Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevention and Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Primates by Using Synthetic Type D/A Oligodeoxynucleotides Expressing CpG Motifs

ABSTRACT Oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing CpG motifs mimic microbial DNA and are recognized by toll-like receptor 9 on immune cells. The resulting response limits the early spread of infectious organisms and promotes the development of adaptive immunity. In this regard, CpG ODN show promise as immunoprotective agents and as vaccine adjuvants. Previous studies of nonhuman primates showed that administration of CpG ODN type D (also known as type A) at the site of infection 3 days before and after a challenge with Leishmania major enhanced host resistance and reduced the lesion's severity. In this study, we show that systemic administration of D/A ODN limits the size of lesions following an intradermal infection with L. major. Importantly, the reduced morbidity was not associated with a reduction in long-term immunity, as such treated macaques were still protected following a secondary challenge. Finally, administration of D/A ODN to macaques that had established cutaneous lesions reduced the severity of the lesions, suggesting a potential role for CpG ODN in L. major treatment. Together, these findings support the development of clinical studies to assess the use of CpG ODN types D/A as immunoprotective and therapeutic agents.
Ultrasound dilution: An accurate means of determining cardiac output in children*

Background: Cardiac output is a useful measure of myocardial performance. Cardiac output monitoring is frequently performed in critically ill adults to guide physicians' treatment strategies. However, standard methods of determining cardiac output in children are not without risk and can be problematic secondary to their invasive nature and other technical problems. The COstatus system (Transonic Systems, NY), which is based on ultrasound dilution technology, works off in situ catheters and uses an innocuous indicator to allow for routine measurements of cardiac output and blood volumes in pediatric patients. The purpose of this study was to validate cardiac output measured by the COstatus system with those obtained by the clinical standard technique of pulmonary artery thermodilution. Methods: This was a prospective evaluation performed at a single institution. Any child with a structurally normal heart undergoing hemodynamic evaluation in the cardiac catheterization laboratory was included. A prograde right heart catheterization was performed, and cardiac output was first determined by using the pulmonary artery thermodilution technique. Thermodilution results were then compared with cardiac output measurements obtained using the COstatus system. The results were analyzed by standard correlation, Bland-Altman, and Critchley and Critchley analyses. Results: Twenty-eight patients were evaluated with a median age of 8 yrs and a median weight of 31 kg. The mean thermodilution cardiac index = 3.18 L/min (± 1.35 L/min), and the mean COstatus system cardiac index = 3.17 L/min (± 1.31 L/min). Standard Pearson correlation tests revealed an excellent correlation coefficient of 0.95 (p < .0001). Bland-Altman analysis revealed good clinical agreement with a mean difference of −0.004 L/min with a precision of 0.8 L/min at 2 SD. A percentage error of 25.4% was noticed in this study, which is less than the clinically acceptable limit. Conclusion: The ultrasound dilution technique of determining cardiac output using the COstatus system provides a less invasive method than the traditional pulmonary artery thermodilution for accurately determining cardiac output in children. This is the first validation of the COstatus system in pediatric patients. Further studies are required to establish its accuracy in pediatric patients with cardiac shunts and other hemodynamically unstable conditions.
Risk factors for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is characterised by nonresolving pulmonary thromboemboli that can be treated by surgical pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). The authors of the present study sought to confirm known and to identify novel CTEPH risk factors in a controlled retrospective cohort study of prevalent CTEPH cases collected in three European centres offering PEA. Data from CTEPH patients were compared with nonthromboembolic pre-capillary pulmonary arterial hypertension cohorts at the participating institutions. The study population comprised 687 patients assessed at the time of diagnosis between 1996 and 2007. Ventriculo-atrial shunts and infected pacemakers (odds ratio (OR) 76.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.67–10,351), splenectomy (OR 17.87, 95% CI 1.56–2,438), previous venous thromboembolism (VTE; OR 4.52, 95% CI 2.35–9.12), recurrent VTE (OR 14.49, 95% CI 5.40–43.08), blood groups other than 0 (2.09, 95% CI 1.12–3.94), and lupus anticoagulant/antiphospholipid antibodies (OR 4.20, 95% CI 1.56–12.21) were more often associated with CTEPH. Thyroid replacement therapy (OR 6.10, 95% CI 2.73–15.05) and a history of malignancy (OR 3.76, 95% CI 1.47–10.43) emerged as novel CTEPH risk factors. In conclusion, the European database study confirmed previous knowledge of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension risk factors, and identified thyroid replacement therapy and a history of malignancy as new medical conditions associated with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
Review of glucose tolerance — a problem in methodology

The oral glucose tolerance test has been repeatedly refined since 1919. During an investigation of the effects of contraceptive drugs on glucose tolerance, however, it became evident that few long-term studies are available to show the relevance of borderline test results. The sensitivity and specificity of the test are inversely related. For this reason, the criteria for a positive test must be set for specific clinical or study goals. The complexities of the test are surprising and suggest that various portions of the glucose tolerance curve may show better predictability under different circumstances. The variations induced by screening procedures, glucose load, time of day, hours since last food, and age are discussed.
Inverting the Facing-the-Viewer Bias for Biological Motion Stimuli

Depth-ambiguous point-light walkers are most frequently seen as facing-the-viewer (FTV). It has been argued that the FTV bias depends on recognising the stimulus as a person. Accordingly, reducing the social relevance of biological motion by presenting stimuli upside down has been shown to reduce FTV bias. Here, we replicated the experiment that reported this finding and added stick figure walkers to the task in order to assess the effect of explicit shape information on facing bias for inverted figures. We measured the FTV bias for upright and inverted stick figure walkers and point-light walkers presented in different azimuth orientations. Inversion of the stimuli did not reduce facing direction judgements to chance levels. In fact, we observed a significant facing away bias in the inverted stimulus conditions. In addition, we found no difference in the pattern of data between stick figure and point-light walkers. Although the results are broadly consistent with previous findings, we do not conclude that inverting biological motion simply negates the FTV bias; rather, inversion causes stimuli to be seen facing away from the viewer more often than not. The results support the interpretation that primarily low-level visual processes are responsible for the biases produced by both upright and inverted stimuli.
Bristol-Myers Squibb/Zimmer Award for Distinguished Achievement in Orthopaedic Research: Long-Term Follow-up of Pediatric Orthopaedic Conditions Natural History and Outcomes of Treatment*†

The treatment of any medical condition is an attempt to alter the natural history of that condition. If treatment is to be offered, it must alter the natural history in a positive way. The focus of our research efforts over the years has been twofold: first, to examine the natural history of various pediatric orthopaedic conditions in order to learn their adult consequences and, second, to evaluate the long-term outcomes of various treatment methods applied to childhood disorders in order to learn if the natural history had been favorably altered. This has been possible because of a good record-keeping system, started by Arthur Steindler, and a stable population base. This report will give brief highlights of some of these and related studies in the hope of elucidating the adult consequences of the natural history and treatment outcomes of childhood disorders. These studies provide the foundations for current treatment recommendations. ### Scheuermann Kyphosis In 1921, Scheuermann described a so-called spinal deviation that he believed deserved to be distinguished from passively correctable postural hunchback30. This condition, which became known as Scheuermann kyphosis, is characterized by fixed dorsal kyphosis consisting of wedged vertebrae with disturbances of the vertebral end plates. In 1964, Sorensen proposed the now widely accepted radiographic criterion of three adjacent wedged vertebrae angled by at least 5 degrees to define Scheuermann kyphosis31. The cause of the condition remains unclear. The round back of Scheuermann kyphosis and the associated back pain are often causes of concern for patients, parents, and physicians. There have been many reports that, in an adult, this condition leads to backache, embarrassment about physical appearance, interruption of work, disability, severe progressive deformity, cardiopulmonary failure, tightness of the hamstrings or other muscles, spondylolisthesis, disc degeneration, and interference with recreational activities. This has led many authors to recommend …
Epidemiology of Epidural Analgesia and Cesarean Delivery

Introduction Epidural analgesia provides the most effective labor pain relief currently available, and its use has increased dramatically in the last 20 years. A national survey conducted in 1981 found that only about 20% of women received epidural analgesia for pain relief in labor, whereas a similar survey conducted in 1997 found that over half of women delivering babies or approximately 2 million women each year received epidural for pain relief during labor. Epidural analgesia, like almost all medical treatments, has been associated with a number of unintended effects. The use of epidural analgesia has been consistently associated with higher rates of instrumental vaginal delivery, perineal laceration, and intrapartum fever. The question of whether epidural is responsible for a higher rate of cesarean delivery has been harder to resolve. Although many studies have reported an association of epidural with cesarean, there is disagreement about whether epidural causes cesarean or whether the appearance of an association results from differences between women who choose or do not choose epidural analgesia in labor. This review will examine the evidence regarding the presence of a causal association between epidural analgesia and cesarean delivery. For a more comprehensive review of the effects of epidural during labor, see Lieberman and O’Donoghue.
Brazilian Groundnut Toxicosis in Canadian Broiler Chickens.

DURING THE PAST YEAR frequent references have been made to the toxicity of Brazilian groundnut (BGN) meal for turkey poults (1, 2, 6, 7, 9), chickens (2), ducklings (1, 2, 3, 6), pheasants (6), hogs (5), and cattle (4), when included as a protein supplement in rations for these species. The toxicity of BGN meal was first reported in Great Britain in connection with studies of the then so-called turkey "X" disease. ABSTRACT "Hormonal Substances for Fattening The authors state that hormonal treatment of slaughter heifers provides a method for improving rate of gain and feed efficiency which results in reduced cost of gain. Cattle feeders should realize, however, that vaginal prolapse may occur in some heifers. In the work reported about one heifer in 12 showed vaginal prolapse with all treatments viz: 10 mg. stilbestrol orally per day; 36 mg. stilbestrol implant; 12 mg. stilbestrol implant or reimplant; 220 mg. estradiol-testosterone implant; or 144 mg. estradiol-progesterone paste. ABSTRACT "High Protein-Urea Supplements with or without Lvsine for fattening Steer Calves. "
Acid sphingomyelinase possesses a domain homologous to its activator proteins: Saposins B and D

An N‐terminal region of the acid sphingomyelinase sequence (residues 89‐165) is shown to be homologous to saposintype sequences. By analogy with the known functions of saposins, this sphingomyelinase saposin‐type domain may possess lipid‐binding and/or sphingomyelinase‐activator properties. This finding may prove to be important in the understanding of Niemann‐Pick disease, which results from sphingomyelinase deficiency.
Immunohistochemical analysis of kallikrein-related peptidases in the normal kidney and renal tumors: potential clinical implications

Abstract Kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) have been shown to be differentially expressed in various malignancies and shown to be useful tumor markers. Previous immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis demonstrated that KLKs 5, 6, 10, and 11 have a potential prognostic significance in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). To further explore the significance of KLKs, we examined KLKs 1, 6, 7, and 15 in different subtypes of renal tumors. KLK1 has stronger expression in high grade compared to low grade clear cell RCC. However, KLK6 and KLK7 show strong expression in low grade in contrast to high grade clear cell RCC. Furthermore, the expression of KLK7 can distinguish between oncocytoma and chromophobe RCC. Oncocytoma showed diffuse, strong granular cytoplasmic staining, but chromophobe RCC showed focal weak homogeneous cytoplasmic stain. The pattern of staining of different KLKs can also be helpful in differentiating some of the subtypes of renal tumors. Our results show the potential ability of KLKs to serve as diagnostic markers and expand previous data about the prognostic significance of KLKs in kidney cancer. In addition, our study is the first to show the ability of KLK staining to distinguish various types of kidney cancers when morphology is similar.
PHOTOPERIOD AND REGULATION OF GONADOTROPIN RECEPTORS *

In the overwhelming majority of animal species, reproductive functions do not continue throughout the year, but are restricted to a breeding season. With the exception of animals inhabiting the equatorial region, the highly predictable timing of onset and termination of the breeding season is related to annual changes in photoperiod (day length). Arrival of young during optimal nutritional and climatic conditions contributes in a major way to evolutionary success and, indeed, survival of a species. It is. therefore, not surprising that animals utilize the most constant and reliable of environmental clues, namely annual changes in photoperiod, to achieve synchrony of reproduction with seasonal changes in temperature, rainfall. and food availability. In most species with short gestation, the breeding season starts during increasing photoperiod and ends during decreasing photoperiod, thus ensuring birth of litters during spring and summer. Much of the current understanding of the environmental and physiological regulation of seasonal breeding patterns in this category of species is based on studies in the golden (Syrian) hamster, Mesocricetus ( i r m i t i i x . Limited information on the ecology of this species indicates that reproduction in golden hamsters in their natural habitat is restricted to spring and summer. This reproductive period is followed by gonadal involution and hibernation. Gonadal recrudescence occurs toward the end of winter and hamsters resume breeding shortly after emergence from hibernation. Whcn golden hamsters are maintained in a laboratory and exposed to natural photoperiod in temperate zones, they exhibit normal seasonal changes in gonadal activity even though they typically fail to hibernate. In animals maintained in an artificially controlled photoperiod, a predictable sequence of gonadal regression and recrudescence can be induced at any time of the year by altering the length of illumination during each 24-h period. Experiments involving exposure to brief periods of light or to alternating periods of light and dark with a total duration different from 24 hours provided evidence that photoperiod entrains circadian rhythms of photosensitivity. Hence, the presence or absence of light during specific times of the day is interpreted by the animal as ‘‘long’’ or “short” days. Variations of photoperiod can lead to stimulation, maintenancc, or suppression of gonadal function. depending on prior photoperiod conditions. ‘ When one uninterrupted period of illumination occurs every 24 hours, day lengths equal to or exceeding 12.5 hours maintain reproductive competence
Potential contribution of saliva to the sexual transmission of HIV through the secretion of CCL20 by genital epithelial cells

Saliva can be considered as an important actor during sexual intercourse. However, there is no data concerning its influence on HIV sexual transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of whole saliva on the in vitro secretion of CCL20 by monolayered HEC‐1A endocervical epithelium cells. HEC‐1A cells were cultivated in 96‐well microplates and incubated with specimens of whole saliva collected from 57 subjects tested seropositive (n = 34) or seronegative (n = 23) for HIV and presenting different oral conditions (healthy periodontally, n = 22, and gingivitis/periodontitis, n = 35). The production of CCL20 in the supernatants of HEC‐1A cells after overnight incubation at 37°C was quantified using ELISA. The salivary concentration of lactoferrin (Lf) and IL‐1β was tested by ELISA. Saliva samples were found able to stimulate dramatically the production of CCL20 by epithelial cells, increasing this synthesis by a mean factor of 38.1 with reference to untreated cells. This stimulation was equivalent to that observed with IL‐1β used as positive control. Although no difference was observed according to oral condition, HIV status or salivary concentration of Lf and IL‐1β, the high salivary concentration of the latter protein could acknowledge in large part for the overproduction of CCL20 by HEC‐1A cells when stimulated by saliva. Saliva was shown to significantly increase CCL20 secretion and may be responsible for an enhanced recruitment of dendritic/Langerhans cells at the genital level. These results suggest that saliva could facilitate HIV entry and possibly other pathogens through the genital mucosa during heterosexual intercourse. J. Med. Virol. 86:58–63, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Finding Well-Conditioned Similarities to Block-Diagonalize Nonsymmetric Matrices Is NP-Hard

Given an upper triangular matrix A ? Rn×n and a tolerance ? , we show that the problem of finding a similarity transformation G such that G? 1AG is block diagonal with the condition number of G being at most ? is NP-hard. Let ? (n) be a polynomial in n. We also show that the problem of finding a similarity transformation G such that G? 1AG is block-diagonal with the condition number of G being at most ? (n) times larger than the smallest possible is NP-hard.
Technological utopia, dystopia and ambivalence: Teaching with social media at a South African university

The discourse of social media adoption in higher education has often been funnelled through utopian and dystopian perspectives, which are polarised but determinist theorisations of human engagement with educational technologies. Consequently, these determinist approaches have obscured a broadened grasp of the situated, socially constructed nature of human interaction with educational technologies and failed to explain ambivalent positions of technology adoption. To contest the innate determinism embodied in the aforementioned technological views, this paper draws on technological ambivalence to unravel the complex, multiple possibilities in pragmatic use of technology-including the double-bound relationship between human agency and educational technology. A phenomenological approach that draws on self-narratives of the use of social media by Computer Science and Informatics educators at a South African university is employed to unravel how their perceptions of social media shaped and informed their pragmatic instructional uses of these technologies. Findings suggest that the sharp contrasting experiences of collaborative engagement, enactment of decentralised power and democratic expression in social media coexist recursively with the disempowering, dependence-ridden and distractive effects of these technologies. This technological divergence is further compounded by ambivalent views that neither celebrate the unrealistic hopes of social media nor grossly protest against the debilitating effects of these technologies. This view foregrounds the social embeddedness of technology and its potentially multiple, contradictory effects. The implications of these findings include the need for educators to consider social conditions of technology use, the alignment of such conditions with innovative social media-enhanced pedagogical models and the use of proven models to demonstrate the educational potential of social media technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Thymidylate synthase quantitation and in vitro chemosensitivity testing predicts responses and survival of patients with isolated nonresectable liver tumors receiving hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy

Patients with isolated, nonresectable liver tumors may receive regional hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy with response rates of about 50%. The objective of this study was to investigate the value of thymidylate synthase (TS) determination in combination with in vitro chemosensitivity testing to predict the responses and survival of patients receiving HAI.
Enjoyment during Exercise Mediates the Effects of an Intervention on Exercise Adherence

Regular participation in physical activity is associated with a variety of health benefits and a reduction in diverse chronic diseases. However, empirical studies have shown that about 50% of the participants in exercise programs drop out during the first six months. One strategy to increase regular physical activity would be to promote positive feelings during exercise. The purposes of this experimental study were a) to investigate whether the affective states can be influenced by specific interventions and b) to link these changes in affective states to exercise adherence. The trainers of the experimental group were instructed to promote positive emotions (e.g. pleasure and fun) during exercise according to specific principles. The trainers of the control group were instructed to comply with the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine. 24 participants in the experimental group and 17 participants in the control group were recruited for this study. The results of the repeated measures analyses of variance provide a significant time by group interaction suggesting that participants of the intervention group increased their affective ratings significantly compared to the control group. The results of the hierarchical regression analyses support the hypothesis that the changes in affective ratings related to exercise mediated the effects of intervention on physical activity adherence. This study provides evidence that affective states during exercise can be systematically influenced to increase physical activity adherence. Principles on how to increase positive affective judgments related to exercising can be drawn from this study and eventually be used in order to promote regular physical activity among a large part of the population.