Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chrysobalanus icaco L. fruits inhibit NADPH oxidase complex and protect DNA against doxorubicin-induced damage in Wistar male rats

ABSTRACT Chrysobalanus icaco L. is an underexplored plant found in tropical areas around the globe. Currently, there is no apparent information regarding the effects C. icaco fruits may exert in vivo or potential role in health promotion. This study aimed at providing evidence regarding the in vivo influence of this fruit on antigenotoxicity, antimutagenicity, and oxidative stress in rats. Male Wistar rats were treated with 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg body weight (bw)/d C. icaco fruit for 14 d. Doxorubicin (DXR, 15 mg/kg bw, ip) was used for DNA damaging and as an oxidant to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS). Genomic instability was assessed by the comet assay and micronucleus (MN) test, while antioxidant activity was determined by oxidative burst of neutrophils. Chrysobalanus icaco fruit polyphenols were quantified and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector and tandem mass spectrometer (HPLC-DAD-MS/MS). The concentrations of 19 chemical elements were determined by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Significant amounts of polyphenols, magnesium, and selenium were found in C. icaco fruit. This fruit displayed in vivo antioxidant activity against DXR-induced damage in rat peripheral blood neutrophils, antigenotoxicity in peripheral blood cells, and antimutagenicity in bone-marrow cells and peripheral blood cells. Correlation analyses between endpoints examined indicated that the mechanism underlying chemopreventive actions of C. icaco fruit was attributed to inhibition of NADPH oxidase complex manifested as low levels of DNA damage in animals exposed to DXR. Data indicate that phytochemicals and minerals in C. icaco fruit protect DNA against damage in vivo associated with their antioxidant properties.
Pre-eclampsia-eclampsia admitted to critical care unit

Objective: To evaluate women with hypertensive disorder admitted to critical care unit. Methods: This study was carried out in Cartagena, Colombia, between January 2006 and December 2009. Patients were divided into 4 groups; severe pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, HELLP syndrome and HELLP with eclampsia (HEEH). Result: A total of 217 cases were admitted. The admitting diagnoses were severe pre-eclampsia without HELLP syndrome (39.2%), HELLP syndrome without eclampsia (33.6%), eclampsia without HELLP syndrome (20.3%) and Eclampsia with HELLP syndrome or HEEH (6.9%). Groups were similar with respect to parity (p = 0.25), gestational age (p = 0.11), cesarean section (p = 0.58), mechanical ventilation (p = 0.54), level of systolic (p = 0.48) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.15) and inotropic support (p = 0.32). Average total duration of hospitalization was significantly different among groups, more time in women with HEEH (p = 0.001). Multiple organ dysfunctions was diagnosed > 70% of all women admitted to intensive care, but was significantly more frequent in patients with HELLP syndrome and HEEH (p = 0.001). There were 5 maternal deaths (2.3%). Causes of maternal death were intracranial hemorrhage (3), intra-abdominal bleeding (1) and pulmonary complications (1). Conclusion: Women with HELLP syndrome with or without eclampsia are associated with major morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the maternal outcome in eclampsia is influenced for HELLP syndrome.
Polyethylene wear rates with Zirconia and cobalt chrome heads in the ABG hip

We report a radiological analysis of 281 primary cementless ABG total hip arthroplasties performed between 1991 and 1994, with a mean follow-up of 78 months. We compare the polyethylene wear in hips with Zirconia ceramic heads manufactured prior to the introduction of hot isostatic pressing and hips with cobalt chrome heads. The mean linear wear rate was 0.19 mm/yr with 28mm Zirconia heads (n=203), 0.20 mm/yr with 32mm Zirconia heads (n=47) and 0.14mm/yr with 28mm cobalt chrome heads (n=31). We matched each of the 31 patients with 28mm cobalt chrome heads with a patient from the 28mm Zirconia group for gender and age. The mean linear wear rates in these two groups were 0.14mm/yr and 0.19mm/yr respectively (p<0.05). There were 19 revisions for osteolysis in 250 hips with Zirconia heads (7.6%) and no revisions in 31 hips with metal heads. We advocate regular review of patients with Zirconia on polyethylene bearing surfaces due to the high linear wear rates and associated osteolysis.
Differential Effects of Selenium on Benign and Malignant Prostate Epithelial Cells: Stimulation of LNCaP Cell Growth by Noncytotoxic, Low Selenite Concentrations

We examined the hypothesis that nontoxic concentrations of selenium induce apoptosis and growth inhibition selectively in prostate cancer cells but not in benign prostate cells. Nontumorigenic BPH-1 prostate epithelial cells, androgen-sensitive LNCaP, and androgen-independent PC-3 prostate cancer cells were exposed to sodium selenite at 1 to 10 μ mol/l for 24 to 72 h. Cell proliferation, viability, and apoptosis were assessed by MTT assay, trypan blue exclusion, flow cytometry, DNA laddering, and caspase activation. BPH-1 cells were more sensitive for cytotoxic selenium effects than malignant prostate cells, whereas LNCaP cells were more sensitive than PC-3 cells. At noncytotoxic selenium concentrations, there was no apoptosis in BPH-1 and PC-3 cells and no growth inhibition of LNCaP and BPH-1 cells. PC-3 cells were refractory to apoptosis induction but were growth inhibited at noncytotoxic concentrations. LNCaP cells were growth stimulated at 1 μ mol/l and sensitive to apoptosis induction at higher noncytotoxic concentrations. Thus, noncytotoxic selenite concentrations did not induce growth inhibition or apoptosis selectively in prostate cancer cells. Growth stimulation of LNCaP cells by low concentrations suggests the possibility of adverse effects of selenium supplementation on hormone sensitive prostate cancer, whereas inhibition of PC-3 cell proliferation at noncytotoxic concentrations suggests potential benefit of selenium in advanced prostate cancer.
High-Temperature Optically Pumped 1.55- m VCSEL Operating at 6 Gb/s

Vertical cavity lasers operating at a wavelength of 1547 nm were optically pumped by a 980-nm diode laser. Continuous-wave fiber-coupled output powers of 2 mW at room temperature and 140 uW at 105 C were observed. Fiber optic transmission over 25 km at 6 Gbit/s with a power penalty of 0.3 dB was demonstrated.
The interaction of haemoglobin, magnesium, organic phosphates and band 3 protein in nucleated and anucleated erythrocytes

The anion influx was measured in order to study the interaction among organic phosphates, magnesium, haemoglobin and the N‐terminal of the cytoplasmic domain of band 3 protein in human, chicken and trout erythrocytes. The rate constant for SO42− influx in human and trout erythrocytes increased significantly when it was measured with an increased concentration of intracellular Mg2+. The SO42− influx was also measured in human erythrocyte ghosts in the presence and absence of Mg2+. The smaller activation provoked by Mg2+ in ghosts could be caused by the presence of a small quantity of haemoglobin which remained inside. The SO42− uptake in chicken erythrocytes in the presence and in absence of Mg2+ was characterized by very similar rate constants. The results suggest that the small increase in intracellular Mg2+ in the erythrocytes involves an increase in the formation of Mg2+‐ATP and Mg2+‐2,3 BPG complexes reducing the affinity of the organic phosphates for Hb. This new situation may influence the functions of the anion transporter with consequent variations of SO42− influx throughout the erythrocyte membrane in human and in trout erythrocytes, whereas in chicken RBCs this function cannot occur and, in fact, no increase in sulphate influx was noticeable. The measurement of Hb/O2 affinity by the use of alternating fixed and variable concentrations of organic phosphates and Mg2+, confirms the interactions between these elements and their effect on the mechanism of the affinity. When we measured the sulphate influx in the presence of DIDS we found some differences in the three types of cells. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
N-Terminal Fragment of c-FLIP(L) Processed by Caspase 8 Specifically Interacts with TRAF2 and Induces Activation of the NF-κB Signaling Pathway

ABSTRACT Caspase 8 is required not only for death receptor-mediated apoptosis but also for lymphocyte activation in the immune system. FLIP(L), the long-splice form of c-FLIP, is one of the specific substrates for caspase 8, and increased expression of FLIP(L) promotes activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. The synthetic caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-fluoromethylketone (zVAD-fmk) markedly blocked NF-κB activation induced by overexpression of FLIP(L). FLIP(L) is specifically processed by caspase 8 into N-terminal FLIP(p43) and C-terminal FLIP(p12). Only FLIP(p43) was able to induce NF-κB activation as efficiently as FLIP(L), and FLIP(p43)-induced NF-κB activation became insensitive to zVAD-fmk. In caspase 8-deficient cells, FLIP(p43) provoked NF-κB activation only when procaspase 8 or caspase 8(p43) was complemented. FLIP(p43)-induced NF-κB activation was profoundly blocked by the dominant-negative TRAF2. Moreover, endogenous TRAF2 interacted specifically with FLIP(p43), and the formation of the FLIP(p43)-caspase 8-TRAF2 tertiary complex was a prerequisite to induction of NF-κB activation. zVAD-fmk prevented the recruitment of TRAF2 into the death-inducing signaling complex. Thus, our present results demonstrate that FLIP(p43) processed by caspase 8 specifically interacts with TRAF2 and subsequently induces activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.
The Effects of HIV Infection on Oral Mucosal Immunity

Oral mucosal infections, especially candidiasis, are a feature of HIV disease, suggesting that compromised mucosal immunity within the oral cavity is a consequence of the viral infection. However, how this mucosal immunity is compromised and at what stage of HIV infection this occurs are unclear. Better understanding of the protection of the oral cavity against infection has allowed us to gain some insight into the local consequences of HIV infection. From a humoral perpective, IgA2 subclasses are reduced in HIV infection in saliva, and total secretory IgA levels are reduced in later disease. Similarly, mucosal antibody responses appear near normal in early HIV infection but reduced in AIDS. There is now convincing evidence that salivary IgA can be neutralizing to HIV 1 and HIV 2, as well as block epithelial transmigration. Oral cellular immunity is also affected by HIV infection. Transmission of HIV from one oral cell type to another appears to be confirmed by work showing that HIV can bind to or infect epithelial cells, Langerhans cells, and other mucosal cells. CXCR4 tropic (via GalCer and CXCR4) and dual tropic HIV strains have been shown to be able to infect normal human oral keratinocytes (NHOKs), and infectious HIV virions can also be conveyed from NHOKs to activated peripheral blood lymphocytes, suggesting a potential role of oral epithelial cells in the transmission of HIV infection. There is evidence of up-regulation of various receptors, including HIV receptors, on the surface of oral epithelium, and the epithelium may become more permeable. HIV may exploit this antigen uptake mechanism to cross epithelial barriers during co-infection with damage-inducing pathogens such as Candida. Immune responsiveness to many of the co-pathogens associated with HIV has been demonstrated to depend on a family of innate recognition molecules, known as Toll-like receptors (TLR), and recognition of a single pathogen can involve activation of multiple TLRs. Consequently, TLR-pathogen interactions could play an indirect but major role in regulating HIV-associated disease in the oral cavity. Thus, HIV infection appears to have both direct and indirect effects on oral mucosal immunity, affecting both cellular and humoral immunity as well as both specific and innate immunity.
Differential Regulation of the Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Gene in Embryonic Chick Retina and Liver*

Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH1) is highly expressed in the dorsal cells of the undifferentiated retina, where it has been proposed to play a role in the formation of a retinoic acid gradient along the ventrodorsal axis. In contrast to the retina, ALDH1 levels increase with differentiation in the liver and remain elevated in the adult tissue. To understand the molecular basis for differential expression of ALDH1 during development, we characterized theALDH1 transcripts expressed in chick retina and liver. By sequencing, primer extension, and S1 nuclease analysis, we show that retina ALDH1 mRNA has an additional 300 nucleotides of 5′-untranslated sequence resulting from the transcription of two 5′ noncoding exons. There is a 24–29-kilobase pair (kb) gap between exons 1 and 2 and a 290-base pair gap between exons 2 and 3. Exon 3, which contains the ALDH1 start codon, represents the first exon of the liver transcript. Using a reporter gene assay, we have identified tissue-specific regulatory elements that govern ALDH1expression in primary retina and liver cultures. Constructs with >1.6 kb of DNA flanking the 5′-end of exon 1 showed elevated activity in retinal cultures but only basal activity in liver cultures. In contrast, constructs with <1 kb of 5′-flanking DNA were active in both retina and liver cultures. Our results suggest that an important mechanism for the control of ALDH1 transcriptional activity is through the presence of inhibitory elements located 0.7–1.6 kb upstream of the ALDH1 gene. DNase I footprint analysis reveal four sites of protein-DNA interaction within this region, one of which is specific to the liver and corresponds to a NF-κB/Rel binding site.
Myofilament spacing and force generation in intact frog muscle fibres.

1. The relation between sarcomere length and steady tetanic tension was determined at 10‐12 degrees C for 70‐80 microns long length‐clamped segments of single fibres isolated from the tibialis anterior muscle of the frog, in normal and hypertonic or hypotonic Ringer solutions. 2. The tension depression and potentiation observed in hypertonic and hypotonic Ringers solutions varied with sarcomere length, so that, as opposed to myofilament overlap predictions, the optimum length for tension development was shorter in hypertonic Ringer solution and longer in hypotonic Ringer solution than in normal Ringer solution. As the fibres were stretched from 1.96 to 2.24 microns sarcomere length, both tension depression in hypertonic Ringer solution and tension potentiation in hypotonic Ringer solution increased by 9 and 5%, respectively. 3. Within this range of sarcomere lengths the length‐stiffness relation in hypotonic and in hypertonic Ringer solutions exhibit little or no change relative to that in normal Ringer solution. 4. The results indicate that separation between the thick and the thin myofilaments influences the mechanism of force generation. There is an optimum interfilament distance (10‐12 nm surface to surface between the thick and the thin filaments) for tension production. In isotonic Ringer solution, this corresponds to the interfilament distance at sarcomere lengths around 2.10 microns. The force per attached cross‐bridge, rather than their number, appears to decrease as the interfilament distance is brought above or below the optimum length. Even if this effect is moderate in isotonic Ringer solution, it should be taken into account in models of the force‐generation mechanism.
Incident Comorbidity Among Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated or Not with Low-dose Glucocorticoids: A Retrospective Study

Objective. To assess the prevalence of comorbidity in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), treated or not with low-dose glucocorticoids (GC) and who have been followed for at least 10 years. Methods. This was a retrospective study by review of medical records. Results. We identified 365 patients: 297 (81.3%) were GC users (4–6 mg methylprednisolone daily) and 68 (18.7%) were nonusers. We found that fragility fractures occurred in 18.2% of GC users and in 6.0% of GC nonusers (p < 0.02); arterial hypertension in 32.3% of GC users and in 10.4% of GC nonusers (p < 0.0005); acute myocardial infarction in 13.1% of GC users and in 1.5% of the nonusers (p < 0.01). Prevalence of diabetes mellitus, cataract, and infections was comparable. We divided GC users into groups of different duration of GC therapy: < 2, 2–5, and > 5 years; the mean duration of GC treatment was 1.3 ± 0.5, 3.6 ± 1.1, and 12.1 ± 5.1 years, respectively. GC treatment for > 5 years was associated with significantly higher prevalence of fragility fractures (26.6%; p < 0.001 vs the other groups), arterial hypertension (36.7%; p < 0.0002 vs nonusers and GC users < 2 years), myocardial infarction (16.1%; p < 0.01 vs nonusers), and infections (9.7%; p < 0.005 vs the other groups). GC treatment for 2–5 years was associated with a significantly higher prevalence of arterial hypertension (30.0%; p < 0.01) compared to nonusers. Conclusion. Patients with RA treated with low-dose GC compared to patients never treated with GC show a higher prevalence of fractures, arterial hypertension, myocardial infarction, and serious infections, especially after 5 years of GC treatment. The high prevalence of myocardial infarction and fractures in patients with RA suggests that a more accurate identification of risk factors and prevention measures should be adopted when longterm GC treatment is needed.
Increased knee valgus alignment and moment during single-leg landing after overhead stroke as a potential risk factor of anterior cruciate ligament injury in badminton

Background In badminton, knees opposite to the racket-hand side received anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries during single-leg landing after overhead stroke. Most of them occurred in the backhand-side of the rear court. Comparing lower limb biomechanics during single-leg landing after overhead stroke between the forehand-side and backhand-side court may help explain the different injury rates depending on court position. Hypothesis The knee kinematics and kinetics during single-leg landing after overhead stroke following back-stepping were different between the forehand-side and backhand-side court. Study design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Hip, knee and ankle joint kinematic and knee kinetic data were collected for 17 right-handed female college badminton players using a 3-dimensional motion analysis system. Subjects performed single-left-legged landing after an overhead stroke following left and right back-stepping. The kinematic and kinetic data of the left lower extremities during landing were measured and compared between left and right back-steps. Results Hip flexion and abduction and knee valgus at the initial contact, hip and knee flexion and knee valgus at the maximum knee flexion and the maximum knee valgus moment were significantly larger for the left back-step than the right back-step (p<0.05). Conclusion Significant differences in joint kinematics and kinetics of the lower extremity during single-leg landing after overhead stroke were observed between different back-step directions. Increased knee valgus angle and moment following back-stepping to the backhand-side might be related to the higher incidence of ACL injury during single-leg landing after overhead stroke.
Male partners of women with provoked vestibulodynia: attributions for pain and their implications for dyadic adjustment, sexual satisfaction, and psychological distress.

INTRODUCTION Provoked vestibulodynia is a female genital pain condition that results in sexual dysfunction and impacts negatively on the couple. Although patients' causal attributions have been linked to worse psychosexual outcomes, no study has documented the male partners' perspective of this distressing problem and its potential influence on their psychosexual adaptation. AIM To identify whether male partners' attributions for vestibulodynia are possible predictors of their dyadic adjustment, sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, and psychological distress, as well as of women's pain and sexual functioning. METHODS Thirty-eight women with vestibulodynia first completed measures of pain intensity and sexual functioning. Male partners responded to mailed questionnaires assessing their own attributions for genital pain as well as their psychological distress, relationship adjustment, sexual functioning, and sexual satisfaction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Women completed the McGill-Melzack Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Attributions of male partners were measured using an adapted version of the Attributional Style Questionnaire (ASQ)-Partner Version. Men also filled out the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), the Sexual History Form (SHF), and the Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction (GMSEX). RESULTS All four negative attribution dimensions and higher levels of women's pain intensity successfully predicted increased psychological distress in male partners. Higher levels of both internal and global attributions were associated with men's poorer dyadic adjustment, whereas global and stable attributions were related to their lower sexual satisfaction. Attributions failed to significantly predict sexual functioning in male partners and women's pain and sexual functioning. CONCLUSIONS Evaluation and treatment of sexual pain problems should involve both partners and should explore the role of negative attributions.
Is prostate-specific antigen a valid surrogate end point for survival in hormonally treated patients with metastatic prostate cancer? Joint research of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, the Limburgs Universitair Centrum, and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.

PURPOSE The long duration of phase III clinical trials of overall survival (OS) slows down the treatment-development process. It could be shortened by using surrogate end points. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is the most studied biomarker in prostate cancer (PCa). This study attempts to validate PSA end points as surrogates for OS in advanced PCa. PATIENTS AND METHODS Individual data from 2,161 advanced PCa patients treated in studies comparing bicalutamide to castration were used in a meta-analytic approach to surrogate end-point validation. PSA response, PSA normalization, time to PSA progression, and longitudinal PSA measurements were considered. RESULTS The known association between PSA and OS at the individual patient level was confirmed. The association between the effect of intervention on any PSA end point and on OS was generally low (determination coefficient, < 0.69). CONCLUSION It is a common misconception that high correlation between biomarkers and true end point justify the use of the former as surrogates. To statistically validate surrogate end points, a high correlation between the treatment effects on the surrogate and true end point needs to be established across groups of patients treated with two alternative interventions. The levels of association observed in this study indicate that the effect of hormonal treatment on OS cannot be predicted with a high degree of precision from observed treatment effects on PSA end points, and thus statistical validity is unproven. In practice, non-null treatment effects on OS can be predicted only from precisely estimated large effects on time to PSA progression (TTPP; hazard ratio, < 0.50).