Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Candida albicans infection in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma].

BACKGROUND/AIM Systemic candidiasis in intensive care units remains an improtant problem due to antifungal resistance. Patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer are at increased risk of developing oral candidiasis and they more frequent have prior fungi colonization. Due to identification of specific risk factors predisposing to fungal infection in order to threat such patients the aim of this study was to determine the presence of Candida species in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and compare it to the control subjects (patients with benign oral mucosal lesions). METHODS A total number of 30 consecutive oral cancer examined patients were included in this prospective study (24 men and 6 women with a mean age of 61.47 years, range 41-81 years). The control group consisted of 30 consecutive patients with histologically proven benign oral mucosal lesions (16 men and 14 women with a mean age of 54.53 years, range 16-83 years). The samples for mycological examination were obtained by using sterile cotton swabs from the cancer lesion surface and in the patients of the control group from the benign mucosal lesion surface. Samples were inoculated in Sabouraud dextrose agar. For identification purposes, Mackenzie germ tube test was performend on all isolates. RESULTS The prevalence of Candida was significantly higher in oral cancer patients than in control subjects (chi2 = 5.455, p = 0.020). Candida was found on nine of the 30 cancer surfaces; 5 (16.7%) were identified as non-albicans Candida and 4 (13.3%) as Candida albicans. In the control group, only Candida albicans was isolated from 2 (6.7%) patients. In this study, no statistically significant differences in the presence of Candida species was found with respect to gender, age, smoking, alcohol consumption, wearing of dental protheses and the site of cancer lesion. CONCLUSION The increased prevalence of yeasts on the surfaces of oral carcinoma indicates a need for their suppression before any cancer treatment. There was no evidence for an association between gender, age, smoking, alcohol consumption, wearing of dental protheses, the site of cancer lesion and the yeast presence.
Effects of ethanol exposure on subsequent acquisition and extinction of ethanol self-administration and expression of alcohol-seeking behavior in adult alcohol-preferring (P) rats: II. Adult exposure.

BACKGROUND In a preceding study, we reported that ethanol (EtOH) consumption during periadolescence in alcohol-preferring (P) rats produced significant effects on the acquisition, extinction, Pavlovian spontaneous recovery (PSR), and reacquisition of operant self-administration of EtOH. The objective of the present study was to determine if EtOH consumption during adulthood produced similar effects on subsequent operant behaviors. METHODS Adult female P rats (>135 days of age) were given 24 hr free-choice access to 15% EtOH for 30 days or were similarly housed and received water only. After a 15 day period of no EtOH access and without any prior training, adult alcohol drinking and adult alcohol-naïve rats were placed in standard two-lever (15% EtOH and water) chambers to examine acquisition of EtOH self-administration. After stable responding was established on a concurrent fixed ratio (FR) 5 FR1 schedule for EtOH versus water, the P rats underwent extinction training for nine sessions. After extinction and a 2 week home cage period (with no operant sessions or access to EtOH), rats were returned to the operant chambers in the absence of reward for seven consecutive sessions to test for PSR. After PSR testing, animals were maintained in their home cage for a week, before being reintroduced to the operant chambers and allowed to respond for EtOH and water. RESULTS Both the adult alcohol-drinking and adult alcohol-naïve groups rapidly acquired EtOH self-administration, expressed a pronounced PSR, which was augmented by EtOH priming and the presence of a discriminative stimulus (odor cue), and increased responding when EtOH was reinstated. Adult pre-exposure to EtOH did not alter any of the operant measures. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that, unlike the results with EtOH pre-exposure during periadolescence, chronic alcohol drinking by P rats in adulthood did not produce sufficient long-lasting changes in neuronal function to alter subsequent operant acquisition of alcohol self-administration, alcohol relapse, or alcohol-seeking behavior.
Blood letting in high-ferritin type 2 diabetes: effects on insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function.

Iron-related insulin-resistance is improved by iron depletion or treatment with iron chelators. The aim of this study was to evaluate insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion after blood letting in patients who had high-ferritin type 2 diabetes and were randomized to blood letting (three phlebotomies [500 ml of blood] at 2-week intervals, group 1) or to observation (group 2). Insulin secretion and sensitivity were tested at baseline and 4 and 12 months thereafter. The two groups were matched for age, BMI, pharmacologic treatment, and chronic diabetic complications. All patients were negative for C282Y mutation of hereditary hemochromatosis. Baseline glycated hemoglobin (6.27 +/- 0.9% vs. 6.39 +/- 1.2%), insulin sensitivity (2.75 +/- 1.8 vs. 3.2 +/- 2.1 mg.dl(-1). min(-1)), and area under the curve for C-peptide (AUC(C-peptide); 38.7 +/- 11.6 vs. 37.6 +/- 14.1 ng.ml(-1). min(-1)) were not significantly different between the two groups of patients. Body weight, blood pressure, blood hematocrit levels, and drug treatment remained essentially unchanged during the study period. As expected, serum ferritin, transferrin saturation index, and blood hemoglobin decreased significantly at 4 months only in patients who received blood letting. In parallel to this changes, blood HbA(1c) decreased significantly only in group 1 subjects (mean differences, -0.61; 95% CI, -0.17 to -1.048; P = 0.01). AUC(C-peptide) decreased by -10.2 +/- 6.3% after blood letting. In contrast, a 10.4 +/- 6.4% increase in AUC(C-peptide) was noted in group 2 subjects at 4 months (P = 0.032). At 12 months, AUC(C-peptide) returned to values not significantly different from baseline in the two groups of subjects. At 4 months, the change in insulin sensitivity from baseline was significantly different between the two groups (80.6 +/- 43.2% vs. -8.6 +/- 9.9% in groups 1 and 2, respectively, P = 0.049). At 12 months, the differences between the two groups were even more marked (55.5 +/- 24.8% vs. -26.8 +/- 9.9%; P = 0.005). When the analysis was restricted to those subjects who completed the follow-up until 12 months, results did not show differences compared with the changes observed at 4 months, except for insulin sensitivity. A statistically significant increase in insulin sensitivity was observed in the blood-letting group (from 2.30 +/- 1.81 to 3.08 +/- 2.55 mg.dl(-1). min(-1) at 4 months, to 3.16 +/- 1.85 mg.dl(-1). min(-1) at 12 months; P = 0,045) in contrast with group 2 subjects (from 3.24 +/- 1.9 to 3.26 +/- 2.05 mg.dl(-1). min(-1) at 4 months, to 2.31 +/- 1.35 mg.dl(-1). min(-1) at 12 months). In summary, blood letting led simultaneously to decreased blood HbA(1c) levels and to changes in insulin secretion and insulin resistance that were significantly different from those observed in a matched observational group of subjects with high-ferritin type 2 diabetes. The mechanisms for improvement in peripheral insulin sensitivity after blood letting should be investigated further.
Effect of parathyroidectomy on osteopontin and undercarboxylated osteocalcin in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism

ABSTRACT Purpose: Surgical treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) improves bone metabolism. Osteocalcin (OC) and its undercarboxylated form (ucOC) are associated with bone and energy metabolism. Osteopontin (OPN), a multifunctional protein expressed in bone, is involved in resorption, along with β-carboxyl-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type 1 collagen (β-CTX), and osteoprotegerin (OPG). Our aim was to investigate these biomarkers of bone metabolism in patients with PHPT. Methods: We examined 30 individuals with PHPT, in a clinical research facility, before and 1 month following parathyroidectomy. Circulating levels of OC, ucOC, OPN, β-CTX, and OPG were examined as bone biomarkers along with inflammatory markers (e.g., interleukin-6 [IL-6], lipocalin-2), insulin resistance (i.e., homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]), adiposity (i.e., leptin, adiponectin), PTH, calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, creatinine, and demographics. Results: Participants (27 females/3 males) were 60 ± 9 (mean±SD) years old. There was a significant reduction of ucOC (7.9 ± 5.1 [median±SIQR] vs. 6.6 ± 3.7 ng/mL, p = 0.022) and OPN (75.4 ± 14.5 vs. 54.5 ± 9.2 ng/mL, p < 0.001) pre- versus post-parathyroidectomy. There were no univariate differences postoperatively for IL-6, HOMA-IR, leptin, or adiponectin. Regression analysis showed that postoperative levels of adiponectin, IL-6, and OPN were significantly associated with ucOC, while adjusting for PTH and albumin corrected calcium levels (model R2 = 0.610, p = 0.001). With OPN as the dependent variable, higher adiponectin and lower ucOC were significantly associated with lower OPN levels postoperatively (model R2 = 0.505, p = 0.010). Conclusion: The lower 1-month postoperative OPN and ucOC levels in PHPT seem to indicate reduced bone resorption. Decreased ucOC levels may also suggest lower energy demands postoperatively.
Cutting Edge: Foxp3-Mediated Induction of Pim 2 Allows Human T Regulatory Cells to Preferentially Expand in Rapamycin1

Addition of rapamycin to cultures of expanding natural CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T regulatory cells (Tregs) helps maintain their suppressive activity, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. Pim 2 is a serine/threonine kinase that can confer rapamycin resistance. Unexpectedly, pim 2 was found to be constitutively expressed in freshly isolated, resting Tregs, but not in CD4+CD25− T effector cells. Introduction of Foxp3, but not Foxp3Δ2, into effector T cells induced pim 2 expression and conferred preferential expansion in the presence of rapamycin, indicating that Foxp3 can regulate pim 2 expression. Finally, we determined there is a positive correlation between Treg expansion and Foxp3 expression in the presence of rapamycin. Together, these results indicate that Tregs are programmed to be resistant to rapamycin, providing further rationale for why this immunosuppressive drug should be used in conjunction with expanded Tregs.
Optimal, reliable estimation of quantum states

Accurately inferring the state of a quantum device from the results of measurements is a crucial task in building quantum information processing hardware. The predominant state estimation procedure, maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), generally reports an estimate with zero eigenvalues. These cannot be justified. Furthermore, the MLE estimate is incompatible with error bars, so conclusions drawn from it are suspect. I propose an alternative procedure, Bayesian mean estimation (BME). BME never yields zero eigenvalues, its eigenvalues provide a bound on their own uncertainties, and under certain circumstances it is provably the most accurate procedure possible. I show how to implement BME numerically, and how to obtain natural error bars that are compatible with the estimate. Finally, I briefly discuss the differences between Bayesian and frequentist estimation techniques.
The effects of medetomidine hydrochloride on the electroretinogram of normal dogs.

PURPOSE To determine the effects of a standardized intravenous dose of an alpha-2 agonist (Domitor, Orion Pharma, distributed by Pfizer Animal Health, Exton, PA) on the electroretinogram (ERG) response in normal dogs. METHODS Twenty-five normal dogs were used to collect ERG responses including a- and b-wave implicit times (IT) and amplitudes (AMP) before and after administration of medetomidine. Dogs were dark adapted for 20 min and ERGs were obtained using the HMsERG (RetVetCorp Inc., Columbia, MO). The QuickRetCheck protocol (Narfström) was employed to provide the following flash intensities: 10 mcd s/m(2), 3 cd s/m(2), and 10 cd s/m(2). ERGs were repeated after 375 microg/m(2) of medetomidine intravenously. Statistical analysis of the difference between the responses before and after medetomidine at all flash intensities was performed using a mixed effects model for anova. RESULTS The P value for the effect of medetomidine on each of the ERG responses was < 0.01. The estimates of the effect of medetomidine were (+)1.35 ms, (-)23 microV, (+)3.16 ms, and (-)47 microV for the a-wave IT, a-wave AMP, b-wave IT, and the b-wave AMP, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Medetomidine significantly prolongs the implicit time and lowers the amplitude response of both the a- and b-waves in normal dogs at all flash intensities examined. Clinically, however, medetomidine only minimally affects the retinal responses and is a viable choice for use in dog ERGs.
Kidney and Intestine Transport Defects in Slc 26 a 6 Null Mice

SLC26A6 (PAT1, CFEX) is an anion exchanger that is expressed on the apical membrane of kidney proximal tubule and small intestine. Modes of transport mediated by SLC26A6 include Cl-formate exchange, Cl-HCO3 exchange and Cl-oxalate exchange. To study its role in kidney and intestine physiology, gene targeting was used to prepare mice lacking Slc26a6. Homozygous mutant Slc26a6(-/-) mice appeared healthy and exhibited normal blood pressure, kidney function and plasma electrolyte profile. In proximal tubules microperfused with a low bicarbonate-high chloride solution, the baseline rate of fluid absorption (Jv), an index of NaCl transport under these conditions, was the same in wild-type and null mice. However, the stimulation of Jv by oxalate observed in wild-type mice was completely abolished in Slc26a6 null mice (p < 0.05). Formate stimulation of Jv was partially reduced in null mice but the difference from the response in wild-type mice did not reach statistical significance. Apical membrane chloride-base exchange activity, assayed with the pH sensitive dye BCPCF in microperfused proximal tubules, was decreased by 58% in Slc26a6-/animals (p<0.001 vs. wild-types). In the duodenum, the baseline rate of bicarbonate secretion, measured in mucosal tissue mounted in Ussing chambers, was decreased by ~30% (p<0.03), whereas the forskolin-stimulated component of bicarbonate secretion was the same in wild-type and Slc26a6-/mice. We conclude that Slc26a6 mediates oxalate-stimulated NaCl absorption and also contributes to apical membrane Cl-base exchange in the kidney proximal tubule; it also plays an important role in bicarbonate secretion in the duodenum.
Excessive Insulin Response to Glucose in Obese Subjects as Measured by Immunochemical Assay

A recent description of the prediabetic state by Conn and Fajans sets forth the concept of "dynamic resistance to a genetic diabetogenic influence" which may eventually lead to insufficient insulin activity and subsequent diabetes mellitus. As a result, response of insulin to a glucose load may be greater than normal in the early stages of prediabetes before insufficiency has developed. The relationship between obesity and diabetes mellitus has been established by numerous investigators. Of 4,596 diabetic patients, Joslin reported that 51 per cent of males and 59 per cent of females were obese (at least 20 per cent heavier than ideal weight). Newburgh and Conn noted that two thirds of diabetic patients between ages thirty and sixty-five were obese. On the other hand, various workers have found that 58 to 65 per cent of obese persons have abnormal glucose tolerance tests' and Ogilvie found in a study of sixty-five obese subjects that impaired carbohydrate tolerance increased in relation to the duration rather than the degree of obesity. With the advent of specific immunoassay methods for determining circulating insulin levels' it has been clearly demonstrated that patients with maturity-onset diabetes have higher levels of serum insulin one to two hours after oral glucose loading than do normal subjects similarly tested. The present study utilizes the immunochemical assay of serum insulin levels as well as traditional indices of carbohydrate metabolism to investigate the response to glucose loads both in nondiabetic obese subjects assumed to be potentially prediabetic and in normal controls.
FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY AND THERMAL ANALYSIS OF LIGNOCELLULOSE FILLERS TREATED WITH ORGANIC ANHYDRIDES

The chemical modification by esterification of hardwood sawdust and its polymer constituents (cellulose, lignin) using organic anhydrides has been investigated. It was found that the weight percent gain increased with an increment of reaction temperature and time. The characterization of modified hardwood, cellulose and lignin was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetry (TGA) studies. Thermal stability of chemically modified wood and wood polymers was found to be lower by comparison with unmodified samples.
Localization of Lung Surfactant Protein D on Mucosal Surfaces in Human Tissues1

Lung surfactant protein-D (SP-D), a collectin mainly produced by alveolar type II cells, initiates the effector mechanisms of innate immunity on binding to microbial carbohydrates. A panel of mRNAs from human tissues was screened for SP-D mRNA by RT-PCR. The lung was the main site of synthesis, but transcripts were readily amplified from trachea, brain, testis, salivary gland, heart, prostate gland, kidney, and pancreas. Minor sites of synthesis were uterus, small intestine, placenta, mammary gland, and stomach. The sequence of SP-D derived from parotid gland mRNA was identical with that of pulmonary SP-D. mAbs were raised against SP-D, and one was used to locate SP-D in cells and tissues by immunohistochemistry. SP-D immunoreactivity was found in alveolar type II cells, Clara cells, on and within alveolar macrophages, in epithelial cells of large and small ducts of the parotid gland, sweat glands, and lachrymal glands, in epithelial cells of the gall bladder and intrahepatic bile ducts, and in exocrine pancreatic ducts. SP-D was also present in epithelial cells of the skin, esophagus, small intestine, and urinary tract, as well as in the collecting ducts of the kidney. SP-D is generally present on mucosal surfaces and not restricted to a subset of cells in the lung. The localization and functions of SP-D indicate that this collectin is the counterpart in the innate immune system of IgA in the adaptive immune system.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation Status in Stage I Lung Adenocarcinoma with Different Image Patterns

Purpose: Early lung adenocarcinoma may present with ground-glass opacity (GGO) component in computed tomography (CT) scan. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation had been reported in patients with lung cancer with GGO patterns. Nevertheless, the correlation between clinical characteristics, CT image patterns, and EGFR mutation status was indeterminate. Methods: Patients with stage I lung adenocarcinoma with tumor lesions less than 3 cm were included and classified into pure GGO, part-solid, and solid patterns by CT scan images. All patients had EGFR mutation test from frozen tumors. Available paraffin-embedded archival tissues were microdissected into three different locations similar to CT images with central and peripheral parts of tumor, and adjacent normal part for EGFR mutation tests. Results: Totally, 162 patients were analyzed, 90 women and 72 men, and 128 nonsmokers. The patients included 35 (21.6%) pure GGO, 41 (25.3%) part-solid, and 86 (53.1%) solid lesions. The EGFR mutation rate was 64.2% (n = 104). Analysis of the correlation between CT image patterns and EGFR mutation, the less GGO ratio had more typical mutation, especially L858R (p = 0.037). In 45 microdissected tumors, the central and peripheral parts had the same EGFR mutation status. In adjacent normal parts, 5 of 32 (15.6%) EGFR mutant patients had identical mutation but none in nonmutant patients. Conclusions: In stage I lung adenocarcinoma, typical mutation, especially L858R was detected more frequent in invasive solid pattern and significantly less in pure GGO pattern. EGFR mutation is an early event in the pathogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma and may facilitate the tumor into aggressive behavior.
Detailed characterization of 12 supernumerary ring chromosomes using micro-FISH and search for uniparental disomy.

Twelve patients with varying degrees of mosaicism for a supernumerary ring chromosome were studied. The ring chromosomes were characterized using microdissection in combination with degenerate nucleotide-primed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse painting (micro-FISH). This method made it possible to determine the chromosomal origin of the ring chromosomes in detail, and thus to compare the phenotypes of similar cases. Eleven of the marker chromosomes were derived from the most proximal part of 1p, 3p, 3q, 5p, 7q, 8p, 8q, 9p, 10p and 20p. One marker chromosome had a complex origin, including the proximal and the most distal part of 20q. Eight of the families were also investigated for uniparental disomy (UPD) using microsatellite analysis. One case with maternal UPD 9 was found in a child with a ring chromosome derived from chromosome 9, r(9)(p10p12).
[Corneal transplantation in keratoconus: evaluation of results and complications obtained by skillful and surgeons in training].

PURPOSE Refractive and visual analysis in corneal transplantations performed for keratoconus by two groups of surgeons. METHODS Seventy eyes of seventy patients, which had been submitted to penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for keratoconus, were examined and their charts were reviewed retrospectively for long-term results after all sutures had been removed. The patients were divided into two groups, Group I had surgery performed by skillful surgeons and Group II by surgeons in training. The results of best correct visual acuity, refractive error, postoperative complications and computerized videokeratoscopy were compared. RESULTS The mean follow-up was 7.9 years with a range of 1.6 - 20 years. Each group consisted of 35 eyes. There were 35 females and 35 males. The donor age was different between the two groups. The surgical technique was the same in both groups, but the number of sutures was different. Preoperative mean logMAR visual acuity was low in the two groups, but statistically different and no relationship was found between the results. All the refractive, topographic and visual acuity results were similar between both groups. Endothelial rejection was more frequent in Group II. Only three grafts lost graft clarity. These patients belonged to Group II. CONCLUSION In a corneal referral practice, the visual results after PK were similar to those related to the PK performed by either expert surgeons or in training.