Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Left ventricular hypertrophy and geometry in hypertensive patients with chronic kidney disease

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and left ventricular geometry in a group of 293 hypertensive patients with stage 2–5 chronic kidney disease (CKD), compared with 289 essential hypertensive patients with normal renal function. Methods All patients underwent echocardiographic examination. Patients on stage 1 CKD, dialysis treatment, or with cardiovascular diseases were excluded. Results LVH was observed in 47.1% of patients with CKD and in 31.14% of essential hypertensive patients (P < 0.0001). We found increasingly higher left ventricular diameters, thicknesses, and mass from stage 2 to 5 CKD. Distribution of concentric and eccentric LVH was not different between the two groups. However, after introducing mixed hypertrophy, the difference between the two groups group was disclosed (P = 0.027). The prevalence of inappropriate left ventricular mass was 52.6% in patients with CKD vs. 30.5% in essential hypertensive patients (P < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis confirmed that the association between renal function and left ventricular mass (β −0.287; P < 0.0001) was independent by potential confounders. From stage 4 to 5, the significant increase of left ventricular mass was due to growth in posterior wall thickness rather than end-diastolic diameter. Diastolic function was significantly worse in patients with CKD, especially in more advanced stages. Conclusion Our study confirms that LVH is highly prevalent in patients with CKD; in this population, LVH is often inappropriate and characterized by the simultaneous increase of wall thicknesses and diameters.
Effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on neurogenic inflammation of gingivomucosal tissue in rat.

It has been suggested that the unmyelinated small diameter afferent nociceptive C-fibres are impaired in diabetes mellitus. We have recently demonstrated that these fibres are the prerequisite for neurogenic inflammation induced by mechanical or chemical irritations. These experiments were designed to characterize the neurogenic inflammatory responses of gingivomucosal tissue in the early phase of experimental induced diabetes mellitus in rat. Effect of dental ligature on the gingivomucosal (GM) vascular permeability was studied in control rats and in rats pretreated with streptozotocin at d 7 and 14 following streptozotocin administration. In separate groups of control and streptozotocin diabetic rats studies were also performed to investigate the effect of local capsaicin application on GM vascular permeability on d 14. Vascular permeability was assessed by means of Evans blue extravasation. The ligature placed around the mandibular left first molar caused a significant increase vascular permeability of GM tissue on the ipsilateral side on both d 7 and 14 after the ligation in control rats. In streptozotocin diabetic rats on d 7, there was also a significant elevation of Evans blue extravasation in the tissue tested on the ligature side. However, on d 14 the ligation failed to produce any changes in Evans blue extravasation on the ipsilateral side, i.e. no difference in GM vascular permeability could be recorded between the two sides in streptozotocin diabetic rats. Topical capsaicin administration produced significant Evans blue extravasation in GM tissue of control rats compared to that observed in diabetic rats on d 14 after streptozotocin treatment. Electron microscopic and light microscopic studies demonstrated fibre degeneration of the C neurones and less inflammatory cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in the gingivomucosal tissue. These findings appear to indicate that the inflammatory responses induced by mechanical (dental ligature) and/or chemical irritants (topical application of capsaicin) in the gingivomucosal tissue are altered in streptozotocin diabetic rats and this alteration is due to the diabetes-induced damage to the unmyelinated C fibres.
Association of PCSK1 rs6234 with Obesity and Related Traits in a Chinese Han Population

Background Common variants in PCSK1 have been reported to be associated with obesity in populations of European origin. We aimed to replicate this association in Chinese. Methodology/Principal Findings Two PCSK1 variants rs6234 and rs6235 (in strong LD with each other, r2 = 0.98) were genotyped in a population-based cohort of 3,210 Chinese Hans. The rs6234 was used for further association analyses with obesity and related traits. We found no significant association of rs6234 with obesity, overweight, BMI, waist circumference, or body fat percentage (P>0.05) in all participants. However, the rs6234 G-allele showed a significant association with increased risk of combined phenotype of obesity and overweight (OR 1.21[1.03–1.43], P = 0.0193) and a trend toward association with obesity (OR 1.25[0.98–1.61], P = 0.08) in men, but not in women (P≥0.29). Consistently, the rs6234 G-allele showed significant association with increased BMI (P = 0.0043), waist circumference (P = 0.008) and body fat percentage (P = 0.0131) only in men, not in women (P≥0.24). Interestingly, the rs6234 G-allele was significantly associated with increased HOMA-B (P = 0.0059) and decreased HOMA-S (P = 0.0349) in all participants. Conclusion/Significance In this study, we found modest evidence for association of the PCSK1 rs6234 with BMI and overweight in men only but not in women, which suggested that PCSK1 rs6234 might not be an important contributor to obesity in Chinese Hans. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to draw a firm conclusion.
Using Tactile Maps to Improve the Practical Spatial Knowledge of Adults who are Blind

This study evaluated the effects of three instructional methods—direct experience, cartographic representation, and verbal description—on the spatial knowledge of 30 adults who are blind. During four sessions, the participants learned a large, complex route in Madrid that included eight landmarks. In the first session, the experimenter guided the participants along the route, and in the subsequent sessions, the participants guided the experimenter. The results showed that the participants’ practical spatial knowledge was better when they learned the route with a tactile map than in either of the two other conditions.
To separate or not to separate? Parental decision-making regarding the separation of twins in the early years of schooling

In recent times concerns about possible adverse effects of early separation and advocacy for individual rights have resulted in a movement away from organizational level policies about the separation of twin children as they enter school. Instead, individualized approaches that focus on the twin children’s characteristics and family perspectives have been proposed. This study, conducted in Australia where all but a few families had choice about the class placement of their twin children, questioned parents (N = 156) about their placement decisions. Results indicated that most parents opted for placement together in the early years of schooling. The choice to separate twins at school entry was associated with parent identification of risk in the twin relationship, while being kept together was associated with parent identification of absence of such risk. The findings are discussed in light of the current evidence against separation, and suggest that parent choices regarding the separation of twin children in the early years are informative to educational policy and practice.
Design and evaluation of a compact, integrated fMRI-compatible force sensor printed by additive manufacturing

The past decade has seen an increasing number of motor control studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging to explore the underlying neural mechanisms. To enable advanced experimental paradigms under well-controlled and reproducible conditions, a number of fMRI-compatible haptic interfaces have been developed for such studies. These devices typically rely on actuation principles and transmissions with non-linear behavior and large output impedance. Fiberoptic force sensors are a common and well-established means of measuring interaction forces with subjects or to reduce the inherent dynamics of the haptic interface through force feedback. The elastic probes for such sensors are typically fabricated by expensive methods such as electro-erosion of non-ferromagnetic metals or injection moulding of polymers, or are realized by milling of polymers, resulting in bulky structures. In this paper we propose a compact and integrated elastic probe for fiberoptics-based force sensing, developed using low-cost off-the-shelf 3D printing technology. Characterization of the sensor probe shows high linearity, repeatability and temporal stability, as well as high reproducibility in terms of the manufacturing process. The realized sensor is integrated into a linear grasper to evaluate its performance in force-feedback applications, underlining the potential of this technology for use in fMRI-compatible haptic interfaces.
Generation of Zonal Map From Point Data via Weighted Skeletonization by Influence Zone

Data about many variables are available as numerical values at specific geographical locations. We develop a methodology based on mathematical morphology to convert point-specific data into zonal map. This methodology relies on weighted skeletonization by zone of influence that determines the points of contact of multiple frontlines propagating, from various points spread over the space, at the traveling rates depending upon the variable's strength. We demonstrate this approach for converting rainfall data available at specific rain gauge locations (points) into a spatially distributed zonal map that suggests zones of equal rainfall.
What is Reflection? On reflection in the teaching profession and teacher education

Abstract The first part of the article gives an outline of the notion of reflection in contemporary pedagogy: the situation in research and practice as well as the problem situation. In the second part of the article some basic characteristics of reflection are described and discussed. In this part semantic and ontological aspects of reflection are examined. Four basic aspects of reflection are highlighted: reflection as self‐reflection, reflection as thinking, reflection as self‐understanding and the distancing function of self‐reflection. In this connection Schon's influential but unclear concept of reflection in action is critically examined.
Equity and Disconfirmation Perceptions as Influences on Merchant and Product Satisfaction

Prior work on the equity and disconfirmation determinants of transaction satisfaction was extended to product satisfaction. Based on perceptions of inputs and outcomes of buyer, dealer, and salesperson, two subtractive versions of the equity formula-- absolute equity difference and equity advantage--were tested with fairness and preference as mediating variables. Both variables were related only to the equity advantage formula, and disconfirmation and fairness were shown to be distinct components of post-transaction dispositions. Moreover, product satisfaction was shown to be a function of product disconfirmation, complaining, and satisfaction with the dealer. The latter apparently mediates both fairness and salesperson satisfaction. Copyright 1989 by the University of Chicago.
Evidence That Cytochrome b 5 and Cytochrome b 5 Reductase Can Act as Sole Electron Donors to the Hepatic Cytochrome P 450 System s

We previously described the development of genetic models to study the in vivo functions of the hepatic cytochrome P450 (P450) system, through the hepatic deletion of either cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase [POR; HRN (hepatic reductase null) line] or cytochrome b5 [HBN (hepatic cytochrome b5 null) line]. However, HRN mice still exhibit low levels of mono-oxygenase activity in spite of the absence of detectable reductase protein. To investigate whether this is because cytochrome b5 and cytochrome b5 reductase can act as the sole electron donor to the P450 system, we crossed HRN with HBN mice to generate a line lacking hepatic expression of both electron donors (HBRN). HBRNmice exhibited exacerbation of the phenotypic characteristics of the HRN line: liver enlargement, hepatosteatosis, and increased expression of certain P450s. Also, drug metabolizing activities in vitro were further reduced relative to the HRNmodel, in some cases to undetectable levels. Pharmacokinetic studies in vivo demonstrated that midazolam half-life, Cmax, and area under the concentration-time curvewere increased, and clearance was decreased, to a greater extent in the HBRN line than in either the HBN or HRN model. Microsomal incubations using NADPH concentrations below the apparentKmof cytochromeb5 reductase, but well above that for POR, led to the virtual elimination of 7benzyloxyquinoline turnover in HRN samples. These data provide strong evidence that cytochrome b5/cytochrome b5 reductase can act as a sole electron donor to the P450 system in vitro and in vivo.
Altered sensorimotor responses to esophageal acidification in older adults with GERD

Abstract Objective. This study aimed to compare the effect of intraluminal acidification on esophageal sensory perception and motor activity between older and younger patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Material and methods. All 40 subjects had saline and hydrochloric acid infused into the mid-esophagus. The esophageal perception to acid infusion was documented including lag time, intensity rating, and sensitivity score. Esophageal body motility was recorded. Results. The younger group had a shorter lag time to initial heartburn perception (p = 0.01) and a greater sensory intensity rating (p = 0.001). The acid infusion sensitivity score was lower in the older patients (p = 0.001). Age positively correlated to lag time to initial symptom perception (r = 0.44, p = 0.005), but negatively correlated to sensory intensity (r = −0.40, p = 0.01) and acid infusion sensitivity score (r = −0.39, p = 0.01). When compared with saline infusion, acid infusion induced a significant increase in the deglutition frequency in younger patients (0.51 vs. 0.67, p = 0.005), but not in older patients (0.59 vs. 0.65, p = 0.67). Conclusions. Age-related decrease in sensorimotor response to esophageal acidification may be an important element in the pathogenesis and clinical presentation of GERD in older adults.
Analyses of monthly mean cloudiness and their influence upon model‐diagnosed radiative fluxes

Two different monthly mean analyses of low, middle, and high cloud amounts for January 1977 and July 1979 are compared: 3DNEPH is a condensed version (northern hemisphere only) of the Air Force 3D-Neph analysis, which incorporates satellite data plus surface observations of clouds and auxiliary meteorological data. SFCOBS is objectively analyzed from surface observations of clouds. The SFCOBS and 3DNEPH analyses of low cloud amounts agree qualitatively in the winter extratropics. The 3DNEPH ITCZ is much more sharply defined than the SFCOBS. The sensitivity of radiative fluxes to 3DNEPH, SFCOBS, and zonal mean 3DNEPH clouds is then evaluated. The fluxes are diagnosed by a cloud-radiation model utilizing “observed” monthly mean temperature and water vapor fields and are verified against satellite data. The outgoing longwave radiative flux clearly verifies best for 3DNEPH clouds and worst for zonal mean 3DNEPH clouds in the tropics. It is predominantly controlled by surface temperature in the winter extratropics. Generally speaking, the shortwave fluxes do not verify as well as the longwave fluxes. Also, outside of the winter extratropics, the net radiative fluxes correlate poorly with observation. Biases in the zonal mean long and shortwave fluxes can be reduced by adjusting other cloud-related parameters. Based upon the above results, it may be worthwhile to construct a monthly mean cloud climatology from a condensed version of the 3D-Neph. However, alternative strategies should also be explored, such as the development of cloud analysis schemes that constrain the model-diagnosed net radiative flux to be consistent with observation.
Global distribution of transfusion-transmitted virus.

To the Editor: Transfusion-transmitted virus has recently been identified as a potential cause of post-transfusion non-A, non-B, non-C hepatitis.1 The virus has a single-stranded DNA genome whose organization is similar to those of members of the Parvoviridae.2 Transient viremia due to transfusion-transmitted virus was detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in three patients six to eight weeks after the transfusion of blood components and coincided with modest elevations of alanine aminotransferase. It has been proposed that transfusion-transmitted virus is the chloroform-resistant non-A, non-B agent shown to cause transient alanine aminotransferase elevations in chimpanzees.3 To understand more about the distribution .
Thalamocortical and intracortical projections to the forelimb‐stump SI representation of rats that sustained neonatal forelimb removal

We previously reported the abnormal expression of hindlimb receptive fields in the stump representation of the primary somatosensory cortex (SI) in rats that sustained neonatal forelimb removal when cortical γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors were pharmacologically blocked (Lane et al. [1997] J. Neurophysiol. 77:2723–2735). In this study, we attempted to identify the substrate for this functional modification. Three potential substrates were examined: 1) changes in intracortical connections within SI; 2) alterations in the projection pattern of thalamocortical afferents from the ventroposterior lateral (VPL) nucleus to SI; and 3) changes in the receptive fields of thalamocortical neurons. We used biotinylated dextran amine and Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin to examine the intracortical projections associated with the stump and hindlimb representations of SI. True Blue and Diamidino Yellow were used to study the organization of the VPL projections to SI. Finally, single‐unit recordings from VPL neurons were made to examine the functional organization of this nucleus in neonatally amputated adult rats. Tracer studies demonstrated no significant change in the intracortical connections or VPL projections associated with the stump and hindlimb SI in neonatally amputated rats. Recordings from VPL of neonatally manipulated rats revealed a small, but significant, population of cells (19.0%) within the stump representation that had dual stump and hindlimb receptive fields. Thus, the data suggest that the functional reorganization observed in SI of neonatally amputated rats may reflect functional alterations occurring in its thalamic inputs. J. Comp. Neurol. 401:187–204, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative Pharmacokinetics of Levofloxacin in Healthy and Renal Damaged Muscovy Ducks following Intravenous and Oral Administration

The pharmacokinetics aspects of levofloxacin were studied in healthy and experimentally renal damaged Muscovy ducks after single intravenous (IV) and oral (PO) dose of 10 mg kg−1 bwt. Following IV administration, elimination half-life (t 1/2(β)) and mean residence time (MRT) were longer in renal damaged ducks than in healthy ones. Total clearance (Cltot) in renal damaged ducks (0.20 L kg−1 h−1) was significantly lower as compared to that in healthy ones (0.41 L kg−1 h−1). Following PO administration, the peak serum concentration (C max) was higher in renal damaged than in healthy ducks and was achieved at maximum time (t max) of 2.47 and 2.05 h, respectively. The drug was eliminated (t 1/2(el)) at a significant slower rate (3.94 h) in renal damaged than in healthy ducks (2.89 h). The pharmacokinetic profile of levofloxacin is altered in renal damaged ducks due to the increased serum levofloxacin concentrations compared with that in clinically healthy ducks. Oral administration of levofloxacin at 10 mg kg−1 bwt may be highly efficacious against susceptible bacteria in ducks. Also, the dose of levofloxacin should be reduced in renal damaged ducks. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic integration revealed significantly higher values for C max/MIC and AUC/MIC ratios in renal damaged ducks than in healthy ones, indicating the excellent pharmacokinetic characteristics of levofloxacin in renal damaged ducks.
Multicenter Study of Posaconazole Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Exposure-Response Relationship and Factors Affecting Concentration

ABSTRACT Posaconazole has an important role in the prophylaxis and salvage treatment of invasive fungal infections (IFIs), although poor and variable bioavailability remains an important clinical concern. Therapeutic drug monitoring of posaconazole concentrations has remained contentious, with the use of relatively small patient cohorts in previous studies hindering the assessment of exposure-response relationships. This multicenter retrospective study aimed to investigate relationships between posaconazole concentration and clinical outcomes and adverse events and to assess clinical factors and drug interactions that may affect posaconazole concentrations. Medical records were reviewed for patients who received posaconazole and had ≥1 concentration measured at six hospitals in Australia. Data from 86 patients with 541 posaconazole concentrations were included in the study. Among 72 patients taking posaconazole for prophylaxis against IFIs, 12 patients (17%) developed a breakthrough fungal infection; median posaconazole concentrations were significantly lower than in those who did not develop fungal infection (median [range], 289 [50 to 471] ng/ml versus 485 [0 to 2,035] ng/ml; P < 0.01). The median posaconazole concentration was a significant predictor of breakthrough fungal infection via binary logistic regression (P < 0.05). A multiple linear regression analysis identified a number of significant drug interactions associated with reduced posaconazole exposure, including coadministration with proton pump inhibitors, metoclopramide, phenytoin or rifampin, and the H2 antagonist ranitidine (P < 0.01). Clinical factors such as mucositis, diarrhea, and the early posttransplant period in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients were also associated with reduced posaconazole exposure (P < 0.01). Low posaconazole concentrations are common and are associated with breakthrough fungal infection, supporting the utility of monitoring posaconazole concentrations to ensure optimal systemic exposure.
REG1 binds to protein phosphatase type 1 and regulates glucose repression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Protein phosphatase type 1 (PP1) is encoded by GLC7, an essential gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The GLC7 phosphatase is required for glucose repression and appears to function antagonistically to the SNF1 protein kinase. Previously, we characterized a mutation, glc7‐T152K, that relieves glucose repression but does not interfere with the function of GLC7 in glycogen metabolism. We proposed that the mutant GLC7T152K phosphatase is defective in its interaction with a regulatory subunit that directs participation of PP1 in the glucose repression mechanism. Here, we present evidence that REG1, a protein required for glucose repression, is one such regulatory subunit. We show that REG1 is physically associated with GLC7. REG1 interacts with GLC7 strongly and specifically in the two‐hybrid system, and REG1 and GLC7 fusion proteins co‐immunoprecipitate from cell extracts. Moreover, overexpression of a REG1 fusion protein suppresses the glc7‐T152K mutant defect in glucose repression. This and other genetic evidence indicate that the two proteins function together in regulating glucose repression. These results suggest that REG1 is a regulatory subunit of PP1 that targets its activity to proteins in the glucose repression regulatory pathway.