Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prolongation of Cardiac Allograft Survival by Rapamycin and the Invariant Natural Killer T Cell Glycolipid Agonist OCH

Background. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are glycolipid-responsive cells with potent immunomodulatory properties. Although iNKT cells have been implicated in cardiac allograft tolerance, whether in vivo triggering of iNKT cells with Th2-promoting glycolipids offers a therapeutic benefit in heart transplantation remains unexplored. Methods. C3H (H-2k) hearts were transplanted into C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice. The recipients were left untreated or received the Th2-promoting iNKT cell agonist OCH, the antirejection agent rapamycin, or both. Allografts were recovered on postoperative day 8 or at endpoint, stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and analyzed for intragraft transcript levels of effector cytokines and iNKT cells’ invariant T-cell receptor segment V&agr;14-J&agr;18. The presence of circulating alloantibodies was assessed in recipients’ sera at similar time points. A second fully mismatched cardiac allograft model (BALB/c-to-C57BL/6) was used to further validate the efficacy of our treatment regimens. Results. Combination immunotherapy with OCH and rapamycin significantly enhanced C3H allograft survival and led to nearly normal graft histology with minimal vascular changes and mononuclear cell infiltration, and an almost normal IgG1:IgG2a ratio in recipients’ sera. These were accompanied by elevated intragraft mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-4, and to a lesser extent IL-10 and IL-13, and high transcript levels of V&agr;14-J&agr;18 T-cell receptor gene segment. Furthermore, when used alone or together with rapamycin, OCH delayed allograft rejection in our BALB/c-to-C57BL/6 model. Conclusions. In vivo administration of OCH may deviate alloimmune responses towards a Th2 phenotype and prolong allograft survival. Select iNKT cell glycolipid agonists can therefore be used in monotherapy or combination immunotherapy of transplant rejection.
Cytogenetic heterogeneity of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with trilineage dysplasia: Japan Adult Leukaemia Study Group‐AML 92 study

Summary. Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with trilineage dysplasia (AML/TLD) is de novo AML recognized by the morphological dysplasia of three mature cell lines in the presence of leukaemic blasts. We studied the karyotypes of AML/TLD of patients with de novo AML, except for those with the French–American–British classification M3, who were enrolled onto the Japan Adult Leukaemia Study Group (JALSG)‐AML 92 trial. Morphological and cytogenetic analyses were performed in 559 patients and TLD phenotype was found in 155 patients (27·7%). The 511 patients with informative morphological and cytogenetic data were classified into three groups according to karyotype: favourable, intermediate and adverse risk groups (92, 375 and 44 patients respectively). Normal karyotype was the most frequent as a total, and among both the non‐TLD and TLD patients (164 patients 45·3% and 78 patients 52·7% respectively). All but one patient with AML/TLD was classified into the intermediate or adverse cytogenetic risk group. TLD phenotype was associated with lower remission rate and shorter overall survival but it did not influence disease‐free survival. Although we did not find any specific cytogenetic abnormalities for AML/TLD, the rarity of favourable karyotypes among TLD patients indicates the biological difference between AML/TLD and AML/non‐TLD.
CYP2B6 Genotype Does Not Alter Nicotine Metabolism, Plasma Levels, or Abstinence with Nicotine Replacement Therapy

CYP2A6 metabolically inactivates nicotine to cotinine and further metabolizes cotinine to 3-hydroxycotinine ([1][1], [2][2]). Genetically slow CYP2A6 activity reduces the rate of nicotine metabolism ([3][3]), reduces the 3′- trans -hydroxycotinine/cotinine (3HCOT/COT) ratio (a phenotypic measure
Personality in Bonobos

To better understand human and chimpanzee personality evolution, we obtained trait ratings of personality for 154 captive bonobos (~80% of the U.S. and European population). We found factors that we labeled Assertiveness, Conscientiousness, Openness, Agreeableness, Attentiveness, and Extraversion. The interrater reliabilities and test-retest reliabilities for these factors were comparable to those found in humans and other species. Using orthogonal targeted Procrustes rotations, we compared the bonobo dimensions with those of three samples of captive chimpanzees. Overall congruence coefficients indicated a fair degree of similarity; at the factor level, there was good evidence for Assertiveness, Conscientiousness, Openness, and Agreeableness in the chimpanzee samples; evidence for Attentiveness and Extraversion was poor. These findings suggest that, as expected given their close phylogenetic relationship, bonobo personality structure resembles chimpanzee personality structure in some respects. However, divergent evolution, perhaps as a result of socioecological differences between bonobos and chimpanzees, also appears to have shaped personality structure in these species.
Quantitative Assessment of Surgical Decompression of the Cervical Spine with Cine Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging

OBJECTIVE We measured cerebrospinal fluid flow velocity by use of cine phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging to quantitate the effectiveness of surgical decompression in patients with cervical myelopathy. METHODS Forty-seven patients with cervical myelopathy attributable to either spondylosis or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament were studied. Thirty-five patients underwent anterior cervical decompression and fusion; 12 others underwent expansive laminoplasty. Patients were examined preoperatively and postoperatively by use of a 1.5-T scanner with a pulse-gated cine phase contrast sequence. Cerebrospinal fluid flow direction and velocity in the ventral subarachnoid space were determined at the C1 and T1 levels. Forty-four healthy control subjects were examined to determine normal flow velocity parameters. Severity of cervical myelopathy was evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively by use of Japan Orthopedic Association scores to calculate the extent of recovery. RESULTS Preoperatively, cerebrospinal fluid flow velocity in the caudal direction was significantly lower at both C1 and T1 than velocities measured in healthy controls. Both decompressive procedures essentially returned patient velocities to control values. Clinical recovery from myelopathy did not differ between anterior and posterior decompression. Postoperative increase in flow velocity correlated with clinical recovery after posterior (P < 0.0008) but not anterior decompression. CONCLUSION Cine phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging provides quantitative assessment of cervical spine decompression, with particularly good clinical applicability to posterior procedures.
Harmonic automotive radar for VRU classification

A harmonic radar and set of passive transponders are used for detection and identification of vulnerable road users (VRU) in automotive applications. The radar system transmits a signal consisting of two distinct frequency components in the 76-81 GHz band. A small transponder is carried by the VRU. The antenna and the electric circuitry of the transponder are printed on flexible film and it can therefore be integrated in clothes. In the transponder the two frequency components are mixed together and a harmonic product, offset from all other reflections, is transmitted back to the radar. By synthesizing this harmonic frequency the radar system can unambiguously identify and localize VRU.
Strategic communications, Boko Haram and counter-insurgency

Strategic communications is gaining traction as a potent tool of countering insurgency. State and non-state actors—including insurgent groups—are increasingly turning to it in pursuit of their goals. This article offers a comparative study of the use of strategic communications by both the Nigerian Armed Forces and the jihadi group they seek to obliterate: Boko Haram. It also assesses their impact on the media coverage of their activities. The jihadists deployed both their communications skills and their infamies to put their insurgency onto the global scene. The Army employed a range of tools—some effective, some less so—to counter them. The media’s obsession with jihadi stories gave the insurgents an edge, but the Army managed to disrupt most of their strategies. Extraneous factors do influence strategic communications campaigns, but honesty—or the perception of it—is a necessary condition for their long-term efficacy.
Correcting phase contrast artefacts in X-ray CT imaging

When going to higher resolution in X-ray transmission CT, one of the biggest problems is the appearance of phase contrast. Achieving high resolution usually means scanning very small and thus very low absorbing objects, especially in medical and biological applications. Since the absorption signal for such samples becomes very small, the contribution of the phase contrast signal to the projection image is no longer negligible. This phase signal, which is due to small angle refraction of the X-rays in the sample, results in severe artifacts in the reconstructed slices when using conventional reconstruction algorithms for transmission CT. The appearance of such phase artifacts can be prevented by using a method called Bronnikov Aided Correction, which applies a filtering operation on the projection images that almost completely removes the phase signal. This method is used to reconstruct a CT scan of a horse biopsy. Results are compared with those of a standard reconstruction.
A Spatial-Temporal Analysis of Urban Parkland Expansion in China and Practical Implications to Enhance Urban Sustainability

In response to serious environmental and socio-cultural challenges brought about by fast urbanization, the concept of a sustainable city emphasizes the quality of life of urban residents, assuring the importance of parkland provision in urban development. Despite China’s fast urban expansion in recent decades, scant attention has been paid to the development pattern of urban parkland in China and its implications toward urban sustainability. Engaging official data from government sources, this study conducted a spatial-temporal analysis of urban parkland in China. Results support the overall fast increase of urban parkland provision in China with a clear regional disparity. Moreover, the shift of development momentum from the east to the west has been identified in the recent decade. The status of economic development, the progress of urbanization, and the level of urban development investments are identified as key influential factors influencing the temporal changes of urban parkland in China. With the increasing demand for urban parkland and its important role in ensuring urban sustainability, recommendations to improve urban park development in China are proposed, including integrating urban parkland in urban land use management with specific planning guidelines, establishing a dynamic urban parkland monitoring system, incorporating both national and regional policy frameworks catering for both national standards and regional preferences, and shifting urban development investments with more emphasis on urban maintenance expenditure.
Comparison of pharmacological activities of buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine: norbuprenorphine is a potent opioid agonist.

Buprenorphine (BUP) is an oripavine analgesic that is beneficial in the maintenance treatment of opiate-dependent individuals. Although BUP has been studied extensively, relatively little is known about norbuprenorphine (norBUP), a major dealkylated metabolite of BUP. We now describe the binding of norBUP to opioid and nociceptin/orphanin FQ (ORL1) receptors, and its effects on [(35)S]guanosine-5'-O-(gamma-thio)triphosphate ([(35)S]GTP gamma S) binding mediated by opioid or ORL1 receptors and in the mouse acetic acid writhing test. Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with each receptor were used for receptor binding and [(35)S]GTP gamma S binding. NorBUP exhibited high affinities for mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptors with K(i) values in the nanomolar or subnanomolar range, comparable to those of BUP. NorBUP and BUP had low affinities for the ORL1 receptor with K(i) values in the micromolar range. In the [(35)S]GTP gamma S binding assay, norBUP displayed characteristics distinct from BUP. At the delta-receptor, norBUP was a potent full agonist, yet BUP had no agonist activity and antagonized actions of norBUP and DPDPE. At mu- and kappa-receptors, both norBUP and BUP were potent partial agonists, with norBUP having moderate efficacy and BUP having low efficacy. At the ORL1 receptor, norBUP was a full agonist with low potency, while BUP was a potent partial agonist. In the writhing test, BUP and norBUP both suppressed writhing in an efficacious and dose-dependent manner, giving A(50) values of 0.067 and 0.21 mg/kg, s.c. , respectively. These results highlight the similarities and differences between BUP and norBUP, each of which may influence the unique pharmacological profile of BUP.
Influence of Competition Day on Cognitive Control and HRV in Young Male Gymnasts

Abstract Sartor, F, Capuzzoni, S, Rospo, G, La Torre, A, Vailati, F, and Vailati, E. Influence of competition day on cognitive control and HRV in young male gymnasts. J Strength Cond Res 31(7): 1982–1993, 2017—In gymnastics, high levels of executive attention and physical and coordinative capacities are required. However, training planning does not usually account for dynamic alterations in cognitive capacity. This study investigated whether cognitive capacity was altered by the approach of a competition. Ten elite male gymnasts (16 ± 2 years, 57.3 ± 16.1 kg, 1.64 ± 1.27 m) were monitored for sleep, life demands, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and pain, starting 5 days before the competition and up to 5 days after it. Stroop task performance and concomitant heart rate variability (HRV) were monitored 5 days and 1 day before the competition and then 1 and 5 days after. Sleep and life demands were not affected by the competition. Localized pain ranged from mild to moderate levels throughout the observation period. It weakly correlated with RPE (r = 0.241, p = 0.010) and moderately with number of errors (NoEs) (r = 0.639, p = 0.047). The RPE was higher for the competition day (p = 0.002). Median reaction times during the Stroop task were higher in the period preceding the competition (p < 0.001) for similar NoEs. The HRV during the congruent stimuli task showed higher root mean square differences of successive beats, portion of normal to normal intervals exceeding 50 milliseconds, and high frequency after the competition (p ⩽ 0.05). Poincare plot SD2 showed a positive correlation with Stroop task NoEs (r = 0.590, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the period preceding an important competition affected cognitive performance and HRV in young male gymnasts. A practical implication of this study is that training loads could be adjusted according to mental stress before a competition.
The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scale in the evaluation of disability - A literature review.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) interfere with workers' productivity and quality of life. Thus, early detection of disabilities caused by WRMDs is vital for preventing the aggravation of symptoms. Early detection aids and is aided by educational and preventive programs. WRMDs can be detected using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Scale. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to review the literature on the application of the DASH Scale through a consideration of the cultural adaptation process and an evaluation of the scale's psychometric properties. METHODS The literature review was conducted using the terms "disabilities", "musculoskeletal disorders", "DASH" "questionnaire" and "upper limbs". RESULTS Forty-eight articles were collected, and these included only articles available in English which contained the full version of the DASH Scale and which focused on the evaluation of its psychometric properties (n=25). CONCLUSION Most of the studies partially evaluated the psychometric properties of the DASH instrument; however, these properties were typically evaluated using only a correlation analysis involving other instruments.
The role of cherries in exercise and health

Recently, cherries and cherry products have received growing attention within the literature with regard to their application in both exercise and clinical paradigms. Reported to be high in anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidative capacity, cherries and their constituents are proposed to provide a similar but natural alternative akin to over‐the‐counter non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or analgesics. Within exercise paradigms, concern has been raised with regard to the use of products, which inhibit such inflammatory or oxidative actions, because of the possibility of the blunting of physiological training adaptations. Despite this, numerous scenarios exist both within exercise and clinical populations where a goal of optimal recovery time is more important than physiological adaptation. This review critically evaluates and discusses the use of cherries as a supplementation strategy to enhance recovery of muscle function, inhibit exercise‐induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and pain primarily; furthermore, the potential application of cherries to clinical populations is discussed.
Weight management: what patients want from their primary care physicians.

OBJECTIVE The researchers wanted to determine the weight management experiences of patients in primary care, and what those patients want from their physicians. STUDY DESIGN Patients completed a survey in a primary care waiting room. Afterward they were measured for body mass index (BMI). POPULATION A total of 410 consecutive adult patients in 2 primary care practices at the University of California, San Francisco, were approached, and 366 (89%) completed the survey. OUTCOMES MEASURED The primary outcomes were patient attitudes about weight loss, previous weight management experiences with their current physicians, and future preferences for weight management within the primary care relationship. RESULTS Ninety-seven percent of the obese patients (BMI > 30), 84% of the overweight patients (BMI=25-30), and 39% of the non-overweight patients (BMI < 25) thought they needed to lose weight. Forty-nine percent of the obese patients, 24% of the overweight patients, and 12% of the non-overweight patients had discussed weight with their current physicians. The types of weight management assistance that patients most wanted from their physicians were: (1) dietary advice, (2) help with setting realistic weight goals, and (3) exercise recommendations. CONCLUSIONS Although most patients believe they should lose weight, this is often not discussed during office visits. Most patients (especially those who are overweight or obese) want more help with weight management than they are getting from their primary care physicians.
Occupational risk factors for cancer of the central nervous system (CNS) among US women.

BACKGROUND In a recent report, we found an elevated risk of cancer of the central nervous system (CNS) in several occupations and industries, and a modest association with exposure to solvents and to contact with the public. METHODS To further explore the occupational risk of CNS cancer among women, we extended the analysis of the previous death certificate-based case-control study, including 12,980 female cases (ICD-9 codes 191 and 192) in 24 US states in 1984-1992 and 51,920 female controls who died from diseases other than malignancies and neurological disorders. We applied newly designed job-exposure matrices for 11 occupational hazards, previously reported as brain cancer risk factors, to the occupation and industry codes in the death certificates. We also conducted a separate analysis of 161 meningioma cases (ICD-9 codes 192.1 and 192.3), a tumor more frequent among women, particularly in the postmenopausal age group. RESULTS Overall, CNS cancer risk showed a 20-30% increase among women exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF), methylene chloride, insecticides and fungicides, and contact with the public. Risk for meningioma was elevated among women exposed to lead (OR = 1.9; 95% CI 1.0, 3.9). CNS cancer did not show a clear pattern of risk increase by probability and intensity of exposure to any of the explored risk factors. Cross-classification by probability and intensity of exposure did not reveal any significant trend. Cases were too few to explore trends of meningioma by probability and intensity of exposure to lead. CONCLUSIONS We did not find evidence of a strong contribution of 11 occupational hazards to the etiology of CNS cancer. However, limitations of the occupational information might have reduced our ability to detect clear patterns of risk.
Application of electro mechanical stiffness modulation in biomimetic hair flow sensors

We propose a new electromechanical interfacing scheme to improve the low-frequency response of energy buffering type transducers. The method is based on periodic modulation of the stiffness in the sensory system which allows to up-convert the signals of interest to frequencies where measurement is less troubled by noise or other detrimental effects. We demonstrate this principle by means of capacitive artificial hair flow sensors, where we modulate the rotational spring stiffness by periodic electrostatic spring softening (ESS), such that a replica of the original signal is formed around the modulation frequency. We show that using this replica we gain a substantial improvement of the low frequency signal-to-noise ratio and sensing threshold.
Temperature and Abscisic Acid Can Be Used to Regulate Survival, Growth, and Differentiation of Cultured Guard Cell Protoplasts of Tree Tobacco

Guard cell protoplasts isolated from leaves of Nicotiana glauca (Graham) were cultured. Conditions were sought that would maximize survival and maintain cells in their differentiated state. Temperature was an important determinant of survival, growth, and differentiation. As temperatures were increased from 24 to 32[deg]C, survival for 1 week in culture increased from approximately 20% to approximately 80% of cells used to initiate cultures. At all of these temperatures, approximately 90% of surviving cells divided to form callus tissue. “Footprint” areas of cells cultured for 1 week at 32[deg]C increased almost 30-fold. Cells cultured for 1 week at 34 to 40[deg]C also survived in high percentages (approximately 80%), but they retained a morphology similar to that of guard cells and they did not divide. Footprint areas of cells cultured for 1 week at 38[deg]C increased 6-fold. Cells cultured at 36 to 40[deg]C in media containing 0.1 or 1.0 [mu]M abscisic acid survived in high percentages and did not divide. At 38[deg]C their footprint areas did not increase, but cells so cultured increased in diameter when treated with fusicoccin. Morphologies and electrophoretic profiles of total sodium dodecyl sulfate-extractable proteins suggest that cells cultured at 38[deg]C in media containing abscisic acid remain differentiated. L-[alpha]-(2-Aminoethoxyvinyl)-glycine reduced survival to <1% at 26 or 32[deg]C but had no effect at 38[deg]C. At lower temperatures, cell growth and survival appear to be ethylene dependent.