Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Body Composition and Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimates in the General Population

Background: Differences in body composition may lead to imprecision in estimates of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) derived from serum creatinine. Our aims were to examine the relationship between eGFR and anthropometric and body composition measures and handgrip strength. Methods: We analyzed data from a cross-sectional study comprising 1,630 randomly selected community-dwelling adults. The Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equations were used to calculate eGFR from IMDS-standardized serum creatinine. Body mass index and body surface area were calculated from measured height and weight. Body composition was determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, handgrip strength measured by a hand-held dynamometer. Regression analysis was used to examine the association between eGFR and other factors. Results: In women, eGFR determined by the MDRD equation was inversely associated with height (β = -0.08; p = 0.012), lean mass percentage (β = -0.06; p = 0.047) and handgrip strength (β = -0.15; p < 0.001) and eGFR calculated using the CKD-EPI equation was inversely associated with handgrip strength (β = -0.08; p = 0.001). In men, there was an inverse association between eGFR by the MDRD equation and lean mass percentage (β = -0.10; p = 0.013) and handgrip strength (β = -0.12; p = 0.022) and between eGFR by the CKD-EPI equation and lean mass percentage (β = -0.07; p = 0.018). The R2 for these variables was <0.02. Conclusions: The inverse relationship between eGFR and measures of lean mass percentage and handgrip strength suggests that incorporation of these variables might improve eGFR prediction from serum creatinine in the general population. This effect appears to be small however and needs to be examined in studies that include measured GFR.
Early TNF-alpha levels correlate with ischaemic stroke severity.

OBJECTIVES The study aimed to evaluate the levels of an important proinflammatory cytokine tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum in acute stroke and to study the relation between those and the neurological stroke severity and functional disability. MATERIAL AND METHODS The investigations comprised 23 ischaemic stroke patients. CSF and blood samples were obtained 24 h after the onset of stroke, and stored until analysis. Patients were examined according to Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) and to Barthel Index (BI). RESULTS The patients displayed statistically significant high levels of TNF-alpha in CSF and sera within the first 24 h of stroke. These correlated significantly with SSS and BI scores calculated within the same interval, and 1 and 2 weeks later. CONCLUSION Our results suggest the involvement of TNF-alpha in mechanisms of early stroke-induced inflammation and a predictive value of the initial TNF-alpha levels for the outcome of stroke.
Test-retest reliability of binaural simultaneous cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential recording.

AIMS The purpose of this study is to compare the test-retest reliability of cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (cVEMP) parameters between monaural sequential (mSEQ) cVEMP and binaural simultaneous (bSIM) cVEMP recordings. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty two volunteers aged 22 from 38 years were enrolled. Two different methods of cVEMP measurement were performed in the subjects. The two methods were (1) monaural sequential (mSEQ) measurement and (2) binaural simultaneous (bSIM) measurement. After a mean test-retest interval of 7.1 ± 2.8 days, the second run of the cVEMP measurement was performed in a random order. To compare the test-retest reliability of mSEQ and bSIM cVEMP responses, Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Spearman correlation were applied. RESULTS Both p13 and n23 latencies did not show a statistically significant difference between the two cVEMP recording methods. Also, there were no significant differences in the inter-peak amplitude (IPA) and interaural amplitude difference (IAD) ratio between the two methods. The test-retest reliability of inter-peak amplitude (IPA) demonstrated a positive correlation for both mSEQ and bSIM cVEMP methods. The IAD ratio of bSIM cVEMP response demonstrated a statistically significant test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.691, p= 0.015). However, the IAD ratio of mSEQ cVEMP response did not demonstrate a statistically significant test-retest correlation. CONCLUSION Results implicate that bSIM cVEMP not only saves time, but it also has an advantage of a more reliable test-retest outcome.
The Role of Self‐Discrepancy Theory in Understanding Post–Traumatic Brain Injury Affective Disorders: A Pilot Study

This pilot study examined the utility of self-discrepancy theory (SDT) in explaining post–traumatic brain injury (TBI) depression and anxiety. The SDT model was expanded to include the discrepancy between the postinjury self and the preinjury self. Study participants were 21 individuals with mild to severe TBI residing in the community, who completed the Selves Interview, the Selves Adjective Checklist, the Beck Depression Inventory–II and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Strong correlations were found between affective distress and self-discrepancies, as measured by the checklist. Scores on the interview were not related to affective distress. The findings suggest that further research is merited to examine the utility of the SDT in addressing issues of post-TBI depression and anxiety.
Transfusion of platelet concentrates from pooled buffy‐coats: comparison of bedside vs. prestorage leukofiltration

Prestorage leucocyte filtration of platelet concentrates (PC) has been considered to be superior to bedside filtration with regard to the incidence of nonhaemolytic transfusion reactions (NHTR) or HLA‐alloimmunization. It is currently a matter of debate whether prestorage leucocyte filtration has an impact on the storability of platelets and on the transfusion results of PC. In a clinical retrospective study we investigated the transfusion results of PC from pooled buffy‐coats (PC‐BC) in haematological patients without known refractoriness to platelets, and compared bedside filtration (n = 228/36 patients) vs. prestorage filtration (n = 271/25 patients). Leukocyte and platelet content of the PC, duration of storage, platelet count of the patient before transfusion and 20 h after transfusion were determined and platelet increment and corrected count increment (CCI) 20 h after transfusion were calculated. The mean leucocyte content of the bedside filtered PC was 66 ± 50 × 106 and < 0.1 × 106 for the prestorage filtered PC (P < 0.001). Mean platelet content of the PC (2.6 × 1011 vs. 2.7 × 1011) and the duration of PC storage (2.7 vs. 2.6 days) were almost identical in both groups. The platelet increment after 20 h (14.6 × 109 L−1 vs. 14.9 × 109 L−1) was equal for both groups, but CCI values were significantly higher for the bedside filtered PC (14.1 ± 9.5 vs. 11.4 ± 6.8) (P = 0.008). Correlation with the storage time revealed that CCI levels were higher for bedside filtered PC after short‐term storage (< 36 h) (P = 0.014), but declined more rapidly compared with prestorage filtered PC. A patient‐based analysis including fewer cases revealed superior but nonsignificant results for bedside filtration. In conclusion, bedside filtered PC‐BC resulted in better CCI results after short‐term storage, but values equalized with prestorage filtered PC‐BC after longer storage intervals. Prestorage‐leucocyte filtration did not improve platelet recovery in vivo, but CCI values decreased only moderately throughout storage. Both preparations showed excellent transfusion results even after a 5‐day storage interval.
Transcriptional control of the mouse prealbumin (transthyretin) gene: both promoter sequences and a distinct enhancer are cell specific

The mouse genomic clone for the prealbumin (transthyretin) gene was cloned, and its upstream regulatory regions were analyzed. The 200 nucleotides 5' to the cap site when placed within a recombinant plasmid were sufficient to direct transient expression in HepG2 (human hepatoma) cells, but this DNA region did not support expression in HeLa cells. The sequence of the 200-nucleotide region is highly conserved between mouse and human DNA and can be considered a cell-specific promoter. Deletions of this promoter region identified a crucial element for cell-specific expression between 151 and 110 nucleotides 5' to the RNA start site. A region situated at about 1.6 to 2.15 kilobases upstream of the RNA start site was found to stimulate expression 10-fold in HepG2 cells but not in HeLa cells. This far upstream element was invertible and increased expression from the beta-globin promoter in HepG2 cells. Unlike the simian virus 40 enhancer, the prealbumin enhancer would not stimulate beta-globin synthesis in HeLa cells, and even the simian virus 40 enhancer did not stimulate the prealbumin promoter in HeLa cells. Thus, we identified in the prealbumin gene two DNA elements that respond in a cell-specific manner: a proximal promoter including a crucial sequence between -108 and -151 nucleotides and a distant enhancer element located between 1.6 and 2.15 kilobases upstream.
HPLC Determination of Methylxanthines and Polyphenols Levels In Cocoa and Chocolate Products

Commercial cocoa and chocolate products such as cocoa powder, cocoa beans, cocoa liquor and chocolate were analyzed for total polyphenols, (-)-epicatechin, (+)-catechin, theobromine and caffeine contents by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The methylxanthines were identified and quantified with the use of -Bondapak column and mobile phase of methanol:water:acetic acid (20:79:1). C.V. values were relatively low ( 90%). Total polyphenols ranged from 45 52 mg/g in cocoa liquor, 34 60 mg/g cocoa beans, 20 62 mg/g in cocoa powder. For (-)-epicatechin contents, the avarage are 3.81 mg/g in cocoa powder, 2.53 mg/g in cocoa liquor and 4.61 mg/g in cocoa beans. Whereas the avarage for (+)- catechin contents are 4.28 mg/g in cocoa powder, 3.49 mg/g in cocoa liquor and 3.02 mg/g in cocoa beans. Levels of caffein and theobromine in 32 samples of chocolate products averaged 0.62-1.14 mg/g and 0.026-0.153 mg/g respectively. Mean values for theobromine and caffeine contents for chocolate coating were 0.82 and 0.07 mg/g respectively. The chocolate coating made from fat substitute had theobromine and caffeine levels ranged from 0.36 0.70 mg/g and 0.027-0.061 mg/g respectively, with mean values of 0.49 mg theobromine/g and 0.039 mg caffeine/g. In local chocolate, the mean theobromine and caffeine levels respectively were 0.72 mg/g and 0.04mg/g in milk chocolate, and 0.85 mg/g and 0.06 mg/g in dark chocolate. As in imported chocolate, the mean theobromine and caffeine levels respectively were 1.05 mg/g and 0.12 mg/g in dark chocolate; 0.76 mg/g and 0.04 mg/g in milk chocolate; and 0.74 mg/g and 0.03 mg/g in white chocolate. Compared with the local chocolate, imported chocolate has higher level of theobromine and caffeine.
Optical Development System life cycle for the ICESat-2 ATLAS instrument

The Optical Development System Lab (ODSL) completed a cycle of prototype testing and engineering model integration models to successfully test out a closed loop optical design. Through this process many lessons have been learned that are being directly applied to flight integration and testing, helping drive down risk, cost, and schedule for the instrument. The ODSL was used to test and understand the functional performance of the transmitter to receiver alignment system concepts. Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) is the instrument being tested by the ODSL and is the main instrument on the ICESat-2 mission. It measures ice elevation by transmitting laser pulses, and collecting the reflection in a telescope. Because the round trip time is used to calculate distance, alignment between the outgoing transmitter beam and the incoming receiver beams are critical. An automated closed loop monitoring control system is currently being tested at the engineering model level to prove out implementation for the final spacecraft. To achieve an error of less than 2 micro-radians, an active deformable mirror was used to correct the lab wave front from the collimated “ground reflection” beam. The lab includes a focal plane assembly set up, a one meter diameter collimator optic, a 0.8 meter flight spare telescope for alignment, and the appropriate flight software to control the transmit beam path. By having a fully integrated system with prototypes and engineering units, lessons were learned before flight designs were finalized. The flight telescope is now ready to be accepted and put through tests that were refined with the ODS lab.
Fan Organs of Crayfish Enhance Chemical Information Flow

Animals as well as autonomous robots need to acquire environmental signals in order to adjust their activity in time and space. Some information is accessible to the sensors only as a result of specific behaviors for stimulus acquisition. Due to the slow rate of molecular diffusion, dispersal of chemical stimuli depends on fluid flow. Aquatic crustaceans can generate directed water currents by specialized appendages. Here I describe the crayfish fan organs, which are feathered flagella of the mouthparts, and their activity in sending and receiving chemical signals in environments with stagnant flow conditions. During the powerstroke, the fan opens and displaces water; during the return stroke, it collapses and thereby minimizes drag. These organs can create a variety of flow fields including water jets, and in many different directions. Bilateral upward fanning draws water horizontally from all directions toward the anterior chemoreceptors. Unilateral upward fanning draws water from only one side towards the body. The versatility of the crayfish fan organ makes it a candidate for biomimetic reconstruction and use in autonomous robots that can search chemical sources.
The safety and efficacy of an accelerated iron sucrose dosing regimen in patients with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND Provision of adequate iron to support erythropoiesis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is time consuming and may present adherence problems for patients in the outpatient setting. We studied an accelerated regimen of high-dose intravenous iron sucrose therapy in a cohort of iron-deficient, anemic CKD patients. METHODS Intravenous iron sucrose 500 mg was infused over three hours on two consecutive days in 107 CKD patients (glomerular filtration rate, 32.3 +/- 19.6 mL/min/1.73m2, baseline hemoglobin 10.2 +/- 1.7 g/dL). Iron indices (transferrin saturation, ferritin) were measured at baseline and at two and seven days after completion of the iron regimen. Blood pressures were monitored immediately prior to, and hourly throughout the iron sucrose infusions. RESULTS Transferrin saturation and serum ferritin increased from 18.5 +/- 8.5% and 177 +/- 123.8 ng/mL at baseline to 40.2 +/- 22.3% and 811 +/- 294.1 ng/mL in 102 evaluated patients (P < 0.015). In 55 patients with additional measurements at 7 days post-dosing, the transferrin saturation and ferritin had fallen to 26.3 +/- 10.6% and 691 +/- 261.8 ng/mL (P < 0.015 compared to two days' post-dose). Blood pressure rose slightly, but not significantly, throughout the infusions, and altering the infusion rate was not necessary. Two patients had seven adverse events that were considered related to iron sucrose. CONCLUSION An accelerated regimen of high-dose intravenous iron sucrose therapy in CKD patients is safe and effective in restoring iron stores, and may potentially save time and improve patient adherence.
Transient and falsely lateralizing flumazenil-PET asymmetries in temporal lobe epilepsy

Article abstract We have observed a falsely lateralizing mesial temporal [11C]-flumazenil binding asymmetry in three patients who had temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with normal hippocampal volumes. This abnormality was not detected 3 months later in two of the patients who underwent a second PET study. We conclude that transient and falsely lateralizing changes of flumazenil binding might occur in patients with TLE and no hippocampal sclerosis.
Renal cell carcinoma: etiology, incidence and epidemiology

Purpose of review The incidence of renal cell carcinoma has been increasing worldwide. Although the etiology of renal cell carcinoma is largely unknown, recent epidemiological investigations have shed some light on the issue. This article reviews the literature related to etiology, incidence and epidemiology of renal cell carcinoma published between May 1, 2003 and April 30, 2004. Recent findings Accumulating evidence has confirmed the increasing incidence of renal cell carcinoma. A racial disparity has been reported for the first time. Being overweight and obesity were confirmed to be risk factors for renal cell carcinoma. Recreational exercise was shown to reduce the risk, whereas a Western-style diet and smoking increased the risk. Occupational exposure may relate to the development of renal cell carcinoma; however, no definite carcinogens have so far been identified. A susceptibility to develop renal cell carcinoma may also exist in relation to the gene polymorphisms of detoxifying enzymes including glutathione S-transferase and cytochrome P450. Summary Although high-risk groups for renal cell carcinoma have been identified, a large portion of renal cell carcinoma still has an unknown etiology. Life-style modifications might reduce renal cell carcinoma risks. Further studies are thus needed to explore the etiology of renal cell carcinoma in terms of gene-environment interactions.
Non-digestible stachyose promotes bioavailability of genistein through inhibiting intestinal degradation and first-pass metabolism of genistein in mice

ABSTRACT This study was designed to explore the molecular mechanism of stachyose in enhancing the gastrointestinal stability and absorption of soybean genistein in mice. Male Kunming mice in each group (n = 8) were administered by intragastric gavage with saline, stachyose (250 mg/kg·bw), genistein (100 mg/kg·bw), and stachyose (50, 250, and 500 mg/kg·bw) together with genistein (100 mg/kg·bw) for 4 consecutive weeks, respectively, and then their urine, feces, blood, gut, and liver were collected. UPLC-qTOF/MS analysis showed that levels of genistein and its metabolites (dihydrogenistein, genistein 7-sulfate sodium salt, genistein 4’-β-D-glucuronide, and genistein 7-β-D-glucuronide) in serum and urine were increased with an increase in stachyose dosages in mice. Furthermore, the feces level of genistein aglycone was also elevated by co-treatment of stachyose with genistein. However, the feces concentration of dihydrogenistein, a characteristic metabolite of genistein by gut microorganism, was decreased by stachyose administration in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, the simultaneous administration with stachyose and genistein in mice could decrease intestinal SULT, UGT, P-gp, and MRP1 expression, relative to the treatment with individual stachyose or genistein. These results demonstrate that stachyose-mediated inhibition against the intestinal degradation of genistein and expression of phase II enzymes and efflux transporters can largely contribute to the elevated bioavailability of soybean genistein.
Evaluation of the AutoMicrobic system Gram-Positive Susceptibility-MIC card for detection of oxacillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci

A total of 398 consecutive clinical staphylococcus isolates, of which 205 were coagulase negative and 193 were coagulase positive, were tested in parallel by using AutoMicrobic system Gram-Positive Susceptibility-MIC cards and modified Mueller-Hinton agar containing 4% NaCl and oxacillin (6 micrograms/ml). The AutoMicrobic system cards correctly detected 103 of 104 (99%) oxacillin-resistant coagulase-negative isolates with no reports of false resistance.
Interactions between the bioactive glass S53P4 and the atrophic rhinitis-associated microorganism klebsiella ozaenae.

In an aqueous environment, ions are released from a bioactive glass (BAG) and the pH rises in its vicinity. This may influence both growth and colonization of microorganisms. We studied the effects of the BAG S53P4 on the atrophic rhinitis-associated microorganism Klebsiella ozaenae. The glass was used in the form of granules or discs. Growth inhibition was studied using an agar plate test. Adhesion was studied by incubating bacterial suspension with the glass. The effect of the presence of the bacteria on the formation of the Si-rich layer on the bioactive glass was also analyzed. Furthermore, a follow up study of 19-74 months with ozena patients surgically treated with the BAG S53P4 was performed. The bioactive glass showed no clear growth inhibition of K. ozaenae in the agar plate test. K. ozaenae showed low adherence to the BAG S53P4. No growth of the microbe was seen on the glass during the 8 h incubations and the Si-rich layer was formed normally. The clinical follow-up study showed no infections of the implants and the symptoms of the patients were markedly reduced. Thus, the BAG S53P4 did not favor adhesion and colonization of K. ozaenae, in vitro, which is supported by the in vivo findings showing no BAG-associated infections or reinfections.
Maturation of collagen fibrils in the corneal stroma results in masking of tyrosine-rich region of type V procollagen.

PURPOSE To determine the molecular form of type V procollagen in collagen fibrils in mammalian corneal stromas. METHODS The presence of the tyrosine-rich region in the NH2-propeptide of type V procollagen in collagen fibrils was examined in human, bovine, and mouse corneas and human corneal fibroblast cultures by immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoblot analysis using a polyclonal antibody specific for this region. The antibody was generated using a glutathione S-transferase-fusion peptide. RESULTS The tyrosine-rich region was detected readily in frozen sections of 5- to 6-month-old mouse corneal stromas without the need for any unmasking techniques, indicating that this domain is exposed on the surface of striated collagen fibrils. In contrast, frozen sections of adult human and bovine corneas did not label with the polyclonal sera to the tyrosine-rich region. Immunoblot analysis of bacterial collagenase digests of human and bovine corneas, however, indicated that peptide fragments containing the tyrosine-rich region of type V procollagen and of the expected molecular weight of 70 to 85 kDa were present. Further immunofluorescence microscopic studies and immunoblot analysis of mouse corneas at different ages and of collagen fibrils formed in human corneal fibroblast cultures over time indicated that, initially, the tyrosine-rich region of type V procollagen could be detected in all these collagen fibrils; however, as the age of the mouse and the culture increased, the ability to detect this region decreased. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that, in vivo, the tyrosine-rich region of type V procollagen is retained on type V procollagen molecules within mammalian collagen fibrils from corneal stromas and that this region becomes masked as collagen fibrils mature or the species ages.