Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epiplakin modifies the motility of the HeLa cells and accumulates at the outer surfaces of 3‐D cell clusters

Elimination of epiplakin (EPPK) by gene targeting in mice results in acceleration of keratinocyte migration during wound healing, suggesting that epithelial cellular EPPK may be important for the regulation of cellular motility. To study the function of EPPK, we developed EPPK knock‐down (KD) and EPPK‐overexpressing HeLa cells and analyzed cellular phenotypes and motility by fluorescence/differential interference contrast time‐lapse microscopy and immunolocalization of actin and vimentin. Cellular motility of EPPK‐KD cells was significantly elevated, but that of EPPK‐overexpressing cells was obviously depressed. Many spike‐like projections were observed on EPPK‐KD cells, with fewer such structures on overexpressing cells. By contrast, in EPPK‐KD cells, expression of E‐cadherin was unchanged but vimentin fibers were thinner and sparser than in controls, and they were more concentrated at the peri‐nucleus, as observed in migrating keratinocytes at wound edges in EPPK−/− mice. In Matrigel 3‐D cultures, EPPK co‐localized on the outer surface of cell clusters with zonula occludens‐1 (ZO‐1), a marker of tight junctions. Our results suggest that EPPK is associated with the machinery for cellular motility and contributes to tissue architecture via the rearrangement of intermediate filaments.
Codifying domain-specific experience into software development tools: An eclipse-based embedded platform development experience

Organizations generally lose their domain experiences when key developers leave from the organization which doesn't have a powerful and effective infrastructure to collect, package, validate, and spread experience. In a recent project aimed at building a general purpose embedded application development platform, we developed an Eclipse-based IDE to accelerate our embedded development process, codify our Linux embedded software development knowledge on one extensible platform, and standardize tools, scripts, and libraries within our organization. This paper shows the approach that we used to collect domain-specific experience, component-based layered architecture of Eclipse-based platform, and our experiences on Eclipse.
SnO2@a-Si core–shell nanowires on free-standing CNT paper as a thin and flexible Li-ion battery anode with high areal capacity

Here, we report 3D hierarchical SnO2 nanowire (NW) core-amorphous silicon shell on free-standing carbon nanotube paper (SnO2@a-Si/CNT paper) as an effective anode for flexible lithium-ion battery (LIB) application. This binder-free electrode exhibits a high initial discharge capacity of 3020 mAh g−1 with a large reversible charge capacity of 1250 mAh g−1 at a current density of 250 mA g−1. Compared to other SnO2 NW or its core–shell nanostructured anodes, the fabricated SnO2@a-Si/CNT structure demonstrates an outstanding performance with high mass loading (∼5.9 mg cm−2), high areal capacity (∼5.2 mAh cm−2), and large volumetric capacity (∼1750 mAh cm−3) after 25 cycles. Due to the incorporation of CNT paper as the current collector, the weight and thickness of the total electrode is effectively reduced with respect to the conventional LIB anodes. The fabricated electrode has a total thickness of only 30 μm and considering the total weight of the electrode (active mass + current collector), an initial discharge/charge capacity of 2460/1018 mAh g−1 is obtained. Hence, this thin, lightweight and highly flexible structure is proposed as an excellent candidate for high-performance LIB anode materials, especially in flexible electronics.
Iodine deficiency and brain development in the first half of pregnancy

Abstract An inadequate supply of iodine during gestation results in damage to the foetal brain that is irreversible by mid-gestation unless timely interventions can correct the accompanying maternal hypothyroxinemia. Even mild to moderate maternal hypothyroxinemia may result in suboptimal neurodevelopment. This review mainly focuses on iodine and thyroid hormone economy up to mid-gestation, a period during which the mother is the only source for the developing brain of the foetus. The cerebral cortex of the foetus depends on maternal thyroxine (T4) for the production of the 3′,3,5-tri-iodothyronine (T3) for nuclear receptor-binding and biological effectiveness. Maternal hypothyroxinemia early in pregnancy is potentially damaging for foetal brain development. Direct evidence has been obtained from experiments on animals: even a relatively mild and transient hypothyroxinemia during corticogenesis, which takes place mostly before mid-gestation in humans, affects the migration of radial neurons, which settle permanently in heterotopic locations within the cortex and hippocampus. Behavioural defects have also been detected. The conceptus imposes important early changes on maternal thyroid hormone economy that practically doubles the amount of T4 secreted something that requires a concordant increase in the availability of iodine, from 150 to 250–300 μg I day− 1. Women who are unable to increase their production of T4 early in pregnancy constitute a population at risk for having children with neurological disabilities. As a mild to moderate iodine deficiency is still the most widespread cause of maternal hypothyroxinemia, the birth of many children with learning disabilities may be prevented by advising women to take iodine supplements as soon as pregnancy starts, or earlier if possible, in order to ensure that their requirements for iodine are met.
The Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD). Part XIII.

Article abstract-Although autopsy rates in the United States have been decreasing steadily, the necessity for brain autopsy to confirm Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains. Of 308 consecutively deceased AD patients at 24 CERAD (Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease) sites, 167 (54%) were autopsied; 141 (46%) were not. The autopsied and nonautopsied groups were comparable in gender (men, 57.5% versus 49.7%), marital status (married, 69.3% versus 67.1%), age at entry (73 versus 74 years), age at death (76 versus 77 years), and stage of disease at entry (mild, 46% versus 43%). However, the autopsied patients were significantly more likely to be white (94.5% versus 82.1%), to be better educated (13.1 versus 11.3 years), to have been in the study longer (mean, 3.3 versus 2.6 years), and to have had longer total duration of AD (8.1 versus 6.7 years). Of the 24 CERAD sites, 13 stressed the importance of autopsy by dedicating a staff member to seek autopsy and by providing free autopsy and transportation; 11 did not. Logistic regression analysis showed that white race (odds ratio [OR] = 2.74; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10-6.83), increased education (OR = 1.12; 95% CI = 1.04-1.21), and emphasis on autopsy (OR = 4.69; 95% CI = 2.67-8.25) were the only significant factors. Although race and education were important, autopsy was more likely to be obtained when sites dedicated resources to this endeavor. NEUROLOGY 1996;46: 142-145
Immunological Microenvironments in the Human Vagina and Cervix: Mediators of Cellular Immunity Are Concentrated in the Cervical Transformation Zone1

Abstract Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) is key to defense against intracellular pathogens such as Chlamydia trachomatis and viruses that infect the lower female genital tract, but little is known about CMI at this site. Recent studies indicate that there are immunological microenvironments within the female genital tract, and that immune functions are affected by hormones as well as infections and inflammatory processes. To determine the distribution of mediators of CMI within the lower female genital tract, we have enumerated and characterized T-lymphocyte subsets and natural killer and antigen presenting cells (APCs; macrophages and dendritic cells) in the introitus, vagina, ectocervix, endocervix and cervical transformation zone (TZ) from healthy women, and have examined the effects of the menstrual cycle, menopause and inflammation on these parameters. In women without inflammation, T cells and APCs were most prevalent in the cervical TZ and surrounding tissue. Intraepithelial lymphocytes were predominantly CD8+ T cell+; most CD8+ cells in the TZ and endocervix, and a proportion of cells in the ectocervix, expressed T-cell internal antigen-1, a marker of cytotoxic potential. In contrast, the normal vaginal mucosa contained few T cells and APCs. Cervicitis and vaginitis cases had increased numbers of intraepithelial CD8+ and CD4+ lymphocytes and APCs. The menstrual cycle and menopause had no apparent effect on cellular localization or abundance in any of the lower genital tract tissues. These data indicate that the cervix, especially the TZ, is the major inductive and effector site for CMI in the lower female genital tract. Because CD4+ T cells and APCs are primary host cells for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), these data also provide further evidence that the cervix is a primary infection site of HIV-1, and that inflammation increases the risk of HIV transmission.
Transforming the Culture of Internship Experiences through Social Learning Communities

Research studies on undergraduate students’ participation in internships and co-operative education have primarily focused on career outcomes (job offers, higher salaries), skill outcomes (technical, team, and communication skills), and personal outcomes (self-efficacy, career paths). Fewer studies have investigated how the social structure (such as a community of practice) contributes to engineering identity formation. This study examined the most-memorable individual and collective group experiences that undergraduate student interns constructed from their participation in social learning activities in a sponsored program, the Young Entrepreneur & Scholar (YES) program. Using a convenience sample of 45 students participating in this program within the College of Engineering & Computer Science at a large public university, students were asked to write down their “best program memory. ” This question was left openended so that students could respond with individual values they ascribed to their experiences. The remaining six questions on the questionnaire provided further details for three selected case study narratives illuminating the students’ holistic perspective on their program experience. A distinguishing feature of the program was the value-added activities offered with the purpose of creating a social learning community involving interns, industry professionals, faculty, and support staff. Value-added program activities included Socials, Distinguished Speaker Series, and an annual Symposium. These activities reflected the integration of varied communities of practice (in this case, the business world and the academic world) that comprise the social learning system of the student intern. Twenty-seven percent (n=12/45) of the respondents specifically referenced one or more of the three value-added program activities as a memorable experience: Socials, Distinguished Speaker Series, or Symposium. The annual Symposium was the most frequently mentioned event. Of the remaining respondents, 24% (n=11/45) referenced the relationship with their industry mentor as the most memorable experience; 44% (n = 20/45) referenced some aspect of their internship, primarily related to their assigned project; and 4% (2/45) had just begun their internship. Participation in one or more of the three value-added program activities was related to enjoyment in shared learning experiences, commitment to the major, confidence-building, and feeling welcomed into the community. Relationship-building activities and experiences seemed to have had the most meaning for women and first generation college students by creating a welcoming environment to the engineering community. Recommendations for internship and co-operative education practitioners in establishing social learning communities are included in the paper.
Do Late-Career Wages Boost Social Security More for Women than Men?

Any worker who delays claiming Social Security receives a larger monthly benefit due to the actuarial adjustment. Some claimants – particularly women, who are more likely to take time out of the labor force early in their careers – can further increase their benefit if the extra years of work raise their career average earnings by displacing lower-earning years. This study uses the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) linked to earnings records to quantify the impact of women’s late-career earnings on Social Security benefits relative to men’s. It also compares the impact on women, depending on their marital status and education.
PULMONARY MECHANICS IN INFANTS SURVIVING SEVERE NEONATAL RESPIRATORY INSUFFICIENCY

Abstract. Ahlström, H. (Departments of Paediatrics and Clinical Physiology, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden). Pulmonary mechanics in infants surviving severe neonatal respiratory insufficiency. Acta Paediatr Scand, 64:69, 1975. –Pulmonary mechanics was studied in 24 survivors of severe neonatal ventilatory insufficiency, 15 infants had idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS), 6 recurrent severe apnoeic spells, and 3 postasphyxia syndrome. Of the infants with IRDS, 5 were treated with intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV), 3 with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) via an endotracheal tube and 7 with CPAP applied via a face chamber. The other infants were all treated with IPPV. IPPV‐treated infants generally had lower than expected values of dynamic compliance and pulmonary conductance, particularly after prolonged treatment. All infants treated with CPAP via a face chamber had normal mechanics, but a trend towards obstruction of the airways after varying periods of time was observed in most infants, irrespective of diagnosis or treatment. One infant treated with CPAP via an endotracheal tube and given pure oxygen for a long time had gross abnormalities suggesting bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Measurement of pulmonary conductance appears to be a reliable prognostic tool as concerns pulmonary symptoms later in infancy.
Chronic Disorders of the Achilles Tendon: Results of Conservative and Surgical Treatments

We reviewed our results of nonoperative and operative treatment of chronic Achilles tenosynovitis to further define outcomes and treatment parameters. Forty-one patients presented with an average of 14 weeks of Achilles tendon symptoms. All patients received nonsurgical treatment initially, and 21 patients (51%) recovered after an average of 18 weeks of therapy. Three additional patients improved after brisement of the tendon/peritenon interspace. Seventeen of 41 patients eventually underwent soft tissue tenolysis and/or excision of degenerative tendon cysts. Those patients who responded to nonoperative therapy tended to be younger (average age, 33 years) than those who had degenerative tendon changes requiring surgery (average age, 48 years). All surgical patients were able to return to unrestricted activity after 31 weeks (range, 27–48 weeks). We believe 4 to 6 months of nonsurgical therapy is appropriate for middle aged patients or athletes with chronic Achilles tenosynovitis. Those that fail this treatment will improve with a limited debridement of diseased tissue without excessive soft tissue dissection of the tendon.
Transient Colocalization of Parvalbumin and Calbindin D28k in the Postnatal Cerebral Cortex: Evidence for a Phenotypic Shift in Developing Nonpyramidal Neurons

In the adult rat cerebral cortex the calcium‐binding proteins parvalbumin and calbindin D28k are present in essentially non‐overlapping populations of GABAergic interneurons. These proteins follow different developmental patterns in the cortex: calbindin D28k‐immunoreactive nonpyramidal neurons are abundant until the second postnatal week and decrease markedly thereafter; it is at this time that parvalbumin immunoreactivity develops in cortical nonpyramidal neurons. To determine whether parvalbumin‐immunoreactive neurons derive from calbindin D28k‐positive cells we used double‐immunofluorescence studies for both calcium‐binding proteins, together with combined immunocytochemistry for calbindin D28k and in situ hybridization for parvalbumin mRNA during postnatal development. Double‐labelled cells were found in all cortical layers between P9 and P21, coinciding with the onset of parvalbumin expression. The percentage of colocalization of the two calcium‐binding proteins depended on the age and layer examined. Colocalization reached a peak (80–100%) during the second postnatal week in layers II–IV and VI and decreased thereafter to adult levels by the end of the third postnatal week. Double‐labelled neurons were rare in layer V at all ages studied. The present results indicate a phenotypic shift during the development of some cortical interneurons that halts the expression of calbindin D28k while parvalbumin expression starts. These findings agree with lineage analyses reporting that different types of nonpyramidal neuron arise from a common progenitor.
The effect of continuous positive airway pressure on metabolic variables in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is increasingly considered as a risk factor for metabolic disturbances, such as diabetes mellitus or dyslipidaemia. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, the standard treatment for patients with OSA, may improve various metabolic variables, such as insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, lipids, fat distribution and adipokines. Several observational and uncontrolled clinical studies claim an improvement of these metabolic variables through the use of CPAP. However, there is only a limited number of clinical randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of CPAP on metabolic variables. In this review, we summarise and discuss non-randomised studies and RCTs evaluating the effect of CPAP on metabolic variables in patients with OSA. In summary, the currently available body of evidence does not support a clinically important effect of CPAP treatment on any of the investigated metabolic variables. However, some investigators found small, but statistically significant changes in some metabolic variables, thus beneficial effects of CPAP treatment in selected patient cohorts cannot be excluded. To answer this question, more data from RCTs with well-defined study populations are warranted.
Oral Clefts, Maternal Smoking, and TGFA: A Meta-Analysis of Gene-Environment Interaction

Objective A meta-analysis was performed to examine the association among maternal cigarette smoking, infant genotype at the Taq1 site in the transforming growth factor α (TGFA) locus, and risk of nonsyndromic oral clefts, both cleft palate (CP) and cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P). Design Five published case-control studies were included in the meta-analyis. Pooled Mantel-Haenszel odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed. Gene-environment interaction was also assessed by using the pooled data in a case-only analysis and polytomous logistic regression. Results Among nonsmoking mothers, there was no evidence of any increased risk for CP if the infant carried the TGFA Taq1 C2 allele. If the mother reported smoking, however, there was an overall increased risk for CP if the infant carried the C2 allele (ORsmokers = 1.95; 95% CI = 1.22 to 3.10). TGFA genotype did not increase risk to CL/P, regardless of maternal smoking status. Polytomous logistic regression revealed a significant overall smoking effect for CL/P (OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.33 to 2.02) and CP (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.06 to 1.90). Conclusions While maternal smoking was a consistent risk factor for both CL/P and CP across all studies, the suggestive evidence for gene-environment interaction between the infant's genotype at the Taq1 marker in TGFA and maternal smoking was limited to CP. Furthermore, evidence for such gene-environment interaction was strongest in a case-control study drawn from a birth defect registry where infants with non-cleft defects served as controls.
Inequality in the geographical distribution of general practitioners in England and Wales 1974-1995

Objectives: To compare geographical inequality in the distribution of general practitioners (GPs), other resources and mortality around 1995 in England and Wales; to measure trends between 1974 and 1995 in inequality of GP distribution; to examine the implications of different need adjustments and inequality measures on the degree of geographic inequality; and to analyse the impact of policies (increased supply, area inducements and entry regulation) on inequality. Methods: Measurement of relative inequality (decile ratio, Gini coefficient, Atkinson index) and absolute inequality (standard deviation) in the ratio of GPs to need-adjusted population in former Family Practitioner Committee/Family Health Services Authority areas each year from 1974 to 1995; and relative inequality across areas in the distributions of income, other resources and standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) around 1995. Regression of 1995 GP/population ratios on 1974 ratios. Application of equalising net advantages location model to GP distribution. Results: Inequality in the distribution of GPs in 1995 was less than inequality in other primary care resources, but greater than inequalities in disposable income, SMRs, primary school expenditure, and hospital and community health services expenditure. The decile ratio shows little change between 1974 and 1995. Gini and Atkinson inequality indices indicate some reduction in inequality between 1974 and 1980, but little change thereafter. The standard deviation of need-adjusted provision increased over the period. Areas that had the lowest GP provision in 1974 tended to have the lowest in 1995. Conclusions: The choice between relative and absolute inequality measures and, to a lesser extent, the method of adjusting for need affect conclusions about the trend in inequality. Both types of measure and most need adjustments suggest that the policies adopted did not lead to a reduction in inequality over the period. Interactions between policies may reduce their overall effectiveness.
Fluticasone and budesonide inhibit cytokine release in human lung epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages

Glucocorticoids are potent anti‐inflammatory agents capable of influencing cytokine release in a number of cell types. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether glucocorticoids, frequently used in the treatment of asthma, interfere with cytokine secretion by lung epithelial cells and alveolar macrophages in vitro. Inhalation of swine dust induces airway inflammation with influx of inflammatory cells and release of proinflammatory cytokines in the lungs. Therefore, human lung epithelial cells (A549) and human alveolar macrophages were stimulated with swine dust or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the inhibitory effect of budesonide and fluticasone propionate on cytokine release was studied in a dose‐response (10−13–10−8 M) manner. The time course for the steroid effect was also investigated. Both steroids caused a dose‐dependent, almost total, inhibition of swine dust‐induced IL‐6 and IL‐8 release from epithelial cells and LPS‐induced IL‐6 and TNF‐α from alveolar macrophages. The steroids only partially inhibited IL‐8 release from alveolar macrophages. Budesonide was approximately 10 times less potent than fluticasone propionate. Preincubation with the steroids did not inhibit cytokine release more than simultaneous incubation with stimulus and steroid. In conclusion, budesonide and fluticasone propionate, in concentrations that probably occur in the airway lining fluid during inhalational therapy, inhibited cytokine release from human lung epithelial cells (IL‐6, IL‐8) and alveolar macrophages (TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐8). In vitro, the onset of this effect was rapid.