Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Voice and endocrinology

Voice is one of the advanced features of natural evolution that differentiates human beings from other primates. The human voice is capable of conveying the thoughts into spoken words along with a subtle emotion to the tone. This extraordinary character of the voice in expressing multiple emotions is the gift of God to the human beings and helps in effective interpersonal communication. Voice generation involves close interaction between cerebral signals and the peripheral apparatus consisting of the larynx, vocal cords, and trachea. The human voice is susceptible to the hormonal changes throughout life right from the puberty until senescence. Thyroid, gonadal and growth hormones have tremendous impact on the structure and function of the vocal apparatus. The alteration of voice is observed even in physiological states such as puberty and menstruation. Astute clinical observers make out the changes in the voice and refer the patients for endocrine evaluation. In this review, we shall discuss the hormonal influence on the voice apparatus in normal and endocrine disorders.
Migration and technical efficiency in cereal production: evidence from Burkina Faso: F. Wouterse / Agricultural Economics xx (2010) 1-11

"This paper uses data envelopment analysis and new data from Burkina Faso to test the impact of intercontinental and continental migration on technical efficiency in the production of two cereals—millet and sorghum—by rural households. Econometric evidence supports our theoretical expectation that the impact of emigration varies by migrant destination. I find evidence of a positive relation between continental migration and technical efficiency and a negative relation between intercontinental migration and technical efficiency. In an imperfect market environment, continental migration is associated with greater efficiency because it removes a male labor surplus; explanations for the negative relationship between intercontinental migration and technical efficiency should be sought in a surplus of female labor supply. Overall, findings suggest that migration does not lead to a transformation of cereal production from traditional to modern, because in an imperfect market environment, liquidity received in the form of remittances cannot compensate for labor shortfalls. " from authors' abstract
Selection of Hepatitis B Virus Polymerase Mutations in HIV-Coinfected Patients Treated with Tenofovir

Background Tenofovir (TDF) is an adenosine nucleotide analogue that has been approved for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. It also shows activity against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients with or without lamivudine (LAM)-associated mutations. Development of clinical or virological HBV breakthrough during TDF therapy has not been reported so far. The aim of this study was to analyse the HBV polymerase (pol) from HIV/HBV-coinfected patients with detectable serum levels of HBV DNA during treatment with TDF for longer than 6 months. Methods The HBV pol was sequenced from 43 patient's serum before and during TDF therapy. Phenotypic analyses were performed using HBV replication-competent plasmids carrying unique mutations selected under TDF therapy. Results Mean exposure to LAM was 35.3 ±27.5 months and to TDF 11.2 ±6.7 months. Genotypic analyses from 21 of the patients revealed LAM-associated mutations, and a further two patients developed a novel mutation, rtA194T, along with LAM-resistance-associated mutations. Phenotypic analyses revealed that constructs harbouring rtA194T combined with rtL180M and rtM204V displayed an over 10-fold increase in the IC50 for TDF compared with the wild type. Conclusion The selection of HBV mutations in HBV/HIV-coinfected patients failing TDF therapy is an unlikely event within the first 12 months of treatment. However, HBV from two of the 43 patients treated with TDF for more than 12 months was found to contain one novel mutation located distal to the catalytic site of the HBV pol. In vitro, rtA194T conferred a reduced susceptibility to TDF in the presence of LAM-associated mutations.
Investigation into the Feasibility of Thioditaloside as a Novel Scaffold for Galectin‐3‐Specific Inhibitors

Galectin‐3 is extensively involved in metabolic and disease processes, such as cancer metastasis, thus giving impetus for the design of specific inhibitors targeting this β‐galactose‐binding protein. Thiodigalactoside (TDG) presents a scaffold for construction of galectin inhibitors, and its inhibition of galectin‐1 has already demonstrated beneficial effects as an adjuvant with vaccine immunotherapy, thereby improving the survival outcome of tumour‐challenged mice. A novel approach—replacing galactose with its C2 epimer, talose—offers an alternative framework, as extensions at C2 permit exploitation of a galectin‐3‐specific binding groove, thereby facilitating the design of selective inhibitors. We report the synthesis of thioditaloside (TDT) and crystal structures of the galectin‐3 carbohydrate recognition domain in complexes with TDT and TDG. The different abilities of galactose and talose to anchor to the protein correlate with molecular dynamics studies, likely explaining the relative disaccharide binding affinities. The feasibility of a TDT scaffold to enable access to a particular galectin‐3 binding groove and the need for modifications to optimise such a scaffold for use in the design of potent and selective inhibitors are assessed.
When to Use Web-based Surveys

Even in this randomized trial era, surveys of patients and professionals remain an important epidemiologic technique for capturing cross-sectional or longitudinal data, providing fundamental insights about health and disease.1 There are several alternative methods for collecting such data, which include conducting face-to-face or telephone interviews; circulating a questionnaire by mail, fax, or e-mail; and eliciting responses to a survey posted on an open Web site. Other methods that are currently less widely exploited include digital interactive television; use of a software package to capture survey data, either by mailed floppy disks or as a Java applet over the Web; and automatic telephone menu systems. The preceding article by Schleyer and Forrest2 explores some of the issues arising from a Web survey, but it may be useful first to consider the range of survey methods that are available. Two major features define a survey method: how participants are identified and the data capture technique. Let us consider these features and their implications in turn. How participants are identified determines how much control the investigators exert over their selection. For complete control, eligible participants are selected according to specific characteristics.3 We can check characteristics from an existing database or mailing list, including an e-mail discussion list, or carry out a preliminary mailing or interview to capture the necessary eligibility data. If, instead, we wish only a modest degree of control, we can distribute copies of the survey to a group known to us and ask them in turn to send it out to their contacts—the “snowball” technique (e.g., Forsstrom et al.4). With this method we have much less control over who receives a copy of the survey, and it makes sending reminders or follow-up surveys more difficult, too. We often do not even know how many copies of …
Detection of Circulating B Cells Producing Anti-GPIb Autoantibodies in Patients with Immune Thrombocytopenia

Background We previously reported that an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay for detecting anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibody-secreting B cells is a sensitive method for identifying patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Here we assessed the clinical significance of measuring circulating B cells producing antibodies to GPIb, another major platelet autoantigen. Methods Anti-GPIb and anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibody-producing B cells were simultaneously measured using ELISPOT assays in 32 healthy controls and 226 consecutive thrombocytopenic patients, including 114 with primary ITP, 25 with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 30 with liver cirrhosis, 39 with post-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (post-HSCT), and 18 non-ITP controls (aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndrome). Results There were significantly more circulating anti-GPIb and anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibody-producing B cells in primary ITP, SLE, liver cirrhosis, and post-HSCT patients than in healthy controls (P<0.05 for all comparisons). For diagnosing primary ITP, the anti-GPIb ELISPOT assay had 43% sensitivity and 89% specificity, whereas the anti-GPIIb/IIIa ELISPOT assay had 86% sensitivity and 83% specificity. When two tests were combined, the sensitivity was slightly improved to 90% without a reduction in specificity. In primary ITP patients, the anti-GPIb antibody response was associated with a low platelet count, lack of Helicobacter pylori infection, positive anti-nuclear antibody, and poor therapeutic response to intravenous immunoglobulin. Conclusion The ELISPOT assay for detecting anti-GPIb antibody-secreting B cells is useful for identifying patients with ITP, but its utility for diagnosing ITP is inferior to the anti-GPIIb/IIIa ELISPOT assay. Nevertheless, detection of the anti-GPIb antibody response is useful for subtyping patients with primary ITP.
Sensor discovery and configuration framework for the Internet of Things paradigm

Internet of Things (IoT) will comprise billions of devices that can sense, communicate, compute and potentially actuate. The data generated by the Internet of Things are valuable and have the potential to drive innovative and novel applications. The data streams coming from these devices will challenge the traditional approaches to data management and contribute to the emerging paradigm of big data. One of the most challenging tasks before collecting and processing data from these devices (e.g. sensors) is discovering and configuring the sensors and the associated data streams. In this paper, we propose a tool called SmartLink that can be used to discover and configure sensors. Specifically, SmartLink, is capable of discovering sensors deployed in a particular location despite their heterogeneity (e.g. different communication protocols, communication sequences, capabilities). SmartLink establishes the direct communication between the sensor hardware and cloud-based IoT middleware. We address the challenge of heterogeneity using a plugin architecture. Our prototype tool is developed on the Android platform. We evaluate the significance of our approach by discovering and configuring 52 different types of Libelium sensors.
Xenin-25 Amplifies GIP-Mediated Insulin Secretion in Humans With Normal and Impaired Glucose Tolerance but Not Type 2 Diabetes

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) potentiates glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). This response is blunted in type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Xenin-25 is a 25–amino acid neurotensin-related peptide that amplifies GIP-mediated GSIS in hyperglycemic mice. This study determines if xenin-25 amplifies GIP-mediated GSIS in humans with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), or T2DM. Each fasting subject received graded glucose infusions to progressively raise plasma glucose concentrations, along with vehicle alone, GIP, xenin-25, or GIP plus xenin-25. Plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and glucagon levels and insulin secretion rates (ISRs) were determined. GIP amplified GSIS in all groups. Initially, this response was rapid, profound, transient, and essentially glucose independent. Thereafter, ISRs increased as a function of plasma glucose. Although magnitudes of insulin secretory responses to GIP were similar in all groups, ISRs were not restored to normal in subjects with IGT and T2DM. Xenin-25 alone had no effect on ISRs or plasma glucagon levels, but the combination of GIP plus xenin-25 transiently increased ISR and plasma glucagon levels in subjects with NGT and IGT but not T2DM. Since xenin-25 signaling to islets is mediated by a cholinergic relay, impaired islet responses in T2DM may reflect defective neuronal, rather than GIP, signaling.
ENDOTHELIN-1 AND NA + , K + ATPASE GENE EXPRESSION IS UPREGULATED IN ADULT KIDNEYS OF A NOVEL MOUSE MODEL OF HERITABLE RENAL HYPOPLASIA , SUPPORTING DIAGNOSIS OF CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE Student

Student Researcher: Jade Beerman-Kapoi, Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus Mentors: Ben Fogelgren, PhD; Scott Lozanoff, PhD, University of Hawaii School of Medicine, Honolulu, Hawaii The Brachyrrhine (Br) mouse arose from X-ray irradiation of the 3H1 strain and is inherited in a semi-dominant manner. The Br heterozygous (Br/+) mouse exhibits heritable renal hypoplasia with reduced nephron numbers and decreased renal function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of markers of chronic renal failure (CRF) in adult Br/+ mice with kidney hypoplasia. Critical cardiorenal physiological genes including endothelin-1, ETA and ETB receptors, and Na ,K ATPase have previously shown upregulation in the kidneys of patients with CRF. In addition, increased levels of these genes contribute to the progression of CRF. To accurately measure the gene expression of these four genes, we used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) on RNA extracted from adult Br/+ and wild type (+/+) kidneys. With the RNA extracted from the Br/+ and +/+ kidneys, cDNA was generated with reverse transcription reactions. A comparative statistical analysis of gene expression data determined whether the Br/+ kidney expresses higher levels of these genes, indicating that these kidneys show markers of CRF. Gene expression levels were calculated and compared as a function of the threshold cycles (Ct). Data were normalized using expression of beta-actin, and samples were each run in triplicate to minimize errors. Endothelin-1 and Na,K ATPase mRNA expression levels were significantly upregulated in the Br/+ kidneys, however ET receptors A and B mRNA expression levels in the Br/+ kidneys showed no significant difference in comparison to the +/+ kidneys. INTRODUCTION
Pregnancy loss and risk of cardiovascular disease: a prospective population-based cohort study (EPIC-Heidelberg)

Objectives To examine whether pregnancy loss (miscarriage, abortion or stillbirth) is associated with a higher risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. Design Population-based prospective cohort study. Setting The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort in Heidelberg, Germany (mean follow-up 10.8 years). Participants All 11 518 women who had ever been pregnant (aged 35–66). Results Out of the participants, 2876 (25%) had at least one miscarriage, 2053 (18%) had at least one abortion and 209 (2%) had at least one stillbirth. During the follow-up, 82 cases of MI and 112 of stroke (confirmed by medical records) occurred in these women. Each stillbirth increased the risk of MI 2.65 times (95% CI for age-adjusted HR 1.37 to 5.12; HR adjusted for age, smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index, waist to hip ratio, physical activity, education, number of pregnancies, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetes mellitus: HR 2.32 95% CI 1.19 to 4.50, 95% CI). Recurrent miscarriage (>3) was associated with about nine times higher risk of MI (age-adjusted HR=8.90, 95% CI 3.18 to 24.90; fully adjusted HR 5.06, 95% CI 1.26 to 20.29). No significant association was found between abortion and MI or between any type of pregnancy loss and stroke. Conclusions These results suggest that women who experience spontaneous pregnancy loss are at a substantially higher risk of MI later in life. Recurrent miscarriage and stillbirth are strong sex-specific predictors for MI and thus should be considered as important indicators for cardiovascular risk factors monitoring and preventive measures. Further research is suggested to elucidate underlying risk factors of pregnancy loss that at the same time strongly predispose to cardiovascular disease.
Inhibition of vascular smooth muscle inward-rectifier K+ channels restores myogenic tone in mouse urinary bladder arterioles.

Prolonged decreases in urinary bladder blood flow are linked to overactive and underactive bladder pathologies. However, the mechanisms regulating bladder vascular reactivity are largely unknown. To investigate these mechanisms, we examined myogenic and vasoactive properties of mouse bladder feed arterioles (BFAs). Unlike similar-sized arterioles from other vascular beds, BFAs failed to constrict in response to increases in intraluminal pressure (5-80 mmHg). Consistent with this lack of myogenic tone, arteriolar smooth muscle cell membrane potential was hyperpolarized (-72.8 ± 1.4 mV) at 20 mmHg and unaffected by increasing pressure to 80 mmHg (-74.3 ± 2.2 mV). In contrast, BFAs constricted to the thromboxane analog U-46619 (100 nM), the adrenergic agonist phenylephrine (10 µM), and KCl (60 mM). Inhibition of nitric oxide synthase or intermediate- and small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels did not alter arteriolar diameter, indicating that the dilated state of BFAs is not attributable to overactive endothelium-dependent dilatory influences. Myocytes isolated from BFAs exhibited BaCl2 (100 µM)-sensitive K+ currents consistent with strong inward-rectifier K+ (KIR) channels. Notably, block of these KIR channels "restored" pressure-induced constriction and membrane depolarization. This suggests that these channels, in part, account for hyperpolarization and associated absence of tone in BFAs. Furthermore, smooth muscle-specific knockout of KIR2.1 caused significant myogenic tone to develop at physiological pressures. This suggests that 1) the regulation of vascular tone in the bladder is independent of pressure, insofar as pressure-induced depolarizing conductances cannot overcome KIR2.1-mediated hyperpolarization; and 2) maintenance of bladder blood flow during bladder filling is likely controlled by neurohumoral influences.
Effects of fructooligosaccharides on cecum polyamine concentration and gut maturation in early-weaned piglets

Polyamines are molecules involved in cell growth and differentiation and are produced by bacterial metabolism. However, their production and effects by the microbiota selected by fructooligosaccharides consumption are controversial. In this study, we investigated the influence of supplementation of fructooligosaccharides on the cecal polyamine production by the microflora selected, and its effect on gut maturation in newborn piglets. Twenty piglets were fed a control formula (n = 10) or a formula supplemented with fructooligosaccharides (8 g/l) (n = 10) for 13 days. Colony-forming unit’s count of cecal content was done in different media. Several intestinal development parameters were measured as well as the polyamine concentration in the cecal mucosa and cecal content. A dose-dependent study on in vitro polyamine production by fructooligosaccharides addition to the isolated cecal content was performed. Bifidogenic activity of fructooligosaccharides increased polyamine concentration in the cecal content, mainly putrescine, with no beneficial effect on gut maturation. Bifidobacterium spp. were able to produce polyamines, but they were not the most significant bacterial producer of polyamines in the cecum of piglets fed fructooligosaccharides. Bifidogenic activity of fructooligosaccharides did not lead to an increase in gut maturation in piglets of 15 days of age although polyamines were increased in the cecal content.
Global Stability of Monostable Traveling Waves For Nonlocal Time-Delayed Reaction-Diffusion Equations

For a class of nonlocal time-delayed reaction-diffusion equations, we prove that all noncritical wavefronts are globally exponentially stable, and critical wavefronts are globally algebraically stable when the initial perturbations around the wavefront decay to zero exponentially near the negative infinity regardless of the magnitude of time delay. This work also improves and develops the existing stability results for local and nonlocal reaction-diffusion equations with delays. Our approach is based on the combination of the weighted energy method and the Green function technique.
A Comparison of GFP‐Tagged Clathrin Light Chains with Fluorochromated Light Chains In Vivo and In Vitro

Clathrin triskelia consist of three heavy chains and three light chains (LCs). Green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐tagged LCs are widely utilized to follow the dynamics of clathrin in living cells, but whether they reflect faithfully the behavior of clathrin triskelia in cells has not been investigated yet thoroughly. As an alternative approach, we labeled purified LCs either with Alexa 488 or Cy3 dye and compared them with GFP‐tagged LC variants. Cy3‐labeled light chains (Cy3‐LCs) were microinjected into HeLa cells either directly or in association with heavy chains. Within 1–2 min the Cy3‐LC heavy chain complexes entered clathrin‐coated structures, whereas uncomplexed Cy3‐LC did not within 2 h. These findings show that no significant exchange of LCs occurs over the time–course of an endocytic cycle. To explore whether GFP‐tagged LCs behave functionally like endogenous LCs, we characterized them biochemically. Unlike wild‐type LCs, recombinant LCs with a GFP attached to either end did not efficiently inhibit clathrin assembly in vitro, whereas Cy3‐ and Alexa 488‐labeled LC behaved similar to wild‐type LCs in vitro and in vivo. Thus, fluorochromated LCs are a valuable tool for investigating the complex behavior of clathrin in living cells.
Comparison of Intratympanic Steroid Injection, Hyperbaric Oxygen and Combination Therapy in Refractory Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Objective The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of intratympanic steroid injection (ITS), hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), and combination therapy as salvage treatment in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) after failure of systemic therapy. Study Design A historical cohort study. Setting Academic medical center. Subjects and Methods One hundred three refractory SSNHL patients are enrolled. Among them, 35 received ITS alone (ITS group), 22 received HBO alone (HBO group), 19 received combined ITS and HBO (combined group), and 27 received no salvage therapies (control group). Hearing outcomes were determined by hearing gains in pure-tone average (PTA), recovery rate, and word recognition score (WRS) measured by audiometry before and after salvage therapies. Results Significant larger hearing gains in PTA were found in the ITS, HBO, and combined groups than the control group. The combination of ITS and HBO resulted in a significantly larger WRS improvement than the control group (p = 0.035) and larger hearing gains than the ITS and HBO groups in 250 Hz (p < 0.05). Conclusion ITS, HBO, and combined therapy offered some benefits in hearing improvement. Combined ITS/HBO may result in a larger WRS improvement and recovery of hearing, especially in lower frequencies. Further randomized prospective studies are needed for confirmation.