Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Traumatic hyphema in children: risk factors for complications.

OBJECTIVE To identify risk factors associated with higher rates of ocular complications in children with traumatic hyphema. METHODS Consecutive inpatient records from July 1990 through December 1997 were retrospectively reviewed for all children (aged < or = 18 years) who were admitted to the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute, Baltimore, Md, within 48 hours of a closed-globe injury leading to hyphema. Data obtained included age, sex, race, sickle cell status, initial and final visual acuities, hyphema size and intraocular pressure at presentation, the occurrence of a secondary hemorrhage, subsequent intraocular pressure elevations, and therapeutic interventions. RESULTS Forty children fulfilled the inclusion criteria: 20 African American, 1 Asian American, and 19 white. Five of the 20 African American children had sickle cell trait, and 1 had sickle cell anemia. The rate of secondary hemorrhage was statistically higher in the African American population (P =.05), but no statistical difference existed between the rate of secondary hemorrhage in patients with and without sickle cell hemoglobinopathy. Sickle cell hemoglobinopathy was associated with a higher intraocular pressure at presentation (P =.03) and during inpatient follow-up (P =.02). CONCLUSIONS In the setting of traumatic hyphema, African American children appear to be at greater risk for developing a secondary hemorrhage. In our patients, sickle cell hemoglobinopathy increased the risk of intraocular pressure elevation, but did not seem to increase the risk of rebleeding beyond that associated with race. Larger studies are needed to validate these observations.
Early‐onset L‐dopa‐responsive parkinsonism with pyramidal signs due to ATP13A2, PLA2G6, FBXO7 and spatacsin mutations

Seven autosomal recessive genes associated with juvenile and young‐onset Levodopa‐responsive parkinsonism have been identified. Mutations in PRKN, DJ‐1, and PINK1 are associated with a rather pure parkinsonian phenotype, and have a more benign course with sustained treatment response and absence of dementia. On the other hand, Kufor‐Rakeb syndrome has additional signs, which distinguish it clearly from Parkinson's disease including supranuclear vertical gaze palsy, myoclonic jerks, pyramidal signs, and cognitive impairment. Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation type I (Hallervorden‐Spatz syndrome) due to mutations in PANK2 gene may share similar features with Kufor‐Rakeb syndrome. Mutations in three other genes, PLA2G6 (PARK14), FBXO7 (PARK15), and Spatacsin (SPG11) also produce clinical similar phenotypes in that they presented with rapidly progressive parkinsonism, initially responsive to Levodopa treatment but later, developed additional features including cognitive decline and loss of Levodopa responsiveness. Here, using homozygosity mapping and sequence analysis in families with complex parkinsonisms, we identified genetic defects in the ATP13A2 (1 family), PLA2G6 (1 family) FBXO7 (2 families), and SPG11 (1 family). The genetic heterogeneity was surprising given their initially common clinical features. On careful review, we found the FBXO7 cases to have a phenotype more similar to PRKN gene associated parkinsonism. The ATP13A2 and PLA2G6 cases were more seriously disabled with additional swallowing problems, dystonic features, severe in some, and usually pyramidal involvement including pyramidal weakness. These data suggest that these four genes account for many cases of Levodopa responsive parkinsonism with pyramidal signs cases formerly categorized clinically as pallido‐pyramidal syndrome. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society.
Assessing Microbial Communities for a Metabolic Profile Similar to Activated Sludge

To search for reliable testing inocula alternatives to activated sludge cultures, several model microbial consortia were compared with activated sludge populations for their functional diversity. The evaluation of the metabolic potential of these mixed inocula was performed using the Biolog EcoPlates and GN and GP MicroPlates (Biolog, Inc., Hayward, California). The community‐level physiological profiles (CLPPs) obtained for model communities and activated sludge samples were analyzed by principal component analysis and hierarchic clustering methods, to evaluate the ability of Biolog plates to distinguish among the different microbial communities. The effect of different inocula preparation methodologies on the community structure was also studied. The CLPPs obtained with EcoPlates and GN MicroPlates showed that EcoPlates are suitable to screen communities with a metabolic profile similar to activated sludge. New, well‐defined, standardized, and safe inocula presenting the same metabolic community profile as activated sludge were selected and can be tested as surrogate cultures in activated‐sludge‐based bioassays.
Monomeric variants of IL‐8: Effects of side chain substitutions and solution conditions upon dimer formation

IL‐8 dimers have been observed in NMR and X‐ray structures of the protein. We have engineered IL‐8 monomers by mutations of residues throughout the dimer interface, which introduce hindrance determinants to dimerization. These IL‐8 variants are shown by NMR to have wild‐type monomer folding, but by ultracentrifugation to have a range of dimerization constants from /xM to mM, as compared with a dimerization constant of about 10 /xM for wild‐type IL‐8, under physiological salt and temperature conditions. The monomeric variants of IL‐8 bind the erythrocyte chemokine receptor DARC, as well as the neutrophil IL‐8 receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 with affinities similar to that of wild‐type IL‐8. In addition, the monomeric variants were shown to have agonist activity, with similar potency to wild‐type, in both Ca2+‐flux assays on CXCR1 and CXCR2 transfected cells, and in chemotaxis assays on neutrophils. Thus, these variants confirm that monomeric IL‐8 is functionally equivalent to wild‐type in in vitro assays. We have also investigated the effects of various solution conditions upon IL‐8 dimer formation using analytical ultracentrifugation. At salt concentrations, temperatures, and pH conditions lower than physiological, the dimerization affinity of IL‐8 is greatly enhanced. This suggests that, under some conditions, IL‐8 dimer formation may occur at concentrations of IL‐8 considerably lower than 10 fiM, with consequences in vivo that are yet to be determined.
The serotonin system and spiritual experiences.

OBJECTIVE The serotonin system has long been of interest in biological models of human personality. The purpose of this positron emission tomography (PET) study was to search for relationships between serotonin 5-HT(1A) receptor density and personality traits. METHOD Fifteen normal male subjects, ages 20-45 years, were examined with PET and the radioligand [(11)C]WAY100635. Personality traits were assessed with the Swedish version of the Temperament and Character Inventory self-report questionnaire. Binding potential, an index for the density of available 5-HT(1A) receptors, was calculated for the dorsal raphe nuclei, the hippocampal formation, and the neocortex. For each region, correlation coefficients between 5-HT(1A) receptor binding potential and Temperament and Character Inventory personality dimensions were calculated and analyzed in two-tailed tests for significance. RESULTS The authors found that the binding potential correlated inversely with scores for self-transcendence, a personality trait covering religious behavior and attitudes. No correlations were found for any of the other six Temperament and Character Inventory dimensions. The self-transcendence dimension consists of three distinct subscales, and further analysis showed that the subscale for spiritual acceptance correlated significantly with binding potential but not with the other two subscales. CONCLUSIONS This finding in normal male subjects indicated that the serotonin system may serve as a biological basis for spiritual experiences. The authors speculated that the several-fold variability in 5-HT(1A) receptor density may explain why people vary greatly in spiritual zeal.
Quantification of Vincristine and its Major Metabolite in Human Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry

An analytical method using electrospray ionization and high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) was developed to quantify vincristine and M1, the CYP3A-mediated metabolite of vincristine, in human plasma. Vinblastine (internal standard), vincristine, and M1 in plasma were extracted in methylene chloride after acidification with TCAA. The analytes were separated on an Inertsil ODS-3 C18 column (2.1 × 150 mm) with a 5-μm particle size using a gradient elution with a run time of 20 min. The initial mobile phase composition was 0.2% formic acid/water (80:20, v/v) with a final composition of 0.2% formic acid/water (20:80, v/v). Detection was accomplished with multiple reaction monitoring for vinblastine (m/z 406.3→ 271.7), vincristine (m/z 413.2→ 362.2), and M1 (m/z 397.3 → 376.2). At three concentrations of vincristine and M1, the inter-day and intra-day accuracy and precision were within the acceptable limits for validation (106.8 ± 9.6% for intra-day, n = 5 each concentration; 90.9 ± 10.9% for inter-day, n = 4 each concentration). For both vincristine and M1, the concentration limits of quantification and detection were 12 pg/mL and 6 pg/mL, respectively. Stability studies indicated that 80% of M1 degraded in plasma after 15 hours at room temperature (n = 3, high and low QC concentrations). Therefore, short plasma processing times (<30 min) are recommended. The assay was used successfully to quantify vincristine and M1 in pediatric plasma samples up to 24 hours after vincristine administration. Vincristine and M1 concentrations were within the limits of quantification for all patient plasma samples.
Light deprivation damages monoamine neurons and produces a depressive behavioral phenotype in rats

Light is an important environmental factor for regulation of mood. There is a high frequency of seasonal affective disorder in high latitudes where light exposure is limited, and bright light therapy is a successful antidepressant treatment. We recently showed that rats kept for 6 weeks in constant darkness (DD) have anatomical and behavioral features similar to depressed patients, including dysregulation of circadian sleep–waking rhythms and impairment of the noradrenergic (NA)-locus coeruleus (LC) system. Here, we analyzed the cell viability of neural systems related to the pathophysiology of depression after DD, including NA-LC, serotoninergic-raphe nuclei and dopaminergic-ventral tegmental area neurons, and evaluated the depressive behavioral profile of light-deprived rats. We found increased apoptosis in the three aminergic systems analyzed when compared with animals maintained for 6 weeks in 12:12 light-dark conditions. The most apoptosis was observed in NA-LC neurons, associated with a significant decrease in the number of cortical NA boutons. Behaviorally, DD induced a depression-like condition as measured by increased immobility in a forced swim test (FST). DD did not appear to be stressful (no effect on adrenal or body weights) but may have sensitized responses to subsequent stressors (increased fecal number during the FST). We also found that the antidepressant desipramine decreases these neural and behavioral effects of light deprivation. These findings indicate that DD induces neural damage in monoamine brain systems and this damage is associated with a depressive behavioral phenotype. Our results suggest a mechanism whereby prolonged limited light intensity could negatively impact mood.
Poxvirus Viability and Signatures in Historical Relics

Although it has been >30 years since the eradication of smallpox, the unearthing of well-preserved tissue material in which the virus may reside has called into question the viability of variola virus decades or centuries after its original occurrence. Experimental data to address the long-term stability and viability of the virus are limited. There are several instances of well-preserved corpses and tissues that have been examined for poxvirus viability and viral DNA. These historical specimens cause concern for potential exposures, and each situation should be approached cautiously and independently with the available information. Nevertheless, these specimens provide information on the history of a major disease and vaccination against it.
A Generic VSC HVDC Primary Control Structure Suitable for Stability Studies

transmission is described with block d iagrams in this p aper. While the primary control facilitates set-point tracking for small and large disturbances, converter blocking is initiated via the blocking logic. The adaptable control structure to change operation modes facilitates testing of various primary control approaches. Stability studies with dc side faults can be more accurately implemented with converter blocking functionality. For the purpose of studying also dc side fault clearing, a simple dc breaker implementation is outlined. Time domain simulations in Digsilent's Powerfactory platform are provided to justify the claims.
XeNA: Capecitabine Plus Docetaxel, With or Without Trastuzumab, as Preoperative Therapy for Early Breast Cancer

Combinations of capecitabine and a taxane are highly active in metastatic breast cancer, and synergy between capecitabine and docetaxel has also been demonstrated. Such combinations potentially would provide a promising non–anthracycline-based alternative for patients with early breast cancer. Non-anthracycline preoperative regimens are a particularly interesting proposition in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer, as they offer less cardiotoxicity and thus can be used concomitantly with preoperative trastuzumab therapy. Capecitabine plus docetaxel (XT) and trastuzumab with XT (HXT) are promising non-anthracycline regimens for the preoperative treatment of women with HER2-negative and HER2-positive breast cancer, respectively. The Xeloda in Neoadjuvant (XeNA) trial, an open-label, multicenter, phase II study, independently assesses the efficacy of preoperative XT in HER2-negative and HXT in HER2-positive breast cancer. A particularly important feature of the XeNA study is the use of pathologic complete response (pCR) plus near pCR (npCR) as the primary endpoint. pCR is associated with long-term survival, and although it is valuable as a surrogate marker, pCR has some limitations. Measurement of residual breast cancer burden (RCB) has been proposed as a more practical alternative to predict survival after preoperative chemotherapy. The combination of RCB-0 and RCB-I (npCR) expands the subset of patients shown to benefit from preoperative chemotherapy, and achievement of pCR or npCR is associated with long disease-free survival. In XeNA, the sum of pCR and npCR will facilitate correlative studies designed to identify patients most likely to benefit from XT and HXT and may expedite the clinical evaluation of these novel preoperative regimens.
Epidemiological Aspects of Recruitment of Male Volunteers for Non-Invasive Urodynamics

Introduction: We studied epidemiological aspects of recruitment of volunteers for a non-invasive urodynamic study. Materials and Methods: 9,236 volunteers were invited by 20 general practitioners (GPs), using two different recruitment methods, i.e. by mail only, or during a subsequent visit to the GP’s office. Factors influencing the response rates were analyzed. We also tested how much the recruited population of volunteers differed from the general population, by comparing it to another, proven representative study carried out earlier in 1,662 subjects. Results: In the recruited population the prostate volumes were not significantly different from the proven representative study, but the symptom score was statistically significantly higher, although the difference was so small it may be called clinically irrelevant. Recruitment of volunteers in two steps, i.e. asking them first to visit the GP’s office, and inviting them there to visit the outpatient clinic, rather than directly inviting them (in writing) to the clinic seemed to lead to a higher response, although this effect could not be statistically discriminated from the difference in response rates between GPs. Conclusion: The population recruited was not urologically different from the general population. The response depended on age, being highest around the age of 60, and increased with social economic status. It also depended on the GP who recruited the subjects, and/or on the recruitment method.
Intraspecific Differences in Spectral Reflectance Curves as Indicators of Reduced Vitality in High-Arctic Plants

Remote sensing is a suitable candidate for monitoring rapid changes in Polar regions, offering high-resolution spectral, spatial and radiometric data. This paper focuses on the spectral properties of dominant plant species acquired during the first week of August 2015. Twenty-eight plots were selected, which could easily be identified in the field as well as on RapidEye satellite imagery. Spectral measurements of individual species were acquired, and heavy metal contamination stress factors were measured contemporaneously. As a result, a unique spectral library of dominant plant species, heavy metal concentrations and damage ratios were achieved with an indication that species-specific changes due to environmental conditions can best be differentiated in the 1401–2400 nm spectral region. Two key arctic tundra species, Cassiope tetragona and Dryas octopetala, exhibited significant differences in this spectral region that were linked to a changing health status. Relationships between field and satellite measurements were comparable, e.g., the Red Edge Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (RENDVI) showed a strong and significant relationship (R2 = 0.82; p = 0.036) for the species Dryas octopetala. Cadmium and Lead were below detection levels while manganese, copper and zinc acquired near Longyearbyen were at concentrations comparable to other places in Svalbard. There were high levels of nickel near Longyearbyen (0.014 mg/g), while it was low (0.004 mg/g) elsewhere.
The role of psychological climate in facilitating employee adjustment during organizational change

The current research tested a theoretical model of employee adjustment during organizational change based on Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) cognitive-phenomenological framework. The model hypothesized that psychological climate variables would act as coping resources and predict improved adjustment during change. Two variations of this model were tested using survey data from two different organizational samples: 779 public hospital employees and 877 public sector employees. Confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation analyses were conducted in order to evaluate the models. Results showed that employees whose perceptions of the organization and environment in which they were working (that is, psychological climate) were more positive, were more likely to appraise change favourably and report better adjustment in terms of higher job satisfaction, psychological well-being, and organizational commitment, and lower absenteeism and turnover intentions.
Distributed algorithms for overlay networks and programmable matter

This dissertation consists of two parts that are dedicated to the study of distributed algorithms for overlay networks and programmable matter. The first part revolves around the topics of robustness against attacks, recovery from faults, and monitoring network properties in the context of overlay networks. More specifically, we introduce network protocols that maintain the connectivity of an overlay network under massive adversarial churn or denial-of-service attacks, we present a self-stabilizing algorithm for the construction of metric graphs, and we initiate the study of hybrid networks by investigating the problem of continuously monitoring properties of an externally-controlled network with the help of an overlay network. In the second part we investigate the algorithmic foundations of programmable matter. Programmable matter refers to a substance that can change its shape or other physical properties in a programmable fashion. We envision programmable matter consisting of simple computational devices that are able to self-organize in order to achieve a collective goal without any central control or external intervention. We present efficient algorithms for the fundamental problems of leader election and shape formation for programmable matter.
HDAC3 is crucial in shear- and VEGF-induced stem cell differentiation toward endothelial cells

Reendothelialization involves endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) homing, proliferation, and differentiation, which may be influenced by fluid shear stress and local flow pattern. This study aims to elucidate the role of laminar flow on embryonic stem (ES) cell differentiation and the underlying mechanism. We demonstrated that laminar flow enhanced ES cell–derived progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation into endothelial cells (ECs). Laminar flow stabilized and activated histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) through the Flk-1–PI3K–Akt pathway, which in turn deacetylated p53, leading to p21 activation. A similar signal pathway was detected in vascular endothelial growth factor–induced EC differentiation. HDAC3 and p21 were detected in blood vessels during embryogenesis. Local transfer of ES cell–derived EPC incorporated into injured femoral artery and reduced neointima formation in a mouse model. These data suggest that shear stress is a key regulator for stem cell differentiation into EC, especially in EPC differentiation, which can be used for vascular repair, and that the Flk-1–PI3K–Akt–HDAC3–p53–p21 pathway is crucial in such a process.
Microbiome-Derived Tryptophan Metabolites and Their Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-Dependent Agonist and Antagonist Activities

The tryptophan metabolites indole, indole-3-acetate, and tryptamine were identified in mouse cecal extracts and fecal pellets by mass spectrometry. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) agonist and antagonist activities of these microbiota-derived compounds were investigated in CaCo-2 intestinal cells as a model for understanding their interactions with colonic tissue, which is highly aryl hydrocarbon (Ah)–responsive. Activation of Ah-responsive genes demonstrated that tryptamine and indole 3-acetate were AHR agonists, whereas indole was an AHR antagonist that inhibited TCDD (2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin)–induced CYP1A1 expression. In contrast, the tryptophan metabolites exhibited minimal anti-inflammatory activities, whereas TCDD decreased phorbol ester-induced CXCR4 [chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4] gene expression, and this response was AHR dependent. These results demonstrate that the tryptophan metabolites indole, tryptamine, and indole-3-acetate modulate AHR-mediated responses in CaCo-2 cells, and concentrations of indole that exhibit AHR antagonist activity (100–250 μM) are detected in the intestinal microbiome.