Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GSNOR Deficiency Enhances In Situ Skeletal Muscle Strength, Fatigue Resistance, and RyR1 S-Nitrosylation Without Impacting Mitochondrial Content and Activity.

AIM Nitric oxide (NO) plays important, but incompletely defined roles in skeletal muscle. NO exerts its regulatory effects partly though S-nitrosylation, which is balanced by denitrosylation by enzymes such as S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR), whose functions in skeletal muscle remain to be fully deciphered. RESULTS GSNOR null (GSNOR-/-) tibialis anterior (TA) muscles showed normal growth and were stronger and more fatigue resistant than controls in situ. However, GSNOR-/- lumbrical muscles showed normal contractility and Ca2+ handling in vitro, suggesting important differences in GSNOR function between muscles or between in vitro and in situ environments. GSNOR-/- TA muscles exhibited normal mitochondrial content, and capillary densities, but reduced type IIA fiber content. GSNOR inhibition did not impact mitochondrial respiratory complex I, III, or IV activities. These findings argue that enhanced GSNOR-/- TA contractility is not driven by changes in mitochondrial content or activity, fiber type, or blood vessel density. However, loss of GSNOR led to RyR1 hypernitrosylation, which is believed to increase muscle force output under physiological conditions. cGMP synthesis by soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) was decreased in resting GSNOR-/- muscle and was more responsive to agonist (DETANO, BAY 41, and BAY 58) stimulation, suggesting that GSNOR modulates cGMP production in skeletal muscle. INNOVATION GSNOR may act as a "brake" on skeletal muscle contractile performance under physiological conditions by modulating nitrosylation/denitrosylation balance. CONCLUSIONS GSNOR may play important roles in skeletal muscle contractility, RyR1 S-nitrosylation, fiber type specification, and sGC activity. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 26, 165-181.
CD45-positive cells of the retina and their responsiveness to in vivo and in vitro treatment with IFN-gamma or anti-CD40.

PURPOSE The ability to mount antigen-specific immune reactions in the retina demonstrates local recognition of retinal antigens. However, properties of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) of the retina are uncertain. The current study was undertaken to look for evidence of CD45(+) cells with APC potential in the retina and to examine their in situ and in vitro responses to IFN-gamma and anti-CD40, two stimuli known to upregulate activities associated with antigen presentation. METHODS Mice were pretreated with systemic or intracameral (IC) inoculations of IFN-gamma or anti-CD40. Retinas were harvested, enzymatically dissociated, positively selected with anti-CD45, and analyzed by flow cytometry with antibodies known to identify APCs. RESULTS The most common CD45(+) retinal cells were CD11b(+), F4/80(+), CD8 alpha(+), CD80(+), and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II(lo), a phenotype characteristic of central nervous system (CNS) microglia (MG). There was also a small population of DEC-205(+) cells and a smaller number of CD11c(+) cells, both markers of dendritic cells (DCs). IC inoculation of IFN-gamma led to an increase in the number of CD45(+) cells and a modest upregulation of MHC class II on CD11b(+) cells. IC inoculation of anti-CD40 also increased the total number of CD45(+) cells and the number of CD11b(+) cells, but increases in CD80 and MHC class II expression on CD11b(+) cells were insignificant. After anti-CD40 treatment, CD45(hi)11c(+) cells increased in number and altered their expression of CD11b. CONCLUSIONS Retinal MG were readily identified as the most numerous population. A small population of cells with perivascular cell (PVC)-like properties was found. They were CD45(hi)11c(+), some had elevated MHC class II, and they were affected by anti-CD40 treatment in vivo. No conventional DCs were found, although there was a distinct DEC-205(+) population. Overall, the effects of IFN-gamma and anti-CD40 treatment were attenuated in the retina in vivo and also on CD45(+) cells in culture, compared with the control.
Accumulation of Drug Resistance and Loss of Therapeutic Options Precede Commonly Used Criteria for Treatment Failure in HIV-1 Subtype-C-Infected Patients

Background Virological monitoring is essential to identify antiretroviral treatment (ART) failure, but not widely available. Here, accumulation of resistance and consequences for second-line therapy were investigated in African HIV-1 subtype-C-infected patients. Methods A total of 836 patients initiated non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based ART and received biannual HIV RNA monitoring. When first-line ART was continued despite virological failure (HIV RNA>1,000 copies/ml), genotypic resistance analysis was performed at baseline, first failure (t1), and 6 or 12 months later (t2). Major resistance mutations (IAS), Stanford genotypic sensitivity scores (GSSs) and proportions of patients meeting WHO-defined failure criteria were compared between time points. Results Most patients (642/836, 77%) reached viral suppression and 145/642 patients (23%) experienced subsequent failure after a median of 18 months. Counselling resulted in virological re-suppression in 27% (39/145) and 40% (58/145) continued first-line ART despite virological failure; 26 patients were included for genotypic analysis. The mean number of major drug resistance mutations per person increased from 2.8 (t1) to 4.3 (t2). Initially, NNRTI-associated mutations (n=47) predominated; only 25 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)-associated mutations (mainly M184V) were detected. During prolonged viraemia, NRTI resistance increased (n=44, +76%), in particular thymidine analogue mutations (from 4 to 14) and K65R (from 3 to 6). Consequently, GSSs declined from baseline to t1 and t2: from 3.8 to 1.0 to 0.7 (NNRTIs) and from 6.8 to 5.1 to 4.0 (NRTIs). Despite broad resistance, immunological failure was limited at t2. Conclusions Rapid accumulation of drug resistance occurred when ART was continued despite virological failure. Treatment options were lost, even when WHO-defined failure criteria were not met. This study calls for wider access to virological monitoring.
Serum paraoxonase activity and oxidative stress in acute myocardial in- farction patients

Coronary Artery Disease is the major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Serum paraoxonase is a high density lipoprotein (HDL)-bound enzyme exhibiting antiatherogenic properties. Oxidative stress plays the major role in the atherosclerotic process. In the pre-sent case control study, serum paraoxonase activity and oxidative stress were monitored in 100 patients with AMI and 50 age and sex matched healthy controls. The levels of total cho-lesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein were significantly (p<0.001) high and the levels of high density lipoprotein were significantly (p<0.001) low in the AMI patients as compared to healthy controls. MDA level was significantly (p<0.001) high and antioxidant activity of PON was significantly low in diabetic (p<0.001) and non-diabetic (p<0.01) AMI patients as compared with controls. Our findings show the increased oxidative stress and decreased paraoxonase antioxidant activity in AMI patients and importance of assessing these markers along with lipid profile in AMI patients.
Stability and fluctuation in adult attachment style over a 6-year period

The present study investigates stability of adult attachment style and concurrent covariation between attachment security and coping and well-being within a 6-year longitudinal-sequential study, with a sample ranging from late adolescence to late adulthood. The findings indicate that attachment style was relatively stable over the six-year period; nevertheless, it was characterized more by fluidity than by stability. Fluctuation in attachment security showed a negative concurrent covariation with defensive coping and depressive symptoms, but a positive covariation with integrative coping and self-perceived well-being. At any point when participants were better copers and reported a better state of well-being (than their own average baseline), they were also more secure (than their own average baseline). An age effect in attachment change was also found. Over time, older individuals became more secure and more dismissing, but less preoccupied than young people.
A phylogenetic analysis of Prunus and the Amygdaloideae (Rosaceae) using ITS sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA.

The economically important plum or cherry genus (PRUNUS:) and the subfamily Amygdaloideae of the Rosaceae have a controversial taxonomic history due to the lack of a phylogenetic framework. Phylogenetic analysis using the ITS sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) was conducted to construct the evolutionary history and evaluate the historical classifications of PRUNUS: and the Amygdaloideae. The analyses suggest two major groups within the Amygdaloideae: (1) PRUNUS: s.l. (sensu lato) and MADDENIA:, and (2) EXOCHORDA:, Oemleria, and PRINSEPIA: The ITS phylogeny supports the recent treatment of including EXOCHORDA: (formerly in the Spiraeoideae) in the Amygdaloideae. MADDENIA: is found to be nested within PRUNUS: s.l. in the parsimony and distance analyses, but basal to PRUNUS: s.l. in the maximum likelihood analysis. Within PRUNUS:, two major groups are recognizable: (1) the AMYGDALUS:-PRUNUS: group, and (2) the CERASUS:-LAUROCERASUS:-PADUS: group. The clades in the ITS phylogeny are not congruent with most subgeneric groups in the widely used classification of PRUNUS: by Rehder. A broadly defined PRUNUS: is supported.
Cycloplegic Autorefraction Results in Pre-School Children Using the Nikon Retinomax Plus and the Welch Allyn SureSight

Purpose. Early detection and treatment of amblyogenic conditions such as high refractive errors and anisometropia can help prevent the development of amblyopia. The traditional gold standard for the determination of refractive error in pre-school children is retinoscopy. Difficulties with retinoscopy in pre-school children have led to the development of autorefractors that can be free of operator bias and can be used by lay individuals. The Nikon Retinomax Plus handheld autorefractor has proven to be reliable for quick and accurate assessments of refractive errors in children. The Welch Allyn SureSight Vision Screener is a relatively new handheld autorefractor. The present study compares the results of measurements with the Retinomax Plus and the SureSight to the results of cycloplegic retinoscopy in pre-school children. Methods. Thirty-five children ranging in age from 3 to 5 years old were subjects. Any subjects with strabismus, amblyopia, nystagmus, or ocular disease were excluded. Refractive error was assessed 30 min after the application of a cycloplegic spray. Results. Both autorefractors showed moderate agreement with cycloplegic retinoscopy results for measurement of spherical equivalent and cylinder power. In addition, the SureSight and the Retinomax Plus sphere and cylinder results showed moderate agreement with each other. Although the mean differences of the spherical equivalents determined were minimal, the 95% confidence intervals were large, which limits the value of the data obtained from each instrument. Conclusions. Even though the Retinomax Plus and the SureSight appear to agree with each other and with the results of cycloplegic retinoscopy for determining sphere and cylinder power, interpretation of the data should be considered as screening only because the actual magnitude of sphere and cylinder may vary from the actual magnitude. These results suggest that either device may be useful only as screening tools for assessing refractive error in pre-school children.
A healing method of tympanic membrane perforations using three-dimensional porous chitosan scaffolds.

Both surgical tympanoplasty and paper patch grafts are frequently procedured to heal tympanic membrane (TM) perforation or chronic otitis media, despite their many disadvantages. In this study, we report a new healing method of TM perforation by using three-dimensional (3D) porous chitosan scaffolds (3D chitosan scaffolds) as an alternative method to surgical treatment or paper patch graft. Various 3D chitosan scaffolds were prepared; and the structural characteristics, mechanical property, in vitro biocompatibility, and healing effects of the 3D chitosan scaffolds as an artificial TM in in vivo animal studies were investigated. A 3D chitosan scaffold of 5 wt. % chitosan concentration showed good proliferation of TM cells in an in vitro study, as well as suitable structural characteristics and mechanical property, as compared with either 1% or 3% chitosan. In in vivo animal studies, 3D chitosan scaffold were able to migrate through the pores and surfaces of TM cells, thus leading to more effective TM regeneration than paper patch technique. Histological observations demonstrated that the regenerated TM with the 3D chitosan scaffold consisted of three (epidermal, connective tissue, and mucosal) layers and were thicker than normal TMs. The 3D chitosan scaffold technique may be an optimal healing method used in lieu of surgical tympanoplasty in certain cases to heal perforated TMs.
Small toys contained in chocolate eggs--good or bad surprise?

Injury from foreignbodies is awell-known cause of childhoodmorbidity and evenmortality (1,2). Sweets containing toys with small parts may present a serious choking and aspiration hazard to children under 3 years of age. In Germany and other European countries, small plastic toy components are often sold together with confectionery, e.g. contained in a chocolate shell. According to the European Community Directive concerning the safetyof toys, packaging containingedible items together with small toys which might be dangerous for children under three years of age must carry the warning ‘‘Not suitable for children under three years. ’’ To assess the potential dangers of small toysmarketed with confectionery, we performed a national cross-sectional questionnaire survey, including 500 (90%) paediatric clinics, 1300 (25%) paediatricians in practice, and placed an advertisement with the questionnaire in the newsletter of the German Association of Paediatricians. The response rate of clinic and practicewas 39 and 25%, respectively.The advertisement lead to 5 returns. A total of 35 cases were reported. In all cases, the foreign body was a small toy or part of it. In 34 of the cases, the origin of the toys was a kinder surprise chocolate egg and in 1 case a magic bag. 3 (9%) of the small toys were located in the ear, 9 (26%) in the nose, 5 (14%) in the pharynx, seven (20%) in the lungs, and11 (31%) in the gastro-intestinal tract (Table1). The incorporation of toys wasmostly observedby parents.Overall 5 (14%) complications were reported: 4 children suiered from marked obstruction of the upper airways due to a small toy in the pharynx, while 1 child had a pneumonia because of intrabronchial localisation. There were no fatalities. The age of the affected children ranged from 8 months to10 years (med-
NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS IN A NEUROPSYCHIATRIC SETTING

This study had the aims of: 1) replicating two previous studies done in the area of behavioral aspects of multiple sclerosis (MS); and 2) comparing the performance of MS patients on a series of neuropsychological tests with neuropsychiatric patients and patients with various forms of brain damage other than MS. In both cases the Wechsler Intelligence Scales and the Halstead Battery of Neuropsychological Tests were used as the behavioral measures. With regard to the replication, differences were found among studies on the Wechsler Scales, but not on the neuropsychological tests. The performance patterns were similar in all three studies. The comparison among MS, neuropsychiatric, and brain-damaged patients revealed that the major difference among these groups appeared on tests of various aspects of motor functioning.
Interleukin-8 and Growth-Regulated Oncogene Alpha Mediate Angiogenesis in Kaposi's Sarcoma

ABSTRACT The development of the complex neoplasm Kaposi's sarcoma is dependent on infection with the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and appears to be greatly enhanced by cytokines and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Tat. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and growth-regulated oncogene alpha (GRO-α) are chemokines involved in chemoattraction, neovascularization, and stimulation of HIV-1 replication. We have previously demonstrated that production of GRO-α is stimulated by exposure of monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) to HIV-1. Here we show that exposure of MDM to HIV-1, viral Tat, or viral gp120 leads to a substantial increase in IL-8 production. We also demonstrate that IL-8 and GRO-α are induced by KSHV infection of endothelial cells and are crucial to the angiogenic phenotype developed by KSHV-infected endothelial cells in cell culture and upon implantation into SCID mice. Thus, the three known etiological factors in Kaposi's sarcoma pathogenesis—KSHV, HIV-1 Tat, and cellular growth factors—might be linked, in part, through induction of IL-8 and GRO-α.
Cross-Resistance Studies of Cry1Ac-Resistant Strains ofHelicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to Cry2Ab

Abstract Bioassays and binding tests between Cry toxins (Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, and Cry2Ab) and brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) from larvae of aBacillus thurningiensis (Bt)-susceptible (96S) and two Cry1Ac-resistant strains (BtR and LFR10) were conducted for investigating cross-resistance of Cry1Ac-resistant strains to Cry2Ab inHelicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The resistance ratio (RR) values of the BtR and LFR10 strains to Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab were 2,971- and 1.1-fold and 253- and 1.0-fold, respectively, indicating that there was no cross-resistance to Cry2Ab. The binding experiments between Cry toxins and BBMVs from BtR, LFR10, and 96S larvae showed that all of the toxins could bind with these BBMVs, but the Cry2Ab could not displace125I labeled Cry1Ac and Cry1Ab. The same results were observed in reciprocal binding tests, demonstrating that Cry1A and Cry2Ab had different binding sites inH.armigera and providing a potential mechanism for the lack of cross-resistance between Cry1A and Cry2Ab toxins. These results suggest that the transgenic cotton,Gossypium hirsutum L. , expressingCry1Ac andCry2Ab genes may be deployed for management of Cry1Ac resistantH.armigera.
Analyzing cytokines as biomarkers to evaluate severity of glaucoma.

AIM To analyze cytokines as biomarkers for evaluation of severity of glaucoma. METHODS This was a prospective case-control study including 29 eyes with glaucoma. Besides, 28 eyes with senile cataract were used as control. Patients were classified into four groups: acute angle closure glaucoma (AACG), chronic angle closure glaucoma (CACG), primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and senile cataract. Undiluted vitreous samples were collected, then vitreous concentrations of 9 types of cytokines were determined by cytometric bead assay system: γ-interferon (IFNg), interleukin (IL)-10, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, interferon-γ-inducible protein (IP)-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We also recorded the intraocular pressure (IOP) of patients in each group and Pearson correlated analysis was performed to analysis the correlation between each type of cytokine with IOP. RESULTS Vitreous levels of IL-2, IL-5, MCP-1, TNF-α and IP-10 were significantly higher (P<0.05) in AACG group. Patients with AACG, CACG and POAG have higher IOP than senile cataract, but we didn't find any significant correlation between IOP with any type of the cytokines. CONCLUSION Inflammation and immune reaction have a strong link with the pathology of glaucoma especially AACG. Some cytokines may act as biomarkers to evaluate the severity of glaucoma. Anti-inflammatory treatments and controlling of IOP are necessary for the therapy of glaucoma.
Psoriasis – a systemic inflammatory disorder: clinic, pathogenesis and therapeutic perspectives

Psoriasis has seen a dramatic change in its perception by dermatologists as well as other medical specialties. Its well‐recognized association with several other diseases makes a complete switch in its management necessary. This review summarizes current epidemiological data on the comorbidities of psoriasis. Subsequently, the evidence for insulin resistance as a cause for endothelial cell dysfunction with its relevant pathogenetic link to the development of cardiovascular comorbidity is discussed. Based on these novel insights, we propose a possible state‐of‐the‐art approach towards comprehensive psoriasis management.
Grouping Factors and the Reverse Contrast Illusion

In simultaneous lightness contrast, two identical gray target squares lying on backgrounds of different intensities appear different in lightness. Traditionally, this illusion was explained by lateral inhibitory mechanisms operating retinotopically. More recently, spatial filtering models have been preferred. We report tests of an anchoring theory account in which the illusion is attributed to grouping rules used by the visual system to compute lightness. We parametrically varied the belongingness of two gray target bars to their respective backgrounds so that they either appeared to group with a set of bars flanking them, or they appeared to group with their respective backgrounds. In all variations, the retinal adjacency of the gray squares and their backgrounds was essentially unchanged. We report data from seven experiments showing that manipulation of the grouping rules governs the size and direction of the simultaneous lightness contrast illusion. These results support the idea that simultaneous lightness contrast is the product of anchoring within perceptual groups.
Extracranial venous stenosis is an unlikely cause of multiple sclerosis

Background: Extracranial venous stenosis (EVS) has recently been implicated as the primary cause of multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the presence of EVS in MS patients. Methods: We performed selective extracranial venography on 42 patients with early MS (EMS): clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or relapsing—remitting MS (RRMS) of less than 5 years duration, and late MS (LMS): RRMS of more than 10 years duration. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical relapse data were reviewed for all patients with EVS. Results: EVS was present in 7/29 patients with EMS and 12/13 patients with LMS, a highly significant statistical difference (p< 0.001). Only 3/42 patients (all in the LMS group) had two vessel stenoses, while the rest had only one vessel involved. EVS was seen in 1/11 patients with CIS compared with 6/18 RRMS patients of less than 5 years duration. Disease duration was greater in patients with EVS overall (p < 0.005). LMS remained an independent predictor of EVS following multivariate adjustment for gender, age at disease onset and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (Adjusted Odds Ratio = 29 (3—298); p = 0.005]. Within the EMS group, patients with (n = 7) and without (n = 22) EVS had similar EDSS and disease duration, suggesting similar disease severity. No clear correlation could be found between site of EVS and anatomic localization of either clinical relapses or MRI gadolinium-enhancing lesions. Conclusions: We conclude that EVS is an unlikely cause of MS since it is not present in most patients early in the disease and rarely involves more than one extracranial vein. It is likely to be a late secondary phenomenon.