Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hyperhomocysteinemia and Oxidative Stress During Dialysis Treatment

Background/Aims. The concomitant presence of hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress may represent a determinant factor for the occurrence of vascular alterations and cardiac diseases, the main cause of death among dialysis patients. The aim was to analyze the occurrence of hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress and their possible relationship in dialysis patients. Methods. Antioxidant substances, homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 were determined in blood from 32 patients on hemodialysis (HD), 21 patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), and 12 healthy individuals. Results. Different degrees of hyperhomocysteinemia were observed in all HD patients and in 95% of the PD patients (45.30 ± 24.89 µM in HD and 35.50 ± 26.53 µM in PD). Oxidative stress defined as an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant forces was observed in all dialysis patients, but was more intense in HD individuals. In this group, lipoperoxidation and protein oxidation were associated with lower concentrations of antioxidants such as erythrocyte vitamin E and vitamin C. Conclusions. Hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress occur in both types of dialysis treatment, possibly contributing to the establishment of complications in these patients.
The Association of Heavy Metal of Blood and Serum in the Alzheimer’s Diseases

This study has attempted to establish an analysis method through validation against heavy metals in the body (Pb, Cd and Hg) using ICP-MS and Gold amalgamation and find out the relevance between heavy metal and Alzheimer’s disease after analyzing the distribution of heavy metal concentration (Pb, Cd and Hg) and correlations between a control group and Alzheimer’s disease group. In this study, Pb and Cd levels in the blood and serum were validation using ICP-MS. For analysis of Hg levels in the blood and serum, the gold amalgamation-based ‘Direct Mercury Analyzer’ has been used. According to an analysis on the heavy metal concentration (Pb, Cd and Hg concentration) in the blood, Cd concentration was high in the Alzheimer’s disease group. In the serum, on the contrary, Pb and Hg were high in the Alzheimer’s disease group. For analysis of correlations between heavy metal levels in the blood and serum and Alzheimer’s disease, t-test has been performed. Even though correlations were observed between the blood lead levels and Alzheimer’s disease, they were statistically insignificant because the concentration was higher in a control group. No significance was found in Cd and Hg. In the serum, on the other hand, no statistical significance was found between the heavy metal (Pb, Cd and Hg) and Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, no statistical significance was observed between heavy metal and decrease in cognitive intelligence. However, it appears that a further study needs to be performed because the results of the conventional studies were inconsistent.
Race Appropriate Sports: Is Golf Considered More Appropriate for Whites Compared to Racial Minorities?

Race Appropriate Sports: Is Golf Considered More Appropriate for Whites Compared to Racial Minorities? (August 2011) Anthony C. Rosselli, B.S., Texas A&M University Co-Chairs of Advisory Committee: Dr. George B. Cunningham Dr. Paul E. Keiper For various reasons, certain races tend to play particular sports. Sports with low costs of participation (e.g., basketball and football) have higher percentages of minority participants relative to sports with high costs of participation (e.g., golf). In addition to the cost of participation being a deterrent, stereotypes can also play a role into who plays various sports. Certain races tend to feel most competent in a particular sport (e.g., African Americans in basketball). This study focuses on the degree to which stereotypes contribute to the under representative rates of minorities in golf, compared to their overrepresented White counterparts. Data were collected from 217 students at a large US public university. A pilot test was used to develop a scale depicting the “general golfer”. In the primary study, participants used a 7-point scale to rate the degree to which the “general golfer”, Whites, Asians, Hispanics, and African Americans exhibited these characteristics. Examples of these characteristics include “refined”, “etiquette”,
Reverse genetics in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae: targeted disruption of the Defensin gene

Anopheles gambiae, the major vector of human malaria parasite, is an important insect model to study vector–parasite interactions. Here, we developed a simple in vivo double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) knockout approach to determine the function of the mosquito antimicrobial peptide gene Defensin. We injected dsRNA into adults and observed efficient and reproducible silencing of Defensin. Analysis of the knockdown phenotype revealed that this peptide is required for the mosquito antimicrobial defense against Gram‐positive bacteria. In contrast, in mosquitoes infected by Plasmodium berghei, no loss of mosquito viability and no significant effect on the development and morphology of the parasite midgut stages were observed in the absence of Defensin. We conclude that this peptide is not a major antiparasitic factor in A. gambiae in vivo. Our results open new perspectives for the study of mosquito gene function in vivo and provide a basis for genome‐scale systematic functional screens by targeted gene silencing.
The Unchanging Incidence and Case-Fatality of Stroke in the 1990s: A Population-Based Study

Background and Purpose— Many advances were made in stroke prevention strategies during the 1990s, and yet temporal trends in stroke incidence and case-fatality have not been reported in the United States. Blacks have a 2-fold higher risk of stroke; however, there are no data over time showing if any progress has been made in reducing racial disparity in stroke incidence. The objective of this study was to examine temporal trends in stroke incidence and case-fatality within a large, biracial population during the 1990s. Methods— Within a biracial population of 1.3 million, all strokes were ascertained at all local hospitals using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision codes during July 1993 to June 1994 and again in 1999. A sampling scheme was used to ascertain cases in the out-of-hospital setting. Race-specific incidence and case-fatality rates were calculated and standardized to the 2000 US Census population. A population-based telephone survey regarding stroke risk factor prevalence and medication use was performed in 1995 and 2000. Results— There were 1954 first-ever strokes in 1993–1994 and 2063 first-ever strokes in 1999. The annual incidence of first-ever hospitalized stroke did not significantly change between study periods: 158 per 100 000 in both 1993–1994 and 1999 (P=0.97). Blacks continue to have higher stroke incidence than whites, especially in the young; however, case-fatality rates continue to be similar between races and are not changing over time. Medication use for treatment of stroke risk factors significantly increased in the general population between study periods. Conclusions— Despite advances in stroke prevention treatments during the 1990s, the incidence of hospitalized stroke did not decrease within our population. Case-fatality also did not change between study periods. Excess stroke mortality rates seen in blacks nationally are likely the result of excess stroke incidence and not case-fatality, and the racial disparity in stroke incidence did not change over time.
Set systems without a strong simplex ( revised )

A d-simplex is a collection of d + 1 sets such that every d of them have non-empty intersection and the intersection of all of them is empty. A strong d-simplex is a collection of d+ 2 sets A,A1, . , Ad+1 such that {A1, . , Ad+1} is a d-simplex, while A contains an element of ∩j 6=iAj for each i, 1 ≤ i ≤ d+ 1. Mubayi and Ramadurai [15] conjectured that if k ≥ d+1 ≥ 3, n > k(d+1)/d, and F is a family of k-element subsets of an n-element set that contains no strong d-simplex, then |F| ≤ ( n−1 k−1 ) with equality only when F is a star. We prove their conjecture when k ≥ d+ 2 and n is large. The case k = d+ 1 was solved in [6] and [10]. Our result also yields a new proof of a result of Frankl and Füredi [9] when k ≥ d+ 2 and n is large.
Correction: Exploring Biological Motion Processing in Parkinson's Disease Using Temporal Dilation

Biological motion (BM) perception is the compelling ability of the visual system to perceive complex animated movements effortlessly and promptly. A recent study has shown that BM can automatically lengthen perceived temporal duration independent of global configuration. The present study aimed mainly to investigate this temporal dilation effect of BM signals in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. We used the temporal dilation effect as an implicit measure of visual processing of BM. In all, 32 PD patients (under off-therapy conditions) and 32 healthy controls (HCs) participated in our study. In each trial, an upright BM sequence and an inverted BM sequence were presented within an interval in the center of the screen. We tested both canonical and scrambled BM sequences; the scrambled ones were generated by disturbing the global configuration of the canonical ones but preserving exactly the same local motion components. Observers were required to make a verbal two-alternative forced choice response to indicate which interval (the first or the second) appeared longer. Statistical analyses were conducted on the points of subjective equality (PSEs). We found that the temporal dilation effect was significantly reduced for PD patients compared with HCs in both canonical and scrambled BM conditions. Moreover, no temporal dilation effects of scrambled BMwere shown in both earlyand late-stage PD patients, while the temporal dilation effect of canonical BMwas relatively preserved in the early stages.
An in vitro evaluation of microtensile bond strength of resin-based sealer with dentin treated with diode and Nd:YAG laser.

BACKGROUND Smear layer is a negative factor which prevents adhesion of the filling material to the dentinal walls. Recent advances in dental research have incorporated lasers as a potential adjunct in root canal treatment by removing the smear layer before filling the root canal system, enhancing the adhesion of sealers to dentin and improving the sealing ability. AIM To evaluate the microtensile bond strength of AH-Plus resin-based sealer to dentin after treatment with 980 nm diode and 1,064 nm neodymium-doped:yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty specimens prepared for three groups namely group I (control), group II (980 nm diode-lased specimens) and group III (Nd:YAG-lased specimens). One tooth from each group was observed under scanning electron microscope for evaluation of intracanal root dentin morphology. Remaining specimens were used for making microsections by hard tissue microtome. Specimens for groups II and III were lased with 980 nm diode and 1,064 nm Nd:YAG laser. AH Plus sealer was applied onto specimens and mounted onto Instron universal testing machine for microtensile bond strength testing. Results were subjected to statistical analysis using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test. RESULTS Group III Nd:YAG had maximum mean microtensile bond strength values (11.558 ± 0.869), followed by group II diode (9.073 ± 0.468) and group I control (6.05 ± 0.036). Statistically significant differences were seen among all the groups. SEM analysis shows removal of smear layer in both groups II and III. CONCLUSION Both Nd:YAG and diode laser were more effective than control group in improving the microtensile bond strength of AH Plus sealer to dentin. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Lasers have the potential to increase the adhesiveness of root canal sealer to dentin surface, thereby improving the quality of root canal obturation.
Growth failure in adolescents: etiology, the role of pubertal timing and most useful criteria for diagnostic workup

Abstract Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the etiology, the role of pubertal timing and most useful criteria for diagnostic workup in adolescents with growth failure. Methods: Adolescents (n=182) aged 10.0–18.0 years underwent a standardized diagnostic protocol. Constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP) was defined as late pubertal onset or a Tanner stage less than –2 SDS. Dutch and Finnish criteria for growth monitoring were retrospectively assessed. Results: In 13 children (7.1%) a specific diagnosis could be established. CDGP was diagnosed in 10% of patients aged ≥13 (girls) or ≥14 years (boys). Sensitivity to detect pathologic causes was 85% and 62% for, respectively Dutch and Finnish criteria for growth monitoring as used in younger children, but specificity was low (55%–59%). Conclusions: In adolescents, pathological causes for growth failure and pubertal delay are common, and we recommend a combination of height SDS, distance to THSDS and growth deflection for deciding on further diagnostic testing.
Workplace risk factors for cancer in the German rubber industry: Part 2. Mortality from non-respiratory cancers.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the mortality from non-respiratory cancers by work area among active and retired male workers of the German rubber industry. METHODS: A cohort of 11,633 male German workers was followed up for mortality from 1 January 1981 to 31 December 1991. Cohort members were active (n = 7536) or retired (n = 4127) on 1 January 1981 and had been employed for at least one year in one of five study plants producing tyres or technical rubber goods. Work histories were reconstructed from routinely documented "cost centre codes" and classified into six categories: I preparation of materials; II production of technical rubber goods; III production of tyres; IV storage and dispatch; V general service; VI others. Standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), controlling for age and calendar year and stratified by work area (employment in respective work area for at least one year) and time related variables (year of hire, lagged years of employment in work area) were calculated from national mortality rates as the reference. RESULTS: Significant increases in mortality were found for pharyngeal cancer in work area IV (three deaths, SMR 486, 95% CI 101 to 1419), oesophageal cancer in work area III (11 deaths, SMR 227, 95% CI 114 to 407), and leukaemia in work areas I (11 deaths, SMR 216; 95% CI 108 to 387) and II (14 deaths, SMR 187; 95% CI 102 to 213). Furthermore, increased SMRs were found for stomach cancer in work area I (22 deaths, SMR 134; 95% CI 84 to 203), colon cancer in work area II (27 deaths, SMR 131, 95% CI 86 to 191), prostatic cancer in work area V (27 deaths, SMR 152, 95% CI 99 to 221), and bladder cancer in work areas IV (six deaths, SMR 253; 95% CI 93 to 551) and V (12 deaths, SMR 159, 95% CI 82 to 279). Mortality from cancer of the liver or gall bladder, pancreas and kidney, and from lymphomas was not substantially increased in any of the work areas. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality from cancer of several sites was associated with specific work areas. Some of these associations have been reported previously. Future analyses of our study will have to determine the role of specific exposures in the aetiology of these cancers.
Increased frequency of Mediterranean fever gene variants in multiple myeloma

High frequencies of inherited variants in the Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene have been identified in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The sample size of the present pilot study was small, therefore, the actual frequency of inherited variants in the MEFV gene could be investigated in patients with MM. Twenty-eight patients with MM and 65 healthy controls were included in the study. Six heterozygous and one homozygous (E148Q/E148Q) variant was identified in patients with MM. None of the patients had a family history compatible with familial Mediterranean fever. In the healthy control group, 11 heterozygous variants were identified. The difference in the overall frequency of the inherited variants in the MEFV gene between the MM patients and the controls was statistically significant (χ2=4.905; P=0.027). In conclusion, a high frequency of inherited variants in the MEFV gene was identified in patients with MM. Based on the current data, it is hypothesized that the MEFV gene is a cancer susceptibility gene. Additional evidence, such as familial aggregation, monozygotic versus dizygotic twin concordance, and tumors in genetically engineered model organisms, is required in order to support this hypothesis.
“Normal Pressure” Pseudotumor Cerebri

We present a case report of a patient with clinical features suggestive of pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), without a documented elevated measurement of intracranial pressure (ICP). Chart review was done of one patient's clinical course over a 28-month period. The patient was treated for PTC even though she never had a documented elevated ICP. Her signs and symptoms, including headache, disc edema, and visual field loss, all showed improvement with standard PTC therapy, which ultimately included optic nerve sheath fenestration (ONSF). Her presenting symptoms of clinical depression were also relieved with this treatment. PTC may present without an elevated ICP as defined by current standards. Some patients may be more susceptible to lower levels of ICP and develop this syndrome, and it may be responsive to standard PTC therapy. Further investigation may warrant that clinical depression be included as another minor symptom of PTC.
Generation and Development of RNA Ligase Ribozymes with Modular Architecture Through “Design and Selection”

In vitro selection with long random RNA libraries has been used as a powerful method to generate novel functional RNAs, although it often requires laborious structural analysis of isolated RNA molecules. Rational RNA design is an attractive alternative to avoid this laborious step, but rational design of catalytic modules is still a challenging task. A hybrid strategy of in vitro selection and rational design has been proposed. With this strategy termed “design and selection,” new ribozymes can be generated through installation of catalytic modules onto RNA scaffolds with defined 3D structures. This approach, the concept of which was inspired by the modular architecture of naturally occurring ribozymes, allows prediction of the overall architectures of the resulting ribozymes, and the structural modularity of the resulting ribozymes allows modification of their structures and functions. In this review, we summarize the design, generation, properties, and engineering of four classes of ligase ribozyme generated by design and selection.
Multiple efflux mechanisms are involved in Candida albicans fluconazole resistance

Fluconazole-susceptible Candida albicans strains accumulated [3H]fluconazole at a rate of approximately 2 pmol/min per 10(9) cells. Fluconazole accumulation was not affected by the pretreatment of cells with sodium azide or with 2-deoxyglucose. The rate of fluconazole accumulation became saturated at high fluconazole concentrations and was not affected by the addition of ketoconazole, and there was no fluconazole accumulation in cells incubated at 4 degrees C. A fluconazole-resistant mutant of C. albicans SGY-243 was isolated following growth enrichment in fluconazole-containing medium. Cells of the mutant strain, designated FR2, showed a reduced rate of fluconazole accumulation compared with SGY-243 and were not resistant to other azole antifungal agents. The rates of fluconazole accumulation by C. albicans FR2 and the other azole-resistant strains, B59630, AD, and KB, were increased in the presence of sodium azide, suggesting that fluconazole resistance in these strains may be associated with an energy-dependent drug efflux. Fluconazole-resistant C. albicans strains all contained elevated amounts (2- to 17-fold) of mRNA encoding Cdr1, and an ATP-binding cassette-type transporter. In addition, C. albicans FR2 also contained increased amounts of mRNA encoding Benr, a major facilitator superfamily transporter. These results suggest that fluconazole enters C. albicans cells by facilitated diffusion and that fluconazole resistance may involve energy-dependent drug efflux associated with increased expression of Benr and/or Cdr1.
REGISTRATION OF INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASES BY 20 CENTRES OF RESPIRATORY MEDICINE IN FLANDERS

Abstract We report the results of a prospective registration of the prevalence of interstitial lung diseases by 20 centres of respiratory medicine in Flanders from January 1992 till July 1996. The 20 centres registered a total of 362 cases. Sarcoidosis (31% with inclusion of stage I, or 22% without stage I), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (20%), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (13%) and unclassified forms of interstitial lung diseases (9%) were the most often diagnosed diseases. The mean age of the patients was 52 ± 17 (SD) years, but ranged from 32 ± 10 years in histiocytosis X to 70 ± 13 years in drug induced interstitial lung diseases. The male to female ratio was 1.3 but ranged from 2.3 in interstitial lung diseases due to inhalation of inorganic materials to 0.8 in interstitial lung diseases due to connective tissue disease. The diagnosis was considered certain in 60%, probable in 30% and possible in 10%. In 50% of the cases the diagnosis was proven by biopsy and the most often used biopsy technique was transbronchiolo-alveolar biopsy (40% of biopsies) followed by open lung biopsy (32%). At diagnosis vital capacity was 82±22% pred. (ranging from 92±19% in sarcoidosis to 71±24% in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) and CO-diffusing capacity was 77±19% pred. (ranging from 77±19% in sarcoidosis to 41±13% in drug induced pneumonitis). The regional frequency of interstitial lung diseases in Flanders varied widely and was not proportional to the regional distribution of the 20 contributing centres. In conclusion this registration provides interesting information on the occurrence and presentation of the different forms of interstitial lung diseases, although it may still underestimate the real prevalence and incidence of interstitial lung diseases.
Institutional complexity and paradox theory: Complementarities of competing demands

Organizational success increasingly depends on leaders’ abilities to address competing demands simultaneously. Scholars have applied both institutional theory and paradox theory to better understand the nature and responses to these competing demands. These two lenses diverge in their understanding and responses to tensions. Institutional theory depicts competing demands emerging from divergent field-level pressures and stresses their contradictory and oppositional nature. Organizational responses vary from making tradeoffs and choosing pressures with which to conform to seeking strategies for engaging both and managing conflict. Paradox theory locates competing demands as inherent with organizational systems, surfaced through environmental conditions, individual sensemaking, or relational dialogue. According to these scholars, paradoxes are contradictory, interdependent, and persist over time, demanding strategies for engaging and accommodating tensions but not resolving them. In this essay, we highlight these distinctions and argue that drawing from both of these lenses will results in rich, generative theorizing to better address key challenges in the world. We identify specific areas where future research can benefit from such integration.