Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Paternal epigenetic effects of population density on locust phase‐related characteristics associated with heat‐shock protein expression

Many species exhibit transgenerational plasticity by which environmental cues experienced by either parent can be transmitted to their offspring, resulting in phenotypic variants in offspring to match ancestral environments. However, the manner by which paternal experiences affect offspring plasticity through epigenetic inheritance in animals generally remains unclear. In this study, we examined the transgenerational effects of population density on phase‐related traits in the migratory locust Locusta migratoria. Using an experimental design that explicitly controls genetic background, we found that the effects of crowd or isolation rearing on phase plasticity could be inherited to the offspring. The isolation of gregarious locusts resulted in reduced weight in offspring eggs and altered morphometric traits in hatchlings, whereas crowding of solitarious locusts exhibited opposite effects. The consequences of density changes were transmitted by both maternal and paternal inheritance, although the expression of paternal effects was not as pronounced as that of maternal effects. Prominent expression of heat‐shock proteins (Hsps), such as Hsp90, Hsp70 and Hsp20.6, could be triggered by density changes. Hsps were significantly upregulated upon crowding but downregulated upon isolation. The variation in parental Hsp expression was also transmitted to the offspring, in which the pattern of inheritance was consistent with that of phase characteristics. These results revealed a paternal effect on phase polyphenism and Hsp expression induced by population density, and defined a model system that could be used to study the paternal epigenetic inheritance of environmental changes.
Simple model for the study of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in leukopenic mice

A simple, reproducible model of fatal Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis in mice during immunosuppression was developed. Mice were rendered leukopenic (less than or equal to 800 leukocytes per mm3 of blood) for a period of 5 days by multiple injections of cyclophosphamide. Mice were challenged at the onset of leukopenia by instilling the bacteria onto a 0.5-mm incision made into the back. The mean lethal dose (LD50) for P. aeruginosa PA220 and M-2 was less than 20 bacteria. The mean time to death for these strains ranged from 46 to 59 h. Leukopenic mice were comparatively resistant when challenged with Klebsiella pneumoniae (LD50 = 1.5 x 10(6)) or Staphylococcus aureus (LD50 greater than 10(6)). Infection with P. aeruginosa was characterized by rapid bacterial multiplication in the skin at the site of infection, producing ecthyma gangrenosum. Bacteremia and colonization of the liver were pronounced 21 h postinfection. This model should prove to be a useful tool for studying the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa infections under immunosuppressed conditions.
A Single-Nucleotide Synonymous Mutation in the gag Gene Controlling Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Virion Production

ABSTRACT Viral factors as well as host ones play major roles in the disease progression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. We have examined cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activity and HIV-1 DNA PCR results of 312 high-risk seronegative drug users in northern Thailand and identified four seronegative cases positive for both assays. Furthermore, we have identified a synonymous mutation in nucleotide position 75 of the gag p17 gene (A426G) of HIV-1 that belongs to the CRF01_AE virus circulating in Thailand. The replication-competent HIV-1 clone containing the A426G mutation demonstrated a dramatic reduction of virion production and perturbation of viral morphogenesis without affecting viral protein synthesis in cells.
Hyperspectral image denoising from an incomplete observation

Hyperspectral image (HSI) contains rich spectral information, which can facilitate lots of vision based tasks related with immersive communications. However, HSI is easily affected by different factors such as noise, missing data, etc., which degrades the image quality of HSI and makes HSI incomplete. In this study, to guarantee the denoising method can be used for incomplete data and suppress multiple kinds of noise, we analyze HSI denoising as a low-rank matrix analysis (LRMA) problem taking advantage of Hyperspectral unmixing, and model LRMA for HSI denoising probabilistically. A Bayesian LRMA method is then introduced to solve the probabilistic LRMA problem. The proposed method can denoise the noisy incomplete HSI more effectively compared with several denoising methods. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Association between depressive symptoms in childhood and adolescence and overweight in later life: review of the recent literature.

OBJECTIVE To present an overview of the association between depressive symptoms in childhood and adolescence and subsequent overweight in later life. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science for all indexed journals from January 1, 1997, to May 30, 2007. STUDY SELECTION Abstracts of 513 articles were reviewed manually. Studies were excluded if unrelated to depressive symptoms and overweight (n = 460), if they were conducted in an adult population (n = 10) or in a population of all age groups (n = 2), or if they were performed in clinic-based populations of overweight participants. In total, 32 articles were reviewed including 21 cross-sectional and 11 longitudinal reports. Main Exposure Depressive symptoms in childhood and adolescence. Main Outcome Measure Overweight. RESULTS Four cross-sectional studies that satisfied our quality criteria revealed an association between depressive symptoms and overweight in girls aged 8 to 15 years, reporting different effect sizes including a correlation coefficient of 0.14 and a regression coefficient of 0.27. Four longitudinal studies in accord with our quality criteria suggest that depressive symptoms in childhood or adolescence are associated with a 1.90- to 3.50-fold increased risk of subsequent overweight (95% confidence intervals varying from 1.02 to 5.80, respectively). CONCLUSION These results support a positive association between depressive symptoms at age 6 to 19 years and overweight in later life, assessed after a period of 1 to 15 years.
Microwave device model validity assessment for statistical analysis

model accuracy is a key consideration when using circuit simulation for microwave designs in general but normally ignored in statistical analysis. A measure of model validity against process variation, MAP, is developed from theoretical considerations. A demonstration of MAP is given for the simple case of a microstrip line and the industry-standard MLIN model. More complex cases are examined for coupled differential microstrip on module for linear design and MMIC HBT diodes for nonlinear design. The impact on MAP of both process variations and model changes is demonstrated. Limitations and extensions to the technique are discussed for other factors impacting the selection of models based on their accuracy.
Secondary Soft Tissue Compromise in Tongue-type Calcaneus Fractures

Objectives: Open wounds occur with calcaneus fracture from direct application of force and from tearing along the medial side of the fracture as the tuberosity displaces laterally. Secondary soft tissue injury can also occur from pressure of the displaced fracture fragments. Tongue-type fractures of the calcaneus lead to variable amounts of displacement of the posterior tuberosity. This displacement may threaten the posterior soft tissue envelope. Because many calcaneus fractures are splinted initially and immobilized for several weeks until swelling resolves, failure to acutely recognize the potential for posterior skin breakdown may lead to severe soft tissue morbidity. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of posterior skin involvement in tongue-type calcaneus fractures and to determine the patient and fracture characteristics that lead to high-risk situations. Setting: University level I trauma center. Patients/Participants: All tongue-type calcaneus fractures treated at 1 institution between 2002 and 2007 were identified from a trauma registry. Of 954 patients with calcaneal fractures, 139 tongue-type calcaneus fractures in 127 patients formed the study group. Intervention: Patient demographics, comorbidities, injury mechanism, fracture displacement, and time to presentation were evaluated. Those injuries that were associated with posterior, secondary soft tissue breakdown were identified and compared to those without breakdown. Main Outcome Measurements: Univariate analysis and stepwise multinomial logistic regressions were used to identify significant predictors of posterior soft tissue compromise. Results: Twenty-nine fractures (21%) had some degree of posterior skin compromise at presentation, including 12 with threatened skin, 10 with partial thickness breakdown, and 7 with full thickness breakdown. Six soft tissue coverage procedures and one amputation resulted. Patients with posterior skin compromise were less likely to have a fall mechanism (P = 0.001), had significantly greater fracture displacement (P = 0.007), were more likely to smoke (P = 0.039), and were more frequently referred on a delayed basis (P = 0.007). Those with threatened posterior skin who were treated emergently with percutaneous reduction did not progress to soft tissue compromise. Conclusion: A high incidence (21%) of posterior skin compromise occurs in tongue-type calcaneus fractures. These should be treated with immediate reduction, plantarflexion splinting, and close monitoring. Although mechanism, displacement, and time to presentation were significantly correlated with posterior skin involvement, the surgeon should be aware of this potential complicating factor in all tongue-type fractures.
Machine Learning Classifiers in Glaucoma

Machine learning is concerned with the design and development of algorithms and techniques that allow computers to “learn” patterns in data using iterative processes. Such processes can be supervised (guided by a priori group membership information) or unsupervised (guided by patterns within the data). Machine learning classifiers (MLC) are unconstrained by statistical assumptions and therefore are adaptable to complex data. Recent applications of MLC techniques to the detection and monitoring of glaucoma by analysis of visual field and optical imaging data suggest that these methods can provide improvement over currently available techniques. This article provides some background about the classification task in glaucoma and the structure and evaluation of MLCs, and it reviews MLC techniques as they have been applied to visual function and optical imaging in glaucoma research.
Suppression of heart rate variability after supramaximal exertion

Wingate test is short anaerobic exercise, performed with maximal power, whereas aerobic exercise at 85% maximal heart rate (HRmax) may be performed for long period. Sustained HR elevations and changes in autonomic activity indices have been observed after latter kind of exercise. Several studies reported reduction in mean interval between consecutive R peaks in ECG (RRI) 1 h after Wingate test; however, underlying changes in autonomic activity remain elusive. In eight young males, RRI and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured daily over two 5‐day trials. Subjects exercised on third day of each trial, measurements were taken 1 h after (i) two consecutive 30‐s bouts of Wingate tests or (ii) after a 30‐min exercise at 85% HRmax, with subjects in supine rest and breathing either spontaneously or at controlled rates of 6 and 15 breaths / min. RRI was significantly shorter after Wingate and submaximal exercise, reduction of high‐ and low‐frequency components of HRV attained reliability only after Wingate tests. This pattern remained preserved for three modes of breathing: spontaneous, 6 and 15 breaths /min. After 24 and 48 h, no exercise effects were traceable. We hypothesize that (i) anaerobic exertion is followed by sustained inhibition of vagal activity, (ii) parasympathetic system plays dominant role in mediating suppression of high‐ and low‐HRV frequency components during postexercise recovery, (iii) degree of alteration of autonomic activity caused by anaerobic and strenuous aerobic exercise may be similar and (iv) normalization of vagal activity precedes normalization of sympathetic cardiac nerves activity during final stage of postexercise recovery.
Effect of granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor therapy on leukocyte function and clearance of serious infection in nonneutropenic patients.

STUDY OBJECTIVE Impaired leukocyte function in patients with serious infections may increase mortality. Granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) broadly activates peripheral monocytes and neutrophils. We performed a clinical trial of GM-CSF in septic, hemodynamically stable patients to see whether GM-CSF treatment improved leukocyte function and mortality. DESIGN Randomized, unblinded, placebo-controlled, prospective study. SETTING A 600-bed academic tertiary care center with a 120-bed ICU census with a high proportion of immunocompromised, solid-organ transplant recipients. PATIENTS Forty adult patients with infections meeting the criteria for the systemic inflammatory response syndrome but without hemodynamic instability or shock. INTERVENTIONS Patients with sepsis and a documented infection were randomized to a 72-h infusion of GM-CSF (125 microg/m2) or placebo. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS GM-CSF infusion caused the up-regulation of the beta2-integrin adhesion molecule CD11b and the appearance of the activated ("sticky" or "avid") form of the molecule on circulating neutrophils and monocytes. CD11b density and avidity increases in response to the administration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha were blunted prior to treatment in these patients with serious infection. GM-CSF partially repaired this blunted response on both monocytes and neutrophils. It also caused the down-regulation of the adhesion molecule L-selectin on neutrophils and the up-regulation of human leukocyte antigen on monocytes. These changes were consistent with a broad activation of the circulating leukocyte pool. Although mortality and organ failure scores were similar in both groups, infection resolved significantly more often in patients receiving GM-CSF. CONCLUSIONS GM-CSF infusion up-regulated the functional markers of inflammation on circulating neutrophils and monocytes and was associated with both the clinical and microbiological resolution of infection. There was no detectable exacerbation of sepsis-related organ failure or other deleterious side effects with the administration of this proinflammatory agent to patients with serious infections.
Accommodation in ABO‐Incompatible Kidney Allografts, a Novel Mechanism of Self‐Protection Against Antibody‐Mediated Injury

To elucidate the mechanism of self‐protection against anti‐donor blood‐group antibody known as accommodation, we studied 16 human ABO‐incompatible living‐donor kidney transplant recipients at 3 and 12 months post transplantation. Both circulating anti‐blood‐group antibody and the target blood‐group antigen in the graft were demonstrable in all patients after transplantation. Thirteen of 16 grafts had normal renal function and histology, while three grafts with prior humoral rejection demonstrated significant glomerulopathy and thus did not meet the criterion for accommodation. Using microarrays, we compared five 1‐year protocol ABO‐compatible renal graft biopsies to four accommodated ABO‐incompatible graft biopsies. Significant alterations in gene expression in 440 probe sets, including SMADs, protein tyrosine kinases, TNF‐α and Mucin 1 were identified. We verified these changes in gene expression using RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry. Heme oxygenase‐1, Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xl were not increased in ABO‐incompatible grafts at any time‐point. We conclude that accommodation is always present in well‐functioning, long‐surviving ABO‐incompatible kidney transplants. This self‐protection against antibody‐mediated damage may involve several novel mechanisms including the disruption of normal signal transduction, attenuation of cellular adhesion and the prevention of apoptosis.
Systemic Dissemination and Persistence of Th2 and Type 2 Cells in Response to Infection with a Strictly Enteric Nematode Parasite1

Oral infection with the nematode parasite Heligmosomoides polygyrus H. polygyrus is entirely restricted to the small intestine. Although the evoked Th2 response has been extensively studied in secondary lymphoid organs, little is known about the systemic dissemination of Th2 cells or type 2 associated eosinophils and basophils. In this study we use bicistronic 4get IL-4 reporter mice to directly visualize the type 2 response to H. polygyrus infection. We observed that CD4+/GFP+ Th2 cells spread systemically and found that these cells accumulated in nonlymphoid “hot spots” in the liver, the lung airways, and the peritoneal cavity. Interestingly, the total number of Th2 cells in the peritoneal cavity was comparable to those found in the draining mesenteric lymph node or the spleen. Peritoneal Th2 cells were distinguished by an exceptionally low apoptotic potential and high expression of the intestinal homing receptor α4β7 integrin. CD4+/GFP+ Th2 cells from these peripheral sites were fully functional as indicated by rapid IL-4 production upon polyclonal or Ag-specific restimulation. Th2 cells persisted in the intestinal tissue and the peritoneal cavity of drug-cured mice for weeks. The presence of peripheral memory Th2 cells in the intestine might be crucial for immunity to recall infections. These findings have important implications for the design of vaccination strategies because it may be necessary to establish and maintain memory CD4+ T cells at the potential future site of infection.
Peritioneal carcinomatosis in nongynecologic malignancy. A prospective study of prognostic factors

Regional recurrence of malignant tumors in the peritoneal cavity usually signifies a poor prognosis for the host and often results in gastrointestinal complications requiring surgical intervention. One hundred patients with nongynecological malignancies found with peritoneal carcinomatosis were followed prospectively. The most common primary tumors were colorectal (N = 45) and pancreatic (N = 20) carcinoma. When associated with pancreatic carcinoma, 65% of patients had liver metastases and 60% had ascites. The presence of ascites was associated with poor survival, with no patient surviving past 30 days. Ascites was also a sign of poor prognosis in patients with colorectal carcinoma. Among possible prognostic factors in colorectal carcinoma patients, only disease‐free interval, presence of lung metastases, and ascites showed statistically significant correlations with survival. Peritoneal carcinomatosis in sarcoma (N = 7) and breast cancer (N = 6) patients had median survival of 12 and 7 months, respectively. Surgical intervention for gastrointestinal complications in peritoneal carcinomatosis can provide significant palliation, with a few exceptions such as in patients with pancreatic or gastric carcinoma, ascites, and poor performance status.
DNA integrity and motility of human spermatozoa after standard slow freezing versus cryoprotectant-free vitrification.

BACKGROUND In contrast to the technique of conventional freezing, the vitrification of spermatozoa requires high cooling rates (720 000 degrees K/min), which could be damaging for spermatozoa. The aim of our study was to compare slowly frozen and vitrified spermatozoa in terms of their post-thaw DNA integrity and motility. METHODS Semen samples were prepared according to the routine swim-up technique and divided into aliquots for comparison of fresh, conventionally frozen and vitrified spermatozoa from the same ejaculate in the presence or absence of cryoprotectants. Spermatozoa motility and DNA integrity were determined. RESULTS The motility of spermatozoa conventionally (slowly) frozen with a cryoprotectant was similar to that recorded for spermatozoa vitrified in the absence of cryoprotectant (47 versus 52%). The DNA integrity was unaffected by the cryopreservation method or presence of cryoprotectants. CONCLUSION The vitrification of human spermatozoa in the absence of conventional cryoprotectants is indeed feasible. The DNA integrity of vitrified sperm is comparable with that shown by standard slow-frozen/thawed spermatozoa, yet the method is quick and simple and does not require special cryobiological equipment.
Friends or Foes? Examining Platform Owners’ Entry into Complementors’ Spaces

As platform owners continue to expand their ecosystems, many of them have started to provide consumers with their own complementary applications. These moves position the platform owners as direct competitors to their complementors. This paper surveys empirical studies that examine the direct entry of platform owners into complementors’ product spaces. It finds that both the motivation and impact of such entries on complementors are multifaceted. The motivation behind platform owners’ direct entry goes beyond value capture, and the impact of platform entry on complementors varies across empirical settings. It identifies several future research directions that can help advance our understanding of the relationships between platform owners and complementors.
CXCR3‐positive B cells found at elevated frequency in the peripheral blood of patients with MALT lymphoma are attracted by MIG and belong to the lymphoma clone

Chemokine receptors mediate the migration of lymphocytes through binding of their ligands. CXCR3 is expressed in Th1 T cells; however, CXCR3 was recently reported in B‐cell mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)‐type lymphoma and splenic marginal zone lymphoma. To investigate whether CXCR3‐positive B lymphocytes in peripheral blood (PB) migrate to MALT and spleen, and whether the lymphoma clone is present in PB, we studied 16 cases of MALT lymphoma. In MALT cases, CXCR3‐positive B lymphocytes in PB could migrate to MIG, the CXCR3 ligand. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that MALT lymphoma cells expressed CXCR3, whereas epithelial glands and/or stromal cells expressed MIG. In the PCR analysis for VH gene rearrangements, MALT lymphoma showed monoclonal or oligoclonal bands. In addition, in 8 of 16 MALT cases, the VH gene rearrangement of MALT lymphoma had the same bands as the CXCR3‐positive B lymphocytes in PB. In 4 cases, the same clones of DNA sequences were confirmed in MALT lymphoma and CXCR3‐positive B lymphocytes of PB. The findings support the theory that CXCR3‐positive B lymphocytes in PB of MALT patients belong to the lymphoma clone and migrate to MIG‐expressing mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue. It seemed to be associated with the dissemination of MALT lymphoma. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.