Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deep-sea environments on a warm earth: latest Paleocene-early Eocene

Latest Paleocene early Eocene high-latitude surface and global deep-ocean waters were warmer than those of today by up to 15'C; planktonic foraminiferal and nannofossil assemblages suggest that primary oceanic productivity was low. Low oceanic productivity is also indicated by geochemical evidence that the supply of nutrients to the oceans may have been low. Climate modeling suggests that oceanic and atmospheric circulation may have been slu-egish at low temperature gradients, leading to low rates of upwelling of nutrients. Benthic foraminiferal data, by contrast, suggest hat the food supply to the deep sea floor in open-ocean settings was larger than that in Recent oceans. in ir,ereetnent with the speculation that a larger fraction of organic carbon u'as buried. The benthic foraminiferal evidence mi-sht be erplained b1'more elhcient food transt'er to the bottom in poorll. oxygenated. warm deep u'aters. Possiblr the pelagic microbial loop u'as more active at the higher temperatures. leading to enhanced zooplankton productivity and thus enhanced food supply. Or possibly' the benthic faunas do not indicate a high average food supply, but a more continuous and less seasonally pulsed supply than that toda,v. Environrnental interpretation of early Eocene benthic foraminiferal faunas is difficult not only because they differ substantially from Recent ones but also because the faunas had been decimated by a massive extinction during an episode of rapid warming. the Late Paleocene Thermal Maximum (LPTM), with a duration of between 25 and 200 000 ka. During the LPTM carbon isotope values of the atnospheric and oceanic carbon reservoir decreased by 2-3%u a sign of major upset in the global carbon cycle. The carbon isotope excursion could be explained b1'dissociation of methane hydrates as a consequence of warming of deep water lrasses. u'hich occurred when dominant formation of deep-intermediate waters shifted fron high to low latitudes. Methane dissociation in combination with chan-ues in ocean circulation offers a possible mechanisrn for climatic instability in the absence of polar ice caps. We lack the high-resolution, stratigraphically complete biostrati-eraphical and isotope data sets necessary to evaluate whether the early Eocene climate was unstable, but high average temperatures could reflect a warm background climate with superimposed 'hyperthermals': intervals of extremely high temperatures and
Complete clinical response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation in rectal cancers: can surgery be avoided?

BACKGROUND/AIMS Neoadjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancers may result in complete clinical response (cCR) in some patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the long-term outcomes of such patients in a tertiary cancer center. METHODOLOGY Patients with rectal cancer who had a cCR to neoadjuvant chemoradiation were divided into two groups: Group A (n=23) did not undergo surgery, and Group B (n=10) underwent elective surgery. The recurrence patterns and survival outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS After a median follow-up of 72 months (range 12-180), seven patients (30%) in Group A developed an isolated local recurrence. In Group B, after a median follow-up of 37 months (range 12-180) there were no local recurrences. The median disease-free and overall survival was 36 months (range 6-168) and 66 months (range 12-180) in Group A and 36 months (range 12-180) and 37 months (range 18-180) in Group B respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that surgery could be avoided in selected patients with rectal cancer who have a cCR to neoadjuvant chemoradiation. However, until the safety of a non-surgical approach is proven in a prospective randomized trial, it cannot be recommended outside a clinical protocol study.
Mechanism of adhesion maintenance by methionine sulphoxide reductase in Streptococcus gordonii

Methionine sulphoxide reductase maintains adhesin function during oxidative stress. Using Streptococcus gordonii as a model, we now show the mechanistic basis of adhesin maintenance provided by MsrA. In biofilms, S. gordonii selectively expresses the msrA gene. When the wild‐type strain was grown with exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), msrA‐specific mRNA expression significantly increased, while acid production was unaffected. In the presence of H2O2, a msrA‐deletion mutant (ΔMsrA) showed a 6 h delay in lag phase growth, a 30% lower yield of H2O2, significantly greater inhibition by H2O2 on agar plates (reversed by complementation), 30% less adhesion to saliva‐coated hydroxyapatite, 87% less biofilm formation and an altered electrophoretic pattern of SspAB protein adhesins. Using mass spectrometry, methionine residues in the Met‐rich central region of SspB were shown to be oxidized by H2O2 and reduced by MsrA. In intact wild‐type cells, MsrA colocalized with a cell wall‐staining dye, and MsrA was detected in both cell wall and cytosolic fractions. To maintain normal adhesion and biofilm function of S. gordonii in response to exogenous oxidants therefore msrA is upregulated, methionine oxidation of adhesins and perhaps other proteins is reversed, and adhesion and biofilm formation is maintained.
Applicability of different mixed dentition analysis in Lucknow population

Aims: The aim of this study was to test the reliability of Moyer's and Tanaka-Johnston method of mixed dentition analysis among Lucknow population and also derive a linear regression equation that would predict sum of mesiodistal widths of upper and lower canines and premolars for both sexes. Setting and Design: Moyer's and Tanaka-Johnston mixed dentition space analysis were developed from a sample of North European descent children. Hence, it becomes questionable when applied to individuals with different ethnic origin. Materials and Methods: Actual mesiodistal widths of permanent upper and lower incisors, canines, and premolars were recorded on 100 dental casts for both sexes using digital Vernier caliper nearest of 0.02 mm. Predicted values of mesiodistal widths of permanent upper and lower canines and premolars were obtained using Moyer's probability analysis at the 75th percentile and Tanaka-Johnston method. Both actual and predicted values for both sexes were put to statistical evaluation using student “t” test and unpaired “t” test. Results: Differences between the actual and predicted values of upper and lower permanent canines and premolars were statistically significant in both sexes (P < 0.05) for both Moyer's and Tanaka-Johnston mixed dentition analysis. Four linear regression, equations were developed for both sexes to predict mesiodistal widths of erupting upper and lower permanent canines and premolars using the lower incisors. No significant difference was observed when the regression equations were applied. Conclusion: Predictions from linear regression equations matched well with the data obtained from the samples of the present study for both males and females of Lucknow population.
High endogenous melatonin concentrations enhance sperm quality and short‐term in vitro exposure to melatonin improves aspects of sperm motility

Abstract: Although human seminal fluid contains melatonin and spermatozoa reportedly possess membrane melatonin receptors, there are no experimental studies that have ascertained the relationship between melatonin and male infertility. This study evaluated whether urinary 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin and urinary total antioxidant capacity correlate with different seminal parameters including sperm concentration, motility and morphology. Also, the in vitro effects of melatonin on human sperm motility were investigated. Semen samples from 52 men who were counselled for infertility were obtained. Sperm concentration was determined using the haemocytometer method, motility kinematic parameters were assessed using a computer‐aided semen analysis system, while morphology and vitality were evaluated after Diff‐Quick and Eosin–Nigrosin vital staining, respectively. For the quantification of urinary 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin, a commercial ELISA kit was used, and urinary total antioxidant capacity was evaluated by means of a colorimetric assay kit. For the in vitro effects of melatonin, samples were incubated for 30 min in the presence or absence of 1 mm melatonin. Both urinary 6‐sulfatoxymelatonin and total antioxidant capacity levels positively correlated with sperm concentration, motility and morphology, as well as negatively correlated with the number of round cells. Additionally, 30‐min exposure of sperm to 1 mm melatonin improved the percentage of motile and progressively motile cells and decreased the number of static cells, thereby promoting the proportion of rapid cells. Therefore, melatonin improves semen quality, which is important because melatonin supplementation may be potentially used to obtain a successful assisted reproductive technique outcome.
A Spatial Model of Insulin‐Granule Dynamics in Pancreatic β‐Cells

Insulin secretion from pancreatic β‐cells in response to sudden glucose stimulation is biphasic. Prolonged secretion in vivo requires synthesis, delivery to the plasma membrane (PM) and exocytosis of insulin secretory granules (SGs). Here, we provide the first agent‐based space‐resolved model for SG dynamics in pancreatic β‐cells. Using recent experimental data, we consider a single β‐cell with identical SGs moving on a phenomenologically represented cytoskeleton network. A single exocytotic machinery mediates SG exocytosis on the PM. This novel model reproduces the measured spatial organization of SGs and insulin secretion patterns under different stimulation protocols. It proposes that the insulin potentiation effect and the rising second‐phase secretion are mainly due to the increasing number of docking sites on the PM. Furthermore, it shows that 6 min after glucose stimulation, the ‘newcomer’ SGs are recruited from a region within less than 600 nm from the PM.
Effects of Elevated pCO2 and Osmolality on Growth of CHO Cells and Production of Antibody‐Fusion Protein B1: A Case Study

Partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) and osmolality as high as 150 mmHg and 440 mOsm/kg, respectively, were observed in large‐scale CHO cell culture producing an antibody‐fusion protein, B1. pCO2 and osmolality, when elevated to high levels in bioreactors, can adversely affect cell culture and recombinant protein production. To understand the sole impact of pCO2 or osmolality on CHO cell growth, experiments were performed in bench‐scale bioreactors allowing one variable to change while controlling the other. Elevating pCO2 from 50 to 150 mmHg under controlled osmolality (about 350 mOsm/kg) resulted in a 9% reduction in specific cell growth rate. In contrast, increasing osmolality resulted in a linear reduction in specific cell growth rate (0.008 h−1/100 mOsm/kg) and led to a 60% decrease at 450 mOsm/kg as compared to the control at 316 mOsm/kg. This osmolality shift from 316 to 445 mOsm/kg resulted in an increase in specific production rates of lactate and ammonia by 43% and 48%, respectively. To elucidate the effect of high osmolality and/or pCO2 on the production phase, experiments were conducted in bench‐scale bioreactors to more closely reflect the pCO2 and osmolality levels observed at large scale. Increasing osmolality to 400–450 mOsm/kg did not result in an obvious change in viable cell density and product titer. However, a further increase in osmolality to 460–500 mOsm/kg led to a 5% reduction in viable cell density and a 8% decrease in cell viability as compared to the control. Final titer was not affected as a result of an apparent increase in specific production rate under this increased osmolality. Furthermore, the combined effects from high pCO2 (140–160 mmHg) and osmolality (400–450 mOsm/kg) caused a 20% drop in viable cell density, a more prominent decrease as compared to elevated osmolality alone. Results obtained here illustrate the sole effect of high pCO2 (or osmolality) on CHO cell growth and demonstrate a distinct impact of high osmolality and/or pCO2 on production phase as compared to that on growth phase. These results are useful to understand the response of the CHO cells to elevated pCO2 (and/or osmolality) at a different stage of cultivation in bioreactors and thus are valuable in guiding bioreactor optimization toward improving protein production.
Antibodies to early antigens induced by Epstein-Barr virus in infectious mononucleosis.

Sera from 200 patients with heterophil-antibody-positive infectious mononucleosis (IM) and from 60 patients with heterophil-antibody-negative IM-like disease were examined for antibodies to early antigens (EA) induced by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and for antibodies to viral capsid antigens (VGA) of EBV. Sera taken before illness from 37 patients with heterophil-antibody-positive IM had neither anti-VCA nor anti-EA when tested at a dilution of 1:2. All patients in the acute phase of this disease had titers of anti-VCA between 1:40 and 1:640. Only 15^o of these patients developed anti-EA at titers between 1:5 and 1:320. The anti-EA test nevertheless proved useful as an additional diagnostic tool, especially in heterophil-antibody-negative IM-like disease. Anti-EA tends to reach peak titers later than anti-VCA, and it disappears again, usually within a few months. In contrast, anti-VCA persists for years at readily detectable and nearly constant levels. Thus, diagnostically significant fourfold or greater increments or declines in titers of anti-EA are observed more frequently than corresponding changes in levels of anti-VCA. Furthermore, because of the generally transitory nature of anti-EA responses, the presence of this antibody in an acute-phase serum at a titer ^1:20 would denote, with few exceptions, a current primary infection.
PpIX fluorescence combined with auto‐fluorescence is more accurate than PpIX fluorescence alone in fluorescence detection of non‐melanoma skin cancer: An intra‐patient direct comparison study

Previous research on fluorescence detection of non‐melanoma had mixed results. An accurate non‐invasive method for the detection of skin cancer is valuable to dermatologists because of the high incidence of skin cancer among the aging population. One notable difference between the methods of fluorescence detection previously studied was the use of the auto‐fluorescence of the skin. Currently, there has not been a direct comparison between both methods of fluorescence detection.
zeta-, epsilon-, and gamma-Globin mRNA in blood samples and CD71(+) cell fractions from fetuses and from pregnant and nonpregnant women, with special attention to identification of fetal erythroblasts.

BACKGROUND Information about the appearance of gamma-, epsilon-, and zeta-globin mRNAs in fetal erythroblasts during gestation and about the presence and amounts of these mRNAs in pregnant and nonpregnant women is important from the perspective of using these molecules as a marker of fetal erythroblasts. A specific marker is necessary for isolation and identification of fetal nucleated red blood cells from maternal blood samples for use in antenatal diagnosis of fetal genetic or chromosomal abnormalities. METHODS We used a very sensitive reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) method, coamplification analysis of gamma- and epsilon-globin cDNA, and quantitative analysis of gamma-globin mRNA based on competitive RT-PCR to investigate these aspects. RESULTS All adult whole-blood samples were negative for epsilon- and zeta-globin mRNA. Analyses of CD71(+) cell fractions showed that specimens from 19 of 20 nonpregnant and 10 of 14 pregnant women (at 9-13 weeks of gestation) were positive for gamma-globin mRNA (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.13), and those from 3 of 20 nonpregnant and 5 of 14 pregnant women were positive for zeta-globin mRNA (Fisher's exact test, P = 0.23). No epsilon-globin mRNA was detected in CD71(+) cell fractions from 1-mL blood samples from adults. CD71(+) cell fractions from eight fetal blood samples (at 17-20 weeks of gestation) were positive for all three globin mRNAs. We found no statistically significant difference between the amounts of gamma-globin mRNA in pregnant and nonpregnant women. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that epsilon-globin mRNA might function as a marker for fetal CD71(+) cells early in pregnancy. Although gamma-globin mRNA can be detected in CD71(+) cell fractions from most adults, these transcripts also may be of use because of a marked difference between adult and fetal values.
Diagnosis and modelling of proton-exchange-membrane fuel cell via electrochemical-impedance-spectroscopy and Acoustic-Emission measurements

The diagnosis and modelling of flooding or drying is an important factor in improving the reliability and durability of PEMFCs. Indeed, flooding and drying lead to a reduction in the output voltage delivered by the fuel cell. Among the various techniques, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Acoustic Emission (EA) are powerful tools. In this study, EIS and AE measurements were carried out respectively on a 500 W stack and on a 25 cm2 fuel cell. EIS measurements and its modelling by an electrical equivalent circuit model revealed that flooding mainly affects the transfer resistance and the cathodic Warburg impedance. AE measurements show that it is possible to follow the water content within the fuel cell. Coupling this two methods seem to be an interesting diagnosis tool.
Alterations of Rb Pathway Components Are Frequent Events in Patients with Oral Epithelial Dysplasia and Predict Clinical Outcome in Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that alterations in expression of G1/S modulators cyclin D1, p16 and pRb occur in patients with oral epithelial dysplasia, considered to be at increased risk for malignant transformation. In addition, the analysis of expression of all three markers in the same set of oral cancer patients would provide a unique opportunity to determine whether these alterations have cooperative or synergistic effects on oral cancer development and prognosis. Patients and Methods: A prospective study was undertaken to carry out immunohistochemical analysis of cyclin D1, p16 and pRb proteins in serial paraffin-embedded tissue sections of 220 oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs), 90 potentially malignant lesions (52 oral hyperplastic lesions, 38 dysplasias) and 81 matched histologically normal oral tissues and correlated them with clinicopathological parameters. Ninety-eight OSCC patients were followed up for a maximum period of 94 months with overall median survival of 21 months. Results: Seventy-five of 90 (83%) potentially malignant lesions and 198 of 220 (90%) OSCCs showed altered expression of at least one of the proteins in the pRb pathway, while 10 of 90 (11%) patients with potentially malignant lesions and 40 (18%) of 220 OSCC patients showed all three alterations. Loss of p16 was the earliest event in oral tumorigenesis. In a multivariate model, loss of pRb was associated with transition from hyperplasia to dysplasia (OR = 3.727, p = 0.005). The transition of potentially malignant lesions to malignant stage was associated with pRb–/cyclin D1+ phenotype (OR = 2.294, p = 0.001) and p53+ phenotype (OR = 2.230, p = 0.002). Loss of pRb and accumulation of p53 (pRb–/p53+) phenotype was associated with histologic progression of the tumors and acquisition of invasive potential. Multivariate analysis using Cox’s proportional hazards model revealed that pRb–/p53+ phenotype was the most significant adverse prognosticator for disease-free survival (hazards ratio, (HR) = 2.642, p = 0.004). Conclusions: Deregulation of the p16/pRb/cyclin D1 pathway is an early event in acquisition of dysplasia, but deregulation of both pRb and p53 pathways is associated with malignant transformation and adverse prognosis in oral tumorigenesis.
[Proprioception of the knee joint in patellofemoral pain syndrome].

OBJECTIVES The importance of proprioception in the etiology, treatment, and prevention of sports injuries and joint diseases has become increasingly clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate knee proprioception in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). METHODS The study included 28 patients (18 females, 10 males; mean age 28 years; range 16 to 48 years) with a clinical diagnosis of unilateral PFPS and 27 normal volunteers (13 females, 14 males; mean age 26 years; range 19 to 32 years) without any complaint related to the knee. The mean duration of complaints was 35.8 weeks (range 2 weeks to 3 years). In both patient and control groups, proprioception of the knee was measured by means of active joint position sense at four different target angles (15 degrees , 30 degrees , 45 degrees , 60 degrees ) with the use of a digital goniometer and the results were compared. RESULTS Proprioceptive errors were greater at all target angles in the affected knees compared to those measured in the contralateral knees and both knees of the controls. Differences between affected knees and contralateral knees ranged from 1.01+/-0.25 degrees to 1.65+/-0.43 degrees and were significant at three target angles (15 degrees , 30 degrees , 60 degrees ; p<0.05). Comparisons between the affected knees and both knees of the controls also showed significant differences at all target angles ranging from 2.48+/-0.92 degrees to 3.87+/-2.46 degrees (p<0.001). Errors obtained in the normal knees of the patients were also significantly greater compared to those seen in both knees of the controls, exceeding 2.7 degrees at some target angles (p<0.001). CONCLUSION Our results show that patients with PFPS have impaired proprioception in the affected knee accompanied by significant losses in the proprioception of the contralateral normal knee. Based on these findings, proprioceptive rehabilitation techniques should be incorporated into the treatment of PFPS.
Muscle–fat MRI: 1.5 tesla and 3.0 tesla versus histology

Introduction: We evaluated muscle/fat fraction (MFF) accuracy and reliability measured with an MR imaging technique at 1.5 Tesla (T) and 3.0T scanner strengths, using biopsy as reference. Methods: MRI was performed on muscle samples from pig and rabbit species (n = 8) at 1.5T and 3.0T. A chemical shift based 2‐point Dixon method was used, collecting in‐phase and out‐of‐phase data for fat/water of muscle samples. Values were compared with MFFs calculated from histology. Results: No significant difference was found between 1.5T and 3.0T (P values = 0.41–0.96), or between histology and imaging (P = 0.83) for any muscle tested. Conclusions: Results suggest that a 2‐point Dixon fat/water separation MRI technique may provide reliable quantification of MFFs at varying field strengths across different animal species, and consistency was established with biopsy. The results set a foundation for larger scale investigation of quantifying muscle fat in neuromuscular disorders. Muscle Nerve 50:170–176, 2014