Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anti-dsDNA Antibody Response is Driven by Histone-Specific T-Helper Cells

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifaceted autoimmune disease characterized by the production of pathogenic immunoglobulins, such as antinuclear and antiphospholipid autoantibodies. The kidney is one of its major target organ, with up to 60% of adult SLE patients experiencing renal involvement, many with focal or diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis, either as initial manifestation or during the waxing and waning course of the disease (1). The aim of this concise review is to update the reader on the management of proliferative and membranous lupus nephritis (LN), on the basis of the results of pivotal controlled trials and of the hopes for more targeted immunointervention raised by recent advances in the understanding of the disease. Therefore, we start with a brief introductory glance on the mechanisms underlying LN.
Human Serum Amyloid A has Cytokine‐Like Properties

Human serum amyloid A (SAA) proteins are a group of 12–14 kDa apolipoproteins found predominantly in the high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction of plasma. Several functions have been proposed for SAA, but its primary physiological function remains elusive. In this report, we used the monocytic cell line THP‐1 to investigate whether recombinant SAA1 (rSAA) or the HDL–rSAA protein complex can affect the capacity of these cells to produce inflammatory cytokines in vitro. Incubation of rSAA, plasma HDL (which contains ≤ 30 μg/ml of SAA) or HDL–rSAA complex with THP‐1 cells induced synthesis of IL‐1β, IL‐1ra and sTNFR‐II protein and mRNA. The induction of cytokine synthesis was not due to endotoxin contamination since the effect was abrogated by protein denaturation. The rSAA and HDL–rSAA complex did not induce detectable levels of IL‐6 or TNFα protein or mRNA. In contrast 10 μg/ml LPS stimulated secretion of the inflammatory cytokines, IL‐1β, IL‐6 and TNFα, as well as IL‐1ra and sTNFR‐II from THP‐1 cells. We confirmed that rSAA has chemoattractant properties in vivo, by subcutaneous injections into mice and examined the histology of the injection site at 72 h, however, the HDL–rSAA complex has a substantially reduced effect.
Molecular load of pathologically occult metastases in pelvic lymph nodes is an independent prognostic marker of biochemical failure after localized prostate cancer treatment.

PURPOSE Thirty percent of patients treated with curative intent for localized prostate cancer (PC) experience biochemical recurrence (BCR) with rising serum prostate-specific antigen (sPSA), and of these, approximately 50% succumb to progressive disease. More discriminatory staging procedures are needed to identify occult micrometastases that spawn BCR. PATIENTS AND METHODS PSA mRNA copies in pathologically normal pelvic lymph nodes (N0-PLN) from 341 localized PC patients were quantified by real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Based on comparisons with normal lymph nodes and PLN with metastases and on normalization to 5 x 10(6) glyceraldehyde-3'-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA copies, normalized PSA copies (PSA-N) and a threshold of PSA-N 100 or more were selected for continuous and categorical multivariate analyses of biochemical failure-free survival (BFFS) compared with established risk factors. RESULTS At median follow-up of 4 years, the BFFS of patients with PSA-N 100 or more versus PSA-N less than 100 was 55% and 77% (P = .0002), respectively. The effect was greatest for sPSA greater than 20 ng/mL, 25% versus 60% (P = .014), Gleason score 8 or higher, 21% versus 66% (P = .0002), stage T3c, 18% versus 64% (P = .001), and high-risk group (50% v 72%; P = .05). By continuous analysis PSA-N was an independent prognostic marker for BCR (P = .049) with a hazard ratio of 1.25 (95% CI, 1.001 to 1.57). By categorical analysis, PSA-N 100 or more was an independent variable (P = .021) with a relative risk of 1.98 (95% CI, 1.11 to 3.55) for BCR compared with PSA-N less than 100. CONCLUSION PSA-N 100 or more is a new, independent molecular staging criterion for localized PC that identifies high-risk group patients with clinically relevant occult micrometastases in N0-PLN, who may benefit from additional therapy to prevent BCR.
Changes in carbon allocation patterns in spruce and pine trees following irrigation and fertilization.

The paper presents an overview of the results of long-term fertilization and irrigation experiments in stands of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst. ). Large increases in stemwood production during the first 12 years of the experiments were achieved by fertilization especially when a balanced mixture of macro- and micronutrients was applied. The effect of irrigation alone was small, but it greatly enhanced the response of the ground vegetation to the application of a balanced fertilizer. Fertilization did not greatly affect the leaf/stemwood biomass ratio, but reduced the ratio of fine roots to total biomass. Drought reduced the coarse-root biomass/fine-root biomass ratio.
Functional expression and characterization of the Epstein-Barr virus DNA polymerase catalytic subunit

A recombinant baculovirus containing the complete sequence for the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA polymerase catalytic subunit, BALF5 gene product, under the control of the baculovirus polyhedrin promoter was constructed. Insect cells infected with the recombinant virus produced a protein of 110 kDa, recognized by anti-BALF5 protein-specific polyclonal antibody. The expressed EBV DNA polymerase catalytic polypeptide was purified from the cytosolic fraction of the recombinant virus-infected insect cells. The purified protein exhibited both DNA polymerase and 3'-to-5' exonuclease activities, which were neutralized by the anti-BALF5 protein-specific antibody. These results indicate that the 3'-to-5' exonuclease activity associated with the EBV DNA polymerase (T. Tsurumi, Virology 182:376-381, 1991) is an inherent feature of the polymerase catalytic polypeptide. The DNA polymerase and the exonuclease activities of the EBV DNA polymerase catalytic subunit were sensitive to ammonium sulfate in contrast to those of the polymerase complex purified from EBV-producing lymphoblastoid cells, which were stimulated by salt. Furthermore, the template-primer preference for the polymerase catalytic subunit was different from that for the polymerase complex. These observations strongly suggest that the presence of EBV DNA polymerase accessory protein, BMRF1 gene product, does influence the enzymatic properties of EBV DNA polymerase catalytic subunit.
Prediction of missense mutation functionality depends on both the algorithm and sequence alignment employed

Multiple algorithms are used to predict the impact of missense mutations on protein structure and function using algorithm‐generated sequence alignments or manually curated alignments. We compared the accuracy with native alignment of SIFT, Align‐GVGD, PolyPhen‐2, and Xvar when generating functionality predictions of well‐characterized missense mutations (n = 267) within the BRCA1, MSH2, MLH1, and TP53 genes. We also evaluated the impact of the alignment employed on predictions from these algorithms (except Xvar) when supplied the same four alignments including alignments automatically generated by (1) SIFT, (2) Polyphen‐2, (3) Uniprot, and (4) a manually curated alignment tuned for Align‐GVGD. Alignments differ in sequence composition and evolutionary depth. Data‐based receiver operating characteristic curves employing the native alignment for each algorithm result in area under the curve of 78–79% for all four algorithms. Predictions from the PolyPhen‐2 algorithm were least dependent on the alignment employed. In contrast, Align‐GVGD predicts all variants neutral when provided alignments with a large number of sequences. Of note, algorithms make different predictions of variants even when provided the same alignment and do not necessarily perform best using their own alignment. Thus, researchers should consider optimizing both the algorithm and sequence alignment employed in missense prediction. Hum Mutat 32:1–8, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimizing treatment for chronic congestive heart failure in children

Treatment strategies for chronic heart failure in children have generally been extrapolated from studies in adults with heart failure. This presentation reviews the existing knowledge and recommendations regarding the treatment of chronic heart failure in adults and the information that is available in children. Medications currently recommended for use in adults include diuretics, digoxin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and &bgr;-blockers. These recommendations are based on results from large, randomized, multicenter trials. Anecdotal evidence suggests similar beneficial effects of these medications in children. The fact that the etiologies, pathophysiology, and physiologic consequences of heart failure in children often differ greatly from those in adults, however, justifies the development of prospective, randomized trials to evaluate these medications specifically in children. Findings from these types of studies will provide critical information for developing guidelines for the appropriate treatment of children with chronic heart failure.
Serum Interleukin‐11 in Plasma‐Cell Dyscrasias

To the Editor: Thalassaemic patients frequently present cardiomyopathy ; some of them are in a hypoxic state, and they have defective oxygen unloading. In this setting, any additive hypoxemia may lead to deleterious effects. Some authors [1] reported a dramatic drop of PaO, (mean 22 mm Hg, range 0-70 mm Hg) following blood transfusion in P-thalassaemia patients. These authors did not mention duration of PaOZ drop following transfusion; it is also not clear whether such a drop of PaOz is confined to thalassaemics. As our clinical experience on the topic is completely different [2], we reconsidered this issue. We studied 20 transfusion-dependent P-thalassaemics (age 3 1 f 5 years) and 19 patients with anemia of a different etiology matched for age. All thalassaemics were under iron chelation; 12 had been splenectomized. No patient presented with heart failure, whereas 6 were living in a rather hypoxic state. In all subjects, blood was sampled by puncture in a sitting position just before, and 30 min and 24 hr following, transfusion of two blood units. An ABL2 radiometer (Copenhagen, Denmark) was used. There was no Pa02 drop at 30-min and 24-hr intervals in all cases studied. Some nonsignificant differences (up to t 8 mm Hg) were within instrumental and individual fluctuations. The relevant Pa02 mean values (in mm Hg) are depicted in Table I. According to our findings, it seems that there is no transfusion-related hypoxemia. The findings of Bacalo et al. [ l ] remain inexplicable, as already mentioned by the authors themselves. However, in any case the implication of microaggregates does not seem plausible for reasons related to the volume of the blood transfused and to the filters in current use. In evaluating the clinical aspects of the procedure, we believe that hypoxia cannot be considered as an obstacle.
Strategies to Reduce the Number of Variables and the Combinatorial Search Space of the Multistage Transmission Expansion Planning Problem

This paper proposes strategies to reduce the number of variables and the combinatorial search space of the multistage transmission expansion planning problem (TEP). The concept of the binary numeral system (BNS) is used to reduce the number of binary and continuous variables related to the candidate transmission lines and network constraints that are connected with them. The construction phase of greedy randomized adaptive search procedure (GRASP-CP) and additional constraints, obtained from power flow equilibrium in an electric power system are employed for more reduction in search space. The multistage TEP problem is modeled like a mixed binary linear programming problem and solved using a commercial solver with a low computational time. The results of one test system and two real systems are presented in order to show the efficiency of the proposed solution technique.
A fire image segmentation arithmetic based on multi images edge difference

In the research of fire detection, aiming at flame segmentation, traditional method usually produces serious yawp. In order to solve this problem, the article imports multi images' edge difference as segmentation base. It also defines a new connecting distance which can accurately denote the connecting distance by changing angle. This method can be extended to two expressions that one is based on edge distance and the other is on edge direction through adjusting parameters. The arithmetic is good at yawp removing and suit for dynamic segmentation on simple background image.
A method for improving the spatial resolution of frontside-illuminated CCD's

A method is proposed for improving the spatial resolution of frontside-illuminated silicon CCD imagers. The technique involves building the device on an epitaxial layer deposited on a more highly doped substrate of the same conductivity type, creating a high-low junction. A simple theoretical model for the carrier diffusion limited modulation transfer function (MTF) is developed for this structure. Calculations of the MTF using this model are compared to similar calculations for other configurations, e.g., a thinned, backside-illuminated device and a frontside-illuminated imager built on a uniformly doped substrate. The calculations show that the new structure has MTF performance comparable to or better than the backside-illuminated device and has, for λ = 1.06 µm and Nyquist spatial frequency, an MTF which is nearly an order of magnitude higher than that for the nonepitaxial frontside-illuminated device. At the same time, the quantum efficiency of the epitaxial device is reduced by about one order of magnitude. The effects of substrate doping and epitaxial layer thickness are also explored.
Metformin induced anorexia and weight loss.

The clinical findings in three elderly patients with Type 2 diabetes treated with metformin are presented. Three patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus presented for endocrine consultation after extensive evaluation for severe weight loss. No occult malignancy was found. The appetite returned and weight gradually increased with discontinuation of metformin. Simple discontinuation of metformin may circumvent unnecessary and extensive diagnostic evaluation for severe weight loss in elderly patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
WIREs Cognitive Science Cultural psychology Cross-Cultural Generalizability of Psychological Findings

Humans are a cultural species, constantly navigating a complex web of culturally bound practices, norms, and worldviews. This article provides a brief overview of the relatively young field of cultural psychology, which investigates the many ways psychology and culture interweave with one another. Highlighting the cultural nature of the human species, it draws upon research on cultural evolution, enculturation, and developmental processes. This review further summarizes a number of cultural differences in how people perceive the self, and the behavioral consequences that follow from these differences, in the domains of internal and external attribution styles, motivations for self-enhancement, approach/avoidance, primary and secondary control, as well as motivations for distinctiveness and conformity. Additionally, the review discusses research on the intersection of culture and emotion, as well as cultural differences in cognition, perception, and reasoning.  2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. WIREs Cogn Sci 2010 1 254–266
Isolation and characterization of Edwardsiella tarda from fall chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

A new bacterial pathogen of chinook salmon (oncorhynchus tshawytscha) was isolated from fish in Oregon's Rogue River. The bacteria are biochemically and serologically related to strains of Edwardsiella tarda. Initially isolated from chinook salmon, the bacteria were also pathogenic for steelhead and rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). The 50% lethal doses for chinook salmon, steelhead trout, and channel catfish injected intraperitoneally and maintained in 18 degrees C water were 4.1 x 10(6), 5.6 x 10(6), and 4.0 x 10(5) respectively. When chinook salmon and rainbow trout were injected intraperitoneally and held in 12 degrees C water, the mean lethal doses were 6.4 x 10(7) and 1.7 x 10(6), respectively. The invasiveness of the organism was low in steelhead trout exposed to the bacteria by the waterborne route. The optimum growth temperature of the bacteria in brain heart infusion broth was approximately 35 degrees C. The guanine plus cytosine content of DNA obtained from E. tarda isolated from salmon was 59 mol%.
A transition from microstrip to dielectric-filled rectangular waveguide in surface mounting

This paper presents a design method for the transition from microstrip to dielectric-filled rectangular waveguide. It is based on the theory of the coupled transmission line, and is verified by a fabrication. The dielectric-filled rectangular waveguide is made of synthetic quartz and is mounted on a substrate. Experimental results in a back-to-back construction show good performances. The insertion loss becomes 0.3 dB at the design frequency of 26 GHz and the return loss becomes better than 15 dB from 23 GHz to 30 GHz.
Pharmacogenetics of chronic cardiovascular drugs: applications and implications

Cardiovascular disease continues to be a tremendous worldwide problem, and drug therapy is a major modality to attenuate its burden. At present, conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia and heart failure are pharmacologically managed with an empirical trial-and-error approach. However, it has been suggested that this approach fails to adequately address the therapeutic needs of many patients, and pharmacogenetics has been offered as a tool to enhance patient-specific drug therapy. This review outlines pharmacogenetic studies of common cardiovascular drugs, such as diuretics, β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, statins and warfarin, ultimately highlighting considerations for future research and practice.
Inhibition of tissue factor surface expression in human peripheral blood monocytes exposed to cytokines

Interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐10, IL‐13 and transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) are known to regulate several monocyte functions, including inhibition of the synthesis of different cytokines. Using quantitative RT‐PCR and flow cytometry analysis we investigated the effects of these cytokines on bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced tissue factor (TF) expression in human monocytes. The effects of IL‐4 and IL‐10 on monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1)‐ and C‐reactive protein (CRP)‐induced TF expression were also studied. A direct comparison revealed that IL‐4, IL‐10 and IL‐13 all down‐regulated LPS‐induced TF expression in a concentration‐dependent manner without the need for priming. In contrast, TGF‐β required 4 h of priming to inhibit TF expression induced by LPS. IL‐10 was the most powerful inhibitor, causing almost complete inhibition at 5 ng/ml. IL‐4 and IL‐13 exhibited a significantly lower inhibitory capacity even at concentrations of 100 ng/ml. IL‐4 and IL‐10 showed similar concentration‐dependent inhibition of MCP‐1‐ and CRP‐induced TF expression. We also showed that the regulatory effect of the interleukins occurred at the mRNA level. In vivo, these inhibitory cytokines may play an important regulatory role in preventing thrombosis. IL‐10, in particular, may be a possible candidate as a TF‐preventing drug.
Custos do Paciente com Acidente Vascular Cerebral no Setor de Emergência do Hospital São Paulo

Este estudo teve o objetivo de estimar o custo hospitalar de internacoes por AVC no Pronto-Socorro do Hospital Sao Paulo; para isso, foram analisados 20 prontuarios. O custo diagnostico medio diario foi de US$ 40.68 para pacientes sem complicacoes e de US$ 22.25 para pacientes com complicacoes. O custo terapeutico medio diario foi de US$ 12.67 para pacientes sem complicacoes e de US$ 105.46 para pacientes com complicacoes. As principais complicacoes apresentadas foram infeccao pulmonar (40%), ulcera de decubito (30%), hipertensao intracraniana (25%). O custo total medio diario foi diretamente proporcional as complicacoes. Unitermos: Acidente vascular cerebral, custo, economia.
MapReduce Functions to Analyze Sentiment Information from Social Big Data

Opinion mining, which extracts meaningful opinion information from large amounts of social multimedia data, has recently arisen as a research area. In particular, opinion mining has been used to understand the true meaning and intent of social networking site users. It requires efficient techniques to collect a large amount of social multimedia data and extract meaningful information from them. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a method to extract sentiment information from various types of unstructured social media text data from social networks by using a parallel Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) to save social multimedia data and using MapReduce functions for sentiment analysis. The proposed method has stably performed data gathering and data loading and maintained stable load balancing of memory and CPU resources during data processing by the HDFS system. The proposed MapReduce functions have effectively performed sentiment analysis in the experiments. Finally, the sentiment analysis results of the proposed system are very close to those of manual processes.
Effect of surface charge distribution on the electric field in a void due to partial discharges

After a partial discharge (PD) occurs within a dielectric bounded void, charge accumulation on the void surface have been found to affect the field distribution in the void. In this work, a simplified model of PD events of a spherical void within a homogeneous dielectric material has been developed using finite element analysis (FEA) software. The model has been used to study the influence of surface charge distribution on the electric field distribution in the void due to PD events. Surface charge distribution depends on charge propagation along the void surface during a PD occurrence and charge movement along the void wall through surface conduction after a PD occurs. Comparison between measurement and simulation results has been performed to validate the model.
Schools – torn between the logics of competition and cooperation: global forms of regulation in a portuguese local context

In the context of the transformations, for the last three decades, of national educational system’s modes of regulation, this paper aims to discuss the educational “quasi-market” concept and its application to a Portuguese local context. A first analysis of the interdependencies between private and public schools in that context stresses, on the one hand, some elements related to the “competitive logic”; on the other hand, shows its close articulation with other modes of regulation, namely those of a voluntary and horizontal nature, arising from a “collaborative” logic.