Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asymmetry of the active nonweightbearing foot and ankle range of motion for dorsiflexion‐plantar flexion and its coupled movements in adults

Asymmetries in ankle range of motion (ROM) have been reported, but often the uninvolved limb is used as a reference in clinical practice. The study wanted to quantify the intraindividual asymmetries in dorsi‐plantar flexion foot and ankle ROM and its coupled foot movements. Active triplanar nonweightbearing ROM of the foot and ankle was recorded in young healthy adults (30 male volunteers, mean age 22.8 years; 35 female volunteers, mean age 23.8 years) using an optoelectronic set‐up. The sagittal plane movement (mean ROM female subjects right side 71.3°, left side 71.4°, P > 0.05; mean ROM male subjects right side 69°, left side 68.9°, P > 0.05; sex difference, P < 0.001) was coupled with frontal (mean ROM female subjects right side 16.6°, left side 14.8°, P > 0.05; male subjects right side 17°, left side 15.3°; P > 0.05; no sex difference) and horizontal (mean ROM female subjects right side 19.6°, left side 18.8°, P < 0.001; male subjects right side 17.6°, left side 16.2°, P < 0.001; sex < 0.001) plane motions. Individual fluctuating asymmetries up to 15° (principal movement), and up to 29° (associated movements) were measured. Overall, 20% of female and 34% of male subjects had principal plane asymmetries >5°, and 50% of the subjects had asymmetries >5° in the associated movements. In young adults, individual asymmetries in ankle joint complex dorsi‐plantar flexion should be taken into account when using the uninvolved, contralateral limb as a reference for clinical examination. Clin. Anat. 20:834–842, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
P53 mutation and MDM2 amplification frequency in pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma tumors and cell lines.

BACKGROUND The p53 tumor suppressor gene is the most commonly mutated gene in human cancer, and mutations arise in a wide variety of tumor types. Wild-type p53 functions as a regulator of apoptosis, so mutations in the p53 gene are generally associated with aggressive tumors and a poor prognosis. PROCEDURE We have investigated the p53 mutation and MDM2 amplification frequencies in biopsies from pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) tumors and cell lines by SSCP and Southern analyses. RESULTS A mutation was detected in only 1 of 20 tumor specimens (5%), whereas the frequency in established RMS cell lines was significantly higher (6/10, 60%). p53 Mutations were more common in cell lines derived from tumors previously exposed to chemotherapy compared to those derived from tumors at di-agnosis, and it is likely that these mutations enhanced the probability of successful long-term culture. The frequency of MDM2 gene amplification in patient biopsies was also low (2/20, 10%). Interestingly, complete responses to treatment were obtained in the two patients with tumors that demonstrated amplification of MDM2. The response to treatment of patients with tumors wild-type for p53 and without MDM2 amplification was quite varied, indicating that expression of a wild-type p53 gene at diagnosis cannot always facilitate a favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS p53 mutation and MDM2 gene amplification frequencies are extremely low in RMS tumors, but a wild-type p53 genotype is not always associated with a favorable prognosis.
The role of immune suppression and HHV-8 in the increasing incidence of HIV-associated multicentric Castleman's disease.

BACKGROUND In HIV cohorts with access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is falling; however, the incidence of multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD) in HIV has not previously been described. METHODS The incidence of HIV-associated MCD was calculated from a prospective HIV database with 56 202 patient-years of follow-up and compared with KS. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify factors associated with MCD. Plasma human herpesvirus (HHV)-8 DNA levels were measured in HIV-seropositive individuals with newly diagnosed MCD (n = 24), KS (n = 72), HIV-associated lymphoma (n = 74) and HIV-positive controls (n = 53). RESULTS From 24 cases of HIV-associated MCD, the incidence measured 4.3/10,000 patient-years [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.7-6.4]. The incidence in the pre-HAART (1983-1996), early-HAART (1997-2001) and later HAART (2002-2007) eras were 2.3 (95% CI 0.02-4.2), 2.8 (95% CI 0.9-6.5) and 8.3 (95% CI 4.6-12.6), respectively, representing a statistically significant increase over time (P < 0.05). In contrast, from 1180 cases of KS, the incidence in this cohort decreased with time. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that a nadir CD4 count >200/mm(3), increased age, no previous HAART exposure and non-Caucasian ethnicity were all associated with an increased risk of MCD. Plasma HHV-8 DNA levels were higher in patients with newly diagnosed MCD than with KS, lymphomas or HIV-positive controls (Mann-Whitney U-test, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of HIV-associated MCD is increasing. It appears to occur more frequently in older HIV-positive individuals with well-preserved immune function.
Dissolution of nonuniformly distributed immiscible liquid: intermediate-scale experiments and mathematical modeling.

The purpose of this work is to examine the effect of nonuniform distributions of immiscible organic liquid on dissolution behavior, with a specific focus on the condition dependency of dissolution (i.e., mass transfer) rate coefficients associated with applying mathematical models of differing complexities to measured data. Dissolution experiments were conducted using intermediate-scale flow cells packed with sand in which well-characterized zones of residual trichloroethene (TCE) and 1,2-dichloroethane (DCA) saturation were emplaced. A dual-energy gamma radiation system was used for in-situ measurement of NAPL saturation. Aqueous concentrations of TCE and DCA measured in the flow-cell effluent were significantly less than solubility, due primarily to dilution associated with the nonuniform immiscible-liquid distribution and bypass flow effects associated with physical heterogeneity. A quantitative analysis of flow and transport was conducted using a three-dimensional mathematical model wherein immiscible-liquid distribution, permeability variability, and sampling effects were explicitly considered. Independent values for the initial dissolution rate coefficients were obtained from dissolution experiments conducted using homogeneously packed columns. The independent predictions obtained from the model provided good representations of NAPL dissolution behavior and of total TCE/DCA mass removed, signifying model robustness. This indicates that for the complex three-dimensional model, explicit consideration of the larger scale factors that influenced immiscible-liquid dissolution in the flow cells allowed the use of a dissolution rate coefficient that represents only local-scale mass transfer processes. Conversely, the use of simpler models that did not explicitly consider the nonuniform immiscible-liquid distribution required the use of dissolution rate coefficients that are approximately 3 orders of magnitude smaller than the values obtained from the column experiments. The rate coefficients associated with the simpler models represent composite or lumped coefficients that incorporate the effects of the larger scale dissolution processes associated with the nonuniform immiscible-liquid distribution, which are not explicitly represented in the simpler models, as well as local-scale mass transfer. These results demonstrate that local-scale dissolution rate coefficients, such as those obtained from column experiments, can be used in models to successfully predict dissolution and transport of immiscible-liquid constituents at larger scales when the larger scale factors influencing dissolution behavior are explicitly accounted for in the model.
Differential effects of GLUT-1 or GLUT-4 overexpression on insulin responsiveness in transgenic mice.

The effect of glucose transporter expression on insulin-stimulated whole body glucose disposal was examined in transgenic mice overexpressing GLUT-1 or GLUT-4. Transgenic mice and their control littermates were subjected to a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp under pentobarbital sodium anesthesia using an insulin infusion rate of 20 mU.kg-1.min-1 and a variable glucose infusion rate (GIR). Fasted mice overexpressing GLUT-1 in skeletal muscle exhibited a GIR that was only 54% that of controls (19.3 +/- 1.8 vs. 36.0 +/- 3.9 mg.kg-1.min-1) when blood glucose was clamped at euglycemic values. In contrast, fasted mice overexpressing GLUT-4 in fat and muscle exhibited a GIR that was 40% higher than controls (53.9 +/- 2.3 vs. 39.1 +/- 2.5 mg.kg-1.min-1). At the end of the clamp, beta-hydroxybutyrate levels were 10-fold higher in the GLUT-1 transgenic mice relative to nontransgenic littermates (2.0 +/- 0.6 vs. 0.2 +/- 0.1 mM) but did not differ between the GLUT-4 transgenic mice and their control littermates (0.3 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.3 +/- 0.1 mM). These data demonstrate that the level of expression of a glucose transporter in muscle and fat can have marked effects on whole body glucose homeostasis and fuel metabolism. Insulin responsiveness was enhanced by overexpression of GLUT-4. Strikingly, however, overexpression of GLUT-1 in muscle induced a profound reduction in insulin-stimulated whole body glucose disposal. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
CORE PRINCIPLES for Developing Global Service‐Learning Programs in Nursing

ABSTRACT Global service‐learning enables nursing to develop its role in promoting global health and enabling vulnerable and marginalized global communities to develop their own capacity for growth and development. Global service‐learning requires good planning that is based on sound best‐practice principles. Drawing on the growing body of literature on service‐learning, the authors outline and discuss seven key principles that can usefully guide global service‐learning. These are: are compassion, curiosity, courage, collaboration, creativity, capacity building, and competence.These principles can form the basis for ethically sound program development, offer a means of standardizing program development, and provide common criteria with which to evaluate a program's success.
The protease inhibitor cystatin C down‐regulates the release of IL‐β and TNF‐α in lipopolysaccharide activated monocytes

Human cystatin C, a member of the cysteine proteinase‐inhibitory family, is produced by all nucleated cells and has important roles in regulating natural immunity. Nematode homologs to human cystatin C have been shown to have anti‐inflammatory effects on monocytes and to reduce colitis in mice. In Crohn's disease, pathogenic activated monocytes help drive inflammatory processes via the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. In particular, tumor necrosis factor‐α–producing inflammatory monocytes have a central role in the intestinal inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease. We investigated the potential of human cystatin C to regulate pathogenic activated monocytes and its potential as an Immunomodulator in Crohn's disease. We found that cystatin C significantly decreased the lipopolysaccharide‐stimulated release and expression of interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α in monocyte and peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures from healthy donors, whereas interleukin‐6 and interleukin‐8 levels were unchanged. A similar reduction of interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor‐α was also seen in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures from patients with Crohn's disease, and in particular, tumor necrosis factor‐α was reduced in supernatants from lamina propria cell cultures from patients with Crohn's disease. Further investigation revealed that cystatin C was internalized by monocytes via an active endocytic process, decreased phosphorylation of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway extracellular signal‐regulated kinase‐1/2, and altered surface marker expression. The ability of cystatin C to modulate the cytokine expression of monocytes, together with its protease‐inhibitory function, indicates that modulation of the local cystatin C expression could be an option in future Crohn's disease therapy.
VEGF modulates synaptic activity in the developing spinal cord

Although it has been documented that the nervous and the vascular systems share numerous analogies and are closely intermingled during development and pathological processes, interactions between the two systems are still poorly described. In this study, we investigated whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is a key regulator of vascular development, also modulates neuronal developmental processes. We report that VEGF enhances the gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)/glycinergic but not glutamatergic synaptic activity in embryonic spinal motoneurons (MNs), without affecting MNs excitability. In response to VEGF, the frequency of these synaptic events but not their amplitude was increased. Blocking endogenous VEGF led to an opposite effect by decreasing frequency of synaptic events. We found that this effect occurred specifically at early developmental stages (E13.5 and E15.5) and vanished at the prenatal stage E17.5. Furthermore, VEGF was able to increase vesicular inhibitory amino acid transporter density at the MN membrane. Inhibition of single VEGF receptors did not modify electrophysiological parameters indicating receptor combinations or an alternative pathway. Altogether, our findings identify VEGF as a modulator of the neuronal activity during synapse formation and highlight a new ontogenic role for this angiogenic factor in the nervous system. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 74: 1110–1122, 2014
Dietary exposures for the safety assessment of seven emulsifiers commonly added to foods in the United States and implications for safety

ABSTRACT Dietary exposure assessment using food-consumption data and ingredient-use level is essential for assessing the safety of food ingredients. Dietary exposure estimates are compared with safe intake levels, such as the acceptable daily intake (ADI). The ADI is estimated by applying a safety factor to an experimentally determined no-observed-adverse-effect level of a test substance. Two food ingredients classified as emulsifiers, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and polysorbate 80 (P80), received attention recently due to their putative adverse effects on gut microbiota. Because no published dietary exposure estimates for commonly used emulsifiers exist for the US population, the current investigation focused on the estimation of dietary exposure to seven emulsifiers: CMC, P80, lecithin, mono- and diglycerides (MDGs), stearoyl lactylates, sucrose esters, and polyglycerol polyricinoleate. Using maximum-use levels obtained from publicly available sources, dietary exposures to these emulsifiers were estimated for the US population (aged 2 years and older) for two time periods (1999–2002 and 2003–10) using 1- and 2-day food-consumption data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and 10–14-day food-consumption data from NPD Group, Inc.’s National Eating Trends – Nutrient Intake Database. Our analyses indicated that among the emulsifiers assessed, lecithin and MDGs have the highest mean exposures at about 60 and about 80 mg kg–1 bw day–1, respectively, whereas the exposure to CMC is half to one-third that of lecithin or MDGs; and the exposure to P80 is approximately half that of CMC. The review of available safety information such as ADIs established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), in light of our updated dietary exposure estimates for these seven emulsifiers, did not raise safety concerns at the current specified levels of use. Additionally, by examining two time periods (1999–2002, 2003–10), it was concluded that there is no evidence that exposure levels to emulsifiers have substantially increased.
Phagocytosis and Intracellular Fate of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia in Alveolar Macrophages

ABSTRACT Aspergillus fumigatus is the most prevalent airborne fungal pathogen responsible for fatal invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. Upon arrival in the lung alveolus, conidia of A. fumigatus are phagocytosed by alveolar macrophages, the major phagocytic cells of the lung. Engulfment and intracellular trafficking of A. fumigatus conidia in alveolar macrophages of two different origins, the murine cell line MH-S and human pulmonary alveolar macrophages, were analyzed by electron microscopy and immunofluorescence. Phagocytosis of A. fumigatus conidia required actin polymerization and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity. Fusion of A. fumigatus phagosomes with early and late endosomes was shown by immunolabeling with specific markers for the transferrin receptor, early endosome antigen, and Rab7. Maturation of A. fumigatus phagolysosomes was monitored by using a fixable acidotropic probe, LysoTracker Red DND-99, and an anti-cathepsin D antibody. Bafilomycin A-induced inhibition of lysosomal acidification abolished the conidial killing by the macrophages. These data suggest that the maturation of A. fumigatus phagosomes results from fusion with the compartments of the endocytic pathway and that the killing of conidia depends on phagolysosome acidification. A model for the phagocytosis of A. fumigatus conidia by alveolar macrophages is proposed on the basis of these results.
Matrix Metalloproteinase‐1 Production Observed After Solar‐Simulated Radiation Exposure is Assumed by Dermal Fibroblasts but Involves a Paracrine Activation Through Epidermal Keratinocytes ¶

Chronic exposure of human skin to solar UV radiation leads to serious dermal damages, a hallmark of photoaging. In vivo, acute UV radiation has been shown previously to induce various matrix‐degrading proteases. Among them, matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1) has been suggested to be involved in skin photodamage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of solar‐simulated radiation (SSR) on MMP‐1 production in normal human skin cells. SSR exposure of human skin reconstructed in vitro comprising both a differentiated epidermis and a fibroblast‐populated dermal equivalent led to an increase in MMP‐1 production, which was abolished when epidermis was removed immediately after SSR exposure. In addition, SSR exposure of differentiated keratinocytes grown on an acellular collagen gel did not induce MMP‐1 production. Experiments on cell cultures grown on plastic confirmed that keratinocytes failed, in contrast with fibroblasts, to produce MMP‐1 in response to SSR exposure. However, when conditioned medium from SSR‐exposed keratinocytes was added to human fibroblasts in culture, MMP‐1 production was induced. Altogether, these data show that MMP‐1 production observed after SSR exposure involved the release of soluble epidermal factors, which could modulate its production by dermal fibroblasts.
Latest consensus and update on protein-energy wasting in chronic kidney disease

Purpose of reviewProtein-energy wasting (PEW) is a state of metabolic and nutritional derangements in chronic disease states including chronic kidney disease (CKD). Cumulative evidence suggests that PEW, muscle wasting and cachexia are common and strongly associated with mortality in CKD, which is reviewed here. Recent findingsThe malnutrition-inflammation score (KALANTAR Score) is among the comprehensive and outcome-predicting nutritional scoring tools. The association of obesity with poor outcomes is attenuated across more advanced CKD stages and eventually reverses in the form of obesity paradox. Frailty is closely associated with PEW, muscle wasting and cachexia. Muscle loss shows stronger associations with unfavorable outcomes than fat loss. Adequate energy supplementation combined with low-protein diet for the management of CKD may prevent the development of PEW and can improve adherence to low-protein diet, but dietary protein requirement may increase with aging and is higher under dialysis therapy. Phosphorus burden may lead to poor outcomes. The target serum bicarbonate concentration is normal range and at least 23 mEq/l for nondialysis-dependent and dialysis-dependent CKD patients, respectively. A benefit of exercise is suggested but not yet conclusively proven. SummaryPrevention and treatment of PEW should involve individualized and integrated approaches to modulate identified risk factors and contributing comorbidities.
Host location, survival and fecundity of the Oriental rat flea Xenopsylla cheopis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) in relation to black rat Rattus rattus (Rodentia: Muridae) host age and sex

Abstract Host choice and fecundity are two factors that may contribute to the variation in flea counts observed when assessing the potential risk of flea-borne transmission of pathogens from rodents to humans. Using the black rat, Rattus rattus Linnaeus, as host the effects of age and sex on host choice and fecundity of the Oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis Rothschild, were examined experimentally at 25°C and 80% rh. During the first two days of emergence from cocoons, female fleas dominated the sex ratio by 4:1 but from the third day onwards this switched to a male-dominated sex ratio of 4:1. The sex of the flea did not influence their host-seeking behaviour. Newly emerged fleas of both sexes were not influenced by the rat‘s presence and at seven days old both sexes demonstrated similar levels of attraction toward the rat host. The sex of the rat did not affect flea host-seeking behaviour. There was a 50–70% decline in the initial number of adult fleas during the first week after their release onto a rat host, and this decline was greatest on juvenile rats. Flea fecundity was also significantly lower on juvenile rat hosts but no differences due to the sex of the rat were observed. This experimental study supports the hypothesis that differences in flea count due to host sex, reported in field surveys, result from sexual differences in host behaviour and not from discriminatory host-seeking behaviour by X. cheopis. Differences in flea count due to host age may be affected by differences in X. cheopis fecundity, which may itself be mediated by host behaviour such as grooming.
Nutritional Status of Iranian Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Assessment of Dietary Intake and Disease Activity

Background: Long-standing chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are known to be associated with impairment of nutritional status to some degree. The present study aimed to assess nutritional status of women with rheumatoid arthritis and compare their ingestion of certain micronutrients with dietary reference intakes. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 90 eligible women were recruited. After examination, all patients were evaluated on the basis of disease activity score, calculated using the number of tender and swollen joints, patient global assessment of pain and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP). A three-day 24 h recall was completed and a 10 ml fasting blood sample was obtained to assess the plasma levels of malondialdehyde, total antioxidant and CRP. Results: Despite normal BMI, intake of energy and micronutrients including calcium, folic acid, zinc, magnesium and vitamin B6 were considerably lower compared with the dietary reference intakes. There was no significant relationship between intake of different nutrients or food groups and disease activity score and the biochemical markers including malondialdehyde, CRP and total antioxidant. Conclusions: Intake of energy and some micronutrients were significantly lower than the recommended values. However, no relationship was found between intake of different food groups or nutrients with disease activity or serum antioxidant capacity.