Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NADPH Oxidase Contributes to Resistance against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans-Induced Periodontitis in Mice

ABSTRACT Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is a Gram-negative commensal bacterium of the oral cavity which has been associated with the pathogenesis of periodontitis with severe alveolar bone destruction. The role of host factors such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates in periodontal A. actinomycetemcomitans infection and progression to periodontitis is still ill-defined. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the role of NADPH oxidase and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in a murine model of A. actinomycetemcomitans-induced periodontitis. NADPH oxidase-deficient (gp91phox knockout [KO]), iNOS-deficient (iNOS KO), and C57BL/6 wild-type mice were orally infected with A. actinomycetemcomitans and analyzed for bacterial colonization at various time points. Alveolar bone mineral density and alveolar bone volume were quantified by three-dimensional micro-computed tomography, and the degree of tissue inflammation was calculated by histological analyses. At 5 weeks after infection, A. actinomycetemcomitans persisted at significantly higher levels in the murine oral cavities of infected gp91phox KO mice than in those of iNOS KO and C57BL/6 mice. Concomitantly, alveolar bone mineral density was significantly lower in all three infected groups than in uninfected controls, but with the highest loss of bone density in infected gp91phox KO mice. Only infected gp91phox KO mice revealed significant loss of alveolar bone volume and enhanced inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as an increased number of osteoclasts. Our results indicate that NADPH oxidase is important to control A. actinomycetemcomitans infection in the murine oral cavity and to prevent subsequent alveolar bone destruction and osteoclastogenesis.
Significance of the C-terminal domain of Erwinia uredovora ice nucleation-active protein (Ina U).

Ice nucleation-active (Ina) proteins of bacterial origin comprise three distinct domains, i.e., N-terminal (N-), central repeat (R-), and C-terminal (C-) domains, among which the R-domain is essential, and its length may be correlated with the ice nucleation activity. In addition, the short C-terminal domain of about 50 amino acid residues is indispensable for the activity. Using the Ina U protein of Erwinia uredovora, we carried out precise mutational analyses of its C-terminus. The ice nucleation activity (T50) assay showed that the C-terminal 12 amino acids were not necessary, and a deletion mutant (delta C29) with a new C-terminal, Met29 (numbered from the first amino acid residue of the C-domain and corresponding to Met1022), exhibited almost the same activity as the wild-type Ina U protein did. However, deletion of the C-terminal 13 residues including Met29 resulted in almost complete loss of the activity. In the deletion mutant (delta C29), amino acid replacement of the C-terminus, Met29, showed that the activity was retained when Met29 was replaced with a neutral, aromatic, or basic amino acid (Gly, Phe, or Lys), but was lost on the replacement with an acidic amino acid (Asp or Glu). In addition, two other residues in the C-terminal region commonly present in all Ina proteins were examined as to their importance, and it was shown that one of these residues, Tyr27, is important for the activity, although it is not exclusively required; the activity was lost to a great extent when this residue was replaced with Gly or Ala, but to a lesser extent when it was replaced with Leu. These results suggest that significance of the secondary and/or tertiary structure of the C-terminal region of the Ina U protein for the ice nucleation activity.
Phase I clinical trial of ormaplatin (tetraplatin, NSC 363812)

Ormaplatin Is a platinum analog that was developed because of an altered toxlclty profile and non-cross resistance to clsplatln In both In vitro and in vivo models. To determine the toxlcltles and maximum tolerated dose of ormaplatin on a dally times five schedule, patients with refractory solid tumors received ormaplatin on five consecutive days at nine dose levels ranging from 1.0 to 15.0 mg/m2/day. A total of 35 patients received 70 cycles of therapy. Nausea and vomiting and myelosuppresslon were moderate and not dose-llmlting. Dosellmltlng neurotoxlclty, consisting of a sensory peripheral neuropathy, was seen In all five patients who received cumulative doses greater than or equal to 165 mg/m2. This neurotoxlclty was symptomatic In all patients and caused significant functional Impairment In four patients with Inability to walk In two patients. A sensitive atomic absorption spectroscopy analysis performed for one patient at the 13.0 mg/m2/day dose level showed a Cpmu of 163 ng/ml and a t1/2 of 10.9 mln for free platinum. A phase II dose could not be determined due to the onset of peripheral neuropathy at low cumulative doses and not at absolute dose levels.
Prognostic value of systolic mitral annular velocity measured with Doppler tissue imaging in patients with chronic heart failure caused by left ventricular systolic dysfunction

Objective: To assess the prognostic value of various conventional and novel echocardiographic indices in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) caused by left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. Methods: 185 patients with a mean (SD) age of 67 (11) years with CHF and LV ejection fraction < 45% despite optimal pharmacological treatment were prospectively enrolled. The patients underwent two dimensional echocardiography with tissue harmonic imaging to assess global LV systolic function and obtain volumetric data. Transmitral flow was assessed with conventional pulse wave Doppler. Systolic (Sm), early, and late diastolic mitral annular velocities were measured with the use of colour coded Doppler tissue imaging. Results: During a median follow up of 32 months (range 24–38 months in survivors), 34 patients died and one underwent heart transplantation. Sm velocity (hazard ratio (HR) 0.648, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.463 to 0.907, p = 0.011), diastolic arterial pressure (HR 0.965, 95% CI 0.938 to 0.993, p = 0.015), serum creatinine (HR 1.006, 95% CI 1.001 to 1.011, p = 0.023), LV ejection fraction (HR 0.945, 95% CI 0.899 to 0.992, p = 0.024), age (HR 1.035, 95% CI 1.000 to 1.071, p = 0.052), LV end systolic volume index (HR 1.009, 95% CI 0.999 to 1.019, p = 0.067), and restrictive pattern of transmitral flow (HR 0.543, 95% CI 0.278 to 1.061, p = 0.074) predicted the outcome of death or transplantation on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, only Sm velocity (HR 0.648, 95% CI 0.460 to 0.912, p = 0.013) and diastolic arterial pressure (HR 0.966, 95% CI 0.938 to 0.994, p = 0.016) emerged as independent predictors of outcome. Conclusions: In patients with CHF and LV systolic dysfunction despite optimal pharmacological treatment, the strongest independent echocardiographic predictor of prognosis was Sm velocity measured with quantitative colour coded Doppler tissue imaging.
Depression and Anxiety among Males Attending Primary Health Care Centers , Eastern Saudi Arabia : Prevalence and Predictors

Background: Psychiatric disorders in Saudi Arabia, mainly depression and anxiety are estimated to have high prevalence. The aim of this study was to assess the magnitude of depression, and anxiety among Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs) attendees in Dammam and Al-Qatif areas, Eastern Saudi Arabia and to identify possible predictors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in ten randomly selected PHCCs. The study sample consisted of 822 adult male attendees. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered validated Arabic version of Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ). The questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic characteristics and questions to assess depression and anxiety. The PHQ scoring system was used to derive severity scores for both conditions. Chi-square test and logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results: The overall prevalence of depression was 32.8% with mild depression accounting for 22.9%. The overall prevalence of anxiety was 22.3% with 17.0% of the attendees having mild degree of anxiety. Single marital status, younger age group, lower monthly income, and positive history of psychological and chronic disorders were statistically significantly associated with depression. Single marital status was statistically significantly associated with anxiety. Logistic regression analysis showed that, single marital status and positive history of psychological illness were significant predictors of depression; being single was the only predicting factor for the occurrence of anxiety. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of depression and anxiety among PHCCs male attendees was relatively high. Therefore, screening of mental illnesses, especially depression and anxiety should be implemented by PHC physicians during their routine activities. [Shaher Z. Al-Shehri, Amr A. Sabra, Attia Z. Taha , Ammar H. Khamis, Ahmed S. Hafez. Depression and Anxiety among Males Attending Primary Health Care Centers, Eastern Saudi Arabia: Prevalence and Predictors. Life Sci J 2012;9(3):128-133]. (ISSN: 1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite. com. 17 Key word: Depression, Anxiety, Predictors, Primary Health Care Centers, Saudi Arabia.
Control of the timing and dosage of IGF‐I delivery from encapsulated cells

We report here on the development and characterization of a cell‐based system for the regulated delivery of bioactive insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I). A stable mammalian cell line, CHO‐K1 Tet‐IGFI, was genetically modified to have tetracycline‐induced transcription of the human IGF‐I gene. Cells were activated to express IGF‐I in the presence of doxycycline (DOX), a tetracycline derivative, while expression was inactivated in the absence of DOX. Temporal, or on‐off, release of IGF‐I from cells encapsulated within Ca2+‐alginate hydrogels was demonstrated in a pilot study over the course of 10 days in culture. Released growth factor was bioactive, exhibiting a proliferative effect comparable to recombinant purified IGF‐I protein. The dosage levels and temporal control of IGF‐I release from encapsulated cells meet the requirements of orthopedic wound repair, making this approach an attractive means for the controlled synthesis and delivery of growth factors in situ for wound healing. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Job Satisfaction among Teachers of Private and Government School: A Comparative Analysis

Job satisfaction is one of the most widely discussed issue in organizational behaviour and Human Resource Management. In present study the researcher investigated the present level of job satisfaction among the private and govt. school teachers. In this research, 50 Govt. and 50 Private teachers, 100 in total, working in different govt.aprivate schools were examined. The obtained data were analyzed based on the descriptive statistics using SPSS Version 16. Independent samplet t-test has been used in this study to analyze the job satisfaction level among maleafemale teachers and Govt.aPrivate school teachers. The study revealed that there is no significant difference in the level of satisfaction of male and female teachers. Furthermore, it was again revealed that there is no significant difference in the level of satisfaction of Govt. and Private school teachers.
Further investigation of equine fescue oedema induced by Mediterranean tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) infected with selected fungal endophytes (Epichloë coenophiala)

Abstract AIMS To determine if equine fescue oedema (EFO) induced by grazing Mediterranean-type tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) infected with selected endophytes (Epichloë coenophiala) could be prevented by treatment with the corticosteroid, methylprednisolone, and anti-histamine, cetirizine, and to determine concentrations of lolines, specifically N-acetyl norloline (NANL), in grasses grazed by horses that did and did not develop EFO. METHODS Four horses were grazed on AR542-infected Mediterranean tall fescue pasture (from Day 0) for 7 days prior to being subjected to euthanasia. Two of these horses were treated with 250 mg methylprednisolone and 300 mg cetirizine hydrochloride every 12 hours orally from Days 0–7. Two more horses grazed meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) infected with the naturally-occurring, common endophyte (Epichloë uncinata) for 21 days before euthanasia. All horses were observed closely for signs of EFO, and blood samples were taken daily for measurement of concentrations of total protein (TP) in serum. Following euthanasia post-mortem examinations were conducted on all horses. Pasture samples of meadow fescue and Mediterranean tall fescue from the current study, and endophyte-infected Mediterranean tall fescue from a previous study that were associated with EFO, were analysed for concentrations of lolines using gas chromatography. RESULTS By Day 7, the treated and untreated horses grazing AR542-infected Mediterranean tall fescue all developed signs of EFO, and concentrations of TP in serum of all horses were <45 g/L. No signs of EFO were observed in horses grazing meadow fescue and concentrations of TP remained above 60 g/L. Necropsy showed marked oedema and eosinophilic inflammation in the intestines of all horses grazing Mediterranean tall fescue. In the sample of meadow fescue, concentrations of total lolines and N-acetyl norloline (NANL) were 2,402 and 543 mg/kg, respectively. In the three samples of Mediterranean tall fescue associated with EFO, concentrations of total lolines were 308, 629 and 679 mg/kg, and concentrations of NANL were 308, 614 and 305 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In horses grazing Mediterranean tall fescue infected with the AR542 endophyte, treatment with methylprednisolone and cetirizine did not prevent development of EFO. Results of pasture analysis indicated that lolines or NANL are unlikely to be the causative agent of this disease.
Ovarian Steroid Levels in Migraine With and Without Aura

Radioimmunoassays were used to measure interictal levels of ovarian steroids (oestradiol, total oestrogens and progesterone) in migraine patients at the onset of menses and coincident with the luteinizing hormone surge preceding ovulation. Results of these verified bio-chemically-contrasting points of the ovarian cycle were used to compare 13 migraine patients without aura and 6 migraine patients with aura with 17 non-migraine women. No group differences were found for physiological basal levels of ovarian steroids measured at menses. Preceding ovulation elevation in oestradiol levels relative to normal was found in migraine patients with aura but not in migraine patients without aura. These results suggest that a variation in oestradiol levels is an important factor in the different clinical expressions of migraine.
Human tendon behaviour and adaptation, in vivo

Tendon properties contribute to the complex interaction of the central nervous system, muscle–tendon unit and bony structures to produce joint movement. Until recently limited information on human tendon behaviour in vivo was available; however, novel methodological advancements have enabled new insights to be gained in this area. The present review summarizes the progress made with respect to human tendon and aponeurosis function in vivo, and how tendons adapt to ageing, loading and unloading conditions. During low tensile loading or with passive lengthening not only the muscle is elongated, but also the tendon undergoes significant length changes, which may have implications for reflex responses. During active loading, the length change of the tendon far exceeds that of the aponeurosis, indicating that the aponeurosis may more effectively transfer force onto the tendon, which lengthens and stores elastic energy subsequently released during unloading, in a spring‐like manner. In fact, data recently obtained in vivo confirm that, during walking, the human Achilles tendon provides elastic strain energy that can decrease the energy cost of locomotion. Also, new experimental evidence shows that, contrary to earlier beliefs, the metabolic activity in human tendon is remarkably high and this affords the tendon the ability to adapt to changing demands. With ageing and disuse there is a reduction in tendon stiffness, which can be mitigated with resistance exercises. Such adaptations seem advantageous for maintaining movement rapidity, reducing tendon stress and risk of injury, and possibly, for enabling muscles to operate closer to the optimum region of the length–tension relationship.
Activation of Rho Kinase by TNF-α Is Required for JNK Activation in Human Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cells1

TNF-α induces complex signaling events in endothelial cells (ECs), leading to inflammatory gene transcription and junctional permeability increases. This study examined the activation of RhoA and Rho kinase induced by TNF-α in primary human pulmonary microvascular ECs and its role in regulating EC responses to TNF-α. TNF-α induced a time-dependent activation of RhoA and Rho kinase in these ECs. TNF-α also induced activation of JNK that peaked at 15 min and lasted for at least 3 h. Inhibition of Rho kinase using a specific pharmacological inhibitor, Y27632, prevented TNF-α-induced early and late JNK activation. Inhibition of RhoA protein expression using small-interfering RNA, however, did not prevent TNF-α-induced Rho kinase activation or JNK activation. Studies using MAPK kinase 4 (MKK4) small-interfering RNA showed that MKK4 was not required for TNF-α-induced early JNK activation and that Rho kinase modulated early JNK activation through MKK4-independent mechanisms. Rho kinase, however, modulated TNF-α-induced late JNK activation mainly through MKK4-dependent mechanisms. Activation of Rho kinase was required for JNK-dependent IL-6 secretion induced by TNF-α. Moreover, inhibition of Rho kinase prevented TNF-α-induced cytoskeletal changes and permeability increases. Inhibition of JNK activation, however, did not prevent TNF-α-induced cytoskeletal changes, suggesting that Rho kinase did not modulate cytoskeletal changes through JNK activation. Therefore, Rho kinase plays important roles in EC responses to TNF-α by regulating permeability increases and JNK-dependent IL-6 production during pulmonary inflammation.
Clinicopathologic characterization of odontogenic tumors and focal fibrous hyperplasia in dogs: 152 cases (1995-2005).

OBJECTIVE To characterize clinicopathologic features of the most common odontogenic tumors and focal fibrous hyperplasia (FFH) in dogs. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 152 dogs evaluated for oral tumors of possible odontogenic origin at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the University of California-Davis between 1995 and 2005. PROCEDURES Information was collected from records, including dog breed, age, reproductive status, and location of lesion in the oral cavity. Histologic slides pertaining to each dog were reviewed by 3 investigators. Data regarding clinicopathologic features of the 3 most common lesions (canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma [CAA], peripheral odontogenic fibroma [POF], and FFH) were summarized. RESULTS 152 dogs with odontogenic tumors or FFH were identified. Sixty-eight (45%) dogs had CAA, 47 (31 %) had POF, 24 (16%) had FFH, and 13 (9%) had other odontogenic tumors. Canine acanthomatous ameloblastoma was present most commonly in the rostral aspect of the mandible, with POF and FFH more common in the rostral aspect of the maxilla. Males and females were equally represented among dogs with CAA and FFH. Castrated males were overrepresented among dogs with POF. Golden Retrievers, Akitas, Cocker Spaniels, and Shetland Sheepdogs were overrepresented among dogs with CAA. No breed predisposition was detected for FFH or POF. Dogs with FFH had a greater mean age at initial evaluation than did dogs with CAA or POF. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE CAA, POF, and FFH have distinct clinical patterns that may help clinicians and pathologists identify such lesions more readily.
A 0.06mm2 ± 50mV range −82dB THD chopper VCO-based sensor readout circuit in 40nm CMOS

A VCO-based sensor readout circuit is presented. It comprises a VCO-based integrator with counters, and a capactively-coupled feedback DAC, to form a 1st-order DSM with high input impedance and wide dynamic range for voltage sensors. Chopping is applied to suppress the flicker noise. The time-domain approach relaxes the voltage swing requirement compared to that of a Gm-C integrator, and thus area efficiency is achieved. The prototype is implemented in 40nm CMOS. It consumes 21μA under 1.2V supply. With a 100mVpp sinusoidal input, it achieves 74.9dB SNDR over 2 kHz BW and the THD is −82dB. This readout circuit is also measured with a Hall sensor to demonstrate its operation. The FoM and distortion achieves the state-of-the-art performance of VCO-based sensor readout circuits.
p62 at the interface of autophagy, oxidative stress signaling, and cancer.

SIGNIFICANCE Sequestosome 1 (p62/SQSTM1) is a multifunctional adapter protein implicated in selective autophagy, cell signaling pathways, and tumorigenesis. RECENT ADVANCES Recent evidence has revealed that p62/SQSTM1 has a critical role in an oxidative stress response pathway by its direct interaction with the ubiquitin ligase adaptor Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), which results in constitutive activation of the transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2). CRITICAL ISSUES Both NRF2 and KEAP1 are frequently mutated in cancer. The findings just cited uncover a link between p62/SQSTM1, autophagy, and the KEAP1-NRF2 stress response pathway in tumorigenesis and shed light on the interplay between autophagy and cancer. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Here, we review the mechanisms by which p62/SQSTM1 implements its multiple roles in the regulation of tumorigenesis with emphasis on the KEAP1-NRF2 stress response signaling pathway. Uncovering the molecular mechanisms of p62/SQSTM1 function in oxidative stress signaling might contribute to elucidating its role in tumorigenesis.