Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determination of the role for CD21 during Epstein-Barr virus infection of B-lymphoblastoid cells

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a herpesvirus with oncogenic potential, is camouflaged with glycoprotein 350/220, which mimics the human ligand C3dg and thereby binds to and exploits complement receptor type 2 (CR2; CD21), the EBV receptor. It has not been possible to determine the role of CR2 during postbinding events of viral infection because all B lymphocytes express endogenous CR2, precluding an informative study of receptor mutants. We have overcome this obstacle through creation of a novel experimental system based on molecular dissection of the ligand-binding domains of human CR2 and murine CR2. Our results demonstrate first, that two discontinuous amino acid substitutions within the ligand-binding domain of murine CR2 render it capable of mediating EBV infection of human B-lymphoblastoid cells, and second, that the specific role of CR2 during EBV infection is to capture virions at the cell surface, after which cofactors not associated with CR2 mediate postbinding events. These are the first studies to be described in which a cell that is normally susceptible to viral infection can be manipulated so as to direct entry of virions via recombinant or endogenous receptors.
Technologies de l'information et de la communication, emploi et qualité du travail

Cette etude realisee en 2001-2002 a la demande de la Ministre de l'emploi et du travail (Laurette Onkelinx)aborde trois themes: l'impact des TIC sur la creation d'emplois, notamment au travers des nouvelles qualifications requises dans les entreprises; l'impact des TIC sur les conditions de travail, a travers les nouvelles formes d'organisation du travail; l'analyse transversale de la dimension du genre dans ces deux problematiques.
A Behavioral Medicine Intervention in Persons with HIV

This study used a pretest-posttest pre-experimental design to examine the effect of a 10-week behavioral medicine support group intervention in a sample of persons with HIV Using Solomon's psychoneuroimmunologic framework, the 10-week behavioral medicine program focused on the mind/body interaction, the relaxation response, coping with illness, hardiness, and nutrition. Pearson correlation coefficients and t tests were performed on the pre- and postintervention measures of hardiness, social support, immune function, and perceived health status. Results of the study indicated that hardiness (preintervention) and CD4 counts (pre- and postintervention) were significantly correlated with health status; however, CD4 counts decreased over the course of the behavioral medicine program. Implications for nursing and recommendations for further research are discussed.
Effects of a Peer Led Intervention Program on Smoking Prevention: A Case Example in Greece

This pilot study evaluates the effects of a peer developed, smoking prevention program on the smoking behavior, intent to smoke, knowledge, and attitudes toward smoking of high school students. An experimental group of 237 first and second grade high school students (mean ages 12.2 and 13.2 respectively) from an Athenian school was compared to a control group of ninety students from the first and second high school grades (mean ages 12.1 and 13.3 respectively) in another school. A randomly drawn subgroup of thirty-seven student volunteers from the experimental group developed antismoking audiovisual material which they subsequently presented and discussed with the whole group. Findings indicated that this intervention significantly limited the increase of smoking behavior of the experimental group a year following the first assessment. However, intent to smoke in the future, attitudes toward smoking, and knowledge were not affected by the intervention. Results suggest that the intervention was partially successful in curbing experimental smoking in these adolescents. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Exogenous reinfection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis confirmed by phage typing.

Cultures of sputum of a patient with his third clinical episode of pulmonary tuberculosis yielded a strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that was distinctly different in drug susceptibility, urease activity, and phage type from the strain that had caused his second episode. A potential source of exogenous reinfection was identified. This occurrence in no way controverts existing epidemiologic evidence that endogenous reactivation is the pathogenetic mechanism for most initial episodes of tuberculosis, especially in areas of low infectivity.
Teenage pregnancy and fetal outcome

Background: pregnancy in teenagers is not free of risks. The risk of low birth weight (LBW) and preterm delivery is particularly high among teenagers. LBW is significantly higher in young teenagers aged 13–19 years. Objectives: Evaluation of fetal outcome in teenage pregnancy in Assiut governorate, Egypt. Patients and methods: This study was conducted in the department of obstetrics and gynecology of Al-Azhar University Hospital (Assiut) Egypt, as a descriptive comparative study that compares the fetal outcome of teenage pregnancy with that of adult pregnancy, in 3 years, retrospective in (2011and 2012) and prospective in (2013). there were a 953 and 1162 woman in a teenage and an adult groups respectively fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Result: There was a significantly increased risk of preterm labor more in teenager group (13.1% vs 3.0% P=0.001) while post term more in Adults group (3.3%vs13.0% P=0.001). On the other hand Low birth weight (LBW), intra uterine growth retardations (IUGR), Neonatal death, intra uterine fetal death (IUFD), low APGAR score: At 1 and 5 min. respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were significantly increased in teenage group. Conclusion: Teenage mothers are at a higher risk of developing preterm, Low birth weight, IUGR, Neonatal death<48 h, IUFD, low APGAR score: At 1 and 5 min and admission to NICU.
The α2β2 isoform combination dominates the astrocytic Na+/K+‐ATPase activity and is rendered nonfunctional by the α2.G301R familial hemiplegic migraine type 2‐associated mutation

Synaptic activity results in transient elevations in extracellular K+, clearance of which is critical for sustained function of the nervous system. The K+ clearance is, in part, accomplished by the neighboring astrocytes by mechanisms involving the Na+/K+‐ATPase. The Na+/K+‐ATPase consists of an α and a β subunit, each with several isoforms present in the central nervous system, of which the α2β2 and α2β1 isoform combinations are kinetically geared for astrocytic K+ clearance. While transcript analysis data designate α2β2 as predominantly astrocytic, the relative quantitative protein distribution and isoform pairing remain unknown. As cultured astrocytes altered their isoform expression in vitro, we isolated a pure astrocytic fraction from rat brain by a novel immunomagnetic separation approach in order to determine the expression levels of α and β isoforms by immunoblotting. In order to compare the abundance of isoforms in astrocytic samples, semi‐quantification was carried out with polyhistidine‐tagged Na+/K+‐ATPase subunit isoforms expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes as standards to obtain an efficiency factor for each antibody. Proximity ligation assay illustrated that α2 paired efficiently with both β1 and β2 and the semi‐quantification of the astrocytic fraction indicated that the astrocytic Na+/K+‐ATPase is dominated by α2, paired with β1 or β2 (in a 1:9 ratio). We demonstrate that while the familial hemiplegic migraine‐associated α2. G301R mutant was not functionally expressed at the plasma membrane in a heterologous expression system, α2+/G301R mice displayed normal protein levels of α2 and glutamate transporters and that the one functional allele suffices to manage the general K+ dynamics.
Estimation of labeling efficiency in pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling

Pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling MRI is a new arterial spin labeling technique that has the potential of combining advantages of continuous arterial spin labeling and pulsed arterial spin labeling. However, unlike continuous arterial spin labeling, the labeling process of pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling is not strictly an adiabatic inversion and the efficiency of labeling may be subject specific. Here, three experiments were performed to study the labeling efficiency in pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling MRI. First, the optimal labeling position was determined empirically to be approximately 84 mm below the anterior commissure‐posterior commissure line in order to achieve the highest sensitivity. Second, an experimental method was developed to utilize phase‐contrast velocity MRI as a normalization factor and to estimate the labeling efficiency in vivo, which was founded to be 0.86 ± 0.06 (n = 10, mean ± standard deviation). Third, we compared the labeling efficiency of pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling MRI under normocapnic and hypercapnic (inhalation of 5% CO2) conditions and showed that a higher flow velocity in the feeding arteries resulted in a reduction in the labeling efficiency. In summary, our results suggest that labeling efficiency is a critical parameter in pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling MRI not only in terms of achieving highest sensitivity but also in quantification of absolute cerebral blood flow in milliliters per minute per 100 g. We propose that the labeling efficiency should be estimated using phase‐contrast velocity MRI on a subject‐specific basis. Magn Reson Med 63:765–771, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Role of Social Software for Customer Co-Creation: Does it Change the Practice for Innovation?

This article investigates a customer co-creation project at the front end of the innovation process at a large well-known Italian food manufacturer, which is enabled by social media. The purpose is to shed light on the role of such technology in transforming the characteristics of the FEI, in terms of boundaries and knowledge distance: what type of innovation ideas – exploratory or exploitative – does the practice enable? Could social media be used to manage the explore-exploit paradox, thus transforming the practice into an ambidextrous one? The empirical analysis highlights that the investigated customer co-creation practice has evolved from the initial stage of idea exploitation to a stage in which both exploitation and exploration are simultaneously accomplished.
Temperature-dependent Chaperone Activity and Structural Properties of Human αA- and αB-crystallins*

The chaperone activity and biophysical properties of recombinant human αA- and αB-crystallins were studied by light scattering and spectroscopic methods. While the chaperone function of αA-crystallin markedly improves with an increase in temperature, the activity of αB homopolymer appears to change very little upon heating. Compared with αB-crystallin, the αA-homopolymer is markedly less active at low temperatures, but becomes a more active species at high temperatures. At physiologically relevant temperatures, the αB homopolymer appears to be modestly (two times or less) more potent chaperone than αA homopolymer. In contrast to very similar thermotropic changes in the secondary structure of both homopolymers, αA- and αB-crystallins markedly differ with respect to the temperature-dependent surface hydrophobicity profiles. Upon heating, αA-crystallin undergoes a conformational transition resulting in the exposure of additional hydrophobic sites, whereas no such transition occurs for αB-crystallin. The correlation between temperature-dependent changes in the chaperone activity and hydrophobicity properties of the individual homopolymers supports the view that the chaperone activity of α-crystallin is dependent on the presence of surface-exposed hydrophobic patches. However, the present data also show that the surface hydrophobicity is not the sole determinant of the chaperone function of α-crystallin.
Functioning and Activity Participation Restrictions among Older Adult, Long-Term Cancer Survivors

This research examines how cancer and treatment sequelae combine with comorbidities to influence the physical functioning and activity participation restrictions reported by older adult (≥60), long-term survivors (5+ years) of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer. The number of current comorbidities was the best predictor of functional difficulties and also a significant predictor of participation restrictions. Cancer stage at diagnosis and continuing cancer symptoms had direct effects on functional difficulties, and indirect effects through functional difficulties on participation restrictions. Clinicians working with older adult survivors need to be aware of the interplay between cancer and other health problems as they affect quality of life after cancer.
American gastroenterological association institute medical position statement on the use of gastrointestinal medications in pregnancy.

This document presents the official recommendations of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute on "Use of Gastrointestinal Medications in Pregnancy. " It was approved by the Clinical Practice and Economics Committee on February 22, 2006, and by the AGA Institute Governing Board on April 20, 2006.
Medicinal cannabis does not influence the clinical pharmacokinetics of irinotecan and docetaxel.

OBJECTIVE To date, data regarding the potential of cannabinoids to modulate cytochrome P450 isozyme 3A (CYP3A) activity are contradictory. Recently, a standardized medicinal cannabis product was introduced in The Netherlands. We anticipated an increased use of medicinal cannabis concurrent with anticancer drugs, and undertook a drug-interaction study to evaluate the effect of concomitant medicinal cannabis on the pharmacokinetics of irinotecan and docetaxel, both subject to CYP3A-mediated biotransformation. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-four cancer patients were treated with i.v. irinotecan (600 mg, n = 12) or docetaxel (180 mg, n = 12), followed 3 weeks later by the same drugs concomitant with medicinal cannabis (200 ml herbal tea, 1 g/l) for 15 consecutive days, starting 12 days before the second treatment. Blood samples were obtained up to 55 hours after dosing and analyzed for irinotecan and its metabolites (SN-38, SN-38G), respectively, or docetaxel. Pharmacokinetic analyses were performed during both treatments. Results are reported as the mean ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) of the observed pharmacokinetic parameters with and without concomitant medicinal cannabis. RESULTS Medicinal cannabis administration did not significantly influence exposure to and clearance of irinotecan (1.04; CI, 0.96-1.11 and 0.97; CI, 0.90-1.05, respectively) or docetaxel (1.11; CI, 0.94-1.28 and 0.95; CI, 0.82-1.08, respectively). CONCLUSION Coadministration of medicinal cannabis, as herbal tea, in cancer patients treated with irinotecan or docetaxel does not significantly influence the plasma pharmacokinetics of these drugs. The evaluated variety of medicinal cannabis can be administered concomitantly with both anticancer agents without dose adjustments.
Cloning and Characterization of Two K+ Inward Rectifier (Kir) 1.1 Potassium Channel Homologs from Human Kidney (Kir1.2 and Kir1.3)*

The DNA sequence encoding the rat brain inward rectifier-10 K+ channel was amplified from rat brain RNA using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and used to clone the human homolog. Low stringency screening of a human kidney cDNA library and subsequent DNA sequence analysis identified two related K+ inward rectifier cDNAs, referred to as Kir1.2 and Kir1.3, which were derived from transcription of distinct human genes. Kir1.2 represents the human homolog of the rat BIRK-10 sequence, whereas Kir1.3 was unique compared with all available sequence data bases. The genes that encode Kir1.2 and Kir1.3 were mapped to human chromosomes 1 and 21, respectively. Both genes showed tissue-specific expression when analyzed by Northern blots. Kir1.2 was only detected in brain ≫ kidney and was detected at high levels in all brain regions examined. Kir1.3 was most readily detected in kidney and was also expressed in pancreas > lung. Comparative analysis of the predicted amino acid sequences for Kir1.2 and Kir1.3 revealed they were 62% identical. The most remarkable difference between the two polypeptides is that the Walker Type A consensus binding motif present in both Kir1.1 and Kir1.2 was not conserved in the Kir1.3 sequence. Expression of the Kir1.2 polypeptide in Xenopus oocytes resulted in the synthesis of a K+-selective channel that exhibited an inwardly rectifying current-voltage relationship and was inhibited by external Ba2+ and Cs+. Kir1.2 current amplitude was reduced by >85% when the pH was decreased from pH 7.4 to 5.9 using the membrane-permeant buffer acetate but was relatively unaffected when pH was similarly lowered using membrane-impermeant biphthalate. The inhibition by intracellular protons was voltage-independent with an IC50 of pH 6.2 and a Hill coefficient of 1.9, suggesting the cooperative binding of 2 protons to the intracellular face of the channel. In contrast, Kir1.3 expression in Xenopus oocytes was not detectable despite the fact that the cRNA efficiently directed the synthesis of a polypeptide of the expected Mr in an in vitro translation system. Co-expression of Kir1.3 with either Kir1.1 or Kir1.2 reduced currents resulting from expression of these inward-rectifier subunits alone, consistent with a dominant negative influence on Kir1.1 and Kir 1.2 expression.
Local tetracycline delivery using hollow fiber devices in periodontal therapy.

Abstract. The present investigation was performed to assess the effect of tetracycline, locally administered via hollow fiber devices, on the microflora of periodontal pockets in humans and on various clinical parameters describing periodontitis. Five patients with advanced periodontal disease were used in the study. Each patient had at least four pairs of contralateral teeth where approximally located pockets could be probed to 6 mm or more. The amount of supragingival plaque present on the tooth surface adjacent to the eight diseased sites was determined as well as the degree of gingival inflammation. Probing depths were recorded with a graduated probe. The clinical measurements were repeated 7, 14, 28, and 37 days following the start of treatment. From the eight pockets bacterial samples were collected from deep subgingival sites. The bacteria were examined in a dark-field microscope and categorized into the following groups: cocci and non-motile rods, filaments and fusiforms, motile and curved rods and spirochetes. The percentage distribution of the various forms was calculated. Following the initial examination the patients were given detailed instruction in proper oral hygiene techniques. Three of the diseased sites were treated by scaling and three by tetracycline application using the hollow fiber device. One pair of sites was used as untreated controls. On day 28 the three initially mechanically debrided sites were scaled anew and active fiber material inserted in the three contralateral sites. The experiments showed that it is possible by the use of tetracycline-filled hollow fiber devices to markedly change the composition of the subgingival flora of initially diseased periodontal sites. Locally delivered tetracycline proved effective in reducing or eliminating clinical symptoms of periodontal pathology.
A Typology of Technology‐Enhanced Tourism Experiences

Experiences constitute the essence of the tourism industry. While literature has recognised the recent impact of technology on experiences, its empirical exploration remains scarce. This study addresses the gap by empirically exploring five leading industry cases to generate a holistic understanding of technology enhanced tourism experiences. The main contribution of this paper lies in the development of a nine-field experience typology matrix based on the increasing intensity of cocreation and technology implementation. The final contribution of this study is the development of an experience hierarchy and discussing its relevance for experience enhancement in tourism research and practice.
Vitamin C supplements and the risk of age-related cataract: a population-based prospective cohort study in women.

BACKGROUND Experimental animal studies have shown adverse effects of high-dose vitamin C supplements on age-related cataract. OBJECTIVE We examined whether vitamin C supplements (approximately 1000 mg) and multivitamins containing vitamin C (approximately 60 mg) are associated with the incidence of age-related cataract extraction in a population-based, prospective cohort of women. DESIGN Our study included 24,593 women aged 49-83 y from the Swedish Mammography Cohort (follow-up from September 1997 to October 2005). We collected information on dietary supplement use and lifestyle factors with the use of a self-administrated questionnaire. Cataract extraction cases were identified by linkage to the cataract extraction registers in the geographical study area. RESULTS During the 8.2 y of follow-up (184,698 person-years), we identified 2497 cataract extraction cases. The multivariable hazard ratio (HR) for vitamin C supplement users compared with that for nonusers was 1.25 (95% CI: 1.05, 1.50). The HR for the duration of >10 y of use before baseline was 1.46 (95% CI: 0.93, 2.31). The HR for the use of multivitamins containing vitamin C was 1.09 (95% CI: 0.94, 1.25). Among women aged > or = 65 y, vitamin C supplement use increased the risk of cataract by 38% (95% CI: 12%, 69%). Vitamin C use among hormone replacement therapy users compared with that among nonusers of supplements or of hormone replacement therapy was associated with a 56% increased risk of cataract (95% CI: 20%, 102%). Vitamin C use among corticosteroid users compared with that among nonusers of supplements and corticosteroids was associated with an HR of 1.97 (95% CI: 1.35, 2.88). CONCLUSION Our results indicate that the use of vitamin C supplements may be associated with higher risk of age-related cataract among women.
Correlation between circulating biomarkers of oxidative stress of maternal and umbilical cord blood at birth

The objective of the work was to study the relationship between the oxidative state of the mother and the newborn at the moment of birth. We measured oxidative stress markers (carbonyl groups, lipid peroxides and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)) and found a good correlation between the oxidative state of the normal mother and the neonate, since a high mother oxidative stress corresponds to an even higher oxidative stress of the newborn in umbilical cord blood. We also found that smoking mothers and their newborns had a higher concentration of the carbonyl group, lipid peroxides and less TAC. Newborns from these mothers weighed significantly less than others at birth. These data suggest a need for interest in monitoring the oxidative state of mothers during the pregnancy period, especially taking into account that the oxidative level could be involved in later risks of metabolic diseases for both mother and newborn.