Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proteomics analysis of liver pathological calcification suggests a role for the IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1 in myofibroblast function

To date the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which liver pathological calcifications occur and are regulated are poorly investigated. To study the mechanisms linked to their appearance, we performed a proteomics analysis of calcified liver samples. To this end, human liver biopsies collected in noncalcified (N), precalcified (P), and calcified (C) areas of the liver were subjected to weak ion exchange chromatography, SDS‐PAGE, and LC‐ESI MS/MS analyses. As we previously demonstrated that alpha‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) expressing myofibroblasts were involved in liver pathological calcification, we performed a targeted analysis of actin cytoskeleton remodeling‐related proteins. This revealed dramatic changes in protein expression patterns in the periphery of the calcified areas. More particularly, we found that IQGAP1 and IQGAP2 proteins were subjected to major expression changes. We show that IQGAP1 expression within P and C areas of the liver correlates with the high abundance of myofibroblasts and that IQGAP1 is specifically expressed in these cells. In addition, we find that IQGAP1 is part of a protein complex including β‐catenin and Rac1 mainly in P and C regions of the liver. These results suggest that IQGAP1 may play a critical role in the regulation of cytoskeleton remodeling in liver myofibroblasts in response to liver injury and consequently impact on their function.
Internet‐Based Treatment for Panic Disorder: Does Frequency of Therapist Contact Make a Difference?

Internet‐based interventions with therapist support have proven effective for treating a range of mental health conditions. This study examined whether frequency of therapist contact affected treatment outcomes. Fifty‐seven people with panic disorder (including 32 with agoraphobia) were randomly allocated to an 8‐week Internet‐based cognitive behavioural treatment intervention (Panic Online) with either frequent (three e‐mails per week) or infrequent (one e‐mail per week) support from a psychologist. Posttreatment, intention‐to‐treat analyses revealed that both treatments were effective at improving panic disorder and agoraphobia severity ratings, panic‐related cognitions, negative affect, and psychological and physical quality of life domains, with no differences between conditions. High end‐state functioning was achieved by 28.6% of the frequent and infrequent participants, respectively. Therapist alliance, treatment credibility, and satisfaction also did not differ between groups, despite significantly greater therapist time invested in the frequent contact condition. The results provide evidence that the effectiveness of Internet‐based mental health interventions may be independent of the frequency of therapist support and may, therefore, be more cost‐effective than previously reported.
Development research applied to improve motivation in distance education

This study introduced motivational strategies in the student support system of a distance education program, offered by the University of London (England) and implemented by the International Extension College in Cambridge (England). The program prepares international students for a diploma or masters degree in distance education. The study extended existing student support with motivational strategies in the form of motivational communications that should serve to help distance education students to become or stay motivated, so that they will successfully complete their courses. The ARCS (Attention, Relevance, Confidence, Satisfaction) model of motivational analysis was used for design and development of the MMSS (Motivational Messages Support System). Development research was used for addressing questions on the validity, practicality, and effectiveness of the motivational messages. The study examined the extent to which motivational messages based on the ARCS model are effective in distance education courses, and the difference in effectiveness and cost-efficiency between the personalized and collective process of enhancing motivation through motivational messages. Data were gathered through student questionnaires, student interviews, tutor records, and tutor interviews. Findings indicated that the messages were effective and appreciated by students; no significant difference was found between the use of collective and personalized messages as regards effectiveness. (MES)
SEMINAL FRUCTOSE IN VARIOUS CLASSES OF INFERTILE PATIENTS

Background: A great number of substances have been found in sperm plasma but so far it has not been possible to provide evidence of clinical significance for all of them. Fructose occupies the most important place in biochemical investigations. Fructose acts as a donor of energy to the spermatozoa. Fructose is secreted from the seminal vesicles and the accessory sex glands. It is the major carbohydrate found in seminal plasma, and appears essential for normal sperm motility. We present results of a prospective study of seminal fructose in patients referred for routine semen analysis prior to infertility treatment. Methods: Qualitative measurement of fructose in seminal fluid was carried out by Resorcinol method. Results: Fructose level in various groups of male infertility, and sperm concentration in various groups was estimated. They were classified as azoospermic, oligozoospermic, polyzoospermic, normozoospermic, asthenozoospermic, and teratozoospermic on the basis of sperm concentrations, motility and morphology respectively. Conclusion: It is indicated that the true corrected fructose level is a simple method for assessment of the seminal vesicular function.
Release of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors in Mediterranean spotted fever rickettsiosis

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) is a key cytokine in the defense against many intracellular pathogens, including Rickettsia conorii, the causative agent of Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF). The levels of two soluble TNF receptors (sTNFR-p55 and sTNFR-p75), the extracellular domains of the two cell surface receptors for TNF, were elevated in the acute-stage plasma samples from 20 patients with serologically confirmed MSF. The median values were 3.1 and 7.8 ng/ml for sTNFR-p55 and sTNFR-p75, respectively. sTNFR values correlated significantly with plasma TNF concentrations. Patients with severe MSF had higher values for both receptor fragments than patients with nonsevere disease. The differences were statistically significant for sTNFR-p55 (median, 5.8 versus 2.0 ng/ml; P = 0.008). Given the proportionately higher values for both TNF and sTNFR-p55 in patients with severe MSF, the sTNFR-p55/TNF ratios for the two patient subgroups did not differ (P = 0.5), while the sTNFR-p75/TNF ratios were significantly different (P = 0.01), with disproportionately lower values in patients with severe disease.
Probabilistic data association for dynamic world modeling: a multiple hypothesis approach

Proposes a multiple hypothesis approach for building and maintaining a world model for an autonomous robot vehicle. Dynamic world modeling requires the integration of multiple sensor observations obtained from multiple vehicle locations at different times. A crucial problem in this interpretation task is the presence of uncertainty in the origins of measurements (data association uncertainty) as well as in the values of measurements (noise uncertainty). The extended Kalman filter (EKF) has seen widespread use in robotics for dealing with the latter problem. The multiple hypothesis filter combines the basic machinery of the EKF with a rigorous Bayesian probabilistic data association framework in which to address temporal and spatial data association uncertainty. For dynamic world modeling, the approach results in multiple world models at a given time step, each one representing a possible interpretation of all past and current measurements and each having an associated probability. A single unified world model can be constructed by integrating all of the hypotheses to form a single hypothesis. <<ETX>>
Upper Bounds on the Size of Covering Arrays

Covering arrays find important application in software and hardware interaction testing. For practical applications it is useful to determine or bound the minimum number of rows, CAN$(t,k,v)$, in a covering array for given values of the parameters $t,k$ and $v$. Asymptotic upper bounds for CAN$(t,k,v)$ have earlier been established using the Stein-Lov\'asz-Johnson strategy and the Lov\'asz local lemma. A series of improvements on these bounds is developed in this paper. First an estimate for the discrete Stein-Lov\'asz-Johnson bound is derived. Then using alteration, the Stein-Lov\'asz-Johnson bound is improved upon, leading to a two-stage construction algorithm. Bounds from the Lov\'asz local lemma are improved upon in a different manner, by examining group actions on the set of symbols. Two asymptotic upper bounds on CAN$(t,k,v)$ are established that are tighter than the known bounds. A two-stage bound is derived that employs the Lov\'asz local lemma and the conditional Lov\'asz local lemma distribution.
A low-power high-performance embedded SRAM macrocell

A new approach to modeling the decoding hierarchy in a hierarchical word line (HWL) SRAM architecture using integer-linear programming (ILP) is introduced. Using this approach, the HWL architecture is shown to be inadequate for very large SRAM sizes. Alternatively, a new low-power high-speed SRAM architecture is described. This architecture is shown to have fairly constant speed and power dissipation for sizes ranging between 32 kb to 4 Mb. Low-power is achieved by a voltage boosting technique not requiring a two-step voltage and by a new method of tristating memory cells during a write operation. The SRAM was implemented in a 0.35 /spl mu/m CMOS technology operated at 150 MHz while dissipating only 10 mW.
The POLARCAT Model Intercomparison Project (POLMIP): Overview and Evaluation with Observations

A model intercomparison activity was inspired by the large suite of atmospheric chemistry observations made during the International Polar Year (2008) in the Arctic. Nine global and two regional chemical transport models have performed simulations for 2008 using a common emissions inventory to quantify the differences in model chemistry and transport schemes. This paper summarizes the models and compares their simulations of ozone and its precursors, and presents an evaluation of the simulations using a variety of surface, balloon, aircraft and satellite observations. Despite using the same emissions, large differences are seen among the models. Differences in a number of model parameters are identified as contributing to differences in the modelled chemical species, including cloud fields and photolysis rates. The largest differences among models, and between models and observations, are in NOy partitioning (PAN vs. HNO3) and in oxygenated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as acetaldehyde and acetone. Comparisons to surface site measurements of ethane and propane indicate that the emissions of these species are significantly underestimated. While limited in spatial and temporal coverage, the aircraft measurements provide a simultaneous evaluation of many species. Satellite observations of NO2 from OMI have been used to evaluate the models over source regions, indicating anthropogenic emissions are underestimated in East Asia, but fire emissions are generally overestimated. The emission factors for wildfires in Canada are evaluated using the correlations of VOCs to CO in the model output in comparison to enhancement factors derived from aircraft observations, showing reasonable agreement for methanol and acetaldehyde, but underestimate of ethanol, propane and acetone, while overestimating ethane emission factors.
Serial Nasal Bone Reduction: A New Approach to the Management of Nasal Bone Fracture

Nasal bone fracture is the most common type of facial bone fracture. Although these injuries often do not seem to be severe, undertreatment of nasal trauma could lead to significant long-term problems. The postreduction incidence of nasal deformities requiring subsequent rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty ranges from 9% to 50% in different studies. A clinical trial study on 330 cases with simple nasal bone fracture was performed. These patients were divided into 2 groups randomly. In the case group, serial nasal bone reduction was performed, and in the control group, classic nasal bone reduction was performed. The failure rate following the initial reduction in the first visit after reduction was 14.3% and 14.1% in the case and control groups, respectively, but their difference was not significant (P > 0.05). After serial reduction in the case group (step 3), the failure rate was diminished to 4.19%. It was statistically superior to the failure rate of the control group after 1 month of follow-up (14.7%) (P = 0.001). Serial nasal bone reduction could be helpful to diminish the failure rate of nasal bone reduction.
Development of spontaneous multisystem autoimmune disease and hypersensitivity to antibody-induced inflammation in Fcgamma receptor IIa-transgenic mice.

OBJECTIVE The major human Fc receptor, FcgammaRIIa, is the most widespread activating FcR. Our aim was to determine the role of FcgammaRIIa in a transgenic mouse model of immune complex-mediated autoimmunity and to characterize the development of spontaneous autoimmune disease. METHODS Arthritis was induced in normal and FcgammaRIIa-transgenic mice by immunization with type II collagen (CII) or by transfer of arthritogenic anti-CII antibodies. Also, mice that spontaneously developed autoimmune disease were assessed by clinical scoring of affected limbs, histology and serology, and measurement of autoantibody titers and cytokine production. RESULTS FcgammaRIIa-transgenic mice developed collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) more rapidly than did archetypal CIA-sensitive DBA/1 (H-2q) mice, while nontransgenic C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice did not develop CIA when similarly immunized. Passive transfer of a single dose of anti-CII antibody induced a more rapid, severe arthritis in FcgammaRIIa-transgenic mice than in nontransgenic animals. In addition, most immune complex-induced production of tumor necrosis factor alpha by activated macrophages occurred via FcgammaRIIa, not the endogenous mouse FcR. A spontaneous, multisystem autoimmune disease developed in aging (>20 weeks) transgenic mice (n = 25), with a 32% incidence of arthritis, and by 45 weeks, all mice had developed glomerulonephritis and pneumonitis, and most had antihistone antibodies. Elevated IgG2a levels were seen in mice with CIA and in those with spontaneous disease. CONCLUSION The presence of enhanced passive and induced autoimmunity, as well as the emergence of spontaneous autoimmune disease at 20-45 weeks of age, suggest that FcgammaRIIa is a very important factor in the pathogenesis of autoimmune inflammation and a possible target for therapeutic intervention.
Elevated growth differentiation factor 15 levels predict outcome in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as a treatment of aortic stenosis in patients at high surgical risk. However, risk stratification in this elderly population is challenging, as patients at extreme risk might not benefit from TAVI. While several clinical criteria have been proposed for estimating the outcome, prediction of individual risk remains difficult. Therefore, our aim was to assess the prognostic value of the biomarker growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15).
Development of a multiplex PCR gene fingerprinting method using gyrA and pflA polymorphisms to identify genotypic relatedness within Campylobacter jejuni species

The two genes gyrA and pflA, whose sequence variability had been previously described, were evaluated separately for their potential value in discriminating strains of Campylobacter jejuni. A single method was then developed by which the two loci were simultaneously amplified using a multiplex PCR procedure, and banding patterns were generated using a pre‐selected set of restriction endonuclease enzymes. The method was applied to 18 strains of Camp. jejuni from different poultry sources varying in geographical origin and year of isolation. Results were combined and compared by means of numerical analysis with the classification obtained by flaA‐typing and macrorestriction SmaI and KpnI. The usefulness of PCR fingerprinting of the gyrA/pflA genes for rapid ordering of strains by genotypic relatedness and providing additional information for estimating the degree of linkage between strains was demonstrated.
Innate Immune Responses in Peptidoglycan Recognition Protein L-Deficient Mice

ABSTRACT Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) constitute a family of innate immune recognition molecules. In Drosophila, distinct PGRPs bind to peptidoglycans on gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria and provide essential signals upstream of the Toll and Imd pathways required for immunity against infection. Four PGRPs, PGRP-L, -S, -Iα, and -Iβ, are expressed from three genes in mammals. In this paper, we provide direct evidence that the longest family member, PGRP-L, is a secreted serum protein with the capacity to multimerize. Using gene targeting to create PGRP-L-deficient mice, we demonstrate little contribution by PGRP-L to systemic challenge using gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, slightly less susceptible), Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), or yeast (Candida albicans). Peritoneal macrophages from PGRP-L-deficient mice produced decreased amounts of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha when stimulated with E. coli or lipopolysaccharide, but comparable amounts when stimulated with S. aureus, C. albicans, or their cell wall components. Additionally, these cells produced similar amounts of cytokines when challenged with gram-positive or -negative peptidoglycans. In contrast to its critical role in immunity in flies, PGRP-L is largely dispensable for mammalian immunity against bacteria and fungi.
Pemphigus. Epidemiologic and survival characteristics of 59 patients, 1955-1973.

An analysis of 59 patients with pemphigus (including 49 patients with pemphigus vulgaris) was performed at the University of California, Los Angeles hospital from 1955 to 1973. Twenty-nine percent of the patients with pemphigus vulgaris, by virtue of their occupation, had prolonged exposure to various unidentified chemicals prior to the onset of their disease. A comparison of results of our treatment for pemphigus vulgaris with those of other published series indicates that therapy with systemic corticosteroid and immunosuppressive drugs has decreased mortality for pemphigus vulgaris in recent years. The observed five-year survival rate for patients with pemphigus vulgaris was 81.5%. Only four of 49 patients (8.2%) died of the disease or its treatment; the overall mortality for patients with pemphigus vulgaris approximated 26.5% (the mortality for patients with pemphigus foliaceus was 25%).
MATURITY-ONSET DIABETES OF THE YOUNG WITH END-STAGE NEPHROPATHY: A NEW INDICATION FOR SIMULTANEOUS PANCREAS AND KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION?

Background and Case. Simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPK) is applied almost exclusively in C–peptide-negative type 1 diabetic patients, although some data on SPK in type 2 diabetes have been published as well. Nothing is known about SPK in the autosomal diabetes form, maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). SPK was performed in a 47-year old man who has MODY3 because of a Arg272His mutation in the hepatocyte nuclear factor-1&agr;gene. He developed overt diabetes mellitus at 19 years and end-stage diabetic nephropathy 26 years thereafter. Before SPK, the patient had measurable fasting serum C-peptide levels, but lacked β-cell response to intravenous glucose and glucagon. He was treated with 34 IU of insulin per day. At 2 years post-transplantation, the patient remains normoglycemic and insulin independent. A hyperglycemic clamp test showed a normal β-cell function. Conclusion. Identification of MODY3 among all C–peptide-positive patients with advanced diabetic nephropathy might help to select a specific group profiting from SPK.
Recurrence of Achilles tendon injuries in elite male football players is more common after early return to play: an 11-year follow-up of the UEFA Champions League injury study

Background There is limited information about Achilles tendon disorders in professional football. Aims To investigate the incidence, injury circumstances, lay-off times and reinjury rates of Achilles tendon disorders in male professional football. Methods A total of 27 clubs from 10 countries and 1743 players have been followed prospectively during 11 seasons between 2001 and 2012. The team medical staff recorded individual player exposure and time-loss injuries. Results A total of 203 (2.5% of all injuries) Achilles tendon disorders were registered. A majority (96%) of the disorders were tendinopathies, and nine were partial or total ruptures. A higher injury rate was found during the preseason compared with the competitive season, 0.25 vs 0.18/1000 h (rate ratio (RR) 1.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.0; p=0.027). The mean lay-off time for Achilles tendinopathies was 23±37 (median=10, Q1=4 and Q3=24) days, while a rupture of the Achilles tendon, on average, caused 161±65 (median=169, Q1=110 and Q3=189) days of absence. Players with Achilles tendon disorders were significantly older than the rest of the cohort, with a mean age of 27.2±4 years vs 25.6±4.6 years (p<0.001). 27% of all Achilles tendinopathies were reinjuries. A higher reinjury risk was found after short recovery periods (31%) compared with longer recovery periods (13%) (RR 2.4, 95% CI 2.1 to 2.8; p<0.001). Conclusions Achilles tendon disorders account for 3.8% of the total lay-off time and are more common in older players. Recurrence is common after Achilles tendinopathies and the reinjury risk is higher after short recovery periods.
The importance of differ for signalling visual

This article discusses the processing of facial markers of prominence in spoken utterances. In particular, it investigates which area of a speaker’s face contains the strongest cues to prominence, using stimuli with the entire face visible or versions in which participants could only see the upper or lower half, or the right or left part of the face. To compensate for potential ceiling effects, subjects were positioned at a distance of either 50cm, 250cm or 380cm from the screen which displayed the film fragments. The task of the subjects was to indicate for each stimulus which word they perceived as the most prominent one. Results show that, while prominence detection becomes more difficult at longer distances, the upper facial area has stronger cue value for prominence detection than the bottom part, and that the left part of the face is more important than the right part. Results of mirror-images of the original fragments show that this latter result is due both to a speaker and an observer effect.
Fragment Formation in the Break-up of a Drop Falling in a Miscible Liquid

When falling in a lighter miscible solvent, a drop of liquid deforms to a torus which then breaks up into several fragments or just disappears by diffusion. By using liquids of different compositions we show the universal behaviour of the phenomenon, and its dependence on two nondimensional numbers, the fragmentation number F, and the Schmidt number S. While F marks the transition from diffusion to splitting, here we show the role of S in controlling the number of horizontal fragments after the first break-up. The process is explained in terms of competitions of different time scales.