of Adrenomedullin

We tested the hypothesis that cigarette smoke extract (CSE) leads to differences in expression of genes involved in angiogenesis and affects cell viability and migration in a first-trimester cytotrophoblast cell line (HTR-8/SVneo). HTR-8/SVneo cells were treated with 1% CSE, and gene expression for adrenomedullin (ADM), placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFLT-1), and vascular endothelia growth factor (VEGF) and protein content for ADM, PlGF, and sFlt-1 determined. A cell viability assay and a cell migration scratch assay were utilized following treatment with CSE with and without ADM inhibitor. Adrenomedullin, PlGF, and VEGF gene transcripts were significantly upregulated by 1% CSE treatment compared with unstimulated cells or cells treated with nicotine alone. Neither 1% CSE nor nicotine treatment alone affected sFlt-1 gene expression. There was a significant increase in secreted ADM protein from cells treated with 1% CSE detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, though no differences in PlGF or sFlt-1 production were seen. Treatment with 1% CSE increased cell viability and cell migration compared with unstimulated cells and was inhibited by co-treatment with ADM inhibitor. Treatment of a first-trimester trophoblast cell line with CSE increases cell viability and cell migration that are reversed by co-treatment with ADM inhibitor, suggesting that ADM at least partially mediates cell growth and viability following CSE treatment.
A Monte Carlo model and its commissioning for the Leksell Gamma Knife Perfexion radiosurgery system

Purpose To develop and commission a Monte Carlo (MC) simulation model for the Leksell Gamma Knife (LGK) Perfexion (PFX) radiosurgery system. Method We previously established a source model for MC simulations of the LGK PFX for the purpose of the treatment planning system (TPS) dose verification and plan evaluation. To make practical and effective use of the model in clinic, several issues need to be addressed. First, thorough commissioning procedures are needed to ensure the validity of the model parameters, such as the source‐to‐focus (STF) distance, the source solid angle. Second, an efficient source particle sampling method is required to facilitate dose calculations for multitarget and multishot configurations in patient treatment plans. Third, inseparably, it is interesting to know the dose difference between the two GK TPS algorithms (TMR and convolution) and the MC method in extreme heterogeneous cases resulting from the inhomogeneous effect. We report our recent development in addressing these issues. Phantoms with the frame fiducials were manually created in the format of DICOM CT image to eliminate the uncertainties associated with scanner artifacts and image registration. The created homogeneous phantom was used to calibrate the model parameters to match the output factors with the manufacturer provided data, and the heterogeneous phantom with multilayer materials was used to study the inhomogeneous effect. Results The agreement between the MC calculation and TPS was very good for the homogeneous spherical phantom. The difference of the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the profiles was less than 1 mm except for the profile for 16 mm collimator along z‐axis (less than 2 mm). For the extreme heterogeneous test case, it was shown that the TMR algorithm can overestimate the target dose by up to 22% using the measure of dose volume parameter D95. The agreement between the MC method and the TPS convolution method was better (within 3.6%) for the target near the center of phantom, however, discrepancy (up to 10.7%) existed for the target close to the skull. The difference between the two TPS dose algorithms was about 11%. Conclusions Considerable dose difference may result from the effect of heterogeneity, such as in the regions of the air cavities and bones. As the MC method has been extensively used in conventional external beams, it is worthwhile for further investigation in applying the MC method to accurate dose planning in the new GK PFX radiosurgery platform.
Population Genetic Structure of the Malaria Vector Anopheles sinensis (Diptera: Culicidae) Sensu Stricto and Evidence for Possible Introgression in the Republic of Korea

ABSTRACT Anopheles sinensis Wiedemann sensu stricto (s.s.) is a dominant mosquito and considered a secondary malaria vector in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Despite the potential significance for malaria control, population genetics studies have been conducted using only mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and studies of the genetics of hybridization have never been attempted. In this study, 346 specimens from 23 localities were subject to experiments. Among them, 305 An. sinensis s.s. specimens from 20 localities were used for mtDNA analysis, and 346 specimens comprising 341 An. sinensis s.s. from 22 localities and five Anopheles kleini Rueda from one locality were examined in the microsatellite study. Neighbor-joining analysis of pairwise FST and RST based on microsatellite results showed that the populations are divided into two groups, as did the mtDNA results. However, the Bayesian analysis and factorial correspondence analysis plots showed three distinct clusters. Among the mtDNA and microsatellite results, only microsatellites represented small but positive and significant isolation-by-distance patterns. Both molecular markers show the Taebaek and Sobaek Mountain ranges as barriers between the northern and southern parts of the ROK. The newly recognized third group suggests possible introgressive hybridization of An. sinensis s.s. with closely related species. The slightly different composition of populations in each group based on different markers is probably because of different population dynamics in each group. These results imply that there is restricted gene flow of epidemiologically important malariarelated genes between the northern and southern parts of the ROK.
Comparative histology and immunohistochemistry of porcine versus human skin.

BACKGROUND Porcine skin is increasingly being employed as a model of human skin in various research fields, including pharmacology, toxicology and immunology, with particular interest in percutaneous permeation and organ transplantation. Porcine skin shows several anatomical and physiological similarities, but also some differences, with human skin, but few in depth comparative studies are so far available. OBJECTIVES To study the immunohistochemical properties of normal porcine skin in comparison with human skin. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a histological and immunohistochemical study on frozen and formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin biopsies from domestic swine and normal human skin, using a panel of 93 monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies recognizing various human and porcine skin cell types or structures. RESULTS We found that several antibodies used to detect normal human skin cells showed equivalent immunoreactivity on normal porcine skin. However, some antibodies commonly used to detect human skin antigens remained unreactive on porcine skin. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight the main immunohistochemical properties of porcine skin in comparison with those of human skin and provide a morphological and immunohistochemical basis useful to researchers using porcine skin.
A New Ring Current Model for Saturn

The ring current of Saturn is obtained by taking the curl of the observed magnetic field. An analytical model of this ring current can then be obtained by fitting it to a lognormal in ρ and a Gaussian in z. Local time dependence is included as a harmonic expansion in ϕ for coefficients of the lognormal; radial dependence is included as a quadratic expansion in ρ of the width of the Gaussian. In this model, the ring current peaks at ~0.25 MA/RS2 at ~10 RS on the nightside near ~1 hr. The ring current strength minimizes at ~0.17 MA/RS2 on the dayside near ~16 hr. The cross‐sectional shape of the ring current is a teardrop extending from ~5 to ~20 RS or more.
Syntaxin 5 interacts specifically with presenilin holoproteins and affects processing of βAPP in neuronal cells

The specific roles of syntaxin 5 (Syx 5) in the interaction with presenilin (PS) and the accumulation of β‐amyloid precursor protein (βAPP), as well as the secretion of β‐amyloid peptide (Aβ peptide) were examined in NG108‐15 cells. Syx 5, which localizes from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi, bound to PS holoproteins, while the other Syxs studied did not. Among familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD)‐linked PS mutants, PS1ΔE9, which lacks the endoproteolytic cleavage site, showed markedly decreased binding to Syx 5. The interaction domains in Syx 5 were mapped to the transmembrane region and to the cytoplasmic region containing the α‐helical domains, which are distinct from the H3 (SNARE motif). Among all of the Syxs examined, only overexpression of Syx 5 resulted in the accumulation of βAPP in the ER to cis‐Golgi compartment, an attenuation of the amount of the C‐terminal fragment (APP‐CTF) of βAPP, and a reduction in the secretion of Aβ peptides. Furthermore, co‐expression of Syx 5 with C99 resulted in an increase in APP‐CTF and suppressed Aβ secretion. Taken together, these results indicate that Syx 5 may play a specific role in the modulation of processing and/or trafficking of FAD‐related proteins in neuronal cells by interaction with PS holoproteins in the early secretory compartment of neuronal cells.
Long-lasting stem cell–like memory CD8+ T cells with a naïve-like profile upon yellow fever vaccination

The yellow fever vaccine induces a CD8+ T stem cell–like memory subset with a naïve-like profile that persists long term. Yellow fever vaccine induces long-term naïve-like memory In the ongoing quest to find better models of human disease, humans themselves are frequently overlooked. New vaccines for viral infections have hit barriers in translating attempts to induce protective immunity by producing long-lasting memory T cell responses. Now, Fuertes Marraco et al. report that individuals who receive the current yellow fever vaccine develop just that. They found that yellow fever–specific CD8+ T cells with a naïve-like phenotype persisted in vaccinated individuals for more than 25 years. These cells were capable of self-renewal and resembled the stem cell–like memory subset. Thus, by studying vaccinated individuals and building on their own success, researcher may learn—in people—what exactly makes long-term memory T cells tick. Efficient and persisting immune memory is essential for long-term protection from infectious and malignant diseases. The yellow fever (YF) vaccine is a live attenuated virus that mediates lifelong protection, with recent studies showing that the CD8+ T cell response is particularly robust. Yet, limited data exist regarding the long-term CD8+ T cell response, with no studies beyond 5 years after vaccination. We investigated 41 vaccinees, spanning 0.27 to 35 years after vaccination. YF-specific CD8+ T cells were readily detected in almost all donors (38 of 41), with frequencies decreasing with time. As previously described, effector cells dominated the response early after vaccination. We detected a population of naïve-like YF-specific CD8+ T cells that was stably maintained for more than 25 years and was capable of self-renewal ex vivo. In-depth analyses of markers and genome-wide mRNA profiling showed that naïve-like YF-specific CD8+ T cells in vaccinees (i) were distinct from genuine naïve cells in unvaccinated donors, (ii) resembled the recently described stem cell–like memory subset (Tscm), and (iii) among all differentiated subsets, had profiles closest to naïve cells. Our findings reveal that CD8+ Tscm are efficiently induced by a vaccine in humans, persist for decades, and preserve a naïveness-like profile. These data support YF vaccination as an optimal mechanistic model for the study of long-lasting memory CD8+ T cells in humans.
Demographics and Clinical and Endoscopic Characteristics of Patients with Helicobacter pylori Infection and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Case-Control Study

Background The correlation between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is complex. Some studies showed a protective role of H. pylori infection against GERD. This study was aimed at assessing the role of H. pylori infection in GERD utilizing a large cohort of patients diagnosed with GERD. Methods and Materials All patients who underwent gastroscopy for an indication of GERD during the study period between 2015 and 2017 at the EMMS Nazareth Hospital were considered eligible for the study and therefore were included. H. pylori infection was determined by the rapid urease test or histology. Severity of esophagitis was assessed using the Los Angeles classification. Univariate analysis was performed to figure out differences between patients according to H. pylori infection status. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to illustrate the predictors of positivity for H. pylori infection. Results 2,508 GERD patients were included with a median age of 49.42 ± 17.96 years. H. pylori infection was detected in 299 (11.9%) patients. GERD patients with H. pylori infection were found to be younger (48.83 ± 17.42 years versus 44.57 ± 17.69 years, p < 0.001), have the tendency to smoke more (1406 (63.6%) versus 266 (89.0%), p < 0.001), and use more proton pump inhibitors or PPIs (1314 (59.5%) versus 242 (80.9%), p < 0.001). In multivariate regression analysis, age (OR 0.987, p < 0.001), smoking status (OR 0.190, p < 0.001), use of ASA/NSAIDs (OR 1.652, p = 0.004), and use of statins (OR 0.499 (95%CI 0.295-0.846), p = 0.010) were found significant among H. pylori-positive individuals. H. pylori-positive subjects have less severe esophagitis and more hiatus hernia. Conclusion Patients with GERD and H. pylori infection were significantly younger, tended to smoke more, and used more PPIs and had significantly lower grades of esophagitis compared to noninfected ones.
Type-specific human papillomavirus distribution in invasive cervical cancer in Korea, 1958-2004.

OBJECTIVE To describe the HPV genotype distribution and to investigate the underlying secular trend in the relative contribution of HPV types 16-18 in invasive cervical cancer (ICC) over a period of 47 years (1958-2004) in South Korea. METHODS Paraffin embedded ICC samples were obtained from historical archives of two hospitals in Korea. HPV detection and genotyping was performed by SPF10 PCR, DEIA and LiPA25 assays (version 1). RESULTS Of 874 ICC cases, 742 were considered suitable for HPV DNA testing after histological evaluation. Squamous cell carcinoma was the major histological type (93.0%). HPV was detected in 674 of the 742 specimens (90.8%). The five most common types identified as single types among HPV-positive cases were HPV16 (63.1%), HPV18 (8.5%), HPV33 (4.5%), HPV58 (3.9%) and HPV31 (3.0%). Multiple infections were detected in 5%. HPV16-18 together accounted for 72% of all HPV-positive cervical cancers with no statistically significant differences by time at diagnosis (adjusted model-p>0.05). CONCLUSION This present study confirmed the role of HPV infection as the main factor in cervical cancer in Korea. HPV16-18 accounted for more than 70% in cervical cancer and there was no statistically significant secular trend for the past 50 years.
Migration and Agricultural Efficiency in Kosovo

Kosovo, like most of rural Central and Eastern Europe, has witnessed substantial out-migration in recent years, prompting debates on the effect of migration on agricultural efficiency. This paper addresses this issue, drawing on a large (n=2217) and representative sample of agricultural households. A twostage estimation procedure is followed: a frontier technique to estimate the effect of migration on farm efficiency, followed by a propensity score based matching approach to robustly estimate the sample average effect on efficiency for different levels of migration intensity. Migration has an efficiency decreasing effect which is amplified for better educated and older workers.
The public health implications of a sporadic case of culture‐proven Legionnaires' disease

Legionella pneumophila is an important cause of community‐acquired pneumonia. Domestic sources of infection have been increasingly recognised among community‐acquired cases. This report summarises the public health investigations and management of a single community‐acquired case of Legionnaires' disease in Queensland, commenced in the context of a suspected outbreak. Legionellae from the case's domestic water supply were indistinguishable from the clinical isolate. The implications for future investigation of sporadic cases are discussed.
Retirement decisions, job loss and mortality

In this PhD thesis, Jochem Zweerink studies several topics related to retirement decisions, job loss and mortality. In Chapter 2, Gradual retirement in the Netherlands is analyzed. Chapter 3 estimates and explains the effect of incentiveinduced retirement of the husband on his wife’s probability to retire within one year. In Chapters 4 and 5, the mortality effects of retirement and job loss are investigated.
Patterns and correlates of new psychoactive substance use in a sample of Australian high school students.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS In recent years there has been growing concern about new psychoactive substances (NPS) designed to mimic the effects of established illicit drugs. This paper explores the patterns and correlates of NPS use in a sample of Australian students. DESIGN AND METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Australia in 2014. Data were collected from 1126 students (mean age: 14.9 years) from 11 secondary schools. Students completed a self-report questionnaire assessing NPS use and knowledge, beliefs and intentions to use these substances. NPS users were compared with non-users and illicit drug users, who had not used NPS, in terms of gender, binge drinking, tobacco use, psychological distress and self-efficacy to resist peer pressure. RESULTS Of the 1126 students, 3% reported having ever tried NPS, 2.4% had used synthetic cannabis and 0.4% had used a synthetic stimulant. Analyses revealed that NPS users were more likely to have had an episode of binge drinking in the past 6 months, tried tobacco and had higher levels of psychological distress and lower perceived self-efficacy to resist peer pressure than non-users, but did not significantly differ from users of other illicit drugs. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS NPS use appears to be uncommon among Australian school students. Although adolescents that do use these substances did not differ from students that had used traditional illicit drugs, both appear to be higher-risk groups of students than non-users. Our findings suggest that universal education about NPS be incorporated into existing drug prevention programmes, and that targeted NPS prevention may also be warranted among high-risk adolescents. [Champion KE, Teesson M, Newton NC. Patterns and correlates of new psychoactive substance use in a sample of Australian high school students. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;35:338-344].
Meat and Milk Consumption 2050: the Potential for Demand-side Solutions to Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction

type="graphical" xml:id="euch12103-abs-0101"> The contribution of meat consumption to global warming is discussed. The IPCC Climate Change 2014 report recognised that meat demand oriented measures could contribute to GHG mitigation, though by excluding meat market adjustments it overstated the potential. Results are presented from a partial equilibrium model of global meat and milk sectors which examines the impact of projected population and economic growth on global meat consumption for the major regions of the world to 2050. A range of market and policy scenarios linked to meat demand reduction are then analysed, especially for ruminant meats which have the highest GHG emissions intensities.
Effect of salicylic acid on the dry matter and nitrogen accumulation, partitioning and translocation in two contrasting rice genotypes under salt stress

Salt stress is one of the important abiotic stresses that affect agricultural production. Salicylic acid (SA) plays an important role in plant growth and development as well as against stress. The purpose of this work was to analyze the shortterm and long-term effect of SA on the dry matter (DM) and nitrogen (N) accumulation, partitioning, and translocation in two contrasting rice genotypes (salt-tolerant LD5, salt-susceptible MDJ30) under salt stress. Forty two-day-old rice plants were exposed to salinity stress (0, 4.6 dS m) for two weeks and then the salt group was sprayed with 60 ml SA (0, 0.5 mmol L) per pot for two days. The short-term and long-term effects of SA were analyzed by sampling at 6 and 12 days after the SA treatment, and at heading and maturity stage, respectively. The results showed that salt stress significantly reduced the DM and N accumulation of each above-ground organ, changed allocation pattern and reduced their translocation to panicles. Genotypes showed differences in DM and N distribution and translocation under salt stress. Compared with MDJ30, LD5 accumulated more DM under salt stress, had a higher proportion of stem-sheath DM and maintained the DM translocation to panicle. The response of N accumulation to salt stress in LD5 was higher than that in MDJ30 at tillering stage but was less than that at heading and maturity stage, reflecting that salt tolerant variety gradually adapted to the restriction of N acquisition due to salinization. Exogenous SA promoted the accumulation of DM and N in stem + sheath at short-term and in above-ground organs of rice under salt stress at long-term. SA increased the partitioning ratio of DM and N in panicles of MDJ30 under salt stress but decreased that in LD5. This was mainly due to the fact that SA increased the translocation of assimilates from vegetative organs to panicles of MDJ30, but decreased that of LD5 as its short-term promotion effect resulted in an excessive accumulation in stem + sheath. These results suggested that SA promoted assimilates accumulation in the above-ground organs of rice under salt stress, changed the distribution pattern of nutrients, and its effect on the translocation of assimilates was related to the salt tolerance of genotypes.