Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inflammation and caspase activation in long-term renal ischemia/reperfusion injury and immunosuppression in rats.

BACKGROUND We have previously shown the long-term influence of renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury and immunosuppression on fibrotic genes and apoptosis in a rat model. For the first time, we have now investigated the effects of I/R and immunosuppression on inflammation and caspase activation. METHODS I/R injury was induced in the right kidney and the left was removed. Cyclosporin (CsA) (10 mg/kg), tacrolimus (0.2 mg/kg), rapamycin (1 mg/kg), or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) (10 mg/kg) was then administered for 16 weeks. The effects of I/R and immunosuppressants on interstitial inflammation, interleukin (IL)-1beta expression, caspase-1 and caspase-3 activation, tubulointerstitial damage, and fibrosis were evaluated. RESULTS ED-1+ (a specific rat monocyte/macrophage marker) cells were mainly localized in the tubulointerstitium and periglomerular areas and increased in I/R group compared to controls (P < 0.01). This was further increased by CsA, but decreased by tacrolimus, rapamycin, or MMF (P < 0.05). The 17 kD active IL-1beta remained unchanged, but 35 kD IL-1beta precursor was decreased by rapamycin in comparison with I/R group (P < 0.05). The 45 kD or 20 kD caspase-1 was increased by I/R or CsA, respectively, and decreased by rapamycin (P < 0.05). The 24 kD caspase-3, which proved to be an active caspase-3 subunit, was increased in I/R and CsA groups and deceased by tacrolimus, rapamycin, or MMF (P < 0.05), but not 32 kD precursor or 17 kD active caspase-3. The activity data of caspase-1 and caspase-3 exhibited the same trend as Western blotting data. The staining of active caspase-3 was scattered in kidneys, mainly in tubular and interstitial areas, which was consistent with that of ED-1+ cells. There was a strong positive correlation between interstitial inflammation and 24 kD caspase-3 expression or caspase-3 activity (r = 0.814 or 0.484), all of which were also closely related with urinary protein (r = 0.537, 0.529, or 0.517), serum creatinine (r = 0.463, 0.573, or 0.539), tubulointerstitial damage (r = 0.794, 0.618, or 0.712) and fibrosis (r = 0.651, 0.567, or 0.469), all P < 0.01. CONCLUSION This study shows that the mechanisms of long-term I/R injury and immunosuppressants treatment include interstitial inflammation and caspase activation, most clearly demonstrated by the 24 kD active caspase-3.
Managing process deficiencies with enterprise systems

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the deficiencies and the sources of deficiencies in process changes associated with the implementation of enterprise systems (ES). Design/methodology/approach – In‐depth studies of four firms and additional verification in seven other firms.Findings – Results reveal that deficiencies of process changes with ES are mainly associated with the packaged and integrated nature of enterprise system software, particularly its configurability, in‐built processes, multiple options, data and process integration, streamlined processes, and standard processes. In order to eliminate deficiencies and gain benefits, organizations need to invest in on‐going software exploration, business examination, and process and software changes that align new processes and management responsibilities.Originality/value – In the expanding world of ES research, this study is significant because it explores the sources of deficiencies associated with process change and provides guidance to.
Efficacy of chlorhexidine as a postmilking teat disinfectant for the prevention of bovine mastitis during lactation.

A natural exposure trial was conducted for 12 mo in a herd of 150 lactating Jersey cows to determine efficacy of a . 35% chlorhexidine teat dip containing a glycerine emollient for the prevention of bovine intramammary infections. Right teats of cows were dipped in the experimental teat dip after milking machine removal and left teats were not dipped. The herd was free of Streptococcus agalactiae and had a low prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus. Most new major pathogen intramammary infections resulted from Streptococcus species, primarily Streptococcus uberis and Streptococcus dysgalactiae. New infections by Streptococcus species were significantly lower in teats dipped in chlorhexidine than in undipped teats. Overall efficacy of the chlorhexidine teat dip against major mastitis pathogens was 50%. The experimental teat dip also reduced coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species infections 49.0% and Corynebacterium bovis infections 65.2%. Overall efficacy against minor mastitis pathogens was 54.0%. No irritation or chapping of teats dipped in the experimental teat dip was observed.
Cell of origin predicts outcome to treatment with etoposide-containing chemotherapy in young patients with high-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Abstract Addition of etoposide to the R-CHOP chemotherapy regimen with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone and rituximab (R-CHOEP) has resulted in improved survival in young patients with high-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). It is not known whether biological factors can predict this effect. In this study, 245 patients representing all young patients with high-risk DLBCL treated with R-CHOP or R-CHOEP in 2004–2012 in Denmark were extracted from the Danish lymphoma database. Patients were stratified according to cell of origin (COO) into germinal-center B-cell-like (GCB) or non-GCB by Hans’ algorithm. Only in patients with the GCB phenotype was treatment with R-CHOEP associated with improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with R-CHOP. Patients with GCB phenotype treated with R-CHOEP also had superior OS compared with patients with non-GCB phenotype treated with R-CHOEP. This was not seen in R-CHOP treated patients. This could suggest that R-CHOEP should be restricted to patients with GCB phenotype.
[Vitamin B12 nutritional status in preschool children in Chongqing].

OBJECTIVE To explore the levels of serum vitamin B(12) (VB(12)) in preschool children, determine the relationship between the levels of serum VB(12) and anemia, and analyze the effects of several factors related to the level of serum VB(12). METHODS From March 2005 to July 2005, the weight, height and complete blood count (CBC) were studied in 351 children aged 2 to 7 years from 4 kindergartens of Chongqing. The concentrations of serum VB(12) and the dietary survey of 177 of the children were evaluated. RESULTS The average level of serum VB(12) for the preschool children was 552 pg/ml. The levels of serum VB(12) in 4.5% (8/177) of the children were below 200 pg/ml (defined as VB(12) deficiency), in 10.7% (19/177) of the children were 200 - 300 pg/ml (called marginal deficiency). There were no significant differences in the levels of serum VB(12) between boys and girls. And there was no correlation between the levels of serum VB(12) and hemoglobin. The results of multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that the concentrations of serum VB(12) were mainly influenced by the contents of VB(12) in the foods (P = 0.03). Eight of the children with normal growth and development were diagnosed as VB(12) deficiency, only one of them was diagnosed microcytic hypochromatic anemia. The ranges of Hb, MCV and MHC were normal in the other 7 children. CONCLUSIONS The levels of serum VB(12) of preschool children were higher than that of adults, suggesting that the levels of serum VB(12) change with age. There were no significant differences in the levels of serum VB(12) in 2-7 years old children between sex and ages. The levels of serum VB(12) were not correlated with the concentrations of hemoglobin. Macrocytic anemia may not occur in preschool children with VB(12) deficiency. The intake of VB(12) from the diets was one of the important factors for preschool children to keep the normal ranges of serum VB(12). It is beneficial for children to consume foods enriched with VB(12) to keep the normal level of serum VB(12).
Role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in heat‐induced apoptosis in keratinocytes

In human skin, keratinocytes are constantly challenged by adverse influences, such as hot and cold temperatures; however, the effects of heat on apoptosis induction in keratinocytes are not well understood. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a potent cytokine that overcomes p53 function by suppressing its transcriptional activity. Here, we evaluated the effects of MIF on hyperthermia (HT)‐induced apoptosis in MIFdeficient [knockout (KO)] and MIF‐transgenic (Tg) mouse keratinocytes. Cells were exposed to HT at 44°C, and increased apoptosis was observed in MIF‐KO and wild‐type (WT) cells compared with MIF‐Tg cells. To determine the mechanism, MIF‐mediated changes in the cellular p53 level and its effects on p53‐dependent death signaling (Bax and p21) and JNK signaling (p‐JNK, JNK, β‐Bad, and Bad) were investigated. MIF‐Tg cells exhibited substantially decreased levels of p53 after HT treatment compared with WT and MIF‐KO cells. In addition, HT treatment caused decreased expression of β‐JNK and β‐Bad in MIF‐Tg cells; however, no such changes were observed in MIF‐KO and WT cells. These results showed that the activation of JNK(p‐JNK and β‐Bad) and p53 may be involved in HT‐induced apoptosis in keratinocytes and that enhanced endogenous MIF expression suppressed apoptosis. —Yoshihisa, Y. , Rehman, M. U. , Kondo, T. , Shimizu, T. Role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in heat‐induced apoptosis in keratinocytes. FASEB J. 30, 3870–3877 (2016) www.fasebj. org
Epidemiology and prevention of Graves' ophthalmopathy.

Graves' ophthalmopathy is clinically relevant in approximately 50% of patients with Graves' disease, severe forms affecting 3%-5% of patients. Two age peaks of incidence are observed in the fifth and seventh decades of life, with slight differences between women and men. The disease is more frequent in women than in men, although the female-to-male ratio is only 1:4 in severe forms of eye disease. The natural history of Graves' ophthalmopathy is incompletely defined, but in many instances, especially in mild forms, the disease may remit or improve spontaneously. The onset of the ophthalmopathy is in most cases concomitant with the onset of hyperthyroidism, but eye disease may precede or follow hyperthyroidism. Cigarette smoking plays an important role in the occurrence of the ophthalmopathy, and is also associated with a higher degree of disease severity and a lower effectiveness of its medical treatment. Primary prevention (i.e., avoidance of the occurrence of the ophthalmopathy) is presently not feasible, but smoking withdrawal in relatives of patients with Graves' disease might be important. In terms of secondary prevention (i.e., avoidance of progression of subclinical eye disease into overt and severe ophthalmopathy) in addition to refraining from smoking, early and accurate control of thyroid dysfunction (both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism), as well as early diagnosis and treatment of mild eye disease are important. As to the role that management of hyperthyroidism may play in the course of Graves' ophthalmopathy, while antithyroid drugs and thyroidectomy are not disease-modifying treatments, radioiodine therapy causes a progression of the ophthalmopathy in approximately 15% of patients, especially high-risk patients, who smoke, have severe hyperthyroidism or uncontrolled hypothyroidism, high levels of thyrotropin (TSH)-receptor antibody, or preexisting eye disease. However, the risk of radioiodine-associated progression of the opthalmopathy can be eliminated by concomitant treatment with middle-dose glucocorticoids. In terms of tertiary prevention (i.e., avoidance of deterioration and complications of overt disease) early immunosuppressive treatment or orbital decompression, as appropriate, are essential tools. Smoking withdrawal may increase the effectiveness of immunosuppressive treatment.
Speckle tracking in a phantom and feature-based tracking in liver in the presence of respiratory motion using 4D ultrasound

We have evaluated a 4D ultrasound-based motion tracking system developed for tracking of abdominal organs during therapy. Tracking accuracy and precision were determined using a tissue-mimicking phantom, by comparing tracked motion with known 3D sinusoidal motion. The feasibility of tracking 3D liver motion in vivo was evaluated by acquiring 4D ultrasound data from four healthy volunteers. For two of these volunteers, data were also acquired whilst simultaneously measuring breath flow using a spirometer. Hepatic blood vessels, tracked off-line using manual tracking, were used as a reference to assess, in vivo, two types of automated tracking algorithm: incremental (from one volume to the next) and non-incremental (from the first volume to each subsequent volume). For phantom-based experiments, accuracy and precision (RMS error and SD) were found to be 0.78 mm and 0.54 mm, respectively. For in vivo measurements, mean absolute distance and standard deviation of the difference between automatically and manually tracked displacements were less than 1.7 mm and 1 mm respectively in all directions (left–right, anterior–posterior and superior–inferior). In vivo non-incremental tracking gave the best agreement. In both phantom and in vivo experiments, tracking performance was poorest for the elevational component of 3D motion. Good agreement between automatically and manually tracked displacements indicates that 4D ultrasound-based motion tracking has potential for image guidance applications in therapy.
Prevalence of antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, parainfluenza 3, bovine respiratory syncytial, and bovine viral diarrhea viruses in cattle in Saskatchewan and Alberta.

A total of 1745 healthy cattle from 295 farms in Saskatchewan and Alberta was tested by ELISA for antibodies to four viruses. Antibodies to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus were found in 37.8% of sera (59.5% of properties), to parainfluenza 3 (PI3) virus in 93.9% of sera (99.7% of properties), to bovine respiratory syncytial (BRS) virus in 78.5% of sera (86.6% of properties), and to bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus in 40.6% of sera (66.7% of properties)The prevalence of PI3 viral antibodies among Saskatchewan cattle was not affected by district of origin, breed, sex, age, or vaccination practices, though BRS viral antibodies appeared less frequent in young, male, and unvaccinated animals. Antibodies to IBR and BVD viruses were less prevalent in the Prince Albert/Tisdale districts and in young, male, and unvaccinated animals, but were more common in Holstein cattle. Antibodies to IBR virus appeared less frequent in Herefords. Antibodies were more prevalent in cattle which had been vaccinated against IBR, BRS, and BVD virus infections.The relatively small number of cattle sampled from Alberta had a similar prevalence of antibodies to PI3 and BRS viruses to that seen in cattle in Saskatchewan, though IBR and BVD prevalence rates were lower.
The penny pusher: a cellular model of lens growth.

PURPOSE The mechanisms that regulate the number of cells in the lens and, therefore, its size and shape are unknown. We examined the dynamic relationship between proliferative behavior in the epithelial layer and macroscopic lens growth. METHODS The distribution of S-phase cells across the epithelium was visualized by confocal microscopy and cell populations were determined from orthographic projections of the lens surface. RESULTS The number of S-phase cells in the mouse lens epithelium fell exponentially, to an asymptotic value of approximately 200 cells by 6 months. Mitosis became increasingly restricted to a 300-μm-wide swath of equatorial epithelium, the germinative zone (GZ), within which two peaks in labeling index were detected. Postnatally, the cell population increased to approximately 50,000 cells at 4 weeks of age. Thereafter, the number of cells declined, despite continued growth in lens dimensions. This apparently paradoxical observation was explained by a time-dependent increase in the surface area of cells at all locations. The cell biological measurements were incorporated into a physical model, the Penny Pusher. In this simple model, cells were considered to be of a single type, the proliferative behavior of which depended solely on latitude. Simulations using the Penny Pusher predicted the emergence of cell clones and were in good agreement with data obtained from earlier lineage-tracing studies. CONCLUSIONS The Penny Pusher, a simple stochastic model, offers a useful conceptual framework for the investigation of lens growth mechanisms and provides a plausible alternative to growth models that postulate the existence of lens stem cells.
Moving from values inaction to values-in-action : an exploration of how values can be managed intentionally by national sports organizations

The study examined the intentional use of National Sport Organizations' (NSOs) stated values. Positive Organizational Scholarship (POS) was applied to an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) approach of interviewing NSO senior leaders. One intention of this research was to foster a connection between academia and practitioners, and in so doing highlight the gap between values inaction and values-in-action. Data were collected from nine NSOs through multiple-case studies analysis of interview transcripts, websites, and constitutional statements. Results indicated that while the NSOs operated from a Management by Objectives (MBO) approach they were interested in exploring how Management by Values (MBV) might improve their organization's performance. Eleven themes from the case studies analysis contributed to the development of a framework. The 4-1 framework described how an NSO can progress through different stages by becoming more intentional in how they use their values. Another finding included deepening our understanding of how values are experienced within the NSO and then transferred across the entire sport. Participants also spoke about the tension that arises among their NSO' s values as well as the dominant values held by funding agents. This clash of values needs to be addressed before the tension escalates. Finally, participants expressed a desire to learn more about how values can be used more intentionally to further their organization's purpose. As such, strategies for intentionally leveraging values are also suggested. Further research should explore how helpful the 4-1 framework can be to NSOs leaders who are in the process of identifying or renewing their organization's values.
Ac ce pt ed M an us cr ip t Title : Interest of cytogenetic and FISH evaluation for prognosis evaluation in 198 patients with acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission in a single institution

Please cite this article as: Hirsch P, Labopin M, Viguié F, Perot C, Isnard F, Mamez A-C, Bilhou-Nabera C, Marzac C, Delhommeau F, Lapusan S, Marie JP, Mohty M, Legrand O, Interest of cytogenetic and FISH evaluation for prognosis evaluation in 198 patients with acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission in a single institution, Leukemia Research (2014), http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j.leukres. 2014.05. 021
Epidemiology of nosocomial candidaemia in a university hospital: a 12-year study

SUMMARY The incidence of nosocomial candidaemia was evaluated in a retrospective study in a Turkish tertiary-care hospital. Over a 12-year period (1996–2007), a total of 743 episodes of candidaemia occurred in 743 patients, accounting for an average incidence of 1·9 episodes/1000 admissions and 2·9 episodes/10 000 patient-days per year. The annual incidence was almost constant during the study period except for 1996 when it was significantly higher in comparison with other years (P<0·05). The most common species isolated was Candida albicans (45%), followed by C. parapsilosis (26%), C. tropicalis (7%), C. krusei (7%), and C. glabrata (3·5%). A significant increase in C. albicans isolates causing candidaemia linked to a decrease in C. parapsilosis isolates in adult patients and C. krusei isolates in children was found between the two 6-year study periods. This trend reflects improved infection control at Uludağ University Hospital. Ninety percent of isolates were susceptible to fluconazole (⩽8 μg/ml) and resistance was found only in C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis isolates. Regular local surveillance of Candida spp. is important in order to develop empirical treatment protocols to reduce the incidence and mortality of candidaemia.
Partial cloning and distribution of estrogen receptor beta in the avian brain

A partial estrogen receptor beta (ER-β) cDNA was isolated from testicular quail RNA by RT-PCR with degenerate primers specific to the rat ER-β sequence. A high expression of ER-β was demonstrated by RT-PCR in the telencephalon, diencephalon, pituitary, testis and kidneys of male quail but little or no expression was detected in the cerebellum, pectoral muscle and adrenal gland. In situ hybridization with a 35S-labelled oligoprobe in sections through the preoptic area-rostral hypothalamus identified high expression in the medial preoptic nucleus, bed nucleus striae terminalis and nucleus taeniae. These data demonstrate the presence of an ER-β in brain areas implicated in the control of reproduction in a non-mammalian species.
What is the role of pulse oximetry in the assessment of patients with community-acquired pneumonia in primary care?

INTRODUCTION Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common presenting condition in primary care. Assessment of oxygenation status using pulse oximetry is increasingly available, but its precise role in disease severity assessment is unknown. AIMS To inform the use of pulse oximetry in patients with CAP, including the utility of different oxygenation thresholds, patient subgroups, and interaction with existing severity scores. METHODS A prospective cohort study of adults with CAP admitted to a UK teaching hospital trust. Oxygen saturations (SpO₂) and the fraction of inspired oxygen were recorded on admission. The value of different SpO₂ thresholds (< 88%, ≤ 90%, ≤ 92%, and < 95%) in predicting 30-day mortality and critical care admission was analysed. RESULTS 467 patients had SpO₂ measured on room air. Admission SpO₂ ≤ 90% was observed in 28% of patients and had reasonable specificity (76%) for 30-day mortality or critical care admission, but low sensitivity (46%). Specificity was particularly good for adults <50 years of age (90%) or those with asthma (92.3%). CONCLUSION SpO₂ ≤ 90% has good specificity but low sensitivity for adverse outcomes in CAP. It complements rather than replaces clinical severity scoring.
How does patient‐clinician information engagement influence self‐reported cancer‐related problems?

Past research has linked patient‐physician communication with improved emotional, physical, and social health. One component of communication, patient‐clinician information engagement (PCIE), predicts improved short‐term patient‐reported outcomes, such as treatment satisfaction, through perceptions of feeling informed. However, to the authors' knowledge, the relation between PCIE and longer term cancer‐related problems has not been examined previously. The authors examined the influence of PCIE on self‐reported problems associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment based on a longitudinal survey among a randomly selected sample from the 2005 Pennsylvania Cancer Registry.