Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early effects of tumour necrosis factor α blockade on skin and synovial tissue in patients with active psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis

Background: Tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) blockade using infliximab, a chimeric anti-TNFα antibody, is an effective treatment for both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Objective: To analyse the early effects of infliximab treatment on serial skin and synovial tissue biopsy samples. Methods: Twelve patients with both active psoriasis and PsA received a single infusion of either infliximab (3 mg/kg) (n = 6) or placebo (n = 6) intravenously. Synovial tissue and lesional skin biopsy specimens were obtained at baseline and 48 hours after treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to analyse the inflammatory infiltrate. In situ detection of apoptotic cells was performed by TUNEL assay and by immunohistochemical staining with anti-caspase-3 antibodies. Stained tissue sections were evaluated by digital image analysis. Results: A significant reduction in mean (SEM) T cell numbers was found in both lesional epidermis (baseline 37 (11) cells/mm, 48 hours 26 (11), p = 0.028) and synovial tissue (67 (56) cells/mm2v 32 (30), p = 0.043) after infliximab treatment, but not after placebo treatment (epidermis 18 (8) v 43 (20), NS; synovium 110 (62) v 46 (21), NS). Similarly, the number of macrophages in the synovial sublining was significantly reduced after anti-TNFα treatment (100 (73) v 10 (8), p = 0.043). The changes in cell numbers could not be explained by induction of apoptosis at the site of inflammation. Conclusions: The effects of anti-TNFα therapy in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis may be explained by decreased cell infiltration in lesional skin and inflamed synovial tissue early after initiation of treatment.
Effect of bimodal hearing in Korean children with profound hearing loss

Conclusion. Bimodal hearing with combined acoustic stimulation and electric stimulation could enhance speech performance in deaf patients by residual hearing even though the amount of residual hearing is not enough to be used for communication by amplification. Objectives. The cochlear implant (CI) is a well-known therapeutic option for patients with profound hearing loss. However, deaf patients with a CI still have trouble in localization of sounds and understanding speech in a noisy environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits of bimodal hearing with a CI in one ear and a hearing aid in the contralateral ear in Korean children with profound hearing loss. Subjects and methods. Fourteen deaf children with residual hearing participated in this study. There were eight male and six female patients, with an age range of 4.6–13.8 years at the time of testing. The test was conducted between 3 months and 4.2 years after cochlear implantation. Speech performance was examined in a noisy environment using Korean word lists. A speech sound and the noise were presented to the child from the front loudspeaker. Results. The results showed that speech performance in a noisy environment was significantly better with bimodal hearing than with a CI alone.
Solar activity impact on the Earth’s upper atmosphere

The paper describes results of the studies devoted to the solar activity impact on the Earth’s upper atmosphere and ionosphere, conducted within the frame of COST ES0803 Action.Aim : The aim of the paper is to represent results coming from different research groups in a unified form, aligning their specific topics into the general context of the subject.Methods : The methods used in the paper are based on data-driven analysis. Specific databases are used for spectrum analysis, empirical modeling, electron density profile reconstruction, and forecasting techniques.Results: Results are grouped in three sections: Medium- and long-term ionospheric response to the changes in solar and geomagnetic activity, storm-time ionospheric response to the solar and geomagnetic forcing, and modeling and forecasting techniques.Section 1 contains five subsections with results on 27-day response of low-latitude ionosphere to solar extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) radiation, response to the recurrent geomagnetic storms, long-term trends in the upper atmosphere, latitudinal dependence of total electron content on EUV changes, and statistical analysis of ionospheric behavior during prolonged period of solar activity.Section 2 contains a study of ionospheric variations induced by recurrent CIR-driven storm, a case-study of polar cap absorption due to an intense CME, and a statistical study of geographic distribution of so-called E-layer dominated ionosphere.Section 3 comprises empirical models for describing and forecasting TEC, the F-layer critical frequency foF 2, and the height of maximum plasma density. A study evaluates the usefulness of effective sunspot number in specifying the ionosphere state. An original method is presented, which retrieves the basic thermospheric parameters from ionospheric sounding data.
Hepatocellular Uptake of Ferritin in the Rat

Summary. Over 85% of ferritin 59Fe is recovered in the liver of rats within 24 hr of its intravenous injection. Autoradiographic studies have shown that this hepatic uptake is restricted entirely to the parenchymal cells. Following its hepatocellular uptake ferritin is catabolized and its iron moiety is recombined with locally produced apoferritin. The rate of hepatic uptake is reduced by bleeding and enhanced by inflammation. The electrophoretic properties and hepatic handling of ferritin preparations derived from the liver (parenchymal) or spleen (reticuloendothelial) are identical. These findings suggest that the increased amounts of circulating ferritin found in pathologic conditions such as transfusion haeniosiderosis and ineffective erythropoiesis, might play a significant role in the production of parenchymal iroll overload.
Amphiphilic and hydrophilic forms of acetyl‐ and butyrylcholinesterase in human brain

Human brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) were sequentially extracted, first with a Tris‐saline buffer (S1) and then with 1% (w/v) Triton X‐100 (S2). About 20 and 30% of the AChE and BuChE activities were recovered in S1 and most of the remaining enzymes in S2. Main molecular forms of about 10.5 S and 12.0 S, G4 forms of AChE and BuChE, and smaller amounts of 4.5 S and 5.5 S forms, G1 species of AChE and BuChE, were measured in S1. Application of Triton X‐114 phase partitioning and affinity chromatography on phenyl‐agarose to S1 revealed that 25% of the AChE and none of the BuChE molecules displayed amphiphilic properties. Analysis of the enzyme activity retained by the phenyl‐agarose showed that G1 AChE constituted the bulk of the amphiphilic molecules released without detergent. Main G4 forms of AChE and BuChE were found in the S2 extract. Eighty and 45% of the AChE and BuChE activities in S2 were measured in the detergent‐rich phase by Triton X‐114 phase partitioning. Thus, most of the AChE and about half of the BuChE molecules in S2 displayed amphiphilic properties. The main peak of BuChE, a 12.0 S form in gradients made with Triton X‐100, splits into two peaks of 9.5 S and 12.5 S in Brij 96‐containing gradients. This suggests that hydrophilic G4 BuChE forms are predominant in S1 and that hydrophilic and amphiphilic isoforms coexist in S2. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
GPX2, a Direct Target of p63, Inhibits Oxidative Stress-induced Apoptosis in a p53-dependent Manner*

The p53 family consists of p53, p63, and p73, each of which has multiple isoforms due to transcription at two separate promoters and alternative splicing. Although p53 is a bona fide tumor suppressor, p63 appears to have a Janus-faced function as a tumor suppressor and an oncogene. To address the two opposing functions of p63, we analyzed its target genes. Here, we found that GPX2, which encodes a glutathione peroxidase, is up-regulated by p63 but not p53. Accordingly, a unique responsive element was found in the promoter of the GPX2 gene that can be activated and bound by p63 but not p53. We also found that upon overexpression, GPX2 alleviates the apoptotic response of MCF7 cells to oxidative stresses. Interestingly, the protective function of GPX2 is p53 dependent. Likewise, we showed that a deficiency in GPX2 renders MCF7 cells susceptible to oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. Given that the ΔN isoform of p63 is frequently overexpressed in tumor cells, the observations here provide an insight into the mechanism by which some isoforms of p63 serve as a pro-survival factor by up-regulating GPX2 to reduce the p53-dependent oxidative stress-induced apoptotic response.
A global model of natural volatile organic compound emissions

Numerical assessments of global air quality and potential changes in atmospheric chemical constituents require estimates of the surface fluxes of a variety of trace gas species. We have developed a global model to estimate emissions of volatile organic compounds from natural sources (NVOC). Methane is not considered here and has been reviewed in detail elsewhere. The model has a highly resolved spatial grid (0.5° × 0.5° latitude/longitude) and generates hourly average emission estimates. Chemical species are grouped into four categories: isoprene, monoterpenes, other reactive VOC (ORVOC), and other VOC (OVOC). NVOC emissions from oceans are estimated as a function of geophysical variables from a general circulation model and ocean color satellite data. Emissions from plant foliage are estimated from ecosystem specific biomass and emission factors and algorithms describing light and temperature dependence of NVOC emissions. Foliar density estimates are based on climatic variables and satellite data. Temporal variations in the model are driven by monthly estimates of biomass and temperature and hourly light estimates. The annual global VOC flux is estimated to be 1150 Tg C, composed of 44% isoprene, 11% monoterpenes, 22.5% other reactive VOC, and 22.5% other VOC. Large uncertainties exist for each of these estimates and particularly for compounds other than isoprene and monoterpenes. Tropical woodlands (rain forest, seasonal, drought-deciduous, and savanna) contribute about half of all global natural VOC emissions. Croplands, shrublands and other woodlands contribute 10–20% apiece. Isoprene emissions calculated for temperate regions are as much as a factor of 5 higher than previous estimates.
Central neuropathogenesis of vesicular stomatitis virus infection of immunodeficient mice

To determine whether central neuropathogenesis associated with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection is regulated by T cells, we have examined the effects of intranasal infection of mice lacking T cells. The mice examined were of two kinds: (i) thymus-deficient BALB/c nu/nu nice and (ii) BALB/c mice experimentally depleted of T cells by systemic infusions of a monoclonal antibody to the CD4 or CD8 cell surface molecules. These mice were infected intranasally with a single dose of replication-competent VSV. Brain tissue homogenates were analyzed for the presence of infectious virus. For each population of mice, infection-related mortality was assessed. In histological sections of brain, the distribution of viral antigens (Ags) was examined by immunocytochemistry. We found that recovery of infectious virus from homogenates of tissues obtained from athymic nu/nu animals was more than 10 times greater than that from samples from their euthymic littermates. With a single exception in a BALB/c nu/nu mouse, virus was not isolated from the spleen when it was administered intranasally. In these experimental infections, athymic mice succumbed 1 to 2 days before their euthymic littermates. A dose of virus that resulted in half of the nu/+ survival rate was uniformly lethal to nu/nu mice. In experiments with BALB/c mice depleted of either CD4+ or CD8+ T cells by in vivo antibody treatment, histological analysis revealed an increase in viral Ag distribution in comparison with control (medium-infused) infected mice. Necrosis and inflammation paralleled the extent of viral Ag expression. Viral Ags were detected in discrete areas that usually remain uninfected in immunocompetent mice. These areas include the neocortex and caudate putamen nuclei, the piriform cortex, and the lateral olfactory tract. Neuronal loss and necrosis were consistently found in the olfactory bulb and the horizontal/vertical band of Broca. In some of the T-cell depleted mice, necrosis was also evident in the hippocampus, fimbria, mammillary bodies, and hypothalamic nuclei. In the brain stem, perivascular cuffing was evident, but with little necrosis. Collectively, these data suggest that CD4+ and CD8+ T cells make only a minor contribution to the development of histopathology but rather function together to limit viral replication and transsynaptic or ventricular spread of virus, thus promoting recovery. The primary effectors of histopathology appear to be related more to the cytopathologic nature of the virus infection and non-T-cell-mediated mechanisms.
The presence of autoimmune thyroiditis in mixed cryoglobulinemia patients is associated with high levels of circulating interleukin-6, but not of tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

OBJECTIVES To our knowledge, no study has evaluated serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), together with tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), in a large series of patients with 'mixed cryoglobulinemia and HCV chronic infection' (MC+HCV) in relation to the presence of autoimmune thyroiditis (AT). The aims of the study were to evaluate serum levels of IL-6 in MC+HCV patients and to correlate this parameter with the presence of AT and with circulating levels of TNF-α. METHODS Serum IL-6 and TNF-α were assayed in 41 MC+HCV patients, in 41 MC+HCV patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (MC+AT), in 41 sex- and age-matched controls, and 20 AT patients. RESULTS MC+HCV patients showed significantly (p<0.01; Mann-Whitney U-test) higher IL-6 (median 8.1ng/l, range 0.7-651) serum levels than controls (median 0.6ng/l, range 0.5-41), or AT (median 2.8ng/l, range 0.5-67). MC+AT showed significantly (p<0.01; Mann-Whitney U-test) higher mean IL-6 (median 15.8ng/l, range 0.5-781) than controls, AT and MC+HCV. Serum TNF-α levels were significantly higher in MC+HCV (median 9.9ng/l, range 1.5-283) or MC+AT (median 11.2ng/l, range 1.6-412) than in controls (median 1.0ng/l, range 0.6-6.4), or AT (median 1.7ng/l, range 0.6-11.8) (p<0.01, for each comparison). CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates significantly higher serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in patients with MC+HCV and MC+AT compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, the study first shows a significant increase in circulating IL-6 observed in MC+AT patients with respect to MC+HCV. Future studies in larger patients' series will be needed to evaluate the relevance of serum IL-6 and TNF-α determination as clinico-prognostic markers of MC+HCV patients and its usefulness in the therapeutic approach to these patients.
Two-dimensional separable filters for optimal reconstruction of JPEG-coded images

Transform coding is a technique used worldwide for image coding, and JPEG has become the most common tool for image compression. In a JPEG decoder, the quantized transform coefficient blocks are usually processed using the inverse discrete cosine transform (DCT) in order to reconstruct an approximation of the original image. The direct and inverse DCT pair can be arranged in the form of a perfect reconstruction filter bank, and it can be shown that, in the presence of quantization of the transform coefficients, the perfect reconstruction synthesis is not the best choice. In this paper, we propose a procedure for the design of separable 2-D synthesis filters that minimize the reconstruction error power for transform coders. The procedure is used to design a family of filters which are used in the decoder instead of the inverse DCT. The appropriate reconstruction filters are selected on the basis of the standard quantization information provided in the JPEG bit stream. We show that the proposed decoding method gives some gain with respect to the usual decoder in most cases, Moreover, it only makes use of the standard information provided by a JPEG bit stream.
Influence of simultaneous gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and testosterone treatment on spermatogenesis and potential fertilizing capacity in male monkeys.

We examined the effect of continuous sc infusion of a GnRH agonist (Ag) and testosterone (T) supplementation on spermatogenesis and the potential fertilizing capacity of sperm in 15 rhesus monkeys. The monkeys were divided into 3 groups of 5 animals each. Groups 1 and 2 received 25 micrograms/day Ag for 44 weeks. Group 2 also received T replacement therapy [sufficient to maintain serum T values within the normal range; 4-5 ng/mL (13.9-17.3 nmol/L)]. Group 3 received a low dose of the Ag (5 micrograms/day for 24 weeks and then 10 micrograms/day for 20 weeks) to prolong the oligospermic phase before the onset of azoospermia. In groups 1 and 3, there was an initial transient (1 week) rise in serum LH and T levels which then fell below pretreatment value where they remained throughout the treatment period. The serum LH and T levels were lower in the group treated with 25 micrograms/day Ag. Similar changes in serum LH levels occurred in group 2, but T supplementation maintained serum T in the physiological range. The decline in serum LH levels was associated with reduced sensitivity to GnRH, since the responses of serum LH and T to GnRH were either abolished or greatly reduced in the 2 groups treated with 25 micrograms/day Ag and were less than 50% of the pre-Ag responses in monkeys treated with 5-10 micrograms/day Ag. Four of five monkeys treated with 25 micrograms/day Ag alone became azoospermic within 21 weeks. All five animals receiving Ag and T supplementation became azoospermic (mean time to onset, 12.6 weeks). Four of five monkeys treated with 5-10 micrograms/day Ag also had azoospermic ejaculates during the late treatment and early recovery period. Sperm counts recovered to the pretreatment levels in most monkeys by 10 weeks of the recovery period. The quality of semen samples taken from oligospermic monkeys was greatly reduced. The percentage of motile and percentage of live sperm per ejaculate, the net negative surface charge on sperm, and the scores of sperm in the hamster oocyte penetration test were subnormal. T supplementation did not improve these measures of semen quality. Testicular biopsies taken at the end of the Ag administration period from monkeys given 25 micrograms/day Ag showed diffuse atrophy of the seminiferous tubules, which contained primarily Sertoli cells and a few spermatogonia and spermatocytes, but no spermatids. The tubular atrophy and the suppression of spermatogenesis did not appear to be influenced by T replacement. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Glacio-meteorological conditions in the vicinity of the Belgian Princess Elisabeth Station, Antarctica

Abstract During two consecutive reconnaissance surveys in 2004 and 2005 and a revisit in 2008, the glaciological and meteorological conditions in the vicinity of the new Belgian Princess Elisabeth Station (71°57′S; 23°20′E) on Utsteinen Ridge were investigated. We set up an automatic weather station, measured the ice thickness around the Utsteinen Ridge, and established a mass balance stake network. These baseline investigations show that Utsteinen Ridge is a relatively sheltered spot from the main katabatic winds. Furthermore, winter temperature conditions are rather mild, confirming the coreless winter conditions of the Antarctic ice sheet. Mass balance is generally low (near zero) with a small accumulation to the east and relatively little ablation to the west of Utsteinen Ridge. Ice flow in the vicinity of the station is also minimal, since the Sør Rondane Mountains upstream of the station block most of the ice flow, a feature that is most apparent in the area where the station is situated. Measurements of the surface topography separated by four years show that the construction of the station seems to have a limited effect on the redistribution of snow around it. In view of the sheltered and safe ice conditions, the area is an ideal place for deploying field activities.
Frequency of Risk‐Related News Media Messages in 2016 Coverage of Zika Virus

News media plays a large role in the information the public receives during an infectious disease outbreak, and may influence public knowledge and perceptions of risk. This study analyzed and described the content of U.S. news media coverage of Zika virus and Zika response during 2016. A random selection of 800 Zika‐related news stories from 25 print and television news sources was analyzed. The study examined 24 different messages that appeared in news media articles and characterized them using theories of risk perception as messages with characteristics that could increase perception of risk (risk‐elevating messages; n = 14), messages that could decrease perception of risk (risk‐minimizing messages; n = 8), or messages about travel or testing guidance (n = 2). Overall, 96% of news stories in the study sample contained at least one or more risk‐elevating message(s) and 61% contained risk‐minimizing message(s). The frequency of many messages changed after local transmission was confirmed in Florida, and differed between sources in locations with or without local transmission in 2016. Forty percent of news stories included messages about negative potential outcomes of Zika virus infection without mentioning ways to reduce risk. Findings from this study may help inform current federal, state, and local Zika responses by offering a detailed analysis of how news media are covering the outbreak and response activities as well as identifying specific messages appearing more or less frequently than intended. Findings identifying the types of messages that require greater emphasis may also assist public health communicators in responding more effectively to future outbreaks.
The Efficacy of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Improving the Quality of Life in Patients With Problem Wounds

&NA; The unpredictable course followed by severe, chronic, non-healing wounds not only restricts the daily activities of affected patients, but also impairs their quality of life (QOL). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) treatment for such wounds elevates tissue oxygen content, increases cellular repair functions and the probability of wound healing, and improves the patient's QOL. This was a longitudinal, prospective study, and used a purposive sampling method. A total of 15 patients receiving HBOT at a medical center were enrolled. Data were collected by questionnaire before and after HBOT. The questionnaire included basic patient characteristics, self-perceived wound severity, wound physiological indices, and a QOL scale. The overall QOL score of the subjects after HBOT was higher than before HBOT. After HBOT, there was a positive correlation between the QOL of patients with problem wounds and the scoring of the Strauss wound classification system. After HBOT, there was a negative correlation between the QOL of patients with problem wounds and their self-perceived severity of the wound. The results were then used to provide suggestions for nursing care and additional research directions in order to effectively assist patients with problem wounds receiving HBOT, with the goal of achieving an optimal QOL.