Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alterations of serum cytokine levels and their relation with inflammatory markers in candidemia.

The roles of CRP, PCT, serum amyloid A (SAA), and cytokines in the diagnosis of fungal infections have not yet been clearly demonstrated. This study aims to measure the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-23, IL-17, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and serum amyloid A (SAA) in cases of candidemia and to compare them with those observed in cases of bacteremia. For this purpose, the serum cytokine levels from 50 patients with candidemia were compared with those of 14 patients with polymicrobial sepsis, 30 patients with bacteremia, and 27 healthy control subjects. The cytokine levels were studied using sandwich ELISAs according to the manufacturer protocol. The serum levels of TGF-β, IL-23, and IL-17 were found to be significantly higher in the candidemia group in comparison with the samples from those with bacteremia and healthy controls. The PCT and SAA levels were higher in samples from the group with bacteremia those from individuals with candidemia and the healthy control group. Assuming an IL-17 level threshold of >38.79 pg/ml, the sensitivity and specificity were 38% and 96.6%, respectively but considering an IL-23 threshold of >59.97 pg/ml, the sensitivity and specificity values were found to be 72% and 60%, respectively. The sensitivity and the specificity of the TGF-ß levels were found to be 85.71% and 53.33%, respectively, when the TGF-ß threshold is >560 pg/ml. PCT and SAA demonstrated a superior performance for the differentiation of candidemia and bacteremia. Our study demonstrates that IL-17, IL-23, TGF-ß, PCT, and SAA levels could be a diagnostic marker for candidemia.
Multifaceted oncolytic virus therapy for glioblastoma in an immunocompetent cancer stem cell model

Glioblastoma (World Health Organization grade IV) is an aggressive adult brain tumor that is inevitably fatal despite surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Treatment failures are attributed to combinations of cellular heterogeneity, including a subpopulation of often-resistant cancer stem cells, aberrant vasculature, and noteworthy immune suppression. Current preclinical models and treatment strategies do not incorporate or address all these features satisfactorily. Herein, we describe a murine glioblastoma stem cell (GSC) model that recapitulates tumor heterogeneity, invasiveness, vascularity, and immunosuppressive microenvironment in syngeneic immunocompetent mice and should prove useful for a range of therapeutic studies. Using this model, we tested a genetically engineered oncolytic herpes simplex virus that is armed with an immunomodulatory cytokine, interleukin 12 (G47∆-mIL12). G47Δ-mIL12 infects and replicates similarly to its unarmed oncolytic herpes simplex virus counterpart in mouse 005 GSCs in vitro, whereas in vivo, it significantly enhances survival in syngeneic mice bearing intracerebral 005 tumors. Mechanistically, G47∆-mIL12 targets not only GSCs but also increases IFN-γ release, inhibits angiogenesis, and reduces the number of regulatory T cells in the tumor. The increased efficacy is dependent upon T cells, but not natural killer cells. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that G47Δ-mIL12 provides a multifaceted approach to targeting GSCs, tumor microenvironment, and the immune system, with resultant therapeutic benefit in a stringent glioblastoma model.
Methods for MHC genotyping in non‐model vertebrates

Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are considered a paradigm of adaptive evolution at the molecular level and as such are frequently investigated by evolutionary biologists and ecologists. Accurate genotyping is essential for understanding of the role that MHC variation plays in natural populations, but may be extremely challenging. Here, I discuss the DNA‐based methods currently used for genotyping MHC in non‐model vertebrates, as well as techniques likely to find widespread use in the future. I also highlight the aspects of MHC structure that are relevant for genotyping, and detail the challenges posed by the complex genomic organization and high sequence variation of MHC loci. Special emphasis is placed on designing appropriate PCR primers, accounting for artefacts and the problem of genotyping alleles from multiple, co‐amplifying loci, a strategy which is frequently necessary due to the structure of the MHC. The suitability of typing techniques is compared in various research situations, strategies for efficient genotyping are discussed and areas of likely progress in future are identified. This review addresses the well established typing methods such as the Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP), Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE), Reference Strand Conformational Analysis (RSCA) and cloning of PCR products. In addition, it includes the intriguing possibility of direct amplicon sequencing followed by the computational inference of alleles and also next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies; the latter technique may, in the future, find widespread use in typing complex multilocus MHC systems.
A Histochemical and Pathological Study on the Interrelationship Between TCDD-induced AhR Expression, AhR Activation, and Hepatotoxicity in Mice

The objective of this study was to establish a correlation and interrelationship between aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and hepatotoxicity induced by TCDD. Young male ICR mice were exposed to TCDD via dermal exposure at doses of 0, 2.5, 25, and 125 ng TCDD twice weekly for 20 wk. Histopathological examination revealed a classic pattern and dose-dependent pathological changes in sinusoidal dilatations, hepatocellular swelling and degeneration, fatty infiltration, and hepatocellular necrosis. Immunochemical staining for AhR also demonstrated that the AhR-positive hepatocytes were centrilobular in location, especially with those cells cuffing the central vein. With exposures to TCDD, the number of AhR-positive cells increased with dose. Furthermore, we also demonstrated all the hepatocytes that exhibited pathological changes (e.g., fatty infiltration or necrosis) were AhR-positive. Depletion in AhR (AhR removal after activation) in many centrilobular hepatocytes, with disappearance of the AhR positive cuffing, was observed in the high TCDD exposed animals. AhR activation was also evident by the increase in CYP 1A2 expression in many centrilobular hepatocytes, especially those exposed to high doses of TCDD. Studies in the past, with experiments performed separately, could only suggest the association of AhR expression and hepatocellular toxicity. By examining the AhR expression, AhR activation (CYP 1A2 expression upregulation), and hepatocellular pathology together, it was possible to correlate these factors in the same animal and even in the same cells. Our finding provided direct evidence on the interaction and causal relationship between AhR activation and hepatic toxicity.
Total serum IgE level influences oral food challenge tests for IgE‐mediated food allergies

Probability curves predicting oral food challenge test (OFC) results based on specific IgE levels are widely used to prevent serious allergic reactions. Although several confounding factors are known to affect probability curves, the main factors that affect OFC outcomes are currently unclear. We hypothesized that an increased total IgE level would reduce allergic reactivity. Medical records of 337 and 266 patients who underwent OFCs for 3.5 g boiled hen's egg white and 3.1 ml raw cow's milk, respectively, were examined retrospectively. We subdivided the patients into three groups based on total IgE levels and age by percentile (<25th, 25–75th, and >75th percentiles), and logistic regression analyses were performed on each group. Patients with higher total IgE levels were significantly less responsive. In addition, age did not significantly affect the OFC results. Therefore, total IgE levels should be taken into account when predicting OFC results based on food‐specific IgE levels.
Methy-sens Comet assay and DNMTs transcriptional analysis as a combined approach in epigenotoxicology

Abstract Epigenotoxicology needs simple and fast tools to assess xenobiotic epigenetic load. This work proposes a comet assay modification designed to detect global methylation changes (Methy-sens Comet) through enzymatic digestion with two restriction enzymes (HpaII, MspI). In the methylation-sensitive protocol tested for repeatability on A549 cells, nickel chloride induced hypermethylation and decitabine-induced hypomethylation. A concomitant assessment of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) genes transcriptional levels has been performed, to implement a multifunctional approach to epigenotoxicology. Methy-sens Comet showed a general good repeatability and sensitivity to methylation changes while DNMTs transcriptional levels granted additional proof of xenobiotic-induced impairment of methylome maintenance.
Diagnosis of XLPE Cable using the Recovery Voltage Measurement Method

This paper presents a preliminary investigation on the evaluation of ageing in 11 kV XLPE cable using return voltage measurement (RVM) method. Accelerated ageing using AC voltage was performed on new XLPE cable samples. Within the period of ageing, the state of insulation was investigated and assessed. The result of the diagnosis using the RVM showed a good correlation between aging time and the return voltage initial slopes (dU,/dt) of the aged XLPE cables, indicating the samples have undergone thermal ageing. The RVM technique, which was initially proposed for diagnosis of oil-paper insulation systems, was found to be able to detect ageing in XLPE cables, and thus insulation diagnosis using this technique could be extended to extruded-polymeric insulation systems.
Interactions of Elementary Waves for the Aw--Rascle Model

In this paper, we study the interactions of elementary waves for the traffic flow model proposed by Aw and Rascle in [SIAM J. Appl. Math., 60 (2000), pp. 916-938]. The solutions are obtained constructively when the initial data are three piecewise constant states. In particular, a new wave SJ in which a shock wave S and a contact discontinuity J coincide with each other is obtained during the process of interaction. Moreover, by studying the limits of the solutions as the perturbed parameter e tends to zero, it can be found that the Riemann solutions are stable for such perturbations with the initial data.
Biomechanical evaluation of the Milwaukee brace

Although, the history of orthotic treatment for idiopathic scoliosis goes back more than fifty years, the mechanism of curve control by spinal orthosis is still controversial. Hypothetical explanations have been provided but few, if any, have been tested clinically. This study aims at the biomechanical evaluation of a spinal orthosis (Milwaukee brace) in order to improve understanding about the mechanism of curves control in orthotic movement. From the results of the study, the change of the interface pressure between the patient's body and thoracic pad, and the tension of the thoracic strap were highly correlated (r=0.84) as patients performed different lying postures and daily activities. Lying on the thoracic pad is found to have the highest correctional force among different lying postures that may be favourable for preventing curve deterioration. The findings indicate that an increase in tension of the thoracic strap will increase the interface pressure on the thoracic pad and thus increase the resultant force exerted on the patient's body by the thoracic pad. Care must be taken as an excessive strap tension will increase discomfort and restrict body shifting exercises. The results also suggest that in scoliosis with thoracic lordosis, a short outrigger (small pulling angle of the thoracic strap) should be used as it will decrease the anteriorly directed force component so as to prevent exaggerating the thoracic lordosis.
KCC2-dependent Steady-state Intracellular Chloride Concentration and pH in Cortical Layer 2/3 Neurons of Anesthetized and Awake Mice

Neuronal intracellular Cl- concentration ([Cl-]i) influences a wide range of processes such as neuronal inhibition, membrane potential dynamics, intracellular pH (pHi) or cell volume. Up to date, neuronal [Cl-]i has predominantly been studied in model systems of reduced complexity. Here, we implemented the genetically encoded ratiometric Cl- indicator Superclomeleon (SCLM) to estimate the steady-state [Cl-]i in cortical neurons from anesthetized and awake mice using 2-photon microscopy. Additionally, we implemented superecliptic pHluorin as a ratiometric sensor to estimate the intracellular steady-state pH (pHi) of mouse cortical neurons in vivo. We estimated an average resting [Cl-]i of 6 ± 2 mM with no evidence of subcellular gradients in the proximal somato-dendritic domain and an average somatic pHi of 7.1 ± 0.1. Neither [Cl-]i nor pHi were affected by isoflurane anesthesia. We deleted the cation-Cl- co-transporter KCC2 in single identified neurons of adult mice and found an increase of [Cl-]i to approximately 26 ± 8 mM, demonstrating that under in vivo conditions KCC2 produces low [Cl-]i in adult mouse neurons. In summary, neurons of the brain of awake adult mice exhibit a low and evenly distributed [Cl-]i in the proximal somato-dendritic compartment that is independent of anesthesia and requires KCC2 expression for its maintenance.
Developing the Amazon: The Social and Ecological Consequences of Government-Directed Colonization along Brazil's Transamazonian Highway

thetic values. John Painter advocates a broad, "materialistic" approach to landscape aesthetics. The concluding group of essays provides the only evident coherence in the book. These essays examine the relationship between people and place in everyday urban environments and make the important point that because conservation is chiefly a concern of the educated middle classes, the values that people from other social and economic groupings assign to their surroundings may have nothing to do with antiquity or aesthetics. To its residents, a street of industrial row houses may be as valued an environment as an elegant Georgian terrace. This set of essays also demonstrates how complex, even unfathomable, are people's relationships with place and how unenviable are the roles of planners and municipal officials. To tamper successfully with places calls for the touch of a poet, and, as these books demonstrate, so does writing about them. -RONALD REES
Botulinum Toxin in the Field of Dermatology: Novel Indications

Since its approval by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2002 for glabellar wrinkles, botulinum toxin (BTX) has been widely used to correct facial wrinkles. As a result, many consider BTX synonymous with cosmetic dermatology. Recent studies indicate that BTX elicits biological effects on various skin cell types via the modulation of neurotransmitter release, and it seems that BTX has a wider zone of dermatologic influence than originally understood. Clinicians and researchers are now beginning to explore the potential of BTX beyond the amelioration of facial lines and encouraging results are seen with BTX in a variety of skin conditions. In this paper, we review novel dermatological indications of BTX which includes (but not limited to) scar prevention, facial flushing, post-herpetic neuralgia and itch. These areas show great promise, but there is definite need for larger, double-blinded, randomized control trials against established treatments before BTX becomes a clinical reality.
Stability of Shipboard DC Power Distribution: Online Impedance-Based Systems Methods

Many modern commercial ships are electric ships, i.e., they utilize integrated electric propulsion (IEP ), where electric motors with variable speed drives are used for ship propulsion. This provides a number of advantages, such as reduced size and weight, electric power availability aboard the ship, reduced vibration, and more flexibility in generation engine placement by eliminating the mechanical connection between engines and propulsion. Most cruise ships, many yachts, and even cargo ships utilize IEP. There is also significant interest in IEP for military ships.
Fitness-to-drive Disagreements in Individuals With Dementia

Purpose of the Study We sought to investigate the agreement between medical and practical fitness-to-drive recommendations in active drivers with dementia. Design and Methods In this retrospective study, 68 patients underwent medical, visual, and road tests at an official center of the Belgian Road Safety Institute. Physicians provided medical fitness-to-drive recommendations using 1 of 3 categories (favorable, reserved, or unfavorable). On-road assessors used the same 3 categories to make practical fitness-to-drive recommendations. Agreement between the medical and practical fitness-to-drive recommendations was calculated using the percentage of agreement (p0) and weighted kappa (kw). Results Low agreement was found between physicians and on-road assessors regarding their fitness-to-drive recommendations (p0 = 43%, kw = 0.11, p = .20). Compared with the on-road assessors, the physicians overestimated the fitness to drive of 24 (35%) patients and underestimated the fitness to drive of 15 (22%) patients. Patients who incurred more traffic violations were more likely to be overestimated than underestimated by the physician (p = .03). Implications This study showed disagreements between the fitness-to-drive recommendations made by the physicians and the on-road assessors in more than half of drivers with dementia. Efforts need to be made to improve the communication between physicians and on-road assessors for joint decision making of fitness to drive in dementia.
Trial of a psychoeducational eating disturbance intervention for college women: a replication and extension.

OBJECTIVE We conducted a controlled trial of a psychoeducational eating disturbance intervention to replicate the positive findings observed in the preliminary evaluation of this intervention and to determine whether the effects persist for a longer follow-up period. METHOD College women who took the psychoeducational class and a matched control sample of students (N = 95) completed pretest, posttest, and 6-month follow-up surveys. RESULTS Intervention participants showed significantly greater reductions in thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, dieting, and eating disorder symptoms, as well as significantly less weight gain, relative to matched controls over the study period. Intervention effects tended to be larger at 6-month follow-up than at posttest. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the intervention effects for eating disorder risk factors and eating disorder symptoms, as well as the weight gain prevention effects, are reproducible and persist over time. This intervention has both mental health and public health significance.
Predicting Geographic and Ecological Distributions of Triatomine Species in the Southern Mexican State of Puebla Using Ecological Niche Modeling

Abstract We analyzed the geographic distribution using ecological niche modeling of three species of triatomines distributed in the Mexican state of Puebla. Punctual records were gathered for a period of 5 yr of fieldwork sampling. We used the genetic algorithm for rule-set production (GARP) to achieve the potential distribution of the ecological niche of triatomines. The models showed that Triatoma barberi and Meccus pallidipennis are sympatric and widely distributed in the central-southern part of the state, whereas T. dimidata is restricted to the northern mountains of the state with no overlapping among other species, M. bassolsae was not modeled because of the scarce number of locality records. We highlighted the warm and dry conditions in southern Puebla as important potential areas for triatomine presence. Finally, we correlated the species potential presence with the human population at risk of acquiring Chagas disease by vector-borne transmission; it is showed that M. pallidipennis presents the highest values of both ecological and poverty risk scenarios representing the main potential vector in the state.
Intrapatient Escape in the A*0201-Restricted Epitope SLYNTVATL Drives Evolution of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 at the Population Level

ABSTRACT The hypothesis that the intrapatient emergence of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte escape variants contributes to the evolution of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 at the population (interpatient) level was tested using the HLA-A*0201-restricted gag p17 epitope SLYNTVATL. Using a simple experimental design, we investigated the evolutionary processes operating within this epitope among patients while compensating for the confounding influence of intrapatient natural selection. Using this approach, we revealed a pattern of A*0201-driven escape within patients, followed by the sustained transmission of these escape variants among patients irrespective of their HLA type.
A Comparison by Ethnic Group and City of the Criminal Activities of Narcotic Addicts

In an effort to update the results of earlier studies concerning the amounts and types of crimes committed by urban, male narcotic addicts, confidential interviews were conducted with addicts attending methadone maintenance clinics in Baltimore and New York. Samples were stratified by ethnic group (black and white in Baltimore; black, white, and Hispanic in New York), and the amounts and types of crimes committed were compared across groups, cities, and narcotic addiction status (actively addicted/not actively addicted) using six different measures all based on the concept of crime-days per year at risk. Consistent with previous findings, addicts were found to engage in a great deal of criminal activity, especially during periods of active addiction to narcotics. Differences in the amounts and types of crimes committed were found among ethnic groups and, to a lesser extent, between cities as well. For the Baltimore sample, comparison of findings with those derived from an earlier (1973-78) data base suggests that the amount of crime committed by addicts has increased in several categories as well as overall. However, minor differences in data collection procedures render this finding suggestive rather than conclusive.
Inhibition of hepatic stellate cells proliferation by mesenchymal stem cells and the possible mechanisms

Aim: During fibrosis, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) undergo a complex activation process characterized by increased proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition. Previous studies have suggested that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may ameliorate fibrogenesis and represent a promising strategy for cell therapy. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.
Pyoderma gangrenosum presenting with leukemoid reaction: a report of 2 cases.

matology, CHU St-André, Bordeaux, France (Dr Ezzedine); and Tropical Medicine and International Health Branch, Centre René-Labusquiére, Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux (Dr Malvy). Correspondence: Dr Ezzedine, UMR U 557 INSERM, U 1125 INRA, CNAM, Paris 13 University, CRNH-IdF, 74 rue Marcel Cachin, F-93017 Bobigny, France (khaled .ezzedine@chu-bordeaux.fr). Financial Disclosure: None reported.
Numerical Investigations of Blade Shape Effects on the Flow Characteristics in a Stirred Dead-End Membrane Bioreactor

Numerical simulations of turbulent flows in a stirred dead-end membrane bioreactor are performed by the RNG k-ε model based on finite volume method using Fluent codes. Comparisons of numerical and experimental results confirm the reliability and feasibility of the constructed model. Flow structures such as wake flows and circulation loops in stirred flows were well simulated. An increase of stirring speed is proposed to use to minimize the low velocity region. The single vane stirrer is found to be beneficial for biological separations. Results reveal that the increase of vane number can enhance the mixing effect in flow domains. However, a circular disk stirrer goes against the formation of vertical circulations. The six-vane stirrer is found to be able to provide a uniform distribution of high shear stress.