Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Blocking of human immunodeficiency virus infection depends on cell density and viral stock age

Quantitative infectivity assays were used to study how the blocking activity of soluble CD4 (sCD4) is affected by sCD4 concentration, target cell density, and viral stock age. During incubation with 20 nM sCD4, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) stocks underwent irreversible inactivation. In contrast, inactivation with 2 nM sCD4 was almost entirely reversible. At lower sCD4 concentrations (less than or equal to 2 nM) and target cell densities of 6.25 x 10(4) ml-1, sCD4 blocking activity for HIV-1 gave a gp120-sCD4 association constant (Kassoc) of 1.7 x 10(9) M-1, which agrees with chemical measurements. At the higher density of 1.6 x 10(7) cells ml-1, however, the blocking activity was 20-fold less. During incubation of HIV-1 stock optimized for infectivity by rapid harvest, sCD4 blocking activity increased 20-fold during a 3-h window. These results show that competitive blocking activity depends strongly on target cell density and virion age. Thus, unappreciated variations in HIV stocks and assay conditions may hinder comparisons of blockers from laboratory to laboratory, and the age of HIV challenge stocks may influence studies of drug and vaccine efficacy. The results also suggest that blocking of viral particles in lymphoid compartments will require very high competitive blocker concentrations, which may explain the refractory outcomes from sCD4-based drug trials in humans.
Update on Recent Molecular and Genetic Advances in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration

Great strides have been made in the last 2 years in the field of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), particularly with respect to the genetics and molecular biology of FTLD with ubiquitinated inclusions. It is now clear that most cases of familial FTLD with ubiquitinated inclusions have mutations in the progranulin gene, located on chromosome 17. It is also clear that most ubiquitinated inclusions in FTLD with ubiquitinated inclusions are composed primarily of TAR DNA-binding protein-43. Thus, FTLDs can be separated into 2 major groups (i.e. tauopathies and ubiquitinopathies), and most of the ubiquitinopathies can now be defined as TAR DNA-binding protein-43 proteinopathies. Many of the familial FTLDs are linked to chromosome 17, including both the familial tauopathies and the familial TAR DNA-binding protein-43 proteinopathies with progranulin mutations. This review highlights the neuropathologic features and the most important discoveries of the last 2 years and places these findings into the historical context of FTLD.
Clinical Outcome and Clinicopathological Characteristics of Recurrence after Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Advanced Gastric Cancer

Background: Although laparoscopic gastrectomy has been recognized as a treatment of early gastric cancer, the indication for laparoscopic gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection has remained controversial. D2 lymph node dissection is considered to be feasible for advanced gastric cancer in some high-volume institutions specifically trained for the laparoscopic procedure. This study was undertaken to determine the clinical outcome and clinicopathological characteristics of patients who showed recurrence following laparoscopic gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer. Methods: From August 1999 through February 2009, among 805 patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy associated with regional lymph node dissection, a total of 209 patients undergoing gastrectomy associated with lymph node dissection who consequently obtained complete resection for advanced gastric cancer were subjected to the retrospective analysis to evaluate clinical outcome. Results: The mean period of postoperative observation was 1,068 days. The final stages of the 209 cases were as follows: 83 in IB, 56 in II, 46 in IIIA, and 24 in IIIB. The 5-year survival rate was 89.1% in stage IB, 93.1% in stage II, 52.5% in stage IIIA, and 46.5% in stage IIIB, respectively. A total of 27 patients (12.9%) had recurrence. Postoperative recurrence of gastric carcinoma occurred in peritoneal dissemination in 13 patients, liver in 7, distant lymph nodes in 6, ovary in 3, lung in 2, skin in 1, and meninges in 1 patient. There were neither port-site metastases nor locoregional recurrence. Conclusion: The characteristics and the rate of postoperative recurrence after laparoscopic gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer were not greatly different from those of the open conventional procedure. Although further observation is required to finally conclude long-term survival, laparoscopic radical gastrectomy may possibly be indicated for patients with advanced gastric cancer.
TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms are very rare in the Chinese population

Endotoxin is an important component of bio-aerosols that contribute to airway inflammation and airflow obstruction. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mediates the host response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and the Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms have been associated with the development of respiratory diseases. We hypothesized that TLR4 polymorphisms may be associated with a decline of lung function in cotton workers who were exposed continuously to endotoxin. We investigated these two polymorphisms in our 20-year longitudinal cohort of Han Chinese cotton and silk textile workers. The two polymorphisms were genotyped using TaqMan and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. No homozygous or heterozygous variant genotypes of the Asp299Gly and Thr339Ile polymorphisms were detected in 491 samples of this population. Our results suggest that the TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr339Ile polymorphisms are very rare in the Chinese population.
Hemodynamics and Viability of Acute Neurovascular Island Skin Flaps in Rats

Hemodynamics and skin survival were studied in acute 8 X 8 cm2 neurovascular island skin flaps in rats. Maximum blood flow and extent of fluorescein and 15 mu microsphere penetration in the skin flap occurred at about 24 hours after flap construction. However, maximum A-V shunt flow occurred at about 12 hours. It is concluded that ischemia in the acute skin flap, probably due to vasoconstriction, did occur in the early stage of the postoperative period. The opening of A-V shunts and vasodilation of the capillary bed in the later stage may be controlled by the same mechanism(s). It is also suggested that treatment which results in vasodilation in the skin flap in the early stages of the postoperative period may augment the extent of skin viability.
Cryptosporidiosis among HIV positive patients in the North Rift region of Kenya

Introduction: Cryptosporidiosis is a gastrointestinal illness characterized by watery diarrhea and caused by protozoan parasites belonging to Cryptosporidium species. It occurs in both humans and animals. In immunocompetent individuals the infection may resolve without intervention but in immuno-compromised individuals, it may persist to fatality. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis, cryptosporidium genotypes and associated factors among HIV patients. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, a total of 1794 stool samples were screened for Cryptosporidium oocysts, using modified ZN staining and parasite genotypes and sub-genotypes determined using PCR-RFLP analysis of the 18s RNA subunit and CP47 gene sequencing respectfully. Data was analyzed for measures of central tendency and statistical associations. Results: The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was 3.2% (58/1794) with no significant sex-related differences in risk of infection with Cryptosporidium (OR=1.2130, 95% CI=0.6895-1.341, P=0.5023). C. hominis was the most common genotype followed by C. parvum and then C. meleagridis. About 1% of the samples had a mixed infection of C. hominis and C. parvum. Cryptosporidiosis significantly associated with diarrhea (OR= 4.7087, P≤0.0001), headache (OR=2.218, P= 0.0033), and skin rash (OR=2.2179, P=0.0279). Conclusion: The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among HIV positive was of 3.2% and within the range of 34% reported in other parts of Kenya and within the East African region. Diarrhea, headache, low CD4 counts and skin rash were significantly associated with Cryptosporidium infection.
Effects of EGF and thrombin on inositol‐containing phospholipids of cultured fibroblasts: Stimulation of phosphatidylinositol synthesis by thrombin but not EGF

The effects of growth factors on inositol‐containing phospholipids were investigated to test the hypothesis that alterations in their metabolism are involved in mitogenic stimulation. Thrombin and EGF stimulated comparable increases in the synthesis (30–50%) and degradation (20–40%) of phosphatidylinositol 4‐monophosphate (DPI) and phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (TPI) in a cell line which is mitogenically responsive to both growth factors. The increases in synthesis were time and dose dependent in a manner which was consistent with their involvement in mitogenesis; the increases were observed only under conditions where a mitogenic response occurred. While it has been suggested that an increased synthesis of phosphatidylinositol (PI) is coupled to the stimulation of DPI and TPI synthesis, we found that thrombin stimulated an early synthesis PI but EGF did not. To further evaluate the involvement of PI in thrombin‐stimulated cell division we determined the time and dose dependence of the stimulated PI synthesis and found that it also occurred in a manner which was consistent with its involvement in thrombin‐stimulated cell division. Furthermore, the stimulated PI synthesis was not observed with nonmitogenic proteases or in cell lines which were not responsive to thrombin. These results demonstrate that the metabolism of DPI and TPI appears closely related to the mitogenic response generated by EGF and thrombin. However, an early stimulation of PI synthesis is not coupled to this metabolism and is not necessary for mitogenic stimulation by EGF. Thus, a stimulation of PI synthesis is not a valid measure of alterations in inositol‐containing phospholipids and what has been termed the “PI response. ”
Students? Acceptance Using Facebook as a Learning Tool: A Case Study

With the advancement of technology in communication, social networks are widely used not only for connecting friends and social community but also as a means for learning. Previous research have focussed on Facebook related to teaching and learning (Bosch, 2009); college students experiences (Pempek, et al, 2009) and using Facebook for e-portfolio among higher learning students (Raja Hussein & Ng, 2010). This paper aimed to investigate the level of acceptance of using Facebook as a learning tool among students in a Public University in Kuala Lumpur. The design of this study was a triangulation of quantitative and qualitative methods. A self-constructed questionnaire with (25) items was used to measure the perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and students? attitude toward using Facebook as a learning tool. The survey was carried out to a purposive sampling where only students who used Facebook in learning were selected. Thus, the questionnaires were distributed to 100 students in one of the faculties in International Islamic university Malaysia IIUM. Three students were selected for the interviews. The results of this study show that only 77 respondents responded to the questionnaires. The findings indicate that there was no significant difference between male and female in their intention to use Facebook as a learning tool. On the other hand, ease of use of Facebook as a learning tool and its usefulness were significantly affected intention to use Facebook. Further enhancement of the quantitative finding was supported from the interviews where challenges and barriers are discussed.
[Study on dynamic changes of airway hyperresponsiveness in children with cough variant asthma].

OBJECTIVE To explore the dynamic changes of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in children with cough variant asthma (CVA). METHODS A prospective observational study was conducted at the Children's Hospital of Soochow University from April 2012 to March 2013. A total of 36 patients were diagnosed as CVA. According to the integral dose of histamine resulting in a 20% (PD20) fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), the severity of CVA was graded. Corresponding treatment was administered and the dynamic changes of airway hyperresponsiveness were followed for 0, 1 and 6 months. RESULTS Among them, 14 patients suffered from CVA only while another 22 cases had CVA plus upper airway cough syndrome (UACS). PD20 of CVA and CVA+UACS groups were (0.46 ± 0.26) and (0.58 ± 0.34) mg respectively. No statistically significance existed between two groups (t = -0.880, P > 0.05). According to the value of PD20, AHR in CVA patients was classified into four degrees of severe, moderate, mild and very mild. Initially there were moderate (n = 8), mild (n = 21) and very mild (n = 5). At 1 month follow-up, moderate (n = 1), mild (n = 28) and borderline (n = 7); At 6 month, moderate (n = 2), mild (n = 20) and very mild (n = 7). And 4 cases turned negative and another 3 cases became lost. Cough symptom score and PD20 showed no significant correlation (r = -0.086, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS AHR in CVA patients is predominantly mild and very mild. And it decreases rapidly mostly during initial treatment phase. The proportion of conversion from CVA into negative and typical bronchial asthma is relatively low.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis employs Cpn60.2 as an adhesin that binds CD43 on the macrophage surface

CD43 is a large sialylated glycoprotein found on the surface of haematopoietic cells and has been previously shown to be necessary for efficient macrophage binding and immunological responsiveness to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Using capsular material from M. tuberculosis and recombinant CD43‐Fc, we have employed affinity chromatography to show that Cpn60.2 (Hsp65, GroEL), and to a lesser extent DnaK (Hsp70), bind to CD43. Competitive inhibition using recombinant protein and polyclonal F(ab′)2 antibody‐mediated epitope masking studies were used to evaluate M. tuberculosis binding to CD43+/+ versus CD43−/− macrophages. Results showed that Cpn60.2, but not DnaK, acts as a CD43‐dependent mycobacterial adhesin for macrophage binding. Assessment of the specific binding between Cpn60.2 and CD43 showed it to be saturable, with a comparatively weak affinity in the low micromolar range. We have also shown that the ability of Cpn60.2 to competitively inhibit M. tuberculosis binding to macrophages is shared by the Escherichia coli homologue, GroEL, but not by the mouse and human Hsp60 homologues. These findings add to a growing field of research that implicates molecular chaperones as having extracellular functions, including bacterial adherence to host cells. Thus, CD43 may act as a Pattern Recognition Receptor (PRR) for bacterial homologues of the 60 kDa molecular chaperone.
In vivo detection of non-cavitated caries lesions on occlusal surfaces by visual inspection and quantitative light-induced fluorescence

Objective. The aim of this clinical caries detection study was to compare the outcome of quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) and meticulous visual inspection (VI) in detecting non-cavitated caries lesions on occlusal surfaces in young adolescents. It was hypothesized that the respective diagnostic performances of meticulous VI and QLF are similar. Material and methods. The subjects were 34 fifteen-year-old students. Five-hundred-and-seventeen cleaned occlusal surfaces were air-dried and examined using VI. Fluorescence images were captured with QLF equipment and custom software was used to display, store and analyze the images. The area of the lesion (area; mm2), fluorescence loss (ΔF;%) and ΔQ (Area*ΔF; mm2*%) were determined at a QLF threshold of −5%. The presence/absence of non-cavitated lesions was independently recorded with both methods. Results. 78.8% of all untreated surfaces were classified as sound or as having a non-cavitated lesion with both methods uniformly (VI+QLF). On 7.1% of all surfaces a lesion was detected by VI only and on 14.1% by QLF only. All parameters (Area, ΔF, ΔQ) differed significantly between lesions registered with both methods (VI+QLF) and lesions recorded with QLF only. Conclusions. It was concluded that our hypothesis cannot be confirmed. The study shows that QLF detects (1) more non-cavitated occlusal lesions and (2) smaller lesions compared to VI. However, taking into consideration time-consuming image capturing and analysis, QLF is not really practical for use in the dental office.
Melanin Precursor 5,6-Dihydroxyindol: Protective Effects and Cytotoxicity on Retinal Cells in vitro and in vivo

5,6-Dihydroxyindole (DHI) is a melanin pigment precursor with antioxidant properties. In the light of a report about cytotoxicity of DHI, the aim of this study was to assess possible toxic effects of DHI on cells related to the eye, such as human ARPE-19 cells and mouse retinal explants. Moreover, DHI was tested on its effects on retinal function in vivo using electroretinography. We found cytotoxicity of DHI against ARPE-19 cells at 100 μM, but not at 10 μM. 10 μM DHI exhibited a slight, though not significant protective activity against UV-A damage in ARPE-19 cells. We found cytoprotection in cultured mouse retinas by 50 μM DHI or its diacetylated derivative 5,6-diacetoxyindole (DAI), respectively. In ERG measurements in vivo, amplitudes were decreased only slightly by 100 μM DHI compared to saline, whereas a better preservation of amplitudes was visible at 10 μM DHI, in particular with respect to cones. In histological sections, more cones were found at 10 μM DHI than at 100 μM DHI. As a conclusion, DHI shows a slight protective effect at 10 μM both in vitro and in vivo. At 100 μM, it shows a strong cytotoxicity in vitro, which is strongly reduced in vivo.
Chromosomal Aberrations and Bipolar Affective Disorder

Chromosomal abnormalities associated with bipolar disorder may help in the localisation of susceptibility genes for bipolar illness by pinpointing ‘candidate’ regions of the genome for further study using molecular genetic methods. We review descriptions of chromosomal abnormalities in association with bipolar and related affective disorders and evaluate their relevance for localising susceptibility genes for bipolar disorder, using standardised criteria. We found 28 reports. We identified four genomic regions of potential interest: 11q21-25; 15q11-13; chromosome 21; Xq28. It is important that clinicians are able to recognise patients who may have chromosome abnormalities which could help in the localisation of susceptibility genes for psychiatric disorders. We suggest referral for specialist investigation and karyotyping, to a psychiatric genetics research group, of any patient with functional psychosis and one or more of the following: (a) a strong family history of functional psychosis; (b) mental retardation; (c) another disease known to be caused by a single gene; or (d) congenital abnormalities.
Prophylaxis of respiratory distress syndrome by treatment with modified porcine surfactant at birth: a multicentre prospective randomized trial

The objective of this prospective, multicentre trial, carried out at 18 third level hospitals in Italy, was to evaluate efficacy of modified porcine surfactant (Curosurf), administered at birth to prevent the development of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants. 287 babies with a gestational age of 24-30 weeks were randomized to prophylactic treatment with Curosurf (80 mg/ml; dose 20 mg/kg) or to a control group receiving no surfactant treatment in the delivery-room. Babies in both groups were eligible for rescue treatment with surfactant (200 mg/kg) if they developed clinical symptoms of RDS and required mechanical ventilation. The main end-point was to obtain, in the prophylaxis group, a 30% reduction in the incidence of grade 3-4 RDS. Median gestational age was 28 weeks in both groups and mean birth weight 1010 and 1002 g, respectively for prophylaxis and control babies. There was a 32% reduction in the incidence of grade 3-4 RDS in the prophylaxis group (p < 0.05). This was associated with a significant reduction in mean maximum fraction of inspired oxygen (0.57 vs 0.66%; p < 0.01), a decreased incidence of pulmonary interstitial emphysema (7 vs 14%; p < 0.05) and a lowered mortality (21 vs 35%; p < 0.01). Combined unfavourable outcome (mortality + bronchopulmonary dysplasia and/or grade 3-4 intraventricular hemorrhage and/or grade 2-4 retinopathy of prematurity) was significantly lower in the prophylaxis than in the second group (41 vs 58%; p < 0.01). The favourable effects of prophylactic treatment were equally recorded in all the age groups, including the babies with the lowest gestational age (24-25 weeks). Multiple and logistic regression analysis confirmed that high gestational age and surfactant prophylaxis were, independently, associated with a lower degree of RDS (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0008, respectively) and a lower mortality (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0045, respectively). We conclude that prophylaxis with modified natural surfactant effectively prevents RDS in newborn babies between 24 and 30 weeks' gestation.
Phylogeny of the tribe Fumarieae (Papaveraceae s.l.) based on chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequences: evolutionary and biogeographic implications.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Little research has been done at the molecular level on the tribe Fumarieae (Papaveraceae). Papaveraceae is a model plant group for studying evolutionary patterns despite the lack of a reference phylogeny for this tribe. We investigated the phylogenetic relationships within the tribe to complete the molecular data for this family in order to help understand its character evolution and biogeographic pattern. METHODS We used maximum-parsimony and Bayesian approaches to analyze five DNA regions for 25 species representing 10 of the 11 Fumarieae genera and five outgroups. Evolutionary pathways of four characters (habit, life span, type of fruit, and number of seeds per fruit) were inferred on the phylogeny using parsimony. The ancestral distribution areas were reconstructed using dispersal-vicariance analysis. KEY RESULTS Fumarieae is monophyletic and includes three groups that agree with the morphology-based subtribes: Discocapninae, Fumariinae, and Sarcocapninae. Within subtribes, the relationships among genera were different from those obtained with morphological data. Annual life span, nonchasmophytic habit, and a several-seeded capsule were the basal character states for the tribe. The ancestor occupied a continuous area between West Eurasia and Africa. Vicariances explain the divergence between lineages Discocapninae (South Africa) and Fumariinae-Sarcocapninae (Mediterranean), and the disjunction of Fumariinae (Mediterranean-Central Asia). CONCLUSIONS Molecular phylogeny confirms the subtribal classification of Fumarieae based on morphology. However it provides different results regarding the relationships among genera within each subtribe, which affects the inference of the evolutionary pathway followed by the four selected characters. The disjunct distribution of the tribe is explained by different vicariance scenarios.