Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activation of Cell-mediated Immunity by Morinda citrifolia Fruit Extract and Its Constituents

Morinda citrifolia, commonly known as noni, is a traditional natural medicine in French Polynesia and Hawaii. Functional foods derived from M. citrifolia fruit have been marketed to help prevent diseases and promote good health. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of M. citrifolia fruit on cell-mediated immunity. In the picryl chloride-induced contact dermatitis test, M. citrifolia fruit extract (Noni-ext) inhibited the suppression of cell-mediated immunity by immunosuppressive substances isolated from freeze-dried ascites of Ehrlich carcinoma-bearing mice (EC-sup). In addition, Noni-ext inhibited reduction of IL-2 production in EC-sup-treated mice and activated natural killer cells in normal mice. These results suggest that Noni-ext has multiple effects on the recovery of cell-mediated immunity. Furthermore, we investigated the active principles of Noni-ext and identified an iridoid glycoside, deacetylasperulosidic acid. Oral administration of deacetylasperulosidic acid inhibited the reduction of ear swelling, and also cancelled the suppression of IL-2 production along with the activation of natural killer cells in the same manner as that of Noni-ext.
The effect of diet supplementation with Se, Zn and vitamin E on cholesterol, CLA and fatty acid contents of meat and liver of lambs

The study was conducted on 20 Polish Merino ram-lambs divided into two groups: experimental (E) and control (C), each of 10 animals. From birth all the lambs were maintained with their dams and then weaned at the age of 8 weeks, placed in individual straw-bedded pens and fattened individually with a granulated concentrate mixture until reaching a mean body weight of 31.8 kg. During fattening each lamb from group E was given per os 1 ml 0.1% Na2SeO4, 3 ml 10% ZnSO4 and 60 mg vitamin E (α-tocopherol) daily. The concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid (% of the fatty acid sum) in meat (0.45%) and in liver (1.21%) were higher (P<0.05) while cholesterol content (42.8 mg/100g fresh matter) lower (P<0.05) in E than in C lambs. In group E total cholesterol of blood plasma decreased and HDL fraction level increased. The dietary supplementation of Se, Zn and vitamin E improved the lipid profile of lambs’ meat.
Molecular Cloning and Expression of Two Novel Avian Cytochrome P450 1A Enzymes Induced by 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin*

Transcriptional regulation by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, for which the environmental toxin 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is the most potent ligand, leads in mammalian liver to the induction of genes for two distinct cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A enzymes, CYP1A1 and −1A2. Fish seem to have only one CYP1A enzyme. CYP1A enzymes have been regarded as injurious largely because of their ability to activate chemical carcinogens. We report here the cloning and sequencing of cDNAs for two catalytically distinct TCDD-induced CYP enzymes in chick embryo liver. One mediates classic CYP1A1 activities. The other has some −1A2-like activities and is also responsible for TCDD-induced arachidonic acid epoxygenation, a much more conspicuous effect in liver of chicks than of mammalian species. Amino acid sequence analysis shows that although each chick enzyme can be classified in the CYP1A family, both are more like CYP1A1 than −1A2, and neither can be said to be directly orthologous to CYP1A1 or −1A2. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the two chick enzymes form a separate branch in the CYP1A family tree distinct from mammalian CYP1A1 and −1A2 and from fish CYP1A enzymes. The findings suggest that CYP1A progenitors split into two CYP enzymes with some parallel functions independently in two evolutionary lines, evidence for convergent evolution in the CYP1A family. Northern analysis shows that the chick enzymes have a different tissue distribution from CYP1A1 and −1A2. Polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization data show that both chick enzymes are expressed in response to TCDD even before organ morphogenesis. The findings further suggest that beyond their role in activating carcinogens, CYP1A enzymes have conferred evolutionary and developmental advantages, perhaps as defenses in maintaining homeostatic responses to toxic chemicals.
Tempo and mode of modern bird evolution observed with large-scale taxonomic sampling

Macroevolutionists continue to disagree about the evolutionary history of birds. Their debate centers on the apparent discrepancy between molecular- and fossil-derived times of certain events. In this study we will show that there is much more agreement than discrepancy. We do it by simultaneously using both molecules (DNA hybridization and DNA sequence) and fossils to study a large set of avian taxa. Our analysis focuses on the time of origin and diversification of most of the orders and families of extant birds. Both tools show that the Cretaceous–Tertiary transition witnessed a major ordinal diversification within extant birds. Both also show a pulse of family diversification near the Eocene–Oligocene transition. Thus both of these pulses occurred close to times of mass extinction. The presented evolutionary time scale for extant birds launches testing of novel inter-disciplinary hypotheses.
Analysis, modeling and design of a True Bridgeless Single Stage PFC with galvanic isolation

Power Factor Correction (PFC) has been established for a long time to fulfill the harmonic standards. To meet the demand for a compact, efficient solution, a so-called True Bridgeless Single Stage PFC was recently introduced. By eliminating the input rectifier the efficiency is significantly improved. In addition, this topology provides galvanic isolation while employing only one single active switch. In this paper a True Bridgeless Single Stage PFC is analyzed, designed and characterized through measurements on a hardware realization. To optimize the converter with respect to efficiency, power density or cost, analytical expressions for all occurring voltages and currents in each component are derived. With the derived small signal model, the current and voltage compensator can be designed optimally, to ensure a stable and fast control behavior. In addition, a non-dissipative clamp circuit is introduced to limit the switch voltage without causing significant losses. The results of the theoretical analysis are verified by simulation and experimental measurements.
Experimental investigation of SO 2 uptake in snow

We conducted a series of bench-top experiments to examine accumulation of acidity in temperate snowpacks due to the deposition of SO 2 . To achieve this, SO 2 at concentrations of 45}85 ppbv was allowed to di! use into containers of snow at 03C for varying lengths of time, from 6 to 46 h. Depth pro"les of dissolved total sulfur (S(IV)#S(VI)) in the snow were measured and modeled with a coupled di! usion and chemical reaction transport model. Measured deposition velocities decreased from 0.06 to 0.03 cm s~1 for increasing exposure times of 6 to 46 h. Simulations matched measured total sulfur depth pro"les for liquid}water mass fractions in the snow of 0.07 for 6 h, increasing to 0.15 for 46 h of exposure. Multi-parametric sensitivity analysis indicates that deposition velocity is extremely sensitive to liquid water mass fraction. Modeling also shows that the decrease in deposition velocity with exposure time can be attributed to reduced solubility of SO 2 as the pH in the liquid water mass fraction decreased. These results suggest that clean snow is the most e! ective scavenger of SO 2 . ( 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Calcium events in smooth muscles and their interstitial cells; physiological roles of sparks

The observation of spontaneous sporadic releases of packets of stored calcium made 20 years ago has opened up a number of new concepts in smooth muscle physiology: (1) the calcium release sites are ryanodine and inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) receptor channels which contribute to cell‐wide increases in [Ca2+]i in response to cell depolarization, activation of IP3‐generating receptors, or other stimuli; (2) changes in [Ca2+]i act back on the cell membrane to activate or modulate K+, Cl− and cation channel activity so affecting contraction, in arterial smooth muscle for example affecting blood pressure; (3) IP3 production is voltage dependent and is believed to contribute to pacemaker potentials and to refractory periods which control the rhythmical motility of many hollow organs. Most smooth muscle tissues contain interstitial cells (ICs) in addition to contractile smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The interactions of these internal mechanisms, and in turn the interactions of SMCs and ICs in various smooth muscle tissues, are major factors in determining the unique physiological profiles of individual smooth muscles.
HIV-positive status and preservation of privacy: a recent decision from the Italian Data Protection Authority on the procedure of gathering personal patient data in the dental office

The processing of sensitive information in the health field is subject to rigorous standards that guarantee the protection of information confidentiality. Recently, the Italian Data Protection Authority (Garante per la Protezione dei Dati Personali) stated their formal opinion on a standard procedure in dental offices involving the submission of a questionnaire that includes the patient's health status. HIV infection status is included on the form. The Authority has stated that all health data collection must be in accordance with the current Italian normative framework for personal data protection and respect the patient's freedom. This freedom allows the patient to decide, in a conscious and responsible way, whether to share health information with health personnel without experiencing any prejudice in the provision of healthcare requested. Moreover, data collection must be relevant and cannot exceed the principles of treatment goals with reference to the specific care of the concerned person. However, the need for recording information regarding HIV infection at the first appointment, regardless of the clinical intervention or therapeutic plan that needs to be conducted, should not alter the standard protection measures of the healthcare staff. In fact, these measures are adopted for every patient.
Biomechanical assessment of a PEEK rod system for semi-rigid fixation of lumbar fusion constructs.

The concept of semi-rigid fixation (SRF) has driven the development of spinal implants that utilize nonmetallic materials and novel rod geometries in an effort to promote fusion via a balance of stability, intra- and inter-level load sharing, and durability. The purpose of this study was to characterize the mechanical and biomechanical properties of a pedicle screw-based polyetheretherketone (PEEK) SRF system for the lumbar spine to compare its kinematic, structural, and durability performance profile against that of traditional lumbar fusion systems. Performance of the SRF system was characterized using a validated spectrum of experimental, computational, and in vitro testing. Finite element models were first used to optimize the size and shape of the polymeric rods and bound their performance parameters. Subsequently, benchtop tests determined the static and dynamic performance threshold of PEEK rods in relevant loading modes (flexion-extension (F/E), axial rotation (AR), and lateral bending (LB)). Numerical analyses evaluated the amount of anteroposterior column load sharing provided by both metallic and PEEK rods. Finally, a cadaveric spine simulator was used to determine the level of stability that PEEK rods provide. Under physiological loading conditions, a 6.35 mm nominal diameter oval PEEK rod construct unloads the bone-screw interface and increases anterior column load (approx. 75% anterior, 25% posterior) when compared to titanium (Ti) rod constructs. The PEEK construct's stiffness demonstrated a value lower than that of all the metallic rod systems, regardless of diameter or metallic composition (78% < 5.5 mm Ti; 66% < 4.5 mm Ti; 38% < 3.6 mm Ti). The endurance limit of the PEEK construct was comparable to that of clinically successful metallic rod systems (135N at 5 × 10(6) cycles). Compared to the intact state, cadaveric spines implanted with PEEK constructs demonstrated a significant reduction of range of motion in all three loading directions (> 80% reduction in F/E, p < 0.001; > 70% reduction in LB, p < 0.001; > 54% reduction in AR, p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the stability provided by the PEEK rods and titanium rods in any mode (p = 0.769 for F/E; p = 0.085 for LB; p = 0.633 for AR). The CD HORIZON(®) LEGACY(™) PEEK Rod System provided intervertebral stability comparable to currently marketed titanium lumbar fusion constructs. PEEK rods also more closely approximated the physiologic anteroposterior column load sharing compared to results with titanium rods. The durability, stability, strength, and biomechanical profile of PEEK rods were demonstrated and the potential advantages of SRF were highlighted.
Proprioceptive training in haemophilia

Summary. Joint and muscle injury associated with direct damage to the tissues and muscle atrophy may ensue following immobility. Rehabilitation of the injury is linked with the return to normal functional values such as range of motion, muscle strength, and muscle tone. It is, however, likely that subtle changes or differences still exist in the site of injury or haemarthrosis. In particular proprioception may be distorted due to the direct injury of sensory receptors and to feedback systems. The implications of such damage are important, where proprioception plays an important part in the control, timing and organisation of coordinated bodily actions.
A 72-Base Pair AT-rich DNA Sequence Element Functions as a Bacterial Gene Silencer*

We have previously demonstrated that sequential activation of the bacterial ilvIH-leuO-leuABCD gene cluster involves a promoter-relay mechanism. In the current study, we show that the final activation of the leuABCD operon is through a transcriptional derepression mechanism. TheleuABCD operon is transcriptionally repressed by the presence of a 318-base pair AT-rich upstream element. LeuO is required for derepressing the repressed leuABCD operon. Deletion analysis of the repressive effect of the 318-bp element has led to the identification of a 72-bp AT-rich (78% A+T) DNA sequence element, AT4, which is capable of silencing a number of unrelated promoters in addition to the leuABCD promoter. AT4-mediated gene silencing is orientation-independent and occurs within a distance of 300 base pairs. Furthermore, an increased gene-silencing effect was observed with a tandemly repeated AT4 dimer. The possible mechanism of AT4-mediated gene silencing in bacteria is discussed.
A mathematical solution for food thermal process design

A new mathematical procedure was developed to correlate g (the difference between the retort and the coldest point temperatures in canned food at the end of the heating process), fh/U (the ratio of the heating rate index to the sterilizing value), z (the temperature change required for the thermal destruction curve to traverse one log cycle) and Jcc (the cooling lag factor). These are the four heat penetration parameters of 57 Stumbo’s tables (18,513 datasets) in canned food. The quantities fh/U, z and Jcc are input variables to determine the g values, which is used in Ball's formula to calculate the heating process time B at constant retort temperature. The new procedure was based on three equations; the first was obtained by the inversion of the function that expresses the process lethality, F, and hence the fh/U parameter. However, the inversion was possible for a sub-domain of the function. The inverse function   , ,  h cc g g f U z J was then extended to the entire domain (10 111     C z C , 0.3  h f U and 0.4 2   cc J ) using two polynomials (second and third equation) obtained with articulated multiple regressions starting from the Stumbo’s datasets. A comparison between the calculated value of g and desired Stumbo’s values of g provided the following values: a determination coefficient R=0.9999, a mean relative error MRE=0.85±0.91% and a mean absolute error MAE=0.06°±0.09°C (0.11°±0.16°F). The results obtained by applying the mathematical procedure of this work, namely the g values using the three equations and the process time B using Ball's formula, closely followed the process time calculated from tabulated Stumbo’s g values (root mean square of absolute errors RMS=0.393 min, average absolute error=0.259 min with a standard deviation SD=0.296 min). The high accuracy and simplicity of the procedure proposed here, make it useful in the deve-
Resuscitating Mutations in a Furin Cleavage-Deficient Mutant of the Flavivirus Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus

ABSTRACT Cleavage of the viral surface protein prM by the proprotein convertase furin is a key step in the maturation process of flavivirus particles. A mutant of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) carrying a deletion mutation within the furin recognition motif of protein prM (changing R-T-R-R to R-T-R) was previously shown to be noninfectious in BHK-21 cells. We now demonstrate how natural selection can overcome this lethal defect in two different growth systems by distinct resuscitating mutations. In BHK-21 cells, a spontaneous codon duplication created a minimal furin cleavage motif (R-R-T-R). This mutation restored infectivity by enabling intracellular prM cleavage. A completely different mutation pattern was observed when the mutant virus was passaged in mouse brains. The “pr” part of protein prM, which is removed by cleavage, contains six conserved Cys residues. The mutations selected in mice changed the number of Cys residues to five or seven by substitution mutations near the original cleavage site, probably causing a major perturbation of the structural integrity of protein prM. Although viable in mice, such Cys mutants could not be passaged in BHK-21 cells under normal growth conditions (37°C), but one of the mutants exhibited a low level of infectivity at a reduced incubation temperature (28°C). No evidence for the cleavage of protein prM in BHK-21 cells was obtained. This suggests that under certain growth conditions, the structural perturbation of protein prM can restore the infectivity of TBEV by circumventing the need for intracellular furin-mediated cleavage. This is the first example of a flavivirus using such a molecular mechanism.
Elevation of proinflammatory cytokines in patients with Aicardi-Goutières syndrome

Objective: This study explores a large panel of cytokines in plasma and CSF of patients with Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) at different ages, in order to establish signatures of cytokines most predictive of AGS. Methods: Plasma from 22 subjects with known mutations were assayed for cytokines using the Milliplex MAP Immunobead system, and compared to results from 8 age-matched normal controls. CSF of 11 additional patients with mutation-proven AGS was tested in an identical manner and compared to results from age-matched controls. Samples were banked and analysis was carried out retrospectively. Results: Significant elevations were seen in FMS-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand, IP-10, interleukin (IL)–12p40, IL-15, tumor necrosis factor α, and soluble IL 2 receptor α in both AGS patient plasma and CSF relative to controls. Additionally, this cytokine signature was able to correctly cluster 9 of 11 AGS cases based on CSF values. While most cytokines decreased exponentially with age, a subgroup including IP-10 demonstrated persistent elevation beyond early childhood. Conclusion: Patients with AGS exhibit plasma and CSF elevations of proinflammatory cytokines. Selected cytokines remain persistently elevated beyond the initial disease phase. This panel of proinflammatory cytokines may be considered for use as diagnostic and therapeutic markers of disease, and may permit improved understanding of disease pathogenesis.
Career Differentiation: The Legal Community in Lincoln, Nebraska 1880-1891

The development of a legal community in late nineteenth-century Lincoln, Nebraska, offers an opportunity to examine career differentiation. Relyingupon census andLincoln citydirectories, thedata analysisreveals similar patterns to previous research on the legal profession and some significant differences. Lincoln attorneys usually came from middle or lower classes backgrounds, seldom graduated from college, relocated to Nebraska from midwestern states, practiced alone, joined numerous fraternal organizations, became involved in politics, and were overwhelmingly Republicans. In 1867, Nebraska legislators passed a bill establishing the capital in Lincoln. The city's development, however, was vastly different from the usual modern-dayconception ofurban growth. During the late nineteenthcentury, Lincoln grew steadily, reaching a population of 13,003 in 1880, followed by an increase of 165% (34,440) by 1890. The Homestead Act of 1862, the development of a transcontinental railroad, and the influx of thousands of European immigrants assured that the population of the state of Nebraska would rapidly increase. Lincoln, as the legal center of the state, provided the perfect climate for the growth of a significant legal community. A group of lawyers quickly relocated there to practice before the Nebraska Supreme Court, lobby the state legislature for clients, and handle a myriad of other litigation issues including tort, contract, and criminal law. This essay will explore the legal community of this expanding rural frontier community during the era ofrapid growth-I880 to 1891. Similar to Donald D. Landon's (1992) examination of the rural Missouri bar, this study analyzes the Lincoln legal community to discern the characteristics of attorneys within the community. Under consideration are such topics as the
Rituximab therapy for membranous nephropathy: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The treatment of membranous nephropathy (MN) remains controversial. Rituximab, which selectively targets B cells, has emerged as a possible alternative treatment option with limited toxicity. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS The available data on rituximab therapy for MN were reviewed using the MEDLINE database (inception to August 1, 2008), Google Scholar, and selected reference lists. English-language studies investigating the use of rituximab in idiopathic and secondary MN, in native and transplanted kidneys, were included. Study design, subject number, clinical characteristics (diagnosis, previous and concomitant treatment courses, baseline proteinuria, baseline renal function), rituximab protocol, follow-up period, achievement of complete or partial remission, changes in proteinuria and renal function, and adverse effects of therapy were extracted. RESULTS Twenty-one articles were included for review; all were either case reports or case series without controls. More than half of the published cases (50 of 85) came from one center where rituximab was used as primary immunosuppression for idiopathic MN. The available data suggest that rituximab, dosed either as 375 mg/m(2) once weekly for 4 wk or as 1 g on days 1 and 15, achieves a 15 to 20% rate of complete remission and a 35 to 40% rate of partial remission. The drug was well tolerated with minimal adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Although rituximab may prove to be a better treatment option for MN than alkylating agents or calcineurin inhibitors, the current literature only supports using the drug in research protocols. Whether, when, how, and why to use rituximab in MN remains to be determined.