Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Probiotics and Respiratory Tract Diseases

In a double-blind randomized controlled trial (DBRCT) in 1,000 shift workers [23] the intake of fermented milk drinks containing Lactobacillus casei DN114 001 twice daily reduced the occurrence of CID during the cold season, the time until infections occurred and the duration of fever episodes. During infections the counts of leucocytes, granulocytes and natural killer cells were enhanced. In a multicentric, likewise DBRCT in 1,072 elderly the intake of the same drink reduced the mean duration of CID [24] . During the consumption period of 3 months the average duration of a CID episode has been significantly shortened to 6.5 versus 8 days in the control group (p = 0.008) as well as the cumulative duration of CID (7 vs. 8 days in the control group; p = 0.009). The reduction in both episode and cumulative duration was also significant for all upper respiratory tract infections and for rhinopharyngitis. In conclusion, the consumption of a fermented dairy product containing the probiotic strain L. casei DN-114 001 in elderly was associated with a decreased duration of CID and results in enhanced resistance of the elderly to CID. Like elderly and shift workers, children show higher susceptibility to infections. Intense contacts in day care centers and schools predispose to transmissions of respiratory infections, which often result in missed days of both day care and parental work. Several studies have shown effects of probiotics on diarrhea [11–16] . In Common infectious diseases (CID) of the airways and the gastrointestinal tract are still a considerable cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly as aged people experience more frequent and severe community-acquired CID. Oral administration of specific probiotics has been reported to influence defense by the host in a beneficial way by modulating the immune system and increasing the transepithelial resistance [1–9] . Several studies documented that certain probiotics increase the number and activity of natural killer cells [3, 10] , enhance antibody response to vaccination [1, 2, 4, 7] and increase the rate of seroprotection and seroconversion [1] . Probiotics were not only shown to enhance immune responses at the systemic level [8, 9] , but there is also evidence for beneficial effects on the prevention and management of infections by probiotics [10] . For instance, it has been shown that probiotics reduce the risk of diarrhea including traveller’s diarrhea [11–13] . Furthermore effects on the severity, duration and incidence of CID were demonstrated in a number of clinical trials [4, 14–25] . A meta-analysis of 8 controlled trials [26] showed a decrease in the occurrence of respiratory tract diseases as defined by the number of persons having at least 1 episode during the observation period. In this meta-analysis the severity and duration of the episodes was not significantly affected. Published online: September 8, 2010
Melatonin Pretreatment Improves the Survival and Function of Transplanted Mesenchymal Stem Cells after Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation has been shown to be beneficial in treating cerebral ischemia. However, such benefit is limited by the low survival of transplanted MSCs in an ischemic microenvironment. Previous studies showed that melatonin pretreatment can increase MSC survival in the ischemic kidney. However, whether it will improve MSC survival in cerebral ischemia is unknown. Our study examined the effect of melatonin pretreatment on MSCs under ischemia-related conditions in vitro and after transplantation into ischemic rat brain. Results showed that melatonin pretreatment greatly increased survival of MSCs in vitro and reduced their apoptosis after transplantation into ischemic brain. Melatonin-treated MSCs (MT-MSCs) further reduced brain infarction and improved neurobehavioral outcomes. Angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were greatly increased in the MT-MSC-treated rats. Melatonin treatment increased the level of p-ERK1/2 in MSCs, which can be blocked by the melatonin receptor antagonist luzindole. ERK phosphorylation inhibitor U0126 completely reversed the protective effects of melatonin, suggesting that melatonin improves MSC survival and function through activating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Thus, stem cells pretreated by melatonin may represent a feasible approach for improving the beneficial effects of stem cell therapy for cerebral ischemia.
Incidental detection of premature centromere separation in amniocytes associated with a mild form of Roberts syndrome

Premature centromere separation (PCS) was detected in amniocytes after an amniocentesis was done because of markedly elevated maternal serum alpha‐fetoprotein values in a healthy primiparous young woman. PCS has been associated with the Roberts‐SC phocomelia syndrome (RS). By 23 weeks' gestation, ultrasonic evaluations did not reveal abnormal fetal development. The pregnancy continued and a male infant was born with mild manifestations of RS. PCS was confirmed in cord blood lymphocytes. This case illustrates that PCS, when detected in amniotic fluid cell cultures, requires a thorough evaluation.
Structural, Electrical and Optical Characterization Studies on Glycine Picrate Single Crystal : A Third Order Nonlinear Optical Material

Single crystal of an organic nonlinear optical (NLO) material, Glycine picrate (GP), was grown by slow cooling method. The structural perfection of the grown crystal was analyzed by highresolution X-ray diffraction (rocking curve) measurements. UV-Visible-NIR spectral analysis was used to determine the optical constants and band gap of GP. The nature of variation of dielectric constant with frequency at different temperatures was investigated. Third-order optical nonlinearities of GP crystal were investigated. Etch patterns of the grown crystal quality were studied.
Mobile thrombi of the right heart in pulmonary embolism: delayed disappearance after thrombolytic treatment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE In patients presenting with pulmonary embolism (PE), echocardiography, in some cases, reveals mobile clots in right heart (RH) cavities. How these clots evolve after treatment, in particular after thrombolytic treatment (TT), is unknown. We sought to determine the outcome of these mobile clots in the RH during TT. METHODS AND RESULTS Of a series of 343 patients who had been hospitalized for PE in our department, echocardiography performed on hospital admittance showed a mobile clot in the RH in 18 patients (mobile clot incidence, 5.2%). This subgroup of 18 patients presented with a more severe form of PE than the 325 patients without mobile clots in the RH. In our series, 16 patients were treated with thrombolytic agents. Close echocardiography monitoring showed the outcomes of these mobile clots during and after TT. In 50% of cases, the clot disappeared rapidly in < 2 h after the end of TT. In 50% of the remaining cases, the clot disappeared later, half within 12 h following the completion of TT, and the other half within 24 h. All patients were alive on day 30 without any clinical sequellae. CONCLUSION In these particular forms of PE with mobile clots in the RH, the short time lag required to disperse the clot after TT makes it imperative to delay any decision about new aggressive therapy.
Biologically Active Cortisol in Plasma of Oestrogen-treated and Normal Subjects

Biologically active (non-protein-bound) cortisol levels in the plasma of 13 women taking oral contraceptives and of 67 normal subjects were compared, using a new method—steady-state gel filtration. Both total and unbound cortisol levels in the 67 normal subjects showed a skew distribution, which was roughly log-normal. Unbound cortisol levels in 11 of the oestrogen-treated women were in the normal range, but the median value was significantly increased in this group. Total plasma cortisol levels in the oestrogen-treated group were, as expected, increased threefold, and all were outside the normal range.
MOND and IMF variations in early-type galaxies from ATLAS3D

Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) represents a phenomenological alternative to dark matter (DM) for the missing mass problem in galaxies and clusters of galaxies. We analyse the central regions of a local sample of ∼220 early-type galaxies from the ATLAS 3D survey, to see if the data can be reproduced without recourse to DM. We estimate dynamical masses in the MOND context through Jeans analysis and compare to ATLAS 3D stellar masses from stellar population synthesis. We find that the observed stellar mass–velocity dispersion relation is steeper than expected assuming MOND with a fixed stellar initial mass function (IMF) and a standard value for the acceleration parameter a0. Turning from the space of observables to model space (a) fixing the IMF, a universal value for a0 cannot be fitted, while, (b) fixing a0 and leaving the IMF free to vary, we find that it is ‘lighter’ (Chabrier like) for low-dispersion galaxies and ‘heavier’ (Salpeter like) for high dispersions. This MOND-based trend matches inferences from Newtonian dynamics with DM and from the detailed analysis of spectral absorption lines, adding to the converging lines of evidence for a systematically varying IMF.
Addison's disease in Japan: characteristics and changes revealed in a nationwide survey.

Patients with Addison's disease, newly diagnosed in the last five years were surveyed nationwide in conjunction with two past surveys. The decreasing incidence, i.e., 168 patients from 1977 to 1981 (survey 1), 108 from 1982 to 1986 (survey 2), and 74 from 1987 to 1991 (the present survey), reflects a decrease in the incidence (n = 28) of tuberculous Addison's disease, but not that (n = 36) of idiopathic Addison's, making the idiopathic form predominant for the first time in the history of the disease in Japan. Because the interval between the preceding tuberculosis and the onset of Addison's averages 32 +/- 15 years, tuberculous Addison's has a relatively late onset. Pigmentation is the most frequent symptom (90%). Other symptoms, abnormal laboratory data, and positive adrenal antibodies are observed less frequently in Japan than in North America or Europe. The types of associated disorders are also distributed differently. Adrenal CT and MRI scans have been the most useful means in differentiating between the two major types of the disease. This report focuses on features distinguishing Japanese sufferers from their western counterparts.
Identification of a Subgroup of Patients at Highest Risk for Complications After Surgical Cytoreduction and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

Objective:To assess the influence of parietal and visceral peritonectomy procedures on moderate/severe morbidity in patients undergoing surgical cytoreducion and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) and to identify subgroups of patients at highest operative risk. Background:Cytoreducion with HIPEC is an effective but potentially morbid treatment option for peritoneal surface malignancies. Although complication rates have recently decreased with increasing experience, risk-factors for adverse operative outcome are still poorly understood. Methods:A prospective database of 426 combined procedures was reviewed. Multivariate analysis tested the correlation between major morbidity and 6 peritonectomies (greater and lesser omentectomy, pelvic, parietal anterior, left and right diaphragmatic peritonectomy), 14 visceral resections, 5 other operative factors, and 12 clinical variables. The extent of peritoneal involvement was quantified by peritoneal cancer index (PCI). Results:Mortality and major morbidity were 2.6% and 28.2%. PCI, number of visceral resections, poor performance status, and cisplatin dose more than 240 mg independently correlated to morbidity. The type and number of parietal peritonectomies and the type of visceral resections did not correlated to complications. Major morbidity rate was 65.7% in 35 (8.2%) patients with at least 2 of the following factors: PCI greater than 30, more than 5 visceral resections, poor performance status. Morbidity was 100% in 9 patients presenting all the risk factors. Conclusions:Acceptable morbidity and low mortality may be achieved in high-volume centers. Operative outcome is mainly affected by a complex interplay of tumor, patient, and treatment-related factors. Preoperative and early intraoperative assessment of operative risk may identify a subset of patients unlikely to tolerate aggressive management.
Asian origin and rapid global spread of the destructive dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans

The dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans (Basidiomycota) is the most damaging destroyer of wood construction materials in temperate regions. While being a widespread aggressive indoor biodeterioration agent, it is only found in a few natural environments. The geographical source of spread and colonization by this fungus in human environments is thus somewhat of an enigma. Employing genetic markers (amplified fragment length polymorphisms, DNA sequences and microsatellites) on a worldwide sample of specimens, we show that the dry rot fungus is divided into two main lineages; one nonaggressive residing naturally in North America and Asia (var. shastensis), and another aggressive lineage including specimens from all continents, both from natural environments and buildings (var. lacrymans). Our genetic analyses indicate that the two lineages represent well‐differentiated cryptic species. Genetic analyses pinpoint mainland Asia as the origin of the aggressive form var. lacrymans. A few aggressive genotypes have migrated worldwide from Asia to Europe, North and South America and Oceania followed by local population expansions. The very low genetic variation in the founder populations indicate that they have established through recent founder events, for example by infected wood materials transported over land or sea. A separate colonization has happened from mainland Asia to Japan. Our data also indicate that independent immigration events have happened to Oceania from different continents followed by admixture.
Effects of N‐acetylcysteine on dense cell formation in sickle cell disease

The extent to which dense and irreversible sickle cells (ISCs) contribute to vaso‐occlusive episodes in sickle cell disease remains unclear. N‐Acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibits dense cell and ISC formation in sickle erythrocytes in vitro and restores glutathione levels toward normal. A phase II double‐blind randomized clinical trial was completed to determine the efficacy of NAC in decreasing dense cell and ISC formation, and vaso‐occlusive episodes in sickle cell disease. Twenty‐one subjects with a history of at least two vaso‐occlusive episodes per year and 6% dense cells were enrolled. Four treatment groups were analyzed; NAC at a dose of 2,400 mg per day decreased the percent dense cells from 20.1 ± 2.9 to 12.6 ± 2.1 (P < 0.05) and increased red cell glutathione levels from 292.8 ± 74.5 to 576.7 ± 155.1 (P < 0.05). In addition, we observed a decrease in vaso‐occlusive episodes from 0.03 to 0.006 episodes per person‐days and a decreased in relative risk to R = 0.39. Although NAC did not significantly decrease the number of ISCs, there was a downward trend at all doses tested. In summary, NAC inhibited dense cell formation, restored glutathione levels toward normal, and decreased vaso‐occlusive episodes at a well‐tolerated dose of 2,400 mg per day. To determine the long‐term efficacy and safety of NAC, a multicenter phase III clinical trial is required. Am. J. Hematol. 73:26–32, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antidepressant drugs and sexual dysfunction

Summary Depressive symptoms and depressive illness are associated with impairments in sexual function and satisfaction but the findings of randomised placebo-controlled trials demonstrate that antidepressant drugs can be associated with the development or worsening of sexual dysfunction. Sexual difficulties during antidepressant treatment often resolve as depression lifts but may persist over long periods, and can reduce self-esteem and affect mood and relationships adversely. Sexual dysfunction during antidepressant treatment is typically associated with many possible causes, but the risk of dysfunction varies with differing antidepressants, and should be considered when selecting an antidepressant.
Heterologous Desensitization of Opioid-stimulated Ca2+ Increase by Bradykinin or ATP in NG108-15 Cells (*)

Leucine-enkephalin (Leu-EK) dose-dependently elicited an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) with an EC50 of 1.2 μM via the phosphoinositide cascade in NG108-15 cells. Chronic treatment of cells with [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin caused time-dependent homologous desensitization. In the presence of extracellular Ca2+, ATP as well as bradykinin stimulated significantly higher increases in inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) generation than did Leu-EK; however, the magnitude of intracellular Ca2+ pools increased after ATP stimulation, whereas bradykinin depleted intracellular pools. Hence, cells lost their [Ca2+]i response to Leu-EK if bradykinin was first added to induce a [Ca2+]i increase, whereas the response was unchanged if Leu-EK was added after addition of ATP. When Leu-EK was added simultaneously with bradykinin or ATP, an additive response was observed in IP3 generation; however, the rise in [Ca2+]i reached the same level as that induced by bradykinin or ATP alone. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+ in which the replenishment of intracellular pools was not possible, ATP displayed an inhibitory effect similar to that of bradykinin on the Leu-EK-induced [Ca2+]i increase. Prior treatment of cells with Leu-EK slightly heterologously desensitized the action of bradykinin, but had no effect on the ATP response. Our results suggest that a shared intracellular Ca2+ pool is sensitive to the opioid, bradykinin and P2-purinoceptor agonists; however, a defined pool of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate or a specific phospholipase C is responsible for each receptor.
Incidence, etiologic pathogens, and diagnostic testing of community‐acquired pneumonia

Determination of the etiologic pathogens of community-acquired pneumonia has been problematic because of the lack of reliable rapid laboratory diagnostic tools as well as the controversy concerning diagnostic criteria. In the studies reviewed here, a specific pathogen was identified in 39% to 88% of patients. Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the most common cause of community-acquired pneumonia. Depending on the demographics of the study, between 2% to 43% of cases have been attributed to legionella or Chlamydia pneumoniae. More recently, other pathogens have emerged, including respiratory syncytial virus in adults, hantavirus, and possibly legionella-like amoebal pathogens and Streptococcus milleri group. Treatment guidelines published by various societies of experts have been helpful, but they cannot replace the need for better and rapid diagnostic techniques.
Ethoxyquin-induced resistance to aflatoxin B1 in the rat is associated with the expression of a novel alpha-class glutathione S-transferase subunit, Yc2, which possesses high catalytic activity for aflatoxin B1-8,9-epoxide.

A purification scheme has been devised for two ethoxyquin-inducible Alpha-class glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) which possess at least 25-fold greater activity towards aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-8,9-epoxide than that exhibited by the GSTs (i.e. F, L, B and AA) that have been described previously. These two enzymes are both heterodimers and both contain a subunit of Mr 25,800. This subunit has been isolated from both of the GST isoenzymes and, after cleavage with CNBr, it has been subjected to automated amino acid sequencing. The primary structure of the Mr 25,800 subunit revealed that it forms part of a subfamily of Alpha-class GSTs which possess closest identity (about 92%) with the Yc subunit of apparent Mr 27,500, which is encoded by the recombinant cDNA clone pGTB42 [Telakowski-Hopkins, Rodkey, Bennett, Lu & Pickett (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 5820-5825]. As these two GSTs possess less than 70% sequence identity with the Ya1 and Ya2 subunits, both of Mr 25,500, the constitutively expressed Yc subunit of Mr 27,500 has been renamed Yc1 and the ethoxyquin-inducible GST of Mr 25,800 has been designated Yc2. Using this nomenclature, the two GSTs with high activity for AFB1-8,9-epoxide are Ya1Yc2 and Yc1Yc2. Although evidence suggests that induction of Yc2 is responsible for the high detoxification capacity of livers from ethoxyquin-treated rats for AFB1-8,9-epoxide, resistance towards AFB1 may be multifactorial in this instance as dietary ethoxyquin also induces the Ya1, Ya2 and Yc1 subunits about 2.2-, 10.9- and 2.7-fold respectively. Besides the induction of GST by ethoxyquin, activity towards AFB1-8,9-epoxide is also elevated in the livers of neonatal rats and in livers that contain preneoplastic nodules. Western blotting experiments show that Yc2 is not present in hepatic cytosol from adult rats fed on normal diets but is expressed in neonatal rat livers and in the livers of adult rats that contain preneoplastic nodules that have arisen as a consequence of consuming diets contaminated with AFB1.
Cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans: dynamic molecules mediating ligand catabolism

Though sometimes regarded as merely passive, space-filling components, proteoglycans are in fact metabolically active molecules with carbohydrate and protein domains that are highly conserved throughout evolution, indicating specific, crucial functions. Here we review recent evidence that heparan sulfate proteoglycans, particularly syndecans and perlecan, are able to mediate directly the internalization of lipoproteins and other ligands, without requiring the participation of LDL receptor family members. Thus, heparan sulfate proteoglycans can function as receptors. In the case of syndecan heparan sulfate proteoglycans, efficient internalization is triggered by clustering of the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains and then proceeds through a noncoated pit pathway, possibly caveolae. The physiologic and pathophysiologic importance of these direct heparan sulfate proteoglycan-mediated catabolic pathways in the liver and in the arterial wall in vivo remains to be settled.
Advances and challenges in high-throughput microscopy for live-cell subcellular imaging

Introduction: Fluorescence microscopy has seen a spectacular expansion in the biomedical sciences due to the advent of new probes, new contrast techniques and the development of super-resolution that allows imaging biological structure and function beyond the diffraction limit. By far, most current research microscopes are ‘low-throughput’ instruments and – in this respect – do not differ much from their counterparts a 100 years ago. In a context of costly clinical trials and depleted pipelines, compound design and candidate selection could benefit from microscopy-based ‘screening by imaging’ approaches. Areas covered: The article identifies some of the obvious and sometimes not-so-evident bottlenecks for going ‘high-throughput’ with imaging-based protocols. The article focuses on recent (2007 – 2010) studies, with an emphasis on live-cell screening with subcellular resolution and takes both instrumentation and experimental design into consideration. Given that most screens from pharmaceutical high-throughput microscopy are never disclosed, this review is necessarily biased toward published (academic) work. Expert opinion: Despite high expectations on imaging-based drug-discovery strategies, both robotic subcellular imaging itself and data mining still present major challenges that will need to be overcome to make high-throughput microscopy as versatile and as powerful as high-end research microscopes. Going high throughput while keeping the high information content of fluorescence microscopic imaging will need concerted developments of hardware, image analysis and segmentation software, but probably most important is the design of live-cell assays that generate interpretable data. Also the physiological and disease relevance of the biological models amenable to high-throughput microscopies must be critically evaluated.