Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunogenicity, Boostability, and Sustainability of the Immune Response after Vaccination against Influenza A Virus (H1N1) 2009 in a Healthy Population

ABSTRACT The emergence of a new influenza A virus (H1N1) variant in 2009 led to a worldwide vaccination program, which was prepared in a relatively short period of time. This study investigated the humoral immunity against this virus before and after vaccination with a 2009 influenza A virus (H1N1) monovalent MF59-adjuvanted vaccine, as well as the persistence of vaccine-induced antibodies. Our prospective longitudinal study included 498 health care workers (mean age, 43 years; median age, 44 years). Most (89%) had never or only occasionally received a seasonal influenza virus vaccine, and 11% were vaccinated annually (on average, for >10 years). Antibody titers were determined by a hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay at baseline, 3 weeks after the first vaccination, and 5 weeks and 7 months after the second vaccination. Four hundred thirty-five persons received two doses of the 2009 vaccine. After the first dose, 79.5% developed a HI titer of ≥40. This percentage increased to 83.3% after the second dose. Persistent antibodies were found in 71.9% of the group that had not received annual vaccinations and in 43.8% of the group that had received annual vaccinations. The latter group tended to have lower HI titers (P=0.09). With increasing age, HI titers decreased significantly, by 2.4% per year. A single dose of the 2009 vaccine was immunogenic in almost 80% of the study population, whereas an additional dose resulted in significantly increased titers only in persons over 50. Finally, a reduced HI antibody response against the 2009 vaccine was found in adults who had previously received seasonal influenza virus vaccination. More studies on the effect of yearly seasonal influenza virus vaccination on the immune response are warranted.
Frequent Premature Ventricular Complex Is Associated with Left Atrial Enlargement in Patients with Normal Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Premature ventricular complex (PVC) has been regarded as benign; however, when frequent, the arrhythmia can induce left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. Meanwhile, the influence of PVCs on cardiac structural remodeling and functional change before occurrence of overt systolic heart failure has not been fully described. In this study, we attempted to identify early cardiac structural/functional manifestations of frequent PVCs in patients with normal LV systolic function.
Cyclosporin A inhibition of macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF) production by activated human T lymphocytes

M‐CSF is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of cells of the monocyte/macrophagelineage. M‐CSF is produced by numerous cells including CD3‐activated Tcells. M‐CSF serum levels are increased during acute graft rejection. We tested the in vitro production of M‐CSF, GM‐CSF, IL‐2, and IL‐4 byT‐cell clones costimulated by CD3 and accessory activation pathways andthe effects of cyclosporin A and methylprednisolone. The nine clonesstudied and CD4+ cells purified from peripheral bloodmononuclear cells (PBMC) spontaneously produced low levels of M‐CSF, which PMA and CD3 mAb strongly enhanced. In contrast to IL‐2, CD28 mAbdid not further enhance this production. CsA inhibited M‐CSF productionby clones and purified CD4 T cells. Addition of IL‐2, anti IL‐2, oranti CD25 mAb to the cultures demonstrated that CsA down‐regulatedM‐CSF synthesis by activated T cells through its inhibition of IL‐2synthesis. These results could help to better understand the complexmechanisms of acute graft rejection and immunosuppression.
Feasibility of T  2* mapping for the evaluation of hip joint cartilage at 1.5T using a three‐dimensional (3D), gradient‐echo (GRE) sequence: A prospective study

This study defines the feasibility of utilizing three‐dimensional (3D) gradient‐echo (GRE) MRI at 1.5T for T 2* mapping to assess hip joint cartilage degenerative changes using standard morphological MR grading while comparing it to delayed gadolinium‐enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC). MRI was obtained from 10 asymptomatic young adult volunteers and 33 patients with symptomatic femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). The protocol included T 2* mapping without gadolinium‐enhancement utilizing a 3D‐GRE sequence with six echoes, and after gadolinium injection, routine hip sequences, and a dual‐flip‐angle 3D‐GRE sequence for dGEMRIC T1 mapping. Cartilage was classified as normal, with mild changes, or with severe degenerative changes based on morphological MRI. T1 and T 2* findings were subsequently correlated. There were significant differences between volunteers and patients in normally‐rated cartilage only for T1 values. Both T1 and T 2* values decreased significantly with the various grades of cartilage damage. There was a statistically significant correlation between standard MRI and T 2* (T1) (P < 0.05). High intraclass correlation was noted for both T1 and T 2* . Correlation factor was 0.860 to 0.954 (T 2* ‐T1 intraobserver) and 0.826 to 0.867 (T 2* ‐T1 interobserver). It is feasible to gather further information about cartilage status within the hip joint using GRE T 2* mapping at 1.5T. Magn Reson Med, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peroxisomes in the methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha do not necessarily derive from pre‐existing organelles.

We have identified two temperature‐sensitive peroxisome‐deficient mutants of Hansenula polymorpha (ts6 and ts44) within a collection of ts mutants which are impaired for growth on methanol at 43 degrees C but grow well at 35 degrees C. In both strains peroxisomes were completely absent in cells grown at 43 degrees C; the major peroxisomal matrix enzymes alcohol oxidase, dihydroxyacetone synthase and catalase were synthesized normally but assembled into the active enzyme protein in the cytosol. As in wild‐type cells, these enzymes were present in peroxisomes under permissive growth conditions (< or = 37 degrees C). However, at intermediate temperatures (38‐42 degrees C) they were partly peroxisome‐bound and partly resided in the cytosol. Genetic analysis revealed that both mutant phenotypes were due to monogenic recessive mutations mapped in the same gene, designated PER13. After a shift of per13‐6ts cells from restrictive to permissive temperature, new peroxisomes were formed within 1 h. Initially one‐‐or infrequently a few‐‐small organelles developed which subsequently increased in size and multiplied by fission during prolonged permissive growth. Neither mature peroxisomal matrix nor membrane proteins, which were present in the cytosol prior to the temperature shift, were incorporated into the newly formed organelles. Instead, these proteins remained unaffected (and active) in the cytosol concomitant with further peroxisome development. Thus in H.polymorpha alternative mechanisms of peroxisome biogenesis may be possible in addition to multiplication by fission upon induction of the organelles by certain growth substrates.
L‐type Ca2+ channel expression along feline smooth muscle oesophagus

Abstract Muscle from the proximal smooth muscle (SM) oesophagus of the cat demonstrates contractions of greater amplitude and greater sensitivity to cholinergic stimulation than muscle from the distal SM oesophagus. In the light of the central role of calcium influx in SM contractility, we hypothesized that regional differences in oesophageal contractility may be associated with differential expression of L‐type calcium channels (LCa) along the SM oesophagus. LCa expression was compared between proximal and distal regions of the circular SM oesophagus by Western blots. Patch clamp technique was utilized to study LCa currents. Muscle strip studies assessed LCa contribution to contractile activity. The protein expression of LCa and LCa current density was greater in the proximal than distal region. LCa voltage and time‐dependent activation and inactivation curves were similar in cells from both regions. Stimulation of muscle strips with acetylcholine (ACh) in the presence of tetrodotoxin resulted in contractions of greater amplitude in the proximal region. The LCa agonist Bay K 8644 caused a greater increase in ACh‐induced contraction amplitude in muscle strips from the proximal region. Therefore, regional myogenic differences in LCa expression along the circular SM oesophageal body exist and may contribute to the nature of oesophageal contractions.
Residue 82 of the Chikungunya Virus E2 Attachment Protein Modulates Viral Dissemination and Arthritis in Mice

ABSTRACT Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that has reemerged to cause profound epidemics of fever, rash, and arthralgia throughout sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean. Like other arthritogenic alphaviruses, mechanisms of CHIKV pathogenesis are not well defined. Using the attenuated CHIKV strain 181/25 and virulent strain AF15561, we identified a residue in the E2 viral attachment protein that is a critical determinant of viral replication in cultured cells and pathogenesis in vivo. Viruses containing an arginine at E2 residue 82 displayed enhanced infectivity in mammalian cells but reduced infectivity in mosquito cells and diminished virulence in a mouse model of CHIKV disease. Mice inoculated with virus containing an arginine at this position exhibited reduced swelling at the site of inoculation with a concomitant decrease in the severity of necrosis in joint-associated tissues. Viruses containing a glycine at E2 residue 82 produced higher titers in the spleen and serum at early times postinfection. Using wild-type and glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines and soluble GAGs, we found that an arginine at residue 82 conferred greater dependence on GAGs for infection of mammalian cells. These data suggest that CHIKV E2 interactions with GAGs diminish dissemination to lymphoid tissue, establishment of viremia, and activation of inflammatory responses early in infection. Collectively, these results suggest a function for GAG utilization in regulating CHIKV tropism and host responses that contribute to arthritis. IMPORTANCE CHIKV is a reemerging alphavirus of global significance with high potential to spread into new, immunologically naive populations. The severity of CHIKV disease, particularly its propensity for chronic musculoskeletal manifestations, emphasizes the need for identification of genetic determinants that dictate CHIKV virulence in the host. To better understand mechanisms of CHIKV pathogenesis, we probed the function of an amino acid polymorphism in the E2 viral attachment protein using a mouse model of CHIKV musculoskeletal disease. In addition to influencing glycosaminoglycan utilization, we identified roles for this polymorphism in differential infection of mammalian and mosquito cells and targeting of CHIKV to specific tissues within infected mice. These studies demonstrate a correlation between CHIKV tissue tropism and virus-induced pathology modulated by a single polymorphism in E2, which in turn illuminates potential targets for vaccine and antiviral drug development.
High intake of regular-fat cheese compared with reduced-fat cheese does not affect LDL cholesterol or risk markers of the metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Regular-fat cheese contains a high amount of saturated fat. Therefore, dietary guidelines in many countries recommend the consumption of reduced-fat cheese as opposed to regular-fat cheese. However, the negative effect of regular-fat cheese is still under debate. OBJECTIVES The aim was to compare the effects of regular-fat cheese with an equal amount of reduced-fat cheese and an isocaloric amount of carbohydrate-rich foods on LDL cholesterol and risk factors for the metabolic syndrome (MetS). DESIGN The study was a 12-wk randomized parallel intervention preceded by a 2-wk run-in period. A total of 164 subjects with ≥2 MetS risk factors were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 intervention groups: regular-fat cheese (REG), reduced-fat cheese (RED), or a no-cheese, carbohydrate control (CHO) group. Subjects in the REG and RED groups replaced part of their daily habitual diet with 80 g cheese/10 MJ, whereas subjects in the CHO group did the same with bread and jam corresponding to 90 g and 25 g/10 MJ, respectively. RESULTS A total of 139 subjects completed the intervention. The primary outcome, LDL cholesterol, was not significantly different between the REG and RED diets or between the REG and CHO diets. There was no significant difference in HDL cholesterol between the REG and RED diets, but HDL cholesterol tended to be higher with the REG diet than with the CHO diet (0.06 ± 0.03 mmol/L; P = 0.07). Insulin, glucose, and triacylglycerol concentrations as well as blood pressure and waist circumference did not differ significantly between the 3 diets. CONCLUSION A high daily intake of regular-fat cheese for 12 wk did not alter LDL cholesterol or MetS risk factors differently than an equal intake of reduced-fat cheese or an isocaloric amount of carbohydrate-rich foods. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials. gov as NCT02616471.
Oyster RNA-seq Data Support the Development of Malacoherpesviridae Genomics

The family of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) Malacoherpesviridae includes viruses able to infect marine mollusks and detrimental for worldwide aquaculture production. Due to fast-occurring mortality and a lack of permissive cell lines, the available data on the few known Malacoherpesviridae provide only partial support for the study of molecular virus features, life cycle, and evolutionary history. Following thorough data mining of bivalve and gastropod RNA-seq experiments, we used more than five million Malacoherpesviridae reads to improve the annotation of viral genomes and to characterize viral InDels, nucleotide stretches, and SNPs. Both genome and protein domain analyses confirmed the evolutionary diversification and gene uniqueness of known Malacoherpesviridae. However, the presence of Malacoherpesviridae-like sequences integrated within genomes of phylogenetically distant invertebrates indicates broad diffusion of these viruses and indicates the need for confirmatory investigations. The manifest co-occurrence of OsHV-1 genotype variants in single RNA-seq samples of Crassostrea gigas provide further support for the Malacoherpesviridae diversification. In addition to simple sequence motifs inter-punctuating viral ORFs, recombination-inducing sequences were found to be enriched in the OsHV-1 and AbHV1-AUS genomes. Finally, the highly correlated expression of most viral ORFs in multiple oyster samples is consistent with the burst of viral proteins during the lytic phase.
Novel chemically synthesized hydroxyl‐containing jasmonates as powerful inducing signals for plant secondary metabolism

Novel hydroxyl‐containing jasmonate derivatives were chemically synthesized and evaluated by bioassay as potential elicitors for stimulating the biosynthesis of plant secondary metabolites. A suspension culture of Taxus chinensis, which produces a bioactive taxoid, taxuyunnanine C (Tc), was taken as a model plant cell system. Experiments on the timing of addition of jasmonates and dose response indicated that day 7 and 100 μM was the optimal elicitation time and concentration, respectively, for both cell growth and Tc accumulation. Tc accumulation was increased more in the presence of novel hydroxyl‐containing jasmonates compared to that with methyljasmonate (MJA) addition. For example, addition of 100 μM 2,3‐dihydroxypropyl jasmonate on day 7 led to a very high Tc content of 47.2 ± 0.5 mg/g (at day 21), whereas the Tc content was 29.2 ± 0.6 mg/g (on the same day) with addition of 100 μM MJA. Quantitative structure–activity analysis of various jasmonates suggests that the optimal lipophilicity and the number of hydroxyl groups may be two important factors affecting their elicitation activity. In addition, the jasmonate elicitors were found to induce plant defense responses, including oxidative burst and activation of L‐phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL). Interestingly, a higher level of H2O2 production and PAL activity was detected with elicitation by the synthesized jasmonates compared with that by MJA, which corresponded well to the superior stimulating activity in the former. This work indicates that the newly synthesized hydroxyl‐containing jasmonates can act as powerful inducing signals for secondary metabolite biosynthesis in plant cell cultures. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
OFDM waveforms for frequency agility and opportunities for Doppler processing in radar

Frequency agility is an important feature when radar operates in jammed environments. With the development of the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveform in the communications, the opportunity for a new generation of digital agile radar rises. Old and expensive multi-channel analog agile front ends could be replaced by simpler and cost effective single channel transceivers where the coherent switches in frequency are done digitally. The novelty of the paper is to investigate an agile OFDM waveform so that Doppler can be solved despite the apparent frequency agility. The OFDM performance is assessed from the radar point of view, using the ambiguity function as a tool. Our approach considers a pulse burst, each pulse being implemented with OFDM chips. Three patterns for frequency agility from pulse-to-pulse are studied. Preliminary suggestions to accomplish coherent processing in an agile context are derived.
Magnesium infusion reduces perioperative pain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Magnesium has antinociceptive effects in animal and human models of pain. These effects are primarily based on the regulation of calcium influx into the cell. The aim of this study was to determine whether perioperative infusion of magnesium would reduce postoperative pain and anxiety. METHODS Twenty-four patients, undergoing elective hysterectomy, received a bolus of 30 mg kg(-1) magnesium sulphate or the same volume of isotonic sodium chloride solution intravenously before the start of surgery and 0.5 g h(-1) infusion for the next 20 h. Intraoperative and postoperative analgesia were achieved with fentanyl and morphine respectively. Patients were evaluated pre- and postoperatively for anxiety. RESULTS Fentanyl consumption and total morphine requirements were significantly decreased in the magnesium group compared to the control group. Postoperative anxiety scores and sedation were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS Continuous magnesium infusion, including the pre-, intra-, and postoperative periods reduces analgesic requirements. These results demonstrate that magnesium can be an adjuvant for perioperative analgesic management.
All-terrain vehicle crash factors and associated injuries in patients presenting to a regional trauma center.

BACKGROUND It is widely accepted that all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) can be dangerous to operators. Understanding the mechanisms of ATV crashes, especially rollovers, can provide important insight to consumers, legislators, and manufacturers on ATV safety and protection of the users. METHODS From March 1, 2003 to July 31, 2005, all patients with ATV-related injuries presenting to a regional trauma center were enrolled in an ATV crash data bank. Data were collected on the patients and the circumstances surrounding each crash. RESULTS A total of 193 persons were treated during the study period for ATV-related injuries. Among the 190 nonfatally injured patients, almost half (47%) were diagnosed with a head injury. In 63% of crashes the ATV rolled over. The direction of the rollover was strongly associated with the type of riding terrain or slope. ATVs traveling on flat or uneven surfaces were strongly associated with right-side rollovers (odds ratio [OR] = 32.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.6-221.5). ATVs traveling uphill were strongly associated with backward rollovers (OR = 173.6, 95% CI = 27.2-1,497.0). Children had a significantly greater risk compared with adults of right-side rollovers on flat and uneven surfaces (OR = 4.7, 95% CI = 1.2-17.5) Adults were more likely to be injured in rollover crashes where the ATV was traveling uphill; in all of these cases the vehicle rolled backwards. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that nonrandom, modifiable factors are likely involved. Our data provide unique insight into specific mechanisms of ATV crashes, particularly rollovers, and those involving children. Findings may be applicable to changes in ATV design and education of users.
Bibliometric analysis of literature on antifungal triazole resistance: 1980 - 2015.

BACKGROUND Triazole antifungal agents play an important role in the treatment of a wide range of fungal infections. Little is known about antifungal triazole drug resistance when compared to antibiotic resistance. Therefore, this study was carried out to give a bibliometric overview of literature on triazole antifungal drug resistance. METHODS Keywords related to triazole drug class and resistance were used in a search query in the Scopus search engine. The time span was set from 1980 to 2015. Data pertaining to growth of publications, the most active countries and institutions, the most cited articles, and mapping of molecular mechanisms of resistance were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 1648 journal articles were retrieved with an average of 20.46 citations per article. Annual growth of triazole resistance showed an increasing pattern during the study period. The United States of America (n=446; 27.06%) ranked first in productivity followed by the United Kingdom (UK) (n=176; 10.68%), and China (n=133; 8.07%). Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre (n=69, 4.19%) in the Netherlands ranked first in productivity, while the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ranked first (n=255; 15.47%) in publishing articles on triazole resistance. Mapping mechanisms of resistance showed that efflux pump and mutations in target enzyme are major mechanisms described in resistance to triazoles. CONCLUSION There was a growth of publications on triazole resistance in the past two decades with the bulk of publications on triazole resistance in Candida species. The data presented here will serve as baseline information for future comparative purposes.
The effect of homocysteine reduction by B-vitamin supplementation on inflammatory markers

Abstract Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia has been associated with vascular disease in many epidemiological studies. However, the pathophysiology is unclear. It is postulated that increased levels of homocysteine induce an inflammatory response in endothelial cells, mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. The aim of this study was to investigate whether plasma concentrations of interleukin-6, interleukin-8, C-reactive protein, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 are increased with higher plasma homocysteine concentrations and whether decreasing homocysteine by vitamin supplementation decreases the concentration of these markers. Methods: Plasma homocysteine, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, C-reactive protein, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 concentrations were measured in 230 volunteers before and after 8 weeks of multivitamin supplementation (folic acid, B6, and B12). Results: At baseline, plasma homocysteine concentration was weakly associated with interleukin-8, but not with interleukin-6, C-reactive protein or monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Vitamin supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in homocysteine concentration, but no effect on interleukin-6, interleukin-8, C-reactive protein or monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 was observed. Conclusions: At baseline homocysteine was only weakly correlated with interleukin-8, but not with interleukin-6, C-reactive protein or monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Vitamin supplementation affected homocysteine concentration, but not cytokine levels. The hypothesis that hyperhomocysteinemia increases arteriosclerotic or thrombotic risk through vascular inflammation was not supported by this study. Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:54–8.