Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hydrogen peroxide removal and glutathione mixed disulfide formation during metabolic inhibition in mesencephalic cultures

Compromised mitochondrial energy metabolism and oxidative stress have been associated with the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease. Our previous experiments exemplified the importance of GSH in the protection of neurons exposed to malonate, a reversible inhibitor of mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase/complex II. This study further defines the role of oxidative stress during energy inhibition and begins to unravel the mechanisms by which GSH and other antioxidants may contribute to cell survival. Treatment of mesencephalic cultures with 10 µm buthionine sulfoximine for 24 h depleted total GSH by 60%, whereas 3 h exposure to 5 mm 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole irreversibly inactivated catalase activity by 90%. Treatment of GSH‐depleted cells with malonate (40 mm) for 6, 12 or 24 h both potentiated and accelerated the time course of malonate toxicity, however, inhibition of catalase had no effect. In contrast, concomitant treatment with buthionine sulfoximine plus 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole in the presence of malonate significantly potentiated toxicity over that observed with malonate plus either inhibitor alone. Consistent with these findings, GSH depletion enhanced malonate‐induced reactive oxygen species generation prior to the onset of toxicity. These findings demonstrate that early generation of reactive oxygen species during mitochondrial inhibition contributes to cell damage and that GSH serves as a first line of defense in its removal. Pre‐treatment of cultures with 400 µm ascorbate protected completely against malonate toxicity (50 mm, 12 h), whereas treatment with 1 mm Trolox provided partial protection. Protein–GSH mixed disulfide formation during oxidative stress has been suggested to either protect vulnerable protein thiols or conversely to contribute to toxicity. Malonate exposure (50 mm) for 12 h resulted in a modest increase in mixed disulfide formation. However, exposure to the protective combination of ascorbate plus malonate increased membrane bound protein–GSH mixed disulfides three‐fold. Mixed disulfide levels returned to baseline by 72 h of recovery indicating the reversible nature of this formation. These results demonstrate an early role for oxidative events during mitochondrial impairment and stress the importance of the glutathione system for removal of reactive oxygen species. Catalase may serve as a secondary defense as the glutathione system becomes limiting. These findings also suggest that protein–GSH mixed disulfide formation under these circumstances may play a protective role.
Micronutrient fortification for countries in Western Pacific Region

This report presents the available evidence on the magnitude of micronutrient deficiencies in countries in the Western Pacific Region (WPR), i dentifies nutrient inadequacies per capita per day based on 1999 Food Balance Sheet dat a and the steps required to alleviate these inadequacies through micronutrient fortificat ion of food. Suitable food vehicles for fortification within each country are also discusse d. Finally data on the recently formulated upper tolerable limits by the Institute of Medicine are reviewed.
De nouvelles pondérations adaptées à la classification de petits volumes de données textuelles

Un des defis actuels dans le domaine de la classification supervisee de documents est de pouvoir produire un modele fiable a partir d'un faible volume de donnees. Avec un volume consequent de donnees, les classifieurs fournissent des resultats satisfaisants mais les performances sont degradees lorsque celui-ci diminue. Nous proposons, dans cet article, de nouvelles methodes de ponderations resistant a une diminution du volume de donnees. Leur efficacite, evaluee en utilisant des algorithmes de classification supervises existants (Naive Bayes et Class-Feature-Centroid) sur deux corpus differents, est superieure a celle des autres algorithmes lorsque le nombre de descripteurs diminue. Nous avons etudie en parallele les parametres influencant les differentes approches telles que le nombre de classes, de documents ou de descripteurs.
Solutions évolutives pour les réseaux de communication quantique

Le deploiement de reseaux de communication quantique represente un defi auquel cette these apporte des solutions originales. Deux dispositifs tres performants sont construits uniquement autour de composants standards de l'optique integree et des telecommunications optiques. Le premier correspond a un schema de synchronisation tout optique sur longue distance a tres haute cadence et de precision inegalee pour la communication securisee par cryptographie quantique. Le montage experimental repose sur une configuration de relais quantique mettant en œuvre deux sources independantes de paires de photons intriques dont il faut synchroniser les temps d'emissions. L’idee principale s’appuie sur l’utilisation d’un unique laser telecom picoseconde cadence a 2.5 GHz afin de generer l’horloge et de pouvoir la distribuer efficacement aux deux sources. Nous demontrons la synchronisation de notre lien relais pour une distance effective separant les sources de plus de 100 km. Le second dispositif correspond quant a lui a la realisation d'une experience de compression a une longueur d'onde des telecommunications realisee, pour la premiere fois, de maniere entierement guidee. La lumiere comprimee etant une ressource fondamentale dans bon nombre de protocoles d'information quantique, la realisation de systemes experimentaux facilement reconfigurables et compatibles avec les reseaux telecoms fibres existants represente une etape cruciale en vue du deploiement de dispositifs de communication quantique en regime de variables continues. Enfin, un traitement quantique des effets de gigue temporelle dans les detecteurs de photons 0N/0FF est propose. Malgre l'importance des systemes de detection dans les technologies quantiques photoniques emergentes, aucune modelisation quantique de leurs effets de gigue temporelle n'avait ete, a notre connaissance, developpe jusqu'a present.
Highly selective Diels-Alder reactions of dienophiles with 1, 3-cyclohexadiene mediated by Yb(OTf)(3).2H(2)O and ultrahigh pressures.

[reaction: see text] Ultrahigh pressures and catalytic Yb(OTf)(3). 2H(2)O were found to mediate Diels-Alder reactions of various electron-deficient dienophiles with 1,3-cyclohexadiene to produce endo-bicyclo[2.2. 2]oct-2-enes in moderate to excellent yield and selectivity. The proposed total synthesis of hapalindole Q based on bicyclo[2.2. 2]oct-2-ene construction by Diels-Alder reaction and subsequent olefin cleavage is outlined. Preliminary results demonstrating the viability of this strategy are presented.
Alcohol intake and risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer: a systematic review and dose–response meta‐analysis

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) comprises mainly basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). The association between alcohol intake and NMSC has been inconclusive; therefore the objective of this study is to quantify the relationship between alcohol intake and NMSC using meta‐analyses. A systematic literature search of PubMed and Embase was performed on 30 October 2016. Eligible articles were case–control or cohort studies that examined alcohol intake and risk of BCC or cSCC and reported relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Of the 307 articles identified, 13 case–control and cohort studies were included in the systematic review, including 95 241 NMSC cases (91 942 BCC and 3299 cSCC cases). A random‐effects model was used to obtain summary RRs and 95% CIs for dose–response meta‐analyses. For every 10‐gram increase in ethanol intake per day, a positive association was found for both BCC (summary RR of 1·07; 95% CI 1·04–1·09) and cSCC (summary RR of 1·11; 95% CI 1·06–1·16). While there was evidence suggesting a nonlinear association for BCC, it may be due to the sparse data at higher alcohol intake levels. This meta‐analysis found evidence that alcohol drinking is positively associated with both BCC and cSCC risk in a dose‐dependent manner. These results should be interpreted with caution due to potential residual confounding. Nonetheless, because alcohol drinking is a prevalent and modifiable behaviour, it could serve as an important public health target to reduce the global health burden of NMSC.
Association between lymphotoxin alpha (-252 A/G and -804 C/A) gene polymorphisms and risk of stroke in North Indian population: a hospital-based case-control study

Purpose: Lymphotoxin alpha (LTA), a proinflammatory cytokine, plays an important role in promoting atherosclerosis which is an independent risk factor for stroke. Recent genetic studies have suggested that polymorphisms in the LTA gene, which affect its expression and biological function, may contribute to the development of stroke. The aim of this case-control study was to determine the association between LTA (-252 A/G and -804 C/A) gene polymorphisms and risk of stroke. Methods: Genotyping was determined by using SNaPshot method for 250 ischemic stroke (IS) patients, 250 age and sex matched IS free controls, 100 intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) patients and 100 age and sex matched ICH free controls. Conditional logistic regression analysis with adjusting multiple demographic and risk factor variables was used to calculate the strength of association between LTA (-252 A/G and -804 C/A) gene polymorphisms and risk of stroke. The linkage disequilibrium (LD) was analyzed by using HaploView 4.2 software. Results: The distribution of LTA (-252 A/G and -804 C/A) genotypes was consistent with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Adjusted conditional logistic regression analysis showed no significant association between LTA (-252 A/G and -804 C/A) gene polymorphisms and risk of both IS and ICH. Based on Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification, a significant association between LTA -252 A/G gene polymorphism and small vessel disease subtype of IS under dominant model (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.03–4.12; p value 0.04) with the risk of IS was observed. No LD was observed for both single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in north Indian population. Conclusion: Neither -252 G/A nor -804 C/A polymorphism of the LTA gene was found to be associated with overall stroke as well as any subtype of IS excluding SVD in North Indian population.
Modulation of Inflammatory Response in Surgical Trauma

Surgical trauma results in the activation of inflammatory cascade systems in the body. Excessive systemic inflammation can lead to organ dysfunction in one or several organs. The thesis aims to describe the body's inflammatory response during major surgery and the extent to which the answer depends on different methods of blood salvage, anesthesia and surgical technique. Method: Twenty-four patients scheduled for total hip arthroplasty were randomized to two groups. Blood was collected via a heparin-coated device or via a non-heparin-coated device. Samples were taken from collected blood to measure quality and inflammatory activation. Fifty consecutive patients who were scheduled for elective open colorectal surgery were included in a prospective and randomized study. The patients were randomized to total intravenous anesthesia with propofol-remifentanil or inhalation anesthesia with sevoflurane. Twenty-four patients with rectal cancer were randomized to open or laparoscopic rectal resection. Blood samples were taken before, during and after surgery for analysis of inflammatory metabolites including cytokines and complement split products. Results: I: IL-6, IL-8, C3a and SC5b-9 were higher in salvaged blood than in venous blood. There were no significant differences between the blood salvaged in the system with heparincoated surfaces compared to non-heparin-coated surfaces regarding these parameters. II: IL-6, IL-8 and C3a increased during surgery and were elevated compared to baseline in both groups. III: Bb concentrations increased in both groups during surgery. A significant increase in SC5b-9 concentration was seen in both groups in the postoperative period. IV: IL-6, IL-10 and CRP were higher in the open group as compared to the laparoscopic group. Conclusions: Blood salvaged intra-operatively during total hip arthroplasty contains elevated levels of complement split products and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Heparin-coated surfaces of the salvage device do not significantly influence the formation of inflammatory mediators. Major colorectal surgery leads to activation of the complement cascade and the release of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Complement is activated through the alternative pathway. There are no significant differences between total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and remifentanil and inhalational anesthesia with sevoflurane and fentanyl regarding complement activation and the release of proand anti-inflammatory interleukins. Rectal surgery causes release of both proand anti-inflammatory cytokines. The inflammatory response is lower in laparoscopic rectal surgery as compared to conventional open surgery.
Delineation of the frequency and boundary of chromosomal copy number variations in paediatric neuroblastoma

ABSTRACT Neuroblastoma, the most common solid tumour in early childhood, is characterized by very frequent chromosomal copy number variations (CNVs). While chromosome 2p amplification, 17q gain, 1p and 11q deletion in human neuroblastoma tissues are well-known, the exact frequencies and boundaries of the chromosomal CNVs have not been delineated. We analysed the publicly available single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array data which were originally generated by the Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments (TARGET) initiative, defined the frequencies and boundaries of chromosomes 2p11.2 – 2p25.3 amplification, 17q11.1-17q25.3 gain, 1p13.3-1p36.33 deletion and 11q13.3-11q25 deletion in neuroblastoma tissues, and identified chromosome 7q14.1 (Chr7:38254795-38346971) and chromosome 14q11.2 (Chr14:21637401-22024617) deletion in blood and bone marrow samples from neuroblastoma patients, but not in tumour tissues. Kaplan Meier analysis showed that double deletion of Chr7q14.1 and Chr14q11.2 correlated with poor prognosis in MYCN gene amplified neuroblastoma patients. In conclusion, the oncogenes amplified or gained and tumour suppressor genes deleted within the boundaries of chromosomal CNVs in tumour tissues should be studied for their roles in tumourigenesis and as therapeutic targets. Focal deletions of Chr7q14.1 and Chr14q11.2 together in blood and bone marrow samples from neuroblastoma patients can be used as a marker for poorer prognosis and more aggressive therapies.
Identification of Methanotrophic Bacteria Community in the Jastrzebie-Moszczenica Coal Mine by Fluorescence in situ Hybridization and PCR Techniques

The aim of our study was to identify the methanotrophic group of bacteria inhabiting coal mine rocks at the Jastrzebie-Moszczenica (Jas-Mos) coal mine, by application of molecular techniques: polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In the first stage of the experiment, methanotrophic activity (AM) of the rock material at different temperatures (20 and 30oC) and methane (CH4) concentrations (1, 5, 10, 20%) was determined. AM noted both in 20 and 30oC reached a similar level equaling c.a. 0.2 µM CH4 g -1 ·day -1 . The PCR reactions were performed using primers specific for pmoA gene (encoding a key subunit of particulate methane monooxygenase) – A189f and mb661, whereas FISH was realized with Mg705, Mg84 (Type I of methanotrophs), and Ma450 (Type II of methanotrophs) probes. Sequence analysis of pmoA gene demonstrated that microorganisms, being present in the investigated rocks material were similar with 95-100% identity to the following methanotrophs genera: Methylosinus, Methylobacter, Methylocystis. Concentrations of CH4 between 1-10% did not affect on bacterial variability, but in combination with 20% of CH4, significant dominance of methanotrophic bacteria Type I was stated.
Cyclic Induction and Rapid Movement of Sequential Waves of New Smooth-Ended Ameloblast Modulation Bands in Rat Incisors as Visualized By Polychrome Fluorescent Labeling and Gbha-Staining of Maturing Enamel

The movement of smooth-ended ameloblast modulation bands was studied in continuously erupting Tincisors of male Wistar rats, with fluorochromes such as calcein (green), xylenol orange (red), tetracycline (yellow), and calcein blue (turquoise) used to label maturing enamel intensely at sites delimiting the location of smooth-ended ameloblasts at the time of injection. Hence, a fluorescent label of one color was injected to establish a reference position at time "0" followed by one or more fluorescent labels of different colors, or by in vitro enamel staining with glyoxal bis(2-hydroxyanil)(GBHA), at various times after the initial injection. For example, rats injected with calcein followed by xylenol orange at 10 min or two, four, six, or 12 hr later showed zero, 367, 888, 1259, and 2833 μm incisal movement, respectively, of the red bands relative to companion green fluorescent bands in the mandibular incisors. If one takes into account the eruption rate for these teeth (27.1 μm per hr), these data were indicative of a coordinated, wave-like movement of smooth-ended ameloblast modulation bands incisally along the length of the tooth at a mean rate of 243 μm per hr. Measurements and graphic plots of the distribution of smooth-ended ameloblast bands in histological sections and in GBHA-stained teeth revealed not only that such bands were positioned at all possible locations along the length of the maturation zone within a group of different teeth, but also that the average interband distance equaled about 2100 μm in the apical part of the maturation zone. Hence, new modulation waves appear to arise near the region of post-secretory transition and travel along the ameloblast layer toward the gingival margin about once every 8.5 hours. This suggests that a given cohort of ameloblasts may modulate as frequently as three times a day and complete a minimum of 45 modulation cycles by the end of enamel maturation.
Plate refractive camera model and its applications

Abstract. In real applications, a pinhole camera capturing objects through a planar parallel transparent plate is frequently employed. Due to the refractive effects of the plate, such an imaging system does not comply with the conventional pinhole camera model. Although the system is ubiquitous, it has not been thoroughly studied. This paper aims at presenting a simple virtual camera model, called a plate refractive camera model, which has a form similar to a pinhole camera model and can efficiently model refractions through a plate. The key idea is to employ a pixel-wise viewpoint concept to encode the refraction effects into a pixel-wise pinhole camera model. The proposed camera model realizes an efficient forward projection computation method and has some advantages in applications. First, the model can help to compute the caustic surface to represent the changes of the camera viewpoints. Second, the model has strengths in analyzing and rectifying the image caustic distortion caused by the plate refraction effects. Third, the model can be used to calibrate the camera’s intrinsic parameters without removing the plate. Last but not least, the model contributes to putting forward the plate refractive triangulation methods in order to solve the plate refractive triangulation problem easily in multiviews. We verify our theory in both synthetic and real experiments.
Crystalline Lens Power in Myopia

Growth of the eye shows a coordinated pattern whereby the reduction in refractive power of the cornea and crystalline lens tends to reduce the myopia that would otherwise result from the normal increase in axial length. There is some controversy as to whether the reduction in crystalline lens power is influenced by the refractive state of the eye, i.e., an active role in the emmetropization process, or is simply related to the changing lens dimension occurring with growth. We measured ocular dimensions and determined the crystalline lens powers in 19 myopes and 19 emmetropic subjects matched for age, gender, and ethnic origin. No significant difference was found in corneal radius of curvature for the two groups, but there was a significant difference (p<0.05) in crystalline lens power of 2.30 D. These results suggest that greater compensation for axial elongation of the eye was afforded by the decrease in crystalline lens power than by corneal flattening.
Preventing recurrent cerebrovascular events in patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack: The current data

Purpose: To describe recurrent stroke in relation to the current data, treatment guidelines, diagnostic considerations, risk prevention, and management for the nurse practitioner (NP). Data sources: An extensive review of the scientific literature, clinical trials, and clinical guidelines. Conclusions: Recurrent stroke is a major health concern. A first ischemic cerebrovascular event or transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a risk factor for future strokes. Implications for practice: The risk of recurring stroke has been demonstrated in multiple studies, yet only approximately 5% of stroke patients receive appropriate therapy in a timely manner. The stroke or TIA workup should be completed quickly so that the appropriate treatments and interventions can be initiated to reduce the risk of an additional event. The etiology of the stroke and identification of personal risk factors are important because treatment depends on the specific stroke mechanism. A variety of antiplatelet trials have specific implications for stroke and recurrent stroke. Present treatments include aspirin, aspirin plus extended‐release dipyridamole and clopidogrel. The NP plays an important role in ongoing patient education about symptoms, the long‐term management of the patient, and reduction of future stroke risk.
Predictors of objective cough frequency in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

RATIONALE Cough is one of the principal symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but the potential drivers of cough are likely to be multifactorial and poorly understood. OBJECTIVES To quantify cough frequency in an unselected group of subjects with COPD and investigate the relationships between cough, reported sputum production, smoking, pulmonary function, and cellular airway inflammation. METHODS We studied 68 subjects with COPD (mean age, 65.6 ± 6.7 yr; 67.6% male; 23 smokers; 45 ex-smokers) and 24 healthy volunteers (mean age, 57.5 ± 8.9 yr; 37.5% male; 12 smokers; 12 nonsmokers). Subjects reported cough severity, cough-specific quality of life, and sputum expectoration and performed spirometry, sputum induction, cough reflex sensitivity to capsaicin, and 24-hour ambulatory cough monitoring. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS COPD current smokers had the highest cough rates (median, 9 coughs/h [interquartile range, 4.3-15.6 coughs/h]), almost double that of COPD ex-smokers (4.9 [2.3-8.7] coughs/h; P = 0.018) and healthy smokers (5.3 [1.2-8.3] coughs/h; P = 0.03), whereas healthy volunteers coughed the least (0.7 [0.2-1.4] coughs/h). Cough frequency was not influenced by age or sex and only weakly correlated with cough reflex sensitivity to capsaicin (log C5 r = -0.36; P = 0.004). Reported sputum production, smoking history, and current cigarette consumption strongly predicted cough frequency, explaining 45.1% variance in a general linear model (P < 0.001). In subjects producing a sputum sample, cough frequency was related to current cigarette consumption and percentage of sputum neutrophils (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Ambulatory objective monitoring provides novel insights into the determinants of cough in COPD, suggesting sputum production, smoking, and airway inflammation may be more important than sensitivity of the cough reflex.