Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CD40/CD154 ligation is required for the development of acute ileitis following oral infection with an intracellular pathogen in mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Acute inflammatory ileitis occurs in C57BL/6 mice after oral infection with Toxoplasma gondii. We evaluated the role of CD40/CD154 interaction in the development of acute ileitis in this experimental model. METHODS CD154-/- and anti-CD154 antibody-treated mice as well as chimeric mice, either C57BL/6 or CD40-/- reconstituted with bone marrow from C57BL/6 or CD40-/- mice, were orally infected with cysts. Inflammation was assessed by qualitative histologic and phenotypic analysis of the intestinal compartment at day 7 after infection. Intestinal chemokine and cytokine production was assayed by ribonuclease protection assay. RESULTS CD154-/- and anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody-treated mice failed to develop an acute, lethal ileitis after oral infection and survived. Chimeric mice reconstituted with bone marrow from C57BL/6 mice developed ileitis and died, whereas those recipient mice deficient in CD40 survived. CD40 expression in the intestine after infection was found principally within the B-cell compartment. A modest increase in CD40 expression in both the macrophage and dendritic cell compartments was also observed. Both chemokine and cytokine expression was up-regulated in those recipients of wild-type bone marrow. Impairment of CD40/CD154 interaction abrogated the production of these proinflammatory productions. CONCLUSIONS CD40/CD154 interaction is essential to the development of inflammation in this pathogen-driven experimental model of acute ileitis.
Closing the gap between research techniques and clinical practice in the treatment of dementia

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular disease represent the most common causes of dementia in the elderly, with estimates of over 35 million individuals suffering from dementia, primarily of the Alzheimer's type, worldwide. [1] In the past 30 years, there has been a proliferation of imaging techniques to examine structural and functional brain changes associated with dementia as well as to identify the biomarkers indicative of molecular pathology and neuronal injury in neurologic disease. Advancements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; i.e. diffusion tensor imaging, fractional anisotropy, anatomic volumetric renderings) and nuclear medicine [i.e. F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), β-amyloid labeled tracers Pittsburg compound B (PIB)] have presented researchers with tools to scaffold on their existing knowledge of the clinical and pathological hallmarks of dementia. Goals of imaging techniques include tracking and staging of the disease process, differential diagnosis, identification of prodromal stages of neurodegeneration and the detection of co-morbid conditions in the elderly, such as idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH). Examination of biomarkers can identify individuals at risk for developing dementia, aid in differential diagnosis, and provide confirmation of molecular pathology and neuronal injury. However, currently, advanced imaging tools and biomarker analyses are reserved primarily for research, with limited clinical application. [10,14]
Motivational Interviewing in Adolescent Treatment

This paper briefly reviews the research literature on motivational interviewing (MI) and behaviour change in adolescents and then discusses the implications of adolescent cognitive and social–emotional developmental processes for the relational and technical components of MI. Research suggests that MI is efficacious in improving substance use in adolescents. Research has been slower to emerge in other behaviours, but available randomized controlled trials suggest that MI has great promise for improving mental and physical health outcomes in this developmental period. The relational and technical components of MI are highly relevant for the adolescent developmental period, and studies have shown that these components are related to outcomes in this population. There are several ways to include MI in clinical interventions for adolescents, ranging from MI in brief settings to using MI as a platform from which all other treatments are offered. Future research is necessary to test the effects of MI in adolescent group settings and the full integration of MI into other adolescent treatment approaches.
Breast cancer screening by mammography in women aged under 50 years in Japan.

BACKGROUND The effectiveness of mammographic screening in women aged over 50 years has been confirmed in the United States and Europe, but its effectiveness in women aged from 40 to 49 years remains controversial. The optimum age for effective screening of subjects for breast cancer by mammography in Japan was studied based on the results of mammographic screening. METHOD The benefit of breast cancer screening in women was examined by stratifying the results of mammographic screening in a Tokushima trial on the basis of age: under 50 years and 50 years or older. The results of conventional screening by physical examination alone, which we performed in a Zentsuji trial, were used as the control. RESULTS The examinees numbered 13,982 and 18,619 in mammographic screening and screening by physical examination, respectively. Breast cancer was detected in 43 and 22 patients, respectively. The detection rate of breast cancer was 0.31% by mammographic screening, which is about 3 times higher than that (0.12%) by screening using physical examination. Mammographic screening thus showed significantly higher sensitivity (93.5% vs 73.3%, p = 0.015). The proportion of stage I cancer and the absence of nodal involvement were 67.4% and 79.1% by mammographic screening, compared with 31.8% and 59% by physical examination. Our results obtained with mammographic screening were equal to or higher than the results obtained in the United States and Europe. The clinical stage of the breast cancers detected by mammographic screening in the subjects aged under 50 years was stage 0 (DCIS) in one case and stage I in 10 cases, while the group aged 50 years or older showed stage 0 in 11 cases and stage I in 19 cases. There were three cases of false-negative; two false-negative cases were aged under 50 year, while one case was aged 50 years or older. The detection rates of cancer in the group under 50 years and that of 50 years or more were 0.19% and 0.39% by mammograpic screening and 0.09% and 0.15% by the physical examination. The sensitivities in the group under 50 years and that of 50 years or more were 84.6% and 97.0% by mammographic screening and 72.7% and 73.7% by physical examination, showing no significant difference. In the results of mammograms by Wolfe's classification with respect to the age groups, the proportion of DY (dense breast) pattern decreased significantly from 3.5% to 0.2% in women of 50 years or more and from 16.6% to 2.4% in those under 50 years when the values were compared between the period from 1992 to 1995 and the period from 1998 to 1999, respectively (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION The above findings suggested the possible effectiveness of mammographic screening not only in women aged 50 years or more but also in those aged under 50 years, in Japan. Therefore, introduction of mammography should be considered at an early date, even for women aged from 40 to 49 years.
Eosinophils: Biological Properties and Role in Health and Disease

Eosinophils are pleiotropic multifunctional leukocytes involved in initiation and propagation of diverse inflammatory responses, as well as modulators of innate and adaptive immunity. In this review, the biology of eosinophils is summarized, focusing on transcriptional regulation of eosinophil differentiation, characterization of the growing properties of eosinophil granule proteins, surface proteins and pleiotropic mediators, and molecular mechanisms of eosinophil degranulation. New views on the role of eosinophils in homeostatic function are examined, including developmental biology and innate and adaptive immunity (as well as their interaction with mast cells and T cells) and their proposed role in disease processes including infections, asthma, and gastrointestinal disorders. Finally, strategies for targeted therapeutic intervention in eosinophil‐mediated mucosal diseases are conceptualized.
ULISS: AMobile cryogenic ultra-stable oscillator

We recently demonstrated a Cryogenic Sapphire Oscillator (CSO) presenting a short term frequency stability better than 3×10−15 for 1 s ≤ T ≤ 1,000 s and achieving 4.5×10−15 for one day integration [1], [2]. This CSO was designed and built in the frame of a research contract funded by the European Space Agency (ESA). It incorporates a pulse-tube cooler instead of a bath cryostat — thus eliminating the need for regular supplies and manual transferring of liquid helium. The advent of reliable and cryocooled CSO opens the possibility to implement such an ultra-stable reference not only in metrological laboratories with liquid helium facilities but also in remote sites like base stations for space navigation, VBLI antenna sites, … In a new project: ULISS (Ultra-Low Instability Signal Source), funded by Regional and European Institutions, we are devel-opping a new cryocooled oscillator specially designed to be transportable. The ULISS oscillator will be compared and tested in various laboratories, observatories and industrial companies throughout Europe. In this paper we present the status of the ULISS project and the last frequency stability and phase noise characterisations of the current CSO working for more than one year in our lab.
Anticarcinogenic Effects of Dietary Phytoestrogens and Their Chemopreventive Mechanisms

Phytoestrogens are phenolic compounds derived from plants and exert an estrogenic as well as an antiestrogenic effect and also various biological efficacies. Chemopreventive properties of phytoestrogens has emerged from epidemiological observations indicating that the incidence of some cancers including breast and prostate cancers is much lower in Asian people, who consume significantly higher amounts of phytoestrogens than Western people. There are 4 main classes of phytoestrogens: isoflavones, stilbenes, coumestans, and lignans. Currently, resveratrol is recognized as another major phytoestrogen present in grape and red wine and has been studied in many biological studies. Phytoestrogens have biologically diverse profitabilities and advantages such as low cytotoxicity to patients, lack of side effects in clinical trials, and pronounced benefits in a combined therapy. In this review, we highlighted the effects of genistein, daidzein, and resveratrol in relation with their anticarcinogenic activity. A lot of in vitro and in vivo results on their chemopreventive properties were presented along with the underlying mechanisms. Besides well-known mechanisms such as antioxidant property and apoptosis, newly elucidated anticarcinogenic modes of action including epigenetic modifications and topoisomerase inhibition have been provided to examine the possibility of phytoestrogens as promising reagents for cancer chemoprevention and/or treatment and to suggest the importance of plant-based diet of phytoestrogens.
Complementary and alternative medicine for bronchial asthma: is there new evidence?

Purpose of review Complementary and alternative medicine is widely used in bronchial asthma. Data on efficacy of these treatment modalities are lacking. Recent findings Studies published since June 2002 on complementary and alternative medicine in bronchial asthma were systematically reviewed. Summary Studies do not support the use of homeopathy, air ionizers, manual therapy, or acupuncture for asthma. These methods bear some risks to patients related to undertreatment and side effects. There might be a possible, but so far not clearly established, role for antioxidant dietary supplementation, and some natural antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory remedies. However, their effect size compared with the classical treatment and side-effect profile is not clearly established. Strategies influencing breathing technique or perception, such as breathing or retraining exercises, need to be studied over the next few years to establish their additive role in the treatment of asthma. Breathing exercises could improve lung function and quality of life in different studies. Psychotherapy-related methods such as relaxation, hypnosis, autogenic training, speleotherapy, and biofeedback might have a small effect in selected cases, but have not proven to be superior to placebo. Nevertheless, more randomized controlled trials of good methodological quality are required to allow firm conclusions.
Development of a femoral stem providing strong anchorage and facilitated removal

Summary Objective: Prosthetic elements must be securely anchored to bone. Should revision surgery be necessary, preservation of bone stock is crucial. The goal of this study was to develop and assess a femoral stem combining secure anchorage and facilitated removal in a goat model. Methods: The development of the uncemented femoral stem was part of an innovation process to fulfill the combined requirements. The stem was designed with two longitudinal semicircular grooves to accommodate a drill bit to unanchor the stem. These grooves were interconnected by canals, each 1 mm in diameter. The surface was partly coated with hydroxyapatite (HA). The stems were inserted in the left hip of 35 goats. Perioperatively, the grooves were filled with autologous bone grafts, and standard cemented canine acetabular component and head were used. The pull-out force was measured six months postoperatively. Following randomization, 11 animals had the grooves of the stem drilled to remove anchoring tissue. Twelve animals were left undrilled (controls). Results: There was a significant difference in mean pull-out force between the group that had been drilled (1526 N) compared with the controls (2033 N, p = 0.028). Most of the HA had been resorbed. Clinical significance: The stems had a high retention force. The procedure for un-anchoring by drilling significantly reduced the pullout force.
Mechanism of action and clinical development of ticagrelor, a novel platelet ADP P2Y12 receptor antagonist

Inhibition of the platelet ADP P2Y12 receptor has shown to be associated with a marked risk reduction of atherothrombotic events in high-risk settings, including patients with acute coronary syndromes and those undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions. Clinical and laboratory experiences have led to a better comprehension of the drawbacks of currently available P2Y12 receptor antagonists, stimulating the development of novel agents. Ticagrelor (AZD6140) is the first drug of a new chemical class called cyclopentyltriazolopyrimidine, which is administered orally and has a reversible P2Y12 receptor inhibitory effect. Preclinical and early-phase clinical studies have shown ticagrelor to be characterized by a rapid, greater and consistent antiplatelet effect with a favorable safety profile. Recent findings from large-scale Phase III trials showed ticagrelor to be more effective in preventing ischemic events in acute coronary syndrome patients without an increased risk of protocol-defined major bleeding, but with an increase in the rate of nonprocedure-related bleeding, compared with currently recommended treatment regimens. This article provides an overview of the pharmacologic properties and clinical development of ticagrelor.
Role of Rho-Kinase Gene Polymorphisms and Protein Expressions in Colorectal Cancer Development

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate a possible association between Rho-kinase (ROCK1 and ROCK2) gene polymorphisms and colorectal cancer (CRC) development. Methods: Eighty-five patients operated due to CRC and 178 healthy controls with similar age and sex were included to this study. Genomic DNA from the patients and the healthy control cases was analyzed by a BioMark 96.96 dynamic array system. The protein expressions of ROCK1, ROCK2 and p53 were determined by immunohistochemical staining. Results: There were significant associations between ROCK1 (rs73963110 and rs35996865) and ROCK2 gene polymorphisms (rs2290156, rs10178332, rs35768389, rs10929732 and rs34945852) with CRC development. However, no marked associations were found between ROCK2 gene rs965665, rs2230774, rs6755196 and rs1515219 polymorphisms and the risk of developing CRC. Rho-kinase and p53 immunohistochemical stainings were markedly elevated in the tumor tissue. There were significant correlations between vascular and perineural invasions with ROCK2 or p53 protein expressions. Conclusions: These results are the first to demonstrate the contribution of Rho-kinase in CRC development in patients. Our data showed that the ROCK1 and ROCK2 genes might be a risk factor for CRC development and that genetic polymorphisms in these genes may modify individual susceptibility to CRC in the Turkish population.
DDoS attack defense framework for cloud using fog computing

Cloud is the requirement of today's competitive world that demand flexible, agile and adaptable technology to be at par with rapidly changing IT industry. Cloud offers scalable, on-demand, pay-as-you-go services to enterprise and has hence become a part of growing trend of organizations IT service model. With emerging trend of cloud the security concerns have further increased and one of the biggest concerns related to cloud is DDoS attack. DDoS attack tends to exhaust all the available resources and leads to unavailability of services in cloud to legitimate users. In this paper the concept of fog computing is used, it is nothing but an extension to cloud computing that performs analysis at the edge of the network, i.e. bring intelligence at the edge of the network for quick real time decision making and reducing the amount of data that is forwarded to cloud. We have proposed a framework in which DDoS attack traffic is generated using different tools which is made to pass through fog defender to cloud. Furthermore, rules are applied on fog defender to detect and filter DDoS attack traffic targeted to cloud.
The Dictyostelium prestalk cell inducer DIF regulates nuclear accumulation of a STAT protein by controlling its rate of export from the nucleus

Dd-STATc becomes tyrosine phosphorylated, dimerises and accumulates in the nuclei of Dictyostelium cells exposed to DIF, the chlorinated hexaphenone that directs prestalk cell differentiation. By performing cytoplasmic photobleaching of living cells, we show that DIF inhibits the nuclear export of Dd-STATc. Within Dd-STATc there is a 50 amino acid region containing several consensus CRM1 (exportin 1)-dependent nuclear export signals (NESs). Deletion of this region causes Dd-STATc to accumulate in the nucleus constitutively and, when coupled to GFP, the same region directs nuclear export. We show that the N-terminal-proximal 46 amino acids are necessary for nuclear accumulation of Dd-STATc and sufficient to direct constitutive nuclear accumulation when fused to GFP. Combining the photobleaching and molecular analyses, we suggest that DIF-induced dimerisation of Dd-STATc functionally masks the NES-containing region and that this leads to nett nuclear accumulation, directed by the N-terminal-proximal import signals. These results show that the regulated nuclear accumulation of a STAT protein can be controlled at the level of nuclear export and they also provide a better understanding of the mechanism whereby DIF directs cell type divergence.
Inactivation of the Cyclin D-dependent Kinase in the Rat Fibroblast Cell Line, 3Y1, Induced by Contact Inhibition*

Cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitory proteins are involved in cell cycle arrest induced by antiproliferating factors or chemicals. High cell density also induces cell cycle arrest in which the genomic DNA is unreplicated, even in the presence of a mitotic dose of growth factors; this is termed contact inhibition. Although the cell cycle of the rat fibroblast cell line, 3Y1, was arrested in quiescence by contact inhibition, the Cdk4 bound to its regulatory subunit, cyclin D1 or D3. However, these complexes were enzymatically inactive. Phosphorylation of the cyclin D1-bound Cdk4 by the Cdk-activating kinase could convert the inactive cyclin D1-Cdk4 complex into its active form in vitro, suggesting that threonine 172 of the Cdk4, of which phosphorylation is required for its activation, was in part unphosphorylated in contact-inhibited 3Y1 cells. Although MO15 was active in cell extracts prepared from the arrested 3Y1 cells, activation of bacterially produced Cdk4 in the cell extracts was inhibited. Removal of p27kip1 from the cell extracts allowed the MO15 holoenzyme to phosphorylate the Cdk4 and in turn activate it, indicating that p27kip1 plays a role in inhibiting the phosphorylation of Cdk4 by MO15 in the contact-inhibited 3Y1 cells.
Exploring the Relationship of Three Medical Entitlement Beliefs and Psychiatric/Psychological Variables for Acute and Chronic Pain Patients

The belief in medical care entitlement has recently resulted in major changes in the medical system in the United States. The objectives of this study were the following: to compare endorsement of three medical entitlement beliefs (I deserve the best medical care no matter what the cost [BMC], I am entitled to all of the medical care I want at no charge [NC], I shouldn't have to wait to see my doctors [W]) in community nonpatients without pain (CNPWP), acute pain patients (APPs), and chronic pain patients (CPPs) and to develop predictor models for these beliefs in APPs and CPPs.