Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The impact of the Danish smoking ban on hospital admissions for acute myocardial infarction

Background: Exposure to secondhand smoke is associated with an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The positive impact of a smoking ban on AMI hospitalization rates has been demonstrated both inside and outside Europe. A national smoking ban (SB) was implemented in Denmark on 15 August 2007. Purpose: To evaluate the impact of the Danish SB on hospital admissions for AMI. Methods: Poisson regression models were used to analyse changes over time in AMI-admissions in Denmark. We investigated a seven year period: five years before and two years after implementation of the SB. We accounted for the variation in the population size and for seasonal trends. Potential confounders included were: gender, age and the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Results: A significant reduction in the number of AMI-admissions was found in the last three years of the study period after adjusting for the potential confounders. The significant reductions were found one year before the SB (relative rate (RR) = 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79–0.94), one year after the SB (RR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.71–0.85) and two years after the SB (RR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.70–0.84). Conclusions: A significant reduction in the number of AMI-admissions was found already one year before the SB after adjustment for the incidence of T2D. The results differ from most results found in similar studies throughout the world and may be explained by the incremental enactment of SBs in Denmark and the implementation of a nation-wide ban on industrially produced trans-fatty acids in food in 2004.
Type D personality is associated with increased prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias in community-residing persons without coronary heart disease

Background Type D personality may be a risk factor for poor outcome in patients with cardiovascular disease. The biological mechanisms underlying this association are poorly understood. The objective of the study was to test the hypotheses that Type D personality is associated with biological markers for sympathetic dysregulation. Design Cross-sectional community-based study. Methods Type D personality was evaluated by DS-14 in 450 persons (46% men), aged between 30 and 65 years. From a Holter-recording, (mean length 18.3 hours), long-term heart rate, ventricular arrhythmias, and heart rate variability (HRV) were registered as markers of sympathetic dysregulation. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors, apnoea–hypopnoea index, medication, and anxiety symptoms were adjusted for. Results Type D persons had higher long-term averaged heart rate (74 vs. 71 beats/min, p = 0.003), but this difference was attenuated and not significant in the multivariate model (p = 0.078)). There was an increased prevalence of complex ventricular ectopy (bigeminy, trigeminy, or non-sustained ventricular tachycardia; 14 vs. 6%, p = 0.005 in multivariate model). HRV indices did not differ significantly between those with or without Type D personality. Anxiety symptoms did not confound these associations. Conclusions Type D personality is independently associated with a higher likelihood of ventricular arrhythmias, which may be implicated in the increased cardiovascular risk observed in persons with Type D personality.
CD4 T Cells Promote CD8 T Cell Immunity at the Priming and Effector Site during Viral Encephalitis

ABSTRACT CD4 T cell activation during peripheral infections not only is essential in inducing protective CD8 T cell memory but also promotes CD8 T cell function and survival. However, the contributions of CD4 T cell help to antiviral CD8 T cell immunity during central nervous system (CNS) infection are not well established. Encephalitis induced by the sublethal coronavirus JHMV was used to identify when CD4 T cells regulate CD8 T cell responses following CNS infection. Peripheral expansion of virus-specific CD8 T cells was impaired when CD4 T cells were ablated prior to infection but not at 4 days postinfection. Delayed CD4 T cell depletion abrogated CD4 T cell recruitment to the CNS but only slightly diminished CD8 T cell recruitment. Nevertheless, the absence of CNS CD4 T cells was associated with reduced gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and granzyme B expression by infiltrating CD8 T cells, increased CD8 T cell apoptosis, and impaired control of infectious virus. CD4 T cell depletion subsequent to CD4 T cell CNS migration restored CD8 T cell activity and virus control. Analysis of γc-dependent cytokine expression indicated interleukin-21 (IL-21) as a primary candidate optimizing CD8 T cell activity within the CNS. These results demonstrate that CD4 T cells play critical roles in both enhancing peripheral activation of CD8 T cells and prolonging their antiviral function within the CNS. The data highlight the necessity for temporally and spatially distinct CD4 T cell helper functions in sustaining CD8 T cell activity during CNS infection.
Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders among Dentists in Kerman, Iran

Objective The dental profession exposes dentists to many burdensome and harmful factors, such as the irrational posture adopted by dentists while working that causes discomfort and disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The aim of the present study was the evaluation of prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders [MSDs] among dentists in Kerman, Iran. Methods In this study, MSDs of 110 dentists and a control group of 110 office workers were studied by means of a standardized Nordic questionnaire. Data were assessed by SPSS 15 and chi-square and Fisher exact tests. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results Neck symptoms were reported in 46.4 percent of dentists and 24.5 percent of office workers, with neck and elbow symptoms significantly higher among dentists [P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively]. The prevalence of wrist, low back, and shoulder symptoms during the last 12 months among dentists was 33.8, 28.8, and 27.5 percent, respectively. No significant differences in reported symptoms were found when considering age, years of work, hours of practice per day, and handedness among dentists. Conclusion Our results showed that further attention should be directed toward identifying risk factors that cause MSDs among dentists. Knowledge about the scope of ergonomics and prophylaxis, as well as health and safety measures at the work place, should be imparted professionally during undergraduate training and perfected in various forms during post-graduate training.
CD44 Participates in IP-10 Induction in Cells in Which Hepatitis C Virus RNA Is Replicating, through an Interaction with Toll-Like Receptor 2 and Hyaluronan

ABSTRACT The mechanisms of induction of liver injury during chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are not well understood. Gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), a member of the CXC chemokine family, is expressed in the liver of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients and selectively recruits activated T cells to the sites of inflammation. Recently, it was shown that a low plasma concentration of IP-10 in CHC patients was closely associated with the outcome of antiviral therapy. In this study, we examined the role of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway on IP-10 production in cells replicating HCV. Among the CXC chemokines, the expression of IP-10 was specifically increased in cells replicating HCV upon stimulation with conventional TLR2 ligands. The enhancement of IP-10 production upon stimulation with TLR2 ligands in cells replicating HCV induced CD44 expression. CD44 is a broadly distributed type I transmembrane glycoprotein and a receptor for the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan (HA). In CHC patients, the expression of HA in serum has been shown to increase in accord with the progression of liver fibrosis, and HA also works as a ligand for TLR2. In the present study, IP-10 production upon HA stimulation was dependent on the expression of TLR2 and CD44, and a direct association between TLR2 and CD44 was observed. These results suggest that endogenous expression of HA in hepatocytes in CHC patients participates in IP-10 production through an engagement of TLR2 and CD44.
Combination of reduced levels of serum albumin and αlpha-2-macroglobulin differentiates newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients from patients on chemotherapy

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is global disease affecting about one third of the world’s population with its attendant mortality and morbidity. Acute phase proteins have been used in monitoring the progression of infections but not in relation to PTB in this environment. The levels of total protein, albumin, α-2-macroglobulin, transferrin, and haptoglobulin were determined in 23 patients with PTB and 17- age / sex matched PTB-free controls using spectrophotometric and immunodiffusion methods respectively. The result showed that α-2-macroglobulin was significantly raised in PTB patients compared with controls (p<0.001), while the levels of transferrin and albumin were significantly reduced in PTB patients compared with the controls (p<0.001,0.000 respectively). The levels of α-2-macroglobulin and albumin were significantly raised in PTB patients on treatment compared with newly diagnosed PTB patients (p=0.05, p=0.01 respectively). The combination of reduced levels of albumin and α-2-macroglobulin may be used to differentiate newly diagnosed PTB and those on chemotherapy Keywords : Tuberculosis, chemotherapy, acute phase proteins, albumin, Nigeria.
Gamma‐glutamyltransferase, insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk profile in a middle‐aged African population

Background Mechanisms linking liver functions with cardiometabolic risk may involve insulin resistance (IR) and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease. We assessed the associations of gamma‐glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels with IR and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in an adult South African urban cohort. Methods 1198 participants aged >15 years (297 men) were drawn from the Bellville‐South suburb (Cape Town). The homeostatic model assessment of insulin (HOMA‐IR), β‐cells function (HOMA‐B%), fasting insulin resistance index (FIRI) and the quantitative insulin‐sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were calculated, and MetS defined according to the Join Interim Statement 2009 criteria. Associations of GGT levels with covariates were assessed on a continuous scale and across sex‐specific quarters of GGT, with adjustment for confounders via generalized linear and logistic regressions. Results Indicators of IR (HOMA‐IR, FIRI and fasting insulin) increased, whereas those for insulin sensitivity (Sib and QUICKI) diminished significantly linearly and across increasing GGT quarters. In multivariable‐adjusted models, adjustment for sex, age, BMI, cigarette smoking and alcohol intake yielded the strongest, significant associations between GGT and all markers of IR/IS and glycemia excluding glucose insulin ratio. In a similar level of adjustments, with/without further adjustment for markers of IR/insulin sensitivity, the prevalence of MetS significantly increased across quarters of GGT. Conclusions GGT levels were independently associated with insulin sensitivity and MetS in this population. Unaccounted, chronic elevation of GGT may therefore be a cue to screen and monitor individuals for MetS and diabetes, and may warrant consideration as an indicator of high risk for the development of these metabolic disorders.
Selection Pressure on HIV-1 Envelope by Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies to the Conserved CD4-Binding Site

ABSTRACT The monoclonal antibody (MAb) VRC01 was isolated from a slowly progressing HIV-1-infected donor and was shown to neutralize diverse HIV-1 strains by binding to the conserved CD4 binding site (CD4bs) of gp120. To better understand the virologic factors associated with such antibody development, we characterized HIV-1 envelope (Env) variants from this donor and five other donors who developed broadly neutralizing antibodies. A total of 473 env sequences were obtained by single-genome amplification, and 100 representative env clones were expressed and tested for entry and neutralization sensitivity. While VRC01 neutralizes about 90% of the genetically diverse heterologous HIV-1 strains tested, only selective archival Env variants from the VRC01 donor were sensitive to VRC01 and all of the Env variants derived from the donor plasma were resistant, indicating strong antibody-based selection pressure. Despite their resistance to this broadly reactive MAb that partially mimics CD4, all Env variants required CD4 for entry. Three other CD4bs MAbs from the same donor were able to neutralize some VRC01 escape variants, suggesting that CD4bs antibodies continued to evolve in response to viral escape. We also observed a relatively high percentage of VRC01-resistant Env clones in the plasma of four of five additional broadly neutralizing donors, suggesting the presence of CD4bs-directed neutralizing antibodies in these donors. In total, these data indicate that the CD4bs-directed neutralizing antibodies exert ongoing selection pressure on the conserved CD4bs epitope of HIV-1 Env.
Increased Protection from Vaccinia Virus Infection in Mice Genetically Prone to Lymphoproliferative Disorders

ABSTRACT Mutations in the genes that encode Fas or Fas ligand (FasL) can result in poor restraints on lymphocyte activation and in increased susceptibility to autoimmune disorders. Because these mutations portend a continuously activated immune state, we hypothesized that they might in some cases confer resistance to infection. To examine this possibility, the immune response to, morbidity caused by, and clearance of vaccinia virus (VACV) Western Reserve was examined in 5- to 7-week-old Fas mutant (lpr) mice, before an overt lymphoproliferative disorder was observable. On day 6 after VACV infection, C57BL/6-lpr (B6-lpr) mice had decreased morbidity, decreased viral titers, and an increased percentage and number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. As early as day 2 after infection, B6-lpr mice had decreased liver and spleen viral titers and increased numbers of and increased gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production by several different effector cell populations. Depletion of individual effector cell subsets did not inhibit the resistance of B6-lpr mice. Uninfected B6-lpr mice also had increased numbers of NK cells, γδ+ T cells, and CD44+ CD4+ and CD44+ CD8+ T cells compared to uninfected B6 mice. Antibody to IFN-γ resulted in increased virus load in both B6 and B6-lpr mice and eliminated the differences in viral titers between them. These results suggest that IFN-γ produced by multiple activated leukocyte populations in Fas-deficient hosts enhances resistance to some viral infections.
Hotflashes: Thumbnailing videos of social gatherings by detecting camera flash illuminated frames

Automatic annotation of video clips is desired to efficiently thumbnail user generated content available in the Internet. Automatic techniques typically focus on a selected set of inherent video features (such as scene-cut or shot boundaries) that are deemed to be salient. Along this line, the presence of camera flash light illumination is a feature of interest. This event is usually triggered manually (by a photographer) within a scene and the selected frame(s) they occur in are deemed to be interesting in the recording: for instance, the appearance of a celebrity in a party. In this paper we present a method to detect video frames that contain flashes originating from still cameras in user generated video clips. We focus on designing features for flash illumination detection using various measures of luminance change within video sequences. Using the proposed method, we obtain detection performance of approximately 89% which is 8% absolute improvement over the baseline method that uses only change in average illumination. We also illustrate a case where flashes are automatically detected in video clips of social gatherings that can be used for thumbnailing and browsing.
Membrane Interactions of the Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Fusion Protein E at Low pH

ABSTRACT Membrane fusion of the flavivirus tick-borne encephalitis virus is triggered by the mildly acidic pH of the endosome and is mediated by envelope protein E, a class II viral fusion protein. The low-pH trigger induces an oligomeric rearrangement in which the subunits of the native E homodimers dissociate and the monomeric subunits then reassociate into homotrimers. Here we provide evidence that membrane binding is mediated by the intermediate monomeric form of E, generated by low-pH-induced dissociation of the dimer. Liposome coflotation experiments revealed that association with target membranes occurred only when liposomes were present at the time of acidification, whereas pretreating virions at low pH in the absence of membranes resulted in the loss of their ability to stably attach to liposomes. With the cleavable cross-linker ethylene glycolbis(succinimidylsuccinate), it was shown that a truncated soluble form of the E protein (sE) could bind to membranes only when the dimers were free to dissociate at low pH, and binding could be blocked by a monoclonal antibody that recognizes the fusion peptide, which is at the distal tip of the E monomer but is buried in the native dimer. Surprisingly, analysis of the membrane-associated sE proteins revealed that they had formed trimers. This was unexpected because this protein lacks a sequence element in the C-terminal stem-anchor region, which was shown to be essential for trimerization in the absence of a target membrane. It can therefore be concluded that the formation of a trimeric form of sE is facilitated by membrane binding. Its stability is apparently maintained by contacts between the ectodomains only and is not dependent on sequence elements in the stem-anchor region as previously assumed.
Aerobic interval training in patients with heart failure and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: a controlled study evaluating feasibility and effect

Background Aerobic interval training (AIT) has been shown to be superior to moderate continuous exercise training in improving exercise capacity and endothelial function in patients with both coronary artery disease and heart failure (HF). The objective of this study was to evaluate this training modality in patients with HF and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) with regard to feasibility, safety, and effect. Methods We prospectively included 38 patients with an ICD: 26 patients participated in an AIT programme for 3 months, while 12 patients served as controls. At baseline and 12-week follow up, patients were assessed with a maximal ergospirometry stress test, echocardiography, endothelial function testing, and ICD interrogation. Results No exercise-related adverse events occurred during or soon after the training sessions. ICD interrogation revealed no sustained arrhythmias, antitachycardia pacing, or ICD discharge related to exercise sessions. The AIT programme led to a significant increase in peak oxygen uptake, cycle ergometer workload, and endothelial function compared to the control group. The training programme was safe and not associated with any adverse events or ICD-related complications. Conclusions An AIT programme is feasible and seems safe in a well-treated, stable ICD population. Further, AIT for 3 months results in significantly increased aerobic capacity and endothelial function in this population.
The Seven-Sequence Intervention: Sedentary Adults on Their Way to Fitness and Health

The objective of this longitudinal study was to evaluate the effects of a structured 12-month exercise program and the follow-up period of 2 years in terms of medical and subjective health status, fitness, and behavioral factors of former sedentary adults. With data of 159 subjects from intervention and control groups, it can be shown that a stable behavioral change is reached with positive effects on fitness status, risk factors, and mental health. Three years after the beginning, 76% of the original intervention group were still physically active. After 1 year of intervention, the subjects of the exercise program profited significantly by different risk factors, fitness parameters, psychosocial resources, and subjective health status. Participants in a negative fitness and health condition prior to the intervention benefited the most; the others at least stabilized their status. Contrary to other studies, the average health effects were at least stable in the 2-years follow-up period.
The Latency-Associated Nuclear Antigen Homolog of Herpesvirus Saimiri Inhibits Lytic Virus Replication

ABSTRACT Herpesvirus saimiri (HVS), a T-lymphotropic tumor virus of neotropical primates, and the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated human herpesvirus 8 (KSHV) belong to the gamma-2-herpesvirus (Rhadinovirus) subfamily and share numerous features of genome structure and organization. The KSHV latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) protein appears to be relevant for viral persistence, latency, and transformation. It binds to DNA, colocalizes with viral episomal DNA, and presumably mediates efficient persistence of viral genomes. LANA further represses the transcriptional and proapoptotic activities of the p53 tumor suppressor protein. Here we report on the ORF73 gene of HVS strain C488, which is the positional and structural homolog of KSHV LANA. The ORF73 gene in OMK cells can encode a 62-kDa protein that localizes to the nucleus in a pattern similar to that of LANA. We show that the ORF73 gene product can regulate viral gene expression by acting as a transcriptional modulator of latent and lytic viral promoters. To define the HVS ORF73 function in the background of a replication-competent virus, we constructed a viral mutant that expresses ORF73 under the transcriptional control of a mifepristone (RU-486)-inducible promoter. The HVS ORF73 gene product efficiently suppresses lytic viral replication in permissive cells, indicating that it defines a critical control point between viral persistence and lytic replication.
Mutational Inactivation of Two Distinct Negative RNA Elements in the Human Papillomavirus Type 16 L2 Coding Region Induces Production of High Levels of L2 in Human Cells

ABSTRACT Here we show that the 5′ end and the middle region of the L2 coding sequence of human papillomavirus type 16 contain strong inhibitory RNA sequences termed inhibitory regions I and II. This is in contrast to L1, which contains one inhibitory region in the 5′ end of the coding region. Inhibitory regions I and II acted in cis to reduce L2 mRNA levels and to inhibit the use of the mRNA. In tandem, the two regions reduced L2 mRNA production to undetectable levels. Specific mutational inactivation of the two inhibitory elements in the 5′ end and in the middle region of L2 by the introduction of nucleotide substitutions that changed the nucleotide sequence but not the protein sequence resulted in production of high levels of L2 mRNA and protein. In contrast to L2, a partial L1 mutant in which only the first one third of L1 was mutated produced levels of L1 mRNA and protein similar to those in a full L1 mutant. In addition, the constitutive transport element of simian retrovirus type 1 overcomes the effect of the inhibitory sequences of L1 but not L2.
A Hierarchical Model for Human Interaction Recognition

Recognizing human interactions is a challenging task due to partially occluded body parts and motion ambiguities in interactions. We observe that the interdependencies existing at both action level and body part level greatly help disambiguate similar individual movements and facilitate human interaction recognition. In this paper, we propose a novel hierarchical model to capture such interdependencies for recognizing interactions of two persons. We model the action of each person by a large-scale global feature and several body part features. Two types of contextual information are exploited in our model to capture the implicit and complex interdependencies between interaction class, the action classes of two persons and the labels of persons' body parts. We build a challenging human interaction dataset to test our method. Results show that our model is quite effective in recognizing human interactions.