pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Biology of the immunomodulatory molecule HLA-G in human liver diseases

SummaryThe non-classical human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G), plays an important role in inducing tolerance, through its immunosuppressive effects on all types of immune cells. Immune tolerance is a key issue in the liver, both in liver homeostasis and in the response to liver injury or cancer. It would therefore appear likely that HLA-G plays an important role in liver diseases. Indeed, this molecule was recently shown to be produced by mast cells in the livers of patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Furthermore, the number of HLA-G-positive mast cells was significantly associated with fibrosis progression. The generation of immune tolerance is a role common to both HLA-G, as a molecule, and the liver, as an organ. This review provides a summary of the evidence implicating HLA-G in liver diseases. In the normal liver, HLA-G transcripts can be detected, but there is no HLA-G protein. However, HLA-G protein is detectable in the liver tissues and/or plasma of patients suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatitis B or C, or visceral leishmaniasis and in liver transplant recipients. The cells responsible for producing HLA-G differ between diseases. HLA-G expression is probably induced by microenvironmental factors, such as cytokines. The expression of HLA-G receptors, such as ILT2, ILT4, and KIRD2L4, on liver cells has yet to be investigated, but these receptors have been detected on all types of immune cells, and such cells are present in liver. The tolerogenic properties of HLA-G explain its deleterious effects in cancers and its beneficial effects in transplantation. Given the key role of HLA-G in immune tolerance, new therapeutic agents targeting HLA-G could be tested for the treatment of these diseases in the future
The paleobiology of two adult skeletons from Baousso da Torre (Bausu da Ture) (Liguria, Italy): Implications for Gravettian lifestyle

AbstractThis article presents the main skeletal characteristics of the two largely unpublished Gravettian adult skeletons from Baousso da Torre (Liguria, Italy). BT1 and BT2 were two adult tall males, who died aged respectively between 20 and 50 years, and between 20 and 30 years. Their body proportions fall within the range of variation known for the middle Upper Paleolithic, and their skeletal remains are characterized by considerable osteometric values, which fall consistently in the upper part of the Upper Paleolithic male sample variation. They show a high degree of upper limb lateralization, implying that they were likely involved in strenuous and/or repetitive unimanual tasks. They also exhibit very robust lower limbs, likely related to repeated long-distance travels in mountainous terrains. These results are in total agreement with previous hypotheses on Late Pleistocene population behavioral patterns
OnabotulinumtoxinA and multiple sclerosis

AbstractLower urinary tract dysfunction is present in two of three patients with multiple sclerosis five years after the diagnosis. Most frequent symptoms are related to neurogenic detrusor overactivity, often associated with detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. From the end of the 1990s, there is growing evidence that neurogenic detrusor overactivity can be effectively managed by intradetrusorial injections of botulinum toxin type A. This treatment has shown, in different randomised placebo-controlled trials, to be safe and effective on clinical and urodynamic parameters with significant improvement in quality of life. The median duration of effect is in mean nine months. The vast majority of studies have been conducted with onabotulinumtoxinA. The dose of onabotulinumtoxinA commonly used to treat neurogenic detrusor overactivity in patients with multiple sclerosis is 200UI, even if in selected patients lower doses can be preferred. To be considered eligible for treatment, all patients should accept and be instructed to perform clean intermittent self-catheterisation, since the risk of increased post-void residual volume and/or urinary retention after injection is high, especially with 200UI of onabotulinumtoxinA. However, quality of life and patient satisfaction seem not to be affected by the need of intermittent catheterisation. The risk of urinary infection after the procedure is to be kept in mind, mainly in patients with multiple sclerosis, so that adequate antibiotic prophylaxis is highly recommended
The NSVZ scheme for N=1 SQED with Nf flavors, regularized by the dimensional reduction, in the three-loop approximation

AbstractAt the three-loop level we analyze, how the NSVZ relation appears for N=1 SQED regularized by the dimensional reduction. This is done by the method analogous to the one which was earlier used for the theories regularized by higher derivatives. Within the dimensional technique, the loop integrals cannot be written as integrals of double total derivatives. However, similar structures can be written in the considered approximation and are taken as a starting point. Then we demonstrate that, unlike the higher derivative regularization, the NSVZ relation is not valid for the renormalization group functions defined in terms of the bare coupling constant. However, for the renormalization group functions defined in terms of the renormalized coupling constant, it is possible to impose boundary conditions to the renormalization constants giving the NSVZ scheme in the three-loop order. They are similar to the all-loop ones defining the NSVZ scheme obtained with the higher derivative regularization, but are more complicated. The NSVZ schemes constructed with the dimensional reduction and with the higher derivative regularization are related by a finite renormalization in the considered approximation
Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of extracts and ten compounds from three Cameroonian medicinal plants: Dissotis perkinsiae (Melastomaceae), Adenocarpus mannii (Fabaceae) and Barteria fistulosa (Passifloraceae)

AbstractBackgroundWe decided to investigate the antimicrobial and the antioxidant activities of extracts and compounds isolated from Dissotis perkinsiae, Adenocarpus mannii and Barteria fistulosa, three Cameroonian medicinal plants used for the treatment of skin diseases, wounds, fever, rheumatism, malaria and/or infectious diseases.MethodsStandard chromatographic and spectroscopic methods were used to isolate and identify ten compounds from the three plant species [1–5 (from D. perkinsiae), 2, 6–8 (from A. mannii) and 2, 4, 9, and 10 (from B. fistulosa)]. A two-fold serial microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against a panel of fungal and bacterial species. The radical scavenging capacity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) was determined to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the samples.ResultsThe compounds isolated were: ursolic acid (1), oleanolic acid (2), quercetin 3-O-(6″-O-galloyl)-β-galactopyranoside (3), 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside of sitosterol (4), ellagic acid (5), isoprunetin (6), chrysin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (7), isovitexin (8), hederagenin (9) and shanzhiside methyl ester (10). The ethanol extract of D. perkinsiae had good antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis (MICs 0.04 and 0.08mg/ml), Escherichia coli (MIC 0.08mg/ml) and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 0.08mg/ml). The extract of B. fistulosa had significant antifungal activity against Cryptococcus neoformans with an MIC of 0.08mg/ml. Other extracts had moderate to poor antimicrobial activities with the MIC ranging from 0.16 to 2.50mg/ml. The isolated compounds were generally more active against bacteria (MIC ranging from 16 to 250μg/ml) than fungi (MIC between 31 and 250μg/ml). Moderate antibacterial activity was obtained with compound 3 against E. faecalis and E. coli (MIC of 16μg/ml in both cases), compounds 6 and 10 against E. faecalis (MIC of 16μg/ml), and compound 9 against E. faecalis (MIC 31μg/ml) and S. aureus (MIC 31μg/ml). The B. fistulosa extract had the greatest radical scavenging activity (IC50 100.16μg/ml) followed by extracts of D. perkinsiae (IC50 130.66μg/ml), and A. mannii (IC50 361.30μg/ml). Compounds 3 and 5 had significant antioxidant activities with the IC50 of 9.84 and 9.99μg/ml as compared to that of ascorbic acid (IC50 2.41μg/ml).ConclusionThe results obtained support the traditional use of the three plant species (D. perkinsiae, A. mannii and B. fistulosa) in traditional medicine for the treatment of infections. Some extracts and isolated compounds could be useful in development of antimicrobial agents. We are currently investigating the toxicity and other pharmacological activities with the potential use as topical antimicrobial agents
Measurement of yCP in D0–D¯0 oscillation using quantum correlations in e+e−→D0D¯0 at s=3.773 GeV

AbstractWe report a measurement of the parameter yCP in D0–D¯0 oscillations performed by taking advantage of quantum coherence between pairs of D0D¯0 mesons produced in e+e− annihilations near threshold. In this work, doubly-tagged D0D¯0 events, where one D decays to a CP eigenstate and the other D decays in a semileptonic mode, are reconstructed using a data sample of 2.92 fb−1 collected with the BESIII detector at the center-of-mass energy of s=3.773 GeV. We obtain yCP=(−2.0±1.3±0.7)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. This result is compatible with the current world average
Precision lattice QCD computation of the B⁎Bπ coupling

AbstractThe static B⁎Bπ coupling, gˆχ, a low energy constant in the leading order heavy meson chiral Lagrangian, is determined using Nf=2 lattice QCD. We use CLS ensembles with lattice spacings and pion masses down to a=0.05 fm and mπ=270 MeV, and perform combined continuum and chiral extrapolations of our results which have a much better accuracy than previous numbers in the literature. As a by-product, we determine the coupling between the first radial excitations in the B and B⁎ channels (gˆ22). Accounting for all uncertainties, which are dominated by the chiral extrapolation, we obtain gˆχ=0.492(29), while gˆ22 is somewhat smaller. The comparison to a precise quenched computation suggests that there is little influence by the sea quarks and gˆχ will not change much when a dynamical strange quark is included
Chaos rules out integrability of strings on AdS5×T1,1

AbstractWe show that certain classical string configurations in AdS5×T1,1 are chaotic. This answers the question of integrability of string on such backgrounds in the negative. We consider a string localized in the center of AdS5 that winds around two circles of T1,1. The corresponding dynamical system is equivalent to two coupled gravitational pendula and allows a very intuitive understanding. We find conclusive evidence of chaotic behavior by systematically analyzing the workings of the KAM theorem. We also show that the largest Lyapunov exponent is positive
On the distribution of the order and index of g(modp) over residue classes III

AbstractFor a fixed rational number g∉{−1,0,1} and integers a and d we consider the sets Ng(a,d), respectively Rg(a,d), of primes p for which the order, respectively the index of g(modp) is congruent to a(modd). Under the Generalized Riemann Hypothesis (GRH), it is known that these sets have a natural density δg(a,d), respectively ρg(a,d). It is shown that these densities can be expressed as linear combinations of certain constants introduced by Pappalardi. Furthermore it is proved that δg(a,d) and ρg(a,d) equal their g-averages for almost all g
Another set of infinitely many exceptional (Xℓ) Laguerre polynomials

AbstractWe present a new set of infinitely many shape invariant potentials and the corresponding exceptional (Xℓ) Laguerre polynomials. They are to supplement the recently derived two sets of infinitely many shape invariant thus exactly solvable potentials in one-dimensional quantum mechanics and the corresponding Xℓ Laguerre and Jacobi polynomials [S. Odake, R. Sasaki, Phys. Lett. B 679 (2009) 414]. The new Xℓ Laguerre polynomials and the potentials are obtained by a simple limiting procedure from the known Xℓ Jacobi polynomials and the potentials, whereas the known Xℓ Laguerre polynomials and the potentials are obtained in the same manner from the mirror image of the known Xℓ Jacobi polynomials and the potentials
A linear programming approach for battery degradation analysis and optimization in offgrid power systems with solar energy integration

AbstractStorage technologies and storage integration are currently key topics of research in energy systems, due to the resulting possibilities for reducing the costs of renewables integration. Off-grid power systems in particular have received wide attention around the world, as they allow electricity access in remote rural areas at lower costs than grid extension. They are usually integrated with storage units, especially batteries. A key issue in cost effectiveness of such systems is battery degradation as the battery is charged and discharged.We present linear programming models for the optimal management of off-grid systems. The main contribution of this study is developing a methodology to include battery degradation processes inside the optimization models, through the definition of battery degradation costs. As there are very limited data that can be used to relate the battery usage with degradation issues, we propose sensitivity analyses to investigate how degradation costs and different operational patterns relate each others. The objective is to show the combinations of battery costs and performance that makes the system more economic
Enhancing Chemotherapy Efficacy in Pten-Deficient Prostate Tumors by Activating the Senescence-Associated Antitumor Immunity

SummaryProsenescence therapy has recently emerged as a novel therapeutic approach for treating cancer. However, this concept is challenged by conflicting evidence showing that the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) of senescent tumor cells can have pro- as well as antitumorigenic effects. Herein, we report that, in Pten-null senescent tumors, activation of the Jak2/Stat3 pathway establishes an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that contributes to tumor growth and chemoresistance. Activation of the Jak2/Stat3 pathway in Pten-null tumors is sustained by the downregulation of the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPN11/SHP2, providing evidence for the existence of a novel PTEN/SHP2 axis. Importantly, treatment with docetaxel in combination with a JAK2 inhibitor reprograms the SASP and improves the efficacy of docetaxel-induced senescence by triggering a strong antitumor immune response in Pten-null tumors. Altogether, these data demonstrate that immune surveillance of senescent tumor cells can be suppressed in specific genetic backgrounds but also evoked by pharmacological treatments
A rigorous version of R.P. Brent's model for the binary Euclidean algorithm

AbstractThe binary Euclidean algorithm is a modification of the classical Euclidean algorithm for computation of greatest common divisors which avoids ordinary integer division in favour of division by powers of two only. The expectation of the number of steps taken by the binary Euclidean algorithm when applied to pairs of integers of bounded size was first investigated by R.P. Brent in 1976 via a heuristic model of the algorithm as a random dynamical system. Based on numerical investigations of the expectation of the associated Ruelle transfer operator, Brent obtained a conjectural asymptotic expression for the mean number of steps performed by the algorithm when processing pairs of odd integers whose size is bounded by a large integer. In 1998 B. Vallée modified Brent's model via an induction scheme to rigorously prove an asymptotic formula for the average number of steps performed by the algorithm; however, the relationship of this result with Brent's heuristics remains conjectural. In this article we establish previously conjectural properties of Brent's transfer operator, showing directly that it possesses a spectral gap and preserves a unique continuous density. This density is shown to extend holomorphically to the complex right half-plane and to have a logarithmic singularity at zero. By combining these results with methods from classical analytic number theory we prove the correctness of three conjectured formulae for the expected number of steps, resolving several open questions promoted by D.E. Knuth in The Art of Computer Programming
Prospective Study Delivering Simultaneous Integrated High-dose Tumor Boost (≤70 Gy) With Image Guided Adaptive Radiation Therapy for Radical Treatment of Localized Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

PurposeImage guided adaptive radiation therapy offers individualized solutions to improve target coverage and reduce normal tissue irradiation, allowing the opportunity to increase the radiation tumor dose and spare normal bladder tissue.Methods and MaterialsA library of 3 intensity modulated radiation therapy plans were created (small, medium, and large) from planning computed tomography (CT) scans performed at 30 and 60 minutes; treating the whole bladder to 52 Gy and the tumor to 70 Gy in 32 fractions. A “plan of the day” approach was used for treatment delivery. A post-treatment cone beam CT (CBCT) scan was acquired weekly to assess intrafraction filling and coverage.ResultsA total of 18 patients completed treatment to 70 Gy. The plan and treatment for 1 patient was to 68 Gy. Also, 1 patient's plan was to 70 Gy but the patient was treated to a total dose of 65.6 Gy because dose-limiting toxicity occurred before dose escalation. A total of 734 CBCT scans were evaluated. Small, medium, and large plans were used in 36%, 48%, and 16% of cases, respectively. The mean ± standard deviation rate of intrafraction filling at the start of treatment (ie, week 1) was 4.0 ± 4.8 mL/min (range 0.1-19.4) and at end of radiation therapy (ie, week 5 or 6) was 1.1 ± 1.6 mL/min (range 0.01-7.5; P=.002). The mean D98 (dose received by 98% volume) of the tumor boost and bladder as assessed on the post-treatment CBCT scan was 97.07% ± 2.10% (range 89.0%-104%) and 99.97% ± 2.62% (range 96.4%-112.0%). At a median follow-up period of 19 months (range 4-33), no muscle-invasive recurrences had developed. Two patients experienced late toxicity (both grade 3 cystitis) at 5.3 months (now resolved) and 18 months after radiation therapy.ConclusionsImage guided adaptive radiation therapy using intensity modulated radiation therapy to deliver a simultaneous integrated tumor boost to 70 Gy is feasible, with acceptable toxicity, and will be evaluated in a randomized trial
Multiple Primary Cancers Associated with Merkel Cell Carcinoma in Queensland, Australia, 1982–2011

The relatively high incidence of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) in Queensland provides a valuable opportunity to examine links with other cancers. A retrospective cohort study was performed using data from the Queensland Cancer Registry. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were used to approximate the relative risk of being diagnosed with another primary cancer either following or prior to MCC. Patients with an eligible first primary MCC (n=787) had more than double the expected number of subsequent primary cancers (SIR=2.19, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.84–2.60; P<0.001). Conversely, people who were initially diagnosed with cancers other than MCC were about two and a half times more likely to have a subsequent primary MCC (n=244) compared with the general population (SIR=2.69, 95% CI=2.36–3.05; P<0.001). Significantly increased bi-directional relative risks were found for melanoma, lip cancer, head and neck cancer, lung cancer, myelodysplastic diseases, and cancer with unknown primary site. In addition, risks were elevated for female breast cancer and kidney cancer following a first primary MCC, and for subsequent MCCs following first primary colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or lymphoid leukemia. These results suggest that several shared pathways are likely for MCC and other cancers, including immunosuppression, UV radiation, and genetics
Trends in adult body-mass index in 200 countries from 1975 to 2014: a pooled analysis of 1698 population-based measurement studies with 19·2 million participants

SummaryBackgroundUnderweight and severe and morbid obesity are associated with highly elevated risks of adverse health outcomes. We estimated trends in mean body-mass index (BMI), which characterises its population distribution, and in the prevalences of a complete set of BMI categories for adults in all countries.MethodsWe analysed, with use of a consistent protocol, population-based studies that had measured height and weight in adults aged 18 years and older. We applied a Bayesian hierarchical model to these data to estimate trends from 1975 to 2014 in mean BMI and in the prevalences of BMI categories (<18·5 kg/m2 [underweight], 18·5 kg/m2 to <20 kg/m2, 20 kg/m2 to <25 kg/m2, 25 kg/m2 to <30 kg/m2, 30 kg/m2 to <35 kg/m2, 35 kg/m2 to <40 kg/m2, ≥40 kg/m2 [morbid obesity]), by sex in 200 countries and territories, organised in 21 regions. We calculated the posterior probability of meeting the target of halting by 2025 the rise in obesity at its 2010 levels, if post-2000 trends continue.FindingsWe used 1698 population-based data sources, with more than 19·2 million adult participants (9·9 million men and 9·3 million women) in 186 of 200 countries for which estimates were made. Global age-standardised mean BMI increased from 21·7 kg/m2 (95% credible interval 21·3–22·1) in 1975 to 24·2 kg/m2 (24·0–24·4) in 2014 in men, and from 22·1 kg/m2 (21·7–22·5) in 1975 to 24·4 kg/m2 (24·2–24·6) in 2014 in women. Regional mean BMIs in 2014 for men ranged from 21·4 kg/m2 in central Africa and south Asia to 29·2 kg/m2 (28·6–29·8) in Polynesia and Micronesia; for women the range was from 21·8 kg/m2 (21·4–22·3) in south Asia to 32·2 kg/m2 (31·5–32·8) in Polynesia and Micronesia. Over these four decades, age-standardised global prevalence of underweight decreased from 13·8% (10·5–17·4) to 8·8% (7·4–10·3) in men and from 14·6% (11·6–17·9) to 9·7% (8·3–11·1) in women. South Asia had the highest prevalence of underweight in 2014, 23·4% (17·8–29·2) in men and 24·0% (18·9–29·3) in women. Age-standardised prevalence of obesity increased from 3·2% (2·4–4·1) in 1975 to 10·8% (9·7–12·0) in 2014 in men, and from 6·4% (5·1–7·8) to 14·9% (13·6–16·1) in women. 2·3% (2·0–2·7) of the world's men and 5·0% (4·4–5·6) of women were severely obese (ie, have BMI ≥35 kg/m2). Globally, prevalence of morbid obesity was 0·64% (0·46–0·86) in men and 1·6% (1·3–1·9) in women.InterpretationIf post-2000 trends continue, the probability of meeting the global obesity target is virtually zero. Rather, if these trends continue, by 2025, global obesity prevalence will reach 18% in men and surpass 21% in women; severe obesity will surpass 6% in men and 9% in women. Nonetheless, underweight remains prevalent in the world's poorest regions, especially in south Asia.FundingWellcome Trust, Grand Challenges Canada
Measurement of the branching ratio Γ(Λb0→ψ(2S)Λ0)/Γ(Λb0→J/ψΛ0) with the ATLAS detector

AbstractAn observation of the Λb0→ψ(2S)Λ0 decay and a comparison of its branching fraction with that of the Λb0→J/ψΛ0 decay has been made with the ATLAS detector in proton–proton collisions at s=8 TeV at the LHC using an integrated luminosity of 20.6 fb−1. The J/ψ and ψ(2S) mesons are reconstructed in their decays to a muon pair, while the Λ0→pπ− decay is exploited for the Λ0 baryon reconstruction. The Λb0 baryons are reconstructed with transverse momentum pT>10 GeV and pseudorapidity |η|<2.1. The measured branching ratio of the Λb0→ψ(2S)Λ0 and Λb0→J/ψΛ0 decays is Γ(Λb0→ψ(2S)Λ0)/Γ(Λb0→J/ψΛ0)=0.501±0.033(stat)±0.019(syst), lower than the expectation from the covariant quark model