Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A pertussis toxin‐sensitive process controls thymocyte emigration

Although it is well known that essentially all peripheral T cells are derived from bone marrow progenitors that mature in the thymus, the mechanism whereby thymocytes gain access to peripheral compartments is obscure. We have learned that this process is sensitive to pertussis toxin (PT). Transgenic ict‐PT mice were generated which express the catalytic subunit of P‐T in all thymocytes. In a previous study we observed that T cell receptor signaling is unimpaired in these cells despite the virtual elimination of their G1 protein signal transduction elements through endogenous PT activity. Here we demonstrate that mature T lineage cells accumulate in ick‐PT thymuses and fail to populate peripheral lymphoid organs. The accumulating cells closely resemble normal peripheral T lymphocytes with respect to cell surface phenotype and responses to allogeneic spleen cells, yet perform poorly in in vivo homing assays. This migratory defect does not result from deficient expression of common homing receptors or alterations in intracellular cAMP concentrations. Based on these results, we propose that a novel PT‐sensitive signaling pathway, almost certainly involving a G1 protein, is required for thymocyte emigration.
Drug-eluting bead loaded with doxorubicin versus conventional Lipiodol-based transarterial chemoembolization in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case–control study of Asian patients

Objective Lipiodol transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is widely used to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, a drug-eluting bead (DEB) has been developed to enhance drug delivery to the tumor and reduce its systemic availability. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of intra-arterial injection of DEB loaded with doxorubicin versus conventional, Lipiodol-based TACE regimens in Asian patients with HCC. Methods The study was designed as a case–control, single-institution clinical trial. Twenty patients with HCC who received DEB loaded with 50 mg doxorubicin (‘cases’) were matched with 20 patients who had undergone conventional TACE (‘controls’). The primary efficacy endpoint was tumor response at 1 month according to modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. The primary safety endpoint was liver toxicity. Results The rate of objective response by modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors was 85% (17 of 20 patients) in the DEB arm versus 30% (six of 20 patients) in the conventional TACE arm (P=0.001). Subgroup analyses conducted in patients with large (>5 cm) or multinodular tumor confirmed significantly higher objective response rates in patients receiving DEB as compared with those treated with conventional TACE (P=0.003 and P=0.005, respectively). At the dose of 50 mg doxorubicin, there was no statistically significant difference in liver toxicity between DEB and conventional TACE (P>0.05). Conclusion In Asian patients with HCC, transcatheter treatment with DEB loaded with doxorubicin offers a distinct advantage in objective tumor response rate as compared with conventional, Lipiodol-based TACE regimens.
Multiple calcium channels control neurotransmitter release from rat postganglionic sympathetic nerve terminals.

1. Intracellular recording techniques were used to study neurotransmitter release mechanisms in postganglionic sympathetic nerve terminals of the rat isolated anococcygeus muscle. 2. Low concentrations of the N‐type calcium channel blocker omega‐conotoxin GVIA (omega‐CgTX GVIA) irreversibly abolished excitatory junction potentials (EJPs) evoked by trains of < or = five stimuli at 10 Hz. When the frequency of stimulation was increased (10‐50 Hz) trains of stimuli evoked EJPs even in the presence of 1 microM omega‐CgTX GVIA. We have termed this omega‐CgTX GVIA‐resistant release ‘residual release’. EJP amplitude in the presence of omega‐CgTX GVIA depended on both the frequency and number of stimuli in a train. 3. Residual release was inhibited by the P‐type calcium channel blocker omega‐agatoxin IVA (100 nM). However, even in the presence of both toxins, longer trains of stimuli could still evoke neurotransmitter release. 4. Residual release was abolished by omega‐conotoxin MVIIC and by the non‐specific calcium channel antagonist omega‐grammotoxin SIA. Therefore, it would appear that a heterogeneous population of calcium channels is involved in mediating neurotransmitter release from these sympathetic nerve terminals.
Genetic correlation complicates the interpretation of phylogenetic transitions in sexually selected traits

HL11 (1994) proposed that under special circumstances the models of nonadaptive (arbitrary) mate choice can be rejected on phylogenetic grounds. Specifically, in the absence of changes in female preferences or viability costs. Hill argued, the sensory exploitation (Basolo, 1990; Ryan et al., 1990) and runaway (Fisher, 1958; Lande, 1981) models provide no mechanism for reduction of a sexually selected trait. Although the sensory exploitation model clearly generates unique historical predictions (Basolo, 1990; Meyer et al., 1994; Ryan et al., 1990), the runaway model was previously thought phylogeneticaDy indistinguishable from models of adaptive mate choice (Kirkpatrick and Ryan, 1991). Hill's method, if valid, would be a major breakthrough in die study of sexual selection. Unfortunately, I think Hill overlooked a factor diat invalidates his method for die example he provided and in general. To illustrate my argument with a concrete example, I first summarize key results from Hill's exemplary study of house finches (Carpodacus medcanus).
Biorretroalimentación como método terapéutico: Informe preliminar

Se estudiaron segun la tecnica de biorretroalimentacion (biofeedback) 15 pacientes con incontinencia anorrectal de diversas causas, a 13 de los cuales se les realizo previamente manometria anorrectal. La tecnica de biofeedback que aplicamos no llevo instrumentacion electronica, el paciente efectuo un acondicionamiento operativo diario en sus hogares, reforzado mensualmente en consulta. Se alcanzo la curacion completa en el 33,5 porciento de los pacientes, en un tiempo = 5,4 meses; el 53,3 porciento mejoro en un tiempo = 7,2 meses y el 13,3 porciento no respondio al tratamiento despues de un tiempo = 10,5 meses. Se comprobo que el metodo permitio una curacion y/o mejoria notable del 89,9 porciento de los pacientes, lo cual se evidencio por la rapida disminucion de los episodios semanales de incontinencia, de mas del 60 porciento. La manometria anorrectal no tuvo valor pronostico significativo en nuestro estudio(AU)
Afanassiev et Propp

La parution en francais des Contes russes d'Afanassiev, ou au moins du sixieme environ de la collection complete — mais c'est le sixieme qui concerne les etudes proppiennes — vient de combler une lacune '. Le service rendu par Edina Bozoky est d'autant plus grand que sa traduction a ete preparee d'apres l'edition sovietique de 1957 en trois volumes etablie par Propp lui-meme. Nous avons donc dorenavant acces a la totalite des contes analyses par Propp, et le va-et-vient du corpus au modele, qui est la condition premiere de toute ana lyse textuelle, apres plus de cinquante ans nous est enfin rendu possible! Paul Larivaille a deja critique la demarche de Propp « a deux niveaux apparemment distincts, mais en realite plus solidaires qu'il n'y parait : celui du choix du corpus et celui de la definition meme des fonctions2 ». La traduc tion en francais des contes d'Afanassiev nous invite a renouveler cette demarche critique. Au debut du chapitre 2 de la Morphologie du conte3 (« Methode et matiere ») Propp rappelle que son ouvrage est consacre aux contes « merveil leux », ceux qui sont classes dans l'index d'Aarne et Thompson sous les nume ros 300 a 749. A la fin du meme chapitre il pose la question du corpus, reaf firmant au passage le caractere rigoureusement « deductif » (sic) de sa methode, « c'est-a-dire en allant du corpus aux conclusions ». Les 100 contes du recueil d'Afanassiev choisis par Propp, du conte n° 50 (le premier conte « merveil leux » selon Afanassiev) au conte n° 151, lui paraissent un corpus suffisant puisque « lorsqu'il a constate que l'on ne trouve aucune fonction nouvelle, le
Withdrawal of Statin Treatment Abrogates Stroke Protection in Mice

Background and Purpose— Statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl–coenzyme A [HMG-CoA] reductase inhibitors) reduce stroke damage independent of lipid lowering by upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Acute withdrawal of statin treatment may suppress endothelial NO production and impair vascular function. Methods— To test this hypothesis, we treated 129/SV mice with atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) for 14 days and then withdrew treatment. Results— Treatment with atorvastatin conferred stroke protection by 40% after filamentous occlusion of the middle cerebral artery followed by reperfusion. Withdrawal of statin treatment, however, resulted in the loss of stroke protection after 2 and 4 days. In mouse aortas and brain vasculature, statins upregulated eNOS message 2.3- and 1.7-fold, respectively, as measured by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Withdrawal of statins resulted in 5- and 2.7-fold downregulation of eNOS in aorta and brain, respectively, after 2 days. Statin treatment decreased RhoA GTPase membrane expression to 48%, while withdrawal of statins resulted in 4-fold increase of RhoA in the membrane. Moreover, platelet factor 4 and &bgr;-thromboglobulin in plasma were significantly downregulated by statin treatment, but withdrawal of statins resulted in a 2.9- and 3.1-fold upregulation after 2 days, respectively. Thrombus formation induced by ligature of the inferior vena cava was significantly reduced by statin treatment. When statin treatment was withdrawn, however, protection was lost between 2 and 4 days. Conclusions— Acute termination of statin treatment results in a rapid loss of protection in mouse models of cerebral ischemia and thrombus formation independent of lipid lowering. In patients with acute or impending stroke, withdrawal of statins may impair outcome.
Detection of Clonal Aberrations by Cytogenetic Analysis after Different Culture Methods and by FISH in 129 Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

There are only a few cytogenetic analysis (CA) studies that directly compare the novel cultivation technique using immunostimulatory CpG-oligonucleotide DSP30/interleukin-2 (DSP30/IL2) with other culture methods. Therefore, parallel cultures of peripheral blood of 129 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients were set up in unstimulated cultures, in the presence of pokeweed medium (PWM), and with DSP30/IL2. Furthermore, CA results were compared with data obtained by FISH. Clonal aberrations were observed by CA in 6% of the cases in unstimulated cultures, in 27% of the cases with PWM, and in 40% of the cases with DSP30/IL2. Some clonal aberrations were detected by CA only with one culture method. Using 3 different culture methods, clonal aberrations were detected in 41% of the cases by CA and in 71% of the cases by FISH. Altogether, 78% of the cases exhibited clonal aberrations discovered by CA and FISH. Also, CA detected clonal aberrations not targeted by FISH in 7% of the cases, and FISH identified clonal aberrations not detected by CA in 36% of the cases. Our study demonstrates that the combined use of CA with different culture methods together with FISH increases our knowledge of the genetic complexity and heterogeneity in CLL pathogenesis.
Hematocrit Is Associated with Thermal Tolerance and Modulated by Developmental Temperature in Juvenile Chinook Salmon

To evaluate whether oxygen-carrying capacity influences thermal tolerance in fishes, we reared four Chinook salmon families in present-day (+0°C) and possible future (+4°C) temperatures and assessed the response of hematocrit (Hct) to acute temperature stress. In the +4°C treatment, Hct increased above control levels when juvenile fish were exposed to their critical thermal maximum (CTmax). Conversely, no effect of temperature stress on Hct was found in the +0°C treatment. Hct was positively associated with CTmax (r2=0.12; n=66), contributing to the CTmax of the +4°C treatment being significantly higher than that of the +0°C treatment (mean ± SD, 26°±0.6°C and 25°±0.5°C, respectively). The association between CTmax and Hct found here supports the hypothesis that thermal tolerance is affected by oxygen supply to tissue. Moreover, the developmental plasticity of CTmax and Hct could represent an adaptive mechanism for salmon faced with climate change.
A model of human microvascular exchange.

A compartmental model consisting of the circulation, a general interstitium, and the lymphatics, is formulated to describe the transport and distribution of fluid and plasma proteins (albumin) in the human microvascular exchange system. Transcapillary mass exchange is assumed to occur via a coupled Starling mechanism. Unknown or poorly quantified model parameters are estimated by statistical fitting of simulation predictions to five different sets of experimental data. The data consist of steady-state and transient plasma and interstitial volumes and colloid osmotic pressures measured under laboratory or clinical conditions for normal humans and for patients with nephrotic syndrome or mild heart disease. In all cases, it is assumed that the system response to perturbations imposed either artificially or through illness is due to changes in the Starling driving forces. The three best-fit parameters were found to be normal capillary hydrostatic pressure, Pc,o = 11.0 mm Hg; albumin reflection coefficient, sigma = 0.99; and lymph flow sensitivity, LS = 43.1 ml/mm Hg.hr. Three other parameters, which were unknown but related to the estimated parameters through steady-state mass balance equations, were determined to be fluid filtration coefficient, KF = 121.1 ml/mm Hg.hr; albumin permeability-surface area product, PS = 73.0 ml/hr; and normal lymph flow, JL,o = 75.7 ml/hr. The fully described model was validated by comparisons between (1) simulation predictions and data used in parameter estimation, (2) estimated transport parameters and available literature values, and (3) model predictions and an additional set of experimental data.
Endotoxaemia in rats: role of leukocyte sequestration in rapid pulmonary nitric oxide synthase-2 expression.

Nitric oxide (NO), depending on the amount, time and source of generation may exert both, protective and deleterious actions during endotoxic acute lung injury (ALI). Evaluation of the expression and localization of NOS isoforms in the lung of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats may contribute to understanding the role of NO in pathogenesis of ALI. Tissue samples (lung, heart, liver, kidney and spleen) as well as peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) were collected from control male Wistar rats and LPS - treated animals, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after LPS injection (2 mg kg(-1) min(-1) for 10 minutes, i.v. ). Levels of NOS-2 and NOS-3 mRNA and protein in tissues and PMNs were estimated by RT-PCR, Northern blotting and Western blotting. Additionally, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in tissue samples was assayed. NOS-3 mRNA as well as protein were detected in lungs of control animals; pulmonary NOS-3 expression was not influenced by LPS. The induction of NOS-2 mRNA in rat lungs and in PMNs isolated from peripheral blood was observed 15 minutes after LPS challenge. In contrast, increase of NOS-2 mRNA in the heart, kidneys, liver and spleen was observed 2-3 hours after LPS injection. In all tissues rise in NOS-2 mRNA was followed after 1-2 hours by increase of NOS-2 protein. Importantly, progressive leukocyte sequestration in the lung parenchyma that started as early as 15 min after LPS injection was revealed only in the lungs; in other organs no significant changes in MPO activity were detected up to 180 min after LPS injection. In conclusion, infusion of LPS caused much more rapid expression of NOS-2 in lungs as compared to the heart, kidneys, liver and spleen. Early induction of NOS-2 may depend on the LPS-stimulated rapid neutrophil sequestration within lung vasculature and fast induction of NOS-2 in sequestrated neutrophils.
UPERY : un outil d’analyse distributionnelle étendue pour la construction d’ontologies à partir de corpus

Nous présentons un module mettant en oeuvre une méthode d’analyse distributionnelle dite “étendue”. L’analyseur syntaxique de corpus SYNTEX effectue l’analyse en dépendance de chacune des phrases du corpus, puis construit un réseau de mots et syntagmes, dans lequel chaque syntagme est relié à sa tête et à ses expansions. A partir de ce réseau, le module d’analyse distributionnelle UPERY construit pour chaque terme du réseau l’ensemble de ses contextes syntaxiques. Les termes et les contextes syntaxiques peuvent être simples ou complexes. Le module rapproche ensuite les termes, ainsi que les contextes syntaxiques, sur la base de mesures de proximité distributionnelle. L’ensemble de ces résultats est utilisé comme aide à la construction d’ontologie à partir de corpus spécialisés.
Ratio of means vs. difference of means as measures of superiority, noninferiority, and average bioequivalence

ABSTRACT Ratio of means (ROM) and difference of means (DOM) are often used in a superiority, noninferiority (NI), or average bioequivalence (ABE) test to evaluate whether the test mean is superior, NI, or equivalent to the reference (placebo or active control) mean. The literature provides recommendations regarding how to choose between ROM and DOM, mainly for superiority testing. In this article, we evaluated these two measures from other perspectives and cautioned the potential impact of different scoring systems/transformation for the same outcome (which is not rarely seen in practice) on the power of a ROM or DOM test for superiority, NI, or ABE. 1) For superiority, with the same margin, power remains the same for a location, scale, or combined shift (no other transformations) to scoring systems for both measures; however, for NI and ABE, different shifts can change the power of the test significantly. 2) Direction of scores (larger or smaller value indicating desirable effects) does not change the power for a DOM superiority, NI, or ABE test, but it does change the power tremendously for a ROM, NI, or ABE test. Caution should be taken when defining scoring systems. Data transformation is not encouraged in general, and if needed, should be statistically justified.
Indeterminação biográfica - de condição natural a uma fissura na história do sujeito

Resumo: Neste texto, procuramos tecer algumas reflexoes em torno das historias de vida, tendo como pedra basilar o comentario de uns versos de um poeta quinhentista portugues. Procuramos dar realce a acontecimentos biograficos que, pela sua importância, assumem funcoes charneira na explicacao do devir biografico: os nos biograficos, catalisadores de coerencias de vida; e as fissuras biograficas, acontecimentos que impossibilitariam a emergencia de coerencias de si de caracter totalizador. Estes dois conceitos sao propostos, respectivamente, a proposito do estudo da normalidade e do estudo dos chamados comportamentos desviantes. Palavras-Chave: Historias de vida; Comportamento desviante; Abordagem biografica; Fissuras; Nos biograficos. Resume: Dans cet article, nous avons reflechi sur les histoires de vie, ayant comme pierre angulaire le commentaire de quelques verset d'un poete portugais du XV siecle. Nous tenons a mettre en relief des evenements biographiques, qui, par son importance, jouent une fonction charniere pour expliquer le devenir biographique; les noyaux biographiques catalyseurs de coherence de vie; et les fractures biographiques evenements qui rendraient impossible l'emergence de coherences de soi, a caractere totalisant. Sont avances ces deux concepts, respectivement, a propos de 'etude de la normalite et de l'etude des comportements deviants. Mots-Cle: Histoires de vie; Comportement deviant; Approche biographique; Fractures; Noyaux biographiques.
A Code Reordering Transformation for Improved Cache Performance

We prove theorems that show that if we can reorder a program's memory reference stream such that the reordered memory reference stream satis es a disjointness property, then the transformed program corresponding to the reordered stream is guaranteed to have fewer misses for any cache with arbitrary size or organization so long as the cache uses the LRU replacement policy. We can apply these results to reorder instructions within a basic block, to transform loops, to reorder blocks within a procedure, or to reorder procedures within a program so as to improve hit rate for any cache that uses LRU replacement. Based on these theorems, we develop algorithmic methods for program transformation to improve cache performance. While there has been a lot of work in improving cache performance using program transformations, our work di ers from previous work in that it can be applied at many di erent levels, from the basic block to procedural levels, and does not require xing the size or organization of a cache prior to program transformation. We present preliminary experimental results that show that reordering based on our methods can result in signi cant improvements in hit rate and program performance.
Desafios para a psicologia no cuidado com o cuidador

Este artigo aponta a necessidade de prover cuidado psicologico aos enfermos/pacientes em estado terminal, bem como a seus cuidadores familiares e as equipes que lhes assistem. Elenca conjuntos de medidas que podem minorar o sofrimento dos envolvidos nessa situacao extrema, descrendo casos clinicos para exemplificar esses procedimentos.
AVALIAÇÃO DO MÉTODO DE DOSEAMENTO DE INDINAVIR POR MEIO DE HPLC

O tratamento da Sindrome da Imunodeficiencia Adquirida(AIDS) tem mostrado grande evolucao, a partir de 1983-84, quando se deu a identificacao da etiologia ser virotica. No principio, foi utilizada a droga zidovudine e depois, uma combinacao com nucleosideos analogos, que foram desenvolvidos, em funcao dos nucleosideos naturais necessarios a replicacao dos virus. Recentemente, tem sido aplicada aos pacientes uma combinacao de drogas que tem como alvo a protease do virus da imunodeficiencia humana (HIV). A introducao dos inibidores de protease do HIV foi feita, a partir de 1996, para uso em combinacao com os inibidores da transcriptase reversa do virus e os compostos foram desenvolvidos por meio da tecnica de modelagem molecular, baseando-se na estrutura cristalina da protease do virus. Os inibidores de protease sao moleculas grandes e lipofilicas, sendo metabolizados e eliminados do organismo, principalmente pela acao da isoenzima CYP3A4 do citocromoP-4502. Porem, esta enzima e responsavel pela grande variabilidade entre os individuos e, farmacos utilizados em associacoes podem inibir ou induzir a inativacao de uma das drogas, como e o caso do indinavir, um dos primeiros inibidores da protease. Pertencem tambem a este grupo osaquinavir, ritonavir e nelfinavir.
Directional Thermal Infrared Exitance Distributions from a Leafless Deciduous Forest

The directional thermal infrared exitance distributions of a 21.5-m-tall leafless deciduous forest were measured using a rotating 7-detector array suspended 33 m above the forest floor. These distributions are presented for several illumination conditions. Strong directional thermal infrared distributions were observed at high solar elevations on a clear day. Temperature gradients frequently exceeded 3°C per 10-degree change of view angle. At low sun angles and the early evening, change of observed temperature with nadir angle was more moderate and was negligible with azimuth angle. At night and on a cloudy morning, uniform temperature distributions were observed. An interpretation of these directional temperature distributions is given.