Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Protective effects of metallothionein induced by dexamethasone against ischemia/reperfusion injury of myocardium of isolated rat heart].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective effects of metallothionein (MT) induced by dexamethasone (DEX) against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of myocardium of isolated rat heart. METHODS Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided randomly into the DEX and control groups. In the former group, the rats were pretreated with DEX, and in latter group distilled water was given before their hearts were isolated for Langendorff perfusion and I/R. MT was assessed by Western blotting. The left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), maximal change rate of intraventricular pressure rise/down (+/-dp/dt max), coronary artery flow (CF) and reperfusion arrhythmias were observed dynamically before ischemia and during 60-minute reperfusion following 30-minute ischemia, The hearts were perfused with triphenyltetrazolium (TTC) after 60-minute reperfusion. The myocardial infarct size was measured with Adobe Photoshop. The levels of MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB), malonaldehyde (MDA), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), CuZn-SOD, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the activities of Na+-K+-ATPase, Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase were detected. RESULTS Compared with control group, the expression of MT was significantly increased (3.085+/-1.065 vs. 1.028+/-0.016, P<0.05), the LVDP, +/-dp/dt max and CF were greatly improved (all P<0.05), the accumulated point of ventricular arrhythmia and the infarct size were significantly reduced in DEX group [(2.00+/-1.41) scores vs. (6.63+/-4.24) scores and (28.38+/-11.22)% vs. (47.39+/-8.30)%, respectively, both P<0.01]. The level of CK-MB was significantly lowered in the DEX group compared with control group [(8.69+/-4.16)U/g vs. (18.15+/-5.59) U/g, P<0.01], and myocardium MDA content was decreased (P<0.05). Moreover, the levels of T-SOD, CuZn-SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and the activities of Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase were significantly increased (P<0.05 or/and P<0.01) in DEX group. CONCLUSION DEX induces upregulation of MT, which attenuates I/R injury in rat heart.
Expression of the MAGE-1 gene in human hepatocellular carcinomas.

OBJECTIVE To further investigate the expression of MAGE-1 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS The tumors and adjacent liver tissue from 45 HCC patients and liver tissue from 28 non-HCC patients (16 with liver cirrhosis and 12 with normal liver) were characterized by RT-PCR. A 421 bp PCR product from a cDNA fragment spanning exons 1, 2 and 3 was sequenced. The HLA type was assayed by standard ELISA in 43 HCC patients. RESULTS Thirty-two of 45 tumor tissues from HCC patients expressed MAGE-1 mRNA (71.1%). In contrast, MAGE-1 mRNA was not detected in adjacent tissues. Three were found to have point mutations at 3 identical sites resulting in the substitution of two amino acid residues. The most frequent HLA types in 43 HCC patients were: HLA-A2, 53.5%; A11, 25.6%; A24, 20.9%; A33, 20.9%; HLA-B13, 28.3% and B35, 23.2%. Expression of HLA-A33 (20.9%) was higher in HCC patients than that predicted in the normal Chinese population (8.8%). There was no discemable correlation between MAGE-1 expression and alpha-FP level, tumor size and hepatitis B or C virus infection. The identification of peptides which are restricted by haploptypes other than A1 should increase the opportunity for peptide based immunotherapy. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that MAGE-1 mRNA is highly expressed in HCC tumor tissue in Chinese patients. Previously unreported point mutations in the MAGE-1 gene are described and may also provide additional opportunities for immunotherapy.
Central Serotonin Depletion: Effect on Blood Pressure during Anesthesia

Serotonin (5-HT) in the central nervous system has been implicated in blood pressure control in both normotensive and hypertensive states. Parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA) depletes 5-HT in the central nervous system. Normotensive Wistar rats, Wistar rats made hypertensive by renal artery clipping (RHR), and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were depleted of central serotonin by the administration of PCPA. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels were measured in rats both before and after they were administered anesthesia with enflurane. Blood pressure was further decreased by the administration of saralasin, a competitive inhibitor of angiotensin II. Principal results are as follows. Central 5-HT was depleted by 70% or more with PCPA. In general, brain catecholamines were not altered by this treatment. No consistent patteRN of change in MAP, HR, or plasma NE was observed for Wistar rats, RHR, or SHR during an awake control period in rats treated with PCPA compared with rats treated with vehicle. However, during enflurane anesthesia or enflurane anesthesia with saralasin, MAP, HR, and plasma NE were significantly greater in Wistar rats and RHR treated with PCPA compared to similar groups treated with vehicle. This was not observed in SHR: MAP, HR, and plasma NE were similar to vehicle-treated SHR. Nonsignificant changes in plasma epinephrine, plasma renin activity, or arterial blood gas tensions could not explain the differences seen in Wistar rats, RHR, or SHR. Central serotonin plays an important role in cardiovascular control during anesthesia with enflurane in Wistar rats but does not appear to play a dominant role in SHR.
Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopy in the Treatment of Complicated Intrahepatic Biliary Strictures and Hepatolithiasis With Internal Metallic Stent

For recurrent hepatolithiasis coexisting with a complicated long-segment intrahepatic biliary stricture, repeated surgeries, balloon dilation of the stricture, and external-internal stenting may still fail to solve the problem. We tried using a Gianturco-Rosch metallic Z internal stent (Wilson-Cook Medical, Inc., Bloomington, IN, USA) with the aid of percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) to treat such patients. Eight patients had a Z stent placed through a percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage tract. Immediately after stent placement, PTCS was inserted via the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage route and a part of the wire skirt not firmly anchored in one of the eight patients was detected. It was successfully repositioned using PTCS. Recurrent cholangitis developed in three patients 6, 7, and 30 months, respectively, after stent placement. PTCS was undertaken again through a reestablished percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage route and revealed sludge in their stent lumens. We cleared it by PTCS. No further cases of cholangitis occurred in later follow-up. PTCS is useful in ensuring adequate stent position, diagnosing and treating the causes of recurrent cholangitis, and prolonging the function of stents.
Using disposable polydimethylsiloxane fibers to assess the bioavailability of permethrin in sediment

Pyrethroid insecticides are widely used in both agricultural and urban environments. Pyrethroids have been frequently detected in California, USA, stream bed sediments. Pyrethroids are strongly hydrophobic so their bioavailability is determined by their sorption to sediment. In the present study, we used disposable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fibers to sample from the freely dissolved (effective) permethrin concentration that governs bioaccumulation and toxicity, and tested the correlation of those measurements with uptake by Chironomus tentans. In sediments that were incrementally diluted with silica sand, both PDMS fiber and organic carbon (OC) normalized sediment concentrations were highly correlated with C. tentans permethrin uptake. However, for multiple sediments with OC ranging from 1.4 to 27%, C. tentans permethrin uptake showed a better correlation with PDMS fiber concentrations than sediment OC‐normalized concentrations. We conclude that the qualitative properties of sediment OC influence permethrin phase distribution and therefore the bioavailability of permethrin in sediment–water systems. Consequently selective methods such as PDMS fibers yield improved estimates of bioaccumulation and toxicity as such methods detect freely dissolved permethrin concentrations in the sediment.
DNase I and II present in avian oocytes: a possible involvement in sperm degradation at polyspermic fertilisation

During polyspermic fertilisation in birds numerous spermatozoa enter the eggs, in contrast to the situation in mammals where fertilisation is monospermic. However, in birds only one of the spermatozoa which have entered an egg participates in zygote nucleus formation, while the supernumerary spermatozoa degenerate at early embryogenesis. Our previous work has demonstrated the presence in preovulatory quail oocytes of DNase I and II activities able to digest naked λDNA/HindIII substrate in vitro. In the present studies, the activities of both DNases in quail oocytes at different stages of oogenesis and in ovulated mouse oocytes were assayed in vitro using the same substrate. Degradation of quail spermatozoa by quail oocyte extracts was also checked. Digestion of the DNA substrate was evaluated by electrophoresis on agarose gels. The activities of DNase I and II in quail oocytes increased during oogenesis and were the highest in mature oocytes. The activities were present not only in germinal discs but also in a thin layer of cytoplasm adhering to the perivitelline layer surrounding the yolk. At all stages of oogenesis the activity of DNase II was much higher than that of DNase I. DNA contained in spermatozoa was also degraded by the quail oocyte extracts under conditions optimal for both DNases. In contrast to what is observed in quail oocytes, no DNase activities were detected in ovulated mouse eggs; this is logical as they would be useless or even harmful in monospermic fertilisation. The possible role of DNase activities in avian oocytes, in degradation of accessory spermatozoa during polyspermic fertilisation, is discussed.
Reduced transfusion requirements with a closed cardiopulmonary bypass system.

AIM The aim of this investigation is to reduce blood transfusion in cardiac surgery patients with preoperative conditions predictive for transfusion requirements. We compared the amount of blood transfused in two groups of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with two different circuit systems. METHODS Sixty patients undergoing cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to two groups: in group A (N=30) cardiopulmonary bypass was accomplished with an open circuit and in group B (N=30) with a closed circuit. The open circuit consisted of a cardiotomy reservoir, a membrane oxygenator and an arterial line filter, while the closed circuit was made up of a collapsible venous reservoir, a membrane oxygenator, an arterial line filter and a cardiotomy reservoir. The amount of transfused packed red cells in each patient was measured until discharge from the hospital. RESULTS Groups were similar regarding age, gender, body surface area (BSA), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and comorbidity risk factors. Moreover, there were no significant differences between groups regarding the type of procedures, CPB and aortic cross-clamp times, total amount of cardioplegia and urinary output during CPB. Priming volume was 1180+/-84 mL (group A) and 760+/-72 mL (group B) (P<0.001). Significant differences in transfusion requirements emerged in the two groups: the total volume of packed red cells transfused for each patient was significantly higher in the open system group compared to the closed system group (717+/-486 mL versus 378+/-364 mL) (P=0.003). Clinical outcomes were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION In patients with preoperative conditions predictive for the need of transfusions, the use of a closed cardiopulmonary bypass circuit can diminish the amount of transfused blood products.
Origin of HBV and Its Arrival in the Americas – the Importance of Natural Selection on Time Estimates

Background The strong geographic structure shown by the global pattern of HBV lineages suggests an ancient origin for this virus; however, estimates based on the molecular clock suggest a very recent origin for the Native American genotypes F and H. In this study, we contribute to this debate by estimating the divergence times of genotypes F and H and by discussing how evolutionary rates estimated from recent samples may underestimate the divergence time of more ancient nodes in HBV phylogenies. Methods A total of 108 complete HBV genotype F and H genomes were compared to 44 reference genomes from other genotypes. Time estimates were based on a Bayes-ian method with evolutionary rates taken from the literature. To assess the pattern of substitutions in recent versus old branches we mapped the phylogenetic distribution of all mutations occurring in genotypes F and H using a maximum likelihood approach and compared the number of synonymous and non-synonymous mutations in young and old branches of HBV genotype F and H phylogeny using a c2 test. Results Estimated divergence times between genotypes F and H depend heavily on the evolutionary rate. While fast rates suggest a recent separation of these genotypes (approximately 800 years ago), slow rates suggest an earlier divergence (up to approximately 13,000 years ago). There is a clear excess of non-synonymous substitutions in the most recent branches of HBV phylogeny (P=4.87x10-15), most likely suggesting the action of purifying selection. Conclusions These results suggest that rates estimated based on recent samples will overestimate the evolutionary rate and underestimate the coalescence times for ancient nodes in HBV phylogeny.
Current Stability in Multi-Mesa-Channel AlGaN/GaN HEMTs

We develop and characterize multi-mesa-channel (MMC) AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), in which a periodic trench structure is fabricated only under the gate electrode. A surrounding-field effect in the MMC structure results in a shallower threshold voltage and a smaller subthreshold slope than those of the standard planar-type HEMT. In addition, the MMC HEMT shows a low knee voltage and a weak dependence of on-resistance (RON) on the gate-drain distance. Following identical off-state bias stress, the MMC HEMT exhibits low current collapse. The relative decrease in access resistance of the MMC device compared with the planar device can reduce the effects of access resistance on the drain current. It is likely that a high impedance of each nanochannel also contributes to the current stability of the MMC HEMT.
Dialogue between Blastocyst hCG and Endometrial LH/hCG Receptor: Which Role in Implantation?

The specific interaction of blastocyst-derived human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and endometrial LH/hCG-R constitutes a fundamental component of the molecular dialogue at the materno-fetal interface. From our observations and studies from other groups, hCG was indeed shown to play a significant role in implantation and tolerance of the embryo, decidual differentiation and remodeling, as well as in placentation. The profile pattern of LH/hCG-R expression by endometrial epithelium correlates with the theoretical timing of the implantation window. Studies are currently being conducted in assisted medical procreation and in an animal model of implantation to establish the index of LH/hCG-R expression as a new biomarker of uterine receptivity for embryo implantation.
[Juvenile experience and learning modulate the functional maturation of the brain: relevance for the genesis and therapy of mental disorders].

This article summarizes experimental data that indicate how juvenile experience and learning events modulate the functional maturation of the brain, shaping thereby the neuronal substrate for the development of intellectual and socio-emotional abilities. The fact that early experience occurs during early postnatal brain development, i.e. phases of elevated neuronal and synaptic plasticity, results in an "imprinting" of synaptic connectivity and neural circuitry in the infant brain. Results from experimental research in animal models support the hypothesis that impoverished intellectual stimulation and disturbance of the socio-emotional environment during early childhood may disturb the formation of functional brain pathways, in particular of the limbic circuits, which play a major role in emotion and learning. Such defective brain systems, representing neurofunctional "scars" in the brain, may be the neuronal basis of a variety of mental disorders and clinical symptoms caused by early stressful psychosocial environment. Ultimately, the goal will be to apply the knowledge gained to the development of biological and psychosocial intervention strategies by utilizing remaining plasticity of the adult human brain aimed at promoting human health, decreasing susceptibility and increasing resistance to disease.
Identification and Characterization of the Brucella abortus Phosphoglucomutase Gene: Role of Lipopolysaccharide in Virulence and Intracellular Multiplication

ABSTRACT Smooth lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of Brucella abortus has been reported to be an important virulence factor, although its precise role in pathogenesis is not yet clear. While the protective properties of LPS against complement are well accepted, there is still some controversy about the capacity of rough mutants to replicate intracellularly. The B. abortus phosphoglucomutase gene (pgm) was cloned, sequenced, and disrupted. The gene has a high index of identity to Agrobacterium tumefaciens pgm but is not part of the glycogen operon. A B. abortus null mutant lacks LPS O antigen but has an LPS core with an electrophoretic profile undistinguishable from that of the wild-type core, suggesting that glucose, galactose, or a derivative of these sugars may be part of the linkage between the core and the O antigen. This mutant is unable to survive in mice but replicates in HeLa cells, indicating that the complete LPS is not essential either for invasion or for intracellular multiplication. This behavior suggests that the LPS may play a role in extracellular survival in the animal, probably protecting the cell against complement-mediated lysis, but is not involved in intracellular survival.
An alternative route of infection for viruses: entry by means of the asialoglycoprotein receptor of a Sendai virus mutant lacking its attachment protein.

During the first stage of infection, the paramyxovirus Sendai virus attaches to host cells by recognizing specific receptors on the cell surface. Productive virus-cell interactions result in membrane fusion between the viral envelope and the cell surface membrane. It has recently been shown that the ganglioside GD1a and its more complex homologs GT1b and GQ1b are cell surface receptors for Sendai virus. We report in this paper that the temperature-sensitive mutant ts271 of the Enders strain of Sendai virus lacks the viral attachment protein HN and the biological activities of hemagglutination and sialidase activity associated with it when the virus is grown at 38 degrees C. This HN- virus was unable to infect or agglutinate conventional host cells that contained receptor gangliosides and were readily infected by the parental wild-type virus. The HN- virus did, however, attach to and infect Hep G2 cells, a line of hepatoma cells that retains the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) upon continuous culture. This receptor is a mammalian lectin that recognizes galactose- or N-acetylgalactosamine-terminated proteins. In accordance with the known properties of this receptor, infection by the HN- virus was abolished by treatment of Hep G2 cells with sialidase, by the presence of Ca2+ chelators, and by competition with N-acetylgalactosamine, asialoorosomucoid, and antibody to the receptor. F, the only glycoprotein on the HN- virus, was shown to compete with the galactose-terminated protein asialoorosomucoid for the ASGP-R. The ability of the HN- virus to cause cell-cell fusion of Hep G2 cells indicated that attachment of this virus to the ASGP-R still permitted viral entry by its usual mode--i.e., membrane fusion at the cell surface. These results open up the possibility that enveloped viruses, which contain glycosylated proteins or lipids, may make use of naturally occurring lectins in addition to their normal receptors as a means of attachment to host cells.
Cyclooxygenase-2 and atherosclerosis

Cyclooxygenase regulates the production of eicosanoids, which modulate physiologic processes in the vessel wall contributing to atherosclerosis and thrombosis, including platelet aggregation, control of vascular tone, and the local inflammatory response. Cyclooxygenase-1 mediates production of platelet thromboxane A2, a potent vasoconstrictor and platelet agonist, whereas both cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 contribute to production of endothelial prostacyclin, a vasodilator that inhibits platelet activation. Concerns have been raised that cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors may increase thrombotic cardiovascular events by disturbing the balance between platelet thromboxane A2 and endothelial prostacyclin, but this controversial issue will only be resolved by prospective clinical trials. Because cyclooxygenase-2 is upregulated in activated monocyte/macrophages, which play a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, we have recently tested the hypothesis that pharmacological inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 in LDL-receptor deficient mice would reduce early atherosclerosis. After 6 weeks on a Western-type diet, male LDL-receptor deficient mice treated with either rofecoxib (a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor) or indomethacin (a non-selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor) had significant reductions in atherosclerosis when compared with control mice. Also, LDL-receptor deficient mice null for macrophage cyclooxygenase-2 were generated by fetal liver cell transplantation and developed significantly less atherosclerosis than control LDL-receptor deficient mice transplanted with fetal liver cells wildtype for cyclooxygenase-2, providing genetic evidence in support of a proatherogenic role for macrophage cyclooxygenase-2 expression. These results support the potential of antiinflammatory approaches for the prevention of atherosclerosis and identify cyclooxygenase-2 as a target for intervention.
Corneal Opacity in Domestic Ducks Experimentally Infected With H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus

Domestic ducks can be a key factor in the regional spread of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus in Asia. The authors performed experimental infections to examine the relationship between corneal opacity and H5N1 HPAI virus infection in domestic ducks (Anas platyrhyncha var domestica). A total of 99 domestic ducks, including 3 control birds, were used in the study. In experiment 1, when domestic ducks were inoculated intranasally with 2 H5N1 HPAI viruses, corneal opacity appeared more frequently than neurologic signs and mortality. Corneal ulceration and exophthalmos were rare findings. Histopathologic examinations of the eyes of domestic ducks in experiment 2 revealed that corneal opacity was due to the loss of corneal endothelial cells and subsequent keratitis with edema. Influenza viral antigen was detected in corneal endothelial cells and some other ocular cells by immunohistochemistry. Results suggest that corneal opacity is a characteristic and frequent finding in domestic ducks infected with the H5N1 HPAI virus. Confirming this ocular change may improve the detection rate of infected domestic ducks in the field.