Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular evolution of hepatitis A virus in a human diploid cell line.

AIM To investigate the hotspots, direction, and the time course of evolution of hepatitis A virus in the process of consecutive cell culture passage in human KMB17 diploid cells. METHODS Wild type hepatitis A virus H2w was serially propagated in KMB17 cells until passage 30, and the full-length genomes of H2w and its six chosen progenies were determined by directly sequencing RT-PCR products amplified from viral genomic RNA. Alignment comparison of sequences from H2w with its six progenies and phylogenetic analysis of the whole VP1 region from H2w, progenies of H2w, and other cell culture adapted hepatitis A virus were then carried out to obtain data on the molecular evolution of hepatitis A virus in the process of consecutive passage in KMB17 cells. RESULTS Most of the mutations occurred by passage 5 and several hotspots related to adaptation of the virus during cell growth were observed. After that stage, few additional mutations occurred through the remaining duration of passage in KMB17 cells except for mutation in the virulence determinants, which occurred in the vicinity of passage 15. The phylogenetic analysis of the whole VP1 region suggested that the progenies of H2w evolved closely to other cell culture adapted hepatitis A virus, i.e. MBB, L-A-1, other than its progenitor H2w. CONCLUSION Hepatitis A virus served as a useful model for studying molecular evolution of viruses in a given environment. The information obtained in this study may provide assistance in cultivating the next generation of a seed virus for live hepatitis A vaccine production.
Enhancement of On-Body Propagation at 60 GHz Using Electro Textiles

It is demonstrated that an electro textile can improve the wave propagation at 60 GHz along and around the body. To this end, an analytical formulation is implemented to evaluate the electric field excited by an infinitesimal dipole over a flat skin model with and without an electro textile layer. To validate the analytical results, the propagation is characterized numerically and experimentally for two rectangular open-ended V-band waveguides placed over a skin-equivalent phantom. Path gain values for flat, cylindrical, and elliptical cylinder phantoms are provided. Results show that placing an electro textile over a skin-equivalent phantom allows increasing the path gain by 5-15 dB. In addition, it has a shielding effect by decreasing the power absorption in the body by more than 95%.
Quality of life of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients

The thyroid gland is the second most common site for malignancy in the head and neck region. Quality of life (QOL) of thyroid cancer patients has not been studied directly. The QOL of long-term thyroid carcinoma patients was investigated. A standardized set of questions based on the University of Washington QOL questionnaire for head and neck cancer with specific domains associated with thyroid disease was created. This questionnaire was mailed to patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for well-differentiated cancer in the department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck surgery at the Chaim Sheba Medical Centre in Israel between the years 1994–2000. Seventy-eight patients undergoing total thyroidectomy were identified. Forty-eight patients were excluded and 20 out of the 30 remaining patients responded to the questionnaires. Six were male and 14 female, 12 were under the age of 45 (these 12 patients were staged as stage 1). Eleven patients underwent neck dissection. General health and QOL were significantly better for the younger age group and so was the calcium balance score. General health and QOL were significantly better for patients undergoing neck dissection. The overall QOL score was 3.8 conforming with ‘good’ in the questionnaire. Surgery and initial radioiodine treatment scored 6.75 and 6.9 respectively in the distressing scale (0–10 range: 10 = most distressing). The highest distress was encountered during withdrawal from thyroid hormone. Women rated the importance of proper replacement therapy significantly higher than men. Global low scores were found for employment and for effective L-thyroxine replacement therapy. Overall, QOL in these patients was good although lower than expected when compared with other forms of cancer. Age and gender-related differences were noted. Better QOL in neck dissection patients is probably associated with age under 45 years. High distress scores for hormone withdrawal during periodical imaging correspond with former reports and supports use of Thyrogen®. Better hormone balance is warranted for this group.
Negative regulation of neurogenesis and spatial memory by NR2B‐containing NMDA receptors

Several lines of evidence suggest involvement of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in the regulation of neurogenesis in adults and the formation of spatial memory. Functional properties of NMDARs are strongly influenced by the type of NR2 subunits incorporated. In adult forebrain regions such as the hippocampus and cortex, only NR2A and NR2B subunits are available to form the receptor complex with NR1 subunit. NR2B is predominant NR2 subunit in any of rat or human neural stem cells (NSCs). Thus, we suppose that NR2B‐containing NMDAR should be critical in regulating adult neurogenesis, and thereby playing a role in the formation of spatial memory. In the cultured NSCs derived from the embryonic brain of rats, NR2B subunit‐specific NMDAR antagonist Ro25‐6981 increased cell proliferation, whereas MK‐801, non‐selective open‐channel blocker of NMDARs, inhibited cell proliferation. Blockade of NR2B‐containing NMDAR stimulated neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus and facilitated the formation of spatial memory. The enhanced spatial memory dropped back to base level when the NR2B antagonist‐induced neurogenesis was neutralized by 3′‐azido‐deoxythymidine, a telomerase inhibitor. In addition, blockade of NR2B inhibited neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) enzymatic activity. In null mutant mice lacking nNOS gene (nNOS−/−), the effects of NR2B antagonist on neurogenesis disappeared. Moreover, nitric oxide donor DETA/NONOate attenuated and nNOS inhibitor 7‐nitroindazole enhanced the effect of Ro 25‐6981 on NSCs proliferation. Our findings suggest that NR2B‐containing NMDAR subtypes negatively regulate neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus by activating nNOS activity and thereby hinder the formation of spatial memory.
[Neurophysiological study and use of P300 evoked potentials for investigation in the diagnosis and of follow-up of patients with Alzheimer s disease].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES At the present time the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (EA) is based on clinical evaluation of the symptoms and various complementary investigations mainly directed towards ruling out secondary dementias. However, definite diagnosis can only be made on cerebral biopsy. We wished to evaluate the efficacy of different neurophysiological investigations used in the diagnosis and follow-up of EA. PATIENTS AND METHODS After drawing up a table of normal values, we selected a samples of 33 patients with suspected EA. Following assessment clinical, neuropsychological (Mini-Mental State Examination- MMSE-) and neurophysiological (electroencephalography-EEG-, P300 potentials, reaction time and rate of error)-, the patients were classified as having probable EA, possible EA or other dementia according to the criteria of NINCDS-ADRDA. Statistical analysis was done on the series of cases studied. RESULTS In our experience, the most interesting findings were obtained from the EEG, MMSE and latency of the P300 evoked potentials. The most useful neurophysiological parameters for help in diagnosis of EA was the P300 latency, with a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 83%. The MMSE seems to show the degree of cognitive deterioration better, whilst the P300 latency seems to behave as a marker of a characteristic feature of the disorder. CONCLUSION The P300 latency is very useful in diagnosis, since it is found to be altered in cases with EA at an early stage, with very little cognitive degeneration and even with a score of 30 on the MMSE.
Cancer stem cells and their potential implications for the treatment of solid tumors

There is increasing evidence that a variety of human cancers is maintained by a subset of cells, cancer stem cells (CSCs), which sustain tumor growth, underlie its malignant behavior, and possibly initiate distant metastases. The aim of this review is to evaluate the current evidence for the existence of CSCs and the implications on the present management and treatment of solid tumors.
Antiendomysium antibodies in Brazilian patients with celiac disease and their first-degree relatives.

BACKGROUND Literature data have shown high specificity of antiendomysial antibodies (EmA IgA) in celiac disease. The scarcity of Brazilian reports concerning this subject motivated the present study. OBJECTIVES To determine the sensitivity and specificity of antiendomysial IgA antibodies in Brazilian celiac patients at diagnosis and after treatment, to confirm patient adherence to a gluten-free diet and to screen first-degree relatives. METHODS An extensive clinical and serological study was performed by investigating the presence of these antibodies in 392 individuals from Southern Brazil. Indirect immunofluorescence using human umbilical cord as substrate was employed and the total levels of IgA were determined by turbidimetry in all groups. The study was conducted on 57 celiac patients (18 at diagnosis, 24 who adhered to a gluten-free diet and 15 with marked or slight transgression of the diet), 115 relatives of celiac patients (39 families), 94 patients with other gastrointestinal diseases, and 126 healthy individuals from the general population. RESULTS The results demonstrated 100% positivity for the recently diagnosed patients and for those consuming gluten, in contrast to the patients who complied with the diet (0%). In the control group one individual was positive, but refused to undergo a biopsy. In the group of other gastrointestinal diseases, one positive patient presented ulcerative colitis, Down's syndrome and epilepsy, and the intestinal biopsy was diagnostic for celiac disease. These data showed 99.3% specificity for the test. Eighteen relatives were positive for antiendomysial antibodies IgA (15.65%), and comparison with the healthy population revealed a significant difference. An intestinal biopsy was obtained from seven subjects (one with total villous atrophy and six without alterations in the mucosal architecture, but all with a high number of intra-epithelial lymphocytes). CONCLUSIONS The method revealed 100% sensitivity and 99.3% specificity. Because it is not an invasive method it can be used for the screening of atypical and latent forms of celiac disease to avoid serial biopsies and to control adherence to a gluten-free diet with implications in the prevention of malignancy in celiac disease.
Proton pump inhibitors and acute interstitial nephritis: Report and analysis of 15 cases

Aim: Although proton pump inhibitors (PPI) are usually safe and effective therapeutic agents, serious adverse effects can occur. The aim of the present study was to report and analyse the clinical features of 15 patients with acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) and acute renal failure from PPI that were referred to renal services in Auckland over a period of 3 years.
High Plasma Osteopontin Levels in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Background Osteopontin (OPN) plays a key role in the progression of TH1-immune-mediated disease in models of multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Aim To determine whether plasma OPN levels in patients with inflammatory bowel disease are associated with disease activity. Methods Plasma samples were obtained from patients with ulcerative colitis (UC, n=30), Crohn's disease (CD, n=30), and healthy volunteers (controls, n=30) and enzyme immunoassay was performed. Results Plasma OPN concentrations were significantly higher in patients with Crohn's disease than in controls (951.9±538.5 ng/mL and 659.0±163.7 ng/mL, respectively). OPN concentrations in patients with UC were also higher than in the controls (1149.6±791.0 and 659.0±163.7, respectively). There was a significant difference in plasma OPN level between active UC and inactive UC (2102.0±552.8 and 649.4±313.0, respectively). Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between plasma OPN concentration and disease activity, as determined by the clinical activity index in patients with UC. Conclusions Our results indicate that the plasma concentrations of OPN are elevated in patients with UC and that OPN expression is correlated with clinical activity. These results provide insight into UC pathogenesis and suggest that OPN may be a useful tool for assessing disease activity.
Outcomes in splenic marginal zone lymphoma: analysis of 107 patients treated in British Columbia

Splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) accounts for less than 2% of all non‐Hodgkin lymphomas. We identified 107 cases diagnosed with SMZL between 1985 and 2012 from the British Columbia Cancer Agency Centre for Lymphoid Cancer and Lymphoma Pathology Databases. Patient characteristics were: median age 67 years (range 30–88), male 40%, stage IV 98%, splenomegaly 93%, bone marrow involvement 96%, peripheral blood involvement 87%. As initial treatment, 52 underwent splenectomy (10 with chemotherapy), 38 chemotherapy alone (21 chemoimmunotherapy containing rituximab, 1 rituximab alone), two antivirals for hepatitis C, and 15 were only observed. The 10‐year overall survival for first‐line splenectomy versus chemotherapy was 61% and 42%, respectively [Hazard Ratio (HR) 0·48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·26–0·88, P = 0·017]. The 10‐year failure‐free survival (FFS) after first‐line splenectomy vs chemotherapy was 39% and 14%, respectively (HR 0·48, 95% CI 0·28–0·80, P = 0·004). Among the 38 patients who received first‐line chemotherapy, FFS was similar between those receiving rituximab (n = 22) and those who did not (n = 16) (HR 0·64, 95% CI 0·31–1·34, P = 0·238). Fifteen patients transformed to aggressive lymphoma with median time to transformation of 3·5 years (range 6 months to 12 years) and the 10‐year transformation rate was 18%. In conclusion, splenectomy remains a reasonable treatment for patients with SMZL.
Reply: probabilistic map of language regions: challenge and implication.

Sir, We thank Dr Wu and colleagues for their interest in our recent probabilistic map of critical functional regions of the human cerebral cortex (Tate et al. , 2014). In particular, we are pleased to note that in their experience with 69 Chinese-speaking patients the authors confirmed a 79% probability of anarthria/speech arrest with stimulation of the left ventral premotor cortex (PMC), similar to our results (83%). These data support the crucial role of the ventral PMC for speech output, as suggested in previous reports (Duffau et al. , 2003; van Geemen et al. , 2014). Nonetheless, they also found a probability of ‘speech arrest’ in 32% of patients within the left pars opercularis (i.e. Broca’s area), which they stated is similar to the 26.7% rate observed by Sanai et al. (2008). However, if one looks at the primary data from the report by Sanai et al. (2008), which uses a relatively arbitrary 1 × 1 cm grid system, which does not specifically respect anatomic (sulci, gyri) or cytoarchitectural (Brodmann area) cortical features, there are three grids that include a portion of pars opercularis: for the two grids that are completely contained within pars opercularis, one has 0% speech arrest and another has 4.9%—these data are similar to our reported …
Interplay between Hepatitis C Virus and Redox Cell Signaling

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects approximately 3% of the world’s population. Currently licensed treatment of HCV chronic infection with pegylated-interferon-α and ribavirin, is not fully effective against all HCV genotypes and is associated to severe side effects. Thus, development of novel therapeutics and identification of new targets for treatment of HCV infection is necessary. Current opinion is orienting to target antiviral drug discovery to the host cell pathways on which the virus relies, instead of against viral structures. Many intracellular signaling pathways manipulated by HCV for its own replication are finely regulated by the oxido-reductive (redox) state of the host cell. At the same time, HCV induces oxidative stress that has been found to affect both virus replication as well as progression and severity of HCV infection. A dual role, positive or negative, for the host cell oxidized conditions on HCV replication has been reported so far. This review examines current information about the effect of oxidative stress on HCV life cycle and the main redox-regulated intracellular pathways activated during HCV infection and involved in its replication.
Synthesis, inactivation, and localization of extracellular and intracellular Escherichia coli hemolysins

Extra- and intracellular Escherichia coli hemolysin expressed by two cloned hly determinants, both under the control of the activator element hlyR, were analyzed. One determinant carried all four hly genes (hlyC, hlyA, hlyB, and hlyD), whereas the other carried only the two genes (hlyC and hlyA) required for synthesis of active hemolysin but not those essential for its secretion. It was shown that the total amounts of HlyA protein and of hemolytic activity are similar in both cases in logarithmically growing cultures. The E. coli strain carrying the complete hly determinant released most hemolysin into the media and accumulated very little HlyA intracellularly. The active extracellular hemolysin (HlyA*) was inactivated in the stationary phase without degradation of the HlyA protein. In contrast, the hemolysin which accumulated intracellularly in the E. coli strain carrying hlyA and hlyC only was proteolytically degraded at the end of the logarithmic growth phase. Immunogold labeling indicates that active intracellular HlyA bound preferentially to the inner membrane, whereas that part of the extracellular HlyA which remained cell-bound was located exclusively at the cell surface. It was shown by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis that active extra- and intracellular HlyA* bound with similar efficiency to erythrocytes, whereas hemolytically inactive HlyA protein did not bind to these target cells.
Isolation of Pasteurella ureae from reproductive tracts of congenic mice

Infertility noted in two congenic strains of mice was associated with abortion, metritis, and stillbirths. Pasteurella pneumotropica was recovered from affected uterine tracts of ATL mice. Tetracycline treatment for 6 weeks was instituted in an attempt to minimize Pasteurella-associated infertility. Nine ATL mice and 12 ATH mice were examined 4 and 12 months after cessation of tetracycline therapy, respectively. Histopathologically, all animals appeared normal. P. pneumotropica was recovered from six of nine prepuces of both ATH and ATL mice; similarly, two of three vaginal culture of the ATL mice yielded this bacterium. Pasteurella ureae was isolated from three of eight reproductive tracts of the female ATH mice, Negative indole and ornithine decarboxylase reactions and positive acid production for mannitol differentiated P. ureae from P. pneumotropica. This report represents the first confirmed isolation of P. urea from animals. Biochemical profiles of atypical strains of P. pneumotropica isolated from animals are discussed and compared with those of P. ureae. The need for careful biochemical characterization of all Pasteurella isolated from rodents is emphasized.
More economic 25 mg 13C‐urea breath test can be effective in detecting primary Helicobacter pylori infection in children

Background and Aim: The high cost of the 13C‐urea breath test (UBT) limits its wide application for both epidemiological and clinical studies for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection. This study examined if a lower‐dose UBT, applying 1 mg/kg of bodyweight (maximum 25 mg, UBT25), could introduce cost savings while preserving high diagnostic yields for primary H. pylori infection.
Joint Fading and Shadowing Model for Large Office Indoor WLAN Environments

This paper presents measurements and a propagation model for an indoor wireless LAN (WLAN) scenario that represents an open concept office or laboratory layout with few large obstacles to reflect and refract the transmitted signal. Most mobile WLAN users generally restrict their movements to a small area due to the inability of most WLANs to accommodate hand-offs. As a result, users travel through at most one or two scattering clusters and experience only one or two discrete shadowing values. Hence, this paper will use propagation measurements collected over bandwidths of 10 MHz, to develop a statistical model for shadowing suitable for such an indoor WLAN scenario. Moreover, in indoor environments shadowing varies quickly enough to require some channel estimation algorithms to account for both small scale and large scale statistics. Therefore, this paper will present a distribution that jointly models variations due to both Rician fading and the new shadowing model. An analytical expression for the probability density function (PDF) of the joint distribution will be derived and fit to the experimental propagation data.
Explanatory and predictive values of the drivers of corporate bankruptcy.

Purpose: Most bankruptcy prediction models such as Altman, Beaver, and Zmijewski, only focuses on discriminant scores from which a determination is made about the financial health of firms. The most important indicators of financial distress and their order of importance as bankruptcy becomes imminent are not contained in literature. This paper aims to expand the domain of corporate bankruptcy by bringing to the fore the most important financial indicators in times of bankruptcy. Design: This paper employs the Altman Z score as a proxy for financial distress. The independent variables are the discrete Altman variables. The Altman Z score of 105 firms for the last two years before bankruptcy were computed. A structured coefficient index was used to determine the most critical indicators of corporate distress. Findings: A number of factors predicates financial distress. This paper focussed on indices in the Altman algorithm model. The paper provides empirical insights into how financial performance, relative to the Altman indices, deteriorates as bankruptcy approached. It suggests that profitability is the most significant predictor of bankruptcy. Originality: This paper’s foundation is the Altman algorithm model. However, the model does not explain how the discrete variables behave in the last two years before bankruptcy. This study is the first to examine the behavior of distressed firms relative to the Altman indices in the previous two years preceding bankruptcy.