Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mean Platelet Volume and Platelet Distribution Width Level in Patients with Panic Disorder

ABSTRACT Background: Changes in platelet indices have been reported in patients with panic disorder (PD). However, previous study findings are contradictory and inconclusive. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the platelet indices in patients with PD. Materials and Methods: Patients with PD (n = 123) and healthy controls (n = 133) were enrolled in this case control study. The platelet indices (mean platelet volume [MPV] and platelet distribution width [PDW]) along with red blood cell (RBC) indices (RBC count and red cell distribution width [RDW]) were compared between the two groups using the unpaired t-test. Results: Patients with PD had lower MPV (7.53 ± 0.93 fL vs. 8.91 ± 1.24 fL, P < 0.0001), higher PDW (16.96 ± 0.85 fL vs. 14.71 ± 2.07 fL, P < 0.0001), and higher platelet count (274.2 ± 80.66 × 109 L−1 vs. 243.1 ± 93.89 × 109 L−1, P < 0.005) than the healthy controls. Furthermore, there were significant differences between patients with PD and healthy controls in terms of their RBC count (4.32 ± 0.56 × 1012 L−1 vs. 4.08 ± 0.80 × 1012 L−1, P = 0.007) and RDW (16.48 ± 2.26 fL vs. 15.01 ± 2.25 fL, P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Patients with PD have increased PDW and RDW. The platelet and RBC indices may prove to be useful etiological and prognostic markers in patients with PD.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis possesses a functional enzyme for the synthesis of vitamin C, L‐gulono‐1,4‐lactone dehydrogenase

The last step of the biosynthesis of l‐ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in plants and animals is catalyzed by l‐gulono‐1,4‐lactone oxidoreductases, which use both l‐gulono‐1,4‐lactone and l‐galactono‐1,4‐lactone as substrates. l‐Gulono‐1,4‐lactone oxidase is missing in scurvy‐prone, vitamin C‐deficient animals, such as humans and guinea pigs, which are also highly susceptible to tuberculosis. A blast search using the rat l‐gulono‐1,4‐lactone oxidase sequence revealed the presence of closely related orthologs in a limited number of bacterial species, including several pathogens of human lungs, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia and Bacillus anthracis. The genome of M. tuberculosis, the etiologic agent of tuberculosis, encodes a protein (Rv1771) that shows 32% identity with the rat l‐gulono‐1,4‐lactone oxidase protein. The Rv1771 gene was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and the corresponding protein was affinity‐purified and characterized. The FAD‐binding motif‐containing Rv1771 protein is a metalloenzyme that oxidizes l‐gulono‐1,4‐lactone (Km 5.5 mm) but not l‐galactono‐1,4‐lactone. The enzyme has a dehydrogenase activity and can use both cytochrome c (Km 4.7 µm) and phenazine methosulfate as exogenous electron acceptors. Molecular oxygen does not serve as a substrate for the Rv1771 protein. Dehydrogenase activity was measured in cellular extracts of a Mycobacterium bovis BCG strain. In conclusion, M. tuberculosis produces a novel, highly specific l‐gulono‐1,4‐lactone dehydrogenase (Rv1771) and has the capacity to synthesize vitamin C.
Predictors of intentions to use tobacco among adolescent survivors of cancer.

OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between knowledge of tobacco-related health risks, perceptions of vulnerability to these health risks, and future intentions to use tobacco in a sample of adolescent survivors of cancer. METHODS Written self-report questionnaires were administered to 46 survivors, 10-18 years of age (61% males, 93.5% Caucasian). RESULTS Overall, survivors were generally knowledgeable about tobacco-related health risks, perceived themselves to be vulnerable to these health risks, and reported low future intentions to use tobacco. Regression analyses indicated that demographic factors, treatment-related variables, knowledge, and perceived vulnerability explained 28% of the variance in intentions scores, F:(6, 39) = 2.52, p <. 05. Age and knowledge were significant predictors, indicating that older adolescent survivors and those with lower knowledge scores reported greater intentions to use tobacco. CONCLUSIONS Young survivors will benefit from risk counseling interventions that educate them about their susceptibility to specific tobacco-related health risks secondary to their cancer treatment. Intensive tobacco prevention programs that target older adolescents should be developed.
CTX-M-Type Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase That Hydrolyzes Ceftazidime through a Single Amino Acid Substitution in the Omega Loop

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli ILT-1, Klebsiella pneumoniae ILT-2, and K. pneumoniaeILT-3 were isolated in May 1999 in Paris, France, from a rectal swab of a hospitalized 5-month-old girl. These isolates had a clavulanic acid-inhibited substrate profile that included expanded-spectrum cephalosporins. The MICs of cefotaxime were higher for E. coli ILT-1 and K. pneumoniae ILT-2 than for K. pneumoniae ILT-3, while the opposite was found for the MICs of ceftazidime. Genetic and biochemical analyses revealed that E. coli ILT-1 and K. pneumoniae ILT-2 produced the CTX-M-18 β-lactamase, while K. pneumoniae ILT-3 produced the CTX-M-19 β-lactamase. The amino acid sequence of the CTX-M-18 β-lactamase differed from that of the CTX-M-9 β-lactamase by an Ala-to-Val change at position 231, while CTX-M-19 possessed an additional Pro-to-Ser change at position 167 in the omega loop of Ambler class A enzymes. The latter amino acid substitution may explain the CTX-M-19-mediated hydrolysis of ceftazidime, which has not been reported for other CTX-M-type enzymes. TheblaCTX-M-18 andblaCTX-M-19 genes were located on transferable plasmids that varied in size (ca. 60 and 50 kb, respectively) but that showed similar restriction patterns.
Vitamin-D status at breast cancer diagnosis: correlation with social and environmental factors and dietary intake.

BACKGROUND Serum levels of vitamin-D are low in breast cancer patients. Vitamin-D levels have inverse correlations with postmenopausal state, obesity, poor sun exposure and low intake of vitamin-D rich diet. The objective of this study was to quantify levels of vitamin-D in serum to determine the degree of vitamin-D deficiency in breast cancer patients compared with age matched controls and to observe the association between serum 25-OH vitamin-D levels and personal and social parameters, BMI, amount of sun exposure and dietary intake. METHODS In this cross-sectional analytical study all newly diagnosed breast cancer female patients were recruited into the study over a period of 6 months. Age matched healthy females were also recruited as a control group. Personal and social data was documented on to a pro forma. Sun exposure was determined by mid-day exposure to direct sunlight. Serum 25-OHD levels were studied by ELISA technique on the blood samples. The dietary information was collected by recall over the last 1 year. RESULTS Vitamin-D deficiency was found in 99% breast cancer females and 90% in healthy females. Mean serum vitamin-D level was 9.6 ± 5 ng/ml and 15.2 ± 10 ng/ml for cases and control group respectively. All breast cancer and 95% healthy females with BMI > 30 were found to be vitamin-D deficient. Menopausal state, parity, parda (veil) observation, area of living and sun exposure did not affect vitamin-D status in either group. Egg, fish and cheese intake revealed correlation with vitamin-D deficiency. Forty percent healthy females were found to have deficient serum vitamin-D levels despite being on supplement. CONCLUSION Vitamin-D deficiency was highly prevalent among breast cancer females. Serum 25 OHD levels exhibited an inverse correlation with high body mass index and vitamin-D rich diet.
Recently diagnosed gay men talk about HIV treatment decisions.

UNLABELLED Background In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) may provide health benefits for those infected with HIV. There has also been significant discussion about the role of HIV treatment in preventing onward transmission of the virus. Early provision and uptake of ART to people recently diagnosed with HIV could achieve both individual and public health outcomes. The success of such an initiative relies, in part, on the preparedness of those recently diagnosed with HIV to engage with the therapy. METHODS The HIV Seroconversion Study collects both quantitative and qualitative data from people in Australia who have recently been diagnosed with HIV. During 2011-2012, 53 gay or bisexual men recruited across Australia took part in semistructured interviews as part of the study. The men were asked about their knowledge and experience of, and their decisions about whether or not to commence, HIV treatment. RESULTS The interviews identified differing levels of knowledge about HIV treatments and divergent views about the health and prevention benefits of ART. For some, treatments provided a sense of control over the virus; others were apprehensive and distrustful, and preferred to resist commencing treatments for as long as possible. CONCLUSIONS If early initiation of treatment is to be encouraged, appropriate measures must be in place to ensure recently diagnosed individuals have access to the appropriate information and the support they need to enable them to make informed choices and, if necessary, to address their fears.
Innovating Via Building Absorptive Capacity: Interactive Effects of Top Management Support of Learning, Employee Learning Orientation and Decentralization Structure

Building on the organizational learning perspective, the study examines the effect of learning&#8208;related personal and contextual factors on organizational absorptive capability (AC) and subsequent innovative performance, as well as how a decentralized organizational decision&#8208;making structure may moderate these relationships. Using data collected from 112 manufacturing firms, we found a positive effect of top management support of learning and employee learning orientation on AC and subsequent firm innovative performance. Further, we found that decentralization moderated the effect of top management support of learning on innovative performance via AC such that the indirect effect was significant only when decentralization was higher. However, we did not find that the indirect effect of employee learning orientation on innovative performance via AC varied significantly as a function of decentralization structure. This study extends the AC literature by highlighting the importance of managerial learning&#8208;supportive practices and employee learning orientation, and by revealing how decentralization structure facilitates the organization and employees to translate the learning support and learning motivation to AC and innovation.
Conservation of Docosahexaenoic Acid in Rod Outer Segments of Rat Retina During n‐3 and n‐6 Fatty Acid Deficiency

: We investigated the mechanism by which rat retina conserves docosahexaenoic acid during essential fatty acid deficiency. Weanling female albino rats were fed diets containing either 10% by weight hydrogenated coconut oil, safflower oil, or linseed oil for 15 weeks. Plasma and rod outer segment (ROS) membranes were prepared for fatty acid and phospholipid molecular species analysis. In addition, retinas were removed for morphometric analysis. We found the following: (1) Plasma phospholipids and cholesterol esters from coconut oil, safflower oil, and linseed oil diet groups were enriched in 20:3(n‐9), 20:4(n‐6), and 20:5(n‐3), respectively. The levels of these 20‐carbon fatty acids in the ROS, however, were only slightly affected by diet. (2) The fatty acids and molecular species of ROS phospholipids from the safflower oil and coconut oil groups showed a selective replacement of 22:6(n‐3) with 22:5(n‐6), as evidenced by a reduction of the 22:6(n‐3)‐22:6(n‐3) molecular species and an increase in the 22:5(n‐6)‐22:6(n‐3) species. (3) The renewal rate of ROS integral proteins, determined by autoradiography, was 10% per day for each diet group. (4) Morphometric analysis of retinas showed no differences in the outer nuclear layer area or in ROS length between the three groups. We conclude that the conservation of 22:6(n‐3) in ROS is not accomplished through reductions in the rate of membrane turnover, the total amount of ROS membranes, or in the number of rod cells. The retina may conserve 22:6(n‐3) through recycling within the retina or between the retina and the pigment epithelium, or through the selective uptake of 22‐carbon poly‐unsaturated fatty acids from the circulation.
Leukotriene D4 receptor-mediated hydrolysis of phosphoinositide and mobilization of calcium in sheep tracheal smooth muscle cells.

A sheep tracheal smooth muscle primary culture cell system was developed to characterize leukotriene D4 (LTD4) receptor-mediated biochemical and pharmacological effects. [3H]LTD4 binding to the enriched plasma membrane receptor was specific, stereoselective and saturable. LTE4 and high affinity receptor antagonists bound to the receptors with a rank-order potency that was expected from previous smooth muscle contraction studies. In the [3H]myoinositol labeled cells, LTD4 and LTE4 induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis. The biosynthesis of [3H]inositol-trisphosphate was rapid and the induction of biosynthesis of [3H]inositol-monophosphate by LTs was stereoselective and specific and was inhibited specifically by a receptor antagonist, SKF 104353. In the fura-2 loaded smooth muscle cells, LTD4 and LTE4 induced transient intracellular Ca++ mobilization. The fura-2/Ca++ transient was stereoselective and specific and was inhibited by receptor antagonist, SKF 104353. These results suggest that the cultured sheep tracheal smooth muscle cells have plasma membrane receptors for LTD4. These receptors were coupled to a phospholipase C that, when activated by agonists, induced hydrolysis of inositol containing phospholipids. The hydrolysis products, e.g. diacylglycerol and inositol-trisphosphate, may serve as intracellular messengers that trigger or contribute to the contractile effect in sheep tracheal smooth muscle.
Garicola koreensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from saeu-jeot, traditional Korean fermented shrimp.

A novel Gram-staining-positive, non-endospore-forming, aerobic bacterium, designated strain SJ5-4(T), was isolated from seau-jeot, a traditional food that is made by fermentation of highly salted [approximately 25 % (w/v)] shrimp in Korea. Cells were moderately halophilic, non-motile cocci or short rods that showed catalase- and oxidase-positive reactions. Growth of strain SJ5-4(T) was observed at 15-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.0-9.5 (optimum, pH 6.5-7.0) and in the presence of 1-17 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 6 %). The major cellular fatty acids of strain SJ5-4(T) were anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0, iso-C16 : 0 and C16 : 0. Phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified phospholipid, three glycolipids and an unidentified lipid were detected as the polar lipids. Strain SJ5-4(T) belonged to the exceptionally small group of strains within the order Micrococcales that show a peptidoglycan cross-linked according to the A-type but containing 2,4-diaminobutyric acid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 61.8 mol%. MK-7, MK-8 and MK-9 were detected as the isoprenoid quinones. Strain SJ5-4(T) was most closely related to members of the genus Nesterenkonia, with 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of 93.1-94.8 %. However, phylogenetic inference based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SJ5-4(T) formed a phyletic lineage distinct from members of the genus Nesterenkonia within the family Micrococcaceae. On the basis of its phenotypic and molecular features, strain SJ5-4(T) represents a novel genus and species of the family Micrococcaceae, for which the name Garicola koreensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Garicola koreensis is SJ5-4(T) ( = KACC 16909(T) = JCM 18572(T) = DSM 28238(T)).
Gene discovery in the Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) skin transcriptome

Next‐generation sequencing provides a powerful new approach for developing functional genomic tools for nonmodel species, helping to narrow the gap between studies of model organisms and those of natural populations. Consequently, massively parallel 454 sequencing was used to characterize a normalized cDNA library derived from skin biopsy samples of twelve Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) individuals. Over 412 Mb of sequence data were generated, comprising 1.4 million reads of average length 286 bp. De novo assembly using Newbler 2.3 yielded 156 contigs plus 22 869 isotigs, which in turn clustered into 18 576 isogroups. Almost half of the assembled transcript sequences showed significant similarity to the nr database, revealing a functionally diverse array of genes. Moreover, 97.9% of these mapped to the dog (Canis lupis familiaris) genome, with a strong positive relationship between the number of sequences locating to a given chromosome and the length of that chromosome in the dog indicating a broad genomic distribution. Average depth of coverage was also almost 20‐fold, sufficient to detect several thousand putative microsatellite loci and single nucleotide polymorphisms. This study constitutes an important step towards developing genomic resources with which to address consequential questions in pinniped ecology and evolution. It also supports an earlier but smaller study showing that skin tissue can be a rich source of expressed genes, with important implications for studying the genomics not only of marine mammals, but also more generally of species that cannot be destructively sampled.
Characterization of power delivery network by using optimized power/ground port termination impedance

In this paper, we propose a methodology to obtain proper power/ground port termination impedance for accurate simulation of power delivery network (PDN) by using its s-parameter. We apply the optimized power/ground port termination impedance to analyze the power transfer from DC-DC converter to ASIC and the noise coupling between PDN and the transmission line. The simulation results with the optimized power/ground port impedance agree very well with the measurements.
Complete and sustained response of adult medulloblastoma to first-line sonic hedgehog inhibition with vismodegib

ABSTRACT Medulloblastoma is an aggressive primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the cerebellum that is rare in adults. Medulloblastomas fall into 4 prognostically significant molecular subgroups that are best defined by experimental gene expression profiles: the WNT pathway, sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway, and subgroups 3 and 4 (non-SHH/WNT). Medulloblastoma of adults belong primarily to the SHH category. Vismodegib, an SHH-pathway inhibitor FDA-approved in 2012 for treatment of basal cell carcinoma, has been used successfully in the setting of chemorefractory medulloblastoma, but not as a first-line therapy. In this report, we describe a sustained response of an unresectable multifocal form of adult medulloblastoma to vismodegib. Molecular analysis in this case revealed mutations in TP53 and a cytogenetic abnormality, i17q, that is prevalent and most often associated with subgroup 4 rather than the SHH-activated form of medulloblastoma. Our findings indicate that vismodegib may also block alternate, non-canonical forms of downstream SHH pathway activation. These findings provide strong impetus for further investigation of vismodegib in clinical trials in the first-line setting for pediatric and adult forms of medulloblastoma.
Maintenance treatment with azacytidine for patients with high‐risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or acute myeloid leukaemia following MDS in complete remission after induction chemotherapy

This prospective Phase II study is the first to assess the feasibility and efficacy of maintenance 5‐azacytidine for older patients with high‐risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia and MDS‐acute myeloid leukaemia syndromes in complete remission (CR) after induction chemotherapy. Sixty patients were enrolled and treated by standard induction chemotherapy. Patients that reached CR started maintenance therapy with subcutaneous azacytidine, 5/28 d until relapse. Promoter‐methylation status of CDKN2B (P15 ink4b), CDH1 and HIC1 was examined pre‐induction, in CR and 6, 12 and 24 months post CR. Twenty‐four (40%) patients achieved CR after induction chemotherapy and 23 started maintenance treatment with azacytidine. Median CR duration was 13·5 months, >24 months in 17% of the patients, and 18–30·5 months in the four patients with trisomy 8. CR duration was not associated with CDKN2B methylation status or karyotype. Median overall survival was 20 months. Hypermethylation of CDH1 was significantly associated with low CR rate, early relapse, and short overall survival (P = 0·003). 5‐azacytidine treatment, at a dose of 60 mg/m2 was well tolerated. Grade III‐IV thrombocytopenia and neutropenia occurred after 9·5 and 30% of the cycles, respectively, while haemoglobin levels increased during treatment. 5‐azacytidine treatment is safe, feasible and may be of benefit in a subset of patients.
The Ptch1DL mouse: A new model to study lambdoid craniosynostosis and basal cell nevus syndrome‐associated skeletal defects

Mouse models provide valuable opportunities for probing the underlying pathology of human birth defects. By using an N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea‐based screen for recessive mutations affecting craniofacial anatomy, we isolated a mouse strain, Dogface‐like (DL), with abnormal skull and snout morphology. Examination of the skull indicated that these mice developed craniosynostosis of the lambdoid suture. Further analysis revealed skeletal defects related to the pathology of basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) including defects in development of the limbs, scapula, ribcage, secondary palate, cranial base, and cranial vault. In humans, BCNS is often associated with mutations in the Hedgehog receptor PTCH1 and genetic mapping in DL identified a point mutation at a splice donor site in Ptch1. By using genetic complementation analysis we determined that DL is a hypomorphic allele of Ptch1, leading to increased Hedgehog signaling. Two aberrant transcripts are generated by the mutated Ptch1DL gene, which would be predicted to reduce significantly the levels of functional Patched1 protein. This new Ptch1 allele broadens the mouse genetic reagents available to study the Hedgehog pathway and provides a valuable means to study the underlying skeletal abnormalities in BCNS. In addition, these results strengthen the connection between elevated Hedgehog signaling and craniosynostosis. genesis 51:677–689. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.