Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effective Elimination of Acute Myeloid Leukemic Cells by Recombinant Bispecific Antibody Derivatives Directed Against CD33 and CD16

Single-chain Fv triplebodies (sctb), consisting of a single polypeptide chain with 3 single-chain antibody variable fragments connected in tandem, were generated as antileukemic agents. A CD19-specific sctb of this format has previously been shown to be superior to a bispecific single-chain Fv antibody fragment (bsscFv) for the elimination of leukemic B-lineage cells, but corresponding targeted agents for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia are still lacking. For this purpose, both a bsscFv and a sctb specific for CD33 and the trigger molecule CD16 (FcγRIII) were produced. The sctb displayed 3.5-fold greater avidity for CD33 than the bsscFv 33xds16, whereas both had close to equal affinity for CD16. In antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) reactions with human mononuclear cells as effectors, both the bsscFv 33xds16 and the sctb induced lysis of tumor cells with half maximum effective concentrations (EC50) in the low picomolar range. It is interesting to note that the sctb promoted equal lysis of human leukemia-derived cell lines at 10 to 200-fold lower concentrations than the bsscFv. Both molecules mediated ADCC of primary patient cells. In conclusion, both the bsscFv 33xds16 and the sctb 33xds16x33 eliminated acute myeloid leukemia cells in ADCC reactions, but the novel sctb format showed significantly greater specific activity.
Osteitis Pubis and Instability of the Pubic Symphysis

Seven rugby players with osteitis pubis and vertical instability at the pubic symphysis were treated operatively after nonoperative treatment had failed to improve their symptoms. The vertical instability was diagnosed based on flamingo view radiographs showing greater than 2 mm of vertical displacement. The players had undergone at least 13 months of nonoperative therapy before surgery was considered. Operative treatment consisted of arthrodesis of the pubic symphysis by bone grafting supplemented by a compression plate. At a mean follow-up of 52.4 months, all patients were free of symptoms and flamingo views confirmed successful arthrodesis with no residual instability of the pubic symphysis. Based on our results with this procedure, we believe that arthrodesis of the pubic symphysis has a role in the treatment of osteitis pubis that is recalcitrant to nonoperative treatment. The combination of osteitis pubis and vertical pubis symphyseal instability may be the cause of failure of nonoperative treatment.
Ultrastructural and three‐dimensional study of post‐LASIK ectasia cornea

INTRODUCTION: Post‐laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) corneal ectasia is a serious late postoperative complication. Here, we report the ultrastructural features of the post‐LASIK cornea of two patients. METHODS: Two normal corneas (age 24 and 37 years old) and two post‐LASIK ectaic corneas from two patients (A and B) were studied. The “patient A” (age 27 years) underwent penetrating keratoplasty and “patient B” (age 31 years) underwent deep‐anterior lamellar keratoplasty. The excised corneas were processed for light and electron microscopy. A total of 120 images for three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction were taken by using the software “Recorder” and using a bottom mounted camera “Quemesa” attached to a JOEL 1400 transmission electron microscope. The 3D images were constructed using “Visual Kai” software. RESULTS: In the post‐LASIK cornea, the hemidesmosomes, the basement membrane, and Bowman”s layer were abnormal. The stromal lamellae were thin and disorganized. The collagen fibrils (CFs) diameter and interfibrillar spacing had decreased. Aggregated microfibrils were present in the Bowman's layer and all parts of the stroma. A large number of microfilaments were present at the detachment end of the flap and residual stroma. The 3D images showed the presence of collagen microfibrils and proteoglycans (PGs) within the CF of the normal and post‐LASIK cornea. The collagen microfibrils and PGs within the CFs had degenerated in the post‐LASIK cornea. CONCLUSION: Collagen microfibrils and PGs within the CFs were degenerated, leading to the degeneration of CFs, followed by the disorganization of lamellae in post‐LASIK cornea. The CFs diameter and interfibrillar spacing decreased. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:91–98, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Involvement of melatonin and thyroid hormones in the control of sleep, food intake and energy metabolism in the domestic fowl.

Growing male domestic fowl of an egg‐laying strain were fed ad libitum and injected intraperitoneally with melatonin or intramuscularly with triiodothyronine (T3) to study the effects on sleep, food intake, blood glucose, e.e.g., oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. Melatonin caused a dose‐related depression of food intake with sleep and aphagia lasting for 2 1/2 hr following 8 mg, drowsiness and greatly reduced intake following 4 and 2 mg and a slight reduction in food intake after 1 mg. T3 injection was followed by increased feeding within the range 50‐200 micrograms. The higher dose (200 micrograms) completely prevented the effects of 10 mg melatonin injected simultaneously. Melatonin (10 mg) depressed plasma glucose levels whereas T3 (200 micrograms) elevated blood glucose. Either darkness or melatonin (10 mg) caused an increase in amplitude and a decrease in frequency of the e.e.g. Birds fasted for 3 hr before injection showed significantly lower oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production when given melatonin (10 mg); T3 had no effect within the 4 hr period after injection and did not modify the effects of melatonin. It is postulated that the rapid effects of melatonin and T3 which were observed result from direct effects of these hormones on the central nervous system.
Refugees and Asylum Seekers, the Crisis in Europe and the Future of Policy

The recent asylum crisis has thrown into sharp relief the inadequacies of European asylum policies and has highlighted the need for reform. The existing asylum system, which encourages migrants to make hazardous maritime or overland crossings to gain access to an uncertain prospect of obtaining refugee status, is inefficient, poorly targeted and lacks public support. In the long run it should be replaced by a substantial joint programme of refugee resettlement that would help those most in need of protection, that would eliminate the risks to refugees, and that would command more widespread public support. These arguments are built upon an analysis of key facts and data. This includes estimation of the origin and destination factors that influence asylum applications, and the effects of asylum policies adopted in developed countries. It also includes an examination of different aspects of public opinion that condition the scope for the development of asylum policies. In this light I evaluate the feasibility of three elements for reform: first, tougher border controls to reduce unauthorised entry by prospective asylum applicants; second, promoting direct resettlement of refugees from countries of first asylum; and third, expanding refugee-hosting capacity through enhanced burden-sharing among destination countries.
On Maximizing Delay-Constrained Coverage of Urban Vehicular Networks

The success of a real-time sensing application with a vehicular network highly depends on the spatiotemporal coverage of sensing data that can be collected from the vehicular network. Deploying broadband wireless base stations is an effective way to collect vehicular sensing data and the deployment of base stations has a great impact on delay-constrained coverage. This paper considers the critical problem of base stations for maximizing delay-constrained coverage of an urban area achieved by the vehicular network. This is particularly challenging. We theoretically prove that the optimal deployment of base stations is NP-hard even when the future vehicular traces are assumed as a priori. In a realistic setting, however, the future vehicular traces cannot be known in advance. Therefore, the challenge is to incorporate high vehicle mobility and compute the base station deployment for maximizing the expected delay-constrained coverage. By mining a large dataset of real vehicular GPS traces, we show that there is strong regularity with vehicle mobility. With this important observation, we formulate a new objective of maximizing the expected sensing coverage. This takes random vehicle mobility into account and exploits the regularity in vehicle mobility. We develop greedy algorithms for base station deployment. The achieved sensing coverage of the proposed algorithm is guaranteed to be larger than (1-1/e) of the theoretical optimum. We have performed extensive simulations based on the real vehicular GPS trace dataset and conclusive results show that our algorithms achieve near optimal coverage of the urban area and significantly outperform alternative algorithms.
Immunolocalization of fibronectin and vitronectin receptors in human gingival fibroblasts spreading on titanium surfaces.

The adhesion and spreading of human gingival fibroblasts on glass and differently processed titanium surfaces was studied by immunolocalization of vinculin and the alpha and beta subunits of the fibronectin (alpha 5 beta 1) and (alpha v beta 3) receptors. Vinculin-containing focal contacts were present both at 4 and 24 h of spreading in cells grown on glass or electropolished or etched titanium surfaces but not in cells spreading on sandblasted titanium surfaces. Immunostaining for the alpha 5 and beta 1 subunits of the fibronectin receptor showed only a diffuse membrane fluorescence after 4 h of cell spreading irrespective of the growth surface. The alpha v and beta 3 subunits of the vitronectin receptor were at this stage detected in focal contacts in cells spreading on glass or electropolished or etched titanium surfaces. In cells spreading on sandblasted titanium surfaces, however, the vitronectin receptor had only a diffuse distribution. In cells that had been allowed to spread for 24 h on glass or electropolished or etched titanium surfaces the alpha 5 and beta 1 integrin subunits were either diffusely distributed or showed a localization typical of extracellular matrix contacts. The alpha v and beta 3 integrin subunits were, as earlier, localized to typical focal contacts in cells grown on glass or electropolished or etched titanium surfaces. Cells attached to sandblasted titanium surfaces still expressed all the integrin subunits only diffusely. The results show that the surface texture of the substratum can affect the expression of integrin subunits in human gingival fibroblasts. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Molecular Biology, Epidemiology, and Pathogenesis of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy, the JC Virus-Induced Demyelinating Disease of the Human Brain

SUMMARY Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a debilitating and frequently fatal central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disease caused by JC virus (JCV), for which there is currently no effective treatment. Lytic infection of oligodendrocytes in the brain leads to their eventual destruction and progressive demyelination, resulting in multiple foci of lesions in the white matter of the brain. Before the mid-1980s, PML was a relatively rare disease, reported to occur primarily in those with underlying neoplastic conditions affecting immune function and, more rarely, in allograft recipients receiving immunosuppressive drugs. However, with the onset of the AIDS pandemic, the incidence of PML has increased dramatically. Approximately 3 to 5% of HIV-infected individuals will develop PML, which is classified as an AIDS-defining illness. In addition, the recent advent of humanized monoclonal antibody therapy for the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Crohn's disease has also led to an increased risk of PML as a side effect of immunotherapy. Thus, the study of JCV and the elucidation of the underlying causes of PML are important and active areas of research that may lead to new insights into immune function and host antiviral defense, as well as to potential new therapies.
Gender and the primary prevention of suicide mortality.

Primary prevention aims at reducing the incidence of a disorder. The first step in primary prevention involves documenting the magnitude of the problem and identifying risk factors. Consistent with primary prevention practices, we review the national and international epidemiological data on suicide mortality and then discuss the implications these data hold for primary prevention. Our approach is novel because we systematically examine the suicide epidemiology data by gender and culture. Suicide mortality appears to be highest among individuals (e.g., young adult married females in some Papua New Guinea regions; older adult, isolated, White males in the United States) for whom such behavior is culturally sanctioned. Thus, an important target for primary prevention may be local cultures of gender and suicide.
The Utility of the Rey Word Recognition Test in the Detection of Suspect Effort

The Rey Word Recognition Test potentially represents an underutilized tool for clinicians to use in the detection of suspect effort. The present study examined the predictive accuracy of the test by examining the performance of three groups of participants: (a) 92 noncredible patients (as determined by failed psychometric and behavioral criteria and external motive to feign), (b) 51 general clinical patients with no motive to feign, and (c) 31 learning disabled college students. Results demonstrated gender differences in performance that necessitated separate cutoff scores for men and women. Use of a cutoff score of ≤7 words correctly recognized identified 80.5% of noncredible female patients while maintaining specificity of >90%. However, to achieve this level of specificity in male noncredible patients, the cutoff score had to be lowered to ≤5, with resultant sensitivity of only 62.7%. A combination variable (recognition correct minus false positive errors + number of words recognized from the first 8 words) showed enhanced sensitivity in identifying suspect effort in a subset of the noncredible sample who were claiming cognitive symptoms secondary to traumatic brain injury (i.e., cutoff score of ≤9 = 81.6% sensitivity with 90% specificity). Results indicate that the Rey Word Recognition Test is an accurate and cost-effective method for the detection of noncredible cognitive performance.
Insights into the nuclear export of murine leukemia virus intron-containing RNA

The retroviral genome consists of an intron-containing transcript that has essential cytoplasmic functions in the infected cell. This viral transcript can escape splicing, circumvent the nuclear checkpoint mechanisms and be transported to the cytoplasm by hijacking the host machinery. Once in the cytoplasm, viral unspliced RNA acts as mRNA to be translated and as genomic RNA to be packaged into nascent viruses. The murine leukemia virus (MLV) is among the first retroviruses discovered and is classified as simple Retroviridae due to its minimal encoding capacity. The oncogenic and transduction abilities of MLV are extensively studied, whereas surprisingly the crucial step of its nuclear export has remained unsolved until 2014. Recent work has revealed the recruitment by MLV of the cellular NXF1/Tap-dependent pathway for export. Unconventionally, MLV uses of Tap to export both spliced and unspliced viral RNAs. Unlike other retroviruses, MLV does not harbor a unique RNA signal for export. Indeed, multiple sequences throughout the MLV genome appear to promote export of the unspliced MLV RNA. We review here the current understanding of the export mechanism and highlight the determinants that influence MLV export. As the molecular mechanism of MLV export is elucidated, we will gain insight into the contribution of the export pathway to the cytoplasmic fate of the viral RNA.
Disseminated Panniculitis in a Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) due to Mycobacterium chelonae Infection

Abstract A 14-year-old female bottlenose dolphin was diagnosed with mycobacterial panniculitis based on punch biopsy specimens. The necropsy revealed numerous pyogranulomas in the blubber, as well as marked acute multifocal necrosuppurative pneumonia and lymphadenitis. In addition, the animal had marked scoliosis, which had first been noted clinically in the dolphin at about 1 mo of age. The animal had been treated with low-dose dexamethasone for approximately the last 19 mo to reduce perceived discomfort from spondyloarthritis and with the progestational agent altrogenest for approximately 8 yr to prevent pregnancy. Acid-fast positive bacilli were detected in the dermis but not in lung or lymph nodes. Mycobacterium chelonae was isolated from pooled skin, lung, and peripheral lymph-node tissue. Mycobacterial infection may be considered as a differential diagnosis in bottlenose dolphins with generalized cutaneous inflammation, particularly if chronic steroid and progesterone treatments were administered, both of which may have an immunomodulatory effect.
Multiple cascade effects of oxidative stress on astroglia

Many neurodegenerative diseases share common underlying features, most prominent of which are dysregulation of calcium homeostasis and reactive astrogliosis, ultimately triggered by oxidative stress. Interestingly, an additional feature of the early response to stress conditions is the upregulation and release of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). This study therefore investigates the link between oxidative stress, calcium influx, gene expression, protein synthesis, and AChE release. We report that, in astroglia and in an immortalized cell line, GH4‐hα7, acute oxidative stress causes influx of extracellular calcium through L‐type voltage‐gated calcium channels (L‐VGCC), followed by increased release of AChE into the extracellular medium. Moreover, rapid and sustained changes in mRNA expression of AChE, L‐VGCC, and melastatin‐like transient receptor potential 2 (TRPM2) accompany profound suppression of global protein synthesis. Application of L‐VGCC blockers selectively reduces stress‐induced calcium influx and AChE release, mitigates changes in gene expression, and facilitates recovery from protein synthesis suppression. Although glia exhibit greater sensitivity in their responses, the results are comparable in astroglia and GH4‐hα7 cells, and suggest a generalized and integrated cellular response to stress conditions that characterizes changes observed in neurodegeneration. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Density based clustering on indoor kinect location tracking: A new way to exploit active and healthy aging living lab datasets

Gait analysis is nowadays considered, as a promising contributor towards early detection of cognitive and physical status deterioration when it comes to elderly people. However, the majority of recent efforts on indoor gait analysis methodologies are limited as they only exploit the average walking speed. Applying density based clustering algorithms on indoor location datasets could accelerate context awareness on gait analysis and consequently augment information quality with regard to underlying gait disorders. This work presents the application of DBScan, a well-known algorithm for knowledge discovery, on indoor Kinect location datasets collected in the Active and Healthy Aging Living Lab in the Lab of Medical Physics of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The aim of the paper is to provide evidence that such an approach could effectively discriminate indoor activity High Density Regions which may subsequently be transferred to datasets originated from seniors' real homes in the light of context aware gait analysis.
Effects of functional electrical stimulation cycling exercise on bone mineral density loss in the early stages of spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether bone mineral density loss after spinal cord injury can be attenuated by an early intervention with functional electrical stimulation cycling exercises (FESCE) and to ascertain whether the effect persists after FESCE is discontinued. DESIGN A prospective study. SUBJECTS Twenty-four individuals with spinal cord injury, 26-52 days after spinal cord injury, were divided into FESCE or control groups. METHODS FESCE was applied in the initial 3 months and then suspended in the subsequent 3 months. Bone mineral density in the femoral neck and distal femur was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry before training, immediately after the initial 3 months of training, and at the end of the subsequent 3 months. RESULTS The bone mineral density decrease rate in the distal femur in the FESCE group was significantly less than that in the control group during the initial 3 months. However, there was no significant difference in the subsequent 3 months. CONCLUSION FESCE in the early stages of spinal cord injury can partly attenuate bone mineral density loss in the distal femur. However, bone mineral density loss in the distal femur cannot be ameliorated completely by FESCE. In addition, the effect on the attenuation of bone loss in the distal femur faded once FESCE was discontinued.
Reproduction and longevity among the British peerage: the effect of frailty and health selection

Whether a cost of reproduction exists among humans is still questionable. A major study of aristocratic British families finds a significant positive correlation between parity and late–life mortality, which indicates a trade–off between reproduction and longevity. This result is supported by four other studies, while earlier studies have not found a relationship or came to the opposite conclusion. We show that in natural fertility populations the relationship between fertility and late–life mortality cannot be studied correctly without considering the effects of differences in health and of mortality selection during childbearing ages because these two effects lead to a dampening of the true relationship. If these effects are controlled in Hollingsworth's genealogy of the British peerage a significant trade–off between reproduction and longevity exists for females but not for males.
Active Sampling for Large-scale Information Retrieval Evaluation

Evaluation is crucial in Information Retrieval. The development of models, tools and methods has significantly benefited from the availability of reusable test collections formed through a standardized and thoroughly tested methodology, known as the Cranfield paradigm. Constructing these collections requires obtaining relevance judgments for a pool of documents, retrieved by systems participating in an evaluation task; thus involves immense human labor. To alleviate this effort different methods for constructing collections have been proposed in the literature, falling under two broad categories: (a) sampling, and (b) active selection of documents. The former devises a smart sampling strategy by choosing only a subset of documents to be assessed and inferring evaluation measure on the basis of the obtained sample; the sampling distribution is being fixed at the beginning of the process. The latter recognizes that systems contributing documents to be judged vary in quality, and actively selects documents from good systems. The quality of systems is measured every time a new document is being judged. In this paper we seek to solve the problem of large-scale retrieval evaluation combining the two approaches. We devise an active sampling method that avoids the bias of the active selection methods towards good systems, and at the same time reduces the variance of the current sampling approaches by placing a distribution over systems, which varies as judgments become available. We validate the proposed method using TREC data and demonstrate the advantages of this new method compared to past approaches.