Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution of HLA allele frequencies in patients with cystic echinococcosis in Latvia

S. Laivacuma, Infectologist at Riga East clinical university hospital. Riga Stradins university, Department of Infectology and Dermatology; MD, assistant J. Eglite, Leading Researcher, Riga Stradins University, Joint Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Immunogenetics; MD, PhD, Scopus Author ID: 6507965605, ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000–0003–2764–0422 Aleksejs Derovs, Head of Gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition clinic at Riga East clinical university hospital. Riga Stradins University, Department of Internal Diseases and Department of Infectology and Dermatology; MD, PhD, associate professor, Scopus Author ID: 55937951400 L. Viksna, Chief specialist for infectology at Riga East clinical university hospital. Head of Department of Infectology and Dermatology at Riga East clinical university hospital; MD, Dr.habil. med., professor, Scopus Author ID: 57202855887
Heat shock proteins 60 and 70 expression of cutaneous lichen planus: comparison with normal skin and psoriasis vulgaris *

Background: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are expressed by most living cells and play fundamental roles in many biological processes. Their synthesis increases by a variety of stresses in order to enable cellular survival. Although it is known that they play an important role in immune and inflammatory responses of the skin, the role of HSPs in the pathogenesis of skin diseases has been studied in only limited skin diseases. Lichen planus (LP) is a relatively common papulosquamous dermatosis, and cell‐mediated immunity plays an important role in its pathogenesis. Although an altered expression of certain HSPs was reported in oral LP lesions, the expression of HSPs in cutaneous lesions of LP has not been investigated. In this immunohistochemical study, we aimed at investigating the role of HSPs in the pathogenesis of LP by studying whether there is any difference in HSP expression in cutaneous lesions of LP when compared to normal skin and psoriasis vulgaris (PV).
Growth factor receptors: promising drug targets in cancer

Genetic, epigenetic and somatic changes deregulate the expression of growth factor receptors (GFRs), leading to cancer initiation and progression. Tumor cell growth and survival are orchestrated by clonal expansion and evasion of apoptotic signals in cancer cells. The growth of cells is further supported by angiogenesis and metastasis to distant organs. High expression of GFRs also contributes to the development of resistance. Therefore, therapeutics to target GFRs is a potentially attractive molecular approach to treat cancer more effectively. In this review, we have discussed the contribution of GFRs to cancer development and addressed molecular approaches undertaken to inhibit GFR-mediated pathways. A wide number of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and protein kinase inhibitors targeting these GFR-mediated functions are in clinical trials to treat human malignancies. However, most drugs that target GFRs lead to the development of drug resistance and generate adverse effects. Nucleic acid-based therapeutics, e.g. short interfering RNA (siRNA) could be harnessed to selectively silence GFR genes in cancer cells. Different polymer, liposome-based nanocarriers, and the most recently developed pH-sensitive inorganic carbonate apatite nanoparticles have been used in cell culture and preclinical trials for cytoplasmic delivery of the siRNAs targeting different GFR genes. siRNA-based therapeutics have been shown to have significant potential to suppress GFR expression and functions and thus could be developed as molecular therapeutics. Multi-targeting of tumors at different levels by combining various approaches along with chemotherapy would be a promising therapeutic approach to fight the disease. Suitable nanocarriers capable of entrapping siRNA, mAb, GFR inhibitors and classical drugs targeting GFR have potential therapeutic applications.
Therapeutic ethics and communities at risk in the presence of potential mutation to resistant strains to HIV antiviral medications.

New combination therapies for HIV/AIDS demand up-to-date knowledge of rapidly developing complex therapeutic regimes. These often arduous regimens require careful adherence by patients regular monitoring and rapid response to adverse reactions. The risk of failure is high since days or weeks of missed or incomplete medication can render antiviral medications ineffective for the individual patient through the rapid development of drug resistance. Although little is yet known about how transmissible such resistant strains really are there has been considerable public discussion of whether physicians should refuse to prescribe combination therapy to patients whose life circumstances make it difficult to follow prescribed regimens and thus make them likely incubators of resistant strains. The ethical issue of denial of treatment is usually posited as a conflict between public health and the individual. From this perspective therapy may potentially benefit individuals but prescribing to non-adherent individuals may pose a risk to public health. Physicians obliged to attend to the interests of both the individual and public health are forced to mediate between these interests. (excerpt)
Association between CYP 19 polymorphisms and endometriosis risk : a meta-analysis

Purpose: Studies have come to conflicting conclusions about whether CYP19 polymorphisms are associated with endometriosis risk. To help resolve this question, we carried out a meta-analysis of case-control studies in the literature. Methods: All eligible case-control studies published up to Dec. 16, 2015 were identified by searching PubMed, Embase, the Chinese Biological Medical Database and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, without language restrictions. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Results: A total of nine eligible articles with sixteen studies were included. Overall, no evidence indicated that the rs10046 polymorphism was associated with endometriosis risk. However, after stratification by ethnicity, a lower risk of endometriosis was found with rs10046 among Caucasians under the allele model. For the rs700519 polymorphism, a lower risk of endometriosis was found among Asians using the recessive and heterozygous models. No significant association was observed between the rs2236722 and rs700518 polymorphisms and endometriosis risk among Asians. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis detected that the CYP19 rs10046 polymorphism might be associated with endometriosis risk among Caucasians and the rs700519 polymorphism might be associated with endometriosis risk among Asians, while the rs700518 and rs2236722 polymorphisms might not be associated with endometriosis risk among Asians.
Planetary magnetospheres

Planetary magnetospheres are the laboratories of the space plasma physicist, formed by the interaction of the supersonic magnetized solar wind plasma with the ionospheres and intrinsic magnetospheres of the planets. Planets such as Venus and Mars, which have insignificant, if any, internally generated magnetic fields, deflect the incident solar wind with the pressures of their ionospheres forming an induced magnetosphere, somewhat akin to the magnetic structure of a comet. The Earth and Mercury and the Jovian planets have intrinsic magnetic fields of sufficient strength to stand off the solar wind flow well above both the surfaces and atmospheres of these planets. Whether induced or intrinsic these magnetospheres are filled with a myriad of plasma physical phenomena which control the momentum and energy transfer in these systems. This review examines the nature of these magnetospheres, the physical processes occurring therein and the outstanding problems at each planet.
A Period of Controlled Elevation of IOP (CEI) Produces the Specific Gene Expression Responses and Focal Injury Pattern of Experimental Rat Glaucoma

Purpose We determine if several hours of controlled elevation of IOP (CEI) will produce the optic nerve head (ONH) gene expression changes and optic nerve (ON) damage pattern associated with early experimental glaucoma in rats. Methods The anterior chambers of anesthetized rats were cannulated and connected to a reservoir to elevate IOP. Physiologic parameters were monitored. Following CEI at various recovery times, ON cross-sections were graded for axonal injury. Anterior ONHs were collected at 0 hours to 10 days following CEI and RNA extracted for quantitative PCR measurement of selected messages. The functional impact of CEI was assessed by electroretinography (ERG). Results During CEI, mean arterial pressure (99 ± 6 mm Hg) and other physiologic parameters remained stable. An 8-hour CEI at 60 mm Hg produced significant focal axonal degeneration 10 days after exposure, with superior lesions in 83% of ON. Message analysis in CEI ONH demonstrated expression responses previously identified in minimally injured ONH following chronic IOP elevation, as well as their sequential patterns. Anesthesia with cannulation at 20 mm Hg did not alter these message levels. Electroretinographic A- and B-waves, following a significant reduction at 2 days after CEI, were fully recovered at 2 weeks, while peak scotopic threshold response (pSTR) remained mildly but significantly depressed. Conclusions A single CEI reproduces ONH message changes and patterns of ON injury previously observed with chronic IOP elevation. Controlled elevation of IOP can allow detailed determination of ONH cellular and functional responses to an injurious IOP insult and provide a platform for developing future therapeutic interventions.
The Effect of Atomic Layer Deposition of ZrO2 on the Physicochemical Properties of Cobalt based Alloys Intended for Prosthetic Dentistry

The paper presents the effect of ZrO2 layer deposition by the ALD process on the physicochemical properties of cobalt-based alloys (Realloy C and EOS CoCr SP2) intended for application in prosthetic dentistry. The paper shows the results of the surface roughness measurements made by the AFM method as well as the wettability and free surface energy measurements. Additionally, potentiodynamic tests of pitting corrosion resistance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in a solution of artificial saliva were carried out. Tests were carried out on the samples in the initial state and after surface modification with the ZrO2 layer. Based on these results, the usefulness (e.g. enhancement of corrosion resistance and biocompatibility) of the proposed ZrO2 layer on the cobalt alloys was assessed.
Prognostic significance of p 16 , p 53 , Bcl-2 , and Bax in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Background: The proteins p16, p53, Bcl-2, and Bax are important cell cycle and apoptotic regulators involved in carcinogenesis and found to have prognostic significance in various cancers. However, the data for squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity (OSCC) and of oropharynx (OPSCC) are conflicting. Objective: We sought to determine if expression of p16, p53, Bcl-2, and Bax expression are associated with 5-year overall survival (OS) of patients with OSCC and OPSCC. Methods: One-hundred thirty-seven cases of OSCC and 140 cases of OPSCC diagnosed from January 2002 to December 2004 at Songklanagrind Hospital, Songkhla, Thailand, were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model for 5-year OS in relation to immunohistochemical detection of Bcl-2, Bax, p53, and p16 proteins. Results: The frequencies of p16, p53, Bcl-2, and Bax expression in OSCC were 13%, 45%, 4%, and 66%, and in OPSCC were 18%, 53%, 22%, and 75%, respectively. In univariate analysis, clinical variables including T stage, N stage and treatment were significantly associated with survival. In multivariate Cox regression, Bax overexpression was significantly associated with poor survival both in OSCC (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.04–3.01) and in OPSCC (HR 2.21, 95% CI 1.00–4.85). We found no significant association of p16, Bcl-2, and p53 expression with survival. Conclusion: The expression pattern of p16, p53, Bcl-2, and Bax are similar in OSCC and OPSCC. Only Bax expression has prognostic significance for both tumor sites.
Evolutionary medicine of skin cancer risk among Europeans.

The proclivity of Spaniards to bask in regions like the Costa del Sol while their northern European counterparts must stay under cover to protect their paler skin or risk skin cancer is due in large part to the pigment-producing qualities of the MC1R gene locus. The MC1R gene, expressed in skin and hair follicle cells, is more diverse in Eurasian populations compared with African populations. Now, a team of researchers led by Santos Alonso (Martinez-Cadenas et al. 2013) has examined the evolutionary selective pressure for MC1R among a large population of Spaniards in comparison with their northern European counterparts as well as individuals with melanoma. Using data from the 1,000 Genomes Project as well as samples from different regions of Spain, the authors show that selection for the MC1R locus is strong in south Europeans, but this is not the case for northern Europeans. Two evolutionary selective processes seem to be acting on MC1R in southern Europeans. On one hand, there is selective pressure to maintain at high frequencies the ancestral form of the gene, which is also the one most common in Africans. But simultaneously, one gene variant seems to be favored in south Europeans. This gene variant, called the V60L allele, has been associated before with red/blond hair and fair skin. World frequency distribution of V60L is confined mostly to Europe and the Near East but mostly absent in East Asia and Africa, indicating that the first appearance of the V60L mutation occurred some time after modern humans left Africa but before dispersal throughout Europe. Fair skin depigmentation could be a useful change for the adaptation of humans to this new environment. Traditionally, depigmentation had been hypothetically explained as a function of the need for humans to synthesize vitamin D in areas of reduced sunlight (compared with Africa). “We have not proved that this is the underlying reason for the signature of positive selection on V60L, but our data adds support to this view, although this point needs to be further explored,” says Santos Alonso, senior author of the paper. Interestingly, the same V60L allele has been associated with increased risk of melanoma, the most dangerous of skin cancers. “This indicates,” says Saioa Lopez, one of the two main authors of the paper, “that the increase in fitness for the population as a consequence of depigmentation has had a collateral damage consequence for the individual’s health. This can be reconciled if we assume that melanoma is typically a post-reproductive disease, and consequently should have little effect on the individual’s genetic contribution to the next generation. It constitutes a kind of evolutionary ‘buy now, pay later’ trade-off. ”
The effects of group and individual based physical activity on mood in children with intellectual disabilities

ii LIST OF TABLES . iv INTRODUCTION . 1 Purpose . 3 Literature . 4 METHODS . 9 RESULTS . 12 DISCUSSION . 113 CONCLUSIONS, SUMMARY OR RECOMMENDATIONS . 16 REFERENCES . 18
A Need for Biomarkers of Operational Tolerance in Liver and Kidney Transplantation

Both kidney and particularly liver recipients can occasionally discontinue all immunosuppressive drugs without undergoing rejection. These patients, who maintain stable graft function off immunosuppressive drugs without clinically significant detrimental immune responses and/or immune deficits, are conventionally termed operationally tolerant and offer a unique paradigm of tolerance in humans. The immune characterization of operationally tolerant transplant recipients has recently received substantial attention. Operationally tolerant patients might exhibit a signature of tolerance that could potentially be useful to select recipients amenable to drug minimization or withdrawal. Furthermore, elucidation of the molecular pathways associated with the operational tolerance phenotype could provide novel targets for therapy. Particular emphasis has been placed on the use of blood samples and high‐throughput transcriptional profiling techniques. In liver transplantation, natural killer related transcripts seem to be the most robust markers of operational tolerance, whereas enrichment in B cell‐related gene expression markers has been consistently found in blood samples from operationally tolerant kidney recipients, suggesting that different mechanisms operate in the two situations. In this minireview, we summarize the main achievements of recently published reports focused on the identification of transcriptional markers of operational tolerance, we highlight their mechanistic and clinical implications and describe their methodological limitations.
Effect of suckling during early lactation and changeover to machine milking on plasma oxytocin and cortisol levels and milking characteristics in Holstein cows

SUMMARY Plasma concentrations of oxytocin and cortisol, and milk yield and flow rates, were compared in three primiparous cows and two cows in their second lactation during suckling and subsequent machine milking. After calving, cows suckled their calves for 3–4 weeks and then the experiment was carried out over 4 d. Blood samples were taken prior to, during and after suckling or evening machine milking (EMM) on day 1 of the experiment (the last day of suckling), day 2 (first EMM) and day 4 (third EMM). After weaning and rehousing, cows were machine milked twice daily. During the first EMM, average milk yield and flow rate in the second minute of milking were significantly lower (P < 0·05) than corresponding values for the other 2 d. Plasma oxytocin concentrations were lower during the first than during the third EMM (P < 0·001) and suckling (P < 0·001), and more oxytocin was released during the third EMM than during suckling (P < 0·01). Cortisol concentrations were higher during and after the first EMM than during the third EMM. Thus in cows sucked for several weeks after calving and then separated from their calves and rehoused we found a transient decrease in oxytocin release, milk yield and flow rates during the first machine milking.
Theory of genomic dark matter and biological relativity

Significant fraction (about 98.5% in humans, 24% in microbe Rickettsia prowazekii) of most animal genomes is non-coding DNA. Although recent studies established functions of its certain portions, it remains genomic dark matter. The paper unravels its unusual nature with time reversal approach. Any genome emerged in evolutionary selection of the fittest survivors. Survivability of modern species is extensively quantified. Accurate analysis establishes that under specified conditions it is dominated by the same law in species from human to single-cell yeast. Since all violators of the law perished in the previous evolution, it presents the exact law of unanticipated universal (rather than species specific natural) evolutionary selection of survivors. The law implies their rapid hereditary, thus genetic, adaptation which is navigated by operating system of non-coding DNA. Such adaptation to drastic environmental changes was a must for survival, thus evolved, in otherwise lethal major mass extinctions. Navigator genome allows for rapid, artificial included, biological changes (e.g., Methuselah lifespan). Universal law establishes biological relativity to age transformation in any species; quantifies applicability of animal models to humans; implies certain universality in biological complexity and reduces it to exact science problem. Evolutionary and experimental data corroborate all above conclusions. Further theoretical study and test-stone experiments are suggested.
Stimulation of orexin/hypocretin neurones by thyrotropin‐releasing hormone

Central orexin/hypocretin neurones are critical for sustaining consciousness: their firing stimulates wakefulness and their destruction causes narcolepsy. We explored whether the activity of orexin cells is modulated by thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH), an endo‐genous stimulant of wakefulness and locomotor activity whose mechanism of action is not fully understood. Living orexin neurones were identified by targeted expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in acute brain slices of transgenic mice. Using whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings, we found that TRH robustly increased the action potential firing rate of these neurones. TRH‐induced excitation persisted under conditions of synaptic isolation, and involved a Na+‐dependent depolarization and activation of a mixed cation current in the orexin cell membrane. By double‐label immunohistochemistry, we found close appositions between TRH‐immunoreactive nerve terminals and orexin‐A‐immunoreactive cell bodies. These results identify a new physiological modulator of orexin cell firing, and suggest that orexin cell excitation may contribute to the arousal‐enhancing actions of TRH.
Ovarian activity, biochemical changes and histological status of the dromedary she-camel as affected by different seasons of the year

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of different seasons of the year on body thermoregulation (rectal temperature, respiration rate and pulse rate), blood hematology (hemoglobin, packed-cell volume, red blood cells and white blood cells counts), blood components (total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate-aminotransferase, alanine-aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, calcium, total phosphorus, testosterone and oestradiol-17β hormone concentrations of the dromedary she-camel. Histological changes of the right and left ovaries were also recorded. The obtained results showed that, rectal temperature and respiration rate in the dromedary she-camels increased significantly (P<0.05) during summer as compared to the other seasons. However, pulse rate showed significantly (P<0.05) lower during winter than other seasons. The highest (P<0.05) values of hemoglobin, packed-cell volume and red blood cells count were recorded during summer, while the lowest (P<0.05) value of the white blood cell's was recorded during autumn season. Total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations (mg/dI) were increased insignificantly during summer season as compared to other seasons. Aspartate-aminotransferase, alanine-aminotrasferase enzymes, sodium and calcium concentrations of the dromedary she-camels increased significantly (P<0.05) during summer, while potassium and total phosphorus concentrations (mg/dl) increased significantly (P<0.05) during spring as compared to other seasons. The lowest (P<0.05) value of alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase enzymes were recorded during winter season. Testosterone, oesterdiol-17β hormone and cholesterol concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) higher during winter than other seasons of the year. The histological examination of the left and right ovaries in different seasons of the year revealed higher activity in spring and winter than summer and autumn seasons. The left ovary showed more growing and mature follicles and higher activity than the right one. In conclusion, the female dromedary camels display ovarian activity during the non-breeding season. So, the environmental temperature, relative humidity and daylight length seemed to play the major role in the regulation of seasonal ovarian activity in the female dromedary camels. (Nature and Science. 2010;8(5):54-65). (ISSN: 1545-0740).
Effect of co-digestion ratio and enzyme treatment on biogas production from grass silage and chicken litter

Biomethane production potential was evaluated by anaerobic co-digestion of grass silage and chicken litter in batch experiments. The aim of this study was to identify optimum enzyme treatment and co-digestion ratio for these substrates. Preliminary batch assays for biomethane potential determination were performed using a codigestion ratio of 2:1 (grass silage:chicken litter) treated with various concentrations of enzyme. The highest specific methane yield of 59.28 ml CH4/ g was observed for 0.1% (w/v) enzyme treatment.