Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification of GPR39 Receptor and Ghrelin Receptor in Thyroid Tissues in Paediatric Patients with Immune and Non-Immune Thyroid Diseases

The preproghrelin gene is responsible for generating ghrelin and obestatin, two gastric peptides with opposite effects on food intake. Obestatin suppresses food intake and digestive motility through interaction with GPR39 (GPCR). Ghrelin is supposed to be a link connecting metabolism and energy homeostasis with growth as the result of activation of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). The aim of the current study was to assess the expression of preproghrelin, GPR39 and GHSR in thyroid tissues from patients with Graves' disease (GD; n = 15), non-toxic nodular goiter (NTNG; n = 10) and toxic nodular goiter (TNG; n = 10). GPR39 and GHSR in thyroid tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, revealing higher expression of both proteins in GD patients (+++; ++) in comparison with NTNG (+; +) and TNG (++; +) patients. GPR39 was present in thyroid autoimmune disease, NTNG and TNG at band p51 (kDa). The ghrelin receptor was identified in all study groups at p70. mRNA expression for preproghrelin was found in thyroid tissues from patients with immune and non-immune thyroid diseases. We conclude that the expression of the ghrelin receptor family in thyroid tissues may suggest a role of gastric peptides in thyroid functions. mRNA of preproghrelin expression is a proof of ghrelin gene-derived peptide presence in thyroid tissues.
A comparative study of physical characteristics of hearing aids on microphone and telecoil inputs.

The variations of sensitivity and frequency response of telecoil input on 32 commercially available body-type and behind-the-ear hearing aids were investigated. The differences in response between the microphone and the telecoil input were also examined. Findings indicate that (1) given aids have different sensitivity and frequency response for telecoil vs. microphone operation, (2) the telecoil, in general, provides a better low-frequency response than the microphone input, and (3) aids with similar responses on acoustic input may produce different responses on magnetic input. These findings further emphasize the importance of knowing the performance characteristics of the hearing aid operating on its telecoil input in order to avoid inappropriate hearing aid selection.
Temporal variation in prehistoric Nubian crania.

Much of the earlier work on the prehistory of Sudanese Nubia has emphasized discontinuity between early Nubian populations. However, recent investigations suggest the converse - that a remarkable degree of cultural and biological continuity exists among indigenous Nubian groups, perhaps as far back as the Paleolithic. Thus, cultural and biological differences between Nubian populations can be most effectively perceived as the result of in situ evolutionary development. The present analysis has two major purposes: (1) to describe the morphological differences in the craniofacial complex between indigenous Nubian populations extending from the A-Group (c. 3,400 B.C.) through the Christian (c. 1,500 A.D.) horizons; and (2) to account for these differences within an evolutionary framework. The multiple discriminant analysis of radiographically derived variables revealed a trend from a substantially lower and more elongated cranial vault to a shorter and taller vault throughout the almost 5,000 year time span. Associated with this pattern was a tendency for the face to become more inferiorly-posteriorly located with respect to the vault in the latter groups. Finally, the masseter and temporalis muscles underwent a reduction and slight relocation through time. We speculate that this trend may be associated with behavioral changes associated with transition from a hunting and gathering to a totally agricultural subsistence pattern.
Leprosy incidence: six years follow-up of a population cohort in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND With approximately 250,000 new leprosy cases detected annually, transmission of M. leprae appears to be ongoing in many areas of the world. By studying prospectively the number of leprosy patients found in a population sample at the beginning of the study (prevalence) and the number of new patients found during the 6-year observation period (incidence), we aim to understand better the transmission of M. leprae and the burden of disease. METHODOLOGY To establish the prevalence and incidence rates of leprosy in the general population of a high endemic area in Bangladesh, we followed prospectively 20,218 individuals from a random cluster sample of the population and examined them at 2-yearly intervals for 6 years. RESULTS At intake we found 27 new leprosy cases, indicating a prevalence of previously undiagnosed leprosy of 13.3/10,000. Follow-up at 2, 4 and 6 years revealed 17, 16, and eight new cases, respectively, representing incidence rates of 4.0, 4.5 and 2.3/10,000 PYAR, respectively. The incidence rate over 6 years was 3.7/10,000 PYAR. The observed incidence rate is three times higher than the new case detection rate in the same area. Of all 68 new leprosy cases, five (7%) had MB leprosy. The proportion of children under 15 years was 24%. The proportion of female patients was 60%, but the incidence rate of leprosy was the same for males and females. CONCLUSIONS The decline in incidence of leprosy in a general population sample is less pronounced than routine data from a control programme led us to expect.
Importance of Plasma Angiotensin Concentrations in a Comparative Study of Responses to Angiotensin in the Maturing Newborn Lamb

SUMMARY Plasma angiotensin concentrations were measured in a longitudinal study of the vascular, renal, and adrenal responses to infusions of angiotensin II (AH) in the maturing newborn lamb. Basal plasma concentrations of angiotensin increased with age and correlated with the rising arterial pressure that occurred with maturation. However, age was a stronger determinant of arterial pressure than was plasma angiotensin concentration. For any given dose of AH per kilogram of body weight, the actual plasma angiotensin concentration achieved increased as the lambs matured and gained weight. Therefore, a comparative study of biologic responses to AH in maturing animals raust be based on actual plasma angiotensin concentrations achieved rather than on dose of AH infused per kilogram of body weight. When analyzed on the basis of actual plasma angiotensin concentration, the increase in arterial pressure and the suppression of plasma renln activity in response to increasing plasma angiotensin concentrations did not differ significantly as the lambs matured. However, the increment in plasma aldosterone concentrations in response to increasing plasma angiotensin concentrations was diminished in immature lambs (less than 18 days) when compared to the aldosterone responses in the same lambs at older ages. (Hypertension 3 (suppl II): 11-18—11-24, 1981)
Hemorrhage After an Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background and Purpose—Hemorrhagic transformation is frequently seen on CT scans obtained in the subacute phase of ischemic stroke. Its prognostic value is controversial. Methods—We analyzed 554 patients with acute ischemic stroke enrolled in the Multicenter Acute Stroke Trial–Italy (MAST-I) study in whom a second CT scan was performed on day 5. Presence of 1) intraparenchymal hemorrhages (hematoma or hemorrhagic infarction), 2) extraparenchymal bleeding (intraventricular or subarachnoid) and 3) cerebral edema (shift of midline structure, sulcal effacement or ventricular compression) alone or in association were evaluated. Death or disability at 6 months were considered as “unfavorable outcome. ” Results—Patients who developed intraparenchymal hemorrhages, extraparenchymal bleeding, or cerebral edema had unfavorable outcome (83%, 100%, and 80%, respectively), but multivariate analysis demonstrated that only extraparenchymal bleeding (collinearity) and cerebral edema (OR=6.8; 95% CI, 4.5 to 10.4) were signi.
Increased risk of pulmonary embolism among US decedents with sarcoidosis from 1988 to 2007.

BACKGROUND A recently published report from the United Kingdom suggested an association between sarcoidosis and pulmonary embolism (PE). We sought to examine whether this association was present among US decedents with sarcoidosis. METHODS We used data from the National Center for Health Statistics to investigate the association between sarcoidosis and PE among US decedents from 1988 to 2007. RESULTS From 1988 to 2007, there were 46,450,489 deaths in the United States and 23,679 decedents with sarcoidosis mentioned on their death certificates. Among these, 602 (2.54%) had PE mentioned on their death certificates, compared with only 1.13% of the background population (P < .0001 for comparison). The association between sarcoidosis and PE was significant regardless of gender (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.80-2.39; P < .0001 for men and OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.59-1.96; P ≤ .0001 for women) or race (OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.41-1.76; P < .0001 for blacks and OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.63-2.14; P < .0001 for whites). Among decedents with sarcoidosis, there was no difference in risk of PE between men and women (2.30% vs 2.54%, χ(2) = 1.32, P = . 25) or between blacks and whites (2.60% vs 2.23%, χ(2) = 3.09, P = . 08). The association between sarcoidosis and PE held regardless of age. CONCLUSIONS Using death certificate data from 1988 to 2007, we detected an association between sarcoidosis and PE regardless of gender, race, or age. Further investigation is needed to decipher the mechanisms of this apparent association.
The role of fine needle aspiration in the evaluation of parotid masses

Purpose of reviewFine needle aspiration is a safe diagnostic technique that is widely employed for lesions of the head and neck. Among head and neck sites, the parotid gland stands apart for the number, diversity and peculiarity of pathologic processes to target this structure. This matchless complexity has prompted a thoughtful discussion regarding the application of the fine needle aspiration to parotid masses – a discussion that has primarily focused on the reliability of the fine needle aspiration as a diagnostic tool, and on its utility in guiding patient management. Recent findingsRecent studies have confirmed a high overall accuracy rate for fine needle aspiration evaluation of parotid masses, ranging from 90 to 95%. At the same time, these soaring accuracy rates cannot be uniformly anticipated across all diagnostic scenarios. Fine needle aspiration is notoriously unreliable in recognizing the malignant nature of the parotid carcinoma, providing its precise classification, and establishing its grade. A few malignant neoplasms are particularly prone to diagnostic error. Acinic cell carcinoma is frequently interpreted as benign or even nonneoplastic; and low-grade lymphomas are often discounted as inflammatory processes. SummaryParotid gland masses are not particularly conducive to diagnostic accuracy and precision by fine needle aspiration. Accordingly, indiscriminant reliance on the fine needle aspiration findings at the expense of the clinical, radiographic, and intraoperative findings is unwarranted. Whether one uses the fine needle aspiration routinely or selectively in patients with parotid masses, the fine needle aspiration findings should contribute to, not displace, the overall diagnostic impression.
Dietary fatty acid intervention of lactating cows simultaneously affects lipid profiles of meat and milk.

BACKGROUND The present study investigated tissue-specific responses of muscle and mammary gland to a 10 week intervention of German Holstein cows (n = 18) with three different dietary fat supplements (saturated fat; linseed oil or sunflower oil plus docosahexaenoic acid-rich algae) by analysing fatty acid profiles and quality parameters of meat and milk. RESULTS Plant oil/algae intervention affected neither fat content nor quality parameters of meat but decreased fat content and saturated fatty acid amounts of milk. Linseed oil/algae intervention caused significantly higher concentrations of C18:3n-3 (meat, 1.0 g per 100 g; milk, 1.2 g per 100 g) and C22:6n-3 (meat, 0.3 g per 100 g; milk, 0.14 g per 100 g). Sunflower oil/algae intervention increased n-6 fatty acid contents in milk (4.0 g per 100 g) but not in meat. Elevated amounts of C18:1trans isomers and C18:1trans-11 were found in meat and especially in milk of plant oil/algae-fed cows. C18:1cis-9 amounts were found to be increased in milk but decreased in meat after plant oil/algae intervention. CONCLUSION The present study demonstrated that dietary fatty acid manipulation substantially shifted the fatty acid profiles of milk and to a lesser extent of meat, whereas meat quality traits were not affected. Indications of tissue-specific responses of mammary gland and muscle were identified.
Role of herpes simplex virus type 1 UL46 and UL47 in alpha TIF-mediated transcriptional induction: characterization of three viral deletion mutants

The transcriptional induction of the alpha or immediate-early gene class of herpes simplex virus type 1 effected by the alpha trans-induction factor (alpha TIF, ICP25, VP16, Vmw65) requires an alpha-specific cis-acting site. Increased transcription does not result from the direct, independent binding of alpha TIF, but rather from an alpha TIF-dependent formation of a protein-DNA complex containing, in addition to alpha TIF, at least one host cell factor. One of the host factors is a POU domain protein which recognizes an octamer element in the alpha-specific consensus. There is evidence that alpha TIF may drive the formation of multiple protein-DNA complexes containing a POU protein and additional host factors. Previously, the gene products of UL46 and UL47 have been implicated in modulating the alpha TIF-dependent transcriptional induction of alpha genes. Our current studies have extended these analyses from a transient-expression system to a series of viral deletion mutants. In these studies we demonstrate that neither UL46- nor UL47-encoded gene product, either separately or in combination, is required for viral growth in cell culture. The absence of UL47 reduces by up to 80% the ability of the virus to induce an alpha-regulated thymidine kinase reporter gene resident in 143TK- cells. Autoradiograms of [35S]methionine pulse-labeled infected cell proteins, separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, show that deleting UL46 and/or UL47 has no discernable effect on the synthesis of alpha TIF or alpha TIF-containing proteins. Subsequent Western immunoblot analysis, with rabbit anti-alpha TIF antibodies made to an alpha TIF-Staphylococcus aureus protein A fusion, demonstrated that the accumulation and steady-state levels of alpha TIF or alpha TIF-containing proteins was indistinguishable from that of the thymidine kinase-negative isogenic parental virus, R delta 305.
Persistent triple antiphospholipid antibody positivity as a strong risk factor of first thrombosis, in a long-term follow-up study of patients without history of thrombosis or obstetrical morbidity

Introduction The long-term risk of first thrombosis and benefit of prophylaxis in antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) carriers without history of thrombosis or obstetrical morbidity is poorly known. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term rate and risk factors associated with a first thrombosis in those patients. Patients and methods After a prior study ended in December 2005 and was already published, we extended the follow-up period of our cohort of aPL carriers. Results Ninety-eight of the 103 patients of the previous study were included. The annual first thrombosis rate was 2.3% per patient-year during a median of 13 years (6–17). None of the baseline characteristics was predictive of risk of first thrombosis, but persistent aPL over time were associated with an increased risk. The stronger association was found in triple aPL-positive carriers: OR 3.38 (95% CI: 1.24–9.22). Of note, conversely to our previous findings, no benefit of aspirin prophylaxis was observed. Conclusion The risk of first thrombosis in aPL carriers without history of thrombosis or obstetrical morbidity was significant, persisted linearly over time and was associated with persistent aPL. This risk was especially increased in triple aPL-positive carriers, in whom a close follow-up seems to be necessary. Nevertheless, the benefit of aspirin prophylaxis remained unclear.
Acute cardiac transplant rejection: detection and grading with MR imaging with a blood pool contrast agent--experimental study in the rat.

PURPOSE To investigate the possibility of detecting cardiac transplant rejection and determining its degree of severity with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with a blood pool contrast agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS Rat allogeneic (PVG to Wistar/Kyoto, n = 9) and syngeneic (Wistar/Kyoto to Wistar/Kyoto, n = 6) heterotopic heart transplantations were performed. On the 2nd and 6th postoperative days, an ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide, or USPIO, contrast agent was injected intravenously at a dose of 2 mg of iron per kilogram of body weight. The injection was followed by three-dimensional T1-weighted MR imaging of the heart grafts with an imaging time of approximately 2 minutes for each image for 44 minutes. The signal intensity (SI) was measured in the myocardium over time, and the relative enhancement was calculated. After the 6th day, the rats were sacrificed, and the morphology of the transplanted hearts was assessed histologically. The CIs for the difference of the means on day 2 and day 6 were calculated by using a bootstrap technique, and the correlation between the relative SI change and the histologically determined degree of rejection were calculated with the Spearman rank order correlation coefficient. RESULTS On day 6, a statistically significant difference between the groups was found at 4 minutes after injection of the contrast agent and increased with increasing time after injection. The mean percentage change in SI at the last time point for the allogeneic group on day 2 was -8.7% (SD, 8.5) and for the syngeneic group was -6.6% (SD, 6.0). On day 6, the allogeneic group had a relative SI change of 17.7% (SD, 8.7), whereas the syngeneic group had a change of -7.4% (SD, 2.6). There was a significant difference between only the two groups on day 6 (P <.001). Furthermore, in the allogeneic group the histologically determined degree of rejection correlated positively with the relative SI enhancement (r = 0.89, P <.005). CONCLUSION Acutely rejecting heart transplants can be distinguished from nonrejecting ones in an animal model with MR imaging and a blood pool contrast agent. In addition, the relative SI enhancement reflects the histologically determined degree of rejection.
Alsterpaullone, a novel cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor, induces apoptosis by activation of caspase‐9 due to perturbation in mitochondrial membrane potential

The majority of human neoplasms have aberrations in the retinoblastoma pathway due to hyperactivation of cyclin‐dependent kinases (CDK). Based on this observation, novel small molecules, such as flavopiridol and UCN‐01, are being developed and are currently being tested in the clinic. Efforts to develop CDK modulators led us to the discovery of a novel class of CDK inhibitors, the paullones [Cancer Res 1999;59:2566]. Initial studies demonstrated that paullones inhibit CDKs in vitro, thereby blocking cell‐cycle progression. However, the exact mechanism for the antiproliferative effects of paullones was never explored. In this report, we demonstrate for the first time that the most potent paullone, alsterpaullone (Alp), induced apoptosis and promoted loss in clonogenicity in the Jurkat cell line. Alp caused early activation of both caspase‐8 and ‐9, leading to cleavage of caspase‐3 and poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP). Moreover, apoptosis by Alp was not associated with loss in anti‐apoptotic proteins such as XIAP or BCL‐XL. Pre‐incubation with cell‐permeable inhibitors z‐Asp(OMe)‐Glu(OMe)‐Val‐Asp(Ome)‐fluoromethylketone and benzyloxycarbonyl‐Val‐Ala‐Asp (OMe)‐fluoromethylketone (ZVAD) blocked Alp‐induced apoptosis. Moreover, the general caspase inhibitor ZVAD blocked the cleavage and activation of most caspases tested except caspase‐9. Studies of mitochondrial membrane potential also demonstrated that Alp is able to disrupt mitochondrial potential in the presence of ZVAD, suggesting that the activation of caspase‐9 by Alp follows mitochondrial perturbation. Pre‐incubation of Jurkat cells with ZVAD did not prevent the depletion of cyclin D3, loss of CDK, or cell‐cycle arrest by Alp. In summary, these experiments suggest that Alp activates caspase‐9 via mitochondrial perturbation. Active caspase‐9 cleaves and activates caspase‐8 and caspase‐3, leading to apoptosis. In the presence of the general caspase inhibitor ZVAD, the cell‐cycle effects of Alp are unaltered while apoptosis is blocked, suggesting that the CDK effects of Alp are not sufficient for Alp‐induced apoptosis. Additional studies with paullones are warranted to further characterize their preclinical effects and to explore their potential use in the clinical setting. Published 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Comparison between primary and secondary wound closure after surgical removal of lower third molars according to pain and swelling

The aim of this study was to compare between Primary and secondary closure techniques after removal of impacted third molars. This comparison was carried out according to the pain and swelling parameter. One hundred patients with impacted third molars were randomly divided into two groups (50 patients in each group). Periapical radiographs were taken for each patient to determine the degree of eruption and angulations of third molars. After surgical extraction in Group I, the socket was closed by hermetical suturing of the flap while in Group II; a 5–6 mm wedge of mucosa adjacent to the second molar was removed to obtain secondary healing. Swelling and pain were evaluated for 7 days after surgery with the VAS scale. The statistical analysis (analysis of variance for repeated measures, P < 0.05) showed that pain was greater in GI, although it decreased over time similarly in the two groups (P=0.003, F=2.6613). Swelling was significantly worse in Group I (P < 0.0001, F=38.395). In Group I, dehiscence of the mucosa was present in 15% of patients at day 7, and 1% showed signs of re-infection with suppurative alveolitis at 30 days. Pain and swelling were less severe with secondary healing than with primary healing.