Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resting energy expenditure in children with cyanotic and noncyanotic congenital heart disease before and after open heart surgery.

BACKGROUND Failure to thrive is a common problem in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Resting energy expenditure (REE) in cyanotic and noncyanotic children with CHD before and after open heart surgery has hardly been investigated. METHODS Twenty-nine children younger than 3 years of age with CHD (14 cyanotic and 15 noncyanotic CHD) who were referred for open heart surgery were enrolled. Data on dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, and indirect calorimetry parameters were measured 24 hours before the surgery, (day -1), and on day 5 after surgery. The measured REE was compared with the Schofield and World Health Organization (WHO) REE prediction equations. RESULTS The mean +/- SD measured REE was similar in the cyanotic and noncyanotic children before and after surgery (before surgery: 57 +/- 13 and 58 +/- 9 kcal/kg per day, respectively; 5 days after surgery: 59 +/- 10 and 62 +/- 10 kcal/kg per day, respectively). Oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) did not change significantly before and after surgery and were similar in both groups. The measured REE for all children on day -1 and day 5 was similar to the calculated REE using the Schofield equation but was significantly different from the calculated REE using the WHO equation (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS Significant changes in REE, VCO2, and VO2 were not observed before and 5 days after open heart surgery in children with CHD. These parameters (REE, VCO2, and VO2) were also similar in children with cyanotic versus noncyanotic CHD. The Schofield equation is more accurate than the WHO equation in predicting energy needs of children with CHD, but measurement of REE is preferred over calculation of REE.
Neoangiogenesis and Relationship to Nuclear p53 Accumulation and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression in Advanced Gastric Carcinoma

Recent studies have shown that tumor suppressor genes, particularly p53, may play a crucial regulatory role in the control of angiogenesis. Accordingly, we analyzed the correlation between p53 accumulation and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel counts in a series of human gastric adenocarcinomas by immunohistochemical staining. p53 expression was absent in 35 cases (29.7%), weak in 34 cases (28.8%), moderate in 35 cases (29.7%), and strong in 14 cases (11.8%). The prognosis of patients with both absent and weak expression of p53 was significantly better than that of patients with both moderate and strong expression of p53. VEGF expression was significantly associated with increased p53 expression. Moreover, increasing expression of p53 significantly correlated with an increase in microvessel counts. Nuclear p53 accumulation may correlate with tumor angiogenesis through VEGF upregulation in gastric carcinomas.
Use of boosted protease inhibitors reduces Kaposi sarcoma incidence among male veterans with HIV infection.

BACKGROUND Kaposi sarcoma (KS) incidence has decreased since combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). However, effects of cART type and duration on KS remain difficult to interpret secondary to KS-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). METHODS We performed a retrospective study of Veterans Affairs Human Immunodeficiency Virus Clinical Case Registry data from 1985 to 2010. We analyzed the relationship between cART regimens and KS using multivariable Poisson regression, stratified or adjusted for timing around cART initiation. KS was identified by ≥ 1 inpatient or ≥ 2 outpatient International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes (176.0-9). Percent of cART on specific regimen and total duration on specific regimen were examined. RESULTS There were 341 KS cases among 25 529 HIV-infected male veterans (incidence rate = 2.02/1000 person-years). Stratified by years after starting cART, every additional 10% time on boosted protease inhibitors (BPIs) was associated with reduced KS incidence in the third year of cART (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], .69-.90). Months on BPIs was associated with lower KS incidence (P = .02). KS incidence was lower at 12-23 (IRR = 0.47; 95% CI, .23-.95) and ≥ 36 (IRR = 0.14; 95% CI, .02-1.00) months on BPIs compared with <6 months. Longer duration on other regimens was not associated with decreased KS incidence. CONCLUSIONS Lower KS incidence was observed with longer BPI use, after accounting for potential IRIS and other factors. Future research should evaluate newer cART regimens and long-term benefits of PI-based cART on KS in other cohorts and prospective studies.
The Essential Role of MEKK3 Signaling in Angiotensin II-induced Calcineurin/Nuclear Factor of Activated T-cells Activation*

Calcineurin is a serine/threonine protein phosphatase that plays a critical role in many physiologic processes, such as T-cell activation, apoptosis, skeletal myocyte differentiation, and cardiac hypertrophy. We determined that active MEKK3 was capable of activating calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) signaling in cardiac myocytes and reprogramming cardiac gene expression. In contrast, small interference RNA directed against MEKK3 and a dominant negative form of MEKK3 caused the reduction of NFAT activation in response to angiotensin II in cardiac myocytes. Genetic studies showed that MEKK3-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts failed to activate calcineurin/NFAT in response to angiotensin II, a potent NFAT activator. Conversely, restoring MEKK3 to the MEKK3-deficient cells restored angiotensin II-mediated calcineurin/NFAT activation. We determined that angiotensin II induced MEKK3 phosphorylation. Thus, MEKK3 functions downstream of the AT1 receptor and is essential for calcineurin/NFAT activation. Finally, we determined that MEKK3-mediated activation of calcineurin/NFAT signaling was associated with the phosphorylation of modulatory calcineurin-interacting protein 1 at Ser108 and Ser112. Taken together, our studies reveal a previously unrecognized novel essential regulatory role of MEKK3 signaling in calcineurin/NFAT activation.
Anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin are associated with down regulating microRNA-155 in LPS-treated macrophages and mice

Abstract Context: The natural polyphenolic compound curcumin has been proved to modulate innate immune responses and possess anti-inflammatory properties. Nevertheless, the mechanism remains poorly understood, particularly regarding curcumin-regulated miRNAs under inflammatory response. Objective: This study investigates the role of miRNA-155 in the effects of curcumin on inflammatory response in cell and a mouse model. Materials and methods: The anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin (5, 10 and 15 μM, 2 h) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 200 ng/mL)-induced cells were measured by quantitative PCR. The animals were treated orally by 20 mg/kg curcumin for 3 days before an LPS intraperitoneal injection (10 mg/kg, 16 h). MicroRNA (miRNA) expression and the underlying molecular mechanisms were assessed using transfection technique and western blotting. Results and discussion: Curcumin efficiently inhibited LPS-induced cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) and microRNA-155 (miR-155) expression (p < 0.05) without affecting the normally growth of Raw264.7 and THP-1 cells (IC50 21.8 and 22.3 μM at 48 h, respectively). Moreover, the levels of cytokines were suppressed by curcumin in miR-155 mimics transfected cells (p < 0.05). A blockade of PI3K/AKT signalling pathways resulted in a decreased level of miR-155 (p < 0.05). Curcumin effectively protected mice from sepsis as evidenced by decreasing histological damage, reducing AST (352.0 vs 279.3 U/L), BUN (14.8 vs 10.8 mmol/L) levels and the proportion of macrophages in spleen (31.1% vs 13.5%). MicroRNA-155 level and cytokines were also reduced in curcumin-treated mice (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Curcumin’s ability to suppress LPS-induced inflammatory response may be due to the inhibition of miR-155.
Doppler measurements of smooth and rough surface high frequency scattering from spinning steel cylinders

Preliminary measurement results gathered using a fully coherent 77GHz phase coded pulse Doppler polarimetric radar and investigating the electromagnetic signatures of electrically large spinning steel cylinders are presented. New and novel results showing the Doppler contributions due to dynamic rough and smooth surface scattering effects are discussed and analysed. In the latter case, significant sideband conversion occurs together with a rapid fall off in the power density spectrum. Future work is proposed and discussed. A fuller analysis of these preliminary results and further results was presented.
1 2 3 Two-step interphase microtubule disassembly 4 aids spindle morphogenesis 5 6 7

29 Entry into mitosis triggers profound changes in cell shape and cytoskeletal 30 organisation. Here, by studying microtubule remodelling in human flat mitotic cells, 31 we identify a two-step process of interphase microtubule disassembly. First, a 32 microtubule stabilizing protein, Ensconsin, is inactivated in prophase as a 33 consequence of its phosphorylation downstream of Cdk1/CyclinB. This leads to a 34 reduction in interphase microtubule stability that may help to fuel the growth of 35 centrosomally-nucleated microtubules. The peripheral interphase microtubules that 36 remain are then rapidly lost as the concentration of tubulin heterodimers falls 37 following dissolution of the nuclear compartment boundary. Finally, we show that a 38 failure to destabilize microtubules in prophase leads to the formation of microtubule 39 clumps, which interfere with spindle assembly. Overall, this analysis highlights the 40 importance of the stepwise remodelling of the microtubule cytoskeleton, and the 41 significance of permeabilization of the nuclear envelope in coordinating the changes 42 in cellular organisation and biochemistry that accompany mitotic entry. 43 44 45 Introduction 46 The goal of mitosis is the equal segregation of genetic material into two daughter 47 cells. To achieve this, animal cells undergo profound changes in cell organisation. 48 Cells round up, chromosomes condense, and the permeability of the nuclear 49 envelope increases (a process we term NEP), leading to mixing of nucleoplasm and 50 cytoplasm. At the same time, the array of long interphase microtubules is replaced by 51 a population of short and highly dynamic centrosome-nucleated microtubules, which 52 go on to form the mitotic spindle – the structure responsible for chromosome 53 segregation. 54 55 2 . CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license not peer-reviewed) is the author/funder. It is made available under a The copyright holder for this preprint (which was . http://dx.doi. org/10.1101/126342 doi: bioRxiv preprint first posted online May. 29, 2017;
Health-Related Quality of Life Patients With a Cleft Lip and/or Palate

Background:The authors evaluated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP). Methods:A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted in the largest referral facility for treating individuals with CLP in Sergipe state. The authors created 3 groups with 97 subjects each: CLP, family, and control. An initial cognitive evaluation was performed with the Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Medical Outcomes Study 36 item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was applied to evaluate HRQoL in individuals with sufficient cognitive capacity. Results:Individuals with CLP usually had a primary education, were single, and had incomes between 1 and 2 minimum wages, and slightly more than half presented with a transforamen cleft (59.8%). No significant difference was observed in the overall HRQoL score among the 3 groups (cleft: 72.2; family: 70.6; control: 72.5). Individuals with CLP had a lower average on the Emotional Aspects domain of the SF-36 than that in the control group, whereas the CLP group had higher averages in the Vitality domain when compared with their relatives. Men had higher averages on the Physical Function (PF) and Mental Health (MH) domains. Patients operated on at the optimal time (⩽12 months of age) had higher mean PF domain scores. Conclusions:Patients with CLP and their families often represent people with low purchasing power, strengthening the socioeconomic inequality. Although the global HRQoL was similar among all groups surveyed, the cleft influenced both the patients and their relatives.
Primary progressive aphasia in a bilingual speaker: a single-case study

We report on the case of an elderly bilingual woman presenting with a diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia. The participant's native language was Friulian (L1), a predominantly oral Romance language, and her second language was Italian (L2), formally learned at primary school in oral and written forms. We investigated her linguistic abilities by means of the Bilingual Aphasia Test ( . The assessment of bilingual aphasia. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates), which is specifically devised for studying language levels and skills in bilingual/polyglot individuals with aphasia. Specifically, we focused on different tasks extracted from the Bilingual Aphasia Test, targeting phonology, morphology, syntax and lexical semantics. Results show that both languages were affected to a clinically significant degree, but with different profiles in terms of linguistic levels, suggesting the presence of greater phonological, morphological, grammatical and syntactic impairments in L2. Results are discussed in terms of possible dissociations both within the language system of each language and between languages, within the Procedural/Declarative theoretical framework of language acquisition in bilinguals.
Protective Effect of Whole and Fat-Free Fluoridated Milk, Applied before or after Acid Challenge, against Dental Erosion

This study analysed in vitro the effect of milk against dental erosion, considering three factors: the type of milk (bovine whole/fat-free), the presence of different fluoride concentrations and the time of application (before/after erosive challenge). Bovine enamel (n = 15/group) and root dentine (n = 12/group) specimens were submitted to the following treatments: after the first erosive challenge - 0.9% NaCl solution (negative control), whole milk with 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 ppm F, fat-free milk with 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 ppm F, and 0.05% NaF solution (positive control); before the first erosive challenge - whole milk with 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 ppm F, fat-free milk with 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 ppm F, and 0.05% NaF solution (positive control). Specimens were submitted to demineralisation-remineralisation regimes 4 times/day for 5 days. The response variables were enamel and dentine loss (in micrometres). Data were analysed using Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn's test (p < 0.05). For enamel, whole milk containing 10 ppm F, applied before the erosive challenge, was the most protective treatment, but with no significant difference compared with the same treatment carried out after the erosive challenge. For dentine, whole fluoridated milk (all concentrations, after), fat-free 10 ppm F milk (after, before) and whole milk with or without F (except 2.5 ppm F, all before) significantly reduced dentine erosion. It seems that the presence of fluoride, especially at 10 ppm, is the most important factor in reducing dental erosion.
Aquatic invertebrate responses to fish presence and vegetation complexity in Western Boreal wetlands, with implications for Waterbird productivity

Aquatic invertebrates are essential to wetland function, serving as the key trophic link between primary producers, fish, and waterfowl in boreal wetlands. We studied how both aquatic vegetation complexity and prevalence, and fish presence, could be used to predict the distribution of invertebrate biomass in 24 wetlands of the Western Boreal Forest (WBF). The percent volume occupied by aquatic plants was significantly positively associated with overall invertebrate biomass per liter (P = 0.009). Particular invertebrate functional feeding groups were correlated with types of aquatic macrophyte architecture; herbivorous invertebrate biomass (mg/L) was greater in more complex aquatic environments, and predatory invertebrate biomass was greater in environments with simple plant architecture. Wetlands inhabited by Brook Stickleback (Culaea inconstans) had reduced invertebrate biomass of the predatory, non-predatory (excluding omnivores), and gatherer/collector functional feeding groups. Gatherer/collector, predator, shredder, and piercer invertebrate groups were negatively correlated with dissected leaved plant dominance in those wetlands without fish. These invertebrate groups comprise the bulk of invertebrate protein available to nesting hen mallards and their ducklings. We suggest that the presence of stickleback and/or dominance of dissected leaved plants in the wetlands of the WBF results in decreased food supply for hatchling waterfowl.
Responses of rat substantia nigra compacta neurones to L‐DOPA

1 The electrophysiological actions of l‐DOPA were studied on substantia nigra dopamine‐containing neurones by use of intracellular recordings, current and voltage clamp, in vitro. 2 l‐DOPA (3–300 μm), applied by superfusion, decreased the spontaneous firing activity of the neurones, hyperpolarized the membrane potential and produced an outward current. 3 These effects of l‐DOPA were graded and were antagonized by sulpiride, a D2‐receptor antagonist. 4 The l‐DOPA activated membrane hyperpolarization persisted in slices exposed to tetrodotoxin while it was markedly reduced or abolished in solutions with no calcium plus cobalt (2 mm). 5 In slices treated with carbidopa, an inhibitor of the aromatic amino acid decarboxylase enzyme, the actions of l‐DOPA were greatly reduced. 6 We propose that l‐DOPA inhibits the firing of substantia nigra zona compacta neurones by being converted to dopamine which is then released by these cells.
Discrepancy between sensitization to inhaled allergens and respiratory symptoms in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

According to the ‘Th1/Th2 paradigm’, children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) should have a lower risk of developing allergic sensitization and, because of the involvement of insulin in modulating airway inflammation, different frequency or severity in allergy‐related respiratory manifestations. This article aims at evaluating the frequency and type of allergic sensitization and its respiratory manifestation, asthma and/or rhinitis, in a group of pediatric patients with T1DM. Patients (112) with T1DM, 7.8–16.9 yr of age (63 males and 49 females) were evaluated. Skin prick test (SPT) reactivity to the most common classes of aeroallergens were performed and compared with data obtained in 709 school‐aged children. The frequency of sensitization was not different in the T1DM and in the control subjects (43.7% and 40.8%, respectively; p = 0.55), with similar proportions of individuals sensitized to one allergen (32.7% and 38.1%, respectively; p = 0.47). In both groups, sensitization to house dust mite allergens was the most frequently detected (69.4% and 65.4%, respectively; p = 0.59), with a higher proportions of individuals sensitized to Graminae (+Cynodon dactylon; p < 0.0001) and a lower, but weakly significant, proportion sensitized to Parietaria (p = 0.03) in the T1DM group, as compared with controls. No differences were found between T1DM and control groups in the proportion of individuals reporting rhinitis (26.8% and 29.2%; p = 0.60). However, comparing separately sensitized and non‐sensitized subjects, a lower proportion of rhinitis subjects was detected in the non‐sensitized T1DM patients, when compared with the non‐sensitized control subjects (p = 0.01). In addition, no differences were detected between T1DM and control groups in frequency of symptoms related to ‘lifetime asthma’, i.e., asthma episodes during life (14.3% and 16.5%, respectively: p = 0.55), also when sensitized and non‐sensitized subjects were evaluated separately (p = 0.12 and p = 1.00, respectively). However, no T1DM patient had ‘actual asthma’, i.e., asthma episodes in the last year, vs. 5.8% of the individuals in the control group (p = 0.009), the difference being mostly ascribed to sensitized subjects (p = 0.012). Finally, out of the 16 T1DM patients with ‘lifetime asthma’, 15 had mild intermittent disease and only one mild persistent disease. T1DM does not seem to play a downregulating role on the development of allergic sensitization to aeroallergens, but may lower the frequency or the severity of its clinical manifestations at respiratory level.
In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity of AT-2266

AT-2266 [1-ethyl-6-fluoro-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(1-piperazinyl)-1,8-naphthyridine-3-carbo xylic acid] showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The in vitro antibacterial activity of AT-2266 was in general comparable to that of norfloxacin, but much higher than that of pipemidic or nalidixic acid. The 90% minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC90s) of AT-2266 for P. aeruginosa resistant to gentamicin (MIC range, 25 to greater than 200 microgram/ml) and Enterobacteriaceae resistant to nalidixic acid (25 to greater than 1,600 micrograms/ml) were 3.13 and 12.5 micrograms/ml, respectively. The to nalidixic acid (25 to 1,600 micrograms/ml) were 3.13 and 12.5 micrograms/ml, respectively. The MICs of AT-2266 were only slightly affected by the addition of horse serum or sodium cholate, by the pH of the medium, and by inoculum size. AT-2266 was sodium cholate, by the pH of the medium, and by inoculum size. AT-2266 was bactericidal at concentrations near its MIC value. The 50% effective doses of AT-2266 after oral administration against systemic infections in mice were about 1/2 those of norfloxacin, about 1/10 those of pipemidic acid, and between 1/20 and 1/40 those of nalidixic acid.
Circulating retinol-binding protein 4 levels in gestational diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of observational studies

Abstract Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) is a novel adipocyte-derived cytokine playing an important role in the regulation of energy metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Although the association between RBP4 and metabolic dysfunction is well established, studies on the relationship between circulating RBP4 levels and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have yielded inconclusive results. We performed a meta-analysis to investigate whether women with GDM had higher circulating RBP4 levels than the normglycemic pregnant women. PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE were searched up to 1 August 2014. A total of 14 studies comprised of 884 women with GDM and 1251 normglycemic pregnant women were included. The overall results suggested that maternal circulating RBP4 levels were significantly higher in GDM than their normal controls (SMD: 0.49 μg/ml, 95% CI: 0.23–0.75 μg/ml, p < 0.001, random effect model). However, stratified results indicated that this significant difference only existed in the second/third trimester and was limited to Asian populations. Furthermore, subgroup analysis according to matched maternal age and BMI still demonstrated that GDM had higher circulating RBP4 levels than the normal controls. Our findings suggested that Asian women with GDM had increased circulating RBP4 levels in their second/third trimester.
Directed technological change and productivity growth: the Italian evidence 1861-2010

The paper presents a new methodology to identify the effects of the introduction of directed technological change on the measure of total factor productivity growth. Its application to the evidence of Italian economic growth in the years 1861-2010 confirms that technological change has been strongly directed with relevant effects on the actual levels of total factor productivity growth measured by a procedure able to account for the changes in the output elasticity of inputs and identify shift and bias effects.