Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thermal manipulation during late embryogenesis: Effect on body weight and temperature, thyroid hormones, and differential white blood cell counts in broiler chickens

&NA; The effects of thermal manipulation (TM) at 38.5°C and 40°C for 6 h at embryonic day (ED) 16, 9 h at ED 17, and 12 h at ED 18 on body weight (BW) and cloacal body temperature (Tb) during the first wk and later at post‐hatch d 10, 14, 21, 28, and 42 were evaluated. Furthermore, chicks' ability to cope with a thermal challenge (TC; 41°C for 6 h) at post‐hatch d 14 and 42 was also evaluated. A chick's response to TC was measured by determining the cloacal body temperature; the plasma thyroid hormones (thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)); the packed cell volume (PCV); the heterophil (H), lymphocyte (L), monocyte, basophil, and eosinophil percentages; and the heterophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratios (H/L). Thermal manipulation did not affect the hatchability. However, the body weight of TM chicken was higher compared with controls at marketing age (post‐hatch d 42). At post‐hatch d 14 and 42, no significant changes in Tb were observed among the different treatment groups. However, during TC at d 14 and 42, the Tb of TM chicks was lower compared with the controls. During TC, a significant increase in plasma T4 and a significant decrease in plasma T3 of TM chicks compared with controls were reported. Furthermore, during TC, a significant increase in the PCV and heterophil, monocyte, and H/L ratios, and a reduction in the lymphocyte percentages also were observed in TM chicks compared with the controls. Results of this study showed that chicks subjected to heat manipulation during late embryogenesis respond better to heat stress later in the growth and development period.
Coronary vasoconstrictor responses are attenuated in young women as compared with age‐matched men

Recent work in humans suggests coronary vasoconstriction occurs with static handgrip with a time course that suggests a sympathetic constrictor mechanism. These findings are consistent with animal studies that suggest this effect helps maintain transmural myocardial perfusion. It is known that oestrogen can attenuate sympathetic responsiveness, however it is not known if sympathetic constrictor responses vary in men and women. To examine this issue we studied young men (n= 12; 28 ± 1 years) and women (n= 14; 30 ± 1 years). Coronary blood flow velocity (CBV; Duplex Ultrasound), heart rate (ECG) and blood pressure (BP; Finapres) were measured during static handgrip (20 s) at 10% and 70% of maximum voluntary contraction. Measurements were also obtained during graded lower body negative pressure (LBNP; activates baroreflex‐mediated sympathetic system) and the cold pressor test (CPT; a non‐specific sympathetic stimulus). A coronary vascular resistance index (CVR) was calculated as diastolic BP/CBV. Increases in CVR with handgrip were greater in men vs. women (1.25 ± 0.49 vs. 0.26 ± 0.38 units; P < 0.04) and CBV tended to fall in men but not in women (−0.9 ± 0.9 vs. 1.7 ± 0.8 cm s−1; P < 0.01). Changes in CBV with handgrip were linked to the myocardial oxygen consumption in women but not in men. CBV reductions were greater in men vs. women during graded LBNP (P < 0.04). Men and women had similar coronary responses to CPT (P= n.s.). We conclude that coronary vasoconstrictor tone is greater in men than women during static handgrip and LBNP.
Air pollution and respiratory health in Africa: a review.

OBJECTIVE To bring into focus the existence of respiratory hazards due to air pollution as a result of industrialization, tobacco smoking (personal pollution), domestic pollution and vehicular fuel combustion on the African continent; and to stimulate health workers, and the various governments in Africa, to devote more attention to the subject of air pollution by engaging in and encouraging multidisciplinary research so that appropriate and effective control measures can be put in place. DATA SOURCES Medline literature search through internet using the keywords: air pollution, cigarette smoking, domestic pollution, respiratory morbidity, Africa. The author's contributions to the subject of air pollution and respiratory morbidity are included. STUDY SELECTION Relevant studies or articles from eastern, western, northern, southern and central parts of Africa are included in the review. DATA EXTRACTION From individual study or article. DATA SYNTHESIS Evidence of respiratory hazards sequel to the four main sources of air pollution in each part of Africa, are synchronised under the headings: introduction, respiratory impairment and the future. CONCLUSIONS Respiratory impairment from the four main sources of air pollution is a major but highly neglected problem on the African continent. There is need for concerted efforts on the part of African governments, health administrators and health workers to ensure that necessary attention is given to multidisciplinary research on the subject so that meaningful control measures can be formulated, thereby ensuring clean air for the people to breathe.
Exposure to violence, depression, and hostility in a sample of inner city high school youth.

This study examines the prevalence of violence in a non-randomly selected population of 337 inner city school students, the relationship between exposure to violence and symptoms of depression and hostility, and demographic differences in exposure to and effects of traumatic violence. Students responded to an anonymous survey asking them to enumerate how many times they had experienced each of six types of traumatic violence. Sixty-two per cent of students were exposed to an average of 3.0541 of the six types of violence listed. Exposure to most types of violence were highly intercorrelated. Males experienced more exposure to violence than females. Exposure to violence was predictive of hostility for both gender groups, and predictive of depression for females. Implications of exposure to traumatic violence on adolescent development are discussed.
High Glycolytic Flux Improves Pyruvate Production by a Metabolically Engineered Escherichia coli Strain

ABSTRACT We report pyruvate formation in Escherichia coli strain ALS929 containing mutations in the aceEF, pfl, poxB, pps, and ldhA genes which encode, respectively, the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, pyruvate formate lyase, pyruvate oxidase, phosphoenolpyruvate synthase, and lactate dehydrogenase. The glycolytic rate and pyruvate productivity were compared using glucose-, acetate-, nitrogen-, or phosphorus-limited chemostats at a growth rate of 0.15 h−1. Of these four nutrient limitation conditions, growth under acetate limitation resulted in the highest glycolytic flux (1.60 g/g · h), pyruvate formation rate (1.11 g/g · h), and pyruvate yield (0.70 g/g). Additional mutations in atpFH and arcA (strain ALS1059) further elevated the steady-state glycolytic flux to 2.38 g/g · h in an acetate-limited chemostat, with heterologous NADH oxidase expression causing only modest additional improvement. A fed-batch process with strain ALS1059 using defined medium with 5 mM betaine as osmoprotectant and an exponential feeding rate of 0.15 h−1 achieved 90 g/liter pyruvate, with an overall productivity of 2.1 g/liter · h and yield of 0.68 g/g.
Japanese encephalitis virus invasion of cell: allies and alleys

The mosquito‐borne flavivirus, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), is the leading cause of virus‐induced encephalitis globally and a major public health concern of several countries in Southeast Asia, with the potential to become a global pathogen. The virus is neurotropic, and the disease ranges from mild fever to severe hemorrhagic and encephalitic manifestations and death. The early steps of the virus life cycle, binding, and entry into the cell are crucial determinants of infection and are potential targets for the development of antiviral therapies. JEV can infect multiple cell types; however, the key receptor molecule(s) still remains elusive. JEV also has the capacity to utilize multiple endocytic pathways for entry into cells of different lineages. This review not only gives a comprehensive update on what is known about the virus attachment and receptor system (allies) and the endocytic pathways (alleys) exploited by the virus to gain entry into the cell and establish infection but also discusses crucial unresolved issues. We also highlight common themes and key differences between JEV and other flaviviruses in these contexts. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pyloric Exclusion in the Treatment of Severe Duodenal Injuries: Results from the National Trauma Data Bank

Pyloric exclusion (PEX) has traditionally been used in the management of complicated duodenal injuries to temporarily protect the duodenal repair and prevent septic abdominal complications. We used the American College of Surgeons National Trauma Data Bank (v 5.0) to evaluate adult patients with severe duodenal injuries [American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) Grade ≥ 3] undergoing primary repair only or repair with PEX within 24 hours of admission. Propensity scoring was used to adjust for relevant confounding factors during outcomes comparison. Among 147 patients with severe duodenal injuries, 28 (19.0%) underwent PEX [15.9% (11/69) Grade III vs 34.0% (17/50) Grade IV–V]. Despite similar demographics, PEX was associated with a longer mean hospital stay (32.2 vs 22.2 days, P = 0.003) and was not associated with a mortality benefit. There was a trend toward increased development of septic abdominal complications (intra-abdominal abscess, wound infection, or dehiscence) with PEX that was not statistically significant. After multivariable analysis using propensity score, no statistically significant differences in mortality or occurrence of septic abdominal complications was noted between those patients undergoing primary repair only or PEX. The use of PEX in patients with severe duodenal injuries may contribute to longer hospital stay and confers no survival or outcome benefit.
Structure Activity Analysis of 2-Methoxyestradiol Analogues Reveals Targeting of Microtubules as the Major Mechanism of Antiproliferative and Proapoptotic Activity

2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME2) is an anticancer agent with antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, and proapoptotic effects. A major proposed mechanism of drug action is the disruption of the microtubule skeleton, leading to the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In addition, other mechanisms of action have been proposed, including the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), and interference with mitochondrial function. In this study, we used a selection of 2ME2 analogues to conduct structure activity analysis and correlated the antiproliferative and proapoptotic activity of the various analogues with their effects on different drug targets. A good correlation was observed between drug activity and effects on microtubule function. In contrast, our results indicate that effects on ROS, HIF, and mitochondria are unlikely to contribute significantly to the cellular activity of 2ME2. Thus, our data indicate that the structural requirements for inducing ROS and inhibition of complex I of the mitochondrial electron transport chain were different from those required for proapoptotic drug activity. Furthermore, antioxidant treatment or overexpression of catalase did not inhibit the cellular activity of 2ME2 in epithelial cancer cells. Inhibition of HIF required much higher concentrations of 2ME2 analogues compared with concentrations that inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Our results thus provide a better insight into the mechanism of action of 2ME2 and reveal structural requirements that confer high cellular activity, which may aid future drug development. Mol Cancer Ther; 9(1); 224–35
[Frontotemporal dementia and schizophrenia in later life: a comparison of executive and general cognitive functioning].

BACKGROUND Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is characterised clinically by progressive changes in behaviour and personality; these changes are followed by cognitive disorder. FTD needs to be differentiated from other forms of dementia and from psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia. Both FTD and schizophrenia lead to cognitive disorders and particularly to executive impairments. AIM To compare executive and general cognitive functioning in patients with FTD and in patients with schizophrenia in later life. METHOD As cognitive screening instruments we used the 'Frontal Assessment Battery' (FAB) and the 'Mini-Mental State Examination' (MMSE). The FAB en MMSE test results (retrieved from the database of the Alzheimer centre of the VU medical centre) for 25 outpatients diagnosed as having FTD were compared with the test results (retrieved from the 'SOUL' study database) for 31 elderly schizophrenia patients. RESULTS In both the fab and the MMSE tests the scores for the patients with FTD were significantly lower than the scores for the patients with schizophrenia. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that, despite the clinical similarities, there are differences between patients with FTD and elderly patients with schizophrenia with regard to executive and general cognitive functioning. Further studies are needed in order to differentiate between the two illnesses.
Pathogenesis of Pain in Chronic Pancreatitis

The pathophysiology of pain in chronic pancreatitis (CP) is incompletely understood. Several hypotheses have been advanced, including pancreatic and extrapancreatic causes. The existence of different hypotheses to explain the genesis of pain in CP also reflects the different therapeutic approaches to pain in these patients. Increased intraductal pressure as a result of single or multiple strictures and/or calculi is believed to be a common cause of pain in CP patients with a dilated main pancreatic duct. Other suggested causes include pancreatic fibrosis, interstitial hypertension and pancreatic ischemia. Additionally, extrapancreatic causes like duodenal and common bile duct stenosis with scarring due to pancreatic inflammation are suggested as factors causing pain in CP. The ‘neurogenic inflammation’ hypothesis is a fascinating theory which is supported by different studies. Immunohistological reports have shown that the amount of neurotransmitters, such as substance P and its receptor, calcitonin gene-related peptide and other neurotransmitters, are increased in afferent pancreatic nerves and a correlation between pain and immune cell infiltration of the nerves has been reported in CP. In this review we will discuss the different pain hypotheses and will present the perspective that neuroimmune interaction is an important factor for pain generation in CP.
Prevalence study of oral mucosal lesions, mucosal variants, and treatment required for patients reporting to a dental school in North India: In accordance with WHO guidelines

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions (OML) in adult patients reporting to the dental outpatient department at the Institute of Dental Studies and Technologies, Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. The purpose was to determine the priorities in oral health education, preventive measures, and identify the group in urgent need of treatment. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted over a period of 6 months in 2010, when 8866 subjects were offered structured interviews and standardized extraoral and intraoral examinations according to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Result: Overall prevalence of OML was 1736 (16.8%), the most prevalent being smoker's palate (10.44%) followed by leukoplakia (2.83%), oral submucous fibrosis (1.97%), oral candidiasis (1.61%), recurrent aphthous stomatitis (1.53%), oral lichen planus (0.8%) and others (0.78%). The highest prevalence of the tobacco habit in both forms was recorded in the group aged 40–44 yearsand those aged between 60 and 64 years who wore dentures. Lesions were most prevalent in those aged 40–44 years with a significant predominance of males at 3:1 (M = 12.6% and F = 4.3%). Patients who consumed tobacco in any form or wore dentures had a significantly higher prevalence of OML (P < 0.001). The highest number of lesions were on the palate (59.7%) followed by buccal mucosa (19.9%). Various normal mucosal variants were recorded. Fordyce's granules (0.13%), fissured tongue (3.3%), leukoedema (1.47%), and lingual varices (2.73%) were also recorded. The tongue showed the highest number of variants (64.4%). Patients were grouped according to the treatment needed under the WHO criteria. One hundred and ninety-seven patients were given oral hygiene instructions only, whereas 1422 patients were advised on change of habit and a follow-up and 674 patients needed definitive treatment. Conclusion: This study thus highlights diagnostic criteria, multifactorial risk factors to make standard measurements of OML a basis for planning and evaluating oral health programs for data collection.
Vigabatrin: Clinical Evidence Supporting Rational Polytherapy in Management of Uncontrolled Seizures

Summary: Monotherapy is the policy for management of patients with epilepsy. With increasing knowledge of the biology of epilepsy and of the modes of action of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), this concept must be reevaluated. When monotherapy fails to control seizures, subsequent treatment should be based on “rational pharmacology,” taking into consideration the mode of action of the drugs, to provide improved efficacy with maintained tolerance and ease of administration. Introduction of vigabatrin (VGB) as a new AED calls for just such a reevaluation. VGB is an enzyme‐activated irreversible inhibitor of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐transaminase that increases brain and cerebrospinal (CSF) GABA concentrations in animals and humans. It has limited efficacy in the classic animal seizure screening tests, but in many clinical studies has halved the incidence of seizures in ∼50%of patients, especially those with partial epilepsies. We evaluated the efficacy of VGB in “socially integrated and active outpatients” as a likely subset to demonstrate any advantage of rational polytherapy. The criteria for this evaluation included the effects on seizure frequency, patient tolerability, and cognitive performance in a battery of psychometric tests. Fourteen of the 19 patients (73%) completing the study had >50% réduction in seizure frequency, and 10 of 19 (52%)had >70% réduction in seizure frequency. Tolerability appeared good; somnolence was the most frequent adverse event. Three patients complained of a worsening of their seizures, 1 with an increase in frequency and 2 with development of myoclonic jerks not previously reported. No deleterious effect of VGB on cognitive function was noted, and performance in late recognition tests showed significant improvement by the end of the maintenance period, which may have been due to the réduction in seizure frequency. The efficacy of VGB in this study in controlling seizures as compared with results of earlier published studies of refractory epilepsy may be related to selection of patients with more benign partial epilepsy, but does support the need for further studies in such patients to evaluate the hypothesis of rational polytherapy.
Leukotriene D4 Upregulates MUC2 Gene Transcription in Human Epithelial Cells

Background/Aims: Leukotriene (LT) D4 has been shown to induce mucus secretion in the airways. Excessive mucus secretion characterizes airway inflammatory disease such as asthma, allergic rhinitis. However, little is known about the effect of LTD4 on mucin gene expression. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of LTD4 on MUC2 gene expression in cultured epithelial cells (HM3-MUC2 cells). Methods: HM3-MUC2 cells were treated with LTD4 for 2 or 6 h. Reporter gene assay was mainly used for analysis.MUC2 protein levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: LTD4 significantly increased MUC2 gene transcriptional activity in a dose-dependent manner. Pranlukast, which is a selective antagonist of CysLT1 receptor, inhibited LTD4-induced MUC2 gene transcriptional activity in a dose-dependent manner. LTD4-induced MUC2 gene transcriptional activity was also suppressed by a G-protein inhibitor (pertussis toxin),a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor (bisindolylmaleimide), a mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor (PD98059), an extracellular signal regulated kinase-2 (ERK-2) inhibitor (AG126) and a nuclear factor ĸB (NF-ĸB) inhibitor. In addition, pranlukast inhibited LTD4-induced NF-ĸB activity. Conclusion: These results suggest that LTD4 upregulates MUC2 gene transcription via a signaling pathway involving CysLT1 receptor, G-protein, PKC, MEK, ERK and NF-ĸB.
Glycolipids from some extreme thermophilic bacteria belonging to the genus Thermus

The lipids of Thermus aquaticus YT1, Thermus thermophilus HB8, Thermus sp. strains H and J (from Icelandic hot springs), and Thermus sp. strain NH (from domestic hot water) have been investigated. Each strain contained two major components, a glycolipid and a glycophospholipid, which have been isolated and analyzed. All of the strains contained as the principal component (41 to 57% of total lipid) a diacyldiglycosyl-(N-acyl)glycosaminylglucosylglycerol, but the five glycolipids differed in carbohydrate composition. The glycophospholipid appeared to be identical in each strain and contained an N-acylglucosamine residue. The principal fatty acids were C15 and C17 branched-chain compounds. This unique polar lipid composition should be of value in the classification of other thermophiles in the genus Thermus. The exceptionally high carbohydrate content of the lipids of these extreme thermophiles may be of significance in relation to the molecular basis of thermophily.
The psychosocial impact of serological herpes simplex type 2 testing in an urban HIV clinic

Background/objectives: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is a common infection among HIV infected people. HSV type specific serologies permit the diagnosis of previously unrecognised HSV-2 infection. While substantial psychosocial morbidity has been associated with a clinical diagnosis of genital herpes, the burden associated with a serological diagnosis of HSV-2 is unclear. This study prospectively measured the psychosocial response to a new serological HSV-2 diagnosis in patients receiving care at an urban HIV clinic. Methods: At entry, sera were tested for HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies by western blot. Participants completed a 90 item psychosocial and life quality questionnaire at enrolment, and at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after receiving test results. Results: Of 248 HIV infected participants, 172 (69.4%) were HSV-2 seropositive and 116 (67.4%) seropositive people did not have a previous history of genital herpes. After correction for multiple comparisons, no statistically significant differences were detected on the psychosocial and life quality scales between those who received a new HSV-2 serological diagnosis compared with those who were HSV-2 seropositive with a history of genital herpes, or those who tested HSV-2 seronegative. Additionally, no significant changes in scores were observed during follow up. Conclusions: HSV-2 was a common but often unrecognised infection in this urban HIV clinic and participants coped well with a positive HSV-2 result. Concerns about psychosocial burden should not deter serological testing for HSV-2. Given the epidemiological and clinical interaction between HSV-2 and HIV, these data support routine HSV-2 testing of HIV infected people.