Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Loss and dysfunction of Vδ2+ γδ T cells are associated with clinical tolerance to malaria

Loss and dysfunction of γδ T cells is associated with tolerance to P. falciparum infection. Tolerating Malaria Individuals living in malaria-endemic regions may develop “clinical immunity”—they still get infected with the parasite, but don’t show signs of infection. Jagannathan et al. now report one possible explanation for this malarial tolerance. They found that a subset of innate-like lymphocytes—γδ T cells—are lost in patients with repeated malaria exposure. What’s more, the γδ T cells that remain behave differently than the proinflammatory cells in people without prior malaria infection; they produce lower amounts of cytokines and express immunoregulatory genes. Therefore, although the patients may be asymptomatic, they likely do not effectively clear the infection and could serve as reservoirs for propagating disease. Although clinical immunity to malaria eventually develops among children living in endemic settings, the underlying immunologic mechanisms are not known. The Vδ2+ subset of γδ T cells have intrinsic reactivity to malaria antigens, can mediate killing of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites, and expand markedly in vivo after malaria infection in previously naïve hosts, but their role in mediating immunity in children repeatedly exposed to malaria is unclear. We evaluated γδ T cell responses to malaria among 4-year-old children enrolled in a longitudinal study in Uganda. We found that repeated malaria was associated with reduced percentages of Vδ2+ γδ T cells in peripheral blood, decreased proliferation and cytokine production in response to malaria antigens, and increased expression of immunoregulatory genes. Further, loss and dysfunction of proinflammatory Vδ2+ γδ T cells were associated with a reduced likelihood of symptoms upon subsequent P. falciparum infection. Together, these results suggest that repeated malaria infection during childhood results in progressive loss and dysfunction of Vδ2+ γδ T cells that may facilitate immunological tolerance of the parasite.
A Structural Model of Homophily and Clustering in Social Networks

Abstract I develop and estimate a structural model of network formation with heterogeneous players and latent community structure, whose equilibrium homophily and clustering levels match those usually observed in real-world social networks. Players belong to communities unobserved by the econometrician and have community-specific payoffs, allowing preferences to have a bias for similar people. Players meet sequentially and decide whether to form bilateral links, after receiving a random matching shock. The model converges to a hierarchical exponential family random graph. Using school friendship network data from Add Health, I estimate the posterior distribution of parameters and unobserved heterogeneity, detecting high levels of racial homophily and payoff heterogeneity across communities. The posterior predictions of sufficient statistics show that the model is able to replicate the homophily levels and the aggregate clustering of the observed network, in contrast with standard exponential family network models without community structure.
Augmented endothelial l‐arginine transport ameliorates pressure‐overload‐induced cardiac hypertrophy

What is the central question of this study? What is the potential role of endothelial NO production via overexpression of the l‐arginine transporter, CAT1, as a mitigator of cardiac hypertrophy? What is the main finding and its importance? Augmentation of endothelium‐specific l‐arginine transport via CAT1 can attenuate pressure‐overload‐dependent cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Our findings support the conclusion that interventions that improve endothelial l‐arginine transport may provide therapeutic utility in the setting of myocardial hypertrophy. Such modifications may be introduced by exercise training or locally delivered gene therapy, but further experimental and clinical studies are required.
Does High Stock Return Synchronicity Indicate High or Low Price Informativeness? Evidence from a Regulatory Experiment

We investigate the link between stock return synchronicity and price informativeness by exploiting the Regulation SHO pilot program, which removed short-selling price tests for randomly-selected stocks (“pilot stocks”) in May 2005, before removing such tests for all stocks in July 2007. A difference-in-differences analysis shows that relative to non-pilot stocks, pilot stocks saw a significantly larger increase in return synchronicity when the pilot program started, but such difference disappeared when Regulation SHO removed short-selling price tests for all stocks. The results suggest that high return synchronicity reflects high, rather than low, price informativeness.
Autoimmune Thyroid Encephalopathy Presenting with Epilepsia Partialis Continua

We report the first case of an autoimmune thyroid encephalopathy presenting with multifocal motor status epilepticus. A 37-year-old female patient was admitted with multifocal motor seizures intractable to intravenous status epilepticus treatments, asymmetrical quadriparesis, truncal ataxia and continuous semi-rhythmical jerks. Pathological signal alterations were detected in both precentral cortices in MRI examination. Autoimmune thyroiditis was diagnosed after radiological examinations of the thyroid gland and thyroid function tests. Seizures promptly ceased following intravenous steroid treatment. Immunohistochemistry studies showed mild to moderate neuronal staining with the plasma and CSF samples. Remarkably, autoimmune thyroiditis may present with migrating focal motor status epilepticus. We recommend anti-thyroid antibody screening for multifocal motor status epilepticus cases of unspecified cause.
Stimulation by Light of Rapid pH Regulation in the Chloroplast Stroma in Vivo as Indicated by CO2 Solubilization in Leaves

Leaves of Brassica oleracea, Helianthus annuus, and Nicotiana rustica were exposed for 20 s to high concentrations of CO2. CO2 uptake by the leaf, which was very fast, was measured as a transient increase in the concentration of oxygen. Rapid solubilization of CO2 in excess of that which is physically dissolved in aqueous phases is proposed to be caused by bicarbonate formation in the stroma of chloroplasts, which contain carbonic anhydrase. On this basis, pH values and bicarbonate accumulation in the chloroplast stroma were calculated. Buffer capacities were far higher than expected on the basis of known concentrations in the chloroplast stroma. Moreover, apparent buffer capacities increased with the time of exposure to high CO2, and they were higher when the measurements were performed in the light than in the dark. During prolonged exposure of leaves to 16% CO2, calculated bicarbonate concentrations in the chloroplast stroma exceeded 90 mM in the dark and 120 mM in the light. The observations are interpreted as indicating that under acid stress protons are rapidly exported from the chloroplasts in exchange for cations, which are imported. The data are discussed in terms of effective metabolic pH control by ion transport, first across the chloroplast envelope and, then, across the tonoplast of leaf mesophyll cells. The direct involvement of the vacuole in the regulation of the chloroplast pH in leaf cells is suggested.
Interleukin‐10 and the immune response against cancer: a counterpoint

Although interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) is commonly regarded as an anti‐inflammatory, immunosuppressive cytokine that favors tumor escape from immune surveillance, a wealth of evidence is accumulating that IL‐10 also possesses some immunostimulating properties. In fact, IL‐10 has the pleiotropic ability of influencing positively and negatively the function of innate and adaptive immunity in different experimental models, which makes it questionable to merely categorize this cytokine as a target of anti‐immune escape therapeutic strategies or rather, as an immunological adjuvant in the fight against cancer. Here, we review available data about the immunostimulating anticancer properties of IL‐10, and in particular, we focus on the hypothesis that in contrast to what occurs in secondary lymphoid organs, IL‐10 overexpression within the tumor microenvironment may catalyze cancer immune rejection.
Interleukin-2 Gene Expression Is a New Biological Prognostic Marker in Hepatocellular Carcinomas

Background: Cytokines produced by tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) appear to regulate tumor cell growth. The present study analyzed the correlation between local immune responses and cytokine gene expression levels in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Material and Methods: The gene expression levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and -12 (IL-12) were evaluated quantitatively by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and compared with the density of CD8+ TIL detected by immunohistochemistry in 59 surgically resected HCCs. Results: IL-2 gene expression was detected in 33 (56%) and IL-12 gene expression in 39 (66%) of 59 HCCs. Tissueinfiltrating CD8+ T lymphocytes in tumors were significantly suppressed compared with noncancerous liver tissues. The CD8+ T cell density of tumors with IL-2 gene expression was higher than that of tumors without IL-2 gene expression (p = 0.002). However, such a correlation was not detected in tumors with or without expression of IL-12 genes. Patients with IL-2 positive tumors had a favorable prognosis. IL-2 gene expression was detected as an important prognostic factor independent of tumor stage. Conclusions: These findings indicate that in HCCs, tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells might be activated by IL-2 produced by TIL and IL-2 gene expression in tumors may be an important prognostic biomarker in HCC.
How to accelerate the intra-cluster knowledge diffusion: A case study of a hosiery cluster in China

This paper studies the intra-cluster knowledge diffusion from the cognitive perspective. Borrowing the concept of schema from the social cognition, we proposed a cognitive community-based analytic framework. We then conducted a case study on a socks cluster in China, and an agent-based simulation to explore the dynamics of intra-cluster knowledge diffusion. The results indicate that the cluster's initial distribution of knowledge has great impact on the process of knowledge diffusion. Knowledge flows in the channel of cognitive community and the clusters with high-level low-heterogeneity knowledge distribution are more efficient in knowledge diffusion.
Framing corporate social responsibility for a controversial product

ABSTRACT Firms operating casino businesses such as casino hotels often face scrutiny with heightened suspicion regarding the intent of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative. This study examined how persuasive intent and the CSR issue influenced consumers’ processing of a CSR initiative for a casino hotel. The results of an experiment showed that participants reacted favorably to a CSR initiative, but such positive reactions disappeared when persuasive intent was explicit in the CSR message. This study further explored the underlying mechanism by testing a moderated mediation model in which issue importance in a CSR initiative acted as a moderator.
The relation between dietary restriction or clenbuterol (a selective β2 agonist) treatment on muscle growth and calpain proteinase (EC 3.4.22.17) and calpastatin activities in lambs

1. Lamb growth trials were designed to modify growth and protein content of muscle by diet and also by β-agonist treatment, and to correlate any changes to the activities of calpain proteinases (EC 3.4.22.17) and their inhibitor calpastatin. 2. Wether lambs in a control group were fed on a barley-based diet designed to give a growth rate of 350 g/d; a second group was fed on the same diet but the intake was restricted to give an expected gain of 44 g/d; a third group was fed on the same diet as the first group but the diet included 2 mg clenbuterol/g. At the end of a 6-week trial, longissimus dorsi wet weights were 635 (n6), 377 (n4) and 788 g (n6) (standard error of difference 53.0) in the three groups respectively. 3. Minced L. dorsi was extracted in low-salt buffers and analysed by a fast protein liquid-chromatographic system for calpain I (low calcium-requiring), calpain II (high Ca2+-requiring) and calpastatin activities. No significant changes in the three activities were associated with reduced muscle weight in the restricted-intake group. The inclusion of clenbuterol in the diet, however, led to highly significant increases (P < 0.001) in calpain II and calpastatin to approximately double the control values. 4. The results did not support a direct relation between these activities and muscle growth, except when protein accretion was stimulated by a β-agonist, suggesting a role for this enzyme system in the mechanism by which these agents exert their effect.
Predictors of sustained virological response in patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 3 infection

Aim of the study To assess predictors of sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3 treated with standard therapy. Material and methods We retrospectively investigated data of 116 consecutive treatment-naïve patients chronically infected with HCV genotype 3, treated with pegylated interferon alpha (PegIFNα) and ribavirin (RBV) for 24 weeks. HCV RNA at week 4 (rapid virological response – RVR) and week 12 (early virological response – EVR) were measured in 85 and 105 patients respectively. Liver biopsy data were available for 103 patients. The variables were compared between patients with an SVR and those without. Results Overall 70.7% of patients achieved an SVR. Pretreatment factors including younger age, mild liver fibrosis as well as normal values of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and platelet count were significantly associated with higher SVR rate in univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis only baseline platelet count > 140 000/µl and normal GGT activity were correlated with higher SVR rate. At weeks 4 and 12 HCV RNA was undetectable in 34.1% and 84.8% of patients respectively. The SVR rate was significantly higher in patients with an RVR compared to those without (p = 0.002). Only 2 patients with a rapid and early virological response did not achieve an SVR; both had negative pretreatment prognostic factors. Conclusions In treatment-naïve patients with genotype 3 HCV infection, low baseline platelet count and elevated GGT activity were significantly associated with poor response to PegIFNα and RBV. Achieving a rapid and early virological response was associated with higher likelihood of an SVR.
Episodic hypoxia induces long‐term facilitation of upper airway muscle activity in spontaneously breathing anaesthetized rats

We performed these experiments to determine if repeated exposure to episodic hypoxia induces long term facilitation (LTF) in anaesthetized spontaneously breathing rats. A previous study in spontaneously breathing rats was unable to demonstrate evidence of LTF with repeated hypoxia, but this may have been due to the low number of hypoxic episodes used. We hypothesized that with sufficient exposure, episodic hypoxia LTF of genioglossus (GG), hyoglossus (HG) and diaphragm (Dia) activities would be elicited. Experiments were performed in 24 anaesthetized spontaneously breathing rats with intact vagi. Peak and tonic GG, HG and Dia EMG activities were recorded before, during and for 1 h following exposure to eight (n= 8) or three (n= 8) episodes of isocapnic hypoxia (= 0.1) each of 3 min duration. A third time control series was also performed with exposure to normoxia alone (= 0.28, n= 8). Short‐term potentiation of GG and HG muscle activity developed during the early period after repeated exposure to eight and three hypoxic episodes. LTF, however, occurred only after eight hypoxic episodes. This manifested as an increase in peak GG and Dia inspiratory muscle activity and tonic HG activity. LTF of respiratory breathing frequency was also induced, reflected by a reduction in inspiratory and expiratory time. These findings support our initial hypothesis that LTF in the anaesthetized, spontaneously breathing rat is dependent on the number of exposures to hypoxia and show that the responses to repetitive hypoxia are composed of both short and long‐term facilitatory changes.
[Modulation of soleus H-reflex by teeth clenching].

Modulation of the human soleus H-reflex (Sol. H-R) was studied during voluntary teeth clenching in 11 healthy adult volunteers, to investigate the possible correlation of motor functions between the jaw and body. The following results were obtained: (1) Sol. H-R was facilitated during the maximum voluntary teeth clenching more than during the maximum voluntary efforts in the other parts of the body, i.e., Jendrassik maneuver and clenching of both hands. (2) The amount of the Sol. H-R facilitation increased with the masseter EMG activity. (3) Facilitation of the Sol. H-R in association with teeth clenching started ca 60ms before the onset of the masseter EMG activity, reached its peak ca. 100ms after the onset and thereafter decreased to a certain plateau level in accordance with the masseter EMG activity level. (4) During the inhibition of the masseter EMG reflexively evoked by electrical stimulation of the lower lip, the amount of the facilitation of the Sol. H-R during teeth clenching decreased compared with that without lip stimulation, though the facilitation was still retained. It was concluded that: 1) The excitability of the Sol. H-R is remarkably elevated during teeth clenching. 2) There is a positive correlation between the amount of the facilitation of the Sol. H-R and the teeth clenching force level. 3) The facilitation is due to both the descending influence from the higher brain and the afferent inputs from the oral structures. It is assumed that the oral motor activity exerts a strong influence on the bodily motor function in general.
Shrinkage Characteristics of Boulder Marl as Sustainable Mineral Liner Material for Landfill Capping Systems

The soil shrinkage behavior of mineral substrates needs to be considered for engineering long-term durable mineral liners of landfill capping systems. For this purpose, a novel three-dimensional laser scanning device was coupled with (a) a mathematical-empirical model and (b) in-situ tensiometer measurements as a combined approach to simultaneously determine the shrinkage behavior of a boulder marl, installed as top and bottom liner material at the Rastorf landfill (Northern Germany). The shrinkage behavior, intensity, and geometry were determined during a drying experiment with undisturbed soil cores (100 cm3) from two soil pits; the actual in-situ shrinkage was also determined in 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, and 1.0 m depth by pressure transducer tensiometer measurements during a four-year period. The volume shrinkage index was used to describe the pore size dependent shrinkage tendency and it was classified as low (4.9%) for the bottom liner. The in-situ matric potentials in the bottom liner ranged between −100 and −150 hPa, even during drier periods, thus, the previously highest observed drying range (pre-shrinkage stress) with values below −500 hPa and −1000 hPa was not exceeded. Therefore, the hydraulic stability of the bottom liner was given.
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Children with Acute Autoimmune Central Nervous System Disorders

Background There is a growing evidence for autoimmunity in acute central nervous system (CNS) disorders and treatment with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) may be considered. The aim was to share our experience on the clinical application of TPE in these disorders and to present a reproducible protocol which can be used even in small children. Methods We present a series of 8 children aged 2-12 years with transverse myelitis, Bickerstaff's brainstem encephalitis, neuromyelitis optica, and acute paraneoplastic or unspecified encephalitis in whom TPE was used as a second-line or rescue treatment. Results A total of 104 TPE sessions were performed where 80–110 ml/kg of plasma was exchanged using 4% albumin solution and fresh frozen plasma. Six episodes of TPE-related adverse events were documented. Fibrinogen concentrations decreased after the first TPE, whereas platelets decreased gradually. One patient died in the course of the acute illness. Three children achieved a complete resolution of symptoms, 2 children have mild sequelae; whereas 2 children remain paraplegic after a follow-up of 3 to 17 months. Conclusions We report 8 children with presumably autoimmune-mediated, acute CNS disorders treated with TPE as a rescue therapy. Although the effect of TPE can only be inferred, 5 children had a good clinical outcome. TPE is feasible even in small children with acute autoimmune CNS disorders.
Differential apoptosis and Fas expression on GPI‐negative and GPI‐positive stem cells: a mechanism for the evolution of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria *

Summary. Paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) has a dual pathogenesis. PIG‐A mutations generate clones of haemopoietic stem cells (HSC) lacking glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored proteins and, secondly, these clones expand because of a selective advantage related to bone marrow failure. The first aspect has been elucidated in detail, but the mechanisms leading to clonal expansion are not well understood. We have previously shown that apoptosis and Fas expression in HSC play a role in bone marrow failure during aplastic anaemia. We have now investigated apoptosis in PNH. Ten patients were studied. Apoptosis, measured by flow cytometry, was significantly higher among CD34+ cells from patients compared with healthy controls. Fas expression was also increased. Cells that were stained for CD34, CD59 and apoptosis showed a significantly lower apoptosis in CD34+/CD59− compared with CD34+/CD59+ cells from the same patient. In three patients, staining for CD34, CD59 and Fas revealed lower Fas expression on CD34+/CD59− cells. Differential apoptosis of CD34+/CD59− HSC may be sufficient in itself to explain the expansion of PNH clones in the context of aplastic anaemia. In addition to demonstrating a basic mechanism underlying PNH clonal expansion, these results suggest further hypotheses for the evolution of PNH, based on the direct or indirect resistance of GPI‐negative HSC to pro‐inflammatory cytokines.
Movilización y contramovilización frente a los derechos LGBTI. Respuestas conservadoras al reconocimiento de los derechos humanos

This article analyzes the counter-mobilization against the institutionalization of lgbt rights in Colombia and Mexico. From an analytical framework that integrates the dimension of mobilization and counter-mobilization in the conflicts for rights, we show that the conservative reaction in Colombia and Mexico is a coordinated and active response against the conquests of sexual minorities, led by the churches, which has slowed the progress of effective recognition of human rights. We have identified similar strategies of mobilization of demand frameworks, mobilization structures and collective action repertories in both cases that have raised the political costs of institutional changes through two mechanisms of conflict: street and electoral activism and institutional activism.