Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Chemokine Receptor CCR2 Is Not Required for Successful Initiation of Labor in Mice1

ABSTRACT Chemokine-driven neutrophil and monocyte recruitment into the uterus and cervix has been proposed to initiate labor. Chemokines that bind CXCR2 direct neutrophil migration and are induced during labor in humans. The chemokine CCL2, induced in the uterus by endocrine and mechanical signals, has been proposed to drive CCR2-dependent monocyte homing to the uterus to contribute to the initiation of labor. However, no direct evidence indicates that chemokines or their receptors play indispensable roles in labor-associated inflammation, and the impact of leukocyte infiltration on labor is unclear. Here, we have quantified expression of the principal monocyte- and neutrophil-attracting chemokines in the uteri of term pregnant (Day 18) and laboring wild-type mice. None of the neutrophil attractants we assayed were up-regulated with labor. Strikingly, however, Ccl2 was markedly increased, and this was concomitant with increased expression of Ccr2, the myeloid marker Itgam (also known as Cd11b), the monocyte/macrophage marker Emr1 (also known as F4/80). Moreover, in CCR2-deficient mice, this labor-associated increase in Itgam and Emr1 was not seen, consistent with the monocyte-trafficking defects that exist in these animals. Nonetheless, laboring CCR2-deficient and wild-type uteri showed similarly enhanced expression of the myometrial activation markers Gja1 and Oxtr (commonly known as connexin 43 and oxytocin receptor, respectively), and CCR2-deficient mice had gestation lengths, litter sizes, and fetal and placental weights no different from those of their wild-type counterparts. Thus, whereas labor is associated with an inflammatory response in gestational tissues, CCR2-dependent leukocyte recruitment into the mouse uterus is dispensable for the initiation of successful labor.
Autoreactivity in an HIV-1 broadly reactive neutralizing antibody variable region heavy chain induces immunologic tolerance

We previously reported that some of the rare broadly reactive, HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies are polyreactive, leading to the hypothesis that induction of these types of neutralizing antibody may be limited by immunologic tolerance. However, the notion that such antibodies are sufficiently autoreactive to trigger B cell tolerance is controversial. To test directly whether rare neutralizing HIV-1 antibodies can activate immunologic tolerance mechanisms, we generated a knock-in mouse in which the Ig heavy chain (HC) variable region rearrangement (VHDJH) from the polyreactive and broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibody 2F5 was targeted into the mouse Igh locus. In vitro, this insertion resulted in chimeric human/mouse 2F5 antibodies that were functionally similar to the human 2F5 antibody, including comparable reactivity to human and murine self-antigens. In vivo, the 2F5 VHDJH insertion supported development of large- and small pre-B cells that expressed the chimeric human/mouse Igμ chain but not the production of immature B cells expressing membrane IgM. The developmental arrest exhibited in 2F5 VHDJH knock-in mice is characteristic of other knock-in strains that express the Ig HC variable region of autoreactive antibodies and is consistent with the loss of immature B cells bearing 2F5 chimeric antibodies to central tolerance mechanisms. Moreover, homozygous 2F5 VHDJH knock-in mice support reduced numbers of residual splenic B cells with low surface IgM density, severely diminished serum IgM levels, but normal to elevated quantities of serum IgGs that did not react with autoantigens. These features are consistent with elimination of 2F5 HC autoreactivity by additional negative selection mechanism(s) in the periphery.
Laser-induced damage in dielectrics with nanosecond to subpicosecond pulses.

We report extensive measurements of damage thresholds for fused silica and calcium fluoride at 1053 and 526 nm for pulse durations $\ensuremath{\tau}$ ranging from 270 fs to 1 ns. Qualitative differences in the morphology of damage and a departure from the diffusion-dominated ${\ensuremath{\tau}}^{1/2}$ scaling indicate that damage results from plasma formation and ablation for $\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\le}10$ ps and from conventional melting and boiling for $\ensuremath{\tau}g100$ ps. A theoretical model based on electron production via multiphoton ionization, Joule heating, and collisional (avalanche) ionization is in good agreement with experimental results.
Erythema and melanogenesis action spectra in heavily pigmented individuals as compared to fair‐skinned Caucasians

The protective role of epidermal melanin pigmentation against chronic exposure to ultraviolet radiation is widely accepted, although its photoprotective effect against acute exposure is less certain. In this study, the action spectra of erythema and melanogenesis in heavily pigmented individuals (skin type V) were determined at 295, 305, 315, and 365 nm, and compared with those of skin types I and II. When the erythema and melanogenesis action spectra for skin type V were normalized to 295 nm, they were identical to the corresponding action spectra for fair‐skinned individuals, indicating that the photoprotection of epidermal melanin pigmentation is essentially independent of wavelength. The ratio of values for the minimum erythema dose (MED) between skin type V and skin types I and II was 2.29, which is close to the ratio of pigment in these skin types, as measured by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in the visible range. The minimum immediate pigment darkening dose (IPD) and the minimum melanogenic dose (MMD) at 365 nm, and the MED and MMD at 315 nm were the same for all skin types, while the variation of MED for every skin type was maximum at 305 and 365 nm. The results provide circumstantial evidence that erythema and melanogenesis have the same mechanism at short‐wavelength UVB (295 and 305 nm), and different mechanisms in UVA (365 nm). Furthermore, the 24 h MED at 305 nm appears to be a sensitive indicator of skin type.
A Humanized Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1 (TNFR1)-specific Antagonistic Antibody for Selective Inhibition of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Action

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a recognized pathogenic mediator in a number of chronic and acute inflammatory diseases. Antibodies targeting TNF have significantly improved therapy of chronic inflammatory diseases, in particular rheumatoid arthritis. Despite this success, anti-TNF treatment shows clinical efficacy only in part of the patients and is often transient, necessitating the development of alternative reagents to combat TNF action. We here describe humanization and functional properties of a TNFR1-specific, monovalent antibody fragment, designated IZI-06.1, which binds to the cysteine-rich domain 1 of TNFR1 with high affinity and competes ligand binding. IZI-06.1 serves as a receptor-selective inhibitor of proapoptotic and antiapoptotic TNF actions, revealed from complete blockage of TNFR1-dependent apoptosis and interleukin-6 induction in Kym 1 and HeLa cells, respectively, whereas TNFR2-mediated signals remained intact, evident from TNF and interleukin-2–mediated costimulation of interferon-γ production in T cells. Accordingly, IZI-06.1 is a TNFR1-selective TNF antagonist and holds great promise to be developed into a clinically applicable therapeutic. IZI-06.1 could be a useful therapeutic alternative in all diseases already known to clinically respond to anti-TNF treatment and particularly in those diseases, where anti-TNF treatment has failed because of complete blockade of TNF action.
Differential representation of dynamic and static power grip force in the sensorimotor network

Previous studies investigating the blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) signal in the human sensorimotor cortex during static force (maintained for a few seconds) and dynamic force (repetitive force pulses) resulted in contradictory findings. Therefore, we conducted a whole‐brain functional magnetic resonance imaging study during a visuomotor task requiring the production of either dynamic or static power grip force. Thereby we aimed at clarifying whether the BOLD signal behaves differently with dynamic and static force in the primary motor cortex, and whether it behaves in the same way in all areas and regions involved in force production. In the static condition, participants applied visually guided, isometric grip force on a dynamometer of 20% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and held this force for 21 s. In the dynamic condition, self‐paced force pulses of 20% MVC were produced at a rate of 0.5 Hz. Static and dynamic force production activated an overlapping network of sensorimotor cortical and subcortical regions. However, the production of a significantly higher mean static force compared with the dynamic force resulted in a significantly smaller BOLD signal in the contralateral motor cortex, confirming observations of an earlier investigation. In addition, we found that the ipsilateral anterior cerebellum behaved similar to the motor cortex, whereas in all other activated regions the activation during static and dynamic force did not significantly differ. These findings demonstrate that various regions of the sensorimotor network participate differentially in the production and control of low static and dynamic grip force, and raise important questions concerning the interpretation of the BOLD signal with respect to mechanisms of neurovascular coupling.
EVOLUTIONARY ADAPTATION TO TEMPERATURE. I. FITNESS RESPONSES OF ESCHERICHIA COLI TO CHANGES IN ITS THERMAL ENVIRONMENT

We used bacteria to study experimentally the process of genetic adaptation to environmental temperature. Replicate lines of Escherichia coli, founded from a common ancestor, were propagated for 2,000 generations in 4 different thermal regimes as 4 experimental groups: constant 32, 37, or 42°C (thermal specialists), or a daily alternation between 32 and 42°C (32/42°C: thermal generalists). The ancestor had previously been propagated at 37°C for 2,000 generations. Adaptation of the groups to temperature was measured by improvement in fitness relative to the ancestor, as estimated by competition experiments. All four experimental groups showed improved relative fitness in their own thermal environment (direct response of fitness). However, rates of fitness improvement varied greatly among temperature groups. The 42°C group responded most rapidly and extensively, followed by the 32 and 32/42°C groups, whose fitness improvements were indistinguishable. The 37°C group, which experienced the ancestral temperature, had the slowest and least extensive fitness improvement. The correlated fitness responses of each group, again relative to the common ancestor, were measured over the entire experimental range of temperatures. No necessary tradeoff between direct and correlated responses of fitness was apparent: for example, the improved fitness of the 42°C group at 42°C was not accompanied by a loss of fitness at 37°C or 32°C. However, the direct fitness responses were usually greater than the correlated responses, judged both by comparing direct and correlated responses of a single group at different temperatures and by comparing direct and correlated responses of different groups at a single temperature. These comparisons indicate that the observed adaptation was, in fact, largely temperature specific. Also, the fitness responses of the generalist group across a range of temperatures were less variable than those of the thermal specialist groups considered as whole.
CELL SURFACE ANTIGENS OF HUMAN RENAL CANCER

The two key questions of h u m a n cancer immunology remain unresolved. These relate to whether tumor-specific antigens exist in h u m a n cancer and, if so, whether there is immunological recognition of these antigens in humans. To date, candidate h u m a n tumor-specific antigens defined by heterologous sera have, on further analysis, turned out to belong to the category of differentiation antigens, antigens characterizing normal cells at some phase of differentiation, rather than antigens that are restricted to neoplastic cells. The tumor antigens that are detected by reactions with h u m a n sera fall into several categories, with alloantigens (particularly products of the HLA complex and ABO locus), antigens related to Epstein-Barr virus, and antigens related to the heterologous sera used in cul tur ing h u m a n cancer cells representing the best studied examples. In general, however, most surveys of h u m a n populat ions for humoral or cell-mediated immuni ty to cell surface or intracellular antigens of h u m a n cancer cells have not provided the sort of evidence that would permit the distinction of tumor-specific reactions from reactions directed to other categories of antigens. To develop as direct an approach as possible to the question of whether patients with cancer recognize tumor-specific antigens on the surface of their cancer cells, we have developed a serological approach, referred to as autologous typing, that has been applied to the study of cell surface antigens of mal ignant melanoma (1-3), acute leukemia (4), and astrocytoma (5). Autologous typing has several features: (a) direct tests are restricted to reactions between sera and tumor cells from the same patient, el iminating the need to consider reactions that are a result of conventional alloantibodies and assuring the detection of antigens restricted to autologous tumor cells, i.e., class 1 antigens, see below; (b) several serological tests are used in parallel, reducing the possibility that ant ibody belonging to a part icular class might be missed; (c) target cells from solid tumors are provided by serially passaged tissue culture lines, permit t ing
Wireless body area network for e-health applications: Overview

Today, with advances in wireless communication technologies and smart electronic sensors, a variety of e-health applications has been realized to provide efficient healthcare services. Thanks to the Wireless Body Area Network, various operations in e-health applications can be monitored. The WBAN has invaded our environment and homes because of its numerous advantages. However, the installation of the WBAN is a very challenging task because of the special characteristics of the medium under which it works. This survey paper gives an overview of WBAN in terms of its applications in the healthcare domain, its allocated frequency bands, its channel models as well as the main requirements in the design of the WBAN.
Highly conserved domains in hemagglutinin of influenza viruses characterizing dual receptor binding

The hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza viruses initiates virus infection by binding receptors on host cells. Human influenza viruses preferentially bind to receptors with α2,6 linkages to galactose, avian viruses prefer receptors with α2,3 linkages to galactose, and swine viruses favor both types of receptors. The pandemic H1N1 2009 remains a global health concern in 2010. The novel 2009 H1N1 influenza virus has its genetic components from avian, human, and swine viruses. Its pandemic nature is characterized clearly by its dual binding to the α2,3 as well as α2,6 receptors, because the seasonal human H1N1 virus only binds to the α2,6 receptor. In previous studies, the informational spectrum method (ISM), a bioinformatics method, was applied to uncover highly conserved regions in the HA protein associated with the primary receptor binding preference in various subtypes. In the present study, we extended the previous work by discovering multiple domains in HA associated with the secondary receptor binding preference in various subtypes, thus characterizing the distinct dual binding nature of these viruses. The domains discovered in the HA proteins were mapped to the 3D homology model of HA, which could be utilized as therapeutic and diagnostic targets for the prevention and treatment of influenza infection.
Carcinoma of the prostate: Prognostic evaluation of certain pathologic features in 208 radical prostatectomies

In a study of 208 total prostates removed surgically for early carcinoma of the prostate and studied by the step‐section technique, we found that 97% were located either peripherally or both peripherally and centrally; 80% were bilateral, and 85% were multifocal. In most of the cases, the tumor was actually more extensive than detected by rectal examination, but there was reasonable agreement (74.5%) between the urologist and pathologist in assessing the presence of local extension of carcinoma. Evaluation of various factors affecting survival and mortality disclosed that an extension of the tumor to seminal vesicles or invasion of the capsule, whether detected clinically or pathologically, had an unfavorable prognosis while the side involved, the location of the tumor, and perineural invasion had no significant effect on the prognosis.
COMPARISON OF CULTURED HUMAN MONONUCLEAR CELLS, LIMULUS AMEBOCYTE LYSATE and RABBITS IN THE DETECTION OF PYROGENS

Isolated human mononuclear cells exposed to either lipopolysaccharide or Staphylococcus aureus secreted interleukin‐1 like material. The secretion was concentration dependent. The minimal detectable level in the test solution of lipopolysaccharide and Staphylococcus aureus was 200 pg/ml and 105 cells/ml respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate test, the rabbit pyrogen test and the monocyte test are compared. The monocyte test is proposed as an alternative in‐vitro test to the rabbit pyrogen test.
A multiple-strength multiple-delay compiled-code logic simulator

Describes a new logic state model for gate level simulation based upon a powerset representation of the possible drive states at the output of a logic gate. Efficient implementation techniques for this model in a compiled-code logic simulator are presented, with the results that most complicated operations can be optimized into simple table lookups. Algorithmic issues in a multiple-strength multiple-delay logic simulator are discussed. Implementation results show that for typical circuits, compiled-code implementations of multiple-strength unit-delay logic simulation and multiple-strength multiple-delay logic simulation are slightly lower than three-state unit-delay simulation, and achieve speedups of 5 to 14 times compared to interpretive versions of the same algorithms. >
Escherichia coli 0157 : H 7 Infection in Humans

• Objective: To review the clinical relevance of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 infection, including the epidemiology of the infection and its clinical presentations, pathogenesis, microbiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. • Data Sources: Articles on E. coli 0157:H7 were identified through MEDLINE and the bibliographies of relevant articles. • Study Selection: All articles and case reports describing E. coli 0157:H7 and its infection were selected. • Data Extraction: The data were abstracted without judgments about study design. Data quality and validity were assessed by independent author reviews. • Data Synthesis: Infection with E. coli 0157:H7 presents with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, including asymptomatic carriage, nonbloody diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, the hemolytic-uremic syndrome, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Not only is E. coli 0157:H7 an important agent for hemorrhagic colitis, it is also one of the leading causes of bacterial diarrhea. Patients at extremes of age have an increased risk for infection and associated complications. Transmission of E. coli 0157:H7 is primarily food-bome. Undercooked meat is the most common culprit, and secondary person-to-person spread is also important. The organism produces at least two Shiga-like toxins that differ antigenically, physicochemically, immunologically, and in their biological effects. These toxins are thought to have direct pathogenic significance in E. coli 0157:H7 infection. This infection is usually diagnosed from a positive stool culture, from the presence of Shiga-like toxins, or both. Timely collection (within 7 days of illness onset) of a stool sample for culture is imperative for a high recovery rate. Treatment is primarily supportive and includes the management of complications as necessary. Antibiotic therapy has not been proved beneficial. Important public health measures include educating the public on the danger of eating undercooked meat, increasing physician awareness of E. coli 0157:H7 infection, and mandating case reporting. • Conclusions: Infection with E. coli 0157:H7 presents with many clinical manifestations and should be included in the differential diagnosis for any patient with new-onset bloody diarrhea. Development of the hemolytic-uremic syndrome or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura should raise strong suspicion of E. coli 0157:H7 infection and should lead to prompt evaluation. If infection is confirmed, it should be reported to public health officials.
Frequency-Selective Feeding Network Based on Directional Filter for Constant-Beamwidth Scalable Antenna Arrays

A concept of scalable antenna arrays with an even number of radiating elements and nonuniform element spacing has been proposed. It has been shown that the proposed arrays can be fed with a frequency-selective network based on a well-known directional filter and with such a network the beamwidth can be kept constant across one frequency octave. The appropriate adjustment of coupled-line sections in such a directional filter allows for flexible selection of transmission coefficients between two outputs, and therefore, can be used for gradual switching of the signals between radiating elements. The proposed frequency-selective feeding network has been applied in a six-element antenna array operating in 1.75–3.5 GHz frequency range in which constant beamwidth around 16° has been achieved.
Economic comparison of basic energy storage system control strategies

The paper is concerned with the comparison of four basic control strategies of the on-board energy storage system. The energy storage system is able to increase the tram efficiency and decrease operating costs. The comparing criteria are energy savings of strategies. Energy savings are calculated via stochastic model of the real tram line. Return on the investment is also estimated in this paper.