Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of specific antibodies, hormones, and lipoproteins on bacterial lipopolysaccharides injected into the rat.

When gram-negative lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are injected intravenously into experimental animals, approximately one-third of the LPS bind to high-density lipoproteins (HDL) in the plasma and are slowly taken up into tissues by HDL-mediated mechanisms. Molecules of LPS in the plasma that do not bind to HDL are taken up more rapidly by tissues that are rich in phagocytic cells (e.g., liver, spleen). In these experiments we evaluated the effects of several potential host factors on the binding of LPS to HDL and on the tissue uptake of LPS injected intravenously into rats. Antibodies to LPS inhibited LPS binding to HDL and increased the uptake of the injected LPS (as well as the LPS in preformed LPS-HDL complexes) by the liver and spleen. High levels of circulating HDL decreased the uptake of injected LPS and LPS-HDL complexes by the adrenal gland, presumably by occupying tissue receptors for HDL. Pretreating rats with dexamethasone unexpectedly decreased the uptake of injected LPS-HDL complexes by the adrenal gland and increased uptake of LPS by the gland, a result suggesting that this drug has opposing effects on the uptake of HDL-bound and -unbound LPS by the adrenal gland. The host factors studied appear to influence the fate of injected LPS by acting at different sites: IgG antibody to LPS blocks the binding of LPS to HDL in the plasma, whereas all of the factors studied have effects that modulate the uptake of LPS or LPS-HDL complexes or both by the cells of specific tissues.
Can patient-specific stem cell therapy enhance renal repair?

The advancement of stem cell biology has not only enhanced our understanding of organogenesis and tumourigenesis, but has also helped in designing stem cells as a therapeutic tool to accelerate tissue repair. Despite a complex array of genetic alterations needed for differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into a particular subset of cells, retroviral transduction of as little as three transcription factors, Oct3/4, Sox2 and Klf4, can transform adult cells into cells mimicking pluripotent embryonic stem cells [1]. The ability of reprogramming differentiated somatic cells towards pluripotency by the nuclear transfer method has paved the way to generate patient-specific stem cell therapy without ethical concerns. This article will briefly summarize the potentials of stem cell therapy to enhance renal repair. Stem cells have the unique ability to differentiate and self-regenerate. A pleuripotent stem cell has the ability to differentiate in all the three germ layers, while the selfregenerating ability can increase the population of stem cells. Until very recently, research was directed towards identifying and characterizing three different types of stem cells (embryonic, bone marrow-derived and organ-bound) and exploring the prospects of using these cells to repair or regenerate damaged tissues and organs [2–7]. The necessity of artificial generation of stem cells came from the fact that the number of stem cells is much lower in adults than in embryos, partly because most stem cells in early embryonic life differentiate into specialized cell types to facilitate organogenesis. Moreover, isolating stem cells from adult tissues is difficult. Such limitations have motivated investigators to plan on using embryonic stem cells for potential therapeutics. However, embryonic stem cells have
Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound, conventional radiography and synovial fluid analysis in the diagnosis of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease.

OBJECTIVES To assess the diagnostic performance of ultrasound (US), x-rays, and microscopic analysis of synovial fluid (SF) for calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease (CPPD) using histology as a reference standard. METHODS We enrolled consecutive patients with osteoarthritis waiting to undergo knee replacement surgery. Each patient underwent US of the knee, focusing on menisci and the hyaline cartilage, the day before surgery. During surgery, SF, menisci and condyles were retrieved and examined microscopically. For the meniscus and cartilage microscopic analysis, 8 samples were collected from each specimen and knee radiographs, performed up to 3 months before surgery, were also assessed. A dichotomous score was given for the presence/absence of CPP for each method. Microscopic findings of the specimens were considered the reference standard. All the procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the local responsible committee. RESULTS 42 patients (14 males) were enrolled. All patients underwent US, 34 had eligible radiographs and 32 had SF analysis. 25 patients (59.5%) were positive for CPP at US, 15 (44.1%) at X-ray and 14 (43.7%) at SF. Sensitivity and specificity values were 96% and 87% for US, 75% and 93% for radiography and 77% and 100% for SF respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the diagnostic performance across single tests. CONCLUSIONS US proved to be at least as accurate as SF analysis for the diagnosis of CPPD. US, which is feasible and harmless, could be considered the first exam of choice for CPPD diagnosis.
Arabidopsis V-ATPase activity at the tonoplast is required for efficient nutrient storage but not for sodium accumulation

The productivity of higher plants as a major source of food and energy is linked to their ability to buffer changes in the concentrations of essential and toxic ions. Transport across the tonoplast is energized by two proton pumps, the vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) and the vacuolar H+-pyrophosphatase (V-PPase); however, their functional relation and relative contributions to ion storage and detoxification are unclear. We have identified an Arabidopsis mutant in which energization of vacuolar transport solely relies on the activity of the V-PPase. The vha-a2 vha-a3 double mutant, which lacks the two tonoplast-localized isoforms of the membrane-integral V-ATPase subunit VHA-a, is viable but shows day-length-dependent growth retardation. Nitrate content is reduced whereas nitrate assimilation is increased in the vha-a2 vha-a3 mutant, indicating that vacuolar nitrate storage represents a major growth-limiting factor. Zinc is an essential micronutrient that is toxic at excess concentrations and is detoxified via a vacuolar Zn2+/H+-antiport system. Accordingly, the double mutant shows reduced zinc tolerance. In the same way the vacuolar Na+/H+-antiport system is assumed to be an important component of the system that removes sodium from the cytosol. Unexpectedly, salt tolerance and accumulation are not affected in the vha-a2 vha-a3 double mutant. In contrast, reduction of V-ATPase activity in the trans-Golgi network/early endosome (TGN/EE) leads to increased salt sensitivity. Taken together, our results show that during gametophyte and embryo development V-PPase activity at the tonoplast is sufficient whereas tonoplast V-ATPase activity is limiting for nutrient storage but not for sodium tolerance during vegetative and reproductive growth.
Immunocytological Demonstration of Lysozyme (Muramidase) in Human Leukaemic Cells

Using the immunofluorescent method the intracytoplasmic lysozyme content of leukaemic cells in the various forms of leukaemia was compared with the biochemically assayed serum and urinary lysozyme levels. This enzyme was demonstrated in mature leukaemic monocytes, in promyelocytes and in myelo‐monocytic cells in concentrations varying according to the particular case under study, in the myelogeneous forms of patients with chronic granulocytic leukaemia, but not in immature leukaemic monocytes, myeloblasts or lymphoblasts. Thus the lysozyme content of a single leukaemic cell depends not only upon the type of cell involved but also upon the degree of cellular maturation as evaluated by morphological and histochemical methods. There was an excellent correlation between the amount of cellular lysozyme demonstrated immunocytologically, and the lysozyme level in serum and urine.
17 The Role of IL-10 in Atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease (CAD), ischemic gangrene, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and many cases of heart failure and stroke currently account for the most number of deaths in the Western world (Hansson et al., 2006). The root cause of these diseases is atherosclerosis, which is widely accepted these days to be a chronic inflammatory disease in addition to the more recognized disorder of lipid metabolism. Although it was established long ago that high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, more recently both innate and adaptive immune systems have been accepted as major participants in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Besides monocytes/macrophages, T cells and dendritic cells (DCs) can be detected within atherosclerotic lesions and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (Hansson and Libby, 2006) (Weber et al., 2008). Atherosclerotic lesion progression has been shown to depend on ongoing, chronic inflammation in the artery wall. Following hyperlipidemia, a rapid influx of circulating monocytes into the atherosclerosis-prone areas of the arterial intima occurs. These recruited inflammatory monocytes differentiate into macrophages and take up modified atherogenic cholesteryl ester (CE)rich lipoproteins in the intima of the vessel wall (Lusis, 2000) (Ross, 1999) (Wang and Tall, 2003). The accumulation of cholesterol-loaded macrophages in the arterial wall called “foam cells” is a key feature of early atherosclerotic lesions (Brown and Goldstein, 1983). Upon lipid uptake within the artery wall, macrophage foam cells activate a compensatory pathway for cholesterol efflux, mediated by the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1 (Wang et al., 2007). During systemic hypercholesterolemia, however, this homeostatic mechanism is overwhelmed, leading to the accumulation of foam cells and the initiation of fatty streak lesions. The importance of these transporters is illustrated by the fact that a combined deficiency of ABCA1 and ABCG1 accelerates foam cell accumulation and atherosclerotic development in mice (Yvan-Charvet et al., 2007). Cholesterol loading of macrophages also stimulates the production of inflammatory mediators, which recruit other cell types and contribute to the development of a complex lesion (Hansson et al., 2002). Thus, processes that interfere with the intracellular cholesterol balance would be expected to exacerbate lesion formation.
Fixation of a Fractured Femoral Head through a Medial Hip Approach: An Original Approach to the Femoral Head

The decision to treat a femoral head fracture conservatively or surgically is the subject of ongoing debate. Several surgical approaches have been proposed for the open reduction and internal fixation of femoral head fractures. To our knowledge, fixation through a minimally invasive medial approach has not been described until now. The novel medial hip approach passes between the adductor muscle bellies posteriorly and their aponeuroses anteriorly. It provides direct access to the fracture site and allows for fixation by compression, without needing to dislocate the hip or detach the muscles. Any loose bodies in the joint that cannot be fixed can also be removed during the procedure. These features make the medial hip approach a clinically-relevant treatment option for the surgical management of femoral head fractures.
Feasibility study on a highly mobile microwave-band broad-band telecommunication system

A prototype of a wireless transmission system has been developed that can transmit multimedia-information data at a maximum rate of 4.608 Mb/s in the 5.2-GHz carrier frequency band. It is based on a multicode transmission scheme that uses cyclic shifted-and-extended M-sequences and is designed for applications such as intelligent transport systems (ITS) and future broadband mobile communication systems. The proposed scheme is highly robust against high-speed multipath fading. The transmission performance of the prototype system was measured in field trials at an outdoor ITS experimental course. The real-time data-transmission rate between the base and mobile stations was 4.608 Mb/s at a vehicle speed of 80 km/h.
Pilin and Sortase Residues Critical for Endocarditis- and Biofilm-Associated Pilus Biogenesis in Enterococcus faecalis

ABSTRACT Enterococci commonly cause hospital-acquired infections, such as infective endocarditis and catheter-associated urinary tract infections. In animal models of these infections, a long hairlike extracellular protein fiber known as the endocarditis- and biofilm-associated (Ebp) pilus is an important virulence factor for Enterococcus faecalis. For Ebp and other sortase-assembled pili, the pilus-associated sortases are essential for fiber formation as they create covalent isopeptide bonds between the sortase recognition motif and the pilin-like motif of the pilus subunits. However, the molecular requirements governing the incorporation of the three pilus subunits (EbpA, EbpB, and EbpC) have not been investigated in E. faecalis. Here, we show that a Lys residue within the pilin-like motif of the EbpC subunit was necessary for EbpC polymerization. However, incorporation of EbpA into the pilus fiber only required its sortase recognition motif (LPXTG), while incorporation of EbpB only required its pilin-like motif. Only the sortase recognition motif would be required for incorporation of the pilus tip subunit, while incorporation of the base subunit would only require the pilin recognition motif. Thus, these data support a model with EbpA at the tip and EbpB at the base of an EbpC polymer. In addition, the housekeeping sortase, SrtA, was found to process EbpB and its predicted catalytic Cys residue was required for efficient cell wall anchoring of mature Ebp pili. Thus, we have defined molecular interactions involved in fiber polymerization, minor subunit organization, and pilus subcellular compartmentalization in the E. faecalis Ebp pilus system. These studies advance our understanding of unique molecular mechanisms of sortase-assembled pilus biogenesis.
Temporomandibular Joint Involvement in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Radiological and Clinical Study

ABSTRACT Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not uncommon. In this study a questionnaire, clinical assessment, and high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) were used in 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis to evaluate the diagnostic criteria of TMJ involvement. Symptoms due to TMJ involvement were present in 33.3% of the patients. Frequency of involvement was 40.0% on clinical assessment but 86.6% with HRCT assessment. The most common HRCT findings were decreases in the joint space (33.3%), mandibular subchondral cysts (23.3%), temporal subchondral cysts (23.3%), degeneration (23.3%), shape (13.3%) and height (13.3%) anomalies of the mandibular condyle, condylar head resorption (13.3%), erosion of the mandibular condyle (13.3%), and demineralization (13.3%). All patients with positive clinical findings also had positive HRCT findings. In seven (46.7%) of the patients, there were no symptoms or clinical findings implying TMJ involvement; however, they had positive results on HRCT evaluation. The HRCT findings may be the initial sign of TMJ involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In conclusion, it is suggested that RA patients with the suspicion of TMJ involvement should undergo HRCT evaluation, because HRCT findings may precede the clinical findings.
Comparison between open and arthroscopic acromioplasties: evaluation of absenteeism.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the rate of absenteeism from work in patients who had undergone open or arthroscopic acromioplasty. DESIGN A retrospective case series. SETTING A university hospital. PATIENTS Eighteen patients with excellent results after open acromioplasty performed by one orthopedic surgeon and 20 patients with excellent results after arthroscopic acromioplasty performed by another orthopedic surgeon. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The time between operation and return to work. RESULTS There were no statistical differences between the two techniques with respect to the return to work, age, sex and type of work. The overall time off work averaged 203 days (range from 42 to 840 days) for the arthroscopic group compared with 144 days (range from 60 to 540 days) for the open group. CONCLUSIONS Open acromioplasty, a safe and reliable procedure for the general orthopedic surgeon, is associated with a shorter, thought not significant, delay in return to work than the arthroscopic technique.
The acinar and ductal organisation of the tarsal accessory lacrimal gland of Wolfring in rabbit eyelid.

The purpose of this study was to objectively assess the tarsal accessory lacrimal gland of Wolfring and its excretory duct by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The upper eyelid of 6 female grey rabbits (2 kg) was fixed in the fully extended configuration with buffered glutaraldehyde. At the tarsal/orbital portion of the palpebral conjunctiva, a series of prominent acinar glands were located by both light microscopy and TEM. Cells within the acini were characterised by apical tight junctions and desmosomal connections as well as abundant intra-cytoplasmic osmophillic (secretory) granules. The apical surfaces were profusely decorated with microvilli-like extensions. In the vicinity of the acini, and traversing over several millimetres of adjacent sub-epithelial parenchyma and epithelium, was an extensive system of duct-like spaces lined with secretory cells decorated with microvilli. These ducts run a tortuous course within the palpebral conjunctival epithelium leading to crypt-like termination's along the eyelid inner surface. The tarsal accessory lacrimal gland of Wolfring thus has an acinar structure similar to the main lacrimal glands, and its ducts are lined by secretory cells along the entire tortuous course towards the palpebral conjunctival surface, where the ducts emerge at multiple points at the tarsal/orbital portion of the surface.
Early and dynamic student achievement prediction in e-learning courses using neural networks

The increasing popularity of e-learning has created a need for accurate student achievement prediction mechanisms, allowing instructors to improve the efficiency of their courses by addressing specific needs of their students at an early stage. In this paper, a student achievement prediction method applied to a ten-week introductory level e-learning course is presented. The proposed method uses multiple feed-forward neural networks to dynamically predict students’ final achievement and to cluster them in two virtual groups, according to their performance. Multiple choice test grades were used as the input data set of the networks. This form of tests was preferred for its objectivity. Results showed that accurate prediction is possible at an early stage, more specifically at the third week of the ten-week course. In addition, when students were clustered, low misplacement rates demonstrated the adequacy of the approach. The results of the proposed method were compared against those of linear regression and the neural network approach was found to be more effective in
DATABASE DESIGN FOR POWER QUALITY SURVEY

A power quality survey of nine electricity distributors was undertaken in 2000/2001. Some 500 Mb of data was collected and analysed. The database requirements for this survey is described together with an evaluation of the suitability of Microsoft® Access for this application. The design of the database is outlined including the inputs to and outputs from the database as well as the data processing required. The use of Visual Basic macros within Access is presented. Access was found to be operating close to its limit for large databases of this type.
Bimatoprost-Induced Calcium Signaling in Human T-Cells does not Involve Prostanoid FP or TP Receptors

Purpose: The prostamide bimatoprost and prostanoid FP receptor agonists are highly efficacious drugs for glaucoma treatment. The presence of both prostamide and prostanoid FP receptors in bimatoprost-sensitive preparations has made prostamide receptor classification difficult. This study investigated a novel bimatoprost-sensitive preparation. Methods: Human peripheral blood T lymphoblasts (Molt-3) and human osteoblasts (hFOB) were cultured for intracellular calcium signaling studies and quantitative real-time PCR analysis of RNA. Results: Bimatoprost stimulated concentration-related increases in [Ca2 +]i in a human T-cell line that does not express human FP receptor/variants, according to PCR analysis. The calcium signal induced by bimatoprost was not antagonized by prostanoid FP receptor antagonist/partial agonist AL-8810 or selective TP receptor antagonist SQ 29548. Conversely, bimatoprost did not elevate [Ca2 +]i in human osteoblasts, which were confirmed to contain RNA of human FP receptor/variants. Conclusions: Molt-3 cells have been identified as a bimatoprost-sensitive preparation in which the activity of bimatoprost is independent of prostanoid FP receptors.
Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and its substrate level in patients with premature rupture of membranes

Abstract In this study, 30 case of patients with full-term premature membrane rupture and another 30 cases of full-term delivered subject without premature rupture of membranes (PROM) were selected to explore the relationship between premature membrane rupture with matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and its substrate level. Results showed the plasma zinc, MMP-9 in serum and amniotic fluid increased in patients with PROM; their type IV collagen in serum and foetal membrane decreased. Increased Zinc ion concentration results in increased concentration of MMP-9, a zinc-dependent enzyme; the degradation of type IV collagen by MMP-9 might be the potential mechanism of premature rupture of membranes in full-term pregnant women.
Accumulation of human immunodeficiency virus‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes away from the predominant site of virus replication during primary infection

Down‐regulation of the initial burst of viremia during primary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is thought to be mediated predominantly by HIV‐specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). This response is associated with major perturbations in the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire. To investigate the failure of the cellular immune response to adequately control viral spread and replication and to prevent establishment of HIV infection, changes in the TCR repertoire and in the distribution of virus‐specific CTL between blood and lymph node were analyzed in three patients with primary infection. By the combined use of clonotype‐specific polymerase chain reaction and analysis of the frequency of in vivo activated HIV‐specific CTL, it was shown that HIV‐specific CTL clones preferentially accumulated in blood as opposed to lymph node. Accumulation of HIV‐specific CTL in blood occurred prior to effective downregulation of virus replication in both blood and lymph node. These findings should provide new insights into how HIV, and possibly other viruses, elude the immune response of the host during primary infection.
Potential and limitations of cochlear implants in children.

The Vowel Imitation task appears to be a useful tool for assessment of speech perception over time for young subjects with a cochlear implant. This has clinical relevance, as the youngest subject able to complete this test was a congenitally profoundly hearing-impaired child ofage 2: 11. Furtherinves­ tigation is required to follow these subjects over a longer period of time. Comparison of the Vowel Imitation perfor­ mance of cocWear implanted children versus profoundly hearing-impaired children using hearing aids may also be of interest.