Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effective recovery of poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) biopolymer from Cupriavidus necator using a novel and environmentally friendly solvent system

This work demonstrates a significant advance in bioprocessing for a high‐melting lipid polymer. A novel and environmental friendly solvent mixture, acetone/ethanol/propylene carbonate (A/E/P, 1:1:1 v/v/v) was identified for extracting poly‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB), a high‐value biopolymer, from Cupriavidus necator. A set of solubility curves of PHB in various solvents was established. PHB recovery of 85% and purity of 92% were obtained from defatted dry biomass (DDB) using A/E/P. This solvent mixture is compatible with water, and from non‐defatted wet biomass, PHB recovery of 83% and purity of 90% were achieved. Water and hexane were evaluated as anti‐solvents to assist PHB precipitation, and hexane improved recovery of PHB from biomass to 92% and the purity to 93%. A scale‐up extraction and separation reactor was designed, built and successfully tested. Properties of PHB recovered were not significantly affected by the extraction solvent and conditions, as shown by average molecular weight (1.4 × 106) and melting point (175.2°C) not being different from PHB extracted using chloroform. Therefore, this biorenewable solvent system was effective and versatile for extracting PHB biopolymers. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 32:678–685, 2016
Novel Markers of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma in Fine-Needle Aspiration: Mesothelin and Prostate Stem Cell Antigen Labeling Increases Accuracy in Cytologically Borderline Cases

The interpretation of pancreas fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is extremely difficult given the cytologic overlap of neoplastic and reactive processes. Using serial analysis of gene expression, we have discovered 2 new markers of pancreatic adenocarcinoma, mesothelin and prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), and confirmed their specificity by immunohistochemical labeling. Here we evaluate the potential contribution of immunohistochemical labeling of mesothelin and PSCA to the interpretation of pancreas FNAs. Thirty pancreas FNAs with follow-up data were reviewed. Unstained cell block sections from these aspirates labeled for mesothelin and PSCA using immunohistochemistry were compared with initial cytologic diagnoses and with follow-up diagnoses. On follow-up, 19 patients proved to have cancer, and 11 did not. Initial cytologic diagnosis of malignancy correlated with carcinoma on follow-up in 12 of 12 cases, and initial benign cytologic diagnosis correlated with benign follow-up in 8 of 9 cases (sensitivity, 92%; specificity, 100%). Six of the 9 patients with suspicious cytology were found to have a carcinoma on follow-up. PSCA labeling was present in 16 of the 19 patients who ultimately were proven to have carcinoma; PSCA labeling was absent in 10 of the 11 lesions proven to be benign (sensitivity, 84%; specificity, 91%). Mesothelin labeling was present in 13 of the 19 patients who ultimately were proven to have carcinoma; mesothelin labeling was absent in 10 of the 11 lesions proven to be benign (sensitivity, 68%; specificity, 91%). Five of the 6 cytologically suspicious cases with malignant follow-up labeled for either PSCA or mesothelin (83%), and 2 of the 6 cases labeled for both markers. None of the 3 suspicious cases with benign follow-up labeled for either PSCA or mesothelin. Increasingly, molecular techniques are identifying potential cancer markers that may have diagnostic utility. In this study, immunohistochemical labeling for 2 of these markers, PSCA and mesothelin, appears highly specific for pancreatic adenocarcinoma in FNA specimens and useful in categorizing cytologically suspicious lesions.
First-line ifosfamide, methotrexate, etoposide and prednisolone chemotherapy ± radiotherapy is active in stage I/II extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma

Although most patients diagnosed with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (NTCL) have localized disease, radiotherapy alone is unsatisfactory because of frequent systemic failure and conventional doxorubicin-based chemotherapy has low efficacy. Twenty-six patients with NTCL received ifosfamide, methotrexate, etoposide and prednisolone (IMEP) chemotherapy as first-line treatment [ifosfamide 1.5 g/m2 (days 1 – 3), methotrexate 30 mg/m2 (days 3 and 10), etoposide 100 mg/m2 (days 1 – 3) and prednisolone 120 mg (days 1 – 5)]. Radiotherapy was administered only to patients with Ann Arbor stage I/II that had not achieved complete remission (CR) or to those that developed local failure after completing chemotherapy. Sixteen patients (group A) had nasal or upper aerodigestive tract localization (stage I/II) and 10 (group B) had extranasal or disseminated disease. Of the 14 evaluable patients in group A, 11 (79%) achieved CR after IMEP alone and 13 (93%) after chemotherapy ± additional radiotherapy. Although, out of the 11 patients who achieved CR with chemotherapy alone, seven developed recurrence, all recurrences were local failure and successfully treated by additional curative radiotherapy. However, patients in group B responded poorly (CR 13%). IMEP regimen was active in NTCL patients with nasal or upper aerodigestive tract localization. Considering local failure rate after IMEP alone, initial IMEP chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy may be a promising treatment strategy in this subset of NTCL.
An in vitro investigation of coronal leakage with three gutta-percha backfilling techniques.

The aim of this study was to compare the backfilling capabilities of System B, Obtura II and Alphaseal. Forty-six lower premolar teeth were prepared chemomechanically and allocated to four experimental and two control groups. Ten were obturated using lateral condensation as a standard and 30 were obturated in the apical third using the System B. The latter 30 teeth were then backfilled using one of three techniques, System B, Obtura II or Alphaseal (n = 10 in each group). The remaining six teeth served as controls. Roots were radiographed from the proximal in order to evaluate voids and then placed in India ink for 65 h prior to being demineralized and rendered transparent, coronal leakage was quantified by linear measurement of ink penetration. No significant difference was found between the four groups with respect to the presence of voids radiographically (P < 0.05). The difference in leakage between the System B and Obtura II groups was not significant (P > 0.05). Both System B and Obtura II leaked significantly less than Alphaseal and lateral condensation (P < 0.001).
A Reevaluation of the Role of Mitochondria in Neuronal Ca2+ Homeostasis

Abstract: The ability of mitochondrial Ca2+ transport to limit the elevation in free cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration in neurones following an imposed Ca2+ load is reexamined. Cultured cerebellar granule cells were monitored by digital fura‐2 imaging. Following KCI depolarization, addition of the protonophore carbonylcyanide m‐chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) to depolarize mitochondria released a pool of Ca2+ into the cytoplasm in both somata and neurites. No CCCP‐releasable pool was found in nondepolarized cells. Although the KCI‐evoked somatic and neurite Ca2+ concentration elevations were enhanced when CCCP was present during KCI depolarization, this was associated with a collapsed ATP/ADP ratio. In the presence of the ATP synthase inhibitor oligomycin, glycolysis maintained high ATP/ADP ratios for at least 10 min. The further addition of the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor rotenone led to a collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential, monitored by rhodamine‐123, but had no effect on ATP/ADP ratios. In the presence of rotenone/oligomycin, no CCCP‐releasable pool was found subsequent to KCI depolarization, consistent with the abolition of mitochondrial Ca2+ transport; however, paradoxically the KCI‐evoked Ca2+ elevation is decreased. It is concluded that the CCCP‐induced increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ response to KCI is due to inhibition of nonmitochondrial ATP‐dependent transport and that mitochondrial Ca2+ transport enhances entry of Ca2+, perhaps by removing the cation from cytoplasmic sites responsible for feedback inhibition of voltage‐activated Ca2+ channel activity.
Individual differences in renal ACE activity in healthy rats predict susceptibility to adriamycin-induced renal damage.

BACKGROUND In man, differences in angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels, related to ACE (I/D) genotype, are associated with renal prognosis. This raises the hypothesis that individual differences in renal ACE activity are involved in renal susceptibility to inflicted damage. Therefore, we studied the predictive effect of renal ACE activity for the severity of renal damage induced by a single injection of adriamycin in rats. METHODS Renal ACE activity (Hip-His-Leu cleavage by cortical homogenates) was determined by renal biopsy in 27 adult male Wistar rats. After 1 week of recovery, proteinuria was induced by adriamycin [1.5 mg/kg intravenously (i.v.) n = 18; controls, saline i.v. n = 9]. Proteinuria was measured every 2 weeks. After 12 weeks, rats were sacrificed and their kidneys harvested. RESULTS As anticipated, adriamycin elicited nephrotic range proteinuria, renal interstitial damage and mild focal glomerulosclerosis. Baseline renal ACE positively correlated with the relative rise in proteinuria after adriamycin (r = 0.62, P<0.01), renal interstitial alpha-smooth muscle actin (r = 0.49, P<0.05), interstitial macrophage influx (r = 0.56, P<0.05), interstitial collagen III (r = 0.53, P<0.05), glomerular alpha-smooth muscle actin (r = 0.74, P<0.01) and glomerular desmin (r = 0.48, P<0.05). Baseline renal ACE did not correlate with focal glomerulosclerosis (r = 0.22, NS). In controls, no predictive values for renal parameters were observed. CONCLUSION Individual differences in renal ACE activity predict the severity of adriamycin-induced renal damage in this outbred rat strain. This supports the assumption that differences in renal ACE activity predispose to a less favourable course of renal damage.
Quality improvement methods improve inhaled corticosteroid prescribing in the emergency department

Abstract Objective: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are underutilized among persistent asthmatics. Because of low outpatient follow-up rates after Emergency Department (ED) visits, children are unlikely to be prescribed ICS by their primary care physician after an acute exacerbation. ED physicians have the opportunity to contribute to the delivery of preventive care in the acute care setting. Our objective was to evaluate if quality improvement (QI) methods could improve the rate of ICS initiation at ED discharge. Methods: Within the Pediatric ED (PED) at a tertiary children’s hospital, QI methods were used to encourage ICS prescribing at the time of ED discharge. Interventions focused on education at both the attending physician and resident level, process improvements designed to streamline prescribing, and directed provider feedback. This involved multiple plan-do-study-act cycles. Medical records of eligible patients were reviewed monthly to determine ICS prescribing rates. The effect of our interventions on prescribing rate was tracked over time using a run chart. Results: Following our interventions, the ICS initiation rate for children seen in and discharged home from the ED with an acute asthma exacerbation increased from a baseline median rate of 11.25% to a median rate of 79% representing a significant, non-random improvement. The ICS initiation rate has been sustained for 8 months over our goal rate of 75%. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that QI methods can be used to increase inhaled corticosteroid initiation rate at the time of ED discharge and, thus, improve the delivery of preventive asthma care in the acute care setting.
Antigenic analysis of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) variants by using monoclonal antibodies: epitopes of glycoprotein gp90 of EIAV stimulate neutralizing antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies produced against the prototype cell-adapted Wyoming strain of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), a lentivirus, were studied for reactivity with the homologous prototype and 16 heterologous isolates. Eighteen hybridomas producing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were isolated. Western blot (immunoblot) analyses indicated that 10 were specific for the major envelope glycoprotein (gp90) and 8 for the transmembrane glycoprotein (gp45). Four MAbs specific to epitopes of gp90 neutralized prototype EIAV infectivity. These neutralizing MAbs apparently reacted with variable regions of the envelope gp90, as evidenced by their unique reactivity with the panel of isolates, suggesting recognition of at least three different neutralization epitopes. The conformation of these epitopes appears to be continuous, as they resisted treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate and reducing reagents. Monoclonal antibodies that reacted with conserved epitopes on gp90 or gp45 failed to neutralize EIAV. Our data also demonstrated that there was a large spectrum of possible EIAV serotypes and confirmed that antigenic variation occurs with high frequency in EIAV. Moreover, the data showed that variation is a rapid and random process, as no pattern of variant evolution was evident by comparison of 13 isolates from parallel infections. These results represent the first production of neutralizing MAbs specific for a lentivirus glycoprotein and document alterations in one or more neutralization epitopes of the major surface glycoprotein among sequential isolates of EIAV recovered during persistent infection.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial of modafinil in the treatment of residual excessive daytime sleepiness in the sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.

Some patients with the sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) remain subjectively and objectively sleepy despite using effective continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. The aim of this single center study was to determine the efficacy and safety of the novel wake-promoting medication modafinil in the treatment of CPAP-resistant daytime sleepiness. Thirty sleep apneics receiving effective CPAP therapy (objective use, 6.5 +/- 1.1 h/night) received daily single doses of 400 mg modafinil or placebo for 2 wk in a double-blind randomized crossover design. Outcome measures were assessed at baseline and at the end of both 2-wk treatment periods. Treatment periods were separated by a 1-wk washout. Modafinil had no effect on sleepiness as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale or the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (p > 0.1); however, significant improvements in alertness were found with the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (modafinil 18.3 +/- 3.9 min; placebo, 16.6 +/- 5.0 min; p < 0.02). No significant treatment-related improvements in cognitive performance or quality of life were found with modafinil (all p > 0.05). There was a significant reduction in CPAP use on modafinil compared to placebo (6.3 +/- 1 h/ night; 6.5 +/- 1, p = 0.03). This study suggests that modafinil may improve some aspects of alertness in patients with SAHS who remain sleepy during CPAP therapy, but further studies are required to assess the significance of the reduction in CPAP use.
An Enhanced Preconditioned JMCFIE-DDM for Analysis of Electromagnetic Scattering by Composite Objects

For electromagnetic wave scattering by composite conductor and dielectric objects, an efficient integral equation solver is imperative. In this letter, An enhanced preconditioned hybrid approach combining a nonconformal, nonoverlapping domain decomposition method (DDM) and electric/magnetic current combined-field integral equation (JMCFIE) is proposed. It provided a flexible method to decompose the complex composite problem into easily solvable subdomains. To prevent unphysical reflections from the touching the face of the subdomain, Robin-type transmission conditions are used across the touching face of subdomains. An enhanced preconditioned inner-outer iteration scheme is employed in which DDM acts as a block Jacobi preconditioner for the whole system as the outer iteration, and a four-partition block-diagonal preconditioner (4PBDP) that is based on self-interactions of the finest level clusters of multilevel fast multipole algorithm (MLFMA) is further used in the inner iteration solution. In numerical examples, the efficiency of the proposed scheme is shown.
The treatment of psychotic disorders in late life.

OBJECTIVE To review the epidemiology, phenomenology, and treatment of psychotic disorders in late life. METHOD The literature relating to psychotic symptoms in the elderly is reviewed, with a focus on the following categories: primary psychotic disorders, mood disorders, delirium, Parkinson's disease (PD), and somatic hallucinoses (including Charles Bonnet syndrome [CBS] and musical hallucinosis). Practical clinical treatment implications are discussed. RESULTS The prevalence of psychotic symptoms increases with age, largely because of underlying medical illnesses such as dementia, delirium, and other neurological disorders that are exacerbated by sensory deficits coupled with social isolation. Treatment with the traditional high-potency neuroleptics is complicated by extrapyramidal symptoms, and sedation, postural hypotension, and anticholinergic effects complicate the use of low-potency traditional agents. Although clozapine may have a narrow use in the treatment-resistant schizophrenia and PD, it is poorly tolerated in the elderly. Risperidone has a wider use in this population and has a favourable clinical profile (at low doses). Other new neuroleptics await more formal evaluation in the elderly. CONCLUSION Psychotic disorders in old age have more organic associations, which cause greater difficulty in their treatment. Further Evaluation of the use of atypical agents in this elderly group is indicated.
Expression of transforming growth factor beta1 in patients with and without previous abdominal surgery.

HYPOTHESIS Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) plays an important role in the formation of adhesions after abdominal operations. DESIGN Prospective, observational study. SETTING University-based, tertiary referral center. PATIENTS Patients undergoing elective open abdominal operations were recruited and divided into 2 groups. Twenty-two patients with a history of abdominal surgery were designated as study patients, and 10 patients with no history of abdominal surgery served as controls. INTERVENTIONS Samples of normal peritoneum, peritoneal scar tissues, and serum were obtained from all patients at the time of surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Samples were assayed for total TGF-beta1 expression using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Scar tissues expressed significantly greater amounts of TGF-beta1 (0.47 pg/ micro L) compared with normal peritoneal tissue from both study patients (0.29 pg/ micro L; P =.03) and controls (0.17 pg/ micro L; P =.002). Serum TGF-beta1 levels were also higher in study patients (1.71 pg/ micro L) compared with controls (1.22 pg/ micro L; P =.02). Neither adhesion nor serum TGF-beta1 expression correlated with time since last operation, total number of previous operations, or severity of intra-abdominal adhesions. CONCLUSION These results suggest that TGF-beta1 may play an important role in human peritoneal adhesion formation.
Cognitive impairment and its consequences in everyday life: experiences of people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia and their relatives

ABSTRACT Background: The aim of this study was to explore experiences of cognitive impairment, its consequences in everyday life and need for support in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia and their relatives. Methods: A qualitative approach with an explorative design with interviews was chosen. The participants included five people with MCI and eight people with mild dementia and their relatives. All participants were recruited at a geriatric memory clinic in Sweden. The Grounded Theory method was used. Results: The following categories emerged: noticing cognitive changes; changed activity patterns; coping strategies; uncertainty about own ability and environmental reactions; support in everyday life; support from the healthcare system; consequences in everyday life for relatives; and support for relatives. The main findings were that people with MCI and dementia experienced cognitive changes that could be burdensome and changed activity patterns. Most of them, however, considered themselves capable of coping on their own. The relatives noticed cognitive changes and activity disruptions to a greater extent and tried to be supportive in everyday life. Degree of awareness varied and lack of awareness could lead to many problems in everyday life. Conclusions: Perceived cognitive impairment and its consequences in everyday life were individual and differed among people with MCI or dementia and their relatives. Thus, healthcare professionals must listen to both people with cognitive impairment and their relatives for optimal individual care planning. Support such as education groups and day care could be more tailored towards the early stages of dementia.
Immunoglobulin Content of the Endometrium in Women with Endometriosis

A study of the immunoglobulin content of endometria from women with and without endometriosis has shown that, in women with endometriosis, both 1gG and IgA are more commonly found in the interstitium of the endo-metrial stroma than is the case in endometria from women without this disease. It is thought that the increased stromal content of immunoglobulins in endometriosis is simply a passive reflection of elevated serum IgG and IgA levels. Both the incidence and extent of positive endometrial glandular epithelial staining for IgG and IgA are markedly increased in women with endometriosis: the excess of intraepithelial IgA is probably simply a consequence of the excess of stromal IgA, but the increased epithelial staining for IgG lends support to the concept that many women with endometriosis develop autoantibodies directed against an endometrial epithelial antigen. No relationship could be demonstrated, however, between IgG deposition in the endometrium of women with endometriosis and a history of infertility.
Bacterial contamination of the hands of food handlers as indicator of hand washing efficacy in some convenient food industries in South Africa

Background and Objectives: Hands of ready-to-eat food service employees have been shown to be vectors in the spread of foodborne disease, mainly because of poor personal hygiene and accounting for approximately 97% of food borne illnesses in food service establishments and homes. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of hand washing practices and sanitation before commencing work among food handlers in the convenient food industry in Gauteng, South Africa. Methods: A total of 230 samples were collected, involving 100% of the food handlers, in 8 selected convenient food outlets with their main focus on preparing ready-to-eat foods. The workers’ cleaned and disinfected dominant hands were sampled for Total Plate Count (TPC), Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Bacteria were isolated and counted using standard methods. Results: The highest bacterial count from the hand samples was 7.4 x 103 cfu.cm-2 and the lowest showed no detectable growth. Although hands with a count of 0 cfu.cm-2 were found in all of the plants, the results indicated that all the plants exceeded the legal limit for food surfaces or hands of < 100 cfu.cm-2 when the average bacterial counts on hands were compared. Sixty percent of the TPC analysed exceeded the legal limit and only 18% of the food handlers had no bacteria detectable on their hands. One sample tested positive for E. coli and S. aureus could not be detected on the hands of any of the food handlers. Conclusion: The study revealed that hand hygiene is unsatisfactory and may have serious implications for public health due to contamination of food from food handlers’ hands. This therefore underlined the importance of further training to improve food handlers’ knowledge of good hand washing practices.