Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of toll-like receptor 4 on the severity of acute pancreatitis and pancreatitis-associated lung injury in mice

Background and Aims: Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease involving acinar cell injury, and the rapid production and release of inflammatory cytokines, which play a dominant role in local pancreatic inflammation and systemic complications. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) initiates a complex signalling pathway when it interacts with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which ultimately results in a proinflammatory response. We hypothesised that TLR4 is important in the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis, independently of LPS. Using two different models of acute pancreatitis, we investigated how genetic deletion of TLR4 or its co-receptor CD14 effects its progression and severity. Methods: We induced acute pancreatitis by administering either caerulein or l-arginine to wild-type, TLR4−/−, and CD14−/− mice. Control mice received normal saline injections. The severity of acute pancreatitis was determined by measuring serum amylase activity, quantifying myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the pancreatic tissue, and histologically assessing acinar cell injury. Results: It was found that administering caerulein and l-arginine to wild-type mice resulted in acute pancreatitis (as assessed by hyperamylasaemia, oedema, increased pancreatic MPO activity, and pancreatic necrosis) and associated lung injury. The same treatment to TLR4−/− or CD14−/− mice resulted in significantly less severe acute pancreatitis, and reduced lung injury. We found no evidence of either bacteria or LPS in the blood or in pancreatic tissue. Conclusions: The severity of acute pancreatitis is ameliorated in mice that lack either TLR4 or CD14 receptors. Furthermore, these results indicate that TLR4 plays a significant pro-inflammatory role independently of LPS in the progression of acute pancreatitis.
Infection and disease among household contacts of patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

SETTING Urban public teaching and referral hospital in Espirito Santo, Brazil. OBJECTIVE To assess whether rates of infection and progression to active tuberculosis (TB) differed between household contacts of patients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) and drug susceptible (DS) pulmonary tuberculosis. DESIGN Household contacts were assessed for evidence of TB infection and disease by purified protein derivative (PPD) skin testing, physical examination, chest X-ray, and sputum smear and culture. RESULTS Among 133 close contacts of patients with MDR-TB, 44% were PPD-positive (> or =10 mm) compared to 37% of 231 contacts of the DS-TB cases (P = 0.18, chi2 test, OR 1.2, 95%CI 0.8-2). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, after allowance for between-household variation in PPD responses, PPD positivity among household contacts of patients with MDR-TB remained comparable to PPD positivity in contacts of patients with DS-TB (OR 2.1, 95%CI 0.7-6.5). Respectively six (4%) and 11 (4%) contacts of the MDR- and DS-TB cases were found to have active TB at the time of initial evaluation or during follow-up (P = 0.78, chi2 test). Five of six contacts of MDR-TB cases and nine of nine contacts of DS-TB cases who developed TB, and for whom drug susceptibility test results were available, had the same bacterial susceptibility profiles as their index cases. DNA fingerprinting analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates was identical between household contacts with active TB and the index MDR or DS-TB case for all 14 pairs compared. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that the prevalence of tuberculous infection and progression to active TB among household contacts exposed to DS and MDR-TB cases is comparable, despite a longer duration of exposure of contacts to the index case in patients with MDR-TB.
Control Strategies for Distributed Power Generation Systems Operating on Faulty Grid

The distributed power generation based on renewable energy sources such as wind and sun experiences a high penetration in the power systems around the world, having in some countries a large contribution to the total energy production. In order to protect the distribution and transmission systems, the grid operators are more and more talking about the ability of the distribution systems (mainly wind turbines WT systems) to behave as a conventional power plant. This paper discusses the possibilities of the distributed power generation systems (DPGS) to deliver power when grid disturbances are present in the utility network. The focus is set more on the control strategies for active power generation, and mainly on the creation of the reference currents which fulfill the demanded output power. Considerations about reactive power are also stated. Experimental results are presented in order to validate the theory behind the proposed control strategies on faulty grid
Interleukin-21: biology and application to cancer therapy.

BACKGROUND IL-21, a recently described common gamma-chain cytokine, can induce the maturation and enhanced cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) and CD8(+) T cells and proliferation of CD40-stimulated B cells. Exogenous IL-21 has antitumor effects in murine models via immunological mechanisms. In addition, IL-21 can also directly induce apoptosis in chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells and other B cell lymphomas. OBJECTIVE/METHODS We examine preclinical and clinical data regarding anticancer therapy with IL-21. Published original research, abstracts and ongoing clinical trials are reviewed. A brief summary of IL-21 biology is also provided. CONCLUSION Three Phase I and II clinical trials with recombinant IL-21 have been completed, providing data on the safety and efficacy in subjects with advanced melanoma, renal cell carcinoma and non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphoma. Numerous additional single-agent and combination therapy clinical trials are ongoing for a variety of human malignancies. B cell malignancies in particular warrant further clinical investigation.
Antibacterial activity of alkaloids produced by endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. EJC08 isolated from medical plant Bauhinia guianensis

Bauhinia guianensis is a typical plant in the Amazon region belonging to the family Leguminosea, used by local populations for the treatment of infectious and renal diseases. Previous work on the plant B. guianensis led to the isolation of substances with anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Thus, compounds isolated from B. guianensis with antimicrobial activities had not been identified. Given that there is a possibility of biological activity reported for a given plant being found in the endophytic fungi, we decided to isolate endophytic fungi from B. guianensis and test their antimicrobial activities. The alkaloids known as fumigaclavine C and pseurotin A were isolated by column chromatography and identified by 1D and 2D NMR techniques and mass spectrometry. The alkaloids are first reported as broad-spectrum antibacterial agents with good activity.
GIMAP1 Is Essential for the Survival of Naive and Activated B Cells In Vivo

An effective immune system depends upon regulation of lymphocyte function and homeostasis. In recent years, members of the GTPases of the immunity associated protein (GIMAP) family were proposed to regulate T cell homeostasis. In contrast, little is known about their function and mode of action in B cells. We used a combination of transgenic mice and in vivo and in vitro techniques to conditionally and electively ablate GIMAP1 in resting and activated peripheral B cells. Our data suggest that GIMAP1 is absolutely essential for the survival of peripheral B cells, irrespective of their activation state. Together with recent data showing increased expression of GIMAP1 in B cell lymphomas, our work points to the possible potential of GIMAP1 as a target for manipulation in a variety of B cell–mediated diseases.
Grist for the mill: role of cereal fiber and calcium in prevention of colon cancer.

Investigation into the causes and prevention of colon cancer has always been a fascinating area of cancer research. It remains so because of the complex interplay of genetics and environment in the etiology of this common malignancy (7,2). The dietary milieu probably provides mutagens that initiate colon carcinogenesis, altering critical genes involved in its genesis, and is the source of substances that promote the tumorigenic process. Fortunately, as the epidemiologic evidence underscores, the diet is seemingly rich in factors that modulate risk for the disease (3-5). An impressive amount of experimental evidence, especially in laboratory animal studies, supports protective roles for cereal fiber and calcium in influencing risk for colon cancer. In carcinogen-treated rodents, research studies (6-13) have consistently implicated dietary fiber from wheat and supplemental dietary calcium as potentially protective in terms of reducing colon cell hyperproliferation upon short-term feeding and in reducing and protecting against the development of colon cancer in the longer term. The results have been inconsistent regarding the cancer preventive effects of other forms of cereal fiber. Some studies even suggested an adverse effect on the colon; i.e., some soluble forms of fiber have been shown to enhance cellular proliferation in the colon (14,15). From the human standpoint, relatively few studies have addressed the possible mechanism of action of added dietary fiber and calcium in the prevention of colon cancer. One hypothesis that has withstood the test of time suggests that the digestion of a diet rich in fat enhances the release of primary and secondary
Sudden Deafness

The histopathological study of two cases of sudden deafness is presented. The temporal bones showed cochleosaccular abnormality. The most striking pathological changes were collapse of the organ of Corti, atrophy of the tectorial membrane, atrophy of the stria vascularis, decrease in the number of the cochlear nerves, collapse of the saccular membrane and partial absence of the sensory epithelial layer in the saccular macula. These changes are quite similar in type to those occurring in labyrinthitis of known viral etiology and to those in previously reported cases of sudden deafness which were assumed to be of viral origin. This evidence suggests that a viral infection was the most probable etiology of sudden deafness in these ears. In addition, unusual findings of endolymphatic hydrops limited to the extreme basal end of the cochlear duct were found in Case 1. A patent cochlear aqueduct and circumscribed perilymphatic labyrinthine ossification in the superior semicircular canal were also observed. With these histopathological findings, the possibility of viral infection via the meninges as well as via the hematogenous route into the inner ear is proposed.
Adaptive response to exercise of fast‐growing and slow‐growing chicken strains: Blood oxidative status and non‐enzymatic antioxidant defense

ABSTRACT The adaptation of chickens to free‐range rearing systems mainly involves the locomotory behavior, which is very different in fast‐growing (FG) and slow‐growing (SG) strains. This study aimed to compare the effect of moderate locomotory activity (induced and prolonged) on the blood oxidative status in a slow‐growing chicken strain with that in a fast‐growing one. Thirty FG (Ross 308) birds and 30 SG (Hubbard) birds were divided into 2 groups for each strain and subjected to different treatments: no exercise (the control group [C]) and 1 h of walking at 4 km/h (the exercise group [E]). Daily exercise was promoted by operators, who walked behind the animals around a paddock. Blood samples were obtained weekly from both groups. For the E group, samples were obtained before exercise (E1) and after exercise (E2). Oxidative markers (creatine kinase [CK], reactive oxygen molecular substance [ROMS], thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS]), and antioxidant compounds (&agr;‐tocopherol [&agr;‐T], &ggr;‐tocopherol [&ggr;‐T], &dgr;‐tocopherol [&dgr;‐T], &agr;‐tocotrienol [&agr;‐T3], &ggr;‐tocotrienol [&ggr;‐T3], retinol, and carotenoids) were evaluated. In both strains, the CK level was higher in chickens subjected to exercise; however, its increase was greater in the FG group than in the SG one (1.56‐fold vs. 1.08‐fold). The antioxidant status was worse in FG strain birds subjected to exercise, whereas the status remained nearly the same in the SG strain birds. The &agr;‐T and retinol concentrations were significantly reduced by exercise, primarily in the FG group, whereas the other antioxidant compounds (&agr;‐T3, &ggr;‐T3, &ggr;‐T, &dgr;‐T, lutein, and zeaxanthin) were unaffected by strain or treatment. The FG and SG strains had different responses to exercise, and only the SG showed a progressive reduction in TBARS and ROMS values during the 28‐day experiment. Accordingly, moderate exercise may be beneficial only when the birds have suitable behavioral characteristics (e.g., higher kinetic activity, rusticity, and explorative nature) or physical characteristics (e.g., low body weight); otherwise, exercise is highly stressful and affects physiology and well‐being.
Successful guidance by automatic output of music and verbal messages for daily behavioural disturbances of three individuals with dementia

There have been no previous reports of daily home activities of individuals with dementia being guided by the combination of music and verbal messages. This study evaluated the effectiveness for three individuals of music and messages which were automatically output by an IC recorder. After music was presented, messages instructed the participants to go to a day care centre, behave more peacefully and eat more at meals, respectively. These stimuli were highly effective for guiding the above activities. This study suggests that automatic output of music and messages has potential as a strategy for guiding individuals with dementia at their home. For the third individual, the music and messages were output through a doll. The implications of using a doll are also discussed.
Lamin A/C Expression Is a Marker of Mouse and Human Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation

Nuclear lamins comprise the nuclear lamina, a scaffold‐like structure that lines the inner nuclear membrane. B‐type lamins are present in almost all cell types, but A‐type lamins are expressed predominantly in differentiated cells, suggesting a role in maintenance of the differentiated state. Previous studies have shown that lamin A/C is not expressed during mouse development before day 9, nor in undifferentiated mouse embryonic carcinoma cells. To further investigate the role of lamins in cell phenotype maintenance and differentiation, we examined lamin expression in undifferentiated mouse and human embryonic stem (ES) cells. Wide‐field and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that undifferentiated mouse and human ES cells express lamins B1 and B2 but not lamin A/C. Mouse ES cells display high levels of lamins B1 and B2 localized both at the nuclear periphery and throughout the nucleoplasm, but in human ES cells, B1 and B2 expression is dimmer and localized primarily at the nuclear periphery. Lamin A/C expression is activated during human ES cell differentiation before downregulation of the pluripotency marker Oct‐3/4 but not before the downregulation of the pluripotency markers Tra‐1‐60, Tra‐1‐81, and SSEA‐4. Our results identify the absence of A‐type lamin expression as a novel marker for undifferentiated ES cells and further support a role for nuclear lamins in cell maintenance and differentiation.
Phosphorylation of acyclovir in vitro in activated Burkitt somatic cell hybrids

Acyclovir [9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)guanine] (ACV), a potent antiviral compound, was phosphorylated to the same extent by extracts from untreated and iododeoxyuridine-treated Epstein-Barr virus-containing latent D98/HR-1 somatic hybrid cells. ATP was the preferred phosphate donor over other nucleoside triphosphates. The cytosol extract from D98/HR-1 cells effected optimum phosphorylation of thymidine at pH 8.0, whereas ACV was phosphorylated equally well over a wide pH range. Electrophoretic analysis of thymidine kinase-, deoxycytidine kinase-, and ACV-phosphorylating activities from both untreated and iododeoxyuridine-treated cell extracts displayed identical properties. A small part (5 to 10%) of the loaded ACV-phosphorylating activity seemed to migrate with the deoxycytidine kinase activity from cytosol. dTTP and dCTP, at relatively high concentrations, partially inhibited ACV-phosphorylating activity. The results suggest that Epstein-Barr virus does not code for its own thymidine kinase and that phosphorylation of ACV in Epstein-Barr virus-producing cells is carried out by multiple or as yet unidentified ATP-dependent nonspecific cellular phosphotransferases.
NEURAL NETWORK IN NONVERBAL BRAIN - RECOGNIZE HOW AN OBJECT IS VISUALLY POSITIONED IN HUMAN BRAIN

Research is giving much more valuable information about the way the human brain works and how human learn. As we know that our human brain is divided into two halves or hemispheres (Left and Right). The Left brain thinking is verbal (logic, analysis, computation and other functions). Whereas Right brain thing is Non-Verbal (creativity, imaginary, intuition, Visualization and other functions). The objects that are captured by human eyes sight are stored as an image in their brain; in contrast it was stored as binary format in Neural Network. Vision is perhaps the most remarkable of all our intelligent sensing capabilities. Through our visual system, we are able to acquire information about our environment without direct contact. And also gain information at a phenomenal rate and at resolutions that are most impressive. The recognition of visual object is known to be one of the best applications in Artificial Neural Network, which is also partially imitated human thinking in the province of Artificial Intelligence. Neuroscience plays an important role here for explaining brain activities. In this article a simplified neural network approach to recognition of visually stored objects in human brain are depicted and discussed.
QoS scheme for multimedia multicast communications over wireless mesh networks

A quality of service (QoS) scheme for multimedia multicast communications in wireless mesh networks (WMNs) is proposed in this study. It uses a new bandwidth calculation scheme to provide rate-adaptive admission control. It relies on information it receives from the network and application layers to calculate the network bandwidth consumption and operates independently of the media access control (MAC) layer. Using the proposed QoS scheme, the network layer provides feedback on network congestion to the application layer. The multimedia multicast sender adapts the real-time data transmission rate based on the network congestion feedback it receives. In this study, the authors describe the detailed architecture of the proposed QoS scheme. Furthermore, the authors have implemented the QoS scheme in our previously developed uni-directional link aware multicast extension to AODV (UDL-MAODV) routing protocol. The authors present validation tests to ensure the correct functionality of the QoS algorithm using our SwanMesh WMN testbed. The authors have also performed simulation tests to evaluate the performance of the proposed scheme. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed QoS scheme.
Information Systems and Healthcare XXII: Characterizing and Visualizing the Quality of Health Information

We all need ways to assess the quality of the information we look for, but this task is critically important when we are seeking health information. Healthcare consumers increasingly seek and use health information to address their health concerns. However, many health consumers lack the time and expertise required to make solid judgments about the quality of health information they encounter. A full range of quality appraisal methods for health information offer help, yet health consumers use those methods infrequently. Health consumers need better support to overcome barriers to efficiency, scalability, and transparency often associated with this breadth of valuable methods. Furthermore, they need ways to assess the quality of health information they find in the context of their own, individually situated needs. Our goals were to investigate the concept of health information quality and to explore how we can provide health consumers with better support by highlighting, rather than hiding, important aspects of health information quality. First, by reviewing and synthesizing criteria used by a broad range of quality appraisal methods for health information, we identified four focal characteristics of health information quality: content, reference, authorship, and publisher. Together, these four characteristics of intrinsic quality provide an organizing framework for health consumers to assess the quality of health information along multiple dimensions according to their own needs. Next, we used a user-center approach to design a prototype tool that concretely illustrates our framework by allowing the user to highlight multiple dimensions of health information quality. We present a usage case example of this illustrative tool, which visualizes the quality of MEDLINE search results. Our work provides a new perspective on health information quality by acknowledging and supporting consumers’ needs for transparency and flexibility as they take a prominent role in health information quality assessment.
Adaptive path exploration and cognitive map generation using swarm intelligence

The objective of this paper is to propose a novel method of adaptive discovery of path and generation of path trail using swarm intelligence, thereby minimizing human involvement in discovering the path of unknown and/or hazardous environment. Discovering a secure path autonomously and adaptively is a difficult task in defense for search and/or rescue operations. Communicating the path trail information to the neighboring robots or nearby control room for generation of cognitive maps, these adaptively built maps become very essential in navigation. We assume that target/s, destination/s and location/s are known and path to the same is unknown. We propose this novel path exploration approach in civilian or defense sector for search and rescue operation application.
Bridging Quantitative and Qualitative of Glaucoma Detection

� Abstract≤Glaucoma diagnosis involves extracting three features of the fundus image; optic cup, optic disc and vernacular. Present manual diagnosis is expensive, tedious and time consuming. A number of researches have been conducted to automate this process. However, the variability between the diagnostic capability of an automated system and ophthalmologist has yet to be established. This paper discusses the efficiency and variability between ophthalmologist opinion and digital technique; threshold. The efficiency and variability measures are based on image quality grading; poor, satisfactory or good. The images are separated into four channels; gray, red, green and blue. A scientific investigation was conducted on three ophthalmologists who graded the images based on the image quality. The images are threshold using multi- thresholding and graded as done by the ophthalmologist. A comparison of grade from the ophthalmologist and threshold is made. The results show there is a small variability between result of ophthalmologists and digital threshold.