Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Administration of Recombinant Human IL11 after Supralethal Radiation Exposure Promotes Survival in Mice: Interactive Effect with Thrombopoietin

Abstract Van der Meeren, A. , Mouthon, M-A. , Gaugler, M-H. , Vandamme, M. and Gourmelon, P. Administration of Recombinant Human IL11 after Supralethal Radiation Exposure Promotes Survival in Mice: Interactive Effect with Thrombopoietin. Radiat. Res. 157, 642–649 (2002). In the present study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of recombinant human IL11 in lethally irradiated C57BL6/J mice exposed to γ rays. IL11 administered for 5 consecutive days beginning 2 h after total-body irradiation with 8 or 9 Gy 60Co γ rays resulted in a significant increase in 30-day survival. When IL11 was administered, only a slight improvement in the hematopoietic status (both blood cell counts and progenitor cells) was observed after an 8-Gy exposure, and no improvement in hematopoietic reconstitution was observed after 9 Gy total-body irradiation. The enhancement of fibrinogen in the plasma of irradiated animals suggested the importance of infections in the death of animals. IL11 was able to limit the increase in fibrinogen levels. However, prevention of bacterial infections by antibiotic treatment, although it delayed death, was ineffective in promoting survival either in placebo-treated and IL11-treated mice. IL11 was administered along with thrombopoietin (TPO) or bone marrow transplantation to limit the hematopoietic syndrome, in addition to antibiotic treatment. When IL11 was combined with TPO, a potent stimulator of hematopoiesis, the survival of animals which had been irradiated with 10 Gy 137Cs γ rays was increased significantly compared to those treated with IL11 or TPO alone. Furthermore, an interactive effect of TPO and IL11 on hematopoietic reconstitution was observed. Similarly, IL11 in combination with bone marrow transplantation enhanced survival after 15 Gy 137Cs γ rays. These data suggest that the effect of IL11 on the hematopoietic system is only moderate when it is used alone in supralethally irradiated mice but that the effect is improved in the presence of a hematopoietic growth factor or bone marrow transplantation.
Linking transcriptional responses to organismal tolerance reveals mechanisms of thermal sensitivity in a mesothermal endangered fish

Forecasting species' responses to climate change requires understanding the underlying mechanisms governing environmental stress tolerance, including acclimation capacity and acute stress responses. Current knowledge of these physiological processes in aquatic ectotherms is largely drawn from eurythermal or extreme stenothermal species. Yet many species of conservation concern exhibit tolerance windows and acclimation capacities in between these extremes. We linked transcriptome profiles to organismal tolerance in a mesothermal endangered fish, the delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus), to quantify the cellular processes, sublethal thresholds and effects of thermal acclimation on acute stress responses. Delta smelt initiated rapid molecular changes in line with expectations of theoretical thermal limitation models, but also exhibited diminished capacity to modify the expression of some genes and cellular mechanisms key to coping with acute thermal stress found in eurytherms. Sublethal critical thresholds occurred 4–6 °C below their upper tolerance limits, and thermal acclimation shifted the onset of acute thermal stress and tolerance as predicted. However, we found evidence that delta smelt's limited thermal plasticity may be partially due to an inability of individuals to effectively make physiological adjustments to truly achieve new homoeostasis under heightened temperatures, resulting in chronic thermal stress. These findings provide insight into the physiological basis of the diverse patterns of thermal tolerances observed in nature. Moreover, understanding how underlying molecular mechanisms shape thermal acclimation capacity, acute stress responses and ultimately differential phenotypes contributes to a predictive framework to deduce species' responses in situ to changes in selective pressures due to climate change.
Postpartum Contraception

As birth spacing has demonstrated health benefits for a woman and her children, contraception after childbirth is recognized as an important health issue. The potential risk of pregnancy soon after delivery underscores the importance of initiating postpartum contraception in a timely manner. The contraceptive method initiated in the postpartum period depends upon a number of factors including medical history, anatomic and hormonal factors, patient preference, and whether or not the woman is breastfeeding. When electing a contraceptive method, informed choice is paramount. The availability of long-acting reversible contraceptive methods immediately postpartum provides a strategy to achieve reductions in unintended pregnancy.
THE FACTS ABOUT PENICILLIN ALLERGY: A REVIEW

Hypersensitivity reactions are the major problem in the use of penicillins. True penicillin allergy is rare with the estimated frequency of anaphylaxis at 1-5 per 10 000 cases of penicillin therapy. Hypersensitivity is however, its most important adverse reaction resulting in nausea, vomiting, pruritus, urticaria, wheezing, laryngeal oedema and ultimately, cardiovascular collapse. Identification of patients who erroneously carry ß-lactam allergy leads to improved utilization of antibiotics and slows the spread of multiple drug-resistant bacteria. Cross-reactivity between penicillin and second and third generation cephalosporin is low and may be lower than the cross-reactivity between penicillin and unrelated antibiotics.
Effect of Astaxanthin, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C in Combination with Calorie Restriction on Sperm Quality and Quantity in Male Rats

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of calorie restriction and dietary antioxidant supplementation, separately or in combination, on the quality and quantity of sperm in male rats. Forty male rats were randomly allocated to four groups of 10 animals each, and fed for at least 86 days with an ad libitum diet (group 1), a restricted diet (group 2), an ad libitum diet and astaxanthin, vitamin E, and vitamin C supplements (group 3), or a restricted diet with astaxanthin, vitamin E, and vitamin C supplements (group 4). At the end of the study period, sperm count and motility were determined with a hemocytometer, and differences between the groups were analyzed by analysis of variance. In addition, total antioxidant capacity and 8-epi prostaglandin F2 alpha were measured at the beginning and end of the study period with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. After 86 days, a significantly higher sperm count was seen in group 4 compared to other groups. The percentage of immotile sperm was significantly decreased in groups 2, 3, and 4 compared to group 1. A significant increase in total antioxidant capacity was observed in group 3 (p = 0.02) and group 4 (p = 0.02) compared to groups 1 and 2. Antioxidant supplementation with or without calorie restriction had no significant effect on the serum isoprostane level in any group. Astaxanthinin, combined with vitamin E, vitamin C, and calorie restriction, was able to ameliorate, in part, infertility in male rats.
Identification of Bile Duct Paucity in Alagille Syndrome: Using CK7 and EMA Immunohistochemistry as a Reliable Panel for Accurate Diagnosis

Bile duct paucity is the absence or marked reduction in the number of interlobular bile ducts (ILBD) within portal tracts. Its syndromic variant, Alagille syndrome (ALGS), is a multisystem disorder with effects on the liver, cardiovascular system, skeleton, face, and eyes. It is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait due to defects in NOTCH signaling pathway. ALGS is characterized by vanishing ILBD with subsequent chronic obstructive cholestasis in approximately 89% of cases. Cholestasis stimulates formation of new bile ductules through a process of neoductular reaction, making it difficult to evaluate the presence or absence of ILBD. Therefore, finding a method to differentiate clearly between ILBD and the ductular proliferation is essential for accurate diagnosis. A database search identified 28 patients with confirmed diagnosis of ALGS between 1992 and 2014. Additionally, 7 controls were used. A panel of two immunostains, cytokeratin 7 (CK7) and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), was performed. CK7 highlighted the bile duct epithelium of ILBD and ductular proliferation, while EMA stained only the brush border of ILBD. In our ALGS group, the ratio of EMA-positive ILBD to identified portal tracts was 12.6% (range, 0%–41%). However, this same ratio was 95.0% (range, 90%–100%) among control cases (P < 0.001). We propose a panel of two immunostains, CK7 and EMA, to differentiate ILBD from ductular proliferation in patients with cholestasis. With this panel, identification of bile duct paucity can be achieved. Additional studies, including molecular confirmation and clinical correlation, would provide a definitive diagnosis of ALGS.
Mutant p53 expression in prostate carcinoma

The expression of the mutant p53 tumor suppressor gene was evaluated in 33 human prostate carcinomas. Using an immunohistochemical method with monoclonal antibodies PAb 1801 and PAb 240, 26 (79%) tumors demonstrated positive immunostaining for mutant p53. Only areas of glandular tumor were positive, with adjacent stromal elements and areas of glandular hyperplasia being negative. The predominant staining pattern was cytoplasmic. This pattern may be related to p53 binding to certain heat shock proteins (HSP 72/73), as a monoclonal antibody to these proteins demonstrated a cytoplasmic location as well. These results demonstrate that abnormal p53 expression is a frequent event in prostate cancer. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aripiprazole as an augmentor of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in depression and anxiety disorder patients

More than half of anxiety and depression patients treated with an adequate course of antidepressants fail to fully improve. We retrospectively examined whether treatment-resistant depression and anxiety disorder patients responded to and tolerated augmentation with the atypical antipsychotic, aripiprazole. We report on patients with depression and anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, who had an incomplete response to a variety of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and who received augmentation with aripiprazole. The primary outcome measure was the Clinical Global Impression of Improvement (CGI-I). In the intent-to-treat analysis, the mean±SD CGI-S was 3.8±1.3 at endpoint. Fifty-nine percent of subjects received CGI-I ratings of 1 or 2, ‘much improved’ or ‘very much improved,’ in terms of their depression and anxiety symptoms at the end of 12 weeks. Several patients showed an early (weeks 1–5), as well as sustained, response to augmentation with doses of aripiprazole between 15 and 30 mg/day. The results suggest that aripiprazole may be effective as an augmentation for patients with persistent depressive and anxiety disorders despite initial SSRI treatment. Because this is a retrospective case review, further prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.
Dyspnea ratings for prescribing exercise intensity in patients with COPD.

STUDY OBJECTIVE We tested the hypothesis that patients with COPD can use dyspnea ratings obtained from a prior graded exercise test as a target to reliably produce specific exercise intensities. DESIGN Four visits over a 7-week period. SETTING Pulmonary function and cardiorespiratory exercise laboratory at a university hospital. PATIENTS Fifteen symptomatic patients with stable COPD. Age was 68 +/- 7 (mean +/- SD) years. FEV1 was 1.12 +/- 0.22 L (45 +/- 8% predicted). INTERVENTIONS At each visit, patients estimated the heaviness of weights to evaluate their magnitude estimation of a nonrespiratory task; after pulmonary function testing was completed, patients were tested on the cycle ergometer. At estimation trial 1 (day 0), patients estimated the intensity of dyspnea using the 0 to 10 category-ratio scale during an incremental exercise test. Estimation trial 2 (day 5 to 7) was the same as the previous trial. At production trials 1 (day 10 to 14) and 2 (day 40 to 44), patients were instructed to produce specific intensities of dyspnea (ie, dyspnea targets) at 50% and at anaerobic threshold (AT) or 80% of peak oxygen consumption (Vo2) as calculated from results at estimation trial 2. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Lung function was stable at all visits. Dyspnea ratings were 1.8 +/- 0.9 (range, 1 to 3) at 50% of peak Vo2 and 5.5 +/- 1.5 (range, 4 to 8) at AT/80% of peak Vo2 (17.0 +/- 3.4 mL/kg/min) at estimation trial 2. The individual percent changes in Vo2 at the lower dyspnea target were 12 +/- 19% and 11 +/- 19% for production trials 1 and 2, respectively, compared with estimation trial 2. At the higher dyspnea target, the corresponding individual percent changes in Vo2 were -4 +/- 9% and -7 +/- 11%, respectively. For all 15 patients, there were borderline statistical differences for the Vo2 values at the lower (p = 0.04 and p = 0.07) and at the higher (p = 0.04 for each production trial) dyspnea targets for production trials 1 and 2 compared with estimation trial 2. Two patients showed 50% or greater variability in the calculated exponent for magnitude estimation of weights. In a subgroup analysis of the 13 patients with reproducible magnitude estimation of the heaviness of weights, there were no significant differences in Vo2 for the two production trials compared with estimation trial 2 at both exercise intensities. CONCLUSIONS Dyspnea ratings obtained from an incremental exercise test can be used as a target for patients with COPD to regulate/monitor the intensity of exercise training. The ability of patients with COPD to achieve a desired Vo2 based on an individual dyspnea target was generally more accurate at the higher exercise level (AT/80% of peak Vo2) compared with the lower intensity (50% of peak Vo2). Acceptable accuracy was maintained over a 5-week time period.
Folate: A Key to Optimizing Health and Reducing Disease Risk in the Elderly

Inadequate folate status is associated with an increased risk for chronic diseases that may have a negative impact on the health of the aging population. Folate, a water-soluble vitamin, includes naturally occurring food folate and synthetic folic acid in supplements and fortified foods. Inadequate folate status may result in hyperhomocysteinemia, a significant risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease, changes in DNA that may result in pro-carcinogenic effects and increased risk for cognitive dysfunction. Folate status may be negatively influenced by inadequate intake, genetic polymorphisms and interactions with various drugs. In the US, folic acid is now added to enriched grain products and continues to be included in the majority of ready-to-eat breakfast cereals. Recent data indicate that the folate status in the US population has improved significantly, presumably due to the effects of fortification. Folic acid (not food folate) intake in excess of the Tolerable Upper Intake Level may mask the diagnosis of a vitamin B12 deficiency, which is more prevalent in the elderly than younger individuals. When folic acid supplements are recommended, a multivitamin that includes vitamin B12 should also be advised. To safely and effectively increase folate intake in the elderly, naturally occurring folate-rich food sources should be promoted. Folate-rich foods include orange juice, dark green leafy vegetables, asparagus, strawberries and legumes. These foods are also excellent sources of other health-promoting nutrients associated with chronic disease risk reduction.
Short Article: Age-Related Differences in the Von Restorff Isolation Effect

When one item is made distinct from the other items in a list, memory for the distinctive item is improved, a finding known as the isolation or von Restorff effect (after von Restorff, 1933). Although demonstrated numerous times with younger adults and children, this effect has not been found with older adults (Cimbalo & Brink, 1982). In contrast to the earlier study, we obtained a significant von Restorff effect for both younger and older adults using a physical manipulation of font colour. The effect size for older adults was smaller than that obtained for younger adults, confirming a prediction of Naveh-Benjamin's (2000) associative deficit hypothesis, which attributes age-related differences in memory performance to older adults’ reduced ability to form associations. The findings are consistent with related research in which older adults demonstrate similar—but smaller—benefits for distinctive information to those for younger adults.
Reversal of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Mice by Cellular Transduction With Recombinant Pancreatic Transcription Factor Pancreatic Duodenal Homeobox-1

OBJECTIVE—The key pancreatic transcription factor pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 (Pdx1), known to control development and maintenance of pancreatic β-cells, possesses a protein transduction domain (PTD) that facilitates its entry into cells. We therefore sought to evaluate the capacity of in vivo–administered recombinant Pdx1 (rPdx1) to ameliorate hyperglycemia in mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Cell entry and transcriptional regulatory properties of rPdx1 protein and its PTD-deletion mutant rPdx1Δ protein, as well as a PTD–green fluorescent protein, were evaluated in vitro. After intraperitoneal rPdx1 injection into mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, we assessed its action on blood glucose levels, insulin content, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), Pdx1 distribution, pancreatic gene expression, islet cell proliferation, and organ histology. RESULTS—Restoration of euglycemia in Pdx1-treated diabetic mice was evident by improved IPGTT and glucose-stimulated insulin release. Insulin, glucagon, and Ki67 immunostaining revealed increased islet cell number and proliferation in pancreata of rPdx1-treated mice. Real-time PCR of pancreas and liver demonstrated upregulation of INS and PDX1 genes and other genes relevant to pancreas regeneration. While the time course of β-cell gene expression and serum/tissue insulin levels indicated that both liver- and pancreas-derived insulin contributed to restoration of normoglycemia, near-total pancreatectomy resulted in hyperglycemia, suggesting that β-cell regeneration played the primary role in rPdx1-induced glucose homeostasis. CONCLUSIONS—rPdx1 treatment of mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes promotes β-cell regeneration and liver cell reprogramming, leading to restoration of normoglycemia. This novel PTD-based protein therapy offers a promising way to treat patients with diabetes while avoiding potential side effects associated with the use of viral vectors.
Floor-level premiums in high-rise and low-rise buildings

This paper examines a unique feature of multi-storey buildings – floor-level premiums. Floor-level premiums refer to the price paid for the vertical location of a flat, measured by its floor level. Previous hedonic price studies unequivocally showed that floorlevel premiums are positive. However, they were often based on the assumptions that floorlevel premiums are constant 1) across different floor levels within the same building and/or 2) across different buildings given the same floor level. This second assumption is particularly interesting because it begs the question of whether the same premium is paid for high-rise and low-rise buildings. For instance, do we pay the same for the 5th floor of a low-rise building and that of a high-rise building? Based on a sample of highly homogeneous buildings (except for their heights), we found that floorlevel premiums were not constant but diminishing with respect to floor levels. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the pattern of floorlevel premiums between high-rise and lowrise buildings. Finally, there was a positive and significant premium for shorter buildings over taller buildings.
The business case for corporate social responsibility

In addition to generating economic growth and competitiveness, modern society expects from companies active contribution to sustainable development of economy and society, as well as preservation of the environment. Corporate social responsibility as a business philosophy aims at achieving long-term benefits for the company and the society in which it operates. Although the concept of corporate social responsibility has already been accepted in both theory and practice, the goal of this paper is to underline the arguments and benefits of introducing the concept in business community. The paper presents the business case for corporate social responsibility through the presentation of the impact on the financial performance of the company, consumer behavior and ultimately on its reputation.
The Impact of Improvements in Institutional Oversight on IFRS Accrual Quality in Europe

type="main"> This study examines the impact of improvements in institutional oversight specifically for compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards on accrual quality in Europe. The sample comprises 9339 firm-year observations from a treatment sample of three European countries that had either non-existent or relatively weak institutional oversight systems at the start of the sample period 2006–2010 but improved oversight systems thereafter, and a benchmark sample of six other European countries that had institutional oversight systems from the start of this sample period. After controlling for legal system, rule of law and other variables, we find incremental improvement in accrual quality in the treatment sample relative to the benchmark sample from the pre-enforcement period 2006–2007 to the enforcement period 2008–2010. The results suggest that institutional oversight has an incrementally positive impact on accrual quality over and above that attributable to legal system, rule of law and other variables. The results are robust to different measures of accrual quality, alternative enforcement proxy and alternative samples.
A new whole genome amplification method for studying clonal evolution patterns in malignant colorectal polyps

To identify the genetic drivers of colorectal tumorigenesis, we applied array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) to 13 formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) samples of early, localized human colon adenocarcinomas arising in high‐grade adenomas (so‐called “malignant polyps”). These lesions are small and hence the amount of DNA is limited. Additionally, the quality of DNA is compromised due to the fragmentation as a consequence of formalin fixation. To overcome these problems, we optimized a newly developed isothermal whole genome amplification system (NuGEN Ovation® WGA FFPE System). Starting with 100 ng of FFPE DNA, the amplification system produced 4.01 ± 0.29 μg (mean ± standard deviation) of DNA. The excellent quality of amplified DNA was further indicated by a high signal‐to‐noise ratio and a low derivative log2 ratio spread. Both, the amount of amplified DNA and aCGH performance were independent of the age of the FFPE blocks and the associated degradation of the extracted DNA. We observed losses of chromosome arms 5q and 18q in the adenoma components of the malignant polyp samples, while the embedded early carcinomas revealed losses of 8p, 17p, and 18, and gains of 7, 13, and 20. Aberrations detected in the adenoma components were invariably maintained in the embedded carcinomas. This approach demonstrates that using isothermally whole genome amplified FFPE DNA is technically suitable for aCGH. In addition to demonstrating the clonal origin of the adenoma and carcinoma part within a malignant polyp, the gain of chromosome arm 20q was an indicator for progression from adenoma to carcinoma. Published 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.