Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serotonin Skews Human Macrophage Polarization through HTR2B and HTR7

Besides its role as a neurotransmitter, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) regulates inflammation and tissue repair via a set of receptors (5HT1–7) whose pattern of expression varies among cell lineages. Considering the importance of macrophage polarization plasticity for inflammatory responses and tissue repair, we evaluated whether 5HT modulates human macrophage polarization. 5HT inhibited the LPS-induced release of proinflammatory cytokines without affecting IL-10 production, upregulated the expression of M2 polarization–associated genes (SERPINB2, THBS1, STAB1, COL23A1), and reduced the expression of M1-associated genes (INHBA, CCR2, MMP12, SERPINE1, CD1B, ALDH1A2). Whereas only 5HT7 mediated the inhibitory action of 5HT on the release of proinflammatory cytokines, both 5HT2B and 5HT7 receptors mediated the pro-M2 skewing effect of 5HT. In fact, blockade of both receptors during in vitro monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation preferentially modulated the acquisition of M2 polarization markers. 5HT2B was found to be preferentially expressed by anti-inflammatory M2(M-CSF) macrophages and was detected in vivo in liver Kupffer cells and in tumor-associated macrophages. Therefore, 5HT modulates macrophage polarization and contributes to the maintenance of an anti-inflammatory state via 5HT2B and 5HT7, whose identification as functionally relevant markers for anti-inflammatory/homeostatic human M2 macrophages suggests their potential therapeutic value in inflammatory pathologies.
Coordinated Trading of Solar and Thermal Energy Including V2G Services

The minimum up/down time constraints of the thermal units expose them to the risk of operating at low benefits or even at loss at some periods. Also participants with renewable energy sources (RES) are at risk due to their uncertain resources. Energy trading in day-ahead energy market is already risky due to undecided energy and imbalance prices and load demand, whereas participation of RES makes it more risky. Coordinated trading of thermal with RES can mitigate this risk. Moreover, responsive demand can also be used for this purpose. In this paper, the case of a utility that have solar and thermal generators and use electric vehicles (EVs) as responsive demand is investigated. A bidding strategy is proposed for solar-thermal coordination while providing charging EVs through unidirectional vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services. The objective is to maximize the total expected profits of the utility while controlling its risk. The problem is devised as a stochastic mixed integer linear programming (MILP) with four random/stochastic parameters. A realistic case is developed for comparing uncoordinated with coordinated solar-thermal trading utilizing V2G services. Results show that coordination gives rise to higher expected profits and lower risk.
H2A- and H2E-Derived CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cells: A Potential Role in Reciprocal Inhibition by Class II Genes in Autoimmune Thyroiditis1

We recently described a novel H2E class II-transgenic model (A−E+) of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT) that permits disease induction with heterologous thyroglobulin (Tg), but unlike conventional susceptible strains, precludes self-reactivity to autologous mouse Tg. In transgenic E+B10 (A+E+) mice, the presence of endogenous H2A genes is protective against H2E-mediated thyroiditis, inhibiting EAT development. The suppressive effect of H2A genes on H2E-mediated thyroiditis mirrors previous reports of H2E suppression on H2A-mediated autoimmune diseases, including EAT. The mechanism of the reciprocal-suppressive effect between class II genes is unclear, although the involvement of regulatory T cells has been proposed. We have recently reported that CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells mediate peripheral tolerance induced with mouse Tg in CBA mice. To determine whether these cells play a role in our E+-transgenic model, we first confirmed the existence of CD4+CD25+ T cells regulating thyroiditis in E+B10.Ab0 (A−E+) and B10 (A+E−) mice by i.v. administration of CD25 mAb before EAT induction. The depletion of CD4+CD25+ T cells enhanced thyroiditis induction in the context of either H2E or H2A. Moreover, reconstitution of CD4+CD25+ T cells from naive B10 mice restored resistance to EAT. E+B10 (A+E+) mice were also depleted of CD4+CD25+ T cells before the challenge to determine their role in thyroiditis in the presence of both H2A and H2E genes. Depletion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells offset the suppression of H2E-mediated thyroiditis by H2A. Thus, these regulatory T cells may be involved in the reciprocal-suppressive effect between class II genes.
Vibrio cholerae Requires the Type VI Secretion System Virulence Factor VasX To Kill Dictyostelium discoideum

ABSTRACT The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is recognized as an important virulence mechanism in several Gram-negative pathogens. In Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of the diarrheal disease cholera, a minimum of three gene clusters—one main cluster and two auxiliary clusters—are required to form a functional T6SS apparatus capable of conferring virulence toward eukaryotic and prokaryotic hosts. Despite an increasing understanding of the components that make up the T6SS apparatus, little is known about the regulation of these genes and the gene products delivered by this nanomachine. VasH is an important regulator of the V. cholerae T6SS. Here, we present evidence that VasH regulates the production of a newly identified protein, VasX, which in turn requires a functional T6SS for secretion. Deletion of vasX does not affect export or enzymatic function of the structural T6SS proteins Hcp and VgrG-1, suggesting that VasX is dispensable for the assembly of the physical translocon complex. VasX localizes to the bacterial membrane and interacts with membrane lipids. We present VasX as a novel virulence factor of the T6SS, as a V. cholerae mutant lacking vasX exhibits a phenotype of attenuated virulence toward Dictyostelium discoideum.
Thyroid Hormone‐Induced Morphological Differentiation and Maturation of Astrocytes Are Mediated Through the β‐Adrenergic Receptor

Abstract: The molecular mechanisms associated with thyroid hormone (TH)‐induced maturation of astrocytes have been studied using primary cultures. We have previously demonstrated that unlike normal astrocyte cultures, hypothyroid cultures fail to differentiate from flat polygonal cells with epithelioid morphology into mature process‐bearing cells with stellate morphology. Addition of TH to the hypothyroid cells reverses the effect, and astrocytes transform into stellate cells. The β‐adrenergic receptor (β‐AR) agonist isoproterenol (ISP) has a similar effect, whereas simultaneous addition of the β‐adrenergic antagonist propranolol blocks the differentiation induced by TH or ISP. Addition of TH or ISP to hypothyroid cultures is also associated with a decrease in the level of filamentous cytoskeletal (Fi) actin and an increase in the level of actin mRNA. Although addition of propranolol inhibited the decline in the level of Fi actin in the TH‐ or ISP‐supplemented cells as well as the induction of actin mRNA by TH, it partially inhibited the ISP‐induced actin mRNA in these cultures. The hormone‐induced maturation appears to be selectively regulated through the β2‐AR. The overall results indicate that the β‐adrenergic system plays an obligatory role in promoting TH‐induced differentiation and maturation of astrocytes and in regulating the hormone‐induced expression of actin and its intracellular organization in a way conducive to the morphological differentiation of the cells.
Use of Palm Oil Mill Effluent as Medium for Cultivation of Chlorella sorokiniana

Aims: Palm oil mill effluent (POME) erodes the principal biophysical characteristic of both soil and water when discharged untreated but could be exploited as medium for microalgae cultivation due to its vast mineral contents. Place and Duration of study: POME samples were collected from a local palm oil processing mill at Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. A part of the study was done at the Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan while the rest at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka between March and September, 2012. Methodology: Chlorella sorokiniana C212 was grown in several Batches (A-D) of POME supplemented with urea (60 mg/L) before subjecting to different sterilization protocols. Cultivation was conducted in shaker flasks at 150 rpm, 1 vvm, 3000 lux and pH 7.0±0.2. Results: The filter sterilized Batch (B) promoted the highest (1070±30 mg/L) dry cell weight (DCW), lipid (156±12 mg/g-cell) and chlorophyll (1.59±0.11 mg/g-cell) contents while chemical oxygen demand (COD) decreased by 45±08%. The autoclaved medium Original Research Article British Biotechnology Journal, 4(3): 305-316, 2014 306 (Batch A) gave the least DCW (310±20 mg/L), lipid production (40±05 mg/g-cell) and chlorophyll content (0.58±0.02 mg/g-cell) while COD reduced by 20±04%. The highest COD decrease (70±05%) was achieved in the unsterilized Batch (D). Batch B was most positively affected by dilution because at 75% concentration, DCW increased to 1360±30 mg/L, lipid contents to 174±10 mg/g-cell, chlorophyll to 1.87±0.14 mg/g-cell the while COD declined by 63±03%. Conclusions: POME has potential for use in microalgae cultivation with significant saving
Comparison of several digital and stereological methods for estimating surface area and volume of cells studied by confocal microscopy.

BACKGROUND The implementation of different methods for estimating the surface area and volume of cells studied by confocal microscopy was developed. The methods were compared from the point of view of their precision, applicability and efficiency. METHODS Interactive stereological methods (spatial grid method, fakir method, Cavalieri principle) as well as automatic digital methods (digital Crofton method, voxel counting, triangulation method, iso-intensity contouring method) were considered. The methods were tested on model geometrical solids and on real volume images consisting of a stack of serial sections encompassing entire tobacco BY-2 cells or cell chains. RESULTS It is shown that many of the studied methods are very precise when applied to cells of simple or moderately complex shapes. The automatic digital methods are fast and precise but their applicability is limited by the necessity to segment automatically the object surface and to find an optimal resolution. This limitation is not present in stereological methods which are applied interactively and thus are more time-consuming. CONCLUSIONS The presented implementations of the fakir method and the Cavalieri principle enable interactive, unbiased and efficient estimation of the cell surface area and volume. The recommended steps for measuring the surface area and/or volume of objects studied by confocal microscopy are described.
Genotypically Defined Lissencephalies Show Distinct Pathologies

Lissencephaly is traditionally divided into 2 distinct pathologic forms: classic (type I) and cobblestone (type II). To date, mutations in 4 genes, LIS1, DCX, RELN, and ARX, have been associated with distinct type I lissencephaly syndromes. Each of these genes has been shown to play a role in normal cell migration, consistent with the presumed pathogenesis of type I lissencephaly. Based on these data, we hypothesized that all forms of radiographically defined type I lissencephaly independent of genotype would be pathologically similar. To test this hypothesis, we examined brains from 16 patients, including 15 lissencephalic patients and one patient with subcortical band heterotopia. Of these 16 patients, 6 had LIS1 deletions, 2 had DCX mutations, and 2 had ARX mutations. In addition, 6 patients had no defined genetic defect, although the patient with subcortical band heterotopia exhibited the same pattern of malformation expected with an XLIS mutation. In all cases, the cortex was thickened; however, the topographic distribution of the cortical pathology varied, ranging from frontal- to occipital-biased pathology to diffuse involvement of the neocortex. Although brains with LIS1 deletions exhibited the classic 4-layer lissencephalic architecture, patients with DCX and ARX mutations each had unique cytoarchitectural findings distinct from LIS1. Furthermore, 2 of the 5 patients with no known genetic defect showed a fourth type of histopathology characterized by a 2-layered cortex. Interestingly, the 2 brains with the fourth type of lissencephaly showed profound brainstem and cerebellar abnormalities. In summary, we identified at least 4 distinct histopathologic subtypes of lissencephaly that stratify with the underlying genetic defect. Based on these data, a new classification for lissencephaly is proposed that incorporates both pathologic and genetic findings.
On Accounting-Based Valuation Formulae *

This paper considers accounting-based valuation formulae. Its initial focus is on two problems related to residual income valuation (RIV). First, insofar valuation depends on theresent value of expected dividends per share, applying RIV requires clean surplus accounting on a per share basis. Awkwardly, equity transactions that change the number of shares outstanding generally imply eps „ D bvps ) dps. A clean surplus equality holds only if one ‘‘re-conceptualizes’’ either end-of-period bvps or eps as a forced ‘‘plug’’. Second, one cannot circumvent the per share issue by evaluating RIV on a total dollar value basis unless one introduces relatively subtle MM-type restrictions. In light of RIV’s unsatisfactory aspects, the paper proposes an alternative to RIV. This new approach maintains a strict eps-focus. It derives by replacing bvpst in RIV with epst +1 capitalized (i.e. divided by r). One obtains a formula such that the current market price equals next-period expected earnings capitalized plus the present value of expected abnormal earnings growth, referred to as AEG. A number of propositions then demonstrate the advantages of the AEG approach as compared to RIV. These results follow because epst+1 capitalized generally approximates market price better than bvpst.
Chlamydia trachomatis Slc1 is a type III secretion chaperone that enhances the translocation of its invasion effector substrate TARP

Bacterial type III secretion system (T3SS) chaperones pilot substrates to the export apparatus in a secretion‐competent state, and are consequently central to the translocation of effectors into target cells. Chlamydia trachomatis is a genetically intractable obligate intracellular pathogen that utilizes T3SS effectors to trigger its entry into mammalian cells. The only well‐characterized T3SS effector is TARP (translocated actin recruitment protein), but its chaperone is unknown. Here we exploited a known structural signature to screen for putative type III secretion chaperones encoded within the C. trachomatis genome. Using bacterial two‐hybrid, co‐precipitation, cross‐linking and size exclusion chromatography we show that Slc1 (SycE‐like chaperone 1; CT043) specifically interacts with a 200‐amino‐acid residue N‐terminal region of TARP (TARP1–200). Slc1 formed homodimers in vitro, as shown in cross‐linking and gel filtration experiments. Biochemical analysis of an isolated Slc1–TARP1–200 complex was consistent with a characteristic 2:1 chaperone–effector stoichiometry. Furthermore, Slc1 was co‐immunoprecipitated with TARP from C. trachomatis elementary bodies. Also, coexpression of Slc1 specifically enhanced host cell translocation of TARP by a heterologous Yersinia enterocolitica T3SS. Taken together, we propose Slc1 as a chaperone of the C. trachomatis T3SS effector TARP.
A Computational Approach to Botanical Drug Design by Modeling Quantitative Composition–activity Relationship

Herbal medicine has been successfully applied in clinical therapeutics throughout the world. Following the concept of quantitative composition–activity relationship, the presented study proposes a computational strategy to predict bioactivity of herbal medicine and design new botanical drug. As a case, the quantitative relationship between chemical composition and decreasing cholesterol effect of Qi‐Xue‐Bing‐Zhi‐Fang, a widely used herbal medicine in China, was investigated. Quantitative composition–activity relationship models generated by multiple linear regression, artificial neural networks, and support vector regression exhibited different capabilities of predictive accuracy. Moreover, the proportion of two active components of Qi‐Xue‐Bing‐Zhi‐Fang was optimized based on the quantitative composition–activity relationship model to obtain new formulation. Validation experiments showed that the optimized herbal medicine has greater activity. The results indicate that the presented method is an efficient approach to botanical drug design.
ACUTE APPENDICITIS - IMPORTANCE OF CLINICAL EXAMINATION IN MAKING A CONFIDENT DIAGNOSIS

Objective: To evaluate the importance of clinical examination in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Design: An observational and descriptive study. Setting: Department of surgery, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad and Islamic International Medical College Hospital Trust, Railway Hospital, Rawalpindi. The period was from October 2001 to January 2003. Patients & Methods: The study includes 160 patients of acute appendicitis who had undergone appendicectomy with preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis. They were analyzed prospectively. The parameters evaluated were age/gender, clinical presentation (signs & symptoms) total & differential leucocyte counts and urine microscopy. The operative findings were recorded and the inflammation of the appendix was graded into uncomplicated, complicated and normal. The results were assessed to establish the role of clinical examination and common laboratory tests (leucocyte count & urine microscopy) in the final diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Results: The mean age was 23 years with male to female ratio of 1.6:1. Pain in the right iliac fossa was the most common symptom and tenderness in the right iliac fossa was the commonest physical sign (92%). The total leucocyte count was less than 10,000/mm 3 in 38.8% cases and more than 10,000/ mm 3 in 61.2% cases. The sensitivity and specificity of raised TLC for acute appendicitis were 80% and 67% respectively. Eighteen out of 35 patients with abnormal urine microscopy had histopathological evidence of acute appendicitis. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 91.8%. Conclusion: Clinical assessment is the best criteria to reach a confident diagnosis. Total leucocyte count and other investigations should be used as diagnostic aid in doubtful cases but they donit replace the clinical skills of General Surgeons.
A STUDY ON THE CAUSES OF STRATEGIES FAILING TO SUCCESS Mehmet Ali KÖSEOLU

This study attempts to investigate the reasons behind the failure of implementing strategies. The failure of the strategies is evaluated according to results of their formulation and implementation processes. In order to find out the reasons behind the failure of the strategies, questionnaires were administered to 418 managers. In light of the findings, the reasons behind the failure of the strategies seem mostly to stem from the formulation process, and the most important issues in the implementation process are found out to be organizational, individual, and managerial.
Hallucination-Like Experiences in the Nonclinical Population

Abstract Unusual subjective experiences are relatively common in the general population and have been associated with an increased level of vulnerability to psychosis. The current study aimed to a) determine the distribution of hallucination-like experiences (HLEs) in a community sample of young adults, b) investigate their dimensional subtypes, and c) test the association of HLEs with indicators of poor mental health. Four hundred thirty-seven participants (men, 41%) completed a battery of questionnaires including the 16-item Launay-Slade Hallucination Scale (LSHS), the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the 21-item Peters et al. Delusions Inventory (PDI). The LSHS correlated significantly with GHQ-12 and PDI. Individuals with higher levels of psychological distress were found to report higher frequencies of the HLEs compared with those in the reference range. Exploratory factor analysis of LSHS produced a four-factor solution: a) “auditory and visual HLEs,” b) “multisensory HLEs,” c) “intrusive thoughts,” and d) “vivid daydreams. ” The current results provide further support for the multidimensional nature of hallucination proneness in the general population and indicate that some HLEs (particularly those related to intrusiveness of thought) are associated with a lower level of perceived well-being.
Time Resolved Flow Quantification with MRI Using Phase Methods: A Linear Systems Approach

Phase‐related unsteady (pulsatile) flow effects in MRI have been studied by means of linear response theory. These flow effects can be described in the frequency domain: the influence of the gradients on the phase shift is described by a transfer function, the spectrum of the gradient being the determining factor. An analysis of this transfer function is shown to provide information about the process of flow encoding: instant of encoding, induced distortions and how they are related to the gradient waveform. The connection with the traditional description in terms of the gradient moment expansion has also been investigated and clarified. This approach was applied to study the response of two time‐resolved flow quantification techniques (Fourier flow method and phase mapping) by analyzing their amplitude and phase transfer functions. By simulation it is shown that a better interpretation of the measured velocity waveform is obtained and that Fourier analysis in combination with a correction by the inverse transfer function results in an accurate reconstruction of the velocity waveform studied.
MyD88 Mediates the Protective Effects of Probiotics Against the Arteriolar Thrombosis and Leukocyte Recruitment Associated with Experimental Colitis

Abstract:Several studies in patients with IBD and in animal models of IBD have revealed a protective effect of probiotics in reducing clinical symptoms of disease and in blunting the gut inflammation that accompanies this condition. However, the mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of probiotics is currently unknown. Furthermore, the ability of probiotics to influence the enhanced thrombus development that accompanies IBD has not been studied. This study addresses whether the enhanced extraintestinal thrombosis (induced by light/dye injury) associated with experimental colitis is altered by oral treatment with the probiotic preparation VSL#3 or by the absence of microbiota. Colitis was induced by DSS 3% in Swiss Webster mice, germ-free mice, C57BL/6 WT, or Myd88−/− mice. In some experiments, mice received VSL#3 for 8 days before and during DSS feeding. Swiss Webster mice were also subjected to a chronic model of DSS colitis, and the effect of VSL#3 was evaluated. VSL#3 treatment significantly attenuated the accelerated thrombus formation observed in both acute and chronic models of colitis. VSL#3-treated mice also exhibited attenuated inflammatory response and injury in the colon. The protective effects of VSL#3 on colitis-associated thrombogenesis and inflammation were not evident in MyD88-deficient mice. Our results suggest that improved control of the enteric microflora in IBD may afford protection against the hypercoagulable prothrombotic state that follows this condition.