Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Convergence and contrast in the community structure of Bacteria, Fungi and Archaea along a tropical elevation‐climate gradient

Abstract Changes in species richness along climatological gradients have been instrumental in developing theories about the general drivers of biodiversity. Previous studies on microbial communities along climate gradients on mountainsides have revealed positive, negative and neutral richness trends. We examined changes in richness and composition of Fungi, Bacteria and Archaea in soil along a 50‐1000 m elevation, 280‐3280 mm/yr precipitation gradient in Hawai'i. Soil properties and their drivers are exceptionally well understood along this gradient. All three microbial groups responded strongly to the gradient, with community ordinations being similar along axes of environmental conditions (pH, rainfall) and resource availability (nitrogen, phosphorus). However, the form of the richness‐climate relationship varied between Fungi (positive linear), Bacteria (unimodal) and Archaea (negative linear). These differences were related to resource‐ecology and limiting conditions for each group, with fungal richness increasing most strongly with soil carbon, ammonia‐oxidizing Archaea increasing with nitrogen mineralization rate, and Bacteria increasing with both carbon and pH. Reponses to the gradient became increasingly variable at finer taxonomic scales and within any taxonomic group most individual OTUs occurred in narrow climate‐elevation ranges. These results show that microbial responses to climate gradients are heterogeneous due to complexity of underlying environmental changes and the diverse ecologies of microbial taxa.
Obesity and coronary artery calcium in diabetes: the Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 1 Diabetes (CACTI) study.

BACKGROUND The aim was to examine whether excess weight is associated with coronary artery calcium (CAC), independent of metabolic parameters in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHODS Subjects between 19 and 56 years of age with T1D (n=621) from the Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 1 Diabetes study were classified as abnormal on four metabolic parameters: blood pressure ≥130/85 mm Hg or on antihypertensive treatment; high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol of <40 mg/dL for men or <50 mg/dL for women; triglycerides of ≥150 mg/dL; or C-reactive protein of ≥3 μg/mL. Study participants with two or more abnormal parameters were classified as metabolically abnormal. Weight categories by body mass index were normal (<25 kg/m(2)), overweight (25 to <30 kg/m(2)), and obese (≥30 kg/m(2)). CAC was measured at two visits 6.0±0.5 years apart. Progression of CAC was defined as an increase in square root transformed CAC volume of ≥2.5 mm(3) or development of clinical coronary artery disease. RESULTS Among subjects with T1D, 48% of normal, 61% of overweight, and 73% of obese participants were classified as metabolically abnormal (P<0.0001). Overweight and obesity were independently associated with presence of CAC, independent of presence of metabolically abnormal. Obesity but not overweight was associated with CAC progression, independent of the other cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Although obesity is known to increase cardiovascular disease risk through inducing metabolic abnormalities such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, and inflammation, it is also a strong predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis progression in adults with T1D independent of these factors.
Maximum Achievable Energy Efficiency of TXOP Power Save Mode in IEEE 802.11ac WLANs

This paper provides an analysis of energy ef&#64257;ciency of the Transmission Opportunity Power Save Mode (TXOP PSM) in IEEE 802.11ac Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). This mechanism allows a device to sleep during transmissions in the channel that are addressed to other devices. This operation is also referred to as microsleep and can signi&#64257;cantly reduce the energy consumption of devices during overhearing periods. A key contribution of the analysis presented in this paper is the awareness of the non-negligible time and energy consumption that a device incurs when it switches between awake and sleep states. If the duration of such state transitions is longer than the transmission time, microsleep operation is not possible. This becomes a critical issue as transmission rates increase, thus reducing the transmission times. In this paper, we show that the performance dependence of TXOP PSM on the awake/sleep state transitions can be overcome by using burst transmission inherent to the TXOP operation. Results obtained through theoretical analysis and computer-based simulation show gains of up to 424% in energy ef&#64257;ciency when compared to legacy mechanism.
Linguistic Style and Online Review Helpfulness

This research investigates the effect of linguistic style (i.e. personal vs. impersonal writing) of online reviews on their perceived helpfulness. Analyzing a sample of 20,997 reviews from amazon.com, we report that reviews written in an impersonal linguistic style are perceived to be more helpful compared with those written in a personal style. Findings also suggest that the effect of the linguistic style on perceived review helpfulness is moderated by review attributes, including valence, extremity and level of affective content, but not by review length. Reviews written in impersonal style are more helpful when the reviews are of moderate opinion, lower valence and higher affective content.
Metabolism of [14C]GSK977779 in Rats and Its Implication with the Observed Covalent Binding

GSK977779 is a potent HM74a agonist evaluated for the treatment of dyslipidemia. The disposition and metabolism of [14C]GSK977779 (67.6 μmol/kg p.o.) was studied in male and female rats. The compound was well absorbed and its primary route of elimination was in the feces. Based on metabolite profiling of plasma extracts and urine and bile samples, it was demonstrated that GSK977779 was extensively metabolized in the rat by N-dealkylation, mono- and dioxygenation, reductive and oxidative cleavage of the 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring, and conjugative pathways. After plasma extraction high amounts of nonextractable radioactivity were observed, which were more pronounced in female rats. Size-exclusion chromatography and SDS gel electrophoresis indicated that the majority of the nonextractable radioactivity was covalently bound to plasma proteins. Solubilization of the plasma protein pellet followed by high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry suggested that a carboxylic acid metabolite derived from oxadiazole ring cleavage may be responsible for the observed covalent binding of the radioactivity to rat plasma proteins.
Significant contribution of the pgdA gene to the virulence of Streptococcus suis

Streptococcus suis is a major swine pathogen and emerging zoonotic agent. In this study we have determined the muropeptide composition of S. suis peptidoglycan (PG) and found, among other modifications, N‐deacetylated compounds. Comparison with an isogenic mutant showed that the product of the pgdA gene is responsible for this specific modification which occurred in very low amounts. Low level of PG N‐deacetylation correlated with absence of significant lysozyme resistance when wild‐type S. suis was grown in vitro. On the other hand, expression of the pgdA gene was increased upon interaction of the bacterium with neutrophils in vitro as well as in vivo in experimentally inoculated mice, suggesting that S. suis may enhance PG N‐deacetylation under these conditions. Evaluation of the ΔpgdA mutant in both the CD1 murine and the porcine models of infection revealed a significant contribution of the pgdA gene to the virulence traits of S. suis. Reflecting a severe impairment in its ability to persist in blood and decreased ability to escape immune clearance mechanisms mediated by neutrophils, the ΔpgdA mutant was highly attenuated in both models. The results of this study suggest that modification of PG by N‐deacetylation is an important factor in S. suis virulence.
Thrombelastography versus AntiFactor Xa levels in the assessment of prophylactic-dose enoxaparin in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND A standard dose of enoxaparin is frequently used for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis. Evidence suggests inconsistent bioavailability in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Antifactor Xa activity (anti-Xa) has been used to monitor enoxaparin dosing but its accuracy and availability are problematic. Thrombelastography (TEG) is used to evaluate coagulation in diverse settings. The purpose of this study was to analyze whether TEG could be used to predict which enoxaparin-treated patients would develop DVT. METHODS Two hundred sixty-one simultaneous enoxaparin-active (active) and enoxaparin-neutralized (neutral) TEGs were performed in 61 surgical ICU patients over four consecutive days. Patient characteristics and anti-Xa were collected. DVT screening was per ICU protocol. RESULTS Mean (+/-SEM) age was 54 (+/-2.3) years and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score was 17 (+/-0.7). There were 30 trauma and 31 general surgery patients (69% men). The DVT rate was 28%. Time to clot formation (R) and percent lysis at 30 minutes were different between active versus neutralized blood (p < 0.001). R time was 1.5 minutes shorter in patients with DVT versus those without (p < 0.001) indicating hypercoagulability in DVT patients. Anti-Xa levels were similar in patients with (0.135 +/- 0.012) and without (0.135 +/- 0.007) DVT (p = 0.97). There were no differences in age, body mass index, injury severity score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, or trauma status between DVT and non-DVT groups. CONCLUSIONS TEG demonstrates differences between enoxaparin-neutralized and enoxaparin-active blood in ICU patients that may be used to guide dosing. TEG differentiates enoxaparin-treated patients who subsequently develop DVT while anti-Xa levels do not. TEG demonstrates an enoxaparin-related increase in fibrinolysis.
Preparedness for climate change among local health department officials in New York state: a comparison with national survey results.

CONTEXT Climate-change adaptation strategies that address locally specific climate hazards are critical for preventing negative health outcomes, and local public health care officials are key foci for adaptation planning. OBJECTIVE To assess New York State Local Health Department officials' perceptions and preparedness related to climate-sensitive health areas, and compare these with a national sample. DESIGN Online survey instrument, originally used in a national survey of local health department (LHD) officials. SETTING New York State. PARTICIPANTS Eligible participants included all New York State city and county LHD officials, 1 respondent per LHD. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES LHD officials' perceptions of (1) local climate-related public health effects, (2) preparation status and programming areas of LHDs, and (3) necessary resources to better address climate-related health risks. RESULTS : Survey participants, representing a 54% response rate (with 93% of respondents completing more than 90% of the questions), perceived climate change as relevant to public health, and most noted that some of their existing programs already use or are planning to use climate adaptation strategies. Overall, fewer New York State respondents identified concerns or related expertise compared with the previous national survey. Many respondents expressed uncertainty regarding necessary additional resources. CONCLUSIONS This type of assessment makes clear the high variability in perceived impacts and capacity at the level of LHD jurisdictions, and underscores the importance of sustained support for local climate-change preparedness programming. The implications of these findings are germane to other states with similar decentralized jurisdiction of public health. Findings from such surveys can bolster existing LHD programs, as well as inform long-term and emergency planning for climate change.
Ion production and excretion in a patient with a metal-on-metal bearing hip prosthesis. A case report.

Metal-on-metal bearings have been associated with the generation of metal particles and ions1,2 and, in comparison with that seen in other bearing surfaces, a measurable increase in the concentration of cobalt and chromium ions in blood and urine3-7. The risks of higher ion levels include delayed-type hypersensitivity, organ toxicity, and carcinogenesis8-10. Studies of cobalt and chromium ion levels have demonstrated variability from patient to patient4,7. Levels tend to be highest in the short-term and, with a well-functioning prosthesis, decrease with time4. Patient activity is a factor that theoretically could contribute to the variability in serum ion levels. The relationship between patient activity and the wear of polyethylene acetabular bearings has been demonstrated11. Cobalt and chromium ion levels in patients with metal-on-metal bearings might therefore be positively correlated with patient activity. Yet, Heisel et al. demonstrated that patient activity was not associated with serum ion levels in patients with a well-functioning metal-on-metal total hip prosthesis and normal renal function during a two-week test period12. To test the possibility that increases of serum ions associated with increased activity are compensated for by increased urinary excretion of the ions, we utilized the same two-week test protocol as Heisel et al.12 but also collected all urine from a single patient to measure total ion excretion and assess the relationships between serum ion levels, urine ion excretion, and patient activity. This study received the approval of the institutional review board at our institution. Our patient was informed that data concerning the case would be submitted for publication, and she consented. A sixty-four-year-old woman underwent an uncomplicated, cementless total hip arthroplasty for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the left hip. During this procedure, she …
Clinical Study of Oligohydramnios, Mode of Delivery and Perinatal Outcome

Estimation of amniotic fluid volume is a good predictor of maternal and perinatal outcome. Oligohydramnios is due to anamolies of fetus and functional disorders of mother , fetus and placenta. A prospective hospital based study of hundred antenatal women conducted at Guntur Government Hospital (GGH) Guntur Medical College , Guntur from October 2007 to October 2008. Oligohydramnios influence both maternal and perinatal outcome . There is increased incidence of instrumental deliveries and caesarean sections in the pregnant women with oligohydramnios. It increases the incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes like fetal distress, meconium stained liquor , low APGAR scores , low birth weight , NICU admission , perinatal morbidity and mortality. The incidence of oligohydramnios is more in unbooked cases. In this study PIH can be attributed to be one of the aetiological factors of oligohydramnios. The incidence of instrumental deliveries and caesarean section rates(58%) are high when compared to control group. The incidence of fetal distress(40%), meconium stained liquor (36%), low APGAR (20%), low birth weight(56%), and NICU admissions (34%) when compared to control group.
CD8+ Cell Depletion Accelerates HIV-1 Immunopathology in Humanized Mice

Stable engraftment of human lymphoid tissue in NOD/scid–IL-2Rγcnull mice after CD34+ hematopoietic stem cell reconstitution permits the evaluation of ongoing HIV-1 infection for weeks to months. We demonstrate that HIV-1–infected rodents develop virus-specific cellular immune responses. CD8+ cell depletion, 2 or 5–7 wk after viral infection, resulted in a significant increase of HIV-1 load, robust immune cell activation, and cytopathology in lymphoid tissues but preserved CD4/CD8 double-positive thymic T cell pools. Human CD8+ cells reappeared in circulation as early as 2–3 wk. These data support a role of CD8+ cells in viral surveillance and the relevance of this humanized mouse model for the studies of HIV-1 pathobiology and virus-specific immunity.
Small cell carcinoma of the hypercalcemic type in the ovary.

1015 SMALL CELL CARCINOMA, HYPERCALCEMIC TYPE OF THE OVARY Su Seon Kim, MD, Young Jin Seo, MD, Mi Jung Kim, MD, Hye Mi Eom, MD, Eun Jeong Jeong, MD, Jung Mi Byun, MD, Young Nam Kim, MD, Kyoung Bok Lee, MD, Moon Su Sung, MD, Ki Tae Kim, MD, Dae Hoon Jeong, MD Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Busan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine; Paik Institute for Clinical Research, Inje University, Busan, Korea
Mouse CD146/MCAM is a marker of natural killer cell maturation

CD146/melanoma cell adhesion molecule is an adhesion molecule expressed by endothelial cells and by a small fraction of activated T and B lymphocytes in humans. In order to analyze the pattern of CD146 expression in mouse leukocytes at steady‐state conditions, we generated a set of novel rat anti‐mouse CD146 monoclonal antibodies. CD146 expression was undetectable on monocytes, dendritic cells, T cells or B cells, but was expressed on about 30% of neutrophils and 60% of NK cells. Within murine lymphocytes, CD146 was defined as a novel NK‐specific surface molecule. An increased percentage of CD146+ cells was found in the most mature CD27−CD11b+ NK cell subpopulation, which also displays higher expression of Ly49C/I, Ly49D and KLRG1 and lower expression of NKG2A/C/E molecules. CD146+ NK cells were found to be less cytotoxic and produce less IFN‐γ than CD146− NK cells upon stimulation with target cells or activating antibodies. These findings define CD146 as a marker of mouse NK cell maturation that may be used as an alternative to the combined use of CD27 and CD11b staining to detect final stages of NK cell maturation.
Predictors reflecting the pathological severity of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease: Comprehensive study of clinical and immunohistochemical findings in younger Asian patients

Background and Aims: The spectrum of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) ranges from simple steatosis to severe steatohepatitis (NASH). The aim of our study was to identify clinical predictors distinguishing NASH from steatosis and to study the pathogenesis of NASH in a young Korean population.
Wage insurance within German firms: do institutions matter?

Using a large linked employer–employee data set, the paper studies the extent to which German employers insure workers against transitory and permanent firm level shocks. Particular emphasis is given to the question of whether the amount of wage insurance depends on the nature of industrial relations. Adopting the identification strategy that was introduced by Guiso and co‐workers, it is shown that industry level contracts and local works councils are important insurance providers. These findings lend support to the notion that collective institutions may mitigate the enforcement problems that typically arise within risk sharing agreements. Moreover, the ability of industry level contracts to insulate workers' wages from shocks appears to decrease with plant size, whereas works councils' ability to provide insurance increases with plant size. This latter finding is consistent with works councils having, by law, more information rights at larger employers.
Modulation of neutrophil apoptosis by granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor and granulocyte/macrophage colony‐stimulating factor during the course of acute respiratory distress syndrome

Objective: To determine whether bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from patients either at risk for the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or with sustained ARDS modulates neutrophil apoptosis; to measure the BALF concentrations of the apoptosis inhibitors granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) and granulocyte/macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) before and after the onset of ARDS; and to determine whether the BALF concentrations of G‐CSF and/or GM‐CSF are associated with clinical outcome. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Tertiary university hospital. Patients: Twenty patients at risk for ARDS and 45 patients with established ARDS. Interventions: Patients at risk for ARDS underwent bronchoalveolar lavage within 24 hrs of being identified, then again 72 hrs later. Patients with ARDS underwent bronchoalveolar lavage within 24 hrs of meeting ARDS criteria, then again on days 3, 7, and 14 of the disease. Measurements and Main Results: Normal peripheral blood neutrophil were incubated overnight in BALF from normal volunteers, from patients at risk for ARDS, or from patients with ARDS. neutrophil apoptosis was determined by flow cytometric analysis of annexin V binding. G‐CSF and GM‐CSF were measured in BALF by immunoassays. Compared with normal BALF, BALF from patients on days 1 and 3 of ARDS inhibited neutrophil apoptosis, but BALF from patients at later stages of ARDS, or from patients at risk for ARDS, did not. The BALF concentrations of both G‐CSF and GM‐CSF were elevated early in ARDS and decreased toward later stages. Patients who lived had significantly higher concentrations of GM‐CSF in the BALF than those who died. Conclusions: We conclude that the antiapoptotic effect of ARDS BALF on normal neutrophil is highest during early ARDS, and decreases during late ARDS. G‐CSF and GM‐CSF are present in BALF from patients with ARDS, and their concentrations parallel the antiapoptotic effect of ARDS BALF. These data support the concept that the life‐span of neutrophil in the air spaces is modulated during acute inflammation. GM‐CSF in the air spaces is associated with improved survival in patients with ARDS.
Revisiting the nanoformulation design approach for effective delivery of topotecan in its stable form: an appraisal of its in vitro Behavior and tumor amelioration potential

Abstract Topotecan (TPT) is indicated against a variety of solid tumors, but has restricted clinical use owing to associated pharmaceutical caveats. This study is focused at formulating a successful TPT PLGA nanosystem which ameliorates the rapid conversion of active lactone form of drug to its inactive carboxylate form and consequently improvises its efficacy. TPT PLGA nanoparticles were formulated by a double emulsion-solvent evaporation technique with sequential optimization to obtain desired particle size, PDI, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency. Stability of TPT was ensured by maintaining an acidic pH in the drug-containing phase and the system was evaluated for in vitro–in vivo performance including cytotoxic potency. The optimized nanosystem had a particle size of 187.33 ± 7.50 nm, a PDI of 0.179 ± 0.05, and an entrapment efficiency of 56 ± 1.2%. Low pH in the interior of nanoparticles stabilized the drug to remain in its active lactone form and revealed a biphasic release pattern till 15 d. Additionally, an in vitro cytotoxicity testing as well as in vivo antitumor efficacy demonstrated a significant potential of higher proliferation inhibition as compared with neat drug (TPT). Thus, the investigation summarized an innovative simple tool for developing stable TPT NPs for effective delivery for treating solid tumors.
Human Dental Pulp Vasculogenesis Evaluated by CD34 Antigen Expression and Morphological Arrangement

Vasculogenesis describes the process by which endothelial precursor cells form new blood vessels. To characterize the topography and the cellular processes underlying vascularization of human dental pulp, we examiend the expression of the human hematopoietic progenitor cell antigen CD34. Dental pulps, obtained from deciduous and permanent teeth, were morphologically examined at light- and electron-microscope levels and by expression of CD34. The findings indicate that vasculogenesis of dental pulp is a complicated process starting from single CD34+ cells. These subsequently coalesce to form solid vascular cords inside the developing connective tissue, which later hollows. Pericytes were embedded within the fully formed microvessels’ basement membrane. The presence of CD34+ endothelial cells in permanent teeth reveals that the process of vasculogenesis persists into adult life, where it contributes to continuous adjustment of vessel and network structures in response to functional needs and dental tissue homeostasis.