Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Loss of IL-7Rα is associated with CD4 T-cell depletion, high interleukin-7 levels and CD28 down-regulation in HIV infected patients

Objective:Elevated levels of interleukin (IL)-7 are present in the blood of HIV-positive patients and it is known that IL-7 receptor (IL-7R)α expression decreases on T cells during HIV infection. The subset(s) of T cells with low IL-7Rα and the consequence of low IL-7Rα expression for T-cell survival are poorly characterized. Design:The frequency of IL-7Rα-negative T cells in HIV-positive patients was studied in relation to CD4 T-cell counts, IL-7 concentration and survival in culture. We analysed IL-7Rα expression in different T-cell populations and in relation to Bcl-2 expression. Methods:Specimens from 38 HIV-1 patients and 17 controls were examined. IL-7Rα and Bcl-2 expression in different T-cell populations was studied by flow cytometry. The influence of IL-7Rα expression on T-cell survival was studied by culturing T cells in the presence of IL-7. Results:Down-regulation of IL-7Rα on T cells correlated with depletion of CD4 T cells (P < 0.001) and also with increased concentration of serum IL-7 (P < 0.05). The decreased IL-7Rα expression was associated with low Bcl-2 expression and with the reduced survival capacity of T cells in the presence of IL-7 in vitro. Particularly, T cells with memory phenotype showed a decreased IL-7Rα expression in association with CD28 down-regulation. Conclusions:The positive effects of IL-7 on survival and homeostatic proliferation of T cells might be severely impaired in HIV-infected individuals due to IL-7Rα down-regulation. Differentiation towards a CD28-negative memory phenotype in response to chronic activation may lead to an overall decrease of IL-7 mediated survival within the peripheral T-cell pool.
WEST NILE VIRUS SURVEILLANCE IN MOSQUITOES IN NEW YORK STATE, 2000–2004

ABSTRACT A West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance system was created and implemented in New York State (NYS) in 2000 and described previously (White et al. 2001). We examine and evaluate the results of mosquito and virus surveillance for 2000 through 2004 exclusive of New York City. Forty-nine counties submitted 1,095,426 mosquitoes in 35,280 pools for WNV assay. Specimens of 47 species were tested, with Culex species accounting for 47.6% of all pools tested. WNV was detected in 814 pools from 10 species, with combined Culex pipiens/Culex restuans pools accounting for 90.8% of all detections. Pools submitted from gravid traps were 5.7 times more likely to be positive than submissions from carbon dioxide-baited light traps. Most human WNV cases resided in counties that conducted mosquito surveillance. Local health departments' use of mosquito surveillance information often led to an enhanced disease prevention response. In NYS, Cx. pipiens/Cx. restuans group are the most likely vectors of WNV. Future efforts to improve system efficacy are discussed.
Effects of the kappa opioid receptor antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine, on ethanol intake: impact of age and sex.

The kappa opioid receptor (KOR) antagonist, nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI), was used to investigate the role of the KOR system in mediating ethanol intake. On P25 (adolescent) or P67 (adult) male and female rats were individually housed and given ad libitum access to food and water. The experimental procedure was initiated on P28 or P70: animals were given 30 min/day access to a 10% ethanol/supersaccharin solution every other day (3 baseline exposures). On the day after the final baseline test, rats were injected with nor-BNI (0, 2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg), with testing initiated 24 hr later (30-min access every other day, 3 test exposures). Nor-BNI (10 mg/kg) increased ethanol intake in adult males, whereas the same dose decreased intake in adult females, suggesting pronounced sex differences in KOR-associated mediation of ethanol intake in adulthood. There was no impact of nor-BNI in adolescent animals of either sex, suggesting that the KOR may play less of a role in modulating ethanol intake during adolescence.
Risk factors for sexual and erectile dysfunction in HIV-infected men: the role of protease inhibitors

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in a cohort of HIV-infected men in a stable clinical state, the effect of exposure to antiretroviral therapy on sexual dysfunction and to identify the risk factors. Design: This is a cross-sectional, observational study. Methods: HIV-infected men without hepatitis C virus coinfection were included if they were antiretroviral therapy-naive (naive group), on current treatment with an enhanced protease inhibitor (protease inhibitor group) or on current treatment with two to three nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors along with one nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and never having received treatment with protease inhibitor (nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor group). Erectile dysfunction was defined as an ejection fraction of 25 or less (International Index of Erectile Function-15). Results: Ninety patients were included, with an age of 42 ± 8.2 years and CD4+ cell count of 465 cells/μl [P25–75 361–676]: 18.9% in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention class C and 72.2% with undetectable viral load. Seventy-six patients (84.4%) were receiving antiretroviral therapy, 39 (43.3%) in the protease inhibitor group. The prevalence of lipodystrophy was 31.5%. Forty-seven (53.4%) patients had an erectile dysfunction. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that there was an independent association between the patients' age (per decade; odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval 1.04–4.5, P = 0.04) and greater duration of exposure to protease inhibitor (per year; odds ratio 1.6, 95% confidence interval 1.12–2.4, P = 0.01). Older age, depression and lipodystrophy, combined with the duration of exposure to protease inhibitor, determined a lower score on various sexual dysfunction domains (P < 0.05). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of erectile dysfunction in HIV-infected men, with age and the duration of exposure to protease inhibitor being the only identifiable risk factors.
Impact of quality indicators on adherence to National and European guidelines for renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Objective: The aim of this population-based study was to evaluate the impact of quality indicators on the adherence to guidelines for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Material and methods: Since 2005, virtually all patients with newly diagnosed RCC in Sweden have been registered in the National Swedish Kidney Cancer Register (NSKCR). The register contains information on histopathology, nuclear grade, clinical stage, preoperative work-up, treatment, recurrence and survival. In addition, a number of quality indicators have been measured in the register aiming to increase the quality of care. The quality indicators are: the coverage of the register, histology reports, preoperative chest computed tomography (CT), partial nephrectomy, laparoscopic surgery, centralization to high-volume hospitals and waiting times. Results: A total of 8556 patients with diagnosed RCC were registered from 2005 to 2013 (99% coverage). In 2013, 99% of the histopathology reports were standardized. The number of patients with preoperatively chest CT increased from 59% in 2005 to 89% in 2013. The proportion of patients with RCC T1aN0M0 who underwent partial nephrectomy increased from 22% in 2005 to 56% in 2013. Similarly, laparoscopic radical nephrectomies increased from 6% in 2005 to 24% in 2013. The median tumour size at detection decreased from 60 mm in 2005 to 55 mm in 2013. The proportion of patients who were incidentally detected increased from 43% in 2005 to 55% in 2013. Conclusions: The data show an improved adherence to the guidelines for RCC as measured by quality indicators and a steady process of earlier detection of patients with RCC.
Soft-tissue sarcoma of the thigh: Surgical margin influences local recurrence but not survival in 152 patients

Between 1979 and 1998, 152 patients with a soft-tissue sarcoma arising in the thigh were surgically treated in the Sarcoma Center in Aarhus, Denmark. We studied clinicopathologic factors prognostic for local recurrence and survival. 27 patients (18%) had a low-grade tumor, 26 (17%) an intermediate-grade and 99 (65%) a high-grade tumor. 27 patients (18%) were amputated and 125 (82%) had a local resection. 21 (14%) underwent a marginal resection, 82 (54%) a wide resection and 49 (32%) a compartmental resection. 32 patients were also given radiotherapy, 11 of these had a marginal resection. The 5-year local recurrence-free rate was 91%. Multivariate analysis selected marginal resection and histological high grade as unfavorable prognostic factors for local recurrence. The 5-year survival rate was 68%. High age and histological high grade were unfavorable prognostic factors for survival in a multivariate analysis. Surgical margin influenced local recurrence, but not the overall survival.
The uncoupling protein-1 gene −3826A/G polymorphism and hypertension in Japanese subjects

Abstract Background: The possible effects of the uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) gene −3826A/G polymorphism on hypertension (HT) have yet to be elucidated. Methods: A total of 578 Japanese subjects (231 males and 347 females, mean age 58.4 years) were enrolled in the study to investigate the association between HT and the −3826A/G polymorphism by genomic PCR and Bcl1-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis for HT, adjusted for genotype (recessive model, AA+AG vs. GG) and other covariates such as cardiovascular risk factors [e.g., smoking, body mass index (BMI), dyslipidemia and diabetes] showed age [odds ratio (OR) 1.11 (95% confidence interval 1.08–1.13)] and BMI [OR 1.13 (1.06–1.21)] as independent significant factors. In the subgroup analysis, as well as age and BMI, GG genotype [OR 2.32 (1.08–4.99)] was also an independent significant factor for HT in males. Similarly, as well as age and BMI, GG genotype [OR 1.89 (1.00–3.57)] was also an independent significant factor for HT in the relatively older subgroup (≥60 years). Conclusions: The results suggest that the GG genotype may be associated with the presence of HT in Japanese males and older subjects. Further investigation is needed to confirm our hypothesis. Clin Chem Lab Med 2007;45:1186–9.
A Multivariate Analysis of Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Facial Skeletal Morphology

AbstractUnilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) occurs when the maxillary and nasal facial prominences fail to fuse correctly during development, resulting in a palatal cleft and clefted soft and hard tissues of the dentoalveolus. The UCLP deformity may compromise an individual's ability to eat, chew, and speak. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 7–17-year-old individuals born with UCLP (n = 24) and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 24) were assessed. Coordinate values of three-dimensional anatomical landmarks (n = 32) were recorded from each CBCT image. Data were evaluated using principal coordinates analysis (PCOORD) and Euclidean distance matrix analysis (EDMA). Approximately 40% of morphometric variation is captured by PCOORD axes 1–3, and the negative and positive ends of each axis are associated with specific patterns of morphological differences. Approximately 36% of facial skeletal measures significantly differ by confidence interval testing (&agr; = 0.10) between samples. Although significant form differences occur across the facial skeleton, strong patterns of morphological differences were localized to the lateral and superioinferior aspects of the nasal aperture, particularly on the clefted side of the face. The UCLP deformity strongly influences facial skeletal morphology of the midface and oronasal facial regions, and to a lesser extent the upper and lower facial skeletons. The pattern of strong morphological differences in the oronasal region combined with differences across the facial complex suggests that craniofacial bones are integrated and covary, despite influences from the congenital cleft.
Breast self-examination: longitudinal predictors of intention and subsequent behaviour

This study analysed in a longitudinal design the relationship between past breast self-examination (BSE) behaviour, determinants, intention and future BSE behaviour in a population of adult Dutch women. Past behaviour and psychosocial determinants were assessed at T1, followed 6 weeks later (T2) with the assessment of the intention to perform BSE monthly. Half a year after the first measurement the current BSE behaviour was assessed by means of a telephone survey (T3) (total end response 78%, n=364). The questionnaires included BSE behaviour, intention, attitude (pros and cons of BSE, anticipated regret, moral obligation), social influence (support, modelling) and self-efficacy. Other background variables assessed were past BSE behaviour, and demographics. Although 81% of the women stated that they performed BSE, only 41% of the women performed BSE correctly. Women who performed BSE correctly differed from women who did not on all psychosocial determinants assessed a half year earlier, with the exception of anticipated regret. Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that the psychosocial determinants explained 51% of the variance in intention to perform BSE, assessed 6 weeks later; past behaviour accounted for 2% of extra explained variance. Logistic regression analyses showed that past behaviour, the psychosocial determinants and intention were significant predictors of correct BSE behaviour a half year later (Nagelkerke's total explained variance was 47%). It was concluded that misperceptions of correct BSE behaviour was highly prevalent. Both the psychosocial determinants as well as past behaviour were important predictors of intention to perform BSE and subsequent BSE behaviour.
Arbetskraft och konkurrensbegränsning; aktörsperspektiv på den svenska modellen och framtiden

I framtiden kan vi forvanta oss brist pa arbetskraft. Den demografiska utvecklingen i denna fraga tycks obonhorlig. Hur stor denna arbetskraftsbrist kan tankas bli ar dock omdebatterat, liksom vilka konsekvenserna kan tankas bli. I Sverige har vi emellertid mycket kunskap om hur arbetskraftsbristen och den fulla sysselsattningens ekonomi paverkade samhallet under 1950- och 1960-talet. Har finns lardomar infor framtiden, men knappast nagra fardiga recept. En fraga man kan stalla sig ar vilka roller arbetsmarknadens organisationer kommer att fa i en ny period av arbetskraftsbrist. Har kommer jag nu att ta upp hur arbetsgivarpolitiken utvecklades till foljd av arbetskraftsbristen och den fulla sysselsattningen under 1900-talet. Vilka lardomar kan vi dra om mojligheterna for arbetsgivare att hantera lonefragorna nar arbetskraftsbrist leder till lonekonkurrens? Studien syftar vidare till att undersoka och diskutera fackliga strategier och logiken i fackets handlande i samband med ytterligare en konsekvens av arbetskraftsbrist, fragan om arbetskraftsinvandring. I samband harmed diskuteras olika former av arbetskraftsinvandring. Argumentet ar att statligt styrd arbetskraftsinvandring mojliggor fackligt inflytande, men for med sig hoga rekryteringskostnader. Friare former av arbetskraftsinvandring sanker rekryteringskostnaderna och mojliggor stor invandring, men forsvagar fackets inflytande. Jag forsoker harmed diskutera historiska losningar och agerande i ett framtidsperspektiv. Tanken ar att problem kring resursers knapphet och intressens inflytande ar forhallandevis tidlosa. Darfor kan vi anta att vissa aktorers historiska rationalitet liknar deras framtida rationalitet. Vi kan pa goda grunder sluta oss till att manga klassiska problem aven kommer att finnas i framtiden. Dessa problem ar ofta styrda av en logik eller av mekanismer som ar val kanda genom forskningen i form av empiriska generaliseringar eller formulerade i mer eller mindre verifierade teorier. Det kan galla knapphetsprincipen och mekanismer relaterade till utbud och efterfragan, eller konkurrens om makt och utrymme. I den har studien anvands knapphetsprincipen i diskussionen om rekryteringskostnader for olika typer av arbetskraftsinvandring eller i form av arbetskraftsbrist och konkurrens om arbetskraft. Intresseprincipen appliceras i form av arbetsgivarnas och fackets politik. I den svenska modellen kom fackets och arbetsgivarnas intressen att konkurrera. Ofta radde en slags jamvikt men i vissa fragor overvagde ena sidans inflytande pa utvecklingen. I det har sammanhanget staller vi fragan i vad man arbetsgivarnas och fackets strategier varit kontinuerliga eller forandrats. Den har typen av "eviga" problem som har med knapphet och intressen att gora kan verifieras med historia, och inte minst kan olika satt att losa problemen i historien ge ideer om hur framtida losningar pa likartade problem kan se ut. Aktorer har genom historien agerat strategiskt i anknytning till fragor om knapphet och intressen, vilket givit upphov till en aktorsorienterad historieskrivning.
Two distinct old yellow enzymes are involved in naphthyl ring reduction during anaerobic naphthalene degradation

The 2‐naphthoyl‐coenzyme A (NCoA) reductase (NCR) is so far the only characterized enzyme involved in the anaerobic degradation of the environmentally relevant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The old yellow enzyme (OYE) family member apparently reduced the nonactivated naphthyl ring to 5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐2‐napthoyl‐CoA (THNCoA). In this work, the candidate genes of three NCRs from the sulphate‐reducing, naphthalene‐degrading N47 and NaphS2 cultures were expressed in Escherichia coli. The isolated products contained flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), flavin mononucleotide (FMN) a [4Fe‐4S] cluster and catalyzed only the two‐electron reduction of NCoA to 5,6‐dihydro‐2‐naphthoyl‐CoA (5,6‐DHNCoA) at a very negative E°′ = −493 mV. All NCRs exhibited high NCoA‐forming DHNCoA oxidase activities that are proposed to be involved in oxygen‐detoxification during naphthalene degradation. Extracts of N47 and NaphS2 catalyzed the reduction of 5,6‐DHNCoA to THNCoA. Genes putatively coding for 5,6‐DHNCR from N47 and NaphS2 were heterologously expressed in E. coli. The enriched enzyme products specifically catalyzed the reduction of 5,6‐DHNCoA to THNCoA at E°′ = −375 mV. With the three NCRs and two 5,6‐DHNCRs, five OYEs have been characterized that are involved in the reduction of the nonsubstituted naphthyl‐ring system; these unprecedented enzymatic reactions expand our knowledge of the functional diversity of OYE.
Species Richness and Adaptation of Marine Fungi from Deep-Subseafloor Sediments

ABSTRACT The fungal kingdom is replete with unique adaptive capacities that allow fungi to colonize a wide variety of habitats, ranging from marine habitats to freshwater and terrestrial habitats. The diversity, importance, and ecological roles of marine fungi have recently been highlighted in deep-subsurface sediments using molecular methods. Fungi in the deep-marine subsurface may be specifically adapted to life in the deep biosphere, but this can be demonstrated only using culture-based analyses. In this study, we investigated culturable fungal communities from a record-depth sediment core sampled from the Canterbury Basin (New Zealand) with the aim to reveal endemic or ubiquist adapted isolates playing a significant ecological role(s). About 200 filamentous fungi (68%) and yeasts (32%) were isolated. Fungal isolates were affiliated with the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, including 21 genera. Screening for genes involved in secondary metabolite synthesis also revealed their bioactive compound synthesis potential. Our results provide evidence that deep-subsurface fungal communities are able to survive, adapt, grow, and interact with other microbial communities and highlight that the deep-sediment habitat is another ecological niche for fungi.
Trends in inflammatory breast carcinoma incidence and survival: the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results program at the National Cancer Institute.

BACKGROUND Inflammatory breast carcinoma (IBC) appears to be a clinicopathologic entity distinct from noninflammatory locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). We examined incidence and survival trends for IBC in Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program data with a case definition designed to capture many of its unique clinical and pathologic characteristics. METHODS We analyzed breast cancer cases diagnosed in the SEER 9 Registries (n = 180,224), between 1988 and 2000. Breast cancer cases were categorized using SEER's "Extent of Disease" codes in combination with International Classification of Diseases for Oncology morphology code 8530/3 and classified as IBC (n = 3648), LABC (n = 3636), and non-T4 breast cancer (n = 172,940). We compared changes in incidence rates over 3-year intervals by breast cancer subtype and race using SEER*Stat. Survival differences by breast cancer subtype and race were assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank statistics. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Between 1988 and 1990 and 1997 and 1999, IBC incidence rates (per 100,000 woman-years) increased from 2.0 to 2.5 (P < .001), whereas those for LABC declined (2.5 to 2.0, P = .0025), as did those for non-T4 breast cancer (108 to 101, P = .0084). IBC incidence rates were statistically significantly higher in black women (3.1) than in white women (2.2) during the study period (P < .001). Women diagnosed with IBC had statistically significantly poorer survival than women with either LABC or non-T4 breast cancer (log-rank test, P < .001). Median survival of women with IBC (2.9 years) was statistically significantly shorter than that of women with LABC (6.4 years; P < .0001) or non-T4 breast cancer (> 10 years, P < .0001). Black women with IBC or LABC had poorer survival than white women with IBC or LABC, respectively (log-rank test, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Throughout the 1990s, IBC incidence rose, and survival improved modestly. Substantial racial differences were noted in age at diagnosis, age-specific incidence rates, and survival outcomes.
Upstream stimulatory factor (USF) as a transcriptional suppressor of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in oral cancer cells

Telomerase activity is suppressed in normal human somatic tissues but is activated in cancer cells and immortal cell lines. The reverse transcriptase (RT) subunit human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is the key regulator of telomerase activity. The hTERT promoter contains E‐box elements and may allow upstream stimulatory factor (USF), a basic helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) leucine zipper family proteins, to bind and regulate the expression. In this study, we investigated whether and how USF effect on hTERT. Through luciferase reporter assays, we found that both USF1 and USF2 possess a comparable effect on the inhibition of hTERT expression. Immunoprecipitation (IP) and immunoblotting (IB) analysis reveal that the suppression of hTERT by USF was not through the interaction of USF with c‐myc or mad, nor disturbed the cellular protein levels of those. In gel mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) assays, we found that the USF suppression is through direct binding at the E‐box site of hTERT promoter and rendering the effect actively. Analysis on clinical normal and tumor tissues reveal that the expression of USF1 and USF2 was lower in the tumor tissues, correlated with hTERT expression and telomerase activity. Taking together, our results demonstrate that USF is a negative transcriptional repressor for hTERT in oral cancer cells. It is possible that USF lose the inhibitory effect on hTERT expression leading to telomerase reactivation and oral carcinogenesis. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.