Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The fingerprint of chemosymbiosis: origin and preservation of isotopic biosignatures in the nonseep bivalve Loripes lacteus compared with Venerupis aurea.

Endosymbionts in marine bivalves leave characteristic biosignatures in their host organisms. Two nonseep bivalve species collected in Mediterranean lagoons, thiotrophic symbiotic Loripes lacteus and filter-feeding nonsymbiotic Venerupis aurea, were studied in detail with respect to generation and presence of such signatures in living animals, and the preservation of these signals in subfossil (late Pleistocene) sedimentary shells. Three key enzymes from sulfur oxidation (APS-reductase), CO(2) fixation (RubisCO) and assimilation of nitrogen [glutamine synthetase (GS)] were detected by immunofluorescence in the bacterial symbionts of Loripes. In Loripes, major activity was derived from GS of the symbionts whereas in Venerupis the host GS is active. In search of geologically stable biosignatures for thiotrophic chemosymbiosis that might be suitable to detect such associations in ancient bivalves, we analyzed the isotopic composition of shell lipids (δ(13)C) and the bulk organic matrix of the shell (δ(13)C , δ(15)N , δ(34)S). In the thiotrophic Loripes, δ(13)C values were depleted compared with the filter-feeding Venerupis by as much as 8.5‰ for individual fatty acids, and 4.4‰ for bulk organic carbon. Likewise, bulk δ(15)N and δ(34)S values were more depleted in recent thiotrophic Loripes. Whereas δ (34)S values were found to be unstable over time, the combined δ(15)N and δ(13)C values in organic shell extracts revealed a specific signature for chemosymbiosis in recent and subfossil specimens.
Dynamics of inpatient child psychiatric care in the timeframe 1995–2005 (Vilnius University Child Developmental Centre)

Objective. The goals of this study were to analyse the formation of a multidisciplinary team, the variation of patient types and diagnoses in the Child Developmental Centre as well as the evolution of therapeutic interventions and trends of psychopharmacology in the timeframe 1995–2005. Methods. Analysis of medical documentation on personnel resources as well as general information about patients and applied therapeutic interventions was made. Results. The study results showed that the number of nurses and caretakers was gradually increasing and services became more adequate with inclusion of social workers, speech therapists and teachers. Analysis showed an increase in the following disorders: mood, hyperkinetic, mixed disorders of conduct and emotions, those with onset specific to childhood. The total number of children receiving pharmacological treatment increased. Conclusions. Delivery of adequate inpatient child psychiatric service is strongly dependent on administrative support, presence of qualified personnel, and adequate financial funding. There was a significant increase in the number of certain diagnoses and applied psychopharmacological treatment over the years studied that reflects international trends for treatment, prevalence and comorbidity of psychopathology in children. In view of child needs, establishment of age-specific inpatient units and development of special treatment programs are essential.
Better clinical outcomes after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty when comparing with high tibial osteotomy

Background: Both high tibial osteotomy (HTO) and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) are well-established treatments for medial knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, it is unclear whether HTO or UKA leads to better clinical outcomes and lower complication rates. This meta-analysis compared the clinical outcomes and complications of HTO and UKA in patients with medial knee OA. Methods: All studies comparing the functional outcome, postoperative pain, revision rate to total knee arthroplasty (TKA), postoperative complications, postoperative velocity, and postoperative range of motion (ROM) as assessed with various measurement tools in patients with medial knee OA treated with HTO or UKA were included. Results: Sixteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. The proportion of patients who underwent revision to TKA (OR 1.56, 95% CI: 0.61–3.98; P = .35) did not differ significantly between HTO and UKA. In contrast, functional outcome (OR 0.47, 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.95; P = .04), postoperative pain (OR 0.28, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.62; P = .002), postoperative complications (OR 2.48, 95% CI: 1.26 to 4.90; P = .009), postoperative velocity (95% CI: −0.11 to −0.00; P = .03), and postoperative ROM (95% CI: 2.02 to 15.23; P = .01) were significantly different between the 2 groups. Conclusions: There were no significant differences in the revision rate to TKA between HTO and UKA. However, results from subgroup analyses suggested that opening-wedge HTO resulted in a lower revision rate to TKA than did UKA, whereas closing-wedge HTO resulted in a higher revision rate to TKA than did UKA. In addition, UKA resulted in significantly better functional outcomes and postoperative velocity, along with less postoperative pain, fewer postoperative complications, and lower postoperative ROM. Based on the findings of current meta-analysis, UKA appears to be as efficacious and safe as HTO in the treatment of medial knee OA.
Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells are key players in the resolution of inflammation during a model of acute infection

Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are key players in the immune suppressive network. During acute infection with the causative agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi, BALB/c mice show less inflammation and better survival than C57BL/6 (B6) mice. In this comparative study, we found a higher number of MDSCs in the spleens and livers of infected BALB/c mice compared with infected B6 mice. An analysis of the two major MDSCs subsets revealed a greater number of granulocytic cells in the spleens and livers of BALB/c mice when compared with that in B6 mice. Moreover, splenic MDSCs purified from infected BALB/c mice inhibited ConA‐induced splenocyte proliferation. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that ROS and nitric oxide were involved in the suppressive activity of MDSCs, with a higher number of infected CD8+ T cells suffering surface‐nitration compared to uninfected controls. An upregulation of NADPH oxidase p47 phox subunit and p‐STAT3 occurred in MDSCs and infected IL‐6 KO mice showed less recruitment of MDSCs and impaired survival. Remarkably, in vivo depletion of MDSCs led to increased production of IL‐6, IFN‐γ, and a Th17 response with very high parasitemia and mortality. These findings demonstrate a new facet of MDSCs as crucial regulators of inflammation during T. cruzi infection.
Companion animal renters and pet-friendly housing in the US

Abstract A nationwide empirical study was conducted to determine the factors influencing the availability of pet-friendly rental housing throughout the US. Factors examined included an assessment of a variety of financial and economic factors, rental rates, deposits, turnover and damage histories, rental tendencies and trends, and the types and sources of concerns landlords have about allowing tenants to keep companion animals. The results of the study demonstrated that for the majority of landlords, offering pet-friendly rentals is not only economically viable, but can actually increase their bottom-line profits.
Influence of Lymphocyte Recovery on Outcome of Haploidentical Transplantation for Hematologic Malignancies

Unmanipulated human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-mismatched/haploidentical blood and marrow transplantation is an established treatment for patients without HLA-matched related or unrelated donors. However, the prognostic significance of early lymphocyte recovery in this transplant setting is not defined. In this study, we investigated the association of day 30 absolute lymphocyte count (ALC-30) with outcome after unmanipulated HLA-mismatched/haploidentical transplantation. We prospectively analyzed the relationship between ALC-30 and transplant outcomes in 206 patients with hematologic malignancies receiving T-cell-replete transplantation from HLA-mismatched/haploidentical related donors. Multivariate analysis showed that ALC-30 above the cutoff value of 300 cells/&mgr;L was associated with improved overall survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.258; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.141-0.472; p < 0.0001); improved cancer-free survival (HR, 0.289; 95% CI, 0.166-0.501; p < 0.0001); reduced relapse (HR, 0.370; 95% CI, 0.161-0.853; p = 0.020); and decreased transplant-related mortality (HR, 0.211; 95% CI, 0.097-0.457; p < 0.0001). Our results suggest that the recovery of ALC-30 might have an influence on transplant outcomes following unmanipulated HLA-mismatched/haploidentical transplantation. Abbreviations: ALC = absolute lymphocyte count, ALC-30 = absolute lymphocyte count on day 30 posttransplant, ALC-60 = absolute lymphocyte count on day 60 posttransplant, ALC-90 = absolute lymphocyte count on day 90 posttransplant, CI = confidence interval, G-CSF = granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, GVHD = graft-versus-host disease, HLA = human leukocyte antigen, HR = hazard ratio, HSCT = hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, IV = intravenous, NK = natural killer.
Impact of Traditional Hospital Strain of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Community Strain of MRSA on Mortality in Patients With Community-Onset S aureus Bacteremia

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become an important pathogen in community and nosocomial infections. The impact of these emerging MRSA strains on mortality in adult patients with community-onset S aureus bacteremia remains uncertain. We defined community strain MRSA (CoSt-MRSA) and hospital strain MRSA (HoSt-MRSA) according to the results of staphylococcus cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) molecular typing: CoSt-MRSA isolates had SCCmec type IV or V genes, and HoSt-MRSA isolates had SCCmec type I, II, or III genes. We quantitatively evaluated the impact of the MRSA strain on mortality in patients with CoSt-MRSA or HoSt-MRSA bacteremia by comparison with mortality in patients with methicillin-susceptible S aureus (MSSA) bacteremia. We studied an observational cohort of 500 patients with MSSA bacteremia, 111 patients with CoSt-MRSA, and 133 patients with HoSt-MRSA bacteremia from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2007. The 90-day cumulative probability of survival in patients with MSSA, CoSt-MRSA, and HoSt-MRSA bacteremia was 71%, 70%, and 55%, respectively (p = 0.014, by Wilcoxon rank-sum test). Compared to patients with MSSA bacteremia, patients with HoSt-MRSA bacteremia were associated with an increased risk of mortality in the first multivariate analysis model adjusting for all potential confounders (hazard ratio [HR], 1.525; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.091-2.131), in the second model adjusting for all confounders except acute severity of bacteremia (HR, 1.489; 95% CI, 1.071-2.070), and in stratified analysis in patients with low Charlson comorbidity scores (score 0-2) (HR, 3.093; 95% CI, 1.507-6.350). Compared to patients with MSSA bacteremia, patients with CoSt-MRSA bacteremia did not show significant differences in mortality rate in the 2 multivariate analysis models (first model: HR, 1.106; 95% CI, 0.748-1.637; second model: HR, 1.028; 95% CI, 0.697-1.516) or in stratified analysis (HR, 1.092; 95% CI, 0.539-2.214). In conclusion, using MSSA as reference, traditional hospital strain MRSA had a higher impact on bacteremia mortality than community strain MRSA. Abbreviations: CA-MRSA = community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, CI = confidence interval, CoSt-MRSA = community strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, ED = emergency department, HoSt-MRSA = hospital strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, HR = hazard ratio, MLST = multilocus sequence typing, MRSA = methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MSSA = methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, SCCmec = staphylococcus cassette chromosome mec.
1D and 2D assembly structures by imidazole···chloride hydrogen bonds of iron(II) complexes [Fe(II)(HL(n-Pr))3]Cl·Y (HL(n-Pr) = 2-methylimidazol-4-yl-methylideneamino-n-propyl; Y = AsF6, BF4) and their spin states.

Two Fe(II) complexes fac-[Fe(II)(HL(n-Pr))(3)]Cl·Y (Y = AsF(6) (1) and BF(4) (2)) were synthesized, where HL(n-Pr) is 2-methylimidazole-4-yl-methylideneamino-n-propyl. Each complex-cation has the same octahedral N(6) geometry coordinated by three bidentate ligands and assumes facial-isomerism, fac-[Fe(II)(HL(n-Pr))(3)](2+) with Δ- and Λ-enantiomorphs. Three imidazole groups per Δ- or Λ-fac-[Fe(II)(HL(n-Pr))(3)](2+) are hydrogen-bonded to three Cl(-) ions or, from the viewpoint of the Cl(-) ion, one Cl(-) ion is hydrogen-bonded to three neighbouring fac-[Fe(II)(HL(n-Pr))(3)](2+) cations. The 3 : 3 NH···Cl(-) hydrogen bonds between Δ- or Λ-fac-[Fe(II)(HL(n-Pr))(3)](2+) and Cl(-) generate two kinds of assembly structures. The directions of the 3 : 3 NH···Cl(-) hydrogen bonds and hence the resulting assembly structures are determined by the size of the anion Y, though Y is not involved into the network structure and just accommodated in the cavity. Compound 1 has a 1D ladder structure giving a larger cavity, in which the Δ- and Λ-fac-[Fe(II)(HL(n-Pr))(3)](2+) enantiomorphs are bridged by two NH···Cl(-) hydrogen bonds. Compound 2 has a 2D network structure with a net unit of a cyclic trimer of {fac-[Fe(II)(HL(n-Pr))(3)](2+)···Cl(-)}(3) giving a smaller cavity, in which Δ- or Λ-fac-[Fe(II)(HL(n-Pr))(3)](2+) species with the same chirality are linked by NH···Cl(-) hydrogen bonds to give a homochiral 2D network structure. Magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer spectral measurements demonstrated that compound 1 showed an abrupt one-step spin crossover with 4.0 K thermal hysteresis of T(c↓) = 125.5 K and T(c↑) = 129.5 K and compound 2 showed no spin transition and stayed in the high-spin state over the 5-300 K temperature range.
Surgical treatment of liver hydatid cysts.

BACKGROUND The surgical treatment technique for liver hydatic cyst (LHC) cannot be standardized, and the surgical technique should be tailored according to the extent of the cyst and any adjunct complications of hydatid disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients were treated with albendazole (10 mg/kg/day) for 15 days preoperatively. Total pericystectomy was performed in three patients (7%). Partial cystectomy and its modifications were performed in the remaining 41 patients (93%). RESULTS A total of 44 patients were operated on for LHC between December 1998 and October 2004 in our center. Patients were evaluated with ultrasonography and computed tomography scan to determine the extent of the disease and preoperative staging. Twenty-four (53%) of these patients were women and 20 were men (median age, 52.5 years; range, 19-81 years). The majority of patients (n=27) had 1 cyst, and the remaining 17 patients had multiple cysts. In four patients (9.1%), daughter cysts were found in the biliary system, and abscesses were present in three patients (7%). Biliary fistula was the most frequent complication (n=5). Three patients had wound infections. Follow-up was complete for 33 patients (75%). The mean postoperative follow-up was 11.9+/-10.8 months; there were four recurrences during this time. DISCUSSION The aim should be to provide complete drainage and obliteration of the cavity. Bile leak and biliary obstruction may complicate the postoperative course if bile leakage into the peritoneal cavity and obstruction in the biliary system are missed.
Osteoporosis presenting in pregnancy, puerperium, and lactation

Purpose of reviewTo describe our current state of knowledge about the pathophysiology, incidence, and treatment of osteoporosis that presents during pregnancy, puerperium, and lactation. Recent findingsWhen vertebral fractures occur in pregnant or lactating women, it is usually unknown whether the skeleton was normal before pregnancy. Maternal adaptations increase bone resorption modestly during pregnancy but markedly during lactation. The net bone loss may occasionally precipitate fractures, especially in women who have underlying low bone mass or skeletal fragility prior to pregnancy. Bone mass and strength are normally restored postweaning. Transient osteoporosis of the hip is a sporadic disorder localized to one or both femoral heads; it is not due to generalized skeletal resorption. Anecdotal reports have used bisphosphonates, strontium ranelate, teriparatide, or vertebroplasty/kyphoplasty to treat postpartum vertebral fractures, but it is unclear whether these therapies had any added benefit over the spontaneous skeletal recovery that normally occurs after weaning. SummaryThese relatively rare fragility fractures result from multifactorial causes, including skeletal disorders that precede pregnancy, and structural and metabolic stresses that can compromise skeletal strength during pregnancy and lactation. Further study is needed to determine when pharmacological or surgical therapy is warranted instead of conservative or expectant management.
Conditional ablation of NKp46+ cells using a novel Ncr1greenCre mouse strain: NK cells are essential for protection against pulmonary B16 metastases

To study gene functions specifically in NKp46+ cells we developed novel Cre mice allowing for conditional gene targeting in cells expressing Ncr1 (encoding NKp46). We generated transgenic Ncr1greenCre mice carrying an EGFPcre fusion under the control of a proximal Ncr1 promoter that faithfully directed EGFPcre expression to NKp46+ cells from lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues. This approach allowed for direct detection of Cre‐expressing NKp46+ cells via their GFP signature by flow cytometry and histology. Cre was functional as evidenced by the NKp46+ cell‐specific expression of RFP in Ncr1greenCreRosa‐dtRFP reporter mice. We generated Ncr1greenCreIl2rgfl/fl mice that lack NKp46+ cells in an otherwise intact hematopoietic environment. Il2rg encodes the common gamma chain (γc), which is an essential receptor subunit for cytokines (IL‐2, ‐4, ‐7, ‐9, ‐15, and ‐21) that stimulate lymphocyte development and function. In Ncr1greenCreIl2rgfl/fl mice, NK cells are severely reduced and the few remaining NKp46+ cells escaping γc deletion failed to express GFP. Using this new NK‐cell‐deficient model, we demonstrate that the homeostasis of NKp46+ cells from all tissues (including the recently described intraepithelial ILC1 subset) requires Il2rg. Finally, Ncr1greenCreIl2rgfl/fl mice are unable to reject B16 lung metastases demonstrating the essential role of NKp46+ cells in antimelanoma immune responses.
BST2/Tetherin is constitutively expressed on human thymocytes with the phenotype and function of Treg cells

In contrast to peripheral plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), thymic pDCs constitutively express low levels of IFN‐α. This leads to induction of interferon secondary genes (ISGs) in medullary thymocytes, raising the question whether IFN‐α may play a role in T‐cell development. When characterizing further differences between peripheral and thymic pDCs, we found that thymic pDCs have a phenotype consistent with an “activated signature” including expression of TNF‐α and bone marrow stromal cell antigen 2 (BST2), but no expression of ILT7. Given that BST2 is induced by IFN‐α, and IFN‐α secretion is controlled by interaction between ILT7 and BST2, this regulatory pathway is apparently lost in thymic pDCs. Further, we also show that BST2 is constitutively expressed on a subset of medullary thymocytes at the mRNA and protein level reflecting a history of IFN‐α transduced signals. The majority of BST2+ thymocytes express CCR5 rendering them prevalent targets for R5‐tropic HIV infection. Moreover, BST2+ thymocytes express Foxp3 and CD25, consistent with the phenotype of natural Treg cells, and exert suppressive activity as they impair the proliferation of autologous CD3+ thymocytes. Collectively, our results suggest that low levels of IFN‐α secreted by thymic pDCs play an important role in the development of natural Treg cells.
microRNA management of NK‐cell developmental and functional programs

NK cells are innate lymphoid cells that are critical for host defense against infection, and mediate anti‐tumor responses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a large family of small noncoding RNAs that target the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of mRNAs, thereby attenuating protein translation. The expression of miRNAs within human peripheral blood and mouse splenic NK cells has been cataloged, with the majority of the miRNA sequence pool represented in the top 60 most abundantly expressed miRNAs. Global miRNA deficiency within NK cells has confirmed their critical role in NK‐cell biology, including defects in NK‐cell development and altered functionality. Studies using gain‐ and loss‐of‐function of individual miRNAs in NK cells have demonstrated the role of specific miRNAs in regulating NK‐cell development, maturation, and activation. miRNAs also regulate fundamental NK‐cell processes including cytokine production, cytotoxicity, and proliferation. This review provides an update on the intrinsic miRNA regulation of NK cells, including miRNA expression profiles, as well as their impact on NK‐cell biology. Additional profiling is needed to better understand miRNA expression within NK‐cell developmental intermediates, subsets, tissues, and in the setting of disease. Furthermore, key open questions in the field as well as technical challenges in the study of miRNAs in NK cells are highlighted.
Analysis of mortality rates for pancreatic cancer across the world.

INTRODUCTION Pancreas cancer is the fourth commonest cause of cancer-related mortality across the world, with incidence equalling mortality. A recent study has suggested that both the incidence and the mortality of pancreatic cancer are falling in the UK. We investigated whether this trend was being seen all over the world. METHODS Age-standardized mortality (world) rates [ASR(W)] for pancreatic cancer were extracted separately for males and females from a database maintained by the International Agency for Research on Cancer for 51 countries across the world (Europe, 33 countries; Americas, 8 countries; and Asia, 10 countries) for the period 1992-2002; log-linear regression analysis was performed to analyse trends in the past decade. RESULTS In the period 1992-2002, the ASR(W) remained static across most countries for both sexes. The highest mortality rates (for both sexes) were seen in Central Europe [range: men (8-12), women (4.5-7)] with trends towards increasing mortality in Romania (p<0.001), along with Albania, Spain and Croatia (p<0.01). Korea in the Far East, too, demonstrated increasing mortality trends for both sexes (men p<0.001, women p<0.01). Increasing mortality trends were also observed among women in France (p<0.001). In Canada, there was a decline in mortality [men (7.5-6.4), women (5.9-5); p<0.01], while for men there was a downward trend in Ireland, the UK, Switzerland, Austria, and Poland [p<0.05]. CONCLUSION The changes perhaps reflect standardization and consolidation of diagnostic tests for pancreatic cancer in the Western world and further in-depth analysis would be required.