Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tuberculous lymphadenitis: correlation of cellular components and necrosis in lymph-node aspirate with A.F.B. positivity and bacillary count.

Cytomorphologic features of tuberculous lymphadenitis cases as observed in lymph-node aspirates were analysed and correlated with AFB positivity and bacillary count. Cytologic features were categorized under three major groups, viz. epithelioid granuloma without necrosis, epithelioid granuloma with necrosis and necrosis without epithelioid granulomas. These three major groups showed a distinct trend in respect of their cellular constituents. While cases with appreciable lymphocytic and multinucleated giant cells component showed a significant decreasing trend, cases with neutrophilic infiltration showed an increasing trend (P less than 0.001). In the above three groups, 9.1 percent, 64.7 percent and 77.4 percent respectively showed AFB positivity, the difference being highly significant (P less than 0.001). All 14 cases with very high bacillary count (greater than 50 bacilli per 500 oil immersion field) were associated with necrosis and 71.4% of them neutrophilic infiltration. A univariate analysis revealed that in presence of lymphocytes, epithelioid cells and Langhan's giant cells, AFB positivity was significantly lower while the picture was just the reverse in presence of necrosis and neutrophilic infiltration (P less than 0.001). The odd's rations for all these variables were highly significant (P less than 0.001). However, a multivariate regression analysis revealed that necrosis was the only independent contributing factor towards AFB positivity.
The duck hepatitis B virus core protein contains a highly phosphorylated C terminus that is essential for replication but not for RNA packaging

In this report, we present biochemical and mutational analyses of the duck hepatitis B virus core protein (DHBcAg). The data show that duck hepatitis B virus core particles consist of at least four different proteins with sizes between 32 and 34 kilodaltons, all of which react with DHBcAg-specific antiserum. Most of the heterogeneity was found to be due to extensive phosphorylation of the DHBcAg C terminus. Bacterially synthesized DHBcAg was not phosphorylated, and mutations within the viral P gene did not influence phosphorylation, suggesting that the kinase activity is not encoded by the viral C or P gene. Removal of the last 12 C-terminal DHBcAg amino acids, which are at least in part located on the core particle surface, had only a minor effect on DHBcAg phosphorylation and did not interfere with packaging of the capsids into viral envelopes or with genome replication. However, an attempt to infect ducklings with this mutant failed. Removal of the last 36 C-terminal DHBcAg amino acids abolished core protein heterogeneity but did not prevent particle formation. Interestingly, these particles were defective in genome replication, although they could still package viral pregenomic RNA.
Th-1-Type Cytotoxic CD8+ T-Lymphocyte Responses to Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) Are a Consistent Feature of Natural SIV Infection in Sooty Mangabeys

ABSTRACT Sooty mangabeys are a natural host of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) that remain asymptomatic and do not exhibit increased immune activation or increased T-lymphocyte turnover despite sustained high levels of SIV viremia. In this study we asked whether an altered immune response to SIV contributes to the lack of immunopathology in sooty mangabeys as opposed to species with pathogenic lentivirus infection. SIV-specific cellular immune responses were investigated in a cohort of 25 sooty mangabeys with natural SIV infection. Gamma interferon (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay responses targeting a median of four SIV proteins were detected in all 25 mangabeys and were comparable in magnitude to those of 13 rhesus macaques infected with SIVmac251 for more than 6 months. As with rhesus macaques, Th2 ELISPOT responses to SIV were absent or >10-fold lower than the IFN-γ ELISPOT response to the same SIV protein. The SIV-specific ELISPOT response was predominantly mediated by CD8+ T lymphocytes; the frequency of circulating SIV-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes ranged between 0.11% and 3.26% in 13 mangabeys. Functionally, the SIV-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes were cytotoxic; secreted IFN-γ, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and macrophage inflammatory protein 1β; and had an activated effector phenotype. Although there was a trend toward higher frequencies of SIV-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes in mangabeys with lower viral loads, a significant inverse correlation between SIV viremia and SIV-specific cellular immunity was not detected. The consistent detection of Th1-type SIV-specific cellular immune responses in naturally infected sooty mangabeys suggests that immune attenuation is neither a feature of nor a requirement for maintenance of nonpathogenic SIV infection in its natural host.
Assessment of Bifidobacterium Species Using groEL Gene on the Basis of Illumina MiSeq High-Throughput Sequencing

The next-generation high-throughput sequencing techniques have introduced a new way to assess the gut’s microbial diversity on the basis of 16S rRNA gene-based microbiota analysis. However, the precise appraisal of the biodiversity of Bifidobacterium species within the gut remains a challenging task because of the limited resolving power of the 16S rRNA gene in different species. The groEL gene, a protein-coding gene, evolves quickly and thus is useful for differentiating bifidobacteria. Here, we designed a Bifidobacterium-specific primer pair which targets a hypervariable sequence region within the groEL gene that is suitable for precise taxonomic identification and detection of all recognized species of the genus Bifidobacterium so far. The results showed that the novel designed primer set can specifically differentiate Bifidobacterium species from non-bifidobacteria, and as low as 104 cells of Bifidobacterium species can be detected using the novel designed primer set on the basis of Illumina Miseq high-throughput sequencing. We also developed a novel protocol to assess the diversity of Bifidobacterium species in both human and rat feces through high-throughput sequencing technologies using groEL gene as a discriminative marker.
Shigella infection in breast-fed Guatemalan indian neonates.

SEVERAL cases of neonatal shigellosis have been reported recently in industrialized areas. 1-3 Practically all the Shigella infections reported were accompanied by serious clinical manifestations, mainly diarrhea, with several deaths. In the present paper, the authors want to advance observations on Shigella infections in neonates from a semiprimitive Mayan village of Guatemala, because the behavior of infections in these infants departs from that described by the American authors. The cases herein reported were observed during a longitudinal study in which a cohort of children is followed in their natural environment from the time of birth, in order to observe their general health condition, their growth, their diet, and the colonization of the intestine by parasites, yeasts, bacteria, and viruses. Only the infection by Shigella , observed in infants under 1 month of age, will be described and discussed in the present paper. Methods Study Area . —Since February 1964, children born in
Indexability of 2 D Range Search with Constant Redundancy ∗

We consider the 2D orthogonal range search problem defined as follows. Let P be a set of 2D points where each point p ∈ P carries an arbitrary information field. The goal is to store P in a data structure so that, given any axis-parallel query rectangle q, we can report the information fields of all the points in P ∩ q efficiently. For every constant integer r ≥ 1, we prove a lower bound on the query cost of any external memory structure that stores an information field r times on average. Our lower bounds do not require that information fields be stored as atoms. Instead, a structure is free to store the bits of an information field in different blocks, and/or store some bits more often than others. We also describe structures whose query efficiency matches the lower bounds. ∗A preliminary version of this paper appeared in PODS’12.
Fluoride Concentrations of Unstimulated Whole and Labial Gland Saliva in Young Adults after Fluoride Intake with Milk

Following a fluoride depletion period 6 subjects repeatedly rinsed with 30–ml volumes of milk with or without added fluoride (5 ppm). Rinsing time was timed according to the measurements on how long it took to drink 200 or 500 ml milk. Rinsing with fluoridated milk for a total interval of 20 and 60 s, respectively, did not influence significantly the fluoride concentration of unstimulated centrifuged whole saliva 45 min later. Neither the urinary fluoride concentration nor the fluoride excretion were significantly affected by rinsing with fluoridated milk during the first hour. However, intake of 1 or 2.5 mg of fluoride with 200 and 500 ml milk, respectively, resulted in significant elevations in whole saliva fluoride levels 45 min later. In addition, the fluoride excretions into urine produced during 60 min after the fluoride intakes were significantly elevated and those reflected the ingested dose of fluoride. The intake of either 1 or 2.5mg fluoride with milk did not significantly influence the fluoride level of unstimulated labial gland saliva collected simultaneously with whole saliva.
Comparison of the Effect of Plyometric and Weight Training Programs on Vertical Jumps in Female Basketball Players

3 Abstract: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of combined exercises (plyometric and weight training) on vertical jump of female basketball players. Out of 35 basketball players who competed in first division league of Tehran clubs, 16 players (age: 20.38±3.7 yr, weight: 65.5±11.5 kg and height: 174.78±6.23 cm) participated voluntarily in this study. They were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. The experimental group performed plyometric exercises (which consisted of side hop, lay up jump, depth jump) and weight exercises (which included leg press lying, calf raises, leg press standing) 3 days per week for 8 weeks while the control group performed only the vertical jump that was measured with Sargent Jump test. Both groups took part in the pretest and posttest. The accepted level of significant was p<0.05. The results indicated the significant effect of combined exercises on vertical jump (p<0.05). In addition, the results revealed that the vertical jump of experimental group was significantly greater than control group (p<0.05). The results showed that these exercises can also build up foot muscles and increase explosive feet power. Therefore, the application of combined exercises to jumping sports was suggested.
2-(4-Methylbenzenesulfonamido)-2-phenylacetic acid

In the title compound, C15H15NO4S, the dihedral angle between the phenyl and benzene rings is 46.0 (3)° and a weak intramolecular N—H⋯O interaction is present. The crystal structure is stabilized by intermolecular O—H⋯O, N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.
Endothelial dysfunction in systemic sclerosis

Purpose of reviewMicrovascular endothelial cells (MVECs) injury is a critical early event in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). We aim to provide the reader with an update regarding the role of MVECs in the pathogenesis of SSc and the mechanisms for MVECs dysfunction in the disease. Recent findingsRecent evidence confirms the central role for MVECs in the pathogenesis of SSc, and suggests further mechanisms for MVECs injury. The impact of MVECs perturbations in SSc goes beyond the initiation of the vascular disease to include activation of fibroblasts through the release of cytokines and growth factors like connective tissue growth factor that induce an active and aggressive form of fibroblasts. Moreover, recent studies highlighted a more prominent role for epigenetic factors in the pathogenesis of SSc, and suggested defects in the function of progenitor endothelial cells in SSc. Recent reports helped to shed light on the role of antiendothelial cell antibodies in the pathogenesis of SSc, especially purified subsets of these antibodies like anti-ICAM-1 antibodies, and also reported possible mechanisms for defective vascular endothelial growth factor signaling. SummaryIt is clear that MVECs dysfunction is a key element in the pathogenesis of SSc, but the initial triggers for MVEC dysfunction remain uncharacterized.
Identifying Mechanisms for Therapeutic Intervention in Chordoma: c-Met Oncoprotein

Study Design. A human sacral chordoma cell line, CCL3, was established and in vitro characterization of c-Met oncoprotein in chordoma cells was performed. Objective. Determination of whether c-Met plays an important role in chordoma’s malignancy. Summary of Background Data. Chordomas are malignant life-threatening tumors that arise from the remnants of the notochord. c-Met is an oncoprotein that is expressed by a variety of solid tumors, including chordomas, and HGF is its high affinity ligand. In the present study, we investigated c-Met and HGF expression, localization, and function in human chordoma cells. Methods. SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, immunofluorescence techniques, and cell migration functional assays were used to asses c-Met and HGF expression, localization, and functional activity. Results. Intracellular protein tyrosine phosphorylation was enhanced on HGF binding, and an increase in the amount of 50 kDa &agr;-chain of c-Met was detected in HGF-stimulated cells. Immunostaining of c-Met and HGF revealed membrane/cytoplasmic localization in nonstimulated cells, and perinuclear colocalization in HGF-stimulated cells. Positive chemotactic and migration activity in response to HGF was also demonstrated. Conclusion. Our data supports our hypothesis that the c-Met oncoprotein plays a leading role in the metastatic process in chordomas, and that a c-Met-HGF pair is involved in chordoma malignancy. Taking into consideration the very limited treatment options and an extremely poor prognosis for the chordoma patients, our results are a valuable and promising addition to the current situation in managing chordomas.
Interaction technology for collective and psychomotor training in sports

The paper introduces a novel pervasive computing based training concept aimed at elite sports. The concept goes beyond interactive sports equipments that are either individual or multiuser with a common display requiring participant's focus. These types of equipments are unable to support the kinesthetic empathic elements inherently present within open sports. To put focus on collective training, we draw inspiration from Kinesthetic Empathy Interaction in designing the collective training equipment, TacTowers. The TacTowers prototype is aimed at supporting athletes, particularly team handball players, in honing their psychomotor skills, in particular anticipation and decision making skills, in the one-on-one confrontation. TacTowers is a sensor-actuator based system, with LED lights and no screen-based display. It is placed between the players in order to reintroduce the kinesthetic empathic element in the interaction, specific to the sport. We present and discuss results of tests with two elite handball teams. We see prospects for applying the concept for entertaining movement-stimulating games at schools or leisure sports environments.
Apparent diffusion coefficient of fibrosis and regenerative nodules in the cirrhotic liver at MRI.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to compare the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of fibrosis and regenerative nodules in the cirrhotic liver at MRI, both in vivo and ex vivo. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A prospective ex vivo and in vivo study was performed at a tertiary liver center. To characterize the diffusion properties of cirrhotic liver, 63 human liver specimens obtained anonymously from 23 freshly explanted cirrhotic livers underwent T1-, T2-, and diffusion-weighted MRI ex vivo. ADC values of fibrotic bridges and regenerative nodules were calculated. In vivo conventional and diffusion-weighted MRI was performed for 17 cirrhotic patients (12 men and five women; mean age, 54 years; range, 34-77 years) with focal areas of confluent fibrosis. ADC values of confluent fibrosis and background cirrhotic liver parenchyma were calculated. Log-transformed ADC values of fibrosis and regenerative nodules were compared between ex vivo and in vivo images. RESULTS Ex vivo, the mean ADC of fibrotic bridges (0.55 +/- 0.24 mm(2)/s [SD]) was greater than that of regenerative nodules (0.36 +/- 0.18 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s) (p < 0.0001). In vivo, the mean ADC value of confluent fibrosis (2.07 +/- 0.39 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s) was greater than that of background cirrhotic liver parenchyma (1.53 +/- 0.35 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s) (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION The mean ADC of fibrosis is significantly greater than that of regenerative nodules both in vivo and ex vivo. The prevailing paradigm that fibrosis causes the reduced liver ADC observed in cirrhosis may need modification.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Hypertriglyceridemia in HIV-Infected Subjects on Antiretroviral Therapy: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract Purpose: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) changed the course of AIDS. However, it has been associated with chronic metabolic complications including hypertriglyceridemia. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the effects of marine omega-3 fatty acids in triglycerides concentrations of HIV-infected subjects on ART.Methods: Thirty-three articles were found in a PubMed search; 6 met the inclusion criteria, and 4 of them were considered of adequate quality and included. Meta-analysis with fixed effects was performed and weighted mean differences (WMD; 95% CI) were described.Results: The overall reduction of triglycerides concentrations after 8 to 16 weeks of treatment with 900 to 3360 mg omega-3/day was WMD -80.34 mg/dL (95% CI, -129.08 to -31.60). Short-term (4 to 8 weeks) and a long-term (12 to 16 weeks) interventions were associated with a WMD -134.36 mg/dL (95% CI, -208.04 to -60.69) and WMD -54.09 mg/dL (95% CI, -115.77 to 7.59), respectively. The pooled result of studies with mean triglycerides ≥300 mg/dL at baseline and 1800 to 2900 mg omega-3/day was WMD -129.72 mg/dL (95% CI, -206.54 to -52.91). Conclusion: Different doses of omega-3 fatty acids significantly reduce triglycerides concentrations, confirming the potential applicability of this nutrient on the management of hypertriglyceridemia in HIV-infected subjects on ART.
PROFITABILITY OF CROP CULTIVATION UNDER DIFFERENT LAND TENURIAL ARRANGEMENTS IN SOME SELECTED SITES OF BANGLADESH

Proper land tenurial arrangements perceived as an important strategy for input use and agricultural production in utilization of land resource. Government of Bangladesh initiated due measures in this respect by formulating and declaring the land reform ordinance 1984.The main quest of this study is to identify the profitability of crop cultivation and factors influencing gross revenues in the variousl and tenurial arrangements under this land reform ordinance 1984. In search of this research question, a case study was conducted in two Upazilas (sub districts) of Bangladesh based on cross section data. This data were collected by purposive stratified sampling technique in the year 2013. Benefit cost ratio (BCR) was used to identify the profitability of crop cultivation under different land tenurial arrangements. Ordinary least square (OLS) regression method was used to identify the factors influencing gross revenues of the share cropped land of owner cum tenant farmers. This study reveals that the aspects of land reform ordinance have been implemented in output sharing aspect but not in input cost sharing aspect. Again BCR in leased land was higher than share cropped land. Moreover, regression analysis indicates that farm size had significant positive impact on gross revenues. The study holistically reveals that lease arrangements could be judged as a vital player to increase gross revenue as well as profit inshare cropped lands.
STK11/LKB1 germline mutations are not identified in most Peutz–Jeghers syndrome patients

Germline mutations of the STK11 gene mapped to chromosome 19p13.3 are responsible for Peutz–Jeghers syndrome (PJS), a dominant disorder associated with characteristic gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyps and a predisposition to various cancers. We conducted a detailed investigation of germline STK11 alterations by protein truncation test and genomic DNA sequence analysis in ten unrelated PJS families. We identified a novel truncating deletion spanning STK11 exons 2–7 in a single patient and several known polymorphisms. Loss of heterozygosity studies in PJS polyps of four of these patients identified an allelic deletion of D19S886 in another patient. Our results suggest that STK11 mutations account for only a proportion of PJS cases.
Lifelong Eccentricity and Social Isolation

Several scales are described for measuring aspects of eccentricity and social isolation; in particular, for assessing schizoid and schizotypal personality and for rating abnormal non-verbal expression. The latter is shown to be reliable, and the former to have a measure of validity. There was an association between schizoid personality traits and abnormalities of speech and non-verbal expression. However, abnormal non-verbal expression, but not schizoid personality traits or DSM–III schizotypal personality disorder, was particularly likely to occur in those subjects who had evidence of neurological deficit, and childhood symptoms indicative of developmental disorder. Abnormal non-verbal expression, but not personality disorder, was also associated with other characteristic features of Asperger's syndrome, such as unusual, 'special’ interests. It is suggested that Asperger's syndrome is a distinct syndrome from either schizoid or schizotypal personality disorder, but may be a risk factor for the development of schizoid personality disorder.
Cirramycin-B Antibiotic Production By Streptomyces Cyaneus-AZ-13Zc: Fermentation, Purification and Biological Activities

This work was carried out for biosynthesis of specific bioactive substances that demonstrated inhibitory effects against pathogenic microorganisms from Streptomyces cyaneus, AZ-13Zc. The active metabolite was extracted using ethyl acetate (1:1, v/v) at pH 7.0. The separation of the active ingredient and its purification was performed using both thin layer chromatography (TLC) and column chromatography (CC) techniques. The physico- chemical characteristics of the purified antimicrobial agent have been investigated. This analysis indicates a suggested imperical formula of C 36 H 59 NO 12 . The minimum inhibition concentrations "MICs" of the purified antimicrobial agent were also determined. The purified antimicrobial agent was suggestive of being belonging to 16- membered Macrolide group (Cirramycin-B antibiotic) produced by Streptomyces cyaneus, AZ-13Zc. (Atta H.M., El-Sehrawi M.H., Awny N.M., El-Mesady N.I. Cirramycin-B Antibiotic Production By Streptomyces Cyaneus-AZ-13Zc: Fermentation, Purification And Biological Activities. New York Science Journal 2011;4(2):35- 42). (ISSN: 1554-0200). http://www.sciencepub. net/newyork .