Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A role for glycoprotein IIb‐IIIa complex in the binding of IgE to human platelets and platelet IgE‐dependent cytotoxic functions

Summary. A possible relationship between binding sites for Immunoglobulin E (IgE) on human platelets, involved in IgE‐dependent cytotoxic functions of platelets against helminth parasites, and well‐characterized platelet constituents involved in haemostasis, was investigated. We first explored the interaction with IgE of platelets from patients with rare inherited deficiencies of defined platelet constituents and functions: Glanzmann's thrombasthenia, Bernard‐Soulier and grey platelet syndromes. We report that only type I and II thrombasthenic platelets, which lack the membrane glycoproteins (GP) lIb and IIIa, failed to bind IgE and to exhibit IgE‐dependent effector functions. Since thrombasthenic monocytes, however, showed normal interaction with IgE, this defect appeared restricted to platelets. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies directed against GP Ilb‐IIIa complex, but not monoclonal antibody directed against GP Ib, inhibited the binding of IgE to normal platelets, and their IgE‐dependent cytotoxicity. Taken together, these findings indicate a relation between the GP Ilb‐IIIa complex and the expression of IgE binding sites and IgE‐dependent effector functions in human platelets.
Modification of A‐i and A2a adenosine receptor binding in aged striatum, hippocampus and cortex of the rat

AGE-related changes of A, and A2a adenosine receptor binding characteristics were investigated in three regions of the rat brain using the A] selective antagonist [3H]DPCPX, and the A2a selective agonist [3H]CGS 21680. The density of A] binding sites in aged rats (24 months) was decreased by 33% in the hippocampus and by 60% in the cortex and was unchanged in the striatum when compared with young adult rats (6 weeks), with no change in KD- There were also age-related changes in the density of A2a binding sites: in the cortex, there was a 94% increase in the number of [3H]CGS 21680 binding sites in aged rats compared with young rats, and a similar tendency was observed in the hippocampus (32% increase in A2a binding sites in aged rats), with no change in KD; in the striatum there was a tendency for a decrease (22%) in the number of [3H]CGS 21680 binding sites in aged rats, and a decrease in KD, These results suggest that there are age-related changes in the balance between inhibitory A1 and excitatory A2a-adenosine receptor-mediated actions, which vary in different brain areas: in the cortex and hippocampus, the balance might be shifted towards adenosine-mediated excitatory actions, since there is an increase in the number of A2a receptors and a decrease in the number of A1 receptors upon ageing. In contrast, in the striatum, the A1/A2a ratio might be only slightly affected upon ageing.
The origin of Hodgkin and Reed/Sternberg cells in Hodgkin's disease.

One of the characteristic features of Hodgkin's disease (HD) is the presence of a small population of often bizarre-looking large mono- or multinucleated Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells within the affected tissue. Recent cytogenetic investigations, studies of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) genomes present in HRS cells, and analyses of Ig gene rearrangements amplified from single, micromanipulated HRS cells show that these cells largely represent clonal populations. The finding of Ig gene rearrangements in HRS cells in most cases of HD identifies B cells as the precursors of HRS cells in most if not all cases. Furthermore, the presence and pattern of somatic mutations within the rearranged Ig genes show that HRS cells in classical (i.e. nodular sclerosis, mixed cellularity, and lymphocyte depletion HD) as well as lymphocyte predominant (LP) HD originate from germinal center (GC) B cells. Ongoing somatic mutation and evidence for selection link HRS cells from LP HD to a mutating, antigen-selected GC B cell. In classical HD, the finding of "crippling" mutations and lack of stringent selection for antigen receptor expression suggests that in this case HRS cells are derived from a compartment of GC B cells that were destined to die but escaped apoptosis by some transforming event. One candidate for the latter is EBV infection.
Tactile precision in right-handed archery experts with visual disabilities: A pseudoneglect effect?

Space perception was investigated in two groups of participants with severe visual deficiencies performing a tactile bisection task: the participants in the first group (Archers) regularly practised a high-precision sport, whereas those in the second group (Non-Archers) had never practised this activity. Experiments were carried out to determine whether practising this sport might affect the pseudoneglect (resulting in a deviation to the left of the perceived midpoint with respect to the actual physical midpoint) occurring in sighted persons (Bowers & Heilman, 1980) as well as in completely blind children (Sampaio, Gouarir, & Mvondo Mvondo, 1995). No particular deviation was observed in the group of Non-Archers, whereas pseudoneglect was present in the Archers' group. A significant hand effect (left/right), and a significant effect of starting point of tactile exploration were observed across groups. This confirms the existence of a relationship between hemisphere-hands and hemisphere-hemispace mechanisms. The results obtained here show that practising archery affects pseudoneglect.
Ki-67 immunoreactivity in meningiomas--determination of the proliferative potential of meningiomas using the monoclonal antibody Ki-67.

The proliferative potential of 66 human intracranial meningiomas (15 benign, 15 atypical, 15 recurrent, 13 bone-invasive, and 8 brain-invasive) was investigated by means of immunohisto-chemistry using the monoclonal antibody Ki-67. This antibody recognizes a nuclear antigen present in human cells during all active phases of the cell cycle, but absent in the resting phase. The purpose of this retrospective study was to estimate the Ki-67-labelling index (L.I.) and see if this index could help discriminate between the different groups of meningiomas. Our results demonstrated that L.I. could discriminate between benign, bone-invasive/atypical, brain-invasive meningiomas. In the recurrent group of meningiomas the L.I. decreased from the first to the last operation. We conclude that estimation of L.I. at the time of the operation might help identify meningiomas with a high growth potential and thereby give valuable information concerning the prognosis.
Multiple orphan histidine kinases interact directly with Spo0A to control the initiation of endospore formation in Clostridium acetobutylicum

The phosphorylated Spo0A transcription factor controls the initiation of endospore formation in Clostridium acetobutylicum, but genes encoding key phosphorelay components, Spo0F and Spo0B, are missing in the genome. We hypothesized that the five orphan histidine kinases of C. acetobutylicum interact directly with Spo0A to control its phosphorylation state. Sequential targeted gene disruption and gene expression profiling provided evidence for two pathways for Spo0A activation, one dependent on a histidine kinase encoded by cac0323, the other on both histidine kinases encoded by cac0903 and cac3319. Purified Cac0903 and Cac3319 kinases autophosphorylated and transferred phosphoryl groups to Spo0A in vitro, confirming their role in Spo0A activation in vivo. A cac0437 mutant hyper‐sporulated, suggesting that Cac0437 is a modulator that prevents sporulation and maintains cellular Spo0A∼P homeostasis during growth. Accordingly, Cac0437 has apparently lost the ability to autophosphorylate in vitro; instead it catalyses the ATP‐dependent dephosphorylation of Spo0A∼P releasing inorganic phosphate. Direct phosphorylation of Spo0A by histidine kinases and dephosphorylation by kinase‐like proteins may be a common feature of the clostridia that may represent the ancestral state before the great oxygen event some 2.4 billion years ago, after which additional phosphorelay proteins were recruited in the evolutionary lineage that led to the bacilli.
Caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease: a qualitative study from the Indian 10/66 Dementia Research Network

Dementia is a rapidly growing problem in all parts of the developing world. Such societies are characterised by low levels of awareness regarding dementia as a chronic degenerative brain syndrome, and by an absence of supportive health and welfare services. There is reliance upon families as the cornerstone of support and care. However, surprisingly little is known of the care arrangements for people with dementia and the strain experienced by their family caregivers.
Patronage and Ethnicity amongst Politically Active Young Kenyans

When I met Garakilo in the sunlit courtyard of the University of Nairobi, this normally calm and prudent young student was simmering with the anger of deep disappointment. Born in the Rift Valley with roots in the north eastern corner of rural Kenyan borderlands, he had always been active in party politics: prior to 2012 in the Kenya African National Union (kanu), Kenya’s sole political party during the long one-party state era, and after that, in the National Alliance (tna), the leading party of the current governing coalition known as the Jubilee Alliance. During campaigning, the tna explicitly portrayed itself as a youthful party, which gave Garakilo high hopes for the possibility of social change that would benefit Kenya’s large but often disregarded majority: the youth. After less than two years from the seemingly successful political victory, his anticipation had, however, turned into mere frustration and, to an extent, anger. He felt that the youth had been bypassed once again. “If, [as a young person in party politics], you don’t have money, forget it,” he said to me. “Only the thieves will make it,” he observed disconsolately as harsh sunlight came out from behind the trees of the patio and briefly blinded him. John, on the other hand, was of the opposing camp. Born in Western Kenya, he was a youth leader in one of the political parties belonging to the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (cord), a conglomeration in the Kenyan parliament opposing the governing regime. Having started his political activism in the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (ford-Kenya), which had effectively challenged the one-party rule of the kanu during the 1990s, he portrayed himself as a fierce believer in democratization through party politics. Yet being part of a politically marginalized ethnic group, he felt that what he called the “ethnicization of party politics” was the main reason for their continued presence in the opposition – and a major challenge for the youth of Kenya because, in his opinion, political parties, including those in the opposition, were identified with “the ethnic naming of the leader”. Despite
15-Deoxy-delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 induces apoptosis of a thyroid papillary cancer cell line (CG3 cells) through increasing intracellular iron and oxidative stress.

Treatment of carcinoma cell lines with 15-deoxy-delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2), a natural ligand of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, has been reported to induce apoptosis and/or inhibit proliferation. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic effect and the action mechanisms of 15d-PGJ2 in a thyroid papillary cancer cell line, CG3. The results indicate that 15d-PGJ2 caused cytotoxicity and increased the amount of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in these cells. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors (carbonyl cyanide m-chloro-phenylhydrazone, oligomycin, cyclosporin A and rotenone), NADPH oxidase inhibitor (diphenyleneiodonium), xanthine oxidase inhibitor (allopurinol) and NO synthase inhibitor (N-monomethyl-L-arginine acetate) did not reduce the generation of ROS. However, catalase, N-acetyl-cysteine and the iron chelator desferri-oxamine decreased the intracellular ROS of 15d-PGJ2-treated CG3 cells. Furthermore, 15d-PGJ2 enhanced the accumulation of iron in the CG3 cells. These data suggest that 15d-PGJ2 induces the generation of ROS by enhancing the accumulation of intracellular iron and that the increased oxidative stress may cause apoptosis of CG3 cells.
The biology of myeloid‐derived suppressor cells: The blessing and the curse of morphological and functional heterogeneity

Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSC) play an important role in the cellular network regulating immune responses in cancer, chronic infectious diseases, autoimmunity, and in other pathological conditions. Morphological, phenotypic and functional heterogeneity is a hallmark of MDSC. This heterogeneity demonstrates the plasticity of this immune suppressive myeloid compartment, and shows how various tumors and infectious agents can have similar biological effects on myeloid cells despite the differences in the factors that they produce to influence the immune system; however, such a heterogeneity creates ambiguity in the definition of MDSC as well as confusion regarding the origin and fate of these cells. In this review, we will discuss recent findings that help to better clarify these issues and to determine the place of MDSC within the myeloid cell lineage.
Session 4: Mineral metabolism and body composition Iron status of breast-fed infants

Fe deficiency is a common nutritional disorder during infancy, particularly in low-income countries. The Fe status of a breast-fed infant is strongly influenced by the body Fe content at birth, which is determined by factors that operate before birth (maternal Fe status before and during pregnancy; infant gestational age and birth weight) and at the time of delivery (the timing of umbilical cord clamping). Delaying the clamping of the umbilical cord for 2 min can increase body Fe content by approximately 33% (75 mg), and results in greater Fe stores at 6 months of age. After birth, male gender and a rapid rate of weight gain are associated with lower Fe status. During the first half of infancy dietary Fe requirements depend on Fe stores at birth. For an exclusively-breast-fed full-term normal-birth-weight infant with delayed umbilical cord clamping, whose mother had adequate Fe status during pregnancy, the Fe provided from stores and breast milk is sufficient for ≥6 months, but before this time higher-risk infants may become Fe deficient. Fe supplementation can be beneficial for high-risk infants, but can have adverse effects on growth and morbidity of Fe-replete infants. After 6 months most breast-fed infants will require complementary foods that are rich in Fe.
Time Dependence Based Scheduling Strategy for Multiple Workflows on IaaS Cloud Platform

IaaS cloud platform, which has lots of types of virtual machines charged by time intervals in a pay-as-you-go manner, has attracted more and more scientists deploying their scientific workflows on it. Performing multiple workflows on IaaS cloud platform may face the problem that different workflows have different arrival time and different priorities, and budget and deadline constraint determines part of workflows be discarded. To address the challenge, a time dependence based scheduling strategy for multiple workflows is proposed in this paper. The strategy will analysis the specific structure of each workflow, evaluate its priority according to its indictors and its relationship with other workflows, and discard part of workflows with low priority. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed strategy can minimize the proportion of discarding workflows, improve workflow completion percentage and resource utilization while satisfying the budget and deadline constraint.
Resumption of metabolic activity of vitrified/warmed ovine embryos

To evaluate resumption of metabolic activity of vitrified ovine embryos during a short time immediately after warming, blastocysts collected from superovulated Sarda ewes were incubated with 35S‐methionine. In vitrified/warmed embryo groups the protein secretion significantly (P < 0.05) increased from 0 to 24 hr of culture, reaching significantly (P < 0.01) higher activity at 18–24 hr and dropping to values similar to the control nonvitrified embryo group at 29–35 hr. Within the control group at 29–35 hr there was a significantly (P < 0.01) higher level of protein secretion compared to the other interval times. The electrophoretic pattern showed a 48–50 kDa secreted protein identified as urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (PA). The caseinolytic assay of PA activity showed a course similar to protein secretion in both vitrified and control groups. During 29–35 hr of culture, we did not observe any improvement in PA activity as seen for secreted proteins. At this time, we observed the secretion of a new 20 kDa protein that was not present in vitrified/warmed embryos. Analysis of BrDU incorporation in newly synthesised DNA showed a significant (P < 0.01) improvement in positive cell number from 3 to 9 hr after warming, reaching a value similar to that of the control group at 12 hr of culture. Our results suggest that vitrified/warmed embryos require 9–12 hr of culture to complete resumption of DNA synthesis and 29–35 hr to re‐acquire the full capacity of protein secretion but not the qualitative secretion pattern. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 64: 207–213, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Can Dietary Methionine Restriction Increase the Effectiveness of Chemotherapy in Treatment of Advanced Cancer?

Most metastatic tumors, such as those originating in the prostate, lung, and gastrointestinal tract, respond poorly to conventional chemotherapy. Novel treatment strategies for advanced cancer are therefore desperately needed. Dietary restriction of the essential amino acid methionine offers promise as such a strategy, either alone or in combination with chemotherapy or other treatments. Numerous in vitro and animal studies demonstrate the effectiveness of dietary methionine restriction in inhibiting growth and eventually causing death of cancer cells. In contrast, normal host tissues are relatively resistant to methionine restriction. These preclinical observations led to a phase I clinical trial of dietary methionine restriction for adults with advanced cancer. Preliminary findings from this trial indicate that dietary methionine restriction is safe and feasible for the treatment of patients with advanced cancer. In addition, the trial has yielded some preliminary evidence of antitumor activity. One patient with hormone-independent prostate cancer experienced a 25% reduction in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) after 12 weeks on the diet, and a second patient with renal cell cancer experienced an objective radiographic response. The possibility that methionine restriction may act synergistically with other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy is being explored. Findings to date support further investigation of dietary methionine restriction as a novel treatment strategy for advanced cancer.
One two tandem of lamivudine and interferon might work for patients with chronic hepatitis B who failed interferon monotherapy

In a pilot study, 14 patients with chronic hepatitis B, median age of 40 yr, who had previously failed to respond to prior standard interferon therapy with persistent hepatitis B viremia (hepatitis B virus DNA >100 pg/ml by DNA assay) were treated with lamivudine 100 mg/day alone for 20 wk, then with both interferon α-2b 5 MU three times per week and lamivudine for 4 wk, and lastly with interferon alone for 24 wk. Hepatitis B e antigen was positive in 11 of 14 patients. At the end of lamivudine therapy, all patients had undetectable serum hepatitis B virus DNA, clearance which was sustained 6 months after the end of sequential treatment in eight of 14 patients. Hepatitis B e antigen to anti-hepatitis B e seroconversion was achieved in five of 11 patients, and hepatitis B e antigen and hepatitis B surface antigen seroconversions in three of 14 patients. All sustained responders had normalized their ALT values and exhibited histological improvements.
Smoking and death: the past 40 years and the next 40

Smoking already kills about two million people a year in developed countries, half in middle age (35-69) and half in old age.1, 2 This number is still increasing as the death rate among women increases and populations grow larger and older (fig 1). Already smoking accounts for one sixth of the 11 million adult deaths each year in these populations. There are 1.2 billion people living in developed countries. If one sixth of their deaths continue to be caused by tobacco about 200 million of the adults and children now living in developed countries will eventually be killed by tobacco, and about 100 million of these will die while still in middle age.2 FIG 1 Annual number of deaths attributed to tobacco in developed countries. If current smoking patterns continue, when the children of today reach middle age the annual number of deaths will have increased from 2 million to about 3 million, but in less developed countries the increase will be far larger, from about 1 million to about 7 million in around 2025, leading to a world total of about 10 million deaths a year from tobacco1, 2 In developing countries there has recently been a large increase in the number of young men smoking. People in China, for example, now smoke about 30% of the world's cigarettes. This will have catastrophic effects next century as most other causes of death are likely to continue to decrease and the effects of tobacco to increase. If current smoking patterns persist - that is, if the smoking uptake rate among young adults continues to be substantial and the rate of stopping smoking at older ages continues to be low - by the time the children of today reach middle age smoking will be one of the largest …
Coverage of highly active antiretroviral therapy among postpartum women in Malawi

The expanding services of antiretroviral treatment (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa provide unique opportunities to reduce HIV/AIDS-related morbidity and mortality. In these settings, HIV prevalence among antenatal women remains high and treating eligible pregnant or breastfeeding women with antiretrovirals can substantially reduce transmission of HIV from the mother to her infant. However, identification of women eligible for treatment and ensuring access to ART services is challenging. In this analysis, we used data from a large clinical trial (the PEPI-Malawi study, 2004–09) to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV through extended antiretroviral prophylaxis of infants to examine barriers for wider coverage with highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) of postpartum women. Maternal HAART was not part of the original PEPI-Malawi clinical trial but became available through a government programme during the course of the study. Therefore, eligible women (CD4 cell count <250) who participated in the PEPI-Malawi trial were counselled and referred to the government ART clinics to initiate HAART. Of 3335 women who enrolled in the PEPI-Malawi study, 803 (24%) were eligible for HAART based on CD4 cell count. The proportion of women newly initiating HAART at the ART clinic remained low and constant (<20%) throughout the study period. However, the cumulative proportion of women receiving HAART increased substantially over time (29% in 2005 to 69% in 2009). Similarly, counselling and referral of eligible women substantially increased and became 100% during the last two years. There were no statistically significant differences in characteristics of eligible women who received or did not receive HAART postpartum. Despite limitations of not being able to obtain detailed data, the main barriers appeared to be related to the health-care system delivery of ART services. Issues of physical space, more personnel and better delivery need to be addressed to increase access to HAART in these settings.