Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IgG-blocking antibodies inhibit IgE-mediated anaphylaxis in vivo through both antigen interception and FcγRIIb cross-linking

Although it has long been hypothesized that allergen immunotherapy inhibits allergy, in part, by inducing production of IgG Abs that intercept allergens before they can cross-link mast cell FceRI-associated IgE, this blocking Ab hypothesis has never been tested in vivo. In addition, evidence that IgG-allergen interactions can induce anaphylaxis by activating macrophages through FcγRIII suggested that IgG Ab might not be able to inhibit IgE-mediated anaphylaxis without inducing anaphylaxis through this alternative pathway. We have studied active and passive immunization models in mice to approach these issues and to determine whether any inhibition of anaphylaxis observed was a direct effect of allergen neutralization by IgG Ab or an indirect effect of cross-linking of FceRI to the inhibitory IgG receptor FcγRIIb. We demonstrate that IgG Ab produced during the course of an immune response or administered passively can completely suppress IgE-mediated anaphylaxis; that these IgG blocking Abs inhibit IgE-mediated anaphylaxis without inducing FcγRIII-mediated anaphylaxis only when IgG Ab concentration is high and challenge allergen dose is low; that allergen epitope density correlates inversely with the allergen dose required to induce both IgE- and FcγRIII-mediated anaphylaxis; and that both allergen interception and FcγRIIb-dependent inhibition contribute to in vivo blocking Ab activity.
AVALIAÇÃO DA SILAGEM DO HÍBRIDO DE SORGO [Sorghum bicolor (L.) MOENCH] BR 601 COM ADITIVOS 1 – PH, NITROGÊNIO AMONIACAL, MATÉRIA SECA, PROTEÍNA BRUTA E CARBOIDRATOS SOLÚVEIS

Avaliaram-se a composicao quimica e indicadores do padrao de fermentacao de silagens do hibrido de sorgo forrageiro BR 601 [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], submetidos aos seguintes tratamentos: silagem sem aditivo (testemunha), silagem com 0,5% de ureia, silagem com 0,5% de carbonato de calcio, silagem com 0,5% de ureia mais 0,5% de carbonato de calcio e silagem com inoculante bacteriano. Foram utilizados silos experimentais de PVC, com 10 cm de diâmetro e 50 cm de comprimento, abertos com um, tres, cinco, sete, 14, 28 e 56 dias de vedacao. Logo apos a abertura, foram determinados o pH e os teores de nitrogenio amoniacal, como porcentagem do nitrogenio total (N-NH3/NT), os teores de materia seca (MS), proteina bruta (PB) e carboidratos soluveis (CHOs). O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, com duas repeticoes por tratamento. As medias foram comparadas pelo teste SNK, a 5% de probabilidade. Pouco efeito dos aditivos foi observado sobre o perfil de fermentacao das silagens, de forma que o tratamento controle resultou em silagem de boa qualidade. O uso da ureia ou ureia com carbonato de calcio resultou em aumento do pH e do nitrogenio amoniacal.
Patient End-of-Life Experiences for Pediatric Trainees

Background. End-of-life care for a child is an emotionally charged experience for pediatric trainees. Objectives. Describe the progression of medical trainee experiences with end-of-life care and determine personal/professional experiences that facilitated integration of experiences. Methods. Medical students (MS4) and pediatric residents (PL-1-3) completed a 30-question survey about experiences with patient deaths and integration of these experiences. Results. A total of 307 of 404 residents (76%) participated. Mean number of deaths ranged from 3.0 to 6.5 in the prior 12 months, and the most common location was neonatal intensive care unit or pediatric intensive care unit. In total, 18% to 27% experienced a death in their personal life. Between 26% and 41% of the residents made contact with a family after death, and 15% to 35% attended a funeral. Characteristics of good deaths included good communication and discussion of end-of-life issues. Conclusions. Trainees experienced patient deaths along the educational continuum. These findings have implications for the optimal timing and method of end-of-life care education.
Critical exponents for the one-dimensional Hubbard model.

Using results on the scaling of energies with the size of the system and the principles of conformal quantum field theory, we calculate the asymptotics of correlation functions for the one-dimensional Hubbard model in the repulsive regime in the presence of an external magnetic field. The critical exponents are given in terms of a dressed charge matrix that is defined in terms of a set of integral equations obtained from the Bethe-Ansatz solution for the Hubbard model. An interpretation of this matrix in terms of thermodynamical coefficients is given, and several limiting cases are considered.
Development of Internal Controls for the Luminex Instrument as Part of a Multiplex Seven-Analyte Viral Respiratory Antibody Profile

ABSTRACT The ability of the Luminex system to simultaneously quantitate multiple analytes from a single sample source has proven to be a feasible and cost-effective technology for assay development. In previous studies, my colleagues and I introduced two multiplex profiles consisting of 20 individual assays into the clinical laboratory. With the Luminex instrument’s ability to classify up to 100 distinct microspheres, however, we have only begun to realize the enormous potential of this technology. By utilizing additional microspheres, it is now possible to add true internal controls to each individual sample. During the development of a seven-analyte serologic viral respiratory antibody profile, internal controls for detecting sample addition and interfering rheumatoid factor (RF) were investigated. To determine if the correct sample was added, distinct microspheres were developed for measuring the presence of sufficient quantities of immunoglobulin G (IgG) or IgM in the diluted patient sample. In a multiplex assay of 82 samples, the IgM verification control correctly identified 23 out of 23 samples with low levels (<20 mg/dl) of this antibody isotype. An internal control microsphere for RF detected 30 out of 30 samples with significant levels (>10 IU/ml) of IgM RF. Additionally, RF-positive samples causing false-positive adenovirus and influenza A virus IgM results were correctly identified. By exploiting the Luminex instrument’s multiplexing capabilities, I have developed true internal controls to ensure correct sample addition and identify interfering RF as part of a respiratory viral serologic profile that includes influenza A and B viruses, adenovirus, parainfluenza viruses 1, 2, and 3, and respiratory syncytial virus. Since these controls are not assay specific, they can be incorporated into any serologic multiplex assay.
Decarbonizing Electricity Generation with Intermittent Sources of Energy

We examine policy instruments that aim to decarbonize electricity production by replacing fossil fuel energy with intermittent renewable sources, namely, wind and solar power. We consider a model of investment, production, and storage with two sources of energy: one is clean but intermittent (wind or solar), whereas the other one is reliable but polluting (thermal power). We first determine the first-best energy mix depending on the social cost of polluting emissions. We then show that, to implement the socially efficient energy mix without a carbon tax, feed-in tariffs and renewable portfolio standards must be complemented with a price cap and volume-limited capacity payments.
Implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility Framework in Mining Companies

The research objective is to find out, analyze, and discuss the CSR model implemented in the three mining companies. Research uses qualitative methods with a case study approach. The results showed that the three mining companies studied generally had similarities in implementing the framework of CSR, namely: Charity and Philanthropies, in the form of health, physical development facilities (roads and places of worship), education and sports. While partnerships and community development have not been carried out. Funds for CSR activities are generally still limited. The CSR implementation procedure is generally not complicated; the problem is the problem of labor recruitment. On the one hand, the company wants to accommodate the workforce of the local community, but the available resources do not meet the
Applying genomic information for conservation and utilisation of the indigenous Tswana goat of Botswana

The indigenous Tswana constitutes 71% of the Botswana goat population (Botswana statistics, 2013). It is well adapted to the harsh conditions of the country such as poor nutrition, frequent droughts, high heat, diseases and parasites (Nsoso et al., 2004). These goats are mostly kept by rural farmers in the communal areas under traditional management systems and contribute significantly to food security, socio-economic and cultural needs. Due to their large numbers, they are a source of foundational stock for breed improvement programs in the country. However, there is a danger that indiscriminate crossbreeding and replacement with exotic breeds may result in the loss of the Tswana as a unique indigenous genetic resource in Botswana. Genomic information of indigenous breeds contributes to designing effective strategies for improving productivity, breed development and conservation programs. It also provides an insight into population structure and relationships between breeds (Kim et al., 2016). Most studies on indigenous goats to date have been performed using microsatellite markers including, Tswana goats (Maletsanake et al., 2013), South African goats (Pieters et al., 2009) and indigenous types of sub-Saharan Africa (Chenyambuga et al., 2004). More recently Lashmar et al. (2016) and Mdladla et al. (2016) have used the Goat50K SNP array to characterise different indigenous South African goat breeds. In Botswana, no molecular-based research on SNPs has been performed to genetically characterize the indigenous goats. This study aims to evaluate the genetic diversity and population structure of indigenous Tswana goat in the Central region of Botswana using the Illumina Goat50K SNP chip.
Potassium permeability in myelinated nerve fibres of Xenopus laevis

In the two preceding papers (Frankenhaeuser, 1962a, b) it was shown that the delayed current in the myelinated nerve fibre is carried essentially by potassium ions, and that potassium moves passively in its electrochemical gradient. The aim of the present investigation is to find an empirical expression that describes the potassium transport mechanism. It will be shown that the simple constant-field equation (Goldman 1943; Hodgkin & Katz, 1949; Dodge & Frankenhaeuser, 1959) is applicable to the experimental data, even though some limitations to the treatment were observed.
A Food Safety Crisis in China: Issues and Opportunities

A survey conducted in sixteen major Chinese cities in 2012 ranked “food safety” as the # 1 concern of a significant majority of respondents (81.8%). Food safety was a more frequently cited concern than problems with public security (49%), medical care (36.4%), transportation (34.4%) and the environment (20.1%). Similar research published in 2015 evidenced similar sentiments [1]. Anxiety related to food safety is more than justified. Every day, consumers are confronted with alarming stories in the media related to tainted food, counterfeit food, or crops polluted with heavy metals, antibiotics or farm chemicals. Poisonings in restaurants of all types due to adulterated foods or poor sanitation are common-place. Many recognize a new “Chinese Food Crisis,” not based on food shortages as in the 1960s and 1970s, but due to poor food safety standards [2,3]. In a 2013 survey of 337 households conducted in Nanjing, a majority of respondents reported feeling powerless to avoid common sources of risk associated with food. On a seven-point scale where 1 equals unavoidable risk and 7 equals avoidable risk, seven of nine types of food safety concerns were ranked as “always unavoidable”, “mostly unavoidable” or “usually unavoidable” (Table 1). Unlike in surveys of Western consumers, concern about “Counterfeit Foods “ (“fake” foods) and foods contaminated by chemicals or bacteria outweigh worries regarding GM foods, meat infected by animal diseases such as BSE (“mad cow”), or even food insecurity (insufficient food) [1]. Problems throughout China’s food system have left consumers feeling powerless and angry.
Microencapsulation of self-healing agents containing a fluorescent dye

Two different self-healing agent candidates, endo-dicyclopentadiene (endo-DCPD) and 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (ENB), containing a fluorescent dye surrounded by a melamine–urea–formaldehyde (MUF) shell were microencapsulated by in-situ polymerization and the resulting microcapsules were characterized in this work. The microcapsules showed a narrow size distribution with a spherical shape and rough outer and smooth inner surfaces for both healing agent systems. Shell thicknesses of the microcapsules were ~880±80 nm for endo-DCPD and ~620±60 nm for ENB. The incorporation of a fluorescent dye as tracer into self-healing agents did not disturb the formation of microcapsules. The release of self-healing liquid into the induced crack from ruptured microcapsules in an epoxy coating layer was observed using a fluorescence microscopy. The use of a fluorescent dye is very effective in the observation of a damage site.
Final Overall Survival Results from a Phase III, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study of Gefitinib Versus Placebo as Maintenance Therapy in Patients with Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer (INFORM; C-TONG 0804)

Background: The results of the Iressa in NSCLC for maintenance study (NCT00770588; C-TONG 0804), which compared gefitinib and placebo as maintenance therapy in patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer without disease progression after first-line chemotherapy, were published previously. The objective of this report is to provide a mature analysis of overall survival (OS) for Iressa in NSCLC for maintenance study in intention to treat (ITT) population and in subgroups according to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status. Patients and Methods: A total of 296 patients were randomly assigned. EGFR mutations were detected using an amplification mutation refractory system. Seventy-nine patients were assessable for EGFR mutations. OS was analyzed by a Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for the same covariates in ITT population and subgroups according to EGFR mutation status. Results: OS was similar for gefitinib and placebo arm with no significant difference between treatments in ITT population (hazard ratio [HR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68–1.14; p = 0.335) and in subgroups with wild type EGFR (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.7–2.3; p = 0.431) or unknown EGFR mutations (HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.68, 1.25; p = 0.603). In the EGFR mutation–positive subgroup, the gefitinib arm showed a higher OS than the placebo arm (HR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.15, 0.97; p = 0.036). Conclusion: EGFR mutation was the strongest predictive biomarker for OS benefit of gefitinib as maintenance treatment. The analyses of OS showed that patients achieve a clear and significant survival benefit if they receive EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors as maintenance treatment in EGFR mutation–positive patients.
Invitro alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibition activity of crude ethanol extract of Cissus arnottiana

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine diseases characterized by hyperglycemia due to absolute or relative deficiency of insulin. One anti diabetic therapeutic approach is to reduce gastrointestinal glucose production and absorption through the inhibition of alpha amylase enzyme plays a major role in preventing rise in postprandial glucose level in diabetics. The main aim of the current study was to screen the ethanol extract of Cissus arnottiana fruits for its in vitro alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase activity. The preliminary phytochemical screening of this plant crude ethanol extract showed presence of maximum compounds, hence the ethanol extract have under taken for its alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibition activity. All the tested concentrations of extract of C. arnottiana showed significant inhibitory activity. At the concentration of 10mg/ml the plant showed appreciable alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity (78.91%, 81.25%) with IC50 value 2.95mg, 2.81mg respectively.
Local Public Health System Partnerships

Objectives. Interorganizational collaboration aimed at community health improvement is an expectation of local public health systems. This study assessed the extent to which such collaboration occurred within one state (Wisconsin), described the characteristics of existing partnerships, and identified factors associated with partnership effectiveness. Methods. In Stage 1, local health department (LHD) directors in Wisconsin were surveyed (93% response rate). In Stage 2, LHDs completed self-administered mailed surveys for each partnership identified in Stage 1 (85% response rate). Two-level hierarchical logit regression methods were used to model relationships between partnership and LHD variables and partnership outcomes. Data from 924 partnerships associated with 74 LHDs were included in the analysis. Results. Partnerships most frequently addressed tobacco prevention and control, maternal and child health, emergency planning, community assessment and planning, and immunizations. Partnering was most frequent with other government agencies, hospitals, medical practices or clinics, community-based organizations, and schools. Partnership effectiveness was predicted by having a budget, having more partners contributing financially, having a broader array of organizations involved, and having been in existence for a longer period of time. A government mandate to start the partnership was inversely related to successful outcomes. Characteristics of LHDs did not predict partnership effectiveness. Conclusions. Financial support, having a broader array of partners, and allowing sufficient time for partnerships to succeed contribute to partnership effectiveness. Further study—using objective outcome measures—is needed to examine the effects of organizational and community characteristics on the effectiveness of local public health system partnerships.
Calcium ions in neuronal degeneration

Neuronal Ca2+ homeostasis and Ca2+ signaling regulate multiple neuronal functions, including synaptic transmission, plasticity, and cell survival. Therefore disturbances in Ca2+ homeostasis can affect the well‐being of the neuron in different ways and to various degrees. Ca2+ homeostasis undergoes subtle dysregulation in the physiological ageing. Products of energy metabolism accumulating with age together with oxidative stress gradually impair Ca2+ homeostasis, making neurons more vulnerable to additional stress which, in turn, can lead to neuronal degeneration. Neurodegenerative diseases related to aging, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or Huntington's disease, develop slowly and are characterized by the positive feedback between Ca2+ dyshomeostasis and the aggregation of disease‐related proteins such as amyloid beta, alfa‐synuclein, or huntingtin. Ca2+ dyshomeostasis escalates with time eventually leading to neuronal loss. Ca2+ dyshomeostasis in these chronic pathologies comprises mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction, Ca2+ buffering impairment, glutamate excitotoxicity and alterations in Ca2+ entry routes into neurons. Similar changes have been described in a group of multifactorial diseases not related to ageing, such as epilepsy, schizophrenia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or glaucoma. Dysregulation of Ca2+ homeostasis caused by HIV infection or by sudden accidents, such as brain stroke or traumatic brain injury, leads to rapid neuronal death. The differences between the distinct types of Ca2+ dyshomeostasis underlying neuronal degeneration in various types of pathologies are not clear. Questions that should be addressed concern the sequence of pathogenic events in an affected neuron and the pattern of progressive degeneration in the brain itself. Moreover, elucidation of the selective vulnerability of various types of neurons affected in the diseases described here will require identification of differences in the types of Ca2+ homeostasis and signaling among these neurons. This information will be required for improved targeting of Ca2+ homeostasis and signaling components in future therapeutic strategies, since no effective treatment is currently available to prevent neuronal degeneration in any of the pathologies described here. © 2008 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 60(9): 575–590, 2008
Thin layer modelling of hybrid, solar and open sun drying of tomato slices

The thin layer drying behaviour of tomato slices dried using hybrid drying method as well as solar and open sun drying was investigated. Six thin layer drying models (Page, Logarithmic, Henderson and Pabis, Newton (Lewis), Wang and Singh and Parabolic) were used to optimize the goodness of fit to the experimental data. The models were compared using coefficient of determination (R2), chi-square (c2) and root mean square error (RMSE). The tomato slice dried faster when subjected to hybrid drying method compared to other methods. Tomato slices of 4, 6 and 8 mm thicknesses were dried from 94.22 to 10% (wet basis), for 300, 360, 420 minutes respectively in hybrid drying method. However, it took 420, 510, 600 and 510, 630, 840 min in solar and open sun drying respectively. The drying took place only in a falling rate drying period. The Page model was found to fit the experimental data better as compared to other models. The effective moisture diffusivity values were found to be between 2.00 x 10-10 and 5.84 x 10-10 m2/s in hybrid dried slices, 1.37 x 10-10 and 4.40 x 10-10 m2/s in solar dried slices and 1.33 x 10-10 and 4.01 x 10-10 m2/s in open sun dried tomato slices of 4 to 8 mm thicknesses. The results of these measures have confirmed the consistency of the developed model to describe satisfactorily the thin-layer hybrid, solar and open sun drying characteristics of tomato slices.
Genetic diversity in natural populations of Theobroma subincanum Mart. in the Brazilian Amazon.

The genus Theobroma, recently reclassified in the family Malvaceae, comprises some species with high economic potential, including the cupuí, Theobroma subincanum Mart. , which has not yet been domesticated, and whose genetics and population structure are mostly unknown. This study aimed to assess the population structure and genetic diversity in natural populations of T. subincanum Mart. , using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. A total of 59 individuals were sampled in three geographically separate populations, CFA, CMN, and CPT. Nei's genetic distance was estimated to characterize populations with the use of 13 polymorphic primers. The analysis of molecular variance revealed that the variability between populations (51.71%) was higher than that within populations (48.29%). Among the three populations, CPT showed the highest diversity index and percentage of polymorphism. The ISSR molecular markers were efficient and presented sufficient polymorphism to estimate genetic diversity in populations of T. subincanum Mart.
The 1996 Farm Act Increases Market Orientation

The Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, a milestone in U.S. agricultural policy, provides new farm sector law for 1996-2002, fundamentally redesigning income support programs and discontinuing supply management programs for producers of many commodities. This bulletin provides a general overview of major changes related to production agriculture resulting from the commodity provisions, agricultural trade provisions, and conservation provisions of the Act.