Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines of ataxia telangiectasia patients are defective in X-ray-induced apoptosis.

PURPOSE To investigate and compare the propensity of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) obtained from unaffected healthy individuals and ataxia telangectasia (A-T) patients to undergo apoptosis after X-ray exposure. MATERIAL AND METHODS The LCL were exposed to 1-4 Gy X-rays at a dose-rate of 1.36 Gy/min. At various post-irradiation times (0, 24, 48 and 72 h) the induction of apoptosis was analysed by: (1) monitoring the formation of high molecular weight (HMW) DNA fragments by field inversion pulse gel electrophoresis (FIGE); and (2) morphological characterization of apoptotic cells after fluorescence staining. In parallel, cell-cycle distribution, monitored by DNA flow cytometry, was investigated in these cells. RESULTS The LCL obtained from the A-T homozygotes were resistant to undergoing radiation-induced apoptosis during the observation time used. On the contrary, LCL from unaffected healthy controls displayed significant radiation-induced chromatin fragmentation seen at 48 h and 72 h after irradiation. In these cells, radiation-induced G -arrest (24h post-irradiation) preceded chromatin cleavage. In A-T LCL, the defective G1-arrest was not followed by apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS In spite of a defective cell-cycle control, EBV-transformed LCL of A-T patients compared with unaffected healthy controls do not undergo X-ray-induced apoptosis, at least during their first post-irradiation cell cycle.
Effects of maternal subclinical hypothyroidism on obstetrical outcomes during early pregnancy

Background: Maternal hypothyroidism [overt hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH)] during early pregnancy is suspected to associate with adverse obstetrical outcomes. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether maternal SCH during the early stage of pregnancy increase obstetrical complications and whether treatment results in an improvement in these outcomes. Subjects and methods: A total of 756 women in the 1st trimester (≤12 weeks) of pregnancy were enrolled through 10 hospitals in Shenyang from 2007 to 2009. All participants underwent thyroid function testing in early pregnancy and their obstetrical outcomes were studied following delivery. Results: The incidence of spontaneous abortions in the SCH group was higher than the normal TSH group (15.48% vs 8.86%, p=0.03). No significant association was observed between SCH and other obstetrical complications including gestational hypertension, premature delivery, anemia, post-partum hemorrhage, low neonatal Apgar scores and low birth weight. Although levo-T4 (L-T4) treatment decreased the incidence of spontaneous abortions in women with SCH, it was not statistically significant when compared to women who did not receive treatment in the SCH group. None of the 28 women who received L-T4 treatment had premature delivery, low birth weight, hemorrhage, and low Apgar score. Conclusions: The incidence of spontaneous abortion in pregnant women with SCH increases in early pregnancy.
Optical density filters modeling media opacities cause decreased SD‐OCT retinal layer thickness measurements with inter‐ and intra‐individual variation

To assess the effect of media opacities on thickness measurements of the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) and macular inner retinal layer (mIRL) performed with spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) using a set of filters with known optical density.
Bioactive metabolites from a marine-derived strain of the fungus Neosartorya fischeri

Two new compounds named fischeacid (1) and fischexanthone (2), together with eight known compounds, were obtained from the culture of a marine-derived fungus Neosartorya fischeri strain 1008F1. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated based on the spectroscopic data. Bioassays indicated that AGI-B4 (5) and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (10) showed potent inhibitory effect on the replication of tobacco mosaic virus, and AGI-B4 also possessed an inhibition of the cell proliferation of human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 and hepatic cancer cells BEL-7404.
Ultrastructural Evidence of Skeletal Muscle Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Patients With Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Objective: The lack of overt signs and symptoms and controversies surrounding the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) reference range variability make the management of subclinical hypothyroidism (sHT) a challenge. Because muscle cramps and weakness have been noted in sHT, histological skeletal muscle examination may be of diagnostic significance as the presence of abnormalities would substantiate a significant consequence of the mild thyroid failure presumed to be present in the individual with sHT. The objective of this study was to investigate the ultrastructural and histological changes of skeletal muscle associated with sHT. Design: Skeletal muscle biopsies from the vastus lateralis were obtained from four subjects with sHT. Samples were fixed, sectioned, and stained for quantitative and qualitative electron and light microscopic analysis. Main Outcome: Analyses revealed characterizable morphological and ultrastructural alterations and quantitative mitochondrial variations between subjects, indicative of skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction in sHT patients. For the 4 subjects, mean mitochondrial perimeter (MP) was 1.09 ± 0.312 ì, mean mitochondrial area (MA) was 0.10 ± 0.05 ì2, and mean mitochondrial volume density was 1.92 ± 0.95. Conclusions: The observed and quantified mitochondrial alterations and the noted morphological and ultrastructural alterations identify previously undocumented pathological skeletal muscle alterations associated with sHT. The observed morphological and ultrastructural alterations lend support to a trend of progression of sHT into overt hypothyroidism as a result of mitochondrial dysfunction and associated metabolic shift. The identification of these skeletal muscle alterations as sequelae of sHT may lend convincing objective evidence of a pathophysiologically significant abnormality in patients with sHT. If so, this should diminish the substantial resistance to treatment of these patients at an early stage of disease and attenuate the progression to overt hypothyroidism.
The Lactococcus lactis plasmidome: much learnt, yet still lots to discover.

Lactococcus lactis is used extensively worldwide for the production of a variety of fermented dairy products. The ability of L. lactis to successfully grow and acidify milk has long been known to be reliant on a number of plasmid-encoded traits. The recent availability of low-cost, high-quality genome sequencing, and the quest for novel, technologically desirable characteristics, such as novel flavour development and increased stress tolerance, has led to a steady increase in the number of available lactococcal plasmid sequences. We will review both well-known and very recent discoveries regarding plasmid-encoded traits of biotechnological significance. The acquired lactococcal plasmid sequence information has in recent years progressed our understanding of the origin of lactococcal dairy starter cultures. Salient points on the acquisition and evolution of lactococcal plasmids will be discussed in this review, as well as prospects of finding novel plasmid-encoded functions.
Frequency of the A1/A2 alleles of the D2 dopamine receptor (DRD2) gene in a British, Caucasian control group screened to exclude alcoholism and heavy drinking

Abstract Recent reports of a genetic association between restriction fragment length polymorphisms at the D2 dopamine receptor locus (DRD2) on chromosome 11q and alcoholism have suggested involvement of the D2 receptor protein in the aetiology of alcoholism, smoking and possibly other disorders. These allelic association findings have been criticized on the basis of the possible confounding of ethnic with disease differences, between allele frequencies of subjects and controls, and the fact that some of the control groups were not screened to exclude alcoholism or heavy drinking. We have observed the frequency of the A1 and A2 alleles in a population of 307 Caucasian British individuals screened for alcohol consumption of less than the UK Royal College of Psychiatrists’ recommended sensible drinking limits for males and females and who also failed to qualify for a diagnosis of alcoholism according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC). The frequency of the A1 allele was found to be 0.20, which is slightly higher than most of the other screened Caucasian control groups from Europe and the United States. The allele and genotype frequencies in our sample are a resource for comparison with samples of alcoholics from the United Kingdom which have been selected on the basis of British ancestry and for residence in London. When we combined our new control data with that of the previous Caucasian control samples we found a significantly higher frequency of A1A1 homozygotes among the unscreened than the screened controls, suggesting that the DRD2 locus may be involved in drinking variation among the general population.
Glutamic acid mimicking of synaptic inhibition on the giant serotonin neurone of the snail

Stimulation of the snail's tentacle nerves results in hyperpolarization and inhibition of the 'giant serotonin-containing neurone'located in the brain. Glutamic acid mimics this effect. Available data indicate that the reversal potential for the glutamic acid effect is very similar to that of the synaptic action being about 5 to 8 mV more negative than the resting potential in each case.
Efficacy and safety of apremilast in chronic cutaneous sarcoidosis.

D. Dias Carlson, and Murphy. Drafting of the manuscript: G. D. Dias Carlson. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: J. A. Carlson, Murphy, and Rohwedder. Statistical analysis: J. A. Carlson and G. D. Dias Carlson. Obtained funding: J. A. Carlson. Administrative, technical, and material support: J. A. Carlson and Murphy. Study supervision: J. A. Carlson. Financial Disclosure: None reported. Funding/Support: This work was supported in part by clinical revenues and generous donors to the Divisions of Dermatology and Dermatopathology, Department of Pathology, Albany Medical College.
Plan and operation of the HANES I augmentation survey of adults 25-74 years United States, 1974-1975.

Under the legislation establishing the National Health Survey, the Public Health Service is authorized to use, insofar as possible, the services or facilities of other Federal, State, or private agencies. In accordance with specifications established by the National Center for Health Statistics , the U.S. Bureau of the Census participated in the design and selection of the sample and carried out the household interview stage of the data collection and certain parts of the statistical processing. The Center for Disease Control acted as laboratory consultants and performed a series of biochemical, hematological, and serological assessments on blood speciments of persons participating in the survey.
FFECT OF SOME ORGANIC ACIDS ON SOME FUNGAL GROWTH AND THEIR TOXINS PRODUCTION

The effect of eight organic acids (propionic, acetic, formic, lactic, tartaric, citric, oxalic and malic acids) as antifungal agents on the growth of four fungi (Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium purpurogenum, Rhizopus nigricans and Fusarium oxysporum) were studied. The high acidity appeared for oxalic acid being 0.14 at the high concentration (10%), while the lowest acidity recorded for propionic acid and acetic acid being 2.71 and 2.56 at the low concentration (5%). It was observed that, there was no relationship between the efficacy of organic acid and its final pH. Acetic acid (10%) has the highest inhibitory effect on A. flavus being 45.21%, but tartaric acid (5%) and citric acid (5%) gave the same lowest inhibition effect (0.42%). The lowest value of mycelium dry weight (MDW) of P. purpurogenum was 5.92 g/l when acetic acid was used (10%), but the highest value was 9.38 g/l when tartaric acid (5%) was used. Formic acid (10%) had a strong effect on the inhibition growth of R. nigricans being 28.65%, similar to propionic acid (10%), acetic acid (10%), lactic acid (10%), tartaric acid (10%) and citric acid (10%) being 26.57%, 26.38%, 26.19%, 23.53% and 24.48%, respectively. But malic acid (5%) and oxalic acid (5%) were having a week effect on R. nigricans being 5.31% and 6.45%, respectively. Lactic acid (10%) has the highest inhibitory effect on F. oxysporum being 34.45% and the lowest value was in the case of tartaric acid (5%) being 1.68%. Four treatments were used to determine aflatoxin B1 production. The highest inhibition (50%) was observed by R. nigricans in the presence of formic acid (10%). Acetic acid in 10% level inhibited the toxic secretion of A. flavus and P. purpurogenum to become 25% and 40%, respectively. Lactic acid (10%) gave 35% inhibition of toxin production in the presence of F. oxysporum.
Serologic-based Investigation of Leptospirosis in a Population of Free-ranging Eastern Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) Indicating the Presence of Leptospira weilii Serovar Topaz

Eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) are one of the most abundant large macropodids sharing the landscape with humans. Despite this, little is known about the prevalence of Leptospira carriage within this species and the role that they may partake in the transmission of this disease in Australia. The sera of 87 free-ranging eastern grey kangaroos, captured in the Warragamba Catchment Area, Sydney, Australia, from June 2004 to November 2006, were screened against a reference panel of 22 Leptospira serovars using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Leptospiral antibodies were detected in 47% (41 of 87) of serum samples collected. Leptospira weilii Topaz, a newly emergent serovar in Australia, was detected in all seropositive kangaroos (41 of 41; 100%). The sex and tailfat body condition index of kangaroos appeared to have no significant effect on the exposure to the disease. This serologic-based study is the first reported for L. weilii serovar Topaz in New South Wales, to our knowledge, having previously been isolated only in humans and two other animal species (bovine and long-nosed bandicoot [Perameles nasuta]) in Western Australia and Queensland. The potential role of eastern grey kangaroos in the maintenance and zoonotic spread of the disease to livestock and humans is discussed.
Endometrial Glands Are Essential for Blastocyst Implantation and Decidualization in the Mouse Uterus

ABSTRACT Uterine glands and their secretions are hypothesized to be essential for blastocyst implantation and decidualization in the uterus of rodents and humans. One factor solely expressed by uterine glands in mice is leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and Lif null mice are infertile because of defective blastocyst attachment to the uterine luminal epithelium (LE). Progesterone treatment of neonatal mice permanently ablates differentiation of uterine glands, resulting in an aglandular uterus in the adult. Progesterone-induced uterine gland knockout (PUGKO) mice were used to investigate the biological role of uterine glands in blastocyst implantation and stromal cell decidualization. As compared to controls, PUGKO mice cycled normally but were infertile. Histological assessment of PUGKO uteri on Days 5.5 and 8.5 postmating found a hatched blastocyst apposed to an intact LE without evidence of implantation or stromal cell decidualization. Expression of several implantation-related factors, including Lif and PTGS2, were altered in the PUGKO uterus, whereas expression of steroid hormone receptors and their regulated genes was not different. Artificial decidualization was observed in the uteri of control but not PUGKO mice. Further, intrauterine administration of LIF failed to promote artificial decidualization in the uterus of PUGKO mice. Thus, uterine glands and their secretions have important biological roles in blastocyst implantation and stromal cell decidualization in the uterus.
Subpopulations of primed T helper cells in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To analyze subsets of primed T helper cells, defined by expression of the CD45RB isoform of the leukocyte common antigen, in the blood and synovial fluid (SF) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Three-color immunofluorescence was used to study CD45 isoform expression by peripheral blood and SF CD4+ T cells. RESULTS CD45 isoform expression in the peripheral blood of patients with either RA or reactive arthritis did not differ from that in healthy controls. SF T cells from both RA patients and reactive arthritis patients were almost exclusively primed (CD45RO+) cells. RA SF T cells expressed very low levels of CD45RB; this is the most highly differentiated subset of primed cells. Patients with acute reactive arthritis showed higher levels of CD45RBbright cells in their synovial fluid. CONCLUSION The highly selected cell population in SF, representing one subset of primed cells, may relate to the apparent functional abnormalities of cells from this site in patients with RA.
Comparative analysis of human cytomegalovirus a-sequence in multiple clinical isolates by using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism assays

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) a-sequence (a-seq) is located in the joining region between the long (L) and short (S) unique sequences of the virus (L-S junction), and this hypervariable junction has been used to differentiate HCMV strains. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there are differences among strains of human cytomegalovirus which could be characterized by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the a-seq of HCMV DNA and to compare a PCR method of strain differentiation with conventional restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methodology by using HCMV junction probes. Laboratory strains of HCMV and viral isolates from individuals with HCMV infection were characterized by using both RFLPs and PCR. The PCR assay amplified regions in the major immediate-early gene (IE-1), the 64/65-kDa matrix phosphoprotein (pp65), and the a-seq of the L-S junction region. HCMV laboratory strains Towne, AD169, and Davis were distinguishable, in terms of size of the amplified product, when analyzed by PCR with primers specific for the a-seq but were indistinguishable by using PCR targeted to IE-1 and pp65 sequences. When this technique was applied to a characterization of isolates from individuals with HCMV infection, selected isolates could be readily distinguished. In addition, when the a-seq PCR product was analyzed with restriction enzyme digestion for the presence of specific sequences, these DNA differences were confirmed. PCR analysis across the variable a-seq of HCMV demonstrated differences among strains which were confirmed by RFLP in 38 of 40 isolates analyzed. The most informative restriction enzyme sites in the a-seq for distinguishing HCMV isolates were those of MnlI and BssHII. This indicates that the a-seq of HCMV is heterogeneous among wild strains, and PCR of the a-seq of HCMV is a practical way to characterize differences in strains of HCMV.
Recent Contributions to the Theory of Defense Mechanisms: A Comparative View

Some of the most recent contributions to the theory of defense mechanisms are critically reviewed including theories of complex motivational properties of the ego (Schafer, 1968; Kris, 1984), a functional theory of defense (Brenner, 1982), an object–representational theory of defense (Kernberg, 1976), a “two–person” theory of defense (Modell, 1984) and a self–psychologically based theory of defense (Kohut, 1984). These recently proposed theories of defense mechanisms utilize differing levels of analytic observation and theoretical discourse. One of the major differences among theorists involves the variety of referents of defense mechanisms (i.e., what is being defended against) including impulse, drive derivative, object loss, or environmental failure. Another fundamental difference involves the variety of ways theorists regard the relation between internal homeostasis and the external world. Questions are raised about the recent tendency in psychoanalytic theory to develop or invoke different theories of defense to explain a broad range of clinical phenomena.
Dexmedetomidine in the emergency department: assessing safety and effectiveness in difficult-to-sedate acute behavioural disturbance

Objectives To investigate the safety and effectiveness of dexmedetomidine for sedating patients in whom previous attempts at sedation in the emergency department have failed. Methods A study was carried out on dexmedetomidine for sedation of patients with acute behavioural disturbance for whom at least two previous attempts at sedation with other drugs had failed. Either a loading dose of dexmedetomidine was administered or a loading dose then an infusion. Administration was titrated to the sedative effect and vital signs. The sedation assessment tool was used to assess effectiveness, and adverse effects were recorded. Effective sedation was defined as a fall in the sedation assessment tool by two levels or more for an hour or more. Results A total of 13 patients were given dexmedetomidine. Five of the 13 had a loading dose only. Of these five, successful sedation was achieved in two, and the other three were only briefly sedated during the loading dose. One patient had hypotension. Eight patients received an infusion after the loading dose. Three were successfully sedated, but one developed hypotension. Four patients required a decrease in the infusion rate for hypotension, and in three of these the rate decrease compromised the sedation and one of these required intubation for sedation. The final patient had persistent acute behavioural disturbance, which required intubation for management. Five of the eight patients developed hypotension, and, of the five, one had bradycardia and one went into atrial fibrillation. Conclusion Intravenous dexmedetomidine for difficult-to-sedate patients with acute behavioural disturbance is not safe in the emergency department setting.
Anomalous Increase in Carbon Capacitance at Pore Sizes Less Than 1 Nanometer

Carbon supercapacitors, which are energy storage devices that use ion adsorption on the surface of highly porous materials to store charge, have numerous advantages over other power-source technologies, but could realize further gains if their electrodes were properly optimized. Studying the effect of the pore size on capacitance could potentially improve performance by maximizing the electrode surface area accessible to electrolyte ions, but until recently, no studies had addressed the lower size limit of accessible pores. Using carbide-derived carbon, we generated pores with average sizes from 0.6 to 2.25 nanometer and studied double-layer capacitance in an organic electrolyte. The results challenge the long-held axiom that pores smaller than the size of solvated electrolyte ions are incapable of contributing to charge storage.
Belief Systems as Barriers to Learning in Geological Education

The constructivist view of learning acknowledges the importance of the interaction between students' prior knowledge and incoming information in attempts to understand new situations. Belief systems held by students are likely to influence the ways in which they process new information during instruction. Learning outcomes are then mediated by their beliefs in unanticipated ways. A survey has been carried out among some 1,000 fourteen- to sixteen-year-old students living in Liguria, a non-volcanic region in Northern Italy. The aim of the investigation was to discover: 1) the students' ideas on the volcanism of the areas in which they live, and 2) the way they formed their opinions and how deeply rooted they are. The findings show that a great many of the students firmly believe they live in a volcanically active area. Mass media are the most important source of this idea, followed by classmates and other laypeople. Clearly these pre-(mis-)conceptions will affect subsequent learning. The ideas will also in.