Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of Babesia bovis merozoite antigens separated by continuous-flow electrophoresis that stimulate proliferation of helper T-cell clones derived from B. bovis-immune cattle

To characterize Babesia bovis merozoite antigens that stimulate anamnestic T helper (Th)-cell responses from B. bovis-immune cattle, B. bovis-specific Th-cell lines and clones, previously assigned to different antigenic groups (W. C. Brown, S. Zhao, A. C. Rice-Ficht, K. S. Logan, and V. M. Woods, Infect. Immun. 60:4364-4372, 1992), were tested in proliferation assays against fractionated merozoite antigens. The antigenic groups were determined by the patterns of response of Th clones to different parasite isolates and soluble or membrane forms of merozoite antigen. Soluble antigen fractionated by anion-exchange chromatography or gel filtration by using fast-performance liquid chromatography resolved two or three antigenic peaks, respectively. To enable fractionation of membrane-associated proteins and to resolve more precisely the proteins present in homogenized merozoites, a novel technique of continuous-flow electrophoresis was employed. Merozoite membranes or whole merozoites were homogenized and solubilized in sodium dodecyl sulfate-sample buffer, electrophoresed under reducing conditions on 15% or 10% acrylamide gels, eluted, and collected as fractions. Individual fractions were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and tested for the ability to stimulate Babesia-specific CD4+ T-cell lines and clones. CD4+ Th-cell lines from two cattle displayed differential patterns of reactivity and detected numerous peaks of antigenic activity, ranging from < 14 to 76 kDa. Th-cell clones previously categorized into different antigenic groups detected antigenic peaks unique for clones representative of a given group. Antigens of 29, 51 to 52, and 85 to 95 kDa (group I), 40 kDa (group III), 20 kDa (group IV), 58 to 60 kDa (group VI), and 38, 45, and 83 kDa (group VII) were identified in the stimulatory fractions. Immunization of rabbits with selected fractions produced a panel of antisera that reacted specifically on Western blots (immunoblots) with merozoite antigens of similar sizes, leading to the tentative identification of candidate antigens of B. bovis merozoites with molecular masses of 20, 40, 44, 51 to 52 or 95, and 58 to 60 kDa that stimulate proliferation of Th clones representative of five different antigenic groups. These antisera may be useful for isolating recombinant proteins that are immunogenic for Th cells of immune cattle and therefore potentially useful for vaccine development.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Versus Optimal Medical Therapy for Chronic Total Coronary Occlusion With Well‐Developed Collaterals

Background The impact of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on chronic total occlusion in patients with well‐developed collaterals is not clear. Methods and Results A total of 640 chronic total occlusion patients with collateral flow grade ≥2 were divided into 2 groups; chronic total occlusion patients either treated with PCI (the PCI group; n=305) or optimal medical therapy (the optimal medical therapy group; n=335). To adjust for potential confounders, a propensity score matching analysis was performed. Major clinical outcomes were compared between the 2 groups up to 5 years. In the entire population, the PCI group had a lower hazard of myocardial infarction (hazard ratio [HR], 0.177; P=0.039; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03–0.91) and the composite of total death or myocardial infarction (HR, 0.298; P=0.017; 95% CI, 0.11–0.80); however, it showed higher hazard of target lesion revascularization (HR, 3.942; P=0.003; 95% CI, 1.58–9.81) and target vessel revascularization (HR, 4.218; P=0.001; 95% CI, 1.85–9.60). After propensity score matching, a total of 158 matched pairs were generated. Although the PCI group showed a higher hazard of target lesion revascularization (HR, 2.868; P=0.027; 95% CI, 1.13–7.31) and target vessel revascularization (HR=2.62; P=0.022; 95% CI, 1.15–5.97), it still exhibited a lower incidence of the composite of total death or myocardial infarction (HR, 0.263; P=0.017; 95% CI, 0.087–0.790). The mean ejection fraction was improved from 47.8% to 51.6% (P<0.001) after PCI. Conclusions In our study, successful revascularization by PCI for chronic total occlusion lesions with well‐developed collaterals was associated with lower incidence of death and myocardial infarction, improved left ventricular function, but increased repeat revascularization rate.
The Halophyte Cakile maritima Reduces Phenanthrene Phytotoxicity

In a previous study, we showed that the halophyte plant model Thellungiella salsuginea was more tolerant to phenanthrene (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon: PAH) than its relative glycophyte Arabidopsis thaliana. In the present work, we investigated the potential of another halophyte with higher biomass production, Cakile maritma, to reduce phenanthrene phytotoxicity. Sand was used instead of arable soil with the aim to avoid pollutant degradation by microorganisms or their interaction with the plant. After 6 weeks of treatment by 500 ppm phenanthrene (Phe), stressed plants showed a severe reduction (–73%) in their whole biomass, roots being more affected than leaves and stems. In parallel, Guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) activity was increased by 185 and 62% in leaves and roots, respectively. Non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (assayed by ABTS test) was maintained unchanged in all plant organs. The model halophytic plant Thellungiella salsuginea was used as a biomarker of phenanthrene stress severity and was grown at 0 (control), 125, 250, and 375 ppm. T. salsuginea plants grown on the sand previously contaminated by 500 ppm Phe then treated by C. maritma culture (phytoremediation culture) showed similar biomass production as plants subjected to 125 ppm Phe. This suggests that the phytotoxic effects of phenanthrene were reduced by 75% by the 6-week treatment by C. maritima. Our findings indicate that C. maritima can constitute a potentially good candidate for PAH phytoremediation.
Discovery of a Novel l-Lyxonate Degradation Pathway in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

The l-lyxonate dehydratase (LyxD) in vitro enzymatic activity and in vivo metabolic function were assigned to members of an isofunctional family within the mandelate racemase (MR) subgroup of the enolase superfamily. This study combined in vitro and in vivo data to confirm that the dehydration of l-lyxonate is the biological role of the members of this family. In vitro kinetic experiments revealed catalytic efficiencies of ∼104 M–1 s–1 as previously observed for members of other families in the MR subgroup. Growth studies revealed that l-lyxonate is a carbon source for Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1; transcriptomics using qRT-PCR established that the gene encoding LyxD as well as several other conserved proximal genes were upregulated in cells grown on l-lyxonate. The proximal genes were shown to be involved in a pathway for the degradation of l-lyxonate, in which the first step is dehydration by LyxD followed by dehydration of the 2-keto-3-deoxy-l-lyxonate product by 2-keto-3-deoxy-l-lyxonate dehydratase to yield α-ketoglutarate semialdehyde. In the final step, α-ketoglutarate semialdehyde is oxidized by a dehydrogenase to α-ketoglutarate, an intermediate in the citric acid cycle. An X-ray structure for the LyxD from Labrenzia aggregata IAM 12614 with Mg2+ in the active site was determined that confirmed the expectation based on sequence alignments that LyxDs possess a conserved catalytic His-Asp dyad at the end of seventh and sixth β-strands of the (β/α)7β-barrel domain as well as a conserved KxR motif at the end of second β-strand; substitutions for His 316 or Arg 179 inactivated the enzyme. This is the first example of both the LyxD function in the enolase superfamily and a pathway for the catabolism of l-lyxonate.
Impaired endothelial function in lone atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND/AIM Impaired endothelial function has been previously documented in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and underlying comorbidities or older patients with idiopathic AF. The aim of this study was to evaluate systemic endothelial function in younger AF patients (less than < 60 years old) with lone AF (that is, without associated cardiopulmonary comorbidities, including arterial hypertension), by comparing brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in lone AF patients with FMD of healthy subjects in sinus rhythm. METHODS Two groups of participants were prospectively enrolled. The first group comprised of 38 AF patients (the mean age 45 +/- 11 years, 68% male) with persistent (> 7 days) lone AF. The second group comprised of 28 healthy controls in sinus rhythm (the mean age 43 +/- 13, 53% male), matched by age, gender and atherosclerotic risk factors. All the participants underwent physical examination, laboratory analysis [including determination of C-reactive protein (CRP)], standard echocardiography and exercise-stress testing. Brachial artery FMD and endothelium independent dilation (NMD) were assessed with a high-resolution ultrasound probe and arterial diameters taken from 5 consecutive cardiac cycles were averaged for each measurement to accommodate to beat-to-beat flow variations in AF. RESULTS There were no differences between the 2 groups regarding age, gender and most clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic characteristics (all p > 0.05), apart from the increased heart rate (p = 0.018), body mass index (p = 0.027), CRP levels (p = 0.007) and left atrial anteroposterior dimension (p < 0.001) in AF patients. FMD of AF patients [median value 5.0%, interquartile range (IQR) 2.87%-7.50%] was significantly lower (p < 0.001) than FMD of healthy controls (median value 8.85%, IQR 5.80%-12.50%), whereas there were no differences in median NMD values (p > 0.05). In the multivariate analysis, the independent FMD determinants in our study population were the presence of AF, smoking and total cholesterol levels (all p < 0.001). In patients with AF, the strongest independent FMD determinant was arrhythmia duration (p < 0.001), followed by smoking (p = 0.013) and total cholesterol levels (p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS Our findings confirm that sustained AF is associated with systemic endothelial dysfunction even in relatively young patients with no cardiovascular disorders or risk factors. AF is an independent contributor to lower FMD and a prolonged arrhythmia duration may confer the risk for more profound endothelial damage.
Expression of Podoplanin in Epithelial Ovarian Carcinomas and its Potential as a Marker for Clear Cell Adenocarcinoma

Podoplanin is a 43-kd mucin-type transmembrane glycoprotein that is a candidate marker for the pathologic diagnosis of mesothelioma and lymphatic endothelial cells and lymphangiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate podoplanin expression in epithelial ovarian carcinomas. Immunohistochemistry was performed on the paraffin-embedded tissues from 78 patients with epithelial ovarian carcinomas consisting of serous adenocarcinoma (SA), endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EM), mucinous adenocarcinoma (MA), and clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCC) cases. Only 36.8% (7/19) of SA, 33.3% (6/18) of EM, and 15.8% (3/19) of MA cases were positive for podoplanin expression, whereas 54.5% (12/22) of CCC samples were positive. Immunohistochemical scores (mean±SD) were 1.2±1.5, 1.9±2.6, 0.8±1.6 and, 3.6±4.0 in SA, EM, MA, and CCC, respectively. Podoplanin expression was significantly stronger in CCC than in other histologic types. However, no significant correlation was observed between its expression and FIGO stage, the presence of endometriosis, lymph node metastasis, or recurrence. There was also no correlation between podoplanin expression and overall survival. We confirmed the expression of podoplanin in epithelial ovarian carcinomas, particularly in CCC. Podoplanin might have utility as a marker for CCC in pathologic diagnosis. Further investigation is needed to clarify the relationship between podoplanin expression and the biologic characteristics of CCC.
Effects of the Combination of β-Hydroxy-β-Methyl Butyrate and R(+) Lipoic Acid in a Cellular Model of Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia is a clinical problem associated with several pathological and non-pathological conditions. The aim of the present research is the evaluation of the pharmacological profile of the leucine metabolite β-hydroxy-β-methyl butyrate (HMB) associated with the natural R(+) stereoisomer of lipoic acid (R(+)LA) in a cellular model of muscle wasting. The C2C12 cell line is used as myoblasts or is differentiated in myotubes, sarcopenia is induced by dexamethasone (DEX). A Bonferroni significant difference procedure is used for a post hoc comparison. DEX toxicity (0.01–300 µM concentration range) is evaluated in myoblasts to measure cell viability and caspase 3 activation after 24 h and 48 h; cell incubation with 1 µM DEX for 48 h is chosen as optimal treatment for decreasing cell viability and increasing caspase 3 activity. R(+)LA or HMB significantly prevents DEX-induced cell mortality; the efficacy is improved when 100 µM R(+)LA is combined with 1 mM HMB. Regarding myoblasts, this combination significantly reduces DEX-evoked O2− production and protein oxidative damage. During the early phase of myotube formation, the mixture preserves the number of myogenin-positive cells, whereas it completely prevents the DEX-dependent damage in a later phase of myotube differentiation (7 days), as evaluated by cell diameter and percentage of multinucleated cells. R(+)LA in association with HMB is suggested for sarcopenia therapy.
Understanding medication adherence among patients of Turkish descent with type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study

Objectives. To explore perspectives of Turkish migrants with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on adherence to oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHA). Design. In-depth interviews with 21 T2DM patients of Turkish descent recruited from primary care and community sources in Ghent, Belgium, using a theoretical sampling procedure. Analysis was guided by a grounded theory approach, using Nvivo 8. Results. Respondents reported a multitude of barriers and facilitators of adherence to OHA. Some of these barriers are distinctive for T2DM patients of Turkish descent. Respondents' causal beliefs about stress and the Belgian climate often led to non-adherence during less stressful periods, like summer holidays in Turkey. Some respondents adjusted their medication use to food intake or during Ramadan fasting. Concerns about OHA were the main reason for the widespread use of herbal medicine in this sample. The religious framework used to interpret diabetes led, in combination with feelings of depression, to non-adherence in some respondents while it facilitated medication adherence in others. A potential gender effect with respect to the self-management of OHA was observed. Non-distinctive factors include: beliefs about OHA, polypharmacy, beliefs about the course of diabetes, forgetfulness, the perception of the doctor's medical expertise, feelings of depression and social support. Conclusion. Health care providers should explore in detail and regularly patients' perspectives on illness beliefs, medication beliefs and their trust in doctors' medical expertise as this will provide useful starting points for promoting medication adherence. Whenever possible health care workers should engage with their patients in therapeutic alliances.
Correlation between Religious Attitude and Resiliency of Women under Domestic Violence.

The most common type of violence against women is domestic violence so that it is considered as a general health crisis. Resilience is a self-healing method featured with positive emotional outcomes. Religious attitudes are of the probable grounds of development of resilience techniques among women who have been victim of domestic violence. The present study is aimed at determining correlation between religious attitudes and resilience among women with domestic violence. The present study is a descriptive correlative research. Selected Health centers in east and north districts of Tehran affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Data gathering tools were a demographic information questionnaire, Connor-Davidson's Resilience scale, and Serajzadeh's "Muslim Religiosity questionnaire". We used Pearson correlation test to indicate the presence of correlation between resiliency and religious attitudes. Data analyses were performed in SPSS 16. Mean and standard deviation of religious attitudes and resilience among the women with domestic violence were 76.41±9.96, 68.46±15.68 respectively. The results showed that there was correlation between religious attitude and resilience among women who have been subject to domestic violence. (P<0.001, r=0.24). Women under domestic violence had stronger religions attitudes and higher resilience strength. It appears that resilience among women subject to domestic violence and the effective factors on resilience and religious attitudes in particular (given the role of religion in Iranians' lives) deserve special attention.
Epidemiology of Anesthesia-Related Complications in Labor and Delivery, New York State, 2002-2005

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic data on anesthesia-related complications occurring during labor and delivery are essential for measuring and evaluating the safety and quality of obstetric anesthesia care but are lacking. We aimed to fill this research gap by exploring the epidemiologic patterns and risk factors of anesthesia-related complications in a large sample of women giving birth in New York hospitals. METHODS: Using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases files, we identified all discharge records for labor and delivery from New York hospitals between 2002 and 2005. We then identified women who experienced any recorded anesthesia-related complication during labor and delivery as determined by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. The incidence of anesthesia-related complications was calculated by demographic and clinical characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess risk factors of anesthesia-related complications. RESULTS: Of the 957,471 deliveries studied, 4438 (0.46%) had at least one anesthesia-related complication. The majority (55%) of anesthesia-related events occurring during labor and delivery were spinal complications, followed by systemic complications (43%) and overdose or adverse effects (2%). Multivariate logistic regression revealed five risk factors of anesthesia-related complications: cesarean delivery (odds ratio [OR] 2.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.36-2.68), rural area (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.21-1.46), Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity Index ≥1 (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.28-1.69), Caucasian race (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.24-1.52), and scheduled admission (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.03-1.18). Anesthesia-related complications were associated with about a one-day increase in the average length of stay (3.89 ± 3.69 [mean ± sd] days vs 2.92 ± 2.38 days for deliveries without anesthesia-related complications, P < 0.0001) and a 22-fold increased risk of maternal mortality (OR 22.26, 95% CI 11.20-44.24). CONCLUSION: The incidence of anesthesia-related complications during labor and delivery seems to be low but remains a cause of concern, particularly in women undergoing cesarean delivery, living in rural areas, or having preexisting medical conditions.
Seasonal migration of the starry smooth-hound shark Mustelus asterias as revealed from tag-recapture data of an angler-led tagging programme.

The primary aim of this long-term angler-led tagging programme was to gain information about seasonal changes in distribution of the starry smooth-hound shark Mustelus asterias, along the Dutch coast for management and conservation purposes. Between 2011 and 2014, M. asterias comprised 92·6% (n = 2418) of the total elasmobranch catch (n = 2612) by the licenced group of taggers within the Dutch Delta of which 2244 M. asterias were fin-tagged with plastic rototags. Sex and total length (LT ) composition inside the eastern tidal basin (Oosterschelde) were significantly different, i.e. more females and larger individuals, than outside indicating a pupping ground, which was confirmed by the capture of 30 newborn pups (≤32 cm). The distribution pattern of reported recaptured M. asterias (return-rate 3·6%, n = 80) showed a circannual migration between summering in the southern North Sea and wintering in the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay, and suggests that M. asterias is philopatric. The Dutch angling season for M. asterias runs from approximately mid-May to mid-October when the water temperature is above 13° C. Recaptures of eight mature females, but no males in the Bay of Biscay, indicate partial spatial segregation by sex, where mature females migrate over larger distances than immature females and males. These observations, with the absence of recaptures in other known summering areas (i.e. the Irish Sea and Bristol Channel), suggest that the southern North Sea is used by a separate population. Implications for management and recommendations to improve and expand the study approach are discussed.
The effects of a diet enriched with α-lactalbumin on mood and cortisol response in unmedicated recovered depressed subjects and controls

α-Lactalbumin is a tryptophan-rich protein fraction. A diet enriched with α-lactalbumin increases the ratio of tryptophan to the other large neutral amino acids, which may in turn increase brain serotonin content. In stress-vulnerable individuals, α-lactalbumin improved mood and attenuated the cortisol response after experimental stress. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of an α-lactalbumin-enriched diet on mood and stress response in recovered depressed subjects and healthy controls. Forty-three subjects (twenty-three recovered depressed and twenty healthy subjects) received α-lactalbumin and casein (placebo) on separate days, in a double-blind randomised crossover design. On both occasions, subjects underwent a stress test (an unsolvable mental arithmetic task with loud noise). The stress test affected mood in both conditions. Although the α-lactalbumin diet led to the expected rises in tryptophan and tryptophan:large neutral amino acids ratio, only minimal effects were found on mood and cortisol response to experimental stress. The results were the same for recovered depressed patients and controls. A 1 d diet enriched with α-lactalbumin is not sufficient to prevent a stress-induced mood deterioration or a cortisol response in unmedicated, recovered depressed subjects. Future studies may investigate the effects of longer-term diets or may investigate different samples (e.g. medicated patients).