Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Family stress and coronary risk in children.

&NA; This study examined children of 64 families for associations between a) family conflict and cohesion and b) plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and aggressiveness. Ratings of conflict and cohesion were obtained from parents. Children rated themselves on aggressiveness, one component of Type A behavior. The presence of conflict in the family was positively related to an unfavorable lipid profile (total plasma cholesterol/high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol) among boys, but not girls. Family conflict predicted increased levels of aggression in girls, and in boys whose family cohesion was low. These findings suggest that stress in the family may play an important role in the development of coronary risk.
Expression of citrullinated proteins in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

In this study, we demonstrate for the first time the immunohistochemical expression of citrullinated proteins in the central nervous system (CNS) of mice with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)‐induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). By using an established monoclonal antibody (F95) against natural and synthetic citrullinated proteins (Nicholas and Whitaker [ 2002 ] Glia 37:328–336), numerous, small, previously unrecognized “patches” of citrullinated proteins were discovered throughout EAE brains, whereas EAE spinal cords showed similar but much larger lesions. On dual color immunofluorescence, these lesions were found to contain citrullinated myelin basic protein (MBP) and were surrounded by astrocytes immunoreactive for both glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and F95. These lesions became evident about the time when EAE mice became symptomatic and increased in size and number with increasing disease severity. In some sections of spinal cord but not brains of severely debilitated EAE mice, a widespread gliotic response was seen, with astrocytes containing citrullinated GFAP spread throughout the gray and white matter. Western blot analysis of acidic proteins from the brains and spinal cords of EAE mice had higher levels of multiple citrullinated GFAP isoforms compared with controls, with more F95‐positive bands in the EAE brains vs. spinal cords. These results raise the possibility that citrullination of both GFAP and MBP may contribute to the pathophysiology of EAE and that the brains of EAE mice may contain more pathology than previously realized. J. Comp. Neurol. 486:254–266, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New Media, Counter Publicity and the Public Sphere

New media have been widely used by radical groups of both Left and Right to advance their political projects. The aim of this article to provide a theoretical framework, through developing the concepts of public sphere and counter-public sphere, which allows us to understand the growing importance of alternative media in society and to indicate how this framework might generate questions for empirical research.
Thermoregulation and reversible differentiation in Bordetella: a model for pathogenic bacteria.

Many bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Listeria, Shigella, Yersinia, Saimonella, Pseudomonas, Vibrio cholerae and some Bordetella species, can be found in two different environments: the body of their animal host (37"C), and the external habitat, such as soil and water (15-25°C) (Holt. 1986, Berghey's Manual of Systematic Bacterioiogy. Baltimore. MD: Williams and Wilkins). The requirements to survive at lower temperatures are different from those required at physiological temperature. Bacteria have, therefore, evolved sophisticated systems to sense the environment in which they are located and adapt to it. In response to temperature changes, many pathogens modify their metabolic and phenotypic properties. Typical and well-known temperature-dependent phenomena are bacterial motility and haemolysis; these are preferentially observed in bacteria growing at 25°C and 37°C, respectively. It is also well known that in E. coli, Listeria, Shigella, Yersinia and Bordetelia, the molecules required for virulence are synthesized only when the bacteria are grown at 37°C (Miller era/., 1989, Sc/ence243: 916-922; Maurelli, 1989, fVlicrobial Pathogen 7: 1-10). Phenotypic differences between bacteria grown at 25°C or at 37°C are easily observed in Bordetella pertussis, the bacterium that causes whooping cough. Colonies of this bacterium grown in agar plates containing blood at 37°C are smooth, domeshaped, translucent and surrounded by a halo of haemolysis, while colonies grown at 2 5 ^ are non-haemolytic, rough, flat and opaque (Fig. 1). At the individual cell level, phenotypic differences between the bacteria grown at the two temperatures can be observed by electron microscopy (Akerley et ai, 1992, J Bacterioi 174: 980990), fluorescent-activated cell sorter anatysis and sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of total cell lysates (Beattie et ai, 1990. J Bacteriol 172:
Identification of insect cell lines by DNA amplification fingerprinting (DAF)

Fingerprint profiles were generaed from twenty insect cell lines spanning the Orders, Lepldoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera and Homoptera employing DNA amplification fingerprinting (DAF) with arbitrarily selected prlmers. The fingerprint pattern is a stable characteristlc of the cell line because high and low passages generated the same profile. In addition, insect hosts and homologous cell lines generated similar profiles. All cell lines could be distinguished from each other with the following exceptions: Plutella xylostella (BCIRL‐PX2‐HNU3) and Mamestra brassicaee (IZD‐MB‐0503) produced identical patterns to Trichoplusia ni (TN‐CL1). Also Spodoptera exigua (UCR‐SE‐1C) produced the same profile as Spodoptera frugiperde (SF9) and the parent cell line IPLB‐SF21. All these cases of identical patterns are believed to be due to cross contamination or mislabelling of cultures. DAF will serve as an additional, valuable and rellable technique for the identification of insect cell lines.
Efficacy and safety of leflunomide and predisposing factors for treatment response in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: RELIEF 6-month data.

OBJECTIVE The RELIEF investigation was a 48-week, multicenter, international study comprising 2 phases. Results from the first phase, a 24-week open-label cohort study that evaluated the safety and efficacy of leflunomide, as well as predisposing factors to treatment response, are reported here. METHODS Patients received leflunomide 100 mg once daily for 3 days, followed by 20 mg once daily thereafter. All adverse events were documented. Efficacy variables were the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria using the Disease Activity Score (DAS 28) responder rate and the response rate according to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria. At Week 24, baseline data were analyzed to determine predictive factors for treatment response. RESULTS A total of 969 patients were entered in the trial. No adverse events that have not previously been seen with leflunomide were reported. Among 968 evaluable patients, 673 (69.6%) completed 24 weeks of treatment and were responders according to DAS 28 response rate, and 587 (60.6%) completed 24 weeks of treatment and were responders according to ACR 20%. Thus, there was a high correlation between the EULAR and ACR criteria in determining treatment response. In addition, 240 (24.8%) patients had a low DAS 28 (< or = 3.2) and 123 (12.7%) patients fulfilled the disease remission criteria (DAS 28 < 2.6) at the end of the study. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that leflunomide is well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to that seen previously in Phase III studies, and confirms the efficacy of leflunomide across a range of patient categories.
IncN plasmid pKM101 and IncI1 plasmid ColIb-P9 encode homologous antirestriction proteins in their leading regions

The IncN plasmid pKM101 (a derivative of R46), like the IncI1 plasmid ColIb-P9, carries a gene (ardA, for alleviation of restriction of DNA) encoding an antirestriction function. ardA was located about 4 kb from the origin of transfer, in the region transferred early during bacterial conjugation. The nucleotide sequence of ardA was determined, and an appropriate polypeptide with the predicted molecular weight of about 19,500 was identified in maxicells of Escherichia coli. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of the antirestriction proteins of the unrelated plasmids pKM101 and ColIb (ArdA and Ard, respectively) revealed that these proteins have about 60% identity. Like ColIb Ard, pKM101 ArdA specifically inhibits both the restriction and modification activities of five type I systems of E. coli tested and does not influence type III (EcoP1) restriction or the 5-methylcytosine-specific restriction systems McrA and McrB. However, in contrast to ColIb Ard, pKM101 ArdA is effective against the type II enzyme EcoRI. The Ard proteins are believed to overcome the host restriction barrier during bacterial conjugation. We have also identified two other genes of pKM101, ardR and ardK, which seem to control ardA activity and ardA-mediated lethality, respectively. Our findings suggest that ardR may serve as a genetic switch that determines whether the ardA-encoded antirestriction function is induced during mating.
Challenges in Evaluating Recommendations for Children

Recommender systems research and development cannot advance without robust evaluation strategies. While many evaluation strategies have proven effective for deploying and testing recommenders for general audiences, child-oriented recommendations pose unique challenges, and adult-oriented evaluation strategies do not necessarily translate. In this position paper, I briefly describe several of the challenges I see in evaluating recommender systems for children, how they relate to similar problems for general audiences, and why existing solutions from the recommender systems community are insufficient. Significant progress in building compelling, useful, and personalized information experiences for children will require new developments in evaluating their effectiveness.
Adaptation of the Syllable Repetition Task (SRT) and Determining its Validity and Reliability in 4-6 Persian Speaking Children

Methods: The present research was a non-experimental study with a methodological design. The content validity of the task was evaluated by 15 speech language pathologists (SLP). The Lawshe coefficient was acceptable, and therefore without changing the number and phonological structure of the nonwords, the SRT was performed by 140 normal children in two groups (4-5 and 5-6 years old) that were selected randomly from 10 kindergartens of Tehran. To assess the test-retest reliability, the SRT was performed at one-week intervals. Finally, to determine the differential validity of the SRT, the task was performed in 30 children with speech sound disorders (SSD) that had been selected from speech and language clinics of Tehran. SPSS software version 21 was used to determine the Pearson correlation coefficient, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and T-test.
Life is short , art long , opportunity fleeting , experiment slippery , judgement difficult ”

Calcium Aluminate Cement as Dental Restorative. Mechanical Properties and Clinical Durability Karin Sunnegårdh-Grönberg, Department of Dental Hygienist Education, Dental School, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden. In 1995, the Swedish government recommended the discontinuation of amalgam as restorative in paediatric dentistry. Because the mercury content in amalgam constitutes an environmental hazard, its use has declined. The use of resin composites is increasing, but the polymerisation shrinkage of the material is still undesirably high, and the handling of uncured resin can cause contact dermatitis. A new restorative material has recently been developed in Sweden as an alternative to amalgam and resin composite: a calcium aluminate cement (CAC). CAC has been marketed as a ceramic direct restorative for posterior restorations (class I, II) and for class V restorations. This thesis evaluates mechanical properties and clinical durability of the calcium aluminate cement when used for class II restorations. Hardness, in vitro wear, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and surface roughness were evaluated. A scanning electron replica method was used for evaluation of the interfacial adaptation to tooth structures in vivo. The durability was studied in a 2-year intra-individually clinical follow-up of class II restorations. Major results and conclusions from the studies are as follows: • The CAC was a relatively hard material, harder than resin-modified glass ionomer cement but within the range of resin composites. The CAC wore less than resin-modified glass ionomer cement but more than resin composite. • Flexural strength of CAC was in the same range as that of zinc phosphate cement and far below that of both resin composite and resin-modified glass ionomer cement. Flexural modulus of CAC was higher than both resin composite and resin-modified glass ionomer cement. The low flexural strength of CAC precludes its use in stress-bearing areas. • Surface roughness of CAC could be decreased by several polishing techniques. • For CAC restorations, interfacial adaptation was higher to dentin but lower to enamel compared with resin composite restorations. Fractures were found perpendicular to the boarders of all CAC restorations and may indicate expansion of the material. • After 2 years of clinical service, the class II CAC restorations showed an unacceptably high failure rate. Material fractures and tooth fractures were the main reasons for failure.
Silicon carbide PiN and merged PiN Schottky power diode models implemented in the Saber circuit simulator

Dynamic electrothermal circuit simulator models are developed for silicon carbide power diodes. The models accurately describe the temperature dependence of on-state characteristics and reverse-recovery switching waveforms. The models are verified for the temperature dependence of the on-state characteristics, and the di/dt, dv/dt, and temperature dependence of the reverse-recovery characteristics. The model results are presented for 1500 V SiC Merged PiN Schottky (MPS) diodes, 600 V Schottky diodes, and 5000 V SiC PiN diodes. The devices studied have current ratings from 0.25 A to 5 A and have different lifetimes resulting in different switching energy versus on-state voltage trade-offs. The devices are characterized using a previously reported test system specifically designed to emulate a wide range of application conditions by independently controlling the applied diode voltage, forward diode current, di/dt, and dv/dt at turn-off. A behavioral model of the test system is implemented to simulate and validate the models. The models are validated for a wide range of application conditions for which the diode could be used.
Dynamic Gene Expression Profile Changes in Synovial Fluid Following Meniscal Injury; Osteoarthritis (OA) Markers Found

Purpose: We hypothesize that molecular changes leading to Osteoarthritis (OA) occur soon after a meniscal tear and long before the manifestation of OA. We sought to characterize the gene expression profile in synovial fluid at different time points following a meniscal tear with a focused examination on inflammatory and arthritis related genetic markers. Methods: Synovial fluid was collected from 8 male patients (24~48yrs old) with evidence of meniscal injury on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Illumina humanht-12 microarray and RNA-Seq were used to characterize gene expression profile in cell pellets and supernatant, respectively. Unsupervised clustering analysis was performed to identify patterns of gene expression profile among samples. Metacore was utilized to perform pathway analysis. T-tests with False Discovery Rate (FDR) corrections were used to compare subset of genes among individuals. Results: Individuals with short injury duration (< 2 months) had distinct expression signatures than the rest, in both cell pellet and supernatant analyses. In the cell pellets, among genes previously linked to inflammatory or arthritic conditions, IL 1B, IL1RN, ILF2, NFKB1, IL10RB, IL18BP, ILF3, IL13RA, BMP2K and IL10RB were significantly upregulated (adjusted p < 0.05) in individuals with long duration compared to individuals with shorter injury duration in the microarray analysis. In the cell-free supernatant, 764 RNA species were identified and 65 RNA species were down-regulated and 78 RNA species were up-regulated (FDR < 0.05) in individuals with short compared to individuals with long injury duration. The most differentially expressed gene in the supernatant is SLC2A9 (P = 1.2x10-13; FDR = 9.6x10-11). In the cell pellet, the top 5% expressed genes are enriched for inflammatory and cytoskeleton remodeling pathways. Among them LAIR 1, TMSB4X, CCR6, IL18 and IL10; all have been implicated in arthritic conditions. Conclusions: Molecular changes contributing to OA development occur earlier than previously described and potentially evolve or change over time. Clinical Relevance: Our data suggest the potential for early interventions to halt detrimental molecular changes following meniscal injury, thereby reducing the susceptibility of patients to OA following a meniscal tear.
Role of Antileukoprotease in the Human Lung

Considerable evidence exists that pulmonary emphysema, characterized by destruction of alveolar structures, is the result of an unrestrained action in the lung of proteinases, especially elastase originating from neutrophils. In a small number of patients with emphysema the disease is linked to a genetic severe deficiency of alphal-proteinase inhibitor (al-PI), the major physiologic role of which is the inactivation of neutrophil e l a ~ t a s e . ~ The most common type of emphysema, however, is the centrilobular lesion characterized by involvement of respiratory bronchioles early in the d i ~ e a s e . ~ Many studies have established that the primary risk factor for centrilobular emphysema is cigarette smoking.6 Cigarette smoke induces an increase in the number of neutrophils in the lung and an even more dramatic increase in the number of alveolar macro phage^. ',^ The presence of these cells may result in a focal increase in the concentrations of proteinases, including neutrophil elastase. In addition, the inflammatory cells are stimulated by cigarette smoke to produce oxidants that are capable of destroying antielastase activity. ' Although several lines of evidence support the hypothesis that emphysema in smokers is the result of an acquired local imbalance between elastase and antiela~tase,~ it has become clear that smokers form a very heterogeneous group regarding the presence and severity of the disease, suggesting that the pathogenesis is multifactorial. l o In addition to aI-PI, which is plasma derived, at least one other inhibitor of neutrophil elastase may be of significance in the pathogenesis of emphysema. This is the locally produced antileukoprotease (ALP), which is also called secretory leukocyte proteinase inhibitor. " This report focuses on the biochemical characteristics of ALP and its potential role in the lung under normal and inflammatory conditions.
Long-Term Follow-Up of Polyneuropathy in Diabetic Kidney Transplant Recipients

Nerve conduction and electromyography (EMG) of insulin-dependent (type I) diabetic patients with end-stage nephropathy was studied before and up to 10 yr after kidney transplantation (KTx). A series of nondiabetic KTx patients served as a comparison group. Motor nerve conduction velocity (NCV) was measured in the ulnar, median, peroneal, and tibial nerves; sensory NCV was measured in the median nerve. EMG was performed in the first dorsal interosseus, flexor carpi radialis, anterior tibialis, and gastrocnemius muscles. In 68 pre-KTx diabetic patients, the mean NCV was below normal in all nerves, and the mean amplitudes of the evoked muscle action potential (MAP) were low normal in the upper extremity and below normal in the lower extremity. The values of the comparison group were within the normal range. At 1 (n = 57), 5 (n = 23), and 10 (n = 10) yr after KTx, the mean NCV of the diabetic patients remained essentially unchanged, but MAP amplitudes of all muscles had declined. EMG revealed progression of the denervation process, especially in muscles of the lower extremities. We conclude that diabetic neuropathy continues to progress by a progressive axonal loss after correction of uremia by KTx.
Hypolipidemic activity of Anethum graveolens in rats

The aerial parts of Anethum graveolens (dillweed) are used in Iran as a hypolipidemic agent. The scientific basis for its use has yet to be established. In this study the hypolipidemic activity of dill powder and its essential oil (its most important fraction) were evaluated in male Wistar rats (180 ± 20 g) fed a high cholesterol diet. Anethum graveolens essential oil (AGEO) was prepared by hydrodistillation and analysed using GC/MS. AGEO had a yield of 2% and GC/MS analysis showed that α‐phellandrene (32%), limonene (28%) and carvone (28%) were its major components. Daily oral administration of AGEO to rats at doses of 45, 90 and 180 mg/kg for 2 weeks significantly and in a dose‐dependent manner reduced total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C). AGEO also increased significantly high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C). Anethum graveolens powder when added to the diet of animals showed similar effects on serum lipids. It is concluded that Anethum graveolens has significant lipid lowering effects and is a promising cardioprotective agent. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On Belief Propagation Decoding of LDPC Codes over Groups

We introduce a wide class of LDPC codes, large enough to include LDPC codes over finite fields, rings or groups as well as some non-linear codes. This class is defined by an extension of the parity-check equations involved in the code? s definition. A belief propagation decoding procedure with the same complexity as for the decoding of LDPC codes over finite fields is presented for theses new parities. Examples are given that illustrate the interest of this new code family.
Trojan horses of the microbial world: protozoa and the survival of bacterial pathogens in the environment.

Protozoa, of which there are thousands of species, are ubiquitous in diverse natural habitats such as fresh and salt water, moist soils and even dry sands. The role of freeliving protozoa in terrestrial and aquatic environments as predators of bacteria is widely acknowledged. Predation by protozoa has a significant effect in controlling bacterial populations in soil, and the degradation of bacteria undoubtedly contributes to the maintenance of soil fertility (Foster & Dormaar, 1991 ; Weekers e t al., 1993). Likewise, protozoa play an integral part in the cycling of nutrients in aquatic food chains (Porter, 1984; Wright & Coffin, 1984).
Spectral methods and a maximum principle

Etude de diverses approximations spectrales de Tchebychev d'un probleme de couche limite pour un operateur d'Helmholtz et d'advection-diffusion. Comportement des solutions spectrales dans l'espace des frequences et dans l'espace physique. Estimations d'erreur
Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 1999 National Report.

Law enforcement agencies refer approximately two-thirds of all youth arrested to a court with juvenile jurisdiction for further processing. As with law enforcement, the court may decide to divert some juveniles away from the formal justice system to other agencies for service. Prosecutors may file some juvenile cases directly in criminal (adult) court. The net result is that juvenile courts formally process over 1 million delinquency and status offense cases annually. Juvenile courts adjudicate these cases and may order probation or residential placement, or they may waive jurisdiction and transfer certain cases from juvenile court to criminal court. While their cases are being processed, juveniles may be held in secure detention.