Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
sICAM-1 and TNF-α in Asthma and Rhinitis: Relationship with the Presence of Atopy

Background. A genetically determined overproduction of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) underlies many diseases like asthma or allergic rhinitis. IgE as well as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) play a critical role in the induction and maintenance of inflammation. While the correlation between IgE and atopy is inseparable, little is known about the correlation of atopy with markers of inflammation. Objective. We investigated the relationship between the serum concentrations of TNF-α, soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1), and the presence of atopy in patients with persistent rhinitis or asthma. Methods. Serum concentrations of sICAM-1, TNF-α, and total IgE were investigated in 64 adults with persistent allergic rhinitis, 17 subjects with nonatopic rhinitis, 90 patients with asthma, and 21 healthy individuals. Atopy was diagnosed on the basis of positive family history, skin prick tests, and serum IgE concentration. Results. Total IgE concentration was significantly higher in patients with atopic rhinitis or asthma when compared with nonatopic patients and healthy individuals and was the highest in patients suffering from severe atopic asthma who were not treated with systemic glucocorticosteroids. Although there were marked alterations in IgE in atopic and nonatopic patients, there were no significant differences between atopic and corresponding groups of nonatopic rhinitic and asthmatic patients in sICAM-1 and TNF-α concentrations. (sICAM-1 in rhinitis: atopic vs. nonatopic patients: 224.02 and 221.08 ng/ml, respectively, p > .05; in mild/moderate asthma: atopic vs. nonatopic: 306.22 and 326.39 ng/ml, respectively, p > .05; severe asthma without oral corticosteroids therapy: atopic vs. nonatopic: 418.03 and 468.09 ng/ml, respectively, p > .05; and severe asthma with oral corticosteroids therapy: atopic vs. nonatopic: 320.66 and 308.09 ng/ml, respectively, p > .05). Conclusions. Concentrations of sICAM-1 and TNF-α are significantly higher in patients with asthma compared with those observed in patients with rhinitis, but they are independent of the presence of atopy.
Theoretical Investigation of Structural, Electronic, and Mechanical Properties of Two Dimensional C, Si, Ge, Sn

In this article, we investigate the predictions of the first principles on structural stability, electronic and mechanical properties of 2D nanostructures: graphene, silicene, germanene and stenane. The electronic band structure and density of states in all these 2D materials are found to be generic in nature. A small band gap is generated in all the reported materials other than graphene. The linearity at the Dirac cone changes to quadratic, from graphene to stenane and a perfect semimetalicity is exhibited only by graphene. All other 2D structures tend to become semiconductors with an infinitesimal band gap. Bonding characteristics are revealed by density of states histogram, charge density contour, and Mulliken population analysis. Among all 2D materials graphene exhibits exotic mechanical properties. Analysis by born stability criteria and the calculation of formation enthalpies envisages the structural stability of all the structures in the 2D form. The calculated second order elastic stiffness tensor is used to determine the moduli of elasticity in turn to explore the mechanical properties of all these structures for the prolific use in engineering science. Graphene is found to be the strongest material but brittle in nature. Germanene and stenane exhibit ductile nature and hence could be easily incorporated with the existing technology in the semiconductor industry on substrates.
Molecular milestones that signal axonal maturation and the commitment of human spinal cord precursor cells to the neuronal or glial phenotype in development

Insights into the programmatic induction of neuronal and glial genes during human embryogenesis have depended largely on extrapolations of data derived from experimental mammals. However, the assumptions upon which these extrapolations are based have not been rigorously tested. Indeed, practically no information is available even on the human counterparts of the relatively small subset of well‐characterized, developmental regulated neuron and glial specific genes of the mammalian CNS. Thus, the developmental programs upon which human neural embryogenesis are based remain largely undeciphered. We have addressed this problem in immunohistochemical studies conducted on 22 human fetal spinal cords with gestational ages (GAs) that ranged from 6 to 40 weeks by using monoclonal antibodies to several classes of neuron or glial specific polypeptides. These polypeptides included: representatives of four different types (Types I–IV) of intermediate filament proteins, i.e., vimentin filament protein (VFP), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), different phospho‐isoforms of the high (NF‐H), middle (NF‐M), and low (NF‐L) molecular weight (Mr) neurofilament (NF) subunits, both acidic and basic cytokeratin (CK) proteins; three different micro tubule associated proteins (MAPs), i.e., MAP2, MAP5, and tau; two different synaptic or coated vesicle proteins, i.e., synaptophysin (SYP) and clathrin light chain B (LCb); an oligodendroglial specific protein, i.e., myelin basic protein (MBP); and a receptor for a CNS trophic factor, i.e., the nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR).
Tissue Doppler imaging enables the identification of diastolic dysfunction of pseudonormal pattern in Chagas' disease.

The Doppler pseudonormal pattern of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function filling, characterized by apparent normal transmitral flow velocities, indicates advanced diastolic dysfunction with abnormal relaxation and compliance. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction has been shown to occur in the early stages of the outcome of Chagas cardiopathy, and its identification may potentially contribute to the management of those patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in identifying LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with Chagas' disease with pseudonormal transmitral flow. For this purpose, 89 patients with Chagas' disease (48 men) who had no other pathology and showed normal (n = 79) or pseudonormal (n = 10) patterns of diastolic function by pulsed wave Doppler were submitted to TDI. A significant LV systolic impairment in terms of the dimensions (P = .00001), ejection fraction (P = .000001), and wall motion score (P = .000002) was observed in patients with diastolic dysfunction when compared with the group with normal LV diastolic function. Tissue Doppler imaging enabled the recognition of a pseudonormal type of transmitral flow velocity with high statistical significance through early (P = .000008) and late (P = .0003) expansion waves. The sensitivity and specificity in detecting LV diastolic dysfunction with TDI in the septal, anterior, inferior, posterior, and lateral walls were 90% and 87.3%, 87.3% and 90%, 87.3% and 90%, 84.8% and 90%, and 84.8 and 90%, respectively. In conclusion, TDI enabled the differentiation of patients with Chagas' disease with normal LV diastolic function and those with the pathologic LV pseudonormal pattern with high statistical significance. Moreover, this article shows the potential in demonstrating the occurrence of major alterations in the LV performance of patients with Chagas' disease with LV diastolic dysfunction, as well as the occurrence of signs of an increased LV filling pressure in those patients.
Detection of Human Cytomegalovirus pp67 Late Gene Transcripts in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Patients by Nucleic Acid Sequence-Based Amplification

ABSTRACT This study examined the clinical correlation between the presence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) pp67 mRNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and active HCMV central nervous system (CNS) disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). In total, 76 CSF specimens collected from 65 HIV-1-positive patients diagnosed with HCMV CNS disease, other non-HCMV-related CNS diseases, or no CNS disease were tested for the presence of HCMV pp67 mRNA using the NucliSens cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp67 assay (Organon Teknika, Durham, N.C.). The results were compared to those of a nested PCR for the detection of HCMV glycoprotein B DNA and to those obtained by viral culture (54 samples). CSF specimens collected from patients without HCMV CNS disease yielded the following results: pp67 assay negative, 62 of 62 specimens; culture negative, 41 of 41 specimens; and PCR negative, 56 of 62 specimens (6 specimens were positive). CSF specimens collected from patients with HCMV CNS disease yielded the following results: pp67 assay positive, 9 of 13 specimens; PCR positive, 13 of 13 specimens; and culture positive, 2 of 13 specimens. After resolution of the discordant results, the following positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively) for the diagnosis of HCMV CNS disease were determined. The PPV for PCR, pp67 assay, and culture were 68.4, 100, and 100%, respectively, and the NPV for PCR, pp67 assay, and culture were 100, 97.0, and 82.7%, respectively. The sensitivities for DNA PCR, pp67 assay, and culture for the detection of HCMV were 100, 84.6, and 18%, respectively, and the clinical specificities were 90.5, 100, and 100%, respectively. This study indicates that the detection of HCMV pp67 mRNA in CSF has good correlation with active HCMV CNS disease, whereas CSF culture is insensitive and qualitative DNA PCR may detect latent nonreplicating virus in CSF from patients without HCMV CNS disease.
Protective effect of crocin on diazinon induced vascular toxicity in subchronic exposure in rat aorta ex-vivo

Abstract Context: Diazinon (DZN) is a widely used organophosphate insecticide. Although mechanism of DZN cardiovascular toxicity is primarily mediated through inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, however, DZN causes remarkable atropine-insensitive hypotension in rats. It has been proved that oxidative stress is an important mechanism of DZN toxicity especially in chronic exposure. Crocin, an active ingredient of saffron, has been found to antagonize the hypotensive effects of DZN in rats, but do not reverse acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Objective: In this study the effects of DZN on contractile and relaxant responses in rat aorta as well as ex-vivo antioxidant actions of crocin have been investigated. Materials and methods: Rats were divided into 7 groups: corn oil (control), DZN (15 mg/kg/day, gavage), crocin (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg/day, i.p.) plus DZN, vitamin E (200 IU/kg, i.p., three days a week) plus DZN and crocin (50 mg/kg/day, i.p.) groups. Treatments were continued for 4 weeks. Contractile and relaxant responses were evaluated on the isolated aorta. Results: Our results showed that DZN not only decreased the contractile responses to KCl and Phenylephrine (PE) (p < 0.001), but also attenuated the relaxant response to acetylcholine (ACh) (p < 0.01). Crocin and vitamin E attenuated lipid peroxidation, improved the reduction of contractile responses by KCl and PE and restored the decrease in ACh relaxation in rat aorta. Conclusion: DZN induced vascular toxicity which may be due to oxidative stress and not to a cholinergic mechanism. Crocin improved toxic effects of DZN via reducing lipid peroxidation and restoring altered contractile and relaxant responses in rat aorta.
Adoptive transfer of double negative T regulatory cells induces B‐cell death in vivo and alters rejection pattern of rat‐to‐mouse heart transplantation

Abstract: Background: Antibody‐mediated hyperacute and acute graft rejection are major obstacles in achieving long‐term graft survival in xenotransplantation. It is well documented that regulatory T (Treg) cells play a very important role in regulating immune responses to self and non‐self antigens. Our previous studies have shown that TCRαβ+CD3+CD4−CD8− (double negative, DN)‐Treg cells can suppress anti‐donor T‐cell responses and prolong graft survival in allo‐ and xenotransplantation models. We have demonstrated that DN‐Treg cells can induce B‐cell apoptosis in vitro through a perforin‐dependent pathway.
Management for the N0 Neck of SCC in the Oral Cavity

The oral cavity is the most predominant location in the head and neck region for primary malignant tumors, and more than 90 % cancer consists of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). (Shah and Patel 2003) SCC has a high propensity to early and extensive lymph node metastases. Regarding cancer stage distribution at diagnosis, regional spread is more frequent in cancers of oral cavity and pharynx compared to other cancers, including such as prostate, breast, lung and bronchus, and colorectum (Figure 1). (Jemal et al. 2010) Therefore, clinicians for cancers of the oral cavity and pharynx have to regard regional metastasis as most important. Advanced SCC of the oral cavity has regional metastasis frequently, and even in small tumors (T1 or T2) has a relatively high propensity of regional lymph node
Osmotic responses of Dunaliella to the changes of salinity

Some species in genus Dunaliella are unique in their remarkable abilities to accumulate large numbers of β‐carotene and thrive in media containing a wide range of NaCl concentrations ranging from about 0.05 M to saturation (around 5.5 M). The algae contain no rigid polysaccharide cell wall and thus have been found to be able to rapidly change their volume and shape in response to changes in the extracellular hypo‐ or hyper‐osmotic pressure. In osmotic adjustment, the osmoregulatory response of Dunaliella functions to maintain osmotic balance at high salinities by synthesis and varying the intracellular concentration of glycerol. In this review, we describe the osmotic response process of Dunaliella under salinity stress, including the changes of cell volume, intracellular ions concentration, intracellular glycerol concentration, and the expression of some salt‐induced genes. Some specific proteins and enzymes can be induced by different salinities in osmotic response process. In addition, we introduce the exogenous expression of salt‐related genes of Dunaliella salina in plants and microorganisms for the purpose of confirming the functions of related genes, proteins, and enzymes. The aim of this review is to emphasize the importance of the studies on the mechanisms of osmotic adjustments of Dunaliella in order to develop its unique osmotic characteristics. It is prospected that future research should pay attention to the specific signal transduction pathway and the mechanism of osmoregulation, and to improve the salt tolerance of higher plants by using salt‐tolerant genes of Dunaliella. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 251–258, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Factors associated with non‐epithelial ovarian cancer among Mexican women: A matched case‐control study

The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors associated with the development of non-epithelial ovarian cancer in Mexican women. A case-control study was carried out on women registered with the Mexican Institute of Social Security in Mexico City over a period of two years (1995–97). Twenty-eight new cases were recruited from the Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital no. 4, “Luis Castelazo Ayala”, and were matched by age with 84 controls selected randomly. Eighteen (64.3%) cases of germ cell tumors and 10 (35.7%) stromal sex cord tumors were found. The number of full term pregnancies was associated inversely to development of stromal sex cord tumors with lower risk in women with more than three full term pregnancies (odds ratio, 0.02: 95% confidence interval, 0.001–0.56) compared to nulliparous women. No associations were found respecting to germ cell tumors. Parity was inversely associated to development of stromal sex cord tumors, probably as a result of the endocrine system's influence on the ovaries. The development of germ cell tumors could be associated to factors not evaluated in this study.
Purification and characterization of LiP produced by Schyzophyllum commune IBL-06 using banana stalk in solid state cultures

Lignin peroxidase was produced from Schyzophyllum commune IBL-06 through solid state fermentation of an abundantly available agro-industrial waste, banana stalk, under pre-optimized conditions. LiP was fractionated by 65% saturation with NH4SO4 and dialysis to 1.5-fold purification. The enzyme was further purified by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatography to 2.34 fold with specific activity of 468 U/mg. A single band of 80 kDa was obtained on native gel while on sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and two bands having molecular weight of 33 & 47 kDa were obtained, suggesting that LiP was a two polypeptide oligomeric protein. The present LiP from S. commune IBL-06 was optimally active at pH 5 and 35oC. The stability assay showed that LiP retained activity in an acidic pH range of 4 to 6 and a temperature of 25 to 45°C after 24 h of incubation. Lignin peroxidase oxidized the vertry alcohol and showed kinetic constants KM and Vmax values of 0.46 mM and 388 mM/min, respectively. All organic and inorganic compounds inhibited S. commune LiP, but EDTA, β-Marcaptoethanol, and Pb(NO3)2 were the most inhibitory.
Should We Translate St Paul's παρα φυσιν as Contrary to Nature? Text versus Received Dogma in the Translation of St Paul

Abstract It is indefensible to translate Paul's παρα φυσιν (para phusin) at Rom. 1:26 and 11:24 as “contrary to nature” (contra naturam) and to imply the unspoken rider “and therefore uniquely hateful to God. ” Yet the tradition that does so is almost as old as the Greek text itself. There is a plethora of subtle nuances to παρα + acc. , but a flat negative is not one of them. When Rom. 11:24 is so translated, it is reduced to nonsense. Plato's The Laws supplies a clear, cogent and directly relevant distinction between μη (not) and παρα (beyond, beside, etc.) in relation to sexual behaviour. Naturalness is a multivalent concept, not bivalent. The naturalness of a behaviour is a question of degree. Unnatural behaviour is impossible. The argument here is lexicographical, textual and philosophical. Theology must follow the text, not drive it.
EVIDENCE OF TECTONIC RELEASE FROM UNDERGROUND NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS IN LONG-PERIOD S WAVES

The SH waves from 21 underground nuclear explosions at Pahute Mesa (NTS) were used to investigate tectonic release. The equivalent double-couple representation of the tectonic release, which was constrained by waveform modeling and the polarity of sP, is very similar for all the explosions. The average orientation is a right-lateral, strike-slip fault trending N15°W. Seismic moments were determined on the basis of comparisons with two western United States strike-slip earthquakes. BENHAM has the largest tectonic release moment (5.6 × 10^(24) dyne-cm) and STILTON (0.1 × 10^(24) dyne-cm) the smallest of the events studied. In general, the seismic moments increase with the size of the explosion, but the location of the explosion relative to previous explosions can strongly affect the tectonic release. The Pahute Mesa events can be separated into two populations: (1) events which are well separated (>4 km) from previous explosions, and (2) those events which are close (<4 km) to previous explosions. Those events which are close to previous explosions show a marked decrease in tectonic release. A least-squares fit of seismic moment to event size (as determined from the world wide, average ab amplitude) shows that the two populations are approximately parallel, but offset. The fact that the trends remain separated even at small yields (e.g., PIPKIN and SCOTCH) suggests that for Pahute Mesa there is not a threshold for tectonic release. Since spatial position gives the best separation of high and low tectonic release events, a volume model is favored for the source mechanism. The preferred model is motion on a system of faults and joints.
Lenalidomide and rituximab for the initial treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a multicenter clinical-translational study from the chronic lymphocytic leukemia research consortium.

PURPOSE Lenalidomide is an immunomodulatory agent with therapeutic activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In preclinical models, lenalidomide acted synergistically with rituximab. The CLL Research Consortium initiated a phase II study to evaluate this combination in treatment-naive patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Lenalidomide was initiated at 2.5 mg/day and was escalated based on treatment tolerability to a maximum of 10 mg/day, for 21 days/cycle, for a maximum of seven cycles. Rituximab was administered at the end of cycle 1 and was continued for seven cycles. Patients received allopurinol and aspirin for prophylaxis. RESULTS Sixty-nine patients enrolled onto one of two age-specific strata; patients' median age was 56 and 70 years for arms A and B, respectively. Patients in the older-patient stratum more frequently had elevated serum beta-2 microglobulin levels, high-risk Rai stage, and were less likely to complete the maximum planned therapy. Adverse events were similar in the two arms. Nonhematologic toxicity was predominantly at grade 1/2, and neutropenia was the most common hematologic adverse event. The response rate for arm A was 95%, with 20% complete responses (CRs) and 20% nodular partial responses. Of arm B patients, 78% achieved a response, of which 11% were CRs. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 19 months for the younger cohort and 20 months for the older cohort. CONCLUSION Intrapatient dose-escalation was safe. The majority of patients reached the maximum lenalidomide dose and experienced a response to a defined seven-cycle course of lenalidomide and rituximab therapy. Despite differences in baseline characteristics and the response rate between the two strata, the PFS did not differ.
Expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor‐receptor system in the porcine endometrium throughout the estrous cycle and early pregnancy

The objective of this study was to investigate the protein and mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGFR‐1 (fms‐like tyrosine kinase, Flt‐1) and VEGFR‐2 (fetal liver kinase‐1/kinase insert domain‐containing receptor, Flk‐1/KDR) in the endometrium during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy in pigs. The VEGF‐receptor system was localized in epithelial and stromal cells, blood vessels, and myometrium. Western blot analysis showed higher levels of VEGF protein during the periovulatory and periimplantation periods (P < 0.001, and P < 0.05, respectively). Constant expression of VEGF mRNA during the cycle and significant upregulation on Days 22–25 of gestation (vs. Days 9–17; P < 0.001) was observed. Stable levels of VEGFR‐1 mRNA and protein were detected in the endometrium of cyclic animals. However, higher VEGFR‐1 protein expression was found on Days 16–17 of the estrous cycle (P < 0.01) and Days 13–15 of gestation (P < 0.05). Protein expression of VEGFR‐2 was elevated on Days 2–4 of the estrous cycle (P < 0.001), but mRNA levels were constant during the cycle. In pregnancy, VEGFR‐2 protein expression started to increase after Day 15 (vs. Days 9–12; P < 0.05), but induction of VEGFR‐2 mRNA expression occurred earlier on Days 13–15. It appears from the present study that the VEGF‐receptor system is regulated in a temporal and spatial manner during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy in pigs. The results suggest that VEGF‐A family members are probably involved in appropriate preparation of endometrium for implantation and in vascular events during implantation in pigs. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 362–372, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.