Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does serum calcium in pre-eclampsia and normal pregnancy differ?

OBJECTIVE To determine the calcium and parathyroid hormone levels in normal pregnancy and pregnancy induced hypertension. METHODS Eighty pregnant women were enrolled in this study, 50 women represented the study group (Pregnancy-induced hypertension), and 30 women represented the control group (normal pregnancy). This study was carried out between March 1998 to February 2000 at King Hussein Medical Center, starting from the first or 2nd trimester. Once the patient developed hypertension for the first time in the 3rd trimester and fullfilled the selected criteria she was enrolled in this study. RESULTS The mean serum total calcium of the study group was (8.22+/-0.12mg%), while the mean serum total calcium of the control group was (9.50+/-0.16mg%). There was a statistical significance between the 2 groups, lower in the study group P<0.005. Serum parathyroid hormone concentration was significantly higher in the study group P< 0.005. CONCLUSION It has been widely documented that there is a relationship between low calcium level and pregnancy induced hypertension. Our study suggests that maternal serum total calcium and parathyroid hormone be related to pregnancy-induced hypertension. The low level of maternal total calcium may have a role in the development of this disorder in pregnancy, therefore calcium supplementation during late pregnancy may be used to help in the prevention of this disorder. However, to date there is still no evidence regarding this supplementation and there are no available reports conclusively demonstrating the actual mechanism.
Microfracture versus microfracture and platelet-rich plasma: arthroscopic treatment of knee chondral lesions. A two-year follow-up study

Abstract Purpose: the aim of this study was to describe and compare the clinical results obtained in patients affected by chondral lesions of the knee submitted to an arthroscopic treatment with the microfracture technique or microfracture + intraoperative autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection. Methods: a prospective observational study was performed in patients affected by chondral lesions of the knee (classed as grade III-IV according to Outer-bridge’s classification) and early osteoarthritis (classed as grade 1-2 according to the Kellgren-Lawrence classification). Their mean age was 52.4 years. Thirteen patients were treated with the microfracture technique according to Steadman (Group A), while 14 were treated with microfracture + PRP injection (Group B). Both groups were assessed using series of measures (a visual analog scale for pain, the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form) to compare pre-operative and postoperative values at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Statistical analysis was conducted using a two-factor ANOVA for repeated measures. Results: the VAS score decreased from a pre-operative value of 6.62±1.26 to 3.54 ±2.26 at 24 months in Group A (p<0.001), and from 6.43±1.91 to 3.36±2.84 in Group B (p<0.001). the IKDC subjective score increased from a pre-operative value of 37.02±12.00 to 62.13±19.00 at two years in Group A (p<0.001) and from 34.63±15.00 to 67.11±26.74 in Group B (p<0.001); the SF-36 scores showed a similar trend. Although an improvement was recorded over time in both groups, in the short term the IKDC subjective score improvement seemed to be better in Group B; a similar trend was shown by the SF-36 and VAS scores. At two years, the IKDC Subjective Scale, VAS and SF-36 scores seemed to be similar in the two groups. Over time, no significant differences were found between the two groups in any of the three outcomes. Conclusions: the use of autologous PRP in association with the microfracture technique seems to give better clinical and functional results in short-term follow-up, above all as regards pain. At two-year followup, however, the clinical results of the two groups were similar. Level of evidence: Level II, prospective cohort study.
Protein instability during HIC: Describing the effects of mobile phase conditions on instability and chromatographic retention

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) is known to be potentially denaturing to proteins, but the effects of mobile phase conditions on chromatographic behavior are not well understood. In this study, we apply a model describing the effects of secondary protein unfolding equilibrium on chromatographic behavior, including the effects of salt concentration on both stability and adsorption. We use α‐lactalbumin as a model protein that in the presence and absence of calcium, allows evaluation of adsorption parameters for folded and unfolded species independently. The HIC adsorption equilibrium under linear binding conditions and solution phase protein stability have been obtained from a combination of literature and new experiments. The effect of salt concentration on protein stability and the rate constant for unfolding on the chromatographic surface have been determined by fitting the model to isocratic chromatography data under marginally stable conditions. The model successfully describes the effects of added calcium and ammonium sulfate. The results demonstrate the importance of considering the effects on stability of mobile phase modifiers when applying HIC to marginally stable proteins. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Therapeutic Efficacies of Artesunate-Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine and Chloroquine-Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine in Vivax Malaria Pilot Studies: Relationship to Plasmodium vivax dhfr Mutations

ABSTRACT Artemisinin-derivative combination therapies (ACT) are highly efficacious against multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Few efficacy data, however, are available for vivax malaria. With high rates of chloroquine (CQ) resistance in both vivax and falciparum malaria in Papua Province, Indonesia, new combination therapies are required for both species. We recently found artesunate plus sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (ART-SP) to be highly effective (96%) in the treatment of falciparum malaria in Papua Province. Following a preliminary study of CQ plus sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (CQ-SP) for the treatment of Plasmodium vivax infection, we used modified World Health Organization criteria to evaluate the efficacy of ART-SP for the treatment of vivax malaria in Papua. Nineteen of 22 patients treated with ART-SP could be evaluated on day 28, with no early treatment failures. Adequate clinical and parasitological responses were found by day 14 in all 20 (100%) of the patients able to be evaluated and by day 28 in 17 patients (89.5%). Fever and parasite clearance times were short, with hematological improvement observed in 70.6% of the patients. Double (at positions 58 and 117) and quadruple (at positions 57, 58, 61, and 117) mutations in the P. vivax dihydrofolate reductase (PvDHFR) were common in Papuan P. vivax isolates (46 and 18%, respectively). Treatment failure with SP-containing regimens was significantly higher with isolates with this PvDHFR quadruple mutation, which included a novel T→M mutation at residue 61 linked to an S→T (but not an S→N) mutation at residue 117. ART-SP ACT resulted in a high cure rate for both major Plasmodium species in Papua, though progression of DHFR mutations in both species due to the continued use of SP monotherapy for clinically diagnosed malaria threatens the future utility of this combination.
Evaluation of the CD14 C‐159 T polymorphism in the German Multicenter Allergy Study cohort

Background Multiple genetic studies have shown linkage of atopy‐related phenotypes to chromosome 5q31. In this region several candidate genes for atopy are localized such as the Th2 cytokines IL‐4, IL‐5 and IL‐13, but also CD14, a receptor for LPS. Recently, a functional CD14 promoter polymorphism was related to total and specific IgE responsiveness.
Occupational exposure and respiratory illness symptoms among textile industry workers in a developing country.

This study investigates the respiratory health profile of textile mill workers in Bangladesh, aiming to develop workers' awareness and public attention, and to ensure a proper implementation of health and safety measures. Forced vital capacity was measured by peak expiratory flow rate instrument among 210 subjects. The personal history, the occupational history, and the state of health were also determined using a questionnaire and checklists. The subjects who had a considerably low peak expiratory flow rate (< 290 liters/min), and had symptoms of chronic respiratory illness, underwent X-ray examination. A statistically significant low peak expiratory flow rate was identified among 52.9 percent of workers. Among them, 42.9 percent had symptoms of cough with or without phlegm; 5.7 percent had a history of chronic bronchitis and/or asthma, and 4.3 percent experienced chest tightness or breathlessness. This study showed a high degree (p < .001) of respiratory-related illness symptoms present among the workers in the blow/card rooms and the workers in the spinning section. Irrespective of variation of age as well as work pattern, non-smokers were less likely to be affected. Whether worker were occupationally exposed to other incidences was also investigated. The results of these investigations are presented and the findings discussed in light of other studies carried among similar occupational groups.
Sacral Fractures Complicating Thoracolumbar Fusion to the Sacrum

Study Design. Case series. Objective. To report on the rare complication of sacral fractures after long instrumented thoracolumbar fusions to the sacrum. Summary of Background Data. Rigid spinal fusion with instrumentation results in redistribution of forces in the spine that can cause the adjacent segments to degenerate and fail. Rarely in long thoraco-lumbosacral fusion, these forces may lead to sacral fractures; only 4 cases are reported in the literature. Methods. Five patients with sacral fractures are presented; one had the fusion performed at a different institution. Patients’ characteristics, radiographic findings, and final operative treatment are discussed. Results. Sagittal imbalance after the index operation (thoraco-lumbosacral fusion), osteoporosis, and obesity were potentially associated factors. Initial nonoperative treatment failed to improve patients’ symptoms. Surgery was performed at an average of 3.25 months (range, 2-8 months) in 4 patients, and soon after presentation in the patient operated elsewhere (presented 18 months after the sacral fracture). The signs of failed L5-S1 fusion, present in 3 patients, were considered to be additional surgical indication. At surgery the posterior instrumentation was extended to the pelvis. Both the fracture and the failed anterior interbody fusion were addressed through an anterior approach in 4 cases and in one case with a posterior ascending titanium cage spanning from S2 to L5. Sagittal balance was restored only in the last patient, where at the time of the revision operation a pedicle subtraction osteotomy was performed. Pain resolved in all patients after surgery and to the latest follow-up (range, 6-36 months). Conclusion. Relapse of low back or buttock pain and leg pain after thoracolumbar fusion to the sacrum may be related to a sacral fracture, difficult to diagnose in conventional radiographs. Surgery should be considered in the presence of a concomitant L5-S1 pseudarthrosis and when symptoms do not improve with the nonoperative treatment.
Suppression of meiosis by inhibitors of m-phase proteins in horse oocytes with low meiotic competence

Germinal vesicle (GV)-stage horse oocytes with diffuse chromatin are meiotically incompetent and degenerate in culture, whereas horse oocytes having condensed chromatin within the GV are meiotically competent. Degeneration of incompetent oocytes in culture may be related to premature GV breakdown, which could possibly be prevented by inhibition of m-phase protein activity. We examined the effects of 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP), butyrolactone and roscovitine on GV-stage horse oocytes. Culture in the presence of 2 mM 6-DMAP for 24 h suppressed meiosis (2% MI or MII compared with 38% for untreated oocytes). The proportion of GV-stage oocytes having condensed chromatin was not different between 6-DMAP culture and directly fixed controls; however, the proportion of oocytes with diffuse chromatin was significantly lower, and more oocytes with diffuse chromatin had atypical chromatin than did controls (p < 0.01). Culture with butyrolactone at 100 mM suppressed meiosis (5% MI + II). Again, this treatment maintained GV-stage oocytes having condensed chromatin, but the proportion of oocytes with diffuse chromatin was significantly reduced compared with directly fixed controls (p < 0.05). Culture with roscovitine at 25 μM was also effective in maintaining GV-stage oocytes having condensed chromatin; however, culture with 100 μM roscovitine did not suppress meiosis or maintain oocytes in the GV stage. These results indicate that meiosis in GV-stage horse oocytes having condensed chromatin may be suppressed by inhibitors of m-phase protein activity; however, oocytes originally having diffuse chromatin appear to degenerate in culture even in the presence of these inhibitors.
Are Americans Saving

This paper examines the degree to which Americans are saving optimally for retirement. Our standard for assessing optimality comes from a life-cycle model that incorporates uncertain lifetimes, uninsurable earnings and medical expenses, progressive taxation, government transfers, and pension and social security benefit functions derived from rich household data. We solve every household''s decision problem from death to starting age and then use the decision rules in conjunction with earnings histories to make predictions about wealth in 1992. Ours is the first study to compare, household by household, wealth predictions that arise from a life-cycle model that incorporates earnings histories for a nationally representative sample. The results, based on data from the Health and Retirement Study, are striking we find that the model is capable of accounting for more than 80 percent of the 1992 cross-sectional variation in wealth. Fewer than 20 percent of households have less wealth than their optimal targets, and the wealth deficit of those who are undersaving is generally small.
Variation in Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management of Children and Adolescents With ADHD Across European Countries

Objective: To characterize differences in presentation, diagnosis, and management of children/adolescents with ADHD in six European countries. Method: Physicians abstracted clinical records for patients aged 6 to 17 years, diagnosed from 2004 to 2007 and treated for ≥2 years. Documentation included impairment due to core ADHD symptoms and additional ADHD symptoms/behaviors at diagnosis, diagnostic approach, and treatment modality. Results: Study included 779 patients treated by 340 physicians. Prevalence of ADHD subtypes (inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, or combined) was similar across countries. Mean scores for core and noncore symptom impairment varied and were highest in Italy and the United Kingdom. Variability was noted in diagnostic approach; 95% of physicians in the Netherlands used Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition) criteria versus 10% in Germany. Differences were reported for initial treatment modality, treatment switching, and physician-reported treatment outcomes. Conclusion: European countries varied in diagnostic approaches and practice management of children/adolescents with ADHD.
Water Transporting Properties of Hepatocyte Basolateral and Canalicular Plasma Membrane Domains*

Previous work from our laboratory supports an important role for aquaporins (AQPs), a family of water channel proteins, in bile secretion by hepatocytes. To further define the pathways and molecular mechanisms for water movement across hepatocytes, we directly assessed osmotic water permeability (Pf) and activation energy (Ea) in highly purified, rat hepatocytes basolateral membrane vesicles (BLMV) and canalicular membrane (CMV) vesicles by measuring scattered light intensity using stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The time course of scattered light for BLMV and CMV fit well to a single-exponential function. In BLMV, Pf was 108 ± 4 μm·s–1 (25 °C) with an Ea of 7.7 kcal/mol; in CMV, Pf was 86 ± 5 μm·s–1 (25 °C) with an Ea of 8.0 kcal/mol. The AQP blocker, dimethyl sulfoxide, significantly inhibited the Pf of both basolateral (81 ± 4 μm·s–1; –25%) and canalicular (59 ± 4 μm·s–1; –30%) membrane vesicles. When CMV were isolated from hepatocytes treated with dibutyryl cAMP, a double-exponential fit was needed, implying two functionally different vesicle populations; one population had Pf and Ea values similar to those of CMV from untreated hepatocytes, but the other population had a very high Pf (655 ± 135 μm·s–1, 25 °C) and very low Ea (2.8 kcal/mol). Dimethyl sulfoxide completely inhibited the high Pf value in this second vesicle population. In contrast, Pf and Ea of BLMV were unaltered by cAMP treatment of hepatocytes. Our results are consistent with the presence of both lipid- and AQP-mediated pathways for basolateral and canalicular water movement across the hepatocyte plasma membrane barrier. Our data also suggest that the hepatocyte canalicular membrane domain is rate-limiting for transcellular water transport and that this domain becomes more permeable to water when hepatocytes are exposed to a choleretic agonist, presumably by insertion of AQP molecules. These data suggest a molecular mechanism for the efficient coupling of osmotically active solutes and water transport during canalicular bile formation.
Three Distinct Ventral Occipitotemporal Regions for Reading and Object Naming

This study investigates word and object processing during naming and viewing tasks and identifies three distinct regions in the left ventral occipitotemporal cortex. Irrespective of task, words and objects (relative to meaningless visual controls) activated the medial surface of the left anterior fusiform gyrus, a region that has previously been associated with semantic knowledge. A more lateral region was differentially active for naming words and objects relative to viewing the same stimuli and a more posterior region was differentially active for objects relative to words irrespective of task. In addition, we found that word processing resulted in greater activation than object processing on the dorsal surface of the left superior temporal gyrus and the left supramarginal gyrus. These regions appear to be important for converting orthography into phonology; their response to words irrespective of task is consistent with established psychological evidence that implicit phonological processing is stronger for words than objects.
Nanoscale β-nuclear magnetic resonance depth imaging of topological insulators

Significance The surface states of topological insulators (TIs) and magnetically doped TIs exhibit considerable inhomogeneities at the nanoscale. Methods are needed to probe the degree of heterogeneity as a function of depth in nanoscale layers. We present a method that can directly visualize TIs in a depth-resolved manner and report on their electronic and magnetic properties. For example, in epitaxial thin films we demonstrate an increase in the density of states, a weakening of the ferromagnetic order when approaching the TI edges, as detected by measurements of the electron–nuclear hyperfine interaction, the effective s–d exchange integral, and local moment density. Depth profiling is expected to help uncover exotic physics of pure and ferromagnetic TIs and TI heterostructures. Considerable evidence suggests that variations in the properties of topological insulators (TIs) at the nanoscale and at interfaces can strongly affect the physics of topological materials. Therefore, a detailed understanding of surface states and interface coupling is crucial to the search for and applications of new topological phases of matter. Currently, no methods can provide depth profiling near surfaces or at interfaces of topologically inequivalent materials. Such a method could advance the study of interactions. Herein, we present a noninvasive depth-profiling technique based on β-detected NMR (β-NMR) spectroscopy of radioactive 8Li+ ions that can provide “one-dimensional imaging” in films of fixed thickness and generates nanoscale views of the electronic wavefunctions and magnetic order at topological surfaces and interfaces. By mapping the 8Li nuclear resonance near the surface and 10-nm deep into the bulk of pure and Cr-doped bismuth antimony telluride films, we provide signatures related to the TI properties and their topological nontrivial characteristics that affect the electron–nuclear hyperfine field, the metallic shift, and magnetic order. These nanoscale variations in β-NMR parameters reflect the unconventional properties of the topological materials under study, and understanding the role of heterogeneities is expected to lead to the discovery of novel phenomena involving quantum materials.
Infectious Necrosis With Dehiscence of the Uterine Repair Complicating Cesarean Delivery: A Review

The authors summarize current knowledge about infectious uterine incisional necrosis/dehiscence, an uncommon but serious complication of cesarean delivery. A MEDLINE search of the literature from 1966 to the present did not identify any previous review of this entity. From case reports, small case series, and textbook descriptions, the evidence regarding the definition of the disorder, its prevalence, etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prognosis, and management is presented. The paucity of reports in the modern literature indicate the need for further studies to more precisely characterize this entity for cross-study comparisons and aggregation to provide clearer management guidelines, especially as it regards diagnosis, and the safety of conservative surgery in well-selected cases. Target Audience: Obstetricians & Gynecologists, Family Physicians Learning Objectives: After completion of this article, the reader should be able to define the condition infectious uterine incisional necrosis, and to outline potential management options.
Replication timing, chromosomal bands, and isochores

Chromosome replication timing is biphasic (early–late) in the cell cycle of vertebrates and of most (possibly all) eukaryotes. In the present work we have compared the extended, detailed replication timing maps that are available, namely those of human chromosomes 6, 11q, and 21q, with chromosomal bands as visualized at low (400 bands), high (850 bands), and highest (3,200 isochores) resolution. We have observed that the replicons located in a given isochore practically always show either all early or all late replication timing and that early-replicating isochores are short and GC-rich and late-replicating isochores are long and GC-poor. In the vast majority of cases, replicons are clustered in isochores, which are themselves most often clustered in early- or late-replication timing zones and may often reach the size of high-resolution bands and, very rarely, even that of low-resolution bands. Finally, we show that our results should be representative for the whole human genome and thus help to predict replication timing zones in all chromosomes.