Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phenotypic and Functional Characterization of NK Cells in Human Immune Response against the Dimorphic Fungus Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Besides their role in fighting viral infection and tumor resistance, recent studies have shown that NK cells also participate in the immune response against other infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to characterize the possible role of NK cells in the immune response against Paracoccidioides brasiliensis. Purified NK cells from paracoccidioidomycosis patients and healthy individuals were incubated with P. brasiliensis yeast cells or P. brasiliensis-infected monocytes, with or without the addition of recombinant IL-15. We found that NK cells from paracoccidioidomycosis patients exhibit a lower cytotoxic response compared with healthy individuals. NK cells are able directly to recognize and kill P. brasiliensis yeast cells, and this activity seems to be granule-dependent but perforin-independent, whereas the cytotoxicity against P. brasiliensis-infected monocytes is perforin-dependent. These results indicate that NK cells participate actively in the immune response against the P. brasiliensis infection either by directly destroying yeast cells or by recognizing and killing infected cells. Granulysin is the possible mediator of the cytotoxic effect, as the reduced cytotoxic activity against the yeast cells detected in patients with paracoccidioidomycosis is accompanied by a significantly lower frequency of CD56+granulysin+ cells compared with that in healthy controls. Furthermore, we show that NK cells released granulysin in cultures after being stimulated by P. brasiliensis, and this molecule is able to kill the yeast cells in a dose-dependent manner. Another important finding is that stimulated NK cells are able to produce proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ and TNF-α) supporting their immunomodulatory role in the infection.
An improved approach of particle swarm optimization and application in data clustering

This paper presents an improved approach of particle swarm optimization (PSO) based on new neighborhood search strategy with diversity mechanism and Cauchy mutation operator (denoted EPSONS). Firstly, with a test on thirteen well-known benchmark functions, the proposed algorithm has significant improvement over several other PSO variants for global numerical optimization. The proposed approach is then applied to data clustering. The experimental results on fourteen benchmark data sets including artificial and real-world data sets show that the proposed method outperforms than other comparative clustering algorithms in terms of accuracy and convergence speed.
Reelin supplementation recovers sensorimotor gating, synaptic plasticity and associative learning deficits in the heterozygous reeler mouse

The lipoprotein receptor ligand Reelin is important for the processes of normal synaptic plasticity, dendritic morphogenesis, and learning and memory. Heterozygous reeler mice (HRM) show many neuroanatomical, biochemical, and behavioral features that are associated with schizophrenia. HRM show subtle morphological defects including reductions in dendritic spine density, altered synaptic plasticity and behavioral deficits in associative learning and memory and pre-pulse inhibition. The present studies test the hypothesis that in vivo elevation of Reelin levels can rescue synaptic and behavioral phenotypes associated with HRM. We demonstrate that a single in vivo injection of Reelin increases GAD67 expression and alters dendritic spine morphology. In parallel we observed enhancement of hippocampal synaptic function and associative learning and memory. Reelin supplementation also increases pre-pulse inhibition. These results suggest that characteristics of HRM, similar to those observed in schizophrenia, are sensitive to Reelin levels and can be modified with Reelin supplementation in male and female adults.
Dopaminergic Stimulation of Subthalamic Nucleus Elicits Oral Dyskinesia in Rats

The effects of dopaminergic stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STh) on motor behavior were examined in conscious rats. Unilateral infusion of apomorphine (0.1 to 3.2 micrograms) into the STh induced a dose-dependent increase in abnormal, nondirected orofacial movements without altering turning, sniffing, grooming, or rearing behaviors. Orofacial movements elicited by local infusion of apomorphine (1.0 microgram) into the STh were blocked by peripheral administration of the D1 antagonist, SCH 23390 (0.1 mg/kg, sc), but not by the D2 antagonists haloperidol (1.0 mg/kg, sc) or sulpiride (50 mg/kg, sc). Furthermore, coinfusion of SCH 23390 (1.0 microgram), but not sulpiride (5.0 micrograms), with apomorphine (1.0 microgram) into the STh blocked oral dyskinesia. Oral movements could not be reelicited by an infusion of apomorphine into the STh after a kainic acid lesion of the STh. In addition, infusion of apomorphine (1.0 microgram) into sites proximal to but deliberately outside of the STh failed to elicit nondirected oral movements above baseline levels. The results indicate that stimulation of D1 dopaminergic receptors within the STh induces abnormal orofacial movements. This highlights the importance of the dopaminergic input to the STh in the regulation of motor function and suggests that D1 receptor antagonists could prove useful in the treatment of orofacial dyskinesia in humans.
Lethality to Ferrets of H5N1 Influenza Viruses Isolated from Humans and Poultry in 2004

ABSTRACT The 2004 outbreaks of H5N1 influenza viruses in Vietnam and Thailand were highly lethal to humans and to poultry; therefore, newly emerging avian influenza A viruses pose a continued threat, not only to avian species but also to humans. We studied the pathogenicity of four human and nine avian H5N1/04 influenza viruses in ferrets (an excellent model for influenza studies). All four human isolates were fatal to intranasally inoculated ferrets. The human isolate A/Vietnam/1203/04 (H5N1) was the most pathogenic isolate; the severity of disease was associated with a broad tissue tropism and high virus titers in multiple organs, including the brain. High fever, weight loss, anorexia, extreme lethargy, and diarrhea were observed. Two avian H5N1/04 isolates were as pathogenic as the human viruses, causing lethal systemic infections in ferrets. Seven of nine H5N1/04 viruses isolated from avian species caused mild infections, with virus replication restricted to the upper respiratory tract. All chicken isolates were nonlethal to ferrets. A sequence analysis revealed polybasic amino acids in the hemagglutinin connecting peptides of all H5N1/04 viruses, indicating that multiple molecular differences in other genes are important for a high level of virulence. Interestingly, the human A/Vietnam/1203/04 isolate had a lysine substitution at position 627 of PB2 and had one to eight amino acid changes in all gene products except that of the M1 gene, unlike the A/chicken/Vietnam/C58/04 and A/quail/Vietnam/36/04 viruses. Our results indicate that viruses that are lethal to mammals are circulating among birds in Asia and suggest that pathogenicity in ferrets, and perhaps humans, reflects a complex combination of different residues rather than a single amino acid difference.
Distractibility, circadian arousal, and aging: a boundary condition?

Two studies assessed the presence of a synchrony effect between peak circadian arousal and time of testing for both older and younger adults. Participants performed a reading aloud task that included distracting words that were either present or absent and, if present, were either thematically related or unrelated to the target text. As well, the distracting material was presented in either spatially predictable or unpredictable locations. In each experiment, older and younger adults were tested at optimal versus nonoptimal times. Both experiments showed age differences in susceptibility to distraction, replicating earlier findings (e.g., M. C. Carlson, L. Hasher, R. T. Zacks, & S. L. Connelly, 1995). Neither showed differences due to time of testing, suggesting a boundary condition for cognitive disruptions associated with circadian arousal patterns.
Joint Modeling of Survival and Longitudinal Data: Likelihood Approach Revisited

Summary The maximum likelihood approach to jointly model the survival time and its longitudinal covariates has been successful to model both processes in longitudinal studies. Random effects in the longitudinal process are often used to model the survival times through a proportional hazards model, and this invokes an EM algorithm to search for the maximum likelihood estimates (MLEs). Several intriguing issues are examined here, including the robustness of the MLEs against departure from the normal random effects assumption, and difficulties with the profile likelihood approach to provide reliable estimates for the standard error of the MLEs. We provide insights into the robustness property and suggest to overcome the difficulty of reliable estimates for the standard errors by using bootstrap procedures. Numerical studies and data analysis illustrate our points.
PROTECTIVE ROLE OF HONEY AFTER LEAD TOXICITY EFFECT ON ALBINO RATS LINGUAL PAPILLAE

INTRODUCTION: Studies concerning exposure of human to lead during daily activities are sometimes leading to many complications. Lead is a poisonous heavy metal, it’s toxicity can change the antioxidant balance in biological tissues. Honey is rich in phenolic acids and flavonoids, which exhibit a wide range of biological effects and act as natural antioxidants.OBJECTIVES: (1) To investigate the histological changes in lingual papillae following lead toxicity in experimental rats. (2) To assess the possible protective effects of honey using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty two adult male albino rats were divided into four groups, eight rats/ group. Group I (control): 1ml distilled water. Group II (control + honey): 50 mg/kg honey + 1ml distilled water. Group III (lead): 16.5 mg lead acetate. Group IV (honey + lead): 16.5 mg lead acetate + 50 mg/kg honey. All doses were given by oral intubations daily /6 weeks. After 6 weeks, rats were sacrificed, and tongues were dissected out and processed for SEM.RESULTS: In Group II: Increased papillary density of the filiform papillae was noticed. In Group III the filiform papillae were distorted. Some appeared shorter while others had eroded tips and hyperkeratosis. Complete loss of papillae were seen in some samples. Disfigured fungiform papillae with swollen taste buds were seen. In Group IV, filiform and fungiform papillae appeared close to normal with minimal changes.CONCLUSIONS: The atrophy observed in Group III could be explained by lead-induced oxidative stress. Lead toxicity had a dual effect where increased free radical formation together with depletion of endogenous antioxidant enzymes resulted in inflammation and increased cell injury. Lead causes anemia and decreased salivary secretion, which may explain the epithelial erosion. Honey exerted its protective role through restoring enzymatic activity and through its antioxidant mechanism.
Chemotherapy side-effect management using mobile phones

Colorectal cancer is a major health problem in developed countries, accounting for a significant proportion of deaths in the population. Advances in chemotherapy treatment have led to therapy being delivered in the home-setting, which presents challenges in ensuring that treatment-related side-effects are detected and reported to clinical staff in an appropriate time-frame. A telemedicine system has been developed using a mobile-phone platform to allow patients to complete symptom diaries which trigger alerts paged to their nurse in the event of severe side-effects. Six patients used this system for two cycles of oral chemotherapy. Two cases of moderate symptoms deteriorating to more severe conditions were observed, and individual self-care and treatment advice were presented to these patients.
Bone Marrow Endothelial Progenitors Augment Atherosclerotic Plaque Regression in a Mouse Model of Plasma Lipid Lowering

The major event initiating atherosclerosis is hypercholesterolemia‐induced disruption of vascular endothelium integrity. In settings of endothelial damage, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are mobilized from bone marrow into circulation and home to sites of vascular injury where they aid endothelial regeneration. Given the beneficial effects of EPCs in vascular repair, we hypothesized that these cells play a pivotal role in atherosclerosis regression. We tested our hypothesis in the atherosclerosis‐prone mouse model in which hypercholesterolemia, one of the main factors affecting EPC homeostasis, is reversible (Reversa mice). In these mice, normalization of plasma lipids decreased atherosclerotic burden; however, plaque regression was incomplete. To explore whether endothelial progenitors contribute to atherosclerosis regression, bone marrow EPCs from a transgenic strain expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of endothelial cell‐specific Tie2 promoter (Tie2‐GFP+) were isolated. These cells were then adoptively transferred into atheroregressing Reversa recipients where they augmented plaque regression induced by reversal of hypercholesterolemia. Advanced plaque regression correlated with engraftment of Tie2‐GFP+ EPCs into endothelium and resulted in an increase in atheroprotective nitric oxide and improved vascular relaxation. Similarly augmented plaque regression was also detected in regressing Reversa mice treated with the stem cell mobilizer AMD3100 which also mobilizes EPCs to peripheral blood. We conclude that correction of hypercholesterolemia in Reversa mice leads to partial plaque regression that can be augmented by AMD3100 treatment or by adoptive transfer of EPCs. This suggests that direct cell therapy or indirect progenitor cell mobilization therapy may be used in combination with statins to treat atherosclerosis. STEM CELLS 2012;30:2720–2731
INHIBITION OF MYOCARDIAL APOPTOSIS BY POSTCONDITIONING IS ASSOCIATED WITH ATTENUATION OF OXIDATIVE STRESS-MEDIATED NUCLEAR FACTOR-κκB TRANSLOCATION AND TNFαα RELEASE

ABSTRACT Oxidative stress-stimulated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation has been associated with rapid transcription of TNF-α and induction of apoptosis. This study tested the hypothesis that postconditioning (Postcon) reduces myocardial apoptosis and inhibits translocation of NF-κB and release of TNF-α secondary to an attenuation of oxidant generation during reperfusion. Anesthetized rats were subjected to 30 min of ischemia and 3 h of reperfusion and divided randomly to Control or Postcon (three cycles of 10-s reperfusion and 10-s reocclusion applied at the onset of reperfusion) group, respectively. Relative to Control, Postcon reduced the plasma malondialdehyde (1.21 ± 0.08 vs. 0.8 ± 0.06* μM/mL) and decreased the generation of superoxide radical in area at risk myocardium (dihydroethidium staining). Compared with Control, Postcon also inhibited translocation of NF-κB to nuclei (167% ± 21% vs. 142% ± 18%*), decreased the level of plasma TNF-α (1,994 ± 447 vs. 667 ± 130* pg/mL), and inhibited caspase-3 activity (0.57% ± 0.1% vs. 0.21% ± 0.1%*). The number of apoptotic cells (percent total nuclei) in ischemic myocardium was reduced (20% ± 1% vs. 11% ± 2%*), consistent with reduced appearance of DNA fragmentation. To support whether oxidant generation is important in the triggering of cytokine release and apoptosis, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant agent, was administered before ischemia and at reperfusion. Treatment with NAC inhibited superoxide radical generation and decreased plasma malondialdehyde to a comparable level to that in Postcon, concomitant with an inhibition of NF-κB expression (42% ± 8%*) and reduction of release of TNF-α (231 ± 72* pg/mL). Caspase-3 activity (0.33% ± 0.1%*) and apoptotic cells (12% ± 1%*) were also comparably reduced by NAC. These data suggest that Postcon attenuates myocardial apoptosis, reduces caspase-3 activity, and is potentially mediated by inhibiting oxidant-activated NF-κB-TNF-α signaling pathway. *P < 0.05 Postcon and NAC vs. Control.
Are school meals a viable and sustainable tool to improve the healthiness and sustainability of children´s diet and food consumption? A cross-national comparative perspective

ABSTRACT There is little agreement among governments, institutions, scientists and food activists as to how to best tackle the challenging issues of health and sustainability in the food sector. This essay discusses the potential of school meals as a platform to promote healthy and sustainable food behavior. School meal programs are of particular interest for improving public diet because they reach children at a population scale across socio-economic classes and for over a decade of their lives, and because food habits of children are more malleable than those of adults. Current research on the history and health implications of school meal programs is reviewed in a cross-national comparative framework, and arguments explored that speak for the need of a new developmental phase of school meals as an integrative learning platform for healthy and sustainable food behavior. Nutritional, social, practical, educational, economical, political, and cultural perspectives and challenges linked to the implementation of healthy and sustainable school meals are discussed. Finally, the need for long-term interventions and evaluations is highlighted and new research directions are proposed.
Experimental Study of Oil Displacement by the Bio-enzyme at the Third Type Reservoirs of Sabei Blocks

Sabei blocks are currently in the development stage with ultra-high water-cut. The remaining oil distributes scatteredly and quite a part scattered in the third type reservoirs where exists some problems such as poor producing capacity and water injection capacity, low productivity, fast rising rate of water-cut, and so on. The Bio-enzyme is a kind of chemical agent produced by microbial technology. It has the high capability of releasing hydrocarbon from the surface of reservoir rock particles, and can change the wettability of reservoir rocks and reduce the interfacial tension, thereby to reduce the flow resistance of oil in the reservoir pores and release the crude oil from the surface of the rock particles. The lab experiments in cores by bio-enzyme solution show that this agent can increase the recovery rate by 5.0% and reduce the injection pressure by 40%. The field test results showed that the bio-enzyme can improve the physical properties of underground oil, decrease the injection pressure of water wells, increase the injection volume, improve the injection profile and establish a good injection-production drive system. The oil well production increased significantly and the composite declining rate slows down at the same time.
Temperature threshold tuning of a thermal harvesting switch

This paper presents an original energy harvester making use of a temporal variation of temperature and converting it to electricity. Such a device combines piezoelectric and magnetic materials in order to be able to react to small and slow variations of temperature. Therefore it can be integrated for powering nodes in a wireless sensor network. We report here how to tune the behavior of such generator. By modifying the gap between the hard magnet and the soft magnetic material, it is possible to finely control the hysteresis between the two thresholds but also the position of those thresholds. Finally, like for the electrical load, there is an optimal gap which allows the harvesting of a maximum power.
Poly(dA:dT), a ubiquitous promoter element that stimulates transcription via its intrinsic DNA structure.

Many yeast promoters contain homopolymeric dA:dT sequences that affect nucleosome formation in vitro and are required for wild‐type levels of transcription in vivo. Here, we show that poly(dA:dT) is a novel promoter element whose function depends on its intrinsic structure, not its interaction with sequence‐specific, DNA‐binding proteins. First, poly(dA:dT) stimulates Gcn4‐activated transcription in a manner that is length dependent and inversely related to intracellular Gcn4 levels. Second, Datin, the only known poly(dA:dT)‐binding protein, behaves as a repressor through poly(dA:dT) sequences. Third, poly(dG:dC), a structurally dissimilar homopolymer that also affects nucleosomes, has transcriptional properties virtually identical to those of poly(dA:dT). Three probes of chromatin structure including HinfI endonuclease cleavage in vivo indicate that poly(dA:dT) increases accessibility of the Gcn4 binding site and adjacent sequences in physiological chromatin. These observations suggest that, by virtue of its intrinsic structure, poly(dA:dT) locally affects nucleosomes and increases the accessibility of transcription factors bound to nearby sequences.
Mental health parity legislation: much ado about nothing?

OBJECTIVE To determine whether state-level parity legislation has led to an increase in utilization of mental health services. DATA SOURCES Healthcare For Communities (HCC), a multi-site nationally representative study sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that tracks health care system changes for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Information on state-level parity legislation was provided by state offices of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI); local and state market data come from the Area Resource File; information on other health mandates from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. STUDY DESIGN Two-stage regressions are used to estimate the effect of state parity legislation on use of any mental health services, use of specialty mental health services, and number of specialty visits in the past year. In the first stage, we predicted the probability that a state decides to pass parity legislation as a function of state health care market indicators and previous legislative activity. The fitted probability is used in the second stage to determine the effect of this legislation on access and utilization. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS State parity legislation is not associated with a significant increase in any of our measures of mental health services utilization. These results are robust to various specifications of the models. CONCLUSIONS Those states that are able to pass parity legislation do not experience significant increases in the utilization of mental health services. This may be due in part to a loss of coverage for those people most at risk for mental health disorders. The results could be very different, however, if strong federal legislation were passed.