Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ki-4(scFv)–ETA′, a new recombinant anti-CD30 immunotoxin with highly specific cytotoxic activity against disseminated Hodgkin tumors in SCID mice

The human lymphocyte activation marker CD30 is highly overexpressed on Hodgkin/Reed–Sternberg cells and represents an ideal target for selective immunotherapy. We used the murine anti-CD30 hybridoma Ki-4 to construct a new recombinant immunotoxin (rIT) for possible clinical use in patients with CD30+ lymphoma. Hybridoma V genes were polymerase chain reaction-amplified, assembled, cloned, and expressed as a mini-library for display on filamentous phage. Functional Ki-4 scFv obtained by selection of binding phage on the CD30-expressing Hodgkin lymphoma cell line L540cy was inserted into the bacterial expression vector pBM1.1 and fused to a deletion mutant of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (ETA′). Periplasmically expressed Ki-4(scFv)–ETA′ demonstrated specific activity against a variety of CD30+ lymphoma cells as assessed by different in vitro assays. To evaluate in vivo antitumor activity, severe combined immunodeficient mice challenged with human lymphoma cell lines were treated with the immunotoxin. The blood distribution time t½ of Ki-4(scFv)–ETA′ was 19 minutes, and its serum elimination time t½ was 193 minutes. A single intravenous injection of 40 μg rIT 1 day after tumor inoculation rendered 90% of the mice tumor free, extending the mean survival time to more than 200 days compared with 38.1 days in the phosphate-buffered saline control group ( P < .001). This new rIT is a promising candidate for further clinical evaluation in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma or other CD30+malignancies.
Importance of surface‐subsurface exchange in stream ecosystems: The hyporheic zone

In many streams, significant amounts of water are exchanged between saturated sediments surrounding the open channel (the hyporheic zone) and the channel itself. Such exchanges with the hyporheic zone have the potential to cause large changes in streamwater chemistry because the rates of biogeochemical processes and the actual types of processes (e.g. anaerobic vs. aerobic metabolism) may be fundamentally different. I propose an organizational scheme for grouping stream systems into clusters of minimal, moderate, and maximal contribution of hyporheic metabolism to the overall ecosystem. Lack of information on quantitative hydrology for different stream systems prohibits actual testing of this framework. An alternative scheme is presented that organizes several well-studied streams as a function of subsurface residence time and differences in oxygen content. This second scheme is intended to stimulate discussion of conceptual frameworks for cross-system comparisons of the importance of hyporheic sediments in stream ecosystems. It has been known for some time that water is exchanged laterally or beneath the stream channel with saturated sediments (Fig. 1). In this review, I define the hyporheic zone as those sediments hydrologically linked to the open stream channel. Definitions of subsurface stream habitats based on presence of stream organisms vs. true groundwater animals have also been used widely (e.g. Stanford and Ward 1988; Williams 1989). Streamwater chemistry, material budgets, etc. require knowledge of whether subsurface exchange has occurred and of the rates and types of processes occurring in the hyporheic zone. Differences in rates of processes or presence-absence of particular processes may lead to large changes in the composition and quantity of dissolved materials carried by streamwater. Subsurface exchanges can affect the type and increase the rate of material transformation as water moves downstream. For example, the time-of-travel estimated for water in the stream channel may be too short to permit significant mineralization of organic nutrients. However, if hyporheic exchange is an important process, residence time within a reach and contact with subsurface sediments may result in dramatic alterations in material transported from the catchment to the receiving body of water. Moreover, the potential for streamwater contact with mineral surfaces, and anaerobic zones or entrainment of groundwater can lead to changes in composition that would not be predicted if one assumed that all water movement was within the open stream channel. The significance of surface-subsurface exchange among fundamentally different environments is widely recognized in other fields. For instance, it is obvious that benthic nutrient regeneration is important in shallow marine
Assessment of heavy metal speciation in soils impacted with crude oil in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Abstract Chemical fractionation of Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr, Zn and Mn in soils that had received a significant impact of crude oil spillage in the Niger Delta, Nigeria was studied using a sequential chemical extraction method. The results revealed that significant amounts of the metals (Cd, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr, Zn and Mn) were found in the most labile fractions as compared to the control site. On average, Ni, Cr and Zn were mostly associated with the residual fraction; Pb and Mn with the Fe–Mn oxides; Cu with the organic fraction and Cd with the exchangeable fraction. Among the non-residual fractions, metals were mostly associated with the Fe–Mn oxides fraction. The mobility factors of these metals were higher at the impacted sites as compared with the control site. High mobility of the metals in the impacted soils was associated with the oil spillage, since exogenous metals are usually weakly bound to soil particles. The mobility factors for the metals follow the order: Cd>Zn>Pb>Ni>Mn>Cu>Cr.
Mesoscale variability of organic matter composition in nw adriatic sediments

We investigated the spatial variability of sediment organic matter content and composition in three areas (A, B and C) of the Northwestern Adriatic Sea, subjected to a putative gradient of trophic state ( i.e. , increasing distance from the Po river outflow) in order to determine the appropriate sample size and replication. The analysis of the mesoscale variability was carried out comparing variability on the scale of meters ( i.e. among different deployments) with the variability observed on a scale of several kilometres ( i.e. among different sampling areas). Sediment samples, collected on April 1999, October 1999, April and October 2000, were analysed for chloropigment content (chlorophyll-a and phaeopygments) and protein, carbohydrate and lipid concentrations. Chloropigment, protein, carbohydrate and lipid concentrations were high, indicating that this system shares trophic conditions typical of highly productive environments. All organic matter components displayed a distribution independent from the increasing distance from the Po river outflow and a clear spatial variability, characterised by significant differences among different areas, but not among deployments. Carbohydrates were the biochemical compound displaying the highest spatial variability among the three areas. Chloropigment, protein, carbohydrate and lipid concentrations displayed also significant temporal changes. When spatial and temporal variability were compared, chlorophyll-a, phaeopigment and protein concentrations displayed a higher temporal than spatial variability. Conversely, for carbohydrates and lipids spatial and temporal variability was of the same order of magnitude. Organic matter composition displayed limited changes among areas, but a strong temporal variability. The results from the Adriatic sea suggest that analyses from sediments collected from a single deployment are sufficient for assessing organic matter concentration and composition over areas of several hundreds of square meters. However, for estimating organic matter composition over larger spatial scales ( i.e. miles) the identification of different sampling areas is needed.
The first Turkish family with Rotor syndrome diagnosed at the molecular level

Rotor syndrome is defined as a self-limiting hyperbilirubinemia characterized by jaundice that does not need treatment, cause any morbidity or affect life expectancy. As far as the literature is evaluated, the number of patients with Rotor syndrome diagnosed at the molecular level is less than 20 until today. In this case presentation, we aimed to present two siblings with Rotor syndrome who were diagnosed at the molecular level. To the nest of our knowledge, these patients are the first Turkish patients with Rotor syndrome diagnosed at the molecular level.
Differentiation of intraspecific phenotypic plasticity of elongate glassy perchlet, Chanda nama: Insights into landmark-based truss morphometric and meristic variations

Objective: Understanding intraspecific phenotypic plasticity is a prerequisite to fish stock identification and sustainable fisheries management. In this study, we assessed intraspecific phenotypic plasticity in terms of meristic and morphometric characters of wild populations of elongate glassy perchlet, Chanda nama from two different rivers, namely Madhumati River – Narail (MRN) and Tulshiganga River – Jaypurhat (TRJ), and an ox-bow lake, Jhapa Baor – Jashore (JBJ) in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: In this study, six meristics, 15 conventional morphometrics, and 23-truss-based morphometrics were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Tukey-HSD test. The mean values of three meristic counts and nine conventional and 12 truss-based morphometrics demonstrated significant differences in the ANOVA test. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) and discrimination function analysis (DFA) were performed separately using conventional and truss-based morphometric data. Results: In PCA analysis, four principal components were extracted and cumulatively demonstrated 51.848%. On the contrary, two discriminant functions (DF1, 63.5%; DF2, 36.5%) resulted from DFA analysis. In the bi-plot alignment from the discriminant space, all individuals were exceedingly separated among the three inhabitants. A dendrogram developed using conventional and truss morphometric characters confirmed that two clusters were formed among three populations. The TRJ population formed a distinct cluster, and the JBJ population formed a different cluster with a subcluster of MRN. In the discriminant function analysis, precise classification outcomes displayed 82% of individuals into their unique populations, whereas 66.9% of individuals were categorized as a cross-validated assemblage. Conclusion: The baseline information resulting from the current study would be useful for environmental studies and further conservation of glassy perchlet populations in Bangladesh.
Gastrointestinal sarcoidosis presenting with malabsorption at an early age

Sarcoidosis is a chronic multisystemic granulomatous disease that predominantly involves the thoracic lymph nodes and lungs and primarily occurs in young adults. Isolated extrapulmonary localization is uncommon in adults, and exceptionally rare in the pediatric age group. A 4-year-old male patient with chronic diarrhea and abdominal distention for the last 8 months is presented. Endoscopic biopsies, obtained during gastroscopy and colonoscopy, revealed noncaseating granulomas in all segments of the gastrointestinal tract. A noncaseating granuloma was also demonstrated in the liver biopsy. Granulomatous inflammation of both the gastrointestinal system and liver along with elevated serum angiotensin-converting enzyme were consistent with sarcoidosis. The peculiarity of our pediatric sarcoidosis was the involvement of whole gastrointestinal system, which is exceptionally rare in all age groups. Furthermore, this is the youngest case in the literature with gastrointestinal and hepatic sarcoidosis in the absence of pulmonary involvement at onset.
Theoretical Models of Single Droplet Drying Kinetics: A Review

During the last decades, growing attention has been given to theoretical and experimental studies of drying behavior of single droplet containing solids. This research interest is motivated by the need for fundamental understanding of the drying phenomena in extensively used technological processes like spray drying, fluidized bed drying, pneumatic drying, etc., at drop-wise and particulate levels. The present literature review summarizes the developed theoretical models of single droplet drying kinetics, discovers their benefits and deficiencies, and identifies prospects for future research.
IL-10 Inhibits Transforming Growth Factor-ß-Induction of Type I Collagen mRNA Expression via Both JNK and p38 Pathways in Human Lung Fibroblasts

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a key factor for understanding the pathogenesis of fibrotic disorders such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We have demonstrated that interleukin-10 (IL-10) suppresses TGF-β-induced expression of type I collagen (COL1) mRNA in a human lung fibroblast cell line (WI-38). However, the inhibitory mechanism has not yet been clearly elucidated. Thus, in the current study, we investigate the effects of IL-10 blockade of TGF-β signaling which regulates COL1 mRNA expression. In WI-38 cells, IL-10 inhibits TGF-β-mediated phosphorylation of both, c-Jun HN2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38, but does not suppress TGF-β-mediated phosphorylation of Smad2 or affect TGF-β-upregulation of Smad7 mRNA expression. In addition, SP600125 and SB203580, specific inhibitors of JNK and p38, respectively, attenuate TGF-β-induced COL1 mRNA expression in WI-38 cells. These results suggest that IL-10 inhibits TGF-β-induced COL1 mRNA expression via both JNK and p38 pathways but not Smad pathways in WI-38 cells. This inhibitory mechanism may provide a novel insight into therapeutic strategies for fibrotic disorders such as IPF.
Interaction of Different Iron Chelates with an Alkaline and Calcareous Soil: A Complementary Methodology to Evaluate the Performance of Iron Compounds in the Correction of Iron Chlorosis

Abstract A great number of studies have shown that the stability of iron chelates as a function of pH is not the unique parameter that must be considered in order to evaluate the potential effectiveness of Fe‐chelates to correct iron chlorosis in plants cultivated in alkaline and calcareous soils. In fact, other factors, such as soil sorption on soil components or the competition among Fe and other metallic cations for the chelating agent in soil solution, have a considerable influence on the capacity of iron chelates to maintain iron in soil solution available to plants. In this context, the aim of this work is to study the variation in concentration of the main iron chelates employed by farmers under field conditions—Fe‐EDDHA (HA), Fe‐EDDHMA (MA), Fe‐EDDHSA (SA), Fe‐EDDCHA (CA), Fe‐EDTA (EDTA), and Fe‐DTPA (DTPA)—in the soil solution of a calcareous soil over time. To this end, soil incubations were carried out using a soil:Fe solution ratio corresponding to soil field capacity, at a temperature of 23°C. The soil used in the experiments was a calcareous soil with a very low organic matter content. The variation in concentration of Fe and Fe‐chelates in soil solution over time were obtained by measuring the evolution in soil solution of both the concentration of total Fe (measured by AAS), and the concentration of the ortho‐ortho isomers for Fe‐EDDHA and analogs or chelated Fe for Fe‐EDTA and Fe‐DTPA (measured by HPLC). The following chelate samples were used: a HA standard prepared in the laboratory and samples of HA, MA, SA, CA, Fe‐EDTA, and Fe‐DTPA obtained from commercial formulations present in the market. The percentage of iron chelated as ortho‐ortho isomers for HAs was: HA standard (100%); HA (51.78%); MA (60.06%); SA (22.50%); and CA (27.28%). In the case of Fe‐EDTA and Fe‐DTPA the percentages of chelated iron were 96.09 and 99.12, respectively. Results show that it is possible to classify the potential effectiveness of the different types of iron chelates used in our experiments as a function of two practical approaches: (i) considering the variation of total iron in soil solution over time, MA is the best performing product, followed by HA, CA, SA, DTPA, EDTA, and ferrous sulfate in the order listed and (ii) considering the capacity of the different iron chelates to maintain the fraction of chelated iron (ortho‐ortho isomers for HA, MA, SA, and CA and total chelated iron for EDTA and DTPA) in soil solution, the order is: SA > CA > HA > MA > EDTA ≈ DTPA. This result, that is related to the nature of the chelate and does not depend on the degree of chelated Fe in the products, indicates that SA and CA might be very efficient products to correct iron chlorosis. Finally, our results also indicate the suitability of this soil incubation methodology to evaluate the potential efficiency of iron compounds to correct iron chlorosis.
COMMUNICATION TO THE EDITOR Aggregation Kinetics of Well and Poorly Differentiated Human Prostate Cancer Cells

Aggregation of attachment-dependent animal cells represents a series of motility, collision, and adhe- sion events applicable to such diverse fields as tissue engineering, bioseparations, and drug testing. Aggrega- tion of human prostate cancer cells in liquid-overlay cul- ture was modeled using Smoluchowski's collision theory. Using well (LNCaP) and poorly differentiated (DU 145 and PC 3) cell lines, the biological relevance of the model was assessed by comparing aggregation rates with diffusive and adhesive properties. Diffusion coeffi- cients ranged from 5 to 90 µm 2 /min for single LNCaP and PC 3 cells, respectively. Similar diffusivities were pre- dicted by the persistent random walk model and Einstein relation, indicating random motion. LNCaP cells were the most adhesive in our study with reduced cell shedding, 100% adhesion probability, and enhanced expression of E-cadherin. There was an increase in DU 145 cells stain- ing positive for E-cadherin from nearly 20% of single cells to uniform staining across the surface of all aggre- gates; under 30% of PC 3 aggregates stained positive. Aggregation rates were more consistent with adhesive properties than with motilities, suggesting that aggrega- tion in our study was reaction-controlled. Relative to other assays employed here, aggregation rates were more sensitive to phenotypic differences in cell lines and described size-dependent changes in aggregation at a finer resolution. In particular, model results suggest simi- lar aggregation rates for two-dimensional DU 145 and PC 3 aggregates and upwards of 4-fold higher rates for larger three-dimensional DU 145 spheroids, consistent with expression of E-cadherin. The kinetic model has ap- plication to spheroid production, to cell flocculation and as an adhesion assay. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Bio- technol Bioeng 80: 580-588, 2002.
Direct imaging of plasma waves using ultrafast electron microscopy

A femtosecond plasma imaging modality based on a new development of ultrafast electron microscope is introduced. We investigated the laser-induced formation of high-temperature electron microplasmas and their subsequent non-equilibrium evolution. Based on a straightforward field imaging principle, we directly retrieve detailed information about the plasma dynamics, including plasma wave structures, particle densities, and temperatures. We discover that directly subjected to a strong magnetic field, the photo-generated microplasmas manifest in novel transient cyclotron echoes and form new wave states across a broad range of field strengths and different laser fluences. Intriguingly, the transient cyclotron waves morph into a higher frequency upper-hybrid wave mode with the dephasing of local cyclotron dynamics. The quantitative real-space characterizations of the non-equilibrium plasma systems demonstrate the feasibilities of a new microscope system in studying the plasma dynamics or transient electric fields with high spatiotemporal resolutions.
The Prognostic Significance of miR-21 Expression among Surgically Resected Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis and Retrospective Cohort Study

Background To date, microRNA-21 (miR-21) has been reported to be associated with the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in various studies, yet the results were inconsistent. The purpose of this two-part study, consisting of a retrospective cohort study and a meta-analysis, sets out to determine the prognostic role of miR-21 expression among HCC patients who underwent surgical resection. Methods. In this study, we first detected miR-21 expression in HCC patients by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Patients were divided into a high miR-21 expression group and a low miR-21 expression group according to the median level of miR-21 expression in tumor tissues. The survival outcomes of the two groups were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test. Multivariate analysis of the prognostic factors was performed with the Cox regression model. Subsequently, eligible studies were obtained by searching on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, and a meta-analysis was performed to assess the prognostic role of miR-21 expression among HCC. Results The qRT-PCR analysis results of our cohort study showed miR-21 expression was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues when compared with adjacent nontumor tissues. Multivariate analysis suggested that miR-21 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio, HR = 2.361) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR = 2.024) in HCC patients who underwent surgical resection. A total of 10 studies with 969 patients were enrolled in the meta-analysis, consisting of 9 studies from the database search and our cohort study. We observed that elevated miR-21 expression can predict poor OS (HR = 2.24, 95%CI = 1.73‐2.91, P < 0.001) and DFS/recurrence-free survival (RFS) (HR = 2.44, 95%CI = 1.62‐3.67, P < 0.001) in surgically resected HCC patients. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that miR-21 high expression among surgically resected HCC patients is a prognostic factor that indicated adverse survival.
Antibiotic resistance in childhood urinary tract infections: A single-center experience

Aim: Urinary tract infections are the most common genitourinary tract disease in children, and inappropriate antibiotic and/or dose selection increase the likelihood of resistance. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of urinary tract infection pathogens, patterns of resistance to antibiotics, and empirical treatment options. Material and Methods: Between January 2013 and December 2017, urine culture and antibiogram results of pediatric patients aged 0 days to 16 years were analyzed retrospectively. Antibiotic susceptibilities were determined using disc diffusion according to methods of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Results: Of the 1326 children with culture growth, 1070 (80.6%) were female and 256 (19.3%) were male. The most common microorganism found was (1138, 85.8%) E. Coli, followed by Klebsiella spp. (71, 5.3%), Enterobacter spp. (44, 3.3%), and Proteus spp. (28, 2.1%). High frequency of resistance to ampicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam, amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefuroxime axetil, as TMP-SMX was detected in all microorganisms, whereas resistance to amikacin, meropenem, imipenem, ertapenem, fosfomycin, and nitrofurantoin was low. Conclusion: E. coli was the most common causative agent of urinary tract infections in childhood. High resistance to ampicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam, amoxicillin-clavulanate, cefuroxime axetil, and TMP-SMX was detected in all agents in our center.