Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interleukin‐32: A new proinflammatory cytokine involved in hepatitis C virus‐related liver inflammation and fibrosis

Interleukin 32 (IL‐32) is a recently described proinflammatory cytokine that activates p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB), thereby inducing proinflammatory cytokines such as IL‐1β and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α). We investigated the role of IL‐32 in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Steady‐state hepatic messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of IL‐32 were determined in a cohort of 90 subjects; anti‐IL‐32 staining was used in a second cohort of 132 consecutive untreated chronic HCV patients. Correlations with histological features of steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis were made. In vitro, endogenous IL‐32 in monocytes and in the human hepatoma cell line Huh‐7.5 were examined. The effects of IL‐32‐overexpression and IL‐32‐silencing on HCV replication were studied using HCV luciferase reporter viruses. There were highly significant positive associations between hepatic IL‐32 mRNA expression and liver steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, smooth muscle actin (SMA) area, and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. IL‐32 protein expression was positively associated with portal inflammation, SMA area, and ALT. In vitro, IL‐1β and TNF‐α significantly induced IL‐32 expression in human Huh‐7.5 cells. Alone, stimulation with interferon alpha (IFN‐α) did not induce IL‐32 expression in Huh‐7.5. However, IFN‐α exerted a significant additive effect on TNF‐α‐induced but not IL‐1β‐induced IL‐32 expression, particularly in CD14+ monocytes. This effect was dependent both on NF‐κB and Jak/STAT signaling. Viral infection of Huh‐7.5 cells resulted in a significant (11‐fold) induction of IL‐32 mRNA expression. However, modulation of IL‐32 in Huh‐7.5 cells by overexpression or silencing did not influence HCV virus replication as determined by luciferase assays. Conclusion: IL‐32 is a novel proinflammatory cytokine involved in HCV‐associated liver inflammation/fibrosis. IL‐32 is expressed by human hepatocytes and hepatoma cells and its expression is regulated by proinflammatory stimuli. (HEPATOLOGY 2011;)
Theoretical Analysis of Critical Flowable Physical Gel Cross-Linked by Metal Ions and Polyacrylamide-Derivative Associating Polymers Containing Imidazole Groups

When the polymer chains are cross-linked by physical bonds having a finite lifetime, the relaxation time and viscosity do not diverge at the gel point though percolation occurs. These undivergent quantities are related to the finite-sized “largest relaxed cluster,” which can relax before it breaks. Its size is the key rheological parameter characterizing of the critical physical gels. In order to evaluate this characteristic size, we propose here a generalized phenomenological model for the viscoelasticity of critical physical gels. We apply the theory to the previously reported experimental result for the physical gel consisting of polyacrylamide-derivative associating polymers containing imidazole groups cross-linked by coordination bonds with Ni ions. We successfully estimate the size of the largest relaxed cluster and the fractal dimension. The size is in good agreement with that estimated from the mean-square displacement of probe particles at the gel point by microrheological measurement. We also compare this system with the poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel cross-linked by borate ions, and show that the difference in the cluster structures is originating from the differences of precursor chain properties such as overlap concentration and radius of gyration and of the cross-linking states in these systems.
Carbon dioxide reactivity, pressure autoregulation, and metabolic suppression reactivity after head injury: a transcranial Doppler study.

OBJECT Contemporary management of head-injured patients is based on assumptions about CO2 reactivity, pressure autoregulation (PA), and vascular reactivity to pharmacological metabolic suppression. In this study, serial assessments of vasoreactivity of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) were performed using bilateral transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasonography. METHODS Twenty-eight patients (mean age 33 +/- 13 years, median Glasgow Coma Scale score of 7) underwent a total of 61 testing sessions during postinjury Days 0 to 13. The CO2 reactivity (58 studies in 28 patients), PA (51 studies in 23 patients), and metabolic suppression reactivity (35 studies in 16 patients) were quantified for each cerebral hemisphere by measuring changes in MCA velocity in response to transient hyperventilation, arterial blood pressure elevation, or propofol-induced burst suppression, respectively. One or both hemispheres registered below normal vasoreactivity scores in 40%, 69%, and 97% of study sessions for CO2 reactivity, PA, and metabolic suppression reactivity (p < 0.0001), respectively. Intracranial hypertension, classified as intracranial pressure (ICP) greater than 20 mm Hg at the time of testing, was associated with global impairment of CO2 reactivity, PA, and metabolic suppression reactivity (p < 0.05). A low baseline cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) was also predictive of impaired CO2 reactivity and PA (p < 0.01). Early postinjury hypotension or hypoxia was also associated with impaired CO2 reactivity (p < 0.05), and hemorrhagic brain lesions in or overlying the MCA territory were predictive of impaired metabolic suppression reactivity (p < 0.01). The 6-month Glasgow Outcome Scale score correlated with the overall degree of impaired vasoreactivity (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS During the first 2 weeks after moderate or severe head injury, CO2 reactivity remains relatively intact, PA is variably impaired, and metabolic suppression reactivity remains severely impaired. Elevated ICP appears to affect all three components of vasoreactivity that were tested, whereas other clinical factors such as CPP, hypotensive and hypoxic insults, and hemorrhagic brain lesions have distinctly different impacts on the state of vasoreactivity. Incorporation of TCD ultrasonography-derived vasoreactivity data may facilitate more injury- and time-specific therapies for head-injured patients.
Prenatal diagnosis of congenital granular cell epulis

Congenital granular epulis is a benign tumor that has rarely been diagnosed prenatally, although there have been numerous reports on its postnatal diagnosis. We report a case of large granular epulis diagnosed at 31 weeks' gestation in a woman whose previous anomaly scan had been normal. The lesion was 2.5 cm in diameter, pedunculated, and arose from the maxilla. It was completely surgically removed following preterm vaginal birth and histologically examined. The tumor did not prevent deglutition of the amniotic fluid and did not interfere with feeding or respiration, but prevented complete closure of the lips. We discuss the fetal management and the theories of histogenesis, and highlight the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Copyright © 1998 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dynamical Response Properties of Neocortical Neuron Ensembles: Multiplicative versus Additive Noise

To understand the mechanisms of fast information processing in the brain, it is necessary to determine how rapidly populations of neurons can respond to incoming stimuli in a noisy environment. Recently, it has been shown experimentally that an ensemble of neocortical neurons can track a time-varying input current in the presence of additive correlated noise very fast, up to frequencies of several hundred hertz. Modulations in the firing rate of presynaptic neuron populations affect, however, not only the mean but also the variance of the synaptic input to postsynaptic cells. It has been argued that such modulations of the noise intensity (multiplicative modulation) can be tracked much faster than modulations of the mean input current (additive modulation). Here, we compare the response characteristics of an ensemble of neocortical neurons for both modulation schemes. We injected sinusoidally modulated noisy currents (additive and multiplicative modulation) into layer V pyramidal neurons of the rat somatosensory cortex and measured the trial and ensemble-averaged spike responses for a wide range of stimulus frequencies. For both modulation paradigms, we observed low-pass behavior. The cutoff frequencies were markedly high, considerably higher than the average firing rates. We demonstrate that modulations in the variance can be tracked significantly faster than modulations in the mean input. Extremely fast stimuli (up to 1 kHz) can be reliably tracked, provided the stimulus amplitudes are sufficiently high.
Prevalence of inflammatory airway disease in national hunt horses referred for investigation of poor athletic performance.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Inflammatory airway disease (IAD) is thought to be an important cause of poor performance in young Thoroughbred racehorses. However, little study has been made of IAD in older National Hunt (NH) horses. OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of IAD in NH racehorses referred for investigation of poor athletic performance and identify some of the risk factors that may be associated with IAD in this group of horses. METHODS Tracheal mucus was graded, and tracheal wash (TW) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) performed after treadmill exercise in 91 NH horses referred to the University of Bristol. Comparisons were made between the different methods for diagnosing IAD and potential risk factors investigated. RESULTS Tracheal mucus was observed in 68% and lower airway inflammation identified in 70% of horses. There was poor agreement between TW and BAL techniques for a diagnosis of IAD. The prevalence of increased proportions of neutrophils in TW was 40% compared with 59% in BAL. There was a significant association between presence of tracheal mucus and increased neutrophils in TW but not between tracheal mucus and BAL cytology. No significant association between IAD and age, EIPH or URT obstruction was observed. CONCLUSIONS Inflammatory airway disease was a common finding in NH horses referred for investigation of poor performance. In contrast to studies in younger, flat racehorses the prevalence of disease did not decrease with increasing age. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE Horses of all ages presented for investigation of poor performance require a thorough clinical investigation of the lower airways. The collection of both TW and BAL samples is indicated in order to confirm a diagnosis of IAD.
Three-Port 20-Gauge Transconjunctival Pars Plana Vitrectomy

Three-Port 20-Gauge Transconjunctival Pars Plana Vitrectomy In this article, I report my experience evaluating the feasibility and safety of 20-gauge transconjunctival vitrectomy (TV). This new technique is a modification of the existing technique of placing and closing sclerotomies for vitrectomy that reduces operating time, decreases postoperative inflammation, and improves postoperative recovery.
Cellular Immunogenicity of Novel Gene Immunogens in Mice Monitored by in Vivo Imaging

The efficient cell-mediated immune response clears cells expressing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) immunogens, but there are no methods to monitor this in vivo. We hypothesized that immune-mediated clearance can be monitored in vivo if DNA immunogens are coexpressed with reporter(s). To test this, we designed genes encoding human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) fused via its N- or C-terminus to 30–amino acid-long Gly-Ala-repeat of Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 or via the N-terminus to the transport signal of invariant chain/Ii or inserted between the cytoplasmic and luminal domains of lysosome-associated membrane protein I (LAMP). DNA immunogens mixed with luciferase gene were injected into BALB/c mice with subsequent electroporation. Reporter expression seen as luminescence was monitored by in vivo imaging. When luminescence faded, mice were sacrificed, and their splenocytes were stimulated with RT-derived antigens. Fading of luminescence correlated with the RT-specific secretion of interferon-γ and interleukin-2. Both immune and in vivo imaging techniques concordantly demonstrated an enhanced immunogenicity of RT-LAMP and of the N-terminal Gly-Ala-RT fusion genes. In vivo imaging performed as an animal-sparing method to estimate the overall performance of DNA immunogens, predicting it early in the experiment. So far, in vivo imaging cannot be a substitute for conventional immune assays, but it is supplementary to them. Further experiments are needed to identify which arms of cellular immune response in vivo imaging monitors best.
Deaf adults and mental health: A review of recent research on the prevalence and distribution of psychiatric symptoms and disorders in the prelingually deaf adult population

Research on the prevalence and distribution of mental disorders in the prelingually deaf population is scarce. In 1999, an extensive literature review was published, containing prevalence studies published prior to 1994. A systematic search was made for research publications about the prevalence and distribution of psychiatric symptoms and disorders published between 1995 and 2011. Eleven studies were found, five with samples from the general population and six with clinical samples. Since 1999, studies of deaf individuals have improved methodically, especially with regard to assessment procedures and instruments. However, selection bias, lack of representative samples, and unmatched comparison samples still preclude firm conclusions on the prevalence and distribution of psychiatric symptoms and disorders in the prelingually deaf population. This means that in order to gain a better understanding of the impact of prelingual deafness on mental health, studies with more representative samples and better matched samples in comparisons are needed.
Genome Sequences of Listeria monocytogenes Serotype 4b Variant Strains Isolated from Clinical and Environmental Sources

ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes strains that show a novel PCR serotyping profile (IVb-v1) have been reported recently. Here, we announce the draft genome sequences of five L. monocytogenes IVb-v1 strains isolated from the United States and Australia that harbor a 6.3-kb DNA cassette characteristic of serotype 1/2a strains.
Dual-Circularly Polarized Conical-Beam Microstrip Antenna

A dual-circularly polarized (CP) microstrip antenna with conical-beam radiation is presented in this letter. The antenna is excited at the second-order mode to generate the conical radiation pattern and is fed by a hybrid coupler to obtain the dual-CP operation, which shows a stable performance with varisized metal reflectors. The measured results are consistent with the simulated ones in terms of good dual-CP conical patterns, which verified the effectiveness of the proposed design. All these features make the proposed antenna very suitable for vehicle-mounted satellite communication applications.
P‐Selectin Mediates the Microvascular Dysfunction Associated with Persistent Cytomegalovirus Infection in Normocholesterolemic and Hypercholesterolemic Mice

Please cite this paper as: Senchenkov, Khoretonenko, Leskov, Ostanin, and Stokes (2011). P‐Selectin Mediates the Microvascular Dysfunction Associated with Persistent Cytomegalovirus Infection in Normocholesterolemic and Hypercholesterolemic Mice. Microcirculation 18(6), 452–462.
Price Discrimination 2.0: Opaque Bookings in the Hotel Industry

We study opaque selling using a unique dataset that matches hotel bookings made on opaque platforms (Priceline and Hotwire) with their counterparts in the transparent market. Controlling for hotel selection, opaque bookings provide 44% savings to consumers. The price variation across markets and platforms is consistent with consumers sorting based on transaction costs and the dispersion of their valuations over transparent products. We argue that opaque selling helps hotels to segment demand but does not fully replace traditional, within-platform, price discrimination strategies. Moreover, we find no evidence of opaque selling as a last-minute resource to dispose of unsold inventory.
Muscular adaptation to gradual advancement of the mandible.

Muscular activity of the superficial masseter muscle and anterior portion of the temporal muscle before, during, and after treatment, with gradual advancement of the mandible, was evaluated by assessing the average integrated electromyogram (EMG) with the mandible in retruded position (RP) and incisal edge-to-edge (EE) position on 23 consecutive subjects with skeletal Class II malocclusion. Toward the end of active treatment and follow-up, the RP position and EE position coincided. At any given registration, the EMG activity of the masseter muscle was at least twice (P < .001) that of the anterior portion of the temporal muscle. The EMG activity in RP for the anterior portion of the temporal muscle was not affected significantly, whereas the EMG activity at EE position decreased significantly (P < .05) during the initial treatment, but, thereafter, it increased continuously. The difference in EMG activity between six months of follow-up and pretreatment level reached statistical significance (P < .05). For the masseter muscle, the EMG activity at both RP and EE position was reduced about 20% during the initial treatment but returned to the pretreatment level during active treatment and exceeded pretreatment level by approximately 30% to 50% at two and six months of follow-up, respectively. In conclusion, it seemed that gradual advancement affected the anterior portion of the temporal muscle to a minor extent, whereas the effect on the masseter muscle was significant.
Clearance of Giardia muris infection requires helper/inducer T lymphocytes

The aim of this work was to identify the T cell subset (helper/inducer or cytotoxic/suppressor) that plays a major part in the clearance of Giardia muris infection. BALB/c mice were selectively depleted of helper/inducer (Th/i) or cytotoxic/suppressor (Tc/s) T cells, by treatment with rat IgG monoclonal antibodies directed against the Th/i cell surface antigen L3T4, or against the Tc/s cell surface antigen Ly- 2, and were infected with G. muris cysts. While mice depleted of Tc/s cells cleared G. muris infection at a normal rate, mice depleted of Th/i cells did not clear the infection. Depletion of the relevant T cell subset was confirmed by flow cytometry and by immunohistochemistry. The data indicate that helper/inducer T cells, but not cytotoxic T cells, are of major importance for elimination of G. muris from the mouse intestine.
Why do some South African ethnic groups have very high HIV rates and others not?

The differences in HIV prevalence between South Africa's racial/ethnic groups (19.9%, 3.2%, and 0.5% among 15–49-year-old blacks, coloureds and whites, respectively) are as big as those between the countries with the highest and lowest levels of HIV prevalence worldwide. These large racial/ethnic differences are largely determined by different sexual network structures. In networks among black South Africans, sexual partnerships are more likely to be arranged concurrently – a configuration that leads to exponential increases in the spread of HIV. An examination of the historical origins of polygamy (where it is normative for partnerships to be arranged concurrently) and monogamy (serial or lifetime) reveals that it is the practice of universal monogamy in stratified societies which is the outlier. The ideology and practice of universal monogamy originated in Europe as the result of several factors, most prominently conflicts between the Christian Church and the nobility. After its imposition in Europe, the European colonial project would see this ideology disseminated around the world. Under the influence of liberalism it would mutate into a secular and unacknowledged value-programme of monogamy as a universal norm. This value-programme and practice of monogamy (mostly serial) is still the norm for white South Africans; thus, this sexual behaviour ‘spandrel’ (by-product of other historical processes) is a large contributor to the lower levels of HIV prevalence among whites. In pre-colonial African societies, polygyny was normative, and the Christian value-programme of monogamy never achieved the hegemonic status it did in Europe and other areas of conquest. Married black African men who converted to Christianity were no less likely to have additional sexual partners, but only more likely to conceal them. The ongoing secrecy about having concurrent partners has contributed to the connectedness of sexual networks among black Africans at large and in this manner has contributed to the rapid spread of HIV.
Paging Overhead Reduction for WiMAX Networks

Implementing idle mode for the mobile station (MS) in a mobile communication system results in two kinds of control overhead: paging message overhead and location update overhead. In this paper, we propose a mobility-based paging mechanism which utilizes the MS's mobility information to reduce the number of unnecessary broadcast paging messages. To further reduce the paging message overhead, instead of using MAC address, a shorter identifier called paging identifier is used in the paging message. Our simulation results show that by applying both methods, a great amount of paging message overhead can be reduced.
Students' Perception of Good English Teachers' Characteristics: A Case Study At SMK Perintis 29 Ungaran

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate of good English teachers’ characteristics perceived by students of SMK Perintis 29 Ungaran. The objective is to find out the students’ perception of good English teacher with respect to technical knowledge, pedagogical skills, interpersonal skills and personal qualities. This is descriptive research. Design of the research uses case study. The data were taken by observation, interview and questionnaire, and then analysed by qualitative. It uses triangulation technique. The findings of this study showed that the characteristics of good English teachers with respect to technical knowledge are master of English language, understand teaching methodology, can teach clearly, know about students ‘ability and understand the close connection between language and culture. Good English teachers’ pedagogical skills who have teaching skills, use interesting media and variety techniques, creative and innovative in designing materials, understanding students’ needs, motivating the students and teachers should be patient in facing and handling students. Good English teachers’ interpersonal skills who are enjoyable people, humorous, cooperative and good in managing emotion, be enthusiasm in teaching and patient in guiding and handling students who have lack of ability. Good English teachers’ personal qualities who are good figure, kind and religious person, discipline, patient, have nice habit, attitude and behaviourism, always maintain their quality and enthusiasm in teaching. From the open-ended questionnaire and in-depth interview result indicated that females’ perception of good English teachers’ characteristics are more on cognitive but male on affective aspect. Key words: Good language teachers, technical knowledge, interpersonal skills, pedagogical skills, personal qualities.