Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nitric Oxide Regulates Interleukin 1 Bioactivity Released from Murine Macrophages*

The bioactivity of interleukin-1 (IL-1), a major proinflammatory cytokine, can be modulated by a variety of factors including inhibitors of IL-1 production and release and receptor blockade by IL-1 receptor antagonist and by binding to nonsignaling soluble receptors. This study demonstrates that the free radical nitric oxide (NO) is also a regulator of IL-1 bioactivity. Lipopolysaccharide-activated murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells, and lipopolysaccharide plus interferon-γ-activated murine peritoneal macrophages release IL-1 bioactivity, which is increased 10-fold over control levels by 24 h. NG-Monomethyl L-arginine (NMMA), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, almost completely inhibits the release of IL-1 bioactivity from activated macrophages in a time- and concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 of 50 μM. IL-1 activity was determined by thymocyte proliferation bioassay and by a new spectrophotometric bioassay based on IL-1-specific induction of NOS and NO production by an insulinoma cell line, RINm5F. Neither NO nor NOS inhibitors present in the macrophage supernatant interfere with the bioassays. Aminoguanidine and iodonium diphenyl, mechanistically unrelated NOS inhibitors, also prevent the release of IL-1 activity from RAW 264.7 cells. The addition of the NO donor S-nitroso-acetylpenicillamine reconstituted the release of IL-1 bioactivity inhibited by NMMA in a concentration-dependent manner. NO appears to increase the amount of IL-1 protein released by activated macrophages as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, but not by mechanisms involving cell death nor modification of IL-1 precursor processing. A cGMP donor, 8-bromo-cGMP, dose-dependently reverses NMMA inhibition of bioactive IL-1 release, suggesting that NO regulates IL-1 release by a cGMP-dependent mechanism. These observations suggest that NO stimulation of the activity of IL-1, a key mediator of the immune response, may be a potentially important mechanism for control of IL-1 activity in vivo.
Non-parametric pricing of long-dated volatility derivatives under stochastic interest rates

Although the effect of interest rate stochasticity can safely be ignored for short-dated exchange traded volatility derivatives, this is not the case for the kind of long-dated OTC derivatives often used by insurance companies and other financial institutions. We therefore extend existing model-free results for the pricing of variance swaps and more general volatility derivatives to account for stochastic interest rates, given certain independence and continuity assumptions. Finally, we present empirical examples to highlight the potential significance of this effect on long term contracts.
[Educational needs for consideration in developing curriculum for staff in charge of public health services in public hospitals].

PURPOSE This study was done to assess the educational needs that should be considered in developing curriculum for staff in charge of public health services in public hospitals. METHODS The participants in this study were staff in charge of public health services in 130 public hospitals. The Borich's Needs Assessment Model which analyzed the relation of 'required competence level' and 'present competence level', was utilized. Data were collected from October to November 2007 using a structure self-report questionnaire. The return rate was 66.9%. The Cronbach's alpha score was 0.959. RESULTS The mean scores for 'required competence level', 'present competence level' and Borich's need were 4.02, 3.44, and 2.30 respectively. According to public health service items, 'strategies to recognize the present condition and analyze problems' had the highest score for Borich's need, but 'establishment of annual or monthly objectives' had the lowest score for Borich's need. CONCLUSION Education was found to be very important for staff carrying out public health services. Ultimately the results of this study may be utilized to develop education program for staff carrying out public health services in public hospitals.
Smoking too few cigarettes to be at risk? Smokers’ perceptions of risk and risk denial, a French survey

Background: Past studies on smokers’ risk perception have produced mixed results. We endorsed a new approach to assess smokers’ perceptions of risk by asking them to estimate threshold values for the cancer risk associated with daily consumption of tobacco and number of smoking years. We expected that many smokers would endorse a “risk denial” attitude, with threshold estimates higher than their own smoking consumption and duration. Methodology: A French national telephone survey (n = 3820; 979 current smokers) included several questions about smoking behaviours and related beliefs. Results: Among current smokers, 44% considered that smoking can cause cancer only for a daily consumption higher than their own consumption, and an additional 20% considered that the cancer risk becomes high only for a smoking duration higher than their own. Most smokers also agreed with other “risk denial” statements (“smoking is not more dangerous than air pollution,” “some people smoke their whole life but never get sick”). Those who considered they smoked too few cigarettes to be at risk were less likely to report personal fear of smoking related cancer. Conclusion: Risk denial is quite widespread among smokers and does not simply reflect a lack of information about health risks related to tobacco. Fully informing smokers about their risks may necessitate changing the way they process information to produce beliefs and limiting their capacity to generate self exempting beliefs.
Thermodynamic models for eclogitic mantle lithosphere 1

Cratonic mantle eclogite xenoliths occur with diamond-bearing kimberlite. The modes and mineral compositions of eclogite contain important information on their origin, physical-chemical conditions of formation, and their geophysical properties. We have used the pseudosection option of the program PERPLEX to explore how mineral assemblage, abundance, and composition vary with bulk composition, temperature (T) and pressure (P). We considered a range of protolith compositions, including: fresh unaltered basalt, altered seafloor basalt, cumulates resulting from high-pressure crystallization of basaltic melts, and metasomatically altered (SiO2-depleted) basalt. Stable mineral assemblages and associated geophysical properties for each protolith were calculated at P^T conditions found along the mantle geotherm for the Slave craton. At depths greater than 90 km, the predicted modal mineralogy of eclogite for all protoliths changes little along the geotherm. Within the diamond stability field of cratonic mantle, eclogite has a single mineral assemblage that reflects protolith composition. We recognize three basic classes: (1) a silica-oversaturated assemblage indicated by the presence of coesite, (2) a silica-saturated assemblage distinguished by the absence of coesite and olivine, and (3) a silica-undersaturated assemblage containing olivine. Within the diamond stability field for the Slave geotherm, kyanite is stable only in extremely Al-enriched protoliths. Most kimberlitehosted eclogite belongs to class 2 and our results show that it cannot derive from either fresh or altered seafloor basalt. We suggest an origin involving mantle metasomatism (SiO2 depletion) operating on subducted basalt although we cannot rule out an origin from cumulates of metaluminous, subalkaline magmas. Predicted seismic velocities of model eclogite are higher than corresponding velocities for peridotite and most crustal rocks and therefore may be distinctive in regional seismic surveys. However, the only class of eclogite that could be distinguished from seismic data is the oversaturated assemblage (class 1). The quartz^coesite transition produces sharp changes in both P and S wave velocities at depths of about 90 km along the ambient mantle geotherm. 9 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Spectral Solution for Detecting Isomorphic Graphs with Nondegenerate Eigenvalues

Graph Isomorphism (GI) is to find a bijection between the vertices of two graphs G1 and G2, such that any two vertices in G1 are adjacent if they are adjacent in G2. There are several application areas in which graph isomorphism is required, such as study of organic compounds isomers, algorithms' similarity analysis in profiling of Embedded Systems, VLSI circuits equivalence etc. The complexity of Graph Isomorphism problem is thought neither to be in P nor in NP-Complete although this has not been proved yet [1], [2]. We classify the graph on the basis of their Adjacency Matrix (AM) eigenvalues. A Non- degenerate eigenvalue corresponds to a distinct eigenvector instead of a subspace as in the case of degeneracy, making the problem simpler. We employ spectral decomposition of AM for finding a solution. Furthermore, we redefine the isomorphic transform equation by including eigenvectors into it. Index
The effect of irritable bowel syndrome on carotid intima-media thickness, pulse wave velocity, and heart rate variability.

OBJECTIVE Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a subgroup of functional somatic disorders, may be associated with autonomic dysfunction (AD). Heart rate variability (HRV), a measure of autonomic dysfunction, may predict survival. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of IBS on HRV parameters, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV) as surrogates of AD, subclinical atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness, respectively. METHODS Our study was cross-sectional and observational. Thirty consecutive patients with IBS and 30 control participants underwent 24-hour Holter monitoring, cf-PWV assessment and CIMT measurement. The diagnosis of IBS was based on Rome III criteria. There were 24 patients with IBS-Constipation (80%), 4 patients with IBS-Diarrhea (13.3%), and 2 patients with IBS-Mixed (6.7%) in IBS group. Student t-test and χ2 test were utilized in order to compare continuous and categorical variables between two groups, respectively. RESULTS Biochemical parameters did not differ between groups except for slightly increased creatinine in patients with IBS. cf-PWV and CIMT values were similar between groups. SDNN index and RMSSD were significantly impaired in patients with IBS compared to controls. Frequency analyses revealed lower LF, HF, and VLF in subjects with IBS. CONCLUSION We demonstrated decreased parasympathetic modulation in patients with constipation predominant IBS. However, we could not demonstrate any changes in vascular structure and functions measured by carotid intima-media thickness and pulse wave velocity. Our results do not support accelerated atherosclerosis in IBS population.
A comparison of binocular depth mechanisms in areas 17 and 18 of the cat visual cortex

1. The retinal disparity sensitivity of neurones in areas 17 and 18 of the cat visual cortex was examined. The response of each cell to an optimally oriented slit was measured as disparity was varied orthogonally to the receptive field orientation. Eye movements were monitored with a binocular reference cell simultaneously recorded in area 17 (Hubel & Wiesel, 1970).
Synthesis of bioactive organic-inorganic nanohybrid for bone repair through sol-gel processing.

So-called bioactive ceramics have been attractive because they form bone-like apatite on their surfaces to bond directly to living bone when implanted in bony defects. However, they are much more brittle and much less flexible than natural bone. Organic-inorganic hybrids consisting of flexible organic polymers and the essential constituents of the bioactive ceramics (i.e., Si-OH groups and Ca2+ ions) are useful as novel bone substitutes, because of their bioactivity and mechanical properties analogous to those of natural bone. In the present study, organic-inorganic nanohybrids were synthesized from hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS), as well as various calcium salts. Bioactivity of the synthesized hybrids was assessed in vitro by examining their acceptance of apatite deposition in simulated body fluid (Kokubo solution). The prepared hybrids formed apatite in Kokubo solution when they were modified with calcium chloride (CaCl2) at 5 or 10 mol% of the total of MPS and HEMA. Deposition of a kind of calcium phosphate was observed for the hybrids modified with calcium acetate (Ca(CH3COO)2), although it could not be identified with apatite. The addition of glycerol up to 10 mol% of the total of MPS and HEMA or water up to 20 mol% as plasticizers did not appreciably decrease the acceptance of apatite formation of the hybrids. These findings allow wide selectivity in the design of bioactive nanohybrids developed by organic modification of the Si-OH group and calcium ion through sol-gel processing. Such nanohybrids have potential as novel bone substitutes with both high bioactivity and high flexibility.
Fosmidomycin plus Clindamycin for Treatment of Pediatric Patients Aged 1 to 14 Years with Plasmodium falciparum Malaria

ABSTRACT Fosmidomycin plus clindamycin was shown to be efficacious in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in a small cohort of pediatric patients aged 7 to 14 years, but more data, including data on younger children with less antiparasitic immunity, are needed to determine the potential value of this new antimalarial combination. We conducted a single-arm study to improve the precision of efficacy estimates for an oral 3-day fixed-ratio combination of fosmidomycin and clindamycin at 30 and 10 mg/kg of body weight, respectively, every 12 hours for the treatment of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in 51 pediatric outpatients aged 1 to 14 years. Fosmidomycin plus clindamycin was generally well tolerated, but relatively high rates of treatment-associated neutropenia (8/51 [16%]) and falls of hemoglobin concentrations of ≥2 g/dl (7/51 [14%]) are of concern. Asexual parasites and fever were cleared within median periods of 42 h and 38 h, respectively. All patients who could be evaluated were parasitologically and clinically cured by day 14 (49/49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 93 to 100%). The per-protocol, PCR-adjusted day 28 cure rate was 89% (42/47; 95% CI, 77 to 96%). Efficacy appeared to be significantly reduced in children aged 1 to 2 years, with a day 28 cure rate of only 62% for this small subgroup (5/8). The inadequate efficacy in children of <3 years highlights the need for continued systematic studies of the current dosing regimen, which should include randomized trial designs.
Measuring audience experience in social videogaming

Social videogaming sessions present a variety of opportunities for interaction and engagement. While active play is the most obvious way that participants can interact during the gaming session, these sessions can also have audience members who are not actively playing. However, there is little understanding about the experience of audience members within a gaming context. We argue that in order to understand audience experience it is necessary to identify and measure its components. In this paper we present the development of an instrument specifically designed for studying the experience of audience members within social videogaming sessions. The instrument consists of a scale based on measures of game player experience, but designed to be more relevant to the game experience of non-players.
The rpfA gene of Xanthomonas campestris pathovar campestris, which is involved in the regulation of pathogenicity factor production, encodes an aconitase

Xanthomonas campestris pv campestris (Xcc) is a plant pathogenic bacterium that controls the production of pathogenicity factors in part by a cluster of genes designated rpf (regulation of pathogenicity factors). Sequence analysis of one of these genes (rpfA) revealed an open reading frame with amino acid sequence similarity to aconitases from other bacteria. Aconitase activity was lower in cellular extracts of an rpfA::Tn5 mutant than in those from the wild type. A zymogram of aconitase activity after native gel electrophoresis showed the presence of two distinct aconitases in Xcc; the major aconitase was absent in the rpfA::Tn5 mutant. This mutant also had reduced levels of extracellular enzymes and extracellular polysaccharide (EPS). Supplying rpfA in trans to the rpfA::Tn5 mutant restored both the major aconitase activity and the synthesis of these pathogenicity factors. The transcription of the genes for two extracellular enzymes (prtA, encoding a serine protease, and engXCA, encoding endoglucanase) was reduced in the rpfA mutant background. Because some eukaryotic aconitases are also involved in iron regulation, we explored a possible connection between rpfA and iron metabolism. Intracellular iron levels in the mutants were lower than in the wild type as assessed by sensitivity to the iron‐activated antibiotic, streptonigrin. Wild‐type bacteria grown in iron‐deficient conditions had a similar sensitivity to streptonigrin as the aconitase mutant. Overall, these results suggest that a prokaryotic aconitase can also act as a regulator of gene expression and that the regulation is possibly related to changes in intracellular iron levels.
Protease-activated Receptors in Vascular Biology

Summary G protein-coupled protease-activated receptors (PARs) provide one answer to the question of how coagulation factors and other proteases regulate cellular behaviors. In concert with the coagulation cascade, these receptors provide an elegant mechanism that links mechanical information in the form of tissue injury or vascular leak to cellular responses. Roles for PARs in hemostasis and thrombosis, inflammation, and perhaps even blood vessel development are beginning to emerge. Our current understanding of the role of PARs in platelet and endothelial cell activation and their potential importance in normal and disease states is discussed.
The Impact of Macular Edema on Visual Function in Intermediate, Posterior, and Panuveitis

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of macular edema on visual acuity and visual field sensitivity in uveitis. Design: This study utilized baseline data from the Multicenter Uveitis Steroid Treatment (MUST) Trial, a randomized, parallel treatment clinical trial comparing alternative treatments for intermediate, posterior and panuveitis. Patients & Methods: 255 patients (481 eyes with uveitis) recruited at 23 subspecialty centers. Visual acuity, optical coherence tomography and Humphrey 24-2 visual field testing. Results: Macular edema was associated with impaired visual acuity (p < 0.01). Different phenotypes of macular edema were associated with different degrees of visual impairment: cystoid changes without retinal thickening were associated with moderately impaired visual acuity (–5 ETDRS letters), but visual acuity was worse in eyes with retinal thickening (–13 letters) and with both cysts and thickening (–19 letters). Uveitis sufficient to satisfy the study’s inclusion criteria was associated with impaired visual field sensitivity, but eyes with macular edema had even worse visual field sensitivity (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The observation that macular edema substantially reduces visual function suggests macular edema itself is an important endpoint to study in the treatment of uveitis. As uveitis and macular edema both impair visual field sensitivity as measured by Humphrey 24-2 perimetry, both should be considered when evaluating patients with uveitis and raised intraocular pressure for glaucoma.
Comparative analysis of solid waste management in 20 cities

This paper uses the ‘lens’ of integrated and sustainable waste management (ISWM) to analyse the new data set compiled on 20 cities in six continents for the UN-Habitat flagship publication Solid Waste Management in the World’s Cities. The comparative analysis looks first at waste generation rates and waste composition data. A process flow diagram is prepared for each city, as a powerful tool for representing the solid waste system as a whole in a comprehensive but concise way. Benchmark indicators are presented and compared for the three key physical components/drivers: public health and collection; environment and disposal; and resource recovery – and for three governance strategies required to deliver a well-functioning ISWM system: inclusivity; financial sustainability; and sound institutions and pro-active policies. Key insights include the variety and diversity of successful models – there is no ‘one size fits all’; the necessity of good, reliable data; the importance of focusing on governance as well as technology; and the need to build on the existing strengths of the city. An example of the latter is the critical role of the informal sector in the cities in many developing countries: it not only delivers recycling rates that are comparable with modern Western systems, but also saves the city authorities millions of dollars in avoided waste collection and disposal costs. This provides the opportunity for win–win solutions, so long as the related wider challenges can be addressed.
Ecdysone-Induced Receptor Tyrosine Phosphatase PTP52F Regulates Drosophila Midgut Histolysis by Enhancement of Autophagy and Apoptosis

ABSTRACT The rapid removal of larval midgut is a critical developmental process directed by molting hormone ecdysone during Drosophila metamorphosis. To date, it remains unclear how the stepwise events can link the onset of ecdysone signaling to the destruction of larval midgut. This study investigated whether ecdysone-induced expression of receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP52F regulates this process. The mutation of the Ptp52F gene caused significant delay in larval midgut degradation. Transitional endoplasmic reticulum ATPase (TER94), a regulator of ubiquitin proteasome system, was identified as a substrate and downstream effector of PTP52F in the ecdysone signaling. The inducible expression of PTP52F at the puparium formation stage resulted in dephosphorylation of TER94 on its Y800 residue, ensuring the rapid degradation of ubiquitylated proteins. One of the proteins targeted by dephosphorylated TER94 was found to be Drosophila inhibitor of apoptosis 1 (DIAP1), which was rapidly proteolyzed in cells with significant expression of PTP52F. Importantly, the reduced level of DIAP1 in response to inducible PTP52F was essential not only for the onset of apoptosis but also for the initiation of autophagy. This study demonstrates a novel function of PTP52F in regulating ecdysone-directed metamorphosis via enhancement of autophagic and apoptotic cell death in doomed Drosophila midguts.
Responsiveness Bias in 51 American Communities

This paper is concerned with responsiveness bias, a previously uninvestigated dimension of political inequality, which refers to the degree to which governments respond unequally to the public policy preferences of various community subpopulations (e.g., blacks, whites, upper-class and lower-class citizens). An empirical examination of responsiveness bias in the 51 cities of the Permanent Community Sample reveals that responsiveness is usually biased in favor of the advantaged (upper-SES, white) segments of the population, although a few cities exhibit bias in favor of the disadvantaged. An analysis of the environmental and political factors affecting responsiveness bias shows that larger, more wealthy cities, with well-organized interest groups having little minority representation, are most likely to bias their policies in ways preferred by the advantaged.