Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of hummingbird-mediated selection for flower width in Ipomopsis aggregata

The form of angiosperm flowers is thought to have evolved in part via selection that excludes ineffective pollinators and increases the efficiency of pollen transfer by effective ones. In previous studies with the montane plant Ipomopsis aggregata, we documented pollinator-mediated selection on several aspects of floral form, including flower width. This character varies continuously within natural populations of I. aggregata, and individuals with wider flowers export more pollen per flower to surrounding plants. We previously showed that this component of phenotypic selection is due primarily to the per- visit effectiveness of hummingbirds, the most important pollinator in our study populations. Here we investigate mechanisms of differential visit effectiveness in greater detail. First, counts of pollen in unvisited flowers showed that pollen production itself increases with width. In aviary experiments, hummingbirds also removed a greater proportion of available pollen as width increased. We next videotaped visits to flowers that varied in width either naturally, or by experimental treatment, and found that hummingbirds inserted their bills more deeply into wider flowers. Finally, we directly manipulated how deeply birds could insert their bills, and found that more pollen was removed after deep insertion. Thus, several mechanisms appear to underlie selection on corolla width via visit effectiveness in pollen export. One involves a phenotypic correlation with pollen production; this underscores the value of experiments for untangling indirect from direct selection. Another mechanism involves direct selection due to the depth of insertion of a hummingbird's bill; this is rare evidence for one form of selection involving the "fit" between pollinator and flower.
Design and Analysis of Monolithic Step-Down SC Power Converter With Subthreshold DPWM Control for Self-Powered Wireless Sensors

This paper presents a fully integrated switched-capacitor power converter for self-powered wireless sensor nodes. The design features an efficient step-down charge-pump power stage and a frequency-programmable digital feedback controller. The subthreshold-region design significantly reduces the power dissipation in the controller. Meanwhile, the programmable switching-frequency digital-pulsewidth-modulation control keeps the converter stay at high efficiency, without causing a random noise spectrum. Monolithic implementation effectively suppresses noise and glitches caused by parasitic components due to bonding, packaging, and PCB wiring. Design strategy, system modeling, optimization, and circuit implementation are addressed. An IC prototype was fabricated with a standard 0.35-¿m digital CMOS n-well process. It precisely provides a dynamic-voltage-scaling-compatible adjustable power output from 0.8 to 1.5 V and from 400 ¿W to 7.5 mW. The switching frequency is programmable from 200 kHz to 1 MHz. It achieves 66.7% efficiency with a controller power dissipation of only 147.5 ¿W.
Amyloid-beta(1-42), total tau, and phosphorylated tau as cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for the diagnosis of Alzheimer disease.

BACKGROUND To improve ante mortem diagnostic accuracy of Alzheimer disease (AD), measurement of the biomarkers amyloid-beta(1-42) (Abeta42), total tau (Tau), and tau phosphorylated at threonine(181) (pTau) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been proposed. We have used these markers and evaluated their performance. METHODS From January 2001 to January 2007, we assessed Abeta42, Tau, and pTau by commercial ELISAs in CSF from 248 consecutive AD patients and 131 patients with subjective memory complaints attending our outpatient memory clinic. Diagnoses were made blind to the results of the biomarker assays. We assessed sensitivity and specificity and analyzed trends over time. RESULTS Interassay CVs from analysis of pools of surplus CSF specimens were mean 11.3% (SD 4.9%) for Abeta42; 9.3% (1.5%) for Tau, and 9.4% (2.5%) for pTau, respectively (n = 7-18). To achieve 85% sensitivity, cutoff values were 550 (95% CI 531-570) ng/L for Abeta42; 375 (325-405) ng/L for Tau, and 52 (48-56) ng/L for pTau. Corresponding specificities were 83% (95% CI 76%-89%) for Abeta42, 78% (70%-85%) for Tau, and 68% (60%-77%) for pTau. Logistic regression to investigate the simultaneous impact of the 3 CSF biomarkers on the diagnosis yielded a sensitivity of 93.5% and specificity of 82.7%, at a discrimination line of Abeta42 = 373 + 0.82 x Tau. The area under the ROC curves of Tau and pTau showed significant fluctuation over time. CONCLUSIONS CSF biomarkers Abeta42 and Tau can be used as a diagnostic aid in AD. pTau did not have additional value over these 2 markers. Cutoff values, sensitivities, specificities, and discrimination lines depend on the patient groups studied and laboratory experience.
A new performance-curve method for the detection of simulated cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate a new performance-curve method for detecting simulated cognitive impairment. DESIGN The method was based on quantitative analysis of choice reaction times in a series of eight matching-to-sample tasks of graded complexity, in which participants were required to identify which of two comparison stimuli was identical to a simultaneously presented sample stimulus. The stimuli consisted of arrays of letters, the number of letters ranging from 1 to 10 in the eight tasks. METHODS Mean reaction times of a standardization group of 20 healthy young adults were used to construct regression equations to describe the behaviour of three test groups: 20 healthy individuals instructed to perform to the best of their ability (non-simulators), 20 healthy individuals instructed to simulate cognitive impairment incurred as a result of a head injury (simulators), and 25 patients with a history of closed head injury (patients). RESULTS There was a linear relationship between individual participants' latencies and the mean latencies of the standardization sample; the patient group showed steeper slopes, and the simulators higher intercepts, than the non-simulator group. A univariate measure of performance, based on the proportionate increase in latency corresponding to a standard increase in the standardization group's latency was able to identify 14/20 simulators while misclassifying 2/20 non-simulators and 2/25 patients. Other measures, including the number of errors made in the choice reaction time task and in recognition memory tasks, and a performance-curve measure based on Raven's Standard Progressive Matrices, were less successful in identifying simulators. CONCLUSIONS This new performance-curve method may prove to be a useful addition to tests currently used to diagnose simulated cognitive impairment in clinical and medicolegal settings.
Expression Patterns of ER , HER 2 , and NM 23-H 1 in Breast Cancer Patients with Different Menopausal Status Correlations with Metastasis

Objective: This study was designed to analyze expression patterns of estrogen receptor (ER), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/ERBB2), and nonmetastatic protein 23 (NM23-H1/NME1) proteins in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma and different menopausal status to identify their relationships with axillary lymph node metastasis. Materials and Methods: 213 pre-menopausal and 177 post-menopausal women diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinomawere evaluated for ER,HER2, andNM23-H1 protein expression by immunohistochemistry. When HER2 immunoreactivity was equivocal (category 2+), specimens were confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Results: ER expression showed no correlation with menopausal status or lymph node metastasis (each p > 0.05). However, expression of ERwas associated with negative expression of HER2 (r= -0.214, p < 0.05) and positive expression of NM23-H1 (r = 0.137, p < 0.05) in the pre-menopausal group. Over-expression of HER2 was correlated with menopausal status (r = -0.107, p < 0.05) and lymph node metastasis in the ERnegative post-menopausal group (r = 0.222, p < 0.05). NM23-H1 was associated with less lymph node metastasis in the ER-positive pre-menopausal group (r =-0.237, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicated that expression patterns of ER, NM23-H1, and HER2 in primary breast cancer lesions warn that cells might havemetastatic potential, which could assist clinicians to provide amore accurate prognosis and tailor therapeutic management for individual patients.
Sphingosine-1-phosphate Phosphatase 2 Regulates Pancreatic Islet β-Cell Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Proliferation*

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a sphingolipid metabolite that regulates basic cell functions through metabolic and signaling pathways. Intracellular metabolism of S1P is controlled, in part, by two homologous S1P phosphatases (SPPases), 1 and 2, which are encoded by the Sgpp1 and Sgpp2 genes, respectively. SPPase activity is needed for efficient recycling of sphingosine into the sphingolipid synthesis pathway. SPPase 1 is important for skin homeostasis, but little is known about the functional role of SPPase 2. To identify the functions of SPPase 2 in vivo, we studied mice with the Sgpp2 gene deleted. In contrast to Sgpp1−/− mice, Sgpp2−/− mice had normal skin and were viable into adulthood. Unexpectedly, WT mice expressed Sgpp2 mRNA at high levels in pancreatic islets when compared with other tissues. Sgpp2−/− mice had normal pancreatic islet size; however, they exhibited defective adaptive β-cell proliferation that was demonstrated after treatment with either a high-fat diet or the β-cell-specific toxin, streptozotocin. Importantly, β-cells from untreated Sgpp2−/− mice showed significantly increased expression of proteins characteristic of the endoplasmic reticulum stress response compared with β-cells from WT mice, indicating a basal islet defect. Our results show that Sgpp2 deletion causes β-cell endoplasmic reticulum stress, which is a known cause of β-cell dysfunction, and reveal a juncture in the sphingolipid recycling pathway that could impact the development of diabetes.
The automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in drug-refractory ventricular tachyarrhythmias.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of the automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in preventing sudden death in high-risk patients. DESIGN Nonrandomized cohort study. SETTING A university teaching hospital with 500 beds. PATIENTS Consecutive sample of 78 patients with symptomatic, sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias that were previously drug-refractory. INTERVENTIONS Before February 1985, patients received treatment with the defibrillator and amiodarone if they presented with loss of consciousness (group A) and amiodarone alone if they did not lose consciousness (group C). After February 1985, because the availability of the defibrillator was severely curtailed, patients who lost consciousness received treatment with amiodarone alone (group B). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The risk for recurrent arrhythmias was similar between groups. The actuarial risk for sudden death in group B was 31% (95% confidence interval, 11% to 51%) at 1 and 2 years, a value that was significantly higher than that for group A (p less than 0.003) or group C (p less than 0.03). The risk for dying suddenly with the first recurrence was 0.78 in group B, a value that was significantly higher than that for group A (p less than 0.003) or group C (p less than 0.002). CONCLUSION The defibrillator is highly effective in preventing sudden death in patients whose presenting arrhythmias caused loss of consciousness (group A). In patients whose presenting arrhythmias did not result in loss of consciousness (group C), initial treatment with the defibrillator appears unnecessary.
STI571 (Glivec) suppresses the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the gastrointestinal stromal tumor cell line, GIST-T1.

AIM To estimate whether STI571 inhibits the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) cells. METHODS We used GIST cell line, GIST-T1. It has a heterogenic 57-bp deletion in exon 11 to produce a mutated c-KIT, which results in constitutive activation of c-KIT. Cells were treated with/without STI571 or stem cell factor (SCF). Transcription and expression of VEGF were determined by RT-PCR and flow cytometry or Western blotting, respectively. Activated c-KIT was estimated by immunoprecipitation analysis. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. RESULTS Activation of c-KIT was inhibited by STI571 treatment. VEGF was suppressed at both the transcriptional and translational levels in a temporal and dose-dependent manner by STI571. SCF upregulated the expression of VEGF and it was inhibited by STI571. STI571 also reduced the cell viability of the GIST-T1 cells, as determined by MTT assay. CONCLUSION Activation of c-KIT in the GIST-T1 regulated the expression of VEGF and it was inhibited by STI571. STI571 has antitumor effects on the GIST cells with respect to not only the inhibition of cell growth, but also the suppression of VEGF expression.
Oral decontamination for prevention of pneumonia in mechanically ventilated adults: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective To evaluate the effect of oral decontamination on the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia and mortality in mechanically ventilated adults. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources Medline, Embase, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, trials registers, reference lists, conference proceedings, and investigators in the specialty. Review methods Two independent reviewers screened studies for inclusion, assessed trial quality, and extracted data. Eligible trials were randomised controlled trials enrolling mechanically ventilated adults that compared the effects of daily oral application of antibiotics or antiseptics with no prophylaxis. Results 11 trials totalling 3242 patients met the inclusion criteria. Among four trials with 1098 patients, oral application of antibiotics did not significantly reduce the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia (relative risk 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.41 to 1.18). In seven trials with 2144 patients, however, oral application of antiseptics significantly reduced the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia (0.56, 0.39 to 0.81). When the results of the 11 trials were pooled, rates of ventilator associated pneumonia were lower among patients receiving either method of oral decontamination (0.61, 0.45 to 0.82). Mortality was not influenced by prophylaxis with either antibiotics (0.94, 0.73 to 1.21) or antiseptics (0.96, 0.69 to 1.33) nor was duration of mechanical ventilation or stay in the intensive care unit. Conclusions Oral decontamination of mechanically ventilated adults using antiseptics is associated with a lower risk of ventilator associated pneumonia. Neither antiseptic nor antibiotic oral decontamination reduced mortality or duration of mechanical ventilation or stay in the intensive care unit.
Assessment of quadriceps/hamstring strength, knee ligament stability, functional and sports activity levels five years after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The purpose of this study was to examine individuals 5 years after ACL reconstruction and analyze changes involving strength, stability, function, and sports activi ties. Nineteen males and six females, mean age =31.4± 7.31 years, participated in this study. Fifteen subjects had received extraarticular and ten subjects had re ceived intraarticular ACL reconstructions. Subjects completed a 100 point subjective functional activity questionnaire and a sports participation survey. Knee ligament stability was assessed during an objective knee examination. Isokinetic quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength were tested at 240 and 120 deg/sec using the Cybex II dynamometer. Anterolateral rotatory instability and positive Lachman were elicited on the operated leg for 80% of the subjects. No significant relationship was found between objective instability and the functional activity score. For the intraarticular group, a significant correlation (P < 0.05) was found between increased quadriceps and hamstring strength on the operated leg and return to functional activities. Sub jects' functional activity score was positively correlated (P < 0.001) with their ability to participate in sports. Subjects participating in sports involving cutting and twisting motions were less successful in returning to their preinjury participation levels and reported more subjective complaints of pain, swelling, and/or instabil ity. These results indicate that long-term progressive rehabilitation emphasizing increased quadriceps and hamstring strength to approximate the nonoperated leg may enhance successful return to functional and sports activities after ACL reconstruction.
Acute Renal Failure from Myoglobinuria Secondary to Myositis from Severe Falciparum Malaria

Renal disease is a common complication in malaria infection. In acute falciparum malaria renal involvement is usually mild, but in severe disease acute renal failure is a major problem. Acute renal failure has been attributed to ischaemic tubular necrosis from hypovolaemia resulting from vasodilatation due to endothelial injury. Though myositis is recorded as a common manifestation in falciparum malaria, only 1 case with myositis and myoglobinuria with acute renal failure has been documented; but no renal biopsy was performed in the patient. In the present study we examined the case of a 17-year-old man with severe falciparum malaria with myositis and myoglobinuria who developed acute renal failure requiring dialysis. Muscle biopsy revealed severe myositis with macrophages and T lymphocytes including CD4+ cells. The kidney biopsy showed scanty T cells and macrophages in the glomeruli which were only mildly hypercellular. The renal tubules showed myoglobin casts in the lumen and foci of interstitial inflammatory cells, including macrophages and T lymphocytes but no CD4+ cells. Rhabdomyolysis induced by macrophages and T cells with myoglobinuria and acute renal failure is a problem in severe falciparum malaria infection.
A Single-dose, Randomized, Open-label, Two-period Crossover Bioequivalence Study Comparing a Fixed-Dose Pediatric Combination of Lamivudine and Stavudine Tablet for Oral Suspension with Individual Liquid Formulations in Healthy Adult Male Volunteers

Abstract Lamivudine (CAS 134678-17-4) is a synthetic nucleoside analogue with activity against HIV-1 and HBV. Stavudine (CAS 3056-17-5) is a synthetic thymidine nucleoside analogue, active against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Lamivudine and stavudine in combination with other antiretroviral (ARV) agents are indicated for the treatment of HIV infection. As there are no suitable pediatric ARVs, adult fixed-dose ARVs are commonly used in children. This practice poses concerns about dose inaccuracy, which may lead to resistance or toxicity. A new fixed-dose combination (FDC) tablet for oral suspension, containing lamivudine 40 mg and stavudine 10 mg has been developed. An open-label, balanced, randomised, two-treatment, two-period, two-sequence, single-dose, crossover bioequivalence study was conducted following administration of a fixed-dose combination of lamivudine and stavudine tablet for oral suspension (test formulation) and innovator products (reference formulations) in healthy, adult, male human subjects under fasting condition. Multiple blood samples were collected up to 36 h post dose. Plasma concentrations of lamivudine and stavudine were assayed using validated high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry analytical method. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using non-compartmental analysis and bioequivalence was assessed using a mixed effect ANOVA model. The ratio of the least-square means (FDC to individual products) and 90% confidence intervals (CIs) of AUC0–t AUC0–∞ and Cmax for lamivudine and stavudine were all within 80.00–125.00%, suggesting a similar rate and extent of ARVs exposure in the bloodstream. The FDC and individual products were equally safe and well tolerated. The current FDC of lamivudine and stavudine is expected to provide a similar efficacy/safety profile as co-administration of the individual products, a better adherence to treatment, and considerable cost savings in the treatment of HIV in children.
The clinical significance of Epstein-Barr virus DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma

Abstract The aim of the study was to determine the clinical significance of EBV DNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from the patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Newly diagnosed patients with NHL were enrolled in the study (n = 328), and clinical data retrospectively analyzed. EBV DNA was detectable in 34.8% of patients, and the positivity rate was 51.6% for T/NK cell subtype and 24.3% for B cell subtype (p < .001). In diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL), peripheral T-cell lymphoma not otherwise classified (PTCL.NOS), or angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AITL), positive EBV DNA before treatment was associated with more risk factors with prognostic significance, including older age, advanced stage, extranodal involvement, bone marrow infiltration, elevated LDH, and B symptoms, and with poor prognosis.
Deliberate self-harm in a nonclinical population: prevalence and psychological correlates.

OBJECTIVE Research on deliberate self-harm (intentionally injuring oneself without suicidal intent) has focused on clinical and forensic populations. Studying only these populations, which typically have serious psychopathology, may lead to inflated estimates of the association between self-harm and psychiatric disorder, as well as of the prevalence of deliberate self-harm. The present study investigated the prevalence and correlates of deliberate self-harm in a large group of nonclinical subjects. METHOD Participants were 1,986 military recruits, 62% of whom were men, who were participating in a study of peer assessment of personality traits and pathology. Individuals who did and did not report a history of self-harm were compared on measures of personality and psychopathology. RESULTS Approximately 4% of the participants reported a history of deliberate self-harm. Compared with participants without a history of deliberate self-harm, self-harmers scored higher on self- and peer-report measures of borderline, schizotypal, dependent, and avoidant personality disorder symptoms and reported more symptoms of anxiety and depression. Item-level analyses indicated that peers viewed self-harmers as having strange and intense emotions and a heightened sensitivity to interpersonal rejection. CONCLUSIONS About one of every 25 members of a large group of relatively high-functioning nonclinical subjects reported a history of self-harm. Self-harmers had more symptoms of several personality disorders than non-self-harmers, and their performance across measures suggested that anxiety plays a prominent role in their psychopathology. Future research should investigate whether psychotherapies or psychiatric medications known to reduce symptoms of anxiety can be effective in treating deliberate self-harm.