Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fine structure of murine pulmonary adenomata induced by carcinogen treatment in organ culture.

Observations were made on early pulmonary adenomata induced by the exposure of mouse lung tissue to a carcinogen in organ culture and its subsequent subcutaneous implantation into host animals. The adenoma cells appeared to be derived from type II alveolar cells and showed a high degree of differentiation at the ultrastructural level. The procedure used permitted the study of early lesions, microscopic in size. These lesions, however, were of the same basic type which is produced by conventional in vivo methods of pulmonary tumor induction in mice.
Immunoglobulin Free Light Chain Dimers in Human Diseases

Immunoglobulin free light chain (FLC) kappa (κ) and lambda (λ) isotypes exist mainly in monomeric and dimeric forms. Under pathological conditions, the level of FLCs as well as the structure of monomeric and dimeric FLCs and their dimerization properties might be significantly altered. The abnormally high fractions of dimeric FLCs were demonstrated in the serum of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and primary systemic amyloidosis (AL), as well as in the serum of anephric patients. The presence of tetra- and trimolecular complexes formed due to dimer-dimer and dimer-monomer interactions was detected in the myeloma serum. Analysis of the amyloidogenic light chains demonstrated mutations within the dimer interface, thus raising the possibility that these mutations are responsible for amyloidogenicity. Increased κ monomer and dimer levels, as well as a high κ/λ monomer ratio, were typically found in the cerebrospinal fluid from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). In many MS cases, the elevation of κ FLCs was accompanied by an abnormally high proportion of λ dimers. This review focuses on the disease-related changes of the structure and level of dimeric FLCs, and raises the questions regarding their formation, function, and role in the pathogenesis and diagnosis of human diseases.
Spectrum of skin disorders presenting to King Abdul Aziz Hospital during Hajj season-2000.

BACKGROUND The pilgrimage (Hajj) to the holy mosque in the city of Makkah takes place once every year and during this huge gathering skin diseases are quite common due to hot weather and over crowding. The aim of this study was to collect and report data regarding different dermatological problems occurring during the holy month of Zil-hajj. METHODS Data regarding skin diseases was collected from pilgrims which were examined and diagnosed clinically at the Department of Dermatology King Abdul Aziz Hospital, during the month of Zil-Hajja of the year 2000. These patients were referred from various primary health centers, medical hajj missions of various countries and Children and Maternity hospital in Makkah. RESULTS During the month of Zil-hajja of the year 2000, 1510 cases were seen, of these 1143 were males and 367 were females. The criteria for diagnosis for most of the cases were mainly clinical. The highest number of patients was in the age group of 20-50 years. Eczemas of different types were the most common skin disease observed in these pilgrims, intertrigo was the next most common presenting condition this was followed by fungal and bacterial infections. CONCLUSION A high frequency of skin diseases such as eczemas, intertrigo, pyoderma and fungal infections was found among the pilgrims. More detailed studies regarding skin conditions during this season would enable us to have better understanding of skin problems there management and prevention in full.
COMPARISON OF SIROLIMUS-BASED CALCINEURIN INHIBITOR-SPARING AND CALCINEURIN INHIBITOR-FREE REGIMENS IN CADAVERIC RENAL TRANSPLANTATION

Introduction. This study examines the efficacy and toxicity of sirolimus used as primary immunosuppression in combination with reduced dose tacrolimus (calcineurin inhibitor [CI]-sparing regimen) or mycophenolate mofetil (CI-free regimen) in high-risk cadaveric renal transplantation. Methods. Seventy subjects were treated in a quadruple sequential protocol in which 41 were treated with a CI-sparing regimen and 29 were treated with a CI-free regimen. The efficacy and toxicity profiles of these regimens were prospectively monitored and compared. Results. The study consisted of African Americans (71%), cadaveric donors (100%), donors aged more than 50 years (30%), and patients with delayed graft function (47%). At 1 year, patient survival, graft survival, and incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection were 98%, 80%, and 10%, respectively, in the CI-sparing group and 100%, 89%, and 7%, respectively, in the CI-free group. Three-month protocol biopsies were performed in 41% (17/41) and 67% (20/29) of the subjects in the CI-sparing and CI-free groups, respectively. Subclinical rejection was detected in 6% (1/17) and 15% (3/20) of the subjects in the CI-sparing and CI-free groups, respectively. Histologic evidence of chronic allograft nephropathy was more prevalent in the CI-sparing group. At 1 year, the mean estimated creatinine clearance was higher in the CI-free group than in the CI-sparing group (72.4±20.0 mL/min vs. 50.5±20.8 mL/min, P <0.01). The two regimens had similar toxicity profiles (hospital readmission, infection, wound complications, and metabolic complications). Conclusions. Both sirolimus-based CI-sparing and CI-free regimens are safe and effective in a population with high immunologic risk. The CI-free regimen is associated with better renal function at 1 year post-transplant. Long-term follow-up will aid in determining the risk and benefit ratio of these regimens.
DNA ploidy patterns in advanced gastric carcinoma; is it a clinically applicable prognosticator?

BACKGROUND/AIMS The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of ploidy patterns as determined by flow cytometry in terms of clinical usefulness. METHODOLOGY 270 patients with a diagnosis of advanced gastric carcinoma were studied with fresh specimens obtained from multiple site avoiding nonviable or nonneoplastic tissues by DNA flow cytometry. DNA ploidy and clinicopathologic factors were compared and survival was analyzed. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 56.1 +/- 11.6 years (25-80 years). There were 195 males and 75 females. Aneuploidy was shown in 93 (35.9%) patients. Male sex and differentiated tumor were more frequent in aneuploidy than diploidy (P = 0.011, < 0.001, respectively). By univariate analysis, tumor location, size, extent of resection, curative resection, serosa invasion, lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis significantly affected survival but not aneuploidy. Significant independent prognostic factors by multivariate analysis were curative resection, serosa invasion and lymph node involvement (P = 0.0001, 0.0114, 0.0262, respectively). CONCLUSIONS DNA ploidy patterns of advanced gastric carcinoma are of limited clinical significance, therefore not a clinically applicable prognosticator.
Uncorrelated frequency steps in a reverberation chamber: A multivariate approach

The use of correlation matrices to estimate the number of uncorrelated frequency steps of the reverberation chamber field is presented and discussed. Finite-difference time-domain simulations of an actual reverberation facility are performed through an in-house parallel code. The efficiency of this code allows for capturing the field behavior through large spatial volumes. Spatial field samples are used to construct the multivariate correlation function and to evaluate the number of uncorrelated frequencies over a broad band. Results are obtained for single rectangular component and total field. It is found that traditional (autocorrelation based) methods tend to overestimate the number of uncorrelated frequency steps, with respect to the proposed (multivariate) approach.
A longitudinal study of the bi-directional relationship between tobacco smoking and psychological distress in a community sample of young Australian women

Background Tobacco smoking and poor mental health are both prevalent and detrimental health problems in young women. The temporal relationship between the two variables is unclear. We investigated the prospective bi-directional relationship between smoking and mental health over 13 years. Method Participants were a randomly selected community sample of 10 012 young women with no experience of pregnancy, aged 18–23 years at baseline (1996) from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Follow-up surveys over 13 years were completed in 2000, 2003, 2006 and 2009, allowing for five waves of data. Measures included self-reported smoking and mental health measured by the Mental Health Index from the 36-item short-form health questionnaire and the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Sociodemographic control variables included marital status, education level and employment status. Results A strong cross-sectional dose–response relationship between smoking and poor mental health was found at each wave [odds ratio (OR) 1.41, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.17–1.70 to OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.82–2.81]. Longitudinal results showed that women who smoked had 1.21 (95% CI 1.06–1.39) to 1.62 (95% CI 1.24–2.11) times higher odds of having poor mental health at subsequent waves. Women with poor mental health had 1.12 (95% CI 1.17–1.20) to 2.11 (95% CI 1.68–2.65) times higher odds of smoking at subsequent waves. These results held after adjusting for mental health history and smoking history and sociodemographic factors. Correlation analysis and structural equation modelling results were consistent in showing that both directions of the relationship were statistically significant. Conclusions The association between poor mental health and smoking in young women appeared to be bi-directional.
Therapeutic Efficacy of a Few Diesters of Meso 2,3‐Dimercaptosuccinic Acid during Sub‐Chronic Arsenic Intoxication in Rats

Therapeutic Efficacy of a Few Diesters of Meso 2,3‐Dimercaptosuccinic Acid during Sub‐Chronic Arsenic Intoxication in Rats: S.J.S. Flora, et al. Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Defence Research and Development Establishment—The therapeutic efficacy of four diesters derivatives of meso 2,3‐dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) was investigated in subchronic arsenic intoxication in rats. Dimethyl DMSA (DMDMSA), diethyl DMSA (DEDMSA), diisopropyl DMSA (DiPDMSA) and diisoamyl DMSA (DiADMSA) were the diesters of DMSA with methyl, ethyl, isopropyl and isoamyl alcohols and were administered for two 5 day courses of treatment in male rats pre‐exposed to 100 ppm arsenic (III) for 8 weeks. The results show that treatment with these diesters was effective in decreasing blood and soft tissue arsenic contents but was only moderately effective in recovering biochemical indicators. The results suggest that these diesters could be effective arsenic chelators but may be inferior to DMSA in recovering biochemical/clinical indicators following sub‐chronic arsenic exposure.
Highly parallel identification of essential genes in cancer cells

More complete knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer will improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Efforts such as The Cancer Genome Atlas are systematically characterizing the structural basis of cancer, by identifying the genomic mutations associated with each cancer type. A powerful complementary approach is to systematically characterize the functional basis of cancer, by identifying the genes essential for growth and related phenotypes in different cancer cells. Such information would be particularly valuable for identifying potential drug targets. Here, we report the development of an efficient, robust approach to perform genome-scale pooled shRNA screens for both positive and negative selection and its application to systematically identify cell essential genes in 12 cancer cell lines. By integrating these functional data with comprehensive genetic analyses of primary human tumors, we identified known and putative oncogenes such as EGFR, KRAS, MYC, BCR-ABL, MYB, CRKL, and CDK4 that are essential for cancer cell proliferation and also altered in human cancers. We further used this approach to identify genes involved in the response of cancer cells to tumoricidal agents and found 4 genes required for the response of CML cells to imatinib treatment: PTPN1, NF1, SMARCB1, and SMARCE1, and 5 regulators of the response to FAS activation, FAS, FADD, CASP8, ARID1A and CBX1. Broad application of this highly parallel genetic screening strategy will not only facilitate the rapid identification of genes that drive the malignant state and its response to therapeutics but will also enable the discovery of genes that participate in any biological process.
Effects of cyclosporine in osteopontin null mice.

BACKGROUND Osteopontin (OPN) is a macrophage adhesive and cell survival factor that is up-regulated in tubules in tubulointerstitial disease. We have previously reported that rats with cyclosporine (CsA) nephropathy have increased tubular osteopontin that correlates with the infiltration of macrophages and interstitial fibrosis. This study tested the hypothesis that the absence of OPN would ameliorate CsA nephropathy. METHODS OPN knockout (-/-) and wild type (+/+) mice were fed a low salt diet (Na+ 0.01%) for one week and then received daily CsA injections (30 mg/kg, SC) until sacrifice at two weeks. Afferent arteriolopathy, tubulointerstitial injury, macrophage infiltration, collagen III deposition, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) expression, and tubular and interstitial cell proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated. RESULTS Wild type mice developed early features of CsA nephropathy, with arteriolar hyalinosis and cortical and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Despite comparable CsA levels, OPN-/- mice had less arteriolopathy (15 vs. 24%, P < 0.05), a 20% reduction in cortical macrophage infiltration (P < 0.05), and 20% reduction in interstitial collagen deposition (P < 0.05). OPN-/- mice also showed less cortical interstitial cell proliferation but no differences in tubular cell proliferation or apoptosis. OPN+/+ mice also developed some neurotoxicity, consisting of ataxia, and this was associated with increased mortality at two weeks. CONCLUSION OPN partially mediates arteriolopathy, early macrophage recruitment and fibrosis in murine CsA nephropathy. OPN also may be involved in CsA associated neurotoxicity.
Evolution de la résistance aux antibiotiques des entérobactéries isolées à l'Hôpital Général de Douala de 2005 à 2012

Introduction Cette étude vise à déterminer le profil de résistance aux antibiotiques des entérobactéries isolées à l'Hôpital Général de Douala (Cameroun) et analyser leur évolution dans le temps. Méthodes Etude rétrospective, sur une période de huit ans (2005 - 2012), portant sur l'ensemble des souches d'entérobactéries isolées chez les malades ambulatoires et hospitalisés. Les prélèvements ont été analysés au laboratoire de bactériologie de l'Hôpital Général de Douala. Résultats Les entérobactéries étaient les germes les plus fréquents sur l'ensemble des souches isolées. Nous avons noté une prédominance d’Escherichia coli (48,5%) et de Klebsiella pneumoniae (32,8%). Pendant la période d’étude, nous avons observé des taux de résistance élevés aux principales classes d'antibiotiques, et une augmentation entre 2005 et 2012 de 29,1% à 51,6% pour les céphalosporines de troisième génération, de 29,2% à 44% pour la ciprofloxacine. L'imipénème, l'amikacine et la fosfomycine étaient les molécules les plus actives avec respectivement 1,3%, 12,9% et 13,4% des souches d'entérobactéries résistantes. Conclusion L’évolution des résistances des entérobactéries aux antibiotiques est un phénomène réel dans la ville de Douala. Il expose à des difficultés de prise en charge thérapeutique des infections. Lamaitrise actuelle de ce phénomène est une véritable urgence et nécessite une implication des pouvoirs publics. Des tests spécifiques de recherche des bétalactamases à spectre élargi (BLSE) et AmpC doivent être mis en place dans nos laboratoires afin de mettre en évidence les différents phénotypes de résistances.
Mutations in Dynein Link Motor Neuron Degeneration to Defects in Retrograde Transport

Degenerative disorders of motor neurons include a range of progressive fatal diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal-bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Although the causative genetic alterations are known for some cases, the molecular basis of many SMA and SBMA-like syndromes and most ALS cases is unknown. Here we show that missense point mutations in the cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain result in progressive motor neuron degeneration in heterozygous mice, and in homozygotes this is accompanied by the formation of Lewy-like inclusion bodies, thus resembling key features of human pathology. These mutations exclusively perturb neuron-specific functions of dynein.
Oxide trap annealing by H2 cracking at E' center under NBTI stress

In this paper, we have modeled the results of negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) degradation obtained by using charge pumping and linear drain current techniques in the same time measurement setup. The proposed model is based on Hydrogen molecule (H2) cracking at trapped hole center (E' center) to explain the decrease of oxide trapped charge at long NBTI stress time (t > 1000s). In fact, according to experimental data, which are obtained in the framework of the above cited setup, NBTI induces oxide trap generation at earlier stress time followed later by a decrease (annealing) at long stress time. This behavior looks like annealing in radiation effect on gate oxide in MOSFET, which is explained by H2 cracking model. Based on this similarity, we extended this model to NBTI effect. The extended model presents a perfect correlation with the experimental data.
Enzymes of Earthworm as Indicators of Pesticide Pollution in Soil

The importance of the earthworms in the agricultural practices is well known. The increasing applications of pesticides and chemicals in the agricultural farms have adversely influenced the flora and fauna of the soil. Earthworms which immensely contribute in increasing the quality and fertility of agricultural soil are reported be worst hit organisms under such conditions. Recent reports have indicated growing interests among researchers to explore biochemical and molecular markers as indicators of accumulation of pollutants in the soil in general and pesticides in particular. The varying levels of several biomolecules in different parts of the earthworm have been reported which are indicative of sensitivity of the organisms to different xenobiotics. However, the existing information lacks the literature displaying stock of information regarding the impact of pesticides on the levels of some key enzymes regulating many crucial functions in the earthworm at one place. Keeping in view this issue, it was envisaged to bring out a mini review which illustrates updated information available on the impact of pesticides on the activities of certain key enzymes reported to be responsible for catalysing metabolic pathways concerning the neurotransmission system, energy metabolism, oxidative stress and amino acids metabolism in different body parts of the earthworms, a prospective bioindicators of pesticides contamination in the soil.
Drawing accuracy measured using polygons

The study of drawing, for its own sake and as a probe into human visual perception, generally depends on ratings by human critics and self-reported expertise of the drawers. To complement those approaches, we have developed a geometric approach to analyzing drawing accuracy, one whose measures are objective, continuous and performance-based. Drawing geometry is represented by polygons formed by landmark points found in the drawing. Drawing accuracy is assessed by comparing the geometric properties of polygons in the drawn image to the equivalent polygon in a ground truth photo. There are four distinct properties of a polygon: its size, its position, its orientation and the proportionality of its shape. We can decompose error into four components and investigate how each contributes to drawing performance. We applied a polygon-based accuracy analysis to a pilot data set of representational drawings and found that an expert drawer outperformed a novice on every dimension of polygon error. The results of the pilot data analysis correspond well with the apparent quality of the drawings, suggesting that the landmark and polygon analysis is a method worthy of further study. Applying this geometric analysis to a within-subjects comparison of accuracy in the positive and negative space suggests there is a trade-off on dimensions of error. The performance-based analysis of geometric deformations will allow the study of drawing accuracy at different levels of organization, in a systematic and quantitative manner. We briefly describe the method and its potential applications to research in drawing education and visual perception.
Nanobacteria: an infectious cause for kidney stone formation.

BACKGROUND Nanobacteria are cytotoxic, sterile-filterable, gram-negative, atypical bacteria detected in bovine and human blood. Nanobacteria produce carbonate apatite on their cell walls. Data on Randall's plaques suggest that apatite may initiate kidney stone formation. We assessed nanobacteria in 72 consecutively collected kidney stones from Finnish patients. METHODS Nanobacteria and kidney stone units were compared using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Demineralized kidney stones were screened for nanobacteria using a double-staining method and a specific culture method. Isolated nanobacteria were analyzed for mineral formation in vitro with Ca and 85Sr incorporation tests. RESULTS SEM highlighted the resemblance in size and morphology of nanobacteria and the smallest apatite units in the kidney stones. Nanobacterial antigens could be detected after the demineralization of the stones in 1 N HCl. Nanobacteria were surprisingly resistant to this treatment, and cultures could be established from 93.1% of the stones. Only struvite stones had common bacteria, in addition to the nanobacteria. When the results of all of the assays were combined, 70 of the 72 stones (that is, 97.2%) were nanobacteria positive. Although apatite stones indicated highest nanobacteria antigen signals, the overall nanobacteria positivity did not depend on the stone type. The isolated nanobacteria produced apatite stones in vitro, measured by Ca and 85Sr incorporation. CONCLUSIONS We propose that kidney stone formation is a nanobacterial disease analogous to Helicobacter pylori infection and peptic ulcer disease. Both diseases are initiated by bacterial infection and subsequently endogenous and dietary factors influence their progression.
Postoperative alterations in the coagulation mechanism of the blood; observations on circulating thromboplastin.

ENDOTHELIAL injury and circulatory stasis occurring in association with operation and the postoperative state are obvious causes of postoperative venous thrombosis. Hewson, 1 however, in 1771 showed that stasis per se will not necessarily cause thrombosis. Furthermore endothelial injury involving any but the smaller veins is rare during a surgical procedure. Many have therefore turned their attention to searching for postoperative alterations in the blood itself which might cause it to be more readily coagulable. The modern wide use of anticoagulants to prevent the occurrence or the extension of venous thrombosis gives added meaning to an attempt to define any hyper-coagulability which may exist. Presented in this report are the results of certain studies relative to such an attempt. Figure 1 presents a graphic summary of the coagulation mechanism in the light of our present knowledge. Any diagram of this complex and controversial mechanism leads to oversimplification and, perhaps, to