Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oxidant-induced DNA damage of target cells.

In this study we examined the leukocytic oxidant species that induce oxidant damage of DNA in whole cells. H2O2 added extracellularly in micromolar concentrations (10-100 microM) induced DNA strand breaks in various target cells. The sensitivity of a specific target cell was inversely correlated to its catalase content and the rate of removal of H2O2 by the target cell. Oxidant species produced by xanthine oxidase/purine or phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated monocytes induced DNA breakage of target cells in proportion to the amount of H2O2 generated. These DNA strand breaks were prevented by extracellular catalase, but not by superoxide dismutase. Cytotoxic doses of HOCl, added to target cells, did not induce DNA strand breakage, and myeloperoxidase added extracellularly in the presence of an H2O2-generating system, prevented the formation of DNA strand breaks in proportion to its H2O2 degrading capacity. The studies also indicated that H2O2 formed hydroxyl radical (.OH) intracellularly, which appeared to be the most likely free radical responsible for DNA damage: . OH was detected in cells exposed to H2O2; the DNA base, deoxyguanosine, was hydroxylated in cells exposed to H2O2; and intracellular iron was essential for induction of DNA strand breaks.
GANGLIOGLIOMA: A CASE WITH LONG HISTORY AND MALIGNANT EVOLUTION

A ease of ganglioglioma is described, in which anaplastic change of its astrocytic component into a glioblastoma multiforme took place 23 years after the original biopsy. The original ganglionie tumor was readily identified at necropsy. The neurons played no part in this malignant evolution of the growth.
Regulation of Poliovirus 3C Protease by the 2C Polypeptide

ABSTRACT Poliovirus-encoded nonstructural polypeptide 2C is a multifunctional protein that plays an important role in viral RNA replication. 2C interacts with both intracellular membranes and virus-specific RNAs and has ATPase and GTPase activities. Extensive computer analysis of the 2C sequence revealed that in addition to the known ATPase-, GTPase-, membrane-, and RNA-binding domains it also contains several “serpin” (serine protease inhibitor) motifs. We provide experimental evidence suggesting that 2C is indeed capable of regulating virus-encoded proteases. The purified 2C protein inhibits 3Cpro-catalyzed cleavage of cellular transcription factors at Q-G sites in vitro. It also inhibits cleavage of a viral precursor by the other viral protease, 2Apro. However, at least three cellular proteases appear not to be inhibited by 2C in vitro. The 2C-associated protease inhibitory activity can be depleted by anti-2C antibody. A physical interaction between 2C and His-tagged 3Cpro can be demonstrated in vitro by coimmunoprecipitation of 2C with anti-His antibody. Deletion analysis suggests that the 2C central and C-terminal domains that include several serpin motifs are important for 3Cpro-inhibitory activity. To examine the 2C protease inhibitory activity in vivo, stable HeLa cell lines were made that express 2C in an inducible fashion. Infection of 2C-expressing cells with poliovirus led to incomplete (or inefficient) processing of viral precursor polypeptides compared to control cell lines containing the vector alone. These results suggest that 2C can negatively regulate the viral protease 3Cpro. The possible role of the 2C protease inhibitory activity in viral RNA replication is discussed.
Language Outcome After Perinatal Stroke: Does Side Matter?

The goal of this study was to examine structured language skills in children with perinatal strokes. Participants were 28 school-age children with early focal brain lesions (17 with left hemisphere [LH] damage, 11 with right hemisphere [RH] damage), and 57 controls. A standardized test of language (Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals–Revised) was administered. Receptive, Expressive, and Total Language scores, as well as subtest scores, were analyzed. Control participants scored within the normal range, whereas the LH and RH groups scored significantly more poorly than did controls. There were no differences between the LH and RH groups on any of the language scores, and all scores were below the 14th percentile. Within the lesion group as a whole, scores were not related to lesion laterality, site, or severity. Results also were not accounted for by socioeconomic status or IQ. However, children who experienced seizures demonstrated significantly poorer performance than did children who did not experience seizures. Damage to either the LH or RH early in development adversely affects later language abilities, particularly on tasks with structured and complex linguistic demands. Although lesion side has little effect, the presence or absence of seizures is a major contributor to language outcome.
Altitude and seasonality impact on sleep in Antarctica.

BACKGROUND This study investigates the effects of seasonality and altitude on sleep in extreme Antarctic conditions. METHODS During summer and winter periods, 24 h of actimetric recordings were obtained at two different research stations, Dumont d'Urville (sea level altitude) and Concordia (corrected altitude 12,467 ft or 3800 m). RESULTS During daytime, there were no altitude- or season-related differences in time spent at work, energy expenditure, or number of walking steps. During the nighttime however, total sleep time was longer (m = 427.4; SD = 42.4), sleep efficiency higher (m = 90; SD = 4.8), and wake after sleep onset shorter (m = 42.2; SD = 28.7) at sea level. Additionally, sleep fragmentation episodes and energy expenditure were higher during summer than winter periods. DISCUSSION Our results show that dramatic variations in light exposure are not the only main factor affecting sleep quality in Antarctica, as altitude also markedly impacted sleep in these conditions. The effect of altitude-induced hypoxia should be taken into account in future investigations of sleep in extreme environments.
An omnidirectional vehicle on a basketball

This paper is about development of an omni directional vehicle on a spherical tire. The vehicle moves by rolling a spherical tire and balancing on it. We selected a basketball as a spherical tire, because basketball is made of rubber. In general, rubber tire has three features, which are durability, adaptabilities to the ground surface and force transmissivity. We think that using a basketball as a spherical tire is low-cost and advantageous. Next, we describe how to calculate torque and angular velocity, which motors generate to roll a basketball. They are needed for driving motors and dynamic simulations. Finally, we propose an interface to operate the vehicle. One, who rides on the vehicle, can move to all directions by shifting one's center of mass. A six-axis force-torque sensor senses weight shift
Diminished production of T helper 1 cytokines and lack of induction of IL-2R+ T cells correlate with T-cell unresponsiveness in rhesus monkeys chronically infected with Brugia malayi.

The relationship between antigen-specific responsiveness, parasitic burden, and lymphatic pathology was investigated in nine rhesus monkeys with chronic Brugia malayi infections. Specifically, in vitro proliferation, cytokine gene expression and production, IL-2R expression on T cells, microfilaria (mf) densities, and lymphedema were evaluated. PBMC from three animals (two mf- one mf+) proliferated in response to filarial antigen (responder monkeys, RM) and cells from six animals (5 mf+; one mf-) did not (nonresponder monkeys, NRM). All RM showed lymphedema and none of the NRM did. Antigen-specific IL-2 and IFN-gamma (mRNA and protein) were induced in PBMC from all RM whereas PBMC from only one of six NRM responded with IL-2 and IFN-gamma expression. IL-4 transcripts were induced in PBMC from two of three RM and in cells from all six NRM. IL-10 mRNA expression and protein production were induced in PBMC from two of three RM and in cells from five of six NRM. A marked increase in the frequency of IL-2R+ T cells was observed in antigen-stimulated PBMC cultures of RM but not in those of NRM. The data show that diminished production of Th1 cytokines and lack of induction of IL-2R+T cells may contribute to the unresponsiveness of PBMC from NRM to filarial antigen. They also show that the polarization of immune responses and lymphatic pathology observed in rhesus monkeys is similar to that generally described in human lymphatic filariasis patients.
The vascular anatomy of the developing zebrafish: an atlas of embryonic and early larval development.

We have used confocal microangiography to examine and describe the vascular anatomy of the developing zebrafish, Danio rerio. This method and the profound optical clarity of zebrafish embryos make it possible to view the entire developing vasculature with unprecedented resolution. A staged series of three-dimensional images of the vascular system were collected beginning shortly after the onset of circulation at 1 day postfertilization through early- to midlarval stages at approximately 7 days postfertilization. Blood vessels in every region of the animal were imaged at each stage, and detailed "wiring patterns" were derived describing the interconnections between every major vessel. We present an overview of these data here in this paper and in an accompanying Web site "The interactive atlas of zebrafish vascular anatomy" online at (http://eclipse.nichd.nih.gov/nichd/lmg/redirect.html). We find a highly dynamic but also highly stereotypic pattern of vascular connections, with different sets of primitive embryonic vessels severing connections and rewiring in new configurations according to a reproducible plan. We also find that despite variation in the details of the vascular anatomy, the basic vascular plan of the developing zebrafish shows strong similarity to that of other vertebrates. This atlas will provide an invaluable foundation for future genetic and experimental studies of vascular development in the zebrafish.
Slow mitochondrial DNA sequence evolution in the Anthozoa (Cnidaria)

Mitochondrial genes have been used extensively in population genetic and phylogeographical analyses, in part due to a high rate of nucleotide substitution in animal mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Nucleotide sequences of anthozoan mitochondrial genes, however, are virtually invariant among conspecifics, even at third codon positions of protein‐coding sequences. Hence, mtDNA markers are of limited use for population‐level studies in these organisms. Mitochondrial gene sequence divergence among anthozoan species is also low relative to that exhibited in other animals, although higher level relationships can be resolved with these markers. Substitution rates in anthozoan nuclear genes are much higher than in mitochondrial genes, whereas nuclear genes in other metazoans usually evolve more slowly than, or similar to, mitochondrial genes. Although several mechanisms accounting for a slow rate of sequence evolution have been proposed, there is not yet a definitive explanation for this observation. Slow evolution and unique characteristics may be common in primitive metazoans, suggesting that patterns of mtDNA evolution in these organisms differ from that in other animal systems.
Hypothermic Protection in Rat Focal Ischemia Models: Strain Differences and Relevance to “Reperfusion Injury”

Hypothermic protection was compared in Long-Evans and spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) strains using transient focal ischemia, and in Wistar and SHR strains using permanent focal ischemia. Focal ischemia was produced by distal surgical occlusion of the middle cerebral artery and tandem occlusion of the ipsilateral common carotid artery (MCA/CCAO). Moderate hypothermia of 2 hours' duration was produced by systemic cooling to 32 °C, with further cooling of the brain achieved by reducing to 30°C the temperature of the saline drip superfusing the exposed occlusion site. Infarct volume was determined from serial hematoxylin and eosin-stained frozen sections obtained routinely at 24 hours, or in some cases after 3 days' survival. In the SHR, moderate hypothermia was only effective when initiated before recirculation after a 90-minute occlusion period. In contrast, the same intervention was strikingly effective in the Long-Evans rat even when initiated after as long as 30-minute reperfusion after a 3-hour occlusion. This magnitude and duration of cooling was not protective in permanent MCA/CCAO in the SHR, but such transient hypothermia did effectively reduce infarct volume after permanent occlusions in Wistar rats. These results show striking differences in the temporal window for hypothermic protection among rat focal ischemia models. As expected, “reperfusion injury” in the Long-Evans strain is particularly responsive to delayed cooling. The finding that the SHR can be protected by hypothermia initiated immediately before recirculation suggests a rapidly evolving component of injury occurs subsequent to reperfusion in this model as well. Hypothermic protection after permanent occlusion in Wistar rats identifies a transient, temperature-sensitive phase of infarct evolution that is not evident in the unreperfused SHR. These observations confirm that distinct mechanisms can underlie the temporal progression of injury in rat stroke models, and emphasize the critical importance of considering model and strain differences in extrapolating results of hypothermic protection studies in animals to the design of interventions in clinical stroke.
Caregiver experiences, contextualizations and understandings of the burn injury to their child. Accounts from low-income settings in South Africa.

BACKGROUND Childhood burn injury is a widespread phenomenon with a disproportionate concentration in Sub-Saharan Africa. Burn injuries may have far-reaching and traumatic interpersonal, social and occupational effects for young children. There has been scant attention to the caregiver's experience of these events. This study sought to explore the caregiver's understanding of the injury to their children, the injury causes and its preventability. METHODS The study is based on interviews with 13 caregivers. All informants were the female parents or grandparent of children who had sustained a moderate to severe burn injury and presented at a children's hospital in Cape Town. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a synthesis of the grounded theory approach with core content analytic steps. RESULTS Analysis of data indicates that information related to the injury event can be separated into the child's activities, the activity undertaken by the caregiver at the time of the event and the environmental hazards coming into play. The remote factors associated with the event were related to the individual caregiver, family circumstances, the area's living conditions and the cultural context. The caregivers' suggestions for the future focused on the isolation of heat sources, caregiver supervision and environmental renovations. CONCLUSIONS Caregivers emphasized the multifactorial nature of the burn injury event and highlighted the adverse environmental, domestic and personal circumstances to their child's burn injury. Their recommendations for burn prevention avoidance and control are consistent with their understanding of the injury aetiology and demonstrate a synergy with public health recommendations for environmental and technological interventions.
In vivo kinematics of knee replacement during daily living activities: Condylar and post‐cam contact assessment by three‐dimensional fluoroscopy and finite element analyses

In total knee replacement, the investigation on the exact contact patterns at the post‐cam in implanted patients from real in vivo data during daily living activities is fundamental for validating implant design concepts and assessing relevant performances. This study is aimed at verifying the restoration of natural tibio‐femoral condylar kinematics by investigating the post‐cam engagement at different motor tasks. An innovative validated technique, combining three‐dimensional fluoroscopic and finite element analyses, was applied to measure joint kinematics during daily living activities in 15 patients implanted with guided motion posterior‐stabilized total knee replacement. Motion results showed physiological antero‐posterior translations of the tibio‐femoral condyles for every motor task. However, high variability was observed in the position of the calculated pivot point among different patients and different motor tasks, as well as in the range of post‐cam engagement. Physiological tibio‐femoral joint rotations and contacts at the condyles were found restored in the present knee replacement. Articular contact patterns experienced at the post‐cam were found compatible with this original prosthesis design. The present study reports replaced knee kinematics also in terms of articular surface contacts, both at the condyles and, for the first time, at the post‐cam. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:1396–1403, 2017.
Expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 in human hepatocellular carcinoma: Relevance to tumor dedifferentiation

Cyclooxygenase (rlCOX) is a key enzyme in the synthesis of prostanoids. Two isoforms of this enzyme have been identified: COX‐1 and COX‐2. Recent studies have suggested that COX‐2, but not COX‐1, may play a role in colorectal tumorigenesis. In the present study, we investigated the expression of COX‐2 as well as COX‐1 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Forty‐four surgically resected HCC tissues with adjacent nontumorous livers (NTs), involving 17 cases of chronic viral hepatitis and 27 cases of cirrhosis, and 7 surgically resected, histologically normal liver tissues were used. The well‐differentiated HCC expressed COX‐2 more frequently and strongly than less‐differentiated HCC or hepatocytes of NTs. Less‐differentiated HCCs expressed less COX‐2 than hepatocytes of NTs, which showed scattered, strong COX‐2 expression. Histologically normal liver was weakly positive for COX‐2. The expression of COX‐1 was weaker than that of COX‐2 in hepatic neoplastic and non‐neoplastic parenchymal cells. An enhanced expression of COX‐1 was not observed in well‐differentiated HCCs. Immunoblotting also confirmed up‐regulation of COX‐2, but not COX‐1, in well‐differentiated HCCs. The present study is the first to demonstrate a high expression of COX‐2 in well‐differentiated HCC and a low expression in advanced HCC, in contrast to its continuous expression during colorectal carcinogenesis. These findings suggested that COX‐2 may play a role in the early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis, but not in the advanced stages, and may consequently be related to HCC dedifferentiation.
Induction of MMP-3 by Hyaluronan Oligosaccharides in Temporomandibular Joint Chondrocytes

Low-molecular-weight hyaluronan (LMW-HA) is often increased in osteoarthritic joints; however, its biological function in cartilage has not been clarified. We hypothesize that LMW-HA causes the catabolic activation of chondrocytes through its interaction with CD44. Cartilage explants and chondrocytes, derived from bovine temporomandibular joints (TMJ), were examined for matrix loss and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) following treatment with hyaluronan oligosaccharides (HAoligos). Hyaluronan and CD44 were uniformly distributed throughout the fibrous and cartilaginous zones of the TMJ condyle. Treatment of cartilage explants with HAoligos resulted in cartilage matrix loss with increased secreted caseinolytic activity. HAoligos treatment of TMJ chondrocytes resulted in enhanced MMP-3 expression, whereas wash-out of the HAoligos in the middle of the experimental period reduced this induction. These results suggest that HAoligos activate chondrocytes, resulting in a substantial enhancement of proteinase expression, and the removal of HAoligos by wash-out reverses this catabolic activation.
Associations between parental skills and their attitudes toward importance to develop good oral hygiene skills in their children.

BACKGROUND For many years, poor oral hygiene and frequent consumption of sugars is known as key behavioral risk factors for oral diseases, such as dental caries and periodontal disease. Parental attitudes toward children's oral health could be associated with their own oral health skills. We aimed to analyze associations between parental skills and attitudes toward caries development and possibilities to control positive oral health behavior in their children. MATERIAL AND METHODS A cross-sectional study involved 550 parents of 3- to 4-year-old children. A 40-item questionnaire was developed from the Theory of Planned Behavior, Health Belief Model and the Health Locus of Control model, and parental attitudes toward dental caries in their children were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 397 filled-in questionnaires were collected; the response rate was 72%. Parents with good own oral hygiene skills significantly more often understood the importance of brushing their children's teeth (chi(2)=29.8; df=1; P<0.001). Study results highlighted also significant differences in importance to prevent tooth decay (chi(2)=3.1; df=1; P=0.051), importance to control sugar snacking (chi(2)=10.6; df=1; P=0.001), and parental perceived seriousness of tooth decay in children (chi(2)=9.2; df=1; P=0.002) comparing parents with poor and good oral hygiene skills. Differences in parental efficacy to control proper toothbrushing and parental efficacy to control sugar snacking in children were not significant comparing both groups. CONCLUSIONS More than half (61%) of the parents have reported appropriate own oral hygiene skills. Parental attitudes toward children's oral health were significantly associated with their own oral health behavior and understanding the importance of development of oral hygiene skills in their children.
The impact of economic theory on capital gains tax reform proposals

This chapter addresses the influence of economic theory (specifically the comprehensive income tax concept and optimal tax theory) on proposals to reform personal capital gains taxation in six countries, namely South Africa, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. Keywords: capital gains tax; economic theory; comprehensive income concept; optimal tax theory
Cilia‐Mediated Oriented Chemokinesis in Tetrahymena thermophila

The role of the cilia in the locomotion (“gliding”) of Tetrahymena thermophila in a semi‐solid medium has been studied when cells were migrating in gradients of attractant. Video recordings and computer‐aided motion analysis of migrating cells and their ciliary activity show that Tetrahymena thermophila migrate by swimming forward in semi‐solid methyl cellulose, using their cilia. Ciliary reversals occur at certain intervals and cause a termination (“stop”) of cellular migration. Cells with reversed cilia resume forward migration when normal ciliary beating resumes. In gradients of attractants, cells migrating towards the attractant suppress ciliary reversals, which leads to longer runs between stops than in control cells. Cells migrating away from the attractant have a higher frequency of ciliary reversals than the control cells resulting in shorter runs. Stimulated cells adapt to a particular ambient concentration of attractant several times during migration in the gradient. Adaptation is followed by de‐adaptation, which occurs during the “stop”. In the presence of cycloheximide, a strong inhibitor of chemoattraction, the attractant‐induced suppression of ciliary reversal is abolished (cells become desensitized to the attractant). It is concluded that Tetrahymena has a short‐term memory during adaptation. This is important for the efficiency of migration towards an attractant.