Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cellular interactions in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis: The role of T cells and macrophages in the amplification of the inflammatory process in the kidney

A significant number of T cells and macrophages infiltrate the kidneys of patients with lupus nephritis. Chemotactic factors, especially monocyte chemoattractant factor-1 (MCP-1) and adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), cooperatively facilitate recruitment of mononuclear cells into inflamed tissue. Increased expression of class II MHC molecules and CD40 on renal tubular epithelial cells coupled with upregulation of CD40 ligand (CD40L) and interleukin-2 receptor on infiltrating T cells suggest ongoing cellular immune responses. Recent studies employing knockout mice suggest that the TH -1 cytokine interferon-γ is an important cytokine in amplifying the local immune response of lupus nephritis. Infiltrating mononuclear cells exert their effects on resident renal cells through secretion of soluble factors and/or direct cell to cell contact. These interactions, among others, involve molecules such as CD40=CD40L and adhesion molecules. Studies to better define these molecules are in progress and may provide additional targets for therapeutic intervention. Thus, while autoantibody production and complement activation are the major players in initiating the inflammatory response in lupus nephritis, cellular immune mechanisms mediated through infiltrating mononuclear cells have an important role in its amplification and the progression of renal injury.
Video-Assisted Minithoracotomy Diaphragmatic Plication: Respiratory Effects in Adults

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to analyze the clinical respiratory and spirometric effects of video-assisted minithoracotomy diaphragmatic plication (VAM-T DP) in the treatment of diaphragmatic eventration. Methods A retrospective longitudinal study of 18 patients who underwent a VAM-T DP in our service between February 2005 and July 2011 was performed. Data of patient characteristics, preoperative clinical variables, and postoperative results (3, 6, and 12 months) were collected for statistical analysis using the software package SPSS 13.0 for Windows (Wilcoxon test, Friedman test, and Z-test). Results The main clinical respiratory and spirometric variables improved significantly and remained stable over 1 year. Conclusions VAM-T DP is a viable and safe procedure that improves the spirometry values and offers stable results during the first year. To our knowledge, the present series is the second largest published report in English relating to this procedure in adults.
Anaerobic Bacteria on the Mucosal Epithelium of the Murine Large Bowel

Anaerobic bacteria can be detected at population levels of 1011 organisms per g of cecum or colon in adult mice from four different colonies widely spaced in the United States. Most of these microorganisms are oxygen-intolerant fusiform-shaped bacteria. At least one type of these tapered, rod-shaped bacteria can be seen in layers in the epithelial mucin in frozen-section histological preparations of the large bowels of mice. In addition, such microorganisms can be seen within 0.5 μm of the epithelium in ultrathin sections of colon or cecum examined in an electron microscope. These fusiform-shaped bacteria predominate in the mucin layers. However, spiral-shaped microorganisms can be found as well near the mucosal epithelia in ultrathin sections of colon. Also, such organisms can be seen in negatively-stained preparations of washings of the colonic mucosal epithelia examined in an electron microscope. At least three types of spiral-shaped organisms, including both spiral-shaped bacteria and spirochetes, can be found in preparations from mice from three of the four colonies. Such spiral-shaped microorganisms can be detected at population levels as great as 109 organisms per g of cecum or colon in anaerobic cultures of the large bowels of mice from all four colonies. One anaerobic spiral bacterium was isolated in pure culture. This particular organism was found by immunofluorescence to be intermingled with the fusiform-shaped bacteria in the mucin on the mucosal epithelium in the mouse large bowel.
Swedish parents' experiences of parenthood and the need for support to siblings when a baby is stillborn.

BACKGROUND It has been argued that having a stillborn baby in the family affects older siblings more than parents realize. The aim of this study was to describe parenthood and the needs of siblings after stillbirth from the parents' perspective. METHODS Six focus groups were held with 27 parents who had experienced a stillbirth and who had had children before the loss. The discussion concerned parents' support to the siblings, and the sibling's meeting, farewell, and memories of their little sister or brother. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS The overall theme of the findings was parenthood in a balance between grief and everyday life. In the analysis, three categories emerged that described the construction of the theme: support in an acute situation, sharing the experiences within the family, and adjusting to the situation. CONCLUSIONS The siblings' situation is characterized by having a parent who tries to maintain a balance between grief and everyday life. Parents are present and engaged in joint activities around the stillbirth together with the siblings of the stillborn baby. Although parents are aware of the sibling's situation, they feel that they are left somewhat alone in their parenthood after stillbirth and therefore need support and guidance from others.
Glycaemic Index of Eight Types of Commercial Rice in Malaysia

This experimental study was carried out to investigate the effect of eight types of commercial rice in Malaysia on blood glucose response and to determine their glycaemic index (GI) values. Ten healthy Malay volunteers (7 males, 3 females, BMI=23.6kgm-2, age=25.1years) participated in this study. The eight types of rice tested were three high fibre rice (HFR A, HFR B & HFR C), three white rice (WR D, WR E and WR F) and two fragrant rice (FR G and FR H). The subjects were required to go through the study protocol on eleven separate occasions (eight tests for the test rice samples and three repeated tests for the reference food) after an overnight fasting. Capillary blood samples were taken immediately before (0min) and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120min after consumption of the test foods. The blood glucose response was obtained by calculating the incremental area under the curve (iAUC). The GI was determined according to the standardised methodology. This study showed that out of eight types of rice tested, three (HFR B, WR E and WR F) could be categorised as having intermediate GI while the remaining five were considered high GI foods (HFR A, HFR C, WR D, FR G and FR H). The GI of HFR B (60 ± 5.8) and WR E (61 ± 5.8) were significantly lower than the reference food (glucose; GI=100) (p 0.05). The GI value of the rice tested in descending order were HFR C, 87 ± 9.0 followed by HFR A (81 ± 6.7), FR G (80 ± 5.5), FR H (79 ± 7.6), WR D (72 ± 8.5), WR F (69 ± 8.3), WR E (61 ± 5.8) and HFR B (60 ± 5.8). There was no relationship between the dietary fibre content of the rice with the iAUC (r= -0.05, p=0.63) and GI values (r= -0.08, p=0.46). This shows that the GI values of the test rice were independent of the dietary fibre content of the rice. Other factors that may influence the GI value of rice include amylose content, gelatinisation process and botanical sources. The results of this study will provide useful information for dietitians and nutritionists in selecting the appropriate type of rice for the daily diet of diabetics.
Gene sequence and biochemical characterization of FOX-1 from Klebsiella pneumoniae, a new AmpC-type plasmid-mediated beta-lactamase with two molecular variants

Klebsiella pneumoniae BA32, a clinical isolate from Buenos Aires, Argentina, was found to produce a plasmid-encoded beta-lactamase (FOX-1) which conferred resistance to broad-spectrum cephalosporins and cephamycins. Resistance could be transferred by conjugation or transformation into Escherichia coli K-12 via a 48.5-kb plasmid (pGLK1) that produced two FOX-1 molecular variants with isoelectric points of 6.8 and 7.2 and apparent molecular sizes of 37 and 35 kDa, respectively. The kinetic study revealed that the two variants had very similar substrate and inhibition profiles. These values resemble those of chromosomally mediated class C (group 1) cephalosporinases. The structural gene of FOX-1 (blaFOX-1) was cloned into a 2,270-bp PstI-PstI fragment and was expressed in E. coli TG1. The deduced 382-amino-acid sequence of FOX-1 exhibited a high degree of similarity with chromosomally encoded AmpC beta-lactamases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter cloacae, E. coli, and Citrobacter freundii. These findings suggest that FOX-1 is a plasmid-mediated AmpC-type beta-lactamase that is encoded by a single gene and that has two molecular variants.
A Reexamination of Real Earnings Management from a Firm-Specific Time-Series Perspective

Managers use real earnings management (REM) to influence reported earnings through the manipulation of real business activities. Extant literature generally employs crosssectional analysis to identify REM, but newer studies suggest that these traditional REM measures are severely mis-specified. In this study, we employ a new methodology that utilizes firm-specific time-series characteristics of discretionary expenses to identify REM. Using this new REM measure, we find that firms engage in REM to meet or just beat zero earnings and to meet or just beat consensus analyst forecasts, a finding that is not strongly supported by traditional REM measures. Prior literature also suggests that some managers and researchers believe that REM is myopic and imposes real costs on firms, but there is mixed empirical evidence regarding the impact of REM on future operating performance. We find that firms that opportunistically engage in REM perform, on average, neither better nor worse in the future, a finding consistent with survey responses suggesting that managers are careful not to sacrifice future operating performance in order to meet or just beat earnings benchmarks. Additional analysis shows that firms with high ability managers that engage in REM have better future operating performance.
Effects of Resistance Training Fatigue on Joint Biomechanics

Abstract Hooper, DR, Szivak, TK, DiStefano, LJ, Comstock, BA, Dunn-Lewis, C, Apicella, JM, Kelly, NA, Creighton, BC, Volek, JS, Maresh, CM, and Kraemer, WJ. Effects of resistance training fatigue on joint biomechanics. J Strength Cond Res 27(1): 146–153, 2013—Resistance training has been found to have a multitude of benefits. However, when performed with short rest, resistance training can result in substantial fatigue, which may have a negative impact on exercise technique. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of fatigue from resistance exercise on joint biomechanics to determine what residual movement effects may exist after the workout. Twelve men with at least 6 months of resistance training experience (age 24 ± 4.2 years, height 173.1 ± 3.6 cm, weight 76.9 ± 7.8 kg) performed 5 body weight squats before (pretest) and after (posttest) a highly fatiguing resistance training workout. Lower extremity biomechanics were assessed using a 3-dimensional motion analysis system during these squats. Peak angle, total displacement, and rate were assessed for knee flexion, trunk flexion, hip flexion, hip rotation, and hip adduction. Results showed a significant decrease in peak angle for knee flexion (Pre: 120.28 ± 11.93°, Post: 104.46 ± 9.85°), hip flexion (Pre: −109.42 ± 12.49°, Post: −95.8 ± 12.30°), and hip adduction (Pre: −23.32 ± 7.04°, Post: −17.30 ± 8.79°). There was a significant reduction in angular displacement for knee flexion (Pre: 115.56 ± 10.55°, Post: 103.35 ± 10.49°), hip flexion (Pre: 97.94 ± 10.69°, Post: 90.51 ± 13.22°), hip adduction (Pre: 17.79 ± 7.36°, Post: 11.89 ± 4.34°), and hip rotation (Pre: 30.72 ± 12.28, Post: 20.48 ± 10.12). There was also a significant reduction in displacement rate for knee flexion (Pre: 2.20 ± 0.20, Post: 1.98 ± 0.20), hip flexion (Pre: 1.92 ± 0.20, Post: 1.76 ± 0.27), hip adduction (Pre: −0.44 ± 0.17, Post: −0.31 ± 0.17), and hip rotation (Pre: 0.59 ± 0.23, Post: 0.38 ± 0.21). This study demonstrated that there are lasting residual effects on movement capabilities after a high-intensity short rest protocol. Thus, strength and conditioning coaches must be careful to monitor movements and exercise techniques after such workouts to prevent injury and optimize subsequent exercise protocols that might be sequenced in order.
Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in patients with psoriasis before, during and after narrow-band UVB phototherapy.

BACKGROUND Narrow-band UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy is widely used worldwide for moderate and severe psoriasis, which is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by skin infiltrates of Th1-, Th17- and Th22-cells releasing locally pro-inflammatory cytokines. We investigate serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in psoriatic patients before and after NB-UVB phototherapy. METHODS Twenty-eight subjects with moderate/severe plaque type psoriasis were enrolled. The severity of skin involvement was rated according to the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score at baseline (T0) and after 4 (T1) and 12 (T2) weeks of NB-UVB treatment. At the same time points, blood samples were taken for evaluation of TNF-α levels. NB-UVB phototherapy was administered twice weekly on non-consecutive days until 12 weeks. RESULTS The median PASI score significantly decreased from 12.0 at baseline (T0), to 6.9 after 4 weeks (T1, P<0.001) and to 0 after 12 weeks (T2, P<0.001). TNF-a serum levels significantly increased in respect to the baseline after 12 weeks of therapy. CONCLUSIONS NB-UVB phototherapy is highly effective against psoriasis but, as it increases the TNF-α serum level, it seems unlikely that it can decrease the chronic inflammatory state that is thought to be responsible of the systemic co-morbidities of psoriasis.
Self-Optimized Biological Channels in Facilitating the Transmembrane Movement of Charged Molecules

We consider an anisotropically two-dimensional diffusion of a charged molecule (particle) through a large biological channel under an external voltage. The channel is modeled as a cylinder of three structure parameters: radius, length, and surface density of negative charges located at the channel interior-lining. These charges induce inside the channel a potential that plays a key role in controlling the particle current through the channel. It was shown that to facilitate the transmembrane particle movement the channel should be reasonably self-optimized so that its potential coincides with the resonant one, resulting in a large particle current across the channel. Observed facilitation appears to be an intrinsic property of biological channels, regardless of the external voltage or the particle concentration gradient. This facilitation is very selective in the sense that a channel of definite structure parameters can facilitate the transmembrane movement of only particles of proper valence at corresponding temperatures. Calculations also show that the modeled channel is nonohmic with the ion conductance which exhibits a resonance at the same channel potential as that identified in the current.
Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis: Does the Future Belong to Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) after menopause prevents the development of osteoporosis and reduces the risk of fracture. Other potential benefits are cardioprotection—probably related to the effects of estrogen on lipid profile and fibrinogen levels—and a delay in the onset of Alzheimer's disease and perhaps amelioration of the disease. ERT, however, increases the risk of endometriosis and endometrial cancer unless given with a progestin for at least 10 days per menstrual cycle. It also results in a small but real increase in breast cancer. Alendronate, a bisphosphonate, is the first serious competitor of conjugated equine estrogen for the treatment of osteoporosis. Nearing FDA approval are so‐called designer estrogens (e.g., raloxifene), which may selectively prevent osteoporosis with little or no effects on endometrial and breast tissue.
Legionella pneumophila Invasion of MRC-5 Cells Induces Tyrosine Protein Phosphorylation

ABSTRACT After uptake and intracellular multiplication of Legionella pneumophila in MRC-5 lung fibroblasts, important cytoskeletal filament structures, like actin, tubulin, or vimentin, and a cell membrane-associated fibronectin were rearranged during early infection, resulting in a loss of cell adhesion and collapse of the cytoskeleton. Dysregulation of the cellular phosphorylation and dephosphorylation cascade may contribute to the observed changes and may support intracellular survival and multiplication of L. pneumophila. We therefore studied expression of phosphoproteins during intracellular growth of L. pneumophila. By using an anti-tyrosine phosphoprotein antibody we showed that proteins phosphorylated on tyrosine residues accumulated progressively during late infection exclusively around or in phagosomes filled with bacteria. In contrast, expression of serine/threonine phosphoproteins did not change. To discern the origin of phosphorylated proteins, the host cells were treated with cycloheximide, an inhibitor of eukaryotic protein synthesis. The newly synthesized proteins were labeled metabolically with [35S]methionine-cysteine and immunoprecipitated with a phosphotyrosine-specific antibody. Sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis gave evidence for synthesis of at least three protein clusters (160 to 200, 35 to 60, and 19 to 28 kDa) of Legionella origin that were phosphorylated on tyrosine residues 24 h after infection. Treatment of infected host cells with genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, revealed that tyrosine protein phosphorylation was not important for bacterial uptake but contributed to intracellular growth of L. pneumophila. Bacterial tyrosine phosphoproteins and the observed intracellular structural changes may be important to understanding the process involved in intracellular growth of L. pneumophila.
Lead levels in cord blood.

Blood lead levels were determined on 24 mothers during labor and on the blood of their newborn offspring. The mean value for the mother's blood lead was 13.2 µg/100 gm (range 10 to 20) and for the cord blood 12.3 (range 10 to 20) µg/100 gm whole blood. These levels are lower than "normal" blood lead standards usually accepted in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood lead poisoning.
Etomidate: A Clinical and Electroencephalographic Comparison with Thiopental

Etomidate, a new intravenous anesthetic, was compared with thiopental for induction of anesthesia in 120 patients. Patients were randomly assigned to one of 12 different groups according to premedication, induction agent, and rate of injection. There were 3 types of premedication: atropine (0.5 mg); fentanyl (0.1 mg) with, atropine (0.5 mg); and diazepam (10 mg) with atropine (0.5 mg). The induction agent was either etomidate (0.3 mg/kg) or thiopental (3.5 mg/kg) administered IV during 30 or 60 seconds. Respiratory rate, pulse rate, and blood pressure were measured before induction and every minute afterwards for 3 minutes. Patients were also observed for side effects up to 48 hours postoperatively. The EEG was recorded in 10 patients given etomidate and 5 given thiopental.Forty-three percent of the patients who received etomidate complained of pain during injection, compared to 1.7 percent with thiopental. Of the patients who received etomidate, 28 percent developed myoclonic movements versus none with thiopental. There was a significant association between pain and movements. Movements were also more frequent with atropine premedication alone than with fentanyl. Thiopental produced a higher incidence of apnea during the 1st and 2nd minutes, and more slowing of the respiratory rate. The main EEG differences between the 2 drugs, in the dosage used, were the lack of beta activity and a considerably longer duration of “deep stage” with etomidate versus the lack of periodic burst suppression pattern with thiopental. Myoclonic movements during etomidate anesthesia were not associated with epileptiform discharges.
A ‘new normal’: Exploring the disruption of a poor prognostic cancer diagnosis using interviews and participant-produced photographs

Cancer survival is increasing, and many people are living years after cancer treatment. For example, it is predicted that 46 per cent of men and 56 per cent of women diagnosed in 2007 in England and Wales will survive their cancer for 5 years or more. However, ‘survivors’ may be living with significant physical, psychological and social disruption caused by their illness. Furthermore, huge disparities exist in the outcomes for different cancer ‘types’, and there has been little investigation of those living with ‘poor prognostic’ cancers. Our aim was to explore the experience of living after the diagnosis of a poor prognostic cancer. Data were gathered from 30 people via interviews and participants’ own photographs. Our findings suggest that a full ‘recovery’ may be impossible after a cancer diagnosis. Such diagnoses will continue to threaten biographical trajectory and self-identity forever. ‘Returning to normal’ was considered highly important for participants, but a changed normality had to be accepted in which lives were managed carefully and a constant fear of recurrence created liminality and made ‘survivorship’ ambiguous. Experience was often complicated by the social response associated with cancer that hindered communication and increased isolation. Participant-produced photographs, used here for the first time specifically by a sample of people with poor prognosis cancer, proved to be an acceptable data collection method and have added a poignancy and ‘completeness’ to the data that have arguably led to a more comprehensive understanding.
Design issues in radix-4 SRT square root & divide unit

This paper introduces a number of design issues not covered in the open literature that arose during the design of a radix-4 SRT divide/square root unit for a vector processing chip. These include compression of the partial remainder's m.s.b. 's, accelerated quotient/root digit selection, and simple formation of constants for updating square root residues. An important constraint on the design was to achieve target performance without infringing a number of existing patents.
Androgen receptor corepressors: An overview

Androgens play pivotal roles in sex differentiation and development, in reproductive functions, and sexual behavior. The actions of androgens are mediated through the intracellular androgen receptor (AR), a member of the nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily, which regulates a wide range of target gene expression. Recent studies indicate that the proper transcriptional activity of AR is modulated by AR coregulators, including coactivators that can enhance AR transactivation and corepressors that can suppress AR transactivation. Here, we summarize the recent discoveries relating to AR corepressor function with the following different mechanisms: (1) corepressors that inhibit the DNA binding or nuclear translocation of AR; (2) corepressors that recruit histone deacetylases; (3) corepressors that interrupt the interaction between AR and its coactivators; (4) corepressors that interrupt the interaction between the N‐terminus and C‐terminus of AR; (5) corepressors that function as scaffolds for other AR coregulators; (6) corepressors that target the basal transcriptional machinery; (7) other mechanisms. The potential impact and future directions of AR corepressors are also discussed. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.