Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Crohn's disease and the mycobacterioses: a review and comparison of two disease entities

Crohn's disease is a chronic granulomatous ileocolitis, of unknown etiology, which generally affects the patient during the prime of life. Medical treatment is supportive at best, and patients afflicted with this disorder generally live with chronic pain, in and out of hospitals, throughout their lives. The disease bears the name of the investigator who convincingly distinguished this disease from intestinal tuberculosis in 1932. This distinction was not universally accepted, and the notion of a mycobacterial etiology has never been fully dismissed. Nevertheless, it was 46 years after the distinction of Crohn's disease and intestinal tuberculosis before research attempting to reassociate mycobacteria and Crohn's disease was published. Recently, there has been a surge of interest in the possible association of mycobacteria and Crohn's disease due largely to the isolation of genetically identical pathogenic Mycobacterium paratuberculosis from several patients with Crohn's disease in the United States, the Netherlands, Australia, and France. These pathogenic organisms have been isolated from only a few patients, and direct evidence for their involvement in the disease process is not clear; however, M. paratuberculosis is an obligate intracellular organism and strict pathogen, which strongly suggests some etiologic role. Immunologic evidence of a mycobacterial etiology, as assessed by humoral immune determinations, has been conflicting, but evaluation of the more relevant cellular immunity has not been performed. Data from histochemical searches for mycobacteria in Crohn's disease tissues have been equally conflicting, with acid-fast bacilli detected in 0 to 35% of patients. Animal model studies have demonstrated the pathogenic potential of isolates as well as elucidated the complexity of mycobacterial-intestinal interactions. Treatment of Crohn's disease patients with antimycobacterial agent has not been fully assessed, although case reports suggest efficacy. The similarities in the pathology, epidemiology, and chemotherapy of Crohn's disease and the mycobacterioses are discussed. The issue is fraught with controversy, and the data generated on the association of mycobacteria and Crohn's disease are in their infantile stages so that a general conclusion on the legitimacy of this association cannot be made. While no firm evidence clearly implicates mycobacteria as an etiologic agent of Crohn's disease, the notion is supported by suggestive and circumstantial evidence and a remarkable similarity of Crohn's disease to known mycobacterial diseases.
On Fuzzy Sampled-Data Control of Chaotic Systems Via a Time-Dependent Lyapunov Functional Approach

In this paper, a novel approach to fuzzy sampled-data control of chaotic systems is presented by using a time-dependent Lyapunov functional. The advantage of the new method is that the Lyapunov functional is continuous at sampling times but not necessarily positive definite inside the sampling intervals. Compared with the existing works, the constructed Lyapunov functional makes full use of the information on the piecewise constant input and the actual sampling pattern. In terms of a new parameterized linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique, a less conservative stabilization condition is derived to guarantee the exponential stability for the closed-loop fuzzy sampled-data system. By solving a set of LMIs, the fuzzy sampled-data controller can be easily obtained. Finally, the chaotic Lorenz system and Rössler's system are employed to illustrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.
High-Resolution, 3D Imaging of the Zebrafish Gill-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GIALT) Reveals a Novel Lymphoid Structure, the Amphibranchial Lymphoid Tissue

The zebrafish is extensively used as an animal model for human and fish diseases. However, our understanding of the structural organization of its immune system remains incomplete, especially the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALTs). Teleost MALTs are commonly perceived as diffuse and scattered populations of immune cells throughout the mucosa. Yet, structured MALTs have been recently discovered in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.), including the interbranchial lymphoid tissue (ILT) in the gills. The existence of the ILT was only recently identified in zebrafish and other fish species, highlighting the need for in-depth characterizations of the gill-associated lymphoid tissue (GIALT) in teleosts. Here, using 3-D high-resolution microscopy, we analyze the GIALT of adult zebrafish with an immuno-histology approach that reveals the organization of lymphoid tissues via the labeling of T/NK cells with an antibody directed to a highly conserved epitope on the kinase ZAP70. We show that the GIALT in zebrafish is distributed over at least five distinct sub-regions, an organization found in all pairs of gill arches. The GIALT is diffuse in the pharyngeal part of the gill arch, the interbranchial septum and the filaments/lamellae, and structured in two sub-regions: the ILT, and a newly discovered lymphoid structure located along each side of the gill arch, which we named the Amphibranchial Lymphoid Tissue (ALT). Based on RAG2 expression, neither the ILT nor the ALT constitute additional thymi. The ALT shares several features with the ILT such as presence of abundant lymphoid cells and myeloid cells embedded in a network of reticulated epithelial cells. Further, the ILT and the ALT are also a site for T/NK cell proliferation. Both ILT and ALT show structural changes after infection with Spring Viraemia of Carp Virus (SVCV). Together, these data suggest that ALT and ILT play an active role in immune responses. Comparative studies show that whereas the ILT seems absent in most neoteleosts (“Percomorphs”), the ALT is widely present in cyprinids, salmonids and neoteleosts, suggesting that it constitutes a conserved tissue involved in the protection of teleosts via the gills.
The effect of mouthrinses on oral malodor: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to systematically review the literature regarding the impact of mouthrinses on oral malodor and present evidence for the treatment effects of mouthrinses on oral malodor. MATERIAL AND METHODS PubMed-MEDLINE, the Cochrane-CENTRAL and EMBASE were searched through February 10, 2012 to identify appropriate studies. Volatile sulphur compound measurements, organoleptic measurements and tongue coating were selected as outcome variables. SEARCH RESULTS: The independent screenings of 333 unique titles and paper abstracts revealed 12 publications (12 experiments) that met the eligibility criteria. Means and standard deviations were extracted. The results were separated into short-term (<3 weeks) and longer-term (≥3 weeks) studies. CONCLUSION In this review, nearly all mouthwashes with active ingredients had beneficial effects in reducing oral malodor in both short- and longer-term studies. The most compelling evidence was provided for chlorhexidine mouthwashes, and those that contained a combination of cetyl pyridinum chloride and zinc provided the best evidence profile on oral malodor. Little data with respect to tongue coating were available, and none of the studies showed a beneficial effect for this parameter.
Fatal venous thromboembolism associated with hospital admission: a cohort study to assess the impact of a national risk assessment target

Objectives In 2010, the Department of Health in England introduced an incentivised national target for National Health Service (NHS) hospitals aiming to increase the number of patients assessed for the risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with hospital admission. We assessed the impact of this initiative on VTE mortality and subsequent readmission with non-fatal VTE. Design Observational cohort study. Patients All patients admitted to NHS hospitals in England between July 2010 and March 2012. Interventions An NHS hospital which assessed at least 90% of patient admissions achieved the quality standard. Main outcome measures The principal outcome measured was death from VTE up till 90 days after hospital discharge using linked Office of National Statistics and Hospital Episode Statistics data. Results In the principal analyses of patients admitted to hospital for more than 3 days, there was a statistically significant reduction in VTE deaths in hospitals achieving 90% VTE risk assessment: relative risk (RR) 0.85 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.96; p=0.011) for VTE as the primary cause of death. In supportive analyses of postdischarge deaths after index admissions of up to 3 days, there was also a reduction in fatal VTE RR 0.61 (0.48 to 0.79; p=0.0002). This effect was seen for both surgical and non-surgical patients. No effect was seen in day case admissions. There was no change in non-fatal VTE readmissions up to 90 days after discharge. Conclusions A national quality initiative to increase the number of hospitalised patients assessed for risk of VTE has resulted in a reduction in VTE mortality.
Fish consumption and risk of stroke in Swedish women.

BACKGROUND Epidemiologic studies of fish consumption in relation to risk of stroke have yielded inconsistent results. OBJECTIVE In this study, we examined the association between fish consumption and stroke incidence in women. DESIGN We analyzed data from a population-based prospective cohort of 34,670 women in the Swedish Mammography Cohort who were free of cardiovascular disease and cancer at baseline. Information on fish consumption was obtained by a self-administered questionnaire in 1997. Incident cases of stroke were ascertained from the Swedish Hospital Discharge Registry. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs. RESULTS Over a mean follow-up of 10.4 y, we ascertained 1680 incident cases of stroke, including 1310 cerebral infarctions, 233 hemorrhagic strokes, and 137 unspecified strokes. Fish consumption was significantly inversely associated with risk of total stroke but not with cerebral infarction or hemorrhagic stroke. Compared with women in the lowest quintile of fish consumption (<1.0 serving of fish/wk), the multivariable RR of total stroke for women in the highest quintile (>3.0 servings of fish/wk) was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.71, 0.98; P for trend = 0.049). Consumption of lean fish but not of other fish types was inversely associated with risk of stroke. The multivariable RR of total stroke was 0.67 (95% CI: 0.49, 0.93; P for trend = 0.07) for ≥3 servings of lean fish/wk compared with that for no consumption. CONCLUSION These results suggest that the consumption of fish, especially of lean fish, may reduce risk of stroke in women. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01127698.
Microchimerism and systemic sclerosis

Purpose of reviewAlthough 6 years have elapsed since the initial report describing the presence of microchimeric cells in affected tissues from patients with systemic sclerosis, a mechanism by which these cells might contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease is still unknown. This article reviews the published literature related to the possible role of microchimeric cells in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. Recent findingsNumerous studies have reported the identification or quantification of microchimeric cells in the peripheral blood or tissues from systemic sclerosis patients; however, only one study to date has investigated their function. Recent investigations have demonstrated microchimeric cells in the clinically uninvolved tissues from patients with systemic sclerosis, suggesting that these cells are present in early disease. However, after the identification of microchimeric cells in blood and tissues of patients with systemic sclerosis, these cells have been found in organs affected by nonautoimmune conditions. These cells are also commonly detected in the peripheral blood of healthy people. SummaryThese observations have raised questions about whether microchimeric cells are responsible for the pathologic events in systemic sclerosis or are merely remnants of a pregnancy remote in time, and it has been suggested that they might also have beneficial effects for the host.
Work in Progress: Assessing Student Confidence of Introductory Statistics Concepts

A goal of concept inventories is to assess students' misconceptions. However, it is often unclear whether students possess an incorrect conceptual framework or are merely guessing. To distinguish between these possibilities, students who completed the statistics concept inventory (SCI) rated confidence in their answers. A positive trend was found between percent correct and mean item confidence across items (r = +0.306, p = 0.031). This study allows comparison with previous research on statistical reasoning skills, with student interviews the next logical step in the process
Association between polymorphisms in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and TNF receptor genes and circulating TNF, soluble TNF receptor levels, and bone mineral density in postmenopausal Korean women

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship of polymorphisms in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-&agr;, TNF-&bgr;, and TNF receptor (TNFR) genes to circulating TNF, soluble TNFR (sTNFR) levels, and bone mineral density (BMD) in women. Methods: The TNF-&agr; G(−308)A, C(−857)T, C(−863)A, T(−1031)C, TNF-&bgr; A252G, TNFRI A36G, TNFRII T676G, A1663G, A1668G, and C1690T polymorphisms were analyzed in 377 postmenopausal Korean women. The levels of serum TNF-&agr;, TNF-&bgr;, sTNFRI, sTNFRII, and bone turnover markers were measured. BMD was examined by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Results: After adjustment for age, body mass index, and years since menopause, no significant differences in BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck and serum levels of bone turnover markers were detected, according to single polymorphisms in TNF and TNFR genes and combined polymorphisms. However, the frequencies of the TT genotype of TNF-&agr; T(−1031)C polymorphism, the non-AA genotype of TNF-&bgr; A252G polymorphism, and the GG genotype of TNFRII A1663G polymorphism were significantly higher in osteoporotic women than in women with normal BMD, respectively (P < 0.05). The TNFRII T676G polymorphism affected the serum sTNFRI and sTNFRII levels. The serum sTNFRII levels in the CC genotype of TNFRII C1690T polymorphism were the highest, with a G or C allele dose effect, and the TNFRII G676C/C1690T haplotype genotype also affected serum sTNFRII levels. Conclusions: TNF-&agr; T(−1031)C, TNF-&bgr; A252G, and TNFRII A1663G polymorphisms may be genetic factors for osteoporosis in Korean postmenopausal women, and the TNFRII T676G and C1690T polymorphisms and their combined polymorphism affected serum sTNFRII levels. The TNFRII T676G polymorphism also affected the serum sTNFRI levels.
Low-frequency fluctuations in heart rate, cardiac output and mean arterial pressure in humans: what are the physiological relationships?

Objective Cardiovascular variability is a complex physiological phenomenon associated with the outcome of cardiovascular diseases. Blood pressure oscillations may cause cardiovascular complications, which, however, are also claimed to have antihypertensive effects. The physiological understanding is limited. This study evaluates whether oscillations in heart rate (HR) and cardiac output (CO) buffer fluctuations at approximately 0.1 Hz in arterial blood pressure (Mayer waves). Method We recorded mean arterial pressure (MAP), left cardiac stroke volume (SV), and HR in 10 healthy humans during autonomic blockade in supine and tilted (30 degrees) position. Variability in the cardiovascular variables at 0.04–0.15 Hz and phase angles (time lags) between the variables were calculated by spectral analysis. Results Fluctuations in cardiovascular variables at 0.1 Hz decreased after removal of HR variability (HRV) by propranolol and atropine in the supine position. Tilting from supine did not change fluctuations in MAP or total peripheral resistance (TPR), whereas variations in CO decreased. Variations in CO remained decreased in tilt after atropine compared to supine control, whereas variations in MAP and in TPR were unchanged. HRV were in phase with oscillations in CO. Variations in CO were in inverse phase with variations in TPR. Conclusion TPR oscillations produce fluctuations in MAP at 0.1 Hz. HRV produces CO variations, but CO variations do not efficiently buffer MAP variations during supine rest and mild ortostasis. Both feedback and feedforward mechanisms are responsible for the interaction between HR and MAP.
Frequency of mastalgia among women veterans. Association with psychiatric conditions and unexplained pain syndromes.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and frequency of mastalgia and its association with psychiatric conditions and unexplained pain syndromes. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Cross-sectional mailed survey completed by 1,219 female veterans enrolled at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System in 1998. MEASUREMENTS Breast pain in the past year, unrelated to pregnancy, was categorized as infrequent (< or =monthly) or frequent (> or =weekly) mastalgia. Surveys assessed posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, panic disorder, and alcohol misuse with validated screening tests, as well as self-reported past-year chronic pelvic pain, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome. RESULTS The response rate was 63%. Fifty-five percent of the respondents reported past-year mastalgia. Of these, 15% reported frequent mastalgia. Compared to women without mastalgia, women reporting frequent mastalgia were more likely to screen positive for PTSD (odds ratio [OR] 5.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.2 to 8.4), major depression (OR 4.2, 2.6 to 6.9), panic disorder (OR 7.1, 3.9 to 12.8), eating disorder (OR 2.6, 1.5 to 4.7), alcohol misuse (OR 1.8, 1.1 to 2.8), or domestic violence (OR 3.1, 1.9 to 5.0), and to report fibromyalgia (OR 3.9, 2.1 to 7.4), chronic pelvic pain (OR 5.4, 2.7 to 10.5), or irritable bowel syndrome (OR 2.8, 1.6 to 4.8). Women with infrequent mastalgia were also more likely than women without mastalgia to screen positive for PTSD, depression, or panic disorder, or report pelvic pain or irritable bowel syndrome, although associations were weaker than with frequent mastalgia. CONCLUSIONS Like other unexplained pain syndromes, frequent mastalgia is strongly associated with PTSD and other psychiatric conditions. Clinicians seeing patients with frequent mastalgia should inquire about anxiety, depression, alcohol misuse, and trauma history.
Cloning of minute virus of mice cDNAs and preliminary analysis of individual viral proteins expressed in murine cells

cDNAs corresponding to RNA from the autonomous parvovirus minute virus of mice were cloned into constitutive and inducible expression vectors. These clones generate viral NS2, VP1, and VP2 proteins individually. Initial examination of these clones by transient expression analysis and analysis of stably transformed murine cell lines inducibly expressing these constructs indicated that they will be useful tools for characterizing the function of individual minute virus of mice gene products.
Vitamin D in health and disease

Background/purpose: Investigations have revealed that vitamin D plays an important role in many areas of health and disease. Questions over whether sun avoidance and sunscreen use will decrease vitamin D levels may concern clinicians when counseling patients at risk for vitamin D insufficiency. A review of the role of vitamin D in health and disease, the impact of photoprotection and skin type on vitamin D levels, and recommendations for adequate vitamin D intake is provided to aid clinicians in counseling patients regarding these issues.
Association of WNT9B Gene Polymorphisms with Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip with or Without Cleft Palate in Brazilian Nuclear Families

Objective Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL±P) is a common craniofacial anomaly of complex etiology in people. WNT pathway genes have important roles during craniofacial development, and an association of WNT genes with NSCL±P has been demonstrated in different populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between polymorphisms in WNT3 and WNT9B genes and CL/P in Brazilian families. Patients Seventy nuclear families composed of an affected child and the child's unaffected parents were examined clinically. Saliva samples were collected for molecular analyses. Design Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the WNT3 gene and two in WNT9B were investigated in real-time polymerase chain reaction using TaqMan chemistry. The Family-Based Association Test and the transmission disequilibrium test were used to verify the association between each marker allele and NSCL±P. The level of significance was established at P ≤ . 01 after Bonferroni correction. Results A positive association was detected between NSCL±P and SNP rs1530364 in the WNT9B gene. Haplotype analysis showed an association of WNT3 and WNT9B haplotypes. No association was detected between NSCL±P and individual SNPs in WNT3. Conclusion Our study further supports the involvement of WNT9B as a cleft susceptibility gene in Brazilian families experiencing NSCL±P. Although additional studies are still necessary to unveil the exact mechanism by which WNT genes would contribute to NSCL±P, allelic polymorphisms in these genes and their interactions may partly explain the variance of individual susceptibility to NSCL±P.
Altitude decompression sickness symptom resolution during descent to ground level.

INTRODUCTION Altitude decompression sickness (DCS) is a health risk associated with the conduct of high altitude airdrop operations, high altitude reconnaissance, future fighter operations, hypobaric chamber training, unpressurized flight, and extravehicular activity (EVA) in space. The treatment for DCS includes the provision of 100% oxygen (O2) at ground level (GLO) and/or hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO). In this paper we examine the effect of repressurization to ground level from hypobaric conditions on DCS symptoms. Timely recompression (descent at first recognition of any DCS symptom) may be a safe, effective treatment for the large majority of DCS symptoms. METHODS Data from altitude chamber exposures recorded in the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Altitude DCS Database were reviewed to determine the level of recompression required for complete resolution of 1,699 observed symptoms. RESULTS Of the 1,699 DCS symptoms reviewed, 66 (3.9%) resolved at altitude, 117 (6.9%) resolved at ground level, and 1,433 (84.3%) resolved during descent. Increasing the pressure by 138 mmHg from the altitude of exposure where symptoms occurred resolved roughly 50% of symptoms. Little resolution of symptoms was noted with recompressions of < 50 mmHg. The greatest rate of symptom resolution occurred with recompressions of 50-250 mmHg. CONCLUSION These findings support the concept that descent and postflight, ground-level oxygen may be sufficient to relieve the majority of altitude DCS symptoms. HBO may be reserved for serious, recurring, delayed, or refractory symptoms. The findings also suggest a need for further study of DCS symptom resolution.
The effects of electrical coupling on the temporal coding of neural signal in noisy Hodgkin-Huxley neuron ensemble

The effects of electrical coupling on the temporal coding of neural signal in noisy Hodgkin-Huxley(HH) neuron ensemble are studied by virtue of the spike timing precision and the power norm. It is found that through the co-regulation of noise and electrical coupling, the information of the aperiodic input signal can be transferred accurately through the noisy neuron ensemble at the optimal coupling strength and noise intensity.