Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Expression of SDF-1/CXCR4 in acute infarct myocardium after implantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in rats].

OBJECTIVE To explore the role of stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXCR4 axis in acute infarct myocardium after an implantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in rats. METHODS The animals were anesthetized by an intraperitoneal injection of pentobarbital sodium. Left anterior thoracotomy through 3/4 intercostals region was performed and then left anterior descending coronary arteries were ligated for modeling acute myocardial infarction. The MSCs were injected into the area of acute infarct myocardium after a 10-minute ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery. The different concentration and expression of SDF-1/CXCR4 in the area of acute myocardial infarction and left ventricular function were analyzed. RESULTS At day 28 post-transplantation, the vascular density in MSCs implant group were significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). And left ventricular function in MSCs implant group improved significantly than that in control group too (P<0.05). At the same time, the expressions of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in topical injection sites of infarct myocardium were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). In MSCs implant group, the level of SDF-1/CXCR4 peaked at Day 1 post-transplantation and then it declined. CONCLUSIONS After the implantation of MSCs into acute infarct myocardium, there is vascular regeneration and the level of SDF-1/CXCR4 increases so that left ventricular function improves. And the mechanism may be due to an up-regulation of SDF-1/CXCR4 axis.
Interference of Vaccination against Bluetongue Virus Serotypes 1 and 8 with Serological Diagnosis of Small-Ruminant Lentivirus Infection

ABSTRACT The effects of the recent vaccinations against bluetongue virus serotype 1 (BTV-1) and BTV-8 in Europe on the reliability of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) currently used for diagnosis of small-ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) infection were examined. Primary vaccination against BTV-8 in goats induced an increase in reactivity that did not exceed 3 months in a whole-virus indirect ELISA and a competitive ELISA based on the gp135 glycoprotein. Subsequent BTV-1/8 vaccination extended the time scale of false-positive reactivity for up to 6 months. These results are of relevance for SRLV-monitoring programs.
Application of WHOQOL-BREF in Measuring Quality of Life in Health-Care Staff

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of Neyshabur health-care staff and some factors associated with it with use of WHOQOL-BREF scale. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 522 staff of Neyshabur health-care centers from May to July 2011. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was applied to examine the internal consistency of WHOQOL-BREF scale; Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the level of agreement between different domains of WHOQOL-BREF. Paired t-test was used to compare difference between score means of different domains. T-independent test was performed for group analysis and Multiple Linear Regression was used to control confounding effects. Results: In this study, a good internal consistency (α = 0.925) for WHOQOL-BREF and its four domains was observed. The highest and the lowest mean scores of WHOQOL-BREF domains was found for physical health domain (Mean = 15.26) and environmental health domain (Mean = 13.09) respectively. Backward multiple linear regression revealed that existence chronic disease in staff was significantly associated with four domains of WHOQOL-BREF, education years was associated with two domains (Psychological and Environmental) and sex was associated with psychological domain (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings from this study confirm that the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire is a reliable instrument to measure quality of life in health-care staff. From the data, it appears that Neyshabur health-care staff has WHOQOL-BREF scores that might be considered to indicate a relatively moderate quality of life.
Negative Feedback in Noncanonical NF-κB Signaling Modulates NIK Stability Through IKKα-Mediated Phosphorylation

Feedback inhibition of the central regulator of noncanonical NF-κB signaling is mediated by its target kinase. Activation and Inhibition through IKKα Details about the activation and termination of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway, which is involved in processes such as B cell maturation and bone development, still continue to emerge (see the Perspective by Sun). Central to this pathway is NF-κB–inducing kinase (NIK), which activates inhibitor of κB kinase α (IKKα). IKKα phosphorylates an NF-κB precursor protein called p100, promoting its processing to the mature p52 subunit, which then interacts with the RelB subunit to form the noncanonical NF-κB complex. Under resting conditions, NIK is constitutively degraded; however, after stimulation of receptors such as B cell–activating factor receptor (BAFF-R) and lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR), NIK accumulates and initiates noncanonical signaling. Razani et al. observed an increase in the steady-state abundance of NIK in cells from IKKα-deficient mice and from mice that have a variant NIK protein that is incapable of binding to IKKα. They identified NIK as a target of IKKα and showed that phosphorylation of NIK by IKKα resulted in its destabilization and the inhibition of noncanonical signaling. Further understanding of the regulation of NIK may help in the development of therapies that specifically target noncanonical NF-κB signaling. Canonical and noncanonical nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling are the two basic pathways responsible for the release of NF-κB dimers from their inhibitors. Enhanced NF-κB signaling leads to inflammatory and proliferative diseases; thus, inhibitory pathways that limit its activity are critical. Whereas multiple negative feedback mechanisms control canonical NF-κB signaling, none has been identified for the noncanonical pathway. Here, we describe a mechanism of negative feedback control of noncanonical NF-κB signaling that attenuated the stabilization of NF-κB–inducing kinase (NIK), the central regulatory kinase of the noncanonical pathway, induced by B cell–activating factor receptor (BAFF-R) and lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR). Inhibitor of κB (IκB) kinase α (IKKα) was previously thought to lie downstream of NIK in the noncanonical NF-κB pathway; we showed that phosphorylation of NIK by IKKα destabilized NIK. In the absence of IKKα-mediated negative feedback, the abundance of NIK increased after receptor ligation. A form of NIK with mutations in the IKKα-targeted serine residues was more stable than wild-type NIK and resulted in increased noncanonical NF-κB signaling. Thus, in addition to the regulation of the basal abundance of NIK in unstimulated cells by a complex containing tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated factor (TRAF) and cellular inhibitor of apoptosis (cIAP) proteins, IKKα-dependent destabilization of NIK prevents the uncontrolled activity of the noncanonical NF-κB pathway after receptor ligation.
Does the productivity of labor influence credit risk? new evidence from South Korea

ABSTRACT Using a sample of 1,666 Korean KRX listed firm observations, we find a positive relation between the productivity of labor in period t and credit ratings in period t + 1, suggesting that firms that use the least amount of input (labor) to achieve output (sales) are considered to have decreasing levels of default risk. After we divide our sample into investment grade and non-investment grade firm samples, the relation changes. We find a consistent relation for the investment grade sample. However, the relation is negative for the non-investment grade suggesting that market participants capture NIG firm’s potential detrimental behavior.
Intraocular pressure-lowering activity of phenolic antioxidants in normotensive rabbits.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering activity of phenolic antioxidants injected intravenously into normotensive rabbits. Antioxidants belonging to the following classes were tested: cinnamic acids; flavonols; flavanols; anthocyanidins; isoflavones; and tannic acid. METHODS Test compounds were dissolved in either water or oil/saline as vehicle and injected intravenously into normotensive rabbits. IOP was monitored hourly after injection and expressed as a percent relative to preinjection values. Controls were conducted using vehicle alone. IOP from each eye was averaged to provide one value per rabbit. Dose-response data beginning at 0.01 mg-2 mg doses were collected for compounds shown to be active at 1 mg. RESULTS Epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate and myricetin lowered IOP below control levels at doses of 1 mg. Tannic acid was the most active, lowering IOP more than 30% at doses of 200 microg. CONCLUSION Only phenolic antioxidants containing a pyrogallol B-ring system and nonaromatic C-ring (epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate and myricetin) or possible galloyl glucosides as found in tannic acid were active in lowering IOP, with tannic acid being the most active. Other antioxidants were not active in this system suggesting a more specific structural requirement for interacting with appropriate ocular systems. The protein or proteoglycan-binding properties of these molecules may also be important in this activity.
Collaborative cost-cutting: productive efficiency as an interdependency between public organizations

ABSTRACT Collaboration between public sector organizations is typically understood as a response to complexity. Agencies collaborate in order to address complex, cross-cutting policy needs that cannot be met individually. However, when organizational size is a constraining factor in public service efficiency, collaboration can also reduce costs by capturing scale economies unavailable to organizations of sub-optimal size. Using organization theory, the article conceptualizes these two different triggers for public sector collaboration, and builds a framework for tracing their wider impact upon the formation, operation, and outcome of inter-agency partnerships. The framework is illustrated, and its implications for future research are explored.
Comparative pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin in mice, rats, rabbits, sheep, and cows.

OBJECTIVE To compare pharmacokinetic variables of enrofloxacin (ENR) after IV administration in mice, rats, rabbits, sheep, and cows and to perform allometric analysis of ENR. ANIMALS 47 mice, 5 rats, 5 rabbits, 5 sheep, and 5 cows. PROCEDURE Serially obtained plasma samples were assayed for ENR concentration, using high-performance liquid chromatography. In vitro plasma protein binding was determined by ultrafiltration. Plasma ENR concentration versus time curves were fitted by use of nonlinear least-squared regression analysis. Pharmacokinetic variables were correlated further with body weight. RESULTS In all species studied, the best fit was obtained for a two-compartment open model; ENR half-life ranged from 89 minutes in mice to 169 minutes in cows. Volume of distribution was large in all species studied, with values ranging from 10.5 L/kg in mice to 1.5 L/kg in sheep. Body clearance ranged from 68.1 ml/min/kg for mice to 4.6 ml/min/kg for sheep. Unbound ENR was found to be (mean +/- SD) 58+/-2, 50+/-6, 50+/-2, 31+/-2, and 40+/-3% in plasma of mice, rats, rabbits, sheep, and cows, respectively. The only pharmacokinetic variables that could be correlated with body weight were elimination half-life, clearance, and volume of distribution. Allometric exponents denoting proportionality of half-life, body clearance, and volume of distribution with body weight were 0.06, 0.82, and 0.90, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE An allometric approach could provide a suitable method for determining a scale for ENR pharmacokinetics among various mammalian species. This would faciliatate the administration of appropriate doses of ENR to all animals.
Outliers classification for mining evolutionary community using Support Vector Machine and Logistic Regression on Azure ML

Evolutionary Community Outliers (ECO) is a type of outlier group in which the average evolutionary behavior of certain objects is different from the same community by some measures. The detection, classification and removal of ECO are a very important and challenging task of data cleaning and preprocessing. ECO is different from the old outlier detection technique, which detect objects that have fairly diverse nature as compared with the community objects. Different outlier detection and removal studies have been presented in the last few years, but there are some limitations due to the individual process at a time. The proposed research approach uses Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Logistic Regression (LR) at the same time to accurately classify, detect and remove the outliers form the Evolutionary community dataset, which is a new technique for outlier detection and removal. We have used Azure Machine Learning (ML) which is the state of the art data processing tool to test our proposed technique on the Forest Fire data of Southern Algarve Portugal to show the result, which gives us very good results on the given data. The accuracy of these outliers' detection and removal is 73–93 percent varying due to the data acquisition process. Proposed technique shows remarkable results in detecting diverse ECO on both real time and temporal datasets.
CDw75 Antigen expression in human gastric carcinoma and adjacent mucosa

Background. The amount of sialic acid correlates with the invasiveness and metastasizing potential of several human tumors. The CDw75 epitope is a sialylated carbohydrate determinant generated by the beta‐galactosyl α2,6‐sialyltransferase, which can be viewed as a target for identifying biologically aggressive tumors.
Preoperative Femoral Nerve Block for Hip Arthroscopy

Background: Arthroscopy has become a standard method of treatment for a variety of intra-articular hip disorders. While most arthroscopic hip procedures are performed as outpatient surgeries, patients can still experience significant postoperative pain and opioid-associated side effects. Purpose: The potential benefits of a preoperative femoral nerve block (FNB) in hip arthroscopy were explored in a previous retrospective review. The study objective was to confirm these findings in a prospective randomized study. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: Fifty patients undergoing hip arthroscopy were included in this prospective, single-center, randomized controlled trial that was patient-, operator-, and assessor-blinded. Patients received either a preoperative ultrasound-guided FNB with 20 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine (FNB group) or normal saline (control group). Nerve blockade was confirmed via standardized sensory testing before the induction of general anesthesia. The primary endpoint was cumulative consumption of oral morphine equivalent at 24 hours after discharge. Secondary endpoints included opioid use at various time points, pain scores, Quality of Recovery (QoR-27) score, incidence of nausea and vomiting, time to discharge, block-related complications, falls at 24 hours, and patient satisfaction. Results: Fifty patients completed the study, including 27 in the FNB group and 23 in the control group. Most patient characteristics were statistically similar between groups except for operative time, which was longer in the control group. Cumulative oral morphine consumption was lower in the FNB group at 48 hours; there was no difference at 24 hours or 7 days postoperatively. Pain scores were significantly lower up to 6 hours postoperatively in the FNB group compared with control; however, rebound pain was observed at 24 hours after discharge in patients who received FNB. There was no difference in most secondary outcomes. Importantly, a total of 6 patients in the FNB group reported falls (without injury) within the first 24 hours postoperatively compared with none in the control group. Patient satisfaction with pain control was high in both groups at all time points. Conclusion: Preoperative FNB may improve early pain control after hip arthroscopy. However, given the observed risk of falls, the routine use of FNB for outpatient hip arthroscopy cannot be recommended.
Comparison of the Immune Profile of Nonhealing Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients with Those with Active Lesions and Those Who Have Recovered from Infection

ABSTRACT Th1-type cellular immune responses play a critical role in protection against infection with Leishmania parasites, whereas activation of Th2-type cells results in progressive disease. Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major is often a self-healing disease; however, persistent nonhealing forms are also known. In the present study, we have described cell-mediated immune responses in nonhealing patients by measuring T-cell proliferation, cytokine production, and phenotypic characterization of these cells. The responses were compared with those of patients with active lesions, patients who had recovered from infection, and healthy controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with active lesions and recovered donors proliferated vigorously and produced Th1-type cytokine when stimulated with L. major antigens, whereas in nonhealing patients the proliferative responses were significantly lower and showed a Th2-type response to Leishmaniaantigens. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) production was not a feature ofL. major stimulation. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that L. major antigen induced proliferation of the CD4-positive population and that these cells were the major source of gamma interferon and IL-4. These results show a distinct dichotomy in the cytokine response to L. major infection.
Near fatal 5-FU gut toxicity post surgery – remarkable effect of high-dose sucralfate

Abstract Background: The objective of this review article and case report was to investigate the effectiveness of high-dose sucralfate on severe life-threatening 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) gut toxicity, with reference to, but not limited to dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency. Methods: A search was conducted on PubMed from 1950 to July 2013 for original studies on 5-FU gut toxicity and sucralfate. Studies were limited to human trials and English language and all articles included in this study were assessed with the application of predetermined selection criteria. Each article was then reviewed independently by two reviewers. A case report from our own centre was included in this review. Results: From 33 results, 6 manuscripts were identified including 4 randomized controlled trial. One trial evaluated the use of sucralfate to alleviate stomatitis in patients with 5-FU-based chemotherapy. The other three trials evaluated the role of sucralfate in radiation toxicity. There was one case report which showed gastroscopy confirmed normalization of severe dysplastic erosive gastroduodenitis attributed to hepatic arterial infusion of 5-FU following a 2-month course of sucralfate and cimetidine and one case series showing clinical and sigmoidoscopically demonstrated improvement in ulcerative colitis in majority of patients receiving sucralfate enemas. There was no current literature specifically focussed on the role of sucralfate in 5-FU gut toxicity. Our case report describes the clinical course and successful treatment with sucralfate of a patient with Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) who experienced 5-FU gut toxicity resulting in life-threatening bleeding due to presumed DPD deficiency post intraperitoneal 5-FU administration. Conclusion: This review article showed a lack of literature concerning the use of sucralfate in 5-FU gut toxicity. In our patient’s case, sucralfate had a crucial role in the management of near fatal 5-FU gut toxicity, and further evaluation is required.
Prevalence of Candida species in Nigerian children with diarrhoea.

A total of 257 stool specimens comprising 203 from diarrhoeal children and 54 asymptomatic controls were collected from patients attending different hospitals/clinics in Lagos and Ekpoma, Nigeria and were screened for fungal agents using standard methods. Of the total number screened, 165 (64.2%) patients had fungal agents in their stools. Of these, 157 (77.3%) patients had diarrhoea and 8 (14.8%) patients were asymptomatic. Of these total number of positive isolates, Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. pseudotropicalis, C. glabrata and C. parasilosis accounted for 59.4%, 30.9%, 5.0%, 3.0% and 1.8% in that order. Results revealed a significant relationship (p < 0.05) between fungi and incidence of diarrhoea in children. There was no significant relationship (p > 0.05) between the age group studied and the incidence of fungal diarrhoea in children. The sex of the children also showed no significant relationship (p > 0.05) with the incidence of fungal diarrhoea. Results have revealed the emergence of Candida species in cases of childhood diarrhoea in our environment.
From vineyard to winery: a source map of microbial diversity driving wine fermentation

Humans have been making wine for thousands of years and microorganisms play an integral part in this process as they not only drive fermentation, but also significantly influence the flavour, aroma and quality of finished wines. Since fruits are ephemeral, they cannot comprise a permanent microbial habitat; thus, an age-old unanswered question concerns the origin of fruit and ferment associated microbes. Here we use next-generation sequencing approaches to examine and quantify the roles of native forest, vineyard soil, bark and fruit habitats as sources of fungal diversity in ferments. We show that microbial communities in harvested juice and ferments vary significantly across regions, and that while vineyard fungi account for ∼40% of the source of this diversity, uncultivated ecosystems outside of vineyards also prove a significant source. We also show that while communities in harvested juice resemble those found on grapes, these increasingly resemble fungi present on vine bark as the ferment proceeds.
Administration of 3,5-diiodothyronine (3,5-T2) causes central hypothyroidism and stimulates thyroid-sensitive tissues

In general, 3,5-diiodothyronine (3,5-T2) increases the resting metabolic rate and oxygen consumption, exerting short-term beneficial metabolic effects on rats subjected to a high-fat diet. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of chronic 3,5-T2 administration on the hypothalamus–pituitary–thyroid axis, body mass gain, adipose tissue mass, and body oxygen consumption in Wistar rats from 3 to 6 months of age. The rats were treated daily with 3,5-T2 (25, 50, or 75 μg/100 g body weight, s.c.) for 90 days between the ages of 3 and 6 months. The administration of 3,5-T2 suppressed thyroid function, reducing not only thyroid iodide uptake but also thyroperoxidase, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), and thyroid type 1 iodothyronine deiodinase (D1 (DIO1)) activities and expression levels, whereas the expression of the TSH receptor and dual oxidase (DUOX) were increased. Serum TSH, 3,3′,5-triiodothyronine, and thyroxine were reduced in a 3,5-T2 dose-dependent manner, whereas oxygen consumption increased in these animals, indicating the direct action of 3,5-T2 on this physiological variable. Type 2 deiodinase activity increased in both the hypothalamus and the pituitary, and D1 activities in the liver and kidney were also increased in groups treated with 3,5-T2. Moreover, after 3 months of 3,5-T2 administration, body mass and retroperitoneal fat pad mass were significantly reduced, whereas the heart rate and mass were unchanged. Thus, 3,5-T2 acts as a direct stimulator of energy expenditure and reduces body mass gain; however, TSH suppression may develop secondary to 3,5-T2 administration.