Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Singular Limits for Reaction-Diffusion Equations with Fractional Laplacian and Local or Nonlocal Nonlinearity

We perform an asymptotic analysis of models of population dynamics with a fractional Laplacian and local or nonlocal reaction terms. The first part of the paper is devoted to the long time/long range rescaling of the fractional Fisher-KPP equation. This rescaling is based on the exponential speed of propagation of the population. In particular we show that the only role of the fractional Laplacian in determining this speed is at the initial layer where it determines the thickness of the tails of the solutions. Next, we show that such rescaling is also possible for models with non-local reaction terms, as selection-mutation models. However, to obtain a more relevant qualitative behavior for this second case, we introduce, in the second part of the paper, a second rescaling where we assume that the diffusion steps are small. In this way, using a WKB ansatz, we obtain a Hamilton-Jacobi equation in the limit which describes the asymptotic dynamics of the solutions, similarly to the case of selection-mutation models with a classical Laplace term or an integral kernel with thin tails. However, the rescaling introduced here is very different from the latter cases. We extend these results to the multidimensional case.
Sexual maturation and the growth of fat, muscle and bone in girls.

In a previous paper a method was described for comparing children in terms of the breadths of bone muscle mass and superficial fat in the leg. Measurements of these three tissue components in this anatomical area were based on a longitudinal series of roentgenograms taken specifically for the study of tissue differentiation. Growth changes sex differences and individual variations in tissue distribution were discussed. It was also suggested that differential tissue distribution may be related to such characteristics as sexual maturation and a preliminary report on this problem has been made. The present paper is concerned with the relationship of breast development in girls to the growth of fat muscle and bone in the leg. In broader terms it is thus a study of the relationships between sexual maturation and body structure as they are reflected by a single maturational criterion and by the tissue distributions in a single body area. Although this report is concerned for the most part with girls between the ages of 7 ½ and 12 ½ years of age certain observations on boys are included. (excerpt)
Etiology and management of recurrent parotid pleomorphic adenoma

The objective of this review study was to encompass the relevant literature and current best practice options for this challenging, sometimes incurable problem. The source of the data was Ovid MEDLINE from 1946 to 2014. Review methods consisted of articles with clinical correlates. The most important cause of recurrence is enucleation with rupture and incomplete tumor excision at operation. Incomplete pseudocapsule, extracapsular extension, pseudopods of pleomorphic adenoma tissue, and satellite pleomorphic beyond the pseudocapsule are also likely linked to recurrent pleomorphic adenoma. Most recurrent pleomorphic adenoma are multinodular. Magnetic resonance imaging is the imaging study of choice for recurrent pleomorphic adenoma. Nerve integrity monitoring may reduce morbidity for recurrent pleomorphic adenoma. Treatment of recurrent pleomorphic adenoma must be individualized. Total parotidectomy, given the multicentricity of recurrent pleomorphic adenoma, is appropriate in many patients, but may be inadequate to control recurrent pleomorphic. There is accumulating evidence from retrospective series that postoperative radiation therapy results in significantly better local control. Laryngoscope, 125:888–893, 2015
Regulation of plant MSH 2 and MSH 6 genes in the UV-B-induced DNA damage response

Deleterious effects of UV-B radiation on DNA include the formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and pyrimidine (6–4) pyrimidone photoproducts (6–4PPs). These lesions must be repaired to maintain the integrity of DNA and provide genetic stability. Of the several repair systems involved in the recognition and removal of UV-B-induced lesions in DNA, the focus in the present study was on the mismatch repair system (MMR). The contribution of MutSa (MSH2–MSH6) to UV-induced DNA lesion repair and cell cycle regulation was investigated. MSH2 and MSH6 genes in Arabidopsis and maize are up-regulated by UV-B, indicating that MMR may have a role in UV-B-induced DNA damage responses. Analysis of promoter sequences identified MSH6 as a target of the E2F transcription factors. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, MSH6 was experimentally validated as an E2F target gene, suggesting an interaction between MMR genes and the cell cycle control. Mutations in MSH2 or MSH6 caused an increased accumulation of CPDs relative to wild-type plants. In addition, msh2 mutant plants showed a different expression pattern of cell cycle marker genes after the UV-B treatment when compared with wild-type plants. Taken together, these data provide evidence that plant MutSa is involved in a UV-B-induced DNA damage response pathway.
Sympathetic‐mediated activation versus suppression of the immune system: consequences for hypertension

It is generally well‐accepted that the immune system is a significant contributor in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Specifically, activated and pro‐inflammatory T‐lymphocytes located primarily in the vasculature and kidneys appear to have a causal role in exacerbating elevated blood pressure. It has been proposed that increased sympathetic nerve activity and noradrenaline outflow associated with hypertension may be primary contributors to the initial activation of the immune system early in the disease progression. However, it has been repeatedly demonstrated in many different human and experimental diseases that sympathoexcitation is immunosuppressive in nature. Moreover, human hypertensive patients have demonstrated increased susceptibility to secondary immune insults like infections. Thus, it is plausible, and perhaps even likely, that in diseases like hypertension, specific immune cells are activated by increased noradrenaline, while others are in fact suppressed. We propose a model in which this differential regulation is based upon activation status of the immune cell as well as the resident organ. With this, the concept of global immunosuppression is obfuscated as a viable target for hypertension treatment, and we put forth the concept of focused organ‐specific immunotherapy as an alternative option.
Endotoxic activity of rough organisms of Brucella species

A rough-specific antigen extracted from the rough species Brucella ovis and lipopolysaccharide extracted from smooth Brucella abortus demonstrated equivalent levels of activity in tests for mouse lethality and limulus lysate clotting activity. Acetone-extracted whole cells of B. ovis and of B. canis and of a rough mutant of B; abortus had the same toxicity for mice, but it was not possible to extract endotoxin from B. canis by the methods used.
Blood pressure targets of antihypertensive treatment: up and down the J-shaped curve.

This editorial refers to ‘Effects of a fixed combination of perindopril and indapamide in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease’[†][1], by H.J. Lambers Heerspink et al. , on page 2888 and ‘J-curve revisited: an analysis of blood pressure and cardiovascular events in the Treating to New Targets (TNT) Trial’[‡][2], by S. Bangalore et al. , on page 2897 The solid evidence (mostly from placebo-controlled trials) that lowering blood pressure (BP) in hypertensives is accompanied by reduced incidence of cardiovascular outcomes generated the opinion that the lower the BP achieved the greater the outcome reduction. It has also been inferred that the direct relationship between BP and incident outcomes, down to at least 115 mmHg systolic BP (SBP) and 75 mmHg diastolic BP (DBP), described in uncomplicated individuals,1 can also be observed in treated hypertensives, and high-risk individuals might benefit from further BP lowering even if initially normotensives. These opinions and recommendations have recently been reappraised by a Task Force document of the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) on the basis of a critical analysis of available evidence from trials.2 It has been concluded that there is no solid evidence in favour of the recommendation that high-risk patients should require a SBP target below 130 mmHg and should receive antihypertensive agents even when their BP is in the high-normal range.2 Furthermore, several groups of authors have recently revisited the hypothesis of a J-shaped relationship between BP achieved by treatment and incident cardiovascular events. This hypothesis continues to be widely popular for several reasons: (i) common sense indicates a threshold BP must exist below which survival is impaired (at 0 mmHg all would be dead); (ii) physiology has shown there is a low (as well as high) BP threshold for organ blood flow autoregulation, and this threshold can … *Corresponding author. Tel: +39 02 50320484, Fax: +39 02 50320480, Email: alberto.zanchetti{at}unimi.it or alberto.zanchetti{at}auxologico.it [1]: #fn-2 [2]: #fn-3
Amplified transmission of HIV-1: comparison of HIV-1 concentrations in semen and blood during acute and chronic infection

Objectives:This study was conducted to compare viral dynamics in blood and semen between subjects with antibody negative, acute HIV-1 infection and other subjects with later stages of infection. Design:A prospective cohort study was embedded within a cross-sectional study of HIV screening in a Lilongwe, Malawi STD clinic. Methods:Blood samples from HIV antibody negative or indeterminate volunteers were used to detect HIV RNA in plasma using a pooling strategy. Blood and seminal plasma HIV-1 RNA concentrations were measured over 16 weeks. Results:Sixteen men with acute HIV infection and 25 men with chronic HIV infection were studied. Blood viral load in subjects with acute HIV infection was highest about 17 days after infection (mean ± SE, 6.9 ± 0.5 log10 copies/ml), while semen viral load peaked about 30 days after infection (4.5 ± 0.4 log10 copies/ml). Semen viral load declined by 1.7 log10 to a nadir by week 10 of HIV infection. Semen and blood viral loads were more stable in chronically infected subjects over 16 weeks. Higher semen levels of HIV RNA were noted in subjects with low CD4 cell counts. Conclusions:These results provide a biological explanation for reported increases in HIV transmission during the very early (acute) and late stages of infection. Recognizing temporal differences in HIV shedding in the genital tract is important in the development of effective HIV prevention strategies.
Alate Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Species Composition and Richness in Northeastern USA Snap Beans and an Update To Historical Lists

Abstract Recent aphid-vectored viruses in the northeastern U.S. led to extensive surveys of aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) species composition. We report the species composition and richness of alate aphids associated with processing snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.; Fabales: Fabaceae) agroecosystems from field surveys conducted during 5 yr in New York and 3 yr in Pennsylvania. Rates of species accumulation were similar between the 2 states, and asymptotic, suggesting reasonably adequate sampling intensity. Our results suggest that about 95 to 100 aphid species are present as alates within these agroecosystems, a surprisingly high percentage (∼14 to 18%) of the total aphid richness. Host records suggest that 61% of the alate aphid species we collected from pan traps placed within snap bean fields were dispersing through this agroecosystem, originating from woody plants in the surrounding landscape. We compiled this information with a recent study of aphid species composition from peach orchards and an exhaustive inspection of museum samples, and present an updated list of the aphid species in Pennsylvania.
Bacterial Heat Shock Proteins Promote CD91-Dependent Class I MHC Cross-Presentation of Chaperoned Peptide to CD8+ T Cells by Cytosolic Mechanisms in Dendritic Cells versus Vacuolar Mechanisms in Macrophages1

APCs process mammalian heat shock protein (HSP):peptide complexes to present HSP-chaperoned peptides on class I MHC (MHC-I) molecules to CD8+ T cells. HSPs are also expressed in prokaryotes and chaperone microbial peptides, but the ability of prokaryotic HSPs to contribute chaperoned peptides for Ag presentation is unknown. Our studies revealed that exogenous bacterial HSPs (Escherichia coli DnaK and Mycobacterium tuberculosis HSP70) delivered an extended OVA peptide for processing and MHC-I presentation by both murine macrophages and dendritic cells. HSP-enhanced MHC-I peptide presentation occurred only if peptide was complexed to the prokaryotic HSP and was dependent on CD91, establishing CD91 as a receptor for prokaryotic as well as mammalian HSPs. Inhibition of cytosolic processing mechanisms (e.g., by transporter for Ag presentation deficiency or brefeldin A) blocked HSP-enhanced peptide presentation in dendritic cells but not macrophages. Thus, prokaryotic HSPs deliver chaperoned peptide for alternate MHC-I Ag processing and cross-presentation via cytosolic mechanisms in dendritic cells and vacuolar mechanisms in macrophages. Prokaryotic HSPs are a potential source of microbial peptide Ags during phagocytic processing of bacteria during infection and could potentially be incorporated in vaccines to enhance presentation of peptides to CD8+ T cells.
Outcomes and Costs of Abciximab Versus Eptifibatide for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent placement are often prescribed glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors. However, drug selection is often based on clinicians' preference and cost because few studies have directly compared abciximab and eptifibatide. Objective: To compare clinical outcomes and total hospital costs of abciximab and eptifibatide in patients undergoing stent placement during PCI in a real-world setting. METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted of 960 patients administered abciximab or eptifibatide for intracoronary stent placement between 1999 and 2001 at a tertiary care hospital. The primary outcome was bleeding, defined as major, moderate, or minor according to published criteria. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital death, myocardial infarction, revascularization, and the triple composite endpoint of those outcomes, thrombocytopenia, length-of-stay, and total hospital costs. Pearson's χ 2 analysis, Fisher's exact test, and ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The frequency of bleeding complications based on severity was similar between abciximab and eptifibatide: major (2.4% vs 2.8%), moderate (12.4% vs 10.5%), and minor (4.0% vs 3.9%), respectively (p = 0.86). Secondary clinical outcomes were also similar between groups (p > 0.05). Total costs for hospitalization were significantly greater for abciximab compared with eptifibatide ($16 383 ± 6799 vs $14 115 ± 6285; p < 0.001). Drug acquisition costs were also significantly greater for abciximab compared with eptifibatide ($508 ± 159 vs $465 ± 263; p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing stent placement during PCI, abciximab and eptifibatide are comparable in terms of safety and effectiveness despite significant differences in hospitalization and acquisition costs.
Total lymphocyte count and hemoglobin combined in an algorithm to initiate the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy in resource‐limited settings

Objective: To develop clinical algorithms that improve the sensitivity of surrogate markers to initiate the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in resource‐limited settings. Design: A retrospective evaluation of total lymphocyte counts (TLC) and hemoglobin to predict the CD4 lymphocyte count. Methods: A total of 3269 members of the Johns Hopkins HIV observational cohort contributed 22 690 paired observations of CD4 lymphocyte counts and TLC. Two methods were used to evaluate the effect of combining TLC and hemoglobin to predict CD4 cell counts below 200 cells/mm3 before the initiation of HAART in 1451 participants; 55.3% of participants had CD4 cell counts below 200 cells/mm3. Results: TLC below 1200 cells/mm3 and hemoglobin below 12 g/dl significantly predicted CD4 cell counts below 200 cells/mm3. For TLC alone sensitivity was 70.7% and specificity was 81.7%. For both men and women, we chose a TLC lower cutoff point of 1200 cells/mm3, an upper cutoff point of 2000 cells/mm3, and hemoglobin of 12 g/dl. For men, method I generated sensitivity of 78.0% and specificity of 77.5%. Method II improved specificity to 81.8%. For women, method I increased sensitivity to 85.6% and decreased specificity to 64.1%. Method II improved specificity to 81.4%. Conclusion: TLC below 1200 cells/mm3 were associated with CD4 cell counts below 200 cells/mm3 as in the WHO guidelines, but sensitivity was low. Adding hemoglobin to TLC increased sensitivity, thereby reducing the risk of false‐negative results. Our model may serve as a template for the development of algorithms to initiate the use of HAART in resource‐limited settings.
Safety and efficacy of tranexamic acid compared with aprotinin in thoracic aortic surgery with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.

OBJECTIVES This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of high-dose tranexamic acid (TA) compared with aprotinin in patients who underwent thoracic aortic surgery with deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). DESIGN A retrospective study. PARTICIPANTS Eighty-four patients underwent thoracic aortic surgery with DHCA arrest between July 2006 and December 2007. Antifibrinolytic efficacy and perioperative outcomes were compared between the groups by appropriate statistical tests. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Demographic data, comorbid conditions, aortic pathology, surgical procedures, and operative data were comparable between groups. The use of blood products tended to be more in the TA group, despite the fact that the aprotinin group had longer CPB duration. Thirty-day mortality was 5 of 48 (10.4%) in the aprotinin group versus 5 of 36 (13.9%) in the TA group (p = 0.44). Neurologic, cardiac, and respiratory dysfunctions were comparable as well as intensive care unit and hospital stay. Serum creatinine increased significantly postoperatively in both groups, with more patients in the aprotinin group developing stage 1 postoperative renal dysfunction based on Acute Kidney Insufficiency Network criteria. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified risk factors for postoperative renal dysfunction including preoperative creatinine clearance, blood transfusion, and sepsis. Throughout the study, both drugs were available for use, allowing selective bias for providers. CONCLUSIONS Aprotinin appeared more effective in reducing blood product use after thoracic aortic surgery in this limited cohort. Aprotinin use also appeared to be associated with postoperative renal dysfunction. The choice of antifibrinolytic appeared to not be associated with cardiac, neurologic, or respiratory outcomes or survival after thoracic aortic surgery requiring DHCA.
Validity and Reliability of the Iranian Version of eHealth Literacy Scale

Introduction: eHEALS is an 8-item measure of eHealth literacy developed to measure consumers’ combined knowledge, comfort, and perceived skills at finding, evaluating, and applying electronic health information to the health problems. Hence, the current study aimed to measure validity and reliability of the Iranian version of eHEALS questionnaire in a population context. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 525 youth’s people, who were randomly chosen in Iran, Yazd. As a matter of fact, content validity, construct validity and predictive validity of the translated questionnaire were determined. Principal components factor analysis was used to determine the theoretical fit of the measures with the data. The internal consistency of the translated questionnaire was evaluated using Cronbach α coefficient and the results were analyzed applying SPSS software (ver, 16). Results: The principal component analysis (PCA) produced a single factor solution (70.48% of variance) with factor loading ranging from 0.723 to 0.862. The internal consistency of the scale was sufficient (alpha= 0.88 , P<0.001) and the test-retest coefficients for the items were reliable (r= 0.96, P<0.001). Conclusion: The results of the current study revealed that the items in the translated questionnaire were equivalent to the original scale . The Iranian version of the eHEALS questionnaire showed a good reliability and validity in regard with the screening of eHealth literacy of Iranian people.
Regulatory effects of senescence marker protein 30 on the proliferation of hepatocytes

Senescence marker protein 30 (SMP 30) is preferentially expressed in the liver. One of its remarkable functions is the protection of cells against various injuries by enhancement of membrane calcium‐pump activity. We analyzed the role of SMP 30 in hepatocyte proliferation. SMP 30 expression was decreased initially, then increased along with hepatic regeneration, after carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration. SMP 30 expression was decreased in the necrotic phase and then gradually increased. Its increase was slightly delayed just after the mitotic phase. These results lead us to speculate that mitoses of hepatic cells induce enhanced SMP 30 expression. In contrast, administration of lead nitrate (LN) as a hepatic mitogen induced a more stable increase of SMP 30 expression. To estimate the effect of SMP 30 on cell proliferation, we evaluated hepatic mitosis in wild‐type and SMP 30‐deficient knockout (KO) mice after CCl4 administration. We found an increase in mitotic numbers in hepatocytes of KO mice. This result suggests that SMP 30 has a suppressive effect on cell proliferation. Suppressive activity of SMP 30 cDNA was shown in cultured hepatoblastic cells. Our results suggest that SMP 30 performs a regulatory function in liver regeneration.
Revision of the Afrotropical Oberthuerellinae (Cynipoidea, Liopteridae)

Abstract The Afrotropical Oberthuerellinae are revised, and new dichotomous and multi-entry keys to the species of Oberthuerella, Tessmannella, and Xenocynips are provided. All previously described species in these genera are redescribed; descriptions are augmented by color images of the holotype for each species. The following 11 species are described as new: Oberthuerella cyclopia Buffington & van Noort; Oberthuerella eschara Buffington & van Noort; Oberthuerella kibalensis van Noort & Buffington; Oberthuerella pardolatus Buffington & van Noort; Oberthuerella sharkeyi Buffington & van Noort; Oberthuerella simba Buffington & van Noort; Tessmannella copelandi Buffington & van Noort; Tessmannella kiplingi Buffington & van Noort; Tessmannella roberti Buffington & van Noort; Xenocynips rhothion Buffington & van Noort; and Xenocynips ronquisti Buffington & van Noort. We provide identification keys to the genera and species occurring in the Afrotropical region. Online dichotomous and interactive Lucid keys to genera and species are available at http://www.waspweb. org/Cynipoidea/Keys/index.htm