Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level Could Predict the Risk for Peritoneal Dialysis-Associated Peritonitis

♦ Background: As an immune system regulator, vitamin D is commonly deficient among patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), which may contribute to their impaired immune function and increased risk for PD-related peritonitis. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether vitamin D deficiency could predict the risk of peritonitis in a prospective cohort of patients on PD. ♦ Methods: We collected 346 prevalent and incident PD patients from 2 hospitals. Baseline demographic data and clinical characteristics were recorded. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) was measured at baseline and prior to peritonitis. The mean doses of oral active vitamin D used during the study period were also recorded. The outcome was the occurrence of peritonitis. ♦ Results: The mean age of patients and duration of PD were 58.95 ± 13.67 years and 28.45 (15.04 – 53.37) months, respectively. Baseline 25(OH)D level was 16.15 (12.13 – 21.16) nmol/L, which was closely associated with diabetic status, longer PD duration, malnutrition, and inflammation. Baseline serum 25(OH)D predicted the occurrence of peritonitis independently of active vitamin D supplementation with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.94 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.90 – 0.98) after adjusting for recognized confounders (age, gender, dialysis duration, diabetes, albumin, residual renal function, and history of peritonitis). Compared to the low tertile, middle and high 25(OH)D level tertiles were associated with a decreased risk for peritonitis with HRs of 0.54 (95% CI 0.31 – 0.94) and 0.39 (95% CI 0.20 – 0.75), respectively. ♦ Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency evaluated by serum 25(OH)D rather than active vitamin D supplementation is closely associated with a higher risk of peritonitis.
Lipoma arborescens of the knee: MR characteristics in 13 joints.

UNLABELLED Lipoma arborescens (LA) is a rare, poorly understood intraarticular lesion, with few cases reported in the imaging literature. Our purpose was to describe on MR the different morphologic appearances of LA of the knee and to investigate the incidence of associated anomalies. METHOD The medical records and MR findings of 12 patients with proven LA in 13 knee joints were retrospectively reviewed with particular emphasis on the shape of the lesion, location, signal intensity, and past clinical history. RESULTS We found three common morphological patterns of presentation: multiple villous lipomatous synovial proliferations (n = 6), isolated frond-like fat subsynovial mass (n = 2), and mixed pattern (n = 5). Multiple villous lipomatous synovial proliferations and mixed pattern were usually associated with a history of trauma and/or chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the least frequent isolated frond-like fat subsynovial mass appears to originate without antecedent. The durations of symptoms were 1-7 months (multiple villous lipomatous synovial proliferations), 1-20 years (mixed pattern) and 6-7 years (isolated frond-like subsynovial fat mass). CONCLUSION Our study suggest that LA can present with a variety of morphological appearances on MR that may depend on the previous clinical history and duration of the disease.
Arabidopsis ETR1 and ERS1 Differentially Repress the Ethylene Response in Combination with Other Ethylene Receptor Genes1[W]

The ethylene response is negatively regulated by a family of five ethylene receptor genes in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). The five members of the ethylene receptor family can physically interact and form complexes, which implies that cooperativity for signaling may exist among the receptors. The ethylene receptor gene mutations etr1-1(C65Y)(for ethylene response1-1), ers1-1(I62P) (for ethylene response sensor1-1), and ers1C65Y are dominant, and each confers ethylene insensitivity. In this study, the repression of the ethylene response by these dominant mutant receptor genes was examined in receptor-defective mutants to investigate the functional significance of receptor cooperativity in ethylene signaling. We showed that etr1-1(C65Y), but not ers1-1(I62P), substantially repressed various ethylene responses independent of other receptor genes. In contrast, wild-type receptor genes differentially supported the repression of ethylene responses by ers1-1(I62P); ETR1 and ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE4 (EIN4) supported ers1-1(I62P) functions to a greater extent than did ERS2, ETR2, and ERS1. The lack of both ETR1 and EIN4 almost abolished the repression of ethylene responses by ers1C65Y, which implied that ETR1 and EIN4 have synergistic effects on ers1C65Y functions. Our data indicated that a dominant ethylene-insensitive receptor differentially repressed ethylene responses when coupled with a wild-type ethylene receptor, which supported the hypothesis that the formation of a variety of receptor complexes may facilitate differential receptor signal output, by which ethylene responses can be repressed to different extents. We hypothesize that plants can respond to a broad ethylene concentration range and exhibit tissue-specific ethylene responsiveness with differential cooperation of the multiple ethylene receptors.
Reproducibility and Repeatability of Foveal Avascular Zone Area Measurements Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Healthy Subjects

Purpose To assess the reproducibility and repeatability of foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area measurements using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) in healthy subjects. Methods Sixty-four eyes of 64 healthy volunteers were randomly subjected to FAZ area measurements using SS-OCTA by 2 examiners in 2 different sessions. Results The FAZ areas measured by the first and second observer were 0.269 ± 0.092 mm2 and 0.270 ± 0.090 mm2, respectively. Within subjects, the coefficients of variations were 2.44% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.95% to 2.93%) and 2.66% (95% CI 2.00% to 3.31%) for the first and second observers, respectively. The coefficient of repeatability average measurements of FAZ area were 0.021 mm2 and 0.024 mm2. The intraclass correlation coefficient values were 0.993 (95% CI 0.989 to 0.996) and 0.991 (95% CI 0.986 to 0.995). Interobserver and intraobserver concordance correlation coefficients ranged from 0.998 (95% CI 0.997 to 0.999) to 0.999 (95% CI 0.998 to 0.999) and from 0.989 (95% CI 0.982 to 0.993) to 0.987 (95% CI 0.979 to 0.992), respectively. Conclusions The FAZ area measurements by means of SS-OCTA showed high reproducibility and repeatability in healthy eyes.
Fetal ventriculomegaly due to familial submicroscopic terminal 6q deletions

Submicroscopic terminal 6q deletions are rare. We report on two familial submicroscopic terminal 6q deletions ascertained because of prenatally detected isolated ventriculomegaly and further delineate the variable prenatal and postnatal phenotype. We review published cases of <5 Mb terminal 6q deletions. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immunomodulation by Adenoviral-Mediated SCD40-Ig Gene Therapy for Mouse Allogeneic Islet Transplantation

Background. The success of pancreatic islet transplantation is limited because of immune rejection of allogeneic transplanted tissue and potential adverse side effects of nonspecific immunosuppression. Local expression of an immunosuppressive agent at the site of islet transplant could promote long-term engraftment without associated systemic side effects. Methods. We have examined the ability of adenoviral vector mediated local production of sCD40-immunoglobulin (Ig), blocking the CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) costimulatory pathway, from genetically modified allogeneic islets to facilitate long-term engraftment in fully allogeneic mouse model. Results. Transplantation of islets infected with an adenoviral vector expressing sCD40-Ig resulted in allograft survival longer than 120 days in five of the nine recipient mice (56%). However, mice that received mock infected (n=5) or control adenoviral vector (Ad.eGFP; n=6) rejected the allograft with a median survival of 15 and 16 days, respectively. Histopathology demonstrated that the grafts of the long-term surviving animals preserved islets with minimal mononuclear cell infiltration. Conclusion. These results demonstrate that local inhibition of the CD40-CD40L pathway by adenoviral gene transfer of sCD40-Ig to the islets prior to transplant significantly prolonged islet allograft acceptance. This approach could be used clinically to facilitate islet transplantation.
Vomiting and Recovery after Outpatient Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy in Children: Comparison of Four Anesthetic Techniques Using Nitrous Oxide with Halothane or Propofol

Background The authors' purpose in this study was to compare prospectively four different anesthetic induction and maintenance techniques using nitrous oxide with halothane and/or propofol for vomiting and recovery after outpatient tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedures in children. Methods Eighty unpremedicated children, aged 3-10 yr, were assigned randomly to four groups: group H/H, 0.5-2% halothane induction/halothane maintenance; group P/P, 3-5 mg *symbol* kg sup -1 propofol induction and 0.1-0.3 mg *symbol* kg sup -1 *symbol* min sup -1 propofol maintenance; group H/P, 0.1-0.3 mg *symbol* kg sup -1 *symbol* min sup -1 halothane induction/propofol maintenance; and group P/H, 3-5 mg *symbol* kg sup -1 propofol induction and 0.5-2% halothane maintenance. Nitrous oxide (67%) and oxygen (33%) were administered in all the groups. Other treatments and procedures were standardized intra- and postoperatively. Results of postoperative vomiting and recovery were analyzed in the first 6 h and beyond 6 h. Results Logistic regression showed that vomiting occurred 3.5 times as often when halothane was used for maintenance of anesthesia (groups H/H and P/H) compared with the use of propofol (groups P/P and H/P; Odds Ratio 3.5; 95% confidence interval 1.3 and 9.4, respectively; P = 0.012). A significant association between vomiting (< 6 h: yes/no) and discharge times (> 6 h: yes/no) (Odd's Ratio = 3.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.02, 12.4, respectively) (P = 0.046) was shown. However, no significant differences among the groups in the incidence of vomiting beyond 6 h, recurrent vomiting, or hospital discharge times were shown. Conclusions After tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy procedures, despite reduced postoperative vomiting with use of propofol rather than halothane, along with nitrous oxide for anesthetic maintenance, the authors found no differences in "true" endpoints such as unplanned admissions or discharge times. Among the groups, the main factor that delayed hospital discharge beyond 6 h was vomiting within the first 6 h.
Effects of Treadmill Running on Brain Activation and the Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone System

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of treadmill running on the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), CRH receptor type 1 (CRH-R1) and CRH-binding protein (CRH-BP) in the brain of rats that were killed either at rest, immediately after 60 min of treadmill running, or 180 min following a 60-min session of intensive exercise. The expression of the neuronal activity marker c-fos was also determined in the three conditions of this study. The levels of c-fos mRNA immediately following running were high in the cortex, caudate-putamen, lateral septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, dorsal and medial thalamus, hypothalamus, pontine nuclei, locus coeruleus and hypoglossal nucleus. In most brain regions investigated, excluding the locus coeruleus and the cingulate cortex, c-fos mRNA expression returned to control levels after 2 h of recovery. The highest concentration of cells co-expressing the protein Fos and CRH mRNA neurons was found in the parvocellular part of the paraventricular nucleus, which also expressed CRH heteronuclear RNA and CRH-R1 mRNA. The medial preoptic area (MPOA), the medial mammillary nucleus and the posterior hypothalamic as well as the somatosensory cortex, the medial geniculate nucleus, the reticulotegmental nucleus, and Barrington’s nucleus also co-expressed Fos and CRH mRNA. The expression of CRH-BP gene was induced in the MPOA following running. In summary, the present study demonstrates that treadmill running leads to a strong expression of c-fos mRNA that is widely distributed throughout the brain. c-fos mRNA was found in structures of the somatosensory and somatomotor systems, indicating that these regions were activated during exercise. The pattern of distribution of c-fos mRNA showed similarities with that triggered by neurogenic and systemic stresses. The present results also indicate that treadmill running can strongly activate the hypophysiotropic CRH system, which suggests, in agreement with the pattern of c-fos mRNA distribution, that treadmill running has a strong stress component.
Improvement of Fasting Plasma Glucose Level After Ingesting Moderate Amount of Dietary Fiber in Japanese Men With Mild Hyperglycemia and Visceral Fat Obesity

ABSTRACT A double-blind, randomized, controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a moderate amount of dietary fiber intake on fasting plasma glucose level and physical characteristics in Japanese men with mild hyperglycemia and visceral fat obesity. Thirty men with mild hyperglycemia (>5.6 mmol/L) and visceral fat accumulation (>100 cm2) ingested 7.5 g/day of dietary fiber for 12 weeks. An abdominal computed tomography scan was performed at baseline and at week 12. Blood was drawn every 4 weeks. In the test food group, fasting plasma glucose level was reduced with time, and the difference between the test food group and placebo group was statistically significant at week 12. Body weight and body mass index were also reduced with time, but visceral and subcutaneous fat areas did not change significantly during the study period. The results suggest that even a moderate amount of dietary fiber intake may be beneficial for managing the fasting plasma glucose level concomitant with insulin resistance, body weight, and body mass index in Japanese men with mild hyperglycemia and visceral fat obesity.
Effects of ischaemic stress on leukocyte activation processes in patients with chronic peripheral occlusive arterial disease: role of L-propionyl carnitine administration.

An open study was carried out to assess whether, in patients with occlusive peripheral arterial disease (PAD), ischaemic stress induced by maximal physical exercise is associated with leukocyte activation processes, and to evaluate the effects of L-propionyl carnitine (LPC) administration on such processes. Fifteen patients with occlusive PAD (stage II-A), with a mean pain-free walking distance (PWD) of 199 +/- 70.66 m were orally treated with 2000 mg/day LPC for 2 months. Serum levels of E-selectin, P-selectin, L-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-I (VCAM-1) were measured at rest and after the performance of a treadmill walking test (treadmill speed 3.5 km h(-1), inclination 12%) in the untreated condition, and again after treatment with LPC. Significant increases of these factors were observed after maximal exercise compared with resting values. Such increase was significantly reduced after LPC treatment compared with the untreated condition. This study shows that ischaemia induced by maximal stress is associated with leukocyte activation processes, and that LPC is capable of modulating these processes. LPC, therefore, may have a protecting role during ischaemia.
Onset and development of intersegmental projections in the chick embryo spinal cord

The ontogeny of intersegmental (propriospinal) projections was studied in the chick embryo spinal cord between embryonic day 2.5 and day 6. Our goals were (1) to determine the earliest projections of intersegmental interneurons between specific spinal regions and to establish the cell types involved; and (2) to follow the ontogeny of these projections during the early formative stages of spinal cord development. Studies were carried out in vitro by using an isolated spinal cord/brainstem preparation. Horseradish peroxidase injections were made either uni‐ or bilaterally at various levels of the spinal cord along the rostrocaudal axis of the embryo. HRP histochemistry was done on Vibratome sections with diaminobenzidine as the chromogen.
The Acquisition and Use of Argument Structure Constructions: A Bayesian Model

We present a Bayesian model for the representation, acquisition and use of argument structure constructions, which is founded on a novel view of constructions as a mapping of a syntactic form to a probability distribution over semantic features. Our computational experiments demonstrate the feasibility of learning general constructions from individual examples of verb usage, and show that the acquired knowledge generalizes to novel or low-frequency situations in language use.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Extremely Halophilic Archaeon Halogranum salarium B-1T

ABSTRACT Halogranum salarium is an extremely halophilic archaeon isolated from evaporitic salt crystals and belongs to the family Halobacteriaceae. Here, we present the 4.5-Mb draft genome sequence of the type strain (B-1T) of H. salarium. This is the first report of the draft genome sequence of a haloarchaeon in the genus Halogranum.
Distribution and ecotoxicological concerns of persistent organic pollutants in sediment from creek ecosystem

ABSTRACT In order to study the distribution and ecotoxicological concerns of persistent organic pollutants, grab sediment samples were collected from different locations across Thane creek, India. Analyses of samples were carried out using gas chromatography (GC)–electron capture detector and GC–mass spectrometry techniques. In organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), DDT (1,1,1,-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethane), DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl) ethylene), DDD (1-chloro-4-(2,2-dichloro-1-(4-chlorophenyl)ethyl) benzene) and α, β, and γ conformer of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), and 9 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) congeners were analyzed in surface sediment samples. Concentrations of these pollutants in grab sediment samples may indicate their current use and impact on marine ecosystem. Average concentrations of total DDT (including DDD and DDE), HCH, and Σ9PCBs were found to be 4.9, 12.5, and 2.9 µg kg−1(dry weight) respectively. High concentrations of OCPs and PCBs were found at discharge locations in creek compared to other locations. Location-wise distribution of OCPs and PCBs indicates their high concentrations at the waste water receiving point. Data were compared for ecotoxicological impacts based on the levels specified in the sediment quality standards of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. γ-HCH was found to have maximum potential to induce ecotoxicological impacts.
On Carbon doping to improve GeTe-based Phase-Change Memory data retention at high temperature

This paper investigates material and electrical properties of a new chalcogenide alloy for Phase-Change Memories (PCM): Carbon-doped GeTe (named GeTeC). First, several physico-chemical, optical and electrical analyses have been performed on full-sheet chalcogenide depositions in order to understand the intrinsic GeTeC phase-change behavior, and to characterize structure and composition of amorphous and crystalline states. Then, GeTeC with two different Carbon doping (4% and 10%) has been integrated in pillar-type analytical PCM cells. Physico-chemical and electrical data indicate that GeTeC is characterized by a much more stable amorphous phase compared to undoped GeTe. Thus, GeTeC offers a slower programming speed versus GeTe, but an improved data retention at high temperature. Finally, we argue that GeTeC alloy is a promising candidate for future developments of PCM technologies for embedded applications.
Assessment of Mycobacterial, Propionibacterial, and Human Herpesvirus 8 DNA in Tissues of Greek Patients with Sarcoidosis

ABSTRACT The causes of sarcoidosis are unknown. In this study, we report the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and Propionibacterium granulosum DNA in a significant proportion of Greek patients with sarcoidosis. Human herpesvirus 8 DNA was not detected in sarcoid tissues from Greek patients. Our findings are discussed.
What Is the Role of “Nonorganic Somatic Components” in Functional Capacity Evaluations in Patients With Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain Undergoing Fitness for Work Evaluation?

Study Design. Analytical cross-sectional study. Objective. To assess the association of “nonorganic somatic components” together with physical and other psychosocial factors on functional capacity evaluation (FCE) in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP) undergoing fitness-for-work evaluation. Summary of Background Data. Functional capacity evaluation is increasingly used for physical fitness-for-work evaluation in patients with chronic NSLBP, but results seem to be influenced by physical as well as psychosocial factors. The influence of nonorganic somatic components together with physical and other psychosocial factors on FCE performance has not yet been investigated. Methods. One hundred twenty-six patients with chronic NSLBP referred for physical fitness-for-work evaluation were included. The 4 FCE tests were lifting from floor to waist, forward bend standing, grip strength, and 6-minute walking. Nonorganic somatic components were assessed with the 8 nonorganic somatic signs as defined by Waddell and were adjusted for age, sex, days off work, salary in the previous occupation, pain intensity, fear avoidance belief, and perceived functional ability in multivariate regression analyses. Results. Between 42% and 58% of the variation in the FCE tests was explained in the final multivariate regression models. Nonorganic somatic components were consistent independent predictors for all tests. Their influence was most important on forward bend standing and walking distance, and less on grip strength and lifting performance. The physical factors of age and/or sex were strongly associated with grip strength and lifting, less with walking distance, and not at all with forward bend standing. The influence of at least 1 other psychosocial factor was observed in all FCE tests, having the highest proportion in the 6-minute walking test. Conclusion. Nonorganic somatic components seem to be consistent independent predictors in FCE testing and should be considered for interpretation of test results.