Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Allergen-dependent induction of interleukin-4 synthesis in vivo.

The ability of freshly derived T cells to produce interleukin-4 (IL-4) remains controversial. Many groups report that freshly derived antigen-, allogen- or mitogen-activated CD4 T cells produce almost exclusively IL-2, acquiring the capacity to produce a spectrum of cytokines following culture, rest and restimulation. In contrast, it is demonstrated here that in vivo exposure to protein allergens induces rapid, co-ordinate activation of IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) gene expression. Overnight culture of spleen cells obtained from mice immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) or ragweed extract (RAG) in alum adjuvant elicits strong IL-2 and IL-4 responses within 14 hr of culture. T cells from mice immunized with allergen in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) generate strong IL-2 and IFN-gamma production, but virtually no IL-4, while unimmunized mice do not respond detectably to allergen in vitro (< 1 U). Unlike the differential pattern of cytokine synthesis observed following antigen-specific in vitro restimulation, cultures derived from naive and allergen-primed animals yield virtually equivalent IL-4, IL-2 and IFN-gamma synthesis upon polyclonal restimulation with anti-CD3 mAb 145-2C11 or concanavalin A (Con A), a finding which underlines the importance of the experimental conditions selected for in vitro analysis of in vivo cytokine gene expression. Collectively, the results indicate that the mode of immunization is critical to the pattern of cytokine response elicited and consequently to the type of antibody response which develops. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Associations Between the Prenatal Environment and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Adolescent Girls: Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Symptoms as Mediators

This longitudinal study examines links among adolescent internalizing and externalizing symptoms, the prenatal environment (e.g., nicotine exposure) and pre/perinatal maternal health, and cardiovascular risk factors. Girls (N = 262) ages 11–17 reported internalizing and externalizing behaviors and mothers reported about the prenatal environment and maternal health during pregnancy and 3 months post-pregnancy. Adolescent cardiovascular risk included adiposity, smoking, blood pressure, and salivary C-reactive protein. Internalizing symptoms mediated relations between prenatal exposures/maternal health and adiposity; externalizing symptoms mediated relations between prenatal exposures and adolescent smoking. Health care providers who attend to internalizing and externalizing symptoms in girls may ultimately influence cardiovascular health, especially among those with pre/perinatal risk factors.
Molecular prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica/dispar infection among patients attending four health centres in north-west Ethiopia

The prevalence of amoebiasis is often overestimated owing to its epidemiological overlap with the non-pathogenic Entamoeba dispar. To provide evidence for this conjecture, a cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2013 to January 2015. A range of 180–200 µg of semi-solid and formed stools and 200 µL of diarrhoeic stool samples were used for DNA extraction from microscopically E. histolytica/dispar positive samples using the QIAamp® DNA Stool Mini Kit according to manufacturers’ instructions. Nested PCR targeting 18S ribosomal RNA gene was used. In 422 microscopically positive E. histolytica/dispar stools, molecular prevalence revealed that E. histolytica infestation was present in only 1.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47–2.93) and E. dispar was found in 42.2% (95% CI, 37.49–46.91), while 56.2% (95% CI, 51.47–60.93) had neither E. histolytica nor E. dispar (P < 0.001). We conclude that infestation with E. histolytica is rarer in our study areas than was previously believed. Hence, accurate differentiation of E. histolytica and E. dispar is crucial.
Persistence of inoculated hepatitis A virus in mixed human and animal wastes

The persistence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) was determined both in mixtures of septic tank effluent (STE) with dairy cattle manure slurry (DCMS) and in mixtures of STE with swine manure slurry (SMS). HAV was consistently inactivated more rapidly in the two types of mixed wastes than in STE alone or in the control Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). At 5 degrees C, the D values (time, in days, for a 90% reduction of virus titer) were 34.6 for the mixed STE and DCMS, 48.5 for the mixed STE and SMS, 58.5 for STE, and 217.4 for the Dulbecco's PBS control. At 22 degrees C, the D values were 23.0, 17.1, 35.1, and 90.1 for the four suspension media, respectively. A comparison of HAV inactivation in mixed wastes subjected to different treatments at the same pH and temperatures showed that the virus inactivation in the mixed wastes was related, at least in part, to microbial activity. In mixed STE and DCMS, the D values at 25 degrees C were 8.3 for raw mixed wastes, 15.1 for autoclaved mixed wastes, and 9.6 for bacterium-free filtrate of raw mixed wastes; D values at 37 degrees C were 6.8, 10.1, and 7.0 for these three suspension media, respectively. In mixed STE and SMS, the D values at 25 degrees C were 8.1 for raw mixed wastes, 14.3 for autoclaved mixed wastes, and 9.1 for bacterium-free filtrate of raw mixed wastes; the D values at 37 degrees C were 6.8, 9.4, and 6.9 for the three suspensions, respectively.
Tariquidar, a Selective P-glycoprotein Inhibitor, Does Not Potentiate Loperamide’s Opioid Brain Effects in Humans despite Full Inhibition of Lymphocyte P-glycoprotein

Background:Loperamide, a potent opioid, has been used as an in vivo probe to assess P-glycoprotein activity at the blood–brain barrier, because P-glycoprotein inhibition allows loperamide to cross the blood–brain barrier and exert its central opioid effects. In humans, studies with nonselective and moderately potent inhibitors resulted in mild opioid effects but were confounded by the concurrent inhibition of loperamide’s metabolism. The authors studied the effect of the highly selective, potent P-glycoprotein inhibitor tariquidar on loperamide’s central opioid effects. Methods:In a randomized, double-blind, crossover study, nine healthy subjects received on 2 study days oral loperamide (32 mg) followed by an intravenous infusion of either tariquidar (150 mg) or placebo. Central opioid effects (pupil diameter, sedation) were measured for 12 h, and blood samples were drawn up to 48 h after drug administration to determine plasma loperamide concentrations and ex vivo P-glycoprotein activity in T lymphocytes. Values for pupil diameter and loperamide concentrations were plotted over time, and the areas under the curves on the tariquidar and placebo study day were compared within each subject. Results:Tariquidar did not significantly affect loperamide’s central effects (median reduction in pupil diameter area under the curve, 6.9% [interquartile range, −1.4 to 12.1%]; P = 0.11) or plasma loperamide concentrations (P = 0.12) but profoundly inhibited P-glycoprotein in lymphocytes by 93.7% (95% confidence interval, 92.0–95.3%). Conclusion:These results suggest that despite full inhibition of lymphocyte P-glycoprotein, the selective P-glycoprotein inhibitor tariquidar does not potentiate loperamide’s opioid brain effects in humans.
Stability of stored canine plasma for hemostasis testing.

BACKGROUND A review of the literature revealed limited information about the stability of samples for coagulation testing in dogs. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the stability of individual coagulation factors, clotting times, and other parameters of hemostasis in stored canine plasma. METHODS Citrated plasma samples were obtained from 21 dogs. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen concentration, and factor I, II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, and XII activities were measured on an automated coagulation analyzer with commercially available reagents. Antithrombin (AT) activity and D-dimer concentration were measured on an automated chemistry analyzer using validated kits. Samples were analyzed within 1 hour after collection (initial analysis) and once daily for 2 or 4 consecutive days following storage at room temperature (RT) or 4 degrees C, respectively. RESULTS Storage time at either temperature did not have any effect on PT, factor II, V, VII, X, or XII activities, D-dimer concentration, or AT activity. In contrast, aPTT was significantly prolonged after 72 and 96 hours at 4 degrees C; fibrinogen concentration was decreased after 48 hours at RT; the activities of factors VIII and IX were decreased after 48, 72, and 96 hours at 4 degrees C; and factor XI activity was decreased after 72 hours at 4 degrees C. CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that storage of canine plasma for 2 days at RT does not have a significant effect on hemostasis test results with the exception of a slight decrease in fibrinogen concentration. In contrast, aPTT and factors VIII, IX, and XI were unstable in refrigerated plasma after 48 or 72 hours of storage.
Reduced air leakage by adjusting the cuff pressure in pediatric laryngeal mask airways during spontaneous ventilation

Background: Optimal inflation of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) cuff should allow ventilation with low leakage volumes and minimal airway morbidity. Manufacturer’s recommendations vary, and clinical end‐points have been shown to be associated with cuff hyperinflation and increased leak around the LMA. However, measurement of the intra‐cuff pressure of the LMA is not routine in most pediatric institutions, and the optimal intra‐cuff pressure in the LMA has not been determined in clinical studies.
The Role of Endocytosis in Transferrin Uptake by Reticulocytes and Bone Marrow Cells

Summary. The aims of the work described in this paper were to investigate the process by which transferrin enters immature erythroid cells, to determine whether entry of transferrin into the cells is required for iron utilization by the cells and to see whether substances in the medium surrounding the cells enter the cells along with transferrin. The kxperiments were performed using rabbit transferrin, rabbit reticulocytes and rabbit bone marrow cell suspensions. The process of transferrin uptake was studied by electron microscope techniques using autoradiography of 125I‐labelled transferrin or transferrin conjugated to ferritin or horseradish per‐oxidase. The results confirmed that transferrin enters reticulocytes and showed that the protein also enters nucleated erythroid cells of the bone marrow but very little is taken up by platelets, cells of the white cell series in the bone marrow or peripheral blood or mature erythrocytes. The two stages of transferrin uptake by erythroid cells, initial absorption and progressive uptake, were shown to be represented morphologically by binding of transferrin to the outer cell membrane, probably to specific receptors, and entry into the cells by endocytosis, respectively. Reticulocytes were unable to utilize 59Fe for haem synthesis when the 59Fe was on transferrin which was bound to agarose, Enzacryl AA or Latex beads so that it would not enter the cells. The uptake of transferrin by reticulocytes was not accompanied by uptake of 14C‐polyethylene glycol dissolved in the medium.
Pantoea theicola sp. nov., isolated from black tea.

A Gram-negative, facultatively anaerobic strain was isolated from black tea. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity comparisons, strain QC88-366T was grouped into the genus Pantoea, being related most closely to the type strains of Pantoea gaviniae (98.5 %) and Pantoea calida (98.3 %); sequence similarities were ≤ 97.0 % to the type strains of other species of the genus Pantoea. Multilocus sequence analysis based on partial sequences of the gyrB, rpoB, infB and atpD genes also revealed P. gaviniae and P. calida as the closest phylogenetic relatives. The fatty acid profile showed the major fatty acids of strain QC88-366T were C16 : 0, C16 : 1 and C18 : 1, the same as those of its closest related species. However, the ratio of C16 : 1, C17 : 0 cyclo, C18 : 1 and C18 : 2 differed slightly compared with those of the related neighbours. In addition, the results of physiological and biochemical tests also allowed the phenotypic differentiation of strain QC88-366T from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. The G+C content of the DNA was 57.2 mol%. Strain QC88-366T therefore represents a novel species of the genus Pantoea, for which the name Pantoea theicola sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is QC88-366T ( = DSM 29212T = NBRC 110557T).
Use of Adenovirus Vectors Expressing Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Immediate-Early Protein BZLF1 or BRLF1 To Treat EBV-Positive Tumors

ABSTRACT The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genome is present in a variety of tumor types, including virtually all undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) and a portion of gastric carcinomas. The uniform presence of the EBV genome in certain tumors (versus only a very small number of normal B cells) suggests that novel therapies which specifically target EBV-positive cells for destruction might be effective for treating such tumors. Although the great majority of EBV-positive tumor cells are infected with one of the latent forms of EBV infection, expression of either viral immediate-early protein (BZLF1 or BRLF1) is sufficient to convert the virus to the lytic form of infection. Induction of the lytic form of EBV infection could potentially result in death of the tumor cell. Here we have examined the efficacy of adenovirus vectors expressing the BZLF1 or BRLF1 proteins for treatment of EBV-positive epithelial tumors. The BZLF1 and BRLF1 vectors induced preferential killing of EBV-positive, versus EBV-negative, gastric carcinoma cells in vitro. Infection of C18 NPC tumors (grown in nude mice) with either the BZLF1 or BRLF1 vector, but not a control adenovirus vector, induced expression of early lytic EBV genes in tumor cells. Injection of C18 tumors with the BZLF1 or BRLF1 adenovirus vector, but not the control vector, also significantly inhibited growth of the tumors in nude mice. The addition of ganciclovir did not significantly affect the antitumor effect of the BZLF1 and BRLF1 adenovirus vectors. These results suggest a potential cancer therapy against EBV-related tumors.
RANKL Inhibition: A Novel Strategy to Decrease Femoral Head Deformity After Ischemic Osteonecrosis

A novel therapeutic strategy to decrease the development of femoral head deformity after ischemic osteonecrosis was studied in a large animal model of total head infarction. RANKL inhibition through exogenous osteoprotegerin administration significantly decreased pathologic bone resorption and deformity during repair of the infarcted head.
No evidence of association between GT/CA-repeat polymorphism in the GLC1A gene promoter and primary open-angle or exfoliation glaucoma.

PURPOSE To investigate whether variants of the polymorphic GT/CA-repeat in the regulatory sequences of the gene for GLC1A are associated with glaucoma. Mutations in the protein coding region of this gene are known to cause juvenile autosomal dominant glaucoma and are also found in a subset of cases with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). METHODS Samples were collected from 197 patients with exfoliation glaucoma and 157 patients with POAG as well as from 92 healthy blood donors. The variable repeat located 342 base pairs upstream of the translational initiation site, was analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and detected on an ABI 377 DNA sequencer. RESULTS Five alleles were detected, ranging in size from 13 to 17 repeat units, the most common of which was 14 repeat units. This was present in 63.7%, 66.6% and 61.4% of the two cohorts of cases and the control group, respectively. There was no significant difference in the distribution of the alleles between the control group and the two patient groups, respectively. CONCLUSION The present investigation provides no evidence that the variable repeat located in the regulatory sequences of the glaucoma gene GLC1A is associated with the risk of developing POAG or exfoliation glaucoma.
Systemic cytokine response after major surgery

The systemic cytokine response to major surgical trauma was studied in 20 patients undergoing elective aortic surgery and five patients after inguinal hernia repair. Tumour necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma were not detected in these patients. An early and short‐lived interleukin 1 beta (IL‐1β) response to major surgery was detected only by intensive sampling in the perioperative period. The IL‐1β peak preceded a more marked interleukin 6 (IL‐6) response that peaked 4–48 h after surgery. IL‐6 levels had fallen sharply by 48–72 h in all patients who had an uneventful postoperative course. The IL‐6 peaks were significantly lower after hernia surgery than after major aortic operations (P < 0.001); IL‐1β was not detected in any samples. Three patients undergoing aortic surgery developed unexpected major postoperative complications. IL‐6 levels in this group were significantly higher than those of the other patients undergoing aortic surgery within 6–8 h of skin incision, and remained elevated for longer. These rises in plasma IL‐6 levels preceded the clinical onset of major complications by 12–48 h. The systemic IL‐1β and IL‐6 response to surgical trauma increased with the severity of the surgical insult. An early, exaggerated IL‐6 response was associated with the subsequent clinical development of major complications.
19 Heat Shock Proteins in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia

Over the last decade, research has implicated a group of molecular chaperones termed Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) as major contributors to cancer progression and the development of chemo-resistance. HSPs were initially discovered as a group of proteins that were strongly induced in response to heat shock and other cellular stresses. Under non-stress conditions, they have a wide variety of roles within many sub-cellular compartments where they facilitate protein folding, prevent protein unfolding and assist protein transport across membranes. Due to their roles in maintaining protein conformation, HSPs are vital when other cellular proteins start to unfold due to cellular stress such as high temperature, exposure to cytotoxic chemicals or oxidative stress and are up-regulated rapidly in these situations (Ciocca and Calderwood, 2005). Under these stressful conditions, HSPs prevent protein aggregation, stabilise cell membranes and inhibit many of the key steps in cell death pathways (Beere & Green, 2001), thereby enabling cell survival in conditions that would otherwise be lethal. Importantly, in normal cells, once the stress has passed, HSP levels return to baseline and these proteins return to their regular house-keeping duties. However, a growing body of research shows that in tumour cells, including Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) cells, HSPs remain elevated and may contribute to prolonged tumour cell survival via several mechanisms that remain to be fully revealed.
CXOGBS J173620.2–293338: A CANDIDATE SYMBIOTIC X-RAY BINARY ASSOCIATED WITH A BULGE CARBON STAR

The Galactic Bulge Survey (GBS) is a wide but shallow X-ray survey of regions above and below the Plane in the Galactic Bulge. It was performed using the Chandra X-ray Observatory's ACIS camera. The survey is primarily designed to find and classify low luminosity X-ray binaries. The combination of the X-ray depth of the survey and the accessibility of optical and infrared counterparts makes this survey ideally suited to identification of new symbiotic X-ray binaries (SyXBs) in the Bulge. We consider the specific case of the X-ray source CXOGBS J173620.2–293338. It is coincident to within 1 arcsec with a very red star, showing a carbon star spectrum and irregular variability in the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment data. We classify the star as a late C-R type carbon star based on its spectral features, photometric properties, and variability characteristics, although a low-luminosity C-N type cannot be ruled out. The brightness of the star implies it is located in the Bulge, and its photometric properties are overall consistent with the Bulge carbon star population. Given the rarity of carbon stars in the Bulge, we estimate the probability of such a close chance alignment of any GBS source with a carbon star to be ≲ 10−3, suggesting that this is likely to be a real match. If the X-ray source is indeed associated with the carbon star, then the X-ray luminosity is around 9 × 1032 erg s−1. Its characteristics are consistent with a low luminosity SyXB, or possibly a low accretion rate white dwarf symbiotic.
Obesity and Osteoarthritis: More Than Just Wear and Tear

&NA; A link has been established between obesity and osteoarthritis (OA), but the precise relationship has yet to be defined. OA has a multifactorial etiology, and obesity is consistently identified as an independent and modifiable risk factor. The biomechanical relationship is intuitive: increased loads on articular cartilage cause subsequent wear and cartilage breakdown. Less intuitive, and possibly more important, are the systemic effects of obesity on OA. Promising investigations into relationships between lipid metabolism and OA have been rarely reported in the orthopaedic literature. These reports argue that, in obese patients, weight loss may not only help prevent OA but also may be an effective treatment strategy. Orthopaedic surgeons should be aware of the biomechanical and systemic implications of obesity with respect to OA so that patients may be counseled accordingly.
White Matter Changes in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Prospective Longitudinal Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study

Background:The ability to predict posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a critical issue in the management of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), as early medical and rehabilitative interventions may reduce the risks of long-term cognitive changes. The aim of the present study was to investigate how diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics changed in the transition from acute to chronic phases in patients with mTBI and whether the alteration relates to the development of PTSD. Methods:Forty-three patients with mTBI and 22 healthy volunteers were investigated. The patients were divided into two groups: successful recovery (SR, n = 22) and poor recovery (PR, n = 21), based on neurocognitive evaluation at 1 or 6 months after injury. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging investigation at acute (within 3 days), subacute (10–20 days), and chronic (1–6 months) phases after injury. Group differences of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were analyzed using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). The accuracy of DTI metrics for classifying PTSD was estimated using Bayesian discrimination analysis. Results:TBSS showed white matter (WM) abnormalities in various brain regions. In the acute phase, FA values were higher for PR and SR patients than controls (all P < 0.05). In subacute phase, PR patients have higher mean MD than SR and controls (all P < 0.05). In the chronic phase, lower FA and higher MD were observed in PR compared with both SR and control groups (all P < 0.05). PR and SR groups could be discriminated with a sensitivity of 73%, specificity of 78%, and accuracy of 75.56%, in terms of MD value in subacute phase. Conclusions:Patients with mTBI have multiple abnormalities in various WM regions. DTI metrics change over time and provide a potential indicator at subacute stage for PTSD following mTBI.