Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of DKK-3, a Wnt signaling inhibitor, on dendritic cell phenotype and T cell polarization

Abstract Wnt signaling plays crucial roles in regulation of a wide range of processes in different cell types including immune cells and, in particular, dendritic cells and T cells. Growing indications point out that Wnt pathway components modulate the both innate and adaptive immune responses through regulating DC functions. We investigated the effects of recombinant DKK-3 protein on the phenotype and biological functions of bone marrow-derived DCs (BM-DCs) as well as T cell polarization. The phenotype and the cytokine production of BM-derived DCs in the presence DKK-3 were analyzed using flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. Also, capability of DCs to activate T cells was evaluated by CFSE-labeled splenocytes. Regulatory T cell induction, T cell polarization, and cytokine secretion were assessed by flow cytometry and ELISA in splenocytes cultured in the presence of DKK-3. Our results showed that the expression of CD86 and CD40 increased in the DKK-3-treated DC, while the expression of PDL-1 and PDL-2 diminished. Furthermore, the presence of DKK-3 decreased IL-10 and IL-4 production and increased IFN-gamma production by treated DCs.DKK-3. Moreover, DKK-3 shifted naive CD4 T cells towards TH1 cells through up-regulation of T-bet and down-regulation of GATA-3. Our results, therefore, suggest that DKK-3 protein has the ability to promote the generation of Th1-immunostimulatory DCs from its precursors.
Frames of Reference for Self-Evaluation of Ability in Mathematics

Measures of eight frame-specific self-evaluations of ability in mathematics were used to predict general mathematics self-concept and self-efficacy. Participants were 900 Norwegian students in Grade 6 (n = 277), Grade 9 (n = 236), Grade 11 (n = 263), and adult students attending senior high school (n = 124). Four items measured frame-specific self-evaluation of achievement based on external frames of reference whereas four items measured frame-specific self-evaluation based on internal frames of reference. Regression analyses were used to test relations between the frame-specific self-evaluations and general mathematics self-concept and self-efficacy. The analyses indicated that self-evaluation based on comparison with other students in class (an external frame of reference) and on comparison of mathematics achievement with achievement in other school subjects (an internal frame of reference) were robust predictors of both mathematics self-concept and self-efficacy. The analyses also indicated that students are using multiple frames of reference when evaluating their mathematics ability. Implications of the result for the internal-external frame of reference model are discussed.
Estimating long-term carbon sequestration patterns in even- and uneven-aged southern pine stands

Carbon (C) sequestration has become an increasingly important con- sideration for forest management in North America, and has particular potential in pine-dominated forests of the southern United States. Using existing literature on plantations and long-term studies of naturally regenerated loblolly (Pinus taeda) and shortleaf (Pinus echinata) pine-dominated stands on the Crossett Experimental For- est, allometric biomass equations, and reasonable assumptions about forest product life cycles, we projected the net C pools of the following silvicultural systems over a 100-year period: a short rotation loblolly pine plantation (4 rotations); a seed tree- based (natural origin) even-aged loblolly/shortleaf pine stand (2 rotations); and an uneven-aged loblolly/shortleaf pine stand (20 cutting-cycle harvests under the selec- tion method). Both the seed tree stand and the intensively managed pine plantation produced large (if fluctuating) quantities (up to almost 190 tons/ha) of aboveground live biomass. Though not as productive as the even-aged treatments, the uneven-aged pine stands produced a steady stream of sequestered C in the form of high quality sawtimber while simultaneously maintaining a steady stock of 61.5 to 78.5 tons/ha of live aboveground biomass. Belowground C sequestration was also substantial in uneven-aged stands, with a fairly constant 13.3 to 16.9 tons/ha of coarse roots in the standing live pine crop. While shorter rotation even-aged stands tend to produce smaller coarse roots, their higher stocking levels more than offset this, and hence these stands have more live belowground biomass during most of the rotation (up to almost 41 tons/ha). By the end of the 100-year simulation, the even-aged stands had sequestered approximately 120 tons/ha of C in live tree and product pools, or about 50 percent more than the uneven-aged stand. The uneven-aged stand, however, maintained a more stable residual live tree C store, and fluctuated (only ± 2 tons/ha/yr) far less than either even-aged treatment. Averaged over the period, annual C storage ranged from 0.38 to 1.11 to 1.16 tons/ha for the uneven-aged, seed tree, and planta- tion, respectively. Though it is difficult to compare these values to other simulations, the data show that managing loblolly pine stands is an effective way to sequester C, even if their patterns differ appreciably.
Structure of a Four-way Bridged ParB-DNA Complex Provides Insight into P1 Segrosome Assembly*

The plasmid partition process is essential for plasmid propagation and is mediated by par systems, consisting of centromere-like sites and two proteins, ParA and ParB. In the first step of partition by the archetypical P1 system, ParB binds a complicated centromere-like site to form a large nucleoprotein segrosome. ParB is a dimeric DNA-binding protein that can bridge between both A-boxes and B-boxes located on the centromere. Its helix-turn-helix domains bind A-boxes and the dimer domain binds B-boxes. Binding of the first ParB dimer nucleates the remaining ParB molecules onto the centromere site, which somehow leads to the formation of a condensed segrosome superstructure. To further understand this unique DNA spreading capability of ParB, we crystallized and determined the structure of a 1:2 ParB-(142–333):A3-B2-box complex to 3.35Å resolution. The structure reveals a remarkable four-way, protein-DNA bridged complex in which both ParB helix-turn-helix domains simultaneously bind adjacent A-boxes and the dimer domain bridges between two B-boxes. The multibridging capability and the novel dimer domain-B-box interaction, which juxtaposes the DNA sites close in space, suggests a mechanism for the formation of the wrapped solenoid-like segrosome superstructure. This multibridging capability of ParB is likely critical in its partition complex formation and pairing functions.
Similar Time Restriction for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection and Round Spermatid Injection into Activated Oocytes for Efficient Offspring Production1

Abstract The injection of male haploid germ cells, such as spermatozoa and round spermatids, into preactivated mouse oocytes can result in the development of viable embryos and offspring. However, it is not clear how the timing of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and round spermatid injection (ROSI) affects the production of offspring. We carried out ICSI and ROSI every 20 min for up to 4 h after the activation of mouse oocytes by Sr2+ and compared the late-stage development of ICSI- and ROSI- treated oocytes, including the formation of pronuclei, blastocyst formation, and offspring production. The rate of pronucleus formation (RPF) after carrying out ICSI started to decrease from >95% at 100 min following oocyte activation and declined to <20% by 180 min. In comparison, RPF by ROSI decreased gradually from >70% between 0 and 4 h after activation. The RPFs were closely correlated with blastocyst formation. Offspring production for both ICSI and ROSI decreased significantly when injections were conducted after 100 min, a time at which activated oocytes were in the early G1 stage of the cell cycle. These results suggest that spermatozoa and round spermatids have different potentials for inducing the formation of a male pronucleus in activated oocytes, but ICSI and ROSI are both subject to the same time constraint for the efficient production of offspring, which is determined by the cell cycle of the activated oocyte.
Does coenzyme-Q have a protective effect against atorvastatin induced myopathy? A histopathological and immunohistochemical study in albino rats.

INTRODUCTION In addition to their lipid-lowering effect, statins have pleiotropic effects that may extend their use to the treatment and prevention of various other diseases such as cancer, osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. Consequently, the number of patients taking statins is expected to increase. A side effect of statins, statin-induced myopathy, which may result from reduced muscular coenzyme Q10 levels, limits their use. The current study investigates if supplementing with CoQ10 could ameliorate statin induced myopathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty adult male albino rats were randomized into 4 groups, with 10 rats per group. The following was administered to the rats using oral gavage for 4 weeks: Group 1: 2 ml of 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose once daily. Group 2: 100 mg/kg/ day coenzyme Q10 dissolved in 2 ml of cotton seed oil. Group 3: 10 mg/kg once daily atorvastatin dissolved in 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose. Group 4: concomitantly received CoQ10 and atorvastatin similar to groups 2 and 3 respectively. Plasma creatine kinase levels were measured by using spectrophotometer. The right extensor digitorum longus muscle sections were stained for histological (Haematoxylin & Eosin, Masson trichrome and Phosphotungstic acid haematoxylin) and immunohistochemical (cytochrome C and Bax) examinations. Quantitative measures of cytochrome C and Bax were carried out using image analyzer. RESULTS Atorvastatin induced increased total creatine kinase, skeletal muscle variations in the sizes and shapes, necrosis, disorganization, nuclear pyknosis, karyorrhexis, karyolysis, dismantled plasma membrane, excess collagen fibers and lipid deposition in addition to loss of cross striation. Atorvastatin increased the intensity of the immune-positive reactions of cytochrome C and Bax. These changes were ameliorated by concomitantly giving coenzyme Q10. CONCLUSION CoQ10 may ameliorate atorvastatin induced skeletal muscle injury.
Site‐matched papillary and reticular human dermal fibroblasts differ in their release of specific growth factors/cytokines and in their interaction with keratinocytes

The interfollicular dermis of adult human skin is partitioned into histologically and physiologically distinct papillary and reticular zones. Each of these zones contains a unique population of fibroblasts that differ in respect to their proliferation kinetics, rates at which they contract type I collagen gels, and in their relative production of decorin and versican. Here, site‐matched papillary and reticular dermal fibroblasts couples were compared to determine whether each population interacted with keratinocytes in an equivalent or different manner. Papillary and reticular fibroblasts grown in monolayer culture differed significantly from each other in their release of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and granulocyte‐macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) into culture medium. Some matched fibroblast couples also differed in their constitutive release of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6). Papillary fibroblasts produced a higher ratio of GM‐CSF to KGF than did corresponding reticular fibroblasts. Interactions between site‐matched papillary and reticular couples were also assayed in a three‐dimensional culture system where fibroblasts and keratinocytes were randomly mixed, incorporated into type I collagen gels, and allowed to sort. Keratinocytes formed distinctive cellular masses in which the keratinocytes were organized such that the exterior most layer of cells exhibited characteristics of basal keratinocytes and the interior most cells exhibited characteristics of terminally differentiated keratinocytes. In the presence of papillary dermal fibroblasts, keratinocyte masses were highly symmetrical and cells expressed all levels of differentiation markers. In contrast, keratinocyte masses that formed in the presence of reticular fibroblasts tended to have irregular shapes, and terminal differentiation was suppressed. Furthermore, basement membrane formation was retarded in the presence of reticular cells. These studies indicate that site‐matched papillary and reticular dermal fibroblasts qualitatively differ in their support of epidermal cells, with papillary cells interacting more effectively than corresponding reticular cells. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hand Hygiene in Haemodialysis Units

Healthcare-associated infections are a major risk to patient safety. Infection is the first cause of hospitalisation and the second most common cause of mortality among haemodialysis (HD) patients. HD patients, as well as the dialysis staff, are vulnerable to contracting healthcare-associated infections due to frequent and prolonged exposures to many possible contaminants in the dialysis environment. The extracorporeal nature of the therapy, the associated common environmental conditions, and the immune compromised status of HD patients are major predisposing factors. HD patients are exposed to different types of infections which include bloodstream infections and localized infections of the vascular access, blood-borne infections with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and/or human immunodeficiency virus, and airborne infections. Sources of infections include contaminated water, equipment, environmental surfaces, and infected patients. The evident increased potential for transmission of infections in the HD settings led to the creation and implementation of specific and stricter infection prevention and control measures in addition to the usual standard precautions. Contaminated hands of healthcare workers are among the most common modes of transmission of healthcare-associated infections. Hand hygiene is singled out as the most important infection prevention intervention. Hand hygiene compliance can be improved by continuous education and monitoring, providing a sufficient number of sinks with soap dispensers, paper towels, hand lotions and alcohol-based hand rub placed at each patient station, and regular feedback of surveillance results. Education and training and full awareness of infection control policies and procedures should be provided to all Healthcare workers and to be repeated regularly. The patient and/or caregiver should also be educated on hand hygiene and the care of new vascular access.
Sustained cytogenetic response after discontinuation of imatinib mesylate in a patient with chronic myeloid leukaemia

A 58‐yr‐old woman was diagnosed with Ph+ chronic myeloid leukaemia in May 2001. She was initially treated with hydroxyurea and subsequently with interferon‐α (IFN‐α). Imatinib mesylate was started in April 2002 after failure of IFN‐α to induce a cytogenetic response. The patient remained on treatment with imatinib mesylate for 3 months during which she suffered daily fever resulting in discontinuation of the treatment. Response evaluation performed shortly after discontinuing imatinib mesylate revealed a complete cytogenetic remission and a substantial molecular response. Fifteen months later, she was still enjoying a major cytogenetic response. This case illustrates that a short course of imatinib mesylate may result in a sustained haematological and cytogenetic response.
The longitudinal clinical efficacy of osseointegrated dental implants: a 3-year report.

The impressive Swedish reports suggesting predictable and frequent longitudinal success with osseointegration in edentulous patients demanded a replication study to underscore the merit of universal application. This is a report from the Toronto prospective study where traditional clinical criteria were used to assess the long-term efficacy of the Brånemark technique. While the duration of the study is relatively short (maximum 3 years) it appears to support the Swedish researchers' results. Furthermore, alternate prosthetic methodologies are described, and the argument is advanced that the surrogate gingival and periodontal indices used may not be suitable for assessing the clinical evidence of osseointegration.
Interactions entre pathogènes : quels impacts sur la santé publique ?

L'etude des pathogenes est un des piliers des progres en sante publique des dernieres decennies. Actuellement, un axe principal qui reste a explorer pour poursuivre ces progres reside dans l'etude des interactions entre les differents pathogenes qui circulent dans les memes populations. En effet, comme n'importe quel etre vivant, un pathogene s'inscrit dans un ecosysteme avec lequel il interagit grandement et qui comporte, entre autres, d'autres pathogenes. Dans cette these nous nous sommes interesses aux implications de ces interactions a differents niveaux. Tout d'abord, un large travail bibliographique a ete mene afin d'identifier les interactions deja connues et referencees, d'en tirer une categorisation claire et utile, de souligner les manques actuels de la litterature dans ce domaine et d'introduire le concept de susceptibilite realisee. Dans une seconde partie, il a s'agit d'explorer les consequences dynamiques possibles de certaines interactions identifiees precedemment et de tenter de developper des methodes largement utilisables de detection d'interactions a partir de donnees populationnelles. Enfin, la derniere partie se penche sur le cas particulier de la Dengue, dont les quatre serotypes interagissent fortement entre eux, et des possibles consequences de ces interactions pour la vaccination contre cette maladie. Cette these apporte une nouvelle vision de la dynamique des pathogenes, en les integrant dans le cadre plus large de la communaute de pathogenes. Elle ouvre sur les possibles progres des methodes statistiques et comment les modeles theoriques pourraient aider a la comprehension des communautes de pathogenes.
Clinical, microbiological, and salivary biomarker profiles of dental implant patients with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE Regulators of peri-implant bone loss in patients with diabetes appear to involve multiple risk factors that have not been clearly elucidated. This study was conducted to explore putative local etiologic factors on implant bone loss in relation to type 2 diabetes mellitus, including clinical, microbial, salivary biomarker, and psychosocial factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-two subjects (divided into type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-diabetic controls), having at least one functional implant and six teeth, were enrolled in a 1-year longitudinal investigation. Analyses of clinical measurements and standardized intra-oral radiographs, saliva and serum biomarkers (via protein arrays for 20 selected markers), and plaque biofilm (via qPCR for eight periodontal pathogens) were performed at baseline and 1 year. In addition, the subjects were asked to respond to questionnaires to assess behavioral and psychosocial variables. RESULTS There was a significant increase from baseline to 1 year in the probing depth of implants in the diabetes group (1.95 mm to 2.35 mm, P = 0.015). The average radiographic bone loss during the study period marginally increased at dental implants compared to natural teeth over the study period (0.08 mm vs. 0.05 mm; P = 0.043). The control group harbored higher levels of Treponema denticola at their teeth at baseline (P = 0.046), and the levels of the pathogen increased significantly over time around the implants of the same group (P = 0.003). Salivary osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels were higher in the diabetes group than the control group at baseline only; in addition, the salivary levels of IL-4, IL-10, and OPG associated with host defense were significantly reduced in the diabetes group (P = 0.010, P = 0.019, and P = 0.024), while controls showed an increase in the salivary OPG levels (P = 0.005). For psychosocial factors, there were not many significant changes over the observation period, except for some findings related to coping behaviors at baseline. CONCLUSIONS The study suggests that the clinical, microbiological, salivary biomarker, and psychosocial profiles of dental implant patients with type 2 diabetes who are under good metabolic control and regular maintenance care are very similar to those of non-diabetic individuals. Future studies are warranted to validate the findings in longer-term and larger clinical trials (ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT00933491).
Structural features of cytochrome oxidase

This article tries to be a compact summary of some recent research on cytochrome c oxidase (EC 1.9.3.1), an important enzyme in membrane bioenergetics. Cytochrome oxidase is the terminal catalyst of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. It uses the electrons flowing through the chain to reduce oxygen molecules to water. Four electrons and four protons are consumed in the reduction of O2 to two molecules of water (Fig. 1). Cytochrome oxidase contains four redoxactive metal centres. Two of these are copper atoms, two haem A groups. These four centres are employed in the dioxygen-binding site and in the electron-transferring pathways from cytochrome c. The enzyme is also called cytochrome aa3, because the protein-bound haems are functionally and spectroscopically different.
Evaluation of IRP, FBD, SD, and generalized non-active power theories

Most of modern power equipments connected to the grid must be viewed as non-linear loads producing voltage and current harmonics, subharmonics, and quasi-periodic and stochastic disturbances even under normal operation conditions. An analysis and comparison of usage of different power theories for the parallel compensation of periodic and non-periodic disturbances is presented in the paper. Different reference voltage vectors and averaging time intervals are applied in the power theories.
The fate of environmental coliforms in a model water distribution system

A series of experiments to determine the survival characteristics of environmental and faecal coliforms in a 1·3 km long experimental pipe distribution system is described. In the first experiments, tertiary treated effluent (103–104 coliforms ml−1) was inoculated directly into the distribution system. Coliform organisms were not detected in any samples taken downstream of the inoculation point. By comparison, laboratory jar tests showed low level survival for coliforms at the same chloramine residuals (0·3 mg l−1) for up to 48 h. In the second series of experiments, a by‐pass pipe in the experimental distribution system was isolated, drained, and filled with tertiary treated effluent (103–104 coliforms ml−1) to simulate the conditions in a dead‐end. Coliform numbers were monitored and found to decrease rapidly, but they were still detectable at low levels after 7 weeks. The water in the by‐pass section was then released into the main pipe‐rig and sampled downstream. No coliforms were detected in water samples or in samples swabbed from the pipe walls. Finally, the flow in the main pipe‐rig and in the by‐pass was increased to dislodge any deposits and biofilm into the water. The absence of coliforms in any water samples taken during or after the flow increases is contrary to the widely accepted understanding that coliforms survive and grow in biofilms on pipe walls.