Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving the robustness of a low‐cost insect cell medium for baculovirus biopesticides production, via hydrolysate streamlining using a tube bioreactor‐based statistical optimization routine

A critical component of an in vitro production process for baculovirus biopesticides is a growth medium that is efficacious, robust, and inexpensive. An in‐house low‐cost serum‐free medium, VPM3, has been shown to be very promising in supporting Helicoverpa armigera nucleopolyhedrovirus (HaSNPV) production in H. zea insect cell suspension cultures, for use as a biopesticide against the Heliothine pest complex. However, VPM3 is composed of a significant number of undefined components, including five different protein hydrolysates, which introduce a challenging lot‐to‐lot variability to the production process. In this study, an intensive statistical optimization routine was employed to reduce the number of protein hydrolysates in VPM3 medium. Nearly 300 runs (including replicates) were conducted with great efficiency by using 50 mL TubeSpin® bioreactors to propagate insect cell suspension cultures. Fractional factorial experiments were first used to determine the most important of the five default protein hydrolysates, and to screen for seven potential substitutes for the default meat peptone, Primatone RL. Validation studies informed by the screening tests showed that promising alternative media could be formulated based on just two protein hydrolysates, in particular the YST‐AMP (Yeast Extract and Amyl Meat Peptone) and YST‐POT (Yeast Extract and Lucratone Potato Peptone) combinations. The YST‐AMP (meat‐based) and YST‐POT (meat‐free) variants of VPM3 were optimized using response surface methodology, and were shown to be just as good as the default VPM3 and the commercial Sf‐900 II media in supporting baculovirus yields, hence providing a means toward a more reproducible and scalable production process for HaSNPV biopesticides. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. ,, 2012
Uropathogenic Escherichia coli AL511 requires flagellum to enter renal collecting duct cells

Escherichia coli is the leading cause of urinary tract infections, but the mechanisms governing renal colonization by this bacterium remain poorly understood. We investigated the ability of 13 E. coli strains isolated from the urine of patients with pyelonephritis and cystitis and normal stools to invade collecting duct cells, which constitute the first epithelium encountered by bacteria ascending from the bladder. The AL511 clinical isolate adhered to mouse collecting duct mpkCCDcl4 cells, used as a model of renal cell invasion, and was able to enter and persist within these cells. Previous studies have shown that bacterial flagella play an important role in host urinary tract colonization, but the role of flagella in the interaction of E. coli with renal epithelial cells remains unclear. An analysis of the ability of E. coli AL511 mutants to invade renal cells showed that flagellin played a key role in bacterial entry. Both flagellum filament assembly and the motor proteins MotA and MotB appeared to be required for E. coli AL511 uptake into collecting duct cells. These findings indicate that pyelonephritis‐associated E. coli strains may invade renal collecting duct cells and that flagellin may act as an invasin in this process.
Rickettsial outer‐membrane protein B (rOmpB) mediates bacterial invasion through Ku70 in an actin, c‐Cbl, clathrin and caveolin 2‐dependent manner

Rickettsia conorii, an obligate intracellular tick‐borne pathogen and the causative agent of Mediterranean spotted fever, binds to and invades non‐phagocytic mammalian cells. Previous work identified Ku70 as a mammalian receptor involved in the invasion process and identified the rickettsial autotransporter protein, rOmpB, as a ligand; however, little is known about the role of Ku70–rOmpB interactions in the bacterial invasion process. Using an Escherichia coli heterologous expression system, we show here that rOmpB mediates attachment to mammalian cells and entry in a Ku70‐dependent process. A purified recombinant peptide corresponding to the rOmpB passenger domain interacts with Ku70 and serves as a competitive inhibitor of adherence. We observe that rOmpB‐mediated infection culminates in actin recruitment at the bacterial foci, and that this entry process relies in part on actin polymerization likely imparted through protein tyrosine kinase and phosphoinositide 3‐kinase‐dependent activities and microtubule stability. Small‐interfering RNA studies targeting components of the endocytic pathway reveal that entry by rOmpB is dependent on c‐Cbl, clathrin and caveolin‐2. Together, these results illustrate that rOmpB is sufficient to mediate Ku70‐dependent invasion of mammalian cells and that clathrin‐ and caveolin‐dependent endocytic events likely contribute to the internalization process.
Seeing through the eyes of anxious individuals: An investigation of anxiety-related interpretations of emotional expressions

The interpretation of emotional states is necessary for successful social communication. Often individuals interpret emotional expressions intuitively and without full cognitive awareness. The aim of the present study was to test whether anxiety would influence affect interpretation in the manner suggested by interpretation bias—the tendency to interpret ambiguous cues in a threatening way. Interpretation of social cues was assessed with the similarity rating task (simtask) in two studies (n1 = 116, n2 = 76). The similarity ratings were analysed with a multidimensional scaling (MDS) approach, and the effects of anxiety on the interpretation of emotional expressions were analysed with multilevel modelling. The results of both studies showed evidence for an anxiety-related interpretation bias. High-anxious individuals tended to interpret milder threats as more negative than low-anxious individuals did. The consequences for anxiety research are discussed.
Peg-filgrastim and cabazitaxel in prostate cancer patients

To determine the impact of prophylaxis with granulocyte-colony stimulating growth factor (G-CSF) on the risk of febrile neutropenia in a cohort of patients enrolled at the University Federico II of Naples and treated with cabazitaxel for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). We carried out a retrospective review of prospectively collected data of patients enrolled at our institution in a compassionate-use programme with cabazitaxel, aimed at providing early access to the drug before its commercial availability in mCRPC patients. Besides baseline clinical and demographic characteristics, data on treatment efficacy and toxicity, as well as those on the use of G-CSF per patient per cycle were extracted. Progression-free survival and overall survival were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Fisher’s exact test was used to explore a relationship between a single event of grade 3 or more neutropenia or febrile neutropenia and previous use of G-CSF. Univariate analysis was carried out to evaluate predictors of grade 3 or more neutropenia and/or febrile neutropenia. Of 34 patients enrolled at our institution from December 2010 to December 2011, 32 had received at least one dose of cabazitaxel and were included in the analysis. Patients received a median of 10 cabazitaxel cycles. Grade 3 or more neutropenia was common, occurring in 64.5% of patients. Three patients (9.3%) developed febrile neutropenia. Twenty-seven patients received prophylaxis with G-CSF during at least one cycle using peg-filgrastim. The risk of grade 3 or more neutropenia and/or febrile neutropenia per patient and per cycle was seven times lower when G-CSF was used. Baseline neutrophil count of less than 4570/mm3 was the strongest predictor of grade 3 or more neutropenia and/or febrile neutropenia. No toxic death was reported. Only one patient discontinued cabazitaxel because of an adverse event. Our analysis suggests that prophylaxis with peg-filgrastim may considerably reduce the incidence of grade 3 or more neutropenia and, possibly, of febrile neutropenia in mCRPC patients treated with cabazitaxel. Further analyses involving a larger population are warranted to confirm our results.
MALIGNANT MELANOMA IN AFRICANS

IT has been frequently observe<l that mnlignant disease is extremely rare in the African in his normal environment. The experience of one of us (F. W. V.) at the Medical Research Laboratory in Xairobi shows that thi.s view must be modified. During the past eight years ^228 native tissues have been examined in the Laboratory, and of these 482 were malignant. Though a proportion of the material was obtained from the Kative Hospital in Nairobi, from Africans wlio may have come more or less into contact with European civilization, specimens were received from medical officers in all parts of the T'olony. Jt will lie understood that in a widely-scattered population such as obtains in Kenya only a minority of the tumours seen ijy the staff in outlying districts can bo sent to headquarterK for examination. Again, in some tril)es there is still great diificulty in getting sufferers, even from grave disease {especially the women), to attend a hospital or dispensary in the Reserves. It may be mentioned here that the African population of Kenya is about three millions. Tbe majority are of Hantu origin, more or less mixed with Hamitic, and in some parts Nilotic strains. Some races are almost pure Nilote or Hamite.
Threat ≠ prevention, challenge ≠ promotion: The impact of threat, challenge and regulatory focus on attention to negative stimuli

The purpose of the current experiment was to distinguish between the impact of strategic and affective forms of gain- and loss-related motivational states on the attention to negative stimuli. On the basis of the counter-regulation principle and regulatory focus theory, we predicted that individuals would attend more to negative than to neutral stimuli in a prevention focus and when experiencing challenge, but not in a promotion focus and under threat. In one experiment (N = 88) promotion, prevention, threat, or challenge states were activated through a memory task, and a subsequent dot probe task was administered. As predicted, those in the prevention focus and challenge conditions had an attentional bias towards negative words, but those in promotion and threat conditions did not. These findings provide support for the idea that strategic mindsets (e.g., regulatory focus) and hot emotional states (e.g., threat vs. challenge) differently affect the processing of affective stimuli.
Role of ERCC5 promoter polymorphisms in response to platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

The ERCC5 gene plays an important role in the nucleotide excision repair pathway that recognizes and removes platinum–DNA adducts. We aimed to examine whether ERCC5 promoter polymorphisms contribute toward intervariations in the platinum treatment response in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We evaluated the association between three tag-single nucleotide polymorphisms in the ERCC5 promoter region (rs2094258, rs751402, and rs2296147, respectively) and the efficacy of chemotherapy in 228 advanced NSCLC patients. We found that the rs751402 AA genotype was associated with a better treatment response [AA vs. AG+GG: odds ratio (OR)=2.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–7.26, P=0.036) in all NSCLC patients, which was more evident in the subgroup of patients with squamous cell carcinoma (AA vs. GG: OR=6.40, 95% CI 1.15–35.50, P=0.043; AA vs. AG+GG: OR=6.12, 95% CI 1.15–32.52, P=0.019). No statistically significant association was found between rs2094258 and rs2296147 polymorphisms and treatment response. Our results suggested that the ERCC5 rs751402 AA genotype increased the chemotherapy response in advanced NSCLC, especially in patients with squamous cell carcinoma. Further and larger scale studies are still required to provide more comprehensive information on ERCC5 promoter variations in the clinical outcome of NSCLC patients treated with platinum regimens.
Body Mass Index and Sexual Maturation in Adolescent Patients with Sickle Cell Anaemia

Background: Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) is associated with delayed sexual maturation. The Body Mass Index (BMI) or Quetelets Index is closely linked to events of puberty in normal children. We have so far, found no reports on studies on the relationship between BMI and puberty in patients with SCA. Objectives: To evaluate sexual maturation in patients with SCA, and determine the influence of BMI on the onset of sexual maturation. Design: A cross-sectional study carried out in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from June 1999 to June 2000. Patients and Methods: One hundred and twenty four adolescents with SCA as well as the same number of matched normal controls were evaluated. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on personal data and determinants of socio-economic class. Weight, height (HT) and BMI were obtained and sexual maturation assessed. Results: Fifty-seven (46.0 percent) males and 67 (54.0 percent) females with SCA as well as their matched controls were evaluated. The mean age at onset of sexual maturation was 14.6±1.4 years for males with SCA and 12.1±1.3 years for the controls. Among the females, this was 14. 2±1.7 years for the patients and 11.4±0.8 years for the controls. The observed differences were statistically significant (P Conclusion: Sexual maturation is delayed in patients with SCA compared to matched controls. The average BMI obtained at onset of sexual maturation (SMR 2) is significantly higher than values obtained in the prepubertal stages (SMR 1) in both sexes. This suggests that, regardless of chronological age, some increase in body fat and size, as reflected in BMI, is associated with onset of sexual maturation in patients with SCA. Key Words: Sexual maturation, Puberty, Sickle cell anaemia, Body Mass Index, Sex Maturity Ratings. Nigerian Journal of Paediatrics 2003; 30:39-44.
Mycobacterium requires an all‐around closely apposing phagosome membrane to maintain the maturation block and this apposition is re‐established when it rescues itself from phagolysosomes

Pathogenic mycobacteria survive in macrophages of the host organism by residing in phagosomes which they prevent from undergoing maturation and fusion with lysosomes. Several molecular mechanisms have been associated with the phagosome maturation block. Here we show for Mycobacterium avium in mouse bone marrow‐derived macrophages that the maturation block required an all‐around close apposition between the mycobacterial surface and the phagosome membrane. When small (0.1 μm) latex beads were covalently attached to the mycobacterial surface to act as a spacer that interfered with a close apposition, phagosomes rapidly acquired lysosomal characteristics as indicators for maturation and fusion with lysosomes. As a result, several mycobacteria were delivered into single phagolysosomes. Detailed electron‐microscope observations of phagosome morphology over a 7‐day post‐infection period showed a linear correlation between bead attachment and phagosome–lysosome fusion. After about 3 days post infection, conditions inside phagolysosomes caused a gradual release of beads. This allowed mycobacteria to re‐establish a close apposition with the surrounding membrane and sequester themselves into individual, non‐maturing phagosomes which had lost lysosomal characteristics. By rescuing themselves from phagolysosomes, mycobacteria remained fully viable and able to multiply at the normal rate. In order to unify the present observations and previously reported mechanisms for the maturation block, we discuss evidence that they may act synergistically to interfere with ‘Phagosome Membrane Economics’ by causing relative changes in incoming and outgoing endocytic membrane fluxes.
Brooding moderates the link between reappraisal and inhibition of negative information

The ability to inhibit negative information is associated with emotion regulation (ER). Reduced inhibition of negative information characterises poor ER, which in turn plays a critical role in psychopathology. People engage in multiple ER strategies; some are harmful and others are helpful. However, the interaction between harmful and helpful ER strategies and its link to inhibition of negative information have not been explored. This study examined the joint association between reappraisal, an adaptive ER strategy, and brooding, a maladaptive ER strategy, with inhibition of negative information. Participant's high (N = 81) and low (N = 47) in brooding completed a measure of habitual reappraisal as well as the negative affective priming task, a measure of inhibition bias. As predicted, reappraisal was positively linked with the ability to inhibit negative content. However, this link was moderated by brooding and was found only among low brooders but not among high brooders. The implications of these findings to theories of ER are discussed.
Measurement of Subjective Responses: Quantitative Effects of Drugs

From time to time an investigator who has made a great investment of time and effort, with a large equity in a particular field of endeavor, summarizes his extensive and well-digested experience in a monograph which becomes established as the standard reference volume in the field. Most physicians who have worked hard in their training can name a few, perhaps as many as a dozen, volumes which have provided a major experience in their education. While different physicians might differ in their choice, inevitably a few would occur on nearly every list. This book deals mainly with pain, the symptom which is central to the whole art and science of medicine. It has been the object of Dr. Beecher's researches for more than two decades. This book summarizes his own continuing interest and work in the field, outlines some of the steps by which his conceptions have changed and developed,
The embodiment of emotional words in a second language: An eye-movement study

The hypothesis that word representations are emotionally impoverished in a second language (L2) has variable support. However, this hypothesis has only been tested using tasks that present words in isolation or that require laboratory-specific decisions. Here, we recorded eye movements for 34 bilinguals who read sentences in their L2 with no goal other than comprehension, and compared them to 43 first language readers taken from our prior study. Positive words were read more quickly than neutral words in the L2 across first-pass reading time measures. However, this emotional advantage was absent for negative words for the earliest measures. Moreover, negative words but not positive words were influenced by concreteness, frequency and L2 proficiency in a manner similar to neutral words. Taken together, the findings suggest that only negative words are at risk of emotional disembodiment during L2 reading, perhaps because a positivity bias in L2 experiences ensures that positive words are emotionally grounded.
Tasting the fungal cell wall

The search for common host mechanisms that recognize human fungal pathogens as non‐self has led to an increased interest in cell wall polysaccharides since they are absent from mammals and at least for some of them, common to all fungal species. Even though the receptors recognizing mannans and β‐1,3‐glucans have been extensively studied to date, the epitope of the polysaccharide ligand is often not well defined. In addition, receptors recognizing other cell wall major components such as chitin, α‐1,3‐glucan or galactose polymers remain to be identified. Moreover, the fungal adhesins playing a role in adhesion to host have been only explored in yeasts. Eventhough progresses have been made in the last 10 years, a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between the host membrane receptors and the fungal cell wall components is still lacking.
Prevalence, Purposes, and Perceived Effectiveness of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in a Hypertension Population: A Questionnaire Survey

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used among patients with hypertension. This study aimed to determine the use of CAM in community-dwelling individuals with hypertension. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was administered to 318 hypertension patients to examine prevalence and patterns of CAM use; the use of CAM, specifically for treatment of hypertension or other conditions, and perceived effectiveness of CAM were examined. CAM use in the last 12 months was reported by 236 (74.2%) participants. Only 13.1% of these CAM users reported using CAM to treat hypertension. CAM users did not differ statistically from non-CAM users by age, marital status, health status, duration of hypertension, income, or education. Females showed a significantly higher prevalence of CAM use than that of males (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.09, 3.11). Family/relatives, doctors, and patients themselves were the three main sources of information about CAM. More than 70% of responses were able to perceive the effectiveness of alternative medical systems, mind-body medicine, and manipulative/body-based therapies. There was a high prevalence of CAM use among hypertension patients, although the majority of CAM use was not specifically for hypertension. Further research is needed to assess the safety and efficacy of diverse CAM.
Counterintuitive effects of negative social feedback on attention

ABSTRACT Which stimuli we pay attention to is strongly influenced by learning. Stimuli previously associated with reward outcomes, such as money and food, and stimuli previously associated with aversive outcomes, such as monetary loss and electric shock, automatically capture attention. Social reward (happy expressions) can bias attention towards associated stimuli, but the role of negative social feedback in biasing attentional selection remains unexplored. On the one hand, negative social feedback often serves to discourage particular behaviours. If attentional selection can be curbed much like any other behavioural preference, we might expect stimuli associated with negative social feedback to be more readily ignored. On the other hand, if negative social feedback influences attention in the same way that other aversive outcomes do, such feedback might ironically bias attention towards the stimuli it is intended to discourage selection of. In the present study, participants first completed a training phase in which colour targets were associated with negative social feedback. Then, in a subsequent test phase, these same colour stimuli served as task-irrelevant distractors during a visual search task. The results strongly support the latter interpretation in that stimuli previously associated with negative social feedback impaired search performance.