Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chronic Granulomatous Inflammatory Disorders of Skin at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Islamabad

A retrospective study was carried out to evaluate skin diseases associated with Chronic Granulomatous Inflammation at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) over a period of six months. There were a total of 249 skin biopsies in this period, among which 14.8 % cases were diagnosed as lesions associated with chronic granulomatous inflammation. Among these cutaneous leishmaniasis constituted 56.7% of cases while cutaneous tuberculosis was diagnosed in 14.9%. Sarcoidosis, Syphilis and Granuloma annulare constituted a small number of cases.
The European Unified Patent Court: Assessment and Implications of the Federalisation of the Patent System in Europe

The push for the creation of a European Unified Patent Court (UPC) aims to achieve the federalisation of the patent system in Europe. By replacing the jurisdiction of national courts in the legal disputes relating to patents with unitary effect, the UPC will create a new centralised judicial authority for patent litigation and standard-setting. However, there is evidence that the UPC Agreement was rushed and its impact assessment was not based on valid data. Therefore, questions are raised about the implications it may have, especially those regarding language arrangements in the litigation proceedings and the impact which may arise from the loss of national sovereignty, as national judges will no longer be able to adjust patentability standards to the development and sustainability needs of local businesses. This article examines the impact of the loss of national sovereignty and argues that, to the extent that the UPC establishes a monopolistic source of legal power which escapes the control of the democratic policy-making process, its authority is problematic. Additionally, the findings of relevant studies are analysed in order to evaluate the original arguments of the EU Commission, and to go beyond the narrow context within which the debate on the UPC has been framed.
Inhibition of allergic responses by CD40 gene silencing

Background: Gene silencing using small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a potent method of specifically knocking down molecular targets. Small interfering RNA is therapeutically promising, however, treatment of allergic diseases with siRNA has not been explored in vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate therapeutic effects of CD40 siRNA on inhibition of allergic responses.
Pharmacogenetics of drug-metabolizing enzymes in Italian populations

Abstract Drug-metabolizing enzymes play a major role in the biotransformation and subsequent elimination of most drugs and xenobiotics from the body. Both phase I and phase II enzymes are highly polymorphic. Inter-individual differences in genes coding for drug-metabolizing enzymes are important for understanding variability in drug response and for individualization of drug prescription. The prevalence of genetic polymorphisms in drug metabolism varies widely with ethnicity, and marked differences in the distribution of allelic variants of genes encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes have been documented in populations of different racial origin. This review aimed to summarize the available studies on genetic polymorphisms associated with drug metabolism conducted in Italian populations and to compare the frequency of the various metabolizer phenotypes and most common variant alleles (and resulting genotypes) with corresponding values from other populations. Notably, published data are not extensive, and most studies were performed on relatively low numbers of individuals. In general, the frequency of polymorphisms in the cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes as well as in the investigated phase II enzymes in the Italian population was similar to values reported for other Caucasian populations. However, the prevalence of CYP2D6 gene duplication among Italians was found to be very high, confirming the higher frequency of CYP2D6 ultrarapid metabolizers in the Mediterranean area compared to Northern Europe. It is worth noting that a geographic gradient in the flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 polymorphism distribution was also seen, the Italian population showing higher similarity to other Mediterranean populations than to North Europeans.
Recurrence of non‐viral liver disease after orthotopic liver transplantation

Liver transplant remains the ultimate treatment for decompensated liver disease. However, many diseases do recur after orthotopic liver transplant, which may affect recipients' quality of life and survival rate. We performed a systematic review of relevant epidemiological studies available on Medline that provided information on the recurrence of non‐viral hepatitis after orthotopic liver transplantation in adult patients published until August 2010. All data were compiled from either review articles or retrospective studies. Primary sclerosing cholangitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, autoimmune hepatitis, non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis, alcoholic steatohepatitis and haemochromatosis can recur after liver transplantation. The rates for disease recurrence varied according to the indication for transplantation, and ranged from 7 to 50%. Although the survival rate of patients with liver disease has increased with the advent of liver transplantation and novel immunosuppressive protocols, recurrence of the primary liver disease remains a concern. The recurrence rates differ not only according to the cause of underlying liver disease but also vary within the indication for transplant. Further studies are needed to elucidate the risk factors for varied disease recurrence.
Comparison of clinical characteristics and management of inflammatory bowel disease in Hong Kong versus Melbourne

Background and Aim: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), common in Melbourne, was rare but is now increasing in incidence in Hong Kong (HK). To investigate whether these are the same diseases in the West and East, potential causes of changing incidence, and to plan resource needs, an appreciation of clinical characteristics in contrasting populations is essential.
Shotgun proteomic analysis of Chlamydia trachomatis

Chlamydiae are widespread bacterial pathogens responsible for a broad range of diseases, including sexually transmitted infections, pneumonia and trachoma. To validate the existence of hitherto hypothetical proteins predicted from recent chlamydial genome sequencing projects and to examine the patterns of expression of key components at the protein level, we have surveyed the expressed proteome of Chlamydia trachomatis strain L2. A combination of two‐dimensional gel analysis, multi‐dimensional protein identification (MudPIT) and nanocapillary liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry allowed a total of 328 chlamydial proteins to be unambiguously assigned. Proteins identified as being expressed in the metabolically inert form, elementary body, of Chlamydia include the entire set of predicted glycolytic enzymes, indicating that metabolite flux rather than de novo synthesis of this pathway is triggered upon infection of host cells. An enzyme central to cell wall biosynthesis was also detected in the intracellular form, reticulate body, of Chlamydia, suggesting that the peptidoglycan is produced during growth within host cells. Other sets of proteins identified include 17 outer membrane‐associated proteins of potential significance in vaccine studies and 67 proteins previously annotated as hypothetical or conserved hypothetical. Taken together, ≥35% of the predicted proteome for C. trachomatis has been experimentally verified, representing the most extensive survey of any chlamydial proteome to date.
Effects of Multiple Stimuli on Ocular Orientation by Cats

We investigated the characteristics of saccades made by cats in response to single and double stimuli. Stimuli were either visual, auditory, or bimodal. We initially trained cats to look toward the location of briefly presented single visual or single auditory targets that were extinguished before the initiation of eye movements. Following training, we monitored eye movements during and after the presentation of double targets, either two visual, two auditory, or bimodal, that were at disparate spatial locations. Cats made saccadic eye movements to positions that ranged between the location of the two targets. If the eye position at the start of a saccade was near the mid point of the targets, cats were less likely to initiate a saccade, and saccadic latencies were longer, compared to when starting eye position was at a distance from this location. These behavioral results are consistent with the hypothesis that the neural representations of briefly presented targets are combined and treated as a unitary, low resolution stimulus from which an orienting motor program is derived. The similarity of responses to double visual, double auditory, and bimodal stimuli suggests that a common sensorimotor mechanism applies within and between these sensory modalities.
KDIGO Guidelines and Kidney Transplantation: Is the Cystatin‐C Based Recommendation Relevant?

The KDIGO guidelines propose a new approach to diagnose chronic kidney disease (CKD) based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR). In patients with a GFR value comprised between 45 and 59 mL/min/1.73 m2 as estimated by the CKD‐EPI creatinine equation (eGFRcreat), it is suggested to confirm the diagnosis with a second estimation using the CKD‐EPI cystatin C‐based equations (eGFRcys/eGFRcreat‐cys). We sought to determine whether this new diagnostic strategy might extend to kidney transplant recipients (KTR) and help to identify those with decreased GFR. In 670 KTR for whom a measured GFR was available, we simulated the detection of CKD using the two‐steps approach recommended by the guidelines in comparison to the conventional approach relying on creatinine equation. One hundred forty‐five patients with no albuminuria had eGFRcreat between 45 and 59 mL/min/1.73 m2. Among them, 23% had inulin clearance over 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and were thus incorrectly classified as CKD patients. When applying the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) strategy, 138 patients were confirmed as having a GFR below 60 mL/min with eGFRcreat‐cys. However, 21% of them were misclassified in reference to measured GFR. Our data do no not support the use of cystatin C as a confirmatory test of stage 3 A CKD in KTR.
Osteoblast-specific expression of growth hormone stimulates bone growth in transgenic mice

Growth hormone (GH) is an important regulator of postnatal growth, acting on a wide variety of target tissues. Here, we show that local production of GH in osteoblasts is able to stimulate bone growth directly without significant systemic effects. Mice were made transgenic by microinjection of an osteocalcin-human GH (osteocalcin-hGH) gene construct in which approximately 1,800 bp of the rat osteocalcin promoter was fused to the hGH gene. Five lines of transgenic mice, each with measurable amounts of serum hGH (ranging from 1 to 1,000 ng/ml), were analyzed. Northern (RNA) blot hybridization showed that the hGH transcript was detectable only in the bone. Further characterization of hGH mRNA distribution by in situ hybridization revealed that in neonates the most intense signal was found in periosteal osteoblasts, while in adults, trabecular and endosteal osteoblasts were favored. In one transgenic line (992-1), hGH was expressed at a much lower level and had minimal systemic effects; however, the local concentrations of hGH in bone were sufficient to stimulate bone growth in these animals.
Genetic Control of Autoimmunity: Protection from Diabetes, but Spontaneous Autoimmune Biliary Disease in a Nonobese Diabetic Congenic Strain1

At least 20 insulin-dependent diabetes (Idd) loci modify the progression of autoimmune diabetes in the NOD mouse, an animal model of human type 1 diabetes. The NOD.c3c4 congenic mouse, which has multiple B6- and B10-derived Idd-resistant alleles on chromosomes 3 and 4, respectively, is completely protected from autoimmune diabetes. We demonstrate in this study, however, that NOD.c3c4 mice develop a novel spontaneous and fatal autoimmune polycystic biliary tract disease, with lymphocytic peribiliary infiltrates and autoantibodies. Strains having a subset of the Idd-resistant alleles present in the NOD.c3c4 strain show component phenotypes of the liver disease: NOD mice with B6 resistance alleles only on chromosome 3 have lymphocytic liver infiltration without autoantibody formation, while NOD mice with B10 resistance alleles only on chromosome 4 show autoantibody formation without liver infiltration. The liver disease is transferable to naive NOD.c3c4 recipients using splenocytes from affected NOD.c3c4 mice, demonstrating an autoimmune etiology. Thus, substitution of non-NOD genetic intervals into the NOD strain can prevent diabetes, but in turn cause an entirely different autoimmune syndrome, a finding consistent with a generalized failure of self-tolerance in the NOD genetic background. The complex clinical phenotypes in human autoimmune conditions may be similarly resolved into largely overlapping biochemical pathways that are then modified, potentially by alleles at a few key chromosomal regions, to produce specific autoimmune syndromes.
The Communication and Bioethical Training (CoBiT) Program for assisting dialysis decision-making in Spanish ACKD units

Abstract Healthcare professionals currently working in Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease (ACKD) units must cope with difficult situations regarding assisting patients with the dialysis decision-making process, and they are often untrained for these conversations. Although we have evidence from the literature that these skills can be learned, few professionals feel confident in this area. A Communication and Bioethical Training (CoBiT) Program for ACKD staff (physicians, nurses and allied health professionals) was developed to improve their ability and self-confidence in conducting these conversations. A four-stage study was conducted: (1) development of the CoBiT program, beginning with the creation of an interdisciplinary focus group (N = 10); (2) design of a questionnaire to assess self-confidence based on the areas identified by the focus group. The face validity of the instrument was tested using an inter-judge methodology (N = 6); (3) design of the format and contents of the program; (4) piloting the program. Thirty-six health professionals took an 8-h workshop based on role-playing methodology. Participants assessed their self-confidence in their communication skills before and after the program using self-report measures. The results show that after the program, participants reported significantly higher levels of self-confidence measured with a five-point Likert scale (p < 0.001). Participants felt that communication with colleagues of other professions significantly increased after the workshop (p = 0.004). The CoBiT program improves ACKD Unit healthcare professionals’ self-confidence in their ability to perform a specific communication task.
Microfluidic detachment assay to probe the adhesion strength of diatoms

Fouling release (FR) coatings are increasingly applied as an environmentally benign alternative for controlling marine biofouling. As the technology relies on removing fouling by water currents created by the motion of ships, weakening of adhesion of adherent organisms is the key design goal for improved coatings. In this paper, a microfluidic shear force assay is used to quantify how easily diatoms can be removed from surfaces. The experimental setup and the optimization of the experimental parameters to study the adhesion of the diatom Navicula perminuta are described. As examples of how varying the physico-chemical surface properties affects the ability of diatoms to bind to surfaces, a range of hydrophilic and hydrophobic self-assembled monolayers was compared. While the number of cells that attached (adhered) was barely affected by the coatings, the critical shear stress required for their removal from the surface varied significantly.
Gender differences in the prevalence and determinants of tobacco use among school-aged adolescents (11 – 17 years) in Sudan and South Sudan

Introduction Tobacco use is one of the leading and preventable causes of global morbidities and premature mortalities. The study explores gender differences in the prevalence and determinants of tobacco use among school-aged adolescents (11-17years) in Sudan and South Sudan. Methods The study utilized the national Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data collected in 2005 for Sudan (4,277 unweighted; 131,631 weighted). Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted to examine the associations between the dependent (tobacco use status) and independent variables. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the key factors which influence tobacco consumption among adolescents in the 2 Sudans for ever cigarette users, current cigarette users, and users of noncigarette tobacco products. Results There were significant gender differences in the prevalence of ever cigarette users (21.8%; male=13.1%, female=6.5%, p<0.05) and current cigarette users (6.9%; male=4.9%, female = 1.3%, p<0.05) but not among users of noncigarette tobacco products (14.7%; male=6.8%, female=6.1%). Adolescent tobacco use was significantly associated with availability of monthly income or allowance, exposure to tobacco industry promotions, and tobacco-use behavior of familial relations. Knowledge about the harmful effects of secondhand smoke was related with decreased likelihood of tobacco use. Conclusion School programs that focus on health messages alone may not work for the adolescent population. Legislations that ban all types of tobacco advertisements, promotions, and sponsorships among adolescents are needed in the 2 countries.
AMF-R Tubules Concentrate in a Pericentriolar Microtubule Domain After MSV Transformation of Epithelial MDCK Cells

Autocrine motility factor receptor (AMF-R) is localized to an intracellular microtubule-associated membranous organelle, the AMF-R tubule. In well-spread untrans-formed MDCK epithelial cells, the microtubules originate from a broad perinuclear region and AMF-R tubules extend throughout the cytoplasm of the cells. In Moloney sarcoma virus (mos)-transformed MDCK (MSV-MDCK) cells, microtubules accumulate around the centrosome, forming a microtubule domain rich in stabilized detyrosinated microtubules. AMF-R tubules are quantitatively associated with this pericentriolar microtubule domain and the rough endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes also co-distribute with the pericentriolar mass of microtubules. The Golgi apparatus is closely associated with the microtubule organizing center (MTOC) within the juxtanuclear mass of AMF-R tubules, and no co-localization of AMF-R tubules with the Golgi marker β-COP could be detected by confocal microscopy. After nocodazole treatment and washout, microtubule nucleation occurs exclusively at the centrosome of MSV-MDCK cells, and only after microtubule extension to the cell periphery does the microtubule cytoskeleton reorganize to generate the pericentriolar microtubule domain after 30–60 min. AMF-R tubules dispersed by nocodazole treatment concentrate in the pericentriolar region in parallel with the reorganization of the microtubule cytoskeleton. MSV transformation of epithelial MDCK cells results in the stabilization of a pericentriolar microtubule domain responsible for the concentration and polarized distribution of AMF-R tubules.
Morphology of the testis of the one-humped camel in relation to reproductive activity.

Histological and morphometric studies on the camel testis have been carried out systematically at regular monthly intervals during a period of one year. The testicular weight was minimal during summer, while the maximum weight was attained during the coldest months from November until March. Diameters of the seminiferous tubules were multiphasic with a tendency to be wider during summer. The ratio of the area occupied by seminiferous tubules to that occupied by interstitial tissue revealed that the latter occupied a larger area than that of the seminiferous tubules during winter, while a reversed relationship occurred from March onwards and was especially marked after April, i.e. in summer. In addition, spermatogenesis was noted in all testes examined throughout the year; however, there was a difference in the quality and quantity of spermatogenic cells between the monthly groups evaluated. November, December and January were the months in which spermatogenic activity was most striking. A correlation was established between testicular weight, amount and quality of testicular interstitial tissue, spermatogenesis and epididymal sperm content and, hence, testicular function on the one hand and season of the year on the other hand. The cyclic structural changes in the testis appeared to be in parallel with the rutting activity of the camel. It was suggested also that the camel is not a typical seasonal breeder as it does not go through sexual quiescence. The reproductive activity of the camel builds up during September and October, and the animal is in actual rut during November, December, January and February, with a drop in March and thereafter.
Effect of Collagen Denaturation on the Toughness of Bone

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between the integrity of collagen and biomechanical properties of bone. In this study, age (range, 5-26 years old) and gender related changes in cortical bone samples from 33 baboon femurs (15 males and 18 females) were examined. The percentage of denatured collagen was determined using a selective digestion technique. The fracture toughness, elastic modulus, yield and ultimate strength, and energy to fracture of bone were determined in three-point bending configurations. The porosity and weight fractions of the mineral and organic phase also were measured. A two-way analysis of variance showed that age dependent changes were reflected primarily in the amount of denatured collagen, fracture toughness, energy to fracture, and elastic modulus, whereas gender had effects on the fracture toughness, elastic modulus, and porosity of bone. In addition, regression analyses indicated that the percentage of denatured collagen had an inverse correlation with the toughness of bone and a positive correlation with its elastic modulus, whereas mineral content had positive correlation with the strength and elastic modulus of bone. The results of this study suggest collagen influences the toughness of bone, whereas mineral content predominantly contributes to bone stiffness and strength.
Occluded Appearance Modeling with Sample Weighting for Human Pose Estimation

This paper proposes a method for human pose estimation in still images. The proposed method achieves occlusion-aware appearance modeling. Appearance modeling with less accurate appearance data is problematic because it adversely affects the entire training process. The proposed method evaluates the effectiveness of mitigating the influence of occluded body parts in training sample images. In order to improve occlusion evaluation by a discriminatively-trained model, occlusion images are synthesized and employed with non-occlusion images for discriminative modeling. The score of this discriminative model is used for weighting each sample in the training process. Experimental results demonstrate that our approach improves the performance of human pose estimation in contrast to base models. key words: human pose estimation, pictorial structure models, occlusion