Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cord blood monocyte subsets are similar to adult and show potent peptidoglycan‐stimulated cytokine responses

Human monocytes can be divided into two major subpopulations, CD14++ CD16− and CD14+ CD16+ cells, which are suggested to play different roles in antimicrobial responses. In neonates, characteristics and functional responses of monocyte subsets have not previously been explored, and might contribute to the qualitative difference between neonatal and adult cytokine profiles. We report that at baseline, monocyte subsets in cord blood and adult peripheral blood are present in similar frequencies, and show similar expression of CD11c, CD80/CD86, CD163 and HLA‐DR. In response to the bacterial ligand peptidoglycan, cord blood monocytes had high inherent capacity for production of the early‐response cytokines with levels of tumour necrosis factor and interleukin‐12p70 exceeding adult levels, and also a higher phosphorylation of p38‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase. The CD14+ CD16+ cells expressed more interleukin‐12p70 than CD14++ CD16− cells and were present in a higher frequency in peptidoglycan‐stimulated cord blood mononuclear cell cultures. Together, the behaviour of cord blood CD14+ CD16+ cells following peptidoglycan stimulation might indicate a qualitative difference between the neonatal antimicrobial response and that of the adult. In addition we found that serum factors in cord blood and adult sera affected cytokine production similarly, with the exception of tumour necrosis factor, regardless of the source of serum or cells. Overall, our data provide new insights into monocyte heterogeneity in cord blood and monocyte subset responses to a bacterial ligand at birth.
Effects of binary decision making on the classification of fractures of the ankle.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of binary decision making on interobserver reliability in the classification of fractures of the ankle. DESIGN Radiographic review study. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS Observers: two PGY-2 orthopaedic residents, two PGY-5 residents, and two orthopaedic attending surgeons. INTERVENTION Radiographs of fifty ankle fractures were classified. Each observer classified the radiographs by using the original AO/ASIF system and its recent binary modification. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Interobserver reliability was assessed by using a kappa coefficient and compared for the two classification methods. RESULTS The mean kappa value for interobserver reliability for type only and for type and group classification when using the original AO/ASIF system was 0.77 and 0.61, respectively. Using binary decision making, the mean kappa values for type only and for type and group were 0.78 and 0.62, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in reliability between the original and binary classification systems. CONCLUSION The interobserver reliability of both the original AO/ASIF classification system and its binary modification is substantial. The results of the present study, however, cast doubt on the effectiveness of binary decision making in improving interobserver reliability in the classification of fractures. To our knowledge, this study is the first to compare the original AO/ASIF classification system with its binary modification. Additional study of other fractures may help elucidate the effectiveness of binary decision making in improving interobserver reliability in the classification of all fractures.
Family information service and hereditary cancer

There has been a groundswell of interest in hereditary forms of cancer during the past 2 decades. This interest has been driven heavily by the attention given by the press to rapidly emerging knowledge about hereditary cancer risk, coupled with news about an increasing number of culprit germ-line mutations predisposing humans to a variety of hereditary cancer-prone disorders. The greatest attention has been fueled by the discovery of BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations in the mid-1990s and by the response of women who have actively sought greater attention to the early diagnosis of breast cancer in the interest of obtaining life-saving solutions. This surge of attention has prompted physicians to attend education programs and to pay greater attention to the prolific literature on hereditary cancer that has emerged so rapidly. Noteworthy is the formidable responsibility that the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has taken in developing education programs on hereditary cancer for oncologists throughout the United States. A significant problem is that, for the most part, practicing physicians are not prepared to obtain sufficient family histories of cancer to establish a hereditary cancer syndrome diagnosis when it may be occurring in their patients. The attainment of a precise family history of cancer, inclusive of detailed information on the clinical and pathologic findings on the proband, on all of the proband’s siblings, progeny, parents, aunts and uncles, and on both sets of grandparents (referred to as the modified nuclear pedigree), will, in most cases, provide sufficient information for the physician to consider cancer proneness and, in certain circumstances, to enable establishment of a hereditary cancer syndrome diagnosis. When examining aunts and uncles and grandparents, the physician is investigating older individuals who have passed through the cancer risk age and, therefore, will be more genetically informative. Further, once the physician has established an hereditary cancer diagnosis, a major challenge is to educate effectively the at-risk members of the extended family. In this setting, the family information service (FIS) can become extremely valuable to the needs of the family. For example, the family will need to understand the importance of well targeted screening procedures that are melded to the family history and to the natural history of the particular hereditary cancer syndrome. For example, in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), family members need to understand the colonic phenotype of multiple adenomatous polyps and the consequence of an extraordinarily high rate of cancer susceptibility, which, when a patient is affected, ultimately requires prophy625
Matrix-derived serum markers in monitoring liver fibrosis in children with chronic hepatitis B treated with interferon alpha.

AIM To evaluate prospectively 4 selected serum fibrosis markers (tenascin, hyaluronan, collagen VI, TIMP-1) before, during and 12 mo after IFN treatment of children with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS Forty-seven consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis B (range 4-16 years, mean 8 years) underwent IFN treatment (3 MU tiw for 20 wk). Fibrosis stage and inflammation grade were assessed in a blinded fashion before and 12 mo after end of treatment. Serum fibrosis markers were determined using automated assays. RESULTS IFN treatment improved histological inflammation but did not change fibrosis in the whole group or in subgroups. Only hyaluronan correlated significantly with histological fibrosis(r = 0.3383, P = 0.021). Basal fibrosis markers did not differ between responders (42.5%) and nonresponders(57.5%). During IFN treatment only serum tenascin decreased significantly in the whole group and in nonresponders. When pretreatment values were compared to values 12 mo after therapy, TIMP-1 increased in all patients and in nonresponders, and hyaluronan decreased in all patients and in responders. CONCLUSION Tenascin reflects hepatic fibrogenesis and inflammation which decreases during IFN treatment of children with chronic hepatitis B. TIMP-1 correlates with nonresponse and hyaluronan with histological fibrosis.
Adherence of Candida albicans to human buccal epithelial cells

The adherence of Candida albicans to human buccal epithelial cells after 2 h at 37 degrees C was significantly greater in human saliva than in phosphate-buffered saline. in saliva, viable fungi adhered much better than did nonviable fungi, and this adherence was greater at 37 than at 25 degrees C. Viable yeasts, preincubated in saliva for 90 min at 37 degrees C before being washed and mixed with epithelial cells in phosphate-buffered saline, adhered better than nonviable yeasts or yeasts preincubated in phosphate-buffered saline. Enhanced adherence in saliva appeared to be associated with germination of the yeast cells. Conditions permitting germination (growth in tissue culture medium 199 at 37 degrees C but not at 25 degrees C) also supported enhanced adherence. After germination had occurred, the fungi could be killed with Formalin without interfering with their rapid and efficient adherence to epithelial cells. These data indicate that the enhanced adherence of C. albicans observed after incubation in saliva is related to changes in the fungi, rather than to a requirement for prolonged interaction between fungi and epithelial cells.
Design methodology of the primary droop voltage control for DC microgrids

In this article, a complete methodology to design the primary voltage droop control for a generic DC microgrid is proposed. First, a procedure to obtain a linear model of the complete system including the different converters inner and outer loops is detailed. Then, this linear model is analyzed using frequency domain techniques in order to ensure that the system is able to operate in a stable and secure manner. Based on the frequency analysis performed, the system droop gains are selected and tested in simulation to validate that the control design specifications are met.
Cyclophosphamide Induces an Early Wave of Acrolein-Independent Apoptosis in the Urothelium.

PURPOSE Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC or bladder inflammation) affects a significant number of patients undergoing cyclophosphamide (CP) chemotherapy despite treatment with 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate (Mesna) to inactivate the metabolite acrolein. While the mechanism is unknown, there is clearly acrolein-independent damage to the urothelium. In this study we have explored the induction of apoptosis in the urothelium as a marker of damage and the mechanism underlying the acrolein-independent apoptosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Apoptosis in urothelium (caspase-3/7 activity and Poly (ADP-ribosyl) polymerase (PARP) cleavage) was measured following CP administration (80 mg/kg). Sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate (Mesna) was used to mask acrolein's effect. An IL-1β receptor antagonist and a cell-permeable caspase-1 inhibitor were used to assess the involvement of IL-1β and caspase-1, respectively. RESULTS Two waves of apoptosis were detected following CP administration, one peaking at 2 h and a second at 48 h. The first wave was independent of acrolein. Caspase-1 was also active at 2 h and activation of caspase-3/7 was blocked by a caspase-1 inhibitor but not an IL-1β receptor antagonist suggesting the direct activation of caspase-3/7 by caspase-1 without the need for IL-1β as an intermediate. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that CP initiates an early, acrolein-independent wave of apoptosis that results from direct cleavage of caspase-3/7 by caspase-1.
Revised Knox Preschool Play Scale: interrater agreement and construct validity.

OBJECTIVE Interrater agreement and construct validity of the Revised Knox Preschool Play Scale (RKPPS) were examined. METHOD Two separately trained raters evaluated 38 typically developing children, ages 36 to 72 months. For each child, the raters observed two 15-min free-play sessions. RESULTS For the overall play age, the scores of the two raters were within 8 months of each other 86.8% of the time; for the 4 dimension scores, they were within 12 months of each other 91.7% to 100% of the time; and for the 12 category scores, they were within one age level of each other 81.8% to 100% of the time. Construct validity results showed a general match between the children's chronological ages and their overall play age scores. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that two raters can score the RKPPS with some consistency and that scores on this measure progress developmentally, thus supporting its construct validity.
Just What the Doctor Ordered

WHIEN TO SUSPECT DISSECTION Dr. GOODWIN: One of the difficulties here, I think, and one which is not uncommon, is the fact that when you have hypertrophy of both ventricles the cardiographic diagnosis of infarction may be very difficult. It may be obscured, or it may be counterfeited. On looking through these tracings it is clear, as Dr. Cope has said, that this man never had unequivocal evidence of myocardial infarction. He undoubtedly had myocardial damage and biventricular hypertrophy. That is why I was interested in whether his right ventricle also was enlarged. I think a guiding principle upon which we should work is that, if somebody who is hypertensive has rather atypical chest pain, and a cairdiogram which is no, absolutely diagnostic of cardiac infarction, he may well have a dissection. Dr. COPE: I think we ought to put on record the actual facts about the anticoagulant therapy. I see from the treatment sheets that he was given heparin for one day and part of the second day and then the treatment was cancelled. Two or three weeks later, he was again ordered heparin, presumably for one of these subsequentattacks, but it was deleted and not given. So in fact it was not more than a cotuple of days of anticoagulant therapy, but it might have b. -n an aetiological factor nevertheless.
Novel IL27p28/IL12p40 Cytokine Suppressed Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis by Inhibiting Autoreactive Th1/Th17 Cells and Promoting Expansion of Regulatory T Cells*

Background: We genetically engineered a novel IL27p28/IL12p40 cytokine and examined its use in treatment of uveitis. Results: IL27p28/IL12p40 ameliorated uveitis by inhibiting the differentiation and activation of Th1 and Th17 lymphocytes. Conclusion: IL27p28/IL12p40 can potentially be used to treat CNS autoimmune diseases like uveitis. Significance: This proof-of-concept experiment suggests that novel combinations of α/β IL12 subunits may constitute a new class of therapeutic cytokines. IL-12 family cytokines are important in host immunity. Whereas some members (IL-12, IL-23) play crucial roles in pathogenesis of organ-specific autoimmune diseases by inducing the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 lymphocytes, others (IL-27 and IL-35) suppress inflammatory responses and limit tissue injury induced by these T cell subsets. In this study, we have genetically engineered a novel IL27p28/IL12p40 heterodimeric cytokine (p28/p40) that antagonizes signaling downstream of the gp130 receptor. We investigated whether p28/p40 can be used to ameliorate uveitis, a CNS inflammatory disease. Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) is the mouse model of human uveitis and is mediated by Th1 and Th17 cells. We show here that p28/p40 suppressed EAU by inhibiting the differentiation and inflammatory responses of Th1 and Th17 cells while promoting expansion of IL-10+- and Foxp3+-expressing regulatory T cells. Lymph node cells from mice treated with p28/p40 blocked adoptive transfer of EAU to naïve syngeneic mice by immunopathogenic T cells and suppressive effects of p28/p40 derived in part from antagonizing STAT1 and STAT3 pathways induced by IL-27 and IL-6. Interestingly, IL27p28 also suppressed EAU, but to a lesser extent than p28/p40. The inhibition of uveitogenic lymphocyte proliferation and suppression of EAU by p28/p40 and IL27p28 establish efficacy of single chain and heterodimeric IL-12 family cytokines in treatment of a CNS autoimmune disease. Creation of the biologically active p28/p40 heterodimeric cytokine represents an important proof-of-concept experiment, suggesting that cytokines comprising unique IL-12 α- and β-subunit pairing may exist in nature and may constitute a new class of therapeutic cytokines.
Superoxide anion radical scavenging activity of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.)

Naturally occurring antioxidants present in bilberry were separated into three groups: vitamin C, phenolic acids and flavonoids using solid phase extraction (SPE). Chemical composition of bilberry extract fractions was obtained by spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results of HPLC analysis point out the high content of vitamin C (1529 g/g) in fraction Fr1, flavonoids (1328.58 g/g) in fraction Fr2 and phenolic acids (494.31 g/g) in fraction Fr3. The free radical scavenging activities of these antioxidant fractions on superoxide anion radicals and detection of free radical intermediates was studied using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Superoxide anion free radical assay demonstrated very potent free radical scavenging activity of bilberry extract fractions. The results of correlation analysis showed that the separated classes of antioxidants from bilberry (vitamin C, flavonoids and phenolic acids) are responsible for its antioxidant activity.
Complex Sequelae of Psychological Trauma Among Kosovar Civilian War Victims

Aims: The impact of war trauma on civilians may include, but also extend beyond, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to include complex sequelae such as those described by the syndrome of Disorders of Extreme Stress Not Otherwise Specified (DESNOS). Methods: In the present study, 102 civilian war victims were interviewed in Kosovo, assessing traumatic life events, PTSD, DESNOS, and depression. Results: Full DESNOS rarely occurred (2% prevalence), however, clinically significant DESNOS symptoms of somatization, altered relationships, and altered systems of meaning were reported by between 24—42% of respondents. Although DESNOS symptoms were correlated with PTSD symptoms, DESNOS symptoms were associated with poorer overall psychological functioning, self-evaluations, satisfaction with life, and social support independent of the effects of PTSD. Conclusion: The findings suggest that DESNOS warrants attention in addition to PTSD in the assessment and treatment of civilians who have been exposed to war and genocide.
Designing multimodal tracks for mobile users in unfamiliar urban environments

While there have been many studies of navigation design guidelines for integrating maps in mobile devices, we argue that the research focus should turn more towards the design of multimodal navigation aids, which would reflect the impact of typical human wayfinding behaviour. Therefore, we suggest an interdisciplinary design approach, i.e. building on urban design practice that focuses on supporting the navigation of pedestrians in urban areas. The design implications are explored in this study with the subjects being pedestrians accomplishing wayfinding tasks in an unfamiliar, urban area. The main areas that this paper contributes to are: investigating the design implications of multimodal navigation aids; evaluating these in the context of mobile wayfinding tasks; and reflecting the results according to the user's wayfinding strategies and spatial anxiety. It is concluded that through designing multimodal tracks into mobile navigation applications we can help users to find their way in unfamiliar, urban environments.
Design and analysis of RF MEMS switch with π-shaped cantilever beam for wireless applications

This paper focuses on the design and analysis of RF MEMS metal contact switch with a π shaped cantilever beam operating in the frequency range from 4 to 12 GHz. The topology of the design is a modified cantilever beam to achieve a low pull-in voltage. The design was analyzed as a metal contact switch to ensure its operation from DC onwards. The design is modified in terms of thickness of the beam, beam gap and the material used to perform electrostatic actuation mechanism. The actuation voltage was achieved to be 10V with an insertion loss of −9.40 dB at 12 GHz. The return loss was −9.710 dB at 12 GHz in the ON state and −3.3 dB at 12 GHz in the off state. An isolation of about −90.80 dB at 12 GHz was achieved in the off state.
Reflection and transmission measurements using 60 GHz patch antennas in the presence of animal tissue for non-invasive glucose sensing

This paper presents reflection and transmission measurements in the 58 - 62 GHz frequency range through a pig's ear while the animal was subject to a blood glucose test. The paper first presents results of reflection measurements when patch antennas are placed at different locations around the ear and before any glucose injection is performed. Second, transmission measurements were taken for different frequencies as the blood glucose was changing over time, showing a good correlation between the recorded signals and the measured glucose levels. The motivation behind these measurements is to design a sensor that can achieve accurate detection of glucose concentration levels without drawing blood (non-invasively).
Effects of ozone pretreatment on viability of random pattern skin flaps in rats

Abstract Background: Medical ozone is a chemical agent that consists of three oxygen atoms and has antioxidant, angiogenic and vasodilator effects. This study evaluated the effects of medical ozone pre-treatment on flap survival. Materials and methods: Rats were divided into four groups of 10 rats each and a 9 × 3 cm McFarlane flap was used. Sham group: Neither surgical nor ozone pretreatment was used. Control group: No pretreatment was used after surgery. Preoperative ozone group: Preoperative 1 mg/kg ozone was given intraperitoneally for 7 days. No pretreatment was used after surgery. Postoperative ozone Group: Postoperative 1 mg/kg ozone was given intraperitoneally for 7 days. After postoperative 1 week, all groups were evaluated by surface area measurement, histopathology and electron microscopy. Results: With the experimental McFarlane flap model, the experimental groups had better surface area measurements, along with histopathological and electron microscopic results when compared with the control group. Conclusion: Medical ozone had positive effects on flap survival due to its antioxidant, angiogenic and vasodilator qualities.
ADAMTS: Novel proteases expressed by activated mast cells

Abstract Here we show that mast cells (MCs) express the metalloproteases of the A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) family, and that ADAMTS expression is influenced by MC activation. Co-culture of MCs with live Gram-positive bacteria caused a profound induction of ADAMTS-9 and -6, as well as down-regulated expression of ADAMTS-5. Similar patterns were also seen after MC activation with calcium ionophore and by immunoglobulin E receptor crosslinking. Moreover, ADAMTS-5, -6 and -9 were all induced by activation of terminally differentiated murine peritoneal MCs and in a human MC line. ADAMTS-9 up-regulation in response to immunoglobulin E receptor crosslinking was strongly dependent on Gö6976-sensitive protein kinase C and partly dependent on nuclear factor of activated T cells and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, respectively. The expression of ADAMTS-5, -6 and -9 was closely linked to MC maturation, as shown by their strong induction during the differentiation of bone marrow precursor cells into mature MCs. ADAMTS family members have been shown to possess aggrecanase activity. Accordingly, MCs were shown to express aggrecanase activity. Finally, ADAMTS-5 protein was detected in MCs by immunocytochemistry. Taken together, the present study reveals ADAMTS expression by MCs and that MC activation regulates the expression of these proteases, thus implicating the ADAMTS family of proteases in MC function.