Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CD4+ FOXP3+ Regulatory T celles Homeostasis : role of interleukin-7 and implication in HIV infection pathophysiology

Regulatory T cells (Treg) represent a crucial CD4 T cells subset involved in maintenance of immune-tolerance. Since their first description important efforts have been undertaken to better understand their biology, their development and their mechanisms of action. However, little is known about factors controlling Treg peripheral homeostasis. The aim of this thesis work was to better define mechanisms involved in governing Treg homeostasis and to investigate the eventual contribution of perturbation of Treg homeostasis in human disease. In the first part of this thesis work we tried to define in the murine system the role played by IL-7 in governing Treg homeostasis. We showed that Treg surface expression of CD127, the IL-7 receptor alpha chain, is finely regulated as it depends on their activation as well as on their tissue localization. More importantly, we demonstrated that Treg do express functional levels of CD127, identifying these cells as potential target of IL-7. Using both genetically modified murine models of altered IL-7 signaling and adoptive transfer models, we obtained definitive evidence for a direct role of IL-7 in governing Treg cell numbers. Finally, we demonstrated that IL-7 signaling in Treg optimizes their capacity to react to IL-2 an important cytokine regulating Treg homeostasis. In the second part of this work we investigated Treg homeostasis in the context of HIV infection. Employing for the first time in HIV infection a novel consensus Treg identification strategy and applying it to different groups of HIV infected patients, including primary infected patients and HIV controllers, we showed that HIV infection is characterized by an early and long lasting alteration of Treg homeostasis. In particular we demonstrated that effector rather than naive Treg are affected by HIV infection. Moreover, we showed that effector Treg numbers inversely correlated with HIV specific CD8 T cells responses, providing ex vivo evidence of Treg involvement in HIV immunity.
Associations between the Time in Hypoglycemia and Hypoglycemia Awareness Status in Type 1 Diabetes Patients Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems.

BACKGROUND Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems help reduce hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). It remains unclear whether T1D patients with impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) continue to develop more hypoglycemia than those with normal awareness (NA) despite CGM use. METHODS For this cross-sectional observational study, 99 T1D patients using real-time CGMs for ≥86% of time were recruited. Fifty and 49 patients were found to have NA and IAH (based on the Clarke questionnaire), respectively. Two-week CGM hypoglycemia data were collected. RESULTS IAH was associated with greater percentages of CGM values <70 and <54 mg/dL (P=0.012, P=0.004) compared to NA. Clarke scores correlated positively with the percentage of CGM values <70 and <54 mg/dL (P=0.013, P=0.004). IAH was also related to more events with glucose <70 and <54 mg/dL determined either with at ≥1 time point (P=0.048 P=0.003) or lasting ≥20 minutes (P=0.016, P=0.004). IAH patients presented with more day-time events with glucose <54 mg/dL (P=0.015), nocturnal events with glucose levels <70 and <54 mg/dL (P=0.009, P=0.007) and longer day-time event duration with glucose levels <70 and <54 mg/dL (P<0.001, P=0.006), respectively. CONCLUSIONS T1D patients with IAH continue to experience more hypoglycemia despite dedicated CGM use.
The ecology of a freshwater crustacean: Lepidurus arcticus (Brachiopoda; Notostraca) in a High Arctic region

Lepidurus arcticus (Pallas, 1793) is a keystone species in High Arctic ponds, which are exposed to a wide range of environmental stressors. This thesis provides information on the ecology of this little studied species by paying particular focus on the sensitivity of L. arcticus to acidification and climate change. Respiration, reproduction, olfaction, morphology, salinity and pH tolerance of the species were studied in the laboratory and several environmental parameters were measured in its natural habitats in Arctic ponds. Current global circulation models predict 2–2.4 °C increase in summer temperatures on Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway. The L. arcticus respiration activity was tested at different temperatures (3.5, 10, 16.5, 20, 25 and 30 °C). The results show that L. arcticus is clearly adapted to live in cold water and have a temperature optimum at +10 °C. This species should be considered as stenothermal, because it seems to be able to live only within a narrow temperature range. L. arcticus populations seem to have the capacity to respond to the ongoing climate change on Spitsbergen. Changes can be seen in the species' reproductive capacity and in the individuals' body size when comparing results with previous studies on Spitsbergen and in other Arctic areas. Effective reproduction capacity was a unique feature of the L. arcticus populations on Spitsbergen. L. arcticus females reached sexual maturity at a smaller body size and sexual dimorphism appeared in smaller animals on Spitsbergen than anywhere else in the subarctic or Arctic regions. L. arcticus females were able to carry more eggs (up to 12 eggs per female) than has been observed in previous studies. Another interesting feature of L. arcticus on Spitsbergen was their potential to grow large, up to 39.4 mm in total length. Also cannibalistic behaviour seemed to be common on Spitsbergen L. arcticus populations. The existence of different colour morphs and the population-level differences in morphology of L. arcticus were unknown, but fascinating characteristic of this species. Spitsbergen populations consisted of two major (i.e. monochrome and marbled) and several combined colour morphs. Third interesting finding was a new disease for science which activated when the water temperature rose. I named this disease to Red Carapace Disease (RCD). This High Arctic crustacean lives in ponds between the Arctic Ocean and glaciers, where the marine environment has a strong impact on the terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. The tolerance of L. arcticius to increased water salinity was determined by a LC50 -test. No mortality occurred during the 23 day exposure at low 1–2 ‰ water salinity. A slight increase in water salinity (to 1 ‰) speeded up the L. arcticus shell replacement. The observations from natural populations supported the hypothesis that the size of the animals increases considerably in low 1.5 ‰ salt concentrations. Thus, a small increase in water salinity seems to have a positive impact on the growth of this short-lived species. …
Prevalence studies of human T-Lymphotrophic virus type 1 among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Dutse metropolis, north-western Nigeria

Human T-lymphotrophic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is a causative agent of tropic spastic paraparesis and adult Tcell leukaemia, Information regarding the involvement of HTLV-1 in presentation of some subclinical immune suppression that may results in increased rate of HIV and TB infections has long been documented. Sixty (60) Confirmed Pulmonary TB subjects consisting of 41 males and 19 females were recruited in this study, Tuberculosis was confirmed by collecting their sputum samples and analysed using GeneXpert. The prevalence of HTLV-1 IgG antibodies among TB subjects was 6.6%, while that of IgM was 1.6%. Accordingly, sexually active couple group has the highest prevalence of 2.3% when compared to single and widow categories, age group 15-24 has the highest percentage of 3.3% for HTLV-1 IgG antibodies. Key words : HTLV-1, Tuberculosis, IgG, IgM.
NSAID Use and the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Meta-Analysis (P6.184)

Objective: To assess the efficacy of using NSAID in the prevention of Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) via research data compilation and analysis. Background: Due to an aging population, there is a precipitous increase in prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, most notably Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It has become the 6th leading cause of mortality in the US. Neuropathological studies showed strong evidence of inflammation in animal and human brains with AD. Numerous clinical trials and population-based studies with conflicting data exist on the use of anti-inflammatory agents most commonly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in AD prevention. Design/Methods: We searched PubMed and Web of Science to April 1, 2017 for articles with keywords “Alzheimer’s disease”, “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs” or “NSAIDs”, “population-based”, “epidemiological”, and “prevention”. Relevant data were analyzed using a binary random-effects model to determine relative risk and 95% confidence interval. Our meta-analysis focused on the relative risk of incident AD in patients taking NSAIDS versus patients not taking NSAIDS. Results: For patients taking any NSAID, four studies examined a total number of 10,563 patients with no obvious significant difference. Ten studies examined the effects of aspirin alone with more than 24,418 patients. Analysis of the aspirin studies found no significant effect on incident AD. Ten studies examined the effects of non-aspirin NSAIDs on incident AD with more than 27,069 patients. Analysis displayed a trend toward significance in decreasing risk of AD in those who took non-aspirin NSAID versus control. Minimal to no adverse side effects were reported with NSAID use in any of the studies. Conclusions: In conclusion, we found no significant difference in AD risk between NSAID users and non-NSAID users, including aspirin observed as its own treatment group. There was a trend in significance for non-aspirin NSAIDs, which could be further probed in future studies. Disclosure: Dr. Li has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kaida-Yip has nothing to disclose. Dr Zabel has nothing to disclose.
microRNA-223 promotes autophagy to aggravate lung ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting the expression of transcription factor HIF2α.

Lung ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury severely endangers human health, and recent studies have suggested that certain microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in this pathological phenomenon. The current study aimed to ascertain the ability of miR-223 to influence lung I/R injury by targeting hypoxia-inducible factor-2α (HIF2α). First, mouse models of lung I/R injury were established: during surgical procedures, pulmonary arteries and veins and unilateral pulmonary portal vessels were blocked and resuming bilateral pulmonary ventilation, followed by restoration of bipulmonary ventilation. In addition, a lung I/R injury cell model was constructed by exposure to hypoxic reoxygenation (H/R) in mouse pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs). Expression of miR-223, HIF2α and β-catenin in tissues or cells was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. Correlation between miR-223 and HIF2α was analyzed by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Further, lung tissue injury and mouse PMVEC apoptosis was evaluated by HE, TUNEL staining and flow cytometry. Autophagosomes in cells were detected by light chain3 immunofluorescence assay. miR-223 was expressed at a high level while HIF2α/β-catenin was downregulated in tissues and cells with lung I/R injury. Further, miR-223 targeted and repressed HIF2α expression to downregulate β-catenin expression. The miR-223/HIF2α/β-catenin axis aggravated H/R injury in mouse PMVECs and lung I/R injury in mice by enhancing autophagy. Taken together, miR-223 inhibits HIF2α to repress β-catenin, thus contributing to autophagy to complicate lung I/R injury. These findings provide a promising therapeutic target for treating lung I/R injury.
The Frequency and Distribution of the ABO Subgroups in Korean Blood Donors

Background: ABO subgroups are obstacles in blood typing and cross matching in the process of pre-transfusion. Correct ABO typing is important for ensuring safety of a transfusion. The ABO subgroups contain a lesser amount of antigen on red cells and this is a common cause of discrepancy between the results of cell and serum tests. This study was performed to analyze the frequency and distribution of the ABO subgroups in Korean blood donors. Methods: ABO blood grouping was performed by an automated analyzer (PK7200/7300, Olympus, Japan) for the 3,397,983 donors from January 2007 to December 2009. The 1,868 donor samples that were suspected to have ABO subgroups were tested with adsorption/elution techniques. The results of the tests were analyzed and we received approval of the Institutional Review Board of the Korean Red Cross to publish this study. Results: 1,771 donors out of the 1,868 donors who underwent the tests were finally identified as having ABO subgroups. The kinds of identified ABO subgroups were as follows; 118 donors with the A subgroup (, , , , ), 237 donors with the B subgroup (, , , ) and 1,416 donors with the AB subgroup (, , , , , , , ). The most frequently observed subgroups were (496/1,868, 26.55%) and then (457/1,868, 24.46%). The subgroups of 97 donors (5.19%) were not identified. Conclusion: This study was meaningful to provide data on the frequency and distribution of the ABO subgroups of Korean blood donors. A more sensitive technique such as genotyping could be useful to resolve cases with an unidentified subgroup.
Quantification of Natural Growth of Two Strains of Mycobacterium Marinum for Translational Antituberculosis Drug Development

The zebrafish infected with Mycobacterium marinum (M. marinum) is an attractive tuberculosis disease model, showing similar pathogenesis to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) infections in humans. To translate pharmacological findings from this disease model to higher vertebrates, a quantitative understanding of the natural growth of M. marinum in comparison to the natural growth of M. tuberculosis is essential. Here, the natural growth of two strains of M. marinum, E11 and MUSA, is studied over an extended period using an established model‐based approach, the multistate tuberculosis pharmacometric (MTP) model, for comparison to that of M. tuberculosis. Poikilotherm‐derived strain E11 and human‐derived strain MUSA were grown undisturbed up to 221 days and viability of cultures (colony forming unit (CFU)/mL) was determined by plating at different time points. Nonlinear mixed effects modeling using the MTP model quantified the bacterial growth, the transfer among fast, slow, and non‐multiplying states, and the inoculi. Both strains showed initial logistic growth, reaching a maximum after 20–25 days for E11 and MUSA, respectively, followed by a decrease to a new plateau. Natural growth of both E11 and MUSA was best described with Gompertz growth functions. For E11, the inoculum was best described in the slow‐multiplying state, for MUSA in the fast‐multiplying state. Natural growth of E11 was most similar to that of M. tuberculosis, whereas MUSA showed more aggressive growth behavior. Characterization of natural growth of M. marinum and quantitative comparison with M. tuberculosis brings the zebrafish tuberculosis disease model closer to the quantitative translational pipeline of antituberculosis drug development.
Pattern of substance abuse at the drug de-addiction unit of a Nigerian psychiatric hospital

Substance abuse is a complex challenge of modern society with significant public health importance. The aim of the study was to identify the common drugs of abuse, socio-demographic features and clinical characteristics of individuals who abuse substance in a drug de-addiction unit of a psychiatric hospital in Nigeria. It was a crosssectional descriptive survey of 86 in-patients of the drug de-addiction unit of Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, South-Eastern Nigeria. A modified questionnaire by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Nigeria Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (NENDU) was used to obtain the data. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20. Results show that the primary substances of abuse were cannabis (81.4%) and alcohol (16.5%), while cocaine and other stimulants were rarely used (1.2%). The mean age of the participants and age at initiation of substance use were 30.88±8.49 and 22.59±5.98, respectively. Indices of social disadvantage were seen in people with substance use disorders. The commonest route of use was by smoking (81.3%) with mental disorders, as the most common comorbidity seen (88.3%). The finding in this study on cannabis is conceded by existing literature, which reports a persistent rise in its use despite international and national efforts to reduce its supply. The early age at initiation begs for more comprehensive drug prevention programmes especially in the various levels of education. Keywords: Pattern of substance use, De-addiction Unit, Nigeria, Cross-sectional study
Early virus clearance and delayed antibody response in a case of COVID-19 with a history of co-infection with HIV-1 and HCV

Abstract The effect of host immune status on SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unknown. Here, we report the first case of COVID-19 with HIV-1 and HCV co-infection, who showed a persistently negative SARS-CoV-2 RNA test, but delayed antibody response in the plasma. This case highlights the influence of HIV-1-induced immune dysfunction on the early SARS-CoV-2 clearance.
Indicators for internal parasitic infections in organic flocks: the diarrhoea score (Disco) proposal for lambs

A diarrhoea score was tested in lambs in organic flocks of semi-mountains regions in centre France. This score was related to the various internal parasites along the grazing season (Coccidia, then Moniezia and Strongyles, then Nematodirus and finally Strongyloides). It can be used on an individual basis for treatment decision or to monitor the internal parasitism of the flock. It should be evaluated in different climatic regions and coul be tested also in conventional farms.
RE: Minimal Hydrocelectomy with the aid of scrotoscope: a ten-year experience

Dear editor, we would like to discuss on the article on “Minimal hydrocelectomy with the aid of scrotoscope (1)”. Bin et al. concluded that “the combination of minimal hydrocelectomy and scrotoscopy seems to be an encouraging technique (1)”. This result can support the previous observation that minimally invasive hydrocelectomy is safe and requires a short operative time (2). It is agreeable that the technique can be useful but the case selection is the important prerequisite. As noted by Bin et al., some cases (such as those with thickening) still required open surgery (1). Focusing on scrotoscope, it is a useful tool for assessment of scrotal contents (3). However, it is still considered as an invasive technique. According to our experience from China, the use of B-ultrasonography, which is totally non invasive, can give no different ability to assess scrotal contents (4).
Diverse groups of fungi are associated with plastics in the surface waters of the Western South Atlantic and the Antarctic Peninsula

Marine plastic pollution has a range of negative impacts for biota and the colonization of plastics in the marine environment by microorganisms may have significant ecological impacts. However, data on epiplastic organisms, particularly fungi, is still lacking for many ocean regions. To evaluate plastic associated fungi and their geographic distribution, we characterised plastics sampled from surface waters of the western South Atlantic (WSA) and Antarctic Peninsula (AP), using DNA metabarcoding of three molecular markers (ITS2, 18S rRNA V4 and V9 regions). Numerous taxa from eight fungal phyla and a total of 64 orders were detected, including groups that had not yet been described associated with plastics. There was a varied phylogenetic assemblage of predominantly known saprotrophic taxa within the Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. We found a range of marine cosmopolitan genera present on plastics in both locations, i.e., Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Wallemia and a number of taxa unique to each region, as well as a high variation of taxa such as Chytridiomycota and Aphelidomycota between locations. Within these basal fungal groups we identified a number of phylogenetically novel taxa. This is the first description of fungi from the Plastisphere within the Southern Hemisphere, and highlights the need to further investigate the potential impacts of plastic associated fungi on other organisms and marine ecosystems.
Contribución al conocimiento de la biología imaginal de Leuctra geniculata (Stephens, 1836)(Plecoptera, Leuctridae)

Contribution to the knowledge of the imaginal biology of Leuctra geniculata (Stephens, 1836) (Plecoptera, Leuctridae) Abstract: Some aspects of the adult biology of Leuctra geniculata in a mountain range in the Southeast of the Iberian Peninsula are studied. This species has an autumnal flight period, and seems to select fixed habitats (bushes and trees of the genera Salix, Crataegus and Fraxinus) in the studied area. Mating behaviour and copulation are analyzed: the average time of the couple in the copulating position is 1.75 to 2 hours; both males and females mate more than once (cases of polyandry and polygyny); displacement attempts have not been observed; etc. The clutch is described, including its shape and the number of eggs (around 250 eggs/clutch on average). Finally, the egg is described, including its colour, shape and size (0.19 x 0.15 mm on average).
Field guide to malformations of frogs and toads: with radiographic interpretations

Acknowledgments This field guide began as part of The Amphibian Health Examinations and Disease Monitoring workshop coordinated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in February 2000. The malformations presented here are not intended to be an exhaustive summary of all potential types of malformations. These malformations represent the major types of malformations found in approximately 200 recently metamorphosed frogs that were collected in Minnesota, Vermont, Wisconsin and Maine and examined at the USGS–National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin (NWHC). These studies focused on the northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens). The malformations and the method of their classification are reported in much greater detail in the publications from which this information was excerpted (Meteyer, C.U., et al., 2000). provided the final design, production and printing of the field guide. Denim Jochimsen and Harry Rihn, NWHC, provided assistance with the initial draft of the guide. Information on more training available through NCTC can be obtained at the NCTC homepage www.nctc. fws.gov. Frogs in this field guide were collected during 1997–1998 survey efforts conducted in Minnesota Reporting Malformations Malformations can be reported to the North American Reporting Center for Amphibian Malformations (NARCAM) on their website at www.npwrc. usgs.gov/ narcam, or by phoning 1 800/238 9801. For results from more extensive surveys, information can also be submitted via mail by sending a spreadsheet or disk with the information on it to reported to NARCAM should include the date, species, numbers of both normal and malformed amphibians encountered, and a description of the malformation, along with the location of the malformation, including the state, county, and specific site. Suggested citation: Meteyer, C.U. 2000. Field guide to malformations of frogs and toads with radiographic interpretations. Biological Science Report USGS/BRD/BSR–2000–0005 Cover photo by: Ryan Hagerty 2 In 1995, students found numerous malformed frogs on a field trip to a Minnesota pond. Since that time, reports of malformed frogs have increased dramatically. Malformed frogs have now been reported in 44 states in 38 species of frogs, and 19 species of toads. Estimates as high as 60% of the newly metamorphosed frog populations have had malformations at some ponds (NARCAM, '99). The wide geographic distribution of malformed frogs and the variety of malformations are a concern to resource managers, research scientists and public health officials. The potential for malformations to serve as a signal of ecosystem disruption, and the affect this potential disruption might have …