Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thymocyte Selection Regulates the Homeostasis of IL-7–Expressing Thymic Cortical Epithelial Cells In Vivo

Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) help orchestrate thymopoiesis, and TEC differentiation relies on bidirectional interactions with thymocytes. Although the molecular mediators that stimulate medullary thymic epithelial cell (mTEC) maturation are partially elucidated, the signals that regulate cortical thymic epithelial cell (cTEC) homeostasis remain elusive. Using IL-7 reporter mice, we show that TECs coexpressing high levels of IL-7 (Il7YFP+ TECs) reside within a subset of CD205+Ly51+CD40low cTECs that coexpresses Dll4, Ccl25, Ccrl1, Ctsl, Psmb11, and Prss16 and segregates from CD80+CD40high mTECs expressing Tnfrsf11a, Ctss, and Aire. As the frequency of Il7YFP+ TECs gradually declines as mTEC development unfolds, we explored the relationship between Il7YFP+ TECs and mTECs. In thymic organotypic cultures, the thymocyte-induced reduction in Il7YFP+ TECs dissociates from the receptor activator of NF-κB–mediated differentiation of CD80+ mTECs. Still, Il7YFP+ TECs can generate some CD80+ mTECs in a stepwise differentiation process via YFP−Ly51lowCD80low intermediates. Il7YFP+ TECs are sustained in Rag2−/− mice, even following in vivo anti-CD3ε treatment that mimics the process of pre-TCR β-selection of thymocytes to the double positive (DP) stage. Using Marilyn-Rag2−/− TCR transgenic, we find that positive selection into the CD4 lineage moderately reduces the frequency of Il7YFP+ TECs, whereas negative selection provokes a striking loss of Il7YFP+ TECs. These results imply that the strength of MHC/peptide–TCR interactions between TECs and thymocytes during selection constitutes a novel rheostat that controls the maintenance of IL-7–expressing cTECs.
Relación existente entre el tamaño del seno frontal con los estadios de maduración ósea

La edad osea ha sido diagnosticada por diversos medios radiograficos, los principales son los analisis que se aplican a las radiografias carpales, ademas de estos, se encuentran los analisis de vertebras cervicales y recientemente los del seno frontal. Estos ultimos, observados en la radiografia para cefalometria lateral. Se realizo un estudio observacional comparativo en 100 pacientes mexicanos entre 8 y 16 anos, del Servicio de Ortodoncia del Hospital Infantil de Mexico. A todos se les tomo una radiografia carpal de la mano izquierda y un cefalograma lateral. Se clasificaron segun los nueve estadios del analisis de Bjork, se trazaron y midieron los senos frontales segun el metodo de Erturk. El largo del seno frontal fue la medicion que ofrecio mayor significancia. No se observaron diferencias importantes entre generos. Se dividieron los nueve estadios en tres etapas denominadas A, B y C. Los promedios del largo del seno frontal en la etapa A, correspondiente a los estadios I, II y III de Bjork, fueron de 24 mm. La etapa B involucro a los estadios del IV al VIII, con promedio de 26 mm y la etapa C que correspondio al estadio IX, registro como promedio 27.9 mm. Este estudio sugiere que el seno frontal es una estructura confiable al momento de relacionarla con los estadios de maduracion, sin embargo aun no puede sustituir a la radiografia carpal y sus analisis.
The Effect of High-Intensity Trunk Exercise on Bone Mineral Density of Postmenopausal Women

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a 1-year trunk resistive exercise program on bone mineral density at the lumbar spine and hip in postmenopausal women. Forty-nine subjects were divided into exercise and control groups. Dual photon absorptiometry was used to measure bone mineral density and the Muscle Examination and Exercise Dosimeter 3000 system was used to assess trunk muscle strength. Resistive exercise target levels for the exercise group were based on the results of the trunk muscle strength tests. The exercise group performed 3 sets of 10 repetitions for each of the sit-up, prone trunk extension, and double leg flexion exercises. The subjects were seen once per month and performed the exercises a minimum of three times per week. The bone mineral density and strength tests were done at baseline, at 6 months and at 12 months. The results of the study showed that 1) the dual photon absorptiometry method and the Muscle Examination and Exercise Dosimeter 3000 system were highly reliable in measuring bone mineral density and trunk muscle strength, respectively; and 2) no significant differences were found between the exercise and control groups at lumbar vertebrae L2, L3, L4, L2-L4, and the femoral neck, Ward's triangle, and trochanteric region of the proximal femur at baseline, 6-month, and 12-month evaluation sessions.
Suicide with, and because of, cocaine.

To the Editor. —The proliferation of cocaine abuse has engendered an increase in deaths, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and treatment programs. However, suicide with cocaine as the toxic agent has not yet, to my knowledge, been reported in the United States. In the past two years, two deaths from intentional intravenous cocaine use have been studied by autopsy by the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator. In each case, notes at the scene indicated that the primary reason for suicide was addiction to cocaine. Report of Cases. —Case 1. —A 25-year-old college student was found dead in his room, accompanied by insulin syringes, a spoon, and a piece of formed white granular material. The autopsy disclosed multiple fresh and healing intravenous injection sites involving both antecubital fossae, forearms, dorsal feet, and the medial ankles. A suicide note began, "I'm real sorry I had to do this but I
Conformational change of the coronavirus peplomer glycoprotein at pH 8.0 and 37 degrees C correlates with virus aggregation and virus-induced cell fusion

We have obtained biochemical and electron microscopic evidence of conformational changes at pH 8.0 and 37 degrees C in the coronavirus spike glycoprotein E2 (S). The importance of these changes is reflected in the loss of virus infectivity, the aggregation of virions, and increased virus-induced cell fusion at the same pH. Coronavirus (MHV-A59) infectivity is exquisitely sensitive to pH. The virus was quite stable at pH 6.0 and 37 degrees C (half-life, approximately 24 h) but was rapidly and irreversibly inactivated by brief treatment at pH 8.0 and 37 degrees C (half-life, approximately 30 min). Virions treated at pH 8.0 and 37 degrees C formed clumps and large aggregates. With virions treated at pH 8.0 and 37 degrees C, the amino-terminal peptide E2N (or S1) was released from virions and the remaining peptide, E2C (S2), was aggregated. Viral spikes isolated from detergent-treated virions also aggregated at pH 8.0 and 37 degrees C. Loss of virus infectivity and E2 (S) aggregation at pH 8.0 and 37 degrees C were markedly enhanced in the presence of dithiothreitol. On the basis of the effects of dithiothreitol on the reactions of the peplomer, we propose that release of E2N (S1) and aggregation of E2C (S2) may be triggered by rearrangement of intramolecular disulfide bonds. The aggregation of virions and the isolated E2 (S) glycoprotein at pH 8.0 and 37 degrees C or following treatment with guanidine and urea at pH 6.0 and 37 degrees C indicate that an irreversible conformational change has been induced in the peplomer glycoprotein by these conditions. It is interesting that coronavirus-induced cell fusion also occurred under mildly alkaline conditions and at 37 degrees C. Some enveloped viruses, including influenza viruses and alphaviruses, show conformational changes of spike glycoproteins at a low pH, which correlates with fusion and penetration of those viruses in acidified endocytic vesicles. For coronavirus MHV-A59, comparable conformational change of the spike glycoprotein E2 (S) and cell fusion occurred at a mildly alkaline condition, suggesting that coronavirus infection-penetration, like that of paramyxoviruses and lentiviruses, may occur at the plasma membrane, rather than within endocytic vesicles.
Formulation and Solution of th-Order Derivative Fuzzy Integrodifferential Equation Using New Iterative Method with a Reliable Algorithm

The nth-order derivative fuzzy integro-differential equation in parametric form is converted to its crisp form, and then the new iterative method with a reliable algorithm is used to obtain an approximate solution for this crisp form. The analysis is accompanied by numerical examples which confirm efficiency and power of this method in solving fuzzy integro-differential equations.
An Analysis of Youth Participation in Athletics

School athletics has a significant impact on the development of youth. This study is an exploration of the differences between youth who participate in school athletics and those who do not. Specifically, the study examined youth academic performance and behavior referrals, and variables such as grade level, age, gender, and ethnicity. In addition, the study examined whether or not there was a relationship between participation in the school’s free or reduced lunch program and athletic participation. To determine the differences and relationships of youth that participate in school athletics and those who do not participate, an existing dataset of 4,078 students was used from a mid-sized Midwestern school district. The data was provided from a local nonprofit organization that gathers data from the school district and offers the data to other nonprofit organizations to measure participant outcomes. The study found that there was a significant difference between youth who participate in school athletics and those who do not based on academic performance (GPA), behavior referrals, age and grade level. The study found that there was a significant relationship between youth who participate in school athletics and those who do not based on participation in the school’s free or reduced lunch program and their ethnicity. There was no significant relationship between youth who participate in school athletics and those who do not based on gender. The results suggest that youth should be actively involved with school athletics because the findings have demonstrated to have a significant impact on the study participant’s GPA and behavior. A reason that this may occur is athletes may be held to a higher standard by their coaches because if they do not achieve a certain grade or they are misbehaving, then they may not be able to participate in athletics. AN ANALYSIS OF YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN ATHLETICS A Thesis Submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts Jonathan Wayne Klein University of Northern Iowa May 2017
Procedural Animation Generation Technology of Virtual Fish Flock

Flocking refers to the collective and coherent motion of a large group of animals. In this paper, a procedural animation generation technology of virtual fish flock is described. In our work, each animated character, symbolized by fish, is implemented as an independent actor that navigates according to its local perception of the environment. Motion of the actor obeys the laws of simulated physics, and a set of behaviors are programmed into it by the animator. Flocking behaviors of separation, alignment and cohesion are be recreated. As such, there is no need to script the motions of each individual fish. These kinds of systems are commonly employed when constructing a large-scale battle or a herd of animals. With this work, we are able to simulate flocking behavior using autonomous agents with simple movement rules.
Orbital Lymphangioma: Case Report and Management Paradigms

Abstract Introduction Lymphangioma is a rare congenital vascular malformation of the head and neck region isolated from the systemic circulation. It has a benign etiology, and represents 1–3% of all orbital tumors. These hamartomas often present in the pediatric population with a slightly female predilection. They have a lymphocytic composition, and may increase in size with episodes of viral infection, causing proptosis. Discussion The management of this lesion is controversial, hardly curative, and depends on the clinical presentation. The treatment options include partial surgical resection of the major cyst, needle aspiration, surgical debulking, systemic steroids, sildenafil, intralesional injection of the sclerosing agents, and local radiotherapy. Case Report In the present report, we describe an uncommon case of lymphangioma in a 6-year-old female who was first submitted to neurosurgery for tumor resection and received sildenafil therapy later, with promising results. Conclusion The treatment of orbital lymphangiomas remains a controversial topic, and the use of sildenafil along with needle aspiration and microsurgical removal is a viable option of treatment. However, many issues, such as the ideal duration of the therapy, the dosage regimen and the recurrence rate, still remain unclear. Our case report adds promising data on this pathology, even though larger trials are needed to properly elucidate the remaining questions.
Identification of physical parameters of a synchronous Generator from online measurements

A new method to determine physical parameters of a synchronous generator based on an online measurement of the electrical power, terminal voltage, and field voltage, following a small perturbation of the field voltage, and the rotor angle at the same steady-state operating condition is described in this paper. A multivariable linear transfer function, identified using the sampled input-output data, is converted to the parameters of the Heffron-Phillips model. Using the relations of the Heffron-Phillips parameters with the physical parameters, the physical parameters are estimated. These estimated parameters are then used in a nonlinear structure to model the synchronous generator. Experimental results with the proposed method applied to a micromachine show good accuracy of the model and also show that the identified nonlinear model is valid at other operating conditions. At dramatically different operating conditions, however, to include the effects of unstructured nonlinearities such as magnetic saturation, the parameters of the nonlinear structure can be slightly adjusted for better performance.
Cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen‐4 inhibits GATA‐3 but not T‐bet mRNA expression during T helper cell differentiation

Naive CD4+ T‐cell differentiation to T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells is dependent on T‐bet and GATA‐3 factors, respectively. T‐bet and GATA‐3, indeed, through chromatin remodelling allow transcriptional activation of Ifnγ and Th2 cytokine (Il4, Il5, Il13) genes, respectively. We investigated the effects of the negative costimulatory receptor cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4) on GATA‐3 and T‐bet mRNA expression and Th cell differentiation in mouse naive CD4+ T cells. Our results show that CTLA‐4 inhibits GATA‐3 mRNA expression and Th2 cell differentiation. At variance, CTLA‐4 does not affect T‐bet mRNA expression and Th1 cell differentiation. GATA‐3 mRNA expression is inhibited when CD4+ cells are stimulated under both neutral (i.e. absence of cytokines) and Th2‐polarizing (i.e. presence of interleukin (IL)‐4) conditions, the effect being larger under the latter condition. Hence CTLA‐4 might affect the IL‐4/signal transducer and activator of transcription‐6 (STAT6) pathway leading to GATA‐3 mRNA up‐regulation. We found, indeed, that CTLA‐4 engagement inhibits STAT6 activation leaving unaffected the STAT6 protein level. Moreover, CTLA‐4 engagement drastically inhibits IL‐4Rα mRNA and protein up‐regulation under Th2‐polarizing conditions. Thus, CTLA‐4 exerts a tight control on Th2 cell differentiation by negatively regulating both the CD3/CD28 and the IL‐4/STAT6 pathways.
Novel family‐based approaches to genetic risk in thrombosis

Summary. The genetic basis of thrombosis is complex, involving multiple genes and environmental factors. The field of common complex disease genetics has progressed enormously over the past 10 years with the development of powerful new molecular and analytical strategies that enable localization and identification of the causative genetic variants. During the course of these advances, a major paradigmatic change has been taking place that focuses on the genetic analysis of measurable quantitative traits that are correlated with disease risk vs. the previous emphasis on the analysis of the much less informative dichotomous disease trait. Because of their closer proximity to direct gene action, disease‐related quantitative phenotypes represent our best chance to identify the underlying quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that influence disease susceptibility. This approach works best when data can be collected on extended families. Unfortunately, family‐based designs are still relatively rare in thrombosis/hemostasis studies. In this review, we detail the reasons why the field would benefit from a more vigorous pursuit of modern family‐based genetic studies.
Nosema ceranae alters a highly conserved hormonal stress pathway in honeybees

Nosema ceranae, an emerging pathogen of the western honeybee (Apis mellifera), is implicated in recent pollinator losses and causes severe energetic stress. However, whether precocious foraging and accelerated behavioural maturation in infected bees are caused by the infection itself or via indirect energetic stress remains unknown. Using a combination of nutritional and infection treatments, we investigated how starvation and infection alters the regulation of adipokinetic hormone (AKH) and octopamine, two highly conserved physiological pathways that respond to energetic stress by mobilizing fat stores and increasing search activity for food. Although there was no response from AKH when bees were experimentally infected with N. ceranae or starved, supporting the notion that honeybees have lost this pathway, there were significant regulatory changes in the octopamine pathway. Significantly, we found no evidence of acute energetic stress being the only cause of symptoms associated with N. ceranae infection. Therefore, the parasite itself appears to alter regulatory components along a highly conserved physiological pathway in an infection‐specific manner. This indicates that pathogen‐induced behavioural alteration of chronically infected bees should not just be viewed as a coincidental short‐term by‐product of pathogenesis (acute energetic stress) and may be a result of a generalist manipulation strategy to obtain energy for reproduction.
The sera of spontaneously hypertensive rats contain agonistic auto-antibodies against the β1-radrenoceptor

Objective: To examine auto-antibodies in the sera of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and investigate the possibility of abnormalities of the immune system in those rats. Design: Blood samples were taken from 18-month-old SHR and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. The immunoglobulin fraction was prepared from the rat sera. Methods: Immunoglobulins were investigated in a sensitive biological test system using spontaneously beating neonatal rat heart myocytes. Results: Immunoglobulins prepared from the sera of the 18-month-old SHR increased the beating frequency of cultured rat heart myocytes. This positive chronotropic effect induced by the auto-antibody-containing immunoglobulin fraction was realized via the β1-adrenergic receptor. Conclusions: The sera of the investigated ageing SHR contain agonistic auto-antibodies directed against the β1-adrenoceptor. These anti-β-adrenoceptor antibodies in the SHR, like those in the sera of cardiomyopathic patients, recognize in most cases the second extracellular loop of the β1-adrenoceptor as the site of the antigenic determinant, and act in a similar way to the antibodies observed in the sera of cardiomyopathic patients. The present findings provide the opportunity of using ageing SHR as a model to investigate the development and possible pathogenic role of the agonistic auto-antibodies that recognize the β1-adrenoceptor.
COMO OS CASAIS EMPREENDEDORES CAPIXABAS INTERAGEM COM AS FRONTEIRAS ENTRE TRABALHO E LAR

No gerenciamento da vida pessoal e profissional ocorrem conflitos. Principalmente quando se trata de casais que trabalham na mesma empresa. Dessa forma, o objetivo foi identificar as taticas de manejo de fronteiras dos casais empreendedores capixabas que trabalham juntos. A metodologia utilizada foi qualitativa descritiva, atraves de entrevistas com 6 casais. O resultado mostrou que os casais capixabas conseguem administrar o conflito trabalho-lar. Foram identificadas sete principais taticas de gerenciamento de fronteiras.
Bullying in health care settings: time for a whole-of-system response.

Sadly, there is nothing new in reports of bullying in medical training and in health care settings. Reports and surveys over the years confirm as much, and many currently practising health care professionals will be able to relate their own experiences of bullying or harassment.1 Two recent events have once again brought this issue to the nation’s attention. The first event was triggered this year by an Australian doctor who revealed her experiences of sexual harassment within surgical training. The second event was the recent release of survey results on medical students’ experiences of bullying. Both events are shocking. Shocking because they reflect an underlying reality that no-one is denying, and shocking because hospitals and other organisations involved in the delivery of health care have cultures that allow and sustain bullying and harassment. Excuses can be made. The terms bullying and harassment are sometimes used loosely and not all behaviour that is labelled as such would really fit commonly used definitions. For example, an off-hand, one-off comment in a stressed situation can be interpreted by the recipient in a variety of ways. Hospitals and other health care settings are often highly pressured work environments with multiple staffing and financial stresses piling on top of inherently demanding and risky work. To survive in such environments, students and staff need to be tough and resilient, don’t they? But excuses are just that. The underlying reality is that bullying and harassment contribute to negative working, learning and healing environments and are absolutely and categorically not acceptable. We believe there may be a risk of a ‘cycle of violence’ as is seen in child-abuse. Many doctors teach in ways that they were taught: “a bit of ritual humiliation didn’t do me any harm”. The response should always be to support the ‘victim’, but we should not necessarily rush to condemn the ‘perpetrator’—the behaviour is unacceptable, but the instigator may also need understanding and support. The mildest-mannered, well-intentioned person can act in regrettable ways when they are placed in stressful, unsupported environments. We do not propose that we can achieve a utopian world where there are no disruptive or negative behaviours.2 We do propose, however, that wide ranging system-level responses will improve the learning and working environment. How can universities, professional organisations, hospitals, general practices and other health care organisations contribute?
Analysis and measurement of electric field distributions on the PCB built in a WLAN communication unit

The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is used to study electric field distributions on the printed circuit board (PCB) built in a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication unit. In simulations, the near-field FDTD method is used for the study. In the modeling of the PCB and WLAN communication unit, an equivalent material obtained by the effective material property technique is considered to model the metallic material and epoxy resin substrate of PCBs, cable, and air. Calculation results of electric field distributions on the PCB are presented and compared with those obtained from measurements.