Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carcinoembryonic Antigen, Alpha-fetoprotein, and Prostate-Specific Antigen in the Sera of Industrial Workers Exposed to Phenol, Formaldehyde, Urea, and Mixed Vapors

Exposure to certain industrial agents has been thought to have carcinogenic potential, both for employees who work closely with agents and for the general population that comes into contact with them. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the changes at the cellular level or at the level of cellular metabolism products present in the biological fluid, and to detect early stages of the carcinogenic process resulting from the exposure of industrial environmental hazards. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alpha-fetoproteins (AFP), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were measured in sera of workers (n = 51), who were divided into 4 groups: group I, workers exposed to phenol; group II, workers exposed to formaldehyde; group III, workers exposed to urea; and group IV, workers exposed to mixed vapor, plus a reference control healthy group (n = 15). The results showed that 75% of the workers exposed to phenol, 75% of the workers exposed to urea, 83.3% of workers exposed to formalin, and 92.3% of the workers exposed to mixed vapors had raised values of serum CEA (S-CEA) above normal value of the control group. Also, 23% of workers exposed to mixed vapors, 44% of workers exposed to formalin, 50% of workers exposed to phenol, and 62.5% of workers exposed to urea had raised values of serum AFP (S-AFP) above normal value of control group. Finally, 16.6% of workers exposed to phenol, 23% of workers exposed to mixed vapors, and 33.3% of workers exposed to formalin had raised values of serum PSA (S-PSA) above the normal value of control group; there were no raised values of S-PSA in workers exposed to urea. No significant difference was found in the activities of AST and ALT in group I, but a highly significant increase was found in the AST activities for groups II and IV and the ALT activities for groups III and IV. A significant difference was found in the activity of ALT in group II and in AST for group III. There was no significant difference in the levels of albumin in groups I, II, and III, whereas albumin levels were significantly decreased in group IV. No significant change was found in the level of urea and creatinine in all groups except for group III, where serum levels of creatinine were significantly decreased. From our findings, we concluded that S-CEA can be used as an important prognostic screening marker for early prediction for malignancy, and for management of workers with lung cancer who are exposed to the environmental hazards in industrial factories. Furthermore, S-AFP can be used also as a biomarker if it is carried out and correlated with S-CEA.
Green tea consumption is associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly.

BACKGROUND Green tea is reported to have various beneficial effects (eg, anti-stress response and antiinflammatory effects) on human health. Although these functions might be associated with the development and progression of depressive symptoms, no studies have investigated the relation between green tea consumption and depressive symptoms in a community-dwelling population. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the relations between green tea consumption and depressive symptoms in elderly Japanese subjects who widely consumed green tea. DESIGN We conducted a cross-sectional study in 1058 community-dwelling elderly Japanese individuals aged >or=70 y. Green tea consumption was assessed by using a self-administered questionnaire, and depressive symptoms were evaluated by using the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale with 2 cutoffs: 11 (mild and severe depressive symptoms) and 14 (severe depressive symptoms). If a participant was consuming antidepressants, he or she was considered to have depressive symptoms. RESULTS The prevalence of mild and severe and severe depressive symptoms was 34.1% and 20.2%, respectively. After adjustment for confounding factors, the odds ratios (95% CI) for mild and severe depressive symptoms when higher green tea consumption was compared with green tea consumption of <or=1 cup/d were as follows: 2-3 cups green tea/d (0.96; 95% CI: 0.66, 1.42) and >or=4 cups green tea/d (0.56; 95% CI: 0.39, 0.81) (P for trend: 0.001). Similar relations were also observed in the case of severe depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION A more frequent consumption of green tea was associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms in the community-dwelling older population.
Low-level lead exposure, intelligence and academic achievement: a long-term follow-up study.

The implications of low-level lead exposure for children's intellectual and academic performance at school age are uncertain. This issue was investigated in a prospective study of middle-class and upper-middle-class children with low lifetime exposures to lead. A battery of neuropsychological tests was administered at age 10 years to 148 children whose lead exposure and cognitive function had been previously assessed at ages 6, 12, 18, 24, and 57 months. Primary endpoints were Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R) and the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement (K-TEA). Higher levels of blood lead at age 24 months, but not at other ages, were significantly associated with lower global scores on both the WISC-R and the K-TEA after adjustment for potential confounders. Over the range of approximately 0 to 25 micrograms/dL, a 0.48-mumol/L (10 micrograms/dL) increase in blood lead at 24 months was associated with a 5.8-point decline in WISC-R Full-Scale IQ (95% confidence interval: 1.7 to 9.9, P = .007) and an 8.9-point decline in K-TEA Battery Composite score (95% confidence interval: 4.2 to 13.6, P = .0003). Mean blood lead level at age 24 months was 0.31 mumol/L (6.5 micrograms/dL; SD: 4.9, 90% percentile: 12.5). Slightly elevated blood lead levels around the age of 24 months are associated with intellectual and academic performance deficits at age 10 years.
Short‐term efficacy of ultrasonically nebulized hypertonic saline in cystic fibrosis

Progressive lung disease in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by thick secretions, which cause airway obstruction and subsequent colonization and infection by inhaled pathogenic microorganisms. Recently, recombinant human DNase has been shown to reduce the viscoelasticity of sputum in patients with cystic fibrosis and to improve lung function. Ultrasonically nebulized hypertonic saline (HS) has been demonstrated to enhance mucociliary clearance and sputum expectoration by rehydrating airway secretions, and may therefore provide a low cost alternative. We studied the changes in pulmonary function and symptoms in a group of patients with CF who have moderate to severe lung disease. The patients were evaluated following 2 weeks of treatment with HS in an open‐label study. Subjects were randomly allocated to receive 10 ml of either 0.9% NaCl (IS) or 6% NaCl (HS). Twice daily, prior to physiotherapy, treatments were delivered by a portable ultrasonic nebulizer. To prevent bronchoconstriction, 600 mg of salbutamol was administered prior to the nebulized solutions. A symptom score was recorded and spirometry was performed on day 0 before therapy was started, on day 14 (the last day of therapy), and on day 28 (14 days after the last treatment with either IS or HS). Fifty‐two patients (32 males), with a mean age of 16.2 (range 7–36) years completed the study. There was no difference in baseline characteristics between the two groups. Following 2 weeks of treatment, there was a significant improvement from baseline in FEV1 of 15.0 ± 16.0% (mean ± SD) in patients treated with HS, compared with a change of 2.8 ± 13% in those on IS therapy (P = 0.004). Furthermore, there was a subjective improvement in the effectiveness of chest physiotherapy as reported by those using HS (P = 0.02). The treatment was well tolerated. We conclude that in patients with CF, ultrasonically nebulized hypertonic saline improves lung function in a way similar to that reported for human recombinant DNase when inhaled over a 2 week period. Nebulized saline also enhances the perception of effectiveness of chest physiotherapy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1996; 21:77–83. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Early development of adiposity and insulin resistance after catch-up weight gain in small-for-gestational-age children.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Low birth weight followed by rapid postnatal weight gain is associated with long-term risks for central obesity and insulin resistance. However, the timing of these changes is unclear. SETTING, DESIGN, AND PATIENTS This was a longitudinal cohort study in low birth weight (SGA; birth weight < -2 sd; n = 29) and normal birth weight (AGA; n = 22) children from Barcelona. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Body composition, by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan, and insulin sensitivity, assessed longitudinally at ages 2, 3, and 4 yr, were measured. RESULTS Mean height, weight, and body mass index at ages 2, 3, and 4 yr were not different between SGA and AGA children. At age 2 yr, SGA children had similar body composition but were more insulin sensitive than AGA children and had lower serum IGF-I levels and lower neutrophil counts. Between ages 2 and 4 yr, despite similar gains in weight and body mass index, SGA children gained more abdominal fat and body adiposity and less lean mass than AGA children; by age 4 yr, SGA children had greater adiposity, insulin resistance, and higher neutrophil counts than AGA children (P = 0.01-0.0004). In SGA children, total and abdominal fat mass at 4 yr was more closely related to rate of weight gain between 0 and 2 yr (P = 0.002-0.0003) than between 2 and 4 yr (P = 0.04-0.1). CONCLUSION Consequent to catch-up weight gain between birth and 2 yr, SGA children showed a dramatic transition toward central adiposity and insulin resistance between ages 2 and 4 yr. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this predisposition to adverse future health could lead to specific preventive interventions during early childhood.
Pathogenesis and clinical presentation of rosacea as a key for a symptom‐oriented therapy

Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder that typically occurs in adults and affects the face. Synonyms of rosacea include “acne rosacea”, “couperose” and “facial erythrosis”, in German also “Kupferfinne” and “Rotfinne”. The disorder is characterised by a chronic and flaring course and is caused by a genetically predisposed, multifactorial process. A higher incidence is seen in people with fair skin and a positive family history. The characteristic rosacea symptoms manifest primarily, but not exclusively centrofacially, with forehead, nose, chin and cheeks significantly affected. Based on the various main symptoms a classification of the individual clinical pictures can be performed. However, a classification often does not reflect the clinical reality, since the various symptoms commonly coexist. The present review provides an introduction on pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of rosacea and prefers a symptom‐oriented therapy approach.
Quantitative models characterizing seed germination responses to abscisic Acid and osmoticum.

Mathematical models were developed to characterize the physiological bases of the responses of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv T5) seed germination to water potential (psi) and abscisic acid (ABA). Using probit analysis, three parameters were derived that can describe the germination time courses of a seed population at different psi or ABA levels. For the response of seed germination to reduced psi, these parameters are the mean base water potential ( psi(b), MPa), the standard deviation of the base water potential among seeds in the population (sigma(psib), MPa), and the "hydrotime constant" (theta(H), MPa.h). For the response to ABA, they are the log of the mean base ABA concentration ([unk]ABA(b), m), the standard deviation of the base ABA concentration among seeds in the population (sigma(ABA) (b), log[m]), and the "ABA-time constant" (theta(ABA), log[m]. h). The values of psi(b) and [unk]ABA(b) provide quantitative estimates of the mean sensitivity of germination rate to psi or ABA, whereas sigma(psi) (b) and sigma(ABA) (b) account for the variation in sensitivity among seeds in the population. The time constants, theta(H) and theta(ABA), indicate the extent to which germination rate will be affected by a given change in psi or ABA. Using only these parameters, germination time courses can be predicted with reasonable accuracy at any medium psi according to the equation probit(g) = [psi - (theta(H)/t(g)) - psi(b)]/sigma(psib), or at any ABA concentration according to the equation probit(g) = [log[ABA] - (theta(ABA)/t(g)) - log[[unk]ABA(b)]]/sigma(ABA) (b), where t(g) is the time to radicle emergence of percentage g, and ABA is the ABA concentration (m) in the incubation solution. In the presence of both ABA and reduced psi, the same parameters can be used to predict seed germination time courses based upon strictly additive effects of psi and ABA in delaying the time of radicle emergence. Further analysis indicates that ABA and psi can act both independently and interactively to influence physiological processes preparatory for radicle growth, such as the accumulation of osmotic solutes in the embryo. The models provide quantitative values for the sensitivity of germination to ABA or psi, allow evaluation of independent and interactive effects of the two factors, and have implications for understanding how ABA and psi may regulate growth and development.
Heavily Isotype-Dependent Protective Activities of Human Antibodies against Vaccinia Virus Extracellular Virion Antigen B5

ABSTRACT Antibodies against the extracellular virion (EV or EEV) form of vaccinia virus are an important component of protective immunity in animal models and likely contribute to the protection of immunized humans against poxviruses. Using fully human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), we now have shown that the protective attributes of the human anti-B5 antibody response to the smallpox vaccine (vaccinia virus) are heavily dependent on effector functions. By switching Fc domains of a single MAb, we have definitively shown that neutralization in vitro—and protection in vivo in a mouse model—by the human anti-B5 immunoglobulin G MAbs is isotype dependent, thereby demonstrating that efficient protection by these antibodies is not simply dependent on binding an appropriate vaccinia virion antigen with high affinity but in fact requires antibody effector function. The complement components C3 and C1q, but not C5, were required for neutralization. We also have demonstrated that human MAbs against B5 can potently direct complement-dependent cytotoxicity of vaccinia virus-infected cells. Each of these results was then extended to the polyclonal human antibody response to the smallpox vaccine. A model is proposed to explain the mechanism of EV neutralization. Altogether these findings enhance our understanding of the central protective activities of smallpox vaccine-elicited antibodies in immunized humans.
The role of G2-block abrogation, DNA double-strand break repair and apoptosis in the radiosensitization of melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma cell lines by pentoxifylline.

PURPOSE To examine the role of G2-block abrogation, DNA repair inhibition and apoptosis in the enhancement of radiotoxicity by pentoxifylline. MATERIALS AND METHODS The influence of pentoxifylline on radiotoxicity was assessed by colony assay in TP53 wild-type Bell and mutant MeWo melanoma, and in TP53 wild-type 4197 and mutant 4451 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell lines. G2-block abrogation was assessed by flow cytometry. Induction of DNA damage and repair was measured over a dose range of 0-100 Gy by constant field gel electrophoresis (CFGE). The Annexin-V binding assay was used to identify apoptotic cells. RESULTS Pentoxifylline, when combined with irradiation, significantly increased radiotoxicity in the TP53 mutant MeWo and 4451 cell lines by radiotoxicity enhancement factors of 3 and 14.5 respectively. No radiosensitization was seen in the TP53 wild-type Be11 and 4197 cells. When the drug was added after irradiation at the time of maximum G2-block expression, no radiosensitization was seen in any of the four cell lines. CFGE analyses showed that pentoxifylline effectively suppressed DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair in all four cell lines, as indicated by 20 h repair inhibition factors of 1.4-2.4. Pentoxifylline did not increase apoptosis in any of the four cell lines. CONCLUSION These data suggest that radiosensitization by pentoxifylline is not a consequence of G2-block abrogation alone, but that inhibition of DSB repair plays a role in certain cell types.
Purification and characterization of a maltase from the extremely thermophilic crenarchaeote Sulfolobus solfataricus

A soluble maltase (alpha-glucosidase) with an apparent subunit mass of 80 kDa was purified to homogeneity from Sulfolobus solfataricus. The enzyme liberates glucose from maltose and malto-oligomers. Maximal activity was observed at 105 degrees C, with half-lives of 11 h (85 degrees C), 3.0 h (95 degrees C), and 2.75 h (100 degrees C). The enzyme was generally resistant to proteolysis and denaturants including aliphatic alcohols. n-Propanol treatment at 85 degrees C increased both Km and Vmax for maltose hydrolysis.
Comparability of sleep disorders diagnoses using DSM-IV and ICSD classifications with adolescents.

STUDY OBJECTIVES The use of diagnostic classifications to define sleep disorders is still unusual in epidemiological studies assessing the prevalence of sleep disorders in an adolescent population. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. Representative samples of general populations in United Kingdom, Germany and Italy were selected and interviewed by telephone about their sleep habits, sleep and mental disorder diagnoses. Overall, 724 adolescents ages 15-18 years and 1447 young adults ages 19 to 24 years were interviewed. ICSD-90 and DSM-IV diagnoses provided by the Sleep-EVAL expert system were used for the comparisons. SETTING N/A. PARTICIPANTS N/A. INTERVENTIONS N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS 8% of the adolescents and 12.6% of the young adults had ICSD dyssomnia or sleep disturbances associated with a mental disorder. According to the DSM-IV classification, 5.7% of the adolescents and 8.1% of the young adults had a dyssomnia diagnosis. The comparison between the two classifications show that 73.2% of adolescents and young adults with a DSM-IV dyssomnia diagnosis also had similar ICSD diagnosis. The reverse comparison, ICSD vs. DSM-IV, shows that 39.8% of the subjects with an ICSD diagnosis had a DSM-IV diagnosis. DSM-IV primary insomnia was the most frequent diagnosis. Subjects with such a diagnosis were found in about 10 different ICSD diagnoses, mainly inadequate sleep hygiene, psychophysiological or idiopathic insomnia and insufficient sleep syndrome. CONCLUSIONS ICSD-90 classification provided higher prevalence of sleep disorder diagnoses than the DSM-IV classification. In adolescents and young adults, DSM-IV primary insomnia is two times more often associated with ICSD inadequate sleep hygiene than with ICSD psychophysiological or idiopathic insomnia.
Glatiramer acetate in combination with minocycline in patients with relapsing—remitting multiple sclerosis: results of a Canadian, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Minocycline is proposed as an add-on therapy to improve the efficacy of glatiramer acetate in relapsing—remitting multiple sclerosis. The effect of minocycline plus glatiramer acetate was evaluated in this double-blind, placebo-controlled study by determining the total number of T1 gadolinium-enhanced lesions at months 8 and 9 in patients who were starting glatiramer acetate and had at least one T1 gadolinium-enhanced lesion on screening magnetic resonance imaging. Forty-four participants were randomized to either minocycline 100 mg twice daily or matching placebo for 9 months as add-on therapy. They were assessed at screening and months 1, 3, 6, 8 and 9. Forty participants completed the study. Compared with glatiramer acetate/placebo, glatiramer acetate/minocycline reduced the total number of T1 gadolinium-enhanced lesions by 63% (mean 1.47 versus 2.95; p = 0.08), the total number of new and enlarging T2 lesions by 65% (mean 1.84 versus 5.14; p = 0.06), and the total T2 disease burden (p = 0.10). A higher number of gadolinium-enhanced lesions were present in the glatiramer acetate/minocycline group at baseline; this was incorporated into the analysis of the primary endpoint but makes interpretation of the data more challenging. The risk of relapse tended to be lower in the combination group (0.19 versus 0.41; p = NS). Treatment was safe and well tolerated. We conclude that efficacy endpoints showed a consistent trend favoring combination treatment. As minocycline is a relatively safe oral therapy, further study of this combination is warranted in relapsing—remitting multiple sclerosis.
Eco-evolutionary dynamics: disentangling phenotypic, environmental and population fluctuations

Decomposing variation in population growth into contributions from both ecological and evolutionary processes is of fundamental concern, particularly in a world characterized by rapid responses to anthropogenic threats. Although the impact of ecological change on evolutionary response has long been acknowledged, the converse has predominantly been neglected, especially empirically. By applying a recently published conceptual framework, we assess and contrast the relative importance of phenotypic and environmental variability on annual population growth in five ungulate populations. In four of the five populations, the contribution of phenotypic variability was greater than the contribution of environmental variability, although not significantly so. The similarity in the contributions of environment and phenotype suggests that neither is worthy of neglect. Population growth is a consequence of multiple processes, which strengthens arguments advocating integrated approaches to assess how populations respond to their environments.
Positive and negative regulation of immunoglobulin gene expression by a novel B-cell-specific enhancer element

A new B-cell-specific enhancer element has been identified 3' of E4 and the octamerlike motifs in the human immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene enhancer. Tandem copies of this 67-bp MnlI-AluI fragment, when fused to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene driven by the conalbumin promoter, stimulated transcription in B cells but not in Jurkat T cells or HeLa cells. Footprinting analysis revealed that the identical sequence CCGAAACTGAAAAGG, designated E6, was protected by nuclear extracts from B cells, T cells, or HeLa cells. Gel mobility shift assays using a synthetic E6 motif detected a B-cell-specific complex in addition to a ubiquitous band found also in T cells and HeLa cells. In agreement with the results of gel retardation assays, tandem copies of the E6 motif stimulated transcription in ARH77 and Raji cells but not in Jurkat or HeLa cells. Furthermore, a mutant E6 motif lost both in vitro binding activity and in vivo enhancer activity. In striking contrast to the mouse Ig heavy-chain enhancer, in which the octamer motif acts as a B-cell-specific enhancer element, the human enhancer contains an octamerlike sequence with one base substitution which bound octamer-binding proteins with only very low affinity and showed no enhancer activity of its own. Interestingly, the MnlI-AluI fragment could suppress the basal-level activity of the conalbumin promoter in both Jurkat and HeLa cells. Moreover, simian virus 40 enhancer activity was blocked by the MnlI-AluI fragment in HeLa cells but not in B cells. Thus, the novel enhancer element identified in this study is probably a target site for both positive and negative factors.