Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TLR Activation Excludes Circulating Naive CD8+ T Cells from Gut-Associated Lymphoid Organs in Mice

The trafficking of effector T cells is tightly regulated by the expression of site-specific sets of homing molecules. In contrast, naive T cells are generally assumed to express a uniform pattern of homing molecules and to follow a random distribution within the blood and secondary lymphoid organs. In this study, we demonstrate that systemic infection fundamentally modifies the trafficking of circulating naive CD8+ T cells. We show that on naive CD8+ T cells, the constitutive expression of the integrin α4β7 that effects their entry into GALT is downregulated following infection of mice with Salmonella typhimurium. We further show that this downregulation is dependent on TLR signaling, and that the TLR-activated naive CD8+ T cells are blocked from entering GALT. This contrasts strongly with Ag-experienced effector T cells, for which TLR costimulation in the GALT potently upregulates α4β7 and enhances trafficking to intestinal tissues. Thus, TLR activation leads to opposite effects on migration of naive and effector CD8+ T cells. Our data identify a mechanism that excludes noncognate CD8+ T cells from selected immune compartments during TLR-induced systemic inflammation.
Visualizing Sequential Educational Datamining Patterns

The use of educational datamining techniques to elicit patterns in student behavior and learning outcomes can be a useful for the analysis of the effectiveness of teaching strategies and the coordination of study programs. However, results from those techniques are, often, large sets of symbolic patterns, numbering in the thousands, usually presented in text format. This makes them hard to understand which, coupled with the lack of an overall view, hinders a more comprehensive data analysis. The authors propose that information visualization techniques can be used to display relevant information in those patterns in effective ways, allowing decision makers to better insights about the reality at hand. They present a solution built upon two linked views, one based on node-link representations and another a multi-matrix representation. The complementarity of both visualization techniques allows the most important patterns to be immediately apparent, while at the same time permitting their interactive exploration in meaningful ways. The authors performed user tests proving their effectiveness.
Urinary patterns of patients with renal stones associated with chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of renal stone patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease and their urinary patterns. METHODS During a 20-year period, 1941 consecutive patients with renal stone disease underwent routine laboratory procedures including a fasting blood sample for chemistry profile and a 24-hour urine collection for analyses of electrolytes. Thorough histories including chronic inflammatory disease or ileal resection were obtained. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease together with a control group comprising 47 idiopathic renal calcium stone formers were submitted to a xylose absorption test for evaluation of intestinal absorption. RESULTS We observed 10 patients with Crohn's disease, 12 with ulcerative colitis and one patient with ileal bypass for obesity. Six patients underwent ileal resection and 10 patients total colectomy. Urinary oxalate excretion was significantly higher and urinary citrate lower in stone patients with ileal disease (Ox 60 +/- 23, Cit 113 + 7-118 mg/day) than in idiopathic stone formers (Ox 28.2 +/- 11.5, Cit 381 +/- 205) and stone patients with ulcerative colitis (Ox 20.3 +/- 14.8, Cit 369 +/- 247). Urinary volume was significantly lower in patients with ulcerative colitis. A significant inverse correlation (-0.38, p < 0.01) between oxalate urinary excretion and blood xylose level was found 2 hours after ingestion of xylose. No significant reduction of xylose absorption was demonstrated in both normoxaluric and hyperoxaluric idiopathic stone patients. CONCLUSIONS Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are characterized by recurrent inflammatory involvement of different intestinal segments involving distinctive urinary patterns. Malabosorption associated with ileal disease causes increased oxalate absorption by increasing oxalate solubility in the intestinal lumen and permeability of the colonic mucosa; a reduced citrate excretion is associated in relation to mild acidosis due to the loss of bicarbonate in the liquid stool. In ulcerative colitis, especially if an ileostomy is present, urine are scanty and concentrated, and urine pH falls, leading to uric acid or mixed stones. Mild hyperoxaluria of idiopathic renal stone formers is not related to subtle intestinal malabsorption.
Angiopoietin-1 increases survival and reduces the development of lung edema induced by endotoxin administration in a murine model of acute lung injury

Objective:To evaluate the effect of angiopoietin-1, an angiogenic growth factor, on lung capillary leakage and survival in a murine model of acute lung injury. Design:Laboratory investigation. Setting:Research laboratory at New York University School of Medicine and Department of Veterans Affairs, NY Harbor Healthcare System. Subjects:C57BL/6 mice weighing 18–20 g, susceptible to endotoxin-induced acute lung injury. Interventions:Acute lung injury was induced in C57BL/6 mice by the intraperitoneal administration of endotoxin. The effects of angiopoietin-1, expressed from a nonreplicating E1a-deleted adenovirus containing the angiopoietin-1 complementary DNA (AdAng1), on survival and lung injury were evaluated. An E1a-deleted adenovirus that does not contain a transgene (Ad312) and phosphate-buffered saline were used as controls. Measurements and Main Results:Angiopoietin-1 protein was detected by immunoblotting in the serum of mice that received an intraperitoneal injection of AdAng1 but not in mice that received the control virus Ad312. When compared with control groups, mice that received AdAng1 5 days before endotoxin administration had improved survival and significantly less protein leakage from the circulation into the lungs, as detected by quantitative spectrophotometric measurements of Evans blue dye. Furthermore, when compared with controls, histopathology and immunostaining of lungs against CD31 and smooth muscle actin suggested preservation of vascular integrity and decreased tissue damage in mice pretreated with AdAng1. When endotoxin administration preceded infection with AdAng1 by 3 hrs, no benefit was observed. Conclusions:These data show that adenoviral mediated expression of angiopoietin-1 can protect against the development of lung capillary protein leak and decrease the mortality induced by endotoxin. However, the timing of AdAng1 administration in relation to the onset of lung injury may be critical.
Profit Optimization in Commercial Ridesharing (Extended Abstract)

Ridesharing is undoubtedly appealing from a sustainability perspective; however, profit optimization is very important for commercial providers. As such, ridesharing offers a valuable opportunity to garner profit by reducing the number of driver-miles that need to be paid for in order to serve the same set of passengers. In this paper, we study profit optimization for commercial ridesharing service providers such as UberPool and LyftLine.
Noninvasive Prediction of Organ Graft Rejection and Outcome Using Gene Expression Patterns

Development of predictive, diagnostic, and prognostic biomarkers of allograft status and outcome is important and challenging, and may be rewarded with individualized therapy for the organ graft recipient. Herein, we summarize noninvasive messenger RNA profiling studies for ascertaining allograft status and outcome. Nucleic acid-based biomarkers of allograft status have been developed by several laboratories, but the studies have primarily been single center investigations. Ongoing multicenter trials including the Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation (https://www.ctotstudies.org) should help further to define the clinical utility of noninvasively developed messenger RNA profiles as biomarkers of allograft status and outcome.
Factors Influencing the Access to Prenatal Care by Hispanic Pregnant Women

Purpose To explore factors influencing the access to prenatal care among Hispanic pregnant women living in the United States. Data Sources A convenience sample of 46 Hispanic migrant pregnant women was interviewed over a 12‐month period using a set of five open‐ended questions. Conclusions The ability of the health care providers to communicate in Spanish, as well as the availability of culturally sensitive prenatal care were the main factors influencing the willingness of Hispanic women to access to prenatal care. Implications For Practice With the Hispanic population increasing in the United States, there is a need to provide culturally appropriate health care for that population; prenatal care is one of the areas of health care in demand. This study supports the findings in the literature and provides nurse practitioners a deeper understanding of the needs of Hispanic women needing prenatal care.
Aldosterone effects on salt appetite in adrenalectomized rats.

In order to establish the in vivo specificity of the mineralocorticoid recognition system of the rat brain, we investigated the potencies of aldosterone (ALDO) and corticosterone (CORT) in suppressing salt intake in adrenalectomized (ADX) rats. Increasing doses of ALDO (25, 50 and 100 ng/h), administered by Alzet minipump, suppress salt intake in a two-bottle preference test. CORT in doses up to 50 micrograms/h failed to mimic this effect of ALDO or to block it. Using the 50 micrograms/h dose of CORT, we demonstrated that the forebrain uptake of 3H-ALDO in vivo is suppressed by 60-75% when measured by isolation of cell nuclei or by quantitative autoradiography. The suppression is especially marked in the hippocampal formation, amygdala and septum, sites which also accumulate high levels of 3H-CORT. The uptake of 3H-ALDO by ADX rat forebrain can be suppressed approximately 95% by infusion of a specific antimineralocorticoid, RU 28318, at a dose of 50 micrograms/h. This dose also blocks ALDO action on salt intake. Lower doses of RU 28318 fail to block ALDO action or brain 3H-ALDO uptake. We conclude that: (1) ALDO is at least 500-fold more potent in vivo than CORT as a mineralocorticoid. (2) High uptake of 3H-ALDO in vivo by hippocampal formation, amygdala and septum in ADX rats is due in large part to binding to sites preferentially suppressed by CORT. The 3H-ALDO uptake (ca. 30%) after suppression by stress levels of CORT shows a regional distribution in which uptake is slightly higher in circumventricular structures than in hippocampal formation, septum or amygdala. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Diabetic periodontitis: possible lipid-induced defect in tissue repair through alteration of macrophage phenotype and function.

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem in the United States affecting approximately 13 million people. The five 'classic' complications which have historically been associated with the condition are microangiopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, microvascular disease, and delayed wound healing. Recently, periodontal disease (PD) has been declared the 'sixth' major complication of diabetes as diabetics demonstrate an increased incidence and severity of PD. The cellular and molecular basis for diabetic PD is unknown. HYPOTHESIS Recent evidence suggests that PD and delayed dermal wound healing may be manifestations of the same general systemic deficit in diabetes involving impairment of the cellular and molecular signal of wounding via alterations in macrophage phenotype. Diabetes-induced hyperlipidemia may interfere with the normal cellular and molecular signal of wounding by alteration of macrophage function and subsequent dysregulation of cytokines at the wound site. RESULTS Preliminary data in both animal models and humans suggests that hyperglycemia, in combination with elevations of serum low density lipoproteins and triglycerides, leads to formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) which may alter macrophage phenotype. This may be responsible for dysregulation of macrophage cytokine production and increased inflammatory tissue destruction and alveolar bone loss. IMPLICATIONS Future investigations will consider diabetic PD in the context of a generalized systemic wound healing deficit that manifests as PD in the face of constant pathologic wounding of the gingiva (bacterial plaque) or delayed dermal wound healing in instances of periodic traumatic wounding to other parts of the body. These types of studies will provide information concerning defective tissue repair in diabetics that will have clinical relevance for the understanding of PD and delayed dermal healing as well as applications of appropriate and specific therapies.
Trait‐ and state‐dependent cortical inhibitory deficits in bipolar disorder

Euthymic patients with bipolar disorder (BD) have deficits in cortical inhibition. However, whether cortical inhibitory deficits are trait‐ or state‐dependent impairments is not yet known and their relationship with psychiatric symptoms is not yet understood. In the present study, we examined trait‐ and state‐dependent cortical inhibitory deficits and evaluated the potential clinical significance of these deficits.
Second allogeneic bone marrow transplantation in acute leukemia: results of a survey by the European Cooperative Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.

PURPOSE Leukemic relapse is the most frequent cause of treatment failure after allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). To identify prognostic factors affecting the outcome of second HSCT, we performed a retrospective study on patients with acute leukemia (AL) undergoing second HSCT who reported to the Acute Leukemia Working Party of the European Cooperative Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation registry. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred seventy patients who received second HSCTs for AL experienced relapse after first HSCTs were performed from 1978 to 1997. Status at second HSCT, time between first and second HSCT, conditioning regimen, source of stem cells, treatment-related mortality (TRM), acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), leukemia-free survival (LFS), overall survival (OS), and relapse were considered. RESULTS Engraftment occurred in 97% of patients. Forty-two patients were alive at last follow-up, with a 5-year OS rate of 26%. The 5-year probability for TRM, LFS, and relapse was 46%, 25%, and 59%, respectively. Grade > or = 2 aGVHD occurred in 59% of patients, and chronic GVHD occurred in 32%. In multivariate analysis, diagnosis, interval to relapse after first HSCT > 292 days, aGVHD at first HSCT, complete remission status at second HSCT, use of total-body irradiation at second HSCT, acute GVHD at second HSCT, and use of bone marrow as source of stem cells at second HSCT were associated with better outcome. CONCLUSION Second HSCT represents an effective therapeutic option for AL patients relapsed after allogeneic HSCT, with a 3-year LFS rate of 52% for the subset of patients who experienced relapse more than 292 days after receiving the first HSCT and who were in remission before receiving the second HSCT.
Emerging therapies for graft-versus-host disease

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and chronic GVHD remain the major barriers to successful haematopoietic cell transplantation. The induction of GVHD may be divided into three phases: (i) recipient conditioning, (ii) donor T cell activation, and (iii) effector cells mediating GVHD. Standard agents and agents under development to prevent and treat GVHD are discussed. The various pharmacological agents impact on different phases of the GVHD cascade. Sirolimus is a new immunophilin binding agent that appears to be synergistic with tacrolimus and cyclosporin. It also seems to promote allograft tolerance. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an antimetabolite that is currently under study for prophylaxis and treatment of acute and chronic GVHD; results are encouraging. Other agents such as the purine analogue pentostatin and the monoclonal antibodies alemtuzumab, daclizumab and infliximab are discussed at length within the GVHD context. The most effective approach to GVHD prevention will likely be a combination regimen where the three phases of the GVHD cascade are disrupted. Once GVHD has occurred, all three phases of the cascade are activated. Developments of combination therapy for the treatment of both acute and chronic GVHD will likely yield better results than monotherapy. The numerous new treatment modalities presented should improve the outlook for acute and chronic GVHD.
Between-days reliability of electromyographic measures of paraspinal muscle fatigue at 40, 50 and 60% levels of maximal voluntary contractile force

Objective: To ascertain which percentage of maximal voluntary contractile force of the paraspinal muscles, when tested in a functional position, is most reliable for assessing electromyographic (EMG) fatigue changes. Subjects: Ten healthy volunteers with no history of low back pain (six males). Main outcome measures: The surface EMG signal during 60-second isometric contractions of the paraspinal muscles at 40, 50 and 60% levels of maximal voluntary contractile force was captured and analysed. Each contraction level was assessed on two occasions, at least three days apart. The initial median frequency, the decline in median frequency slope and the increase in root mean square values were assessed for between-days reliability, using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and standard errors of measurements (SEM). Normalized median frequency and root mean square values were also assessed. Results: At 40% of maximal voluntary contraction, little or no EMG fatigue changes occurred in any of the observed parameters. At 50% maximal voluntary contraction the initial mean frequency and root mean square changes proved highly reliable, with ICCs ranging from 0.74 to 0.86 and 0.75 to 1.00 respectively. Normalizing the root mean square data reduced the reliability, but this was still acceptable with ICCs 0.70–0.83. The median frequency decline slope proved less reliable with ICCs 0.24–0.74 for raw and 0.26–0.77 for normalized data. At 60% maximal voluntary contraction the initial mean frequency proved as reliable as initial median frequency at 50% with ICCs 0.70–0.89. The raw and normalized root mean squares (ICCs 0.43–0.89 and 0.30–0.87 respectively) and raw and normalized median frequency (ICCs 0.27–0.51 and 0.24–0.53 respectively) changes were less reliable than at 50% MVC. Overall, the reliability is better at the L4/5 than at the L2/3 level. Conclusion: Outcome measures taken at 50% maximal voluntary contraction are the most reliable in functional testing the paraspinal muscles of healthy volunteers. With initial median frequency and root mean square values being more reliable parameters than median frequency decline. At the L4/5 level, however, all parameters were acceptably reliable at 50% of maximum effort. However the between-subject variability of the median frequency decline and root mean square incline slopes suggest that these parameters are not yet fully suitable for monitoring fatigue changes during prolonged isometric contraction.
The Multifaceted Nature of Mathematics Knowledge for Teaching: Understanding the Use of Teachers' Specialized Content Knowledge and the Role of Teachers' Beliefs from a Practice-Based Perspective.

T H E M ULTIFACETED N A TU RE O F M ATHEM ATICS K N O W L E D G E FO R T E A C H IN G : U N D ER STA N D IN G T H E USE O F TEA C H ER S’ SPEC IA LIZED C O N T E N T K N O W L E D G E A N D T H E R O LE O F TEA C H ER S’ BELIEFS FROM A PRACTICE-BASED PERSPECTIV E by Lauren E. Provost University o f N ew Hampshire, September, 2013 This work investigates middle school teachers’ mathematics knowledge for teaching (MKT) as defined by Hill (2007). W ithin this two-part dissertation, the level o f M KT was considered as well as the role o f teacher beliefs in actual specialized content knowledge (SCK) use, a specific type o f mathematics knowledge for teaching vital in quality mathematics instruction. Additionally, the model o f M KT knowledge was explored through confirmatory factor analysis on a large, national dataset o f middle school mathematics teacher survey responses involving mathematics knowledge for teaching. SCK was found to be vital in quality mathematics instruction yet no t sufficient. Teacher beliefs about the delivery o f mathematics instruction ultimately acted as a filter, at times limiting SCK use, even if a teacher held high levels o f SCK. The mathematics knowledge that teachers hold is highly complex; confirmatory factor analysis results indicated that we have yet to truly capture the essence o f MKT, yet the im portance o f understanding such knowledge is clearly essential. Implications for preparing future teachers are discussed.
Cognitive aging affects motor performance and learning

Substantial evidence indicates that declines in cognitive and motor functioning are often observed when we age. The interdependence of cognition and behavior has been reported in a wide range of studies. However, research on the cognitive–motor associations in aging has been lacking. We review behavioral and neural characteristics of cognitive aging in relation to motor aging and aim to elucidate their interrelationships in an aging context. From a developmental view, we propose an integrative concept focusing on the dynamics of cognitive functioning, motor performance and skill acquisition. In the framework, representations and motor learning potential are closely related. and supported by distributed neural systems, which are less susceptible to functional declines in the aging process. Mostly supported by high‐level areas, control processes, motor learning efficiency and motor performance are closely related. As high‐level areas are more vulnerable during aging, control processes, motor learning efficiency and motor performance are substantially affected when one approaches late adulthood. Practical implications and future research directions are discussed. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2012; ••: ••–••.
Comprehensive Review of Human Sapoviruses

SUMMARY Sapoviruses cause acute gastroenteritis in humans and animals. They belong to the genus Sapovirus within the family Caliciviridae. They infect and cause disease in humans of all ages, in both sporadic cases and outbreaks. The clinical symptoms of sapovirus gastroenteritis are indistinguishable from those caused by noroviruses, so laboratory diagnosis is essential to identify the pathogen. Sapoviruses are highly diverse genetically and antigenically. Currently, reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assays are widely used for sapovirus detection from clinical specimens due to their high sensitivity and broad reactivity as well as the lack of sensitive assays for antigen detection or cell culture systems for the detection of infectious viruses. Sapoviruses were first discovered in 1976 by electron microscopy in diarrheic samples of humans. To date, sapoviruses have also been detected from several animals: pigs, mink, dogs, sea lions, and bats. In this review, we focus on genomic and antigenic features, molecular typing/classification, detection methods, and clinical and epidemiological profiles of human sapoviruses.