Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and interleukin (IL) 18 genes polymorphisms are correlated with susceptibility to HPV infection in patients with and without cervical intraepithelial lesion

Abstract Background: The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) predisposes 500 000 women to cervical cancer. Host genetic background may facilitate virus persistence in the uterine cervix. Polymorphisms in regulatory and coding regions of cytokine genes have been associated with susceptibility to some human diseases. Aim: This study aims at investigating whether TNFA -308 G/A and IL18 -137 G/C and -607 C/A polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to HPV infection/progression to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). Subjects and methods: One hundred and twenty-two HPV infected and 132 HPV negative women (the latter used as healthy controls) were analysed. TNFA -308 G/A and IL18 (-137G/C and -607 C/A) polymorphisms were analysed using specific sequence polymorphism PCR (SSP-PCR). Univariate statistical analysis and a logistic regression were performed. Results: The TNFA -308A allele was associated with susceptibility to HPV infection (p = 0.0008), while the IL18 -607A allele conferred protection against HPV infection (p = 0.0043). TNFA -308 G/A and IL18 (-137G/C and -607 C/A) polymorphisms were not associated with development of cervical lesions (p > 0.05). An association was also observed between smoking and susceptibility to the development of HSIL. Conclusion: The findings suggest an association between two TNFA SNPs and susceptibility to HPV infection in women from Northeast Brazil. The results need to be functionally validated and replicated in other populations with different ethnic backgrounds.
Splenic involvement by aggressive malignant lymphomas of B‐cell and T‐cell types. A morphologic and immunophenotypic study

To determine whether there are any consistent morphologic differences between B‐cell and T‐cell aggressive non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas of the spleen, the authors analyzed 16 spleens involved by mixed cell (1 case) or large cell (15 cases) lymphomas. Immunologic data were derived from cell suspensions or frozen tissue in each case. Five cases had a T‐cell phenotype, and 11 were B‐cell. Morphologic features favoring a T‐cell phenotype included epithelioid histiocytic reactions, confinement of the lymphomas to the splenic T‐zones (periarteriolar lymphoid sheath and marginal zone), and clear cell or polymorphous cytologic features. Features favoring a B‐cell phenotype included multiple discrete nodules in the white pulp, large coalescent tumor nodules in association with small lymphocytic lymphoma, and large non‐cleaved or immunoblastic plasmacytoid cytologic characteristics. Four cases were unusual because most neoplastic large cells were distributed diffusely or formed only small aggregates in the red pulp without definite tumor masses or nodules involving the white pulp. Because of this distribution and the frequently encountered erythrophagocytosis by benign‐appearing histiocytes, these cases resembled malignant histiocytosis. A T‐cell phenotype was predicted for all four cases; however, only one case, a lymphoma with polymorphous cytologic characteristics, was of T‐cell lineage. The other three cases were of B‐cell lineage. The authors' results indicate that in most instances the B‐cell or T‐cell nature of aggressive splenic lymphomas is predictable from the distributional and cytologic features. As in lymph nodes, there are cases for which the morphologic characteristics of B‐cell and T‐cell lymphomas are indistinguishable.
Elevating the frequency of chromosome mis-segregation as a strategy to kill tumor cells

The mitotic checkpoint has evolved to prevent chromosome mis-segregations by delaying mitosis when unattached chromosomes are present. Inducing severe chromosome segregation errors by ablating the mitotic checkpoint causes cell death. Here we have analyzed the consequences of gradual increases in chromosome segregation errors on the viability of tumor cells and normal human fibroblasts. Partial reduction of essential mitotic checkpoint components in four tumor cell lines caused mild chromosome mis-segregations, but no lethality. These cells were, however, remarkably more sensitive to low doses of taxol, which enhanced the amount and severity of chromosome segregation errors. Sensitization to taxol was achieved by reducing levels of Mps1 or BubR1, proteins having dual roles in checkpoint activation and chromosome alignment, but not by reducing Mad2, functioning solely in the mitotic checkpoint. Moreover, we find that untransformed human fibroblasts with reduced Mps1 levels could not be sensitized to sublethal doses of taxol. Thus, targeting the mitotic checkpoint and chromosome alignment simultaneously may selectively kill tumor cells by enhancing chromosome mis-segregations.
Sialidase expression in activated human T lymphocytes influences production of IFN‐γ

Sialidases influence cellular activity by removing terminal sialic acid from glycoproteins and glycolipids. Four genetically distinct sialidases (Neu1–4) have been identified in mammalian cells. In this study, we demonstrate that only lysosomal Neu1 and plasma membrane‐associated Neu3 are detected in freshly isolated and activated human T lymphocytes. Activation of lymphocytes by exposure to anti‐CD3 and anti‐CD28 IgG resulted in a ninefold increase in Neu1‐specific activity after growth of cells in culture for 5 days. In contrast, the activity of Neu3 changed minimally in activated lymphocytes. The increase n Neu1 enzyme activity correlated with increased synthesis of Neu1‐specific mRNA. Neu1 was present on the surface of freshly isolated and activated CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes, as determined by staining intact cells with anti‐Neu1 IgG and analysis by flow cytometry and by Western blot analysis of biotin‐labeled cell surface proteins. Cell surface Neu1 was found tightly associated with a subunit of protective protein/cathepsin A (PPCA). Compared with freshly isolated lymphocytes, activated cells expressed more surface binding sites for galactose‐recognizing lectins Erythrina cristagalli (ECA) and Arachis hypogaea. Growth of cells in the presence of sialidase inhibitors 2,3‐dehydro‐2‐deoxy‐N‐acetylneuraminic acid or 4‐guanidino‐2‐deoxy‐2,3‐dehydro‐N‐acetylneuraminic acid resulted in a smaller increase in number of ECA‐binding sites and a greater amount of cell surface sialic acid in activated cells. Inhibition of sialidase activity also resulted in reduced expression of IFN‐γ in activated cells. The down‐regulation of IFN‐γ occurred at the transcriptional level. Thus, sialidase activity in activated T lymphocytes contributes to the hyposialylation of specific cell surface glycoconjugates and to the production of IFN‐γ.
Activation of Tie2 by angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 results in their release and receptor internalization

The receptor tyrosine kinase Tie2 is highly expressed in endothelial cells and is crucial for angiogenesis and vascular maintenance. The ligands for Tie2 are the angiopoietins, of which angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 have been the most studied. Angiopoietin-1 has been characterized as the primary activating ligand for Tie2 whereas the role of angiopoietin-2 remains controversial; activating Tie2 in some studies and inhibiting Tie2 in others. Our studies were aimed at understanding the regulation of Tie2 in endothelial cells by angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 and revealed that both ligands activated Tie2 in a concentration-dependent manner. Angiopoietin-2 was considerably weaker at activating Tie2 compared with angiopoietin-1 suggesting that angiopoietin-2 may be a partial agonist. Activation of Tie2 by these ligands resulted in differential turnover of the receptor where binding of angiopoietin-1, and to a lesser extent angiopoietin-2, induced rapid internalization and degradation of Tie2. Furthermore, our binding studies demonstrate that both ligands are differentially released from the endothelial cell surface after receptor activation and accumulate in the surrounding medium. Altogether, these data begin our understanding of the regulation of Tie2 and the activity of the angiopoietins after engaging the endothelial cell surface.
Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension

Purpose of Review:Spontaneous intracranial hypotension results from CSF volume depletion, nearly always from spontaneous CSF leaks. Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is increasingly diagnosed in practice; the number of atypical, unconfirmed, and doubtful cases is also increasing, as are treatment failures. These confront neurologists and create many challenges. This review provides neurologists with a guide to diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Recent Findings:The clinical spectrum of spontaneous intracranial hypotension is expanding. Spontaneous CSF leak is considered a disorder with a variety of clinical manifestations and imaging features, sometimes quite different from what may be seen after dural puncture. The anatomy of the spontaneous CSF leak is frequently complex, with contributions from disorders of the connective tissue matrix and associated preexisting areas of dural weakness and meningeal diverticula. To locate the site of the leak, CT myelography is still the study of choice. For rapid-flow leaks, dynamic CT myelography has been very helpful, while slow-flow leaks can remain a lingering challenge. The fundamental question of whether a CSF leak is present in uncertain cases can be best answered by radioisotope cisternography. In most cases, epidural blood patch is the main treatment; however, bilevel or multilevel epidural injections are gaining some momentum as treatment for selected cases. Summary:This article outlines various clinical aspects of spontaneous intracranial hypotension, including headache characteristics, CSF changes, and imaging findings and their underlying mechanisms, as well as treatments and disease complications.
Dissecting the Contributions of Clostridium perfringens Type C Toxins to Lethality in the Mouse Intravenous Injection Model

ABSTRACT The gram-positive anaerobe Clostridium perfringens produces a large arsenal of toxins that are responsible for histotoxic and enteric infections, including enterotoxemias, in humans and domestic animals. C. perfringens type C isolates, which cause rapidly fatal diseases in domestic animals and enteritis necroticans in humans, contain the genes for alpha toxin (plc), perfringolysin O (pfoA), beta toxin (cpb), and sometimes beta2 toxin (cpb2) and/or enterotoxin (cpe). Due to the economic impact of type C-induced diseases, domestic animals are commonly vaccinated with crude type C toxoid (prepared from inactivated culture supernatants) or bacterin/toxoid vaccines, and it is not clear which toxin(s) present in these vaccines actually elicits the protective immune response. To improve type C vaccines, it would be helpful to assess the contribution of each toxin present in type C supernatants to lethality. To address this issue, we surveyed a large collection of type C isolates to determine their toxin-producing abilities. When late-log-phase vegetative culture supernatants were analyzed by quantitative Western blotting or activity assays, most type C isolates produced at least three lethal toxins, alpha toxin, beta toxin, and perfringolysin O, and several isolates also produced beta2 toxin. In the mouse intravenous injection model, beta toxin was identified as the main lethal factor present in type C late-log-phase culture supernatants. This conclusion was based on monoclonal antibody neutralization studies and regression analyses in which the levels of alpha toxin, beta toxin, perfringolysin O, and beta2 toxin production were compared with lethality. Collectively, our results highlight the importance of beta toxin for type C-induced toxemia.
Acute respiratory effects of exposure to ammonia on healthy persons.

OBJECTIVES This study investigated the acute respiratory effects of low ammonia exposure on healthy persons. METHODS Twelve healthy persons underwent sham or ammonia (5 and 25 ppm) exposure randomly in an exposure chamber on three occasions. The exposure duration was 3 hours, 1.5 hours resting (seated) and 1.5 hours exercising (50 W on a bicycle ergonometer). Symptoms were registered repeatedly before, during, and after the exposure on visual analogue scales. Bronchial responsiveness to methacholine, lung function, and exhaled nitric oxide (NO) were measured before and 7 hours after the exposure. In addition, nasal lavage was performed, and peripheral blood samples were drawn before and 7 hours after the exposure. RESULTS All the symptom ratings increased significantly during 25-ppm ammonia exposure as compared with the control exposure. The cumulative dose of methacholine causing a 20% decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 second was lower (<1 concentration step of methacholine) for the exposure than for a pretrial control challenge. However, no difference was found between the control and ammonia exposures (P=0.33). The ammonia exposure did not significantly influence lung function or the exhaled NO levels. The total cell or interleukin-8 concentration in nasal lavage fluid did not change. The total leucocyte concentration in peripheral blood increased significantly (P<0.001) after both the sham and ammonia exposure, mainly due to an increase in neutrophils (P<0.001). Ammonia exposure did not significantly alter complement factor 3b in plasma. CONCLUSIONS During ammonia exposure in an exposure chamber, symptoms related to irritation and central nervous effects increase and are constant with no signs of adaptation. Ammonia inhalation does not cause detectable upper-airway inflammation or increased bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in healthy persons.
Effect of oral contraceptives on experimental demyelinating disease.

AS THE USE of oral contraceptives has spread, certain hazards associated with their use have come to light. 1,2 In the case of the human demyelinating disease, multiple sclerosis, no data have come forth as to whether oral contraceptives influence its course favorably, unfavorably, or at all. The point is of some moment to women with the disease, many of whom are terrified by the prospect of pregnancy and of the consequences which may be in store for them because of pregnancy. Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), an acute demyelinating disease of auto-allergic etiology, is produced readily in experimental animals, and mimics multiple sclerosis in many of its clinical and pathologic features. Whether or not it provides a reasonable model for multiple sclerosis is a matter of dispute, but on the basis that it may do so, a study of EAE in rats fed various oral contraceptive preparations, as well
Capillary tortuosity in rat soleus muscle is not affected by endurance training.

The total capillary length available for blood-tissue transfer is determined by the number and orientation of the capillaries. Therefore, whether capillary tortuosity changes with exercise training has important implications for peripheral gas exchange. To determine the effects of exercise training on capillary orientation and capillary length per volume of muscle fiber [Jv(c,f)] female rats were trained by treadmill running (30 m/min, up to 60 min/day, 5 days/wk) for 4 wk. Muscles from control and trained rats were perfusion fixed at sarcomere lengths (l) ranging from 1.59 to 2.15 microns, and morphometric techniques were used to estimate capillary orientation and Jv(c,f). Training increased (P less than 0.05) musculus soleus oxidative capacity 35% [as estimated from citrate synthase activity: 24.7 +/- 1.4 to 34.7 +/- 1.0 (SE) mumol.g-1.min-1], capillary-to-fiber ratio 30% (2.17 +/- 0.06 to 2.83 +/- 0.05), and Jv(c,f) 32% (1,886 +/- 73 to 2,496 +/- 180 mm-2). Capillary tortuosity (as determined from comparisons of transverse and longitudinal sections) was a direct function of l in control and trained rats and contributed 17-73% of capillary length above that estimated from capillary counts on transverse sections. We conclude that capillary tortuosity in m. soleus is unchanged by training. Therefore, Jv(c,f) increases as a consequence of increased capillary number. M. soleus citrate synthase activity is best correlated with Jv(c,f) and not with capillary counts on transverse sections. We hypothesize that training-induced muscle changes of capillary geometry improve O2 delivery to skeletal muscle and may therefore alter the metabolic response (e.g., lactate accumulation) to exercise after training. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Damage to DNA purified from the radioresistant prokaryote, Deinococcus radiodurans, by acid heating.

Using a highly radioresistant bacterium, Deinococcus radiodurans, the mechanism of degradation of the purified DNA molecules by heating was examined under acidic conditions. Setting the treatment temperature at 55ûC with a duration of 0 to 20 min and adjusting the pH of the cell suspension to 3, 5 or 7, cell viabilities after the treatment were compared. The survival rate decreased in proportion to the reduction of pH. DNA purified from D. radiodurans was then damaged by irradiation with gamma-rays at 0.22 kGy or 1 kGy. It was considered that the radioresistance of D. radiodurans was due to its high repair capability, rather than any specificity of DNA structure. Purified D. radiodurans DNA was resistant to heating up to 90ûC at neutral pH. However, marked DNA damage occurred when it was heated at pH values below 5.0. Then, DNA labeled with [3H]adenine was examined. Treatment at lower pH and higher temperature resulted in release of more adenine base, i.e., the purine ring, from the DNA molecules. Therefore, we assumed that the decrease in survival of D. radiodurans in vivo and damage to its DNA in vitro by acid heating were due to the release of adenine and guanine from the DNA, i.e., depurination.
Working with Banded Waveguides and Friction in Musical Contexts

Physical Modeling of audio signals is a method for achieving musical textures in a class of sounds related to a timbre class associated with an instrument family or perhaps acoustical phenomena which can be applied to a musical context. Many of these models are based on the concept of a waveguide algorithm defined simply as a model of a traveling wave, its reflections and its discontinuities. Banded Waveguides proposed by Essl and Cook circa 1999 are an efficient method for physical models of friction based sound sources such as bowed bars, glass, bowls and the like. How to control these models is often a challenge for performers and composers using these algorithms and therefore some experimentation is needed in order to stimulate creativity in performance or compositional situations.
Application of Information Technologies on Astronomy: Japanese Virtual Observatory (JVO) Portal

The Japanese Virtual Observatory (JVO) is a web portal to various kinds of astronomical resources distributed all over the world. We have started its official operation of the JVO portal since March 2008. The JVO provides seamless access to the Virtual Observatory (VO) compliant data services, and also access to the reduced data observed with Subaru telescope and on-line data reduction system for Suprime-Cam instrument of the Subaru telescope. The system implements standards of the International Virtual Observatory Alliance (IVOA) to communicate with the VO components in the world.
Multiplex PCR Assay for Identification of Human Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT A multiplex PCR assay for the identification of human diarrheagenic Escherichia coli was developed. The targets selected for each category were eae for enteropathogenic E. coli, stx for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, elt and est for enterotoxigenic E. coli, ipaH for enteroinvasive E. coli, and aggR for enteroaggregative E. coli. This assay allowed the categorization of a diarrheagenic E. coli strain in a single reaction tube.
Revision of encapsulated blebs after trabeculectomy: Long-term comparison of standard bleb needling and modified needling procedure combined with transconjunctival scleral flap sutures

Purpose To compare two surgical approaches for treating encapsulated blebs after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C, in terms of the development of intraocular pressure and progression of glaucoma in a long-term follow up: 1. bleb needling alone vs. 2. a combined approach of needling with additional transconjunctival scleral flap sutures, to prevent early ocular hypotony. Methods Forty-six patients with failing blebs after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C were enrolled in this study. Patients received either needling revision alone (group 1; n = 23) or a combined needling with additional transconjuctival flap sutures, if intraoperatively the intraocular pressure was estimated to be low (group 2; n = 23). Intraocular pressure (IOP), visual acuity, visual fields, and optic nerve head configuration by means of Heidelberg Retina Tomograph (HRT®) were analysed over time. Results from both groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U-test for single timepoints. Results IOP did not differ significantly between the two groups during follow-up at three months (P = 0.13), six months (P = 0.12), one year (P = 0.92) and two years (P = 0.57) after surgery. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the course of glaucoma concerning the optic nerve anatomy between the two groups (Rim Area Change in the Moorfields Regression Analysis of HRT®) till two years after surgery (P = 0.289). No functional impairment in visual acuity and visual fields was found in the groups of the study. Conclusions Single needling procedure is a standard successful method for restoring the function of encapsulated blebs. Postoperative hypotony represents a possible hazard, which can be minimized by additional transconjunctival flap sutures. Long-term results suggest that this modification is equally effective in lowering the IOP and preventing the progression of glaucoma as the standard needling procedure. To our knowledge this is the first study to investigate the long-term effect of tranconjunctival sutures for the prevention of hypotony.
Cancer survivors and quality of life: a critical review of the literature.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE To review and analyze the nature of quality of life (QOL) as a critical construct in psychosocial oncology research and to offer direction for future research in studies of cancer survivors. DATA SOURCES Select and representative empirical studies of cancer survivors and QOL outcomes. DATA SYNTHESIS AND CONCLUSIONS A consensus exists that the concept of QOL is multidimensional and subjective in nature and thereby requires a methodologic approach that examines the cognitive processes by which individuals achieve QOL. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Healthcare providers best ensure adequate clinical care for cancer survivors when both the biomedical and psychosocial effects of disease on health, well-being, and function are known as well as the varied ways in which these individuals adapt and live the remainder of their lives.