Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sirolimus vs mycophenolate moftile in Tacrolimus based therapy after induction with Antithymocyte globulin promote regulatory T cell expansion and inhibit RORγt and T-bet expression in kidney transplantation

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have a crucial role in immune tolerance and long-term graft survival. However, the influence of immunosuppressive drugs on the level of Tregs has not been fully understood. Therefore in this study we prospectively compare the effect of two different calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based immunosuppressive protocols on Tregs frequencies and Treg-related genes expression in renal transplant recipients. Methods: The study included 24 renal transplant recipients who received induction therapy (Antithymocyte globulin) and were on triple immunosuppressive therapy; one group on Tacrolimus (TAC), mycophenolate moftile (MMF) and prednisolone(P) and other group on TAC, Sirolimus (SRL) and P. The frequency of circulating Treg cells were analyzed by flow cytometry before and 4 months after transplantation. Inaddition, the mRNA expression of FOXP3, T-bet, GATA3 and RORγt were estimated by quantitative RT-PCR before and 4 months after transplantation. Results: All recipients had significantly increased CD4+CD25+FOXP3+Treg cell levels after transplantation compare to baseline. Patients receiving MMF protocol had significantly higher CD4+CD25+FOXP3+Treg cells compared to patients on SRL. There was no significant difference between two group MMF and SRL in frequency of CD3+CD8+CD28Tregs. FOXP3 mRNA levels were increased 4 months after transplantation and the expression was significantly higher in group MMF recipients. On the other hand T-bet and RORγt expression was significantly lower in group SRL in comparison to MMF group. We did not observe significant difference in GATA3 mRNA level between the two groups. Conclusions: Our results suggest that regimen containing MMF despite increasing CD4+CD25+FOXP3+Tregs significantly, but cannot decrease RORγt and T-bet expression as well as the regimen containing SRL. *Correspondence to: Ali Akbar Amirzargar, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Tel: +98-21-88953009, Fax: +98-21-66419536; E-mail: amirzara@tums.ac. ir, amiralizar@yahoo.com
Ultrastructural localization of cytokinins inPuccinia reconditaf.sp.tritici-infected wheat leaves

Abstract Using anti-zeatin riboside and anti-isopentenyladenosine antibodies in post-embedding immunocytochemical procedures, cytokinins were localized at the ultrastructural level in Puccinia recondita f.sp. tritici infected wheat leaves. There were no significant differences between the sites in compatible and incompatible interactions where cytokinins accumulated. The cytokinins were mainly present in the fungal cytoplasm of the intercellular hyphal cells, haustorial mother cells, and haustorial bodies and in the extrahaustorial matrix, indicating that cytokinins, presumably of fungal origin, are associated with the nutrient translocation in this host–fungus interaction.
Effects of Lifestyle on Muscle Strength in a Healthy Danish Population

Background Lifestyle is expected to influence muscle strength. This study aimed at assessing a possible relationship between smoking, alcohol intake and physical activity, and muscle strength in a healthy Danish population aged 20–79 years. Population study based on data collected from The Copenhagen City Heart Study (CCHS) and measurements of Isokinetic muscle strength from a sub-study of randomly selected healthy participants from CCHS. Methods 126 women and 63 men were studied. All participants completed a questionnaire regarding their lifestyle, including physical activity, alcohol intake and smoking habits. Isokinetic muscle strength was measured over the upper extremities (UE), trunk, and lower extremities (LE). Multivariate analyses including all of the variables were carried out. Results The level of daily physical activity during leisure was positively correlated to muscle strength in the lower extremities (p = 0.03) for women, and lower extremities (p = 0.03) and trunk (p = 0.007) for men. Alcohol Intake was in general not correlated to muscle strength. No clear effect of smoking was seen on muscle strength. Conclusion Our results show that physical activity during leisure is associated with a positive effect on muscle strength in both sexes. When keeping alcohol intake within the recommended limits, alcohol does not seem to affect muscle strength negatively. No effect of smoking on muscle strength was found in our group of healthy subjects. The findings are of importance when considering recommendation on life style when wishing to keeping fit with age to be able to carry out daily activities.
AB0602 Antiphospholipid syndrome components in patients with coronary heart disease

Background Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), such as anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), are the immunological markers of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). 1 The aPL are found in association with venous and/or arterial thrombosis. Myocardial infarction (MI) is usually related to atherosclerosis and thrombosis of coronary arteries.2 The clinical significance of aPL in MI, however, has not yet been well established. Objectives To evaluate the presence and levels of aPL in patients with history MI. Methods 50 patients (100% male) with average age 49.5±6.09 (M±SD) years with history of MI were examined. Serum IgG aPL (anti-cardiolipin, -phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol, -phosphatidylacetate) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELSSA). Results IgG isotype aPL were detected in 26 (52%) patients with the history of MI and 24 patients were negative. The average age (M±SD) of aPL positive patients was 44.1±5.00 years and of aPL negative patients was 47.7±4.83 years (p<0.01). The difference comprises more than 3,5 years. Patients with recurrent MI (two and more) had higher level of IgG aPL, then patients with one MI (18,0±7,53 v.s. 11,5±4,21 GPL-U/ml). The difference is significant (p<0.05). Conclusions Determined younger age of the first MI in aPL positive patients and higher level of IgG aPL in patients with recurrent MI indicate the possible involvement of the autoimmune factor in the pathogenesis of MI. This proves the necessity for further research in this direction. References [1] Miyakis S, Lockshin MD, Atsumi T, et al. International consensus statement on an update of the classification criteria for definite antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). J Thromb Haemost. 2006;4:295–306. [2] Anand SS, Islam S, Rosengren A, Franzosi MG, Steyn K, Yusufali AH, et al. Patterns of alcohol consumption and myocardial infarction risk: observations from 52 countries in the INTERHEART case-control study. Eur Heart J2008;29;932–940. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Cytological evaluation of thyroid lesions and its correlation with histopathology in a teaching hospital

Aim of the Study: To study the cytomorphological features in various thyroid lesions and to correlate the cytological features with histopathological study of surgically removed thyroid lesions. Materials and Methods: Both retrospective and prospective study was carried out at Department of Pathology, Maheshwara Medical College and Hospital, over a period of two years. Patients from General Surgery, ENT, Paediatrics and from General Medicine OPD were taken for FNAC. Thyroid FNACs in 94 patients were done during this period and 69 cases underwent histopathological examination. The findings of FNAC and histopathology were compared. Results: Patient age ranged from 9 to 75 years. Majority of the patients (28.7%) were in the 21-30 years age group. The male to female ratio was 1:22.4. On cytology, Nodular goitre was the most common diagnosis (39.3%). Follicular neoplasm was reported in 04 cases (4.2%). On Histopathology, benign diagnosis (91.3%) far outnumbered the malignant ones (8.6% cases). FNAC showed overall diagnostic accuracy of 98.5% with specificity of 100%, sensitivity of 85.7%, Positive predictive value of 100%, and Negative predictive value of 98.4%. Conclusion: FNAC technique showed good reliability in diagnosing thyroid lesions in our institute. It showed 100% specificity, high sensitivity and high accuracy. Though FNAC cannot replace the gold standard of histopathology, this technique has many advantages and helps in preoperative diagnosis of thyroid lesions which guides the further clinical management of patients with thyroid swellings. Keywords: FNAC of thyroid, Cytology and Histopathology correlation, Nodular goitre.
Closing the Remaining Evidence Gap: Randomized Controlled Trial Data to Support Statin Therapy for Low-Density Lipoprotein ≥190 mg/dL

Article, see p 1878 Abundant observational evidence has shown the association between elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and adverse cardiovascular outcomes and premature cardiovascular death.1,2 Extensive and highly consistent clinical trial evidence has also shown the benefits of lowering LDL-C with statin therapy in reducing cardiovascular risk.3–8 For these reasons, the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association cholesterol guidelines recommended statin therapy in these 4 statin benefit groups8: 1. Clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) 2. LDL-C ≥190 mg/dL, ≥21 years of age 3. Primary prevention—diabetes mellitus: 40–75 years of age, LDL-C 70–189 mg/dL 4. Primary prevention—no diabetes mellitus (7.5%), 10-year ASCVD risk, 40–75 years of age, LDL-C 70–189 mg/dL Although overwhelming clinical trial evidence supports statin benefit groups 1,3–5 3,7,8 and 4,6,8 until now there has not been direct randomized clinical trial evidence for improved outcomes in statin benefit group 2. The 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association cholesterol guidelines writing committee recognized that individuals ≥21 years of age with primary, severe elevations of LDL-C (≥190 mg/dL) have a high lifetime risk for ASCVD events. Therefore, the committee recommended statin treatment irrespective of calculated 10-year ASCVD risk in this high-risk cohort. Despite the evidence …
Too little, too late : the recurrent theme in maternal deaths due to sepsis

Background: Maternal sepsis accounts for 11% of direct obstetric deaths, making it the third commonest cause of death, after obstetric hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders. Objective: To evaluate the risk factors and quality of care for maternal deaths due to sepsis. Methods: Detailed secondary file review for all maternal deaths classified as pregnancy-related sepsis in South Africa between 2014-2016 and comparison of management with the Surviving Sepsis guidelines. Results: There were 158 maternal deaths from sepsis. The postpartum period carried the greatest risk (94% of deaths), especially after caesarean delivery (50%). Adequate fluid resuscitation was done in only 25 cases (16%) and initiation of empiric antibiotics was often delayed (48% of those receiving antibiotics). Only 28% of women with possible source of infection in the uterus had a hysterectomy (39 cases). Conclusion: Healthcare professionals often underestimate the severity of maternal sepsis and poorly adhere to treatment guidelines.
Regulation of maize Ac/Ds transposition by replication and DNA methylation

In maize the transposable elements Activator/Dissociation (Ac/Ds) transpose shortly after replication from one of the two resulting chromatids ("chromatid selectivity"). A model was suggested that explains this phenomenon as a consequence of different Ac transposase binding to holo-, hemi- and unmethylated transposon ends (Wang et al., 1996). It assumes that before replication the element is holomethylated and does not transpose because TPase can not bind to the transposon ends. Shortly after replication one of the two differentially hemimethylated daughter transposons should become transposition competent. However, DNA methylation-mediated replication dependence does not completely explain the behavior of Ac/Ds transposition. In several studies performed in monocot hosts, it was found that in a transient assay Ac/Ds element excision from extrachromosomal geminivirus vectors occurs only during vector replication, although the transfected DNAs were not Cmethylated. In this work the correlation between Ds transposition, DNA replication and DNA methylation in the dicot species Petunia hybrida was studied. Ds reporter vectors harboring TYLCV (Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus) geminivirus replicon sequences and replicating in transfected petunia cells were constructed. It has been shown that the transposition of a Ds element from an extrachromosomal vector in petunia cells is regulated by DNA replication in a methylation-dependent and -independent mode. Holomethylation completely inhibits Ds excision from a non-replicating plasmid, whereas Ds transposition is restored by replication. Moreover, Ds elements that are hemimethylated on one DNA strand transpose in the absence of replication, whereas methylation on the complementary DNA strand results in at least 6.3-fold reduced excision frequencies. These data strongly support the transposition model of Wang et al. (1996). Beyond that, Ds transposition is strongly promoted by replication also in the absence of methylation. It has been shown that in petunia cells, unlike monocot hosts, replication is not a prerequisite for Ds transposition, nevertheless it enhances Ds transposition by at least a factor of 7.5. Moreover, replication promotes the formation of a predominant excision footprint. Implications on the mechanism and regulation of Ac/Ds transposition are discussed.
BMP-6 restores bone in osteoporotic aged rats and, unlike estradiol and PTH, restores trabecular bone in ovariectomized BMP-6 knockout mice.

BMP-6 applied systemically to aged OVX rats significantly increased bone volume and mechanical characteristics of both the trabecular and cortical bone, the osteoblast surface, serum osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin levels, and decreased the osteoclast surface, serum C-telopeptide, and interleukin-6. E2 was significantly less effective, and was not synergistic with BMP-6. Animals that discontinued BMP-6 therapy maintained bone mineral density gains for another 12 weeks. BMP-6 increased in vivo the bone expression of Acvr-1, Bmpr1b, Smad5, alkaline phosphatase, and collagen type I and decreased expression of Bmp3 and BMP antagonists, chordin and cerberus. These results show, for the first time, that systemically administered BMP-6 restores the bone inductive capacity, microarchitecture, and quality of the skeleton in osteoporotic rats.
Biology and Ecology of Wild Radish (Raphanus raphanistrum)

Wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum L.), a facultative winter annual is a troublesome weed in small grain crops of the Southeastern United States. Besides being a weed, it may also be used as a cover crop for weed management due to its production of glucosinolates. Studies were conducted to evaluate the biology and ecology of wild radish as well as its glucosinolate production and its weed management possibilities. Wild radish emerging in fall months formed a rosette of leaves which aided its winter survival. Plants emerging from December through March that did not form a rosette had minimal survival. Wild radish life cycle ranged from 43.5 to 230.5 days. Plants emerging in the fall had greater biomass and seed production compared to ones emerging in summer months. Developmental phases most influenced by the emergence date were emergence to bolting and bolting to flowering. Phenological development phases, except for flowering to silique production, were dependent on both temperature and photoperiod. Wild radish seeds at maturation exhibited lower germination compared to seeds after-ripened in the field for 3 to 6 months. Temperatures of 5 to 15 C were required for germination. Germination was greater at fluctuating temperatures compared to constant temperatures. Burial of seeds (10-cm depth) decreased germination with red light increasing germination at 6 mo after retrieval from soil, indicating a phytochrome effect. Five glucosinolates glucoerucin, glucotropaeolin, glucoraphenin, glucobrassicin,
Epidemiological, clinical, and genotype characterization of spinocerebellar ataxia type in families in Buriram province, northeast Thailand

Abstract Background In Thais, the most prevalent type of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is type 3, most commonly known as Machado–Joseph disease (MJD), followed by SCA type 1 (SCA1), SCA2, and SCA6. Objectives To describe the epidemiological, clinical, and genotypic features of SCA in northeastern Thailand and to study 2 associations: between syndromic features and the genotype of SCA, and between health determinants and scores on the scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 24 patients with autosomal dominant SCA from 13 families recruited from Buriram province in northeast Thailand between December 2009 and January 2014. Patients provided a clinical history and were examined by a neurologist. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood of each patient. We analyzed associations between the type of SCA and sex, age, family history, clinical features, any underlying disease, age at onset, body weight, smoking status, family history, alcohol consumption, head injury history, and SARA. Results Seven of the families were positive for SCA1 and 6 for MJD. There were 24 index patients from these autosomal dominant SCA families, including 13 with SCA1 and 11 with MJD. Their average age was 43.7 years (range 20–72 years), whereas their average age at disease onset was 36.9 years (range 18–59 years). Pyramidal signs between MJD and SCA1 were not significantly different. Extrapyramidal features appeared uncommon. Horizontal nystagmus and upward gaze paresis were significantly associated with MJD. There were no significant differences in demographic data between the groups with SARA scores ≥15 or <15. Conclusions MJD and SCA1 were the 2 adult-onset cerebellar degenerative diseases found in Buriram province. Clinical clues for differentiating between them were upward gaze paresis and horizontal nystagmus, which were significantly more common in MJD.
Morfometria de testículos y celulas germinales de Allobates femoralis (Boulenger 1883) (Dendrobatidae: Anura: Amphibia)

The present study describes the morphological aspects of the testis and presents a general characterization of the seminiferous elements of adult specimens (N=8) of Allobates femoralis (Boulenger, 1883) collected at the Panguana Biological Station (9°37'S 74°56'W), 250 masl, upstream of the Pachitea river, Yuyapichis district, Puerto Inca province, Huanuco, Peru. The amphibians (25.99 ± 0.97 mm in length) were dissected and their testes were isolated for macroscopic descriptions; later, routine histological protocols for microscopic analysis were done, colored with hematoxylin and eosin dye. The germinal stages were described and measured with the help of an ocular micrometer. The biometrics of the testes were: major axis = 2.254 mm (SD=0.282), minor axis = 1.343 mm (SD=0.181), width = 0.971 (SD=0.097). At a microscopic level we found the albuginea coat (6.51 ± 1.74 im width) formed by connective tissue and smooth muscle. The seminiferous tubules (162.56 ± 47.61im) were delimited by a thin layer of connective tissue. Regarding the microscopic features, spermatogenesis in A. femoralis occurs into the seminiferous tubules where the cellular elements are organized in spermatocysts. Each cyst contains cells in the same stage of development. The characterization of each cell type allowed the identification of the germ line cells: 1) Spermatogonia, isolated cells or forming groups of the most voluminous cells of the germinal linage (7.07 ± 1.187 im) with an irregular nucleus shape. They laid very close to the seminiferous tubule. 2) Spermatocyte I, with a smaller form than spermatogonias (6.95 ± 1.21 im). 3) Spermatids; with a round shape, as they advance in their development, they elongated slightly and are organized into "bundles" whose heads are attached between them. 4) Spermatozoa, elongated with the flagellum lightly stained, are well compacted cells with the nucleus and cytoplasm reduced, elongated and extend into the lumen of the seminiferous tubule. It is reported for the first time the macroscopic and microscopic description of the testis of A. femoralis in Peru.
RNA Processing and Gene Structure

I. INTRODUCTION The emphasis in this chapter is on various aspects of the basic molecular biology of information transfer in Caenorhabditis elegans. Overall, the genes of C. elegans have characteristics that are quite similar to those of other animals. In broad outline, the mechanisms involved in transcription, RNA processing, and translation of messenger RNA are shared with those of other animals. However, some aspects are not shared by the yeast, fly, plant, and vertebrate model organisms. Here, we briefly outline the major features of RNA processing that are shared by all of these systems (for recent reviews, see Moore et al. 1993; Madhani and Guthrie 1994) and then concentrate on aspects that make the C. elegans system especially interesting (for recent reviews, see Nilsen 1993; Blumenthal 1995; Davis 1996). A. The Splicing Process Genes are composed of alternating exons and introns. When these are transcribed to make pre-mRNAs, the intron sequences are removed, and adjacent exon sequences are spliced together. RNA splicing is catalyzed by a large complex of RNAs and proteins called the spliceosome, components of which recognize and cleave the 5′ and 3′ends of each intron and catalyze the joining of the exons. At the 3′ end of the gene, RNA polymerase proceeds past the end of the last exon, but the RNA is cleaved at this point, and the 3′ end of the mRNA is matured by the addition of a poly(A) sequence, which is not represented in the gene. Collectively, these events are known as pre-mRNA.
Computational aspects of antibody gene families

Genetic algorithms (GAs) simulate biological evolution. For the sake of simplicity they do not incorporate many of the rich mechanisms found in natural genetic systems. Some of these mechanisms have only negligible effect on the process of evolution, but others are quite potent. Researchers in genetic algorithms have the appropriate background and tools to explore the characteristics of the ignored mechanisms and discover their potential benefits. In this dissertation I explore the evolution of the antibody molecule, which is affected by four mechanisms not explicitly incorporated into the typical GA. The first is multigene families--groups of genes with close linkage and overlapping phenotype function. The second is stochastic gene expression, which is related to the presence of multigene families. The third is incomplete fitness evaluation, which has been explored only in part by GA practitioners. The fourth is somatic learning. All four of these mechanisms influence the evolution of the antibody molecule. I introduce a model of the antibody multigene families and evolve the model using the genetic algorithm. I look at the effect of partial gene expression and incomplete fitness testing. I then look at the interaction between learning and evolution, treating clonal selection as a learning algorithm. These mechanisms are shown to improve the performance of the genetic algorithm.