Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lead Exposure Biomarkers and Mini-Mental Status Exam Scores in Older Men

Background: Lead is neurotoxic; yet, whether cognitive decline in older persons is associated with lead exposure is unknown. We studied whether lead exposure biomarkers are associated with cognitive test scores, as well as the modifying effects of age on the lead-cognition relationship. Methods: Lead exposure biomarkers and Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) scores were measured among subjects in the Normative Aging Study. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the cross-sectional association of these 2 variables. Results: We found an odds ratio (OR) of 2.1 for MMSE <24 with an increase from the lowest to the highest quartile of patella lead levels (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.1 to 4.1). From the lowest to the highest quartile of blood lead the OR for low MMSE was 3.4 (CI = 1.6 to 6.2). There was an interaction between lead biomarkers and age. Among subjects in the lowest quartile of patella lead levels, MMSE score decreased by 0.03 points per year (CI = −0.07 to 0.005), whereas in the highest quartile, MMSE score decreased by 0.13 points per year (CI = −0.19 to -0.07). Similar interactions were found between blood lead levels and age, Conclusions: Increased levels of lead in bone and blood are inversely associated with cognitive performance among older men. Lead exposure might accelerate age-associated cognitive decline.
The Perceptual Organization of Texture Flow: A Contextual Inference Approach

Locally parallel dense patterns-sometimes called texture flows-define a perceptually coherent structure of particular significance to perceptual organization. We argue that with applications ranging from image segmentation and edge classification to shading analysis and shape interpretation, texture flows deserve attention equal to edge segment grouping and curve completion. This paper develops the notion of texture flow from a geometrical point of view to argue that local measurements of such structures must incorporate two curvatures. We show how basic theoretical considerations lead to a unique model for the local behavior of the flow and to a notion of texture flow "good continuation. " This, in turn, translates to a specification of consistency constraints between nearby flow measurements which we use for the computation of globally (piecewise) coherent structure through the contextual framework of relaxation labeling. We demonstrate the results on synthetic and natural images.
Effects of Soil Moisture Conservation and Nutrient Management on Soil Water Content and WUE of Grain Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) in Eastern Ethiopia

Water and nutrients are the most constraining factors in sorghum production in semiarids of eastern Ethiopia. Combining soil moisture conservation and nutrient management practices may reduce these limitations. The study was carried out to explore the effects of combining soil moisture preservation and integrated nutrient management practices on soil water content and water-use efficiency (WUE) of grain sorghum. A split plot experiment was conducted at Babile and Erer districts amid the 2017 cropping season. Main plots were assigned to soil moisture conservation practices (flatbed and tied ridge) and the sub-plots were assigned to six nutrient combinations of 0N0P kg + t FYM; 46N10P kg + t FYM ha-1; 0N0P kg + 5 t FYM ha-1; 23N5P kg + 2.5 t FYM ha-1; 46N10P kg + 2.5 t FYM ha-1 and 23N5P kg + 5 t FYM ha-1. Treatments were randomized in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The sorghum variety 'Teshale' was used as a test crop. The results uncovered that both biomass and grain water-use efficiencies considerably improved with tied ridges coordinates with NP and FYM than other treatments. Tied ridges combined with 46N10P kg + 2.5 t FYM ha-1 and 23N5P kg + 5 t FYM ha-1 were way better than those of tied edges. The tied edges with 46N10P kg + 2.5 t FYM ha-1 (M5) as compared to unfertilized flatbeds, had brought about approximately 110 and 99% increment in biomass WUE and around 114 and 124% increment in grain WUE at Babile and Erer areas, respectively. Essentially, soil water content was higher for tied ridges amended with FYM and integrated NP and FYM as compared to other treatments. We, hence, concluded that combining moisture conservation impacts with the integrated nutrient amendment would improve soil water content and water-use efficiency of grain sorghum in eastern Ethiopia.
Cell wall turnover in growing and nongrowing cultures of Bacillus subtilis

Cell wall turnover was studied in cultures of Bacillus subtilis in which growth was inhibited by nutrient starvation or by the addition of antibiotics. Concomitantly, the synthesis of wall, as measured by the incorporation of radioactively labeled N-acetylglucosamine, was followed in some of these cultures. In potassium- or phosphate-starved cultures, growth stopped, but wall turnover continued at a rate slightly lower than that in the control cultures. Lysis of cells did not occur. In glucose-starved cultures, continued wall turnover caused lysis of cells, since wall synthesis apparently was inhibited. The same phenomenon was observed after growth arrest by the addition of wall synthesis inhibitors such as fosfomycin, cycloserine, penicillin G, and vancomycin. Growth arrest by the addition of chloramphenicol allowed the continuation of wall synthesis; therefore, the observed turnover generally did not cause cell lysis.
Evaluation of commercially available biodegradable tetracycline fiber therapy in chronic periodontitis

Background: Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disorder caused by dental plaque having mixed microbial flora. The different treatment modalities available to treat this disease are aimed at removal of micro-organisms from both hard and soft tissues. Systemic as well as local anti-microbial agents are helpful adjuncts in reducing microbes especially in inaccessible areas along with mechanical debridement therapy. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in a split mouth design. Thirty-five patients having at least two non-adjacent sites in different quadrants with periodontal pockets ≥5 mm and with bleeding on probing at initial visit were selected. The selected sites were treated with both scaling and root planing plus tetracycline fibers or with scaling and root planing alone. Baseline and follow-up measurements included plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level. Result: Both treatment modalities were affective in improving clinical parameters over three months’ observation period. The combined antimicrobial and mechanical debridement therapy has shown better results as compared with scaling and root planing alone. Conclusion: Application of tetracycline in modified collagen matrix following scaling and root planing might be beneficial in treatment of chronic periodontitis and improving periodontal parameters for 3-month duration.
Molecular Interactions of Prodiginines with the BH3 Domain of Anti-Apoptotic Bcl-2 Family Members

Prodigiosin and obatoclax, members of the prodiginines family, are small molecules with anti-cancer properties that are currently under preclinical and clinical trials. The molecular target(s) of these agents, however, is an open question. Combining experimental and computational techniques we find that prodigiosin binds to the BH3 domain in some BCL-2 protein families, which play an important role in the apoptotic programmed cell death. In particular, our results indicate a large affinity of prodigiosin for MCL-1, an anti-apoptotic member of the BCL-2 family. In melanoma cells, we demonstrate that prodigiosin activates the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by disrupting MCL-1/BAK complexes. Computer simulations with the PELE software allow the description of the induced fit process, obtaining a detailed atomic view of the molecular interactions. These results provide new data to understand the mechanism of action of these molecules, and assist in the development of more specific inhibitors of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins.
CD4+ and CD8+ Regulatory T Cells (Tregs) are Elevated and Display an Active Phenotype in Patients with Chronic HCV Mono‐Infection and HIV/HCV Co‐Infection

The aim of this study was to examine regulatory T cells (Tregs) in peripheral blood and liver tissue in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) mono‐infection and in patients with HIV/HCV co‐infection. In a cross‐sectional study were included 51 patients with chronic HCV infection, 24 patients with HIV/HCV co‐infection and 24 healthy individuals. CD4+ and CD8+ Tregs were determined using flow cytometry. Fibrosis was examined by transient elastography. Inflammation, fibrosis and Tregs were determined in liver biopsies from 12 patients. Increased frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ Tregs was found in HIV/HCV co‐infected patients [median: 6.4% (IQR: 5.7–6.9) and 1.0% (0.7–1.2), respectively] compared to HCV mono‐infected patients [5.6% (4.2–6.3), P = 0.01 and 0.5% (0.3–0.7), P < 0.001, respectively]. Furthermore, HCV mono‐infected patients had increased frequencies of Tregs compared with healthy controls (P < 0.05). However, no associations between the frequency of Tregs and fibrosis were found. Furthermore, characterization of CD4+ Tregs using CD45RA demonstrated a higher frequency of activated Tregs in both HCV mono‐infected and HIV/HCV co‐infected patients compared with healthy controls. Finally, number of intrahepatic Tregs was associated with both peripheral CD8+ Tregs and intrahepatic inflammation. In conclusion, HCV mono‐infected patients and particularly HIV/HCV co‐infected patients have increased the frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ Tregs compared with healthy controls. Furthermore, CD4+ Tregs in infected patients displayed an active phenotype. Tregs were not associated with fibrosis, but a positive correlation between intrahepatic Tregs and inflammation was found. Taken together, these results suggest a role for Tregs in the pathogenesis of chronic HCV infection.
Exercise-Induced Changes in Metabolic Intermediates, Hormones, and Inflammatory Markers Associated With Improvements in Insulin Sensitivity

OBJECTIVE To understand relationships between exercise training-mediated improvements in insulin sensitivity (SI) and changes in circulating concentrations of metabolic intermediates, hormones, and inflammatory mediators. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Targeted mass spectrometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to quantify metabolic intermediates, hormones, and inflammatory markers at baseline, after 6 months of exercise training, and 2 weeks after exercise training cessation (n = 53). A principal components analysis (PCA) strategy was used to relate changes in these intermediates to changes in SI. RESULTS PCA reduced the number of intermediates from 90 to 24 factors composed of biologically related components. With exercise training, improvements in SI were associated with reductions in by-products of fatty acid oxidation and increases in glycine and proline (P < 0.05, R2 = 0.59); these relationships were retained 15 days after cessation of exercise training (P < 0.05, R2 = 0.34). CONCLUSIONS These observations support prior observations in animal models that exercise training promotes more efficient mitochondrial β-oxidation and challenges current hypotheses regarding exercise training and glycine metabolism.
On the effect of Doppler bandwidth, network load and power control threshold on the UMTS/FDD radio interface performance

In this paper the behavior of the UTRA-FDD radio interface of UMTS, based on wideband CDMA technology, is investigated at different conditions of Doppler bandwidth, network load and power control threshold. To this aim, a general simulation setup has been developed, which includes a cellular environment with hexagonal layout and uniform user distribution, a propagation channel with path-loss, log-normal shadowing and Rayleigh fast fading, a transmission system with SIR-based closed loop power control, convolutional coding with interleaving and RAKE receiver. Among the simulation results, the SIR process, the frame error probability process and the energy efficiency of the transmitters are analyzed. It is shown that power control provides a good level of fairness across the system and, even though an increasing network load reduces the fraction of users fulfilling the performance requirements, the behavior of the satisfied users remains unchanged. Moreover, the robustness to network load improves as the fading changes faster.
Exploring the melting behaviour of the Earth's heterogeneous upper mantle

XV CHAPTER 1: Introduction and Rationale 1 CHAPTER 2: Experimental strategy 9 2.1. Choice of starting compositions 9 2.2. Experimental setup 13 CHAPTER 3: Analytical methods 15 3.1. Scanning electron microscopy 15 3.2. Electron microprobe 16 3.3. FTIR analyses 16 3.4. Laser Raman spectroscopy 17 CHAPTER 4: Experimental results 21 4.1. Textural observations 23 4.1. 1. Textural observations and phase assemblages of Res2 23 4.1. 2. Textural observations and phase assemblages of REC 27 4.2. Mineral and melt compositions general comments 28 4.2.1. Mineral chemical variations as a function of pressure and temperature at subsolidus conditions 33 4.2.2. Compositions of residual phases as a function of P and T above the solidus 38 4.2. 3. Melt compositions as a function of T and P 46 4.3. Phase proportions above the solidus as a function of T and P 55 4.4. Determination of traces of H2 O 59 4.4.1. Determination of traces of H2 O using FTIR 59 4.4.2. Determination of traces of H2 O using LSR 61 CHAPTER 5: Pressure effects on garnet and clinopyroxene solid solutions implications for UHP metamorphic rocks 63 5.1. Application of experimental data to explain some characteristics of UHP metamorphic rocks 67 CHAPTER 6: H2 O storage capacity and H20-flux in an upwelling residual nominally anhydrous quartz/coesite-bearing eclogite Res2 71 6.1. Interpretation of the determinated %H20 in quenched liquids by FTIR 71 6.2. H20 storage capacity and H20-flux in an upwelling residual nominally anhydrous quartz/coesite-bearing eclogite Res2 71
Assessing Serum Vaspin Dynamics in Dairy Cows during Late Pregnancy and Early Lactation in Relation to Negative Energy Balance

The periparturient period, which spans late pregnancy to early lactation in dairy cows, is a crucial phase characterized by complex metabolic and endocrine adjustments necessary for sustained milk production. This research focused on the relationship between serum vaspin, inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNF), and markers of negative energy balance (NEB) in 100 primiparous and multiparous Holstein dairy cows. The results demonstrated that one month post-calving, both groups had a significant decrease in serum vaspin levels but increased NEFA levels, indicating possible consequences for lipid metabolism and energy balance. Multiparous cows showed significant elevations in cholesterol, IL-1, and TNF concentrations after calving, indicating increased inflammatory responses. Primiparous cows, on the other hand, responded differently, indicating the role of parity in metabolic adjustments. The study acknowledges limitations such as sample size and its observational nature. Future research should investigate the long-term effects of these metabolic changes on herd health and lactational performance, using advanced technologies to gain a molecular understanding. Despite limitations, this study provides valuable insights into how adipokines, inflammatory markers, and energy balance interact during the periparturient period, offering the potential for improved dairy cow management and productivity while ensuring animal welfare.
Structured Interview Assessment of Symptoms and Concerns in Palliative Care

Objective: Assessment in palliative care requires a multidimensional review of physical symptoms and psychosocial concerns in a format appropriate for patients with advanced illness. In this study, we describe the initial development and validation of a structured interview for assessing common symptoms and concerns faced by terminally ill individuals. Method: We constructed a 13-item Structured Interview for Symptoms and Concerns (SISC) based on a review of end-of-life issues and administered it to 69 patients receiving palliative care for advanced cancer. Along with the interview, each participant completed visual analog scales (VAS) addressing the same constructs. Test–retest and interrater reliability were determined, as was the concordance between interview ratings and VAS scores. Results: Overall, the interview items had excellent interrater reliability (intraclass correlations were > 0.90) and at least moderate temporal stability (test–retest correlations ranged from 0.50 to 0.90). Concurrent validity was evident in the good concordance between interview items and VAS measures (correlations were > 0.70). The SISC was also sensitive to individual differences between subgroups of participants who did or did not meet diagnostic criteria for anxiety or depressive disorders. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that structured interviews provide a reliable and valid approach to assessment in palliative care and may be an appropriate alternative for some research applications.
Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide‐, somatostatin‐, and calcitonin‐producing adrenal pheochromocytoma associated with the watery diarrhea (WDHH) syndrome. First case report with immunohistochemical findings

A 30‐year‐old man presenting with watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, and hypochlorhydria (Verner‐Morrison syndrome, WDHH syndrome) had raised plasma levels of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), somatostatin (SRIF), calcitonin, and gastrin, as well as high urinary excretion of vanillylmandelic acid. A right adrenal pheochromocytoma was found and excised. The neoplastic cell population was immunohistochemically shown to contain VIP, SRIF, and calcitonin. Gross, histologic, and immunohistochemical evaluation of the pancreas revealed no abnormalities, whereas a marked hyperplasia of the gastrin‐producing cells of the gastric antral mucosa was demonstrated. Postoperatively, the patient recovered from his symptoms and the plasma hormone levels returned to normal values. The clinical and histogenetic implications of this most unusual tumor of neural crest derivatives are discussed.
A Distinct Representation of Three-Dimensional Shape in Macaque Anterior Intraparietal Area: Fast, Metric, and Coarse

Differences in the horizontal positions of retinal images—binocular disparity—provide important cues for three-dimensional object recognition and manipulation. We investigated the neural coding of three-dimensional shape defined by disparity in anterior intraparietal (AIP) area. Robust selectivity for disparity-defined slanted and curved surfaces was observed in a high proportion of AIP neurons, emerging at relatively short latencies. The large majority of AIP neurons preserved their three-dimensional shape preference over different positions in depth, a hallmark of higher-order disparity selectivity. Yet both stimulus type (concave–convex) and position in depth could be reliably decoded from the AIP responses. The neural coding of three-dimensional shape was based on first-order (slanted surfaces) and second-order (curved surfaces) disparity selectivity. Many AIP neurons tolerated the presence of disparity discontinuities in the stimulus, but the population of AIP neurons provided reliable information on the degree of curvedness of the stimulus. Finally, AIP neurons preserved their three-dimensional shape preference over different positions in the frontoparallel plane. Thus, AIP neurons extract or have access to three-dimensional object information defined by binocular disparity, consistent with previous functional magnetic resonance imaging data. Unlike the known representation of three-dimensional shape in inferior temporal cortex, the neural representation in AIP appears to emphasize object parameters required for the planning of grasping movements.
Thrombin‐induced expression of endothelial CX3CL1 potentiates monocyte CCL2 production and transendothelial migration

CX3CL1 (fractalkine, neurotactin) is the sole CX3C chemokine. It induces monocyte locomotion in its cleaved form, but in its membrane‐anchored form, it also acts as an adhesion molecule. The expression of CX3CL1 is up‐regulated in endothelial cells by proinflammatory cytokines such as IL‐1 or TNF‐α. Here, we studied the effect of the serine protease thrombin on endothelial CX3CL1 induction and its putative relevance for monocyte function. In HUVEC, thrombin triggered a time‐ and concentration‐dependent expression of CX3CL1 at the mRNA and the protein level as shown by RT‐PCR, Western immunoblotting, and flow cytometric analysis. Thrombin induced CX3CL1 by activating protease‐activated receptor 1 (PAR1) as demonstrated by the use of PAR1‐activating peptide and the PAR1‐specific antagonist SCH 79797. The thrombin‐induced CX3CL1 expression was NF‐κB‐dependent, as shown by EMSA, ELISA, and by inhibition of the NF‐κB signaling pathway by the IκB kinase inhibitor acety‐11‐keto‐β‐boswellic acid or by transient overexpression of a transdominant‐negative form of IκBα. Upon cocultivation of human monocytes with HUVEC, the thrombin‐dependent induction of membrane‐anchored CX3CL1 in HUVEC triggered monocyte adhesion and an enhanced release of the MCP‐1/CCL2 by monocytes and potentiated the monocyte transendothelial migration. Accordingly, the recombinant extracellular domain of CX3CL1 induced CCL2 release by monocytes. Thus, the thrombin‐induced monocyte/endothelial cell cross‐talk mediated by increased CX3CL1 expression potentiates the CCL2 chemokine generation that might contribute to the recruitment of monocytes into inflamed areas.
Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease in Large Breed Dogs: Survival Characteristics and Prognostic Variables

Simple Summary Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most commonly acquired heart disease in dogs. It is mainly diagnosed in small-and medium-sized dogs but large breed dogs can be affected as well. MMVD can, in some cases, lead to heart failure and an early death. The aim of this study was to describe the natural course of the disease in large breed dogs to try and fill some of the knowledge gaps that exist. Medical records of dogs diagnosed with MMVD, between 2012 and 2021, were retrospectively reviewed and 202 dogs were included in the analysis. Our results suggest that the frequency of cardiac-related death is low in large breed dogs with MMVD and a normal heart size. However, the risk of an unfavorable outcome escalates significantly as the left atrium and ventricle enlarge, and the dog progresses from one stage of the disease to another. Abstract Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common acquired heart disease in dogs and its occurrence in small-and medium-sized dogs has been extensively investigated. MMVD has been described in large breed dogs as well, but substantial knowledge gaps remain. The aim of this study was to provide characteristics, survival times, and prognostic variables in large breed dogs with MMVD. Medical records of dogs diagnosed with MMVD, between 2012 and 2021, were retrospectively reviewed and 202 dogs were analyzed. Median survival time (MST) for all-cause mortality was 800 days for stage B1 dogs, 274 days for stage B2 dogs, and 184 days for stage C dogs. The MST for cardiac-related death for B1 dogs could not be calculated (because survival was greater than 50% at the last timepoint) and for stage B2 and C dogs the MST were 484 and 252 days, respectively. These findings suggest that the frequency of cardiac-related death is low in large breed dogs with stage B1 MMVD. In addition, increased left atrial and ventricular size, evidence of systolic dysfunction, a thrilling murmur, and increased early trans-mitral peak velocity are predictors of cardiac-related death. Data also suggest that the risk of a negative outcome increases profoundly when large breed dogs advance from ACVIM stage B1 into stage B2 or C.