Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Blockade of Smooth Muscle Cell Migration and Proliferation in Baboon Aortic Explants by Interleukin-1β and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Is Nitric Oxide-Dependent and Nitric Oxide-Independent

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) are found in injured and atherosclerotic vessels and have been shown to influence smooth muscle cell (SMC) function in vitro. We have investigated the effects of IL-1β and TNFα on SMC migration and proliferation in baboon aortic explants, an in vitro model of arterial injury. Because platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is also present in the vessel wall, we have studied the interaction of PDGF with the cytokines. IL-1β and TNFα inhibited migration of SMCs and synthesis of DNA by SMCs. Cell death (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling-positive cells and total DNA) was not altered by the cytokines. The cytokines increased levels of nitrite in the medium and L-nitroarginine partly reversed the inhibitory effects of the cytokines indicating a role for nitric oxide in these inhibitory effects. Treatment with indomethacin partially reversed the inhibition of migration, but not DNA synthesis by IL-1β suggesting cyclooxygenase products play an inhibitory role in migration. PDGF-BB reversed the inhibitory effect of the cytokines on SMC migration, but not mitogenesis, without changing levels of nitrite in the medium. These data show that IL-1β and TNFα decrease primate SMC migration and proliferation in arterial tissue partly through production of NO, and that PDGF antagonizes the effect of the cytokines. IL-1β and TNFα may act directly to limit injury-induced intimal hyperplasia by decreasing SMC migration and proliferation.
Parabiosis suggests a humoral factor is involved in X‐linked hypophosphatemia in mice

Reduced renal tubular reabsorption of phosphate of unknown etiology is characteristic of X‐linked hypophosphatemia in both humans and mice. To test whether a humoral abnormality is involved in the renal effect, parabiosis was performed between Hyp and normal mice at 4 weeks of age. The normal mice joined to Hyp mice showed a progressive diminution of plasma phosphate over the next 3 weeks to approach the level of the Hyp mice. These normal mice had a greater renal phosphate excretion index (urine P/plasma P/urine creatinine) than normal‐normal pairs, thus suggesting a reduced renal tubular reabsorption of phosphate. At the same time the expected rises in plasma calcium and plasma 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D did not occur. There was a significant reduction in their femoral mineral content but not in their femoral length or body growth relative to normal‐normal pairs. This change in renal handling of phosphate was specific since the urinary losses of potassium and magnesium were not significantly changed. Separation of normal‐Hyp pairs 3 or 6 weeks after parabiosis caused the normal mice to achieve normal plasma phosphate levels within 24 h. At 48 h and 7 days after separation these normal mice had plasma phosphate levels higher than normal mice separated from normal‐normal pairs. In summary, the data suggest the presence of a phosphaturic factor in the Hyp mice that can cross a parabiotic union into normal mice and induce many of the symptoms of X‐linked hypophosphatemia.
A Phase I Dose-escalation Study to Evaluate Tolerability in a Western Population to T89, a Modern Cardiovascular Herbal Medicine

Abstract: T89 (Dantonic) is a modern herbal medicine currently used in Chinese hospitals for the management of ischemic heart disease. This dose-escalation clinical trial aims to assess tolerability of Western people to T89. Healthy Australian adults of non-Asian background orally took a single dosage of 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16 T89 capsules (6 people for each dose) and were assessed with respect to symptoms and physical signs, electrocardiogram, hematology, plasma biochemistry, and urinalysis. Secondary objectives were to determine the dose-limiting toxicity and maximum-tolerated dose. It found that a single dose of T89 up to 16 capsules was not associated with significant adverse events or abnormalities in clinical laboratory tests and electrocardiogram parameters, except minor symptoms reported included mild and transient dizziness, stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and involuntary muscular contraction. The incident rate of these symptoms was generally low (1/30, 3.3%) but increased (7/18, 38.9%) in higher dose (≥14 capsules) groups. No defined dose-limiting toxicity events occurred; so the study could not define the maximum-tolerated dose. In conclusion, a single dose of T89 up to 13 capsules, 4 times of a regular therapeutic dosage, is generally safe and tolerated by individuals of non-Asian background.
Radionuclide imaging with human polyclonal immunoglobulin (Tc-HIG) and bone scan in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and serum-negative polyarthritis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic polyarthritic syndrome in which actively inflamed joints coexist with others being in remission. Compatible bone scan (BS) reveals joints with increased activity due to degenerative alterations, whilst scanning with human polyclonal immunoglobulin (HIG) is capable to show which of the joints present active inflammation of the synovial membrane. The aim of the study is to investigate the utility of molecular imaging with HIG in patients suffering from RA. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty patients (9 males plus 31 females), suffering from painful polyarthritic syndrome, with a mean age 45.3±7 years and a duration of disease 18.3±4.2 months were enrolled in the study. Twenty-six of the patients were serum positive to RA factor, considered as suffering from RA, whilst fourteen of them were RA factor negatives and they were considered as patients with serum-negative polyarthritis. All patients were submitted to x-rays and ultrasound examination (US) in joints of interest, plus whole body BS with (99m)Tc-MDP and finally scan with (99m)Tc-HIG. RESULTS A total of 1680 joints have been evaluated. In 6 of the patients-two with serum negative RA (252 joints), radionuclide imaging with HIG was within normal limits, despite the fact that in compatible bone scan degenerative alterations have been mentioned in 30 joints. In all these patients disease was evaluated as inactive ("arthrotic changes"). In the remaining 34 patients-12 with serum negative RA (1428 joints), increased accumulation of HIG, concerning serum positive patients, has been mentioned to 163 joints ("arthritic changes"), whilst in the same group, BS revealed degenerative changes to 265 joints. Concerning serum negative patients, the respective results were 64 versus 190 joints. Increased uptake of HIG has been found in 189/226 swollen and painful joints (overall sensitivity according to clinical criteria 83.3%) and in 38 joints without any clinical evidence of inflammation, with clinical active inflammation presented after follow-up to 35 of them, yielding thus specificity at the level of 92%. Matched findings between these two methods have been mentioned to 185 out of 227 joints with an abnormal scan with HIG. Abnormal x-rays and US findings have been mentioned in 67 of the joints. CONCLUSIONS According to the above mentioned, BS in RA reveals joints being actively inflamed or not, whilst radionuclide study with HIG is capable to distinguish actively inflamed joints, even in patients with serum negative RA, in a greater extent than anatomical imaging modalities.
Transesophageal Echocardiographic Monitored Events During Total Knee Arthroplasty

Although the risk of pulmonary embolism or other embolic events associated with total joint arthroplasty have been recorded for some time, to date no direct means of monitoring these events in human arthroplasty have been reported. The authors used transesophageal echocardiography to monitor directly the release of embolic particles into the circulatory system during the course of total knee arthroplasty. The transesophageal echocardiography, in conjunction with intramedullary instrumentation, revealed that showers of embolic particles entered the heart in repeated and unpredictable patterns during the course of conventional intramedullary instrumented total knee procedures. In response to the presence of these embolic showers in the heart, an extramedullary pneumatically positioned system of instrumentation permitting automatic and accurate alignment of the knee with the mechanical axis of the femur has been developed. This new instrumentation establishes proper knee kinematics by semiautomatically determining and maintaining accurate positioning of the femoral component along the mechanical axis of the knee. Qualitative and quantitative monitoring of embolic events using transesophageal echocardiography in conjunction with conventional intramedullary and the new instrumentation suggests that the embolic risk is substantially reduced using the new procedure. Furthermore, the new extramedullary instrumentation was able to align the femoral knee component to within 1° of the mechanical axis in an initial series of 25 procedures. Excellent component alignment in conjunction with a substantially reduced quantity of embolic particles in the right heart as seen using transesophageal echocardiography was achieved using the newly developed extramedullary positioning and alignment arm.
Phorbol ester induced rapid attachment and spreading of melanoma cells and the role of extracellular matrix proteins

Phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) is a tumour promotor that acts as a potent protein kinase C (PKC) activator that has significant effects on tumour cell attachment and spreading. We tested whether these effects of PMA may be observed in human melanoma cells, and whether a specific response to extracellular matrix proteins may be mediated by shifts in the expression of β1 integrins. We used cell attachment assays, video time lapse cell spreading assays, flow cytometry, function blocking monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and PKC inhibitor Calphostin C to address these questions. We established that PMA induces a rapid and temporary enhancement of cell attachment and spreading which was not accompanied by a significant change in the expression of β1 integrins. Spreading of melanoma cells that were not stimulated with PMA could be significantly blocked with a function blocking MAb (clone P4C10) against the common β1 integrin subunit. The spreading and attachment of the PMA treated cells was also significantly reduced, but less so, after MAb treatment. The PMA enhanced cell attachment and spreading could be effectively blocked by RGD sequences and PKC inhibitor. Taken together, our data indicate that PMA induces a rapid and temporary ECM‐dependent enhancement of melanoma cell attachment and spreading, and that the response to ECM components appears not to be due to significant shifts in β1 integrin expression, but rather to activation of β1 integrins. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CUTIS GYRATUM, ACANTHOSIS NIGRICANS AND OTHER CONGENITAL ANOMALIES A NEW SYNDROME

SUMMARY. A boy with a complex combination of physical features is reported. These include an unusual fades with hypertelorism, cutis gyratum, acanthosis nigricans, abnormal genitalia, cleft of the soft palate, bifid uvula, premature eruption of teeth, partial anodontia, retardation of bone growth and functional pyloric obstruction. These features are compared with those of leprechaunism, Seip's syndrome, and a case of “leprechaunism” in a male described by Patterson and Watkins (1962). The aetiology is unknown.
A Study of Integration of Parasitic Cancellation Techniques for EMI Filter Design With Discrete Components

In this paper, effects of parasitic parameters on the electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter performance are first discussed. The parasitic cancellation techniques for both self- and mutual parasitics are then reviewed and their constraints are identified. The possibilities of integrating parasitic cancellation techniques into one EMI filter are analyzed. It is found that three parasitic cancellation techniques can be integrated into one EMI filter to improve both differential-mode and common-mode filter performances without any conflicts and compromises. Experiments are finally carried out to verify the integration of these three cancellation techniques.
Outcome of older patients with acute myeloid leukemia in first relapse

To provide data for future drug evaluation, we analyzed the outcome of 393 patients aged 50 years or older (median, 64 years) with AML in first relapse after treatment in recent ALFA trials. Salvage options were retrospectively classified as follows: best supportive care (BSC), low‐dose cytarabine (LDAC), gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO), intensive chemotherapy (ICT), or ICT combined with GO. Second complete remission (CR2) rate was 31% and median post‐relapse survival was 6.8 months (0, 17, 42.5, 53, and 80% and 3.2, 5.6, 8.9, 9, and 19.8 months in BSC, LDAC, GO, ICT, and ICT + GO subsets, respectively). Age, performance status, WBC, CR1 duration, and favorable AML karyotype, but not other cytogenetic or molecular features, influenced post‐relapse outcome. Multivariate adjustment and propensity score matching showed that intensive salvage (ICT/ICT+GO/GO versus LDAC/BSC) was associated with longer post‐relapse survival, at least in patients with CR1 duration ≥12 months (P = 0.001 and 0.0005, respectively). Of interest, GO appeared to be as effective as standard ICT, and ICT + GO combination more effective than standard ICT. In conclusion, older patients with CR1 duration ≥12 months appeared to benefit from intensive salvage and results observed with GO‐containing salvage suggest that GO combination studies should be actively pursued in this setting. Am. J. Hematol. 88:758–764, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In vitro evaluation of voriconazole against some clinically important fungi

Voriconazole was compared to amphotericin B, fluconazole, and itraconazole by using an in vitro macrobroth dilution test based upon current National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards tentative standards against the dimorphic fungi and several opportunistic molds and yeasts. In all instances, the voriconazole MICs were lower than those of fluconazole. In most instances, the MICs were lower than the recorded MICs of amphotericin B and itraconazole.
Protective effect of adenosine A2A receptor activation in small‐for‐size liver transplantation

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) activation in small‐for‐size liver transplantation. A rat orthotopic liver transplantation model was performed by using 40% (range: 36–46%) liver grafts. Recipients were given either saline (control group) or CGS 21680 (2‐p‐(2‐Carboxyethyl)phenethylamino‐5′‐N‐ethylcarboxamidoadenosine hydrochloride, a selective A2AR agonist), or CGS 21680+ ZM 241385 (a selective A2AR antagonist) immediately after reperfusion for 3 h. Compared with control group, CGS 21680 used at both low dose (0.05 μg/kg/min) and high dose (0.5 μg/kg/min) increased the survival rate from 16.7% (2/12) to 83.3% (10/12) and 66.7% (8/12), respectively. These effects correlated with improved liver function and preserved hepatic architecture. CGS 21680 effectively decreased neutrophil infiltration, suppressed pro‐inflammatory (TNF‐α, IL‐1β and IL‐6) expression, promoted expression of antiapoptotic molecules, and inhibited apoptosis. The effects of CGS 21680 were prevented when ZM 241385 was co‐administrated. In conclusion, the present study showed that A2AR activation alleviated portal hypertension, suppressed inflammatory response, reduced apoptosis, and potentiated the survival of small‐for‐size liver grafts. Our findings provide the rationale for a novel therapeutic approach using A2AR activation to maximize the availability of small‐for‐size liver grafts.
Management education via the internet: factors facilitating and inhibiting the adoption of WEBCT at a faculty in a higher education institution

The emergence of the Internet and the World Wide Web in particular, impact increasingly on the activities of commerce and industry and in the process also change the manner in which courses are delivered in higher education. The aim of this study ws to investigate the relationship between certain antecedent factors and the adoption of a specific technology called WebCT among lecturers within a business faculty at a higher education institution.
Generation of reactive oxygen species by the mitochondrial electron transport chain

Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC), which is composed of four multiprotein complexes named complex I–IV, is believed to be important in the aging process and in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Previous studies have identified the ubiquinone of complex III and an unknown component of complex I as the major sites of ROS generation. Here we show that the physiologically relevant ROS generation supported by the complex II substrate succinate occurs at the flavin mononucleotide group (FMN) of complex I through reversed electron transfer, not at the ubiquinone of complex III as commonly believed. Indirect evidence indicates that the unknown ROS‐generating site within complex I is also likely to be the FMN group. It is therefore suggested that the major physiologically and pathologically relevant ROS‐generating site in mitochondria is limited to the FMN group of complex I. These new insights clarify an elusive target for intervening mitochondrial ROS‐related processes or diseases.
Current perspectives in attachment theory: illustration from the study of maltreated infants.

While much of the current work on attachment is based on Bowlby's observations of clinical populations of infants, it is ironic that it is only recently that investigators have begun to study the quality of attachment in atypical populations of infants (e.g., Cicchetti & Serafica, 1981; Crittenden, 1981; Egeland & Sroufe, 198 a; Gaensbauer & Harmon, 1982; SchneiderRosen & Cicchetti, 1984; Serafica & Cicchetti, 1976). The study of atypical populations has implications for our current theories of normal development and for our understanding of the integrative nature of advances in the cognitive, social, and emotional domains (see Cicchetti & Schneider-Rosen, 1984, for a review). Furthermore, the examination of qualitative differences in the nature of the attachment relationship in atypical populations can help
Inactivation of HOXA Genes by Hypermethylation in Myeloid and Lymphoid Malignancy is Frequent and Associated with Poor Prognosis

Purpose: The HOX genes comprise a large family of homeodomain-containing transcription factors, present in four separate clusters, which are key regulators of embryonic development, hematopoietic differentiation, and leukemogenesis. We aimed to study the role of DNA methylation as an inducer of HOX gene silencing in leukemia. Experimental Design: Three hundred and seventy-eight samples of myeloid and lymphoid leukemia were quantitatively analyzed (by COBRA analysis and pyrosequencing of bisulfite-modified DNA) for methylation of eight HOXA and HOXB cluster genes. The biological significance of the methylation identified was studied by expression analysis and through re-expression of HOXA5 in a chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) blast crisis cell line model. Results: Here, we identify frequent hypermethylation and gene inactivation of HOXA and HOXB cluster genes in leukemia. In particular, hypermethylation of HOXA4 and HOXA5 was frequently observed (26-79%) in all types of leukemias studied. HOXA6 hypermethylation was predominantly restricted to lymphoid malignancies, whereas hypermethylation of other HOXA and HOXB genes was only observed in childhood leukemia. HOX gene methylation exhibited clear correlations with important clinical variables, most notably in CML, in which hypermethylation of both HOXA5 (P = 0.00002) and HOXA4 (P = 0.006) was strongly correlated with progression to blast crisis. Furthermore, re-expression of HOXA5 in CML blast crisis cells resulted in the induction of markers of granulocytic differentiation. Conclusion: We propose that in addition to the oncogenic role of some HOX family members, other HOX genes are frequent targets for gene inactivation and normally play suppressor roles in leukemia development.
Highly abnormal cleavage divisions in preimplantation embryos from translocation carriers

We have developed preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for carriers of chromosomal abnormalities using fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH). Here we present the detailed analysis of 64 biopsied, normally developing embryos obtained from four Robertsonian and three reciprocal translocation carriers in 11 treatment cycles of which four resulted in normal pregnancies (three simplex, one duplex). In order to investigate the degree of mosaicism and segregation mode in the embryos, the primary analysis of the biopsied cells was extended with the analysis of all cells from the non‐transferred embryos. The analysis also included a second hybridisation with two additional probes, not involved in the translocation (chromosomes 1 and 9), in order to investigate the overall degree of mosaicism. Seventeen out of 64 analysed embryos were balanced for the chromosomes involved in the translocation and 14 of these were transferred. Forty‐seven out of 64 embryos (73%) were mosaic regarding the chromosomes involved in the translocation and alternate segregation mode was the most common mode of segregation. Moreover, we have found a higher degree of mosaicism for the chromosomes involved in translocations as compared to control chromosomes. This difference was more pronounced for the embryos from reciprocal translocation carriers. The results, mechanisms, significance and implications of our findings are discussed. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Permissible X - ray radiation emitted by vacuum - interrupters / - devices at rated operating conditions

In the medium voltage range, the vacuum interruption (VI) principle and vacuum devices (VD) are well established. Today, vacuum devices are available in the medium voltage range up to 52 kV rated voltage, as well as vacuum circuit breakers up to 80 kA short circuit current interruption ability. Besides the excellent interrupting performance, the vacuum interrupters and vacuum devices have to withstand at normal service condition and between the open contact system, while rated voltages and the corresponding test voltages applied according to the national and international standards. These are the power frequency voltages UPF and the lightening impulse voltages (Basic Insulation Level, (BIL)).
Selection of medical students: the Beer‐Sheva perspective

Summary: Summary. In many Western medical schools with a low attrition rate the selection of medical students represents the key hurdle for admission to the practice of medicine. The process therefore deserves careful attention. Described herein are impressions and conclusions from almost two decades' experience in selecting medical students at the Ben‐Gurion University in Beer‐Sheva, Israel.
ARTICLES Analysis of cotton genetic diversity by microsatellites and pedigree

The main objective of this study was to verify the association between the coefficient of parentage estimates and multivariate techniques which were used as measures of genetic diversity in cultivars. Thirty cotton cultivars were used for this purpose among which genetic diversity was estimated by means of the parentage coefficient (CP) and also through multivariate techniques employing microsatellite markers (SSR). The correlation between genetic distances obtained by CPs and SSRs for cultivars was positive and significant, with a value of 0.25. The 18 ancestors evaluated in the current study contributed with 69% to the genetic constitution of the 30 cotton cultivars. The evidence that few ancestors actually contribute to the genetic constitution of the cotton cultivars used in Brazil indicates that new alleles should be introduced into the gene pool of these cultivars in order to broaden the genetic base of cotton.