Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential expression of cell proliferation regulatory proteins in B‐ and T‐lineage acute lymphoblastic leukaemias

In order to better understand the molecular background of differences between the clinical picture of T‐ and B‐lineage ALLs, we studied the expression of several proteins involved in the regulation of cell proliferation in bone marrow blast cells from 30 cases of previously untreated acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL); 14 cases were T‐ and 16 B‐cell lineage ALLs. We studied several cyclin‐dependent kinases (cdk1, cdk2, cdk4, cdk6) and cyclins (cyclin A, cyclin B1, cyclin D3 and cyclin E). We also studied proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Bcl‐2 expression, the latter protein known to be involved in the prolonged survival of B‐lineage ALL blasts. Proteins obtained from cell lysates were resolved on polyacrylamide gel followed by immunodetection and densitometry of specific bands. Expression of cdk1 and PCNA, markers of proliferative activity, was significantly higher in T‐ than in B‐lineage ALL. Cdk6, which was highly correlated to PCNA, was also higher in T‐cell ALL. In contrast, B‐lineage ALL displayed a higher expression of anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2. We hypothesize that those particularities may reflect differential roles of cell multiplication and apoptosis in the neoplastic proliferation of B‐ and T‐lineage ALL.
Risk Factors Snoring and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Women

RESULTS During eight years of follow-up, we documented 1,042 incident cases of major CVD events (644 coronary heart disease [CHD] and 398 stroke). Compared with nonsnorers, the age-adjusted relative risks (RRs) of CVD were 1.46 (95% confidence interval 1.23 to 1.74) for occasional snorers and 2.02 (1.62 to 2.53) for regular snorers. The age-adjusted RRs of CHD were 1.43 (1.15 to 1.77) for occasional snorers and 2.18 (1.65 to 2.87) for regular snorers. The age-adjusted RRs of stroke were 1.60 (1.21 to 2.12) and 1.88 (1.29 to 2.74), respectively. After further adjustment for smoking, body mass index (BMI) and other covariates, the positive association between snoring and CVD was attenuated but remained statistically significant (RRs of CVD were 1.20 [1.01 to 1.43] for occasional snorers and 1.33 [1.06–1.67] for regular snorers.
Endothelin‐1 stimulates colon cancer adjacent fibroblasts

Endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) is produced by and stimulates colorectal cancer cells. Fibroblasts produce tumour stroma required for cancer development. We investigated whether ET‐1 stimulated processes involved in tumour stroma production by colonic fibroblasts. Primary human fibroblasts, isolated from normal tissues adjacent to colon cancers, were cultured with or without ET‐1 and its antagonists. Cellular proliferation, migration and contraction were measured. Expression of enzymes involved in tumour stroma development and alterations in gene transcription were determined by Western blotting and genome microarrays. ET‐1 stimulated proliferation, contraction and migration (p < 0.01 v control) and the expression of matrix degrading enzymes TIMP‐1 and MMP‐2, but not MMP‐3. ET‐1 upregulated genes for profibrotic growth factors and receptors, signalling molecules, actin modulators and extracellular matrix components. ET‐1 stimulated colonic fibroblast cellular processes in vitro that are involved in developing tumour stroma. Upregulated genes were consistent with these processes. By acting as a strong stimulus for tumour stroma creation, ET‐1 is proposed as a target for adjuvant cancer therapy.
Host-Residual Invariant NK T Cells Attenuate Graft-versus-Host Immunity1

Invariant NK T (iNKT) cells have an invariant TCR-α chain and are activated in a CD1d-restricted manner. They are thought to regulate immune responses and play important roles in autoimmunity, allergy, infection, and tumor immunity. They also appear to influence immunity after hemopoietic stem cell transplantation. In this study, we examined the role of iNKT cells in graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) and graft rejection in a mouse model of MHC-mismatched bone marrow transplantation, using materials including α-galactosylceramide, NKT cells expanded in vitro, and Jα18 knockout mice that lack iNKT cells. We found that host-residual iNKT cells constitute effector cells which play a crucial role in reducing the severity of GVHD, and that this reduction is associated with a delayed increase in serum Th2 cytokine levels. Interestingly, we also found that host-residual iNKT cause a delay in engraftment and, under certain conditions, graft rejection. These results indicate that host-residual iNKT cells attenuate graft-vs-host immunity rather than host-vs-graft immunity.
Overview of RNA Interference and Related Processes

The history of RNA interference (RNAi) has unfolded rapidly since 1997 with a series of discoveries from plants, fungi, and animals. Initially, the interest was directed towards development of gene silencing technology that could be applied in research, medical therapy, and crop improvement. However, as the underlying mechanism was revealed, it became apparent that RNAi manifests a novel system of genetic regulation that was only hinted at by previous data. This overview unit gives a brief history of the field, describes the natural role of RNAi and related processes, identifies strategies for RNAi and cosuppression in plants and animals, and describes methods for detection and characterization of siRNA and miRNA.
Characterization of Unusual Bacteria Isolated from Respiratory Secretions of Cystic Fibrosis Patients and Description of Inquilinus limosus gen. nov., sp. nov

ABSTRACT Using a polyphasic approach (including cellular protein and fatty acid analysis, biochemical characterization, 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing, and DNA-DNA hybridizations), we characterized 51 bacterial isolates recovered from respiratory secretions of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Our analyses showed that 24 isolates belong to taxa that have so far not (or only rarely) been reported from CF patients. These taxa include Acinetobacter sp. , Bordetella hinzii, Burkholderia fungorum, Comamonas testosteroni, Chryseobacterium sp. , Herbaspirillum sp. , Moraxella osloensis, Pandoraea genomospecies 4, Ralstonia gilardii, Ralstonia mannitolilytica, Rhizobium radiobacter, and Xanthomonas sp. In addition, one isolate most likely represents a novel Ralstonia species, whereas nine isolates belong to novel taxa within the α-Proteobacteria. Eight of these latter isolates are classified into the novel genus Inquilinus gen. nov. as Inquilinus limosus gen. nov., sp. nov., or as Inquilinus sp. The remaining 17 isolates are characterized as members of the family Enterobacteriaceae. The recovery of these species suggests that the CF lung is an ecological niche capable of supporting the growth of a wide variety of bacteria rarely seen in clinical samples. Elucidation of the factors that account for the association between these unusual species and the respiratory tract of CF patients may provide important insights into the pathophysiology of CF infection. Because accurate identification of these organisms in the clinical microbiology laboratory may be problematic, the present study highlights the utility of reference laboratories capable of identifying unusual species recovered from CF sputum.
African American Beliefs About Diabetes

In this presentation, a diabetes explanatory model of rural, African American adults at high risk for diabetes is described. Kleinman’s explanatory model of illness was used as the organizing framework. African American men and women (N = 42), between the ages of 18 and 51, participated. Participants described their knowledge and beliefs about diabetes, preventing diabetes, and whether diabetes could be cured or controlled. A common explanatory model of diabetes was not shared among the participants, and gender and age differences were apparent. Common themes included diabetes “running in families,” “eating too much sugar,” and “not taking care of yourself” as causes of diabetes. Weight and physical activity or exercise were not seen as contributing to the development of diabetes. Participants were not sure if diabetes could be prevented. These results provide information to address primary prevention of diabetes in this at-risk group.
3D Objects Indexing with a Direct and Analytical Method for Calculating the Spherical Harmonics Coefficients

— In this paper, we propose a new method for three-dimensional object indexing based on D.A.M.C-S.H. C descriptor (Direct and Analytical Method for Calculating the Spherical Harmonics Coefficients). For this end, we propose a direct calculation of the coefficients of spherical harmonics with perfect precision. The aims of the method are to minimize, the processing time on the 3D objects database and the searching time of similar objects to a request object. Firstly we start by defining the new descriptor using a new division of 3-D object in a sphere. Then we define a new distance which will be tested and prove his efficiency in the search for similar objects in the database in which we have objects with very various and important size.
Study design, exposure variables, and socioeconomic determinants of participation in Diet, Cancer and Health: A population-based prospective cohort study of 57,053 men and women in Denmark

Aims: Diet is considered an important aspect of lifestyle related to cancer development. To contribute further knowledge within this field a Danish prospective cohort study ``Diet, Cancer and Health'' has been initiated. The aims of this paper are to give a description of the study design, measurement procedures, and differences between participants and nonparticipants with special reference to socioeconomic characteristics. Methods: A total of 160,725 individuals 50—64 years of age living in Copenhagen or Aarhus were invited to participate. Information concerning diet and other lifestyle factors was obtained from 57,053 participants using questionnaires and interviews. Anthropometric measurements were taken and biological material collected. In addition, detailed (selected) socioeconomic information on all invited persons including 103,671 non-participants was obtained from statistical registers in Statistics Denmark. Results: Differences were seen between participants and non-participants on a number of socioeconomic factors. The highest participation in relation to education was found among participants with higher education, with a significant tendency to be highest in the second highest level of higher education (3—4 years). Married people were more likely to participate than persons living alone or cohabiting. Conclusion: Results from the prospective cohort study ``Diet, Cancer and Health'' support the general assumption that lower socioeconomic groups are underrepresented in epidemiological studies.
Germination and survival of endangered Pulsatilla grandis (ranunculaceae) after artificial seeding, as affected by various disturbances

Pulsatilla grandis is a rare and endangered species in Central Europe. A field experiment was set up to test the effects of disturbances on its germination and survival rates after artificial seeding. Disturbances were simulated by the following treatments: burning, hoeing, and removal of vegetation. The germination percentage decreased rapidly with time, to only 2% in 2-year-old fruits. The germination rate of fresh fruits was the highest in hoed plots (29.2 ± 12.9%), followed by removedvegetation plots (21.8 ± 17.3%) and burned plots (1.8 ± 2.2%). No germination was observed in control plots. The survival rate of seedlings was monitored over the next 5 years. In the year following the treatment, all the seedlings survived in the burned plots; in the hoed and in removed-vegetation plots, survival rates were 38.5 ± 2 and 55 ± 27%, respectively. Approximately half of them were alive after 5 years. Grassland vegetation in burned quadrates recovered very quickly, whereas in other disturbed plots the numbers .
Comparative Study of SSVEP- and P300-Based Models for the Telepresence Control of Humanoid Robots

In this paper, we evaluate the control performance of SSVEP (steady-state visual evoked potential)- and P300-based models using Cerebot—a mind-controlled humanoid robot platform. Seven subjects with diverse experience participated in experiments concerning the open-loop and closed-loop control of a humanoid robot via brain signals. The visual stimuli of both the SSVEP- and P300- based models were implemented on a LCD computer monitor with a refresh frequency of 60 Hz. Considering the operation safety, we set the classification accuracy of a model over 90.0% as the most important mandatory for the telepresence control of the humanoid robot. The open-loop experiments demonstrated that the SSVEP model with at most four stimulus targets achieved the average accurate rate about 90%, whereas the P300 model with the six or more stimulus targets under five repetitions per trial was able to achieve the accurate rates over 90.0%. Therefore, the four SSVEP stimuli were used to control four types of robot behavior; while the six P300 stimuli were chosen to control six types of robot behavior. Both of the 4-class SSVEP and 6-class P300 models achieved the average success rates of 90.3% and 91.3%, the average response times of 3.65 s and 6.6 s, and the average information transfer rates (ITR) of 24.7 bits/min 18.8 bits/min, respectively. The closed-loop experiments addressed the telepresence control of the robot; the objective was to cause the robot to walk along a white lane marked in an office environment using live video feedback. Comparative studies reveal that the SSVEP model yielded faster response to the subject’s mental activity with less reliance on channel selection, whereas the P300 model was found to be suitable for more classifiable targets and required less training. To conclude, we discuss the existing SSVEP and P300 models for the control of humanoid robots, including the models proposed in this paper.
MCP-1-activated monocytes induce apoptosis in human retinal pigment epithelium.

PURPOSE The inflammatory response in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized by mononuclear leukocyte infiltration of the outer blood-retina barrier formed by the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). A key mechanistic element in AMD progression is RPE dysfunction and apoptotic cell loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1-activated monocytes induce human RPE apoptosis and whether Ca(2+) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in this process. METHODS A cell-based fluorometric assay was used to measure intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) in RPE cells loaded with fluorescent Ca(2+) indicator. Intracellular RPE ROS levels were measured by using the 5- and 6-chloromethyl-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescence diacetate acetyl ester (CM-H(2)DCFDA) assay. RPE apoptosis was evaluated by activated caspase-3, Hoechst staining, and apoptosis ELISA. RESULTS MCP-1-activated human monocytes increased [Ca(2+)](i), ROS levels, and apoptosis in RPE cells, all of which were inhibited by 8-bromo-cyclic adenosine diphosphoribosyl ribose (8-Br-cADPR), an antagonist of cADPR. Although the ROS scavengers pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly inhibited ROS production and apoptosis induced by activated monocytes, they did not affect induced Ca(2+) levels. The induced Ca(2+) levels and apoptosis in RPE cells were inhibited by an antibody against cluster of differentiation antigen 14 (CD14), an adhesion molecule expressed by these cells. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that CD14, Ca(2+), and ROS are involved in activated monocyte-induced RPE apoptosis and that cADPR contributes to these changes. Understanding the complex interactions among CD14, cADPR, Ca(2+), and ROS may provide new insights and treatments of retinal diseases, including AMD.
Can the adapted arcometer be used to assess the vertebral column in children?

BACKGROUND The adapted arcometer has been validated for use in adults. However, its suitability for use in children can be questioned given the structural differences present in these populations. OBJECTIVE To verify the concurrent validity, repeatability, and intra- and inter-reproducibility of the adapted arcometer for the measurement of the angles of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis in children. METHOD Forty children were evaluated using both sagittal radiography of the spine and the adapted arcometer. The evaluations using the arcometer were carried out by two trained evaluators on two different days. In the statistical treatment, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Pearson's product moment correlation, Spearman's rho, the paired t test, and Wilcoxon's test were used (α=.05). RESULTS A moderate and significant correlation was found between the x-ray and the adapted arcometer regarding thoracic kyphosis, but no correlation was found regarding lumbar lordosis. Repeatability and intra-evaluator reproducibility of the thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis were confirmed, which was not the case of inter-evaluator reproducibility. CONCLUSION The adapted arcometer can be used to accompany postural alterations in children made by the same evaluator, while its use for diagnostic purposes and continued evaluation by different evaluators cannot be recommended. Further studies with the aim of adapting this instrument for use in children are recommended.
Bioindicators for Ralstonia solanacearum race 4: plants in the Zingiberaceae and Costaceae families

Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs) race 4 causes bacterial wilt of edible ginger (Zingiber officinale) and limits crop production in the tropics. The use of bioindicator plants was investigated as a method for determining whether or not a field is contaminated with Rs race 4 before replanting with a susceptible crop. Tissue-cultured edible ginger (TCG), micro-sized red ginger (Alpinia purpurata; RG) and micro-sized spiral ginger (Costus barbatus; SG) were evaluated for suitability for detection of Rs race 4. Candidate hosts were planted into the infested medium, and Rs populations in plant tissues, potting medium and drainage water were evaluated by viable plate counts and Immunostrips using a species-specific monoclonal antibody. TCG wilted completely within an average of 9 days at the highest (log 8 cfu/mL) level of inoculum, and within 19 days at the lowest (log 4 cfu/mL) inoculum level. RG wilted in 17–26 and SG in 29–39 days. The final populations of Rs race 4 in wilted TCG tissues, potting medium and drainage water were between log 8.8–9.3 cfu/g, log 7.0–7.4 cfu/g and log 4.8–5.0 cfu/mL, respectively, regardless of the initial population levels. RGand SG did not enhance Rs population levels as well as TCG. On average, the bioindicator hosts increased the Rs populations by 100 to 1000-fold, thereby enabling detection with a simple immunodiagnostic test.
A high‐fat diet and regulatory T cells influence susceptibility to endotoxin‐induced liver injury

In nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the pathogenesis of progression from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis has not been fully clarified. Many factors, including oxidative stress and hepatic immune regulation, contribute to the inflammation in steatosis. Because regulatory T cells (Tregs) are important components of immune regulation, we have now investigated their role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Wild‐type C57BL/6 mice were fed a high‐fat (HF) diet to induce steatosis, and the hepatic lymphocyte population was analyzed by flow cytometry. HF‐induced steatosis was associated with the depletion of hepatic Tregs and led to up‐regulation of the inflammatory tumor necrosis factor‐α signaling pathway. When challenged by exogenous lipopolysaccharide, the HF‐fed mice developed liver inflammation. In contrast, the adoptive transfer of Tregs decreased inflammation in HF‐fed mice. In comparison with effector T cells, Tregs had a lower expression of Bcl‐2 and, therefore, increased susceptibility to oxidative stress‐induced apoptosis. The treatment of mice with the antioxidant Mn(III)tetrakis(4‐benzoic acid)porphyrin chloride reduced Treg apoptosis, increased the number of hepatic Tregs, and decreased hepatic inflammation in HF‐fed mice. Conclusion: Our results indicate that increased oxidative stress in a fatty liver causes the apoptosis of Tregs, reduces the number of hepatic Tregs, and leads to a lowered suppression of inflammatory responses. This scenario is likely one of the pathogenetic mechanisms that facilitate the transformation of simple steatosis into steatohepatitis when a fatty liver is exposed to second or third hits. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)
The comparison of the effectiveness of tomography and Alvarado scoring system in patients who underwent surgery with the diagnosis of appendicitis.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of computed tomography and Alvarado scoring system in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in patients who underwent appendectomy with the preliminary diagnosis of acute appendicitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred and one patients who underwent appendectomy with the diagnosis of acute appendicitis between January and December 2011 were included in the study. Alvarado scores were calculated, and abdominal tomography scans were obtained for each patient before surgery. Patients with Alvarado score ≥7 were considered to have appendicitis while patients with a score <7 were considered not to have appendicitis. Patients were classified into two groups based on the presence of appendicitis findings on abdominal tomography. Histopathological examination of the appendices was performed following appendectomy. All patients were classified into groups according to pathology results, Alvarado score and tomography findings. The effectiveness of Alvarado score and tomography were compared using the McNemar test. RESULTS Sixty patients (59.4%) were male and 41 (40.6%) were female, with a mean age of 32 years (5-85 years). The rate of negative appendectomy was 3.9%. In 78 patients (77.3%) the Alvarado score was ≥7, while 23 patients (22.7%) had Alvarado scores <7. The presence of appendicitis was determined by histopathology in 22 out of 23 patients whose Alvarado score was <7. Tomography indicated appendicitis in 97 patients (95.9%) whereas four patients (4.1%) exhibited no signs of appendicitis by tomography. However, histopathological evaluation indicated the presence of appendicitis in those four patients as well. CONCLUSION The study results imply that tomography is a more effective means of diagnosing acute appendicitis as compared to the Alvarado scoring system.