Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential regulation of T helper phenotype development by interleukins 4 and 10 in an c43 T-cell-receptor transgenic system

To address the mechanisms controlling T helper (Th) phenotype development, we used DO10, a transgenic mouse line that expresses the af8 T-cell receptor from an ovalbumin-reactive T hybridoma, as a source of naive T cells that can be stimulated in vitro with ovalbumin peptide presented by defined antigen-presenting cells (APCs). We have examined the role of cytokines and APCs in the regulation of Th phenotype development. Interleukin 4 (IL-4) directs development toward the Th2 phenotype, stimulating IL-4 and si-lencing IL-2 and interferon y production in developing T cells. Splenic APCs direct development toward the Thl phenotype when endogenous IL-10 is neutralized with anti-IL-10 antibody. The splenic APCs mediating these effects are probably macrophages or dendritic cells and not B cells, since IL-10 is incapable of affecting Th phenotype development when the B-cell hybridoma TA3 is used as the APC. These results suggest that early regulation of IL-4 and IL-10 in a developing immune response and the identity of the initiating APCs are critical in determining the Th phenotype of the developing T cells. of the primary (A), secondary (B), or tertiary (C) stimulation. The primary stimulation mixture contained added cytokine. Naive T cells were purified and stimulated with Ova-(323-339) peptide presented by BALB/c splenocytes. Cultures were maintained with either IL-4, the anti-IL-4 mAb 11B11, IL-10, the anti-IL-10 mAb SXC-1, or no cytokines (control, CTRL). To determine the cytokine profile, T cells previously maintained with added cytokine were washed and restimulated without added cytokine (B and C). This experiment was repeated four times, with similar results.
A Novel Subpopulation of 5-HT 3A Receptor Immunoreactive Interneurons in the Rat Basolateral Amygdala

The amygdalar basolateral nuclear complex (BLC) has very high levels of the type 3 serotonin receptor (5-HT 3 R). Previous studies have reported that 5-HT 3 R protein in the BLC is expressed in interneurons and that 5-HT 3 R mRNA is coexpressed with GABA and certain neuropeptides or calcium-binding proteins in these cells. However, there have been no detailed descriptions of the distribution of 5-HT 3 R+ neurons in the amygdala, and no quantitative studies of overlap of neurons expressing 5-HT 3 R protein with distinct interneuronal subpopulations in the BLC. The present investigation employed dual-labeling immunohistochemistry using antibodies to the 5-HT-3A receptor subunit (5-HT 3A R) and specific interneuronal markers to address these questions. These studies revealed that there was a moderate density of nonpyramidal 5-HT 3A R+ neurons in the BLC at all levels of the amygdala. In addition, immunostained cells were also seen in anterior portions of the cortical and medial nuclei. Although virtually all 5-HT 3A R+ neurons in the BLC were GABA+, very few expressed neuropeptide or calcium-binding protein markers for individual subpopulations. The main interneuronal marker expressed by 5-HT 3A R+ neurons was cholecystokinin (CCK), but only 8–16% of 5-HT 3 R+ neurons in the BLC, depending on the nucleus, were CCK+. Most of these CCK+/5-HT 3A R+ double-labeled neurons appeared to belong to the subpopulation of large type L CCK+ interneurons. Very few 5-HT 3A R+ neurons expressed calretinin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, or parvalbumin, and none expressed somatostatin or calbindin. Thus, the great majority of neurons expressing 5-HT 3A R protein appear to constitute a previously unrecognized subpopulation of GABAergic interneurons in the BLC. 3A R/GABA preparations and in two 5-HT 3A R/CCK preparations to determine the percentage of GABA+ and CCK+ interneurons that were 5-HT 3A R+. These analyses revealed that 5-HT 3A R+ neurons constituted 6.7%
Brief Communication Inpatient Experiences with MyChart Bedside

Background: As technology is increasingly being integrated into hospital-based care, it is important to assess patient experiences. The purpose of this project was to conduct an evaluation of inpatient experiences with MyChart (cid:2) Bedside. Materials and Methods: A convenience sample of patients ( n = 88) were included in this study, who responded to a Web-based self-reported survey that was embedded within the MyChart Bedside application. Results: The majority of respondents (78%) reported that MyChart Bedside was easy to use. The respondents agreed that MyChart Bedside improved communication with their nurses (74%) and with their physicians (53%), as well as helped them understand their medications (90%) during their inpatient hospitalization. Conclusions: The study found that the majority of patients were satisfied with MyChart Bedside, and they reported that it helped them learn more about their medications, as well as communicate with their care team.
BRIEF PROTON T, STUDY OF COVERAGE PARAMETER CHANGES IN TISSUES FROM TUMOR-BEARING MICE

Measurements of water proton spin-lattice relaxation time, T1, at 20 and - 15'C have been performed in spleen, kidney, liver, and muscle tissues from tumor-bearing mice, as well as in tumors grown in their dorsal subcutaneous tissues. All mice used were either from the C3H/HeJ or BALB/c strain. At - 15'C the T,'s of tissues of a given type from tumor-bearing and healthy mice are essentially the same. It is shown that in spleen the increased T, from tumor-bearing mice can only be explained in terms of a large change in the water coverage parameter of macromolecules. In liver, muscle, and tumors the increased water content accounts for the changes in TI, while kidney represents an intermediate case.
Forebrain Depletion of Rheb Elicits Spatial Memory Deficits in Mice

The precise molecular and cellular events responsible for age-dependent cognitive dysfunctions remain unclear. We report that small guanine nucleotide-binding protein Rheb (ras homolog enriched in brain), an activator of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), regulates memory functions in mice. Conditional depletion of Rheb selectively in the forebrain of mice obtained from crossing Rheb flox/flox and CamKII Cre results in spontaneous signs of age-related memory loss, i.e., spatial memory deficits (T-maze, Morris water maze) without affecting locomotor (open-field test), anxiety-like (elevated plus maze), or contextual fear conditioning functions. Partial depletion of Rheb in forebrain was sufficient to elicit memory defects with little effect on the neuronal size, cortical thickness or mTOR activity. Rheb depletion, however, increased the levels of beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), a protein elevated in aging and Alzheimer disease (AD). Overall, our study demonstrates that forebrain Rheb promotes aging-associated cognitive defects. Thus, targeting the Rheb pathway may provide therapeutic potentials for aging and/or AD-associated memory deficits. were obtained VS120 using the VS-DESKTOP software (Olympus). For quantification of p-S6 intensity, regions of interest (ROIs), somatosensory cortex and hippocampus, were cropped from whole brain images, and then ImageJ was used to measure mean grey intensity. Three ROIs were measured in each animal. The number of cleaved caspase-3-positive cells was measured in the dorsal hippocampus. Three adjacent brain sections were measured from each The density of cleaved caspase-3-positive cells was calculated by dividing the number of cleaved caspase-3-positive cells to the area of dorsal hippocampus. N=3 animals each genotype.
5-HT 1A receptors couple to activation of Akt, but not extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK), in cultured hippocampal neurons

5-HT 1A receptors have been hypothesized to mediate some of the neuronal plasticity and behavioral responses stimulated by serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors. Although the cellular signaling pathways required for inducing these actions have not yet been determined, roles for the neuroprotective extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and Akt pathways have been suggested. In the current studies we have utilized primary cultures to directly determine whether hippocampal 5-HT 1A receptors couple to activation of Akt and ERK. We found that E18 hippocampal neurons exhibit a twofold activation of Akt when exposed to nanomolar concentrations of 5-HT. The 5-HT 1/7 receptor-selective agonist 5-carboxamidotryptamine maleate (5-CT) and the 5-HT 1A/7 receptor-selective agonist 8-hydroxy-N,N-dipropyl-aminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT) maleate were found to activate Akt with equal efficacy, and similar potency, to 5-HT. p-MPPI and WAY-100635, antagonists selective for 5-HT 1A receptors, completely inhibited 5-CT-stimulated Akt activation. Activation of Akt was also inhibited by pretreatment with pertussis toxin as well as the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002. In contrast, the 5-HT selective antagonist, SB269970, caused no inhibition. Although the density of 5-HT 1A receptors expressed by cultured neurons was sufficient to activate Akt, no activation of ERK was observed. These findings suggest that Akt, and not ERK, may be relevant to previous reports of hippocampal 5-HT 1A receptors mediating neurotrophic responses. couple stably 5-HT 1A receptors were treated for 5 min with 100 n M 8-OH-DPAT (DPAT) in the presence or absence of 1 μ M WAY-100635, and lysed. Alternatively, cells were pre-treated overnight, where indicated, with 150 ng/mL pertussis toxin (PTx) prior to 5 min of treatment with 100 n M 8-OH-DPAT. Supernatant was analyzed by immunoblotting with antibody to phospho-Akt (p-Akt). Membranes were then stripped and analyzed with antibody to total Akt. means SEM of three experiments, performed in duplicate.
CO-MORBID Impact of Current Pain Status on Low-Barrier Buprenorphine Treatment Response Among Patients with Opioid Use Disorder

Objective. Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is prevalent among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). However, the impact of CNCP on buprenorphine treatment outcomes is largely unknown. In this secondary analysis, we examined treatment outcomes among individuals with and without CNCP who received a low-barrier buprenorphine maintenance regimen during waitlist delays to more comprehensive opioid treatment. Methods. Participants were 28 adults with OUD who received 12weeks of buprenorphine treatment involving bimonthly clinic visits, computerized medication dispensing, and phone-based monitoring. At intake and monthly follow-up assessments, participants completed the Brief Pain Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), Addiction Severity Index, and staff-observed urinalysis. Results. Participants with CNCP ( n ¼ 10) achieved comparable rates of illicit opioid abstinence as those without CNCP ( n ¼ 18) at weeks 4 (90% vs 94%), 8 (80% vs 83%), and 12 (70% vs 67%) ( P ¼ 0.99). Study retention was also similar, with 90% and 83% of participants with and without CNCP completing the 12-week study, respectively ( P ¼ 0.99). Furthermore, individuals with CNCP demonstrated signiﬁcant improvements on the BDI-II and Global Severity Index subscale of the BSI ( P < 0.05). However, those with CNCP reported more severe medical problems and smaller reductions in legal problems relative to those without CNCP ( P ¼ 0.03). Conclusions. Despite research suggesting that chronic pain may inﬂuence OUD treatment outcomes, participants with and without CNCP achieved similar rates of treatment retention and signiﬁcant reductions in illicit opioid use and psychiatric symptomatology during low-barrier buprenorphine treatment.
B-cell-specific and interferon-y-inducible regulation of the HLA-DRa gene

We investigated the cis-acting sequences that function in the B-cell-specific and interferon-y-inducible expression of the HLA-DRa gene, a human class II major histocompatibility complex gene. The effects of 5' deletions on the activity ofthe DRa promoter and the influence ofupstream DRa promoter elements on the activity of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase promoter were examined by a transient transfection assay in human B-, T-, and fibroblast cell lines. We show that the DRa gene is regulated by positive and negative cis-acting sequences between positions -1300 and +31 from the site of initiation of transcription. We also demonstrate that the DRa promoter sequences from positions -116 to -92 and from -136 to -80 are the minimal sequences required for conferring B-cell specificity and interferon-y inducibility upon the Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase promoter, respectively. The class II genes (DP, DQ, and DR) of the human major histocompatibility complex encode proteins that are expressed on the surfaces of immunocompetent cells. These class II molecules play an essential role in the regulation of the immune response (see refs. 1-3 for review). Three different patterns of class II gene expression are found. High levels of expression are seen in mature B cells, activated or virally infected T cells, and thymic epithelial cells. Class II genes are inducible by interferon-y (IFN-y) in antigen-presenting
Lipid modifications of G proteins: a subunits are palmitoylated

A small number of membrane-associated proteins are reversibly and covalently modified with palmitic acid. Palmitoylation of G-protein a and (3 subunits was as- sessed by metabolic labeling of subunits expressed in simian COS cells or insect Sf9 cells. The fatty acid was incorporated into all of the a subunits examined (a,, a, aio aV2, af3, a,, and aq), including those that are also myristoylated (ao, ai, and az). Palmitate was released by treatment with base, suggesting attachment to the protein through a thioester or ester bond. Limited tryptic digestion of activated ao and a. resulted in release of the amino-terminal portions of the proteins and radioactive palmitate. These data are consistent with palmitoylation of the proteins near their amino termini, most likely on Cys-3. Reversible acylation of G-protein a subunits may provide an additional mechanism for regulation of signal transduction. Covalent lipid modifications are found on both the a and y subunits of heterotrimeric, signal-transducing, guanine nu-cleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) review, The y subunits are prenylated and carboxyl-methylated at their carboxyl termini. These modifications facilitate associ- ation of the B3'y subunit complex with membranes and are indispensable for interactions of 8y with a subunits and effector molecules (2). Members of the ai subfamily of a subunits are myristoylated at their amino termini. Myristoy- lation increases the affinity of ao for fry and also plays a role in membrane localization
Clinical and Antibioﬁlm Efﬁcacy of Antimicrobial Hydrogels

Signiﬁcance: Hydrogels have been shown to have a signiﬁcant role to play in wound healing. Hydrogels are used to assist in the management of dry, sloughy, or necrotic wounds. However, recent scientiﬁc evidence has shown that bioﬁlms delay wound healing and increase a wound propensity to infection. It is therefore essential that hydrogels incorporating antimicrobials demonstrate efﬁcacy on bioﬁlms. Consequently, it is the aim of this article to review the efﬁcacy of hydrogels, incorporating antimicrobials, on wounds with speciﬁc reference to their efﬁcacy on bioﬁlms. release of to the of more tailored patient-speciﬁc antimicrobial hydrogel therapy. incorporating
Current Epidemiology of Non-beta-Lactam Antibiotics-resistance in Escherichia coli from Animal Origins in Tunisia: A Paradigm of Multidrug Resistance

Worldwide, resistance to antibiotics is a major health problem. Nowadays, multiples lines of evidence confirmed that food, in particular poultry products, may acts as reservoir of antibiotic-resistant bacteria or genetic elements encoding antibiotic resistance. Commensal Escherichia coli colonizing animals designated to human consummation (poultry, bovine, pork) often harbors mobile genetic elements that can be transferred in vivo to infectious pathogens. In addition, antibiotic resistant E. coli can be easily transferred to human via food chain. The objective of this work was to review the published data on the prevalence of antibiotic resistance and their genetic supports in E. coli of animal origins in Tunisia.
First Point-of-Care Diagnostic Test for Beta-Thalassemia

Hemoglobin (Hb) disorders are among the most common monogenic diseases affecting nearly 7% of the world population. Among various Hb disorders, approximately 1.5% of the world population carry beta thalassemia (beta Thal), affecting 40,000 newborns every year. Early screening and timely diagnosis are essential in beta thalassemia patients for prevention and management of later clinical complications. However, in Africa to Southern Europe, Middle East, and Southeast Asia, where beta thalassemia is most prevalent, diagnosis and screening of beta thalassemia is still challenging due to the cost and logistical burden of laboratory diagnostic tests. Here, we present Gazelle, a paper-based microchip electrophoresis platform, that enables the first point-of-care diagnostic test for beta thalassemia. We evaluated the accuracy of Gazelle for beta Thal screening in 372 subjects in the age range of 4 to 63 years at Apple Diagnostics lab in Mubai, India. Additionally, 30 blood samples were prepared to mimic beta Thal intermediate and beta Thal major samples. The Gazelle detected levels of Hb A, Hb F, and Hb A2 demonstrated high correlations with the results reported by the laboratory gold standard, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) yielding a Pearson Correlation Coefficient = 0.99. The ability to obtain rapid and accurate results suggest that Gazelle can be suitable for large-scale screening and diagnosis of beta-Thal.
A Plantar Surface Shear Strain Methodology Utilising Digital Image Correlation

The increase in the global diabetic population is leading to an increase in associated complications such as diabetic foot ulceration (DFU), associated amputations, morbidity, which substantial treatment costs. Early identification of DFU risk is therefore of great benefit. International guidelines recommend off-loading is the most important intervention for healing and prevention of DFU, with current research focused on pressure measurement techniques. The contribution of strain to DFU formation is not well understood due to challenges in measurement. The limited data available in the literature suggest that plantar strain is involved in ulcer formation. As a consequence, there is a need for plantar strain measurement systems to advance understanding and inform clinical treatment. A method was developed to determine plantar strain based on a Digital Image Correlation (DIC) approach. A speckle pattern is applied to the plantar aspect of the foot using a low ink transference method. A raised walkway with transparent panels is combined with a calibrated camera to capture images of the plantar aspect throughout a single stance phase. Plantar strain is then determined using 2D DIC and custom analysis summarises these data into clinically relevant metrics. A feasibility study involving six healthy participants was used to assess the efficacy of this new technique. The feasibility study successfully captured plantar surface strain characteristics continuously throughout the stance phase for all participants. Peak mean and averaged mean strains varied in location between participants when mapped into anatomical regions of plantar interest, ranging from the calcaneus to the metatarsal heads and hallux. This method provides the ability to measure plantar skin strain for use in both research and clinical environments. It has the potential to inform improved understanding of the role of strain in DFU formation. Further studies using this technique can support these ambitions and help differentiate between healthy and abnormal plantar strain regimes.
Linear Precoding and Analysis of Performance Criteria in MIMO Interference Channels

This thesis treats the downlink transmission in multi-antenna (MIMO) wireless interference channels, and characterizes the spectral efficiency of different linear precoding methods for such channels. These methods include interference alignment, maximum ratio transmission, and eigenmode precoding. The performance characterization of the latter two methods is especially important in massive MIMO scenarios, where these simple techniques exhibit a good performance. The analysis is mainly performed using random matrix theory and large system analysis, and includes the signaling overheads related to channel estimation which differ from one method to another.
Serum bicarbonate and cardiovascular events in hypertensive adults: results from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial

Background. Low serum bicarbonate level is associated with increased mortality, but its role as a predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is unclear. This study evaluates the association between serum bicarbonate concentration and CVD and whether the effect of intensive blood pressure (BP) lowering on CVD outcomes is modiﬁed by serum bicarbonate level. Methods. The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) randomized participants to a systolic BP target < 120 mmHg (intensive treatment) or < 140 mmHg (standard treatment). The primary CVD outcome was a composite of nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), acute coronary syndrome not resulting in MI, stroke, acute decompensated heart failure and CVD death. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics were used to evaluate the association of interest in 9334 SPRINT participants (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01206062). Results. Over a median follow-up of 3.33years (interquartile range 2.87–3.87 years), 618 (6.6%) participants experienced a primary CVD outcome. Participants with serum bicarbonate < 22 mEq/L had a signiﬁcantly higher risk of the primary CVD outcome (hazard ratio 1.54; 95% conﬁdence interval 1.11–2.14, P ¼ 0.01), compared with participants with bicarbonate 22–26 mEq/L. The magnitude of the CVD risk reduction with intensive BP lowering was similar across bicarbonate strata (P-value for interaction ¼ 0.97). Conclusions. In hypertensive individuals, serum bicarbonate level < 22 mEq/L was associated with an increased CVD risk. The effect of intensive BP lowering on CVD outcomes was not modiﬁed by the serum bicarbonate level.
On the Ergodic Rate of Cognitive Radio Inspired Uplink Multiple Access

With the exponential increase of the number of devices in the communication ecosystem toward the upcoming sixth generation (6G) of wireless networks, more enabling technologies and potential wireless architectures are necessary to fulfill the networking requirements of high throughput, massive connectivity, ultra reliability, and heterogeneous quality of service (QoS). In this work, we consider an uplink network consisting of a primary user (PU) and a secondary user (SU) and, by integrating the concept of cognitive radio and multiple access, two protocols based on rate-splitting multiple access and non-orthogonal multiple access with successive interference cancellation are investigated in terms of ergodic rate. The considered protocols aim to serve the SU in a resource block which is originally allocated solely for the PU without negatively affecting the QoS of the PU. We extract the ergodic rate of the SU considering a specific QoS for the PU for the two protocols and perform a qualitative and quantitative comparison between the two protocols. In the numerical results, we validate the theoretical analysis and illustrate the superiority of the considered protocols over two benchmark schemes.