Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cardiac echinococcosis.

A57-year-old man was admitted to our University Hospital with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke. He had no antecedent illnesses. He had been a shepherd for 10 years. Physical examination disclosed an aphasic man with complete right hemiparesis and no other remarkable sign. Chest radiograph showed the left heart border to be lobulated and partially calcified (Figure 1). Cranial CT disclosed hypodense areas in the right cerebellar hemisphere and the left temporoparietal and left frontal regions. An ECG revealed T-wave inversion in leads V 4 through V6. Cardiac MRI revealed an infiltrated cystic mass in the anteroapical region of the left ventricle (Figure 2), in accordance with the transesophageal echocardiogram (Figure 3). Cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography revealed normal coronary arteries and a calcified cystic mass in the anteroapical wall (Figure 4). With a diagnosis of echinococcosis, the patient was referred to cardiac surgery for resection of the mass. At operation, a multicystic mass involved the anteroapical wall of the left ventricle, with adhesions to the pericardium (Figure 5). The endocardial aspect was protruding inside the cavity, but it was smooth. The postoperative period was uneventful. Analysis of the resected specimen revealed multiple hydatid cysts with live scolices ofEchinococcus granulosus . After therapy with albendazol (5 cycles of 30 days [10 mg z k 21 z d] with rest periods of 2 weeks between the cycles), the patient has remained well.
Clinical and microbiologic study of periodontitis associated with Kindler syndrome.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the onset and prevalence of periodontal disease in patients with the rare Kindler syndrome, a genodermatological disorder. This study investigated the level of clinical periodontal attachment in relation to age and presence of putative periodontopathogenic bacteria in individuals with Kindler syndrome. METHODS Eighteen individuals diagnosed with Kindler syndrome and 13 control subjects, aged 4 to 37 years, from rural Panama received a limited clinical periodontal examination. Subgingival samples were collected for identification of putative periodontal pathogens by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Mild to severe gingivitis was a common finding in all adults of the study population. Seventy-two percent (13/18) of the Kindler patients and 46% (6/13) of the control subjects showed mild to severe periodontal disease (P = 0.001, chi-square test). The onset of periodontitis was earlier and the progression occurred at a faster rate in the Kindler group. There was a strong correlation (r = 0.83) between the level of attachment loss and age in the Kindler group and a weaker correlation (r = 0.66) in the control group. The appearance of gingival tissues suggested atypical periodontitis with spontaneous bleeding and fragile, often desquamative, gingiva. In periodontitis patients, Porphyromonas gingivallis and Diallster pneumosintes tended to occur more frequently in control individuals compared to those with Kindler syndrome. CONCLUSIONS In the Kindler group, periodontitis had an onset in early teenage years and progressed more rapidly compared to non-Kindler individuals of the same geographic and ethnic group. Clinical and microbiological findings suggest atypical periodontitis in Kindler patients. We propose to include Kindler syndrome in the category of medical disorders predisposing to destructive periodontal disease.
Unraveling the effects of active and passive forms of political Internet use: Does it affect citizens’ political involvement?

In the time since the rise of the Internet, it has often been claimed that it has the potential to contribute to the quality of democracy by fostering citizens’ involvement in politics. So far, empirical evidence regarding this purported effect has been mixed, and many questions about the consequences of specific forms of political Internet use (PIU) have remained unanswered. This study expands the knowledge about the relation between PIU and political involvement by examining the effect of active and passive forms of PIU on citizens’ political involvement: more specifically, interest and voter turnout during election times. The results obtained from a panel study of a representative sample of the Dutch population (N = 985) reveal a positive relation between particular forms of PIU on the one hand and voter turnout and political interest on the other hand. In addition, for two specific forms of PIU, the positive effect on voter turnout is more prevalent for citizens who exhibit lower levels of political interest.
The unspoken secret: sexual violence in World War II

War is a complex, enduring trauma composed of variable forms of extreme stress, such as violence, fear of death, displacement, loss of family members, abuse and starvation (Berman, 2001). More than 90% of war victims are civilians (UNICEF, 2006). Children and women are extremely vulnerable to traumatic experiences in times of war and the risk continues even in post-war-situations (Shanks and Schull, 2000). As far as former war-children are concerned, a high prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptoms is apparent even six decades after World War II (Kuwert et al., 2006). In the 1990s, the world was shocked by reports about systematic and widespread rape in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda (Shanks and Schull, 2000). The Lancet has published articles about wartime rape and demanded the development of clear strategies against sexual violence in conflict (Hargreaves, 2001). However, it can be concluded that sexual violence was and is common in nearly all crisis zones. One recent example was the rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl by U.S. soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq (The Times, 2006).
Structure of Hybrid Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Propyl Methacrylate Oligomers Using Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Mechanics

Ion mobility and molecular modeling methods were used to examine the gas phase conformational properties of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) propyl methacrylate (PMA) oligomers. MALDI was utilized to generate sodiated [(PMA)Cp7T8]xNa+ ions, x = 1, 2, and 3, and their collision cross-sections were measured in helium using ion mobility based methods. Experimental results indicate only one conformer for the Na+1-mer and Na+3-mer, but two or more conformers for the Na+2-mer. Theoretical modeling of the Na+1-mer using the AMBER suite of programs indicates only one family of low-energy structures is found, in which the sodium ion binds to the carbonyl oxygen on the PMA and 4 oxygens on one face of the POSS cage. The calculated cross-section of this family agrees very well with the experimental value, with <2% deviation. For the Na+2-mer, theory predicts three separate conformer families based on whether the backbone attachments to the two POSS cages are “cis”, “extended trans” (larger), or “trans” (.
Hepatitis C Virus ( HCV ) Constitutively Activates STAT3 via Oxidative Stress : Role of STAT3 in HCV Replication

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes chronic hepatitis, which often results in liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We have previously shown that HCV nonstructural proteins induce activation of STAT-3 via oxidative stress and Ca signaling (G. Gong, G. Waris, R. Tanveer, and A. Siddiqui, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 98:9599–9604, 2001). In this study, we focus on the signaling pathway leading to STAT-3 activation in response to oxidative stress induced by HCV translation and replication activities. Here, we demonstrate the constitutive activation of STAT-3 in HCV replicon-expressing cells. The HCV-induced STAT-3 activation was inhibited in the presence of antioxidant (pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate) and Ca chelators (BAPTA-AM and TMB-8). Previous studies have shown that maximum STAT-3 transactivation requires Ser727 phosphorylation in addition to tyrosine phosphorylation. Using a series of inhibitors and dominant negative mutants, we show that HCV-induced activation of STAT-3 is mediated by oxidative stress and influenced by the activation of cellular kinases, including p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, JNK, JAK-2, and Src. Our results also suggest a potential role of STAT-3 in HCV RNA replication. We also observed the constitutive activation of STAT-3 in the liver biopsy of an HCV-infected patient. These studies provide an insight into the mechanisms by which HCV induces intracellular events relevant to liver pathogenesis associated with the viral infection.
Mechanical behaviour of nickel-titanium rotary endodontic instruments in simulated clinical conditions: a computational study.

AIM To develop an accurate finite element (FE) model for studying rotary endodontic instruments and to demonstrate the usefulness of the FE method in improving the knowledge of the mechanical behaviour of these instruments during root canal preparation. METHODOLOGY An accurate geometrical model of a Ni-Ti ProTaper F1 instrument was created. The interaction between the rotating instrument and differently shaped root canals during the insertion and removal procedure was studied using FE analyses. The complex thermo-mechanical behaviour of the Ni-Ti alloy was reproduced using an ad hoc computational subroutine. With the aim of demonstrating the enhanced performance of the shape memory alloy employment, the same analysis was performed on a 'virtual' ProTaper F1 made of stainless steel. RESULTS The Ni-Ti instrument operated in its pseudo-elastic range and was able to recover its original shape and to follow the canal curvature without deviation. The radius and the position of the canal curvature are the most critical parameters that determined the stress in the instrument with higher stress levels being produced by decreasing the radius and moving from the apical to the mid root position. CONCLUSIONS The most demanding working conditions were observed in canals with sharp curves, especially in areas where the instruments had larger diameters. To prevent possible damage to instruments and fracture, it is advised that the instruments should be discarded following their use in such canals.
Rôle de la Transcortine (CBG) dans la variabilité des réponses de stress

Une grande diversite dans la reponse adaptative au stress est observee entre les individus favorisant une sensibilite variable face aux stresseurs et pouvant conduire a une vulnerabilite a developper divers troubles et pathologies. Cette diversite est sous tendue par les caracteristiques propres de chaque individu, determinees par le patrimoine genetique en interaction avec les facteurs environnementaux. Des etudes genetiques menees au laboratoire ont permis de placer le gene de la Cbg comme un candidat important influencant les reponses de stress. L’equipe a alors developpe un modele de souris deficiente pour le gene Cbg (k.o. total). La CBG est une glycoproteine plasmatique responsable de la biodisponibilite et du transport jusqu’a leur cible des glucocorticoides, produits finaux de l’axe corticotrope. A l’aide de ce modele original, l’objectif de mon travail de these a ete d’etudier les consequences fonctionnelles de la deficience en CBG sur les reponses de stress. Nous avons ainsi analyse l’activite et la reactivite de l’axe corticotrope ainsi que les comportements emotionnels des mâles et des femelles k.o. Cbg dans des conditions de repos, de stress aigu et dans un contexte mimant l’effet d’un style de vie occidentale (modelise par une alimentation enrichie en gras, associee a un stress chronique). Nous presentons ainsi un modele murin unique d’hypo-reponse des glucocorticoides au stress associe a une reponse comportementale adaptative ralentie au niveau emotionnel et cognitif. L’ensemble de ces travaux contribue a placer la CBG et son gene comme acteur majeur de la variabilite individuelle des reponses de stress.
Changes in insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF-binding protein-3, growth hormone (GH)-binding protein, erythrocyte IGF-I receptors, and growth rate during GH treatment.

To assess the relative determinants of growth rate, we measured serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and GH-binding protein (GHBP) as well as IGF-I erythrocyte receptor specific binding (SB) in 14 prepubertal GH-deficient children before and during the first year of treatment with 0.043 mg/kg.day GH. Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels, measured by RIA, were significantly increased by 2 weeks and showed progressive increases throughout the year of GH therapy. Growth rate (height velocity SD score adjusted for bone age) correlated best with the 12 month changes in IGFBP-3 (r = 0.81; P < 0.001) and IGF-I (r = 0.72; P = 0.005), and to a lesser extent with the 12 month absolute IGFBP-3 (r = 0.58; P = 0.04) and the 6 month change in IGFBP-3 (r = 0.55; P = 0.05). The baseline IGF-I correlated inversely with the growth rate during GH therapy (r = -0.55; P = 0.05) and was the best pretreatment predictor of growth response. GHBP, as measured by ligand-mediated immunofunctional assay, showed no significant change during GH therapy and did not correlate with growth response. The baseline GHBP, however, did correlate with both the 12 month IGFBP-3 (r = 0.72; P = 0.006) as well as the 2 week change in IGFBP-3 (r = 0.63; P = 0.05). Erythrocyte IGF-I SB showed a significant decrease by 6 months secondary to a decrease in IGF-I receptor number, with no change in affinity. The 6 month IGF-I receptor binding correlated inversely with the increase in IGF-I (r = -0.88; P < 0.001). Erythrocyte IGF-I SB at baseline did not correlate with the growth response, although there was an inverse trend between the 6 month IGF-I receptor level and the growth rate. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 show progressive increases, whereas the erythrocyte IGF-I receptor-binding capacity decreases by 6 months, and GHBP shows little change during the first year of GH treatment. Data from this study suggest that changes in IGFBP-3 and, to a lesser extent, IGF-I are the major correlates of growth rate, and that down-regulation of the IGF-I receptor may have relatively little influence on growth rate compared with changes in IGFBP-3 and IGF-I.
Co‐Localization of TSC1 and TSC2 Gene Products in Tubers of Patients with Tuberous Sclerosis

Two genes, mutations in which result in the phenotype of tuberous sclerosis (TSC), have recently been cloned. TSC2 on chromosome 16p 13.3 encodes the protein tuberin, which appears to have growth regulating properties. TSC1 on chromosome 9q34 encodes hamartin which, as yet, has no specified cellular functions. Polyclonal antibodies were raised to synthetic peptides representing portions of tuberin and hamartin and used in immunoblots and immunohistochemical studies to localize the proteins in surgically resected neocortical tubers from four TSC patients. On Western blots of autopsy brain specimens, K‐562 cell, and NT2 lysates, each antibody labelled a single band at the expected molecular weight. In immunohistochemical protocols on paraffin embedded tissue, antibodies to both tuberin and hamartin prominently labelled atypical and dysmorphic neuroglial cells that are a defining feature of TSC tubers. Some abnormal cells within cortical tuber sections were labelled with both tuberin and hamartin antisera. Our results suggest that tuberin and hamartin are both robustly expressed in similar populations of neuroglial cells of TSC tubers, even in the presence of TSC1 or TSC2 germline mutations. The roles of these gene products in normal and abnormal cortical development, tuber pathogenesis and the generation of seizures remain to be defined.
The complex distribution of arterial system mechanical properties, pulsatile hemodynamics, and vascular stresses emerges from three simple adaptive rules.

Arterial mechanical properties, pulsatile hemodynamic variables, and mechanical vascular stresses vary significantly throughout the systemic arterial system. Although the fundamental principles governing pulsatile hemodynamics in elastic arteries are widely accepted, a set of rules governing stress-induced adaptation of mechanical properties can only be indirectly inferred from experimental studies. Previously reported mathematical models have assumed mechanical properties adapt to achieve an assumed target stress "set point. " Simultaneous prediction of the mechanical properties, hemodynamics, and stresses, however, requires that equilibrium stresses are not assumed a priori. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to use a "balance point" approach to identify the simplest set of universal adaptation rules that simultaneously predict observed mechanical properties, hemodynamics, and stresses throughout the human systemic arterial system. First, we employed a classical systemic arterial system model with 121 arterial segments and removed all parameter values except vessel lengths and peripheral resistances. We then assumed vessel radii increase with endothelial shear stress, wall thicknesses increase with circumferential wall stress, and material stiffnesses decrease with circumferential wall stress. Parameters characterizing adaptive responses were assumed to be identical in all arterial segments. Iteratively predicting local mechanical properties, hemodynamics, and stresses reproduced five trends observed when traversing away from the aortic root towards the periphery: decrease in lumen radii, wall thicknesses, and pulsatile flows and increase in wall stiffnesses and pulsatile pressures. The extraordinary complexity of the systemic arterial system can thus arise from independent adaptation of vessels to local stresses characterized by three simple adaptive rules.
Understanding Customers' Satisfaction and Repurchase Intentions: An Integration of IS Success Model, Trust, and Justice

Purpose – The aim of this study is to extend DeLone and McLean's IS success model by introducing justice – fair treatments received from the exchanging party – and trust into a theoretical model for studying customers' repurchase intentions in the context of online shopping.Design/methodology/approach – The research model was tested with data from 219 of PCHome's online shopping customers using a web survey. PLS (partial least squares) was used to analyze the measurement and structural models.Findings – Data collected from 219 valid respondents provided support for all but one hypotheses (with a p‐value of less than 0.05). The unsupported hypothesis regards the relationship between service quality and satisfaction (H4). The study shows that trust, net benefits, and satisfaction are significant positive predictors of customers' repurchase intentions toward online shopping. Information quality, system quality, trust, and net benefits, are significant determinants of customer satisfaction. Besides, online tr.
A Molecular Portrait of Arabidopsis Meiosis

Abstract Meiosis is essential for eukaryotic sexual reproduction and important for genetic diversity among individuals. Efforts during the last decade in Arabidopsis have greatly expanded our understanding of the molecular basis of plant meiosis, which has traditionally provided much information about the cytological description of meiosis. Through both forward genetic analysis of mutants with reduced fertility and reverse genetic studies of homologs of known meiotic genes, we now have a basic knowledge about genes important for meiotic recombination and its relationship to pairing and synapsis, critical processes that ensure proper homolog segregation. In addition, several genes affecting meiotic progression, spindle assembly, chromosome separation, and meiotic cytokinesis have also been uncovered and characterized. It is worth noting that Arabidopsis molecular genetic studies are also revealing secrets of meiosis that have not yet been recognized elsewhere among eukaryotes, including gene functions that might be unique to plants and those that are potentially shared with animals and fungi. As we enter the post-genomics era of plant biology, there is no doubt that the next ten years will see an even greater number of discoveries in this important area of plant development and cell biology. Abbreviations: DAPI, 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole; DSB, double strand break; DSBR, double strand break repair; SC, synaptonemal complex; TEM, transmission electron microscopy
Alterations of L-Type Calcium Current and Cardiac Function in CaMKII&dgr; Knockout Mice

Rationale Recent studies have highlighted important roles of CaMKII in regulating Ca2+ handling and excitation-contraction coupling. However, the cardiac effect of chronic CaMKII inhibition has not been well understood. Objective We have tested the alterations of L-type calcium current (ICa) and cardiac function in CaMKII&dgr; knockout (KO) mouse left ventricle (LV). Methods and Results We used the patch-clamp method to record ICa in ventricular myocytes and found that in KO LV, basal ICa was significantly increased without changing the transmural gradient of ICa distribution. Substitution of Ba2+ for Ca2+ showed similar increase in IBa. There was no change in the voltage dependence of ICa activation and inactivation. ICa recovery from inactivation, however, was significantly slowed. In KO LV, the Ca2+-dependent ICa facilitation (CDF) and ICa response to isoproterenol (ISO) were significantly reduced. However, ISO response was reversed by &bgr;2-adrenergic receptor (AR) inhibition. Western blots showed a decrease in &bgr;1-AR and an increase in Cav1.2, &bgr;2-AR, and G&agr;i3 protein levels. Ca2+ transient and sarcomere shortening in KO myocytes were unchanged at 1-Hz but reduced at 3-Hz stimulation. Echocardiography in conscious mice revealed an increased basal contractility in KO mice. However, cardiac reserve to work load and &bgr;-adrenergic stimulation was reduced. Surprisingly, KO mice showed a reduced heart rate in response to work load or &bgr;-adrenergic stimulation. Conclusions Our results implicate physiological CaMKII activity in maintaining normal ICa, Ca2+ handling, excitation-contraction coupling, and the in vivo heart function in response to cardiac stress.