Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contrasting effects from a single major histocompatibility complex class II molecule (H-2E) in recovery from Friend virus leukemia

Resistance to erythroleukemia induced by infection with the Friend virus complex (FV) has been mapped to several genes residing both within and outside the murine major histocompatibility complex (MHC). MHC genes located in the A, D, and Qa/Tla regions of the murine H-2 complex have been shown to affect disease resistance through their capacity to regulate various aspects of the host immune response to viral antigens. This study establishes H-2E as the fourth MHC locus controlling immunological resistance to FV. Our investigation into the role of H-2E molecules revealed two distinct and opposite effects on recovery from Friend disease. H-2b/b mice normally lack a functional E gene product and are resistant to high doses of FV. The expression of H-2E molecules in H-2 recombinant or transgenic mice of this genotype resulted in a significant decrease in spontaneous recovery from FV-induced leukemia. In contrast, H-2E expression also appeared to influence recovery from Friend disease in a positive manner, since blocking these molecules with anti-E antibodies in vivo significantly decreased recovery from Friend disease. The data indicate that the positive effects of H-2E molecules derive from their function as restriction elements for helper T-cell recognition of the viral envelope glycoprotein, and we postulate that the negative effects are due to H-2E-dependent deletion in the T-cell repertoire during development.
Intelligent stretching of ankle joints with contracture/spasticity

An intelligent stretching device was developed to treat the spastic/contractured ankle of neurologically impaired patients. The device stretched the ankle safely throughout the range of motion (ROM) to extreme dorsiflexion and plantarflexion until a specified peak resistance torque was reached with the stretching velocity controlled based on the resistance torque. The ankle was held at the extreme position for a period of time to let stress relaxation occur before it was rotated back to the other extreme position. Stretching was slow at the joint extreme positions, making it possible to reach a larger ROM safely and it was fast in the middle ROM so the majority of the treatment was spent in stretching the problematic extreme ROM. Furthermore, the device evaluated treatment outcome quantitatively in multiple aspects, including active and passive ROM, joint stiffness and viscous damping and reflex excitability. The stretching resulted in considerable changes in joint passive ROM, stiffness, viscous damping and reflex gain. The intelligent control and yet simple design of the device suggest that with appropriate simplification, the device can be made portable and low cost, making it available to patients and therapists for frequent use in clinics/home and allowing more effective treatment and long-term improvement.
Silicon Nanowire fabricated by MEMS technology and its application in biochemical detection

Silicon Nanowires (SiNWs) fabricated by MEMS technology and its DC response to antigen (HBsAg) was demonstrated in this paper. Anisotropic self-stop etching was employed to ensure low cost batch production. Electrical characterization revealed that, field effect of such device, with SiNWs' width and thickness in the order of 10nm, guaranteed linear resistance modulation in a wide range, which made it a promising candidate for high sensitivity biochemical detection. Antigen (HBsAg) detection experiments presented that the sensitivity of the sensor exhibited an obvious dependence upon the length of SiNWs, which indicated a new way to improve the performance of such a kind of biosensor.
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-induced hyperkalemia in patients receiving inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND Trimethoprim therapy can cause hyperkalemia and is often coprescribed with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). The objective of this study was to characterize the risk of hyperkalemia-associated hospitalization in elderly patients who were being treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole along with either an ACEI or an ARB. METHODS We conducted a population-based, nested case-control study of a cohort of elderly patients 66 years or older who were residents of Ontario, Canada, and who were receiving continuous therapy with either an ACEI or an ARB. Case patients were those with a hyperkalemia-associated hospitalization within 14 days of receiving a prescription for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, or nitrofurantoin. For each case, we identified up to 4 control patients from the same cohort matched for age, sex, and presence or absence of chronic renal disease and diabetes. Odds ratios were determined for the association between hyperkalemia-associated hospitalization and previous antibiotic use. RESULTS During the 14-year study period, we identified 4148 admissions involving hyperkalemia, 371 of which occurred within 14 days of antibiotic exposure. Compared with amoxicillin, the use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole was associated with a nearly 7-fold increased risk of hyperkalemia-associated hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio, 6.7; 95% confidence interval, 4.5-10.0). No such risk was found with the use of comparator antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS Among older patients treated with ACEIs or ARBs, the use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole is associated with a major increase in the risk of hyperkalemia-associated hospitalization relative to other antibiotics. Alternate antibiotic therapy should be considered in these patients when clinically appropriate.
Inhibitory effects of albuterol and fenoterol on RANTES and IP‐10 expression in bronchial epithelial cells

To cite this article: Lam KP, Chu YT, Lee MS, Chen HN, Wang WL, Tok TS, Chin YY, Chen SC, Kuo CH, and Hung CH. Inhibitory Effects of Albuterol and Fenoterol on RANTES and IP‐10 Expression in Bronchial Epithelial Cells. Pediatric Allergy Immunology 2011; 22: 431–439.
Stress impairs cognitive flexibility in infants

Significance Infancy is regarded as a period of increased vulnerability to stress, but it is currently unknown how stress influences cognitive functioning in infants. Studies with adults have revealed that stress promotes rigid habitual behavior at the cost of flexible behavior. Here we show that stress similarly affects 15-mo-old infants. Half of the infants underwent a stress induction, the other half did not. Then, all infants learned to habitually perform an action that produced an interesting effect. Once the action had become ineffective, only stressed infants continued performing this action, showing rigid habitual behavior. Nonstressed infants explored an alternative action, showing flexible behavior. If stress occurs frequently, infants’ failure to explore alternative behaviors could hamper knowledge acquisition in the long term. In human adults, learning and memory under acute stress are characterized by an increased use of rigid habitual response strategies at the cost of flexible cognitive strategies. The immediate effects of stress on cognitive functioning early in life are not well understood. Here we show experimentally that acute stress leads human infants to perform habitual behavior rigidly. We found that 15-mo-old infants exposed to stress thereafter kept performing a previously effective action, even after the action suddenly became ineffective. Infants in a no-stress control group flexibly adjusted their behavior by disengaging from the newly ineffective action in favor of exploring an alternative action. This finding demonstrates that stress impairs infants’ ability to adjust their behavior to changing circumstances.
Two-Section Quantum-Dot Mode-Locked Lasers Under Optical Feedback: Pulse Broadening and Harmonic Operation

In this paper, we numerically investigate the role of gain and absorber dynamics on the operation of monolithic two-section mode-locked quantum-dot lasers under optical feedback. The analysis is carried out by means of a time-domain traveling wave model for propagation in the gain and absorbing sections. The obtained results indicate that in devices with slow dynamics, pulse duration tends to increase significantly with feedback. On the contrary, devices with fast dynamics exhibit an operation that depends primarily on the external cavity length.
Percutaneous versus open bone grafting in the treatment of tibial fractures: a randomized prospective trial.

PURPOSE To compare the results between percutaneous bone grafting and open bone grafting of tibial shaft fractures. METHOD Thirty tibial fractured shafts with a delayed union or a high-energy tibial fractures which required early prophylaxis bone grafts were randomized to either percutaneous bone graft (n= 15) or open bone graft (n=15). One patient from the open bone graft group was lost to follow-up. Characteristics of the patients were similar in both groups. RESULTS The mean length of follow-up was 2.5 years. Percutaneous bone graft technique was associated with significantly less blood loss (p<0.01) and shorter operative time (p<0.01). One patient in the percutaneous group had posterior tibial nerve palsy postoperatively, which recovered completely after 6 weeks. There were no differences in rate of union, healing time of the successful cases, postoperative pain and hospital stay. CONCLUSION The percutaneous technique has effective results similar to the open technique in promoting union of tibial fractures. It should be considered as a useful alternative to the open bone graft technique.
Interaction of Gsα with the Cytosolic Domains of Mammalian Adenylyl Cyclase*

Forskolin- and Gsα-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity is observed after mixture of two independently-synthesized ∼25-kDa cytosolic fragments derived from mammalian adenylyl cyclases (native M r ∼ 120,000). The C1a domain from type V adenylyl cyclase (VC1) and the C2 domain from type II adenylyl cyclase (IIC2) can both be expressed in large quantities and purified to homogeneity. When mixed, their maximally stimulated specific activity, 150 μmol/min/mg protein, substantially exceeds values observed previously with the intact enzyme. A soluble, high-affinity complex containing one molecule each of VC1, IIC2, and guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPγS)-Gsα is responsible for the observed enzymatic activity and can be isolated. In addition, GTPγS-Gsαinteracts with homodimers of IIC2 to form a heterodimeric complex (one molecule each of Gsα and IIC2) but not detectably with homodimers of VC1. Nevertheless, Gsα can be cross-linked to VC1 in the activated heterotrimeric complex of VC1, IIC2, and Gsα, indicating its proximity to both components of the enzyme that are required for efficient catalysis. These results and those in the accompanying report (Dessauer, C. W., Scully, T. T., and Gilman, A. G. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 22272–22277) suggest that activators of adenylyl cyclase facilitate formation of a single, high-activity catalytic site at the interface between C1 and C2.
Randomized cross‐over clinical trial of injectable vs. implantable depot testosterone for maintenance of testosterone replacement therapy in androgen deficient men

Background Life‐long testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) for younger men with organic androgen deficiency is best provided by depot testosterone (T) products. This study compared directly the two long‐acting depot T products, subdermal T implants (TI) and injectable T undecanoate (TU) for maintenance of TRT.
Corneal calcification following intensified treatment with sodium hyaluronate artificial tears

Aim: To report a potential adverse effect of intensified treatment with sodium hyaluronate artificial tears. Methods: Five cases of deep calcium deposition in the cornea associated with ocular surface disease and frequent use of hyaluronic acid artificial tears are described. All patients used one formulation of phosphate buffered hyaluronate eye drops when rapid calcification developed. All eyes required corneal graft surgery for visual rehabilitation. Specimens at keratoplasty were available for light microscopy and investigation by dispersive x ray analysis. The phosphate concentration in the medication used for topical treatment was measured and compared to alternative hyaluronate preparations. Results: Light microscopy showed dense mineralisation of the entire stroma. The crystalline deposits consisted of hydroxyapatite, Ca5(PO4)3OH. A 50-fold higher concentration of phosphate was measured in the sodium hyaluronate eye drops used for treatment (50.9 mmol/l) when compared with normal serum. The other hyaluronate formulations showed phosphate concentrations from <0.1 mmol/l to 10.9 mmol/l. Conclusions: The hyaluronate artificial tear formulation “Hylo-Comod” favours the formation of insoluble crystalline calcium phosphate deposits in presence of epithelial keratopathy. This is because of its high phosphate concentration and typically frequent instillation. Manufacturers and prescribers should be aware that topical preparations may contain considerable amounts of phosphate which may lead to sight threatening corneal complications.
The neurobiology of stress management.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Stress is natural and belongs to life itself. To sustain it and even grow with it biology invented different mechanisms, since stress resistance is obligatory. These pathways, we surmise, can be activated and learned intentionally, through professional stress management training or 'mind-body medicine', or endogenously and automatically through autoregulation. Since the primary goal of various stress-reducing approaches is corresponding, we expect to find an overlapping physiology and neurobiological principle of stress reduction. These common pathways, as we speculate, involve some of the very same signalling molecules and structures. METHODS Concepts of stress and stress management are described and then associated with underlying molecular and neurobiological pathways. Evidence is gathered from different sources to substantiate the hypothesis of an overlapping neurobiological principle in stress autoregulation. RESULTS Stress describes the capacity and mechanisms to sustain and adjust to externally or internally challenging situations. Therefore, organisms can rely on the endogenous ability to self-regulate stress and stressors, i.e., autoregulatory stress management. Stress management usually consists of one to all of the following instruments and activities: behavioral or cognitive, exercise, relaxation and nutritional or food interventions (BERN), including social support and spirituality. These columns can be analyzed for their underlying neurobiological and autoregulatory pathways, thereby revealing a close connection to the brain's pleasure, reward and motivation circuits that are particularly bound to limbic structures and to endogenous dopamine, morphine, and nitric oxide (NO) signalling. Within this work, we demonstrate the existence of opioid, opiate, dopamine and related pathways for each of the selected stress management columns. DISCUSSION Stress management techniques may possess specific and distinct physiological effects. However, beneficial behaviors and strategies to overcome stress are, as a more general principle, neurobiologically rewarded by pleasure induction, yet positively and physiologically amplified and reinforced, and this seems to work via dopamine, endorphin and morphine release, apart from other messenger molecules. These latter effects are unspecific, however, down-regulatory and clearly stress-reducing by their nature. CONCLUSIONS There seems to exist a common neurobiological mechanism, i.e., limbic autoregulation, that involves dopamine, morphine and other endogenous signalling molecules, e.g., other opioid receptor agonists, endocannabinoids, oxytocin or serotonin, many of which act via NO release, and this share seems to be of critical importance for the self-regulation and management of stress: stress management is an endogenous potential.
Closeness-Centrality-Based Synchronization Criteria for Complex Dynamical Networks With Interval Time-Varying Coupling Delays

This paper investigates synchronization in complex dynamical networks (CDNs) with interval time-varying delays. The CDNs are representative of systems composed of a large number of interconnected dynamical units, and for the purpose of the mathematical analysis, the leading work is to model them as graphs whose nodes represent the dynamical units. At this time, we take note of the importance of each node in networks. One way, in this paper, is that the closeness-centrality mentioned in the field of social science is grafted onto the CDNs. By constructing a suitable Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional, and utilizing some mathematical techniques, the sufficient and closeness-centrality-based conditions for synchronization stability of the networks are established in terms of linear matrix inequalities. Ultimately, the use of the closeness-centrality can be weighted with regard to not only the interconnection relation among the nodes, which was utilized in the existing works but also more information about nodes. Here, the centrality will be added as the concerned information. Moreover, to avoid the computational burden causing the nonconvex term including the square of the time-varying delay, how to deal with it is applied by estimating it to the convex term including time-varying delay. Finally, two illustrative examples are given to show the advantage of the closeness-centrality in point of the robustness on time-delay.
Investigating inhibitory control in children with epilepsy: An fMRI study

Deficits in executive function are noted increasingly in children with epilepsy and have been associated with poor academic and psychosocial outcomes. Impaired inhibitory control contributes to executive dysfunction in children with epilepsy; however, its neuroanatomic basis has not yet been investigated. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to probe the integrity of activation in brain regions underlying inhibitory control in children with epilepsy.
Physiological Stress Responses in Amphibian Larvae to Multiple Stressors Reveal Marked Anthropogenic Effects even below Lethal Levels

Natural and anthropogenic disturbances cause profound alterations in organisms, inducing physiological adjustments to avoid, reduce, or remedy the impact of disturbances. In vertebrates, the stress response is regulated via neuroendocrine pathways, including the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis that regulates the secretion of glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids have cascading effects on multiple physiological pathways, affecting the metabolic rate, reactive oxygen species production, or immune system. Determining the extent to which natural and anthropogenic environmental factors induce stress responses in vertebrates is of great importance in ecology and conservation biology. Here we study the physiological stress response in spadefoot toad tadpoles (Pelobates cultripes) against three levels of a series of natural and anthropogenic stressors common to many aquatic systems: salinity (0, 6, and 9 ppt), herbicide (0, 1, and 2 mg/L acid equivalent of glyphosate), water acidity (pH 4.5, 7.0, and 9.5), predators (absent, native, and invasive), and temperature (21°, 25°, and 29°C). The physiological stress response was assessed examining corticosterone levels, standard metabolic rate, activity of antioxidant enzymes, oxidative cellular damage in lipids, and immunological status. We found that common stressors substantially altered the physiological state of tadpoles. In particular, salinity and herbicides cause dramatic physiological changes in tadpoles. Moreover, tadpoles reduced corticosterone levels in the presence of natural predators but did not do so against invasive predators, indicating a lack of innate recognition. Corticosterone and the antioxidant enzyme glutathione reductase were the most sensitive parameters to stress in this study. Anthropogenic perturbations of aquatic systems pose serious threats to larval amphibians even at nonlethal concentrations, judging from the marked physiological stress responses generated, and reveal the importance of incorporating physiological information onto conservation, ecological, and evolutionary studies.
Targeted individual prophylaxis offers superior risk stratification for cytomegalovirus reactivation after liver transplantation

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can reactivate following liver transplantation. Management of patients currently considered low risk based on pretransplant serology remains contentious, with universal prophylaxis and preemptive strategies suffering from significant deficiencies. We hypothesized that a CMV‐specific T cell assay performed early after transplant as part of a preemptive strategy could better stratify “low‐risk” (recipient seropositive) patients. We conducted a prospective, blinded, observational study in 75 adult recipients. QuantiFERON‐cytomegalovirus was performed both before and at multiple times after transplant. Low‐risk patients (n = 58) were monitored as per unit protocol and treatment was commenced if CMV > 1000 copies/mL (DNAemia). Twenty patients needed antiviral treatment for other reasons and were censored (mainly for rejection or herpes simplex virus infection); 19/38 (50%) of the remaining low‐risk patients developed DNAemia at mean 34.6 days after transplant. A week 2 result of <0.1 IU/mL was significantly associated with risk of subsequent DNAemia (hazard ratio [HR], 6.9; P = 0.002). The positive predictive value of 80% suggests these patients are inappropriately labeled low risk and are actually at high likelihood of CMV reactivation. A secondary cutoff of <0.2 IU/mL was associated with moderate risk (HR, 2.8; P = 0.01). In conclusion, a protocol based on a single early CMV‐specific T cell based assay would offer improved risk stratification and individualization of patient management after transplant. This could offer improved drug and service utilization and potentially result in significant improvements over both currently used protocols to manage supposedly low‐risk patients. Liver Transpl 21:1478‐1485, 2015. © 2015 AASLD.
Adrenomedullin gene dosage correlates with tumor and lymph node lymphangiogenesis

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a potent lymphangiogenic factor that promotes lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) proliferation through a pharmacologically tractable G‐protein‐coupled receptor. Numerous types of human cancers have increased levels of AM; however, the functional consequences of this fact have not been characterized. Therefore, we evaluated whether modulating adrenomedullin (Adm) gene dosage within tumor cells affects lymphangiogenesis. Murine Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells that overexpress or underexpress Adm were injected subcutaneously into C57BL/6 mice, and tumors were evaluated for growth and vascularization. A dosage range from ~10 to 200% of wild‐type Adm expression did not affect LLC proliferation in vitro or in vivo, nor did it affect angiogenesis. Notably, the dosage of Adm markedly and significantly influenced tumor lymphangiogenesis. Reduced Adm expression in tumors decreased the proliferation of LECs and the number of lymphatic vessels, while elevated tumor Adm expression led to enlarged lymphatic vessels. Moreover, overexpression of Adm in tumors induced sentinel lymph node lymphangiogenesis and led to an increased incidence of Ki67‐positive foci within the lung. These data show that tumor‐secreted AM is a critical factor for driving both tumor and lymph node lymphangiogenesis. Thus, pharmacological targeting of AM signaling may provide a new avenue for inhibition of tumor lymphangiogenesis. —Karpinich, N. O. , Kechele, D. O. , Espenschied, S. T. , Willcockson, H. H. , Fedoriw, Y. , Caron, K. M. Adrenomedullin gene dosage correlates with tumor and lymph node lymphangiogenesis. FASEB J. 27, 590–600 (2013). www.fasebj. org