Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metallothioneins in the clam Ruditapes decussatus: an overview

coastal waters. Due to its economic importance it is extensively cultured in many countries, and particularly in Portugal where its production represents > 80 % of total shellfish production. The selection of the clam R. decussatus as a bioindicator was a consequence of its economic importance and the need to use a filter-feeding bivalve to evaluate environmental changes of metal concentrations [1]. Like many other bivalves, this species resides in sediments and accumulates metal concentrations reflecting gradients of metal contamination in the surrounding environment [2,3,4]. This suggests that its tissues have mechanisms, related to its filter-feeding habit, that inhibit the toxic effects of these contaminants. Like many other molluscs R. decussatus has evolved a number of subcellular systems for accumulation, regulation and immobilization of metals. These include, among others, the binding of essential and pollutant metals to soluble ligands such as MT. These two-domain molecules are low molecular, heat-stable proteins of non-enzymatic nature that occur mainly in the cytoplasm. They have strong affinity to class B metal cations which enable them to be differentiated from most of the other proteins [5]. The induction of these proteins has, therefore, been proposed as a specific indicator and possible “early warning marker” for the detection of detrimental effects caused by exposure to excess of essential and pollutant metals. MT induction has been detected in the whole soft tissues, gills, digestive gland and remaining tissues of the clam R. decussatus after exposure to essential and toxic metals [4,6] and this paper represents an overview of MT function in this bivalve species. MT induction in laboratory experiments
Analysis of the temporal events in blood and tissues following fecal peritonitis in mice.

BACKGROUND The kinetics of systemic responses triggered by bacterial peritonitis were analysed in the blood, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and several organs. MATERIALS AND METHODS The murine model of cecal ligation and puncture was employed. The parameters were analysed at different periods of time (4 to 72 h). RESULTS Fecal peritonitis triggered a progressive, but not significant, decline of blood leukocytes between 4 and 6 h, becoming significant at 24 to 48 h (p<0.05). This profile was closely associated with the enhancement of leukocytes both in the abdomen (p<0.05) and in the BAL (p<0.05). A significant abdominal exudation was detected between 4 and 72 h (p<0.01), whereas maximal growth of aerobic bacteria in the blood and lungs was observed 24 and 72 h after. Maximal exudation in the studied tissues occurred at different time points (heart=24 h, spleen and kidney=48 h, liver and lung= 72 h). CONCLUSION Using this model, evidence of sepsis can be easily measured in different body systems.
Endoscopic and Surgical Therapy for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma in the United States: A Population-based Study

Background Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a highly fatal disease with limited therapeutic options. The determinants, trends, and outcomes of different therapies for ICC are largely unknown in the United States. Methods Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results-(SEER) Medicare database, we compared ICC patients receiving different therapies between 1992 and 1999. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) were calculated. Hazard ratios were calculated for the survival analysis. Results Eight hundred sixty-two cases were included. The mean age at diagnosis was 77.9 years (SD=7.1). Only 6.3% received surgical resection, 65.5% received palliative interventions (16.1% surgical, 44.0% endoscopic), 24.4% received only chemo or radiation therapy whereas 3.8% did not receive any treatment. The median survival was 708 days [95% confidence interval (CI): 458-945] for surgical resection, 227 days (95% CI: 182-294) for surgical palliation, and 123 days (95% CI: 108-148) for endoscopic palliation. Patients receiving surgical resection were younger (AOR=5.6, 95% CI: 2.9-11.1), more likely to be diagnosed later in the study period (AOR=2.2, 95% CI: 1.1-4.2), and had better mortality (hazard ratio=0.3, 95% CI: 0.2-0.4). Patients receiving surgical palliation were younger (AOR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.1-2.3), more likely to be diagnosed in the early time period (AOR=1.5, 95% CI: 1.1-2.2), and had similar mortality to those receiving endoscopic palliation. Conclusions Only a minority of patients with ICC receives potentially curative therapy. Young age is the strongest predictor of receiving potentially curative treatment. Older patients and those diagnosed in recent time periods are more likely to receive endoscopic palliation. Surgical resection was associated with improved survival. There was no difference in survival between surgical and endoscopic palliation.
A novel variation of PLAGL1 in Chinese patients with isolated ventricular septal defect.

AIMS Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is the most common congenital heart disease (CHD). A number of genetic studies have linked the gene of PLAGL1 to the etiology of CHD. The present study aimed to identify potential pathogenic mutations for PLAGL1 and to provide insights into the etiology of isolated VSD. METHODS Case-control mutational analysis was performed in 300 patients with isolated VSD and 300 healthy controls. Two protein-coding extons of PLAGL1 and their partial flanking intron sequences were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced on an ABI3730 Automated Sequencer. CLC workbench software was used to compare the conservatism of PLAGL1 protein with other multiple species. RESULTS Neither missense nor frame-shift mutations were detected in two protein-coding extons of PLAGL1. But a novel synonymous variation (c.486A>G, p. E162E) was detected in protein-coding exon-2. The glutamic that translated with the mutational codon is conservative when compared with other species. CONCLUSIONS We detected a synonymous variation in the protein-coding exon-2 of PLAGL1 in isolated VSD patients. It is possible that the etiology of isolated VSD might not be directly linked with this mutation, but might be associated with other patterns of gene expression regulation in PLAGL1, such as in the methylation-dependent manner.
Coping Strategies Used by Syrian Refugees in Jordan

This study examined the coping strategies used by Syrian refugees in Jordan in relation to their demographics. A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with a convenient sample of 550 Syrian refugees. Out of all the study participants, 88% reported seeking social support, 64.5% reported using avoidance, and 39.5% reported using problem solving. Participants who were male, single, and younger, and who had a higher education and a higher total income were satisfied with their income, were employed and free of chronic illnesses, and had higher problem-solving scores. Higher social support-seeking scores were associated with being female, older, and widowed; having a lower education and lower total income; being dissatisfied with their income; being nonemployed; and having chronic illnesses. A number of significant predictors were identified for each coping strategy. The results of this study could be used to formulate programs and develop services regarding the stressors encountered by Syrian refugees and their coping strategies.
Prostate cancer in Arkansas.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in U.S. males. Nationally, black men have greater prostate cancer incidence/mortality than other men. This study used focus group discussions to examine knowledge, beliefs and attitudes about prostate cancer in black and white male populations in urban and rural areas of Arkansas. The study found a general lack of knowledge about prostate cancer and its symptoms, screening and treatment. There were also subtle differences among the groups that could impact the development of interventions and policies, thus decreasing prostate cancer mortality in Arkansas.
Using a tropism-modified adenoviral vector to circumvent inhibitory factors in ascites fluid.

Peritoneal compartmentalization of advanced stage ovarian cancer provides a rational scenario for gene therapy strategies. Several groups are exploring intraperitoneal administration of adenoviral (Ad) vectors for this purpose. We examined in vitro gene transfer in the presence of ascites fluid from ovarian cancer patients and observed significant inhibition of Ad-mediated gene transfer. The inhibitory activity was not identified as either complement or cellular factors, but depletion of IgG from ascites removed the inhibitory activity, implicating neutralizing anti-Ad antibodies. A wide range of preexisting anti-Ad antibody titers in patient ascites fluid was measured by ELISA. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the antibodies were directed primarily against the Ad fiber protein. To circumvent inhibition by neutralizing antibodies, a genetically modified adenoviral vector was tested. The Ad5Luc.RGD vector has an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide sequence inserted into the fiber knob domain and enters cells through a nonnative pathway. Compared with the conventional Ad5 vector, Ad5Luc.RGD directed efficient gene transfer to cell lines and primary ovarian cancer cells in the presence of ascites fluid containing high-titer neutralizing anti-Ad antibodies. These results suggest that such modified Ad vectors will be needed to achieve efficient gene transfer in the clinical setting.
Dynamic Strain of Ultrasonic Cu and Au Ball Bonding Measured In-Situ by Using Silicon Piezoresistive Sensor

Dynamic changes in distribution of mechanical strain generated during wire bonding in Si under and near the bonding pad were measured by using a piezoresistive linear array sensor. The sensor was designed to be able to determine strains in the directions normal and parallel to the surface. Bonding dynamics of Cu and Au balls were investigated. We can clearly observe the oscillating strain according to the application of 150 kHz ultrasonic vibration. It was also clearly observed that the position of the largest compressive strain moved from the center of the ball to the periphery according to the progress of bonding under the application of the ultrasonic vibration. Bonding of Cu was found to generate larger strain than bonding of Au. A large oscillating tensile strain generated at the periphery of Cu ball when ultrasonic amplitude is increased is found to cause fracture of Si. The largest residual strain is observed for Cu bonding at the location where the end of capillary tool was present during bonding.
Adaptive 100% Stator Ground Fault Protection Based on Third-Harmonic Differential Voltage Scheme

The paper presents a new adaptive 100% stator ground protection for high-impedance-grounded (HIG) synchronous generators. This is done by first examining reliability, that is, dependability and security of the most prominent conventional 3rd-harmonic voltage schemes. Using field data from various capacity industrial generators, it is shown that the conventional 3rd-harmonic differential voltage scheme, while being dependable, lacks security. Using the same field data, it is shown that the new adaptive scheme is a highly secure and sensitive scheme. Moreover, the new adaptive scheme is a zero-setting scheme which does not require any setting calculations, 3rd-harmonic voltage testings, or additional hardware.
Effects of acute, moderate ethanol consumption on human platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma and whole blood.

BACKGROUND Platelet-inhibitory effects of alcohol potentially contribute to the reduced risk of coronary heart disease associated with moderate drinking. However, few studies have directly examined the effects of acute consumption of a moderate dose of alcohol on aggregation of platelets from healthy human subjects. In the present study, we examined those effects, with the use of multiple platelet agonists and two aggregation measurement techniques, as part of an ongoing series of studies that evaluate the actions of ethanol on platelet function. METHODS Human subjects consumed alcohol at a dose equivalent to one drink (0.25 ml/kg) or two drinks (0.5 ml/kg). One hour after ingestion, anticoagulated blood was collected and agonist-induced aggregation of platelets was measured in both whole blood and in platelet-rich plasma. RESULTS Inhibition of aggregation by ethanol consumption was observed in whole blood (measured as maximum change in impedance) and reached statistical significance (p < 0.05) in the 0.5 ml/kg alcohol group for two collagen concentrations (0.625 and 1.25 microg/ml) as well as for the highest concentration of adenosine diphosphate tested (p < 0.05). Inhibition was 15.4%, 22.6%, and 10.5%, respectively, for these three situations. In platelet-rich plasma, after consumption of 0.5 ml/kg ethanol, aggregation (measured as maximum change in optical density) in response to 1.25 microg/ml collagen was significantly inhibited (p < 0.05); no other significant inhibition was observed at either dose of alcohol in any other cases with platelet-rich plasma. In comparison of male and female subjects, there was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in the degree of inhibition by ethanol consumption (0.5 ml/kg) of whole-blood platelet aggregation induced by collagen, whereby female aggregation was inhibited to a greater extent than male. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that alcohol, at physiologically relevant doses, below those investigated in most previous human studies, has a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation. Such an effect could potentially contribute to the beneficial effects of alcohol consumption against coronary artery disease. The inhibitory action is most readily measured with whole-blood platelet aggregometry, with the use of collagen as the agonist. This observation is consistent with the view that alcohol reduces platelet sensitivity to thrombotic stimuli by inhibition of arachidonic acid release and, therefore, subsequent thromboxane synthesis.
The Inhaled Anesthetic, Isoflurane, Enhances Ca2+-Dependent Survival Signaling in Cortical Neurons and Modulates MAP Kinases, Apoptosis Proteins and Transcription Factors During Hypoxia

We tested whether the protection of hypoxic neurons by the inhaled anesthetic isoflurane is related to the Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation of MAP kinases and anti-apoptotic co-factors. In cultures of mouse cortical neurons we measured changes in the phosphorylation of Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent MAP kinases, transcription factors, and apoptosis regulators after hypoxia or hypoxia combined with isoflurane (1% in gas phase). In hypoxic neurons, isoflurane reduced cell death and TUNEL staining by >80%. Isoflurane released Ca2+ from intracellular stores, increasing [Ca2+]i in oxygenated neurons by approximately 20%. Neuroprotection was associated with a smaller increase in [Ca2+]i in hypoxic neurons and required IP3 receptors and phospholipase C. In hypoxic neurons, isoflurane increased the phosphorylation of the Ca2+-dependent MAP kinases Pyk2 and p42/44 (ERK). The Ca2+-independent MAP kinase p38 pathway showed increased phosphorylation with isoflurane but not with ionomycin, a Ca2+ ionophore. JNK was phosphorylated in hypoxic neurons in the presence of isoflurane, as was the transcription factor c-Jun; JNK inhibition with SP600125 prevented both phosphorylation of c-Jun and neuroprotection. Isoflurane decreased phosphorylation of the pro-apoptotic cofactors Bad and p90RSK and increased Akt phosphorylation. However, with the exception of c-Jun, transcription factors (Elk-1, GSK-3, Forkhead, p90RSK) decreased or remained unchanged. We conclude that isoflurane's protection of hypoxic cortical neurons involves signaling that includes changes in intracellular Ca2+ regulation, several MAP kinase pathways and modulation of apoptosis regulators.
Pertussis in Missouri: evaluation of nasopharyngeal culture, direct fluorescent antibody testing, and clinical case definitions in the diagnosis of pertussis.

No diagnostic test for pertussis in routine use in the United States has both high sensitivity and high specificity. During a statewide increase in the incidence of pertussis in Missouri, we studied the clinical features of 153 patients with suspected pertussis in the Greater St. Louis area from whom a specimen for pertussis culture had been taken between 15 May and 19 September 1989. In this cross-sectional study, nasopharyngeal cultures were more likely to be positive for persons whose specimens were collected < 21 days after cough onset (adjusted rate ratio [RRa] and 95% confidence interval = 3.4; 1.5-8.0) and who were not receiving erythromycin/sulfamethoxazole prior to the culture [RRa = 5.8; 0.8-40.6], who had received fewer than three prior doses of pertussis vaccine [RRa = 1.8; 0.8-4.2], and whose specimen was in transit to the laboratory for < 4 days [RRa = 2.0; 0.8-5.5]. Among children < 5 years of age, spasmodic cough plus a lymphocytosis of > 10,000/mm3 was the acute symptom complex associated with the highest predictive value for a positive culture result (67%). Cough for > or = 14 days plus whoop was sensitive (81%) and specific (58%) for identifying children with culture-confirmed pertussis. Direct fluorescent antibody staining performed well as a screening test for pertussis but requires substantial commitment of personnel and resources. In the absence of a positive culture result, clinical case definitions should be used for decision making (e.g., initiation of antimicrobial therapy and routine case reporting).
Experiments with the nematocysts of Carybdea rastoni (“Jimble”)

To the Editor: It has previously been shown that when vinegar (4-6% acetic acid in water) is poured on a fresh sting for a minimum of 30 seconds, it is effective in deactivating the nematocysts of the deadly Chironex fleckeri (north Australian box jellyfish) and other cubomedusans, including Chiropsalmus quadrigatus (the north Australian variety), the "Morbakka", and Carukia barnesi (the "lrukandji"). Turner et al also found it to be effective in the deactivation of the nematocysts of Physalia physalis (the "blue-bottle").
Risk of symptoms related to late effects of poliomyelitis

Objective: To compare the risk of developing symptoms related to late effects of poliomyelitis between polio patients and persons of similar age and sex without history of poliomyelitis. Material and methods: The study comprised information on 148 patients with prior poliomyelitis and 115 persons with no history of poliomyelitis. Information was obtained by questionnaire an analyzed by multiple logistic regression method. Results: The risk of experiencing two or more symptoms was significantly higher among the polio patients than among the persons without history of poliomyelitis. The elevation in risk was less pronounced in the nonparalytic group (OR=2.35; 95% CI=0.92–5.97) than the group with permanent muscular weakness (OR=8.84; 95% CI=4.32–18.09). Conclusions: Although symptoms defined in the PPS are unspecific and may occur in the general population, the risk for developing such symptoms are higher among the polio victims. The difference in risk among nonparalytic and paralytic patients may depend on the extent of motor neuron damage in the acute stage.
Performance Characteristics of Pollutants along the Longitudinal Profile of a Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland Domestic Sewage Treatment Plant in the University of Lagos, Nigeria

The paper reports the findings of a research work carried out to examine the performance and efficiency of a subsurface constructed wetland (SSFCW) for the treatment of domestic sewage in the University of Lagos (Unilag), Nigeria. The removal patterns and efficiencies of the physical, chemical and biological sewage pollutants parameters of domestic waste water generated within Unilag community by the SSFCW were studied. The wastewater was sampled and analysed along the SSFCW from influent (point1) to effluent (point 11). Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) reduced from 471 mg/l to 11.85 mg/l (97.48%), Turbidity reduced from 108.75 HTU to 0.05HTU (99.95%), Manganese reduced from 6.05 mg/l to 0.61 mg/ (89.92%), Nitrate reduced from 27.5 mg/l to 2.0 mg/l (92.73%), Sulphate reduced from 48.5 mg/l to 28 mg/l (42.27%), Iron reduced from 1.13 mg/l to 0.03 mg/l (97.35%), BOD reduced from 73.14 mg/l to 12.8 mg/l (82.5%), and E-coli reduced from 874 MPN/100 ml to 0.15 MPN/100 ml (99.98%). On the other hand, Dissolved Oxygen content increased along the SSFCW from 3.14 mg/l to 7.49 mg/l (138.54%) while the pH improved from slightly acid level of 6.49 to slightly above neutral level of 7.05 (9.3%). All the parameters at effluent point are within the Nigerian Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) acceptable standard. The study concludes that the SSFCW is a cheap, efficient and appropriate technology for the treatment of domestic sewage under tropical conditions.
Xenogene vaccination in the therapy of cancer

Introduction: The advent of cancer immunotherapy is going to profoundly transform the therapy of cancer. In this context, therapeutic cancer vaccines will offer significant opportunities, provided an efficient and robust technology is developed. Areas covered: Targeting tumor-associated antigens via immunization with homologous immunogens derived from other species, an approach called xeno vaccination, combined with gene delivery is believed to be a viable strategy. Xenogene vaccination has demonstrated to be more efficient than vaccination with ‘self’ antigens in rodent models in prophylactic and therapeutic settings against cancer. Depending upon the targeted antigen, the mechanism of action of xeno vaccines has been shown to depend upon the development of antibody and/or cytotoxic T-cell responses. More importantly, xenogene vaccination has been shown to reproducibly affect cancer growth and to improve survival in veterinary cancer patients, mainly in dogs affected by spontaneous disease. One of these vaccines against dog melanoma has been approved by regulatory authorities in USA. Finally, several xenogene vaccines have been advanced to early Phase I/II human clinical trials where they have shown to be safe, well tolerated and capable to induce detectable immune responses against human tumor antigens. Expert opinion: Based on this compendium of results we believe that xenogene vaccination may soon become a well-established weapon in the fight against cancer.