Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of estradiol and progesterone on pulsatile LH secretion in 8-day ovariectomized rats.

Previous studies in our laboratory [Endocrinology 114: 1605-1612 (1984); Neuroendocrinology 41: 252-257 (1985)] examined the influence of ovarian steroids on pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) release, and involved immediate replacement following ovariectomy (OVX) of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) for a 24-hour period within the physiological context of the estrous cycle. The present study investigated the effects of replacing E2 and/or P 1 week after OVX, and therefore examined whether the time elapsed following OVX influences the effects of ovarian steroids on pulsatile LH release. Immediately after jugular venous cannulation, rats were implanted with either empty silastic capsules or capsules capable of restoring physiological levels of E2 and/or P comparable to those found in intact rats between the intervals of diestrus 1 (D1) and diestrus 2 (D2), or D2 and proestrous morning. 24 h later, these rats were bled continuously at a rate of 50 microliters whole blood/6 min for 3 h for analysis of pulsatile LH secretion. Rats with empty capsules had decreased levels of E2 and P and elevated mean blood LH levels, pulse amplitudes and frequencies. Two groups of animals with E2 capsules had plasma E2 levels comparable to those seen either in the D1-D2 or D2-proestrous intervals, decreased levels of P, and in both cases significant decreases in LH pulse amplitude, but no change in LH pulse frequency or basal LH secretion. Since mean blood LH levels in 8-day ovariectomized rats are determined by LH pulse amplitude, frequency and basal LH secretion [Neuroendocrinology 37: 421-426 (1983)]. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Impact of viral infections in children with community‐acquired pneumonia: results of a study of 17 respiratory viruses

Please cite this paper as: Esposito et al. (2012) Impact of viral infections in children with community‐acquired pneumonia: results of a study of 17 respiratory viruses. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses DOI: 10.1111/j.1750‐2659.2012. 00340.x.
Prophylactic stretching does not reduce cramp susceptibility

Introduction: Some clinicians advocate stretching to prevent muscle cramps. It is unknown whether static or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching increases cramp threshold frequency (TFc), a quantitative measure of cramp susceptibility. Methods: Fifteen individuals completed this randomized, counterbalanced, cross‐over study. We measured passive hallux range of motion (ROM) and then performed 3 minutes of either static stretching, PNF stretching (hold–relax—with agonist contraction), or no stretching. ROM was reassessed and TFc was measured. Results: PNF stretching increased hallux extension (pre‐PNF 81 ± 11°, post‐PNF 90 ± 10°; P < 0.05) but not hallux flexion (pre‐PNF 40 ± 7°, post‐PNF 40 ± 7°; P > 0.05). Static stretching increased hallux extension (pre‐static 80 ± 11°, post‐static 88 ± 9°; P < 0.05) but not hallux flexion (pre‐static 38 ± 9°, post‐static 39 ± 8°; P > 0.05). No ROM changes occurred with no stretching (P > 0.05). TFc was unaffected by stretching (no stretching 18 ± 7 Hz, PNF 16 ± 4 Hz, static 16 ± 5 Hz; P = 0.37). Discussion: Static and PNF stretching increased hallux extension, but neither increased TFc. Acute stretching may not prevent muscle cramping. Muscle Nerve 57: 473–477, 2018
Suicidal behaviors among newly diagnosed people living with HIV in Changsha, China

ABSTRACT Newly-diagnosed people living with HIV (NPLWH) are at high risk of suicide. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of suicidal behaviors among NPLWH, and explore the relationships between HIV-related stress, depression, anxiety, and social support and suicidal ideation after diagnosed with HIV infection. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a standard set of questionnaires during 1 March 2013 and 30 September 2014 in the HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing Clinic of the Changsha Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Among 557 NPLWH, 27.5% (n = 153) had lifetime suicidal ideation, and 25.0% (n = 139) had suicidal ideation after HIV diagnosis. The results of multiple regression analyses indicated that suicidal ideation after HIV diagnosis was associated with HIV-related clinical symptoms (OR = 2.50), HIV-related stress (OR = 3.64), the co-morbidity of positive depressive and anxiety symptoms (OR = 3.30), and social support (OR = 0.52). Overall, the prevalence of suicidal behaviors is high among NPLWH in Changsha emphasizing the need of suicidality monitoring and tracking, depression and anxiety screening, with an additional focus on stress management and social support enhancement in this vulnerable group.
Expression of the neuron-specific FE65 gene marks the development of embryo ganglionic derivatives.

The major transcript of the FE65 gene is a neuron-specific mRNA that encodes a nuclear protein whose aminoterminal domain strongly activates the transcription of a reporter gene when fused to a heterologous DNA-binding domain. FE65 gene expression is regulated during neuronal differentiation of the NTERA-2 cell line, and it is temporally and spatially restricted during mouse embryo development. It is first detected around day 10 of gestation in the basal plate of the neural tube, and then, at the subsequent stages of development and in the newborn animals, it is found solely in neural structures. Its expression is most abundant in the neural crest derivatives (e.g. spinal and encephalic ganglia), ganglionic structures of sense organs (ganglionic layer of the retina and olfactory epithelium), as well as the ganglionic structures of the autonomic nervous system. Thus FE65 gene expression can be considered a marker of the development of embryo ganglionic derivatives.
Pharmacological targeting of ROS reaction network in myeloid leukemia cells monitored by ultra-weak photon emission

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a blood cancer that is caused by a disorder of the process that normally generates neutrophils. Function and dysfunction of neutrophils are key to physiologic defense against pathogens as well as pathologies including autoimmunity and cancer. A major mechanism through which neutrophils contribute to health and disease is oxidative burst, which involves rapid release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by a chemical reaction network catalyzed by enzymes including NADPH oxidase and myeloperoxidase (MPO). Due to the involvement of neutrophil-derived reactive oxygen species in many diseases and importance of NADPH oxidase and MPO-mediated reactions in progression and treatment of myeloid leukemia, monitoring this process and modulating it by pharmacological interventions is of great interest. In this work, we have evaluated the potential of a label-free method using ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) to monitor ROS production in neutrophil-like HL60 myeloid leukemia cells. Suppression of ROS was achieved by several drug candidates that target different parts of the reaction pathway. Our results show that UPE can report on ROS production as well as suppression by pharmacological inhibitors. We find that UPE is primarily generated by MPO catalyzed reaction and thus will be affected when an upstream reaction is pharmacologically modulated.
The complete mitochondrial genome of western Mediterranean mouse, Mus spretus (Rodentia: Muridae)

Abstract The western Mediterranean mouse (Mus spretus) is a wide-spread and well-studied small mammal species in Europe. In this study, we report the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of this species for the first time. Data analysis shows that this mitogenome is entirely 16,286 bp in length and has a conservative genomic organization and gene order as most other mice. The overall nucleotide base composition is 34.1% of A, 28.6% of T, 24.6% C, and 12.7% G, with a strong A + T bias of 62.7%. All the genes are encoded on H-strand, except for the ND6 subunit gene and 8 tRNA genes, which are distributed on the L-strand. Totally 13 protein-coding genes initiate with ATN/GTG start codon and terminate with the typical stop codon (TAA/TAG) or a single T (T– –). Most of the transfer RNA genes could fold into the typical clover-leaf structure except for tRNALeu and tRNASer, whose dihydrouridine (DHU) arm are lost. The complete mitochondrial genome sequence reported here will be useful for population genetic and phylogenetic studies in mice.
A comparison of linezolid lung tissue concentrations among patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis

Linezolid has become a frequent component of treatment regimens for drug-resistant tuberculosis and is a group C drug in the latest World Health Organization treatment guidelines [1]. However, linezolid has a narrow therapeutic index and there is no consensus on the optimal dose for patients with tuberculosis [2, 3]. A better understanding of lung tissue penetration could provide insight into ideal dosing and the utility of linezolid in patients with severe lung lesions. To evaluate target site lung concentrations of linezolid, we utilised the technique of microdialysis, which facilitates the measurement of unbound (pharmacologically active) extracellular drug concentrations at the site of disease. Among TB patients undergoing surgical resection, linezolid concentrations in lung tissue were half of serum values http://ow.ly/Anlb30hEpW4
Management of the BPH Syndrome in Germany: Who Is Treated and How?

Objectives: To review the available data on contemporary management of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) within the German healthcare system. Methods: Information was obtained from articles published in scientific journals retrieved through searches in Medline and Embase. In addition, preliminary data from the first representative German survey on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were obtained (‘Herner LUTS-Study’, a community-based survey in Herne, a city within the industrial complex called the Ruhr Area). Finally, the recently established German guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of the BPH-Syndrom (BPS) were reviewed. Results: Only few studies are published in the literature analysing the current concepts of management of BPH in Germany. These studies show that there is variation in the concepts of conservatory and surgical management of BPH. The German BPH guidelines suggest watchful waiting for patients with mild LUTS (total I-PSS ≤7) and medical therapy or surgery for those with moderate to severe LUTS (I-PSS >7). There was no final consensus on the role of phytotherapy in the German treatment guidelines, due to the lack of clinical data. α1-Blockers and finasteride (for prostates >40 ml) are recommended medical treatment approaches. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) is considered to be the standard surgical procedure. Preliminary data from the Herner LUTS-Study show, that approximately 30% of men aged 50–80 years have moderate to severe LUTS (i.e. total I-PSS score >7). About a third of these men currently seek healthcare. Conclusions: LUTS and BPS are a highly prevalent condition in Germany. With the estimate that the number of men over the age of 65 will almost double in Germany within the next 30 years, it will be a challenge in the next millennium to find the healthcare resources for the management of BPS.
Automated detection of preserved photoreceptor on optical coherence tomography in choroideremia based on machine learning

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can demonstrate early deterioration of the photoreceptor integrity caused by inherited retinal degeneration diseases (IRDs). A machine learning method based on random forests was developed to automatically detect continuous areas of preserved ellipsoid zone structure (an easily recognizable part of the photoreceptors on OCT) in 16 eyes of patients with choroideremia (a type of IRD). Pseudopodial extensions protruding from the preserved ellipsoid zone areas are detected separately by a local active contour routine. The algorithm is implemented on en face images with minimum segmentation requirements, only needing delineation of the Bruch's membrane, thus evading the inaccuracies and technical challenges associated with automatic segmentation of the ellipsoid zone in eyes with severe retinal degeneration.
Autonomous motivation and quality of life as predictors of physical activity in patients with schizophrenia

Abstract Aim: Being physically active is a complex behaviour in patients with schizophrenia. Several factors were identified as barriers to achieving active behaviours in this population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate among a number of barriers what predicts the most on physical activity (PA) in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 114 patients (28♀) with schizophrenia were included. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Autonomous and controlled motivation (Behavioural Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire – 3), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-esteem scale), quality of life (World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale – Brief version) and functional exercise capacity (6-minute walk test – 6MWT) were evaluated. Multiple Regression Analysis was applied to assess the effect of these variables on Total PA per week (International Physical Activity Questionnaire – short version). Results: Autonomous motivation and domains of quality of life were positively correlated with Total PA per week. Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that of all the candidate factors to predict PA, autonomous motivation and global domain of quality of life were found as significant predictors. Conclusion: Our findings help to understand the importance of autonomous motivation and quality of life for PA in patients with schizophrenia. Knowledge about these predictors may provide guidance to improve PA behaviour in this population.
Abdominal cocoon - A rare etiology of intestinal obstruction

Abdominal cocoon is one of the rare causes of intestinal obstruction. It is referred as complete or partial small bowel encapsulation caused by the thick fibrocollagenous membrane. It is most common in young adolescent girls. We present a 40-year-old male patient with idiopathic abdominal cocoon. Few cases of male patients suffering from idiopathic abdominal cocoon have been reported in literature.
Finding Top-k Shortest Paths with Diversity

The classical K Shortest Paths (KSP) problem, which identifies the <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$k$ </tex-math><alternatives><inline-graphic xlink:href="liu-ieq1-2773492.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> shortest paths in a directed graph, plays an important role in many application domains, such as providing alternative paths for vehicle routing services. However, the returned <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$k$</tex-math> <alternatives><inline-graphic xlink:href="liu-ieq2-2773492.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> shortest paths may be highly <italic>similar</italic>, i.e., sharing significant amounts of edges, thus adversely affecting service qualities. In this paper, we formalize the K Shortest Paths with Diversity (KSPD) problem that identifies top- <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$k$</tex-math><alternatives> <inline-graphic xlink:href="liu-ieq3-2773492.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> shortest paths such that the paths are <italic>dissimilar</italic> with each other and the total length of the paths is minimized. We first prove that the KSPD problem is NP-hard and then propose a <italic>generic</italic> greedy framework to solve the KSPD problem in the sense that (1) it supports a wide variety of path similarity metrics which are widely adopted in the literature and (2) it is also able to efficiently solve the traditional KSP problem if no path similarity metric is specified. The core of the framework includes the use of two judiciously designed lower bounds, where one is <italic>dependent </italic> on and the other one is <italic>independent</italic> on the chosen path similarity metric, which effectively reduces the search space and significantly improves efficiency. Empirical studies on five real-world and synthetic graphs and five different path similarity metrics offer insight into the design properties of the proposed general framework and offer evidence that the proposed lower bounds are effective.
HPV Integration in HNSCC Correlates with Survival Outcomes, Immune Response Signatures, and Candidate Drivers

The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)–related oropharynx cancer has steadily increased over the past two decades and now represents a majority of oropharyngeal cancer cases. Integration of the HPV genome into the host genome is a common event during carcinogenesis that has clinically relevant effects if the viral early genes are transcribed. Understanding the impact of HPV integration on clinical outcomes of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is critical for implementing deescalated treatment approaches for HPV+ HNSCC patients. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data from HNSCC tumors (n = 84) were used to identify and characterize expressed integration events, which were overrepresented near known head and neck, lung, and urogenital cancer genes. Five genes were recurrent, including CD274 (PD-L1). A significant number of genes detected to have integration events were found to interact with Tp63, ETS, and/or FOX1A. Patients with no detected integration had better survival than integration-positive and HPV− patients. Furthermore, integration-negative tumors were characterized by strongly heightened signatures for immune cells, including CD4+, CD3+, regulatory, CD8+ T cells, NK cells, and B cells, compared with integration-positive tumors. Finally, genes with elevated expression in integration-negative specimens were strongly enriched with immune-related gene ontology terms, while upregulated genes in integration-positive tumors were enriched for keratinization, RNA metabolism, and translation. Implications: These findings demonstrate the clinical relevancy of expressed HPV integration, which is characterized by a change in immune response and/or aberrant expression of the integration-harboring cancer-related genes, and suggest strong natural selection for tumor cells with expressed integration events in key carcinogenic genes. Mol Cancer Res; 16(1); 90–102. ©2017 AACR.
A specific immune and lymphatic profile characterizes the pre-metastatic state of the sentinel lymph node in patients with early cervical cancer

ABSTRACT The lymph node (LN) pre-metastatic niche is faintly characterized in lymphophilic human neoplasia, although LN metastasis is considered as the strongest prognostic marker of patient survival. Due to its specific dissemination through a complex bilateral pelvic lymphatic system, early cervical cancer is a relevant candidate for investigating the early nodal metastatic process. In the present study, we analyzed in-depth both the lymphatic vasculature and the immune climate of pre-metastatic sentinel LN (SLN), in 48 cases of FIGO stage IB1 cervical neoplasms. An original digital image analysis methodology was used to objectively determine whole slide densities and spatial distributions of immunostained structures. We observed a marked increase in lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and a specific capsular and subcapsular distribution in pre-metastatic SLN when compared with non-sentinel counterparts. Such features persisted in the presence of nodal metastatic colonization. The inflammatory profile attested by CD8+, Foxp3, CD20 and PD-1expression was also significantly increased in pre-metastatic SLN. Remarkably, the densities of CD20+ B cells and PD-1 expressing germinal centers were positively correlated with LVD. All together, these data strongly support the existence of a pre-metastatic dialog between the primary tumor and the first nodal relay. Both lymphatic and immune responses contribute to the elaboration of a specific pre-metastatic microenvironment in human SLN. Moreover, this work provides evidence that, in the context of early cervical cancer, a pre-metastatic lymphangiogenesis occurs within the SLN (pre-metastatic niche) and is associated with a specific humoral immune response.
The epithelial barrier and beyond: Claudins as amplifiers of physiological organ functions

Epithelial cell layers are interconnected by a meshwork of tight junction (TJ) protein strands, which are localized within apicolateral membranes. The proteins that form TJs are regarded to provide a static barrier, determining epithelial properties. However, recent findings in the field of barriology suggest that TJs contribute to more physiological aspects than indicated by the sum of the qualities of the single TJ proteins. Generally, TJs exhibit four major functions: (i) a “gate function,” defining transepithelial permeability (i.e., barrier) properties, (ii) a “fence function” determining epithelial cell polarity, (iii) a “signaling function,” affecting regulatory pathways, and (iv) a “stabilizing function,” maintaining the integrity of the epithelium. This review presents a critical view on how the efficacy of physiological processes in epithelia and thus organ function might be improved by changes in the expression of claudins, the latter representing the largest and most variable family of TJ proteins. Major focus is set on (i) the coordinated regulation of transport and barrier in the intestine, (ii) the role of TJs in defining the route for antigen uptake and presentation in intestinal Peyer's patches, and (iii) the TJ function in mammary glands in response to milk accumulation, which represent impressive examples to highlight the amplification of epithelial functions by TJ proteins. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(5):290–296, 2017
The Alere BinaxNOW Pneumococcal Urinary Antigen Test: Diagnostic Sensitivity for Adult Pneumococcal Pneumonia and Relationship to Specific Serotypes

ABSTRACT Little is known about the sensitivity of the BinaxNOW pneumococcal urinary antigen (PUA) test for adult pneumococcal pneumonia caused by different serotypes. In this study, we aimed to analyze the trends in the sensitivity of the PUA test over a 15-year period (2001 to 2015) and to analyze its sensitivity for pneumococcal pneumonia caused by different serotypes. In total, we analyzed 1,096 pneumococcal isolates from adults with pneumococcal pneumonia who had a PUA test performed at the onset of the episode. Three periods were analyzed: 2001 to 2005 (early use of the seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine [early PCV7]), 2006 to 2010 (late PCV7), and 2011 to 2015 (early PCV13). The sensitivity of the PUA test varied from 76.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 70.5% to 82.4%) in the period from 2001 to 2005 to 77.9% in 2006 to 2010 (95% CI, 74.4% to 81.4%) and decreased to 60.5% (95% CI, 55.4% to 65.6%) in 2011 to 2015. This decrease was observed in 560 proven (83.2% in 2001 to 2005, 86.5% in 2006 to 2010, and 78.1%) and 536 probable (70.0% in 2001 to 2005, 68.7% in 2006 to 2010, and 41.5% in 2011 to 2015) episodes of pneumococcal pneumonia. Differences were observed in the sensitivity of the PUA test for diagnosing pneumonia caused by certain serotypes, being highest for the 9V (90.6%), 14 (86.8%), 18C (100%), and 20 (100%) serotypes and lowest for the 8 (55.2%), 9L/N (39.1%), 11A (48.8%), 23B (33.3%), and nontypeable (47.8%) serotypes. Comparing 2001 to 2005, 2006 to 2010, and 2011 to 2015, the prevalence of serotypes 9V (3.1%, 3.7%, and 1.7%, respectively) and 14 (7.2%, 5.1%, and 3.1%, respectively) decreased, while the prevalence of serotypes 23B (0%, 0.7%, and 1.4%, respectively), 9L/N (1.0%, 1.6%, and 3.4%, respectively), 11A (2.6%, 4.2%, and 3.7%, respectively), and 8 (1.5%, 1.5%, and 5.1%, respectively) increased. The PUA test sensitivity varied by pneumococcal pneumonia serotype, and these differences and the changes in serotype distribution were associated with an overall decrease in the sensitivity of the PUA test.