Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Late outcome and quality of life following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in octogenarians.

Limited data are available concerning the long-term survival and quality of life of octogenarians treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). We retrospectively compared the results of PTCA in 118 octogenarians to that of 500 younger subjects. Among the octogenarians, long term follow-up was obtained including survival, relief of angina, assessment of quality of life, and capacity for independent living. These results were compared between men and women. The clinical success rate was 93% for the octogenarians and 88% for the younger patients (p = NS). The lesion success rates were 89% and 88% for these groups, respectively. Results of multilesion PTCA and dilatation of coronary occlusions were similar in both age groups. Major complication rates were 5.9% for the elderly and 3.8% for the younger patients (p < .008). Hospital mortality was higher among the octogenarians (4.6% vs 0.2%, p < .05). Among long-term octogenarian survivors, > 90% indicated a high level of satisfaction with their quality of life and health status. If needed, 88% would undergo the procedure again. Independent living was possible for 66% of these patients and automobile driving for 55%. Octogenarian men and women had similar baseline clinical characteristics, procedural success, complications, relief of angina, and survival. Women indicated a slightly lower level of satisfaction and capacity for independent living. PTCA can achieve a success rate in octogenarians comparable to that of younger patients but with an increased risk of serious complications. Patient satisfaction remains high and a majority of octogenarians remain physically active and capable of independent living.
Quality of attachment to father and mother and number of reciprocal friends

Attachment research suggests that children with secure attachments are more able to construct meaningful relationships with peers. Few studies, however, have attempted to map early attachment security to the formation and maintenance of preschool friendships. Special attention has been paid to affiliative relationships (particularly friendships) because these are presumed to be of special importance with respect to a number of developmental outcomes and social adjustment indices. This study examined the relations between mother–child and father–child attachment relationships using the attachment Q‐sort (AQS) and the number of reciprocated friendships of preschool children. Thirty‐five mother–child and father–child dyads from bi‐parental families participated in the study. Children were between 29 and 38 months of age for the first assessment. The organisation of children’s secure base behaviour with both parents was assessed from separate observations of the child and parent at home. Subsequently, sociometric measures were used at four years of age to determine peer preferences. The correlation between the independent AQS scores for fathers and mothers was positive and significant (r = .51, p < .05). Thus, there was consistency in child secure base behaviour across visits with each parent. Bivariate correlation and regression analyses showed a significant positive relation between AQS security with fathers (but not with mothers) and the number of reciprocated friendships (r = .43, p < .05). Regression analyses indicated that AQS security with fathers remained a significant predictor of friendships even when AQS security with mothers was controlled. These findings may indicate a distinct relational effect of interaction quality with the father.
A Focus on Antiarrhythmic Properties of Ranolazine

Ranolazine is an antianginal drug that inhibits a number of ion currents that are important for the genesis of transmembrane cardiac action potential. It was initially developed as an antianginal agent but was found to additionally exert antiarrhythmic actions, due to its multichannel-blocking properties. In recent years, several studies about the antiarrhythmic properties of ranolazine were conducted, demonstrating the beneficial effects of this drug in both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular premature beats, ventricular tachycardia, torsades de pointes, and ventricular fibrillation. Our aim is to briefly review the main points of these studies, most more experimental than clinical.
Interspecific Crossing between Yam Species (Dioscorea rotundata and Dioscorea bulbifera) through in Vitro Ovule Culture

In the present study, in vitro ovule culture technique was used to obtain interspecific cross combination of Dioscorea rotundata ufenyi and Dioscorea bulbifera wild. Ten days after pollination, ovules were excised and cultured onto 1/2 strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium (Basal salt mixture + Vitamins) supplemented with 6% sucrose, 0.7% agar and plant growth hormones such as GA3, BAP, Picrolam and TDZ. Cultured ovules were transferred on 1/2 MS medium with 3% sucrose and 0.7% agar after three weeks. 40 days after pollination, germination was observed from 7 months cultured ovule between D. rotundata ufenyi x D. bulbifera wild. Hybridity of the regenerated plant was checked by flow cytometric method. A close relation was observed between the fluorescence intensity of the obtained progeny with one of the parents’ fluorescence. The observed progeny can be closely correlated with an apomictic tissue from an ovule parent of D. rotundata ufenyi. Plantlets derived from ovule culture were proliferated through in vitro shoot multiplication with hormonal concentration (0.5 mg/l BAP) supplemented with 1/2 strength MS medium. Obtained ovule culture derived in vitro plantlets were successfully hardened, acclimatized and transferred to the field, where they survived and grew normally. In plant breeding, interspecific crossing is very important technique, enabling the time needed to produce homozygous lines to be shortened as compared to the conventional plant breeding techniques.
Stem Cell Therapy: Healing or Hype? Why Stem Cell Delivery Doesn't Work.

During the last 2 decades, there has been a surge in the development of stem cell therapies to treat numerous debilitating diseases. Cardiovascular disease is a leading target of this research because of the minimal proliferative and regenerative capabilities of the heart. These studies have quickly progressed to clinical trials; however, the initial enthusiasm has faded because outcomes from these studies have led to disappointing and inconsistent results.1 This viewpoint offers an explanation as to why stem cells have yet to demonstrate a significant benefit in patients having cardiovascular disease and how these challenges should be addressed. It is currently unknown which cell lineage provides the greatest potential in regenerative effects. While most cardiac clinical trials have delivered mesenchymal stem cells or bone marrow–derived stem cells (BMSCs), others have used adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and cardiac stem cells (CSCs). 1,2 Yet, regardless of the cell type used, stem cell trials for cardiovascular diseases have not yielded clinically meaningful outcomes, though most have only been statistically powered to demonstrate feasibility and safety. Mesenchymal stem cells are advantageous because they can be delivered to patients without the need for immunosuppression and secrete numerous antiapoptotic and angiogenic growth factors.3 In 2014, 30 patients were enrolled in a multicenter, double-blind trial and randomized to receive an intramyocardial injection of 25 million mesenchymal stem cells or cell medium concurrent with left ventricular assist device implantation. The authors concluded that administration of mesenchymal stem cells was feasible and safe, with a trend toward functional efficacy.3 BMSCs are commonly administered in cardiac trials and are attractive because of their proven safety and paracrine effects.4 A BMSC trial published in 2013 randomized 200 patients with acute myocardial infarction to an open-labeled, controlled trial with 2 BMSC groups. These cells were administered via …
Reactive Site-modified Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases-2 Inhibits the Cell-mediated Activation of Progelatinase A*

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) is supposed to play a regulatory role in the cell-mediated activation of progelatinase A. To investigate the mechanism of the regulation, we prepared and characterized a chemically modified TIMP-2, and examined its effects on the activation of progelatinase A. We found that treatment of TIMP-2 with cyanate ion led to loss of inhibitory activity toward matrilysin or gelatinase A. Structural and functional analyses of the modified TIMP-2 showed that carbamylation of the α-amino group of the NH2-terminal Cys1 of TIMP-2 led to complete loss of the inhibitory activity. When the reactive-site modified TIMP-2 was added to culture medium of concanavalin A-stimulated HT1080 cells, the conversion of endogenous progelatinase A to the intermediate form was partially inhibited, whereas that of the intermediate form to the mature one was strongly inhibited. The reactive site-modified TIMP-2 also prevented an accumulation of active gelatinase A on the cell surface. We speculate that occupation of the hemopexin-like domain of gelatinase A by the reactive site-modified TIMP-2 makes it unable for gelatinase A to be retained on the cell surface, thus preventing the autocatalytic conversion of the intermediate form of gelatinase A to its mature form.
A 2-D model of the induction machine: an extension of the modified winding function approach

A new method to calculate the inductances of induction machines considering axial nonuniformity is proposed. The proposed method, an extension of the modified winding function approach, allows considering nonuniformity due to skew and static and dynamic air-gap eccentricity. Theoretical fundamentals and experimental results that validate the proposed method are presented.
PCR‐Based Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number, Mitochondrial DNA Damage, and Nuclear DNA Damage

Because of the role that DNA damage and depletion play in human disease, it is important to develop and improve tools to assess these endpoints. This unit describes PCR‐based methods to measure nuclear and mitochondrial DNA damage and copy number. Long amplicon quantitative polymerase chain reaction (LA‐QPCR) is used to detect DNA damage by measuring the number of polymerase‐inhibiting lesions present based on the amount of PCR amplification; real‐time PCR (RT‐PCR) is used to calculate genome content. In this unit, we provide step‐by‐step instructions to perform these assays in Homo sapiens, Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, Danio rerio, Oryzias latipes, Fundulus grandis, and Fundulus heteroclitus, and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these assays. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Early prediction of tumor recurrence based on CT texture changes after stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for lung cancer.

PURPOSE Benign computed tomography (CT) changes due to radiation induced lung injury (RILI) are common following stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) and can be difficult to differentiate from tumor recurrence. The authors measured the ability of CT image texture analysis, compared to more traditional measures of response, to predict eventual cancer recurrence based on CT images acquired within 5 months of treatment. METHODS A total of 24 lesions from 22 patients treated with SABR were selected for this study: 13 with moderate to severe benign RILI, and 11 with recurrence. Three-dimensional (3D) consolidative and ground-glass opacity (GGO) changes were manually delineated on all follow-up CT scans. Two size measures of the consolidation regions (longest axial diameter and 3D volume) and nine appearance features of the GGO were calculated: 2 first-order features [mean density and standard deviation of density (first-order texture)], and 7 second-order texture features [energy, entropy, correlation, inverse difference moment (IDM), inertia, cluster shade, and cluster prominence]. For comparison, the corresponding response evaluation criteria in solid tumors measures were also taken for the consolidation regions. Prediction accuracy was determined using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and two-fold cross validation (CV). RESULTS For this analysis, 46 diagnostic CT scans scheduled for approximately 3 and 6 months post-treatment were binned based on their recorded scan dates into 2-5 month and 5-8 month follow-up time ranges. At 2-5 months post-treatment, first-order texture, energy, and entropy provided AUCs of 0.79-0.81 using a linear classifier. On two-fold CV, first-order texture yielded 73% accuracy versus 76%-77% with the second-order features. The size measures of the consolidative region, longest axial diameter and 3D volume, gave two-fold CV accuracies of 60% and 57%, and AUCs of 0.72 and 0.65, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Texture measures of the GGO appearance following SABR demonstrated the ability to predict recurrence in individual patients within 5 months of SABR treatment. Appearance changes were also shown to be more accurately predictive of recurrence, as compared to size measures within the same time period. With further validation, these results could form the substrate for a clinically useful computer-aided diagnosis tool which could provide earlier salvage of patients with recurrence.
The prevention of alcoholism: epidemiological studies of the effects of government control measures.

Widely used control measures such as the monopoly system and restrictions on the number and type of alcoholic beverage outlets, and on hours of sale appear to be muck less powerful determinants of regional and temporal variation in the prevalence of alcoholism than taxation policy. It is found that where or when Ike price of beverage alcohol relative to average disposable (real) income in high, indices of alcohol consumption and alcoholism are usually low, and vice versa. Differential taxation (involving a disproportionately high tax on spirituous liquors) appears to be effective temporarily, but to result ultimately in the substitution of another beverage source with an increase in consumption and alcohol problems. This is consistent with other evidence which indicates that the overall level of alcohol consumption in a population, regardless of beverage source, determines the prevalence of hazardous consumers and of alcohol–related organic pathologies. The nature of a taxation policy which might be expected to prevent increases, and perhaps achieve a reduction in prevalence is outlined. However, an appropriate program of public education would probably be required in most jurisdictions to render the implementation of the policy fully effective and politically feasible.
Faster for less: the new “shorter” regimen for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis

Multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) are growing clinical and public health concerns, with an estimated worldwide incidence and mortality of 480 000 and 190 000 cases, respectively (2014) [1]. The World Health Organization (WHO) End TB Strategy reiterates the MDR-/XDR-TB threat and the solutions to control the epidemic [2]. Unfortunately, large proportions of patients with resistant TB do not have access to adequate diagnostics and treatment yet, while treatment success rates remain suboptimal (as demonstrated in the largest retrospective cohort of MDR-TB patients, i.e., TB caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampicin) and decrease further with resistance patterns beyond XDR-TB [3]. Evaluation of drug resistances is needed to identify candidates for the shorter regimen in MDR-TB hot spots http://ow.ly/wZV33022VXt
Skull base abnormalities in osteogenesis imperfecta: a cephalometric evaluation of 54 patients and 108 control volunteers.

OBJECT Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), which usually results from mutations in type I collagen genes, causes bone fragility and deformities. The head is often abnormally shaped, and changes in skull base anatomy in the form of basilar impression and basilar invagination have been reported. The authors analyzed the skull base anatomy on standardized lateral cephalograms from 54 patients with OI (Types I, III, and IV) and 108 control volunteers. They were surprised to find that the previously used diagnostic measures for basilar abnormality in patients with OI were exceeded in 6.5 to 7.4% of the controls, and hence needed to be reevaluated. METHODS The authors calculated the distance from the odontoid process to four reference lines, including a novel one, in the controls. The normal mean distances were exceeded by more than two standard deviations (SDs) in 28.3 to 35.2%, and by more than three SDs in 13.2 to 16.6% of the patients with OI. The latter figures reliably reflect the prevalence of basilar impression. As a sign of basilar invagination the odontoid process protruded into the foramen magnum or reached the foramen magnum level in 22.2% of the patients with OI, whereas none of the controls showed this feature. Platybasia (an anterior cranial base angle > 146 degrees) was present in 11.1% of the patients but in none of the controls. CONCLUSIONS Platybasia, basilar impression, and basilar invagination were often coexpressed, but each was also present as an isolated abnormality. These three abnormalities and wormian bones were predominantly found in OI Types III and IV as well as in patients exhibiting dentinal abnormality.
Randomized Phase III Study Comparing Irradiation and Hyperthermia with Irradiation Alone in Superficial Measurable Tumors: Final Report by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group

A total of 307 patients with superficial measurable tumors were registered on a Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) protocol involving fractionated radiation therapy, either alone or followed immediately by hyperthermia (42.5°C, 45–60 min). Overall complete response (CR) was observed in 30% of the lesions treated with radiotherapy (RT) and 32% of those receiving RT and heat. Response was found to be significantly related to both maximum tumor diameter (<3 or >3 cm) and site/histology (breast/adenocarcinoma, head and neck/squamous, or other site/histologies). In tumors < 3 cm in diameter in the breast, trunk, and extremities, a better CR rate was noted with irradiation and heat (62 and 67%) than with irradiation alone (40 and 0%). However, in the head and neck there was only minimal difference in CR with irradiation alone or combined with hyperthermia (50 vs 38%). In lesions < 3 cm treated with irradiation and heat, there was improved local control. In lesions > 3 cm, there was no difference in local control between the two treatment arms. The higher response rate in patients with smaller lesions (<3 cm) may be explained by the fact that these tumors are easier to heat. Problems in correlating tumor response with quality of heating include less than optimal heating in larger lesions and the limited ability of current thermometry to map the temperature distribution in a tumor. Acute and late toxicities in both treatment arms were comparable, except for an overall 30% incidence of thermal blisters in the heated tumors.
Mitochondrial Protein Nitration Primes Neurodegeneration in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis*

The mechanisms of axonal and neuronal degeneration causing visual and neurologic disability in multiple sclerosis are poorly understood. Here we explored the contribution of mitochondria to neurodegeneration in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis animal model of multiple sclerosis. Oxidative injury to the murine mitochondrion preceded the infiltration of inflammatory cells, classically heralded as the mediators of demyelination and axonal injury by transection. Nitration of mitochondrial proteins affected key subunits of complexes I and IV of the respiratory chain and a chaperone critical to the stabilization and translocation of proteins into the organelle. Oxidative products were associated with loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptotic cell death. Reductions in the rate of synthesis of adenosine triphosphate were severe and even greater than those associated with disorders caused by mutated mitochondrial DNA. Mitochondrial vacuolization, swelling, and dissolution of cristae occurred in axons as early as 3 days after sensitization for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Our findings implicate mitochondrial dysfunction induced by protein inactivation and mediated by oxidative stress initiates a cascade of molecular events leading to apoptosis and neurodegeneration in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis that is not mediated by inflammatory cells.
Effects of source and level of magnesium on catalase activity and its gene expression in livers of broiler chickens

Abstract The effects of dietary supplemental magnesium oxide (MgO), magnesium-L-aspartate (MgAsp) and monomagnesium-di-L-aspartate (MgdiAsp) on hepatic catalase (CAT) activity and its mRNA expression were investigated. A total of 360 one-day-old male Abor Acre broiler chickens were allocated to ten treatments, i.e. control plus 9 treatments from 3×3 factorial arrangement (Mg source, Mg level), each treatment with six replicates of 6 chickens. The birds were fed with the basal diet alone or supplemented with magnesium (Mg) at 0.9, 1.8, 2.7 g/kg of the diet from MgO, MgAsp or MgdiAsp. Results showed that hepatic Mg concentration increased quadratically as MgO or MgAsp supplementation increased (p < 0.01). Hepatic CAT activity increased linearly in birds fed with MgAsp or MgdiAsp (p < 0.01) and quadratically in birds fed with MgO (p < 0.05) as dietary Mg supplementation level increased. Hepatic CAT mRNA was linearly correlated with the dietary Mg supplementation level (p < 0.01). There were positive correlations among hepatic CAT activity, its mRNA expression level and hepatic Mg concentration (p < 0.01). No effect of Mg2+ on the purified CAT activity was detected in vitro enzymatic reaction system (p > 0.05). Supplemental MgAsp or MgdiAsp was more efficient to increase hepatic Mg concentrations, enhance hepatic CAT activity and its mRNA expression than MgO (p < 0.01). It can be concluded that dietary Mg supplementation could increase hepatic Mg concentration, enhance CAT mRNA expression and consequently enhance CAT activity, and the organic Mg (MgAsp or MgdiAsp) is much more efficient than the inorganic form (MgO).
Doing social volcanology: exploring volcanic culture in Indonesia

Social volcanology refers to the integration of social science research methods into the traditionally physical domain of volcanology. This emerging multi-methodological research area draws from many disciplines in order to examine hazard-mitigation strategies that are community focused. A key facet of social volcanology is the role of culture and this paper explores the influence of traditional cultural values in relation to the 2006 volcanic crisis at Mt Merapi (Java). This paper describes the complex amalgam of cultural and socio-economic factors that influence community reactions to volcanic hazards and demonstrates the need for interdisciplinary hazard research.
Cleavage Efficiency by Adenovirus Protease Is Site-dependent*

The adenovirus protease cleaves consensus sequences (M/I/L)XGX-G and (M/I/L)XGG-X. Using purified recombinant protease, we showed that a peptide bearing the GX-G site was hydrolyzed more rapidly than a peptide bearing the GG-X site. The GX-G site was also preferentially cleaved on viral protein pVI which bears both sites of cleavage. Evidence is presented that suggests a biological role for this differential cleavage efficiency.