Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence for a Ligand-Mediated Positive Selection Signal in Differentiation to a Mature B Cell 1

Positive selection is required for B cell differentiation, as indicated by the requirement for expression of the pre-B cell receptor (pre-BCR) and the BCR at the pre-B and immature B cell stages, respectively. Positive selection mediated by a tonic signal from these receptors is sufficient to drive B cell differentiation beyond the pre-B and immature B cell stages, but it is unclear whether additional positive selection signals are required for differentiation to a mature B-2 cell. We have identified a population of Ig transgenic B cells that differentiatively arrest at a transitional B cell stage in the spleen. They exhibit no evidence of Ag encounter or negative selection and can differentiate to mature B-2 cells in vivo upon weak BCR stimulation or adoptive transfer to irradiated hosts. These data are consistent with a requirement for a ligand-mediated BCR signal for differentiation to a mature B-2 cell.
European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases/European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Evidence-Based Recommendations for Rotavirus Vaccination in Europe

Vaccine Research Centre, University of Tampere Medical School, Tampere, Finland, {Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium, {Department of Paediatrics, University of Padova, Padova, Italy, §Centre for Infections, Health Protection Agency, London, UK, Polish Institute for Evidence-Based Medicine, Krakow, Poland, jjSoroka University Medical Center and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 46:S38–S48 # 2008 by European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition
Estimates of MTTF and optimal number of spares of fault-tolerant processor arrays

Reliability and mean-time-to-failure (MTTF) models of different fault-tolerant processor arrays (FTPAs) are introduced. On the basis of these models, approaches which allow for the analytical estimate of the necessary number of spares (NNS) and the optimal number of spares (ONS) are proposed. Knowledge of the NNS is suited to FTPAs where nonredundant hardware (hardware for which no redundancy is provided) is considered nearly fault free. Knowledge of the ONS is useful when faults can affect the nonredundant hardware, because in this case overall array reliability may actually decrease when the number of spares increases beyond some value. The quick estimates provided here can be used to help designers in the early design phases of an FTPA. <<ETX>>
The effect of interval and continuous training on the aerobic parameters.

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the parameters of aerobic function resulting from continuous training (CT) and interval training of both low power (LPO-IT) and high power output (HPO-IT). Untrained males (n = 17, 25.1 yrs) trained 10 weeks on cycle ergometers (four 40-min sessions a week) at 80% VO2max. Cycle ramp function tests at 0 and 10 weeks were used to determine the four aerobic parameters:VO2max, ventilation threshold (VeT), effective time constant for O2 uptake kinetics (MRT), and work efficiency (eta): VO2max increased significantly (3.30 to 3.66 l.min-1). Absolute VeT increased significantly (2.17 to 2.45 l.min-1) but there was no change in the relative threshold (VeT/VO2max). MRT decreased significantly from 38.8 to 33.1 seconds and there was no change in eta. There were no between-group differences; thus neither low power output nor high power output interval training offers an advantage over continuous training of the same average power output in altering the aerobic parameters.
Bayesian predictions of final outcomes: regulatory approval of a spinal implant

We describe a randomized controlled trial of an investigational spinal implant. The investigational device has an obvious benefit in comparison with control in that it precludes the need for harvesting bone graft and the pain and morbidity associated with it. Therefore, the principal comparison is one of noninferiority. The primary endpoint is overall success at two years. The “noninferiority margin” is 10%. Waiting for two years after the last patient's surgery may not be necessary depending on earlier measurements of success. We model the relationship between one-and two-year results. Our Bayesian analysis considers all available information, including some patients who have both one-and two-year results and some patients who have only one-year results. Our study provides an example in which Bayesian predictive modeling provided earlier information than otherwise and therefore it shortened the time line of the development of a therapeutic strategy.
Let's All Speak Together! Exploring the Impact of Various Languages on the Comprehension of Speech in Multi-Linguistic Babble

Our research aims at exploring psycholinguistic processes implicated in the speech-in-speech situation. Our studies focused on the interferences observed during speech-in-speech comprehension. Our goal is to clarify if interferences exist only on an acoustical level or if there are clear psycholinguistic interferences. In 3 experiments, we used 4 talkers cocktail-party signals using different world languages: French, Breton, Irish and Italian. Participants had to identify French words inserted in a babble. Results first confirmed that it is more difficult to understand a French word in a French background than in a babble composed of unknown languages. This result demonstrates that the interference effect is not purely acoustic but rather linguistic. Results also showed differences in the observed performances depending on the unknown language spoken in the background and demonstrated that some languages interfered more with French than some others.
Structural Determinants of the Specificity for Synaptic Vesicle-associated Membrane Protein/Synaptobrevin of Tetanus and Botulinum Type B and G Neurotoxins*

Tetanus and botulinum neurotoxins type B and G are zinc-endopeptidases of remarkable specificity. They recognize and cleave a synaptic vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)/synaptobrevin, an essential protein component of the vesicle docking and fusion apparatus. VAMP contains two copies of a nine-residue motif, also present in SNAP-25 (synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa) and syntaxin, the two other substrates of clostridial neurotoxins. This motif was suggested to be a determinant of the target specificity of neurotoxins. Antibodies raised against this motif cross-react among VAMP, SNAP-25, and syntaxin and inhibit the proteolytic activity of the neurotoxins. Moreover, the various neurotoxins cross-inhibit each other's proteolytic action. The role of the three negatively charged residues of the motif in neurotoxin recognition was probed by site-directed mutagenesis. Substitution of acidic residues in both copies of the VAMP motif indicate that the first one is involved in tetanus neurotoxin recognition, whereas the second one is implicated in binding botulinum B and G neurotoxins. These results suggest that the two copies of the motif have a tandem association in the VAMP molecule.
Analysis of Spaceborne GNSS-R Delay-Doppler Tracking

For spaceborne Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry (GNSS-R), the delay and Doppler frequency conditions dynamically change, so the compensation of the delay and Doppler errors using tracking is important to the altimetric and scatterometric performances. This work presents the characteristics of the delay and the Doppler frequency in spaceborne GNSS-R, such as the range of them, the Doppler spreading width, and the change rate. They are important considerations for design of the delay and Doppler tracking strategy. The characteristics of delay-Doppler conditions of spaceborne GNSS-R are presented with additional considerations for tracking design. The tracking methods are discussed, and the error impacts are visually demonstrated by using the spaceborne measured data from United Kingdom's Disaster Monitoring Constellation (UK-DMC) satellite.
HPV Testing : Promise and Challenges Techniques for Detecting HPV

most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), is the primary cause of cervical cancer. HPV infection is a necessary but not sufficient precursor to cervical cancer. While the cumulative lifetime incidence of acquiring HPV is 70 to 80 percent in many countries, the vast majority of women with HPV infection will not develop cancer (see PATH’s fact sheet, Natural History of Cervical Cancer). 2,3 Worldwide, interest is growing in the potential uses for HPV DNA testing in cervical cancer prevention programs (see Table 1). HPV testing indicates whether a woman is infected with high-risk HPV types and thus at increased risk of cervical cancer. The test’s relatively high sensitivity for detecting high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) makes it particularly appealing. HPV Testing: Promise and Challenges
Correlation between hypermethylation of the RASSF2A promoter and K‐ras/BRAF mutations in microsatellite‐stable colorectal cancers

Recently, RASSF2A was identified as a potential tumor suppressor epigenetically inactivated in human cancers. Here, we evaluated the methylation status of RASSF2A in colorectal cancer (CRC) and analyzed its correlation with K‐ras/BRAF mutations, microsatellite instability status and other clinicopathological features. Using methylation‐specific PCR and bisulfite sequencing, we analyzed the methylation status in primary CRC, adenomas and corresponding normal tissues and then compared it with the presence of K‐ras and BRAF mutations. We also examined the expression and methylation status of RASSF2A in CRC cell lines. We found that aberrant methylation of RASSF2A promoter regions is associated with gene silencing in CRC cell lines. In primary CRC, the frequency of RASSF2A methylation was 72.6%, and it was found in 16 of 16 (100%) adenomas. In addition, there was a positive correlation between K‐ras/BRAF mutations and RASSF2A methylation in primary CRC. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation between K‐ras/BRAF mutations and RASSF2A methylation was also observed in microsatellite‐stable (p = 0.033) and distal CRC (p = 0.025). These results show that RASSF2A methylation is a frequent event in colorectal tumorigenesis and positively correlates with K‐ras/BRAF mutation in microsatellite‐stable or distal CRC. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Recent progress in some aspects of the physiology of parasitic protozoa.

It is only 3 years since the publication of von Brand's (1966) very complete book on Biochemistry of Parasites, and only 2 years since Honigberg's (1967) masterful review on "Chemistry of Parasitism among Some Protozoa. " Yet so much excellent work has appeared on different aspects of the physiology and biochemistry of parasitic protozoa that one could not possibly do justice to it in a brief review. We need the next volume of Hutner's
p40 Is More Specific Than p63 for the Distinction of Atypical Fibroxanthoma From Other Cutaneous Spindle Cell Malignancies

Poorly differentiated, cytologically malignant, spindle cell neoplasms of the skin may present a diagnostic challenge with important clinical consequences. In particular, the distinction between poorly differentiated cutaneous spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma (SpSCC) and atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) remains controversial, but with important clinical implications: SpSCC exhibits an increased tendency for both local recurrence and metastasis compared with AFX. AFX is generally accepted as a diagnosis of exclusion based on negativity for a broad panel of immunohistochemical markers, including multiple cytokeratins, melanocytic markers, muscle markers, and vascular markers. As cytokeratins can also be occasionally lost in SpSCC, it would be of tremendous diagnostic value if there were additional specific markers to facilitate the distinction of lineage in this differential diagnostic context. Initial studies demonstrated p63 to be of utility in distinguishing AFX from SpSCC; however, p63 has proved to lack specificity, as it also exhibits variable reactivity in a subset of AFX. Recent studies have shown p40 immunohistochemistry to be a more specific marker than p63 for the designation of squamous differentiation in carcinomas involving other organ systems. In the current study, we define the utility of p40 immunohistochemistry among common cutaneous spindle cell malignancies, and, specifically, we compare the diagnostic accuracy of p40 and p63 in distinguishing AFX from SpSCC. We show that p40 and p63 exhibit comparable sensitivity, but p40 exhibits superior specificity in the distinction of AFX from SpSCC.
Utilizing the Web for Automatic Word Spacing

This paper presents a new approach to word spacing problems by mining reliable words from the Web and use them as additional resources. Conventional approaches to automatic word spacing use noise-free data to train parameters for word spacing models. However, the insufficiency and irrelevancy of training examples is always the main bottleneck associated with automatic word spacing. To mitigate the data-sparseness problem, this paper proposes an algorithm to discover reliable words on the Web to expand the vocabularies and a model to utilize the words as additional resources. The proposed approach is very simple and practical to adapt to new domains. Experimental results show that the proposed approach achieves better performance compared to the conventional word spacing approaches.
Interferon-gamma secretion is induced in IL-12 stimulated human NK cells by recognition of Helicobacter pylori or TLR2 ligands

Helicobacter pylori induce a chronic inflammation in the human gastric mucosa characterized by increased production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). The presence of natural killer (NK) cells in the human gastric mucosa and the ability of NK cells to produce IFN-γ suggest an important role of NK cells in the immune response directed towards H. pylori infection. Since NK cells previously have been shown to respond to bacterial components with IFN-γ production, we investigated the mechanisms for the recognition of H. pylori. We found that inhibition of MyD88 homodimerization resulted in decreased production of IFN-γ and that inhibition of the p38 MAPK decreased the production as well as the secretion of IFN-γ. Further studies indicated an involvement of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), in particular TLR2. Finally, we showed that the H. pylori specific membrane bound lipoprotein HpaA induced IFN-γ production from NK cells through recognition by TLR2. In conclusion, we suggest an involvement of TLR2 in the recognition of H. pylori by human NK cells and that HpaA is a TLR2 ligand important for recognition.
An adaptive clinical test of temporal resolution: Within-channel and across-channel gap detection

Abstract Objective: Several methods exist to measure temporal resolution in a clinical setting. The Adaptive Tests of Temporal Resolution (ATTR©) are unique in that they incorporate an adaptive psychophysical procedure to present stimuli via computer sound card. The purpose of this study was to determine if ATTR gap detection thresholds (GDTs) were stable across presentation levels (80 dB SPL, listener-selected level) and sound cards (high-end, inexpensive). Design: GDTs were measured using three conditions of the ATTR: broad-band noise within-channel (BBN-WC), narrowband noise within-channel (NBN-WC), and narrowband noise across-channel (NBN-AC). Analysis of the acoustical properties of ATTR stimuli was made by measuring the electrical signals produced by each sound card. Study Sample: Participants were 30 young adults with normal hearing. Results: The ATTR GDTs did not differ between presentation levels for all three stimulus conditions. Also, neither ATTR stimuli nor ATTR GDTs differed between sound cards for all conditions. Conclusions: The ATTR may be used in a clinical setting with a relatively inexpensive sound card and listener-selected levels. Normative performance values for each ATTR condition are provided. Sumario Objetivo: Existen varios métodos en la clínica para medir la resolución temporal. La prueba adaptativa para la resolución temporal (ATTR@) es u´nica en el sentido en que incorpora un procedimiento psico-físico para presentar estímulos por medio de una tarjeta de sonidos de una computadora. El propósito de este estudio fue determinar si los umbrales de detección de brechas (GDT) de la ATTR eran estables en diferentes niveles de presentación (80 dB SPL, nivel seleccionado por el oyente) y con diferentes tarjetas de sonido (hig-end, barata). Diseño: Los GDT fueron medidos en tres condiciones de ATTR: banda ancha, ruido en el canal (BBN-WC), ruido de banda angosta en el canal (NBN-WC) y ruido de banda angosta a través del canal (NBN-AC). El análisis de las propiedades acústicas de los estímulos de ATTR fue realizado midiendo las señales eléctricas producidas por cada tarjeta de sonido. Muestra: Los participantes fueron 30 adultos jóvenes con audición normal. Resultados: Los GDT ATTR no difirieron en los niveles de presentación en las tres condiciones de estímulo. Además, ni los estímulos de ATTR ni los GDT ATTR difirieron en con las diferentes tarjetas de sonido en todas las condiciones. Conclusiones: Los ATTR pueden ser utilizados en condiciones clínicas con una tarjeta de sonido relativamente barata y a niveles seleccionados por el oyente. Se proporcionan los valores normativos de desempeño para cada condición de ATTR.
No mutations of SAP/SH2D1A/DSHP and perforin genes in patients with Epstein‐Barr virus‐associated hemophagocytic syndrome in Japan

Recently, mutations of two genes, SAP/SH2D1A/DSHP and perforin genes, have been identified in two fatal inherited lymphoproliferative diseases, X‐linked lymphoproliferative disease and familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, respectively. Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV)‐associated hemophagocytic syndrome, a fulminant non‐inherited T‐cell lymphoproliferative disease, is relatively common in Japan and is extremely difficult to distinguish from X‐linked lymphoproliferative disease and familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, especially in sporadic cases, because of similarities in clinical and laboratory features. Mutation analysis was carried out of samples obtained from 14 patients with EBV‐associated hemophagocytic syndrome by sequencing the genomic SAP/SH2D1A/DSHP and perforin genes. However, a specific mutation was not identified in either of the genes, suggesting that mutations of the SAP/SH2D1A/DSHP and perforin genes are not responsible for the pathogenesis of EBV‐associated hemophagocytic syndrome in Japan. J. Med. Virol. 65:358–361, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Caractérisation des oligomères β-amyloïdes cérébraux et vasculaires impliqués dans la maladie d’Alzheimer

Depuis quelques annees, les oligomeres du peptide Aβ sont identifies comme etant responsables du declenchement de la pathologie alors que les depots amyloides sont des consequences aggravantes de la pathologie. Cependant, les formes oligomeriques d’Aβ impliquees dans la pathologie ainsi que l’origine de ces peptides sont toujours debattues. Notre objectif principal etait d’identifier des signatures Aβ oligomeriques cerebrales et vasculaires et de determiner si nous pouvions interferer avec ces signatures pour modifier le decours de la pathologie. Nous avons realise des analyses biochimiques qualitative des formes d’Aβ dans des echantillons de cerveau et de vaisseaux issus de patients atteints de la MA et de souris transgeniques modele de la MA. Nous avons montre qu’une meme forme Aβ oligomerique (17-18 kDa) est impliquee dans le developpement de la pathologie cognitive chez l’homme et chez la souris APP/PS1. Une signature Aβ oligomerique vasculaire specifique a ete observee dans les vaisseaux peripheriques et plus particulierement la veine porte hepatique des souris APP/PS1. De plus, un traitement pharmacologique ciblant l’expression des proteines de transport de l’Aβ a permis de restaurer les profils Aβ oligomeriques controles dans le cerveau des souris APP/PS1 tout en « chargeant » la veine porte des memes souris en Aβ oligomerique. Ces resultats montrent que les signatures Aβ vasculaires et cerebrales sont intimement liees. De plus, nos travaux mettent l’accent sur une possible intervention therapeutique agissant sur les formes Aβ cerebrales et vasculaires.
Hybrid Fault-Tolerant Flight Control System Design Against Partial Actuator Failures

A model to represent loss of control effectiveness in an aircraft is developed by analyzing physical faults in the hydraulically-driven control surfaces. A hybrid fault-tolerant control system (FTCS) that combines the merits of passive and active FTCSs is proposed to accommodate this kind of partial actuator failures. The hybrid FTCS is able to first slow down the rate of fault induced system deterioration with minimal fault information so that the fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) schemes can have additional time to achieve more accurate fault diagnosis. Once the correct fault information is obtained, the hybrid FTCS can counteract the faults effectively through an optimal reconfigurable controller. Depending on the availability of actuator redundancies, the passive FTCS and the reconfigurable controller are designed in the framework of linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach. Case studies of an aircraft subject to different degree of loss of control effectiveness have been carried out to prove the effectiveness of this new approach to FTCS.
Photoreceptor and postreceptor responses in congenital stationary night blindness.

PURPOSE To investigate photoreceptor and postreceptor retinal function in patients with congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB). METHODS Forty-one patients with CSNB (ages 0.19-32 years) were studied. ERG responses to a series of full-field stimuli were obtained under scotopic and photopic conditions and were used to categorize the CSNB patients as complete (cCSNB) or incomplete (iCSNB). Rod and cone photoreceptor (R(ROD), S(ROD), R(CONE), S(CONE)) and rod-driven postreceptor (V(MAX), log σ) response parameters were calculated from the a- and b-waves. Cone-driven responses to 30 Hz flicker and ON and OFF responses to a long duration (150 ms) flash were also obtained. Dark-adapted thresholds were measured. Analysis of variance was used to compare data from patients with cCSNB, patients with iCSNB, and controls. RESULTS We found significant reduction in saturated photoreceptor amplitude (R(ROD), R(CONE)) but normal photoreceptor sensitivity (S(ROD), S(CONE)) in both CSNB groups. Rod-driven postreceptor response amplitude (V(MAX)) and sensitivity (log σ) were significantly reduced in CSNB. Log σ was significantly worse in cCSNB than in iCSNB; this was the only scotopic parameter that differed between the two CSNB groups. Photopic b-wave amplitude increased monotonically with stimulus strength in CSNB patients rather than showing a normal photopic hill. The amplitude of the 30-Hz flicker response was reduced compared with controls, more so in iCSNB than in cCSNB. The mean dark-adapted threshold was significantly elevated in CSNB, more so in cCSNB than in iCSNB. CONCLUSIONS These results are evidence of normal photoreceptor function (despite the low saturated photoresponse amplitude) and anomalous postreceptor retinal circuitry.