Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the serotonin‐sensitive and Ca(2+)‐activated K+ channels in Aplysia sensory neurons.

1. Single potassium channel currents were recorded in cell‐attached and cell‐free patches from Aplysia sensory neurons. Two prominent classes of K+ channels were identified that have similar single‐channel current amplitude at 0 mV: (1) the resting conductance serotonin‐sensitive K+ channels (S‐channels) previously described in these neurons; and (2) a calcium‐activated K+ channel. A series of experiments were carried out which enable these channels to be distinguished on the basis of their biophysical properties. These experiments also provide further insight into the gating and ionic selectivity of the S‐channel. 2. In inside‐out patches, single calcium‐activated K+ channel currents (IK,Ca) show a linear i‐V curve with a slope conductance of 66 pS (normal sea water outside, 360 mM‐KCl inside) whereas single S‐channels display an outwardly rectifying i‐V curve with a slope conductance of 90 pS at 0 mV. 3. The gating of IK,Ca has a steep voltage dependence, with open probability showing an e‐fold increase for a 16 mV depolarization. Increasing internal calcium concentration from 0.2 to 10 microM shifts the activation curve by 60 mV in the hyperpolarizing direction. 4. S‐channel gating is independent of internal calcium (from less than 10 nM up to 100 microM). Steady‐state open probability of the S‐channel generally shows a weak dependence on membrane potential, with open probability increasing twofold for a 30‐100 mV depolarization. Occasional patches were observed with S‐channels displaying a much greater voltage sensitivity, with open probability increasing e‐fold for a 16‐20 mV depolarization. 5. S‐channels are selective for K+ over Na+. The selectivity ratio depends on the ratio of Na+ to K+ concentration on the same side of the membrane. Increasing K+ concentration appears to increase relative Na+ permeability, suggesting ion‐ion interactions within the channel. 6. We conclude that Aplysia sensory neurons contain two prominent distinguishable classes of K+ channels, the Ca(2+)‐independent S‐channel and a Ca(2+)‐activated channel. The gating properties of the S‐channels allow them to contribute outward repolarizing current over a wide range of membrane potentials so that their modulation by neurotransmitters contributes to changes in both resting potential and action potential duration.
Staphylococcus aureus in the House Fly: Temporospatial Fate of Bacteria and Expression of the Antimicrobial Peptide defensin

ABSTRACT House flies disseminate numerous species of bacteria acquired during feeding and breeding activities in microbe-rich habitats. Previous house fly surveys have detected the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus Rosenbach 1884, which causes cutaneous and septic infections in mammals, and enterotoxic food poisoning. We assessed the fate of GFP-expressing S. aureus (GFP-S. aureus) in the house fly alimentary canal with microscopy and by culture of whole flies and excreta. Furthermore, the concurrent expression of the antimicrobial peptide gene defensin was measured in the crop, proventriculus, midgut, and fat body. As soon as 4 h postingestion (PI), GFP-S. aureus were visualized as cocci or diplococci in the hindgut and rectum of flies fed ≈105 colony forming units. Bacteria persisted up to 6 h PI but significantly decreased. Excretion of viable GFP-S. aureus peaked at 2 h PI and, although significantly less, continued up to 4 h PI. defensin was highly upregulated locally in the alimentary canal and systemically in fat body at 2, 4, and 6 h PI making this study the first to report, to our knowledge, an epithelial and systemic response to a bacterium with lysine-type peptidoglycan in flies exposed via feeding. While flies harbored S. aureus for up to 6 h PI, the highest probability of vectoring biologically relevant amounts of bacteria occurred 0–2 h PI. The combined effects of excretion, digestion and antimicrobial effectors likely contribute to loss of ingested bacteria. Nonetheless, house flies are relevant vectors for S. aureus up to 2 h PI and environmental reservoirs up to 6 h PI.
Dipendiamo. Un trattamento sistemico di gruppo per la cura della dipendenza affettiva

La dipendenza affettiva e una delle patologie piu diffuse della nostra epoca. L’indagine teorica su questo disagio rivela una scarsita di contributi da parte della prospettiva sistemica che attualmente non ha ancora proposto uno spe- cifico modello di intervento su tale patologia. Partendo da questi presupposti, il presente elaborato si propone di illu- strare un trattamento sistemico di gruppo per la cura della dipendenza affet- tiva chiamato "Dipendiamo" che si caratterizza per tre elementi di novita: l’ap- plicazione di interventi tesi a promuovere sia la dimensione intrapsichica che interpsichica dell’individuo, l’impiego prevalente di tecniche non verbali di matrice sistemica e la strutturazione di un intervento breve e facilmente repli- cabile. Attualmente il protocollo e gia stato sperimentato su undici gruppi di pazienti donne con dipendenza affettiva sia all’interno di un Consultorio Familiare che in ambito privato1. I follow-up realizzati hanno confermato l’ef- ficacia del trattamento su gran parte del campione partecipante che ha ripor- tato significativi miglioramenti in diverse aree quali riduzione della sintoma- tologia in campo affettivo, sviluppo di competenze personali e attivazione di risorse nella rete familiare.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (o-JIA): association of MIF promoter polymorphisms with response to intra-articular glucocorticoids.

OBJECTIVES To address the clinical relevance of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) promoter polymorphisms in oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (o-JIA) by evaluating their associations with serum and SF MIF levels, with response to intra-articular glucocorticoid injections and with outcome of the disease. METHODS Seventy-five Caucasian patients with o-JIA were studied. Alleles of the -794 CATT variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) and of the -173 G/C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) were identified by capillary electrophoresis following fluorescently labelled PCR and by allelic discrimination assay, respectively. MIF levels were measured by ELISA. The association of MIF promoter polymorphisms with polyarticular extension, Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ) score at the last follow-up visit and occurrence of chronic anterior uveitis was evaluated only in patients with a follow up > 5 years. RESULTS Neither of the MIF promoter polymorphisms was associated with serum MIF levels, nor with the long-term outcome of o-JIA. The -173 G/C SNP was significantly associated with both SF MIF levels and duration of response to intra-articular glucocorticoid injection. Carriers of a MIF -173 C allele were 4 times more likely to relapse within 3 months. No association was found between the different MIF CATT alleles and both SF MIF levels and duration of response to intra-articular glucocorticoids. CONCLUSION Our study shows the clinical relevance of the MIF -173 G/C SNP in o-JIA and suggests that the -173 C allele may represent a predictor of poor response to intra-articular glucocorticoid treatment.
Distribution of extended-spectrum β-lactamase types in a Brazilian tertiary hospital.

INTRODUCTION Epidemiological data on the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) are scarce in Brazil despite the fact that these data are essential for empirical treatment and control measures. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of different ESBLs by type and distribution in a tertiary hospital in southern Brazil. METHODS We evaluated 1,827 enterobacterial isolates between August 2003 and March 2008 isolated from patients at a tertiary hospital. Samples were identified using a Vitek automated system and were confirmed by biochemical testing. The identified ESBL strains were characterized by phenotypic methods, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequencing. Genetic similarities were evaluated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. RESULTS It was 390 (21.3%) ESBL-producing strains, which expressed the ESBLs CTX-M (292), SHV (84), CTX and SHV (10), TEM (2), and PER (2). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of ESBL-expressing strains was high, especially in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter spp. CTX-M was the predominant type of ESBL observed, and its genetic variability indicates a polyclonal distribution.
Pitfalls in classifying lymphomas.

BACKGROUND Although the WHO classification (2001) requires a great deal of morphologic, immunophenotypic, genetic, and clinical features for classifying lymphomas, it is still feasible to misdiagnose under limited resources, especially a limited panel of antibodies used for immunophenotyping. To identify pitfalls in classifying lymphomas among hematopathologist, general pathologists, and pathology residents under this situation. MATERIAL AND METHOD Newly diagnosed lymphoma cases from 1 July 2002 to 30 June 2003 at Siriraj Hospital were included for two rounds of individually blinded review by a hematopathologist, two general pathologists, and three pathology residents. Final diagnoses were given by consensus. Pitfalls were determined from misdiagnosis, in each case analyzed in terms of frequency. RESULTS One hundred and four lymphoma cases included 61 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL, 58.6%), 12 MALT lymphoma (11.5%), eight follicular lymphoma (FL, 7.7%), seven classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL, 6.7%), four unspecified peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL, 3.8%), three Burkitt lymphoma (BL, 2.9%), two subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL, 1.9%), and seven other uncommon types (1% each). Pitfalls were low infrequency on diagnosis of DLBCL, nodular sclerosis HL, and SPTCL (8% each), but not different among the participants only in DLBCL. Pitfalls in diagnosis of MALT lymphoma, mixed cellularity HL, BL, unspecified PTCL, and FL were 60%, 50%, 33%, 29%, and 24%, respectively. However, considering hematopathologist and non-hematopathologist groups, pitfalls in the former were lower, especially in the uncommon types of lymphoma. CONCLUSION Pitfalls in classifying lymphomas are common. Interest in hematopathology reduces misdiagnosis in lymphomas other than DLBCL.
REVISION OF EARTH-SIZED KEPLER PLANET CANDIDATE PROPERTIES WITH HIGH-RESOLUTION IMAGING BY THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

We present the results of our Hubble Space Telescope program and describe how our analysis methods were used to re-evaluate the habitability of some of the most interesting Kepler planet candidates. Our program observed 22 Kepler Object of Interest (KOI) host stars, several of which were found to be multiple star systems unresolved by Kepler. We use our high-resolution imaging to spatially resolve the stellar multiplicity of Kepler-296, KOI-2626, and KOI-3049, and develop a conversion to the Kepler photometry (Kp) from the F555W and F775W filters on WFC3/UVIS. The binary system Kepler-296 (five planets) has a projected separation of 0 &farcs; 217 ? > (80 AU); KOI-2626 (one planet candidate) is a triple star system with a projected separation of 0 &farcs; 201 ? > (70 AU) between the primary and secondary components and 0 &farcs; 161 ? > (55 AU) between the primary and tertiary; and the binary system KOI-3049 (one planet candidate) has a projected separation of 0 &farcs; 464 ? > (225 AU). We use our measured photometry to fit the separated stellar components to the latest Victoria–Regina Stellar Models with synthetic photometry to conclude that the systems are coeval. The components of the three systems range from mid-K dwarf to mid-M dwarf spectral types.We solved for the planetary properties of each system analytically and via an MCMC algorithm using our independent stellar parameters. The planets range from ∼ 1.6 to ∼ 4.2 R ⨁ ? > , mostly Super Earths and mini-Neptunes. As a result of the stellar multiplicity, some planets previously in the Habitable Zone are, in fact, not, and other planets may be habitable depending on their assumed stellar host.
Clinical and immunological characteristics of a pediatric population with food protein‐induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) to fish

Food protein‐induced enterocolitis (FPIES) is an uncommon, non‐IgE‐mediated food allergy that usually debuts in infancy with profuse vomiting, lethargy, and pallor 2–4 h following ingestion of the offending food. Its immune mechanism is not known. We aimed to describe the clinical features and outcome of children with fish‐FPIES as well as to investigate on cellular immune response implicated.
Immunoassay of thyrocalcitonin. I. The method and its serological specificity.

Pure porcine thyrocalcitonin was labeled at high specific radioactivity (200–500 μCi/μg) with 131I.Thyrocalcitonin- 131I was purified by adsorption on, and elution from, microfine granules of precipitated silica. Addition of 2- mercaptoethanol to the buffers stabilized the labeled peptide during purification, storage and incubation. Antiserum was prepared by immunization of a rhesus monkey with thyrocalcitonin conjugated to a copolymer of L-lysine and L-glutamic acid. Unlabeled porcine thyrocalcitoninthyrocalcitonin competitively inhibited the binding of thyrocalcitonin-13lI to antiporcine thyrocalcitonin. The method detected 5 MRC μU of porcine thyrocalcitonin. Comparative bioassays and immunoassays were in good agreement over more than a 2000-fold range of specific biological activities. Calf and sheep thyrocalcitonins could also be detected immunologically, but the extent of the cross-reactions was small. Rat, pigeon and human thyrocalcitonins did not cross-react significantly. (Endocrinology 84: 140.
Bolstering the Number and Function of HSV-1–Specific CD8+ Effector Memory T Cells and Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells in Latently Infected Trigeminal Ganglia Reduces Recurrent Ocular Herpes Infection and Disease

HSV type 1 (HSV-1) is a prevalent human pathogen that infects >3.72 billion individuals worldwide and can cause potentially blinding recurrent corneal herpetic disease. HSV-1 establishes latency within sensory neurons of trigeminal ganglia (TG), and TG-resident CD8+ T cells play a critical role in preventing its reactivation. The repertoire, phenotype, and function of protective CD8+ T cells are unknown. Bolstering the apparent feeble numbers of CD8+ T cells in TG remains a challenge for immunotherapeutic strategies. In this study, a comprehensive panel of 467 HLA-A*0201–restricted CD8+ T cell epitopes was predicted from the entire HSV-1 genome. CD8+ T cell responses to these genome-wide epitopes were compared in HSV-1–seropositive symptomatic individuals (with a history of numerous episodes of recurrent herpetic disease) and asymptomatic (ASYMP) individuals (who are infected but never experienced any recurrent herpetic disease). Frequent polyfunctional HSV-specific IFN-γ+CD107a/b+CD44highCD62LlowCD8+ effector memory T cells were detected in ASYMP individuals and were primarily directed against three “ASYMP” epitopes. In contrast, symptomatic individuals have more monofunctional CD44highCD62LhighCD8+ central memory T cells. Furthermore, therapeutic immunization with an innovative prime/pull vaccine, based on priming with multiple ASYMP epitopes (prime) and neurotropic TG delivery of the T cell–attracting chemokine CXCL10 (pull), boosted the number and function of CD44highCD62LlowCD8+ effector memory T cells and CD103highCD8+ tissue-resident T cells in TG of latently infected HLA-A*0201–transgenic mice and reduced recurrent ocular herpes following UV-B–induced reactivation. These findings have profound implications in the development of T cell–based immunotherapeutic strategies to treat blinding recurrent herpes infection and disease.
Radioprotection of plasmid DNA by oligolysines

Purpose: To define ionic conditions under which oligolysines condense DNA as assayed by radioprotection of a plasmid substrate. And to compare these conditions with those required by the well‐characterized ligands spermidine and hexammine cobalt (III). This will enable a reversible compaction model for plasmid DNA to be devised that models more closely mammalian chromatin than those based on polyamines. Materials and methods: Aqueous solutions containing plasmid DNA, sodium perchlorate and one of the five ligands trilysine, tetralysine, pentalysine, spermidine, or hexammine cobalt (III) were subjected to gamma‐irradiation. The yields of the resulting single‐strand breaks were quantified by gel electrophoresis. The effects of tetralysine and pentalysine were also examined by light scattering. Results: The combination of low concentrations of the ligand and high concentrations of sodium perchlorate produced a relatively high yield of single‐strand breaks. In contrast, the combination of high concentrations of the ligand and low concentrations of sodium perchlorate resulted in an approximately 25‐fold lower single‐strand break yield. The transition between these two break yields took place over very narrow concentration ranges of the ligand. A large change in light scattering occurred at the same concentration. The radioprotective ability of the ligands decreased in the order pentalysine>tetralysine>hexammine cobalt (III)>spermidine>trilysine. Conclusions: The effect of the oligolysines is qualitatively very similar to the previously reported radioprotection produced under similar conditions by the polyamines spermidine and spermine. It is caused by condensation of the DNA into a highly compacted form. As peptides, oligolysines are structurally more closely related than other ligands to naturally occurring DNA condensing agents such as histone proteins. Therefore, they may form the basis of a model system suitable for studying DNA damage produced by the direct effect of ionizing radiation (ionization of the DNA itself).
Diagnostic evaluation of patients with suspected haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life‐threatening hyperinflammatory syndrome characterized by severely disturbed immune homeostasis. It can affect all age groups. Diagnostic evaluation of the patient with suspected HLH has to address three main questions: (i) does the patient have HLH? There is no simple diagnostic test, but a number of clinical and laboratory criteria define this clinical syndrome. (ii) Can a trigger be identified? A variety of infections, malignant or autoimmune diseases can contribute to the disturbed immune homeostasis with important consequences for treatment. (iii) Does the patient suffer from a genetic disease predisposing to HLH? Recent advances in the understanding of the genetic and pathophysiological basis of HLH have enabled a better and more rapid answer to this question, which is relevant for prognosis and the decision to perform haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This review summarizes the current diagnostic approach to the patient with HLH.
Comparison of conventional phacoemulsification technique vs. cool phacoemulsification technique with the importance of phacoemulsification variables.

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy and outcome after cool phacoemulsification with conventional phacoemulsification techniques in terms of effective phacoemulsification time (EPT), wound size and operative complications along with other variables used for the technique. STUDY DESIGN Randomized controlled clinical trial (RCCT). PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Ophthalmology Unit III, Sindh Government Lyari General Hospital and DUHS and Al-Noor Eye Hospital, Karachi, from January to December 2008. METHODOLOGY One hundred eyes with nuclear/cortico-nuclear cataract on LOCS III (Lens Opacities Classification System III) underwent phacoemulsification. Fifty eyes were randomized to have surgery by standard phacoemulsification technique and the other 50 eyes by cool phacoemulsification technique. Efficacy and outcomes were judged in terms of variables like effective phaco time, vacuum and power used, quantity of Ringer's lactate solution used and corneal burn. The results between the two groups were compared. RESULTS Among the phaco variables, the vacuum used in all cases ranged from 100 to 200 mmHg in group A with mean vacuum of 145.3+29.6 and 300 to 350 mmHg with mean value of 325.8+14.5 in group B at phaco II (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in amount of Ringer's lactate used during surgery with 100-180 ml in conventional phacotechnique as opposed to 75-150 ml in cool phacoemulsification (p < 0.001). EPT in group A was between 30 to 180 seconds with mean of 111.3+40.4 seconds while in group B, it ranged between 2 to 12 seconds with mean of 6.1+2.92 seconds (p < 0.001). Rate of intra operative complications was lower in cool phacoemulsification (2%) as compared with conventional technique (18%, p=0.008). CONCLUSION Cool phacoemulsification is a safe technique to operate cataract of all grades. It seems to be superior as it reduces effective phaco time, less operative and postoperative complications and is, therefore, safer for the cornea especially with regard to corneal wound burn. However, significantly greater amount of vacuum is needed.
A Study on Serum Urea , Creatinine and Uric Acid Levels in Normal Pregnancy ( First and Third Trimester ) in Rohilkhand Region , Uttar Pradesh

The present study has been undertaken to evaluate the changes in serum level of urea, creatinine, and uric acid in normal pregnant women (during 1 st and 3 rd trimester of pregnancy) and compare it with non-pregnant women. During the study, 76 pregnant women were seen in the 1st trimester but only 48 pregnant women continued the follow up through out to 3 rd trimester of pregnancy. 48 non-pregnant healthy women were selected as control group. The estimation of the biochemical parameters were carried out by using Chem 5 plus semi-autoanalyzer. Our study shows that mean ± SD of serum urea, creatinine and uric acid levels significantly decreased during the 1st trimester of pregnany as compared to control group while the non significant decrease level was observed in 3 rd trimester of pregnancy as compared to non pregnant healthy women. Comparison between 1 st and 3 rd trimester of pregnancy and found that the serum urea concentration of 1 st and 3 rd trimester of pregnancy was not significant while significance difference was found between serum creatinine and uric acid levels. The biochemical parameters serum urea, creatinine and uric acid are affected by pregnancy in the 1st trimester more than the 3rd trimester.
Signs and symptoms indicative of community-acquired pneumonia in infants under six months.

OBJECTIVE Evaluation of the clinical signs and symptoms predicting bacterial and viral pneumonia, in accordance with the Brazilian National Control Program for Acute Respiratory (ARI). METHODS Observational prospective study. Seventy-six children from birth to six months of age who had pneumonia were studied in the emergency room. The patients were subdivided into two groups, based on radiological findings (gold-standard): 47 had bacterial pneumonia, and 29 had viral pneumonia. The frequencies, sensitivities, and specificities of the signs and symptoms were evaluated. RESULTS The sensibilities and sensitivities of general findings in bacterial pneumonia were, respectively: fever 53.2%/40.0%; hypoactivity 68.4%/55.6% and prostration detected by the doctor 72.7%/55.0%. The same findings in viral pneumonias showed, respectively: 37.9%/40.0%, 66.7%/55.6% and 66.7%/55.6%. The sensibilities and sensitivities of respiratory findings in bacterial pneumonia were, respectively: coughing 66.0/38.1%, Respiratory rate = 50 ripm 76.6%/38.1%, altered respiratory auscultation 91.3%/10.5%, and chest indrawing 46.7%/80.0%. The same findings in viral pneumonias were, respectively: 69.0%/38.1%, 86.2%/38.1%, 85.7%/10.5% and 44.8%/80.0%. CONCLUSION Analysis of signs and symptoms in each group did not distinguish bacterial from viral pneumonia. Our findings reinforce the adequacy of the ARI program in Brazil, which gives an early diagnosis of pneumonia, independent of its etiology.