Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chemokines in and out of the central nervous system: much more than chemotaxis and inflammation

Actions of chemokines and the interaction with specific receptors go beyond their original, defined role of recruiting leukocytes to inflamed tissues. Chemokine receptor expression in peripheral elements and resident cells of the central nervous system (CNS) represents a relevant communication system during neuroinflammatory conditions. The following examples are described in this review: Chemokine receptors play important homeostatic properties by regulating levels of specific ligands in blood and tissues during healthy and pathological conditions; chemokines and their receptors are clearly involved in leukocyte extravasation and recruitment to the CNS, and current studies are directed toward understanding the interaction between chemokine receptors and matrix metalloproteinases in the process of blood brain barrier breakdown. We also propose novel functions of chemokine receptors during demyelination/remyelination, and developmental processes.
Absolute identification of muramic acid, at trace levels, in human septic synovial fluids in vivo and absence in aseptic fluids

This is the first report of a study employing the state-of-the-art technique of gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for absolute identification of muramic acid (a marker for peptidoglycan) at trace levels in a human or animal body fluid or tissue. Daughter mass spectra of synovial fluid muramic acid peaks (> or = 30 ng/ml) were identical to those of pure muramic acid. Absolute chemical identification at this level represents a 1,000-fold increase in sensitivity over previous gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identifications. Muramic acid was positively identified in synovial fluids during infection and was eliminated over time but was absent from aseptic fluids.
Percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale reduces the frequency of migraine attacks

Among 215 patients referred for percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) after presumed paradoxical embolism, we assessed the prevalence of migraine. In the year prior to PFO closure, 48 (22%) patients had migraine, twice the expected prevalence of 10 to 12% in the general European population. In patients with migraine with aura, percutaneous PFO closure reduced the frequency of migraine attacks by 54% (1.2 ± 0.8 vs 0.6 ± 0.8 per month; p = 0.001) and in patients with migraine without aura by 62% (1.2 ± 0.7 vs 0.4 ± 0.4 per month; p = 0.006). PFO closure did not have an effect on headache frequency in patients with nonmigraine headaches (1.4 ± 0.9 vs 1.0 ± 0.9 per month; p = NS).
Role of Surfactant in Peritoneal Dialysis

Evidence is reviewed that demonstrates how the mesothelial cell in the normal peritoneum and comparable serosal cavities secretes surface-active phospholipid (SAPL) as a means of protecting itself and the membrane it forms with its neighbors. It is shown how SAPL, if adsorbed (reversibly bound) to mesothelium, can impart excellent lubricity, antiwear and release (antistick) properties, while impeding surgical adhesion formation. More-speculative benefits include acting as a deterrent to fibrosis and as a barrier to both protein leakage and pathogen invasion by spanning cell junctions. Such spanning would also “pin down” cell corners, impeding peeling as the first step in exfoliation encountered in prolonged continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The molecular mechanism underlying each of these possible functions is adsorption. Morphological and hydrophobicity studies are discussed as validation for such an adsorbed lining and how it can be fortified by administering exogenous SAPL. Any role for SAPL in ultrafiltration is much more controversial. However, a surfactant lining can explain the very high permeability of the membrane to lipid-soluble drugs, implying that it is a barrier to water-soluble solutes. The clinical and animal evidence is conflicting but would seem to be best explained by a role for the barrier in promoting semipermeability, and hence the osmotic driving force for water transmission. Thus, adsorption of exogenous SAPL in CAPD patients with low ultrafiltration seems to restore this barrier function. The future direction for surfactant in CAPD would seem to rest with the physical chemists in producing formulations that optimize adsorption, probably involving a compromise between water solubility and surface activity of the phospholipids selected. It might even warrant using the interdialytic interval for re-adsorbing SAPL without the problem of dilution by a large volume of dialysate.
Pathology of spontaneous and experimental infections by Goose haemorrhagic polyomavirus

Haemorrhagic nephritis enteritis of geese (HNEG) is a fatal disease of geese aged from 3 to 12 weeks. The causative virus, Goose haemorrhagic polyomavirus (GHPV), is a member of the Polyomaviridae family We examined goslings either spontaneously or experimentally infected with GHPV. Tissues were sampled for histology, GHPV DNA detection and electron microscopy. Clinical signs and gross lesions observed in experimentally infected goslings were largely consistent with those noticed in field cases. Histological examination showed that, in the acute phase of HNEG, GHPV replicates in almost all the tissues with a particular tropism for endothelial and lymphoid cells. Haemorrhagic foci were widespread in many tissues, including brain. Ultrastructural features were largely consistent with other polyomavirus infections, with accumulation of virions in the nucleus. Non-typical, double-membraned organelles were observed in the cytoplasm. GHPV DNA distribution was widespread in tissues of infected birds, from day 5 post-infection. GHPV therefore induces a systemic disease in its host, leading to severe vascular dysfunction and immunosuppressive B-cell depletion.
Escherichia coli 0157 : H 7 Diarrhea in the United States : Clinical and Epidemiologic Features

Results: Escherichia coli 0157:H7 was isolated from 118 (0.39%) of the 30 463 fecal specimens tested. The proportion of fecal specimens with isolates was higher at northern sites (0.57%) than at southern sites (0.13%) (P < 0.001). Escherichia coli 0157:H7 was more likely to be isolated from visibly bloody stool specimens than from specimens without visible blood (odds ratio [OR], 59.2 [95% CI, 36.6 to 96.0]) and was the pathogen most commonly isolated from visibly bloody stool specimens that yielded a bacterial enteric pathogen (39% of such specimens). The highest age-specific isolation proportions from fecal specimens for E. coli 0157:H7 were in patients 5 to 9 years of age (0.90%) and 50 to 59 years of age (0.89%). Clinical features independently associated with E. coli 0157:H7 infection compared with the other enteric pathogens included a history of bloody diarrhea (OR, 18.6 [CI, 7.4 to 48.6]), visibly bloody stool specimens (OR, 8.1 [CI, 3.6 to 18.3]), no reported fever (OR, 8.3 [CI, 1.6 to 50.0]), leukocyte count greater than 10 x 10/L (OR, 4.0 [CI, 1.7 to 9.5]), and abdominal tenderness on physical examination (OR, 2.9 [CI, 1.2 to 7.2]).
Transient intertwin membrane separation in dichorionic twin pregnancy associated with the development of growth discordance

A 39-year-old woman, gravida 1 para 0, was referred to our institute at 9weeks of gestation because of a high-risk dichorionic twin pregnancy following an obstetric consultation. The pregnancy had been conceived by intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer. The crown-rump lengths (CRLs) of the foetuses were 24 and 24mm, respectively. She had not undergone an invasive intrauterine procedure such as amniocentesis. During the first and second trimesters of the pregnancy, there were no complications such as infection or trauma. In our protocol for uncomplicated dichorionic twin pregnancy after 22weeks of gestation, we measure the foetal weight and amniotic fluid volume by ultrasonography every 2weeks. At 23weeks of gestation, a routine ultrasound examination revealed 9.8% discordance between the foetal weights (estimated foetal weight: Twin A 564 g, Twin B 509 g). At this time, there was no amniotic fluid discordance between the twins (amniotic fluid pocket: Twin A 4.2 cm, Twin B 4.3 cm). Separate placentae were located anteriorly and posteriorly. At 25weeks of gestation, an ultrasound examination revealed 20.1% discordance between the foetal weights (estimated foetal weight: Twin A 914 g, Twin B 730 g) without an amniotic fluid discordance between the twins (amniotic fluid pocket: Twin A 4.6 cm, Twin B 3.6 cm). The ultrasound examination revealed intertwin membrane separations as shown in Figures 1(A,B). At 27weeks of gestation, however, we could not identify the intertwin membrane separations on ultrasound examination. At this time, the discordance between the foetal weights was 18.5% (estimated foetal weight: Twin A 1297 g, Twin B 1057 g) without an amniotic fluid discordance between the twins (amniotic fluid pocket: Twin A 4.2 cm, Twin B 4.2 cm). At 37weeks and 1 day of gestation, an elective caesarean section due to maternal request was performed. Twin A was a male baby weighing 3,020 g (appropriate for gestational age) with Apgar scores of 7 (1min) and 8 (5min), respectively, while Twin B was a female baby weighing 2,482 g (appropriate for gestational age; 17.8% growth discordance between the twins) with Apgar scores of 7 (1min) and 9 (5min), respectively. The umbilical artery pH values in Twin A and B were 7.233 and 7.167, respectively. Placental examination revealed dichorionic diamniotic twin placentae weighing 540g (Twin A: 20 18 1.5 cm) and 580g (Twin B: 21 15 2.5 cm), respectively. There were no abnormal findings in the intertwin membranes. There was no abnormal cord insertion in the placentae, and no mention of chorioamnionitis in the pathology report.
miR‐124 inhibits cell proliferation in gastric cancer through down‐regulation of SPHK1

SPHK1 expression is elevated in gastric cancer and is associated with shorter survival times for patients. However, the molecular mechanism of SPHK1 up‐regulation in gastric cancer remains unclear. In the present study, we report that miR‐124 down‐regulated SPHK1 expression by directly targeting its 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR) and that miR‐124 expression was inversely correlated with SPHK1 expression in gastric cancer samples. Furthermore, we demonstrated that, similar to the effect of silencing SPHK1, up‐regulation of miR‐124 markedly inhibited proliferation and tumourigenicity of gastric cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. This was found to be mechanistically associated with induction of cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors p21$^{{\rm Cip1}}$ and p27$^{{\rm Kip1}}$, enhancement of the transcriptional activity of FOXO1 and suppression of AKT activity. Moreover, we showed that the re‐introduction of SPHK1 (without the 3′‐UTR), but not with the 3′‐UTR, could abrogate the miR‐124‐mediated induction of p21$^{{\rm Cip1}}$ and p27$^{{\rm Kip1}}$, as well as rescue the miR‐124‐induced proliferation inhibition. Together, these results suggest that miR‐124 has an important role in the suppression of gastric cancer and presents a novel mechanism of miRNA‐mediated SPHK1 expression in cancer cells. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acute renal impairment after oral ibuprofen for medical closure of patent ductus arteriosus.

INDIAN PEDIATRICS 54 VOLUME 44JANUARY 17, 2007 Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common occurance in preterm infants with significant morbidities. Indomethacin, has been widely used to treat hemodynamically significant PDA. However, this agent can cause adverse reactions such as reduced renal, mesenteric, and cerebral perfusion leading to transient or permanent renal dysfunction, necrotizing enterocolitis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and intraventricular hemorrhage or periventricular leukomalacia(1). Research has shown that ibuprofen is as effective as indomethacin for achieving PDA closure with minimal adverse effects(2-3). However, before giving treatment an accurate echocardiography should rule out ductus dependent cardiac malformations, because ibuprofen/indomethacin can be dangerous and highly fatal in these conditions. This paper reports a preterm infant who was treated with oral ibuprofen and developed acute transient renal failure.
Using PSO Algorithm for Producing Best Rules in Diagnosis of Heart Disease

Heart disease is still a growing global health issue. In the health care system, limiting human experience and expertise in manual diagnosis leads to inaccurate diagnosis, and the information about various illnesses is either inadequate or lacking in accuracy as they are collected from various types of medical equipment. Since the correct prediction of a person's condition is of great importance, equipping medical science with intelligent tools for diagnosing and treating illness can reduce doctors' mistakes and financial losses. In this paper, the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm, which is one of the most powerful evolutionary algorithms, is used to generate rules for heart disease. First the random rules are encoded and then they are optimized based on their accuracy using PSO algorithm. Finally we compare our results with the C4.5 algorithm.
- VASCULAR Predictors of early in-hospital death after decompressive craniectomy in swollen middle cerebral artery infarction

Background Swollen middle cerebral artery infarction is a life-threatening disease and decompressive craniectomy is improving survival significantly. Despite decompressive surgery, however, many patients are not discharged from the hospital alive. We therefore wanted to search for predictors of early inhospital death after craniectomy in swollen middle cerebral artery infarction. Methods All patients operated with decompressive craniectomy due to swollen middle cerebral artery infarction at the Department of Neurosurgery, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway, between May 1998 and October 2010, were included. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed and candidate variables were age, sex, time from stroke onset to decompressive craniectomy, NIHSS on admission, infarction territory, pineal gland displacement, reduction of pineal gland displacement after surgery, and craniectomy size. Results Fourteen out of 45 patients (31%) died during the primary hospitalization (range, 3–44 days). In the multivariate logistic regression model, middle cerebral artery infarction with additional anterior and/or posterior cerebral artery territory involvement was found as the only significant predictor of early in-hospital death (OR, 12.7; 95% CI, 0.01–0.77; p = 0.029). Conclusions The present study identified additional territory infarction as a significant predictor of early in-hospital death. The relatively small sample size precludes firm conclusions.
Factors associated with adherence to immunomodulator treatment in people with multiple sclerosis

To determine the association between factors and adherence to immunomodulator treatment in people with multiple sclerosis treated in reference centers. Cross-sectional study conducted with 188 people who used immunomodulators in three reference centers in Ceara from March to July 2012. Adherence was assessed using the Moriskscale and factors were assessed using a questionnaire addressing socioeconomic and personal characteristics, the disease, the use of immunomodulator and educational activities. The determination of the association was expressed in crude and adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Adherence rate was 46% and after the logistic regression model the adherence to immunomodulator treatment was positively associated with the following factors: age 18-38 years, time of diagnosis and treatment between 6 and 24 months, 0-3.5 score in the Expanded Disability Status Scale, perception of treatment benefits, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, phone contact with the doctor and not missing the return visit. This study is important because it allowed to determine the association between factors and adherence to immunomodulator treatment in multiple sclerosis, contributing to prevention and control actions.
Production of aerobactin by some species of the genus Yersinia

Seventy-seven isolates of Yersinia species were examined for evidence of hydroxamate biosynthesis. A total of 7 of 12 Y. frederiksenii, 1 of 5 Y. kristensenii, and 5 of 5 Y. intermedia isolates synthesized an hydroxamate species which was chromatographically and electrophoretically identical to aerobactin. Proof that this material was indeed aerobactin was obtained for one strain of Y. frederiksenii by using mass spectrometry. None of 50 Y. enterocolitica nor any of 5 Y. pseudotuberculosis isolates produced hydroxamates.
Does concomitant autonomous adrenal cortisol overproduction have the potential to confound the interpretation of adrenal venous sampling in primary aldosteronism?

Demonstration of unilateral aldosterone production by adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is required to select appropriate candidates for adrenalectomy in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA). During AVS, aldosterone and cortisol levels are measured to assess successful cannulation and lateralization. In patients with aldosterone‐producing adenoma (APA), concurrent autonomous cortisol secretion might confound AVS results.
The periodontal examination profile of general dentists in Nova Scotia, Canada.

BACKGROUND In this cross-sectional study we investigate the extent to which general dentists in Nova Scotia carry out periodontal examinations of their patients. In addition, factors that significantly influence performing a periodontal examination by a dentist are identified. METHODS A survey questionnaire was mailed to all 443 general dentists practicing in the province of Nova Scotia in the summer of 2009. The survey included questions on demographics and the various components of the periodontal examination. Simple and multiple logistic regression tests were used to analyze the results. RESULTS Of the 279 (63%) responses received, 272 (61%) responses were eligible to be included in the analyses. The majority of responders (94.8%) reported performing periodontal examinations of their patients. However, only 37.8% and 43.3% of the dentists reported performing full-mouth and selective probing depth measurements, respectively. Dentists who practiced in urban locations (P = 0.05), dentists whose practices were situated <5 km from a periodontist (P = 0.08), and dentists who planned to take a continuing education course in periodontal plastic surgery in the next 2 years (P = 0.07) were more likely to perform a periodontal examination. CONCLUSIONS Although the majority of dentists in our study report performing periodontal examinations of their patients, only a small portion report recording complete probing depth measurements or using appropriate radiographs in their examinations. These practices could lead to an underestimation of diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease.
The impact of early endoscopic lesions on the clinical course of patients following ileocolonic resection for Crohn’s disease: A 5-year prospective cohort study

Background Early endoscopic lesions following resection for Crohn’s disease (CD) are often observed. Currently, the relationship between this endoscopic observation and subsequent occurrence of CD lesions or recurrence is not understood well, but should be valuable in the context of predicting CD course. This prospective study was to investigate the impact of early endoscopic lesions on future clinical recurrence rates following ileocolonic resection for CD. Methods Forty patients who had maintained clinical remission, CD activity index (CDAI) <150 with mesalazine during 6 months after ileocolonic resection for CD were included. At 6 months after surgery, ileocolonoscopy was performed, and the endoscopic activity score at the proximal site of the anastomosis was determined according to Rutgeerts. All patients were regularly monitored for 5 years, and clinical recurrence was defined as CDAI ≥ 150. Corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, or biological agents were not given unless there was clinical recurrence. Results At 6 months after surgery, the endoscopic scores were i0 or i1 in 27 patients, i2 in seven patients, i3 in four patients, and i4 in two patients. During the following 5 years, the clinical recurrence occurred in three (11%) patients with endoscopic score of i0 or i1, four (57%) patients with i2 score, three (75%) patients with i3 score, and two (100%) patients with i4 score, showing a significant positive correlation (p = 0.001) between the endoscopic severity of the proximal site of the anastomosis at 6 months after surgery and the clinical recurrence rate during the following 5 years. Conclusions The assessment of endoscopic lesions at the proximal site of the anastomosis appeared to be valuable for predicting subsequent clinical recurrence after ileocolonic resection for CD. Further studies in larger cohorts of patients are warranted to strengthen our findings.
High Prevalence of Transmitted Drug Resistance in Acute HIV-Infected Thai Men Who Have Sex With Men

Abstract:As use of antiretroviral therapy in Thailand increases, so does the potential for transmission of drug-resistant HIV. We describe the prevalence of WHO surveillance drug resistance mutations among 120 subjects who underwent genotypic testing during acute HIV infection in Bangkok, Thailand. In this cohort of predominantly men who have sex with men, we observed an overall transmitted drug resistance prevalence of 9.2%, including nucleoside/nucleotide analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor 5.0%, nonnucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor 3.4%, and protease inhibitor 3.4%. These prevalence estimates are higher than previous reports of transmitted drug resistance in Thailand. Baseline drug resistance testing may be warranted, particularly among men who have sex with men.
Management Responses to Online Reviews: Helpful or Detrimental?

Firms are shifting their social media emphasis from passive listening to active intervening. This paper investigates the performance implications of management responses to online reviews and advocates that responses to online reviews should be provided strategically. Using longitudinal online reviews, management responses and financial performance data of 730 hotels in a specific U.S. market from 2005 to 2011, we examine how managers should respond to online reviews for increased performance outcomes. On one hand, when valence and volume are both high and both low, responding to those reviews may hurt financial performance. On the other hand, when one is high and the other is low, management responses positively impact financial performance. Our results hold for various business contexts using revenue, price, and demand as outcome variables, lending support to the robustness of our findings. Vol-Manager when Volume becomes relatively large (about more than 27 centered Volume ). This preliminarily suggests that the revenue effect of management responses depends on the volume-valence conditions of online reviews. Next, we explain how Valence and Volume jointly affect the revenue effects of management responses.
A physics based compact model of gate capacitance in AlGaN/GaN HEMT devices

In this paper we present a physics-based analytical model for the gate capacitance Cg in AlGaN/GaN HEMT devices. A continuous and analytical expression for the 2-DEG charge density ns is developed from the consistent solution of Schrodinger's and Poisson's equation in a quantum well with triangular potential profile. The developed ns expression is used to derive the model for Cg. The proposed model is valid in all regions of device operation and has no empirical parameters. The model is in excellent agreement with experimental data.