Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiple sclerosis in the tropics: genetic association to STR’s loci spanning the HLA and TNF

Clear evidence has been presented correlating gene polymorphisms at 6p21.3-21.4 (containing HLA and TNF) and the predisposition to acquire multiple sclerosis (MS). In a previous study, we found that polymorphisms at HLA DQA1 were associated with being or not being predisposed to MS in individuals inhabiting the tropics, where the prevalence of MS is significantly lower than in subtropical areas. Here, we tested the hypothesis that polymorphisms at D6S276, D6S265, D6S273 and D6S291 microsatellite loci are in strong linkage disequilibrium with a major genetic factor predisposing to MS. These microsatellites span the 6p21.3 region with intervals of 5 cM establishing particular landmarks for the HLA and TNF loci. Thirty-five MS patients and 35 controls, age, sex, social, ethnically and geographically matched healthy individuals, were studied. After testing the fit of gene frequencies to the normal distribution and performing the correlation for multiple comparisons, we found significant differences among the case and the control frequencies for the allele 202 belonging to the marker D6S276 (Pc =0.00455) and for the allele 114 belonging to the marker D6S265 (Pc=0.0084). For these two alleles at different loci, we found higher frequencies in the cases than in the controls. A nonsignificant p value was found in testing the existence of linkage disequilibrium among the studied loci in the cases and in the controls. In conclusion, the current study adds evidence to the established association among polymorphisms of genes located at 6p21.3-21.4 and MS. Furthermore, because of the distribution of the tested microsatellite loci, the more probable critical region could be correlated with the TNF neighborhood.
Early highly aggressive MS successfully treated by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Background During the last 15 years, high-dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has globally been performed for severe multiple sclerosis (MS). Most patients have been in progressive phase with long disease duration. As a rule, treatment effect has been minor or moderate. Patients Since 2004, we have performed HSCT in nine young patients with “malignant” relapsing–remitting MS. Criteria for treatment were short duration of disease; very frequent, severe relapses; recent improvement periods indicating potential for recovery after strong immunosuppression. Findings Median age at treatment was 27 (range 9–34) years, MS duration 26 (4–100) months, and annualized relapse rate 10 (4–12). Median Disability Status Scale (extended disability status scale, EDSS) at HSCT was 7.0 (3.5–8.0). Median follow-up time April 2008 is 29 (23–47) months. Median EDSS improvement is 3.5 (1.0–7.0), clearly surpassing most previous reports. One patient relapsed mildly with rapid recovery 7 months after HSCT. All patients are otherwise stable, median EDSS being 2.0 (0–6.0). Before HSCT, 61 relapses occurred in 82 patient months; during follow-up, one relapse in 289 patient months. Conclusion This small series of patients with “malignant” relapsing–remitting MS suggests HSCT to be an effective treatment option for this relatively rare disease course. It further suggests that future criteria for HSCT in MS should be close to the present ones.
Role of astrocytes in trimethyltin neurotoxicity

Although the neurotoxicity of trimethyltin (TMT) is well known, mechanisms are still not clear. Glia have been proposed to mediate the toxic action of TMT on nerve cells. Accordingly, the effects of TMT were tested in primary neuronal cultures from rat cerebellum and compared to effects in astrocytes and mixed cultures. Neuronal damage observed following TMT exposure was less in the presence of astrocytes and astrocytes alone were resistant to TMT. Thus, astrocytes have a protective effect against TMT‐induced neurotoxicity. TMT caused an oxidative stress in granule cell cultures involving a variety of oxidative species ((O2)•−, H2O2, NO), but astrocytes were less sensitive to TMT‐induced oxidative species generation. Antioxidants, glutathione and 7‐nitroindazole attenuated neuronal cell death induced by TMT. It appears that oxidative stress mediates a large part of the destructive action of TMT in neuronal cultures. The presence of astrocytes appears to modulate TMT‐induced oxidative stress so that TMT causes only a small increase in lipid peroxidation in mouse brain after systemic administration. Thus, TMT induces a pronounced oxidative stress in cultured neurons, but when astrocytes are present, oxidative species play a lesser role in the neurotoxic action of TMT. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 15:256–262, 2001
The sequential use of washing and an electrochemical reduction process for the remediation of lead-contaminated soils

A two-step method for the remediation of three different types of lead (Pb)-contaminated soil was evaluated. The first step included soil washing with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to remove Pb from soils. The washing experiments were performed with 0.05 M Na2EDTA at 1:10 soil to liquid ratio. Following the washing, Pb removal efficiency from soils ranged within 50–70%. After the soil washing process, Pb2+ ions in the washing solution were reduced electrochemically in a fixed-bed reactor. Lead removal efficiency with the electrochemical reduction at –2.0 V potential ranged within 57–76%. The overall results indicate that this two-step method is an environmentally-friendly and effective technology to remediate Pb-contaminated soils, as well as Pb-contaminated wastewater treatment due to the transformation of toxic Pb2+ ions into a non-hazardous metallic form (Pb0).
Medication adherence behavior and priorities among older adults with CKD: a semistructured interview study.

BACKGROUND Older adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) typically use more than 5 medications and have multiple prescribing physicians. However, little is known about how they prioritize their medical conditions or decide which medications to take. METHODS Semistructured interviews (average length, 40 minutes) with 20 community-dwelling adults with CKD stages 3-5D receiving nephrology care at a tertiary referral center. Respondents were asked about medications, prescribing physicians, and medication-taking behaviors. We performed thematic analysis to explain patients' decisions regarding medication prioritization, understanding, and adherence decisions. RESULTS Participants (age range, 55-84 years; mean, 72 years) used 5-14 prescribed medications, had 2-9 physicians, and had 5-11 comorbid conditions. All had assigned implicit priorities to their medications. Although most expressed the intention to be adherent, many regularly skipped medications they considered less important. Most identified the prescribing physician and indication for each medication, but there often was substantial discordance between beliefs about medications and conventional medical opinion. Respondents prioritized medications based on the salience of the particular condition, perceived effects of the treatment, and barriers (physical, logistic, or financial) to using the prescribed drug. Side effects of medications were common and anxiety provoking, but discussions with the prescribing physician often were delayed or unfulfilling for the patient. CONCLUSIONS Polypharmacy in patients with CKD leads to complex medication choices and adherence behaviors in this population. Most patients we interviewed had beliefs or priorities that were nonconcordant with conventional medical opinion; however, patients rarely discussed these beliefs and priorities or the resultant poor medication adherence with their physicians. Further study is needed to provide quantitative data about the magnitude of adherence barriers. It is likely that more effective communication about medication use could improve patients' health outcomes and reduce potential adverse drug events.
Editorial: Twenty Years After the Iowa Gambling Task: Rationality, Emotion, and Decision-Making

Department of Psychology, Soochow University, Taipei, Taiwan, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, 3 Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Department of Psychology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 5 Research Center for Nonlinear Analysis and Optimization, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
The Role of the CD19/CD21 Complex in B Cell Processing and Presentation of Complement-Tagged Antigens

The CD19/CD21 complex is an essential B cell coreceptor that functions synergistically to enhance signaling through the B cell Ag receptor in response to T cell-dependent, complement-tagged Ags. In this study, we use a recombinant protein containing three tandemly arranged copies of C3d and the Ag hen egg lysozyme, shown to be a highly effective immunogen in vivo, to evaluate the role of the CD19/CD21 complex in Ag processing in B cells. Evidence is provided that coengagement of the CD19/CD21 complex results in more rapid and efficient production of antigenic peptide/class II complexes as compared with B cell Ag receptor-mediated processing alone. The CD19/CD21 complex does not itself target complement-tagged Ags for processing, but rather appears to influence B cell Ag processing through its signaling function. The ability of the CD19/CD21 complex to augment processing may be an important element of the mechanism by which the CD19/CD21 complex functions to promote B cell responses to T cell-dependent complement-tagged Ags in vivo.
Phase III efficacy study of interleukin‐3 after autologous bone marrow transplantation in patients with malignant lymphoma

We evaluated the efficacy of recombinant human interleukin‐3 (rhIL‐3) in reducing the number of platelet transfusions and major infections after autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) in patients with malignant lymphoma. 198 patients with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL, n = 111) and Hodgkin's disease (HD, n = 87) were randomized to receive rhIL‐3 10 μg/kg/d (n = 130) or placebo (n = 68) for a maximum of 28 d after ABMT. Several well‐known conditioning regimens were used. From day 1 after ABMT patients were treated with placebo or rhIL‐3 at a dose of 10 μg/kg/d by continuous i.v. infusion for 7 d and then by s.c. administration for 21 d or until platelet (50 × 109/l) and neutrophil (0.5 × 109/l) recovery had occurred. Treatment was completed in 54% of the patients in the rhIL‐3 group versus 75% in the placebo group (P < 0.004). Adverse events were the main reason for premature discontinuation in the IL‐3 group (23% IL‐3 v 5% placebo). The median number of platelet transfusions was not significantly different between the IL‐3 group and the placebo group (8.0 IL‐3 v 6.0 placebo, P = 0.09). Platelet engraftment ( 20 × 109/l) was not significantly faster in the IL‐3 group (28 d in the IL‐3 and 27 d in the placebo group, P = 0.06) and the incidence of haemorrhagic complications was similar in both groups. In patients receiving the full intended dose of rhIL‐3, platelet engraftment to 20 × 109/l was delayed (P = 0.007). The median time to neutrophil engraftment was 23 d in the IL‐3 and 25 d for the placebo group (P = 0.39). There was no difference in the incidence of major infections. We conclude that treatment with IL‐3 has no clinical benefit in patients receiving ABMT for malignant lymphoma.
Genotype frequencies of the ABCC11 gene in 2000-3000-year-old human bones from the Epi-Jomon and Jomon sites in Hokkaido, Japan

In order to investigate further the allele frequencies of the adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette sub-family C11 (ABCC11) gene, which determines earwax phenotypes, among ancient popu- lations in Hokkaido, Japan, the single-nucleotide polymorphism and the 27 bp deletion in the ABCC11 gene were analyzed in ancient DNA extracted from 38 Epi-Jomon, 24 Jomon, and one Satsumon spec- imens excavated from various archaeological sites in Hokkaido. Of the specimens analyzed, 10 Epi- Jomon and three Jomon specimens were successfully genotyped. One homozygote for the 27 bp dele- tion was found first in one Epi-Jomon specimen. Including previously reported data on the Okhotsk people and modern Ainu, exact tests of population differentiation showed that allele frequencies of the ABCC11 gene between the Jomon people and Ainu were statistically significantly different, whereas those between the Jomon and Epi-Jomon people and those between the Epi-Jomon people and Ainu were not significantly different. This result indicates that the Ainu, direct descendants of the Jomon people, were genetically affected by populations who possessed high frequencies of allele A (recessive dry allele) of the ABCC11 locus after the Jomon period.
The physiology of excystment of the metacercaria of Fasciola hepatica L.

Excystment of the metacercaria of Fasciola hepatica is an active process and occurs in two stages—activation and emergence. Activation is initiated by high concentrations of carbon dioxide, reducing conditions and a temperature about 39 °C. The reducing conditions increase the rate of action of the other two stimuli. The carbon dioxide stimulus need only be applied for 5 min, but the exposure time to the reducing conditions has to be of the order of 30 min. Changes in the order of application of the stimuli carbon dioxide and redox potential have no effect. The second phase, emergence, is triggered by bile. Metacercariae were held in an activated condition for 24 h, and when bile was added emergence took place normally. During excystment the metacercariae exhibit a complex behaviour pattern. After activation there is an initial period of rotatory activity, but after about 20 min a quiescent phase ensues when the metacercariae contract away from the cyst wall at an imperceptible rate. This behaviour occurs in response to stimulus from a high concentration of carbon dioxide and a temperature about 39 °C. When the metacercariae are exposed to bile the second phase of activity is initiated, consisting of antero-posterior thrusting movements directed against the ventral side of the cyst wall. Within about 15 min the juvenile flukes escape through a small circular hole in the ventral surface of the cyst wall which corresponds to the ventral plug region.
The complex bet promoters of Escherichia coli: regulation by oxygen (ArcA), choline (BetI), and osmotic stress

The bet regulon allows Escherichia coli to synthesize the osmoprotectant glycine betaine from choline. It comprises a regulatory gene, betI, and three structural genes: betT (choline porter), betA (choline dehydrogenase), and betB (betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase). The bet genes are regulated by oxygen, choline, and osmotic stress. Primer extension analysis identified two partially overlapping promoters which were responsible for the divergent expression of the betT and betIBA transcripts. The transcripts were initiated 61 bp apart. Regulation of the promoters was investigated by using cat (chloramphenicol acetyltransferase) and lacZ (beta-galactosidase) operon fusions. Mutation of betI on plasmid F'2 revealed that BetI is a repressor which regulates both promoters simultaneously in response to the inducer choline. Both promoters remained inducible by osmotic stress in a betI mutant background. On the basis of experiments with hns and hns rpoS mutants, we conclude that osmoregulation of the bet promoters was hns independent. The bet promoters were repressed by ArcA under anaerobic growth conditions. An 89-bp promoter fragment, as well as all larger fragments tested, which included both transcriptional start points, displayed osmotic induction and BetI-dependent choline regulation when linked with a cat reporter gene on plasmid pKK232-8. Flanking DNA, presumably on the betT side of the promoter region, appeared to be needed for ArcA-dependent regulation of both promoters.
Magnitude of maternal morbidity during labor and delivery: United States, 1993-1997.

OBJECTIVES This study sought to determine the prevalence of maternal morbidity during labor and delivery in the United States. METHODS Analyses focused on National Hospital Discharge Survey data available for women giving birth between 1993 and 1997. RESULTS The prevalence of specific types of maternal morbidity was low, but the burden of overall morbidity was high. Forty-three percent of women experienced some type of morbidity during their delivery hospitalization. Thirty-one percent (1.2 million women) had at least 1 obstetric complication or at least 1 preexisting medical condition. CONCLUSIONS Maternal morbidity during delivery is frequent and often preventable. Reducing maternal morbidity is a national health objective, and its monitoring is key to improving maternal health.
The projective method for solving linear matrix inequalities

Numerous problems in control and systems theory can be formulated in terms of linear matrix inequalities (LMI). Since solving an LMI amounts to a convex optimization problem, such formulations are known to be numerically tractable. However, the interest in LMI-based design techniques has really surged with the introduction of efficient interior-point methods for solving LMIs with a polynomial-time complexity. This paper describes one particular method called the Projective Method. Simple geometrical arguments are used to clarify the strategy and convergence mechanism of the Projective algorithm. A complexity analysis is provided, and applications to two generic LMI problems (feasibility and linear objective minimization) are discussed.
Vascular Smooth Muscle Calcium Channels

SUMMARY Vascular smooth muscle Ca channels function in excitation-contraction coupling. A survey of recent literature reveals several types of excitable Ca channels. There are at least two plasmalemmal Ca channels that are primarily activated by depolarization. In addition, there also exists evidence for the presence of Ca channels in conduit arteries that are primarily activated by agonists. Under circumstances of compromised sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca accumulation, Ca that enters through the nonregulated Ca leak also contributes to tension development. The Ca release from the SR appears to be mediated by large Ca channels that are activated by free Ca, inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate, and free ATP. The differential sensitivity to procaine suggests the presence of two separate excitable Ca channels in vascular smooth muscle SR in addition to a basal Ca leak. This presentation concludes with a theoretical model describing how vascular smooth muscle Ca metabolism may be altered in hypertension and how a Ca antagonist may lead to reduction of blood pressure.
Can syndromic thresholds provide early warning of national influenza outbreaks?

BACKGROUND Influenza incidence thresholds are used to help predict the likely impact of influenza and inform health professionals and the public of current activity. We evaluate the potential of syndromic data (calls to a UK health helpline NHS Direct) to provide early warning of national influenza outbreaks. METHODS Time series of NHS Direct calls concerning 'cold/flu' and fever syndromes for England and Wales were compared against influenza-like-illness clinical incidence data and laboratory reports of influenza. Poisson regression models were used to derive NHS Direct thresholds. The early warning potential of thresholds was evaluated retrospectively for 2002-06 and prospectively for winter 2006-07. RESULTS NHS Direct 'cold/flu' and fever calls generally rose and peaked at the same time as clinical and laboratory influenza data. We derived a national 'cold/flu' threshold of 1.2% of total calls and a fever (5-14 years) threshold of 9%. An initial lower fever threshold of 7.7% was discarded as it produced false alarms. Thresholds provided 2 weeks advanced warning of seasonal influenza activity during three of the four winters studied retrospectively, and 6 days advance warning during prospective evaluation. CONCLUSION Syndromic thresholds based on NHS Direct data provide advance warning of influenza circulating in the community. We recommend that age-group specific thresholds be developed for other clinical influenza surveillance systems in the UK and elsewhere.
Ulnar nerve conduction abnormalities in carpal tunnel syndrome

Introduction: The aim of this study was to verify the involvement of ulnar nerve fibers in cases of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and investigate the correlation between ulnar nerve conduction parameters and extra‐median spread of symptoms. Methods: Electrophysiological studies were conducted in 93 CTS and 76 control hands. Patients were analyzed with regard to symptoms in the fifth finger. Results: In the CTS cases, ulnar distal motor latency (DML) and distal sensory latency (DSL) were significantly longer, and amplitudes were lower than in controls. Increased median nerve DML correlated with increased ulnar nerve DSL and decreased sensory amplitudes and conduction velocities (SCVs). In cases with symptoms in the fifth finger, ulnar nerve SCVs and amplitudes were lower than in patients without symptoms. Conclusions: Pathological processes leading to median neuropathy in CTS may affect ulnar nerve motor and sensory fibers in the Guyon canal. This may explain the extra‐median spread of sensory symptoms in CTS patients. Muscle Nerve 44: 352–357, 2011
Efficient evaluation of traversal recursive queries using connectivity index

Introduces the connectivity index, an access structure for the efficient evaluation of traversal-recursive queries. Unlike conventional bottom-up evaluation techniques that require the creation of temporary files and scanning of the relations many times in computing the relational operators, the new access strategy requires only a single-pass scan of the index file. The proposed scheme is illustrated using examples. Algorithms for the maintenance of the index structure are presented. <<ETX>>
A novel response of wild‐type duckweed (Lemna paucicostata Hegelm.) to heavy metals

The responses of wild‐type Lemna paucicostata, used as the experimental stock, to seven heavy metals were investigated with a hydroponic culture in a culture facility. The results showed that six of the metals could induce L. paucicostata to release daughter fronds from the mother frond before maturity, resulting in breakup of the colony. This phenomenon is novel and has not been reported before. Six of the heavy metals investigated—copper, cadmium, nickel, zinc, mercury, and chromium—could induce this response, but sensitivity and response of the plant varied. When Cu2+ at a concentration of 0.2 μmol/L was added, the response was significantly different from that of the control after a 2‐h exposure. The response to cadmium (0.8 μmol/L) was significantly different after a 6‐h exposure; to zinc (10 μmol/L) and nickel (5 μmol/L), after 5 and 7 h, respectively. But for lead, even at a concentration of 80 μmol/L for 96 h, no colony breakup was induced. The response to heavy metals occurred within 24 h; increasing the exposure by another 24 h had nearly no additional effect on the colony breakup. When the response was over, the number of colonies with fronds varied with the inducement capacity of the metal. Nutrients could affect the sensitivity of L. paucicostata to some heavy metals, such as mercury, chromium, zinc, and nickel, but not to copper and cadmium. Sensitivity was also changed when CuCl2 was used as the copper source instead of CuSO4. These results indicate that some heavy metals could serve as a toxicant for inducing L. paucicostata to release daughter fronds in advance. This change might involve a stress response such as ethylene production. Also discussed is the possibility of this response as a biomarker in a bioassay. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 19: 95–102, 2004