Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EP 80317, a ligand of the CD36 scavenger receptor, protects apolipoprotein E‐deficient mice from developing atherosclerotic lesions

CD36, a type B scavenger receptor expressed on macrophages, appears to play a major role in fatty streak formation through scavenging oxidatively modified lipoproteins in the arterial wall. We tested the hypothesis that EP 80317, a novel CD36 ligand derived from the growth hormone (GH)‐releasing peptide family but devoided of any GH releasing activity, exerts anti‐atherosclerotic effects in apolipoprotein E‐deficient (apoE−/−) mice fed an atherogenic diet from 6 wk of age. Daily subcutaneous injections of EP 80317 (300 µg/kg) or vehicle were initiated at 6, 10, 12, or 14 wk until death at 18 wk. En face analyses of the entire aortic tree revealed a striking reduction (up to 51%) of lesion areas in EP 80317‐treated apoE−/− mice compared with controls. Chronic treatment with EP 80317 (12 wk) is also associated with a 30% decrease in total plasma cholesterol, suggesting potential effects of this drug on cholesterol metabolism at the intestine/hepatic levels. EP 80317 exerts both preventive and curative effects on atherosclerotic lesion progression that were shown to be reversible after cessation of treatment. At the macrophage level, EP 80317 reduced oxidized low density lipoproteins internalization and up‐regulated genes involved in cholesterol efflux, including peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ), liver x receptor α (LXRα), and the ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1, supporting a role in regulating peripheral cholesterol trafficking. Importantly, the effects of EP 80317 were shown to be CD36 dependent, inasmuch as no anti‐atherosclerotic or hypocholesterolemic effects were observed in apoE/CD36 double‐deficient mice. In addition, long‐term treatment of apoE/CD36 double‐deficient mice with EP 80317 did not modulate the expression of genes of the PPARγ‐LXRα‐ABC transporters pathway. Our results suggest that EP 80317, as a CD36 ligand, might be a prototype for a novel class of anti‐atherosclerotic agents.
Basis and Statistical Design of the Passive HIV-1 Antibody Mediated Prevention (AMP) Test-of-Concept Efficacy Trials

Abstract Background Anti-HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) have been developed as potential agents for prevention of HIV-1 infection. The HIV Vaccine Trials Network and the HIV Prevention Trials Network are conducting the Antibody Mediated Prevention (AMP) trials to assess whether, and how, intravenous infusion of the anti-CD4 binding site bnAb, VRC01, prevents HIV-1 infection. These are the first test-of-concept studies to assess HIV-1 bnAb prevention efficacy in humans. Methods The AMP trials are two parallel phase 2b HIV-1 prevention efficacy trials conducted in two cohorts: 2700 HIV-uninfected men and transgender persons who have sex with men in the United States, Peru, Brazil, and Switzerland; and 1500 HIV-uninfected sexually active women in seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Participants are randomized 1:1:1 to receive an intravenous infusion of 10 mg/kg VRC01, 30 mg/kg VRC01, or a control preparation every 8 weeks for a total of 10 infusions. Each trial is designed (1) to assess overall prevention efficacy (PE) pooled over the two VRC01 dose groups vs. control and (2) to assess VRC01 dose and laboratory markers as correlates of protection (CoPs) against overall and genotype- and phenotype-specific infection. Results Each AMP trial is designed to have 90 % power to detect PE > 0 % if PE is ≥ 60 %. The AMP trials are also designed to identify VRC01 properties (i. e., concentration and effector functions) that correlate with protection and to provide insight into mechanistic CoPs. CoPs are assessed using data from breakthrough HIV-1 infections, including genetic sequences and sensitivities to VRC01-mediated neutralization and Fc effector functions. Conclusions The AMP trials test whether VRC01 can prevent HIV-1 infection in two study populations. If affirmative, they will provide information for estimating the optimal dosage of VRC01 (or subsequent derivatives) and identify threshold levels of neutralization and Fc effector functions associated with high-level protection, setting a benchmark for future vaccine evaluation and constituting a bridge to other bnAb approaches for HIV-1 prevention.
Trends in socio-economic differences in tobacco smoking among German schoolchildren, 1994-2002.

BACKGROUND While the graded relationship between socio-economic status (SES) and risk behaviour in adulthood has been the subject of intense research, far less is known about socio-economic differences in health-related behaviour among adolescents. The purpose of the present study is to examine socio-economic differences in adolescent tobacco use in Germany as well as changes in the relationship between 1994 and 2002. METHODS Data were obtained from the 'Health Behaviour in School-aged Children' study conducted in the largest federal state of Germany, Northrhine-Westfalia, in 1994, 1998 and 2002. The analysis is based on 11.401 11- to 15-year old students. Socio-economic differences in regular smoking were studied in relation to both parental SES (family affluence) and students own SES (school type). Trends from 1994 to 2002 were analysed for each category of family affluence and school type separately. RESULTS Family affluence only had a weak effect on regular smoking while for type of school a strong social gradient for smoking was found for both the genders. Trend analyses within the different family affluence and school-type categories showed that smoking has generally increased in all socio-economic groups. The level of socio-economic differences remained virtually unchanged in girls and boys in the past 10 years in Germany. CONCLUSIONS The same relationships of family affluence and school type with smoking have persisted for almost a decade in Germany. Students own SES affects adolescent smoking substantially. Prevention programmes should focus on the school setting in order to tackle current as well as future health inequalities.
Nonfluoroscopic Transseptal Catheterization:

ICE‐Guided Transseptal Catheterization. Introduction: Recently, there has been a revival in the use of transseptal catheterization due to the development of balloon mitral valvuloplasty and radiofrequency catheter ablation. Complications of transseptal puncture, although rare, can be serious and life‐threatening. In the present study, we evaluated the use of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) as the sole imaging modality to guide transseptal puncture and catheterization.
Leucocytozoon fringillinarum and Leucocytozoon dubreuili in Turdus fuscater from a Colombian Páramo Ecosystem

Abstract: Leucocytozoon spp. infections have been rarely studied in Neotropical countries. The apparently low prevalence of these parasites compared to the Nearctic regions suggests the absence of competent vectors; however, a 21.3% overall prevalence has recently been reported in non-migratory birds from the páramo region of Chingaza National Natural Park (NNP), where Turdus fuscater (Great Thrush) is the species most frequently infected by these parasites. The present study provides the descriptions of the Leucocytozoon spp. detected in Great Thrushes trapped in Chingaza NNP. The parasites were confirmed by microscopic examination and PCR of blood, histopathology was also done. Leucocytozoon dubreuili and L. fringillinarum gametocytes were observed in blood smears. The corresponding cytochrome b (cyt b) lineages obtained of L. fringillinarum were closely related to lineages previously found in individuals infecting turdiid species sampled elsewhere. This is one of the few reports analyzing Leucocytozoon spp. infections in resident birds from a Neotropical country.
Distribution of Lymph Node Metastases Is an Independent Predictor of Survival for Sigmoid Colon and Rectal Cancer

Objective:This study evaluated the prognostic significance of the distribution of lymph node metastases (LND) in patients with colorectal cancer. Background:The impact of the LND on survival in colorectal cancer is unknown. Methods:A total of 1205 consecutive patients who underwent potentially curative surgery for sigmoid colon or rectal cancer with high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) from January 1997 to February 2008 were assigned to 4 groups based on LND: LND0, no lymph node metastases—615 patients (51.0%); LND1, metastases in the pericolic nodes—324 patients (26.9%); LND2, metastases in the intermediate nodes—172 patients (14.3%); and LND3, node metastases at the origin of the IMA—94 patients (7.8%). Results:The 5-year overall survival rates of patients with LND0, LND1, LND2, and LND3 were 83%, 63%, 52%, and 28%, respectively (P < 0.001). The 5-year disease-free survival rates of patients with LND0, LND1, LND2, and LND3 were 83%, 54%, 43%, and 21%, respectively (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, LND was an independent prognostic factor for both overall survival and disease-free survival. However, the 5-year local recurrence-free survival rate was not inversely related to the LND. On a subset analysis that compared stage III disease with stage IV disease, the 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 45% and 31% for the patients with stage IV disease compared with 40% and 32% for the patients with stage III, LND3 disease, respectively (P = 0.761 and 0.704). For the patients with pN1 tumors, the overall survival and disease-free survival did not differ significantly according to the LND (P = 0.471 and 0.347, respectively). However, for patients with pN2 tumors, the overall survival and disease-free survival curves among the LND groups significantly differed (P < 0.001 and <0.001, respectively). conclusion:LND is an independent predictor of survival for colorectal cancer patients, but it does not predict local recurrence. The N categorization including LND may enhance the prognostic value of the TNM staging system for patients with node-positive sigmoid colon or rectal cancer.
Les effets de l'ozone sur les processus foliaires du peuplier : une approche protéomique

Depuis les revolutions industrielles des annees 1700 et 1800, et pendant l'industrialisation des siecles les suivant, une accumulation de composes polluants a eu lieu dans l'atmosphere, principalement due a la combustion de matieres fossiles comme le charbon et le petrole. Outre les polluants directement emis comme les oxydes de souffre et d'azote, des polluants secondaires comme l'ozone se sont accumules. Aujourd'hui, l'ozone est le troisieme gaz responsable du rechauffement climatique, mais est egalement dangereux pour la sante humaine et responsable de dommages sur la vegetation. Depuis les annees cinquante, les effets de l'ozone sur les plantes et les reponses de ces dernieres ont ete etudies de facon ciblee. Aujourd'hui, avec l'apparition de techniques permettant l'etude globale du transcriptome ou du proteome, il est possible d'aborder le probleme d'une facon non biaisee, permettant des etudes plus completes du stress. Dans le cadre de ce travail, une etude proteomique des effets de l'ozone sur les processus foliaires du peuplier a ete proposee. Cette technique, completee par des approches biochimiques, physiologiques, et des observations morphologiques, a permis de confirmer certains resultats d'etudes ciblees, mais egalement d'emettre des nouvelles hypotheses sur les mecanismes d'action de l'ozone sur le metabolisme du peuplier. En parallele, l'etude du stress a aussi permis d'eclaircir les changements du metabolisme lors de la croissance de feuilles en conditions de stress et en conditions normales. Dans les pages de ce document, les procedures, resultats et conclusions de ce travail seront presentes en detail
Bet‐hedging—a triple trade‐off between means, variances and correlations

In unpredictably varying environments, strategies that have a reduced variance in fitness can invade a population consisting of individuals that on average do better. Such strategies ‘hedge their evolutionary bets' against the variability of the environment. The idea of bet‐hedging arises from the fact that appropriate measure of long‐term fitness is sensitive to variance, leading to the potential for strategies with a reduced mean fitness to invade and increase in frequency. Our aim is to review the conceptual foundation of bet‐hedging as a mechanism that influences short‐ and long‐term evolutionary processes. We do so by presenting a general model showing how evolutionary changes are affected by variance in fitness and how genotypic variance in fitness can be separated into variance in fitness at the level of the individuals and correlations in fitness among them. By breaking down genotypic fitness variance in this way the traditional divisions between conservative and diversified strategies are more easily intuited, and it is also shown that this division can be considered a false dichotomy, and is better viewed as two extreme points on a continuum. The model also sheds light on the ideas of within‐ and between‐generation bet‐hedging, which can also be generalized to be seen as two ends of a different continuum. We use a simple example to illustrate the virtues of our general model, as well as discuss the implications for systems where bet‐hedging has been invoked as an explanation.
1tabilizing an inverted spherical pendulum using a scale quad-rotor

In this paper, we develop a control strategy that allows to balance an inverted pendulum, using a quad-rotor as controller device. The pendulum is supported through a spherical link at the top of the quad-rotor. The feasibility of this experiment is due to the great flexibility of the quad-rotor reaction, having a wide and rich dynamic range. The ultimate aim of this work is that the procedure can be used in scenarios such as those arising in collaborative work environments.
Slide‐based ergometer rowing: Effects on force production and neuromuscular activity

Force production profile and neuromuscular activity during slide‐based and stationary ergometer rowing at standardized submaximal power output were compared in 14 male and 8 female National Team rowers. Surface electromyography (EMG) was obtained in selected thoracic and leg muscles along with synchronous measurement of handle force and rate of force development (RFD). Compared to stationary conditions, slide‐based peak force decreased by 76 (57–95) N (mean 95% CI) in males (P < 0.001) and 20 (8–31) N (P < 0.05) in females. Stroke rate increased (+10.7%) and late‐phase RFD decreased (−20.7%) in males (P < 0.05). Neuromuscular activity in m. vastus lateralis decreased in the initial drive phase from 59% to 51% of EMGmax in males and from 57% to 52% in females (P < 0.01–0.05), while also decreasing in the late recovery phase from 20% to 7% in males and 17% to 7% in females (P < 0.01). Peak force and maximal neuromuscular activity in the shoulder retractors always occurred in the second quartile of the drive phase. In conclusion, peak force and late‐phase RFD (males) decreased and stroke rate increased (males) during slide‐based compared to stationary ergometer rowing, potentially reducing the risk of overuse injury. Neuromuscular activity was more affected in leg muscles than thoracic muscles by slide‐based ergometer rowing.
IFN‐α antagonistic activity of HCV core protein involves induction of suppressor of cytokine signaling‐3

Eighty percent of patients newly infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) develop chronic infection, suggesting that HCV can develop effective strategies to escape the unspecific and specific immune response of the host. Because SOCS molecules have been recognized to be powerful inhibitors of cytokine signaling via the Jak/STAT pathway, virus‐induced expression of these molecules should be an efficient instrument to counteract the cellular response toward interferons (IFNs), an essential part of first line antiviral immune response. This study shows that overexpression of HCV core protein inhibits IFN‐α‐induced tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of STAT1 in hepatic cells. With the use of a STAT1‐YFP fusion protein, further evidence is given that HCV core is capable to inhibit nuclear translocation of STAT1. Inhibition of STATl‐tyrosine phosphorylation was accompanied by the induction of SOCS3‐mRNA expression, suggesting that the HCV core protein impairs IFN‐α‐induced signal transduction via induction of SOCS3 expression. HCV core protein was competent to partially rescue growth of a genetically engineered influenza A virus lacking its own IFN antagonist. These IFN‐antagonistic properties of the HCV core protein may be part of the molecular basis of IFN‐a unresponsiveness in about one‐half of chronically infected HCV‐patients.
Long-term effect of pentoxifylline and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester on testicular function in spermatic artery ligation

Objective. To investigate long-term testicular function in pentoxifylline- and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-treated rats prior to spermatic artery ligation by assessing serum inhibin B concentration, a reliable endocrine marker of spermatogenesis. Material and methods. Forty prepubertal rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. Right orchiectomy was performed in all rats. Intraperitoneal pentoxifylline and L-NAME were administered to Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Rats in Group 3 did not receive any medication. The spermatic arteries of the left testes were ligated in all groups with the exception of the sham controls (Group 4). One month postoperatively, a histopathologic evaluation was performed and serum inhibin B concentrations were assessed in all groups. Results. There were no statistically significant differences in testis size or serum inhibin B concentration between Groups 1, 2 and 3. However, the testes were significantly smaller (p1=0.01, p2=0.01, p3=0.01) and serum inhibin B levels were significantly decreased (p1=0.01, p2=0.01, p3=0.01) when Groups 1–3 were compared with Group 4. Histopathological evaluations revealed necrosis and calcification in all specimens with the exception of the sham-operated group. Conclusions. The long-term outcomes of spermatic artery ligation were poor and testicular atrophy developed in rat testes in all study groups. Testicular atrophy could not be reversed by preoperative administration of pentoxifylline and L-NAME.
HIV-1 subtype A envelope variants from early in infection have variable sensitivity to neutralization and to inhibitors of viral entry

Background: An effective HIV-1 vaccine or microbicide must block the transmitted virus variants that initially establish a new infection; consequently, it is critical that such viruses be isolated and characterized. Objective: To evaluate HIV-1 envelope variants from early in infection from individuals infected heterosexually with subtype A HIV-1 for their sensitivity to antibody-mediated neutralization and to inhibitors of viral entry. Methods: Full-length subtype A HIV-1 envelope clones from 28–75 days postinfection were used to generate pseudoviruses for infection studies. The susceptibility of these pseudoviruses to neutralization by autologous and heterologous plasma and by monoclonal antibodies was examined. The sensitivity of these pseudoviruses to PSC-RANTES and TAK-779, inhibitors of CCR5, and to soluble CD4 (sCD4) was also evaluated. Results: Pseudoviruses with subtype A HIV-1 envelopes from early in infection demonstrated a broad range of neutralization sensitivities to both autologous and heterologous plasma. However, neutralization by the monoclonal antibodies b12, 2G12, 4E10 and 2F5 was generally poor; notably, none of the 14 early virus variants were neutralized by 2G12 and only one was neutralized by b12. Viruses bearing these early CCR5-using envelopes were generally sensitive to the CCR5 inhibitors PSC-RANTES and TAK-779, but they demonstrated more variable sensitivity to sCD4. Conclusions: These subtype A HIV-1 variants, representing the viruses that must be blocked by antibody-based prevention strategies, vary in their susceptibility to neutralization. A subset of these HIV-1 variants from early in infection will be useful for screening candidate vaccines and microbicides.
Fire and Ice: Percutaneous Ablative Therapies and Cement Injection in Management of Metastatic Disease of the Spine

Oncology intervention is actively moving beyond simple bone cement injection. Archimedes taught us that a volume displaces its volume. Where does the tumor we displace with our cement injection go? It is no longer acceptable that we displace tumor into the venous system with our cement injections. We must kill the tumor first. Different image-guided percutaneous techniques can be used for treatment in patients with primary or secondary bone tumors. Curative ablation can be applied for the treatment of specific benign or in selected cases of malignant localized spinal tumors. Pain palliation therapy of primary and secondary bone tumors can be achieved with safe, fast, effective, and tolerable percutaneous methods. Ablation (chemical, thermal, mechanical), cavitation (radiofrequency ionization), and consolidation (cementoplasty) techniques can be used separately or in combination. Each technique has its indications, with both advantages and drawbacks. To prevent pathological fractures, a consolidation is necessary. In spinal or acetabular tumors, a percutaneous cementoplasty should be associated with cryoablation to avoid a compression fracture. The cement is injected after complete thawing of the ice ball or the day after the cryotherapy. A syndrome of multiorgan failure, severe coagulopathy, and disseminated intravascular coagulation following hepatic cryoablation has been described and is referred to as the cryoshock phenomenon.