Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Th17 cytokines in mucosal immunity and inflammation

Purpose of reviewCompelling evidence suggests that the Th17 lineage and other IL-17-producing cells play critical roles in host defense against pathogens at mucosal sites. However, IL-17 can also contribute to inflammatory responses at mucosal sites. In this review, we will discuss the recent progress in our understanding of the role of Th17 and other IL-17-producing cells in defining the fine balance between immunity and inflammation at different mucosal sites. Recent fndingsRecent findings have highlighted that Th17 cytokines are important for the induction of innate and adaptive host responses and contribute to host defense against pathogens at mucosal sites. More recent developments have probed how the Th17 responses are generated in vivo in response to infections and their requirement in maintaining barrier function at mucosal sites. Most importantly, it is becoming apparent that there is a fine balance between protective and pathological manifestation of Th17 responses at mucosal sites that defines immunity or inflammation. SummaryIn this review, we have summarized the recent advances in our understanding of Th17 cytokines and how they contribute to immunity versus inflammation at mucosal sites.
Experimental Infection of Pregnant Cows with Bacillus licheniformis Bacteria

To study the abortifacient potential and fetoplacental tropism of Bacillus licheniformis bacteria, eight cows in the sixth to eighth month of gestation were inoculated intravenously either once (n = 4) or on four successive days (n = 4) with B. licheniformis at doses ranging from 109 to 1012 colony-forming units. Cows were euthanatized and necropsied prior to abortion (n = 2), at the time of abortion (n = 2), or at calving (n = 4). Live-born calves (n = 5) were euthanatized immediately after delivery and necropsied. B. licheniformis was reisolated from placentomes/endometrium in six of eight (75%) cows and from one fetus aborted 43 days after inoculation. Lesions associated with B. licheniformis were restricted to the pregnant uterus, with the exception of one cow, which developed pneumonia. Necrosis in the fetal compartment of the placenta were present in three of four (75%) cows of both inoculation groups. Lesions were mainly restricted to fetal membranes and especially to the fetal side of the placentomes. Necrosis and diffuse neutrophil infiltrations of both villi and intervillous areas occurred in the fetal part of the placenta, and the placentomal interface was distended by bacteria, neutrophils, erythrocytes, and debris. Within trophoblasts, bacteria were located both free in the cytoplasm and in cytoplasmatic vesicles. Inflammation was present in three of eight (38%) calves. Placental and fetal lesions were similar to those found in cases of spontaneous abortions associated with B. licheniformis. The abortifacient potential of B. licheniformis and the tropism for the bovine placenta is demonstrated here for the first time.
The beam widening factor of linear Dolph-Chebyshev end-fire arrays

In this paper, an approximate expression for the beam widening factor of linear Dolph-Chebyshev end-fire arrays is derived, based on the relationship between the beam-widths of end-fire and broadside arrays. The expression is verified accurate when the end-fire array is long enough. And finally the relationship between the beam widening factors of end-fire and broadside arrays obtains a reasonable physical explanation.
Pre- and postjunctional inhibition of vascular sympathetic function by captopril in SHR. Implication of vascular angiotensin II in hypertension and antihypertensive actions of captopril.

The present study was designed to examine the effects of treatment of SHR with captopril, teprotide, and saralasin on vascular and cardiac responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation and angiotensin I and II (AI, AII) and norepinephrine (NE). A single dose of captopril (10 mg/kg i.v. as well as 10 and 100 mg/kg p.o.) caused significant and marked inhibition of pressor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation in pithed SHR but cardiac responses were unaffected. Pressor responses to AI were abolished but those to AII and NE were not significantly altered. Neither teprotide nor saralasin caused consistent inhibition of sympathetic responses despite total blockade of AI and AII response respectively. Selective inhibition of pressor but not cardiac responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation was obtained after 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months of daily oral doses of captopril. In addition, postjunctional pressor responses to AI, AII, and NE were also significantly inhibited by chronic captopril treatment. Infusion of AII, bilateral nephrectomy, or pretreatment with indomethacin alone in pithed SHR receiving captopril had no effect on the inhibition of pressor responses to sympathetic stimulation. However, the combination of pretreatment of indomethacin and infusion of AII completely restored sympathetic function in SHR receiving captopril. These studies suggest that captopril has a selective inhibitory effect on vascular responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation but not on cardiac responses. Moreover, this effect may have a prejunctional component since, after acute treatment, there is no inhibitory effect on responses to AII or NE. Since, under appropriate conditions, the inhibition can be reversed by AII infusion but not nephrectomy, it is suggested that this inhibition occurs at the vascular level by inhibition of local AII formation by captopril, a site not accessible to teprotide or saralasin.
Activation of the plasma membrane chloride channel by protein kinase C in isolated guinea‐pig hepatocytes.

1. To assess the nature of the underlying mechanism of noradrenaline‐induced increase of Cl‐ conductances in hepatocytes, macroscopic and unitary currents through noradrenaline‐induced Cl‐ channels were examined in enzymatically isolated guinea‐pig hepatocytes using whole‐cell, cell‐attached and excised inside‐out configurations of the patch‐clamp technique. 2. When K+ conductances were blocked and the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was set at 0.1 microM, bath application of noradrenaline activated the time‐independent membrane currents under whole‐cell voltage‐clamp conditions. The current was similarly activated by phorbol ester (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), while a specific protein kinase C inhibitor, H‐9, reversed PMA activation of the current. The inactive phorbol ester, 4 alpha‐phorbol 12‐myristate, 13‐acetate (alpha PMA), failed to activate the channel. 3. The reversal potential of the PMA‐activated current shifted by approximately 60 mV per 10‐fold change in the external Cl‐ concentration, indicating that the current was Cl‐ selective. Bath application of 4,4'‐diisothiocyanatostilbene‐2,2'‐disulphonic acid (DIDS) partially inhibited both the noradrenaline‐ and PMA‐induced currents. 4. In single channel recordings from cell‐attached patches, bath application of noradrenaline or PMA induced unitary current activity, the averaged slope conductance of which was 10.1 +/‐ 1.5 pS (mean +/‐ S.D.; n = 12) in the noradrenaline‐induced current and 9.7 +/‐ 1.3 pS (n = 7) in the PMA‐induced current. The open time distribution was moderately well fitted by a single exponential function with mean open lifetime of 88.5 +/‐ 10.6 ms (n = 10), while at least two exponentials were required to fit the closed time distributions with a time constant for the fast component of 24.4 +/‐ 5.8 ms (n = 10) and for the slow component of 316.9 +/‐ 49.2 ms (n = 10). 5. Bath application of purified PKC to excised inside‐out patches activated the channel. The PKC selective inhibitor, PKC(19‐36), and DIDS inhibited the PKC‐activated channel. 6. These results suggest that PKC can phosphorylate the channel protein or a related structure leading to the activation of Cl‐ channels in guinea‐pig hepatocytes.
Mammalian FKBP-25 and its associated proteins.

Soluble proteins from porcine brain were divided into two packs: (1) proteins which pass freely through CM52-cellulose, and (2) proteins retained on CM52. Each of these two packs of proteins was fractionated on preparative flat-bed isoelectrofocusing gel in the range of pH 2-12. Native FKBP-25 and its truncated forms were found among other proteins retained on CM52-cellulose. Immunoblotting with anti-FKBP-25 showed two bands in the range 27-30 kDa, one due to unmodified FKBP-25 and other due to FKBP-25 mixed with high-mobility group II protein (HMG-II). Selective immunostaining with anti-FKBP-25 antibodies of proteins which were not retained on CM52-cellulose showed several bands within the range of pI 7-5 and mass of 23 +/- 2 kDa. These fractions of proteins were next resolved on two-dimensional gels and immunostained with anti-FKBP-25 antibodies. Six proteins in the pI range 7-5 were detected. Edman degradation of alpha-chymotrypsin digests of the major spot suggests that it contains the GTP-binding protein Rab5 co-migrating with guanylyl kinase, whereas MALDI-TOF showed that a residual content of FKBP-25 may be also associated with these two proteins. A residual quantity of FKBP-25 was also associated with the phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein which is abundant in the brain.
Actigraphic assessment of the circadian rest–activity rhythm in elderly patients hospitalized in an acute care unit

Abstract Hospitalization for acute illness is a major risk factor of rest–activity rhythm disturbance among elderly subjects. The rest–activity rhythm is disturbed by the acute illness, aging and hospital environment. The purpose of this study is to assess the rest–activity rhythm and light exposure (using a wrist worn actigraph) of 10 patients (mean age 81 years, seven females) admitted on an acute care unit, suffering from cardiac, respiratory or renal acute disease. A non‐parametric method was used to analyze activity data. With an improvement of the underlying diseases, the mean relative amplitude of rhythm increased from 0.31 ± 0.19 for the first 5‐day period after admission to 0.54 ± 0.21 for the second period before discharge (P < 0.05). The amount of time at night spent above a lighting threshold of 50 lux decreased from 31.4 to 12.3 min between the two periods. The rhythm of elderly subjects hospitalized in the acute care unit is severely altered during the initial period and is progressively resynchronized following clinical improvement. Under the acute underlying disease and/or aging, environmental conditions (light, noise) should be considered to maintain regular rest–activity rhythm.
Forth is alive and well and living in a hypercube somewhere in Wyoming

ABSTMCT: Describes how and why the FORTH language was chosen and implemented to support the operations of a scratch-built 8-node hypercube based on the Intel MCS-51 series controller microchips. The ratwnale of the design considerations is discussed and the basis of the decision for choosing FORTH is elaborated. Some examples ofparallel computation projects conducted using the hypercube are provided,
Inhibition of Sterol Biosynthesis Reduces Tombusvirus Replication in Yeast and Plants

ABSTRACT The replication of plus-strand RNA viruses depends on subcellular membranes. Recent genome-wide screens have revealed that the sterol biosynthesis genes ERG25 and ERG4 affected the replication of Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV) in a yeast model host. To further our understanding of the role of sterols in TBSV replication, we demonstrate that the downregulation of ERG25 or the inhibition of the activity of Erg25p with an inhibitor (6-amino-2-n-pentylthiobenzothiazole; APB) leads to a 3- to 5-fold reduction in TBSV replication in yeast. In addition, the sterol biosynthesis inhibitor lovastatin reduced TBSV replication by 4-fold, confirming the importance of sterols in viral replication. We also show reduced stability for the p92pol viral replication protein as well as a decrease in the in vitro activity of the tombusvirus replicase when isolated from APB-treated yeast. Moreover, APB treatment inhibits TBSV RNA accumulation in plant protoplasts and in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The inhibitory effect of APB on TBSV replication can be complemented by exogenous stigmasterol, the main plant sterol, suggesting that sterols are required for TBSV replication. The silencing of SMO1 and SMO2 genes, which are orthologs of ERG25, in N. benthamiana reduced TBSV RNA accumulation but had a lesser inhibitory effect on the unrelated Tobacco mosaic virus, suggesting that various viruses show different levels of dependence on sterol biosynthesis for their replication.
Reversible pulmonary trunk banding. II. An experimental model for rapid pulmonary ventricular hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVE An experimental model with a reversible pulmonary trunk banding device was developed with the aim of inducing rapid ventricular hypertrophy. The device consists of an insufflatable cuff connected to a self-sealing button. METHODS The right ventricles of 7 young goats (average weight, 8.7 kg) were submitted to systolic overload and evaluated according to the hemodynamic, echocardiographic, and morphologic aspects. Baseline biopsy specimens were taken from the myocardium for microscopic analysis. The device was implanted on the pulmonary trunk and inflated so that a 0.7 right ventricular/left ventricular pressure ratio was achieved. Echocardiographic and hemodynamic evaluations were performed every 24 hours. Systolic overload was maintained for 96 hours. The animals were then killed for morphologic study. Another 9 goats (average weight, 7.7 kg) were used for control right ventricular weight. RESULTS The systolic right ventricular/pulmonary trunk pressure gradient varied from 10.1 +/- 4.3 mm Hg (baseline) to 60.0 +/- 11.0 mm Hg (final). Consequently, the right ventricular/left ventricular pressure ratio increased from 0.29 +/- 0.06 to 1.04 +/- 0.14. The protocol group showed a 74% increase in right ventricular mass when compared with the control group. Serial 2-dimensional echocardiography showed a 66% increase in right ventricular wall thickness. There was a 24% increase in the mean myocyte perimeter, and the myocyte area increased 61%. CONCLUSIONS The device is easily adjustable percutaneously, enabling right ventricular hypertrophy in 96 hours of gradual systolic overload. This study suggests that the adjustable pulmonary trunk banding might provide better results for the 2-stage Jatene operation and for the failed atrial switch operations to convert to the double-switch operation.
The Surgical Treatment of Internal Snapping Hip

Background Internal snapping hip is an underdiagnosed cause of hip pain that sidelines many recreational and competitive athletes. It originates from a taut iliopsoas tendon that snaps across bony prominences when the hip is extended from a flexed position. When nonoperative treatment methods fail, fractional tendon-lengthening procedures may be used. Hypothesis Surgical tendon lengthening through a true ilioinguinal approach, which has not been previously reported, will achieve good results in patients with internal snapping hip. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods In 30 patients with symptoms in their anterior hip, internal snapping hip was diagnosed by history and physical examination. All patients were initially treated nonoperatively; 19 (63%) improved and did not require further intervention. Eleven patients (12 hips) whose symptoms were recalcitrant to physical therapy were offered the surgical option of iliopsoas tendon lengthening. The procedure was performed via an ilioinguinal intrapelvic approach. Patients were followed up for an average of 3 years. Results All 11 surgically treated patients (100%) had complete postoperative mitigation of their snapping hip. Nine (82%) reported excellent pain relief. Moreover, nine patients thought that they had greatly benefited from the tendon lengthening and would repeat the surgery. Conclusion Although nonoperative measures are usually successful in the treatment of internal snapping hip, surgical tendon lengthening is a viable approach in cases refractory to nonoperative therapy.
Therapeutic Trials in HIV Infection: Which Benefits for Which Patients?

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of our study was to make an assessment of the HIV patients’ overall opinion of therapeutic trials, to analyze the motivations and the reasons linked to this perception, and to determine if their involvement in a therapeutic trial is a help or a hindrance to their treatment. Method: All the inpatients and outpatients attending the Dijon University Hospital AIDS day care unit during the first 4 months of 1999 were given an anonymous questionnaire designed to record the patients’ attitudes toward therapeutic trials, their motivations, and the perceived risks. The questionnaire was often completed in consultation with a psychoanalyst. Results: Two hundred and seven (207) patients were surveyed; 194 of them had a favorable opinion of therapeutic trials. The main motivations to take part in a therapeutic trial were altruistic. In contrast, individualistic considerations and relational motivations (such as to modify the relationship between the caregiver and the patient) were more closely associated with a negative perception. Conclusion: Most of the patients will benefit or at least will not be harmed by being involved in a trial. However, the patients’ attitudes toward the principle of therapeutic trials have to be determined before these patients are included in a given therapeutic trial. This is necessary to avoid the risk of subsequent medical care being altered because participation was either induced or compelled.
El impacto del eWOM en los alojamientos turísticos de la economía tradicional vs. la economía colaborativa. Análisis de caso

espanolA medida que las redes sociales ganan importancia, tambien lo hacen la opinion de los viajeros y su influencia en las ventas en linea. En el sector del alojamiento turistico, la participacion activa de esta industria en estas redes se configura pieza fundamental para la fidelizacion del cliente y el cumplimiento de sus expectativas. A traves de este trabajo se pretende profundizar en este concepto analizando la existencia de posibles diferencias del impacto del eWOM en dos sistemas de economia de alojamientos turisticos: la tradicional, representada por la industria hotelera (en Tripadvisor) y la colaborativa, representada por el alquiler de alojamientos particulares (en Airbnb). Para ello, se empleara un analisis cuantitati-vo complementado con un analisis de caracter cualitativo de los comentarios en linea. Ante la complejidad y extension de la tematica, este analisis se aplica a una de las ciudades turisticas mas visitadas: Barcelona. Fruto del mismo se observan importantes diferencias entre ambas economias y se establecen algunas recomendaciones para el sector. EnglishAs social networks gain in importance, so does the opinion of travelers and their influence on online sales. In the tourism accommodation sector, the active participation of this industry in these networks is a fundamental part of customer loyalty and the fulfillment of their expectations. Through this work, we explore this concept by analyzing possible differences in the impact of eWOM on two tourist accommodation systems: the traditional one, represented by the hotel industry (on Tripadvisor) and collaborative, represented by the rent of accommodation (in Airbnb). For this purpose, a quantitative and qualitative analysis of on-line comments will be used. Given the complexity and extent of the theme, we analyze one of the most visited tourist cities: Barcelona. As a result of this, important differences between the two economies are observed, and some recommendations for the sector are established.
Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis and in Noncirrhotic Patients: Epidemiology and Predictive Factors of Mortality in a Prospective Multicenter Population-Based Study

Goals: To assess epidemiologic features and predictive factors of mortality of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB). Study: During a 6-month period, a prospective population-based study including all the UGIB occurring in a geographic area of 3 million people was conducted. Data from cirrhotic patients were compared with those of noncirrhotic patients. Results: A total of 2,133 UGIB were recorded, 21.9% in cirrhotic patients (n = 468). Endoscopic hemostasis was performed in 46.5% and 8.3% in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients, respectively (P < 0.001). Mortality during hospitalization was 23.5% in cirrhotic patients and 11.2% in noncirrhotic patients (P < 0.001). Six independent predictive factors of mortality were observed in both patient groups: a prothrombin level less than 40%, an UGIB occurring in inpatients, a concomitant digestive carcinoma, a hematemesis revealing the UGIB, a recent use of steroid drugs, and age over 60 years. Four other predictive factors of mortality were also identified in noncirrhotic patients. Conclusions: Although epidemiologic features, clinical course, management, and prognosis of UGIB were quite different in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients, the majority of predictive factors of mortality were the same in both patient groups. These data underline the major role of debilitated status and hepatic failure in the prognosis of UGIB in cirrhotic patients.
Interaction of electron leak and proton leak in respiratory chain of mitochondria--proton leak induced by superoxide from an electron leak pathway of univalent reduction of oxygen.

By incubating the isolated rat myocardial mitochondria with xanthine-xanthine oxidase, an exogenous superoxide (O2.-) generating system, and by ischemia-reperfusion procedure of isolated rat heart as an endogenous O2. - generating system, it was found that both sources O2. - showed the same injurious effects on mitochondrial function resulting in (i) increasing proton leak rate, lowering proton pumping activity and H+/2e ratio of respiratory chain, and (ii) decreasing transmembrane potential of energized mitochondrial inner membrane by succinate oxidation. The injurious effects of O2. - on these mitochondrial bioenergitical parameters mentioned above exhibited a dosage- or reaction time-dependent mode. O2. - has no effects on the electron transfer activity and transmembrane potential of nonenergized mitochondria. Being a superoxide scavenger, 3,4-dihydroxylphenyl lactate showed obvious protection effects against damage of both exogenous superoxide sources from xanthine-xanthine oxidase system and endogenous O2. - source from ischemia-reperfused heart on proton pumping activity, H+/2e ratio and transmembrane potential of energized mitochondria. The experimental results presented here clearly showed that O2. - radicals induce an increase of proton leak in mitochondria directly related to the molecular mechanism of early phase damage of ischemia-reperfused heart, and also provide evidence to support our recent proposed hypothesis that electron leakage to oxygen to form O2. - in respiratory chain is one of the mechanical cause of proton leakage in mitochondria.