Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Carrier‐reactive hapten‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte clones originate from a highly preselected T cell repertoire: implications for chemical‐induced self‐reactivity

We have recently described trinitrophenyl (TNP)‐specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones from C57BL/6 mice specific for hapten‐modified peptides bearing a TNP‐lysine in a peripheral position, i.e. in position 7 of H‐2Kb‐bound octapeptides. CTL recognition of such determinants is always sequencedependent due to co‐recognition of TNP as well as amino acid side chains of the carrier peptide. By the use of glycine‐based designer peptides for primary induction of CTL in vitro, we have identified two sub‐epitopes on individual position 7‐haptenated peptides that form two TcR contact points and which can be independently recognized by cloned CTL. One of these sub‐epitopes is represented by the hapten itself, the other by the amino acids tyrosine and lysine in positions 3 and 4 of the carrier peptide, respectively. Immunization with such TNP‐modified peptides frequently results in the specific induction of CTL also reacting with the unmodified carrier peptides. DNA sequence analyses of the TcR revealed an extraordinary similarity of several independent TcR of CTL from individual mice and induced with different TNP‐peptides. These receptor similarities clearly correlate with structural elements common to the immunizing peptides and suggest their origin from positive thymic selection of TcR on Kb‐associated self‐peptides bearing Tyr in position 3. Our data provide additional information concerning the topology of TcR binding to peptide/MHC complexes with, but also without, TNP. They also indicate a mechanism which might explain the potential of chemicals or drugs to induce autoimmune phenomena.
Practice recommendations: A new type of article in Pediatric Transplantation

Pediatric Transplantation is the official journal of the International Pediatric Transplantation Association (IPTA). The IPTA Council governs IPTA. Several committees report to the IPTA Council, including the IPTA Publications and Communications Committee. This Committee is charged with the oversight of official publications from IPTA. The IPTA Publications Committee has proposed a new type of article for our journal Pediatric Transplantation called Practice Recommendations. These recommendations use similar levels of evidence as the more elaborate practice guidelines such as the KDIGO guidelines (1), but the process does not include the same extensive literature review, because of the smaller evidence-base in the pediatric transplant literature. Very little evidence in the world of pediatric transplantation is level A and B (2). The IPTA Council endorsed the format and developed a policy that was passed at the Council meeting dated September 22, 2015. It reads:
Changes in and Challenges for Intentional Injury in Vietnam

Objective. To describe the current situation of intentional injury among Vietnamese youth as well as risk and protective factors. Method. The Sample of Survey Assessment of Vietnamese Youth 2009 (SAVY2) involving 10 044 youth aged 14 to 25 in 2009 was used and compared with SAVY1 in this study. The data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate statistical techniques. Results. Of the sample in 2009, 3% of the young people reported that they had been injured by a family member. The proportion who were intentionally injured by others outside their home was 7.6%. Youth who were most likely to hurt others included urban males, those who had ever been drunk, those who had been intentionally injured by others, and those who had weak family connectedness. Having suicidal thoughts (both sexes) is related to alcohol consumption. Conclusions. The rate of violent behaviors was low, but several risk and protective factors were found and confirmed.
Form of thalamic response evoked by peripheral nerve stimulation

Marshall (’41) examined several aspects of thalamic potentials evoked contralaterally by tactile stimulation and by electrical shocks to the superficial radial nerve. The responses mere recorded from the region of synaptic transfer in the lateral part of the posteroventral nucleus, and he identified three components. The initial one was a sharp positive wave attributed to the summation of positive spikes representing activity in lemniscus axons and terminals. This was followed by a barrage of diphasic and negative spikes which he related to synaptic transfer. A subsequent slow positive wave was interpreted as an after-potential of thalamic neurones because its time relations correlated well with the excitability cycle of the thalamo-cortical relay. 3Iountcastle and Henneman ( ’49) studied the topical distribution of the thalamic responses evoked by stimulating different parts of the body surface. The sensory figure they plotted within the contralateral posteroventral nucleus (dorsal midline across the superior portion of the responsive area ; tail, antero-laterally ; face and mouth medially ; and extremities inferiorly) was distorted to allow greater volume of thalamic tissue for representation of the parts of the body surface most heavily innervated by sensory axons.
Severe Hereditary Haemolytic Anaemia in Dogs Treated by Marrow Transplantation

Summary. Severe hereditary haemolytic anaemia related to pyruvate kinase deficiency occurs in Basenji dogs homozygous for this autosomal recessive defect. In the current study, three anaemic dogs were treated by total body irradiation and marrow transplantation from non‐anaemic histocompatible littermates with resultant complete correction of their haemolytic anaemia. The possible use of marrow transplantation for life‐threatening haemolytic anaemias in man is discussed.
Influence of scattering on material quantification using multi-energy x-ray imaging

New horizons in x-ray radiography and computed tomography (CT) have been opened up with the emergence of energy resolved x-ray imaging. This includes the ability to differentiate material components and estimate their equivalent thickness or relative ratio by processing a single shot acquisition image. However, such techniques require highly accurate images, especially for materials close in terms of attenuation. The presence of scattered radiation leads to a loss of contrast and, more importantly, a bias in radiographic material imaging and artefacts in CT. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the disturbance caused by scatter on multi-energy imaging, more precisely, on a material decomposition approach commonly used in radiography or CT. This evaluation was based on numerical simulations using Sindbad-SFFD. Results showed a significant impact of scattered radiation on quantification accuracy for a simplified thorax-sized numerical phantom with an average error of 157.1% and 74.1% for cortical bone and water thickness, respectively. When only 10% of scatter was considered the error still remained significant: 35.1% and 17.5% for cortical bone and water thickness, respectively. The study concludes that a scatter correction method should be performed prior to any material decomposition, if one aims to benefit from energy resolved data in an uncollimated geometry.
Separation of Brain Dolichol Kinase from Endogenous Activating Factors: Evidence That Phospholipid Enhances the Interaction Between Enzyme and Dolichol

Abstract: Porcine brain dolichol kinase activity is effectively solubilized by extracting salt‐washed microsomes with 1% 3‐[(3‐cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]‐1‐propanesulfonate (CHAPS). When the detergent‐solubilized activity is chromatographed on Sepharose CL‐6B, a low amount of dolichol kinase activity is recovered in the void volume, and a dolichol kinase activator (DKA) is eluted (Ve/Vo= 1.9‐2.2) with the bulk of the membrane phospholipids. Although only ˜20% of the activity applied to the Sepharose CL‐6B column is detected in the column fractions, virtually all of the original activity is restored when the Vo fraction is recombined with DKA. Endogenous DKA, isolated from brain microsomes, is heat‐stable, is extractable with CHCl3/CH3OH (2:1), and has the chemical and chromatographic properties of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC). Moreover, ˜50% of the stimulatory activity is lost when the PC present in the DKA fraction is degraded by purified phospholipase C from Clostridium perfringens. Also consistent with a phospholipid co‐factor requirement, the dolichol kinase activity recovered in the partially phospholipid‐depleted fraction (Vo) is markedly stimulated by various molecular species of exogenous purified PC or PE, but not by phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylglycerol, or sphingomyelin. A comparison of defined molecular species shows that PCs containing oleoyl or linoleoyl groups in the 1 and 2 positions are the most stimulatory, suggesting that the fatty acyl moieties are involved in the enzyme‐phospholipid interaction. Kinetic analyses indicate that PC enhances the interaction between dolichol kinase and dolichol, the lipophilic substrate, but does not alter the apparent Km for CTP. These results demonstrate that brain dolichol kinase has a strict phospholipid co‐factor requirement, raising the possibility that the phospholipid composition of the rough endoplasmic reticulum plays a role in the regulation of dolichol phosphorylation in nervous tissue.
The Organizational Quality Frontier and Essential Role of the Director of Nursing

QUALITY NURSING home care has been and continues to be a major area of concern for governmental agencies, nursing home owners, and leadership teams. Long-term care facilities, particularly nursing homes, are feeling increasing pressure by ever-changing consumer preferences, staffing shortages, financial constraints, and a perception by the general public of quality issues. During this time of great challenges, members of the nursing home leadership team are being called upon to ensure quality care services and manage current daily operational needs, while leading efforts to help the organization be viable in the future. These multiple agendas often create a dynamic tension for the leadership group, who
Drug Actions Interactions & Reactions

Abstract Cerebrospinal-fluid methotrexate concentration was measured in 25 patients receiving intrathecal therapy for prophylaxis or treatment of meningeal leukemia. In 20 patients with no manifestations of neurotoxicity, the mean antifolate value in the cerebrospinal fluid was 1.7 X 10–7 M two days after administration of 12 to 15 mg per square meter of intrathecal methotrexate, and declined thereafter with a half-life of 12 to 18 hours. Five patients with severe neurotoxicity had cerebrospinal-fluid methotrexate concentrations averaging 13.8 times higher than the mean, and these concentrations were consistently higher than the range of antifolate values in the asymptomatic patients. One patient with values 20 to 100 times greater than the mean in asymptomatic patients sustained a fatal myelopathy, and in another, with an apparent antifolate half-life of 48 hours, irreversible neurologic sequelae developed. These observations suggest that the neurotoxicity associated with intrathecal methotrexate may be .
An Enterovirus D68 Outbreak Highlights the Value of Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialists.

Children’s Mercy Hospital–Kansas City (CMH) sits on the border of 2 states and provides care to children from a 5-state region. On August 15, 2014, the CMH Division Director of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (ID) received an e-mail from a pediatric emergency department (ED) physician. This ED physician noted that in the previous 24 hours, she had seen 6 children who were disproportionately ill with respiratory distress; several of them required admission to the pediatric intensive care unit. The ED physician instinctively sensed that something was different about these children and asked her pediatric ID consultant for diagnostic assistance. Specifically, her e-mailed question to the consultant was, “Is there a ferocious lower respiratory virus in the community? ”
A Clinical Study of Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Japanese Children

A total of 370 children who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (534 procedures) were retrospectively studied. All procedures were performed successfully. Side effects were demonstrated in only one case (0.2%), which was complicated by perioral cyanosis during the procedure. As to preendoscopic medication, it was thought that topical pharyngeal anesthesia alone may well be used for school‐age children over 7 years of age, general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation for neonates, and intravenous sedation for infants and younger children. Of 370 patients studied, 70.8% had endoscopic diagnoses. The most common diagnosis was gastritis (136 cases), followed by peptic ulcer (75), duodenitis (29), and esophagitis (20). Several conclusions for indications were drawn from the present study. Pediatric upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is a safe and useful method for diagnostic and therapeutic approach, if adequate preendoscopic medication is chosen.
Cutting Edge: Cure of Colitis by CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cells1

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells have been shown to prevent T cell-mediated immune pathology; however, their ability to ameliorate established inflammation has not been tested. Using the CD4+CD45RBhigh T cell transfer model of inflammatory bowel disease, we show that CD4+CD25+ but not CD4+CD25−CD45RBlow T cells are able to cure intestinal inflammation. Transfer of CD4+CD25+ T cells into mice with colitis led to resolution of the lamina propria infiltrate in the intestine and reappearance of normal intestinal architecture. CD4+CD25+ T cells were found to proliferate in the mesenteric lymph nodes and inflamed colon. They were located between clusters of CD11c+ cells and pathogenic T cells and found to be in contact with both cell types. These studies suggest that manipulation of CD4+CD25+ T cells may be beneficial in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.
Neuroprotective and Neurodestructive Functions of Nitric Oxide after Spinal Cord Hemisection

Nitric oxide (NO) may subserve different functions in different central neurons subjected to axotomy. The difference may depend on whether the neurons basally express neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), a biosynthetic enzyme of NO. This is supported by our previous finding that suggests the differential role of NO in neurons of nucleus dorsalis (ND) and red nucleus (RN) which have different basal expression of nNOS. This study aimed to establish firmly the functions of NO, as revealed by nNOS immunoreactivity and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry, by the administration of endogenous NO donor, l-arginine (l-arg), and NOS inhibitor, l-N(G)-nitroarginine methyl ester (l-NAME). To relate the role of NO to glutamate receptors (GluR), the distributions of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) in the two nuclei were revealed by immunohistochemical techniques. nNOS immunoreactivity was void in ND neurons, but expressed weakly in the RN normally. It was induced in ipsilateral ND neurons and upregulated on both sides of RN after spinal cord hemisection. Neuronal loss in the ipsilateral ND was augmented by l-arg, but reduced by l-NAME. In the contralateral RN, l-arg attenuated neuronal loss. NMDAR1 was present in most neurons in ND. After axotomy, some NMDAR1 immunoreactive neurons of the ipsilateral ND were induced to express NOS, whereas RN neurons showed strong staining for NMDAR1 and all the AMPA subunits. Most of the NOS-positive neurons in the RN were coexistent with GluR2 in normal rats and those subjected to axotomy. The present data demonstrated that NO exerted neurodestructive function in the non-NOS-containing ND neurons characterized by NMDAR as the predominant glutamate receptor. NO might be beneficial to the NOS-containing RN neurons. This could be attributed to the presence of GluR2. Possible diverse synthesizing pathways of NO in two different central nuclei were suggested from the observation that NOS was colocalized with NADPH-d in ND neurons, but not in RN neurons.
Chemical constituents from the roots of Periploca sepium with insecticidal activity

Five compounds were isolated from the root powder of Periploca sepium. By mainly HR-ESI-MS, 1H, 13C, and 2D NMR spectral data, they were characterized as periplocoside X (1), oligasaccharide A (2), periplocoside A (3), periplocoside E (4), and periplocoside N (5), respectively. Compounds 1–5 were found to possess insecticidal activities against the red imported fire ant. Among the compounds, periplocoside X showed significant activity with LD50 values of 748.99, 116.62, 2169.58, and 3079.33mg/l against soldiers, workers, males, and alate females of red imported fire ant, respectively.
Severe intraocular inflammation after a change of HAART

Editor,—Patients with previous cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) have been observed to get vitritis, cystoid macular oedema (CMO), and epiretinal membranes after commencing HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy). 1-3 It is postulated that this is due to the improved CD4+ function that occurs with HAART.4 We present a patient with previously treated CMVR and immune recovery vitritis who developed further severe intraocular inflammation 6 weeks after changing HAART. ### CASE REPORT A 43 year old man, diagnosed as HIV positive in 1984, was treated in January 1996 for bilateral CMVR that responded to systemic ganciclovir. In April 1996 he started saquinavir, stavudine, and lamivudine. A viral load was 18 000 copies ×106/l and CD4+ count 40 cells ×106/l. In December 1996 ritonavir was added. In February 1997 he developed immune recovery vitritis in both eyes. Best corrected visual acuities (BCVA) were 6/6, N5 right; 6/6, N8 left. A viral …
Cell-free fetal DNA and non-invasive prenatal diagnosis.

Currently in the UK, prenatal diagnosis of genetic conditions and Down's syndrome requires invasive diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS). Procedural related miscarriage rates of about 1% have been quoted for these tests which are not usually done before 11 weeks' gestation.1 Annually in the UK, 32 000 women have an invasive diagnostic test as a result of other screening tests, indicating that they are at increased risk for their children having Down's syndrome. Around a further 1500 pregnant women have an invasive test because the fetus is at high risk of a genetic condition. An area that has generated much interest in recent years has been in isolating fetal genetic material present in maternal blood as a target for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD). In 1997 Lo et al 2 identified cell-free fetal DNA in the maternal circulation. This finding has generated research in the development of clinical applications based on analysing this fetal genetic material for NIPD. Cell-free fetal DNA represents extracellular DNA which originates from trophoblastic cells.3 However, the vast majority of cell-free DNA in maternal blood originates from the mother, with cell-free fetal DNA representing only 3% of the total cell-free circulating DNA in early pregnancy rising to 6% in late pregnancy.4 After delivery, cell-free fetal DNA is rapidly cleared from the maternal circulation, making it specific to that pregnancy. As the fetal DNA is swamped by the presence of cell-free maternal DNA, the challenge has been to separate the fetal from the maternal cell-free DNA. Various methods have been used for this, including using methods based on the fact that the fetal DNA is shorter than maternal DNA. However, it is still not possible to extract pure fetal DNA and so currently prenatal diagnosis using cell-free fetal DNA is …
Pancreatic secretion in the bovine calf.

Abstract Fourteen dairy calves, ranging in age from 3–180 days, were used for pancreatic secretion studies. The aseptic return cannula loop was adapted to connect to an electronic drop-counter and recorder. Generally, this cannula could be kept in place only 3–6 wk. Pancreatic flow increased with age. Flow during and after feeding in young calves followed a characteristic pattern similar to that of the simple-stomached animal, but by four months of age it became more constant, approaching the pattern observed in mature sheep. There was no evidence of physical disability in four calves having total loss of pancreatic juice through the outflow cannula for 3–6 wk. A gradually declining flow was observed in two calves fasted for 61 hr.
Chronic neurological sequelae of acute trauma to the spine and spinal cord. I. The significance of the acute-flexion or tear-drop fracture-dislocation of the cervical spine.

The acute-flexion or tear-drop fracture-dislocation associated with injuries of the cervical spinal cord warrants special attention. It is characterized by the separation and downward and forward displacement of the anterior inferior margin of the involved vertebral body. The posterior inferior margin of this same vertebral body is displaced posteriorly into the spinal canal. Acute injuries of this type may be associated with the syndrome of damage to the anterior aspect of the cervical cord. This syndrome may be due to either destruction of this portion of the cord or to compression by displaced bone or disc material. If due to compression, this may be relieved by a surgical procedure. In these cases surgical exploration with the patient in traction and section of the dentate ligaments are indicated, if neurological signs are present. Spine fusion should then be performed at the primary operation, or at a secondary procedure. This will prevent See Images in the PDF file instability of the spine, and the fractured cervical vertebrae will heal in good alignment without the formation of a bony bulge posteriorly. Such bulging may cause chronic compresion of the anterior portion of the cervical spinal cord with neurological sequelae. If the tear-drop fracture is present without neurological signs, spine fusion without laminectomy should be performed after spinal re-alignment by cervical traction.
Excreta disposal behaviour and latrine ownership in relation to the risk of childhood diarrhoea in Sri Lanka.

A case-control study of environmental and behavioural risk factors for childhood diarrhoea was conducted in Kurunegala district, Sri Lanka. From five hospitals, 2458 children aged less than 5 years and suffering from diarrhoea were recruited as clinic cases, and a further 4140 reporting with complaints other than diarrhoea were recruited as clinic controls. Community-based cross-sectional surveys were also conducted in three of the five areas served by these hospitals, and from these a further 1659 children were recruited as community controls. Children from households where excreta were reported to be disposed of in a latrine were less likely to have diarrhoea than children whose families improperly disposed of excreta. The results obtained from comparisons of cases with clinic controls (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] : 1.01-1.98), and of cases with community controls (OR 1.35, 95% CI : 0.85-2.13) were in agreement, suggesting that no important selection bias operated on this association. If the observed proportion (91%) of improper excreta disposal among the population could be reduced to 50%, 12% of childhood diarrhoea episodes would be prevented. Although latrine ownership may be a necessary condition for safe excreta disposal behaviour, diarrhoeal morbidity may only be reduced in Sri Lanka if behavioural changes take place concomitant with the construction of sanitation facilities.