Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thrombopoietin receptor (Mpl) expression by megakaryocytes in myeloproliferative disorders

The thrombopoietin receptor (Mpl) is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic myeloproliferative disorders (CMPD). In this study, we determined Mpl expression by bone marrow cells and megakaryocytes in CMPD by applying laser microdissection, real‐time RT‐PCR, and immunohistochemistry. Mpl mRNA expression was significantly increased up to 9‐fold in total bone marrow cells (p < 0.001) and up to 4‐fold in megakaryocytes in chronic myeloproliferative disorders (n = 73) compared to normal controls (n = 26, p = 0.01). Immunohistochemistry revealed heterogeneous Mpl expression by megakaryocytes in CMPD with a stronger accentuation in idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) in comparison to polycythaemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). In addition to megakaryocytes, the erythropoietic lineage was prominently labelled by Mpl antiserum, with considerably stronger staining in polycythaemia vera. We conclude that, in CMPD, megakaryocytes and erythroid cells exhibit increased Mpl expression levels which may contribute to the sustained proliferation of both cell lineages in CMPD. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Higher and Lower Order Factor Analyses of the Temperament in Middle Childhood Questionnaire

The Temperament in Middle Childhood Questionnaire (TMCQ) is a widely used parent-report measure of temperament. However, neither its lower nor higher order structures has been tested via a bottom-up, empirically based approach. We conducted higher and lower order exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) of the TMCQ in a large (N = 654) sample of 9-year-olds. Item-level EFAs identified 92 items as suitable (i.e., with loadings ≥.40) for constructing lower order factors, only half of which resembled a TMCQ scale posited by the measure’s authors. Higher order EFAs of the lower order factors showed that a three-factor structure (Impulsivity/Negative Affectivity, Negative Affectivity, and Openness/Assertiveness) was the only admissible solution. Overall, many TMCQ items did not load well onto a lower order factor. In addition, only three factors, which did not show a clear resemblance to Rothbart’s four-factor model of temperament in middle childhood, were needed to account for the higher order structure of the TMCQ.
Adequacy of dialysis reduces the doses of recombinant erythropoietin independently from the use of biocompatible membranes in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND The effect of the adequacy of dialysis on the response to recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo) therapy is still incompletely understood because of many confounding factors such as iron deficiency, biocompatibility of dialysis membranes, and dialysis modality that can interfere. METHODS We investigated the relationship between Kt/V and the weekly dose of rHuEpo in 68 stable haemodialysis (HD) patients (age 65+/-15 years) treated with bicarbonate HD and unsubstituted cellulose membranes for 6-343 months (median 67 months). Inclusion criteria were HD for at least 6 months, subcutaneous rHuEpo for at least 4 months, transferrin saturation (TSAT) > or = 20%, serum ferritin > or = 100 ng/ml, and haematocrit (Hct) level targeted to 35% for at least 3 months. Exclusion criteria included HBsAg and HIV positivity, need for blood transfusions or evidence of blood loss in the 3 months before the study, and acute or chronic infections. Hct and haemoglobin (Hb) levels were evaluated weekly for 4 weeks; TSAT, serum ferritin, Kt/V, PCRn, serum albumin (sAlb), and weekly dose of rHuEpo were evaluated at the end of observation. No change in dialysis or therapy prescription was made during the study. RESULTS The results for the whole group of patients were: Hct 35 +/- 1.2%, Hb 12.1 +/- 0.6 g/dl, TSAT 29 +/- 10%, serum ferritin 204 +/- 98 ng/ml, sAlb 4.1 +/- 0.3 g/dl, Kt/V 1.33 +/-0.19, PCRn 1.11+/- 0.28 g/kg/day, weekly dose of rHuEpo 123 +/- 76 U/kg. Hct did not correlate with Kt/V, whereas rHuEpo dose and Kt/V were inversely correlated (r = -0.49; P < 0.0001). Multiple regression analysis with rHuEpo as dependent variable confirmed Kt/V as the only significant variable (P < 0.002). Division of the patients into two groups according to Kt/V (group A, Kt/V < or = 1.2; group B, Kt/V > or = 1.4), showed no differences in Hct levels between the two groups, while weekly rHuEpo dose was significantly lower in group B than in group A (group B, 86 +/- 33 U/kg; group A, 183 +/- 95 U/kg, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS In iron-replete HD patients treated with rHuEpo in the maintenance phase, Kt/V exerts a significant sparing effect on rHuEpo requirement independent of the use of biocompatible synthetic membranes. By optimizing rHuEpo responsiveness, an adequate dialysis treatment can contribute to the reduction of the costs of rHuEpo therapy.
The in vitro cultivation of Treponema pallidum. Corroborative studies.

Jones et al. (1976) reported that they had successfully cultivated Treponema pallidum in vitro. Because of the potential theoretical and practical importance of this report, we began studies to corroborate the findings. Our research included the fdllowing overlapping phases: (a) performing the methods as published, (b) performing the methods as published with additional advice and counsel (obtained by telephone) from Dr Jones and colleagues, (c) studying the methods for two weeks in Dr Jones's laboratories at the Medical Research Institute (MRI), Florida Institute of Technology, and (d) performing the methods under the scrutiny of a member of Dr Jones's staff, who spent a week in our laboratory. Despite these efforts, however, we could not corroborate the findings.
Nutritional ecology of the Formosan subterranean termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae): growth and survival of incipient colonies feeding on preferred wood species.

The wood of 11 plant species was evaluated as a food source significantly impacting the growth and survival of incipient colonies of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Colonies of C. formosanus feeding on pecan, Carya illinoensis (Wangenh.), and red gum, Liquidambar styraciflua L. , produced significantly more progeny than colonies feeding on other wood species tested. Progeny of colonies feeding on pecan and American ash, Fraxinus americana L. , had significantly greater survival than progeny of colonies feeding on other wood species. Colonies feeding on a nutritionally supplemented cellulose based matrix showed similar fitness characteristics as colonies feeding on the best wood treatments. These results indicate that differences observed in colony fitness can be partially explained by nutritional value of the food treatment, raising the possibility that wood from different tree species have different nutritional values to the Formosan subterranean termites. Colonies feeding on loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L. , and ponderosa pine, Pinus ponderosa Laws. , had significantly lower survival and produced significantly fewer workers and soldiers than colonies feeding on other wood species. Colony survival from 90 to 180 d of age and from 90 to 360 d of age was significantly correlated with the number of workers present at 90 d of colony age, indicating that colony survival depends on the presence of workers. Wood consumption in a multiple-choice study was significantly correlated with colony fitness value. This suggests that feeding preference of C. formosanus is at least partially influenced by the nutritional value of the food source.
Validating Endophenotypes for Schizophrenia Using Statistical Modeling of Twin Data

The use of endophenotypes (intermediate quantitative traits) is one strategy that may provide valuable information about the neural mechanisms underlying disease etiology and facilitate discovery of susceptibility genes. For a trait to be an appropriate endophenotype, several key features should exist. In this article we discuss validating potential electrophysiological endophenotypes for schizophrenia based on conventionally accepted criteria. We focus on applying a twin study design and model fitting techniques to evaluate whether three event-related potential paradigms (P300, P50, and MMN) meet criteria as valid endophenotypes of schizophrenia.
Membrane protein insertase YidC in bacteria and archaea

The insertion of proteins into the prokaryotic plasma membrane is catalyzed by translocases and insertases. On one hand, the Sec translocase operates as a transmembrane channel that can open laterally to first bind and then release the hydrophobic segments of a substrate protein into the lipid bilayer. On the other hand, YidC insertases interact with their substrates in a groove‐like structure at an amphiphilic protein–lipid interface thus allowing the transmembrane segments of the substrate to slide into the lipid bilayer. The recently published high‐resolution structures of YidC provide new mechanistic insights of how transmembrane proteins achieve the transition from an aqueous environment in the cytoplasm to the hydrophobic lipid bilayer environment of the membrane.
Nonlinear analysis of vehicle control actuations based on controlled invariant sets

Abstract In the paper, an analysis method is applied to the lateral stabilization problem of vehicle systems. The aim is to find the largest state-space region in which the lateral stability of the vehicle can be guaranteed by the peak-bounded control input. In the analysis, the nonlinear polynomial sum-of-squares programming method is applied. A practical computation technique is developed to calculate the maximum controlled invariant set of the system. The method calculates the maximum controlled invariant sets of the steering and braking control systems at various velocities and road conditions. Illustration examples show that, depending on the environments, different vehicle dynamic regions can be reached and stabilized by these controllers. The results can be applied to the theoretical basis of their interventions into the vehicle control system.
Duodenal versus jejunal biopsies in suspected celiac disease.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS In the past, small-bowel biopsies for diagnosis of celiac disease were taken from the jejunum with a suction capsule, but nowadays most physicians take endoscopic biopsies from the distal duodenum. To validate that practice we compared the diagnostic yield of endoscopic duodenal biopsies with that of endoscopic jejunal biopsies. In addition, we describe a method of orienting biopsy specimens optimally. PATIENTS AND METHODS Upper endoscopy was performed with a colonoscope. Four jejunal and four duodenal biopsies were taken and oriented immediately thereafter. The pathologist rated the orientation as poor, adequate, or good, and histopathological results were expressed according to the Marsh classification. Jejunal and duodenal biopsy results were compared. RESULTS 146 patients were included. Jejunal biopsies were taken in 142 patients, and Marsh I-II lesions were found in 56 and Marsh III lesions in 15 patients. In three patients duodenal biopsies were normal while jejunal biopsies showed Marsh I-II lesions. No discrepancies were found in patients with Marsh III lesions. Orientation was good in all biopsies. CONCLUSION Duodenal biopsies are sufficient to diagnose full-blown celiac disease (Marsh III), but Marsh I-II lesions may be missed in some cases.
[Effect of ventilation tube insertion on otitis media with effusion in cleft palate children].

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of eardrum tubing in the repair of cleft palate on alleviating the otitis media with effusion (OME) and hearing loss in cleft palate patients. METHODS Nineteen ears of 19 cleft palate children with OME and hearing loss were treated with the ventilation tube insertion in the repair of the cleft palates, while the untreated opposite ears were selected as the control group. All patients were followed up from 2 weeks to 18 months postoperatively and their middle ear condition and hearing thresholds were reevaluated by otoscopy and pure-tone audiometry. RESULTS Significant differences were found in the incidences of hearing loss between pre and postoperative patients in treated ears, and there are no differences in the untreated ears. Postoperative hearing thresholds become lower than that before the operation and no serious complications were found in the treated ears. CONCLUSIONS The ventilation tube insertion in medial ear is safe and effective to restore the hearing impaired by OME in the cleft palate patients. It can be used as a regular management for OME and hearing loss in cleft palate children.
Safety and efficacy of recombinant human alpha-galactosidase a replacement therapy in Fabry's disease

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The Effect of C‐Terminal Helix Stabilization on Specific DNA Binding by Monomeric GCN4 Peptides

DNA binding by a 29‐residue, monomeric, GCN4 basic region peptide, GCN4br, as well as by peptide br‐C, a monomeric basic‐region analogue that is helix stabilized at its C‐terminal end by a Lys25, Asp29 side‐chain lactam‐bridged alanine‐rich sequence, was studied at 25°C in an aqueous buffer containing 100 mM NaCl. Mixing of both peptides with duplex DNA containing the cAMP‐responsive element (CRE) was accompanied by significant helix stabilization in the peptides, whereas mixing of the peptides with duplex DNA containing a scrambled CRE site was not. Peptide NBD‐br‐C was synthesized as a fluorescent probe to evaluate these peptide–DNA interactions further. Quantitative analysis of the fluorescence quenching of peptide NBD‐br‐C by CRE half‐site DNA indicated the formation of a 1 : 1 complex with a dissociation constant of 1.41 ± 0.22 µM. Competitive displacement fluorescence assays of CRE half‐site binding gave dissociation constants of 0.65 ± 0.09 µM for peptide br‐C and 3.9 ± 0.5 µM for GCN4br, which corresponds to a free energy difference of 1.1 kcal/mol that is attributed to the helix stabilization achieved in peptide br‐C. This result indicates that helix initiation by the α‐helical leucine zipper dimerization motif in native bzip proteins, such as GCN4, contributes significantly to the affinity of basic region peptides for their recognition sites on DNA. Our fluorescence assay should also prove useful for determining dissociation constants for CRE binding by other GCN4 basic region analogues under equilibrium conditions and physiological salt concentrations. Copyright © 2002 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Belief-Goal Relationships in Possibilistic Goal Generation

The way in which the relationships between beliefs, goals, and intentions are captured by a formalism can have a significant impact on the design of a rational agent. In particular, what Rao and Georgeff underline about the relationships between goals and beliefs is that it is reasonable to require a rational agent not to allow goal-belief inconsistency, while goal-belief incompleteness can be allowed. We study a theoretical framework, grounded in possibility theory, which (i) accounts for the aspects involved in representing and changing beliefs and goals, and (ii) obeys Rao and Georgeff's requirement. We propose a formalization of a possibilistic extension of Bratman's asymmetry thesis to hold between goals and beliefs. Finally, we show that our formalism avoids the side-effect and the transference problems.
Clinical Relevance Of VacA, CagA, And IceA Genotypes Of Helicobacter Pylori

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori infection is associated withvariable clinical outcomes, including gastroduodenal diseases, and genetic factors may be relevant in this process. The aim of this study was to investigate any association between the H. pylori genotypes and the clinical out come in patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal diseases. Methods: Antral gastric biopsy specimens were collected from 250 patients with gastritis. Clinical diagnosis was based on histology, and endoscopy. Specimens were tested for H. pylori genotypes by PCR, and the presence of vacA s and m regions, cagA, and iceA genotypes were analyzed for association with the clinical disease. Results: Significant associations were found betweenthe genotypes vacA s1 with gastritis (P=0.052), and atrophy (P= 0.001), vacA s2 and vacA m2 with erosion (P= 0.004, and < 0.001 respectively), cagA with duodenitis (P= 0.005). Several genotypes present in certain diseases were significantly associated with the patients’ gender, while, no association between the genotypes, and the age of the patient was found. Conclusions: This study reports the genotypes of three virulence genes in H. pylori for the first time in Jordan; it adds new pieces of information in this respect. Overall, the results demonstrated that certain H. pylori genotypes showed significant correlation with the clinical outcome, and their presence might be used to predict the disease outcome.
Hypomelanosis of Ito in Three Cases with Autism and Autistic‐like Conditions

Two girls and a boy showing autistic behaviour and fulfilling the criteria for autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome or atypical autism were diagnosed as having hypomelanosis of Ito syndrome. It is suggested that skin changes indicating underlying neurocutaneous disorders be meticulously looked for in all cases with autism and autistic‐like conditions.
Ethanol consumption and serotonin‐1A (5‐HT1A) receptor function in heterozygous BDNF (+/–) mice

Heterozygous brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (+/–) mice display abnormalities in central serotonergic neurotransmission, develop decrements in serotonergic innervation of the forebrain, and exhibit enhanced intermale aggressiveness. As disturbances of serotonin neurotransmission are implicated in alcohol abuse and aggression, we have examined in BDNF (+/–) mice alcohol drinking behavior, as well as central 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT)1A receptor function at the level of 5‐HT1A receptor–G protein interaction. BDNF (+/–) mice displayed increased ethanol intake in a two‐bottle choice procedure. There was no difference in the preference ratio for non‐alcoholic tastants (i.e. quinine or saccharin) between genotypes. In the brains of alcohol‐naive mice, we measured [35S]GTPγS binding stimulated by the 5‐HT1A receptor agonist (+/–)‐8‐hydroxy‐2‐dipropyl‐aminotetralin hydrobromide (8‐OH‐DPAT; 1 µm). In BDNF (+/–) versus wild‐type (WT) mice, 5‐HT1A receptor‐stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding was significantly attenuated in the median raphe nucleus. There was a decrease in (+/–)8‐OH‐DPAT‐stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding in the dorsal raphe, which did not reach statistical significance. In the hippocampus, 5‐HT1A receptor–stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding was significantly attenuated in BDNF (+/–) mice. 5‐HT1A receptor–stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding was attenuated in the anterior cingulate cortex and lateral septum, although these reductions did not reach statistical significance. 5‐HT1A receptor number was not different between genotypes in any area of brain examined, suggesting that 5‐HT1A receptor function, specifically the capacity of the 5‐HT1A receptor to activate G proteins, is attenuated in BDNF (+/–) mice.
A Test for Constant Fatality Rate of an Emerging Epidemic: With Applications to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in Hong Kong and Beijing

Summary The etiology, pathogenesis, and prognosis for a newly emerging disease are generally unknown to clinicians. Effective interventions and treatments at the earliest possible times are warranted to suppress the fatality of the disease to a minimum, and inappropriate treatments should be abolished. In this situation, the ability to extract most information out of the data available is critical so that important decisions can be made. Ineffectiveness of the treatment can be reflected by a constant fatality over time while effective treatment normally leads to a decreasing fatality rate. A statistical test for constant fatality over time is proposed in this article. The proposed statistic is shown to converge to a Brownian motion asymptotically under the null hypothesis. With the special features of the Brownian motion, we are able to analyze the first passage time distribution based on a sequential tests approach. This allows the null hypothesis of constant fatality rate to be rejected at the earliest possible time when adequate statistical evidence accumulates. Simulation studies show that the performance of the proposed test is good and it is extremely sensitive in picking up decreasing fatality rate. The proposed test is applied to the severe acute respiratory syndrome data in Hong Kong and Beijing.
Role of HIF‐1α in skeletal development

Angiogenesis and osteogenesis are tightly coupled during bone development and regeneration. Mesenchymal cells in the developing stroma elicit angiogenic signals to recruit new blood vessels into bone. Reciprocal signals, likely emanating from the incoming vascular endothelium, stimulate mesenchymal cell specification through additional interactions with cells within the vascular stem cell niche. The hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1 alpha (HIF‐1) pathway has been identified as a key component in this process. We demonstrated that overexpression of HIF‐1 in mature osteoblasts through disruption of the von Hippel‐Lindau protein profoundly increases angiogenesis and osteogenesis; these processes appear to be coupled by cell nonautonomous mechanisms involving the action of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the endothelial cells. The same occurred in the model of injury‐mediated bone regeneration (distraction osteogenesis). Surprisingly, manipulation of HIF‐1 does not influence angiogenesis of the skull bones, where earlier activation of HIF‐1 in the condensing mesenchyme upregulates osterix during cranial bone formation.
Utility of Stool Sample–based Tests for the Diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Children

Objective:Helicobacter pylori antigen or DNA in stool are meant to detect the bacteria; however, in children the colonization of the gastric mucosa by H pylori is usually weak and fecal excretion of antigen or DNA varies considerably, challenging the utility of these tests in this age group. The aim of the present study was to carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the performance of stool H pylori DNA and antigen tests for the diagnosis of infection in children. Methods:We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the accuracy of stool tests for diagnosis of H pylori infection in children. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and LILACS databases. Selection criteria included participation of at least 30 children and the use of a criterion standard for H pylori diagnosis. In a comprehensive search, we identified 48 studies. Results:Regarding antigen-detection tests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) monoclonal antibodies showed the best performance, with sensitivity and specificity of 97%, positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 29.9, and negative likelihood ratio (LR−) of 0.03. ELISA polyclonal antibodies had sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 93%, LR+ of 16.2, LR− of 0.09, and high heterogeneity (P < 0.0001). One-step monoclonal antibody tests demonstrated sensitivity of 88%, specificity of 93%, LR+ of 10.6, and LR− of 0.11. For DNA detection, polymerase chain reaction–based test showed sensitivity of 80.8%, specificity of 98%, LR+ of 17.1, and LR− of 0.18. Conclusions:Detection of H pylori antigen in stools with ELISA monoclonal antibodies is a noninvasive efficient test for diagnosis of infection in children. One-step tests showed low accuracy and more studies are needed to obtain a useful office-based screening test. The available molecular tests are still unreliable.