Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of human adipose mesenchymal stem cells isolated from healthy and cancer affected people and their interactions with human breast cancer cell line MCF‐7 in vitro

Adipose tissue is an attractive source of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) with potential applications in reconstructive plastic surgery and regenerative medicine. The aim of this study was to characterise human adipose tissue MSCs (ASCs) derived from healthy individuals and cancer patients and to compare their interactions with tumour cells. ASCs were isolated from adipose tissue of healthy donors, breast cancer‐adjacent adipose tissue of breast cancer patients and tumour‐adjacent adipose tissue of non‐breast cancer patients. Their proliferation, differentiation, immunophenotype and gene expression were assessed and effects on the proliferation of human breast cancer cell line MCF‐7 compared. ASCs from all sources exhibited similar morphology, proliferative and differentiation potential, showing the characteristic pattern of mesenchymal surface markers expression (CD90, CD105, CD44H, CD73) and the lack of HLA‐DR and hematopoietic markers (CD11a, CD33, CD45, Glycophorin‐CD235a), but uneven expression of CD34. ASCs also shared a common positive gene expression of HLA‐DR, HLA‐A, IL‐6, TGF‐β and HIF‐1, but were negative for HLA‐G, while the expression levels of Cox‐2 and IDO‐1 varied. All ASCs significantly stimulated the proliferation of MCF‐7 tumour cells in direct mixed co‐cultures and transwell system, although their conditioned media displayed antiproliferative activity. Data obtained showed that ASCs with similar characteristics are easily isolated from various donors and sites of origin, although ASCs could both suppress and favour tumour cells growth, emphasising the importance of cellular context within the microenvironment and pointing to the significance of safety studies to exclude any potential clinical risk of their application in regenerative medicine.
Glutamic acid decarboxylase and IA‐2 autoantibodies in type 1 diabetes: comparing sample substrates for autoantibody determinations

Large‐scale programs designed to assess risk for type 1 diabetes through serologic assessment of autoantibodies to recombinant β‐cell autoantigens are hampered by several limitations, including the methods for sample collection and assay performance, as well as the volume required for autoantibody determinations. The present study was designed to develop a low sample‐volume, primary screening method for autoantibody detection of high specificity and sensitivity, and to determine the feasibility of dried blood spots collected on filter paper in serving as vehicles for such determinations. Autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and ICA512bdc (IA‐2), both individually and in combination, were determined in persons with type 1 diabetes, healthy controls, or individuals with other autoimmune disorders. Autoantibody results for serum, plasma, and dried blood spots were compared. GAD, IA‐2, and combined GAD/IA‐2 autoantibodies were concordant in their measurement from minimal volumes of serum, plasma, and whole blood extracted from dried filter paper. The autoantibody levels from the dried blood spots were, however, lower than corresponding serum samples, and, as currently designed, failed to detect low‐titer autoantibodies. Despite this limitation, screening for diabetes risk can be performed using small volumes of whole blood, serum, or plasma collected onto filter paper. These methodological improvements should simplify matters, reduce costs, and increase the efficacy of screening programs for type 1 diabetes. Further development of better substrates/methods for blood‐specimen collection seems necessary to exploit the full potential of this and other autoantibody measurement strategies for screening large populations.
PHOSPHORUS DEFICIENCY IN PELARGONIUM: EFFECTS ON NITRATE AND AMMONIUM UPTAKE AND ACIDITY GENERATION

A sudden pH decline (SPD) of the substrate is an increasing problem in geranium growth systems, and the cause is unknown. In this study, we investigate whether a phosphorus (P) deficiency can cause SPD, and whether the effect is related to inhibition of ammonium (NH4 +) and nitrate (NO3 −) uptake and a corresponding shift in the cation to anion uptake balance. Geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum Bailey ‘Designer Dark Red’) were grown in hydroponic solutions with or without P, and the hydroponics systems were located in a growth chamber programmed for light/dark temperatures of 22/18 or 26/22°C. Acidification potential was measured by the amount of base required to maintain pH at 5.8. The results indicated that much greater amounts of base were required to maintain a stable pH with P-limited plants. Using periodic exposures to 15NH4 + or 15NO3 −, it was found that NO3 − uptake was strongly inhibited as plants became P stressed. Tissue nutrient profiles showed that the NO3 − uptake inhibition was accompanied by an increase in the cation to anion uptake ratio. Rhizosphere acidification was greater at higher temperature even though the cation and anion responses were unchanged in control plants, suggesting the involvement of carbon dioxide (CO2) generated by root respiration. The results indicate that changes in cation and anion uptake and the associated increase in net H+ extrusion that occur under P-stress conditions can contribute to SPD in geranium culture systems.
Reduced Progesterone Metabolites Protect Rat Hippocampal Neurones From Kainic Acid Excitotoxicity In Vivo

The ovarian hormone progesterone is neuroprotective in some animal models of neurodegeneration. Progesterone actions in the brain may partly be mediated by the locally produced metabolites 5α‐dihydroprogesterone and 3α,5α‐tetrahydroprogesterone. The neuroprotective effects of these two metabolites of progesterone were assessed in this study. Ovariectomized Wistar rats were injected with kainic acid, to induce excitotoxic neuronal death in the hippocampus, and with different doses of 5α‐dihydroprogesterone and 3α,5α‐tetrahydroprogesterone. The number of surviving neurones in the hilus of the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus was assessed with the optical disector method. The administration of kainic acid resulted in a significant decrease in the number of hilar neurones and in the induction of vimentin expression in reactive astrocytes, a sign of neural damage. Low doses of 5α‐dihydroprogesterone (0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg body weight, b.w.) prevented the loss of hilar neurones and the appearance of vimentin immunoreactivity in astrocytes. Higher doses (1–2 mg/kg b.w.) were not neuroprotective. By contrast, low doses of 3α,5α‐tetrahydroprogesterone (0.25–1 mg/kg b.w.) were unable to protect the hilus from kainic acid while higher doses (2–4 mg/kg b.w.) were protective. The different optimal neuroprotective doses of 5α‐dihydroprogesterone and 3α,5α‐tetrahydroprogesterone suggest that these two steroids may protect neurones using different mechanisms. The neuroprotective effects of 3α,5α‐tetrahydroprogesterone may be exerted by the inhibition of neuronal activity via the GABAA receptor. This latter possibility is supported by the observation that 3β,5α‐tetrahydroprogesterone, an isomer of 3α,5α‐tetrahydroprogesterone that does not bind to GABAA receptor, was not neuroprotective. In summary, our findings suggest that progesterone neuroprotective effects may be, at least in part, mediated by its reduced metabolites 5α‐dihydroprogesterone and 3α,5α‐tetrahydroprogesterone.
The analysis of saturation and coreloss effects of induction motor direct starting

Induction motor direct starting may cause faults on both the power net and mechanical load. In other words the first current peak and the first torque peak of induction motors are vital for the power net and mechanical load respectively. A model for induction motors is proposed in [1] considering saturation effects. Although this model attempts to predict the induction motor behavior in direct starting, some differences between simulation and experimental results are perceived. In this paper, firstly the coreloss is taken into account in [1], and then we show that power net voltage initial phase value is impressive in the value of the current first peak in direct starting. Finally, by considering the condition of [1], our method fits experimental results better than [1].
Normal Glomerular Filtration Rate in Long-Term Follow-up of Children after Orthotopic Liver Transplantation

Background. Cyclosporine A (CyA) and tacrolimus are the principal immunosuppressive agents used for OLT in children. However, progressive deterioration of renal function from calcineurin inhibitor toxicity after OLT has been widely reported. The aim of this study was to assess long-term renal function in children after OLT Methods. We reviewed all OLT patients surviving >1 year at Sainte Justine Hospital from 1987 to 2003. The GFR (ml/min/1.73m2) was measured yearly by the Tc-99m DTPA single injection technique Results. In all, 101 OLT patients (27 tyrosinemia, 33 biliary atresia, 5 fulminant hepatic failure, 36 miscellaneous) were studied. Median age at OLT was 35 months (range 6-178 months) in tyrosinemia group and 58 months (range 1–226 months) in the “Others” (P = NS), median pediatric end-stage liver disease score was respectively 3 (range −9 to 21) and 15 (–9 to 35), (P=0.001), and median follow-up was 6 (range 1–14) and 6 (range 1–17) (P = NS) years, respectively. Median annual GFR values in tyrosinemia fluctuated between 61 and 104 ml/min/1.73m2, with an improving tendency, and 94–121 ml/min/1.73m2 in the Others. GFR did not differ on CyA vs. tacrolimus treatment. The median duration of therapy with calcium-channel blocker in the tyrosinemia group was 5 (1–13) vs. 2 (1–13) years in the Others. Conclusions. Median GFR remained normal in most nontyrosinemia patients (Others). Tyrosinemia patients remained stable at a lower GFR. CyA administration in three daily doses and prolonged calcium-channel blocker therapy may have contributed to this stability. Impairment of kidney function was associated with congenital kidney disease, toxic kidney injury, and portal hypertension.
Acetylation of Homocholine by Rat Brain: Subcellular Distribution of Acetylhomocholine and Studies on the Ability of Homocholine to Serve as Substrate for Choline Acetyltransferase In Situ and In Vitro

Abstract: In situ acetylation of homocholine by slices of rat cerebral cortex was about 34% of the in situ acetylation of choline. Acetylhomocholine synthesized by the cerebral cortical slices was distributed in the same subcellular fractions as was acetylcholine (ACh), although the relative distribution of acetylhomocholine and ACh between nerve‐ending‐free and nerve‐ending‐bound stores was different. Cerebellar slices acetylated homocholine <10% as well as did cerebral cortical slices. In vitro, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT; EC 2.3.1.1.6) either partially purified from whole rat brain, solubilized from lysed synaptosomes, or in a synaptosomal membrane‐associated form, did not acetylate homocholine at an appreciable rate. Under conditions of alkaline pH, an appreciable in vitro rate of homocholine acetylation by preparations of lysed synaptosomes was detected. However, analysis of this acetylation showed it not to be the result of ChAT catalysis and unlikely to occur by the same mechanism as that responsible for acetylation of homocholine in situ: the acetylation was not inhibited by ChAT inhibitors and occurred equally in the presence of preparations of lysed cerebral cortical or cerebellar synaptosomes. It is concluded that in situ acetylation of homocholine is probably catalyzed by ChAT and that acetylhomocholine is subsequently stored in the same subcellular sites as is ACh; the inability to detect ChAT‐catalyzed acetylation of homocholine in vitro might arise as an artefact of the procedures employed in isolation of the enzyme.
Gene expression of PPARgamma and PGC-1alpha in human omental and subcutaneous adipose tissues is related to insulin resistance markers and mediates beneficial effects of physical training.

OBJECTIVE Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are reaching epidemic proportions in Western societies, and they contribute to substantial morbidity and mortality. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and PPARgamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha) system plays an important role in the regulation of efficient energy utilization and oxidative phosphorylation, both of which are decreased in obesity and insulin resistance. DESIGN AND METHODS We measured the metabolic parameters and the expression of PPARgamma and PGC-1alpha mRNA using quantitative real-time PCR in omental and subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissues in an observational study of 153 individuals as well as in SC fat and skeletal muscle in an interventional study of 60 subjects (20 each with normal glucose tolerance, impaired glucose tolerance, and T2D) before and after intensive physical training for 4 weeks. RESULTS PPARgamma and PGC-1alpha mRNA expression in both fat depots as well as in skeletal muscle is associated with markers of insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk. PGC-1alpha mRNA expression is significantly higher in SC fat than in omental fat, whereas PPARgamma mRNA expression is not significantly different between these fat depots. Skeletal muscle and SC fat PPARgamma and PGC-1alpha mRNA expression increased significantly in response to physical training. CONCLUSIONS Gene expression of PPARgamma and PGC-1alpha in human adipose tissue is related to markers of insulin resistance and cardiovascular risk. Increased muscle and adipose tissue PPARgamma and PGC-1alpha expression in response to physical training may mediate the beneficial effects of exercise on insulin sensitivity.
Essential Role for Survivin in Early Brain Development

Apoptosis is an essential process during normal neuronal development. Approximately one-half of the neurons produced during neurogenesis die before completion of CNS maturation. To characterize the role of the inhibitor of apoptosis gene, survivin, during neurogenesis, we used the Cre-loxP-system to generate mice lacking survivin in neuronal precursor cells. Conditional deletion of survivin starting at embryonic day 10.5 leads to massive apoptosis of neuronal precursor cells in the CNS. Conditional mutants were born at the expected Mendelian ratios; however, these died shortly after birth from respiratory insufficiency, without primary cardiopulmonary pathology. Newborn conditional mutants showed a marked reduction in the size of the brain associated with severe, mutifocal apoptosis in the cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, spinal cord, and retina. Caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities in the mutant brains were significantly elevated, whereas bax expression was unchanged from controls. These results show that survivin is critically required for the survival of developing CNS neurons, and may impact on our understanding of neural repair, neural development, and neurodegenerative diseases. Our study is the first to solidify a role for survivin as an antiapoptotic protein during normal neuronal development in vivo.
The Effect of Peer Tutoring and Explicit Instructional Strategies on Primary School Pupils Learning Outcomes in Mathematics

The study investigated the effect of explicit and peer tutoring instructional strategies (treatment), pupils ability and gender on learning outcomes in primary school Mathematics. Data analysis involved the use of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The sample consisted of 170 primary 5 pupils selected through simple random from eight schools. The findings revealed that there was significant main effect of treatment on achievement in Mathematics and attitude towards Mathematics. Pupil's ability and gender were found not to have significant main effect on achievement in Mathematics and attitude toward Mathematics. However there was a significant interaction effect of treatment and pupils’ ability on pupils’ attitude towards Mathematics. All the two and three ways interaction effects on achievement and attitude were found not to be significant. These findings and application indicate that the significant main effect of treatment on mathematics achievement and attitude respectively provide empirical basis to suggest that primary school practicing Mathematics teacher should constantly use peer-tutoring and explicit
Ozone for Color and COD Removal of Raw and Anaerobically Biotreated Combined Industrial Wastewater

ozonation was carried out for decolorization and coD removal of raw and anaerobically treated uAsb (upflow anaerobic sludge blanket) combined industrial (mainly textile) effluent in a lab-scale bubble col - umn reactor. ozonation of anaerobic bioprocess effluent at a dose of 300 mg/h for 10 min resulted in 81% color and 75% coD removal (100 mgo 3 /80 mg coD) while for raw wastewater 25 min ozonation furnished 51% color and 67% coD removal (250 mgo 3 /345 mg coD). optimal process conditions for biotreated effluent (pH = 8 and temperature = 25°c) resulted in 100% color and 96% coD removal for 10
Safety Evaluation of High Speed MAX mode Er : YAG Laser Cavity Preparations

Early erbium and CO2 lasers failed to gain wide acceptance in the dental community because their optical drilling speeds were slower in comparison to the mechanical bur. This has changed in the past few years; much faster ablation speeds are now possible and dental lasers with variable square pulse technology even exceed the drilling speeds of conventional burs. In this paper we report on a clinical study of the safety of the latest Er:YAG lasers, which operate in high speed MAX mode. Pulpal inflammatory response to cavity preparation on erupted caries and restoration-free third molars in need of extraction were analyzed. Teeth were bioprepared and examined for the presence of an inflammatory response. The sensitivity of the patients following cavity preparation was also ranked and compared with the control group. The results show that the variable square pulse Er:YAG lasers operating in high speed MAX mode cause no permanent pulpal damage and can be safely used for fast cavity preparations.
Monoclonal antibody to ICAM‐1 preserves postischemic blood flow and reduces infarct size after ischemia‐reperfusion in rabbit

Neutrophils are pivotal in the pathogenesis of reperfusion injury leading to myocardial infarction. Firm adhesion of PMN to endothelium may be initiated by the interaction between constitutively expressed intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) on endothelium and β2 integrin (CDllb/CD18) on neutrophils. We tested the hypothesis that a monoclonal antibody (mAb RR1/1) against ICAM‐1 would preserve postischemic myocardial blood flow and attenuate myocardial injury in an anesthetized rabbit model of coronary occlusion and reperfusion. Either mAb RR1/1 or isotypematched control mAb (R3.1) was injected 10 min before reperfusion. Postischemic myocardial blood flow in the area at risk (Ar) and necrotic area was significantly improved with mAb RR1/1 treatment compared with vehicle and mAb R3.1 during the reperfusion period. RR1/1 had no effect on nonischemic zone blood flow. The Ar as a percent of left ventricle was comparable between groups. Infarct size (TTC) as a percent of Ar was significantly reduced by mAb RR1/1 compared with saline vehicle and mAb R3.1. Plasma creatine kinase activity confirmed the reduction of infarct size in mAb RR1/1 group. In in vitro studies, 40 μg/mL mAb RR1/1, which approximates the plasma concentration of 2 mg/kg mAb RR1/1, markedly inhibited platelet‐activating factor‐stimulated neutrophil adherence to rabbit aortic endothelium. We conclude that blockade of ICAM‐1 during reperfusion reduces postischemic perfusion defects and attenuates the progression of myocardial injury leading to necrosis. This cardioprotection by mAb RR1/1 may be due to inhibition of neutrophil adhesion to the coronary endothelium. J. Leukoc. Biol. 62: 292–300; 1997.
Exploiting the Values of Indigenous Knowledge in Attaining Sustainable Development in Nigeria: The place of the Library

Since independence Nigeria has been making concerted efforts towards the attainment of sustainable development under the aegis of various development programs, but little success has been achieved, since development is based only on the utilization of the western systems of knowledge. This paper therefore explores ways of achieving sustainable development by harnessing the untapped benefit embedded in the indigenous knowledge systems. Indigenous knowledge which we see as the knowledge systems held by traditional communities and is based on their experience and adaptation to a local culture and environment is relevant for development especially in agriculture, medicine, crafts, theatre, natural resources management arts and music. This paper discusses the prospects and challenges for Nigerian libraries in documentation and communication of indigenous knowledge and recommends that libraries should play a key role in indigenous knowledge organisation and preservation as well as promoting access and sharing to enhance sustainable national development.
Expression of Toll-Like Receptors in the Healthy and Herpes Simplex Virus-Infected Cornea

Purpose: To study the expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs) in healthy corneas and corneas with active or nonactive herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK). Methods: Eight corneas with HSK (including 5 active and 3 nonactive cases) and 8 healthy corneas were evaluated for TLR1-10 mRNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and relative real-time PCR. The proteins of TLR2, 9 in 3 different groups, were also compared by immunofluorescence staining. The data were analyzed with SPSS 11.5. Results: TLR1-10 mRNA was expressed in both healthy and HSK corneas. In the healthy cornea, the mRNA expression of TLR1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 was higher, whereas the expression of TLR7, 8, and 9 was lower relative to TLR 5 and 10. All the TLRs mRNA expression in the active HSK corneas were upregulated, especially TLR4, 7, 8, and 9, compared with the healthy corneas. However, in nonactive HSK corneas, only TLR7 mRNA expression upregulated, whereas the others downregulated. The immunofluorescence staining showed that the expression of TLR 9 was slightly stronger in the cornea with active HSK than that of nonactive and healthy corneas. Conclusions: TLRs are expressed diversely in the healthy cornea and could have an important role in innate corneal immunity. TLR4, 8, and 9 may be implicated in the pathogenesis of active HSV infection in the cornea, whereas TLR7 may play a key role in HSK whether it is active or not.