Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Th17 cells and tissue remodeling in atopic and contact dermatitis

Eczematous skin lesions of atopic dermatitis (AD) as well as allergic and irritant contact dermatitis (ACD, ICD) are characterized by the same typical clinical signs, although due to different causes. In both AD and ACD, the presence of T helper 17 cells which play an important role in host defense, has been reported. Furthermore, IL‐17 is involved in tissue repair and remodeling. This study aimed to investigate IL‐17 expression in acute eczematous skin lesions and correlate it with markers of remodeling in AD, ACD, and ICD.
Signal‐to‐noise, resolution, and bias function analysis of asymmetric sampling with zero‐padded magnitude ft reconstruction

This report describes NMR image effects due to sampling asymmetry when using zero‐padded magnitude FT reconstruction. With this method, the MTF is not flat over the spatial frequency passband, so resolution cannot be accurately described by a single variable such as voxel size. At small to moderate asymmetry, shortened (reduced window duration) asymmetry provides increased S/N and decreased resolution, whereas shifted (constant window duration) asymmetry yields essentially constant S/N with simultaneously increased and decreased resolution. A bias function expression describes image distortion due to sampling in terms separable from the imaged object. The analyses are consistent with previous descriptions of perceived image differences related to data asymmetry.
IgG 1 subclass specificity for IgG rheumatoid factors in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the significance of IgG rheumatoid factors (IgG RF) in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to determine the specificity of IgG subclasses binding with IgG RF in RA (RA IgG RF) compared to IgG RF in normal subjects (NS IgG RF). METHODS The reactivities of RA IgG RF and NS IgG RF for various IgG subclasses were studied by ELISA and inhibition assay, using purified IgG heavy chains of different IgG subclasses. RESULTS In ELISA, the optical density (OD) value of the reaction of RA IgG RF with IgG 1 was significantly higher than with IgG 2, 3, or 4 (p < 0.01). Similarly, the OD value of the reaction of NS IgG RF with IgG 1 was significantly higher than with IgG 2 or 4 (p < 0.05). In the inhibition assay, the OD value of the reaction of RA IgG RF was decreased by IgG 1, 2, and 3 (p < 0.01), but not by IgG 4. The extent of inhibition by IgG 1 was significantly greater than that by IgG 2, 3, or 4 (p < 0.05). In contrast, the OD value of the reaction of NS IgG RF was not significantly inhibited by any of the IgG subclasses. CONCLUSION RA IgG RF and NS IgG RF reacted most strongly with IgG 1. From the differences in reactivities between RA IgG RF and NS IgG RF in the inhibition assay, it can be inferred that RA IgG RF exhibits higher affinity for IgG than NS IgG RF.
Multicenter randomized trial comparing tacrolimus (FK506) and cyclosporine in the prevention of renal allograft rejection - A report of the European Tacrolimus Multicenter Renal Study Group

Background. To confirm the results of a number of studies conducted in Europe, the United States, and Japan, this multicenter, randomized trial compared the 12-month efficacy and safety of tacrolimus- and cyclosporine-based immunosuppressive regimens in the prevention of renal allograft rejection. Methods. A total of 448 renal transplant recipients were recruited from 15 centers and assigned to receive triple-drug therapy consisting of tacrolimus (n=303) or cyclosporine (n=145) in conjunction with azathioprine and low-dose corticosteroids. Results. At 12 months after transplantation, tacrolimus therapy was associated with a significant reduction in the frequency of both acute (tacrolimus 25.9% vs. cyclosporine 45.7%; P<0.001 [absolute difference: 19.8%, 95% confidence interval: 10.0-29.6%]) and corticosteroid-resistant rejection (11.3% vs. 21.6%; P=0.001 [absolute difference: 10.3%, 95% confidence interval: 2.5-18.2%]). Actuarial 1-year patient (tacrolimus 93.0% vs. cyclosporine 96.5%; P=0.140) and graft survival rates (82.5% vs. 86.2%; P=0.380) did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups. Overall, the safety profiles of the tacrolimus- and cyclosporine-based regimens were quite comparable. Infections, renal impairment, neurological complications, and gastrointestinal complaints were frequently reported but were mostly reversible in both groups. Higher incidences of elevated serum creatinine, tremor, diarrhea, hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus, and angina pectoris were reported in the tacrolimus treatment group, whereas acne, arrhythmia, gingival hyperplasia, and hirsutism were more frequent with cyclosporine treatment. Conclusions. The significant reduction in the incidence of episodes of allograft rejection observed with tacrolimus therapy may have important long-term implications given the prognostic influence of rejection on graft survival.
Supporting virtuosity and flow in computer music

Analysis class, and implementing the process() function. Compiler macros were written to abstract common or complex analysis operations, such as iteration or the use of multiprocessing. 13 Such filtering helps researchers visually explore the data, but can also greatly speed up data analysis. For example, if an analysis only concerns keyboard input, the program can use the filtering system to extract iKEYBOARD events to separate files, which can then be analysed without loading the full session.
Broadband highly integrated LTCC front-end module for IEEE 802.11a WLAN applications

This paper presents the design, development and measurement of a highly-integrated and high linearity RF front-end module with integrated filter for IEEE 802.11a wireless LAN applications. The developed front-end MMIC includes LNA, PA, and SPDT switch integrated on a single chip in a commercial GaAs MESFET process. An embedded 3-D band pass filter has been integrated on the front-end module using LTCC technology. The performance of the front-end module is compliant to the HiPERLAN-I and IEEE 802.11a RF standards. The LNA exhibits 16.5 dB of gain, 2.1 dB of noise figure and IIP3 of 2.8dBm. The PA shows the 24 dBm output power and IM3 of better than 25dBc. The SPDT switch demonstrates 1.2 dB of insertion loss and 28dBm of input P1dB. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on C-band PA-LNA-Switch integrated on a single chip with embedded LTCC filter.
Orexin-B modulates luteinizing hormone and growth hormone secretion from porcine pituitary cells in culture

To test the hypothesis that orexin-B acts directly on the anterior pituitary to regulate LH and growth hormone (GH) secretion, anterior pituitary cells from prepuberal gilts were studied in primary culture. On day 4 of culture, 10 5 cells/well were challenged with 0.1, 10 or 1000 nM GnRH; 10, 100 or 1000 nM [Ala]-hGRF-(1–29)NH2 or 0.1, 1, 10 or 100 nM, orexin-B individually or in combinations with 0.1 and 1000 nM GnRH or 10 and 1000 nM GRF. Secreted LH and GH were measured at 4 h after treatment. Basal LH and GH secretion (control; n= 6 pigs) was 183± 18 and 108± 4.8 ng/well, respectively. Relative to control at 4 h, all doses of GnRH and GRF increased ( P< 0.0001) LH and GH secretion, respectively. All doses of orexin-B increased ( P< 0.01) LH secretion, except for the 0.1 nM dose. Basal GH secretion was unaffected by orexin-B. Addition of 1, 10 or 100 nM orexin-B in combinations with 0.1 nM GnRH increased ( P< 0.001) LH secretion compared to GnRH alone. Only 0.1 nM (P = 0.06) and 100 nM ( P< 0.001) orexin-B in combinations with 1000 nM GnRH increased LH secretion compared to GnRH alone. All doses of orexin-B in combination with 1000 nM GRF suppressed ( P< 0.0001) GH secretion compare to GRF alone, while only 0.1 nM orexin-B in combination with 10 nM GRF suppressed ( P< 0.01) GH secretion compared to GRF. These results indicate that orexin may directly modulate LH and GH secretion at the level of the pituitary gland. Published by Elsevier Inc.
A biotechnological approach to improving the nutritive value of alfalfa.

The postruminal supply of the sulfur-containing amino acids, methionine and cysteine, has been reported to be a major limitation to wool growth in sheep. We aim to improve the protein quality of forage for ruminants by introducing into alfalfa chimeric genes encoding a ruminally stable, sulfur amino acid-rich protein from sunflower seeds. Four gene constructs were transferred to Australian commercial cultivars of alfalfa using Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation and selection with phosphinothricin (PPT). Modification of the sunflower seed albumin protein-coding region by addition of the coding information for an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal was found to greatly increase the level to which the sulfur amino acid-rich protein accumulated in the leaves of transgenic alfalfa plants. The Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMV) 35S promoter and two light-regulated plant gene promoter regions were compared for their ability to direct high-level expression of the introduced genes in alfalfa leaves. The highest expression of sunflower seed albumin was found in transformants bearing a gene incorporating the promoter from the Arabidopsis thaliana ats1A gene, which encodes the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit. The highest level of sunflower seed albumin found in transgenic alfalfa leaves was estimated to constitute . 1% of soluble leaf protein. This level of accumulation of the foreign protein would be predicted to supply an extra 40 mg of sulfur amino acids daily to sheep fed the modified forage. Published studies in which wool growth rates were significantly increased employed supplementation of approximately 1 to 2 g of sulfur amino acids daily.
Border Traps in Ge/III–V Channel Devices: Analysis and Reliability Aspects

The aim of this review paper is to describe the impact of so-called border traps (BTs) in high- k gate oxides on the operation and reliability of high-mobility channel transistors. First, a brief summary of the physics of BTs will be given, describing the charge trapping and release in terms of the elastic tunneling model. It will be also pointed out how information on the BT properties can be extracted from popular measurement techniques such as low-frequency (1/f) noise and variable-frequency charge pumping. In the next two parts, the impact of BTs on metal-oxide-semiconductor structures fabricated on Ge or III-V channel materials is outlined, with particular emphasis on the development of novel or adapted measurement techniques such as AC transconductance dispersion or trap spectroscopy by charge injection and sensing. Finally, the effect of BTs on the operation and reliability of high-mobility channel MOSFETs is discussed. It is also shown that the density of BTs is closely linked to the quality or defectivity of the high- k gate stack, indicating room for improvement by optimization of processing or by implementation of a suitable bulk-oxide defect passivation step.
Resistance to the African trypanosomes is IFN-gamma dependent.

The role of variant surface glycoprotein (VSG)-specific Th cell responses in determining resistance to the African trypanosomes was examined by comparing Th cell responses in relatively resistant and susceptible mice as well as in cytokine gene knockout mice infected with Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Resistant B10.BR and C57BL/6 mice expressed Th1 cell cytokine responses to VSG stimulation during infection, while susceptible C3H mice produced weak or no Th1 cell cytokine responses. Neither resistant B10.BR and C57BL/6 mice nor susceptible C3H mice made detectable Th2 cell cytokine responses to parasite Ag. To more closely examine the potential role of IFN-gamma and other cytokines in host resistance, we determined the resistance phenotypes and Th cell responses of IFN-gamma and IL-4 knockout mice. Infected C57BL/6-IFN-gamma knockout mice were as susceptible as C57BL/6-scid mice and made an IL-2, but not an IL-4, cytokine response to VSG, while C57BL/6-IL-4 knockout mice were as resistant as the wild-type strain and exhibited both IL-2 and IFN-gamma cytokine responses. Passive transfer of spleen cells from wild-type mice to IFN-gamma knockout mice resulted in enhanced survival. Both wild-type and IFN-gamma knockout mice controlled parasitemia with VSG-specific Ab responses, although parasitemias were higher in the IFN-gamma knockout mice. Overall, this study demonstrates for the first time that relative resistance to African trypanosomes is associated with a strong Th1 cell response to parasite Ags, that IFN-gamma, but not IL-4, is linked to host resistance, and that susceptible animals do not make compensatory Th2 cell responses in the absence of Th1 cell cytokine responses.
Platelet activation in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Summary. The abnormal metabolic state that accompanies diabetes renders arteries susceptible to atherosclerosis, being capable of altering the functional properties of multiple cell types, including endothelium and platelets. In particular, an altered platelet metabolism and changes in intraplatelet signaling pathways may contribute to the pathogenesis of atherothrombotic complications of diabetes. A variety of mechanisms may be responsible for enhanced platelet aggregation. Among them, hyperglycemia may represent a causal factor for in vivo platelet activation, and may be responsible for nonenzymatic glycation of platelet glycoproteins, causing changes in their structure and conformation, as well as alterations of membrane lipid dynamics. Furthermore, hyperglycemia‐induced oxidative stress is responsible for enhanced peroxidation of arachidonic acid to form biologically active isoprostanes, which represents an important biochemical link between impaired glycemic control and persistent platelet activation. Finally, increased oxidative stress is responsible for activation of transcription factors and expression of redox‐sensitive genes leading to a phenotypic switch of endothelium toward an adhesive, pro‐thrombotic condition, initial platelet activation, adhesion and subsequent platelet aggregate formation. All this evidence is strengthened by the results of clinical trials documenting the beneficial effects of metabolic control on platelet function, and by the finding that aspirin treatment may even be more beneficial in diabetic than in high‐risk non‐diabetic patients. Attention to appropriate medical management of diabetic patients will have great impact on long‐term outcome in this high‐risk population.
Language Engineering as an Enabling Technology for Clinical Terminology Harmonisation

GALEN (Generalised Architecture for Languages, Encyclopaedias and Nomenclatures in Medicine) started as a research and development project in the Third Framework Programme to develop a semantically sound model of clinical terminology [1]. In the Fourth Framework’s Galen-In-Use project, the model is further expanded in the domain of surgical procedures and put in practice at various sites for different clinical purposes. The model is built using medical classifications and nomenclatures in various languages, each of them designed for a different purpose. Yet a specific characteristic of the model is its independence from any particular language or application. It is intended to deliver a large number of services to clinical end-user applications, including language understanding and generation.
Optimal ordering and pricing policy with supplier quantity discounts and price-dependent stochastic demand

We study a joint ordering and pricing problem for a retailer whose supplier provides all-unit quantity discount for the product. Both generalized disjunctive programming model and mixed integer nonlinear programming model are presented to formulate the problem. Some properties of the problem are analysed, based on which a solution algorithm is developed. Two numerical examples are presented to illustrate the problem, which are solved by our solution algorithm. Managerial analysis indicates that supplier quantity discount has much influence on the ordering and pricing policy of the retailer and more profit can be obtained when the supplier provides quantity discount.
Reduction of Hyperphosphatemia is Related with the Reduction of C-Reactive Protein in Dialysis Patients. Study in Sevelamer-Resistant Dialysis Patients Treated with Chitosan Chewing Gum as Salivary Phosphate Binder

Background: In end-stage renal disease (ESRD) hyperphosphatemia associates with vascular calcifications and cardiovascular events derived from endothelial dysfunction. In dialysis patients, C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, associates with cardiovascular mortality. Increased PO4 concentration impairs endothelial integrity via induction of oxidative stress, and sevelamer, a phosphate binder, showed anti-inflammatory effect reducing CRP, which paralleled PO4 reduction. To give support to a direct proinflammatory role of hyperphosphatemia “per se,” we have considered previously studied dialysis patients with sevelamer-“resistant” hyperphosphatemia, who were treated with a chitosan-loaded chewing gum, as salivary phosphate binder, in addition to sevelamer, reduced serum PO4 to normal, to retrospectively evaluate their CRP and the relationship with hyperphosphatemia and calcium × phosphate (Ca × PO4) product. Patients and Methods: High sensitive (hs) CRP of 13 previously studied hemodialysis patients with sevelamer-resistant hyperphosphatemia was evaluated with immunonephelometry. Results: Chitosan chewing gum use reduced hsCRP (from 1.38 ± 0.61 to 0.39 ± 0.16 mg/L after the gum, p < 0.0002), which returned to baseline after 4 weeks from gum discontinuation (1.25 ± 0.41). hsCRP reduction paralleled serum PO4 reduction: from 7.60 ± 0.91 mg/dL to 5.18 ± 0.73 (after the gum) (p < 0.00001), returning to baseline (7.55 ± 0.75) after gum discontinuation. hsCRP reduction directly correlated with PO4 reduction (p = 0.029). Conclusion: The relationship in sevelamer-resistant dialysis patients between the reduction of serum PO4, induced by the chitosan-loaded chewing gum, and CRP reduction supports also in humans a proinflammatory role of hyperphosphatemia “per se” derived from “in vitro” studies. This further contributes to the high cardiovascular risk of ESRD patients making their serum phosphate in the normal range of vital importance.
Antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella enterica strains isolated from raw beef, mutton and intestines sold in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Objectives : The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antibiotic resistance profile of Salmonella enterica isolated from raw beef, mutton and intestines sold in Ouagadougou; Burkina Faso. Methodology and Results: A total of 450 samples from raw meat of beef (n=175), mutton (n=175), beef intestine (n=50) and sheep intestine (n=50) were analyzed using standards microbiological method for the detection of Salmonella . The isolates were tested for antibacterial resistance using the agar diffusion method with fourteen commonly used antibiotics. In this study, Salmonella contaminated 19% (86/450) of the samples with 27% (47/175) of beef, 18% (9/50) of beef intestine, 11% (19/175) of mutton and 22% (11/50) of sheep intestine. Salmonella strains isolates were most resistant to tetracycline and cefalotin than other tested antibiotics. Conclusion and main findings: The high rate of Salmonella strains in animals can pose a major public health risk in Burkina Faso. In addition, the susceptibility test confirms the circulation of antibiotic resistant pathogens in raw meat. Interestingly, these findings indicate a presence of multiresistant strains. The regulation of antibiotics use in animal husbandry is recommended to prevent antibiotic resistance in humans. Key words : Beef, Mutton, Raw Intestine, Salmonella , Antimicrobial Susceptibility, Burkina Faso.
Is There One Unifying Concept of Utility?An Experimental Comparison of Utility Under Risk and Utility Over Time

The nature of utility is controversial. Whereas decision theory commonly assumes that utility is context specific, applied and empirical decision analysis typically assumes one unifying concept of utility applicable to all decision problems. This controversy has hardly been addressed empirically because of the absence of methods to measure utility outside the context of risk. We introduce a method to measure utility over time and compare utility under risk and utility over time. We distinguish between gains and losses and also measure loss aversion. In two experiments we found that utility under risk and utility over time differed and were uncorrelated. Utility under risk was more curved than utility over time. Subjects were loss averse both for risk and for time, but loss aversion was more pronounced for risk. Loss aversion over risk and time were uncorrelated. This suggests that loss aversion, although important in both decision contexts, is volatile and subject to framing.
Lipopolysaccharide preconditioning induces neuroprotection against early brain injury after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.

AIM Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a devastating neurological injury associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We postulated that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preconditioning induces neuroprotection against early brain injury (EBI) after experimental SAH. MATERIAL AND METHODS 72 male Sprague-Dawley rats (250 to 300 g) were used. SAH was produced by injecting autologous arterial blood into the pre-chiasmatic cistern. Rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of LPS 24 hours prior SAH. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) protein expression was measured by western blot; apoptosis in the cerebral cortex were studied by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferasemediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and 4'6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining at 24 h after SAH. Brain water content was also examined. RESULTS MMP-9 expression was increased after SAH and decreased by LPS preconditioning at 24 h after SAH. The number of neuronal death in cortex was increased after SAH and decreased by LPS preconditioning. In addition, brain water content was attenuated by LPS preconditioning. CONCLUSION LPS preconditioning could modulate MMP-9 and therefore induce neuroprotection against EBI after experimental SAH.
Activation of the STAT signaling pathway can cause expression of caspase 1 and apoptosis

Protein tyrosine kinases activate the STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) signaling pathway, which can play essential roles in cell differentiation, cell cycle control, and development. However, the potential role of the STAT signaling pathway in the induction of apoptosis remains unexplored. Here we show that gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) activated STAT1 and induced apoptosis in both A431 and HeLa cells, whereas epidermal growth factor (EGF) activated STAT proteins and induced apoptosis in A431 but not in HeLa cells. EGF receptor autophosphorylation and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in response to EGF were similar in both cell lines. The breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468 exhibited a similar response to A431 cells, i.e., STAT activation and apoptosis correlatively resulted from EGF or IFN-gamma treatment. In addition, in a mutant A431 cell line in which STAT activation was abolished, no apoptosis was induced by either EGF or IFN-gamma. We further demonstrated that both EGF and IFN-gamma induced caspase 1 (interleukin-1beta converting enzyme [ICE]) gene expression in a STAT-dependent manner. IFN-gamma was unable to induce ICE gene expression and apoptosis in either JAK1-deficient HeLa cells (E2A4) or STAT1-deficient cells (U3A). However, ICE gene expression and apoptosis were induced by IFN-gamma in U3A cells into which STAT1 had been reintroduced. Moreover, both EGF-induced apoptosis and IFN-gamma-induced apoptosis were effectively blocked by Z-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (ZVAD) in all the cells tested, and studies from ICE-deficient cells indicated that ICE gene expression was necessary for IFN-gamma-induced apoptosis. We conclude that activation of the STAT signaling pathway can induce apoptosis through the induction of ICE gene expression.