Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CXCL13 Responsiveness but Not CXCR5 Expression by Late Transitional B Cells Initiates Splenic White Pulp Formation

Secondary lymphoid organs (SLO) provide the structural framework for coconcentration of Ag and Ag-specific lymphocytes required for an efficient adaptive immune system. The spleen is the primordial SLO, and evolved concurrently with Ig/TCR:pMHC-based adaptive immunity. The earliest cellular/histological event in the ontogeny of the spleen’s lymphoid architecture, the white pulp (WP), is the accumulation of B cells around splenic vasculature, an evolutionarily conserved feature since the spleen’s emergence in early jawed vertebrates such as sharks. In mammals, B cells are indispensable for both formation and maintenance of SLO microarchitecture; their expression of lymphotoxin α1β2 (LTα1β2) is required for the LTα1β2:CXCL13 positive feedback loop without which SLO cannot properly form. Despite the spleen’s central role in the evolution of adaptive immunity, neither the initiating event nor the B cell subset necessary for WP formation has been identified. We therefore sought to identify both in mouse. We detected CXCL13 protein in late embryonic splenic vasculature, and its expression was TNF-α and RAG-2 independent. A substantial influx of CXCR5+ transitional B cells into the spleen occurred 18 h before birth. However, these late embryonic B cells were unresponsive to CXCL13 (although responsive to CXCL12) and phenotypically indistinguishable from blood-derived B cells. Only after birth did B cells acquire CXCL13 responsiveness, accumulate around splenic vasculature, and establish the uniquely splenic B cell compartment, enriched for CXCL13-responsive late transitional cells. Thus, CXCL13 is the initiating component of the CXCL13:LTα1β2 positive feedback loop required for WP ontogeny, and CXCL13-responsive late transitional B cells are the initiating subset.
The in vitro effect of gossypol and its interaction with salts on conidial germination and viability of Fusarium oxysporum sp. vasinfectum isolates

Aims: To assess the effect of different concentrations of gossypol (0, 2, 4, 10 and 20 mg l–1) in combination with NaCl and Na2SO4 (20 mS cm–1) on the conidial germination and viability of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. vasinfectum (Fov).
Length dimensions and morphologic variations of the external bony auditory canal. A radiographic and histologic investigation.

Autopsy material comprising a total of 58 specimes of the temporal bone and the proximal part of the mandible was investigated tomographically and by microtome in comparative layers. Microradiographs and histologic sections were used as the main sources of information to determine the length dimensions of the different parts of the external auditory canal. The morphology and its developmental variations are compared and described. The diagnostic implications are discussed. In the authors' opinion, tomography is the method of choice to illustrate the morphologic properties of the external auditory canal. It is suggested that when the tomographic image reveals morphologic developmental or pathologic defects which give rise to problematic diagnosis, a control examination of the contralateral side should be performed.
The characterization of chemically modified hemoglobins. 3. Reaction with various N-substituted maleimides.

Abstract The reaction of three N-substituted maleimides with horse oxy and deoxyhemoglobin has been studied. In all three cases, when the reactions were carried out with oxyhemoglobin, cooperativity between subunits was abolished (n = 1.0). When deoxyhemoglobin was used, cooperativity was reduced but not eliminated (n ∼ 2). A covalent bridge was introduced between cys F9(93)β (Perutz, M. F., J. Mol. Biol., 13, 646 (1965)) and his FG4(97)β when bis(N-maleimidomethyl)ether was reacted with horse oxyhemoglobin. When bis(N-maleimidomethyl)ether was reacted with deoxyhemoglobin, alkylation of one of the maleimide rings occurred at cys F9(93)β. The other maleimide ring did not react. Thus in contrast to oxyhemoglobin, no covalent bridge was formed in the protein. N-α-(bromoacetoxymethyl)maleimide (AM) reacted with horse oxyhemoglobin to link cys F9(93)β with val NA1(1)β'. This bridge decomposed rapidly leaving a carboxymethyl group on val NA1(1)β'. In the reaction of AM with deoxyhemoglobin, the ester bond in the reagent hydrolyzed after reaction with cys F9(93)β. Alkylation of the NH2 terminus of other β chains did not occur. N-α-(acetoxymethyl)maleimide, the monofunctional analogue of AM, reacted with both oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin at cys F9(93)β. It thus appears that the structure and functional properties of the derivatives depend on the ligand state of the hemoglobin used in the reaction with the maleimides.
Immune response and immunomodulatory effect of levamisole in immunosuppressed dogs vaccinated against parvovirosis

The specific and non-specific immune response and immunomodulatory effect of levamisole were studied in dogs with altered immune function due to giardiosis and vaccinated against canine parvovirus (CPV) infection. In immunosuppressed dogs combination of vaccine with levamisole treatment enhanced depressed phagocytic ability and stimulated proliferation activity of lymphocytes. CPV antibody production was one week delayed in dogs with immunosuppression. Marked higher titer of CPV antibodies was found after levamisole application.
Comparative efficacy of two doses of nebulized colistimethate in the eradication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in children with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND Cystic fibrosis (CF) affects the respiratory and digestive systems. It evolves toward deterioration of pulmonary function through colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There is no consensus with respect to its eradication. Nebulized colistimethate is used for eradication treatment, but the optimal dose and duration is yet to be determined. OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy of two doses of nebulized colistimethate (30 mg versus 75 mg twice daily) for the eradication of P aeruginosa in children with CF and intermittent colonization. METHODS A cohort study with both historical (30 mg) and prospective (75 mg) arms was conducted from 1999 to 2003. Medical records were used to collect data. RESULTS Eighty-one patients were recruited in the retrospective group, for a total of 111 treatment courses. Twenty patients were recruited in the prospective group, for a total of 20 events. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of eradication of P aeruginosa at days 28 and 90, neither when comparing the doses of colistimethate nor duration of treatment. There was a statistically significant difference (P=0.004) between days 1 and 90 in all analyzed subgroups (regardless of dose or duration of treatment) for forced vital capacity only. In the group of patients in whom eradication was achieved at day 28 (after receiving a three-week treatment course of colistimethate), 50% of patients developed a new infection 5.75 months later, on average, regardless of the dose administered. In the group of patients who achieved eradication at day 90 (after receiving a 15-week treatment course of colistimethate), 50% of the 14 patients developed a new infection after an average period of 7.3 months (P=0.28). CONCLUSIONS There is no difference in the efficacy between a 30 mg dose and a 75 mg dose of colistimethate for P aeruginosa eradication in children with CF and intermittent colonization.
Technology Market Intermediaries and Innovation

On the markets for technology (MfT) we currently observe a sizable growth, observe that firms still face immanent transaction obstacles and the emergence of technology market intermediaries (TMI). Why TMIs emerge and how they attempt to facilitate transactions however is not yet sufficiently understood.For these two questions we propose theoretical explanations within this paper building primarily on the arguments of Stigler (1951), North (1996) and Williamson (1979). Throughout this argumentation we combine the two related levels of analysis. We take into account the dynamics on market level and the micro level of the firm with regard to IP transactions in which firms are involved when pursuing open innovation.We argue that the growing MfT on the one hand and immanent transaction obstacles on the other hand create business opportunities for entrepreneurs to develop new transaction models (service innovations) offered by TMIs as a new type of market actor (organizational innovation) to support firms managing transactions. Following the notion of Stigler (1951) and North (1996), the emergence of TMIs as organizational innovation has an impact on the way how transactions were ‘traditionally managed and thus creates an institutional change that leads to further division of labor on the MfT.Following Williamson (1979) we propose that new transaction models developed by TMIs aim to commoditize the traditionally idiosyncratic governance structures making transactions more economically. However, it remains to be seen which of the newly developed models will survive and deliver more economic transactions contributing to further developments towards efficient markets.
Adaptive Teaching Learning Based Optimization Applied to Nonlinear Economic Load Dispatch Problem

Economic load dispatch ELD is a process of calculating real power dispatch by satisfying a set of constraints such a way as fuel cost can be minimized. Inclusion of the effect of valve-points and prohibited operation zones POZs in the cost functions make ELD problem a non-linear and non-convex one. For solving ELD in power system a newly proposed evolutionary technique namely adaptive teaching learning based optimization ATLBO is presented in this article. TLBO mimics the influence of a teacher on students in a classroom environment by social interaction. ATLBO is an improved version of TLBO which makes TLBO faster and more robust. An adaptive dynamic parameter control mechanism is adopted by the proposed ATLBO algorithm to determine the suitable parameter settings for teaching and learning phases of TLBO algorithm. The proposed ATLBO algorithm is tested in three different cases like 10-unit, 40-unit, and 80-unit systems. A comparison of numerical results with other well established techniques reveals optimization superiority of the proposed scheme both in quality of solution and computational efficiency.
Literature Review of Telemedicine System for Emergency Health Tribulations

During the past decade, more and more people have been able to avoid physically going into work by telecommuting from their home computer to diagnosing their emergency health problems. Medicine has taken a cue from this growing trend by combining telecommunications technology and medicine to create telemedicine and telehealth care. While healthcare professionals have always communicated with one another over the telephone, telemedicine kicks things up a notch by utilizing sophisticated satellite technology to broadcast consultations between healthcare professionals who are oceans apart or only a few miles away. Videoconferencing equipment and robotic technology have helped to make doctor’s offices and medical facilities as close to one another as the nearest computer screen. There are two popular types of technology used for telemedicine applications. The first of these is called “store and forward”. In this paper we describe the Importance of telemedicine applications in real time applications and other.
Optical fiber reliability implications of uncertainty in the fatigue crack growth model

Prediction of long-term static fatigue for optical fibers under stress requires a model to relate short-term accelerated test results to long-term behavior. The dependence of crack growth on stress intensity is the most fundamental model for this reliability prediction process. Statistical uncertainty for fatigue testing is shown to be significant, but typically smaller than the model uncertainty, which has been neglected in the literature. More research is needed to determine the most appropriate model. It is shown that the differences in allowed stress predictions between models become quite large at long times, especially for fiber of the same strength as that used in the fatigue test. Data-independent conversions of allowed stress from the common power model to other models provide an assessment of the difference between models for various situations. In many applications, the differences are in the range of typical safety factors. However, since model differences are quite large in other applications, universal use of the optimistic power law model is not appropriate, given the limited understanding of fatigue in optical fibers.
Formulation and evaluation of Salbutamol sulphate microspheres by solvent evaporation method

Salbutamol sulphate (SS) loaded microspheres were prepared by solvent evaporation method with combination of hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose and Carbopol polymers in various proportions. A total of eleven formulations were prepared i.e. E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9, E10 and E11.The particle size of all the formulations were ranged between 110±0.02 and 183±0.02μm. The entrapment efficiency was ranged between 68.3±0.01 and 94.9±0.02%. Based on above parameters four formulations were selected i.e. E5, E8, E9 and E10 for further studies like micromeretic properties, swelling index and in-vitro release profile. It was confirmed with the results of micromeretic property that all the selected formulations showed good flow property. Release data were analyzed based on Highuchi kinetics and Korsmeyer-Peppas equation and all the selected formulations showed good fit to Highuchi model. Stability studies showed almost negligible changes in particle size, entrapment efficiency and drug release throughout the study period.
Early embryonic demise: no evidence of abnormal spiral artery transformation or trophoblast invasion

Invasion by extravillous trophoblast of uterine decidua and myometrium and the associated spiral artery ‘transformation’ are essential for the development of normal pregnancy. Small pilot studies of placental bed and basal plate tissues from miscarriages have suggested that impaired interstitial and endovascular trophoblast invasion may play a role in the pathogenesis of miscarriage. The hypothesis that early miscarriage is associated with reduced extravillous trophoblast invasion and spiral artery transformation was tested in a large series of placental bed biopsies containing decidua and myometrium and at least one spiral artery from early, karyotyped embryonic miscarriages (≤12 weeks' gestation; n = 50) dated from the last menstrual period and ultrasound scan dated normal pregnancies (n = 78). Frozen sections were immunostained to demonstrate trophoblast (cytokeratin), myometrium and spiral artery medial smooth muscle (desmin), and endothelium (von Willebrand factor). Trophoblast invasion and individual features of spiral artery transformation were assessed histologically in spiral arteries of miscarriages (n = 176) and controls (n = 246) and analysed statistically using a logistic regression model. Trophoblast invasion of uterine tissues and spiral artery transformation did not differ between euploid and aneuploid early miscarriage and also did not differ significantly from normal pregnancy. These findings suggest that failed trophoblast invasion and spiral artery transformation do not have a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of early miscarriage. Copyright © 2006 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seasonality of childhood infectious diseases in Niono, Mali

Abstract Common childhood diseases vary seasonally in Mali, much of the Sahel, and other parts of the world, yet patterns for multiple diseases have rarely been simultaneously described for extended periods at single locations. In this retrospective longitudinal (1996–2004) investigation, we studied the seasonality of malaria, acute respiratory infection and diarrhoea time-series in the district of Niono, Sahelian Mali. We extracted and analysed seasonal patterns from each time-series with the Multiplicative Holt–Winters and Wavelet Transform methods. Subsequently, we considered hypothetical scenarios where successful prevention and intervention measures reduced disease seasonality by 25 or 50% to assess the impact of health programmes on annual childhood morbidity. The results showed that all three disease time-series displayed remarkable seasonal stability. Malaria, acute respiratory infection and diarrhoea peaked in December, March (and September) and August, respectively. Finally, the annual childhood morbidity stemming from each disease diminished 7–26% in the considered hypothetical scenarios. We concluded that seasonality may assist with guiding the development of integrated seasonal disease calendars for programmatic child health promotion activities.
The risk of new osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the year after percutaneous vertebroplasty.

PURPOSE To prospectively assess the incidence, location, and possible causative mechanisms of new vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) in 66 symptomatic patients with osteoporotic VCFs treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) and to study the relation between new VCFs and back pain symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty-six patients with 102 painful symptomatic VCFs were treated with PV. All patients had baseline total spinal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Follow-up MR imaging was performed at 3, 6, and 12 months to locate new VCFs. Visual analog scales for pain and pain medication consumption were used to assess clinical outcomes. The following characteristics were compared in patients with new VCFs after PV versus patients without new VCFs: patient age, sex, presence of secondary osteoporosis, bone mineral density, number of preexisting VCFs, shape and grade of VCFs, type of bone cement used for PV, volume of injected cement, and cement leakage in intervertebral disc spaces. RESULTS Sixteen of 66 patients had 26 new VCFs during 1 year of follow-up after PV. Most new VCFs occurred within 3 months of PV, half of new VCFs appeared in levels adjacent to treated levels, and half of the new VCFs were symptomatic. The presence of more than two preexisting VCFs was the only independent risk factor for the development of a new VCF. CONCLUSIONS New VCFs occurred after PV in 24% of patients. Half of new VCFs occurred in levels adjacent to treated levels and half were symptomatic. The presence of more than two preexisting VCFs was the only independent risk factor for the development of a new VCF.
Effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) and forskolin on intracellular free calcium in isolated and fura-2 loaded smooth-muscle cells from the anterior byssus retractor (catch) muscle of Mytilus edulis.

Effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and forskolin on intracellular free calcium concentration [( Ca2+]i) were studied in suspensions of fura-2 loaded smooth-muscle cells from the anterior byssus retractor 'catch' muscle of Mytilus edulis. The successive addition of 5 mM carbachol (CCh) and 100 mM KCl to the suspension evoked a transient elevation of [Ca2+]i from the resting value of 124 +/- 2.7 nM (mean +/- SE, n = 18) to 300-400 nM, which was associated with contraction. The change in [Ca2+]i induced CCh was concentration-dependent with the EC50 of 10(-5) M. The resting [Ca2+]i was unaffected by 10 microM 5-HT. The change in [Ca2+]i induced by 5 mM CCh was suppressed by 5-HT from 167 +/- 14.0 (n = 11) to 124 +/- 14.9 (n = 8) nM whereas that induced by 100 mM KCl was enhanced from 321 +/- 31.9 to 405 +/- 17.6 nM (n = 8). 5-HT applied during the decaying phase of the CCh response caused a rapid decline in [Ca2+]i. In both the responses to CCh and KCl, the falling phase was accelerated by 5-HT. 10 microM forskolin, a potent activator of adenylate cyclase, mimicked the effects of 5-HT as did a membrane-permeant cyclic AMP analogue, 8-parachlorophenylthio cyclic AMP (cpt-cAMP). Application of 100 microM cpt-cAMP partially suppressed the Ca2+i response to CCh and enhanced that to KCl. D-Tubocurarine (500 microM) added during the decaying phase of the response induced by 100 microM CCh, caused a rapid decline in [Ca2+]i similar to that caused by both 5-HT and forskolin. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The 2011 Report on Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D from the Institute of Medicine: What Clinicians Need to Know

This article summarizes the new 2011 report on dietary requirements for calcium and vitamin D from the Institute of Medicine (IOM). An IOM Committee charged with determining the population needs for these nutrients in North America conducted a comprehensive review of the evidence for both skeletal and extraskeletal outcomes. The Committee concluded that available scientific evidence supports a key role of calcium and vitamin D in skeletal health, consistent with a cause-and-effect relationship and providing a sound basis for determination of intake requirements. For extraskeletal outcomes, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders, the evidence was inconsistent, inconclusive as to causality, and insufficient to inform nutritional requirements. Randomized clinical trial evidence for extraskeletal outcomes was limited and generally uninformative. Based on bone health, Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs; covering requirements of ≥97.5% of the population) for calcium range from 700 to 1300 mg/d for life-stage groups at least 1 yr of age. For vitamin D, RDAs of 600 IU/d for ages 1–70 yr and 800 IU/d for ages 71 yr and older, corresponding to a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of at least 20 ng/ml (50 nmol/liter), meet the requirements of at least 97.5% of the population. RDAs for vitamin D were derived based on conditions of minimal sun exposure due to wide variability in vitamin D synthesis from ultraviolet light and the risks of skin cancer. Higher values were not consistently associated with greater benefit, and for some outcomes U-shaped associations were observed, with risks at both low and high levels. The Committee concluded that the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy in North America has been overestimated. Urgent research and clinical priorities were identified, including reassessment of laboratory ranges for 25-hydroxyvitamin D, to avoid problems of both undertreatment and overtreatment.
The effect of carbohydrates and polyethylene glycol on somatic embryo maturation in hybrid fir Abies alba x Abies numidica

Embryogenic cell line AN 72 derived from immature hybrid fir Abies alba × A. numidica zygotic embryos was subjected to different maturation treatments. The effect of the carbohydrates sucrose, maltose and glucose (each at 3%, 6% and 9%) or PEG-4000 (5.0%, 7.5% and 10%) combined with different carbohydrate sources was tested. PEG-4000 stimulated somatic embryo maturation of hybrid fir. This stimulatory effect was dependent on the carbohydrate source used. Culture medium with maltose as carbohydrate source combined with PEG-4000 produced the highest number of cotyledonary somatic embryos. Carbohydrates supplied alone (mainly at 6% and 9%) exerted an unfavorable effect, increasing the frequency of abnormally shaped somatic embryos without regeneration capacity. The structural organization of morphologically well-developed cotyledonary somatic embryos was similar to that of zygotic embryos. In abnormal somatic embryos the shoot apical meristem and root meristem were very damaged. Electrophoretic separation of denatured proteins using SDS-PAGE showed differences in the accumulation of low molecular weight storage proteins in somatic embryos. Storage protein accumulation was dependent on the concentration of PEG-4000 and the carbohydrate source.