Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of lipoarabinomannan and mycobacteria on tumour necrosis factor production by different populations of murine macrophages

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) production is an important pathological mediator in mycobacterial infections, and yet little is known of the factors which influence its production. We have studied the influence of murine macrophage heterogeneity and activation state on TNF production following mycobacterial stimulation in vitro. Lipoarabinomannan (LAM) from strains of Mvcobactcrium tuberculosis and Myco, arium differentially stimulated TNF production in thioglycollate‐elicited macrophages in a dose‐dependent manner. In comparison, resident peritoneal macrophages produced much less TNF when stimulated with LAM. dead mycobacteria or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In contrast, zymosan stimulated resident macrophages to a higher degree than thioglycollale‐elicited cells. Another comparison between bone marrow and thioglycollalc‐elicited macrophages showed that both responded to LPS. but only the latter was stimulated significantly by H37Rv LAM. This may indicate that LAM stimulation of macrophages takes place through a different pathway than both zymosan‐ and LPS‐stimulated TNF production. Also, in vitro activation of peritoneal macrophages with interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ), increased TNF response to several stimuli. Our studies indicate that the pathology of mycobacterial infections through TNF production may be influenced by the type and activation state of the macrophage which responds to that infection.
Complications of mitomycin C therapy in 100 eyes with ocular surface neoplasia

Aim: To determine the complications associated with mitomycin C (MMC) in the treatment of ocular surface neoplasia. Methods: A retrospective and consecutive study of 100 eyes in 91 patients with ocular surface neoplasia treated with MMC in a single centre between November 1998 and January 2005. Outcome measures included complications of MMC and the treatment required for these complications. Results: One to three 7 day cycles of topical MMC 0.04% four times a day were given to 59 eyes with localised corneal-conjunctival intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), 19 eyes with diffuse CIN, six eyes with recurrent CIN, one eye with ocular surface squamous cell carcinoma, three eyes with primary acquired melanosis (PAM) with atypia, nine eyes with conjunctival malignant melanoma (MM), two eyes with sebaceous carcinoma with pagetoid spread, and one eye with recurrent atypical fibroxanthoma. Nine patients had bilateral CIN. 31 (34%) cases developed an allergic reaction to MMC and 14 (14%) eyes had epiphora secondary to punctal stenosis at a mean follow up period of 26.5 months. Conclusion: In the largest study looking at complications of topical MMC in the treatment of ocular surface neoplasia, allergic reaction and punctal stenosis are relatively common. Serious complications were not observed suggesting the safe use of MMC in mid-term follow up.
Voxel-Based Variable Posture Models of Human Anatomy

With the advancement of computer and medical imaging technology, several high-resolution anatomically realistic whole-body voxel-based models have been developed. These models have been frequently used in electromagnetic dosimetry. However, since they are generally available only in upright configurations, simulations of the actual situation are greatly limited. In this paper, we propose a new posture transformation technique. First, body surface boundaries of the voxel-based model are extracted as polygon mesh data. Next, the posture of the surface mesh model is transformed with a mesh deforming technique applied in computer graphics modeling tool. Lastly, because the body surface meshes have only surface contour information, the coordinates of the voxels corresponding to the points of the internal region of the mesh model are calculated by a volume-refilling algorithm. We applied this proposed technique to Japanese male and female models with standing posture and developed models with sitting posture. The postured models were smoothly transformed while maintaining the continuity of their internal tissues and organs. Moreover, the tissue and organ masses of the postured model were reasonable deviations from those of the original standing models for the practical numerical dosimetry of human body exposure to an electromagnetic field.
Interrelationships among serum thyroxine, triiodothyronine, reverse triiodothyronine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone in iodine-deficient pregnant women and their offspring: effects of iodine supplementation.

Adaptation to iodine deficiency (ID) requires changes in thyroid and pituitary function that have been well characterized in animals. The present studies were undertaken to analyze the relationships between serum thyroid hormones and TSH concentrations in iodine-deficient pregnantwomen as well as their newborns. The broad range of iodine intake of the population studied, from very low to adequate, allowed us to describe quantitatively the relationships among iodine intake,thyroid hormones, and TSH. The interpretation of the data was supported by the effects that iodinesupplementation had on these various hormones and is consistent with animal observations. About 250 pregnant women from an iodine-deficient area were studied. Fifty percent had a urinary iodine excretion of 50 μg creatinine (cr) or less; 25% had 50∓100 ug I/g-cr, and about 20% had 100∓200 ug I/g cr. Baseline serum hormone concentrations on first examination (mean ± SD) were: T4, 8.0± 0.7 jug⁄dl; T3> 179 ° 45ng⁄dl; rT3, 25 ° 9 ng⁄dl, and TSH,.
Human oocyte cryopreservation: Evidence for practice

Aim. The aim of this article is to review the evidence regarding human oocyte cryopreservation by slow freezing and vitrification and to provide evidence-based clinical and laboratory guidelines on the effectiveness and safety of these technologies. Scope. These guidelines will address the following: Stage of oocyte maturity. Methods of cryopreservation/warming. Slow controlled cooling. Vitrification. Techniques used for insemination. Ovarian stimulation regimens.The guidelines do not cover recommendations for ovarian tissue freezing or in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM). Outcome measures. The following outcome measures were examined: cryosurvival, fertilisation rate, cleavage rate, clinical pregnancy rate and implantation rate, health of resulting children.
DETECTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ALKYL PEROXY RADICALS USING CAVITY RINGDOWN SPECTROSCOPY

Cavity ringdown spectra of the A 2A′−X 2A″ electronic transition in the IR are reported for the methyl and ethyl peroxy radicals. Analysis of partially resolved rotational structure for the origin band of the transition provides information about both the A and X states of CH3O2⋅. An estimate for the absorption cross section is determined from the CRDS absorption and the rate of radical–radical recombination.
Imidazenil, a new anxiolytic and anticonvulsant drug, attenuates a benzodiazepine-induced cognition deficit in monkeys.

Imidazenil is a highly potent partial allosteric modulator of gamma-aminobutyric acid action at a great variety of gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) receptors, whereas alprazolam is a full allosteric modulator at these receptors. Data in rats indicate that imidazenil, like alprazolam, has pharmacological effects in animals indicative of anxiolytic, antipanic and anticonvulsant activity in humans, but unlike alprazolam, in animals imidazenil does not produce ataxia, sedation, tolerance or dependence nor does it potentiate the effects of ethanol. To extend the study of the imidazenil pharmacological profile, we administered this drug and alprazolam, alone and in combination, in monkeys working in a complex behavioral task. In one component of a multiple schedule (repeated acquisition or "learning"), patas monkeys acquired a different four-response chain each session by responding sequentially on three keys in the presence of four discriminative stimuli (geometric forms or numerals). In the other component (performance), the four-response chain was the same each session. The response chain in each component was maintained by food presentation under a fixed-ratio schedule. When alprazolam (0.01-0.32 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered alone, the overall response rate in both learning and performance decreased and the percent errors in both components increased with increasing doses. Learning, however, was more sensitive than performance; i.e., error-increasing effects were seen in learning at doses that had no effect on performance accuracy. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Prevalence and correlates of new-onset left ventricular geometric abnormalities in a general population: the PAMELA study

Aim: We sought to evaluate new-onset abnormal LV (left ventricle) patterns and their correlates over a 10-year period in members of the general population enrolled in the Pressioni Arteriose Monitorate e Loro Associazioni study. Methods: The study included 817 patients with normal LV geometry at baseline evaluation having a readable echocardiogram at the end of follow-up. Cut-points for abnormal LV geometric patterns were derived from reference values of the healthy fraction of the Pressioni Arteriose Monitorate e Loro Associazioni population. Results: Over a 10-year period 39% of participants progressed to abnormal LV geometric patterns as follows: LV concentric remodelling (15.2%), eccentric dilated left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (8.4%), concentric LVH (7.9%), eccentric nondilated LVH (6.8%), and concentric dilated LVH (0.7%). Age [odds ratio (OR): 1.039; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.023–1.056, P < 0.0001], LV mass index (OR: 1.039; 95% CI 1.026–1.052, P < 0.0001), night-time SBP (OR: 1.024; 95% CI 1.005–1.043, P = 0.01), office SBP changes during follow-up (OR: 1.017 95% CI 1.007–1028, P = 0.001), and BMI (OR: 1.067; 95% CI 1.017–1.120, P = 0.009) emerged as key correlates of new-onset abnormal LV geometry. Age and LV mass index turned out to be strong determinants of all sub-types of LVH; whereas blood pressure, BMI, and sex exhibited a different predictive value across the various LV geometric patterns. Conclusions: Our study provides the first evidence that long-term changes from normal cardiac morphology toward abnormal LV geometry represent a clinically relevant phenomenon at the community level. From a practical perspective this finding reinforces the concept that life-style changes and pharmacologic treatment aimed to reduce over-weight/obesity and optimize blood pressure are of paramount importance for prevention of subclinical cardiac damage.
Early onset of obsessive–compulsive disorder and associated comorbidity

Background: Previous studies have aimed to identify subtypes of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) based on their age of onset (AOO). Obsessive–compulsive spectrum disorders (OCS disorders) such as tic disorders have been particularly associated with an early onset in some studies. However, subtypes of early‐ and late‐onset OCD are unevenly determined, and the biological and the clinical validity of these subtypes are unknown. This study was undertaken to discriminate the subtypes of OCD in different AOO levels and to test the hypothesis that different AOO bands are associated with a differential pattern of comorbidity. Methods: Two hundred fifty‐two patients with OCD were interviewed directly with the German version of the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia—Lifetime Anxiety Version, which provides DSM‐IV diagnosis. Subgroups with different ages of onset were investigated (cut‐off levels of 10, 15, and 18 years). Results: Subjects with an early AOO (onset ≤10 years) were significantly more likely to have OCS disorders (odds ratio [OR]=3.46; P=.001; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.72–6.96), in particular tic/Tourette's disorders (OR=4.63; P=.002; 95% CI: 1.78–12.05), than were late‐onset subjects. Conclusions: For most mental disorders (e.g., anxiety and mood disorders), no associations with AOO of OCD were identified. However, subjects in the early‐onset group (≤10 years) had a significant increase in comorbid tic and Tourette's disorders. Future research should examine potential neurobiological features associated with early‐onset presentations of OCD. Early detection and management of comorbidities may offset impairments later in life. Depression and Anxiety 26:1012–1017, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interfacial Exclusion Pressure Determines the Ability of Apolipoprotein A-IV Truncation Mutants to Activate Cholesterol Ester Transfer Protein*

We used a panel of recombinant human apolipoprotein (apo) A-IV truncation mutants, in which pairs of 22-mer α-helices were sequentially deleted along the primary sequence, to examine the impact of protein structure and interfacial activity on the ability of apoA-IV to activate cholesterol ester transfer protein. Circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that the secondary structure, conformation, and molecular stability of recombinant human apoA-IV were identical to the native protein. However, deletion of any of the α-helical domains in apoA-IV disrupted its tertiary structure and impaired its molecular stability. Surprisingly, determination of the water/phospholipid interfacial exclusion pressure of the apoA-IV truncation mutants revealed that, for most, deletion of amphipathic α-helical domains increased their affinity for phospholipid monolayers. All of the truncation mutants activated the transfer of fluorescent-labeled cholesterol esters between high and low density lipoproteins at a rate higher than native apoA-IV. There was a strong positive correlation (r = 0.790, p = 0.002) between the rate constant for cholesterol ester transfer and interfacial exclusion pressure. We conclude that molecular interfacial exclusion pressure, rather than specific helical domains, determines the degree to which apoA-IV, and likely other apolipoproteins, facilitate cholesterol ester transfer protein-mediated lipid exchange.
Preoperative nutritional status of total joint patients. Relationship to postoperative wound complications.

The records of 217 consecutive patients who underwent a primary total hip or total knee arthroplasty were reviewed for preoperative and postoperative nutritional status. Fifty-seven patients had a lymphocyte count of less than 1,500 cells/mm3, four patients had an albumin level of less than 3.5 g/dL, and two patients had both, giving a 27% incidence of indices indicative of preoperative nutritional depletion. Patients without wound complications had an average preoperative lymphocyte count of 1,995 (+/- 631), compared to 1,638 (+/- 491) for those with persistent serous drainage from their wounds, and 1,553 (+/- 419) for those patients with a major wound complication (P = .002). The average albumin levels were 4.30 (+/- 0.33), 4.22 (+/- 0.31), and 4.13 (+/- 0.54), respectively. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis were compared to those with osteoarthritis and were found to have significantly lower preoperative albumin levels. They were three times as likely to develop a major wound complication. Patients on immunosuppressive medications had significantly lower preoperative lymphocyte counts, lower albumin levels, and higher complication rates (P = .04). After operation, lymphocyte counts of all patients dropped to an average of 57% of their preoperative values, and albumin levels dropped to 72% of their preoperative values. No nutritional parameters had returned to their preoperative levels by 10 postoperative days. For all patients, a preoperative lymphocyte count of less than 1,500 cells/mm was associated with a five times greater frequency of developing a major wound complication, and an albumin level of less than 3.5 g/dL had a seven times greater frequency. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Q‐T interval prolongation in cirrhosis: Prevalence, relationship with severity, and etiology of the disease and possible pathogenetic factors

Prolonged Q‐T interval predicts severe arrhythmias and sudden death, and has been shown to occur in alcoholic liver disease and cirrhotic patients who are candidates for liver transplantation. This study first evaluated the prevalence of prolonged Q‐T interval in a large population of unselected patients with cirrhosis, and assessed the relationship between abnormal Q‐T, etiology, and severity of liver disease and mortality of patients. Possible causes of Q‐T abnormality were also explored. Ninety‐four patients with cirrhosis without overt heart disease and 37 control subjects with mild chronic active hepatitis were enrolled. Rate‐corrected Q‐T interval (Q‐Tc) was assessed along with routine liver tests, Child‐Pugh score, serum bile salts, electrolytes and creatinine, plasma renin activity, aldosterone, norepinephrine, atrial natriuretic factor and, gonadal hormones. Q‐Tc was longer in patients with cirrhosis than in controls (440.3 ± 3.2 vs. 393.6 ± 3.7 ms; P < .001) and prolonged (>440 ms) in 44 patients (46.8%) and 2 controls (5.4%; P < .001). Q‐Tc length was not influenced by the etiology of cirrhosis and correlated with Child‐Pugh score (r = .53; P < .001), liver tests such as prothrombin activity, and serum concentrations of albumin and bilirubin, plasma bile salts, and plasma norepinephrine. Multivariate analysis showed that only Child‐Pugh score and plasma norepinephrine were independently correlated with Q‐Tc duration. Over a median follow‐up period of 19 months (range, 2‐33 months), patients with Q‐Tc longer than 440 ms had a significantly lower survival rate than those with normal Q‐Tc. Q‐T interval is frequently prolonged in patients with cirrhosis, regardless the etiology of the disease, worsens in parallel with the severity of the disease, and may have an important prognostic meaning. In addition to other undefined factors related to the severity of cirrhosis, sympathoadrenergic hyperactivity may play a pathogenetic role.
Placental defects in ARNT‐knockout conceptus correlate with localized decreases in VEGF‐R2, Ang‐1, and Tie‐2

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) is a transcriptional regulator that heterodimerizes with Per‐ARNT‐Sim (PAS) proteins. ARNT also dimerizes with hypoxia inducible factor1α (HIF1α), inducing expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) to promote angiogenesis. The angiogenesis/vasculogenesis pathway is required for embryonic survival and includes several receptors (VEGFR1, VEGFR2, Tie2) and ligands (VEGF, Ang1, Ang2, neuropillin). Transgenic knockout of ARNT in mice is lethal due to abnormal placentation. This study examines the VEGF pathway in GD9.5 embryos of wild‐type (+/+), heterozygous (+/‐), or knockout (‐/‐) ARNT genotype. All genotypes expressed abundant VEGF in trophoblastic giant cells. However, ‐/‐ conceptuses had less VEGFR2 in placental labyrinth and trophoblastic giant cells. Ang1 and Tie2 decreased in trophoblastic giant cells and Ang2 was decreased in placental endothelial cells. Abnormal development of the labyrinth correlated with decreased binding of VEGF and decreased expression of VEGFR2. In addition, VEGFR2 seemed to be the primary VEGF binding receptor in the labyrinth and blood lacunae of the placenta, as binding could be eliminated by masking the VEGFR2 receptor with inactive antibody complex. VEGFR1 may be primarily responsible for binding of VEGF to yolk sac and embryonic tissues, as masking VEGFR2 did not reduce VEGF binding in those areas, and it is interesting that major structural defects were also not found in those regions. In summary, in the ARNT knockout conceptus, the impact of ARNT deficiency on placental expression of VEGFR2 seems to provide an explanation for the failure of the placental labyrinth to progress, whereas the vascularization of the yolk sac and embryo appear relatively unaffected on GD9.5. Published 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk of bloodstream infection in patients with chronic kidney disease not treated with dialysis.

BACKGROUND Patients with end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis are at high risk for bloodstream infection and infection-related death. Whether patients with chronic kidney disease who are not receiving dialysis are also at increased risk of bloodstream infection is less clear. METHODS We examined the association between chronic kidney disease not being treated with dialysis and bloodstream infection in a cohort of patients 66 years or older. All patients required at least 1 outpatient serum creatinine measurement enabling estimation of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation. Cox proportional hazards models with censoring at the initiation of renal replacement therapy or death were used to determine associations between eGFR, bloodstream infection, and death within 30 days of community-onset bloodstream infection, adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS In 25 675 patients followed up for a median of 3.2 years, 797 developed at least 1 bloodstream infection, of which most (75%) were community-onset infections. Compared with patients with an eGFR of 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) or higher, adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for bloodstream infection according to eGFR were, respectively, 1.24 (1.01-1.52), 1.59 (1.24-2.04), and 3.54 (2.69-4.69) in those with an eGFR of 45 to 59, 30 to 44, and less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m(2). The associations were consistent for both community-onset and nosocomial infections. Compared with patients with an eGFR of 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) or higher, the risk of death within 30 days of community-onset bloodstream infection was significantly greater in those with an eGFR less than 30 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (hazard ratio, 4.10; 95% confidence interval, 2.06-8.14). CONCLUSION Older adults with chronic kidney disease not being treated with dialysis are at increased risk of bloodstream infection and of death following community-onset bloodstream infection.
The Role of Angiotensin II Receptor 1 (AT1) Blockade in Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats: Gender-Related Differences

It is documented that chronic renal diseases are gender related. The protective role of angiotensin II receptor 1 (AT1) blocker losartan against cisplatin (CP)-induced nephrotoxicity was reported in males, but the role of gender is not well known. Six groups of Wistar rats were studied. Rats were divided into two groups of males and females to receive losartan for 9 days plus a single dose of CP (7 mg/kg) at day 3. Two positive control groups of males and females received the same regimen, except that they received saline instead of losartan. The negative control groups received saline instead of CP at day 3 and also saline instead of losartan. The blood samples were obtained, and the kidneys underwent histopathological investigations. All the CP-treated animals lost weight, but losartan promoted weight loss in females (p < 0.05). Coadministration of losartan and CP in females, but not in males, significantly increased the serum levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine when compared with the negative and positive control groups (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in serum levels of total proteins, magnesium, and nitrite between the groups. Administration of CP increased the kidney tissue damage score (KTDS) and normalized kidney weight (p < 0.05). However, in the presence of AT1 blockade, the KTDS (nonsignificantly) and normalized kidney weight (significantly, p < 0.05) increased in the CP-treated females. Such an observation was not seen in males. Losartan may prevent CP-induced nephrotoxicity in males, but it promotes the CP-induced damage in females, which may be related to the renin–angiotensin system receptors in the kidneys.