Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Erythrocytes Parameters in t he Course of Brucellosis

Özet Background: To evaluate the all erythrocyte parameters in patients with brucellosis and to investigate the correlation between these parameters and inflammatory markers. Method: A total of 55 patients who had positive brucella tube agglutination tests were included in the study. The computerized laboratory database records were reviewed for the following data and recorded: Age and gender of the patients, brucella tube agglutination tests, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, Creactive protein, erythrocyte parameters. Results: Mean age of the patients was 45.4 ± 18.1 years with a female/male ratio of 25/30. Post-treatment hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration values were significantly higher than the pre-treatment values. Conclusion: Evaluation of the erythrocyte parameters may help to improve understanding of anemia and its nature related with brucellosis. Amaç: Bruselloz hastalarında tüm eritrosit parametrelerini değerlendirmek ve bu parametreler ile inflamatuar belirteçler arasındaki ilişkiyi araştırmak. Yöntem: Çalışmaya brusella tüp aglütinasyon pozitif toplam 55 hasta alındı. Hastaların yaş ve cinsiyetleri, brusella tüp aglütinasyon testi sonuçları, eritrosit sedimantasyon hızları, C-reaktif protein ve eritrosit parametreleri ile ilgili veriler laboratuvar kayıtlarından incelendi. Bulgular: Hastalarda ortalama yaş 45,4 ± 18,1 ve kadın/erkek oranı 25/30’du. Tedavi sonrası hemoglobin, hematokrit, ortalama eritrosit hacmi, ortalama eritrosit hemoglobin ve ortalama eritrosit hemoglobini konsantrasyon değerleri tedavi öncesi değerlere gore anlamlı olarak daha yüksek bulundu. Sonuç: Eritrosit parametrelerinin değerlendirilmesi aneminin ve brusellozla ilişkili doğasının anlaşılmasında fayda sağlayabileceği düşünülmüştür.
Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation without total body irradiation for pediatric acute leukemia: a single-center experience

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a promising method for therapy of pediatric patients with acute leukemia. However, less availability of matched donors limited its wide application. Recently, haploidentical HSCT has become a great resource. Here, we have retrospectively reported our experience of 20 pediatric patients with acute leukemia who underwent haploidentical HSCT without total body irradiation (TBI) myeloablative regimen in our center from November 2007 to June 2014. All the patients attained successful HSCT engraftment in terms of myeloid and platelet recovery. Thirteen patients developed grade I–IV acute graft-versus-host disease (a-GVHD). The incidence of grade I–II a-GVHD, grade III–IV a-GVHD, and chronic GVHD (c-GVHD) was 45%, 20%, and 25%, respectively. The mean myeloid and platelet recovery time was 13.20±2.41 and 19.10±8.37 days. The median follow-up time was 43.95±29.26 months. During the follow-up, three patients died. The overall survival (OS) rate was 85%. The present study indicated that haploidentical HSCT without TBI myeloablative regimen significantly improved the OS rate of pediatric patients with acute leukemia.
Thioguanine nucleotides and thiopurine methyltransferase in immunobullous diseases: optimal levels as adjunctive tools for azathioprine monitoring.

OBJECTIVE To prospectively determine optimal levels of 6-thioguanine nucleotide for disease remission in patients with immunobullous disease treated with azathioprine. DESIGN Prospective, longitudinal study. Laboratory tests and clinical evaluations were performed monthly for 6 months and then every 2 to 3 months (median follow-up, 13.4 months). SETTING Tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS Twenty-seven patients with immunobullous disease treated with azathioprine were enrolled during a 2-year period. Twelve met the criteria for evaluation of optimal levels of 6-thioguanine nucleotide. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Blood levels of 6-thioguanine nucleotide, 6-methylmercaptopurine, and thiopurine methyltransferase by polymerase chain reaction and enzyme activity were measured longitudinally during treatment. RESULTS The range of 6-thioguanine nucleotide was 48 to 457 pmol/8 x 10(8) red blood cells (RBCs), with an average optimal level of 190.7 pmol/8 x 10(8) RBCs for all patients. The mean optimal levels were 179.4 and 205.6 pmol/8 x 10(8) RBCs for pemphigus and pemphigoid, respectively. Limited disease required less 6-thioguanine, with a mean of 145.3 pmol/8 x 10(8) RBCs. Longitudinal induction of thiopurine methyltransferase activity was observed during treatment. Patients with recalcitrant disease showed higher induction of enzyme activity (with an increase of 9.1 to 23.6 U/mL of RBCs above baseline) than did those with responsive disease. CONCLUSIONS Optimal levels of 6-thioguanine nucleotide metabolites for disease remission in dermatology patients are 150 to 300 pmol/8 x 10(8) RBCs. High levels of the inactive metabolite 6-methylmercaptopurine and induction of thiopurine methyltransferase are associated with recalcitrant disease.
Capacitation of mouse spermatozoa. II. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation and capacitation are regulated by a cAMP-dependent pathway.

In the accompanying report (Visconti, P.E., Bailey, J.L., Moore, G.D., Pan, D., Olds-Clarke, P. and Kopf, G.S. (1995) Development, 121, 1129-1137) we demonstrated that the tyrosine phosphorylation of a subset of mouse sperm proteins of M(r) 40,000-120,000 was correlated with the capacitation state of the sperm. The mechanism by which protein tyrosine phosphorylation is regulated in sperm during this process is the subject of this report. Cauda epididymal sperm, when incubated in media devoid of NaHCO3, CaCl2 or bovine serum albumin do not display the capacitation-associated increases in protein tyrosine phosphorylation of this subset of proteins. This NaHCO3, CaCl2 or bovine serum albumin requirement for protein tyrosine phosphorylation can be completely overcome by the addition of biologically active, but not inactive, cAMP analogues. Addition of the active cAMP analogues to sperm incubated in media devoid of NaHCO3, CaCl2 or bovine serum albumin overcomes the inability of these media to support capacitation, as assessed by the ability of the cells to acquire the pattern B chlortetracycline fluorescence, to undergo the zona pellucida-induced acrosome reaction and, in some cases, to fertilize metaphase II-arrested eggs in vitro. The effects of the cAMP analogues to enhance protein tyrosine phosphorylation and to promote capacitation appears to be at the level of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA), since two specific inhibitors of this enzyme (H-89 and Rp-cAMPS) block the capacitation-dependent increases in protein tyrosine phosphorylation in sperm incubated in media supporting capacitation. Capacitation, as assessed by the aforementioned endpoints, also appears to be inhibited by H-89 in a concentration-dependent manner. These results provide further evidence for the interrelationship between protein tyrosine phosphorylation and the appearance of the capacitated state in mouse sperm. They also demonstrate that both protein tyrosine phosphorylation and capacitation appear to be regulated by cAMP/PKA. Up-regulation of protein tyrosine phosphorylation by cAMP/PKA in sperm is, to our knowledge, the first demonstration of such an interrelationship between tyrosine kinase/phosphatase and PKA signaling pathways.
Apolipoprotein B-100–Containing Lipoprotein Metabolism in Subjects With Lipoprotein Lipase Gene Mutations

Objective—We investigated the impact of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene mutations on apolipoprotein B (apoB)-100 metabolism. Methods and Results—We studied 3 subjects with familial LPL deficiency; 14 subjects heterozygous for the LPL gene mutations Gly188Glu, Trp64Stop, and Ile194Thr; and 10 control subjects. Very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-apoB-100 kinetics were determined in the fed state using stable isotope methods and compartmental modeling. Compared with controls, familial LPL deficiency had markedly elevated plasma triglycerides and lower VLDL-apoB-100 fractional catabolic rate (FCR), IDL-apoB-100 FCR, VLDL-to-IDL conversion, and VLDL-apoB-100 production rate (P<0.01). Compared with controls, Gly188Glu had higher plasma triglyceride and VLDL- and IDL-apoB-100 concentrations and lower VLDL- and IDL-apoB-100 FCR (P<0.05). Plasma triglycerides were not different, but IDL-apoB-100 concentration and production rate and VLDL-to-IDL conversion were lower in Trp64Stop compared with controls (P<0.05). No differences between controls and Ile194Thr were observed. Conclusion—Our results confirm that hypertriglyceridemia is a key feature of familial LPL deficiency. This is due to impaired VLDL- and IDL-apoB-100 catabolism and VLDL-to-IDL conversion. Single-allele mutations of the LPL gene result in modest to elevated plasma triglycerides. The changes in plasma triglycerides and apoB-100 kinetics are attributable to the effects of the LPL genotype.
Risk Class Completion of the Modigliani and Miller Model – A New Framework for Discounted Cash Flow

In this paper Modigliani and Miller’s risk class including only one type of firm to date, namely a non-net investing firm, is supplemented by a second type of firm, namely a net investing firm. One main result of the paper is the derivation of the Gordon and Shapiro growth formula within the uncertainty framework of Modigliani and Miller (1958, 1963). The discounting procedure leading to the growth formula is non-trivial. Since innumerable investment policies are conceivable besides the Gordon and Shapiro policy, this paper is only to by regarded as a first step towards (risk class) completion of the original Modigliani and Miller model. By doing so, the model becomes a challenger of current DCF theory.
Effectiveness of bicycle helmets in preventing head injury in children: case-control study

Abstract Objective : To examine the risk of injury to the head and the effect of wearing helmets in bicycle accidents among children. Design : Case-control study by questionnaire completed by the children and their carers. Setting : Two large children's hospitals in Brisbane, Australia. Subjects : 445 children presenting with bicycle related injuries during 15 April 1991 to 30 June 1992. The cases comprised 102 children who had sustained injury to the upper head including the skull, forehead and scalp or loss of consciousness. The controls were 278 cyclists presenting with injuries other than to the head or face. A further 65 children with injuries to the face were considered as an extra comparison group. Main outcome measures : Cause and type of injury, wearing of helmet. Results : Most children (230) were injured after losing control and falling from their bicycle. Only 31 had contact with another moving vehicle. Children with head injury were significantly more likely to have made contact with a moving vehicle than control children (19 (19%) v 12 (4%), P<0.001). Head injuries were more likely to occur on paved surfaces than on grass, gravel, or dirt. Wearing a helmet reduced the risk of head injury by 63% (95% confidence interval 34% to 80%) and of loss of consciousness by 86% (62% to 95%). Conclusions : The risk of head injury in bicycle accidents is reduced among children wearing a helmet. Current helmet design maximises protection in the type of accident most commonly occurring in this study. Legislation enforcing helmet use among children should be considered.
Ubiquitin-Independent Degradation of Hepatitis C Virus F Protein

ABSTRACT Hepatitis C virus (HCV) F protein is encoded by the +1 reading frame of the viral genome. It overlaps with the core protein coding sequence, and multiple mechanisms for its expression have been proposed. The full-length F protein that is synthesized by translational ribosomal frameshift at codons 9 to 11 of the core protein sequence is a labile protein. By using a combination of genetic, biochemical, and cell biological approaches, we demonstrate that this HCV F protein can bind to the proteasome subunit protein α3, which reduces the F-protein level in cells in a dose-dependent manner. Deletion-mapping analysis identified amino acids 40 to 60 of the F protein as the α3-binding domain. This α3-binding domain of the F protein together with its upstream sequence could significantly destabilize the green fluorescent protein, an otherwise stable protein. Further analyses using an F-protein mutant lacking lysine and a cell line that contained a temperature-sensitive E1 ubiquitin-activating enzyme indicated that the degradation of the F protein was ubiquitin independent. Based on these observations as well as the observation that the F protein could be degraded directly by the 20S proteasome in vitro, we propose that the full-length HCV F protein as well as the F protein initiating from codon 26 is degraded by an ubiquitin-independent pathway that is mediated by the proteasome subunit α3. The ability of the F protein to bind to α3 raises the possibility that the HCV F protein may regulate protein degradation in cells.
Complications of Living Donor Hepatic Lobectomy—A Comprehensive Report

A wider application of living donor liver transplantation is limited by donor morbidity concerns. An observational cohort of 760 living donors accepted for surgery and enrolled in the Adult‐to‐Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation cohort study provides a comprehensive assessment of incidence, severity and natural history of living liver donation (LLD) complications. Donor morbidity (assessed by 29 specific complications), predictors, time from donation to complications and time from complication onset to resolution were measured outcomes over a 12‐year period. Out of the 760 donor procedures, 20 were aborted and 740 were completed. Forty percent of donors had complications (557 complications among 296 donors), mostly Clavien grades 1 and 2. Most severe counted by complication category; grade 1 (minor, n = 232); grade 2 (possibly life‐threatening, n = 269); grade 3 (residual disability, n = 5) and grade 4 (leading to death, n = 3). Hernias (7%) and psychological complications (3%) occurred >1 year postdonation. Complications risk increased with transfusion requirement, intraoperative hypotension and predonation serum bilirubin, but did not decline with the increased center experience with LLD. The probability of complication resolution within 1 year was overall 95%, but only 75% for hernias and 42% for psychological complications. This report comprehensively quantifies LLD complication risk and should inform decision making by potential donors and their caregivers.
The effect of patient age on the internal carotid artery location around the atlas.

OBJECT The aim of this study was to analyze the exact location of the internal carotid artery (ICA) relative to the C-1 lateral mass and describe the effect of age on the tortuosity of the ICA. METHODS The authors analyzed 641 patients who had undergone CT angiography to evaluate the location of the ICA in relation to the C-1 lateral mass. Each patient was assigned to 1 of 3 age groups (< 41 years, 41-60 years, and > 60 years of age). The degree of lateral positioning of the ICA was classified into 4 groups: Group 1 (lateral to the C-1 lateral mass), Group 2 (lateral half of the lateral mass), Group 3 (medial half of the lateral mass), or Group 4 (medial to the lateral mass). The anteroposterior relationship of the ICA was classified into Group A (posterior to the anterior tubercle) or Group B (anterior to the anterior tubercle). Distances from the ICA to the midline, anterior tubercle, and anterior cortex of the lateral mass were measured. Distances between the lateral margin of the lateral mass and the longus capitis muscle were also evaluated. RESULTS The prevalence of the ICA located in front of the lateral mass (Groups 2 and 3) was 47.4% overall. The position of the ICA changes with age due to vessel tortuosity. Only 18.3% of patients in the youngest age group (< 41 years of age) had an ICA in front of the lateral mass (Group 2 or 3 area). However, this percentage increased in the older 2 groups (43.5% in the 41-60 year old group, and 57% in the > 60-year-old age group). The mean distance from the midline to the ICA was 22.6 mm, and the mean distance from the ICA to the C-1 anterior tubercle and the ventral cortex of the lateral mass was 4.7 and 4.5 mm, respectively. Moreover, the ICA is more prone to injury during bicortical C-1 screw placement when the longus capitis muscle is hypotrophic and does not cover the entire ventral surface of the lateral mass. CONCLUSIONS Elderly patients have a higher incidence of a medially located ICA that may contribute to the risk of injury to the ICA during bicortical C-1 screw or C1-2 transarticular screw placement. Although the small number of reported cases of ICA injury does not allow for determination of a direct relationship with specific anatomical characteristics, the presence of unfavorable anatomy does warrant serious consideration during evaluation for C-1 screw placement in elderly patients.
Flexible Spacing Adaptive Cruise Control Using Stochastic Model Predictive Control

This paper proposes a stochastic model predictive control (MPC) approach to optimize the fuel consumption in a vehicle following context. The practical solution of that problem requires solving a constrained moving horizon optimal control problem using a short-term prediction of the preceding vehicle’s velocity. In a deterministic framework, the prediction errors lead to constraint violations and to harsh control reactions. Instead, the suggested method considers errors, and limits the probability of a constraint violation. A conditional linear Gauss model is developed and trained with real measurements to estimate the probability distribution of the future velocity of the preceding vehicle. The prediction model is used to evaluate two different stochastic MPC approaches. On the one hand, an MPC with individual chance constraints is applied. On the other hand, samples are drawn from the conditional Gaussian model and used for a scenario-based optimization approach. Finally, both developed control strategies are evaluated and compared against a standard deterministic MPC. The evaluation of the controllers shows a significant reduction of the fuel consumption compared with standard adaptive cruise control algorithms.
Oral parafunctions, piercing and signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders in high school students

Abstract Objective The use of chewing-gum and piercing has become common among adolescents and might result in increased oral muscle activity and overloading. Aim To investigate the frequency of oral piercing and parafunctions in relation to symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) among adolescents. Materials and methods One hundred and twenty-four third level high school students, living either in a city or in a small town, enrolled in either science or media programmes, were included. The students completed a questionnaire regarding different parafunctions and symptoms of TMD. A clinical examination of the temporomandibular system and estimation of the tooth wear was performed in 116 students. Results Chewing-gum was used by 86% of the students (25% with a daily use) and 14% had an oral piercing. The science students used more chewing gum than the media students (p = 0.008), while the media students had more piercings (p < 0.001). Symptoms once a week or more were reported with 39% for headache, 18% for clicking, 7% for facial pain and 6% for difficulty to open wide. Girls reported more headaches (p = 0.007) and more severe symptoms (p = 0.003), had more medical consultations and used more analgesics (both p < 0.05) and had more clinical signs (p = 0.01) than boys. Girls had more oral piercings and used more chewing gum than boys (both p < 0.05). The media students had more sick leave (p < 0.01) than the science students. Chewing-gum use was associated with headache (p < 0.01), with difficulty to open wide (p < 0.05) and with tenderness of the temporomandibular joints and muscles (both p < 0.05). Oral piercing was associated with headache and muscle tenderness (both p < 0.05) and daily nail biting with headache (p < 0.05) and tooth wear (p = 0.004). Conclusions There is an association between use of chewing gum, nail biting, oral piercing, and symptoms of TMD.
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition during extravillous trophoblast differentiation

ABSTRACT A successful pregnancy depends on the intricate and timely interactions of maternal and fetal cells. Placental extravillous cytotrophoblast invasion involves a cellular transition from an epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype. Villous cytotrophoblasts undergo a partial epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) when differentiating into extravillous cytotrophoblasts and gain the capacity to migrate and invade. This review summarizes our current knowledge regarding known regulators of EMT in the human placenta, including the inducers of EMT, upstream transcription factors that control EMT and the downstream effectors, cell adhesion molecules and their differential expression and functions in pregnancy pathologies, preeclampsia (PE) and fetal growth restriction (FGR). The review also describes the research strategies that were used for the identification of the functional role of EMT targets in vitro. A better understanding of molecular pathways driven by placental EMT and further elucidation of signaling pathways underlying the developmental programs may offer novel strategies of targeted therapy for improving feto-placental growth in placental pathologies including PE and FGR.
RISK FACTORS FOR CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION AND VISION LOSS IN THE FELLOW EYE STUDY OF CNVPT

Purpose: To identify risk factors for the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and vision loss in the Fellow Eye Study of the Choroidal Neovascularization Prevention Trial. Methods: Retrospective review of 121 patients enrolled in a multicentered, randomized, controlled trial. Patients had neovascular age‐related macular degeneration in one eye and more than 10 large drusen in the other eye. Records of patients randomly assigned to laser treatment or observation were reviewed through 4 years of follow‐up. Three candidate risk factors for the development of CNV and vision loss were evaluated. Results: Eyes with hyperfluorescent drusen on fluorescein angiography at 3 minutes appeared to have a decreased risk of CNV. Patchy choroidal filling was seen in 14% of patients. Eyes with patchy choroidal perfusion showed a higher risk of developing CNV that was not statistically significant, and the increased risk was present only in treated eyes. Reticular pseudodrusen were present in only three eyes. Conclusions: Reticular pseudodrusen were rare. Late drusen fluorescence may protect against the development of CNV.