Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Astragaloside IV Alleviates Hypoxia/Reoxygenation-Induced Neonatal Rat Cardiomyocyte Injury via the Protein Kinase A Pathway

Background: Astragaloside IV (As-IV) exerts beneficial effects on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cardiomyocyte injury, possibly through normalization of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA2a) function. The exact mechanisms remain unknown. This study was designed to investigate the role of protein kinase A (PKA) in the protective effect of As-IV on SERCA2a function. Methods: Cultured cardiomyocytes from neonatal rats were exposed to 6 h of hypoxia followed by 3 h of reoxygenation (H/R) with or without As-IV treatment. Myocyte injury was determined by the creatine kinase (CK)-MB fraction in supernatant. Myocardial SERCA2a activity and PKA kinase activity were assessed. PKA subunit mRNA expression and Ser16 phosphorylated phospholamban (Ser16-PLN) protein expression were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. Results: The administration of As-IV significantly decreased CK-MB release and restored SERCA2a activity in H/R cardiomyocytes. The mRNAs of PKA subunits, PKA-RIα, PKA-RIIα, PKA-RIIβ, PKA-Cα and PKA-Cβ, were downregulated in H/R cardiomyocytes. However, PKA-Cα mRNA expression was significantly increased after As-IV treatment. Meanwhile, there was a tendency to recovery of the H/R-induced PKA kinase activity decrease after As-IV treatment. The expression of Ser16-PLN protein, which is specifically phosphorylated by PKA, was upregulated in As-IV-treated H/R cardiomyocytes. Conclusions: These results suggest that the cardioprotection of As-IV may be through the upregulation of PKA and Ser16-PLN, thereby restoring SERCA2a function in H/R injury.
Semantic Extension in the Colour Lexicon

A cross-linguistic study of the figurative use of colour terms reveals the existence of both language-idiosyncratic developments and general tendencies. It is argued that both types of development are ultimately grounded in the experience of the world by the speakers of the languages. Furthermore, the findings contradict the claim that there exists a universal order in the development of the figurative use of colour terms.
Role of IL‐15 in spinal cord and sciatic nerve after chronic constriction injury: regulation of macrophage and T‐cell infiltration

The release of inflammatory mediators from immune and glial cells either in the peripheral or CNS may have an important role in the development of physiopathological processes such as neuropathic pain. Microglial, then astrocytic activation in the spinal cord, lead to chronic inflammation, alteration of neuronal physiology and neuropathic pain. Standard experimental models of neuropathic pain include an important peripheral inflammatory component, which involves prominent immune cell activation and infiltration. Among potential immunomodulators, the T‐cell cytokine interleukin‐15 (IL‐15) has a key role in regulating immune cell activation and glial reactivity after CNS injury. Here we show, using the model of chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve (CCI), that IL‐15 is essential for the development of the early inflammatory events in the spinal cord after a peripheral lesion that generates neuropathic pain. IL‐15 expression in the spinal cord was identified in both astroglial and microglial cells and was present during the initial gliotic and inflammatory (NFκB) response to injury. The expression of IL‐15 was also identified as a cue for macrophage and T‐cell activation and infiltration in the sciatic nerve, as shown by intraneural injection of the cytokine and activity blockage approaches. We conclude that the regulation of IL‐15 and hence the initial events following its expression after peripheral nerve injury could have a future therapeutic potential in the reduction of neuroinflammation.
Importance of early diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary maljunction without biliary dilatation.

AIM To clarify the strategy for early diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) without biliary dilatation and to pathologically examine gallbladder before cancer develops. METHODS The anatomy of the union of the pancreatic and bile ducts was assessed by using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Patients with a long common channel in which communication between the pancreatic and bile ducts was maintained even during sphincter contraction were diagnosed as having PBM. Of these, patients in which the maximal diameter of the bile duct was less than 10 mm were diagnosed with PBM without biliary dilatation. The process of diagnosing 54 patients with PBM without biliary dilatation was retrospectively investigated. Histopathological analysis of resected gallbladder specimens from 8 patients with PBM without biliary dilatation or cancer was conducted. RESULTS Thirty-six PBM patients without biliary dilatation were diagnosed with gallbladder cancer after showing clinical symptoms such as abdominal or back pain (n = 16) or jaundice (n = 12). Radical surgery for gallbladder cancer was only possible in 11 patients (31%) and only 4 patients (11%) survived for 5 years. Eight patients were suspected as having PBM without biliary dilatation from the finding of gallbladder wall thickening on ultrasound and the diagnosis was confirmed by ERCP and/or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). The median age of these 8 patients was younger by a decade than PBM patients with gallbladder cancer. All 8 patients underwent prophylactic cholecystectomy and bile duct cancer has not occurred. Wall thickness and mucosal height of the 8 resected gallbladders were significantly greater than controls, and hyperplastic changes, hypertrophic muscular layer, subserosal fibrosis, and adenomyomatosis were detected in 7 (88%), 5 (63%), 7 (88%) and 5 (63%) patients, respectively. Ki-67 labeling index was high and K-ras mutation was detected in 3 of 6 patients. CONCLUSION To detect PBM without biliary dilatation before onset of gallbladder cancer, we should perform MRCP for individuals showing increased gallbladder wall thickness on ultrasound.
A case of successful treatment of cutaneous Acanthamoeba infection in a lung transplant recipient

Abstract: Acanthamoeba species are known to cause 2 well‐described entities: (1) granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE), which usually affects immunocompromised hosts, and (2) keratitis, which typically follows trauma associated with contamination of water or contact lenses. Less common manifestations include pneumonitis and a subacute granulomatous dermatitis. We describe a case of granulomatous dermatitis secondary to Acanthamoeba infection in a lung transplant recipient and a successful outcome following treatment with lipid formulation of amphotericin B and voriconazole. We believe this is the second case report describing disseminated Acanthamoeba infection in a lung transplant recipient. We also describe successful outcome with a combination of lipid formulation of amphotericin B and voriconazole, drugs that have not been previously reported to treat Acanthamoeba.
Altered expression of microRNA-203 in rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts and its role in fibroblast activation.

OBJECTIVE MicroRNA (miRNA) are recognized as important regulators of a variety of fundamental biologic processes. Previously, we described increased expression of miR-155 and miR-146a in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and showed a repressive effect of miR-155 on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression in RA synovial fibroblasts (RASFs). The present study was undertaken to examine alterations in expression of miR-203 in RASFs and analyze its role in fibroblast activation. METHODS Differentially expressed miRNA in RASFs versus osteoarthritis synovial fibroblasts (OASFs) were identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based screening of 260 individual miRNA. Transfection of miR-203 precursor was used to analyze the function of miR-203 in RASFs. Levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and MMPs were measured by real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RASFs were stimulated with IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and 5-azacytidine (5-azaC). Activity of IκB kinase 2 was inhibited with SC-514. RESULTS Expression of miR-203 was higher in RASFs than in OASFs or fibroblasts from healthy donors. Levels of miR-203 did not change upon stimulation with IL-1β, TNFα, or LPS; however, DNA demethylation with 5-azaC increased the expression of miR-203. Enforced expression of miR-203 led to significantly increased levels of MMP-1 and IL-6. Induction of IL-6 by miR-203 overexpression was inhibited by blocking of the NF-κB pathway. Basal expression levels of IL-6 correlated with basal expression levels of miR-203. CONCLUSION The current results demonstrate methylation-dependent regulation of miR-203 expression in RASFs. Importantly, they also show that elevated levels of miR-203 lead to increased secretion of MMP-1 and IL-6 via the NF-κB pathway and thereby contribute to the activated phenotype of synovial fibroblasts in RA.
The Flipped Classroom : A Comparison of Student Performance Using Instructional Videos and Podcasts versus the Lecture-Based Model of Instruction

The authors present the results of a study conducted at a comprehensive, urban, coeducational, land-grant university. A quasi-experimental design was chosen for this study to compare student performance in two different classroom environments, traditional versus flipped. The study spanned 3 years, beginning fall 2012 through spring 2015. The participants included 433 declared business majors who self-enrolled in several sections of the Management Information Systems course during the study. The results of the current study mirrored those of previous works as the instructional method impacted students’ final grade. Thus, reporting that the flipped classroom approach offers flexibility with no loss of performance when compared to traditional lecturebased environments.
Catheter-related thrombosis in children with cancer.

OBJECTIVE The prevalence of asymptomatic catheter-related thrombosis of the upper venous system in children with cancer has not been determined. We evaluated patients with cancer and implantable central venous catheters (ports) for this complication. STUDY DESIGN Children with cancer undergoing port removal were eligible for this study. Vessel patency was evaluated by contrast venography. We examined each child for physical stigmata of thrombosis and retrospectively assessed catheter-related mechanical difficulties and infections. RESULTS Thirty-one ports had been placed in 24 children (aged 20 months to 18 years; median age, 9 years) with diagnoses of leukemia/lymphoma (n = 10), solid tumor (n = 12), and histiocytosis (n = 2). Venography showed abnormalities in 12 of the 24 patients. Physical examination revealed dilated superficial veins on the chest in 3 patients. Venograms showed abnormalities in all 3 children with prominent superficial thoracic veins. Nine of the 21 other patients had clinically occult central venous occlusion. CONCLUSION Fifty percent (95% CI, 30% to 70%) of children who had implantable ports removed during or after treatment of cancer exhibited deep venous thrombosis at the site of catheter placement. Future studies should determine the contribution of inherited and other acquired risk factors for thrombosis and assess measures to prevent and/or treat catheter-related thrombosis in this population.
The history and basic science development of soy isoflavones

Abstract This review summarizes the 2016 NAMS/Pfizer—Wulf H. Utian Endowed Lecture that focused on the history and basic science of soy isoflavones. Described is a personal perspective of the background and history that led to the current interest in soy and isoflavones with a specific focus on the role that soy isoflavones play in the health of postmenopausal women. This overview covers the metabolism and physiological behavior of isoflavones, their biological properties that are of potential relevance to aging, issues related to the safety of soy isoflavones, and the role of the important intestinally derived metabolite S-(−)equol.
Concurrent sex partners and risk for sexually transmitted diseases among adolescents.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES A large percentage of sexually active adolescents have multiple sex partners and are at high risk of acquiring sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Little is known about adolescents' patterns of sexual partnerships (e.g., concurrent versus serial) and how these patterns influence STD risk. GOAL OF THE STUDY To determine the frequency with which adolescents have concurrent partners during a main relationship and the association between having concurrent partners and STD risk. STUDY DESIGN Adolescents seeking care at a public STD clinic were recruited from March, 1996, to May, 1998. Demographic and behavioral data were obtained during an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Sexually transmitted disease testing and physical exams were performed by clinicians. RESULTS Of those adolescents who reported having at least one main partner during the previous 6 months (n = 245), 110 (44.9%) had multiple partners, and 76 (31%) had at least one concurrent partner during a main relationship. Greater number of concurrent partners was associated with STD diagnosis/exposure after controlling for number of sex partners (OR = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.4). CONCLUSIONS A significant percentage of adolescents have concurrent partners during a main relationship, and having concurrent partners increases STD risk.
Guillain – Barré Syndrome ( 42 Cases ) Occurring During a Zika Virus Outbreak in French Polynesia aw

Zika virus (transmitted by mosquitoes) reached French Polynesia for the first time in 2013, leading to an epidemic affecting 10% of the total population. So far, it has not been known to induce any neurological complications, but, a few weeks after the outbreak, an unexpectedly high number of 42 patients presented with Guillain–Barré syndrome. We report the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of this series. Males predominated with a sex ratio of 2.82 (mean age: 46). All patients (except 2) were native Polynesian. At admission, 55% were able to walk unaided against 38% at nadir, 24% had swallowing troubles (nadir: 45%), 74% had motor weakness of the limbs (nadir: 86%) and deep tendon reflexes were diminished or not found in the vast majority of patients. Mean duration of the progressive phase and of the plateau phase was respectively 7 and 9 days. Thirty-eight percent of the patients were admitted in intensive care unit and 10 patients underwent tracheotomy. Nerve electrophysiological studies at admission showed marked distal motor conduction alterations, which had almost completely disappeared at the 4th month; this pattern was more suggestive of acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) than of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP). Lumbar puncture showed elevated proteins in 90% of the cases, with cell count always inferior to 50/mL. ché, MD, Philippe , PhD, and Emmanuel Fournier, MD, PhD should call for increased vigilance, especially in countries where Aedes mosquitoes are present. (Medicine 95(14):e3257) Abbreviations: AIDP = acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, CB = conduction block, CMAP = compound action muscle potential, CMV = cytomegalovirus, CSF = cerebrospinal fluid, CT = computerized tomography, DENV = dengue virus, EBV = Epstein – Barr virus, ENMG = electroneuromyogram, GBS = Guillain–Barré syndrome, HIV = human immondeficiency virus, HLA = human leukocyte antigen, HSV = herpes simplex virus, IQR = interquartile range, IVIg = intravenous immunoglobulins, JEV = Japanese encephalitis virus, LLN = lower limit of normal values, MRI = magnetic resonance imaging, NCV = nerve conduction velocity, NS1 = nonstructural protein 1, RNA = ribonucleic acid, RT-PCR = reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, SD = standard deviation, SNAP = sensory nerve action potential, TLI = terminal latency index, ULN = upper limit of normal values, WNV = West Nile virus, ZIKV =
Risk Factors , and Outcomes of Colorectal Cancer in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis with Low-Grade Dysplasia : A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background & Aims: Little is known about outcomes of patients with u lcerative colitis with low-grade dysplasia (UC-LGD). We estimated the inci dence of and risk factors for progression to colorectal cancer (CRC) in cohorts o f patients with UC-LGD who underwent surveillance (surveillance cohort), and the prevale nce of dysplasia-related findings among patients who underwent colectomy for UC-LGD (surgic al cohort). Methods: We performed a systematic literature review throu gh June 1, 2016 to identify cohort studies of adults with UC-LGD. We estimated pooled incidence rates of CRC and risk factors associated with dysplasia progression in su rveillance cohorts, and prevalence of synchronous advanced neoplasia (CRC and/or high-gra de dysplasia) in surgical cohorts. Results: In 14 surveillance cohort studies of 671 patients wi h UC-LGD (52 developed CRC), the pooled annual incidence of CRC was 0.8% (95% CI , 0.4–1.3); the pooled annual incidence of advanced neoplasia was 1.8% (95% CI, 0 .9–2.7). Risk of CRC was higher when LGD was diagnosed by expert gastrointestinal pathol ogist (1.5%) than by community pathologists (0.2%). Factors significantly associat ed with dysplasia progression were concomitant primary sclerosing cholangitis (OR, 3.4 ; 95% CI, 1.5–7.8), invisible dysplasia (vs visible dysplasia; OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0–3.4), d istal location (vs proximal location; OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.1–3.7) and multifocal dysplasia (vs unifocal dysplasia; OR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.5– 8.5). In 12 surgical cohort studies of 450 patients who underwent colectomy for UC-LGD, 34 patients had synchronous CRC (pooled prevalence, 17 %; 95% CI, 8–33). Conclusion: In a systematic review of the literature, we foun d that among patients with UCLGD under surveillance, the annual incidence of pro gression to CRC was 0.8%; differences in rates of LGD diagnosis varied with pathologists’ level of expertise. Concomitant primary sclerosing cholangitis, invisible dysplasia, distal location, and multifocal LGD are high-risk features associated with dysplasia progression.
Total Bacterial Count in Soft-Frozen Dairy Products by Impedance Biosensor System

In order to guarantee product safety in the dairy industry, the microbial concentration of food must be ultimately evaluated by means of the standard plate count (SPC) technique, reliable but also slow and difficult to implement in automatic form. On the other hand, detection of bacterial concentration by means of classic impedance microbiology is very attractive due to faster response time (4-14 h versus 24-72 h for the SPC) and easy implementation in industrial machines. Recently, an impedance technique for the detection of bacterial concentration has been introduced that avoids diluting media, thus resulting much simpler to implement in automatic form than existing alternatives. In this paper, various soft-frozen dairy products of different composition and producers have been tested to study the correlation between conventional SPC and such a new impedance technique. It is shown that this later is suitable for real industrial applications.
Pulmonary edema induced by allergen challenge in the rat: Noninvasive assessment by magnetic resonance imaging

The course of pulmonary edema formation after an intratracheal (i.t.) instillation of ovalbumin was followed noninvasively by magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) in actively sensitized Brown Norway (BN) rats. Changes in edema volume assessed by MRI mimicked the results from the analysis of the number and activation of inflammatory cells recovered from the broncho‐alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Rats treated with budesonide did not develop edema following challenge with ovalbumin, and these animals showed a significant decrease in BAL fluid inflammatory cell numbers and eosinophil peroxidase and myeloperoxidase activities. Thus, following lung edema formation by MRI provides a reliable means of assessing pulmonary inflammation after allergen challenge. Unlike BAL fluid analysis, which requires killing animals at each time point, this method is noninvasive. MRI could be of importance for the noninvasive profiling of anti‐inflammatory drugs in animal models of asthma and in the clinic. Magn Reson Med 45:88–95, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antioxidant Vitamins A and E in Relation to BMI in Steady State Sickle Cell Anaemia and Normal Controls in North Eastern Nigeria

Sickle cell anaemia is one of the commonest causes of anaemia in sub-Saharan Africa. It causes significant morbidity and mortality, commoner in black Africa, but due to increase medical care, the life expectancy is on increase. Several studies have been carried out on sickle cell anaemia (SCA) nationally and internationally. This present study determined the BMI of SCA patients in the steady state compared to normal control in the north-eastern Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was carried out at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) as a referral center. Undergraduate students, secondary and primary school students of the University of Maiduguri Borno state were incorporated in the study as controls. A total number of 120 subjects were enrolled into the study constituting 60 subjects with homozygous SS, and 60 controls who are homozygous AA. Random sampling technique was employed in the selection of the subjects that attends the sickle cell haematology clinics both in adults and paediatrics that were at their steady state. BMI of the SCA were found to be either normal weight (18.5-24.9kg/m 2 ) or underweight ( 2 ), while the subject with normal haemoglobin genotype showed overweight (25-29.9kg/m 2 ) and obese (>29.9kg/m 2 ) in addition to underweight and normal weight. Antioxidant vitamins A and E were also found to be low in SCA patients compared to the normal controls In conclusion, we therefore concluded that overweight and obese is very rare in patients with sickle cell anaemia.
The influence of relevance levels on the effectiveness of interactive information retrieval

In this paper, we focus on the effect of graded relevance on the results of interactive information retrieval (IR) experiments based on assigned search tasks in a test collection. A group of 26 subjects searched for four Text REtrieval Conference (TREC) topics using automatic and interactive query expansion based on relevance feedback. The TREC-and user-suggested pools of relevant documents were reassessed on a four-level relevance scale. The results show that the users could identify nearly all highly relevant documents and about half of the marginal ones. Users also selected a fair number of irrelevant documents for query expansion. The findings suggest that the effectiveness of query expansion is closely related to the searchers' success in retrieving and identifying highly relevant documents for feedback. The implications of the results on interpreting the findings of past experiments with liberal relevance thresholds are also discussed.