Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intrastriatal Transplantation of Bone Marrow Nonhematopoietic Cells Improves Functional Recovery After Stroke in Adult Mice

The authors transplanted adult bone marrow nonhematopoietic cells into the striatum after embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Mice (n = 23; C57BL/6J) were divided into four groups: (1) mice (n = 5) were subjected to MCAO and transplanted with bone marrow nonhematopoietic cells (prelabeled by bromodeoxyuridine, BrdU) into the ischemic striatum, (2) MCAO alone (n = 8), (3) MCAO with injection of phosphate buffered saline (n = 5), and (4) bone marrow nonhematopoietic cells injected into the normal striatum (n = 5). Mice were killed at 28 days after stroke. BrdU reactive cells survived and migrated a distance of approximately 2.2 mm from the grafting areas toward the ischemic areas. BrdU reactive cells expressed the neuronal specific protein NeuN in 1% of BrdU stained cells and the astrocytic specific protein glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in 8% of the BrdU stained cells. Functional recovery from a rotarod test (P < 0.05) and modified neurologic severity score tests (including motor, sensory, and reflex;P < 0.05) were significantly improved in the mice receiving bone marrow nonhematopoietic cells compared with MCAO alone. The current findings suggest that the intrastriatal transplanted bone marrow nonhematopoietic cells survived in the ischemic brain and improved functional recovery of adult mice even though infarct volumes did not change significantly. Bone marrow nonhematopoietic cells may provide a new avenue to promote recovery of injured brain.
The elastic network of articular cartilage: an immunohistochemical study of elastin fibres and microfibrils

The elastic network of articular cartilage was investigated by immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies to elastin and fibrillin‐1. Articular cartilage was dissected from defined regions of bovine metacarpophalangeal joints. Elastin fibres and microfibrils were dual‐immunostained by labelling with distinct fluorescent dyes. A conventional fluorescence microscope combined with a polarized light filter was used to study the organization and degree of colocalization of elastin fibres, microfibrils and of the collagen network. We observed an elaborately organized elastic network. In the uppermost superficial zone, where few cells were present, elastin fibres and microfibrils formed a dense three dimensional network showing some degree of colocalization. The thickness and organization of this elastic network varied dramatically from region to region and was most extensive in the metacarpal palmar region. In the middle and deep zones, very few elastin fibres were observed but microfibrils formed a network in the inter‐territorial matrix and dense network around the cells. Our finding of a three dimensional network of dense, well organized elastin fibres and microfibrils in the surface zone of the articular cartilage matrix, and a dense network of microfibrils around the cells deeper into the tissue suggests the elastic network could play both a mechanical and a biological role in articular cartilage.
Relation between the increase of circulating CD3+ CD57+ lymphocytes and T cell dysfunction in recipients of bone marrow transplantation

Some patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT) persistently present increased proportions of circulating CD57+ T cells. We analysed the cell surface phenotype in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 69 allogeneic and 11 autologous BMT recipients. In parallel samples from 49 patients, the proliferative response to T cell mitogens was assessed, either in the presence or absence of exogenous interleukin‐2 (IL‐2). PBMC samples from long‐term allogeneic BMT patients with increased proportions of CD57+ cells displayed significantly (P < 0.001) lower proliferative responses, compared with samples from patients with normal proportions of CD57+ cells and from healthy subjects. Elimination of the CD57+ population by C′‐dependent lysis did not normalize the proliferative response. After positive selection by cell sorting. CD57+ cells responded poorly, but in the presence of IL‐2 the proliferation appeared to be similar to that displayed by the CD57‐ subset and still suboptimal compared with normal controls. These data suggest that the hyporesponsiveness to mitogenic stimuli in the presence of exogenous IL‐2 of PBMC from allogeneic BMT recipients cannot be simply attributed either to the putative suppressor activity of CD57+ cells, or to a poor proliferative capacity of this subset. Supporting this notion we report that PBMC from long‐term autologous BMT recipients containing high proportions of CD57+ T cells respond normally to T cell mitogens.
Labour shares, employment protection and unions in European economies

We analyse the role that the liberalization of temporary contracts plays in labour share in some EU countries. The empirical analysis mainly relies on the EUKLEMS database and applies a difference-in-difference approach. Our results, focused on periods of different length (1996–2007 and 1996–2013), show that legislative innovations that favour the extensive use of temporary contracts negatively affect the labour share, likely because they lower employees’ average compensations. We hypothesize that these labour reforms, which lead to enduring skill deficits, thus failing to halt the erosion of the labour share of previous decades.
Molecular evidence for glacial refugia of mountain plants in the European Alps

Many mountain ranges have been strongly glaciated during the Quaternary ice ages, and the locations of glacial refugia of mountain plants have been debated for a long time. A series of detailed molecular studies, investigating intraspecific genetic variation of mountain plants in the European Alps, now allows for a first synopsis. A comparison of the phylogeographic patterns with geological and palaeoenvironmental data demonstrates that glacial refugia were located along the southwestern, southern, eastern and northern border of the Alps. Additional glacial refugia were present in central Alpine areas, where high‐elevation plants survived the last glaciation on ice‐free mountain tops. The observed intraspecific phylogeographies suggest general patterns of glacial survival, which conform to well‐known centres of Alpine species diversity and endemism. This implies that evolutionary or biogeographic processes induced by climatic fluctuations act on gene and species diversity in a similar way.
Cold Induction of Arabidopsis CBF Genes Involves Multiple ICE (Inducer of CBF Expression) Promoter Elements and a Cold-Regulatory Circuit That Is Desensitized by Low Temperature1

The Arabidopsis CBF1, 2, and 3 genes (also known as DREB1b, c, and a, respectively) encode transcriptional activators that have a central role in cold tolerance. CBF1-3 are rapidly induced upon exposing plants to low temperature, followed by expression of CBF-targeted genes, the CBF regulon, resulting in an increase in plant freezing tolerance. At present, little is known about the cold-sensing mechanism that controls CBF expression. Results presented here indicate that this mechanism does not require a cold shock to bring about the accumulation of CBF transcripts, but instead, absolute temperature is monitored with a greater degree of input, i.e. lower temperature, resulting in a greater output, i.e. higher levels of CBF transcripts. Temperature-shift experiments also indicate that the cold-sensing mechanism becomes desensitized to a given low temperature, such as 4°C, and that resensitization to that temperature requires between 8 and 24 h at warm temperature. Gene fusion experiments identified a 125-bp section of the CBF2 promoter that is sufficient to impart cold-responsive gene expression. Mutational analysis of this cold-responsive region identified two promoter segments that work in concert to impart robust cold-regulated gene expression. These sequences, designated ICEr1 and ICEr2 (induction of CBF expression region 1 or 2), were also shown to stimulate transcription in response to mechanical agitation and the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide.
Pre-cooling moderately enhances visual discrimination during exercise in the heat

ABSTRACT Pre-cooling has been reported to attenuate the increase in core temperature, although, information regarding the effects of pre-cooling on cognitive function is limited. The present study investigated the effects of pre-cooling on visual discrimination during exercise in the heat. Eight male recreational runners completed 90 min of treadmill running at 65% 2max in the heat [32.4 ± 0.9°C and 46.8 ± 6.4% relative humidity (r.h.)] on two occasions in a randomised, counterbalanced crossover design. Participants underwent pre-cooling by means of water immersion (20.3 ± 0.3°C) for 60 min or remained seated for 60 min in a laboratory (20.2 ± 1.7°C and 60.2 ± 2.5% r.h.). Rectal temperature (Trec) and mean skin temperature (Tskin) were monitored throughout the protocol. At 30-min intervals participants performed a visual discrimination task. Following pre-cooling, Trec (P = 0.040; = 0.48) was moderately lower at 0 and 30 min and Tskin (P = 0.003; = 0.75) lower to a large extent at 0 min of exercise. Visual discrimination was moderately more accurate at 60 and 90 min of exercise following pre-cooling (P = 0.067; = 0.40). Pre-cooling resulted in small improvements in visual discrimination sensitivity (F1,7 = 2.188; P = 0.183; = 0.24), criterion (F1,7 = 1.298; P = 0.292; = 0.16) and bias (F1,7 = 2.202; P = 0.181; = 0.24). Pre-cooling moderately improves visual discrimination accuracy during exercise in the heat.
Les usages du “cartable électronique”® : pour une évaluation des technologies dans l'éducation

La question des usages est plus que jamais d'actualite, en particulier en ce qui concerne l'observation et l'evaluation de l'insertion des Technologies de l'Information et de la Communication (TIC) dans la societe. Cette preoccupation est aujourd'hui nationale en France puisque dans le domaine de l'education et de la formation, le Ministere encourage vivement les recherches qui developpent des approches “qualitatives” par les usages. Ainsi, des chercheurs en Sciences de l'Information et de la Communication et en Sciences de l'Education travaillent conjointement sur les problematiques que posent les medias en ligne et menent des etudes d'usages sur la facon dont ils sont utilises. A titre d'exemple, on peut citer le vaste projet europeen Learn-nett, projet de campus virtuel europeen pour lequel ont ete developpees des observations des usages. Par ailleurs, diverses experimentations des Technologies d'Information et de Communication dans l'Education (TICE) sont d'ores et deja mises en place dans les etablissements francais : l'Universite de Strasbourg elabore une etude d'usages de l'application de son cartable virtuel ; plus generalement, dans le cadre de l'appel a projet du campus numerique, dix universites reflechissent actuellement a la mise en ligne et l'experimentation de sites portails comme supports pedagogiques de cours pour les etudiants. Dans le prive aussi, les developpements des TICE vont bon train puisque le groupe Havas procede actuellement dans les colleges a l'experimentation de son “cartable electronique”, objet physique plus “e-booke” que nouveau support pedagogique. Cependant, tous les projets educatifs ne s'accompagnent pas simultanement d'une demarche de conception et d'observation de l'appropriation des technologies par les usagers or la prise en compte de l'innovation en fonction des seules possibilites techniques, telles que le concoivent encore trop souvent les promoteurs, sans la prise en compte simultanee de donnees contextuelles, sociales et communicationnelles est aujourd'hui vouee a l'echec. Par consequent, il convient de prendre en compte simultanement usages, technologies et contextes d'insertion car il importe de voir quelles sont les utilisations reelles et “in situ” des outils developpes. Cette contrainte conduit a une collaboration souvent necessaire sur le terrain entre les acteurs de la conception (informaticiens, promoteurs, politiques) et les acteurs de l'usage (chercheurs, utilisateurs, apprenants et pedagogues). Le developpement d'un “cartable electronique”® a l'Universite de Savoie nous a permis de mettre en œuvre cette demarche.
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF [3H]‐CLONIDINE BINDING TO ANα‐ADRENOCEPTOR IN MEMBRANES FROM GUINEA‐PIG KIDNEY

1 [3H]‐clonidine binds to membranes prepared from guinea‐pig kidney. 2 At 25°C the binding is rapid and saturable. 3 Scatchard analysis of the binding data showed that the Kd for [3H]‐clonidine binding in kidney membranes is 8.54 nM and the density of binding sites 12.5 pmol/g wet wt. tissue. 4 Hill plots of the binding data showed that there were no cooperative site interactions associated with binding. 5 [3H]‐clonidine binding could be displaced by drugs, the most potent being drugs with a high affinity for the α‐adrenoceptor. The neuroleptic drugs (+)‐butaclamol, ds‐clopenthixol and ds‐flupen‐thixol at high concentration also displaced [3H]‐clonidine binding. 6 Drugs acting as agonists or antagonists of β‐adrenoceptors, histamine receptors, acetylcholine receptors as well as prostaglandins E1 E2, Flα and F2α, angiotensin II, arginine vasopressin, naloxone, nalorphine and pargyline had little effect on binding. 7 It is likely that the binding site labelled by [3H]‐clonidine in guinea‐pig kidney membranes is an α‐adrenoceptor similar in some pharmacological aspects to an a2‐adrenoceptor.
Consolidation of the postural set during voluntary intermittent light finger contact as a function of hand dominance

Light fingertip contact with an earth-fixed referent decreases body sway. In a previous study Johannsen et al. (2014) demonstrated longer return-to-baseline of body sway for intermittent contacts of more than 2 seconds duration. This indicates that sway reduction with light tactile contact involves postural control strategies independent of the availability of tactile feedback and may depend on the intention to control body sway with light touch feedback. In the present study, we investigated the effect of hand dominance on post-contact return-to-baseline to probe for potential inter-hemispheric differences in the utilization of light finger contact for sway control. Twelve healthy, right-handed young adults stood in normal bipedal stance with eyes closed on a force plate with an earth-fixed referent directly in front. Acoustic signals instructed onset and removal of intermittent light touch. We found that return-to-baseline of sway following longer contact durations is affected by hand dominance with the dominant hand resulting in a slower return to No-contact levels of sway. Our results indicate that the light touch postural set is more persistent and might need longer to disengage when established with the dominant hand or takes longer to consolidate when established with the non-dominant hand.
Asymptomatic bacteriuria of pregnancy in Ibadan, Nigeria: a re-assessment

Abstract Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy is the major risk factor for developing symptomatic urinary tract infection during pregnancy. In the present study, 300 pregnant women are screened for significant asymptomatic bacteriuria in order to provide an insight into the prevalence in developing countries, reassessment of some predisposing factors and aetiological agents and their susceptibility tests. The mean age of the patients in the study is 26.8 years (SD: 5.8 years, range: 16–40 years). Using 103 organisms/mL as a significant level of bacteriuria, the prevalence was found to be 21.0%. One hundred and fifty-eight samples had no pus cells with 25 showing significant bacteriuria, 116 samples contained 1–4 pus cells/high power field (hpf) with 25 showing significant bacteriuria, while 26 samples had ≥5 pus cells/hpf with 13 showing significant bacteriuria. There was no particular trend associated with age and rate of infection. However, there was a decline in the rate of infection in the 26–30 age group, with a sharp increase as age increased. There was high incidence of bacteriuria during the third trimester of pregnancy (21.9%) compared with that in the first trimester (7.7%), while the level in the second trimester was 22.5%. Multiparity is associated with increased bacteriuria in pregnancy. Thirty-one (49.2%) isolates grew Gram-negative bacilli; 27 (42.9%) grewGram-positive cocci and the remainder (7.9%) grew yeast-like cells. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent pathogen (41.3%), followed by Klebsiella species (33.3%) and Escherichia coli (11.1%). Bacterial isolates from this study were most sensitive to ceftazidime, followed by ceftriazone, and least susceptible to co-trimoxazole.
Heavy metal removal by combining anaerobic upflow packed bed reactors with water hyacinth ponds

The removal of four selected heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn) has been assessed in an upflow anaerobic packed bed reactor filled with porous volcanic rock as an adsorbent and an attachment surface for bacterial growth. Two different feeding regimes were applied using low (5 mg L−1 of heavy metal each) and high (10 mg L−1 of heavy metal each) strength wastewater. After a start-up and acclimatization period of 44 days, each regime was operated for a period of 10 days with a hydraulic retention time of one day. Good removal efficiencies of at least 86% were achieved for both the low and high strength wastewater. A subsequent water hyacinth pond with a hydraulic retention time of one day removed an additional 61% Cd, 59% Cu, 49% Pb and 42% Zn, showing its importance as a polishing step. The water hyacinth plant in the post-treatment step accumulated heavy metals mainly in the root system. Overall metal removal efficiencies at the outlet of the integrated system were 98% for Cd, 99% for Cu, 98% for Pb and 84% for Zn. Therefore, the integrated system can be used as an alternative treatment system for metal-polluted wastewater, especially in developing countries.
Prospective Study of Black-White Differences in Food Insufficiency Among Homebound Elders

Objective: This study examines race differences in the association of sociodemographic and health-related characteristics with change in food sufficiency status over 1 year in homebound older adults.Method: Using sociodemographic and health-related data collected during two in-home assessments as part of the North Carolina Nutrition and Function Study, logistic regression models (binary and nominal outcomes) adjusted for covariates and examined the characteristics associated with 1-year change in risk (RFI) and presence (FI) of food insufficiency among a random sample of 268 home-delivered meals participants.Results: Not having enough money for food and having to prepare cheaper and smaller meals was associated with increased RFI and FI at 1 year; having to borrow money for food, loss of food stamps, and inadequate income increased the odds among Whites, and increased medication use among Blacks.Discussion: The findings suggest that race, independent of other characteristics, is associated with diminished food sufficiency over 1 year.
Treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder with sertraline during the luteal phase: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.

BACKGROUND The authors designed a randomized, double-blind, crossover study to assess the efficacy of sertraline in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) when given only during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. METHOD Thirty-one subjects were selected for a 7-month study period that included an initial 2 months of screening, 2 months of treatment with placebo or sertraline, 1 washout month, and 2 months of crossover treatment with either placebo or sertraline. Eleven subjects completed the study. Symptoms were monitored with daily reports using the Calendar of Premenstrual Experience (COPE). For each study phase, premenstrual COPE scores (7 days prior to menses) were examined using repeated measures analysis of variance. Scores were logarithmically transformed. Comparison of baseline scores between the luteal and follicular phases was examined using the paired t test. RESULTS Analysis of COPE results during the treatment periods of the luteal phase showed a significant treatment effect, with higher scores during the placebo cycles compared with the sertraline-treated cycles (p = .0052 behavioral, p = .014 physical). CONCLUSION This study is the first to demonstrate a significant response to a serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor used only during the luteal phase. The authors point out the importance of this finding both in terms of economic cost of patients as well as how it may add to the growing understanding of the etiology of PMDD.
Employment integration barriers: experiences of people with disabilities

Abstract People with disabilities experience barriers in the integration phase of employment. The aim of this article was to examine the experiences of people with disabilities relating to job application forms and advertisements, interviews, confidentiality and disclosure of disability, as well as medical and psychometric testing. Qualitative data on the barriers experienced were obtained from semi-structured interviews with 72 people with differing disabilities in South Africa. Findings showed that despite progressive legislation, people with disabilities experience barriers in the integration phase of employment. To prevent barriers to employment, advertisements, application forms, interview venues and interview questions need to be accessible and appropriate for people with disabilities. In addition, the selection criteria and medical and psychometric testing used need to be appropriate and non-discriminatory. Insights from this qualitative article can assist in preventing employment integration barriers. This in turn will have an influence on human resource managers’ hiring of people with disabilities, employers’ meeting their employment equity targets, being viewed as an employer of choice who values diversity and having productive employees and a low staff turnover.
Skeletal Class III and Anterior Open Bite Treatment with Different Retention Protocols: A Report of Three Cases

The treatment of skeletal class III and anterior open bite can be unstable and orthodontists frequently observe relapse. Here, we report on the management of three patients with skeletal class III profiles and open bites treated by orthodontic camouflage. Each received a retention protocol involving the use of two separate appliances during the night and day accompanied by myofunctional therapy. Long-term follow-up revealed a stable outcome.
Characterization of mesenchymal stromal cells derived from full-term umbilical cord blood.

BACKGROUND Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are of interest for their potential to repair bone and cartilage, and also their immunosuppressive properties. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is reported to contain MSC, and therefore may be a useful source of these cells for clinical applications. METHODS We evaluated protocols for isolating MSC from UCB and characterized the surface phenotype, differentiation potential and immunoregulatory properties of the cells obtained. RESULTS Ten of 25 UCB units processed yielded MSC-like colonies, with depletion of lineage+ cells providing a higher efficiency. Only two of the cultures could be expanded satisfactorily; the remainder failed to proliferate. One culture generated transformed lines that were grossly aneuploid, had up-regulated TERT transcripts and had lost CD90 expression and the capacity to differentiate. The two propagated UCB-MSC lines were similar to those from bone marrow but were not identical to each other, with differences seen in expression of surface markers and cytoskeletal proteins. Both underwent osteogenesis, but at different rates and to different degrees, while neither generated adipocytes. When added as a third party to a mixed lymphocyte culture, both suppressed proliferation. DISCUSSION MSC-like cells can be isolated from UCB, but at low efficiencies, and they exhibit a variety of morphologies, growth rates and differentiation potentials and can transform in culture.