Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Water-soluble fractions from defatted sesame seeds protect human neuroblast cells against peroxyl radicals and hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress

Abstract Oxidative stress is involved in the development of aging-related diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases. Dietary antioxidants that can protect neuronal cells from oxidative damage play an important role in preventing such diseases. Previously, we reported that water-soluble fractions purified from defatted sesame seed flour exhibit good antioxidant activity in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of white and gold sesame seed water-soluble fractions (WS-wsf and GS-wsf, respectively) against 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced oxidative stress in human neuroblast SH-SY5Y cells. Pretreatment with WS-wsf and GS-wsf did not protect cells against AAPH-induced cytotoxicity, while simultaneous co-treatment with AAPH significantly improved cell viability and inhibited membrane lipid peroxidation. These results suggest that WS-wsf and GS-wsf protect cells from AAPH-induced extracellular oxidative damage via direct scavenging of peroxyl radicals. When oxidative stress was induced by H2O2, pretreatment WS-wsf and GS-wsf significantly enhanced cell viability. These results suggest that in addition to radical scavenging, WS-wsf and GS-wsf enhance cellular resistance to intracellular oxidative stress by activation of the Nrf-2/ARE pathway as confirmed by the increased Nrf2 protein level in the nucleus and increased heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) mRNA expression. The roles of ferulic and vanillic acids as bioactive antioxidants in these fractions were also confirmed. In conclusion, our results indicated that WS-wsf and GS-wsf, which showed antioxidant activity in vitro, are also efficient antioxidants in a cell system protecting SH-SY5Y cells against both extracellular and intracellular oxidative stress.
Interplay Between Gemcitabine and Erlotinib Over Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Cells

Objectives Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains as a chemoresistant disease with the poorest prognosis. Gemcitabine has been the standard treatment during the last decade. Erlotinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in combination with gemcitabine produces a small increase in survival. However, these results remain insufficient. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular interplay in vitro between them regarding their effects over cytotoxicity, proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion. Methods Using the human pancreatic cancer cell lines Panc-1 and BxPC-3 in vitro, the effects of gemcitabine and erlotinib therapy on growth, proliferation, and invasion were tested by cytotoxicity, cell cycle, and Annexin V-Fluorescein Isothiocyanate analysis, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, protein expression, and Chip assays. Results Therapy decreased cell proliferation causing G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest with induction of apoptosis in the Panc-1 cell line. This blockade was associated with increased p27 expression. Besides, treatments enhanced the nuclear factor-&kgr;B (NF-&kgr;B) pathway and the binding of NF-&kgr;B to the promoters of genes related to the proliferation and the evasion of apoptosis. Conclusions Our data suggest that, although gemcitabine and erlotinib exert antiproliferative effects over pancreatic cancer cell lines, the gemcitabine-induced activation of NF-&kgr;B expression and its DNA-binding activities are important drawbacks of this treatment against pancreatic cancer.
Vegetation control on water and energy balance within the Budyko framework

Budyko's framework has been widely used to study basin‐scale water and energy balances and one of the formulations of the Budyko curve is Fu's equation. The curve shape parameter ϖ in Fu's equation controls how much of the available water will be evaporated given the available energy. Previous studies have found that land surface characteristics significantly affect variations in the parameter ϖ. In this study, we focus on the vegetation impact and examine the conditions under which vegetation plays a major role in controlling the variability of ϖ. Using data from 26 major global river basins that are larger than 300,000 km2, the basin‐specific ϖ parameter is found to be linearly correlated with the long‐term averaged annual vegetation coverage. A simple parameterization for the ϖ parameter based solely on remotely sensed vegetation information is proposed, which improves predictions of annual actual evapotranspiration by reducing the root mean square error (RMSE) from 76 mm to 47 mm as compared to the default ϖ value used in the Budyko curve method. The controlling impact of vegetation on the basin‐specific ϖ parameter is diminished in small catchments with areas less than 50,000 km2, which suggests a scale‐dependence of the role of vegetation in affecting water and energy balances. In small catchments, other key ecohydrological processes need to be taken into account in order to fully capture the variability of the ϖ parameter in Fu's equation.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in heterosexual South African men attending sexual health services: associations between HPV and HIV serostatus

Objectives To investigate the distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes and determine the associations between HPV infection and HIV coinfection in sexually active heterosexual men with anogenital warts (GW), male urethral discharge or asymptomatic men. Methods Valid specimens for HPV genotyping were obtained from three patient groups consisting of 108 men with GW, 56 men with urethral discharge syndrome and 50 asymptomatic men attending for HIV voluntary counselling and testing. The Linear Array HPV Genotyping Test was used to determine the HPV genotype distribution among study participants. Sera were tested for HIV antibodies using two commercial rapid tests. Results The prevalence of anogenital HPV among study participants was 78% (166). HPV DNA was detected in 100% (108) of GW, 48% (27) of men with urethral discharge syndrome and 62% (31) of voluntary counselling and testing participants. HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18 were prevalent as either single or combined infections in 81% (134) of all HPV-positive study participants. HPV types 6 and/or 11 were significantly higher among GW patients (p<0.001). After adjusting for patient groups, HIV seropositivity was significantly associated with multiple HPV infections (OR=3.98, 95% CI 1.58 to 10.03) but not with the presence of a foreskin (OR=0.67, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.40). Conclusions Infections with HPV were prevalent among sexually active heterosexual men attending the men's sexual health clinic. Associations were observed between HIV coinfection and multiple HPV infections. Further population-based studies on the prevalence of HPV genotypes are required to determine if men should be included in any future national HPV vaccination programme in South Africa.
Toll‐like Receptor 9 Signaling Is Augmented in Systemic Sclerosis and Elicits Transforming Growth Factor β–Dependent Fibroblast Activation

Although transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is recognized as being a key trigger of fibroblast activation in systemic sclerosis (SSc), prominent innate immunity suggests that additional pathways contribute to disease persistence. Toll‐like receptor 9 (TLR9) is implicated in autoimmunity and fibrosis; however, the expression, mechanism of action, and pathogenic role of TLR9 signaling in SSc remain uncharacterized. The aim of this study was to explore the expression, activity, and potential pathogenic role of TLR9 in the context of skin fibrosis in SSc and in mouse models of experimental fibrosis.
Radiation Treatment of Recurrent Pheochromocytoma of the Bladder: Case Report and Review of Literature

Secondary to the paucity of pheochromocytoma, very limited data exist regarding the optimal treatments of metastatic disease. Malignant pheochromocytomas are often considered unresponsive to radiotherapy, but this decision is based on the few case reports performed before 1970. There have been a handful of reports about metastatic resolution and palliation from radiation therapy. Nevertheless, radiotherapy is not considered a mainstay of pheochromocytoma treatment. In this case report, we describe a patient with a malignant extraadrenal pheochromocytoma, metastatic to the right humerus, and her treatment course of surgery and radiotherapy.
Partial Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra Resection for Contralateral Facetogenic Pain

Study Design. Case report of surgically treated mechanical low back pain from the facet joint contralateral to a unilateral anomalous lumbosacral articulation (Bertolotti’s syndrome). Objectives. To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and management of facet-related low back pain in a 17-year-old cheerleader and its successful surgical treatment with resection of a contralateral anomalous articulation. Summary of Background Data. Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae are common in the general population. Bertolotti’s syndrome is mechanical low back pain associated with these transitional segments. Little is known about the pathophysiology and mechanics of these vertebral segments and their propensity to be pain generators. Treatment of this syndrome is controversial, and surgical intervention has been infrequently reported. Method. A retrospective chart analysis and radiographic review were performed. Results. Repeated fluoroscopically guided injections implicated a symptomatic L6–S1 facet joint contralateral to an anomalous lumbosacral articulation. Eventually, a successful surgical outcome was achieved with resection of the anomalous articulation. Conclusion. Clinicians should consider the possibility that mechanical low back pain may occur from a facet contralateral to a unilateral anomalous lumbosacral articulation, even in a young patient. Although reports of surgical treatment of Bertolotti’s syndrome are infrequent, resection of the anomalous articulation provided excellent results in this patient, presumably because of reduced stresses on the symptomatic facet.
Nutritional Levels of Diets Fed to Captive Amazon Parrots: Does Mixing Seed, Produce, and Pellets Provide a Healthy Diet?

Abstract Poor nutrition is a serious problem in captive psittacine birds. Seed-based diets are known to contain excess fat, low calcium : phosphorus ratios, and other nutrient deficiencies, whereas many consider nutritionally superior, formulated diets to be monotonous. As a result, many bird owners feed a mixture of seed, produce, and formulated diet. However, the nutritional contents of such mixed diets have rarely been evaluated. In this study, we describe the nutrient contents of diets consumed by 7 adult (>6 years old), captive Amazon parrots offered produce (50% fresh weight), formulated diet (25%), and seed (25%). Diets consumed were deficient in calcium, sodium, and iron and contained more than the recommended amount of fat. In addition, the birds chose foods that exacerbated these imbalances. Birds offered low-seed diets (60% pellet, 22% produce, 18% seed, wet weight) consumed diets with more fat than recommended but acceptable levels of calcium and all other nutrients measured, as well as acceptable calcium : phosphorus ratios. This suggests that small quantities of seeds may not result in nutritionally imbalanced diets. Birds fed 75% formulated diet and 25% produce consumed diets within the recommendations for nearly all measured nutrients, demonstrating that owners of psittacine birds should be encouraged to supplement manufactured diets with low energy-density, fresh produce items to provide stimulation and foraging opportunities without fear of causing major nutritional imbalances.
Therapy Recommendation “Act as Usual” in Patients with Whiplash Injuries QTF I°

Up to now no therapy study has used the classification system of the Quebec Task Force (QTF) to differentiate between patients with (QTF II°) and without functional disorders (QTF I°). This differentiation seems meaningful, as this difference may be relevant for the correct treatment planning. In this context the effect of the therapy recommendation “act as usual” has been evaluated in a homogeneous patient collective with whiplash injuries QTF I°. 470 patients with acute whiplash injuries had been catched in this study and classified according to the QTF. 359 patients (76.4%) with QTF I° injuries could be identified. Out of that 162 patients were enrolled to the study and received the therapy recommendation “act as usual” and the adapted pain treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). After six months the outcome was evaluated by phone. After injury the median pain score assessed by a visual analogue scale (VAS) was 5.4 (min = 3.3; max = 8.5). After six months 5 of the 162 patients complained intermittent pain symptoms (VAS values < 2). This is consistent with a chronification rate of 3.1%. After injury, the median pain disability index (PDI) was 3.9 (min = 1.9; max = 7.7). After six months 3 of the 162 patients stated persisting disability during sporting and physical activities (VAS values < 1). The therapy recommendation “act as usual” in combination with an adapted pain treatment is sufficient. Usually patients with whiplash injuries QTF I° do not need physical therapy. An escalation of therapy measures should be reserved to patients with complicated healing processes.
Highly Rugged 30 GHz GaN Low-Noise Amplifiers

GaN low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) operating at 27-31 GHz are presented in this letter. The monolithically integrated LNAs were fabricated using the process line of the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut. Noise figures of 3.7 to 3.9 dB were measured. The ruggedness of the LNAs was verified by noise measurements after stressing the LNA for up to 2 h with up to 33 dBm of input power. These conditions are among the most severe stress tests reported in literature. To the best of the authors knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a GaN LNA in this frequency region.
Aortic dissection in the outer third of the media: what is the role of the vasa vasorum in the triggering process?

OBJECTIVES Extensive clinicopathological analyses of aortic dissection have implicated hypertension and genetic abnormalities as the major pathogenic mechanisms. However, previous findings from pathological examinations have often been inconsistent with these mechanisms. In this paper, we suggest a significant role for the vasa vasorum in the aetiology and pathogenesis of aortic dissection. METHODS We reviewed records of patients who underwent thoracic aortic dissection repair at our institution between June 2008 and August 2011. Twenty-one patients (10 men, 11 women; mean age, 65.0 ± 12.0 years) underwent surgery with subsequent histopathological examination of the aortic wall. We evaluated the history and histopathological findings of these patients. RESULTS Aortic medial changes were observed in all 21 patients. These changes included thinning and sometimes fragmentation of the elastic lamina, as well as atrophy of the smooth muscle cells, with surrounding accumulation of an Alcian blue-positive mucinous substance, mostly adjacent to the dissection. Importantly, the dissection was located in the outer third of the media in 20 of the 21 patients (95.2%). Of these 20, 18 showed histopathological evidence of sclerotic changes of the vasa vasorum, including muscular hyperplasia, elastosis, intimal fibrosis and/or luminal obstruction, and even rupture. These changes may have been secondary to hypertension or peri-aortic changes, leading to degenerative changes in the aortic media and even initiation of dissection. CONCLUSIONS Most aortic dissections initially developed in the outer third of the media alongside the vasa vasorum. In this type of aortic dissection, dysfunction of the vasa vasorum may play a key role in long-standing ischaemia or malnutrition of the aortic media.
Renal mRNA levels as prognostic tools in kidney diseases.

Molecular biologic techniques are currently considered as new diagnostic and prognostic parameters with a sensitivity and specificity exceeding those of histologic and functional data currently used in clinical practice. The results in various clinical settings have been of limited value up to now. This study is an investigation of the use of tissue levels of RNA determined in routine clinical kidney biopsies as prognostic tools. The focus was on RNA encoding for molecules known to be involved in the pathogenesis of renal disorders. Fresh kidney biopsy tissue was obtained from 52 patients with various renal diseases. The GFR was followed for 12 mo. The extent of glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis in the biopsies was determined with quantitative digital image analysis. Glomerular and tubulointerstitial compartments from each biopsy specimen were separated, and mRNA levels of TGF-beta, collagen I, collagen IV, and fibronectin were quantitated by real-time PCR. Correlations, along with 95% confidence intervals (CI), between all variables tested at time biopsy were determined. To assess their prognostic value, these variables were correlated with the slope of GFR within several time intervals after biopsy. In addition, to evaluate the predictive value of the variables for outcome in individual patients, differences for each variable were tested between patients showing progressive decline in renal function (slope GFR < 0) and patients showing stable or improving renal function over time (slope GFR >or= 0). In chronic renal diseases, the extent of histologic damage correlated with the GFR at the time of biopsy (r = -0.44; CI -0.68 to -0.11), but it did not correlate with the slope expressing a change in GFR after the biopsy. Tubulointerstitial TGF-beta mRNA levels correlated with the rate of change in GFR between time of biopsy and 1 mo later (r = 0.41; CI, 0.07 to 0.67). The GFR at the time of biopsy correlated with the slope of change in GFR between time of biopsy and 12 mo later (r = -0.50; CI, -0.73 to -0.18). In chronic renal diseases, glomerular fibronectin mRNA levels, in comparison with the GFR at time of biopsy, correlated relatively strongly with the slope of change in GFR between 3 and 12 mo (r = 0.50; CI, 0.16 to 0.74). Patients with favorable renal outcome after 12 mo showed significantly higher TGF-beta mRNA levels and lower proteinuria levels at time of biopsy (P < 0.05) than patients with a progressive decline in renal function. This study shows that mRNA levels measured in kidney biopsies can function as prognostic tools in human renal diseases. In particular, relatively high levels of tubulointerstitial TGF-beta mRNA and glomerular fibronectin mRNA are associated with less deterioration in renal function.
Prevalence of mild cognitive impairment is higher in men

Objective: We investigated the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Olmsted County, MN, using in-person evaluations and published criteria. Methods: We evaluated an age- and sex-stratified random sample of Olmsted County residents who were 70–89 years old on October 1, 2004, using the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, a neurologic evaluation, and neuropsychological testing to assess 4 cognitive domains: memory, executive function, language, and visuospatial skills. Information for each participant was reviewed by an adjudication panel and a diagnosis of normal cognition, MCI, or dementia was made using published criteria. Results: Among 1,969 subjects without dementia, 329 subjects had MCI, with a prevalence of 16.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 14.4–17.5) for any MCI, 11.1% (95% CI 9.8–12.3) for amnestic MCI, and 4.9% (95% CI 4.0–5.8) for nonamnestic MCI. The prevalence of MCI increased with age and was higher in men. The prevalence odds ratio (OR) in men was 1.54 (95% CI 1.21–1.96; adjusted for age, education, and nonparticipation). The prevalence was also higher in subjects who never married and in subjects with an APOE ε3ε4 or ε4ε4 genotype. MCI prevalence decreased with increasing number of years of education (p for linear trend <0.0001). Conclusions: Our study suggests that approximately 16% of elderly subjects free of dementia are affected by MCI, and amnestic MCI is the most common type. The higher prevalence of MCI in men may suggest that women transition from normal cognition directly to dementia at a later age but more abruptly.
Acute and Subacute Toxicity Study of Water-Soluble Polyalkylsulfonated C60 in Rats

Polyalkylsulfonated C60, or FC4S, a highly water-soluble caged fullerene derivative, is believed to be a free radical remover or an antioxidant in biological systems. A 50 mg/ml aqueous solution was prepared as a master solution and administered to female Sprague-Dawley CD(Crl:CDR (SD)BR) rats in a single-dose acute toxicity study or a 12-day subacute toxicity study where rats were given the solution daily. In a study of the median lethal dose (LD50), no rats died after oral administration, and thus FC4S was considered to nontoxic if administered orally. In an LD50 intraperitoneal injection study, rats died within 30 hr after injection; the LD50 was determined to be approximately 600 mg per kilogram of body weight. Rats injected with the compound intraperitoneally or intravenously immediately eliminated the compound through the kidney; the kidney appeared to be the primary target organ. The compound induced a distinct lysosome-overload nephrosis, a phagolysosomal nephropathy characterized by a tinctorial difference between the outer cortex and the inner cortex and the medulla. The affected outer cortex showed a diffuse degeneration, with the presence of numerous large vacuoles and cytoplasmic aggregates in the tubular epithelium. The phagolysosomal nephropathy was detected in rats after acute exposure as well as in the surviving rats following 1 intraperitoneal injection of 500 mg/kg or intravenous injection of 100 mg/kg. Ultrastructural investigation revealed numerous membranous conglomerates characteristic of phagolysosomal and/or lysosomal inclusions in the cytoplasm of the renal tubular epithelium. These conglomerates were confined to the vacuole, electron-dense, and unevenly stained. They varied in size and shape and were fused or aggregated. Occasional phagolysosomes were also observed in the endothelial cells of the peritubular plexus. A preliminary study of microsomal enzyme activity analysis revealed a suppression effect of liver cytochrome P-450–dependent monooxygenase activities, including cytochrome P-450, cytochrome b5, and benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase, but an increased level of kidney cytochrome P-450–dependent monooxygenase activities, including NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase. The significance of these enzyme alterations was not well determined. Further study is needed to clarify the correlation between the alterations of microsomal enzyme activity and the nephropathy of lysosomal overload-induced changes. These changes may serve as a biological marker in toxicity screening tests for this class of compound.