Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Infection of C57BL/10ScCr and C57BL/10ScNCr mice with Leishmania major reveals a role for Toll‐like receptor 4 in the control of parasite replication

The innate immune system is essential for host defense; it senses the presence of potentially pathogenic‐invading microorganisms, and the contribution of Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) to this response is increasingly recognized. In the present study, we investigated the contribution of TLR4 to the course of cutaneous leishmaniasis in vivo. We used C57BL/10ScNCr (TLR40/0) and C57BL/10ScCr [TLR4/interleukin‐12 (IL‐12)Rβ20/0] mice and compared the course of Leishmania major infection, parasite load, cell recruitment, and cytokine profile with those of wild‐type C57BL/10ScSn mice. Our results confirm the importance of IL‐12 receptor‐mediated signaling in resistance to L. major infections. Importantly, we show that the lack of TLR4 results in an increased permissiveness for parasite growth during the innate and adaptive phase of the immune response and in delayed healing of the cutaneous lesions. The use of the tlr4 transgenic mouse strain TCr5 demonstrated unequivocally that TLR4 contributes to the efficient control of Leishmania growth in vivo.
Neonatal pulmonary oxygen toxicity in the rat and lung changes with aging

The aims of this study were to determine if neonatal hyperoxia exposure causes permanent lung damage and to define the relationship between neonatal lung oxygen toxicity and aging. Sprague‐Dawley newborn rats (n = 85) breathed 100% oxygen (O2) or room air (RA) during the first 8 days of life, and then RA. At 2 and 22 months of age we assessed right ventricular (RV) systolic pressure (RVSP), RV weight, saline and air pressure‐volume curves, volume density of lung parenchyma and nonparenchyma, parenchymal air space (PAS), mean linear intercept (Lm), number of small arteries/mm2 and the extent of their medial muscularization.
ION CHANNEL MODULATORS AS POTENTIAL POSITIVE INOTROPIC COMPOUNDS FOR TREATMENT OF HEART FAILURE

1. Current positive inotropy therapy of heart failure is associated with major problems: digoxin and the phosphodiesterase inhibitors can cause life‐threatening toxicity while β‐adrenoceptor agonists become less effective inotropic compounds as heart failure progresses. A new approach to positive inotropy is ion channel modulation.
Biological aspects of DNA/RNA quadruplexes

Among the many unusual conformations of DNA and RNA, quadruplex structures, based on the guanine quartet, possess several unique properties. These properties, along with the general features of guanine quadruplexes, are described in the context of possible roles for these structures in biological systems. A variety of experimental observations supporting the notion that quadruplexes are important in vivo is presented, including proteins known to specifically bind to quadruplex structures, guanine‐rich DNA, and RNA sequences endowed with the potential for forming quartet‐based structures in telomeres and regulatory regions, such as gene promoters, quadruplexes as DNA aptamer folding motifs arising from in vitro selection experiments, and potential chemotherapeutic, quadruplex‐forming oligonucleotides. Taken together, all of these observations argue cogently not only for the presence of quadruplexes in biological systems but also for their significance in terms of their roles in various biological processes. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopolymers (Nucleic Acid Sci) 56: 209–227, 2001
Influence of cultural heritage on hotel prices, occupancy and profit

This article presents a theoretical model of a heritage hotel setting prices for two types of hotel rooms distinguished by their level of heritage. The authors analyse the model using game theory. They derive the profit-maximizing prices as a function of the differentiation between the hotel rooms and the relative proportion of each type of hotel room. They also measure the occupancy rate of each type of room and the total profit made by the hotel in response to the optimal prices. The article also presents an empirical study of hotel rooms located near the Eiffel Tower in Paris to complement the theoretical analysis. The study finds that rooms offering a view of the Eiffel Tower are priced significantly higher than rooms not offering this view. Moreover, the price premium imposed for the heritage view is relatively higher at more expensive hotels.
Lymphedema: A Comprehensive Review

Background:Lymphedema is a chronic, debilitating condition that has traditionally been seen as refractory or incurable. Recent years have brought new advances in the study of lymphedema pathophysiology, as well as diagnostic and therapeutic tools that are changing this perspective. Objective:To provide a systematic approach to evaluating and managing patients with lymphedema. Methods:We performed MEDLINE searches of the English-language literature (1966 to March 2006) using the terms lymphedema, breast cancer–associated lymphedema, lymphatic complications, lymphatic imaging, decongestive therapy, and surgical treatment of lymphedema. Relevant bibliographies and International Society of Lymphology guidelines were also reviewed. Results:In the United States, the populations primarily affected by lymphedema are patients undergoing treatment of malignancy, particularly women treated for breast cancer. A thorough evaluation of patients presenting with extremity swelling should include identification of prior surgical or radiation therapy for malignancy, as well as documentation of other risk factors for lymphedema, such as prior trauma to or infection of the affected limb. Physical examination should focus on differentiating signs of lymphedema from other causes of systemic or localized swelling. Lymphatic dysfunction can be visualized through lymphoscintigraphy; the diagnosis of lymphedema can also be confirmed through other imaging modalities, including CT or MRI. The mainstay of therapy in diagnosed cases of lymphedema involves compression garment use, as well as intensive bandaging and lymphatic massage. For patients who are unresponsive to conservative therapy, several surgical options with varied proven efficacies have been used in appropriate candidates, including excisional approaches, microsurgical lymphatic anastomoses, and circumferential suction-assisted lipectomy, an approach that has shown promise for long-term relief of symptoms. Conclusions:The diagnosis of lymphedema requires careful attention to patient risk factors and specific findings on physical examination. Noninvasive diagnostic tools and lymphatic imaging can be helpful to confirm the diagnosis of lymphedema or to address a challenging clinical presentation. Initial treatment with decongestive lymphatic therapy can provide significant improvement in patient symptoms and volume reduction of edematous extremities. Selected patients who are unresponsive to conservative therapy can achieve similar outcomes with surgical intervention, most promisingly suction-assisted lipectomy.
Association of trait and specific hopes: cross sectional study on students and workers of health professions in Split, Croatia

Introduction. Hope (hoping) is most commonly assessed as a dispositional trait and associated with quality of life, self-care agency and non-attempts of suicide. However, little research has been conducted on hoping for specific events. Materials and Methods. We distributed a survey consisting of Integrative Hope Scale (IHS) and visual analogue scales on which respondents could declare their levels (intensity) of hope for specific events, to all first year health students enrolled at the University Department of Health Studies, Split, Croatia in 2011/2012, as well as to working health professionals attending a nursing conference in April 2012. Results. A total of 161 (89.4%) students and 88 (89.8%) working health professionals returned the completed questionnaires. We found high trait hope scores of students and working health professionals (Md = 111, 95% CI [109–113] vs. Md = 115, 95% CI [112–119]; U = 5,353, P = 0.065), and weak to moderate correlations of trait and specific hopes (r = 0.18–0.48, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient). Students and workers reported 31 different things they hoped for most in life, of which the most prevalent were being healthy and happy. There was very little agreement between participants’ reported influence of the four factors compromising the trait hope (self-confidence, ambition, optimism, and social support) on their specific hopes. Conclusions. Our findings, while strengthening the validity of hope as a trait, indicate that specific hopes of individuals are moderated by factors not captured by the IHS trait scale. Further research should explore specific hoping in detail, as well as the effectiveness of interventions aimed at increasing specific or generalized hoping.
A policy analysis to promote conservation and use of small millet underutilized species in India

ABSTRACT Despite the important role of Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) in diversifying agriculture, supporting traditional farming systems and improving food and nutritional security particularly in marginal lands, very little attention is being paid to their mainstreaming in national policies and institutions. Based on a detailed review of the regulatory frameworks governing the conservation, sustainable use and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of plant genetic resources and the circulation and registration of seeds and improved varieties, this paper discusses the extent to which the measures in place in India may favour or affect the conservation and use of NUS. In addition to these frameworks, in view of the major change realized by the 2013 National Food Security Act which has included coarse cereals in the country’s Public Distribution System (PDS), the paper also incorporates this latest policy in its analyses. A special focus is given to small millets, a group of species with unexploited economic and nutritional potential but extremely important for marginal communities’ food security and livelihoods. A set of policy recommendations and opportunities to explore are proposed to address the identified constraints with the purpose of creating a more supportive policy environment and enhancing the national capacity to promote NUS.
Guidelines for the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in South Africa.

INTRODUCTION Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) encompass a heterogeneous group of clonal haematopoietic disorders characterised by chronic and progressive cytopenias resulting from ineffective haematopoiesis. Treatment is complicated by differences in disease mechanisms in different subgroups, variable clinical phenotypes and risk of progression to acute myeloid leukaemia. RATIONALE Changes in disease classification, prognostic scoring systems, the availability of novel treatment options and the absence of South African guidelines for the diagnosis and management of these complex disorders underpinned the need for the development of these recommendations. METHODS These recommendations are based on the opinion of a number of experts in the field from the laboratory as well as clinical settings and came from both the private and institutional academic environments. The most recent literature as well as available guidelines from other countries were discussed and debated at a number of different meetings held over a 2-year period. RESULTS A comprehensive set of recommendations was developed focusing on risk stratification, supportive management and specific treatment. Novel agents and their indications are discussed and recommendations are made based on best available evidence and taking into account the availability of treatments in South Africa. CONCLUSION Correct diagnosis, risk stratification and appropriate therapeutic choices are the cornerstones of success in the management of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.
Heterogeneous multi-sensor fusion for extended objects in automotive scenarios using Gaussian processes and a GMPHD-filter

Modern advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving functions for automobiles rely on an accurate model of the environment. To this end, the exploitation of complementary advantages of the measurement principles used by radar, lidar and camera sensors is an important prerequisite. We develop a framework for sensor data fusion that incorporates heterogeneous sensor data from multiple sensors in a modular way. In order to use as much genuine information as possible, the measurement data is utilized in its raw low level form or abstracted to a single frame feature representation. Historically, an approach with local decentralized tracks obtained from the individual sensors prevails. This method does not offer true multiple hypothesis considerations in a straight-forward manner. Additionally, a mathematically correct sensor data fusion in the high level approach is infeasible when the covariances of the local tracks are not transmitted. In contrast to this, the full and uncorrelated information contained in the individual measurements provides the possibility for a correct fusion of data and enables a probabilistic conflict resolution of the data association problem. With regard to the multiple hypothesis problem, the Gaussian mixture probability hypothesis density (GMPHD) filter provides a solution. For the estimation of the extent of the observed objects, Gaussian processes offer the possibility to model shapes with a considerable amount of flexibility by using functions which represent the contour of the objects. To demonstrate first results of our approach, we show results with real experimental data from one laser scanner and four short range radars.
The Effects of an Interspinous Implant on Intervertebral Disc Pressures

Study Design. Measurement of intradiscal pressure was performed after placement of an interspinous implant in a cadaver model. Objective. To understand the likelihood of accelerated adjacent-level disc degeneration as a result of the implant. Summary of Background Data. An interspinous implant has been developed to treat lumbar neurogenic claudication secondary to spinal stenosis that places the stenotic segment in slight flexion and prevents extension. Previous biomechanical studies demonstrated that fusing one level may significantly increase the intradiscal pressures at adjacent levels. Moreover, clinical studies have reported an increased incidence of adjacent-level degeneration after lumbar spinal fusion. Methods. Eight cadaver lumbar specimens (L2–L5) were loaded in flexion, neutral, and extension. A pressure transducer measured intradiscal pressure and annular stresses during each of the three positions at each of the three disc levels. An appropriately sized implant was placed at L3–L4, and the pressure measurements were repeated. Results. The pressures at the adjacent discs were not significantly affected by the interspinous implant insertion. There was a significant decrease in intradiscal pressure at the L3–L4 disc in the posterior annulus and nucleus in the neutral and extended positions. Conclusions. The implant does not significantly change the intradiscal pressures at the adjacent levels, yet it significantly unloads the intervertebral disc at the instrumented level in the neutral and extended positions. On the basis of the current findings, it does not appear that the implant causes accelerated disc degeneration at the adjacent levels.
Anglo- and Mexican‐American Preschoolers at Home and at Recess: Activity Patterns and Environmental Influences

Habitual physical activity in children is related to physical fitness and appears to mediate cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. We studied the physical activity patterns and associated variables of a large bi-ethnic cohort of 4-year-old children from low to middle socioeconomic families. Trained observers coded the behavior of 351 children (150 Anglo-American, 201 Mexican-American; 182 boys, 169 girls) during two 60-minute home visits and two unstructured recesses lasting up to 30 minutes each at 63 different preschools, Findings indicated that although children were much less active at home, there were low but significant correlations between their activity patterns at home and during recess (r = .13). Children who had activity-promoting toys at home also tended to have them available during preschool recess (r = .20). Ethnic differences were evident for both activity and environmental variables. Mexican-American children were less active than Anglo children at home (p < .002) and during recess (p < .03), thus adding to the adult literature that has found Mexican-Americans to be less active than Anglos, and supporting to the notion that physical activity life-style habits may be established in early childhood. In both settings, Mexican-American children spent more time in presence of adults (home, p < .04; recess, p < .03) and had access to fewer active toys (home, p < .001; recess, p < .05). Gender differences were also evident for both activity and environmental variables. Boys were more active both at home (p < .01) and during recess (p < .01) and at home watched television more frequently (p < .005). These data indicated some subgroups of preschool children are more active than others, and the findings may be useful for pediatricians and educators responsible for developing physical activity promotion programs for young children. J Dev Behav Pediatr 13:173–180, 1992. Index terms: preschool children, physical activity, systematic observation.
Functions of Social Media in Higher Education: A Case Study

This chapter aims to explore some critical functions that social media is playing for the internal processes included in an alternative higher education model – The Alternative University, developed in Romania, since 2007. This case study highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with using these new communication as well as information technologies in order to generate effective learning environments. The collaborative and student-centered traits of higher education models using social media for learning activities are mainly dealt with in this study. Functions such as connecting people, sharing knowledge, collaboratively generating knowledge, community building, management platform, accumulation and construction of knowledge, knowledge assessment, raising learning motivation, personal branding, and networking are identified as important assets of social media for their use in a higher education setting. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-4666-2851-9.ch008
Moth chemosensory protein exhibits drastic conformational changes and cooperativity on ligand binding

Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) have been proposed to transport hydrophobic chemicals from air to olfactory or taste receptors. They have been isolated from several sensory organs of a wide range of insect species. The x-ray structure of CSPMbraA6, a 112-aa antennal protein from the moth Mamestra brassicae (Mbra), was shown to exhibit a novel type of α-helical fold. We have performed a structural and binding study of CSPMbraA6 to get some insights into its possible molecular function. Tryptophan fluorescence quenching demonstrates the ability of CSPMbraA6 to bind several types of semio-chemicals or surrogate ligands with μM Kd. Its crystal structure in complex with one of these compounds, 12-bromo-dodecanol, reveals extensive conformational changes on binding, resulting in the formation of a large cavity filled by three ligand molecules. Furthermore, binding cooperativity was demonstrated for some ligands, suggesting a stepwise binding. The peculiar rearrangement of CSPMbraA6 conformation and the cooperativity phenomenon might trigger the recognition of chemicals by receptors and induce subsequent signal transduction.
Identification of Helicobacter pylori in Gallstone, Bile, and Other Hepatobiliary Tissues of Patients with Cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Bacterial infection is accepted as a precipitating factor in cholesterol gallstone formation, and recent studies have revealed the presence of Helicobacter species in the hepatobiliary system. We utilized the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to establish the presence of bacterial DNA, including from Helicobacter species, in gallstones, bile juice, and gallbladder mucosa from patients with gallstones. METHODS At cholecystectomy, 58 gallstones, 48 bile samples, and 46 gallbladder mucosa specimens were obtained and subjected to nested PCR using specific 16S rRNA primers of H. pylori and other bacteria. Bacterial species were identified by DNA sequencing analysis. Bacterial 16S rRNA was detected in 25 out of 36 mixed-cholesterol gallstones, 1 out of 10 pure-cholesterol gallstones, and 9 out of 12 pigmented stones. Furthermore, 16S rDNA sequencing identified Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, Citrobacter, Klebsiella, and Helicobacter species. RESULTS Helicobacter DNA was detected in 4 out of 58 gallstones, 6 out of 48 bile samples, and 5 out of 46 gallbladder specimens. Direct sequencing of Helicobacter amplicons confirmed strains of H. pylori in all four gallstones, five out of six bile samples, and three out of five gallbladder specimens. Almost all mixed-cholesterol gallstones appear to harbor bacterial DNA, predominantly E. coli. CONCLUSIONS H. pylori was also found in the biliary system, suggesting that these bacteria are of etiological importance in gallstone formation.
Estrategia de gestión y divulgación del capital intelectual: influencia del gobierno corporativo

El conocimiento se ha convertido en un recurso estrategico clave para el exito de los negocios y ha llevado a las empresas a preocuparse por la gestion de sus activos de conocimiento capital intelectual). No obstante, la contabilidad, como sistema de informacion, ha sufrido una perdida de fiabilidad de la infor­macion suministrada, al poner en evidencia que el valor de mercado de las empresas es superior al valor contable que figura en los balances. Esta discrepancia ha sido uno de los principales motivos por los que las empresas gestionan y divulgan voluntariamente su capital intelectual. Apoyandonos en la teoria de la agencia y en la de recursos y capacidades, se analiza la influencia que ejerce el Gobierno Corporativo en la gestion de informacion del capital intelectual. Se utiliza como metodologia el analisis de contenido de los informes anuales y se realiza un analisis multivariante de regresion lineal.
Targeted expression of heme oxygenase-1 prevents the pulmonary inflammatory and vascular responses to hypoxia

Chronic hypoxia causes pulmonary hypertension with smooth muscle cell proliferation and matrix deposition in the wall of the pulmonary arterioles. We demonstrate here that hypoxia also induces a pronounced inflammation in the lung before the structural changes of the vessel wall. The proinflammatory action of hypoxia is mediated by the induction of distinct cytokines and chemokines and is independent of tumor necrosis factor-α signaling. We have previously proposed a crucial role for heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in protecting cardiomyocytes from hypoxic stress, and potent anti-inflammatory properties of HO-1 have been reported in models of tissue injury. We thus established transgenic mice that constitutively express HO-1 in the lung and exposed them to chronic hypoxia. HO-1 transgenic mice were protected from the development of both pulmonary inflammation as well as hypertension and vessel wall hypertrophy induced by hypoxia. Significantly, the hypoxic induction of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines was suppressed in HO-1 transgenic mice. Our findings suggest an important protective function of enzymatic products of HO-1 activity as inhibitors of hypoxia-induced vasoconstrictive and proinflammatory pathways.