Oxalate disrupts monocyte and macrophage cellular function via Interleukin-10 and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling.

Oxalate is a small compound found in certain plant-derived foods and is a major component of calcium oxalate (CaOx) kidney stones. Individuals that consume oxalate enriched meals have an increased risk of forming urinary crystals, which are precursors to CaOx kidney stones. We previously reported that a single dietary oxalate load induces nanocrystalluria and reduces monocyte cellular bioenergetics in healthy adults.

Deep learning of contagion dynamics on complex networks.

Forecasting the evolution of contagion dynamics is still an open problem to which mechanistic models only offer a partial answer. To remain mathematically or computationally tractable, these models must rely on simplifying assumptions, thereby limiting the quantitative accuracy of their predictions and the complexity of the dynamics they can model. Here, we propose a complementary approach based on deep learning where effective local mechanisms governing a dynamic on a network are learned from time series data.

Geometric evolution of complex networks with degree correlations.

We present a general class of geometric network growth mechanisms by homogeneous attachment in which the links created at a given time t are distributed homogeneously between a new node and the existing nodes selected uniformly. This is achieved by creating links between nodes uniformly distributed in a homogeneous metric space according to a Fermi-Dirac connection probability with inverse temperature β and general time-dependent chemical potential μ(t). The chemical potential limits the spatial extent of newly created links.

Exact analytical solution of irreversible binary dynamics on networks.

In binary cascade dynamics, the nodes of a graph are in one of two possible states (inactive, active), and nodes in the inactive state make an irreversible transition to the active state, as soon as their precursors satisfy a predetermined condition. We introduce a set of recursive equations to compute the probability of reaching any final state, given an initial state, and a specification of the transition probability function of each node. Because the naive recursive approach for solving these equations takes factorial time in the number of nodes, we also introduce an accelerated algorithm, built around a breath-first search procedure.

Phase transition of the susceptible-infected-susceptible dynamics on time-varying configuration model networks.

We present a degree-based theoretical framework to study the susceptible-infected-susceptible (SIS) dynamics on time-varying (rewired) configuration model networks. Using this framework on a given degree distribution, we provide a detailed analysis of the stationary state using the rewiring rate to explore the whole range of the time variation of the structure relative to that of the SIS process. This analysis is suitable for the characterization of the phase transition and leads to three main contributions: (1) We obtain a self-consistent expression for the absorbing-state threshold, able to capture both collective and hub activation.

Finite-size analysis of the detectability limit of the stochastic block model.

It has been shown in recent years that the stochastic block model is sometimes undetectable in the sparse limit, i.e., that no algorithm can identify a partition correlated with the partition used to generate an instance, if the instance is sparse enough and infinitely large.

Risk of cardiovascular disease among teachers in Cape Town: Findings of the South African PaCT pilot study.

Background: The accelerating epidemic of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) highlights the need to establish long-term cohort studies in Africa.

Objective: The Partnership for Cohort Research and Training (PaCT) seeks to study NCDs in South Africa (SA), Uganda, Tanzania and Nigeria on a long-term basis. Pilot studies at each site have tested feasibility.

Complex networks as an emerging property of hierarchical preferential attachment.

Real complex systems are not rigidly structured; no clear rules or blueprints exist for their construction. Yet, amidst their apparent randomness, complex structural properties universally emerge. We propose that an important class of complex systems can be modeled as an organization of many embedded levels (potentially infinite in number), all of them following the same universal growth principle known as preferential attachment.

Relative effectiveness of topical ketorolac and topical diclofenac on discomfort after radial keratotomy.

Two prospective, randomized, double-masked studies were conducted evaluating the analgesic effect of topical eyedrops after radial keratotomy (RK). One study of 117 consecutive initial RK procedures compared topical ketorolac (Acular) with topical diclofenac (Voltaren), and another study of 23 consecutive initial RK procedures compared topical ketorolac with a control medication (HypoTears). Topical ketorolac was significantly more effective than the control but not significantly different from topical diclofenac.

Effect of topical diclofenac solution on discomfort after radial keratotomy.

The eyes of 65 consecutive radial keratotomy patients were treated topically with either diclofenac sodium 0.1% (Voltaren) solution or with Tears Naturale (control group) preoperatively and postoperatively in a prospective, randomized, double-masked study. During the first postoperative day, patients completed a questionnaire on discomfort level present at 15 minutes and at one, three, six, and 18 hours after surgery.

The diurnal fluctuations in unincorporated radio-thymidine pool and its relation to the circadian rhythm of thymidine incorporation in mouse pinna skin.

The circadian variation in the labelling indices of epidermal basal and sebaceous gland cells in murine pinna is a well documented phenomenon. This, however, observes only the incorporated label and takes no account of any rhythmic changes in the precursor pool. It is reported here that, using a liquid scintillation counting method, there is a diurnal change in the level of unincorporated radio-labelled thymidine, which is apparently not related to the rhythm of thymidine incorporation.

The investigation in vivo of the tissue specificity of pig skin fractions.

Using an established assay system, a whole aqueous extract of pigskin and the fractions derived from it by ultrafiltration were investigated for their ability to inhibit proliferation in epidermal basal cells of mouse pinna skin in vitro. The fraction between 30KD and 50KD was found to inhibit both mitosis and DNA synthesis specifically in epidermal cells. Furthermore, a dose dependent relationship was found between the degree of inhibition of DNA synthesis and the amount of 30-50KD fraction given.

Family reactions to surgical correction for kyphoscoliosis in spina bifida children: a preliminary report.

The families of 11 children who had been operated for the correction of kyphosis and scoliosis not less than 12 months previously were visited. The anxieties and expectations of patients and parents were investigated and the results compared with a similar investigation in the schools of the children.

Cell proliferation kinetics of epidermis and sebaceous glands in relation to chalone action.

Median S-phase lengths of pinna epidermis and sebaceous glands, and of epithelia from the oesophagus and under surface of the tongue of Albino Swiss S mice were estimated by the percentage labelled mitoses method (PLM). The 18.4 and 18,8 hr for the median length of S-phase for pinna epidermis and sebaceous glands respectively made it possible for these two tissues to be used experimentally for testing tissue specificity in chalone assay experiments.

A simple method for measuring DNA synthesis in epidermis and sebaceous glands and its application in chalone assays.

Liquid scintillation counting and autoradiography were used to measure DNA synthesis (3H-TdR uptake and incorporation) by the epidermis and the sebaceous glands in mouse pinna skin. Using this approach it has been possible to show that a chalone-like inhibitor of DNA synthesis acts rapidly to restrict the flow of epidermal G1 cells into S-phase. The point of action within the cell cycle is probably at the G1-S phase 'boundary'.

Selective action of hydrocortisone on postmitotic epidermal cells in vivo.

Hydrocortisone administered systemically for 3 weeks has no effect on any phase of epidermal cell proliferation as measured by autoradiographic methods. However, the speed of cell differentiation (maturation) is increased, resulting in a thinning of the living epidermis due to the shorter epidermal cell life. Comparison of the epidermis from two body sites (ear and sole of foot) in mice receiving 2.

Chalone regulation of the epidermal cell cycle.

Purified epidermal G2 chalone does not inhibit DNA synthesis or influx of S-phase cells and is therefore cell cycle phase-specific, inhibiting only the flow of cells into M-phase.