Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of apoA-I Mutations in the Capacity of Reconstituted HDL to Promote ABCG1-Mediated Cholesterol Efflux

ATP binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) mediates the cholesterol transport from cells to high-density lipoprotein (HDL), but the role of apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), the main protein constituent of HDL, in this process is not clear. To address this, we measured cholesterol efflux from HEK293 cells or J774 mouse macrophages overexpressing ABCG1 using as acceptors reconstituted HDL (rHDL) containing wild-type or various mutant apoA-I forms. It was found that ABCG1-mediated cholesterol efflux was severely reduced (by 89%) when using rHDL containing the carboxyl-terminal deletion mutant apoA-I[Δ(185–243)]. ABCG1-mediated cholesterol efflux was not affected or moderately decreased by rHDL containing amino-terminal deletion mutants and several mid-region deletion or point apoA-I mutants, and was restored to 69–99% of control by double deletion mutants apoA-I[Δ(1–41)Δ(185–243)] and apoA-I[Δ(1–59)Δ(185–243)]. These findings suggest that the central helices alone of apoA-I associated to rHDL can promote ABCG1-mediated cholesterol efflux. Further analysis showed that rHDL containing the carboxyl-terminal deletion mutant apoA-I[Δ(185–243)] only slightly reduced (by 22%) the ABCG1-mediated efflux of 7-ketocholesterol, indicating that depending on the sterol type, structural changes in rHDL-associated apoA-I affect differently the ABCG1-mediated efflux of cholesterol and 7-ketocholesterol. Overall, our findings demonstrate that rHDL-associated apoA-I structural changes affect the capacity of rHDL to accept cellular cholesterol by an ABCG1-mediated process. The structure-function relationship seen here between rHDL-associated apoA-I mutants and ABCG1-mediated cholesterol efflux closely resembles that seen before in lipid-free apoA-I mutants and ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux, suggesting that both processes depend on the same structural determinants of apoA-I.
The association of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in early androgenetic alopecia.

INTRODUCTION Insulin resistance (IR), hyperinsulinaemia and concomitant metabolic syndrome (MS) are known to be independent risk factors for coronary arterial disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of IR, hyperinsulinaemia and MS in individuals with early androgenetic alopecia (AGA). METHODS The Hamilton-Norwood scale was used to grade AGA. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance formula was used to detect IR, and a value above 2.7 was considered to show IR. According to the National Cholesterol Education Programme Adult Treatment Panel III-2001 diagnosis criteria, patients with three or more positive criteria were considered to have MS. RESULTS In this study, we evaluated 80 patients with early AGA and 48 healthy participants. The serum level of insulin was higher in patients with early AGA compared to the healthy participants, although not significantly. IR was detected in 25 patients with early AGA and in six healthy participants. The difference between the groups was statistically significant. Although 20 patients with AGA were diagnosed with MS, it was only diagnosed in five healthy participants. The occurrence of MS was significantly higher in the AGA group than in the control group. CONCLUSION The prevalence of IR and MS was observed to have increased in early AGA patients. Hence, patients with early AGA should be followed up for CAD in the long term. Our results should be confirmed with prospective studies.
Design of a Tri-bandpass FSS on dual-layer energy saving glass for improving RF transmission in green buildings

The application of energy saving glass (ESG) is becoming a popular trend in future energy smart buildings. However, the ESG attenuates useful signals which are necessary for the communication systems owing to its coating. To solve this problem, this paper presents a Tri-bandpass frequency selective surface (FSS) on the coating of ESG for GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz, UMTS 2100 MHz frequency bands and 5G technology. And -3dB bandwidth covers 833MHz-1009MHz, 1842MHz-2200MHz and 3420MHz-4300MHz. A stable frequency response has been achieved with increasing incident angles from 0° to 45°, for both TE and TM polarizations.
ITIM‐dependent negative signaling pathways for the control of cell‐mediated xenogeneic immune responses

Xenotransplantation is an innovative field of research with the potential to provide us with an alternative source of organs to face the severe shortage of human organ donors. For several reasons, pigs have been chosen as the most suitable source of organs and tissues for transplantation in humans. However, porcine xenografts undergo cellular immune responses representing a major barrier to their acceptance and normal functioning. Innate and adaptive xenogeneic immunity is mediated by both the recognition of xenogeneic tissue antigens and the lack of inhibition due to molecular cross‐species incompatibilities of regulatory pathways. Therefore, the delivery of immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based inhibitory motif (ITIM)‐dependent and related negative signals to control innate (NK cells, macrophages) and adaptive T and B cells might overcome cell‐mediated xenogeneic immunity. The proof of this concept has already been achieved in vitro by the transgenic overexpression of human ligands of several inhibitory receptors in porcine cells resulting in their resistance against xenoreactivity. Consequently, several transgenic pigs expressing tissue‐specific human ligands of inhibitory coreceptors (HLA‐E, CD47) or soluble competitors of costimulation (belatacept) have already been generated. The development of these robust and innovative approaches to modulate human anti‐pig cellular immune responses, complementary to conventional immunosuppression, will help to achieve long‐term xenograft survival. In this review, we will focus on the current strategies to enhance negative signaling pathways for the regulation of undesirable cell‐mediated xenoreactive immune responses.
Effect of Renal Failure and Cirrhosis on the Pharmacokinetics and Neuromuscular Effects of Rapacuronium Administered by Bolus Followed by Infusion

BackgroundRecent trials indicate that rapacuronium’s pharmacokinetic characteristics are influenced by both renal failure and cirrhosis but the time course of a single bolus dose of 1.5 mg/kg is affected minimally. The authors reassessed these pharmacokinetic findings and examined the time course of the same bolus dose followed by a 30-min infusion. MethodsDuring nitrous oxide–isoflurane anesthesia, patients with normal renal and hepatic function (n = 25), those with renal failure (n = 28), and those with cirrhosis (n = 6) received a bolus dose of rapacuronium (1.5 mg/kg) followed by a 30-min infusion adjusted to maintain 90–95% twitch depression. At 25% recovery, neostigmine was administered. Blood was sampled until 8 h after the infusion to determine concentrations of rapacuronium and its active metabolite ORG9488. Rapacuronium’s pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using mixed-effects modeling. ResultsOnset and facilitated recovery of twitch depression were similar in the three groups. Patients with renal failure required 22% less rapacuronium to maintain target twitch depression during the infusion. Rapacuronium’s plasma clearance was 24% smaller in renal failure and decreased 0.5%/yr of age; rapid distribution clearance was 51% smaller in men than in women. After the infusion, ORG9488 concentrations decreased markedly more slowly in patients with renal failure. Cirrhosis did not alter the pharmacokinetics of rapacuronium. ConclusionRapacuronium’s plasma clearance and infusion requirement were decreased by renal failure. By dosing to maintain target twitch depression, recovery was not prolonged. Cirrhosis does not affect the pharmacokinetics or neuromuscular effects of rapacuronium. Persistence of ORG9488 in patients with renal failure might prolong recovery after rapacuronium if target twitch depression is not maintained or with administration of rapacuronium for more than 30 min.
Cigarette smoking and cannabis use are equally strongly associated with psychotic-like experiences: a cross-sectional study in 1929 young adults

Background Cannabis use is associated with increased risk for psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) and psychotic disorders. It remains unclear whether this relationship is causal or due to confounding. Method A total of 1929 young adults aged 18–30 years participated in a nationwide internet-based survey in The Netherlands and gave information on demographics, substance use and parental psychiatric illness and completed the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE). Results Cigarette smoking and cannabis use were equally strongly associated with the frequency of PLEs in a fully adjusted model (β = 0.098 and 0.079 respectively, p < 0.05). Cannabis use was associated with distress from PLEs in a model adjusted for an elaborate set of confounders excluding smoking (β = 0.082, p < 0.05). However, when cigarette smoking was included in the model, cannabis use was not a significant predictor of distress from PLEs. Cigarette smoking remained associated with distress from PLEs in a fully adjusted model (β = 0.107, p < 0.001). Conclusions Smoking is an equally strong independent predictor of frequency of PLEs as monthly cannabis use. Our results suggest that the association between moderate cannabis use and PLEs is confounded by cigarette smoking.
Selective degradation of insulin within rat liver endosomes

To characterize the role of the endosome in the degradation of insulin in liver, we employed a cell-free system in which the degradation of internalized 125I-insulin within isolated intact endosomes was evaluated. Incubation of endosomes containing internalized 125I-insulin in the cell-free system resulted in a rapid generation of TCA soluble radiolabeled products (t1/2, 6 min). Sephadex G-50 chromatography of radioactivity extracted from endosomes during the incubation showed a time dependent increase in material eluting as radioiodotyrosine. The apparent Vmax of the insulin degrading activity was 4 ng insulin degraded.min-1.mg cell fraction protein-1 and the apparent Km was 60 ng insulin.mg cell fraction protein-1. The endosomal protease(s) was insulin-specific since neither internalized 125I-epidermal growth factor (EGF) nor 125I-prolactin was degraded within isolated endosomes as assessed by TCA precipitation and Sephadex G-50 chromatography. Significant inhibition of degradation was observed after inclusion of p- chloromercuribenzoic acid (PCMB), 1,10-phenanthroline, bacitracin, or 0.1% Triton X-100 into the system. Maximal insulin degradation required the addition of ATP to the cell-free system that resulted in acidification as measured by acridine orange accumulation. Endosomal insulin degradation was inhibited markedly in the presence of pH dissipating agents such as nigericin, monensin, and chloroquine or the proton translocase inhibitors N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD). Polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation of insulin-receptor complexes revealed that endosomal degradation augmented the dissociation of insulin from its receptor and that dissociated insulin was serving as substrate to the endosomal protease(s). The results suggest that as insulin is internalized it rapidly but incompletely dissociates from its receptor. Dissociated insulin is then degraded by an insulin specific protease(s) leading to further dissociation and degradation.
The classical Stroop interference task as a prefrontal activation probe: a validation study using 99Tcm-ECD brain SPECT

This study investigated the feasibility of brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) functional imaging in a neuropsychological test setting, following a single-day protocol with a split-dose paradigm. The Stroop Color Word Test (SCWT) is an example of a well-documented prefrontal activation task. In a split-dose protocol, ten right-handed healthy volunteers were injected twice with 370 MBq 99Tcm-ethyl cysteinate dimer while performing consecutively both series of card-reading of the SCWT. Images were reconstructed using filtered back-projection and normalized to a standard template in Talairach coordinates. Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM96) was used to determine voxelwise significant changes. A first activation cluster was found in the left medial prefrontal cortex, consisting of the gyrus cinguli anterior and the gyrus frontalis medius and superior. A second activation cluster included the right gyrus frontalis dorsalis and medius. These findings confirm to a large extent the results of previous functional magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography studies of Stroop-like tasks. The choice and validity of various methodological characteristics of the experimental design leading to these results is critically discussed. It is concluded that brain SPECT activation with the Stroop Color Word Test under standard neuropsychological conditions in healthy volunteers, is both technically and practically feasible.
Correlation of change in phage type with pulsed field profile and 16S rrn profile in Salmonella enteritidis phage types 4, 7 and 9a

SUMMARY Using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and 16S rRNA (rrn) analysis (ribotyping). the in viro derivation of strains of Salmonella enteritidis PTs 9a and 7 from a strain of S. enteritidis PT 4 has been demonstrated. All strains were isolated from a single patient over a 6-week period. Further studies have demonstrated that in terms of pulsed-field profile and ribotype, the genotypes of the patient-derived strains differed from those of the reference strains of the respective phage types. It is concluded that when used in combination, these methods can provide evidence of phylogenetic relationships in apparently unrelated S. enteritidis phage types isolated during pathogenesis of disease.
Areolae of the Placenta in the Antarctic Minke Whale (Balaenoptera bonaerensis)

Abstract In this study, we examined the existence and structure of areolae and the steroidogenesis of areolar trophoblast cells in the Antarctic minke whale placenta morphologically and immunohistochemically. Placentas were collected from the 15th, 16th and 18th Japanese Whale Research Program under Special Permit in the Antarctic (JARPA) and 1st JARPA II organized by the Institute of Cetacean Research in Tokyo, Japan. The opening and cavity of fetal areolae formed by taller columnar trophoblast cells (areolar trophoblast cells) with long microvilli and a bright cytoplasm, as compared with the trophoblast cells of the chorionic villi interdigitating with the endometrial crypts, were recognized in observations of serial sections. The opening of the areolar cavity was hidden by chorionic villi with areolar trophoblast cells. Furthermore, a closed pouch-like structure lined by tall columnar cells similar to areolar trophoblast cells within the stroma of chorionic villi was noticed and continued to the areolar cavity, with the opening seen on serial sections. In a surface investigation of the chorion and endometrium by SEM, maternal (endometrial) areolae irregularly surrounded by endometrial folds were obvious. Moreover, we distinguished areolar trophoblast cells with long microvilli attached with many blebs from trophoblast cells. In our immunohistochemical observations, a steroidogenic enzyme, cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), was detected with strong immunoreactivity in trophoblast cells. However, areolar trophoblast cells showed weak or no immunoreactivity for P450scc.
Stellar populations in the Canis Major overdensity

We performed a photometric multicolour survey of the core of the Canis Major overdensity at I ≈ 244°, b ≈ -8°0, reaching V ∼ 22 and covering 0.3 x 1.0 arcmin 2 . The main aim is to unravel the complex mixture of stellar populations toward this Galactic direction, where in the recent past important signatures of an accretion event have been claimed to be detected. While our previous investigations were based on disjointed pointings aimed at revealing the large-scale structure of the third Galactic Quadrant, we now focus on a complete coverage of a smaller field centred on the Canis Major overdensity. A large wavelength baseline, in the UBVRI bands, allows us to build up a suite of colour-colour and colour-magnitude diagrams, providing a much better diagnostic tool to disentangle the stellar populations of the region. In fact, the simple use of one colour-magnitude diagram, widely employed in all the previous studies defending the existence of the Canis Major galaxy, does not allow one to separate the effects of the different parameters (reddening, age, metallicity and distance) involved in the interpretation of data, forcing to rely on heavy modelling. In agreement with our previous studies, in the same general region of the Milky Way, we recognize a young stellar population compatible with the expected structure and extension of the Local (Orion) and Outer (Norma-Cygnus) spiral arms in the Third Galactic Quadrant. Moreover, we interpret the conspicuous intermediate-age metal-poor population as belonging to the Galactic thick disc, distorted by the effect of strong disc warping at this latitude, and to the Galactic halo.
DNA Methylation Variants at HIF3A Locus, B-Vitamin Intake, and Long-term Weight Change: Gene-Diet Interactions in Two U.S. Cohorts

The first epigenome-wide association study of BMI identified DNA methylation at an HIF3A locus associated with BMI. We tested the hypothesis that DNA methylation variants are associated with BMI according to intake of B vitamins. In two large cohorts, we found significant interactions between the DNA methylation–associated HIF3A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3826795 and intake of B vitamins on 10-year changes in BMI. The association between rs3826795 and BMI changes consistently increased across the tertiles of total vitamin B2 and B12 intake (all P for interaction <0.01). The differences in the BMI changes per increment of minor allele were −0.10 (SE 0.06), −0.01 (SE 0.06), and 0.12 (SE 0.07) within subgroups defined by increasing tertiles of total vitamin B2 intake and −0.10 (SE 0.06), −0.01 (SE 0.06), and 0.10 (SE 0.07) within subgroups defined by increasing tertiles of total vitamin B12 intake. In two independent cohorts, a DNA methylation variant in HIF3A was associated with BMI changes through interactions with total or supplemental vitamin B2, vitamin B12, and folate. These findings suggest a potential causal relation between DNA methylation and adiposity.
Gastrointestinal polypoid lesions: a poorly known endoscopic feature of portal hypertension

Aim To describe a poorly known endoscopic entity associated with portal hypertension, characterized by polypoid lesions either in the stomach or small intestine of patients with cirrhosis. Methods Between 2003 and 2012, patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension underwent endoscopic workup of portal hypertension in our endoscopy unit. The clinical expression, endoscopic features of these lesions, and their pathological characteristics are described. Results A total of 1538 patients were included, among which 14 (0.9%) presented polypoid lesions; these patients had evidence of portal hypertension and had dilated capillaries in the lamina propria. Four patients presented with severe anaemia or melaena and required treatment. Propranolol was administered to three patients, and one patient needed a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in order to control bleeding. For asymptomatic patients in whom polypoid lesions were resected, no recurrence of lesions was observed during follow-up gastroscopy (median 36 months, range 7–85 months). Conclusion Portal hypertension-associated gastric or small intestine polypoid lesions may be associated with a significant risk of bleeding and are responsive to adequate treatment of portal hypertension.
CMV-Specific TCR-Transgenic T Cells for Immunotherapy1

Reactivation of CMV can cause severe disease after allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation. Adoptive T cell therapy was successfully used for patients who had received transplants from CMV-positive donors. However, patients with transplants from CMV-negative donors are at highest risk, and an adoptive therapy is missing because CMV-specific T cells are not available from such donors. To address this problem, we used retroviral transfer of CMV-specific TCR genes. We generated CMV-specific T cell clones of several HLA restrictions recognizing the endogenously processed Ag pp65. The genes of four TCRs were cloned and transferred to primary T cells from CMV-negative donors. These CMV-TCR-transgenic T cells displayed a broad spectrum of important effector functions (secretion of IFN-γ and IL-2, cytotoxicity, proliferation) in response to endogenously processed pp65 and could be enriched and expanded by strictly Ag-specific stimulation. Expansion of engineered T cells was accompanied by an increase in specific effector functions, indicating that the transferred specificity is stable and fully functional. Hence, we expect these CMV-TCR-transgenic T cells to be effective in controlling acute CMV disease and establishing an antiviral memory.
Statistical and computational phase transitions in spiked tensor estimation

We consider tensor factorizations using a generative model and a Bayesian approach. We compute rigorously the mutual information, the Minimal Mean Square Error (MMSE), and unveil information-theoretic phase transitions. In addition, we study the performance of Approximate Message Passing (AMP) and show that it achieves the MMSE for a large set of parameters, and that factorization is algorithmically “easy” in a much wider region than previously believed. It exists, however, a “hard” region where AMP fails to reach the MMSE and we conjecture that no polynomial algorithm will improve on AMP.
Evaluating the protective effects of vitamin C on serum and erythrocyte cholinesterase activity of male rats exposed to malathion

Introduction Malathion is one of organophosphate poisons (OPPs) that inhibit cholinesterase activity and induce oxidative stress in target organs, such as the reproductive system. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Malathion on serum and erythrocyte cholinesterase activity in male rats and also to assess the protective effects of vitamin C in this regard. Methods This experimental study was performed in the Pharmacology Laboratory of the Pharmacy Faculty and in the Advanced Histology Techniques Laboratory of the Medical Faculty of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS) in January 2014. Thirty male wistar rats, weighting 200–250 g, were divided into five groups of six. The different groups were exposed as follows: group 1: Malathion 50 mg/kg; group 2: Vitamin C; group 3: Malathion plus Vitamin C with the specified doses; sham group: normal saline; and control group: no exposure. After six weeks, 3 ml blood samples were taken from the rats, and titrimetric and Ellman methods were used to assess serum and erythrocyte cholinesterase activity, respectively. The data was analyzed by SPSS 16, and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results The activities of serum and erythrocyte cholinesterase were inhibited significantly in the Malathion exposed group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The administration of Vitamin C alone significantly increased the activities of serum and erythrocyte cholinesterase. The serum and erythrocyte cholinesterase inhibition showed improvement in the group that received both Malathion and Vitamin C. Conclusion Malathion reduced the activities of serum and erythrocyte cholinesterase in exposed animals. It probably has the same intoxication effects on people who are exposed. Improvement of cholinesterase activity by antioxidant effects of Vitamin C suggests that Vitamin C supplementation can be used to decrease side effects of OPP exposure.