Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Induction of long‐term graft acceptance by a combination treatment of donor splenocytes and CTLA4Ig in a high responder rat liver transplantation model

The CTLA4Ig has led to an improved survival rate in various allograft transplantation models. We investigated in a high responder rat model (Dark Agouti to Lewis) of orthotopic liver transplantation (ORLT), whether an additional adoptive cell transfer can enhance the effect of CTLA4Ig. After transplantation, recipients (n = 13/group) were treated with donor or third‐party splenocytes alone or in combination with CTLA4Ig. Administration of splenocytes alone had no significant effect on survival (median 13 days, range 9–14) compared with untreated controls (median 10 days, range 8–12). CTLA4Ig monotherapy prolonged survival to a median of 30 days (range 11–150) but resulted in long‐term graft rejection. The additional administration of third‐party splenocytes showed no significant improvement over CTLA4Ig monotherapy. Only the combination of donor splenocytes with CTLA4Ig led to long‐term graft acceptance (>150 days) without clinical and/or histological signs of rejection. A higher rate of apoptosis could be detected in livers at early time‐points in long‐term survivors receiving CTLA4Ig and donor splenocytes. Analysis of cytokine mRNA expression revealed a decrease of interleukin‐2 at early time‐points in all groups receiving CTLA4Ig; whereas, interferon‐γ was increased in long‐term survivors receiving CTLA4Ig and donor cells or donor cells alone. The combination of CTLA4Ig and donor derived splenocytes is potent to induce long‐term survival and graft acceptance. The mechanisms appear to involve the induction of an early inflammatory impulse and apoptosis.
Lack of promotion effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields on 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene‐induced malignant lymphoma/lymphatic leukemia in mice

New‐born CD‐1 mice were initiated with a single subcutaneous injection of 60 µg 7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) within 24 h after birth. After weaning, the mice were randomly divided into five groups of 100, 50 males and 50 females each. One group served as a cage control. The other four groups of mice were exposed to either 0 (sham‐exposed), 7, 70, or 350 µT(rms) circularly polarized 50 Hz magnetic fields (MFs) for 22 h/day, 7 days/week for 30 weeks. Animals were observed daily and the development of malignant lymphoma/lymphatic leukemia was examined histopathologically. The experiment was conducted twice. There was no observed sexual difference in the cumulative proportions of mice with malignant lymphoma/lymphatic leukemia and a 3‐way analysis of deviance using the Cox regression model revealed no interactions between experiment, sex, or group. The cumulative proportions of mice with malignant lymphoma/lymphatic leukemia in the MF‐exposed groups were not significantly higher than those in the sham‐exposed group of each sex in individual experiments and in males and females combined in each experiment, and in all the animals from the two experiments combined. These data provide no evidence to support the hypothesis that power frequency MFs is a significant risk factor for hematopoietic neoplasia. Bioelectromagnetics 29:29–38, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Profiling of differentially expressed chemotactic-related genes in MCP-1 treated macrophage cell line using human cDNA arrays.

AIM To study the global gene expression of chemotactic genes in macrophage line U937 treated with human monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) through the use of ExpreeChipHO2 cDNA array. METHODS Total RNA was extracted from MCP-1 treated macrophage line U937 and normal U937 cells, reversely transcribed to cDNA, and then screened in parallel with HO2 human cDNA array chip. The scanned result was additionally validated using RT-PCR. RESULTS The result of cDNA array showed that one chemotactic-related gene was up-regulated more than two-fold (RANTES) and seven chemotactic-related genes were down-regulated more than two-fold (CCR1, CCR5, ccl16, GRObeta, GROgamma, IL-8 and granulocyte chemotactic protein 2) in MCP-1 treated U937 cells at mRNA level. RT-PCR analysis of four of these differentially expressed genes gave results consistent with cDNA array findings. CONCLUSION MCP-1 could influence some chemokine and receptor expressions in macrophages in vitro. MCP-1 mainly down-regulates the expression of chemotactic genes influencing neutrophilic granulocyte expression (GRObeta, GROgamma, IL-8 and granulocyte chemotactic protein 2), and the mRNA level of CCR5, which plays a critical role in many disorders and illnesses.
Preliminary validation of Himawari-8/AHI navigation and calibration

The next-generation geostationary meteorological satellite of the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Himawari-8, entered operation on 7 July 2015. Himawari-8 features the new 16-band Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI), whose spatial resolution and observation frequency are improved over those of its predecessor MTSAT-series satellites. These improvements will bring unprecedented levels of performance in nowcasting services and short-range weather forecasting systems. In view of the essential nature of navigation and radiometric calibration in fully leveraging the imager’s potential, this study reports on the current status of navigation and calibration for the AHI. Image navigation is accurate to within 1 km, and band-to-band co-registration has also been validated. Infrared-band calibration is accurate to within 0.2 K with no significant diurnal variation, and is being validated using an approach developed under the GSICS project. Validation approaches are currently being tested for the visible and near-infrared bands. In this study, two of such approaches were compared and found to produce largely consistent results.
Parvovirus B 19 seroconversion in a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients

Erythrovirus B19 (B19V) infection, classically linked to a common benign exanthematic disease of childhood, may cause red cell aplasia in immunocompromised patients, including those infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (Young & Brown 2004). Anaemia is an independent predictive marker for clinical prognosis in HIV-infected patients (Mocroft et al. 1999, O’Brien et al. 2005). There are many causes of anaemia in HIVinfected patients, such as opportunistic infections and the use of antiretrovirals or antimicrobials (Abkowitz et al. 1997). Appropriate treatment for anaemia depends on the identification of the cause, for example, anaemia caused by B19V infection is treatable with high intravenous doses of human standard immunoglobulin (Frickhofen et al. 1990). Seroprevalence studies have shown that approximately 30% of adult HIV-infected patients have no antiB19V IgG antibodies and are therefore susceptible to the infection (Gyllensten et al. 1994, van Elsacker-Neile et al. 1996, Azevedo et al. 2009). These patients remain at risk for developing persistent anaemia if infected with B19V (Zuckerman et al. 1994). Epidemiological studies have shown that B19V infection occurs periodically in the form of outbreaks. These outbreaks represent an occasion in which susceptible individuals are at a higher risk of contracting B19V infection (Oliveira et al. 1996). Prior to the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era, B19V infection in immunosuppressed HIV-infected patients manifested as persistent anaemia. The treatment for this anaemia was multiple blood transfusions and high intravenous doses of human standard immunoglobulin. The introduction of HAART into clinical practice has improved the immune function of HIVinfected individuals. This altered immune function has modified the course of B19V infection in these patients. Due to HAART, the course of B19V infection in HIVinfected patients is similar to that in immunocompetent individuals (Mylonakis et al. 1999, Arribas et al. 2000). In the medical literature, there are only case reports about describing B19V seroconversion in HIV-positive patients and these have mostly occurred after the starting of HAART treatments (Bremner & Cohen 1994, Arribas et al. 2000, Taguchi et al. 2001, Ware & Moore 2001, Clarke & Lee 2003, Watanabe et al. 2011). To better understand the importance of B19V infection in the HAART era, we conducted a study to estimate the frequency of B19V seroconversion in a cohort of HIVinfected patients. We also examined the occurrence of anaemia caused by B19V infection during the seroconFinancial support: CNPq (473432/2010-2, 471618/2008-0) + Corresponding author: kmlazevedo@id.uff. br Received 29 June 2011 Accepted 11 January 2012 Parvovirus B19 seroconversion in a cohort of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients
Precommitment, Transparency and Monetary Policy

Conventional wisdom says that commitment eliminates the inflationary bias of monetary policy. However, this paper shows that the inflation bias can persist even when the central bank commits. A simple model is presented in which the central bank precommits by setting the policy instrument, and the subsequent adjustment of inflation expectations is part of the transmission mechanism. Generally there is still an inflation bias, despite the absence of a time-inconsistency problem. It is caused by uncertainty about the economic disturbances to which the central bank responds. Only perfect transparency about economic information completely eliminates the inflation bias.
Metabolic syndrome and risk for heart failure in middle-aged men

Objective: To explore metabolic syndrome as a possible risk factor for development of heart failure (HF). Design: Community-based cohort study. Setting: Uppsala, Sweden. Participants: 2314 50-year-old men free from HF, myocardial infarction and valvular disease at baseline were enrolled between 1970 and 1974 and were followed up until the age of 70. A modified National Cholesterol Education Program definition of metabolic syndrome was used with body mass index in the place of waist circumference. Main outcome measure: First hospitalisation for HF. Results: In multivariable Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for established risk factors for HF (hypertension, diabetes, ECG left ventricular hypertrophy, smoking and body mass index), the presence at baseline of metabolic syndrome (hazard ratio 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02 to 2.70) was a predictor of subsequent HF. This relation was even stronger after adjustment for the presence of an acute myocardial infarction during follow up in addition to the other established risk factors for HF (hazard ratio 1.80, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.91). Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome was a significant predictor of HF, independent of established risk factors for HF including an interim myocardial infarction, during two decades of follow up in a community-based sample of middle-aged men. This implies that metabolic syndrome provides important risk information beyond that of established risk factors for HF.
Time‐of‐day variations in oculomotor function: 1. Tonic accommodation and tonic vergence

Time‐of‐day variations were studied both in tonic accomodation and in tonic vergence. Thirty‐six male volunteers were measured once in the morning and at one other time on the same day. The mean baseline value of tonic accomodation was 2.02 D. Time‐of‐day variations were found, with a late evening measure being + 0.6 D greater than the morning value. No independent time‐of‐day fluctuations were found in tonic vergence. Post‐hoc analysis, however, showed that tonic vergence tended to shift in the same direction as an individual's tonic accommodation during the afternoon. During the evening, tonic vergences tended to shift oppositely to tonic accommodation.
Multiple stent delivery system Multi-LOC, a new technology for spot-stenting of the femoropopliteal artery - proof of concept study in a preclinical large animal model.

BACKGROUND A new stent system was studied in a porcine model to evaluate its feasibility for spot-stenting of the femoropopliteal artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a preliminary study in a single pig, handling and mechanical features of the novel multiple stent delivery system were tested. The Multi-LOC system demonstrated great feasibility regarding its pushability, trackability, and crossability. Excellent visibility of the individual stents allowed exact anatomically controlled implantation. In our main study, four to five short Multi-LOC stents (13 mm long) were implanted into the femoropopliteal arteries of six domestic pigs and long (60 to 100 mm) self-expandable nitinol stents were implanted into the same target vessel contralaterally to allow for intraindividual comparison. After four weeks survival under dual antiplatelet treatment, control angiography was performed. The animals were euthanized, stented vessels were explanted, and histologic sections were examined for the presence of neointimal formation. RESULTS Multi-LOC stents demonstrated no occlusion of the femoropopliteal axis (0 vs. 1 occlusion distal to a control stent), no stent fractures (0 out of 26 vs. 2 out of 6 control stents), and lower percentage diameter stenosis (0.564 ± 0.056 vs. 0.712 ± 0.089; p = 0.008) and length of stenosis (19.715 ± 5.225 vs. 39.397 ± 11.182; p = 0.007) compared to a standard control stent, which was similar in total length to the multiple stented artery segment. Histological examination confirmed myointimal hyperplasia underlying in-stent stenosis. CONCLUSIONS The multiple stent delivery system was studied in a porcine model, which demonstrated its feasibility. Preclinical experience revealed favourable results concerning stent fracture, restenosis, and patency of spot-stented femoropopliteal arteries.
Recent development and application of constant pH molecular dynamics

Solution pH is a critical environmental factor for chemical and biological processes. Over the last decade, significant efforts have been made in the development of constant pH molecular dynamics (pHMD) techniques for gaining detailed insights into pH-coupled dynamical phenomena. In this article, we review the advancement of this field in the past five years, placing a special emphasis on the development of the all-atom continuous pHMD technique. We discuss various applications, including the prediction of pKa shifts for proteins, nucleic acids and surfactant assemblies, elucidation of pH-dependent population shifts, protein–protein and protein–RNA binding, as well as the mechanisms of pH-dependent self-assembly and phase transitions of surfactants and peptides. We also discuss future directions for the further improvement of the pHMD techniques.
The replication initiator operon of promiscuous plasmid RK2 encodes a gene that complements an Escherichia coli mutant defective in single-stranded DNA-binding protein

The amino acid sequence of the 13-kDa polypeptide (P116) encoded by the first gene of the trfA operon of IncP plasmid RK2 shows significant similarity to several known single-stranded DNA-binding proteins. We found that unregulated expression of this gene from its natural promoter (trfAp) or induced expression from a strong heterologous promoter (trcp) was sufficient to complement the temperature-sensitive growth phenotype of an Escherichia coli ssb-1 mutant. The RK2 ssb gene is the first example of a plasmid single-stranded DNA-binding protein-encoding gene that is coregulated with replication functions, indicating a possible role in plasmid replication.
Accuracy of a sequential approach to identify young febrile infants at low risk for invasive bacterial infection

Introduction Much effort has been put in the past years to create and assess accurate tools for the management of febrile infants. However, no optimal strategy has been so far identified. A sequential approach evaluating, first, the appearance of the infant, second, the age and result of the urinanalysis and, finally, the results of the blood biomarkers, including procalcitonin, may better identify low risk febrile infants suitable for outpatient management. Objective To assess the value of a sequential approach (‘step by step’) to febrile young infants in order to identify patients at a low risk for invasive bacterial infections (IBI) who are suitable for outpatient management and compare it with other previously described strategies such as the Rochester criteria and the Lab-score. Methods A retrospective comparison of three different approaches (step by step, Lab-score and Rochester criteria) was carried out in 1123 febrile infants less than 3 months of age attended in seven European paediatric emergency departments. IBI was defined as isolation of a bacterial pathogen from the blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Results Of the 1123 infants (IBI 48; 4.2%), 488 (43.4%) were classified as low-risk criteria according to the step by step approach (vs 693 (61.7%) with the Lab-score and 458 (40.7%) with the Rochester criteria). The prevalence of IBI in the low-risk criteria patients was 0.2% (95% CI 0% to 0.6%) using the step by step approach; 0.7% (95% CI 0.1% to 1.3%) using the Lab-score; and 1.1% (95% CI 0.1% to 2%) using the Rochester criteria. Using the step by step approach, one patient with IBI was not correctly classified (2.0%, 95% CI 0% to 6.12%) versus five using the Lab-score or Rochester criteria (10.4%, 95% CI 1.76% to 19.04%). Conclusions A sequential approach to young febrile infants based on clinical and laboratory parameters, including procalcitonin, identifies better patients more suitable for outpatient management.
Pulmonary Complications in Falciparum Malaria in a tertiary care center in costal Andhra Pradesh

Malaria is a treatable cause of acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Due to variation in clinical presentation, pulmonary manifestations in malaria has always been underdiagnosed. A total 95 patients with severe falciparum malaria were included in this study. The diagnosis of malaria was confirmed by examination of peripheral smear / OptiMal test/ QBC. Arterial blood gas analysis was done in patients who developed respiratory symptom. It was observed that out of 41 patients showing respiratory symptoms ARDS was present 8 ((8.42%) no. of cases, Acute lung injury in 4(4.21%) cases and Pneumonia in 4 (4.21%) cases. ARDS was more common in patients with heavy parasitemia (75% with >20% parasitemia), hypoalbuminemia(75%) and anemia(62.5%). All patients with respiratory distress were given ventilator support. Patients with ARDS showed a high mortality rate of 75%. ARDS in malaria have a poor disease outcome. Early diagnosis, institution of specific antimalarial treatment and assisted ventilation can be life-saving.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamic Effects of the Oral DPP‐4 Inhibitor Sitagliptin in Middle‐Aged Obese Subjects

Sitagliptin (MK‐0431) is an oral, potent, and selective dipeptidyl peptidase‐IV (DPP‐4) inhibitor developed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. This multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study examined the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of sitagliptin in obese subjects. Middle‐aged (45–63 years), nondiabetic, obese (body mass index: 30–40 kg/m2) men and women were randomized to sitagliptin 200 mg bid (n = 24) or placebo (n = 8) for 28 days. Steady‐state plasma concentrations of sitagliptin were achieved within 2 days of starting treatment, and >90% of the dose was excreted unchanged in urine. Sitagliptin treatment led to ∼90% inhibition of plasma DPP‐4 activity, increased active glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) levels by 2.7‐fold (P < .001), and decreased post—oral glucose tolerance test glucose excursion by 35% (P < .050) compared to placebo. In nondiabetic obese subjects, treatment with sitagliptin 200 mg bid was generally well tolerated without associated hypoglycemia and led to maximal inhibition of plasma DPP‐4 activity, increased active GLP‐1, and reduced glycemic excursion.
Detection of herpes simplex virus type 1 in human vestibular nuclei

Article abstract The distribution of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in human geniculate, vestibular ganglia, and vestibular nuclei was determined in 10 human temporal bones and brainstems of five individuals by PCR. HSV-1 was found in 3 of 10 of each ganglia and vestibular nuclei. The various patterns of HSV-1 infection of vestibular structures are compatible with virus migration from the vestibular ganglia to the vestibular nuclei and from the ipsilateral to the contralateral vestibular nucleus via commissural fibers.
Is antenatal screening for syphilis worth while?

patients were charged at the 75010 rebate level of the Medicare benefit. The cost of the initial screening tests, the rapid plasma reagin test (item no. 2184), would be $15.50 per test. This is $13.60 more than the cost to the Royal Women's Hospital, and raises two related questions. Is the Medicare rebate rate enormously overpriced or were there indirect costs in performing the test that were not covered by Garland and Kelly? We suspect the latter and suggest that capital costs, secretarial costs, the costs of stationery and of venesectionand transport costs may well have been underestimated.
Glaucoma in the Marfan syndrome.

PREVIOUS STUDIES OF PATIENTS WITH THE MARFAN SYNDROME SUGgested that glaucoma may be a common ocular finding. Glaucoma has been reported in patients with ectopic lenses as part of the syndrome. 1,2 Maumenee3 reported five patients with the Marfan syndrome out of 160 who lost significant visual acuity due to glaucoma. Cross and Jensen4 diagnosed glaucoma in 7.7% of eyes with ectopia lentis and in 14.8% of aphakic eyes in patients with the Marfan syndrome. Wakita and coworkers5 found glaucoma in 22 eyes of 104 patients with the Marfan syndrome. We report on the prevalence of glaucoma in 573 patients with the Marfan syndrome.
An in vivo rat model to investigate female vaginal arousal response.

PURPOSE We established a rat model to investigate the female vaginal arousal response and the role of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway on vaginal blood flow in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS Vaginal blood flow changes induced by pelvic nerve stimulation (PNS) in female Sprague-Dawley rats were determined by laser Doppler flowmetry. Frequency response data were determined in each animal. In addition, changes in vaginal blood flow were measured after intravenous administration of the NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) or the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor sildenafil in response to PNS at submaximal frequency. Changes in blood flow were evaluated by comparing the area under the curve of each response. RESULTS Reproducible frequency dependent increases in vaginal blood flow were observed in response to PNS. Administration of L-NAME (a NO synthase inhibitor) resulted in significant attenuation (25.6% to 18.2% vs control at 30 minutes, p <0.00001) of the PNS induced increase in vaginal blood flow. In contrast, sildenafil administration significantly increased PNS induced vaginal blood flow (166.9% +/- 25.8% vs control at 30 minutes, p <0.00001). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that the rat is a useful and reliable animal model for investigating the vaginal arousal response. In addition, we used this model to demonstrate the important role of the NO-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway in vaginal arousal.
Mediastinal Tumors: A Clinicopathological Analysis

Between January 1993 and June 2003, 106 patients underwent surgical treatment of a mediastinal mass. Ages ranged from 6 months to 62 years, with peak incidence in the third and fourth decade of life (56%). The male to female ratio was 1.9:1. The anterosuperior mediastinum was involved in 76 patients (72%), middle mediastinum in 13 (12%), and posterior mediastinum in 17 (16%). Myasthenia gravis was present in 27% of cases. Complete surgical excision was possible in 68% of patients. Histopathologically, 41 (39%) patients had thymic pathology, 31 (29%) had lymphoma, 14 (13%) had germ cell tumors, 12 (11%) had neurofibroma, 4 (4%) had ganglioneuroma, 2 (2%) had bronchogenic cyst, and 1 each had thymic cyst and mesothelioma. The overall mortality was 3.8%.