Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of the magnitude of sensitization dose on the incidence and intensity of CHS to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB): Insight from ear swelling and challenged-skin draining lymph node response in rats

Abstract Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common skin inflammatory disease that develops in hosts sensitized with contact allergens. Elucidation of dose–response relationships represents one of the approaches in studying the type of ACD in humans/animal models, termed as contact hyper-sensitivity reaction (CHS). Such studies have demonstrated that the intensity of sensitization determines the response to elicitation with a contact allergen, but underlying mechanisms are unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the impact of the sensitization on contact hypersensitivity to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in rats by measuring the incidence and intensity of a challenge response in hosts sensitized with two different doses (i.e. low and high) of this hapten. Assumptions concerning the contribution from the magnitude of sensitization doses were drawn on the basis of effects from the two doses on the measured reaction parameters. Ear swelling and activity of lymph nodes that drain challenged skin (cdLN), including cellularity, proliferation, and effector cytokine IFNγ and IL-17 production was measured in rats sensitized with 0.4% or 4% DNCB and challenged with a non-irritant (0.13%) dose. Sensitization with 4% DNCB resulted in a greater proportion of rats who responded more intensely (than unsensitized challenged rats) to challenge in terms of ear swelling and increases in cdLN activity (except for IFNγ). The intensity of cdLN responses was higher in these hosts as well. Among the high-dose-sensitized rats, greater cellularity/proliferation of cells from lymph nodes (sdLN) that drain the high-dose-sensitized skin, as well as higher IL-17 production, was noted compared to what was seen in rats that received low-dose sensitization. In contrast, unchanged spontaneous and even decreased hapten-stimulated IFNγ production after the high DNCB dose was observed. Based on the data, it seems the impact of magnitude of sensitization dose on CHS might be related to the rise in the proportion of rats that responded to challenge with an increase of dLN activity. Coincidental higher production of IL-17 by dLN cells from the high-dose-sensitized rats and following challenge of these hosts underscored the significance of IL-17 for a CHS to DNCB.
Guanosine‐5′‐(3‐O‐thio)triphosphate‐mediated stimulation of phosphoinositidase C in solubilized rat peripheral nerve myelin and its alteration in streptozotocin induced diabetes

The regulation of phosphoinositidase C (PIC) activity by guanosine‐5′‐(3‐O‐thio)triphosphate (GTPγgMS) was characterized in a cholate‐solubilized peripheral myelin‐enriched fraction from rat sciatic nerve. The GTP analog maximally enhanced PIC‐catalyzed hydrolysis of exogenous phosphatidylinositol‐4,‐5‐bisphosphate (PIP2) in a dose‐dependent manner only within a narrow range of cholate concentrations. Maximal stimulation was attained at 0.6 μM GTPγS and could be completely prevented by 1 μM guanosine‐5′‐(2‐O‐thio)diphosphate. Neither adenylyl‐imidodiphosphate nor adenosine triphosphate (ATP) enhanced PIC activity. Carbamoylcholine (1 mM)added together with GTPγS increased the extent of PIP2 hydrolysis over that elicited by GTPγ increased the extent of PIP2 hydrolysis over that elicited by GTPγS alone and this stimulation was blocked by the muscarinic receptor antagonist, atropine (50 μM). In detergent solubilized myelin preparations from streptozotocin induced diabetic rats, a higher concentration of the guanine nucleotide analogn was required to achieve stimulation comparable to that obtained with corresponding preparations from normal animals. These results suggest that sciatic nerve myelin possesses muscarinic receptors coupled via a GTP‐binding protein to PIC and that this system can be reconstituted in detergent‐solubilized extracts. It is possible that the function of G Proteins in cell signaling is impaired in experimental diabetic neuropathy. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A National Analysis of Long-term Survival Following Thoracoscopic Versus Open Lobectomy for Stage I Non-small-cell Lung Cancer

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the long-term survival of open versus thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy for early stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Background: Data from national studies on long-term survival for VATS versus open lobectomy are limited. Methods: Outcomes of patients who underwent open versus VATS lobectomy for clinical T1–2, N0, M0 NSCLC in the National Cancer Data Base were evaluated using propensity score matching. Results: The median follow-up of 7114 lobectomies (5566 open and 1548 VATS) was 52.0 months. The VATS approach was associated with a better 5-year survival when compared to the open approach (66.0% vs. 62.5%, P = 0.026). Propensity score matching resulted in 1464 open and 1464 VATS patients who were well matched by 14 common prognostic covariates including tumor size and comorbidities. After propensity score matching, the VATS approach was associated with a shorter median length of stay (5 vs. 6 days, P < 0.001). The VATS approach was not significantly different compared with the open approach with regard to nodal upstaging (11.6% vs 12.3%, P = 0.53), 30-day mortality (1.7% vs 2.3%, P = 0.50) and 5-year survival (66.3% vs 65.8%, P = 0.92). Conclusions: In this national analysis, VATS lobectomy was used in the minority of patients with stage I NSCLC. VATS lobectomy was associated with shorter length of stay and noninferior long-term survival when compared with open lobectomy. These results support previous findings from smaller single- and multi-institutional studies that suggest that VATS does not compromise oncologic outcomes when used for early-stage lung cancer and suggest the need for broader implementation of VATS techniques.
Long-term results of proximal and total gastrectomy for adenocarcinoma of the upper third of the stomach.

PURPOSE The choice of surgical strategy for patients with adenocarcinoma of the upper one third of the stomach is controversial. This study was performed to analyze the surgical results of a 11-year experience with these lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS From January 1990 to December 2000, 259 patients with upper third gastric cancer underwent proximal gastrectomy (n=74) or total gastrectomy (n=185) through an abdominal approach. Morbidity, mortality, recurrence patterns, and survival were compared between these two groups retrospectively. RESULTS There were no significant differences in general complication and mortality rates between the two groups. However, the incidences of reflux esophagitis (16.2%) and anastomotic stricture (35.1%) were more common in the proximal gastrectomy group compared with the total gastrectomy group (0.5 and 8.1%). Regarding the main patterns of recurrence, local recurrence was dominant in the proximal gastrectomy group, whereas distant recurrence was dominant in the total gastrectomy group. Five-year overall survival (54.8 versus 47.8%) and survival according to tumor stage were no different between the groups. Multivariate analysis showed that the extent of resection was not an independent prognostic factor. CONCLUSION The extent of resection for upper third gastric cancer did not appear to affect long-term outcome. However, proximal gastrectomy is associated with an increased risk of reflux esophagitis, anastomotic stricture, and local recurrence.
Healing and Repair of Ligament Injuries in the Knee

Although methods of treating ligamentous injuries have continually improved, many questions remain about enhancing the rate, quality, and completeness of ligament healing. It is known that the ability of a torn ligament to heal depends on a variety of factors, including anatomic location, presence of associated injuries, and selected treatment modality. A grade III injury of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) of the knee usually heals spontaneously. Surgical repair followed by immobilization of an isolated MCL tear does not enhance the healing process. In contrast, tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament often require surgical reconstruction. The MCL component of a combined ACL‐MCL injury has a worse prognosis than an isolated MCL injury. The results of animal studies suggest that nonoperative treatment of an MCL injury is effective if combined with operative reconstruction of the ACL. Experimentation using animal models has helped to define the effects of ligament location, associated injuries, intrinsic factors, surgical repair, reconstruction, and exercise on ligament healing. New techniques utilizing growth factors and cell and gene therapies may offer the potential to enhance the rate and quality of healing of ligaments of the knee, as well as other ligaments in the body.
Peripheral blood stem cell collection and use in Hodgkin's disease. Comparison with marrow in autologous transplantation

Hematopoietic progenitor cells can be collected from blood by cytapheresis; the clinical use of these cells may offer such advantages over marrow as the avoidance of general anesthesia, collection on an outpatient basis, and use when marrow is involved with malignancy. Since Hodgkin's disease rarely spreads hematogenously, postchemotherapy marrow transplantation with autologous peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) was compared to that with marrow transplantation in patients with this disorder. Seven patients were treated with PBSCs and 19 with marrow. Five to nine collections of PBSC were performed per patient. There was a rebound increase in circulating committed progenitors when PBSC were collected during the marrow rebound after cyclic chemotherapy. After intensification and cellular rescue, quicker recovery of circulating white cells (p<0.05) and a shorter hospital stay (not significant) were seen in the PBSC patients than in those treated with autologous marrow. There was no difference in the duration of red cell or platelet transfusion required after transplant. Of six patients whose marrows were previously involved by Hodgkin's, recurrent or progressive disease has occurred in five. PBSC may be a viable alternative to marrow in selected patients.
How do various maize crop models vary in their responses to climate change factors?

Potential consequences of climate change on crop production can be studied using mechanistic crop simulation models. While a broad variety of maize simulation models exist, it is not known whether different models diverge on grain yield responses to changes in climatic factors, or whether they agree in their general trends related to phenology, growth, and yield. With the goal of analyzing the sensitivity of simulated yields to changes in temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations [CO2], we present the largest maize crop model intercomparison to date, including 23 different models. These models were evaluated for four locations representing a wide range of maize production conditions in the world: Lusignan (France), Ames (USA), Rio Verde (Brazil) and Morogoro (Tanzania). While individual models differed considerably in absolute yield simulation at the four sites, an ensemble of a minimum number of models was able to simulate absolute yields accurately at the four sites even with low data for calibration, thus suggesting that using an ensemble of models has merit. Temperature increase had strong negative influence on modeled yield response of roughly −0.5 Mg ha−1 per °C. Doubling [CO2] from 360 to 720 μmol mol−1 increased grain yield by 7.5% on average across models and the sites. That would therefore make temperature the main factor altering maize yields at the end of this century. Furthermore, there was a large uncertainty in the yield response to [CO2] among models. Model responses to temperature and [CO2] did not differ whether models were simulated with low calibration information or, simulated with high level of calibration information.
Some determinants of low bone mass and fracture among the elderly.

Osteoporosis is a major public health issue, generating large costs and producing disability and even death through the development of fracture. Medical interventions could reduce these costs if applied early enough to the susceptible individuals. However, many problems remain before proper identification of such at risk subjects can be made. The fractures which are usually associated with osteoporosis are those of the distal radius (Colles), the vertebra, the hip, the pelvis and the proximal humerus (1). Usually it has been assumed that all of these fractures are related to generalized loss of bone with age. However, recent evidence suggests that at least two distinct fracture syndromes exist which may have different causes (2). Type I osteoporosis occurs primarily in women between the ages of 50 and 65 and presents as Colles or vertebral crush fractures. Studies of iliac crest biopsies from patients with crush fractures suggest that this syndrome is primarily characterized by loss of trabecular bone (3). This deficit may be related to a greater degree of estrogen deficiency among these women or perhaps an insufficient quantity of bone prior to menopause. There are not enough available data to make this distinction at present. Type II osteoporosis occurs primarily in those over age 70 and involves women twice as often as men. The principal fracture is that of the hip. Biopsies obtained from such patients show loss of both cortical and trabecular bone. The pathogenesis here is probably more complex than simple estrogen deficiency. Other variables such as malabsorption of calcium with subsequent development of secondary hyperparathyroidism leading to further bone loss may play an important role. The increased incidence of fractures is usually attributed to the loss of bone at the site where fracture occurs. Certainly there is a high correlation between bone mass and mechanical strength when bones are tested in vitro. However, when bone mass has been measured in patients with
Purposing AAL to an Aging Population: AAW (Walking), AAD (Driving) and the IoV (Internet of Vehicles)

The Internet of Things is construed as a broad interconnectivity of everyday devices and entities, such that their collaborative engagements can create superior externalities. It is distinguished from the "sensorweb" through the capabilities of IoT devices to operate and reason on, and with, inputs from multiple sources. In this work we postulate that vehicles have a previously unexplored role to play in driving widespread acceptance, and adoption, of mobile cloud, IoT and AAL principles, concepts and systems. We argue that, historically, deployment of new, disruptive technological paradigms has been slow and the notion of IoT devices being deeply embedded in our everyday environment, and working and collaborating to enhance and support our daily existences (Ambient Assisted Living), makes "realizing tomorrow's potential difficult. But not impossible" for industry actors. This work re-envisions common approaches to presenting AAL research and focuses on emerging and future enabler technologies and platforms that will provide direct AAL interactions and experiences for end users. The use-case and deployment scenario is that of present day and future vehicular and transportation infrastructure networks, with exemplars in the global societal challenge of healthcare for aging populations.
THE GUT: A CYTOKINE‐GENERATING ORGAN IN SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION?

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the gut is capable of becoming a cytokine-generating organ following either a lethal or nonlethal inflammatory insult. Adult male rats were given an intraperitoneal challenge with saline, or with a nonlethal (.1 mg/g) or LD50 (.5 mg/g) dose of zymosan. Mesenteric lymph nodes, efferent mesenteric lymph, liver, spleen, and blood (portal and systemic) were obtained at 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 h post challenge. Organs, lymph, and blood were tested for bacterial translocation (BT); blood and lymph were assayed for tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-6. After . 1 mg/g zymosan, BT was limited to the mesenteric lymph node complex only; . 5 mg/g zymosan promoted BT to blood, mesenteric lymph, and organs (p < .05 vs. control or .1 mg/g zymosan). The magnitude of portal bacteremia was greater than systemic bacteremia (p < .003). Serum TNF peaked at 2 h (p < .05 vs. control), and serum IL-6 peaked at 4–6 h (p < .05 vs. control) post zymosan challenge. Portal and systemic bioactivity was similar for either cytokine, and serum bioactivity did not correlate with zymosan dose. TNF bioactivity was increased in the mesenteric lymph at 2 h post challenge with . 5 mg/g zymosan only (p < .05 vs. control or .1 mg/g zymosan). IL-6 bioactivity was increased in the mesenteric lymph at 4 through 10 h post zymosan challenge (p < .05 vs. control), but was similar with either dosage of zymosan. In conclusion, the gut may be capable of producing cytokines in response to an inflammatory stimulus, even in the absence of portal or systemic spread of bacteria. The magnitude of the cytokine response does not correlate with the magnitude of bacterial translocation.
External Cyclicality in the Face of Aggregate Demand Shocks: Pros and Cons Across Developed and Developing Countries

The paper studies variation in the effects of aggregate demand shocks on the external sector and underlying components and distinguishes between the effects of expansionary and contractionary shocks. The aim is to study the determinants and implications of cyclicality across advanced and developing countries. The composite evidence points to high degree of cyclicality in many countries. Based on time‐series correlations, there is a stronger cyclical co‐movement between the trade and current account balances across advanced countries, compared to developing countries. Further, fluctuations in the financial balance are dependent on developments in exports in many developing countries. The determinants of external vulnerability vary with macroeconomic indicators. The evidence points to higher vulnerability of the external balance with respect to higher trend inflation across developing countries. In addition, constraints on capacity in developing countries could risk external stability as trend growth increases across countries. Government spending is an important determinant of external stability in developing countries, reflecting the adverse implications of higher government spending and a widening fiscal deficit on debt sustainability and external financial flows. Further, private consumption is a key driver of aggregate uncertainty and cyclical fluctuations in the external balances across developing countries.
Particle trapping in electrostatically actuated nanofluidic barriers

This paper introduces a device that can be applied to the trapping and analysis of nanoparticles in fluids. The device is fabricated on silicon substrates using standard microfabrication techniques. Sacrificial etching is used to form nanofluidic channels of precise dimensions. A section over these channels is made deformable by thinning the SiO2 overcoat, and an electrode over the deformable section of these channels can be used to electrostatically constrict the channel walls. This deformed wall creates a physical barrier, which can trap and hold particles. Fluorescently labeled 50 nm diameter nanobeads are shown to trap behind pinched barriers in a 100 nm tall nanochannel.
Fast Human-Computer Interaction by Combining Gaze Pointing and Face Gestures

In this work, we show how our open source accessibility software, the FaceSwitch, can help motor-impaired subjects to efficiently interact with a computer hands-free. The FaceSwitch enhances gaze interaction with video-based face gestures interaction. The emerging multimodal system allows for interaction with a user interface by means of gaze pointing for target selection and facial gestures for target-specific action commands. The FaceSwitch maps facial gestures to specific mouse or keyboard events such as: left mouse click, right mouse click, or page scroll down. Hence, facial gestures serve the purpose of mechanical switches. With this multimodal interaction paradigm, the user gazes at the object in the user interface with which it wants to interact and then triggers a target-specific action by performing a face gesture. Through a rigorous user study, we have obtained quantitative evidence that suggests our proposed interaction paradigm improves the performance of traditional accessibility options, such as gaze-only interaction or gaze with a single mechanical switch interaction while coming close in terms of speed and accuracy with traditional mouse-based interaction. We make the FaceSwitch software freely available to the community so the output of our research can help the target audience.
What Works to Reduce Inequalities in Higher Education? A Systematic Review of the (Quasi-)Experimental Literature on Outreach and Financial Aid

Policy makers are increasingly searching for ways to allow more disadvantaged students to access and complete higher education. The quickly growing (quasi-)experimental literature on policy interventions in higher education provide the opportunity to identify the causal effects of these interventions on disadvantaged students and discuss inequality mechanisms at the last stage of the educational system. The paper reviews 75 studies and rigorously compares more than 200 causal effects of outreach and financial aid interventions on the access and completion rates of disadvantaged students in higher education. The paper finds that outreach policies are broadly effective in increasing access for disadvantaged students when these policies include active counseling or simplify the university application process, but not when they only provide general information on higher education. For financial aid, the paper finds that need-based grants do not systematically increase enrollment rates but only lead to improvements when they provide enough money to cover unmet need and/or include an early commitment during high school. Still, need-based grants quite consistently appear to improve the completion rates of disadvantaged students. In contrast, the evidence indicates that merit-based grants only rarely improve the outcomes of disadvantaged students. Finally, interventions combining outreach and financial aid have brought promising results, although more research on these mixed interventions is needed.