Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytokine Profiles for Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes from Patients with Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Healthy Household Contacts in Response to the 30-Kilodalton Antigen ofMycobacterium tuberculosis

ABSTRACT Patients with active tuberculosis (TB) have a stronger humoral but a poorer cellular immune response to the secreted 30-kDa antigen (Ag) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis than do healthy household contacts (HHC), who presumably are more protected against disease. The basis for this observation was studied by examining the Th1 (interleukin 2 [IL-2] and gamma interferon [IFN-γ])- and Th2 (IL-10 and IL-4)-type cytokines produced in response to the 30-kDa Ag by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with active pulmonary TB (n = 7) and from HHC who were tuberculin (purified protein derivative) skin test positive (n = 12). Thirty-kilodalton-Ag-stimulated PBMC from TB patients produced significantly lower levels of IFN-γ (none detectable) than did those from HHC (212 ± 73 pg/ml, mean ± standard error) (P < 0.001). Likewise, 30-kDa-Ag-stimulated PBMC from TB patients failed to express IFN-γ mRNA by reverse transcription-PCR, whereas cells from HHC expressed the IFN-γ gene. In contrast, 30-kDa-Ag-stimulated PBMC from TB patients produced significantly higher levels of IL-10 (403 ± 80 pg/ml) than did those from HHC (187 ± 66 pg/ml) (P < 0.013), although cells from both groups expressed the IL-10 gene. IL-2 and IL-4 were not consistently produced, and their genes were not expressed by 30-kDa-Ag-stimulated cells from either TB patients or HHC. After treatment with antituberculous drugs, lymphocytes from four of the seven TB patients proliferated and three of them expressed IFN-γ mRNA in response to the 30-kDa Ag and produced decreased levels of IL-10.
The Biolog Plates Technique as a Tool in Ecological Studies of Microbial Communities

The Biolog technique was introduced into ecological studies to estimate metabolic potential of microbial com - munities. w hile utilizing carbon substrates (95 or 31x3, depending on the plate type), microbes reduce a colourless dye to violet formazan. The colour is measured spectrophotometrically. This is a rapid and quite convenient method but it has many drawbacks - for example, only microbes that are cultivable and able to grow in high-nutrient condi - tions contribute to substrate utilization. The method was used mainly to investigate microbial communities from bulk and rhizosphere soil and to estimate the impact of stressors on soil microbial communities.
Colistin susceptibility testing of gram-negative bacilli: Better performance of vitek2 system than E-test compared to broth microdilution method as the gold standard test

Introduction: Unavailability of optimal susceptibility testing (ST) challenges the clinical use of colistin. Broth microdilution (BMD), which is the reference for colistin ST, is inconvenient for diagnostics. Vitek2 and E-test although technically easier, are no longer recommended. Materials and Methods: For the evaluation of Vitek2 and E-test in reference with BMD, a total of 138 Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) especially carbapenem-resistant isolates from Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, India, were included during 2017–2018. The evaluation was performed only for Enterobacteriaceae (n = 102), but not for non-fermentative GNB (n = 36) due to lack of colistin-resistant (COLR) isolates. Results and Conclusion: Of 138 isolates, meropenem, colistin and dual resistance were detected in 110 (79.7%), 31 (22.5%) and 21 (15.2%) of isolates, respectively. Using the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing guidelines (susceptible, ≤2 μg/ml), Vitek2 performed better than E-test (essential agreement, 92.2% vs. 63.7%; categorical agreement, 94.1% vs. 93.1%; very major error [VME], 10% vs. 23.3%). However, Vitek2 overcalled resistance than E-test (major error, 4.2% vs. 0%). Considering Chew et al. proposed breakpoints (susceptible, ≤1 μg/ml), VMEs declined for both test (6.7% vs. 10%), but still remained unacceptable. Of eight colistin-heteroresistant isolates, two VME were categorised by Vitek2, one VME was by E-test, and two were uninterpretable. Both Vitek2 and E-test are unreliable. Further studies correlating minimum inhibitory concentrations with clinical outcome are needed to determine the accurate breakpoints for better patient management.
The mode of action of carbon dioxide on the blood‐pressure

IN a previous paper we considered the influence of carbon dioxide on the heart in varying degrees of anmesthesia(i) and showed that deep anaesthesia effectively inhibited the mechanism which normally causes a rise in the blood-pressure on the administration of small doses of C02 (4 litres of 12 O/0). No attempt was made in that paper to determine the particular mechanism involved, but further work has put us in possession of facts which certainly help towards the elucidation of this question. Kaya, working with Starling(2), first showed that in the intact animal a rise of blood-pressure followed an increase in the carbon dioxide tension in the blood and that a subsequent reduction in this tension brought about the return of the blood-pressure to normiial. When a spinal animal was used no rise in blood-pressure followed the administration of the C02, although sometimes there was some improvement of the heart beat. Using the isolated heart-lulng preparation Jeruisalem and Starling3 found that an increase in the proportion of CO2 in the air inspired caused slowing of the heart. They found also that quantities of C02 up to 80/0 of an atmosphere caused increased ventricular output, whilst quantities above that figure up to 200/0 caused diminished output. This increased ventricular output with the lower proportion of C02 is probably in part responsible for the raised bloodpressure. Further work was carried out under the direction of Starling by Itami(4) and von Anrep(5). Itami found that with 5 to 100/0 of C02 the cardiac output increased and a rise in blood-pressure took place. With larger percentages the heart dilated and the output diminished. The blood-pressure however rose. Von Anrep showed by experiments on intact animals, with and without their suprarenals
Re: Height as an explanatory factor for sex differences in human cancer.

1762 Correspondence | JNCI 2. Kroenke CH, Fung TT, Hu FB, Holmes MD. Dietary patterns and survival after breast cancer diagnosis. J Clin Oncol. 2005; 23(36):9295–9303. 3. Key TJ, Schatzkin A, Willett WC, Allen NE, Spencer EA, Travis RC. Diet, nutrition and the prevention of cancer. Public Health Nutr. 2004;7(1A):187–200. 4. Kwan ML, Weltzien E, Kushi LH, Castillo A, Slattery ML, Caan BJ. Dietary patterns and breast cancer recurrence and survival among women with early-stage breast cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2009;27(6):919–926. 5. Ganmaa D, Sato A. The possible role of female sex hormones in milk from pregnant cows in the development of breast, ovarian and corpus uteri cancers. Med Hypotheses. 2005;65(6):1028–1037.
Histology as a Prognostic Factor in Early Gastric Cancer

Of 431 patients with gastric cancer observed in our Istitution, 23 (5.3 %) had early gastric cancer (EGC). Macroscopic presentation, histology, depth of invasion, and lymph node involvement were evaluated in all the cases. All patients underwent surgery and an intensive follow-up was performed. Five of the 23 patients progressed, and the risk factors were examined. Histology seemed to be the main prognostic factor in our study, since intestinal type of EGC was associated to a significantly better prognosis. Total gastrectomy is indicated in the proximal localization of EGC, and should perhaps be performed also in cases presenting undifferentiated histology.
Increased vascular expression of iNOS at day but not at night in asthmatic subjects with increased nocturnal airway obstruction.

Nitric oxide production by endothelial cells may have important consequences for the development of airway inflammation as well as for airway obstruction. The present study investigated whether the expression of vascular inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in human bronchi differs between asthmatic and healthy subjects, and whether it shows a circadian rhythm, especially in subjects with increased nocturnal airway obstruction. Bronchial biopsy samples were taken at 16:00 and 04:00 h from 13 healthy and 25 asthmatic subjects, 18-45 yrs. Biopsy samples were snap-frozen and double-immunostained for iNOS and eNOS in combination with a common vascular antigen (CD31). The degree of immunopositivity was expressed as a percentage of CD31-positive vessels encountered in complete biopsy sections. Asthmatic subjects showed greater iNOS expression than healthy controls: 23+/-15 versus 7+/-17% (mean+/-SD) at 16:00 h (p<0.001) and 19+/-15 versus 8+/-11% at 04:00 h (p<0.05). Asthmatic subjects with a fall in forced expiratory volume in one second of >10% of the predicted value between 16:00 and 04:00 h showed greater iNOS expression at 16:00 than at 04:00 h: 32+/-16 versus 20+/-13% (p<0.05). eNOS expression did not differ between healthy controls and asthmatic patients, nor did it differ between 16:00 and 04:00 h. It is suggested that asthmatic subjects with increased nocturnal airway obstruction demonstrate increased activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase during the day. The resulting nitric oxide production might protect against airway obstruction during the day. However, at night, nitric oxide production is probably insufficient to counterbalance the bronchoconstricting forces.
Previous exposure to dietary phytase reduces the endogenous energy losses from precision-fed chickens

1. A precision feeding experiment was conducted with broiler chickens, which were previously fed on diets with or without phytase, to study the effects of previous exposure to dietary phytase supplementation on the excretions of endogenous energy, nitrogen, amino acids and minerals. 2. Female Ross 308 broiler chickens, which had previously received one of 4 experimental diets (low P maize/soy diets (control, D), D + 250 international units of phytase per kg diet (FTU), D + 500 FTU and D + 2500 FTU) were used in the study. All birds were starved and then given 50 ml of glucose solution at 44 d of age. The birds were allocated to individual metabolism cages in a randomised block design with 8 replicates of each of the 4 dietary treatments. 3. Chickens which had been previously fed on diets supplemented with phytase excreted 32% less energy and 28% less dry matter per kg metabolic body weight (W0⋅75) from endogenous sources, compared to birds fed the unsupplemented diet. 4. Birds previously given phytase supplemented diets excreted 60% less sodium than those given the control diet, but there was no effect on all other minerals investigated. There was no effect of diet on the excretion of endogenous N, sialic acid or amino acids. 5. The results showed that the effects of feeding chickens on diets with supplementary phytase may continue for a few days after the diets are withdrawn. This suggests that previous exposure to phytase may alter the nutritive value of follow-on diets, which may be a commercially important effect.
Work Experiences and Psychological Well-Being of Former Hospital-Based Nurses Now Employed Elsewhere

Hospitals in Ontario have undergone significant restructuring and downsizing during the past few years. Such changes have created negative reactions among both those who survive the downsizing and those who lose their jobs involuntarily. This study compared work satisfactions and indicators of psychological well-being of 36 nurses during these changes and three years later when they were employed elsewhere. Job satisfaction and psychological well-being increased while psychological burnout decreased in this sample.
Exploration-Exploitation with Thompson Sampling in Linear Systems

Cette these est dediee a l'etude du Thompson Sampling (TS), une heuristique qui vise a surmonter le dilemme entre exploration et exploitation qui est inherent a tout processus decisionnel face a l'incertain. Contrairement aux algorithmes issus de l'heuristique optimiste face a l'incertain (OFU), ou l'exploration provient du choix du modele le plus favorable possible au vu de la connaissance accumulee, les algorithmes TS introduisent de l'alea dans le processus decisionnel en selectionnant aleatoirement un modele plausible, ce qui les rend bien moins couteux numeriquement. Cette etude se concentre sur les problemes parametriques lineaires, qui autorisent les espaces etat-action continus (infinis), en particulier les problemes de Bandits Lineaires (LB) et les problemes de controle Lineaire et Quadratique (LQ). Nous proposons dans cette these de nouvelles analyses du regret des algorithmes TS pour chacun de ces deux problemes. Bien que notre demonstration pour les LB garantisse une borne superieure identique aux resultats preexistants, la structure de la preuve offre une nouvelle vision du fonctionnement de l'algorithme TS, et nous permet d'etendre cette analyse aux problemes LQ. Nous demontrons la premiere borne superieure pour le regret de l'algorithme TS dans les problemes LQ, qui garantie dans le cadre frequentiste un regret au plus d'ordre O(\sqrt{T}). Enfin, nous proposons une application des methodes d'exploration-exploitation pour les problemes d'optimisation de portefeuille, et discutons dans ce cadre le besoin ou non d'explorer activement.
Immunohistochemical identification of the endocrine cells in the pancreatic islets of the camel, horse and cattle

This study considers the distribution of various endocrine cells in islets of Langerhans in the pancreas of several species of domestic animal, including the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) using immunohistochemistry, and relates our observations with reference to the well-documented general histology of the mammalian pancreas. The pancreatic islets were observed as compact areas of pale cells surrounded by darker presumably exocrine tissue. The most distinct delineation of the islets from the surrounding acini was in the horse and the least was in cattle. Insulin-immunoreactive cells (β-cells) were most abundant followed by glucagon- (α-), somatostatin- (∆-), and pancreatic polypeptide-immunoreactive (F- or PP-) cells in decreasing order, in all species except cattle where PP-cells were second to β-cells in their distribution. The most prominent special pattern was observed in the distribution of α- and β- cells in the pancreatic islet of the horse where α-cells were located in the center of the islet surrounded by β-cells. In the camel, β-cells were distributed throughout the islet in the center and the periphery. Alpha cells were mostly observed as clumps in the periphery area. Clumps of small number of ∆-cells and a few PP cells were found throughout the islet. In cattle, β-cells were distributed throughout the islets. Other cells occupied a more peripheral location. The physical differences in distribution of endocrine cells might result in differences in the need and interaction of hormones to each other in different species.
Do Children with Constitutional Delay Really Have More Learning Problems?

To assess the effects of constitutional short stature on intellectual, academic and visual-motor functioning, we administered a battery of psychological tests to a group of 24 such children. Their responses were compared to those of 23 subjects with normal height matched for age, sex and socioeconomic status. Contrary to the conclusions of uncontrolled studies, our data showed short and control groups to be comparable on all variables. While children with constitutional delay have been shown to exhibit low self-esteem and high levels of internalizing behavior problems, these difficulties do not appear to intrude significantly into the intellectual or academic realms.
Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of Naphthalimide Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Agents for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Two kinds of naphthalimide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro their anti-hepatocellular carcinoma properties. Compound 3a with a fused thiazole fragment to naphthalimide skeleton inhibited cell migration of SMMC-7721 and HepG2, and further in vivo trials with two animal models confirmed that compound 3a moderately inhibited primary H22 tumor growth (52.6%) and potently interrupted lung metastasis (75.7%) without obvious systemic toxicity at the therapeutic dose. Mechanistic research revealed that compound 3a inhibited cancerous liver cell growth mostly by inducing G2/M phase arrest. Western blotting experiments corroborated that 3a could up-regulate the cell cycle related protein expression of cyclin B1, CDK1 and p21, and inhibit cell migration by elevating the E-cadherin and attenuating integrin α6 expression. Our study showed that compound 3a is a valuable lead compound worthy of further investigation.
Neuron Types in the Presumptive Primary Somatosensory Cortex of the Florida Manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris)

Within afrotherians, sirenians are unusual due to their aquatic lifestyle, large body size and relatively large lissencephalic brain. However, little is known about the neuron type distributions of the cerebral cortex in sirenians within the context of other afrotherians and aquatic mammals. The present study investigated two cortical regions, dorsolateral cortex area 1 (DL1) and cluster cortex area 2 (CL2), in the presumptive primary somatosensory cortex (S1) in Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) to characterize cyto- and chemoarchitecture. The mean neuron density for both cortical regions was 35,617 neurons/mm3 and fell within the 95% prediction intervals relative to brain mass based on a reference group of afrotherians and xenarthrans. Densities of inhibitory interneuron subtypes labeled against calcium-binding proteins and neuropeptide Y were relatively low compared to afrotherians and xenarthrans and also formed a small percentage of the overall population of inhibitory interneurons as revealed by GAD67 immunoreactivity. Nonphosphorylated neurofilament protein-immunoreactive (NPNFP-ir) neurons comprised a mean of 60% of neurons in layer V across DL1 and CL2. DL1 contained a higher percentage of NPNFP-ir neurons than CL2, although CL2 had a higher variety of morphological types. The mean percentage of NPNFP-ir neurons in the two regions of the presumptive S1 were low compared to other afrotherians and xenarthrans but were within the 95% prediction intervals relative to brain mass, and their morphologies were comparable to those found in other afrotherians and xenarthrans. Although this specific pattern of neuron types and densities sets the manatee apart from other afrotherians and xenarthrans, the manatee isocortex does not appear to be explicitly adapted for an aquatic habitat. Many of the features that are shared between manatees and cetaceans are also shared with a diverse array of terrestrial mammals and likely represent highly conserved neural features. A comparative study across manatees and dugongs is necessary to determine whether these traits are specific to one or more of the manatee species, or can be generalized to all sirenians.
Force-free and twisted, relativistic neutron star magnetosphere

Abstract In this poster we present the structure of an axisymmetric, force-free magnetosphere of a twisted, aligned rotating dipole within a corotating plasma-filled magnetosphere. We explore various profiles for the twist. We find that as the current increases more field lines cross the light cylinder leading to more efficient spin-down. Moreover, we notice that the twist cannot be increased indefinitely and after a finite twist of about π/2 the field becomes approximately radial. This could have implications for torque variations of magnetars related to outbursts.
Clinical and Radiological Outcomes After Hamstring Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructions: Comparison Between Fixed-Loop and Adjustable-Loop Cortical Suspension Devices

Background: Few studies have compared clinical and radiological outcomes after hamstring anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with fixed-loop and adjustable-loop cortical suspension devices. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare clinical outcomes and tunnel widening after hamstring ACL reconstructions with fixed- and adjustable-loop cortical suspension devices. The hypothesis was that compared with femoral graft fixation with the fixed-loop device, fixation with the adjustable-loop device would show similar clinical outcomes and would result in less tunnel widening after hamstring ACL reconstruction. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 117 consecutive patients underwent hamstring ACL reconstruction at a single institution. The fixed-loop cortical suspension device was used in 67 patients, and the adjustable-loop cortical suspension device was used in 50 patients. All patients were observed for a minimum of 2 years. Postoperative knee laxity was evaluated with the Lachman test, pivot-shift test, and KT-1000 arthrometer. Functional evaluations were performed by use of the Lysholm score and the Tegner activity scale. On anteroposterior (AP) and lateral radiographs, the measured diameters of the femoral tunnel at 1 year after surgery were compared with the diameter of the reamer used at surgery. The measured diameters of the tibial tunnel at 1 year after surgery were compared with those taken immediately after surgery. Results: The mean KT-1000 arthrometer laxity measurement was 1.5 ± 1.8 mm in the fixed-loop group and 1.2 ± 2.3 mm in the adjustable-loop group (P = .530). Results of postoperative knee laxity evaluations and functional outcomes from both groups showed no statistically significant differences. However, the fixed-loop group showed significantly better stability in the pivot-shift test than did the adjustable-loop group (P = .018). On AP radiographs, the mean diameter of the femoral and tibial tunnels increased by 42.2% ± 15.9% and 37.0% ± 17.8%, respectively, in the fixed-loop group and by 43.0% ± 15.4% and 36.8% ± 18.2% in the adjustable-loop group. On lateral radiographs, the mean diameter of the femoral and tibial tunnels increased by 38.1% ± 14.8% and 39.9% ± 13.8%, respectively, in the fixed-loop group and by 35.8% ± 12.2% and 38.1% ± 21.0% in the adjustable-loop group. No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in postoperative femoral and tibial tunnel widening on AP radiographs (P = .801 and .951, respectively) or lateral radiographs (P = .422 and .621, respectively). Conclusion: Compared with femoral fixation by use of the fixed-loop device, femoral fixation by use of the adjustable-loop device showed similar clinical outcomes but did not reduce tunnel widening after hamstring ACL reconstructions.
Differences in the Two-Dimensionally Measured Laser Doppler Flow at Different Skin Localisations

The cutaneous microcirculation shows a significant heterogeneity. With high-resolution two-dimensional laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI), spatial and temporal reproducible perfusion measurements can be reached. The objective of this study was the quantification of skin perfusion in 20 defined skin areas with LDPI, in 60 healthy young and old volunteers. The perfusion of the face was significantly higher than that of the trunk and extremities. The highest perfusion values were seen at the lips, 1.47 arbitrary units (AU), followed by the chin (0.99 AU), the nose (0.95 AU), the forehead (0.73 AU) and the cheek (0.72 AU). Mean perfusion, between 0.40 and 0.49 AU, was seen at the extremities and at the trunk. The lowest perfusion was found at the bottom (0.37 AU), on the back of the foot (0.36 AU) and on the soles (0.31 AU). There was a tendency to show higher perfusion values in men than in women (0.60 ± 0.31 vs. 0.53 ± 0.26 AU). Age-related differences in perfusion could not be demonstrated. In the evaluation of the perfusion of pathological skin, regional perfusion differences must be considered, whereas moderate age or gender differences between different investigation groups can be tolerated.