Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rotenone increases glutamate‐induced dopamine release but does not affect hydroxyl‐free radical formation in rat striatum

Impairment of the mitochondrial complex I has been found in Parkinson's disease and recently long‐term treatment with the complex I inhibitor rotenone led to neurodegeneration and Lewy body‐like inclusions in rats. To investigate the relationship of free radical formation, complex I inhibition, and dopamine release, rotenone (15 mg/kg s.c.) was injected in male Sprague Dawley rats. Complex I inhibition was measured in the striatum and substantia nigra using the lactate accumulation assay. Dopamine release and free radical formation was determined using striatal microdialysis in combination with the salicylate hydroxylation assay. In a second experiment, glutamate (10 mM) stimulation via the microdialysis probe was used to provoke hydroxyl radical formation and dopamine release 60 min after rotenone or vehicle pretreatment. Rotenone significantly increased striatal and nigral lactate levels. However, rotenone did not produce a significant increase in hydroxyl radical formation and dopamine release, but led to a pronounced hypokinesia. In contrast, rotenone in comparison to vehicle pretreatment produced a significant augmentation of glutamate‐induced dopamine release (67‐fold and 31‐fold increase, respectively) and did not affect the glutamate‐induced hydroxyl free radical formation (23‐fold and 21‐fold increase, respectively). The present study demonstrates that a single systemic rotenone administration does not lead to neurotoxicity, but rather to enhanced glutamate‐induced dopamine release with no further increase of hydroxyl free radical formation. Thus, acute complex I inhibition in the presence or absence of high extracellular dopamine and glutamate levels is not critically involved in the formation of hydroxyl free radicals. Synapse 50:240–250, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adopting the orphan: The importance of recognising hidradenitis suppurativa as a systemic auto‐inflammatory disease

1. Herbst RA, Uter W, Pirker C et al. Allergic and non-allergic periorbital dermatitis: patch test results of the Information Network of the Departments of Dermatology during a 5-year period. Contact Dermatitis 2004; 51: 13–19. 2. Feser A, Plaza T, Vogelgsang L et al. Periorbital dermatitis – a recalcitrant disease: causes and differential diagnoses. Br. J. Dermatol. 2008; 159: 858–63. 3. Landeck L, John SM, Geier J. Topical ophthalmic agents as allergens in periorbital dermatitis. Br. J. Ophthalmol. 2014; 98: 259–62. 4. Kligman AM. Lanolin allergy: crisis or comedy. Contact Dermatitis 1983; 9: 99–107. 5. Ellis FA. Allergic contact dermatitis due to wool fat and cholesterol. Arch. Derm. Syphilol. 1947; 56: 801–6. 6. Eiermann HJ, Larsen W, Maibach HI et al. Prospective study of cosmetic reactions: 1977–1980. North American Contact Dermatitis Group. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 1982; 6: 909–17. 7. Landeck L, John SM, Geier J. Periorbital dermatitis in 4779 patients – patch test results during a 10-year period. Contact Dermatitis 2014; 70: 205–12. 8. Rietschel RL, Warshaw EM, Sasseville D et al. Common contact allergens associated with eyelid dermatitis: data from the North American Contact Dermatitis Group 2003–2004 study period. Dermatitis 2007; 18: 78–81. 9. Corazza M, Masieri LT, Virgili A. Doubtful value of patch testing for suspected contact allergy to ophthalmic products. Acta Derm. Venereol. 2005; 85: 70–1.
Opioid precursor gene expression in the human hypothalamus

Using in situ hybridization histochemistry, we studied the distribution of neurons that express preproopiomelanocortin (pre‐POMC), preprodynorphin (pre‐PDYN), and preproenkephalin (pre‐PENK) gene transcripts within the human hypothalamus and surrounding structures. Of the three opioid systems, pre‐POMC neurons have the most restricted distribution. Pre‐POMC cells are most numerous in the infundibular nucleus and retrochiasmatic area of the mediobasal hypothalamus; a few labeled cells are present within the boundaries of the ventromedial nucleus and infundibular stalk. Pre‐POMC message was not found in the limited samples of structures adjacent to the hypothalamus.
Rationale and techniques of intra-operative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND In recent years surgical cytoreduction followed by intra-operative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) was introduced as treatment modality in patients with peritoneal surface malignancy. In the current review the rational for this approach, the prerequisites and the different techniques used are discussed. METHODS A literature search through PubMed was performed. RESULTS Pharmacokinetic studies have shown an important dose advantage for intraperitoneal versus intravenous application. Hyperthermia enhances the penetration of cytostatic drugs into tumour tissue and also shows synergism with various cytostatic drugs. The penetration depth of drugs into tissue is limited, therefore HIPEC can only be effective in patients with minimal residual disease after (aggressive) surgery. HIPEC can be conducted in various ways, without clear proven advantage of one method over the others. Local complications after this combined treatment approach are mainly surgery related. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy may cause systemic toxicity, dependent on the drug used. In randomised studies cytoreductive surgery followed by HIPEC has proven its value in the prevention of peritoneal dissemination in gastric cancer. Phase II data on HIPEC in peritoneal carcinomatosis of colorectal origin and pseudomyxoma peritonei are promising, but randomised studies are still not available. CONCLUSION Aggressive surgical cytoreduction and HIPEC in patients with peritoneal surface malignancy has a clear rational and seems to have clinical value.
Low-Cost Inkjet Printed Passive Booster for Increasing the Magnetic Coupling in Proximity of Metal Object for NFC Systems

A passive fully inkjet-printed circuit on a plastic based flexible substrate for increasing the communication read range of an NFC based system is proposed. Two parallel coils resonating at 13.56 MHz are used for the improvement of coupling between the transmitter and receiver. The proposed system behaves like a lens by concentrating the absorbed magnetic energy from a wide area in a small focal region. Being a passive circuit, fully inkjet-printed and having only one discrete component made this circuit a very low-cost and tempting solution for improving the magnetic link between transmitter and receiver. Another advantage of this circuit is its operability in proximity of metal asset. Functionality of ordinary systems is severely affected by close metallic objects; hence, having a system that can operate in both conditions is favorable. The measured boosted power after the exploitation of the booster in proximity of the metal asset at 13.56 MHz is 15 dB.
Enhancing sink node anonymity in tactical sensor networks using a reactive routing protocol

Tactical wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are deployed over a region of interest for mission centric operations. The sink node in a tactical WSN is the aggregation point of data processing. Due to its essential role in the network, the sink node is a high priority target for an attacker who wishes to disable a tactical WSN. This paper focuses on the mitigation of sink-node vulnerability in a tactical WSN. Specifically, we study the issue of protecting the sink node through a technique known as k-anonymity. To achieve k-anonymity, we use a specific routing protocol designed to work within the constraints of WSN communication protocols, specifically IEEE 802.15. 4. We use and modify the Lightweight Ad hoc On-Demand Next Generation (LOADng) reactive-routing protocol to achieve anonymity. This modified LOADng protocol prevents an attacker from identifying the sink node without adding significant complexity to the regular sensor nodes. We simulate the modified LOADng protocol using a custom-designed simulator in MATLAB. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our protocol and also show some of the performance tradeoffs that come with this method.
Incidence and Treatment of Potentially Lethal Diseases in Transient Leukemia of Down Syndrome: Pediatric Oncology Group Study

Transient leukemia (TL or transient myeloproliferative disorder) occurs in approximately 10% of newborn infants with Down syndrome. The disorder is characterized by the presence of megakaryoblasts in the peripheral blood; most cases resolve spontaneously within the first 3 months of life, and the child is well thereafter. However, there are cases in which a severe, potentially lethal form of disease develops, manifesting as hepatic fibrosis or cardiopulmonary failure. Hitherto, the incidence of these severe forms of the disease has not been reported. A prospective study of TL was conducted by the Pediatric Oncology Group (POG Study 9481) in which 48 children with TL were identified. Life-threatening disease occurred in nine patients (19%); seven had hepatic fibrosis and two had cardiopulmonary failure. Five children died of the disease within the first 3 months of life, none of whom received antileukemic therapy. One patient died on day 31 after receiving minimal therapy within 1 day of death. Three children received low-dose cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) (0.4–1.5 mg/kg every 12 hours for 5 or 7 days). In all these patients, the disease resolved. It is concluded that potentially lethal disease is relatively common in TL, and the available evidence suggests that these diseases are responsive to low-dose Ara-C therapy.
Cognitive reserve hypothesis: Pittsburgh Compound B and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in relation to education in mild Alzheimer's disease

The reduced risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in high‐educated individuals has been proposed to reflect brain cognitive reserve, which would provide more efficient compensatory mechanisms against the underlying pathology, and thus delayed clinical expression. Our aim was to find possible differences in brain amyloid ligand 11C‐labeled Pittsburgh Compound B ([11C]PIB) uptake and glucose metabolism in high‐ and low‐educated patients with mild AD.
Phase Angle Measurements with Synchronized Clocks-Principle and Applications

A simple and economical technique for measuring voltage phase angles and generator shaft angles is reviewed. The principle is briefly exposed and its practical operation is illustrated by an experiment in a real power system. Due to the importance of accurate time for this application a short survey on time dissemination systems is included. The main part of the paper is devoted to the possible applications of phase angle measurements for the control and monitoring of power systems. The discussion deals with various topics and makes ample reference to available literature. The paper is intended as an information survey for assessing the practical significance of phase angle measurements
Pharmacologically dosed oral glutamine reduces myocardial injury in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a randomized pilot feasibility trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Glutamine (GLN) has been shown to protect against in vitro and in vivo myocardial injury. In humans, perioperative ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury during cardiac surgery is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. The objective of this safety and feasibility pilot trial was to determine if pharmacologically dosed, preoperative oral GLN attenuates myocardial injury in cardiac surgery patients. METHODS Patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery, requiring cardiopulmonary bypass, were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind pilot trial to receive 25 g twice of oral alanyl-glutamine (GLN; n = 7) or maltodextrin (CONT; n = 7) daily for 3 days preoperatively. Serum troponin (TROP I), creatine kinase (CK-MB), and myoglobin (MG) were measured at multiple perioperative time points. Clinical outcomes were also recorded and assessed. RESULTS GLN therapy significantly decreased TROP I levels at 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively (all P < .05) vs CONT. GLN also reduced CK-MB at 24 and 48 hours (P < .05, P < .001) vs CONT. MG was reduced at 24 hours vs control (P = .0397). GLN also significantly reduced pooled clinical complications vs CONT (P = .03). CONCLUSION This pilot study showed that pharmacologically dosed oral GLN therapy prior to cardiac surgery was safe, well tolerated, and feasible. GLN therapy reduced myocardial injury and clinical complications in this small randomized, blinded feasibility trial. These data indicate that a larger trial of preoperative GLN therapy in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is needed to confirm clinical benefit.
Detection, Isolation, and Molecular Subtyping of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter jejuni Associated with a Large Waterborne Outbreak

ABSTRACT The largest reported outbreak of waterborne Escherichia coli O157:H7 in the United States occurred in upstate New York following a county fair in August 1999. Culture methods were used to isolate E. coli O157:H7 from specimens from 128 of 775 patients with suspected infections. Campylobacter jejuni was also isolated from stools of 44 persons who developed diarrheal illness after attending this fair. There was one case of a confirmed coinfection with E. coli O157:H7 and C. jejuni. Molecular detection of stx1 and stx2 Shiga toxin genes, immunomagnetic separation (IMS), and selective culture enrichment were utilized to detect and isolate E. coli O157:H7 from an unchlorinated well and its distribution points, a dry well, and a nearby septic tank. PCR for stx1 and stx2 was shown to provide a useful screen for toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7, and IMS subculture improved recovery. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to compare patient and environmental E. coli O157:H7 isolates. Among patient isolates, 117 of 128 (91.5%) were type 1 or 1a (three or fewer bands different). Among the water distribution system isolates, 13 of 19 (68%) were type 1 or 1a. Additionally, PFGE of C. jejuni isolates revealed that 29 of 35 (83%) had indistinguishable PFGE patterns. The PFGE results implicated the water distribution system as the main source of the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. This investigation demonstrates the potential for outbreaks involving more than one pathogen and the importance of analyzing isolates from multiple patients and environmental samples to develop a better understanding of bacterial transmission during an outbreak.
Antioxidants, radiation and mutation as revealed by sperm abnormality in barn swallows from Chernobyl

Reduced levels of antioxidants such as carotenoids and vitamins A and E can increase DNA damage caused by free radicals. Exposure to radiation has been proposed to reduce levels of antioxidants that are used for DNA repair and this reduction may be responsible for increased levels of mutation in radioactively contaminated areas. We test this hypothesis using field measures of antioxidants in blood, liver and eggs of the barn swallow Hirundo rustica while relating these to levels of mutation as reflected by the frequency of abnormal sperm. Antioxidant levels in blood, liver and eggs were reduced in Chernobyl, Ukraine, compared with an uncontaminated control area, and levels of antioxidants correlated negatively with levels of background radiation. The frequency of abnormal sperm was almost an order of magnitude higher in Chernobyl than in the control area and was negatively related to antioxidant levels in blood and liver. This is consistent with the hypothesis of a direct link between radiation and individual levels of antioxidants, suggesting that levels of mutation differ among individuals owing to individual differences in the abundance of antioxidants.
Mechanisms of sensitization of the response of single dorsal root ganglion cells from adult rat to noxious heat

We investigated the regulation by nerve growth factor of the response of sensory neurons to noxious heat (>43 °C). In dissociated dorsal root ganglion neurons (<30 µm) from adult rat we demonstrated, using perforated patch clamp recording, that the inward current elicited in response to noxious heating is enhanced by nerve growth factor and reduced by capsazepine. The tachyphylaxis observed in response to the second of two heat pulses was reversed in most cells when nerve growth factor was introduced into the medium during the 5 min between the two heat stimuli, similar to findings using capsaicin [X. Shu & L.M. Mendell (1999) Neurosci. Lett.274, 159–162]. The threshold temperature did not change systematically after nerve growth factor. Using antibodies to TRPV1 and trkA in a subset of cells from which we recorded, we found a virtually perfect correlation between expression of TRPV1 and sensitivity to noxious heat. In addition, trkA expression was perfectly correlated with the ability of nerve growth factor to reverse tachyphylaxis. Thus, this physiological test is a reliable measure of trkA expression in cells sensitive to noxious heat. In agreement with studies in heterologous cells expressing trkA and TRPV1, pharmacologically blocking phospholipase C abolished the effect of nerve growth factor on heat‐evoked currents in cells verified to express trkA. We conclude that the response of dorsal root ganglion neurons to noxious heat is conditioned by nerve growth factor in the same way as their response to capsaicin and that these responses require the presence of trkA and TRPV1.
Cloning and Identification of Amino Acid Residues of Human Phospholipase Cδ1 Essential for Catalysis (*)

In vitro single point mutagenesis, inositol phospholipid hydrolysis, and substrate protection experiments were used to identify catalytic residues of human phosphatidylinositide-specific phospholipase Cδ1 (PLCδ1) isolated from a human aorta cDNA library. Invariant amino acid residues containing a functional side chain in the highly conserved X region were changed by in vitro mutagenesis. Most of the mutant enzymes were still able to hydrolyze inositol phospholipid with activity ranging from 10 to 100% of levels in the wild type enzyme. Exceptions were mutants with the conversion of Arg to Leu (R338L), Glu to Gly (E341G), or His to Leu (H356L), which made the enzyme severely defective in hydrolyzing inositol phospholipid. Phospholipid vesicle binding experiments showed that these three cleavage-defective mutant forms of PLCδ1 could specifically bind to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) with an affinity similar to that of wild type enzyme. Western blotting analysis of trypsin-treated enzyme-PIP2 complexes revealed that a 67-kDa major protein fragment survived trypsin digestion if the wild type enzyme, E341G, or H356L mutant PLCδ1 was preincubated with 7.5 μM PIP2, whereas if it was preincubated with 80 μM PIP2, the size of major protein surviving was comparable to that of intact enzyme. However, mutant enzyme R338L was not protected from trypsin degradation by PIP2 binding. These observations suggest that PLCδ1 can recognize PIP2 through a high affinity and a low affinity binding site and that residues Glu and His are not involved in either high affinity or low affinity PIP2 binding but rather are essential for the Ca2+-dependent cleavage activity of PLC.
Usefulness of Measurement of Antibodies in Serum in Diagnosis of Sensitivity to Cow Milk and Soy Proteins in Early Childhood

A noteworthy feature of this study is that comparisons were made between specific, sensitive, quantitative measurements of serum antibodies to food proteins and objective appraisal of clinical manifestations buy double‐blind food challenges. Over 50 children, 4–30 months of age, with suspicious histories of adverse reactions to cow milk or soy products were investigated. Levels of serum antibodies to cow‐milk proteins were clearly higher in children with adverse reactions to milk, confirmed by blind challenge; there was no overlap with the lower levels of serum antibodies in children without confirmed reactions. Findings with serial determinations of serum antibodies to cow milk in selected cases are also presented.
Sensitivity of Planktonic and Biofilm-Associated Salmonella spp. to Ionizing Radiation

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica forms biofilms that are relatively resistant to chemical sanitizing treatments. Ionizing radiation has been used to inactivate Salmonella on a variety of foods and contact surfaces, but the relative efficacy of the process against biofilm-associated cells versus free-living planktonic cells is not well documented. The radiation sensitivity of planktonic or biofilm-associated cells was determined for three food-borne-illness-associated isolates of Salmonella. Biofilms were formed on sterile glass slides in a coincubation apparatus, using inoculated tryptic soy broth, incubated at 37°C for 48 h. Resulting biofilms were 18 to 24 μm in height as determined by confocal scanning laser microscopy. The planktonic and biofilm cultures were gamma irradiated to doses of 0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 kGy. The D10 value (the dose of radiation required to reduce a population by 1 log10, or 90%) was calculated for each isolate-culture based on surviving populations at each radiation dose. The D10 values of S. enterica serovar Anatum were not significantly (P < 0.05) different for biofilm-associated (0.645 kGy) and planktonic (0.677 kGy) cells. In contrast, the biofilm-associated cells of S. enterica serovar Stanley were significantly more sensitive to ionizing radiation than the respective planktonic cells, with D10 values of 0.531 and 0.591 kGy, respectively. D10 values of S. enterica serovar Enteritidis were similarly reduced for biofilm-associated (0.436 kGy) versus planktonic (0.535 kGy) cells. The antimicrobial efficacy of ionizing radiation is therefore preserved or enhanced in treatment of biofilm-associated bacteria.
Lactobacilli in the female genital tract in relation to other genital microbes and vaginal pH.

BACKGROUND The relationship between lactobacilli and other microbes and the association with vaginal pH in the female genital tract were examined. The study also included evaluation of the possibility of supplying probiotics to the genital tract by using panty liners impregnated with the probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum LB931. METHODS This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter study involving 191 healthy fertile women. Specified microbes were counted and vaginal pH was measured once a month for five consecutive months. RESULTS Major individual variations in the genital microflora composition and the vaginal pH were found among the women. The number of lactobacilli was significantly related to vaginal pH (p<0.001) and approximately 70% of the women were permanent carriers of individual lactobacilli strains. Women with high numbers of lactobacilli were less prevalent with Group B streptococci than women with low numbers (p=0.036), and these women had a lower mean vaginal pH. The number of lactobacilli also correlated with the prevalence of yeast. LB931 could be found in 86% of the labial samples and 54% of the vaginal samples. CONCLUSIONS High numbers of lactobacilli may contribute to a low vaginal pH and seem to have a negative influence on Group B streptococci. LB931 could be transferred from the panty liners to both the vagina and the labial fold.