Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple myeloma cells recruit tumor-supportive macrophages through the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis and promote their polarization toward the M2 phenotype

Multiple myeloma (MM) cells specifically attract peripheral-blood monocytes, while interaction of MM with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) significantly increased monocyte recruitment (p<0.01). The CXCL12 chemokine, produced by both the MM and BMSCs, was found to be a critical regulator of monocyte migration. CXCL12 production was up-regulated under MM-BMSCs co-culture conditions, whereas blockage with anti-CXCR4 antibodies significantly abrogated monocyte recruitment toward a MM-derived conditioned medium (p<0.01). Furthermore, elevated levels of CXCL12 were detected in MM, but not in normal BM samples, whereas malignant MM cells often represented the source of increased CXCL12 in the BM. Blood-derived macrophages effectively supported MM cells proliferation and protected them from chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Importantly, MM cells affected macrophage polarization, elevating the expression of M2-related scavenger receptor CD206 in macrophages and blocking LPS-induced TNFα secretion (a hallmark of M1 response). Of note, MM-educated macrophages suppressed T-cell proliferation and IFNγ production in response to activation. Finally, increased numbers of CXCR4-expressing CD163+CD206+ macrophages were detected in the BM of MM patients (n=25) in comparison to MGUS (n=11) and normal specimens (n=8). Taken together, these results identify macrophages as important players in MM tumorogenicity, and recognize the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis as a critical regulator of MM-stroma interactions and microenvironment formation.
Screening for vitamin B-12 and folate deficiency in older persons.

BACKGROUND Vitamin B-12 deficiency is usually accompanied by elevated concentrations of serum total homocysteine (tHcy) and methylmalonic acid (MMA). Folate deficiency also results in elevated tHcy. Measurement of these metabolites can be used to screen for functional vitamin B-12 or folate deficiency. OBJECTIVE We assessed the prevalence of vitamin B-12 and folate deficiency in a population-based study (n = 1562) of older persons living in Oxford City, United Kingdom. DESIGN We postulated that, as vitamin B-12 or folate concentrations declined from adequate to impaired levels, tHcy (or MMA) concentrations would increase. Individuals were classified as being at high risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency if they had low vitamin B-12 (< 150 pmol/L) or borderline vitamin B-12 (150-200 pmol/L) accompanied by elevated MMA (> 0.35 micromol/L) or tHcy (> 15.0 micromol/L). Individuals were classified as being at high risk of folate deficiency if they had low folate (< 5 nmol/L) or borderline folate (5-7 nmol/L) accompanied by elevated tHcy (> 15 micromol/L). RESULTS Cutoffs of 15.0 micro mol/L for tHcy and 0.35 micro mol/L for MMA identified persons with normal or elevated concentrations. Among persons aged 65-74 and >or= 75 y, respectively, approximately 10% and 20% were at high risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency. About 10% and 20%, respectively, were also at high risk of folate deficiency. About 10% of persons with vitamin B-12 deficiency also had folate deficiency. CONCLUSION Use of tHcy or MMA among older persons with borderline vitamin concentrations may identify those at high risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency who should be considered for treatment.
Asymptotic bias of stochastic gradient search

The asymptotic behavior of the stochastic gradient algorithm with a biased gradient estimator is analyzed. Relying on arguments based on differential geometry (Yomdin theorem and Lojasiewicz inequality), relatively tight bounds on the asymptotic bias of the iterates generated by such an algorithm are derived. The obtained results hold under mild and verifiable conditions and cover a broad class of complex stochastic gradient algorithms. Using these results, the asymptotic properties of the actor-critic reinforcement learning are studied.
Further characterization of a furanocoumarin-free grapefruit juice on drug disposition: studies with cyclosporine.

BACKGROUND We previously established furanocoumarins as mediators of the interaction between grapefruit juice (GFJ) and the model CYP3A4 substrate felodipine in healthy volunteers using a GFJ devoid of furanocoumarins. It remains unclear whether furanocoumarins mediate drug-GFJ interactions involving CYP3A4 substrates that are also P-glycoprotein substrates. OBJECTIVE The effects of furanocoumarin-free GFJ on drug disposition were further characterized by using the dual CYP3A4/P-glycoprotein substrate cyclosporine. DESIGN By randomized crossover design, 18 healthy volunteers received cyclosporine (5 mg/kg) with 240 mL orange juice (control), GFJ, or furanocoumarin-free GFJ. Blood was collected over 24 h. Juice treatments were separated by > or = 1 wk. The effects of diluted extracts of each juice and of purified furanocoumarins on [3H]cyclosporine translocation in Caco-2 cells were then compared. RESULTS The median (range) dose-corrected cyclosporine area under the curve and the maximum concentration with GFJ (P < or = 0.007), but not with furanocoumarin-free GFJ (P > or = 0.50), were significantly higher than those with orange juice [15.6 (6.7-33.5) compared with 11.3 (4.8-22.0) x 10(-3) h/L and 3.0 (1.6-5.8) compared with 2.4 (1.1-3.1) mL(-1), respectively]. The median time to reach maximum concentration and terminal elimination half-life were not significantly different between the juices (2-3 and 7-8 h, respectively; P > or = 0.08). Relative to vehicle, the GFJ extract, orange juice extract, and purified furanocoumarins partially increased apical-to-basolateral and decreased basolateral-to-apical [3H]cyclosporine translocation in Caco-2 cells, whereas the furanocoumarin-free GFJ extract had negligible effects. Reanalysis of the clinical juices identified polymethoxyflavones as candidate P-glycoprotein inhibitors in orange juice but not in GFJ. CONCLUSIONS Furanocoumarins mediate, at least partially, the cyclosporine-GFJ interaction in vivo. A plausible mechanism involves the combined inhibition of enteric CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein.
DAN (NBL1) promotes collective neural crest migration by restraining uncontrolled invasion

Neural crest cells are both highly migratory and significant to vertebrate organogenesis. However, the signals that regulate neural crest cell migration remain unclear. In this study, we test the function of differential screening-selected gene aberrant in neuroblastoma (DAN), a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist we detected by analysis of the chick cranial mesoderm. Our analysis shows that, before neural crest cell exit from the hindbrain, DAN is expressed in the mesoderm, and then it becomes absent along cell migratory pathways. Cranial neural crest and metastatic melanoma cells avoid DAN protein stripes in vitro. Addition of DAN reduces the speed of migrating cells in vivo and in vitro, respectively. In vivo loss of function of DAN results in enhanced neural crest cell migration by increasing speed and directionality. Computer model simulations support the hypothesis that DAN restrains cell migration by regulating cell speed. Collectively, our results identify DAN as a novel factor that inhibits uncontrolled neural crest and metastatic melanoma invasion and promotes collective migration in a manner consistent with the inhibition of BMP signaling.
Tough adhesives for diverse wet surfaces

Sticky even when wet Tissue adhesives are used as an alternative to stitches or staples and can be less damaging to the healthy tissues. But they can suffer from low biocompatibility and poor matching of the mechanical properties with the tissues. Li et al. combined an adhesive surface with a flexible matrix to develop an adhesive that has the right level of stick but moves with the surrounding tissues. The adhesive is effective in the presence of blood and thus might work during wound repair. Science, this issue p. 378 Tough adhesives stick to wet surfaces and show compatibility with blood exposure and dynamic movements. Adhesion to wet and dynamic surfaces, including biological tissues, is important in many fields but has proven to be extremely challenging. Existing adhesives are cytotoxic, adhere weakly to tissues, or cannot be used in wet environments. We report a bioinspired design for adhesives consisting of two layers: an adhesive surface and a dissipative matrix. The former adheres to the substrate by electrostatic interactions, covalent bonds, and physical interpenetration. The latter amplifies energy dissipation through hysteresis. The two layers synergistically lead to higher adhesion energies on wet surfaces as compared with those of existing adhesives. Adhesion occurs within minutes, independent of blood exposure and compatible with in vivo dynamic movements. This family of adhesives may be useful in many areas of application, including tissue adhesives, wound dressings, and tissue repair.
Plasma lipid and lipoprotein responsiveness to dietary fat and cholesterol in premenopausal African American and white women.

BACKGROUND Premenopausal African American women have a 2-3 times greater incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) than do white women. The plasma lipid responsiveness to dietary fat, which may be associated with CHD, has not been adequately studied in premenopausal African American or white women. OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to compare the effect of diet on fasting plasma lipids and lipoproteins and postprandial lipemia in premenopausal African American and white women. DESIGN Thirteen African American and 9 white healthy premenopausal women were fed a low-fat, high-fiber diet and a high-fat, low-fiber diet for 4 wk each in a randomized crossover design. Fasting plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and the 24-h plasma triacylglycerol response to a standard fatty test meal were measured at the end of each dietary period. RESULTS Plasma total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were higher after the high-fat, low-fiber diet in both white and African American women (P < 0.0001). The 24-h area under the plasma triacylglycerol curve after the test meal was lower after the low-fat diet than after the high-fat diet (P < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS African American and white women had lower fasting plasma total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations and less postprandial lipemia after the low-fat than the high-fat diet. Diets low in total and saturated fat and cholesterol and high in fiber may reduce the risk of CHD by lowering fasting plasma total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations and by reducing the lipemic response to fatty meals.
Bacteriophages on paper for the colorimetric detection of Escherichia coli in lake water

xi CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION . 1 1.1 Motivation . 1 1.2 Hypothesis. 2 1.2.1 Goal . 2 1.2.2 Objectives . 2 1.3 Thesis organization . 3 1.4 References . 4 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW . 5 2.1 Current E. coli detection methods approved by the EPA for recreational waters . 5 2.2 Emerging technologies for bacteria detection in recreational waters . 7 2.2.1 Nucleic acid based methods. 7 2.2.2 Receptor based methods . 9 2.2.3 Enzyme activity based methods . 11 2.3 Signal amplification . 12 2.3 Low cost diagnostic devices . 13 2.4 References . 15 CHAPTER 3: PATTERNING OF PAPER . 22 3.
Synergistic effect of supplemental enteral nutrients and exogenous glucagon-like peptide 2 on intestinal adaptation in a rat model of short bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND Short bowel syndrome (SBS) can lead to intestinal failure and require total or supplemental parenteral nutrition (TPN or PN, respectively). Glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) is a nutrient-dependent, proglucagon-derived gut hormone that stimulates intestinal adaptation. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to determine whether supplemental enteral nutrients (SEN) modulate the intestinotrophic response to a low dose of GLP-2 coinfused with PN in a rat model of SBS (60% jejunoileal resection plus cecectomy). DESIGN Rats were randomly assigned to 8 treatments by using a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design and maintained with either TPN or PN for 7 d. The 3 main treatment effects were the following: transection or resection (TPN alone), +/- SEN (days 4-6), and +/- GLP-2 (100 mug . kg body wt(-1) . d(-1)). RESULTS The treatments induced differential growth of duodenal and jejunal mucosa. Significant differences in villus height, crypt depth, dry mass, and concentrations of protein and DNA were observed between the treatments and TPN alone (SEN: 15-59% increase; GLP-2: 14-84% increase; and SEN + GLP-2: 63-160% increase). Plasma concentrations of bioactive GLP-2 were significantly greater with GLP-2 infusion (TPN alone: 25 +/- 9 pmol/L; SEN: 29 +/- 10 pmol/L; GLP-2: 59 +/- 31 pmol/L; SEN + GLP-2: 246 +/- 40 pmol/L) and correlated with mucosal growth. Jejunal sucrase activity (in U/cm) was significantly greater with SEN than without SEN. SEN + GLP-2 induced dramatic mucosal growth and greater plasma concentration of GLP-2 (SEN x GLP-2 interaction, P < 0.0001). Resection significantly increased expression of proglucagon mRNA in colon. CONCLUSIONS Combination treatment with SEN and GLP-2 induced a synergistic response resulting in greater mucosal cellularity and digestive capacity in parenterally fed rats with SBS. This shows that SEN improve the intestinotrophic response to exogenous GLP-2, possibly by stimulating enterocyte proliferation and differentiation.
Lessons from the fish: a multi-species analysis reveals common processes underlying similar species-genetic diversity correlations

Summary Species-genetic diversity correlations (SGDCs) have been investigated over a large spectra of organisms, which has greatly improved our understanding of parallel processes potentially driving both species and genetic diversity. However, there are still few studies comparing SGDCs (and underlying processes) for multiple species sampled over a single landscape. Here, focusing on freshwater fish sampled across a large river basin (the Garonne-Dordogne river basin, France), we combined a multi-species approach and causal analyses to (i) assess and compare both α-SGDCs and β-SGDCs among species, and (ii) infer processes underlying α-SGDCs and β-SGDCs. Genetic, intraspecific diversity was assessed for four sympatric fish (Barbatula barbatula, Gobio occitaniae, Phoxinus phoxinus and Squalius cephalus) using microsatellite markers. Species diversity was quantified as species richness using electric fishing, and environmental conditions were thoroughly described for 81 sites. We found significant and moderate positive α-SGDCs for all four fish species, whereas β-SGDCs were weaker in strength and positively significant for two of the four species. Causal analyses identified two common variables (geographical isolation and area of available habitats) underlying the α-SGDC relationships. Although weak, we found that β-SGDC correlations related to a direct relationship between taxonomic and genomic differentiation, and to the common influence of the abiotic environment acting as a filter on both species and alleles. Our study shows that similar ecological and evolutionary processes related to environmental filtering, migration, drift and colonisation history act for explaining both species and genetic diversity of fish communities.
Analysis of charge , charge flux and dipole flux contributions for infrared intensities of the OH stretching mode in carboxylic acid dimers

The relevance of hydrogen bonds for chemical and biological systems motivates several experimental or theoretical studies on the nature of this type of interaction which governs not only the integrity of the genetic code of living beings, but also allows a variety of flat polycyclic aromatic molecules to intersect between the nitrogen bases of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) [1]. IUPAC defines hydrogen bonding as an "attractive interaction between a hydrogen atom of a molecule or a molecular fragment XH, where X is more electronegative than H, and an atom or group of atoms of the same or different molecules" [2]. This type of interaction can be represented simply by X-H . Y, where X-H refers to the proton donor monomer and Y is the end of the acceptor unit where the interaction occurs. The stretching of the X-H bond is usually the mode that shows larger intensity increments in the infrared spectra during the formation of hydrogen bonds when compared to the data of the respective isolated donor monomer. Thus, the partitioning of dipole moment derivatives in contributions of charge, charge flux and dipole flux (CCFDF), [3] from multipoles of the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM), allows a deeper understanding of the reasons for the increase in infrared intensities of certain vibrational bands during the dimerization process of carboxylic acids. All electronic structure calculations were performed in the Gaussian 09 program [4] using the B2PLYP hybrid functional with the aug-cc-pVTZ base set. The QTAIM parameters of charge and atomic dipole were obtained with the AIMAll program [5] at the equilibrium positions of the atoms and in structures distorted by individual displacements of ±0.01 Å along the three Cartesian axes. Finally, the infrared intensities were estimated by the CCFDF/QTAIM model using dipole moment derivatives in relation to the normal vibration coordinate. The variations of infrared intensities for the analyzed vibrational modes can be understood in terms of dipole moment derivatives in relation to the normal mode of vibration (Equation 1) [6]. The contributions of charge, charge flux, dipole flux and the cross terms between these quantities can be visualized in Table 1.
Design Principles for Machine-Description Languages

We have taken a federated approach to the design of domain-speci(cid:12)c languages that support automatic generation of systems software. These languages are intended to help generate parts of software tools that manipulate machine instructions. This paper explains the goals and principles that have governed the design and implementation of these languages. The primary de-sign goal for languages in the confederation is to ensure that the same machine descriptions can be used to help build a variety of di(cid:11)erent tools. Other goals include producing useful results from partial descriptions, providing mechanisms that build users’ trust in descriptions, and making descriptions concise and readable. Our design and development of machine-description languages has been guided by a dozen language-design principles. Using examples both from our work and from others’ work, we describe and illustrate each principle. Some of the principles are well known to the programming-language community and have been previously described in the literature, but many of the principles were not obvious from the beginning and have not been as well described in the literature. These principles have emerged from our goals and our application area. They will interest other researchers who design machine-description languages as well as other designers of domain-speci(cid:12)c languages.
Bandwidth Enhancement of a Compact Rectangular Microstrip Patch Antenna

In the proposed antenna design the gap coupled parasitic patches with reduced size are placed along the radiating and non radiating edges of fed rectangular micro strip patch. A patch placed close to the feed patch gets excited through the air gap or coupling between the two patches, such a patch is known as a parasitic patch. In this proposed antenna design with reduced size there is an enhancement of band width and the antenna will give satisfactory results as compared to a rectangular microstrip antenna of same design parameters without size reduction.
Glutathone and glutathione ethyl ester supplementation of mice alter glutathione homeostasis during exercise.

The present study examined the effect of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione ethyl ester (GSH-E) supplementation on GSH homeostasis and exercise-induced oxidative stress. Male Swiss-Webster mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: starved for 24 h and injected with GSH or GSH-E (6 mmol/kg body wt, i.p.) 1 h before exercise, starved for 24 h and injected with saline (S); and having free access to food and injected with saline (C). Half of each group of mice was killed either after an acute bout of exhaustive swimming (E) or after rest (R). Plasma GSH concentration was 100-160% (P < 0.05) higher in GSH mice vs. C or S mice at rest, whereas GSH-E injection had no effect. Plasma GSH was not affected by exercise in C or S mice, but was 44 and 34% lower (P < 0.05) in E vs. R mice with GSH or GSH-E injection, respectively. S, GSH- and GSH-E-treated mice had significantly lower liver GSH concentration and the GSH:glutathione disulfide (GSSG) ratio than C mice. Hepatic and renal GSH and the GSH:GSSG ratio were significantly lower in E vs. R mice in all groups. GSH-E-treated mice had a significantly smaller exercise-induced decrease in GSH vs. C, S, and GSH-treated mice and no difference in the GSH:GSSG ratio in the kidney. Activities of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase in the liver and kidney were not affected by either GSH treatment or exercise. GSH concentration and the GSH:GSSG ratio in quadriceps muscle were not different among C, S and GSH-treated mice, but significantly lower in GSH-E-treated mice (P < 0.05). Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content was greater in exercised mice in all but GSH-E-treated groups. GSH and GSH-E increased MDA levels in the kidney of E vs. R mice, but attenuated exercise-induced lipid peroxidation in muscle. Swim endurance time was approximately 2 h longer in GSH (351 +/- 22 min) and GSH-E (348 +/- 27) than S mice (237 +/- 17). We conclude that 1) acute GSH and GSH-E supplementation at the given doses does not increase tissue GSH content or redox status; 2) both GSH and GSH-E improve endurance performance and prevent muscle lipid peroxidation during prolonged exercise; and 3) while both compounds may impose a metabolic and oxidative stress to the kidney, this side effect is smaller with GSH-E supplementation.
Some trace elements and antioxidants profile in ill-thrift Friesian calves.

Thus, their deficiency often leads to sub-optimal growth (ill-thrift) and infertility. The objectives of this study were to evaluate some trace elements concentrations and the activity of antioxidant systems in ill-thrift calves. Twenty calves were divided in two groups: ten in group 1 (control) and ten in group 2, which showed sub-optimal growth. Complete blood picture, trace elements profile and total antioxidants capacity were evaluated. Results showed a significant reduction (P<0.01) in the blood serum concentration of copper and cobalt associated with microcytic normochromic anemia. Also a significant reduction (P<0.01) in the activity of total antioxidants was evident in ill-thrift calves. In conclusion, a state of sub-optimal growth (ill-thrift) in calves was largely attributed to trace element deficiency, in particular cupper and cobalt deficiency that may cause reduction in the total antioxidant capacity, with a lower ability to reduce oxidative compounds.
Accuracy of arterial pulse‐wave velocity measurement using MR

The performance of a one‐dimensional MR technique for the estimation of pulse‐wave velocity in the aorta was evaluated. An expression for the error in this estimate was formulated and verified both by simulation and by experiment. On the basis of this formulation, guidelines for increasing the efficiency of the acquisition were established. The technique was further validated by comparison with pulse‐wave velocity measurements made with a pressure catheter. All data were acquired from a latex tube driven by a pulsatile flow system. MR measurements of pulse‐wave velocity in the tube were found to be very reproducible in the presence of white noise. Measurements by other techniques were in good agreement, falling within 2 SD of the mean. Because of its sensitivity and spatial resolution, this technique shows promise for making spatially resolved estimates of vessel distensibility. This would allow assessment of diseases, such as atherosclerosis, that cause local changes in the material properties of the vasculature.