Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Campylobacter jejuni infections and anti‐GM1 antibodies in guillain‐barré syndrome

The group of patients with Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) is very heterogenous with regard to antecedent infections, immunological parameters, clinical manifestations, and response to treatment. In this study, the presumed pathogenic factors anti‐GM1 antibodies and Campylobacter jejuni infections were related to the clinical characteristics. Serum from 154 patients with GBS, 63 patients with other neurological diseases (OND), and 50 normal controls (NC) were tested for the presence of antibodies against GM1 and C. jejuni. Anti‐GM1 antibodies were detected in 31 (20%) GBS patients, 5 (8%) OND patients, and in none of the NC. Evidence for a recent C. jejuni infection was found in 49 (32%) GBS patients and less often in OND patients (11%) or NC (8%). In GBS patients, the presence of anti‐GM1 antibodies was significantly associated with C. jejuni infections. The subgroup of GBS patients with anti‐GM1 antibodies suffered more often from a rapidly progressive and more severe neuropathy with predominantly distal distribution of weakness, without deficits of cranial nerves or sensory distrubances. The subgroup with C. jejuni infection also more often had a severe pure motor variant of GBS. Recovery of the patients with anti‐GM1 antibodies and C. jejuni infection was not as good after plasma exchange compared with intravenous immunoglobulins.
Th17 central memory T cells are reduced by FTY720 in patients with multiple sclerosis

Objective: FTY720 is a sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator that showed efficacy in phase II and III clinical trials in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). FTY720 inhibits lymphocyte egress from secondary lymphoid organs into the peripheral circulation, thereby reducing the number of circulating naïve and central memory T cells, but not effector memory T cells in blood. Little is known to which of these memory T-cell subsets interleukin 17 (IL-17)-producing T cells (Th17 cells) belong, which are considered to be key mediators of inflammation in MS, and how they are affected by treatment with FTY720. In this study, we determined the phenotype and frequency of Th17 cells in blood of untreated, FTY720-treated, and interferon-β (IFNβ)-treated patients with MS and healthy donors. Methods: In a prospective observational study, circulating T cells were phenotypically characterized and Th17 cells enumerated in T-cell subsets ex vivo. Production of IL-17 upon activation and expression of the Th17-specific transcription factor RORC2 was assessed in vitro. Results: Th17 cells were found primarily within central memory T cells in all study populations. FTY720 treatment reduced blood central memory T cells, including RORC2+ and IL-17-producing T cells, by >90%. FTY720 did not per se affect IL-17 production when added to activated T cells in vitro. Conclusion: Phenotypic Th17 cells are defined by a central memory T-cell phenotype. FTY720 reduces these Th17 cells in blood. This is presumably because central memory T cells are retained by FTY720 in secondary lymphoid organs.
Weak electrophile selective characteristics of the rat preneoplastic marker enzyme glutathione S-transferase P-form, GST-P (7-7): a theory of linear free energy relationships for evaluation of the active site hydrophobicity of isoenzymes.

Subsite (the H-site) hydrophobicity of the rat glutathione S-transferase P-form (GST-P, 7-7, pi class species) and six other GST species of the alpha and mu classes was examined theoretically and experimentally by application of linear free energy relationships (LFERs) with a series of S-alkylated glutathiones, GS(CH2)n-1CH3 (n = 1-12). Plots of log Ki (inhibition constant) versus n were used to generate LFERs for microscopic hydrophobic interactions. The free enthalpic change per methylene group (-deltadeltaG degrees, absolute value) evaluated for GST-P (1.8 kJ/mol) was lower than those for the other six forms (2.4-3.5 kJ/mol). In addition, the enthalpic change (deltadeltaH degrees) determined from van't Hoff plots was much smaller for GST-P (0.5 kJ/mol) than the GST1-1 value (5.9 kJ/mol). As these thermodynamic parameters, deltadeltaG degrees and deltadeltaH degrees, may be considered as indirect and direct measures of GST hydrophobicity respectively, the H-site hydrophobicity of GST-P is thus very low as compared with those of other forms, clearly indicating that the pi class GST-P selectively targets for weak electrophiles, i.e. water-soluble carcinogens such as acrolein and hydroxyalkenals. The finding also defines a host-defensive role of the preneoplastic cells against the carcinogenic insult, although paradoxical.
Expression of type 8 capsular polysaccharide and production of toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 are associated among vaginal isolates of Staphylococcus aureus

A colony immunoblot method was developed for serotyping the capsular polysaccharides expressed by Staphylococcus aureus isolates. The method was rapid and specific and was performed with either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies specific for each of the capsule types. S. aureus isolates were obtained from patients with toxic shock syndrome (TSS) or other staphylococcal infections and from asymptomatic women with vaginal colonization. Among the vaginal isolates of S. aureus, expression of the type 8 capsule was significantly (P less than 0.001) more frequent among strains that produced TSS toxin 1 (TSST-1) than it was among TSST-1-negative strains. In contrast, the frequency of type 8 capsule expression was similar among both TSST-1-positive and -negative strains of S. aureus from patients with nonvaginal TSS. When all vaginal and nonvaginal isolates were compared, TSST-1-negative S. aureus strains were equally distributed among the type 5 and 8 and nontypeable capsule groups, whereas TSST-1-positive strains were predominantly capsule type 8.
[Studies on chemical constituents from the herb of Peucedanum decursivum (Miq.) Maxim].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the chemical constituents of Peucedanum decursivum commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. METHOD Compounds were separated by solvent extraction and column chromatography with silica gel and structures were elucidated by chemical evidence and spectral analysis. RESULT Seven compounds were identified as imperatorin, deltoin, columbianadin, beta-sitosterol, scopoletin, (+)-trans-decursidinol and daucosterol. CONCLUSION All the compounds were isolated from the plant for the first time.
Evaluation of Oxygen Supplementation Status as a Risk Factor Associated with the Development of Severe Retinopathy of Prematurity

Purpose: The effects of oxygen supplementation status and other clinical risk factors on the development of severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) were evaluated. Methods: Clinical records of 143 newborn infants with a gestational age of 32 weeks or less were reviewed. Severe ROP was diagnosed when photocoagulation due to progression to stage 3 was identified or when ‘plus disease' developed. The factors were evaluated with univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses between the groups with severe (n = 24) and non-severe (n = 119) ROP. Results: Gestational age, birth weight, duration of oxygen supplementation, duration of directional positive air pressure and maximum fraction of inspiratory oxygen (FiO2) were significantly associated with severe ROP in the univariate analyses. In the multivariate analysis, a longer duration of oxygen supplementation and a higher maximum FiO2 were revealed as significant risk factors associated with severe ROP. Conclusions: Duration of oxygen supplementation and maximum FiO2 required were important factors associated with severe ROP.
Requirement of HMGB1 and RAGE for the maturation of human plasmacytoid dendritic cells

Dendritic cells (DC) are key components of innate and adaptive immune responses. Plasmacytoid DC (PDC) are a specialized DC subset that produce high amounts of type I interferons in response to microbes. High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) is an abundant nuclear protein, which acts as a potent pro‐inflammatory factor when released extracellularly. We show that HMGB1 leaves the nucleus of maturing PDC following TLR9 activation, and that PDC express on the plasma membrane the best‐characterized receptor for HMGB1, RAGE. Maturation and type I IFN secretion of PDC is hindered when the HMGB1/RAGE pathway is disrupted. These results reveal HMGB1 and RAGE as the first known autocrine loop modulating the maturation of PDC, and suggest that antagonists of HMGB1/RAGE might have therapeutic potential for the treatment of systemic human diseases.
Ideal Thickness of Smith—Robinson Graft for Anterior Cervical Fusion: A Cadaveric Study with Computed Tomographic Correlation

To establish the optimal thickness for Smith—Robinson anterior cervical fusion grafts, anterior C4–5 discectomy and fusions were performed on six fresh, frozen cadavers. Plain radiographs and computed tomographic scans then were employed to correlate graft placement with changes in disc space height, foraminal height, and foraminal areas after 3-, 5-, 7-, and 9-mm interbody fusions. The ideal graft thickness appeared to be directly related to the preoperative baseline disc height. For a preoperative disc height of 3.5–6.0 mm, an interbody graft of 2 mm above baseline thickness was most appropriate. A thicker graft was required when the baseline disc height was smaller (2.0 mm) and a thinner graft when the disc height was larger (7.4 mm). No significant correlation was noted between disc space distraction at C4–5 and disc height, foraminal height, or foraminal area at adjacent levels.
The association between short sleep duration and weight gain is dependent on disinhibited eating behavior in adults.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the relationship between short sleep duration and subsequent body weight gain is influenced by disinhibited eating behavior. DESIGN Six-year longitudinal study. SETTING Community setting. PARTICIPANTS Two hundred seventy-six adults aged 21 to 64 years from the Quebec Family Study. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Body composition measurements, self-reported sleep duration, and disinhibition eating behavior trait (Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire) were determined at both baseline and after 6 years. For each sleep-duration group (short- [≤6 h] average, [7-8 h], and long- [≥9 h] duration sleepers), differences in weight gain and waist circumference were tested by comparing the lowest (score ≤ 3) versus the highest (score ≥ 6) disinhibition eating behavior tertiles using analysis of covariance, with adjustment for potential confounding factors. Individuals having both short sleep duration and high disinhibition eating behavior were more likely to gain weight and increase their abdominal circumference over time (P<0.05); however, short-duration sleepers having a low disinhibition eating behavior trait were not more likely to increase their adiposity indicators than were average-duration sleepers. Over the 6-year follow-up period, the incidence of overweight/obesity for short-duration sleepers with a high disinhibition eating behavior trait was 2.5 times more frequent than for short-duration sleepers with a low disinhibition eating behavior trait. Energy intake was significantly higher in short-duration sleepers with a high disinhibition eating behavior trait (P<0.05 versus all other groups). CONCLUSIONS We observed that having a high disinhibition eating behavior trait significantly increased the risk of overeating and gaining weight in adults characterized by short sleep duration. This observation is novel and might explain the interindividual differences in weight gain associated with short sleep duration.
Effect of switching to tenofovir with emtricitabine in patients with chronic hepatitis B failing to respond to an adefovir-containing regimen

Background In patients with chronic hepatitis B, long-term use of lamivudine is limited by resistance mutations. Adefovir dipivoxil has a very low rate of resistance, but there have been recent reports describing resistance mutations. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine show potent activity against wild-type and lamivudine-resistant hepatitis B virus. Methods We describe a series of seven HIV-seronegative patients who failed to achieve undetectable hepatitis B viral DNA on adefovir. No lamivudine resistance testing was performed. The antiviral regimen was changed to tenofovir (300 mg daily) and emtricitabine (200 mg daily). Variables collected included levels of hepatitis B viral DNA by polymerase chain reaction, alanine and aspartate aminotransferase, hepatitis B e antigen and hepatitis B e antibody. Results The median hepatitis B viral DNA level while on adefovir was 430 000 copies/ml with a median fall in hepatitis B viral DNA levels of 2.0 log10 copies/ml. Patients were on adefovir for a median period of 10 months before a change in regimen to tenofovir and emtricitabine. This regimen change resulted in a median fall in hepatitis B viral DNA levels of 3.0 log10 copies/ml (range, 2–4) after a median treatment duration of 23 months (range, 14–28). All patients (100%) had achieved undetectable hepatitis B viral DNA levels following combination therapy. Anti-hepatitis B e seroconversion occurred in one patient. No change in serum creatinine was observed during therapy, and no significant adverse events were reported. Conclusions In patients failing to respond to adefovir monotherapy or an adefovir-containing regimen for chronic hepatitis B virus, a combination of tenofovir and emtricitabine resulted in undetectable hepatitis B viral DNA levels without any renal toxicity. Tenofovir, in combination with emtricitabine, may be an alternative treatment for those with detectable hepatitis B viral DNA on adefovir.
Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E Are Co‐Localized with Cyclo‐Oxygenase 2 (COX‐2) in Pyramidal Neurons in Alzheimer Disease Temporal Cortex

Regular use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) seems to reduce the progression of several diseases, including colon cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer and Alzheimer disease (AD). Several studies have shown that NSAIDs can modulate cell cycle progression, especially in the G0/G1 phase. The main target of most NSAIDs is the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase (COX), which occurs in 2 isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2. In AD and non-demented control brain, COX-2 is expressed in neuronal cells. In this study the expression of COX-2, cyclin D1, and cyclin E was investigated at the immunohistochemical level in AD and non-demented control temporal cortex. COX-2, cyclin D1, and cyclin E expression was detected in pyramidal neurons in both AD and control patients. The number of COX-2-immunoreactive neurons positively correlated with the number of cyclin E- and cyclin D1-immunoreactive neurons. Moreover, immunostaining of sequential tissue sections and double immunofluorescence labeling revealed co-expression of COX-2 and cyclin D1 and E in neuronal cells. In addition, an inverse correlation was observed between the neuronal expression of COX-2 and cyclin E and the Braak score for amyloid β deposits. Our findings suggest a relationship between the neuronal expression of COX-2 and cell cycle markers, which may be involved early in AD pathology.
Gentamicin in the neonatal period.

The clinical pharmacology of gentamicin was studied in 42 newborn infants. Gentamicin was found to be effective in vitro against most gram negative organisms encountered in neonatal infections; 1.5 mg/kg/dose every 8 to 12 hours in neonates produced mean peak serum levels of 2.5 to 5. 0μg/ml. Serum antibacterial activity persisted for 8 to 12 hours. The serum gentamicin half-life was longer in premature than full-term infants during the first week of life only; beyond this time, the half-lives were similar and approached that reported in adults. No evidence of accumulation was observed after multiple doses. A limited trial of gentamicin in the treatment of severe neonatal infections demonstrated the drug to be effective. Acute toxicity was not observed. Specific recommendations and precautions are outlined for treating selected neonates with gentamicin.
The jet of Markarian 501 from millions of Schwarzschild radii down to a few hundreds

Aims. The TeV BL Lac object Markarian 501 is a complex, core dominated radio source, with a one sided, twisting jet on parsec scales. In the present work, we attempt to extend our understanding of the source physics to regions of the radio jet which have not been accessed before. Methods. We present new observations of Mrk 501 at 1.4 and 86 GHz. The 1.4 GHz data were obtained using the Very Large Array (VLA) and High Sensitivity Array (HSA) in November 2004, in full polarization, with a final rms noise of 25 μJy/beam in the HSA total intensity image; the 86 GHz observations were performed in October 2005 with the Global Millimeter VLBI Array (GMVA), providing an angular resolution as good as 110 μas × 40 μas. Results. The sensitivity and resolution provided by the HSA make it possible to detect the jet up to ∼700 milliarcseconds (corresponding to a projected linear size of ∼500 pc) from its base, while the superior resolution of the 86 GHz GMVA observations probes the innermost regions of the jet down to ∼200 Schwarzschild radii. The brightness temperature at the jet base is in excess of 6×10 10 K. We find evidence of limb brightening on physical scales from < 1p c to∼40 pc. Polarization images and fits to the trend of jet width and brightness vs. distance from the core reveal a magnetic field parallel to the jet axis.
Racial/ethnic differences in health status and morbidity among adults who use methamphetamine

Higher disease rates among ethnic-minority populations compared to Whites have been pervasive and persistent over time, and as methamphetamine (MA) use continues to penetrate ethnically diverse geographic regions across the United States, minority populations may be at increased risk for adverse MA-related health consequences, thus further contributing to poorer health among vulnerable populations. This study examines racial/ethnic differences in health status and health conditions among individuals who used MA. Data are from a natural history interview study of adult MA users (N = 512), half of whom received treatment for MA abuse, and a comparison group who had not received substance abuse treatment. Chi-square and logistic regression analyses examined differences by race/ethnicity in self-reported health status and morbidity, adjusting for age, gender, and health behaviors including MA use severity and tobacco use. Overall, back/neck injuries (27%), severe dental problems (26%), gunshot/knife injury (25%), and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) (24%) were commonly reported. Racial/ethnic differences were observed for conditions including gunshot/knife injuries, hearing loss, and learning disabilities disproportionately affecting Latino populations, and asthma and STDs disproportionately affecting African-Americans. Results varied by whether treatment for MA abuse was received. Although poor health and morbidity were common overall, each ethnic group may be at higher risk for specific health problems. Health status and conditions in this MA-using sample are examined and discussed with reference to general population data. These findings may assist researchers and treatment providers in addressing health consequences of the increasing prevalence of MA use among minority populations. Understanding ethnic differences in health status among MA users may assist in developing interventions to target specific health care needs.
Top 10 Research Questions Related to Growth and Maturation of Relevance to Physical Activity, Performance, and Fitness

Growth, maturation, and development dominate the daily lives of children and adolescents for approximately the first 2 decades of life. Growth and maturation are biological processes, while development is largely a behavioral process. The 3 processes occur simultaneously and interact. They can be influenced by physical activity and also can influence activity, performance, and fitness. Allowing for these potential interactions, 10 questions on growth and maturation that have relevance to physical activity, performance, and fitness are presented. The questions are not mutually exclusive and address several broadly defined topical areas: exercise and growth, body weight status (body mass index, adiposity rebound, “unhealthy weight gain”), movement proficiency (hypothesized barrier, role in obesity), individual differences, tracking, maturity-associated variation in performance, and corresponding variation in physical activity. Central to the discussion of each is the need for a biocultural approach recognizing the interactions of biology and behavior as potential influences on the variables of interest.
Differences in pharmacogenomic biomarker information in package inserts from the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan

The provision of pharmacogenomic information in drug package inserts (PIs) has become more common in recent years. The content of PIs can be tailored to meet specific requirements of the target populations. Our objective was to identify, assess and report on differences in pharmacogenomic information in PIs from the United States (USA), the United Kingdom (UK) and Japan.
Climate variability and the vulnerability of ranching in southeastern Arizona: a pilot study

For ranchers in the Southwest, unanticipated droughts pose serious management chal- lenges. Social and economic factors combine with the physical impacts of drought to render ranchers more vulnerable to climate variability. Using agricultural census data and interviews with ranchers, we analyze ranchers' responses to drought events in 1996 and 1999. From this analysis we develop an initial assessment of the principal factors contributing to the vulnerability of ranching in south- eastern Arizona to climatic variability, and we make some preliminary determinations regarding the potential use of climate information in mitigating this vulnerability. During drought, climatic condi- tions can combine with poor cattle prices and high feed costs to strain ranchers' resources. The abil- ity to cope with drought is further complicated by changes in environmental policy and pressure from urban growth. In these circumstances, ranchers reported being tempted to sell their private ranch property to development interests. Although our pilot study identified smaller operations as the most vulnerable to climatic variability in the context of policy and economic uncertainty, these operations reported less utility in climate information. The multidimensional nature of vulnerability suggests that climate information will be most useful to ranching operations of all sizes if it is integrated with market, policy and other economic information and if existing information distribution channels are used to reach ranchers.