Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dkk‐3 is elevated in CSF and plasma of Alzheimer’s disease patients

Biomarkers in CSF can offer improved diagnostic accuracy for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The present study investigated whether the glycoprotein and putative tumor suppressor Dickkopf homolog 3 (Dkk‐3) is secreted into CSF and evaluated its applicability as a diagnostic marker for AD. Using our highly specific immunoenzymometric assay, Dkk‐3 levels were measured in plasma and/or CSF of patients suffering from depression, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or AD and compared with healthy subjects. Dkk‐3 identity was verified by western blot and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry (MS)/MS. High concentrations of Dkk‐3 were detected in CSF compared with plasma (28.2 ± 1.3 vs. 1.22 ± 0.04 nmol/L, respectively). Consistently Dkk‐3 expression was demonstrated in neurons of the cortex and epithelial cells of the choroid plexus, the major source of CSF. Significantly increased Dkk‐3 levels in plasma and CSF were observed for AD patients compared with healthy subjects but not patients suffering from MCI or depression. In summary, our data indicate that elevated Dkk‐3 levels are specifically associated with AD and might serve as a potential non‐invasive AD biomarker in plasma.
BIOTECHNOLOGICALLY RELEVANT ENZYMES AND PROTEINS Characterization of a bifunctional xylanase/endoglucanase from yak rumen microorganisms

A new gene, RuCelA, encoding a bifunctional xylanase/endoglucanase, was cloned from a metagenomic library of yak rumen microorganisms. RuCelA showed activity against xylan and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), suggesting bifunctional xylanase/endoglucanase activity. The optimal conditions for xylanase and endoglucanase activities were 65°C, pH 7.0 and 50°C, pH 5.0, respectively. In addition, the presence of Co and Co can greatly improve RuCelA's endoglucanase activity, while inhibits its xylanase activity. Further examination of substrate preference showed a higher activity against barley glucan and lichenin than against xylan and CMC. Using xylan and barley glucan as substrates, RuCelA displayed obvious synergistic effects with β-1, 4xylosidase and β-1,4-glucosidase. Generation of soluble oligosaccharides from lignocellulose is the key step in bioethanol production, and it is greatly notable that RuCelA can produce xylo-oligosaccharides and cello-oligosaccharides in the continuous saccharification of pretreated rice straw, which can be further degraded into fermentable sugars. Therefore, the bifunctional RuCelA distinguishes itself as an ideal candidate for industrial applications.
A 94 GHz Duobinary Keying Wireless Transceiver in 65 nm CMOS

This work introduces a 94GHz duobinary keying wireless transceiver for point-to-point communications. It presents bandwidth efficiency twice as much as an OOK system and requires no carrier recovery and baseband circuitry to reduce power consumption. Designed and fabricated in 65nm CMOS, the transceiver achieves a 2.0-Gb/s data link with BER < 10 while consuming a total power of 265mW.
Role of Glutaredoxin-3 and Glutaredoxin-4 in the Iron Regulation of the Aft1 Transcriptional Activator in Saccharomyces cerevisiae*

The transcription factors Aft1 and Aft2 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae regulate the expression of genes involved in iron homeostasis. These factors induce the expression of iron regulon genes in iron-deficient yeast but are inactivated in iron-replete cells. Iron inhibition of Aft1/Aft2 was previously shown to be dependent on mitochondrial components required for cytosolic iron sulfur protein biogenesis. We presently show that the nuclear monothiol glutaredoxins Grx3 and Grx4 are critical for iron inhibition of Aft1 in yeast cells. Cells lacking both glutaredoxins show constitutive expression of iron regulon genes. Overexpression of Grx4 attenuates wild type Aft1 activity. The thioredoxin-like domain in Grx3 and Grx4 is dispensable in mediating iron inhibition of Aft1 activity, whereas the conserved cysteine that is part of the conserved CGFS motif in monothiol glutaredoxins is essential for this function. Grx3 and Grx4 interact with Aft1 as shown by two-hybrid interactions and co-immunoprecipitation assays. The interaction between glutaredoxins and Aft1 is not modulated by the iron status of cells but is dependent on the conserved glutaredoxin domain Cys residue. Thus, Grx3 and Grx4 are novel components required for Aft1 iron regulation that most likely occurs in the nucleus.
Enhancement of virus-induced leukemias and sarcomas in F 1 hybrid mice inoculated with parental spleen cells.

Summary The inoculation of parental spleen cells in F 1 hybrid mice favors the growth of both Graffi leukemia virus-induced lymphomas and murine sarcoma virus-induced rhabdomyosarcomas. Histocompatibility typing showed that the lymphomas originated from the hybrids and not from the parents. These observations from experiments with a known leukemogenic virus support the theory of the role of an “endogenous” leukemia virus in previously reported lymphomas arising during chronic allogeneic disease, but they suggest that the parental spleen cells play an active role in enhancing the phenomenon. The mechanisms of this action are briefly discussed.
Low‐magnitude high‐frequency loading via whole body vibration enhances bone‐implant osseointegration in ovariectomized rats

Osseointegration is vital to avoid long‐time implants loosening after implantation surgery. This study investigated the effect of low‐magnitude high‐frequency (LMHF) loading via whole body vibration on bone‐implant osseointegration in osteoporotic rats, and a comparison was made between LMHF vibration and alendronate on their effects. Thirty rats were ovariectomized to induce osteoporosis, and then treated with LMHF vibration (VIB) or alendronate (ALN) or a control treatment (OVX). Another 10 rats underwent sham operation to establish Sham control group. Prior to treatment, hydroxyapatite (HA)‐coated titanium implants were inserted into proximal tibiae bilaterally. Both LMHF vibration and alendronate treatment lasted for 8 weeks. Histomorphometrical assess showed that both group VIB, ALN and Sham significantly increased bone‐to‐implant contact and peri‐implant bone fraction (p < 0.05) when compared with group OVX. Nevertheless the bone‐to‐implant contact and peri‐implant bone fraction of group VIB were inferior to group ALN and Sham (p < 0.05). Biomechanical tests also revealed similar results in maximum push out force and interfacial shear strength. Accordingly, it is concluded that LMHF loading via whole body vibration enhances bone‐to‐implant osseointegration in ovariectomized rats, but its effectiveness is weaker than alendronate. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:733–739, 2012
Initial study of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging in brain white matter of early AIDS patients.

BACKGROUND HIV is a neurotropic virus which can cause brain white matter demyelination, gliosis, and other pathological changes that appear as HIV encephalitis or AIDS dementia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the change of the diffused condition of water molecules in brain white matter in early acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients using MR diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). METHODS DTI examinations were performed on a Siemens 3.0T MR scanner in 23 AIDS patients with normal brain appearance by conventional MRI and 20 healthy volunteers as the control group. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured in nine regions; corpus callosum (CC) knee, CC body, CC splenium, periventricular white matter, frontal lobe white matter, parietal lobe white matter, occipital lobe white matter, and the anterior and posterior limbs of the internal capsule. The mean FA and ADC values from each region were compared in three groups: the symptomatic, asymptomatic and the control. RESULTS The mean FA values were significantly lower and the mean ADC values were significantly higher in all nine regions in patients in the symptomatic group than in the asymptomatic and control group patients. In the asymptomatic group, the mean FA values were significantly lower and the mean ADC values were significantly higher at the CC knee, CC body, CC splenium, periventricular white matter, frontal lobe white matter and parietal lobe white matter, than in the control group. There were no significant differences at other regions between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS The diffused changes of water molecules in brain white matter in AIDS patients are related to brain white matter regions. DTI examination can detect the brain white matter lesions early in AIDS patients.
A retrospective analysis of the effect of patient-specific factors on voriconazole concentrations in oncology patients

Objective. To identify patient-specific factors significantly associated with voriconazole exposure. Design, setting, and participants. Retrospective, single center at an academic medical center. Consecutive, adult oncology inpatients who received voriconazole by mouth and had at least one voriconazole level over a 14-month period. Voriconazole was ordered for 292 patients during the study period, a level was obtained in 41 patients. Nine patients were excluded; the study population was comprised of 32 patients. Methods and results. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were utilized to predict the patient-specific factors significantly associated with level. A total of 36 levels meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria were performed in 32 patients. Sixty percent of levels (22/36) were between 1 and 5.5 µg/mL. Data were available to calculate a Child Pugh score for 66% (21/32) of patients. Using multivariable linear regression, three covariates were found to be statistically significant: age, international normalized ratio (INR), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Three outliers were notable in the ALP category, when removing the three individuals from the model, only an increasing INR remains significantly associated with increasing voriconazole level (p = 0.0093). No correlation was found with trough level and Child Pugh score. Conclusions. Sixty percent of voriconazole trough levels were between 1 and 5.5 µg/mL (range 0.1–7.4 µg/mL), only increasing INR was significantly associated with rising voriconazole level. Increasing Child Pugh score was not associated with increasing level. More investigation is warranted into the usefulness of the Child Pugh score for guidance of dose modifications in non-cirrhotic patients with acute hepatic injury.
The broad spectrum of statin myopathy: from myalgia to rhabdomyolysis

Purpose of review The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) are the cornerstone of therapy for dyslipidemia. A significant portion of patients are not adherent to statin therapy, due to either intolerance from muscle symptoms or fears of myopathy reported in the media. The diagnosis and management of patients with statin-induced myopathy will be reviewed. Recent findings Based on a review of healthy clinical-trial participants, the placebo-corrected incidences of minor muscle pain, myopathy (with significant elevations in creatinine kinase), and rhabdomyolysis are 190, 5, and 1.6 per 100 000 patient years, respectively. More recent prospective observational data yield better, real-world estimates of muscle complaints (>10%) in patients started on high-dose statins. Current data suggest that important patient characteristics, statin–drug pharmacokinetics, and statin–drug interactions play a role in myopathy. Myopathy is more related to statin dose and blood levels than to LDL reductions. Evidence for managing myopathic patients with coenzyme Q10 is not conclusive. Summary It is important to maintain perspective by looking at the impact of statin myopathy relative to the impact of preventing atherosclerotic complications. The potential benefits of therapy must outweigh the risks. In the case of statin therapy the benefit/risk ratio is overwhelmingly positive.
Helicobacter pylori Antigens in Stool Specimens of Gastritis Children Before and After Treatment

Background Various testing methods are successfully applied to the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection, but noninvasive techniques are still needed for therapeutic monitoring, especially in children. In the search for new noninvasive techniques for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection, the authors evaluated an enzyme immunoassay for the detection of H. pylori antigen in stool (HpSA). Methods The authors studied 62 H. pylori–positive children with chronic gastritis and 45 control subjects. H. pylori infection was diagnosed using cultures and histology of gastric biopsy specimens and a stool antigen test before treatment (clarithromycin, amoxicillin, omeprazole for 7 days) and 4 weeks to 6 weeks after treatment. Results Before therapy, antigen in stool was detected in 55 of 62 H. pylori–positive patients, which indicates that the sensitivity of the HpSA test was 88.7%. Of the 45 control subjects (with negative culture and histology results), 43 had negative results for H. pylori in the stool test (specificity, 95.5%). After completion of therapy, eradication was obtained (and confirmed by culture and histology) in 53 of the 62 H. pylori–positive children (85.5%). Four weeks to 6 weeks after eradication therapy, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the stool antigen (HpSA) test were 88.9%, 96.2%, 80%, and 98%, respectively. Conclusions The accuracy of the HpSA test for the detection of H. pylori in human stool 4 weeks to 6 weeks after treatment is comparable with the accuracy of the culture results. The stool antigen (HpSA) test was found to be a useful method for posttreatment eradication testing of H. pylori infection in children.
Antimicrobial Value of Olax subscorpioidea and Bridelia ferruginea on Micro-Organism Isolates of Dental Infection

Dental – oral associated diseases are increasable affecting a considerable portion of the population and is considered one of the major causes of tooth loss, discomfort, mouth odour and loss of confidence. This study focused on the ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in oral hygiene and evaluation of the antimicrobial activities of methanolic extracts of two selected plants from the survey for their efficacy against dental microorganisms. The ethnobotanical survey was carried out in three herbal markets in Lagos State, Nigeria by oral interviewing and information obtained from an old family manually complied herbal medication book. Methanolic extracts of Olax subscorpioidea (stem bark) and Bridelia ferruginea (stem bark) were assayed for their antimicrobial activities against clinical oral isolates (Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Streptococcus spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). In vitro microbial technique (agar well diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay) were employed for the assay. Chlorhexidine gluconate was used as the reference drug for comparison with the extract results. And the preliminary phytochemical screening of the constituents of the plants were done. The ethnobotanical survey produced plants (39) of diverse family. O. subscorpioidea showed considerable antifungal activity with zone of inhibition ranging from 20.00–26.50 mm against Aspergillus fumigatus but no such encouraging inhibitory activity was observed in the other assayed organisms. B. ferruginea showed antibacterial sensitivity against Streptococcus spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with zone of inhibitions ranging from 25.00 – 34.00; 16.00 – 22.50; 19.50 – 27.00 and 15.25 – 22.25 mm respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration of O. subscorpioidea against Aspergillus fumigatus was 51.2 mg ml-1 while that of B. ferruginea against Streptococcus spp was 0.1mg ml-1 and for Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 25.6 mg ml-1. A phytochemical analysis reveals the presence of several secondary metabolites. The barks of both plants exhibited antimicrobial properties against periodontal diseases causing organisms assayed, thus up-holding their folkloric use in oral disorder management.
Long-distance pollen transport from North America to Greenland in spring

[1] In the Arctic domain, there is evidence for very long distance transport of pollen grains from boreal forests to tundra environments. However, the sampling protocol used in earlier studies did not allow the determination of precise timing of the deposition of exotic grains. The ongoing “Epilobe” project monitors the deposition of exotic grains on the western and eastern coasts of Greenland utilizing wind filters, which are changed weekly throughout the entire year. A combination of the identification of tree pollen grains, the dates of deposition of the pollen on the filters, and the distribution map of the trees identified, allows the selection of modeled backward trajectories of air parcels responsible for the capture of the grains in the growing area of northeastern North America and their long-distance transport to Greenland. A survey of data obtained from four stations, analyzed during 2004 and 2005, indicates the occurrence of a general pattern every spring, which follows the main cyclone tracks reaching this Arctic region.
MRI Reveals Brain Abnormalities in Drug-Naive Parkinson’s Disease

Most brain studies of Parkinson’s disease (PD) focus on patients who are already taking antiparkinsonian medication. This makes it difficult to isolate the effects of disease from those of treatment. We review magnetic resonance imaging evidence supporting the hypothesis that early-stage untreated PD patients have structural and functional abnormalities in the brain, some of which are related to motor symptoms.
A controlled study on the outcome of inpatient and outpatient treatment of low back pain. Part I. Pain, disability, compliance, and reported treatment benefits three months after treatment.

Outcome of inpatient and outpatient treatment of low back pain was studied in 459 patients (aged 35-54 years, 63% men); 156 inpatients, 150 outpatients and 153 controls. Changes in low back pain and in disability caused by it, and adherence and accomplishment of back exercises were used as short-term outcome criteria. The overall results showed a significant decrease in pain and disability and better compliance in the two treated groups when compared to the controls. There was also a significant difference in treatment gains between the inpatients and outpatients; i.e. the decrease in pain was greater and the frequency of back exercises higher in the inpatients. The inpatients also estimated their treatment benefits more positively than the outpatients.
Transmit power optimization for full duplex decode-and-forward relaying

Full duplex transmission is a promising technique to enhance the capacity of relay communications. In this paper, we investigate the optimum transmit power allocation for full duplex decode-and-forward (DF) relaying systems. The outage probability is adopted as the optimization criterion and a transmit power optimization problem is formulated for systems with and without total power constraint. Analytical and numerical results are provided to show the advantages of the power optimization. More interestingly, the effect of residual self-interference introduced by full duplex transmission is examined in terms of optimal power allocation and outage probability performance improvement.
Endoscopic Brow Lift:: A Personal Review of 538 Patients and Comparison of Fixation Techniques

Since the introduction of endoscopic brow lifting in the mid-1990s, it has become widely accepted as a method for rejuvenation of the upper third of the face. Despite the multitude of brow fixation techniques, there are few long-term studies providing accurate analysis of outcome. The aims of this investigation were to evaluate the long-term objective results of endoscopic brow lifting and to establish whether the technique of fixation altered the longevity of aesthetic outcome. The outcome of endoscopic brow lifts carried out on 538 consecutive patients over a 6-year period was assessed. For each patient, midpupil-to-brow distance was measured preoperatively and at intervals postoperatively. Two different fixation methods were compared: fibrin glue (n = 189, group 1; 104 records available) and polydioxanone sutures tied through bone tunnels (n = 349, group 2; 220 records available). In 214 patients, an upper lid blepharoplasty was performed simultaneously (85 in group 1 and 129 in group 2). At 1 month postoperatively, each fixation technique had produced a significant change in mean pupil to brow height (5.93 mm in group 1 and 6.21 mm in group 2, with no significant difference between the two methods; p = 0.17). However, when measurements were compared more than 3 months postoperatively (mean, 9.4 months), there was a significant difference, with some relapse in the patients treated with fibrin glue (p < 0.01). However, in group 2 (tunnel fixation), measurements remained stable, with 6.21 mm at 1 month compared with 6.16 mm long term (no significant difference, p = 0.34). In contrast, in group 1 (fibrin glue), measurements showed significant reduction, with a 1-month result of 5.93 mm and a long-term outcome of 3.79 mm (p < 0.01). Upper lid blepharoplasty had no effect on the long-term outcome of either group (p > 0.3 in group 1, p > 0.4 in group 2). Complications were few in both groups. In group 1, there was one infection, two instances of significant alopecia (both temporary), and one reoperation for relapse. In group 2, four patients required minor surgical revision of a lateral port scar and three minor areas of temporal alopecia, which recovered in less than 3 months. One patient had a paresis of the frontal branch that had recovered after 4 months. The endoscopic brow lift is therefore a safe and effective technique for increasing mean pupil to brow height. Fixation with polydioxanone sutures tied through bone tunnels produces a significantly more stable result than fibrin glue, without greater risk. This lends weight to experimental evidence that periosteal fixation must be maintained for at least 6 weeks to be secure.
O PERFIL DO CONSUMIDOR DE ALIMENTOS FUNCIONAIS: UM ESTUDO BIBLIOGRÁFICO DAS TENDÊNCIAS MUNDIAIS

Recentemente, a busca por um estilo de vida mais saudavel tem sido crescente e a alimentacao tem um importante papel neste cenario. Os alimentos funcionais - nova categoria de alimentos, dotados de beneficios adicionais a saude alem da funcao basica de nutrir – buscam suprir essa demanda, constituindo uma grande tendencia do setor alimenticio. Os trabalhos ate hoje desenvolvidos nao sao exaustivos e, visando contribuir com a lacuna existente, este estudo busca compilar um perfil global do consumidor de alimentos funcionais a partir de um levantamento bibliografico. Resultados apontam um perfil difuso, com predominância de caracteristicas como: idade acima de 40 anos, receios sobre problemas de saude, busca por um estilo de vida saudavel e alta necessidade de cognicao. Indicios apontam para uma diferenciacao de genero; outros fatores demograficos nao tiveram resultado conclusivo. A variavel cultural foi identificada como fator relevante, mas impediu definicoes mais detalhadas de um perfil global.