Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Paraoxonase 1 Gln/Arg polymorphism is associated with the risk of microangiopathy in Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AIMS To investigate possible associations between diabetic microangiopathy and genetic polymorphisms in factors relevant to arterial thrombosis. METHODS We conducted a case-control study on a total of 280 patients with Type 2 diabetes, comparing those without retinopathy or nephropathy (n = 92) and those with microangiopathies (n = 188), for the association of polymorphisms in four candidate genes, paraoxonase 1 (PON1), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, fibrinogen, and platelet glycoprotein Ibalpha. RESULTS There were no differences between the two study groups in gender distribution, age at diagnosis of diabetes (47.9 +/- 8.4 and 49.0 +/- 11.4 years, respectively), or duration of diabetes (14.9 +/- 4.5 and 14.5 +/- 8.4 years, respectively). Among the gene polymorphisms tested, the 192Gln/Arg polymorphism of PON1 was associated with the prevalence of retinopathy [odds ratio (OR) = 3.13, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.42-6.89, P = 0.0046, Gln/Gln vs. Gln/Arg and Arg/Arg]. This polymorphism was also associated with nephropathy (OR = 3.01, 95% CI = 1.30-6.98, P = 0.0103). There were no differences between the three PON1 genotypes (Gln/Gln, Gln/Arg, and Arg/Arg) with regard to the present disease status. Logistic regression analysis for the adjustment of other risk factors revealed that genotypes with PON1 192Arg were an independent predictor of retinopathy. No associations were found between microangiopathies and the other polymorphisms evaluated (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, fibrinogen, and platelet glycoprotein Ibalpha). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that the presence of the 192Arg-allele in the PON1 gene is a genetic risk factor for microangiopathy in Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Is ultrasonography essential before surgery in eyes with advanced cataracts?

BACKGROUND Ultrasonography is an important tool for evaluating the posterior segment in eyes with opaque media. AIM To study the incidence of posterior segment pathology in eyes with advanced cataract and to see whether certain features could be used as predictors for an abnormal posterior segment on ultrasound. SETTING Tertiary care hospital in South India. METHODS AND MATERIALS In this prospective study conducted over a 6-month period, all eyes with dense cataracts precluding visualization of fundus underwent assessment with ultrasound. Presence of certain patient and ocular "risk" factors believed to be associated with a higher incidence of abnormal posterior segment on ultrasound were looked for and the odds ratio (OR) for posterior segment pathology in these eyes was calculated. RESULTS Of the 418 eyes assessed, 36 eyes (8.6%) had evidence of posterior segment pathology on ultrasound. Retinal detachment (17 eyes; 4.1%) was the most frequent abnormality detected. Among patient features, diabetes mellitus (OR= 4.9, P= 0.003) and age below 50 years (OR= 15.4, P= 0.001) were associated with a high incidence of abnormal ultrasound scans. In ocular features, posterior synechiae (OR= 20.2, P= 0.000), iris coloboma (OR= 34.6, P= 0.000), inaccurate projection of rays (OR= 15.1, P= 0.002), elevated intraocular pressure (OR= 15.1, P= 0.004) and keratic precipitates (OR= 22.4, P= 0.004) were associated with high incidence of posterior segment pathology. Only four eyes (1.5%) without these features had abnormal posterior segment on ultrasonography. CONCLUSIONS Certain patient and ocular features are indicative of a high risk for posterior segment pathology and such patients should be evaluated by ultrasonography prior to cataract surgery. In the absence of these risk factors, the likelihood of detecting abnormalities on preoperative ultrasonography in eyes with advanced cataracts is miniscule.
Cerebrospinal fluid levels of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) are increased in patients with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus

Objectives: A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) and B-cell activation factor (BAFF) are B-cell stimulation and survival molecules. We have investigated whether APRIL and/or BAFF activity is enhanced in the systemic and/or intrathechal compartment of patients with neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). In particular, the association between fatigue and APRIL/BAFF activity was investigated. Methods: Twenty-eight NPSLE patients were evaluated clinically, with sampling of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CSF and blood samples from 13 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 17 patients with other neurological diseases (OND) were used as controls. Protein levels of BAFF and APRIL were quantified in CSF and plasma, mRNA expression levels of BAFF and APRIL were determined in peripheral blood (PBMC) and CSF mononuclear cells (CSF-MC). The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) was used to quantify the degree of fatigue. Results: NPSLE patients had higher levels of APRIL in CSF as compared to OND (p < 0.01). No corresponding increase in APRIL mRNA levels was detected in CSF-MC. BAFF levels in plasma were higher in NPSLE than in OND (p < 0.001). BAFF mRNA expression in PBMC was also higher in NPSLE patients than in controls (p < 0.05). FSS scores in patients with NPSLE correlated significantly with APRIL levels in CSF. Conclusions: Protein levels of APRIL in CSF were increased in NPSLE as compared to OND. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between CSF APRIL levels and fatigue. Our results suggest that APRIL and possibly also BAFF may be involved in the pathogenesis of NPSLE and in SLE-related fatigue.
Can an Energy Futures Index Predict US Stock Market Index Movements

This paper investigates if an energy futures conditions index (EFCI) can predict movements of US major stock market indices. While various financial conditions indices provide information about the financial stress of a country, the existence of an energy conditions index, using futures markets, is scarce. Using weekly data over 1992-2017, this paper proposes an energy futures index using principal component analysis and test its predictability. The EFCI captures 95% of the variability inherent in the crude oil, heating oil and natural gas futures total reportable positions. Stability in forecast errors over different lags suggests one week lag is sufficient in forecasting weekly Nasdaq Composite Index, Nasdaq 100 and Russell 3000 values. 95% prediction levels support that the estimated model captures all actual market indices values, except for the 2000 technology bubble. The inability of the energy futures index in predicting stock market indices during the 2000 bubble can be explained by the poor sensitivity of energy futures to this specific event. Distributions were non-normal, not serially correlated and homoscedastic under the whole sample period, with diagnostics on pre and post technology bubble crisis showing mixed results.
Bacterial leakage in root canals filled with resin-based and mineral trioxide aggregate-based sealers

Background: Sealing ability is one of the most important features of endodontic sealers. The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the sealing ability of a resin-based sealer with a mineral trioxide aggregate-based sealer. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 single-rooted extracted human teeth were randomly divided into two experimental groups (n = 25) and two control groups (n = 5). After canal preparation and smear layer removal, both groups were obturated with gutta-percha and sealer. Resin-based AH26 sealer was used in the first group and Fillapex® sealer in the second group. Two layers of nail varnish were applied on tooth surfaces except for the apical 2 mm. In the negative control group, nail varnish was applied on the entire surface. The teeth were mounted according to Lima et al. study and then sterilized by ethylene oxide gas. The samples were evaluated for bacterial microleakage using Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) for 90 days. Data were analyzed by survival test (P < 0.05). Results: Control groups had either immediate leakage or no leakage. The Fillapex® showed significantly higher amounts of microleakage compared with AH26 sealer (P < 0.05) and both groups exhibited significant differences in comparison with control groups. Conclusion: Both sealers had bacterial leakage. Sealing ability of AH26 was significantly higher than that of Fillapex®.
Similarities in the neural signature for the processing of behaviorally categorized and uncategorized speech sounds

Recent human behavioral studies have shown semantic and/or lexical processing for stimuli presented below the auditory perception threshold. Here, we investigated electroencephalographic responses to words, pseudo‐words and complex sounds, in conditions where phonological and lexical categorizations were behaviorally successful (categorized stimuli) or unsuccessful (uncategorized stimuli). Data showed a greater decrease in low‐beta power at left‐hemisphere temporal electrodes for categorized non‐lexical sounds (complex sounds and pseudo‐words) than for categorized lexical sounds (words), consistent with the signature of a failure in lexical access. Similar differences between lexical and non‐lexical sounds were observed for uncategorized stimuli, although these stimuli did not yield evoked potentials or theta activity. The results of the present study suggest that behaviorally uncategorized stimuli were processed at the lexical level, and provide evidence of the neural bases of the results observed in previous behavioral studies investigating auditory perception in the absence of stimulus awareness.
Morphology and spatial distribution of GABAergic neurons in cat primary auditory cortex (AI)

This is a survey of the distribution, form, and proportion of neurons immunoreactive for gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) or glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) in cat primary auditory cortex (AI). The cells were studied in adult animals and were classified with respect to their somatic size, shape, and laminar location, and with regard to the origins and branching pattern of their dendrites. These attributes were used to relate each of the GAD‐positive neuronal types to their counterparts in Golgi preparations.
Evaluation of biomarkers of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity in the cord blood of preterm low birth weight neonates

Objective: The objective of the study is to investigate the association between oxidative stress markers and enzymatic / non-enzymatic antioxidants (marker of the resistance in body to oxidative damage) in the cord blood of preterm low birth weight (LBW) neonates. Methods: Malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyl proteins, total antioxidant capacity and Vitamin A, E and C levels in the cord blood were determined by spectrophotometry. Results: Increased lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation with decreased values of vitamin A, E, C and total antioxidant capacity were observed in the preterm LBW newborns. Observations of negative correlation between MDA and protein carbonyl with antioxidants vitamin A, E and C and total antioxidant status points towards the existence of oxidative stress in the preterm LBW newborns. Conclusions: Poor fetal growth affects the development of antioxidant defenses of preterm LBW babies, predisposing them to higher oxidative stress, which in turn may partly account for increased morbidity and mortality in these infants. The presence of an association between oxidative stress biomarkers and enzymatic /non-enzymatic antioxidants in the cord blood of preterm LBW neonates suggest that increased oxidative stress may be the result of changes in the levels of certain enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants due to the cause or the effect of oxidative damage occurring at the molecular level.
The Effects of Serial and Acute NaHCO3 Loading in Well-Trained Cyclists

Abstract Driller, MW, Gregory, JR, Williams, AD, and Fell, JW. The effects of serial and acute NaHCO3 loading in well-trained cyclists. J Strength Cond Res 26(10): 2791–2797, 2012—Many studies have reported substantial performance gains in well-trained athletes after the acute ingestion of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). However, acute NaHCO3 ingestion is not always practical. The aim of this study was to compare acute NaHCO3 loading with serial NaHCO3 loading (split doses over 3 days) in well-trained cyclists. Eight male cyclists (mean ± SD; age = 28 ± 8 years; V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak = 66.8 ± 8.4 ml·kg−1·min−1) completed 3 tests in a double-blind, randomized design over a 3-week timeframe: acute NaHCO3 loading (AL), serial NaHCO3 loading (SL), and a placebo loading condition (P). After each loading protocol, the cyclists completed a 4-minute performance test on a cycling ergometer. The V[Combining Dot Above]O2 was measured during each test, and blood samples were taken throughout the study to measure lactate, bicarbonate ion concentration ( ), and pH levels. Both the AL and SL trials produced a significantly higher average power in the 4-minute test (mean ± SD; 3.3 ± 2.0 and 2.3 ± 2.5%; p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively) when compared with the P trial, with no significant difference between AL and SL trials (p = 0.29). The AL trial produced a significantly greater postloading alkalosis as determined by blood when compared with the SL and P trials. Both acute and serial NaHCO3 loading significantly improved 4-minute cycling performance when compared with that in a placebo trial. However, serial NaHCO3 loading may provide a convenient and practical alternative approach for athletes preparing for competition.
Effect of dasatinib on the activity of trastuzumab in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells.

1084 Background: Breast cancer is the most common neoplasia in women. Although important advances in its treatment have been made along the last years, in the metastatic setting this disease remains incurable. One group of molecules involved in breast cancer genesis/progression are tyrosine kinases. HER-2 is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is overexpressed in a subset of patients with breast cancer. Targeting of HER-2 with trastuzumab a monoclonal antibody that acts on HER-2 has demonstrated clinical benefit. However, as a single agent its antitumoral activity is limited. METHODS Here we have investigated whether the action of trastuzumab, can be potentiated by dasatinib, a small molecule inhibitor that acts on several receptor and non-receptor tyrosine kinases. To this end, we have used cancer cell lines and in vivo xenografted mouse models. MTT proliferation and other apoptosis assays, biochemical and microarray experiments were performed to investigate the molecular bases of the action of the combined trastuzumab plus dasatinib treatment. RESULTS Combination of trastuzumab and dasatinib was synergic on breast cancer cells overexpressing HER-2, but not on cells with a normal complement of its receptor. In vivo xenograft studies confirmed the antitumoral action of this drug combination. Studies on the mechanism of action showed that this drug combination triggered apoptosis in HER-2 overexpressing cells. Apoptosis was evidenced by increased Annexin V staining, and was found to occur in a caspase-independent manner. In addition, an action of the drug combination on cell cycle could be identified, and the drugs decreased cyclins E1/2, B, and Cdk2, in addition to increasing p27. Microarray as well as biochemical analyses showed that the drug combination provoked a decrease in HER receptor phosphorylation, followed by interruption of downstream signalling. These changes resulted in alterations in the levels of proteins involved in DNA repair. Moreover, treatment with the drug combination caused a DNA damage response as evidenced by increased γH2AX. CONCLUSIONS The effective antitumoral action of the drug combination opens new avenues for the clinical exploration of this drug combination in breast cancer patients overexpressing HER-2. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
The usefulness of the Brief Symptom Inventory in the neuropsychological evaluation of traumatic brain injury.

Changes in the health care delivery system are forcing clinicians to use less timely and more cost efficient measures. In rehabilitation, more efficient measures of emotional-behavioural functioning are being administered to patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), including the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), a 53 item short version of the Symptom Checklist-90 that assesses nine different dimensions of emotional-behavioural functioning. Because the BSI was developed for use with psychiatric populations, research of the measure with TBI populations is needed. The current study evaluated the utility of the BSI in a sample of 62 patients (34 male, 28 female, average age 35, average education 12 years) with TBI evaluated as outpatients at a midwestern rehabilitation hospital. Results indicated that: (1) subjects endorsed clinically elevated distress on seven of the nine subscales when compared to the normative sample; (2) the Obsessive-Compulsive (OC) subscale achieved the highest t-score (70.31); 3) the most frequent two-point profiles included the OC-Somatic (21%) and OC-Psychoticism (13%) subscales; and (3) the Global Symptom Index was significantly correlated with all nine subscales. It was concluded that caution must be used when administering the BSI to individuals with TBI due to a lack of a TBI standardization sample, the limited number of test items per subscale, and questionable labels for the different subscales (e.g. OC subscale items appear to be more reflective of TBI-related cognitive impairment than obsessive-compulsive traits).
Urban Minority Children with Asthma: Substantial Morbidity, Compromised Quality and Access to Specialists, and the Importance of Poverty and Specialty Care

Background. Asthma disproportionately affects minorities, but not enough is known about morbidity and specialist access in asthmatic minority children. Objective. To examine asthma morbidity and access to specialty care in urban minority children. Methods. A consecutive series was recruited in 2004–2007 of urban minority children 2 to 18 years old seen for asthma in four emergency departments (EDs) or admitted to a children's hospital. Outcomes assessed included asthma symptom and attack frequency; missed school and parental work; asthma ED visits and hospitalizations; severity of illness; and asthma specialty care. Results. Of 648 children assessed, 220 were eligible. The mean age was 7 years; 68% were poor, 83% had Medicaid, 84% were African-American, and 16% were Latino. Sixty-eight percent of children were not in excellent/very good health, 73% had persistent asthma (moderate/severe = 52%), and only 44% had asthma care plans. The mean number of asthma attacks in the past year was 12, and of monthly daytime and nighttime asthma symptoms, is 12 and 12, respectively. The mean annual number of asthma doctor visits was 6; of ED asthma visits, 3; hospitalizations, 1; missed school days, 7; and missed parent work days, 6. Eighty-three percent of children have no asthma specialist, and 62% use EDs as the usual asthma care source. Poor children were less likely than the non-poor to have asthma specialists (13 vs. 26%; p < 0.03). African-Americans were more likely than Latinos to use EDs for usual asthma care (68% vs. 44%; p < 0.01). In multivariable analyses, poverty was associated with greater odds and having an asthma care plan with lower odds of an asthma attack in the past year; poverty also was associated with half the odds of having an asthma specialist. African-American children were significantly more likely to report the ED as the usual source of asthma care, and having an asthma specialist and male gender were associated with greater odds of having an asthma care plan. Conclusions. Urban minority children with asthma average 1 asthma symptom daily, 1 exacerbation monthly, and 7 missed school days, 6 missed parental work days, 3 ED visits, and 1 hospitalization yearly; most receive their usual asthma care in EDs and have no asthma care plan or asthma specialist. Urban minority asthmatic children need interventions to reduce morbidity and improve access to specialists and asthma care plans, especially among the poor and African-Americans.
Influence of activity on the passive electrical properties of denervated soleus muscle fibres in the rat.

The technique of direct electrical stimulation of denervated muscle was used to study the role of muscle activity per se in controlling the passive electrical properties of muscle fibres. 2. Specific membrane resistance and capacitance of the denervated and the denervated‐stimulated muscle fibres were measured by a sinewave technique at frequencies between 5 and 240 Hz. The parameter values were constant at low frequencies up to a variable transition frequency and declined rapidly at higher frequencies. 3. Following denervation the low‐frequency value of specific membrane resistance increased (2291 omega cm2 for 19‐day denervated fibres vs. 766 omega cm2 for innervated fibres), the specific membrane capacitance declined (2‐7 muF/cm2 vs. 3‐6 muF/cm2) and the transition frequency shifted towards lower frequencies. The specific internal resistance was higher in denervated fibres (301 omega cm for 19‐day denervated fibres vs. 240 omega cm in innervated fibres) apart from a transient decline after 5 days of denervation (164 omega cm). 4. Direct electrical stimulation for 2 weeks beginning on the 5th day after denervation restored all parameters listed above to their original values before denervation. 5. Stimulation arrested in most cases further atrophy from the time of stimulation but did not restore normal fibre size.
Prosocial Behavior Increases with Age across Five Economic Games

Ontogenic studies of human prosociality generally agree on that human prosociality increases from early childhood through early adulthood; however, it has not been established if prosociality increases beyond early adulthood. We examined a sample of 408 non-student residents from Tokyo, Japan, who were evenly distributed across age (20–59) and sex. Participants played five economic games each separated by a few months. We demonstrated that prosocial behavior increased with age beyond early adulthood and this effect was shown across all five economic games. A similar, but weaker, age-related trend was found in one of three social value orientation measures of prosocial preferences. We measured participants’ belief that manipulating others is a wise strategy for social success, and found that this belief declined with age. Participants’ satisfaction with the unilateral exploitation outcome of the prisoner’s dilemma games also declined with age. These two factors—satisfaction with the DC outcome in the prisoner’s dilemma games and belief in manipulation—mediated the age effect on both attitudinal and behavioral prosociality. Participants’ age-related socio-demographic traits such as marriage, having children, and owning a house weakly mediated the age effect on prosociality through their relationships with satisfaction with the DC outcome and belief in manipulation.