Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Favourable effect of the combination of acute and chronic graft‐versus‐host disease on the outcome of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for advanced haematological malignancies

To assess the influence of graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) on the outcome of patients with advanced haematological malignancies (AHM) who received a primary, unmodified allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cells transplant (allo‐PBT) from a human leucocyte antigen (HLA) identical sibling donor, we analysed 136 patients with myeloid neoplasms (n = 70) or lymphoproliferative disorders (n = 66), transplanted at 19 Spanish institutions. Median age was 35 years (range 1–61). The cumulative incidence of relapse for all patients was 34% (95% CI, 26–42%), 41% (95% CI, 33–49) for patients without GVHD and 14% (95% CI, 3–25) (P = 0·001) for patients with acute and chronic GVHD. After a median follow‐up of 11 months (range 2–49), 60 (44%) patients remained alive with an actuarial probability of overall survival and disease‐free survival (DFS) at 30 months of 31% (95% CI, 21–41%) and 28% (95% CI, 17–39%) respectively. In patients surviving > 100 d, the low incidence of relapse in those with acute and chronic GVHD led to a DFS of 57% (95% CI, 38–76%) compared with a DFS of 34% (95% CI, 17–51%) in the remaining patients (P = 0·03). Our results indicate a reduced incidence of relapse for patients with AHM receiving an unmodified allo‐PBT and developing acute and chronic GVHD, which results in an improved DFS.
Proximate analysis and mineral content of three commonly used seasonings in Nigeria

Three common brands of seasonings labeled X, Y, Z were analyzed for proximate, monosodium glutamate (MSG), and mineral composition. The moisture content of the samples was found to range between 0.99 and 3.01%. Crude protein, crude fat and ash contents were : 9.18-12.87 ; 2.50-3.50 and 54.00-75.00% dry matter (DM) respectively. MSG content ranged between 0.34 and 0.67%. The concentrations of some metals- copper(Cu), zinc(Zn), cadmium(Cd), and lead(Pb) were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and the results revealed that some of these metals were present in some brands but absent in others. Keywords - Minerals, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), Nigeria, Proximate Analysis, Seasonings
Temporal variability of repolarization in rat ventricular myocytes paced with time‐varying frequencies

Adaptation of action potential duration (APD) to pacing cycle length (CL) has been previously characterized in isolated cardiomyocytes for sudden changes in constant CL and for pre‐/postmature stimuli following constant pacing trains. However, random fluctuations characterize both physiological sinus rhythm (up to 10% of mean CL) and intrinsic beat‐to‐beat APD at constant pacing rate. We analysed the beat‐to‐beat sensitivity of each APD to the preceding CL during constant–sudden, random or linearly changing pacing trains in single patch clamped rat left ventricular myocytes, in the absence of the autonomic and electrotonic effects that modulate rate dependency in the intact heart. Beat‐to‐beat variability of APD at −60 mV (APD−60 mV), quantified as s.d. over 10‐beat sequences, increased with corresponding mean APD. When measured as coefficient of variability (CV), APD−60 mV variability was inversely proportional to pacing frequency (from 1.2% at 5 Hz to 3.2% at 0.2 Hz). It was increased, at a basic CL (BCL) of 250 ms, by 55% by the L‐type calcium current (ICaL) blocker nifedipine, and decreased by 23% by the transient‐outward potassium current (Ito) blocker 4‐aminopyridine. Variability of APD at BCL of 250 ms prevented the detection of random changes of CL smaller than ∼5%. Ten per cent random changes in CL were detected as a 40% increase in CV of APD and tended to correlate with it (r= 0.43). Block of ICaL depressed this correlation (r= 0.23), whereas block of Ito significantly increased it (r= 0.67); this was similar with linearly changing CL ramps (ranging ±10% and ±20% of 250 ms). We conclude that beat‐to‐beat APD variability, a major determinant of the propensity for development of arrhythmia in the heart, is present in isolated myocytes, where it is dependent on mean APD and pacing rate. Action potential duration shows a beat‐to‐beat positive correlation with preceding randomly/linearly changing CL, which can be pharmacologically modulated.
[Impact of a non-compulsory antibiotic control program (PACTA): cost reductions and decreases in some nosocomial infections].

BACKGROUND Antibiotics account for 30% of hospital pharmacy expenses. More than 50% of the prescriptions are considered inappropriate; hence, programs devoted to optimizing the prescription of antibiotics should be developed. We present the results of a non-compulsory program for the assessment and control of antibiotic treatment in the University Hospital 12 de Octubre in Madrid. METHODS The program was applied in the hospitalization units of six medical and surgical departments. Treatments in all patients were checked daily and recommendations were made in writing, according to previously established criteria. The program was used for 12 months and the results were compared with those of the previous 12 months. RESULTS 1,280 treatments were reviewed and 524 recommendations were made (80% of them were accepted). There was a 13.82% reduction in the number of defined daily doses of antibiotics/100 inpatient-days. Antibiotic expenditure decreased by 65,352 euros (5,446 euros/month), implying a reduction of 1.21 euros/hospitalization-bed/day. There were no statistically significant differences in length of hospital stay or mortality between the two periods. A reduction in the incidence of Clostridium difficile diarrhea (p < 0.0001) and Candida spp. isolations (p < 0.05) was observed. CONCLUSIONS Following application of a non-compulsory control program, antibiotic prescription improved and expenditure decreased, with no change in length of hospital stay or mortality. There was a reduction in the incidence of some nosocomial infections. Acceptation of the program by the physicians of the departments implicated was favorable.
Short‐term plasticity based network model of place cells dynamics

Rodent hippocampus exhibits strikingly different regimes of population activity in different behavioral states. During locomotion, hippocampal activity oscillates at theta frequency (5–12 Hz) and cells fire at specific locations in the environment, the place fields. As the animal runs through a place field, spikes are emitted at progressively earlier phases of the theta cycles. During immobility, hippocampus exhibits sharp irregular bursts of activity, with occasional rapid orderly activation of place cells expressing a possible trajectory of the animal. The mechanisms underlying this rich repertoire of dynamics are still unclear. We developed a novel recurrent network model that accounts for the observed phenomena. We assume that the network stores a map of the environment in its recurrent connections, which are endowed with short‐term synaptic depression. We show that the network dynamics exhibits two different regimes that are similar to the experimentally observed population activity states in the hippocampus. The operating regime can be solely controlled by external inputs. Our results suggest that short‐term synaptic plasticity is a potential mechanism contributing to shape the population activity in hippocampus. © 2014 The Authors. Hippocampus Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Linking definition of childhood and adolescent obesity to current health outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the ability of body mass index (BMI) and fat location indices to predict clustering of risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders in children and adolescents. METHODS A total of 2 835 children in the 3(rd) (8.2-11.3 years) and 9(th) (14-17.3 years) grade were randomly selected from Denmark, Estonia and Portugal. BMI, waist-circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHt) were evaluated. Children were considered to have clustering of risk factors if >or=3 risk factors were present: high levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, insulin, blood pressure and low levels of aerobic fitness and HDL-C. The diagnostic accuracy for detecting children at risk was evaluated through receiver operating characteristics analyses, performed separately for boys and girls in the four age groups: 8.2-9.5; 9.5-11.3; 14.0-15.5 and 15.5-17.3 years. Cut-offs producing equal sensitivity and specificity and minimizing misclassifications were derived. Children were classified as overweight and obese based on BMI cut-offs producing equal sensitivity and specificity and minimizing misclassifications, respectively. RESULTS The diagnostic accuracy for identifying children at risk, measured by the area under the curve (AUC), of all anthropometric indices were significantly higher than what would be expected by chance (AUC >0.5). BMI cut-offs for overweight had similar sensitivity (58.8% to 75%) and specificity (60% to 71.2%) values, whereas specificity (94.4% to 99.7%) was markedly higher than sensitivity (9.3% to 52.6%) for obesity cut-offs. CONCLUSION BMI, WC and WHt can be used to identify children and adolescents aged 8.2-17.3 years with a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors.
Heart Rate Variability Expressed by Poincaré Plot in Metabolic Syndrome

Heart rate variability, considered as an indicator of autonomic nervous function shows differences between healthy persons and patients with metabolic syndrome. Data from 40 patients with metabolic syndrome and 48 healthy subjects were obtained. Poincare plots and calculated indexes SD1 and SD2 were used to evaluate the differences between heart rate variability in these two groups. The SD1 and SD2 showed lower values during rest in patients with the metabolic syndrome and a smaller decrease of these parameters occurred during the tilt relative to the control group. This change can be expressed by the difference ΔSD1 and ΔSD2 before and during the tilt. In conclusion, the ΔSD1 obtained from a signal measured in tilt in controlled breathing of 20 times per minute may perhaps help to distinguish between healthy persons and patients with the metabolic syndrome if it is correctly used.
[Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist protocol in patients with risk of poor response to ovarian stimulation in IVF-ET].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the application of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-ant) in patients with risk of poor response to controlled ovarian stimulation in IVF-ET. METHODS Clinical data of 48 patients undergoing IVF with or without ICSI were retrospectively analyzed. Among them 24 patients were allocated to the GnRH-ant protocol and 24 to the long gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) protocol. The duration of down-regulation, duration of stimulation, amps of gonadotropin estradiol level on hCG day, number of oocytes retrieved, fertilization rate, total embryos obtained, high quality embryo obtained, embryos transferred, embryos frozen, implantation rate per transfer, clinical pregnancy rate per transfer, embryo survival rate, clinical pregnancy rate per frozen embryos transfer and per cycle were compared between two groups. RESULT The duration of down-regulation, duration of stimulation, the amps of gonadotropin were significantly lower in the antagonist group than those in agonist group (P <0.001, <0.05, <0.05), the estradiol level on hCG day, the number of oocytes retrieved were significantly lower in the antagonist group than those in the agonist group (P<0.05, <0.05). No significant differences were noted in fertilization rate, total embryos obtained, high quality embryo obtained, embryos transferred, embryos frozen, implantation rate per transfer, clinical pregnancy rate per transfer, embryo survival rate, clinical pregnancy rate per frozen embryos transfer and per cycle. CONCLUSION Compared with long GnRH-a protocol, the GnRH-ant protocol in patients with risk of poor response can reduce the dosage of gonadotropin and shorten the duration of stimulation, although the estradiol level on hCG day and the number of oocytes retrieved are lower, which does not affect the implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate.
What shapes the galaxy mass function? Exploring the roles of supernova-driven winds and active galactic nuclei

The observed stellar mass function (SMF) is very different to the halo mass function predicted by Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM), and it is widely accepted that this is due to energy feedback from supernovae and black holes. However, the strength and form of this feedback is not understood. In this paper, we use the phenomenological model galform to explore how galaxy formation depends on the strength and halo mass dependence of feedback. We focus on 'expulsion' models in which the wind mass loading, β, is proportional to 1/v^n_(disc), with n= 0, 1, 2 and contrast these models with the successful Bower et al. model (B8W7), for which β α 1/v^(3.2)_(disc). A crucial development is that our code explicitly accounts for the recapture of expelled gas as the system’s halo mass (and thus gravitational potential) increases. While models with high wind speed and mass loading result in a poor match to the observed SMF, a model with slower wind speed matches the flat portion of the SMF at M_★∼ 10^9–10^(11) h^(−1) M_⊙. When combined with active galactic nucleus feedback, the model provides a good description of the observed SMF above 10^9 h^(−1) M_⊙. In order to explore the impact of different feedback schemes further, we examine how the expulsion models compare with a further range of observational data, contrasting the results with the B8W7 model. In the expulsion models, the brightest galaxies are assembled more recently, and the specific star formation rates of galaxies decrease strongly with decreasing stellar mass. The expulsion models tend to have a cosmic star formation density that is dominated by lower mass galaxies at z= 1–3, and dominated by high-mass galaxies at low redshift. These trends are in conflict with observational data, but the comparison highlights some deficiencies of the B8W7 model also. The experiments in this paper not only give us important physical insight into the impact of the feedback process on the formation histories of galaxies, but the strong mass dependence of feedback adopted in B8W7 still appears to provide the most promising description of the observed Universe.
Fetal peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferative responses to mitogenic and allergenic stimuli during gestation

Blood samples were obtained from fetuses and premature babies (n=51) (15‐34 weeks gestation) to determine at what stage the fetal immune system was able to produce a positive proliferative response to common allergens. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PB MC) were stimulated with the mitogen, phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), and the allergens, house dust mite, cat fur. birch tree pollen, β‐lactoglobulin, ovalbumin and bee venom (mellitin). Results were expressed as ratios of stimulated to unstimulated 3H thymidine incorporation, and as percent positive responders. There was an increase in proliferation ratio which correlated with increasing gestational age for PHA (p < 0.0001), cat fur (p=0.042), birch pollen (p=0.022) and β‐lactoglobulin (p=0, 006). The point in gestation when cells from some individuals began responding to the allergens with a ratio of 2. 0 was at approximately 22 weeks. PBMC proliferative response ratios were higher from samples from babies > 22 weeks gestation compared to < 22 weeks for the mitogen and all allergens, except mellitin. There was also a greater proportion of positive responders from samples > 22 weeks compared to < 22 weeks for the mitogen and all allergens, except mellitin. Maternal exposure to birch pollen, which has a discrete season, was assessed to determine whether exposure had occurred at 22 weeks gestation or beyond. Results showed a higher prolifera tive response in infant cells stimulated with birch pollen (p=0.005) and higher proportion of positive responders (p=0.01) in the group of babies whose mothers had been exposed to hirch pollen beyond 22 weeks, compared to those whose mothers had not been so exposed. These results suggest that in utero fetal exposure to an allergen from around 22 weeks gestation may result in primary sensitisation to that allergen, leading to positive proliferative responses, at birth.
Prevalence and clinical features of heterotopic gastric mucosa in the upper oesophagus (inlet patch)

Aim To determine the prevalence of heterotopic gastric mucosa in the upper oesophagus (inlet patch) and the factors that may influence its finding. To study its macroscopic and microscopic characteristics and its relationship with symptoms and oesophago‐gastroduodenal diseases. Patients and methods The study was carried out in two different prospective series of consecutive patients undergoing oesophagogastroduodenoscopy. The first 791 patients were examined by one medical practitioner who was aware of the existence of inlet patch entity and aimed to evaluate the prevalence of inlet patch. The second series of 687 patients was examined by another investigator who was aware of the existence of inlet patch entity and who was requested to refer all patients with inlet patch, but he was unaware of the existence of a study aimed at evaluating the prevalence of inlet patch. The heterotopic gastric mucosal patches identified in the upper oesophagus were photographed, biopsied and analysed according to the Sydney system score. Results The presence of an inlet patch was found in 0.29% (operator unaware) and 2.27% (operator aware) of prospectively evaluated patients. Inlet patches appeared as single areas in 12 patients, as twin areas in five, and as multiple areas in one patient. Their diameters ranged approximately from 3 to 25 mm. The average age of the patients (13 men) was 52.5 ± 16.8 years. Five patients had an active or healed peptic ulcer and only one patient had reflux oesophagitis. Dysphagia or throat discomfort/ heartburn represented the symptoms leading to upper endoscopy in only one patient. Six of seven patients with Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach also presented the infection in the heterotopic gastric mucosa. Conclusion Heterotopic gastric mucosa in the upper oesophagus is not a rare condition. The frequency with which this condition is found during routine endoscopic examination is likely due to the reduced awareness of the examiner. The presence of inlet patches is scarcely correlated with specific symptoms and the patches are often infected by H. pylori, in patients with H. pylori positive gastritis. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol 12:745‐749
Regulation of Osteoclast Differentiation

Abstract: The osteoclast (OCL) is derived from the cells in monocyte‐macrophage lineage. The earliest identifiable OCL precursor is the granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐forming unit (CFU‐GM), which gives rise to granulocytes, monocytes, and OCL. CFU‐GM–derived cells then differentiate to committed OCL precursors, which are post‐mitotic cells, and fuse to form multinucleated OCL. A variety of factors both positively and negatively regulate OCL formation and activity. These include growth factors, such as macrophage colony‐simulating factor, which simulates the proliferation and prevents apoptosis of early OCL precursors, and RANK ligand (RANKL), which is the primary mediator of OCL formation. Most factors that induce OCL differentiation, such as PTHrP, IL‐11, and prostaglandins, do so by inducing expression of RANKL on the surface of immature osteoblasts. Osteoprotegerin is a decoy receptor that blocks RANKL activity. In addition, OCL produce autocrine‐paracrine factors that regulate OCL formation, such as IL‐6, which is produced at high levels by OCL in Paget's disease and increases OCL formation. We screened human and murine OCL cDNA libraries to identify autocrine‐paracrine factors that regulate OCL activity. We identified annexin‐II, MIP‐1α, ADAM8, eosinophil chemotactic factor, and OCL inhibitor factors 1 and 2 as factors involved in OCL formation. Most recently, we have identified the receptor for ADAM8, α9β1 integrin, which appears to be critical for normal OCL activity. OCL differentiation is controlled by exogenous hormones and cytokines as well as autocrine‐paracrine factors that positively or negatively regulate OCL proliferation and differentiation.
A novel haplotype with the R345W mutation in the EFEMP1 gene associated with autosomal dominant drusen in a Japanese family.

PURPOSE To describe ophthalmic and molecular genetic findings in a family of Japanese patients with Malattia leventinese (ML)/Doyne honeycomb retinal dystrophy (DHRD), also known as autosomal dominant drusen. METHODS Four patients with ML/DHRD, including a 42-year-old female proband, were ascertained. The proband underwent complete ophthalmic examinations, including fundus and electrodiagnostic investigations, and Humphrey visual field (VF) perimetry. Mutation screening of the EFEMP1 gene and haplotype analysis were performed in the family, an Indian ML/DHRD family, and a branch of 1 of 39 ML/DHRD families in the United States, in which all affected patients shared a common haplotype. RESULTS A heterozygous missense mutation (p.R345W) was identified in all four Japanese patients and in affected patients of the other two families. This mutation was the only mutation that has been exclusively found in the gene. The disease haplotype in the Japanese family was different from those of the other two families. Clinically, central retinas were prominently affected in the proband and her mother, and subsequently the proband developed subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in the left eye, whereas her younger sister with the mutation, who was asymptomatic, exhibited only fine macular drusen. Long-term follow-up of Humphrey VF and multifocal-electroretinography (mfERG) in the proband also revealed progressive attenuation of macular function in the right eye. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report to describe a Japanese family with variable expressivity of ML/DHRD, in which a novel disease haplotype was identified. Humphrey VF and mfERG testing may be helpful in determining the long-term outcome of macular function.
Correlation between contractile strength and myosin heavy chain isoform composition in human skeletal muscle.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between myosin heavy chain (MHC) composition and maximal contraction strength of the human quadriceps femoris muscle. METHODS Muscle biopsies were obtained from m. vastus lateralis in your highly physical active males (N = 7). The MHC composition of muscle homogenates was determined by electrophoresis techniques (SDS-PAGE). Isokinetic peak torque and constant-angle torque (50 degrees knee flexion) were obtained during slow (30 degrees.s-1), medium (120 degrees.s-1), and fast (240 degrees.s-1) maximal concentric and eccentric quadriceps contractions and expressed relative to muscle volume. RESULTS The percentage of MHC II in the quadriceps muscle was positively correlated (rs = 0.61-0.93; P < 0.05-0.01) to maximal concentric quadriceps strength obtained at medium to high knee angular velocity. In contrast, no consistent pattern of correlation was observed for maximal eccentric quadriceps strength. CONCLUSIONS The relationship observed between muscular MHC composition and maximal contractile strength is suggested to appear as a consequence of MHC -related differences in contractile force-velocity characteristics and/or contractile Rate of Force Development (RFD).