Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Live Brucella spp. fail to induce tumor necrosis factor alpha excretion upon infection of U937-derived phagocytes

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) plays a central role in activation of first-line defenses of a host against foreign organisms. To determine whether Brucella infection modulated TNF-alpha production, we measured the biological activity of this cytokine in supernatants of U937 cell-derived macrophages and of fresh human monocytes infected with Brucella spp. Neither the smooth nor rough Brucella strains used induced any measurable TNF-alpha excretion upon infection. On the contrary, as reported before for other gram-negative bacteria, phagocytosis of nonpathogenic Escherichia coli was followed by a rapid and transient induction of TNF-alpha release, suggesting an involvement of this cytokine in some autocrine process. As expected, the Brucella strains tested survived and/or multiplied within U937-derived macrophages, whereas E. coli was rapidly eliminated after phagocytosis. Immunoglobulin G opsonization of E. coli strains enhanced their intracellular killing and strongly potentiated TNF-alpha secretion. Immunoglobulin G opsonization of Brucella strains, in contrast, did not lead to TNF-alpha production, although their rate of intracellular multiplication was reduced. Killed brucellae, however, promoted a significant excretion of TNF-alpha from U937-derived macrophages into cell culture supernatants. We finally demonstrated that pretreatment of U937-derived macrophages with exogenous TNF-alpha significantly inhibited intracellular multiplication of Brucella spp. These results and experiments performed on fresh human monocytes or with isolated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) showed that (i) differences in TNF-alpha production observed during macrophage infection by Brucella spp. and E. coli were not due to differences in LPS structure but resulted from active inhibition of TNF-alpha production by a specific process linked to Brucella spp. and (ii) the capacity of Brucella spp. to use pathways avoiding TNF-alpha production during infection may be considered a major attribute of virulence.
Endophytic Chaetomium globosum reduces development of tan spot in wheat caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis

Endophytic Chaetomium reduced the development of disease caused by Pyrenophora tritici-repentis in wheat leaves. Chaetomium globosum isolate NC-1 and its culture filtrate, applied to leaves 3, 7 and 14 days before inoculation with the pathogen, reduced the development of tan spot in treated leaves of the susceptible cv. Morocco. The disease reduction differed between host cultivars. Disease reduction was more pronounced in cv. Leichhardt than cv. Morocco. Inoculation of the endophyte or its culture filtrate led to accumulation of extracellular proteins in host tissues indicating activation of host defences. The intercellular washing fluid of endophyte-inoculated leaves lacked an inhibitory effect on the pathogen in vitro, and the inhibitory proteinaceous compound produced by the endophyte in vitro was not detected in the intercellular washing fluid of endophyte-infected leaves. The antagonistic effect of the endophyte against the pathogen in planta was probably due to activation of host defences rather than direct antagonism.
How Can Female Germline Stem Cells Contribute to the Physiological Neo-Oogenesis in Mammals and Why Menopause Occurs?

Abstract At the beginning of the last century, reproductive biologists have discussed whether in mammalian species the fetal oocytes persist or are replaced by neo-oogenesis during adulthood. Currently the prevailing view is that neo-oogenesis is functional in lower vertebrates but not in mammalian species. However, contrary to the evolutionary rules, this suggests that females of lower vertebrates have a better opportunity to provide healthy offspring compared to mammals with oocytes subjected to environmental threats for up to several decades. During the last 15 years, a new effort has been made to determine whether the oocyte pool in adult mammals is renewed as well. Most recently, Ji Wu and colleagues reported a production of offspring from female germline stem cells derived from neonatal and adult mouse ovaries. This indicates that both neonatal and adult mouse ovaries carry stem cells capable of producing functional oocytes. However, it is unclear whether neo-oogenesis from ovarian somatic stem cells is physiologically involved in follicular renewal and why menopause occurs. Here we review observations that indicate an involvement of immunoregulation in physiological neo-oogenesis and follicular renewal from ovarian stem cells during the prime reproductive period and propose why menopause occurs in spite of persisting ovarian stem cells.
Identification of Free Radicals on Hemoglobin from its Self-peroxidation Using Mass Spectrometry and Immuno-spin Trapping

In an effort to understand the mechanism of radical formation on heme proteins, the formation of radicals on hemoglobin was initiated by reaction with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO). The DMPO nitrone adducts were analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS) and immuno-spin trapping. The spin-trapped protein adducts were then subjected to tryptic digestion and MS analyses. When hemoglobin was reacted with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the presence of DMPO, a DMPO nitrone adduct could be detected by immuno-spin trapping. To verify that DMPO adducts of the protein free radicals had been formed, the reaction mixtures were analyzed by flow injection electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS). The ESI mass spectrum of the hemoglobin/H2O2/DMPO sample shows one adduct each on both the α chain and the β chain of hemoglobin which corresponds in mass to the addition of one DMPO molecule. The nature of the radicals formed on hemoglobin was explored using proteolysis techniques followed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analyses. The following sites of DMPO addition were identified on hemoglobin: Cys-93 of the β chain, and Tyr-42, Tyr-24, and His-20 of the α chain. Because of the pi-pi interaction of Tyr-24 and His-20, the unpaired electron is apparently delocalized on both the tyrosine and histidine residue (pi-pi stacked pair radical).
[The effects of exercise program on knowledge and attitude of exercise and depression in low-income elderly women].

PURPOSE The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of exercise program on knowledge and attitude of exercise, and depression in low-income elderly women. METHOD The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The subjects were 26 in the experimental group and 22 in the control group among 46 low-income women over age 65. The independent variable is the exercise program, and the dependent variables are knowledge and attitude of exercise and depression. The exercise program was performed for 45-50 minutes, twice a week for 8 weeks. Data was collected from March 12. to May 8. 2004. RESULT Participants were given a pre-test and post-test for the selected variables. The experimental group reported significant improvements in their knowledge and attitude of exercise and depression scores compared with the control group. CONCLUSION The results indicated that the exercise program had the potential to manage low-income elderly women's health promotion. Furthermore, the exercise program can enhance life satisfaction in low-income elderly women.
Diabetic Rats Exercised Prior to and During Pregnancy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exercise prior to or during pregnancy on maternal reproductive outcome, biochemical profile, and on fetal anomaly frequency in a rat pregnancy model utilizing chemically induced diabetes. Wistar rats (minimum n = 11 animals/group) were randomly assigned the following groups: group 1 (G1), sedentary, nondiabetic; G2, nondiabetic, exercised during pregnancy; G3, nondiabetic, exercised prior to and during pregnancy; G4, sedentary, diabetic; G5, diabetic, exercised during pregnancy; and G6, diabetic, exercised prior to and during pregnancy. A swimming program was utilized for moderate exercise. On day 21 of pregnancy, all rats were anesthetized to obtain blood for biochemical measurements. The gravid uterus was weighed with its contents, and the fetuses were analyzed. The nondiabetic rats exercised prior to pregnancy presented a reduced maternal weight gain. Besides, G2 and G3 groups showed decreased fetal weights at term pregnancy, indicating slight intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). In the diabetic dams, the swimming program did not have antihyperglycemic effects. The exercise applied only during pregnancy caused severe IUGR, as confirmed by reduced fetal weight mean, fetal weight classification, and ossification sites. Nevertheless, exercise was not a teratogenic factor and improved the rats’ lipid profiles, demonstrating that the exercise presented possible benefits, but there are also risks prior and during pregnancy, especially in diabetic pregnant women.
B7‐1 and B7‐2 co‐stimulatory molecules are required for mercury‐induced autoimmunity

B7‐1 (CD80) and B7‐2 (CD86) molecules on antigen presenting cells play important roles in providing co‐stimulatory signals required for activation and expansion of autoreactive T cells. Moreover, some reports have suggested that these molecules may have distinct functions in the differentiation of Th1 and Th2 cells. Mercury‐induced autoimmunity in H‐2s mice is characterized by lymphoproliferation of T and B cells, serum increases in IgG1 and IgE and production of antinucleolar antibodies (ANoA). The mechanisms responsible for the various manifestations of this syndrome have yet to be elucidated. To examine the contributions of B7 co‐stimulatory molecules to this model, susceptible mice were treated with antibodies to B7‐1, B7‐2, or both during the development of mercury‐induced autoimmunity. The combination of anti‐B7‐1 and anti‐B7‐2 antibodies prevented Hg‐induced disease in H‐2s mice. Additionally, single anti‐B7‐1 antibody treatment was sufficient to prevent Hg‐induced ANoA production, but not IgG1 and IgE hypergammaglobulinaemia. Further, single antibody treatment with anti‐B7‐2 resulted in a partial reduction of ANoA titres but had no significant effect on total serum IgG1 and IgE levels. Taken together, these results indicate that B7‐1 and B7‐2 molecules are critical for the development of Hg‐induced autoimmunity and suggest that the different manifestations of the syndrome are regulated by independent mechanisms.
Analysis of glistenings in hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses on visual performance.

AIM To assess patients' visual performance with glistenings in one piece soft hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) (Alcon) 2 years postoperatively. METHODS This cross section trial included 120 eyes with one piece IOL at 2 years postoperatively. Glistening was classified in 4 groups, ranging from 0 (none) to 3 (most evident) according to their severity in IOLs optics observed under a slit lamp. All eyes underwent a uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity evaluation (UCVA and BCVA, LogMAR scale), a complete clinical examination, a contrast sensitivity (CS) evaluation by F.A. C.T chart, and a visual field test by Humphrey Field Analyzer ‖ (HFA). One-way ANOVA was used for quantitative data, while Pearson χ (2) test was used for qualitative data to analyze the visual function of 4 glistening groups. RESULTS Totally 120 eyes were enrolled with 30 eyes in each glistening group. There was no statistical correlation between glistening grades and patients' age, IOLs power, postoperative UCVA and BCVA (P>0.05). Quantificationally, CS values among each group were not statistically different. However, qualitative analysis showed there were more eyes in grade 3 group than in grade 0 group having abnormally declined CS at high spatial frequency (10% vs 36.7% at 18 cpd, P=0.029; 6.7% vs 26.7% at 12 cpd, P=0.013). Mean deviation (MD) of the visual field test was -2.14±2.31, -1.97±2.23, -3.02±3.17, -4.12±3.38 in group 0 to 3 respectively. There was a significant decrease in the most serious glistenings group (P =0.018). CONCLUSION Glistenings may potentially have an impact on contrast sensitivity at high spatial frequency and MD in visual field test.
Determination of the carbon content of airborne fungal spores.

Airborne fungal spores contribute potentially to the organic carbon of the atmospheric aerosol, mainly in the "coarse aerosol" size range 2.5-10 microm aerodynamic equivalent diameter (aed). Here, we report about a procedure to determine the organic carbon content of fungal spores frequently observed in the atmosphere. Furthermore, we apply a new (carbon/individual) factor to quantify the amount of fungal-spores-derived organic carbon in aerosol collected at a mountain site in Austria. Spores of representatives of Cladosporium sp. , Aspergillus sp. , Penicillium sp. , and Alternaria sp. , the four predominant airborne genera, were analyzed for their carbon content using two different analytical procedures. The result was an average carbon content of 13 pg C/spore (RSD, 46%), or expressed as a carbon-per-volume ratio, 0.38 pg C/microm3 (RSD, 30%). These values are comparable to conversion factors for bacteria and some representatives of the zooplankton. Because biopolymers are suspected of interfering with elemental carbon determination by thermal methods, the amount of "fungal carbon" that might be erroneously mistaken for soot carbon was determined using the "two-step combustion" method of Cachier et al. and termed as "apparent elemental carbon" (AEC). This fraction amounted to up to 46% of the initial fungal carbon content. Although the aerosol samples were collected in March under wintry conditions, the organic carbon from fungal spores amounted to 2.9-5.4% of organic carbon in the "coarse mode" size fraction.
Synthesis Based Design Techniques for Ultra Low Voltage Energy Efficient SoCs

Energy efficiency is increasingly becoming the main concern for many emerging system-on-chip (SoC) applications such as those for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) or portable electronics, which require ultra low power and high energy efficiency. Though voltage scaling down to near-(NVt) and subthreshold(sub-Vt) supply voltages has provided drastic quadratic savings in dynamic energy, design of circuits at ultra low voltages (ULVs) still poses important challenges, and methodologies in their current state still leave much space for optimization. For the circuits involved in SoCs, exponentially slower speeds in the ULV regime not only mean a limit on the throughput available, but also an increase in the significance of leakage current, which may undermine our purpose of energy efficiency. Increased sensitivity to process variation makes robust timing closure a key challenge at ULVs, which makes it exceptionally hard for industry to accept ULV designs as future solutions because of the low chip yield this entails. As to the SoC architecture, judicial considerations as to the size, amount, type, and communication of modules with respect to energy efficiency must be studied to ensure a deployable design. In this work, we first investigate the energy efficiency vs. module platform flexibility design space to answer the question how much energy efficiency is available in each type platform (general purpose processor, FPGA, or ASIC) in being the main driving force behind digital processing. Next, we explore if a body area sensor node SoC that uses several circuit and architectural methods and is capable of flexible bio-signal sampling and processing presses the point of minimal energy enough for battery-less operation. We delve into circuit design for ultra low power SoCs, and question the need for a new robust circuit topology to design standard cells for ULV, as well as questioning the need for a standard cell library characterization method that ensures robust operating logic cells. We ponder at whether a method for energy efficient and variation tolerant clock tree design for hold timing closure is needed, and if so what method we should use. And finally, we research to see if using latches in place of registers for both speed and energy optimization can lower the minimal energy point, change the analysis of optimal pipelining, and give light to an alternative approach to dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS). Our overall hypothesis is that the success of these projects will enable robust, energy efficient designs in the ULV region, and increase the recognition of ULV designs as viable solutions to industry related problems.
Deletion and insertion in vivo somatic mutations in the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) gene of human T‐lymphocytes

Deletion and insertion mutations have been found to be a major component of the in vivo somatic mutation spectrum in the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) gene of T‐lymphocytes. In apopulation of 172 healthy people (average age, 34; mutant frequency, 10.3 × 10−6), deletion/in sertion mutations constituted 41% (89) of the 217independent mutations, the remainder being base substitutions. Mutations were identified by multiplex PCR assay of genomic DNA for exon regions, by sequencing cDNA, or sequencing genomic DNA. The deletion and insertion mutations were divided among ±1 to 2 basepair (bp) frameshifts (14%, 30), small deletions and insertions of 3–200 bps (13%, 28), large deletions of one or more exons (12%, 27), and complex events (2%, 4). Frameshift mutations were dominated by −1 bp deletions (21 of 30). Exon 3 contained five frameshift mutations in the run of 6 Gs, the only site in the coding region with multiple frameshift mutations, possibly caused by strand dislocation during replication. Both end points were sequenced for 23 of the 28 small deletions/insertions including two tandem duplication events in exon 6. More small deletions (8/28), pos sibly mediated by trinucleotide repeats, occurred in exon 2 than in the other exons. Large deletions included total gene deletions (6), exon 2 + 3 dele tions (4), and loss of multiple (9) and single exons (8) in genomic DNA. The diverse mutation spectrum indicates that multiple mechanisms operated at many different sequences and provides a resource for examination of deletion mutation. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 30:371–384, 1997 © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of Whole-Body Vibration on Neuromuscular Activation of Leg Muscles During Dynamic Exercises in Individuals With Stroke

Abstract Liao, L-R, and Pang, MYC. Effect of whole-body vibration on neuromuscular activation of leg muscles during dynamic exercises in individuals with stroke. J Strength Cond Res 31(7): 1954–1962, 2017—This study examined the leg muscle activity during exposure to different whole-body vibration (WBV) intensities while performing various dynamic exercises in patients with chronic stroke. Thirty patients with chronic stroke performed a series of dynamic exercises under 3 conditions: (a) low-intensity WBV (peak acceleration: 0.96 units of gravity of Earth [g]), (b) high-intensity WBV (1.61 g), and (c) no WBV. Neuromuscular activation was recorded with surface electromyography (EMG) on bilateral biceps femoris (BF), vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior (TA), and gastrocnemius (GS) in both legs and was reported as EMGrms (root mean square) normalized to % maximal voluntary contraction. The EMG amplitude of all tested muscles was significantly increased by adding WBV during dynamic exercise (p ⩽ 0.05). The EMG amplitude of BF, TA, and GS during exposure to high-intensity WBV was significantly greater than low-intensity WBV (p ⩽ 0.05). The increase in EMG amplitude caused by WBV was exercise dependent in GS and TA (p ⩽ 0.05). The EMG response to WBV in GS and BF in the affected leg was significantly greater than the corresponding muscles in the unaffected leg (p ⩽ 0.05). The extent of WBV-induced muscle activity was dependent on the dynamic exercise, WBV intensity, and muscle trained among patients with chronic stroke.
Activation of Steroid and Xenobiotic Receptor (SXR, NR1I2) and Its Orthologs in Laboratory, Toxicologic, and Genome Model Species

Background Nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group I, member 2 (NR1I2), commonly known as steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR) in humans, is a key ligand-dependent transcription factor responsible for the regulation of xenobiotic, steroid, and bile acid metabolism. The ligand-binding domain is principally responsible for species-specific activation of NR1I2 in response to xenobiotic exposure. Objectives Our objective in this study was to create a common framework for screening NR1I2 orthologs from a variety of model species against environmentally relevant xenobiotics and to evaluate the results in light of using these species as predictors of xenobiotic disposition and for assessment of environmental health risk. Methods Sixteen chimeric fusion plasmid vectors expressing the Gal4 DNA-binding domain and species-specific NR1I2 ligand-binding domain were screened for activation against a spectrum of 27 xenobiotic compounds using a standardized cotransfection receptor activation assay. Results NR1I2 orthologs were activated by various ligands in a dose-dependent manner. Closely related species show broadly similar patterns of activation; however, considerable variation to individual compounds exists, even among species varying in only a few amino acid residues. Conclusions Interspecies variation in NR1I2 activation by various ligands can be screened through the use of in vitro NR1I2 activation assays and should be taken into account when choosing appropriate animal models for assessing environmental health risk.
Inpatient management of hyperglycemia: the Northwestern experience.

OBJECTIVE To describe a novel method of safe and effective intensive management of inpatient hyperglycemia with use of cost-effective protocols directed by a glucose management service (GMS). METHODS An intravenous insulin protocol was designed to achieve a glycemic target of 80 to 110 mg/dL. When stable inpatients were transferred from the intravenous protocol to a subcutaneous insulin protocol, which consisted of basal long-acting and prandial and supplemental rapid-acting insulins, the blood glucose target was 80 to 150 mg/dL. Glucose levels were reviewed by the GMS at least daily for protocol adjustments, when necessary. RESULTS The intravenous insulin protocol was used in 276 patients, and 4,058 capillary blood glucose levels were recorded. Glycemic target levels (80 to 110 mg/dL) were achieved, on average, 10.6 +/- 5.2 hours after initiation of insulin drip therapy. The mean capillary blood glucose level during the study interval was 135.3 +/- 49.9 mg/dL. Hypoglycemia (< or = 60 mg/dL) was recorded in 1.5% of glucose values, and hyperglycemia (> or = 400 mg/dL) was recorded in only 0.06%. The subcutaneous insulin protocol was used in 922 patients, and 18,067 capillary glucose levels were documented. The mean blood glucose level was 145.6 +/- 55.8 mg/dL during the study period. The blood glucose target of 80 to 150 mg/dL was achieved in 58.6%, whereas 74.3% of glycemic values were in the clinically acceptable range (80 to 180 mg/dL). Hypoglycemia (< or = 60 mg/dL) occurred in 1.3% of capillary blood glucose values, and hyperglycemia (> or = 400 mg/dL) occurred in 0.4% of values. CONCLUSION Validated protocols dedicated to the achievement of strict glycemic goals were implemented by a GMS and resulted in substantial improvements in glycemic control on the surgical inpatient services, with a reduced frequency of hypoglycemia. The protocols and the GMS have been well received by the inpatient nursing and surgical staff members, and all of this has been done in a cost-effective manner.