Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prion Protein Prevents Human Breast Carcinoma Cell Line from Tumor Necrosis Factor α-Induced Cell Death

To define genetic determinants of tumor cell resistance to the cytotoxic action of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF), we have applied cDNA microarrays to a human breast carcinoma TNF-sensitive MCF7 cell line and its established TNF-resistant clone. Of a total of 5760 samples of cDNA examined, 3.6% were found to be differentially expressed in TNF-resistant 1001 cells as compared with TNF-sensitive MCF7 cells. On the basis of available literature data, the striking finding is the association of some differentially expressed genes involved in the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt signaling pathway. More notably, we found that the PRNP gene coding for the cellular prion protein (PrPc), was 17-fold overexpressed in the 1001 cell line as compared with the MCF7 cell line. This differential expression was confirmed at the cell surface by immunostaining that indicated that PrPc is overexpressed at both mRNA and protein levels in the TNF-resistant derivative. Using recombinant adenoviruses expressing the human PrPc, our data demonstrate that PrPc overexpression converted TNF-sensitive MCF7 cells into TNF-resistant cells, at least in part, by a mechanism involving alteration of cytochrome c release from mitochondria and nuclear condensation.
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction, Alzheimer's disease, and anesthesia

Although aging itself is not a disease, there are many comorbidities that become more common with aging. Heart disease, cancer, and other chronic illnesses are either more common or more severe in aging patients. Approximately 5.5 million people in the United States have Alzheimer's disease (AD), with the principal risk factor being age. It is estimated that the incidence of AD diagnosis doubles every 5 years after the age of 65 [1]. Therefore, as the population ages, the impact of AD on the healthcare landscape will increase. Understanding how to manage patients with AD is critical as we begin to care for more elderly patients in the perioperative period [2]. In addition to their other health considerations, aging surgical patients are increasingly more likely to have pre-existing AD or be at risk for developing AD. There is growing interest to determine how anesthesia affects the development or progression of AD. Similarly, a best practice for the anesthetic management of patients with AD is not yet defined. Finally, the relationship between AD and susceptibility to or exacerbation of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is not well understood. In this review, we will discuss both the clinical and the preclinical data related to anesthesia and AD, describe the overlapping pathophysiology of neurodegeneration and provide some insight into the anesthetic care of patients with AD.
Fumonisins--novel mycotoxins with cancer-promoting activity produced by Fusarium moniliforme

Cultures on corn of Fusarium moniliforme MRC 826 are known to cause leukoencephalomalacia in horses and to be toxic and hepatocarcinogenic in rats. Culture material of this F. moniliforme isolate has also been shown to exhibit cancer-promoting activity in a short-term cancer initiation-promotion bioassay with diethylnitrosamine-initiated rats and the induction of gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase-positive (GGT+) foci as an endpoint after 4 weeks of promotion. This bioassay was used as a monitoring system to isolate cancer-promoting compounds from cultures of F. moniliforme MRC 826. Culture material was successively extracted with ethyl acetate and CH3OH-H2O (3:1). Most of the cancer-promoting activity was recovered in the CH3OH-H2O extract and remained in the aqueous phase following partitioning of this extract between CH3OH-H2O (1:3) and CHCl3. The CH3OH-H2O fraction was chromatographed on an Amberlite XAD-2 column, and the active fraction was eluted with CH3OH. This fraction was chromatographed on a silica gel column with CHCl3-CH3OH-CH3COOH (6:3:1) as eluent and further purified on a C18 reverse-phase column. Two pure compounds were isolated, and these have been chemically characterized and given the trivial names fumonisin B1 and B2. At least 2 g of the major compound fumonisin B1 was purified from 1 kg of culture material. Fumonisin B1 in the diet (0.1%) significantly (P less than 0.001) induced the formation of GGT+ foci in the livers of initiated as well as noninitiated rats. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Observations et essai d'interprétation des déplacements nocturnes des papillons de la pyrale du maïs Ostrinia nubilalis Hb. (lépidoptère Pyralidae) entre peuplement végétal refuge et maïs

Pendant plusieurs etes au debut juillet entre 1978 et 83, on a observe le comportement de deplacement nocturne des adultes de premiere generation de la pyrale du mais. Dans la journee, les papillons sont immobiles, au repos sur des vegetaux non-hotes. Le vol commence des le crepuscule et le pic se situe vers 20 h 30. Les papillons quittent les bordures et se dirigent rapidement vers le milieu du champ de mais. On note alors une activite sexuelle importante pour l'espece. Le determinisme et les implications ecologiques de ces mouvements pendulaires nocturnes sont discutes
Fluorinert, an oxygen carrier, improves cell culture performance in deep square 96‐well plates by facilitating oxygen transfer

In bioprocess development, the 96‐well plate format has been widely used for high‐throughput screening of production cell line or culture conditions. However, suspension cell cultures in conventional 96‐well plates often fail to reach high cell density under normal agitation presumably due to constraints in oxygen transfer. Although more vigorous agitation can improve gas transfer in 96‐well plate format, it often requires specialized instruments. In this report, we employed Fluorinert, a biologically inert perfluorocarbon, to improve oxygen transfer in 96‐well plate and to enable the growth of a Chinese Hamster Ovary cell line expressing a recombinant monoclonal antibody. When different amounts of Fluorinert were added to the cell culture medium, a dose‐dependent improvement in cell growth was observed in both conventional and deep square 96‐well plates. When sufficient Fluorinert was present in the culture, the cell growth rate, the peak cell density, and recombinant protein production levels achieved in deep square 96‐wells were comparable to cultures in ventilated shake flasks. Although Fluorinert is known to dissolve gases such as oxygen and CO2, it does not dissolve nor extract medium components, such as glucose, lactate, or amino acids. We conclude that mixing Fluorinert with culture media is a suitable model for miniaturization of cell line development and process optimization. Proper cell growth and cellular productivity can be obtained with a standard shaker without the need for any additional aeration or vigorous agitation. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 2012
Lessons From Evaluations of Purchaser Pay-for-Performance Programs

There has been a growing interest in the use of financial incentives to encourage improvements in the quality of health care. Several articles have reviewed past studies of the impact of specific incentive arrangements, but these studies addressed small-scale experiments, making their findings arguably of limited relevance to current improvement efforts. In this article, the authors review evaluations of more recent pay-for-performance initiatives instituted by health plans or by provider organizations in cooperation with health plans. Findings show improvement in selected quality measures in most of these initiatives, but the contribution of financial incentives to that improvement is not clear; the incentives typically were implemented in conjunction with other quality improvement efforts, or there was not a convincing comparison group. However, the literature relating to purchaser pay-for-performance initiatives does underscore several important issues that deserve attention going forward that relate to the design and implementation of pay-for-performance initiatives.
Les proches aidants dans les maladies chroniques : pour une vision systémique et durable

Dans le contexte particulier des maladies chroniques, dont la forme la plus symbolique par ses consequences multiples en sont les maladies neurodegeneratives de type Alzheimer, les aidants familiaux sont identifies aujourd’hui comme des acteurs a part entiere d’une prise en soin globale a domicile comme en institution d’accueil. Grâce a eux, plus d’un million de personnes en France, gravement atteintes dans leurs autonomies psychiques et physiques peuvent rester plusieurs annees a leur domicile. Pour les soutenir dans leurs responsabilites, des formations des aidants familiaux ont ete concues et deployees dans tous les departements. L’alliance des associations agreees en sante et des proches aidants avec les professionnels de la sante, est indispensable pour partager des competences et mieux repondre aux enjeux toujours complexes des maladies chroniques aujourd’hui, defi de notre XXIe siecle.
Establishing Efficacy of a New Experimental Treatment in the ‘Gold Standard’ Design

Provided that there are no ethical concerns, the comparison of an active drug with placebo in a randomized two‐arm clinical trial provides the most convincing way to demonstrate the efficacy of a new experimental treatment. However, in a placebo‐controlled clinical trial it is not sufficient to demonstrate merely a statistically significant treatment difference. Regulatory authorities strongly recommend to assess additionally whether the observed treatment difference is also of clinical relevance. The inherent issue is the necessity of the a priori definition of what constitutes a clinically relevant difference in efficacy. This problem can be solved in a three‐arm study by including an active control group. We address the necessary conditions in the gold standard design which allow the claim of efficacy for the new treatment with particular focus on assay sensitivity. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Human sleep: its duration and organization depend on its circadian phase.

Two- to threefold variations in sleep length were observed in 12 subjects living on self-selected schedules in an environment free of time cues. The duration of polygraphically recorded sleep episodes was highly correlated with the circadian phase of the body temperature rhythm at bedtime and not with the length of prior wakefulness. Furthermore, the rate of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep accumulation , REM latency, bedtime selection, and self-rated alertness assessments were also correlated with the body temperature rhythm.
ECHAP « L’architecture des couverts végétaux : un levier pour réduire l’utilisation des fongicides ? »

L’objectif du projet ECHAP est d’identifier les possibilites de reduction de traitements fongicides via l’utilisation de l’architecture des couverts. Le projet a tout d’abord apporte des connaissances qui ont leve des verrous sur les mecanismes d’interaction. Il combine egalement 3 experimentations operationnelles au champ et un travail de modelisation du systeme. Les experimentations au champ confirment l’effet de l’architecture sur le developpement epidemique ainsi que l’effet marque sur l’interception des fongicides et qui s’exprime clairement entre les varietes. Un modele innovant et original simulant le systeme « architecture–epidemie-fongicide », septo3dfongi, a ete developpe. Il est operationnel et permet de simuler et de raisonner des strategies de traitements. Des criteres d’evaluation multicriteres des strategies ont ete egalement proposes.
Sexueller Zwang bei Primaten: Evolutionäre Ursachen und Gegenstrategien der Weibchen

Im Tierreich konkurrieren Mannchen in der Regel um Zugang zu Weibchen und die Weibchen sind wahlerisch in Bezug auf ihre Paarungspartner. Das fuhrt zu intersexueller und intrasexueller Selektion, aber auch zu Konflikten zwischen den Geschlechtern. Dieser sexuelle Konflikt hat Konsequenzen fur Verhalten, Morphologie und Physiologie beider Geschlechter. Sexueller Zwang (sexual coercion) durch Mannchen, der vor allem bei Arten mit ausgepragtem Geschlechtsdimorphismus vorkommt, kann als Anpassung an diesen Konflikt gesehen werden. Eine extreme Form von sexuellem Zwang ist Infantizid, der eine adaptive Reproduktionsstrategie der Mannchen sein kann. Das Risiko, Nachkommen durch Infantizid zu verlieren, ist fur Primatenweibchen besonders hoch, da die Laktationsperiode langer als die Trachtigkeit dauert und die verkurzten Geburtsintervalle fur kindstotende Mannchen einen grosen Vorteil bieten. Vor allem bei Altweltaffen findet man als Gegenstrategie der Weibchen eine Tendenz zur Verschleierung der Vaterschaft durch Promiskuitat, einhergehend mit langen, rezeptiven Perioden. Auch bei Menschen kommen Kopulationen uber den ganzen Zyklus und auch wahrend der Schwangerschaft vor. Bei uns scheint diese Eigenschaft eine weitere Funktion zu haben: sie fordert langfristige Paarbeziehungen innerhalb gemischtgeschlechtlicher Gruppen. Warum sexueller Zwang trotzdem so haufig auftritt, wird anhand der Primatenbefunde und Daten von Jager- und Sammlergesellschaften diskutiert.
Electromagnetic vertex of neutrinos in an electron background and a magnetic field

We study the electromagnetic vertex function of a neutrino that propagates in an electron background in the presence of a static magnetic field. The structure of the vertex function under the stated conditions is determined and it is written down in terms of a minimal and complete set of tensors. The one-loop expressions for all the form factors is given, up to terms that are linear in the magnetic field, and the approximate integral formulas that hold in the long wavelength limit are obtained. We discuss the physical interpretation of some of the form factors and their relation with the concept of the neutrino induced charge. The neutrino acquires a longitudinal and a transverse charge, due to the fact that the form factors depend on the transverse and longitudinal components of the photon momentum independently. We compute those form factors explicitly in various limiting cases and find that the longitudinal and transverse charge are the same for the case of a non-relativistic electron gas, but not otherwise.
Influence of ethanolic extract of Borassus flabellifer L. male flowers (inflorescences) on chemically induced acute-inflammation and poly arthritis in rats.

The present study was designed to investigate anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic activities of ethanolic extract of male flowers (inflorescences) of Borassus flabellifer L (Arecaceae). Nystatin-induced rat paw edema model was employed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity and Freund’s Complete Adjuvant (FCA) induced poly arthritis was used to screen antiarthritic potential of the extract. Various haematological and biochemical parameters like hydroxyproline, hexosamine, total protein content, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), lipid peroxidation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also estimated as supportive studies. The extract at doses 200mg/kg b.w. and 400mg/kg b.w. and diclofenac sodium (standard) at 100mg/kg b.w. showed significant anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic activity, as compared to control (p< 0.0001). The extract and standard drug also showed significant (p<0.0001) results for haematological and biochemical parameters. The results of the present study further confirm the use of Borassus flabellifer L. traditionally for the treatment of painful inflammatory conditions and in arthritic pain.
The linkage between knowledge accumulation capability and organizational innovation

Purpose – The main purpose of this paper is to explore the effect of knowledge accumulation capability on organizational innovation. This study also attempts to find if interaction between external environment or organizational culture and knowledge accumulation ability will influence organizational innovation.Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative research design was employed. A total of 1,000 questionnaires were mailed out and received 129 valid replies.Findings – The research results indicate that the capability to obtain knowledge can positively and significantly affect knowledge administrative and technical innovation. Knowledge expansion capability can positively and significantly affect administrative innovation. In addition, external environment and organizational culture have significant interaction effects with knowledge accumulation capability on organizational innovation.Research limitations/implications – This research discussed only some organizational layers like knowledge accumulatio.
Primitive stream segregation of tone sequences without differences in fundamental frequency or passband.

Peripheral-channeling theorists argue that differences in excitation pattern between successive sounds are necessary for stream segregation to occur. The component phases of complex tones comprising unresolved harmonics (F0=100 Hz) were manipulated to change pitch and timbre without changing the power spectrum. In experiment 1, listeners compared two alternating sequences of tones, A and B. One sequence was isochronous (tone duration=60 ms, intertone interval=40 ms). The other began isochronously, but the progressive delay of tone B made the rhythm irregular. Subjects had to identify the sequence with irregular rhythm. Stream segregation makes this task more difficult. A and B could differ in passband (1250-2500 Hz, 1768-3536 Hz, 2500-5000 Hz), component phase (cosine, alternating, random), or both. Stimuli were presented at 70 dB SPL in pink noise. Dissimilarity in either passband or phase increased discrimination thresholds. Moreover, phase differences raised threshold even when there was no passband difference. In experiment 2, listeners judged moment-by-moment the grouping of long ABA-ABA-. sequences. The measure was the proportion of time a sequence was heard as segregated. The factors that increased segregation were very similar to those that increased threshold in experiment 1. Overall, the findings indicate that substantial stream segregation can occur without differences in power spectrum. It is concluded that differences in peripheral channeling are not a requirement for stream segregation.
Role of the CD4 Receptor in Human T Lymphocyte Signalling: Effects of HIV-1 Infection on Human T Cell Activation

Abstract : It has previously been shown that infection of human CD4 cells with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) results in the establishment of a chronic, non-cytopathic infection. We have recently found that cells infected with HIV-1 exhibit a specific impairment of cellular signalling. After polyclonal stimulation of the CD3/T cell receptor complex by anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, the cells have a blunted or absent increase in the intracellular free calcium concentration within the first three minutes after simulation. In the present study we have investigated the mechanisms of the effect on cellular signalling by HIV-1. CD4 T cells were infected with HIV-1 and labeled with myoinositol. Inositol phosphate production was impaired after CD3 stimulation, suggesting that the effect of HIV-occurs at or before the activation of phosphoinositide specific phospholipase C. Recent studies have shown that the CD4 molecule is involved in cellular signalling with the T cell receptor as well as functioning as a receptor for MHC class II antigen and as the receptor for the HIV-1 virus. To further investigate the effects of HIV-1 on cellular signalling, the CEM leukemic T cell line was chronically infected with HIV-1, or a spontaneous mutant strain of HIV-1 that fails to cause modulation of the CD4 antigen. Calcium mobilization was impaired in cells infected with both strains of virus, indicating that impaired signalling is not simply the result of decreased surface expression of the CD4 receptor. Reprints. (kt)
The ventral striatopallidothalamic projection: II. The ventral pallidothalamic link

The projection of ventral pallidal neurons to the mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus (MD) was examined in rats by combined retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) after injections in the MD and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) immunocytochemistry at light and electron microscopic levels, with and without prior exposure of the brains to colchicine. HRP was transported Lo the soma of medium‐sized and large ventral pallidum neurons, which along with their long, large dendrites were contacted by many glutamate decarboxylase immunoreactive synaptic boutons. The retrograde tracer positive neurons bore a remarkable resemblance to the projecting cells of the globus pallidus and entopeduncular nucleus. When colchine exposure was included in the tissue preparation, some but not all tracer positive cells also exhibited cytoplasmic GAD immunoreactivity.
La perturbation du réseau neuronal postéro-médial au repos prédit la récupération du coma

Objectif : Evaluer la valeur pronostique de la synchronisation spontanee de l'activite cerebrale dans le cortex postero-medial (CPM) dans une cohorte de patients cerebroleses en phase aigue du coma. Methode : Nous comparons 27 patients dans le coma (GCS < 8/15) apres une agression cerebrale severe : 14 traumatises crâniens graves (TCG) et 13 patients en coma post-anoxique (CA) a 14 volontaires sains. Une IRM fonctionnelle (IRMf) de repos etait realisee dans les 4 +/- 2 jours apres l'arret des sedations. Le pronostic neurologique des patients etait evalue a 3 mois par le score de CRS-R. Resultats : Les patients montraient une alteration significative de la connectivite cerebrale fonctionnelle dans les aires spontanement synchronisees avec le CCP quelle que soit l'etiologie. La connectivite entre le CCP et le cortex prefrontal median (mPFC) etait significativement differente chez les patients dans le coma qui recuperent a 3 mois que ceux ayant un mauvais pronostic a 3 mois (p< 0.001). Conclusion : Quelle que soit l'etiologie (TCG et CA), il existe une deconnexion entre le CCP-mPFC chez les patients dans le coma. La connectivite fonctionnelle entre CCP-mPFC a une valeur predictive du pronostic a 3 mois et pourrait donc constituer un biomarqueur pronostique des patients dans le coma.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Agarase-Producing Sphingomonas sp. MCT13

Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy, Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy, Clinical Microbiology and Virology Unit, Florence Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
Pharmacological recruitment of the GABAergic tail of the ventral tegmental area by acute drug exposure

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The tail of the ventral tegmental area (tVTA), also called the rostromedial tegmental nucleus, is a newly defined brain structure and a potential control centre for dopaminergic activity. It was identified by the induction of DeltaFosB following chronic cocaine exposure. In this work, we screened 20 drugs for their ability to induce FosB/DeltaFosB in the tVTA.
THE BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF UV‐B ON THE EYE

–The adverse effects of ultraviolet‐B (UV‐B) radiation on the eye have been suspected but only recently have they been quantified by epidemiologic studies in humans. These studies became possible as methods to qualify individual ocular UV‐B exposure were developed. A consistent dose‐dependent association between ocular UV‐B exposure and two common types of cataract (cortical and posterior subcapsular) has been shown. Although suggested by experimental studies, at present, evidence does not exist to link UV‐B exposure to senile macular degeneration. Ocular exposure to UV‐B is also associated with several corneal changes, pterygium, climatic droplet keratopathy, and acute photokeratitis (snow blindness). Significant reduction in ocular UV‐B exposure results from the use of eyeglasses and hats.