Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The role of stem cells for treatment of cardiovascular disease

Abstract. Cardiovascular disease is a global cause of mortality and morbidity. Current treatments fail to address the underlying scarring and cell loss, which are the causes of ischaemic heart failure. Cellular transplantation can overcome these problems and new impetus has been injected into this field following the isolation of human embryonic and adult stem cells. These cells have shown remarkable ability to produce cardiomyocytes and vascular cells in vitro and in vivo. Initial transplantation studies have demonstrated functional benefits and it is hoped further randomised clinical trials will concur with initial findings. Much basic science remains to be unearthed, such as the signals for homing, differentiation and engraftment of transplanted cells. Further matters of concern are the role of cell fusion and the mechanisms by which transplanted cells improve cardiac function. In spite of initial progress made in stem cell therapy there is still much to be done and we are some way off from achieving the goal of effective cellular regeneration.
Cutting Edge: B Cells Promote CD8+ T Cell Activation in MRL-Faslpr Mice Independently of MHC Class I Antigen Presentation1

Spontaneous CD8+ T cell activation in MRL-Faslpr mice is B cell dependent. It is unclear whether this B-dependent activation is mediated by direct Ag presentation via MHC class I proteins (i.e., cross-presentation) or whether activation occurs by an indirect mechanism, e.g., via effects on CD4+ cells. To determine how CD8+ T cell activation is promoted by B cells, we created mixed bone marrow chimeras where direct MHC class I Ag presentation by B cells was abrogated while other leukocyte compartments could express MHC class I. Surprisingly, despite the absence of B cell class I-restricted Ag presentation, CD8+ T cell activation was intact in the chimeric mice. Therefore, the spontaneous B cell-dependent CD8+ T cell activation that occurs in systemic autoimmunity is not due to direct presentation by B cells to CD8+ T cells.
Identification and validation of nebulized aerosol devices for sputum induction.

BACKGROUND Induced sputum cell counts are a noninvasive and reliable method for evaluating the presence, type and degree of airway inflammation in patients with asthma. Currently, standard nebulizer devices used for sputum induction in multiple patients are labelled as single-patient devices by the manufacturer, which conflicts with infection prevention and control requirements. As such, these devices cannot feasibly be used in a clinical sputum induction program. Therefore, there is a need to identify alternative nebulizer devices that are either disposable or labelled for multipatient use. OBJECTIVE To apply validated rigorous, scientific testing methods to identify and validate commercially available nebulizer devices appropriate for use in a clinical sputum induction program. METHODS Measurement of nebulized aerosol output and size for the selected nebulizer designs followed robust International Organization for Standardization methods. Sputum induction using two of these nebulizers was successfully performed on 10 healthy adult subjects. The cytotechnologist performing sputum cell counts was blinded to the type of nebulizer used. RESULTS The studied nebulizers had variable aerosol outputs. The AeroNeb Solo (Aerogen, Ireland), Omron NE-U17 (Omron, Japan) and EASYneb II (Flaem Nuova, Italy) systems were found to have similar measurements of aerosol size. There was no significant difference in induced sputum cell results between the AeroNeb Solo and EASYneb II devices. DISCUSSION There is a need for rigorous, scientific evaluation of nebulizer devices for clinical applications, including sputum induction, for measurement of cell counts. CONCLUSION The present study was the most comprehensive analysis of different nebulizer devices for sputum induction to measure cell counts, and provides a framework for appropriate evaluation of nebulizer devices for induced sputum testing.
The cytological features of mammary analogue secretory carcinoma

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) of the salivary glands is a newly described tumor entity associated with the t(12;15)(p13;q25) ETV6‐NTRK3 translocation. Early studies have shown this tumor to be a distinct entity with histologic, biologic, and clinical differences from acinic cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified. Because this tumor was described only recently, it remains relatively unknown outside of head and neck specialty pathology centers.
Highly oriented nonepitaxially grown L10 FePt films

A method of preparing nonepitaxially grown, highly textured L10 FePt thin films is described. A nearly perfect (001) texture was obtained by direct deposition of FePt films on Corning 7059 glass substrates and subsequent rapid thermal annealing. The ordering and orientation of the L10-phase FePt grains were controlled by the initial as-deposited film structure, and also by the annealing process. Magnetic measurements reveal large perpendicular anisotropy for these (001) textured films. The substrates and processes used for nonepitaxial growth of L10 ordered FePt films are much more compatible with practical applications than those grown epitaxially.
COMPARISON OF NON-LINEAR MASONRY INFILL MACRO-MODELS

Reinforced-concrete frames with masonry infill are composite systems, common in low and medium-high buildings, whose behavior under earthquake loads is difficult to predict. Because of that, most national codes ignore the contribution of infill to the structural response. In this paper, we determined the seismic behavior of infilled frames by using a numerical non-liner model (with various geometries and various masonry and r/c frame properties), using samples taken from the originally collected experimental data base on infilled frames “EDIF”. We then compared these experimental results to numerical models designed using recommendations from FEMA 356 (nonlinear model), Eurocode 8 (linear model), and other published methods (Stafford-Smith and Carter, Mainstone, Žarnić, Paulay and Priestley) in order to assess the most suitable, rational macro model for evaluating the behaviour of masonry infill in a reinforcedconcrete frame during earthquake excitation.
Acute painful neuropathy in thallium poisoning

Dysesthesia, allodynia, distal muscle weakness, and sensory impairment were noted in two patients with acute thallium intoxication. Two months later, nerve conduction studies showed an axonal degeneration. Sural nerve biopsy disclosed a decreased fiber density in the large myelinated fibers. Quantitative sensory testing also revealed an impairment of pinprick, temperature, and touch sensations. Cutaneous nerve biopsy confirmed a loss of epidermal nerves indicating an involvement of the small sensory nerves.
Technical Report 3 D WEATHER DISPLAYS FOR AIRCRAFT COCKPITS

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dimensionality and rotating ftame of reference in a weather avoidance task. Forty student pilots performed a 3D route planning task to navigate around weather information and arrive at a target within an airspace. The subjects were randomly blocked into four groups, each of which used all four of the display types (3D rotating, 3D fixed, 2D rotating, and 2D fixed) in varying orders. The subjects performed ten trials for each display type. The results indicated that the 2D and rotating displays supported navigation through a shorter radial distance, and the 2D displays also resulted in faster weather planning times. This additional distance and time is attributed to the ambiguity within the 3D displays. There was no significant difference found between the dispalys in terms of vertical distance traveled, penetrations of the weather formations, number of vectors created, or the evaluation of situational awareness.
The effect of abdominal support on functional outcomes in patients following major abdominal surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE Immobility and pain are modifiable risk factors for development of venous thromboembolism and pulmonary morbidity after major abdominal surgery (MAS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of abdominal incision support with an elasticized abdominal binder on postoperative walk performance (mobility), perceived distress, pain, and pulmonary function in patients following MAS. METHODS Seventy-five patients scheduled to undergo MAS via laparotomy were randomized to experimental (binder) or control (no binder) groups. Sixty (33 male, 27 female; mean age 58±14.9 years) completed the study. Preoperative measurements of 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance, perceived distress, pain, and pulmonary function were repeated 1, 3, and 5 days after surgery. RESULTS Surgery was associated with marked postoperative reductions (p<0.001) in walk distance (∼75-78%, day 3) and forced vital capacity (35%, all days) for both groups. Improved 6MWT distance by day 5 was greater (p<0.05) for patients wearing a binder (80%) than for the control group (48%). Pain and symptom-associated distress remained unchanged following surgery with binder usage, increasing significantly (p<0.05) only in the no binder group. CONCLUSION Elasticized abdominal binders provide a non-invasive intervention for enhancing recovery of walk performance, controlling pain and distress, and improving patients' experience following MAS.
A Comparison of Collaborative Care Outcomes in Two Health Care Systems: VA Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers.

OBJECTIVE Collaborative care for depression results in symptom reduction when compared with usual care. No studies have systematically compared collaborative care outcomes between veterans treated at Veterans Affairs (VA) clinics and civilians treated at publicly funded federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) after controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics. METHODS Data from two randomized controlled trials that used a similar collaborative care intervention for depression were combined to conduct post hoc analyses (N=759). The Telemedicine-Enhanced Antidepressant Management intervention was delivered in VA community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), and the Outreach Using Telemedicine for Rural Enhanced Access in Community Health intervention was delivered in FQHCs. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine whether veteran status moderated the effect of the intervention on treatment response (>50% reduction in symptoms). RESULTS There was a significant main effect for intervention (odds ratio [OR]=5.23, p<.001) and a moderating effect for veteran status, with lower response rates among veterans compared with civilians (OR=.21, p=.01). The addition of variables representing medication dosage and number of mental health and general health appointments did not influence the moderating effect. A sensitivity analysis stratified by gender found a significant moderating effect of veteran status for men but not women. CONCLUSIONS Veteran status was a significant moderator of collaborative care effectiveness for depression, indicating that veterans receiving collaborative care at a CBOC are at risk of nonresponse. Unmeasured patient- or system-level characteristics may contribute to poorer response among veterans.
Physiology of mutants with reduced expression of plasma membrane H+‐ATPase

Two mutations containing insertions and deletions in the promoter in the plasma membrane H+‐ATPase gene (PMA1) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been introduced into the genome by homologous recombination, replacing the wild‐type gene. The resulting strains have 15 and 23% of the wild‐type ATPase content. Decreased levels of ATPase correlate with decreased rates of proton efflux and decreased uptake rates of amino acids, methylamine, hygromycin B and tetraphenylphosphonium. This supports a central role of the enzyme in yeast bioenergetics. However, the final accumulation gradient of tetraphenylphosphonium is not affected by the mutations and that of methylamine and 2‐aminoisobutyric acid is only decreased in the most extreme mutant. Apparently, kinetic constraints seem to prevent the equilibration of yeast active transports with the electrochemical proton gradient. As expected from their transport defects, the ATPase‐deficient mutants are more resistant to hygromycin B and more sensitive to acidification than wild‐type yeast. Mutant cells are very elongated, suggesting a structural role of the ATPase in the yeast surface.
Thermodynamic analysis of the structural stability of the tetrameric oligomerization domain of p53 tumor suppressor.

The structural stability of an amino acid fragment containing the oligomerization domain (residues 303-366) of the tumor suppressor p53 has been studied using high-precision differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD). Previous NMR solution structural determinations have revealed that the fragment forms a symmetric 29.8 kDa tetramer composed of a dimer of dimers (p53tet) [Lee, W. , Harvey, T. S. , Yin, Y. , Yau, P., Litchfield, D. , & Arrowsmith, C. H. (1994) Nature Struct. Biol. 1, 877-890]. Thermal unfolding of the tetramer is reversible and can be described as a two-state transition in which the folded tetramer is converted directly to unfolded monomers (N4<==>4U). According to the DSC and CD data, the population of intermediate species consisting of folded monomers or dimers is insignificant, indicating that isolated dimeric or monomeric structures have a much lower stability than the dimer and do not become populated during thermal denaturation under the conditions studied. The transition temperature of unfolding is found to be highly dependent on protein concentration and to follow the expected behavior for a tetramer that dissociates upon unfolding. Experiments conducted at pH 4.0 in 25 mM sodium acetate at a tetramer concentration of 145.8 microM have a transition temperature (Tm) of 75.3 degrees C while at 0.5 microM the value drops to 39.2 degrees C. The enthalpy change of unfolding at 60 degrees C is 26 kcal (mol of monomer)-1 with a heat capacity change of 387 cal (K.mol of monomer)-1. The stability of p53tet is dependent on pH and salt concentration. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Glucagon-like peptide 1 undergoes differential tissue-specific metabolism in the anesthetized pig.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) metabolism was studied in halothane-anesthetized pigs (n = 7) using processing-independent (PI) and COOH-terminal (C) radioimmunoassays (RIA) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) specific for biologically active GLP-1. Renal extraction of endogenous GLP-1 was detected by PI-RIA (33.1 +/- 13.3%) and C-RIA (16.0 +/- 6.3%) and by all assays during GLP-1 infusion (ELISA, 69.4 +/- 6.3%; PI-RIA, 32.6 +/- 7.3%; C-RIA, 43.7 +/- 3.4%), indicating substantial fragmentation. Hepatic and pulmonary degradation were undetectable under basal conditions, but exogenous GLP-1 elimination by the liver (43.6 +/- 8.9%) and lungs (10.1 +/- 3.2%) was measured by ELISA, suggesting primarily NH2-terminal degradation. Endogenous GLP-1 extraction by the hindleg was only detected by C-RIA (16.0 +/- 6.3%). During GLP-1 infusion, greater hindleg extraction was measured by ELISA (38.5 +/- 6.8%) and C-RIA (33.0 +/- 6.4%) than by PI-RIA (11.4 +/- 3.2%), indicating limited degradation at each terminus or more substantial COOH-terminal degradation. A shorter (P < 0.01) plasma half-life was revealed by ELISA (1.5 +/- 0.4 min) than by PI-RIA (4.5 +/- 0.6 min) or C-RIA (4.1 +/- 0.5 min). Metabolic clearance rates measured by PI-RIA (20.0 +/- 3.8 ml.min-1.kg-1) and C-RIA (15.5 +/- 1.6 ml.min-1.kg-1) were shorter (P < 0.01) than that measured by ELISA (106.8 +/- 14.7 ml.min-1.kg-1). Tissue-specific differential metabolism of GLP-1 occurs, and NH2-terminal degradation, rendering GLP-1 inactive, is particularly important in its clearance.
Guidelines for controlled trials of drugs in migraine : second edition

International Headache Society Clinical Trials Subcommittee. Committee members: P Tfelt-Hansen (Chairman) (Denmark), G Block (USA), C DahloÈf (Sweden), H-C Diener (Germany), MD Ferrari (The Netherlands), PJ Goadsby (United Kingdom), V Guidetti (Italy), B Jones (United Kingdom), RB Lipton (USA), H Massiou (France), C Meinert (USA), G Sandrini (Italy), T Steiner (United Kingdom), PBO Winter (United Kingdom)
Impact of Hepatitis Coinfection on Hospitalization Rates and Causes in a Multicenter Cohort of Persons Living With HIV

Background:Chronic viral hepatitis is a potentially important determinant of health care utilization among persons living with HIV. We describe hospitalization rates and reasons for hospitalization among persons living with HIV stratified by coinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and/or hepatitis C virus (HCV). Methods:Laboratory, demographic, and hospitalization data were obtained for all patients receiving longitudinal HIV care during 2010 at 9 geographically diverse sites. Hepatitis serostatus was assessed by hepatitis B surface antigen and/or hepatitis C antibody. ICD-9 codes were used to assign hospitalizations into diagnostic categories. Negative binomial regression was used to assess factors associated with all-cause and diagnostic category-specific hospitalizations. Results:A total of 2793 hospitalizations were observed among 12,819 patients. Of these patients, 49.3% had HIV monoinfection, 4.1% HIV/HBV, 15.4% HIV/HCV, 2.5% HIV/HBV/HCV, and 28.7% unknown hepatitis serostatus. Compared with HIV monoinfection, the risk of all-cause hospitalization was increased with HIV/HBV [adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.55 (1.17 to 2.06)], HIV/HCV [1.45 (1.21 to 1.74)], and HIV/HBV/HCV [1.52 (1.04 to 2.22)]. Risk of hospitalization for non–AIDS-defining infection was also higher among patients with HIV/HBV [2.07 (1.38 to 3.11)], HIV/HCV [1.81 (1.36 to 2.40)], and HIV/HBV/HCV [1.96 (1.11 to 3.46)]. HIV/HBV was associated with hospitalization for gastrointestinal/liver disease [2.55 (1.30 to 5.01)]. HIV/HCV was associated with hospitalization for psychiatric illness [1.89 (1.11 to 3.26)]. Conclusions:HBV and HCV coinfection are associated with increased risk of all-cause hospitalization and hospitalization for non–AIDS-defining infections, as compared with HIV monoinfection. Policy-makers and third-party payers should be aware of the heightened risk of hospitalization associated with coinfection when allocating health care resources and considering models of health care delivery.
Association of Shifting Populations in the Root Zone Microbiome of Millet with Enhanced Crop Productivity in the Sahel Region (Africa)

ABSTRACT This study characterized specific changes in the millet root zone microbiome stimulated by long-term woody-shrub intercropping at different sites in Senegal. At the two study sites, intercropping with woody shrubs and shrub residue resulted in a significant increase in millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. ] yield (P < 0.05) and associated patterns of increased diversity in both bacterial and fungal communities in the root zone of the crop. Across four experiments, operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belonging to Chitinophaga were consistently significantly (P < 0.001) enriched in the intercropped samples, and “Candidatus Koribacter” was consistently significantly enriched in samples where millet was grown alone. Those OTUs belonging to Chitinophaga were enriched more than 30-fold in residue-amended samples and formed a distinct subgroup from all OTUs detected in the genus. Additionally, OTUs belonging to 8 fungal genera (Aspergillus, Coniella, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Gibberella, Lasiodiplodia, Penicillium, and Phoma) were significantly (P < 0.005) enriched in all experiments at all sites in intercropped samples. The OTUs of four genera (Epicoccum, Fusarium, Gibberella, and Haematonectria) were consistently enriched at sites where millet was grown alone. Those enriched OTUs in intercropped samples showed consistently large-magnitude differences, ranging from 30- to 1,000-fold increases in abundance. Consistently enriched OTUs in intercropped samples in the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium also formed phylogenetically distinct subgroups. These results suggest that the intercropping system used here can influence the recruitment of potentially beneficial microorganisms to the root zone of millet and aid subsistence farmers in producing higher-yielding crops.
DC and RF Degradation Induced by High RF Power Stresses in 0.18- $\mu\hbox{m}$ nMOSFETs

Both the degradations of dc and RF characteristics of nMOS transistors due to hot-carrier effect and instantaneous high RF power stresses are presented in this paper. The drain current, threshold voltage, output power, and power-added efficient were degraded after the output power exceeded the power capacity. At this condition, the voltage between drain and gate became large and made the oxide soft breakdown happen. The load-pull system is used to set up the measurement for optimized input and output power matching networks. The shift of the optimum load impedance and constant power-gain circles for power match indicated that the parameters of the stressed cells were changed by the damage in the gate oxide. The signal distortion, gate voltage swing, and thermal effect were all considered in this paper. The cells were fabricated by a 0.18-μm CMOS process. All of the characteristics of the devices were measured at 5.2 GHz.
Homozygosity in Huntington’s disease

Editor—Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by the association of choreic movements and cognitive/psychiatric changes. In 1993, the HD Collaborative Research Group reported the identification of the IT15 gene, which encodes a protein named huntingtin that carries an unstable and expanded CAG repeat in patients.1 Normal alleles are polymorphic with 11 to 35 CAG repeats, whereas expanded alleles in patients contain 36 or more repeats. HD is thought to be a true dominant disorder, since homozygous carriers of the disease are no more severely affected than heterozygous carriers.2 However, precise clinical evaluations have not yet been reported in homozygous patients with known expansion sizes. We report here the clinical, neuropsychological, and molecular characterisation of such a patient in comparison to his heterozygous brother. The patients underwent neurological examination, including the motor scale of HD,3 neuropsychological testing known to be sensitive to subcortical dementia.4 CAG repeats of the IT15 gene were sized by PCR using Hex labelled primer HD1 and HD2.5 PCR products were run on a 4% polyacrylamide gel and the CAG repeat was estimated using Genescan and the Genotyper software package. Three HD patients (IV.4, IV.5, and IV.6) were born to parents who were first cousins (fig 1). The mother (III.2), who died at the age of 62, was known to be affected by history but age at onset could not be determined. The father (III.1, 20/41 CAG repeats), examined at the age of 68, had severe choreic movements (motor score 16/20), dysarthria, and cognitive changes with a Mini Mental State examination of 13/30, but was not aware of his symptoms …
In vitro and in vivo activities of ketoconazole and itraconazole against Pityrosporum orbiculare

The MICs of ketoconazole and itraconazole against Pityrosporum orbiculare were 0.02 to 0.05 and 0.1 to 0.2 micrograms ml-1, respectively. In a rabbit model, orally administered ketoconazole (1 mg kg-1) afforded protection against experimental pityriasis (tinea) versicolor in all animals. Itraconazole (5 mg kg-1) was effective in four of five rabbits.