Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Candida infection and immune cellular response in inflammatory hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVES To analyze and quantify the CD8(+) and CD4(+) T-lymphocyte populations in inflammatory hyperplasia and to establish the relationship between the frequency and location of these cells and Candida infection. METHODS Samples of inflammatory hyperplasia were stained with PAS for evidence of Candida sp. and were classified in two groups, infected and control, according to the presence or absence of infection. After immunoreaction with specific anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies, the distribution and frequency of the positive cells were analyzed in 41 cases (19 controls without Candida sp. and 22 infected cases). Lymphocytes were quantified in the three consecutive fields where the inflammatory infiltration was concentrated. RESULTS There was no relationship between the frequency and location of CD4(+) T cells and Candida sp. infection. The number of CD8(+) cells close to the fungi hyphae as well as the total number of CD8(+) T cells present in inflammatory hyperplasia were higher in the Candida sp. group than in the control noninfected group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Since the CD8(+) T cells were distributed according to the location of Candida sp. hyphae, and since a higher CD8(+)/total lymphocytes ratio was observed in the infected group, we suggest a role for CD8(+) T cells in the defense against Candida in oral infections associated with inflammatory hyperplasia in immunocompetent individuals.
Review Article: Goals of Care Toward the End of Life: A Structured Literature Review

Goals of care are often mentioned as an important component of end-of-life discussions, but there are diverse assessments regarding the type and number of goals that should be considered. To address this lack of consensus, we searched MEDLINE (1967—2007) for relevant articles and identified the number, phrasing, and type of goals they addressed. An iterative process of categorization resulted in a list of 6 practical, comprehensive goals: (1) be cured, (2) live longer, (3) improve or maintain function/quality of life/ independence, (4) be comfortable, (5) achieve life goals, and (6) provide support for family/caregiver. These goals can be used to articulate goal-oriented frameworks to guide decision making toward the end of life and thereby harmonize patients' treatment choices with their values and medical conditions.
Ocular absorption of dexamethasone phosphate disodium by the rabbit.

Radioactive dexamethasone-1,2,4- 3 H was used in 0.1% solutions in two vehicles to demonstrate the marked uptake of steroid by ocular tissue in rabbits. Radioactivity was detectable in ocular tissue by ten minutes after instillation of the ophthalmic solutions. Retention of steroid was demonstrable as long as 24 hours after removal of steroid from the eye. A dispersion vehicle containing hydroxyethylcellulose (Cellosize QP) was found to more than double the steroid level in eye segments over the concentrations produced by an aqueous vehicle containing no viscosity increasing agent. The occurrence of systemic absorption was shown by the presence of radioactivity in the urine, plasma, kidneys, and livers of experimental animals, about equally from both media studied.
Rituximab therapy for systemic vasculitis associated with rheumatoid arthritis: Results from the Autoimmunity and Rituximab Registry

Rituximab improves articular symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and it recently has been shown to be an effective induction therapy for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis. We assessed the efficacy and safety of rituximab in a real‐life clinical setting among patients with systemic rheumatoid vasculitis (SRV).
Assembly of fibronectin molecules with mutations or deletions of the carboxyl-terminal type I modules.

Fibronectin is a large modular protein that is assembled into fibrils in a stepwise process that involves the binding of soluble fibronectin to the cell surface and formation of fibronectin multimers that are stabilized by disulfides. Fibronectin contains two types of disulfide-containing repeat modules, types I and II. The type I modules form units that mediate binding to assembly sites (I-1 through I-5), mediate binding to gelatin (I-6 through I-9 plus the type II modules), or have no known function other than fibrin binding (I-10 through I-12). All type I modules contain four cysteines that are disulfide-linked in a 1-3, 2-4 arrangement, except for I-12 that contains six cysteines disulfide-bonded in an unknown arrangement. I-12 contains the consensus sequence Cys-Xaa-Yaa-Cys found in a number of proteins involved in disulfide exchange reactions [Holmgren, A. (1985) Annu. Rev. Biochem. 54, 237; Boniface, J. J., & Reichert, L. E. , Jr. (1990) Science 247, 61]. We explored the role of I-12 and adjacent type I modules of fibronectin in matrix assembly. We generated mutant fibronectins in which the second and sixth or fifth and sixth cysteine residues in I-12 were changed to serines (CS mutants) or that contained deletions of the 12th (delta 12) or 10th through 12th (delta 10-12) type I modules. Expression of I-12 as a fusion protein with the gelatin binding part of fibronectin indicated that this module folds independently and that the most likely disulfide pairing is 1-4, 2-6, 3-5. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Relationship between aneurysm wall enhancement and conventional risk factors in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms: A black-blood MRI study

Background and purpose Aneurysmal wall enhancement (AWE) has emerged as a new possible biomarker for depicting inflammation of the intracranial aneurysm (IA). However, the relationships of AWE with other risk factors are still unclear for unruptured IA. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between AWE and other risk metrics. Methods Forty-eight patients with unruptured saccular IAs diagnosed by digital subtraction angiography were recruited to undergo magnetic resonance (MR) black-blood imaging. AWE was evaluated using the pre- and post-contrast black-blood MR images. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association of AWE with other risk factors, including size, maximal neck width, parent vessel diameter, location, multiplicity, daughter sacs and other clinical factors. The prevalence of AWE in each ISUIA grade was reported and compared by Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results In total, 61 aneurysms were detected in 48 patients. Aneurysm size was found to be an independent risk factor associated with AWE (OR 2.46 per mm increase, 95% CI 1.34–4.51; p = 0.004). Patient age was independently and inversely associated with AWE (OR 0.898 per year increase, 95% CI 0.812–0.994; p = 0.037). Higher prevalence of AWE was observed in larger aneurysms (12%, 71.4%, 100%, and 100% of ISUIA grade 1–4 IAs have AWE, respectively). Notably, 12% of small IAs (size <7 mm) exhibited AWE. The IAs with AWE had significant higher ISUIA grade than the IAs without (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon rank sum test). Conclusions The wall enhancement in contrast-enhanced black-blood MR images was independently associated with aneurysm size in unruptured IAs. However, some small unruptured aneurysms did exhibit wall enhancement, suggesting that AWE may provide additional aneurysm instability information to improve current size-based rupture risk evaluation metrics.
Staining Treponema pallidum and other treponemata.

The principles of staining necessary to obtain suitable results in the direct microscopic count of milk have been outlined in a previous publication (1). That study was originally undertaken to improve milk-film staining procedures. However, the principles discussed apply equally to other types of biological staining, and study has been made of the staining of spirochetes, especially those of the pallidum type. A comprehensive review of the literature pertaining to the staining of Treponema pallidum was presented by Campbell and Rosahn (2), dnd recently DeLamater and others (3) have described a new modification of the Fontana staining procedure. Campbell and Rosahn classify all previously recommended procedures for staining T. pallidum into two groups. In the first group, the spirochetes are impregnated by a dye or a metallic ion and made visible against a pale background. In the procedures of the second group, the background is darkened by a material such as India ink or by an alteration in the method of illumination, as in the dark-field procedure. The value of the dark-field method of examination in the hands of an experienced person can hardly be over-
Fathers Parenting Chronically Ill Children: Concerns and Coping Strategies

The concerns and coping strategies of fathers with chronically ill children and those they perceived as their wives' were identified. In this descriptive study of fathers of chronically ill children seen in three specialty clinics of a pediatric hospital, 48 completed the Hymovich Family Perception Inventory (FPI). © Eighty-five percent or more identified seven concerns for themselves and perceived their wives to have seven concerns. Four of the concerns were the same as their own. Four coping strategies were identified as used by more than 85% of the fathers and 3 by their spouses. Two strategies were the same for both groups; all dealt with problem solving and information gathering. Nurses can address fathers' concerns and support them in the use of positive coping strategies, which supports family-centered care.
Integrating Image-Based Phenomics and Association Analysis to Dissect the Genetic Architecture of Temporal Salinity Responses in Rice1[OPEN]

The genetic basis of dynamic salinity stress responses is elucidated using image-based phenomics and functional association analysis. Salinity affects a significant portion of arable land and is particularly detrimental for irrigated agriculture, which provides one-third of the global food supply. Rice (Oryza sativa), the most important food crop, is salt sensitive. The genetic resources for salt tolerance in rice germplasm exist but are underutilized due to the difficulty in capturing the dynamic nature of physiological responses to salt stress. The genetic basis of these physiological responses is predicted to be polygenic. In an effort to address this challenge, we generated temporal imaging data from 378 diverse rice genotypes across 14 d of 90 mm NaCl stress and developed a statistical model to assess the genetic architecture of dynamic salinity-induced growth responses in rice germplasm. A genomic region on chromosome 3 was strongly associated with the early growth response and was captured using visible range imaging. Fluorescence imaging identified four genomic regions linked to salinity-induced fluorescence responses. A region on chromosome 1 regulates both the fluorescence shift indicative of the longer term ionic stress and the early growth rate decline during salinity stress. We present, to our knowledge, a new approach to capture the dynamic plant responses to its environment and elucidate the genetic basis of these responses using a longitudinal genome-wide association model.
Carbamazepine versus phenytoin monotherapy for epilepsy.

BACKGROUND Worldwide, carbamazepine and phenytoin are commonly used antiepileptic drugs. This review summarizes evidence from randomized controlled trials in which these two drugs have been compared. OBJECTIVES To review the best evidence comparing carbamazepine and phenytoin when used as monotherapy in subjects with partial onset seizures, or generalized onset tonic-clonic seizures with or without other generalized seizure types. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched: (a) the trial register of the Cochrane Epilepsy Group; (b) The Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Cochrane Library Issue 4, 2001); (c) MEDLINE 1966-2001. In addition we hand searched relevant journals and contacted the pharmaceutical industry and researchers in the field to seek any ongoing or unpublished studies. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized controlled trials in children or adults with partial onset seizures or generalized onset tonic-clonic seizures. Trials must have included a comparison of carbamazepine monotherapy with phenytoin monotherapy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS This was an individual patient data review. Outcomes were time to (a) withdrawal of allocated treatment, (b) 12 month remission, (c) six month remission, and (d) first seizure post randomization. Data were analysed using a stratified logrank analysis with results expressed as hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), where a HR>1 indicates an event is more likely on phenytoin. MAIN RESULTS Individual patient data are available for 551 participants from three trials, representing 63% of the participants recruited into the nine trials that met our inclusion criteria. By convention, for the outcomes time to six and 12 month remission HR>1 indicates a clinical advantage for phenytoin, whilst for time to withdrawal and first seizure HR>1 indicates a clinical advantage for carbamazepine. Results (HR (95% CI)) were: (i) time to withdrawal of allocated treatment 0.97(0.74 to 1.28), (ii) time to 12 month remission 1.00(0.78 to 1.29), (iii) time to six month remission 1.10(0.87 to 1.39), (iv) time to first seizure 0.91(0.74 to 1.12). The results suggest no overall difference between carbamazepine and phenytoin for these outcomes. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS We have not found evidence that a significant difference exists between carbamazepine and phenytoin for the outcomes examined in this review. Confidence intervals are wide and the possibility of important differences existing has not been excluded.
Metabolomics as a tool in the identification of dietary biomarkers

Current dietary assessment methods including FFQ, 24-h recalls and weighed food diaries are associated with many measurement errors. In an attempt to overcome some of these errors, dietary biomarkers have emerged as a complementary approach to these traditional methods. Metabolomics has developed as a key technology for the identification of new dietary biomarkers and to date, metabolomic-based approaches have led to the identification of a number of putative biomarkers. The three approaches generally employed when using metabolomics in dietary biomarker discovery are: (i) acute interventions where participants consume specific amounts of a test food, (ii) cohort studies where metabolic profiles are compared between consumers and non-consumers of a specific food and (iii) the analysis of dietary patterns and metabolic profiles to identify nutritypes and biomarkers. The present review critiques the current literature in terms of the approaches used for dietary biomarker discovery and gives a detailed overview of the currently proposed biomarkers, highlighting steps needed for their full validation. Furthermore, the present review also evaluates areas such as current databases and software tools, which are needed to advance the interpretation of results and therefore enhance the utility of dietary biomarkers in nutrition research.
US Prevalence And Predictors Of Informal Caregiving For Dementia.

In 2010, 5.5 million US adults ages seventy and older received informal care, including 3.6 million with cognitive impairment or probable dementia. Adults with probable dementia received 171 hours of monthly informal care, versus 89 hours for cognitively impaired adults without dementia and 66 hours for cognitively normal adults.
Immunohistochemical biomarkers in patients with early-onset breast carcinoma by tissue microarray.

UNLABELLED Young women with breast cancer have a poor prognosis, and the role of biologic markers in young women is not well defined. We investigated the association of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, Bcl-2, HER-2/neu, p53, and Ki-67 with clinicopathologic features and outcome in young women with breast cancer. METHODS A cohort of 103 patients with early-onset breast cancer treated with conservative surgery and radiotherapy were entered in this study. Age range was 25-45 years, and median follow-up was 8.7 years. Each of the paraffin-embedded specimens was immunologically stained for six biomarkers expression by a recently developed tissue microarray method. RESULTS The 10-year overall breast relapse-free and distant relapse-free survival rates were 82.7%, 84.6. 4%, and 66.7%, respectively, with 14 local relapses and 26 distant metastases among the 103 patients evaluated. Positive expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, bcl-2, HER-2/neu, p53, and Ki-67 were 42.7%, 48.5%, 35.6%, 28.0%, 36.9%, and 39.7%, respectively. Tumor stage and nodal status were significantly associated with overall survival and distant metastasis-free rate in univariate and multivariate analysis. Progesterone receptor negativity and Ki-67 positivity were associated with distant metastasis. There was no statistically significant correlation between the six biomarkers and local relapse. CONCLUSIONS Progesterone receptor, Ki-67, tumor stage, and nodal status were prognostic factors for distant failure in early-stage breast cancer in young patients. Further studies are needed to find other biologic markers associated with local failure in this group of patients.
Anisomycin Selectively Desensitizes Signalling Components Involved in Stress Kinase Activation and fos andjun Induction

ABSTRACT Anisomycin, a translational inhibitor secreted byStreptomyces spp. , strongly activates the stress-activated mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases JNK/SAPK (c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase) and p38/RK in mammalian cells, resulting in rapid induction of immediate-early (IE) genes in the nucleus. Here, we have characterized this response further with respect to homologous and heterologous desensitization of IE gene induction and stress kinase activation. We show that anisomycin acts exactly like a signalling agonist in eliciting highly specific and virtually complete homologous desensitization. Anisomycin desensitization of a panel of IE genes (c-fos, fosB, c-jun,junB, and junD), using epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor, (bFGF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), anisomycin, tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA), and UV radiation as secondary stimuli, was found to be extremely specific both with respect to the secondary stimuli and at the level of individual genes. Further, we show that anisomycin-induced homologous desensitization is caused by the fact that anisomycin no longer activates the JNK/SAPK and p38/RK MAP kinase cascades in desensitized cells. In anisomycin-desensitized cells, activation of JNK/SAPKs by UV radiation and hyperosmolarity is almost completely lost, and that of the p38/RK cascade is reduced to about 50% of the normal response. However, all other stimuli produced normal or augmented activation of these two kinase cascades in anisomycin-desensitized cells. These data show that anisomycin behaves like a true signalling agonist and suggest that the anisomycin-desensitized signalling component(s) is not involved in JNK/SAPK or p38/RK activation by EGF, bFGF, TNF-α, or TPA but may play a significant role in UV- and hyperosmolarity-stimulated responses.
Regulation of the Pcl7–Pho85 cyclin–cdk complex by Pho81

Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains lacking a functional Pho85 cyclin‐dependent kinase (cdk) exhibit a complex phenotype, including deregulation of phosphatase genes controlled by the transcription factor Pho4, slow growth on rich media, failure to grow using galactose, lactate or glycerol as a carbon source and hyperaccumulation of glycogen. The ability of Pho85 to regulate the transcription factor Pho4 is mediated by its association the Pho80 cyclin. Some other regulatory functions of the Pho85 cdk have been shown to be mediated via its interaction with a recently identified family of Pho80‐related cyclins (Pcls). Here, we show that the poorly characterized Pho80‐like protein Pcl7 forms a functional kinase complex with the Pho85 cdk, and that the activity of this complex is inhibited in response to phosphate starvation. Additionally, we show that Pcl7 interacts with the phosphate‐regulated cyclin–cdk inhibitor Pho81, and that the regulation of the Pcl7–Pho85 complex in response to changes in phosphate levels is dependent on Pho81. Thus, we demonstrate for the first time that the Pho81 regulator is not dedicated to regulating Pho80, but may act to co‐ordinate the activity of both the Pho80–Pho85 and Pcl7–Pho85 cyclin–cdk complexes in response to phosphate levels. We also demonstrate that expression of Pcl7 is cell cycle regulated, with maximal activity occurring in mid to late S‐phase, perhaps suggesting a role for Pcl7 in cell cycle progression. Finally, we describe the phenotype of pcl7Δ and pcl6Δ yeast strains that have defects in carbon source utilization.
Comparison of Medical Costs of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Unsuitable for Warfarin Treatment With Apixaban or Aspirin Based on AVERROES Trial

Background: The AVERROES trial name is the following: The Apixaban Versus Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA) to Prevent Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation Patients Who Have Failed or Are Unsuitable for Vitamin K Antagonist Treatment (AVERROES) trial demonstrated that apixaban reduced the risk of stroke relative to aspirin, without significantly increasing major bleeding risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) considered unsuitable for warfarin therapy. Based on AVERROES trial results, this study compared the medical costs for clinical end points among patients with AF treated with either apixaban or aspirin. Methods: Medical costs per patient-year for clinical events were determined. Based on clinical event rates for patients in the AVERROES trial, medical costs excluding drug costs were estimated for apixaban- and aspirin-treated patient groups. Results and Conclusions: Based on AVERROES trial results, among patients with AF unsuitable for warfarin therapy, apixaban use was estimated to be associated with a mean medical cost avoidance of US$735 in a patient-year relative to aspirin. The primary driver was the significant reduction in ischemic stroke rate. The medical cost reduction associated with apixaban use was consistent in sensitivity analyses.