Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
UVA‐INDUCED AUTOCRINE STIMULATION OF FIBROBLAST‐DERIVED COLLAGENASE/MMP‐1 BY INTERRELATED LOOPS OFINTERLEUKIN–1 andINTERLEUKIN–6

Abstract— Previous work has shown that fibroblast‐derived collagenase/matrix‐metalloproteinase‐1(MMP–1), responsible for the breakdown of dermal interstitial collagen, was dose‐dependently induced in vitro and in vivo by UVA irradiation and this induction was at least partly mediated byinterleukin–6(IL–6). We here provide evidence that UVA‐inducedIL–1α andIL–1β play a central role in the induction of the synthesis both ofIL–6 and collagenase/MMP–1. In contrast to the late increase ofIL–1α andIL–1β mRNA levels at 6 h postirradiation, bioactivity ofIL–1 is already detectable at 1 h postirradiation. This early peak ofIL–1 bioactivity appears to be responsible for the induction ofIL–6 synthesis and together withIL–6 lead to an increase of the steady‐state mRNA level of collagenase/MMP–1 as deduced from studies usingIL–1α andIL–1β antisense oligonucleotides or neutralizing antibodies againstIL–1α andIL–1β Besides the early posttranslationally controlled release of intracellularIL–1, a latter pretranslationally controlled synthesis and release ofIL–1 perpetuates the UV response. From these data we suggest a UV‐induced cytokine network consisting ofIL–1α,IL–1β andIL–6, which via interrelated autocrine loops induce collagenase/MMP–1 and thus may contribute to the loss of interstitial collagen in cutaneous photoaging.
Effect of cyclic 3', 5' adenosin-monophosphate on osteogenesis embryonic bone cultivated in tissue culture: an autoradiographic study.

UNLABELLED The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cyclic 3', 5' adenosin-monophosphate (cAMP) on DNA synthesis of embryonic alveolar bone in tissue culture. MATERIAL AND METHODS Bone fragments were cultured in the medium composed of 80% medium 199, 15% horse serum, 4 mg/ml glucose, 100 microg/ml penicillin using the grid method. The explants were cultured up to 12 days. In the second series, the effect of cAMP in a concentration of 10(-6)M on bone during 12 days was studied. DNA synthesis was determined by calculating mitotic labelling indices for (3)H-thymidine incorporation into cells within cultured explants at 3 to 12 days. The medium was supplemented with 1 microCurie/ml (3)H-thymidine for 4 hours and processed for autoradiography. The mitotic labelling index was determined in the histological sections. All values wer presented as mean+/-standard deviation. Statistical significance was defined by p-values of 0.05 or less. RESULTS Morphological and statistical analysis showed that there were differences in mitotic incidence (MI) and silver grain densities over osteoblasts in control cultures and with cAMP. The mean value of MI was 4,627+/-1,001 in control and 7,706+/-1,188 in the cultures where cAMP was added (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Thus cAMP inhibited bone resorption and stimulated new bone formation in tissue culture. This study provides a novel concept that may help to identify new therapeutic targets.
[What is self-harm?].

BACKGROUND The aim with this article is to provide an introduction to self-harm as a clinical phenomenon, with phenomenological descriptions and definitions, and by presenting risk factors, epidemiological data and functions of self-harm. MATERIAL AND METHOD The basis for the article is a non-systematic literature search of the electronic databases Medline, PsychInfo and EMBASE (1985 - 2008). and our own archive of literature on self-harm. RESULTS There is some evidence for an increase in the prevalence of self-harm. Among possible risk factors are childhood abuse, abandonment, neglect, trauma and separation, and the affective quality of the attachment bonds in childhood. A common factor is self-harm as a bodily practice for affect regulation, and as such, it can be understood as a dysfunctional competence. INTERPRETATION To search for understanding of self-harm in individual, familiar and cultural contexts contributes to meet individuals with such tendencies with empathy and beneficial interventions.
The presence of Rickettsia is associated with increased susceptibility of Bemisia tabaci (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) to insecticides.

BACKGROUND The presence of certain symbiotic microorganisms may be associated with insecticide resistance in insects. The authors compared the susceptibility of two isofemale lines, Rickettsia-plus and Rickettsia-free, of the sweet potato whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) to major insecticides from different chemical groups, including imidacloprid, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, pyriproxyfen, spiromesifen and diafenthiuron. RESULTS While the Rickettsia-plus and Rickettsia-free lines showed no differences in their susceptibility to imidacloprid and diafenthiuron, higher susceptibility of the Rickettsia-plus line to acetamiprid, thiamethoxam, spiromesifen and especially pyriproxyfen was observed. LC(90) values indicated that the Rickettsia-free line was 15-fold more resistant to pyriproxyfen than the Rickettsia-plus line. CONCLUSION Findings indicate that the infection status of B. tabaci populations by Rickettsia is an important consideration that should be taken into account when performing resistance monitoring studies, and may help in understanding the dynamics of B. tabaci resistance, symbiont-pest associations in agricultural systems and the biological impact of Rickettsia on whitefly biology.
EVALUATION OF ONYX HD‐500 EMBOLIC SYSTEM IN THE TREATMENT OF 84 WIDE‐NECK INTRACRANIAL ANEURYSMS

OBJECTIVEWe report our results using Onyx HD-500 (Micro Therapeutics, Inc., Irvine, CA) in the endovascular treatment of wide-neck intracranial aneurysms, which have a high rate of incomplete occlusion and recanalization with platinum coils. METHODSSixty-nine patients with 84 aneurysms were treated. Most of the aneurysms were located in the anterior circulation (80 of 84 aneurysms), were unruptured (74 of 84 aneurysms), and were incidental. Ten presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage, and 15 were symptomatic. All aneurysms had wide necks (neck >4 mm and/or dome-to-neck ratio <1.5). Fifty aneurysms were small (<12 mm), 30 were large (12 to <25 mm) and 4 were giant. Angiographic follow-up was available for 65 of the 84 aneurysms at 6 months, for 31 of the 84 aneurysms at 18 months, and for 5 of the 84 aneurysms at 36 months. RESULTSComplete aneurysm occlusion was seen in 65.5% of aneurysms on immediate control, in 84.6% at 6 months, and in 90.3% at 18 months. The rates of complete occlusion were 74%, 95.1%, and 95.2% for small aneurysms and 53.3%, 70%, and 80% for large aneurysms at the same follow-up periods. Progression from incomplete to complete occlusion was seen in 68.2% of all aneurysms, with a higher percentage in small aneurysms (90.9%). Aneurysm recanalization was observed in 3 patients (4.6%), with retreatment in 2 patients (3.3%). Procedural mortality was 2.9%. Overall morbidity was 7.2%. CONCLUSIONOnyx embolization of intracranial wide-neck aneurysms is safe and effective. Morbidity and mortality rates are similar to those of other current endovascular techniques. Larger samples and longer follow-up periods are necessary.
An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration

ABSTRACT An evidence-based systematic review of cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.), including written and statistical analysis of scientific literature, expert opinion, folkloric precedent, history, pharmacology, kinetics/dynamics, interactions, adverse effects, toxicology, and dosing, by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration is discussed in this monograph.
The Impact of Investor-State Dispute Settlement on States’ IP Legal Regime: A Comparative Study on International Investment Agreements

In the midst of the current discourse on the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (“ISDS”), the thesis aims to shed a light on the mechanism of ISDS and its impact on the states’ Intellectual Property (“IP”) legal regime. Under the doctrine of sovereignty and the territorial attribute of IP rights, the laws and policy on IP protection has always been in full competence of the nation-states. Such IP legal regime of a state may be perceived to be at risk under the mechanism of ISDS, in which foreign investors are permitted the channel to directly challenging the measures adopted by the host states’ of their investment. The thesis makes a contention that ISDS does not necessarily intervene with the states’ IP legal regime, under the arguments that international investment agreements (“IIAs”) contain implications to safeguarding the states’ sovereignty, at least in regards to the states’ IP legal regime. A comparative research is conducted on a selected list of IIAs that provide for the ISDS mechanism in order to be able to critically analyse the impact of ISDS. Although the comparative research is not conducted on the entire aspects of the IIAs that imply the states’ discretions reserved in their IP legal regime under the IIAs, due to the limited scale of the research, the research finds some of the essential aspects within the IIAs that indicate the discretions reserved on the receiving states of the investment in regards to their IP legal regime. This research finds that such limitations to safeguarding the states’ IP legal regime may be implied in various ways within the text of IIAs. IIAs may limited the scope of subject matter of the treaties, in its entirety, or may reserve the discretion to defining the subject matter of the treaty on the receiving states of the investments. IIAs make distinctions between the obligations to be imposed on the pre-established investment and the post-established investment in the territories of the receiving states. IIAs may limit who may have standing to ISDS as well. Lastly among the findings of the research, IIAs may limit the competence of arbitral tribunals in their capacity to render final awards and the binding effects of the final awards.
3D camera based on linear-mode gain-modulated avalanche photodiodes

In the last few years, both the scientific and industrial communities have shown an increasing interest in range imaging, due to its potential exploitation in various application domains such as robotics, security and surveillance, vehicle safety, gaming, and mobile applications. Among the diversity of techniques available for range detection, Time-of-Flight (ToF) offers advantages in terms of compact system realization, good performance, and low required computational power. The last works on ToF sensors, presenting demodulation sensors based on photon-mixing devices [1, 2], and time-counting sensors based on single-photon avalanche diodes [3], have shown a trend towards higher resolutions, with a consequent reduction of pixel size, higher modulation frequencies, and demodulation contrast to allow better distance precision. In this paper, we introduce a range camera concept that exploits linear-mode avalanche photodiodes (APD) as in-pixel demodulating detectors [4]. Thanks to photocurrent gain modulation, APDs can combine optical sensing and light-signal demodulation in a single device. The main advantage of the APD implementation is the possibility to operate at high frequencies, due to its very wide bandwidth.
Chronic Sinusitis with Nasal Polyps: Staphylococcal Exotoxin Immunoglobulin E and Cellular Inflammation

Background The etiology of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyposis (CS/NP) remains enigmatic. Frequently, Staphylococcus aureus is present in the nose of CS/NP patients, although the significance is unclear. Recent reports have suggested the hypothesis that these bacteria may secrete exotoxins triggering the inflammatory mucosal changes seen in CS/NP. This mechanism of immunopathology has been established in other diseases associated with Staphylococcus colonization and exotoxin secretion such as atopic dermatitis. In atopic dermatitis, the exotoxins incite a local superantigen response in which clonal T-cell activation and massive cytokine release occur in the affected skin. Second, these exotoxins can act as traditional allergens, stimulating a typical immunoglobulin E (IgE) response in the serum, which has been correlated with disease severity. This study is designed to begin the assessment of the hypothesis that a similar mechanism takes place in CS/NP. Methods Serum was drawn from patients with CS/NP undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery as well as 13 atopic and nonatopic control subjects without sinusitis. IgE levels to S. aureus exotoxins A (SEA), SE exotoxins B (SEB), and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Tissue eosinophilia and the presence of lymphocytes on hemotoxylin and eosin-stained sections of polyps were scored by a blinded pathologist and correlated to presence of toxin IgE in the serum. Results Staphylococcal exotoxin (SE)-specific IgE was found in the serum of 5/10 (50%) of the patients with CS/NP. In contrast, 0/13 control patients had IgE to the exotoxins (p = 0.031). Polyp eosinophil, lymphocyte, and mononuclear cell counts were compared in IgE exotoxin-positive and -negative subjects. A trend toward increased eosinophil counts in patients with SE IgE (SE IgE+) was present, but not statistically significant. Conclusion These results indicate that a high percentage of CS/NP patients show a systemic IgE response to S. aureus exotoxins in comparison with controls without CS/NP. Although these results are consistent with the actions of Staphylococcus toxins in other diseases, additional work is necessary to establish a local superantigen response in the nasal mucosa of CS/NP patients. (American Journal of Rhinology 18, 273–278, 2004)
Conformational flexibility and polymerization of vesicular stomatitis virus matrix protein.

The matrix protein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) plays a pivotal role in viral assembly. We previously demonstrated the ability of M protein to self-associate at low salt concentrations. Now, we show the ability of M protein to polymerize in the presence of ZnCl2 in a nucleation-dependent manner. Analysis of kinetics revealed that the nuclei are probably made of three or four molecules of M. These results are consistent with the idea that in vitro self association of M protein is not due to amorphous aggregation but rather reflects an intrinsic ability of M to polymerize. Using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, we showed that M polymerization is associated with an increase in the beta-sheet content of the protein. We propose a model explaining both the apparent M protein solubility in infected cells and how M polymerization could promote viral assembly. Data available for other negative strand viruses suggest that M polymerization may be the general basis of viral assembly.
IL-18 and Subcapsular Lymph Node Macrophages are Essential for Enhanced B Cell Responses with TLR4 Agonist Adjuvants

Designing modern vaccine adjuvants depends on understanding the cellular and molecular events that connect innate and adaptive immune responses. The synthetic TLR4 agonist glycopyranosyl lipid adjuvant (GLA) formulated in a squalene-in-water emulsion (GLA-SE) augments both cellular and humoral immune responses to vaccine Ags. This adjuvant is currently included in several vaccines undergoing clinical evaluation including those for tuberculosis, leishmaniasis, and influenza. Delineation of the mechanisms of adjuvant activity will enable more informative evaluation of clinical trials. Early after injection, GLA-SE induces substantially more Ag-specific B cells, higher serum Ab titers, and greater numbers of T follicular helper (TFH) and Th1 cells than alum, the SE alone, or GLA without SE. GLA-SE augments Ag-specific B cell differentiation into germinal center and memory precursor B cells as well as preplasmablasts that rapidly secrete Abs. CD169+ SIGNR1+ subcapsular medullary macrophages are the primary cells to take up GLA-SE after immunization and are critical for the innate immune responses, including rapid IL-18 production, induced by GLA-SE. Depletion of subcapsular macrophages (SCMф) or abrogation of IL-18 signaling dramatically impairs the Ag-specific B cell and Ab responses augmented by GLA-SE. Depletion of SCMф also drastically reduces the Th1 but not the TFH response. Thus the GLA-SE adjuvant operates through interaction with IL-18–producing SCMф for the rapid induction of B cell expansion and differentiation, Ab secretion, and Th1 responses, whereas augmentation of TFH numbers by GLA-SE is independent of SCMф.
Long-Term Follow-Up, Clinical Features, and Quality of Life in a Series of 103 Patients With Hyperimmunoglobulinemia D Syndrome

The hyperimmunoglobulinemia D and periodic fever syndrome (HIDS), one of the autoinflammatory syndromes, is caused by mutations in the gene coding for mevalonate kinase (MVK). We conducted the current study to assess the genetic, laboratory, and clinical features as well as the complications and course of disease in patients with genetically confirmed HIDS. In addition, we studied the quality of life and course of life in a selection of patients. Follow-up data were obtained by a questionnaire sent to all physicians of patients in the International HIDS Database. In addition, we assessed the course of life and quality of life in Dutch patients aged >16 years using validated quality of life instruments. Data were obtained from 103 patients from 18 different countries. The median age of first attack was 6 months (range, 0-120 mo), with a median period of 9.9 years from onset of disease to diagnosis. The most frequent symptoms that accompanied attacks of fever were lymphadenopathy, abdominal pain, arthralgia, diarrhea, vomiting, skin lesions, and aphthous ulcers. Amyloidosis was a severe but infrequent complication (2.9%). The median serum IgD level was 400 U/mL. IgD levels were normal in 22% of patients. The 4 most prevalent mutations (V377I, I268T, H20P/N, P167L) accounted for 71.5% of mutations found. The frequency of attacks decreased with the patient's increasing age, although 50% of patients over the age of 20 years still had 6 or more attacks per year. Many drugs have been tried in HIDS. Some patients responded to high-dose prednisone (24.4% response). Anakinra and etanercept can also be effective (33.3% response). Quality of life was determined in a subgroup of patients (n = 28). Social functioning, general health perception, and vitality were significantly lower in patients with HIDS than in controls, as were autonomy and social development. In addition, HIDS had an adverse impact on educational achievements and employment status. In conclusion, HIDS is an early-onset disease that is accompanied by an array of inflammatory symptoms. Although the frequency of attacks decreases during the patient's life, many patients continue to have frequent attacks. HIDS impairs several aspects of quality of life. Abbreviations: FMF = familial Mediterranean fever, HIDS = hyperimmunoglobulinemia D and periodic fever syndrome, MKD = mevalonate kinase deficiency, MVA = mevalonic aciduria, MVK = mevalonate kinase, RAND-36 = RAND-36 Health Survey, TAAQoL = TNOAZL Adult Quality of Life questionnaire, TRAPS = tumor necrosis factor-1 receptor-associated periodic syndrome
From “Death Sentence” to “Good Cancer”: Couples’ Transformation of a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

BackgroundWhile little is known about the couple’s process of moving from diagnosis of prostate cancer to treatment, it is acknowledged that cancer—and prostate cancer in particular—affects the couple, not just the patient. This highlighted the need to illuminate this process as a foundation for development of nursing interventions. ObjectivesTo describe the experience of men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer and their wives, from the time of diagnosis through staging to the completion of radical prostatectomy. MethodsA qualitative cross-sectional approach was used to elicit couples’ experiences from diagnosis to the time of the interview including their response to diagnosis, their treatment decision-making process, and how the couple moved from the decision to have surgery through the staging process to the time that the surgery was completed. A total of 20 couples participated. ResultsAnalysis of the data revealed that a number of themes related to the couples’ process of moving from diagnosis to treatment. Initially, the diagnosis of prostate cancer represented a loss of control that led these couples to put themselves through a “crash course” on prostate cancer. The information gathered led these couples to conclude that prostate cancer was “good cancer. ” This enabled them to refocus their energies and start their “quest for the best” treatment and surgeon. Once this was accomplished, the couples began to prepare for surgery that culminated in the turning over of complete control to the surgeon and hospital staff at the time of surgery. ConclusionsThe participants discovered they were able to manage the demands presented by the intrusion of a cancer diagnosis and mount a response to what at first threatened to be a “death sentence. ” By engaging in the challenge of gathering a volume of facts and a variety of details, they could make informed decisions. Couples were able to regain a sense of control through the engagement in decision-making related to treatment, surgeon, and hospital, and through the transformation of the meaning of the malignant diagnosis to that of a “good cancer. ”
Single or double distal locking in intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fractures: a prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND The number of distal locking screws may have an effect on union, complication rates and operation time. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of one or two distal locking screws in unreamed intramedullary nailing of closed or grade 1 open, simple or wedge tibial shaft fractures on the incidence of malunion, delayed union, non-union, and screw failure. METHODS Fifty-seven patients (39 male, 18 female; mean age 38.5+/-10.7 years) were randomized to two groups as either one or two distal locking screws and were evaluated prospectively for the incidences of malunion, delayed union, non-union, and screw failure. Twenty-nine patients were included in the two distal screws group and 28 patients in the single distal screw group. Groups were then subdivided to end fractures (proximal+distal end fractures) or mid-shaft fractures and reevaluated for the incidences of complications. Mann-Whitney U, chi-square and T tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Mean follow-up was 2.4 years (range, 1.5-4.7 years). There was no case of malunion in either group. The incidences of delayed union, non-union or screw failure were not different (p>0.05). However, complication rate for end fractures in the two screw group was higher than that in the one screw group (p:0.04). CONCLUSION For non-complex, closed or grade 1 open tibial shaft fractures, locking of an intramedullary nail with a single distal screw is safe, and may help to decrease operation time and radiation exposure.