Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Live Attenuated Leishmania donovani Centrin Gene–Deleted Parasites Induce IL-23–Dependent IL-17–Protective Immune Response against Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Murine Model

No vaccine exists against visceral leishmaniasis. To develop effective vaccines, we have previously reported protective role of live attenuated centrin gene–deleted Leishmania donovani (LdCen−/−) parasites through induction of Th1 type immune response in mice, hamsters, and dogs. In this study, we specifically explored the role of Th17 cells in LdCen−/−-induced host protection in mice. Our results showed that compared with wild-type L. donovani infection, LdCen−/− parasites induce significantly higher expression of Th17 differentiation cytokines in splenic dendritic cells. There was also induction of IL-17 and its promoting cytokines in total splenocytes and in both CD4 and CD8 T cells following immunization with LdCen−/−. Upon challenge with wild-type parasites, IL-17 and its differentiating cytokines were significantly higher in LdCen−/−-immunized mice compared with nonimmunized mice that resulted in parasite control. Alongside IL-17 induction, we observed induction of IFN-γ–producing Th1 cells as reported earlier. However, Th17 cells are generated before Th1 cells. Neutralization of either IL-17 or IFN-γ abrogated LdCen−/−-induced host protection further confirming the essential role of Th17 along with Th1 cytokines in host protection. Treatment with recombinant IL-23, which is required for stabilization and maintenance of IL-17, heightened Th17, and Tc17 responses in immunized mice splenocytes. In contrast, Th17 response was absent in immunized IL-23R−/− mice that failed to induce protection upon virulent Leishmania challenge suggesting that IL-23 plays an essential role in IL-17–mediated protection by LdCen−/− parasites. This study unveiled the role of IL-23–dependent IL-17 induction in LdCen−/− parasite-induced immunity and subsequent protection against visceral leishmaniasis.
A bio-molecular film ex-vivo model to evaluate the influence of canal dimensions and irrigation variables on the efficacy of irrigation.

AIMS To devise an ex vivo model to test the efficacy of irrigation (static/dynamic) in removing a bio-molecular film from root canal walls. METHODOLOGY Forty human teeth with single straight canals were randomly allocated to two groups for static (n = 20) or dynamic (n = 20) irrigation. The root canals were prepared to different apical sizes (20, 40) and tapers (0.04, 0.08). The teeth were split longitudinally into two, stained collagen was applied to the canal surfaces and the tooth reassembled in a silicone matrix for dynamic or static irrigation. Digital images of the canal surface were taken before and after irrigation with 9, 18, 27 and 36 mL solution. The percentage of canal surface covered with stained collagen was quantified (ipWin4). The data were analysed using paired t-tests and linear regression models. RESULTS All the five explanatory variables: 'volume of irrigant used', 'mode of irrigation', 'orientation of open port of needle', 'corono-apical level of canal' and 'root canal dimension' had a significant (P < 0.001) influence on outcome of irrigation. The corono-apical level of canal was the most dominating factor. After irrigation, the apical third had 19.9% and 33.8% less area covered with the bio-molecular film than the middle and coronal thirds respectively. CONCLUSIONS The stained collagen bio-molecular film could not be removed completely by either static or dynamic irrigation. Factors influencing removal, in rank order of decreasing priority, were: corono-apical level, apical size and taper of canal preparation, and dynamic/static irrigation.
Comparative study on several PSO algorithms

With the development of intelligent algorithm, GA and PSO have become the hot spot for the study on multi-objective optimization in recently years. Information sharing is the core of PSO algorithm, Comparing with GA, PSO algorithm has less variables to adjust and is easy to achieve, so it is widely used in engineering. This paper focus on the comparation on several PSO algorithm and introduce a kind of PSO algorithm that is better in performance than others.
Determination of Serum Cystatin C: Biological Variation and Reference Values

Abstract Human cystatin C is a low molecular weight protein which has been proposed as a better marker of glomerular filtration rate than creatinine. To be able to interpret results obtained in different patient populations it is necessary to define cystatin C reference values. We measured serum concentration of cystatin C in 1223 subjects using a particle-enhanced nephelometric assay. Subjects were aged 4 to 79 years and were selected among apparently healthy individuals who came to the Centre for Preventive Medicine in Vandoeuvre-Lès-Nancy, France. We observed a Gaussian distribution of cystatin C concentration in serum. We did not find any effect of age or gender in children, hormonal status in women (puberty, menopause, oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy) or alcohol intake. Cystatin C concentration was slightly lower in female than in male adults below the age of 60 years. Cystatin C levels significantly increased above the age of 60 in both males and females, probably due to physiological aging of renal function. No other significant differences were observed between males and females. Using multiple regression analysis, moderate correlations were observed between body mass index and cystatin C, and between smoking and cystatin C, but these were not biologically significant. According to the literature, only methylprednisolone and cyclosporin A increased and decreased cystatin C levels, respectively. The reference values for cystatin C obtained in a carefully selected population were 0.75±0.089 mg/l for children aged 4–19 years, 0.74±0.100 mg/l for males and 0.65±0.085 mg/l for females (aged 20–59 years), and 0.83±0.103 mg/l for older individuals (≥60 years).
Two‐dimensional electrophoretic analysis of membranous protein from human thyroid tissues and cancer cell lines

Thyroid neoplasm is the most commonly encountered neoplastic disorder in endocrine clinics. Thyroid scan, ultrasonography, and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) are used as diagnostic tools to differentiate a malignant nodule from a benign lesion. There are certain limitations and pitfalls in FNAC, especially in the diagnosing of follicular tumors. The lack of characteristic findings or a specific tumor marker are the most common problems in the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid follicular carcinoma. Although serum thyroglobulin level has been used as a tumor marker for post‐operative, well‐differentiated thyroid cancer, the assay cannot be used for preoperative diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma. In this study, various thyroid tissues and cancer cell lines including CGTH W‐1, CGTH W‐3, RO 82 W‐1, SW 579 cell lines were used for the investigation of tumor markers. Specific spots were identified in the area near the 60 kDa molecular mass protein and isoelectric point (pI) 5.9 of the CGTH W‐1 cell line. These spots could not be found in the papillary or anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines. Another spot with a molecular weight of about 9.8 kDa with a low pI of 4.8 was present in the CGTH W‐1 and RO 82 W‐1 cell lines. This spot appeared to be a tumor marker of follicular cancer cells. This spot could not be found in the papillary and anaplastic cancer cell lines and other benign thyroid tissues. Specific proteins that were identified in this study may be useful as tumor markers for follicular thyroid carcinoma.
Optimization of a closed-loop gas system for operation of resistive plate chambers at the Large Hadron Collider

Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs), thanks to their fast time resolution (~1 ns), suitable space resolution (~1 cm) and low production cost (~25 E/m2), are widely employed for the muon trigger systems at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Their large detector volume (they are covering a surface of about 4000 m2 equivalent to 16 m3 of gas volume both in ATLAS and CMS) and the use of a relatively expensive Freon-based gas mixture make a closed-loop gas circulation unavoidable. It has been observed that the return gas of RPCs operated in conditions similar to the difficult experimental background conditions at LHC contains a large amount of impurities potentially dangerous for long-term operation. Several gas-cleaning agents are currently in use in order to avoid accumulation of impurities in the closed-loop circuits. We present the results of a systematic study characterizing each of those cleaning agents. During the test, several RPCs were operated at the CERN Gamma Irradiation Facility (GIF) in a high radiation environment in order to observe the production of typical impurities: mainly fluoride ions, molecules of the Freon group and hydrocarbons. The polluted return gas was sent to several cartridges each containing a different cleaning agent. The effectiveness of each material was studied using gas chromatography and mass-spectrometry techniques. Results of this test have revealed an optimized configuration of filters that is now under long-term validation. The gas optimization studies are complemented with a finite element simulation of the gas flow distribution in the RPCs, aiming at its eventual optimization in terms of distribution and flow rate.
Genome-wide identification of pistil-specific genes expressed during fruit set initiation in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)

Fruit set involves the developmental transition of an unfertilized quiescent ovary in the pistil into a fruit. While fruit set is known to involve the activation of signals (including various plant hormones) in the ovary, many biological aspects of this process remain elusive. To further expand our understanding of this process, we identified genes that are specifically expressed in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) pistils during fruit set through comprehensive RNA-seq-based transcriptome analysis using 17 different tissues including pistils at six different developmental stages. First, we identified 532 candidate genes that are preferentially expressed in the pistil based on their tissue-specific expression profiles. Next, we compared our RNA-seq data with publically available transcriptome data, further refining the candidate genes that are specifically expressed within the pistil. As a result, 108 pistil-specific genes were identified, including several transcription factor genes that function in reproductive development. We also identified genes encoding hormone-like peptides with a secretion signal and cysteine-rich residues that are conserved among some Solanaceae species, suggesting that peptide hormones may function as signaling molecules during fruit set initiation. This study provides important information about pistil-specific genes, which may play specific roles in regulating pistil development in relation to fruit set.
MINOR ALTERATIONS IN THYROID – FUNCTION TESTS ASSOCIATED WITH DIABETES MELLITUS AND OBESITY IN OUTPATIENTS WITHOUT KNOWN THYROID ILLNESS

Abstract Thyroid function tests might be affected by diabetes and obesity. To evaluate the influence of these parameters in routine conditions, 72 diabetic and 53 non-diabetic outpatients without known thyroid diseases or severe chronic illness were recruited over a 7 – month period. For each patient, dosages of thyrotropin (TSH), total and free thyroxine (TT4 and FT4, respectively), total and free triiodothyronine (TT3 and FT3) and T3 resin uptake (T3RU) were performed by radioimmunoassays. The simultaneous influence of various parameters known to affect thyroid-function tests was evaluated by multivariate linear regression. The studied variables included gender, age, glucosteroids, estrogens, tobacco habits, iodine contacts, body mass index (BMI) and diabetes mellitus. Tobacco habits and iodine contacts did not influence any tests. As expected, estrogens induced an increase in TT4 and TT3 values (p<0.001 and 0.020, respectively) associated with a decrease in T3RU (p<0.001). Consequently, females had lower T3RU than males (p<0.0001). Corticotherapy was associated with decreased TSH values (p=0.022). TT3 and FT3 decreased with age (p<0.001), whereas T3RU and FT4 increased (p=0.020 and 0.004, respectively). In contrast to an increase in TSH (p=0.006), TT4 and FT4 decreased at higher BMI levels (p=0.018 and 0.004, respectively), which is consistent with subclinical hypothyroidism. In diabetic patients, TSH was lower than in non-diabetic subjects (p=0.039). Thus, the present study indicates that besides known parameters such as age and drugs, thyroid-function tests can also be altered by diabetes mellitus and obesity.
The Effects of Vitamins B12, B6, and Folate on Blood Homocysteine Levels a

The interaction between plasma homocysteine levels and vitamins B6, B12, and folate is an exciting field and one that has gathered great momentum over the past few years, with the recognition that homocysteine probably plays an important role in occlusive vascular disease. Our understanding in this field is greatly advanced compared to just a few years ago. There are a number of important issues, however, that will need to be addressed in the future if we are to develop a sufficient knowledge base to effectively minimize the risk of occlusive vascular disease ascribable to hyperhomocysteinemia. These include (1) definitive evidence that homocysteine is the actual agent that mediates accelerated occlusive vascular disease and the mechanism by which this occurs; (2) an understanding of what constitutes a pathologic elevation in homocysteine (is there a threshold concentration in the plasma below which no vascular injury occurs? is the peak concentration achieved the critical determinant of injury, or is the area under the curve, or some other feature, more important? ); (3) understanding what synergies might exist by adding B6 or B12 to a regimen of folate supplementation (what doses are most appropriate? will toxologic issues limit the utility of supplementation? ); and (4) determining the circumstances where reduction of plasma homocysteine will retard or reverse the process of occlusive vascular disease.
Dynamic Asset Allocation by Applying Regime Detection Analysis

In this paper, I propose a new asset allocation framework to cope with the dynamic nature of the financial market. The investment performance can be much improved by protecting the capital from the market crashes, and such crashes can be pre-identified with high probabilities by regime detection analysis via a specialized unsupervised machine learning technique.
Mitochondrial Turnover

Background: It is unknown whether there is a difference in the thermogenic potential of brown adipocytes. Results: In iBAT, UCP1, and mitochondrial content are stable during temperature transitions, whereas in WAT they fluctuate. Conclusion: A difference between iBAT and WAT lies in mitochondrial turnover during temperature transitions. Significance: Brown adipocytes from iBAT or WAT may determine energy balance linked to obesity. To determine the differences between brown adipocytes from interscapular brown tissue (iBAT) and those induced in white adipose tissue (WAT) with respect to their thermogenic capacity, we examined two essential characteristics: the dynamics of mitochondrial turnover during reversible transitions from 29 °C to 4 °C and the quantitative relationship between UCP1 and selected subunits of mitochondrial respiratory complex in the fully recruited state. To follow the kinetics of induction and involution of mitochondria, we determined the expression pattern of UCP1 and other mitochondrial proteins as well as analyzed mtDNA content after cold stimulation and reacclimation to thermoneutrality. We showed that UCP1 turnover is very different in iBAT and inguinal WAT (ingWAT); the former showed minimal changes in protein content, whereas the latter showed major changes. Similarly, in iBAT both mtDNA content and the expression of mitochondrial proteins were stable and expressed at similar levels during reversible transitions from 29 °C to 4 °C, whereas ingWAT revealed dynamic changes. Further analysis showed that in iBAT, the expression patterns for UCP1 and other mitochondrial proteins resembled each other, whereas in ingWAT, UCP1 varied ∼100-fold during the transition from cold to warmth, and no other mitochondrial proteins matched UCP1. In turn, quantitative analysis of thermogenic capacity determined by estimating the proportion of UCP1 to respiratory complex components showed no significant differences between brown and brite adipocytes, suggesting similar thermogenic potentiality. Our results indicate that dynamics of brown adipocytes turnover during reversible transition from warm to cold may determine the thermogenic capacity of an individual in a changing temperature environment.
Colchicine delays the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis virus‐related liver cirrhosis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant neoplasm associated with liver cirrhosis, with an annual incidence of 3% to 9%, which is one of the main causes of death in patients with cirrhosis. Viral hepatitis is associated with an increased risk of HCC, probably due to an inflammatory reaction. Colchicine is an antiinflammatory agent that inhibits the formation of intracellular microtubules, affecting mitosis and fibrogenesis. Diverse clinical studies have failed to demonstrate the benefit of colchicine over the progression of fibrosis in patients with liver cirrhosis; nevertheless, to the authors' knowledge there are no studies that evaluate its effect in the development of HCC.
Associations of cocaine use and HIV infection with the intestinal microbiota, microbial translocation, and inflammation.

OBJECTIVE HIV and illicit drug use have been associated with altered nutrition, immune function, and metabolism. We hypothesized that altered composition and decreased diversity of the intestinal microbiota, along with microbial translocation, contribute to nutritional compromise in HIV-infected drug users. METHOD We enrolled 26 men and 6 women, 15 HIV infected and 17 HIV uninfected, in this exploratory, cross-sectional study; 7 HIV-infected and 7 HIV-uninfected participants had used cocaine within the previous month. We examined the independent effects of cocaine use and HIV infection on the composition and diversity of the intestinal microbiota, determined by 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing. Using dietary records, anthropometrics, and dual x-ray absorptiometry, we examined the additional effects of nutritional indices on the intestinal microbiota. We compared markers of inflammation and microbial translocation between groups. RESULTS Cocaine users had a higher relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (M ± SD = 57.0% ± 21 vs. 37.1% ± 23, p = .02) than nonusers. HIV-infected individuals had a higher relative abundance of Proteobacteria (Mdn [interquartile range] = 1.56% [0.5, 2.2] vs. 0.36% [0.2, 0.7], p = .03), higher levels of soluble CD14 and tumor necrosis factor-α, and lower levels of anti-endotoxin core antibodies than uninfected subjects. HIV-infected cocaine users had higher interferon-γ levels than all other groups. Food insecurity was higher in HIV-infected cocaine users. CONCLUSIONS We identified differences in the relative abundance of major phyla of the intestinal microbiota, as well as markers of inflammation and microbial translocation, based on cocaine use and HIV infection. Nutritional factors, including alcohol use and lean body mass, may contribute to these differences.
A T‐type Ca2+ current underlies low‐threshold Ca2+ potentials in cells of the cat and rat lateral geniculate nucleus.

1. The characteristics of a transient inward Ca2+ current (IT) underlying low‐threshold Ca2+ potentials were studied in projection cells of the cat and rat dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) in vitro using the single‐electrode voltage‐clamp technique. 2. In cat LGN slices perfused at 25 degrees C with a solution which included 1 mM‐Ca2+ and 3 mM‐Mg2+, IT could be evoked by depolarizing voltage steps to ‐55 mV from a holding potential (Vh) of ‐95 mV and was abolished by reducing [Ca2+]o from 1 to 0.1 mM. IT was also blocked by 8 mM‐Mg2+ and 500 microM‐Ni2+, but 500 microM‐Cd2+ was a significantly less effective antagonist. 3. The inactivation of IT, which occurred at Vh positive to ‐65 mV, was removed as Vh approached ‐100 mV. The process of inactivation removal was also time dependent, with 800‐1000 ms needed for total removal. Activation curves for IT showed a threshold of ‐70 mV and illustrated that IT was extremely voltage sensitive over the voltage range from ‐65 to ‐55 mV. 4. The decay phase of IT followed a single‐exponential time course with a time constant of decay which was voltage sensitive and ranged from 20 to 100 ms. The mean peak conductance increase associated with IT was 8.4 nS (+/‐0.9, S.E.M.). 5. In more ‘physiological’ conditions (35 degrees C and 1.5 mM‐Ca2+, 1 mM‐Mg2+) the voltage dependence of activation and inactivation were unaffected. However, the development and decay of IT proceeded more rapidly and only 500‐600 ms were needed for total removal of inactivation. Under these conditions, the use of voltage ramps showed that depolarization rates of greater than 30 mV/s were necessary for IT activation. 6. The use of multiple voltage‐step protocols illustrated that the process of inactivation removal was rapidly reversed by brief returns to a Vh of ‐50 mV. Furthermore, any delay in IT activation, once the LGN cell membrane potential was in the IT activation range, resulted in a current of reduced amplitude. 7. Although IT in rat LGN cells was briefer and had a shorter latency to peak, it was otherwise similar to that seen in cat LGN cells. 8. The characteristics of IT are very similar to those of the T‐type Ca2+ currents of other excitable membranes. The properties of IT are discussed with respect to its role in generating the low‐threshold Ca2+ potentials which are central to the oscillatory behaviour of thalamic projection cells.
Laser Doppler perfusion imaging by dynamic light scattering

A laser Doppler perfusion imaging technique based on dynamic light scattering in tissue is reported. When a laser beam sequentially scans the tissue (maximal area approximately 12 cm*12 cm), moving blood cells generate Doppler components in the backscattered light. A fraction of this light is detected by a remote photodiode and converted into an electrical signal. In the signal processor, a signal proportional to the tissue perfusion at each measurement point is calculated and stored. When the scanning procedure is completed, the system generates a color-coded perfusion image on a monitor. A perfusion image is typically built up of data from 4096 measurement sites, recorded during a time period of 4 min. This image has a spatial resolution of about 2 mm. A theory for the system inherent amplification factor dependence on the distance between individual measurement points and detector is proposed and correction measures are presented. Performance results for the laser Doppler perfusion imager obtained with a flow simulator are presented. The advantages of the method are discussed. <<ETX>>