Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endocrinologic and immunologic factors associated with recovery of growth in children with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection treated with protease inhibitors

Introduction. Growthfailure is a common presenting sign in children with HIV disease and is a sensitive indicator of disease progression in children with AIDS. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is associated with a significant decrease in viral load and a subsequent rise in CD4+ T cell counts in HIV-1-infected children and also with increased height and weight. The underlying mechanisms of catch-up growth during HAART are yet unknown. Methods. Height and weight measurements, blood sample analyses for HIV-1 RNA and peripheral blood CD4+ T cell counts were obtained twice within 1 month before the start of HAART and after 12, 24, 36 and 48 weeks of treatment. Serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1), IGFs complexed to specific, structurally homologous binding proteins (IGFBP-3), cortisol, free thyroxine and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured before the start of therapy and after 24 weeks. In addition serum IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 values were determined after 48 weeks. Results. Twenty-seven HIV-1-infected children with a median age of 5.5 years (range, 0.3 to 14.9 years) were included. Overall no significant changes in height and body mass index (BMI) z scores were observed. The median baseline plasma viral load of 68 800 copies/ml decreased to less than the detection limit of 500 copies/ml in 80% of the children after 48 weeks. TNF-alpha values were elevated (44 pg/ml) at baseline and decreased significantly to 37 pg/ml after 24 weeks. At baseline elevated TNF-alpha was observed in 78%, which decreased to 55% after 24 weeks. Baseline free thyroxine and cortisol values were normal and did not change during therapy. Baseline serum of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 concentrations were normal, but IGF-1 tended to be lower than IGFBP-3. Both values increased significantly after the initiation of therapy. IGFBP-3 decreased after 48 weeks whereas IGF-1 stabilized. The increase in IGF-1 was significantly higher in children in whom the BMI and length (after correction for age and sex) increased the most. Conclusion. Hypothyroidism and adrenal axis abnormalities are not associated with restoration of growth after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1-infected children. The combination of relatively high serum IGFBP-3 concentration and relatively lower serum IGF-1 suggests the presence of a growth hormone-resistant state. During treatment with a protease inhibitor-containing regimen, decreased serum IGFBP-3 and stabilization of IGF-1 after a significant initial increase suggest restoration of normal sensitivity to growth hormone and recovery to an anabolic condition.
Functional Disruption of the Netrin-1 Guidance Cue Leads to Disruption in Mammary Gland Development and Increased Tumor Incidence

Abstract : Netrin-1 and its receptors play an essential role patterning the nervous system by guiding neurons and axons to their targets. To explore whether netrin-1 organizes non-neural tissues, we examined its role in mammary gland morphogenesis. We hypothesized that netrin-1 regulates cell interactions during mammary gland development and that loss of this activity plays a role in mammary tumor formation. During this funding period, we discovered that netrin-1 is expressed in mammary gland prelumenal cells and its receptor, neogenin, in a complementary pattern in adjacent cap cells of terminal end buds. We discovered that loss of either gene results in disorganized terminal end buds characterized by exaggerated subcapsular spaces, breaks in basal lamina, dissociated cap cells and an increased influx of cap cells into the prelumenal compartment. Cell aggregation assays demonstrate that neogenin mediates netrin-1 dependent cell clustering. Thus netrin-1 appears to act locally through neogenin to stabilize the multipotent progenitor (cap) cell layer during mammary gland development. Our results suggest that netrin- 1 and its receptor neogenin provide an adhesive rather than guidance function during non-neural organogenesis.
Quiet captures: a tool for capturing the evidence of seamless learning with mobile devices

Seamless learning environments help students in extending their learning experiences across social, personal and environmental dimensions, and are supported by different tools, information and communication technology. In order to capture the evidence of the ways students utilize mobile devices in their formal and informal learning pursuits, a quiet data capture program was designed and pilot-tested. It is used to capture both quantitative and qualitative data about device use, to track user generated data and artefacts persistent across time and to generate and render aggregated reports identifying usage patterns. It is supposed to serve as a mechanism of identifying affordances of mobile devices within the landscape of seamless learning. Some preliminary findings raising multiple questions and inevitably sharpening our research lenses are presented towards the end of the paper.
Otomycosis in Central Iran: A Clinical and Mycological Study

Background Otomycosis is a fungal infection of the external ear with bothersome symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of fungal agents, predisposing factors and characteristics of patients. Methods Between May 2008 and April 2010, 171 patients with clinical suspicion of otomycosis were enrolled and the samples from their external ear were examined for any mycological infection. Results Otomycosis was confirmed after mycological diagnosis in 69% of clinically suspected patients. The highest incidence of otomycosis was in autumn and in patients aged 21-40 years old. Working in dry dusty environment was a major predisposing factor. Pruritus was the most common symptom. Aspergillus flavus was the most common fungus in otomycosis followed by A. niger, Candida albicans, A. fumigatus, A. nidulans and C. parapsilosis. Conclusion Clinical suspicion of otomycosis is important to prevent unnecessary use of antibiotics. Etiology of fungal pathogens in dry dusty regions is not similar to hot humid areas and this needs to be considered in future susceptibility tests and treatment of patients with otomycosis.
Iron Deficiency during Embryogenesis and Consequences for Oligodendrocyte Generation in vivo

One of the hallmarks of the pathology of iron deficiency in children is neurological disabilities that are often associated with hypomyelination. It has been hypothesized that this amyelination is mainly due to a disruption of myelin generation during the early postnatal stages when oligodendrocytes mature to generate myelin producing cell. In addition to these suggestions, we have previously provided in vitro data showing that iron affects both the proliferation and differentiation of glial precursor cells leading to a disruption in the generation of oligodendrocytes. We now present evidence demonstrating in vivo that iron deficiency during pregnancy affects the iron levels of various brain tissues in the developing fetus and disrupts not only the proliferation of their glial precursor cells but also disturbs the generation of oligodendrocytes from these precursor cells. In addition, we show that iron deficiency during embryogenesis affects glial lineage cells in a tissue-specific manner. Our studies offer the possibility to begin to comprehend whether any effects that occur during embryogenesis might have an influence on the establishment of the pathological defects that occur as a consequence of iron deficiency.
Epac/Rap and PKA are novel mechanisms of ANP‐induced Rac‐mediated pulmonary endothelial barrier protection

Acute lung injury, sepsis, lung inflammation, and ventilator‐induced lung injury are life‐threatening conditions associated with lung vascular barrier dysfunction, which may lead to pulmonary edema. Increased levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in lung circulation reported in these pathologies suggest its potential role in the modulation of lung injury. Besides well recognized physiological effects on vascular tone, plasma volume, and renal function, ANP may exhibit protective effects in models of lung vascular endothelial cell (EC) barrier dysfunction. However, the molecular mechanisms of ANP protective effects are not well understood. The recently described cAMP‐dependent guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Epac activates small GTPase Rap1, which results in activation of small GTPase Rac‐specific GEFs Tiam1 and Vav2 and Rac‐mediated EC barrier protective responses. Our results show that ANP stimulated protein kinase A and the Epac/Rap1/Tiam/Vav/Rac cascade dramatically attenuated thrombin‐induced pulmonary EC permeability and the disruption of EC monolayer integrity. Using pharmacological and molecular activation and inhibition of cAMP‐and cGMP‐dependent protein kinases (PKA and PKG), Epac, Rap1, Tiam1, Vav2, and Rac we linked ANP‐mediated protective effects to the activation of Epac/Rap and PKA signaling cascades, which dramatically inhibited the Rho pathway of thrombin‐induced EC hyper‐permeability. These results suggest a novel mechanism of ANP protective effects against agonist‐induced pulmonary EC barrier dysfunction via inhibition of Rho signaling by Epac/Rap1‐Rac and PKA signaling cascades. J. Cell. Physiol. 215: 715–724, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The arthritogenic T cell receptor and its ligand in a model of spontaneous arthritis.

OBJECTIVE Spontaneous arthritis in the KRN transgenic mouse model is due to the autoreactivity of the transgenic T cell receptor (TCR) against Ag7 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, which leads to strong but incomplete clonal deletion. We sought to determine whether other stimuli triggering this receptor might provoke arthritis, whether the apparently systemic reactivity might have some joint-preferential component explaining the paradoxical arthritic phenotype, and whether the transgenic receptor was the only one required or whether other TCRs might be ferried along in a leaky tolerance process. METHODS Crosses and radiation chimeras involving a panel of transgenic and knockout mouse lines were used. The reactivity of the KRN TCR was tested in carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester-transfer experiments and in crosses with transgenic or inbred mice expressing other molecules that stimulate the KRN receptor (the mls-1a superantigen, the Aalpha(k69)Abeta(k) mutant MHC molecule). The arthritogenic capacity of T cells expressing only the KRN TCR was tested by crossing to recombination-activating gene-knockout mice, and constructing bone marrow chimeras with precursors to these strictly monoclonal T cells. RESULTS The data show that the KRN TCR itself is the only receptor needed. It needs to be triggered by the Ag7 molecule loaded with self-peptides in order to provoke arthritis, but there is no indication of preferential presentation of joint-derived peptides. CONCLUSION Arthritis can be generated by systemic recognition of self-MHC-peptide complexes by autoreactive T cells. This triggers B lymphocytes to produce arthritogenic antibodies, without the involvement of joint-specific T cell targets.
Are Splanchnic Hemodynamics Related to the Development of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Ironman Triathletes? A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective:To determine if prerace to postrace changes in superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and coeliac artery hemodynamics were related to the development of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms during a triathlon. Design:Prospective cohort study. Setting:Field study at an international Ironman Triathlon. Participants:Fifty-nine Ironman triathletes of whom 59% (n = 35) reported GI symptoms (GI group) during the race and 41% (n = 24) remained asymptomatic (CON group). Assessment of Risk Factors:Prerace questionnaire (personal details, racing and training history, personal general medical history, and medication) and splanchnic hemodynamics. Main Outcome Measures:Prerace and postrace measurements of splanchnic hemodynamics [artery diameter, systolic velocity, diastolic velocity, and resistive index (RI) of the SMA and coeliac artery] using duplex Doppler ultrasound. Results:There was a significant decrease in the diameter of the SMA after the race (P = 0.003) and a significant decrease in the RI of the SMA and coeliac artery (P < 0.001) in both the GI and CON groups, but there were no significant differences between the groups. The only significant risk factor for the development of GI symptoms was younger age (P = 0.041). Other risk factors, including high-intensity exercise, poorly trained athlete, and medication use, were not associated with the development of GI symptoms. Conclusions:The hypothesis that altered blood flow is related to the development of GI symptoms in endurance athletes is not supported by the results of this study. Other mechanisms for GI symptoms associated with endurance exercise should be investigated.
Dark and Vulnerable Personality Trait Correlates of Dimensions of Criminal Behavior Among Adult Offenders

Given the high-level impact of crime, empirical work is needed to identify personality traits, or overarching factors of personality pathology, that may leave individuals more prone to engage in criminal behaviors. This study empirically tested the distinction between the dark personality and vulnerable dark personality spectra (Miller et al., 2010) in a large offender sample and aimed to test how these personality factors relate to criminal dimensions and individual types of crime. Self-report and public record data verified criminal behaviors for 493 (34.7% women) adult offenders, and features of the 2 personality spectra were assessed using the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version, Narcissistic Personality Inventory-16, Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale, and Personality Assessment Inventory: Borderline Scale. Factor analyses supported the distinction between dark and vulnerable dark personality spectra and 3 dimensions of crime (i.e., crimes against property and persons, and drug-related crimes). Findings broadly pointed to trait vulnerabilities within the dark spectra (e.g., callousness) as relevant for criminal versatility and violent crimes against persons (e.g., assault, murder), and impulsive/reactive tendencies within the dark spectra (vulnerable dark) appeared to be particularly important for impulsive property crimes (e.g., theft, robbery) and drug offenses. Results may lend themselves well to refining offender intervention techniques and warrant further examination of the extent to which dark personality spectra coalesce as expected or similarly predict high-impact behaviors.
The Young and the Restless: A Study of Age and Acquisition Propensity of CEOs of UK Firms

Using a large sample of CEOs of U.K. firms, we show that CEO age is a key determinant of acquisition activity. We find that younger CEOs are more likely to acquire another firm and spend more on large capital expenditures. We argue that while younger CEOs of both U.K. and U.S. firms undertake more acquisitions than their older peers, their motivations for acquisitions might differ. We find that the stock market perceives acquisitions by younger CEOs to be of a higher quality. Following previous studies, we use CEO tenure as a proxy for reputation, and find that large acquisitions enhance CEO reputation, especially for younger CEOs. In contrast to the previous findings for CEOs of U.S. firms, we determine that the compensation of CEOs in the U.K. does not increase after acquisitions. This absence of a compensation incentive for CEOs of U.K. firms is consistent with the idea that the U.K. compensation structure is more restrictive and has a smaller equity-based component. Our evidence is also inconsistent with an overconfidence effect. Overall, our results provide consistent evidence of executive signaling by younger CEOs of U.K. firms eager to distinguish themselves.
Clinicopathological Features and Survival in Young Taiwanese Women With Endometrial Carcinoma

Objective The aim of this study is to compare the clinicopathological features and survival of young women with endometrial cancer (aged <50 years) with those of older women with endometrial cancer (aged ≥50 years). Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with histologically confirmed endometrial cancer treated at the Taipei Veterans General Hospital from 2001 to 2010. Results One hundred forty-six patients (28.5%) were aged younger than 50 years at diagnosis. The median follow-up was 36.5 months (range, 0.9–121.7 months). Low body mass index (P < 0.001), nulliparity (P < 0.001), less medical illness (P < 0.001), synchronous primary ovarian cancer (P = 0.001), endometrioid type (P = 0.005), low tumor grade (P < 0.001), no para-aortic lymph node involvement (P < 0.047), less myometrial invasion (P < 0.001), and no vascular space invasion (P = 0.001) were common among the younger women compared with the older women. There were significant differences in the disease-free survival (P = 0.006) and overall survival (P = 0.004) between the 2 groups. In the multivariate Cox model, advanced stage had an effect on both disease-free survival (P = 0.004) and overall survival (P = 0.050). Conclusions Nulliparity, body mass index less than or equal to 23 kg/m2, endometrioid type, low-grade tumor, synchronous primary ovarian cancer, and favorable survival were common among the younger women.
Down-regulation of macrophage transforming growth factor-beta messenger RNA expression by IL-7.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a potent inhibitor of immune responses. Macrophage-derived products, including TGF-beta, have been suggested as inhibitors of the antitumor immune response. We hypothesized that IL-7, a cytokine with antitumor properties, may exert its immunoregulatory effects in part through the down-regulation of TGF-beta. To test this hypothesis we analyzed IL-2-stimulated murine macrophage TGF-beta mRNA expression following exposure to IL-7 both in vitro and in vivo. IL-7 down-regulated IL-2-induced TGF-beta expression by macrophages in vitro, as well as after i.p. injections of IL-2 and IL-7 in vivo. The IL-7-mediated inhibition of TGF-beta mRNA expression did not require new protein synthesis and therefore appears to be a direct effect of IL-7. IL-7 had no significant effect on the stability of TGF-beta mRNA. Nuclear run-on assays revealed that the suppression of IL-2-induced TGF-beta gene expression by IL-7 is mediated at the level of transcription. Also, IL-7 decreased TGF-beta secretion as measured by bioassay. We conclude that IL-7 down-regulates TGF-beta and suggest that some of the proliferative and cytolytic activities mediated by cells exposed to IL-7 may be caused by a decrement in macrophage-derived TGF-beta.
Meditation programs for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: Aggregate findings from a multi-site evaluation.

OBJECTIVE Interest in meditation to manage posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms is increasing. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of meditation programs offered to Veterans within Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mental health services. The current study addresses this gap using data from a multisite VA demonstration project. METHOD Evaluation data collected at 6 VA sites (N = 391 Veterans) before and after a meditation program, and a treatment-as-usual (TAU) program, were examined here using random effects meta-analyses. Site-specific and aggregate between group effect sizes comparing meditation programs to TAU were determined for PTSD severity measured by clinical interview and self-report. Additional outcomes included experiential avoidance and mindfulness. RESULTS In aggregate, analyses showed medium effect sizes for meditation programs compared to TAU for PTSD severity (clinical interview: effect size (ES) = -0.32; self-report: ES = -0.39). Similarly sized effects of meditation programs were found for overall mindfulness (ES = 0.41) and 1 specific aspect of mindfulness, nonreactivity to inner experience (ES = .37). Additional findings suggested meditation type and program completion differences each moderated program effects. CONCLUSIONS VA-sponsored meditation programs show promise for reducing PTSD severity in Veterans receiving mental health services. Where meditation training fits within mental health services, and for whom programs will be of interest and effective, require further clarification. (PsycINFO Database Record
Bridging Knowledge Boundaries: The Use of Boundary Objects in Virtual Innovation Communities

We explore objects which are used to span knowledge boundaries (Carlile, 2004) in order to establish shared understanding in virtual innovation communities. In particular, the use of a mix of such boundary objects during collaboration on a virtual whiteboard is studied. Five collaborations with in total 31 participants are analyzed on the micro level of activities. We conceptualize collaboration activities according to Dennis et al. (2008) as conveyance of information and convergence on meaning. Both, conveyance and convergence activities are necessary to establish shared understanding. Our results show why and how boundary objects are used specific to conveyance or convergence activities. We, thus, provide confirmative empirical evidence for the theoretical propositions of Dennis et al. (2008) and extend current research on knowledge sharing in virtual innovation by showing how exactly boundary objects contribute. Practical implications include propositions for the design of collaboration platforms and innovation processes.
Early Prediction of Persistent Organ Failure by Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Patients With Acute Pancreatitis

Introduction: Increased circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPC) have been observed in patients with vascular injury associated with sepsis and acute lung injury. However, a role for cEPC in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) remains unclear. We therefore conducted a prospective study to study whether the quantities of cEPC can predict persistent organ failure (POF) in patients with predicted SAP. Methods: A total of 42 predicted SAP patients who were admitted within 24 h after symptom onset and 10 healthy control subjects were enrolled in our study. The proportions of cEPC were analyzed based on flow cytometry simultaneously. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The percentage of cEPC was significantly higher in patients with predicted SAP compared with healthy controls. Similarly, the levels of VEGF in peripheral blood were also significantly higher in predicted SAP patients than in the controls. Notably, patients with POF had lower proportion of cEPC compared with patients with transient organ failure (TOF). In contrast, patients with POF had a significantly higher level of VEGF compared with TOF. Of note, the percentages of cEPC were significantly inversely correlated with disease severity scores. More importantly, cEPC showed an excellent discriminative power for predicting POF among predicted SAP patients, whereas plasma VEGF and disease severity scores showed moderate accuracy in predicting future POF. Conclusions: Peripheral EPC as a novel biomarker is elevated and may aid to predict the development of POF in patients with predicted SAP.