Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antibacterial efficacy of triphala against oral streptococci: an in vivo study.

BACKGROUND Triphala is a botanical preparation consisting of equal parts of three herbal fruits. Much revered in Ayurveda, triphala has been proven to have antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal actions. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of 6% triphala in a mouthwash formulation on the salivary streptococci levels at the end of 48 h and 7 days, of twice a day usage, and to compare the same with 0.2% chlorhexidine. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty undergraduate student volunteers aged between 18 and 25 years were randomly allocated into three study groups. (a) 6% triphala mouthwash, 15 ml twice a day; (b) 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash, 15 ml twice a day (active control group); (c) passive control group asked to rinse with plain water, twice a day. The oral streptococci colony forming units/ml (CFUs/ml) was assessed by inoculating blood agar with saliva samples at the end of 48 h and at 7 days. RESULTS The triphala group showed a 17% and 44% reduction, while the chlorhexidine group showed 16% and 45% reduction at the end of 48 h and 7 days (P < 0.001). The reduction in CFUs/ml seen in triphala group closely paralleled that of chlorhexidine group. CONCLUSION Triphala has been used in Ayurveda from time immemorial and has many potential systemic benefits. The promising results shown by Triphala call for further investigations of its antimicrobial effects against the numerous oral microorganisms.
Amygdalo‐cortical sprouting continues into early adulthood: Implications for the development of normal and abnormal function during adolescence

Adolescence is a critical stage for the development of emotional maturity and diverse forms of psychopathology. The posterior basolateral nucleus of the amygdala is known to mediate fear and anxiety and is important in assigning emotional valence to cognitive processes. The medial prefrontal cortex, a homologue of the human anterior cingulate cortex, mediates emotional, attentional, and motivational behaviors at the cortical level. We postulate that the development of connectivity between these two corticolimbic regions contributes to an enhanced integration of emotion and cognition during the postnatal period. In order to characterize the development of this relay, injections of the anterograde tracer biocytin were stereotaxically placed within the posterior basolateral nucleus of the amygdala of rats at successive postnatal time points (postnatal days 6–120). Labeled fibers in the medial prefrontal cortex were evaluated using a combination of brightfield, confocal, and electron microscopy. We found that the density of labeled fibers originating from the posterior basolateral nucleus shows a sharp curvilinear increase within layers II and V of the anterior cingulate cortex and the infralimbic subdivisions of medial prefrontal cortex during the late postweanling period. This increase was paralleled by a linear rise in the number of axospinous and axodendritic synapses present in the neuropil. Based on these results, we propose that late maturation of amygdalo‐cortical connectivity may provide an anatomical basis for the development and integration of normal and possibly abnormal emotional behavior during adolescence and early adulthood. J. Comp. Neurol. 453:116–130, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predicting endoscopie diagnosis in the dyspeptic patient: the value of clinical judgement

Objective: To compare the quality of chance-corrected clinical diagnosis in two groups of dyspeptic patients, using endoscopy as the diagnostic standard. Design: Structured interview before endoscopy and clinical predictions of endoscopie diagnosis as either malignancy, peptic ulcer, oesophagitis or non-ulcer dyspepsia. The quality of the predictions was corrected for chance using iofa-correction. Patients gave a provisional prediction of their own endoscopie diagnosis. Setting: Two endoscopy units in Odense and Svendborg, Denmark. Patients: Two groups of dyspeptic outpatients: (1) 1026 patients referred for open-access endoscopy and (2) 207 empirically managed patients randomly assigned to prompt endoscopy as part of a clinical trial. Results: The overall diagnostic validity for all diagnoses was equal in the two groups of patients (57 and 59%) and was mainly accounted for by positive predictive values for non-ulcer dyspepsia of 75%. Elimination of random accuracy for non-ulcer dyspepsia showed a validity of only 23 and 21%. Patients with a major pathologic lesion (cancer, ulcer, complicated oesophagitis) were misclassified clinically as non-ulcer dyspepsia in 36 and 38% of cases. The sensitivity of a clinical prediction of ulcer was only 52 and 36%, despite positive predictive values of 34%, and most valid when corrected for chance in the group of patients referred for open-access endoscopy. The patients' provisional diagnoses had no predictive value. Conclusion: Clinical diagnosis in dyspepsia was unreliable as it misclassified one-third of patients with a major pathological lesion. Fifty percent of patients with ulcer were misclassified and that clinical diagnosis could only be confirmed in one-third of the cases. The chance-corrected validity of non-ulcer dyspepsia was only slightly better than chance. There was no predictive value of the patients' predictions of their own diagnosis.
A comparison of the radial and the femoral approaches in primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction in the elderly

Background: Access site complications are reduced using radial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There is concern that technical difficulties using this approach can delay achievement of reperfusion during primary or rescue PCI for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) especially in elderly patients. Methods and Results: We studied 155 patients (pts)⩾70 years who underwent primary or rescue PCI for AMI; radial (Group1; 87 pts) or femoral (Group2; 68 pts). Baseline characteristics, the amount of IIB/IIIA inhibitor, contrast and heparin used, and TIMI flow pre and post PCI were similar in both groups (P>0.05). Time from arrival in the catheterization laboratory to the first balloon inflation (Group 1: 44.0±21.5 versus Group 2 38.8±18.7 min) was also similar, but was significantly longer (61.2±11.1 min) compared to both groups in patients with a failed radial approach (7 pts, 8%). Angiographic success, and in‐hospital MACE were also similar in the two groups, but vascular access site complications were significantly higher in Group 2 (0 versus 2.9%, P<0.05). Conclusion: The use of the radial approach in elderly patients undergoing primary and rescue PCI, when successful, is safe and effective as the femoral approach, and leads to fewer vascular complications.
Estimating the number of unseen variants in the human genome

The different genetic variation discovery projects (The SNP Consortium, the International HapMap Project, the 1000 Genomes Project, etc.) aim to identify as much as possible of the underlying genetic variation in various human populations. The question we address in this article is how many new variants are yet to be found. This is an instance of the species problem in ecology, where the goal is to estimate the number of species in a closed population. We use a parametric beta-binomial model that allows us to calculate the expected number of new variants with a desired minimum frequency to be discovered in a new dataset of individuals of a specified size. The method can also be used to predict the number of individuals necessary to sequence in order to capture all (or a fraction of) the variation with a specified minimum frequency. We apply the method to three datasets: the ENCODE dataset, the SeattleSNPs dataset, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences SNPs dataset. Consistent with previous descriptions, our results show that the African population is the most diverse in terms of the number of variants expected to exist, the Asian populations the least diverse, with the European population in-between. In addition, our results show a clear distinction between the Chinese and the Japanese populations, with the Japanese population being the less diverse. To find all common variants (frequency at least 1%) the number of individuals that need to be sequenced is small (∼350) and does not differ much among the different populations; our data show that, subject to sequence accuracy, the 1000 Genomes Project is likely to find most of these common variants and a high proportion of the rarer ones (frequency between 0.1 and 1%). The data reveal a rule of diminishing returns: a small number of individuals (∼150) is sufficient to identify 80% of variants with a frequency of at least 0.1%, while a much larger number (> 3,000 individuals) is necessary to find all of those variants. Finally, our results also show a much higher diversity in environmental response genes compared with the average genome, especially in African populations.
Predictive value of preoperative tests in discriminating bilateral adrenal hyperplasia from an aldosterone-producing adrenal adenoma.

In primary hyperaldosteronism, discriminating bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (BAH) from an aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) is important because adrenalectomy, which is usually curative in APA, is seldom effective in BAH. We analyzed the results from our most recent 7-yr series to evaluate the predictive value of preoperative noninvasive tests compared with adrenal vein sampling (AVS). Forty-eight patients with hypertensive hyperaldosteronism underwent bedside testing, computed tomography (CT) imaging, and AVS. Those in whom the results of AVS indicated APA underwent adrenalectomy. Twelve (30%) and 14 (34%) of 41 patients with APA had paradoxical falls with ambulation in plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and 18-hydroxycorticosterone (18-OH-B), respectively. Twenty-nine (70%) and 26 (65%) APA patients had a rise in PAC and 18-OH-B, respectively, as did all 8 BAH patients. Significant identifiers of BAH were supine PAC values less than 15 ng/dL (P: = 0.04), an increase greater than 60% (P: = 0.02) in PAC with ambulation, and supine 18-OH-B values less than 60 ng/dL (P: = 0.04). CT imaging alone was not predictive for BAH or APA. In our population, patients with a positive bedside test result (e.g. a fall in PAC and/or 18-OH-B) and a unilateral adrenal nodule on CT (10 of 41 patients) could have proceeded directly to adrenalectomy for APA. However, a positive bedside test result with a negative CT or a negative bedside test result regardless of CT findings required AVS to confirm the diagnosis and site of disease.
Comprehensive DNA Microarray Analysis ofBacillus subtilis Two-Component Regulatory Systems

ABSTRACT It has recently been shown through DNA microarray analysis ofBacillus subtilis two-component regulatory systems (DegS-DegU, ComP-ComA, and PhoR-PhoP) that overproduction of a response regulator of the two-component systems in the background of a deficiency of its cognate sensor kinase affects the regulation of genes, including its target ones. The genome-wide effect on gene expression caused by the overproduction was revealed by DNA microarray analysis. In the present work, we newly analyzed 24 two-component systems by means of this strategy, leaving out 8 systems to which it was unlikely to be applicable. This analysis revealed various target gene candidates for these two-component systems. It is especially notable that interesting interactions appeared to take place between several two-component systems. Moreover, the probable functions of some unknown two-component systems were deduced from the list of their target gene candidates. This work is heuristic but provides valuable information for further study toward a comprehensive understanding of the B. subtilis two-component regulatory systems. The DNA microarray data obtained in this work are available at the KEGG Expression Database website (http://www.genome.ad.jp/kegg/expression ).
Secreted and Membrane-Associated Matrix Metalloproteinases of IL-2-Activated NK Cells and Their Inhibitors1

We have previously documented that rat IL-2-activated NK (A-NK) cells produce matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9. In this study, we describe mouse A-NK cell-derived MMPs, including MT-MMPs, and also TIMPs. RT-PCR analysis from cDNA of mouse A-NK cells revealed mRNA for MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-11, MMP-13, MT1-MMP, MT2-MMP, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2. MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression was confirmed by gelatin zymography. Moreover, we report for the first time that MT-MMPs are expressed by NK cells, i.e., large granular lymphocytes as determined by both RT-PCR and Western blots. TIMP-1 expression was detected as a 29-kDa protein in Western blots. It is intriguing that TIMP-2 protein from A-NK cells was also detected as a 29-kDa protein, which is clearly different from the previously reported molecular mass of 21 kDa in mouse and human cells. In addition, inhibition of MMPs by BB-94, a selective inhibitor of MMP, significantly inhibited the ability of mouse A-NK cells to migrate through Matrigel, a model basement membrane. Taken together, these findings suggest that A-NK cells may therefore use multiple MMPs in various cellular functions, including degradation of various extracellular matrix molecules as they extravasate from blood vessels and accumulate within cancer metastases following their adoptive transfer.
Importance of NKT Cells in Resistance to Herpes Simplex Virus, Fate of Virus-Infected Neurons, and Level of Latency in Mice

ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) produces acute mucocutaneous infections, spread to sensory ganglia, and establishment of latency. In addition, neurovirulent strains have potential to invade the central nervous system (CNS), with potentially a lethal outcome. Early activation of defenses at all stages is essential to limit virus load and reduce the risk of neuronal damage, extensive zosteriform skin lesions, and catastrophic spread to the CNS. NKT cells respond rapidly, and we have shown previously that CD1d-deficient mice are compromised in controlling a neuroinvasive isolate of HSV-1. We now compare infection in Jα18 GKO and CD1d GKO mice, allowing direct assessment of the importance of invariant Vα14+ NKT cells and deduction of the role of the CD1d-restricted NKT cells with diverse T-cell receptors. The results indicate that both subsets of NKT cells contribute to virus control both in the afferent phase of infection and in determining the mortality, neuroinvasion, loss of sensory neurons, size of zosteriform, lesions and levels of latency. In particular, both are crucial determinants of clinical outcome, providing protection equivalent to a 1-log dose of virus. These NKT cells can be expected to provide protection at doses of virus that might be encountered naturally.
Photophysical and Photochemical Studies of 2‐Phenylbenzimidazole and UVB Sunscreen 2‐Phenylbenzimidazole‐5‐sulfonic Acid ¶

The sunscreen agent 2‐phenylbenzimidazole‐5‐sulfonic acid (PBSA) and its parent 2‐phenylbenzimidazole (PBI) cause DNA photodamage via both Type‐I and Type‐II mechanisms when UVB irradiated. We have studied the photophysical and photochemical properties of these compounds and their ability to photogenerate reactive oxygen species including free radicals. PBI and PBSA exhibit both oxidizing and reducing properties in their excited state. The absorption and fluorescence properties of PBSA depend strongly upon pH, and hence the photochemistry of PBSA was studied in both neutral and alkaline solutions. PBSA showed strong oxidizing properties when UV irradiated in neutral aqueous solution (pH 7.4) in the presence of cysteine, glutathione and azide, as evidenced by the detection of the corresponding S‐cysteinyl, glutathiyl and azidyl radicals with the aid of the spin trap, 5,5‐dimethyl‐1‐pyrroline N‐oxide (DMPO). However, when an aqueous anaerobic solution (pH 10) of PBSA and either nitromethane (NM) or 4‐nitrobenzoic acid (4‐NBA) were irradiated, the corresponding nitro anion radicals were observed. This finding suggests that both NM and 4‐NBA are reduced by direct electron transfer from the excited state PBSA. During UV irradiation of an aerobic solution of PBSA, O2•− and •OH radical were generated and trapped by DMPO. Further, PBI (in ethanol) and PBSA (in ethylene glycol : water 2:1 mixture) showed low temperature (77 K) phosphorescence (λmax= 443, 476 and 509 nm) and also an electron paramagnetic resonance half‐field transition (ΔMs=±2), which is evidence for a triplet state. This triplet produced singlet oxygen (1O2) with quantum yields 0.07 and 0.04 in MeCN for PBI and PBSA, respectively. These studies demonstrate that UV irradiation of PBSA and PBI generates a variety of free radicals and active oxygen species that may be involved in the photodamage of DNA.
Synaptobrevin‐2‐like immunoreactivity is associated with vesicles at synapses in rat circumvallate taste buds

Synaptobrevin is a vesicle‐associated membrane protein (VAMP) that is believed to play a critical role with presynaptic membrane proteins (SNAP‐25 and syntaxin) during regulated synaptic vesicle docking and exocytosis of neurotransmitter at the central nervous system. Synaptic contacts between taste cells and nerve processes have been found to exist, but little is known about synaptic vesicle docking and neurotransmitter release at taste cell synapses. Previously we demonstrated that immunoreactivity to SNAP‐25 is present in taste cells with synapses. Our present results show that synaptobrevin‐2‐like immunoreactivity (‐LIR) is present in approximately 35% of the taste cells in rat circumvallate taste buds. Synaptobrevin‐2‐LIR colocalizes with SNAP‐25‐, serotonin‐, and protein gene product 9.5‐LIR. Synaptobrevin‐2‐LIR also colocalizes with immunoreactivity for type III inositol 1,4,5‐triphosphate receptor (IP3R3), a taste‐signaling molecule in taste cells. All IP3R3‐LIR taste cells express synaptobrevin‐2‐LIR. However, approximately 27% of the synaptobrevin‐2‐LIR taste cells do not display IP3R3‐LIR. We believe, based on ultrastructural and biochemical features, that both type II and type III taste cells display synaptobrevin‐2‐LIR. All of the synapses that we observed from taste cells onto nerve processes express synaptobrevin‐2‐LIR, as well as some taste cells without synapses. By using colloidal gold immunoelectron microscopy, we found that synaptobrevin‐2‐LIR is associated with synaptic vesicles at rat taste cell synapses. The results of this study suggest that soluble NSF attachment receptor (SNARE) machinery may control synaptic vesicle fusion and exocytosis at taste cell synapses. J. Comp. Neurol. 471:59–71, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Barrett’s oesophagus, dysplasia and pharmacologic acid suppression

Barrett’s oesophagus, a significant complication of gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is the single most important risk factor for oesophageal adenocarcinoma. The strong association between Barrett’s oesophagus and chronic GERD suggests that abnormal oesophageal acid exposure plays an important role in this condition. The progression of Barrett’s oesophagus from specialized intestinal metaplasia to dysplasia and finally invasive carcinoma is incompletely understood, but increased and disordered proliferation is a key cellular event. In ex vivo organ culture experiments, cell proliferation is increased after exposure to short pulses of acid, whilst proliferation is reduced in Barrett’s oesophagus specimens taken from patients with oesophageal acid exposure normalized by antisecretory therapy.
The Effects on Cognitive Function and Behavioral Problems of Topiramate Compared to Carbamazepine as Monotherapy for Children with Benign Rolandic Epilepsy

Summary: Methods: A multicenter, randomized, open‐label, observer‐blinded, parallel‐group clinical trial was conducted. TPM was introduced at a dose of 12.5 mg/day with the minimum target dose of 50 mg/day in patients <30 kg and 75 mg/day in patients >30 kg over 4 weeks. CBZ was started at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day with the minimum target dose of 20 mg/kg/day over 4 weeks. Additional individual escalation was allowed up to a maximum target dose. The primary study end point was change on a neuropsychological test battery after 28 weeks of treatment.
Tuberculosis in contacts need not indicate disease transmission

Background: Traditional contact investigation is an important tool for controlling tuberculosis. It may also help to indicate drug susceptibility patterns when Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures are not available. Such investigations often underestimate the degree of transmission found by genotyping, but overestimation may also occur. This report is the result of a routine successive DNA restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of M tuberculosis isolated in Norway. Method: Fifteen immigrants belonging to the same community were notified with tuberculosis during February to September 2003. The mycobacterial isolates were analysed by RFLP. Results: All 15 patients had social contact with each other and 13 belonged to the same church community. A total of 14 cultures were positive for M tuberculosis. Among these isolates, six different genotypes were found. Five patients had not acquired the infection from the putative source. Conclusions: Reactivation of tuberculosis may occur in contacts during the development of an outbreak. In such situations, traditional contact investigations may overestimate the rate of transmission found by genotyping of M tuberculosis. When cultures are unavailable and presumed drug susceptibility patterns are based on that of contacts, such overestimation may lead to incorrect treatment of a patient. Contact investigations must be combined with genotyping of M tuberculosis to conclude how tuberculosis is transmitted. This is especially important in persons with several risk factors for infection.
Effect of cooking on enrofloxacin residues in chicken tissue

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different cooking processes (microwaving, roasting, boiling, grilling and frying) on naturally incurred enrofloxacin residues in chicken muscle. Enrofloxacin and its metabolite, ciprofloxacin, were analysed using a validated LC–MS method with limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ), respectively, of 2 and 5 ng g−1 quinolones in muscle samples. The method was shown to be linear over the range 5–500 ng g−1. Mean intra-day relative standard deviation (RSD) at a concentration of 50 ng g−1 (n = 6) was 6%; inter-day RSD was 12%. A recovery study demonstrated that 65–101%, of the drug and metabolite could be recovered from the tissue. The RSD with naturally incurred roasted chicken breast was 9.18% at a concentration of 11 ± 1.01 ng g−1 (n = 6). In water, enrofloxacin remained stable for 3 h when heated at 100°C. It was concluded that residue data from raw tissue are valid for estimation of consumer exposure to this drug, as well as the ADI calculations because cooking procedures did not affect enrofloxacin residues, which remained stable during heating. However, there was an apparent decrease in quinolone concentration in tissue because some was lost by exudation into the liquid used for cooking. Conversely, for a cooking procedure with water loss, there was an apparent increase in residue concentration.