Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cannabinoids, Endocannabinoids, and Related Analogs in Inflammation

This review covers reports published in the last 5 years on the anti-inflammatory activities of all classes of cannabinoids, including phytocannabinoids such as tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, synthetic analogs such as ajulemic acid and nabilone, the endogenous cannabinoids anandamide and related compounds, namely, the elmiric acids, and finally, noncannabinoid components of Cannabis that show anti-inflammatory action. It is intended to be an update on the topic of the involvement of cannabinoids in the process of inflammation. A possible mechanism for these actions is suggested involving increased production of eicosanoids that promote the resolution of inflammation. This differentiates these cannabinoids from cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors that suppress the synthesis of eicosanoids that promote the induction of the inflammatory process.
Histidine acts as a co‐germinant with glycine and taurocholate for Clostridium difficile spores

Aims: It is well established that the bile salt sodium taurocholate acts as a germinant for Clostridium difficile spores and the amino acid glycine acts as a co‐germinant. The aim of this study was to determine whether any other amino acids act as co‐germinants.
Hydrodynamics of the Spinal Epidural Space in Pigs: Effects of Death and Exsanguinations

Background and Objectives: We have investigated how the vascular components of the spine determine the resistance and capacitance of the spinal epidural space and determined the magnitude of the longitudinal pressure gradient in the space during fluid infusion. Methods: Pigs were studied during isoflurane anesthesia. Tuohy needles were inserted into midthoracic spine at adjacent interspaces, one to measure pressure in the epidural space and one for fluid infusion. A third Tuohy needle was inserted in the lumbar epidural space. Fluid was infused at a constant flow (0.9-3.1 mL/min) until epidural space pressure reached a steady plateau, then the pump was shut off, and pressure returned to baseline over 5 to 6 mins. Resistance was calculated as the ratio of plateau pressure and flow. Initial (first 20-30 secs) and late (1-5 mins) capacitance was calculated. Measurements were made with the animal alive, 15 mins after its life was terminated by an intravenous injection of KCl, and then after exsanguination. Results: During fluid infusion, the pressure gradient between the lumbar and thoracic epidural space was small, on the order of 1 to 2 mm Hg. Death reduced resistance but not capacitance, whereas exsanguination reduced late capacitance but not resistance. Neither maneuver affected initial capacitance. Conclusions: There is a small longitudinal pressure gradient within the epidural space during fluid infusion. Hence, the major source of resistance occurs where fluid leaves the epidural space. Death reduced resistance, perhaps by depressurizing spinal arteries in the intervertebral foramina, but did not affect capacitance. Blood in epidural veins is a major determinant of late epidural capacitance.
Opposite Effects of Plasma From Human Apolipoprotein A-II Transgenic Mice on Cholesterol Efflux From J774 Macrophages and Fu5AH Hepatoma Cells

Overexpression of human apolipoprotein A-II (hapo A-II) in transgenic mice (hAIItg mice) induced marked hypertriglyceridemia and low levels of plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) with a high hapo A-II content. We sought to determine whether cholesterol efflux to plasma and HDL from these mice would be affected. In the Fu5AH cell system, plasma from hAIItg mice induced a markedly lower cholesterol efflux than did control plasma, in accordance with the dependence of efflux on HDL concentration. Moreover, HDLs from hAIItg mice were less effective acceptors than were control HDLs. In the J774 macrophage cell system, pretreatment with cAMP, which upregulates ATP binding cassette transporter 1, induced a marked increase in the efflux to hAIItg plasma as well as to purified hapo A-I and hapo A-II, whereas it had no effect on cholesterol efflux to control plasma. A strong positive correlation was established between percent cAMP stimulation of efflux and plasma hapo A-II concentration. The cAMP stimulation of efflux to hAIItg mouse plasma may be linked to the presence of pre-&bgr; migrating HDL containing hapo A-II. Thus, despite lower HDL and apolipoprotein A-I contents, the increased ability of plasma from hAIItg mice to extract cholesterol from macrophage-like cells may have an antiatherogenic influence.
Salmonella Persistence in Tomatoes Requires a Distinct Set of Metabolic Functions Identified by Transposon Insertion Sequencing

ABSTRACT Human enteric pathogens, such as Salmonella spp. and verotoxigenic Escherichia coli, are increasingly recognized as causes of gastroenteritis outbreaks associated with the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Persistence in plants represents an important part of the life cycle of these pathogens. The identification of the full complement of Salmonella genes involved in the colonization of the model plant (tomato) was carried out using transposon insertion sequencing analysis. With this approach, 230,000 transposon insertions were screened in tomato pericarps to identify loci with reduction in fitness, followed by validation of the screen results using competition assays of the isogenic mutants against the wild type. A comparison with studies in animals revealed a distinct plant-associated set of genes, which only partially overlaps with the genes required to elicit disease in animals. De novo biosynthesis of amino acids was critical to persistence within tomatoes, while amino acid scavenging was prevalent in animal infections. Fitness reduction of the Salmonella amino acid synthesis mutants was generally more severe in the tomato rin mutant, which hyperaccumulates certain amino acids, suggesting that these nutrients remain unavailable to Salmonella spp. within plants. Salmonella lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was required for persistence in both animals and plants, exemplifying some shared pathogenesis-related mechanisms in animal and plant hosts. Similarly to phytopathogens, Salmonella spp. required biosynthesis of amino acids, LPS, and nucleotides to colonize tomatoes. Overall, however, it appears that while Salmonella shares some strategies with phytopathogens and taps into its animal virulence-related functions, colonization of tomatoes represents a distinct strategy, highlighting this pathogen's flexible metabolism. IMPORTANCE Outbreaks of gastroenteritis caused by human pathogens have been increasingly associated with foods of plant origin, with tomatoes being one of the common culprits. Recent studies also suggest that these human pathogens can use plants as alternate hosts as a part of their life cycle. While dual (animal/plant) lifestyles of other members of the Enterobacteriaceae family are well known, the strategies with which Salmonella colonizes plants are only partially understood. Therefore, we undertook a high-throughput characterization of the functions required for Salmonella persistence within tomatoes. The results of this study were compared with what is known about genes required for Salmonella virulence in animals and interactions of plant pathogens with their hosts to determine whether Salmonella repurposes its virulence repertoire inside plants or whether it behaves more as a phytopathogen during plant colonization. Even though Salmonella utilized some of its virulence-related genes in tomatoes, plant colonization required a distinct set of functions.
Vision-related quality of life in patients with diabetic macular oedema

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of diabetic macular oedema (DME) on the quality of life (QOL) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: The study was a prospective, consecutive, non-comparative case series. An observational study evaluated the quality of vision and vision-specific QOL using the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25). Mean VFQ-25 subscale scores in type 2 diabetic study patients were compared with mean VFQ-25 subscale score in groups of patients with type 1 diabetic retinopathy (T1DR) and varying degrees of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), glaucoma and cataracts and in reference populations. Results: Thirty-three patients completed the NEI VFQ-25. The mean age of the study population was 64 years. When performing a comparison of those patients with DME versus those with isolated T1DR we found that for the general health subscale, the DME versus T1DR group means were 42±4.4 versus 61±1.0 respectively. The DME versus T1DR quality of vision categorical mean scores were 69±4.1 versus 93±3.9. The DME versus T1DR VR-QOL categorical mean scores were 62±5.0 versus 93±1.0. The DME group was significantly worse in each of these three categories compared with the T1DR group (p<0.01). An additional analysis was performed to examine the differences in VR-QOL in the DME group versus varying common ocular diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), glaucoma, cataracts and disease-free reference groups. The mean values of VFQ-25 subscale in the DME group were significantly lower then the glaucoma group in ten of 12 subscales, the cataract group in 11 of 12 subscales, and the reference group in 12 of 12 subscales. However, the mean values of VFQ-25 subscale in the DME group were only significantly different from the ARMD group in three of 12 subscales. Conclusions: Type 2 diabetes patients with macular oedema experience a decreased VR-QOL compared with type 1 diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma or cataracts. However, VR-QOL in type 2 diabetic patients with macular oedema was similar to those individuals with ARMD.
Expression of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide in Efferent Vestibular System and Vestibular Nucleus in Rats with Motion Sickness

Motion sickness presents a challenge due to its high incidence and unknown pathogenesis although it is a known fact that a functioning vestibular system is essential for the perception of motion sickness. Recent studies show that the efferent vestibular neurons contain calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). It is a possibility that the CGRP immunoreactivity (CGRPi) fibers of the efferent vestibular system modulate primary afferent input into the central nervous system; thus, making it likely that CGRP plays a key role in motion sickness. To elucidate the relationship between motion sickness and CGRP, the effects of CGRP on the vestibular efferent nucleus and the vestibular nucleus were investigated in rats with motion sickness. Methods An animal model of motion sickness was created by subjecting rats to rotary stimulation for 30 minutes via a trapezoidal stimulation pattern. The number of CGRPi neurons in the vestibular efferent nucleus at the level of the facial nerve genu and the expression level of CGRPi in the vestibular nucleus of rats were measured. Using the ABC method of immunohistochemistry technique, measurements were taken before and after rotary stimulation. The effects of anisodamine on the expression of CGRP in the vestibular efferent nucleus and the vestibular nucleus of rats with motion sickness were also investigated. Results and Discussion Both the number of CGRPi neurons in the vestibular efferent nucleus and expression level in the vestibular nucleus increased significantly in rats with motion sickness compared to that of controls. The increase of CGRP expression in rats subjected to rotary stimulation 3 times was greater than those having only one-time stimulation. Administration of anisodamine decreased the expression of CGRP within the vestibular efferent nucleus and the vestibular nucleus in rats subjected to rotary stimulation. In conclusion, CGRP possibly plays a role in motion sickness and its mechanism merits further investigation.
Biomarkers in exhaled breath condensate indicate presence and severity of cystic fibrosis in children

Chronic airway inflammation is present in cystic fibrosis (CF). Non‐invasive inflammometry may be useful in disease management. The aim of the present cross‐sectional study was to investigate: (i) the ability of fractional exhaled nitric oxide and inflammatory markers (IM) [exhaled breath condensate (EBC) acidity, nitrite, nitrate, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), 8‐isoprostane, Th1/Th2 cytokines] to indicate (exacerbations of) CF; and (ii) the ability of these non‐invasive IM to indicate CF disease severity. In 98 children (48 CF/50 controls), exhaled nitric oxide was measured using the NIOX, and condensate was collected using a glass condenser. In CF interferon (IFN‐γ) and nitrite concentrations were significantly higher, whereas exhaled nitric oxide levels were significantly lower compared with controls (3.3 ± 0.3 pg/ml, 2.2 ± 0.2 μm, 10.0 ± 1.2 p.p.b. vs. 2.6 ± 0.2 pg/ml, 1.4 ± 0.1 μm, 15.4 ± 1.4 p.p.b. respectively). Using multivariate logistic regression models, the presence of CF was best indicated by 8‐isoprostane, nitrite and IFN‐γ [sensitivity 78%, specificity 83%; area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) 0.906, p < 0.001]. An exacerbation of CF was best indicated by 8‐isoprostane and nitrite (sensitivity 40%, specificity 97%, AUC curve 0.838, p = 0.009). Most indicative biomarkers of CF severity were exhaled nitric oxide, and condensate acidity (sensitivity 96%, specificity 67%; AUC curve 0.751, p = 0.008). In this cross‐sectional study, the combination of different exhaled IM could indicate (exacerbations of) CF, and severity of the disease in children. Longitudinal data are necessary to further confirm the role of these markers for the management of CF in children.
Temperature variation on the external root surface during intracanal Er:YAG laser irradiation.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the temperature changes on the root's external surface during Er:YAG laser irradiation with different tips and pulse repetition rates. BACKGROUND DATA There have been limited reports that correlate temperature variations with Er:YAG laser irradiation using different tips and pulse repetition rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty roots of central incisors were sectioned 10 mm from the apex, biomechanically prepared, embedded in acrylic resin, and randomly distributed into six groups: the teeth in group I, group II, and group III were irradiated with an Opus 20 laser with a sapphire tip at 8, 10, and 15 Hz, respectively; the teeth in group IV, group V, and group VI were irradiated with the fiberoptic tip of a Kavo Key laser at 6, 10, and 15 Hz, respectively. Laser irradiation was applied for 20 sec to all teeth and temperature changes were recorded with thermocouples in the root surfaces. RESULTS There were significant differences (p < 0.05) among pulse repetition rates: 6 and 8 Hz (2.36 degrees +/- 0.91 degrees C), 10 Hz (4.92 degrees +/- 1.60 degrees C), and 15 Hz (8.23 degrees +/- 2.78 degrees C); and radicular thirds: apical (8.33 degrees +/- 2.69 degrees C), middle (4.70 degrees +/- 1.60 degrees C), and cervical (2.48 degrees +/- 0.83 degrees C). No significant differences were seen between the two types of laser tips used (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION The temperature changes on root external surfaces remained above the critical threshold (13 degrees C) during Er:YAG laser irradiation, except for irradiation with 15 Hz in the apical third. However, the type of Er:YAG laser tip used (sapphire or fiberoptic) did not affect the temperature variation.
Long Survival of Retinal Ganglion Cells in the Cat After Selective Crush of the Optic Nerve

In each of four cats gentle pressure was applied to one optic nerve by means of an inflatable cuff in order to disrupt the largest axons (Y fibres) and so produce a conduction block in them. It has previously been shown that this technique, as used by us, causes Wallerian degeneration in the fibres posterior to the site of application of the pressure (the crush site). The optic nerves and retinas in these cats were examined 2–2.8 years later. The optic nerves were prepared for electron microscopy and the retinas were flat‐mounted. Here we report an average 90% loss of large axons (>5 μm diameter) in the nerve posterior to the crush site. However, in the part of the nerve anterior to the crush site there was only a 33% loss and in the retina only a 57.5% reduction in the number of neurons of soma diameter >25 μm (i.e. alpha cells, the cell bodies of the Y neurons). These last two sets of values were significantly different, suggesting that the retinal ganglion cells had shrunk relatively more than the axons. Thus, the crushing technique has effectively axotomized almost all the Y fibres but, in spite of this, about half of the alpha retinal ganglion cells have survived this particular form of axotomy, with their axons intact at least for some distance into the optic nerve. This long survival raises the possibility that these neurons may have regenerated axons which have found targets and thus ensured their survival.
Model-based correction for scatter and tailing effects in simultaneous 99mTc and 123I imaging for a CdZnTe cardiac SPECT camera

An advantage of semiconductor-based dedicated cardiac single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) cameras when compared to conventional Anger cameras is superior energy resolution. This provides the potential for improved separation of the photopeaks in dual radionuclide imaging, such as combined use of 99mTc and 123I . There is, however, the added complexity of tailing effects in the detectors that must be accounted for. In this paper we present a model-based correction algorithm which extracts the useful primary counts of 99mTc and 123I from projection data. Equations describing the in-patient scatter and tailing effects in the detectors are iteratively solved for both radionuclides simultaneously using a maximum a posteriori probability algorithm with one-step-late evaluation. Energy window-dependent parameters for the equations describing in-patient scatter are estimated using Monte Carlo simulations. Parameters for the equations describing tailing effects are estimated using virtually scatter-free experimental measurements on a dedicated cardiac SPECT camera with CdZnTe-detectors. When applied to a phantom study with both 99mTc and 123I, results show that the estimated spatial distribution of events from 99mTc in the 99mTc photopeak energy window is very similar to that measured in a single 99mTc phantom study. The extracted images of primary events display increased cold lesion contrasts for both 99mTc and 123I.
Modeling practical reasoning

Knowledge modeling perspectives on knowledge acquisition suggest that it is reasonable to analyze knowledge bases as collections of models. This article focuses on those parts of the knowledge base that model the practical reasoning processes of human experts, and asks what properties those models might be expected to have. It surveys the general notion of a model and its connotations in information systems science. It analyze the structure of practical reasoning as a control process with information flows involving essential uncertainty and adaptivity, where robustness is more significant than optimality. Systemic considerations suggest that models of the relevant knowledge will consist of a collection of isolated productions, many of which will be concerned with avoidance rather than goal achievement. the relations of such models to role‐limiting methods, generic tasks, and deep knowledge are discussed. Finally, the implications of the knowledge modeling perspectives for developments in knowledge acquisition are discussed. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Recurrent chondrosarcoma of the larynx

BackgroundLaryngeal chondrosarcoma (LCS) is a rare laryngeal tumor that most commonly originates from the cricoid cartilage. The current trend for treatment of low-grade LCS is function-sparing surgical option with negative margins. Case summaryWe reported here a case of a 63-year-old male patient with a 3-month history of progressive hoarseness and throat pain. The patient had undergone surgical resection of a laryngeal mass 2 years prior. A supracricoid partial laryngectomy was performed this time. Histological examination supported the diagnosis of low-grade chondrosarcoma. Three years later, the radiological and clinical findings showed no evidence of recurrence. ConclusionCurrently, total laryngectomy is preferred for patients with recurrent low-grade LCS. However, the literature review and our case suggest that a second function-preserving procedure may be a reasonable choice for recurrent LCS.
Murine Cytomegalovirus Abortively Infects Human Dendritic Cells, Leading to Expression and Presentation of Virally Vectored Genes

ABSTRACT Dendritic cells (DC) are potent antigen-presenting cells that play a crucial role in antigen-specific immune responses. Thus, the targeting of exogenous antigens to DC has become a popular approach for cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development. In this report, we studied the interplay between murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and human monocyte-derived DC. The results showed that an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-encoding, replication-competent MCMV vector underwent abortive infection in human DC; this was accompanied by the efficient expression of EGFP. Infection of human DC by this vector resulted in a modest increase in the expression of cell surface proteins associated with DC maturation and has no significant effect on the immunostimulatory function of the cells, as reflected by their ability to support T-cell proliferation in a mixed-lymphocyte reaction. Finally, an MCMV vector encoding the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gp120 envelope glycoprotein was constructed and used to infect cultured human DC. The infected DC were shown to be capable of stimulating the expansion of autologous, gp120-specific, class I-restricted T lymphocytes from an HIV-1-negative donor, as determined by tetramer staining and enzyme-linked immunospot analysis. Taken together, these results suggest that MCMV may have potential utility as a vector for human vaccine development.
Learning the inter-frame distance for discriminative template-based keyword detection

This paper proposes a discriminative approach to template-based keyword detection. We introduce a method to learn the distance used to compare acoustic frames, a crucial element for template matching approaches. The proposed algorithm estimates the distance from data, with the objective to produce a detector maximizing the Area Under the receiver operating Curve (AUC), i.e. the standard evaluation measure for the keyword detection problem. The experiments performed over a large corpus, SpeechDatII, suggest that our model is effective compared to an HMM system, e.g. the proposed approach reaches 93.8% of averaged AUC compared to 87.9% for the HMM.
Bidirectional gaze in remote computer mediated collaboration: setup and initial results from pair-programming

We investigate the role of gaze in communication and collaboration between humans in computerised environments. In this paper we describe a software solution to a multidirectional gaze display in shared-display collaborative tasks and we report on initial results of an experiment in which the system was applied to allow gaze display in a remote pair-programming lecture. Remotely, an expert was explaining two algorithms to a novice who then attempted to apply the algorithm on an unseen problem. We report on an analysis of data from the conditions when there was a gaze transmitted and displayed to the peer with the no-gaze condition. The remote gaze display reliably affected the variability of novices visual attention patterns and they were better able to focus on the information presented. Without the experts gaze display their strategies contained greater variety.