Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advances in Brief Predominant Expression of Alternative PAX 3 and PAX 7 Forms in Myogenic and Neural Tumor Cell Lines 1

PAX3 and PAX7 are closely related paired box family members expressed during early neural and myogenic development. Assay of PAX3 and PAX7 mRNA expression in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, and melanoma cell lines revealed tumorspecific expression patterns similar to the corresponding embryonic lineages. Although the mammalianPAX3 and PAX7 genes were reported to contain eight exons, we found that the predominant PAX3 and PAX7 transcripts in these tumor lines contain previously uncharacterized ninth exons. These splicing events alter the COOH-terminal coding regions of the encoded products but do not alter the transcriptional activity as assayed using a reporter gene with a model PAX3/PAX7 binding site. However, the findings of nearly identical COOH-terminal regions within the corresponding genes of the avian and fish genomes suggest conserved functional roles for these regions that require further investigation.
Do the mobile-rich get richer? Internet use, travelling and social differentiations in Finland

This article investigates the daily travelling practices that are related to mobile-only, fixed-only and combined mobile/fixed use of the Internet, and the social differentiations that are related to these three ways of accessing the Internet. Survey data (N = 612) collected from Finland in 2011 are analysed. The article shows that mobile-only Internet use is not associated with particularly diverse or frequent daily travelling practices, whereas combined mobile/fixed use is. Mobile-only Internet users are, in fact, in a relatively disadvantaged position – compared with other users, they are more typically unemployed and their household income is lower. The mobility of Internet access as such does not guarantee a safe social position in society. Mobile Internet use must be complemented with fixed use, which brings about more versatile and frequent travelling. The finding suggests that the ‘mobile-rich get richer’ when it comes to Internet use and daily travelling practices.
A note on father absence and masculine development in lower-class Negro and white boys.

The relation of father absence and sociocultural background to masculine development was explored. Subjects were 6-year-old lower-class Negro and white boys. In terms of projective sex-role orientation (Brown's IT scale), white father-present boys were the most masculine; there was no significant difference between white father-absent and Negro father-present boys; and the Negro father-absent boys were the least masculine. No significant differences relating to either direct sex-role preference or teacher's ratings of masculinity on a multidimensional scale were found. The results suggested that underlying sex-role orientation is more influenced by father availability and family background than are more manifest aspects of masculinity.
Sectioning the medial patellofemoral ligament alters patellofemoral joint kinematics and contact mechanics

Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) disruption may alter patellofemoral joint (PFJ) kinematics and contact mechanics, potentially causing pain and joint degeneration. In this controlled laboratory study, we investigated the hypothesis that MPFL transection would change patellar tracking and PFJ contact pressures and increase the distance between the attachment points of the MPFL. Eight fresh frozen dissected cadaveric knees were mounted in a rig with the quadriceps and ITB loaded to 205 N. An optical tracking system measured joint kinematics, and pressure sensitive film between the patella and trochlea measured PFJ contact pressures. Length patterns of the distance between the femoral and patellar attachments of the MPFL were measured using a suture led to a linear displacement transducer. Measurements were repeated with the MPFL intact and following MPFL transection. A significant increase in the distance between the patellar and femoral MPFL attachment points was noted following transection (p < 0.05). MPFL transection resulted in significantly increased lateral translation and lateral tilt of the patella in early flexion (p < 0.05). Peak and mean medial PFJ contact pressures were significantly reduced and peak lateral contact pressures significantly elevated in early knee flexion following MPFL transection (p < 0.05). MPFL transection resulted in significant alterations to PFJ tracking and contact pressures, which may affect articular cartilage health. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1423–1429, 2013
Effect of Low‐, Moderate‐, and High‐Fat Meals on Raltegravir Pharmacokinetics

A the worldwide percentage of individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) has stabilized since 2000, the absolute number of people infected with HIV globally has increased because of an ongoing high level of new infections each year and the life-saving benefits of more widely available antiviral therapy. New antiviral agents have played a critical role in expanding treatment options for patients with extensive treatment experience and high levels of drug experience as well as those undergoing initial therapy. Raltegravir (Isentress; formerly known as MK-0518) is an agent in a new class of antiretroviral drugs, the HIV integrase inhibitors, which block the strand transfer step of the integration process. Raltegravir has potent in vitro activity, blocking HIV replication with a 95% inhibitory concentration (IC95) of 31 nM in 50% normal human serum. In placebo-controlled trials of viremic patients, raltegravir administered twice daily has been shown to be efficacious in reducing HIV viral load to undetectable levels in both treatment-naïve patients and heavily treated, multidrug-resistant patients. The current dose and schedule of raltegravir is 400 mg administered by mouth twice daily without regard to food. Because the nutritional content of different meals when administered with drugs has the potential to significantly influence the pharmacokinetics of drugs, understanding potential food–drug interactions is important. Meals that are high in total calories and fat content are more likely to influence gastrointestinal physiology and may, therefore, result in a greater effect on drug bioavailability. An initial study of raltegravir with food indicated that a high-fat meal may affect the pharmacokinetic profile of raltegravir without affecting overall exposure. This article describes a more detailed analysis of the effects of different meal types (low, moderate, and high fat content) on the plasma pharmacokinetic profile of raltegravir.
Human lung fibroblast-derived granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) mediates eosinophil survival in vitro.

Tissue eosinophilia has been reported to occur in pulmonary fibrosis, a disease characterized by chronic inflammation and lung fibroblast proliferation. We have examined the in vitro interaction of these two cell types by determining the in vitro survival of human peripheral blood eosinophils co-cultured with human lung fibroblasts. Survival of eosinophils cultured alone was 10% at day 3 and less than 1% at day 7. In contrast, survival of eosinophils that had been co-cultured with fibroblasts was 98, 90, 73, and 69% at days 3, 7, 10, and 14, respectively. Fibroblast-conditioned medium (CM) elicited a similar result in a dose-dependent fashion. Survival of eosinophils cultured with CM which had been preincubated with a monoclonal-neutralizing antibody to human GM-CSF was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Human recombinant-derived GM-CSF supported eosinophil survival in the dose-dependent fashion. Survival at day 7 of eosinophils treated with one single dose of GM-CSF (10 U/ml) was 64%. The effect of fibroblast-CM on eosinophils likely represents true survival since eosinophil proliferation as determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation did not occur. We also report that freshly isolated eosinophils had normal ultrastructural, scanning and transmission electron microscopy characteristics, and were normodense. In contrast, eosinophils co-cultured for 7 days with fibroblasts acquired irregular shapes and became hypodense and partially degranulated. Thus, our results indicate that human lung fibroblast-derived GM-CSF mediates the in vitro survival of human eosinophils. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
T‐cell flow‐cytometry crossmatch and long‐term renal graft survival

Abstract: Flow cytometry crossmatch (FCXM) is a more sensitive technique than classical complement‐dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) for the detection of donor‐directed antibody before renal transplantation. Nevertheless, the role of FCXM in predicting long‐term survival of kidney grafts is still unclear. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the impact of a positive T‐cell FCXM (T‐FCXM) on long‐term kidney allografts outcome. Of the 184 consecutive kidney transplantations performed in our center between 1 January1991 and 15 November 1996 a FCXM, performed concurrently to the pre‐transplant CDCXM, was available for 170 patients. The CDCXM was negative in all recipients. Among these recipients, 12 (7.1%) had a positive T‐FCXM. These patients were not different from patients with a negative T‐FCXM for donor and recipient age, sex, frequency of second transplantation, number of human leukocyte antigen matches or mismatches. Frequency of immunized patients was higher in kidney recipients with a positive FCXM (58.3% vs. 24.7%; p = 0.02, chi‐square test). Survival analysis revealed that kidney graft outcome was better in negative T‐FCXM recipients (p = 0.03), while patient survival was not statistically different. Our results suggest that a positive pre‐transplant T‐FCXM despite a negative CDCXM is associated with an impaired long‐term graft survival in renal allotransplantation.
Inducible expression of 15-lipoxygenase-2 and 8-lipoxygenase inhibits cell growth via common signaling pathways Published, JLR Papers in Press, December 11, 2006.

Human 15-lipoxygenase (LOX)-2 and mouse 8-LOX represent orthologous members of the LOX family but display different positional specificities and tissue distribution. To study the functional role of 15-LOX-2 and 8-LOX in keratinocytes, an inducible Tet-On gene expression system was established in the premalignant mouse keratinocyte cell line 308. Doxycycline (dox)-induced expression of enzymatically active 15-LOX-2 and 8-LOX led to an inhibition of cell growth that was associated with an inhibition of DNA synthesis, as shown by a 15–46% reduction of 5-bromo-2-deoxy-uridine (BrdU) incorporation. The inhibitory effects were increased in the presence of exogenous arachidonic acid. In contrast, addition of linoleic acid or the LOX inhibitor baicalein reversed the growth-inhibitory effects. Treatment of the cells with 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) or 8-HETE resulted in a similar inhibition of BrdU incorporation, whereas 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (HODE) and 9-HODE, in contrast, had no effects. Dox-induced keratinocytes showed increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine and a specific inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, but not of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 or c-Jun N-terminal kinase/stress-activated kinases, completely abolished the LOX-induced growth inhibition, indicating a critical role of ROS and p38. Our data suggest that 15-LOX-2 and 8-LOX, although displaying different positional specificity, may use common signaling pathways to induce growth inhibition in premalignant epithelial cells.
Explaining the decline in coronary heart disease mortality rates in the Slovak Republic between 1993-2008

Objective Between the years 1993 and 2008, mortality rates from coronary heart disease (CHD) in the Slovak Republic have decreased by almost one quarter. However, this was a smaller decline than in neighbouring countries. The aim of this modelling study was therefore to quantify the contributions of risk factor changes and the use of evidence-based medical therapies to the CHD mortality decline between 1993 and 2008. Methods We identified, obtained and scrutinised the data required for the model. These data detailed trends in the major population cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, blood pressure, total cholesterol, diabetes prevalence, body mass index (BMI) and physical activity levels), and also the uptake of all standard CHD treatments. The main data sources were official statistics (National Health Information Centre and Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic) and national representative studies (AUDIT, SLOVAKS, SLOVASeZ, CINDI, EHES, EHIS). The previously validated IMPACT policy model was then used to combine and integrate these data with effect sizes from published meta-analyses quantifying the effectiveness of specific evidence-based treatments, and population-wide changes in cardiovascular risk factors. Results were expressed as deaths prevented or postponed (DPPs) attributable to risk factor changes or treatments. Uncertainties were explored using sensitivity analyses. Results Between 1993 and 2008 age-adjusted CHD mortality rates in the Slovak Republic (SR) decreased by 23% in men and 26% in women aged 25–74 years. This represented some 1820 fewer CHD deaths in 2008 than expected if mortality rates had not fallen. The IMPACT model explained 91% of this mortality decline. Approximately 50% of the decline was attributable to changes in acute phase and secondary prevention treatments, particularly acute and chronic treatments for heart failure (≈12%), acute coronary syndrome treatments (≈9%) and secondary prevention following AMI and revascularisation (≈8%). Changes in CHD risk factors explained approximately 41% of the total mortality decrease, mainly reflecting reductions in total serum cholesterol. However, other risk factors demonstrated adverse trends and thus generated approximately 740 additional deaths. Conclusion Our analysis suggests that approximately half the CHD mortality fall recently observed in the SR may be attributable to the increased use of evidence-based treatments. However, the adverse trends observed in all the major cardiovascular risk factors (apart from total cholesterol) are deeply worrying. They highlight the need for more energetic population-wide prevention policies such as tobacco control, reducing salt and industrial trans fats content in processed food, clearer food labelling and regulated marketing of processed foods and sugary drinks.
Aquaporin-4 IgG autoimmune syndrome and immunoreactivity associated with thyroid cancer

Tumor cells can express so-called onconeural antigens, which are normally restricted to mature neurons and glial cells in the CNS.1 The detection of neural-reactive immunoglobulin G (IgG) aids the diagnosis of paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes (PNS)1; however, the diagnostic utility and potential pathogenicity of autoantibodies vary between neurologic diseases. By contrast, anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) IgG from patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a specific biomarker for NMOSD.2 AQP4 is the most abundant water channel in the CNS, particularly abundant on astrocytes, forming the glia limitans of the blood–brain barrier.3 There is compelling evidence that AQP4-IgG reactivity and pathogenicity is restricted to the CNS, probably through an impaired blood–brain barrier.2,3 The clinical features of NMOSD include inflammation of the optic nerve, spinal cord, and specific brain areas coinciding with sites of high AQP4 expression.2,3 Some cases of NMOSD thus far reported may reflect a paraneoplastic immune response.4
Five Arabidopsis Reticulon Isoforms Share Endoplasmic Reticulum Location, Topology, and Membrane-Shaping Properties[W]

This article describes the localization and organization of several members of a family of proteins known as the reticulons that reside in the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which is responsible for synthesizing proteins for export out of the cell. The reticulons reside in the ER membrane, interact with each other, and induce curvature to make these ER compartments tubular in structure. The cortical endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) epidermal cells is a network of tubules and cisternae undergoing dramatic rearrangements. Reticulons are integral membrane proteins involved in shaping ER tubules. Here, we characterized the localization, topology, effect, and interactions of five Arabidopsis thaliana reticulons (RTNs), isoforms 1-4 and 13, in the cortical ER. Our results indicate that RTNLB13 and RTNLB1-4 colocate to and constrict the tubular ER membrane. All five RTNs preferentially accumulate on ER tubules and are excluded from ER cisternae. All isoforms share the same transmembrane topology, with N and C termini facing the cytosol and four transmembrane domains. We show by Förster resonance energy transfer and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy that several RTNs have the capacity to interact with themselves and each other, and we suggest that oligomerization is responsible for their residence in the ER membrane. We also show that a complete reticulon homology domain is required for both RTN residence in high-curvature ER membranes and ER tubule constriction, yet it is not necessary for homotypic interactions.
Characterization of a New Antifungal Chitin-Binding Peptide from Sugar Beet Leaves

The intercellular washing fluid (IWF) from leaves of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) contains a number of proteins exhibiting in vitro antifungal activity against the devastating leaf pathogen Cercospora beticola (Sacc.). Among these, a potent antifungal peptide, designated IWF4, was identified. The 30-amino-acid residue sequence of IWF4 is rich in cysteines (6) and glycines (7) and has a highly basic isoelectric point. IWF4 shows homology to the chitin-binding (hevein) domain of chitin-binding proteins, e.g. class I and IV chitinases. Accordingly, IWF4 has a strong affinity to chitin. Notably, it binds chitin more strongly than the chitin-binding chitinases. A full-length IWF4 cDNA clone was obtained that codes for a preproprotein of 76 amino acids containing an N-terminal putative signal peptide of 21 residues, followed by the mature IWF4 peptide of 30 residues, and an acidic C-terminal extension of 25 residues. IWF4 mRNA is expressed in the aerial parts of the plant only, with a constitutive expression in young and mature leaves and in young flowers. No induced expression of IWF4 protein or mRNA was detected during infection with C. beticola or after treatment with 2,6-dichloroisonicotinic acid, a well-known inducer of resistance in plants.
Molecular Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Two Novel Brackish Water Hypotrich Ciliates, with the Establishment of a New Genus, Antiokeronopsis gen. n. (Ciliophora, Hypotrichia)

Two novel brackish water urostyloid ciliates, Anteholosticha paramanca sp. n. and Antiokeronopsis flava gen. n. , sp. n. , isolated from the Shenzhen Mangrove Nature Protection Area on the coast of the South China Sea, were investigated using live observation and protargol impregnation techniques. Anteholosticha paramanca sp. n. is characterized by its spherical yellowish cortical granules arranged in lines, shortened midventral complex and three transverse cirri. Morphogenesis is similar to that in Anteholosticha manca. The new genus Antiokeronopsis is diagnosed by having a continuous adoral zone of membranelles, frontal cirri arranged in a bicorona, midventral complex composed of midventral pairs only, one marginal cirral row on each side, the presence of frontoterminal and transverse cirri, and the lack of buccal and caudal cirri. The type species A. flava sp. n. is characterized by its elongated body shape, brown to yellowish body color and two types of cortical granules. Small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequence data justify the classification of both species. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that A. paramanca clusters with Bakuella subtropica within a clade that includes two other Anteholosticha species, while Antiokeronopsis groups within the core urostylids and is most closely related to the well‐known genera Pseudokeronopsis and Uroleptopsis.
Parasitaemia in Rabbit Bucks Experimentally Infected with Trypanosoma Brucei Brucei

This study was designed to determine the levels of parasitaemia on 20 healthy domesticated rabbit bucks infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei over a period of eight weeks. Ten out of the 20 bucks were infected with 1 ml of the parasite containing 1 X 10 6 trypanosomes and known as infected group A, while the remaining ten bucks were left uninfected as group B. The infected bucks were monitored for six weeks while the others served as control post infection. Parasitaemia was present at day six in the group A animals with mean values of 2.90±0.31, after which there were fluctuations in the levels of parasitaemia with the lowest level of parasitaemia at day 34 having mean values of 0.60±0.16 and peak parasitaemia reached at day 10 post infection having mean value of 3.00±0.33. The overall mean parasitaemia was 1.99 ± 0.25.
Adsorption of copper (Ii) and nickel (Ii) ions from metal solution using graft copolymer of cellulose extracted from the sisal fiber with acrylonitrile monomer

This study mainly concerns with the removal of heavy metal ions such as copper and nickel from aqueous solution with the prepared cellulose graft acrylonitrile as an adsorbent using adsorption process. The effect of pH, contact time, and initial adsorbent dosage on the metal ion adsorption capacity was investigated. The obtained results indicate that the adsorption amount of heavy metal ions increased with the increase of shaking time, adsorbent dose and pH of the media which revealed that the optimum pH and adsorbent dosage for both Cu(II) and Ni(II) was found to be pH 5 and 4 gm. The optimum contact time for copper and nickel metal ion was observed to be around 200 minutes and 240 minutes. The experimental results were examined using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms to obtain the appropriate model. The observed results indicate that the Freundlich equation was the best model for both Cu(II) ion and Ni(II). From the above results it was concluded that the cellulose graft acrylonitrile copolymer was found to be the efficient adsorbent for copper(II) and nickel (II) under optimum conditions.
Renal Effects of Cadmium Intake of a Japanese General Population in Two Areas Unpolluted by Cadmium

Abstract Renal effects of cadmium exposure (i.e., in food products) on people living in two areas unpolluted by cadmium in Japan were investigated. The population comprised 875 inhabitants (i.e., 346 males and 529 females) and 635 inhabitants (i.e., 222 males and 413 females), all of whom in each area were 50+ y of age. The authors used urinary cadmium concentration as an indicator of internal dose, and total urinary protein, β2-microglobulin, and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase were indicators of renal dysfunction. The authors used multiple-regression and logistic-regression analyses to study the relationship between urinary cadmium excretion and the above indicators of renal dysfunction. In the two geographic areas, both analyses revealed that urinary cadmium concentrations were associated significantly with indicators of renal dysfunction. The results suggest that renal dysfunction is related significantly with environmental cadmium exposure in areas of Japan that are not polluted by cadmium.