Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Memory CD8+ T Cells Provide an Early Source of IFN-γ1

During the non-Ag-specific early phase of infection, IFN-γ is believed to be primarily provided by NK and NKT cells in response to pathogen-derived inflammatory mediators. To test whether other cell types were involved in early IFN-γ release, IFN-γ-producing cells were visualized in spleens and lymph nodes of LPS-injected mice. In addition to NK and NKT cells, IFN-γ was also detected in a significant fraction of CD8+ T cells. CD8+ T cells represented the second major population of IFN-γ-producing cells in the spleen (∼30%) and the majority of IFN-γ+ cells in the lymph nodes (∼70%). LPS-induced IFN-γ production by CD8+ T cells was MHC class I independent and was restricted to CD44high (memory phenotype) cells. Experiments performed with C3H/HeJ (LPS-nonresponder) mice suggested that CD8+ T cells responded to LPS indirectly through macrophage/dendritic cell-derived IFN-α/β, IL-12, and IL-18. IFN-γ was also detected in memory CD8+ T cells from mice injected with type I IFN or with poly(I:C), a synthetic dsRNA that mimics early activation by RNA viruses. Taken together, these results suggest that in response to bacterial and viral products, memory T cells may contribute to innate immunity by providing an early non-Ag-specific source of IFN-γ.
Simulation of droop control strategy for parallel inverters in autonomous AC microgrids

In this paper, a droop control strategy is presented for accurate power sharing between parallel connected inverters in an AC microgrid in autonomous mode. The proposed strategy is based on the droop control techniques P-f/Q-V and P-V/Q-f, with a virtual impedance and using monitored quantities directly at the inverter. This droop control approach can be used in microgrids where communications are not reliable or not available. It allows for maintaining voltage and frequency stability and for regulating the power flows between the primary energy sources and the common AC bus. The design methodology of the control scheme under study is based on grid-supporting-grid-forming controls using multi-loop dq control. The time domain simulation is conducted, in the MATLAB®/SimPowerSystems environment and the RT-EVENTS toolbox from OPAL-RT is also used to model the inverters. Resulting waveforms show that the proposed method can allocate both real and reactive powers effectively and can enhance the stability of a micro-grid in the autonomous operation mode.
Serum albumin in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis--predictors and correlations with outcomes.

Serum albumin (SA) is a powerful predictor of patient morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis, but data are limited for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). SA was monitored in 76 new CAPD patients over 222 6-month periods and mean SA was correlated with morbidity and mortality during those periods. The influence of initial SA on duration of technique survival was also investigated. To determine which factors best predict SA, correlations with patient demographics and with 6-month measurements of dialytic dose, protein intake, and peritoneal transport were sought. Mean SA overall was 34.1 +/- 3.3 g/L, and mean initial SA was 33.4 +/- 3.1 g/L. Mean SA was lower in diabetics and in those aged 65 or over. Mean SA tended to increase during the first year on CAPD, and this increase was maintained, except in patients aged 65 or over, where it tended to revert to initial values. SA correlated with hospital days (r = -0.20; P < 0.005), fatigue index (r = -0.20; P < 0.005), nerve conduction (P < 0.001), and a variety of laboratory values, and lower SA was associated with technique failure (P < 0.03) and death (P < 0.07). Initial, as well as ongoing, SA was predictive of technique failure (P < 0.05) and Cox proportional hazards regression showed that this predictive power was independent of age, sex, diabetes, and other factors (P = 0.05). The strongest predictors of low SA by stepwise multiple regression were diabetes, a higher dialysate-to-plasma creatinine equilibration ratio, older age, lower body weight, and shorter time on CAPD. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Continuous Postoperative Infusion of a Regional Anesthetic after an Amputation of the Lower Extremity. A Randomized Clinical Trial*†

We performed a prospective, randomized clinical trial to determine whether continuous infusion of bupivacaine hydrochloride decreased the use of narcotics for the relief of pain after an amputation. Twenty-one patients who were to have an amputation of the lower extremity because of ischemic necrosis secondary to peripheral vascular disease were divided into two groups with use of a table of random numbers. Group A (the treatment group) included nine patients who were to have a transtibial amputation, one patient who was to have a disarticulation at the knee, and one patient who was to have a transfemoral amputation. Group B (the control group) included seven patients, two patients, and one patient, respectively. After the amputation had been performed, a Teflon catheter was placed adjacent to the transected end of the sciatic or posterior tibial nerve. Postoperatively, the patients received continuous infusion of either bupivacaine (Group A) or normal saline solution (Group B) for seventy-two hours. Intravenous administration of morphine with use of a patient-controlled pump also was permitted during this period. The amount of morphine that was used was recorded meticulously. The patients in Group A used less morphine during the first and second days after the operation than did those in Group B. There was no difference between the groups with regard to the amount of morphine used on the third postoperative day. Over-all, eleven of fourteen patients who completed questionnaires reported a decrease in pain between the three and six-month evaluations. We concluded that continuous perineural infusion of an anesthetic appears to be a safe, effective method for the relief of postoperative pain but that it does not prevent residual or phantom-limb pain in patients who have had an amputation of the lower extremity because of ischemic changes secondary to peripheral vascular disease.
Development and implementation of a tobacco cessation training program for students in the health professions.

BACKGROUND A comprehensive tobacco cessation training program, Rx for Change, was developed and implemented as required coursework at all California schools of pharmacy and at the University of California San Francisco Schools of Medicine and Dentistry. RESULTS Post-training evaluations administered to pharmacy students (n = 544; 89% participation) show a positive impact of the training on students' self-reported abilities for providing tobacco cessation counseling to patients. CONCLUSION Designed as a vehicle for nationwide dissemination of the U.S. Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline for Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, Rx for Change equips students with skills to intervene with all tobacco users, including patients who are not yet considering quitting.
A stochastic model of carbon nanotube deposition in the airways and alveoli of the human respiratory tract

Abstract Context: In the past two decades, possible exposure of workers to nanoparticles has excited the attention of occupational medicine, resulting in the conception of related risk assessments. Although most nanoparticles have been categorized as hazardous substances in the meantime, their behavior in the human respiratory tract still bears some enigmas, which require clarification. Objectives: The study pursues the goal to provide detailed theoretical lung deposition data of carbon nanotubes (CNT) with various diameters and lengths. Besides a quantification of total and regional deposition, also airway generation-specific deposition has been subjected to the modeling process. Methods: Theoretical approach of CNT deposition in the human lungs has been conducted by assuming a stochastic structure of the bronchial network, within which particle transport takes place along randomly selected paths. Fluid-dynamic particle characteristics have been simulated by application of a rigid fiber model, which considers diverse forces and torques acting on the particles during their translocation within the inhaled air. Particle deposition in the entire lungs has been approximated by using the aerodynamic/thermodynamic diameter concept and related empirical deposition formulae. Results: Theoretical deposition data reflect a significant dependence of CNT deposition on (a) the effective size of the particles and (b) the conditions, under which they are taken up into the respiratory tract. Extremely small CNT (∼1 nm) are primarily filtered in the extrathoracic airways, intermediately sized CNT (∼10 nm) exhibit a preference to deposit in the alveoli, and large CNT (∼100 nm) are marked by minimum deposition. Conclusion: Pulmonary deposition of CNT is subject to a partly remarkable variation. According to the model of this study, particles of intermediate size seem to bear highest potential to act as hazardous substances.
Nonremission and time to remission among remitters in major depressive disorder: Revisiting STAR*D

Some individuals with major depressive disorder do not experience a remission even after one or more adequate treatment trials. In some others who experience remission, it happens at variable times. This study sought to estimate the prevalence of nonremission in a large sample of patient participating in the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) trial and to identify correlates of nonremission and time to remission among remitters.
On the structural and phyletic origin of the aminergic nerves of the hypophysis of frog tadpoles (Rana temporaria) with special reference to pars distalis

With the aid of lesion experiments and the Falck‐Hillarp fluorescence technique, it is shown that the aminergic nerves of the hypophysis, including pars distalis, originate in the caudal hypothalamus and reach the gland via a fibre tract in the floor of tuber cinereum. However, some contribution to the eminentia cmediana from the preoptic area could not be excluded.
[Association of genetic polymorphisms in selenoprotein GPX1 and TXNRD2 with genetic susceptibility of gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE This study examined whether the two polymorphisms of GPX1 (198Pro--> Leu) and TXNRD2 (370Lys-->Arg) contributed alone or in combination, to the risk of gastric cancer development. METHODS A total of 361 patients with gastric cancer and 363 cancer-free controls were recruited and their genotypes of the two polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction-based restrictive fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed using unconditional logistic regression model. RESULTS GPX1 and TXNRD2 polymorphisms individually were not associated with the risk of gastric cancer. Gene-gene interaction of GPX1 and TXNRD2 polymorphisms decreased the risk of gastric cancer. Carrying the protective genotype might decrease the risk at 62% (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.26-0.55, P < 0.001) as compared with the risk genotype. CONCLUSION The GPX1 198 Pro/Pro and TXNRD2 370Arg/Arg genotypes might be associated with the genetic susceptibility of gastric cancer.
Does the Processing Fluency of a Syllabus Affect the Forecasted Grade and Course Difficulty?

Processing fluency is known to affect a variety of cognitive assessments, but most research has not examined such effects in the context of a real-life experience. In the first experiment, college students, enrolled in either a statistics or cognitive psychology course, read a course syllabus which varied in the clarity of its font and frequency of its vocabulary. Based on the syllabus, students then forecasted their final course grade and the course's difficulty. Despite methodological similarity to other fluency experiments and adequate statistical power, there were no significant differences in forecasts across fluency conditions. Fluency may be discounted in a task which provides information that affects people's lives. This interpretation was bolstered by a second experiment whose participants were students in a statistics course. These students read the cognitive course's syllabus and forecasted better grades and less difficulty in the cognitive course when the font of the syllabus was more clear than unclear.
Low‐dose amphotericin b lipid complex vs. conventional amphotericin B for empirical antifungal therapy of neutropenic fever in patients with hematologic malignancies – a randomized, controlled trial

Background: Conventional amphotericin B (c‐AmB) remains the empirical antifungal treatment of choice for neutropenic patients with persistent fever of unknown origin (FUO). Unfortunately, empirical treatment with c‐AmB is hampered by its safety profile, with frequent infusion‐related adverse events (IRAEs) and renal toxicity. Amphotericin B lipid complex (ABLC) has been investigated for this indication due to its low toxicity profile. The recommended dose of ABLC is 5 mg/kg/d, which is five to seven times higher than the recommended dose of c‐AmB.
Phase-controlled quadruple LC/sub p/ resonant inverter to drive 600W HPS lamps

This paper presents the analysis and design of a new configuration of a resonant inverter suitable for high-intensity discharge (HID) lamp ballast applications. The proposed inverter results from the parallel connection of four class D LC/sub p/ resonant inverters, sharing the total load current. In this way, the conduction losses are reduced and high frequency operation is achieved for high power lamps. The power control is implemented at constant frequency, modifying the phase displacement among the output voltage of each inverter section. Considering that the deviation of the operation point caused by the control action deteriorates the converter efficiency, this design guarantees minimum control action to correct the lamp power deviation caused by the lamp aging. A 600W prototype has been built to validate the design proposal.
SUPPRESSOR OF PHYTOCHROME B4-#3 Represses Genes Associated with Auxin Signaling to Modulate Hypocotyl Growth1[OPEN]

SOB3 modulates seedling elongation by repressing the expression of genes associated with auxin signaling. Developing seedlings are well equipped to alter their growth in response to external factors in order to maximize their chances of survival. SUPPRESSOR OF PHYTOCHROME B4-#3 (SOB3) and other members of the AT-HOOK MOTIF CONTAINING NUCLEAR LOCALIZED (AHL) family of transcription factors modulate the development of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) by repressing hypocotyl elongation in young seedlings growing in light. However, the molecular mechanism behind how AHLs influence seedling development is largely unknown. We have identified genes associated with auxin-mediated hypocotyl elongation as downstream targets of SOB3. We found that YUCCA8 (YUC8) as well as members of the SMALL AUXIN UP-REGULATED RNA19 (SAUR19) subfamily were down-regulated in the short-hypocotyl, gain-of-function SOB3-D mutant and up-regulated in the dominant-negative, tall-hypocotyl sob3-6 mutant. SOB3-D and sob3-6 hypocotyls also exhibited altered sensitivity to the polar auxin transport inhibitor N-1-napthylphthalamic acid, suggesting a critical connection between auxin and the modulation of seedling elongation by SOB3. Finally, we found that overexpression of GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN-SAUR19 in the SOB3-D line partially rescued defects in hypocotyl elongation, and SOB3 bound directly to the promoters of YUC8 and SAUR19 subfamily members. Taken together, these data indicate that SOB3 modulates hypocotyl elongation in young seedlings by directly repressing the transcription of genes associated with auxin signaling.
Les relations phylogénétiques au sein d'un système réticulé : cas particulier de Cytisus scoparius L. (Genisteae, Fabaceae) et des espèces, hybrides et cultivars apparentés.

Le groupe " scoparius " est compose de Cytisus scoparius (Genisteae, Fabaceae) et des taxons qui lui sont apparentes dans le genre Cytisus. Des etudes taxinomiques et morphometriques ont permis de delimiter 10 especes reparties en trois sections Alburnoides, Spartopsis et Verzinum. Une phylogenie moleculaire basee sur des marqueurs chloroplastiques trnD-T, trnS-G et nucleaires ITS, LEGCYCIAa, LEGCYCIAb et LEGCYCIAc a montre que les sections Alburnoides et Verzinum, toutes deux monophyletiques (a condition d'inclure C. striatus dans la section Alburnoides), sont des groupes freres alors que la section Spartopsis, paraphyletique ou monophyletique selon la position de C. commutatus (sect. Corothamnus) est plus eloignee. Quatre hybrides cultives sont issus de croisements entre especes du groupe " scoparius ". La comparaison de donnees ITS issues de clonage a confirme les deux parents proposes par la litterature pour trois de ces hybrides et un des parents du dernier hybride. Le marqueur chloroplastique trnD-T s'est revele efficace pour determiner le sens du croisement a l'origine de trois des hybrides du groupe. L'addition des quatre hybrides dans les analyses phylogenetiques a montre que les hybrides entre taxons proches forment un clade avec leur parent maternel et ne modifient pas les relations entre taxons non hybrides. En revanche, l'ajout d'hybrides entre taxons eloignes peut provoquer des effondrements de clades ainsi que des changements de topologie. Le groupe " scoparius " comprend egalement plus de 150 cultivars dont 40 ont ete caracterises. L'analyse de donnees ISSR, trnD-T et SSR a permis de confirmer et de completer les donnees genealogiques de 28 de ces cultivars et ainsi de reconstituer un pedigree a 7 generations.
Control design for a hypersonic aircraft using a switched linear parameter-varying system approach

This paper is concerned with the control problem of an air-breathing hypersonic aircraft using a switched linear-parameter-varying systems approach. The rigid non-linear longitudinal model of a generic hypersonic aircraft is adopted with the aim of verifying the design methodology of the developed controller and switching logic. By linearizing the non-linear model of the hypersonic aircraft at trim points and dividing the velocity range into several parts, a switched linear parameter-varying model for the underlying system is derived. With the aid of multiple Lyapunov-like functions technique, controllers that ensure the tracking of given commands of the closed-loop system are designed under mode-independent and mode-dependent switching logic, respectively. Simulation results for the generic hypersonic aircraft show the effectiveness of the proposed method and the advantages of the mode-dependent switching logic.
An Internet-based weight loss programme — a feasibility study with preliminary results from 4209 completers

Aims: 1. To identify characteristics of individuals seeking help for their weight problem via an internet-based programme. 2. To identify indicators of long term success in such a programme. Methods: An internet-based weight club (www.viktklubb.se) was used consisting of standard algorithms for calculating body mass index (BMI), food energy content and exercise energy cost. All members filled in basic data and could volunteer to fill in additional research related questions. Together with data on treatment success, attrition, and use of the various components of the programme, this information was automatically monitored and downloaded to a database. Results: Eighty-six percent of the members were female, and the age range was wide (range 18—101 years; mean 40.3 ±11.5 years). At baseline, BMI of the entire group was 29.3 ±5.1 kg/m2 with 39% obese and 45% overweight. Among the completers, 16% changed from overweight or obese to normal weight. This corresponded to 29% of the members losing 5-9.9% of their initial body weight and 20% losing ≥10% of their. The strongest predictors of weight loss were activity in the weight club as judged by number of logins and diary entries, and sex. Conclusions: A sizeable, but seemingly random, dropout rate was observed, together with significant dose-response effects between activity in the internet-based program and weight-loss among completers. Given its low cost and high accessibility at 24 hours a day, this form of programme delivery is interesting to evaluate and develop further, especially regarding attrition.
Role of Protein Kinase C in Microglia‐induced Neurotoxicity in Mesencephalic Cultures

Microglial activation selectively kills certain neuron populations in mixed neuronal/glial cultures, which may prove useful for modeling neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. In mesencephalic mixed neuronal/glial cultures, microglial activation by zymosan A killed more dopaminergic neurons, assessed by [3H]dopamine uptake and by counting tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neuron number, than did microglial activation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The additional toxicity of zymosan resulted from microglial protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Both zymosan and PMA. but not LPS, activated PKC in enriched microglial preparations. In the mixed neuronal/glial cultures, activation of PKC by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) increased LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO; by nitrite measurements), but not zymosan-induced NO production, and increased LPS-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity, but not zymosan-induced dopaminergic neurotoxicity. Additive effects of PMA and LPS, similar to zymosan effects alone, reflected activation of distinct neurotoxic pathways in the microglia. The NO synthase inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME) totally blocked the neurotoxicity of LPS, and partially blocked zymosan-induced neurotoxicity: NAME did not block the PKC component of neurotoxicity. In addition to stimulating NO production as effectively as LPS, zymosan also activates microglial PKC and associated non-NO-mediated neurotoxic pathways that may be important in human neurodegenerative diseases. Since the role of NO in human microgliainduced neurotoxicity is controversial, zymosan may prove more useful than LPS as a microglial activator in the rodent mixed neuronal/glial culture model.