Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psoralen adducts induced by triplex-forming oligonucleotides are refractory to repair in HeLa cells.

The use of triple helix-forming oligonucleotides constitutes an attractive strategy to regulate gene expression by inhibition of transcription. Psoralen-oligonucleotide conjugates form, upon irradiation, covalent triplexes and thereby modify the specific target sequence. The processing of such photoproducts on the promoter of the gene coding for the interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain was investigated in HeLa cells and HeLa nuclear extracts. We demonstrate that psoralen cross-links are not repaired within the cell extracts nor inside cells. The mechanism of repair inhibition was elucidated in vitro: the presence of the third strand oligonucleotide inhibits the incision step of the damaged target by repair endonucleases. These results demonstrate the possibility of using this approach to induce a persistent intracellular DNA damage at a specific site and to afford prolonged transcription inhibition.
Sulfate Reduction and Growth Kinetics of Sulfate Reducing Bacteria While Using Marine Waste Extract as Nitrogen Source

Sulfate reduction and SRB growth kinetics were studied in growth media for SRB (Dev et al., 2014), MSRB containing marine waste extract as nitrogen source with increasing SO4 concentration, such as 1500, 3500, 5500 and 7500 mg L. With increase in SO4 concentration, SO4 reduction rate, its efficiency, SRB specific growth rate, HS generation rate were deteriorated. In the presence of 1500 mg L SO4 concentration, rate and efficiency of SO4 reduction, SRB specific growth rate and HS generation rate were found highest, 99.56%, 94.58 mg/L·h, 0.099 d and 13.03 mg/L·h, respectively. Therefore, 1500 mg L of SO4 concentration was considered optimum to support highest SO4 reduction and SRB activity in MSRB medium.
Bodies and Borders: Migrant Women Farmworkers and the Struggle for Sexual and Reproductive Justice in British Columbia, Canada

In 2016, nearly 7,000 Mexican men and women arrived in BC under the federally-administered Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP). While all farmworkers face similar workplace hazards, women farmworkers face unique barriers to their reproductive health and wellbeing such as intense surveillance, sexual harassment, and unwanted pregnancies. The reproductive health of women in the SAWP is under-researched. Even less is known about women’s experiences in the interior of British Columbia. Based on insights gained in the field and through community-based research and advocacy efforts, this paper outlines what is currently known about women SAWP workers’ struggles to attain full reproductive justice. We discuss the unique factors that affect the reproductive health and sexual experiences of SAWP workers in particular. Ultimately, we argue that women SAWP workers face disproportionate barriers when accessing reproductive healthcare and that their sexual behaviour is heavily controlled through a variety of legal and extra-legal mechanisms. We conclude with a discussion on how migrant women creatively resist restrictions imposed upon them, and we make recommendations aimed at improving the experiences of women SAWP workers attempting to achieve reproductive justice in BC.
C5a Induces Tissue Factor Activity on Endothelial Cells

Summary Tissue factor (TF) is an integral membrane glycoprotein that serves as a cofactor for blood coagulation factor VIIa. The induction of TF on the surface of endothelial cells is initiated by various stimuli including lipopolysaccharide, interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor α. We have demonstrated that recombinant human C5a induces TF activity in a dose-dependent fashion in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Peak activity (4.9-fold increase) was obtained 3-6 h after treatment with 10 μM C5a. TF mRNA as assessed by RT-PCR method was also significantly increased (3.75-fold) after 3 h incubation with C5a, suggesting that C5a induces TF activity on HUVEC, at least in part, by enhancing the level of TF mRNA. The increase in TF activity by C5a was inhibited by methylprednisolone. The induction of TF on endothelial cells by C5a may represent one of many potential interrelationships between the inflammatory and coagulation schemes.
The effect of mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) on metabolic and inflammatory parameters in high-fat diet-fed Wistar rats

This study investigated the effects of mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) aqueous extract consumption on metabolic indicators and inflammatory response of peritoneal macrophages in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Male Wistar rats were fed a control diet or a HFD for 12 weeks. At the end of this period, rats received, or not, daily doses of yerba maté for 4 weeks. The consumption of yerba maté promoted weight loss, attenuated the HFD-detrimental effects on adiposity and insulin sensitivity and decreased blood levels of the inflammatory biomarkers (p < 0.05). Concerning peritoneal macrophages, mate tea consumption decreased the production of interleukin (IL)-6, but did not influence the production of IL-1β, tumour necrosis factor-α and nitric oxide; cytokine mRNA expression; or the activation of the nuclear factor-κB signalling pathway. In summary, the consumption of mate tea had no consistent effect in the inflammatory response of peritoneal macrophages, but reduced cardiometabolic risk markers.
Intellectual capital and organisational performance in Malaysian knowledge-intensive SMEs

This study was designed to test and validate the integrated intellectual capital model by examining the relationship between intellectual capital and organisational performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in the electrical and electronics manufacturing sectors in Malaysia. Data was collected through a validated survey instrument administered on a sample of 237 respondents from targeted SMEs. Cronbach's alpha and confirmatory factor analysis were used to examine the reliability and validity of the research instrument. Structural equation modelling was used to test the proposed research hypotheses. The results demonstrate that human capital, customer capital, structural capital, social capital, technological capital and spiritual capital are crucial components of intellectual capital and all link to organisational performance. Although there are limitations to measuring intellectual capital quantitatively, this study provides further insight into the relationship between intellectual capital and organisational performance within a developing nation. The limitations of the study include a limited scope of generalisability.
Long‐lasting neurotoxic effects of exposure to methylmercury during development

Amongst environmental chemical contaminants, methylmercury (MeHg) remains a major concern because of its detrimental effects on developing organisms, which appear to be particularly susceptible to its toxicity. Here, we investigated the effects of low MeHg levels on the development of the nervous system using both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. In neural stem cells (NSCs), MeHg decreased proliferation and neuronal differentiation and induced cellular senescence associated with impairment in mitochondrial function and a concomitant decrease in global DNA methylation. Interestingly, the effects were heritable and could be observed in daughter NSCs never directly exposed to MeHg. By chronically exposing pregnant/lactating mice to MeHg, we found persistent behavioural changes in the male offspring, which exhibited depression‐like behaviour that could be reversed by chronic treatment with the antidepressant fluoxetine. The behavioural alterations were associated with a decreased number of proliferating cells and lower expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf) mRNA in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. MeHg exposure also induced long‐lasting DNA hypermethylation, increased histone H3‐K27 tri‐methylation and decreased H3 acetylation at the Bdnf promoter IV, indicating that epigenetic mechanisms play a critical role in mediating the long‐lasting effects of perinatal exposure to MeHg. Fluoxetine treatment restored the Bdnf mRNA expression levels, as well as the number of proliferating cells in the granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus, which further supports the hypothesis that links depression to impaired neurogenesis. Altogether, our findings have shown that low concentrations of MeHg induce long‐lasting effects in NSCs that can potentially predispose individuals to depression, which we have reported earlier to occur in experimental animals exposed to MeHg during prenatal and early postnatal development.
Expression patterns of CD33 and CD15 predict outcome in patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Expression patterns of CD33 and CD15 in normal/reactive bone marrow (n = 13) and in leukemic blasts from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (n = 129) were determined using multiparameter flow cytometry and a standard panel of triple antibody combinations. Five patterns, corresponding to the consecutive stages of myeloid differentiation, were identified [I: CD33–/CD15– (n = 18), II: CD33+/CD15– (n = 43), III: CD33+/CD15 heterogeneous (n = 10), IV: CD33+/CD15+ (n = 50), V: CD33–/CD15+ (n = 8)]. Patients with pattern II had the highest relapse rate and shortest median overall survival (OS, 8 months), but they were also the oldest (median age 72 years) and had the highest frequency of unfavorable cytogenetic aberrations. Pattern V patients had a short OS (median 14 months) even though they were the youngest (median age 50 years), had high remission rate and did not have unfavorable cytogenetics. In multivariate analysis, age, cytogenetics, CD15 expression and the presented immunophenotypic classification were significant for OS (age p = 0.004, cytogenetics p = 0.011, immunophenotype pattern p = 0.024, CD15 p = 0.031). Age (p = 0.001) and immunophenotypic classifications (p = 0.015) were significant for disease-free survival in patients who achieved complete remission.
Human trafficking and human rights

Anti-trafficking efforts have a long tradition of engaging a human rights advocacy approach. However, the approaches adopted have been clearly gendered in their focus and, as Kapur identifies (2005), quite narrow in their scope, as they have focused primarily on the trafficking of women into the sex industry (sex trafficking), sex work and sex workers (Kapur 2005). This article argues that there is much to be gained through examining the potential for the promotion of anti-trafficking efforts that engage with international human rights instruments beyond the existing trafficking-specific framework, the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (an Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime 2000). The central argument here is that the current international approach to trafficking in persons is focused primarily on law and order, where criminal justice efforts are at the foundation of the framework to address and eradicate this practice. The parameters of the overarching convention clearly establish an agenda that emphasises the trafficking in persons as cross-border criminal activity. This article draws upon the author's research on the Australian response to people trafficking and on Freedom, Respect, Equality, Dignity: Action, the major NGO report to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights regarding Australia's implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ANACLC, HRLRC and KLC 2008). It is argued that the framework of this offers an alternative position from which to advocate for a more comprehensive understanding of, and response to, trafficking in persons.
Typing of Chlamydia trachomatis by restriction endonuclease analysis of the amplified major outer membrane protein gene

A procedure was developed for characterization of Chlamydia trachomatis strains by using restriction endonuclease analysis of amplified genes of the major outer membrane protein (MOMP). Reference strains of the 15 serovars (A through K and L1 through L3) and clinical isolates were tested. The nucleotide sequences of the MOMP genes of each of the 15 serovars were arbitrarily constructed by using the sequences of the four variable domains known for each serovar and the constant domains of serovar L1. Computer analysis of these sequences indicated that two restriction digestions performed in parallel, one with AluI and the other with IIpaII, followed by HinfI and EcoRI, would allow the theoretical differentiation of 13 serovars. Serovars Ba and L1 presented the same theoretical restriction profile. Our typing method consisted of polymerase chain reaction amplification of a fragment of about 1,200 bp of the MOMP gene, followed by restriction endonuclease digestion with the aforementioned enzymes. From the 15 serovars, we obtained 14 different patterns; 13 profiles were serovar specific, while serovars B and Ba presented the same pattern. Application of this typing method to C. trachomatis strains isolated from clinical material gave the same results as the immunotyping method for 14 of 17 strains. Furthermore, restriction endonuclease analysis detected differences within a serovar. This method seems to be promising for epidemiological studies.
Clinicopathological Features and Outcomes in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma: A 10-year Experience

Abstract Context: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a variant of extranodal lymphoma, accounting for 4% of primary central nervous system tumors. PCNSL was morecommon in immunocompetent individuals. International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group (IELSG) scoring was used for prognostication. High-dose methotrexate regimens along with radiotherapy improved outcomes in PCNSL. Aims: The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical and pathological features, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) in patients with PCNSL. Materials and Methods: Data of patients with PCNSL between 2005 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Outcome was analyzed in patients who received chemotherapy. GraphPad Prism software for Windows Version 6 was used to plot the Kaplan–Meier curves for PFS and OS. Log-rank test was used to calculate P values. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: A total of 42 patients were available for analysis. Of these, 34 patients who received chemotherapy were evaluable for outcome parameters. The median age at presentation was 46 years (range, 10–75) with male-to-female ratio of 2.2:1. Only 2 (4.7%) patients were HIV positive. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was the mostcommon histology seen in 41 (97.6%) patients. Using IELSG risk scoring, scores of 8 (19%), 19 (45.2%), and 15 (35.8%) were stratified into low, intermediate, and high risk. The median PFS and OS were 11 months (range, 2–72) and 15.9 months (2.4–80.4), respectively. The median OS was 36.2 months (range, 8.8–72), 15.6 months (2–36), and 6.1 months (2.6–12.7) in low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, respectively, which was statistically significant (P = 0.0002). Conclusions: Immunocompetent patients with PCNSL outnumber immunocompromised patients. DLBCL was the mostcommon histology, and IELSG risk stratification significantly predicts the outcome in PCNSL.
Growth Response in Prepubertal Children with Idiopathic Growth Hormone Deficiency during the First Year of Treatment with Human Growth Hormone. Analysis of the Kabi International Growth Study.

ABSTRACT. In order that children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) reach the goal of normal adult stature, treatment modalities need to be optimized. From the large database of patients enrolled in the Kabi International Growth Study (KIGS), 257 prepubertal patients with idiopathic GHD undergoing their first year of growth hormone (GH) substitution therapy were selected. A multiple regression analysis was performed to determine both auxiological factors characterizing the patients and the factors related to the chosen treatment modalities which are of significance for the observed magnitude of the growth response. Due to the structure of the data, pretreatment height velocity and bone age‐derived auxiological data were not considered. It was observed that the magnitude of the growth response was inversely correlated with chronological age and relative height (HT SDS) at the start of GH treatment but was positively correlated with mid‐parental height. The growth response was also positively correlated with the GH dose (IU/kg/week) and the frequency of GH injections per week. A regression equation using these five parameters was derived, allowing the growth response of these patients to be predicted. The extension of this analytical approach in the future will allow the treatment of patients with GHD to be tailored to individual requirements.
Anteriorly Based Galeo-Pericranial Frontalis Flap: A Novel Application in Secondary Rhinoplasty With Atrophic Skin

Background:Nasomaxillary dysplasia (Binder syndrome) and cleft are congenital malformations of the midface. Ideally, the nasal deformity is treated from childhood. This approach leads to the need for several surgeries and revisions until full growth is reached. As a result of multiples procedures, the skin over the nasal dorsum sometimes becomes thin, atrophic and could be strongly attached to underlying grafts. For this setting of patients when another rhinoplasty is required, it becomes a technical challenge. The authors describe their experience in complex secondary rhinoplasty performed in patients with thin atrophic skin using the anteriorly based galeo-pericranial frontalis flap (GPFF) to improve the quality of the covering soft tissue along the whole nose skeleton area. Results:Since 2013, 3 female patients; 2 of them with Binder syndrome and 1 cleft lip/palate patient (average 18 years) with previous rhinoplasty (3–6 procedures) are subjected to secondary rhinoplasty using GPFF turning it over the osteochondral nasal framework. Postoperative follow-up was 3 to 18 months. There were no viability complications of the dorsum skin flap in the immediate postoperative period. At long-term follow-up, a visible improvement of local skin conditions and restoration of the nasal contour was achieved. Conclusions:The anteriorly based GPFF is a well-vascularized versatile flap used extensively in anterior cranial fossa surgery and frontal sinus trauma. Given its known and constant vascular anatomy, this flap is adapted to a new application in complex secondary rhinoplasty, in the presence of atrophic skin with good aesthetic outcomes.
Individual Behavioral and Neuronal Phenotypes for Arginine Vasotocin Mediated Courtship and Aggression in a Territorial Teleost

The neuropeptide arginine vasotocin (AVT) is well known to modulate both aggression and affiliation, yet few studies relate individual behavioral state to a quantitative assessment of AVT distribution in the brain. Here, using a wild population of beaugregory damselfish, Stegastes leucostictus, we assess: (1) the effect of AVT on courtship, and (2) with reference to our previous study on AVT modulation of aggression in this species, the relationship between AVT-like immunoreactive (ir) fiber distribution in the forebrain’s preoptic area and individual courtship and aggression levels. Exogenous AVT did not affect courtship, yet Manning compound, an arginine vasopressin (AVP) V1a receptor antagonist, significantly lowered but did not eradicate courtship. Consistent with AVT’s known facilitation of aggression in this species, the density of AVT-ir fibers in the preoptic area was significantly negatively correlated to aggression. Our findings match similar behavioral and immunoreactive patterns of neuropeptide secretion in other taxa. Unlike aggression, preoptic AVT-ir fiber density was not significantly correlated to individual courtship levels. The results suggest a differential involvement of preoptic AVT neurons and/or their receptors in supporting the expression of aggression and courtship.
Motor and Nonmotor Symptom Follow-Up in Parkinsonian Patients after Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus

Objective: To evaluate motor and nonmotor symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease undergoing bilateral deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN DBS). Methods: Thirty-six consecutive patients receiving bilateral STN stimulation implants were evaluated preoperatively as well as 12 and 24 months after surgery. Motor symptoms were assessed through the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Data concerning nonmotor symptoms were collected from items of the UPDRS and 2 additional questions from clinical charts regarding constipation and urological dysfunction. Results: STN DBS was effective in controlling motor symptoms; concerning nonmotor symptoms, sleep quality and constipation improved after surgery as compared to baseline. Salivation, swallowing and sensory complaints were ameliorated to a comparable degree by the medication on state, whether preoperatively or postoperatively. With a lower dose of dopaminergic medication, however, the medication on state appeared to be a much larger percentage of the day postoperatively. No significant variations were detected in intellectual impairment, depression, thought disorders, motivation, falling unrelated to freezing, nausea, orthostatic hypotension and urological dysfunction. Conclusions: STN DBS effectively controls motor symptoms, while nonmotor features of advanced Parkinson’s disease patients are mostly unchanged after surgery, even though some specific aspects, notably sleep complaints and constipation, are ameliorated.
Acute dilutional anemia and critical left anterior descending coronary artery stenosis impairs end organ oxygen delivery.

OBJECTIVE Limited cardiac reserve, secondary to coronary disease, may be associated with end organ morbidity. In this study, we investigate the significance of anemia in the pathogenesis of this phenomenon. DESIGN Nonrandomized controlled animal trial. SETTINGS Animal laboratory in a university hospital. SUBJECT Anesthetized dogs. INTERVENTIONS/MEASUREMENTS: Fourteen anesthetized dogs underwent isovolemic hemodilution with 6% hetastarch from a baseline hematocrit of 40 to 20%. Radioactive microspheres were used to evaluate regional blood flow and cardiac index. Systemic oxygen delivery, consumption, serum lactate, and systemic vascular resistance were recorded during each experiment. Arterial venous oxygen difference was determined from arterial and mixed venous blood. Seven dogs had an iatrogenic critical stenosis of their left anterior descending coronary artery (experimental group); seven dogs did not (control). MAIN RESULTS Only in the control animals, the cardiac index increased by 35% with hemodilution to 20%. Systemic oxygen delivery decreased in both the control and the experimental animals. Systemic oxygen consumption and lactate levels were unchanged in both groups. In the renal cortex, spleen, distal colon, ileum, gallbladder, and stomach body, regional O2 delivery was significantly decreased with hemodilution to 20% in both groups. This finding was also observed in the left ventricle and cervical spinal cord in the experimental group. In addition, regional O2 delivery was reduced in the spleen, distal colon, and gallbladder with hemodilution to only 30%. Regional blood flow in the stomach body, gallbladder, ileum, renal cortex, and distal colon, in both groups, and the spleen in the control group was unchanged from baseline with hemodilution to 20%. However, regional blood flow under all other circumstances (control or experimental) was significantly increased with hemodilution to 20% with the exception of the spleen, which showed significant regional blood flow decrease in the experimental group only. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that with limited cardiac reserve, anemia may compromise aerobic splanchnic circulation. These observations may further our understanding of the pathogenesis of cholecystitis, gastric stress ulcers, ileal endotoxin translocation, and ischemic colitis in critically ill patients with coronary artery disease.