Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Collagens and proteoglycans of the corneal extracellular matrix.

The cornea is a curved and transparent structure that provides the initial focusing of a light image into the eye. It consists of a central stroma that constitutes 90% of the corneal depth, covered anteriorly with epithelium and posteriorly with endothelium. Its transparency is the result of the regular spacing of collagen fibers with remarkably uniform diameter and interfibrillar space. Corneal collagen is composed of heterotypic fibrils consisting of type I and type V collagen molecules. The cornea also contains unusually high amounts of type VI collagen, which form microfibrillar structures, FACIT collagens (XII and XIV), and other nonfibrillar collagens (XIII and XVIII). FACIT collagens and other molecules, such as leucine-rich repeat proteoglycans, play important roles in modifying the structure and function of collagen fibrils.Proteoglycans are macromolecules composed of a protein core with covalently linked glycosaminoglycan side chains. Four leucine-rich repeat proteoglycans are present in the extracellular matrix of corneal stroma: decorin, lumican, mimecan and keratocan. The first is a dermatan sulfate proteoglycan, and the other three are keratan sulfate proteoglycans. Experimental evidence indicates that the keratan sulfate proteoglycans are involved in the regulation of collagen fibril diameter, and dermatan sulfate proteoglycan participates in the control of interfibrillar spacing and in the lamellar adhesion properties of corneal collagens. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans are minor components of the cornea, and are synthesized mainly by epithelial cells. The effect of injuries on proteoglycan synthesis is discussed.
Study of the functional anatomy of bovine oviductal mucosa

The oviducts of 31 cyclic cows were examined to study the structure and nature of the oviductal mucosa. The general distribution of spermatozoa within the oviductal mucosa was studied in five additional cows. The oviductal infundibulum is an asymmetric funnel‐shaped structure surrounding the ostium. It is divided along the free boarder of the mesosalpinx and presents one wide and one narrow side. The mucosa of the wide side possesses a system of low interconnected cords that converge distally forming primary folds. The folds on the narrow side start sharply from the free margin and fuse toward the ostium abdominale. Areas between folds throughout the lumen of the oviduct show a high degree of complex organization. Interfold spaces are occupied by secondary and small interconnected folds which join to form a system of cul‐de‐sacs. In the infundibulum, these cul‐de‐sacs open toward the ovary, while cul‐de‐sacs present in the caudal isthmus and in the UTJ open toward the uterus. Marked variations were observed in the oviductal epithelium depending on the oviductal segment, basal or apical areas of the folds, and phase of the oestrous cycle. Near to the time of ovulation, numerous spermatozoa were found in the periphery of the caudal isthmus within pockets of basal interfold areas, as well as within pockets and cul‐de‐sacs of the tubo‐uterine junction. Individual spermatozoa were also observed in peripheral areas of the ampullary‐isthmic junction and ampulla. The topography of the oviduct provides a complex system of regulation which may influence not only the passage of gametes and/or embryos, but also movement of fluid within the oviductal canal. Anat Rec 260:268–278, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A ONECUT Homeodomain Protein Communicates X Chromosome Dose to Specify Caenorhabditis elegans Sexual Fate by Repressing a Sex Switch Gene

Sex is determined in Caenorhabditis elegans through a dose-dependent signal that communicates the number of X chromosomes relative to the ploidy, the number of sets of autosomes. The sex switch gene xol-1 is the direct molecular target of this X:A signal and integrates both X and autosomal components to determine sexual fate. X chromosome number is relayed by X signal elements (XSEs) that act cumulatively to repress xol-1 in XX animals, thereby inducing hermaphrodite fate. Ploidy is relayed by autosomal signal elements (ASEs), which counteract the single dose of XSEs in XO animals to activate xol-1 and induce the male fate. Our goal was to identify and characterize new XSEs and further analyze known XSEs to understand the principles by which a small difference in the concentration of an intracellular signal is amplified to induce dramatically different developmental fates. We identified a new XSE, the ONECUT homeodomain protein CEH-39, and showed that it acts as a dose-dependent repressor of xol-1 transcript levels. Unexpectedly, most other XSEs also repress xol-1 predominantly, but not exclusively, at the transcript level. The twofold difference in X dose between XO and XX animals is translated into the male vs. hermaphrodite fate by the synergistic action of multiple, independent XSEs that render xol-1 active or inactive, primarily through transcriptional regulation.
Obesity and diabetes and the beta-3 adrenergic receptor.

The article by Umekawa et al. in this issue of the Journal (1) highlights a remarkable anti-obesity and anti\x=req-\ diabetic effect of the selective beta-3 adrenergic receptor (B3-AR) agonist, CL316,243, in a rat model of obesity and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Treatment was accompanied by increased brown adipocyte contents of uncoupling protein (UCP) mRNA and protein, the specialized brown fat (BAT) mitochondrial protein responsible for uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation and generation of heat, and GLUT mRNA and protein, the glucose transporter responsible for the facilitated transport of glucose into this tissue. In addition, the paper contributes to the discussion about whether the appearance of UCP in areas traditionally considered white fat (WAT) reflects the recruitment of dormant BAT intermixed amongst mature WAT cells or the conversion of WAT into BAT cells. These observations and the question as to whether B3-AR agonists, which so effectively reverse obesity and diabetes in rodents, can also correct human conditions deserve comment.
Neural Network Control of a Pneumatic Robot Arm

A neural map algorithm has been employed to control a five-joint pneumatic robot arm and gripper through feedback from two video cameras. The pneumatically driven robot arm (SoftArm) employed in this investigation shares essential mechanical characteristics with skeletal muscle systems. To control the position of the arm, 200 neurons formed a network representing the three-dimensional workspace embedded in a four-dimensional system of coordinates from the two cameras, and learned a three-dimensional set of pressures corresponding to the end effector positions, as well as a set of 3/spl times/4 Jacobian matrices for interpolating between these positions. The gripper orientation was achieved through adaptation of a 1/spl times/4 Jacobian matrix for a fourth joint. Because of the properties of the rubber-tube actuators of the SoftArm, the position as a function of supplied pressure is nonlinear, nonseparable, and exhibits hysteresis. Nevertheless, through the neural network learning algorithm the position could be controlled to an accuracy of about one pixel (/spl sim/3 mm) after 200 learning steps and the orientation could be controlled to two pixels after 800 learning steps. This was achieved through employment of a linear correction algorithm using the Jacobian matrices mentioned above. Applications of repeated corrections in each positioning and grasping step leads to a very robust control algorithm since the Jacobians learned by the network have to satisfy the weak requirement that the Jacobian yields a reduction of the distance between gripper and target. The neural network employed in the control of the SoftArm bears close analogies to a network which successfully models visual brain maps. It is concluded, therefore, from this fact and from the close analogy between the SoftArm and natural muscle systems that the successful solution of the control problem has implications for biological visuo-motor control. >
Cognitive stimulation therapy improves cognition and quality of life in older people with dementia

Patients: 201 people (158 women and 43 men) diagnosed with dementia according to DSM-IV criteria. Main inclusion criteria were: scoring between 10 and 24 on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and ability to communicate and understand communication (score of 1 or 0 for questions 12 and 13 of the Clifton Assessment Procedures for the Elderly-Behaviour Rating Scale); ability to see and hear well enough to participate; having no major physical illness or disability, or diagnosed learning disability. Mean age of participants was 85.3 years.
Resistance of macrophages from C3H/HeJ mice to the in vitro cytotoxic effects of endotoxin.

Endotoxin (LPS) is toxic for normal mouse macrophages in vitro at concentrations (50 µg/ml) that are fully mitogenic and nontoxic to lymphocytes. Macrophages from LPS-resistant C3H/HeJ mice are not killed by LPS in vitro whereas those from a closely related LPS-responsive strain (C3H/HeN) are killed. Killing is the result of a direct interaction between LPS and the macrophage since this phenomenon is observed in lymphocyte-depleted cultures and since the presence of additional LPS-sensitive spleen cells will not enhance the killing of either C3H/HeN or C3H/HeJ macrophages. Furthermore, C3H/HeJ macrophages remain resistant to LPS-induced killing despite prior immunization with LPS in vivo or incubation with anti-LPS serum in vitro. LPS preparations vary in their cytotoxic effect on macrophages, and Escherichia coli K-235 LPS (phenol-water extracted), which discriminates well between LPS responsive and nonresponsive B cells, also discriminates well between LPS-sensitive and resistant macrophages. However, there is no apparent correlation between the mitogenic potential of LPS preparations and their cytotoxic effect on macrophages. These findings suggest that the C3H/HeJ mouse strain possesses a defect in LPS responsiveness which is intrinsic to its macrophages as well as its B lymphocytes.
Alternative pathways for processing exogenous and endogenous antigens that can generate peptides for MHC class I‐restricted presentation

Summary: The concept of distinct endogenous and exogenous pathways for generating peptides for MHC‐I and MHC‐II‐restricted presemation to CD4+ or CD8+ T cells fits well with the bulk of experimental data. Nevertheless, evidence is emerging for alternative processing pathways that generate peptides for MHC‐I‐restricted presentation. Using a well characterized, particulate viral antigen of prominent medical importance (the hepatitis B surface antigen), we summarize our evidence that the efficient, endolysosomal processing of exogenous antigens can lead to peptide‐loaded MHC‐I molecules. In addition, we describe evidence for endolysosomal processing of mutant, stress protein‐bound, endogenous antigens that liberate peptides binding to (and presented by) MHC‐I molecules. The putative biological role of alternative processing of antigens generating cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐stimulating epitopes is discussed.
Fuzzy modeling of LuGre-type friction

A new modeling technique leading to simple and reliable dynamic model of friction is proposed. The model may be applied for friction compensation in the electric drive control algorithms. The model is based on the fuzzy approximation of the coefficient influencing the internal state variable dynamics. The data for fuzzy modelling are collected during steady-state operation of the drive and the remaining parameters are tuned (in a batch mode or on-line) during dynamic test runs of the drive.
Patients with adult‐onset dystonic tremor resembling parkinsonian tremor have scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit (SWEDDs)

We present the clinical details and dopamine transporter SPECT scan results of 10 patients with arm tremor, including a rest component and reduced arm swing on the affected side, in whom the possibility of PD had been raised. All patients had signs of dystonia or components of their arm tremor that were compatible with dystonic tremor, and none had true akinesia with fatiguing or decrement, even after a mean follow‐up period of 5.8 years. All patients had normal dopamine transporter SPECT scans. Clinicians should be aware that primary adult‐onset dystonia can present with an asymmetric resting arm tremor, with impaired arm swing and sometimes also facial hypomimia or a jaw tremor, but without evidence of true akinesia. Given the important consequences of misdiagnosing such patients as PD, in cases with diagnostic uncertainty functional imaging should be considered. Among patients suspected of PD, dystonic tremor may be one cause of SWEDDs (Scans Without Evidence of Dopaminergic Deficit). © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
A Review of Xylanase Production by the Fermentation of Xylan: Classification, Characterization and Applications

The enzymatic hydrolysis of xylan, which is the second most abundant natural polysaccharide, is one of the most important industrial applications of this polysaccharide [1, 2]. The primary chain of xylan is composed of β-xylopyranose residues, and its complete hydrolysis requires the action of several enzymes, including endo-1,4-β-D-xylanase (EC3.2.1.8), which is crucial for xylan depolymerization [2]. Due to the diversity in the chemical structures of xylans derived from the cell walls of wood, cereal or other plant materials, a large variety of xylanases with various hydrolytic activities, physicochemical properties and structures are known. Moreover, xylan derivatives are frequently used to induce the production of xylanases [3] by microor‐ ganisms [4], using either solid-state or submerged fermentation [5].
Unique Acquisition of Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Escape Mutants in Infant Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection

ABSTRACT The role of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) escape in rapidly progressive infant human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is undefined. The data presented here demonstrate that infant HIV-1-specific CTL can select for viral escape variants very early in life. These variants, furthermore, may be selected specifically in the infant, despite the same CTL specificity being present in the mother. Additionally, pediatric CTL activity may be compromised both by the transmission of maternal escape variants and by mother-to-child transmission of escape variants that originally arose in the father. The unique acquisition of these CTL escape forms may help to explain the severe nature of some pediatric HIV infections.
Golden 60 minutes of newborn’s life: Part 2: Term neonate

Abstract The concept of “Golden 60 minutes” or “Golden Hour” has been derived from adult trauma. It has been defined as the first 60 min of postnatal life. It has been seen that care received by any newborn in the initial first hour has implications in the future life, showing the importance of golden hour. The major cause of neonatal mortality term newborn is asphyxia, which can be reduced with effective resuscitation. In golden hour approach for term newborn, the importance is given to effective and evidence based resuscitation, post-resuscitation care, delayed cord clamping, prevention of hypothermia, immediate breast feeding, prevention of hypoglycemia, and starting of therapeutic hypothermia in case of moderate to severe asphyxia. In this part of review, we will cover all the golden hour interventions in term neonate with current evidence.
[Experimental research of correlation between anatomy structure of rabbit ear and creating hypertrophic scar animal model].

OBJECTIVE To observe the anatomy structure of rabbit ear and the effect of different operation methods and post-operative treatments on the formation of hypertrophic scar. METHODS The experimental animals were 25 New Zealand white rabbits. 6 pieces of full skin specimens were obtained from each of the ears in 5 rabbits for histological examination. 6 full-thickness skin wounds (d = 8 mm) were made on different sites of ventral side of each ear in the other 20 rabbits. The total number of the wounds was 240. 120 wounds in 10 rabbits were divided into 4 groups randomly to receive different treatments on day 7 postoperatively. No treatment was performed in the other 120 wounds. The wounds healing and the scar formation were observed for six months. The scars were harvested 4 weeks and 8 weeks after operation for pathologic examination and measurement of scar elevation index (SEI). RESULTS Histological analysis showed that the anatomy structure was different in different sites of the rabbit ear. The best sites for creating hypertrophic scar model were on the medial margin of the middle- and inferior part of ear. The depth of the wound should reach the cartilage membrane of the ear to facilitate the formation of hypertrophic scar. The second strip crust on day 7 postoperatively enhanced the wounds healing and minimized the scar proliferation and hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS There is a close correlation between the anatomy structure of the ear and the creation of hypertrophic scar animal model. The wound site, the depth of wound and the post-operative treatment will affect the formation of hypertrophic scar. The study can help to improve the successful rate of creating hypertrophic scar animal model.
Evaluation of pirfenidone as a new postoperative antiscarring agent in experimental glaucoma surgery.

PURPOSE To investigate whether topical administration of pirfenidone eye drops could be used to prevent postoperative scarring in a rabbit model of experimental glaucoma filtration surgery. METHODS In a randomized, controlled, masked-observer study, 40 rabbits underwent trabeculectomy in the right eyes and randomly received postoperative administration of 0.1% or 0.5% pirfenidone, perioperative mitomycin C (0.25 mg/mL), or no treatment. Bleb characteristics and functions were evaluated over a period of 4 weeks. The animals were killed on days 7, 14, and 28. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were performed to determine the amount of scarring and fibrosis. Ocular toxicity was assessed by the Draize test, histopathology, and electron microscope. RESULTS The four treatment groups were similar with respect to intraocular pressure and anterior chamber depth. Pirfenidone 0.5% significantly prolonged bleb survival, and the blebs were larger and higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05); the 0.1% pirfenidone concentration was less effective. Furthermore, the histology and immunohistology results showed that the 0.5% pirfenidone and mitomycin C groups had less scarring at days 7 to 28 than did the controls. Toxicity assessments showed that pirfenidone did not damage the rabbit eyes. CONCLUSIONS Postoperative use of 0.5% pirfenidone eye drops was associated with improved trabeculectomy bleb survival in a rabbit model. Pirfenidone eye drops may be a safe and effective antiscarring agent in glaucoma filtration surgery.
Bladder tumours following chemotherapy and radiotherapy for ovarian cancer: A case—control study

A collaborative group of cancer registries and hospitals carried out a case—control study of tumours of the bladder in women who had previously been treated for ovarian cancer. A total of 63 cases of bladder tumours were identified, and 188 controls were selected matching for age, year of ovarian cancer diagnosis and survival time. Full details of the treatment for ovarian cancer were sought both for cases and for controls. The risk of bladder tumours was increased for patients who had been treated by radiotherapy alone (1.9; 95% confidence interval, 0.77–4.9), by chemotherapy alone (3.2; 0.97–10), and by chemotherapy and radiotherapy (5.2; 1.6–16), when comparison was made with patients treated only by surgery. Patients treated by chemotherapy were separated into 2 groups according to whether they had received cyclophosphamide. Among those who had, there was a clear increase in risk (approximately 4‐fold) regardless of whether or not they had also received radiotherapy. For those who received only other drugs, risk was increased substantially among patients who had also been treated by radiation, as compared with patients treated by surgery alone, and those who had received radiotherapy only. Both melphalan and thiotepa were implicated as potential bladder carcinogens on the basis of these results. The estimated risk of bladder tumours due to cyclophosphamide was more than twice the risk following radiation to the bladder, and it appeared substantially earlier. For both agents, the risk continued to increase more than 10 years after treatment began.
The M Protein Is Dispensable for Maturation of Streptococcal Cysteine Protease SpeB

ABSTRACT The streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin B (SpeB) is an important virulence factor of group A streptococci (GAS) with cysteine protease activity. Maturation of SpeB to a proteolytically active form was suggested to be dependent on cell-wall-anchored M1 protein, the major surface protein of GAS (M. Collin and A. Olsén, Mol. Microbiol. 36:1306-1318, 2000). Collin and Olsén showed that mutant GAS strains expressing truncated M protein secrete a conformationally different form of unprocessed SpeB with no proteolytic activity. Alternatively, we hypothesized that a truncated M protein may interfere with processing of this secreted protease, and therefore we tested cysteine protease activity in genetically defined mutant strains that express either no M protein or membrane-anchored M protein with an in-frame deletion of the AB repeat region. Measurements of SpeB activity by cleavage of a substrate n-benzoyl-Pro-Phe-Arg-p-nitroanilide hydrochloride showed that the proteolytic activities in culture supernatants of both mutants were similar to those from the wild-type strain. In addition, Western blot analysis of culture supernatants showed that SpeB expression and processing to a mature form was unaffected by either deletion mutation. Therefore, we conclude that M protein is not required for maturation of the streptococcal cysteine protease SpeB.
BCL-2/IgH polymerase chain reaction status at the end of induction treatment is not predictive for progression-free survival in relapsed/resistant follicular lymphoma: results of a prospective randomized EORTC 20981 phase III intergroup study.

PURPOSE The prognostic value of residual BCL2/immunoglobulin heavy chain (BCL2/IgH) -positive cells in peripheral blood (PB) or bone marrow (BM) after induction treatment in follicular lymphoma (FL) is still controversial. In a prospective randomized phase III intergroup trial of 465 patients with relapsed/resistant follicular lymphoma (FL), we showed that addition of rituximab to cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone induction results in increased overall and complete response rates, and that rituximab maintenance strongly improves median progression-free survival (PFS) as well as overall survival. Here, we studied whether BCL2/IgH major break point levels in PB/BM correlated with response rates/quality for the induction phase and PFS for the maintenance phase. PATIENTS AND METHODS Samples were obtained before and after induction therapy and at the end of the 2 years maintenance/observation period. BCL2/IgH major break point-positive cells were quantified by genomic quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 792 samples from 238 patients. RESULTS Pretreatment BCL2/IgH levels had no significant prognostic value for overall response or complete remission rates after induction treatment, but pretreatment positive BM results had an adverse prognostic value for PFS from first randomization (P = .023). Importantly, BCL2/IgH levels at the end of induction treatment had no prognostic value for PFS from second randomization. The highly significant improved PFS by rituximab maintenance was observed in both BCL2/IgH PB/BM-positive and -negative groups. CONCLUSION Postinduction BCL2/IgH major break point status in BM/PB is not useful for decisions on subsequent therapy for patients with relapsed/resistant FL.