Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activation of cannabinoid receptor CB2 regulates osteogenic and osteoclastogenic gene expression in human periodontal ligament cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Cannabinoid receptor CB2, expressed in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, plays a crucial role in the regulation of bone metabolism. Since periodontal ligament (PDL) cells can differentiate into osteoblasts, this study was undertaken to investigate CB2 expression and the effect of CB2 activation on osteogenic differentiation of PDL cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS Human PDL (hPDL) cells were obtained from extracted teeth of periodontally healthy subjects. Expression of CB2 was observed in hPDL cells by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay. Then hPDL cells were treated with a CB2-specific agonist, HU-308 (10(-7) m), for 12, 24, 48 or 72 h. The mRNA expressions of osteogenic genes, such as runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteopontin (OPN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC) and collagen type I (COL I), and osteoclastogenic genes, including osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL), were examined using quantitative real-time PCR analysis. A mineralization assay was performed in hPDL cells in mineralization conditions with or without HU-308. RESULTS Expression of CB2 mRNA and protein was detected in hPDL cells. HU-308 enhanced the mRNA levels of the above osteogenic genes. Expression of the OPG gene was up-regulated, whereas RANKL gene expression was down-regulated, contributing to the elevated OPG/RANKL ratio. Accelerated mineralization was observed in hPDL cells in mineralization conditions with HU-308. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that activation of CB2 is able to enhance osteogenic differentiation of hPDL cells and potentially create a favorable osteogenic microenvironment. This implies that CB2 might play an important role in alveolar bone metabolism.
Elaiophore structure and oil secretion in flowers of Oncidium trulliferum Lindl. and Ornithophora radicans (Rchb.f.) Garay & Pabst (Oncidiinae: Orchidaceae).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Many orchid flowers have glands called elaiophores and these reward pollinating insects with oil. In contrast to other reward-producing structures such as nectaries, the anatomy of the elaiophore and the process of oil secretion have not been extensively studied. In this paper, elaiophore structure is described for two members of Oncidiinae, Oncidium trulliferum Lindl. and Ornithophora radicans (Rchb.f.) Garay & Pabst. METHODS Elaiophores of both species were examined using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS In flowers of Oncidium trulliferum and Ornithophora radicans, oil is secreted by morphologically distinct elaiophores associated with the labellar callus. However, in O. trulliferum, elaiophores also occur on the lateral lobes of the labellum. In both these species, the epithelial elaiophores are composed of a single layer of palisade-like epidermal cells and a distinct subepithelial layer. Secretory elaiophore cells may contain numerous, starchless plastids, mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum profiles. In O. trulliferum, the cytoplasm contains myelin-like figures but these are absent from O. radicans. In the former species, cavities occur in the cell wall and these presumably facilitate the passage of oil onto the elaiophore surface. In O. radicans, the accumulation of oil between the outer tangential wall and the cuticle causes the latter to become distended. Since it is probable that the full discharge of oil from the elaiophores of O. radicans occurs only when the cuticle is ruptured by a visiting insect, this may contribute towards pollinator specificity. The structure of the elaiophore in these species resembles both that found in previously investigated species of Oncidiinae and that of certain members of the Malpighiaceae.
Cancer Therapy : Preclinical IntegrativeGenomicAnalysis of TemozolomideResistance in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Purpose: Despite advances, there is an urgent need for effective therapeutics for relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, particularly in elderly patients and primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma. Temozolomide (TMZ), an oral DNA-alkylating agent routinely used in the therapy of glioblastoma multiforme, is active in patients with primary CNS lymphoma but the response rates are low. The mechanisms contributing to TMZ resistance are unknown. Experimental Design: We undertook an unbiased and genome-wide approach to understand the genomic methylation and gene expression profiling differences associated with TMZ resistance in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cell lines and identify mechanisms to overcome TMZ resistance. Results: TMZ was cytotoxic in a subset of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cell lines, independent of MGMTpromotermethylation or protein expression.UsingConnectivityMap (CMAP),we identified several compounds capable of reversing the gene expression signature associated with TMZ resistance. The demethylating agent decitabine (DAC) is identified by CMAP as capable of reprogramming gene expression to overcome TMZ resistance. Treatment with DAC led to increased expression of SMAD1, a transcription factor involved in TGF-b/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, previously shown to be epigenetically silenced in resistant diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In vitro and in vivo treatmentwith a combination of DAC and TMZ had greater antilymphoma activity than either drug alone, with complete responses in TMZresistant diffuse large B-cell lymphoma murine xenograft models. Conclusions: Integrative genome-wide methylation and gene expression analysis identified novel genes associated with TMZ resistance and demonstrate potent synergy between DAC and TMZ. The evidence from cell line and murine experiments supports prospective investigation of TMZ in combination with demethylating agents in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Clin Cancer Res; 20(2); 1–11. 2013 AACR.
HIV testing uptake and yield among sexual contacts of HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Zhejiang Province, China, 2014-2016: a cross-sectional pilot study of a choice-based partner tracing and testing package

Background Measures to effectively expand tracing and testing to identify undiagnosed HIV infections are significant for the control of HIV/AIDS epidemic among men who have sex with men (MSM). We piloted a combination tracing and testing package aimed at improving contact tracing and uptake and yield of HIV testing for sexual contacts of newly diagnosed HIV positive MSM. We describe the package components and outcomes. Methods The choice-based tracing and testing package was piloted in Hangzhou and Ningbo cities, June 2014 to June 2016. The package adopted four modes, including couples HIV counselling and testing (CHCT), information-driven assisted partner notification (IDAPN), peer-assisted HIV self-testing (HIVST), and patient referral. If sexual contacts tested positive, they were invited to enroll in the pilot. Contact tracing continued through selected modes until inability to contact, refusal to test, or positive test results exhausted all contacts. Socio-demographic factors, sexual behaviors between HIV-positive MSM and their sexual contacts were collected, as well as tracing and testing outcomes of each mode. Results Among 2,495 newly diagnosed HIV-positive MSM, 446(18%) were enrolled as index cases (ICs) through two rounds of contact tracing. The ICs disclosed a total of 4,716 sexual contacts, of whom 548 (12%) were reachable. The pilot resulted in a testing uptake of 87%(478/548) and a yield of 16% (74/478) among sexual contacts. Logistic regression analysis showed that the odds of a reachable sexual contact enrolled in information-driven mode taking an HIV test were 90% more than that of one enrolled in patient referral (95%CI:0.8, 4.4). Conclusions Choice-based tracing and testing package is feasible in expanding HIV-testing uptake among sexual contacts of HIV-positive MSM and are feasible for case-finding among a high-risk population. IDAPN may be an acceptable option to reach sexual contacts for whom limited contact information is available.
Using fourier velocity encoded MRI data to guide CFD simulations

Fourier velocity encoding (FVE) is a promising magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method for assessment of cardiovascular blood flow. FVE provides considerably higher signal-to-noise ratio than phase contrast (PC) imaging, is robust to partial-volume effects and can be acquired rapidly using spiral readouts. On the other hand, FVE data do not directly provide a velocity map. These maps are useful for calculating the actual blood flow through a vessel, or for guiding computational fluid dynamics simulations (CFD). In this paper, FVE data were simulated from PC velocity maps from a pulsatile carotid flow phantom; velocity maps were then reconstructed from these FVE data, and used to guide CFD simulations. FVE-guided CFD velocity fields were qualitatively and quantitatively compared with the PC-measured velocity field, with the pure CFD solution, and with PC-guided CFD. The results show that FVE-guided CFD achieves better agreement with the PC-measured velocity field than pure CFD. Compared with PC-guided CFD, FVE provides considerably better results than PC with similar scan time, and equivalent results when compared with PC with 9 times longer scan time.
ESAM predicts cardiovascular mortality in diabetic hemodialysis patients

Abstract Aim: To assess endothelial cell selective adhesion molecule (ESAM) as predictor of cardiovascular mortality in diabetic dialysis patients (DDPs). Methods: ESAM, clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed in 73 DDP. Cardiovascular mortality was recorded in a 2 years’ prospective observational study. Results: Baseline ESAM was 17.1 (10.05–24.8) ng/ml and was correlated to phosphate (r = −0.42, p = 0.008), parathormone (r = −0.36, p = 0.048), albumin (r = −0.24, p = 0.048). ESAM significantly predicted cardiovascular death in univariate [HR = 1.03, 95% CI (1.006–1.054), p = 0.01] and multivariate [HR = 1.034, 95% CI (1.003–1.066), p = 0.03] Cox analysis. Time to cardiovascular death was shorter for patients with ESAM >12.44 ng/ml, p = 0.0045. Conclusion: ESAM is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality in DDP.
Molecular Properties of Propranolol Hydrochloride Prepared as Drug-Resin Complexes

Drug-resin complexes, as well as physical dispersions, containing varying contents of propranolol were prepared. The molecular properties of samples were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. In addition, the USP paddle method was used to determine the release behavior of drug from various formulations prepared from the samples. The data from DSC and XRPD indicated that the molecular state of drug in the complexes was amorphous, whereas that in the physical dispersions exhibited the crystalline state of pure drug. These results suggested that the molecule of drug prepared as drug-resin complexes was monomolecularly dispersed in the resin bead. The IR study provided evidence that demonstrated the interaction between the drug and resin in the complexes. The release behavior of drug from the complexes was governed by the cross-linkage structure and equilibrium treatment of drug exchange of resin.
The X-chromosome-linked immunodeficiency determines an improved course of murine lagochilascariosis

SummaryLagochilascaris minor is the causative agent of lagochilascariosis, a disease that affects the neck region causing exudative abscesses with eggs, adult parasites and L3/L4 larvae within purulent exudates. Nowadays, mice are considered intermediate hosts for the parasite. To determine the pattern of infection in B1 cell-defective mice, experimental lagochilascariosis was studied in BALB/c and X-chromosome-linked immunodeficient (Xid) mice. BALB.xid infected mice showed higher survival ratios and less intense lung lesions than BALB/c mice. Serum levels of IL-10 was higher in BALB/c infected mice when compared to BALB.xid animals; however, serum levels of IFNγ, in control and infected BALB.xid mice, were statistically different from that seen in BALB/c mice. We discuss the participation of B1 cells and their cytokines in the resistance to infection.
A Capability-Based Module System for Authority Control (Artifact)

This artifact is intended to demonstrate the module system of the Wyvern programming language and consists of a Linux virtual machine with a snapshot of the Wyvern programming language's codebase. The Wyvern codebase contains a test suite that corresponds to the code examples in the paper accompanying the artifact. In addition, the artifact contains a document describing how to compile and run Wyvern programs.
Regeneration i the Short-Term Recall of Sentences

Verbatim short-term memory for a sentence has been taken as evidence for a surface representation different from the conceptual representation characteristic of longer-term memory. In seven experiments we investigated an alternative hypothesis: that immediate recall involves regeneration ofthe sentence from a conceptual representation, using words that have been recently activated. A key claim is that the activated lexical items are unordered. To test this hypothesis, a synonym of a word in the sentence was presented in a secondary task before or after the sentence, prior to recall. As predicted, these lure words were intruded frequently (Experiments I and 2), but only when supported by the meaning of the whole sentence (Experiments 3 and 4). In Experiment 5 as high an intrusion rate was obtained for sentences read in RSVP at 100 ms per word as at the 200 ms rate of the other experiments. Experiment 6 showed that listeners make even more lure-based intrusions than readers. In Experiment 7 4-year-old children made intrusions similar to those of adults. The results support the hypothesis that a sentence is regenerated in immediate recall from a representation of its meaning, using recently activated words. Only when the right set of words is active will recall be "verbatim. " @ 1990 Academic Press, Inc.
Bones of Contention: A Reply to Glynn Isaac

Glynn Isaac's review (Isaac 1983) of Bones: Ancient Men and Modern Myths is in many ways a fair descriptive presentation of the contents of the book. However, he has brought to his reading certain expectations, and it was in terms of these expectations that he critically evaluated some sections of my work. I believe that his expectations were mistaken, that they have misguided his criticism, and that his review distorted the intent of my work in important ways. An example of his attempt to make my work fit his expectations occurs early in the review. Isaac states:
Conserving Phylogenetic Diversity 1 can be a Poor Strategy for Conserving Functional Diversity 2 3

13 For decades, academic biologists have advocated for making conservation decisions in 14 light of evolutionary history. Specifically, they suggest that policymakers should 15 prioritize conserving phylogenetically diverse assemblages. The most prominent 16 argument is that conserving phylogenetic diversity (PD) will also conserve diversity in 17 traits and features (functional diversity; FD), which may be valuable for a number of 18 reasons. The claim that PD-maximized (‘maxPD’) sets of taxa will also have high FD is 19 often taken at face value and in cases where researchers have actually tested it, they have 20 done so by measuring the phylogenetic signal in ecologically important functional traits. 21 The rationale is that if traits closely mirror phylogeny, then saving the maxPD set of taxa 22 will tend to maximize FD and if traits do not have phylogenetic structure, then saving the 23 maxPD set of taxa will be no better at capturing FD than criteria that ignore PD. Here, we 24 suggest that measuring the phylogenetic signal in traits is uninformative for evaluating 25 the effectiveness of using PD in conservation. We evolve traits under several different 26 models and, for the first time, directly compare the FD of a set of taxa that maximize PD 27 to the FD of a random set of the same size. Under many common models of trait 28 evolution and tree shapes, conserving the maxPD set of taxa will conserve more FD than 29 conserving a random set of the same size. However, this result cannot be generalized to 30 other classes of models. We find that under biologically plausible scenarios, using PD to 31 select species can actually lead to less FD compared to a random set. Critically, this can 32 occur even when there is phylogenetic signal in the traits. Predicting exactly when we 33 expect using PD to be a good strategy for conserving FD is challenging, as it depends on 34 complex interactions between tree shape and the assumptions of the evolutionary model. 35 Nonetheless, if our goal is to maintain trait diversity, the fact that conserving taxa based 36 on PD will not reliably conserve at least as much FD as choosing randomly raises serious 37 concerns about the general utility of PD in conservation. 38 39
Unknown premise variables observer-based controller design for T-S fuzzy systems with input saturation

In this paper, we consider the problem of observer-based controller design for nonlinear systems which can be represented by Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy systems. Two practical restrictions have been considered to cover a more general problem. First, we suppose that the premise variables of the T-S model are unmeasurable, which permits one to utilize the proposed method in more practical systems. Second, actuator saturation is considered as a physical limitation and the controller is designed subject to this restriction. Sufficient conditions for the existence of such a controller are derived in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The effectiveness of developed technique is shown through a numerical example.
Efficient Eradication of Established Tumors in Mice with Cationic Liposome-Based Synthetic Long-Peptide Vaccines

Effective antitumor vaccines have been elusive. Two tumor models were used to test vaccines comprising liposome-encapsulated synthetic long peptides and TLR-activating adjuvants. These could cure 75–100% of the mice of large established HPV-expressing tumors and showed immunological memory. Therapeutic vaccination with synthetic long peptides (SLP) can be clinically effective against HPV-induced premalignant lesions; however, their efficiency in established malignant lesions leaves room for improvement. Here, we report the high therapeutic potency of cationic liposomes loaded with well-defined tumor-specific SLPs and a TLR3 ligand as adjuvant. The cationic particles, with an average size of 160 nm, could strongly activate functional, antigen-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells and induced in vivo cytotoxicity against target cells after intradermal vaccination. At a low dose (1 nmol) of SLP, our liposomal formulations significantly controlled tumor outgrowth in two independent models (melanoma and HPV-induced tumors) and even cured 75%–100% of mice of their large established tumors. Cured mice were fully protected from a second challenge with an otherwise lethal dose of tumor cells, indicating the potential of liposomal SLP in the formulation of powerful vaccines for cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Immunol Res; 5(3); 222–33. ©2017 AACR.
Examining the Initiation of the Polymerization Mechanism and Network Development in Aromatic Polybenzoxazines

Three bis-benzoxazine monomers based on the aniline derivatives of bisphenol A (BA-a), bisphenol F (BF-a), and 3,3′-thiodiphenol (BT-a) are examined using a variety of spectroscopic, chromatographic, and thermomechanical techniques. The effect on the polymerization of the monomers is compared using two common compounds, 3,3′-thiodiphenol (TDP) and 3,3′-thiodipropionic acid (TDA), at a variety of loadings. It is found that the diacid has a greater effect on reducing the onset of polymerization and increasing cross-link density and Tg for a given benzoxazine. However, the addition of >5 wt % of the diacid had a detrimental effect on the cross-link density, Tg, and thermal stability of the polymer. The kinetics of the polymerization of BA-a were found to be well described using an autocatalytic model for which values of n = 1.64 and m = 2.31 were obtained for the early and later stages of reaction (activation energy = 81 kJ/mol). Following recrystallization the same monomer yielded values n = 1.89, m = 0.89, and Ea = 94 kJ/mol (confirming the influence of higher oligomers on reactivity). The choice of additive (in particular the magnitude of its pKa) appears to influence the nature of the network formation from a linear toward a more clusterlike growth mechanism.
Modélisation et traitement décentralisé des graphes dynamiquesApplication aux réseaux mobiles ad hoc. (Modeling and Processing Dynamic GraphsApplications to Mobile Ad Hoc Networks)

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Modélisation et traitement décentralisé des graphes dynamiquesApplication aux réseaux mobiles ad hoc Yoann Pigné
Pleomorphic adenoma of the palate

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common salivary gland tumor, accounting for about 40–70% of all major and minor salivary gland tumors. The commonest sites for intraoral PA are palate, buccal mucosa and lips. Palatal PA presents clinically as a painless, slow-growing mass found on posterior lateral aspect. The aim of this article is to present a case of palatal PA, which was treated successfully by surgical excision.
Distraction Implications for the Practice of Anesthesia

Anesthesiologists are expected to remain attentive to the needs of every patient under their care at all times. In fact, this critical responsibility to patient care has been the focus of anesthesiology since the forerunner of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) placed the word vigilance on the Official Seal of the Society, which was designed in 1932. As defined in the Oxford English Dictionary, vigilance represents the “watchfulness against danger or any action on the part of others. ” Although this definition suggests that the anesthesiologist must “protect” the patient from the actions of others, the definition does not relieve the anesthesiologist from personal responsibility for providing high quality and safe care and maintaining attention to each patient throughout the perioperative period. The ability to maintain vigilance is dependent on many factors, not the least of which is the operating room environment and the need for the anesthesiologist to interact with a number of other providers to optimize clinical care. The use of increasingly technical monitoring equipment to assess the patient’s physiological response to surgery and anesthesia also requires attention to the information provided by the devices to identify warning signs of impending problems and to address changes in physiology in a timely manner. Endsley and others use the phrase “situation awareness” to describe the critical role of the anesthesia environment, including the interactions with other members of the health care team, on the ability of the anesthesia provider to maintain vigilance. As a result of the complex nature of the environment in which patients receive anesthesia care, it is not surprising that the anesthesiologist may be distracted from the core mission despite the commitment