Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The isolation of morphologically intact and biologically active extracellular vesicles from the secretome of cancer-associated adipose tissue

ABSTRACT Breast cancer cells closely interact with different cell types of the surrounding adipose tissue to favor invasive growth and metastasis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanometer-sized vesicles secreted by different cell types that shuttle proteins and nucleic acids to establish cell-cell communication. To study the role of EVs released by cancer-associated adipose tissue in breast cancer progression and metastasis a standardized EV isolation protocol that obtains pure EVs and maintains their functional characteristics is required. We implemented differential ultracentrifugation as a pre-enrichment step followed by OptiPrep density gradient centrifugation (dUC-ODG) to isolate EVs from the conditioned medium of cancer-associated adipose tissue. A combination of immune-electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and Western blot analysis identified EVs that are enriched in flotillin-1, CD9 and CD63, and sized between 20 and 200 nm with a density of 1.076–1.125 g/ml. The lack of protein aggregates and cell organelle proteins confirmed the purity of the EV preparations. Next, we evaluated whether dUC-ODG isolated EVs are functionally active. ZR75.1 breast cancer cells treated with cancer-associated adipose tissue-secreted EVs from breast cancer patients showed an increased phosphorylation of CREB. MCF-7 breast cancer cells treated with adipose tissue-derived EVs exhibited a stronger propensity to form cellular aggregates. In conclusion, dUC-ODG purifies EVs from conditioned medium of cancer-associated adipose tissue, and these EVs are morphologically intact and biologically active.
Low-grade myxoid renal epithelial neoplasms with distal nephron differentiation.

We report 4 distinctive renal epithelial neoplasms that are essentially identical at the morphologic and immunohistochemical levels and do not fit an accepted category in the existing classification of these lesions. The patients were all females, with ages ranging from 32 to 79 years (mean, 50 years). The tumors were well circumscribed and were composed of uniform, predominantly low cuboidal cells with eosinophilic, focally vacuolated cytoplasm. Tumor cells generally formed interconnecting tubules, with smaller areas of cordlike growth and spindling in a bubbly, myxoid stroma. All tumors were confined to the kidney, and all were immunoreactive for high-molecular-weight cytokeratin 34betaE12, cytokeratin 7, epithelial membrane antigen, and cytokeratin cocktail AE1/3. Only 1 tumor was focally immunoreactive for Ulex europaeus agglutinin. Ultrastructural study showed tumor cells forming tubular structures reminiscent of the loop of Henle or distal convoluted tubule. Follow-up in all 4 cases was benign. These distinctive tumors may be confused with aggressive sarcomatoid renal cell carcinomas because of their spindled morphology. The morphologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features of these lesions indicate differentiation toward distal nephron segments. Similar tumors probably have been reported among low-grade collecting duct carcinomas or tumors "possibly related to the loop of Henle. "
Obtaining "Informed" Consent from the Elderly

Regardless of the age of the potential subjects, three conditions constitute informed consent: freedom to decide, clear information, and decision-making capacity. Numerous factors associated with the aging process affect elders' abilities to fulfill all of these conditions; however, as research involving the elderly increases, researchers must act responsibly to ensure that the rights and privileges of elderly research subjects are protected. There are numerous techniques researchers can use to increase the likelihood that truly informed consent is being obtained from elderly potential subjects; this article has described a few of these techniques. Many of the techniques mentioned require additional investigator time. Extra time to ensure this is a small price to pay for setting the stage for greater cooperation and increased quality of research. The development and dissemination of informed consent process guidelines geared toward the needs of the elderly would facilitate an individual researcher's efforts to protect elderly subjects.
Palmitic acid in the sn2 position of triacylglycerols acutely influences postprandial lipid metabolism 1 – 3

Background: The triacylglycerol structure of saturated fats may influence postprandial lipemia. Objective: We tested the hypothesis that high-fat meals rich in palmitic acid (16:0) in the sn-2 position decrease lipemia. Design: Postprandial changes in plasma lipids, apolipoprotein B48, and cytokines were compared in healthy men (n = 25) and women (n = 25) by using a randomized crossover design after meals that provided 50 g fat supplied as high-oleic sunflower oil (control), palm olein (PO), interesterified palm olein (IPO), and lard containing 0.6, 9.2, 39.1, and 70.5 mol% 16:0, respectively, at sn-2. Results: The sn-2–rich meals elicited different postprandial responses in plasma concentrations of nonesterified fatty acid (meal · time, P = 0.00014), triacylglycerol (meal · time, P = 0.002), and apolipoprotein B48 (meal · time · sex, P = 0.008). Nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were lower up to 3 h after lard and IPO meals than after control or PO meals. Triacylglycerol increased less steeply after lard and IPO meals than after control and PO meals; the incremental AUCs (iAUCs) were 34% (95% CI: 7%, 124%; P , 0.05) and 26% (95% CI: 16%, 132%; P , 0.05) lower after lard than after control and PO meals, respectively. In men, the maximal increment in apolipoprotein B48 was 14% (95% CI: 3%, 25%; P , 0.05) and 16% (95% CI: 2%, 30%; P, 0.05) lower for lard and IPO, respectively, compared with control. The postprandial iAUC in triacylglycerol was 51% lower in women (P = 0.001) than in men. Plasma IL-6 increased postprandially, but IL-8, TNF-a, and E-selectin decreased after all meals. Conclusion: Fats with a higher proportion of palmitic acid in the sn-2 position decrease postprandial lipemia in healthy subjects. This trial was registered at controlled-trials.com as ISRCTN20774126. Am J Clin Nutr 2011;94:1433–41.
Impact of Change to Molecular Testing for Clostridium difficile Infection on Healthcare Facility–Associated Incidence Rates

Background. Change from nonmolecular to molecular testing techniques is thought to contribute to the increasing trend in incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI); however the degree of effect attributed to this versus other time-related epidemiologic factors is unclear. Methods. We compared the relative change in incidence rate (IRR) of healthcare facility–associated (HCFA) CDI among hospitals in the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network before and after the date of switch from nonmolecular tests to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using prospectively collected surveillance data from July 2009 to December 2011. Data from 10 hospitals that switched and 22 control hospitals were included. Individual hospital estimates were determined using Poisson regression. We used an interrupted time series approach to develop a Poisson mixed-effects model. Additional regression adjustments were made for clustering and proportion of intensive care unit patient-days. The variable for PCR was treated as a fixed effect; other modeled variables were random effects. Results. For those hospitals that switched to PCR, mean incidence rate of HCFA CDI before the switch was 6.0 CDIs per 10,000 patient-days compared with 9.6 CDIs per 10,000 patient-days after the switch. Estimates of hospital-specific IRR that compared after the switch with before the switch ranged from 0.89 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32–2.44) to 6.91 (95% CI, 1.12–42.54). After adjustment in the mixed-effects model, the overall IRR comparing CDI incidence after the switch to before the switch was 1.56 (95% CI, 1.28–1.90). Time-trend variables did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion. Hospitals that switched from nonmolecular to molecular tests experienced an approximate 56% increase in the rate of HCFA CDI after testing change.
PREPARATION OF PRE-SERVICE AND GRADUATE EDUCATORS

With the development and adoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for K-12, there has been a shift toward challenging students to demonstrate higher-order thinking skills. This shift includes specific goals in the area of information literacy (IL). Recently, however, as one of the authors reviewed student writing in her undergraduate pre-service and graduate teacher education classes at a public suburban university, the lack of IL skills exhibited by teacher candidates at both levels was evident. This is a major concern since these are the teachers that will be expected to model and teach these skills to K-12 populations. A large part of the problem may simply be semantic, of course, but we believe the lack of a common terminology between and among disciplines is a critical factor in what we are teaching and how we assess learning of IL skills at all levels and across disciplines. That is, while a review of standards across disciplines demonstrated some level of emphasis on IL skills, the specific terminology used to address IL varied across disciplines, and without a shared framework and terminology, the focus on IL in both K-12 and higher education is fragmented. This is evident in analysis of IL standards and review of research studies addressing interventions in pre-service and graduate educator preparation programs. Thus, the final section of this chapter includes possible solutions to begin improving IL skills in teacher preparation programs.
Microbial contamination of enteral feeding products in thermoneutral and hyperthermal ICU environments.

BACKGROUND Temperature is known to affect bacterial growth, but current safety recommendations for enteral formula are based on studies conducted in thermoneutral environments, which are not representative of select burn intensive care units (ICUs) that are kept therapeutically hyperthermal. This project evaluated microbial growth in 3 enteral feeding systems: closed, open, and open with modular additives (modular tube feeding [MTF]) exposed to 2 different environments. PROCEDURES Product for each of the 3 systems was prepared and hung in both a thermoneutral (23.3°C) and a hyperthermal (32.5°C) ICU room. At baseline, 4 hours, and 8 hours, samples were plated and incubated overnight and the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) counted. FINDINGS In the thermoneutral and hyperthermal environments, there was no evidence of microbial growth in the open or closed feeding systems at any time point. The MTF exhibited baseline contamination with a median of 10 CFUs (95% CI, 8-16) and significant growth over time to 54 CFUs (95% CI, 20-230) by 8 hours in the thermoneutral setting. In the hyperthermal environment, the MTF showed baseline contamination of 390 CFUs (95% CI, 40-1600) and significant growth over time, with 30% of samples exhibiting contamination levels exceeding Food and Drug Administration standards by 4 hours and CFUs being too numerous to count by 8 hours. CONCLUSION CFUs in enteral formula did not differ between open and closed feeding systems in either environment for up to 8 hours; however, the addition of modulars to open systems may result in an unacceptable risk of contamination in hyperthermal environments.
Respirable indium exposures, plasma indium, and respiratory health among indium-tin oxide (ITO) workers.

BACKGROUND Workers manufacturing indium-tin oxide (ITO) are at risk of elevated indium concentration in blood and indium lung disease, but relationships between respirable indium exposures and biomarkers of exposure and disease are unknown. METHODS For 87 (93%) current ITO workers, we determined correlations between respirable and plasma indium and evaluated associations between exposures and health outcomes. RESULTS Current respirable indium exposure ranged from 0.4 to 108 μg/m(3) and cumulative respirable indium exposure from 0.4 to 923 μg-yr/m(3) . Plasma indium better correlated with cumulative (rs = 0.77) than current exposure (rs = 0.54) overall and with tenure ≥1.9 years. Higher cumulative respirable indium exposures were associated with more dyspnea, lower spirometric parameters, and higher serum biomarkers of lung disease (KL-6 and SP-D), with significant effects starting at 22 μg-yr/m(3) , reached by 46% of participants. CONCLUSIONS Plasma indium concentration reflected cumulative respirable indium exposure, which was associated with clinical, functional, and serum biomarkers of lung disease. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:522-531, 2016. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
P Acute Myocardial Infarction he Role of Clopidogrel in Early nd Sustained Arterial Patency After Fibrinolysis or ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction he ECG CLARITY – TIMI 28 Study

OBJECTIVES This study was designed to determine the relationship between clopidogrel and early ST-segment resolution (STRes) and the interaction of the two with clinical outcomes after fibrinolysis. BACKGROUND ST-segment resolution is an early noninvasive marker of coronary reperfusion. METHODS The CLARITY–TIMI 28 (Clopidogrel as Adjunctive Reperfusion Therapy–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 28) trial randomized 3,491 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing fibrinolysis to clopidogrel versus placebo. STsegment resolution was defined as complete ( 70%), partial (30% to 70%), or none ( 30%). RESULTS Electrocardiograms were valid for interpretation in 2,431 patients at 90 min and 2,087 at 180 min. There was no difference in the rate of complete STRes between the clopidogrel and placebo groups at 90 min (38.4% vs. 36.6% at 90 min). When patients were stratified by STRes category, treatment with clopidogrel resulted in greater benefit among those with evidence of early STRes, with greater odds of an open artery at late angiography in patients with partial (odds ratio [OR] 1.4, p 0.04) or complete (OR 2.0, p 0.001) STRes, but no improvement in those with no STRes at 90 min (OR 0.89, p 0.48) (p for interaction 0.003). Clopidogrel was also associated with a significant reduction in the odds of an in-hospital death or myocardial infarction in patients who achieved partial (OR 0.30, p 0.003) or complete STRes at 90 min (OR 0.49, p 0.056), whereas clinical benefit was not apparent in patients who had no STRes (OR 0.98, p 0.95) (p for interaction 0.027). By 30 days, the clinical benefit of clopidogrel was predominately seen in patients with complete STRes. CONCLUSIONS Clopidogrel appears to improve late coronary patency and clinical outcomes by preventing reocclusion of open arteries rather than by facilitating early reperfusion. (J Am Coll Cardiol ublished by Elsevier Inc. doi:10.1016/j.jacc. 2006.02.052
Cerebral palsy in children in north-eastern Poland

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify antenatal, intrapartum and neonatal risk factors for cerebral palsy (CP) among babies. Antenatal, intrapartum, and neonatal events were compared between 204 children with CP born between 1983 to 2000 and 206 controls, children matched by birth weight, gestational age, and sex via a retrospective case-control method. Antenatal, intrapartum and neonatal factors were expressed as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Multiple logistic regression was conducted, entering only those variables found to be significant at the bivariate level. Factors associated with an increased risk of CP identified as antenatal and intrapartum risk factors were abruptio placenta, pre-labour rupture of membranes, prematurity, preterm labour, cesarean section and low birth weight (< 2500 gram). Respiratory distress syndrome, prolonged ventilation, septicemia, meningitis, hyperbilirubinemia, neonatal seizures, and severe cranial ultrasound abnormality were associated with an increased risk of CP in the neonatal period. In the logistic regression models prematurity and Apgar scores ≤ 4 at 1st min were significantly associated with an increased risk of CP. Several antenatal, intrapartum and neonatal risk factors for CP among preterm and term babies are responsible for the etiology of CP. Our findings are in agreement with reports from Western countries. (J Pediatr Neurol 2004; 2(2): 79–84).
Regenerating corticospinal fibers in the Marmoset (Callitrix jacchus) after spinal cord lesion and treatment with the anti‐Nogo‐A antibody IN‐1

Neutralizing the myelin‐associated growth inhibitor Nogo‐A in adult spinal cord‐injured rats can promote regeneration of injured and compensatory sprouting of uninjured axons. Nogo‐A is present in humans, making its neutralization a possible novel treatment option for paraplegic patients. In this study we examined the effects of an extensively used anti‐Nogo‐A antibody (mAb IN‐1) on the regenerative capabilities of lesioned corticospinal tract (CST) axons in a primate, the Marmoset monkey. Unilateral thoracic lesions of the CST were performed in six adult Marmosets, followed by the application of mAb IN‐1 into the cerebrospinal fluid circulation by a graft of hybridoma cells. A unilateral injection of biotin dextran amine into the motor cortex was performed to analyse sprouting and regeneration of the lesioned axons. In the control antibody‐treated animal CST fibers stopped rostral to the lesion site and often showed retraction bulbs. In contrast, in four out of five mAb IN‐1‐treated animals fine labeled neurites had grown into, through and around the lesion site. Thus, this study provides first anatomical evidence that in primates, the neutralization of the myelin‐associated inhibitor Nogo‐A results in increased regenerative sprouting and growth of lesioned spinal cord axons.
Sand-Based Rootzone Modification with Inorganic Soil Amendments and Sphagnum Peat

areas. A few of the more commonly used inorganic soil amendments are the porous ceramics, diatomaceous earth, and zeolites. Some of the characteristics of these products that potentially make them desirable for improving the properties of sands are a large internal porosity that results in water retention, a uniform particle size distribution that allows them to be easily incorporated, and high cation exchange capacity that retains nutrients. Therefore, research exploring the suitability of newly marketed inorganic soil amendments that are not subject to biological degradation, but still provide water and nutrient retention, would be worthwhile. composes over time. This gradual decomposition may adversely affect the rootzone physical properties and this, in turn, may contribute to poor performance of turfgrasses grown on these declining rootzones. Turfgrass researchers have evaluated many inorganic soil amendments for sand rootzone construction with mixed success (Waddington et a1., 1974; Schmidt, 1980; Ferguson et a1., 1986; Nus and Brauen, 1991; Kussow, 1996; Carlson et a1., 1998; McCoy and Stehouwer,1998). Renewed interest in inorganic soil amendments has resulted in many products being marketed for turfgrass
Microbiological Oxidation of Antimony(III) with Oxygen or Nitrate by Bacteria Isolated from Contaminated Mine Sediments

ABSTRACT Bacterial oxidation of arsenite [As(III)] is a well-studied and important biogeochemical pathway that directly influences the mobility and toxicity of arsenic in the environment. In contrast, little is known about microbiological oxidation of the chemically similar anion antimonite [Sb(III)]. In this study, two bacterial strains, designated IDSBO-1 and IDSBO-4, which grow on tartrate compounds and oxidize Sb(III) using either oxygen or nitrate, respectively, as a terminal electron acceptor, were isolated from contaminated mine sediments. Both isolates belonged to the Comamonadaceae family and were 99% similar to previously described species. We identify these novel strains as Hydrogenophaga taeniospiralis strain IDSBO-1 and Variovorax paradoxus strain IDSBO-4. Both strains possess a gene with homology to the aioA gene, which encodes an As(III)-oxidase, and both oxidize As(III) aerobically, but only IDSBO-4 oxidized Sb(III) in the presence of air, while strain IDSBO-1 could achieve this via nitrate respiration. Our results suggest that expression of aioA is not induced by Sb(III) but may be involved in Sb(III) oxidation along with an Sb(III)-specific pathway. Phylogenetic analysis of proteins encoded by the aioA genes revealed a close sequence similarity (90%) among the two isolates and other known As(III)-oxidizing bacteria, particularly Acidovorax sp. strain NO1. Both isolates were capable of chemolithoautotrophic growth using As(III) as a primary electron donor, and strain IDSBO-4 exhibited incorporation of radiolabeled [14C]bicarbonate while oxidizing Sb(III) from Sb(III)-tartrate, suggesting possible Sb(III)-dependent autotrophy. Enrichment cultures produced the Sb(V) oxide mineral mopungite and lesser amounts of Sb(III)-bearing senarmontite as precipitates.
Padrões de Inovação da Indústria de Bens de Capital Agrícola no Brasil

800x600 O artigo busca, de forma exploratoria, identificar a capacidade de diferenciar produtos e a forma pela qual as empresas brasileiras de maquinas e equipamentos agricolas acumulam conhecimento para inovar. O estudo baseia-se, principalmente, em microdados da Pesquisa de Inovacao Tecnologica (PINTEC) e da Pesquisa Industrial Anual (PIA) de 2005, do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatistica (IBGE), atraves das quais as firmas industriais brasileiras foram classificadas em lideres, seguidoras, frageis e emergentes. Os resultados revelam a heterogeneidade tecnologica da industria de maquinas e equipamentos agricolas e a presenca de empresas nacionais entre as lideres tecnologicas do setor, ainda que subsidiarias de multinacionais tenham forte presenca no mercado brasileiro. Medidas de politica industrial sao sugeridas a fim de fortalecer os regimes tecnologicos de cada categoria de empresa. Normal 0 21 false false false PT-BR X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Tabela normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:. 0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}