Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Follicular fluid alterations in endometriosis: label-free proteomics by MSE as a functional tool for endometriosis

Abstract Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological condition that affects 10-32% of women of reproductive age and may lead to infertility. The study of protein profiles in follicular fluid may assist in elucidating possible biomarkers related to this disease. For this, follicular fluid samples were obtained from women with tubal factor or minimal male factor infertility who had pregnancy outcomes after in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment (control group, n = 10), women with endometriosis (endometriosis group, n = 10), along with the endometrioma from these same patients were included (endometrioma group, n = 10). For proteomic analysis, samples were pooled according to their respective groups and normalized to protein content. Proteins were analyzed by in tandem mass spectrometry (MSE) Spectra processing and the ProteinLynx Global Server v.2. 5. was used for database searching. Data was submitted to the biological network analysis using Cytoscape 2.8. 2 with ClueGO plugin. As a result, 535 proteins were identified among all groups. The control group differentially or uniquely expressed 33 (6%) proteins and equal expression of 98 (18%) proteins was observed in the control and endometriosis groups of which 41 (7%) proteins were further identified and/or quantified. Six (1%) proteins were observed in both the endometriosis and endometrioma groups, but 212 (39%) proteins were exclusively identified and/or quantified in the endometrioma group. There were 9 (1%) proteins observed in both the control and endometrioma groups and there were 139 (25%) proteins common among all three groups. Distinct differences among the protein profiles in the follicular fluid of patients included in this study were found, identifying proteins related to the disease progression and IVF success. Thus, some pathways related to endometriosis are associated with the presence of specific proteins, as well as the absence of others. This study provides a first step to the development of more sensitive diagnostic tests and treatment.
The expression of pain in infants with developmental delays.

OBJECTIVE To explore how infants with developmental delays express pain, we analysed facial expressions of infants receiving their routine immunization at around 4-6 months developmental age. The sample included eight infants with developmental disabilities (mean developmental age 4.8 months) and 30 typically developing infants (mean age 4 months). The Maximally Discriminative Facial Movement Coding system was used to code infant facial expressions during immunization. RESULTS The pain expression was by far the most common of all facial expressions following immunization for both groups of infants. Those with disabilities produced significantly fewer discrete high-intensity expressions of pain, and significantly more blended expressions than typically developing infants. Expressions of fear, sadness and anger were relatively infrequent in both groups. Infants with disabilities used their upper face less often than typically developing infants, and their mid face was uncodeable more often. CONCLUSION Infants with developmental delays were likely to show pain in facial expressions less clearly than typically developing infants. It is important for health care professionals to be aware that this may be the case when considering the administration of analgesia for such children.
Identifying and Managing Technical Faults in the Anesthesia Machine: Lessons Learned from the Israeli Board of Anesthesiologists

BACKGROUND:The potential for catastrophe resulting from anesthetic equipment failure and the failure of training programs to adequately prepare residents to detect and manage equipment failure prompted the Israel Board of Anesthesiologists to include simulation-based testing in the Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation component of the Israeli Board Examination in Anesthesiology. METHODS:We used simulation-based scenarios to measure the performance of residents while (a) checking the anesthesia machine before the first morning case, (b) checking the anesthesia machine between cases, (c) managing an oxygen pipeline failure, and (d) managing an expiratory valve failure. RESULTS:During board examination, 3 of 28 examinees failed to correctly check at least 70% of the items on the anesthesia machine checkout list before the first morning case and 3 of 30 failed to correctly check 70% of the items between cases. Although all examinees recognized inadequate oxygen cylinder pressure and a malfunctioning valve, 1 of 31 examinees failed to open the O2 cylinder, 6 of 31 did not disconnect the anesthesia machine from the central oxygen supply, 14 of 31 could not explain how to minimize the use of oxygen, 2 of 30 failed to find the faulty valve, and 15 of 30 could not give the correct differential diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS:During simulation-based board examination most senior anesthesia residents became aware of equipment failures but many failed to correctly diagnosis and manage the failure.
Impairment of endothelium‐dependent relaxation and changes in levels of cyclic GMP in aorta from streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats

1 Acetylcholine (ACh)‐induced relaxation of aortic strips with endothelium and production of cyclic GMP between streptozotocin‐induced diabetic and age‐matched control rats were compared. 2 The concentration‐response curve for ACh‐induced relaxation was shifted to the right in diabetic rats. IC50 values for ACh were 4.57 ± 0.67 × 10−8 m and 1.00 ± 0.87 × 10−7 m in aortic strips from age‐matched control and diabetic rats, respectively (n = 6, P < 0.05). 3 Relaxations produced by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in diabetic aortae were similar to those in age‐matched vessels. 4 Relaxations produced by sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in diabetic aortae were similar to those in age‐matched vessels. 5 Basal levels of cyclic GMP and ACh‐induced production of cyclic GMP were significantly decreased in diabetic rats. 6 These results suggest that functional changes in endothelium but not in guanylate cyclase activity in the aorta may occur in diabetes, and, thus, spontaneous and ACh‐induced formation of cyclic GMP may be decreased. This decrease in production of cyclic GMP may be responsible for the decreased response of the aorta to the relaxant effect of ACh.
Pak1 and Pak2 are activated in recurrent respiratory papillomas, contributing to one pathway of Rac1‐mediated COX‐2 expression

Recurrent respiratory papillomas are premalignant tumors of the airway caused by human papillomaviruses (HPVs), primarily Types 6 and 11. We had reported that respiratory papillomas overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), the small GTPase Rac1 and cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), and have enhanced nuclear factor‐κB (NFκB) activation with decreased levels of IκB‐β but not IκB‐α. We also showed that EGFR‐activated Rac1 mediates expression of COX‐2 through activation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase. We have now asked whether the p21‐activated kinases Pak1 or Pak2 mediate activation of p38 by Rac1 in papilloma cells. Pak1 and Pak2 were constitutively activated in vivo in papilloma tissue compared with normal epithelium, and Rac1 siRNA reduced the level of both phospho‐Pak1 and phospho‐Pak2 in cultured papilloma cells. Reduction in Pak1 and Pak2 with siRNA decreased the COX‐2 expression in papilloma cells, increased the levels of IκB‐β and reduced the nuclear localization of NF‐κB, but had no effect on p38 phosphorylation. Our studies suggest that Rac1 → Pak1/Pak2 → NFκB is a separate pathway that contributes to the expression of COX‐2 in HPV‐induced papillomas, independently of the previously described Rac1 → p38 → COX‐2 pathway.
Role of gamma interferon and tumor necrosis factor alpha in resistance to Salmonella typhimurium infection

In mice infected with a sublethal dose of Salmonella typhimurium, the injection of an anti-gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) monoclonal antibody increased bacterial proliferation in the spleen and led to death on day 7 or 8. Depletion of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with monoclonal antibodies in vivo had a much less marked effect during the first week of infection than the administration of anti-IFN-gamma antibodies, suggesting that cells other than T lymphocytes participate in the production of IFN-gamma at this time. Administration of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) antibodies to mice infected with a sublethal dose of S. typhimurium induced the same effect as anti-IFN-gamma antibodies, while the administration of both antibodies resulted in a synergistic interaction. When mice were infected with an avirulent strain of S. typhimurium and challenged on day 7 either with a virulent strain of S. typhimurium or with Listeria monocytogenes, their resistance to reinfection was slightly depressed by anti-IFN-gamma or anti-TNF-alpha antibodies given 1 day before challenge and much more strongly depressed by the simultaneous administration of both antibodies. Taken together, these results indicate that IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha play an essential role in acquired resistance during the early phase of S. typhimurium infection.
p53, Mdm2, and c‐Myc overexpression is associated with a poor prognosis in aggressive non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas

The expression of p53, p21/WAF‐1, Mdm2, c‐Myc, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) proteins was examined by the immunohistochemistry of paraffin‐embedded tissues of 62 patients with aggressive non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) and correlated to clinical data. Expression of p53, p21/WAF‐1, Mdm2, and c‐Myc protein was observed in 17 out of 62 cases (30%), 25 out of 60 (42%), 13 out of 44 (30%), and 39 out of 51 (76.5%), respectively. The p53+/p21WAF‐1 phenotype, which is more frequently found in p53 mutations, was associated with a worse overall survival (P = 0.04) and with a lower rate of complete response (CR) (PF = 0.01). p53 and c‐Myc negative expression was related to a better response to chemotherapy (PF = 0.005 and 0.035, respectively). The expression of p53, c‐Myc, and Mdm2 was related to a shortened overall survival (P < 0.001, 0.05, and 0.037, respectively), suggesting that the expression of these proteins could be associated with a poor outcome in these patients. Am. J. Hematol. 67:84–92, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The magnitude of acute and chronic alcohol abuse in trauma patients.

OBJECTIVE To assess the incidence of acute alcohol intoxication and the proportion of trauma patients with evidence of chronic alcohol abuse. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Regional level I trauma center. PARTICIPANTS Patients aged 18 years and older admitted with blunt or penetrating trauma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Admission blood alcohol concentrations (BACs), the Short Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (SMAST), and biochemical markers for chronic alcohol abuse. RESULTS Of the 2657 patients enrolled, 47.0% had a positive BAC and 35.8% were intoxicated (BAC > or = 100 mg/dL) on admission to the emergency department. Intoxicated patients were more likely to be 25 to 34 years old, male, and nonwhite; the highest proportion of intoxicated patients was among victims of stab wounds. Three fourths of acutely intoxicated patients had evidence of chronic alcoholism as indicated by a positive SMAST, and 25% to 35% of acutely intoxicated patients had biochemical evidence of chronic alcohol abuse. CONCLUSIONS The high prevalence of both acute intoxication and chronic alcoholism in trauma patients indicates the need to diagnose and appropriately treat this pervasive problem in trauma victims.
Eligibility and Take-up of the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy

There is concern about poor take-up of the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), but uncertainty in published estimates. The Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS), which contains Medicare LIS enrollment records and extensive survey data on individual beneficiary characteristics, would appear an ideal resource for evaluating LIS take-up. However, use of the MCBS to identify eligible beneficiaries is limited due to underreporting of income and lack of asset information in the published MCBS releases. We evaluate LIS eligibility and participation by enhancing the reliability of MCBS financial information using unpublished survey data on income and assets together with an income imputation procedure.
Human Airway Eosinophils Exhibit Preferential Reduction in STAT Signaling Capacity and Increased CISH Expression

Allergic asthma, a chronic respiratory disorder marked by inflammation and recurrent airflow obstruction, is associated with elevated levels of IL-5 family cytokines and elevated numbers of eosinophils (EOS). IL-5 family cytokines elongate peripheral blood EOS (EOSPB) viability, recruit EOSPB to the airways, and, at higher concentrations, induce degranulation and reactive oxygen species generation. Although airway EOS (EOSA) remain signal ready in that GM-CSF treatment induces degranulation, treatment of EOSA with IL-5 family cytokines no longer confers a survival advantage. Because the IL-5 family receptors have common signaling capacity, but are uncoupled from EOSA survival, whereas other IL-5 family induced endpoints remain functional, we tested the hypothesis that EOSA possess a JAK/STAT-specific regulatory mechanism (because JAK/STAT signaling is critical to EOS survival). We found that IL-5 family–induced STAT3 and STAT5 phosphorylation is attenuated in EOSA relative to blood EOS from airway allergen–challenged donors. However, IL-5 family–induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation is not altered between EOSA and EOS from airway allergen–challenged donors. These observations suggest EOSA possess a regulatory mechanism for suppressing STAT signaling distinct from ERK1/2 activation. Furthermore, we found, in EOSPB, IL-5 family cytokines induce members of the suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS) genes, CISH and SOCS1. Additionally, following allergen challenge, EOSA express significantly more CISH and SOCS1 mRNA and CISH protein than EOSPB counterparts. In EOSPB, long-term pretreatment with IL-5 family cytokines, to varying degrees, attenuates IL-5 family–induced STAT5 phosphorylation. These data support a model in which IL-5 family cytokines trigger a selective downregulation mechanism in EOSA for JAK/STAT pathways.
Endothelium‐dependent hyperpolarization of canine coronary smooth muscle

1 Experiments were designed to determine whether endothelium‐dependent relaxing factor(s) released by acetylcholine from the canine femoral artery influences the membrane potential of coronary arterial smooth muscle. 2 The membrane potential was recorded in small canine coronary arteries (internal diameter ≤ 500 μm; without endothelium) by means of intracellular microelectrodes. The organ bath also contained a strip of left descending coronary artery without endothelium in which isometric force was measured to bioassay relaxing factors(s) as well as segments of femoral artery with endothelium, which served as the source of endothelium‐derived relaxing factor(s). 3 Acetylcholine induced endothelium‐dependent, transient hyperpolarizations and relaxations that were not affected by indomethacin. 4 Inhibition of the sodium‐potassium pump by ouabain or potassium‐free solution did not inhibit the relaxation to acetylcholine but prevented the corresponding hyperpolarization. 5 Activation of the sodium‐potassium pump of the smooth muscle cells by readmission of potassium ions after incubation in potassium‐free solution caused relaxation and marked hyperpolarization. 6 These results suggest that endothelium‐derived relaxing factor(s) induces hyperpolarization of vascular smooth muscle of the canine coronary artery, possibly by activation of sodium‐potassium pumping, but that this effect on the cell membrane may only partially explain endothelium‐dependent relaxations evoked by acetylcholine.
Management of multi drug resistance tuberculosis in the field: Tuberculosis Research Centre experience.

SETTING Multi-drug TB resistant (resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin) patients identified from a rural and urban area. OBJECTIVE To study the feasibility of managing MDR TB patients under field conditions where DOTS programme has been implemented. METHODS MDR TB Patients identified among patients treated under DOTS in the rural area and from cases referred by the NGO when MDR TB was suspected form the study population. Culture and drug susceptibility testing were done at Tuberculosis Research Centre (TRC). Treatment regimen was decided on individual basis. After a period of initial hospitalization, treatment was continued in the respective peripheral health facility or with the NGO after identifying a DOT provider in the field. Patients attended TRC at monthly intervals for clinical, sociological and bacteriological evaluations. Drugs for the month were pre-packed and handed over to the respective center. RESULTS A total of 66 MDR TB patients (46 from the rural and 20 from the NGO) started on treatment form the study population and among them 20 (30%) were resistant to one or more second line drugs (Eto, Ofx, Km) including a case of "XDR TB". Less than half the patients stayed in the hospital for more than 10 days. The treatment was provided partially under supervision. Providing injection was identified to be a major problem. Response to treatment could be correctly predicted based on the 6-month smear results in 40 of 42 regular patients. Successful treatment outcome was observed only in 37% of cases with a high default of 24%. Adverse reactions necessitating modification of treatment was required only for three patients. IMPLICATIONS Despite having reliable DST and drug logistics, the main challenge was to maintain patients on such prolonged treatment by identifying a provider closer to the patient who can also give injection, have social skills and manage of minor adverse reactions.
Comparative Studies of Psychological Function in Patients with Advanced Cancer—I. Self‐Reported Depressive Symptoms

&NA; Depressive symptoms assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory were compared in 97 cancer patients, 66 next‐of‐kin of cancer patients, and 99 physically healthy persons who attempted suicide. Less than a fourth of the cancer patients and a fifth of their next‐of‐kin but over half of the psychiatric patients were moderately or severely depressed. The two patient groups were indistinguishable in somatic depressive symptoms, both scoring higher then the next‐of‐kin. The cancer patients and the next‐of‐kin were indistinguishable in nonsomatic (psychological) depressive symptoms, both scoring lower than the suicide attempters. Younger patients reported more nonsomatic symptoms than older ones. Beck scores and nearness to death were not associated in 57 cancer patients who expired. Vegetative depressive symptoms in cancer patients may reflect advanced disease, but nonsomatic symptoms should be reason for psychiatric consultation.
Examining governance-innovation relationship in the high-tech industries: monitoring, incentive and a fit with strategic posture

Departing from the usual debates regarding the superiority of one governance structure over another, this study aims to complement the prior institutional approach by addressing how a firm's internal governance, via board competence and managerial incentives, shapes innovation performance. In a sample of 178 Taiwanese firms in the high-tech industries, the study sets out to examine the innovation-enhancing effects of the firm-level governance arrangements prescribed by agency theory. The results show that the effective governance, characterised by vigilant control through a competent board and the incentives of managers through equity ownership, are conducive to the desired and valued outcomes of innovation by aligning the risk differential between principals and agents. This universal relationship is further extended to a contingency perspective that innovation can be more significantly achieved by managerial risk readiness through a tight coupling of internal governance and the correspondingly appropriate strategy profile. The findings stress that governance and a clear posture of differentiation in high-tech environments are, arguably, multiple bases on which innovation is sought.
cpnDB: a chaperonin sequence database.

Type I chaperonins are molecular chaperones present in virtually all bacteria, some archaea and the plastids and mitochondria of eukaryotes. Sequences of cpn60 genes, encoding 60-kDa chaperonin protein subunits (CPN60, also known as GroEL or HSP60), are useful for phylogenetic studies and as targets for detection and identification of organisms. Conveniently, a 549-567-bp segment of the cpn60 coding region can be amplified with universal PCR primers. Here, we introduce cpnDB, a curated collection of cpn60 sequence data collected from public databases or generated by a network of collaborators exploiting the cpn60 target in clinical, phylogenetic, and microbial ecology studies. The growing database currently contains approximately 2000 records covering over 240 genera of bacteria, eukaryotes, and archaea. The database also contains over 60 sequences for the archaeal Type II chaperonin (thermosome, a homolog of eukaryotic cytoplasmic chaperonin) from 19 archaeal genera. As the largest curated collection of sequences available for a protein-encoding gene, cpnDB provides a resource for researchers interested in exploiting the power of cpn60 as a diagnostic or as a target for phylogenetic or microbial ecology studies, as well as those interested in broader subjects such as lateral gene transfer and codon usage. We built cpnDB from open source tools and it is available at http://cpndb.cbr. nrc.ca.
IT for KM in the management consulting industry

– The purpose of the paper is to examine the underlying components of information technology (IT) that support different models of knowledge management (KM). , – This empirical study is conducted in the management consulting industry to examine the important link between IT and KM. Based on previous research, four knowledge models were developed for the management consulting industry based on the knowledge type and service type. Data collected through a survey from 115 management consulting firms in the USA and Canada were analyzed. , – Regardless of the type of KM model utilized, the most widely used IT by management consulting firms was the internet‐related technology (e‐mail, internet, and search engine). The second important IT component was data management technology (document management, data warehousing, data mining, knowledge repositories, and database management). The third important IT was collaborating technology (videoconferencing, workflow management, groupware, group decision support systems, and knowledge maps). The least important IT was artificial intelligence (expert systems, case‐based reasoning systems, intelligent agent, and neural network). , – This paper develops a new topology of KM models based on the knowledge type (exploitive and explorative) and service type (standardized and customized). Thus, four KM models are developed: reuser (exploitive/standardized); stabilizer (exploitive/customized); explorer (explorative/standardized); and innovator (explorative/customized). While IT has been widely accepted as an enabler for KM, its application for a different focus of KM has not been explored.