Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intravital Demonstration of Modulation of T Lymphocyte Migration by CINC/gro in Rat Peyer’s Patches

Background/Aims: Cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC/gro), a member of interleukin-8 family, was found as a potent chemotactic factor for rat neutrophils. Although several chemokines have been shown to be potent regulators of T cell chemotaxis in vitro, the potential role of chemokines in T-cell migration in gut-associated lymphoid tissues has not been investigated in vivo. In the present study, the effects of CINC/gro on T-lymphocyte migration were examined in rat Peyer’s patches. Methods: T lymphocytes collected from intestinal lymph of rats were fluorescence-labeled and injected into the jugular vein. Peyer’s patches of the recipient rats were observed with intravital fluorescence microscopy and the effects of CINC/gro infusion was investigated. Lymphocyte flux in mesenteric collecting lymphatics was also observed. Results: In vivo infusion of CINC/gro significantly attenuated the initial lymphocyte interaction with postcapillary venules of Peyer’s patches. However, once these lymphocytes adhered to venules, CINC/gro treatment significantly accelerated the transendothelial migration of T lymphocytes and they also significantly increased their subsequent flux in collecting lymphatics. Conclusion: There is a possibility that CINC/gro could modulate the characteristics of T lymphocyte homing in the inflammatory sites of gut.
Wet Metallization of High Aspect Ratio TSV Using Electrografted Polymer Insulator to Suppress Residual Stress in Silicon

Through-silicon-vias (TSV) are the key to 3-D integrated microsystems. Their fabrication leads to reliability issues linked to the thermo-mechanical stress induced in the silicon around the vias. In this paper, we propose reducing the silicon residual stress in high aspect ratio copper TSVs (HAR TSV) using an electrografted polymer insulator, poly-4-vinylpyridine (P4VP), to replace the traditional silicon oxide layer. We use Raman spectroscopy to make the first investigation of the residual stress in the Si around P4VP-insulated TSVs and compare it to SiO2-insulated TSVs. The results show that P4VP acts as a stress buffer layer because of its particular mechanical properties as the measured residual stress in Si is significantly reduced at room temperature around the polymer insulated HAR TSVs. The potential benefits of such a technology are not only better thermo-mechanical reliability of a 3-D integrated microsystem but also greater integration density.
Environmental responses, not species interactions, determine synchrony of dominant species in semiarid grasslands

Temporal asynchrony among species helps diversity to stabilize ecosystem functioning, but identifying the mechanisms that determine synchrony remains a challenge. Here, we refine and test theory showing that synchrony depends on three factors: species responses to environmental variation, interspecific interactions, and demographic stochasticity. We then conduct simulation experiments with empirical population models to quantify the relative influence of these factors on the synchrony of dominant species in five semiarid grasslands. We found that the average synchrony of per capita growth rates, which can range from 0 (perfect asynchrony) to 1 (perfect synchrony), was higher when environmental variation was present (0.62) rather than absent (0.43). Removing interspecific interactions and demographic stochasticity had small effects on synchrony. For the dominant species in these plant communities, where species interactions and demographic stochasticity have little influence, synchrony reflects the covariance in species responses to the environment.
Devising a strategy for IT governance implementation in municipalities. A case study of South Africa

Information technology (IT) has vastly automated business processes in South African municipalities, and the sound design and implementation of IT is key to improved service delivery. The usage of IT is reliant on the implementation of sound IT governance practices, but even with IT frameworks and directives mandated, implementation has proved to be challenging in most municipalities. This research proposes a strategic approach for the effective and viable implementation of IT governance in municipalities in South Africa. The research was carried out by conducting a targeted survey, semistructured interviews with key stakeholders, observations, and analysis of documents. Case studies of different‐sized municipalities were done in order to understand the context in which they operate. Regulatory bodies also participated in the data collection. The data was coded and themes of problems identified and grouped for diagnoses. On the basis of the diagnoses, a strategy was devised to improve the implementation of IT governance in municipalities.
Platelet function in acute myocardial infarction treated with direct angioplasty.

BACKGROUND In acute myocardial infarction (AMI), platelets play a key role in thrombotic processes that limit the patency of the recanalized, infarct-related coronary artery and contribute to reperfusion injury. Platelet function in the course of AMI treated by direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has not been evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS In 15 patients with anterior AMI, peripheral venous blood samples were obtained before and 4, 8, 24, and 48 hours after recanalization of the occluded artery by PTCA. Fifteen patients who had stable coronary heart disease and were undergoing elective balloon angioplasty served as control subjects. Fibrinogen receptor function and surface expression of P-selectin on platelets were determined by flow cytometry. In addition, we evaluated generation of platelet-derived microparticles and the effect of systemic plasma from patients with AMI on normal platelet function and on platelet adhesion to human endothelial cells in culture. We found fibrinogen receptor activity and P-selectin expression on circulating platelets 8 hours after direct PTCA are decreased (P < .01). This coincided with a decrease in peripheral platelet count (P < .05) and an increase in generation of microparticles (P < .002). Twenty-four to 48 hours after PTCA, fibrinogen receptor activity and P-selectin expression increased again. Systemic plasma obtained before and after direct PTCA sensitized normal platelets to hyperaggregate in vitro (P < .001) and stimulated platelet adhesion to endothelial cells in culture (P < .01). None of the changes found in AMI were detectable in the control group. CONCLUSIONS After transient apparent deactivation of circulating platelet, probably caused by sequestration of hyperactive platelets, the level of platelet activation increases in patients with AMI treated by direct PTCA. These findings underscore the need for novel antiplatelet strategies in AMI.
Reduction of EMI for oblique incidence of em waves — A case study

Reduction of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), i.e., shielding effectiveness of different shields against the angle of incidence with conductors and conductive polymers using plane-wave theory are carried out. The plane wave shielding effectiveness of new combination of these materials is evaluated as a function of angle of incidence for the single shield. With recent advancements in synthesizing stable highly conductive polymers, this light-weight, mechanically strong materials appear to be viable alternatives to metals for EMI shielding. The analysis is done at a particular frequency for single shield of different materials.
Measuring Coercion to Participate in Research within a Doubly Vulnerable Population: Initial Development of the Coercion Assessment Scale

Despite many efforts aimed to ensure that research participation is autonomous and not coerced, there exists no reliable and valid measure of perceived coercion for the doubly vulnerable population of substance-abusing offenders. The current study describes the development and initial validation of an instrument measuring perceived coercion to participate in research among substance-abusing offenders. The results indicated that a substantial number of individuals report feeling coerced to participate in the study. In addition, the instrument has adequate levels of internal consistency, a one-dimensional factor structure, and evidence of discriminative validity. This study provides initial support for the instrument's validity and clinical utility.
Coital debut: The role of religiosity and sex attitudes in the add health survey

Recent reviews suggest that religiosity is associated with the delay of adolescent coital debut (Rostosky, Wilcox, Wright, & Randall, in press; Wilcox, Rostosky, Randall, & Wright, 2001). Few studies, however, have examined this association using longitudinal data to test theoretically driven models. We analyzed data from 3,691 adolescents (ages 15–21), testing the hypothesis that adolescent religiosity and sex attitudes (at Wave 1) predict later coital debut (at Wave 2) and that these predictive relationships vary by gender. Findings indicated that beyond demographic factors and number of romantic partners, religiosity reduced the likelihood of coital debut for both males and females. After accounting for the effects of religiosity, anticipation of negative emotions after coital debut (sex attitude factor 1) further reduced its likelihood for females and males. Finally, adolescent girls—but not boys—who anticipated positive emotions following sexual intercourse (sex attitude factor 2) were more likely to debut. While virginity pledge status was associated with coital debut for boys and girls, more conservative beliefs about sex appeared to mediate its effect. Finally, a significant interaction between race and religiosity indicated that African American adolescent males who had either signed a virginity pledge or were more religious were significantly more likely to debut than both White non‐Hispanic males and African American males who were less religious and/orwho had not signed a pledge. The implications of these results for adolescent pregnancy prevention programming are discussed.
Balanced Metal Detector Based on Optimized Frequencies and Spatial Phase Profile Responses to Differentiate Metal Rods

Inductive detection with double-balanced coils and a spatial phase profile were used to identify copper and steel rods in a composite target. The electromagnetic detection system was designed and validated with a dipole model. Simulations and experiments identified whether a target was copper, steel, or a combination. The system, optimized for excitation at high audio frequencies, was able to estimate the sizes, depths, and locations of the target materials.
Early Loss of Renal Transcripts in Kidney Allografts: Relationship to the Development of Histologic Lesions and Alloimmune Effector Mechanisms

We sought to understand the epithelial response to the T‐cell mediated inflammatory process in kidney allograft rejection. Using microarrays, we studied transcriptome changes of kidney parenchymal cells and their relationship to the development of pathologic lesions such as tubulitis in mouse kidney allografts and isografts. Inflammatory infiltrate in allografts developed by day 5, but tubulitis first appeared at day 7 and was severe by day 21. Using microarrays, we selected 70 solute carrier transcripts with high renal parenchymal expression and known epithelial function. Transcript expression was reduced early in isografts and allografts, followed by progressive loss in allografts and recovery in isografts. The expression pattern of day 21 allografts developed progressively from the time of engraftment and was established before histologic lesions. These changes are probably functionally significant: selected proteins showed decreased immunostaining at days 7 and 21. Allospecific loss of transcripts was dependent on T cells but independent of perforin, granzymes A/B, CD103, or B cells. Weighted sum decomposition revealed multiple components of the epithelial response with allospecific changes from day 1. We conclude that loss of renal transcripts indicates an early stage of T‐cell mediated alloimmune injury that later progresses to pathologic lesions such as tubulitis.
Neuroimaging abnormalities in adults with sickle cell anemia

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the relationship of frontal lobe cortical thickness and basal ganglia volumes to measures of cognition in adults with sickle cell anemia (SCA). Methods: Participants included 120 adults with SCA with no history of neurologic dysfunction and 33 healthy controls (HCs). Participants were enrolled at 12 medical center sites, and raters were blinded to diagnostic group. We hypothesized that individuals with SCA would exhibit reductions in frontal lobe cortex thickness and reduced basal ganglia and thalamus volumes compared with HCs and that these structural brain abnormalities would be associated with measures of cognitive functioning (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, 3rd edition). Results: After adjusting for age, sex, education level, and intracranial volume, participants with SCA exhibited thinner frontal lobe cortex (t = −2.99, p = 0.003) and reduced basal ganglia and thalamus volumes compared with HCs (t = −3.95, p < 0.001). Reduced volume of the basal ganglia and thalamus was significantly associated with lower Performance IQ (model estimate = 3.75, p = 0.004) as well as lower Perceptual Organization (model estimate = 1.44, p = 0.007) and Working Memory scores (model estimate = 1.37, p = 0.015). Frontal lobe cortex thickness was not significantly associated with any cognitive measures. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that basal ganglia and thalamus abnormalities may represent a particularly salient contributor to cognitive dysfunction in adults with SCA.
Increasing Incidence of Colorectal Cancer, Starting at a Younger Age for Rectal Compared to Colon Cancer in Brunei Darussalam.

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common gastrointestinal malignancy and is a significant cause of mortality. Its incidence is generally increasing in Asia. Reports from the West have indicated that the incidence of rectal cancer is increasing in the younger population. This study assessed the time trend of CRC in Brunei Darussalam specifically assessing the different age groups at which the incidences start to increase. MATERIALS AND METHODS The National Cancer registry was reviewed (1991 to 2014). The age standardized rate (ASR) and the age specific incidence rates (ASIRs) for three time periods (1991-1998), (1999-2006) and (2007-2014) were calculated. RESULTS The mean age of diagnosis was 59.3±14.6 years old, incidences being slightly higher amongst men (57.6%) and Malays (67.1%). The most common tumor type was adenocarcinoma (96.4%). Rectal cancers accounted for 35.2% (n=372/1,056) of all cancers of the large bowel; more men were affected than women. The proportion of rectal cancer was also high among the indigenous group. In the three time periods, the ASR for CRC increased from 16 per 100,000 (1991-1998) to 19.6 per 100,000 (1999-2006) and 24.3 per 100,000 (2007-2014). The ASIRs for CRC increased markedly between the time periods 1998-2006 and 2007-2014, beginning in the 40-44 years age group. For rectal cancers, the ASIRs started to increase in the 25-29 age group onward whereas for colon cancers, the increase was observed at a later age, starting from the 45-49 age group. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed an increase in the incidence of CRC including in the younger age groups. The increase was seen earlier in rectal cancer compared to colon cancer. These data mirror the trends reported from the West.
Computed Tomography and Computed Tomography Angiography Findings Predict Functional Impairment in Patients with Minor Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack

Introduction Abnormalities on acute magnetic resonance imaging predict outcome in minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack patients. We hypothesised that noncontrast computed tomography and computed tomography angiography findings in minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack patients would also predict functional outcome. Methods We analysed consecutive patients with a transient ischaemic attack or a minor stroke with an National Institute of Health Stroke Scale ≤3 who were assessed with a noncontrast computed tomography and CT angiography of the circle of Willis and neck within 24 h of symptom onset. We assessed the association between clinical or imaging features and functional impairment on the modified Rankin Scale (mRS≥2) at 90 days. Results Among 457 patients, the median baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score was 1. Median time from symptom onset to noncontrast computed tomography was 278 min (interquartile range 151–505) and median delay from noncontrast computed tomography to CT angiography was 3 min (interquartile range 0–13). At 90 days, 57 patients (12·5%) had a mRS ≥2. Clinical factors that were associated with functional impairment were age ≥60 years (RR 2·05 CI95 1·16–3·64) and baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score >0 (RR 3·23 1·72–6·06). All the assessed computed tomography parameters (acute stroke on noncontrast computed tomography and intracranial or extracranial stenosis or occlusion) were individually predictive of functional impairment. A composite computed tomography imaging ‘at risk’ metric, defined by acute stroke on noncontrast computed tomography, Circle of Willis intracranial vessel occlusion or ≥50% stenosis, extracranial occlusion or ≥50% stenosis, was associated with poorer outcome (RR 2·92 CI95 1·81–4·71). Conclusions The presence of an acute stroke on noncontrast computed tomography or an intracranial or extracranial occlusion or stenosis was associated with an increased risk of functional impairment. Multi-modal computed tomography could be used to identify high-risk transient ischaemic attack or minor stroke patients.
Differential Secretion of Fas Ligand- or APO2 Ligand/TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand-Carrying Microvesicles During Activation-Induced Death of Human T Cells1

Preformed Fas ligand (FasL) and APO2 ligand (APO2L)/TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) are stored in the cytoplasm of the human Jurkat T cell line and of normal human T cell blasts. The rapid release of these molecules in their bioactive form is involved in activation-induced cell death. In this study, we show by confocal microscopy that FasL and APO2L/TRAIL are mainly localized in lysosomal-like compartments in these cells. We show also by immunoelectron microscopy that FasL and APO2L/TRAIL are stored inside cytoplasmic compartments ∼500 nm in diameter, with characteristics of multivesicular bodies. Most of these compartments share FasL and APO2L/TRAIL, although exclusive APO2L/TRAIL labeling can be also observed in separate compartments. Upon PHA activation, the mobilization of these compartments toward the plasma membrane is evident, resulting in the secretion of the internal microvesicles loaded with FasL and APO2L/TRAIL. In the case of activation with anti-CD59 mAb, the secretion of microvesicles labeled preferentially with APO2L/TRAIL predominates. These data provide the basis of a new and efficient mechanism for the rapid induction of autocrine or paracrine cell death during immune regulation and could modify the interpretation of the role of FasL and APO2L/TRAIL as effector mechanisms in physiological and pathological situations.
Proteomic analysis of polyribosomes identifies splicing factors as potential regulators of translation during mitosis

Abstract Precise regulation of mRNA translation is critical for proper cell division, but little is known about the factors that mediate it. To identify mRNA-binding proteins that regulate translation during mitosis, we analyzed the composition of polysomes from interphase and mitotic cells using unbiased quantitative mass-spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). We found that mitotic polysomes are enriched with a subset of proteins involved in RNA processing, including alternative splicing and RNA export. To demonstrate that these may indeed be regulators of translation, we focused on heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C (hnRNP C) as a test case and confirmed that it is recruited to elongating ribosomes during mitosis. Then, using a combination of pulsed SILAC, metabolic labeling and ribosome profiling, we showed that knockdown of hnRNP C affects both global and transcript-specific translation rates and found that hnRNP C is specifically important for translation of mRNAs that encode ribosomal proteins and translation factors. Taken together, our results demonstrate how proteomic analysis of polysomes can provide insight into translation regulation under various cellular conditions of interest and suggest that hnRNP C facilitates production of translation machinery components during mitosis to provide daughter cells with the ability to efficiently synthesize proteins as they enter G1 phase.
[Analysis of clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis for triple negative breast cancer: a report of 108 cases].

OBJECTIVE To analyze the incidence, clinical and pathological characteristics, survival and prognostic factors of so-called triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) with negative estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2). METHODS Clinical and pathological as well as follow-up data of TNBC patients between Jan. 1999 to Dec. 2002 were collected and analyzed. RESULTS Totally, the pathological result of 1175 breast cancer patients were retrospectively reviewed, and 158 patients were found with negative ER, negative PR and HER-2 scored as 0 or 1 + by immunohistochemistry staining. Eventually, only 108 patients with ER-negative, PR-negative and HER-2-negative (score: 0 ) were analyzed. Of the 108 patients, 8 had breast cancer family history, 3 oophoroma family history and one had ever suffered from oophoroma herself. The median age of the 108 TNBC patients was 47.0 years, and 75.0% of them had stage I or II disease. The majority of pathological types were grade II or III invasive ductal carcinomas, and 92.6% of the tumors were staged as T1 or T2. Lymph node metastases were detected in 49. 1% of these patients. Event-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, local relapse-free survival and overall survival at 5 years were 68.1%, 70.9%, 72.1% and 76.9%, respectively. Though lymph node metastasis and lymph-vascular invasion were all found to be correlated with overall survival, however, only the lymph node metastasis was an independent factor that affected the overall survival revealed by the Cox proportional hazard model analysis. CONCLUSION Triple negative breast cancer has distinct clinical and pathologic characteristics. The incidence of triple negative breast cancer in Chinese is similar to that in white but lower than that in black women. Most of the triple negative breast cancer in China is composed of sporadic breast cancer. Lymph node metastasis is an important independent prognostic factor. Clinical outcome of this series is similar to that in white women, while better than that in black women after appropriate radiotherapy and anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Further study is still necessary to explore new treatment in order to improve the prognosis of triple negative breast cancer.