Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Platelet Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Complex Is lnvolved in the Adhesion of Activated Platelets to Leukocytes

Summary The adhesion of activated platelets to leukocytes (rosette formation) seems to be mediated by CD62 on platelets and its counterreceptor (CD 15 or a sialic acid-containing glycoprotein) on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL). However, neither treatment of platelets with an anti-CD62 antibody or fucoidan nor treatment of PMNL with anti-CD15 antibody or neuraminidase are able to inhibit completely the adhesion. Therefore, we have studied the platelet GPIIb/IIIa complex (CD41a) for its involvement in the adhesion of activated platelets to PMNL. The following evidences point to a participation of CD41a in the adhesion of activated platelets to leukocytes: a) inhibition of adhesion by monoclonal antibodies (mab) raised toward CD41a, b) inhibition of adhesion by peptides such as RGDS and echistatin, c) inhibition of adhesion by dissociation of the CD41a complex with EGTA, and d) inhibition of rosette formation using platelets from a thrombasthenic patient which have almost no CD41a in the surface membrane but a normal expression of CD62. It is likely that fibrinogen is involved in the adhesion of platelets to PMNL via CD41a, since fibrinogen increases the rosette formation of ADP-stimulated platelets. Furthermore, the incubation of unstimulated platelets with fibrinogen and an antibody raised against glycoprotein III a which stimulates fibrinogen binding to the platelet surface results in an enlarged rosette formation.
Protein fractionation and amino acid composition of some new germplasm of chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L . )

Ten germplasm of Desi and Kabuli chickpea namely BGM-568, JKG-5303, KKG-306, BG-2083, JSC-61, NDG-5-21, Udai, NDG-54, KWR108, and BG-256 were collected from department of GPB of this university and taken in present research work. After harvesting the seeds of all the germplasm were collected separately and used for analysis of some physical, protein fractionation and amino acid composition. The number of pods per plant was higher in NDG-5-21(57.33) followed by Udai (55.00) and BG-256 (43.00). Minimum numbers of pods per plant were noticed in the germplasm BGM568 (29.00). Maximum 1000seed weight was recorded in the germplasm BG-2083 (34.22g) followed by JSC-61 (33.19g) and KKG-306 (32.25g). Lowest 1000-seed weight was observed in the germplasm NDG-5-21 (17.65g). The sulphur containing amino acids namely Cysteine and Cystine were reported highest in the germplasm of Udai (1.54g/16gN) followed by KKG-306 (1.52g/16gN) and NDG-5-21 (1.50g/16gN). Minimum Cysteine content was noticed in the germplasm JKG-5303 and NDG-54 (1.31g/16gN). Maximum Cystine content was recorded in the germplasm Udai (0.67g/16gN) followed by NDG5-21 (0.65g/16gN) and KKG-306 (0.61g/16gN). Minimum Cystine content was observed in the germplasm JKG-5303 and NDG-54 (0.42g/16gN). Tryptophan and lysine content were noticed between 0.51-0.63g/16gN and 5.19-5.95 g/16gN respectively. Protein fractionationsoluble, albumin and globulin protein content were noticed in table 2, 3 and 4. On the basis of overall observation it can be concluded that germplasm NDG-5-21, BG-2083, and Udai, were rated superior as compared to other germplasm regarding physical, protein fractionation, amino acid, and sulphur containing amino acid quality parameters of Desi and Kabuli chickpea.
Self-consistent electron counting statistics

We develop a self-consistent version of perturbation theory in Liouville space which seeks to combine the advantages of master equation approaches in quantum transport with the nonperturbative features that a self-consistent treatment brings. We describe how counting fields may be included in a self-consistent manner in this formalism such that the full counting statistics can be calculated. Non-Markovian effects are also incorporated. Several different self-consistent approximations are introduced and we discuss their relative strengths with a simple example.
Association of SP-C gene codon 186 polymorphism (rs1124) and risk of RDS

Abstract Background: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a severe pulmonary disease that mainly affects preterm neonates. Surfactant-protein genes’ polymorphisms have been mostly evaluated as the candidate contributors in genetics of RDS. However, the results are diverse in different populations. We aimed at investigating the association of rs1124 with RDS development. Method: Three hundred and thirty five preterm neonates were enrolled in a multicenter case-control study. Respiratory distress (RD) was scored according to Downes' scoring system. Genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP method. Result: One hundred and sixty six neonates showed RDS and 169 did not. Gestational age (GA) was significantly lower in RDS group compared to the controls. In female preterm newborns, AA genotype was found more frequently in RDS group. In RDS group, AA genotype was also associated with milder RD irrespective of gender. In neonates who were born 28–34 weeks, RD appeared to be more severe in the RDS group and males. Conclusions: This is the first report of association of SFTPC rs1124 polymorphism with RDS development in Iranian newborns. The current study suggests that GA <28-weeks is the most important factor in predisposition to RDS. AA genotype is also, a predisposing factor for the development of RDS in female preterm infants.
Dose-dense adjuvant Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide is not associated with frequent short-term changes in left ventricular ejection fraction.

PURPOSE Doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) every 3 weeks has been associated with frequent asymptomatic declines in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Dose-dense (dd) AC followed by paclitaxel (P) is superior to the same regimen given every third week. Herein, we report the early cardiac safety of three sequential studies of ddAC alone or with bevacizumab (B). PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with HER2-positive breast cancer were treated on two trials: ddAC followed by P and trastuzumab (T) and ddAC followed by PT and lapatinib. Patients with HER2-normal breast cancer were treated with B and ddAC followed by B and nanoparticle albumin-bound P. Prospective LVEF measurement by multigated radionuclide angiography scan before and after every 2 week AC for 4 cycles and at month 6 from all three trials were aggregated to determine the early risks of cardiac dysfunction. RESULTS From January 2005 to May 2008, 245 patients were enrolled. The median age was 47 years (range, 27 to 75 years). Median LVEF pre-ddAC was 68% (range, 52% to 82%). LVEF post-ddAC was available in 241 patients (98%) and the median was unchanged at 68% (range, 47% to 81%). Per protocol no patients were ineligible for subsequent targeted biologic therapy based on LVEF decline post-ddAC. In addition, LVEF was available in 222 patients (92%) at 6 months, at which time the median LVEF was similar at 65% (range, 24% to 80%). Within 6 months of initiating chemotherapy, three patients (1.2%; 95% CI, 0.25% to 3.54%) developed CHF, all of whom received T. CONCLUSION Dose-dense AC with or without concurrent bevacizumab is not associated with frequent acute or short-term declines in LVEF.
Macroscopic and microscopic findings in avascular necrosis of the femoral head

The avascular necrosis of the femoral head is an illness induced by the cutoff of blood flow to the femoral head and it affects mostly young adults between the ages of 30 and 50 years, raising therapeutic and diagnostic issues. Many risk factors are incriminated in the development of avascular necrosis of the femoral head like: trauma, chronic alcohol consumption, smoking, administration of corticosteroid drugs, most of the cases are considered to be idiopathic. The main goal of our paper is to describe the macroscopic and microscopic variations of the bone structure, which occur in patients with avascular necrosis of the femoral head. Materials and Methods: The biological material needed for our study was obtained following hip arthroplasty surgery in 26 patients between the ages of 29 and 59 years, which previously were diagnosed with avascular necrosis of the femoral head and admitted in the Orthopedics Department of the Emergency County Hospital of Craiova (Romania) between 2010 and 2011. From a macroscopic point of view, we found well defined areas of necrosis, most of which were neatly demarcated of the adjacent viable tissue by hyperemic areas, loss of shape and contour of the femoral head and transformations of the articular cartilage above the area of necrosis. When examined under the microscope, we found vast areas of fibrosis, narrow bone trabeculae, obstructed blood vessels or blood vessels with clots inside, hypertrophic fat cells, bone sequestration but also small cells and pyknotic nuclei. The microscopic and macroscopic findings on the femoral head sections varied with the patients and the stage of the disease.
Fractionation of Rat Alveolar Macrophages by Isopycnic Centrifugation: Morphological, Cytochemical, Biochemical, and Functional Properties

Studies on alveolar macrophages have usually been performed on a single cell suspension obtained by lung lavage. However, recent evidence on the diversity of functions of the alveolar macrophage suggests that the macrophage is not a single population, but one composed of several subpopulations of macrophages. One approach toward determining if alveolar macrophages are heterogeneous would be to separate subpopulations based on density. To accomplish this, we developed a continuous gradient of iso‐osmotic colloidal silica (Percoll) that separated alveolar macrophages from Fischer 344 rats into 18 density‐defined subpopulations. The density‐defined alveolar macrophage subpopulations were then characterized and were shown to be significantly different based on morphological, cytochemical, biochemical, and functional analysis. The results of this study suggest that alveolar macrophages are heterogeneous and that a continuous iso‐osmotic gradient of colloidal silica is an efficient and reproducible method for separating subpopulations.
Impact of Environmental Factors on Bacteriocin Promoter Activity in Gut-Derived Lactobacillus salivarius

ABSTRACT Bacteriocin production is regarded as a desirable probiotic trait that aids in colonization and persistence in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Strains of Lactobacillus salivarius, a species associated with the GIT, are regarded as promising probiotic candidates and have a number of associated bacteriocins documented to date. These include multiple class IIb bacteriocins (salivaricin T, salivaricin P, and ABP-118) and the class IId bacteriocin bactofencin A, which show activity against medically important pathogens. However, the production of a bacteriocin in laboratory media does not ensure production under stressful environmental conditions, such as those encountered within the GIT. To allow this issue to be addressed, the promoter regions located upstream of the structural genes encoding the L. salivarius bacteriocins mentioned above were fused to a number of reporter proteins (green fluorescent protein [GFP], red fluorescent protein [RFP], and luciferase [Lux]). Of these, only transcriptional fusions to GFP generated signals of sufficient strength to enable the study of promoter activity in L. salivarius. While analysis of the class IIb bacteriocin promoter regions indicated relatively weak GFP expression, assessment of the promoter of the antistaphylococcal bacteriocin bactofencin A revealed a strong promoter that is most active in the absence of the antimicrobial peptide and is positively induced in the presence of mild environmental stresses, including simulated gastric fluid. Taken together, these data provide information on factors that influence bacteriocin production, which will assist in the development of strategies to optimize in vivo and in vitro production of these antimicrobials.
Frataxin-mediated Iron Delivery to Ferrochelatase in the Final Step of Heme Biosynthesis*

Human ferrochelatase, a mitochondrial membrane-associated protein, catalyzes the terminal step of heme biosynthesis by insertion of ferrous iron into protoporphyrin IX. The recently solved x-ray structure of human ferrochelatase identifies a potential binding site for an iron donor protein on the matrix side of the homodimer. Herein we demonstrate Hs holofrataxin to be a high affinity iron binding partner for Hs ferrochelatase that is capable of both delivering iron to ferrochelatase and mediating the terminal step in mitochondrial heme biosynthesis. A general regulatory mechanism for mitochondrial iron metabolism is described that defines frataxin involvement in both heme and iron-sulfur cluster biosyntheses. In essence, the distinct binding affinities of holofrataxin to the target proteins, ferrochelatase (heme synthesis) and ISU (iron-sulfur cluster synthesis), allows discrimination between the two major iron-dependent pathways and facilitates targeted heme biosynthesis following down-regulation of frataxin.
THE SELF‐SELECTION OF DIETS BY YOUNG CHILDREN

that "hypotension" is neither a disease nor a disease entity. This statement, of course, refers to persons not suffering from a cachectic disease state; but it should be utterly impossible for a patient undergoing routine examination by a doctor to be told that he has "too low", a blood pressure. Any comment on a reading such as 105 or 100 systolic pressure with corresponding diastolic pressure in an otherwise healthy person should be purely by way of congratulation.
Promoter hypermethylation of tumor‐related genes in the progression of colorectal neoplasia

Gene promoter hypermethylation is increasingly recognized to play an important role in cancer development through silencing of gene transcription. This study determined the methylation profiles of primary colorectal cancers and adenomas to elucidate the role of epigenetic changes in different stages of colorectal carcinogenesis. We examined the methylation profiles of 47 sporadic colorectal cancers, 36 colonic adenomas from patients without cancer and 34 colonic biopsies from patients without colonic lesions. Paired adjacent dysplasia tissues obtained from 17 cancer patients were also examined. Promoter hypermethylation in 10 tumor‐related genes (APC, ATM, GSTP1, HLTF, MGMT, hMLH1, p14, p15, SOCS‐1 and TIMP‐3) were studied by methylation‐specific PCR. Promoter hypermethylation was frequently detected in more than 40% of colonic cancers and adenomas in APC, ATM, HLTF, MGMT and hMLH1 genes (p < 0.0001 vs. normal). While low level of methylation was detected in p14, p15 and TIMP‐3, there was no methylation detected in GSTP1 and SOCS‐1. The frequencies of methylation were comparable between tumors and adenomas, and advanced and nonadvanced adenoma. In contrast, K‐ras mutation was only detected in advanced adenomas and cancers. Concurrent methylation in ≥ 3 genes was found in 66.7% adenomas and 68.1% cancers but not in normal colonic tissues. Methylation was associated with reduced protein expressions in colorectal adenomas and cancers. Moreover, methylation in ATM was more common in older cancer patients (p = 0.002), but there was no significant association between promoter hypermethylation and other clinicopathologic characteristics of cancer. Our study demonstrated the early and specific involvement of promoter hypermethylation in the colorectal adenoma‐carcinoma sequence. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Comparative Study with Oral Nifedipine, Intravenous Nimodipine, and Magnesium Sulfate in Postoperative Analgesia

We tested the ability of two L-type calcium channel blockers (nifedipine and nimodipine) and the N-methyl d-aspartate natural antagonist magnesium to decrease morphine requirements and pain in the postoperative period in 92 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. In a randomized, double-blinded study, patients were assigned to one of four groups. The control group received placebo. The nifedipine group received 60 mg of oral nifedipine. The magnesium group received an initial dose of 30 mg/kg followed by 10 mg · kg−1 · h−1 of magnesium sulfate over 20 h. The nimodipine group received 30 &mgr;g · kg−1 · h−1 of nimodipine over 20 h. Postoperative morphine consumption was assessed for 48 h. Pain at rest and pain on movement were assessed up to the fifth day postsurgery. There were no differences among groups in postoperative morphine consumption at 12 and 24 h. The nifedipine group consumed more morphine than the control and nimodipine groups during 24–48 h. Pain at rest scores were higher at 16 and 24 h in the nifedipine group than in the other three groups. Pain on movement scores were lower at 72 h in the nimodipine group than in the control and nifedipine groups. In conclusion, the perioperative application of oral nifedipine, IV nimodipine, or IV magnesium sulfate failed to decrease postoperative morphine requirements after colorectal surgery. Implications The increase of intracellular calcium plays a key role in spinal transmission of pain and in the establishment of central sensitization. We examined the effects of nifedipine, nimodipine, and magnesium sulfate in postoperative analgesia after colorectal surgery. We found no differences in morphine consumption with the administration of each drug alone.
Dose-intensive therapy for breast cancer.

SELECTED CASE In 1988, a 38-year-old woman noticed progressive, symmetrical hardening of both breasts. Mammograms showed dense tissue bilaterally with no discrete masses and biopsies were unfortunately not recommended. In 1989, she developed lumbar back pain, and a complete blood cell count showed a hemoglobin level of 90 mg/L, a white blood cell count of 3.4×10 9 /L, and a platelet count of 90×10 9 /L. Her breast examination showed bilateral, diffuse denseness without skin involvement. Breast and bone marrow biopsies showed estrogen receptor-positive infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma metastatic to the bone marrow. She was treated with dose-intensive fluorouracil, leucovorin calcium, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide (FLAC) in combination with the hematopoietic growth factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF). After two cycles of therapy, her back pain had disappeared and her blood cell counts normalized. After 10 cycles, her breast examination was normal, but repeat bone marrow examination showed a residual microscopic focus
Amiodarone is safe and highly effective therapy for supraventricular tachycardia in infants.

BACKGROUND The clinical effectiveness of amiodarone must be weighed against the likelihood of adverse effects. Adverse effects are less common in children than in adults, yet there have been no large studies assessing the efficacy and safety of amiodarone in the first 9 months of life. We sought to assess the safety and efficacy of amiodarone as primary therapy for supraventricular tachycardia in infancy. METHODS We evaluated the clinical course of 50 consecutive infants and neonates (1.0+/-1.5 months, 35 male) treated with amiodarone for supraventricular tachyarrhythmias between July 1994 and July 1999. At presentation, congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure, or ventricular dysfunction were present in 24%, 36%, and 44% of the infants, respectively. Infants received a 7- to 10-day load of amiodarone at either 10 or 20 mg/kg/d. If this failed to control the arrhythmia, oral propranolol (2 mg/kg/d) was added. Patients were followed up for 16.0+/-13.0 months, and antiarrhythmic drugs were discontinued as tolerated. RESULTS Rhythm control was achieved in all patients. Of the 34 patients who have reached 1 year of age, 23 (68%) have remained free of arrhythmia, despite discontinuation of propranolol and amiodarone. Growth and development remained normal for age. Higher loading doses of amiodarone were associated with an increase in the corrected QT interval, but no proarrhythmia was seen. There were no side effects necessitating drug withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS Amiodarone is an effective and safe therapy for tachycardia control in infancy.
Quantifying near‐field and off‐fault deformation patterns of the 1992 Mw 7.3 Landers earthquake

Coseismic surface deformation in large earthquakes is typically measured using field mapping and with a range of geodetic methods (e.g., InSAR, lidar differencing, and GPS). Current methods, however, either fail to capture patterns of near‐field coseismic surface deformation or lack preevent data. Consequently, the characteristics of off‐fault deformation and the parameters that control it remain poorly understood. We develop a standardized method to fully measure the surface, near‐field, coseismic deformation patterns at high resolution using the COSI‐Corr program by correlating pairs of aerial photographs taken before and after the 1992 Mw 7.3 Landers earthquake. COSI‐Corr offers the advantage of measuring displacement across the entire zone of surface deformation and over a wider aperture than that available to field geologists. For the Landers earthquake, our measured displacements are systematically larger than the field measurements, indicating the presence of off‐fault deformation. We show that 46% of the total surface displacement occurred as off‐fault deformation, over a mean deformation width of 154 m. The magnitude and width of off‐fault deformation along the rupture is primarily controlled by the macroscopic structural complexity of the fault system, with a weak correlation with the type of near‐surface materials through which the rupture propagated. Both the magnitude and width of distributed deformation are largest in stepovers, bends, and at the southern termination of the surface rupture. We find that slip along the surface rupture exhibits a consistent degree of variability at all observable length scales and that the slip distribution is self‐affine fractal with dimension of 1.56.
Ultrasensitive gas detection of large-area boron-doped graphene

Significance The gas-sensing performance of graphene could be remarkably enhanced by incorporating dopants into its lattice based on theoretical calculations. However, to date, experimental progress on boron-doped graphene (BG) is still very scarce. Here, we achieved the controlled growth of large-area, high-crystallinity BG sheets and shed light on their electronic features associated with boron dopants at the atomic scale. As a proof-of-concept, it is demonstrated that boron doping in graphene could lead to a much enhanced sensitivity when detecting toxic gases (e.g. NO2). Our results will open up new avenues for developing high-performance sensors able to detect trace amount of molecules. In addition, other new fascinating properties can be exploited based on as-synthesized large-area BG sheets. Heteroatom doping is an efficient way to modify the chemical and electronic properties of graphene. In particular, boron doping is expected to induce a p-type (boron)-conducting behavior to pristine (nondoped) graphene, which could lead to diverse applications. However, the experimental progress on atomic scale visualization and sensing properties of large-area boron-doped graphene (BG) sheets is still very scarce. This work describes the controlled growth of centimeter size, high-crystallinity BG sheets. Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy are used to visualize the atomic structure and the local density of states around boron dopants. It is confirmed that BG behaves as a p-type conductor and a unique croissant-like feature is frequently observed within the BG lattice, which is caused by the presence of boron-carbon trimers embedded within the hexagonal lattice. More interestingly, it is demonstrated for the first time that BG exhibits unique sensing capabilities when detecting toxic gases, such as NO2 and NH3, being able to detect extremely low concentrations (e.g., parts per trillion, parts per billion). This work envisions that other attractive applications could now be explored based on as-synthesized BG.