Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Distribution of Ferritin Binding Sites in the Adult Mouse Brain

Abstract : Studies on iron uptake into the brain have traditionally focused on transport by transferrin. However, transferrin receptors are not found in all brain regions and are especially low in white matter tracts where high iron concentrations have been reported. Several lines of research suggest that a receptor for ferritin, the intracellular storage protein for iron, may exist. We present, herein, evidence for ferritin binding sites in the brains of adult mice. Autoradiographic studies using 125I‐recombinant human ferritin demonstrate that ferritin binding sites in brain are predominantly in white matter. Saturation binding analyses revealed a single class of binding sites with a dissociation constant (KD) of 4.65 × 10‐9M and a binding site density (Bmax) of 17.9 fmol bound/μg of protein. Binding of radiolabeled ferritin can be competitively displaced by an excess of ferritin but not transferrin. Ferritin has previously been shown to affect cellular proliferation, protect cells from oxidative damage, and deliver iron. The significance of a cellular ferritin receptor is that ferritin is capable of delivering 2,000 times more iron per mole of protein than transferrin. The distribution of ferritin binding sites in brain vis‐à‐vis transferrin receptor distribution suggests distinct methods for iron delivery between gray and whi
Relevance of abattoir hygiene assessment to microbial contamination of British beef carcases

Eleven beef abattoirs were visited, each on five separate occasions. On each occasion, an audit was carried out according to the official Hygiene Assessment System (HAS) and 10 carcases were sampled at four different sites to assess total viable counts and counts of presumptive coliform bacteria. The HAS scores ranged from 11 to 84 (maximum 100), and the logarithmic mean total viable counts for all sampling sites on each batch of carcases varied between 1.98 and 4.14 colony forming units/cm2. The mean prevalence of coliform contamination ranged from 0 to 85 per cent. There was a significant negative correlation (P<0.001) between the mean HAS scores and the mean total viable count for each abattoir, but not between the HAS scores and the numbers of coliforms. Within the HAS, the mean scores for all five categories, before weighting, showed a significant correlation with the mean total viable count (P<0.001); however, the categories concerned with slaughter and dressing, and personnel and practices were of most value in determining trends in carcase contamination. A new advisory classification is proposed for levels of microbial contamination on beef carcases.
Pulmonary tuberculosis and associated factors in areas of high levels of poverty in Chiapas, Mexico.

OBJECTIVES To estimate the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and factors associated with PTB in areas of high levels of poverty in Chiapas, Mexico. METHODS In 1998 active case-finding was carried out among those aged over 14 years who had a cough of > or =15 days duration, in a convenience sample of 1894 households in 32 communities selected at random based on the level of poverty and on the level of access to health services, measured by travelling time (<1 hour, > or =1 hour) from the community to the nearest health care unit. Of the 277 identified with a productive cough, we obtained sputum samples from 228 for the purposes of detecting PTB through acid-fast smears and cultures. Mycobacteria characterization was carried out using the BACTEC method. The identification of factors associated with PTB was performed using bivariate analysis and via logistic regression models. RESULTS A PTB rate of 276.9 per 100 000 persons aged > or =15 years was found (95% CI : 161-443). Blood in sputum was the only factor associated with PTB (none of the demographic or socioeconomic characteristics were). Of 16 positive cultures, 14 became contaminated. The two cultures characterized were Mycobacterium tuberculosis (one being multiresistant). CONCLUSION The high prevalence of PTB detected indicates the need, both in the area studied and in others with similar conditions, to develop PTB control programmes which give priority to early diagnosis and to the provision of adequate treatment.
Pyogenic granuloma underlying cutaneous horn in a young boy

Cutaneous horn is an elongated, keratinous projection that usually occurs over the sun-exposed areas. It is a clinical diagnosis and may overlie any benign, premalignant, or malignant conditions. Treatment includes wide surgical excision with careful histological examination to exclude a focus of malignancy. An unusual case of a pyogenic granuloma presenting as cutaneous horn on the lower lip in an 11-year-old boy is presented here.
Sex differences in lung cancer survival: do tumors behave differently in elderly women?

PURPOSE Women with lung cancer appear to have better survival. Whether this results from better response to treatment, different tumor biology, or a longer life expectancy is not well understood. This study sought to assess sex differences in the natural history of lung cancer after controlling for unrelated causes of death and type of treatment. METHODS This study included 18,967 elderly patients with stage I and II non-small-cell lung cancer diagnosed between 1991 and 1999 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry linked to Medicare records. Patients were grouped into three categories according to the treatment received: surgery, radiation or chemotherapy but no surgery, and untreated cases. We used stratified and multivariate analyses to evaluate sex differences in survival using three methods to control for competing risks: lung cancer-specific survival, overall survival adjusting for comorbidities, and relative survival. Sensitivity analysis was used to test whether potential differences in smoking could account for the observed association of sex with survival. RESULTS Women in all treatment groups had better lung cancer-specific, overall, and relative survival than did men (P < .0001). Stratified and multivariate analyses showed that women had better survival than did men after controlling for confounders. Sensitivity analyses showed that potential sex differences in smoking did not explain our findings. CONCLUSION In this national, population-based sample, elderly women with early lung cancer had better risk-adjusted survival regardless of the type of treatment. That sex differences were observed among untreated patients suggests that lung cancer in women may have a different natural history.
Demonstration of long‐range GABAergic connections distributed throughout the mouse neocortex

γ‐Aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons in the neocortex have been mainly regarded as interneurons and thought to provide local interactions. Recently, however, glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) immunocytochemistry combined with retrograde labeling experiments revealed the existence of GABAergic projection neurons in the neocortex. We further studied the network of GABAergic projection neurons in the neocortex by using GAD67‐green fluorescent protein (GFP) knock‐in mice for retrograde labeling and a novel neocortical GABAergic neuron labeling method for axon tracing. Many GFP‐positive neurons were retrogradely labeled after Fast Blue injection into the primary somatosensory, motor and visual cortices. These neurons were labeled not only around the injection site, but also at a long distance from the injection site. Of the retrogradely labeled GABAergic neurons remote from the injection sites, the vast majority (91%) exhibited somatostatin immunoreactivity, and were preferentially distributed in layer II, layer VI and in the white matter. In addition, most of GABAergic projection neurons were positive for neuropeptide Y (82%) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (71%). We confirmed the long‐range projections by tracing GFP‐labeled GABAergic neurons with axon branches traveled rostro‐caudally and medio‐laterally. Axon branches could be traced up to 2 mm. Some (n = 2 of 4) were shown to cross the areal boundaries. The GABAergic projection neurons preferentially received neocortical inputs. From these results, we conclude that GABAergic projection neurons are distributed throughout the neocortex and are part of a corticocortical network.
Hyperbaric Oxygen and N-Acetylcysteine Treatment in L-Arginine-Induced Acute Pancreatitis in Rats

ABSTRACT Background: This study was designed to evaluate the combined effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on acute necrotizing pancreatitis in rats. Methods: Experiments were performed in 50 male Wistar rats, which were divided into five groups (N = 10 for each group). The first group received normal saline (0.9% NaCl) intraperitoneal and served as the control group. In the second group, acute pancreatitis was induced by 3.2-g/kg body weight L-arginine intraperitoneal twice at an interval of 1 hr, which has been shown previously to produce severe necrotizing acute pancreatitis. In the third group, NAC treatment (1000 mg/kg) was given after 1 hr of the induction of acute pancreatitis twice 24 hr apart. In the fourth group, animals received HBO, 6 hr after the induction of pancreatitis twice 12 hr apart. In the fifth group, animals received together NAC as in Group 3 and HBO treatment as in Group 4. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were left under normal atmospheric pressures. Twelve hours after last treatment, the animals were killed by exsanguinations. Blood samples were studied for amylase, calcium, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), pancreatic histology, pancreatic tissue malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione levels. Results: Acute pancreatitis is reduced by the treatment of NAC, HBO, NAC + HBO. HBO + NAC groups performed statistically the best in preventing L-arginine-induced acute necrotising pancreatitis. Conclusions: NAC especially combined with HBO, decreases oxidative stress parameters, serum amylase, calcium, and LDH levels, as well as histopathologic score.
Integrating leptin and cAMP pathways in triple-negative breast cancer cells

Triple-negative breast cancers are characterised by an aggressive phenotype, are often found in younger women and have been associated with poor prognosis. Because triple-negative breast cancer patients are unresponsive to current targeted therapies and other treatment options are only partially effective, new pharmacological approaches are warranted. The obesitylinked adipokine, leptin, is a well known mitogen/survival factor in breast cancer cells and several studies have addressed its role in breast cancer. Surprisingly, recent in vitro studies have shown that leptin enhances the antiproliferative effects of cAMP elevation in triple-negative breast cancer cells by apoptosis induction. In the current review, we discuss on the role of cAMP as a growth suppressor and of leptin as a growth promoting factor in breast cancer cells and we will focus on the molecular pathways involved in the antiproliferative interaction between leptin and cAMP elevation. The rationale for the possible development of a simple, cheap and innovative approach for therapeutic intervention in triple-negative breast cancer, based on the use of cAMP elevating drugs at tolerable doses, will be discussed. 2. INTRODUCTION
Recombinant Bovine Interleukin-1β Amplifies the Effects of Partially Purified Pasteurella haemolyticaLeukotoxin on Bovine Neutrophils in a β2-Integrin-Dependent Manner

ABSTRACT The influx and death of polymorphonuclear leukocytes within the infected lung are hallmarks of bovine pasteurellosis. Recent reports have shown that the Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin (LKT) and other RTX toxins bind β2-integrins on target cells. In this study we demonstrate that exposure of bovine neutrophils to recombinant bovine interleukin-1β upregulates β2-integrins (CD11a/CD18), which in turn enhance the binding and amplify the biological effects of partially purified LKT on these cells. LKT binding and cytotoxicity were inhibited by addition of an anti-integrin antibody (CD11a/CD18). These findings help to clarify the early events that occur in bovine pasteurellosis and support the hypothesis that inflammatory mediators might increase the severity of pasteurellosis by causing upregulation of β2-integrins that serve as an LKT receptor on bovine neutrophils.
Modulation of Cortisol Metabolism during Treatment of Acromegaly Is Independent of Body Composition and Insulin Sensitivity

Objectives: The set point of cortisol-cortisone conversion is shifted in the direction of cortisone by the inhibition of the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) during adult GH replacement and in active acromegaly. Additionally, both fat mass and insulin may modulate 11β-HSD1 and are both influenced by changes in GH status. This study examined the relative direct contribution of GH/IGF1 in modulating cortisol metabolism. Methods: Overall cortisol/cortisone conversion (ratio of urine 11-hydroxy-/11-oxo-cortisol metabolites; Fm/Em), insulin sensitivity (homeostatic model assessment; HOMA %S) and fat mass (DXA) were examined in parallel in 6 patients (mean age 53 years, range 42–76; 4 males, 2 females) with previously untreated active acromegaly during 6 months of therapy with Sandostatin® LAR® (20–30 mg i.m. 4 weekly). All but 1 patient had normal ACTH reserve. Results: At baseline, Pearson correlation demonstrated an inverse relationship between serum GH (mean of a 5-point day curve) and Fm/Em (r = –0.83, p = 0.04) and a trend towards an inverse relationship between HOMA %S and Fm/Em (r = –0.79, p = 0.06) but no other patterns were evident. During the course of treatment, serum GH decreased from 9.9 ± 6.4 (mean ± SD) to 3.5 ± 3.1 ng/ml (p < 0.01) and serum IGF-1 from 785 ± 268 to 431 ± 156 ng/ml (p < 0.005). Fm/Em increased from 0.52 ± 0.1 to 0.75 ± 0.08 (p < 0.03) consistent with increased 11β-HSD1 activity. There were no significant changes in truncal fat percentage (33.0 ± 9.0 vs. 33.0 ± 8.2) or insulin sensitivity (HOMA %S: 37.1 ± 8.6 vs. 52.8 ± 33.7). Conclusions: Modulation of cortisol metabolism during treatment of active acromegaly is dependent on changes in GH/IGF-1 status and is not influenced by any individual change in body composition or insulin sensitivity.
Visible Light Photodegradation of Phenol Using Nanoscale TiO2 and ZnO Impregnated with Merbromin Dye: A Mechanistic Investigation

ZnO and TiO 2 nanoparticles were impregnated with merbromin dye and used as modified photocatalysts for degradation of phenol. Dye-modified ZnO and TiO 2 showed significantly higher photocatalytic activity than neat ZnO and TiO 2 under visible light illumination. Moreover, the prepared dye-modified ZnO showed superior photocatalytic efficiency in degradation of phenol compared to the dye-modified TiO 2. In a period of 4 hours, dye-modified ZnO removed phenol almost completely while dye-modified TiO 2 degraded it only to 47%. A cooperative working mechanism involving the possible photoactivation of both surface bound dye and semiconductor is proposed for the dye-modified systems. The suggested pathway is based on charge-transfer formalism. Furthermore, the study proposes some reasons for difference in reactivity of the dye- modified ZnO and TiO 2 catalysts. Less aggregation of dye molecules on the surface of ZnO compared to TiO 2 causes more prolonged lifetime of excited state of the dye on the surface of ZnO. Also, energy gap between the conduction band of semiconductor and LUMO level of merbromin in dye-modified ZnO is larger than dye-modified TiO2. Both above lead to more effective electron injection from the dye to ZnO which is hypothesized to be mainly responsible for the enhancement of the reaction rate of phenol degradation.
High Efficiency and Broadband Two-Dimensional Blazed Grating Coupler With Fully Etched Triangular Holes

A 2-D blazed grating coupler with fully etched triangular holes to realize high efficient and broadband coupling between silicon-on-insulator nanowaveguide and fiber is proposed. By changing the lateral width of a triangular hole along propagating direction in each single grating period gradually according to effective medium theory, a high coupling efficiency of -2.78 dB and an extremely large 1 dB bandwidth of 180 nm are achieved simultaneously. By optimizing the buried oxide thickness from 2 to 1.83 μm, the coupling efficiency can be further improved to -2.18 dB and 1 dB bandwidth is enlarged to 290 nm.
Effects of technique modification on immediate results of high speed rotational atherectomy in 710 procedures on 656 patients.

Seven hundred ten high speed rotational atherectomy (HSRA) procedures were performed in a single consecutive series of 656 patients. Stand alone HSRA was performed in 253 patients (35%). HSRA with adjunctive low pressure (< or = 2 ATM) balloon angioplasty (LP BA) was performed in 221 patients (31%), and HSRA with adjunctive high pressure (> or = 4 ATM) balloon angioplasty (HP BA) was performed in 236 patients (34%). Prognostically unfavorable Type B2 and C lesions dominated the study group (74.7%). Procedural success rate was 96%. Emergency coronary artery bypass surgery was performed in 1.4% of cases, Q wave myocardial infarction occurred in 3.4% and death, related to procedure, was consequent in 0.5% of cases. Incidence of flow limiting dissections was 3.1%, distal spasm was 5.3%, and "no reflow" phenomenon was 1.8%. The recent technique modifications included continuous advancer/guiding catheter infusion of the nitroglycerin-verapamil mixture, limitation of duration of lesion engagement by the burr, stepwise increase in the burr size, decrease of rotational speed, and strict control of rpm drop during lesion ablation. Evolution of the interventional technique involved trends towards decrease of the use of HP BA in conjunction with steady increase in the percentage of SA and LP BA procedures over time. These technique changes resulted in complete absence of "no reflow" in 1994, as well as a generalized decrease in overall coronary vascular reactivity from all burr passes.
Noble gases in pillow basalt glasses from the northern Mariana Trough back‐arc basin

Noble gas concentrations and isotopic compositions have been measured in eight samples of pillow basalt glasses collected from seven different localities along 250 km of the Mariana Trough spreading and rifting axis. The samples have uniform and mid‐ocean ridge basalt (MORB)‐like 3He/4He values of 9–12 × 10–6 (6.4–8.6 times atmospheric) despite large variations in 4He. Concentrations of the noble gases Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe show much smaller variations between samples, but larger variations in isotopic compositions of Ne, Ar, and Xe. Excess radiogenic 21Ne is observed in some samples. 40Ar/36Ar varies widely (atmospheric to 1880). Kr is atmospheric in composition for all samples. Some samples show a clear excess 129Xe, which is a well‐known MORB signature. Isotopic compositions of the heavier noble gases (Ar, Kr, and Xe) in some samples, however, show more atmospheric components. These data reflect the interaction of a MORB‐like magma with an atmospheric component such as seawater or of a depleted mantle source with a water‐rich component that was probably derived from the subducting slab.
Aerobic power and the main determinants of blood rheology: is there a relationship?

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationship between aerobic power and the main determinants of blood rheology namely plasma viscosity, plasma fibrinogen concentration and haematocrit. Ninety-three normal healthy individuals (VO2max 48.3 ml/kg per min), who were familiarized with the laboratory environment and testing procedures, participated in the study. Aerobic power as assessed by maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) was determined by using an incremental exercise protocol on either a treadmill or a stationary bike. Oxygen consumption was measured online using a computer-based metabolic system. In a standardized resting condition, venous blood samples were removed from a prominent vein of the nondominant arm. Aliquots of whole blood were measured for haematocrit (in triplicate), whereas plasma was assayed for fibrinogen concentration and viscosity (in duplicate) using semiautomatic coagulometer and capillary viscometer; respectively. The mean values for haematocrit (41.9 ± 2.5%), plasma viscosity (1.56 ± 0.27 mPa s) and plasma fibrinogen (272.1 ± 86.9 mg/dl) were within the normal range for normal participants. Pearson correlation coefficients and regression analysis were used for statistical evaluations. In this population, VO2max negatively correlated with plasma viscosity (P < 0.01) and plasma fibrinogen concentration (P < 0.01). Although VO2max positively correlated with haematocrit, this correlation was not as strong. Thus, high aerobic power as assessed by maximal oxygen consumption appears to be associated with lower plasma viscosity and lower plasma fibrinogen. The significant negative relationships between VO2max and plasma viscosity and plasma fibrinogen might suggest that blood is more dilute in individuals with high aerobic power. This could probably be due to an expansion of plasma volume, which is commonly seen in those who are physically active and exhibit a higher level of cardiorespiratory fitness.
Neglect‐like visual exploration behaviour after theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation of the right posterior parietal cortex

The right posterior parietal cortex (PPC) is critically involved in visual exploration behaviour, and damage to this area may lead to neglect of the left hemispace. We investigated whether neglect‐like visual exploration behaviour could be induced in healthy subjects using theta burst repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). To this end, one continuous train of theta burst rTMS was applied over the right PPC in 12 healthy subjects prior to a visual exploration task where colour photographs of real‐life scenes were presented on a computer screen. In a control experiment, stimulation was also applied over the vertex. Eye movements were measured, and the distribution of visual fixations in the left and right halves of the screen was analysed. In comparison to the performance of 28 control subjects without stimulation, theta burst rTMS over the right PPC, but not the vertex, significantly decreased cumulative fixation duration in the left screen‐half and significantly increased cumulative fixation duration in the right screen‐half for a time period of 30 min. These results suggest that theta burst rTMS is a reliable method of inducing transient neglect‐like visual exploration behaviour.
Establishment of a Macrophage-activating Factor Assay System Using the Human Monocytic Cell Line THP-1.

BACKGROUND As the mechanism of macrophage activation is not well-understood, standardization of an assay system for measuring phagocytic activities of macrophages will be useful for research on macrophages. Previously, we established a novel standardized macrophage-activating factor (MAF) assay system using U937. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the human monocytic cell line THP-1, another standardized MAF assay system was established. Characteristic gene expression of U937- and THP-1-derived macrophages was compared by gene expression microarray analysis. RESULTS Both U937- and THP-1-derived macrophages showed obvious phagocytic activities with unique characteristics and, therefore, could not be assigned to a single sub-type. CONCLUSION Activation of macrophages is an intricate cellular process. Comparison of our two novel assay systems provides new insights into macrophage activation mechanisms.