Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Susceptibilidad in vitro de aislamientos colombianos de Plasmodium falciparum a diferentes antipalúdicos

Introduccion. Los estudios de susceptibilidad in vitro de Plasmodium falciparum a los medicamentos antipaludicos son herramientas importantes para vigilar la utilidad de esos medicamentos; tales estudios son escasos en Colombia. Objetivo. Evaluar la susceptibilidad in vitro de aislamientos colombianos de P. falciparum a cloroquina, amodiaquina, mefloquina, quinina y artesunato. Materiales y metodos. Se obtuvieron aislamientos clinicos de P. falciparum en varias regiones colombianas. De cada antipaludico se probaron siete diluciones dobles seriadas, por duplicado, con la tecnica HRP-2 y las cepas FCB2 (resistente a cloroquina) y NF54 (sensible a cloroquina) como controles. Se utilizaron las concentraciones inhibitorias 50 (CI50) mayor de 100, 80, 64, 500 y 10,5 nM como puntos de corte para clasificar la resistencia a cloroquina, amodiaquina, mefloquina, quinina y artesunato, respectivamente. Resultados. Se evaluaron 25 aislamientos: 72% de Uraba, 8% de Bajo Cauca y 20% de la Costa Pacifica. Las CI50 promedio de cloroquina, amodiaquina, mefloquina, quinina y artesunato fueron 422,9; 131,4; 56,3; 269,7 y 1,88 nM, respectivamente, y la proporcion de aislamientos resistentes fue, en el mismo orden, 76%, 16%, 32%, 24% y 4%. Conclusiones. La baja sensibilidad a la cloroquina concuerda con otros estudios in vitro y con la baja eficacia terapeutica in vivo. Aunque 96% de los aislamientos fueron sensibles a artesunato, este y otros estudios han observado aislamientos con disminucion de la sensibilidad a las artemisininas (CI50>10,5 nM), lo que sugiere que el uso indiscriminado de estos medicamentos pone en riesgo su efectividad y podria dejarnos sin opciones para el tratamiento del paludismo por P. falciparum.
Biomarkers to distinguish functional constipation from irritable bowel syndrome with constipation

Treatments for functional constipation (FC) and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS‐C) differ, but symptom criteria do not reliably distinguish between them; some regard FC and IBS‐C as parts of a single constipation spectrum. Our goal was to review studies comparing FC and IBS‐C to identify possible biomarkers that separate them. A systematic review identified 15 studies that compared physiologic tests in FC vs IBS‐C. Pain thresholds were lower in IBS‐C than FC for 3/5 studies and not different in 2/5. Colonic motility was decreased more in FC than IBS‐C for 3/3 studies, and whole gut transit was delayed more in FC than IBS‐C in 3/8 studies and not different in 5/8. Pelvic floor dyssynergia was unrelated to diagnosis. Sympathetic arousal, measured in only one study, was greater in IBS‐C than FC. The most reliable separation of FC from IBS‐C was shown by a novel new magnetic resonance imaging technique described in this issue of the journal. These authors showed that drinking one liter of polyethylene glycol laxative significantly increased water content in the small intestine, volume of contents in the ascending colon, and time to first evacuation in FC vs IBS‐C; and resulted in less colon motility and delayed whole gut transit in FC compared to IBS‐C. Although replication is needed, this well‐tolerated, non‐invasive test promises to become a new standard for differential diagnosis of FC vs IBS‐C. These data suggest that FC and IBS‐C are different disorders rather than points on a constipation spectrum.
‘I always look under the bed for a man’. Needs and barriers to the expression of sexuality in residential aged care: the views of residents with and without dementia

Objectives: This qualitative study canvassed residents’ perceptions of the needs and barriers to the expression of sexuality in long-term care. Methods: Sixteen residents, including five with dementia, from six aged care facilities in two Australian states were interviewed. Data were analysed using a constant comparative method. Results: Four categories describe residents’ views about sexuality, their needs and barriers to its expression: ‘It still matters’; ‘Reminiscence and resignation’, ‘It’s personal’, and ‘It’s an unconducive environment’. Discussion: Residents, including those with dementia, saw themselves as sexual beings and with a continuing need and desire to express their sexuality. The manner in which it was expressed varied. Many barriers to sexual expression were noted, including negative attitudes of staff, lack of privacy and limited opportunities for the establishment of new relationships or the continuation of old ones. Interviewees agreed that how a resident expressed their sexuality was their business and no one else’s.
Effects of fish oil and conjugated linoleic acids on expression of target genes of PPARα and sterol regulatory element-binding proteins in the liver of laying hens

In mammals, (n-3) PUFA and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) act as activators of PPARα and alter nuclear concentrations of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP) in the liver, and thereby influence hepatic lipid catabolism and synthesis. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that (n-3) PUFA and CLA exert similar effects in the liver of laying hens. Thirty hens (64 weeks old) were fed diets containing 30 g/kg of sunflower oil (control), fish oil (salmon oil) or CLA in TAG form (containing predominantly cis-9, trans-11 CLA and trans-10, cis-12 CLA) for 5 weeks. Hens fed fish oil had a higher expression of some PPARα target genes and a lower nuclear concentration of SREBP-2 in the liver and lower concentrations of cholesterol and TAG in plasma than control hens. Nuclear concentration of SREBP-1 and its target genes involved in lipogenesis were not altered in hens fed fish oil. Hens fed CLA had increased concentrations of TAG and cholesterol in the liver. However, their mRNA levels of PPARα target genes and nuclear concentrations of SREBP-1 and SREBP-2 as well as mRNA levels of their target genes in the liver were largely unchanged compared to control hens. The results of this study suggest that (n-3) PUFA cause a moderate activation of PPARα and lower cholesterol synthesis but do not impair fatty acid synthesis in the liver of laying hens. CLA lead to an accumulation of TAG and cholesterol in the liver of hens by mechanisms to be elucidated in further studies.
Erythrocytosis after liver transplantation: The experience of a university hospital

The prevalence and causes of erythrocytosis after liver transplantation have never been studied, even though this condition is known to predispose patients to thrombosis leading to graft failure or death. Erythrocytosis after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) can be defined as an increase in the red cell mass >125% in patients without a pre‐OLT history of this condition. The study population was composed of 96 patients: 33 had undergone transplantation for a hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (18 had a hepatitis D virus coinfection), 43 had undergone transplantation for a hepatitis C virus infection, 9 had undergone transplantation for alcohol abuse, and 11 had undergone transplantation for other causes [autoimmune liver disease (6), Wilson's syndrome (1), or cryptogenetic liver cirrhosis (4)]. Idiopathic erythrocytosis was reported in 11 male patients with a history of HBV infection. Patients with the diagnosis of erythrocytosis underwent phlebotomy every 3 weeks until the hematocrit level reached 45%, and this was repeated if the level exceeded 49%, so no patient presented with cardiovascular accidents during the follow‐up. In conclusion, a history of HBV infection, male sex, and hepatitis B immune globulin therapy are all possible cofactors for an increased risk of erythrocytosis in OLT patients. Liver Transpl 19:420–424, 2013. © 2013 AASLD.
Effect of the introduction of ‘Healthy Start’ on dietary behaviour during and after pregnancy: early results from the ‘before and after’ Sheffield study

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of the introduction of a new food-support benefit ‘Healthy Start’ (HS) on dietary intakes and eating patterns of low-income, Caucasian, pregnant and postpartum women living in Sheffield (UK). A before-and-after study comparing nutritional behaviour of participants, who were beneficiaries or eligible for the Welfare Food Scheme (WFS) (phase 1) or HS (phase 2), was conducted. Dietary intakes and eating patterns were assessed using a validated semi-quantified FFQ. In phase 1, 176 WFS subjects (ninety pregnant and eighty-six postpartum) were recruited and in phase 2, there were 160 HS subjects (ninety-six pregnant and sixty-four postpartum). The results suggested that pregnant and postpartum HS women significantly increased their daily intakes of energy, Fe, Ca, folate and vitamin C compared with the WFS women. Observed differences remained significant after controlling for potential confounding effects of known factors, i.e. education and age. HS women were more likely to meet the recommended nutrient intakes for Fe, folate, Ca and vitamin C. HS women ate significantly more mean portions of fruit and vegetables per d (P = 0·004 and P = 0·023) respectively. None of the HS recipients was receiving HS vitamin supplements. The present study showed that pregnant and postpartum HS women increased their food consumption, and a higher proportion of them than the earlier WFS scheme met the recommended intakes for Ca, folate, Fe and vitamin C.
Public opinion regarding utilization of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in obese women.

BACKGROUND There have been calls to restrict access to fertility treatment in women above a certain body mass index (BMI). It is important to consider public expectations before formulating policy. The study objective was to assess public opinion regarding provision of assisted reproductive technology (ART) to obese (BMI>30 kg/m(2)) women in the United States. The study was conducted through an Internet-based survey of U.S. residents ages 18-75. METHODS Multivariate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using unconditional logistic regression to describe predictors of response based on demographic characteristics. RESULTS Of the 1049 respondents, 60.7% support the use of ART in obese women. Adjusting for age and gender, the odds of support were over twice as high in participants with BMI>40 kg/m(2) as in normal-weight respondents (OR=2.87, 95% CI=1.28-6.44). Fifty-five percent of participants supported a BMI limit for access to ART. Both increasing education (p-value=0.02) and BMI (p-value=0.01) were inversely associated with support of a BMI limit. Individuals who had themselves used ART were also less likely (OR=0.27, 95% CI=0.07--0.99) to support a BMI limit. CONCLUSIONS In an Internet-based survey, participants who are in favor of ART are likely to support its use among obese women. More than 50% of these respondents also support implementation of a BMI limit for access to these services.
Gut homing receptors on CD8 T cells are retinoic acid dependent and not maintained by liver dendritic or stellate cells.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Lymphocytes primed by intestinal dendritic cells (DC) express the gut-homing receptors CCR9 and alpha4beta7, which recognize CCL25 and mucosal addressin cell-adhesion molecule-1 in the intestine promoting the development of regional immunity. In mice, imprinting of CCR9 and alpha4beta7 is dependent on retinoic acid during T-cell activation. Tissue specificity is lost in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), an extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease, when ectopic expression of mucosal addressin cell-adhesion molecule-1 and CCL25 in the liver promotes recruitment of CCR9+alpha4beta7+ T cells to the liver. We investigated the processes that control enterohepatic T-cell migration and whether the ability to imprint CCR9 and alpha4beta7 is restricted to intestinal DCs or can under some circumstances be acquired by hepatic DCs in diseases such as PSC. METHODS Human and murine DCs from gut, liver, or portal lymph nodes and hepatic stellate cells were used to activate CD8 T cells. Imprinting of CCR9 and alpha4beta7 and functional migration responses were determined. Crossover activation protocols assessed plasticity of gut homing. RESULTS Activation by gut DCs imprinted high levels of functional CCR9 and alpha4beta7 on naïve CD8 T cells, whereas hepatic DCs and stellate cells proved inferior. Imprinting was RA dependent and demonstrated plasticity. CONCLUSIONS Imprinting and plasticity of gut-homing human CD8 T cells requires primary activation or reactivation by gut DCs and is retinoic acid dependent. The inability of liver DCs to imprint gut tropism implies that alpha4beta7+CCR9+ T cell that infiltrate the liver in PSC are primed in the gut.
Efficacy of L-ornithine L-aspartate in acute liver failure: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS In acute liver failure (ALF), high blood ammonia levels have been documented that correlate with mortality and complications. L-ornithine L-aspartate (LOLA) reduces ammonia levels by increasing hepatic ammonia disposal and its peripheral metabolism. Present study evaluated efficacy and ammonia lowering effect of LOLA in ALF. METHODS This study was placebo-controlled and blinded. We randomized 201 patients with ALF between January 2005 and October 2007 to either placebo or LOLA infusions (30 g daily) for 3 days. Arterial ammonia was measured at baseline and daily for 6 days. The primary end point was improvement in survival. The study followed CONSORT guidelines and was registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT00470314). RESULTS There was no reduction in mortality with LOLA treatment (mortality: 33.3% in placebo and 42.4% in LOLA; relative risk of death 1.27; 95% CI: 0.88-1.85; P = .204). By multivariate analysis, ammonia levels were an independent predictor of survival. There was significant decrease in ammonia levels in both groups with time (P < .001), but the levels of ammonia between the randomized groups at any time point, either during the 72 hours of LOLA infusion or during the follow-up were similar (P = .492). There was no difference between the 2 groups in the improvement in encephalopathy grade (P = .418), consciousness recovery time (P = .347), survival time (P = .612), or complications like seizures (P = .058) and renal failure (P = .615). The fetal outcome was also similar (P = .172). No adverse drug effect was noted. CONCLUSIONS LOLA infusion did not lower the ammonia or improved survival in ALF.
Extremely Late Extramedullary Relapse of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, Case Report and Review of the Literature

With the use of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) as frontline treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), there has been an increase in overall remission rates and extended survival, but relapses still occur. While most cases of relapse are limited to the bone marrow and/or blood, APL can relapse in extramedullary sites as well. These relapses may develop several years after remission. While different reasons for extramedullary relapse have been presented in the literature, the exact mechanism and reason for late relapse still needs to be defined. Our case documents the longest interval from diagnosis to relapse of APL described in the literature to date. doi: http://dx.doi. org/10.4021/jh41e
Interleukin-17 is a critical mediator of vaccine-induced reduction of Helicobacter infection in the mouse model.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Despite the proven ability of immunization to reduce Helicobacter infection in mouse models, the precise mechanism of protection has remained elusive. This study explores the possibility that interleukin (IL)-17 plays a role in the reduction of Helicobacter infection following vaccination of wild-type animals or in spontaneous reduction of bacterial infection in IL-10-deficient mice. METHODS In mice, reducing Helicobacter infection, the levels and source of IL-17 were determined and the role of IL-17 in reduction of Helicobacter infection was probed by neutralizing antibodies. RESULTS Gastric IL-17 levels were strongly increased in mice mucosally immunized with urease plus cholera toxin and challenged with Helicobacter felis as compared with controls (654 +/- 455 and 34 +/- 84 relative units for IL-17 messenger RNA expression [P < .01] and 6.9 +/- 8.4 and 0.02 +/- 0.04 pg for IL-17 protein concentration [P < .01], respectively). Flow cytometry analysis showed that a peak of CD4(+)IL-17(+) T cells infiltrating the gastric mucosa occurred in immunized mice in contrast to control mice (4.7% +/- 0.3% and 1.4% +/- 0.3% [P < .01], respectively). Gastric mucosa-infiltrating CD4(+)IL-17(+) T cells were also observed in IL-10-deficient mice that spontaneously reduced H felis infection (4.3% +/- 2.3% and 2% +/- 0.6% [P < .01], for infected and noninfected IL-10-deficient mice, respectively). In wild-type immunized mice, intraperitoneal injection of anti-IL-17 antibodies significantly inhibited inflammation and the reduction of Helicobacter infection in comparison with control antibodies (1 of 12 mice vs 9 of 12 mice reduced Helicobacter infection [P < .01], respectively). CONCLUSIONS IL-17 plays a critical role in the immunization-induced reduction of Helicobacter infection from the gastric mucosa.
Sustained response of hepatitis B e antigen-negative patients 3 years after treatment with peginterferon alpha-2a.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B treated with peginterferon alpha-2a with or without lamivudine achieve significantly higher 6-month posttreatment rates of response compared with those treated with lamivudine alone. The durability of <or=3-year posttreatment response was investigated in this study. METHODS Patients received peginterferon alpha-2a only (180 microg once weekly; n = 177), in combination with lamivudine (100 mg daily; n = 179) or lamivudine alone (n = 181) for 48 weeks. A total of 315 patients (116, 114, and 85, respectively) participated in this posttreatment observational study. RESULTS Three years after treatment, the percentage of patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ATL) was higher for patients treated with peginterferon alpha-2a (31%) than with lamivudine (18%; P = 0.032). Similarly, 28% of patients treated with peginterferon had hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels <or= 10,000 copies/mL versus 15% of patients treated with lamivudine (P = .039). Peginterferon alpha-2a treatment and high baseline ALT level were independent baseline predictors of long-term virologic response (P = .040 and P = .01, respectively). Of the patients who had been treated with a peginterferon alpha-2a-containing regimen, 8.7% cleared hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg; 44% of those with undetectable HBV at 3-year posttreatment follow-up) compared with none treated with lamivudine alone. CONCLUSIONS Biochemical and virologic responses were sustained for <or=3 years in approximately 25% of patients given a 48-week course of peginterferon alpha-2a, with or without lamivudine. The increased rate of HBsAg clearance in patients with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B supports the use of peginterferon alpha-2a as a first-line treatment.
Aegilops tauschii single nucleotide polymorphisms shed light on the origins of wheat D-genome genetic diversity and pinpoint the geographic origin of hexaploid wheat.

Hexaploid wheat (Triticum aestivum, genomes AABBDD) originated by hybridization of tetraploid Triticum turgidum (genomes AABB) with Aegilops tauschii (genomes DD). Genetic relationships between A. tauschii and the wheat D genome are of central importance for the understanding of wheat origin and subsequent evolution. Genetic relationships among 477 A. tauschii and wheat accessions were studied with the A. tauschii 10K Infinium single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. Aegilops tauschii consists of two lineages (designated 1 and 2) having little genetic contact. Each lineage consists of two closely related sublineages. A population within lineage 2 in the southwestern and southern Caspian appears to be the main source of the wheat D genome. Lineage 1 contributed as little as 0.8% of the wheat D genome. Triticum aestivum is subdivided into the western and Far Eastern populations. The Far Eastern population conserved the genetic make-up of the nascent T. aestivum more than the western population. In wheat, diversity is high in chromosomes 1D and 2D and it correlates in all wheat D-genome and A. tauschii chromosomes with recombination rates. Gene flow from A. tauschii was an important source of wheat genetic diversity and shaped its distribution along the D-genome chromosomes.
Exploiting plant virus‐derived components to achieve in planta expression and for templates for synthetic biology applications

Summary 16 I. I. 16 II. II. 18 III. III. 20 IV. IV. 23 Acknowledgements 24 References 24 Summary This review discusses the varying roles that have been played by many plant‐viral regulatory sequences and proteins in the creation of plant‐based expression systems and virus particles for use in nanotechnology. Essentially, there are two ways of expressing an exogenous protein: the creation of transgenic plants possessing a stably integrated gene construction, or the transient expression of the desired gene following the infiltration of the gene construct. Both depend on disarmed strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens to deliver the created gene construction into cell nuclei, usually through the deployment of virus‐derived components. The importance of efficient mRNA translation in the latter process is highlighted. Plant viruses replicate to sustain an infection to promote their survival. The major product of this, the virus particle, is finding increasing roles in the emerging field of bionanotechnology. One of the major products of plant‐viral expression is the virus‐like particle (VLP). These are increasingly playing a role in vaccine development. Similarly, many VLPs are suitable for the investigation of the many facets of the emerging field of synthetic biology, which encompasses the design and construction of new biological functions and systems not found in nature. Genetic and chemical modifications to plant‐generated VLPs serve as ideal starter templates for many downstream synthetic biology applications.
INDUCED SIZE EFFECT WITH THE EYES IN ASYMMETRIC CONVERGENCE

When the eyes are turned in order to observe an object to the right or to the left of the median plane at near vision, the images of that object in the two eyes may be different in size because the distance from one eye is greater than that from the other eye. The smaller image would be expected in the eye that turns nasally, since the object is farther from that eye. The results of a number of different experiments, 1 however, provide evidence that some type of change in the relative sizes of the ocular images may occur when the eyes are turned in asymmetric convergence ; this change offsets, or tends to offset, the difference in the sizes of the retinal images which would exist because of the difference in the distance of the object from the two eyes. This apparent change was investigated for visual distances of