Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Type III IFNs Are Produced by and Stimulate Human Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) are rare cells found in peripheral blood and lymphoid tissues. pDC are considered to be “professional” type I IFN-producing cells and produce 10- to 100-fold more IFN-α than other cell types in response to enveloped viruses or synthetic TLR7 and TLR9 agonists. In this study, purified pDC were found to express high levels of IFN-λ receptor mRNA, as well as cell-surface IFN-λ receptor. We have developed intracellular flow cytometry assays using Abs to IFN-λ1/3 or -λ2 to assess the expression of IFN-λ proteins by pDC. We observed that a subset of human pDC expresses only intracellular IFN-α, whereas another subset produces both IFN-α and IFN-λ after stimulation with virus or the TLR9 agonist, CpG A; the cells that coexpressed IFN-α and IFN-λ were the cells with the highest levels of IFN-α expression. Ab cross-linking of CD4 or CD303 molecules on pDC inhibited both HSV-induced IFN-λ and IFN-α production. Like the production of IFN-α, the HSV-induced IFN-λ production in pDC was mediated through TLR9 and independent of virus replication. Exogenous IFN-λ treatment of pDC resulted in increased virus-induced expression of both IFN-α and IFN-λ. In addition, both exogenous IFN-λ and -α inhibited dexamethasone-induced apoptosis of pDC. We conclude that pDC are major producers of IFN-λ1 and -λ2 in response to viral stimulation and also express functional receptors for this cytokine. Thus, IFN-λ can serve as an autocrine signal to strengthen the antiviral response of pDC by increasing IFN-α and IFN-λ production, resulting in prolonged pDC survival.
Comparison of vector normalization methods in multi-level speaker verification

In this article a text-independent speaker verification problem is considered. After the feature extraction, each conversation side has been represented as a vector in a fixed dimensional space. In order to reduce an influence of the lengths of utterances and also the channel properties, various vector normalization techniques have been selected from the literature, modified, and tested. Additionally, it is shown that if the vectors are transformed in such a way that they lie on the unit hypersphere, better numerical properties of the respective kernel matrices can be achieved. Finally, various normalization methods as well for continuous features (i.e., the cosine kernel, the variance normalization, the cosine similarity merged with the variance normalization, and the variance normalization merged with the spherical normalization) as for the discrete features (again the cosine kernel, the TFLOG, the TFLOG merged with the cosine similarity metric, and the TFLOG merged with the spherical normalization) are tested and compared in this article.
Stem Cell–Derived Tissue–Engineered Constructs for Hemilaryngeal Reconstruction

Objectives: As an initial step toward our goal of developing a completely tissue-engineered larynx, the aim of this study was to describe and compare three strategies of creating tissue-engineered muscle-polymer constructs for hemilaryngeal reconstruction. Methods: Cartilage-mimicking polymer was developed from electrospun poly(D,L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PCL). Primary muscle progenitor cell cultures were derived from syngeneic F344 rat skeletal muscle biopsies. Twenty F344 rats underwent resection of the outer hemilaryngeal cartilage with the underlying laryngeal adductor muscle. The defects were repaired with muscle stem cell–derived muscle–PCL constructs (5 animals), myotube-derived muscle–PCL constructs (5 animals), motor end plate–expressing muscle–PCL constructs (5 animals), or PCL alone (controls; 5 animals). The outcome measures at 1 month included animal survival, muscle thickness, and innervation status as determined by electromyography and immunohistochemistry. Results: All of the animals survived the 1-month implant period and had appropriate weight gain. The group that received motor end plate–expressing muscle–PCL constructs demonstrated the greatest muscle thickness and the strongest innervation, according to electromyographic activity and the percentage of motor end plates that had nerve contact. Conclusions: Although all of the tissue-engineered constructs provided effective reconstruction, those that expressed motor end plates before implantation yielded muscle that was more strongly innervated and viable. This finding suggests that this novel approach may be useful in the development of a tissue-engineered laryngeal replacement.
The Effect of Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction on Hindfoot Kinematics

This biomechanical study investigated the functional role of the posterior tibial tendon (PTT) in acquired flatfoot mechanics. Acquired flatfoot deformity has been attributed to PTT dysfunction; however, the progression from acute dysfunction to end-stage deformity has not been fully demonstrated. Eight human cadaver lower leg and foot specimens were used in two phases of experimental testing. In Phase 1, intact (normal) specimens were loaded to simulate (a) heel strike, (b) stance, and (c) heel rise both with and without PTT function. Then, each specimen was subjected to a procedure designed to create a simulated flatfoot deformity. The resulting flattened feet were used in Phase 2 to examine the effect of restoring PTT function to a flatfoot model. During both phases of testing, the 3-D kinematic orientation of the hindfoot complex was recorded. Small but statistically significant changes in the angular orientation of the hindfoot complex were observed, during both Phase 1 and 2 testing, when comparing the effects of a functional and dysfunctional PTT. The greatest angular changes were recorded during heel rise. For the normal foot, the small changes observed in the orientation of the hindfoot complex following release of the PTT load suggest that the intact osteo-ligamentous structure of the hindfoot is initially able to maintain normal alignment following acute PTT dysfunction. Once the soft tissues have been weakened, as in our flatfoot model, the PTT had little effect in overcoming the soft tissue laxity to correct the position of the foot.
Sleep-wake disturbances in people with cancer part I: an overview of sleep, sleep regulation, and effects of disease and treatment.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To provide an overview of normal sleep, describe common sleep disorders, and discuss underlying sleep regulatory processes and how cancer, cancer treatment, and associated patient responses may adversely affect sleep. DATA SOURCES Published peer-reviewed articles and textbooks. DATA SYNTHESIS The duration, structure, and timing of sleep have a profound impact on health, well-being, and performance. Patients with cancer may be at risk for disturbances in sleeping and waking resulting from disease- and nondisease-related circumstances that interfere with normal sleep regulation, including demographic, lifestyle, psychological, and disease- and treatment-related factors. CONCLUSIONS Patients with cancer are at high risk for sleep-wake disturbances. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING An understanding of normal sleep, sleep pathology, and the factors that can precipitate sleep disturbance provides a context for nurses to interpret sleep complaints in their patients, evaluate responses to sleep-promoting interventions, and guide decision making regarding referrals.
Pole–Zero Dynamics of High-Order Ring Resonator Filters

We present a pole-zero analysis, based on the transfer matrix method, for ring resonator (RR)-based filters of Type I and Type II, consisting of mutually coupled and side-coupled RRs. The pole-zero plot determines the filter spectral characteristics and is determined primarily by the coupling coefficient between the resonators. The pole-zero dynamics (or root locus) shows how the poles and zeros move in the complex frequency plane as we vary the coupling coefficient. We show that the pole-zero dynamics for the two types of filter are complementary and, furthermore, that the pole-zero plots are related to the conditions of critical coupling and oscillation in the presence of loss or gain. We also show a pole-zero analysis for the apodization of these filters based on an actively tunable Mach-Zehnder-type coupler, where it is shown that apodization corresponds to designing pole-zero pairs with wide separations, whereas the required bandwidth determines the specific values of the coupling coefficient.
Intrathecal hyperbaric or isobaric bupivacaine and ropivacaine with fentanyl for elective caesarean section

Objective. We aimed to investigate the efficacy of either plain or hyperbaric solutions of intrathecal bupivacaine and ropivacaine on maternal block characteristics, complications, side effects and neonatal parameters to find out which is superior in a single study. Methods. One hundred and three term parturients were randomly assigned to receive intrathecal 10 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine (Group Bh), 10 mg plain bupivacaine (Group Bp), 15 mg hyperbaric ropivacaine prepared with dextrose 30% (Group Rh) or 15 mg plain ropivacaine (Group Rp) coadministered with fentanyl 20 μg. Sensory and motor block characteristics, analgesia duration, ephedrine consumption, and neonatal and maternal parameters were recorded. Results. Time to maximum cephalad spread of sensory block was longer in Group Rp than both bupivacaine groups. Time to achieve sensory block at T6 dermatome was similar between both hyperbaric groups (Group Bh:4.5 ± 1.6, Group Rh:4.6 ± 1.1, p > 0.05) but Group Rp needed significantly longer time (7.5 ± 5.5 min, p = 0.003) than both hyperbaric groups. Duration of motor block was shorter in ropivacaine groups (Group Rh: 90.6 ± 17.3, Group Rp 121.6 ± 33.7) vs. bupivacaine groups (Group Bh: 140.2 ± 33.3, Group Bp: 149.7 ± 46.0); Group Rh being shorter than Group Rp (p < 0.05). Ephedrine consumption was less in Groups Rh (20.0 ± 11.9 mg) and Rp (18.3 ± 12.4 mg) vs. Groups Bh (30.0 ± 14.9 mg) and Bp (27.8 ± 15.4 mg) (p = 0.006). Conclusions. Intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine 15 mg with fentanyl 20 μg for CSE is suitable since it provides early motor recovery leading to faster patient ambulation, rapid onset of sensory block with less ephedrine.
Three Tensions in the Governance Of Science and Technology

This chapter suggests that the governance of science and technology is characterized by three sets of persistent tensions, namely the tension between the self-organization of S&T and the politics of purpose; the tension between hierarchy, network, or market forms of organizing interactions; and the tension between the role of citizens and that of scientific experts in the decisions about collective problems and their solutions. The main argument of this chapter is that these three tensions have become more intense during the past few decades, and that they reflect the overall move from government to governance. The main point is that during the past few decades there has been considerable multiplication and sophistication of the institutional arrangements that mediate and govern the three tensions mentioned above. Tensions that were once resolved in a rather straightforward and hierarchical way are now subject to many different co-existing and heterogeneous institutional arrangements that define solutions in complex, dynamic, and overlapping ways. The natural question that emerges from this is whether this multiplication and heterogeneity of institutional arrangements is having an impact on the effectiveness and legitimacy of S&T governance. Addressing this question would require a renewed research agenda for the social sciences cutting across strict disciplinary boundaries. The final section of this chapter suggests that such a renewed research agenda would need to focus on bringing forward a ‘systems’ approach to the study of effective S&T governance, and an empirical approach to the study of legitimate S&T governance.
Inverse relation of serum Helicobacter pylori antibody titres and extent of intestinal metaplasia.

AIMS: To clarify the relation between the serum titre of anti-Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) antibody and the extent of intestinal metaplasia of the gastric mucosa. METHODS: The serum anti-H pylori IgG titres of 95 asymptomatic individuals (mean age 65 years) undergoing an annual health examination were measured and compared with the extent of intestinal metaplasia (absent, moderate, or extensive), determined by examination of multiple endoscopic mucosal biopsy specimens. Serum pepsinogen I (PGI) levels, as a marker for gastric atrophy, were also measured. RESULTS: The prevalence of seropositivity for H pylori antibody was high (> 80%), regardless of the extent of metaplasia. However, there was a negative association between the extent of metaplasia and the anti-H pylori titre: 75% of the subjects in the group without metaplasia had high (3+) antibody levels, as did 43% with moderate, and 37% with extensive metaplasia (absent v extensive). The inverse relation between the titre and the extent of metaplasia was evident when examined in those with normal PGI (> 30 ng/ml), whereas no such relation was apparent in subjects with low PGI (< or = 30 ng/ml). CONCLUSIONS: The anti-H pylori titre correlates inversely with the extent of intestinal metaplasia, particularly in subjects with less marked gastric atrophy.
The Prediction of Chronicity in Patients With an Acute Attack of Low Back Pain in a General Practice Setting

Study Design. Three hundred patients, attending their general practitioners with attacks of acute low back pain, formed the subject population for a study of fear avoidance and other variables in the prediction of chronicity. Follow-up was at 2 and 12 months. Objective. The hypothesis to be tested was that evidence of psychological morbidity, particularly fear-avoidance behavior, would be manifest from the outset of the presenting attack in susceptible subjects. Summary of Background Data. While back pain is an almost universal human experience, only about 5% of sufferers seek medical advice. Most of these respond to conservative treatment. However, approximately 10% of those who experience an acute attack of low back pain go on to become chronic sufferers. Methods. Psychosocial and physiological data (including fear-avoidance measures) were collected from a sample of 300 acute low back pain patients within 1 week of presentation and at 2 months, to try to predict 12 month outcome. Results. Data analysis showed that subjects who had not recovered by 2 months were those who went on to become chronic low back pain patients (7.3%). Using multiple regression analyses, fear-avoidance variables were the most successful in predicting outcome. Using multiple discriminant function analyses, the results suggest that the outcome in terms of the future course of low back pain can be correctly classified in 66% from fear-avoidance variables alone and in 88% of patients from all variables. Conclusions. The results suggest that, at the earliest stage of low back pain, fear of pain should be identified by clinicians and, where this is severe, pain confrontation should arguably form part of the approach to treatment.
The prognostic value of soluble interleukin‐6 receptor in patients with multiple myeloma

The effect of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), the major growth factor for myeloma cells, may be enhanced by soluble IL‐6 receptor (sIL‐6R). Therefore, the current study investigated the clinical significance of serum sIL‐6R in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).
The incidence and natural history of knee osteoarthritis in the elderly. The Framingham Osteoarthritis Study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the incidence of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and symptomatic OA (symptoms plus radiographic OA), as well as the rate of progression of preexisting radiographic OA in a population-based sample of elderly persons. METHODS Framingham Osteoarthritis Study subjects who had knee radiographs and had answered questions about knee symptoms in 1983-1985 were reexamined in 1992-1993 (mean 8.1-year interval) using the same protocol. Subjects were defined as having new (incident) radiographic OA if they developed grade > or = 2 OA (at least definite osteophytes or definite joint space narrowing). New symptomatic OA was present if subjects developed a combination of knee symptoms and grade > or = 2 OA. Progressive OA was diagnosed when radiographs showing grade 2 disease at baseline showed grade > or = 3 disease on followup. RESULTS Of 1,438 participants in the original study, 387 (26.9%) died prior to followup. Of the 1,051 surviving subjects, 869 (82.7%) participated in the followup study (mean +/- SD age 70.8 +/- 5.0 at baseline). Rates of incident disease were 1.7 times higher in women than in men (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-2.7), and progressive disease occurred slightly more often in women (relative risk = 1.4; 95% CI 0.8-2.5) but rates did not vary by age in this sample. Among women, approximately 2% per year developed incident radiographic disease, 1% per year developed symptomatic knee OA, and about 4% per year experienced progressive knee OA. CONCLUSION In elderly persons, the new onset of knee OA is frequent and is more common in women than men. However, among the elderly, age may not affect new disease occurrence or progression.
Pathology Versus Statistical Infrequency: Potential Sources of Gender Bias in Personality Disorder Criteria

The antisocial, narcissistic, dependent, histrionic, and borderline personality disorders often obtain differential sex prevalence rates. One explanation has been that the diagnostic criteria for these personality disorders have different gender implications for maladaptivity (e.g., perhaps the dependent personality disorder diagnostic criteria are considered by clinicians to be more pathological for women than for men). This hypothesis was explored in two studies that obtained judgments by professional clinicians of the maladaptivity and statistical infrequency of personality disorder diagnostic criteria. Significant differences across gender were obtained for the frequency of diagnostic criteria but not for their maladaptivity. The personality disorder diagnostic criteria appear to be gender neutral with respect to their implications for maladaptivity.
The Serum and Urinary Cortisol Response to Operative Trauma

Serum and urinary cortisol levels were monitored throughout the perioperative period in eight patients who underwent elective extensive general surgical procedures. Significant elevations of serum cortisol levels occurred four and eight hours after anesthetic induction and were reflected by elevated urinary cortisol production on the day of operation. Cortisol serum levels and urinary production rapidly returned toward normal as all subsequent measurements were insignificantly different from preoperative values. Adrenal gland stimulation resulting from general surgical procedures is intense but short-lived.
Correlation of the EGF-receptor with cell kinetic and classical prognostic factors in breast cancer.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) is a specific cell membrane receptor that shows homology to the product of the oncogene c-erbB2 in human breast cancer. Growth factors bound to the EGFR are able to stimulate the growth of tumor cells in an autocrine or paracrine manner. Our objective was to examine whether there is a relationship between EGFR, cell kinetic prognostic factors (ploidy, proliferation-antigen Ki67) and classical prognostic factors (hormone receptors, menopausal status, nodal status) in breast cancer. METHODS EGFR was assayed in tumor tissue of 55 patients with breast cancer using an ELISA, the ploidy-status was evaluated by image analysis and Ki67 was determined by immune histochemistry. Estrogen- (ER) and Progesterone-Receptor (PR)-concentrations were quantified using a radioligand assay. RESULTS There was a significant positive correlation between the EGFR and the cell kinetic prognostic factors: EGFR positive tumors were significantly-more often aneuploid and Ki67-positive. In addition there was an inverse association between EGFR- and ER-concentration, but no association between EGFR and PR. The EGFR did not correlate with the nodal and the menopausal status. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed associations between EGFR, ER, Ki67 and ploidy. Whether these correlations can help to predict the course of disease, providing further information in addition to the conventional factors (nodal status, steroid hormone receptors etc.) has to be investigated by several years of clinical follow up.
Association between ocular dominance and spherical/astigmatic anisometropia, age, and sex: analysis of 10,264 myopic individuals.

PURPOSE To determine the association between ocular dominance and spherical or astigmatic anisometropia, age, and sex. METHODS Medical records of 10,264 myopic refractive surgery candidates were filtered. Ocular dominance was assessed with the hole-in-the-card test. Manifest refractive error was measured in each subject and correlated to ocular dominance. Only subjects with corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of >20/22 in each eye were enrolled, to exclude amblyopia. Associations between ocular dominance and refractive state were analyzed by means of the t-test, χ(2) test, Spearman correlation, and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Right and left eye ocular dominance was noted in 61.7% and 35.6% of the individuals. Ocular dominance had no significant impact on SE refraction in subjects with SE or cylindrical anisometropia <0.5 D. For anisometropia >2.5 D (n = 278) the nondominant eye was more myopic in 63.7% (SE -5.8 ± 2.64 D) compared to 36.3% (-4.69 ± 2.39 D; P < 0.001; adjusted P (Padj) < 0.001) for the dominant eye being more myopic. Nondominant eyes showed higher astigmatic power than dominant eyes (-0.95 ± 0.91 D versus -0.89 ± 0.84 D; P < 0.001). For astigmatic anisometropia >2.5 D, nondominant eyes exhibited a higher amount of astigmatism in 75% of subjects. Nondominant eyes of subjects <29 years and 30 to 39 years of age had a significantly higher astigmatic power than did dominant eyes of the same age group. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to previous reports, this study, including myopic refractive surgery candidates, revealed that the nondominant eye was more myopic for SE anisometropia >2.5 and more astigmatic for cylindrical anisometropia >0.5 D.