Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of endostatin/collagen XVIII deteriorates left ventricular remodeling and heart failure in rat myocardial infarction model.

BACKGROUND Although therapeutic angiogenesis is a most promising strategy for the treatment of myocardial infarction (MI), it remains unknown if and how endogenous angiogenesis inhibitors, such as endostatin, regulate angiogenesis in MI. In the present study the role of endostatin in left ventricular (LV) remodeling and heart failure was tested in a rat MI model. METHODS AND RESULTS When exposed to hypoxia, rat cardiomyocytes showed increased expression of endostatin. After MI induction in the rat MI model, endostatin expression was upregulated in cardiomyocytes, and serum endostatin levels were significantly elevated. Anti-endostatin antibody treatment resulted in significantly higher mortality of MI rats than controls. The MI rats with endostatin neutralization displayed adverse LV remodeling and severe heart failure compared with control MI rats. Although angiogenesis was increased, tissue remodeling and interstitial fibrosis were further exaggerated in post-MI hearts by endostatin neutralization. Furthermore, the expression and protease activity of matrix metalloproteinases -2 and -9, and of angiotensin-converting enzyme were markedly elevated by endostatin neutralization. CONCLUSIONS Neutralization of endostatin worsens the symptoms and outcomes of MI in a rat model. The results imply that endogenous endostatin/collagen XVIII may suppress aberrant LV remodeling and heart failure after MI. (Circ J 2010; 74: 109 - 119).
Strength and functional mobility in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND The purposes of this pilot study were as follows: (1) to evaluate tools for measuring neuropathy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), (2) to examine strength and functional mobility in children with ALL, and (3) to determine if there is a relationship between strength and function. PROCEDURE Strength of knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion as measured with a dynamometer and functional mobility with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) were examined in eight children with ALL, ages 4-15 years, before and during delayed intensification (DI) therapy and in age- and gender-matched controls. RESULTS The mean knee extension strength, ankle dorsiflexion strength, and TUG measures for children with ALL before DI were significantly less than the means for the controls. The mean dorsiflexion strength measures for the children with ALL after 4 weeks of DI therapy were significantly lower than at time zero. Correlation of -0.794 (P = 0.05) was found between knee extension strength and TUG score for children with ALL. CONCLUSIONS The dynamometer and TUG are reliable tools to measure strength and function in children with ALL early in their treatment. In this study, ankle dorsiflexion strength worsened during DI therapy. There was a correlation between strength and function in children with ALL.
Neural Systems Underlying the Suppression of Unwanted Memories

Over a century ago, Freud proposed that unwanted memories can be excluded from awareness, a process called repression. It is unknown, however, how repression occurs in the brain. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify the neural systems involved in keeping unwanted memories out of awareness. Controlling unwanted memories was associated with increased dorsolateral prefrontal activation, reduced hippocampal activation, and impaired retention of those memories. Both prefrontal cortical and right hippocampal activations predicted the magnitude of forgetting. These results confirm the existence of an active forgetting process and establish a neurobiological model for guiding inquiry into motivated forgetting.
Hepatitis A and B infection and vaccination in a cohort of homosexual men in Sydney.

OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence and incidence of hepatitis A (HAV) and B (HBV) infection and vaccination in HIV-negative homosexual men in Sydney, and associated risk factors. METHODS An open prospective cohort study was conducted among a community-based sample of HIV-negative homosexual men in Sydney in 2001-02. Participants underwent a face-to-face interview, regarding demographics, sexual behavioural risk factors and sexually transmitted infections, and blood samples were collected. They were followed annually. RESULTS Nine hundred and three men completed a baseline interview by the end of 2002. Among them, 68% were seropositive to hepatitis A. The seroprevalence of prior hepatitis B infection was 19%, and 53% had serological evidence of HBV vaccination. Younger men were much more likely to be seronegative, with 48% and 46% of <25-year-olds being seronegative to HAV and HBV respectively. In multivariate analysis HAV and HBV infection were associated with increasing age, greater number of lifetime sex partners and HBV infection was also associated with previous sexually transmitted infections. HAV vaccination was associated with increasing age, greater number of lifetime sex partners, overseas travel in the last year and self-reported anogenital warts. HBV vaccination was associated with higher occupational status, greater lifetime number of sex partners and previous sexually transmitted infections. CONCLUSION Substantial proportions of gay community-attached young homosexual men are still at risk of HAV and HBV infection. This study points to a need for vaccination strategies which ensure high levels of hepatitis A and B immunity in young sexually active gay men.
Calcium signalling during zebrafish embryonic development.

Calcium signals appear throughout the first 24 hours of zebrafish development. These begin at egg activation, then continue to be generated throughout the subsequent zygote, cleavage, blastula, gastrula, and segmentation periods. They are thus associated with the major phases of pattern formation: cell proliferation, cell differentiation, axis determination, the generation of primary germ layers, the emergence of rudimentary organ systems, and therefore the establishment of the basic vertebrate body plan. When signals need to be transmitted across significant distances they take the form of waves, either intracellular waves when the cell size is large, or later in development when the cell size is reduced, intercellular waves. We will consider both types of calcium signals and their integration into signalling networks, and discuss their possible functions and developmental significance with regard to pattern formation. BioEssays 22:113-123, 2000.
Imaging of amyloid burden and distribution in cerebral amyloid angiopathy

Cerebrovascular deposition of β‐amyloid (cerebral amyloid angiopathy [CAA]) is a major cause of hemorrhagic stroke and a likely contributor to vascular cognitive impairment. We evaluated positron emission tomographic imaging with the β‐amyloid–binding compound Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB) as a potential noninvasive method for detection of CAA. We hypothesized that amyloid deposition would be observed with PiB in CAA, and based on the occipital predilection of CAA pathology and associated hemorrhages, that specific PiB retention would be disproportionately greater in occipital lobes.
Estimates of turbulence parameters from satellite-tracked drifters

In this paper relative dispersion of satellite-tracked GPS-equipped drifters of the GLAD campaign in the Gulf of Mexico was investigated. Relative dispersion and relative velocity variance were computed pointing out different growth regimes. An exponential growth of the dispersion was detected and confirmed on the initial phase of deployment. The influence of the GPS-position error, in relation with sampling frequency, was evaluated. The presence of inertial oscillations was observed as well as their contribution to dispersion phenomena.
Experimental design for the calibration of tri-axial Magnetometers

The calibration and its associated experimental design scheme for the tri-axial magnetometers are explored in this paper. For the widely used 9-parameter model of tri-axial Magnetometers, based on experimental design of Tri-axial accelerometers, a 12-observation experiment scheme, whose observations are located in the vertices of an icosahedron, is presented to reduce estimation error. As this 12-observation scheme is proved to be rotatable, before experiment, it is not required to identify the direction of the magnetic field of the Earth. For this 12-observation experiment scheme, a simple parameter estimation algorithm is presented, which can be easily implemented in a micro-controller with low computational capacity. Although, this calibration method utilizes the projections of the local Earth magnetic field as calibration inputs, a high precision turntable is not essential for ensuring desired calibration accuracy.
Control mechanisms in cortical epileptogenic foci. "Surround" inhibition.

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL investigations of cellular activities in cortical epileptogenic foci produced by strychnine,2,3local freeze lesions,4,5and penicillin application6-9have revealed that the population of neurons in the area of focal surface epileptiform discharge is a heterogeneous one in terms of its behavior during surface paroxysmal discharges. (In order to avoid confusion in terminology, surface epileptiform discharge or surface paroxysmal discharge will be used throughout to refer to interictal focal epil-eptiform spikes. The term spike or unit spike will always refer to the neuronal action potential.) Intracellular records in such foci show that in most neurons excitatory events, ie, large depolarization shifts (DSs) and repetitive unit firing, accompany surface epileptiform activity; some neurons, however, are inhibited during the surface discharge.2,3,5,8,9The role of inhibited neurons in a region of focal epileptogenesis and the relationship of such cells to the neuronal population responsible for generation of the surface
Long term remission of Sjögren’s syndrome associated aggressive B cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas following combined B cell depletion therapy and CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone)

Background: Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is associated with an increased frequency of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHLs), mainly of low histological grade. However, aggressive diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCL) characterised by poor treatment outcome can also be encountered in SS. It has recently been shown that rituxan has significant therapeutic activity in this type of lymphoma. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of CHOP chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) in combination with rituxan in SS patients with DLBCL, and to determine the outcome in such patients. Methods: In an open, single case trial, six SS patients with DLBCL were assigned to receive eight cycles of CHOP every three weeks plus rituxan given on day 1 of each cycle. In a retrospective study, conducted by the European Concerted Action for SS, nine cases were diagnosed as DLBCL, all of whom had been treated with CHOP alone. These patients were used as historical controls. Results: The difference in the overall survival between the two treatment groups was significant. The group treated with rituxan plus CHOP had a 100% two year overall survival rate, while the historical controls had only a 37% survival rate. Extraglandular manifestations serving as predictors for lymphoma development such as palpable purpura and peripheral neuropathy disappeared. The remission of these signs was accompanied by a decrease in both circulating monoclonal cryoglobulins and rheumatoid factor activity and an increase in C4 levels. Clinically relevant toxicity was not detected. Conclusions: The addition of rituxan to standard CHOP chemotherapy results in improved treatment outcome in SS patients with aggressive DLBCL, without increasing toxicity.
Mucopolysaccharidosis

Urinary excretion of acid mucopolysaccharides of varying composition and amount has been found in a number of rare diseases, mainly affecting the connective tissues. Recently excretion of chondroitin sulphate and hyaluronic acid in the urine of a patient with mastocytosis has been described by Asboe-Hansen and Clausen (1963). Evidence of the presence of acid mucopolysaccharides in different organs from patients with gargoylism has already been given by Brante (1952) and confirmed by others. Recently inclusions of acid mucopolysaccharides in the lymphocytes of some patients with gargoylism have been described (Mittwoch, 1961; Bowman, Mittwoch and Schneiderman, 1962). The occurrence of an abnormal urinary excretion of chondroitin sulphate B and of heparitin sulphate was reported by Dorfman and Lorincz (1957) and by Meyer, Hoffman, Linker, Grumbach and Sampson (1959). In patients with Morquio-Ullrich's disease, a syndrome placed between gargoylism and MorquioBrailsford's disease, urinary excretion of chondroitin sulphate B and a substance thought to be keratosulphate was found by Zellweger, Ponseti, Pedrini, Stamler and von Noorden (1961), and by Dyggve, Melchior and Clausen (1962). As considerable research is being conducted in this subject many disorders may be listed as 'mucopolysaccharidosis' in the future: thus the development of diagnostic tools for identification and differentiation between the acid mucopolysaccharides in the urine seems of fundamental importance for the elucidation of the biochemistry of the different forms of 'mucopolysaccharidosis'. In the present publication data will be given of a chemical method combining paper electrophoresis and infra-red analysis for characterization of the acid mucopolysaccharides in the urine. Case Reports
Intracellular Ca2+ release mediates ursolic acid–induced apoptosis in human leukemic HL‐60 cells

The effect of ursolic acid (UA) on tumor cell apoptosis was investigated using HL‐60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells as a model cellular system. Treatment with UA resulted in a concentration‐dependent decreased cell viability assessed by MTT assay. UA also induced genomic DNA fragmentation, a hallmark of apoptosis, indicating that the mechanism by which UA induced cell death was through apoptosis. The intracellular Ca2+ level was increased by treatment with UA. Intracellular Ca2+ inhibitors, such as intracellular Ca2+‐release blockers (dantrolene, TMB‐8 and ruthenium red) and an intracellular Ca2+ chelator (BAPTA/AM), significantly blocked the UA‐induced increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration. These inhibitors also blocked the effects of UA on cell viability and apoptosis. These results suggest that enhanced intracellular Ca2+ signals may be involved in UA‐induced apoptosis in HL‐60 cells. Int. J. Cancer 73:725–728, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of in Utero Antiretroviral Exposure on Longitudinal Growth of HIV-Exposed Uninfected Infants in Botswana

Background:The impact of in utero exposure to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on longitudinal growth of HIV-uninfected infants is unknown. Methods:The Mashi and Mma Bana PMTCT intervention trials enrolled HIV-infected pregnant women at four sites in Botswana. Breast-fed (BF), HIV-uninfected infants born at 37 weeks or greater were included in this analysis. Weight-for-age (WAZ), length-for-age (LAZ), and weight-for-length (WLZ) z-scores were calculated using World Health Organization Child Growth Standards. Mean z-scores were compared between in utero antiretroviral exposure groups using Student t test, response profiles analysis, and general linear mixed effects modeling. Results:Growth of 619 HAART-exposed and 440 zidovudine-exposed, HIV-uninfected infants was evaluated. Mean birth weights were 3.01 kg for HAART and 3.15 kg for zidovudine-exposed infants (P < 0.001) with lower mean birth WAZ, length-for-age (LAZ), and weight-for-length (WLZ) among HAART-exposed infants (all P < 0.001). HAART-exposed infants had greater improvement in WAZ and weight-for-length (WLZ) from birth through 2 months (P = 0.03, P < 0.001, respectively). The WAZ did not differ between groups from 3 through 6 months (P = 0.26). Length-for-age (LAZ) remained lower in HAART-exposed infants but the incidence of wasting or stunting did not differ between exposure groups. Conclusions:Lower weights in HAART-exposed uninfected infants at birth were rapidly corrected during the first 6 months of life.
Association of circulating fibroblast growth factor-23 with renal phosphate excretion among hemodialysis patients with residual renal function.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES High serum levels of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) are associated with mortality in patients with ESRD, but whether it still acts as a phosphaturic factor is unknown. This study aimed to explore the role of circulating FGF-23 on urinary phosphate excretion and phosphate balance in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients with residual renal function (RRF). DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS There were 134 MHD patients enrolled in this cross-sectional study from June to July 2010. Demographics, laboratory data, and excretion capacity of phosphate were recorded. Multivariable linear regression was used to analyze the relationship of serum phosphate and the tubular reabsorption rate of phosphate with other factors. RESULTS The median age of the patients was 61.0 years and 47.8% were male. Thirty percent of the patients had high urinary output (>200 ml/d) accompanied by lower serum levels of phosphate, calcium, intact parathyroid hormone, and FGF-23 compared with those with low urine output (≤200 ml/d). The independent predictors of serum phosphate were normalized protein nitrogen appearance, intact parathyroid hormone, and FGF-23 in the low urine output group and female sex and GFR in the high urine output group. The tubular reabsorption rate of phosphate decreased to 50% of the normal level in patients with RRF. Elevated circulating FGF-23 was significantly associated with lower tubular phosphate reabsorption after adjusting for GFR. CONCLUSIONS RRF is associated with significant capacity to excrete phosphate in MHD patients and high levels of serum FGF-23 may promote phosphate excretion by remnant nephrons.
Liver transplantation after severe hepatic trauma: a sustainable practice. A single‐center experience and review of the literature

Severe hepatic trauma is a rare indication for liver transplantation (LT). We report our single‐center experience of LT for hepatic trauma. Four new cases are discussed in light of a literature review in order to depict the pathways leading from hepatic trauma to LT and to assess the outcomes of this practice. LT is generally indicated in case of uncontrollable hemorrhage, acute liver failure, or post‐traumatic late sequelae. Hepatic vessels thrombosis, sepsis, major hepatic resections, and a late referral are factors associated with the progression toward irreversible liver failure. Considering all reported cases, early patient and graft survival reached 68% and 62%, respectively, but in the last decade both have improved to 84%. LT after severe hepatic trauma is a sustainable practice considering the current good outcomes and the ineluctable death of these patients without LT.
Parental failure in captive cotton‐top tamarins (Saguinus Oedipus)

Several New World monkey species experience high rates of infant mortality in captivity, and parental failure in the form of infant neglect and abuse is often regarded as one of the leading causes of this problem. We explored a large archival database to assess environmental, familial, and biological variables identified as significant for parental success in previous studies of captive tamarins, through several generations and across several dozen pedigrees. Using a stepwise multiple regression analysis we developed a model including the fewest variables able to identify statistically significant predictors of infant outcome. We found that seven independent variables could predict infant outcome in the colony. The most important appeared to be the presence of helpers with whom parents could share infant carrying. Mother’s experience and litter size were two other variables that contributed to a significant extent to explaining parental failure. Moreover, the model showed that there is a measurable contribution to infant outcome due to the health status of both parents. Finally, we found a distinct role for mothers and fathers, and that parental failure follows different patterns for abuse and rejection. Am. J. Primatol. 54:159–169, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
SUPERNOVAE : MODEL LIGHT CURVES AND STANDARD CANDLE RELATIONSHIPS

A survey of Type II supernovae explosion models has been carried out to determine how their light curves and spectra vary with their mass, metallicity, and explosion energy. The presupernova models are taken from a recent survey of massive stellar evolution at solar metallicity supplemented by new calculations at subsolar metallicity. Explosions are simulated by the motion of a piston near the edge of the iron core and the resulting light curves and spectra are calculated using full multi-wavelength radiation transport. Formulae are developed that describe approximately how the model observables (light curve luminosity and duration) scale with the progenitor mass, explosion energy, and radioactive nucleosynthesis. Comparison with observational data shows that the explosion energy of typical supernovae (as measured by kinetic energy at infinity) varies by nearly an order of magnitude—from 0.5 to 4.0 × 1051 ergs, with a typical value of ∼ 0.9 × 1051 ergs. Despite the large variation, the models exhibit a tight relationship between luminosity and expansion velocity, similar to that previously employed empirically to make SNe IIP standardized candles. This relation is explained by the simple behavior of hydrogen recombination in the supernova envelope, but we find a sensitivity to progenitor metallicity and mass that could lead to systematic errors. Additional correlations between light curve luminosity, duration, and color might enable the use of SNe IIP to obtain distances accurate to ∼20% using only photometric data.
Effect of dietary organic selenium and zinc on the internal egg quality of quail eggs for different periods and under different temperatures

The objective of this study was to evaluate the internal quality of eggs of Japanese quails fed diets supplemented with chelated selenium and zinc. The experiment was carried out for 120 days, and 144 birds were divided in random blocks into four treatments (control; 0.3 ppm Se; 60 ppm Zn and 0.3 ppm Se + 60 ppm Zn). Ten, 14, 18, and 22 weeks after the beginning of lay, eggs were collected and stored under two different temperatures (environmental temperature or refrigeration) and for 10, 20, and 30 days. Eggs were analyzed for: Haugh units (HU), albumen height (AH), yolk index (YI), and albumen index (AI). Parameters were only statistically influenced by the interaction between dietary treatment and storage time. It was concluded that the addition of organic Se and Zn influenced internal egg quality when eggs were stored up to 20 days, independently of storage temperature, suggesting that the combined supplementation of organic Se and Zn improve internal egg quality and extend egg shelf life.