Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tissue culture system for infection with human hepatitis delta virus

An in vitro culture system was developed for assaying the infectivity of the human hepatitis delta virus (HDV). Hepatocytes were isolated from chimpanzee liver and grown in a serum-free medium. Cells were shown to be infectible by HDV and to remain susceptible to infection for at least 3 weeks in culture, as evidenced by the appearance of RNA species characteristic of HDV replication as early as 6 days postinfection. When repeated experiments were carried out on cells derived from an animal free of hepatitis B virus (HBV), HDV infection occurred in a consistent fashion but there was no indication of infection with the HBV that was present in the inoculum. Despite numerous attempts with different sources of HBV inocula free of HDV, there was no evidence that indicated susceptibility of these cells to HBV infection. This observation may indicate that HBV and HDV use different modes of entry into hepatocytes. When cells derived from an HBV-infected animal were exposed to HDV, synthesis and release of progeny HDV particles were obtained in addition to HBV replication and production of Dane particles. Although not infectible with HBV, primary cultures of chimpanzee hepatocytes are capable of supporting part of the life cycle of HBV and the entire life cycle of HDV.
Diagnosing small bowel Crohn’s disease with wireless capsule endoscopy

Background: The small bowel is the most commonly affected site of Crohn’s disease (CD) although it may involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract. The current methodologies for examining the small bowel are x ray and endoscopy. Aims: To evaluate, for the first time, the effectiveness of wireless capsule endoscopy in patients with suspected CD of the small bowel undetected by conventional modalities, and to determine the diagnostic yield of the M2A Given Capsule. Patients: Seventeen patients (eight males, mean age 40 (15) years) with suspected CD fulfilled study entry criteria: nine had iron deficiency anaemia (mean haemoglobin 10.5 (SD 1.8) g%), eight had abdominal pain, seven had diarrhoea, and three had weight loss. Small bowel x ray and upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopic findings were normal. Mean duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 6.3 (SD 2.2) years. Methods: Each subject swallowed an M2A Given Capsule containing a miniature video camera, batteries, a transmitter, and an antenna. Recording time was approximately eight hours. The capsule was excreted naturally in the patient’s bowel movement, and the data it contained were retrieved and interpreted the next day. Results: Of the 17 study participants, 12 (70.6%, six males, mean age 34.5 (12) years) were diagnosed as having CD of the small bowel according to the findings of the M2A Given Capsule. Conclusions: Wireless capsule endoscopy diagnosed CD of the small bowel (diagnostic yield of 71%). It was demonstrated as being an effective modality for diagnosing patients with suspected CD undetected by conventional diagnostic methodologies.
Contribution of α7 nicotinic receptor to airway epithelium dysfunction under nicotine exposure

Loss or dysfunction of the cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) leads to impairment of airway mucus transport and to chronic lung diseases resulting in progressive respiratory failure. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) bind nicotine and nicotine-derived nitrosamines and thus mediate many of the tobacco-related deleterious effects in the lung. Here we identify α7 nAChR as a key regulator of CFTR in the airways. The airway epithelium in α7 knockout mice is characterized by a higher transepithelial potential difference, an increase of amiloride-sensitive apical Na+ absorption, a defective cAMP-dependent Cl− conductance, higher concentrations of Na+, Cl−, K+, and Ca2+ in secretions, and a decreased mucus transport, all relevant to a deficient CFTR activity. Moreover, prolonged nicotine exposure mimics the absence of α7 nAChR in mice or its inactivation in vitro in human airway epithelial cell cultures. The functional coupling of α7 nAChR to CFTR occurs through Ca2+ entry and activation of adenylyl cyclases, protein kinase A, and PKC. α7 nAChR, CFTR, and adenylyl cyclase-1 are physically and functionally associated in a macromolecular complex within lipid rafts at the apical membrane of surface and glandular airway epithelium. This study establishes the potential role of α7 nAChR in the regulation of CFTR function and in the pathogenesis of smoking-related chronic lung diseases.
Chronic infection with hepatitis G virus in relation to hepatocellular carcinoma among non‐Asians in Los Angeles County, California

The recently identified hepatitis G virus (HGV) is a hepatotropic RNA virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family. The virus causes chronic viremia, and exposure to blood products is a recognized route of transmission in humans. To the authors' knowledge there is scant information regarding the hepatocarcinogenic potential of HGV. The current study examined the association between HGV infection and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Serological Specificities of Murine Hybridoma Monoclonal Antibodies against Neisseria meningitidis Serogroups B, C, Y, and W135 and Evaluation of Their Usefulness as Serogrouping Reagents by Indirect Whole-Cell Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

ABSTRACT Murine hybridoma monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were produced against the capsular antigens of serogroups B, C, Y, and W135 meningococci. Each serogroup-specific MAb reacted with the extracted capsular polysaccharide from its homologous serogroup only and did not react with capsules from the other three serogroups. The application of these MAbs for serogroup identification of meningococci was demonstrated by their abilities to correctly identify 183 clinical isolates of 185 meningococci recovered from individual invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) patients during routine surveillance in 2002. The remaining two meningococci were identified by PCR grouping as C in one case and Y in another, but neither isolate was positive by bacterial agglutination using rabbit antisera or by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using MAbs. The specificities of the anti-Y and anti-W135 MAbs were further assessed by tests with 37 serogroup W135 and 106 serogroup Y meningococci recovered from IMD cases during 1999 to 2001 and 2003. All 143 meningococci except one serogroup Y isolate were correctly identified by positive reactions with the corresponding MAbs that identified their homologous serogroups. The single serogroup Y isolate was received as nonagglutinable and tested as negative with both rabbit anti-Y antiserum and anti-Y MAb but was positive for the serogroup Y-specific siaD gene. The advantage of using MAbs for serogrouping of meningococci is discussed.
Functional output improvement in FES cycling by means of forced smooth pedaling.

PURPOSE Investigation of the influence of forced smooth and normal (nonsmooth) pedaling on the functional output of outdoor functional neuromuscular electrical stimulation (FES)-propelled cycling of spinal cord-injured subjects. SUBJECTS Twelve subjects with complete spinal cord injury (T4-T12) and limited previous FES training. METHOD Each subject participated in two separate outdoor sessions: once while pedaling a tricycle in a fixed gear, and a second time while free pedaling the same tricycle; both times with FES. Data on distance covered until exhaustion, cadence, and pedal forces were collected. Energy balance calculations led to evaluations of jerk loss and joint-related concentric/eccentric work. RESULTS First-trial and total session distances were 68 and 103% longer, respectively, in the forced smooth cycling session than in the free cycling session (P < 0.001). Significantly more additional crank work (accompanied by increased concentric work production) was generated in nonsteady cycling phases to overcome increased jerk losses during free than during fixed-gear pedaling. During fixed-gear pedaling, timing and joint location of muscle work generation were more similar to the cycling of able-bodied subjects than during freewheel pedaling, because most work was generated by knee extensors in the power phase during the former pedaling mode. CONCLUSIONS The superiority of forced smooth cycling to free cycling, as regards functional output distance, is based on less energy expenditure (less jerk loss and muscle tension) and on more efficient production of energy (more efficient timing and joint location of work production). Some energetic mechanisms that are advantageous for fixed-gear cycling act predominantly in unsteady phases; others work continuously during all phases of cycling.
Effect of function and role of research council on the performance of Government Research Institutes: Focusing on economic and Human Society Research Council in Korea

There has been increased requirement on the accountability and efficiency of GRIs(Government Research Institutes) in accordance with the increased investment within the limited national resources. To address these issues, each government is introducing the performance evaluation system and Korea is also trying to upgrade its evaluation system under the guidance of NSTC (National Science and Technology Committee). This study analyzes how the function and role of Economic and Human Society Research Council in terms of supporting and promoting Government Research Institutes (GRIs) have affected their performance. In specific, it considers five factors regarding function and role of the Research Council described in related laws, enforcement decrees and Articles of Association, and four performance factors based on BSC(balanced sorecard, BSC). Furthermore, the study considers the effects of control factors on the performance, including research area, size and established year of GRIs. The analysis on 95 executives and employees from 23 GRIs shows that the function and role of the Economic and Human Society Research Council has exerted significant influence on the performance of GRIs. In detail, among the characteristics of GRIs, research area and the size of GRIs have control effects on the customer performance and the performance in terms of internal process and learning efficiency, while the established year of GRIs has an impact on the internal process performance. Therefore, the results suggest that the Research Council should conduct its function and role in a tailored manner, considering research area and established year of GRIs. In conclusion, this study points out political suggestions, and discusses the direction of future studies and the limit of the study.
Biomechanical Effects of Unipedicular Vertebroplasty on Intact Vertebrae

Study Design. To assess the biomechanical effects of unipedicular vertebroplasty on nonfractured vertebrae. Objectives. To evaluate the potential benefits of vertebroplasty as a preventative treatment. To evaluate the effects of cement volume and bone mineral density on the mechanics of augmented intact vertebral bodies. Summary of Background Data. Many studies have been undertaken to examine the effects of augmentation procedures such as vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty on fractured vertebral bodies. However, the role of such procedures as a prophylactic or interventional tool has not been well studied. This approach may be of clinical interest due to the high occurrence of secondary compression fractures and potentially altered biomechanics following an isolated vertebroplasty procedure. Methods. Nonfractured osteoporotic vertebrae were measured to calculate volume and DEXA scanned to obtain bone mineral density information. Randomly selected specimens were injected with 10% and 20% bone cement by volume or left unfilled to serve as controls. After radiographs and noted cement leakage, specimens were subjected to destructive compression testing. Results. It was found that the injection of 20% bone cement by volume in the lumbar levels resulted in a statistically significant 36% strength increase as compared with the unfilled controls regardless of density levels. However, in the upper thoracic vertebrae there was no significant difference between the strengths of the three groups. Additionally, injection of 20% bone cement frequently resulted in extravasation through vascular channels or into the spinal canal. Conclusions. The introduction of 20% bone cement by volume results in a significant increase in the compressive strength of intact lumbar vertebrae, however upper thoracic vertebrae do not demonstrate a similar strength improvement. There was no difference in the stiffness of the vertebrae injected with cement regardless of location. Bone mineral density (BMD) may play a role in the magnitude of the strength increase, with lower BMD specimens realizing a relatively greater strength improvement. Cement leakage was frequently noted with 20% cement injection, especially in the specimens with higher BMD. The location of the cement did not appear to have an effect on the loading behavior of the bone but should be controlled to minimize the chance of cement escaping into the spinal canal.
C3 Promotes Expansion of CD8+ and CD4+ T Cells in a Listeria monocytogenes Infection1

It is known that C3 is required for optimal expansion of T cells during acute viral infections. However, it is not yet determined whether T cell responses to intracellular bacterial infections require C3. Therefore, we have investigated the requirement for C3 to elicit potent T cell responses to Listeria monocytogenes (LM). We show that expansion of Ag-specific CD8 and CD4 T cells during a primary response to LM was markedly reduced in the absence of C3 activity. Further studies indicated that, unlike in an influenza virus infection, the regulation of LM-specific T cell responses by C3 might not involve the downstream effector C5a. Moreover, reduced T cell responses to LM was not linked to defective maturation of dendritic cells or developmental anomalies in the peripheral T cell compartment of C3-deficient mice. Experiments involving adoptive transfer of C3-deficient CD8 T cells into the C3-sufficient environment of wild-type mice showed that these T cells do not have intrinsic proliferative defects, and a paracrine source of C3 will suffice for clonal expansion of CD8 T cells in vivo. However, stimulation of purified C3-deficient CD8 T cells by plastic-immobilized anti-CD3 showed that C3 promotes T cell proliferation directly, independent of its effects on APC. On the basis of these findings, we propose that diminished T cell responses to LM in C3-deficient mice might be at least in part due to lack of direct effects of C3 on T cells. These studies have furthered our understanding of C3-mediated regulation of T cell immunity to intracellular pathogens.
[Association of polymorphism in neurogenic differentiation factor 1 gene with type 2 diabetes].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the role of polymorphism in the neurogenic differentiation factor 1(Neuro D) gene in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS The genotypes of codon 45 variant (GCC-->ACC) in the Neuro D gene were determined by mismatch PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay in 448 Chinese, including 124 subjects with normal glucose tolerance and 324 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The diabetic patients were divided into two groups cutting off with the age of 40 at onset. RESULTS No homozygote of the Ala45Thr variant was found in these subjects. The frequencies of AT heterozygous type were significantly higher in early-onset type 2 diabetic group than those in the control group and in the late-onset type 2 diabetic group (chi(2)=7.85, P=0.005; chi(2)=8.81, P=0.003). The frequencies of Thr45 allele in the early-onset type 2 diabetic group were significantly different from those of the control group (13.4% vs 5.2%, chi(2)=7.15, P=0.008) and the late-onset type 2 diabetic group (13.4% vs 5.8%, chi(2)=8.13, P=0.004). The presence of Thr45 allele was shown to have an association with early-onset type 2 diabetes (OR=2.52, 95% CI: 1.42-4.49). Furthermore, the subjects carrying the variant appeared to have lower serum concentration of C-peptide in diabetic group. However, the frequencies of polymorphism genotypes of Neuro D gene showed no difference between the late-onset type 2 diabetic group and the control group. CONCLUSION The genetic polymorphism in the Neuro D is associated with the development of early-onset type 2 diabetes. The presence of Thr45 allele may represent a risk factor for early-onset type 2 diabetes among Chinese.
Article use in Spanish-speaking children with Specific Language Impairment

The current study analysed article use in Spanish-speaking children with specific language impairment who are learning English as a second language. The SURFACE HYPOTHESIS account of specific language impairment was evaluated in relation to the use of articles in these children. Language samples were obtained from 15 Spanish-speaking children with language impairment and 15 with normal language, ages 5;0 to 7;1, matched by age, gender, and school. The percentage of article errors was tested between groups with a nonparametric analysis and an analysis of covariance with mean length of terminable unit as the covariate. Results revealed significant differences between groups on percent of article errors with and without MLTU as the covariate. Nonparametric statistics on percent of article error types indicated that most errors consisted of omissions and gender agreement substitutions. As predicted by the Surface Hypothesis, article errors were likely to occur in unstressed definite articles, suggesting that perceptual and prosodic processes have some impact on children's production of articles.
Towards a comprehensive simulation model of malaria epidemiology and control

SUMMARY Planning of the control of Plasmodium falciparum malaria leads to a need for models of malaria epidemiology that provide realistic quantitative prediction of likely epidemiological outcomes of a wide range of control strategies. Predictions of the effects of control often ignore medium- and long-term dynamics. The complexities of the Plasmodium life-cycle, and of within-host dynamics, limit the applicability of conventional deterministic malaria models. We use individual-based stochastic simulations of malaria epidemiology to predict the impacts of interventions on infection, morbidity, mortality, health services use and costs. Individual infections are simulated by stochastic series of parasite densities, and naturally acquired immunity acts by reducing densities. Morbidity and mortality risks, and infectiousness to vectors, depend on parasite densities. The simulated infections are nested within simulations of individuals in human populations, and linked to models of interventions and health systems. We use numerous field datasets to optimise parameter estimates. By using a volunteer computing system we obtain the enormous computational power required for model fitting, sensitivity analysis, and exploration of many different intervention strategies. The project thus provides a general platform for comparing, fitting, and evaluating different model structures, and for quantitative prediction of effects of different interventions and integrated control programmes.
Risk factors for leprosy reactions in three endemic countries.

The objective of this study was to ascertain risk factors for complications (reactions or neuritis) in leprosy patients at the time of diagnosis in three leprosy-endemic countries. Newly diagnosed patients were enrolled in Brazil, the Philippines, and Nepal, and risk factors for reactions and neuritis were assessed using a case-control approach: "cases" were patients with these complications, and controls were patients without complications. Of 1,972 patients enrolled in this study, 22% had complications before treatment. Type 1 reaction was diagnosed in 13.7% of patients, neuritis alone in 6.9. %, and type 2 reaction in 1.4%. The frequency of these complications was higher in Nepal, in lepromatous patients, in males, and in adults versus children. Reactions and neuritis were seen in patients at diagnosis, before treatment was started. Reactions were seen in adults and children, even in patients with only a single lesion. Neuritis was often present without other signs of reaction. Reactions and neuritis were more likely to occur in lepromatous patients, and were more likely to be seen in adults than in children.
A novel role for anosmin‐1 in the adhesion and migration of oligodendrocyte precursors

At embryonic stages of development, oligodendrocyte precursors (OPCs) generated in the preoptic area colonize the entire optic nerve (ON). Different factors controlling migration of ON OPCs have been identified, including secreted growth factors, morphogens and guidance cues, as well as cell adhesion molecules. We have shown previously that the soluble form of the extracellular matrix (ECM) protein anosmin‐1, impairs OPC migration induced by FGF‐2. In the present work, we show that anosmin‐1 is expressed by both migrating OPCs and axons of the retinal ganglion cells in the embryonic ON. In vitro, we observe that OPC migration is strongly impaired by contact with anosmin‐1 when used as a substrate and, in contrast to previous results, this effect is independent of FGF‐2/FGFR1 signaling. We also show that OPCs preferentially adhere to anosmin‐1 when compared with other ECM molecules used as substrates, and that when the endogenous anosmin‐1 expressed by OPCs is blocked, OPC adhesion to all the different substrates (including anosmin‐1), is significantly reduced. This novel effect of anosmin‐1 on cell adhesion is also independent of FGF‐2/FGFR1. We finally demonstrate that the blockade of the endogenous anosmin‐1 expressed by OPCs impairs their migration. Our data suggest that the endogenous anosmin‐1 expressed by OPCs is necessary for the correct adhesion of these cells to the different components of the ECM (including anosmin‐1 itself), contributing to the migration of these cells. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2008
Characterization of human metapneumovirus from pediatric patients with acute respiratory infections in a 4‐year period in Beijing, China

Background Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) was discovered by scientists in the Netherlands as a novel respiratory virus in 2001 and had been found in children with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTI) in China. The objective of this study was to determine the importance of hMPV infection in children in Beijing and the genotypes of the circulating virus by the surveillance during a four‐consecutive‐year period. Methods Clinical specimens collected from children with ARTI from January 2006 to December 2009 were tested for hMPV by RT‐PCR using primers targeting the matrix (M) gene, followed by genotyping of hMPV directly from positive samples by diplex PCR with primers for glycoprotein (G) genes. Sequence analysis was used for genotyping of those un‐typable samples. Common respiratory viruses in these clinical specimens were tested by virus isolation and antigen detection, in addition to hMPV detection. Results Of 4730 tested specimens, 191 (4.0%) were positive for hMPV and 62.8% of 191 were identified as genotype A. The positive rate of hMPV from hospitalized patients was higher than that from outpatients each year. Most of hMPV positive children were under five years old. The peak of hMPV activity mostly occurred in late spring and overlapped with or followed that of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and followed by parainfluenza virus 3. Of hMPV infected cases, 68.6% were lower respiratory tract infection, among which 79.4% were hospitalized, and upper respiratory tract infection was diagnosed for 31.4% of hMPV infected children. The 9.4% of hMPV positive samples were found to co‐exist with other respiratory viruses. Conclusions hMPV was an important pathogen for ARTI in pediatric patients, especially those under five years old. Both genotypes A and B circulated simultaneously in Beijing. Chin Med J 2011;124(11):1623–1628