Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Humoral immune responses in gingival crevice fluid: local and systemic implications.

The oral cavity represents the entry portal for a wide array of antigenic challenges, both transient and more permanent. The more permanent challenges are represented by the substantial bacterial colonization that exists in the oral cavity. This environment presents a variety of niches for the establishment of unique microbial ecologies including the oral mucosa, tongue, tooth surface, and gingival sulcus. Many members of the complex oral microbiota maintain a symbiotic relationship with the host; however, select individual species are clearly pathogens (i.e. Streptococcus mutans and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans) within this environment. For the host to maintain homeostasis within the oral cavity, various immune response systems contribute to controlling the microbial colonization. These systems represent three interrelated entities and include the salivary, systemic (serum) and gingival tissue immune systems (Table 1). This review will focus primarily on the gingival tissue immune system, and gingival crevice fluid (GCF) as the biological material contributing to the local sulcal environment. The oral epithelium represents the only site in the body in which the epithelial barrier is deliberately breached by hard tissues (i.e. cementum, enamel), which must be sealed from the external milieu. Even in gingival health, there is a fluid transudate that flows from the site of this seal, presumably as a mechanical factor is minimizing bacterial accumulation. This fluid also contains a variety of macromolecular components that are derived from serum and the interstitia of the gingiva. The concentration
Tobacco Smoke is an Adjuvant for Maintained Airway Sensitization in Guinea Pigs

Tobacco smoke (TS) exposure exacerbates asthma and may induce airway hyperresponsiveness in asymptomatic individuals. We hypothesized that TS exposure is an adjuvant to airway responsiveness. Ovalbumin (OA) sensitized guinea pigs were TS or air exposed. At 30 exposure days OA airway responsiveness was demonstrable in OA-treated animals exposed to either TS or air. After 130 exposure days only TS-exposed guinea pigs demonstrated OA airway responsiveness. Capsaicin airway responsiveness developed in non-sensitized and OA-sensitized guinea pigs exposed to TS. Therefore TS-exposure acts as an adjuvant to antigenic and neurogenic airway responsiveness. Combined antigen and adjuvant avoidance may attenuate or reverse airway responsiveness.
Antifungal Activity of Ginger Extract on Candida Albicans: An In-vitro Study

Plant derived products have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. In traditional Indian medicine or Ayurveda, Zingiber officinale and many other herbs have been used as medicine. Traditional uses of plants have led to investigating their bioactive compounds, which have resulted in the detection of a significant number of therapeutic properties. Aim of the study: The present study was carried out to assess the effect of ethanolic extract of ginger on candida albicans in vitro. The shunti Choorna (ginger powder) was procured from commercial source (S.N.Pandit and sons, Mysore). The antifungal activity of the agent was tested in the following dilution range- 1g, 2g, 4g of shunti choorna in 99.9% ethanol. Ginger paste at room temperature showed inhibition zone better than ethanol alone, but cold ethanolic ginger extract showed the maximum inhibition zone at 24 hrs. The present study showed that the ethanolic extract of ginger powder has pronounced inhibitory activities against Candida albicans. From the obtained results it can be concluded that although ethanol in itself has antifungal activity, ethanolic extract of ginger has a synergistic activity.
Statistical Process Analysis

This section will review those books whose content and level re ect the general editorial policy of Technometrics. Publishers should send books for review to Eric R. Ziegel, BP Naperville Complex, Mail Code C-7, 150 West Warrenville Road, Naperville, IL 60563-8460. (ziegeler@bp.com). The opinions expressed in this section are those of the reviewers. These opinions do not represent positions of the reviewer’s organization and may not re ect those of the editors or the sponsoring societies. Listed prices re ect information provided by the publisher and may not be current. The book purchase program of the American Society for Quality can provide some of these books at reduced prices for members. For information, contact the American Society for Quality, 1-800-248-1946.
Posterior acetabular fracture-dislocations: fragment size, joint capsule, and stability.

In acetabular fractures, the size of a significant posterior wall fragment remains undefined as it affects joint stability. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate fragment size and hip stability in cadaveric specimens after serial osteotomies. Also, the role of the posterior capsule, in the various osteotomies, was evaluated for changes in hip stability. We found that fragments involving 25% or less of the acetabulum are insignificant, i.e., do not affect joint stability, while fragments involving 50% or more are significant. The significance of transitional fragments (25-50% of the acetabulum) is determined by the posterior capsule.
Atypical Presentation and Progression of Glioblastoma Multiforme in a 6-Year-Old Girl: Multidisciplinary Case Report

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most common adult malignant brain tumor but is notably less common in children. The authors describe the case of a child who presented for evaluation and treatment of neurologic signs caused by a brain stem glioma. Response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy with temozolomide was initially positive, but later extensive leptomeningeal metastasis developed. Biopsy proved the lesion to be glioblastoma multiforme. During salvage irradiation to the spine and unirradiated brain, the patient complained of hip and femur pain. Subsequent radiographs demonstrated multiple bony metastases. This pattern of spread is uncharacteristic and emphasizes the importance of adequate metastatic evaluation.
Conformism, Social Norms and the Dynamics of Assimilation

We consider a model where each individual (or ethnic minority) is embedded in a network of relationships and decides whether or not she wants to be assimilated to the majority norm. Each individual wants her behavior to agree with her personal ideal action or norm but also wants her behavior to be as close as possible to the average assimilation behavior of her peers. We show that there is always convergence to a steady-state and characterize it. We also show that different assimilation norms may emerge in steady state depending on the structure of the network. We then consider an optimal tax/subsidy policy which aim is to reach a certain level of assimilation in the population. We believe that our model sheds light on how the pressure from peers, communities and families affect the long-run assimilation decisions of ethnic minorities.
Expression of Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors in the Developing Mouse Metanephros

While bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) 2, 4 and 7 have recently been implicated in aspects of metanephric development, and expression patterns of these ligands have been described in the developing metanephros, the distribution of BMP receptors in developing metanephroi remains unknown. In the present study, in situ hybridisation histochemistry was used to localise mRNAs for BMP type-I receptors (BMPR-IA and BMPR-IB) and the BMP type-II receptor (BMPR-II) in developing mouse metanephroi. At embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5) and E14.5 transcripts for BMP type-I receptors were localised to the tips and body of the branching ureter as well as mesenchymal condensates, developing vesicles and comma-shaped bodies. Localisation of BMPR-II transcripts was similar although expression was not observed in the body of the ureter. At E17.5, transcripts for all three receptors were localised in the nephrogenic zone including ureteric tips, vesicles, comma- and S-shaped bodies as well the body of the ureter and in tubules. BMP type-I and type-II receptor transcripts co-localised with each other, in agreement with the well-documented evidence that BMPs signal via heterotetrameric complexes of type-I and type-II receptors and with the previously reported metanephric expression pattern of BMPs. These patterns of receptor expression suggest that these molecules are important regulators of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, nephron development and ureteric branching morphogenesis.
A Novel Phosphatidylserine-binding Peptide Motif Defined by an Anti-idiotypic Monoclonal Antibody

A monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody, Id8F7, previously shown to bind to a phosphatidylserine (PS)-specific binding site on protein kinase C (PKC) has been used to identify a 12-amino acid consensus sequence shared by PKC and phosphatidylserine decarboxylase (PSD). The 14-amino acid synthetic peptide derived from the corresponding region of PSD (amino acids 351-364 of the enzyme from Chinese hamster ovary cells) bound effectively and specifically to PS, and that derived from rat PKC (amino acids 227-240) bound weakly but specifically to PS. Analysis of binding of Id8F7 to various synthetic peptides revealed that the consensus sequence motif, FXFXLKXXXKXR, is responsible for the interaction with both Id8F7 and PS. The results suggest that the conserved amino acid residues represent a basic structural motif for the specific interaction with PS, and the corresponding regions of PKC and PSD form the PS-specific binding sites of these enzymes.
Unstable Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 10 (ATTCT)·(AGAAT) Repeats Are Associated with Aberrant Replication at the ATX10 Locus and Replication Origin-Dependent Expansion at an Ectopic Site in Human Cells

ABSTRACT Spinocerebellar ataxia type 10 (SCA10) is associated with expansion of (ATTCT)n repeats (where n is the number of repeats) within the ataxin 10 (ATX10/E46L) gene. The demonstration that (ATTCT)n tracts can act as DNA unwinding elements (DUEs) in vitro has suggested that aberrant replication origin activity occurs at expanded (ATTCT)n tracts and may lead to their instability. Here, we confirm these predictions. The wild-type ATX10 locus displays inefficient origin activity, but origin activity is elevated at the expanded ATX10 loci in patient-derived cells. To test whether (ATTCT)n tracts can potentiate origin activity, cell lines were constructed that contain ectopic copies of the c-myc replicator in which the essential DUE was replaced by ATX10 DUEs with (ATTCT)n. ATX10 DUEs containing (ATTCT)27 or (ATTCT)48, but not (ATTCT)8 or (ATTCT)13, could substitute functionally for the c-myc DUE, but (ATTCT)48 could not act as an autonomous replicator. Significantly, chimeric c-myc replicators containing ATX10 DUEs displayed length-dependent (ATTCT)n instability. By 250 population doublings, dramatic two- and fourfold length expansions were observed for (ATTCT)27 and (ATTCT)48 but not for (ATTCT)8 or (ATTCT)13. These results implicate replication origin activity as one molecular mechanism associated with the instability of (ATTCT)n tracts that are longer than normal length.
Erythrocyte replacement at metamorphosis in the frog, rana pipiens

Small crenulated erythrocytes appear in the circulation of Rana pipiens during metamorphosis, increases in number as metamorphosis proceeds and gradually lose their wrinkled appearance. At the end of metamorphosis the entire red cell population has been replaced by these new cells. Thyroxine induces the premature appearance of these new cells in young tadpoles.
Oxidative stress and antioxidant status among neonates born to mothers with pre-eclampsia and their early outcome

Abstract Objective: To study the oxidative stress and antioxidant status among neonates born to pre-eclamptic mothers and their role in the early outcome of these babies. Study design: This case control study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India. We included 75 neonates born to mothers with pre-eclampsia matched against 75 neonates born to mothers with normal blood pressure. Relevant antenatal and neonatal clinical data were collected for all babies. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were estimated in cord blood and oxidative stress was correlated with early neonatal outcome. Results: Oxidative stress was increased among cases compared to controls as evidenced by increased mean MDA levels (7.43 ± 1.21 versus 3.06 ± 0.69 µmol/L) and decreased mean TAS (742.15 ± 27.30 versus 829.26 ± 23.16 mmol/L). Level of oxidative stress correlated with poor neonatal outcome including sepsis, NEC and respiratory distress among cases. An MDA value of 8.68 µmol/L can be used as a cut-off, with sensitivity of 60% and specificity of 89.2%, to predict neonatal death among babies born to pre-eclamptic mothers. Conclusion: Oxidative stress is increased in neonates born to mothers with pre-eclampsia and useful in predicting outcome.
Differential In Vitro and In Vivo Toxicities of Antimicrobial Peptide Prodrugs for Potential Use in Cystic Fibrosis

ABSTRACT There has been considerable interest in the use of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as antimicrobial agents for the treatment of many conditions, including cystic fibrosis (CF). The challenging conditions of the CF patient lung require robust AMPs that are active in an environment of high proteolytic activity but that also have low cytotoxicity and immunogenicity. Previously, we developed prodrugs of AMPs that limited the cytotoxic effects of AMP treatment by rendering the antimicrobial activity dependent on the host enzyme neutrophil elastase (NE). However, cytotoxicity remained an issue. Here, we describe the further optimization of the AMP prodrug (pro-AMP) model for CF to produce pro-WMR, a peptide with greatly reduced cytotoxicity (50% inhibitory concentration against CFBE41o- cells, >300 μM) compared to that of the previous group of pro-AMPs. The bactericidal activity of pro-WMR was increased in NE-rich bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from CF patients (range, 8.4% ± 6.9% alone to 91.5% ± 5.8% with BAL fluid; P = 0.0004), an activity differential greater than that of previous pro-AMPs. In a murine model of lung delivery, the pro-AMP modification reduced host toxicity, with pro-WMR being less toxic than the active peptide. Previously, host toxicity issues have hampered the clinical application of AMPs. However, the development of application-specific AMPs with modifications that minimize toxicity similar to those described here can significantly advance their potential use in patients. The combination of this prodrug strategy with a highly active AMP has the potential to produce new therapeutics for the challenging conditions of the CF patient lung.
Leptin Regulates KATP Channel Trafficking in Pancreatic β-Cells by a Signaling Mechanism Involving AMP-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) and cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase (PKA)* ♦

Background: Leptin inhibits insulin secretion by increasing β-cell KATP currents. Results: Leptin causes a transient increase in surface KATP channel density. This increase is dependent on AMPK and PKA and actin depolymerization. Conclusion: Leptin increases KATP currents by recruiting KATP channels to the β-cell membrane. Significance: KATP channel trafficking is an important physiological mechanism to regulate channel activity. Pancreatic β-cells secrete insulin in response to metabolic and hormonal signals to maintain glucose homeostasis. Insulin secretion is under the control of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels that play key roles in setting β-cell membrane potential. Leptin, a hormone secreted by adipocytes, inhibits insulin secretion by increasing KATP channel conductance in β-cells. We investigated the mechanism by which leptin increases KATP channel conductance. We show that leptin causes a transient increase in surface expression of KATP channels without affecting channel gating properties. This increase results primarily from increased channel trafficking to the plasma membrane rather than reduced endocytosis of surface channels. The effect of leptin on KATP channels is dependent on the protein kinases AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and PKA. Activation of AMPK or PKA mimics and inhibition of AMPK or PKA abrogates the effect of leptin. Leptin activates AMPK directly by increasing AMPK phosphorylation at threonine 172. Activation of PKA leads to increased channel surface expression even in the presence of AMPK inhibitors, suggesting AMPK lies upstream of PKA in the leptin signaling pathway. Leptin signaling also leads to F-actin depolymerization. Stabilization of F-actin pharmacologically occludes, whereas destabilization of F-actin simulates, the effect of leptin on KATP channel trafficking, indicating that leptin-induced actin reorganization underlies enhanced channel trafficking to the plasma membrane. Our study uncovers the signaling and cellular mechanism by which leptin regulates KATP channel trafficking to modulate β-cell function and insulin secretion.
Molecular characterization of soybean cultivars by microsatellite markers with universal tail sequence

The objective of this work was to standardize a semiautomated method for genotyping soybean, based on universal tail sequence primers (UTSP), and to compare it with the conventional genotyping method that uses electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels. Thirty soybean cultivars were genotypically characterized by both methods, using 13 microsatellite loci. For the UTSP method, the number of alleles (NA) was 50 (2–7 per marker) and the polymorphic information content (PIC) ranged from 0.40 to 0.74. For the conventional method, the NA was 38 (2–5 per marker) and the PIC varied from 0.39 to 0.67. The genetic dissimilarity matrices obtained by the two methods were highly correlated with each other (0.8026), and the formed groups were coherent with the phenotypic data used for varietal registration. The 13 markers allowed the distinction of all analyzed cultivars. The low cost of the UTSP method, associated with its high accuracy, makes it ideal for the characterization of soybean cultivars and for the determination of genetic purity.
Measurement of Intracellular pH in Pancreatic Duct Cells: A New Method for Calibrating the Fluorescence Data

Abstract: Pancreatic duct cells secrete the bicarbonate ions found in pancreatic juice. Impairment of ductal bicarbonate secretion, as occurs in cystic fibrosis, has serious consequences for pancreatic function and for the structural integrity of the gland. As bicarbonate is a buffer ion, the accurate measurement of intracellular pH (pHi) in duct cells is an important technique for studying the mechanisms of bicarbonate transport. Commonly, pHi is measured using the fluorescent dye biscarboxyethylcarboxyfluorescein (BCECF). The purpose of this study was to develop a new technique for the accurate calibration of BCECF fluorescent signals. Our results indicate that BCECF fluorescence is not only dependent on pHi but also on the total fluorescence intensity of the detected area (which may be influenced by dye loading, dye leakage, and the shutter size on the photomultiplier). The outcome is that one calibration curve is not sufficient for accurate determination of pHi. In fact, an appropriate calibration curve must be selected for each individual experiment. Moreover, the calibration plot is only linear over a narrow range of pHi values. In conclusion, we have developed a new technique that should be applicable to all cell types for the accurate calibration of fluorescent signals from the pH-sensitive dye BCECF.
Factors associated with continued employment among patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a survival model.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of demographic, disease, workplace, social, and household factors with the ability of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to remain employed over time. METHODS Four hundred seventy-two employed patients with RA recruited from a national sample of rheumatology practices were followed. Patients were interviewed once a year by telephone for 9 years and patients' physicians provided data on clinical aspects such as disease stage, joint deformity, and flares. A proportional hazards survival model based on stepwise variable selection was developed to investigate the association between continuance of work over a 9 year period and demographic, work, attitudinal, disease, and social support variables. RESULTS In the univariate analysis, the significant factors associated with longer work survival were being younger, being self-employed, having a higher prestige occupation, working more hours per week, having higher education level, and missing fewer days of work during the baseline year. The final multivariate model included age, type of occupation and number of days missed from work as a time varying co-variate. CONCLUSION Ability to remain employed over the 9 year study was more strongly associated with age, work characteristics, and time lost from work than with disease factors. The underlying mechanisms related to occupational prestige as a predictor of work survival should be investigated in order to develop interventions to reduce the risk of work disability.
Is the two week rule for cancer referrals working?

Mortality rates in the United Kingdom for several cancers compare unfavourably with those in other countries,1 and this may be explained at least partly by British patients having more advanced disease at the time of treatment than their European counterparts. Morbidity and mortality can be reduced through primary and secondary prevention, including screening; by early detection; and by prompt and effective treatment. Last year, in the context of the NHS's disgracefully long waiting lists, the government pledged that patients with suspected cancer would be seen by a specialist within two weeks of referral by their general practitioner. The aim was to reduce delays between presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. The two week rule has now been implemented across a range of specialties, supported by widely distributed information about risk factors and criteria for rapid referral for suspected cancer. How is it working? Local rapid access referral mechanisms have been established, including specially designed forms and direct electronic access to outpatient appointments for patients meeting prespecified criteria. In addition, the government established the cancer services collaborative programme, creating nine cancer networks covering about 15 million people, aimed at optimising systems of care and improving …
Magnetic Domain Wall Formation in Ferromagnetic Wires With a Nanoconstriction

The magnetization distribution and the formation of magnetic domain wall (DW) in ferromagnetic metal wires with a nanoscale constriction have been investigated in details using the micromagnetic simulation. It is found that the angle of the nanoconstriction plays an important role in controlling the formation of the magnetic DW. For different ferromagnetic metals, NiFe, Ni, Fe and Co, the domain structures and formation of the DW are also found to be distinctly different. In the NiFe wires, the optimum constriction angle for a well defined head-to-head/tail-to-tail DW is around 10deg while in Ni, it is around 14deg. For large constriction angles in Fe and Co wires, the magnetizations across the nanocontact tend to align along the same direction without a DW. However, Fe and Co wires tend to form complex vortex magnetic domains or single domains in the wires and across the nanocontacts in sharp contrast with the NiFe and Ni wires of the same shape and size