Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toll‐like receptor‐induced innate immune responses in non‐parenchymal liver cells are cell type‐specific

Little is known of how the Toll‐like receptor (TLR) system can modulate the function of non‐parenchymal liver cells (NPC) as a major component of the innate and adaptive immune system of the liver. To investigate the diversification of TLR signalling pathways in NPC, we isolated Kupffer cells (KC) and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) from wild‐type C57BL/6 mice and examined their responses to TLR1 to TLR9 agonists. The data show that KC respond to all TLR ligands by producing tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) or interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), to TLR3 and TLR4 ligands only by producing interferon‐β (IFN‐β), to TLR1 and TLR8 ligands by significantly up‐regulating major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and costimulatory molecules, and to TLR1, ‐2, ‐4 and ‐6 ligands by inducing high levels of T‐cell proliferation and IFN‐γ production in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). Similarly, LSEC respond to TLR1 to ‐4, ‐6, ‐8 and ‐9 ligands by producing TNF‐α, to TLR3 and ‐4 ligands by producing IL‐6, and to TLR3 ligands by producing IFN‐β. Interestingly, despite significant up‐regulation of MHC class II and co‐stimulatory molecules in response to TLR8 ligands, LSEC stimulated by TLR1, ‐2 or ‐6 could stimulate allogeneic T cells as assessed by MLR. By contrast, myeloid dendritic cells, used as positive control for classical antigen‐presenting cells, respond to TLR1, ‐2, ‐4 and ‐9 ligands by both up‐regulation of CD40 and activation of allogeneic T cells. In conclusion, NPC display a restricted TLR‐mediated activation profile when compared with ‘classical’ antigen‐presenting cells which may, at least in part, explain their tolerogenic function in the liver.
The immunohistology of synovial lining cells in normal and inflamed synovium

The immunohistology of synovial lining cells (SLCs) in normal and inflamed hyperplastic synovium was investigated using monoclonal antibodies directed against leucocyte common antigen (LCA) HLA‐DR and other macrophage components. We found that some SLCs in normal synovium express LCA, HLA‐DR, and monocyte/macrophage‐associated antigens. The number of SLCs expressing these antigens is increased in hyperplastic osteoarthritic (OA) and rheumatoid (RA) synovium. Some SLCs which did not react for LCA or other macrophage markers but were positive for HLA‐DR were also noted in normal synovium and some segments of hyperplastic OA synovium. SLCs which are positive for LCA, HLA‐DR, and macrophage markers contribute to the intimal hyperplasia in RA where they account for the majority of SLCs in the synovial intima. In OA synovium, the distribution of SLCs showing this pattern of reactivity was less uniform with numerous SLCs which were positive for HLA‐DR but negative for LCA and other macrophage markers also present in the synovial intima. These findings indicate that there are some SLCs of bone marrow origin in normal and hyperplastic synovium. They also suggest that recruitment of SLCs of marrow origin is important in the production of intimal hyperplasia in both RA and OA and that there is also a significant local proliferation of non‐marrow derived SLCs in OA.
Brasiliensic and isobrasiliensic acids: isolation from Calophyllum brasiliense Cambess. and anti-Helicobacter pylori activity

Abstract The occurrence of chromanone derivatives has been noticed as a distinctive feature of the genus Calophyllum (Calophyllaceae). Previous studies have demonstrated that the extract of the stem bark of Calophyllum brasiliense and its chromanone-rich fractions show anti-ulcer activity in murine gastric ulcer models. In this work, brasiliensic and isobrasiliensic acids, the two main compounds of the n-hexane extract of the stem bark extract of C. brasiliense, were isolated by flash chromatography using silica gel impregnated with silver nitrate and their structures were elucidated by NMR techniques and mass spectrometry. 13C NMR data is available for the first time for both compounds. Brasiliensic and isobrasiliensic acids showed good in vitro bacteriostatic activity against Helicobacter pylori, and are responsible, at least in part, for the bacteriostatic anti-H. pylori activity of the n-hexane extract of the stem bark of C. brasiliense.
Incidence of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in a poultry processing environment and in poultry products and their rapid confirmation by multiplex PCR

The incidence of Listeria spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in a poultry processing plant and in raw and cooked poultry products was determined over a 6-month period. Within the raw and cooked poultry processing environments, 46% (36 of 79) and 29% (51 of 173) of the samples contained Listeria spp. while 26% (21 of 79) and 15% (27 of 173) contained L. monocytogenes, respectively. Various sites within the processing environment were found to be consistently positive for L. monocytogenes throughout the entire sampling period. Of the raw and cooked products tested, 91% (53 of 58) and 8% (8 of 96) were found to contain Listeria spp. while 59% (34 of 58) and 0% (0 of 96) contained L. monocytogenes, respectively. Although L. monocytogenes was not detected in the cooked products examined, the presence of other Listeria spp. highlights the potential which exists for postprocessing contamination. Multiplex PCR proved to be a convenient and time-saving technique for rapid confirmation of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes in a single reaction.
Reclassification of risk of death with the knowledge of D-dimer in a cohort of treated HIV-infected individuals

Objective:To evaluate the change in categories of risk of death by adding D-dimer to conventional mortality risk factors. Design:Cohort study. Methods:Data on HIV-infected participants receiving standard combination antiretroviral therapy in two clinical trials (Evaluation of Subcutaneous Proleukin in a Randomized International Trial and Strategic Management of antiretroviral therapy), who had baseline D-dimer measured, were randomly split into two equal training and a validation datasets. A multivariable survival model was built using the training dataset and included only conventional mortality risk factors measured at baseline. D-dimer was added to create the comparison model. The level of reclassification of mortality risk, for those with at least 5-years of follow-up, was then assessed by tabulating mortality risk defined as low (⩽2% predicted rate), moderate (2–5%) or high (>5%). Reclassification analyses were then repeated on the validation dataset. Results:The analysis population at baseline had a mean age of 43 years, median CD4+ cell count of 535 cells/&mgr;l (IQR: 420–712), and 83% had HIV RNA of at least 500 copies/ml. In the training dataset (n = 1946, 8939 person-years), there were 83 deaths at a rate of 0.93 per 100 person-years. Addition of D-dimer to the reference model resulted in 6% or fewer (P > 0.05) being correctly reassigned, either up or down, to a new risk category, in both, training and validation datasets. The integrated discrimination improvement in training and validation datasets was 0.60% (P = 0.084) and 0.45% (P = 0.168), respectively. Conclusion:In this relatively well population, at the given risk cutoffs, D-dimer appeared to only modestly improve the discernment of risk. Risk reclassification provides a method for assessing the clinical utility of biomarkers in HIV cohort studies.
Cardiac tumors: the 17-year experience of pediatric cardiology department.

INTRODUCTION Primary cardiac tumork may be benign or malignant and may arise anywhere in the endocardium, myocardium or pericardium. They are rare in pediatric age-groups, with a prevalence in autopsy findings of 0.0017 to 0.28%; most are benign, malignant tumors accounting for only 10% of the total. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS The purpose of this paper is to report the 17-year (1989-2006) experience of primary cardiac tumors in a single center. The clinical data and histopathological diagnoses were collected from a retrospective chart review. RESULTS We identified 12 patients, with a mean age at diagnosis of 23 months, in two cases diagnosed in the fetal period. The frequent cause of referral was tuberous sclerosis, followed by a cardiac murmur. The diagnosis of primary cardiac tumor was based on echocardiography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. The patients all underwent 24-hour electrocardiographic Holter monitoring, and the most common finding was nonspecific repolarization abnormalities. The most frequent cardiac tumor was rhabdomyoma (67%), usually associated with tuberous sclerosis, followed by fibroma (17%) and fibroelastoma (8%) Although biopsy is the diagnostic gold standard, it was only performed in two patients. Surgical removal of the tumor was performed in a single patient (with fibroelastoma) due to the perceived risk of pulmonary embolization. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS In our population, the most frequent tumor was rhabdomyoma associated with tuberous sclerosis. Most patients were asymptomatic, and the diagnosis was made in routine observations on patients with tuberous sclerosis or with a cardiac murmur. A histopathological diagnosis is only warranted in the rarest forms of cardiac tumors.
Evaluation of a Low-Dose Nonoxynol-9 Gel for the Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background Low-dosenonoxynol-9 products have a potential advantage of reduced toxicity. However,little is known about their efficacy in reducing the incidence of sexuallytransmitted diseases(STDs). Goal Todetermine the effect that an intravaginal gel containing 52.5 mg ofnonoxynol-9 has on the acquisition of STDs in a cohort ofHIV-1–seronegative female sex workers in Mombasa,Kenya. StudyDesign A randomized double-blind placebo controlled trialwasperformed. Results Inthis study, 139 women were randomized to the nonoxynol-9 group and 139 to theplacebo group. No significant differences were found between the two studygroups in terms of safety outcomes and reported symptoms, except for a lowerincidence of vaginal erythema in the nonoxynol-9 group. There was asignificantly higher incidence of gonorrhea in the nonoxynol-9 group than inthe placebo group. No significant differences were observed between the groupsfor acquisition of Candida, trichomonas, bacterial vaginosis, Ctrachomatis, syphilis, or HIV-1, although the statistical power todetect differences for some of these STDs waslimited. Conclusions Inthis randomized placebo-controlled trial of a low-dose nonoxynol-9 gel, asignificantly higher incidence of gonorrhea was found in the nonoxynol-9group, but no significant differences between the groups were found for Candida, trichomonas, bacterialvaginosis, C trachomatis, syphilis, orHIV-1.
Risk factors for heat related death during the August 2003 heat wave in Paris, France, in patients evaluated at the emergency department of the Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou

Objectives: This study sought to determine the risk factors for short term mortality in the victims of the heat wave of August 2003 in France from among patients evaluated in our emergency department (ED). It was hypothesised that age, temperature, and some long term therapies and pre-existing pathologies were factors associated with short term mortality. Methods: A retrospective analysis of a seven day period. Four experts decided blindly, in pairs, whether a patient had presented with a heat related problem. Inclusion criteria were: core temperature ⩾38 °C and/or clinical signs of dehydration. Comparisons were made between the survivors and one month non-survivors for 57 different items. Short term mortality was defined as death in the ED or within the first month of the ED visit. Results: Of 841 patients attending the ED in the study period, 165 were included in the study, of which most were elderly women. Thirty one (18.8%) died within one month. Factors associated with short term mortality were: a greater degree of dependent living; more severe clinical condition on admission (higher temperature and heart rate, lower blood pressure, hypoxia, and altered mental status); higher values of blood glucose, troponin, and white blood cell count; lower values of serum protein and prothrombin levels; pre-existing ischaemic cardiomyopathy; pneumonia as associated infection; and previous psychotropic treatment. The total number of survivors at one year was 91. Conclusions: Although this study is limited because of the small sample size, the results have helped determine factors useful for future identification of patients at greatest risk of death in order to implement a more efficient patient care protocol.
An Investigation of the Validity and Reliability of the Criminal Sentiments Scale in a Sample of Treated Sex Offenders

The Criminal Sentiments Scale (CSS) purports to measure attitudes and values pertaining to and in support of criminal conduct (Andrews & Bonta, 2003). A sample of 72 sex offenders treated in a high intensity sex offender program completed the CSS pre- and post-treatment and was followed up for approximately 3 years. The CSS demonstrated high internal consistency. Correlational and ROC analyses indicated that the CSS is a robust predictor of non-sexual violent and non-violent recidivism. The CSS also correlated significantly with the General Statistical Information on Recidivism Scale which assesses non-sexual recidivism risk. Similar analyses showed that the CSS did not predict sexual recidivism nor did it correlate with a tool that assesses sexual recidivism risk—the Static 99. The CSS scores changed significantly in the predicted direction following treatment. The present results suggest that the CSS is an internally consistent tool for the assessment of criminal sentiments among sex offenders and that it predicts non-sexual but not sexual recidivism.
Rapid Molecular and Morphological Responses of Prostate Cell Lines to Cell–Cell Contact

Cell–cell adhesion in 2-D PZ-HPV-7 prostate epithelial and DU-145 prostate cancer cell aggregates (monolayers), synchronously and rapidly (within 30 s) formed in suspension in an ultrasound trap has been examined over 60 min. The intracellular distributions of the cadherin/catenin complex components for both cell lines were time-dependent and were clearly identifiable as early as 150 s following cell–cell contact in the trap, while equilibrium positions were reached within 60 min following cell–cell contact. The accumulation of E-cadherin at the cell–cell interface was greater for PZ-HPV-7 than for DU-145 cells over 60 min in the trap, with the apparent formation of adherens junctions over that time scale in PZ-HPV-7 but not in DU-145 cells. The amounts of F-actin, α-, β-, and γ-catenins recruited to the cell–cell interface of PZ-HPV-7 cells were on average 2.4 times higher than those of DU-145 cells. The ability of different cell types to spread along neighboring cells was 1.5-fold greater for the PZ-HPV-7 than for the DU-145 cells. These results, discussed also in the context of earlier studies of cell adhesion in an ultrasound trap, characterize a reduced adhesiveness of DU-145 cells compared to PZ-HPV-7 cells.
EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY OF THE PARROTFISHES: BIOGEOGRAPHY, ECOMORPHOLOGY, AND COMPARATIVE DIVERSITY

Abstract The family Scaridae comprises about 90 species of herbivorous coral reef, rock reef, and seagrass fishes. Parrotfishes are important agents of marine bioerosion who rework the substrate with their beaklike oral jaws. Many scarid populations are characterized by complex social systems including highly differentiated sexual stages, territoriality, and the defense of harems. Here, we test a hypothesis of relationships among parrotfish genera derived from nearly 2 kb of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequence. The DNA tree is different than a phylogeny based on comparative morphology and leads to important reinterpretations of scarid evolution. The molecular data suggest a split among seagrass and coral reef associated genera with nearly 80% of all species in the coral reef clade. Our phylogenetic results imply an East Tethyan origin of the family and the recurrent evolution of excavating and scraping feeding modes. It is likely that ecomorphological differences played a significant role in the initial divergence of major scarid lineages, but that variation in color and breeding behavior has triggered subsequent diversification. We present a two-phase model of parrotfish evolution to explain patterns of comparative diversity. Finally, we discuss the application of this model to other adaptively radiating clades. Corresponding Editor: L. Bernatchez
Toxoplasma gondii in milk of naturally infected dairy ewes on west mesoregion of Santa Catarina state , Brazil

This study aimed to detect Toxoplasma gondii in the milk of dairy sheep in the Western mesorregion of state of Santa Catarina by bioassay (22 milk samples from eight ewes seropositive; IFA ≥256) and PCR [for the detection of agent in the brains of mice inoculated on bioassay and directly from milk (108 samples from 42 seropositive ewes (IFA, ≥64) in different lactation periods)]. T. gondii DNA was detected in mice brains inoculated with milk from eight sheep (a sample of the 45th day of lactation and seven in the collection of 90th day) and directly from the milk in samples of the second collection (90 days) in five animals. Taking into account both assays, from a total of 42 ewes in lactation and seropositive for T. gondii, 30.95% (13/42) of the animals presented evidences of T. gondii presence in milk. Positive PCR samples were sequenced and the results confirmed ≥97% identity with the membrane antigen P22 gene of T. gondii. The results showed that T. gondii is present in the milk of sheep, representing a possible source of infection to humans through the consumption of milk "in natura" and/or derivatives, besides the possibility of lactogenic transmission to lambs.
Low-noise operation modes of a passively mode-locked fiber laser

Optimum low-noise operation modes of a passively mode-locked fiber laser are described and characterized. The laser produces 60 fs bandwidth limited pulses with root mean square amplitude fluctuations of 0.4% in a frequency-band from 30 Hz to 100 kHz. It is shown that low-noise operation up to 5 dB below the amplitude noise of the pump laser is possible with overall negative cavity group-velocity dispersion and a large difference between the intracavity loss under free-running and mode-locked laser operation. Additional frequency stabilization reduces the timing jitter to 4 fs in a frequency band from 1 kHz to 100 kHz and 110 fs in the 30 Hz to 100 kHz band. <<ETX>>
Childhood severe acute respiratory syndrome, coronavirus infections and asthma

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a new infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus. Children appear to be less susceptible to the SARS coronavirus, although the other non‐SARS coronaviruses can cause respiratory infections in adults and in children of all ages. The exact reasons as to why SARS preferentially affects adults, and not children, are still unknown. Many hypotheses exist and need to be explored. During the outbreak of SARS, there did not appear to be an increase in asthma exacerbations in children.
Development of myelin in inherited disorders of amino acid metabolism.

IN 1950, Alvord et al 1 first suggested that the principal neuropathological feature of phenylketonuria (PKU) was a delay in the development of myelin. Subsequently, other investigators described areas of pallor in sections of central white matter stained for myelin and retarded myelination of the long tracts. 2,3 Similar abnormalities were found in maple syrup urine disease (MSUD). 4-6 Biochemical investigations of the cerebral white matter of patients with these diseases have also indicated that myelin was accumulating at a slower rate than that found in normal brains. In both PKU and MSUD, the water content of cerebral white matter was increased and the lipid content reduced. 7-10 The reduction of cerebrosides exceeded that of other lipid classes, 9-11 which is to be expected, since the accumulation of this lipid most closely parallels the formation of normal myelin. 12 While biochemical studies of this type confirmed prior histological observations,
Mindanao Current/Undercurrent in an eddy-resolving GCM

Analysis of results from an eddy-resolving general circulation model showed two subsurface velocity cores in the mean within the depth range between 400 and 1000 m below the Mindanao Current (MC). One is confined to the inshore edge at about 126.8 degrees E and connected with the Sulawesi Sea. The other takes place somewhat offshore around 127.7 degrees E, being closely related to the intrusion of South Pacific water. Both cores are referred to as the Mindanao Undercurrent (MUC). The MC/MUC is approximately a geostrophic flow, except on the inshore edge of the MUC where up to 50% of the mean flow can be explained by ageostrophic dynamics. In contrast with the well-defined southward flowing MC, the MUC is of high velocity variance relative to the mean. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis shows that approximately 60% of the total velocity variance is associated with two meandering modes, with their major signatures in the subthermocline. The dominant time scale of variability is 50-100 days. An ensemble of these meso-scale fluctuations provides a northward freshwater flux on the offshore edge of the Philippine coast, which to a certain extent explains why water of South Pacific origin appears to extend farther northward than the mean MUC. In the offshore velocity core of the MUC, for example, eddy induced freshwater flux is equivalent to a mean flow of about 0.3 m s(-1) in the density range between 26.9 and 27.3 kg m(-3), which is greater than the mean current by a factor of 6.
The effect of loop electrosurgical excision procedure on the subsequent risk of preterm delivery

Objective: To determine whether LEEP treatment increases the risk of preterm delivery. Methods: Systematic review of the literature involves extensive database mining in PubMed, CINAHL, and Science Citation Index. The studies addressing the potential impact of LEEP on preterm delivery are either case studies or retrospective cohort studies. Results: 31 studies were identified. Cold knife conization was significantly associated with preterm delivery. Analyses of LEEP showed confounding results regarding the increased risk of preterm delivery. Moreover, risk of total preterm delivery increased significantly with increasing the height of tissue excised, cervical shortening, or short time interval to conception. Conclusion: It appears that any treatment for CIN, including LEEP, increases the risk of preterm delivery but this risk does not appear to be significant. Thus the possibility of an increased risk of LEEP cannot be excluded. Careful consideration should be given to treatment of CIN in reproductive age women.
Restrictive glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor synthesis in cwh6/gpi3 yeast cells causes aberrant biogenesis of cell wall proteins

We previously reported that the defects in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae cwh6 Calcofluor white-hypersensitive cell wall mutant are caused by a mutation in SPT14/GPI3, a gene involved in glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor biosynthesis. Here we describe the effect of cwh6/spt14/gpi3 on the biogenesis of cell wall proteins. It was found that the release of precursors of cell wall proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was retarded. This was accompanied by proliferation of ER structures. The majority of the cell wall protein precursors that eventually left the ER were not covalently incorporated into the cell wall but were secreted into the growth medium. Despite the inefficient incorporation of cell wall proteins, there was no net effect on the protein level in the cell wall. It is postulated that the availability of GPI-dependent cell wall proteins determines the rate of cell wall construction and limits growth rate.