Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Science, practice and patient needs: the work of the Plinius Maior Society.

The Plinius Maior Society is a European multinational, multidisciplinary group of clinicians and researchers in the alcoholism field, which strives for a comprehensive care concept in the management of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. The Society, using evidence-based medicine, has developed a set of protocols, in the forms of guidelines, flow-charts, leaflets and booklets, for use as tools in research on and treatment of alcohol dependence, with a view to standardize clinical research procedures and to bridge the gap between the alcoholism researcher, practitioner and patient. These protocols or tools have been subjected to a review process during their preparation, and further comments on their validity will be integrated in their updates. Seven protocols have so far been developed, two of which, 'Guidelines on Evaluation of Treatment of Alcohol Dependence' and 'Detection and Management of Patients with Psychiatric and Alcohol Use Disorders', are aimed at the clinical researcher and specialists, whereas three others [in the form of decision trees (flow-charts)] are aimed at the general practitioner and other primary health care providers. These are entitled 'Alcohol Risk Assessment and Intervention in Primary Care', 'Withdrawal from Alcohol at Home' and 'Brief Intervention in Patients with Alcohol-Related Problems'. The remaining two tools are booklets aimed at the patient, one to support initiatives for detection of drinking problems and primary intervention, namely 'Do you have this Problem? Discuss it with your Doctor! ', and the other to assist the patient in relapse prevention after the early stages of treatment, namely 'On the Way to Recovery'. The protocols for the general practitioners and patients have so far been produced in seven European languages, and, as with the Guidelines, feedback from target users will be collected and incorporated in future updates. The Society continually seeks to consider areas of clinical importance for its work and, as it enters the new millennium, it hopes to address and make a significant contribution to the most pressing problem in the management of alcohol dependence, namely relapse.
TNF‐α Upregulates Fgl2 Expression in Rat Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Proinflammatory cytokine TNF‐α during MI/R injury has been studied extensively. However, how TNF‐α induces microvascular dysfunction in MI/R is still unclear. This study investigates whether TNF‐α regulates fibrinogen‐like protein 2 (fgl2) expression, a procoagulant resulting in the formation of fibrin‐rich microthrombus in MI/R injury.
Suppressive Acyclovir Therapy Reduces HIV Cervicovaginal Shedding in HIV- and HSV-2-Infected Women, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Background:Herpes simplex virus type 2 infection is important in the HIV epidemic and may contribute to increased HIV transmission. We evaluated the effect of suppressive acyclovir therapy on cervicovaginal HIV-1 shedding. Methods:HIV-1- and herpes simplex virus type 2-coinfected women aged 18-49 years with CD4 counts >200 cells/μL were enrolled in a randomized crossover trial of suppressive acyclovir therapy (NCT00362596, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov). For each woman, monthly plasma and weekly cervicovaginal lavage specimens were collected; the mean of the monthly median cervicovaginal lavage HIV-1 viral load and plasma HIV-1 viral load was compared. Results:Sixty-seven women were enrolled; at baseline, median CD4 count was 366 cells/μL, and median HIV-1 plasma viral load was 4.6 log10 copies/mL. The mean cervicovaginal lavage HIV-1 viral load was 1.9 (SD 0.8) log10 copies/mL during the acyclovir month and 2.2 (SD 0.7) log10 copies/mL during the placebo month (P < 0.0001); the mean decrease in HIV was 0.3 log10 copies/mL. The mean plasma HIV viral load during the acyclovir month (3.78 log10 copies/mL) was reduced compared with the placebo month (4.26 log10 copies/mL, P < 0.001). Conclusions:Acyclovir reduced HIV genital shedding and plasma viral load among HIV-1- and herpes simplex virus type 2-coinfected women. Further data from clinical trials will examine the effect of suppressive therapy on HIV transmission.
Shiga toxins induce autophagy leading to differential signalling pathways in toxin‐sensitive and toxin‐resistant human cells

The bacterial virulence factors Shiga toxins (Stxs) are expressed by Shigella dysenteriae serotype 1 and certain Escherichia coli strains. Stxs are protein synthesis inhibitors and induce apoptosis in many cell types. Stxs induce apoptosis via prolonged endoplasmic reticulum stress signalling to activate both extrinsic and intrinsic pathways in human myeloid cells. Studies have shown that autophagy, a lysosome‐dependent catabolic process, may be associated with activation of pro‐survival or death processes. It is currently unknown if autophagy contributes to apoptosis or protects cells from Stxs. To study cellular responses to Stxs, we intoxicated toxin‐sensitive cells (THP‐1 and HK‐2 cells), and toxin‐resistant cells (primary human monocyte‐derived macrophages) and examined toxin intracellular trafficking and autophagosome formation. Stxs translocated to different cell compartments in toxin‐resistant versus toxin‐sensitive cells. Confocal microscopy revealed autophagosome formation in both toxin‐resistant and toxin‐sensitive cells. Proteolytic cleavage of Atg5 and Beclin‐1 plays pivotal roles in switching non‐cytotoxic autophagy to cell death signalling. We detected cleaved forms of Atg5 and Beclin‐1 in Stx‐treated toxin‐sensitive cells, while cleaved caspases, calpains, Atg5 and Beclin‐1 were not detected in toxin‐resistant primary human monocytes and macrophages. These findings suggest that toxin sensitivity correlates with caspase and calpain activation, leading to Atg5 and Beclin‐1 cleavage.
Effects of maturation on cell water, protein, and DNA content in ovine cerebral arteries.

The present study examined the effects of maturation on base-soluble protein, DNA content, and intracellular water volume in ovine cerebral arteries to evaluate these variables as references for normalization of levels of cellular constituents in studies of vascular maturation. With maturation, base-soluble protein per unit wet weight (measured by using the Bradford method) increased by 27% to 46%, and cell volume (estimated as the ratio of cell water to DNA) increased by 53% to 97%. However, intracellular water per unit wet weight (calculated as the difference between total water measured by dehydration and extracellular water measured by using the extracellular marker [57Co]EDTA) increased by only 1% to 16%, because of maturation-related hypertrophy (quantitated histologically) combined with decreased cell number per unit wet weight (DNA content, quantitated by using Hoechst dye, decreased by 32% to 41%). In addition, the effects of maturation were artery specific: maturational increases in cell water and volume were more pronounced in common carotid than in cerebral arteries. These findings demonstrate that different methods of normalization can produce quantitatively opposite results in maturation-related studies. For cellular constituents, the most physiologically relevant normalization is relative to intracellular water volume, which yields units of apparent intracellular concentration. Because the relative content of intracellular water per unit wet weight changes little with maturation, normalization of levels of cellular constituents relative to wet weight provides a reasonable index of intracellular concentration. Clearly, no single approach is optimal for all studies, and the method of normalization should be carefully considered with regard to effects of maturation on vascular composition. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Pulmonary Hemodynamics in Newborn Piglets during Hypoxemia and Reoxygenation: Blocking of the Endothelin-1 Receptors

The effects of blocking endothelin (ET) receptors in pulmonary circulation during hypoxemia and reoxygenation were studied in five groups of piglets. Ten minutes before hypoxemia, the Hyp group (n= 10) was given saline and the 1-mg (n= 9) and 5-mg group (n= 9), respectively, were given 1 and 5 mg/kg i.v. SB 217242 (an ET receptor antagonist). Two groups served as normoxic controls. The piglets were ventilated with 8% O2 until base excess was <−20 mmol/L or mean arterial blood pressure was <20 mm Hg. Reoxygenation was performed with air. The increase of mean pulmonary artery pressure was significantly attenuated during hypoxemia and reoxygenation in the 1-mg group (p= 0.006). The pulmonary vascular resistance index increased significantly at the end of hypoxemia in the Hyp and 5-mg groups but was comparable to baseline in the 1-mg group. During the study period, the changes in pulmonary vascular resistance index were significantly attenuated in the 1-mg group compared with the 5-mg group. Stroke volume index was significantly attenuated compared with baseline in the 5-mg group during both hypoxemia and reoxygenation, whereas, in the Hyp and 1-mg group, stroke volume index was attenuated only at the end of hypoxemia. During hypoxemia, plasma ET-1 decreased from 1.9 ± 0.2 to 1.3 ± 0.3 ng/L (p= 0.008) in the Hyp group, remained unchanged in the 1-mg group, and increased from 1.6 ± 0.2 to 6.6 ± 1.6 ng/L (p= 0.008) in the 5-mg group. We conclude that blocking ET receptors attenuates pulmonary vasoconstriction during hypoxemia and reoxygenation in piglets.
The effect of a mouthrinse based on nisin, a bacteriocin, on developing plaque and gingivitis in beagle dogs.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nisin, an antimicrobial peptide, on the development of plaque and gingivitis in beagle dogs when compared with 0.12% chlorhexidine and a placebo. 16 female beagle dogs 1 year of age were brought to optimum gingival health by scaling, root planing and polishing. At the conclusion of the pretreatment phase, the dogs were divided into 4 groups for the application of the test agents and were placed on a plaque promoting diet of Purina Dog Chow softened with water. Test agents included 100 micrograms/ml nisin and 300 micrograms/ml nisin formulated in a vehicle containing 1 mM NaEDTA; negative control comprised of exactly the same formulation but omitting nisin; and 0.12% chlorhexidine as Peridex. Throughout the treatment period, formulations were applied 2x daily to premolar teeth in each quadrant for 1 min using a Monojet syringe. The development of plaque and gingivitis was monitored at 15, 27, 39, 53, 74 and 88 days during the treatment phase using standard measurements of gingival index, plaque index, stain index and bleeding to probing. Throughout the treatment phase, plaque accumulation increased in all groups, but the rate of plaque build-up was less in groups treated with either nisin or chlorhexidine formulations compared with the placebo treated group. The gingival index of dogs in all groups increased throughout the study period. However, from day 27 onward, the groups receiving nisin had lower gingival index scores than did the placebo group. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Eddy current loss analysis in permanent magnets of synchronous machines

When designing permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSM) the losses in the permanent magnets may not be neglected. Especially in high-speed applications these losses contribute a proportion of the total losses which can be significant. In literature existing analytical loss calculation approaches are generally validated by numerical Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations and, however, have hardly been verified by experimental measurements. In this paper the eddy current losses of permanent magnets are investigated by an analytical loss calculation approach which is verified by FEM computations. Furthermore, the results are validated by a measuring setup which determines the AC loss in permanent magnets by a double coil measuring arrangement. The relative conductivity of the permanent magnet is an uncertain parameter for eddy current loss calculations. Therefore it is determined metrologically. The measuring arrangement which is used for this purpose is introduced. As a result important conclusions regarding the calculation and measurement of AC losses in permanent magnets are achieved.
Phylogenetic analysis of intestinal bacteria of freshwater salmon Salmo salar and sea trout Salmo trutta trutta and diet

The microbial diversity of culturable intestinal microflora of wild freshwater salmonid fishes salmon Salmo salar and sea trout Salmo trutta trutta juveniles (0+ years old) from the same environmental conditions were investigated by means of molecular identification techniques and analysis of diet. Significant differences in the intestinal microbial diversity were observed in different fish species. The predominant group in the intestinal tract of the salmon comprised representatives of the Enterobacteriaceae family (23%), Plesiomonas (19.2%) and Carnobacterium (15.3%). Predominant microbiota in sea trout intestinal tract were Enterobacteriaceae (52%), Aeromonas (22%) and Pseudomonas (14%). The results show that Enterobacteriaceae were predominant in the intestinal tract of the salmon and the sea trout juveniles raised on diets of different compositions. However, molecular identification of the intestinal microbiota at the species or genus level revealed differences in these fish species. Bacteria in the hindgut of salmon included Pragia and Serratia. However, bacteria in the gut contents of sea trout from the Enterobacteriaceae family were Buttiauxella, Enterobacter, Moellerella, Pantoea, Rahnella and Tiedjeia arctica. A novel phylotype of T. arctica is harbored in the intestinal tract of wild salmon, and may correspond to a previously undescribed species.
Imaging of congenital uterine anomalies: review and self-assessment module.

OBJECTIVE The educational objectives of this continuing medical education activity are for the reader to exercise, self-assess, and improve skills in diagnostic radiology with regard to the interpretation of hysterosalpingograms and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the female pelvis in the evaluation of recurrent reproductive failure caused by congenital uterine anomalies. CONCLUSION This article reviews the common congenital uterine anomalies,characteristic imaging features of each anomaly by hysterosalpingography and MRI, and the clinical importance of diagnosing and properly categorizing each anomaly.
Formation and structure of mixed bacterial communities

Mixed bacterial communities are formed by unrelated bacteria on solid media. Mixed bacterial communities on solid media are similar to “classical” colonies and are formed after the growth of a large number of unrelated bacteria simultaneously plated onto a limited area of agar. The morphology of the mixed bacterial communities was similar for different combinations of bacteria and did not change when the bacteria were plated on different media. Different bacterial strains form zones of individual and mixed growth in the structure of mixed bacterial communities. The results of electron microscopic examination indicate that mixed bacterial communities are isolated from their external environment by a surface film. The basic part of this film is formed by an elementary membrane. The membrane of the surface film of mixed bacterial communities is a stable structure occupying a large surface area. The results of this investigation seem to indicate the existence of a special type of co‐operation between different species of bacteria. This type of co‐operation may be very important in the regulation of interactions between different bacteria and between bacteria and the environment.
Predicting school dropout and adolescent sexual behavior in offspring of depressed and nondepressed mothers.

OBJECTIVE To examine predictors of school dropout and adolescent sexual behavior in offspring of depressed and nondepressed mothers. Possible moderators of the relation between maternal depression and these outcomes also were explored. METHOD Participants were 240 mothers and adolescents assessed annually from 6th through 12th grade. Interviews and questionnaires measured the chronicity and severity of the mother's depressive episodes, the mother's educational attainment, socioeconomic status, the presence of a father, the adolescent's IQ, externalizing behaviors, and substance use disorders. RESULTS Substance use disorders before ninth grade significantly predicted higher rates of both school dropout and adolescent sexual behavior. Lower levels of mother's educational attainment and higher rates of adolescent's externalizing behaviors in grades 6 through 8 predicted higher school dropout. Higher IQ was associated with a lower likelihood of dropping out among offspring of never or moderately depressed mothers, but not for offspring of chronic/severely depressed mothers. Among offspring of never or moderately depressed mothers, the presence of a male head of household was associated with lower rates of adolescent sexual behavior, but not among offspring of chronically/severely depressed mothers. CONCLUSIONS These findings have implications for the development of programs aimed at preventing behavior problems in high-risk adolescents.
Temperature stability of Love wave device with multi-guide layers of SiO2/SU-8

Theoretical calculation have been performed for the temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) of Love wave device with multi-guide layers by solving the coupled electromechanical field equations, and the optimal design parameters were extraction, leading to excellent temperature stability. Excellent temperature coefficient of the Love wave device with SU-8/SiO2 on ST-90°X quartz substrate is evaluated experimentally as only 2.3 ppm/°C, which agrees well with the calculated results.
Analysis of key parameters in MWP-LCI systems

Low coherence interferometry (LCI) is a well-known measurement technique able to provide an axial precision in the order of the microns. Its application to a wide variety of fields like medicine has attracted the interest of many authors mainly due to its non-invasive characteristic. By combining LCI and microwave photonics (MWP), we take profit from the inherent stability that the RF domain offers to improve the general performance of key parameters. In this paper, an analysis of key parameters in a MWP-LCI structure is carried out. The main target is to demonstrate the feasibility of a LCI system by means of MWP technology featuring unique properties beyond the current state of the art. The analysed scheme is able to obtain the optical path difference (OPD) related to a sample by retrieving the low-coherence interferogram in the RF domain. Moreover, we provide an accurate definition of resolution for MWP-LCI based system, which is closely related to the shape of the optical source profile employed. Finally, experimental demonstration of the analysis carried out in this work is also attached.
Isolation and characterization of a pigmentless-conidium mutant of Aspergillus fumigatus with altered conidial surface and reduced virulence

Aspergillus fumigatus is an important pathogen of immunocompromised hosts, causing pneumonia and invasive disseminated disease with high mortality. The factors contributing to the predominance of A. fumigatus as an opportunistic pathogen are largely unknown. Since the survival of conidia in the host is a prerequisite for establishing disease, we have been attempting to identify factors which are associated with conidia and, simultaneously, important for infection. Therefore, an A. fumigatus mutant strain (white [W]) lacking conidial pigmentation was isolated. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that conidia of the W mutant also differed in their surface morphology from those of the wild type (WT). Mutant (W) and WT conidia were compared with respect to their capacities to stimulate an oxidative response in human phagocytes, their intracellular survival in human monocytes, and virulence in a murine animal model. Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence was 10-fold higher when human neutrophils or monocytes were challenged with W conidia compared with WT conidia. Furthermore, mutant conidia were more susceptible to killing by oxidants in vitro and were more efficiently damaged by human monocytes in vitro than WT conidia. In a murine animal model, the W mutant strain showed reduced virulence compared with the WT. A reversion analysis of the W mutant demonstrated that all phenotypes associated with the W mutant, i.e., altered conidial surface, amount of reactive oxygen species release, susceptibility to hydrogen peroxide, and reduced virulence in an murine animal model, coreverted in revertants which had regained the ability to produce green spores. This finding strongly suggests that the A. fumigatus mutant described here carries a single mutation which caused all of the observed phenotypes. Our results suggest that the conidium pigment or a structural feature related to it contributes to fungal resistance against host defense mechanisms in A. fumigatus infections.
Prognostic factors in decision‐making in the clinical management of Hodgkin's disease

At the beginning of this conference, Dr Ford asked whether or not Hodgkin's disease was a malignancy. Most physicians would agree that, regardless of whether this question can be answered on a molecular level, Hodgkin's disease certainly behaves like a malignancy, and clinically fits criteria necessary to call it one. It grows without control locally, comprising vital organs. It ‘metastasizes’, infiltrates organs, and causes organ dysfunction. Patients afflicted with the disease have a shortened life span without proper therapy, as demonstrated by DeVita in his original publication describing the benefits of MOPP chemotherapy (nitrogen mustard, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone) (DeVita et al., 1970). However, it can progress very slowly, with 50 per cent of untreated patients with stage III or IV disease dead at one year, but 10 to 15 per cent alive at five years. Therefore, in its clinical behaviour, Hodgkin's disease certainly qualifies as a malignant disorder, despite the fact that we do not have the molecular means of calling it one.
Expression of the Arf tumor suppressor gene is controlled by Tgfβ2 during development

The Arf tumor suppressor (also known as Cdkn2a) acts as an oncogene sensor induced by `abnormal' mitogenic signals in incipient cancer cells. It also plays a crucial role in embryonic development: newborn mice lacking Arf are blind due to a pathological process resembling severe persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV), a human eye disease. The cell-intrinsic mechanism implied in the oncogene sensor model seems unlikely to explain Arf regulation during embryo development. Instead, transforming growth factor β2 (Tgfβ2) might control Arf expression, as we show that mice lacking Tgfβ2 have primary vitreous hyperplasia similar to Arf-/- mice. Consistent with a potential linear pathway, Tgfβ2 induces Arf transcription and p19Arf expression in cultured mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs); and Tgfβ2-dependent cell cycle arrest in MEFs is maintained in an Arf-dependent manner. Using a new model in which Arf expression can be tracked by β-galactosidase activity in ArflacZ/+ mice, we show that Tgfβ2 is required for Arf transcription in the developing vitreous as well as in the cornea and the umbilical arteries, two previously unrecognized sites of Arf expression. Chemical and genetic strategies show that Arf promoter induction depends on Tgfβ receptor activation of Smad proteins; the induction correlates with Smad2 phosphorylation in MEFs and Arf-expressing cells in vivo. Chromatin immunoprecipitation shows that Smads bind to genomic DNA proximal to Arf exon 1β. In summary, Tgfβ2 and p19Arf act in a linear pathway during embryonic development. We present the first evidence that p19Arf expression can be coupled to extracellular cues in normal cells and suggest a new mechanism for Arf control in tumor cells.