Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic and antigenic variation of Mycoplasma Gallisepticum vaccine strains

Phenotypic and antigenic variations among Mycoplasma gallisepticum vaccine F and Ts-11 strains were investigated by SDS-PAGE and serological methods (hemagglutination-inhibition and immunoblot assays). The SDS-PAGE system followed by densitometer analysis showed weak phenotypic variability between the strains, being the major difference close to the 75 kDa level where a prominent peptide band was detected only in the F vaccine strain. Polyclonal antibodies to the M. gallisepticum antigens produced in chickens were used in serological tests for this antigenic variability study. There were strong cross-reactions between the strains and homologous/ heterologous antibodies. The most evident characteristic was the specific response of the vaccine-type F polyclonal antiserum to the 75 kDa peptide band of the homologous strain.
Physicochemical Properties of Sweetpotato Starches with Different Gelatinization Temperatures

Physicochemical properties of five sweetpotato starches differing in gelatinization temperature were examined. The gelatinization temperature of Koganesengan starch, an ordinary cultivar of sweetpotato in Japan, was 73.6°C, whereas those of the other starches were measured to be 71.6°C for Kyukei 96162-1, 65.8°C for Kyushu No.127, 63.9°C for Kyukei 240, and 54.9°C for Quick Sweet. Some relationships of the primary structural properties with the gelatinization temperature have been found. As the gelatinization temperature decreased: i) the content of phosphate groups attached to the glucosyl residues decreased, ii) the amylose content, which was determined as difference in long chains of debranched original starch and of its amylopectin, decreased, iii) the proportion of unit chains with DP > 100 in the amylopectin fraction increased, iv) the proportion of unit chains with DP 6 to 10 in the amylopectin fraction increased, whereas that of unit chains with DP 12 to 24 decreased, v) the B-type crystallinity of the starch granules was enhanced, and vi) the proportion of longer chains constituting each Nageli amylodextrin increased. Moreover, it was found that thin pastes of the low temperature-gelatinizing starches retrograded slower during cold storage than the ordinary starch. Among the starches, Quick Sweet starch granules, having the lowest gelatinization temperature, were digested rapidly by pancreatin.
Nouvelles stratégies pour le traitement des tumeurs chimio et radio-résistantes : Nanodiamants hydrogénés et Solides hybrides poreux. Etude in vitro dans des systèmes 2D et 3D.

Ce travail de these s’inscrit dans un contexte d’explosion des nanoparticules et de leur tres grand potentiel pour des applications en cancerologie. Ainsi, deux classes de nanoparticules ont ete etudiees afin de valider et de caracteriser biologiquement ce potentiel. Premierement les Nanodiamants hydrogenes (H-NDs) dont l’interaction avec les photons de l’irradiation comme generateur de stress oxidatif etait au cœur du postulat physico-chimique. Nous avons non seulement valide cette hypothese dans plusieurs lignees cellulaires de cancer du rein et du sein notamment, insensibles aux doses d’irradiation etudiees ; mais egalement identifie la senescence comme etant la voie activee par le double traitement H-NDs et irradiation. Les Solides hybrides poreux sont egalement des materiaux prometteurs grâce a leur haut pouvoir d’encapsulation de molecules actives. Nous avons ainsi demontre l’absence de toxicite de ces composes seuls dans quatre lignees de cancer du poumon et du foie, element essentiel avant d’envisager leur utilisation, charges avec des principes actifs. Enfin, a l’heure ou la reglementation internationale encourage le developpement et l’utilisation de modeles alternatifs a l’experimentation animale, nous avons mis au point un modele de culture tridimensionnelle d’adenocarcinome mucosecretant de poumon. Il est utilise pour l’etude de la progression tumorale ainsi que pour la decouverte de nouvelles molecules de chimiotherapie.
Telomerase activity and telomere length of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in SLE patients

We evaluated the clinical significance of the telomerase activity and telomere length of peripheral blood mononuclearcells (PBMC) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). PBMC were isolated from 55 patients with SLE and the telomerase activity was measured by TRAP assay. The telomere length of PBMC was also measured in 30 of these subjects. As a control group, 45 healthy adults with no particular clinical history were studied. The results were compared with clinical data. In patients with active SLE, the telomerase activity of PBMC was significantly increased compared with the control group. In patients with inactive SLE, the PBMC telomerase activity was not different compared with the controls in their 20s, 30s and 40s, but it was significantly increased compared with the controls in their 50s. In SLE patients, the telomerase activity of PBMC was significantly correlatedwith modified SLEDAI. The telomere length of PBMC in younger SLE patients tended to be shorter than that in the controls, but no difference was observed in older patients. The correlation coefficient between the telomerase activity and telomere length of PBMC in SLE patients was not significant. Abnormalities in the telomeraseactivity and telomere length observedin SLE patients are consideredto be important findings for evaluation of the pathology of SLE.
Molecular markers of outcome after radiotherapy in patients with prostate carcinoma

Abnormal expression of key proteins of the apoptotic pathway has been associated with poor prognosis, although there have been few studies of these correlations in patients with prostate carcinoma who are treated with radiotherapy. The current study examined the association between expression levels of Ki‐67, bcl‐2, bax, and bcl‐x in pretreatment biopsy specimens and patient outcome after definitive radiotherapy alone.
Relationship of HDL and coronary heart disease to a common amino acid polymorphism in the cholesteryl ester transfer protein in men with and without hypertriglyceridemia.

Plasma triglyceride (TG) levels are inversely related to HDL-cholesterol levels and subjects with high TG and low HDL cholesterol have increased coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) transfers cholesteryl esters from HDL to TG-rich lipoproteins. In this study we determined the relationship between a common CETP amino acid polymorphism (I405V) and CETP and HDL levels and CHD prevalence in 576 men of Japanese ancestry in the Honolulu Heart Program cohort. This conservative substitution was associated with altered plasma CETP concentration (1.95 +/- 0.54, 1.91 +/- 0.57, and 1.77 +/- 0.57 microg/ml for the II, IV and VV genotypes, respectively). The distribution of plasma CETP concentrations among the VV, but not II, men appeared bimodal (P < 0.01), suggesting the presence of a functionally significant CETP gene mutation(s) in a subset of V alleles. HDL-C levels were higher in VV than IV for II men (55.4 +/- 17.4, 51.3 +/- 16.6, 51.1 +/- 17.0 mg/dl, P < 0.04). However, the increase in HDL was only significant in VV men with plasma TG > 165 mg/dl. Although CHD prevalence was not significantly different among the three genotypes in this population, in the subpopulation with high plasma TG, CHD prevalence appeared higher among VV than IV or II subjects (38% vs. 27% vs. 18%, P < 0.05 for an interaction of genotype and plasma TG levels). In fresh plasma from a separate group of normolipidemic subjects, the V/I polymorphism was not associated with any change in plasma CETP specific activity. The data suggest that a widespread and common CETP gene mutation(s) in linkage disequilibrium with 405V causes low CETP. Among hypertriglyceridemic men this is associated with higher HDL and possibly with increased CHD.
Additive protective effects of the addition of lactic acid and adrenaline on excitability and force in isolated rat skeletal muscle depressed by elevated extracellular K+

During strenuous exercise, extracellular K+ ([K+]o) is increased, which potentially can reduce muscle excitability and force production. In addition, exercise leads to accumulation of lactate and H+ and increased levels of circulating catecholamines. Individually, reduced pH and increased catecholamines have been shown to counteract the depressing effect of elevated K+. This study examines (i) whether the effects of addition of lactic acid and adrenaline on the excitability of isolated muscles are caused by separate mechanisms and are additive and (ii) whether the effect of adding lactic acid or increasing CO2 is related to a reduction of intra‐ or extracellular pH. Rat soleus muscles were incubated at a [K+]o of 15 mm, which reduced tetanic force by 85%. Subsequent addition of 20 mm lactic acid or 10−5m adrenaline led to a small recovery of force, but when added together induced an almost complete force recovery. Compound action potentials showed that the force recovery was associated with recovery of muscle excitability. The improved excitability after addition of adrenaline was associated with increased Na+–K+ pump activity resulting in hyperpolarization and an increase in the chemical Na+ gradient. In contrast, addition of lactic acid had no effect on the membrane potential or the Na+–K+ pump activity, but most likely increased excitability via a reduction in intracellular pH. It is concluded that the protective effects of acidosis and adrenaline on muscle excitability and force took place via different mechanisms and were additive. The results suggest that circulating catecholamines and development of acidosis during exercise may improve the tolerance of muscles to elevated [K+]o.
Strategic Payoff from EDI as a Function of EDI Embeddedness

Abstract: A key issue facing IT researchers and practitioners has been the difficulty in realizing strategic payoff from IT investment. This study, drawn on sociological theories of embeddedness, addresses this key issue, with particular attention to the perspective of EDI network initiator. Cross-case analysis is conducted comparing three initiators of sophisticated EDI networks, who realized different levels of strategic payoffs. Results reveal that the achievement of strategic payoffs is a function of EDI embeddedness, which is defined as how central or peripheral a specific EDI network is to managing interfirm interdependence. In a model of EDI initiator strategic payoff, we argue that EDI embeddedness, which is influenced by existing interfirm relationship, moderates the impact of adopter EDI use on initiator strategic payoff derived from the EDI investment. Specifically, while high embeddedness motivates adopter strategic use, low embeddedness deters such use. The model is validated against three reported cases in the literature.
Ginsenoside Rg3 targets cancer stem cells and tumor angiogenesis to inhibit colorectal cancer progression in vivo

Anti-angiogenic therapy has been successfully applied to treat colorectal cancer (CRC). Ginsenoside Rg3, derived from the Chinese herb ginseng, has anti-vascularization effects and can inhibit tumor growth and metastasis, and can sensitize cancer cells to chemotherapy. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated whether Rg3 could be appropriate for CRC treatment. Growth of CRC cells was assessed by an MTT (methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium) assay in vitro and using orthotopic xenograft models in vivo. mRNA expression was evaluated using real-time PCR. Protein levels were tested by western blotting, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Migration was determined using a wound-healing assay. Stemness was further confirmed using a plate clone formation assay. We found that Rg3 repressed the growth and stemness of CRC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Rg3 also impaired the migration of CRC cells in vitro. Rg3 downregulated the expressions of angiogenesis-related genes, and repressed the vascularization of CRC xenografts. In addition, Rg3 strengthened the cytotoxicity of 5-Fluorouracil and oxaliplatin against orthotopic xenografts in vivo. Moreover, Rg3 downregulated the expressions of B7-H1 and B7-H3, high expressions of which were associated with reduced overall survival (OS) of CRC patients. Hence, Rg3 not only repressed the growth and stemness of CRC cells, but could also remodel the tumor microenvironment through repressing angiogenesis and promoting antitumor immunity. Therefore, Rg3 could be a novel therapeutic for the CRC treatment.
Novel CT-guided coil localization of peripheral pulmonary nodules prior to video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a pilot study

Background Small peripheral lung nodules detected on computed tomography (CT) scans are often difficult to find during thoracoscopic resection, and the present localizing techniques are inefficient or impractical. Purpose To evaluate a novel marking procedure for small peripheral pulmonary nodules using an embolization coil. Material and Methods Patients with small peripheral pulmonary nodules underwent preoperative CT-guided nodule localization using an embolization coil and then resection by fluoroscopically-guided video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS; group A, n = 22), or, underwent conventional VATS without prior location procedures (group B, n = 16). Comparisons were made between group A and group B concerning operative time, hospitalization, postoperative drainage, and complications. Histopathological diagnoses were made immediately after resection of pulmonary nodules. Results All CT-guided embolization coil fixations were successful. No patient in group A and eight (50%) in group B required conversion to open thoracotomy (P < 0.0001). No severe complications occurred in either group. Compared with group B, group A had a significantly shorter mean operative time and hospitalization, and less postoperative drainage. Conclusion Preoperative localization of small peripheral pulmonary nodules using CT-guided embolization coil insertion and subsequent fluoroscopically-guided VATS resection is safer and more effective than conventional VATS.
Assessment of small intestinal permeability using 1H-NMR spectroscopy.

BACKGROUND Evaluation of small intestinal permeability (SIP) is based on the estimation of the urinary excretion ratio of a large and a small molecule (lactulose and mannitol, L/M) after oral administration. We evaluated SIP using 1H-NMR spectroscopy. METHODS In-vitro experiments on known concentration of mannitol and lactulose solutions were performed to measure accuracy and precession of quantification using 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Eighteen patients with malabsorption syndrome (MAS) and 28 healthy subjects (HS) underwent SIP evaluation using L/M excretion ratio over 6-h after oral administration of 15 mL (10g) lactulose and 5 g mannitol using 1H-NMR spectroscopy and trimethyl silyl propionic acid as external reference and for quantification. RESULTS Median errors of estimation of mannitol and lactulose were 5% (range 1.2 to 5) and 1.3% (range 0.2 to 1.3), respectively in-vitro. Patients with MAS excreted higher quantity of lactulose in urine than HS (median 0.33 mmol vs 0.12, 0 to .676 mmol, p<0.008). There was a trend towards lower urinary excretion of mannitol in patients with MAS than HS (median 3.58, range 0.61 to 15.77 mmol vs. 3.82, 1.34 to 16.42 mmol, p = ns). L/M ratio was higher among patients with MAS as compared to HS (median 0.1172 vs 0.045, p< 0.002). A cut-off value of L/M excretion ratio by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.049 had a sensitivity and specificity of 72% and 61%, respectively; a cut-off value of 0.078 had a specificity of 90% but low sensitivity (67%). Area under ROC curve was 0.77. CONCLUSION 1H-NMR spectroscopy is an analytical tool for assessment of SIP with reasonable sensitivity and specificity.
Rituximab maintenance improves progression-free and overall survival rates after combined immuno-chemotherapy (R-FCM) in patients with relapsed follicular and mantle cell lymphoma: Final results of a prospective randomized trial of the German Low Grade Lymphoma Study Group (GLSG).

7502 Background: Rituximab (R) prolongs the progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) when given either simultaneously with or as maintenance after chemotherapy only. METHODS In the current study the impact of R maintenance after remission induction with an R-containing combined immuno-chemotherapy (R-FCM) was evaluated. Patients with advanced stage relapsed or refractory FL and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) were eligible. The study design comprized 4 courses of chemotherapy with Fludarabine (25 mg/m2/d days 1-3), Cyclophosphamide (200 mg/m2/d days 1-3) and Mitoxantrone (8 mg/m2/d day 1) (FCM) ± Rituximab (375 mg/m2/d day 0). Patients entering a complete (CR) or partial remission (PR) underwent a second randomization for R maintenance (4 weekly doses (375 mg/m2/d) at three and nine months after end of induction) or observation only. Randomization was stratified for histology, prior therapies (up to 2 lines vs. >2), induction (±R), and response (CR vs. PR). After improved outcome of the R-FCM arm had been observed in the initial 147 randomized patients, all subsequent patients received a combined immuno-chemotherapy induction. RESULTS 176 of 195 randomized cases are evaluable, 138 of whom had received an R-containing induction. In these patients (as well as the total group) the median PFS after end of induction has not been reached in the R-maintenance arm in contrast to 17 months in patients with no further treatment (p = 0.001). This improvement was seen both in FL (n = 81; p = 0,035) and MCL (n = 47; p = 0,049). More importantly, overall survival rate was also improved after R maintenance with borderline significance (3 y rate 82% vs. 55%; p = 0,056). No major sided effects of R maintenance have been observed and the rate of serious infections was similar in both study arms (p = 0.72). CONCLUSIONS The final analysis of this study confirms that R maintenance after combined immuno-chemotherapy (R-FCM) is highly effective and improves the progression-free survival-with a strong trend towards improved overall survival-of patients with relapsed FL and MCL. [Table: see text].
Silibinin inhibits prostate cancer cells‐ and RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis by targeting NFATc1, NF‐κB, and AP‐1 activation in RAW264.7 cells

Currently, there are limited therapeutic options against bone metastatic prostate cancer (PCA), which is primarily responsible for high mortality and morbidity in PCA patients. Enhanced osteoclastogenesis is an essential feature associated with metastatic PCA in the bone microenvironment. Silibinin, an effective chemopreventive agent, is in phase II clinical trials in PCA patients but its efficacy against PCA cells‐induced osteoclastogenesis is largely unknown. Accordingly, here we examined silibinin effect on PCA cells‐induced osteoclastogenesis employing human PCA (PC3MM2, PC3, and C4‐2B) and murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. We also assessed silibinin effect on receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)‐induced signaling associated with osteoclast differentiation in RAW264.7 cells. Further, we analyzed silibinin effect on osteomimicry biomarkers in PCA cells. Results revealed that silibinin (30–90 μM) inhibits PCA cells‐induced osteoclast activity and differentiation in RAW264.7 cells via modulating expression of several cytokines (IGF‐1, TGF‐β, TNF‐α, I‐TAC, M‐CSF, G‐CSF, GM‐CSF, etc.) that are important in osteoclastogenesis. Additionally, in RAW264.7 cells, silibinin decreased the RANKL‐induced expression and nuclear localization of NFATc1, which is considered the master regulator of osteoclastogenesis. Furthermore, silibinin decreased the RANKL‐induced DNA binding activity of NFATc1 and its regulators NF‐κB and AP1, and the protein expression of osteoclast specific markers (TRAP, OSCAR, and cathepsin K). Importantly, silibinin also decreased the expression of osteomimicry biomarkers (RANKL, Runx2, osteocalcin, and PTHrP) in cell culture (PC3 and C4‐2B cells) and/or in PC3 tumors. Together, our findings showing that silibinin inhibits PCA cells‐induced osteoclastogenesis, suggest that silibinin could be useful clinically against bone metastatic PCA. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Financial Liberalisation and the Sensitivity of House Prices to Monetary Policy : Theory and Evidence †

This paper analyses the impact that a process of financial liberalisation can have on the link between monetary policy and house prices. In the first part of the paper we present a simple theoretical model of a small open economy subject to credit constraints. The model shows that the higher is the degree of financial liberalisation of the economy, the stronger is the impact of monetary policy shocks on house prices. In the second part of the paper we use a VAR approach to study the role of monetary policy in house price fluctuations in three European countries (Finland, Sweden and UK) characterised by major episodes of financial liberalisation over the last twenty years. Our findings are in general consistent with the idea that the response of house prices to monetary shocks is bigger and more persistent in periods characterised by more liberalised financial markets.
Epidemiology, management and prognosis of colorectal cancer with lung metastases: a 30-year population-based study

Objective Epidemiological data on synchronous and metachronous lung metastases from colorectal cancer are scarce. The aim of this study was to determine trends in the incidence, treatment and survival in colorectal cancer with lung metastases in the general population. Design and patients All cases of lung metastases from colorectal cancer registered in the Burgundy digestive cancer registry between 1976 and 2005 were included. Trends in the incidence of synchronous colorectal cancer lung metastases were estimated. A Cox model was used to analyse the risk of developing a metachronous metastasis. Multivariate analyses were performed using a relative survival model with proportional hazard applied to the net survival by interval. Results Overall, 11.0% of patients had synchronous lung metastases. The frequency of synchronous lung metastases significantly increased for both sexes over time, with a nearly threefold increase between the periods 1976–1985 and 1996–2005. The overall 5-year cumulative risk of developing metachronous lung metastases was 5.8%. It did not significantly vary with time. Compared to colon cancer, rectal cancers had a higher risk of developing synchronous (OR: 2.80 (1.65–4.76)) and metachronous (OR: 2.63 (1.69–4.08)) lung metastases. Overall, 4.1% of synchronous lung metastases and 14.3% of metachronous lung metastases were resected for cure. The 3-year relative survival was 11.3% for synchronous lung metastases and 13.8% for metachronous lung metastases. It was, respectively, 53.0% and 59.2% after resection for cure. In multivariate analysis, the relative risk of death for the 1996–2005 period was about one fifth of that for the 1976–1985 period. Conclusions The incidence of synchronous lung metastases increased over time, whereas the incidence of metachronous lung metastases remained stable. Lung metastases were more frequent in rectal cancer than in colon cancer. Unless surgical resection is possible, the prognosis for lung metastases remains very poor.
Does fade with 100-Hz tetanic stimulation reliably detect residual neuromuscular blockade?

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