Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Trickster in Disguise: Hyaluronan’s Ambivalent Roles in the Matrix

Hyaluronan (HA) is a simple but diverse glycosaminoglycan. It plays a major role in aging, cellular senescence, cancer, and tissue homeostasis. In which way HA affects the surrounding tissues greatly depends on the molecular weight of HA. Whereas high molecular weight HA is associated with homeostasis and protective effects, HA fragments tend to be linked to the pathologic state. Furthermore, the interaction of HA with its binding partners, the hyaladherins, such as CD44, is essential for sustaining tissue integrity and is likewise related to cancer. The naked mole rat, a rodent species, possesses a special form of very high molecular weight (vHMW) HA, which is associated with the extraordinary cancer resistance and longevity of those animals. This review addresses HA and its diverse facets: from HA synthesis to degradation, from oligomeric HA to vHMW-HA and from its beneficial properties to the involvement in pathologies. We further discuss the functions of HA in the naked mole rat and compare them to human conditions. Though intensively researched, this simple polymer bears some secrets that may hold the key for a better understanding of cellular processes and the development of diseases, such as cancer.
Citrate‐mediated increase in the uptake of weathered 2,2‐bis(p‐chlorophenyl)1,1‐dichloroethylene residues by plants

Experiments were conducted to determine the ability of citrate to enhance the plant uptake of weathered 2,2‐bis(p‐chlorophenyl) 1,1‐dichloroethylene (p,pǐ‐DDE) from soil. Plots containing three rows of clover, mustard, hairy vetch, or rye grass were constructed in soils containing p,pǐ‐DDE. On 11 occasions, the rows of each crop received water or sodium citrate (0.005 or 0.05 M). For each crop, there were significant reductions in p,pǐ‐DDE concentration in the soil fractions (near root and rhizosphere) closely associated with the plant versus bulk soil. The roots of each crop accumulated 2 to 5 times more of the weathered contaminant (dry wt) than present in the bulk soil. Citrate (0.05 M) increased the concentration of p,pǐ‐DDE in the roots of clover, mustard, and hairy vetch by 39% compared with vegetation that received water. In batch desorption studies, the release of weathered p,pǐ‐DDE was significantly greater in the presence of 0.05 M citrate than in water. Citrate increased the extracted aqueous concentrations of five metal ions (Al, Fe, Ca, K, Mn) from soil by five‐ to 23‐fold over distilled water. We hypothesize that citrate physically disrupts the soil through chelation of structural metal ions and release of bound humic material, facilitating p,pǐ‐DDE availability and uptake by plants.
Glycolytic flux is conditionally correlated with ATP concentration in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a chemostat study under carbon- or nitrogen-limiting conditions

Anaerobic and aerobic chemostat cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were performed at a constant dilution rate of 0.10 h(-1). The glucose concentration was kept constant, whereas the nitrogen concentration was gradually decreasing; i.e., the conditions were changed from glucose and energy limitation to nitrogen limitation and energy excess. This experimental setup enabled the glycolytic rate to be separated from the growth rate. There was an extensive uncoupling between anabolic energy requirements and catabolic energy production when the energy source was present in excess both aerobically and anaerobically. To increase the catabolic activity even further, experiments were carried out in the presence of 5 mM acetic acid or benzoic acid. However, there was almost no effect with acetate addition, whereas both respiratory (aerobically) and fermentative activities were elevated in the presence of benzoic acid. There was a strong negative correlation between glycolytic flux and intracellular ATP content; i.e., the higher the ATP content, the lower the rate of glycolysis. No correlation could be found with the other nucleotides tested (ADP, GTP, and UTP) or with the ATP/ADP ratio. Furthermore, a higher rate of glycolysis was not accompanied by an increasing level of glycolytic enzymes. On the contrary, the glycolytic enzymes decreased with increasing flux. The most pronounced reduction was obtained for HXK2 and ENO1. There was also a correlation between the extent of carbohydrate accumulation and glycolytic flux. A high accumulation was obtained at low glycolytic rates under glucose limitation, whereas nitrogen limitation during conditions of excess carbon and energy resulted in more or less complete depletion of intracellular storage carbohydrates irrespective of anaerobic or aerobic conditions. However, there was one difference in that glycogen dominated anaerobically whereas under aerobic conditions, trehalose was the major carbohydrate accumulated. Possible mechanisms which may explain the strong correlation between glycolytic flux, storage carbohydrate accumulation, and ATP concentrations are discussed.
Identification of CCR6, the Specific Receptor for a Novel Lymphocyte-directed CC Chemokine LARC*

Liver andactivation-regulated chemokine (LARC) is a recently identified CC chemokine that is expressed mainly in the liver. LARC functions as a selective chemoattractant for lymphocytes that express a class of receptors specifically binding to LARC with high affinity. To identifiy the receptor for LARC, we examined LARC-induced calcium mobilization in cells stably expressing five CC chemokine receptors (CCR1-CCR5) and five orphan seven-transmembrane receptors. LARC specifically induced calcium flux in K562 cells as well as 293/EBNA-1 cells stably expressing an orphan receptor GPR-CY4. LARC induced migration in 293/EBNA-1 cells stably expressing GPR-CY4 with a bi-modal dose-response curve. LARC fused with secreted alkaline phosphatase (LARC-SEAP) bound specifically to Raji cells stably expressing GPR-CY4 with a K d of 0.9 nm. Only LARC but not five other CC chemokines (MCP-1, RANTES, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and TARC) competed with LARC-SEAP for binding to GPR-CY4. By Northern blot analysis, GPR-CY4 mRNA was expressed mainly in speen, lymph nodes, Appendix, and fetal liver among various human tissues. Among various leukocyte subsets, GPR-CY4 mRNA was detected in lymphocytes (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and B cells) but not in natural killer cells, monocytes, or granulocytes. Expression of GPR-CY4 mRNA in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was strongly up-regulated by IL-2. Taken together, GPR-CY4 is the specific receptor for LARC expressed selectively on lymphocytes, and LARC is a unique functional ligand for GPR-CY4. We propose GPR-CY4 to be designated as CCR6.
CD133+ Cancer Stem Cell–like Cells Derived from Uterine Carcinosarcoma (Malignant Mixed Müllerian Tumor)

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) that display tumor‐initiating properties have recently been identified. CD133, a surface glycoprotein linked to organ‐specific stem cells, has been described as a marker of CSCs in different tumor types. We herein identify and characterize CSCs in human uterine carcinosarcoma (malignant mixed Müllerian tumor), which is one of the most aggressive and therapy‐resistant gynecological malignancies and is considered to be of mesodermal origin. The CD133+ population was increased in uterine carcinosarcoma, and this population showed biphasic properties in the primary tumor. CD133+ cells predominantly formed spheres in culture and were able to differentiate into mesenchymal lineages. CD133+ cells were more resistant to cisplatin/paclitaxel‐induced cytotoxicity in comparison with CD133− cells. A real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis of the genes implicated in stem cell maintenance revealed that CD133+ cells express significantly higher levels of Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, and Bmi1 than CD133− cells. Moreover, CD133+ cells showed a high expression level of Pax2 and Wnt4, which are genes essential for Müllerian duct formation. These CD133+ cells form serially transplantable tumors in vivo and the resulting CD133+ tumors replicated the EpCAM, vimentin, and estrogen and progesterone receptor expression of the parent tumor, indicating that CSCs likely differentiated into cells comprising the uterine carcinosarcoma tissue. Moreover, strong CD133 expression in both epithelial and mesenchymal elements in primary tumor demonstrated significant prognostic value. These findings suggest that CD133+ cells have the characteristics of CSCs and Müllerian mesenchymal progenitors. STEM CELLS 2011;29:1485–1495
Clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of an air suspension bed in the prevention of pressure ulcers.

OBJECTIVE To determine, in critically ill patients at risk, both the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of using an air suspension bed in the prevention of pressure ulcers. DESIGN Randomized, parallel group, controlled clinical trial with accompanying cost-effectiveness analysis. SETTING 30-bed multidisciplinary intensive care unit. PATIENTS 100 consecutive patients at risk for the development of pressure ulcers randomly assigned to receive treatment on either an air suspension bed or a standard intensive care unit bed. Patients considered at risk were those at least 17 years of age with an Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score greater than 15 who had an expected intensive care unit stay of at least 3 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The development of pressure ulcers by site and severity and the costs associated with each of the two programs. RESULTS The air suspension bed was associated with fewer patients developing single, multiple, or severe pressure ulcers. In patients at risk, the use of an air suspension bed in the prevention of pressure ulcers was a cost-effective therapy. CONCLUSIONS Despite intense nursing care, pressure ulcers are more prevalent in the critically ill patient population than in the general hospital population. Air suspension therapy provides a clinically effective means of preventing pressure ulcers in these patients. In patients at risk, air suspension therapy was a cost-effective means of managing pressure ulcers compared with the standard hospital bed.
Variations in rotation of the aortic root and membranous septum with implications for transcatheter valve implantation

Objective It is intuitive to suggest that knowledge of the variation in the anatomy of the aortic root may influence the outcomes of transcatheter implantation of the aortic valve (TAVI). We have now assessed such variation. Methods We used 26 specimens of normal hearts and 78 CT data sets of adults with a mean age of 64±15 years to measure the dimensions of the membranous septum and to assess any influence played by rotation of the aortic root, inferring the relationship to the atrioventricular conduction axis. Results The aortic root was positioned centrally in the majority of both cohorts, although with significant variability. For the cadaveric hearts, 14 roots were central (54%), 4 clockwise-rotated (15%) and 8 counterclockwise-rotated (31%). In the adult CT cohort, 44 were central (56%), 21 clockwise-rotated (27%) and 13 counterclockwise-rotated (17%). A mean angle of 15.5° was measured relative to the right fibrous trigone in the adult CT cohort, with a range of −32° to 44.7°. The dimensions of the membranous septum were independent of rotation. Fibrous continuity between the membranous septum and the right fibrous trigone increased with counterclockwise to clockwise rotation, implying variation in the relationship to the atrioventricular conduction axis. Conclusions The central fibrous body is wider, providing greater fibrous support, in the setting of clockwise rotation of the aortic root. Individuals with this pattern may be more vulnerable to conduction damage following TAVI. Knowledge of such variation may prove invaluable for risk stratification.
SVM Active Learning Approach for Image Classification Using Spatial Information

In the last few years, active learning has been gaining growing interest in the remote sensing community in optimizing the process of training sample collection for supervised image classification. Current strategies formulate the active learning problem in the spectral domain only. However, remote sensing images are intrinsically defined both in the spectral and spatial domains. In this paper, we explore this fact by proposing a new active learning approach for support vector machine classification. In particular, we suggest combining spectral and spatial information directly in the iterative process of sample selection. For this purpose, three criteria are proposed to favor the selection of samples distant from the samples already composing the current training set. In the first strategy, the Euclidean distances in the spatial domain from the training samples are explicitly computed, whereas the second one is based on the Parzen window method in the spatial domain. Finally, the last criterion involves the concept of spatial entropy. Experiments on two very high resolution images show the effectiveness of regularization in spatial domain for active learning purposes.
Development and implementation of a balanced scorecard in an academic hospitalist group.

BACKGROUND Academic hospitalist groups (AHGs) are often expected to excel in multiple domains: quality improvement, patient safety, education, research, administration, and clinical care. To be successful, AHGs must develop strategies to balance their energies, resources, and performance. The balanced scorecard (BSC) is a strategic management system that enables organizations to translate their mission and vision into specific objectives and metrics across multiple domains. To date, no hospitalist group has reported on BSC implementation. We set out to develop a BSC as part of a strategic planning initiative. METHODS Based on a needs assessment of the University of California, San Francisco, Division of Hospital Medicine, mission and vision statements were developed. We engaged representative faculty to develop strategic objectives and determine performance metrics across 4 BSC perspectives. RESULTS There were 41 metrics identified, and 16 were chosen for the initial BSC. It allowed us to achieve several goals: 1) present a broad view of performance, 2) create transparency and accountability, 3) communicate goals and engage faculty, and 4) ensure we use data to guide strategic decisions. Several lessons were learned, including the need to build faculty consensus, establish metrics with reliable measureable data, and the power of the BSC to drive goals across the division. CONCLUSIONS We successfully developed and implemented a BSC in an AHG as part of a strategic planning initiative. The BSC has been instrumental in allowing us to achieve balanced success in multiple domains. Academic groups should consider employing the BSC as it allows for a data-driven strategic planning and assessment process.
Driver behaviour profiling using smartphone sensory data in a V2I environment

Road traffic accidents prevention and mitigation are important issues that appear on top of the priority list of many countries around the world today. Many measures and approaches have been put in place in terms of policy level as well as technical level. Driver behaviour is one of many key factors that should be seriously considered to improve road safety. This paper proposes a method for driver behaviour profiling using sensory data on smartphones in a vehicle-to-infrastructure environment. Based on driving behaviours with the most risk to causing accidents, the profiling algorithm takes into account sudden driving events which occur during a journey to categorise drivers into different profiles according to their safety levels. The profiling algorithm offers the flexibility to adjust the parameters weightings in order to put an emphasis on specific driving events for different scenarios and applications. The impact on vehicle-to-infrastructure is that the stored driving profiles can be used to generate a norm for a given road section. Approaching vehicles deviating from the norm can be notified in real-time. Moreover, localised dangerous driving events can be clustered together to form a potential blackspot which can be deployed as an advanced warning for approaching vehicles as a location based service. As a result, the risk of road traffic accidents can be reduced. Real-world driving data was collected over two major routes in Thailand with four distinct profiles and five major factors to road accidents.
The phylogenetic odyssey of the erythrocyte. IV. The amphibians.

Amphibians manifest permanently nucleated, oval, flattened, biconvex erythrocytes. These cells demonstrate a cytoskeleton which is responsible for their morphogenetic conversion from a sphere to an ellipse and imparts to their cellular mass reversibility of traumatic deformation. The class Amphibia has the largest of all erythrocytes attaining volumes greater than 10,000 femtoliters in the Amphiuma. The large dimensions reflect evolutionary processes, genomic size, ploidy and the relative size of other somatic cells. Conversely, the erythrocyte count and hemoglobin concentration of these species are low. Occasional denucleated red cells can be seen in the peripheral blood but may attain levels of 90-95% of the total circulating population in certain members of the tribe Bolitoglossini (e.g. Batrachoseps attenuatus). These erythroplastids retain the marginal band thus remaining different from mammalian erythrocytes. Embryologically, erythropoiesis initiates in the yolk sac and then progresses to the kidney, liver, and possibly spleen. The yolk sac cohort is transitory and is successively replaced by the larval and definitive populations of erythrocytes. Red cell production (along with thrombocytopoiesis) in adult urodeles is conducted intravascularly in the spleen. In anurans this organ is usually the major site although the liver also serves as a secondary locus for this activity. Medullary (bone marrow) erythropoiesis makes its phylogenetic debut in anurans and typically occurs during heightened hemopoiesis following metamorphosis or hibernation. Maturation of the erythrocyte in the circulation is commonplace (especially in urodeles) while proliferation at this site is inducible by splenectomy and/or hemolysins. Erythrocyte-related values demonstrate variable differences associated with age, weight, season, gender, and environment.
The membrane-associated guanylate kinase protein MAGI-1 binds megalin and is present in glomerular podocytes.

The transmembrane endocytic receptor glycoprotein 330/megalin (hereafter referred to as megalin) is localized to the apical membrane domain of epithelial cells, where it is involved in the uptake of proteins from extracellular sources. The cytoplasmic domain of megalin contains amino acid motifs that have the potential to bind to other proteins, which may influence its localization or function. The yeast two-hybrid system was used to search for proteins that bind to the cytoplasmic tail of megalin, and a protein fragment from a mouse embryonic cDNA library that contained a single PDZ domain was identified. This protein, which was named glycoprotein 330-associated protein (GASP), appears to be a truncated mouse counterpart of the human and rat proteins atrophin-1-interacting protein-1 and synaptic scaffolding molecule, respectively. The interaction of GASP with megalin is mediated by the PDZ domain of GASP binding to the DSDV motif found at the carboxyl-terminus of megalin. A mutant version of megalin that lacks the terminal valine is unable to bind to GASP, illustrating the PDZ domain-dependent interaction between these two proteins. A close homolog of GASP, i.e., membrane-associated guanylate kinase with inverted orientation-1 (MAGI-1), is more ubiquitous in its tissue distribution (including kidney) and is also able to specifically bind to megalin via its fifth PDZ domain. Immunofluorescence studies of adult kidney revealed that MAGI-1 is expressed in the glomerulus of the kidney, in a manner that parallels the expression of the podocyte-specific protein glomerular epithelial protein 1. Western analysis of endogenous MAGI-1 from glomerular preparations suggests that it is associated with the cytoskeleton and seems to be expressed in a different form, compared with cell line-derived endogenous MAGI-1. The association of megalin with MAGI-1 may allow the assembly of a multiprotein complex, in which megalin may serve a nonendocytic function in glomerular podocytes.
Changes in vergence mediated by saccades.

When binocular fixation is shifted between two targets which require change in vergence as well as an equivalent or greater alteration in the mean visual direction, the observed eye motions do not‐‐as asserted by Yarbus (1957) and widely accepted today‐‐consist of slow symmetrical change in vergence, upon which a conjugate (binocularly balanced) saccade is additively superimposed. In all tested target configurations, an unexpectedly large fraction of the total change in vergence occurred during the saccades; observed values ranged from about 40% in certain tasks, to essentially 100% when large version (4 degrees) was combined with small vergence change (less than 1 degree). In these latter situations, binocular congruence can be restored within about 50 ms by appropriately unbalanced saccades, rather than about 500 ms, as expected if slow fusional vergence movement were required. When larger vergence changes are demanded, additivity between vergence movement and conjugate saccade is also violated in that the rate of vergence change during the saccades is several‐fold larger than the rate before the saccade or during subsequent completion of the required change in vergence. Furthermore, the residual fusional vergence movement observed in these tests was usually strongly asymmetrical, and often almost entirely monocular. Vertical saccades are nearly as effective as horizontal saccades in mediating a large fraction of an intended change in vergence. In saccades, which contributed strongly to (or fully mediated) an intended vergence change, target‐specific binocular differences in saccadic excursion of as much as 40‐50% were observed; hence, these eye movements are not fully yoked, as the term 'conjugate' implies. Instead, the eyes behave in such situations as though visual information from each eye is processed separately prior to the saccade, in order to generate the neural signals which control open‐loop saccadic movement of the eye.
Puerto Rican kindergartners' self-worth as coded from the Attachment Story Completion Task: correlated with other self-evaluation measures and ratings of child behavior toward mothers and peers

This multi-method multi-informant study assessed 105 Puerto Rican kindergartners' sense of self-worth in family relationships as coded from their responses to the Attachment Story Completion Task (ASCT). The ASCT scores were compared with responses to two other age-appropriate self-evaluation measures (the Cassidy Puppet Interview and the Pictorial Scales of Social Acceptance). Correlations of children's scores on the three self-measures with maternal ratings of the mother–child relationship and teacher ratings of the child's prosocial behavior with peers were then compared. ASCT self-worth and Puppet Interview scores were strongly correlated with each other and both were modestly related to the pictorial social acceptance scales. All three measures were significantly associated with maternal and teacher reports of child behavior, but the strongest correlations were obtained with the ASCT. Coding the ASCT in terms of self-worth appears to be a promising approach for evaluating young children's (vicariously expressed) self-worth in family relationships.