Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Leukocyte Count and Incidence of Hospitalizations Due to Heart Failure

Background—Leukocyte concentration in blood is a classical marker of systemic inflammation. Whether high leukocyte counts are associated with incidence of heart failure (HF) is unknown. This population-based study explored whether the leukocyte concentrations were associated with incidence of hospitalizations due to HF. Methods and results—Leukocyte counts were measured in 16 940 men from the general population (mean age 44 years) without history of myocardial infarction or stroke. Incidence of hospitalizations due to HF (primary diagnosis) was monitored over 23 years of follow-up, in relation to quartiles of leukocytes. Subjects with myocardial infarction during follow-up were censored in the main analysis. During the follow-up, 436 men were hospitalized due to HF. Incidence of HF hospitalizations was increased in men with high leukocyte counts. After adjustments for confounding factors, the adjusted hazards ratio (HR, 95% CI) for HF hospitalization was 1.00 (reference), 1.26 (0.93 to 1.7), 1.24 (0.91 to 1.7), and 1.73 (1.3 to 2.3), respectively, for men with leukocytes in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th (highest) quartiles (trend, P<0.001). This relationship was consistent in smokers and nonsmokers and in men with and without hypertension, respectively. Conclusion—High leukocyte counts in middle-aged men were associated with increased long-term incidence of HF hospitalizations.
Quantitative and qualitative changes of humus in whole soils and their particle size fractions as influenced by different levels of compost application

Effect of long-term application (ca. 30 years) of compost at different levels on humus composi-tion of whole soils and their particle size frac-tions in a field subjected mainly to double cropping (barley and paddy rice) was investi-gated. Soil samples were collected from three plots of different types of management: (a) F plot, only chemical fertilizers containing N, P and K were applied; (b) F+LC plot, both chemi-cal fertilizers and a low level of compost were applied; (c) F+HC plot, both chemical fertilizers and a high level of compost were applied (the amount of compost applied in the F+HC plot was three times larger than that applied in the F+LC plot). Each soil sample was divided into coarse sand- (CSA), medium sand-(MSA) and fine sand-(FSA) sized aggregate, silt-sized ag-gregate (SIA) and clay-sized aggregate (CLA) fractions by wet-sieving and sedimentation. In addition, the CSA and MSA fractions were sub-divided into “mineral particles” (MP) and “de-cayed plants” (DP) by a density fractionation. Humus composition was influenced depending upon the level of compost applied. The applica-tion induced an increase in the amounts of total humus (TH), humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) in the whole soil and many size fractions, par-ticularly, SIA fraction. The increase was re-markable in the F+HC plot. In the CSA and MSA fractions, the amounts of TH, HA and FA were much larger in the CSA- and MSA-DP fractions than in the CSA- and MSA-MP fractions. The amounts of TH, HA and FA in the SIA fraction were larger than those in the CLA fraction for the F+HC and F+LC plots, and the reverse was true for the F plot. On the other hand, the de-grees of humification of humic acids in whole soils and many size fractions, particularly SIA fraction, decreased by compost application. The decrease was markedly in the F+HC plot. These findings suggest that the SIA fraction play an important role in the quantitative and qualitative changes of humus, including HA and FA, as in-fluenced by a long-term compost application.
Broad and Potent Neutralizing Antibody Responses Elicited in Natural HIV-2 Infection

ABSTRACT Compared with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), little is known about the susceptibility of HIV-2 to antibody neutralization. We characterized the potency and breadth of neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses in 64 subjects chronically infected with HIV-2 against three primary HIV-2 strains: HIV-27312A, HIV-2ST, and HIV-2UC1. Surprisingly, we observed in a single-cycle JC53bl-13/TZM-bl virus entry assay median reciprocal 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) NAb titers of 1.7 × 105, 2.8 × 104, and 3.3 × 104, respectively. A subset of 5 patient plasma samples tested against a larger panel of 17 HIV-2 strains where the extracellular gp160 domain was substituted into the HIV-27312A proviral backbone showed potent neutralization of all but 4 viruses. The specificity of antibody neutralization was confirmed using IgG purified from patient plasma, HIV-2 Envs cloned by single-genome amplification, viruses grown in human CD4+ T cells and tested for neutralization sensitivity on human CD4+ T target cells, and, as negative controls, env-minus viruses pseudotyped with HIV-1, vesicular stomatitis virus, or murine leukemia virus Env glycoproteins. Human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for HIV-2 V3 (6.10F), V4 (1.7A), CD4 binding site (CD4bs; 6.10B), CD4 induced (CD4i; 1.4H), and membrane-proximal external region (MPER; 4E10) epitopes potently neutralized the majority of 32 HIV-2 strains bearing Envs from 13 subjects. Patient antibodies competed with V3, V4, and CD4bs MAbs for binding to monomeric HIV-2 gp120 at titers that correlated significantly with NAb titers. HIV-2 MPER antibodies did not contribute to neutralization breadth or potency. These findings indicate that HIV-2 Env is highly immunogenic in natural infection, that high-titer broadly neutralizing antibodies are commonly elicited, and that unlike HIV-1, native HIV-2 Env trimers expose multiple broadly cross-reactive epitopes readily accessible to NAbs.
Cyclic AMP-Mediated Suppression of Neutrophil Extracellular Trap Formation and Apoptosis by the Bordetella pertussis Adenylate Cyclase Toxin

ABSTRACT The adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT) of Bordetella pertussis intoxicates target cells by generating supraphysiologic levels of intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP). Since ACT kills macrophages rapidly and potently, we asked whether ACT would also kill neutrophils. In fact, ACT prolongs the neutrophil life span by inhibiting constitutive apoptosis and preventing apoptosis induced by exposure to live B. pertussis. Imaging of B. pertussis-exposed neutrophils revealed that B. pertussis lacking ACT induces formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), whereas wild-type B. pertussis does not, suggesting that ACT suppresses NET formation. Indeed, ACT inhibits formation of NETs by generating cAMP and consequently inhibiting the oxidative burst. Convalescent-phase serum from humans following clinical pertussis blocks the ACT-mediated suppression of NET formation. These studies provide novel insight into the phagocyte impotence caused by ACT, which not only impairs neutrophil function but also inhibits death of neutrophils by apoptosis and NETosis.
Six Genes Expressed in Bones and Teeth Encode the Current Members of the SIBLING Family of Proteins

Bone sialoprotein (BSP), dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1), dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), enamelin (ENAM), matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (MEPE), and osteopontin (OPN) are glycophosphoproteins expressed in bones and/or teeth. Direct comparison of their amino acid sequences do not suggest that they belong to a single genetic family, but a detailed analysis of their chromosomal location and gene structure does. Analysis of human brain mRNA by RT-PCR has led to the discovery of two additional exons thereby making it more convincing that MEPE is a member of the SIBLING (Small Integrin-Binding LIgand, N-linked Glycoprotein) family. We propose that the members of this SIBLING family are extended, flexible proteins in solution that can facilitate the formation of a number of different complexes. For example, OPN can bridge complement Factor H to either an RGD-dependent integrin or to CD44 forming a membrane-bound complex that actively suppresses the alternate complement pathway. Two possible mechanisms for inhibiting the lytic pathway of alternate complement are presented.
Determination of selected acute phase proteins during the treatment of limb diseases in dairy cows

The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of fibrinogen, haptoglobin, and serum amyloid A determination in the monitoring of the treatment of limb diseases in dairy cows. Fourteen lame cows were examined, while 10 clinically healthy cows constituted the control group. Blood samples from the ill animals were collected on three occasions: (1) upon arrival at the clinic, (2) between the third and sixth day after arriv - ing, and (3) upon return to the owner. Blood samples from the control cows were collected once. Plasma levels of fibrinogen, haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, and total serum protein and its fractions (albumin, α-, β-, γ-globulins) were measured. Significantly higher fibrinogen, haptoglobin, and serum amyloid A levels were observed in the affected cows upon arrival at the clinic than in the control cows. Based on the changes in fibrinogen, haptoglobin, and serum amyloid A concentrations, the cows were divided into those with a systematic decrease in acute-phase protein levels during treatment (Group I, n = 6) and those which showed an increase in one or more acute-phase proteins despite treatment (Group II, n = 8). A st epwise decrease in the examined acute-phase proteins was observed in the first group and indicated an uncomplicated course of treatment; however, treatment of the second group did not appear to be wholly successful. A majority of the cows under treatment ( n = 13) exhibited abnormal levels of the examined acute-phase proteins upon return to the owner. This indicates that these patients did not recover completely. The monitoring of plasma acute-phase protein concentrations can be a valuable complement to the clinical assessment of the treatment course and in the early detection of disease complications.
Respiratory symptoms of primary school children living in a petrochemical polluted area in Taiwan

In 1994–1995 a cross‐sectional epidemiological study investigating the respiratory health of school children in two Taiwan areas was conducted; one area was located in a region with petrochemical manufacturing complexes (Linyuan), and the other was situated in a reference area with no local industrial emissions (Taihsi). All primary school children residing in the two areas were involved in the study. Four hundred seventy children were studied in the area with high exposure to industrial emissions, and 611 children lived in the reference area. Respiratory health was assessed by evaluation of the children's respiratory symptoms and illnesses, using a parent‐completed questionnaire.
Neprilysin participates in skeletal muscle regeneration and is accumulated in abnormal muscle fibres of inclusion body myositis

Neprilysin (NEP, EP24.11), a metallopeptidase originally shown to modulate signalling events by degrading small regulatory peptides, is also an amyloid‐β‐ (Aβ) degrading enzyme. We investigated a possible role of NEP in inclusion body myositis (IBM) and other acquired and hereditary muscle disorders and found that in all myopathies NEP expression was directly associated with the degree of muscle fibre regeneration. In IBM muscle, NEP protein was also strongly accumulated in Aβ‐bearing abnormal fibres. In vitro, during the experimental differentiation of myoblasts, NEP protein expression was regulated at the post‐transcriptional level with a rapid increase in the early stage of myoblast differentiation followed by a gradual reduction thereafter, coincident with the progression of the myogenic programme. Treatment of differentiating muscle cells with the NEP inhibitor dl‐3‐mercapto‐2‐benzylpropanoylglycine resulted in impaired differentiation that was mainly associated with an abnormal regulation of Akt activation. Therefore, NEP may play an important role during muscle cell differentiation, possibly through the regulation, either directly or indirectly, of the insulin‐like growth factor I‐driven myogenic programme. In IBM muscle increased NEP may be instrumental in (i) reducing the Aβ accumulation in vulnerable fibres and (ii) promoting a repair/regenerative attempt of muscle fibres possibly through the modulation of insulin‐like growth factor I‐dependent pathways.
Prevalence of human papillomavirus and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in China: A pooled analysis of 17 population‐based studies

High‐risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence has been shown to correlate well with cervical cancer incidence rates. Our study aimed to estimate the prevalence of HR‐HPV and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in China and indirectly informs on the cervical cancer burden in the country. A total of 30,207 women from 17 population‐based studies throughout China were included. All women received HPV DNA testing (HC2, Qiagen, Gaithersburg, MD), visual inspection with acetic acid and liquid‐based cytology. Women positive for any test received colposcopy‐directed or four‐quadrant biopsies. A total of 29,579 women had HR‐HPV testing results, of whom 28,761 had biopsy confirmed (9,019, 31.4%) or assumed (19,742, 68.6%) final diagnosis. Overall crude HR‐HPV prevalence was 17.7%. HR‐HPV prevalence was similar in rural and urban areas but showed dips in different age groups: at age 25–29 (11.3%) in rural and at age 35–39 (11.3%) in urban women. In rural and urban women, age‐standardized CIN2 prevalence was 1.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4–1.6%] and 0.7% (95% CI: 0.7–0.8%) and CIN3+ prevalence was 1.2% (95% CI: 1.2–1.3%) and 0.6% (95% CI: 0.5–0.7%), respectively. Prevalence of CIN3+ as a percentage of either all women or HR‐HPV‐positive women steadily increased with age, peaking in 45‐ to 49‐year‐old women. High prevalence of HR‐HPV and CIN3+ was detected in both rural and urban China. The steady rise of CIN3+ up to the age group of 45–49 is attributable to lack of lesion removal through screening. Our findings document the inadequacy of current screening in China while indirectly raising the possibility that the cervical cancer burden in China is underreported.
Radiation dosimetry in patients and physicians during percutaneous coronary angioplasty in Recife, Pernambuco, *

Objective: The present study was aimed at estimating the values of radiation doses received by physicians and patients during interventional cardiology procedures performed at a public hospital in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Materials and Methods: Measurements were made in two cardiologists with more than ten years of experience and in 31 adult patients, with 22 of them being clinically followed-up after the procedure. The individual irradiation parameters were documented. Results: The values for maximum patients skin dose ranged between 612 and 8,642 mGy, achieving more than 2,000 mGy in 53% of the patients; such dose values may cause deterministic effects. As regards the physicians, the mean effective dose per procedure was 11 µ Sv, and the highest mean equivalent doses in the limbs were 923 µ Sv in the left foot, 514 µ Sv in the right foot, 382 µ Sv in the left hand, and 150 µ Sv in the left eye. Depending on the number of procedures, the doses received by the physician may exceed the dose limits established by the Brazilian and international standards. Conclusion: The obtained results indicate the necessity of adopting strategies for optimizing the radiological protection for both patients and physicians. e pacientes em procedimentos intervencionistas cardíacos realizados em um hospital público na cidade de Recife, Pernambuco. Materiais e Métodos: As medidas foram determinadas em 31 pacientes adultos, dos quais 22 tiveram acompanha-mento clínico após o procedimento, e em dois cardiologistas com mais de dez anos de experiência. Parâmetros de irradiação para cada procedimento foram registrados. Resultados: Os valores obtidos para a dose absorvida máxima na pele do paciente variaram entre 612 e 8.642 mGy, sendo que 53% foram maiores que 2.000 mGy, valores estes que podem causar efeitos determinísticos. Com relação aos médicos, a dose efetiva média por procedimento foi de 11 µ Sv e os valores médios do equivalente de dose nas extremidades, mais altos, foram: 923 µ Sv no pé esquerdo, 514 µ Sv no pé direito, 382 µ Sv na mão esquerda e 150 µ Sv no olho esquerdo. Dependendo do número de procedimentos, as doses recebidas pelos médicos podem exceder os valores limites de doses estabelecidos pelas normas nacionais e internacionais. Conclusão: Os resultados obtidos sinalizam a necessidade de adoção de estratégias para otimização da proteção radiológica tanto de pacientes quanto de médicos. Abstract
Sorcery, Illness, and Social Control in a Philippine Municipality (Abridged)

Les croyances a la sorcellerie et a son role dans l'etiologie des maladies, la representation collective des maladies et les syndromes culturels, les rites therapeutiques et l'origine sociale du stress associe aux cas de sorcellerie a Negros, Iles Visayan, Philippines.
High-temperature effects on device performance of a junctionless transistor

This paper presents the effects of high-temperature on the major digital and analog performance parameters of a 20-nm channel length n-type symmetric double-gate junctionless transistor (DGJLT) with the help of extensive device simulations. The characteristics are compared with conventional inversion mode counterpart i.e., double-gate transistor (DGMOS) of same dimension. It is found that the ON-state current increases very marginally with increase in temperature for DGJLT unlike DGMOS in which it decreases. The drain current with respect to drain voltage increases negligibly with increase in temperature for DGJLT, whereas it decreases for DGMOS. Intrinsic gain is almost independent of temperature at higher gate voltage (> 0.6 V) for DGJLT.
Child Maltreatment and Migration

Background: Prevalence rates of child maltreatment (CM) can differ substantially between countries and ethnicities. Reasons, however, are complex and not sufficiently understood. Method: This epidemiological study examined prevalence and risk factors of various types of CM in a population-based representative sample of native and immigrant adolescents in Switzerland (N = 6,787). Results: The prevalence of CM in general was lowest in the native group, higher in the Western immigrant group, and highest in the non-Western immigrant groups. An immigrant background was related to an overrepresentation of several risk factors for CM. Adjusted odds ratio of an immigrant background were still significant for physical and emotional abuse but not for neglect and sexual assault. Conclusions: Differences in the prevalence of CM across ethnographic origins are at least partially related to socioeconomic and ecologic risk factors. The distribution of risk factors may vary depending on the contexts of migration.
Endocrinal complications associated with the treatment of patients with congenital cardiac disease: consensus definitions from the Multi-Societal Database Committee for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract A complication is an event or occurrence that is associated with a disease or a healthcare intervention, is a departure from the desired course of events, and may cause, or be associated with, suboptimal outcome. A complication does not necessarily represent a breech in the standard of care that constitutes medical negligence or medical malpractice. An operative or procedural complication is any complication, regardless of cause, occurring (1) within 30 days after surgery or intervention in or out of the hospital, or (2) after 30 days during the same hospitalization subsequent to the operation or intervention. Operative and procedural complications include both intraoperative/intraprocedural complications and postoperative/postprocedural complications in this time interval. The MultiSocietal Database Committee for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease has set forth a comprehensive list of complications associated with the treatment of patients with congenital cardiac disease, related to cardiac, pulmonary, renal, haematological, infectious, neurological, gastrointestinal, and endocrinal systems, as well as those related to the management of anaesthesia and perfusion, and the transplantation of thoracic organs. The objective of this manuscript is to examine the definitions of operative morbidity as they relate specifically to the endocrine system. These specific definitions and terms will be used to track morbidity associated with surgical and transcatheter interventions and other forms of therapy in a common language across many separate databases. As surgical survival in children with congenital cardiac disease has improved in recent years, focus has necessarily shifted to reducing the morbidity of congenital cardiac malformations and their treatment. A comprehensive list of endocrinal complications is presented. This list is a component of a systems-based compendium of complications that will standardize terminology and thereby allow the study and quantification of morbidity in patients with congenital cardiac malformations. Clinicians caring for patients with congenital cardiac disease will be able to use this list for databases, initiatives to improve quality, reporting of complications, and comparing strategies of treatment.
High conductivity in Si-doped GaN wires

Temperature-dependent resistivity measurements have been performed on single Si-doped GaN microwires grown by catalyst-free metal-organic vapour phase epitaxy. Metal-like conduction is observed from four-probe measurements without any temperature dependence between 10 K and 300 K. Radius-dependent resistivity measurements yield resistivity values as low as 0.37 mΩ cm. This is in agreement with the full width at half maximum (170 meV) of the near band edge luminescence obtained from low temperature cathodoluminescence study. Higher dopant incorporation during wire growth as compared to conventional epitaxial planar case is suggested to be responsible for the unique conductivity.
Fatigue Response of Lumbar Intervertebral Joints Under Axial Cyclic Loading

A low-cycle fatigue of 11 lumbar intervertebral joints under axial compression is reported. The magnitude of the maximum compressive load ranged from 37 to 80% of the failure load. The maximum deformation, as a function of the number of cycles, showed two distinct results: one group showed a gradual, stable increase, and the other an abrupt, unstable increase. The before- and after- test radiographs showed a one-to-one correspondence between unstable specimens and generalized bony failure. The radiographs of 5-mm thick transverse endplate slices show crack propagation from the periphery of the subchondral bone inward. Removal of the organic matrix from the cracked specimens produced its physical disintegration into small particles, while normal controls and stable specimens retained their size and shape.