Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Particle opsonization and lung macrophage cytokine response. In vitro and in vivo analysis.

Inhaled inert particles and organisms cause a spectrum of pulmonary responses, ranging from minimal changes to marked acute inflammation. During ingestion and clearance of such particles, alveolar macrophages (AM) can initiate pulmonary inflammation by production of TNF and neutrophil chemoattractant cytokines. We tested the role of opsonization in determining the AM response to ingestion of inert particles in vitro and in vivo. As measures of AM activation after phagocytosis in vitro, we measured release of TNF and mRNA expression for the platelet-factor 4 family neutrophil chemoattractants, KC and macrophage-inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2). Using albumin-coated fluorescent latex particle as phagocytic targets, we found a marked release of TNF by AM ingesting particles opsonized with antialbumin IgG, although uptake of similar numbers of unopsonized particles caused little or no release (e.g., 4648 +/- 1147 pg/ml, opsonized beads vs 576 +/- 205 unopsonized, 10:1 particle:cell ratio, n = 4, mean +/- SD). Flow cytometry confirmed equal uptake of the two particle types. Northern analysis of AM mRNA showed marked induction of KC and MIP-2 mRNA after ingestion of opsonized particles only. Instillation of opsonized particles into hamster lungs caused a marked neutrophil influx, although unopsonized particles did not. TNF was elevated in lavage fluid after instillation of opsonized particles, but not after unopsonized beads (92.7 +/- 136 pg/ml opsonized, n = 7 vs 1.3 +/- 3.6 unopsonized, n = 6). KC and MIP-2 mRNA were induced in lavaged cells after instillation of opsonized but not after unopsonized particles or vehicle control. The nature of particle interaction with the AM surface during phagocytosis determines the subsequent AM response. Although many unopsonized inert particles are ingested with minimal AM activation, specific opsonization of pathogens or non-specific adsorption of Ig onto other particles may activate AM and lead to pulmonary inflammation.
Studies on Centchroman, a new antifertility compound.

This paper reports the results of laboratory research on the chemical properties, analytic specifications, assay method, and stability of centchroman--3,4-trans-2,2-Dimethyl-3-phenyl-4(p-beta-pyrrolidinoethoxy)-7-methoxychromanhydrochloride. This compound has been reported to possess potent antifertility activity, anti-inflammatory activity, and to induce ovulation in anovulatory women. The crystalline compound is almost insoluble in water and has a pKa value of 2.1. Ultraviolet spectrophometric and colorimetric tests produced 98-102% recovery of added centchroman. Further studies indicated that the compound remains stable under storage conditions for 3 1/2 years, with no marked change in color and general appearance. Finally, no change in general appearance, purity, ultraviolet pattern, and assay were observed after the compound was heated at 105 degrees for 6 hours. Although the above tests involved the pure compound, additional tests with the tablet form revealed 100% stability even after 3 years of storage, again with no change in color or general appearance.
Pituitary morphology of transgenic mice expressing bovine growth hormone.

BACKGROUND In mice transgenic for growth hormone (GH), the ectopic production of foreign GH causes gigantism and strong inhibition of endogenous pituitary GH. In human (h) GH transgenics, morphologic changes occurred not only in somatotrophs but in lactotrophs, corticotrophs, and gonadotrophs as well. To distinguish between changes attributed to somatotrophic effect of hGH from those caused by its lactogenic effects, we studied the pituitary morphology of bovine (b) GH transgenics since bGH has no lactogenic activity. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Pituitaries from transgenic mice and nontransgenic siblings were studied by immunocytochemistry for adenohypophysial hormones, in situ hybridization for GH, prolactin (PRL), and proopiomelanocortin mRNAs, and electron microscopy. RESULTS Transgenic mice had an increased body weight and a significantly decreased pituitary mass. In both sexes, GH immunoreactive cells were markedly reduced in size and moderately decreased in number, and the GH mRNA signal was lower compared with controls; ultrastructurally, in somatotrophs, the cytoplasmic organelles involved in hormone synthesis were inconspicuous. Males were normoprolactinemic, and lactotrophs showed no morphologic changes. In transgenic females, PRL immunoreactive cells were hypertrophic and appeared to be more numerous. In transgenic males, a mild increase in size and number of follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone immunoreactive cells was noted. No changes were evident in corticotrophs and thyrotrophs in either sex. In the intermediate and posterior lobes, many corticotrophs and pituicytes were GH immunoreactive, indicating expression of metallothionein-1 (MT)-bGH transgene. CONCLUSIONS Pituitaries of MT-bGH transgenic mice contained somatotrophs with morphologic features of inhibition. Endogenous GH production was not completely suppressed as indicated by the presence of GH mRNA and GH immunoreactivity. Females had a mild increase in percentage of PRL immunoreactive cells, and previous biochemical data proved that they were hyperprolactinemic. Substantial differences in pituitary morphology between transgenic MT-bGH mice and MT-hGH animals studied previously can be due to the fact that bGH is purely somatotropic, whereas hGH is both somatotropic and lactogenic.
Case holding in patients with tuberculosis in Botswana.

OBJECTIVE--To evaluate the effectiveness of daily supervised short course chemotherapy in a national tuberculosis programme. DESIGN--Observation of programme during 1984-90. In October 1986 short course chemotherapy was introduced with patients receiving treatment daily from staff in their nearest health facility. SETTING--Botswana national tuberculosis programme. SUBJECTS--All patients with tuberculosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Proportions of patients complying with and defaulting from treatment (missing > or = 43 days' treatment). RESULTS--2938 cases of tuberculosis were recorded in 1990, 1528 of which were of sputum positive pulmonary disease. 2711 (92.3%) patients complied with treatment and 227 (7.7%) defaulted. Before introduction of short course chemotherapy compliance was about 60% compared with over 90% in 1987-90. CONCLUSIONS--A programme using daily supervised short course chemotherapy integrated into the primary health care system is an effective method of treating tuberculosis. The costs of the programme need to be evaluated.
Pilot Study on the Effect of Botanical Medicine (Tribulus terrestris) on Serum Testosterone Level and Erectile Function in Aging Males With Partial Androgen Deficiency (PADAM)

This study was conducted on 30 consecutive male patients presenting to Kasr-Al Ainy Andrology outpatient clinic complaining of manifestations of partial androgen deficiency in aging males (PADAM). In this study (750 mg/day) of Tribulus terrestris in 3 divided doses, each of 250 mg, as an endogenous testosterone enhancer had been tried for a duration of 3 months and the evaluation of its effect had been monitored for each patient concerning its effect on serum testosterone (total and free) and luteinizing hormone (LH), as well as its impact on erectile function, which was evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire for those patients. Results showed a statistically significant difference in the level of testosterone (total and free) and IIEF-5, but no statistically significant difference in the level of LH before and after treatment. Also, the study showed statistically significant correlation between testosterone (total and free) and IIEF-5, but no statistically significant correlation between the level of LH and the IIEF-5 before and after treatment.
ePsychology: Designing Theory-Based Health Promotion Interventions

Persuasive technologies pervade much of our everyday lives today in areas from marketing to public health. In the latter case, persuasive technology represents a promising area of application. However, we know much too little about how to design effective interventions to support sustained behaviour change and improved well-being. The purpose of the present paper was to contribute in two ways. First, we want to contribute to current practice in designing such interventions. Second, we try to identify key research questions that could be a point of departure for a more detailed and comprehensive future research program. We do this by means of expressing 28 propositions. In sum, the propositions reflect that the construction of digital interventions should be seen as an iterative process which should take into account both content and design factors. However, we argue that intervention research and practical design experience is not just something that follows basic research at a polite distance, but rather is its inherent complement.
Sex-dependent Expression and Clofibrate Inducibility of Cytochrome P 450 4 A Fatty Acid a-Hydroxylases

The induction of liver cytochrome P450 4A-catalyzed fatty acid a-hydroxylase activity by clofibrate and other peroxisome proliferators has been proposed to be causally linked to the ensuing proliferation of peroxisomes in rat liver. Since female rats are less responsive than males to peroxisome proliferation induced by clofibrate, the influence of gender and hormonal status on the basal and clofibrate-inducible expression of the 4A P450s was examined. Northern blot analysis using gene-specific oligonucleotide probes revealed that in the liver, P450 4A1 and 4A3 mRNAs are induced to a much greater extent in male as compared to female rats following clofibrate treatment, whereas P450 4A2 mRNA is altogether absent from female rat liver. Male-specific expression of P450 4A2 mRNA was also observed in kidney. Western blot analysis indicated that a similar sex dependence characterizes both the basal expression and the clofibrate inducibility of the corresponding P450 4A proteins. This suggests that the lower responsiveness of female rats to clofibrate-induced peroxisome proliferation may reflect the lower inducibility of the P450 4A fatty acid hydroxylase enzymes in this sex. Investigation of the contribution of pituitary-dependent hormones to the male-specific expression of 4A2 revealed that this P450 mRNA is fully suppressed in liver following exposure to the continuous plasma growth hormone profile that characterizes adult female rats; in this and other regards liver P450 4A2 is regulated in a manner that is similar, but not identical to, P450 3A2, a malespecific testosterone GB-hydroxylase. In contrast, kidney 4A2 expression, although also male-specific, was not suppressed by continuous growth hormone treatment, but was regulated by pathways that, in part, involve testosterone as a positive regulator. The malespecific expression of liver and kidney P450 4A2 is thus under the control of distinct pituitary-dependent hormones acting in a tissue-specific manner.
Interocular Delay Produces Depth in Subjectively Moving Noise Patterns

Brief apparent motion sequences were introduced into a dynamic visual dot display by spatially shifting selected dots between successive frames. This causes the display to look as if it is drifting continuously in one direction. When such a display is observed with an interocular delay the drifting dots appear to be displaced in depth, even though there is no conventional retinal disparity in the display. We found that the magnitude of this depth shift increased with the duration of the apparent motion sequences. With sequences of five or more frames duration the depth effect was very similar to that which would have been predicted with a continuously moving target. With briefer sequences the size of the depth effect decreased rapidly. We suggest that apparent motion cascades form the basis of Tyler's dynamic visual noise stereophenomenon, and we question his “random spatial disparity” hypothesis.
Scattering Cross-Section Emission Factors for Visibility and Radiative Transfer Applications: Military Vehicles Traveling on Unpaved Roads

Abstract Emission factors for particulate matter (PM) are generally reported as mass emission factors (PM mass emitted per time or activity) as appropriate for air quality standards based on mass concentration. However, for visibility and radiative transfer applications, scattering, absorption, and extinction coefficients are the parameters of interest, with visibility standards based on extinction coefficients. These coefficients (dimension of inverse distance) equal cross‐section concentrations, and, therefore, cross‐section emission factors are appropriate. Scattering cross‐section emission factors were determined for dust entrainment by nine vehicles, ranging from light passenger vehicles to heavy military vehicles, traveling on an unpaved road. Each vehicle made multiple passes at multiple speeds while scattering and absorption coefficients, wind velocity and dust plume profiles, and additional parameters were measured downwind of the road. Light absorption of the entrained PM was negligible, and the light extinction was primarily caused by scattering. The resulting scattering cross‐section emission factors per vehicle kilometer traveled (vkt) range from 12.5 m2/vkt for a slow (16 km/ hr), light (1176 kg) vehicle to 3724 m2/vkt for a fast (64 km/hr), heavy (17,727 kg) vehicle and generally increase with vehicle speed and mass. The increase is approximately linear with speed, yielding emission factors per vkt and speed ranging from 4.2 m2/(vkt km/hr) to 53 m2/(vkt km/hr). These emission factors depend approximately linearly on vehicle mass within the groups of light (vehicle mass ≤3100 kg) and heavy (vehicle mass >8000 kg) vehicles yielding emission factors per vkt, speed, and mass of 0.0056 m2/(vkt km/hr kg) and 0.0024 m2/(vkt km/hr kg), respectively. Comparison of the scattering cross‐section and PM mass emission factors yields average mass scattering efficiencies of 1.5 m2/g for the light vehicles and of 0.8 m2/g for the heavy vehicles indicating that the heavy vehicles entrain larger particles than the light vehicles.
Variably Protease-sensitive Prionopathy in an Apparent Cognitively Normal 93-Year-Old

(Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2015;29:173–176) Variably protease-sensitive prionopathy (VPSPr) is a recently described novel prion disease biochemically characterized by abnormal prion protein (PrP), which has various degrees of sensitivity to proteases and generates a distinct profile on Western blots.1 VPSPr is the second most common sporadic PrP disease after Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). 2 All reported cases to date have exhibited cognitive, behavioral, and psychiatric deficits with an age at onset range of 48 to 81 years and disease duration range of 7 to 72 months.1–4 Initial clinical diagnoses included normal pressure hydrocephalus, dementia with Lewy bodies, or frontotemporal dementia1,5; however, CJD often was considered clinically after rapid decline became apparent.1 All VPSPr cases evaluated have lacked mutations in the PrP gene (PRNP). 1,2,5 Initial reports indicated that all cases were homozygous for valine at codon 129 (VV) in PRNP.1 However, more recent reports have found VPSPr in all 3 codon 129 genotypes.2,5–7 Here we report a case of VPSPr in which there were no known clinical manifestations of prion disease during life, and yet pathognomonic findings were revealed at autopsy.
MR heating tests of MR critical implants

This article focuses on possible problems of MR heating tests for MR critical implants and gives some suggestions on how these problems could be mitigated. Critical implant length, MR heating tests in phantoms for 1.5T and 3.0T systems, whole-body averaged specific absorption rate provided by the MR system, and tissue damage assessment are briefly discussed. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is confronted with numerous MRI safety applications for implants. These MRI claims usually need to be supported by test results for force and torque, effects of the gradient fields, heating tests, and, in case of active implantable medical devices, by electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test. For all types of implants, active and passive, heating tests are necessary to ensure the safety of the patient when exposed to the radio frequency field of the MR scanner. Unfortunately, there is currently misunderstanding about possible pitfalls in performing MR heating tests, in interpreting the results, and in assessing the measurement uncertainty. Most MR heating tests refer to the ASTM Standard F2182-02a (1), which is for passive implants only. Recent investigations revealed several problems associated with ASTM F218202a. Therefore, the ASTM Committee F04 on Medical and Surgical Materials and Devices, Sub-Committee F04.15 on Material Test Methods is currently revising F2182-02a. The suggestions outlined below summarize the FDA’s current knowledge of MR-induced heating for MR critical implants, which is based on numerous MR heating test reports submitted to the FDA. Research in this area is ongoing, and future results will show how testing of MR-critical implants need to be revised and properly performed. In this article, MR critical implants are defined as:
Translation of Polarity Cues into Asymmetric Spindle Positioning in Caenorhabditis elegans Embryos

Asymmetric divisions are crucial for generating cell diversity; they rely on coupling between polarity cues and spindle positioning, but how this coupling is achieved is poorly understood. In one-cell stage Caenorhabditis elegans embryos, polarity cues set by the PAR proteins mediate asymmetric spindle positioning by governing an imbalance of net pulling forces acting on spindle poles. We found that the GoLoco-containing proteins GPR-1 and GPR-2, as well as the Gα subunits GOA-1 and GPA-16, were essential for generation of proper pulling forces. GPR-1/2 interacted with guanosine diphosphate-bound GOA-1 and were enriched on the posterior cortex in a par-3– and par-2–dependent manner. Thus, the extent of net pulling forces may depend on cortical Gα activity, which is regulated by anterior-posterior polarity cues through GPR-1/2.
Characteristics of behavioral and electroencephalographic after-reactions to copulation and viginal stimulation in the female rabbit.

Electroencephalographic (EEG) changes have been recorded from the brain of the conscious unrestrained female rabbit following coitus and vaginal stimulation. In the estrous estrogen-primed rabbit with electrodes permanently implanted in cortical and deep regions of the brain the following sequence of EEG changes has been observed: (1) A phase of sleep spindles lasting from several seconds to half an hour or more, during which the rabbit appears drowsy if not actually sleeping. (2) A phase of “hippocampal hyperactivity” characterized by an 8⁄sec. high amplitude synchronous EEG record from the hippocampus and its projections. During this period the rabbit is further depressed behaviorally: its head on the floor, ears retracted, eyes almost closed, pupils contracted, heart and respiratory rates slowed, and its only other motion consisting of twitches of the eyelids and jaw movements. Following this phase, which lasts only a few minutes, the rabbit usually stands and starts eating either food or feces which m.
Termination of Replication Stress Signaling via Concerted Action of the Slx4 Scaffold and the PP4 Phosphatase

In response to replication stress, signaling mediated by DNA damage checkpoint kinases protects genome integrity. However, following repair or bypass of DNA lesions, checkpoint signaling needs to be terminated for continued cell cycle progression and proliferation. In budding yeast, the PP4 phosphatase has been shown to play a key role in preventing hyperactivation of the checkpoint kinase Rad53. In addition, we recently uncovered a phosphatase-independent mechanism for downregulating Rad53 in which the DNA repair scaffold Slx4 decreases engagement of the checkpoint adaptor Rad9 at DNA lesions. Here we reveal that proper termination of checkpoint signaling following the bypass of replication blocks imposed by alkylated DNA adducts requires the concerted action of these two fundamentally distinct mechanisms of checkpoint downregulation. Cells lacking both SLX4 and the PP4-subunit PPH3 display a synergistic increase in Rad53 signaling and are exquisitely sensitive to the DNA alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate, which induces replication blocks and extensive formation of chromosomal linkages due to template switching mechanisms required for fork bypass. Rad53 hypersignaling in these cells seems to converge to a strong repression of Mus81-Mms4, the endonuclease complex responsible for resolving chromosomal linkages, thus explaining the selective sensitivity of slx4Δ pph3Δ cells to alkylation damage. Our results support a model in which Slx4 acts locally to downregulate Rad53 activation following fork bypass, while PP4 acts on pools of active Rad53 that have diffused from the site of lesions. We propose that the proper spatial coordination of the Slx4 scaffold and PP4 action is crucial to allow timely activation of Mus81-Mms4 and, therefore, proper chromosome segregation.
Bacterial uptake of aminoglycoside antibiotics.

The uptake or accumulation of aminoglycoside antibiotics by bacterial cells is a research area that is now more than 25 years old, yet the fundamental mechanisms by which these compounds find their way across the procaryotic cell envelope to their ribosomal targets are still obscure. In this manuscript, we try to present a critical overview of the subject and address a number of unresolved issues about the overall process of aminoglycoside uptake to suggest directions for future research. While not attempting to be comprehensive, we hope to cite the most critical papers and
Patients undergoing coronary revascularisation: a missed opportunity for secondary prevention?

Background: This study tested the hypothesis that the opportunity to start secondary prevention therapy before discharge after coronary revascularisation is being missed. The study assessed current prescribing practice and identified discrepancies in prescribing for patients managed by surgeons (especially) and cardiologists. Methods: 200 consecutive patients from the Manchester Heart Centre percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass (CABG) registries were identified (100 from each registry) and the notes analysed. All had undergone coronary revascularisation from February 2002 to March 2002. Data were analysed using SPSS for Windows, version 10.1. Results: After exclusion of two patients with contraindications, 100% (98 of 98) of PCI patients and 92% (90 of 98) CABG patients were prescribed aspirin at discharge. Eight two per cent of eligible PCI patients and 70% of eligible CABG patients were prescribed β blockers at discharge. Ninety six per cent (96 of 100) of PCI patients and 73% (73 of 100) of CABG patients were prescribed statins of any dose at discharge, (p<0.001). Sixty five per cent of PCI but only 26% of CABG patients were discharged prescribed ACE inhibitors (eligible patients based on HOPE, heart outcomes prevention evaluation trial), (p<0.001). Conclusions: Secondary prevention prescription after coronary revascularisation remains suboptimal in all but aspirin use. Patients in the PCI group were statistically more likely to be discharged prescribed a statin or an ACE inhibitor, or both, than patients after CABG. Both interventional cardiologists and (especially) cardiac surgeons must improve their use of secondary prevention therapy.
First Record of Culex coronator In Shelby County, Tennessee

ABSTRACT Culex coronator has been identified in Shelby County, TN, for the first time as an established species. This is an important discovery since the range of Cx. coronator is unknown in Tennessee and it has been found positive for West Nile virus. Larvae and an adult were discovered during routine surveillance. Larvae were collected at 9 different locations, while the 1 adult captured was at the 10th isolated location.