Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expression of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) receptors in patients with B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B‐CLL)

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are multifunctional cytokines which belong to transforming growth factor β (TGF β) superfamily. They regulate proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in a variety of cells including hematopoietic cells. BMPs act because of binding to two types of serine/threonine kinase receptors: BMP type I receptors (IA and IB) and BMP type II receptor. Deregulation of BMPs signaling pathways has been reported in some of human cancers, but the role of BMPs in hematopoietic malignancies remains unknown. The aim of our study was to examine the percentage of expression of BMPs receptors on lymphocytes of patients with B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B‐CLL). A total of 46 patients with B‐CLL (27 men and 19 women) and 10 healthy persons were evaluated. Freshly isolated mononuclear cells were incubated with antibodies against BMPs receptors: BMPRIA, BMPRIB, and BMPRII and examined in 2‐color flow cytometry. On cells of patients with B‐CLL, the percentage of expression of BMP RIA, BMP RIB, and BMP RII was significantly higher than in normal cells of the control group. The percentage of the expression of BMP RIA and BMP RIB was higher in patients with advanced stage of disease.
A Vasculature-Associated Niche for Undifferentiated Spermatogonia in the Mouse Testis

Mammalian spermatogenesis produces numerous sperm for a long period based on a highly potent stem cell system, which relies on a special microenvironment, or niche, that has not yet been identified. In this study, using time-lapse imaging of green fluorescent protein–labeled undifferentiated spermatogonia (Aundiff) and three-dimensional reconstitution, we revealed a biased localization of Aundiff to the vascular network and accompanying Leydig and other interstitial cells, in intact testes. Differentiating spermatogonia left these niche regions and dispersed throughout the basal compartment of the seminiferous epithelium. Moreover, rearrangement of Aundiff accompanied the vasculature alteration. We propose that the mammalian germline niche is established as a consequence of vasculature pattern formation. This is different from what is observed in Drosophila or Caenorhabditis elegans, which display developmentally specified niche structures within polarized gonads.
Split‐hand/split‐foot malformation 3 (SHFM3) at 10q24, development of rapid diagnostic methods and gene expression from the region

Split‐hand/split‐foot malformation (SHFM, also called ectrodactyly) is a clinically variable and genetically heterogeneous group of limb malformations. Several SHFM loci have been mapped, including SHFM1 (7q21), SHFM2 (Xq26), SHFM3 (10q24), SHFM4 (3q27) and SHFM5 (2q31). To date, mutations in a gene (TP63) have only been identified for SHFM4. SHFM3 has been shown by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis to be caused by an ∼500 kb DNA rearrangement at 10q24. This region contains a number of candidate genes for SHFM3, though which gene(s) is (are) involved in the pathogenesis of SHFM3 is not known. Our aim in this study was to improve the diagnosis of SHFM3, and to begin to understand which genes are involved in SHFM3. Here we show, using two different techniques, FISH and quantitative PCR that SHFM3 is caused by a minimal 325 kb duplication containing only two genes (BTRC and POLL). The data presented provide improved methods for diagnosis and begin to elucidate the pathogenic mechanism of SHFM3. Expression analysis of 13 candidate genes within and flanking the duplicated region shows that BTRC (present in three copies) and SUFU (present in two copies) are overexpressed in SHFM3 patients compared to controls. Our data suggest that SHFM3 may be caused by overexpression of BTRC and SUFU, both of which are involved in β‐catenin signalling. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of Cooperative Enforcement Strategies on Wastewater Management

This paper examines the influence of the environmental enforcement approach on the effects of government interventions on corporate environmental management. The paper contrasts a potentially innovative cooperative approach with the standard coercive approach. Empirical results show that the effectiveness of enforcement at inducing better environmental management depends on the overall regulatory enforcement approach. For example, greater cooperation undermines the effectiveness of more severe enforcement forms. Specifically, as the environmental enforcement approach becomes more cooperative, the effectiveness of federal inspections and monetary penalties decreases. These results generally demonstrate that a cooperative enforcement approach proves less effective than a coercive approach. (JEL D22, K32, Q52, Q58)
Mucosal and systemic immune responses in BALB/c mice to Bacteroides gingivalis fimbriae administered orally

A 41,000-molecular-weight fimbrial protein was isolated from freshly cultivated whole cells of Bacteroides gingivalis 381 and purified chromatographically. Salivary and serum antibody responses to the fimbriae, which had been orally administered in the presence of an acyl derivative of muramylpeptides, i.e., either N2-[(N-acetylmuramyl)-L-alanyl-D-isoglutaminyl]-N6-stearoyl-L-lysine [MDP-Lys(L18)] or sodium beta-N-acetyl-glucosaminyl-(1----4)-N-acetylmuramyl-L-alanyl-D-isoglu tam inyl- (L)-stearoyl-(D)-meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid-(D)-amine-D-alanine (GM-53), or in the absence of adjuvant, were examined in BALB/c mice when administered by gastric intubation on days 0 and 1 as primary immunizations and on days 27 and 28 as booster immunizations. Gastric intubation of the fimbriae with an adjuvant significantly enhanced the production of anti-fimbria immunoglobulin A (IgA) in saliva. Subcutaneous injection of fimbriae along with an adjuvant also raised anti-fimbria IgA levels, as well as IgG levels, in saliva. Both immunization procedures enhanced the levels of anti-fimbria IgG, IgA, and IgM in serum, and the major class of fimbria-specific antibody was IgG, followed by IgA and IgM. However, subcutaneous injection was more effective than gastric intubation to enhance the production of serum antibody in mice. The subclasses of IgG antibody specific for fimbriae in serum were mainly IgG1, followed by IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG3. These results demonstrated that the combined use of B. gingivalis fimbrial antigen and either GM-53 or MDP-Lys(L18) resulted in a sharply increased IgA antibody response in saliva and a predominantly stimulated IgG antibody response in serum, respectively. Both antibodies were found to be specific for the fimbriae used for immunization.
Therapeutic Effects of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Models of Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Acute Lung Injury

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer a promising therapy for acute lung injury (ALI). However, whether the same MSC treatments possess similar potential for different ALI models is not fully clear. The present study evaluated the distribution and therapeutic effects of intravenous MSC administration for the treatment of intratracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intrapulmonary ALI and intravenous LPS/zymosan-induced extrapulmonary ALI, matched with lung injury severity, at 30 min and 1, 3, and 7 days. We found that MSC transplantation attenuated lung injury and inhibited lung inflammation in both ALI models. The benefits of MSCs were more significant in the intrapulmonary ALI mice. In vivo and ex vivo fluorescence imaging showed that MSCs primarily homed into the lung. However, more MSCs were recruited into the lungs of the intrapulmonary ALI mice than those of the extrapulmonary ALI mice over the time course. A few MSCs were also detected in the liver and spleen at days 3 and 7. In addition, the two ALI models showed different extrapulmonary organ dysfunction. A lower percentage of cell apoptosis and SDF-1α levels was found in the liver and spleen of the intrapulmonary ALI mice than in those of the extrapulmonary ALI mice. These results suggested that the two ALI models were accompanied with different degrees of extrapulmonary organ damage, which resulted in differences in the trafficking and accumulation of MSCs to the injured lung and consequently accounted for different therapeutic effects of MSCs for lung repair in the two ALI models. These data suggest that intravenous administration of MSCs has a greater potential for the treatment of intrapulmonary ALI than extrapulmonary ALI matched with lung injury severity; these differences were due to more recruitment of MSCs in the lungs of intrapulmonary ALI mice than those of extrapulmonary ALI mice. This finding may contribute to the clinical use of MSCs for the treatment of ALI.
Expression of the CD30 antigen in non‐lymphoid tissues and cells

Originally, expression of the CD30 antigen was shown to be typical of the tumour cells of Hodgkin's disease (HD) and of anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCLs). In reactive lymphoid tissue, CD30 is expressed only in a small population of activated lymphoid blasts. Since then, several reports have been published describing CD30 expression in non‐lymphoid tissues and malignancies, such as embryonal carcinomas (ECs), seminomas, cultivated macrophages, two histiocytic neoplasms, decidual cells, and mesotheliomas. As CD30 detection is important in the differential diagnosis of HD and ALCL, the expression of CD30 in different non‐lymphoid tissues was re‐evaluated by immunohistology and in situ hybridization. Extra‐lymphoid CD30 expression was found in 48/51 cases of EC or EC components of germ cell tumours, in decidual cells of 1/10 cases, in activated mesothelium in 16/28 pleural and peritoneal effusions, and in small foci of tumour cells in 2/8 mesotheliomas. CD30 expression was not confirmed in 27 germ cell tumours of the testis without an EC component nor in cultivated macrophages and 17 histiocytic malignancies. The knowledge of these CD30 expression patterns is important for the immunohistological differential diagnosis of anaplastic tumours. The absence of CD30 expression in reactive and neoplastic macrophages does not favour the concept that HD and ALCL are derived from these cells. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Secreted phospholipase A2 potentiates glutamate‐induced calcium increase and cell death in primary neuronal cultures

Secreted phospholipases A2 (sPLA2s) modulate neuronal survival and neurotransmitter release. Here we show that sPLA2 (group III) synergistically increases glutamate‐induced cell death and intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) in cultured primary cortical and hippocampal neurons. Whereas 1 μM glutamate elicited transient [Ca2+]i increases in all neurons that recovered 66% to baseline, 25 ng/ml sPLA2 pretreatment resulted in sustained [Ca2+]i increases, with only 5% recovery. At 250 nM glutamate, 25% of neurons failed to respond, and the average recovery time was 101 ± 12 sec; sPLA2 increased recovery time to 158 ± 6 sec, and only 2% of cells failed to respond. Both the noncompetitive N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist MK‐801 and the calcium‐channel blocker cobalt inhibited this effect. Experiments with the glutamate uptake inhibitor L‐trans‐pyrollidine‐2,4‐dicarboxylic acid (2.5 μM) indicated that glutamate uptake sites are not a likely modulation point by sPLA2, whereas arachidonic acid (AA) potentiated calcium responses to glutamate. Thus the enhancement of glutamate‐induced [Ca2+]i increases by sPLA2 may be due to modulation at NMDA receptors and/or calcium channels by AA. These results indicate that sPLA2 affects neuronal responses to both nontoxic (0.1–10 μM) and toxic (=25 μM) concentrations of glutamate, implicating this enzyme in neuronal functions in pathology. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Ethical investigation of State and the Management of Internally Displaced Persons in Nigeria

The spontaneous displacement and wandering of men had always been propelled by the forces of nature and other anthropogenic activities. Man, as a rational being had remained strategical for their survival. The upsurge in the activities of Boko Haram in Nigeria, north east occasioned by their clientele interests had necessitated decisions by men to forcefully relocate their places of abode. However, the purpose of the study is to ethically investigate whether the ineffective curtailment of the activities of Boko Haram had implicated the increasing vulnerabilities of internally displaced persons. The study utilized qualitative method in generating its data, while the theoretical framework was adequately anchored on the Marxist theory of the post-colonial state. The findings of the study had significantly revealed that the ineffective management of Boko Haram menace by the state had implicated the rising vulnerabilities of internally displaced persons. However, the study recommends among other things, the integration of relevant commission and prosecution of personality-cults engage in sabotaging the efforts of the state.
Multi-functional norrin is a ligand for the LGR4 receptor

Summary Mammalian LGR4, 5 and 6 are seven-transmembrane receptors that are important for diverse physiological processes. These receptors are orthologous to DLGR2, a Drosophila receptor activated by the burs/pburs heterodimer important for morphogenesis. Although recent studies indicated that four R-spondin proteins are cognate ligands for LGR4, 5 and 6 receptors, several BMP antagonists in vertebrates have been postulated to be orthologous to burs and pburs. Using newly available genome sequences, we showed that norrin is a vertebrate ortholog for insect burs and pburs and stimulates Wnt signaling mediated by LGR4, but not by LGR5 and 6, in mammalian cells. Although norrin could only activate LGR4, binding studies suggested interactions between norrin and LGR4, 5 and 6. Norrin, the Norrie disease gene product, is also capable of activating Wnt signaling mediated by the Frizzled4 receptor and serves as a BMP antagonist. Mutagenesis studies indicated that different norrin mutations found in patients with Norrie disease can be categorized into subgroups according to defects for signaling through the three distinct binding proteins. Thus, norrin is a rare ligand capable of binding three receptors/binding proteins that are important for BMP and Wnt signaling pathways.
Soft tissue changes following the extraction of premolars in nongrowing patients with bimaxillary protrusion. A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE To quantify the amount of perioral tissue changes following the extraction of four premolars in patients with bimaxillary protrusion who had nearly completed active growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature search was conducted to identify clinical trials that assessed cephalometric perioral soft tissue changes in patients affected by biprotrusion and treated with extractions. Electronic databases (PubMed, ISI WoS Science Citation Index Expanded, and HubMed) were searched. Abstracts that appeared to fulfill the initial selection criteria were selected, and the full-text original articles were retrieved and analyzed. Only articles that fulfilled the final selection criteria were finally considered. Their references were also hand-searched for possible missing articles from the database searches. RESULTS Nine abstracts met the initial inclusion criteria and these articles were retrieved. From these, five were later rejected mostly because the sample dealt with growing subjects. Four articles remained and they showed that the upper and lower lips retracted and the nasolabial angle increased following premolar extraction. Upper lip retraction ranged from 2 mm to 3.2 mm, lower lip retraction ranged from 2 mm to 4.5 mm. CONCLUSIONS The lip procumbency improves following the extraction of four premolars and this improvement is predictable. However, the changes are small and do not dramatically modify the profile. A "dished in" profile is not to be expected. Individual variation in response is large.
Stability of Pt/Al2O3-based electrode langasite SAW sensors with Al2O3 capping layer and yttria-stabilized zirconia sensing layer

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices have been shown recently to be an appropriate technology for harsh-environment sensor applications, such as those in the automotive, aerospace, power plant, and metallurgic industries. Usages include temperature, pressure, torque, strain, gas, liquid, biochemical, and mass sensors in structural health monitoring, industrial process monitoring, environment checking and control, and condition based maintenance. For harsh-environment high-temperature applications, battery-free wireless operation associated with sensor robustness, small profile, and mass fabrication capability make SAW sensors a very attractive solution. For high-temperature (< 800°C) gas sensor applications, the stability of SAW sensor platform including protective and sensing film layers must be guaranteed over time and under temperature cycling conditions. This paper reports on the performance and stability of langasite SAW resonator (SAWR) sensor platform using PtAl2O3-based electrode, with atomic layer deposited (ALD) Al2O3 protective layer and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) gas sensing layer. The effect of 50nm thick Al2O3 or YSZ layers on SAWR sensor resonant frequency and temperature sensitivity responses were investigated. Temperature sensitivities of SAWR sensors with and without ALD Al2O3 protective layer have been compared with numerical predictions for a bare substrate. Measured temperature sensitivities of SAWR sensors with and without the YSZ sensing layers have been compared against each other. In addition, the stability of the SAWR sensor frequency responses have been monitored during multiple 110-hour temperature cycling (over 620 hours in total) from 300°C to 750°C. The measured frequency deviation at 750°C over six of these 110-hour cycling tests was 0.05%. The results obtained confirm that the presence of the ALD Al2O3 protective layer or the YSZ sensing layer do not compromise the stability of high-temperature harsh-environment SAWR sensors, validating their use for the aforementioned applications.
Does Economic Crisis Have Different Impact on Husbands and Wives? Evidence from the Asian Financial Crisis in Indonesia

This paper analyzes the intra‐household allocation of risk‐coping mechanisms by testing whether the Asian financial crisis affected married men and women differently in Indonesia. It estimates the effect of the district consumption shock during the crisis on the change in married men's and women's working status and assets. It finds that the regional shock is associated with a large increase in wives’ employment and a large decrease in wives’ business assets in urban areas, and not associated with change in husbands’ working status or asset holdings in urban areas. In rural areas the regional shock is associated with a drop in women's business assets and not related to other outcomes of husbands or wives. Receiving government social safety net program aid during the crisis seems to substitute for the decrease in business assets of women as a coping strategy in both urban and rural areas.
Molecular cloning and characterization of a putative cyclic nucleotide‐gated channel from Drosophila melanogaster

We have cloned a cDNA encoding a putative cyclic nucleotide‐gated (CNG) channel from Drosophila melanogaster. The N‐terminal half of the predicted protein, designated as CNGL, shows a high degree of sequence similarity with the known CNG channel proteins. CNGL has a long hydrophilic C‐terminal stretch that is absent in other CNG channels. Northern blot analysis revealed that the messenger RNA (mRNA) corresponding to the size of the cloned cDNA is expressed in Drosophila heads. Immunolocalization studies showed that CNGL is expressed in the brain, including the medulla, lobulla and lobulla plate, the antennal lobe glomeruli, and mushroom bodies. These results suggest a possible role of the putative CNGL channel in the processing of visual and olfactory information in the nervous system of Drosophila.
A Recombinant Live Attenuated Strain of Vibrio cholerae Induces Immunity against Tetanus Toxin andBordetella pertussis Tracheal Colonization Factor

ABSTRACT An attenuated strain of Vibrio cholerae was used as a carrier for the expression of heterologous antigens such as fragment C from tetanus toxin (TetC) and tracheal colonization factor fromBordetella pertussis (Tcf). In vitro, high levels of protein were obtained when the Escherichia coli nirBpromoter was used and the bacteria were grown with low aeration. Intranasal immunization of mice with IEM101 expressing TetC elicited serum vibriocidal activity and induced antibodies against tetanus toxin which were protective against lethal challenge with 10 times the 50% lethal dose of tetanus toxin. Bacterial viability was essential for the induction of anti-TetC antibodies. Intranasal administration of IEM101 expressing Tcf induced a significant reduction in bacterial colonization of the tracheas of mice challenged with wild-type B. pertussis. These data are in agreement with the putative role of Tcf in Bordetellatracheal colonization. In conclusion, we have demonstrated thatV. cholerae may be used as a live vector to deliver heterologous antigens in vivo and that protection to both systemic and local challenge may be achieved.
Acute Toxicity of Plant Essential Oils to Scarab Larvae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) and their Analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

ABSTRACT Larvae of scarab beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) are important contaminant and root-herbivore pests of ornamental crops. To develop alternatives to conventional insecticides, 24 plant-based essential oils were tested for their acute toxicity against third instars of the Japanese beetle Popillia japonica Newman, European chafer Rhizotrogus majalis (Razoumowsky), oriental beetle Anomala orientalis (Waterhouse), and northern masked chafer Cyclocephala borealis Arrow. Diluted solutions were topically applied to the thorax, which allowed for calculating LD50 and LD90 values associated with 1 d after treatment. A wide range in acute toxicity was observed across all four scarab species. Of the 24 oils tested, allyl isothiocyanate, cinnamon leaf, clove, garlic, and red thyme oils exhibited toxicity to all four species. Allyl isothiocyanate was the most toxic oil tested against the European chafer, and among the most toxic against the Japanese beetle, oriental beetle, and northern masked chafer. Red thyme was also comparatively toxic to the Japanese beetle, oriental beetle, European chafer, and northern masked chafer. Interspecific variability in susceptibility to the essential oils was documented, with 12, 11, 8, and 6 of the 24 essential oils being toxic to the oriental beetle, Japanese beetle, European chafer, and northern masked chafer, respectively. Analysis of the active oils by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed a diverse array of compounds, mostly consisting of mono- and sesquiterpenes. These results will aid in identifying active oils and their constituents for optimizing the development of plant essential oil mixtures for use against scarab larvae.