Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interleukin 5 is a differentiation factor for IgA B cells

Interleukin 5 (IL 5) stimulates murine B cells to IgA production in vitro. The present study examined the B cell target of IL 5 activity, and asked whether IL 5 acts as an isotype switch factor, a growth factor, or a differentiation factor on B cells that produce the IgA isotype. Lipopolysaccharide‐activated surface IgM‐positive, surface IgA‐positive or surface IgA‐negative B cell populations from spleen or Peyer's patches were stimulated with IL 5, after which the expression of cell surface IgA, IgA secretion, and numbers of IgA‐secreting cells were determined. IL 5 increased the IgA response by acting on B cells that are already committed to IgA expression. Thus, with regard to the IgA response, IL 5 acts as a differentiation factor, rather than a growth or IgA isotype switch factor.
Plasma levels of metalloproteinases-9 and -2 in the acute and subacute phases of type A and type B aortic dissection

Objectives Aortic dissection is characterized by an acute phase of medial dissection and a subacute-chronic phase of vessel wall repair. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), through degradation of extracellular matrix, may play an important role in these processes. Elevation of MMPs might represent an opportunity to diagnostically characterize acute or chronic aortic processes. We examined the potential diagnostic role of MMP-9 and MMP-2 in different phases of aortic dissection. Methods Plasma levels of MMPs were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique in 13 patients affected by acute aortic dissection (nine type A, four type B). Ten healthy subjects were used as controls. In patients with type B aortic dissection treated medically, plasma curves (1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 h; 1 and 2 weeks; and 2 months from symptom onset) were also assessed. Aortic tissue samples obtained during surgery were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and western blot for MM-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 expression. Results MMP-9 plasma levels were increased in patients affected by type A and type B aortic dissection presenting within 1 h from onset of symptoms compared to controls (29.3 ± 16.1 and 16.7 ± 2.1 ng/ml versus 7.74 ± 1.6 ng/ml, P < 0.03, respectively). No differences were detected in MMP-2 plasma levels compared to controls (4.84 ± 1.2 ng/ml for type A and 6.16 ± 0.6 ng/ml versus 3.17 ± 1.0 ng/ml for controls, P = NS, respectively). In type B aortic dissection, mean MMP-9 plasma levels increased significantly from hospital admission to 2-month follow-up (16.7 ± 2.1 ng/ml versus 58.0 ± 8.2 ng/ml, P < 0.0001). Conversely, no difference in MMP-2 plasma levels was evident during follow-up (6.16 ± 0.6 ng/ml versus 4.28 ± 0.4 ng/ml, P = NS, respectively). Low-moderate (+/++) expression of MMP-9 was evident at immunohistochemistry in the acute phase whereas a marked expression (++++) was detected in the subacute phase. Conclusions This pilot study suggests that the acute and subacute phase of both type A and type B aortic dissection is characterized by an increase of MMP-9 plasma levels. A marked increase is also evident in the subacute phase of medically treated type B aortic dissection as an expression of aortic wall remodelling. An increase of proteolytic activity could accompany attempts of the dissected aorta to heal itself but such a phenomena might further weaken the aortic wall, predisposing it to dilation and/or rupture.
Children of mothers who have recurrent depression in addition to anxiety, antisocial behaviour or problem alcohol use, are at increased risk of developing a new psychiatric condition

ED FROM Sellers R, Collishaw S, Rice F, et al. Risk of psychopathology in adolescent offspring of mothers with psychopathology and recurrent depression. Br J Psychiatry 2013;202:108–14. Correspondence to: Stephen Collishaw, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Section, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, 4th Floor B-C link Corridor, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK; collishaws@cf.ac. uk Sources of funding: Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust, Waterloo Foundation. CO M M EN TA RY This study builds on two related areas of research. First, we have long known that individuals with depression are at an increased risk for a variety of forms of comorbid psychopathology. Second, the offspring of depressed mothers are at risk for psychopathology. This study furthers our understanding of the risk to offspring by examining the effect of comorbid disorders among mothers with recurrent depression and demonstrates that those comorbid disorders explain a significant proportion of the risk to offspring. Specifically, 16% of adolescents whose mothers had only depression developed a disorder during the follow-up period. However, 35% of adolescents whose mothers also had two or more comorbid disorders went on to develop a disorder. The present study has several implications for case conceptualisation. Maternal depression has often been thought of as a direct risk factor for offspring psychopathology, and this study highlights the importance of considering the broader context of risk. Most specifically, it demonstrates that considering other maternal psychopathology is crucial, and because treating maternal depression reduces the risk to offspring, treating maternal comorbid disorders may also be important in preventing and treating disorders in their children. Other complementary research points to the importance of considering paternal psychopathology 3 and other family factors that potentiate or mitigate risk to offspring. It should be noted that this study excluded the 23% of offspring who had a disorder at the baseline assessment. As these youth were likely to be at the highest risk (owing to the early onset of their disorders), it will be important for future research to examine the development of disorders in children of depressed mothers at earlier ages. Naomi R Marmorstein Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, Camden,
Dual mechanisms prevent premature chromosome segregation during meiosis

In meiosis I, the segregation of homologous chromosomes before pairing would be catastrophic. Kim et al. describe two mechanisms that prevent this. In early meiosis, Ipl1 triggers shedding of a kinetochore protein and prevents microtubule attachment. Ipl1 localizes to the spindle pole bodies (SPBs), where it blocks spindle assembly. These processes are reversed upon expression of Ndt80. CDK phosphorylates Ipl1, delocalizing it from SPBs and triggering spindle assembly. Ipl1 and Ntd80 coordinate chromosome and spindle behaviors to prevent the attachment of unpartnered chromosomes to the meiotic spindle.
High genetic diversity and ephemeral drift effects in a successful introduced mollusc (Crepidula fornicata: Gastropoda)

Human-mediated biological invasions are known to threaten biodiversity and are often the cause of economic problems, mainly via interspecific interactions with commercially valuable indigenous species. The hermaphroditic gastropod Crepidula fornicata (L.) is a successful marine invader of European coasts. In France, it was first recorded in the 1940s and now proliferates, com- peting with cultured and fished bivalves. To analyze the patterns of spread and the genetic architec- ture of the populations of this invader, 13 populations, 12 French and 1 native (American) (N = 660) were sexed and analyzed using 8 polymorphic enzyme loci. The majority of the populations showed balanced sex ratios. A high level of genetic diversity was detected in the French populations, contrary to the usual pattern of founder effect frequently reported for invaders. Moreover, most of the intro- duced populations were shown to be in migration-drift equilibrium. Thus, our results suggest that, in its introduced range, C. fornicata has stable populations and behaves genetically and demographi- cally in the same way that it does over its native range. The pattern among French populations suggests that the introduction process was complex, and that C. fornicata from France derives from several genetically diverse, but poorly differentiated, source populations. Finally, this dataset also showed that the effects of shell-farmer-mediated transport between bays are only detectable at some specific localities. On the other hand, there was a good fit between patterns of genetic differentiation and the major hydrodynamic features along the French coasts, strongly suggesting that larval dispersal plays an important role in the spread of C. fornicata in Europe.
Fission Yeast Telomeric DNA Binding Protein Pot1 Has The Ability To Unfold Tetraplex Structure of Telomeric DNA

To understand the regulation mechanism of fission yeast telomeric DNA, we analyzed the structural properties of 4Gn: d(GnTTAC)4 (n = 3, 4) and their interaction with the single-stranded telomeric DNA binding domain of telomere-binding protein Pot1 (Pot1DBD). 4G4 adopted only an antiparallel tetraplex in spite of a mixture of parallel and antiparallel tetraplexes of 4G3. The antiparallel tetraplex of 4G4 became unfolded upon the interaction with Pot1DBD. Considering that the antiparallel tetraplex inhibits telomerase-mediated telomere elongation, we conclude that the ability of Pot1 to unfold the antiparallel tetraplex is required for telomerase-mediated telomere regulation.
Geometric positioning of multi-source optical satellite imagery for the island and reef area with sparse ground control points

The optical satellite imagery with high resolution and large coverage has been widely applied to gain the geospatial information of island and reef area. In this paper, according to the repeated observation of satellites, the method of georeferencing with multi-source optical satellite imagery is presented, in which the constraint model is introduced in to solve the rank defect of the coefficient matrix of normal equation. Results from combined block adjustment indicate that the test with more images from different directions performs best. The conclusion is drawn that multi-source images can increase not only the redundant observation, but also the base-height ratio, which can improve the positioning accuracy, providing a way to the island and reef mapping without GCPs. Then the absolute position of the images can be obtained with sparse GCPs.
Overexpression of marA, soxS, or acrAB produces resistance to triclosan in laboratory and clinical strains of Escherichia coli.

Triclosan (Irgasan) is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent used in handsoaps, toothpastes, fabrics, and plastics. It inhibits lipid biosynthesis in Escherichia coli, probably by action upon enoyl reductase (FabI) (McMurry, L.M., Oethinger, M. and Levy, S.B. (1988) Nature 394, 531-532). We report here that overexpression of the multidrug efflux pump locus acrAB, or of marA or soxS, both encoding positive regulators of acrAB, decreased susceptibility to triclosan 2-fold. Deletion of the acrAB locus increased the susceptibility to triclosan approximately 10-fold. Four of five clinical E. coli strains which overexpressed marA or soxS also showed enhanced triclosan resistance. The acrAB locus was involved in the effects of triclosan upon both cell growth rate and cell lysis.
A eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2-associated 67 kDa glycoprotein partially reverses protein synthesis inhibition by activated double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase in intact cells.

A eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF-2)-associated 67 kDa glycoprotein (p67) protects the eIF-2 alpha-subunit from inhibitory phosphorylation by eIF-2 kinases, and this promotes protein synthesis in the presence of active eIF-2 alpha kinases in vitro [Ray, M. K. , et al. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 539-543]. We have now examined the effect of overexpression of this cellular eIF-2 kinase inhibitor in an in vivo system using transiently transfected COS-l cells. In this system, coexpression of genes that inhibit PKR activity restores translation of plasmid-derived mRNA. We now report the following. (1) Transient transfection of COS-1 cells with a p67 expression vector increased p67 synthesis by 20-fold over endogenous levels in the isolated subpopulation of transfected cells. (2) Cotransfection of p67 cDNA increased translation of plasmid-derived mRNAs. (3) Overexpression of p67 reduced phosphorylation of coexpressed eIF-2 alpha. (4) p67 synthesis was inhibited by cotransfection with an eIF-2 alpha mutant S51D, a mutant that mimics phosphorylated eIF-2 alpha, indicating that p67 cannot bypass translational inhibition mediated by phosphorylation of the eIF-2 alpha-subunit. These results show that the cellular protein p67 can reverse PKR-mediated translational inhibition in intact cells.
The Disablement in the Physically Active Scale, part II: the psychometric properties of an outcomes scale for musculoskeletal injuries.

CONTEXT Outcomes assessment is an integral part of ensuring quality in athletic training, but few generic instruments have been specifically designed to measure disablement in the physically active. OBJECTIVE To assess the psychometric properties of the Disablement in the Physically Active Scale (DPA), a patient-report, generic outcomes instrument. DESIGN Observational study. SETTING We collected data in 5 settings with competitive and recreational athletes. Participants entered into the study at 3 distinct points: (1) when healthy and (2) after an acute injury, or (3) after a persistent injury. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Measures were obtained from 368 baseline participants (202 females, 166 males; age = 20.1 ± 3.8 years), 54 persistent participants (32 females, 22 males; age = 22.0 ± 8.3 years), and 28 acutely injured participants (8 females, 20 males; age = 19.8 ± 1.90 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) We assessed internal consistency with a Cronbach α and test-retest reliability with intraclass correlation (2,1) values. The scale's factor structure was assessed with a hierarchical confirmatory factor analysis. Concurrent validity was assessed with a Pearson correlation. Responsiveness was calculated using a receiver operating characteristic curve and a minimal clinically important difference value. RESULTS The Cronbach α scores for the DPA were 0.908 and 0.890 in acute and persistent groups, respectively. The intraclass correlation (2,1) value of the DPA was 0.943 (95% confidence interval = 0.885, 0.972). The fit indices values were 1.89, 0.852, 0.924, 0.937, and 0.085 (90% confidence interval = 0.066, 0.103) for the minimum sample discrepancy divided by degrees of freedom, goodness-of-fit index, Tucker-Lewis Index, comparative fit index, and root mean square error of approximation, respectively. The DPA scores accounted for 51% to 56.4% of the variation in global functioning scores. The area under the curve was statistically significant, and the minimally clinically important difference values were established. CONCLUSIONS The DPA is a reliable, valid, and responsive instrument.
A Mesh-Structured Scalable IPsec Processor

IP security (IPsec) protocols are widely used to protect sensitive data over the Internet. For equipment linked by high-bandwidth optical fibers, the throughput requirement usually results in the adoption of high-performance network security processors. In this paper, we propose a parallel mesh-structured IPsec (MIPsec) processor, which executes the IPsec protocols for Internet security gateway applications. We have developed several area-efficient cryptographic IPs embedded in MIPsec to lower silicon cost. Thanks to structural regularity, the simple deterministic programming of MIPsec guarantees high utilization of the hardware. Also, both handshake and contention issues are solved in the scheme, such that performance can be scaled up. Specifically, the 6.23-million-gate MIPsec achieves 10-Gb/s wire speed for each routing direction. The proposed MIPsec is suitable for transport mode or other crypto mix as well.
Classification de fonctions continues à l'aide d'une distribution et d'une densité définies dans un espace de dimension infinie

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Stroke Epidemiology in Douala: Three Years Prospective Study in a Teaching Hospital in Cameroon

Background and Objectives: Cerebro-vascular accident or stroke constitutes a major challenge in sub-Saharan Africa. In Cameroon, basic epidemiologic data are not routinely available. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the type, the associated risk factors, time to admission, the clinical presentation and the case fatality of stroke at the Douala General Hospital (DGH) in Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012 at the neurology and intensive care units of the DGH. All patients above 15 years of age with a diagnosis of established stroke were enrolled. For each patient, socio-demographic, clinical and paraclinical data were recorded as well as the duration of hospitalization and the case fatality. Results: In all, 325 patients were enrolled with males constituting 68.1% and general mean age of 58.66 ± 13.6 years. The mean initial consultation delay was 47.36 ± 18.48 hours. The majors cerebro-vascular risk factors were hypertension (81.15%), chronic alcohol consumption (28.3%), diabetes mellitus (20.61%), obesity (18.15%), cigarette smoking (16%), dyslipidemia (8.9%) and atrial fibrillation (3.07%). Ischemic stroke accounted for 52% of cases while 48% were hemorrhagic. The mean duration of hospitalization was 8.58 ± 6.35 days with a case fatality rate of 26.8%. Septic conditions appeared to be the leading cause of death accounting for 35.6% of cases. Conclusion: Stroke in the DGH is associated with a high case fatality rate and hypertension remains the number one risk factor. There is a clear and urgent need for public health authorities to reinforce measures for the control of modifiable stroke risk factors.
Cloned Calves from Chromatin Remodeled In Vitro1

Abstract We have developed a novel system for remodeling mammalian somatic nuclei in vitro prior to cloning by nuclear transplantation. The system involves permeabilization of the donor cell and chromatin condensation in a mitotic cell extract to promote removal of nuclear factors solubilized during chromosome condensation. The condensed chromosomes are transferred into enucleated oocytes prior to activation. Unlike nuclei of nuclear transplant embryos, nuclei of chromatin transplant embryos exhibit a pattern of markers closely resembling that of normal embryos. Healthy calves were produced by chromatin transfer. Compared with nuclear transfer, chromatin transfer shows a trend toward greater survival of cloned calves up to at least 1 mo after birth. This is the first successful demonstration of a method for directly manipulating the somatic donor chromatin prior to transplantation. This procedure should be useful for investigating mechanisms of nuclear reprogramming and for making improvements in the efficiency of mammalian cloning.
Insulin acts in the arcuate nucleus to increase lumbar sympathetic nerve activity and baroreflex function in rats

Non‐technical summary Though the pancreatic hormone insulin is known to act in the brain to increase sympathetic nerve activity and baroreflex control of sympathetic nerve activity, its specific site of action had yet to be identified. We show that a region in the hypothalamus, the arcuate nucleus, is the site at which insulin's effects are initiated. This new information may lead to a greater understanding of the role of insulin in the brain in adverse cardiovascular complications, like hypertension and heart attacks, which are associated with insulin‐resistant states, such as obesity and diabetes.
Targeted ablation of Fgf 23 demonstrates an essential physiological role of FGF 23 in phosphate and vitamin D metabolism

Inorganic phosphate is essential for ECM mineralization and also as a constituent of important molecules in cellular metabolism. Investigations of several hypophosphatemic diseases indicated that a hormone-like molecule probably regulates serum phosphate concentration. FGF23 has recently been recognized as playing important pathophysiological roles in several hypophosphatemic diseases. We present here the evidence that FGF23 is a physiological regulator of serum phosphate and 1,25dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]2D) by generating FGF23-null mice. Disruption of the Fgf23 gene did not result in embryonic lethality, although homozygous mice showed severe growth retardation with abnormal bone phenotype and markedly short life span. The Fgf23–/– mice displayed significantly high serum phosphate with increased renal phosphate reabsorption. They also showed an elevation in serum 1,25(OH)2D that was due to the enhanced expression of renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1a-hydroxylase (1a-OHase) from 10 days of age. These phenotypes could not be explained by currently known regulators of mineral homeostasis, indicating that FGF23 is essential for normal phosphate and vitamin D metabolism. Article Endocrinology
Auxin and ROP GTPase Signaling of Polar Nuclear Migration in Root Epidermal Hair Cells1[CC-BY]

Auxin and ROP signaling affect nuclear migration in root epidermal cells. Polar nuclear migration is crucial during the development of diverse eukaryotes. In plants, root hair growth requires polar nuclear migration into the outgrowing hair. However, knowledge about the dynamics and the regulatory mechanisms underlying nuclear movements in root epidermal cells remains limited. Here, we show that both auxin and Rho-of-Plant (ROP) signaling modulate polar nuclear position at the inner epidermal plasma membrane domain oriented to the cortical cells during cell elongation as well as subsequent polar nuclear movement to the outer domain into the emerging hair bulge in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Auxin signaling via the nuclear AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR7 (ARF7)/ARF19 and INDOLE ACETIC ACID7 pathway ensures correct nuclear placement toward the inner membrane domain. Moreover, precise inner nuclear placement relies on SPIKE1 Rho-GEF, SUPERCENTIPEDE1 Rho-GDI, and ACTIN7 (ACT7) function and to a lesser extent on VTI11 vacuolar SNARE activity. Strikingly, the directionality and/or velocity of outer polar nuclear migration into the hair outgrowth along actin strands also are ACT7 dependent, auxin sensitive, and regulated by ROP signaling. Thus, our findings provide a founding framework revealing auxin and ROP signaling of inner polar nuclear position with some contribution by vacuolar morphology and of actin-dependent outer polar nuclear migration in root epidermal hair cells.
The heritability of avoidant and dependent personality disorder assessed by personal interview and questionnaire

Gjerde LC, Czajkowski N, Røysamb E, Ørstavik RE, Knudsen GP, Østby K, Torgersen S, Myers J, Kendler KS, Reichborn‐Kjennerud T. The heritability of avoidant and dependent personality disorder assessed by personal interview and questionnaire.