Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The severely under‐recognized public health risk of strongyloidiasis in North American cities—A One Health approach

Strongyloides and other soil‐transmitted helminths represent a severely under‐recognized zoonotic public health risk, especially in North American cities. They are present throughout North America, including in urban areas, causing morbidity and mortality in human and non‐human animals. Epidemiological “masking” of strongyloidiasis due to overlapping symptoms with other systemic diseases, including allergies, and diagnostic limitations complicate our understanding of the epidemiological extent of this disease, and auto‐infection allows long‐term persistence of individual infections. Zoonotic transmission and environmental transmission are critical components in the epidemiology of strongyloidiasis, and other diseases caused by soil‐transmitted helminths. In this review, we bring together medical, veterinary and environmental expertise in a “One Health” context, to document and analyse this under‐recognized risk. We also present implementable opportunities for action with respect to diagnostics, treatment, community engagement and land management to mitigate the impact and transmission of strongyloidiasis and other diseases caused by soil‐transmitted helminths.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE Causes of Uveitis in a Referral Hospital in Ankara, Turkey

Purpose: To evaluate the etiology of uveitis and its associated systemic findings in a referral hospital in Ankara, Turkey. Materials and methods: Clinical records of patients in our uveitis department were reviewed retrospectively and 419 eyes of 300 consecutive patients were included in the study. Cases of uveitis due to postoperative endophthalmitis, perforating injuries, and foreign bodies were excluded from the study. The data, including sex, age, clinical presentation, disease course and outcome, ocular involvement, etiology, and associated systemic findings, were entered into a computer database. Pearson chi-square statistical analysis was performed to analyze the data whenever necessary. Results: The study subjects consisted of 162 males and 138 females, with a female to male ratio of 1:1.17 and an average age of 35.7 years. Anterior uveitis was the most common form of uveitis with 43.6%, followed by posterior uveitis (26.6%), panuveitis (20.6%), and intermediate uveitis (9%). Idiopathic uveitis (28.3%) was the most frequent cause of uveitis diagnosed, followed by Behçet's disease (26%) and rheumatic diseases (9%). In 215 (71.7%) out of 300 patients, a specific cause of uveitis with associated systemic findings was identified. Uveitis was attributed to an infectious etiology in only 41 patients (13.6%) of the entire study population. Comments: The etiology of uveitis and its associated systemic findings may vary depending on the geographic distribution of patients and local factors. These results represent those of patients with uveitis referred to hospitals in central Anatolia.
Pre- and Delayed Treatments With Ranolazine Ameliorate Ventricular Arrhythmias and Nav1.5 Downregulation in Ischemic/Reperfused Rat Hearts

Abstract: Enhanced late sodium current (late INa) and intracellular Nav1.5 redistribution contribute to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced arrhythmias. Ranolazine can reduce lethal arrhythmias by inhibiting late INa. However, little is known regarding its role in regulating the distribution of Nav1.5 during I/R. Therefore, we investigated the roles of ranolazine in post-I/R Nav1.5 expression and distribution in myocardium. Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups: sham, I/R, Ran Pre, and Ran Delay. Electrocardiogram and arterial pressure were recorded during the procedure. Nav1.5 mRNA and protein levels in peri-infarct cardiac tissue were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. To further confirm the regulation of ranolazine on Nav1.5, GS967, another late INa inhibitor was used. Both pre- and delayed ranolazine treatments significantly reduced the incidence of severe ventricular arrhythmias, along with shortened corrected QT interval by 29.55% and QRS duration by 18.38% during I/R. The protein level of Nav1.5 decreased by 31.63% after I/R. Ranolazine and GS967 remained Nav1.5 protein expression and Nav1.5 redistribution on intercalated discs and lateral membranes, without affecting Nav1.5 mRNA level. In conclusion, upregulating Nav1.5 expression and redistribution on the intercalated discs and lateral membranes of cardiomyocytes may underlie the antiarrhythmic effects of ranolazine in I/R rats.
Beneficial effects of melatonin on cardiological alterations in a murine model of accelerated aging

Abstract: This study investigated the effect of aging‐related parameters such as inflammation, oxidative stress and cell death in the heart in an animal model of accelerated senescence and analyzed the effects of chronic administration of melatonin on these markers. Thirty male mice of senescence‐accelerated prone (SAMP8) and 30 senescence‐accelerated‐resistant mice (SAMR1) at 2 and 10 months of age were used . Animals were divided into eight experimental groups, four from each strain: two young control groups, two old untreated control groups, and four melatonin‐treated groups. Melatonin was provided at two different dosages (1 and 10 mg/kg/day) in the drinking water. After 30 days of treatment, the expression of inflammatory mediators (tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, interleukin 1 and 10, NFkBp50 and NFkBp52), apoptosis markers (BAD, BAX and Bcl2) and parameters related to oxidative stress (heme oxygenases 1 and 2, endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthases) were determined in the heart by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Inflammation, as well as, oxidative stress and apoptosis markers was increased in old SAMP8 males, when compared to its young controls. SAMR1 mice showed significantly lower basal levels of the measured parameters and smaller increases with age or no increases at all. After treatment with melatonin, these age‐altered parameters were partially reversed, especially in SAMP8 mice. The results suggest that oxidative stress and inflammation increase with aging and that chronic treatment with melatonin, a potent antioxidant, reduces these parameters. The effects were more marked in the SAMP8 animals.
Neuropeptides in the cat diencephalon : II

We have reviewed the distribution and functions of neuropeptides in the cat hypothalamus. Our review focuses in the cat hypothalamus on the following points: 1) the distribution and coexistence of neuropeptides; 2) the anatomical relationships among the different neuropeptides; 3) the peptidergic pathways (afferences and efferences); 4) comparison of the distribution of neuropeptides in the mammalian hypothalamus; and 5) the physiological functions of neuropeptides. Although at present the distribution of many neuropeptides in the hypothalamus of the cat is known, there is little information about other aspects of neuropeptides in the same diencephalic region. Thus, in order to know more the distribution and functions of neuropeptides in the cat hypothalamus in detail, in the future appropriate methodologies must be applied in order to determine, for example, the distribution of the neuropeptide receptors, the distribution of neuropeptidases, the peptidergic synaptic connections, the coexistence of neuropeptides and the physiological actions of the neuropeptides in the cat hypothalamus.
Significant variation in presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis across a high resolution of CD4 strata.

BACKGROUND The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) alters the presentation of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), but it remains unclear whether alterations occur at a CD4 cell threshold or throughout HIV infection. OBJECTIVE To better understand the relationship between CD4 count and clinical and radiographic presentation of PTB. SETTING AND DESIGN Initial presentations of culture-confirmed PTB patients evaluated at a Ugandan national TB referral center and an affiliated research unit were compared by HIV status and across 11 CD4 cell count strata: 0-50 to >500 cells/μl. RESULTS A total of 873 HIV-infected PTB cases were identified. Among HIV-infected PTB cases with CD4 < 50, 21% had a normal chest X-ray (CXR) vs. 2% with CD4 > 500, with a continuous trend across CD4 strata (test for trend, P < 0.001). All radiographic manifestations of PTB displayed significant trends across CD4 strata. HIV-infected vs. non-HIV-infected patients had no significant difference in CXR findings of miliary patterns or pleural effusion at CD4 > 100, normal CXR or fibrosis at CD4 > 150, adenopathy at CD4 > 250, and cavitation or upper lung disease at CD4 > 300. Twenty-three per cent of co-infected cases with CD4 < 50 and 1% with CD4 > 500 had negative acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smears, with a significant trend between (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Variations in CXR appearance and AFB smear correlate with CD4 decline in significant, continuous trends.
The Efficacy of Convex Hemiepiphysiodesis in Patients With Iatrogenic Posterior Element Deficiency Resulting from Diastematomyelia Excision

Study Design. Retrospective analysis was performed. Objective. To investigate the safety and efficacy of anterior and posterior hemiepiphysiodesis in patients with iatrogenic posterior element deficiency. Summary of Background Data. Anterior and posterior convex hemiepiphysiodesis is a well-accepted treatment method for severe and progressive congenital scoliosis in young children. Many patients with congenital spinal deformities have intraspinal pathologies that require neurosurgical intervention with laminectomy. The efficacy of this method has not been studied in these patient populations. Methods. Between 1990 and 2001, among 82 patients with congenital spinal deformity, 38 were treated with convex epiphysiodesis. This study included 18 of these patients (2 males and 16 females) who underwent diastematomyelia excision and had at least 2 years of follow-up evaluation. Diastematomyelia excision was performed before the orthopedic procedure in 8 patients and at the same anesthetic setting sequentially in 10 patients. The mean age at the time of the fusion was 20 months (range, 6–60 months), and the average follow-up period was 39 months (range, 24–120 months). Results. The mean Cobb angle was 54° (range, 31–90°) before surgery and 48° (range, 30–84°) at the final follow-up assessment. Any increase of more than 6° was accepted as progression. Eight patients (44%) had a true epiphysiodesis effect: 58° (range, 40–90°) before surgery and 39° (range, 30–70°) at follow-up evaluation. Eight patients (44%) had a fusion effect: 49° (range, 31–68°) before surgery and 50° (range, 37–74°) at follow-up assessment. Two patients (12%) had a postoperative progression of deformity: 63°(range, 54–72°) before surgery and 75° (range, 65–84°) at follow-up evaluation. Conclusions. Convex epiphysiodesis is an effective method for patients with midline laminectomy defect as those with intact posterior elements. Because the facet joints and transverse processes usually are unaffected, the presence of midline defect does not diminish the efficacy of the technique.
Infection by the systemic fungus Epichloë glyceriae alters clonal growth of its grass host, Glyceria striata

Parasites and pathogens are hypothesized to change host growth, reproduction and/or behaviour to increase their own transmission. However, studies which clearly demonstrate that parasites or pathogens are directly responsible for changes in hosts are lacking. We previously found that infection by the systemic fungus Epichloë glyceriae was associated with greater clonal growth by its host, Glyceria striata. Whether greater clonal growth resulted directly from pathogen infection or indirectly from increased likelihood of infection for host genotypes with greater clonal growth could not be determined because only naturally infected and uninfected plants were used. In this study, we decoupled infection and host genotype to evaluate the role of pathogen infection on host development and clonal growth. We found that total biomass production did not differ for clones of the same genotype, but infected clones allocated more biomass to clonal growth. Disinfected clones had more tillers and a greater proportion of their biomass in the mother ramet. Infected clones produced fewer tillers but significantly more and longer stolons than disinfected clones. These results support the hypothesis that pathogen infection directly alters host development. Parasite alteration of clonal growth patterns might be advantageous to the persistence and spread of host plants in some ecological conditions.
Prevalence of atrial fibrillation and its predictors in nondialysis patients with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases systemic inflammation, which is implicated in development and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF); therefore, we hypothesized that the prevalence of AF would be increased among nondialysis patients with CKD. This study also reports independent predictors of the presence of AF in this population. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of 1010 consecutive nondialysis patients with CKD from two community-based hospitals was conducted. Estimated GFRs (eGFRs) were calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors. RESULTS Of 1010 nondialysis patients with CKD, 214 (21.2%) had AF. Patients with AF were older than patients without AF (76 +/- 11 versus 63 +/- 15 yr). The prevalence of AF among white patients (42.7%) was higher than among black patients (12.7%) or other races (5.7%). In multivariate analyses, age, white race, increasing left atrial diameter, lower systolic BP, and congestive heart failure were identified as independent predictors of the presence of AF. Although serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were elevated in our population (5.2 +/- 7.4 mg/L), levels did not correlate with the presence of AF or with eGFR. Finally, eGFR did not correlate with the presence of AF in our population. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of AF was increased in our population, and independent predictors were age, white race, increasing left atrial diameter, lower systolic BP, and congestive heart failure.
Contemporary evolution, allelic recycling, and adaptive radiation of the threespine stickleback

Background: Adaptive radiation in the threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) is dramatic, highly replicated, and predictable. Goals: Test hypotheses that divergent phenotypes of freshwater threespine stickleback evolve at the same rate as in other species and that derived freshwater and ancestral oceanic (i.e. marine or anadromous) phenotypes are genetically additive. Update a model for contemporary evolution and adaptive radiation based on new genetic and genomic findings. Methods: Summarize published information on contemporary evolution of threespine stickleback and compare published stickleback rates of evolution to those of other species. Analyse F1 hybrid and pure crosses to estimate the coefficient of genetic dominance of phenotypes that differ between oceanic and freshwater populations. Review published information on the genetics and genomics of stickleback phenotypes. Results: Threespine stickleback populations that experience large environmental changes may evolve measurably for multiple traits within ten generations. Rare freshwater-adapted alleles have been recycled from freshwater to oceanic populations by introgression and increase to high frequencies when oceanic stickleback colonize fresh water. These freshwater-adapted alleles tend to be partially recessive, to produce adaptive phenotypic plasticity, and to be linked within several genomic regions, which facilitates their retention in oceanic populations and the evolutionary response to directional selection after invasion of fresh water. Conclusion: The metapopulation structure and great age of the threespine stickleback have produced a genomic architecture and abundant allelic variation that are conducive to predictable contemporary adaptive radiation involving numerous genes and phenotypic traits.
Shallow water viscous flows for arbitrary topopgraphy

In this paper, we obtain new models for gravity driven shallow water laminar flows in several space dimensions over a general topography. These models are derived from the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations with no-slip condition at the bottom and include capillary effects. No particular assumption is made on the size of the viscosity and on the variations of the slope. The equations are written for an arbitrary parametrization of the bottom, and an explicit formulation is given in the orthogonal courvilinear coordinates setting and for a particular parametrization so-called “steepest descent” curvilinear coordinates.
Effect of Endodontic Retreatment on Push-out Bond Strength and Quality of Fiber Postbonding Interface of Resin Cements.

AIM The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of endodontic retreatment on push-out bond strength and dentin interface of two resin cements used for fiber postcementation during endodontic retreatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS The root canals of 40 extracted human canines were prepared, obturated and divided into four groups (n = 10). Gutta-percha was partially removed and fiber posts were immediately cemented in groups 1 and 2 using Panavia F with ED Primer and RelyX™ U200, respectively. In groups 3 and 4, the root canal access was sealed with temporary restorative cement, specimens were stored for 30 days, endodontically retreated, and fiber posts were cemented using the resin cements applied to groups 1 and 2, respectively. Push-out tests and scanning electron microscopy analyses of different areas were performed. Data from push-out bond strengths were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's tests. RESULTS Higher bond strength values were detected in the apical third for group 1 than group 3 (p < 0.05). No differences were observed in other comparisons between the same third of different groups (p > 0.05). Comparisons between different thirds in the same group revealed a higher bond strength in the apical third for group 1. Scanning electron microscopy showed formation of hybrid layer and extensive resin tags in group 1. No hybrid layer was observed in groups 2 and 4. CONCLUSION Endodontic retreatment had adverse effects on the push-out bond strength and dentinal interface of Panavia F with ED Primer when used for fiber postcementation specifically in the apical third, but not on RelyX™ U200. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE A significant interaction was detected between endodontic retreatment and resin cement, which indicated that endodontic retreatment might adversely affect the push-out bond strength and dentinal interface of Panavia F with ED Primer when used for fiber postcementation specifically in the apical third.
Liver Interleukin-8 Messenger RNA Expression and Interferon Sensitivity-Determining Region Mutations Relate to Treatment Response in Hepatitis C 1B

Background In vitro study has shown that mechanisms for inhibiting interferon (IFN)-α antiviral action by non-structural 5A protein include interaction with IFN-induced RNA-dependent protein kinase and induction of interleukin (IL)-8 expression. Mutations in the non-structural 5A IFN sensitivity-determining region (ISDR) were reported to correlate with sustained virological response (SVR). IL-8 is associated with the inhibition of IFN-α action. We investigated whether pretreatment ISDR mutations and hepatic IL-8 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression had an effect on the SVR rate under combination therapy. Methods A total of 53 HCV-1b patients who completed 24 weeks of pegylated-IFN-α2b plus ribavirin, a 24-week follow-up and had enough tissue specimens were enrolled. Liver biopsy was performed within 6 months before antiviral therapy. Hepatic IL-8 mRNA expression was measured by real-time reverse transcriptase PCR. Results Of 53 patients, 30 exhibited SVR. Multivariate analysis revealed that hepatic IL-8 mRNA expression <1.5x10-4 (OR 6.66, 95% CI 1.77-25.05) and ISDR mutations ≥4 (OR 12.20, 95% CI 1.23-125.00) were independent predictors of SVR. Fibrosis scores and alanine aminotransferase levels were predictive of hepatic IL-8 mRNA expression by multiple linear regression analysis (r2=0.204). Conclusions SVR to combination therapy in hepatitis C 1b patients was associated with down-regulated hepatic IL-8 mRNA expression and ISDR mutations. Fibrosis scores and alanine aminotransferase levels were predictive of hepatic IL-8 mRNA expression.
Intellectual Property in Inter-firm R&D Collaboration, An Examination on the Role of IP Management Core Components

Inter-firm R&D collaboration is valuable for companies when it helps them to gain complementary intellectual resources, access to diverse markets, share product development's cost, shorten the time to market of new products, and avoiding redundant expenditures. This kind of collaboration could be considered as a good way responding to the modern business world today which is dynamic, complex, and intensively competitive. This research therefore focus on the role of Intellectual property shared and used in Design service where inter-firm R&D collaboration is major activity, the supporting functions of IP management's core components developed in previous research. Conducting a survey from new product development managers of Taiwan's high-tech industry, this research's result shows that Know how-related intellectual property has positive effects on indicating factors of design service performance such as Time to market, productivity, quality, and efficiency. Another result indicates that four of IP management's core components are positive associated with the performance of design service, those core components are: Legalization capability, intra-firm relationship capability, collaboration formation capability, and main goal of collaboration.
A morphological and histochemical study of carcinogenesis of the liver in rats fed 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene.

Summary Histological and histochemical studies of livers from rats sacrificed at intervals after they were fed 3′-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene for 46 days suggest that there are two different pathways of progression from preneoplastic lesions to hepatic carcinomas. In one sequence, hepatocytes that were deficient in glucose 6-phosphatase and formed prominent hyperplastic nodules appeared to develop into hepatocellular carcinomas that were also deficient in this enzyme. The carcinomas were moderately well differentiated and first appeared 9 weeks after drug discontinuation. Two types of cells that were deficient in glucose 6-phosphatase were seen in the hyperplastic nodules: large hydropic-appearing cells containing glycogen that frequently showed degenerative changes and less frequent, variably sized basophilic cells that were more similar to induced hepatocellular carcinomas, since both were deficient in glycogen. In a second sequence, foci of cells within areas of cholangiofibrosis appeared to give rise to cholangiocarcinomas that also contained areas of poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas. These pleomorphic carcinomas were more than three times as frequent as the homogeneous hepatocellular carcinomas and were first seen 4 weeks after drug discontinuation. Progression from cholangiofibrosis to the pleomorphic cholangiocarcinomas was suggested by the finding of transition from the hyperplastic to the malignant lesions and by high levels of butyrocholinesterase in both. The enzyme similarities seem especially significant in view of the absence of butyrocholinesterase in biliary ducts and ductules and its only mild activity in persisting hepatocellular nodules.