Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mutations in Innate Immune System NOD2/CARD 15 and TLR-4 (Thr399Ile) Genes Influence the Risk for Severe Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease in Patients Who Underwent an Allogeneic Transplantation

Background. NOD2 and TLR-4 genes belong to the innate immune system that detects invading pathogens through several pattern-recognition receptors. Here we analyzed 403 patients for NOD2 gene mutations and 307 patients for TLR-4 gene mutations (Thr399Ile) with their respective donors and correlated the results with the incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), severe acute GVHD (saGVHD), the risk for transplant-related mortality (TRM), overall survival (OS) and incidence of infectious complications. Methods. We performed a retrospective single-center study. Genotyping of TLR-4 and NOD2 were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results. Surprisingly, we found a significant reduced incidence of aGVHD, saGVHD, and intestinal GVHD for patients with NOD2 gene mutations on the donor side with 50%, 0% and 2% compared to patients with the wild-type NOD2 gene with 65%, 17%, and 26%, respectively (P<0.02). However, the incidence of saGVHD increased in patients with NOD2 mutations on the patient and donor (P/D) side with 44% versus 17% compared to patients with the wild-type gene (P<0.03). TLR-4 gene mutations at P/D side had an increased risk for saGVHD with 42% versus 15% of patients with wild-type gene (P<0.04). OS, TRM, and incidence of infectious complications were not influenced by the mutated genes. Multivariate analysis confirmed that NOD2 gene mutations on the donor side had a reduced risk for saGVHD (P<0.001), whereas mutations of the NOD2 gene on P/D side had an increased risk for saGVHD (P<0.01) in our analysis. Conclusions. These results suggest that NOD2 mutations have influence on the occurrence of acute GVHD after transplantation.
DOES POLITICAL AFFILIATION MATTER ON POST-PARLIAMENTARY CAREERS IN THE BOARDS OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISES?

Research on post-parliamentary careers has so far neglected the effect of political affiliation on the appointment of ex-members of Parliament to public firms boards of director. This article intends to fill this gap by conducting an empirical analysis on a sample of 1,419 deputies of Italian Parliament elected over the period 1994-2001. The regression discontinuity estimates show that the probability of being appointed to the board of public enterprises of center-left ex-deputies is about 15 percentage points higher than that of center-right ex-deputies. This result brings to light the politicization of Italian public firms, put in place through the appointment of ex-deputies in managerial positions.
Renal Fibroblast Culture

The interstitial cells in the kidney are not a homogeneous cell population but consist of different cell types like fibroblasts, dendritic cells or lymphocyte-like cells. Fibroblasts are the most abundant interstitial cell type. They are regarded as the most important cells for the production and degradation of extracellular matrix and are assumed to play a pivotal role in renal interstitial fibrosis, which correlates directly with the decrease in excretory renal function. Renal fibroblasts also have endocrine activity: cortical fibroblasts are supposed to synthesize erythropoetin, and inner medullary fibroblasts are involved in the regulation of water and electrolyte homeostasis. A powerful tool for the further elucidation of fibroblast function are studies on cultured cells. Different techniques for the isolation of fibroblasts have been reported, including the cultivation of fibroblasts from outgrowths of minced tissue and the selective removal of contaminating epithelial cells by various methods. Several aspects have to be considered while culturing fibroblasts. Fibroblasts in culture exhibit distinct morphologic and biochemical features depending on their site of origin, state of differentiation and culture conditions. Their identification in culture exclusively by morphological criteria is therefore critical especially in mixed cultures with other cell types. Unfortunately, a constitutively expressed, specific marker for all fibroblasts is still not available. Since myofibroblast formation is considered as a key event in renal interstitial fibrosis, the transformation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts is of special interest. Studies on cultured fibroblasts provide an effective tool to examine factors that affect this transformation and regulate the production and degradation of extracellular matrix. In addition, this technique can be used for further characterization of the endocrine activity of cultured fibroblasts. A better understanding of the biology of fibroblasts is essential to develop therapeutic strategies for the treatment of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, the pathologic equivalent of progressive renal failure.
Time-Varying Autoregressive Model-Based Multiple Modes Particle Filtering Algorithm for Respiratory Rate Extraction From Pulse Oximeter

We present a particle filtering algorithm, which combines both time-invariant (TIV) and time-varying autoregressive (TVAR) models for accurate extraction of breathing frequencies (BFs) that vary either slowly or suddenly. The algorithm sustains its robustness for up to 90 breaths/min (b/m) as well. The proposed algorithm automatically detects stationary and nonstationary breathing dynamics in order to use the appropriate TIV or TVAR algorithm and then uses a particle filter to extract accurate respiratory rates from as low as 6 b/m to as high as 90 b/m. The results were verified on 18 healthy human subjects (16 for metronome and 2 for spontaneous measurements), and the algorithm remained accurate even when the respiratory rate suddenly changed by 24 b/m (either increased or decreased by this amount). Furthermore, simulation examples show that the proposed algorithm remains accurate for SNR ratios as low as -20 dB. We are not aware of any other algorithms that are able to provide accurate TV BF over a wide range of respiratory rates directly from pulse oximeters.
Design of Noncoplanar Diagonal Electrode Structure for Oxide Thin-Film Transistor

The top-source noncoplanar diagonal electrode (TS-NDE) structure was fabricated and simulated with the oxide channel layer. The structure exhibits enhanced stability and low subthreshold swing with higher mobility than those of bottom-source electrode structure thin-film transistors (TFTs). Interestingly, in this highly stable TS-NDE, the current density was highly formed through the center of the active-channel region from top-source electrode to bottom-drain electrode in the thin-film layer due to the on-current state. In other words, the TS-NDE TFT is less affected by back-interface interferences, which are the main degradation factors in oxide TFTs due to the different current path.
Combination Therapy with Albumin and Pentoxifylline Protects against Acute Kidney Injury during Endotoxemic Shock in Mice

Endotoxemic shock is associated with approximately 50% incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and 70% mortality. Experimental studies indicate that endotoxemia-related AKI is associated with both hemodynamic and proinflammatory perturbations. We hypothesize that combined administration of albumin with pentoxifylline may protect against the development of AKI during endotoxemic shock in mice by maintaining the integrity of arterial circulation and exerting anti-inflammatory properties. We tested this hypothesis using an endotoxemic shock model produced by administering a high dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (15 mg/kg intraperitoneal). LPS-treated mice developed hypotension compared to control mice (mean arterial pressure [MAP] 65.6 ± 2.2 vs. 85.7 ± 0.8 mm Hg, p < 0.05). Normal saline did not attenuate LPS-related hypotension (62.7 ± 2.2 vs. 65.6 ± 2.2 mm Hg, NS). Pentoxifylline, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, worsened the LPS-related hypotension (50.7 ± 6.9 vs. 65.6 ± 2.2 mm Hg, p = 0.15) in a non-significant manner. Albumin alone caused a significant increase in MAP (79.3 ± 4.7 vs. 62.7 ± 2.2 mm Hg, p = 0.02), but had a non-significant modest effect on glomerular filtration rate (GFR; 60.8 ± 24.7 vs. 38.2 ± 18.2 μl/min, NS) compared to normal saline. However, the combination of albumin and pentoxifylline profoundly protected GFR (148.6 ± 28.7 μl/min, vs. 38.2 ± 18.2 μl/min, p < 0.01) as compared to normal saline. The combined administration of albumin and pentoxifylline significantly attenuated the renal iNOS protein expression and increased cardiac output. In summary, neither normal saline nor albumin nor pentoxifylline alone protected against endotoxemic shock-related AKI. However, the combination of albumin and pentoxifylline was effective in preventing AKI during endotoxemic shock. Thus, in endotoxemic shock, a multifactorial approach involving hemodynamic and anti-inflammatory effect may be necessary to decrease AKI.
Opposite Effects of Basolateral Amygdala Inactivation on Context-Induced Relapse to Cocaine Seeking after Extinction versus Punishment

Studies using the renewal procedure showed that basolateral amygdala (BLA) inactivation inhibits context-induced relapse to cocaine-seeking after extinction. Here, we determined whether BLA inactivation would also inhibit context-induced relapse after drug-reinforced responding is suppressed by punishment, an animal model of human relapse after self-imposed abstinence due to adverse consequences of drug use. We also determined the effect of central amygdala (CeA) inactivation on context-induced relapse. We trained rats to self-administer cocaine for 12 d (6 h/d) in Context A and then exposed them to either extinction or punishment training for 8 d in Context B. During punishment, 50% of cocaine-reinforced lever-presses produced an aversive footshock of increasing intensity (0.1–0.5 or 0.7 mA). We then tested the rats for relapse to cocaine seeking in the absence of cocaine or shock in Contexts A and B after BLA or CeA injections of vehicle or GABA agonists (muscimol-baclofen). We then retrained the rats for cocaine self-administration in Context A, repunished or re-extinguished lever pressing in Context B, and retested for relapse after BLA or CeA inactivation. BLA or CeA inactivation decreased context-induced relapse in Context A after extinction in Context B. BLA, but not CeA, inactivation increased context-induced relapse in Context A after punishment in Context B. BLA or CeA inactivation provoked relapse in Context B after punishment but not extinction. Results demonstrate that amygdala's role in relapse depends on the method used to achieve abstinence and highlights the importance of studying relapse under abstinence conditions that more closely mimic the human condition. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Relapse to drug use during abstinence is often provoked by re-exposure to the drug self-administration environment or context. Studies using the established extinction-reinstatement rodent model of drug relapse have shown that inactivation of the basolateral amygdala inhibits context-induced drug relapse after extinction of the drug-reinforced responding. Here, we determined whether basolateral amygdala inactivation would also inhibit relapse after drug-reinforced responding is suppressed by punishment, a model of human relapse after self-imposed abstinence. Unexpectedly, we found that basolateral amygdala inactivation had opposite effects on relapse provoked by re-exposure to the drug self-administration environment after extinction versus punishment. Our results demonstrate that depending on the historical conditions that lead to abstinence, amygdala activity can either promote or inhibit relapse.
Light output measurements and computational models of microcolumnar CsI scintillators for x-ray imaging.

PURPOSE The authors report on measurements of light output and spatial resolution of microcolumnar CsI:Tl scintillator detectors for x-ray imaging. In addition, the authors discuss the results of simulations aimed at analyzing the results of synchrotron and sealed-source exposures with respect to the contributions of light transport to the total light output. METHODS The authors measured light output from a 490-μm CsI:Tl scintillator screen using two setups. First, the authors used a photomultiplier tube (PMT) to measure the response of the scintillator to sealed-source exposures. Second, the authors performed imaging experiments with a 27-keV monoenergetic synchrotron beam and a slit to calculate the total signal generated in terms of optical photons per keV. The results of both methods are compared to simulations obtained with hybridmantis, a coupled x-ray, electron, and optical photon Monte Carlo transport package. The authors report line response (LR) and light output for a range of linear absorption coefficients and describe a model that fits at the same time the light output and the blur measurements. Comparing the experimental results with the simulations, the authors obtained an estimate of the absorption coefficient for the model that provides good agreement with the experimentally measured LR. Finally, the authors report light output simulation results and their dependence on scintillator thickness and reflectivity of the backing surface. RESULTS The slit images from the synchrotron were analyzed to obtain a total light output of 48 keV-1 while measurements using the fast PMT instrument setup and sealed-sources reported a light output of 28 keV-1 . The authors attribute the difference in light output estimates between the two methods to the difference in time constants between the camera and PMT measurements. Simulation structures were designed to match the light output measured with the camera while providing good agreement with the measured LR resulting in a bulk absorption coefficient of 5 × 10-5 μm-1 . CONCLUSIONS The combination of experimental measurements for microcolumnar CsI:Tl scintillators using sealed-sources and synchrotron exposures with results obtained via simulation suggests that the time course of the emission might play a role in experimental estimates. The procedure yielded an experimentally derived linear absorption coefficient for microcolumnar Cs:Tl of 5 × 10-5 μm-1 . To the author's knowledge, this is the first time this parameter has been validated against experimental observations. The measurements also offer insight into the relative role of optical transport on the effective optical yield of the scintillator with microcolumnar structure.
Four essays on consumer studies, market simulation, and international trade of fish

French consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for ecolabeled wild and farmed fish is investigated by using data from a stated choice experiment with real fish. The results of the generalized multinomial logit (GMNL) model are compared with the results of the mixed multinomial logit (MMNL) model in preference and WTP space. The GMNL model in preference space has the best fit, but the differences in fit between the four models are small. With one exception, the 95% confidence intervals of the estimated WTP values from the four models overlap. The estimated price premium for ecolabeled fish is about 10%.
Custodiol for myocardial protection and preservation: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION Custodiol cardioplegia is attractive for minimally invasive cardiac surgery, as a single dose provides a long period of myocardial protection. Despite widespread use in Europe, there is little data confirming its efficacy compared with conventional (blood or crystalloid) cardioplegia. There is similar enthusiasm for its use in organ preservation for transplant, but also a lack of data. This systematic review aimed to assess the evidence for the efficacy of Custodiol in myocardial protection and as a preservation solution in heart transplant. METHODS Electronic searches were performed of six databases from inception to October 2013. Reviewers independently identified studies that compared Custodiol with conventional cardioplegia (blood or extracellular crystalloid) in adult patients for meta-analysis; large case series that reported results using Custodiol were analyzed. Next, we identified studies that compared Custodiol with other organ preservation solutions for organ preservation in heart transplant. RESULTS Fourteen studies compared Custodiol with conventional cardioplegia for myocardial protection in adult cardiac surgery. No difference was identified in mortality; there was a trend for increased incidence of ventricular fibrillation in the Custodiol group that did not reach statistical significance. No difference was identified in studies that compared Custodiol with other solutions for heart transplant. CONCLUSIONS Despite widespread clinical use, the evidence supporting the superiority of Custodiol over other solutions for myocardial protection or organ preservation is limited. Large randomised trials are required.
African Americans' Perceived Sociocultural Determinants of Suicide: Afrocentric Implications for Public Health Inequalities

The cultural values of African Americans have not been adequately incorporated as a theoretical base to develop new public health models. The major objectives of this study were to explore, with a purposive sample, via seven focus groups, 40 African American college students, the following: How do (a) ethnic culture and (b) a “minoritized” status influence perceptions of sociocultural determinants in explaining increases in the incidence of suicide among African Americans? Thematic results of focus group discussions including the following: (a) racism, discrimination, and stereotyping; (b) U.S. individualism; (c) integration and cultural assimilation; and, (d) the prison industrial complex.
Intracellular injection in fixed slices in combination with neuroanatomical tracing techniques and electron microscopy to determine multisynaptic pathways in the brain

Intracellular Lucifer Yellow filling in fixed tissue has been recently introduced as a novel neuroanatomical approach to reveal the detailed morphology of individual neurons in isolated preparations of the central nervous system. Since dye injections are performed under visual control, the method is characterized by a high degree of inherent staining selectivity, thus circumventing the element of randomness often considered to be the crux of classical Golgi‐impregnation techniques. Moreover, the opportunity to optically monitor the injection procedure renders fixed slice preparations highly advantageous to be used in combination with retrograde fluorescent tracing. Subsequently, dye‐filled neurons may be subjected to a simple photoconversion procedure leading to the intracellular formation of a stable polymer thus obtaining permanent specimens for light microscopy purposes. Due to the osmiophilic nature of the precipitate the photoconverted material is equally suitable for correlated electron microscopy, thus enabling the analysis of neuronal microcircuitry. At the ultrastructural level, sources of afferent input to identified projection neurons may be revealed by lesion‐induced anterograde degeneration of synaptic terminals, therefore enabling the direct demonstration of multisynaptic links. Finally, morphologically identified neurons may be immunocytochemically characterized at the pre‐ and postembedding levels. It is therefore suggested that their methodological versatility and relative technical ease render intracellular fixed‐slice injections a promising complement to the catalogue of anatomical techniques. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A photothrombotic 'ring' model of rat stroke-in-evolution displaying putative penumbral inversion.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To facilitate reproducible and rigorous study of a tissue zone at risk of encroaching ischemic damage, we propose a new model in which the potentially compromised tissue lies within rather than perifocal to an ischemic locus. The perimeter of the "zone at risk" is defined by a photothrombotically produced cortical lesion in the shape of a toroid (or "ring"). METHODS The exposed crania of erythrosin B-injected rats were irradiated with a 514.5-nm laser beam, configured as a 5-mm-diameter ring, to yield a ring-shaped lesion caused by photochemically induced platelet occlusion of cortical vasculature. Developing perfusion deficits in the interior region were revealed by carbon black infusion. Tissue damage and infarct volumes were assessed by light and electron microscopy, and blood-brain barrier integrity was assessed with Evans blue dye and horseradish peroxidase as tracers. RESULTS For rats injected with 17 mg/kg erythrosin B and irradiated for 2 minutes with a ring beam intensity of 0.92 W/cm2 (beam power of 65 mW), carbon black infusion at times up to 4 hours demonstrated a shallow cortical ring lesion encircling a fully patent zone at risk, which by 24 hours evinced an essentially complete perfusion deficit. At times up to 24 hours, the ring lesion was penetrated at the pial surface by distal branches of the middle cerebral and anterior cerebral arteries. Stereotaxically based histopathological assessment showed that by 24 hours the lesion spanned the cortical thickness. Lesion volume increased from 14.5 +/- 8.0 mm3 (mean +/- SD) (n = 8) to 46.2 +/- 15.6 mm3 (n = 8) between 4 and 24 hours after irradiation (P < .01), but the anteroposterior lesion diameter did not change significantly between 4 hours (6.00 +/- 1.03 mm; n = 9) and 24 hours (6.75 +/- 1.15 mm; n = 9). CONCLUSIONS The present model of slowly developing but inevitable cortical tissue death in a sequestered area should facilitate more precise observations of the evolution of tissue metabolic responses, from the impending onset of ischemia to the threshold of irreversible damage. This system may prove efficient for evaluating treatments intended to salvage a penumbral region.
Novel markers of the human follicle-associated epithelium identified by genomic profiling and microdissection.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Regulation of gene expression in the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) over Peyer's patches is largely unknown. CCL20, a chemokine that recruits immature dendritic cells, is one of the few FAE-specific markers described so far. Lymphotoxin beta (LTalpha1beta2) expressed on the membrane of immune cells triggers CCL20 expression in enterocytes. In this study, we measured expression profiles of LTalpha1beta2-treated intestinal epithelial cells and selected CCL20 -coregulated genes to identify new FAE markers. METHODS Genomic profiles of T84 and Caco-2 cell lines treated with either LTalpha1beta2, flagellin, or tumor necrosis factor alpha were measured using the Affymetrix GeneChip U133A. Clustering analysis was used to select CCL20 -coregulated genes, and laser dissection microscopy and real-time polymerase chain reaction on human biopsy specimens was used to assess the expression of the selected markers. RESULTS Applying a 2-way analysis of variance, we identified regulated genes upon the different treatments. A subset of genes involved in inflammation and related to the nuclear factor kappaB pathway was coregulated with CCL20 . Among these genes, the antiapoptotic factor TNFAIP3 was highly expressed in the FAE. CCL23 , which was not coregulated in vitro with CCL20 , was also specifically expressed in the FAE. CONCLUSIONS We have identified 2 novel human FAE specifically expressed genes. Most of the CCL20 -coregulated genes did not show FAE-specific expression, suggesting that other signaling pathways are critical to modulate FAE-specific gene expression.