Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SP.–ASSOCIATED ENTERITIS WITHOUT GASTRITIS IN ROUGH GREEN SNAKES (OPHEODRYS AESTIVUS) AND A COMMON GARTER SNAKE (THAMNOPHIS SIRTALIS)

Abstract An epizootic of severe Cryptosporidium sp. –associated enteritis occurred in a group of 15 wild-caught juvenile rough green snakes (Opheodrys aestivus) at the Baltimore Zoo quarantine facility. All of the animals died with no premonitory signs. Histopathologic examination of the small and proximal large intestine of eight of the green snakes showed moderate to severe Cryptosporidium sp. infection and enteritis characterized by dense heterophilic and lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrates throughout the lamina propria with epithelial necrosis. Cryptosporidium sp. was also found in feces of an adult common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) that was wild caught on zoo grounds and held in quarantine during the epizootic. After euthanasia, histologic examination of the garter snake showed a severe small intestinal Cryptosporidium sp. infection with only mild enteritis consisting of sparse heterophilic and lymphocytic infiltrates. There was no gross or histologic evidence of Cryptosporidium sp. gastritis in the nine snakes evaluated, and this is the first report of Cryptosporidium sp. –associated enteritis in snakes without gastric lesions.
Hypermetabolism in 18F-FDG PET Predicts Favorable Outcome Following Decompressive Surgery in Patients with Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy

The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the regional changes of glucose metabolism of the cervical spinal cord in patients with degenerative cervical spine stenosis and symptomatic cervical myelopathy after decompressive surgery using 18F-FDG PET. Methods: Twenty patients with symptomatic degenerative monosegmental cervical stenosis with neuroradiologic signs of spinal cord compression underwent decompressive surgery. The clinical course using a functional status score (Japanese Orthopedic Association [JOA] score), 18F-FDG uptake, and MR imaging were assessed before and at follow-up 12 mo after surgery. Pre- and postoperative changes of 18F-FDG PET were correlated to the patients’ clinical outcome. Results: Ten patients demonstrated preoperatively a focally increased 18F-FDG uptake at the level of the stenosis. At follow-up, the uptake declined significantly (P = 0.008), and a significant improvement of JOA scores (P < 0.001) could be observed. The remaining 10 patients were characterized preoperatively by an inconspicuous glucose uptake at the level of cord compression in combination with a poststenotic decrease of 18F-FDG uptake. At follow-up, both JOA scores and 18F-FDG uptake changed insignificantly. Conclusion: Focal glucose hypermetabolism at the level of cervical spinal cord compression may predict an improved outcome after surgical decompression. Thus, this finding on 18F-FDG PET suggests a functional damage in a reversible phase of cervical myelopathy.
Extracellular vesicles in cardiovascular calcification: expanding current paradigms

Vascular calcification is a major contributor to the progression of cardiovascular disease, one of the leading causes of death in industrialized countries. New evidence on the mechanisms of mineralization identified calcification‐competent extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from smooth muscle cells, valvular interstitial cells and macrophages as the mediators of calcification in diseased heart valves and atherosclerotic plaques. However, the regulation of EV release and the mechanisms of interaction between EVs and the extracellular matrix leading to the formation of destabilizing microcalcifications remain unclear. This review focuses on current limits in our understanding of EVs in cardiovascular disease and opens up new perspectives on calcific EV biogenesis, release and functions within and beyond vascular calcification. We propose that, unlike bone‐derived matrix vesicles, a large population of EVs implicated in cardiovascular calcification are of exosomal origin. Moreover, the milieu‐dependent loading of EVs with microRNA and calcification inhibitors fetuin‐A and matrix Gla protein suggests a novel role for EVs in intercellular communication, adding a new mechanism to the pathogenesis of vascular mineralization. Similarly, the cell type‐dependent enrichment of annexins 2, 5 or 6 in calcifying EVs posits one of several emerging factors implicated in the regulation of EV release and calcifying potential. This review aims to emphasize the role of EVs as essential mediators of calcification, a major determinant of cardiovascular mortality. Based on recent findings, we pinpoint potential targets for novel therapies to slow down the progression and promote the stability of atherosclerotic plaques.
Oscillators and crank turning: exploiting natural dynamics with a humanoid robot arm

This paper presents an approach to robot–arm control that exploits the natural dynamics of the arm. This is in contrast to traditional approaches, which either ignore or cancel out arm dynamics. While the traditional approaches are more general, they often result in systems and robot designs that are not robust. The alternative approach gives systems that are computationally simple, robust to variation in system parameters, robust to changes in the dynamics themselves, and versatile. The approach is examined using the example of a compliant robot arm, controlled by independent neural oscillators, in a crank–turning task. A model is constructed, and the robot behaviour compared with the model. These data show that the arm–oscillator system is exploiting the natural dynamics by finding and exciting the resonant mode of the underlying mechanical system. Since this is a natural behaviour of the system, the robot behaviour is robust. The paper concludes by discussing the opportunities and limitations of this approach.
Health status of pediatric refugees in Buffalo, NY.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the health status of recent pediatric refugees. RESEARCH DESIGN Medical records of 107 pediatric refugees who underwent screening during a recent 24-month period were reviewed. SETTING A county hospital pediatric clinic in a metropolitan area with a population of 1,189,000. The majority of pediatric refugees who come to the Buffalo, NY, area receive a health screening in this clinic. RESULTS Most of the children were from Vietnam (67%), the Soviet Republics (19%), or Africa (14%). The median age was 8 years 2 months (range, 1 to 18 years). Only 39% of the children had evidence of adequate immunizations for age (39 of the children from Vietnam, two children from Africa, and one from the Soviet Republics). In 30%, physical examinations exposed conditions that required follow-up or referral to a medical or surgical specialist. Forty-two percent of the children required dental referral. Seven children were anemic; three had microcytic anemia. Of 81 children who underwent screening for hepatitis B, six (7%) were carriers, 35 (43%) were positive for hepatitis B surface antibody, and only four (5%) related a history of hepatitis exposure. Stool specimens were examined for ova and parasites in 87 children; 19 had pathogenic parasites with multiple organisms in two. Thirteen (24%) of 55 children who were tested from Vietnam, five (36%) of 14 children who were tested from Africa, and one (5%) of 18 children who were tested from the Soviet Republics had pathogenic parasites. Parasites included Ascaris lumbricoides (n = 8), Necator americanus or Ancylostoma duodenale (n = 5), Giardia lamblia (n = 3), Trichuris trichiura (n = 2), Dientamoeba fragilis (n = 2), and Entamoeba histolytica (n = 1). Skin testing for tuberculosis with purified protein derivative (tuberculin) was completed in 83 children, and 17 (20%) had reactive tests (21% [12/58] from Vietnam, 11% [1/9] from Africa, and 25% [4/16] from the Soviet Republics). CONCLUSIONS Refugee children who come to the United States frequently have conditions that put them at risk of future morbidity and may require utilization of substantial health care resources. Some of these conditions represent public health concerns.
The folding energy landscape and phosphorylation: modeling the conformational switch of the NFAT regulatory domain

An energy landscape approach predicts the conformational changes of the configurations of the regulatory domain of the protein nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) caused by phosphorylation of specific multiple sites. Structurally local effects and secondary structural changes are modeled using allatom Brownian dynamics to investigate the changes of the backbone torsional distributions upon phosphorylation. For tertiary and global changes' we employ a coarse‐grained model to sample ensembles of conformations both with and without phosphorylation. At the secondary structure level' phosphorylation moderately increases the helical propensity and gives a more rigid local backbone conformation. The tertiary effects of phosphorylation caused by the extensive charge modification are more pronounced and collectively change the conformation of the regulatory domain of NFAT from a flexible globular ensemble to a rather rigid helical bundle, blocking access to the nuclear localization sequence. These studies give computational support to one scenario conjectured from experiments. Shen, T. , Zong, C. , Hamelberg, D. , McCammon, J. A. , Wolynes, P. G. The folding energy landscape and phosphorylation: modeling the conformational switch of the NFAT regulatory domain. FASEB J. 19, 1389–1395 (2005)
Change in the prevalence of coronary heart disease among Finnish elderly men and women in the 1990s

Mortality from coronary heart disease has decreased by 60% in Finland during the past 25 years. The prevalence of coronary heart disease decreased during the 1990s among the elderly. Silent myocardial infarction was common, especially in elderly women. The number of coronary angioplasty or bypass operations has increased considerably, especially in men. Objective r - r To characterise the prevalence of, and changes in, coronary heart disease (CHD) among men and women aged between 64 and 71 years in the 1990s. Design r - r A study of clinical epidemiology involving two cohorts of elderly persons in 1990 - 1991 and 1998 - 1999. Setting r - r Primary health care in the municipality of Lieto in southwestern Finland. Subjects r - r Persons between 64 and 71 years of age in the southwest of Finland in 1990-1991 and 1998-1999. Main outcome measures r - r The occurrences of CHD were estimated using the history of a previous myocardial infarction or coronary revascularisation procedure evident in the medical records and with ischaemia or infarction as established on ECG according to the Whitehall criteria. Results r - r The prevalence of 'probable' CHD decreased among men and women aged between 64 and 71 years, whereas the prevalence of 'possible' CHD decreased among women alone. Silent myocardial infarctions were common among women of both cohorts. Many more men of the second cohort, compared to the first one, had undergone a coronary angioplasty or bypass operation. Conclusion r - r The prevalence of CHD decreased among elderly women more clearly than among young elderly men. The favourable development illustrating a decrease in the prevalence of CHD among women should be sustained, while health promotion activities will need to be directed more actively towards men.
Regeneration through long nerve grafts in the swine model

We investigated regeneration across a long nerve defect in the swine model to study extensive neural loss and long nerve gap. Most experiments have been conducted in the rodent model that, while an appropriate immunological model, only allows short nerve gaps to be studied. Twelve outbred swine received either an 8‐cm ulnar nerve autograft or an allograft without immunosuppression. At 6 and 10 months, histomorphometry of the autografts demonstrated excellent nerve regeneration, while very poor regeneration was noted across the allografts. This confirmed that 8 cm are an adequate challenge independent of the spontaneous regeneration potential of axons seen in rodents. The swine ulnar nerve graft model causes minimal morbidity and will now be used with immunological manipulation of inbred animals. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 18:379–382, 1998
Cardiac troponin I predicts outcome after ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a highly sensitive and specific marker for myocardial injury that predicts mortality in patients with acute coronary syndromes. This study examined the relationship between perioperative cTnI levels and clinical outcome in patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
Vitamin D and living in northern latitudes—an endemic risk area for vitamin D deficiency

OBJECTIVES: To review the current literature on the health effects of vitamin D, especially the effects on inhabitants living in the northern latitudes. STUDY DESIGN: Literature review. METHODS: The scientific literature concerning health effects of vitamin D was reviewed and the current dietary recommendations for inhabitants living in northern latitudes were discussed. RESULTS: Vitamin D is a steroid-structured hormone produced in the skin upon exposure to UVB-radiation or obtained from certain food products (for example, liver). Its production is mediated by the vitamin D receptor, which belongs to the nuclear receptor family, and exerts its function as a transcription factor regulating several target genes. Active metabolites of vitamin D play an important role in calcium and phosphate homeostasis. Deficiency of vitamin D results in diminished bone mineralization and an increased risk of fractures. In addition, vitamin D is connected to a variety of other diseases that include different cancer types, muscular weakness, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, schizophrenia and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D plays a fundamental role in calcium and phosphate homeostasis. A deficiency of vitamin D has been attributed to several diseases. Since its production in the skin depends on exposure to UVB-radiation via the sunlight, the level of vitamin D is of crucial importance for the health of inhabitants who live in the Nordic latitudes where there is diminished exposure to sunlight during the winter season. Therefore, fortification or supplementation of vitamin D is necessary for most of the people living in the northern latitudes during the winter season to maintain adequate levels of circulating 25(OH)D3 to maintain optimal body function and prevent diseases.
Cable properties of a straight neurite of a leech neuron probed by a voltage-sensitive dye.

We measured a time-resolved map of electrical activity in a thin straight neurite (1.5 microns thick, 500 microns long) at a resolution of 8 microns and 0.4 ms. The neurite was obtained by guided outgrowth of an identified neuron of the leech on lanes of extracellular matrix protein. The electrical signals were detected by a fluorescent voltage-sensitive dye. We observed the voltage that was caused by an action potential elicited at the soma and by a Gaussian hyperpolarization induced at the soma, respectively. We compared the data with numerical solutions of the cable equation using the Hodgkin-Huxley parametrization. We could attribute the experimental results of depolarization and of hyperpolarization to the propagation of an action potential along an "active" cable and to the spread along a "passive" cable, respectively, if we assigned rather high specific resistances to the cytoplasm (RI = 250 omega.cm) and to the membrane (RM = 22 k omega.cm2). This assignment explained the slow velocity of 150 microns/ms of a pulse by active propagation and the limited range of 200 microns of a pulse by passive spread.
Rit Contributes to Nerve Growth Factor-Induced Neuronal Differentiation via Activation of B-Raf-Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase and p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Cascades

ABSTRACT Rit is one of the original members of a novel Ras GTPase subfamily that uses distinct effector pathways to transform NIH 3T3 cells and induce pheochromocytoma cell (PC6) differentiation. In this study, we find that stimulation of PC6 cells by growth factors, including nerve growth factor (NGF), results in rapid and prolonged Rit activation. Ectopic expression of active Rit promotes PC6 neurite outgrowth that is morphologically distinct from that promoted by oncogenic Ras (evidenced by increased neurite branching) and stimulates activation of both the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling pathways. Furthermore, Rit-induced differentiation is dependent upon both MAP kinase cascades, since MEK inhibition blocked Rit-induced neurite outgrowth, while p38 blockade inhibited neurite elongation and branching but not neurite initiation. Surprisingly, while Rit was unable to stimulate ERK activity in NIH 3T3 cells, it potently activated ERK in PC6 cells. This cell type specificity is explained by the finding that Rit was unable to activate C-Raf, while it bound and stimulated the neuronal Raf isoform, B-Raf. Importantly, selective down-regulation of Rit gene expression in PC6 cells significantly altered NGF-dependent MAP kinase cascade responses, inhibiting both p38 and ERK kinase activation. Moreover, the ability of NGF to promote neuronal differentiation was attenuated by Rit knockdown. Thus, Rit is implicated in a novel pathway of neuronal development and regeneration by coupling specific trophic factor signals to sustained activation of the B-Raf/ERK and p38 MAP kinase cascades.
A Comparison of Kenyan Biomphalaria pfeifferi and B. Sudanica as Vectors for Schistosoma mansoni, Including a Discussion of the Need to Better Understand the Effects of Snail Breeding Systems on Transmission

Abstract In Kenya, schistosomes infect an estimated 6 million people with >30 million people at risk of infection. We compared compatibility with, and ability to support and perpetuate, Schistosoma mansoni of Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Biomphalaria sudanica, 2 prominent freshwater snail species involved in schistosomiasis transmission in Kenya. Field-derived B. pfeifferi (from a stream in Mwea, central Kenya) and B. sudanica (from Nawa, Lake Victoria, in western Kenya) were exposed to S. mansoni miracidia isolated from fecal samples of naturally infected humans from Mwea or Nawa. Juvenile (<6 mm shell diameter), young adult (6–9 mm), and adult snails (>9 mm) were each exposed to a single miracidium. Schistosoma mansoni developed faster and consistently had higher infection rates (39.6–80.7%) in B. pfeifferi than in B. sudanica (2.4–21.5%), regardless of the source of S. mansoni or the size of the snails used. Schistosoma mansoni from Nawa produced higher infection rates in both B. pfeifferi and B. sudanica than did S. mansoni from Mwea. Mean daily cercariae production was greater for B. pfeifferi exposed to sympatric than allopatric S. mansoni (583–1,686 vs. 392–1,232), and mean daily cercariae production among B. sudanica were consistently low (50–590) with no significant differences between sympatric or allopatric combinations. Both non-miracidia–exposed and miracidia-exposed B. pfeifferi had higher mortality rates than for B. sudanica, but mean survival time of shedding snails (9.3–13.7 wk) did not differ significantly between the 2 species. A small proportion (1.5%) of the cercariae shedding B. pfeifferi survived up to 40 wk post-exposure. Biomphalaria pfeifferi was more likely to become infected and to shed more cercariae than B. sudanica, suggesting that the risk per individual snail of perpetuating transmission in Kenyan streams or lacustrine habitats may differ considerably. High infection rates exhibited by the preferential self-fertilizing B. pfeifferi relative to the out-crossing B. sudanica point to the need to investigate further the role of host breeding systems in influencing transmission of schistosomiasis by snail hosts.
Adverse Effects of Intraoperative Blood Loss on Long-Term Outcomes after Curative Gastrectomy of Patients with Stage II/III Gastric Cancer

Background/Aims: Gastrectomy with systemic lymphadenectomy sometimes causes excessive bleeding even by experienced surgeons. The aim of this study was to evaluate how intraoperative estimated blood loss (EBL) affected the long-term outcomes after curative surgery of patients with stage II/III gastric cancer (GC). Methods: This study included 203 patients with stage II/III GC who did not receive perioperative blood transfusion between 1999 and 2015. The optimal cutoff and the prognostic significance of EBL were determined retrospectively. Results: The median EBL was 285 ml. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis identified 400 ml as an optimal cutoff. Patients with EBL ≥400 ml were more likely to have hepatic relapse and worse prognosis compared to those with EBL <400 ml. EBL ≥400 ml was identified as an independent prognostic factor for mortality by multivariable analysis. When patients were subdivided according to administration of adjuvant chemotherapy, there was a significant difference between the EBL ≥400 and <400 ml groups in patients who underwent surgery alone, whereas the prognosis was similar for patients of both groups who received adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusion: EBL serves as a useful predictor for risk stratification after curative gastrectomy in patients with stage II/III GC.
Efficacy and safety of melphalan, arsenic trioxide and ascorbic acid combination therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: a prospective, multicentre, phase II, single‐arm study

We assessed the safety and efficacy of melphalan, arsenic trioxide (ATO) and ascorbic acid (AA) (MAC) combination therapy for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who failed more than two different prior regimens. Patients received melphalan (0·1 mg/kg p.o.), ATO (0·25 mg/kg i.v.) and AA (1 g i.v) on days 1–4 of week 1, ATO and AA twice weekly during weeks 2–5 and no treatment during week 6 of cycle 1; during cycles 2–6, the schedule remained the same except ATO and AA were given twice weekly in week 1. Objective responses occurred in 31 of 65 (48%) patients, including two complete, 15 partial and 14 minor responses. Median progression‐free survival and overall survival were 7 and 19 months respectively. Twenty‐two patients had elevated serum creatinine levels (SCr) at baseline, and 18 of 22 (82%) showed decreased SCr levels during treatment. Specific grade 3/4 haematological (3%) or cardiac adverse events occurred infrequently. Frequent grade 3/4 non‐haematological adverse events included fever/chills (15%), pain (8%) and fatigue (6%). This steroid‐free regimen was effective and well tolerated in this heavily pretreated group. These results indicate that the MAC regimen is a new therapeutic option for patients with relapsed or refractory MM.
Radiation-induced sarcoma: 25-year experience from The Norwegian Radium Hospital

Background. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and outcome of radiation-induced sarcomas (RISs) among sarcoma patients referred to the Norwegian Radium Hospital (NRH). Material and Methods. Ninety patients were identified from the institutional sarcoma data base. Medical records and histological and cytological material from both primary and secondary tumours were reviewed. Results. RIS represented 3.0 % of the sarcomas in the data base. The median latency time from radiotherapy of the primary tumour to the diagnosis of RIS was 13.6 years (range 2.5-57.8 years). Gynaecological, breast and testicular cancers were the most common primary diagnoses. For the RISs 13 different histological types were identified including 25 malignant fibrous histiocytomas (28% of all) and 22 osteosarcomas (24%). The sarcoma-related 5-year crude survival was 33% (95 % CI 23-43 %). Unfavourable prognostic factors were metastases at presentation, incomplete surgery and presence of tumour necrosis. Conclusion. Radiation-induced sarcoma is rare and harbours an aggressive clinical behaviour. Complete surgical resection is mandatory for cure.