Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Somatosensory evoked potential monitoring used to compare the effect of three asymmetric sternal retractors on brachial plexus function.

UNLABELLED We compared the effect of three different asymmetric sternal retractors on brachial plexus dysfunction using intraoperative somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs). We studied 60 patients undergoing coronary bypass and internal mammary harvest. Assessment of brachial plexus function was performed pre- and postoperatively. Patients were assigned the use of a Pittman (MN Scientific Instruments Inc., Minneapolis, MN), Rultract (Rultract Inc., Cleveland, OH), or Delacroix-Chevalier (Delacroix-Chevalier, Paris, France) asymmetric sternal retractor for internal mammary exposure. SSEP changes from baseline during asymmetric retractor use and removal were determined, and average changes were compared among the retractor groups. Patient demographics and baseline SSEP values were similar. Fewer patients in the Delacroix-Chevalier group had decreases in SSEP amplitudes after retractor placement. Of the patients in the Rultract and Pittman groups, 45% and 25%, respectively, had amplitude decreases of >50%, compared with only 5% of the Delacroix-Chevalier patients. Three patients in both the Pittman and Rultract groups and one patient in the Delacroix-Chevalier group suffered brachial plexus symptoms postoperatively. We conclude that the Delacroix-Chevalier retractor is associated with less neurophysiologic evidence of brachial plexus dysfunction during asymmetric sternal retraction compared with either the Pittman or Rultract sternal retractors. IMPLICATIONS We used somatosensory evoked potentials to assess the effect of several different asymmetric sternal retractors on brachial plexus dysfunction and to determine which produced the least evidence of nerve damage during surgical exposure of the internal mammary artery.
CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell therapy for the induction of donor-specific clinical transplantation tolerance

Naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been shown to play a key role in the control of autoimmunity. Interestingly, they are also capable of mediating transplantation tolerance and they can have indirect allospecificity for donor antigens. An increasing body of evidence in experimental studies has indicated that adoptive transfer of in vitro expanded CD4+CD25+ Tregs with indirect antidonor allospecificity can induce long-term donor-specific transplantation tolerance. Thus, adoptive cell therapy using patient-specific CD4+CD25+ Tregs as individualised medicine to promote clinical transplantation tolerance is promising.
Stenosis of the suprahepatic inferior vena cava as a complication of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in Budd‐Chiari patients

We report 2 patients with Budd‐Chiari (BC) syndrome secondary to thrombogenic conditions who underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement because of refractory ascites and impending liver failure. After TIPS placement, there was marked symptomatic relief and improvement in liver function, but the courses of both patients were complicated by the development of an inferior vena cava (IVC) syndrome caused by segmental stenosis of the suprahepatic IVC just at the outflow jet of the TIPS at 11 and 9 months later. One patient underwent liver transplantation, and the other patient, caval angioplasty and stenting. Stenosis of the IVC represents an unrecognized complication of TIPS in patients with BC syndrome.
Toward a Minimal Representation of Aerosols in Climate Models: Comparative Decomposition of Aerosol Direct, Semidirect, and Indirect Radiative Forcing

AbstractThe authors have decomposed the anthropogenic aerosol radiative forcing into direct contributions from each aerosol species to the planetary energy balance through absorption and scattering of solar radiation, indirect effects of anthropogenic aerosol on solar and infrared radiation through droplet and crystal nucleation on aerosol, and semidirect effects through the influence of solar absorption on the distribution of clouds. A three-mode representation of the aerosol in version 5.1 of the Community Atmosphere Model (CAM5.1) yields global annual mean radiative forcing estimates for each of these forcing mechanisms that are within 0.1 W m−2 of estimates using a more complex seven-mode representation that distinguishes between fresh and aged black carbon and primary organic matter. Simulating fresh black carbon particles separately from internally mixed accumulation mode particles is found to be important only near fossil fuel sources. In addition to the usual large indirect effect on solar radiati.
Purification , Crystallization , X-Ray Diffraction Analysis and Phasing of a Fungal 17 β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase

17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from the filamentous fungus Cochliobolus lunatus (17β-HSDcl) is an NADP(H) dependent enzyme that preferentially catalyses oxidoreduction of estrogens and androgens (Lani]nik Ritner et al., 1999). It is the only fungal HSD that has been cloned and purified so far (Lani]nik Ritner et al., 1999). 17β-HSDcl belongs to the short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) superfamily and contains the sequence characteristics of this family—a T-G-X-X-X-G-X-G motif found at the N-terminus, close to the dinucleotide binding site, and a Y-X-X-X-K motif as part of the active site (Lani]nik Ritner et al., 1999; Kallberg et al., 2002). 17β-HSDcl possesses a high percentage of sequence identity to fungal carbonyl reductases involved in the biosynthesis of aflatoxin and the fungal pigment melanin, including versicolorin reductase (Ver1) from Aspergillus parasiticus (66%), versicolorin reductase (VerA) from Emericella nidulans (65%), 1,3,8-trihydroxynaphtalene reductase (3HNR) from Magnaporthe grisea (58%) and other fungi and tetrahydroxynaphtalene reductase (4HNR) from Magnaporthe grisea (45%). Even though to a lesser extent 17β-HSDcl also bears sequence similarity to Escherichia coli 7α-HSD (35%) and to human 17β-HSD types 4 and 8 (30% Abstract
Secondary metabolites from Penicillium corylophilum isolated from damp buildings

Indoor exposure to the spores and mycelial fragments of fungi that grow on damp building materials can result in increased non-atopic asthma and upper respiratory disease. The mechanism appears to involve exposure to low doses of fungal metabolites. Penicillium corylophilum is surprisingly common in damp buildings in USA, Canada and western Europe. We examined isolates of P. corylophilum geographically distributed across Canada in the first comprehensive study of secondary metabolites of this fungus. The sesquiterpene phomenone, the meroterpenoids citreohybridonol and andrastin A, koninginin A, E and G, three new alpha pyrones and four new isochromans were identified from extracts of culture filtrates. This is the first report of koninginins, meroterpenoids and alpha pyrones from P. corylophilum. These secondary metabolite data support the removal of P. corylophilum from Penicillium section Citrina and suggest that further taxonomic studies are required on this species.
Lactic acid fermentation as a tool for increasing the folate content of foods

ABSTRACT Folate is an essential micronutrient involved in numerous vital biological reactions. The dietary consumption of naturally occurring vitamin B9 is often inadequate in many countries, and supplementation or fortification programs (using synthetic folic acid) are implemented to alleviate folate deficiency. Other food-based alternatives are possible, such as the use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to synthesize folate during fermentation. Many studies have been conducted on this topic, and promising results were reported for some fermented dairy products. However, in other studies, folate consumption by LAB or rather low folate production were observed, resulting in fermented foods that may not significantly contribute to the recommended B9 intake. In addition, the optimum conditions for folate biosynthesis by LAB are still not clear. The aim of this review was thus to (i) clarify the ability of LAB to produce folate in food products, (ii) check if the production of folate by LAB in various fermented foods is sufficient to meet human vitamin B9 requirements and (iii) suggest ways to optimize folate production by LAB in fermented food products.
10 Management of Recurrent or Persistent Ovarian Cancer

Approximately 70-80% of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer will relapse after first-line chemotherapy with a platinum and taxane-based combination. These patients require further treatment and they may benefit from local and/or systemic therapy. The prognosis is poor and the management of relapsed ovarian cancer remains a difficult problem open to research [National Cancer Institute (NCI), 2010]. Most patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma receive postoperative chemotherapy, either as adjuvant treatment after complete removal of all visible disease or because of residual tumor. Evaluation after chemotherapy completion includes CA 125 and imaging with chestX-Ray or CT scanning of the chest and CT scanning or MRI of the abdomen. The limitations of this evaluation are well known. In the past several institutions practiced a “second-look laparotomy”, which several times revealed widespread intra-abdominal disease in patients with a negative metastatic work-up. Early detection of persistent disease by second-look laparotomies after completing first-line treatment is no longer practiced, as it had no effect on patients’ outcome. The time to first relapse varies from a few months to several years (NCI, 2010). The median interval to first recurrence is 18 to 24 months. Half of the recurrences occur more than 12 months from the end of the first-line therapy, and one quarter of all recurrences occur at less than 6 months. Regarding recurrent sites at first relapse, the primary disease site is involved in fifty-five percent of the patients. Recurrence can also been noted in retroperitoneal or distant nodes, liver, spleen, brain, and bones. In order to clarify prognostic factors and to determine the best treatment approach grouping of recurrent patients has been applied. The results are not clear yet and more publications are needed. (Martin 2009; NCI 2011; Ushijima, 2010).
Connections of eye‐saccade‐related areas within mesencephalic reticular formation with the optic tectum in goldfish

Physiological studies demonstrate that separate sites within the mesencephalic reticular formation (MRF) can evoke eye saccades with different preferred directions. Furthermore, anatomical research suggests that a tectoreticulotectal circuit organized in accordance with the tectal eye movement map is present. However, whether the reticulotectal projection shifts with the gaze map present in the MRF is unknown. We explored this question in goldfish, by injecting biotin dextran amine within MRF sites that evoked upward, downward, oblique, and horizontal eye saccades. Then, we analyzed the labeling in the optic tectum. The main findings can be summarized as follows. 1) The MRF and the optic tectum were connected by separate axons of the tectobulbar tract. 2) The MRF was reciprocally connected mainly with the ipsilateral tectal lobe, but also with the contralateral one. 3) The MRF received projections chiefly from neurons located within intermediate and deep tectal layers. In addition, the MRF projections terminated primarily within the intermediate tectal layer. 4) The distribution of labeled neurons in the tectum shifted with the different MRF sites in a manner consistent with the tectal motor map. The area containing these cells was targeted by a high‐density reticulotectal projection. In addition to this high‐density topographic projection, there was a low‐density one spread throughout the tectum. 5) Occasionally, boutons were observed adjacent to tectal labeled neurons. We conclude that the organization of the reticulotectal circuit is consistent with the functional topography of the MRF and that the MRF participates in a tectoreticulotectal feedback circuit. J. Comp. Neurol. 500:6–19, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
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Insight Into the Kinetic of Amyloid β (1–42) Peptide Self‐Aggregation: Elucidation of Inhibitors’ Mechanism of Action

The initial transition of amyloid β (1–42) (Aβ42) soluble monomers/small oligomers from unordered/α‐helix to a β‐sheet‐rich conformation represents a suitable target to design new potent inhibitors and to obtain effective therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease. Under optimized conditions, this reliable and reproducible CD kinetic study showed a three‐step sigmoid profile that was characterized by a lag phase (prevailing unordered/α‐helix conformation), an exponential growth phase (increasing β‐sheet secondary structure) and a plateau phase (prevailing β‐sheet secondary structure). This kinetic analysis brought insight into the inhibitors' mechanism of action. In fact, an increase in the duration of the lag phase can be related to the formation of an inhibitor–Aβ complex, in which the non‐amyloidogenic conformation is stabilized. When the exponential rate is affected exclusively, such as in the case of Congo red and tetracycline, then the inhibitor affinity might be higher for the pleated β‐sheet structure. Finally, by adding the inhibitor at the end of the exponential phase, the soluble protofibrils can be disrupted and the Aβ amyloidogenic structure can revert into monomers/small oligomers. Congo red and tetracycline preferentially bind to amyloid in the β‐sheet conformation because both decreased the slope of the exponential growth, even if to a different extent, whereas no effect was observed for tacrine and galantamine. Some very preliminary indications can be derived about the structural requirements for binding to nonamyloidogenic or β‐sheet amyloid secondary structure for the development of potent antiaggregating agents. On these premises, memoquin, a multifunctional molecule that was designed to become a drug candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, was investigated under the reported circular dichroism assay and its anti‐amyloidogenic mechanism of action was elucidated.
Does penile rehabilitation have a role in the treatment of erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy?

In men undergoing radical treatment for prostate cancer, erectile function is one of the most important health-related quality-of-life outcomes influencing patient choice in treatment. Penile rehabilitation has emerged as a therapeutic measure to prevent erectile dysfunction and expedite return of erectile function after radical prostatectomy. Penile rehabilitation involves a program designed to increase the likelihood of return to baseline-level erectile function, as opposed to treatment, which implies the therapeutic treatment of symptoms, a key component of post–radical prostatectomy management. Several pathological theories form the basis for rehabilitation, and a plethora of treatments are currently in widespread use. However, whilst there is some evidence supporting the concept of penile rehabilitation from animal studies, randomised controlled trials are contradictory in outcomes. Similarly, urological guidelines are conflicted in terms of recommendations. Furthermore, it is clear that in spite of the lack of evidence for the role of penile rehabilitation, many urologists continue to employ some form of rehabilitation in their patients after radical prostatectomy. This is a significant burden to health resources in public-funded health economies, and no effective cost-benefit analysis has been undertaken to support this practice. Thus, further research is warranted to provide both scientific and clinical evidence for this contemporary practice and the development of preventative strategies in treating erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy.
Dynamics of circulating microparticles in liver transplant patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Microparticles are small membrane vesicles released from the cell plasma membrane, particularly in cell stress, apoptosis and altered cellular viability. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a hypervascular neoplasm with high levels of apoptosis and necrosis. We investigated the levels of circulating microparticles of both tumor and endothelial origins in liver transplant patients with hepatitis C (HepC) cirrhosis with and without HCC and compared them with healthy people and patients with partial hepatectomy. METHODS Using immunolabeling of microparticles of different origin and flow cytometry-based enumeration of microparticles, the levels of circulating microparticles were studied in 8 patients with HepC and 8 patients with both HepC and HCC before and within two weeks after the transplant. RESULTS The initial levels of circulating microparticles were increased in patients with HepC and HCC as compared to patients with HepC alone. They were also increased in liver transplant patients as compared to patients with partial hepatectomy or healthy people. Levels of circulating microparticles were dynamically changing after the transplant, showing an initial increase with a subsequent decrease by the end of the second week after surgery. In some patients with a complicated clinical outcome, the levels of microparticles were continuously increasing after the surgery. CONCLUSION The levels of circulating microparticles of endothelial and hepatic origin in liver transplant patients dynamically change after surgery and correlate with the clinical outcome. Perspectively, the levels of circulating microparticles may be used in clinical practice as a marker of the functional status of the transplanted liver.
Functional interactions as a survival strategy against abnormal aggregation

Protein aggregation is under intense scrutiny because of its role in human disease. Although increasing evidence indicates that protein native states are highly protected against aggregation, the specific protection mechanisms are poorly understood. Insight into such mechanisms can be gained through study of the relatively few proteins that aggregate under native conditions. Ataxin-3, the protein responsible for Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, a polyglutamine expansion disease, represents one of such examples. Polyglutamine expansion is central for determining solubility and aggregation rates of ataxin-3, but these properties are profoundly modulated by its N-terminal Josephin domain. This work aims at identifying the regions that promote Josephin fibrillogenesis and rationalizing the mechanisms that protect Josephin and nonexpanded ataxin-3 from aberrant aggregation. Using different biophysical techniques, aggregation propensity predictions and rational design of amino acid substitutions, we show that Josephin has an intrinsic tendency to fibrillize under native conditions and that fibrillization is promoted by two solvent-exposed patches, which are also involved in recognition of natural substrates, such as ubiquitin. Indeed, designed mutations at these patches or substrate binding significantly reduce Josephin aggregation kinetics. Our results provide evidence that protein nonpathologic function can play an active role in preventing aberrant fibrillization and suggest the molecular mechanism whereby this occurs in ataxin-3. —Masino, L. , Nicastro, G. , Calder, L. , Vendruscolo, M. , Pastore, A. Functional interactions as a survival strategy against abnormal aggregation.
EFFECTS OF INTENSIVE PHYSICAL TRAINING ON SERUM LIPIDS AND LIPOPROTEINS

ABSTRACT. The effects of intensive physical training of plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) and triglycerides (TG) were studied in 38 “sport school” children who had ten 45 min periods of exercises each week. The results were compared with those in 35 control “standard school” children who had only two 45 min periods of exercises. The exercise group demonstrated a significantly higher mean HDL‐C concentration and lower TG levels.
Conflicting management policies for the Arabian wolf Canis lupus arabs in the Negev Desert: is this justified?

Abstract Conservation plans may conflict when both predator and prey in the same ecological system are threatened species. In this study we present a problematic case of conflicting conservation policies involving the Arabian wolf Canis lupus arabs and two species of gazelles (Gazella gazella acaciae and Gazella dorcas), all of which are threatened in Israel. By studying genetic subdivision using faecal DNA we evaluated the policy of treating the Arabian wolves in the Negev Desert as two separate populations. We analysed 95 wolf faecal samples from 12 feeding sites c. 20 km apart. Network analysis and Bayesian clustering were used for separating populations. Mark–recapture design, rarefaction and an urn model were applied to estimate wolf population size. We found that wolves in the central and southern Negev cannot be genetically separated, and their density is similar in both regions. Our results provide a better baseline for a unified management of wolves in the Negev. We call for the consideration of other factors influencing gazelle population size before adopting drastic measures such as wolf removal.
Host-Microbial Interactions in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Periodontitis

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a potentially fatal complex autoimmune disease, that is characterized by widespread inflammation manifesting tissue damage and comorbidities across the human body including heart, blood vessels, joints, skin, liver, kidneys, and periodontal tissues. The etiology of SLE is partially attributed to a deregulated inflammatory response to microbial dysbiosis and environmental changes. In the mouth, periodontal environment provides an optimal niche to assay local dynamic microbial ecological changes in health and disease important to systemic inflammation in SLE subjects. Our aim was to evaluate the reciprocal impact of periodontal subgingival microbiota on SLE systemic inflammation. Ninety-one female subjects were recruited, including healthy (n=31), SLE-inactive (n=29), and SLE-active (n=31). Patients were screened for probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), clinical attachment level (CAL), and classified with or without periodontal dysbiosis, periodontitis. Serum inflammatory cytokines were measured by human cytokine panel and subgingival biofilm was examined by DNA-DNA checkerboard. The results showed significant upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in individuals with SLE when compared to controls. Stratification of subject’s into SLE-inactive (I) and SLE-active (A) phenotypes or periodontitis and non-periodontitis groups provided new insights into SLE pathophysiology. While low-grade inflammation was found in SLE-I subjects, a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10 was found to control clinical phenotypes. Out of twenty-four significant differential oral microbial abundances found in SLE, fourteen unique subgingival bacteria profiles were found to be elevated in SLE. Pathogens from periodontal disease sites (Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia) showed increase abundance in SLE-A subjects when compared to controls. Cytokine-microbial correlations showed that periodontal pathogens dominating the environment increased proinflammatory cytokines systemically. Deeper clinical attachment loss and periodontal pathogens were found in SLE subjects, especially on SLE-I, likely due to long-term chronic and low-grade inflammation. Altogether, local periodontal pathogen enrichment was positively associated with high systemic inflammatory profiles, relevant to the overall health and SLE disease pathogenesis.