Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effective Immunity to Dental Caries: Protection of Gnotobiotic Rats by Local, Immunization with a Ribosomal Preparation from Streptococcus mutans

A ribosomal preparation from Streptococcus mutans 6715 was characterized for its ability to induce an immune response in gnotobiotic rats which was protective against S. mutans‐induced dental caries. Animals injected in the salivary gland region with the S. mutans ribosomal vaccine developed significantly higher (P < 0.01) salivary IgA and serum IgG antibody activities against whole S. mutans cells and ribosomal preparations than nonimmunized rats. Vaccinated animals had significantly lower (67%; P < 0.01) levels of S. mutans adherent to their molar surfaces than the control rats after infection with the homologous, cariogenic S. mutans. The immunized animals had significantly fewer (P < 0.01) carious lesions on their buccal, sulcal, and proximal molar surfaces than the nonimmunized rats following challenge with the virulent organism. Animals injected with the ribosomal preparation developed salivary IgA and serum IgG antibodies with specificities to various cell surface‐associated antigens such as lipoteichoic acid and glucosyltransferase, suggesting that the observed protection may be due to antibodies against cell surface contaminants of the ribosomal vaccine. These results are the first demonstration that a ribosomal preparation from S. mutans protected rats from caries formation after challenge with the homologous, virulent S. mutans.
Hepatitis A outbreaks in the vaccination era in Catalonia, Spain

Hepatitis A outbreaks have a major impact on public health services and involve case investigation and intervention measures to susceptible contacts. At the end of 1998 a universal vaccination program with a combined hepatitis A+B vaccine was started in Catalonia (Spain) in 12-years-old preadolescents. The objective of this study was to compare the characteristics of hepatitis A outbreaks in the periods before and after the introduction of the preadolescent vaccination program and to estimate the preventable fraction of cases associated to outbreaks. The incidence rates of outbreaks, cases and hospitalization associated with each outbreak were calculated. Two periods were considered: before (1991-1998) and after (2000-2007) the introduction of mass vaccination. The preventable fraction and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of cases associated with outbreaks was calculated. The rate of associated cases with outbreaks was higher in the period before the vaccination program than in the post vaccination period (1.53 per 100,000 person-year vs 1.12 ; p
Muscle Morphological and Strength Adaptations to Endurance Vs. Resistance Training

Farup, J, Kjølhede, T, Sørensen, H, Dalgas, U, Møller, AB, Vestergaard, PF, Ringgaard, S, Bojsen-Møller, J, and Vissing, K. Muscle morphological and strength adaptations to endurance vs. resistance training. J Strength Cond Res 26(2): 398–407, 2012—Fascicle angle (FA) is suggested to increase as a result of fiber hypertrophy and furthermore to serve as the explanatory link in the discrepancy in the relative adaptations in the anatomical cross-sectional area (CSA) and fiber CSA after resistance training (RT). In contrast to RT, the effects of endurance training on FA are unclear. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate and compare the longitudinal effects of either progressive endurance training (END, n = 7) or RT (n = 7) in young untrained men on FA, anatomical CSA, and fiber CSA. Muscle morphological measures included the assessment of vastus lateralis FA obtained by ultrasonography and anatomical CSA by magnetic resonance imaging of the thigh and fiber CSA deduced from histochemical analyses of biopsy samples from m. vastus lateralis. Functional performance measures included &OV0312;;O2max and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). The RT produced increases in FA by 23 ± 8% (p < 0.01), anatomical CSA of the knee extensor muscles by 9 ± 3% (p = 0.001), and fiber CSA by 19 ± 7% (p < 0.05). RT increased knee extensor MVC by 20 ± 5% (p < 0.001). END increased &OV0312;;O2max by 10 ± 2% but did not evoke changes in FA, anatomical CSA, or in fiber CSA. In conclusion, the morphological changes induced by 10 weeks of RT support that FA does indeed serve as the explanatory link in the observed discrepancy between the changes in anatomical and fiber CSA. Contrarily, 10 weeks of endurance training did not induce changes in FA, but the lack of morphological changes from END indirectly support the fact that fiber hypertrophy and FA are interrelated.
Social determinants of cardiovascular disease outcomes in Indians

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death and disability in both developed and developing countries. In developed countries socio-economic mortality differentials have been studied extensively showing that the low socio-economic group suffers the highest mortality. As the epidemiological transition is taking place against a background of economic globalization, CVD risk factors among the urban poor and middle class are rapidly increasing in India. Recent evidences from India also suggest reversal of social gradient with excess burden of CVD morbidity in the low socio-economic group. Understanding the social determinants of environmental and behavioural exposures, in determining the risk factors for cardiovascular disease is an important challenge for public health professionals as well as communities. Socio-economic disadvantage is not simply a proxy for poor cardiovascular risk factor status, but also an indication of the likely trajectory that an individual or a community may follow in the course of their life. The paucity of intervention research seeking to address the role of social determinants in shaping lifestyle practices among individuals in culturally and socially diverse population groups within India is definitely a measure of inadequacy in public health research. This review article provides an overview of the role of social determinants of CVD and its possible conceptual pathways with special focus on acute coronary syndrome (ACS) outcomes among Indians.
Reactive Oxygen Species Mediate Mitogenic Growth Factor Signaling Pathways in Human Leiomyoma Smooth Muscle Cells1

Abstract Uterine leiomyomas are benign uterine tumors characterized by extracellular matrix remodeling, increased collagen deposition, and increased smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) producing NADPH oxidase complex has been shown to be involved in the signaling pathways of several growth factors, cytokines, and vasoactive agents that stimulate proliferation of a variety of cell types. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that ROS derived from NADPH oxidase is a necessary component of the MAP kinase mitogenic pathway activated by platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in leiomyoma SMCs (LSMCs). Primary cell cultures of LSMCs were used as our experimental model. Our results showed that stimulation of these cells with PDGF or EGF caused a marked increase in intracellular ROS production and that the NADPH oxidase inhibitor, DPI, blocks ROS production. In addition, inhibition of ROS production by NADPH oxidase inhibitors blocked, in a dose-dependent manner, the EGF- and PDGF-induced increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation by LSMCs. Furthermore, an exogenous source of ROS, hydrogen peroxide, was sufficient to stimulate [3H]thymidine incorporation in LSMCs but did not affect COL1A2 and COL3A1 mRNA levels. Inhibition of the NADPH oxidase complex decreased PDGF-induced MAPK1/MAPK3 activation, whereas exogenous hydrogen peroxide induced MAPK1/MAPK3 activation. This article is the first report suggesting the presence of the NADPH oxidase system and its importance in mitogenic signaling pathways in LSMCs. The necessity of NADPH oxidase-derived ROS for EGF and PDGF signaling pathways leading to cell proliferation points to another potential therapeutic target for treatment and/or prevention of uterine leiomyomas.
Durability and factors associated with long term response after splenectomy for primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and outcome of relapsed or refractory patients

Splenectomy is the usual form of therapy for immune thrombocytopena (ITP) after steroid failure. We retrospectively studied the data in adult patients who underwent splenectomy for ITP from July 1996 to June 2008 to evaluate the long term responses, clinical and laboratory factors associated with long term responses and outcome of relapsed or refractory patients. Thirty eight patients, 30 (79%) females, with a median age of 23 years (range 15–69), underwent splenectomy. The procedure was laparoscopic in 28 (73.5%) and open in 10 patients. Splenectomy resulted in a response in 34/38 (89.5%) patients and failed in four (10.5%) patients. After a median follow-up of 58 months (range 7–144), 24 (63%) patients had a maintained response without treatment (platelet count of >50 × 109/l). Most of the relapses occurred during the first year but two patients had late relapses. There were procedure-related complications in seven (18.0%) patients but no cases of overwhelming sepsis. Only four relapsed or refractory patients had a platelet count below 50 × 109/l at the last follow-up indicating response to alternative therapies. Responsiveness to steroids before the procedure (p = 0.025) along with a platelet count of ≥150 × 109/l at 4 weeks (p = <0.0001) and a highest platelet count of ≥400 × 109/l at any time post-splenectomy (p = 0.005), were associated with a long term response in univariate analysis. In conclusion, splenectomy remains an effective treatment for ITP after steroid failure in terms of long term responses, and the majority of relapsed or refractory patients respond to alternative therapies.
The Everyday Memory Questionnaire – revised: Development of a 13-item scale

Purpose. The Everyday Memory Questionnaire (EMQ) was developed as a subjective measure of memory failure in everyday life 1. Previous studies have investigated the factor structure of the EMQ in both healthy participants and people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The aim of the present study was to confirm the factor structure of the EMQ, to determine the internal consistency and criterion validity of the scale and to develop a shortened version. Method. A retrospective design, including participants from a study on MS patients and their carers and a study on stroke patients. Psychometric properties of the EMQ-28 were explored, and the measure was further revised from comparative analyses between the clinical and non-clinical groups. Results. Reliability and factor analysis of the EMQ-28 identified two main factors, general memory and attentional function, showing some concordance with previous research. Further analysis reduced the questionnaire to a 13-item measure (EMQ-R), with two main factors (Retrieval and Attentional tracking), strong internal reliability, and good discriminatory properties between clinical and control groups. Conclusions. The 28-item questionnaire consistently differentiated between two broad systems of memory and attention, with some differentiation of visual and verbal, or language systems. Results showed some consistency with previous findings. The revised, 13-item questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool that has good face validity for use with neurological patients. Further exploration of the revised EMQ is recommended to provide information regarding its psychometric and clinical properties.
Associations between Liver Histological Changes and Hepatic Monooxygenase Activities In Vitro in Diabetic Patients

The associations between liver histological changes and hepatic cytochrome P-450 content (P-450) and the activities of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-de-ethylase (ECD) have been investigated in 30 diabetics undergoing diagnostic liver biopsy. There were more than 10-fold interindividual variations in P-450 contents and AHH and ECD activities in the diabetics. P-450 content decreased with increasing severity of liver histological changes, whereas AHH and ECD activities were significantly reduced only in biopsies with severe histological changes. However, despite differential effects of liver disorders on P-450 and AHH and ECD activities there were highly significant correlations between these three parameters with each other.
Attenuation of Phencyclidine-Induced Object Recognition Deficits by the Combination of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs and Pimavanserin (ACP 103), a 5-Hydroxytryptamine2A Receptor Inverse Agonist

Subchronic administration of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist, phencyclidine (PCP), in rodents has been shown to produce impairment in novel object recognition (NOR), a model of visual learning and memory. We tested the hypothesis that the selective 5-HT2A inverse agonists, pimavanserin and (R)-(+)-α-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-[2-(4-fluorophenylethyl]-4-piperidinemethanol (M100907), would potentiate subeffective doses of atypical antipsychotic drugs (APDs) to reverse the NOR deficits. Female rats received vehicle or PCP (2 mg/kg b.i.d.) for 7 days, followed by a 7-day washout. Pimavanserin (3 mg/kg) or M100907 (1 mg/kg) alone, or four atypicial APDs, risperidone (0.05–0.1 mg/kg), melperone (1–3 mg/kg), olanzapine (1–2 mg/kg), or N-desmethylclozapine (1–2 mg/kg), and the typical APD, haloperidol (0.05–0.1 mg/kg), were administered alone, or in combination with pimavanserin or M100907, before NOR testing. The exploration times of objects during 3-min acquisition and retention trials, separated by a 1-min interval, were compared by analysis of variance. Vehicle-, but not PCP-treated, animals, explored the novel object significantly more than the familiar in the retention trial (p < 0.05–0.01). Pretreatment with the higher doses of the atypical APDs, but not pimavanserin, M100907, or haloperidol alone, reversed the effects of PCP. The effect of risperidone was blocked by haloperidol pretreatment. Coadministration of pimavanserin or M100907, with ineffective doses of the atypical APDs, but not haloperidol, also reversed the PCP-induced deficit in NOR. These results support the importance of 5-hydroxytryptamine2A receptor blockade relative to D2 receptor blockade in the ability of atypicals to ameliorate the effect of subchronic PCP, a putative measure of cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia.
Human chorionic gonadotrophin self-administered by the subcutaneous route to induce oocyte maturation in an in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer programme.

This study was initiated to evaluate oocyte maturation and the outcome of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles following the s.c. administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) by the patient herself or her partner. A group of 104 women who entered our IVF embryo transfer programme were prospectively randomized to have 5000 IU or 10,000 IU HCG s.c. or i.m. The HCG was administered for induction of the final oocyte maturation in cycles with pituitary down-regulation with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist according to a long protocol and where ovarian stimulation had been achieved with pure follicle stimulating hormone. The mean concentration of HCG in serum 12 and 36 h after the HCG injection was significantly higher in the women receiving 5000 IU i.m. compared to the s.c. route. However, in women receiving 10,000 IU HCG there were no significant differences in the mean concentrations 12 and 36 h after the injection, irrespective of the route of administration. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the relative numbers of retrieved mature oocytes between the groups. When comparing the clinical outcome in the different groups, no significant differences were found between those receiving 5000 IU or 10,000 IU HCG, i.m. or s.c. Our data indicate that HCG can be given s.c. without reducing the chance of retrieving a mature oocyte and that the clinical outcome with regard to pregnancies is not negatively affected.
Interleukins 5 and 13 characterize immune responses to respiratory sensitizing acid anhydrides

There is some debate regarding whether occupational asthma induced by respiratory sensitizing acid anhydrides is mediated by the induction of T helper (Th) 2‐type responses and the production of IgE, with failure to detect specific IgE antibody in some symptomatic patients. In the current investigations, cytokine secretion profiles induced in draining lymph node cells (LNC) by topical application to BALB/c strain mice of trimellitic anhydride (TMA), phthalic anhydride (PA) and maleic anhydride (MA) have been examined. Responses were compared with those induced by exposure to 2,4‐dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), a contact allergen that lacks respiratory sensitizing potential. Exposure to all three acid anhydrides stimulated vigorous expression of interleukin (IL)‐5, IL‐10 and IL‐13 but relatively low levels of the type 1 cytokines interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and IL‐12. In addition, TMA‐activated LNC expressed high levels of mitogen‐inducible IL‐4 whereas MA and PA displayed a lesser potential to elaborate this cytokine. The DNCB‐stimulated LNC exhibited the converse type 1 phenotype of cytokine expression. The CD4+ Th2 cells were the primary source of type 2 cytokines. Respiratory sensitizing acid anhydrides induce a predominantly Th2 cytokine phenotype, including the expression of IL‐5 and IL‐13, cytokines which in the presence of only very low levels of IL‐4 may provide for an IgE‐independent mechanism for the development of chemical respiratory allergy. These data provide additional support for the use of cytokine secretion profiling for the prospective identification of chemical respiratory allergens. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomic approaches to quantify cysteine reversible modifications in aging and neurodegenerative diseases

Cysteine is a highly reactive amino acid and is subject to a variety of reversible post‐translational modifications (PTMs), including nitrosylation, glutathionylation, palmitoylation, as well as formation of sulfenic acid and disulfides. These modifications are not only involved in normal biological activities, such as enzymatic catalysis, redox signaling, and cellular homeostasis, but can also be the result of oxidative damage. Especially in aging and neurodegenerative diseases, oxidative stress leads to aberrant cysteine oxidations that affect protein structure and function leading to neurodegeneration as well as other detrimental effects. Methods that can identify cysteine modifications by type, including the site of modification, as well as the relative stoichiometry of the modification can be very helpful for understanding the role of the thiol proteome and redox homeostasis in the context of disease. Cysteine reversible modifications however, are challenging to investigate as they are low abundant, diverse, and labile especially under endogenous conditions. Thanks to the development of redox proteomic approaches, large‐scale quantification of cysteine reversible modifications is possible. These approaches cover a range of strategies to enrich, identify, and quantify cysteine reversible modifications from biological samples. This review will focus on nongel‐based redox proteomics workflows that give quantitative information about cysteine PTMs and highlight how these strategies have been useful for investigating the redox thiol proteome in aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Type of social support matters for prediction of posttraumatic growth among cancer survivors

Objective: Previous research in people with cancer on social support and psychological well‐being has mainly focused on the short‐term negative outcomes of adjustment. Little is known about the role of social support in the experience of positive outcomes in the long term. This study examined the relation between emotional support in the period following diagnosis and the experience of positive consequences of the illness, so called posttraumatic growth, at 8 years after diagnosis. We focused on three distinct types of emotional support: perceived availability, actual received, and dissatisfaction with received emotional support.
Predictors of smoking relapse by duration of abstinence: findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey.

AIM To explore predictors of smoking relapse and how predictors vary according to duration of abstinence. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS A longitudinal survey of 1296 ex-smokers recruited as part of the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Four Country Survey (Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and United States). Measurements Quitters were interviewed by telephone at varying durations of abstinence (from 1 day to approximately 3 years) and then followed-up approximately 1 year later. Theorized predictors of relapse (i.e. urges to smoke; outcome expectancies of smoking and quitting; and abstinence self-efficacy) and nicotine dependence were measured in the survey. FINDINGS Relapse was associated with lower abstinence self-efficacy and a higher frequency of urges to smoke, but only after the first month or so of quitting. Both these measures mediated relationships between perceived benefits of smoking and relapse. Perceived costs of smoking and benefits of quitting were unrelated to relapse. CONCLUSIONS Challenging perceived benefits of smoking may be an effective way to increase abstinence self-efficacy and reduce frequency of urges to smoke (particularly after the initial weeks of quitting), in order to reduce subsequent relapse risk.
The health and life experiences of mothers with rheumatoid arthritis: a phenomenological study.

BACKGROUND In our varied roles as health care professionals and researchers, many women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have commented to us about their feelings of inability to cope with everyday tasks, especially within their role as mothers. AIMS This study explored the health and life experiences of mothers with RA in order to increase knowledge about this group of women and inform health care professionals who provide them with support before and after becoming a mother. METHODS A phenomenological approach was adopted, and individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews were carried out with a sample of seven women, aged 21-41 years, who had lived with RA for 3-11 years and had one or more children under five years of age (total range of ages being 1-7 years). The data were analysed using Colaizzi's procedural steps. RESULTS The five major themes that emerged were inner strength, depression, labelling, failure, and pre- and post-natal education. Sub-themes included issues such as putting on a brave face, spirituality, guilt, burden, feeling 'robbed of motherhood', isolation, coping methods and lack of information. CONCLUSIONS This in-depth study informs health care professionals for their role as support provider for mothers with RA. Further research needs to be carried out to include multicultural experiences, which may or may not differ. As a step forward, we have implemented a local support group for mothers with RA, which will hopefully add benefit to existing rheumatology, midwifery and health visiting services.
The law: a system made up of opportunities for the entrepreneur

The law is often considered as a set of technical data that eludes all action and understanding, except by the select few. This concept is a mistake. Law is a system built by players who interact with one another. It is also a source of opportunities. Considering it as a system built of opportunities for the entrepreneur allows us to develop a theory of the law and entrepreneurship based on the relations between the different players and the norms and challenges it encompasses with respect to the management of possibilities and the position of the lawyer. Our research objective is to show that understanding only the law per se is an insufficient approach. The law is a dynamic and open system, in which the entrepreneur is not a mere agent but a true player. As a result, the entrepreneur needs a lawyer who is as well an expert as a facilitator.