Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
c-Kit is essential for alveolar maintenance and protection from emphysema-like disease in mice.

RATIONALE Previously, we demonstrated a candidate region for susceptibility to airspace enlargement on mouse chromosome 5. However, the specific candidate genes within this region accounting for emphysema-like changes remain unrecognized. c-Kit is a receptor tyrosine kinase within this candidate gene region that has previously been recognized to contribute to the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells. Increases in the percentage of cells expressing c-Kit have previously been associated with protection against injury-induced emphysema. OBJECTIVES Determine whether genetic variants of c-Kit are associated with spontaneous airspace enlargement. METHODS Perform single-nucleotide polymorphism association studies in the mouse strains at the extremes of airspace enlargement phenotype for variants in c-Kit tyrosine kinase. Characterize mice bearing functional variants of c-Kit compared with wild-type controls for the development of spontaneous airspace enlargement. Epithelial cell proliferation was measured in culture. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Upstream regulatory single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the divergent mouse strains were associated with the lung compliance difference observed between the extreme strains. c-Kit mutant mice (Kit(W-sh)/(W-sh)), when compared with genetic controls, developed altered lung histology, increased total lung capacity, increased residual volume, and increased lung compliance that persist into adulthood. c-Kit inhibition with imatinib attenuated in vitro proliferation of cells expressing epithelial cell adhesion molecule. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that c-Kit sustains and/or maintains normal alveolar architecture in the lungs of mice. In vitro data suggest that c-Kit can regulate epithelial cell clonal expansion. The precise mechanisms that c-Kit contributes to the development of airspace enlargement and increased lung compliance remain unclear and warrants further investigation.
Role of Phosphate Groups in Inhibition of Calcium Oxalate Crystal Growth by Osteopontin

Osteopontin (OPN) inhibits the growth of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) and other crystal phases in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. In the present study, the role of OPN phosphate groups in adsorption to, incorporation into and inhibition of COM crystals was studied by comparing OPN isoforms differing in phosphorylation. OPN isoforms purified from rat bone (bOPN), which contains 10 phosphates, and cow milk (mOPN), which contains 25 phosphates, were compared with rat recombinant OPN (rOPN), which is not phosphorylated. Using fluorescence-labeled proteins and confocal microscopy, we show that mOPN and rOPN, like bOPN, adsorb preferentially to the edges between {100} and {121} faces of preformed COM crystals, and to a lesser extent to the {100} and {121} faces. Using scanning electron microscopy, we show that growth of COM in the presence of bOPN or mOPN results in a ‘dumbbell’ morphology, whereas crystals grown with rOPN are only slightly affected. COM crystals grown in the presence of low concentrations of fluorescence-labeled bOPN incorporate the protein into the crystal lattice. In crystals imaged in the {010} plane, incorporation of bOPN results in a cross-shaped pattern of fluorescence, consistent with preferential adsorption to {100}/{121} edges throughout the growth process.
Second harmonic imaging of collagen in mammalian tissue

It has recently been demonstrated that collagen is a very effective upconverter of light by second harmonic generation (SHG) but hitherto the potential this offers for biomedical imaging has not been realized. We show that bright SHG images van be obtained over a wide excitation range at illumination levels comparable to or lower than those required for two-photon excitation of fluorescent labels, with no damage to the collagen structure. Both paraffin and cryostat sections have been used, and medically significant results have been obtained in several fields. We show that the signal is easily distinguished from single and two-photon excited fluorescence by its forward propagation and narrow spectral width; in principle it could also be distinguished by lifetime. Key microscope requisites are: immersion objectives and condensers, high-efficiency PMT detectors for transmitted light, suitable filters, and effective blocking of stray light, especially from the mercury lamp.
Low-Voltage Low-Power 1.6 GHz Quadrature Signal Generation Through Stacking a Transformer-Based VCO and a Divide-by-Two

This paper presents a differential VCO stacked with a divide-by-two to generate quadrature signals for low-power wireless applications. The transformer-based VCO core adopts the Armstrong VCO configuration to mitigate the small voltage headroom and the noise coupling. The operating conditions of the proposed quadrature local oscillator (LO) circuitry are derived based upon a linearized small-signal model. Also the phase noise performance is analyzed using a frequency-domain approach. The analytical results indicate that the mutual inductance and the quality factor of the primary coil play an important role in the trade-off between power and noise. The proposed LO was fabricated in 65 nm CMOS technology. The LO operates at 1.6 GHz under 1 V supply voltage and consumes only 2.6 mW of power. The measured phase noise is -140.3 dBc/Hz at 10 MHz offset frequency.
World Journal of Surgical Oncology Open Access Curative Resection of a Primarily Unresectable Acinar Cell Carcinoma of the Pancreas after Chemotherapy

Background: Acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) represents only 1–2% of pancreatic cancers and is a very rare malignancy. At the time of diagnosis only 50% of the tumors appear to be resectable. Reliable data for an effective adjuvant or neoadjuvant treatment are not available.
Eosinophil degranulation status in allergic rhinitis: observations before and during seasonal allergen exposure

Despite the fact that extensive degranulation is a likely prerequisite for a pathogenic role of eosinophils, little is known about the degranulation status of these cells in eosinophilic conditions. The present study of the ultrastructure of tissue eosinophils explores eosinophil degranulation in allergic rhinitis before and during seasonal allergen exposure. A total of 23 patients scored symptoms q.d. , prior to and during the pollen season. The numbers of mucosal eosinophils and their degranulation status were determined in nasal biopsies. Furthermore, nasal lavage fluid levels of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and α2-macroglobulin were assessed as indices of eosinophil activity and plasma exudation, respectively. Seasonal allergen exposure was associated with increased nasal symptoms, increased lavage fluid levels of ECP and α2-macroglobulin, and increased numbers of tissue eosinophils. In the tissue, transmission electron microscopy revealed a moderate piecemeal degranulation already prior to the season (mean±sd 37±2.7% altered granules). Seasonal allergen exposure increased this degranulation (87±1.8%), and produced local areas with extensive deposition of granule proteins. The degree of eosinophil degranulation correlated with levels of ECP in lavage fluids obtained at histamine challenge. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis features moderately degranulated eosinophils already at nonsymptomatic baseline conditions. In association with the development of symptomatic seasonal allergic rhinitis, the tissue deposition of eosinophil granule proteins is dramatically elevated through increased eosinophil numbers, together with markedly augmented degranulation of individual cells.
Reasons for hospitalization in HIV-infected children in West Africa

Current knowledge on morbidity and mortality in HIV‐infected children comes from data collected in specific research programmes, which may offer a different standard of care compared to routine care. We described hospitalization data within a large observational cohort of HIV‐infected children in West Africa (IeDEA West Africa collaboration).
Human Preimplantation Embryo Culture Media: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract: Systematic studies of mouse embryo culture beginning in 1949 led to an understanding of essential medium components for early mammalian embryos, and embryo culture from the zygote to the blastocyst stage was achieved in 1968. Since then, medium components that are either beneficial or detrimental for embryo culture have been identified. A variety of culture media that mimic the female reproductive tract, such as human tubal fluid medium and sequential media, were developed from the 1970s to the 1990s, and a single medium in which the concentrations of components were determined by a simplex optimization method was introduced for clinical use in 2002. While either sequential media or a single medium is currently used in most cases, no conclusion has yet been reached as to which of the two approaches is the best. That we are now easily able to culture embryos is the result of the work of pioneers. This review presents a chronological overview of media development from initial attempts at mouse embryo culture using synthetic media to the human embryo culture media used today. It also presents the characteristics of sequential media and a single medium. Finally, problems observed with current embryo culture media are discussed, along with future development in this area.
Identification of a novel cell type in peripheral lymphoid organs of mice. V. Purification of spleen dendritic cells, new surface markers, and maintenance in vitro

Dendritic cells (DCs; 1) have been purified from mouse spleen in good yield. Spleen cell suspensions were floated on dense bovine plasma albumin (BPA) columns, and the low density fraction was adhered to glass (2). The adherent cells consisted of DCs and immature macrophages most of which eluted in a viable state from the culture dish after overnight incubation. The macrophages were then removed by selective rosetting with opsonized erythrocytes and recentrifugation on dense BPA. This protocol resulted in a purified DC fraction, containing 1--3 X 10(5) DCs/spleen, which was homogeneous and distinctive in its properties. All cells exhibited the phase contrast and transmission electron microscopy (EM) cytologic features that were previously described for freshly isolated adherent DCs. By scanning EM, most purified DCs exhibited a remarkable array of bulbous protrusions of varying length and shape, unlike any other lymphoid cell. All DCs expressed surface Ia and other major histocompatibility complex (MHC)- linked alloantigens. DCs, however, lacked surface Ig and T-cell antigens, and did not bind or interiorize opsonized erythrocytes. Purified DCs have been maintined in vitro for 3 days. Recovery of cultured purified cells was 70% or more of starting cell numbers. When [3H]uridine-tagged DCs were mixed with nonlabeled heterogeneous spleen cells, 70--80% of the labeled DCs were recovered as viable cells 2--3 days later. Purified DCs did not readhere to tissue culture surfaces and did not proliferate, even when cultured with mitogenic doses of concanavalin A and lipopolysaccharide. Finally, DCs did not change their cytologic or surface properties after 3 days of culture. These observations extend the evidence that DCs are a novel cell type and provide useful properties and techniques for their further study.
Kidney-Pancreas transplantation: The effect of portal versus systemic venous drainage of the pancreas on the lipoprotein composition

We have previously shown that both kidney-alone and combined kidney-pancreas transplantation lower VLDL and IDL apoB while increasing LDL apoB, apoA-I, and HDL free cholesterol (FC). In this report, we analyze the lipoproteins of 31 patients who have undergone combined kidney-pancreas transplantation. Systemic venous drainage of the pancreas was utilized in 20 of these patients while 11 had portal venous drainage. Six lipoprotein subfractions (VLDL, IDL, LDL, HDL-L, HDL-M, HDL-D) were isolated by rapid gradient ultracentrifugation using a fixed-angle rotor. The apolipoprotein (by reverse-phase HPLC) and lipid (by enzymatic assays) composition of each subfraction was determined. After three months, there were few group differences. However, the portal group had substantial reductions in VLDL apoB at both six (-50% vs. +1%) and twelve months (-57% vs. +149%, P=.042) while the systemic group had increases in VLDL apoB. Similar differences were seen in IDL apoB (six months : -38% vs. +13% ; twelve months : -61% vs. +56%, P=.008). LDL apoB increased in both groups at six months (portal : +7% ; systemic : +30%) but fell in the portal group at twelve months (-17% vs. +41%, P=.0007). IDL triglyceride, cholesterol ester, phospholipids, and free cholesterol also fell by 19% to 47% in the portal group while they rose by 8% to 44% in the systemic patients, six and twelve months after surgery (P<.05). In addition, the VLDL and LDL free cholesterol to phospholipid ratios (FC/PL) fell (improved) by 16% to 26% in the portal patients while they rose by 9% to 28% in the systemic subjects during this time (P<.04). Finally, there were substantial improvements in the LDL composition of the portal patients compared to the systemic patients at six (PL/apoB : +23% vs. -16%, P=.005 ; CE/apoB : +14% vs. -14%, P=.037) and twelve months (PL/apoB : +39% vs. -13%, P=.011 ; CE/apoB : +41% vs. -15%, P=.011). These data indicate that portal drainage of the transplanted pancreas reduced the number of VLDL, IDL, and LDL particles, reduced the total mass of IDL (by 35%), and normalized the VLDL and LDL particle composition. These improvements were not seen in the patients who received systemic drainage of their pancreas. HDL-M also improved in the portal patients (TG : -29% vs. +12%, P=.025) (PL : +22% vs. -5%, P=.014) (total mass : +16% vs. +0.2%, P=.044) but not in the systemic patients six months after surgery. These results suggest that portal venous drainage of the pancreas leads to greater improvements in the lipoprotein composition of IDDM patients than does systemic drainage.
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF CEMENT-STABILIZED SOIL LAYERS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO PAVEMENT DESIGN

THE PROPERTIES OF CEMENT-STABILIZED SOILS WERE INTERRELATED, AND THE PERFORMANCE OF FIELD SECTIONS PREVIOUSLY TESTED WAS EVALUATED FOR THE PURPOSES OF DETERMINING THE VALIDITY OF EXISTING THEORY FOR PREDICTION OF PAVEMENT BEHAVIOR, AND DEVELOPING CRITERIA AND PROCEDURE FOR DESIGNING PAVEMENTS CONTAINING SOIL LAYERS STABILIZED WITH SMALL AMOUNTS OF CEMENT. FIELD TESTS WERE MADE, AND A FAILURE CRITERION WAS DEFINED ACCORDING TO RUT DEPTH. THE RESULTS OF THE PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THERE WAS A LINEAR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PAVEMENT THICKNESS AND THE LOG OF THE NUMBER OF COVERAGES AT FAILURE. THE UNCONFINED COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH, AN EASILY DETERMINED QUANTITY, WAS FOUND TO BE A SUITABLE CORRELATING PARAMETER FOR OTHER CEMENT-STABILIZED SOIL PROPERTIES, E.G., COHESION, FRICTION ANGLE, FLEXURAL STRENGTH AND THE CBR VALUE. THE RESILIENT MODULI OF CEMENT-STABILIZED SOILS COULD BE EXPRESSED AS FUNCTIONS OF UNCONFINED COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH, CONFINING PRESSURE, AND REPEATED DEVIATOR STRESS. HENCE, THE UNCONFINED COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH COULD BE USED AS A DESIGN PARAMETER READILY ADAPTABLE FOR FIELD APPLICATION. THE EFFECTS OF CURING TIME AND COMPACTION DELAY ON UNCONFINED COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH AND DIFFERENCES IN STRENGTH BETWEEN UNDISTURBED FIELD SAMPLES AND LABORATORY SAMPLES WERE STUDIED. DESIGN CURVES FOR CEMENT-STABILIZED LAYERS WERE DEVELOPED. /AUTHOR/
Effect of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction on biomechanical features of knee in level walking: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most commonly injured knee ligaments. Even following ACL reconstruction, significant articular cartilage degeneration can be observed and most patients suffer from premature osteoarthritis. Articular cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis development after ACL injury are regarded as progressive process that are affected by cyclic loading during frequently performed low-intensity daily activities. The purpose of this study was to perform a meta analysis on studies assessing the effects of ACL reconstruction on kinematics, kinetics and proprioception of knee during level walking. METHODS This meta analysis was conducted according to the methodological guidelines outlined by the Cochrane Collaboration. An electronic search of the literature was performed and all trials published between January 1966 and July 2010 comparing gait and proprioception of a reconstructed-ACL group with an intact-ACL group were pooled for this review. Thirteen studies were included in the final meta analysis. RESULTS There was no significant difference in step length, walking speed, maximum knee flexion angle during loading response, joint position sense and threshold to detect passive motion between the reconstructed-ACL group and the intact-ACL group (P > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in peak knee flexion angle, maximum angular knee flexion excursion during stance, peak knee flexion moment during walking and maximum external tibial rotation angle throughout the gait cycle between the reconstructed-ACL group and the intact-ACL group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Step length, walking speed, maximum knee flexion angle during loading response, joint position sense and threshold to detect passive motion usually observed with ACL deficiency were restored after the ACL reconstruction and rehabilitation, but no significant improvements were observed for peak knee flexion angle, maximum angular knee flexion excursion during stance, peak knee flexion moment during walking and maximum external tibial rotation angle throughout the gait cycle.
The life history legacy of evolutionary body size change in carnivores

We estimate the body sizes of direct ancestors of extant carnivores, and examine selected aspects of life history as a function not only of species’ current size, but also of recent changes in size. Carnivore species that have undergone marked recent evolutionary size change show life history characteristics typically associated with species closer to the ancestral body size. Thus, phyletic giants tend to mature earlier and have larger litters of smaller offspring at shorter intervals than do species of the same body size that are not phyletic giants. Phyletic dwarfs, by contrast, have slower life histories than nondwarf species of the same body size. We discuss two possible mechanisms for the legacy of recent size change: lag (in which life history variables cannot evolve as quickly as body size, leading to species having the ‘wrong’ life history for their body size) and body size optimization (in which life history and hence body size evolve in response to changes in energy availability); at present, we cannot distinguish between these alternatives. Our finding that recent body size changes help explain residual variation around life history allometries shows that a more dynamic view of character change enables comparative studies to make more precise predictions about species traits in the context of their evolutionary background.
Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences Chronic Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Gene Expression of Lox‐1 Blockinreceptor Blockinin Blockinthe Blockinheart Blockinof Blockinrats Blockinfed Blockinwith Blockinhigh Blockinfat Blockindiet

Article BLOCKINtype: Original BLOCKINarticle Objective(s): Lectin‐like low density lipoprotein receptor (LOX‐1) has pivot role in vascular complications, BLOCKINwhich BLOCKINis BLOCKINupregulated BLOCKINin BLOCKINnumerous BLOCKINpathological BLOCKINconditions. BLOCKINSince BLOCKINexercise BLOCKINhas BLOCKINbeneficial effects in prevention of hyperlipidemic complications, present study examined protective effects of aerobic BLOCKINexercise BLOCKINthrough BLOCKINreduction BLOCKINof BLOCKINLOX‐1 BLOCKINexpression BLOCKINin BLOCKINheart BLOCKINduring BLOCKINdyslipidemia. Materials and Methods: BLOCKINFour BLOCKINgroups BLOCKINof BLOCKINrats BLOCKINwere BLOCKINused BLOCKIN(N=25): BLOCKINNormal, BLOCKINNormal BLOCKINand BLOCKINexercise, BLOCKINHigh BLOCKINfat and BLOCKINHigh BLOCKINfat BLOCKINand BLOCKINexercise. BLOCKINHigh BLOCKINfat BLOCKINdiet BLOCKIN(HFD) BLOCKINwas BLOCKINmade BLOCKINby BLOCKINadding BLOCKIN10% BLOCKINanimal BLOCKINoil, BLOCKIN2% BLOCKINcholesterol BLOCKINand 0.5% colic acid to standard rodent chow. Exercise protocol consisted of swimming 1 hr/day, and 5 days/week BLOCKINfor BLOCKIN8 BLOCKINweeks. BLOCKINPlasma BLOCKINlipids BLOCKINwere BLOCKINevaluated BLOCKINat BLOCKINthe BLOCKINend BLOCKINof BLOCKINexperiment, BLOCKIN48 BLOCKINhr BLOCKINafter BLOCKINfinal BLOCKINsession of exercise. At the end, rats were sacrificed and heart was removed for determination of malondialdehyde BLOCKIN(MDA) BLOCKINcontent, BLOCKINand BLOCKINLOX‐1 BLOCKINexpression. Results: BLOCKINHFD BLOCKINmeaningfully BLOCKINchanged BLOCKINlipid BLOCKINprofile BLOCKIN(>50%), BLOCKINbut BLOCKINchronic BLOCKINexercise BLOCKINhad BLOCKINno BLOCKINsignificant BLOCKINeffects on lipid profile. LOX‐1 expression was significantly increased in heart of rats fed with HFD, while swimming exercise considerably reduced gene expression of LOX‐1. MDA content was significantly enhanced in rats fed with HFD (4.37±0.6 nmol/mg, P<0.01) compared to normal group (1.56±0.48 nmol/mg), BLOCKINwhereas BLOCKINswimming BLOCKINexercise BLOCKINdecreased BLOCKINMDA BLOCKINlevel BLOCKINof BLOCKINheart BLOCKINin BLOCKINrats BLOCKINfed BLOCKINwith BLOCKINHFD BLOCKIN(2.28±0.32, P<0.01).
Developmental Origins of Cerebrovascular Disease II

The second part of this review of the developmental origins of cerebrovascular disease discusses prenatal gene-environment interactions concerning maternal, placental, and fetal conditions that culminate in specific injuries such as perinatal stroke, as well as complications of intrauterine growth restriction and congenital heart disease. A greater understanding of gene-environment influences on cerebrovascular health and disease in early life will contribute to the successful development of neuroprotective strategies throughout the lifespan.
Electrical properties of conductive polymer composites containing silver-coated glass particle and multi-walled carbon nanotube hybrid fillers

Hybrid conductive polymer composites were prepared by conventional melt mixing method employing silver-coated glass particles and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) as hybrid fillers and high density polyethylene (HDPE) as polymer matrix. The percolation behavior of HDPE/20 wt. % silver-coated glass particle/MWNT and HDPE/25 wt. % silver-coated glass particle/MWNT hybrid composites were examined and it was observed that both types of polymer composites clearly displayed percolated behavior. Experiments showed that the room temperature resistivity of hybrid composites decreased with increasing MWNT content and it was observed that higher loading of silver-coated glass particles content reduce the resistivity of hybrid composites. It was also found that hybrid composites containing 20 wt. % silver-coated glass particles with different weight percentages (0.5 wt. %., 0.55 wt. % and 0.6 wt. %) of MWNT and composites having 25 wt. % silver-coated glass particles with different weight percentages (0.4 wt. %., 0.5 wt. % and 0.6 wt. %) of MWNT exhibited positive temperature co-efficient (PTC) effect that occurred around the melting temperature of composites due to expansion of polymer matrix.